The true story of a thief, a detective and a world full of literary obsession.


This book might just be one of my favourite books I've ever read. It tells the unraveling story of John Charles Gilkey (the man who loved books too much and stole them) and Ken Sanders (the man who loved books too much and tried -and succeeded- to catch the thief). The story's been written out of the writer's perspective and the accumulation of information she discovers during her investigation.

The writer -Allison Hoover Bartlett- is a journalist who's written articles for the New York Times, The Washington Post and other big names. She origanally reported on this story back in the day and was that fascinated by it that she wrote this book. And it's a good job she did! The story is absolutely extrordinary, almost mind blowing...


This book basically reads like a BBC documentary. The chapters are short, relevant and they make you want to get on exploring. I think she's build it up very good and she makes the reader (or atleast me) think deeper about the subject and makes you (me) long for more written words. It gives you food for thought and questions for instance the meaning behind the creation of a collection. Why do we collect things? And most importantly how do we collect things? The storytelling rotates within chapters between the investigation, the conversations she had with Gilkey and her own vision on both matters (giving you a wider perception of the story and the world it lives in. Because if there's one thing you learn from this book, it's a whole different world!).

Besides describing the facts, she takes you further into the world and gives you a glimpse from how it's formed (the roles that one can play in the branche of books). It just makes you want to discover more, get into their world and hopefully get a glimpse of their minds.


Now, normally I'm totally not into true stories (there's nothing that scares me more than truer than true), but I've made an exception for this one because it's just so remarkable and, well, special. And I'm glad I did! This story is one that you won't forget in a long time. It makes you in a somewhat inattentional way aware of your own collecting habits. And just to be clear: this isn't just some printed words on paper with just data data data. No, in a way it's quite light hearted while at the same time being very thoroughgoing. It's full with suspense, mystery and humour.

What would you do for the love of a good book?

Love,
Dominique


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Unfortunately there ain't no Fussy Eaters today (although, when I finally upload this post it will probably be Saturday or something. Maybe Sunday, if you're lucky...). *sad face* But you can watch this video instead! *happy face*

Also, because I'm trying to make up for it, here are some pictures of outfits that are -and most importantly- aren't captured on film ("some" being an exaggeration. Two, to be exact. That darn light! It's pitch black when I go to school and it's pitch black when I return. Hard times. Hard times). Am I forgiven? ;)



In other news: Have finally begun watching the new season of Lewis. My oh my... I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT! Can't wait to watch some more...

Love,
Dominique


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Personally I'm not a big fan of Facebook (although the idea of it is groing on me). At the moment I solidly use it for 3 things:

1. School stuff
2. Wishing a happy birthday to family members (although I'm only "friends" with like 4 of them on Facebook. I don't know why but I just find it very hard/weird to ask someone if hey want to be my fb friend...)
3. Trying to win myself some shizzle


At the moment there's a giveaway going on at the Facebook page of Stay Home Club due to 6000 likes. As I've mentioned before here, I've totally fallen in love with them and will do (almost) anything to get my hands on one of their gems.

This giveaway evolves around the Sad Songs-collection (I mean, that's already a brilliant concept there). To enter you've got to "like Stay Home Club on fb, like this post & comment here with the song that makes you weep the most." Now lucky for us, this world's been blessed with a lot of beautiful sad songs. The first song that immediately popped into my mind is -the rather unconventional- No Goodbyes by Blue. I've in depth my feelings towards this song before somewhere on this blog and the emotional context for me behind it. But I also can never resist a good boyband ballad. It can be said, though, that the song has an uplifting tune which can inspire to happiness or hope. Same goes for I'll Be Ok by McFly. I always listen to that song while I'm anything but OK and will sob along, singing (if you want to call it singing atleast) that "I'll be Ok". Which in addition reminds me of another Blue song called Back Someday...


So... Maggie Gammons from Futile Ramblings posted not long ago a playlist called "In The City In Winter Time" and I very fondly listened to it. The music in some way corresponded with the setting I was sat whereby the music intensified the moment, turning it into an experience. The same goes for going to a concert whereby you "forcibly" create a memory/experience through the means of music (and naturally many more things, but lets just ignore that for the sake of the following words, shall we?). Sometimes things correlate or get off on eachother creating not only a moment but an actual experience. Most commonly naturally the looking out of a window, preferably on the go (while sat in a car or on the train or whatever), while a sad song plays in the background. That morning while listening to Maggie's playlist (I may say Maggie) it happened to me. A moment that otherwise wouldn't be as memorable as it is now, turned into an experience I believe due to the music I was listening to and all the other sounds surrounding it, making it special thus memorable (there's nothing above the magic that is the sound of music combined with raindrops and a snoring dog).

