"Whatever comes, let it come, what stays let stay, what goes, let go." Papaji

Gone, going, gone

Dear interwebs friends, I am off for a week of absolute rest in the sun. In your honour, I will endeavour to eat tons of fresh seafood and ice cream, bask in the warm sun, explore Epcot Center, sleep, read and completely unwind. Can't wait to share pics with you upon my return! Thank you as always and see you in 10 days! xox

"I don’t know how it happened – it was almost imperceptible. It was about three weeks into the picture – the end of the day – I had one more shot, was sitting at the dressing table in the portable dressing room combing my hair. Bogie came in to bid me good night. He was standing behind me – we were joking as usual – when suddenly he leaned over, put his hand under my chin, and kissed me. It was impulsive – he was a bit shy – no lunging wolf tactics. He took a worn out package of matches out of his pocket and asked me to put my number on the back. I did." Lauren Bacall on how her relationship with Humphrey Bogart started.

Be well

I am not a new-age kind of gal. As a matter of fact, I'm usually pretty skeptical when it comes to "miracle" stories, crystals or other hollistic practices. But recently, thanks to my amazing coworker who is studying to be a naturopath, I'm starting (and the key word here is starting) to be more open-minded when it comes to alternative methods of healing. Under my friend's guidance, I have started eating more vegetables, exercising more regularly and learn to listen to what my body is telling me. And i do feel good. Which is why, when I discovered the "Wellness Warrior" I had less trouble believing that a radical change in lifestyle could heal one person -even of cancer. I think that what Jess Ainscough promotes is amazing. Of course, her story is quite extreme and the requirements of a 9 to 5 job doesn't allow you to "juice up" every few hours or even (gasp) do an enema (which is, by the by, not a practice deemed saved in Canada). But the key message here "to be incredibly kind to yourself" is so important! If you want to get inspired, check her out. I truly believe that feeling good and being good starts on the inside. xox

Beach thing

The beach is calling me. I'll be there Friday. OUI! xox

Explosions

Loving the work of still life photographer Marcel Christ. xox

Never-ending dream

Saw this sweet story on Facebook. Had to share. Truly inspiring. xox  

Ang Lee: A Never-Ending Dream

 "In 1978, as I applied to study film at the University of Illinois, my father vehemently objected. He quoted me a statistic: ‘Every year, 50,000 performers compete for 200 available roles on Broadway.’ Against his advice, I boarded a flight to the U.S. This strained our relationship. In the two decades following, we exchanged less than a hundred phrases in conversation. Some years later, when I graduated film school, I came to comprehend my father’s concern. It was nearly unheard of for a Chinese newcomer to make it in the American film industry. Beginning in 1983, I struggled through six years of agonizing, hopeless uncertainty. Much of the time, I was helping film crews with their equipment or working as editor’s assistant, among other miscellaneous duties. My most painful experience involved shopping a screenplay at more than thirty different production companies, and being met with harsh rejection each time. That year, I turned 30. There’s an old Chinese saying: ‘At 30, one stands firm.’ Yet, I couldn’t even support myself. What could I do? Keep waiting, or give up my movie-making dream? My wife gave me invaluable support. My wife was my college classmate. She was a biology major, and after graduation, went to work for a small pharmaceutical research lab. Her income was terribly modest. At the time, we already had our elder son, Haan, to raise. To appease my own feelings of guilt, I took on all housework – cooking, cleaning, taking care of our son – in addition to reading, reviewing films and writing scripts. Every evening after preparing dinner, I would sit on the front steps with Haan, telling him stories as we waited for his mother – the heroic huntress – to come home with our sustenance (income). This kind of life felt rather undignified for a man. At one point, my in-laws gave their daughter (my wife) a sum of money, intended as start-up capital for me to open a Chinese restaurant – hoping that a business would help support my family. But my wife refused the money. When I found out about this exchange, I stayed up several nights and finally decided: This dream of mine is not meant to be. I must face reality. Afterward (and with a heavy heart), I enrolled in a computer course at a nearby community college. At a time when employment trumped all other considerations, it seemed that only a knowledge of computers could quickly make me employable. For the days that followed, I descended into malaise. My wife, noticing my unusual demeanor, discovered a schedule of classes tucked in my bag. She made no comment that night. The next morning, right before she got in her car to head off to work, my wife turned back and – standing there on our front steps – said, ‘Ang, don’t forget your dream.’ And that dream of mine – drowned by demands of reality – came back to life. As my wife drove off, I took the class schedule out of my bag and slowly, deliberately tore it to pieces. And tossed it in the trash. Sometime after, I obtained funding for my screenplay, and began to shoot my own films. And after that, a few of my films started to win international awards. Recalling earlier times, my wife confessed, ‘I’ve always believed that you only need one gift. Your gift is making films. There are so many people studying computers already, they don’t need an Ang Lee to do that. If you want that golden statue, you have to commit to the dream.’ And today, I’ve finally won that golden statue. I think my own perseverance and my wife’s immeasurable sacrifice have finally met their reward. And I am now more assured than ever before: I must continue making films. You see, I have this never-ending dream."

