Winter break '12

It's just over a week until it's officially winter. Here is my approach to winter 2012.

How I will be starting off my winter break:

Hibernating with Bearemy for 2 days, to catch up on my Z's.
Physiotherapy - mouse hand RSI, neck and shoulders.

Reading 'James and the Giant Peach' by Roald Dahl.

Dropping off my CV at Marcs.

What I will be wearing this winter (default winter outfit):
Italian wool duffle coat (Cue, $549) with leather patches and gunmetal toggles and buttons. This classic outerwear taps into childhood nostalgia, and really reminds me of Carey Mulligan in 'An Education' - in other words, quintessentially British.
Black opaque tights. Black leather aviator jacket. Faux fur.

What I am looking forward to this winter:
Staying in and enjoying the comfort of music, knitting and baking. Blowing mist out of my mouth. Visits to the local library. Catching up on Mad Men. Not falling asleep 'til early morning (no, not insomnia. It's called internet connection).

What I am not looking forward to:
Cold feet. Preparing for the next semester of study. Stuffy rooms and commute (cars, buses, trains) from heater. Dry skin. Probably, longer work shifts.

Mixtape: Les filles qui chantent en français

Confession: a part of the reason I learned French in the first place is because singing along to these songs just looks so fun, like Carey Mulligan's character in An Education (beautiful film with a charming soundtrack). I like ingesting a box of pretty macarons, and pretend I'm in a Sofia Coppola commercial.

001 SUR LE QUAIS DU VIEUX PARIS :: Juliette Gréco

002 SOUS LE CIEL DE PARIS :: Juliette Gréco

003 L'ADDORDEONISTE :: Edith Piaf

004 LA VIE EN ROSE :: Edith Piaf

005 NON, JE NE REGRET RIENNE :: Edith Piaf
006 DANS MA RUE :: Zaz
007 LA PLUIE :: Zaz
008 LA FEE :: Zaz
009 ROUSE-ROUSE :: Christie Laume
010 C'EST LA MODE :: Annie Phillippe
011 SYMPATHIQUE :: Pink Martini
012 C'EST PETITE RIENS :: Colbie Caillat
013 MOI JE JOUE :: Bridgitte Bardot
014 EN DOUCE : Baquette Quartet
015 PÊCHES A LA CRÈME :: Dorine
016 COMME UN GARÇON :: Sylvie Varton
017 LAISSE TOMBER LES FILLES :: France Gall
018 LE TEMPS DE L'AMOUR :: Francois Hardy
019 ROLLER GIRL :: Anna Karina
020 LAISSE MOU :: Chantal Goya
021 LA MER OPALE :: Coralie Clément
022 ONDULÉ :: Matthieu Boogaert
023 EXPRESSION :: Helen Jane Long

Films I'm dying to see

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows 1
I. really. can't. wait. any. longer. I know this film's already showing in most countries. But here in my motherland of South Korea, it has yet to be released, pitifully because of subtitles. Subtitles totally distract me. I'm annoyed. Boo.


Never Let Me Go
I'm dying with anticipation to see this film, with Keira Knightly, and my style muse, Carey Mulligan. (I just adored her in An Education.)  The aesthetic of the film is very nostalgic and very British, not too different from the costumes of An Education. Both is said to perfectly capture English schooling, coming of age, future and identity. The movie stills just look beautiful.

The Black Swan
I love psychological thrillers that mess with my head. This is going to be one of them. The Black Swan cast includes one of my favourites, Natalie Portman, and stunning costume designs by Rodarte is enough to make me want to see it.

Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader
(Quote from C.S. Lewis: Letters to Children, p52-53) A mother once wrote to C.S. Lewis on behalf of her son Laurence who, having read The Chronicles of Narnia, became concerned that he loved Aslan more than Jesus. Lewis responds: 'Lawrence can't really love Aslan more than Jesus, even if he feels that's what he is doing. For the things he loves Aslan for doing or saying are simply the things Jesus really did and said. So that when Laurence thinks he is loving Aslan, he is really loving Jesus; and perhaps loving Him more than he ever did before. If I were Lawrence I'd just say in my prayers something like this: "Dear God, if the things I've been thinking and feeling about those books are things You don't like and are bad for me, please take away those feelings and thoughts. But if they are not bad, then please help me from worrying about them. ...and if Mr. Lewis has worried any other children by" his books or done them any harm, then please forgive him and help him never to do it again"...'


The Man from Nowhere
This movie seems to be living up to all its hype. It won something equivalent to Best Film and Best Actor Academy awards in Korea, starring Won Bin - I love this man.

Muse: Carey Mulligan

Carey Mulligan is a sartorial inspiration, always looking demure with a low key, somewhat old-fashioned charm. I love it that she is a fan of endearingly prim dresses and longer lengths. I want to think we share the same style.