Soignee and Neat – Again!

You might remember my previous posting, where I nailed down some big cravings. 2 months have passed since then and I did not buy a single item from that list. But new cravings are around by now:

A brooch

Until last week I had no interest at all in applied arts. The brooch is available in a gallery in Vienna. Unfortunately it is in my price range. I am not sure, if I want someone else to buy it – this would solve the question: to buy or not to buy. Buying a piece of modern art might open a whole new road which might turn out to become a pricey route. But an exquisite route for sure!

This khôl in "nude"
photo: http://www.dutchessroz.com/

A khôl in nude is something every woman needs and at the same time doesn't need at all. Will I still crave for the khôl 2 months from today? Or will it be in the drawer of my dressing table by then? Will it provide me the fresh look as promised?

During the day thoughts like "I will never get used to impolite behaviour." or "When will I clean my bicycle" or "I need to get more sleep, but I am such an owl!" come to my mind. Do you have any advice for me, how I can manage to get in bed in time? Last night I ended up ironing the curtains I've bought last spring.

I should stop midnight ironing.

Various Ways of Stress Relief

There is nothing wrong with

• a) following Martha Steward's advice
• b) following the FLY ladies' advice (you don't need to be a messy to enjoy their approach)

which leads to

• c) using a toothbrush in the kitchen.

left=before / right=after

It was just like in one of those toothbrush commercials, where the fake dentist brushes something to prove how good the brush works.

You can also prevent your mind from becoming overly worried by recording birds in the evening, after l'heure bleue. (you don't get to see a lot of birds but can listen to their voices-favourite melody at 00:22)

... or by simply admiring flowers in the window box.

Circling the City Centre

On a saturday like today, having spent the whole morning at home, having done the laundry and organizing the household, I feel like visiting the City Centre before the sun sets, to do some window shopping and run errands.

Uh. This is a typical saturday afternoon in the City Centre.
[LV sightings: 1 out of 7 women]

Who would go there voluntarily?

In the City Centre, people move by cab and coach ...
by bicycle ...
... by foot.
A typical scene to be found in spring time in Vienna: Visitors. Waiting. At a fountain.

Did you spot the construction site containers in the back in the above photo? There seem to be construction sites EVERYWHERE you look:

How are tourists supposed to take photos,
with construction sites and cranes obstructing the sight?

Some places never change.

Even though this shop wants to make us believe, typical Austrians would walk around like this ...

Female version

Male version

... we don't. We would rather wear some bestselling leopard prints. Blighty, these are for you: there is a shop-owner who shares your passion for prints:

A close up. The Ungaro-ad is probably not really up-to-date.
The sewing machine definitely isn't.

Even the floor wears the animal-pattern

I love love love the oldfashioned shop design such as golden brassy window frames.

The shop dates back from the 1960's and made its way into the late 1980's, as the following photos prove:

They obviously stick to their principles: shoulder pads.

... and more shoulder pads (center)

Meanwhile, the 2nd decade in the 21st century arrived. Lets see what the next shop-window has to offer:

Makes me wanna be a man. Wanna wear ties. I think ties would really suit me.
Of course 100% silk only.

There are many corners in Vienna where the 21st century is never going to happen. Due to the structure, you find a lot of small shops, very small shops, every basement is divided into small sections:

You can tell it was a mild day, people sitting outside in the shade past 7pm.

On my way home I pass the State Opera...

Open Air Music at the Opera.

The ever-so-beloved Burggarten at sun set, 7.30pm, after a very warm April afternoon.

It is a must for any student to visit the garden and chill under the trees. Ca. 10 years ago it was forbidden to touch the grass. Since they've changed the rules, this garden resembles woodstock without the mud on any warm weekend-afternoon.

Only a few metres away you find a few buildings of the Technical University of Vienna. In the labortories there is always light. I like the fact that someone is doing research, no matter how late or what day of the week.

Right now I have a piece of applied art on my mind ... a pity it does not cost 3times the price (what would put it out my price range).

The text on the window says: Gallery for applied arts.

Of course, jewelry can be art. I think of it in terms of fashion. The idea of jewelry being art is intriguing.

Another window. An armee of bagues*.[bague: french for "ring", pronounced bah-ghe]

Another window. These beads are not art, but cute and irregular.

The pearls remind me of the Honora sweet-water pearls. I have never seen Honora pearls IRL but this is what I imagine them to be.

No attention, no attraction.

Just a few metres away from the crowded pedestrian zone seen at the beginning of the posting, you enter the far side of the moon.

Have a fun sunday!

* The french term seems to suit certain rings better than the delicate word "ring". Bague.