The stars that come out tonight

This movie isn't on the Oscar list tonight, in fact it went barely noticed when it was released in 2008 and from all accounts the reviewers hated Fireflies In The Garden, to them it was just another story about dysfunctional families. But ask me................and I will tell you this story had me in tears not easy and wondering how it slipped my notice for so long. I can tell you this, I found Fireflies which was just released on itunes this week to be much, much better than The Tree of Life which is up for best movie this year and also happens to be about a dysfunctional family I think, I never was too sure what this movie was about to tell you the truth. We weren't alone, people were leaving the movie way before it ended. But enough about that. It is Oscar night, that perfect mid-winter diversion, a dazzling peek into the world of movie stars and fashion. The night of movies we loved and the ones we didn't.

After the red carpet fixation on fashion I always get to thinking about the movie stars themselves, how some years they shine so bright, such good parts, such good notice. How other years they are bypassed to someone shiny and new. As much as we love our movie stars, it can't be an easy life with all the ups and downs, and constant expectations from every direction. I always hope that movie stars don't define themselves or their lives on the shiny and bright found at Hollywood & Vine. But I suppose like the rest of the world striving to be the best in their craft, some do and some don't. When I finished Fireflies In The Garden, I reread the words to the Robert Frost poem below that is the title of the movie and the source of Fireflies most heartrending scene and I thought...........so true, especially when it comes to movie stars on the brightest Oscar night. They are just like us, they just get to shine brighter now and again for all the world to see. And when they do in a great movie or at the Oscars..............it really is like seeing the magic of Fireflies on a warm summer night. Enjoy the show.

   Fireflies In The Garden

Here comes real stars to fill the upper skies,

And here on earth come emulating flies,

That though they never equal stars in size,

(And they were never really stars at heart)

Achieve at times a very star-like start.

Only, of course, they can't sustain the part. 

Robert Frost photo via google

tulle, tissue, and itune movies

A quick explanation for my blogging absence. A major spring-cleaning and house purge that went longer than you can imagine, a unexpected dart-in-the-neck type of allergy response triggered by a late but pollen-laden spring that practically put me into a coma I swear, a bit of outdoor nesting as you will read about below. Sometimes that happens and once started I was determined to get overdue tasks out of the way before Daisy and I head up to Haliburton in Northern Ontario for July to spend time with my best friend at her most relaxing cottage. Plenty of girl time, hiking, rowing, swimming, campfires, and s'mores and absolutely no schedule, quite possibly no makeup either. I hope to blog but that will be based on their internet provider in this secluded setting. In the meantime, I still have several weeks to pass along some gift wrapping ideas of a more summery look. As I have claimed many times, I am not a crafty gal but even I can make these tulle and tissue pom poms. I think the combination of the soft and stiff materials gives the pom pom a bit more layered personality. I will try a few, some really big ones and show you how to use them for a soft and summery gift presentation. You can get started with this easy tutorial here.

Last winter I was watching the movie Sisters, kind of a depressing movie (based on the Anton Chekhov play) about a dysfunctional trio of sisters. When the movie opens, they are preparing a birthday party and as they are trading verbal barbs, one of them is hanging a most colourful garland of glowing birthday lights across a balcony staircase. I know it was the satin ribbon and brightly coloured bags that caught my eye and and I made a mental note to find the festive party enhancer, truthfully it was the only thing that made that movie rental worthwhile. To make a long story shorter, I finally ran across it this morning and the Martha Stewart tutorial can be seen here. Imagine the colour possibilities! I love them used outdoors (if the evening stays dry) but loved them equally as used in the movie, indoors to brighten up a wintry birthday celebration. 

Our screened veranda is finally finished and it has become one of those "why didn't we do this sooner" type of home projects, we do feel like we suddenly have a small cottage outside our living room. I believe in spending every minute of our relatively short summer season outdoors and to enjoy meals without swatting flies away has become an indulgent pleasure each and every evening. I have always loved screened porches and mostly because they strike me as quite cosy in the evening so the first thing I did was go buy lamps. To turn on an outdoor lamp in our area without attracting mosquitoes is quite the summer luxury, of course they still come but they can't get to us now. I have quickly progressed from nighttime reading to watching itune movies on my laptop which as led to the final decision in finishing our new living quarters which I knew would answer itself pretty quickly. I am so going to need a daybed..............function always follows form. 

Speaking of itunes movies...............and speaking of steamy! Leaving is a tortured and passionate love story, the kind that Kristin Scott Thomas does so well. There are sub-titles, a beautiful locale, no happy ending, plenty of steamy behavior, and a big question............how far would you go for love? Note: I do watch all kinds of movies, fun ones too. 
















Image 1 via Greedy For Colour/Image 2 via Martha Stewart/Image 3 and 4 via Google/ Links above.

