To Elegance, Simplicity, Style, Truth and Care in 2017

Asylum’s international correspondent, Ophélie, owner of the Paris bakery, Beurre, and part time Baccarat player here at the Asylum, asked to share her hopes for the new year.

Inside city of Paris, I can’t live without, euh…how you say, morning bun, each and every morning, along with a strong cup of coffee. Sense of style, I guess?  Or maybe just sweet tooth.

I was reading my favorite movie reviewer…Rex Reed, who wrote the following at the Observer on the movies from 2016…

Rex Reed’s Best Movies of 2016

I had high hopes that 2016 at the movies would be like every other year—they’d save the best for last. Sadly, no miracles occurred and it went down in history as one of the sorriest years ever. Blame free internet streaming, pretentious critics who abhor anything with a plot, new kids on the block who don’t know how to make movies with flair, focus or narrative continuity, the death of style, the growth of alternate TV programming, or any of a number of other alarming factors. The fact remains, movies are no longer what they used to be and nobody cares. Some observers predict the cultural force that informs our development from the advent of childhood is already a thing of the past.

We can apply Mr. Reeds’ thoughts on movies for the past year to much of modern life and hopefully take lessons to make 2017 better.  And maybe the first thing to do to make 2017  better is to turn the tables, and rather than “not caring”, maybe try to actually care about things again.  From manners, to how we dress, to the food we eat – to how we take care of those less fortunate, how we take care of the environment – that we care enough to seek the truth; that we care for each other and, of course, that we care for ourselves.  For when one cares, or gives a damn, it usually equates to improving what one cares for and about.

So, here’s to 2017 ~ and our hopes that it is one that has a bit more class, a bit more style, a bit more elegance, a bit more taste and a lot more caring.

 

“My nerves need a drink” ~ Grace Kelly in “To Catch A Thief”

Photo credit: By Trailer screenshot (w:en:To Catch a Thief (film) trailer) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

 

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“Simplicity is the keynote of all true elegance.”  ~ Coco Chanel

Photo credit:  By Marion Pike (Internet) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

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“Simplicity, to me, has always been the essence of good taste.”
~ Cary Grant

Photo  credit:  By Allan warren (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0) or GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html)%5D, via Wikimedia Commons

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“From my own self-analysis, which I seldom indulge in, I am what I am.”
― Lauren Bacall

 

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“There is more to talking than just words.” – Humphrey Bogart

 

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“Don’t write yourself off. If you don’t believe in yourself, you won’t be able to function.” ~ David Niven

 

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“I’d be more frightened by not using whatever abilities I’d been given. I’d be more frightened by procrastination and laziness.” ~ Denzel Washington

Photo credit:  By GabboT (Mag7 PC 13) [CC BY-SA 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)%5D, via Wikimedia Commons

 

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“You are creative, whoever you are. Respect your own creativity and respect the creativity and creative space of other people.”  ~ Wynton Marsalis

Photo credit:  By feinsteinphotos (Flickr) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)%5D, via Wikimedia Commons

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!