Art of the week: Mr and Mrs William Hallett (‘The Morning Walk’) by Thomas Gainsborough, 1785

When I went to the National Gallery in London, England, I saw a life-size, oil and canvas painting by Gainsborough titled, “The Morning Walk.” I liked it for three simple reasons: 1) I love Gainsborough’s light, feathery brushstrokes 2) I related the painting to my boyfriend and me walking my silly dog as part of our daily routine. 3) It was featured as a backdrop in the James Bond “Skyfall” movie– when he first meets Q (CLIP HERE). Ahh! Q is so cute <3

Q & Bond at the National Gallery, London.

However, I digress. The point is, this painting was made for a simple reason: to create a marriage portrait for William Hallett and Elizabeth Stephen (both aged 21 at the time) and due to be married in the summer of 1785. The couple solemnly link arms to walk in woodland landscape with a panting, joyful Spitz dog at Elizabeth’s heel. According to the National Gallery, “Portraits of wealthy sitters posed in a natural setting and dressed in their finest (but not necessarily most practical) clothes were a popular status symbol.” The conversation piece, which is the undone jacket and with one hand tucked into it is a stance seen in many fashionable 18th-centry informal portraits. There is also speculation that Elizabeth’s ivory silk dress is her wedding dress.

Quebec City – Ville de Québec

A contrast between old and new: having the oldest fortifications in North America to having the most haute, chic stores and establishments (boutique hotels to antique markets to art museums).

Cobble stone paths and horse-drawn carriages…are we even in Canada?

Quebec city is a cultural and historical hub. It is a gorgeous place and I was definitely enchanted by this Francophone city, especially by the Old Town. It’s also a good place to improve my amateur-level French language skills.

Art of the Week: Composition II in Red, Blue and Yellow by Piet Mondrian, 1930

Expressing a universal cosmic order with Art

 Composition II in Red, Blue and Yellow by Piet Mondrian, 1930 - Part of the De Stijil Art Movement

Piet Mondrian’s intention was to move the viewer through his clean, balanced compositions in his pieces. It was his belief that his viewer can conceptualize the spirit realm, which existed outside of time and space.

The artwork uses primary colours of blue, yellow, red with values of white and black, and along with horizontal and vertical lines to create a harmonious, balanced composition.

Fashion Designer, Yves Henri-Donat Matthieu-Saint Laurent (one of my favourite designers better known as YSL …OR “SLP”) was inspired by Mondrian when he created the “Mondrian” Day Dress (Fall 1965) . He knew that “the planarity of the dress was an ideal field for colour blocks” (Metropolitan Museum of Art). An excellent example of how art and fashion meet.

Nina Ricci “Fantasy”

Recently bought this fragrance from Nina Ricci and saw the advert for it. It’s so charming! It is just delightfully girly!

The packaging is what really got me. The scent is light and floral and I can wear it everyday.

I'd rather be at Coachella

Reblogged from OMG That's So Fetch!:

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Posers: Contemporary Portraits

“Posers” is a group exhibition that explores portraiture as a method of documentation and self-expression.

Local artists, illustrators and photographers will go beyond capturing physical likeness, challenging a traditional convention by using a diverse range of visual language – both cultural and contemporary. In examining the poser’s subtleties, the artist not only reveals the subject’s personality and history, but also his/her personal significance to the artist.

Today, portraiture is almost instantaneous – faces are everywhere and not only on people. They are seen on posters and magazines, computer and mobile screens, Facebook profiles and Instagram feeds. Portraits are posted of both humans and animals alike either mocked, adored or loved. Candid or not, these subjects become posers, representing an identity and a society that shapes it.

These studies and observed moments go beyond the simple act of capturing a face – stories are told and insights are unveiled. Collectively, the works in the exhibition will interpret the idea of meaningful portraiture as an ongoing dialogue between the poser, the artist and the society they live in.

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I went to the opening reception at Oz studios with a couple of friends to support the artists involved in the exhibition. We admired the artwork and cheered on one of my best friends, Chelsea Canlas and her revered artworks. The opening reception was filled with admirers, art lovers and locals.

Castles and Wine

Napa County, California

Beautiful landscape and great tasting wine. What more could you want?

Wineries we went to were Robert Mondavi and Castello Di Amorosa. The pictures below were taken from Castello Di Amorosa.

WHAT I’M WEARING:

ALDO OXFORD SHOES

H&M TRENCH COAT

BLUE BALENCIAGA “CITY” BAG

FLORAL TIGHTS

TOPSHOP BLUE “DOILY” LACE COLLAR DRESS

(Apologies for the grainy photos. I just used my iphone 4 camera. Left my dslr at my aunt’s home when we went to Napa >_<)

high tea: a collection inspired by Marie Antoinette, London socialites, and macarons

Reblogged from becomingelizabeth:

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D&G via Cretus

D&G

Recipe via Raspberri CupcakesPPQ Spring 2012 via Chic Genre Miu Miu Applique BagLouis Vuitton ad via Keep in Touch with Fashion

Cream Ice Cream Embroidered Cardigan By KTZ**Kate Middleton via mirror.co.ukOscar de la Renta TiaraSera Park "The Dessert Lady"
Kate Moss by Tim Walker for Vogue
Mary Katrantzou pencil skirt
If only this existed (source unknown)

Read more… 66 more words

THIS IS A MUST READ!!! A beautiful post!