Il Salviatino

Ahh! Italy. The last time I was in Italy was around ten years ago and I cannot wait till I go again. If all goes according to plan, I will end that very long streak and find myself in this romantic country again next summer. I have been dying to tour Tuscany. Of course I want to go to Rome and fulfill the wish I made all those years ago at the Fontana di Trevy.

A very good friend showed me one of the most beautiful hotels called Il Salviatino. When I saw these pictures, my jaw dropped at the startling beauty of the Florentine hotel. The villa was bought and lovingly restored by Marcello F. M. Pigozzo and converted into a haven for art, history and wonderful memories. Enough talk from me. These beautiful pictures say it all...

(Images via Il Salviatano)

Alice in Wonderland

So its been a very busy weekend. Lots of dancing! But speaking of Tim Burton, I can't wait for his latest film Alice in Wonderland. A typical Tim Burton movie, this adaptation of Lewis Carroll's novel is a darker more intriguing take on the wonderfully weird tale. Sure to be filled with unbelievable visuals, this movie will no doubt be another success in his career. Check out the trailer:

Tim Burton

Frankenweenie drawing by Tim Burton

Easily one of my favorite filmmakers, Tim Burton has got a unique outlook on life that makes his work one of a kind. I am currently reading the book called, Burton on Burton, which gives its readers a fascinating look into the mind of this quirky artistic genius!
I originally borrowed it from the library to add to my research for a film studies paper, but once I started to skim through it, I couldn't put it down! But due to a busy semester I have been forced to renew it three times! In it Tim Burton talks openly about what went in to making his films, his ideas, his process, and what he thinks of each movie. Its a great read for any Tim Burton fan and for those of you who aren't? Well maybe you will change your mind...

(image of Tim Burton from screencrave.com and 2nd image of Frankenweenie from timburton.it)

Vosges Chocolate~ haut chocolate!

Did you ever think that there was such a thing as "haut" chocolate? Well guess what? You can find it at Vosges Haut-Chocolate. Chicago based owner and chocolatier Katrina Markoff uses the French confectionery skills she picked up at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris to create truly unique flavors. Combining unique spices as well as flowers with top quality chocolate, Markoff has founded a company that has brought chocolate to a whole new level with their "east meets west" flavours. If you love chocolate you would love haut-chocolat!Oh! I almost forgot! Her chocolate makes a great gift!

(top photo credit: the wandering eater ; other photos from Vosges)

Mirror, Mirror, On the Table

This is a gorgeous design by UK company Room Beautiful that I stumbled upon while browsing images of mirrored tables. I first saw a beautiful round mirror table in aunt's studio in Manhattan and was completely smitten with the idea. There is a very good chance that one such piece will appear in my future apartment. Horchow furniture also has some beautiful pieces for sale. Here's another one that caught my eye.I found this one at Tanya's Furniture Gallery

Liv Chic

Another day, another inspiring idea. For a project, I had to make sketches of furniture. In my search for interesting pieces to sketch I stumbled upon a website that creates custom furniture designs, inspired by Baroque and Rococo styles. Hilary White is a New York designer and she has some fantastically whimsical pieces and designs. Don't you just love the chair in this photo? And the shoes!!
Check out her work at Liv-Chic by Hilary White

(Photo via Liv-Chic)

Perpetual Paris

As I was browsing through the internet today, I started to look through the Little Brown Pen blog, and I remembered one of her posts entitled "a little project".
Need a calendar? This is a fantastic work of art that also functions as your daily calendar. I feel a project coming on as soon as the fall semester is over! Check out these photos and if you really want one of these fantastic calendars, you can get one the Little Brown Pen's shop

Its Darling...

"Darling. I don't know how to tell you this but...there's a Chinese family in our bathroom."


I'm watching the film "500 Days of Summer." So far it is the cutest thing I have seen! And I love the scenes in Ikea! Starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel, its a wonderfully whimsical story of boy-meets-girl. But as the narrator says in the beginning, "this is not a love story."
I absolutely love her outfit in this movie poster. Every element works so well together: the stockings, the blue shirt, but most especially her shoes.

Miss Dior Chérie

As I was sitting here, procrastinating my workout, I started to think of inspiration. More specifically I thought of my initial inspiration to begin this blog. Watching la televisión I saw this Miss Dior Chérie commercial. It is so happy and lighthearted! This was my inspiration and I wanted to share it. Sofia Coppola is fantastic and artistic. Enjoy!

Stockings!

 Yes. Right now I am very much in the Christmas mood! Have a fireplace? Have Christmas stockings? Here's is an easy and stylish new way to hang them!

You can even get them engraved. Brilliant.

*sniff sniff*

Another rainy West Coast day and I love it! I love the cold. With cold weather comes the wonderful fall fashions: boots, scarves, jackets-- three of my favorite fashion accessories! Well...not just boots: shoes in general. Today I wore my wonderfully hand-made riding boots and was complimented on them in one of my favorite stores. Oh yes! I cant forget that with the cold autumn weather comes some of the greatest holidays: Thanksgiving, Halloween, Remembrance Day, and, the greatest one of all, Christmas!

Back to that favorite store: Pottery Barn

As I was browsing through the store, feeling quite pleased and stylish after the compliments on my boots, I found candles and scented oil that smelt like the holidays. My nose couldn't get enough!

Paper Done!

Ahh...a little moment of relief. My paper is done and handed in. Luckily I chose to examine an image that was filled fascinating imagery. Boccioni's "The City Rises" is a vibrant colourful picture adhering to Futurist ideas. Look closely and you will see interesting images in the swirling chaotic brush strokes.
Image source: ARTSTOR

Futurism...

Day 2 of blogging and I can feel myself being drawn more and more into it. As for right now, though, I really should put it aside at least till tomorrow so that I can write my paper...which is also due tomorrow.

Just get through the next two days. Just get through the next two days...There's no more tomorrow for this paper... Now to research futurism!

Its 4:30pm. It is a dark and typically wet afternoon on the Pacific coast. If only I could fast forward time and have my paper all finished and printed! And now I am officially diving into the books...

Hola!

So...I finally put aside my mañana mañana ways and set up my blog. Of course I have now officially wasted my time on this instead of writing my art history paper which is due very very soon... But what can I say?!! I just couldnt resist setting this up. Moi je joue...