Lovely Sounds

Everyone ready for Christmas? Usually that question makes me instantly stressed. This year I'm trying to slow down and enjoy everyday and every moment. I found this great song from Kitty, Daisy and Lewis on the Kate Spade website. They have a great sound, just right for putting anyone in a great mood. Listen to it while you make all those Christmas preparations:) Also, go to Kate Spade website and download this and some other great music free!!

Fab

(The Beatles on Itunes)

Usually I'm not one for pushing "products". But, it can't be helped.

If you are wondering, this amazing photo was taken by Bruce McBroom

A Year's Worth Of Time

A year later and I still don't feel much better about this. Although, today is the first time I've been able to listen to Man in the Mirror all the way through with out tears so, maybe there is some improvement.

Can't Wait For Sunday

Normally, I save music videos for Sunday; but I had to share this today! While reading The Pursuit Aesthetic (A fantastic blog!)
I discovered Vampire Weekend's video. Love it! Maybe it will make Hump day go by a little faster:)
One more thing, check out the incredible guitars in the video. Are they vintage, I wonder? Don't know but they are cool.

You Can Believe I Was There!

I wouldn't miss this for anything in the world, so Mark and I went to see "This Is It" over the weekend. I can say that it was amazing! Perhaps, it help bring a little bit of closure too, I mean it was an incredible tribute. I loved being able to see that despite the craziness that surrounded Michael Jackson in his last years, he never stopped being the INCREDIBLE performer. Even Mark, who has never been a MJ fan; loved seeing the behind-the-scenes angle and how in control of every detail MJ was. True genius! If you are as much of a fan as I am, I recommend seeing this. It was great to be in a theater full of other fans, too! People would clap and cheer after every song, wave their hands in the air during the ballads, and gave a standing ovation at the end of the film. It was great:)

Our Favorite Sing-Along

Lately, Liam and I love singing to this song as we drive around town.

Pump It Up

I was a just a babe when this song was released. To be honest, I only heard it for the first time a couple of months ago; but I'm obsessed with it now. Of course, I have to mention how much I love Elvis' style...very cool.

Cool It

Hope you have the day off, today. Sit back, put your feet up and groove to some music:)
(P.S. Thanks to Ashley of Decorology and Becky of Hatch, for including me on their amazing sites. I'm so flattered!)

I've Had A Bit Of A Revelation

Warning: Some May Consider This Post To Have Too Much Personal Information. Scoffers Look Away!
I sat down to do some blog surfing and ran across this video. It is a Swedish dance group's tribute to Michael Jackson. (Found here) Its just fantastic! Here's the funny part. As soon as the dancing began, I broke down into tears and could barely see the monitor through my fogged up glasses! So, what I think is that I have been in mourning. I don't think its a coincidence that since Michael Jackson's passing, I haven't had two creative thoughts to rub together!
I feel very silly admitting this. I mean I sound more like a 13 year old than a 33 year old. But its the truth. When someone as inspiring and magical as Michael passes away, its like the world becomes a little grayer. Some of you are probably wondering why a Texas girl who loves interior design would take this so hard. I mean I don't sing, dance, or anything along those lines. But it was his Passion! His insane talent and his determination to live in his own way. No matter what others thought. That is what inspired me as a little girl. To be completely unique without apologies.
Okay, if anyone is still reading, thanks for indulging me and my crazy feelings. I'm not sure what to do about all this, maybe I just need some time before color returns to my imagination.

What Is There To Say?

I'm still in shock over this.

Michael Jackson was a major icon in my life. I was 7yrs old when Thriller
was released. It was such a phenomenon that my view of pop music was forever
affected by him. His influence over so many aspects of music are still visible. From the art
of video making, choreography, fashion, etc. Without him modern music would not be what it is today.
I will always remember wearing my red "leather" jacket with the studded shoulders to my elementary school.
Also, in Middle school I took to taping the ends of my fingers like Michael did in his Bad album days.
Ha! I had forgotten that until I saw this video. No wonder kids used to call me weird! I just admired him so.
Of course, I can't pretend that I don't remember all the terrible allegations that followed him around the last
years of his life. I pray for those innocent children and wish that those things weren't true...but who's to say.
Now I just hope that they can find peace. I guess that's why this news is so shocking to me. I'm forced to deal
with my mixed emotions over a fallen idol.

The Next Annie Liebovitz?

I say this as a joke of course:) Last week at the David Byrne concert, he announced that the audience could take as many photos as they liked. Luckily, I had smuggled in my point ant shoot camera. Yes, I was planning on taking photos dishonestly....its funny, I didn't really feel bad about it until I wrote this, oops.
It turns out the joke was on me because I could have taken my better camera and gotten better pics.
This was the first time I attempted this type of photo, and I found out that is not as easy as it looks. The varying lights, dancing, working around the audience! It was kind of crazy for this amateur photographer.

When I got home, I was somewhat disappointed. Only 2 or 3 photos were sort of clear. So I decided to make lemonade from my lemons. Since many of the photos were so blurry, I took them to another level of blur! It was a very liberating process. Since I didn't have to worry about "ruining" the picture, I was free to do whatever I wanted. Very cool.

