Warm and Snug Things

So I know Summer is supposed to be on it's way and all that but it's raining in Cape Town!

So, while I'm sitting at the pc, freezing my keyboard-loving fingers off I'm daydreaming about the snuggest and coolest winter warmers.

This is a poofy yellow jacket I *want*

Also I love these three winter looks...and last, but probably most wanted are these kitten mittens!

Sigh, I wish I'd gone winter shopping before Summer was poking it's nose around the corner...

What do you wish you'd bought this winter?

Seraphine and Genova

Last night the Marja and I decided to get two dvds out and just veg on the couch. We decided on Martin Provost's Seraphine and Michael Winterbottom's Summer in Genova



"Seraphine" is a beautiful portrayal of the artist's life as apoverty-stricken cleaner. The film depicts her unmoving passion for the outdoors, nature, her religion and paining. A truly remarkable woman. She was such an interesting character who saw the world in ways we can only imagine.

Yolande Moreau played the artist with such a poignant understanding of the character making you misunderstand and love her all at once.

The stories follows her on her journey from hardworking cleaner to wellpaid artist and downwards into her darker personality where she looses her grip on reality a little. If you haven't heard of this artist, her work is really quite intriuging and it's worth a Google.

"Summer in Genova" really touched me. I couldn't help but see some parts of myself in both of the two sisters. This film is about a family in shock. A tragedy sparks a move from America to Italy and the exploration of each remaining family member's acceptance of what has happened.

Set in Genova, the locations are enough to make anyone pack up their bags and fly off to sexy, sultry Italia.

The emotions of the charcter sin this film are so raw and real that you're left feeling a bit shocked from some of the scenes, and there are some scenes where the tension is just too much for your little heart to bear.


I also think Willa Holland, who plays Kelly, the oldest daughter is absolutely beautiful. 

I recommend both these films.

The Weekend That Was

Every week i think "Oh it would be wonderful to have nothing to do this weekend" and then, as always, once I'm in my weekend I want to cram as much fun stuff in it as possible. So, after another busy one, this weekend I...

+ Played poker with 13 other people and came first
+ Had a bad, bad dream
+ Went to an organic market
+ Met some friends at the beach
+ Watched Inception
+ Went on a four hour hike in Kalk Bay
+ Napped for two hours with the lovely drummer boy
+ Wished I could just get away

What was your weekend like?

Photo from here.

Sister Secrets

Last night I spent a large portion of my evening helping my little sister (who's 11) with her homework. It was pretty simple stuff so we took our time going through her spelling, english and maths over a period of about 4 hours (she's easily distracted, kinda like me).

We took a break from the homework for a bit and chatted. She told me about her friends at school and her pets (we don't live together).

Then she started telling me about YoVille (spelling?) which is apparently a Facebook app targeted towards young kids (I thought there was an age restriction on FB?). It's like a virtual world where you have an avatar walking around, buying clothes, eating food, having parties, and you can chat to other people online.

My dear little sis told me about these parties that YoVille people have nowadays - trading parties, fun parties, lezbo parti....um, what!?

Yes readers my 11 year old sister went to a virtual lezbo party. Now considering that it's mostly other young kids in this virtual world (at least I hope it is) it wasn't the crazy, skin-bearing, raucous event you're thinking it was, I gathered that much from her explanation. But if she didn't know what a "lezbo" was beforehand I can assure you (oh, yes indeedy I can) she does now.

I couldn't help but chuckle when she said she then tried to go to a Gay party. She said that even though she gave herself the shortest cropped hairstyle they "threw me out because I only have girl's clothes".

Um.

I'm not writing this in disgusted protest at the fact that a child's programme is allowing gay and "lezbo" parties for these kids, my sister is quite grown up enough to know things I would NEVER have known when I was 11. I just thought it was quite a funny story - the things that go on inside an 11 year old's head (I mean c'mon - virtually "cropping" your hair to try sneak into a gay party, that's quite hilarious when you think about her age)

So, things I learnt about my sister lastnight:

1. She procrastinates *justlikeme
2. She likes microwaved mini potatoes with Steers chip salt
3. Today she's moving from writing in pencil to pen at school *CongratsLittleOne
4. Even though we fight (alot) I absolutely-without-a-doubt love her
5. She loves anime

The lovely drawing is from here. 

i just love this dress

Found this dress on a post here.

