WHAT DO YOU SEE ?

sometimes we take pictures, without expecting to such results. I love this kind of pictures.these objects are no major importance, and yet the result is quite interesting!!

 Here are some pictures I took. just to please the eye and imagination ;)

rain on my windshield!

my vision after my third Cosmopolitan :)

a wave of wasabi peas! my obsession!

Hug for a couple black and white! cute!

when the chickens lay colored eggs HAHA!!

The real magic....

Ambre

“The real magic wand is the child's own mind”

Jose Ortega (Spanish philosopher and humanist , 1883-1955)

A Light exists in Spring

A Light exists in Spring 

A Light exists in Spring
Not present on the Year
At any other period --
When March is scarcely here

A Color stands abroad
On Solitary Fields
That Science cannot overtake
But Human Nature feels.

It waits upon the Lawn,
It shows the furthest Tree
Upon the furthest Slope you know
It almost speaks to you.

Then as Horizons step
Or Noons report away
Without the Formula of sound
It passes and we stay --

A quality of loss
Affecting our Content
As Trade had suddenly encroached
Upon a Sacrament.  

 by Emily Dickinson

Small pleasures of the weekend!!

Session Maki with my friends

Sunday

Wine in front the beach

thank you Sun! you're here

My kitchen garden

it's Saturday night!! Wine, sushi and friends

hello everyone!

it's Saturday night, and what better than an evening with friends. tonight it's introduction to the making of sushi. everyone cooking! yeaaaaah!

I dont know if you noticed, but in such event, there has those super motivated to learn, those who watch but not participate, or do something else, and those who don't participate and moaning because it's not ready yet! ! Lol 

OK GO !! 

  

here, one that is motivated. "I want to do first" "I still want to make one" haha don't worry, Laeti, you will learn ;)

Here, one who looks, doesn't participate, and do something else. you wonder what she is doing? Well she...she..okay, I don't know. this girl is crazy, but I adore her !!

I need a break. learn cooking is tiring lol what better than a glass of white wine (Wine from Alsace)in front of the beach (plage) lol...Agree it was not funny, but I laugh, that's the main

 

After two hours, some failures, we finally finished our maki. shrimp, salmon, surimi, cheese, cucumber, avocado, sundried tomato ... a real treat !!!

when there is no rice, we do what? no problem, great amandine, always an idea. with remaining salmon and condiments with a little lemon, colza oil, soy sauce and sesame seeds, let a small salad of raw salmon. yum yum !!

  

here's a nice table. Candles always give a nice and friendly effect. :)

bon appétit à tout le monde !!

xx Amandine

Ben Heine "Imagination VS reality"

WHO'S BEN HEIN ?

Ben Hein is a painter, illustrator, portraitist, cartoonist and photographer Ivorian origin who studied graphic arts and sculpture. One of his collections entitled "Pencil vs. Camera" is particularly interesting in that it displays works that extend reality by diverting live action. this artist is great.

PENCIL VS CAMERA

""Pencil Vs Camera" mixes drawing and photography, imagination and reality. It’s a new visual concept invented and initiated by Ben Heine in 2010. It's full of magic, illusion, poetry and surrealism. Ben published his first "Pencil Vs Camera" image in April 2010 but the series is the result of a long graphic exploration and a logic consequence of his personal artistic development. Ben usually integrates an inventive hand made drawing in front of a realistic background. There are several methods to achieve the same effect (see " Interviews" for more info). Ben’s hand is always clearly visible; it represents the close connection between the viewer, the artist and the artwork. The drawing is always in black and white while the photo is often very colorful, this amplifies the contrast between the two mediums. In this series, Ben likes to focus on people’s life, portraits, nature, animals, architecture... Among others, the main themes approached in "Pencil Vs Camera" are: Love, Freedom, After Life, Friendship and Nature. Ben says: "I just make art for people. I want them to dream and forget their daily troubles. I used to write poems many years ago, I want to convey a poetic and philosophical meaning into my pictures, each new creation should tell a story and generate an intense emotion, like a poem, like a melody". Because of their originality and the visual innovations Ben brought in his artworks, this series has had a huge impact on the graphic design community and has generated several buzz on the Internet. Ben says the initial idea of this "Pencil Vs Camera" concept came by coincidence while he was writing a letter in his family house in Braives, Belgium." 

