Monday Morning Movie: Blue Valentine

I'm a big fan of both Michelle Williams and Ryan Gosling. So, the pairing of the two in Blue Valentine holds great appeal to me. I've been hearing such good things about this movie, but am wondering when the heck is it gonna come out?! And now with an NC-17 rating it seems it may be tricky finding a theatre to show it. Unlike many of my dear friends I am not a relationship optimist. Like one of my favorite books titles I sort of feel that all things fall apart - at least they do eventually. Still, I'm a firm believer in humanity's beautiful capacity to re-build.

It'll be interesting to see how the story develops as it tracks a young married couple's relationship from the beginning to its demise. I'm already wondering if the couple will work to re-build what they started with or go their separate ways. Either way, it looks to be a good flick.

Under Pressure

I tend to keep this blog all happy and light; fun girly stuff. So, you'll have to excuse my return to real life for a moment with today's post, but I'm finding that my stress level about the state of our planet has been growing exponentially lately. Environmentally our planet is stressed. Species become extinct, fresh drinkable water gets depleted, polluted, green space is running out. Our society is breaking down all around us. Our country's infrastructure is falling apart and for a developed nation we have one of the highest rates of child poverty in the world. And, I'm kind of feeling very heavy with the world's problems this morning and just as I was about to shake that yucky feeling and distract myself with something light and girly it dawned on me that I'm nearing 30. I'm an adult now and the time for distractions is just not an option anymore.

I am not one for New Year's resolutions, but I am one for making committed changes. So, from this day on I will be taking my mother's advice (shhhh, don't tell her!) and I will become a proactive citizen of my country, my planet, and my species. Every day I start will start with this one thing in mind...

What will you do today? Small changes around your own house? Volunteer work in your community? Let each day be new, be fresh. Surprise yourself and love more - you, your planet, and your fellow mankind. I know I will and just that thought...makes me feel a whole lot lighter already.

That's Probably Not Amore...

I'm getting some cards ready for Valentine's and I'm in the mood for a little amore. And when I think of love, naturally, I think of Pepe Le Pew. Now, I'm not sure what that says about me that my thoughts of love are associated with being stalked by a deranged skunk, but I do know that I love a good cartoon. Hope you do too :)

Snow White

I'm surrounded by freshly fallen white fluffy snow and mid-way into winter, you know what? I still love it! So, today in honor of my lovely and cold (brrr!) world outside I thought I'd pay a little homage to white - Etsy style. Enjoy...

While I openly admit to being more than a little obsessed with each item I've picked for this collage, it is this knit hat that really makes my heart go pitter patter. I mean did you see that crocheted flower?! Calling all secret admirers - pssst, I love it! Okay, next up what girl doesn't love a little hair adornment? And this sparrow bobby pin is just the thing for bangs too stubborn to grow out. Attention, attention: please excuse the minor bird theme. It was not intended...scouts honor! I mean, hey, we can't help what we're drawn to and really can you blame me for being drawn to this gorgeous ceramic owl cup and fun necklace made of white lace and old copper chains?! I didn't think so.

So, I think we'd all agree that there is just something sexy about chillin' in your man's button down and this sheer boyfriend button up will leave you happy and your man clothed. Oh, wait would that make you unhappy? hehe! And I had to share this oh so enticing handmade soap - ahhh, the fresh scent of baby powder. Plus, isn't that such a lovely product photo?! I mean, really, I wanna buy it. Now, you can't have a snow theme without a little snowflake inspiration and these winter doily earrings do just the trick. And last but not least, I was so happy to stumble upon these lovely life mantra lavender sachets. What a great idea to have a little inspiration jump out at you as you riffle through your sweater drawer.

Okay kiddies, if that wasn't enough winter white inspiration please check out this super neat video courtesy of NPR and Science Friday.

See? Wasn't that a fun little picture show? And now you can't say I never taught you anything...or at least connected you with someone who taught you something :)

Anyhow, until next time enjoy your weekend and share all your love.
-Kate

{top image: white swan plush by La Pomme}

A Fine Frenzy

I'm not really a huge Christmas music kind of gal. I find a good portion of it over the top and just plain over played, but all the same I thought I'd look for a non-cheesy holiday song to share for this morning's Monday movie. And when I stumbled across A Fine Frenzy I knew I had found myself a new musician to love. So, today I've grabbed two little movies for you. Granted, the first up isn't much of a movie; more like a song with a backdrop, but hey, it's a lovely song and if this is considered Christmas music then you can sign me up. Here's hoping you enjoy them both as much as I have this morning...





Good right? And can we just take a second to swoon over her cameo ring?! Love love it. I'll have to hunt down a cute one for myself on Etsy this week.

Waiting Is The Hardest Part...

Okay, okay I know I already talked about this film back over the summer, but its just so hard to wait for it to come out! Never in my life have I been more excited to see a film than I am to see this one. I have literally watched the trailer countless, countless times and I had to share it today for this morning's movie. I am not your typical Tim Burton fan. I mean, I didn't even bother to see Sweeney Todd despite the fact that I'm fond of the original play. But, this movie of Alice in Wonderland is based on one of the greatest books of all time - one of the truest, purest forms of story telling that I have ever read. It's a story for kids and adults alike. It's a tale that was meant to awaken a resting imagination and its one story, that I have always found, makes the colors of our world seem brighter.

While there have been several movie versions of the book made this trailer seems to nail it just right and I have high hopes for Tim Burton's interpretation. I do hope that many of you will find some time to carve out and read the book first (psst, or just borrow it from the library for free). Trust me its worth missing a few nights of Grey's Anatomy for. I for one plan on giving it another read before I see the movie in March - oh, March! Are you really that far away?

