Macaulay Culkin and I share a bond

I was forgotten by my family! Ok, not really.

There comes that time when all kids move out of the house and there's a couple months where their parents may 'mourn', but eventually they move on and carry on. In this case my parents and sister decided to carry on the family tradition of going on vacation together for half term. Except A) this year it's minus 1 and B) they're going to Ethiopia... no biggie right?

I'm seething with jealousy and while I'm playing the Home Alone 'they forgot me card', I'm so excited for them (still supremely jealous though). I've already demanded at least 1,000 pictures, something my freelance photographer mother was happy undertake.

There's this wonderful 'coffee table book', perched on you guessed it, our coffee table at home, called 'Natural Fashion: Tribal Decoration from Africa' and it consists of these amazing artistic photographs of some of the tribes in East Africa and the regalia they sport. They're absolutely freaking beautiful. Who needs fashion week when you can do this?

Anyway, since my family will be seeing some of the actual tribes shown in the book I thought it's appropriate I get to give a preview of what they're seeing.

Just some background: there are about 50 different tribes in the Omo Valley (where most of these photographs were taken). It is also an archaeological site where some of the earliest hominid artifacts have been unearthed. Many of the tribes have maintained their traditional lifestyle, but with the increasing advent of modernism and the suggested plan to create a dam in the valley they are changing and embracing the new.

I couldn't for the life of me tell you which tribe was which, but honestly, does it matter?

Flowers, feathers, grass, seed pods, animal horns and furs... everything is used to create a visual experience that couldn't be duplicated

Using many different natural pigments, a colored paste is made and applied as body paint.

I'm waiting for a designer to try this out. Many cite African art and tribes as inspiration, but I have yet to see this level of design.

(All images are from the book) I've always been fascinated with the tribes of Africa and one day I would love to go to Ethiopia and spend time there living with these people and learning their habits and culture. * Add to life goals list *

I did find several designers who channel a slightly 'tribal' (I couldn't find a better adjective) feel in their collections.

In his Spring 2010 Couture show Jean Paul Gaultier channelled aztec and Latin American textures but his use of foliage as hair pieces reminds me of the photos above.

And then during the Spring 2010 ready-to-wear shows the lovely Mulleavy sisters - the masterminds behind Rodarte - made use of black body paint that adorned the models arms. Similar non?

All runway photos from Style.com

Anwyay mom, dad and shorty have a great trip and everyone else:

- Life is good

Listening to: Train - 'Hey Soul Sister'

Observations: HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE

Craving: Brunch, yumm

There is a reality TV God!

Ok I'm busy busy busy today but I finally saw the latest episode of 'Project Runway', my latest obsession. And it was, by far, the best part of my week.

Last week the eliminated designer was my personal favorite: Anthony Williams, from Georgia. He was the sweetest, funniest, most charming and excitable person I've ever laid eyes on. I just really wish he would be the Will to my Grace or maybe we could even be Karen and Jack (minus the screeching voice and multiple husbands on my part).

Anyway, I was overwhelmed when during this week's episode another designer Maya (whose design aesthetic was fabulous) dropped out. I'll miss Maya but, it's only fair that they bring back the last contestant eliminated and ergo... YAY ANTHONY CAME BACK! It was a joyous occasion to hear that glorious accent shriek 'Miss thing is back.' It was music to my ears.

And, what a better way to make a statement than win the challenge: Creating a red carpet look for Heidi. Both Anthony and Emilio won the challenge. Emilio is the designer I believe to be this season's powerhouse and I would be deeply troubled if he did not win (though I hope for Anthony to be a close second).

Anyway here's a peek at the two winning dresses:

This was Emilio's interpretation of red carpet wear and for this I think he deserves Bryant Park on a platter. His mastery of the craft is so evident in his construction of the bodice and it literally hugs the model in the perfect way.

Jessica Alba, the guest judge, requested that she be allowed to wear Anthony's dress on the red-carpet. This rippling masterpiece was just perfection and I will be keeping my eyes peeled for Jessica in this.

- Both photos are from NY magazine fashion.com

By the way, this is Anthony

- Project runway website (mylifetime.com)

Isn't he the cutest ever! I just want to hug him all day long and listen to his witticisms.

Anyway, today is the third beautiful day in a row and I may have gotten a slight dose of color. Score!

- Life is good

Listening to: Rusted Roots - 'Send me on my way' (From Matilda! I'm watching it right now)

Observations: People hauling a canoe down to the lake haha

Craving: A trip to the library

Must love sunshine

Today was one of those days that you want to cork in a glass bottle and keep for a rainy day; then you can unleash all of its gloriousness and bask in it all over again. Also, I swear, everyone is happy... must be something about the rush of endorphins and blah blah yackety yack. Sorry, I don't do science. Period. Urgh. But did I mention that we finally hit the double digits today.... Ahhhh bliss

I feel as though I've started this blog at a rather odd time in the year as Autumn/Winter fashion-weeks have drawn to a close and we're on the cusp of summer. I would love to go through all my favorite Spring/Summer runway looks (which previewed last September) but A) I would need to contact that all powerful guy who controls the clocks and ask for a slight freeze in the space-time continuum and B) I feel as though I should be blabbering about our fall fashion future.

Buuuuut, I'm going to be ambitious and try to tackle my fave shows and pieces from all the seasons leading up to now. In the midst of all this chaos I'll try to throw in some tid bits of ;now' when I have the chance. Phew, I'm going to be beeeezeeee especially with finals approaching and having to declare my major soon.

By the way, I should shed some light (Ahahaha, it's funny I swear) on moi, the mysterious voice that jabbers on, nonsensically into the night. I'm a first year university student, currently studying in my native Canada after having lived abroad all my life. (Series of progression = Canada, Saudi Arabia, Belgium, back to Saudi, England and back to Canada, for now). My half Egyptian side has left me with a shock of unruly curly hair (I personally draw comparisons to Cousin It, if he had stuck his finger in a light socket). My Canadian half resulted in my ability to survive (barely!) in the cold and to say 'Eh?' quite frequently. I can go from basically spewing nothings to be quite quiet and reserved. I'm an artist and an athlete. Uuuh, I'm planning on studying Art History and hopefully going on to get my doctorate in something to do with Curatorial studies. My life goal is to be a curator for either the Louvre, British Museum or the ROM, in addition to also doing a stint at a fashion magazine (Anna Wintour, 'nuff said) and restoring famous pieces of art and architecture and also trying my hand at anthropology and traveling with National Geographic. Basically, I have no clue. But as my father says... 'Nothing has ever gone according to plan for our family' and it definitely wont change with me.

Anyway, another good piece of fatherly wisdom he passed on to me is that

- Life is good

Listening to: Regina Spektor - 'Us" 
Observations: My buddies playing some football (the English kind) outside my door 
Craving: a night out or maybe some CSI... I'm undecided