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American Literary Greats

After my first week back at work, I decided to pick up a novel I’d been yearning to read for quite some time; F. Scott Fitzgerald’s This Side of Paradise. Published when Fitzgerald was only twenty-three years old, I was eager to read this novel based on his own experience as an undergraduate student at Princeton. Given that I’m twenty-three years old and nowhere near completing my first novel, the novel Fitzgerald penned at the start of his career inspires me in a myriad of ways.

My ongoing obsession with the Roaring Twenties goes all the way back to my high school days when I was first introduced to the likes of Ernest Hemingway and Fitzgerald. My first Jazz Age novel? The Great Gatsby, of course. English had always been my favourite and strongest subject, I adored tucking away to read and re-read our course list while diligently neglecting my math and science homework. A few chapters in, I was ready to declare the 1920s as my favourite decade, a statement I can still attest to. These characters, despite their multitude of flaws, represented glamour, intrigue and a je ne sais quoi, that we can’t help admire. Luckily, with a Bachelor of Arts in English, I’ve been able to venture further into these works. I’ve seriously enjoyed discussing the 1920s and, whenever possible, throwing in some Gertrude Stein for good measure. Woody Allen’s film, Midnight in Paris, continued the trend, featuring an array of characters we were all familiar with, in one way or another. It’s one of those films you can watch again and again, laughing and wishing you, like Owen Wilson’s character, could transport back in time to this decade of boozing and canoodling.

I am clearly anticipating The Great Gatsby in its new film-format, starring Leonardo DiCaprio as Gatsby and Carey Mulligan (my favourite) as Daisy Buchanan! The music, the costumes and the sets will be oh-so-fabulous! I’m already devising a plan to score tickets to the premiere! I can’t help but explore my favourite authors previous works. After This Side of Paradise, I’ll be diving into Ernest Hemingway’s The Garden of Eden. I’m looking forward to it already!

Furthermore, who can’t resist 1920s fashion? Short hemlines, sequins, shift dresses and drop-waisted skirts are accentuated with elaborate headbands and feathers galore! Anyone who knows me is aware of my fascination with sequins and shift dresses. As much as I try to shop and dress practically, my closet is brimming with impractical and fantastic ensembles. My favourite dress is a Topshop 1920s-inspired number that suits any occasion, from New Years Eve celebration to a cocktail soirée with your girlfriends. Here are some of my favourite 1920s-inspired images:

What’s your favourite decade?

Love, Vanessa

August 10, 2012
Where the Wild Things Are

I’ve been reading F. Scott Fitzgerald’s first novel, This Side of Paradise, and feeling ferociously nostalgic.

Lately I feel as though I’m perpetually in motion, not bound to any one destination. Currently, I’m at my parents’ home in Saskatchewan. And I’m constantly taken by the solitary beauty of this place as I peer out into the endless fields and flat terrain. The skies are infinite, often cloudless and you can see for miles. If I had my way, I’d abolish all the gas-guzzling cars, enormous houses, and gigantic supermarkets and live like the nomad I am.

This type of beauty still exists, in its own, revised way. My mother’s vegetable garden and beautiful flowers ignite the senses and feed the soul. The children I spotted today on my way to work with their homemade lemonade stand further established the exquisiteness in the everyday. Such things remind me of the preciousness of my youth. I had a beautiful, innocent childhood, or at least that’s how I choose to remember it. I vividly recall playing in our garden, running off whenever I was called to help. And sitting for hours at my red table in the kitchen, filling up notebook after notebook with illustrations and obtuse sentences. In reality, I was troubled by many things. My sister, Stephanie later told me how I’d scream in my sleep, ridden with night terrors, haunted by the unexplained. She was convinced I was possessed by demons. This is only one of the things I had long since wiped from my memory. Often we choose comfort over neurosis, even though there tends to be an inkling of absurdity in all of us. Our society seems to be discontent with being discontent and therefore, we do everything in our power to constantly feel at ease.

The world can be an ugly place. We’ve witnessed that with the recent Batman shooting, which killed twelve people in Aurora, Colorado. I read today that the youngest victim was a 13 month old. What compels someone to viciously shoot a theatre full of people? Such brutality is often dismissed as insanity. Every syndrome and disorder under the sun is neatly categorized and defined by psychologists. Not only must we explain each disorder, we do so eagerly. We’re intrigued by disaster, disorder and chaos. The grotesque, in both theatre and in real life, perplexes and moves us. My twitter feed was flooded with #theatershooting #colorado #darkknight #killing this morning as the news broke out worldwide. Journalists from BBC, CNN, CTV and The Globe and Mail each made particular contributions which added to the story. I know I’m constantly interested in the unconventional and the unusual. I prefer films without happy endings, or with endings so unclear, so undefined, they might as well be despondent. RomComs certainly have their place, but psychological thrillers, tragic film festival winners, and terribly bleak films starring Ryan Gosling appeal to me on a whole different level. Perhaps they remind us that it’s okay to fail, it’s okay to be flawed, for even the beautiful are damned.

