dream versus reality

These gorgeous, whimsical photos are from Vogue Germany's January 2010 shoot, "Holiday".

The photos are lovely, but I have to admit that it was the title of the shoot that made me choose to post it today. Taking a holiday somewhere warm (especially with the current weather situation in the UK!) is a bit like a dream to me at the moment. I've been working pretty much flat out over the entire christmas period on a stream of essays and readings and dissertation research, and, with lectures due to start again on Monday, I must admit I'm hardly feeling rested. Such is the life of a final year student, I suppose, but a huge wave of lethargy has suddenly hit me over the past couple of days. The thing I dislike most about being so exhausted is that I have no energy to be inspired by anything - do you ever find that, too? Hence the quietness over the past couple of days on the blog front. I need to find some inspiration again - although clearly the thought of a holiday did it! ;)

a lookbook of love

Chris Craymer is my new favourite photographer. He's done some absolutely stunning fashion, lifestyle and beauty shots, but this collection of exquisite photos - aptly named "Romance" - is, in my opinion, by far the best of all his work.
The London-based photographer, who recently launched his new lookbook, said he wanted his shots to be "essentially emotional rather than intellectual or fashion led", and used real-life couples in each of his shots to add real authenticity and feeling.
Visit his website to view more of his work, and for details of how to order prints.

this is what the snow made me do

I'll be honest, I was feeling a little sorry for myself this evening. My plans to go for drinks in town had to be cancelled because we're currently getting the worst snow here for thirty years, and my friend and I rationalised that even if we managed to meet up, we might not get back home again too easily. Hence, I find myself at home with no plans, and a little bored... so, hello cupcakes! Red and bright pink and pale pink icing, sprinkles and flowers - the perfect pick-me-up. And they taste really good too, even if I do say so myself ;)

Ten Things that made me smile this week

1. Rose bath bombs from The Lavender Room.

2. A cupcake diary.
3. This placemat.
4. A new bracelet.
5. Watching New Year's fireworks over the London Eye and Big Ben.
6. Strong cups of tea to help me through horrible essay-writing.

7. Little floral boxes.

8. Waking up to snow three days running.

9. The thought of Brighton in less than a week.

10. Another old film camera coming into my possession.

What's made you smile this week?

On seeing the world through rose-tinted glasses..

I am absolutely, completely, unequivocably in love with this house. So soft and romantic, I have been daydreaming of living there all morning... I've been picturing lazy Sundays, waking up early and sitting on that window seat in the first picture, reading books and country living magazines, then cooking a roast dinner, spending the afternoon walking in no doubt nearby woods, coming back to bake cakes in the early evening and take a long, relaxing, candle-lit bath, and then spending the evening sitting by the fire, reading, listening to my boyfriend playing guitar. Heaven.

The Sunday Read: The Great Lover

The Sunday Read: The Great Lover, by Jill Dawson.

I'll be honest; the cover of this book is what initially drew me to it. Such a beautiful image, such a sense of freedom.

I didn't know much about Rupert Brooke before reading the book, and so this novel seemed like a perfect opportunity to explore this literary figure. A war poet, Brooke was often hailed as "the most handsome man in England", and was associated with charisma, gossip, wit and an ambiguous sexuality; he was romantically linked with both men and women, and several of them, before his death while on active service in 1915.

The novel focuses mainly on Brooke's period living in Grant-chester, where Brooke lodged for three years on and off, before embarking on a journey to Tahiti, where he is said to have fathered a child. It is this wonderful rumour which sparks a great starting point for the book; a letter is written from Brooke's apparent Tahitian child, seeking information about his years in Grant-chester. And so enter the wonderfully yet unrealistically named Nell Golightly; a fictional creation of Dawson's, she is a maid in the vicarage where Brooke takes his lodgings.

Brooke's time in Grant-chester is, by all accounts, eventful: losing his virginity to an old male school friend, pursuing several well-to-do ladies, rather a lot of naked swimming, and, one would assume, writing poetry - although this is an avenue rarely explored within the book.
And Nell Golightly, what of her? She is a bee-keeper's daughter; an orphan, with many younger siblings to look after, she is working at the vicarage as a maid. Strong, sensible - and yet, inevitably, she falls in love with Rupert Brooke, and he with her (bet you didn't see that coming); they manage a lot of naked swimming together, and even a quick kiss, amidst his string of other romantic encounters with wealthy young women.
I do appreciate that the author required a voice from which the reader could get to know the young Rupert Brooke, and a voice which, indeed, could write back to his supposed illegitimate child. Nell Golightly, though, who falls so quickly under his spell, loses her headstrong ability rather swiftly; I suppose she is impressionistic, and so we can forgive her that... but from her set-up in the novel, I would've liked to see her with a little more backbone, please.

But maybe I'm just being defensive of poor little Nell because I don't want to see her fall in love with Rupert Brooke.
Here's the thing: I'm not even sure I like Brooke. Arrogant, ignorant, so totally self-centred, he's overly idealistic and by half-way through the novel I wondered if he would ever take his head out the clouds and look around at real life (apparently not). He is surrounded by the Edwardian class system, beautifully and accurately portrayed by the author, and, indeed, if he stopped to look around he would find some very real and very depressing sights. Sadly, all he manages to pay attention to in this novel are his string of meaningless relationships, which the reader must suffer through, and it is a little disheartening to witness the continual hurting of poor Nell, so desperately in love with him, although at times one does wonder why.

There are some beautiful moments in this book; the descriptions of some scenes are breathtaking, soft and romantic, and some tender scenes between Nell and Brooke, in which they discuss life's great mysteries and challenges, are truly touching; although a little unlikely, given their master-servant relationship, and his apparent attitude to the women in his life.

So now I know, apparently, a little more about Rupert Brooke. Is it a good novel, worth a read? Undoubtedly, if only for its poetic-like descriptions. But if Dawson's portrayal of Brooke is accurate, then I can't help feeling like I'd have been happier not to know about him. Enigmatic, charismatic, idealistic, yes, those are the stereotypes he carries; but after the novel I feel I can add arrogant, pompous and ignorant to that list - I'm afraid, not exactly redeeming qualities.

Pensive much?

Sometimes you just have to think about what you want in life, where you're going and how you're going to get there. I always think that New Year is the perfect time to do just that.

What will this year hold for me, realistically? I posted a few days before New Year with a list of things I'd like to achieve, but what's actually realistic, and pretty much guaranteed?
I'll be graduating this year from University, and will see what three long, hard, but enjoyable years of study has done for me: I'll be more employable, I'll have more life experience, I'll hopefully have a good degree, and I'll have over £14,000 of debt. I'll be trying to find my first permenant, full-time job this year; I'll probably struggle with it in this current economic climate. I'll be 21 in July, and a fully fledged adult, with no excuse for still thinking of myself as a teenager with no responsibilities.

Suffice it to say, I'm a little daunted by what 2010 will hold for me. But I know, secretly, confidently, it'll be ok, as long as I have my family, my boyfriend, and my close friends. Happy New Year, everyone.