Cheerful Weather

I find it positively remarkable how a shift in climate can utterly change a person's mood. I find it not strange at all that films use weather and likewise color schemes to convey the mood the climate brings. Summer seasons usually convey warm tones, a cheerful mood, the desire to go and be adventurous, a lightness to one's disposition. In contrast, winter seasons usually transmit a gloominess, a dreariness, sadness, cool tones, a rather apathetic mindset, a disparagingly depressing outlook on life, and a blatant frigidness to composure. This is perhaps the most striking feature of Cheerful Weather for the Wedding. 

I stumbled across this film by perusing through pre-ordered films on iTunes. The trailer intrigued me, enticing me with its mystery surrounding a conflicted bride possibly marrying the wrong man. I'm a romantic, so this immediately drew me in. The plot line has to the major aspect that I wish to watch a film, but the edge of the film, the way the mood and emotion is splattered across the scene sealed the deal. There are few movies that I tell myself I need to see, but this was one I really needed to see. I was quite disappointed that the film gained poor reviews due to a lack of superior dialogue, slow plot, and overall theme. I understood that it's a British film, so the audience may not necessarily be garnered towards American viewers, so I was rather ambivalent. Ten minutes in the movie, I was already pleasantly surprised how much I liked it. It had a way of drawing on nostalgia and possible do-overs in life that makes the viewers wonder what choice the protagonist will take. This is the major emotional involvement throughout the film: marry a suitable bachelor that fits everything her mother had pictured for her life or run away with the man she truly loves. I assure you, it's not quite as cliche as it sounds.

Refraining from spoiling the plot, I must say that the main plot takes place in one day during the winter with various flashbacks taking place the past summer. I must take this time to point out the aesthetics and cinematography. The color scheme between the two seasons is so obvious that it's done in an exceptionally tasteful manner. Winter is cool blues, whites, dark pastels, and solid prints, whereas summer is bright greens, warm yellows, reds, and floral prints. Winter is seen as gloomy, cold, sad, and mundane. Summer, however, is perceived as an adventurous, exciting, frivolous, exciting, and fun. Even the costumes and dispositions differentiate between the seasons as well. Winter has subdued hues, restrained affection, and restrained. Summer is all about bright pops of color, poignant emotion, and a profound sense of liberty. As the film in set in 1930s England, the costumes were remarkable. Winter fashion surrounds around posh, classy, lush and delicate details, soft features, and a sublime touch of minimalism. Summer vogue consists of fun prints, light materials, bold designs, and lax posh comportment. The aesthetics is done so tastefully, mastered in such a subtle manner, that it appears intentional but so obvious that it's overlooked. This film has captured my heart and has easily become one of my favorite movies. Perhaps it's that, coupled with Felicity Jones as the female protagonist (from Like Crazy) and Luke Treadaway as the man whom she loves. Two superb actors putting a remarkable portrayal of love and heartache. If that's not enough, Elizabeth McGovern from Downton Abbey stars as Felicity's mother.

'30s Glamour

During my break, I did spend a great amount of my time watching period dramas. I am now forever in love with Mr. Thorton, wished Edmund would have just planted a kiss on Fanny, and truly admired the 2007 adaptation of Northanger Abbey, despite its criticisms. This has subsequently brought a frightening thoughts: films are much more concerned with lust and producing a very flimsy, vapid storyline with predictable outcomes and typical situations in which many can infer that everyone does it. Thus, I have come to grow a tad critical towards modern filmography, simply because I find that more and more, the plot surrounded with immediate sexual tension and immediate satisfaction of those desires. I happen to believe in romance (but not the cute knight-in-shining armour, my Prince Charming aspiration of romance). I believe that there is such an allure in mystery, in what a woman does not entirely convey in her words, the anticipation of a simply sweet yet irrevocably passionate first kiss, in listening attentively to that other's persons dreams, wishes, and aspirations, and making a big deal out of simple, mundane things. I believe that is what romance is: taking pleasure in the small details. That can also account my recent fascination with reading classic literature (while succumbing to more contemporary novels, such as World War II consumed Europe romance and drama).

But there are some films that manage to capture my attention. Madonna's W.E. is no exception. I had heard about it last year during the Oscar season, when all the hubbub regarding costumes, cinematography, and the little details matter in the film world. So naturally, I was intrigued. It was not so much at the fact that a biopic of Wallis Simpson's much publicized affair with the Duke of Windsor, but it was rather how the other female protagonist was important in the film. The film itself proposed some interesting aspects to Wallis Simpson's life (such as the tragic opening scene, where she is physically beaten by her first husband while lying in a pool of her own blood, muttering and whimpering over something about a baby) to how appearances can be so deviously deceptive (shown in Wallis Winthrop's marriage--the other female protagonist). Two story lines seemingly paralleling each other, this film should not simply be rebuffed on account of two-dimensional characters or lacking emotion in emotional scenes. Personally, I find that film critiques find the smaller fragment of rubbish in a film, extrapolate it, and maximize it, akin to looking under a microscope. I find this movie to be rather good. But, as always, I paid attention to the aesthetics. 

Wallis Simpson was a woman who clearly knew exactly what was her style and what worked for her, and stuck with it. She maintained the '20s-esque finger waves hairstyle, classic makeup (winged eyeliner and fiery red lipstick), and clean, polished silhouettes. She wore simple yet ravishing jewellery,  and she was always so chic. Back are the days when women dress up (and cover up!) and it is refreshingly sexy. Even Abbie Cornish's character managed to present herself seductively albeit it was without the use of removing her clothes first. The costume team truly have done a magnificent job. It inspires me to wear red lipstick more; it makes me want to look for that beautiful gown that drapes on my body yet still managing to hug my curves in an unadulterated fashion; and it prompts me to see that dressing in a manner similar to the Duchess of Windsor presented as an allure many men could not hide. While finding screen shots is difficult (unless one consults Pinterest or tumblr), Wallis Simpson's entire wardrobe is riveting. I strongly suggest watching this film if old Hollywood glamour is your vice.

