easy tiger.

love fest (continued)

2012-03-01T10:00:00.000-06:00

To continue on with The xx love fest (really, I could keep this up forever), I wanted to share a few additional songs from The xx's inspiration board. These both shocked & intrigued me, but are both songs that have had a special place in my heart over the years.

"This Love" - Chris Armstrong (featuring Liz Fraser)

"Everybody's Free" - Quindon Tarver

Anyone else remember these songs from Cruel Intentions and Romeo & Juliet? LOVE.

complement

2012-03-01T00:12:00.000-06:00

When I think of a perfect pairing, The xx & SBTRKT just might be it. As a music lover, I feel like I've hit a bit of a lull lately in terms of new music, but two that I just keep going back to are The xx & SBTRKT. It came as quite the pleasant surprise when my Facebook feed was filled with SBTRKT postings from The xx Facebook page.

The xx are back in the studio for what I can only imagine will be the best junior album of all time. They've been posting songs that have inspired them in this record-making process to Facebook, so seeing SBTRKT as a prominent influence only confirms my suspicion about how truly great this album will be. Jamie Smith, of The xx, has also revealed that club music was also influential to development of the album. The album is likely to come out in the spring.

5 principles

2012-02-28T10:00:00.000-06:00

(via Sarah Wilson's twitter feed)

a simple song

2012-02-27T22:03:00.000-06:00

"Simple Song" - The Shins

feeling frisky

2012-02-23T15:50:00.002-06:00

Picking a blog name is a hard decision. I began Easy Tiger not really knowing how I'd use it or if it was really something I would keep up with. Some days I think I could do better, but for the most part I'm pretty happy with it. And I still smile every time I see a beautiful tigre.

(via)

simply the best

2012-02-21T08:30:00.000-06:00

In my opinion, there is no photographer greater than Max Wanger. He's a master of the whimsy, the ethereal. Negative space isn't "space," it's an opportunity. Give him any landscape & he'll turn it into a fantasy world. Nothing more perfectly displays his talent than his recent 2011 recap. Here are a few of my favorites:

(via)

a life worth fighting for

2012-02-20T14:20:00.002-06:00

"Disparate Youth" - Santigold

pura vida

2012-02-16T11:00:00.000-06:00

A month + a half later (although it seems like much longer) + I suppose it's finally time for the Costa Rica recap. Where to begin? This trip was everything I had hoped for + more + exactly what I needed to close out 2011 + start 2012.

Some highlights: puppies, watermelon guaro, sun, ceviche, zip lining, coconut water, the ocean, new year's eve under the stars, cookies, not driving, parties til sunrise, fresh pineapple, the tour guide, whole red snapper, pina coladas, tico time, winning at the casinos, my roommate.

For anyone that is interested in the specific details, I would be happy to share. It really was an amazing vacation + I'm dying to go back.

all rifled up

2012-02-15T10:00:00.000-06:00

A little late, but still worth sharing -- a few weeks back Fab.com got me again with their Rifle Paper Co. sale. I snagged this lovely 2012 calendar at quite the discount. Wall space at home is quite limited these days, so this print will be occupying my desk at work.

Rifle Paper Co. is such a great place for gifts + stationary. Some other items I'm loving...

forever

2012-02-14T14:00:00.000-06:00

"Little by little we age, but we don't change in our hearts. Love gets stronger. That is the way I feel. I believe he feels the same way. Yes, he was my first love. My first love & my last."

--Leila Ramos, Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Of course weddings are great, but the type of love that moves me the most is the love between elderly couples who have been together for years & years. When they said "til death do us part," they meant it. And that is a beautiful thing.

(via Rockstar Diaries : Lauren Fleishman)

once upon a teepee

2012-02-14T09:00:00.000-06:00

I'm kind of in the camp that finds Valentine's Day to be a little ridiculous. At the same time, I love LOVE, so I guess having a reason to celebrate that is a good thing. The best celebration of love? Marriage. And few have had a more perfect wedding than James of Bluebird Vintage + her adorable family.

How great are those black feathers dipped in gold paint?

a little bird told me : january

2012-02-13T12:00:00.000-06:00

my favorite love song

2012-02-13T08:30:00.000-06:00

"This Must Be the Place" - Talking Heads

"Never for money. Always for love."

A little non-traditional, but I love this song so much.

hoping that it goes right

2012-02-10T11:09:00.001-06:00

"Something Goes Right" - SBTRKT

i was there: sts9

2012-02-09T09:30:00.000-06:00

Show: STS9

Location: The Congress

Date: 1.21.12

Favorite Song: "Scheme." Duh.

Memorable Moment: I had seen some footage from other shows on the tour, but seeing the opening theatricals live was quite impressive. These musicians are super talented, but I want to take a moment to give this production crew a round of applause.

Biggest Letdown: I guess you've gotta do what you've gotta do, but the Congress Theater has gotten pretty intense lately. I mean, security guards yanking my bra or plowing through the crowds is quite the buzz kill. Again, I understand that these things might be necessary + that just makes me sad. A few short years + quite a lot has changed. Come on, idiots! Just learn to behave yourselves + none of this needs to happen.

This Show: Was quite the start to 2012. I got a great show was a fun group of people. There's little more in life that I want.

travel often

2012-02-08T11:00:00.000-06:00

I spent my Super Bowl Sunday filing my tax return, which means that now it's time for me to plan a trip.

Initial thoughts? Fall. Warm. Beaches. Culture.

I've got a few ideas floating around in my head, but would also love to hear any recommendations.

(via)

timber

2012-02-07T10:00:00.000-06:00

I won't be moving until August, but lately I've had this weird obsession with apartment hunting on Craiglist. I can't even begin to tell you how excited I am to have my own place again. Not that my current living situation is all that awful, but it's nice when the place you live is 100% you.

I've got plans, upon plans for what I want my future bachelorette pad to look like, but one thing I'm really loving is timber lofts like this:

(via)

isn't it hard?

2012-02-06T15:30:00.000-06:00

"Paddling Out" - Miike Snow

One of the better sentences I had heard in 2011 was, "Miike Snow announces plans for a new album." When those masked weirdos are involved, things are pretty much guaranteed to be sound damn good. And their new single, "Paddling Out" does sound great, but their music videos, this one included, do have a way of making me feel super uncomfortable.

i need you so much closer

2012-02-06T09:00:00.000-06:00

More pretty sketches to go with pretty songs...

