Wishful Thinking 1996

Recently I've had the pleasure of watching a deliciously 90's romantic comedy called Wishful Thinking. It's a story told in three parts about Elizabeth, (Jennifer Beals) who wants to marry her neurotic boyfriend Max, (James Le Gros) who in turn is the love obsession of his co worker, Lena (Drew Barrymore). Basically chaos ensues, couples get rearranged and everyone moves on to greener pastures and lives happily ever after.

The movie was cute and as I stated before -  deliciously 90's and Drew Barrymore's wardrobe consistently fucking nailed it.

Even though her character Lena was kind of devious and conniving there was something so wonderfully youthful and extravagant about her clothing choices. That fuzzy pink sweater, the tights with the glamorous heels? The printed skirt - love, love love it!

That dark red, velvet blazer is great! I remember when velvet was all the rage! I always sneaked and borrowed my sister's velvet shirts without her knowing. The see-through plastic bag is lovely as well. I own one but there's a big gaping hole in the bottom of it.

In the movie her nails are always painted and the polish color changes almost every scene. She also wears rings on every finger and accessories her outfits with a scarf or lots of buttons. Also: check out the holographic earrings!

Her apartment is really bright and cluttered with interesting objects as well: a place where you could totally see a character like her living. Definitely an example of the set designer, production designer, and costume designer working in harmony.

GET LENA'S LOOK!!

Since I love my readers (all two of you) I've decided to take it upon myself  to scour the internet for Lena- related accessories. Check them out, Let me know what you think!

Vintage Floral Tote from MyVintageFix.

$12.00

Holographic Alien Earrings by Fatally Feminine.

$35.00

Purple Ring by HardCandyGEMS.

$64.60

Heart Print Scarf by PurplePossumUK

$14.86

That's all for now - until next time!

An Oversimplification of Her Beauty

I am so so so excited about this movie. Written and starring Terence Nance, it's about a young man that navigates live action and animated landscapes to understand himself after a young woman stands him up.

I personally love dream landscape movies like this and I'm so excited by the lovely afro action going on in the film! Trailer posted below...look out for the yummy stop motion animation sequence.

An Oversimplification of Her Beauty • Teaser from Terence Nance • Terence Etc. on Vimeo.

Take your protein pills and put your helmet on..

I just finished reading The Man Who Fell to Earth and it was so much better than I was expecting it to be (minus some mild sexism and the term "African savages" being used a couple times.) In short it was about an alien from some place called Anthea who comes to earth with the intent of saving his dry, rotting planet and its mere 300 inhabitants.

The exact version of the novel that I have. Except mine is in better condition. I 'd love to have a poster of this on my wall.

What I liked most about this book was that although it was science fiction, it was less about an extraterrestrial and more about human nature. Infact it seemed that this alien was more human than the humans he surrounded himself with. A few times he described his interactions with humans as communicating with highly intelligent and crafty apes.

In the novel, Thomas Newton (the Anthean) mostly learned about our planet from years of watching television and listening to the radio.

It's pretty needless to say that he did not succeed with his mission and the CIA/FBI caught on to him. In the end though it wasn't the CIA or FBI that broke him, it was "earth culture". The book portrayed him as a very delicate being which was refreshing and a stark contrast to the aliens portrayed in movies like Independence Day and Mars Attacks. I especially loved the scene that described him breaking his entire leg by fainting in an elevator (he wasn't used to our gravity).

The Anthean without all of his earth disguises.

Bowie circa early 60's.

I haven't watched the movie because it seems so different from the book and I don't want to be disappointed but kudos to the filmmakers for casting David Bowie as the extraterrestrial! I cannot think of a more graceful, delicate being who'd be perfect for the part. Look at all of that lovely boyish charm! I bet you can't even look at him directly without burning your retinas.

Newton and Mary Lou, who in the book was named Mary Jo and was not his lover but his housekeeper.

From what I understand they added a romance to the movie which was not at all present in the novel. I guess it was an excuse to film David Bowie naked in the thralls of love, which I'm totally fine with! I didn't get the feeling from the book that he had a human-like genitalia but either way, I think it's a bad idea to have unprotected sex with an alien.


I listened to Space Oddity as soon as I finished reading and now this song seems to be infused with another layer of meaning.