 

 http://www.benheine.com

Keep calm & travel with Ashley Arabian

hello people,

  I woke up this morning, I took my coffee, I open my twitter, and I see a tweet from Ashley Arabian, and I don't know why, but I wanted to write something on it. no poetry or a novel, I don't have that talent. At school, while my friends were writing love poem, I drew ants and rabbits. but I digress.
 
Before you begin, forgive me for mistakes. Ashley doesn't deserve that i makes grammatical mistakes, but native language is French, and I missed too many classes in English, to be bilingual. but again, I digress.

Who's Ashley Arabian ?

my favorite photo

"Wanderlust, the travel bug, itchy feet... call it what you want, I’m a vagabond. Or at least I aspire to be one. But what do I do exactly? I’m an ex line cook, professional pickle maker, permaculture gardener with the highest of hopes to change the way we leave our footprints on the Earth.website: www.tourshicatering.com blog: " A.A

  I discovered Ashley, on "you, me and Charlie" created by the actress Dianna Agron. Ashley Arabian, is one of his contributors. I also contributes.

I then discovered her blog "tourshi". I remember a picture of mimolette lol. As in, I am interested in her contributions and her blog, I realized that I needed to read the work of Ashley. it was a necessity. it's difficult to explain. how to write, stories and photos of ashley, have become my favorite things.

you never felt, to feel close to someone, then you've never met or spoken. the only connection I have with ashley arabian is twitter, "tourshi" and "you, me and charlie". Just with words, Ashley changed my world.

I'm like a kid waiting for her gift. I can't wait to read the next poem, her new adventure, or sometimes watch some photos she shares with us. I'm like a kid, when she retweet me (oh god amandine, you're 27). 

Have a list of things I'll dream of doing. meet, Ashley Arabian, is now part of the list, between making a parachute jump and visiting australia lol.
 
She wrote two poems "be free" and "wanderlust". they are beautiful. One of my friends English teacher had them read to her students. they decided to do the same things. choose a few words, and write a poem with these words. I don't yet know the theme, but I can't wait to see the result. Ashley Arabian, has captured the hearts of some French students, many of Charlies and many people in the world, even if they don't know it yet.

  She is an adventurer, a writer, and an excellent cook....and I am sure, a great friend. if I were to describe, in a word Ashley, it would be "INSPIRATION"

honolulu's adventure is over, but I can't wait for the next. Ashley, maybe you will read these lines. I haven't the talent of a writer, I am better for taking pictures and playing piano lol. I wanted to tell you that you have inspired me, in my way of seeing the world and in my daily life.

maybe our paths will cross one day, in the meantime I will keep reading your wonderful stories, travel with you and taste your wonderful recipes, during my coffee. :D

 xx Amandine

ps : sorry for mistakes :/

http://tourshi.blogspot.com/
youmeandcharlie.com

5 Types Of People Who Make Me Feel Violently Insecure « Thought Catalog

5 Types Of People Who Make Me Feel Violently Insecure « Thought Catalog

5 Types Of People Who Make Me Feel Violently Insecure

Mar. 15, 2012

By Ryan O'Connell

1. People who can dance

The only thing I accomplish on the dance floor is scaring everyone who’s in a five mile radius of me. I’m not a black swan. Hell, I’m not even a Jessica Simpson. I can’t dance for crap which feels practically sinful for a gay dude. We apparently L-O-V-E to dance. We hit the floor and dance until the club shuts down and/or we run out of drugs! (JK!) Except for me, of course. I just stand in the corner until I’ve consumed enough alcohol to shut down my liver. Then I mosey on over to my friends who can dance and do this halfhearted wobbly thing that looks like a dying glitter rainbow. It sucks. If someone asks me to dance, I just scream and attempt to moonwalk out of there. When I see people effortlessly shaking their ass I get so jealous and sad. Why couldn’t I blessed with good moves? The only dance parties I have are in the privacy of my room and even those probably terrify the neighbors.

