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♥ Everybody loves Rumi. It’s impossible not to.
Fashion blogger Rumi Neely has great style, there’s no doubt about that, but what I like best about her blog are the photographs. Rumi’s boyfriend Colin Sokol and Rumi herself are the brains behind Fashion Toast, her personal style diary. I love the poetic, 70s vintage/American road trip feel of some of the images. Plus she always looks impeccable.
All pictures are from Rumi’s blog Fashiontoast.
This chick rocks some really great looks and I think she is getting better every time. Not only as a model, but as a blogger and as a photographer too. I love this new generation of multitalented girls. They’re going far.
Check Rumi’s blog here. It’s pure eye-candy.
Wishing you an amazing weekend.
♥♥♥
I mentioned before that I am currently illustrating two children’s books.
For an illustrator, this is one of the best and most rewarding projects you can do. Not only because you are completely free from the usual more restricted briefs, but you can also let your imagination fly and think from the point of view of a younger version of you.
I am one of those people who loves cartoons, Hello Kitty stickers, fluffy animals and Disney characters, so I guess I have always been in touch with the child in me.
On one of our many e-mail exchanges, one of the writers I am working with reminded me of Maurice Sendak, the amazing author and illustrator behind Where the Wild Things are.
This is a master piece. I love the monsters and I LOVE Max. He is a terrible kid, but I identify with his need to escape even if it’s only for a little while (after all, he does go back home to his mum in the end, and to his supper). The illustrations are very unique. I love Sendak’s very dense use of lines and his “dirty” earthly colors. I also think it’s brilliant that he decided to present Max wearing a wolf costume. Not only does he look adorable, I think it really helps bringing out the monster in him, this wild side that Max finds so difficult to control. I also loved finding out that Sendak named all the monsters after his own relatives. I can’t help but smile when I think of that. What a wonderful touch.
Now, I can’t possibly talk about this book, without mentioning the film.
I know it received mixed reviews but I truly loved it. The art direction and photography are stunning from beginning to end. Max and the monsters are identical to the original characters thought by Sendak, and the soundtrack is the best.
That final scene, when Max and Carol say goodbye to each other, breaks my heart. I find it so moving and symbolic. For me it represents the kid leaving his inner monster behind. Abandoning his wild side. It’s so sad and tragic. I guess it’s what growing up is all about. – But then again, I’m a big softie. I always cry watching movies.
Beautiful film. Spike Jonze can’t really do wrong in my eyes. I’m a huge fan.
Happy Thursday.
♥♥♥
I just couldn’t resist it. This is a great treat for anyone who understands Portuguese or anyone who likes music in general.
This is an independent band from the south of Brazil and I am completely in love with this song. Independent meaning that they haven’t been signed by any record labels. They do everything themselves. (I think I like them better because of that actually!) Anyway, the whole country is listening to this. I’ve seen hundreds of posts on facebook and twitter. It’s so sweet though and the video is great. Have a look!
The lyrics are very simple and full of joy. I attempted a little translation bellow but like in any translation, things end up not being the same as the original (these words actually rhyme in Portuguese). Oh well, here it goes:
Prayer
My love, this is the last prayer
To save your heart
The heart is not as simple as you may think
It holds what doesn’t fit inside a cupboard
It holds my love
It holds three life times
It holds a dresser
It holds both of us
It holds this prayer
That’s it! Like I said, very simple. I hope you like it.
More songs and videos here.
♥♥♥
This week has been crazy. In between doing advertising and illustration, I have hardly had time to do anything else.
I am currently developing more Willow Magic fashion illustrations for Wardrobe Mistress, which is such a great project! I am also illustrating two children’s books and a book of short stories, which are amazing projects too and VERY demanding. I am so glad Friday is finally here! Though I know the next 2 days won’t be enough for me to do everything I want to do:
♥ I want to draw loads, but I also want to go out and enjoy the weather (preferably without the pollen allergies)
Black markers on recycled paper
♥ I want to finish the books I am reading
Just a quick note on this last beauty: Le journal du petit poucet or “The diaries of Tom Thumb“ is a French children’s book. It is so adorable and funny, I’m completely obsessed. Every page is stunning to look at. The illustrations are by Rebecca Dautremer, who is one of my favourite artists (I’ve talked about her before here) and it was written by Philippe Lechermeier. Unfortunately it is not available in English yet (I have it in Portuguese) but it should be very soon.
I usually read about 4-5 books at the same time, which is very chaotic but it’s how I like it. From trashy novels (love them!) to classics (love them too!), it takes me ages to read them, but in my defense, I always finish every single one.
♥ I want to take pictures
Source: Unknown, but if anyone knows, please tell me.
♥ I want to see something pretty
Source: Me! (and my camera).
♥ I want to hear something magical
Hello lover…the one and only Mr. Bowie. Photographed by David Wedgbury
♥ I want to taste something wonderful
Source: Amazing Swedish photographer Maria Kallin. Go check her work!
♥ And finally, I want to sleep and sleep and sleep…
Is there anyone in the world who doesn’t love this film? Is there?
How about you? What do you want to do this weekend? :)
Lots of love from Lisbon
♥♥♥
