the wallace collection

I was able to pop in to see the Wallace Collection in London last week.

That was, of course, after a half-hour delay in getting there - who would have known that it would be so hard to find Manchester Square when you're literally two blocks away from it.  (wandering down Marylebone High St - "Oh, the Wallace Collection.  It's a lovely place! Yes, I've been there.  You're quite close.  I'm not quite sure where it is, though...you're quite close!").

They have a fantastic armoury (definitely my favorite part of the museum!  My appreciation for 17th and 18th century art is sadly limited, and I have to be in the correct mood to even want to really scrutinize a Watteau for more than a minute in the first place - which is too bad, because they're currently showing a lovely Watteau exhibit).

Anyway, I spent a good half hour in the European armoury room.

I learned about the German 'gothic' style of armour, which had fluted surfaces and was pretty bold in general.  I saw a set of armour and an armoured horse!  I examined the exquisite hilts of swords!  Wow.  I've always had a fascination for armour, and this just piqued my interest.

http://www.wallacecollection.org/thecollection/collections/armsandarmour

I love how, even near the busiest places like Oxford Street, there are these pockets of peace and quiet.

Marylebone high street

my shadow/london near wigmore st

l'atelier des chefs - salmon brochettes and couscous

L'atelier des Chefs is a cookery school in London.  They offer these great classes, and reasonably priced, too.  My mom and I went to this 'cook, eat & run' class (these run from 13:30 - 14:00, plus eating time).

We made salmon brochettes with couscous.  It was so good, and easy to make, too!  My only problem was the ridiculous amount of olive oil that they used. ('Well - olive oil is good for you.  So it doesn't matter!'). The couscous was literally drenched in it.  It was even a bit too much olive oil for my liking....and I use a heck of a lot of olive oil!

Recipe is on the website.

Unfortunately, I forgot to take a picture of my meal before I started eating it.  And too bad, because it was beautiful :(

imelda

a few more pictures, just because I'm obsessed like that.

Actually - it turns out that I actually write better when I use a typewriter.  It makes every work so much more deliberate and important.  It makes me think so much more carefully before you put something down.  And then if I do change my mind about wording, I'll always see the old wording...and think about it more when I look back on it.

(ick - i really need to finish cleaning the keys!)

annie/scarf

I was only at home for six days, so once I got there I promptly moved Annie to my room.  And used her as a hanging-place for unfinished projects, etc.

I got this lovely oversized scarf (£4 at Primark, yay!).  Now if only I could actually work up the nerve to buy a scarf and actually cut it so I could wear it as a shirt...

...and, i'm back!

first green dress that i can think about off the top of my head -

Keira Knightley's in Atonement.

still fascinated by it.

lovely analysis of the dress (for replication) here.

I'm also back from a lovely holiday home in England.  It's too bad spring break is so short.  Back to school on Monday...

happy st patrick's day!

obligatory st patrick's day post....

Not much time today, but eventually I'm posting my favorite green dresses....or something :D
(I wore a green dress today!!)

For now, I'll satisfy myself with Paul Byrom's rendition of the national anthem.  Not the greatest video quality, but still sounds fantastic!  I wish I could have been there (Celtics vs Pacers!! and in Boston, where I am right now!), but such is life...

the bringer of war

Last Friday was our symphony orchestra concert - Holst's The Planets, and Tchaikovsky piano concerto.

I've always thought that Jupiter was my favorite planet, but after playing the entire suite, I think Mars may very well displace the good ol' bringer of jollity.  I used to like Mars because it reminded me of Hans Zimmer's Gladiator soundtrack (yes, he completely 'borrowed' large chunks from Holst); now I find it hard to listen to "Gladiator" because as a piece on its own (rather than in soundtrack - because the soundtrack works beautifully in the movie), Mars is so much better.  It's so intense, and you feel it even more so when you're actually playing it with everybody else.

anna sui

oh, wow.....I haven't posted in a really long time!

These past few weeks have been crazy. literally - what with birthdays, exams, and concerts along with the usual studying and arts-editing.

I am so ready for spring break, it's not even funny.

Speaking of spring - Anna Sui has the best spring stuff, in my opinion!  I may not shop at the outnet.com, but getting mailings from them is nice...they always showcase a lovely selection of garments and accessories.  Yesterday was Anna Sui - I love her boho chic, happy springy-but-not-too-girly dresses.

I actually prefer the Spring/Summer RTW 2010 to the 2011.

extra time please?

Sometimes I wish I could just quit my day job and have lots of artsy fun.  To be more specific - I love my classes, but who likes to do homework?!  I would rather just go arts event hopping around Boston, and write about them.  I keep on getting all these press mailings that I want to go to, but can't, because I have class...or too much work...or symphony practice.

just a few of the things going on in Boston over the next few weeks/month:

MFA - Photography from the Bank of America collection
(plus I still haven't seen the Scaasi exhibit)

ICA - I love this place!  Modern art is not my fave, but I'm learning to appreciate it (ok, I admit, some modern art can make me quite pensive. as long as it's more than a square painted on a piece of canvas).  Plus, the architecture of the building is fantastic.

Harvard art museums - never been.....I want to go....

Boston Lyric Opera - never been to one of these performances, but it looks like it would be a lot of fun.

Charlestown working theatre - Blackadder II on stage!  I have my doubts about such a thought! (the original was so.......unique), but still curious. opens April 8

April 9 - KT Tunstall concert in Boston - Paradise Rock Club!
I sooooo want to go.  Why do I have to have a test the following Tuesday?  Maybe I'll go anyway....

plus movies coming out -
Jane Eyre!  hated the book, really want to see the movie.  My main problem with the book was that he was so much older than her, anyway.  They look more well-matched in this new adaptation.

I started out as one of those museum exhibit reviewers, but now I really have this urge to expand my repertoire and write about other stuff - I already have exhibit review,  album review, and movie review under my belt.  Currently in the works is a review of Google art project - hopefully it won't be too late by the time I have it written (it's far too hectic over here!).

oh, life.

oscars - showtime!

Anne Hathaway's many wardrobe changes - Hugh Jackman's opening for the 81st Academy Awards in 2009 is still my fave, (Hathaway and Franco weren't very funny....) but at least Hathaway had nice clothes (for the most part).

Atelier Versace (spring 2011)

my favorite!!!

le smoking - Lanvin; Brian Atwood shoes

Vivienne Westwood

Oscar de la Renta 

Givenchy Couture (2009)

Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi performing 'I See the Light' from Tangled - I wanted this song to win, but then again, I never thought it would.  (kudos to me for predicting the Toy Story song as winner).

Mandy Moore - dress by Monique Lhuillier (resort 2011). a brilliant color!

I was rooting for Jenny Beavan to win for best costume design in The King's Speech (if not just for the hats alone), but somehow knew deep down that Colleen Atwood would win for Alice in Wonderland.  The costumes were out of this world, anyway.  One of her best.  Still, Atwood annoyed me with her acceptance.  She literally took out a piece of paper and began reading off it.  LAME!  As if she was taking her win for granted.

Colin Firth's acceptance speech was my favorite.  So gracious, and humorous too.

"I'm afraid I have to warn you that I'm experiencing stirrings somewhere in the upper abdominals which are threatening to form themselves into dance moves, which joyous as they may be for me, they would be extremely problematic if they made it to my legs before I make it off stage."