Book
The du Mauriers by Daphne du Maurier. It's a novelized history of her fascinating family. I needed a short break from contemporary fiction, and remembered how much I loved du Maurier's book. The magic is still there, making me want to reread all my favorite classics.
Music
First and foremost there's the new album from Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Skeleton Tree. My favorite artist processing his grief, and he's as good as when I first fell in live with his Prince of Darkness persona all those decades ago.
But I've also been having some good old earworms running through my head, the entire Simon & Garfunkel Concert in Central Park album (one of my favorite records of all time. And beyond time, really), and since it's the season, Joni Mitchell's Urge for Going has been on my mind every morning as I wake up.
(skip to the 1:04 mark)
TV
I can't remember all the stuff we watched lately. There was a failed attempt to enjoy the second season of Kimmy Schmidt (we didn't), binged on Unreal and got depressed , watched some of Judd Apatow's Love (ditto), and Hulu's Casual (same, kind off). at least there's some good stuff waiting (Transparent. I can't wait).
Perfume
I've been testing Mandy Aftel's Memento Mori, which means a review is coming. Other stuff I'm reveling in are Eau de Hongrie, Tauer's Une Rose Vermeille and Une Rose Chypree, and have been wearing Shalimar Parfum Initial more often than I should. But today I'm in Wazamba, which smells more incensy than ever.
Makeup
Anything duochrome. From Butter London eye gloss to classics like Urban Decay Lounge and MAC Club.
Frequently Worn Outfit/Item
The season change has found me in my skinniest black jeans (J Brand). It makes everything easier.
Food
I binged on my mom's cooking for a week. Her apple pancakes are the best in the world. The fact I can still zip up the aforementioned skinnies is nothing short o a miracle.
Bane
I'm still jet lagged, which is a record for me. Of course, I also caught the usual plane crude. Mornings aren't pretty around here. Neither is the 3 am waking up (except for a glass o chocolate milk and cuddling with Georgie).
Joy
So many. My niece and nephew are everything. Spending time with my friend designer Ella Braitman (and buying that red dress you can see in her cover photo). Searching for and connecting with my Bulgarian family branch. I have a pretty cool once-removed cousin and second cousins in Sofia. Coming home was the best, though. We had an excellent cat sitter, so house and critters were in perfect shape.
Also, the comments on my previous post. All of you have inspired me and made my way going forward that much clearer.
Anticipation
Quiet days and nights, getting back to work on my blog the way I believe it should be, staying true to myself and my readers.
Also, wearing that red dress on a night out.
Wishlist
It sounds ridiculous considering that I just got back home from a trip, but I'm craving a romantic vacation, and for some reason I'm pretty fixated on the Isle of Wight.
Random Thought
The next person comparing the Duchess of Cambridge to Sophie Trudeau, favorably or not, should get bitch-slapped from here to Price Edward's Island.
How are you? What's on your list of loves and banes? Any wishes and recommendations?
Art: The Broken String of Beads, Hede von Trapp, Studio International Art, 1913
Book
ReplyDeleteLeo Tolstoi: War and Peace
Music
The Stooges (saw Gimme Danger at Love & Anarchy film festival)
TV
BBC War and Peace (Paul Dano steals the show!)
UEFA Champions League
Perfume
Still stuck with Parfumerie Generale scents, especially Bois Blond and Corps et Âmes. In Madrid I wore Etat Libre d'Orange Vierges et Toreros and CdG Vettiveru.
Makeup
I usually wear daily nothing but lipstick, but in Madrid I wore Shiseido Anessa face sunscreen, kohl (either bronze green or dark grey Dior pencil), YSL mascara, and Illamasqua cream blusher (Rude). Had two lippies with me: Illamasqua Encounter and YSL Opium Red.
Food
Pimientos de Padrón, Brandade de Bacalao, Manchego cheese, olives...
Joy
Our 20th wedding anniversary trip to Madrid. I could have done without the heat (+38C) but otherwise everything was perfect! Visited Prado twice, both for the Bosch exhibition and the regular collection. I was deeply moved by the El Greco and Jose de Ribera paintings I first fell in love with 25 years ago.
Anticipation
Crisp autumn days, it's still unusually warm (+15C) for this time of year.
Thank you for the Joni Mitchell video - I truly enjoyed listening and watching her! I tried the Nick Cave...I'm sure he appeals to some (you, for one) but he does nothing for me. Different strokes...
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, welcome back!
ReplyDeleteBook: Nemesis by Catherine Coulter
Music: The classical concert season has gotten underway and so I'm all about experiencing live performance.
TV: The Blacklist and Lucifer
Perfume: McQueen
Makeup: Although we're experiencing a heatwave, mentally I'm more than ready to make the shift to traditional autumn looks. I've already put the bronzer away, switched to a lighter foundation shade, and deepened my lip color. Bring on those falling autumn leaves! :-)
Frequently Worn: The temperatures here have been bouncing between the low 70's and the high 90's which means one day I'm dressing for fall and the next day I'm dressing for summer.
