I've got this tendency to always have an opinion about everything. Living with me can be a nightmare: I gleefully talk through the news, or anything basically that's on TV, saying how obnoxious and wrong they are. But who is really obnoxious and wrong? Me- who thinks she's right (I am right). Or the newsreporter- who's just (badly) doing what they get paid for to do?

This endless commenting doesn't restrict itself to just the TV. Also books are being bullied by my opinion. Or rather: notebooks and emails (which I send to myself... which is totally normal and fine). Almost every notebook I own has been bullied by my words and careless writings about how something is totally wrong or totally cool and inspiring and the best thing ever (but, suffice to say, it's mostly 'totally wrong'). Today I'd like to share one of these excerpts: an email to myself.


What u on 'bout?
As I already mentioned in a post or two ago, last year began with a Vivienne Westwood book and ended with a Vivienne Westwood book. The book in question, Get A Life!, mainly discusses Westwood's work for Climate Revolution mixed with her daily life (she goes out a lot and has a lot of friends (the one might be related to the other)). In between you'll get a glimpse into her life as a fashion designer/brand hostess. But I definitely wouldn't describe this book as a fashion book or recommend it to anyone who only cares about the dresses and has no eye for the politics. Although, if you are considering buying this book, I take it that you're familiar with dear ol' Viv and her stance in life/politics/fashion and how it's all intertwined.


Pop pop pop u lar
Our journey begins at page 187. Vivienne describes her visit to the V&A museum. She went there to see the David Bowie exhibition. She writes: "I enjoyed myself but great as Bowie is, I'm not so interested in popular culture."

I want to utilize the word fashion more in Fashioned by Pluche. So I thought I could perhaps talk about the Chanel Spring-Summer 2017 Haute Couture show and how Karl Lagerfeld has used a lot of bling and fluff in this collection.[1] Or naturally the Spring Couture show of Dior designed by Marzia Grazia Chiuri with big plumes of feathers in the hair (it's not a good year to be an ostrich).[2] Or I could tackle the topic from a wider perspective and talk about 'the hottest bag trend of the new year'.[3] All very valid topics. However I'm more interested in my apparent psychic abilities to streamline my own fashionable interests with the thought-process of Herr Karl. If only my bank account would agree.


Smoke and Mirrors
And it's not only Karl that's copied my inner catwalk with bling and fluff, the same can be said about Chiuri and her plumes. Although my plume obsession was reignited thanks to religiously watching Smoke and Mirrors by Paloma Faith over and over again while loudly yelling 'don't look back 'cause you've just lost your lover!' (perfect for painting on the back of a jacket, right?). Now to think of it, there's also quite a lot of bling going on in that video...

And what about the hottest bag trend of the new year? Apparently it's a round bag that's going to carry our stuff through 2017. But wait a minute, isn't my favourite bag a round bag and wasn't I just looking on Etsy to find another round bag because mine is beginning to fall apart?
I'M PSYCHIC ALRIGHT! Grab me a ouija board and let's talk to grandma!


I'm not psychic (*whispers* I can see dead people), but there might be a few other reasons that can explain my sudden strike of fashion luck...

I'm a fashionista
I browse through the occasional fashion magazine, I follow the American, British, Parisian, German, Italian, Japanese, Australian, Dutch and Vintage Vogue on Instagram (I especially checked for you) and I sometimes claim to be a fashion blogger (which I'm not. But sometimes I really do fancy to be one). I'm a fashionista in denial. And what do fashionista's do? They try to out run the trends set by the big names in fashion so one day they can be one of those names and rule over the world. Because that's how the fashion industry works. The absurd is only absurd when no one is wearing it. So just start wearing it -bling, fluff, round bags- and eventually you'll be a fashionista too. For a few seconds. But nothing to worry: once you've waited long enough, history will repeat itself and we'll all be bouncing around in the same gear. Again. But then new. It'll be great, mark my words!

I can show you a world
What else? Trend forecasting, darling. It's not anymore a matter of 'see it, be it', but 'say it, pay it'. What I mean? Trend forecasting is a lucrative way of saying what you see, analyse it and make people pay to see it too so they can buy it/make it/report it. Forecasting might not be the right word, as it is more a self-fulfilling prophecy. But it works! So just go out, shout and pout the same sh*t over and over again, and boy oh boy, you'll be fancy-pancy within... well... some time in the future. Maybe. (No guarentees or taking back).


