Photo Inspiration: Getting Lost in Books

"The best moments in reading are when you come across something - a thought, a feeling, a way of looking at things - which you had thought special and particular to you. And now, here it is, set down by someone else, a person you have never met, someone even who is long dead, and it is as if a hand has come out and taken yours."  ~Alan Bennet

"Wherever I am, if I've got a book with me, I have a place I can go and be happy."  

~J.K. Rowling

"I love books. I love that moment when you open one and sink into it you can escape from the world, into a story that's way more interesting than yours will ever be."  ~Elizabeth Scott

*All images from Pinterest

Fanning Sisters

While clicking away on the world wide web, I came across this Tumblr page dedicated to Elle and Dakota Fanning. Browsing this site made me realize how old I am seeing these two lovely young ladies have all grown up. I remember watching their movies when they were just little girls. These blossoming celebrities' refined and elegant looks show signs these fashionable sisters will be future style icons of their generation (well, they already are now). After finding how chic they put their attires together, not only do I admire their individual talents as actors now I'm a fan of their personal style as well.  

*All images from http://fashi0nista-fanning.tumblr.com 

The Sky's the Limit

The sky is like a canvas that beautifies whatever is framed within its vastness. There's something about this region in the atmosphere that makes a picture dramatic and appealing. Might it be the clouds? The stars? Or maybe because of the fact that we see it everyday but it's a complete stranger to us. We are unaware of what's beyond. The sky is a space that we haven't mastered just yet that's why it always seem to mesmerize. Is the sky really the limit? There's so much more in this boundless expanse. The unexplainable is most of the time enchanting indeed.

I can't help but use up this natural background as I click away...

Yoshitomo Nara

Art that sticks in your head are those that stir up something in you. Many say, great art touches the viewer's mind, heart and soul. Yashitomo's Neo-pop pieces will do just that, meddle you like an itch (in a positive way at least). 

Influenced by anime and manga, Yoshitomo Nara's works feature cartoonish wide-eyed children and animals. The juxtaposition of innocence and horror sparks interest to viewers. Although his paintings and sculptures are simple, there's a certain mysterious element that raises curiosity. The angry, annoyed look of the subjects let's one wonder if it might attack you anytime soon if you stare any longer. This unsettling feeling is what makes Nara's art unique and striking. His artworks perfectly fit the saying, "If it's not disturbing, it's not art".

www.narayoshitomo.com/

www.facebook.com/yoshitomonara

Glitter and Two-toned

Although not a newbie online shopper, I'm a first-timer in purchasing from Zalora Philippines. I've been eyeing a pair of glitter flats which has been residing in my wishlist for some time. After letting periods of sleep pass by, the adorable pair still sparkled in my mind that's when I decided that I really wanted them embellishing my feet. 

Sister style with our new kicks

I bought a pair of copper Mambo Chilli Margarita shoes. I got really excited when I opened my package that I wore it right away to go out with friends. It's glittery but not flashy, just the way I like it.

Chilli Margarita Mambo shoes

The second item was my sister's purchase-- two-toned (black/tan) Gretchen Flat sandals by Scarlet. It fits her perfectly and it matches her relaxed casual style. They're comfortable and light to wear as well.

Scarlet Gretchen flat sandals

Shopping at Zalora Philippines is smooth and hassle free. Plus, the items are are of top quality. I'm more than happy to have transacted with them and is excited to browse again for other beautiful stuff they have in stock.

Happy feet

The Shadow of the Wind

It's been a while since my last post. Something came up that I had to stop writing for a while. Anyway, let me start 2014 with a review of my "2013 year-ender" book-- The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. Just like the previous read I had, this too is borrowed (again from my sister's shelf). Let me add that I'm blessed to have a book buddy for a sister, it's convenient and I get to read a number of her copies first before she does *wink*.

The Shadow of the Wind

After finding a book to take home from the Cemetery of Forgotten Books, Daniel Sempere come across various riveting characters who will turn his life around. A man with grotesque features, who calls himself Lain Coubert, demands to acquire the book from him for the sole purpose of burning it to embers. Daniel find ways to hide the book from the perpetrator. Such confrontation raises his curiosity causing him to go around Barcelona to seek answers with the help of his new found friend and confidant, Fermin. They start piecing together a puzzle that will soon lead him to finding out what truly happened to the book's author, Julian Carax.

One thing's for sure, The Shadow of the Wind is a must-read. It's thrilling, suspenseful, funny, romantic, dramatic rolled into one pile of pages you hardly want to put down. Now, who wouldn't want to read that?

By the time I started reading, it felt like a movie (which is no surprise since Carlos is an experienced screenwriter as well). As I advance in the story it seemed that I, myself, was walking the streets of Barcelona. The details of Daniel's exploits and encounters allowed me to create a lush world in my imagination that I feel I'm a part of. The compelling and engrossing story makes me want to continue on to the ending but at the same time causes me to not hurry so as I'd remain embraced in the mysteries that are haunting the characters.

This tale is one of the few that I would want to see on-screen. I hope Carlos would team up with a good filmmaker to bring this novel to life. Of course, it would be ideal that he himself work on it as the screenwriter so that it would stay loyal to the magnificent story he created. My fingers are crossed for an equally fascinating motion picture.

I'm grateful to have ended the year with a worthy read. Now... off to my first book for 2014. How about you, which novel's pages will you immerse yourself into this year?