Style Tips -- 20th August 2007
[ 21 August 2007 ]
Write a wish on a balloon, then let it go. (I got this idea from super-sweet Diana in the Dominican Republic! & if you’re concerned about the environment, read this or just… don’t do it!)
When you go clothes shopping next, try buying clothing in a bigger size than normal. Shirts a few sizes larger become impromptu coats, loose trousers paperbagged (gathered at the waist with a belt) take on a whole new shape, cardigans can masquerade as skirts, etc. Don’t be afraid of using your clothing for something other than its original intended purpose!
In the mornings, instead of getting dressed in silence or with the radio on, put on some music that you rarely listen to, & see how it influences your outfit.
Wear red lipstick. (Maybe only in the privacy of your own home if you’re not sure about it, or a usually-conservative man!)
Seek out films & books which inspire you. I made a new rule (yesterday) to watch a documentary every Sunday about people who have done amazing things. It really gears me up for the week & reminds me to think big, seek further, take risks. So far I’ve seen two Madonna documentaries (I’m Going To Tell You A Secret & Truth Or Dare/In Bed With Madonna) & am going to seek out anything on Yoko Ono, Vivienne Westwood, Betsey Johnson… (Suggestions welcome!)
Hold a relaxed dinner party for some friends. Don’t forget cocktails, dessert & bubble mixture!
Buy stamps & put them in your purse so that you can send a note to a friend at a moment’s notice.
Allow your city to surprise you.
Super-love & cupcakes,
Gala
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Hi Gala!
Even though it’s not a female or fashion oriented documentary, Disc 2 of the Rent Movie has a biopic on the life and music of Jonathan Larson. Every time I watch it, I’m so inspired to keep doing what I’m doing-whether it’s making more time for my art, practicing or seeing shows. The viewer gets to see the dedication and love Larson had for his craft (composing) and of the love that his friends and family have for him. I try to watch it when I’m feeling low or like I don’t have enough energy to keep going and pursuing theater. And I think it spills over into other professions as well. (and of course I get to rock out to Rent) Happy documentary hunting!
Speaking of books, I remember in the delight or smite I said reading books that changed my life and then you asked what it was and the I never told you :O
well anyways, the book I read was Skinny Bitch. You may have read it already but if you haven’t I highly recommend this book for everyone!
Releasing balloons into the air is probably not the greatest idea. If they’re latex balloons, they are biodegradable, but they can still cause problems, and any strings or ribbons that they are attached to probably will not break down. One balloon isn’t a BIG deal, I suppose, and there’s debate about how bad released balloons really are, but it’s still littering either way! Here’s a link I dug up:
http://www.longwood.edu/cleanva/balloons.htm
Think of the turtles!
Better make sure those balloons are biodegradable before you go littering. And how do you wear a cardigan as a skirt? I must know more!
penny — Awesome, thank you for the recommendation! I saw a documentary on Karl Lagerfeld a couple of weeks ago which was brilliant.
Moni — Oh right! I saw Victoria Beckham carrying that around, haha. Sounds interesting, I’ll look into it!
Candice — Then just IMAGINE doing it :P
Jess — Wrap it around your waist, button it in the front & tie the arms up (if you want). http://stylebubble.typepad.com/style_bubble/2007/07/the-cardi-skirt.html
Nice list – curiously enough, I decided today to shake myself out of my rut of watching old episodes of Sex and the City (I just bought the dvds and they are soooo good….) I am going to try and go through my film collection instead, catch up on some classics.
A great documentary is War Photographer, about the amazing James Nachtwey – a truly amazing man – a very visual film and just heartbreaking enough…totally worth a go-see :)
Hi Gala,
did you go to any other MIFF movies, i missed out on the Karl Lagerfeld one because it sold out :( i did manage to go to some really great short film sessions though.
These tips are great, as always. I love the documentary idea! The other day I watched a documentary on Freddie Mercury, my idol! I love his eccentricity and just how extravaggent his whole ora is. I feel inspired by him to branch out of the ordinary and try new things. Kind of like how I feel when I read your blog!
