A brand new canvas

It's been such a long time since I've started an oil painting, but today out of the blue I decided to start one. It's not finished by far, what you see here is just the beginning, about half of a first layer. I did make some more progress today, but I might be at it a whole lot longer.

Normally I use very light colors, so now I decided to give myself a little challenge. I started by painting the whole canvas black and then added some dark colors.

I also didn't make a sketch like I usually do, but just started painting. The idea isn't set in stone, so it might turn out different from what I have in mind now.

Anyway it's a fun project and I look forward to finding out where it'll take me.

P.S. Tomorrow I'm picking up my first two batches of pictures made with the Diana F+! how exciting!

the Staff Benda Bilili Concert

The most incredible documentaries often get broadcast very late at night. As was the case with the film about Staff Benda Bilili, an African group of disabled street musicians. It was so captivating and inspiring that I gladly missed an extra hour or so of sleep.

Whereas most of the able-bodied people in their city aren't half as motivated and often turn to crime, these men kept practising in the local zoo because they were confident it was the only way to save their families. Their hard work has paid of and not only do they make money nowadays, they have created a truly unique sound.

The documentary makers found a boy on the streets with his self-made instrument and introduced him to the band. Now about 12 years later he's touring the world with them.

Last night I had the pleasure of seeing the documentary again, followed by their concert! It was amazing! They are world class musicians, extremely positive and really know how to put on a show. One of the guys in a wheel chair even turned out to be a truly amazing dancer! Which just shows you no matter what you can make something of your life and find your own unique ways to enjoy yourself.

If you ever feel down, just watch the documentary or put on their music, it is impossible to be in a bad mood when you're influenced by their upbeat tunes and attitudes.

My very first flash mob!

Participating in a flash mob has been on my wishlist for such a long time. And finally that wish has been granted. It was only yesterday and has already made it's way onto YouTube, so I can even show you guys!

In case you really want to know who I was, here's a shorter lower quality clip where you could spot me a few rows back a little left of the middle, with the brown pants and lighter tank top.

I'm glad I could watch it online, because when you're in it you're really more focused on exactly when it'll start and then the steps, that the whole flash mob aspect comes second or third. It was still fun though and I'll never forget it.

Lovely Movies: Sucker Punch

I'd been waiting on the release of Sucker Punch for quite some time. Every once in a while I just need to watch a good action movie, but great action combined with beautiful camera work and kick-ass teenage girls is not something I'd pass up.

Granted, the whole forced prostitution-thing wasn't really my cup of tea, but I came for the action, dreamy colors and cast and was not disappointed. (However prior to going there I did ask someone who'd seen it if nothing too shocking happened, just to make sure I wouldn't walk out of the theater traumatized.)

The soundtrack is amazing by the way, I don't think I've ever seen a movie where the film and music were so very much in sync. This was an experience unlike I've ever had before at the movies.

If I had to give some critique too I'd say that the story maybe wasn't that great and I thought it was weird that you never saw the actual "dance". Nothing's really explained and then all of a sudden...: Action! It's weird, but great and you'll get used to the film's style soon enough.

Could this possibly be ...?

A Diana F+ Kirameki?

Well, yes!

And I couldn't be more excited!

I somehow got the opportunity to buy a lomography coupon with a big discount, so I jumped at it and treated myself to a Japanese edition Diana.

Apart from it being the most incredible and beautiful camera in the world, that may I add, works with all the Diana add-on's and accesories, it also helps support Japan with a small portion of the 20.000 lomography is donating.

Is there any better excuse then discount and charity combined?

Anyway I just shot two films today and can't wait to have them developed. I also bought a Splitzer, which enables you to divide your picture into different segments or do a double exposure on only one part of the picture, and did a little experimenting. I'm really looking forward to seeing the end results. Will hopefully show you soon!

Marvelous Music: Iron and Wine

Lately I've been listening to a lot of Iron and Wine on YouTube, so when my dad asked me for a birthday wishlist I didn't even have to think about it.

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I ended up getting The Sea & The Rhythm EP, it's not a full-length cd but I'm still really happy with it.

Just a few month ago I noticed there'd be a show at my favorite venue, but wasn't into it that much yet. I regret not going now though, but I'm sure they'll be back. And thanks to my dad I have a cd to listen to in the meantime!

Birthday

Yesterday was my birthday and it involved so many cute things that I couldn't resist taking pictures for the blog.

I spotted this teeny tiny little cake a few weeks ago and knew I had to had one on my birthday. Since I wasn't expecting many guests I thought it'd be big enough.

