Overworkings of the brain

Walking through the park, headphones on, bobbing my head gently in tune to classical music. Everything around me moves in slow motion; the sun playing hide seek behind burly tree branches, casting shadows upon the colourful fallen leaves. I smile. The first true smile that I can remember - my first time smiling alone in a long time. And I think...

This is my first time without him.

It was here when I met him. His smile was almost as radiant as this sun, and I was drawn to it like a bee to honey. Our shy smiles turned into longer eye contact, our bodies positioning towards each other. Everything was in synch. By the end of it, we were laughing. In those 10 minutes, he made me laugh more than I've laughed the entire year.

He consumed me. All my thoughts, all my emotions - everything was his. Of course, he didn't want it. His mood changed as quickly as the seasons and I didn't know why. I sensed hatred, a deep yearning for something else that not even my nurturing persona could comprehend or aid. After prodding and poking at my self-esteem, I let him go. Actually, he lost me.

- crunch -

That sound of leaves under my feet serves as a rude awakening. Everything clicks now... He came at a time of loneliness. Rather than taking him at face value, my mind turned him into a warped idea of a knight in shining armour saving me from my discontent. I lied, this wasn't my first time without him. He was absent many times when I wanted him near, but I just kept forgiving for as long as my ideal version of him was embedded in my brain. No, this was my first time without him in mind... The tight grasp he had on my heart was invented by me.

Today, that grasp is released. I am free.

Hard to believe I've known him for only a week. ;)

But it's just easier.

It's easier to dumb society down. Easier to plaster photoshopped, ditzy women on magazine covers and expose the lives of Brangelina and Snooki. Easier to run drive to McDonald's. Easier to market mainstream, autotuned "music" about poppin' bottles and models hanging off your arms.

It's much harder to stop. Why should we?

Why should we read a book? An actual book with real pages. (A page of tweets does not equal a page of a book.) Why should you exercise your concentration by doing such a thing? Can't that come from focusing on your video games for 2 hours?

It's much harder to open your eyes to the world as a whole. Much harder to learn new things and have an open mind...to be disciplined and aspire for more.

It's much harder to expose the lives of everyday people. Who cares about that? If we did, we would all be stopping strangers saying, "Hey, tell me your life from age 0 up 'til now - your dreams, your loves, and your losses. You have 10 minutes. Go!" I mean, maybe if the person was worth millions and had double Ds.

Are we really that pathetic? Must we live our lives through other people? Will Smith said it best - that people are scared of success and view it as something completely unattainable. That's fine. Continue what you're doing, but don't blame anyone but yourself. At least you're making it easier for the rest of us.

You against the world

(Photographer: Fan Ho)

How paradoxical - a world that is so occupied yet so empty.  

It's fun to dream. Mine are recurring, simply because there is only one. The one being my alter-ego...fluent in many languages, traveling, working on creative projects, and establishing a global network. Meditating, being healthy, feeling my spirit, becoming one with this universe of interconnectivity - that is me. Then I wake up from the dream...I wake up to a crazy world with a smile that comes from years of disciplined, calculated thoughts and mantras. As the day progresses, my concentration on the mundane, difficult, intricate fades...and it turns into a spiraling colourful vision of art, magic, laughter, simplicity. Then I snap back to reality, snap up opportunities for advancement, whilst turning down the ones for happiness. But it's okay. Because soon this long term relationship will be over, and I will be in the real world making my own decisions and doing what I want. Right? Until then, screw spinach - someone give me chocolate.

Suburbia

“But I don't want comfort. I want God, I want poetry, I want real danger, I want freedom, I want goodness. I want sin.” - Aldous Huxley

(Quote taken out of context...)

I've disliked suburbia ever since I laid eyes on it. Those houses, all identical with their perfect wooden fences, the lingering buzz of lawn mowers, the freshly made pavement, the occasional person on the sidewalk avec ou sans dog. My first thought was, "Wow, you can spit from the wall of one house to the next. Why not make them townhouses and share a backyard?" Well, that clearly does not work in suburbia. People like sectioning themselves off. Children play in their own backyards. The sidewalk is for people with no cars. Who does not have a car anyway? When I jog outside it makes me sad observing the rituals of this box: I smell the brewed coffee at around 7h, the cars rev up at 8h, dead silence until noon, cars return at 16h or 17h, wafts of food at 19h, and then all that remains are little windows of light 'til bedtime. Repeat. I rarely see people hang around in front of their houses. Even if they do, it is at the perfect distance from the sidewalk. Not too far to not see what's going on, yet not too close to actually meet new people. There is no room for new people and their differing views/opinions in these comfort bubbles. Just plaster on a fake smile and go about your day. Walking around is comparable to roaming a labyrinth. Besides this, there is nothing interesting to observe. Everything is the same, everything is new, there are no stories nor room for wonder.

