sophiatron

I finally saw “Where the Wild Things Are” the other...

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 18:12:32 +1100

I finally saw “Where the Wild Things Are” the other day. I absolutely fell in love with the cinematography and the soundtrack. This song in particular, is simply beautiful. It’s called “All is Love” and is sung by Karen O & The Kids.

Photograph by Scott Schuman from The Sartorialist. I read an...

Tue, 08 Dec 2009 14:39:47 +1100

Photograph by Scott Schuman from The Sartorialist.

I read an article today in a Sydney paper about Scott Schuman and his book launch in Sydney and Melbourne. I then thought “does that mean he is in Australia at the moment??” I rushed to his blog, and found this to be the case when I stumbled across this amazing picture he took of a girl on Bondi Beach. Now, lots of people I know don’t really like fashion blogs (or don’t admit it), but I have always found that the Sartorialist was always an exception to the rule. His photos are in my mind, more than just photos of the fashion, but also the personalities or characters behind the people. This is a quality that you don’t really find on other fashion blogs where everything feels so posed.

During the time that I took photos for Capital Style** I would say that the Sartorialist was my biggest influence. I even got a 50mm lens so I could capture a similar style. Of course, my photos were never as lovely as his, but I do still feel a certain inspiration when looking at his photos. I only wish that I did take photos with more personality. Vicki always pushed for that angle, but I guess I was a bit too conservative.

I am wondering whether I should take some more fashion photos since I am in Sydney now. Or maybe when I go to Manchester? But where would I post them? As much as I like taking photos of perfect models in the form of plastic dolls, I really want to return to more portrait style photos.

**In case you wonder about Capital Style, I am taking a break from taking photos since I will not be back in Canberra for a good 7 months. Vicki is going to continue, however. :)

First up, a photographic recap of recent events - or more specially, my magnificent weekend with...

Mon, 07 Dec 2009 00:32:21 +1100

First up, a photographic recap of recent events - or more specially, my magnificent weekend with friends, family, and excellent food. The toys also make an appearance.

When Malcolm told me he has never eaten a proper yumcha, my head nearly popped. It meant I had to take him as soon as I could. We made a booking for a popular restauraunt in the middle of the city.

What I love about yumcha is not just the food, but the whole atmosphere - it’s bustling activity, the shout of voices as people all try at once to get the attention of the carts. In contrast to all this activity, I always find the seafood tanks at the front of the restauraunt a little disconcerting. You know that they will be eaten that day, but for the brief moment you see them it is almost like they are in an aquarium instead.

We ordered everything from dimsum to peking duck to custard tarts to chicken feet to vegetable dumplings to calamari to pork buns to ….

I think Malcolm had a good day. Afterwards we went shopping (or more like window shipping). I took some photos in Kinokuniya but the security guard told me off.

The next day, I went to a picnic with old school friends. I have missed them tremendously, and it was a joy to get out our rugs, bring sweets and other foods, and just talk about our lives.

I used my skills from working as a sandwich hand to make some sandwiches for everyone. I recently discovered an amazing German bakery in the CBD, and I bought a bag of their bread.

Of course, being me, I brought some of my toys along for photos. The little guy in the bottom picture is my first Treeson. Isn’t he adorable?

After the picnic we wandered around the city, found some African stalls, and then went to Myer to play videogames.

A heart to heart.

Mon, 07 Dec 2009 00:13:00 +1100

Dear Tumblr,

I admit - I have been a bad tumblerette (tumbleler?). I have been on holidays for about two weeks, but have not updated this space with any new photos, new art or new thoughts. I’ve been stuck at home with laryngitis, with my camera, my drawing pad, and sewing machine within easy reach - but still nothing? I disappoint myself. Maybe I have become dull, and thus feel no need to update this space. Or maybe I’ve set myself too many rules when I started this blog that prevented me from saying anything. Maybe it’s also the strange comments I’ve been receiving. In any case, my fear and self consciousness stops here. I can’t make any promises to you, but I will make another effort to keep you posted with new photos and thoughts. I have so many great ideas, and knowing me, while they may only stay as ideas, I still want to share them with you. So don’t write me off yet.

x Sophiaton.

Buying myself some early Christmas presents. I adore Fifi Lapin...

Sat, 05 Dec 2009 10:42:12 +1100

Buying myself some early Christmas presents. I adore Fifi Lapin and so should you.

Fruits of today’s labour. I have learnt that when it comes...

Thu, 26 Nov 2009 13:57:08 +1100

Fruits of today’s labour. I have learnt that when it comes to sewing dresses, there are two things I particularly hate: sewing darts and gathering the skirt.

Also yes I am aware that the top is cool pink and the bottom is warm pink. I’m sorry I’m so bad at co-ordinating fabrics.

Thinking of making more of these to sell…. hmm….

My Kenner arrived today. :)

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 12:25:05 +1100

My Kenner arrived today. :)

Kitty meets Mr. Rabbit - made by the very talented...

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 13:12:41 +1100

Kitty meets Mr. Rabbit - made by the very talented Christina/jamfancy.

