14.2.12

Theory

Image Hosted by ImageShack.us All I really want to wear right now is this Theyskens Theory pre-fall ensemble. Seems just right for some good ol' relaxation!

And yeah, found a temporary solution for my internet problems. Just means I have to carry my computer with me all the time...

13.2.12

Neon orange

Image Hosted by ImageShack.us Image Hosted by ImageShack.us Ahhhm, the oranges are so good over here! I could eat them all day. It really is the best snack, and don't all the pieces look so good (ehm) all neon-like. Just had to play around on photoshop a little. And freshly squeezed grapefruit juice and avocado for lunch isn't all that bad either. I'm telling you, there is not one thing I don't like about the food and the way of living here... so far that is. The one thing that is bothering me though is all the internet problems I'm having. Ahh, the time and energy it takes to fix it. So, for those of you who are actually looking in on Quiet Spells from time to time; due to internet problems, I won't be able to post as much as I'd like.

Visit Insert French Word if you want - it's a bit easier to update there during those few minutes of "clear" internet I have now and then.

Photos taken by me.

11.2.12

Tumblr

Image Hosted by ImageShack.us Image Hosted by ImageShack.us So I love the kind of space a blog creates for you. For me it's a place where I can write texts and post photos which interest me, come up with titles and exercise by abilities in different areas. I promised myself there would always be a grounded and fundamental thought behind the posts, that I would make something of this blog, mostly for myself, but also for those few of you of my friends and family who might or might not be reading this and checking in from time to time. However, sometimes finding a fitting title, putting together stories and photos and all that I've chosen should be in this blog, can be such a process. I have so many photos and small notes from different places I save every day that I can't really find a place for here, but that I nevertheless would like to share. Tumblr is great for this, and so I've recently created this page: insertfrenchword.tumblr.com. It's a place where I just post all the photos I want to share, some music, the poems and texts I read everyday and find beautiful, maybe lyrics to songs, maybe sometimes videos. A place where the content needs no further explanation, but is just put out there for the viewer to enjoy, for the onlooker to create connections between. A tumblr really doesn't need an explanation though, everyone knows that the platform is great for creating a visual or conceptual space for oneself. So check it out: insertfrenchword.tumblr.com

WWW.INSERTFRENCHWORD.TUMBLR.COM

9.2.12

I wouldn't want to fade into black


I've been listening to Blouse for some time now (strangely I love the triviality of the name), but never really though to post any of their songs until now. Listen to the two songs above, my favorites so far.

5.2.12

Le Bal des débutantes de Paris 1963

Image Hosted by ImageShack.us Image Hosted by ImageShack.us Image Hosted by ImageShack.us Image Hosted by ImageShack.us Image Hosted by ImageShack.us Image Hosted by ImageShack.us Image Hosted by ImageShack.us Image Hosted by ImageShack.us Image Hosted by ImageShack.us Image Hosted by ImageShack.us Image Hosted by ImageShack.us Image Hosted by ImageShack.us Image Hosted by ImageShack.us Image Hosted by ImageShack.us Photographs from Le Bal des débutantes de Paris in 1963. I can imagine a debutante ball being very exciting for those going during the 60s and decades prior. Thinking of what dress to wear, what shoes, how to do your hair, who to dance with and such. Such events were different back then. There was a whole other seriousness to it before. It mattered more, I think, I imagine, I hope. It just doesn't feel the same or as real anymore. I know some traditions are important to keep for cultural (and nostalgic) reasons, but the mysteriousness and naïveté that I feel (and again imagine) was more present before is gone. That is indeed both a good and a bad thing. I really must say that it's getting to be pretty dull how all information is just so instantly available. I feel like there's so much less to really explore these days. Omph, I always get sidetracked... To get back to it; these photographs are fun to look at. It seems like Paul Schutzer, the photographer, had a couple of subjects he liked shooting more than the others. It really looks like a fine night from dancing, showing off and having fun.

All photos from the Life Magazine archive.

4.2.12

Delicacy and details

Image Hosted by ImageShack.us Image Hosted by ImageShack.us Today I went to a dinner, and in between meals and drinks and conversations I flipped through a couple of books on the history of fashion and such (from Taschen). Mostly told in pictures, and when it comes to something as sartorial and visual as fashion, it is indeed a good thing. There were a vast amount of great dresses and coats in there. I especially liked the coats inspired by Japanese kimonos, done by designers such as Paul Poiret and Madeleine Vionnet. Just to see the quality and attention to details in garments carefully crafted in the 1920s and 1930s is quite the experience. We're experiencing a great loss of this amazing attention to detail, fabric and well, art in clothes. The popularization of prêt-à-porter and continuous mass-production is partially the reason. Though the aforementioned has brought forth a more democratic approach to dressing and fashion. Enough about that. Here are two photos I had to snap with my phone, just to remember. An amazingly delicate brassiere from the 1920s and the Maison Margiela "Semi Couture" vest from 1997.

2.2.12

Strings


Here are three great songs, all with string instruments of some kind in them.

1. A Worn Out Life (With Cello) / Dakota Suite & Emanuele Errante
2. 7fingers / Anne Müller & Nils Frahm
3. Ljósið / Ólafur Arnalds