In the news tonight...

Have you seen Silver Linings Playbook? Despite the Hollywood hype, and associated hoo-hah it's actually very good. Really the trailer doesn't do it justice. And hooray for David O. Russell for producing a mainstream film that is a step towards publicising, and normalising mental illness and differences within our communities.

Clip from You Tube.

What:nots...

Another weekend down, another week about to start. The boys head off on a week-long camp tomorrow, and with R in New Zealand until Friday I will be rattling about the house on my ownsome. To be honest I'm rather excited about a week on my own - I've loads of riding planned, books to read, films to see, friends to catch up with, and lots of me time. It feels like such a treat. I hope all is well in your neck of the woods - have a wonderful week! 

Strikingly beautiful image found here. 

Broadly speaking, I agree with Winston Churchill.

Pipi Cafe (the ultimate place to eat) has published a cookbook. Full of wonderful recipes, it also includes Alexandra's heart-breakingly honest account of how Pipi's came to be.

Liking this silk half-sleeve shirt dress by Arts & Science.

Bernadette Pascua's illustrations.

Love this shirt and short set from Stella McCartney.

By Boe's modern + delicate Amazon necklace.

Monsieur Lazhar - a poignant, bittersweet comedy. 

And to end with a sweet tune from Maya Vik.

Images from Twigs + Sand, Pipi Cafe, Arts & Science, Bernadette Pascua, style.com, By Boe, and Monsieur Lazhar.  Clip from You Tube.

Quietly meditative...

...and full of serene images is this film from Toast. So much to like...

Images from Toast.

What:nots...

Happy Sunday eve! I had planned to post this earlier today, but opted for a somewhat muddy meander through Forest Park. Anyhoo I hope all is going well for you, and that the week ahead is a good one. I'm about to head off and catch up on some long overdue blog reading. 

Very much like the light in this black and white.

Gordon Bottomley, 1899.

Joanna Braithewaite's Still Falls the Rain.

Pretty lingerie by Stella McCartney.

Great dress from Anthropologie.

Areta Wilkinson's The Herbal Mixture.

Simple cashmere pieces from Pringle.

Annie Smits Sandano's woodcut mandala.

This looks like a sweet little film.

And this little guy just makes me smile.

ps: I'll be back tomorrow with some news....

Images from Pringle, Bowen Galleries, Stella McCartney, Anthropologie, The Dowse Art Museum, Pringle, Annie Smits Sandano, Salmon Fishing in the Yemen, and wit + delight.

Queen of the sun...

...What are the bees telling us? This looks and sounds like an interesting documentary. After a full on week I'm collapsing with the boys and a few good books - back tomorrow with what:nots. 
ps: Loved Pippa Middleton's dress!
Clip from You Tube.

Weekly what:nots...

Ever so slowly signs of spring are appearing - bulbs popping up, the occasional tree in blossom, increasing birdsong, fleeting sunshine, and of course lots of spring rain. The past week has been a funny old one (kind of slouchy and ponderous), but I did sneak out to Toro Bravo (yum) with a friend, plus rode twice which is always a good thing. I hope your week was a good one and that your weekend is going along nicely.

Comfortable yet chic clothes from Roseanna.

The PS1 wallet from Proenza Schouler.

Fab photo of Audrey Hepburn found here.

Silva Bradshaw's Leva ring.

Peace Bomb bracelets from Article 22. You can read more about them here.

Simon Ogden's lino-collages created with found objects.

A reflective observation from New Zealand writer Peter Hooper.

Dear June's oversized 100% cotton scarves - lovely.

And a really lovely movie - Brick Lane - a contemporary story of love, cultural difference, and ultimately the strength of the human spirit.

Images from Refinery 29, Proenza Schouler, Modern Hepburn, Silva Bradshaw, Article 22, Bowen Galleries, Dear June, and clip from You Tube.

Heroes...

A little bit of Bowie* on a crisp sunny Wednesday.
*Heroes always reminds me of the film Christiane F - harrowing and haunting.


Clip from You Tube.

The KIng's Speech...

Have you seen The King's Speech yet? If not I highly recommend it. Deftly acted - Geoffrey Rush is brilliant, as are Colin Firth and Helena Bonham Carter - it's a superb film. And I love that Jennifer Ehle (aka Elizabeth Bennet in the BBC's Pride and Prejudice) pops up as Lionel Logue's wife.
Image from Flicks and Bits.

In spring one plants alone...

On my to see list is Vincent Ward's latest film which documents the story of Puhi, an aged Maori woman and Niki, her dependant son. Here's a wee synopsis - The world they occupy in not a world of large events but the rituals of everyday life, traditions and interdependence. Filmed over a period of one and a half years, it emerges as a rare, haunting and powerful portrayal of their life together. This is the story of their rituals and of their survival. The small and disconnected instances that we encounter form a lone vision of the rifts and the bond between an old woman and her disturbed son. 
Image and synopsis from Vincent Ward Films.

The bubbliest bubble...

Ben Lewis' doco The Great Contemporary Art Bubble looks really interesting.
Clip from You Tube, found via Aubin Cinema.

The lucky one...

A little bit of thought provocation for your Sunday morning.
Clip from You Tube, found via Aspiring Kennedy.

Waste Land...

Waste Land chronicles Vik Muniz's journey to Jardim Gramacho, the world’s largest landfill, located on the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro. He collaborates with an eclectic band of catadores,or self-designated pickers of recyclable materials, and photographs these inspiring characters as they recycle their lives and society’s garbage. Walker gains incredible access to the entire process and, in doing so, offers stirring evidence of the transformative power of art and the dignity that can be found in personal determination.
Blurb from here, clip from You Tube.

The slide...

A smile-inducing Volkswagon commercial - would you take the stairs or the slide?
Clip from You Tube, via Elle Sees.

There...

Toast's AW10 film There is enough to make me yearn for snow and rain...
Clip from blip.tv

Ondine...

Another film on my must-see list this summer - Neil Jordan's Ondine. It's a lyrical modern fairy tale that tells the story of Syracuse (Colin Farrell), an Irish fisherman whose life is transformed when he catches a beautiful and mysterious woman (Alicja Bachleda) in his nets. His daughter Annie (Alison Barry) comes to believe that the woman is a magical creature, while Syracuse falls helplessly in love. Judging by the trailer and various reviews there is a darker side to this tale....
Clip from You Tube.

Biutiful...

It's been one of those weeks - I hope to post what:nots later tonight, if not tomorrow. In the meantime, this film - Biutiful - looks really, really good. Directed by Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu (21 grams and Babel) and starring Javier Bardem, I can't wait for it to be released!
Clip from You Tube.

The lazarus effect...

There are so many great documentaries out at present and this one The Lazarus Effect offers a sobering look at the cultural pandemic of AIDS in Africa. Directed by Lance Bangs the 30 minute film tells a story of hope in the form of four Zambia residents who successfully access treatment and change their lives. You can find out more about the film here, and read about RED, the non-profit organisation behind the film here.
Clip from You Tube.

The Harvest...

This is sublimely gorgeous & beautifully shot.

Lover's short film previewing their AW collection.