However...
As I've also probably mentioned before on here, my sister is studying sign language and stuff (there's more to it than just sign language, but it's a bit hard to explain, but I'll trust that y'all sort of get/can imagine what I mean with "stuff") and she's learning me some things about the culture of the surrounding topic (wouldn't be a student of Cultural Heritage if I didn't, would I?). The main thing I've noticed is that there's a strong "atmosphere" of them opposite us or us opposite them. This is naturally something that goes on in any grouping or society on earth. Or maybe even in the universe (even aliens can alienate other aliens. Ever thought about that??). The main difference between them and us is that we can hear and they can not (disclaimer: this isn't in anyway meant as offensive or disassociating or whatever. Also, do you need to disclaim before making a statement or is afterwards also fine? Just wondering...).


Music, as I've typed in this post, can intensify a moment, turning it into an experience. However don't be fooled with such "disabilities", because boldly typed, music self can be experienced in all kinds of ways that doesn't neccisarily has to be done by the tradition of listening to it. Music can be experienced in a much greater way than that. Now at this point I'd like to show you a video of my sister and her fellow students miming (miming not being the right word. It's basically translating) a song. And I'd like to follow up on that video with another video of my sister's teacher who's specialised in "miming" music, which he does very beautifully (and touching) to that song from Frozen that goes like Let it go, Let it goooo! (which I've just found out is also called Let It Go. Those people at Disney aren't very imaginative. jk. Sorry). And just looking at it will make you speechless and stunned by the idea of the many ways music can be wrapped up as and by the power of language.

However, I can't show you those video's due to privacy rules and stuff. *sad face* But maybe you get the idea (not really but maybe a little bit) by watching a video taken from this BBC show called How Not To Live Your Life where David Armand does interpretative dance to for instance Baby Hit Me One More Time. Naturally this is all more meant as funny than as a serious translation of the song and stuff, but I thought "what the hell! if I can't show you a very touching 'performance', I'll show y'all something funny". Mr Armand doesn't really give you the chills like my sister's teacher did (which is funny because he did a song from Frozen...), but ya know it will make you, or atleat me, chuckle AND hopefully it gives you an idea of how music can be more than just the beat. Or something.


And that's it for now. I think. Maybe. Uhm... yes it is.

So long, farewell, auf Wiedersehen, goodbye!

Love,
Dominique


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Sometimes you come across products whereby you instantly think "YES! This is IT!". I've got this with the Hydra Beauty Gel Crème by Chanel. The first time I tried it on I was immediately sold. Although, that's a lie. The first time the lady who was helping me in the shop opened the lid and I could smell the product, I was immediately sold. Without even putting it on my face. However, when I did put it on my face I'd basically settled for my future.

The smell is very fresh, light and... well just lovely. I wish they'd sell it as a perfume or something because I absolutely love the smell of it! Every morning when I open the lid I first take a deep sniff before getting started. It's a very distinctive smell, I think, but not like in your face or harsh or anything. It's very subtle. And again, because I haven't said it enough yet, I absolutely love it!


I've opted for the gel version but there's also a "normal" cream one. I personally prefer the gel because it's very lightweight and easy to equally apply/spread around your face. You don't need much, just a touch and your whole face is covered (you even get a little spatula with it so your germs won't infect the product. I mean if that isn't luxury, I don't know what is...). The product sinks in very fast and within seconds after application you can already feel your face being all hydrated. And soft, man! So soft!

The gel is very refreshing and gives your skin an instant boost while it also keeps your skin hydrated during the day. It states that it's especially developed for normal skin. I've got mixed skin (best of both worlds *sighs*) and I still find it very suitable. I've got some dry patches here and there (especially my nose-area has always been a real troublemaker), my forehead and upper-cheaks are sometimes quite oily and the rest of my face is just there. But I've found that when I use this regularly (you can use it as a day- and night cream) my face becomes a whole again. Somewhat of a reunion, really...