My dad actually brought another small, though larger, chocolate truffle cake, so we had more than enough. I actually just ate a piece of each for dessert tonight.

Here's my outfit of the day. The earrings were sent to me by a very dear friend and the cardigan was a present from my mom on the day itself.

I did some special nail polish the day before. Mint green with cherry blossoms and a pink shimmer coating. It was made with one of those special stamps, I didn't get it the first few tries, but eventually got the hang of it.

Both my parents gave me beautiful roses!

And of course there were other gifts too. My dad gave me the Sims 3 and a bunch of cd's and dvd's including: Iron & Wine and Ray LaMontagne and Away We Go. I'll probably do reviews some time.

Here are some pretty Marie Antoinette earrings my mom gave me.

This little cupcake is not just decorative, it actually holds chocolate scented hand cream!

And this moth fighter is just awesome! Definitely something you don't expect to get on your birthday, but also not something you knew could be so frickin' cool, right?

As you can see it was a great day. I'm glad I took a lot of pictures to relive it all and I hope you enjoyed taking a peek too.

Giveaway winner!

Today was my birthday and I had a good time, but I'm tired and going to bed now. I will post some pictures tomorrow:)

However I promised I'd draw a winner tonight for an Easter item from my shop! So I just figured out all the entries, drew a random number and out came...

ShimmyImmie!

Who will be receiving her favorite item:

Thank you all for joining!

New Etsy Easter Items! + a Giveaway: CLOSED

Easter is getting closer and I am already in the mood to celebrate. After listing all my Easter items today I felt like doing a surprise giveaway!

Below is a selection of the stuff that's in my shop now, however there are more HERE.

CLOSED CLOSED CLOSED CLOSED CLOSED

Ok, how it works:

• Take a look in my shop and let me know what your favorite Easter item is, because that's the one I'll send you if you are the lucky winner!
• Follow my blog for 2 extra entries.
• Grab a banner for 3 extra entries (each).
• Let me know how many entries you scored in one single comment.

Anyone, anywhere can enter!

I'll announce the winner some time this weekend.

Good luck!

Great Reads

On vacation in Paris some years back I found a book in the apartment and read the first chapter, I had always wanted to finish it but never managed to find it again until a few weeks ago. The side of the book somehow stood out from the bookshelves in the secondhand department. I was so excited to have found it again and started reading immediately. I promised there'd be a book review of the Thirteenth Tale and here it is!

Let's just start by saying I absolutely loved it! It had been a while since I truly devoured a book, but this one had me reading a hundred pages one morning in bed, because I simply couldn't resist.

Even though it has nothing much to do with magic, it was quite a magical story. It turned out a bit different than I would have thought in the beginning, but it was in no way dissappointing.

The story is about a women who has grown up in her family's bookshop, she spent all her time reading and eventually writing a bit too. Then one day a letter arrives and she's invited to write a biography of the country's best selling author, who has never ever told the truth about her life before.

It's very mysterious and I like that as a reader the story unfolds simultaneously with the biographer-character. The fact that she has to fit some pieces together and has a storyline of her own made it more intricate and entertaining than it would have been if it where just the story of the famous and elderly writer.

There are lots of reverences to Jane Eyre and now I would really love to read it too, I'm a bit embarressed to say, but it's one of many classics I haven't read. Maybe I'll make up for it and read Charlotte Bronte's biography right after it too.

Lovely Movies

Caramel tells the story of a group of women in a beauty shop. Among them is a mistress, a woman who has trouble accepting she's getting older, a girl who falls in love with one of their female customers, another one takes care of an eldery woman and yet another one is engaged. They are all friends and are either regular visitors of the beauty shop or work in it.

It deals with their problems as well as their joy and it's all wrapped up in a very entertaining film. What I found both surprising as well as refreshing is that there is no fuss at all about one of the characters being a lesbian. You don't come across that often, much less did I expect to find it in a Middle Eastern movie.

The leading actress is also the director and she did a great job at both of those things. She's currently working on her second movie with about 5 times the budget of this one so I'm really looking forward to see what it's like

Marvelous Music

Thank you all again for your great comments last time! Can't really put into words how relieved and glad I am. Thank you, you guys!

Ok, onto today's business: music.

I love music that is just a bit different, artists that don't seem affected by rules and customs of the mainstream music industry. And Kimbra is just that. I was hooked at once when I heard this song!

And isn't the video delightfully creepy and beautiful?