parfum

Have you ever thought about perfume? I guess this hasn't really been a huge thought in my life lately, but I recently thought about perfume and all of the design that it involves. I'm not even a huge fan of perfume (I don't wear it daily), but it is definitely interesting.

The most iconic and groundbreaking perfume is unarguably Chanel No. 5. The bottle's design is a classic (being iconized by Andy Warhol in his screenprints). It's shape is modeled after the Palace Vendome (home of the Ritz Hotel) in Paris, France.

Read more about the Chanel No. 5 bottle and it's design in this lovely article, via NOTCOT.

(Additionally, Chanel No. 5 was the first perfume to combine different scents to create a unique perfume, not to replicate a specific smell).

I love perfume commercials. Some of them are incredibly cheesy and easy to make fun of. (For some reason, I always thought that Elizabeth Taylor's White Diamonds commercial was ridiculously funny...) But many of them are incredibly artistic and cinematic. A great vintage commercial (which recently popped into my mind and was the inspiration for this post) is for Chanel's Egoiste perfume.



A more modern commercial (again by Chanel, the queen of perfumes) is again, for No. 5. Amazingly cinematic, with the gorgeously enchanting Nicole Kidman, and of course directed by Baz Luhrman.



The fact that a woman's scent can inspire such art and creativity is kind of empowering. As for what I wear?

Heaven, from Gap. YES. It's true.

But I truly do love this scent, full of soft white blossoms. And my closest friends love how it smells on me. So, it's my signature scent. (Thanks Hannah James for sending me the matching Heaven lotion!)

Paris: Women & Bicycles

I just came across this book of photography by Gil Garcetti called Paris: Women & Bicycles. Apparently, Garcetti has been photographing women on bicycles for a few years, and as always, it seems that the French bicycle with style. 

Now, he's releasing a book of his photography. Looks like a great coffee table book, for both the bicycle-obsessed and the francophile. Even the mayor of France has endorsed the book, calling it "elegant."

Interestingly enough, the book is a part of a community bicycling initiative in Southern California. I haven't seen much more about how the book is actually impacting the community, but the idea interests me.

Photo credit: Garcetti.com

Dear Blogger,

Just a quick update while I have access to a computer/am thoroughly out of my mind: I am sick. I am so sick. I have not been this sick in months. It is a summer cold. I am lucky enough to spend time at The Shark Tank (home of Bethany, Averill, Stephanie, Julia, and Rose), where they make me soup and peach cobbler. I'm feeling a lot better compared to how I felt 5 hours ago, but am still very loopy. Honestly, I feel kind of drugged up, and I'm not sure why, as I haven't taken very much medicine. Maybe it's a fever. I don't know.

Anyway, this sickness has caused me to miss most of Hempfest, which I'm kind of sad about. Yes on Prop. 19.

It also caused me to be little miss sniffles on my day trip to Orcas Island. Beautiful place, but not when the sun makes your eyes water/the mudslides make you mucusy.

I'm tired. But I slept 12 hours and napped 2 times already today. More soup, maybe? Lipton Soup Secrets perhaps?

I can't wait to get a computer. Megaaaaan make your friend come back to Seattle sooner so I can blog more. This is a sorry excuse for a post but I am too loopy to realize that fully...hmm.

Hasta la vista.

Bad Romance

It sucks when you realize that Lady Gaga songs basically describe your life situation perfectly. Bad Romance? Really, it's come to this? Sigh.



J'veux ton amour
et j'veux ton revenge
J'veux ton amour
I don’t wanna be friends

(P.S. luv u gaga xoxo)

Hasta la vista, internet.

I gave Tiffany back her computer :)

but that means, not as many blogs.

Until next time!

Now, put your hands up.

California has been wonderful and therapeautic.

I love seeing old friends, and walking down familiar streets. Feeling warmth on my shoulders from the gorgeous sun, while wearing my favorite sundress gives me endless confidence.

The tanning (burning) has been incredible, I plan on looking fully Mexican by the time I get back to Seattle. The river has been gorgeous, calm, and cooling.

My family cooks amazing food. I am eating WELL.

My little brothers are adorable, fun, and a little crazy. I am enjoying my family and the company they give me.

One complaint: I wish I could spend more time with them. It seems that they are all busy with their own lives that they forget to pause and spend some special time with me. I have always been kind of a needy child, and it's no different now, especially after about 4 months of absence...

Hopefully we can make up for it in the 4 days that I have left here.