Its hard to think about the way life works as one big paradox. One moment your celebrating an acceptance to an I.D. Camp for your sister, or celebrating a college decision. The next minute, your thrown into overwhelming sadness by the suicide attempt of a friend, or by another lost job. Its important to think about this: We must understand true sorrow before accepting true joy. Until that point, all one can do is pray for the best and hope for healing to those affected and our loved one. I'm praying.

College Process

Today, my second official college rejection came to me via the inter web. How personal. Yes, yes of course I understand your sincere "regret" but I cannot help but feel it is not that sincere. You just made $80 dollars off of me for free. Now, it gets better, upon my rentals hearing of my rejection they said, "Annie, calm down, you could be a tsunami victim."

....How supportive...

Aegean Art: The Power of Cross Cultural Influence

Today, perusing my Art History text book I found something quite extraordinary.
This extraordinary thing is by all means no original thought. Have you ever heard of a french fusion restaurant? Such as NoMI in Chicago? anyhow, its French cuisine with Japanese influence. To say the food was "good' would be an understatement. I don't mean to confuse you with some bizarre food analogy...but the point is, something with many perspectives is far greater than something with one.

All this food business leads to the point that Art, throughout time, is the result of many cultural canons and styles of aesthetic; which in turn makes it that much better!

Aegean Art refers to art made between 1900 BCE- to 1350 BCE in the territories outlining and in the Aegean Sea (Crete, Peloponnese, Paros, Melos, Thera, Akrotiri, Keros, and Naxos) The Cyclades, Mainland, and Crete all possess beautiful pottery, sculpture, and paintings. Interestingly enough, their stylistic approach is not completely innovative.

Reading through the pages, I spotted a painting. A Fresco of a young woman picking Saffron from the House Xeste 3, Akrotiri, Thera which looked oddly familiar though I had not studied Aegean Art before. The reason it looked familiar was because it possessed qualities of previously studied work! Twisted Perspective, simplified geometric form, are all familiar canons of Egyptian, and Stone Age art. The brilliant thing is, it is not purely euro-centric, these same canons are seen in other worldy art.

With varying glacial melt, these very separate civilizations developed at different points in time, which makes it incredible that their motifs and symbols translate in to each others work. There are many explanations as to why the cross reference happened ( and continues to today) but the main point is that it does happen.

The possibilities for cross cultural influence are endless! With contributions as small as french-Japanese risotto, to the ones as large as a treaty or collaboration of two or more nations. I know this post will not reach many (hell, may not reach any) but I am going to express something I believe to be very important.

We as global citizens, and responsible people need to do two things in order to truly and entirely embrace (allow) cross cultural influence. 1) Learn Tolerance, this is not a request to abandon your faith, or disregard your morals, it is a request to try and understand ones outside of your own. This empathy will allow humans to take things from one another (metaphorically of course) and be progressive. 2) FOR THE LOVE OF GOD PLEASE TRY AND UNDERSTAND THE BIGGER PICTURE (I'm not going to name any names or anything but *cough* Copenhagen Conference Outcome *cough*)

Let's take from the Greeks, the Aegeans, the people of the Bronze Age, the Neolithic Period, the Indians, The French, The Japanese, the Chinese, the Icelandics, and everyone else out there. So that one day, when someone else is flipping through their art history book, that person can discover and applaud just how our people where able to work together, through all barriers to create things bigger and longer lasting than our human forms.

September

I can say that so far, fall has truly been an exciting time. Perhaps it is due to the fact that I am immersed in a transitional period as i begin the last year of high school. I never expected that 4:00 am wake-ups, late coffee trips, mascara testing, and essay writing would be the experience it has been.


Today, I caught a quick glimpse of something that reminds me of the insignificance of it all, despite how stressful things have recently been. Sitting in Saturday school (thanks cell phone.) I looked out the shuttered window to my left only to see, at 10 A.M., a sky where orange was breaching upon the upper layer of diluted blue black. Within a second, there was thunder booming and lightening lighting the sky. Just like that, the blue black enveloped the seemingly uprising orange releasing rain thunder and lightening.


it was breathtaking to say the least. Oh well, I guess if I've learned anything over the past few weeks it is as follows: Naviance is sheesh, early bird anything is a bad idea, technology is temperamental, and Marvin Gaye will always be a seductress.

Rimmel Challenge #3

Hey Everyone!

For those of you who don't know me, Here is a quick introduction: The name is Annie, I am an avid clothing collector, movie watcher, painter, and I am also your Rimmel 10 Girl for Chicago, IL! http://www.rimmellondon.com/US/home.aspx

So.. I finally got a Blog.. and I am finally learning how to use it.

This Rimmel 10 Challenge was particularly exciting for me; Simply because I LOVE style, nonetheless London style. Our task? Go out in your hometown and find The London Look.

My first thought was to follow my instincts on what the London Look means to me (Vintage, unique, and tre chic!) Since I am in the suburbs I wasn't completely sure where to start, but as all good things eventually do, it hit.

The London Look was right here. At the MCM Grand 2219 W. Grand Ave, Chicago, IL. If your down in the City looking for some amazing vintage finds make sure to check out whats up!

1-312-929-2093

http://mcmgrand.net/

MCM stands for Mid-Century Modern. It is exactly what it sounds like folks! AMAZING vintage pieces. MCMGrand hosts exhibitions of all types of antiques: Furniture circa 1960, 1980, and a WAY cool valour egg chair with built in speakers courtesy of a Denmark Designer.

At Friday's opening reception the guests practically drooled over these INCREDIBLE vintage finds from Ovation Vintage. These pieces range from the early 1940's to the late 1980's.

The pieces ranged from fluorescent Pinks, Deep Emeralds, and gorgeous pastels. Each piece bringing back a blast from the past that would add spark and individuality to any piece. These jewels are great for the Rocker, The princess, and even the Rebel.

Founder and Collector for Ovation Vintage, Lauren, is an avoid collector who sported her favorite piece in the show ( and wore it beautifully may I add!) (See Below)

She's A top contender for providing the perfect accessories to the London Look. The pieces she finds obtain the difficult balance of making a statement, without gracing the DO NOT WEAR list.

Inspired by both Rimmel Cosmetics (http://www.rimmellondon.com/US/home.aspx) , Ovation Vintage, and MCMGrand I put together my own London Look.

I wanted to juxtapose Tough and Feminine through floral accessories and grungy, loose clothing.

American apparel Skull Cap

Dad's Stripped Henley

Three Floral Daisy Necklace

Black Leggings
Tan Oxford Boots

Purple/Fuchsia Floral Ring

Courtesy of Rimmel for the Face:

1) Fix and Perfect Primer

2)Lasting Finish Blend able Powder Blush in Spring Flower

3) Moisture Renew Lip Colour SPF 18 in Latino

4) Rimmel Kohl Liner in Black

5)Rimmel Glam Eyes Single Shadow-Seal the liner on the upper lashline

6) Sexy Curves Mascara, Topped with a second coat of Max Volume Flash Mascara

Stay tuned for upcoming challenges! Feel free to post your comments. What do you think? What does the London Look mean to you? feel free to comment!

Until next time,

Annie