Chris Hadfield's glimpse of the world

Canadian Astronaut Chris Hadfield will end his space-flight tonight when he returns to earth from Expedition 35.
After five months of floating weightlessly, Hadfield will bring the space-craft back for a scheduled landing on the flat steppes of Kazakhstan at 10:31 pm (Eastern Time). The experience of a Soyuz landing has been described by astronauts as similar to surviving a train wreck, it's a dramatic jolt back to earth and will take days to adjust to gravity again.

So what does a guy do when the experiments and testing in space are done for the day? When you can't lie in bed or sit in a chair ......... you just kinda float around... what do you do?  For Chris, it meant working on the first original music album to be recorded in space. A music video released just yesterday has hit almost 2 million views on youtube already. Eighty-one videos of Chris' experiences on this space journey and over 750,000 twitter followers has brought an insightful education about the space program to followers world-wide.

The revised version of David Bowie's 'Space Oddity' is performed by Hadfield as he drifts throughout the cabin of ISS and brings to the screen the experiences of life in space. You realize while watching the Canadian Astronaut as he sings and floats throughout the cabin, that the lyrics are as much in his blood as the entire space program. Images of Commander Hadfield at the porthole window with the solar system in his constant view is inspirational.

The video was produced by Evan Hadfield {his Son}, Emm Gryner, Joe Cocoran, and Andrew Tidby.

View video below.........

Canadian Astronaut Chris Hadfield - Space Oddity

Chris Hadfield was born in Sarnia, Ontario and attended West Oak Secondary School in Oakville {where I live}.  Sarnia is honoured by the mission man - the airport and a public school where Chris once attended, have both been renamed after him. Chris' parents reside here in the southern Ontario area.  

After a 20 hour flight from a Kazakhstani airbase to NASA in Houston, Commander Hadfield will be greeted by his wife at an undisclosed time on Tuesday. He will need a few days to adjust to gravity and pending physicians approval he will make a public appearance Thursday before flying back to Canada.

I encourage all Canadians, especially local businesses in Southern Ontario, to salute the astronaut and acknowledge his expedition.

Wishing you a safe landing  -  Congratulations Commander !!  

Visit Commander Hadfield's twitter page to view the images from space.

Chris Hadfield Twitter - https://twitter.com/Cmdr_Hadfield

source : Gavin Aung Than/Zen Pencils.com

Being a Mom is so rewarding

I love being a Mom, it's what I was put on this earth to do.
And I thank God often for the gift of my children. 

Parenthood is a tough job and it's not for everyone. But for those who venture into it, it is so rewarding. As a parent you must be willing to sacrifice,

but when you do the benefits are momentous.

My Son Dallas at age one. Now 31 years old.

I'm a good Mom. 

It took me years to admit that to myself. 

I always said 'my kids are wonderful, and they make me look good' {and yes, that is true}. But I'm a good Mom...... not afraid to sacrifice for them, not afraid to fight for them, not afraid to back away and make them fight for themselves.

I can't imagine a more important role in my life than being 'MOM'.

My Daughter Monique age one. Now 29 years old.

And just when you thought it couldn't get any sweeter, along comes the topping on the cake............. a beautiful Granddaughter. 

Again, I say thank you God, for the gifts you have given me.

My Granddaughter Kya..... three this week.

Happy Mother's Day to all who answer to the sweet name of Mom.

Mom-to-be

I previously wrote my thoughts on maternity style for the Duchess of Cambridge {here} and I have to admit that her choices have not surprised me. Kate is one of the most elegant and pretty Mom's-to-be and it's worth a look at her glowing style.

Simple, elegant, and great colour choices.

Mommy-to-be Kate has well toned legs and looks great in heels.

There was a lot of media buzz about the price tag for the new buggy-wheels for the baby in waiting. 

I suggested the  Silver Cross Surf Pram - Aston Martin edition {retails for $3,000}.

It is reported that the Duchess has chosen the  Bugaboo Cameleon convertible stroller {retails for $1,200}, more modest in price and a great stroller. Our own little Princess {my Granddaughter} enjoys the smooth ride of a Bugaboo.

 But maybe William has a different set of wheels in mind...............

There is no doubt about it, pregnancy is agreeing with Kate. She is beautiful and glowing.

Blooming Season

I was on my way to the grocery store tonight and had to stop to snap this picture of the harbour in Oakville. When I looked over towards the lake I couldn't help but smile at the beauty. 