Besides it being very hydrating, it also "protects against physiological and environmental stress" and "it glows with beauty and withstands climatic variations and the changing seasons". Which I find both a big plus. 

The main ingredient is a camellia flower which is, as y'all probably know, an icon within the Chanel genre. Besides the camellia they've added "subtle fruity notes" (whatever that may be). Again, it's very refreshing. Especially on those early mornings when you've got to drag yourself out of bed. Just open the lid, take a deep breath and consider yourself very lucky. Because the main/only downside to this product is the price. I'm just gonna tell y'all: it ain't cheap (when is Chanel ever?), but you definitely get what you pay for. An amazing product! It contains 50 g and it lasts you (or atleast me) half a year. I can almost exactly set the time for when I ran out of product. 

Love,
Dominique


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"Reality demands that we also mention this: Life goes on."


Love,
Dominique



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This recipe is gluten- and dairy free.


WHAT YOU'LL NEED

• Minced meat
• Green beans
• Corn
• Mushrooms
• Rice
• Organic and gluten free soy sauce

WHAT YOU'LL DO

• Put the minced meat in a frying pan and chop it loose with a fork.
• Gradually add to the meat the green beans, corn and mushrooms (mind you! Not all at once).
• Cook the rice.
• Make yourself a salad (mine consists out of lettuce, sweetener and a gluten- and dairy free salad dresser)
• Now put everything on a plate. To spice things up you can add some soy sauce and tada, your meal is ready to be served!

Enjoy your meal!

Love,
Dominique


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I'm feeling a bit lost at the moment. I don't know what to do and most importantly I don't know what to wear. Well I do know what to wear but I don't know... I'm in this weird situation I hope will sound familiar. Although typing this, it's mostly those kind of situations I find that are most relatable. The moment you think you've got "this weird thing", it mostly ain't. Lucky me.

My troubles aren't as much related to the actual clothing --I adore every single piece that's been cramped into my little wardrobe. However I've never had that feeling of completion or satisfaction. I always find gaps for more clothes to cramp onto my little rack, hoping it won't suffer too much from my newest acquisitions.



The other day I was reading a fashion magazine and came across this monthly article (although to be fair it's a monthly magazine... does that than still count as a monthly article in the sense that it's been put?) about the inside of someone's closet. Besides being overly interested into my own possessions, I'm also very nosey for all that what others own. Now I must say that this wardrobe wasn't really one of my taste, but the thing that struck me was the accompanied interview.

The owner of the wardrobe expressed her feelings of satisfaction towards her own collection. She stated that this was it. She had completed her task of filling her rack with everything she needed and was done. Complete. She'd catched them all. Her perfect wardrobe. She even said that there were two filled garbage bags awaiting at home, ready to be brought to the charity shop...


The woman in question is 23 years old and done with trying to find out how to express herself 100% to the outer world (or atleast that's what she stated in the magazine). This 100% thus also includes her being as a person, a human being, a living and breathing creature. One way I must say that I find it quite admirable. It made me think, it made me question, but most of all it made me sad knowing that I'll never experience that feeling, because I'm just not that kind of person. I'll always wonder and question and change and, well, evolve in some way I guess and will never ever be satisfied with what I got and who I am. In my mind there always needs to be something to "dream" about (although typed that, I'm not that kind of person who invisions her life ten years ahead. Not to sound too macabre, but you could be dead after every second that has passed. Not too macabre, right?). How can you say that you're finished? That your life journey has ended at the age of 23. That your search is finito, pronto, SPENTO! How can you ever say, with two feet standing firmly on the ground, "I am what I am and I know what I am not." It sounds like a real fairytale, if not horror story, to me (what's more frightening to be what you are, nothing more, nothing less??).


It's taken me quite some time (and since of late I've been questioning this idea, but maybe later more on that (probably not, but still a nice thing to say)) but it might be, just probably, maybe, can be, a bit, quite, I don't know okay to be me. Or in that same sentence: to be you. There are however a few problems with this assumption mainly considering, as dramatically sung by Jean Valjean, who am I?

It's been said that you are what you eat, you are what you say and you are what you wear. But what do I eat, what do I say and again most importantly what do I wear? Oh, the struggles...

So who am I? 
24601!*

Love,
Dominique



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*She sings dramatically, in her head, while slowly sipping some tea and trying to digest her meal. Oh how glamorous the world can be...