A live cover by Gnarls Barkley. I usually don't care much for covers but this one is phenomenal! I wish they would record a full length version. Cee-lo's voice is so rich and perfect for it.

On a semi related note: I can't stop listening to the Sailor Moon Soundtrack! I found it at the Brown Elephant two years ago for 50 cents. Even though the original Japanese version totally kicks the American version's ass, it still has some pretty annoyingly catchy songs.

Moon Prism Power!

Happy Wednesday everyone!

Spring Things

It's the last day of spring break and it's 38 stinking degrees outside but I am in a right, cheerful, mood because I have cleaned my room and I had the honor/privilage of attending Swap o rama rama today, leaving with two bags of "new" clothes.

Swap O rama rama is a giant clothing swap and D.I.Y community workshop that travels around the U.S. Everyone brings a bag of clothes which are sorted into large tables, ripe for the picking. Various D.I.Y stations are set up around the room depending on what day you go.When I went there was a puppet making workshop, jewelry making, embroidery, leg warmer making, and silkscreen/ tie dye. They even had live bands that played!! I left feeling pretty giddy about my new finds, though they require a decent amount of alterations on my sewing machine.


Other than that, here are some other things I have been up to lately:

-I've finally put my Doc Marten- covered foot down and asked my lovely friend take some photos for my Etsy page. I have been giving myself quite a headache trying to figure out my shop policies but at the same time, it's loads of fun. All those looong hours in the metals department are finally paying off. A little taste of what's to come:




All handmade by yours truly. I hope your interest is sooo piqued! Check back in a week or so to see my finished shop!

- I'm applying for a $1000 grant to cover various metal/ jewelry making supplies. This is developing into headache number 2 but the thought of having a proper home studio is unbelievably alluring. Any tips for successful grant writing would be greatly appreciated!

- Tried to watch Skins on Netflix since I keep hearing about that show. It's the standard popular- boy -obsessed -with- sex -and -himself storyline except it takes place across the pond. The smoggy weather and green fields in the background were lovely but the majority of the show involves nude skinny teens straddling each other. Makes me a little bitter My So Called Life was canceled.


- I am going to see the Women's Roller Derby tournament next month and I'm super excited about it! On a side note, I recently watched Whip It! which is a really fun movie if you're into roller skating and surface messages about girl power. I occasionally go by the alias Bambi St. Valentine when I'm a back up dancer for The Dangerous Strangers but in honor of Whip It! I'm thinking of changing my alias to Cat Snatch Fever!

The lovely Windy City ladies doing their thing!

So that's that...I hope this weather soon breaks so I can move forward with my late night picnic plans :(

Bright Star

Bright Star tells the story of the romance between Fanny Brawne and John Keats. It's a lush, complicated mood piece with an inevitable tragic ending.



Definitely another movie where I was hoping that love will prevail and they would be able to move to a farm out in the country and raise lots of chubby babies. It seems that passionate romances such as this must always be cut short in some brutal way. I can't imagine the pain... almost makes you want to not try.



I finished Bright Star at 3 a.m and then stood in front of my window for an hour to stare out at the street. I dreamt about green fields, swirling light blues, and a screaming woman which I later realized was my alarm.

"I have two luxuries to brood over in my walks, your Loveliness and the hour of my death. Or that I could have possession of them both in the same minute."

Wonderful soundtrack, vibrant colors, heartbreaking sonnets. Watch it and feel very sad...or very happy depending on how you look at it. Now all I want to do is write and roll around in green green grass.

Papins and Porcelain

Just recently watched Sister My Sister. The muted colors, the pointed black shoes and the constant rain set the perfect tone for such a Gothic thriller. Sister My Sister is a lose adaptation of the lives of the Papin Sisters who were two introverted maids that brutally killed their mistress and her daughter in 1933. I find this story so intriguing and sad yet so close to home for some odd reason.

The Papin Sisters circa 1933. I really want this photo on my nightstand.

Christine and Lea Papin stabbed their employers to death and ripped out their eyeballs and fingernails with their bare hands. Christine, the older sister was sentenced to death but was sent to an asylum instead (which was customary for death row females during that time) where she died from cachexia four years later. Lea, the younger one served about 8 years imprisonment and then worked as a chamber maid until her death in 1982, though some recent evidence points to otherwise. The Papin sisters never saw each other after their trial, though Christine reportedly begged for Lea often.

