Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Twas Brillig





'"There ought to be a book written about me, that there ought! And when I grow up, I'll write one - but I am grown up now," she added in a sorrowful tone: "at least, there's no more room to grow up anymore here."'

Magazine: VOGUE
Photographer: Annie Leibovitz
Found: Here

Unfortunately, my internet is being terribly slow, but I felt the need to write a quick post in honour of Charles Dodgson (aka the nonsense mastermind Lewis Carrol), whose birthday occurs today. Alice in Wonderland has always been one of my favourite books (especially my extraordinarily battered copy of The Annotated Alice edited by Martin Gardner, a veritable encyclopedia of Wonderland) , and continuously provides me with inspiration.

So here are a couple of beautiful images inspired by the magic that is Alice. These are from one of my favourite ever Vogue shoots by Annie Leibovitz way back in 2003. I thought I'd dredge them all up again. Though my Alice obsession is more wide-ranging, so beware of more Alice artwork and memorabilia to come!

xS

Sunday, January 25, 2009

Now I know why I started blogging

Just a Fledgling by Kelly Smith


I love how things just come together sometimes.

A while back, though I can't remember how, I was introduced to the beautiful artwork of Kelly Smith, and fell in love. This lovely lady's illustrations are so magical, and matched so perfectly with the type of art that I was into, that I felt that little twinge of sadness that comes when you wish you could create something that beautiful yourself. However, due to my terrible memory for names, I was unable to track down the artist, and view some more of her lovely works!

Until now. Browsing through blogger, trying to get the hang of the system, I came across Birdy and Me, Kelly Smith's blog, purely by chance, which is just as sweet as her pictures.

So at least one things come from me starting up!

I recommend that it you are a latecomer to this blog, (as I am), you check it out.

xS
Ps: I was also pleased to see she had some of my favourite Sasha Pivovarova Vogue shoots on her Inspiration wall

Saturday, January 24, 2009

One has to begin somewhere...


Welcome to StellaForStar, my first blog, and, my first post!

StellaForStar is not just any blog. It is (hopefully) to be filled with beautiful, artsy, creative, inspirational images, literature, and objects I have come across throughout my life, and want to preserve and share. Think of it as a virtual flower-press, with all kinds of lovely things hidden in its pages. Most of all, however, StellaForStar is a way for me to excersise my first and foremost love, writing, which has, for at least half a year, been sadly forgotten. Storytelling is a passion for me and one that I hope to persue further.

But now, before we begin our aquaintance, some quick introductions and explainations!

StellaForStar is a name taken from the pages of one of my most loved plays; 'A Streetcar Named Desire'. It is the nickname the protagonist, Blanche, gives to her sister, Stella. Though a passing comment, the name has stayed with me since my first reading of the play, and has acrued such sentimental value that I felt it fitting to lend it to my lovely new blog.

And now, a little about me:

The Basic: I am an Australian uni student with a love of literature, design, and craft, among many things.

I like vintage clothes, cassettes and mixed tapes, collecting mismatched tea sets, losing myself in markets and second hand book stores. I like opening a book and finding something inside. I like letters, typewriters, wooden furniture, poetry. Glass bottles, black and white photographs, Polaroids and writing stories. I like the idea of selling a short story to someone. It’s more appealing than writing a novel. It’s more like someone buying your thoughts. As if that couple of pages is a direct link from your mind. But I’ve never tried to sell a short story to someone. I don’t know who would buy it.

I dislike songs with terrible rhymes, bad songs by good people, dial up internet, sequels, prequels and franchises, coffee in hot weather, not finishing books. I hate people who use the word ‘hate’ too much, and desensitise the world to its meaning.

The book I am reading at the moment is ‘Perfume' by Patrick Suskind.

The last thing that made me stop and think was sitting in a train on my way home. It was a really windy day, and we were passing a road lined with these huge trees. As I was watching the wind picked up, and these giant, golden leaves started to blow passed the window, dancing in the wind as the train hurtled passed. It was breathtakingly beautiful and unearthly.

But enough about me. I plan to update at least once a week, and pretty up the page, so next time hopefully it will be more organised.

x S

Ps: If you want to check back (and I would love it if you did!) go to http://www.stellaforstarblog.blogspot.com/, to save confusion, as unfortunately the name I wanted has been taken! Any ideas?