2. People who have a lot of sex. Like a lot of it.

A few of my friends have a lot of sex. They go on dates with new people every week and are always sleeping with SOMEONE. They’re so blase about it that they don’t even feel the need to mention it. It’s just expected that they’re always having sex. With me, however, it’s the opposite. When I get lucky, I have to make a (private) Facebook event invitation for all of my friends that says, “The “Ryan O’Connell Had Sex Last Night” Brunch.” Are you attending because I NEED to talk about it. Okay, I’m 75% kidding about that but still. I’m fascinated and envious of people who always manage to have healthy amounts of sex. I want to know how they do it but I also just want them to go far away from me so I can stop feeling bad about myself.

3. People who are always in a relationship

This is obviously an extension of that last type of person. But on the real, how do people manage to jump from relationship to relationship so seamlessly? They tell you things like “The longest I’ve ever been single is like a month!” and you examine them, hoping to unearth some secret to their success but you can’t. In fact the “always in a relationship” person is usually only medium-cute but they clearly have something that attracts long-term relationships. Getting a BF/GF has always been super easy for them and they can’t understand anything different. I know I shouldn’t feel insecure about this. Usually these people are insecure themselves and can’t stand being alone. But whatever. Emotionally, I’m devastated by their ability to get into relationships like it ain’t no thang.

4. WASPs

Oh, you grew up really wealthy with summer homes? You’re family friends with the Kennedy’s? Cool, my parents have no friends. We barely had a year-round home, let alone a summer one. But I’m really happy that guys go to Maine every summer and have family reunions and stuff. I’m glad that your mom wears Isabel Marant and you have Christmas dinner at The Four Seasons. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m meeting my inadequacies for dinner at Red Lobster.

5. People who are invited to “cool kid” parties

To be fair, these people are usually douchebags with a capital D. Seriously, 80% of the time I hang out with someone who’s a stupid It Girl (it’s happened like twice), I’m always shocked by how dull they are. They just sit there blank faced, talking about their ex-boyfriend drama or whether or not someone can get coke and I’m just like “Can you go back to the Internet? I like you better there.” But I can’t help but be a little jealous when peers of mine are friends with super cool writers and musicians while I’m just at home listening to shoegaze in the bathtub for the millionth time. HOW DO I BREAK IN TO THIS CROWD? Does it involve leaving my apartment? Because I just don’t know how I feel about that…

Viens prendre un peu de thé....

come and have some tea!

this is my favorite sentence! Some might think that tea is old (OMG !!!) I love tea. this is a moment of well-being, it seems like time stops

 when I go to Paris, I go to my favorite area, LE MARAIS! There, the largest tea houses. "Marriages frères" are my favorites.

 Mariage Freres is a tea house founded in Paris in 1854 and a luxury brand in the world of tea. .

one of the tea house "Mariages frères" of paris

In the early twentieth century, the tea room is, mostly, a place where ladies are willing to meet around a drink. There is also a venue where you literary food can then be both intellectual and material.

In China, tea houses or tea houses ( cháguǎn) are also places traditional recreation, where they sell and / or serves many varieties of tea, or tasting, or in a group around a tea tray in a private room. The oldest tea houses known in history opened to the time of the Tang Dynasty, 740 years before.

unfortunately I'm not always in paris. but, it does not stop me from enjoying tea from time to time with my friends, sometimes alone with a book.

