{passion} vive le cinéma

this afternoon i went to a small local movie theater for a rendezvous with the cinema.

i had the entire theater to myself (!) and spent a delightful ninety minutes being whisked away to paris...

{midnight in paris}

it was a marvelous way to add some magical mojo to my percolating paris dream.

(did you know that your innkeeper has a lifelong dream of going to paris? c'est vrai.)

this flick was a perfect recipe of film for me: a soul-seeking artist on a magical fantasy adventure through the world of literature and art.

i smiled throughout the film and loaded up my phone with voice notes and typed lists of inspiration.

an artist date like this is one way that i am fanning the flames of vitality: nurturing a dream.

and i am dreaming of paris...

music makes us fast friends

my best friend's toddler twins recently started their first music class...

{jonas bergstrand via animalarium}

i had the pleasure of being with them during their first day in class.

the teacher was wonderful and warm, a person who the kids immediately connected with and loved.

she explained to us that during class, the children are free to explore, express, join, watch, wander, and play.

in the middle of class, she was introducing a new song when one twin felt spontaneously inspired to run up and throw his arms around her in a giant toddler embrace.

she immediately hugged him back, smiled a radiant smile, and without missing a beat said:

my heart nearly burst with joy upon witnessing this scene.

to express my love of this idea, i bring you two videos...

{fast friends}

{music}

love yourself first

i just finished watching the animated film mary and max...

this movie has been in my netflix instant watch queue for many moons.  when rachele of the nearsighted owl wrote a post about it several days ago, i knew it was the right time for me to watch it...


there are so many things i love about this film...

claymation + art direction: my breath was taken away from the opening scene + never returned. exquisitely animated. the tiny details are absolutely incredible.

the voices of max + mary: philip seymour hoffman (one of my favorite actors who i was lucky enough to meet) + toni collette (another brilliant thespian).

asperger's syndrome: i have at least one student each year who is dealing with life through the lens of asperger's + i was deeply touched to see this experience explored through the character of max.

handwriting: there is fantastic handwritten text in the film that made me feel faint with font happiness.

dark twisty humor + bittersweet truthful emotion: i laughed + cried throughout the entire movie.

typewriters + penpals: two of my lifelong joys.

chocolate: a theme in the film + one of my favorite small pleasures.

love yourself first: yes. yes. yes.

{fun} animal beatbox

a silly short film that makes me giggle + dance...

{via my sweet kevwrex}

have a fantastic weekend!

xo

danse macabre: danny elfman + tim burton

check out this amazing project...

it is an enormous box set of the entire span of work produced between danny elfman and tim burton over twenty-five years.

my friend, jeff bond (former editor of geek monthly magazine), wrote the book which accompanies the music.

it is described as an "exclusive, meticulously researched, lavishly illustrated 250+ hardcover book with a forward by johnny depp, as well as rare photos, stories, and interviews from the cast and crew, behind-the-scenes of this classic music — from the early days of Elfman’s band Oingo Boingo to the recent blockbuster film, Alice In Wonderland."

here is a short interview with jeff, danny, tim, and many other incredible collaborators...

catching up: birthday festivities

wow!

the first week of my thirty-sixth year has been a wild ride indeed.

i went directly from all of the birthday activities into a week long trip to ohio for thanksgiving. i'm thoroughly exhausted from all the fun and travel!

so now, a quick birthday recap before we launch into abundant december delights:

on the actual day, i went into san francisco to celebrate with my urban tribe.

we ate a fun meal together at the westfield food court...

i received a sweet gift from my friend ami...

{beautiful + delicious}

my friends becca and ben treated me to a beard papa cream puff...

{fresh pâte à choux + caramel cream}

we all went to see megamind 3D at the metreon...

{festooned with 3D spectacles}

and returned home after the movie to enjoy red velvet cupcakes from cako...

{after party + cupcakes courtesy of justin + gio}

as usual, there was much merrymaking and tomfoolery.

i was a bit rough around the edges the next morning when i had to get up at 4:30 to catch a flight to ohio for thanksgiving.

however, it was a zippy way to start my year and i absolutely loved it!

a big thank you to my friends for celebrating with me and bringing such joy to my life.

xo

animation station

after homemade pizza and a mad men double feature this evening, i spent some time creating this little film...

the software i used to make it is easy, free, and fun.

if you want to create your own movie visit xtranormal!

herb and dorothy

there is a message that is showing up again and again in my life over the last few years:

* small consistent actions add up *

this message is important for a dramatic dame like myself.  i am a gal with a penchant for sweeping grand gestures and a chaotic relationship with all-or-nothing perfectionism.

the idea of micromovements surfaced in this amazing documentary that i watched tonight...

this film fascinated and inspired me on several levels:

* art + passion + devotion + persistence + intrinsic value *

if you have not seen it, i do recommend it.

(netflix users - this movie is a 'watch instantly' option.)

if you have seen it, i would love to hear your thoughts...

amelie inspiration

* a magical location filled with delicate flowers + lush ivy

* a palette of red + turquoise

* french french french

* vintage tins filled with crusty bread

* cherry soda with stripey straws

* heart tags + bud vases + meringues

* a petite croquembouche adorned with raspberries

mes cheries, these are just a few of the delights you will behold in this lovely short film from lovespun...

on the mend

dear friends, 

i have spent the last several days with a dreadful.awful.no.good.very.bad.stomach.flu.

this sneaky little virus landed me in the hospital briefly this morning for some fluids and medicine.

however, i am now on the mend and very grateful to be able to say so.

i have been convalescing this evening on the couch and chose to watch "an education" while doing so...

...i loved this movie for personal reasons, for the aesthetic of the period piece, and for the subtle wonderful acting.

an excellent way to spend the evening whilst recovering!

double rainbow + music inspiration

it has been a rainy spring week here on the hill.

we are in the midst of a relaxing cozy art*filled staycation in the treehouse.

yesterday i saw a technicolor super charged double rainbow which didn't last long enough for a photo but was so spectacular!

last night we watched half of this beautiful movie...

...it is especially poignant, since my beloved kevwrex is a choral director and brilliant musician.

speaking of music, kevwrex sent me this fun combo of music and iphone awesomeness last night...

mid-february flick report

the last three movies i have watched...

nostalgic

finally!

beautiful