Love is not visible to the eyes but to the soul - Shakespeare

Tuesday 11 June 2013

{Summer Hiatus}

Hi guys,
First of all sorry for the absense here. But I think I am going to take a little summer hiatus because life has sort of got a grap of me now. 
I have passed my MA thesis with very good grades (HURRAY!!!) and am now applying for jobs and the like, so I am quite busy. And as I don't think that many, including me, would be interested in just viewing the same stuff posted from Pinterest or Tumblr, I am taking a break until I have a more settled schedule. Then, hopefully, I will have time to do more original content and on a more regular basis.

Thanks so much for now, and I hope you all will have a great summer, and hopefully we will catch up again in early fall.

Best,
The Dandelion Chronicles
******************  

Friday 31 May 2013

Monthly Favourites May 2013

Monthly Faves May 2013


Esteban Cortazar cut out high low dress, 6.690 DKK / Halston Heritage drape back dress, 2.600 DKK / STELLA McCARTNEY twill jacket, 4.000 DKK / Acne biker jacket, 8.640 DKK / Aminaka Wilmont leather jacket, 3.830 DKK / Band of Outsiders denim jacket, 2.290 DKK / DAY Birger et Mikkelsen twill blazer, 2.180 DKK / Zara oversized blazer, 575 DKK / Paige Denim destructed jeans, 1.785 DKK / J.Crew straight leg pants, 325 DKK / Jimmy Choo platform high heels, 2.800 DKK / McQ by Alexander McQueen sequin pumps, 2.810 DKK / Sandals, 335 DKK / Maison Martin Margiela genuine leather handbag, 7.745 DKK / Charlotte Olympia lucite handbag, 5.730 DKK / Bijoux Heart clear jewelry, 3.080 DKK / Earrings, 215 DKK / Necklace, 87 DKK / Watch, 87 DKK

Spring is now officially over and June with Summer is bursting in on us - wonderful! 
And with Summer comes white. At least for clothes, though also my skin because I never seem to be able to produce a tan. So I am rocking my porcelain complection yet again, with sunblockers and the like. I hate stripes and therefore try to prevent them.

Lately I have found myself lacking a leather jacket. I have all sorts of other classy-dressy jackets but not a leather one. And as I tend to always buy the dressy versions whenever I have money to spend, I actually NEED something to dress things down and making my wardrobe more versatile. But since I am still me I cannot go for a normal black one. No, I would like a white one, maybe with some interesting details like lace, studs, glitter or the like. (Well, I do have glitter in my veins, so no use fighting THAT battle!) If you follow my fashion board on Pinterest, you may have noticed the sudden burst of more down-town and street inspiration than usual. Though fear not for a complete transformation, I still like the quirky and personal touches more than trends. 
Here in Denmark, I have been up to my neck in the same coat worn by everyone who tries to be fashionable. So BORING! You cannot go just round the block without someone wearing it. The same goes for Mulberry Bayswater bags. When I bought mine 7 years ago - no one even KNEW about Mulberry, and now everyone has it. Well, at least I have achieved the nice patina now for wearing it almost daily. 
So, that's the end of my whinnings of being too fashion forward... 

Friday 10 May 2013

{History} The Book Burnings on 10th of May 1933

The one feature of the human species which I find to be the prime symbol of cowardice and intolerance is book burnings. It seems to me so stupendous, a sheer act of ignorance which in my views proves the barren grounds on which the foundations of such acts are build.
No matter how much people disagree, even down to their very foundations, no man has the right to silence another's mind. 
It is only a matter of cowardice to do so, and I always feel enraged whenever I read of this. If one have a problem, one should improve one's argument against the work not set fire to the book. As Milton said: He who destroys a good book kills reason itself. 
Sadly, many examples can too easily be found in history but on this day, 80 years ago, we commemorate the Nazi Book Burnings in 1933.


From the 10th of May to Midsummer's Day in 1933, the Nationalsozialistischer Deutsche Studentenschaft (the Nazi student organization) organized and carried out over 30 burnings of book which were found to be 'un-German'. It is estimated that over 40,000 people participated in the burnings and over 25,000 books by estimated 1,200 artists were destroyed. These artists were not just Jewish, as one might think, but also anyone who were deemed immoral or at a danger to the German people, dealing with decadence or women's rights as a couple of examples. Even high treason as the WWI German writer Erich Maria Remarque's All Quiet on the Western Front shows. The list of writers whose works were burned is almost a who's who of today's most influential and celebrated writers.