I *love* it and *want* it and *need* it.

Somebody please let the lovely drummer know.

Thank You.

The Weekend That Was

This one was pretty busy again, this weekend I...

+ Went for lunch with the girls and the lovely drummer (summer's on its way I can feel it!)
+ Realised how good it is to be a good friend when three of us accompanied the fourth to the airport even though she was only going for the weekend
+ Played poker with 5 boys, astonished not only them but myself when I came 2nd, and won some money
+ Had a horrendous headache from five hours of poker
+ Ambled around the mall with the Marja on Saturday morning [i love spending time with her]
+ Saw Billy Talent
+ Peed in the bushes
+ Thought it was Mother's Day and not Women's Day so bought the Marja a present [She was happy]
+ Walked to the Pier in Kalk Bay and watched the seals frolic and roll and be playful
+ Celebrated a friend's birthday at the Brass Bell
+ Had a *tiny* meltdown and cried *LOTS*
+ Felt much better

What did you do this weekend?

I had no idea...

This morning, while going through my early-in-the-day routine of getting dressed, eating breakfast, wishing I could sleep for just five more minutes I caught a snippet of the news on one of our lovely country's SABC channels.

The camera showed a group of about fifty people gathered at the Nelson Mandela Capture Site. I was like *blink blink*.

Up until today I had no idea there even existed such a place and according to google there's even a monument set up at the site. Sorry, what?

I know it's probably not the biggest deal in the world but it made me think about and realise the fact that I know very little about my country, it's true history and the rustic, intimate, old school, new school monuments around our land. And now suddenly I have this incessant and inexplicable desire to go and see this Capture site.

I haven't the foggiest idea why...Patriotism maybe? Never thought I had it in me.

Don't get me wrong, I love my country and know and respect that we have a colourful, temperamental and touchy past, but I think until quite recently my patriotism was reserved not really for my forefathers (and mothers and aunts and uncles and sisters and, well you get the picture), but rather for my age group, my generation. Now I'm realising in my own way and on my own terms that my history, our history, is not only interesting and important. It's imperative for our healing.

Just a random thought meander I thought I might share with you.

Happy Thursday everyone!

Ricky Lee Gordon/Xanele Van Rensburg

I really like this guy's style.

I especially like the pigeon wearing a crown piece he put up in Cape Town (I know I saw it while driving along but can't remember where exactly...)

I like the way he uses the spaces inbetween and amongst buildings where people live, work, play. It brings the art into the real world and doesn't hide it behind the walls of intimidating (for some!) art galleries.

Here is some more of his work on 10and5.com

This artwork is however NOT by Ricky Lee Gordon but rather by Xanele Van Rensburg who is also an amazingly talented local artist. See more of her work here. 


PS I'm also a big fan of 10and5.com, can you tell?

Who's your favourite artist?

The Weekend That Was

Golly. This weekend I...

+ Had *snobbish* milkshakes at Primi with two lovely ladies
+ Spent 8 hours helping set up the lovely drummer's band's CD Launch
+ Drank beer and tequila and realised that it's actually wine that makes me an irrational, scary blob, not all alcohol
+ Danced with my cousins
+ Kissed the lovely drummer, lots.
+ Started a (is it a train line? bongo line?) at Assembly, three times (a sarcastic thanks to the Pinelands boys...)
+ Got home at 7am from a night of the best party I've had in a long time
+ Was so proud of the lovely drummer and his amazing band ♥
+ Spent most of Sunday in bed nursing a hang...um, headache :)
+ Spent a few precious minutes nestled in the arms of the lovely drummer and felt like everything was going to be ok

What did you do this weekend?

OppiKoppi vs. Billy Talent

I just won two tickets to go to OppiKoppi through The Assembly. I should be so totally stoked but I'm not sure I can go! I wish they had told me this before I bought my Billy Talent ticket.

What *is* a girl to do?

Suggestions?

Anyone?