My Favorite Things and Loves: The March Edition

"My painting is visible images which conceal nothing; they evoke mystery and, indeed, when one sees one of my pictures, one asks oneself this simple question 'What does that mean'? It does not mean anything, because mystery means nothing either, it is unknowable."

-René Magritte

Hello all!

I look forward to this monthly post every time, as it's a collection of inspirational images, reads, music, words, and so much more that I would come across, which perfectly stirs the nostalgic romantic in me and would love to share with you all- enjoy!

Read:

Anyone who's a fan of Jane Eyre, particularly with the recent film that just came out (which is beautiful, with a haunting score to complement it- composed by a favorite of mine, Dario Marianelli (who did Pride and Prejudice and Atonement)- it's a must-see).

The latest edition of W Magazine features Jane and Rochester (the lovely Mia Wasikowska and the very handsome Michael Fassbender) is definitely one of my favorite covers and shots. I must admit, right now I am very much smitten by Michael Fassbender and can't wait to see him in upcoming films.

New Paris Vogue Editor Emmanuelle Alt's debut issue. I love the cover.

I came across this in a bookstore one day and fell in love with the stunning images inside the book, and even the title itself brought out an small inner rush of bliss. I need to go visit Nantucket Island someday- add that to my Life list.

A very charming story for those who ever wondered what it's like to live a life by the lighthouse- I know at one point in my life, I certainly wanted to live in such a intricate setting, and thought it would be utterly magical if I did.

Love:

This image of Jackie O:

These lovely Mirotaine postcards from Basic French that makes you yearn for bright Spring afternoons.

Love this from Keep Calm Gallery

The wonderful world of René Magritte

The Mysteries of the Horizon, 1955

Walk:

Among these places

(Photo: Wet Behind the Ears)

(Photo: Fairybread)

Watch:

The new Coco Mademoislle short film from Chanel, featuring the always lovely and talented Keira Knightley.

Listen:

This album is on my favorite playlist- "Spring"- and is so endearing. It's one of my favorite albums at the moment. Give a listen, and I'm sure it'll melt a bit of your heart as it did with mine. I am loving the album's title: The Day We Ran Into the Sea.... makes me yearn for the seaside, where I would go discover lighthouses and have picnics, swapping stories under the night sky....

Words to live by:

“Neither a lofty degree of intelligence nor imagination nor both together go to the making of genius.

Love, love, love, that is the soul of genius.”

-Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart



Joie de vivre,

Joanne

The Age of Wonder

"Know your own Happiness, want for nothing but patience, or give it a more fascinating name: call it hope."

- Jane Austen

Lately I've been carried away. I've been carried away by a swarm of ideas, inspirations, and being absorbed by the little things that just take our breath away.

Apart from writing my novel, I've been going on a little personal project of my own- currently it's in the development process and there's still much to go before I can bounce around in sheer joy and love.

I'm only going to say that it will fulfill one of my little dreams of creating my own small establishment which collaborates on my artworks, writings, and love of stationaries and other such lovely curiosities.

As soon as there is more substance, I will make sure to post it right here and via Twitter. I can't wait to share it with you all.

What I'm loving:

Eisley's new album "The Valley"!!!

Everyone must listen to this album. I've loved them from the very start since hearing "Come Clean"- and in this recent album, songs like "Smarter", "Kind", "I Wish" carried me away and even better- I thought lovely thoughts as the activities and events I'd immerse myself in during the Spring and Summertime.

Photo: 谁收录

And because it's close to Spring it means:

More of amazing jazz tunes as Madeline Peyroux!

More cafe conversations among friends.

Picking up flowers on the way home.

The sound of rain falling against the window in the early morning.

Taking up a book and reading it outside by the Harbourfront.

Photo by JessaMae

Wearing floral prints on clothing and ballet flats- yay ballet flats!!

Releasing beautiful umbrellas in the rain.

Longer strolls in the city and taking the time to notice small buds.

Exploring historical places in the city!

Taking more pictures!!

