Gifted - The Summer

I wrote this short story on a whim when I was younger. I don't really know what it's all about and it's not really supposed to be about anything. You'll also have to excuse the short length and the choppiness of this piece; I think that is mainly due to my growing disinterest in this particular work. But I really started it because I wanted it to embody the thoughts of a young girl who has a person in her life that is neither friend nor lover. But kind of an in between. She's subconsciously (and unaware of it) in love with this person who practically seems like her soulmate but has no intention of bringing that potential out.

Enjoy. Or leave constructive criticism at the door. :)

He was gifted in the musical sense. His best – his passion and all of his strength was on the piano but his guitar wasn’t too bad and his violin was enough to move you to tears. He treated his talent casually since his interests laid elsewhere, or more specifically in graphic design and computer animation. One wondered why he was so blessed with all these fortes and even I regretted shying away from my piano classes at my younger age.

When he took me to the beach on a nice, warm day just to enjoy the breeze and he played a few guitar riffs of my favorite classic songs, I knelt down in front of him and told him that I loved him – with no intention, of course. It just stumbled out on its own and I brushed the potentially awkward moment off oh-so nonchalantly with a wide smile and a loud laugh. But he had appreciated the comment and responded with his own generous grin.

On the way there, I stuck my head out of the passenger window of the car and I let the summer breeze and ocean salt sweep through my hair and entangle as I watched the sun rise to start the day. We sang along to the radio at the top of our lungs even when we didn’t know all of the lyrics and we were laughing and my stomach hurt and my sides felt like they were splitting and it was exciting and brilliant and wonderful all at once.

--



“You play the guitar?” I inquired, reaching into the back of his trunk to pull out the guitar case. “I didn’t know that.”

“Just a little,” he replied, taking the case from my hands. He took his guitar out and threw the strap over his shoulder. “I’ll play you a song,” he offered, not intending to be charming but now that I think back on it, oh, he was so charming. Naturally, at the time, I didn’t notice. I did, however, give him a blank stare.

“What song can you play?” I asked him as we sauntered down the boardwalk side by side. I surveyed the empty beach and the ribbons of pinks and purples an early sunrise had streamed into the open sky.

“I don’t know. What song do you like?”

I played coy and lifted a shoulder in a half shrug. He took a seat on the plank of the boardwalk steps and likewise, I followed suit, sitting a step below him.

"I take requests," he declared, tenaciously, eyes squinting but alight at the beach shore.

My feet played idly at the corners of the steps and I tossed a brief look up at him. I had no preference. I would've liked anything. "Something pretty," I finally settled on.

He laughed, at first, at the silly request of a young girl. But as his chuckles died down, he reclaimed his guitar, fitting it snugly into his lap and echoed thoughtfully, "Something pretty."

Clucking his tongue, he looked down at his guitar.

“Most people ask me to play this piece,” I was told matter-of-factly, as he began to strum the opening notes to an old favorite song of mine.

I looked over to catch him watching me. “I like this song,” I admitted, old memories of faded cologne and velvet fabric flooded my thoughts. “It’s one of my favorites.”

Seamlessly, he transitioned into a second song – yet another old flame of mine. Not wanting to admit adultery on my previous confession, I watched – or listened, rather – wordlessly, feeling the corners of my lips tapering at a relaxed smile. And I watched him play and I watched his eyes linger on me, the expression on his face unreadable, and then I watched him look back down at his guitar. The songs he played with his guileless fingertips reminded me of sunlight, laughter, the dipping of feet into a Jacuzzi pool, and a past that was far too long ago to be consciously remembered. I felt happy and I hadn’t felt content like this in a long long time, I think.

I decided to declare my happiness.

"I love you," I announced, unabashedly, throwing my arms out for further emphasis as I hopped off of my seat from the steps and twirled about gracelessly in the sand. When I received no response, I glanced back at him. He was watching me - no longer strumming away at former lullabies and sweet melodies, but instead, he donned a strange expression on his face.

I felt the heat rise to my cheeks. Inwardly, I inhaled and mustered up my quirkiest smile to beam at him. I laughed loudly before trotting back over to him and plopping down onto my rightful seat. "You're the best I know when it comes to creating music," I added, in a feeble attempt to explain and also to shake off the awkwardness of my words. I shifted onto my knees to sit and peered up at him. "I mean, I really like it when you play."

