Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Happy Leap Year!


One more day until it's March!
March signifies:
spring is on the horizon
 march madness
  my momma's birthday (i love you so!)
 It also marks a very exciting trip long in the works to see the land down under. A trip that I have been counting for many moons. A trip that makes each passing day exciting as I research things all the different things to experience. A trip that exposes me to a new culture. That is best gift I could ever give myself. Everyone needs a different perspective on life and how the world works. Everyone. I honestly feel that I shine a brighter version of myself when I am traveling. Independent. Self Assured. Savvy. Confident. Brave. Curious. Strong. Alive. and Nomadic. I crave being nomadic and for the past 4 years I have been put in LA. 
I'm thinking there is going to be a change around the corner.
Soon.
 Sydney and the Whitsunday Islands are going to be such a beautiful experience and to share that with my best friend is really a gift. I have been in need of a out of the country trip for some time now. So in two weeks I will be off on some grand adventure. It will be life changing. I just know it.

v.

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Jack White

Jack White & Ruby Amanfu // Love Interruption


"If there’s one thing Jack White is known for, it’s his craftsmanship displayed while playing the guitar. Deemed as one of the greatest guitarists of all time (according to Rollingstone Magazine), his latest release ‘Love Interruption’ is true to form. His intense lyrics are complemented with an effective a capella bridge to transition the song toward an upward climb until the end. In this tune, Jack White’s voice attains a drawl similar to Johnny Cash’s in ‘Hurt,’ which leaves me wanting to hear more songs off of his new album ‘Blunderbuss’ due out in April of this year." {via thisbonustrack}

The Oh Hello's

"The Oh Hello's are Maggie and Tyler Heath, music-making siblings hailing from the great state of Texas. Their influences range from Mumford & Sons and The Civil Wars to Los Campesinos! and The Pogues, bending and blending styles and genres into a unique mixture of eclectic folk rock. Their debut EP draws inspiration from traditional Irish folk songs in both its sound and its message, from the foot-stomping rhythms of Lay Me Down and Trees to the quiet introspection of Cold Is the Night. The EP begins by confronting the difficulties of love and freedom and ends by embracing them."{via theohhellos}

You can download their album for free or pay whatever you like. And you will not only like but love this band. They are the type of band where you listen to their music from start to finish.




Dale Earnhardt Jr Jr



I went to see Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. last month at the Echoplex in Echo Park during a "school night". Since Echo Park is a bit ways from my home in Mid Wilshire, it takes a pretty stellar band to get me out. They did not disappoint. Band members Josh Epstein and Daniel Zoft hail from Detroit and have two albums out, "Corporate World" and "Horse Power". Yes, they are a fan of the real race car driver Dale Earnhardt Jr and  yes, they do wear race car get up during their shows. Hey, gotta play up the name right?

During their set they announced that they had played in LA more times than anywhere else. Did you know that? Didn't think so. They have been a favorite of mine for two years and I am surprised that they are not so well known by now. His songs keep getting better and better. With a sold out show, a tour drummer, and 'JR' wooden props in the background I would say they have come a long way in two years. They have a gauzy Beach Boys feel to them and have a great rendition of " God Only Knows". From their latest album my personal favorite is Simple Girl. Check it out below.


It's A Corporate World by Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr.

Okkervil River

Okkervil River // Unless It's Kicks


This is an oldie but it came up on an old playlist. They are from Austin, Texas. So naturally I'm probably predisposed into loving them. This song is off their first album, Stars Too Small To Use, that came out a few years ago. I also really enjoy this one too.

Monday, February 27, 2012

Last Night


While everyone else was toasting to the Oscar wins I went to a really interesting concert. I have been a fan of White Arrows and UMO for a while now and I don't want to say it was disappointing but I wasn't impressed. In fact, we left right after White Arrows. While they were good, I just felt like they weren't put together. I slightly wish I had stayed for the headliner but I was slightly buzzed and tired and wanted to go home. Oh, Jenny O was nice. I feel like she would have been perfect performing at the now defunct Lillith Fair. Too Bad. All in all, I'm glad my new gf Meg came with and it was nice to chat about life and LA with live music in the backdrop.

Best Saturday. E.V.E.R. Why?

the Jayhawks beat Missouri. 
The Border Showdown is dead.
Kaput. 
Will Never Happen Again.
 another why? 
Missouri SECeded to the SEC.
 The play on words is because back in the day Missouri was a slave state and Kansas was not.
87-86 Kansas. 
We were down by 19 at half time. Tied it at the end. OT.
KU wins. 
Magical. 


White Rabbits

NPR is streaming White Rabbits new album, Milk Famous, out March 6th and it is really really good. They are from Colombia Mizzourah (yes, spelled it that way on purpose) which just goes to show that even though you are from a bad place that is full of rednecks you might be good. JUST KIDDING. I fell in love with them a few years back with their song "Percussion Gun" and have been wanting to hear more ever since.

Listen here. Get Familiar.


