Candles

Images of Autumn

Muse of the Month: Jane Austen

Despite living worlds apart, Jane Austen is as relevant today as she ever was. Her stories are timeless and will continue to be for ages to come. You can't pick up an Austen novel without feeling some connection to the characters, whether it be, jealousy, empathy or sympathy, she enthralls her readers in a way that leaves you considering your own choices and decisions when it comes to life and especially love.

I love her prose style, her humor, her perceptiveness, her memorable characters, and her scintillating dialogue. I admire her ability to create a world that rarely touches upon her contemporary world, but is nonetheless “real”, to produce romantic matches formed at a time when few men and women “can afford to marry without some attention to money,” and to conclude each work with irony, affection and reconciliation. But I especially love Austen as the foremost writer of the novel of manners.

In an era of “snark chic” and the internet’s ever-expanding venues for indulging in it, I continue to be impressed with Jane Austen’s ability to be penetrating, ironic and droll without ever sinking to coarseness of expression. Austen leaves those without manners and morals to each other – Lydia and Wickham, Lucy and Robert, Mrs. Norris and Maria Rushworth – but reserves genuine happiness as a reward of good character for those like Darcy, who, “in a cause of compassion and honor…had been able to get the better of himself.”

So when in doubt of what to do, just think...What would Austen do?

Mackintosh

The appearance of the Mackintosh, is a subtle reminder that Autumn is upon us. This legendary item of clothing, encompasses the genius of British design. It stands as a brand of modern heritage built on true craftsmanship and a two hundred year history.

In 1823, Charles Macintosh, developed the process of spreading rubber onto cotton to create the world's first formal waterproof fabric, signaling the arrival of the first original Mackintosh coat.

Today, Mackintosh is a firmly established global brand that combines updated technology with traditional techniques. Based in Cumbernauld, Scotland, they continue to craft the vintage design that sets a Mackintosh apart from other coats.

Mackintosh's flagship store is located on the fashionable Mount Street in Mayfair, London, and offers the full Mackintosh collections in a understatedly elegant space set over two floors.

The Mackintosh continues to set the standards of elegant rain wear, and still no brand can parallel its excellence. The Mackintosh is a definite must have for any fashionable wardrobe.

The Myth of Persephone

Persephone, was the daughter of Demeter and Zeus, and said to be the most beautiful of the goddesses, rivalling even Aphrodite. Apollo, Ares and Hermes- all asked for her hand in marriage, but Demeter refused them, seeing her daughter as sacred.

Hades, lord of the dead, fell in love with her; and rather than ask her mother, he asked Zeus, who would neither give nor withhold his permission. One day, Demeter went to visit her mother Cybele, and left Persephone in Enna Vale. Aphrodite, having heard of Hades' plan, decided to help it along, she lured Persephone out of the house, and they wandered through the vale. Persephone strayed farther than the rest. Zeus caused a flower to spring forth- a narcissus, black and violet and silver, to ensnare his daughter. Persephone saw it, and went to pick it; and when she did, the earth split beneath her feet, and Hades sprang out. He siezed her and dragged her down into the earth.

Demeter returned home and found her daughter gone. From then on, she refused to let the earth be fertile, until someone would tell her where Persephone was. Zeus forbade the other gods to tell her, on pain of suffering Hades' displeasure- Demeter would surely take Persephone back if she knew. Demeter blighted the earth, and mankind was on the brink of extinction.

Zeus sent Hermes to reclaim the girl. Before Hades would give her up, he tricked her into eating a pomegranate seed, thus binding her to the Underworld. Demeter, Persephone and Zeus eventually struck up a bargain: Persephone would spend six months with Hades, six with Demeter. This is said to be the origin of the seasons. Persephone's transitions between the realms of life and death represent the growth of plants in spring, and their death in autumn/winter.

The Art of Letter Writing

Are modern conveniences that convenient? My phone recently broke, and I was stranded for two days with no link to the outside world besides my laptop. I realised that my phone had come to own me more than I own it. This sad realisation made me see that as a society we have become slaves to our possesions, the convenience and instant gratification of modern gadgets make them a common choice when one needs to reach out to another person, but are they really the best form of communication?