Was it only two weeks ago that we had a blast of flurries?  

We watched the cranes launch the boats over the past week and tonight a beautiful white sailboat skimmed across the lake water like it was a pane of glass.

My Granddaughter is happy to go to the garden center with me to pick out flowers......... and jump in the puddles. After all, isn't that what spring is all about.

It's turned warm enough to leave the pretty pink jacket on the hook and run around the park in short sleeves.

It's the start of a blooming good season.

Gatsby Fashion

Some of the best designs and the ones that inspire new trends, are representations of a past era. The newest film rendition of The Great Gatsby is about to explode on the screen {see my last post on it here} and it is already creating a yearning for the opulence that was the 'roaring twenties'. 

The Great Gatsby movie is creating a design buzz with both the decor and fashion industry. It's easy to understand why weddings with a Gatsby theme are popular this year, design from this era offers sparkle and sexiness.

Deco inspirations include ....... Ladies with milky skin and striking ruby lips, short bob hair styles with pin curl fringed edges. Beaded headbands, netted trims sweeping the brow, earrings that sparkle and drape, layers of draped pearls, beaded trimmed dresses with a flirty swing to the hemline.
The 'boys' dressed as gentlemen in crisp dress shirts with French cuffs, tuxedo's for nights out and three piece suits for day, oxford dress shoes, suspenders on trousers, and the straw boater hat to top it all off.

Daisy Buchanan's beaded gown by Miuccia Prada

And while costumes are costumes, it is the inspiration of movies like Gatsby that helps to create the trickle-down effect to fashion. Much like the couture creations for the runway become paired down into the ready-to-wear market that intrigues the basic consumer each season.

The fashion trends that roared through the twenties are making a mark on the design scene again thanks to Gatsby. Let's take a look at some of the styles, fabrics, lines and designs in both garment and jewel fashions inspired by era.

Carey Mulligan plays Daisy Buchanan in The Great Gastby

I love this image above of Carey Mulligan {shot by Mario Testino for Vogue, Australia}. The soft blush pink satin halter style gown adorned with individual rose petals portrays the era perfectly. Jewels by Tiffany & Co {more on the special Gatsby collection later}. Looking at the soft pink set against the patina matte gold iron work it is easy to see why this is such a  popular decor colour combination.

Carey in Chanel couture chiffon, feather and tulle dress.

Carey wears a ice blue silk gown with black lace floral inserts by Nina Ricci - onyx and diamond earrings by Chanel, bracelet by Gray & Davis .

Carey as Daisy Buchanan - wearing a feathered night shawl and diamond headband with detachable broach. Jewels by Tiffany & Co. 

The Savoy Headpiece by Tiffany & Co.

The Savoy Headpiece crafted by Tiffany & Co. specifically for the character of Daisy Buchanan features a detachable brooch. The diamond and fresh water pearl feather designed brooch sits on the diamond and pearl headband, making it a 25.04 carat masterpiece. Contact Tiffany & Co to order privately.

Tiffany & Co. created an entire Jazz Collection of jewels inspired by the Ziegfeld era. The Art Deco Drop earrings above feature brilliant round, baguette, and pear-shaped diamonds set in platinum with a total weight of over 16 carats. Price $140,000.  In the roaring twenties it was common for people of a certain level of wealth to display their status with the jewels they wore, Tiffany's was one of the main jewelers of choice. 

F. Scott Fitzgerald, author of The Great Gatsby, was a client of both Tiffany's and Brooks Bros. during the twenties. It was a natural style fit for the film to work with the brands and became integral part of the design building for set/costume designer Catherine Martin. Both Tiffany and Brooks Bros. developed Gatsby inspired retails collections for 2013.

Leonardo DiCaprio as Jay Gatsby wearing a Brooks Bros. suit. source Andy Anthineos

Brooks Bros.

Suspenders - Brooks Bros.

Straw Boaters Hat - Brooks Bros.

The fashion runway showed the influence that Gastby brought to several design houses ......

Emporio Armani - Fall 2013

Armani                                              source : Yannis Viamos

Jil Sanders

Ralph Lauren's collection. Lauren designed the costumes for the 1974 Great Gatsby film.

Ralph Lauren - The blush pink three-piece suit for her.