Food: Hummus, fattoush, tabouleh, and chicken shawarma (for the husband--carnivore that he is!) With the hot weather I'm into things I can prepare in the morning and than I just have to slap a kebab on the BBQ at night.
Bane: It's been close the past few weeks :-P but I refuse to give in.
Joy: Long evening walks with my husband and the dogs.
Anticipation: The temperature settling down into true autumn mode. I'm so over what has been a long, hot summer here in So Cal.
Wishlist: I don't know. World peace? Seriously, there is nothing I particularly want at this time. I'm quite content.
Random Thought: I'll be glad when the insanity of this election year comes to a close.
Book
ReplyDeleteJust finished The Girl On The Train. I had to read it before the movie came out otherwise I wouldn't see the book my way. I think, like you, I need to take a break from contemporary fiction and read a classic next.
TV
Just finished watching seasons of Spiral (Engrenages in French), River and Marcella. I think all were on Netflix. Started watching the Japanese show Atelier.
Perfume
Tom Ford Vert de Bois, PG Bois Naufrage, Hermes Jardin collection.
Makeup
None. It's been between 90 and 100 this past week. So looking forward to Autumn weather.
Food
Trying to eat somewhere between vegan and paleo to reverse my newly diagnosed pre-diabetic state. I would kill for some pasta or rice at this point.
Bane
CA drivers who are so absorbed in their cell phones that they are unaware of pedestrians or other cars for that matter.
Joy
As always, Dear Husband, Dear Daughter, Dear Kitty and Dear Mare.
Anticipation
Starting Japanese language lessons. Autumn weather that's cooler than 95F (35C) or even 80F (25C).
Book
ReplyDelete"The Bees" by Laline Paull (dystopian YA where the main protagonist is a worker bee)and "Helena Rubinstein, The Woman Who Invented Beauty" by Michéle Fitoussi. i always have at least 2 on the go...
TV
Community, Studio Ghibli films and Attenborough's The Blue Planet.
Perfume
Nina Ricci Deci Dela; Lubin Gin Fizz; Atelier Cologne Orange Sanguine.
Makeup
Rock-chick smokey eyes using 4 pencils at once: metallic teal, emerald green, sparkly purple and turquoise. Never had so many compliments! And sheer pink stick blush, it goes well with my dark brows.
Food
We are currently swimming in apples, tomatoes and pears from our own trees, so trying to use those; also eating lots of salads with nuts.
Bane
People who refuse to think beyond soundbites & resent logic.
Joy
Reading by candlelight, my teenagers, my husband and the beautiful sunsets we've been having.
Anticipation
Hogmanay/New Year's trip to Scotland: 9 days in a converted Abbey on the foggy banks of Loch Ness & then 4 days city break in Edinburgh. Can't wait!
Anna.
Hi Gaia,
ReplyDeleteI always enjoy reading your blog and your sense of wit, albeit with a slice of sarcasm!! As a Canadian living in Toronto, I cracked up reading your "Random Thought" comparing Sophie Trudeau to Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge. I literally could not stop laughing, because I know how far it is to P.E.I. Thanks for keeping us entertained:) By the way, your very constructive beauty & fragrance product insights are incredibly concise, educational and a joy to read. I also enjoy seeing the various product colour swatches, assortment of visuals - vintage ad images, art/renderings, etc. that you post onto your blog. Keep up the great work!!
I loved the book Rebecca by du Maurier and the classic movie with Joan Fontaine and Laurence Olivier. Judith Anderson was so good as Mrs. Danvers. For TV: I have been watching Penny Dreadful on Netflix now and I like the Victorian gothic horror vibe. I have read all the original classic horror novels Dracula, Frankenstein, The Portrait of Dorian Gray, and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and the show is not loyal to the original stories at all, but it isn't bad. For food: I have been cooking in the oven every chance I get now that it isn't over 90 degrees out everyday and cooking a lot from Cook's Illustrated vegetarian cookbook.
ReplyDeleteI know this is late, but I have been reading your blog on and off for a while now. Idk why, but my fickle mind wanders and gets caught up w fashion or nails or home decor, so I stray. Then I find myself unstimulated and remember that I need to catch up on your blog. It's timeless, smart and classy. I miss the individuality and intelligence in old beauty blogs. Now people focus on selling trash. Very few blogs or you tubers have any integrity or anything interesting to say. Many of them are just repeating the same stuff...because they're all bought by the same companies 😒. Others that were good stopped blogging 😭 Or sold out and continue to say they will "return" then swear life is "so hard". Seriously 🙄? All they do is party. It's ridiculous. Hope you had a relaxing vacation and as long as you blog, I will continue to read your content.
ReplyDelete