I sometimes hear me say, just take a little tea this afternoon. in the south of France, we tend to say just a coffee. but I don't know why I have this addiction for tea. I think I like this side, relaxing and friendly tea. I don't know if you noticed, but there is never difficult conversations when you drink tea with friends. often lost track of time. the mood is light. I even think, that we allow ourselves more readily to the confidence (I should be careful...!! LOL)

 

 tea is the best moment of my day. and when the sun is to go, it's even better.  

Well, I leave you, because it's time for my tea ...

My favorite is the red tea.

 

....maybe you want some tea with me?

Chelsea Talks Smack: My idea of balance is like.... eat broccoli all we...

Chelsea Talks Smack: My idea of balance is like.... eat broccoli all we...: "Something hit me in the stomach today; he could, can , will move on and be with someone else eventually. Then, I got really sick. So the...


What are you SELF AWARE about? Good, bad, in between. 

my answer....

I am aware of being a closed book 

I am aware of being a loner 

I am aware of having a heart so sensitive, I keep people from approaching me 

I am aware of being surrounded by people I love 

I am aware, to be uncertain about my future 

I am aware of being a child again

I am aware, of being obsessed with sushi and sweets 

I am aware, of spending too much time on my computer and my phone 

I am aware of needing to feel that I exist 

I am aware that the article written by Chelsea, touched me ...

The sky...my crush !!!

Just look up, and behold, what nature gives you … an extraordinary spectacle. i love the sky and his treasures. one day he even drew a heart. surely he flirted with me. lol

 Why the sky ?? because nothing is fixed, you take what he wants to give you. Sometimes the clouds, or other times of incredible colors for you to be there at the right time and right place.

I do not have the opportunity to travel a lot. it's my way of traveling and discovering new things every day.

 the sky is full of surprises, he plays the artist, for my greatest pleasure. this is my companion, of every day.

and with patience and a lot of observation, he makes me share some wonderful things.


(more photo on Instagram : Mondine)

Warpaint - Billie holiday (Rough Trade Sessions)

Warpaint is an American art rock group from Los Angeles, formed in 2004. The band's members are Emily Kokal (vocals, guitar), Theresa Wayman (guitar, vocals), Jenny Lee Lindberg (bass, vocals), and Stella Mozgawa (drums). The band's membership has also included actress Shannyn Sossamon and Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist Josh Klinghoffer. Warpaint released their debut EP, Exquisite Corpse, in 2009, followed by their full length album, The Fool, released on 25 October 2010.

I discovered this song by a friend. since I pressed play, I listen all the time. it sounds like a siren song. Their voices are gorgeous and I became addicted to this song. in the car, at night, while shopping ... all the time. I work with kids all day. between screaming and shaking, this music is my anti stress.

Hey Girl by Ryan Gosling

http://feministryangosling.tumblr.com/ for more Hey girl by Ryan Gosling

Imagine a woman

Imagine a woman…

Imagine a woman who is interested in her own life.
A woman who embraces her life as teacher, healer, and challenge.
Who is grateful for the ordinary moments of beauty and grace.

Imagine a woman who participates in her own life.
A woman who meets each challenge with creativity.
Who takes action on her own behalf with clarity and strength.

Imagine a woman who has crafted a fully-formed solitude.
A woman who is available to herself.
Who chooses friends and lovers with the capacity to respect her solitude.
Imagine a woman who acknowledges the full range of human emotion.
A woman who expresses her feelings clearly and directly.
Who allows them to pass through her as naturally as the breath.

Imagine a woman who tells the truth.
A woman who trusts her experience of the world and expresses it.
Who refuses to defer to the thoughts, perceptions, and responses of others.

Imagine a woman who follows her creative impulses.
A woman who produces original creations.
Who refuses to color inside someone else’s lines.

Imagine a woman who has relinquished the desire for intellectual safety and approval.
A woman who makes a powerful statement with every action she takes.
Who asserts to herself the right to reorder the world.

Imagine a woman who has grown in knowledge and love of herself.
A woman who has vowed faithfulness to her own life.
Who remains loyal to herself. Regardless.

Imagine yourself as this woman.

-Patricia Lynn Reilly