He smiled widely at me - an easy smile.

“Ugh, you're so talented,” I exclaimed, breathlessly, unable to stop myself from speaking. "I just hate you so much." I was rambling now. Someone stop me.

He laughed his gratitude at the half compliment. “I need more practice.” He caught my eyes with his – deep brown and smoldering with something that I couldn’t quite put my finger on – and he lifted the corner of his lips into a wry sort of half-smile; an arrogant smile, almost.

Silently, I shot him an inquisitive glance. I saw the sun in the reflection of his sunglasses as they hung haplessly off of his collar. The day was still early and the sun hurt my eyes.

He was sitting on the plank of the boardwalk steps - his guitar strap strung along one shoulder, his hair ruffled in the slight breeze, and he was incorrigibly handsome as he was. Not for me, though. Oh no. Just in general, of course.

I craned my neck to look out at the ocean behind me. There was a lone boat out at sea, a few seagulls dallying about by the shore and some flying lazily in the air.

Maybe I'd practice on my piano when I got home. I would practice a song until I became good at it. And then I'd show him. Maybe he'll even be impressed.

Suddenly, I felt something in my hair. It was him and he was pulling a lock of my hair around his fingers gently, his expression unreadable again but I was dying to know what he was thinking. I wondered what my hair felt like wrapped around his finger. I wondered if I had conditioned it enough that morning, as silly as the thought was.

“You’re quiet,” he commented.

“I’m thinking.”

“About what?” he asked, innocently.

I thought of how to respond. What was I thinking about exactly? There were so many things all at once. I was thinking about how sick I’d been of my life in the past year and how sick I was of other people’s expectations. I was thinking about how I desperately wanted to escape it all sometimes, change my name and start fresh again. I was thinking about him – the one with the guitar sitting by my side, strumming the very notes that pulled at my thoughts. I was thinking of how safe I felt with him, how comfortable and protected his very presence made me feel. I was thinking how someday some girl out there would snatch him up and I’d never see him again but I’d think about him often and wonder how he was doing. I was thinking of my hair in his fingers.

“Thinking about what I’m going to do tomorrow.”

He picked his guitar back up from where he left it and began a slower song – sweeter and unique, almost. Did he write it?

“Well, what are you going to do?”

“Nothing,” I answered, rather dully. “What about you?”

“Nothing,” he grinned at me, still strumming away at his guitar.

I kicked my sandals off and dug my toes into the sand, feeling the warmth of it seep between the crevices of my feet. I sat back and stared up at the clouds. I saw no shapes in them. "You wrote this song." Not a question, but a statement.

“Yeah, it reminds me of you everytime I play it."

"Maybe because it's a terrible song," I teased, laughing jovially.

No.

But my own laughter began to sound contrite and forced - alien, even - as though the gravity of my words had finally sunk itself upon me. I regretted it instantly, at that moment.

I felt, more than saw, him look away.

No, wait.

I didn't mean that. I'm sorry.

His next words were but a quiet murmur and I felt him re-level his gaze on me. "Terrible, but I'm happiest when I'm with it."

Oh.

I looked away quickly.

I want to run away from you. Straight into your arms.

My heart was pounding.

--

And when the summer air
in the guise of a soft breeze hits me
It hits me hard
And I'm young and sweet again
and you're there too and
it's as if nothing has changed

And everything -
the sleeping sky and the waves of the water
the smooth sand between my toes, the salted scent of the wind that plays with my hair oh so recklessly
and the stillness of an inevitably fleeting moment..
is all so painfully beautiful

If the world could be without bitterness
If the warm breeze and familiar chime of an old song
Could hit me every so often
If I could be reminded of you
and of how things were back then
And if I could hold onto that feeling forever
to my very core and never let it slip or fade or die
as all of life's innocent creations eventually do
then the world as I know it
would be perfect

and on those rare sunny off-season days that chime reminiscent of the summer, when an uncanny combination of warm cool air and the subtle sweet notes of an old song hits me, it hits me hard, and all of a sudden I'm barefoot against the hot sand and laughing so hard that my stomach hurts and my head feels dizzy

and I'm vivacious and spunky all over again just like how I used to be with you so naturally and how you always thought of me as.