In Berlin, at what is today named Bebelplatz (the site of the Berlin burning), is a monument to commemorate the book burnings by the Israeli sculptur, 'Bibliotek' by Micha Ullman.
It is an installation or a sculpture sunken down in the square consisting of white shelves with room for approximately 20,000 books, but all empty.
It was erected in 1995 and the bronze platter quotes one of the writers whose works were destroyed, the Jewish-German poet Heinrich Heine's play Almansor from 1821:
Das war ein Vorspeil nur, dort wo man Bücher verbrennt, verbrennt man am Ende auch Menschen
(That was but a prelude; where they burn books, they will, ultimately, burn people also)


The coldness of this sinister foretelling highlights the coldness of ignorance and blind hatred which, to my point of view, always have been the prime agents of book burnings, or burnings of people. Sadly, there seems to be a renewed example of this meaningless destruction everytime a conflict escalates between an established moral and art; the three most recent examples that I can think of would be the planned burnings of the holy Muslim scripture of Q'uran, the burnings of the Harry Potter-books, and the burnings of the Baghdad Library in Iraq.
All of which make me wonder whether the human race will ever be at peace and work towards a common good or goal. 
Maybe this day, commemorating the Nazi example 80 years ago, will become a shared symbol of avoiding such actions. Though I doubt it.

{Images: one two three four}

Thursday 9 May 2013

{Design Love} Playing Cards

One of the areas where I think one finds the best design is at playing cards. The idea of course is very simple: it must contain the basic elements of colours and numbers but other than that the design option is open. I have a nice little selection of decks with vastly different designs; Harry Potter, Antique Greek sex positions(!), Danish rococo, flowers, English monarchs, WWII pin ups girls, and the ones designed by the Danish Queen Margrethe II. 
My fondness of cards only increased while reading Jostein Gaarder's The Solitaire Mystery. Since then I wanted to start collecting Jokers - but I'm always to timid to ask for them with strangers and I don't always find it relevant to buy a new deck if the design is not interesting or beautiful. Therefore, I am very glad that there seems to be a growing trend in designing new cards and I want to show some of the latest designs which I have stumpled across here and there. Hopefully, my collection will increase in the coming years.
 A more classic collection of Ace of Spades. Do you guys have a favourite colour? {source}
 I really like this design - so clean and elegant, and an interesting approach in rendering the colours. Designed by Joe Doucet. {source}
 A really cute deck and you guys MUST check out the rest of the designs. They are so cute! Pack of Dogs by Inky-Dinky {source}
 A powerful and beautiful design. Design by Paolo Troilo. {source} (note: the link goes to my Pinterest because Paolo Troilo is no longer represented in the original link's location)
 A very fashionista design, no? Though the black drawing is wonderful, the best feature in this design is the frame incorporating the "Q". So smart and elegant. I wish she had done a whole deck but it appears that this was just a one time only design for a blogger's contest. Design by Sara Woodward (SMÄM) {source}
 This was not as such a new design but rather using an old deck and tranforming it into new art. But I like it and wouldn't mind if the next step in playing cards involved the tactile designs. Design by Kei Takemura {source}
 Also not a whole deck design but just a single illustration. However, I love bonnies. Design by Catherine Campbell {source}
 I am completely smitten with these. The new colour scheme and the use of origami is such a new thing in playing card design, at least to my knowledge! And it is still a clean and elegant design. Design by Pidies {source}
 A gorgeous deck! Such attention to detail and design. The fronts, the backs, everything is just superb on this deck. Truly my favourite of them all. I especially like how the traditional designs are incorporated into the drawings (as you can see in the picture with 5 of Hearts and King of Hearts). Do yourself a favour and check out the whole deck in detail at his DeviantArt-profile or at his Tumblr. Design by Emmanuel José {source} or {source}
 Vintage and romantic designs, sadly I don't know the artist if any. {source}
 Also a very modern and crisp design. I like the sheer paper or plastic and the simple look of colour and value. Sadly, it appears that this deck is no longer available on the site so the designer is still unknown to me. Does anyone know? {source}

There you go. What do you think of these designs? I am almost drooling..
Speaking of Droo (okay not the best intro, but hey...), through him I have discovered that the picture cards have names! I did not know that, you?! Here's the list, they are rather awesome:

The Kings:                  The Queens:                Jacks:
Alexander of Clubs         Argine of Clubs        Lancelot of Clubs
Charles of Hearts         Judith of Hearts        La Hire of Hearts
Caesar of Diamonds        Rachel of Diamonds     Hector of Diamonds
 David of Spades          Athena of Spades      Orgier of Spades

