LIVING VICARIOUSLY

I thought you should know:

There are three blogs that I visit everyday and I have been visiting everyday for a pretty long time now. (foodgawker.com should be on here too, but our love affair has been shorter)

I wish I could say that they are all current events/news -ish blogs, but alas, they are all about fashion. Maybe style is a better word...

1) The Sartorialist

This is the first blog that I really started following, and it's a very famous one at that. The blog, run by Scott Schuman, very rarely includes text. But who needs it when the photographs speak for themselves!
It reminds you of the beautiful people that you might not see every day, from every age group and economic background. And with headlines like "Milan", "Paris", "London", "New York City", "Seoul",
"Sydney", and "Moscow" (to name a few) you will feel like a jet-setter in no time.

2) Sea of Shoes

Quick note: these blogs aren't ordered by preference, just chronologically with when I discovered them.

Jane Aldridge is an 18 (?) year old fashion rock star. The text that accompanies her blogposts isn't really stunning on its own (basically consisting of "Yeah, my mom and I picked up these Balenciaga wedges the other day!" or "I am very proud of this vintage Valentino leopard-skin mini skirt. Great find!"), but once again, great imagery. Jane is endowed with a dream closet, and she doesn't let it go to waste. Her outfits are always inspiring and unique, and her environment is always unbelievably luxurious. I still can't believe the life she lives! New York City this weekend, Tokyo next week, and a private Chanel gown fitting in Paris: all in a day's work!

3) Garance Doré

Last, but certainly not least, the French blogger Garance Doré. Being Scott Schuman's (The Sartorialist) girlfriend/lady/lover can be overshadowing, but Garance strongly holds her own. Not only does she take extremely beautiful and thoughtful portraits of street style, she also peppers her blog with original illustrations! So refreshing. Plus, even with the language difference, Garance does not disappoint with her text. Always witty, funny, and relatable, she makes New Yorkers' obsessions with manicures and black tie party etiquette dilemmas seem like the every man's plight. I want to hug her.

So yeah! Just some suggestions to spice up your daily internet life! I'm on the hunt for more good blogs. Any suggestions?

ROMCOMS AND THRILLAKILLAS AND IN BETWEEN

Here are some stereotypes for you:

Guys hate chick flicks.

Girls hate gun-slinging action flicks.

Of course there are exceptions to each, but I was thinking about this today and I came to some interesting conclusions. Guys don't like chick flicks because there isn't anything there for them. The films center around women getting what they want: finding a man who loves them unconditionally and changes for her. Many men watch these films and say, "Yeah, a guy would never be like that." Women are the sole consumers of this somewhat deceiving (undoubtedly entertaining) genre of film.

The same thing can be applied to the other stereotype. Girls often don't like action films because they center around men and the women around them who exist purely for sex appeal. They enter the story to be sexy and fulfilling, and have little other purpose. Women, like myself, often say "Yeah, women aren't like that in real life."

My final conclusion is that there are certain films that both men and women love, equally, and these are the films that probably show best true human interaction and identity. We are attracted to truth, and we can easily tell when personas are fake or contrived.

Which films do you find to be equally enjoyable for both men and women?

THE EMPIRE STATE STRIKES BACK

I'm heading back to NY! I had an absolutely amazing break. I feel so lucky to get to live in two radically different but uniquely wonderful places.

Birmingham, AL

Bronxville, NY

I'll keep updating at school!

Oh and as a last treat, I discovered the silliest and awesomest website the other night:

Radical Friend

LOVE TO ALL!

LET'S MAKE A TOAST TO THE A✿✿HOLES

HAHAHAHA

Why am I laughing hysterically you ask? Watch this:

The best part? I went on Kanye's twitter and quickly discovered how ACTUALLY RIDICULOUS IT IS! I thought that Josh had combed through the genius to isolate a few funny tweets, but NO! Kanye's twitter is an amazing jumble of mispellings, caps lock, and snapshots of the life of the rich and stupid. "Fur coats n shit" anyone???

Oh man. Check it out: Kanye's Twitter

☒ REEL COOL ☒

SO!

I just discovered a pretty cool site: Making Of

Basically the site features lots of insider interviews with filmmakers and actors, and there are some exclusive behind-the-scenes clips! The site looks pretty new, so there isn't an archive yet, but it's definitely worth checking out! So far I've watched a Sofia Coppola interview about Somewhere, Michel Gondry discussing his career (HE is making The Green Hornet??? I would NEVER have guessed that), and Mila Kunis talking about Black Swan (which included some pretty cool backstage stuff).

It's definitely geared more towards people who are interested in the detailed creation of film, but hey, that's me! Check it, ya dizzle?

OH HOW LOVELY - THE KING'S SPEECH

Tom Hooper, a household name of contemporary British film for the likes of The Damned United and the mini-series Daniel Deronda, will undoubtedly gain great respect and acclaim for his latest film, The King's Speech.


The film follows the Duke of York (or as he is nicknamed by family, Bertie), as he must face drastic life changes while struggling with his lifelong stammer. Bertie goes from being the King's second, and more pathetic, son to unexpectedly garnering the title of King George the VI of England.

As someone who has never faced problems with speech, it was incredibly interesting to see through the perspective of someone who faces little else. For most people, it seems impossible to imagine what it would be like to not be able to express yourself in the simplest fashion.

Colin Firth does an absolutely fabulous job portraying the main character in this film. His mastery of the natural stammer makes the audience member feel as though they can understand completely how he feels: his frustration, his fear, and even his self-pity. I would not be surprised in the least if Firth won an Academy Award for this achievement.

Geoffrey Rush also lives up to the task of playing the Duke's stern, strict, loyal, and compassionate speech therapist (and dear companion) Lionel Logue. The two actors perform beautifully with each other, pulling and pushing and working off of each other, neither hogging the spotlight. Really, lovely work.

Helena Bonham Carter provides a great comfort on screen as the Duchess of York, the Duke's faithful and encouraging wife. I really loved her presence, as she was such a solid presence in the chaos of King George's life.

I must also comment on the genius of the art direction and cinematography. Normally, period dramas can feel cold and distant. However, the Director of Photography used what might be called a fish eye lens, that gives the an interesting effect to the scene. This technique lends a certain intimacy and familiarity to the characters, but also mimics the tunnel-vision-esque feeling of fear and stage fright that must have been quite habitual for King George.

The color was stunning. The interiors, especially of Logue's office and home, are very striking. There is a simplicity that is very appealing, but this simplicity retains a great richness. With the combination of unexpected angles and fabulous lighting techniques, the film creates its own world.

Bottom line: I think that you can expect to see this film up for many Oscars this year.

Great work Mr. Hooper.

WHAT THE WHAT

Just a quick note:

Trailers for the new film "Country Strong" have been invading my life, and it looks like (big surprise) Leighton Meester as a goodie two shoes country star who falls for the rugged good lookin' sah-nger.
Oh! And Gwenyth Paltrow has a cameo! How sweet.

Then I watch a longer trailer. Gwenyth Paltrow is the MAIN CHARACTER, Leighton Meester is barely hinted at, and there is NO mention of a love story with her and the other guy (apparently from the TV show "Friday Night Lights").

It ASTOUNDS me that those two radically different ads were promoting the same film.

Crazy.