Bust a Move

Okay, okay I admit this is a pretty cheesy video, but I can't help it! It's so dumb its funny. I'm a sucker for bad acting 80's movies with any kind of choreographed dance moves. And yes, the break dancing ones are the best. So this little video brings back all my latch key childhood memories of watching 80's movies replay over and over on HBO after school. And come on, are those Barbie shoes for Ken that those dancing digits are sporting?! You have to admit its at least a little bit entertaining...right?

Walk This Way with Orla Kiely

Welcome back to the work week! I hope everyone had a nice and relaxing weekend. I know I did. Sunday I went from pajamas to shower to a new pair of pajamas. It was wonderful. I also stumbled into today's Monday Morning Movie, Orla Kiely's new video lookbook for Fall 2009. I instantly fell in love with it and knew I would have to share it right away.

Its just so fun and girly what with their long legs doing their silly moves. Plus, the clothes are gorgeous. They're kind of fresh faced schoolgirl meets tastefully sexy and super hip secretary. I mean really, I'd like one of each. And did you see that blue A-line coat with the fur collar?! Sigh...to die for - and I don't say that often. Go ahead, take a look and feel free to share your to die for favorite. I'm sure everyone will find something to love in this awesome mix.

Monday Morning Movie: Vincent

Halloween is fast approaching and for those of you that don't already know it is one of my absolute favorite holidays. Caramel apples and crazy costumes, free candy and ding-dong-ditch, horror movies and, well...sleeping with a light on. Halloween is that one week in the year when, for some reason, all of America collectively decides to scare our children. Yeah, its great isn't it?

Anyhow, I was trying to save this mini-movie for the last week of the month, but, well excitement got the best of me. So, here's a tiny taste of Halloween fun to come, something a little dark and sinister.

Too Cute For Words...

Oh, The Temptation from Steve V on Vimeo.

To Sleep To Dream...

Welcome back to the start of another working man's week. Monday mornings are always the hardest for me to get out of bed. You see I'm a dreamer -not figuratively- quite literally; I have very vivid technicolor dreams. And after a weekend of sleeping in it's always the toughest on Monday to loose those extra hours of precious dream time. So, with my head in the clouds and my body craving a warm rumpled bed to crawl back in to I think today's the day to share this charming video by Oren Lavie - Her Morning Elegance.

Shot entirely in stills this might just be the coolest video I've ever seen. I love the language of movement delivered by, red haired Israeli actress, Shir Shomron and its safe to say that I'm definitely over the moon about the t-shirt that becomes a bird and the little socks used as a school of fish! From the concept to the execution it really is picture perfect. I hope you enjoy this one. I mean really, how could you not?!

Monday Morning Movie: Performance Art With l' Orchestre d'hommes-orchestre

Good morning and happy Monday! Today is my 100th post so I thought I'd share something fun and close to my heart - performance art. l' Orchestre d'hommes-orchestre, which translates to Orchestra Conductor men, are a group of talented musical inventors who took their own creative world to the streets of Quebec this summer and performed a series of three shows all centered around an old milk truck. It was hard to decide which performance to share this morning. So, I figured I'd just start everyone off with the first of the series. You can find the second one here and the third here.

This troupe of musicians are also greatly inspired by Tom Waitts, a consummate creator and a tinkerer at heart. He is a man who sought to find unique sounds, to make music from things all around him, and to breathe life into inanimate objects. I hope someday I'll get the chance to see l' Orchestre d'hommes-orchestre play homage to the man and his great work 'cause, I gotta say, its looks like a lotta fun.

Monday Morning Movie: Procrastination

I think this animated short by Johnny Kelly is the bees knees. Just wait until you get the part in the beginning where the book shelves are color coordinated...sigh, isn't it pretty?! Don't you just wanna try it at home? I know I do, but my massive bookshelf is all organized by category and then alphabetically within each category. And you know what, that was a lot of work so I think I'll just put the color coordinated idea on the back burner for now - wait! Is that procrastination?

Oouuu, and if you've got some time to waste on your day off go here and check out this animated short also by Kelly based on a story about a lobster named Shelly. Its beautiful and sad, lovely and depressing all wrapped in to one.

Monday Morning Movie: My First Crush

I have a folder in my favorites entitled "sketch 'n books". It has a million links to a vastly varied group of artists' personal journals and sketchbooks. Lately, I've been really feeling Julia Pott's sketchbook series. I can't put my finger on why I'm so drawn to her sketches, but I do know that my favorite samples of hers are her mixed media pieces - the ones with sketched faces over old photographs. I'm a sucker for mixed media or collage art.

I'm also a sucker for her animated short My First Crush. It makes me feel all warm and mushy and a bit bittersweet inside. I can't help but watch this animated piece over and over again. A lot of you may have already seen this one before, possibly some time ago, but for those of you who have not yet had the opportunity I just had to share this with you. It almost reminds me of an anthropological investigation into the culture of first love. Only instead of publishing the results they've been carefully and lovingly animated instead. Enjoy this one, its a gem.

-Kate

A Little Urban Anthropology To Go With Breakfast...

I love this 3:00 minute short by urban anthropologists Carolyn and Andy London. Everyday objects like faucets, phone booths and newspaper boxes were animated using the voices of some overlooked New Yorker's that they interviewed. Creative genius, completely entertaining. My only complaint is that its too short; wish I could see so much more of it.

I hope you enjoy this as much as I have.

{found via This Branded Youth}