"Transatlanticism" - Death Cab for Cutie

This song brings me way, way back to my high school obsession, but holy cow is this song beautiful!

(via)

try to have fun in the meantime

2012-01-30T13:00:00.000-06:00

"Born to Die" - Lana Del Rey

Okay, so her Saturday Night Live debut could have gone a little bit smoother, but give the girl a break. She didn't rise to fame the way other SNL artists have & there is a certain learning curve that goes along with big television appearances. At the end of the day, Lana Del Rey has a killer voice and heartfelt lyrics so I'm going to keep pulling for her.

always floating around the city

2012-01-30T09:00:00.000-06:00

"Trails of the Past" - SBTRKT

"A loyal soldier who acts who acts who acts. But never asks"

a mantra (as of late)

2012-01-25T09:23:00.002-06:00

(via)

a little bird told me : december

2012-01-24T10:22:00.000-06:00

You should follow: @thecoolhunter, @rachelrubes, @depreciated, @elliottholt, @swissmiss, @AndrewWK, @emilytorockio, @doorsixteen, @dgoold, @koreyprescott, @Smethanie, @gurj, @creamteam, @maxlagavere, @_FromMeToYou, @HilaryHRhoda, & @ohjoystudio

we live half in the day time...

2012-01-24T00:03:00.002-06:00

...we live half at night.

(via)

"VCR" - The xx (Matthew Dear remix)

i think it's strange you never knew

2012-01-19T10:50:00.001-06:00

"Fade Into You" - Mazzy Star

i am a criminal

2012-01-18T00:14:00.002-06:00

...but I'm fighting back.

Strike against SOPA by signing this petition now.

To learn more about SOPA & how it can impact you, visit HERE for an excellent explanation.

(via Vogue)

bye, bye

2012-01-17T11:42:00.002-06:00

Bye-bye, long, relaxing weekend.

Hello, sleep deprivation & anxiety.

(via)

all i have to hold onto

2012-01-16T10:51:00.001-06:00

"Hold On" - Chain Gang Of 1974

you fade, but the memory remains the same

2012-01-12T10:34:00.001-06:00

"The Only Thing I Know" - Gotye

commisioned

2012-01-10T11:00:00.000-06:00

One day when I have money to do something special for myself I am going to commission a special project. It will be personal. It will be inspiring. It will be beautiful.

I struggled with a particularly nasty roommate during my freshman year of college. My mother's advice was to be nasty back, but I am very much my father's daughter. He's a little less aggressive & instead gave me one of the best pieces of advice ever heard -- "You can't win an argument with an ignoramus."

I adore that simple phrase so much & refer back to it all the time, that I would love to have it as a more permanent fixture in my everyday life.

I've seen some inspirational images that would make a perfect home for my father's words of wisdom.

Whether is a mirror or a chalkboard, I would love to hire a calligrapher to bring these words to life & remind me daily that you really can't win an argument with an ignoramus.

(via here, here & here)

anything but a god-awful small affair

2012-01-09T12:28:00.001-06:00

Happy Birthday, Bowie!

This man is a legend & someone I'm dying to see live. Can you imagine Bowie headlining Lollapalooza? I'd die.

this isn't a "best of" list (2012)

2012-01-09T08:30:00.000-06:00

You may remember my anti "best of" list from last year, so the time has come to revisit this list for 2011. Again, these aren't necessarily my favorite songs or even songs that came out in 2011, but they still mean something special to me & are beautiful & are worth citing.

20 Most Significant Songs of 2011

1. Intro - The xx

2. Lights - Ellie Goulding (Bassnectar remix)

3. Belfast - Orbital

4. Baby's Arms - Kurt Vile

5. We're All No One - Nervo (featuring Afrojack & Steve Aoki)

6. Holocene - Bon Iver

7. My Tears Are Becoming A Sea - M83

8. Night Falls - Booka Shade

9. Give Me More - Pance Party

10. CMYK - James Blake

11. Seek Bromance - Avicii

12. Ready to Start - Arcade Fire

13. When I'm Small - Phantogram

14. I'll Take Care Of You - Gil-Scott Heron (Jamie XX remix)

15. Slowdance - Matthew Dear

16. Drowning - Armin Van Buuren (Avicii remix)

17. With You Forever - PNAU

18. Hold On - SBTRKT

19. Someone Great - LCD Soundsystem

20. Velvet - Lykke Li (The Big Pink cover)

This list keeps getting more & more difficult to make. There are so many great songs & I stress out that I'm going to miss something special. As was before, each of these songs has a special memory associated with it & I love that I have this blog as a space to keep a record of them.

In addition to these 20 songs, I really couldn't write this post without mentioning Jamie XX's Essential Mix on BBC Radio 1. His 2 hour set is hands down the best piece of music I heard in 2011 & the amount of times I've replayed that mix is almost embarrassing. Sprinkled above, you can see that I've pulled out some songs from the set, but as a whole it is just phenomenal. Do yourself a favor & take a listen HERE.

Once again, 2011 was a stellar year for music & I've already gotten my hands on some great stuff in 2012. I hope you enjoy my list above & I'd love to hear what some of your favorites were.

xoxo

(via)

definition

2011-12-21T09:21:00.000-06:00

"When is it going to be that we start to define our own art & start to describe what we do in terms that we know & that we can follow & continue with?"

-Gil Scott-Heron

(via)

a little bird told me : november

2011-12-20T08:30:00.000-06:00

You should follow: @AndrewWK, @hanklayton, @emilytorockio, @DeadSpin, @ultragrrrl, @NietzscheQuotes, @ohmyrocknessCHI, @Do312, @mattandkim, @MiikeSnow, @DHASH, @pitchforkmedia

i was there : ryan adams

2011-12-19T10:30:00.000-06:00

Show: Ryan Adams

Location: Cadillac Palace Theater

Date: 12.11.11

Favorite Song: Ryan played a 3hour set (!!!), so I got to hear a good collection of my favorites & from all across his career. To name a few - "If I Am a Stranger," "Firecracker," "Crossed Out Name," "Come Pick Me Up," & cliché, but probably my favorite, "Dear Chicago."

