AMANDA SEYFRIED FOR GIVENCHY

I find perfume ads incredibly awkward. You can't see the product in action and they are always trying to capture and relay it's ambiance to you. More often then not they default to fantastical situations far outside the realm of feasibility - it's odd to see one that doesn't.

Perhaps it's because I've just returned from spending a week in lovely Parisian bistros and I'm simply feeling nostalgic for that but: black hat, black trench and sheer, white lace top - I'm not sure I need to say anymore.

INTIMACY

Toward the tail end of our relationship, which saw us cohabitating for some six years, all we ever did was use computers; relegated by yawning space to separate rooms in our little apartment, yards apart. We IMed rather than raise our voices, the din of the television swelling into the painful distance between us. 

It was unlike us. It was unlike me. We met when young, at a time when both of us had waited through the numb-tunnel of our high school years as strange ones, lonesome ones, for someone we could love. When we met we hugged and kissed constantly with the singular needfulness of the deprived. Like we had been waiting all our lives just for someone we could hug and kiss without ever needing permission, and like having found it supplanted all other needs, like compatible personalities or life goals or tastes or anything. Having found it sustained us alone until we became old enough to understand it was not enough. 

Alexander, L., On Intimacy, Thought Catalogue

TRUTHS

“People are being compelled to ignore what’s in front of them in order to get at what’s behind the screen," he says. "It’s such a powerful draw, and it’s affecting family relationships, husband-wife relationships, working relationships, and more. We have to learn to focus on what’s around us as much as possible.”

Sad, necessary advice.  

IWTMTFG

"I wish they made this for girls," is something I utter almost daily and apparently I'm not the only one. I have an affinity for menswear that I can't seem to shake. Today I was looking through Vincente Tsang's website and came across this incredible series, I WISH THEY MADE THIS FOR GIRLS. I feel as thought the series title is self explanatory and the fact that I adore it obvious. 

“The amount of times I’ve actually heard a girl say “I WISH THEY MADE THIS FOR GIRLS” when looking at boys’ clothes goes beyond memory. From that quote, I’ve begun a little Photo Series project with some of the most gorgeous women in my life. Done right, the series should have that inexplicable umph most guys feel when waking up and seeing a girl in his t-shirt and boxers. Dressed in my clothes, they will, one by one be featured on the blog." - Vincent Tsang

RINGS RINGS

As you may know by now I am an avid supporter of those tiny rings created W Jewellery. Walter will be showing off his entire collection this weekend at Magpie Jewellery.

And top knuckle rings, right?

GRINDING

"...for now, it will hang in my workspace as a reminder. A reminder, that I'm not the only one out there trying to make it."

Grind

Street Style

There is something to be said for a really good coat. There is also something to be said for simplicity. Black is 'back', not that it really ever left my wardrobe, and the most glorious thing about it is that you might actually stand out amidst a never ending sea of prints. 

Taken in Toronto, Flare Street Style

MEANING

I started to write a post about this video of a brilliant nine year old discussing the complexities of life and universes. I still suggest you take a few minutes and listen to what he's got to say... I then however got lost in a dark hole of clicking and ended up at this tumblr. The incredibly well written, single post on it had me until the end. It's author had filmed the video. Take the time, do your brain some good and read about something outside of whatever industry bubble you hide in.

Kevin Arnold, in an episode of the Wonder Years, said that when you’re a kid, you’re a number of things.  You’re a scientist.  A detective.  A magician.  An artist.  A singer.  A dreamer.  A fashionista.  He comes to the conclusion that growing up is just the process of giving up these identities, one by one.    

What happened along the way to force us to hide that curiosity?

 Pieces; After being a consultant for 6 years, I'm calling it quits. ziahassan.tumblr.com

OTHERWHERE

Like many 20 somethings others I feel a constant need to travel. Call it entitlement, call it over exposure to the incredible things going on in the lives of others from every available venue of social media, call it whatever you like but one thing I know for certain is that travelling is damn good for you. It's too easy for us to live in our comfortable and cozy little bubbles - it's also far too boring.

I've been been filled with elsewhere for quite some time now. Luckily I'll get a bit of a fill at the end of April when we go back to Belgium and spend some time in France. My computer is full of photos from our last trip, many of which have sadly never seen the light of day. Today I was perusing through some that were taken in Portugal and pulled a few favourites. These were taken in Porto, Lisbon and Sintra. Here's to daydreaming. 

It's About Time

One thing is clear with these announced changes: the right-rail ad is on the path to extinction and luxury marketers will need to learn how to both optimize news feed engagement through rich content marketing and master the use of paid media to amplify the most effective posts.

Five Implications of the New Facebook News Feed for Luxury Marketers

Tumble 'umble

I find myself using this more than originally anticipated: itsperception.tumblr.com.

PACKED UP

I've moved three times in the past 12 months, if we calculate it together that is three times too many. 

I think it's safe to say that the literal act of moving can be filed away under 'Things-No-One-Actually-Enjoy-Doing.' Fortunately for me, the post moving activities be they the arranging, re-arranging, hanging, laying out, creating and probably a little more re-arranging are some of my favourites. In this move Justin, London and myself have gained an enormous amount of square footage and some real swell roommates: Wayne and Brooklyn. Additionally and exceptionally less noteworthy, we're finally going to have an at home office. This little luxury is a sad realization and acknowledgement of the amount of time I spend in front of a monitor, at the very least I can look forward to it not sucking and some sunlight. 

ROSHAMBO

The goodness of a video comes from it's ability to make your mind wander a little bit, isn't it?

Though it's title immediately brings me back to 2006 and Misschief Film's own aptly titled film (see here), this is a wonderfully executed film-ified lookbook. The styling is simply superb, which is no wonder as it's for Free People's February catalog.

Here you're getting a short film for an ad campaign.

SWIM FOREVER

.gif's are cool again don't cha know. 

WILDFOX SPRING 2013

I must say, well done. Using the over adored late 90's parody, Clueless as inspiration Wildox put together a fun look at their 2013 collection. Take a look at this lookbook in all it's glory here.