You Had Me at 'Mon'


Thursday, February 23, 2012

More Nail Inspiration.

Via NYC Fashion Week.
{source birchbox}
I really enjoy these spider ones

Bright red with blue. Almost peacock like. 
Matte and Shine. Great Combo.
Nice twist on the French.

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Color. Color. Color.

My next manicure is this. 
Absolutely fantastic and brilliant.
Coral & Turquoise (A style right out of my Pinterest Boards)

Feels Just Like Spring



 by the late and great e.e. cummings.
fell in love with his style & creativity of white space in my teens and it has never wavered.
this is my favorite. poem. ever. 
whimsical at its best.

Friday, February 17, 2012

Absolute Bliss.



Yup. That's me. So happy in that one moment. Captured by my amazing photographer/childhood friend Miss C(She has even had her own photos displayed around places in Austin!) The photo depicts how I am feeling right now. I literally can't stop smiling, why? I have NO idea. Perhaps that it is Friday and the sun is shining. It's the little things with me, it really is. Oh yeah, I live in California. Pinch me PLEASE.

 Oh wait, I know, this time next month I will be island hopping through out the great barrier reef (one for the bucket list!) with my best friend. Duh.

Your Turn.
What are the simple things that make you smile and happy?



Big Deal

Big Deal // Swoon



The boy/girl duo that is Kacey Underwood and Alice Costelloe of the band Big Deal brims with potential. With the acoustic guitar, fuzzy chords and harmonies of their vocals this band hits high notes with intimate topics such as relationships and angst. Each song of the album, Lights Out, is deeply personal and achingly beautiful. You can listen to the entire album whole and it just flows. My favorites are Swoon and With the World at your Feet. They have a Mazzy Star feel to them which I really enjoy. 

Seductive yet raw and jagged.




Thursday, February 16, 2012

Winter in SoCal? Nope!



This is perfect for life out in socal..and my little trip down under...getting excited!! Oh, did I mention it is only $68! STEAL!

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

True Story.

"I have learned to listen to my heart.  I have learned that if you never make room for better things and better ways to be, if you never clear out the things in your life that stand in the way of your happiness, then you are not aligning your universe to allow for amazing things.   In this life, you don’t find yourself.  You create yourself.  And the same goes for love: you don’t find love, you create a road for love to travel and wait for it to come."

{via storyofmylife}

when did i become a sap about love? just now. :)

Two Hearts

Mat Kearney // Two Hearts


I absolutely love this song. I have been playing it on repeat all day at work. I was introduced to Mat via Jill one of my roomies in college and have loved him ever since. I hope I can see him in concert one day. He has that "feel good true love is real" type of music. It immediately brings me up.
 Think of him as a happier David Grey. 


"Two hearts flying out together like there's
One love holding us forever in this
Coldworld ain't so much better when two hearts bleed into one
In Young love"

 sounds like two of my other favorite "matts" (Matt Wertz & Matt Nathanson)

 

My Poor Bank Account...

Dress me up.


Considering I have 5 weddings and a bachelorette party this year (all over the u.s.a - literally)..I thought I should start looking now..just bought these two stunners, can't wait to get them in the mail!

 Dress me down.

oh and these beautiful boots...ahh Jcrew you get me EVERYTIME.

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Handwritten Letters

{via sanfranciscochic}
                                                                     

So once again it is V-day and everyone and their cat is posting what they got for valentines and what they are going to do. For me, I think flowers are cheesy, yes they smell like a garden but they don't last long. Yes, fancy schmancy dinners are nice too but I am not much of a foodie either. I have always been a huge fan of letters especially from someone dear to you. There are a few things I love more than receiving letters in the mail. It is so personal and out of the ordinary these days which makes it ever so lovely to receive one.  Letters or invitations are something you keep forever, at least I do.

Truth be told, I write a lot of letters.  This stems from writing in my journal during my childhood and adolescent years and yes, I still continue to write to this day. These journals that help me streamline my personal thoughts and feelings are incredibly sacred to me.  I write a lot of letters that I never, ever send.  Love letters, letters of thanks, letters of gratitude, letters of wonder.  I’ve written them to ex boyfriends who have broken my heart, ex lovers who have vanished into thin air, friends who make my life so special and to parents who are so selfless that words could never do their gracious actions justice. I write because it helps me see life in perspective. So maybe I can call myself a writer, maybe.

One Man Band

..and it is insane how he does it all, talk about multitasking...

Bernhoft // Cmon Talk


With a combination of some classic soul and talent. He is from Norway so his sound is quiet unexpected. The way he laid out his beats is phenomenal.

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Surf City Half Marathon 2:21:12!!!

The 'guts and glory' photos.
Does anyone look good running?


What a beautiful, glorious, bucket list checkin' terrifying weekend. 

So many emotions were experienced that it is going to be hard to put everything into words. The weekend started off with two gf's from Dallas flying in for a little vacation in SoCal and a Half Marathon. Katie and I had planned to run this over two months ago and after a lot of emails, miles, and encouraging txts the race weekend was finally here. 