Memorable Moment: Talk about one perfect birthday surprise from one perfect guy! This show sold out immediately, so I was really bummed to learn I wasn't going. I totally said this in passing months ago, but sure enough, my awesome boyfriend was able to snag a pair of tickets. It was the best gift I could ask for.

Also... "This song is about death. Everyone in this song is dead. Apparently I was really well adjusted when I wrote it."Oh Ryan, I love how weird you are.

Biggest Letdown: There's still a few songs that I'm waiting to hear live, like "La Cienga Just Smiled" & "Dear John," but I get it, I can't hear them all. Otherwise, this show was amazing.

This Show: Was so comforting. Some people get very surprised when I tell them how much I love Ryan Adams. He tends to be a little country, which I typically hate, but his music just means so much to me & calms me down. My taste in music totally fluctuates, but he has been a constant for a while. All of his albums get my nod of approval & his live sets get the double nod.

i was there : bon iver

2011-12-19T09:00:00.000-06:00

Show: Bon Iver

Location: UIC Pavillion

Date: 12.9.11

Favorite Song: So many good ones, but "The Wolves (Act 1 & 2)" won out for sure. If you remember, this song would be featured in the soundtrack to my life & I've been feeling pretty close to having said breakdown, so it was perfect. On top of that, this was the one sing along of the night as Justin asked everyone to sing the "what might have been lost" portion that occurs just before my favorite musical explosion of all time. It was moving.

Memorable Moment: Honestly, I had never really realize how many people compromised Bon Iver & was surprised to see so many on stage. After some thought, I realized this was silly of me - they create so much sound that all of the guitars, drums, saxophones, violins, trumpets, etc. made complete sense. The set was really great, but I also really enjoyed some of the solos they featured; in particular, the violin solo.

Biggest Letdown: I was hoping that they might have used some of the visuals from their Bon Iver video accompaniment, but no such luck.

This Show: Was a big check off of my list & was absolutely as beautiful as I had anticipated. Their music produced those vibrations in my chest & I think that might be one of my favorite feelings ever.

a look back at 2011

2011-12-13T09:00:00.000-06:00

This is when I rub it in your face how awesome my life is. Enjoy!

Most Kick-Ass Concerts:

Ultra Music Festival. North Coast Music Festival. Pitchfork-James Blake. My Morning Jacket. Skrillex M83. Ryan Adams.

Favorite Acquisitions:

My indian princess print. A few big furniture purchases to make my apartment more "me." Every ticket stub to go in my scrapbook that I will one day make. Giorgio Armani sunglasses (compliments of Google). iPhone 4S.

Biggest Accomplishments:

Completing the Spartan Race. Feeling like I've learned a lot professionally in the past year. Holding my own in my first year of Fantasy Football (never under estimate Team Powderpuff). Reading books. Lots of them. And in short time frames. Hosting my first Thanksgiving. Some how turning into the Martha Stewart of costume making.

Best Views:

I made my first trip to Miami, which I really enjoyed. I would love to go back under different circumstances. A nice family vacation in Saugatauk, Michigan. Nothing can beat my upcoming week in Costa Rica though.

Yummiest Food:

Living a block away from La Pasadita is dangerous.

Most Frightening Moment:

THUNDERSNOW! Every moment of the World Series. And maybe waking up the day after the Spartan Race. Ouch.

Greatest Moment of 2011:

I joked about this last year, but not it finally came true -- Cardinals won the World Series!

another girl

2011-12-12T22:44:00.002-06:00

"Another Girl" - Jacques Greene

Big thanks to Chicago Jam Scene for reminding me of this phenomenal track from the SBTRKT's Essential Mix.

i was there : matt + kim

2011-12-12T22:25:00.003-06:00

Show: Hood Internet & Matt + Kim

Location: Congress Theater

Date: 12.1.11

Favorite Song: Hood Internet pulled out the stops with the good mash-ups. From "Rude Baptism" to "In Search of Getting U Home," I heard all of my favorites. With Matt + Kim I didn't stay super-long, but it was long enough to hear "Grinders," or more importantly, see the balloon show that goes along with that song

Memorable Moment: Thanks to the kindness of a near stranger, I was able to sneak into Budweiser's 22nd birthday party. Music is always a big plus, but I also had lots of fun with the photo booths & light sticks. Free Budweiser wasn't all that bad either.

Biggest Letdown: Party for 21 + 22 year olds meant that I felt old. A rare occurrence.

This Show: Was unexpected, free + fun. What a perfect way to ease into December!

on another midnight run

2011-12-08T13:23:00.001-06:00

"Midnight Run" - Example (Funkagenda remix)

don't you worry, just rest your head

2011-12-08T09:00:00.000-06:00

"Night" - Zola Jesus

I never really took notice of Zola Jesus until I heard "Intro" on M83's Hurry Up, We're Dreaming album. I really regret not taking a listen sooner, but I might have a chance for redemption -- Zola Jesus is going back on tour & tickets for her February 21st show at Lincoln Hall go on sale next Friday, December 16th & this seems like something I don't want to miss. Anyone else a Zola Jesus fan? I might need a partner in crime for the night.

siren song

2011-12-01T12:00:00.000-06:00

"When The Sirens Sounds" - Heads We Dance (Russ Chimes remix)

If you could be any mythical creature, what would you be? I think I'd have to go with a siren, the mermaid-like creature that lured sailors with her songs. That water/music combo is really what puts me over the edge.

(via)

the thing about birthdays...

2011-12-01T09:00:00.000-06:00

I think it's the combo of being so close to Christmas & not liking to be the center of attention that has caused me to kind of dislike my birthday which will be rearing its ugly little head in the next couple of weeks. Typically, all I want to do to celebrate is go out to dinner with a few people that are closest to me, but this year I might re-think things.

Dubstep phenomenon Caspa will be putting on a show at the Metro on Saturday, December 17th & I'm thinking that I might need to be in attendance. We all know how great his remix of Deadmau5 & Kascade's "I Remember" is & while I've kind of moved away from the whole dubstep scene, I'm pretty confident that this will be a great show. And if it isn't? You can always count on a good dance party at Smart Bar below.

