Winter snaps

Winter is setting in, which means fewer and fewer outdoor activities, plenty of movie watching, sitting by the fire, and mulled wine!  Despite the cold, we had a jam packed weekend full of farmers market brunch, Flight of the Concords (third row... ahh!), polar dipping (jumping in the freezing cold ocean, in a costume, in winter.. for fun), and mid-winter lantern festival!

Anyways, thought I would post a few snaps from around town.  Happy winter weekend!

1 Gorgeous sunrise. 815 am....  makes it hard to get to the office before 930.
2 Farmers market now sells mostly apples... hello winter, so long stone fruit and berries.
3 Managed to sneak in some office time, this is the frog that guards the front door at zoology
4 Crepes for dinner!
5 Flight of the Conchords!!
6 Bowie's in Space - FOTC
7-9 Mid-winter lantern festival!

Winter inspiration - Barn Owls

Collection: Carlotte Taylor Fall/Winter 2012  
Bird: Barn Owl.  This amazing bird can find small rodents under layers of snow or in large fields of tall grass. How? Notice how their faces look circular. Those are 'facial discs', they act as giant radar dishes to guide sounds to the ear openings. They can even alter the shape of their facial discs at will.  Essentially, their entire face is an ear.  Amazing.

One step forward, but still a step back for American Apparel

Hipster clothing giant American Apparel is no stranger to controversy.  The company is known for its misogynistic advertisement campaigns and CEO.  Their adds feature women, often of questionably young age, wearing near nothing in provocative poses.  It's not surprising that there are entire petitions and websites attempting to dismantle their objectification of women and disrespect of women's sexuality. 


However, in a promising move, American Apparel has teamed up with Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLADD) to release a new line of screen printed t-shirts, tanks, and undies to celebrate Pride month. Moreover, the advertising campaign for 2012 will feature the openly transgendered model Isis King (of ANTM fame).

I can totally appreciate how progressive this is.  Fostering homosexual and transgendered acceptance in the mass media is  nothing but positive!  The American Apparel art director states: "It's time for everyone, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, to accept each other and thrive in harmony" Amen! 

Here comes the "but".  The advertisement campaign STILL features semi-nude over-sexualized women models.

Come ON American Apparel.  This should be a campaign focused on equality of sexual orientation!  If you are so dedicated to equality, why are the women your advertising still objectified? Why does 'thriving in harmony' still involve cheapening women's sexuality?

Sunday project

This Sunday I decided to finally put my old clothes up for sale.  They've been sitting in a neglected pile for ages.  So I wrangled them up, had a photo shoot and put them up for sale!  It was actually really fun, and hopefully will result in a bit of spending money.  Although I will likely spend the money on more clothes...

Here's the trade me site if you live in NZ: http://www.trademe.co.nz/Members/Listings.aspx?member=3615568 Shop away!

Here's some photo shoot out-takes (I'm no model, don't judge!):

Snow day

It snowed here in Dunedin last night.  It is seriously.so.cold. here. Our house is barely insulated, and in true New Zealand style, there is no central heating.  Sprinkle a bike ride to school on the frosty road... and all I feel like doing is crawling into my fleece sheets and duvet and not coming out until spring.  Instead I will take inspiration from this vintage inspired line by Maison Scotch in Amsterdam.  I especially like how the model is looking either extremely grouchy or sad in every photo.  I definitely had similar expressions when I picked my outfit this morning.  Happy snow day!

Feminine, but powerful

Some street style photos capturing modern women who exemplify femininity, but also strength and power.  These girls can walk the streets in a silk gown or fur stole, and still be the editor of a high-profile magazine... get down to business in ballerina skirts or floral day dresses... or wear gorgeous heels and still ride a bike! 

Photos from Sartorialist and Candice Lake

Mr. Darcy

This weekend I came down with a terrible flu, and it happens to be, not only very cold due to the impending winter, but also a long weekend here in New Zealand.  So everyone is off adventuring around, and I am stuck in bed, completely useless to the world.  So, what better to do that have a little alone time with Mr. Darcy?  I can't think of a better bedridden activity than watching 5 hours of BBC magic, Pride and Prejudice, staring Colin Firth in the English countryside.  I love everything about Pride and Prejudice: its stunning scenery of Elizabeth skipping around the English woods picking wildflowers, the glamorous balls thrown by Mr. Bingley, and did I mention Mr. Darcy?

...sigh.  But, I haven't mentioned what I like most about Pride and Prejudice!  I love stubborn headstrong Lizzie, I love how she breaks social norms of the time by refusing both Mr. Collins and Mr. Darcy's proposals (although, the latter of those is a little puzzling upon inspection of the fourth photo from the bottom), while remaining tasteful and respectable.  I think the message shines through, even for women in the 21st century, that we can be strong and demand that our needs be met, while still retaining our femininity.  Don't get me wrong, women can be feminists in any way they see fit, but it is comforting to know personally, as a  lady who likes all things lady-like, that I can be lady-like and powerful.