Victoria's Secret 2008 Fashion Show

One more post before I tuck myself away into bed. I'm a bit late on this (again) but I definitely wanted to have a blogging of the latest Victoria's Secret Annual Fashion Show.

While it left a bit to be desired, especially since last year's show was so phenomenal, it was still a crowd-pleaser and I was very inspired myself by this year's slew of designs - especially with Miranda Kerr's butterfly piece. That was flipping amazing. Floored me immediately.

This year, we got paid a visit by musical guest Usher as well as the newly updated list of Angels -with Doutzen Kroes, Miranda Kerr, and a few others joining the team- which I believe were all great choices. My personal favorites from VS would have to be Alessandra Ambrosio, Adriana Lima, Miranda Kerr, and Doutzen Kroes. I'm not too keen on Marisa Miller (although she is still very beautiful); I guess I'm just more into the exotic look. But Usher was a pretty good selection as well. Can't say I really understood his last song about sex though. What was THAT about?

Anyway, on to some of my top favorites from the show.

Firstly, I'd like to point out that I am pretty thrilled that Doutzen was chosen to be an Angel. I think she is gorgeous and has a definitive classic look to her. Secondly, I love this rose garden piece she's wearing on the left. The designers were mentioning just how complicated this piece was, in terms of the construction and how fragile it was. Luckily, Doutzen pulled it off perfectly on the runway. Not to mention, the botanic look really suits her.












Doutzen again; this time with a feather-esque ruffled waist cape with a passionate shade of red bleeding into a light colored pink. She's donning a matching top and bottom valentine's lingerie set with stockings and just the right amount of lace.















Has anyone realized how much Doutzen resembles a certain blondie actress by the name of Denise Richards? I couldn't help but notice during the fashion show that they do look a lot alike from certain angles.



A comparison of Doutzen (bottom) and Denise (top).


While I was watching the show, I had completely forgotten that Alessandra had just popped out a baby not too long ago. But her figure is near-perfect a month later and she was stunning on the catwalk.







Picture of Ambrosio to the left wearing a black laced two piece and more notably a flowing sheer black robe draped loosely over her shoulders.
















Looking good and she knows it! For this ensemble, I really liked the ribbons laced around her wrists, the added lace along her stomach and the matching choker. The Pegasus wings set perfectly with the Grecian heels.
















Adriana Lima's gorgeous. Just wanted to stick in a photo of her here. Liked the white transitioning into black sheer wing set on her.









I think Heidi looks good in everything but the kimono-inspired lingerie was a really magnificent piece of work. Not only did the colors coordinate fabulously with one another (never underestimate yellow and light coral together), but the actual structuring of the piece itself was immaculately done with the elbow high gloves, the assymetrically waist-draped kimono that flowed effortlessly behind Klum as she took over the runway and the ballerina-like lace ups of the heels. Oh yeah, and her neck piece was pretty blinding too.













Love this red and jeweled piece on Heidi Klum. Very belly-dancer styled and was stated to be worth $5 million. I'm especially crazy over the jeweled abdomen.













I am totally okay that Karolina has no belly button because she makes up for it in beauty, grace, and class. I like this peacock-styled ensemble on her. The overall elegance of this piece really suits her well since she's so tall and thin-framed (reminds me of a peacock's neck) and I think the bottom piece of the set is especially brilliant with its ridged design. The peacock cape in the back actually does look a lot like a peacock tail.












I don't even know where to begin on this one. Why do I like it? I think that in itself is self-explanatory but I'll give it a shot. It has a very Christmas feel to it and she looks like she'd make the perfect Angel to set on top of the Christmas tree. Also, I love the sparkles and grey blend of the cape, full-length white gloves, little white tutu, and the SHOES.












Now for anyone who thinks Selita's new hairdo is ugly, I'd just like to counter that by saying I think it's a fantastic cut on her and she still looks as flipping magnificent as ever.

I love the intricacies of this piece and how the design wraps over her entire front abdomen, sides, back, up to her right shoulder and over to her left arm.

I wanted to include this photo of her just because I love the full-arm wing set.