(via)

a little bird told me : october

2011-11-30T09:30:00.000-06:00

You should follow: @SI_JonHeyman, @themusicmunja, @danielshirley1, @thecoolhunter, @AndrewWK, @doorsixteen, @FSMidwest, @Kurt_Vonnegut, @MarisaVictoria, @niceaxxe, @steveaoki, @grahamelliot, @AskDrRuth, @mattandkim, @ultragrrrl, @mattshirely41, @jazzmansam, @nealbrennan, & @WILLYJOY

gifted : the art aficionado

2011-11-29T14:00:00.000-06:00

As an art lover myself, I'd say the best gift you can give an art aficionado is picture frames. I'm talking frames of every shape & size, but probably of the same color.

See, the thing with art is that it's very subjective. Generally speaking, I would be way too afraid to pick out art for anyone in fears that it might not be their style. Plus, that's the fun of it anyway; gifting frames is like the gift that keeps on giving. You've got one crucial step of the art buying process completed, but the fun stuff (ie. picking out the actual art) is left all up to the recipient.

I suggest hitting up your local flea market, Ikea, or craft store for a nice selection.

Want to take it a step further? Why not frame a gift certificate to a site like 20x200.com, which houses thousands of affordable pieces of art for one's purchasing pleasure.

(via)

gifted : the literary lover

2011-11-29T09:30:00.000-06:00

Chances are that your friend, the book worm, didn't pick this up as a later-in-life hobby. Most people that love to read have been doing so since since they were young. Why don't you consider filling up their bookshelves with childhood favorites this holiday season?

My top pick (& on my wishlist as well) is any book from the Shel Silverstein collection:

Black, white & humorous is always a win.

The Clothbound Penguin Classics for Children are another great option & a bit more colorful:

Other options: check out Anthropologie's book selection. They have books on a variety of topics & they're all top notch & very aesthetically appealing. Or, if your recipient is all about novels, check out Oprah's book club for ideas -- she knows what's up.

(via)

loves like a pantheon, it carries on forever

2011-11-28T12:00:00.000-06:00

"10 Mile Stereo" - Beach House

do i still cross your mind?

2011-11-28T08:30:00.000-06:00

"Polish Girl" - Neon Indian

something strange

2011-11-22T10:30:00.000-06:00

Want to know what is strange? Buying a swimsuit in Chicago in November is strange. You really have no choice but to go with an online retailer (which can have its' challenges). Luckily, I stumbled upon a pretty stellar ikat option from Robin Piccone & I'm really crossing my fingers that this little number works out.

They were sold out of the black in my size, but I went with the olive green option (like the bottoms), which I also like. Strangely, though, my other suit that I wear most often is olive green.

Now the explanation as to why I needed a new suit..

In a little over a month, I'm packing up for a week long trip to Costa Rica!

I thought buying a swimsuit in near Winter was strange, but one whole week of vacation in a foreign land? Utterly absurd. I don't know what I'm going to do with myself, other than relax & smile. I know I've got a not-so-easy month ahead of me, but it helps to have that light at the end of the tunnel.

Here's to hoping that everyone has some sort of light ahead.

(via)

schematics

2011-11-21T12:00:00.000-06:00

"Scheme" - STS9

Tickets are purchased for STS9 in January & I cannot wait to finally see a legit indoor set from them.

Ps. January already? Sheesh!

i was there : m83

2011-11-21T09:00:00.000-06:00

Show: M83

Location: Lincoln Hall

Date: 11.17.11

Favorite Song: The declining temperatures in Chicago wasn't the only thing that was giving me chills that night. M83 put on quite the show & I'm still trying to decide what exactly my favorite song was. The set was very diverse & appealed to many different interests. For example, "Into" straight up gave me chills, while "Steve McQueen" was what got my body moving. Then there was "Year One, One UFO" that I don't particularly love on the album, but sounded so perfect when accompanied with the thoughtful light explosions. When it comes down to it though, I usually pick what's pretty. For me, that was "Wait." It was perfect & dreamy & the twinkle lights were a perfect complement.

Memorable Moment: I'll be honest, I wasn't expecting to be greeted by the larger-than-life "Where the Wild Things Are" like creature that graces the cover of Hurry Up We're Dreaming. It was a nice touch though, & slightly creepy.

Biggest Letdown: Despite it being the 2nd show of the night, M83 got off to a bit of a rocky start -- lyrics were forgotten & sound levels were a bit off. Things seemed to get corrected fairly quick, so no major setbacks.

This Show: was memorable & interesting. Obviously, I was there for the music, which was superb, but as mentioned above several times, the lights really stood out as well. M83 had everything -- twinkle lights, strobe lights, light sticks, you name it. I was worried that it might be obnoxious & distracting, but their crew did a great job pairing up the lights with the music, especially when it came to build ups. This isn't something I normally take into account unless it's Pretty Lights or Deadmau5 or someone else of that caliber, but this display was notable to me & in a good way.

a chronic case of the fremps

2011-11-16T09:36:00.001-06:00

Finally there is a word for this feeling. Does anyone else get this feeling? I feel like I constantly have an internal battle where I cringe on the inside at others' behaviors. I don't mean that to come off rude or snooty, but some behavior is totally incomprehensible to me.

(via swissmiss)

essential

2011-11-14T12:12:00.001-06:00

Being extremely busy with work means that having a non-fussy soundtrack is essential to productivity. Enter: Jamie xx's Essential Mix. It's been in my rotation since it's August 27th release, but I've had to have listened to the 2 hour long program about 10 times last week. It is phenomenal, I cannot get enough, & I credit it for keeping my sanity.

Each time I listen I pick out something new I love, but I really want to highlight three tracks in particular that are really pleasing my ear drums:

"Orbital" - Belfast

This song lays a perfect groundwork for what's next to come in this two hour mix - not too heavy, but definitely interesting.

"Lost In Tokyo" - Koreless

I feel like the title of the song is so appropriate, because you do kind of get lost in it.

"Slow Burn Treason" - Holly Miranda

I'm a sucker for good lyrics & pretty voices, so Holly Miranda totally strikes a chord with me:

Wake up & you're next to nothing

But the weight of the world is on your side

Most days you don't even notice

But that's a lie

junior

2011-11-09T18:07:00.000-06:00

Never in my life did I think that a song called "Intro" would be one of my favorites, but The xx changed all that for me. I could listen to this song on repeat forever. I love it so much so, that I think a slightly slower, live version of this would be beautiful to walk down the aisle to if & when I get married.