November Style

This is what is on my mind in the mild month of November. Clearly, I'm not in Canada anymore!

Traveling to the '40s

I was feeling super spontaneous today and decided to have a '40s-esque photo shoot. With the sun beaming down and a light breeze flowing, it was a beautiful day to enjoy the vista.

Dress is Old Navy, shoes are from Winners (the name of the brand escapes me...),  sunglasses are Ray Bans, earrings are from Target, and bracelet and ring are vintage.

Summertime is Here!

Summer has finally arrived! Although the summer equinox does not officially commence until the 22nd of June, I feel as though summer has already made its warm welcome in Barrie. Thus begins my summer to-do list. Every summer, to avoid soporific and ennui, I compile a list of things to accomplish in the summer, first, to achieve order (it's fun waking up past ten in the summer, but hey, after a while, I want to do more than sleep in), and second, to make things interesting. After all, summer is about fun times and what's fun without a little excitement...?

1. Finish my novel. I am writing a novel (600+ pages) and I started it in the spring of 2009 but I sadly lost the file when I got a new computer and I had to transfer the documents and files. Thank God (literally) that I printed a hard copy of the novel, otherwise I would have been a packet of nerves loosing it constantly.

2. Throw a party. It doesn't have to my birthday party or even my graduation party; just a party. Sunny day? Opportunity to throw a party? Independence Day? Sure, might as well celebrate my forthcoming residence. Something interesting happening in France? Blow some balloons. People celebrating something Down Under? Might as well bake a cake. Spontaneity is key.

3. Get a tattoo. Albeit it be a fake one, probably the free ones you get when you purchase a tween magazine (or the one you kept from five years ago). I just want to get a tattoo. I am eighteen years old and I have never gotten a fake, cheap, and water-removable tattoo and I think I should before I go to university.

4. Have a midnight swim. Okay, now that is fun. Cast some illumination around the deck (because believe me, colliding into brick walls is not pleasant) and just party in your pool, your neighbour's pool, or some random pond. That will be a story to tell.

5. Throw a massive sleepover extravaganza. Load with chick flicks, junk foods, Wii games, disposable cameras, and just party!

6. Get an old school Polaroid. I am on the hunt for a classic Polaroid that you take a picture, hear the clicking sound, and out comes the picture. 1, 2, 3; it's that easy. (If you know where I can find one along with the appropriate film, your help would be greatly appreciated.)

7. Have a beach blitz. Again, I have the party bug. However, couple it with water, beach, and sand, and you've got yourself endless anecdotes of memories of summer 2011.

8. Go vintage shopping. Strange how I, a vintage connoisseur and avid enthusiast, have never actually gone vintage shopping. Modcloth is nice and all, but the treasure in finding an authentic dress from 1954, shoes from 1943, a hat from 1975, or a Stryper t-shirt circa 1985. That is something I must do. Although Toronto is no New York City, it certainly does have its plethora of shopping endeavours.

9. Have an epic photo shoot. Not just in the nearby park but in a place where natural sunshine create the perfect lighting and the scenery provides the perfect vista.

10. Have a road trip. Start from Maine or Massachusetts and travel along south until I reach Georgia. That would be wonderful.

11. Time travel. Read all day long. There is something peaceful about nestling under a tree trunk, balmy weather with a light breeze and delving into my favourite novel. I shall commit one entire day to do nothing else except read...

12. Have a bake-off. Cooking, food, , friend, fun times, amicable competition + the possibility of food fights = perfection.

What is on your summer to-do list?

Audreystyle

I recently felt inspired when I purchased a slew of Audrey Hepburn books. As I flipped through the gloriously-decorated photos, I had a wave of aspiration. There is something timeless and classic about her style; it's not just clothes on her back, they defined who she was and classified her character. She was born the daughter of a duchess and dressed like a princess. 

Dress is Calvin Klein, shoes are Coach, sunglasses are Ray Bans wayfarers, and jewellery is vintage. 

This my inaugural post. Hopefully it becomes habitual. Enjoy!

Mad Style

Apart from my apparent dislike for the recent wave of shows that is sweeping the nation (pun intended), there are specific TV programmes that are worth gazing at and truly capture your attention. If the plot is flimsy and thin, there is something that you count on if the action is poor: fashion!! In the case of Gossip Girl (which is my go-to show for inspiration), I have a close second, which if most of you know me, is not a complete surprise. In fact, it's like a perfect match. Mad Men is my recent television series simply because of the outfits. Ah, the form-fitting, red-wearing, bumpits-teased honeycomb hairstyles return with a vengeance. The men wear sexy tuxedos (something every man should have a necessary male fashion staple), and the women wear a-line skirts and dresses, flowy cardigans, cat-eye sunglasses, and kitten heels.  Ah, j'adore! The essence and backdrop to the show is timeless. I've searched for countless photos to assist in my emulating the pinnacle of '60s vogue.

Also, to express how much I ardently admire the on-set costumes, I've added some show stills.

I seriously want the entire wardrobe. Not even joking. Now, this, this, is modest clothing that is chic, stylish, and trendy. Simply wonderful. If you ever got me anything like this, you would be my best friend for life 'cause you would know how much I adore vintage clothing.