So I'm not holding my breathe for Rolling Stone to hire me any time soon, but this was a new and challenging process for me. I think at the next concert, I will know a little more what I'm up against and have a better approach. In the meantime, these off-beat photos are my tribute to one of my creative heroes:)

Monday Morning Randomness

Here are a couple of things that are on my mind this morning. First, I'm so excited about this concert, I can't sit still!!!
Second, have you ever thought what your Ikea name would be if you were a piece of furniture? Well, wonder no more! Go here and find out. Apparently, I would also be a very minimal platform bed, hmmm?
I'll be back later today:)

Cinco de Mayo: Tribute To An Amazing Place

Café Tacvba - Dejate Caer
Uploaded by UniversalMusicGroup

Feliz Cinco de Mayo! Click here if you are not familiar with this holiday.
I dedicating this post to the people of Mexico and Mexico City who
have been struck by such a scary situation involving the swine flu. There has
been so much hype (too much if you ask me) around the world, but Mexico
has been the hardest hit. I worry that in the future, people will hold the Mexican
people responsible for this and whatever problems it may cause. In my little way, I
want to remind everyone that no one intentionally caused this and it is just one of those
tragic things in life.
To celebrate Cinco de Mayo and Mexico City, I'm posting my favorite song
performed by my favorite band. I'm also introducing a lot of you to thebest band in the world,
that you weren't familiar with:)
Cafe Tacuba hails from Mexico City, and I love them because their music sounds just
like that amazing city. Its controlled chaos! Energetic, artistic, modern and ancient all
mixed together. Also, despite being talented musicians, they never take themselves to seriously.
That's an important trait while traveling in Mexico. If you've never been to that city, I highly
recommend it (after the flu of course).
Its like no other place in the world. Until then, listen to some Cafe Tacuba tunes and start feeling
it in your bones.

Have A Great Day!!

Music For Your Sunday Afternoon.

We had several days of pouring rain in Houston, but today is sunny and clear.
Just right for kicking back w/ some ice tea and listening to good music.
I think this song fits the bill:)

Why DVR, Why?!

I couldn't believe my DVR shut off right before this performance! With some searching I
found the clip online. I have to say, I don't agree w/ every choice Adam makes, but this
performance was killer!! It could be that I feel that way, because of how much I have always
loved this song. Adam hasn't been my favoritecontestant, but I admit that he will be TOUGH to beat.
(For all you AI watchers, I love Allison, I feel she's like my alter ego. She always picks songs,
I would have picked...if I could sing like her;) Matt, I find him very exciting and cool,
and Danny, maybe one of the most wonderful voices I have ever heard!)

Sunday Abstraction: A Love Letter.

Our first date was at a coffee shop.
We have since spent many fun times drinking coffee
and contemplating the world. But....
you know what I love the most is
being with you.
Te amo
Carolina

Landon Pigg - Falling In Love At A Coffee Shop

Feeling Giddy

This video is a fun treat for Saturday afternoon:)
Found via: Ill Seen Ill Said

Sunday Abstraction: Pretty Balloons

Loquat "Harder Hit" from Evan Lane on Vimeo.

What is it about balloons that I think we all love? Lately I notice them everywhere.

As a little girl, I treasured every new balloon I would receive. Of course, it was all the more heart breaking
when I would lose hold of the string and the balloon quickly flew into the sky. I cried every time that happened.
I think all the pretty images of balloons reminded me of that. The funny thing is, I still love them!
Does anyone outgrow their love of balloons? I think not.

Links:
1. The most romantic image of a balloon ever!
2. Harder Hit by Loquat. This was an instant favorite for me!
3. Sofia Coppola's tribute to being "Pretty in Pink" via A View To.

This just in...
Check out Pink Wallpaper's article about balloons too!

Sunday Abstraction: I Know I've Mentioned This...

But, David Byrne Is My Hero!

An oldie, but ...you know.

I Don't Like Christmas Music!

Every year at this time I begin to feel like the Grinch. Mostly because I really dislike Christmas music! It just really drives me crazy! Usually its so boring and wimpy. To make matters worse, people start playing earlier and earlier every year. Now, before you decide that my heart is a few sizes too small; let me explain myself. I have a very good reason for disliking Christmas music. You see, I have to admit an ugly family secret...my family liked listening to Christmas music year round. Oh the horror!! In May or September, one could often hear Deck the Halls or Silent Night and so on. I told all of you it was terrible! So if you aren't horrified enough! Who were the most popular artists who sang Christmas music all year? Only people like Perry Como, Engelbert Humperdinck, Anne Murrey...must I go on. My stomach gets tied up in knots every time I think about it. (For those of you younger than I am, and you don't know who these people are...be grateful!) As you may imagine, as soon as I had a choice; I avoided all Holiday music whenever possible. The funny thing is that now that I am a mom, I find myself wanting to teach Liam all the kid favorites. So last year I started to come to terms w/ my aversion. What I started doing was collecting Christmas music that I can tolerate, by artists I like in styles of music I like. Funny enough, now I find myself listening to "My Christmas Music" quite a bit. I decided I would even share it w/ all of you who may feel the way I do. I posted my list on the sidebar, available for those who want to hear it, but I'm not forcing it on anyone. If you want, check it out. (Be forewarned, I have an affinity for Rockabilly).