I'm sure everyone has heard the good news by now, but The xx is coming out with their second album & they even have a new blog to document the process. They've taken a little break since the 2009 release of their senior album, xx, but Jamie xx has kept himself busy in the meantime.

Jamie xx collaborated with the late Gil Scott-Heron on We're Here Now, produced one stellar EP, & developed perhaps my favorite Essential Mix to date (more on that later today). His talents have only grown since the release of xx and I'm more than confident that he will help lead their second album in a great direction. I for one am confident to announce that this is my most anticipated album of 2012.

murmuration

2011-11-09T08:30:00.000-06:00

murmuration

/merr'meuh ray"sheuhn/, n.

1. an act or instance of murmuring.

2. a flock of starlings.

(via swissmiss)

5 happy thoughts (re-visited)

2011-11-08T10:00:00.000-06:00

Way back in July of 2010 I made a pledge to record 5 different things that made me happy each day. I know that sounds super lame, but it was one of the best routines I ever got in. I kept it up pretty well through April of 2011, but then got lazy, or unhappy, or something along those lines & quit for a bit.

I stumbled upon my lists a few weeks back & not only did they make me extremely happy, but they reminded me of some little details of my life that would have otherwise been long forgotten.

I've picked this little habit back up so I can remember just how I felt when the Cardinals won the World Series, or when I received a sweet text from someone special, or when I had a particularly amusing convo with my mom, and all that other good stuff. It also reminds you that there is always some good, even on the most miserable of days.

I highly suggest trying this out yourself. I think you'll smile when you look back on those little moments that amount to one amazing life.

(via)

i've already had your kind

2011-11-07T12:00:00.002-06:00

"Moneygrabber" - Fitz & the Tantrums

day of the dead

2011-11-02T08:35:00.002-05:00

Today marks day two of the Mexican holiday, Dia de los Muertos. Growing up, I always recognized All Saint's Day & All Soul's Day, but there's something about the iconography & tradition of the Day of the Dead that I find really fascinating. Case & point...

(via)

i won't fuck us over

2011-11-01T09:02:00.002-05:00

"Mr. November" - The National

It's not November 1st if I don't start things off with this song.

celebrations

2011-10-31T23:16:00.001-05:00

This past weekend has been all about celebrations. Namely, a World Series win for my hometown St. Louis Cardinals. This team is filled to the brim with talent & good character & they worked hard to to become champs this season. In honor of this great group of guys I dressed as a cardinal while partaking in another great celebration -- Halloween! I wish I could have gotten a full body shot of my costume (my tail & wingspan were pretty great), but I guess I'll have to get a photo next year when the Cardinals go for #12 in 2012.

thank heaven for little girls

2011-10-28T12:30:00.000-05:00

"As I always bite my tongue when I meet little girls, restraining myself from my first impulse, which is to tell them how darn cute/ pretty/ beautiful/ well-dressed/ well-manicured/ well-coiffed they are ...our culture's standard talking-to-little-girls icebreaker"

-Lisa Bloom

Maybe it's because I was such a stinking cute child (I kid, I kid.), but this article from Lisa Bloom really struck a chord with me & I think it's something that everyone should be more cognisant of. Many of my own childhood memories include compliments on my mini-me looks or being called Miss America & I'm completely guilty of doing this with little girls that I meet. Years & years of this type of greeting will most certainly result in the realization of "Oh wow. Looks are the first thing people notice about me. This must be really, really important." ABC News has even reported that nearly half of all three- to six-year-olds worry about being fat.

You've got to be kidding me.

Bloom goes on to offer some great alternatives for when you meet a little girl. For example: "what book are you reading?," "what are your likes & dislikes?" These are all intelligent questions with no right or wrong answers. They also show that her interests & opinions matter, which is something that will undoubtedly lead to confidence later in life.

Just thought this was something to keep in mind & as Bloom says, "Here's to changing the world, one little girl at a time."

Read Lisa Bloom's full article "How to Talk to Little Girls" here.

(via)

i was there : phantogram

2011-10-27T09:49:00.002-05:00

Show : Phantogram

Location : Metro

Date : 10.23.11

Favorite Song : This show, more than many others, made the decision of picking a favorite song very difficult. All the songs I love on the albums also sounded amazing live. "10,000 Claps" was the most calming & beautiful & just made you want to be with someone special. "As Far As I Can See" & "Mouthful of Diamonds" were the two that really got the crowd moving & that's always a good time. Then you had "16 Years" & "Don't Move" from their latest album, Nighlife, which were pretty killer. It's a very tough call, but right now I'm really feeling "Don't Move."

Memorable Moment : Trying to decide if I was more attracted to Sarah Barthel or Joshua Carter. Both are total babes that look really good on a stage.

Biggest Letdown : Really, there was no such thing as a letdown for this show. If anything, I wish I had familiarized myself with Nighlife more before the show, but at least it has kept me busy in the days following the show. Also, maybe that I hadn't missed the openers. I was curious to check out Reptar.

This Show : was phenomenal & it was FREE! (Thanks, Chirp Radio!) I just really enjoyed the energy & the sound was great. Once again, I get to cross off someone I've been dying to see live.

(via)

lofty dreams

2011-10-26T12:32:00.002-05:00

I can't even begin to tell you how often I dream about my future semi-permanent place of living. You know, that place that belongs to me & only me before I settle down & potentially get married. Lofts have always seemed dreamy to me, but I think this one here has the perfect amount of girly appeal.

(via)

last of the great indulgences

2011-10-25T10:17:00.000-05:00

Remember her? I chatted about her last week. This was a Fab.com find I just couldn't pass up. I'm a huge fan of Charmaine Olivia & already own 4 of her prints. A while back I talked about how my definition of personal style was "Western Glam," & I'd say this print fits that description pretty well.

