For the Love of October

It's certainly been a while hasn't it?

I am currently blaming the lack of blog-o-sphere action on the fact that I actually thought I was forever locked out of my account due to google owning every email service on the planet.  Let's just say things got rather complicated and I now have to log in with an address that includes % signs and words that don't make sense...(oh technology)

In case you've been in a box for the last few weeks, I am here to inform you that it is gloriously, and most officially AUTUMN.

Let's take a look, shall we?

It smelled like fall today.  That crispy, comforting smell of fallen leaves beginning their transition back into dirt.  I'm tellin' you - I love it! (although my unenthused face in this picture would beg to differ...)

What's another thing I love might you ask?  Why it's this absurdly bat-winged-flowy shirt that I plucked from a heaping clothes dumpster pile at the end of last year!

(Just look at how it immediately improves my otherwise hopeless attempts at modern dance!)

And looking stoic.  I'm telling you, if you ever need to look stoic, nothing will do it like loopy-shoulder-cut-outs.

Also, there were many lovely trees with many gnarly roots that were just begging for me to creepily smash my face of them.  I mean, it's almost Halloween right?

But enough of me...let's get back to this autumn I'm talking about!

These next two pictures were taken from opposite sides of the same bridge.  One side is the more metropolis-view, the other a much more natural one.  It's quite amazing really.

So happy continued autumn and October! 

Take all the paths that intrigue you, and don't forget to crunch around in some leaves!

Re-wind and Re-view

Do you ever base your day around a song?

if not, you should try it sometime...

One fine day (known as October 2nd) I finally got around to listening to the entire album

Push and Shove released this September by No Doubt.  Their first album to hit stores in over ten years!

In case you were wondering, this is what it looks like if I listen to this album while getting dressed:

only maybe not that face the entire time.

I have been wildly excited for this album to come out since - let's see - LAST YEAR!...

In the last two years or so No Doubt has occupied this special place in my heart of 90s nostalgia, summer vibes, and girl power of sorts.  Yes, I am aware that 75% of the group is male, but there's just something about Gwen's boundless energy, ability to do push-ups, and older style that make me want to jump around in a bellyshirt and while being a little bit punk.

I digress.  Back to the album:

Overall, I'm actually pretty happy with the album.  I mean there are times when I feel all hipster while I whine inside my head "but I just want the old No Doubt back!"

Here's the thing head: things change!

(and that's okay)

I think the biggest change is in the instrumentals.  I feel like it used to literally be Gwen + the boys, 

now I feel like it's Gwen + computers + some cameo appearances by Tony, Adrian, and Tom.

I guess what I feel is lacking the most in today's music is the existence of intelligent instrumentals.  I mean "accompaniment" that isn't just synth loops ect.  I mean "accompaniment" that is really a whole musical line of it's own, and get it's moment of glory apart from just the singer(s).

Anyone else feel that way?

~ So here's my ultra-simplfied review of Push and Shove (as I was listening to it) ~

Let's break it down:

Settle Down

Wasn't too hyped when I first heard it on the radio this summer, but after awhile it grew on me, and I was singing along every time it came on the radio.  It also gave me immense pleasure to hear No Doubt on the radio again!

- good summer groove

- nice ska influences

- interesting/contrasting sections

- liked the "middle-east-ish" synths (very à la tragic kingdom)

- sounded pretty old school (yep. I'm going to use that word.)

Looking Hot:

- okay on first impression

- early 2000s feel

- lyrics..meh? (Gwen you're in your 40s...but hey - she can pull it off!)

- loved brass cut-time break

- some good drum breaks & hints of guitar here n' there

One More Summer:

- well, at least we know Tony/Adrian/Tom still exist!

- not my favorite

- maybe I just wan't in a down-tempo mood, also it was the end of the summer, so not really what I wanted to hear...

Push and Shove:

- you know, I'm okay with this one

- ska time again!

- the whole cut-time break in frickin' awesome

- seriously though..."hustler" references in more than one song?

Easy:

- weird synth opening

- "I'm a hustler baby"...again, seriously?

- whole robin hood pun = meh.

- I don't have patience for this one...wait maybe it's okay.

Gravity:

- good start

- this is for sure a classic sound for them

- reminds me of tragic kingdom

Undercover:

- sounds like no doubt in the beginning, then...

WHY DID GWEN TURN INTO KATY PERRY?!?

- auto tune or what?!

- lyrics even sound like Katy Perry "trying to connect the dots" (K.P Last Friday Night)

- ack! gross!

Undone:

- guitar, that's nice

- ballad time...

- wait...are we playing country music now?

- taylor swift?

- I might be ok with the middle after awhile, I'll get back to you on that.

Sparkle:

- YES!

