World Book Day
World Book Day was yesterday, but it is worth mentioning any day, every day in my opinion. It is an initiative by publishers in the UK and Ireland, designated by UNESCO as a worldwide celebration of books and reading, marked in over 100 countries around the globe. The main aim is to change lives through a love of books and shared reading, and it is dedicated to children and young people.
Reading for pleasure is the single biggest indicator of a child’s future success – more than their family circumstances, their parents’ educational background or their income.
I couldn’t agree more and it reminded me of this article by best-selling writer and stoicism enthusiast Ryan Holiday, about making books a part of our children’s lives. I also highly recommend his Daily Dad newsletter which I subscribe to and can confirm moms absolutely can and will find it equally relevant too.
Now, always and forever. Source: Reading Woman With Child, by Russian artist Yury Podlyasky
I cannot wait to share with my son countless bookish celebrations of all kinds, including but absolutely not limited to the traditional World Book Day costumes (swipe left), a tradition we’re starting this year!
Artist Rupi Kaur
Poet, illustrator and performer Rupi Kaur never fails to stop me in my scrolling on Instagram with her poems and make me think deeply about those few words that express worlds I can only begin to grasp. I am in awe at how she can put such complex feelings and thoughts as the ones she deals with in everyday words and short relatable compositions, adding a whole new dimension to the experience through her brilliant illustrations. It is witchcraft of the best possible kind!
Poetry is not something I have deep knowledge about, but alongside other big mountains like classical music, art history, Russian and a few other foreign languages, it’s something I will always want to explore further.
Rupi Kaur’s three books are on my list to buy and keep in my home library, maybe my first intentional poetry purchase.
Made You Look Documentary
This documentary about a contemporary massive art forgery mystery was a fascinating watch which I highly recommend. I learned quite a few things about the art world and art history from it, while it kept me entertained and engaged. Not a small achievement!
If you enjoyed White Collar (the series), a bonus exquisite find which I loved and have been meaning to rewatch for years, this real story would easily make for an amazing new season, only it actually happened and all the people involved are still around. $80 million spent on fake art is bound to result in some real headlines, lawsuits and repercussions!
Cloud Gazing
Source – A wall of cloud studies (1821 – 1822) by British Painter John Constable (1776 – 1837)
I mentioned a few weeks ago how happy I am to see the days getting longer (sunset currently at around 6 PM in my part of the world!) and I have been enjoying some lovely long afternoon walks this past week. I love the warm wind and the fresh smells and now I found another thing to delight in, which is gazing at the clouds.
As quoted in this article on Atlas Obscura, Gavin Pretor-Pinney, founder of the Cloud Appreciation Society says the sky is a wilderness within everybody’s grasp. It’s the part of nature that comes to us. There are various tools available online to turn this idyllic experience into an educational one as well, including the Cloud a Day app by the same Cloud Appreciation Society (even the name sounds peaceful and blissful).
Source – The Cloud Collector’s Handbook
The literal gift that keeps on giving, the lovely Encyclopedia of the Exquisite also includes an entry on Cumulonimbus – the fluffies, most billowy and soft looking cloud which happened to be listed as Cloud Nine in the first International Cloud Atlas published at the end of the nineteenth century. This is where the well-known expression comes from although later editions of the Atlas bumped Cloud Nine to the tenth spot, as the author explains.
I simply live for these sort of serendipitous discoveries.
Painted Floors
What a simple yet striking idea to give new life to the same old floor, be it wood, concrete, tiles – you name it. I have a few different options saved here and I think this would make a great DIY project for the next time I am visiting my parents. I think my mom would love something like this and there is no want of floor space in our house and interior courtyard.
I was reminded to share the first images which I’ve had saved for a while, when I spotted the above work by artist Selva Aparicio – a visually stunning hand carved rug directly into wooden flooring – but the story behind this installation entitled Childhood Memories is unfortunately far from the beautiful result. Read more about it here.
Earring Lifters
If you struggle with bad ear piearcings, stretched lobes or simply for those pairs of heavier earrings, this simple exquisite find seems to make a massive difference. I have only just discovered the concept of earring lifters and I haven’t had the chance to order any and test the effect, but I am quite excited to try it next time I have the chance to wear my various pairs of chandelier earrings…
Or am I just excited about the idea of wearing chandelier earrings again?
Chanel Lipscanner App
Source – Lovisa Burfitt Fashion Illustration
This might not be news to you, but in case you haven’t heard or you haven’t had the chance to try it yet, Chanel has just launched the Lipscanner app which allows you to find the Chanel lip product that matches any source of visual inspiration – from a favourite dress to a fruit or someone else’s lips. This app complements the already very cool Chanel Virtual Make-up Try On where I just spent more time than I care to admit browsing through what must be over 100 lipstick (and lipgloss) shades available.
I haven’t used this beauty product at all in years and even when I used to, I didn’t experiment a lot and didn’t feel like I knew what suited me best. Thus, I was particularly interested in it and quite suprised to find light pink seems to be my colour?
There are many other virtual beauty try-on options out there, if you’re keen to explore further or just to have some fun!
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Merci!
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