It's the wonderful time of the year

You probably all know Elf Yourself. In fact, it isn't original at all anymore. But those cute little elves with your own funny faces under the caps are still, like every other year, a thing on my to-do-list for this time of the year. Moreover, every year those cute little elves make a new dance for you. And this year I was very delighted, because Charleston happened to be one of the themes.

So here's a special "Happy holidays dance" for you!

Guess who perform it?




The answer:
I thought nobody can do this oldfashioned dance better than my favorite classic style icons. Your dancers were the lovely Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, Edie Sedgwick, Grace Kelly and Brigitte Bardot.

I wish you a Merry Christmas and all the best for the new year!

Only the shot with the winning price can be photographed

I think this is the perfect editorial when you're feeling nostalgic and need to cheer up.







Photos from foto_decadent

The models are Ethiopian model Liya Kebede and André 3000 (rapper, producer, actor and member from Outkast, he's a busy man). The photographer is Arthur Elgort. This is his website, with an impressive portfolio, but especially a beautiful entrance.

Look at their smiles, the bright wallpapers and their spontaneous poses. Did it make you smile?

Americana in Paris

Americana Manhasset is a very aesthetic shopping center, located in New York. Their editorials and videos for the new collections are always a pleasure to watch: they use great models who wear great outfits, with music which perfectly matches with the theme. This one, from fall 2007, is my favorite. I'm a bit tedious these days, because I constantly pick the Paris and vintage things, but have a look.. it's so wonderful!
And according to these quotes from famous designers, I'm not the only one with a weakness for the city of love.

The models are Lars Burmeister and the always funny Coco Rocha.








Photos from Americana Manhasset

Why don't you sit right down and stay awhile

A famous movie actress and an almost famous singer. This is Zooey Deschanel. The American girl made her debut when she was nineteen years old and continued with a lot of movies. She has played roles in all kind of movies: from thrillers like 'The Happening', to comedies like 'Elf', to children's films like 'Bridge to Terabithia', and she even made an appearance in some episodes of the series 'Weeds'.

As I already said, besides acting she also likes to sing. It started when Zooey and the musician M. Ward met on the set of a movie. They performed a duet together and after a few talks the band 'She & Him' was formed. Matt (that's mister Ward's real name. Good thing he decided to only show his initial in his artist name. Sounds interesting, don't you think?) and Zooey launched their first album, Volume One, in March this year. It contains sweet, quirky and retro songs:

"Why do you let me stay here?"

"Sweet darlin' ", unfortunately no video but some lovely pictures.

And I have good news: they are currently working on a new album! M. Ward announced this in October, so hopefully Volume Two will be launched in the beginning of the new year. He said about it: "Zooey has about a gazillion brand new awesome songs. All we know about Volume Two is that it's going to be twice as good as Volume One."








Photos from Google and I don't know where anymore

Last but not least a montage of scenes from the movie 'Elf' with a singing Zooey. It's almost Christmas time, my dearest dears!

When pencils don't draw, but function as stilts

Let me introduce to you: Julie Morstad. She makes slightly disturbing and odd, but wonderful illustrations. They make me feel nostalgic sometimes.

Photos from Ateliergallery

I really like the last one, I think because it looks a bit like this photo. It's the tall Natalia Vodianova, as Alice in Wonderland, in a doll house. Sometimes I feel exactly like her expression.

Photo from Style

Julie also created the cover for the album "Fox Confessor Brings the Flood" from country singer/songwriter Neko Case. And she made the illustrations for her video "Maybe Sparrow". I really like the combination of real and drawn scenes.

So, the first days of December are the greatest. It's getting colder and darker, the Christmas-tree waits to be decorated, everybody is very busy with the preparation for the holidays and I can't wait.

Karl, you're killing us all

Just have a look at this great discussion at The Fashion Spot. It's about the question who will be the model for the Chanel's Spring/Summer 2009 main campaign. The first photo from the campaign is published, but doesn't reveal anything about the model.

Designer and photographer Karl Lagerfeld shot the campaign very private and exclusive in his own house in Vermont. Nothing is known yet, but according to rumours, Sasha Pivovarova is the lucky one.

I think it's great to see how excited the members are. In my opinion it's also a bit hilarious, I mean.. what are we talking about? But they're so enthusiastic, they even make me looking forward to the announcement of the model!
Some really passionate quotes:

"I sat in front of it half an hour yesterday and tried to picture out which model it is. I especially marveled about the haircolour, for I think you can already get an insight into the colour scheme of the campaign. I think blonde would be the random choice, dark would be totally boring, but red would absolutely rock it."

"I think it's quite stupid...
I recognize Sasha's toes... :D let me dream!!!!!!"

And a keen member found out which dress is photographed:

Photos and quotes from TFS and Style

Also at Fashionologie it's a juicy 'to be continued'-story. Isn't it great to see how people are too excited to have a little patience and start to puzzle to find things out?

It's a mystery, guys!

Moi je joue à joue contre joue

This is the newest commercial for the Miss Dior Cherie fragrance. And I absolutely like it! It's so French and lovely. The song also fits perfectly, it's "Moi, je joue" from Brigitte Bardot.
Other facts: the ad is directed by Sofia Coppola and features the gorgeous Maryna Linchuk.

Photos from Fashionologie

Oh! Paris perdu, je retourne vivre à Paris

I adore the music from Camille. It started when I discovered her music video of ‘Paris’ with her enthusiastic dancesteps, the tapdancer and the funny lyrics. And ofcourse, it’s French mon amour.

Paris


Au Port

Living in an organised mess

Todd Selby is a photographer from New York. I really like his photographs, because he portrays people in their own environment. The Selby features photographs, paintings and videos by Todd of interesting people and their creative spaces. For example fashion model Erin Wasson, fashion designer Alexander Wang and editor/creative director of Last magazine Magnus Berger.

Some inspiring interiors and details:


















Photos from The Selby