Book of the Foreseeable Future: The Fountainhead

And it's time for another edition of Book of the Foreseeable Future. This book post of mine is an oldie but goodie, folks. 

I continuously read, but sometimes the books aren't worth recommending (re: 50 Shades of Grey), and I stand by my recommendations, so I'll only do it for a book that's really worth spending the 10+ reading hours with. The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand is definitely worth it. Although it might be closer to 15+ hours. Not going to lie, the books is a pretty weighty. And I'm saying that in both meanings of the word. 

Hardly anymore do I feel like a book I read has expanded my mind (re: 50 Shades of Grey), but this one was like taking a study on art, architecture, personal motivations, philosophy, greed, financial success and true success. The characters and what drives them are thoroughly constructed and elucidated, that you feel like you're learning about yourself and what drives you. The book is a foil for a creative person's life. It gives you a backdrop to examine yourself in the scheme of the working world. I could go on and on. I highly recommend it. I've been recommending it to different friends of mine for the past few weeks now. Do yourself a favor, read the book. You'll be better for it.

A moment from it:

He added, "Don't worry. They're all against me. But I have one advantage: they don't know what they want. I do."

Lauren's Rating: 9.3 egos out of 10 skyscrapers

Cut To:

Hello, all. I apologize for the long absence. I think I just like to write here when I'm inspired, not necessary on a timed schedule. This leads to less posts, but ones that mean more to my heart, I think.

Lately, I've been surrounded by inspiring women. Women that have had sudden accellerations in their professions, women who choose to be brave in relationships, and women that live their lives for themselves and no other.

My career is acting, so whenever I see women who've pushed the boundaries, braved the odds, and succeed, I take it as an encouraging personal victory. Wide-Awake, directed by Tierney Gearon, features 13 outstanding actresses who have done just that this year in film. It presents beautiful costuming, sets, and dream-like moments. Each actress is given a cut-away of time. Anne Hathaway's is particularly stunning, so maybe save that one for last. Some of the other actresses include Elle Fanning, Naomi Watts, Keira Knightly, and Rebel Wilson, among others.

Click here to watch Wide-Awake

Swim, boy, swim

Here's something to make you smile--a creative idea by photographer Seth Casteel to take pictures of dogs as they chase a ball underwater. Sounds simple. But most of the time, Simple is where genius happens. 

Seth captured photographs of all sorts of dogs and put them together to make one hellova coffee table book. Each dog's individual personality shines through in its own specific way. Most are silly pictures, but that's the fun of it. Enjoy some puppy time!

P.S. If you'd like to purchase the book, Underwater Dogs,  filled with these pictures and more, click here. 

Will work for candy

Hello dolls! Hope all is well. As you know, this week is Halloween week! If you haven't already been inundated with Halloween costume ideas for each party you're invited to (because apparently this Halloween is 5 nights of partying? Ugh, Wednesday holidays...). 

So, just in case you need some last minute costume ideas, this year I've taken to inspiration of the miniature sort. Honestly, I'm tired of the slutty girl outfits. WE CAN BE MORE ORIGINAL LADIES! So in this vein of thinking, I've taken to looking at costume ideas that creative mothers make for their children. No slut allowed, but so original, cute, and simple (some of them, anyway). I, personally, borrowed ideas from the French boy in the second picture. So fun. Plus, I got to walk around with a wine bottle all night, so it was practical as well as comfortable.

Hopefully you enjoy your creative costumes as much as I did.

Happy Halloween!

 All images from pinterest.

Heavy Prints for Party Girls

The autumn winds have arrived! We've finally gotten a little cool weather around here in Los Angeles and this spread from Vogue China really makes me want to enjoy heavy fabrics and gorgeous prints. This whole color scheme is outta control. Total pretty girl clothes. The blue dress? I mean, quit it.

 

Vogue China January 2010

You learn, and learn.

This is touching. This short film by Rob Chiu shows the beginning and end as it happens in far too many relationships. Hope it speaks to you too.

"How many things we held yesterday as articles of faith which today we tell as fables..." 

-Michael De Montaigne

the theme is guns

 take the shot.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

happiness is a warm gun

1000 Lost Children, Lovecat Issue 3, Dennis Morris, Smug #5, 1000 Lost Children, Lovecat Issue 3, Unknown, Smug #5, 1000 Lost Children, Smug #5, the beatles--Happiness is a Warm Gun

Soaking Up The Last Bit of SUN

Summer's almost gone. For now, I'll soak up as much as I can.

 

 

Oyster Magazine, Vogue China April 2011, Numero #123, Flair April 2007, Carter Smith, Lauren Danae, Oyster Magazine, Morning Beauty by Greg Kadel, Smug #5, Morning Beauty by Greg Kadel

Lightly

Don't you love when you find a new band that imitates the mood your life is in? My sister actually got me acquainted with this band--honestly, she acquaints me with most of the new bands I know--and they're really great. They're The Civil Wars meets Mumford and Sons, two bands that I truly love.

I present to you--The Lumineers. Enjoy.

the lumineers-- Slow It Down

Lock Lovin

Let's do our hair! 

For the past few months I've been working a job that I need to have my hair out of my face for...let's just say, there's only so many times you can put your hair in a side braid before things start to become repetitive. (BUT, I can speed braid like nobody's business.) To keep from pulling my hair out (zing!), I've started to get a bit more creative. Here's some hairspiration from jointhemood for those of you who want to add a little pep to your hair routine!

Melon Bagging

Los Angeles continues to amaze me. I swear I've accumulated such a good restaurant base in the past few months. I want to put them all up here, but then I think maybe that's useless to you not living in a 20 mile radius of me. (If any of you live here/visit here and want a good recommendation, just send me a note!)

But today, unfortunately, I cannot help myself. It's just a tiny little recommendation--a snack, if you will. 

If you ever go to Los Angeles and you see the men on the side of the road with the carts filled with various chopped-up fruits--STOP YOUR CAR. There are some yummy things to be had! Watermelon, Cantaloupe, Mango, Pineapple, Oh my! Especially if you are like me, mostly just buying produce for yourself to eat, it's a great way to get all the things you want without having to buy a whole big watermelon or cantaloupe or the like. 

Note: The fruit man told me to check and make sure that your particular fruit cart has a license, because to him, that made a difference in quality. I don't know, I've only been to one (his), but I'll take his word for it. 

Also, a fun tip that I learned from my Mexican friends that I saw again at the cart--putting chili powder on your melon-type eateries. Makes a big difference and it's fun to have that flavor profile in the midst of sweet fruit (especially the mango, I have to say).

Hope you guys get your servings of fruit in a fun way this week too!

Striped White

jolene--The White Stripes

How he found his body

For those of you who haven't pursued artistic endeavors, you might not know what it's like in the middle of an artistic process. Despite being fueled by artistic juices, there is a surprising amount of mental work that goes into the final product. In this video, Stephen Petronio, choreographer of the Stephen Petronio (dance) Company in New York, talks about his approach to creating the piece of dance art entitled The Architecture of Loss and getting his start in the dance world:

Making the Moose

Go to the beach. 

Don't mind being alone. 

Cook for others. 

Buy that thing you've been wanting. 

Enjoy your independence. 

Give yourself a makeover. 

Clean your home. 

Take a nap. 

Send those 'Thank You' cards.

Get happy.