V.

July 21, 2012
The Capital of Cool: Copenhagen

Copenhagen, Denmark’s capital, is one of my favourite cities in the world. While my younger sister was studying abroad in Sweden this past semester, I had to opportunity to travel much of Scandinavia with family, friends as well as on my own. I spent four days in Denmark following a stint in Oslo with my friend, Brenden. It was my first time travelling solo, and I have never felt more liberated! Copenhagen is amazing on so many levels. First, it’s compact and walkable. I was able to navigate from the airport (I flew Air Baltic) to the central train station to my hotel to the downtown amenities seamlessly. I packed very lightly, which was a tremendous feat given the size of my wardrobe. Speaking of wardrobe, Copenhagen is the capital of design, it plays an integral role in the fashion and industrial design industries, and The Dansk Design Center was one of my first stops upon arrival in Copenhagen. It features exhibitions by local artists, cutting edge Danish designers and advocates design driven innovation and works to improve public products and services through society projects. If you ever have the chance, I’d highly recommend spending a day here. There’s so much fun to be had, and it truly is an engaging experience! Danish architecture is also highly impressive with its recent boom in modern architecture. Its pastries, of course are second to none. My favourite spot being Lagkagehuset, which can be found in several locations throughout the city. The window displays are especially enticing on a cold February morning, and their hot chocolate is simply divine!

Copenhagen has several Michelin-starred restaurants, but also a myriad of more affordable and equally delectable options! If you’re a fan of Carlsberg beer, I’d suggest checking out their brewery as the Danes are very generous with tastings and samples. I also admire how progressive Denmark is as a country.
As you probably already know, Copenhagen has the highest rate of bicycle ownership per capital of ANYWHERE in the world. Wherever you go, you’ll see fashionably-clad Danish beauties aboard two-wheelers. The frocks on bikes trend we’ve seen emerge over the past few years à la Scott Schuman (The Sartorialist) and Garance Doré have clearly been inspired by the Danes.

Recently, the New York Times revealed that a new super highway was being constructed for Copenhagen citizens, encouraging further bike use! Check out this video posted on the NY Times twitter page:
http://video.nytimes.com/video/2012/07/17/world/europe/100000001632565/a-green-light-for-copenhagens-cyclists.html?smid=tw-nytimes

I’m a huge advocate for sustainable transport. I truly realized the value of public transport while living in Auckland. Auckland’s an isthmus, which makes it difficult to implement any sort of viable transport. Furthermore, the auto-dependence is outrageous with more than 80% of Aucklanders driving to work and new motorways constantly being built. This is nothing new to Aucklanders who’ve grown accostomed to their gas guzzling ways. Europeans however, sharply intake almost immediately upon arrival in Auckland as decent public transport is ingrained in their mentality. Copenhagen’s decision to implement and promote physical activity and sustainbility is what makes it such a pleasant place to live or visit!

One of my favourite pieces of artwork by Edgar Degas, The Little Fourteen-Year-Old Dancer

Every city should have a town square, this is a wonderful place to congregate in Copenhagen.

Dansk Design Center

July 18, 2012
How to Dress for University Graduation

I’ve finally received my official application to graduate! Needless to say, I’m extremely excited that I will soon transition from ‘graduand’ to ‘graduate’, and possess a university qualification. As an English major, my first concern was that my name would be spelled and pronounced correctly. My second concern is definitely WHAT TO WEAR. I’ve been on a rampant search for the perfect dress that won’t compromise the goofy baby pink hood we Arts students must wear!

Things to keep in mind when choosing a dress for graduation:

There will be dozens and dozens of photos being taken! Don’t forget to wake up a little bit earlier than usual to shower, and put on something conservative (no cleavage on graduation day!) but flattering. You’ll want to look like the mature adult you’re about to become, but still age-appropriate! Take extra time to curl your hair, but keep it natural – you still want to look like yourself, not a beauty pageant contestant! Maybe put on a little concealer and mascara, and make sure your pearly whites are flossed and brushed! Keep it minimal though! Trust me — you’ll be thankful you did once those photos hit Facebook (or, are framed and placed over the fireplace at your parents’ house!)

Here are some (high-collared) options that could potentially work:

J.Crew

Is this print too busy?

Mellow yellow could be quite a flattering option!

Polka dots would enable to me stay away from any clashing colour combinations yet not blend into the black robe.

While this photo isn’t the best quality, colour and collar-wise, it’d be a viable option! It’s from Ruby’s 2012/13 Summer Collection.

I’ve also come across several options from Anthropologie and have pinned them to my Graduation ’12 board on Pinterest. Follow me for more inspiration: Vanessa Ortynsky

Shoes will be a whole different ball game to be deliberated upon at a later date! xxx

V.

