Saturday Goodies

Good morning everyone! The weather is so nice this morning, my owl slippers and I took our coffee outside for a change. I have work later today so I probably won't do anything special, maybe bake some chia muffins and clean up my house, but I am all about relaxing today. As usual, here are some things to help keep your mind away the work week struggles. Enjoy your weekend!

This weekend I want you to listen to an old album. You know, the one that brings back memories of your high school love interest or the one you sing every lyric to and dance around your room.

I chose Rilo Kiley's The Execution of All Things. This album defined most of my high school years. It inspired me to become a writer, got me through a hard break up, and was the soundtrack for my car rides with an old friend. And how cool is Jenny Lewis? Anyways, remember this gem? Guys, when will there be a reunion?

Who wouldn't want a Bike-In Movie Theater?

This veggie cookbook is adorable.

Gourmet pickles are so yummy. Especially, these ones. Oh how I miss thee.

What would you do if you saw this on a tree...

If you haven't seen "Exit Through The Gift Shop," watch it. It is an amazing film and got me pretty riled up.

Bucket List.

Mosaic Man will always put a smile on my face.

The new Paul Thomas Anderson film looks unbelievable: "The Master"

My friend is only twenty-one and is already a world traveler. I could not be more jealous of her life, so thank goodness she has an a great blog so that we can all live vicariously through her.


Finally...
This week our country was rattled by the theater shooting in Aurora, Colorado. I cannot even begin to express my sorrow for the families and friends that were affected by such a tragic and horrific event. It is something out of a nightmare. All of my thoughts and prayers are with the people of Aurora. I am so truly sorry this happened.

Another Rant About Brooklyn.

My trip to New York this past Tuesday has left me wallowing between wanting and needing to be back in Brooklyn. Walking to the venue I realized that all the hustle and bustle of the city is exactly what I want and need right now. The city is so inspiring -- the people, the outfits, the stores, the food, the attitudes. I miss all the constant inspirations. While I do and always will love Ithaca, the always quiet and slow moving atmosphere just is not where I am at my life. I miss the opportunity to walk over a bridge and be in all the movement then walk back over the bridge or take the 2 train back to Brooklyn where I could easily rest, yet still have my creativity jumping around in my head.

I recently read an post on Free People's blog about how home is a feeling that comes to you when are somewhere, but it is not the physical aspect at all. And as soon as I finished reading it, I thought of Brooklyn. This may sound cheesy and, well, it is, but I have never connected myself to any place before. I was born in Utah then raised between Rhode Island and New Jersey and I just think of Ithaca as where I go to school. So moving was always something I just went with, but I chose to live in Brooklyn. I remember the minute I heard of the NYC program I knew I had to live in Brooklyn. I didn't even bother researching places in Manhattan. It was Brooklyn or it was nothing.

And, obviously, it was Brooklyn.

I will never forget the first night I was there. A friend and I aimlessly explored my new neighborhood and ate at a restaurant I would later find out that you shouldn't actually eat there (oops!) And I remember that was the first time I saw the view of Manhattan from the Promenade. All the different buildings and lights hovered over the river, the three bridges sat perfectly still while I tried guessing which ones they were, and the silence of it all. I will never forget this and the feeling it drove inside of me causing me to say, "This is my home!" over and over and over again.

From that night on that feeling slept and awoke with me every day. Even though I was absolutely alone in Brooklyn, I did not care, I had my Brooklyn. I had what I needed and what I wanted and I was learning about it by myself without anyone's help or guidance (however, it sometimes would have been greatly appreciated).

When I think of Brooklyn, I get a huge smile on my face and my heart drops to the ground as if it was a boy I was thinking of. But it is better than a boy, it is a place.

I truly hope everyone feels this way about some place.

Best Coast.

Last night my friend Sam and I saw Best Coast, Those Darlins' and DIIV at Terminal Five. I am in even more love with Bethany now than before. She has some serious vocal range, uses the word "bro," wears rompers when I wear rompers, is just plain cool and has similar boy problems. (She's also 25, loves cats, and has an awesome boyfriend.) I'm really itching for a boy to be my Bobb Bruno, who is an insane performer.

Head over to NPR to listen to Best Coast live in D.C.

Check out the serious vocals of Bethany on Fallon and their cover of Fleetwood Mac's "Storms," over at Stereogum.

My favorite performances of the night was the slow-downed version of Our Deal and Up All Night. And just about everything else. 

Up All Night (last night):

Happy Monday!

After the best weekend with my favorite people, I get to head back home and into Manhattan to see some more friends and go to a Best Coast concert. Needless to say, I am beyond excited.

This morning Jack White debuted his new video for "Freedom at 21" directed by Hype Williams. Last week the two of them released a trailer for the video. I mostly disagree with making music videos bigger than they actually are but I cannot fight against Jack and Hype. These two are brilliant. In the video, Jack White is on the run in a neon green car until he is cuffed by the hottest female cop in the world. In between the sexy cop arresting Jack White and dancing on the hood of the car, there are the most perfect guitar solos and great faces by Jack White. And all of this is in incredible color. Damn, Hype.

Could Jack White get any cooler?
Is that Josh Homme?



Also, The xx just released a new song called "Angels" from their upcoming album Coexist. The song is just as xx as ever. Listen here.

Video Girl Dreams.

When I am not daydreaming about being the next Victoria Legrand or Bethany Cosentino, I resort to my dreams of being a music video girl. Yup. I can hear the belly laughs from here, but honestly, it is a fun thing to do. Some songs were born for a music video in my mind, and apparently with me in them...Definitely not. Mind you, this post is meant to entertain and be silly. 

While I guarantee no one would ever want me in a music video, these are some of the songs I would want to star in. Mind you, I would actually look like a video girl. 

1. The Weeknd - The Morning 

Who doesn't think about being a video girl to this song? Seriously. 

2. Beach House - New Year

I just love the sound of this song. 

3. Alabama Shakes - You Ain't Alone

The video I imagine to this song is so precious, just like the lyrics. 

4. Childish Gambino - Les

No explanation needed. 

5. Any Best Coast song.

6. Frank Ocean - Pyramids,  Lost, Thinkin About You, Monks, Forrest Gump, and everything else.

No explanation needed.

7. Jack White - Freedom at 21

Jack White.

8. Kanye West - Mercy 

Hahahah

9. Every Time I Die - We'rewolf

Self explanatory. 

10. Drake featuring Rihanna - Take Care 

Clearly I would be Rihanna even though I rap better than I sing. 

Dope.

I finally laid out at the pool all day and read Fifty Shades of Grey. Honestly, the book has me a little smitten. Beyond the sex acts (which are not as bad as you all are imagining) the characters are very well developed, intriguing, and believable. If you strip away the dominant and submissive relationship aspect of the book, Christian Grey is extremely romantic and attentive to Miss Steele. Even through that side of the relationship he responds kind of sweetly. I don't know. Someone who has been in that kind of relationship should write a review of the book.

Anyways, pool time was fun. I wish I had the bathing suit shown above.

I also happened to pull Channel Orange off my ears and listen to this sick mix of all lady rappers. It is bonkers.

Ladies First.

Channel Orange.

Mind. Blown. This album is unreal. I cannot put in words how talented I think Frank Ocean is. His music is so original, his lyrics have thought, and he seems so genuine. Frank Ocean, please never stop making music.

Last night he made his television debut on Fallon. Watch and be amazed with "Bad Religion."



I could watch this forever.