Gatsby inspiration - white with silver beaded dresses. source : unknown

One of the top wedding trends for 2013 is the Gatsby themed soiree. If you are planning a wedding or attending a themed wedding as a guest here are a few examples of fashion and accents to help create the look.

via : Bella Eventi blog

Getting the 'do' right is crucial. Charlize Theron wears a headband with soft waves tucked into a bob style. Christina Aguilera's look combines soft push waves and pin curls. Christina's platinum blonde colour, smokey doe-eye and raspberry lips create a sexy roaring twenties look. Her beaded neutral toned dress and diamond necklace in layers is a classic deco era look.

Get the crystal headband look. source : theprancingfox on etsy

Beaded and fringed handbags will complete the look. source : Armani

Kate Moss wore one of the most romantic bridal gown and veil which is a nod to  the 1920's.

This crystal bandeaux by Jennifer Behr is elegant when paired with simple veiling.

If you are attending a Gatsby themed event, whether it is a wedding or party, getting the look is simple. Although it was a time of opulence avoid looking like you are wearing a costume by keeping the details toned down. Don't wear it 'all' at the same time and no matter what - don't wear patterned knee high stockings with your shoes - it's a look that only leggy models can achieve.

This is the look that most brides will be striving to achieve for their Gatsby inspired weddings. Elegantly traditional with a hint of the roaring twenties era will bring the romance to a wedding. source : Sarah Yates.

I'm off to see the movie on the big screen next week. Somehow I feel that the popcorn concession should be serving up champagne in crystal flutes to movie goers.

Gatsby Inspired

don't you feel like dancing

American Author F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote what has been acclaimed as the 'great American novel' when he penned 'The Great Gatsby'. The novel written in 1925 lent only a few years of experience about the 'roaring twenties' post World War I. The novel was adapted to screen originally in 1926, albeit that the film copies have been lost. Paramount pictures released the story in 1974 with Francis Ford Coppola's adaptation featuring Mia Farrow and Robert Redford. Coppola's version of Gatsby remains one of the more memorable of the five film renditions - that is until now.

Soon to be released {May 2013} is the fifth and latest, much anticipated version of The Great Gatsby which was filmed primarily in New South Wales, Australia. The story may be a familiar one, but this rendition promises to bring to the screen a beauty and opulence that is beyond all other Gatsby films. Sets and costumes have already captured the attention of designers and movies goers.

This is a film that I know I will watch several times just to drink in the design details. Here is a brief look at some of the deco elements from the film and how they will influence both design and fashion this year.

Jay Gatsby's bedroom

Jay Gatsby's generous bedroom features polished hardwood inlays on the walls and columns, harlequin style wood ribbon trim set on silk walls and a custom designed rug by set designer Catherine Martin. More information on the collection of rugs by Martin further in this posting...

Designer Catherine Martin has two golden boy Oscar statues to her credit for set design on Moulin Rouge. Catherine is no stranger to producing elaborate sets and costumes with Director {and husband} Baz Luhrmann; earlier collaborations include the sets of Strictly Ballroom, Moulin Rouge, and Australia.

Jay Gatsby playfully empties his wardrobe to the delight of Daisy Buchanan. The criss-cross design continues on the glass wardrobe cases mimicking the silk wall design.

Ms. Martin used the now closed Saint Patrick's Seminary in Australia to help create the Disney-castle-like ambiance required to portray the luxurious home of Jay Gatsby. Ivy was added to portions of the exterior, and an elaborate fountain was constructed in the courtyard. Artists digitally added turrets to the exterior in post-production to create an even grander illusion to the mansion. In 2006 Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban married in the Cardinal Cerretti Chapel at St. Patrick's Seminary.

St. Patrick's Seminary, Manly - Australia

Inside Gatsby's mansion's center point is the ballroom, where lavish parties are held. Underneath the gold filigree ceiling hangs an ornate crystal chandelier that glistens over the marquetry floor complete with JG's monogram. The serpentine staircase grandly winds up to offer breath taking views of the generous windows and columns in the ballroom.

Lavish beyond words.

Looking at the image above of the Gatsby mansion ballroom it is easy to see why the movie has been a major inspiration for wedding themes this year. The marquetry floor gleams back the reflection of multiply lit candelabra's. Billowing drapes add a dreamy quality to the long windows. I love the over-flowing floral in urns sitting atop plinths. The perfect surroundings for a lavish soiree or a picnic on the floor.

