oliver.

"He who leaps for the sky may fall, it's true. 

But he may also fly." 

- Lauren Oliver 

amy.

Yesterday afternoon was fairly ordinary. I'd finished work and soaking in the sun, ready for the weekend.

My friend called me and asked if I wanted to head to see a matinee movie. Without second thought, I suggested seeing "Amy", the documentary about Amy Winehouse.

I've always been a big fan of her music, and if it's possible, I'm even more engulfed by Winehouse's sound, lyrics and story after the film. I loved the documentary truly focused on her artistry and wasn't afraid to go into the dark side of her life.

From working on documentaries and other news stories, it's always an interesting moment when you get into those interviews with profound characters in your story. More often than not, you'll have fairly average experience chatting with them.

But every once in awhile, you'll find a nugget that changes the entire direction of what you thought you were making.

Something else interesting that came up for me...Amy's look.

I remember my mother purchasing her first album, "Frank" and also "Back to Black" - we used to listen to them both on our drives to school, dance class, etc. My father also got Rolling Stone magazine, and I remember those couple of covers Amy graced.

As I look back at the timeline of my personal style, and why I'm drawn to a retro look, I think it started with her. I can see in photos that I started playing with flowers in my hair, experimenting with cat eyes, pin-up clothing and what not. I abandoned it for a couple years when I went to university, but now and back with full vengeance.

I used to think Bettie Page was my biggest influence, but I'm realizing this runs much deeper. The things were are drawn to early in life are certainly a calling - I always loved old jazz music and a vintage look/vibe. I think Amy really modernized and brought that to the forefront for my generation.

I'll likely never have enough hair for a beehive like hers, but you never know.

Just a thought. Have a good weekend.

vidi.

Kiss me hard before you go. Summer time sadness. 

I just wanted you to know. 

That baby, you're the best. 

Soak up those last summer days my friends.

borders.

I love borders. 

August is the border between summer and autumn; it is the most beautiful month I know. 

Twilight is the border between day and night, and the shore is the border between sea and land. 

The border is longing; when both have fallen in love but still haven't said anything. 

The border is to be the way. 

It is the way that is the most important thing.

- Tove Jansson 

This hit me square between the eyes this AM. Have a wonderful Sunday friends. 

feminine.

I've been thinking about femininity and womanhood a lot lately.

Being female does not mean (or require by any means) needing to wear dresses, makeup or be obsessed with pink. In fact, the most feminine people I know are completely the opposite of that, and may arguably be on the edge of "tomboy"-ish. It's about their demeanor.

Not going to lie, I'm a Girl's Girl. This might be because I didn't have a sister growing up or any young female cousins (however, I got two charming little brothers who light up my life).

I respect and love being a woman. According to a highly intelligent source - i.e. Urban Dictionary - a Girl's Girl is "not petty, and strives to be ethical and decent in her dealings with her female friends."

Womanhood is something to be explored, respected and fascinated by. To me, womanhood is finding the strength in femininity, your heart, your voice, your attitude, your mind, your gut...and living it to the 5,000th per cent. It's pursuing life exactly the way you want to, with no apologies.

I personally like working and tapping into my sensual femininity and am pleased to work in a city and society that takes (and respects) this. The moment I dropped what expectations I thought others needed to have of me, my life changed. I was able to become the woman I am. This took a really long time, but it's also part of growing up.

That being said, I love men and do admire the masculine in many ways. We are raised in a culture that praises the masculine attitudes, and thus, the softness in both sexes is often overlooked.

The feminine and masculine need each other to balance. Without the men I've met, lived with, dated and adored, I wouldn't know the strength of my femininity.

In my opinion, it's the relationships one builds with women that supports and fosters feminine growth. These are with our mothers, aunts, friends, their mother's, babysitters, teachers...the woman before us who paved the path. It's up to us to continue the maintenance and build the next bridge.

What do you think? How do you define womanhood?

Just a thought.