Photography

Normally, I'm not into Vogue. Too stuffy. But the photographs of Keira Knightley in this issue are stunning. Even though the thought of wearing couture on safari is absurd.

Elephants on Parade!

Why do I like elephants? Maybe it's because I have a fascination with India and Africa...or it could be my fascination with the world of the circus...I'm not quite sure. I found these pictures on the Internet when I was looking for a cover for a cd I made for a white elephant party. (I used the one on the top.)

Beauty

In Genesis 1:27 it says "So God created man in His own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them." If we all are created in God's image, not just some of us, how come our society says some people are more beautiful than others? How come we are all expected to live up to an airbrushed, tanned, slender ideal, devoid of the characteristics that make us each unique? Why are women scared to age, to have wrinkles and grey hair, when those features let people know that they have spent many wonderful years on earth, and have much wisdom to share? Why do women feel compelled to make their breasts bigger or their noses smaller, allowing doctors to tear apart their bodies for the sake of vanity? Why do we, when we're girls, keep wanting to be older, and once we're older we want to be young? Isn't this like a slap to God's face, a rebuke for not making us good enough? We should embrace who we are, and revel in our imperfections. we're not meant to be goddesses, no matter what the media says! People all over the world have some standard of beauty. During the Renaissance, women with large, curving stomachs were considered beautiful, because their large stomachs showed the world that they had had many children. The 1800's had women wearing corsets to create an hourglass shape. In the 1960's, every girl wanted to be petite after the Beatles said in an interview that they preferred short girls. In Asia, pale skin is beautiful...many African countries think that large thighs and long necks are hot. Why should the word "beauty" be confined to a small group of people? Shouldn't beauty, like love, know no borders, no skin colors, no body shape? Shouldn't beauty, like love, make someone all the more special for who they are, not who they should be?

Please comment on this. I would love to know what others think. Also, go to http://www.campaignforrealbeauty.com/. (And tell someone you love how beautiful they are.)

Memoirs of a Geisha

I received a copy of this film for Christmas and was so in awe of it's ethereal beauty that I had to write about it. My parents met in Japan, so I have always had a fascination with the country that allowed me to exist. I also met the woman who designed the hair for the film this summer at film school...she even styled my hair like Sayuri's (cherry blossom combs and all!) Anyway, enough bragging. Rob Marshall, the director of Chicago, creates a gorgeous, lost world that we can never enter, the world of the geisha in the 1930's and 40's. I know this will sound really weird, but this movie has a wonderful "rhythm"-Marshall knows just when to end the scene, just when the actress should tip her head. It's like a dance. Ziyi Zhang is like an Asian Audrey Hepburn, but my favorite actresses in the picture are Michelle Yeoh and Gong Li. Yeoh has such a grace and poise, yet gives her character an inner strength, and Li, with her intense eyes and bold voice, controls the screen every time she enters it. This is a film not to be missed.

World Aids Day

Today is World Aids Day. Wear red. Give back. Support the fight for a cure.

What can you do? There are a lot of companies who will donate a portion of their profits to help fight this disease. My advice, though, is to research where the money goes first before you jump in and buy. Aside from Aids, you can help support artists in third world countries by shopping at Ten Thousand Villages (see my links.) This non-profit organization sells jewelry, home decor and more made by artists in places such as Thailand, Guatemala, Ecuador and Nigeria. Another great organization is Samaritan's Purse...they've done everything from Katrina relief work to Operation Christmas Child. Don't be a bystander to the craziness our world is going through. We will never be able to completely eradicate all the world's probelms. But we can try to get as close as possible.

Home Design: Ethnic Influence

This is a dinnerware set from World Market. I love the intricate yet subtle design. The pattern doesn't overpower you because of it's muted tone, yet it still is unique and definitely not boring. My favorites are the bowls. I like how they don't have the design on the outside.

Fashion Flash: Cate Blanchett

This update of the classic Japanese kimono looks so stately. I love the details like the sparse floral print, wide striped collar and short butterfly cap sleeves. The overall look is unique without looking like she tried too hard to be different.