And now for my favorite of the favorites of the show and possibly in all of history. The butterfly wings! I can't get enough of the little butterflies dancing around Miranda Kerr as she strutted down the runway in her impossibly adorable fashion. The outfit definitely helped as well. Not only her butterfly wings looks authentic to the core and detail but I loved the touch of the wired butterflies streaming and dancing around her as she walked. The lingerie baby color blue was a nice shade. I'm not too crazy on the granny panties but it doesn't detract from the outfit, surprisingly since Kerr pulls it off without any trace of sweat. Huge fan of the lace up shoes too.


Since we're on the subject of favorites - in terms of models, I have to say that Adriana Lima is probably my favorite just because I love her exotic look and the contrast in hues between her dark hair, dark features, and bright bright eyes. Also, she's really gorgeous (Sorry, I use that word a lot, I noticed). This piece wasn't from the 2008 show. I think it was from 2007 but I love it and wanted to include it in this post. I just love sheer white decored lace.












I wanted to have a photo of Marisa Miller too. Her outfit on the right looked really cute and gave off a very warm, Christmas present, knitted-stockings feel. And it's not just because she's wearing knitted stockings and literally has Christmas wrapping ribbons attached all over to her.

And does anyone else think that she resembles Jessica Simpson?













Last photo from the show but this piece is essentially a rose-strung webbed wingset. Which was really beautiful in my opinion. I'm just glad there weren't any giant spiders on that thing.















Overall, the fashion show was amazing. It was less Christmas-oriented than last year's, I couldn't help but to notice, and the finale wasn't as mind-boggling either. But then again, I don't think anything could beat Heidi Klum flying out from the ceiling in a nearly full diamond piece lingerie set worth tens of millions of dollars complete with a pair of wings with the enormity and quite possibly the weight of the Atlantic Ocean.

Fashgasmic

For those of you who have yet to check out Colleen Quen's 2007 "Compassion" collection, don't forget to do so. I'm about a year late in this but I couldn't miss a chance at re-oogling over her "Three Hundred Pappillons" Origami Gown - one of my absolute favorites out of all the designs out on the runway thus far.



This magenta and red silk gown, hand-crafted and hand-stitched with intricate little butterflies that drape along the length of the gown, won me over instantaneously. When I first looked at it, I couldn't ignore the Autumn-esque mood of the dress. It sort of looks like Falltime foliage, ripened to the perfect shade of red, floating one by one off of its branches. Did I mention I also have an infallible weakness towards mermaid-style gowns? Well, I do and I ADORE IT. Quen, an innovator of the modern pop art and French couture style, strove to inspire peace, compassion, and love within the community with her designs. And I am definitely feeling the love... for this dress.





And who can resist a pair of Robert Cavalli lace pumps? I am dying to get myself a pair of these...



Would go spectacularly well with my vintage flapper dress... That is, once I buy it... (Ha ha ha)






If anyone has seen the recent Sex and the City big screen film, you'll be sure to recognize these beauts.

This Judith Lieber strawberry cupcake clutch was featured in SATC and is currently at a whopping price of $4500+! It's sparkling, gorgeous, attention-grabbing, and most definitely DELICIOUS.




Another beautifully-designed Judith Lieber flower-jewel decor clutch.


And if you liked the first cupcake clutch, take a bite out of this one - beaded and sequined to perfection!





Next are three of my favorite dresses out of the Christian Dior 2008 Couture Fashion Collection.




I am completely digging the sheer babydoll styled blue dress to the left with its matching silk sewn bonnet and the decorative, but not obnoxiously so, bow sash on the side. It screams Japanese couture doll. Not to mention, the open-toed pumps she's harnessing with its anklet-strap bows are adorable as BALLS.










As for the Christian Dior dress on the right hand side, I am loving it for mostly the same reasons as the blue. I like the general style and design of the dress, not to mention the fact that I adore the printed neckpiece which I feel gives it a great added effect to its overall base color. The difference between the two dresses would be that I feel this one has a bit of a sassier attitude to it while the blue dress has more of a babydoll vibe. The bare shoulders of this piece exude naked confidence and a certain strut to this outfit. Again, the asymmetrical design of this garb is very fitting to the couture style and I am a big fan of the matching headpiece as well.