I'm excited about this purchase, not only because I've been oogling over it for a while, but also because this is the start (well after my haircut tonight) of my spending hiatus. Yep, no fun. Holidays are coming up & I've got an exciting trip in the works so that means I need to tighten the reigns on my spending. Typically, I don't do the best job at this, but if I need to I can be pretty thrifty. Wish me luck!

sound bites

2011-10-24T09:39:00.001-05:00

"Twice Bitten" - SBTRKT

At this point, I should know not to be wary of people in masks. Daft Punk, Deadmau5, Miike Snow -- they all produce phenomenal music & SBTRKT, another masked musical avenger, seems to fit in with that crowd quite well. His Essential Mix a few weeks back blew me away & I can't wait to see him live myself at Bottom Lounge in a few weeks.

don't forget to use protection

2011-10-21T14:00:00.000-05:00

A new iPhone 4S means I get to shop for a new cover. Society 6 seems to be the spot to shop for iPhone covers. I only made it through 50 of the 700+ pages of covers, but my wish list is hardly narrowed down at all. Here's a peek at a few that I'm loving:

I hate to be predictable, but I think I know what my decision is going to be -- Obviously I'm going to go with the naked chick.

...More on her later...

Also cool? Turn your Instagram photos into an iPhone cover.

a perfect date

2011-10-21T10:30:00.000-05:00

What's your idea of a perfect date? I don't know about you, but this looks pretty great to me.

(via)

i was there : pretty lights

2011-10-20T11:15:00.001-05:00

Show : Pretty Lights

Location : The Rave - Milwaukee, WI

Date : 10.7.11

Favorite Song : Pretty Lights was destined to remix Kanye's "All of the Lights" & the outcome was pretty ridiculous. This was a song that really got the crowd riled up.

Memorable Moment : I always love checking out new venues. The Rave wasn't my all time favorite, but it had some character. I wish I could have explored it a little bit more (& turned down the lights).

Biggest Letdown : The music was great, but I was expecting to see this:

Unfortunately, Pretty Lights couldn't do the full production in Milwaukee which was a huge bummer for me. I probably wouldn't have made the trek had I known that beforehand.

This Show : felt like I was far away from Chicago. I was in great company & enjoyed the performance, but the crowd just felt so different to me. It made me appreciate the diversity & weirdness of Chicago.

make me happy

2011-10-20T11:00:00.000-05:00

"Meek - Happy" - James Holden

James Holden has been one of my recent discoveries that I just can't get enough of. Most everything I've heard from him has been high energy & electronic, & well, that's just about always a winning combination for me. I feel like a lot of his songs belong in action movies.

soundtrack to my life : the build-up

2011-10-20T09:00:00.000-05:00

"Untitled 6" - Sigur Rós

Over the years I've developed a soundtrack to my life of sorts. There are just songs that are so inherently me that they would absolutely have to make the cut if my life were ever to be a movie. "Untitled 6" by Sigur Rós is one of those songs that I will always, always go back to. If you're patient with it, it will turn into something really beautiful. Go ahead, give it a full listen.

hometown glory

2011-10-17T10:17:00.001-05:00

"Hometown Glory" - Adele

It's a great day to be a St. Louisan & Cardinals fan! We are going to the world series & I couldn't be more excited. These last few months of baseball have been an uphill battle & I am so proud of my team for making it this far. Roll your eyes if you want, but St. Louis really is a baseball town & the energy in the city must be buzzing right now. It makes me sad that I can't be back in my hometown now, but that doesn't mean I won't be celebrating here in Chicago.

(via ESPN)

feels so good, but damn it makes me hurt

2011-10-13T09:30:00.000-05:00

"La Cienga Just Smiled" - Ryan Adams

I will never stop loving this song, but I will eternally hate Ticketmaster from preventing me from getting tickets to Ryan Adams' show in December. Assholes.

a little bird told me : september

2011-10-12T14:00:00.000-05:00

You should follow: @thomyi, @Kurt_Vonnegut, @bestycoastyy, @DiscoDemons, @dcurtis, @DHASH, @gurj, @ultragrrrl, @doorsixteen, @grahamelliot, @Midwestfan, @paulthenshirely, @MetroChicago

a little bird told me : august

2011-10-12T09:30:00.000-05:00

You should follow: @mattshirley41, @ultragrrrl, @Do312, @lululemon, @DJWeap, @refinery29, @AndrewWK, @mattandkim, @andrewdmoses, @KFUCKINGP, @DiscoDemons, @doorsixteen, @hanklayton, @DimitryMak, @thepenta, @Thefullnilson, @maxlugavere, @bestycoastyy, @RevRunWisdom & @phartsandcrafts

from me for you

2011-10-11T13:30:00.000-05:00

Kate from frommeforyou is an insanely talented jewelry & graphic designer & she also has a pretty great blog to boot. Unfortunately, Kate & her boyfriend hit a bit of a financial as well as emotional speed bump when her boyfriend was diagnosed with testicular cancer. The medical bills have piled up & she could really use the support of others to overcome this hurdle.

Kate has a fantastic Etsy shop featuring art from both her & her boyfriend & all proceeds are going to help pay for the mounting medical bills. Take a peek, & if you can, help her out with a purchase. I snagged this beauty below:

Best of luck to Kate & her boyfriend. My thoughts are with you both.

heart attack : arrows

2011-10-11T10:00:00.000-05:00

Doing a simple search on Etsy for "arrows" yields some fantastic results:

1. | 2. | 3. | 4. | 5. | 6.

i was there : foster the people

2011-10-10T21:49:00.001-05:00

Show: Foster the People

Location: The Riviera

Date: 10.5.11

Favorite Song: I'd probably pick the opener, "Houdini," but I also really like "Helena Beat" because the first few chords sounds like Ratatat.

Memorable Moment: Foster the People took a moment to explain that in each city they visited they would pick a charity to donate a portion of their proceeds to. They also called out that it doesn't take much to make a big difference in the world. It's pretty great to see that type of optimism & generosity from a young group of guys.

Biggest Letdown: I had a hard time getting into this show. I think I was more excited for Foster the People months earlier & I probably would have been better off selling my extra ticket. They sounded perfectly fine, but it just didn't quite do it for me. Regardless, I think these guys have potential in the future.

This Show: Made me feel like I was at a concert with a lot of people that don't go to concerts often. I think 99% of their energy went into hearing "Pumped Up Kicks" & not a lot else.

fake plastic love

2011-10-07T10:30:00.000-05:00

Okay guys, these photos of Barbie & Ken's wedding KILL me.

You can see the whole set here.

(via Glamour)

wanna get away?