July 14, 2012
they were kids that I once knew

Isn’t first love amazing? This photo is exceedingly nostalgic, and too adorable not to post on a overcast Friday morning. I’ve just finished a brisk, 6km run and am pouring over old photographs from the past three years as I’m on Nick’s laptop (mine was left at university during finals, oops!) We’ve reached the end of our three week long holiday in Saskatchewan, and Nick is heading back to Auckland to resume his Honours degree in Transport Design.

As Nick packs up his bags, I’m left with the remnants of our time together this summer. He recently spent his twenty-second birthday in Saskatchewan, as well as his twentieth and twenty-first. I’m utterly perplexed as to how we made this relationship work, despite the endless shifts we’ve encountered due to being from different continents. So, here we go again; another three months apart until I (possibly) return in October for my university convocation. My heart has been stretched, has expanded in so many ways over the past three and a half years. I neglected my first love, dance, in favour of new loves: travel, romance, and adventure. I never fathomed I could exist without it, but somehow I managed, even thrived without the thing that once defined me. Upon my return to North America, I jumped right back into it and planned on dancing on a cruise ship for 6-9 months. My first (and only) audition was flawless, and my mother watched as they ruthlessly cut the dancers down from 76 to 20, then to eight and finally, four. But foolishness always gets the best of me, and after my audition with Royal Caribbean Cruises in Edmonton, I decided instead to move to New Zealand to give love (and a liberal arts education) a fair chance. I’ll blame it on listening to far too much Celine Dion as a child.

Before we head off to the airport, I’ll leave you with a photograph taken two summers ago. It was taken at a pub we still frequent in Saskatoon called O’Shea’s during Nick’s first visit to Canada. We hadn’t seen each other since February, and I was about to move to Auckland to begin my BA at the University of Auckland. Life was full of possibility as I embarked on a new journey.

As we grow and evolve, I hope we continue to see the choices we’re making at the moment as the right ones. Perhaps I’m a walking, breathing cliche, but following my heart has never failed me. I hope you have the courage to follow yours. x

V.

July 13, 2012
Aotearoa

It appears I have the attention span of a goldfish.

After starting a travel blog at the end of 2010, following my first semester at the University of Auckland, I discarded la vie en tie-dye after two pitiful posts. Two posts. It’s not that I haven’t had a lot to write about. In fact, even I can barely keep up! This is probably what I have desperately needed over the past two years while living in New Zealand and travelling the world. I have had multiple requests from friends living overseas who wanted to stay in touch. So, here goes attempt no. 2 (or fourteen, but who’s counting?)

Upon departing the ivory towers of university (albeit temporarily) last month, I’m ready to set foot in the real world. At least this is what I am perpetually telling myself. Self-doubt somehow always seems to cloud my thoughts, rendering me insecure and fearful. How will I ever fill the three-inch Louboutins of a big, working girl? Moving to Auckland was a challenge in itself due to both the distance and unfamiliarity. However, having already completed a semester abroad in 2009 – the leap felt natural. I told myself I would thrive in a big(ish) city and Auckland’s 1.5 million seemed like the perfect fit for my small-town, prairie girl troubles. Indeed it was, and my two years as an English major (after transferring from MSU) flew by. Armed with a Bachelor of Arts, and a eclectic bunch of amazing friends who intrigue, inspire and perplex me, it is now time for life’s next big challenge. I rather rapidly decided this meant leaving New Zealand for the more abundant job market of North America. Clearly, I’m still deciding whether this was the right decision for me.

While I ruminate this decision, I’ll leave you with a few of my favourite Auckland memories and things. As any Kiwi-implant can tell you, New Zealand has a FANTASTIC and refreshing design scene. Wellington, the arty capital of cool, features amazing cafes and boutiques frequented by the country’s best artists. Auckland (despite its sprawl and public transport issues) possesses some the most diverse, well-heeled suburbs I have ever encountered. Obviously, I have developed a fascination with New Zealand’s small, but incredibly distinct fashion scene. Oh, if I could but spend another semester in Auckland, I would have my Nikon permanently strapped to my shoulder in order to capture some of the looks of the moment. Kiwis are a daring bunch, and university life in Auckland provided me with some of the best style moments in my twenty-three years.

Here are some of my favourite local looks: (courtesy of Auckland Street Style)

I’m in love with these Ruby stretch cords, she pulls them off on fashionable High Street in Auckland.

Karen Walker is a hit for all ages, especially when paired down with Converse sneakers.

Aucklanders are known for wearing lots of black, especially in the cold, rainy months of June, July and August. I love the billowy long skirt with the casual jumper on top.

It is true, nobody does knitwear like Ruby and nobody looks as fabulous in Ruby as Nicole Warner from Gary Pepper Vintage.

More to come on Saskatchewan summers.

V.

July 12, 2012