You can probably tell by now that I'm a huge groupie of the babydoll look. For this Christian Dior, what I liked was the fluff and puff of the overall design and the color itself was a very tasteful selection. The ruched bow as the centerpiece of the dress was a nice touch. The delicately squared shoulder wraps and the open-haltered collar also allowed just the perfect amount of skin to show for this piece. The open-toe heels are flawless.










Two more honorable mentions. This time from the Armani Prive 2008 Fashion Collection.








With its thick-laced décolleté and fitted midsection, paired with a matching and elegant wrap, this piece is certainly an eye-catcher.
















I am FIENDING for this split-color ankle-length gown. It's classic, classy, and bleeds of sophistication. The necklace is also a great decorative addition to this barenecked and shouldered piece.











On a completely irrelevant side note, this is what I intend on treating myself to before the end of the year 2008.



The 5150 Empress - 153cm. Friggin' beautiful and just to my liking too. Merry Christmas to me.



With that said, au revoire and see you at the next catwalk!

Pilot Post - Music and Lyrics

I don't normally review on bands and singers as a whole unless I find a band or a singer who has a very distinct style that reaches out to me. It does happen. But generally, what I do collect is a personal opinion and liking of specific songs, because while I may not always like a band or a particular singer enough to become a devoted follower, I do appreciate certain works by them. I think that each song (even if it's sung by the same singer or musicianed -not a real word, I know- by the same musicians) has a different ambiance and meaning and can touch all sorts of different people. But I like to pay homage and attention to the acoustics and lyrics of each song and most of my newly discovered favorite songs can last on repeat for at least a month.

To my extreme delight, I came across Korean-American alternative/folk singer Susie Suh whose musical talents are what birthed the lyrical masterpieces, "Light on My Shoulder," "Won't You Come Again," and "Give Me Heart." It was actually my cousin who expressed surprise, when he heard her song "Light on My Shoulder" playing in my car, over the fact that she was Asian, since she "doesn't sound like she's Asian at all" according to him. He also claimed she vocally bore a likeness to Sarah McLachlan - although in my opinion, the similarity is slight and Suh has a bit of a more texture and rawness to her voice. Originally born in LA, California, Suh graduated from Brown University and embarked on a singing and song-writing profession. Her debut album, titled Susie Suh, was released on Epic Records in 2005 and her songs have appeared in shows such as One Tree Hill on the CW.

Her sultry, contralto voice is also quite refreshing in comparison to most Asian singers who tend to linger in the higher pitches. But my favorite so far out of her album has been "Light On My Shoulder," an acoustic piece with very easy to please (and pretty truthful too) lyrics with catchy and irresistible lines like "It's easier to run and harder to be still, it's easier to fall and harder to stand, it's easier to think and harder to feel."














The song that I came across this week that I really found myself enjoying is Rachael Sage's "Bravedancing". Not only is it a pleasure to have her voice grace your ears, but her chords are also strikingly reminiscent to (but not inhibited by) other vocal powerhouses such as Tori Amos, the wonderfully lilting Kathy Fisher of Fisher, Donna Lewis, and maybe even a touch of Jewel (really). But I really appreciated the strength and susceptibility in Sage's voice that lent her so much power in this tragically melodic sequence. Not to mention the piano playing in the foreground was a real treat as well.

While the lyrics weren't anywhere close to soul-shattering or heart-wrenching or even gut-pinching, they were far from cringe-worthiness which was a huge relief.

Next step would be to guess what brave dancing is exactly...

Now as for a less lyrical but an incredibly gorgeous piece on its own, "The Door In the Floor" by Marcelo Zarvos has been revisited recently on CBS to my surprise. "The Door In the Floor" was originally created for the purpose of a vivid orchestral soundtrack for the movie "The Door In the Floor" starring Kim Basinger and Jeff Bridges (very riveting movie). A haunting combination of piano, string and orchestra that evokes an emotive image of a person biking along a breathtaking landscape, carved with a bare but doable winding trail that overlooks an endless sparkling ocean. Naturally, it sufficed for a commercial with a bunch of underwear-clad blondes and brunettes chasing one another around in a spacious castle. Good enough for me!