A Bit of Monday Glam

~ Photo by Polly Wreford ~

I feel refreshed today, took some time out from this intense website project and did my favorites things. Took the hose to my house, veranda, and driveway to bring some semblance of order to all this construction mess (almost over), read the Toronto Saturday papers on my clean veranda, cycled away about 4 lbs I think and had a speed breakthrough, enjoyed a luscious grape ice-cream cone on a cycle break, and then made Sunday dinner for my Dad and in-laws and told them we were on our way to their lakeside location. I can be quite intense when I have a task at hand, but even I know when I need a break. You can also tell I am a woman of simple pleasures. To make it even more perfect is to have a little dose of blog glam (which I miss) and pass it along with a big hug to all the readers and new followers who commented in the past few weeks. You are simply the best.

My four friends and I always do the movie-and-dinner night for our birthdays. The dates are nicely spaced throughout the year and the birthday girl gets to pick the movie. Off we went to see The Proposal and it was one of those chic movies that require no effort to watch and a peek at some great clothes. Sandra Bullock wears this severe, but stylish mix of clothes quite well (and carries some great bags) and that had me going in a black fashion direction for days. I like chic movies for what they make me do.......inspire me to get back on track with a bit of fashion style and pay a bit more attention to my choices

~ Photo by Sandra Lane ~

I'm a blond so thankfully I wear black fairly well. I say thankfully because I have a great deal of it handing in my closet. There is a bit more colour hanging these days, like everyone else I've been influenced by the fashion lust for colour the past few seasons. And I love colour ( like no one else I know) but black still gives a more polished look to the styles I wear daily in my home studio. My style of clothing has changed dramatically in the past few years and limited clothing funds mean I need to be more practical so I'm heading back to black. It just seems to work for me.

This is a look I would wear all winter long. Comfy but stylish, this Yves Saint Laurent Cap Sleeve Cardigan and sleek pants would look really good with............

............the Circus Cutout Bootie by Christian Louboutin that captured my eye for fall fashion. They would go with any of the outfits I've picked today. Like I could wear these......sigh. Maybe if I keep cycling.

I am more than intrigued by any creation by jewellery designer Ranjana Khan. This draped Crystal Bib has me hunting down the black outfit (just for fun) that would highlight this work of art. There's nothing better than accessorizing black outfits.

Remember me mentioning the black Wedding dress by Vera Wang? This is it and I still don't get this idea, I don't care how many times someone is being married.......sorry Vera.

I sure do get this Vera Wang Rosette Necklace. Oh my! How fabulous!

I love a white blouse or shirt and especially this wraparound one by Donna Karan. I'm going to need another speed breakthrough to wear this great belt.

I know I am due for a hair makeover. Something a bit less maintenance as well. I had this older Carrie Bradshaw photo in my haircut file and I like the easy look, something simple to go with all this black and white I see in my future wardrobe. Mind you, if I had her hair it would never be this short.


~ Fashion Illustration by David Downton ~

Though I can't quite believe it, I am coming up to my 100th post really quick. So just in case you think I'm not as much fun these days, I'm going to add some fun with a lovely giveaway. Something beautiful to enhance your Gift Wrapped Life. Stay tuned.

1st and 3rd photo from Sarah Kaye/Clothing photos from Neiman Marcus

Blue Satin

photo by Chris Everhard

Sometimes you just need a zone-out movie so my friend and I headed over to see Confessions of a Shopaholic and though we both squirmed a bit with the movie message (put away the "magic" cards), as my friend said "that one hit a bit too close to home"! We just loved the stylish mix of clothes. I tend towards more serious cinema, but this one was just what I needed, silly and fun. From my vantage point as a former interior designer, I can't remember a time when design was more fun. Mix it up, patterns, colours, textures and styles, the more the better. This highly individualistic fashion and design style is just what we need these days, in a larger sense I think it means we're finally getting it........we're all unique and that is a really good thing.

I've been practising layered bows and almost have the hang of it. I did straight-pin the back, a thread stitch would be better, my husband has to mend his own socks , so that wasn't an option. I used a wide double face satin, I'm not too keen on wired ribbon, it seems too contrived, like I can't tie a bow and need all the help I can get. I know I'm the only one who thinks this way, a bow with wire stays up all fluffy and big, who am I to be a purist about ribbon for heavens sake! But I just love the "fall" and the "hand" as they say in the design business for a double face satin. I use all types, the real silk double face satins from France and Germany, the polyester ones from China, doesn't matter, it's all about the colour and feel. I like the smooth application around a box, wired ones get all bumpy, listen to me..............no don't, I sound weirdly intense. Like I need a life or something.

See the trailer {click herehttp://www.buzzsugar.com} should you need some silly fun.

Top photo by Chris Everhard at Sarah Kaye/Middle Photo fromby Sande Chase-Oooh la la Cadeau/ Bottom Photo from BuzzSugar.com