Spent the day reading:




1) I've always been so in love with 50s/60s fashions, and was so excited when I saw the first preview of Mad Men several years ago. The silhouettes, the colors, the detailing. It's all so romantic and personal. Though I'm definitely grateful to live in a time when throwing on a pair of jeans and a tshirt is acceptable, even fashionable if worn properly, I do sometimes feel gyped in present day society's wardrobe habits and selections. There's something about a full dress, the hat, the gloves, the heels, the whole package... with all those feminine, romantic details such as lace, bows, or ruffles, that makes me a bit jealous of my grandmother. There's definitely been a big come-back of cinched waists, feminine silhouettes, and even some of the more retro hairstyles, since the show has aired. So exciting! I snatched this book up this past week after passing by Borders and seeing their big "GOING OUT OF BUSINESS! EVERYTHING MUST GO!" sign. I couldn't resist. I remember being 9 or 10, and spending afternoons in my room, drawing my own designs, and making a mock-catalog, that I would relentlessly peddle to my parents and all their friends. Over the years, I became busy with music, and forgot all about it. But I've been TRYING to teach myself how to draw. I'm nowhere near great, but I'm not horrible, for not having any formal lessons. I was practicing pretty consistently for a number of months, but went through a particularly stressful period, and got out of the routine. (This is a common theme with me... I'm going to break that habit so help me god!) I've been looking for more inspiration, as I've been somewhat of a blank slate lately, it's doing me good to get excited again :]

2) My family always teases me, every time I buy a new book, that I only choose books that are depressing and morbid. Always, I hear, "Why don't you read something HAPPY? Some chicklit perhaps?" I can enjoy "chicklit" as much as anyone can- I've read my fair share of Sarah Dessen. But my response to them is always that I enjoy stories about real life, I find them to be uplifting. I like to hear about the many ways people process and react to different circumstances. It's a testament to a persons strength of character. That, to me, is more comforting, and more inspiring than a fictional love story- not that they don't have their place, too. Lord knows I live my life as if I live in one. But this is a book I haven't been able to put down. I wasn't sure, when I bought it, what to expect. It was sort of an impulse- buy. I wanted a story to bury my mind in, something consuming, like any good book, and something moving, like any great book. I knew nothing about it when I bought it. I read the inside sleeve and decided I'd made my selection. I'm near the end of it, and for the first time, I'm considering writing the author a letter. It will challenge what you think, and how you think, the next time you hear the word "Homeless".

3) I laughed when I saw this title on the shelf. I picked it up immediately. "This is exactly the kind of thing that I need to keep on my bedside table!" Dozens of profiles of every philosopher you can think of- and their horrible luck with love. Though I really must say, I think the title is a little off. So far, every philosopher I've read about has foundlove, they just weren't able to keep it. Is that failure?

All in all, it's been a nice relaxing day off. I did exactly what I wanted/planned to do.
Except, I did have a migraine for most of the day, which hindered me reading as much as I wanted to.
But, there's still tonight :]