- right from the start I'm feeling old-school No Doubt

- easy ska groove

- wow, this one is good

- awesome brass solo

Heaven:

- well it's okay

- kind of "life is a bit of a butt" song

Dreaming the Same Dream:

- this sounds pretty classic

- also like an 80s pop ballad...

And that's the finale!

So hopefully that wasn't ridiculously boring to read, but instead academically tantalizing, as  you pondered and debated your own reactions to the album!

(well maybe not that either.)

REGARDLESS - what did you think of the album?

Amazed?

Disappointed?

Bored?

Super-mega-awesome-hyped?

Until next time - Get in line and settle down!

Outfit in Motion!

One of my absolute requirements for an everyday outfit is a full range of motion.  

If I can't dance, bike, run, jump, and generally fail around at any given second then I'm pretty much just using myself as a hanger for a nice piece of clothing.  

I don't like the idea of being a hanger.

This dress is filled with a most wonderful amount of patterns put together by Hannah Webb Franco yogi and fashion extraordinare!  I feel pretty awesome getting to wear her creations, just saying.

clearly I need to work on my bike-photography skills!

A body in motion wants to stay in motion - make sure your clothes let you do that!

The Final Countdown

Today I woke up...and then didn't want to do anything about it.

It's the last week of classes, and anyone who's ever been in school knows what that mean:

ULTIMATE DEATH BY HOMEWORK!

which makes me feel like this:

I'm the kid, not the horse

So I had to combat the day by looking like this:

un intentionally looking a lot like that horse kid...

I've discovered that the more annoyed with the day I am - the more obnoxiously colorful I dress.

Fortunately, today is actually wrapping up pretty nicely.  Now if only I can survive until the 9th...

(I might need to listen to this song a few times)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDK9QqIzhwk&ob=av2n

Salut Printemps!

Today's post is based off of one of my favorite choral pieces by the wonderful Claude Debussy.

For you of you who do not speak français - the translation is quite literally: hello spring!

click video below, then read entry for the full joyous effect!

My outfit today was inspired by a multitude of wonderful spring features around me:

the return of warm colors

the movement of blustery spring breezes ~

bright blue skies

taken on my cell phone, so the sky looks rather purple, but trust me - it was deliciously AQUA!

and of course, the return of spring flowers and sweet smelling petals!

A waterfall braid for bubbling creeks and streams

Alors - salut printemps! Je t'embrasse très fort! 

Belated Valentines Day

I'm not a huge fan of Valentines day, but as long as it exists I figure - why not celebrate it?

Alors,

BEHOLD: the cheesy Valentines Day pictures I have created for you!

I got a lot of comment on my hair today ranging from: cute to whoville

                                          

I'm certainly not the best nail painter around, but I decided to deck them out for the occasion.  I almost died however due to a blast of toxic fumes that almost knocked me dead on the ground!

Beware the potent power of the polish!

(like that alliteration eh?) 

And of course what is Valentines Day without the classic candy hearts?

This year mine couldn't decided whether to be love or sports related...

I'm especially amused by the "MY TEAM" heart.

got an especially good valentine this year? Gimme some inspiration in the form of a comment below...

New Chills

Currently it is negative one degrees Fahrenheit.  Lets not ever try to imagine what it's like including windchill...

here's a hint: it's negative 9

Anyway!

Naturally, when temperatures drop to absurd degrees, everyones natural reaction is to stay toasty indoors, curled up with blankets for dear life, afraid to face whatever frosty terrors might await them outside the doors.

For unknown reasons, my brain doesn't quite function like that...

Weather service: It's really a chilly one today! Watch out as temperatures drop down to the negatives - and be careful for that wind!

Me: I want to go buy groceries!

Weather service: Yep folks, today would be a good day to stay indoors as much as possible.

Me: Yeah...Today would be an awesome day to walk to the co-op!

Weather service: *ahem* for those who didn't hear me - very.cold.day!

Me: Let's see...I need to get bread, yogurt, oatmeal...some more dried fruit...and...

Weather service: ...I give up!

I looked all sorts of attractive!

 Yep.  I personally like the addition of the 3D glasses being used as goggles.  I don't really know why I have 3D glasses, and not goggles...

When indoors, I had a much snappier outfit - complete with amazing arm/hand warmers knitted for me by Zothiakus.  AND I have a Star Wars pin to loudly (and proudly) proclaim my love to the world!

Thanks to Sarah for that one. 

Also, what I like to call my "Waterfall" shirt that I made this summer.

I'm quite proud of it.

I did indeed survive the trip to the co-op, and brought back a few treasures, all of which survived quite nicely.

I like tuna.

I find your lack of seafood disturbing...

And speaking of chills: have you listened to Leia's theme recently?  Or the music from Warhorse?

John Williams is.a. GOD