Lego & Paper

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 11:17:54 +1100

Winning combinations like this make me extremely happy. Lego & MUJI team up for a new way to play with lego. Apparently what you do is punch lego size holes in paper and then the rest is obvious enough. It really is such a simple but brilliant idea, I wonder why no one had thought of it before. Pictures taken from highsnobiety.

Who are the Mori Girls?

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 11:03:00 +1100

The mori girls (森ガール) belong to a subculture which began in Japan. ‘Mori’ means forest in Japanese, and if you’re looking for the simplest description of mori girls, they are girls who look like they live in the forest. Indeed, the unique appearance of the mori girls is what attracts most people to join in their adventures.

Mori girls are often seen in loose dresses or smocks, vintage blouses, puffed sleeves, A-line skirts tights and leggings and many-layered ensembles. They delight in beautiful fabrics and textures, preferring natural to synthetic materials, and are impartial to autumnal shades reminiscent of forest glades such as deep reds, greens, blues and browns. They keep warm with knits and furs in winter, and ponchos and leather boleros in the fall.

The childlike nature of mori girls sets them apart from the more aggressive and carnivorous women in the city. They shun stiletto heels for flat shoes and prefer to keep their fingernails short and skin fair. Mori girls are also drawn to animal, candy, checked, floral, vintage or polka-dotted prints. However, they avoid looking overly cute. They wear little makeup, but when they do use it some like to draw pick circles in the centre of their cheeks as a homage to the dolls they played with when they were younger. While every mori girl is a child at heart, they are endlessly fascinated by objects with a history. Vintage items such as pocket watches, small gold pendants and analogue cameras captivate mori girls.

Mori girls are also characterised by certain attitudes to life. While most mori girls really live in the city, they maintain a pace of life that may be considered slow by others, preferring to stop and savour the tiny delights that many deem insignificant. Mori girls like to explore old neighbourhoods, discover hole-in-the-wall shops and read in cafes. Many mori girls enjoy expressing their creativity, never mind if nobody will see or applaud their efforts, for instance through photography or journalling. Scandinavia is for many mori girls a dream destination, and Scandinavian design influences often appear in mori girls’ style.

In her own quiet way, the mori girl is an individualist. She does not care that the world may live differently from her. She lives consciously and chooses her own lifestyle. The mori girl often looks whimsical or quirky. When she shops, she buys something based on how it makes her feel, rather than on how fashionable or expensive it will appear to others. While she may enjoy the company of others, the mori girl loves her own company and indeed has embarked on many of her most memorable adventures alone.

Welcome to the world of the mori girls.

*****

Lovely words and images taken from morigirl blogspot and morigirl tumblr. Check out the site for more delightful pictures and inspiration.

Deliciousness from Giant Dwarf.

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:24:34 +1100

Deliciousness from Giant Dwarf.

Pictures from stephaniexu. Okay so I know I am officially...

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 23:19:52 +1100

Pictures from stephaniexu.

Okay so I know I am officially “broke” and on a no more spending money until forever vow. But fabrics and trims don’t count because they are useful and cheap(ish) and beautiful and will help me with kinderland. So there.

(not my photo, click through for link). Hello peeps. Sorry for...

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:06:00 +1100

(not my photo, click through for link).

Hello peeps. Sorry for lack of presence on here, life happens, you know? I’m happy to say I am finished for the academic year, and now have two months of blissful summer holidays to look forward to. I got my Manchester letter today, so it looks like I’ll head off to Europe at the end of January for some UK fun times. Excited and nervous at the same time.

Photo

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 22:40:00 +1100

I think I am a serial collector. Anything I want to own, I...

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 16:57:09 +1100

I think I am a serial collector. Anything I want to own, I don’t own half-assedly. I make it a collection.

Honestly, you don’t want to know how much I am paying for...

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 15:48:00 +1100

Honestly, you don’t want to know how much I am paying for her. All you need to know is that she is an original 1972 Kenner Blythe, she is freaking gorgeous, and she is mine……

Busy writing essays & surfing the Internet. Malcolm got me a...

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 13:57:12 +1100

Busy writing essays & surfing the Internet. Malcolm got me a Blythe 2010 planner as a gift, yay! It’s super adorable and I love it! Thanks Malcolm! :)

The store is online here but there’s nothing in it yet. I...

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 16:27:00 +1100

The store is online here but there’s nothing in it yet. I haven’t even started sewing. I just got bored from writing essays today so I decided to do a little forward planning. Maybe a bit too ambitious, eh? Especially if my sewing sucks.

If you want to read more about kinderland, go to the profile section on the etsy page where I have written a nice little ‘statement’. I warn you, it’s a little cheesy and nostalgic.

Reasons why I want a film camera:

Sat, 24 Oct 2009 11:11:39 +1100

taken from peach.plum.pear

I should probably get a Canon body, right? Since I have Canon lenses? (Do DSLR lenses work on SLR?). I’m looking at you, Don.

Bento Bento!

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 17:26:48 +1100

Maybe it’s the domestic house-wife in me talking, but I really want to learn how to make Bento boxes. I recently became obsessed with them while surfing Lucky Sundae’s Flickr (from which these photos are taken). I then started obsessively following Bento blogs, and looking at Bento books, and all the cute supplies I can buy. There is something so sweet and charming about making a Bento box for yourself or your friends. :)