An actual photo from the Papin Sister's Trial. I'm sure you can guess who that is in the back with the long face.

Since the two sisters were found naked in bed together the night of the murder, there was speculation surrounding the nature of their relationship. Of course the movie played up the whole incestuous thing but I was less bothered by it than I thought I would be. To me it seemed that they were both developing sexually but had no one else to explore that with and so they became each other's outlet. They were really all they had. It did, however, make me think of stereotypes relating to "hysteria" and the sexually frustrated woman. Anyone who's seen High Tension might agree with me.

The Papin Sisters in bed together in Sister My Sister.

From Murderous Maids Another Papin Sisters adaptation.

A pretty ingenious Papin Sisters Halloween costume. I might have to borrow this idea! Try not to notice that weird bald guy in black.

I would have liked this movie a whole lot better had it not ended in a violent killing spree. I kind of wanted the girls to save up enough money to go purchase a farm and live long, healthy, and happy lives. But such is life...

Anyway, Watch it and tell me what you think…



On a side note I can't get this song out of my head:

News and Reviews

I finally got around to watching Boys Don't Cry (about 10 years late) and I had a bitch of a time sleeping afterwards. Boys Don't Cry tells the story of the short life and brutal death of Brandon Teena, a female-trans-male living in Humboldt, Nebraska. The movie was phenomenal (minus Chloe Sevigny's wooden acting) and I couldn't take my eyes off Hilary Swank. It was almost alarming how in love with her I was during the whole movie but I often find myself incredibly attracted to people with affluent genders or who at least look like they can easily pass for both. (JD Samson, anyone?) Also, seeing Hilary dressed like a scrawny, awkward boy reminded me of a few people I used to date.

Hilary Swank as Brandon Teena. Yowza!!

Brandon and Lana (Swank and Sevigny) in a passionate embrace.

The actual Brandon Teena. You have to admit, the resemblance was uncanny.

I guess I was a little bitter once I found out the movie won so many Oscars. It seems like Hollywood takes horrifying stories like these and just milks them for all they've got. I suppose it's worth it though if it makes people more aware of these kinds of issues. It also makes me think that maybe having a school specifically geared toward LGBTQ youth isn't such a bad thing if it keeps a good amount of Brandon Teena and Matthew Shepard situations from happening.

You can read more about Brandon Teena Here.

My second Review is on Handmade Nation, a documentary about people who live crafty lives, based off the book with the same name. It was refreshing to see how some folks are able to sustain themselves by making and selling their work. The range of people interviewed in both the book and documentary was pretty diverse. Some were ex-writers who now owned zine shops, some were self proclaimed "craft-wannabes" who owned handmade boutiques, and others were painting majors who now embroider.


It's nice to be reminded that there are many ways to be successful and that success is a rather relative term. I have a bad habit of getting caught up in what I call 'Art School Tunnel Vision'. Handmade Nation was also a nice pallet cleanser after watching Boys Don't Cry...grrr...I can't stop thinking about Brandon Teena!!

On a related note (to Handmade Nation, not Brandon Teena) I will be teaching a short seminar at the Solarium, February 16 on D.I.Y Bookbinding. Come by if you're interested in making books from recycled materials!

I found this image at My Handbound Books.

Grey.....

I watched Grey Gardens recently and I'm struggling with writing a post on it. Mostly because both the movie and documentary horrified me so much, I had nightmares for two nights in a row! This is not to say that these aren't good or even great films. The documentary was stylistically wonderful but it left me with the stinging realization that some people don't get a chance.

Edith Bouvier Beale and Edith Ewing Bouvier Beale

From the broadway musical based on Grey Gardens.

However, after watching the movie and reading the epilogue text before the credits, I realized that Little Edie did get her chance eventually...

Grey Gardens inspired photo shoot from Vogue.

I like Drew but I must admit I cringed a tad bit when I saw her on the front cover. I swear her Boston accent disappeared for entire chunks of the movie!!

Drew Barrymore and Jessica Lange as the Edie Bouvier Beales

Incidentally, I also recently watched Factory Girl.

This world is full of sad Edies.

And as always, the Cocteau Twins provide a lovely backdrop for this grey midwest winter.

I wish I had 2,010 dollars...

I hope everyone had a blast ringing in the 2010! I attended a party filled with lovely ladies and danced myself into exhaustion...a lovely way to start a new year!