Maybe she's born with it
FACT: everyone can wear clothes. But it's often not the what but the how. I mean, look at your average it-girl styling yet a-n-o-t-h-e-r pair of classic jeans with a classic white shirt, wearing classic boots, carrying a classic bag and totally rocking it. For the thousandths time. But who can blame her? She does look good in it. And not only that. This classic combo gets put into the papers. Headlines are shouted from the rooftops: this is the beginning of world peace, the essential wardrobe piece. THIS IS HOW EVERYONE SHOULD LOOK LIKE. No more searching, no more polluting, no more individuality! A suit to suit everyone! Until you try it on and feel miserable in it. Boohoo. (That's not the ghosts talking, just me sulking. I want to look like Alexa Chung in jeans, why don't I look like Alexa Chung in jeans? "Because you're not Alexa Chung", thanks friendly ghost. But still. Why? How? How can someone make a simple white tee and jeans look phenomenal and on me it just looks AWFUL, darling, AWFUL).

What I'm saying is that classics might be great, might be boring, but it's not the what but the who. "Doctor Who?", I hear you ask in a trembling voice while shakingly clutching your hands around a classic Levi's. "Kinda, yeah", I answer reassuringly, "just instead of a Police Box he travels around in a wardrobe. And instead of the Doctor a Dalek appears out of nowhere EXTERMINATE EXTERMINATE EXTERMINATE EXTERMINATE!!!!" You look at me in shock, "is that really the best Dalek impression you can do?". I turn my head away in shame. My eyes are locked on the ground. "I'm sorry", I whisper into the nothingness, "I'm sorry to have let you down on not only a physical but also very much on an emotional level. I know, I know, this is a sensitive subject. And I can only apologise for my own behaviour. I'm sorry, I truly am." I turn my head back to you, I look up. A single tear is making it's way over my cheek, to my chin and then slowly falling through space, only to land perfectly on the toe of my shoe, melting away the dust that had gathered there. You stretch your arm out, "EXTERMINATE EXTERMINATE!!!", and you vaparize me into the abyss.

May this be a lesson to you, my dearest reader, neither a bad Dalek impression or hate are the answer. No hate towards the boringly dressed, the fashionably dressed, the overly-dressed, the otherworldly dressed or the undressed (yes, you can also read that sentence in a more political sense on broader issues than Levi jeans and Ostrich feathers. Although I'm truly concerned for these soon to be bald ostriches. It just wouldn't be the same to be chased by them. The desperation is not only in the situation self, i.e. being chased by an ostrich, but also the look of it. I mean, it's not the same as being chased by a puppy or a chicken or a bold puppy and a plucked chicken. Do you get what I mean? Stay safe my feathered friends!).

Love,
Dominique


Sources:
[1] Chanel, "Spring-Summer 2017 Haute Couture Show - CHANEL" (25 January 2017), https://youtu.be/t15ftuJ7Vl4, 26 January 2017.
[2] S. Mower, "Spring 2017 Couture Christian Dior" (23 January 2017), http://www.vogue.com/fashion-shows/spring-2017-couture/christian-dior, 26 January 2017.
[3] Bloglovin - The Edit, "The Hottest Bag Trend of The New Year" (20 January 2017), https://blog.bloglovin.com/blog/hottest-bag-trend-new-year, 20 January 2017.

I've got nothing. I've got nothing to show. I've got nothing to describe, to feel, to sensationalise or to break down. Except perhaps for my own brain trying to think of words that are punctually insightful. Although the world is probably on its way down, my eyes are staring towards the limitless sky while I'm simultaneously trying to climb my way to an unforeseeable ceiling. My eyes are drowning in the clouds and in my head I try to distract myself from looking down. There's no time to recover from a fall. It's a matter of right here right now, careless of the possible exhaustion or destruction. As they say, you've got enough time to sleep when you're dead.

I can't seem to shake the word 'busy' from my tail. There's no time to wait, to sit, to contemplate. Which is very unfortunate for a daydreamer like myself. The busy-ness is naturally served with a dosis of self-interest. It's working towards my own, eventual, benefit. Hurdling deadline after deadline can be seen as a futuristic sign of accomplishment. It's at least a sign of moving on, growing up and getting licensed. And who wouldn't want that after all that hard work?


However at this moment I've got nothing. I've got nothing to show. There are spare parts floating through the air that together may create a fully functioning product. And it's at these moments, when the clock is striking terror after every precious minute has passed, when self doubt becomes a crippling torturer ready to hit that last blow to knock you out completely (although it shouldn't be too hard when drool is making it's way down the sides of the keyboard).

I can't recommend trying to work in a turmoil of self doubt. It's just not good for the moral. Instead try to elevate your work not in terms of critique, but in terms of creativity. It's a flow you're trying to ride that can only be ridden if you allow yourself to make mistakes. Not too many, mind you. We don't want to be expelled and ruined by the curse word of laziness while it could be the start of a work of art. It's balance. It's a fine balance between that what you envision, that what you've been told and that what you actually can.


