The circus arrives without warning. No announcements precede it. It is simply there, when yesterday it was not.

This is probably the best book I've read this year (with the exception of The Graveyard Book, but that was a re-read). 

Everything about this book is absolutely magical, enrapturing, and basically perfect. From the cover, to the quotes at the beginning of sections, to the print on the page, it's consistent in its whimsical aesthetic the whole way through. 

How do I even begin to summarize?

I want to say its the story of two magicians who are pitted against each other in a game, wherein the circus is the playing field. But that's not really accurate. It's more like...instead of Vader vs. Luke, this story is like the Emperor vs. Obi-Wan. It's the story of two master magicians duking it out through their proteges. And the circus is the backdrop, and it is magnificent. 

The entire circus is black and white, with only pops of red throughout. It's very Tim Burton-esque, and I feel like the book should've had an accompanying soundtrack by Danny Elfman. There's your typical circus fare: a fortune teller (who can actually accurately read her tarot cards), a contortionist (who you're never quite sure is good or evil), acrobats...but then there's other things. A set of mysterious twins, one who sees the past, the other who sees the future. Men without shadows. A tent full of bottles, upon opening which reveal stories through appealing to the 5 senses. A tree that grants wishes. And no one within or involved with the circus ever ages or gets sick. 

And in the midst of it all is Celia, the illusionist, and Marco, assistant to the circus's proprietor. They've been bound together since children, trained meticulously (and in Celia's case, cruelly) in the ways of magic, and are pitted against each other in a game which spans decades. 

I'll be honest. I did not expect a happy ending to this book. But I was pleasantly surprised! And while I can't they necessarily lived happily ever after, they at least existed so. 

This book had everything in it: mystery, romance, some scary bits (but not what I'd call "horror"), and the beautiful, gothic, dreamlike scenescape the author so vividly painted. I absolutely, very highly recommend this book to male and female readers alike. You've got to try it! 

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away...

I was thinking about the opening credits of movies, and how that's not really a "thing" anymore. They used to run all the credits at the beginning of a movie in the "olden days," but now, not so much. Then this led me to think about my favorite opening credit sequences. So here, I'm sharing (because sharing is caring). 

1. Napoleon Dynamite

I love this sequence. I love all the food and textures and colors. This is definitely one of my all-time favorite opening credits. 

2. Phantom of the Opera

Even though there are no actual credits, this opening scene is mind-blowing. I got chills when I saw it in theaters and still get shivers watching it now. 

3. Edward Scissorhands

All of the Elfman/Burton credit sequences are pretty amazing, but I think this one is my favorite (possible other contender is Corpse Bride. "This is Halloween" would win hands-down, except there's no actual credits). I love how very Burton it is. And the music, of course, is stellar. It's just very indicative of their styles, and the movie is brilliant, too.

4. Mary Poppins

First of all, this is just a very musically sound overture. Musically, I like it a lot. But what I really love is the aerial view of Edwardian England. Plus, there's that sassy break in the middle where Mary Poppins is like, "Bitch, I might powder my nose on a cloud if I feel like it, YOU JUST TRY AND STOP ME." 

5. Bedknobs and Broomsticks

Again, this is a musically awesome opening sequence. But I also love how they went with the Medieval tapestry theme. Also, this movie is just great. 

6. Naked Gun

It makes no sense, but then, neither does the movie. It is funny though.

7. A Hard Day's Night

John, Paul, George, and Ringo star in what is, essentially, the first music video. Need I say more?

8. Babe

I couldn't find an embed-able version, so you'll have to follow the link: Babe Opening Credits

But it's cute because the artwork moves, and it's a cute little rendition of Saint-Saëns' Organ Symphony No. 3, Maestoso Allegro, which is a freaking outstanding piece of classical music. 

9. Star Wars

COME ON, if I didn't put this in you'd be like, "Who killed Mary and hacked her blog?" It's a classic, and it's still timelessly awesome, don't even play.

I realize my list is probably very amateur, but I chose only movies I've actually seen. What would be your favorite opening credit sequence?

Tim Burton would be so pleased.

Can I just take a moment to express how THRILLED I am that stripes (vertical, no less!) were smattered all over the Spring runways?

(The answer to this highly rhetorical question is a resounding and emphatic "YES!" by the way.)

Top left: Les Copains; Bottom Left: Balmain; Center: Juicy Couture; Top and Bottom Right: Moschino

Marc Jacobs

Michael Kors

YAY YAY!!! I'm so excited. I hope the trickle-down effect takes place and cheap retail stores will be positively overflowing with striped things of all kinds! Maybe I'll even find an affordable version of my dream purse (STILL want this!). 

I made a Polyvore set with some wearable ways to incorporate the stripe trend without looking like a Tim Burton movie reject. And all the items are under $50 (except the yellow Jimmy Choo flats...sorry!)! Click to see the set item-by-item. 