I just watched “No Direction Home”, about Bob Dylan. He’s a brilliant artist and a very complex person. The documentary was directed by Martin Scorsese, so it was a great film as well. Definitely check it out!
I actually got to meet Yoko Ono about 3 months ago. She was interviewed at the 92nd St. YMCA in NYC in front of a audience (of which I was sooo lucky to be part). She had a CD signing afterwards. I was part of a couple hundred people who waiting in line and I made the cut off by 2 people! She’s now 72 and she looks absolutely amazing!!! I highly recommend reading her “art happening” book called “Grapefruit.” The book is fun, thoughtful, provocative and inspiring.
And this may sound a little goofy, but there are two documentaries on Bruce Lee which are wonderful (they’re part of his film Enter the Dragon DVD extras.) Many people think that Lee was merely a martial artist, but he was a philosopher and intellect as well. His ability to discipline and focus himself is quite an inspiration to me. And I find great comfort in his statement; “Use no way as way; no limitation as limitation.”
Finally the bio pic “Frida” (about Frida Kahlo) starring Selma Hyak (sp?) is excellent. I think she and Julie Taymore who directed the film really capture Kahlo’s spirit. Plus her clothing and the costumes are fabulous.
Portrait of Jason directed by Shirley Clarke is my favourite documentary.
My Flesh & Blood by Jonathon Karsh is amazingly poignantly sad and touching [about a woman w/ many adopted children, all of whom have major disabilities.]
Also, check out Errol Morris’s docs!
Not quite the sort of thing you’re looking for, I don’t think, but fascinating docs nonetheless: New York Doll, How to Draw a Bunny, and Mayor of the Sunset Strip. I’m also really looking forward to watching the Edith Piaf biopic that came out recently
ooh I love Yoko Ono. Her Avant Gard art is truly inspiring and I would like die for that book she wrote Grapefruit. I’ve looked all over Melbourne for it and still can not be found.
Balloons can also be mistaken for jellyfish. Sea turtles have been known to eat them and then suffocate to death. :(
Orlando – the Sally Potter film, is ravishing and inspiring …
http://youtube.com/watch?v=jFMmMh288pE&mode=related&search=
Thank you thank you thank you for always being so inspiring!
Born Into Brothels is amazing, if anyone hasn’t seen it – about kids in Calcutta’s Red Light District, and the way photography changes their lives.
I love the way you take “style” and run with it. . . my fav is the suggestion about keeping stamps in your purse =) Fabulous Darling!
The clothes shopping tip is absolutely brilliant; I’ve only just started keeping tips like this in mind this summer, and already I can see my variety of outfits increasing! Thanks again, Gala!
I find that documentaries about amazing things that everyday people have done are even more inspiring than those of celebrities.
The ABC series ‘Australian Stories’ has amazed and inspired me (and made me cry!) on many occasions.
I am currently reading a bio on Marie Antionette.(I think it’s by a woman named Antione/a Fraser) For some reason she really fascinates me. Her life was beyond brilliant and if you think about it she was really the first woman to recieve bad publicity. It’s amazing how far we have come today from back then and yet we still carry on with these trivial “rumors” and whatnot. It’s really is a remarkable book, and I guess i’m also obsessed because I just recently moved from overseas but I got to experience the Chateau de Versailles. It was one of the most beautiful places i’ve ever experienced in my life and I hope to return someday.(if i ever have enough money to travel overseas haha)
I love these tips! They are absolutely inspirational.
I find watching travel shows also inspire me =)
Get your hands on anything Mae West related – movies, documentaries, books! She’ll put you in a sensual mood, always good for dressing creatively! And it’ll make you smile to hear the origin of so many quotes that are thrown around still today…
for a truly inspirational (and heart-wrenching) documentary, watch Janis Joplin, Southern Discomfort. it is heart-breaking to watch, but for a woman with such a paiful life, she sure did turn out some awesome music. plus, her personal style was so revolutionary! the people who made this doco did a whole series, and there is another one on yoko ono that is worth a squiz
gala,
you’re probably the most inspiriiing girl on this planet for me.<3
i love reading your site and seeing what you have to say.
you definately make me feel more confident about myself.
xo