My Blueberry Nights finally arrived from Netflix yesterday. I had wanted to see it in the theatre, but somehow never got around to it.
To be blunt about it, it's a good movie, but not as good as (many) of Wang Kar Wai's earlier films. (Although I have high hopes for Ashes of Time.) It still creates that wonderful, all-enveloping atmosphere, but it doesn't have the natural, organic seamless-ness of most of his other films. I can't decided if that's a function of the road-trip plot and subsequent structure of the film, or a result of something else (language, maybe?).
Norah Jones isn't bad, but she just isn't strong enough to carry the entire movie (the way say, Faye Wong, was). I wonder what it would have been like another actress as Elizabeth.
As for the other characters -- Rachel Weisz is British to the bone. There's just something about her that makes you think "English, British, English, British" no matter how good she is in an emotional scene or how good her Southern accent is. I was surprised by how well Natalie Portman disappears into her character, but the best performance comes hands down from David Strathairn (surprise, surprise).
It's still a really good movie though -- absolutely worth seeing if you enjoyed Wong Kar Wai's other movies. Just be warned -- even if you just ate, you will be starving after watching all the shots of pie and melting ice cream!
(Pictures from Yahoo! Movies.)
23 juillet 2008
My Blueberry Nights (2008)
22 juillet 2008
Now everyone's a designer!
Oh, the Internet. That wonderful thing. First everyone was an author. Now everyone can be a designer.
Be warned: StyleShake is very addictive. The options are kind of limited, but it's still cool. And my sewing skills aren't totally disastrous, so I think I could manage some minor embellishments on my own.
$209 for a silk dress isn't bad. And I'm kind of curious to see how my own design turns out ...
(Via Fashionista.)
21 juillet 2008
Aujourd'hui je porte
The flash on my camera makes me look so tan!
Tank top from Mango
White shorts from Madewell
Necklace from my nieces. They gave me one of those sets that comes in a satin box with matching earrings and a necklace. I used to love those when I was little!
Last big purchase: Jilly Top by Lauren Conrad (Expensive, but it's very nice. I'm pleased.)
What I really want right now: Cleves Ring by Wendy Brandes and the 18-inch Little Princess Bow Necklace in gold by Alex Woo
19 juillet 2008
In A Silky Mood
I love silk, even if I am sort of grossed out by the process by which it is produced. (I went to the Silk Museum in Suzhou, and didn't realize that there were live silk worms in the display until the mulberry leaves they were eating started moving around in the basket. Eww.)
Silk can be kind of impractical in the summer if you live somewhere hot, but there is something so wonderfully luxurious about silk that it makes up for the hand washing!
Diane von Furstenberg Ora Camisole in papaya, $82.50 (sale). I think I could actually get quite a bit of use out of this top. I don't really like the texturing on the hem though.
Diane von Furstenberg Dani Dress in Rhombus Siren, $325. Love, love, love this dress, but I'm not sure how many times I'd actually wear it. But so pretty.
Ella Moss Black Label Lola Dress in Navy, $290. I also like this one. It will work into fall, so it'd be more useful.
Elizabeth and James Ziggy Top in Stardust, $250. I'd never actually wear this myself, but I think it's cute all the same. I really like that stripey pattern.
16 juillet 2008
Product Review: Road Wash (Product Body)
I've been doing a fair bit of traveling lately, and I like to carry my toiletries in my carry-on luggage. Carrying bars of soap around is impractical, so I am very pleased to have found a convenient form of body wash: Road Wash from Product Body. It's a soft solid and comes in a jar -- you can toss it in your bag and not worry about the TSA stopping you or its leaking all over the contents of your bag.
Road Wash was mild and non-drying without feeling oily. I would have liked it to lather up a bit more -- I never got as much lather as shown in the picture. (I know foam is not an indicator of effectiveness, but I like everything to lather up a lot.) I found using a loofah helped cut down on the amount of Road Wash I needed in order to feel clean.
As with all Product Body products, Road Wash comes in a variety of wonderful scents. My personal favorite is Lemon Essential -- lemon always smells so "clean" to me.
At home I think I'll stick with my bar of Dove soap (cheaper, lots and lots of lather), but Road Wash was great to use while traveling, and I will definitely be bringing it with me again on my next trip. Recommended!
(Road Wash, $16 for 4.5 oz.)
14 juillet 2008
As Though I Need Another Bag
Haven't seen it in person, but based on the website (so reliable, right?), it looks pretty nice. I think I'll stop by the Gap tomorrow on my way home from work and report back.
Leather satchel in true black, $150 (via The Jet Set Girls).
Lovely Rounds
I tried these on when I was picking out my birthday present and really liked them. They went on my "Things I'd Like from Tiffany's" list.
Then yesterday I actually saw someone on the Metro wearing them, and really fell in love with them. The diamond is barely noticeable when they're on (they're significantly smaller than they appear in this picture), and the shaping of the "round" gives them more interest. They're unobtrusive and subtle.
They're now moved to the top of my list.
Elsa Peretti Round earrings in sterling silver, $425.
11 juillet 2008
Black Roses
I keep seeing this black rose in ads online. It comes in a variety of colors -- the pink is nice but I'm oddly attracted to the black. I don't really like the diamondy-cross setting though.
Resin rose necklace with sterling silver clasp in black, $95.
When I saw a thumbnail of this ring, I thought it was from J. Crew (the fine jewelry collection). Looking at the full-sized version of the photo, I realized it was most definitely not.
This black rose is made from onyx. Anyone feeling in the mood for 5 brown diamonds, 92 pink sapphires, 56 yellow sapphires, and 77 green garnets?
Lydia Courteille Collection Onyx Diamond Flower Ring, approximately $16,000.
J. Crew Sale Code
20% off all online purchases $175 or more until Saturday, July 12 (tomorrow) with code SALEJULY
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