Stripes Spring '13 by insidemypumpkin featuring a striped tee

AHH! Love it!!

PS: Can we also talk about how Betsey Johnson's show must be the ultimate dream for every runway model? Look how HAPPY they all look! 

 And what's with the random but totally awesome props?? Monkeys, glitter, kids in strollers wearing Grouch Marx glasses, LIVE PIGS?!? (sounds like a "Stefan" sketch from SNL)

If I ever become a model (hah!), remind me to only walk Betsey Johnson's shows.


(All photos taken from style.com)

Striped.

Dear Whoever Supplies Tim Burton with his Socks,
If you read this blog, please contact me. I'd love a couple pairs.
Love,
The GWS

General life update stuff.

Hi, guys!

I know I've been quiet...sporadic at best. There's been a lot going on, most of it school-related. And because of that, I feel like there's very little interesting enough to report on. But I will try my best.

Let's see.

House update! Since the flood (like, 2 months ago), we finally got all the wood floors fixed and redone. The guys who pulled it all up said it was still wet under there, and if we'd waited much longer we would've started growing mold. NO BUENO. Now we're in a hurry to get the kitchen going. Unfortunately, the kitchen is going to be a MAJOR project. The cabinets all need to be ripped out, which means that the appliances, countertops and floors will all need to be removed as well. So basically, once they start working on it, we will have a dusty disaster of a concrete shell where our kitchen used to be. I'm not looking forward to that. I am, however, looking forward to the new kitchen, because even though we weren't planning on renovating the entire thing, the stuff we picked out is going to look wicked sweet.

Mostly though, I'm excited to get my bathroom back. Also needs new tile, cabinetry and plumbing (since that was the root of all this evil). Michael's been exceedingly patient and generous, letting me use his. I owe him BIG TIME. Once things get going and are a little more settled, I'll post pics of our renovations.

I've been looking for a puse like this one

because I love the stripes and the bow. SO Tim Burtony!!! It would be perfect for fall and stuff. Alas, it's a Lulu Guinness, which means it's €225 (roughly 350 US dollars). Soooo that's not going to happen. But I'm looking for an affordable alternative and if I come up with one, you will be the first to know. Naturally, what will happen, is in about two years vertical black and white stripes will be the trendiest thing ever and they'll be everywhere. Once I'm done needing it NOW. This is always how it is.

Hmm, what am I reading? I'm in the process of my third read of Jane Eyre. I adore that book. It gets better every time you read it. There is so much to say about it...mostly, I love Rochester (even though according to Bronte, he looks like this.). He's the typical Byronic hero. Whereas my last professor who taught Jane Eyre focused on it as a feminist novel, this professor raised an interesting point I hadn't thought of before: the story is equally about Jane and Rochester. While we see the journey from Jane's POV, Rochester is on an equally harsh journey, perhaps even moreso than Jane. While she struggles with personal vs. societal identity, Rochester has to come to terms with who he is, what he's lost, and if there's any hope for regaining himself and his hopes in the future. I really wish there was a Jane Eyre from his POV. It'd be very interesting. Probably moreso than Jane's. Especially when she wanders around the moors, gets "brain fever," and shacks up with her weirdo preacher cousin. While all that's happening, Rochester is battling his CLINICALLY INSANE WIFE IN THE ATTIC and escaping his burning manor home. And pining after Jane, even though he's old enough to be her father. And he gets deformed.

It's SO GOOD. Read it or buy it. Ninety-nine cents. You officially have no excuse.

Short Stories I'd Recommend
This week's list is short because we kind of read a lot of Kafka, and I could never recommend Kafka (if he's your thing, go for it! But I don't care for him and thus, won't rec him). I only have three, but they're good:


1."A Good Man is Hard to Find," by Flannery O'Connor.
In which a judgmental old grandmother ultimately leads her family to their unfortunate demise--ON VACATION. Also, the first line is awesome, but I'm probably biased. They SHOULD have gone to Florida!


2. "A&P" by John Updike.
Updike is probably one of the greatest short story writers ever to live, and this story is pretty clever. I really like how honest it is. Even though the narrator comes off as a stupid, sexist teenaged guy, it's an extremely honest narrative told from said narrator's POV. I liked it.



3. "The Cask of Amontillado," by Edgar Allan Poe.
I mentioned before that "The Lottery" vies for my #1 best short story place. This is the story it competes with. This tale is so utterly Poe-like. The setting, the names...it's loaded with irony and Poe's sick little twisted sense of humor. And per usual, Poe, the master wordsmith, weaves this tale together perfectly. It's chilling and awesome. READ IT NOW.


Sorry I don't have more interesting things to write. That's always a good sign to me that I'm spending too much time looking in and back, and not enough time looking out and around. It's good, these reminders. It's good to get things back into perspective and realize there's a whole, hilarious world out there for us to explore. Why waste it with worries? :)