2011-10-04T08:30:00.000-05:00

(via)

don't let it fool you

2011-10-03T16:26:00.001-05:00

"Roslyn" - Bon Iver

What a pleasant Monday morning surprise to learn that Bon Iver has extended their tour & Chicago made the cut. I've dropped the ball a couple times on purchasing tickets, but I won't make that mistake this time. Tickets for their 12/9 show at UIC Pavillion go on sale Saturday at 10am. You won't want to miss this one!

audio, video, disco

2011-10-03T12:38:00.001-05:00

"Audio, Video, Disco" - Justice

I'm slowly chipping away at my list of "must see" live concerts, but Justice is one that I still haven't had a chance to see yet. I'm hoping that with the new album will come a new tour.

i was there : the walkmen + fleet foxes

2011-10-02T23:52:00.000-05:00

Show: Walkmen & Fleet Foxes

Location: Chicago Theater

Date: 9.30.11

Favorite Song: This is somewhat unconventional, but I just loved "Hang On Siobhan" from The Walkmen. It's kind of funny because I have never really taken notice of the song in the past, nor have I listened to it in probably 5 years. This song just reminded me of the most perfect music box. Part due to the ballerina backdrop of the stage, but mainly it was the slow & ethereal sounds coming through the speakers. It was really beautiful.

Memorable Moment: I had no intentions of going to this show, but when I got a text from a friend with an extra ticket an hour & a half before the show started I just couldn't say no (concerts are my Achilles heel). I'm not super into Fleet Foxes, but I used to be big into The Walkmen back in high school. I hadn't thought much about The Walkmen in a long time, but hearing Hamilton Leithauser's characteristic vocals in the Chicago Theater was pretty special. I wish I could've heard more from them.

Biggest Letdown: I was sleepy. Fleet Foxes sounded great & their harmonization was really impressive, but I couldn't stop a case of the yawns by the end of the show.

This Show: was unexpected & nostalgic. There is also something really special about seeing a concert in the Chicago Theater.

you'll never be walking alone

2011-09-29T11:14:00.001-05:00

"Walking Alone" - Dirty South & Those Usual Suspects

Dirty South was awarded the highly coveted Essential New Tune award a few weeks back when Swedish House Mafia took over Pete Tong's Friday afternoon radio show. No surprise there. This track it hot!

the stars are the sky sent to me

2011-09-29T09:56:00.000-05:00

For the past year or so I've fallen totally in love with Villa Nah's "Emerald Hills." It reminds me of summertime, being in love & looking up at the night sky. A little hokey, I know, but you can't deny that that is a great feeling.

Here in Chicago, star gazing is pretty limited. Until now. Obviously it's not quite the same thing, but for $25, you can bring the stars directly to you with this star projector.

And that's exactly what I did. I'm sure the usage will be limited, but $25 seemed like such a small price for such a beautiful effect. I think I will especially love it when I take my weekly bubble baths.

Purchase one for yourself here.

i was there : empire of the sun + miami horror

2011-09-26T23:30:00.000-05:00

Show: Empire of the Sun & Miami Horror

Location: Congress Theater

Date: 9.14.11

Favorite Song: I hate to be cliché. I was really hoping it would be "Standing On the Shore" or even "Half Mast," but I can't deny how perfect "Walking On a Dream" was. That is a magical song.

Also to note, Miami Horror was pretty awesome as well. It was pretty easy for them to be overshadowed by Empire of the Sun, but "I Look to You," "Holidays" + "Sometimes" were among my favorites of the entire night.

Memorable Moment: Empire of the Sun can only be described as theatrically fabulous. They put on on a serious show ...+ don't even get me started on Luke Steel's costume changes.

Biggest Letdown: Absolutely nothing. I had so much fun.

This Show: Made me feel like everything was perfect in the world if only for those few hours. Another cliché, but true.

i was there : north coast music festival - sunday

2011-09-26T23:10:00.005-05:00

Show: North Coast Music Festival - Sunday

ATB

Benny Benassi

Thievery Corporation

Bassnectar

Location: Union Park

Date: 9.4.11

Favorite Song: Bassnectar's remix of Ellie Goulding's "Lights" was a special moment for both me earbuds + me personally. It was beautiful.

Memorable Moment: Not only was this the last day of my favorite festival, but it was filled to the brim with good people, good beats + good feelings. I left that festival happier than I had been in a while.

Biggest Letdown: My sub-par attempts at hooping. (See below).

This Show: Was indeed Summers last stand, but it was really the most perfect way to go out. I'm going to be counting down the days until NCMF 2012 (+ crossing my fingers that I get Underworld).

i was there : orchard lounge

2011-09-26T22:58:00.002-05:00

Show: Orchard Lounge

Location: Smart Bar

Date: 9.3.11

Favorite Song: I'll be honest, I wasn't too familiar with Orchard Lounge prior to this night, but Smart Bar seemed like a good option post North Coast.

Memorable Moment: Orchard Lounge was not at all a letdown. They had some great electrofunk sounds + I love to give it up for the Chicago locals.

Biggest Letdown: I'm not as young + virile as I used to be. The set was great, but I had some major bedtime cravings + might night ended early (or as early as an after party can end).

This Show: Made me want to go to Smart Bar more often. I love that dance floor.

i was there : north coast music festival - saturday

2011-09-26T22:50:00.003-05:00

Show: North Coast Music Festival - Saturday
Big Gigantic
Future Rock
Major Lazer
Rusko
Carl Cox
STS9
Fatboy Slim

Location: Union Park

Date: 9.3.11

Favorite Song: There is something about Rusko's "Hold On" that just does something special for me. It is a pretty sensual song, so they hip gyrating comes quite naturally. I say that's a good thing.

Memorable Moment: Who knew that Fatboy Slim would be the one to steal the weekend? It reminded me of last year when Moby was one of the acts to dominate North Coast. These guys might be older + somewhat out of the game, but they for sure know how to bring it + get the crowd going.

Biggest Letdown: Not sticking it out for more of STS9. Like I said, Fatboy Slim put on a show + it was hard to pull myself away. I only hope STS9 makes the rounds back to Chicago soon.

This Show: Was more high energy than Friday night. I had never before seen Future Rock, STS9 or Fatboy Slim, but I was quite impressed with all 3. That's the sign of a successful night.

i was there : north coast music festival - friday

2011-09-26T22:32:00.001-05:00

Show: North Coast Music Festival - Friday
SBTRKT
Lotus
Wolfgang Gartner
David Guetta

Location: Union Park

Date: 9.2.11

Favorite Song: I called it prior, but "Illmerica" from Wolfgand Gartner was my top pick of the night. What a dance party.

