These Fevered Days, by Martha Ackmann
The subtitle of this book is Ten Pivotal Moments in the Making of Emily Dickinson. As I mentioned a few times before, I don’t read much poetry, but I want to learn more about this art form and develop a taste for it. It feels to me a little bit like classical music – if you were not raised with it, it will take time and study to understand it and love it, but when you get there, it is a lifelong source of pleasure that you have gained.
I thought I would start with a biography of one of the most famous women poets in history, certainly, one whose name I have come across many many times. Her life story is truly remarkable for many different reasons, from the special cultural ‘hub’ she seems to have been born into, to her meticulous passion for verse, as well as her refusal to publish despite a lot of encouragement.
I’ve enjoyed the book, even though I had issues connecting with it at times and actually abandoned it for a while. I was still curious to learn more and really wanted to understand what happens in the end. Strangely, it hasn’t really made me want to pick up a collection of Dickinson’s poems, they seem to me now too studied for a non-connoisseur, but I won’t let this discourage me.
Objects of Affection, by Vogue
I was so excited to come across this series by Vogue! In under-ten-minute videos, they visit the homes of fashion designers and creatives from around the world to explore some of their favourite objects of affection.
The latest episode features John Galliano in his treasure-filled french hideaway, highlighting seven unique objects. But the spaces we get to see are so rich and layered and full of inspiration everywhere you look, that it is honestly a pure delight to simply sit and admire.
This series gives an extremely rare opportunity to take a peek into the universe of some remarkable people, spaces and objects that will likely one day become museums or collections.
I hope you enjoy the series as much as I did!
It’s Abandoned
Source – all images via It’s Abandoned on Instagram
I wrote before about Urbex, short for Urban Exploration, which sees people seek out and visit abandoned buildings, from mansions, villas and castles, to hospitals, factories and even ships. I’ve recently started following It’s Abandoned on Instagram, apparently the largest community of Urbex enthusiasts.
On their feed, you will find reposts from a few other accounts and you will be amazed at their finds. I can’t believe these interiors exist somewhere in the world with no one to care for them and admire them every day. Until you see the broken windows, the flaking paint and other signs of decay, these look like images from a glossy design magazine. It would be a dream to live in any of these abandoned spaces…
How to tie Belts
It’s the season of belted coats and I wanted to share a few options on how to tie these for a more stylish and polished result. It’s really such a simple thing to do, and still, I often forget to put more thought into it. In case you are in the same situation, I hope this inspires you.
A few more ideas in this dedicated Pinterest board, and of course, these work for any belt, be it on dresses, trousers or skirts.
Pet Portraits, Google Arts & Culture
Source – the Google Arts & Culture app
OK, this is a fun one if you have pets! Snap a picture of them and find their doppelgangers in famous paintings, drawings and other visual art forms with Google Arts & Culture. Here you can see my cat, Puka, and a cat from a painting by Gordinne. Such a clever way to get me to research more artists!
There is actually a lot more fun to be had on the app with some of their other camera-based gimmicks, like Art Selfie, basically the same concept as Pet Portraits, but for yourself, and Art Filter.
But it’s not all just fun and games, the app has an endless archive of curated content on artists, artworks, museums, art history and much more. It is actually all quite overwhelming and I must say I need to explore it further, but I will surely let you know what other exquisite finds I uncover.
Stacking Habits
I’ve been thinking a lot about habits in the past year or so. It might be because of all these books that seem to be extremely popular, like Atomic Habits (which I still haven’t read, I must confess). When I came across the staking habits concept, also the topic and the title of a book from 2015, it sounded to me like a clever hack that I believe I have been trying to implement, albeit unconsciously, so not very successfully.
It seems simple enough. Pick a good habit you already have and link another good one to it. For example, for me, when I have my first drink of water in the morning, I want to also get in the habit of taking my vitamins with it. Or when I wash my face, in the morning or in the evening, I want to always follow it by applying my day/night creams as well. I think, in theory at least, it should help to turn the new habits into automatisms too… but more field research is needed!
How about you? What habits would you like to stack?
Champagne Shaped Chocolates
I have a thing for anything champagne-related, though not so much for the taste of the drink itself. Give me any merchandise, decor items or the like and I want it.
This is exactly what happened when I spotted the above chocolates! I thought they were brilliant and decided on the spot to buy a few and gift them to family and friends this Christmas, most likely together with a real bottle of champagne.
I am thrilled at the prospect and I thought it might inspire you too as you are ticking off dear ones on your own gift list!
If this letter has offered you a moment of inspiration, kindly forward it to others who might enjoy it too. And if you have been forwarded it, indulge in all previous Miss Onion’s Exquisite Finds and subscribe to the weekly letter.
Follow Miss Onion’s Exquisite Finds on Instagram and Pinterest.
Merci!