Speaking of new, I nearly ran myself ragged trying to find the perfect pair of heels to caress my feet on the big day. Sadly, I found a bunch online that were a little out of my price range. I primarily drooled over these:

And these:

It would be real nice to afford $300 shoes.

Anyway I finally had the opportunity to see Dante's Inferno last week. What I thought would be a movie with ok puppets and a bunch of dick and fart jokes ended up being a movie with amazingly detailed puppets, a well thought out script, and a bunch of dick and fart jokes. The story follows Dante, a young man who wakes up in a drunken haze in another dimension and meets Virgil, a mullet - toting poet from ancient Rome. They travel together through all the dimensions of hell ending with an encounter with the Dark Prince himself. It's definitely worth a look for the charming, well- choreographed puppets and all the political figure/ pop culture icons dispersed though out Hades. Incidentally, one of the head puppeteers is Paul Zaloom of Beakman's World fame and my friend's puppetry teacher in college.

So that's that. I leave you with this wonderful piece of art from Michel Gondry and Lauri Faggioni. Enjoy.

A Red Ribbon. Music by Devendra Banhart

Black Black Red

For some reason, it's impossible for me to complete a drawing in one sitting. I obsess over it for a few weeks and collects tons of images, then I eventually sketch out the basic ideas. I tend to forget about it for about a month and then come back to it later to add the ink and detail. A hint as to what I'm currently drawing:

I watched District 9 last night and it's still sitting heavily with me. I'm not sure how I feel about the movie as a whole but it made some very valid points about how the government sections off certain groups with the intention of keeping order but it ends up making things more chaotic. The whole film is a very obvious metaphor for the apartheid and racial relations in Johannesburg which seem to be far from resolved. In spite of the film's message I couldn't help but think to myself how gross and scary the aliens looked and how I wouldn't be able to bring myself to interact with them.

I thought a little bit of Nathalie Djurberg's work. She is a Swedish artist that uses detailed plasticine puppets to make stop motion animation videos. Her work is a mixture of sweet and sadistic and she frequently explores the darker aspects of humanity using this seemingly "low tech" medium. The only aspect of her work that makes me a little apprehensive is her portrayal of minorities. Most of the black people in her animations appear as if they have on black face (black skin and big red lips) and they usually wind up being the sexual play- thing of the seemingly white puppets or they terrorize the predominantly white cities and eat bananas.

still from Badain, 2006

still from In Our Own Neighborhood, 2007

I understand that this is not to be taken literally. But I don't think it's enough these days to say "This is a commentary" without understanding who it's a commentary for and with what purpose. Most of the interviews I've read with her discussing her art, she does not touch on its racial elements. None the less, her puppets are beautiful and I feel as if she's living my dream.

I'll eat you up. I love you so.

"You are now, the King."

I recently saw Where the Wild Things Are in theaters early on a Sunday morning. I felt myself spilling over with excitement as I sat patiently in my red seat. It's a dreamy story about being misunderstood and learning to control your anger. I was expecting to be a *little* bit more into it. I wanted to bee woooed and taken away to another place that wouldn't allow me to think about the weather or what I was planning on cooking that evening...but alas, I was not. It was a wonderful movie, don't get me wrong, with potent emotional moments, dance-worthy music and a beautiful backdrop but something was...lacking. Perhaps I feel this way because I believed the Wild Things hype and expected too much. Perhaps I wanted more of a lucid, emotional, Gondry-esque experience. But it was definitely worth seeing for the wonderful back drop, costumes, and moody music. It made me want to run through a forest and scream.


I for one was very excited about the objects and the props but unfortunately there weren't too many things that read as organic or distinctly hand made. Most things in the movie were CG, which was a total buzzkill. The actual body suits worn by the Wild Things were made by Jim Henson's creature shop but the facial expression were computer animation. Max's costume, however, totally rocked. Too bad I couldn't acquire one in time for Halloween. Perhaps next Halloween I'll make one, along with a paper crown and golden staff.

LET THE WILD RUMPUS START!!!

Check out Spike Jonze's blog following the Wild Things Progression


.. oh, and also the Amazing Soundtrack. Did I mention it's AWESOME! Karen O's crazy screechy voice is a perfect compliment to the film and the lovely chorus of children.