As summer is coming to a close, I have spent the entire time quietly working away as people have come and gone on holidays. It’s nice to know that its finally my turn! I will be spending the next few days in Amsterdam and really looking forward to my visit. After buying a little book called Amsterdam by Hand put together by Pia Jane Bijkerk, an Australian stylist who lives in a houseboat in Amsterdam, I decided that I most definitely was going to pay a visit to this charming city. Any last minute recommendations? I’ll see you all towards the end of next week.
Looking for a bit of fashion and style advice? Interested in knowing what made our grandmothers tick during the 50s and 60s? Love watching old films? This is the perfect slice of elegance, small in size and delivered between a pale pistachio dustcover. A Guide to Elegance by Genevieve Antoine Dariaux covers such important topics as accessories, age, dinners, husbands, matchmaking to even sex, and is an extremely entertaining read that is not only fashion-focused! Extremely cute, this is a kernel of wisdom even in the more outdated advice. This book has been very useful in my research studies and also very entertaining.
If you were only to see one film this month, without a shadow of a doubt that movie should be The Secret of Kells. This is perfection in animation, pure fantasy in which to lose oneself. Awe-inspiring, this is a complete visual pleasure with music that feeds the ear and the soul.
Don’t let the possible trace of religion put you off, this is all about fantasy and Celtic mythology while using the medium of beautiful medieval-style religious illustration. Remember those ancient books with the swirling curlicues, the flowers and gold-leaf? Those books that were printed and illustrated all by hand with ink? This story comes alive through those drawings. Set in a medieval fortified abbey in Ireland, Brendan is a young novice who lives enthralled by the skills of the monks who illustrate books.
The story unfolds when a master illuminator accompanied by his cat, Pangur Ban, appears with a special book that is still unfinished. Brendan has to overcome his fears and break with all that he has been taught. This a great tale of fighting for what one truly believes in, with magical moments to boot. Aisling is his sidekick in this story and is completely haunting and spine-tinglingly perfect.
There are various threats both real and imagined in the form of Viking invasions and shadows that rear their ugly heads. The monsters are especially interesting, such as the “medieval borders” snake that is absolutely stunning or others that are reminiscent of Samurai Jack, only one of the best cartoons in recent years. The Secret of Kells is directed by Tomm Moore of Cartoon Saloon and what a incredibly good job they have done. From the watercolor-painted scenes, to masses of shivering butterflies, the glorious palette of colours to the lilting Celtic songs, the entire production is a dream come true.
Considering that I much prefer books to movies, The Secret of Kells has managed to achieve something that seems almost impossible. It breathes animated life into books. By using the medium of ancient illustrations, by animating these drawings that accompanied the texts, a printed story comes to life. It’s like watching the book in Narnia’sThe Voyage of the Dawn Treader, where the drawings move and the text rearranges itself according to the reader. Actually, when the movie starts, it’s like falling into a book, where anything is possible and the visual splendour carries you along for the duration. I cannot find enough words to express the beauty of this film. The best option is to go and see it for yourself. Don’t hesitate, as it won’t be around for all that long!
What could be better than slipping off with a very good friend to spend the day in Girona? Just a 90 minute train ride from Barcelona, the small city is filled with wondrous streets that curve on and around themselves, opening up secret corners and secluded gardens.
The day was perfect, with that perfect shade of summer-blue sky. The main idea is to walk around the old part of town, which is not overly large, but does include steep hills and many, many steps. With a placid river separating the old Girona from the modern, some of the small buildings give onto the slow-moving body of water, complete with ducks, seagulls and fish.
Life is more slow here, relaxed and tranquil. Although the main areas are filled with tourists, many local people still live in old Girona and have staked out a claim to little cafés and restaurants occupying minuscule plazas. The stores are cute and there is a clear French influence in the architecture, food and chic details.
This is a paradise of stone and wrought iron ornamentation. Every surface is filled with different motifs. Each stone is filled with history. There are crumbling ruins and fortified walls, several churches and cathedrals and a small Jewish quarter. As more and more tourists flock to Girona, the unfortunate outcome is that it is necessary to pay an entrance fee to see many of the sites.
A visit to Girona would not be complete without making a stop at La Creperie Bretonne. It’s like stepping back, into the past. The furniture, the music, the atmosphere. So French and so lovely. They have just opened a new restaurant in Vigo, so there are now six in total.
The creperie is awash with such a myriad of details that it takes a while to become accustomed. Every little corner holds a vintage relic, adding to the perfect ambiance. The food is also delicious, perfect gallete creps made with salty butter heaped with different ingredients. Absolutely mouth-watering and the best crepes I’ve ever had!
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