Jane Eyre - THE MOVIE

This weekend I saw Jane Eyre, the new Joji Fukunaga film , starring Mia Wasikowska, who takes on the titular role. I'm familiar with the novel having read and deconstructed so many passages of the book during my impressionable, formative years, when I gravitated to all things literary, brooding, and romantic (which now = depressing!).  I always found the Gothic sensibility of the novel and the mystery behind "Bertha" to be an alluring dimension of Bronte's perspective.

Ultimately, the story of Jane Eyre is about a woman who seeks to retain her individuality or "freedom", while not being held down by the attendant constraints of love and societal mores. Fukunaga's film is mostly a love story, and less of a story of transformation, but it's still a very compelling adaptation.
The film is at its strongest when rendering evocative atmospherics-the creepy castle, the dreary moors, the rain, the rain, the rain... The director paints a beautiful picture--really visually persuasive. His pairing of Jane and Mr. Rochester is comparable to recent depictions of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy, minus the wit, humor and sunlight--and this is not a negative thing. To me, some places were slow and slightly underdeveloped; however,  I would highly recommend seeing it.

Curiosity + Appreciation = Imagination

Here's a cool video that spotlights designer, Michael Wolff, as he muses about what inspires him professionally. I want his umbrella collection!

My favorite hyperbolic paraboloid....

....Pringles!

 Blue Dot's blog, Good Design is Good,  posted "Pringles is the “green” alternative to traditional potato chips.  Consider the waste to ship traditional bags of potato chips with their vast amounts of bagmosphere (part of the bag not occupied by chips) as compared to the highly efficient and compact tube of Pringles.  And think of how that paraboloid shape facilitates downing three or four crisps in one bite.  Or how that saddle shape gently cups the top of your tongue – the food equivalent of “spooning”."

Via: PSFK and Good Design is Good

Persimmon Mid-century Lounge Chairs

They sort of look like Hans Wegner Papa Bear Chairs....The arms are similar. Saw these at ABC Carpet and Home...

Getting Angrier?

RIP, Elizabeth Taylor....

The Art of the Title Sequence

A Brief History of Title Design from Ian Albinson on Vimeo.

A two-minute snapshot of some memorable title sequences...My personal faves: Dr. Strangelove, Catch Me If You Can, Superman...

Via: The Art of the Title and Swiss Miss

Alexander Wang Backpack

I carry a LOT of shit  everyday, so I'm always on the hunt for an elegant belt bag (errr, some people call it a fanny pack) or  a chic little backpack to take take load off my ailing back. I stumbled across this item and subsequently dying to put my stuff in this thing.  Adore the zippered detailing. This Alexander Wang number does look like a miniature of my Triple Five Soul backpack, which cost about $800 less!  Man, style comes at a price...

 

Nakashima Coffee Table

Looking for coffee tables.  This Nakashima table is really lovely.  '

Via: DWR.com

Japan Relief Poster

W&K  designed this  Poster  to generate donations for the relief efforts in response to  the earthquake and tsunami hitting Japan. 


You can also text REDCROSS to 90999 to give $10. 

Via: Swiss Miss  and American Red Cross 

Make Workshop

I have a Janome sitting in my closet and a new apartment to spruce up, so I made the decision to take a "home lab" sewing class with Diana Rupp who wrote the book, Sew Everything Workshop. She's a great instructor and really knows her stuff. Very hip and cool taste. We made these cafe curtains today. I guess they don't look like much lying on my kitchen counter, but they are really cute up close ( to me at least) Next week, patchwork pot holders.