Memorable Moment: I love going to festivals with newbies, especially when they have a great time.

Biggest Letdown: No matter how hard I try, Guetta just doesn't do it for me. I even left a little early

This Show: Was just the start of my truly favorite weekend of the year. Bring on Saturday & Sunday!

perspective

2011-09-21T08:30:00.000-05:00

Sometimes a hefty (or small) dose of perspective can be one of the greatest gifts one can receive. It always seems to happen that when I'm feeling down or stressed out something always pops up to remind me how lucky & loved I am. And then I feel silly for the way I reacted.

(via)

renegade rundown (pt. deux)

2011-09-20T13:00:00.000-05:00

I walked away from the Renegade Craft Fair in Chicago without making any purchases, but I did snag a handful of business cards for consideration. The 2011 Renegade Craft Fair brought several of the same vendors from the previous year, including: Uncommon, Hip Huts & Bettula, as well as some other goodies that I didn't remember from the previous year. The list is a little longer this year, but here are my favorites:

Yellow Lion

I most certainly foresee one of these prints in my future. They tie into my Western theme & the cool colors fit my color scheme perfectly.

Victoria Bekerman

I especially love Bekerman's use of both silver & gold in her pieces. Having both makes adding other accessories easier to do.

Shapes & Colors

Shapes & Colors produces some fantastic Navajo-inspired prints. This navy pillow is my favorite.

Coatt

I thought this was so clever - morse code jewelry! The necklace above spells out "Lover," but you can create custom pieces as well.

The Elizabeth Element

I really wanted to snag one of these stools, but nearly all of them were sold out. I'm going to keep checking the shop regularly though because there really is a difference between a good cut of wood & a great cut of wood.

Larken

I'm not sure I have the best home for these prints, but I thought there was something pretty awesome about these vintage mugshots.

Lucius Art

Again, I'm probably not the target audience, but these animal prints made me giggle. This shop is a must for hipster cat owners.

Zero Bird

What a great gift idea for any young, urban Chicagoan.

Baumbirdy

Baumbirdy was one of my top picks for invitations & paper goods. The calligraphy is superb.

Lauren Haupt

What I love most about Haupt's pieces is that they are so simple & delicate. These are pieces you could wear every day.

Debbie Carlos

The one item I seriously considered purchasing (& am kinda bummed I didn't) was this print from the lovely Debbie Carlos.

I originally had my eyes on another one of her prints, but I am now about 99% positive I will pull the trigger on the one above instead. She had a framed version at the tent & it looked really nice in a frame.

i heart art : bucktown art fest

2011-09-20T09:30:00.000-05:00

I checked out the Bucktown Art Fest at Senior Citizen Memorial Park back on September 28th. A lot of the booths felt a little old for my taste, but I did stumble upon a few vendors that were pretty great.

Emmy Star Brown

Not only was this artist super friendly, but she had a lot of talent too. All of her artwork is hand-painted on salvaged windows. These pieces would make such a unique addition to any home.

Clay Hamilton

Hamilton's mixed media artwork was beyond gorgeous in person. It looks like dripping paint, but the finish is like porcelain. I am for sure keeping his work in consideration when my budget allows for an artwork indulgence.

Hiroshi Ariyama

I've been following Ariyama's talents for a couple years now & I am never surprised to see his booth overflowing at art festivals. He offered something new at the Bucktown Art Fest with his wood panel prints.

how deep is your love?

2011-09-19T16:00:00.000-05:00

"How Deep Is Your Love?" - The Rapture

I'm never surprised to hear an awesome song & then learn that the artists belongs to DFA Records. They sure have an ear for talent.

here in your arms

2011-09-19T11:00:00.000-05:00

"Here In Your Arms" - Hellogoodbye

(via Le Love)

the dog days are over

2011-09-19T09:00:00.000-05:00

"Dog Days Are Over" - Florence & the Machine (Yeasayer remix)

Sad, but true...

i'd rather be thrifting

2011-09-16T11:18:00.000-05:00

I~~'d rather~~ will be thrifting this Sunday at the Vintage Bazaar pop-up shop at the Congress Theater. This flea market is featuring 70+ vendors with all sorts of vintage clothing, home decor & furniture. The best part? All donations at the door go to One Tail at a Time, an animal rescue organization. There will even be some pups around for adoption. Doors open at 11am so be sure to get their for first dibs on the goodies!

(via)

missoni madness

2011-09-14T05:26:00.002-05:00

I couldn't allow myself to miss out on the Missoni for Target madness, & seeing that my options of non-sold out items were very limited, I deemed it chance of fate that this perfect pouf was still available at 12am this morning. Not only does it fit perfectly with my home aesthetic, but I have a certain corner in my room that was requiring an armchair or ottoman of sorts. This item fills that need perfectly & keeps me an active member of the "it" crowd on top of that.

I only wish I had been quick enough to snag some of these items as well:

hurry up, we're dreaming

2011-09-12T14:00:00.000-05:00

"Midnight City" - M83

I bought tickets for the M83 show at Lincoln Hall on a whim & now it has turned into one that I am most anticipating. I'm quite optimistic that Hurry Up, I'm Dreaming will translate into a phenomenal live show. The first single, "Midnight City" is undoubtably awesome, but the intro, "Steve McQueen" & "Wait" are my additional favorites.

I know I've already played "Midnight City" here, but I couldn't find the "Steve McQueen" track on YouTube. Take a peak around the web & try to find it though. It's a great listen.

While you're at it, check out this M83 & Kanye mash-up, "Midnight Life," by White Panda

this is not the end

2011-09-12T11:30:00.000-05:00

"This is Not the End" - Gui Boratto (featuring Luciana Villanova)

Gui can do no wrong in my eyes ...except, perhaps, when he cancels two shows I have tickets for. You can't hide for long; our paths will one day cross.

puppet to the man

2011-09-12T08:54:00.002-05:00

"Puppet to the Man" - Kurt Vile

This always feel like the most appropriate song for the start of the work week, but I propose taking it a step further & listening to the whole Smoke Ring for My Halo album by Kurt Vile to start your day. I'm definitely on a Vile kick.