Vrolijk Pasen!

Means Happy Easter in Dutch. I'm tickled today to find some fun Easter art on one of my favoriter Dutch blogs Fontanel.nl. Funnier still is that the illustration came from Christopher Niemann of the NY Times. It's come full-circle now.

IFFB Highlights.

Her. Obviously.

Lin.
Quiet, intense, and gorgeous. This film, as Ward Janssen put it, "Is perfect in every way." It really is.

Somewhere.
Oh Sofia, I can't help but love you. Sofia is at her schtick again, but I can't fight it, I like her quiet sad introspective films. 

Audrey the Trainwreck.
Funny, clever and poignant. This is a great date movie that doesn't dip into cliches or maxims.

Microphone.
Filled with the kind of hope and angst that only the repressed and teenagers can really channel. This film will bring you there and back and to places you never knew.

Twin Freaks.
It was a party. I wore a backless shirt. Woot woot!

Check out all the fun on Flickr. You might even spy a certain cheeky blogger.

There were a lot more films that I failed to see. Running around, Angeling, and After-Parties can take a lot out of you!

Many many thanks to Marijke [see 'licious pic above] and Ward for bringing me into the fray; and to Laura who got me acclimated, wined and dined me, and kept me in 6" stilettos on party night. I had an amazing time, saw an exciting panoply of films, and best and above all met a talented and driven group of amazing photographers, film-makers, artists, volunteers, bloggers etc etc. Man I gotta say. I fracking love the NL. The people here are tops.

Slow Breathing.

As much as I am "living the dream" out here in the NL complete with the gorgeous apartment and devastatingly handsome French partner; my ego still does get quite bashed about, by my current job situation...or lack thereof. I'm interning at the most darling of design agencies in the Hague, but not sure if that will manifest itself into something more. All the while I've been networking, and applying, and cold-calling, and interviewing and pavement pounding and all for naught. I average about a rejection a day. I didn't think it was taking such a mental toll until today when I got yet another and called said devastatingly handsome partner and broke down into a blubbering mess. I guess I am bummed. And then I stumbled upon this lovely painter Samantha French [what a name!] through Poppytalk handmade. I love the Frenchie feel, her chunky strokes and bold use of light and reflection. But most of all, I love the message. Slow Breathing. Relax and enjoy. Something I very much need right now. Check her out on Etsy. And check out Poppytalk's store here.