Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Treehouses, the psychology of clothes and Cat Power

Tree houses

























I have a fascination with tree houses. Thinking and reading about them brings me joy, peace, and some lightheartedness into my life. There is something extremely poetic about them. The thought of having my own tree house one day, tucked away in the woods or facing a beautiful scenic view of a lake, a mountain or ocean....a retreat of my own, to meditate, read, knit, write and reflect. Wouldn't that be pure bliss? The idea of these tree houses, these living structures, communing with nature....it makes me dream. One day, I want to create an association and a community of like-minded people who believe in this renewed sustainable sense of living. "The Tree Housing Sustainability Program".
Who's in?

The psychology of clothes



I was reading this article today in Elle Canada about this costume designer who talked about the psychology of clothes and what they tell you about the character portrayed by the actor at play. This topic is one that fascinates me. What do my clothes tell you about me? What do your friends' clothes tell you about them? It's true, there are certain days we dress in certain colors or textures, and other days, we opt for darks hues or minimalist outfits. I think sometimes it's a conscious decision but other times a subconscious one. For example, when I feel good about myself, I usually tend to have these great outfits put together. When I'm feeling like my self-esteem has taken a hit, I usually bum around in a hoody and jeans. But perhaps for others it's the other way around: when they feel good they might want to dress casual in a hoodie and jeans and when they feel like their self-esteem is at a low, they dress real good almost as a way to feel better about themselves. Thoughts?

Cat Power



Again, Elle Canada: I always read about inspiring topics and people in this great mag. Tonight I read this interview on Cat Power and her honesty brought me to tears after I YouTubed a couple of her songs. I always knew of Cat Power but I had never taken the time to read up on her or listen to her music. Everything that she said in that interview hit really close to home. She talks about the nature of our current society, the idea of renewal through the clothes that have been lived in – the magical wonders of thrift shopping that is. She also talks about heartbreak and how "she wanted to achieve security and family" and how hard it was now that she had lost it all. She also talks about how Karl Lagerfeld sent her flowers with a card that said "We've missed you, we can't wait to see you" which evokes that feeling of not being alone, of actually having people by your side who care about you and who want you around.
The following relationship insight really gave my heart a jolt: "...[T]he simplest things can be destroyed so quickly through miscommunication...."
Communication: how I wish it was more readily accessible to us. It shouldn't be hard to express how we feel, but sometimes we choose not to because we are afraid of our emotions, our feelings, our vulnerabilities. We are afraid of judgement, rejection or confrontation.
Why be afraid of communication when it is what moves us forward in life, brings us closure, hope or security?

-Claire



Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Horoscope, almost too real


I want to share my horoscope from today. It is quite extraordinary how I see myself in it.
Perhaps my mind is open to it hence my ability to connect with it.
Right this moment, this is exactly how I am feeling. Incredible how things can be at times! Coincidence or not, I am taking this one in for deeper reflection.

Here it is:

November 20, 2012 - Taurus -

Health: Everything is going better. You are opening up. This is a good time to meet people. You are always more attractive when you project this radiant energy.

Love: Make peace with your painful past that was filled with pitfalls. It's time to look to the future with optimism. Jupiter is pouring its horn of plenty over you.

Money: You finally accept to listen to what your wallet is telling you. Live according to your financial means.

Work: Do not get involved in conflicts at work. Ignore your rivals. You are not strong enough to deal with it right now. 

Source: mytelus.com 
Photo from: http://wisdomquarterly.blogspot.ca 

Five simple things that made my morning

1. coffee shop talk:


2. film for my lomo cam


3. Passion Pit tickets


4. vintage shop browsing


5. ugly christmas sweater spotting


Monday, November 19, 2012

Nothing Like You and I

I dedicate this song to my boyfriend who is too preoccupied to realize how much he means to me. I am lost without you, I am worth nothing.


Nothing Like You and I - The Perishers -



We spent some time
together walking
Spent some time just talking
about who we were
You held my hand so
very tightly
And told me what we
could be dreaming of

There’s nothing like you and I

We spent some time
together drinking
Spent some time just thinking
about days of joy
As our hearts started
beating faster
I recalled your laughter
from long ago

There’s nothing like you and I

We spent some time
together crying
Spent some time just trying
to let each other go
I held your hand so
very tightly
And told you what I would be
dreaming of

There’s nothing like you and I
So why do I even try?
There’s nothing like you and I


Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Bombay Bicycle Club: You Already Know

I've been a little bit on a writing hiatus lately but I haven't forgotten...
There are important matters in my life that need to be resolved before I can fully engage in honest and engaging writing. There is this piece I am brainstorming that I want to only share once completely polished. I'm a bit of a perfectionist like that. I think it'll make us think twice about the lives we want to live.

While we're waiting...

Claire....

Monday, November 5, 2012

Anu Raina: inspired by her grandfather's garden


I have been searching for inspiration.
Enters Anu Raina's spring/summer 2013 collection lookbook which was inspired entirely from memories of her grandfather's garden. What a great tribute.
Beautiful concept rendered into a beautiful bouquet of flirty and dreamy summer dresses.

Dreaming is so beautiful and even more beautiful when we are transforming these dreams into reality.
As you can tell, I have been soul-searching lately. This time to write and sit down in front of a writing device whether it'd be my newly acquired 1950s typewriter or my now deteriorating six-year-old Macbook has been truly refreshing.
It has been giving me hope about the lifestyle I'd like to live. I like writing and I want to write for a living.

Raina writes:

"Tathya's garden: My SS13 collection of prints is inspired by my memories of witnessing the majestic Echinaceas, the dew drop laden Daisys on the lazy Sunday mornings, the beautiful Pomegranate trees that humbly bore the weight of the biggest and reddest ever Pomegranates, the riot of colour and fragrance that invaded the senses as you walked into Tathya's Garden through heavy and massive wood/metal doors. Tathya was my maternal grandfather who lived in a large house by a beautiful stream in Kashmir. He was a quiet Mathematics teacher who loved his garden the most. While the little kingdom of flowers faded away with time, this collection is a tribute to the happy and carefree childhood spent playing in Tathya's garden."

It is Raina's simple yet beautiful creations that touched my soul today.  I hope it touches yours too.

This week, I will be applying to a magazine internship in Calgary. Wish me luck.

Claire