10.31.2011

C'EST L'HALLOWE'EN!


All you zombies, ghouls and goblins, have a blast tonight!

If you're looking for something to do in Winnipeg tonight, the GREENROOM has a band called CLOWNS & ROSES (Guns & Roses cover band) playing Appetite for Destruction front to back

Tickets are $5 and you've got to be 18+, no babies allowed.

NEVER GETS OLD



Nothing extremely special about this one. Just a great tune and some simple shots. Thought I'd share. Also, I feel like I've been waiting FOREVER for The XX to put out a new album. Anyone know when/if they'll be putting out some new music?

10.27.2011

MISS REPRESENTATION


Please note that this blog post is a school assignment, but it's a good one!

THE MEDIUM IS THE MESSAGE & THE MESSENGER
I first saw this video on my best friend's Facebook wall. Watching it has reaffirmed the world I grew up in. It's overwhelming how much of my life I attribute to messages and images I've been handed by the media. The majority of the images flashed are a part of my childhood and teenage years; products I've purchased, movies I've watched, even news stories I've followed.

MODEL OR ROLE MODEL
Then it struck me. There is such a stark contrast to the women I actually aspire to be like (...Lisa Ling), and the images of women that the media bombard me with. Guess which one is perpetually shoved in my face daily, many times hourly? It's astonishing how unavoidable these photoshopped, over-dieted, fountain-of-youth, pre-packaged messages are. Although new media is a beautiful tool (you wouldn't be reading this post without it!), the social landscape has a dark side.

IT'S ABOUT THE NEXT GENERATION OF YOUNG GIRLS
I'm not a feminist, an activist or an advocate for women's rights by any measure, however watching this video was a grave reminder of what women are subjected to over, and over, and over again. Media, and most especially new media, is a seriously powerful tool. It just broke my heart listening to those little girls share their struggles about their self-esteem and how they value themselves, largely thanks to messages and imagery in the media.

WHO'S THE BOSS
I can tell you that the amount of messages we are being subjected to has increased thanks to new media. Via Twitter, Facebook, FourSquare, Myspace, You Tube (among many, many others) - these messages have crept into virtually every aspect of our lives. The pervasive nature of media directly affects the way we view ourselves, dictates the way we spend our money, and has just as much influence as our parents, if not sometimes more.



RECAP OF MISS REPRESENTATION'S STATS

Women hold only 3% of clout 
positions in telecommunications, 
entertainment, publishing and advertising. (USA)
___
Teenagers are spending 10.5 hours
a day consuming media. (USA)
___

Women comprise of only 15% of all 
writers, directors, producers, 
cinematographers and editors. (USA)


Now, what kind of message is that sending? I'd really like to hear your thoughts, so please, comment!

10.26.2011

FRANCIS BEAN.




Francis Bean Cobaine X Hedi Slimane

Hedi Slimane is an incredibly talented photographer who works mainly with black & white. Slimane works with light in a beautiful, almost haunting way. I always find myself at his website when I'm looking for inspiration.

Photos via Hedi Slimane's website.

10.19.2011

HOW ENVIOUS? THE MOST.


Last week I was offered an incredible job opportunity. Still working out the details, but in honour of jobs that are awesome I thought I would share this little 9 to 5.

FIT student & NYC darling, Danielle, is the new intern for Elin Kling, one of my favourite Swedish fashion bloggers. Talk about hand-me-down heaven.

FLORENCE WELCH


The album Ceremonials drops in less than two weeks and I absolutely cannot wait. I'm almost positive it will be the soundtrack to my life for the next month or so. Don't you love when an album does that?!


Florence Welch. Such a babe. Check the video below, she's adorable!


Florence Welch: Letter from LAfrom Tabitha Denholm on Nowness.com.


Happy Wednesday everyone!
xo

10.16.2011

LIP BUTTER FOR YOUR PUCKER


Hope you all had a fantastic weekend! Mine was filled with catching up with old friends, rocky road ice cream, reading (The Rum Diary, anyone?!)  and homework. And some shopping! 

In the middle of August, I challenged myself to not purchase anything for two entire months, unless it was absolutely necessary. This past summer was kind of a long, drawn out, amazing shopping spree in Montreal, Las Vegas & Chicago. It was awesome, but so unnecessary. 

