Nicola-Formichetti

Nicola-Formichetti Store by Gage/Clemenceau Architects. Images from Knstrct.

Estonian Academy of Art

Estonian Academy of Art Competition - Gage/Clemenceau Architects. Images from Gage/Clemenceau.

Stardust

I wasn't supposed to read. I have a lot of schoolwork and work to finish during this holiday break, so I purposely prohibited myself from reading. Unfortunately, I have a fresh stack of used books in the corner of my room that were given to me for Christmas and I was too tempted. It started as a way to pass time as I waited for Sketchup to stop being temperamental. And Stardust is not a difficult read, so I managed to get through about half the book this way. I ultimately stopped working and just finished the book. It was not bad. I enjoyed the plot and the final sentence in the book was so hauntingly sad and beautiful that it pushed the book, in my mind, into the "good" category. That being said, the characters were not very well developed. I watched the movie long ago and watched it a second time recently and I really enjoy the movie. In fact, the characters are better developed in the movie and if it hadn't been for that fact, I think I would have enjoyed the book less. The storyline in the book differs from that in the movie and I like that aspect, to some degree. Overall, it was a pleasant read. This type of fantasy novel always appeals to my romantic (in the nostalgic sense), imaginative side.

Stardust by Neil Gaiman

A tree in Hawaii. Photography by Brandon Russell

Bourrasque

By Paul Cocksedge
Images from Dezeen

Busan Opera House

Images from suckerPUNCH.

Very Quick Recipes

In an effort to make a New Year resolution to eat properly without eating out all of the time, I'm trying to alter my approach to cooking. I haven't quite figured it out, but ideally any dish that requires few ingredients, or ingredients with long shelf lives (so I can minimize grocery store trips), that requires little preparation, and that uses few dishes (so I can minimize cleaning time) would be great. That seems nearly impossible now that I write it out, but... maybe I can figure something out.

• Cream biscuits
• Congee! (Juk)