Goodnight, You Princes of Maine, You Kings of New England

Last night I watched The Cider House Rules, a film directed by Lasse Hallstrom (he directed one of my favorites, Chocolat) that came out in 1999, featuring the talents of Michael Caine (who won an Oscar for the role), Tobey Maguire, Charlize Theron, Delroy Lindo (the cop in Gone in 60 Seconds), and Paul Rudd.  Michael Caine is a doctor at an orphanage in the picturesque town of St. Cloud, Maine, with Tobey Maguire being his oldest and most favorite orphan, apprenticing in his doctoral duties.  One day a handsome young couple arrive to get an abortion and end up giving young Tobey a ride to their hometown and a job on his family's apple orchard.  Paul Rudd goes away to war and Tobey and Charlize have an ill-fated affair that ends with little tension when Paul returns, paralyzed from the waist down.  The film touches on the controversy of abortion and race relations during the WWII-era, but never really makes any kind of statement, which is pretty much how the whole movie goes; things happen, points are lightly touched on, but it's more of just a glimpse of time passing.  The film itself is beautiful, well put together, and has some great acting turns by the stars.  Definitely worth watching, but maybe more if you're in a calmer, I-just-want-to-watch-something-pleasant mood.

(photos collected from blu-raydefinition, vwpro, community.flixter, and hotflick)

If You Have to Go Crazy, Please Go Crazy All By Yourself!

I'm working on several different projects at the moment and am definitely feeling like I don't have enough time to do everything I want.  Between working, sleeping, filling out paperwork, trying to pick up the habit of reading everyday, running, watching Lord of the Rings special features (I'm on the final chapter now), writing blog posts, and spending an ample amount of time of pinterest,  I'm really wishing I could be this good at multi-tasking.

(photo collected from anoukbcreativestudio)

Slightly Fizzy and Pleasantly Intoxicating

The perfect summer dress is filled with bright, fresh color.  I'm particularly liking boldly colored outfits that fall in the same color family.  It's a more mature way of wearing the neon trend that's taking over stores this summer: definitely a harder look to put together, but look how cool it turns out.

(photos collected from somethingnavy, marilynsclosetblog, facehunter, and dallaswardrobe)

The Matron of Île de la Cité

In which looking at Notre Dame through the surrounding brush produces very similar, but also very different effects.

(photos collected from flikr, and pinterest)

A Rugged Symbol of the Making of the Country

My aunt, who recently moved here to St. Louis from Dallas, is working at a really awesome used book/media store called Half Price Books.  We went to visit the other day and I found two really cool old western photograph collection books.  Between the two, they have everything from covered wagons, to horse-drawn carriages, to indian teepees, to old maps, to railroads, to advertisements, to sheet music.

(photos collected from Photography and The Old West, and America: Pictured to the Life)

Come Fly With Me, Let's Fly, Let's Fly Away

Yesterday morning I woke up at 4am to catch a flight back to my hometown of stl for a little long-weekend fun.  I haven't flown on a plane since I flew on six during The Summer of Europe three years ago.  It was raining in Nashville so we got to go through the layers of clouds, then fly in the clear blue sky above, and land in sunshiny St. Louis.  What would've been at least a five hour trip in the car took only two in the air (this amount includes the time spent waiting in airport lines and going through security).  I forgot how much I love flying.

(photo by e.hunt)

Here's to the Happy Couple

Yesterday afternoon I borrowed my roommate's watercolor set and whipped up a little interpretation of Puerto Vallarta.  Some friends were getting married last night and as they are going to PV on their honeymoon, I thought it would be the perfect subject for their wedding card.  I hadn't used watercolors in many, many years, but it was really fun to experiment with the colors and washes.

After that I jumped in the shower and started getting ready.  I wore a dress that I got in Greece with a belt and my new heels.  A little more makeup than usual, and a fancy side-bun (that I got right on the first try!) finished off the look.  My apologies for the mirror selfie format, I didn't have time to set up the camera.

It started raining about ten minutes before the wedding was about to start, which was sad because they had planned to have the ceremony outside.  No worries, though; the festivities were just postponed for a bit while things were being set up inside.  It was absolutely lovely.

After the ceremony it stopped raining so everybody moved on outside to the backyard, which was set up beautifully, and had the perfect wedding atmosphere.  Food and drink and good company were enjoyed by all well into the night.  Congratulations to Mark and Jordan!

(photos by e.hunt)

Nothing But Buttons

A little office style from earlier this week.  Remember my little piano bench re-purposed into a coffee table?  Here it is!

(photos by e.hunt)

The Eye of the Beholder

If you're afraid of heights, don't look down.

(photos collected from junoharpoon, pinterest, and classygirlswearpearls)

An Invisible Artistic Convention

My fair hometown of Kirkwood, Missouri is home to the third best sculpture park in the world.  That's right, Laumeier Sculpture Park is behind only The Storm King Arts Center in Mountainville, NY, and The Chicago Art Institute in Chicago, IL when it comes to outdoor art pieces (see the article here).  It was founded in 1968 with a grant from Matilda Laumeier.  Her 1816-era Tudor style home still sits on the 105 acre property, along with nearly sixty sculptures.  My friends and I have spent many an afternoon perusing the walking trails and taking pictures, sometimes just for fun, sometimes for college photography projects, and sometimes for personal style posts.

(photos by l.walton, a parent at prom, r.hunt, e.hunt, and a.kern)