Photo: Libre

Now more than ever, I feel the urge to go and carry out on all those "I would love to!" and "Wouldn't it be nice?" ideas.

As it has been said many times, life is short. To live the life we lead is the greatest joy of all. So take a risk, do what you love, and in the words of Ms. Frizzle from one of my favorite childhood shows The Magic School Bus: "Take chances, get messy and make mistakes!"

Joie de vivre,

Joanne

The Chairman's Waltz

When I opened my eyes on the first day of February, I thought of a few things.

One of them was the fact that we are one step closer to the promise of warmer weather- as welcoming as it was in December, right now it feels more of a long-drawn affair to which one side already lost the early days of romance.

As February seem to be a month where the concept of love and light renewal is in full bloom, the past few days I've dedicated myself to a few things on some things I love!

I spent this past Friday with a girlfriend treating ourselves to two things: perfume and and a book. I'm very much a perfume lover, collecting all of my perfume bottles over the years which includes my very first Dior (Miss Dior Cherie), Chanel's "Coco Mademoiselle", Chanel's "Chance", Dolce and Gabbana's "The One", Vera Wang's "Glam Princess", to Bvlgari's "Voile de Jasmin".

Currently I am loving Twirl by Kate Spade- I thought the ad for Twirl by Kate Spade was very fun and elegant as well.

This perfume is described as "perfect cocktail for summer afternoon or evening party in the city"- perfect!

Shortly after, I dropped by the nearest bookstore and was browsing around some titles until I found the hardcover edition of The Wedding Girl. I have always loved Sophie Kinsella's works and so definitely took the chance to pick this one up. To be honest, I've always loved British Chick Lit over other Chick Lits- there's such a different sense of humor and taste which is distinct.

Apart from Hello Kitty (i'll never stop loving it- in fact, I even had the lipgloss from Hello Kitty by Sephora, before it hit the shelves!) I have a soft spot for Rilakkuma! I swear, I will be in so much trouble when I go to Japan- the things I love and want are pretty much close to endless.

This work is one of my paintings that I've done while listening to jazz music on the record player on a lazy weekend.

This work is named "So Bright and So Delicate"- it was inspired by the works of John Keats, especially "Bright Star"- it is of the imagined landscape one feels they are lost in within the the emotional capsule of love and lost. Like the mind, the trees are powerful memories which unlock nostalgia, and the landscape is imperfect- caresses of shadows appear. The ground like the subconscious, does not have a structural foothold- it can unravel at any given moment.

Lately, I have been dedicating my time in the morning to my novel, writing as much as my mind permits and found that devotion to things you love in the mornings usher out a quiet peace unlike anything else.

I have probably watched this more than a couple of times, but I found myself drawn to it once in a while and every time it would just literally make me melt- the score, the cinematography and the story captures me in a way that leaves me feeling how wonderful it is to be able to feel what we feel when we watch a film or read a book.

Love portrayed in this film is timeless.

One of my favorite quotes from Memoirs of a Geisha is when the Chairman said to the young Sayuri: "None of us find as much kindness in this life, as we should."

For some reason, that particular scene always gets me welled up with tears- in a sense, the Chairman reminds me of the gentlemen I have met in my life.

We are touched to think of all the great moments that have made us who we are, and are grateful for the individuals who have left a tremendous mark in our lives.

Joie de vivre,

Joanne

Note: images via weheartit

You're my Wonderwall...

"I will have poetry in my life. And adventure. And love. Love above all. No... not the artful postures of love, not playful and poetical games of love for the amusement of an evening, but love that... over-throws life. Unbiddable, ungovernable - like a riot in the heart, and nothing to be done, come ruin or rapture. Love - like there has never been in a play. "

-Shakespeare in Love

Hello all,

There's something so bright and so delicate about the turn of a new year. It reaps promise of a new beginning, illuminating those goals and hopes you've yet to stride and the feeling you get which starts to glow in your mind when you realize that Spring (which equals warmer weather) is not so far away.