Although the right words are lost in a whirlpool of thoughts, the wrong words are only wrong when not put on a stage with some dramatic faked passion which can be disguised as intellectual enthusiasm. Or naturally when spelled incorrectly. Grammar can be such a pain.

Love,
Dominique

As said many times, many ways, I like Lush because they're cruelty free and they list all the ingredients that they use. Also: all the products I've tried so far work like a treat. Also, also: it makes you -in an unprofound but good way- feel cool. And don't we all want to feel cool while dancing around in our PJs singing-along (badly) to one of our favourite tunes, shaking that part of our body that bounces the most and looking like a discoloured Oompa Loompa? I mean to label that situation under 'cool' might be too far fetched. However it's the ethical undertone, the 'Lushness' if you like, that morphes that sad one-man-sleepover into a heartfelt statement about the appreciation and determination of preserving a new circle of life. Cool, right?


All 'bout that product, 'bout that product
The Rosy Cheeks face mask was first released in 2015.[1] And since then it's apparently one of the best and fastest selling products in the Amsterdam Lush store. And I can see the allure of it. This mask is simple but direct. It says what it does and simply does it. Not a miracle worker, but certainly a worker of it's word. So what's the word?

Lush says that this product will reduce redness, bring back 'balance', make your skin feel smooth, soft and mattify it.[2] And I wholeheartedly agree. After applying the product to your face, it dries very, very quickly (so there's not a lot of room to wiggle the product around). It's adviced to leave it there (and oh boy, it will stay there) for 10-15 minutes. I leave it for 10 minutes, while swinging around the living room, and then rinse it off with (luke)warm water and a wet cloth. For a product that dries very quickly and will stay in place for the whole good 10 minute swinging-session, it's surprisingly easy to remove.


Here are some other important things you need to know about this mask:

• It smells like roses. Like, seriously, it smells like roses. Not in a common (artificial) sweet way where most rose-scented products are known for, but you should prepare your nose...
• You'll need to reserve a spot in the fridge for it and know that you're going to use it within a limited amount of time.
• It's vegan!
• It's made out of 11 ingredients.*
• And it really, really smells like roses. Which I don't mind. Especially not after smelling the Cup o' Coffee mask, which just makes me want to cut off my nose Van Gogh style and lock it up in a safe.

The result
After removal and a little bit of moisturising (I use the Lush Celestial Facial Moisturiser), you're left with undeniably soft cheeks, a less red face (although I always turn out like a shrimp after doing anything with my face) and -I think- a 'balanced' skin (although I'm honestly not sure what that means). So if you're looking for a simple but effective product that can withstand your false singing and awkward moves, this face mask is your pal!

Have you ever tried this mask? What are your thoughts?

Love,
Dominique


*The Dutch version of this mask is made out of 11 ingredients, but I see that the British version is made out of 15 ingredients. So please keep the possible differences in mind...

Sources
[1] J. Wright, "Rosy Cheeks Face Mask" (4 June 2015), http://allthingslushuk.blogspot.nl/2015/06/rosy-cheeks-face-mask.html, 14 January 2017.
[2] Lush (Netherlands), "Rosy Cheeks", https://nl.lush.com/products/rosy-cheeks, 14 January 2017.

Last October my mum and I went to a lecture about Catherine the Great. Ever since we've been full of anticipation to go and see the exhibition Catherine the Greatest: Self-polished Diamond of the Hermitage at -you've guessed it- the Hermitage in Amsterdam...


At the beginning
About 250 years ago Catherine the Great (1729-1796) founded the Hermitage museum in St. Petersburg. What started of as her own personal affection towards art, soon turned into one of the oldest and biggest museums of the world.[1] After a visit to the Vatican in Rome, Catherine was stoked to create such an atmosphere at home. However back in Russia they weren't that much into (neo)classicism thanks to czarina Elizabeth (ruling over Russia from 1741-1762) and her preference towards the Rococo movement. But that was soon to be changed.[2]


In 1764 the German merchant Johann Ernst Gotzkowsky had some (a lot of) money problems. He was about to go bankrupt, with depts to many, including Russia. To cover the debt Catherine chose for something else than hard cold cash, namely 317 paintings. And not just any kind of paintings. I say Rembrandt, Rubens, Frans Hals, Raphael, Titian and the name dropping goes on and on.[3] This way Gotzkowsky provided Catherine with the heart of the now over 3 million counting Hermitage collection.[4]


Russia at the canals
There are three official exhibition centres from the Hermitage museum (so exhibition spaces that are outside the museum).[5] One of them opened their doors in the heart of Amsterdam, facing the canals, in June 2009.[6] The Hermitage museum in Amsterdam is the only non-Russian based exhibition centre and works independently from its big brother (but naturally with the stuff of its big brother).