Sunday 5 May 2013

Happy Bicentennial Søren Kierkegaard

A round of applause and a lot of cake to celebrate probably the most famous Dane, Søren Kierkegaard. He would have been 200 today, and his works still stand as fresh and inspiring as ever. I have personally read Either/Or but have yet to endeavour more into his works which I do plan on though. But Kirkegaard's works need a focused mind in order to balance through the various voices he used for the different personas within the works. That is one of the common errors of reading Kirkegaard, if you do not pay attention you mistakenly attribute the voice of the aesthete to Kirkegaard himself - which is far from the truth! Kirkegaard loathed the embodiment of the aesthete and wished for people to be more aware of the choices they faced.
However, my small celebration and tribute to Søren Aabye Kirkegaard was never meant for a greater discussion on his works, I will leave that to the hundreds and hundreds of celebration activities around Denmark to do so. I am quite sure the Kirkegaard Institue will turn upside down today and be all over the place with Kirkegaard quotes and paraphrases...
 And two for kicks:
If you use Twitter you should most definitely follow KimKirkegaard. It is a mash up of Kim Kardashian's tweets with Kirkegaard's philosophy. It is hilarious! A combination no one had seen coming but it really works. However, I am not so sure that Kirkegaard would have approved of Ms Kardashian, too much of an aesthetic lifestyle - if even that!

Anyways, cheers and hurray to the crooked Dane who still haunts our consiousnesses and inspires us. To the next 200!

Tuesday 30 April 2013

{Monthly Favourites} April 2013

Monthly Favourites April 2013



Matthew Williamson dress, 11.915 DKK / Victoria Beckham dress, 12.325 DKK / Vionnet silk dress, 10.885 DKK / Etro silk top, 4.265 DKK / Rick Owens , 12.040 DKK / Acne tuxedo waistcoat, 3.795 DKK / Acne / Joseph pants, 1.525 DKK / L'Wren Scott striped pencil skirt, 7.675 DKK / Bionda Castana white and black shoes / Oversized handbag, 370 DKK

And BAM! another Monthly Favourites has been released.. The exitement and overreaction due to me having some issues with my Internet connection today which vexed me and was very irritating. But now all is in perfect order. Let's hope it stays that way..

Here in Denmark we have had Spring visit us for a couple of days this April, however this month was also the coldest April in 25 years according to the ones who know about this stuff. Uff! So I haven't quite let go of my winter coat yet but at least I can wear high heels around town. That just makes it so much easier for me to dress. I am not a flats or boots kinda girl, mostly because my calves are huge! I cannot even fit the Hunter wellies with extra room! So I am always on the look for nice wellies (any ideas?)

But this month I am very smitten with the Rick Owens leather jecket, so cool and classy at the same time. And that bag from Ruche! Is it just a tad TOO CLOSE to the icon or is it okay? I am alwyas a bit weary when these things happen. Of course I haven't seen it in real life, but I guess there's some significant change in craftmanship and detail. However for that ridiculously low price I consider actually buying it and find out.
Oh, and that vest from Swedish ACNE is just way to cool for school....
...which I DO NOT EVER HAVE TO ATTEND AGAIN BECAUSE I HAVE PASSED MY DISSERTATION!!!!!! Yes, I am just waiting for the official grading but I have recieved my attest that it is passed. So relieved...

Saturday 20 April 2013

Frida Kahlo's Style

Like so many others, I adore the paintings of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo. I still remember the first encounter with one of her works: it was in my Danish class (yes, actually..) and we were presented with various paintings to analyse like we did short stories and novels. 

The Broken Column - Frida Kahlo - www.frida-kahlo-foundation.org
It was this The broken Column from 1944 and it was so striking to me. I had never seen a self portrait like this before. All I knew was the beautifying and glamourising portraits or the royal portraits. But this!? Exposing one's vulnerability and pain in a serious painting was something which blew me away. It also had a closer resonance to me as I have always suffered from spinal pains and I could very well imagine how it must feel to have your spine shattering to pieces.

And now following the will of her husband Diego Rivera, her locked up closets have been opened and many of her items are curated into an exhibition in her house in Mexico. Alas, I am probably not able to see it before it closes later in the year but examples of her most significant and iconic attributes are featured through Vogue Mexico online; her dresses.

