rodrigo y gabriela

So obsessed with Rodrigo y Gabriela...it's the only thing that's been getting me through the last week of thesis!  I will turn it in on Monday and my life will be so much happier!

photo courtesy of rodrigo y gabriela

paper mache art

These paper mache creatures by Anna Wili Highfield are unbelievable!  I want one.  The pegasus and the owl are so noble.  These photos are from her website.

"white"

Last week I had the great pleasure of going to the Valerie Jaudon "White" exhibition at the Mary Buie Museum in Oxford, Ms.  The artist herself was there!  It was wonderful seeing this woman's work in her very presence.  Here are a few of her pieces that I like, although the darker ones were not at the exhibition.

50 ways

via eatsomebrains

stamp bookmarks

Ever since I was little I have collected stamps from all over the world, mainly from really cool postcards that my jet-setting relatives send my way (jealous? yes.)

That being said, I was so excited when I found these stamp bookmarks at Square Books.  I bought a few and have loved opening my book each night to the vintage designs.  You can find more of them at Stamp Bookmarks.

ps-- I can't wait to read my signed copy of Yann Martel's Beatrice and Virgil.

cocorosie

Photo courtesy of moksha

By Your Side:

Hairnet Paradise:

first dance

Where can I learn to dance like this??  And, not to mention, this bride is stunning and looks incredible in her short wedding dress.  This couple's energetic first dance reminds me of New Orleans, in a weird way (anybody agree with me?).  Note to self: must learn how to do this.

miss dior cherie

I never tire of Dior's ad campaigns.  Love.

sunshine shades

Shades of Couture by Juicy Couture

RB2140 Ray Bans

Chanel

verdes anos

Hauntingly beautiful music by Carlos Paredes.
Kronos Quartet playing a cover of Verdes Anos:

april showers

Leonard Bernstein Festival

In honor of the Leonard Bernstein Festival that has been happening this week at the University.  Tonight I will be playing with the orchestra in a few pieces from West Side Story.  Rumor has it that the Bernstein family will be attending...exciting :)  I thought this sort of "behind the scenes" recording of "America" is neat.  Have a great weekend everyone!

Baz Luhrmann- Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen)

I needed this:

john currence/top chef masters

So proud of John Currence for making it on Bravo's Top Chef!  Looking forward to next week's show and wish him the most luck!  Until then, I will be celebrating several of my own accomplishments this weekend at his City Grocery on the Oxford Square...Push-up Martini, anyone??  Maybe I can also celebrate with this delicious menu he cooked for CBS:

kramer vs. kramer

Watched Kramer vs Kramer last night and couldn't believe how beautiful Meryl Streep is in it.  I've never seen a movie with her in her younger years (and I must say, she has aged so gracefully), and I thought she looked so elegant in this movie (despite the fact that she plays a depressed mother!).

cake breath and grass stains

Childhood is a strange country.  It’s

A place you come from or go to—

At least in your mind.  For me it has

An endless, spellbound something

In it that feels remote.  It’s like a

Little sealed-vault country of

Cake breath and grass stains where

What you do instead of work

Is spin until you’re dizzy.

By Lyall Bush

Photos courtesy of English Muse.

up

Dresden, Summer 2010

what's different?

My super cool French cousins took this photo, which I think is awesome.  They are so creative.  You can check out my cousin Camille's blog here and here.  She takes great photos that are truly inspiring and whimsical :)

Photo copyright to Camille Champenois

flowers, woods, puppies, and magic

I was so honored last week when my friend Kristen Vise asked me to model for a photography project.  You can check out some of her other works here.  For the project, she had to use techniques employed by photographer Anna Wolf (whom I am now obsessed with).  Here are some of the photos...they are magical:

All photos are copyright to Kristen Vise.

les demoiselles de rochefort

Les Demoiselles de Rochefort, 1967.  A French classic that I loved as a child.  Sometimes I think of this song (in the video below) and wish I had a recording of it...can't find one any where though!  I've been preparing for the OPI (oral proficiency interview) for French by watching French movies, and I came across this one and had a major wave of nostalgia.  If you like classics and musicals and France, you should watch this movie!


And....Yes, that's Gene Kelly :)

i'd pick more daisies

This poem is framed on the wall of the puellae bathroom in Square Books in Oxford.  I love it.  This poem is so encouraging, especially for us young folks.

If I had my life to live over-- I'd pick more daisies

by Nadine Stair

If I had my life to live over, I'd dare to make more mistakes next time. I'd relax, I would limber up. I would be sillier than I have been this trip. I would take fewer things seriously. I would take more chances. I would climb more mountains and swim more rivers. I would eat more ice cream and less beans. I would perhaps have more actual troubles, but I'd have fewer imaginary ones.

You see, I'm one of those people who lived sensibly and sanely, hour after hour, day after day. Oh, I've had my moments, and if I had to do it over again, I'd have more of them. In fact, I'd try to have nothing else. Just moments, one after another, instead of living so many years ahead of each day. I've been one of those persons who never goes anywhere without a thermometer, a hot water bottle, a raincoat and a parachute. If I had to do it again, I would travel lighter than I have.

If I had my life to live over, I would start barefoot earlier in the spring and stay that way later in the fall. I would go to more dances. I would ride more merry-go-rounds. I would pick more daisies.

i'll have a...tartini in g minor...

Lately (as in the past three years) I've been really bored with my music repertoire and I haven't had much time to work on new pieces.  It's taken a while for me to find something to look forward to working on...but  I'm happy to announce that I have finally found my new endeavor!  Guiseppe  Tartini's sonata for violin in g minor.  This piece will be my spring/summer project.

 Here is Perlman, my favorite, playing the second movement.  His playing really gives me a sense of peace...his expression alone makes me feel like nothing else matters besides music.  He plays with such ease and confidence.  He makes it look way too easy.


  The next video is Perlman playing the third...which is WAY above my level.  Nonetheless--enjoy!