Category archives: inspiration

 

 

Generation X is still relevant

Douglas Coupland has been one of my favourite writers for the entirety of my “adult” life. I can safely say that I like all his books and I’ve re-read most of them. Until last year Generation X, his most popular work, was perhaps my least favourite one. Thankfully, I re-read it when I was writing my thesis and I a-d-o-r-e-d it. It was one of those rare occassions when you prefer a book the second time round. I don’t blame this on the book itself, but on me. The first time I read it I was 18 or 19, I’d never had a job and I lived a sheltered life with very few worries, I just didn’t get it. Fast forward nearly 10 years and I find it all terribly relevant. If you haven’t read this I honestly have no idea what you’re waiting for. Buy it on amazon.

generation x quote

generation x quote

 

generation x quote

 

generation x quote

 

generation x quote

 

generation x quote

generation x quote

generation x quote

 

Punk rock back to basics

 

What I wore: Descendents Smart

 

 

Weekend links

 

Weekend links

 

Last Christmas

christmas 2010

Last Christmas was the worst of my life. No kidding. Some of you might remember my blog break around this time last year. Exactly a year ago today my grandfather had a stroke that kept him in the hospital unable to move, swallow or articulate words properly for 20 days until he passed away. He was a lot more than just a grandfather to me; he was the only father figure I had during the first years of my life, which obviously had a massive influence in our relationship. In his last years he became one of my best friends, we talked about almost everything (there are certain things you can’t really discuss with a conservative 80something, although we did discuss S-E-X) and I could witness how his views slowly expanded through those conversations. For example, when I was a teenager he really disapproved of me travelling because “it’s so expensive blah, blah, blah”. Ten years forward and we had the following conversation:

Me: I booked a really cheap trip to Rome. I only get to be there for one whole day, though, which is a shame.
Him: Really? That is such a great idea, it’ll be good for you to get away.

Obviously when this happened to him, I had to be there. I visited him at the hospital nearly every day, fed him, anxiously watched his breathing while he slept, showed him photos of that trip to Rome, helped him to exercise his arm, pointed out every thing we could see from the window to pass the time, applied a wet cloth to his forehead when he had a fever and juiced a clementine with my hand so he could taste it. It was exhausting and emotionally draining and I went back home crying every single day. It being Christmas only made it harder.

christmas 2010Learn how to make these here.

I’ve always bloody loved Christmas. I didn’t get to spend it in a real home or with any other children around until I was three, and I know this might seem like I was too young to remember anything, but believe me, when you move to a town with half a million people in it and so far you’ve lived in the mountains surrounded by sheep and goats you remember these things. Remember Heidi when she first goes to Frankfurt? I was Heidi. So my antidote for my unhappiness and utter lack of Christmas spirit was to set up a little tree in my room and bake a lot. I still lacked the spirit, but I had something pretty to look up, which was a change from hospital walls. I hadn’t set up a tree in my room since I was a kid and I don’t plan on doing it again, but it was something I needed last year. And you know what? For a while it sort of worked.

christmas 2010

christmas 2010

I made a zine about my grandpa, you can see the details here. Or click the blinking dot on the right of your screen.

 

 

Antonio López

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A couple of months ago I spent a weekend in Madrid to see Antonio López’s exhibition at the Thyssen Museum. As you read this I am in Madrid seeing another exhibition by another amazing artist. But let’s focus on Antonio, shall we? Antonio López is a Spanish painter and sculptor who offers a hyperrealist take on objects, people and landscapes from his daily life. Bathroom tiles and desolate interiors, his family, views of Madrid, an open fridge, anything is beautiful enough to become a work of art.

Antonio Lopez kid

Antonio Lopez roses

 

 

 

Antonio Lopez room

 

 

(more…)

 

Weekend links

 

Things (I would like) to wear this season

One of the best things of the internet is being able to go window shopping without leaving the house. And with Christmas round the corner, I think now’s the right time to share some of the nice clothes I’ve been spying this season.

 

I’ve had my eye on this Bimba & Lola coat. If only I could afford it!

Miss Patina :: Dear Creatures

 I actually have this topshop vest in black and I want it in every colour. Very badly. The Monki top satisfies my granny-like collars need, and Dear Creatures just make the nicest things.

 

 

I’m not much of a girly bag person, but I have a thing for tote bags. I’m always looking for new ones to replace the ones I destroy, and these ones are the ones I’d like to get right now. They’re from Jolly Good Fellow, Bright Beige and Bon Matin.

 

 Can you see a colour trend going on here? I can. Toast :: Urban Outfitters :: WantedShoes :: Zalando

 I love a good collar. As much as I love it, I’m not sure I could pull off this leopard print one from Modcloth, but the sailor one from Wayward Daughter is something I would wear with all my band t-shirts to pretend I’m smart when I’m actually dressed like a teenage boy. And I just can’t resist a bit of Cath Kidston.

I love everything about these art nouveau-inspired hankies. And I love wearing stuff on my head. It’s a win win situation. They are only sold at the Victoria & Albert Museum shop.

Have you had your eye on anything lately? What’s your favourite trend this season?

 

 

Weekend links

 

Say it with Hitlers

I’ve mentioned how interesting I find the figure of Hitler before. Needless to say this doesn’t mean I support nazism in any way. Quite the opposite, actually. I’ve always been fascinated by WWII, by Hitler’s appeal and by the personality who hides behind that maniac. I also find it amazing how, so long after his death, his image can still conjure such strong feelings in people. He is instantly recognisable, more so than any other villain, which may partly explain why people are instantly shocked at the sight of him (the other part is obviously that he was a bad, bad dude). I love looking at the use of his image and its two instantly recognisable elements (moustache and fringe) in art, advertising and popular culture. I love it when people laugh at Hitler, like they do in the herbal laxative tea ad (see below), and I love it when his image is in a more serious manner to raise awareness about certain issues. I think the Malaria ad below, which combines mosquitos and Hitler’s face, is an amazing example.

 

Hitler the painter

So simple, so good.

More images here. Found @ Little Miss Gosflair.