When ever we think Frida Kahlo, we automatically have her colourful dresses and head pieces in mind. I have for long wanted to draw a paper doll of her so these dresses will be my first go to material and then her paintings and photographs of her.
If you follow the link at the bottom you can see a higher resolution of her wonderful wardrobe.
El estilo de un mito
El estilo de un mito
El estilo de un mito
El estilo de un mito
El estilo de un mito
El estilo de un mito
El estilo de un mito
El estilo de un mito
El estilo de un mito
El estilo de un mito
{link}

Thursday 18 April 2013

Coiffure

I am getting a hair cut on Saturday so I am compiling a little inspiration for how I would like my hair do to turn out. But it probably goes like it always does which in my case is like this: 
'Just 2 cm, please'
CHOP CHOP CHOP! [suddenly 7-10 cm off]
'Okay, looks great, thanks'
10 mins later: 'I miss my hair!!!!!'
Am I the only one in this here? I have never dared to say anything because what can be done when it has been cut too short except getting out of the salon and wait for it to grow back? That usually makes me avoid getting near any salon in six months time or more until my hair starts to have a mind of its own (which is now for me). I have tried prolonging my absense from the salons by using deep hair treatments and extra conditioning, but now it has reached its limit. So Saturday it is. Wish me lock (also I have a terrible sense of humour!)
{all images via my Coiffure Pinterest board}

Thursday 11 April 2013

Anne of Green Gables


 Some of my favourite books are the Anne of Green Gables-books. They have comforted my many times when I was younger and I really think that these were the primary reason why I wanted to study literature and write myself. 
I still remember my first 'meeting' with them. I was working at the school library as the one who puts all the returned books into place, and somehow these illustrations on the covers caught my eye. They seemed so nice and friendly in a way and I decided to loan one home. Actually it was the fifth in the series because I thought that it had the prettiest cover! So much for suspense whether Anne and Gilbert would get together, ha! But from the first page I was hooked, and I have learned so much from Anne and her adventures through the years. Especially how amazing it is to have a lively imagination and how it can help you through tough times. I always feel like I am returning home after a long journey when reading the books. I honestly don't know how my life would have been without them, would I value literature and imagination as high as I do now? Somehow I doubt it. The words are a part of my being now and I have breathed my life into the pages.
And isn't that what great books do?

The Danish cover illustratioins are made by the Danish illustrator Ib Thaning, and they have ever since been some of my favourite covers.
Enjoy!

Anne of Green Gables
 Anne of Avonlea
 Anne of the Island
Anne of Windy Poplars 
 Anne's House of Dreams
 Anne of Ingleside
 Anne - Rainbow Valley
Rilla of Ingleside

Saturday 6 April 2013

I'm back! + Monthly Favourites March 2013

Monthly Favourites March 2013



T-Bags Los Angeles halter top dress, 1.680 DKK / Manoush print dress, 1.310 DKK / Erdem dress, 47.160 DKK / Manoush dress, 3.055 DKK / Erdem dress, 20.580 DKK / Roberto Cavalli lacey dress, 8.085 DKK / Versace cotton dress, 1.735 DKK / Erdem dress, 37.680 DKK / Giambattista Valli print dress, 11.465 DKK / Erdem dress, 40.490 DKK / MSGM printed blouse, 2.380 DKK / Anne Vest real leather jacket, 8.170 DKK / Dolce & Gabbana cotton skirt, 4.880 DKK / Ralph Lauren pants, 2.055 DKK / STELLA JEAN cotton skirt, 2.795 DKK / Matthew Williamson mini skirt, 9.450 DKK / Sophia Webster high heel sandal, 3.400 DKK / TUA by Braccialini zip bag, 845 DKK / Olympia Le-Tan olympia le tan, 9.105 DKK / CHARLOTTE OLYMPIA ‘Perfume’ Perspex Box Clutch Bag, 6.990 DKK

Wow, I have been utterly exhausted... I handed in my MA thesis on Tuesday after a bit of stress and drama over printing and uploading but I managed to meet the deadline. Wheew! So that's also why you guys didn't get the chance to see my Monthly Favourites from March but I was so tired and just needed a screen-break. However, now while waiting for my grade I plan on posting a bit more as well as starting drawing again. It's been ages since my last 'big' drawing which didn't resemble a doodle. Trying to my mojo back.
But first things first, my Monthly Favourites from March.

As already mentioned in onw of the posts I managed last month, I told you about my budding love for prints again and my total adoration of Erdem's collection. So naturally these things show through in my favourites. If I had the money, I would probably buy everything. So fresh and fun.  Also the sweet clutches as either a planner, a novel, or a perfume bottle... So cute. 
Some people may find all these prints to be a bit too much at one time but I kinda like that. You would definitely be noticed here in Denmark if you walked through town in that shirt and pants. Almost everyone wears black on grey on white on nude. (Boring!) I'm always resembling Frida Khalo amidst Wall Street business people, ha! 
Though I do have one fashion rule: If print fabric then clean shape and cut, and if one colour then you can have intricate shapes and drapes. Never both at the same time. 

And that will be it from me now. Now I will try to visit the many blogs I have utterly neglected the past six months and see what everyone has been up to. It's nice to be back..

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