some things I'm loving this week

Just a few this week...

1. This interview with Vincent Kartheiser, who plays Pete Campbell in Mad Men. He seems a touch dotty, in the most endearing way.

2. By Terry Ombre Blackstar in Bronze Moon. This cream eyeshadow on a stick is absolutely beautiful, and looks a little something like the lovely Diane's eye makeup in this picture.

3. Niotillfem - quirky Swedish blogger Sandra's life is particularly enviable of late. She and her stylish, fun-loving friends have just returned from New York and are currently holidaying in the archipelago in Stockholm. I can't read Swedish but her beautiful photography speaks for itself.

4. Sarah Wilson's touching blog post on "7 nice peeps you should know about"... in which she mentions me, of all people! It's no secret that I adore Sarah and her blog, so naturally her praise and encouragement is so uplifting!

some things I'm loving this week

I am toying with the idea of doing a few recurrent series of posts. Some of my favourite bloggers do it (Sarah Wilson, Yasemin Turker, Sarah Ayoub), so I thought I would shamelessly imitate them. I'll start with "10 day cycles" (every 10 days, just to be clear) and weekly "some things I am loving", every Sunday morning. I stole the latter from Primped, because I love Yasemin's weekly "5 things I'm loving this week" posts. Of course, mine will be a little different because there will be no video (I'm sorry, I'm just not technically savvy enough to figure that out) and I won't be showcasing (just) beauty products... plus I'm not going to restrict it to five things. I hope that this consistency will make me a more reliable blogger while I'm busy with uni, which starts again tomorrow. Even if I don't have the time to update as frequently as I'd like, at the very least I'll have those posts up regularly.

So here are my lovable things of the moment...

1. Mad Men Season 3

The fourth season of this brilliant series goes to air tonight in the US, so my brother and I decided to reacquaint ourselves with the show this weekend, in anticipation. Mad Men is just so irresistible – it is such an elegant, slick show with a subtle richness and depth. Tom and Lorenzo do fantastic recaps after each episode, as well as gorgeous "Mad Style" posts.

2. Rise of the Ruddbot by Annabel Crabbe

This collection of political commentator Annabel Crabb's funny, insightful columns is essential pre-election reading. It's so compelling that I've abandoned my planned reading list for it. Also worth watching is Annabel's interview with Julian Morrow on The Monthly's Slow TV.

3. "Not the Messiah" by Alain de Botton, New Statesman

I read this article by my favourite tweeter Alain de Botton the other night and found myself nodding along vehemently. As an atheist, I often feel a little dejected. After all, we don't have our own schools, congregations or meeting-places... A little unfair, no?

In this article, Alain explores the ideas ruminated by 19th century French sociologist Auguste Compte. An atheist himself, he proposed a "religion of humanity", involving secular churches, sermons and art, the essence of his philosophical-religious world-view being "connais-toi pour t'ameliorer" or "know yourself to improve yourself". Unfortunately, poor Compte was largely ridiculed and ignored, and he died without seeing any of his proposals take hold, which is sad. As Alain concludes, Compte's thinking "attempted to rescue some of what is beautiful, touching, reasonable and wise from what no longer seems true"... which is beautiful in and of itself.

4. Cannelle et Vanille

© Cannelle et Vanille (reproduction only permitted upon request)

I was directed to this beautiful site by Sarah Wilson. Aran is a food stylist, photographer and trained chef who utilises her talents to share mouth-watering gluten-free dishes and their recipes on her blog. She truly embodies the "mindful eating" movement – savouring not only the meal itself, and the nourishment it provides our bodies, but also the art of creating and sharing it with others. I'm so excited to try some of her recipes next week.

5. Eve Lom Cleanser

I have been using this luxurious cleanser for the past month and it is magnificent. Described as "possibly... the best cleanser in the world" by Vogue UK, it leaves my skin feeling balanced, nourished and silky soft every night. A cleanser/toner/exfoliant in one, this is now a staple in my beauty regime. I don't think I'll ever let this gem go! Available exclusively in Australia at Mecca Cosmetica.

6. "A Pictorial Guide to Avoiding Camera Loss" by Andrew McDonald

Kimberley at Glued to My Chest pointed out this whimsy, witty photo story by cute Melbourne author Andrew McDonald... you can click on the link above to take a peek.

7. Joseph Gordon Levitt's interview with Rolling Stone

I think I'm in love (the suit! the smile! the face!). Sorry, Andy.

things (I think) you need to watch*

1. George Carlin Jammin' in New York. 2. The Office, Season 6, Episode 4/5. 3. My Flesh and Blood. 4. Mad Men, Season 1, Episodes 1-5 (then you are officially addicted!). 5. Scrubs, Season 5. 6. The Diving Bell and the Butterfly. 7. Russell Peters Red, White and Brown. 8. Julie Delpy in 2 Days in Paris and Before Sunset. 9. Damages. 10. Eva Cassidy Live at Blue's Alley. 11. Project Runway, Season 1. 12. Once. 13. Obama's democratic nomination speech. 14. Little Miss Sunshine. 15. Go Girls.

* please keep in mind my love of the romantic, lame, politically incorrect, guilty pleasures, tear-inducing, French, God-denouncing, thought-provoking, etc.

life's little luxuries

1. A spritz of Fracas parfum.* 2. Curling up on the couch on a rainy night to watch Mad Men. 3. A fluffy little dog to cuddle. 4. Applying the perfect shade of Chanel lipstick.** 5. Lying in a hammock in summertime, reading and eating green grapes. 6. A fresh, glossy blowdry. 7. Spring water with a slice of lemon, served in a wine glass. 8. New Garance Doré posts and romantic text messages. 9. French kissing. 10. Being wrapped in a warm towel, fresh from the dryer, after a long bath.***

* outstanding note of tuberose, a variety of flowers (mostly white) - jasmine, jonquil, lily of the valley, white iris and a touch of pink geranium, top notes of bergamot, mandarin and hyacinth, infused at the heart with a whisper of orange and a base note of sandalwood, vertiver and musk... so lovely!
** mine is the rouge allure laque in "ming"
*** here is an opportunity for a boyfriend/lover/partner/ fiancé/husband to prove himself useful