Another favorite piece of mine is the Mary Beth Maziarz rendition of "Daydream Believer," originally sung by The Monkees. It's a beautifully written song although I have to admit that I am very partial to the Mary Beth Maziarz version by far as it presents the originally upbeat and foot-tapping song we all know and love into a melodical piano work that is almost forlorn and most definitely sleepy. But I've loved it since I first heard it years ago with its opening lines:

Oh I could hide 'neath the wing
Of the bluebird as she sings
Six o'clock alarm would never ring
But it rings and I rise
Wipe the sleep out of my eyes
Shaving razor's cold and it stings

I've always been a fan of piano renditions of old classics. Pair it up with a slow singing, smooth-rhythm-ed vocalist and I'm won over almost immediately. In fact, this used to be the song I'd always play while reading a good book or short story. I think the best aspect of this song is the lyrics. I think it touches upon everyone's inner child and nostalgic attachments to the past. Not only does it chime a very familiar and classi c tune, but the approach Mary Beth Maziarz takes to Daydream Believer is one of a lullaby, much like the ones we've all heard as young children. The opening lines imbue memories of our younger selves - and who hasn't felt the desire to hide under the bed covers early morning, dreading the inevitable alarm ringing, at some point in their lives?

As for Mary Beth Maziarz herself, she's more of an unknown to the more mainstream audience, although she did earn herself an ASCAP award sometime in her career. Another song that I really enjoyed from her would be True Believer, which had a slightly more country feel to it and was featured in a few televisions shows overseas in Australia and Germany.

Next up is the lovely Miss Renee Stahl, of which I've had the pleasure listening to her track, "Something Real." I found this little beauty for myself while browsing through film trailers, actually. "Something Real" played during a theatrical trailer for the movie "The Dead Girl." While the movie ended up being rather mediocre to m y disappointment, I realized the Stahl's work of art was what really generated the appeal of the trailer. I really enjoyed the melancholic acoustic guitar riffs of the song. Coupled with Stahl's breathy and moving voice, it carried this piece through to the end.

Catch me
I am falling
And your innocence
Is all I have
Can you
Hear me calling
In pieces only I
Can understand..
..Thought I could only see the other side
Of Something Real
Something Real

Next post on fashion, underwear, and runways!

The Launch - An Overview

I decided to recreate a blog for my own personal usage in recovering the means of an outlet for my many past and current loves (short quips of fashion, all music and films that I've liked, any interesting events, and miscellaneous notable things that I want to be able to read back on a few years from now), sharpening my (by now, rather dull) writing and comprehensive skills, and paying a nostalgic visit to a younger, more journalistic, brilliant, and blog-savvy me.

I stumbled onto one of my old websites the past week and while it was embarrassing to re-read everything I'd written and all of the general silliness I'd chosen to upload, I decided it was definitely a very worthwhile hobby to re-start and keep a blog or personal site. I've had many short summer flings with random blogs here and there and other rendezvous and love affairs in the past years with more social-networking types of platforms (xanga, facebook, friendster).

But in a very brand new chapter of my life and in the coming of a new and fresh year, I've made myself a resolution to re-invest my attentions to the cultivation of my life. Not necessarily made for others to read or approve of, but for myself -as a whole- to be pleased with.

I love music (creating and listening) and never had a medium to keep track of it all. I am going into photography (and this time I want to really get into it and keep myself a journal of my progress). I appreciate fashion and beauty (although I can't pretend to know much about it at all) but I'd like to touch upon anything fashion-related in my blog as well. Cute things - wanted to make note of those small but interesting things I run across in my life.

Fairy artwork by Nene Thomas

As for the name of the blog, while it used to take me hours and hours to create something truly unique and obscure (like I fancied myself a poet or something. ha-ha), this one came relatively quick to me - I guess these past years have helped with my sensibility! Littlelithefairytale just came rather naturally since I like the concept of fairies - they're cute, small, pretty, and magical. The word fairytale just seemed to flow right after since, in essence, I will be recreating "fairy tales" in the written form of my idyllic fashion, musical, theatrical, and the like, encounters. But what had first occurred to me before all of that was that I wanted to incorporate the words "little lithe" as they gave off a very playful and energetic feeling to what would be my blog.

With that said, here is to a happy and, hopefully, long-lived journey to my blog!

Happy Birthday, littlelithefairytale!!!! Whooo-eee...