Yes, I want simple. But simple is not cookie-cutter. And that is definitely not real.

Poisons in a prison

External affecting Internal. Action and reaction. Over, and over, and over again. The repetitive nature of life is the ultimate power. Yet the problems of today should be of no importance as the world keeps on spinning 'round...and 'round...and 'round some more... Solution? Spin with it - in tune to great music and let your little cares vanish away with each twirl.

Ioana Ciolacu

Every since seeing the Arrow S/S 2012 collection, I have been intrigued by this Romanian designer whose architectural background plays a large role in her designs. I am a fan of geometry, structure, sharp angles/cuts, and bold colour. Minimalism and focus are two things I notice when observing her work, and am looking forward to more inspirational designs. Below is her new Aether F/W 2012-2013 campaign. Please go here and browse her other collections.

Seeing things in a new light

Today was a good day. Waking up 2 hours ahead of schedule, the first song I play sets the tone (see end of post for the tune), and my mood reaches a high note! So here are a few pictures I snapped. Same ol', same ol'...but in a new light. Old vision with a new, restored ambition. Go out there and get what you deserve. Every day should be a rebirth. Aspire to greatness, make a concrete plan, and enjoy the ride. I can't stress that enough. Personal satisfaction is an amazing high. Better than any drug...cheaper, too.

Crema e gusto...coffee is always the muse!

Poof! Just like that, she is gone

These photos by Alberto Seveso are a mix of ink and portraiture, and some of my favourites from his many albums. Leave it to the Italians to successfully depict feminine beauty and what I sense is a touch of vulnerability.

Persevere

"Persevere" is a word all too easily misconstrued and I wish to set the record straight in a simple, concise manner:

1. There are no "bad" outcomes to persevering. This is all relative to your attitude and how much you want it. Yes, there are sacrifices to be made for what you want, but the people and things that remain in the end were the most valuable from the beginning.


2. Persevere, but don't forget to have a balanced lifestyle (at least most of the time) to keep things in perspective and to recharge your batteries. Healthy relationships and a healthy you will lessen the efforts and strain of perseverence.

3. Tackle everything with a long term plan and a strategy. Two strategies. And back-up strategies for those two strategies. Now take that number and multiply by four. That's how many strategies you should have.

Un po' di nostalgia

These looks from Gioia magazine of last year are stunning.
Dutch model Milou Sluis (adore her features)
Shot by Laurence Ellis

The evening light

Quick evening sketches while vibing to tINI. This adorable German artist struck a chord with me in the fall and has not yet ceased.

Homo Faber by Kamen Kamenov

~99% of the mass of a human is composed of 6 basic elements. We are nothing more. Yet we complicate our lives to no end.

I'm drowning in this place you call "home"

(My photo)

...Drowning, yet dreaming.

An unconventional charm

I came across this blog with a variety of street style shots. The ones below bring to mind child-like play through bold colours, layers and prints, all with a touch of vintage. It's refreshing to see simple looks enhanced by quaint details. Aspire to incorporate articles of clothing from the past into today, and from one season to the next, or with different accessories. This cute videoclip goes along perfectly.

All photos from Romania (2009-2012):

Follow the sun

 

Subtle femininity is enchanting. The way the light bounces off the contours of a woman can only be enhanced by even more delicate clothing. Simple and pure, like the sun itself.

Mademoiselle,

(My photo; not my quote)

Words to live by. Things come and things go. We can't please everyone so we need to be true to ourselves. Once we love ourselves, we are free to love others with full hearts, rather than exploiting qualities in people for our own selfish benefits.

"Mademoiselle, les choses changent, rien n'est éternelle, la vie suit son cours dans un flux temporel!"

...

A few of my favourite looks from the Razvan Ciobanu SS 2012 show in Cluj. I love the femininity of the subtle colours and soft structure, complimented by simple hair and makeup. The venue provided the perfect backdrop by combining old world elegance with the trends of today.  (Via Flash Me)

Happy Monday Inspirations

Some sunny, smiley Monday inspiration for those hard at work. Wear something cheerful and make time to enjoy nature! I am definitely enjoying my neon yellow blazer and ripped jeans.

I Love Wildfox blog

Rise with the sun

(Unknown Photo Source)

One of the best things to do for yourself is have a morning routine. For me, it brings a sense of peace and calm when I awake before or with the sun.