The mansion wouldn't be complete without a well appointed pool. Jay Gatsby's monogram lines the bottom of the rotund cement pool.

Daisy Buchanan's sitting room features soft upholstery pieces in creamy tones and apricot accent chairs. Vivid colour was used throughout this period, and yet  soothing neutral tones heavily influenced most feminine designs. This design showcases the perfect combination for a lady.
The dramatic ruby and cream patterned rug is another of Catherine Martin's designs.

Considering the opulence of the rest of the set this room seems understated. It is only one image of this particular set - but the table, chairs and table setting seem lack luster to the balance of the room. Another of the Martin's custom design rugs anchors the room.

Beyond the massive Gatsby estate is the palatial home of Daisy and Tom Buchanan and the charming cottage of Nick Carraway.

Daisy and Tom Buchanan's residence

Nick Carraway's cottage

The Westchester - featured in Gatsby's bedroom.

Inspired by the designs she created for the movie, Catherine Martin in collaboration with Designer Rugs created a collection of Art Deco rugs. The Catherine Martin Deco Collection features five creations of hand knotted rugs produced by Designer Rugs {details here}.

The Black Pearl rug {in indigo}

So why do we love Deco so much?
It represented luxury, glamour, exuberance, and faith in social and technological progress {according to Wiki}.

The lines are symmetrical - think chevron, sunburst motif or zig-zag.
The colours are vivid and high contrast - Gatsby inspiration may be another reason for Pantone's colour of the year - Emerald.
The materials are sexy and strong - stainless steel, Bakelite, chrome, lacquer.



Let's take a look at some current day Deco inspired decor ::

45 Park Lane Hotel in London

Connaught Bar in London

Bath designed by Garret Cord Werner

Bedroom designed by Harry Schnaper

Dining by Jagr Interiors

Classic Deco bath by Robin Muto

The curvy breakfast bar area of Jennifer Lopez's former home.

Amy Vermillion interiors plays it neutral with deco lines

When I think the Gatsby era I think of the beauty that is The Carlu. And although the style is considered Art Moderne - a late type of Art Deco, The Carlu boasts an aura of grandeur that Jay Gatsby would find appealing.

source : The Carlu.com

The Seventh Floor of Eaton's College Street store in Toronto was designated by Lady Eaton for high society events. French architect Jacques Carlu was commissioned by Lady Eaton to design the Seventh Floor with Gala concerts and elegant entertaining in mind. It was in 1931 that the grand hall first opened and hosted the musical talents of Billie Holiday, Frank Sinatra, Duke Ellington and Glenn Gould.

With changes to the Eaton family business, the doors of Eaton's Auditorium closed in 1970. The dance group I performed with presented on the stage probably a year or two before the auditorium closed and I remember how grand it had been.
The Seventh Floor sat vacant for thirty years and it was in 2001 that Jeffry Roick and Mark Robert brought this beauty back to life.

source : The Carlu

While preparing for a Toronto International Film Festival private event at The Carlu, Jeffry Roick {a principal partner} told me that the first time he came off the elevator on to the Seventh Floor it reminded him of the Titanic. The grand ship sat in cobwebs, dust and forgotten. But Jeffry and business partner Mark Robert could hear the music and see the beauty.

The Round Room was the perfect spot to listen to the mellow sound of Denzal Sinclaire {a Canadian jazz artist who sounds remarkably like Nat King Cole}, while Matt Dusk took the main stage in the Concert Hall bringing the sounds of Frank Sinatra back to the grand auditorium.

source : The Carlu

The restoration was pain staking, the costs enormous. Roick and Robert unearthed and had restored the original full wall mural that was painted by Carlu's wife in the Round Room. The fountain had been dismantled and covered. Today the deco inspired fountain is fully operational and remains the center point of the Round Room.
I attended a wedding several years ago at The Carlu and the Round Room was the perfect back drop to romance. With The Great Gatsby inspiration leading the wedding trends this year, The Carlu will be a favoured venue.

source : The Carlu

Designer Sarah Richardson and Tommy Smythe took on the task of designing The Clipper Room. They softened the look and feel of the room by adding multi tones of grey, replaced the hard linoleum type flooring with soft carpet, and brought in furnishings of the deco period. Lighting in the tiered ceiling creates a soft and romantic glow to the room.

source : The Carlu

And then there is this dashingly handsome man who will surely inspire me watch the movie just one more time to catch a glimpse.