I don't like the modeling world, but I kind of like this girl.

What I mean by not liking the modeling world is Simply that I dislike the fact that all the models have to be Amazonian women.  The average woman (last time I checked) is about 5'4".  Fashion shows today seem to be more  about art than practicality, and it seems most models are around 5'10''.  Now, trust me, I am Very into arty, irrational things.  You might say I am the very definition of arty, ridiculous nonsense, however, it's hard for me to look at models and celebrities and not compare.  Personally, I feel better about myself when I think I look "nice", and I admit there have been times in my not so distant past when I did silly things like search for the measurements and/or weight of anybody from Grace Kelly to Ingrid Bergman to Keira Knightley and so on and so on and so on.

Models are so skinny and giraffe-like, and I can't help wishing that the fashion world valued diversity in models.  I understand that my saying that is somewhat preposterous, since the reason they're the same size is so they can throw them down the catwalk efficiently, etc, etc, etc.  My most recent search?  The model, Lily Cole.  She's an English, 5'10"readheaded model with a round face.  I saw some photos and I really liked the fact that her body has curves.  Not all women are naturally curvy, of course, but it's so rare to see shape in a model.  The funny thing I found was that she and I have nearly the same weight and measurements...except I weigh more now that all I do is stress about school and bake chocolate cakes that I eat by myself.  Oh, and I'm really not trying to brag about this.  The girl is five or six inches taller than I am, therefore, whether or not I'm the officially "healthy" one between the two of us, next to her, I would look like a bloated dwarf woman.  Still, my point is: I like that she looks more human than a lot of the other models.

New movies I am actually really excited (or moderately excited) to see

SHERLOCK HOLMES

I have a thoroughly ridiculous crush on Robert Downey Jr. He's a great actor and I've liked him since prepubescence when I saw him in the movie, Chaplin (he's fabulous in it, check your library/youtube/netflix/video store). Also, my mom and I loved watching him on Ally McBeal, when he was on for a couple seasons. The man has charisma, and probably if you at least saw Iron Man, you know what I'm talking about. Now, they tell me he's playing Sherlock Holmes?!!?!! Period piece mystery/adventure!!!! Old fashioned boxing!!! I AM SO IN.

EASY VIRTUE
Colin Firth in a movie that looks good?? Yay!!! I knew you'd rise again! Noel Coward!!! And Kristin Scott Thomas, who is one of my all-time favorites! My only gripe is that Jessica Beil makes me insanely jealous (as does any young actress who gets to glide around in these GORGEOUS little period films...le sigh...maybe I should lose weight and look perfect all the time and go hang out at a soda fountain like Grace Kelly or Lana Turner or whoever, and just sit there, and then I'll get discovered...hmm, where is the nearest soda fountain? 1963?? Damn).




CHERI

Also the 1920s. Also gorgeous. Also Stephen Frears. And Rupert Friend!!! The adorable Englishman I've been telling people about since I saw him in Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont with Joan Plowright.

I also want to see Star Trek since everyone has been raving..and The Brothers Bloom.

I'm saving my money for Paris, but.....

If I were covered in excess money, here are some things I might snatch from Etsy.

Oh Johnny, oh Johnny oh....

Speaking of silent film, I recently saw Benny and Joon (1993) for the FIRST time (I can't believe I spent so many years unaware of the awesomeness of this movie) and Johnny Depp is an amazing, quirky Buster Keaton/Charlie Chaplin reincarnation. If this person existed in real life, I too would fall in love with him.

Gypsies, Vamps and Thieves*

I've been reading Our Hearts were Young and Gay by Cornelia Otis Skinner and Emily Kimbrough. It was published in 1942 and basically contains the memoirs of the two friends' trip abroad after they had just graduated from Bryn Mawr in the 1920s. My great aunt recommended it to me ages and ages ago, and my copy actually came directly from her dusty bookshelf. Anyway, it's fun to read something that refers to so many cultural items of the past. So often I have no idea who or what is being mentioned. Skinner refers to Theda Bara at least three times in the first forty pages. The name did sound familiar and I guessed she was an actress. If you asked me to name silent film stars, though, only four come to mind right away: Louise Brooks, Mary Pickford, Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton. Those are the ones we probably see the most of, today. Anyway, I love having my eyes opened to the fun, everyday pop culture world of the past and this book is sort of like reading a twenty year old girl's personal newspaper.

Here are some photos and a film clip of Theda Bara, one of the first vamps and sex symbols of silent film.

*I miss Cher.

Chasin' the Blues Away

How do I chase my blues away? I huddle in the dark, watching hours and hours of "Lost" episodes, cover bananas and apples in chocolate syrup, play the ukulele, get some sleep and proceed to wear my most femme fatale outfit and make-up so that I can spend an hour in the presence of humans, feeling better about things. Hey, at least I make an interesting picture, right? Oh, did I mention I also take pictures from the bathroom, doing silly poses in an attempt to channel Carole Lombard? Because apparently I do that, too.

Top: Banana Republic, thrifted, Buffalo Exchange

Skirt: Lushhouse, purchased at a shop in Melbourne

Reading for Fun!

It was a regular old spring day at Powell's City of Books in Portland, Oregon.  I was in the Blue Room (also known as the literature section) aimlessly browsing the shelves when I saw the cover of a book that simply said, "Maaaaargaux!! Reeeead meeee!!!"  This book was The Dud Avocado by Elaine Dundy.  I love avocados and the title was quirky. There was an art photo of a naked woman on the cover and she didn't look seductive or provocative, she was simply lying stomach down, her head up, eyes staring into the camera, like a thinking human being.  When I read the back cover, I KNEW this book was for me.  I read it and realized just how right I was.  

 "The Dud Avocado follows the romantic and comedic adventures of a young American who heads overseas to conquer Paris in the late 1950s. Edith Wharton and Henry James wrote about the American girl abroad, but it was Elaine Dundy's Sally Jay Gorce who told us what she was really thinking. Charming, sexy, and hilarious, The Dud Avocado gained instant cult status when it was first published and it remains a timeless portrait of a woman hell-bent on living."