Portraits

Last summer, while strolling in London, we came across the National Portrait Gallery, near Leicester Square. There was an exhibition inside, the BP Portrait Award, which celebrated its 20th year. The art was incredible, especially for an avid lover of portraits such as myself. I find portraits compelling and incredibly beautiful, a strong face is so interesting and can evoke a plethora of feelings and memories. They also carry a nostalgic vibe, as I find them reminiscent of a bygone era before photography was an option, where people used to sit for hours for their oil portraits.

We had an amazing afternoon there, and I'm glad I bought the gallery's booklet which is filled with some of the most interesting portraits of last year's contest. The photos of this post are taken from the internets, as my scanner won't cooperate. You can check the credits at the end of the post, and also make sure to see this year's entries as well.

Georgie, Mary Jane Ansell

Hats and scarves, Tim Okamura

Agnes, Natalie Holland

Imagine, José Luis Corella

Guillem, Miriam Escofet

Harry Patch, Dan Llywelyn Hall
Changeling 2, Peter Monkman (1st prize)

Let's go to the mall

Sales are a dangerous and sneaky thing. You're browsing online, checking twitter and blogs when you find yourself over at the sale section of Asos, Tatty Devine and Topshop, lusting over things you can actually afford. How did that happen?

Winner!

Congrats to the winner, mademoiselle myrtilo! Thank you all for entering, I may do another book giveaway soon!

I'll be back later today with a "Yes, I went shopping yet again" post. What can I say, the sales got me.

xoxo

Summertime

More photos, less words. Had a great time on the island, a relaxing week was just what the doctor ordered. Lots of swimming, sunbathing, cocktails, ice creams, aloe vera and flip flops. My kind of holiday.

Book Giveaway

This is my 100th post and I thought we'd celebrate with a giveaway. Cool, yes? The prize is a book this time, Atonement by Ian McEwan. Here's the summary from Amazon in case you're not familiar with it:

The novel opens on a sweltering summer day in 1935 at the Tallis family’s mansion in the Surrey countryside. Thirteen-year-old Briony has written a play in honor of the visit of her adored older brother Leon; other guests include her three young cousins -- refugees from their parent’s marital breakup -- Leon’s friend Paul Marshall, and Robbie Turner, the son of the family charlady whose brilliantly successful college career has been funded by Mr. Tallis. Their elder daughter Cecilia is also present; she has just graduated from Cambridge and is at home for the summer, restless and yearning for her life to really begin. In the midst of the long hot afternoon, Briony happens to be watching from a window when Cecilia strips off her clothes and plunges into the fountain on the lawn as Robbie looks on. Later that evening, Briony thinks she sees Robbie attacking Cecilia in the library, she reads a note meant for Cecilia, her cousin Lola is sexually assaulted, and she makes an accusation that she will repent for the rest of her life.

Comment here for a chance to win this paperback. If you follow my blog or tweet about this giveaway leave me a separate comment letting me know. I will gladly ship anywhere in the world but please keep in mind that the book is in English!

Contest ends August 10. Good luck!