January, you remind me of opportunities and happiness to come. We all one way or another attempt to hold onto resolutions throughout the months to come, and in particular with 2011, I want to really hold steadfast to it.

Looking back there were definitely some "What was I thinking?" moments, and this time around, I've learnt all the lessons and will stick to better judgement.

More than ever I've realized the importance of family and friends - individuals that really care about you and have truly been the light when all the others have gone out.

Recently I have come under the tide of being extremely ill- and am slowly recovering from it. The worst part was that I missed out on New Year's Eve celebrations- sleeping in by 10 pm was more of my festivity. This had really taught me the importance of getting better, and keeping things simple and moderate: eating well, sleeping well. Balance has never been so important as now.

Aspirations of being able to achieve one's goals- for example, I want to go back into ballet once more, and am thinking of taking lessons again sometime in the late Spring at Canada's National Ballet School. I'm very excited.

Also, being able to own and learn the violin is one of them- it would be really amazing to learn such an extraordinary instrument.

Learning better at my French-thank goodness I have close friends who are French and can properly refine this language- I grew up learning it but am not exceedingly fluent.

Finishing up my book- you wouldn't believe how hard it is for me to actually sit down and write words- some ideas come and go through different pages of Moleskines, or even on napkins- and so this time around, I must concentrate and follow it through.

The search for the perfect tiramisu in the city- always a fun goal.

Paint- to find the time in the busyness of my life to take the brush and bring the blank canvas into different worlds.

Can't wait to get a copy of the February issue of Elle UK- Cheryl Cole is on the cover. I've always liked her songs, and her new album I really enjoy. I especially love "The Flood" - she has a music video to accompany this single and it's so lovely by the seashore.

I melt when I hear the words Tom Ford. His vision for menswear is the very essence of what every gentleman should be and how he dresses women is how every women should be.

Joie de vivre,

Joanne

Note: images are via weheartit

And in the end, we will all be enveloped in this Winter Wonderland...

I simply must go - Baby, it's cold outside
The answer is no - Ooh baby, it's cold outside
This welcome has been - I'm lucky that you dropped in
So nice and warm -- Look out the window at that storm...

You've really been grand - Your eyes are like starlight now

Hello all!

The holiday season is upon us, I have the fortunate chance to enjoy occasions to get together with my entire family, which I cherish as we don't normally get to do as often, what with our busy lives and hectic schedules- during Christmas it always leaves me going back to when I was a little girl, eagerly looking at smiling faces, humorous conversations, the aroma of homemade cooking, and feeling so lovingly warm in the comfortable sphere of it all.

I often find myself watching classic specials like A Charlie Brown Christmas, which never fails!

Reading beautiful books that takes your mind to an old-world atmosphere of places. Someday I would love to journey on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. In fact, journeys by train would be my preferable method of travel- in this modern time where things seem to love the rush, the speed and advancements of so many inventions, it's nice to enjoy quiet comfort in things.

Listening to Pink Martini's holiday album which is played all the time now, as I am in love with their jazzy take on Christmas songs.

My dearest friend had just recently left for France to spend time with his family and is very fortunate to be going to all these different places where the family is, where the last stop would be in Paris! We promised each other that the fact that we're an ocean apart tugs our hearts, and we vow to write letters to each other, in which I'll send a couple by mail and the rest when I see him in January.

Apparently there's a surprise for me in store when he gets back and I'm very curious to see what it's about.

Drinking candy cane hot chocolate and Caramel Brulee from Starbucks.

The Black Swan costume that one of my favorite designers Rodarte had made for the film "Black Swan". The costumes are just wondrously beautiful to make us all sigh in bliss.

I am in love with this Tiffany ad- it might just be that it defines the perfect moment and lifestyle we wish to aspire to be in someday.

Most importantly, the sheer joy of having a couple of weeks off is potential time to continue my writings for my book "Memories of an Evening". I've got these lovely ideas drifting in and out of my head, one involving a curator, a ballet dancer, a violin player, and an economist.

I wish you much happiness and may your spirits be bright during the holidays with your loved ones!

Joie de vivre,

Joanne