Toussled

The best. xox

Spring in bloom

I love anything Loeffler Randall. And this sweet ethnic and flower-printed silk clutch is no exception. I can see myself wearing it with boyfriend jeans, my ubiquitous white-tee and some high-heeled sandals. What i can't see happening is the $300 price tag....Shucks. xox

Cheese please

'The Host' Movie Trailer from redCola Music on Vimeo.
Maybe it's because I'm missing some romance in my life. Maybe I'm getting soft. Maybe my critical ability to judge crap from non-crap has inexplicably vanished. And maybe by posting this, I will lose some of my credibility. But (gasp) here it is: i'm kind of excited for The Host. It looks kind of (really) good. Am I the only one? I might even want to read the book (blush). Also, that Max Irons kid (Jeremy Irons's son) is not bad. Strange times indeed. xox

So true. xox

Blush

Never know a dusty pink shift dress could look so chic. Love! xox

Take me

A little obsessed with Out of Africa at the moment. A safari is on my immediate wish list. I can't even deal with how amazing this picture is. It's like a dream. xox

No makeup makeup

A cute little vid, for those times where you would rather wear a paper bag on your face but alas, must be presentable. xox

A look back

All images by me. From top: Barbados, France, Spain, Florida, Morocco.

There's was a snowstorm today in Montreal. Spring is here and yet, there is a heavy white cover everywhere. So, since i need to be taken away (Florida is next week; still feels so far away) and dissipate the whiteness all around, I decided to go back to my travels. These past years, i have had the immense privilege of seeing a bit of the world. Every year, whether big or small, I make it a point to go away. Explore new places or revisit some places that are dear to me. These parenthesesis allow me to replenish and be happier coming back home. They bring about hope, excitation and anticipation. I have realized that when an opportunity to travel arises, you must take it. Don't question it. Take risks. This year, i hope to go explore Britain for the first time, go back to Barbados and possibly (if i'm really lucky) get to travel all the way to New Zealand. And you? What are your travel plans? xox

"It's an odd feeling, farewell. There is such envy in it. Men go off to be tested, for courage. And if we're tested at all, it's for patience, for doing without, for how well we can endure loneliness." Out of Africa

Mix master

My obsession with Solange continues -showing no signs of slowing down. The vintage cut-offs, the vintage African-printed chemise, the afro, the huge earrings, the 'tude. This woman can do no wrong. (Also, her album is absolutely amazing and a must-have). Damn you, girl! xox

Now

Ok? xox

Blur

 Loving these abstract prints (also available in Iphone cases!) from Tchmo. xox

Searching

If you haven't seen Searching for Sugarman, do yourselves a big flavor and watch it without further due. The Oscar-winning documentary will knock you out of your socks. It is said (although not widely believed) that man has a destiny, that there are higher powers at play that may determine the course of his existence. I partly believe this theory although watching this movie almost entirely convinced me that fate is very, very real. Rodriguez is an artist from Detroit who in the 70's, by some mysterious tour de force, got a record deal with the biggest names in the music industry at the time. His albums, however, failed to bring commercial success in the US; he was subsequently dropped and returned to doing odd manual jobs across the Steel city. Fast forward 20 years; two South African men, at the very beginning of the Internet, try to find the artist who, in their country, is more popular than the Stones (by some mysterious power, his vinyl made its way to Africa). The movie is beautifully shot, the story is compelling, and the mysterious Sugarman is an example of triumph in the face of adversity. Throughout the movie, despite acknowledging that he's essentially been cheated of millions by his record label, he continues to project this kind of zen aura that is rarely seen. This is what good cinema should be: stories that empower, stories that inspire and stories that ultimately stay with you long after the credits have rolled. Watch it. Thank me later. xox

xox

State of mine

Some fresh flowers, palm trees, mirrored lenses, flower crowns and ink. xox

Current inspiration

Am I the only one suffering from shameless 80's movies addiction? Anyone? I am completely addicted to them. If Say Anything, The Sure Thing, Untamed Heart or Mystic Pizza plays on TV, I have to watch it. No choice. I'm a goner. Which leads me to Julia Roberts in Mystic Pizza. The hair, the attitude, the rebellious/slutty streak...all great. Honestly, as I was watching it this week-end, I realized that I should be more like her. Not ashamed of my huge hair, of where i'm from, where i'm going and not about to let everyone walk all over me. A woman being able to put her foot down; this is what I aspire to be. xox

Cough Cough

This has been me the past couple of days. Sick as a dog, laying in bed, scratching my eyes. Sorry for the radio silence. But it is important to say: hey, i need a break! I need to think about myself and screw others (sorry) for a while. So, here i am. Back. Still sick. But better. Knowing I knew where to draw the line. And indulge in some me-time. And Lipton soup. And a full bag of York peppermint patties (oups). xox

"Love, actually, is all around." Love Actually

To the wonder

Have you seen the new trailer for Terrence Malick's To the Wonder? It gives me goosebumps. The film is getting a lot of buzz (mostly negative) but I think it's going to be a visual masterpiece (as with another Malick's heavyweight (The New World). The music, the imagery, the unsaid...a must see. xox

You're invited

My place, later, ok? Laters, baby. xox

Temptation

Are perfectly perfect are these Turquoise drop earrings by Isharya? So, so very perfect. xox

Inked

Loving this series entitled ‘a due Colori’ by Italian graphic designer and illustrator Alberto Seveso (it's actually ink underwater. Pretty cool, eh?) xox

xox