Back to School Soundtrack

The academic year is upon us once again, and it almost feels like summer break never happened because my mind has returned to schedules and planners and trying not to get lost in the halls.  At least there's music...

Taylor Swift: "Wildest Dreams"

Lorde: "Everybody Wants to Rule the World"

Cat Power: "Metal Heart"

And, just for the sake of it being school again....

Simple Minds: "(Don't You) Forget About Me"

<3 Frances 

Movie Style: The Grand Budapest Hotel

Wes Anderson's movies all have a very particular visual style to them, and The Grand Budapest Hotel is no exception.  The storyboarding, costumes, and set design make each scene a work of art, and it almost seems like the movie's aesthetic falls somewhere between a dollhouse, a play, and a painting.  (One of the key techniques in capturing this unique feel is symmetry, the effects of which are explained in this interesting article.)  Words, however, can't quite do justice to The Grand Budapest Hotel, so, without further adieu, here are some of the pictures we think capture it the best in all of its quirky pink glory:

 

 

 

<3 Frances  

Tianjin

If you've been keeping up with the news lately, then you've most likely heard about the warehouse explosions that devastated Tianjin, in China, on Wednesday.  The death toll has been rising (last night it was over 50), and at least 500 people are injured.  The chemicals released by the explosion are also very toxic and reactive with water, which is making efforts to evacuate people and clean up the mess even more difficult.  Industrial disasters like this one are heartbreaking, and I'm posting to hopefully spread the message that Tianjin, as well as many other places in the world, needs a lot of support heading its way.  <3 <3 <3

<3 Frances

Wisdom Teeth and Mid-Week Playlist

 

 

It's the last week of summer break, and a cool breeze outside is making it feel almost like autumn already.  I'm excited for autumn, I suppose, even though I'll miss being in my little introverted bubble of calm all day (sad face), but it's fun to see the Halloween decorations in all the stores.  That said, I will be having my wisdom teeth removed the day before Halloween/two days before my birthday, which means I will spend the Halloween weekend I've been looking forward to all year in a sort of painkiller-induced daze. 

Alice Bowman: "Waiting"

 

Atlas Genius: "If So"

 

Damien Rice: "My Favourite Faded Fantasy"

 

Kasey Chambers: "Is God Real?"

 

<3 Frances

 

Remembering Hiroshima

This past Thursday marked 70 years since the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.  The subject of the atomic bomb is one that is as emotionally-driven as it is scientifically-driven, and, while there are many grey areas and arguments on both sides, now is a time to remember all those lives lost in the wake of the explosion, as well as the lives lost to other nuclear incidents throughout history and to the Second World War itself. The use of paper lanterns to honor the victims of Hiroshima and Nagasaki is very beautiful, and, instead of sharing images of devastation and loss, I'm going to share photos of them.

<3 Frances

Schools Around the World

As August moves forward, the images of beach balls and sunglasses that accompany the summer holidays disappear and are replaced by those of school supplies and changing foliage.  The academic year is approaching rather rapidly, and it's intimidating.  But when you think about how many people around the world have limited (or no) access to education, you realize just how lucky you are to have to lug a physics textbook around in your backpack and interpret Shakespeare.  These images of classrooms around the world (from Take Part and The Guardian) are not just visually intriguing but also eye-opening.  All of them show hardworking students and teachers, but the obvious disparities are heartbreaking.

Yemen

Tajikistan

Finland 

India

Germany

Democratic Republic of the Congo

  

Chile

Australia

Afghanistan

Brazil

Japan

United States

Kenya

<3 Frances

Mori Kei

In the midst of studying and packing and unpacking and getting ready for back-to-school, I stumbled upon a few pictures of "mori kei" fashion and fell somewhat in love with it.  Mori is Japanese for forest, and kei means style, so, essentially, mori kei is forest style.  It's sort of like earthy bohemian and vintage and lolita and storybook fairytale all rolled into one, and it's adorable.  I also really think it's great for the coming autumn and the academic year.  Sweaters, school, and crisp red leaves go well together.

<3 Frances