 So, update. Challenge complete! I did it! And to reward myself I treated myself to a little beauty therapy at Sephora. If you haven't tried the KORRES Lip Butter - you should. Amazing product.

xo Monique

10.12.2011

PORTFOLIO

At the beginning of 2011, I self-published a portfolio of works that I am most proud of. I included a mix of art, photographs, writing and other random creative things that make me happy. The thing I love most about creating is the process, never the end result. Well, sometimes the end result. ;) However, I think that creative types should compile their labours of love.

 I know that in just a few short months I'll have another pile of work I'll want to gather up and publish. 

If you're interested in making your own book I would highly suggest Blurb. This company lets you be the artist when it comes to creating your book. They are InDesign and Photoshop friendly. 

xo

THRIFT BABY



Found this puppy at a thrift store last week. You mine baby, you mine.

LIFE


My life at the moment: photography, friends & books. Lots & lots of books.

10.09.2011

PEARL COLLAR


Geri Hirsch is one of my favourite bloggers. She has stood the test of (online) time and has positioned herself as one of the top fashion bloggers. Her blog, Because I'm Addicted, is amazing. It's a glorious mashup of DIY's, outfit inspirations, recipes and other random goodness.

I had to share this adorable DIY. Not sure when I'll find the time to sit down and do it, but at least it's here waiting for me. 

For now, I'm going to join in on the Jets fever with my girlfriends and be a puck bunny for the day. Did you just hear that? Yup, that was the sound of me jumping. On the bandwagon. 

10.07.2011

YES PLEASE



I've always wanted to spend a summer abroad, immersing myself in a new culture, learning a new language and most importantly making new friends.

Barcelona has been at the top of my travel list for several years (along with Portugal, India and Indonesia). The architecture is incredible and the Spanish lifestyle as a whole, from what I've heard, suits my personality quite well: enjoy the simplest pleasures in life; friends, food, drink and laughs.

Sign me up!

Also, if you love this video as much as I do, check out the promotional videos EF Live the Language have done for Paris, London, Sydney and Beijing. The video for VANCOUVER is amazing, woo Canada!

Check out EF Live The Language to learn more about international education and travel opportunities.

10.06.2011

I AM WANDERLUST


Have been since I was a kid.

Crossing my fingers that the summer of 2012 has something amazing in store for me.

INFLUENCERS





I've loved this short documentary for a long time. And since the subject of influencers has recently come up in my public relations class, I thought I would share this little goody with you all.


I love documentaries that explore the realm of creativity.


Happy Thursday, everyone!

10.05.2011

CORN FIELDS


I got lost in a beautiful maze of corn tonight. It served as the perfect way to unwind after a semi stressful (half) week of deadlines.

If you've never explored A Maze in Corn, I highly suggest you do so.

It is so much more than a corn field.

Clydesdale horses clip-clop around, pulling happy hay riders. They have concession stands, restrooms, and a haunted forest. There are bonfires available for rent- they even provide the propane and firewood! You can cuddle lambs, kittens, piglets, goats and even snuggle with a calf named Doug.

Hallowe'en is only a few weeks away and A Maze in Corn has a cozy pumpkin patch. I'll be going back within the next week - I missed out on the hay ride today and I also need to snag my Jack-0-Lantern!

Cheers!

10.04.2011

OH WILDFOX


WILDFOX FALL 2011: IT'S ONLY ROCK N ROLL (BUT I LIKE IT) from WILDFOX PR on Vimeo.

 


This is my last desperate attempt to hang onto summer. Thank goodness the Rolling Stones aren't season specific.


On another note, I'm doing an internship tonight for the Winnipeg Sun. Going to be covering groundbreaking provincial election news! Good luck to all of my fellow Creative Communicators sprinkled around the city tonight and enjoy this oddly warm October evening. Let's all simultaneously crack a Red Bull because you know  we'll be up all night.


Have a fabulous Tuesday, everyone.


Images via Wildfox.

10.01.2011

MISSING MONTREAL


Wouldn't mind some sucre a la creme, cheese boards, art galleries, perfumeries, and shopping right about now. Reminiscing about my trip to beautiful Montreal this past July. La vie est belle!

Have a great weekend! xo