A self-polished diamond in a jewel box
In this exhibition there are about 300 objects from St. Petersburg. The Hermitage Amsterdam museum describes the exhibition as 'a jewel box with Catherine's best possessions and the story of Catherine as the main piece: a self-polished diamond'.[7] I think this idea of a jewel box really gets further explored through the exhibition design. Think different shades of pink on the walls that embrace the objects as well as give it a certain warmth (although that isn't such a hard thing to do with this freezing cold weather). The yellow-ish wooden floor in combination with the reflection of the glass cases perfectly outweighs the 'heaviness' of the objects in an otherwise sweetly 'perfumed' room. Although I expected and wanted there to be more, more and more, the story of Catherine is so full and decadent and, well, extraordinary that it at no point will leave you feel empty.


Here are some things you need to know about Catherine the Great:

• She's the last woman to reign over Russia and also Europe's longest reigning empress.[8]
• She herself added 'the Great' to her name (as a way to connect herself and her 'reign' with the heritage of Peter the Great).[9]
•  There are a lot of (weird) myths surrounding her person (like the one where they say she didn't die of a cerebral hemorrhage on the toilet but of a horse collapsing on her while having sex with it). (I said it was weird). (But untrue, reassured the calming voice of the audio tour guide, while an old lady standing next to me was shaking her hands and didn't knew where to look...). 
• She's a self-made woman who knew what she wanted from a very early age and did everything in her power to get that. This attitude has been an inspiration for iconic actresses like Marlene Dietrich, Bette Davis and Cathering Deneuve.[10]
• She's a big fan of the (French) Enlightenment and penpals with Voltaire and Diderot. At the beginning she was very progressive in her politics trying to 'enlighten' Russia, but she got more and more conservative as the years went by (1. because she got scared by the results of the French Revolution and the decapitation of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, 2. because the measurments she wanted to make -for instance making the aristocracy 'disappear'- weren't met with enthusiasm and when she was saved by them when the threat of deposition came very close, she realised she needed them to stay in power).[11]

Diamond's are a girl's best friend, and in Catherine's case she herself was her own diamond. Thanks to playing the game, smart politics and self-assurance she polished herself into a highly desirable, smart and foremost powerful ruler (with weird myths and legends hunting her through history).


You can still visit the exhibition Catherine the Greatest: Self-polished Diamond of the Hermitage at the Hermitage Amsterdam until the 15th of January 2017.

Love,
Dominique


Sources
[1] Hermitage Museum, "Hermitage in Facts and Figures", https://www.hermitagemuseum.org/wps/portal/hermitage/about/facts_and_figures/?lng=nl, 2 January 2017.
[2] D. Kostman, Lecture 'Catherine the Great: Czarina of the arts', 6 October 2016.; Wikipedia, "Elizabeth of Russia" (30 December 2016), https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_of_Russia, 2 January 2017.
[3] D. Kostman, Lecture 'Catherine the Great: Czarina of the arts', 6 October 2016.; Wikipedia, "Johann Ernst Gotzkowsky" (29 September 2016), https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johann_Ernst_Gotzkowsky, 2 January 2017.
[4] Hermitage Museum, "Hermitage in Facts and Figures", https://www.hermitagemuseum.org/wps/portal/hermitage/about/facts_and_figures/?lng=nl, 2 January 2017.
[5] Hermitage Museum, "Hermitage in Facts and Figures", https://www.hermitagemuseum.org/wps/portal/hermitage/about/facts_and_figures/?lng=nl, 2 January 2017.
[6] Hermitage Amsterdam, "Hoe het ooit begon", http://hermitage.nl/nl/hermitage_amsterdam/welkomstwoord.htm, 2 January 2016.
[7] Hermitage Amsterdam, "Catharina de Grote", http://hermitage.nl/nl/tentoonstellingen/catharina_de_grote/, 5 January 2017. 
[8] Hermitage Amsterdam, "Catharina de Grote Achtergrondverhaal", http://www.hermitage.nl/nl/tentoonstellingen/catharina_de_grote/achtergrondverhaal.htm, 6 January 2016. 
[9] D. Kostman, Lecture 'Catherine the Great: Czarina of the arts', 6 October 2016.
[10] Hermitage Amsterdam, "Catharina de Grote", http://hermitage.nl/nl/tentoonstellingen/catharina_de_grote/, 5 January 2017. 
[11] D. Kostman, Lecture 'Catherine the Great: Czarina of the arts', 6 October 2016.;
Hermitage Amsterdam, "Catharina de Grote Achtergrondverhaal", http://www.hermitage.nl/nl/tentoonstellingen/catharina_de_grote/achtergrondverhaal.htm, 6 January 2016.