Everything was going just as planned until Saturday. That day I decided to go for a little 3 miler before we set off for Huntington Beach to pick up our packets for the race the next day. Right before the run, I had nibbled on some left over sushi from the night before and during the first mile I was having trouble breathing, I was so confused because if I couldn't run one mile how the heck was I supposed to run 13.1! I kept on running through the pain and by mile 3 I had to walk home. I prayed that I would make it home without passing out because by then I was gasping for air. THANK GOD Katie and Meghan were at my apt. I immediately looked in the mirror saw that my entire face had swelled up beyond recognition and I looked like this. Not even kidding, my eyes were so swollen that they looked like slits. 

I was having an allergic reaction.

As my friends were asking me questions about what was going on I could barely even say anything, It took all my energy to muster a word as I felt as if I was suffocating. I had never been so afraid in my life but in this moment. My brain wasn't even working, I couldn't even think. All this happened in less then 30 minutes. My body felt like it had been poisoned and was being attacked inside and once I got everything out of my system  I felt a sense of relief and was able to breathe. They drove me to Urgent Care and I got two wonderful shots in my bum. I am now on steroids which are making it hard to sleep and making me nauseous. And the crazy part is that even though I went through all of that I still decided to run against what the doctor said. I didn't want to let anyone down. While it is not the smartest move I had ever made I would have been so upset if I didn't run it. I just had to. 




Thankfully we were staying at my friend Dylan's (who is an avid marathoner) and he said he would run along side me in the half to make sure nothing would happen to me. I am so grateful for him and for that. I started off the race super slow as you can tell that by my mile 3 avg was almost 11 minutes. I was scared to go any faster after what had happened during my last running session. By mile 6-7 I told myself  "I got this", I was feeling healthy and not nervous. My mile 8 avg was 11 minutes faster than my mile 3 so clearly I was feeling confident in running. I took my GU shot at mile 8 as well and I am thinking that helped me as I wasn't really feeling fatigued (I woke up 2 am the morning of the race!) and finished the race without walking at all. I sprinted and pretty much was leaping to the finish line at the end. I finished and beat my goal running the race under 2:30! I felt that I could at least run 2-3 more miles after it was over. A runners high. The best kind of high. 

The race was organized wonderfully and the weather was in it's 60-70's. Just perfect with the ocean breeze. There was plenty of water, port a potty's and people cheering you on. (They were even passing out M&M's!) Not the mention the course was relatively flat with one baby hill around mile 3 but hey it was along the ocean so there was no complaining at all. I don't think I will be able to ever run that long without the ocean by my side. That constant companionship definitely helped me and taking in gulps of fresh air was just fantastic. They had people running through out the race holding up what time you would finish which was really nice, I kept up with 2:10 guy for a bit but then faltered. No matter, I knew I was going to beat my goal and wasn't too worried. My goal for my next half will be to run it in 2:15. I strongly believe I can do that. 

All in all, it was a great weekend. One for the books. I'm so proud of myself for completing the race. I literally can't wait to map out the races I will be running in 2012. I know for sure I will be running the Big Sur Half with Katie (my Dad plans on running it with me as well, but I will believe it when he signs up) in November and I will run at least 4-5 more 10k's a few 5k's here and there. Katie is running a full marathon in Chicago this year which is really inspiring. While I am not sure if I will ever want to run 26.2,  it is something for my little running legs to think about in the future. 

One Mile At A Time.



{Also, check out Katie's recap of the race on her lovely little bloggy blog}

UPDATE:
Turns out my allergic reaction was indeed due to a shellfish allergy. WHAT THE WHAT. I feel as if my sushi loving days are over. On top of that I learned I have asthma. Again, WHAT?  I now am a proud owner a pretty blue fab inhaler. Oh yes and I am allergic to cockroaches, horses, feathers (I asked if wearing feathers would affect me, It doesn't. PHEW), peanuts (goodbye peanut butter), green peas, grass, and soy milk (threw that out the second I got home). It was a fun 27 years living like I had no allergies. Woops.  My poor poor body.

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Alabama Shakes

Well I have blogged about them previously..but KCRW is letting you listen to one of their recent performances which is pretty rad. While I do love Hold On, I Found You and  On Your Way I was in need of some new tunes by them. Their show in LA was sold out, go figure. I wish I could have gone...next time. Listen below music friends.

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

4 DAYS


Well lets say my training for my half has not been following the training weekly miles you are supposed to run but I have a feeling i will be just fine. My goal is to not walk at ALL and to run it in less than 2:30 hours. The thing that will hold me back from that is if I get blisters. I am so prone to getting them so I am praying the bioglide product (just like vasoline) will do the trick and of course my new running accessory the bondi band. I will have a giveaway for 2 bands next week. Stay tuned!!


Below is my new running song:
Freestylers // Cracks