The Nature of Things

Chanel Fall 2010 Couture and White Bottlebrush Bark

The days leading up to San Diego's most recent storm (this term is used very, very lightly considering most of the country has been covered in snow for 4 months) provided some fantastic light for taking photos.  I've been trying to get in the habit of keeping my camera on me, and like how much more aware I am of my surroundings with it in my hand. All of a sudden, everything seems snapshot-worthy -- a realization which usually results in way too many pictures of my dog. (Omigod! Look at how he's sleeping! He's never done that before! Take a picture!!) Yesterday, while walking said dog, I saw this terrific twisting white bottlebrush tree, and got some nice photos of the papery-thin, peeling bark. Now, however doubtful it may be that Karl Lagerfeld had Melaleuca quinquenervia in mind while designing Chanel's 2010 fall couture collection, I like imagining that some entry-level fashion illustrator had tree bark on the brain during the early sketch-stages of these dresses. In any case, it makes for a fun matching game and an awfully glamourous example of style imitating nature.