As Phyllis Theroux once said "To send a letter is a good way to go somewhere without moving anything but your heart". Modern forms of correspondence I believe lacks the sentimental touch that a letter posseses. The anticipation of the arrival, makes the recieving of one all the more enjoyable.

Sadly though this form of contact has been lost through the ages, and replaced by fancier, faster means of mail that leave no room for mystery or suspence, perhaps this is why we are so unable to exercise patience.

I believe that if people took more time to write letters to the ones they loved, they would discover the simple joy it can bring and ability it has to combine solitude with good company. So the next time you want to get in touch with someone, try writing them a letter.

Songs to Make My Summer Sweeter

Van Morrison - Brown Eyed Girl

Beach Boys - Surfin USA

The Hollies - I'm Alive

Jeff Beck - High Ho Silver Lining

The Kinks - Sunny Afternoon

The Trogs - With A Girl Like You

The Turtles - Elenore

Damien Marley - Welcome to Jamrock

Jason Mraz - I'm Yours

The Smiths - There Is A Light That Never Goes Out

Regina Spektor - Us

Mungo Jerry - In the Summertime

Mumm-Ra - She's Got You High

Meaghan Smith - Here Comes Your Man

Carla Bruni - Quelqu'un M'a Dit

Black Lips - Bad Kids

Black Eyed Peas - Don't Lie

The Beatles - Octopus's Garden

The Blue Van - There Goes My Love

Bob Dylan - I Want You

How to Make a Daisy Chain

öGather some daisies. Look for daisies with short but thick stems, as this will make them stronger. Healthy, fully opened ones are best.

öMake a small slit in the base of the stem. Be careful not to go all the way to the bottom.

öThread the stem of another daisy through the slit.

öRepeat this process with more daisies.

öWhen you are satisfied with the length of your chain, thread the stem of the last daisy through a small slit at the top of the first stem.

And voilà! The perfect summer accessory.

Muse of the Month: Mona Lisa

The face of the Mona Lisa epitomizes art. She is the woman with the myseterious smile. A smile that perhaps hides a secret? We do not know. People recognize her on postcards, t-shirts, handbags and prints. We may be familiar with the painting itself, but who is the real Lisa? And who is this olive-skinned beauty with the knowing smile?

Lisa Gherardini was born on June 15, 1479 in Florence, Italy. She was the oldest of 7 children, with one sister and five brothers. Her father had an old family name and made his money producing olive oil and wine on his many farms. Her mother was his third wife- the first two perished in childbirth.

Lisa married a widower named Francesco del Giocondo on March 5, 1495 and became Lisa del Giocondo. Her dowry was modest, which suggests that they married for love. It is speculated that they purcharsed a home the same year that Leonardo da Vinci painted Lisa, in 1503.

Lisa had 6 children in during her lifetime. She outlived her husband who was said to have passed away in 1538 from the plague. In his will, Francesco provided for her future and returned to her the price of her dowry. He recorded his love and affection for his wife, stating that she had always been faithful and should have "all she needs."

In the painting itself, the position of Lisa's hands indicates faithfulness and the richness of her clothes may have been exaggerated for potential buyers.

We may not know much about the woman who has become our icon. She was a mother, wife, sister and daughter. She loved, she lived and was immortalised by human creativity. I believe that she portrays the ultimate woman, embodying all the strong roles that a woman takes on in life. Showing that even the ordinary can be extraordinary.

She remains an enigma. The brilliant strokes of Da Vinci's paintbrush have ensured that she continues to evoke wonder, admiration, and inspiration in all who lay eyes upon her.

Forgive My Absence

I know that I have neglected my blogging responsibility, and I apologise. I have been otherwise occupied, that unfortunately left me no time to acquaint to the world wide web. But now I am back! To fill your head with pointless, but hopefully amusing posts that will make you appraise, admire and j'adore the sweeter things in life.