BIIIIICYCLE BIIIIICYLE BIIIIICYLE

Fiance bought me a BICYCLE yesterday!

Fiance, who already has a road bike, suggested I get a bike about a month ago. I instantly imagined myself riding around cobblestone roads, wearing a full skirt, pony tail flying in the air, scarf flapping in the wind. There are freshly cut flowers, a baguette, and a bottle of wine in my basket. Also, apparently, I am Audrey Hepburn and I live in Paris.

YEAH, THAT SOUNDS LIKE A GREAT IDEA.

We go to a bike shop and I sit on a couple of bikes to get an idea of what size I need. Of course, I will only look at the "girl bikes" (i.e., a beach cruiser) and more importantly, what type of basket should I get? Wicker? Metal?

After some more research online, we decide on the bike above. It was waiting for me when I got home yesterday. YAY!

Fiance adjusts the seat for me and clips on an LED light in the front and back of the bike (safety first, guys). Lets take it out for a spin around the neighborhood. OKAY!

I get on the bike and suddenly-

"Do I know how to ride a bike?"

ERRR. OK I DO KNOW HOW, but its probably been15+ years since I've ridden a bike?

Needless to say, I was all WOBBLE WOBBLE, but I guess it's true that you never do forget how to ride one of these things. So they say.

We are riding to the bike shop after work today so I can pick out a rear mounted basket. And a baguette.

I always think of this song when I hear the word "bicycle."

Queen - Bicycle Race

Pursuit of Happiness

Less than 24 hours until voting ends!

If you haven't already, PLEASE VOTE FOR US at Table4Photo's engagement contest!

If you already have, THANK YOU SO MUCH! This contest is giving me so much anxiety. We have so many of you guys rooting for us that I feel like it's our duty to win. FOR MERITOCRACY.

Thanks, yall!

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UO ruffle bandeau top, F21 highwaisted shorts, Nine West wedges, F21 necklace

I had a very eventful weekend! Started off at a fun wine bar INTERMEATZ dinner with Issa and Dru of wewearthings, foodie traveler Seo, and later met up Erica of clouds-of-tulle. We followed 4 bottles of wine with some unnecessarily large long island iced teas, and rounded out the night w/ PBRs, dancing at one of our regular spots. Fun times were had.

Unfortunately the night ended with Fiance finding one of his car windows smashed and my purse stolen. I know, stupid on my part to leave it under the seat in the car. Purse, wallet, credit cards, checkbook, ID, iphone, car keys, various makeup - GONE. SADDINGS!!

Canceled all my cards and checking account that night and discovered that the thieves had tried to get gas several times, went to a grocery store, tried to rent a car, and made a stop at a brake repair place. RANDOM! I will say that fraud protection these days is pretty awesome.

So I'm angry, obviously, but really - what's the point? I leave it as "these things happen" and take it as a "life tax." Don't leave your purse in the car. Lesson learned. Let's move on!

I AM sad that this had to happen at a place that we frequent semi-regularly. I blame it on the recession. And Kanye West.

Kid Cudi - Pursuit of Happiness [ft. MGMT & Ratatat]

Talking Heads

F21 lace tank, UO highwaisted shorts, F21 seashell belt, Vince Camuto shoes

1. New hairs! Well, not really new, but the reemergence of the bangs. Now that Houston weather has dropped down to a CHILLY 90 degrees, the bangs are back.

2. Thank you SO MUCH to everyone who has already voted for Fiance and me on the Table4Photography contest. Especially those who voted multiple times (lol)! I am totally blown away by the support of my readers! Unfortunately, we have unexpectedly (and honestly, inexplicably) dropped to 2nd place, despite our strong start (hrmmm...) but voting doesn't end for another week and a half so we still have hope!

3. The first 2 photos were taken with my Canon. The 3rd picture was taken w/ Dru!!!'s Nikon. Different lenses, but settings were the same on both cameras (same f-stop and exposure). Interesting to see the difference in color.

4. I watched Lars and the Real Girl for the first time recently and I really enjoyed it. This Talking Heads song was featured in the movie. I also found a cover of the song, but as is true with most things, the original is better.

Talking Heads - This Must be the Place

Miles Fisher - This Must be the Place [Talking Heads cover]

Every Party Needs a Winner and a Loser

Loeffler Randall silk top, F21 pleather skirt, YSL Tributes, Banana Republic necklace


Two things I like:

1. This [old but rediscovered] song:
Erlend Oye - Every Party

2. My dog:

20-Something.

It's my birthday and I'll stab you if I want to.

Also, I'm trying out nude lipstick. This one is not bad I think. Usually I be looking a little corpsey.

Here's a classic Junior Boys song in honor of birthdays everywhere. One of my all-time faves.

Junior Boys - Birthday

Wedding Hair; Il Divo

Since several of my friends have gotten married as of late, I've been hearing a lot about the anxiety that comes along with trying out hairstyles and makeup for The Big Day.

I've never been a big fan of up-dos. Maybe because I've never seen a good up-do in real life? Or probably because I have a large head that is round. SRSLY, having all my hair up does me no favors.

But I've been seeing this trend of loosely coiled side-buns lately and it looks pretty good! You can keep the side bangs and face-framing layers of a longer hairstyle, but still have it off your neck.

Pretty good!

Also, a red lip on your wedding day? LOVE IT.

In other news, I randomly went to an Il Divo concert last night. One of my girlfriends is obsessed (OBSESSED) with them and her boyfriend got tickets to their show for her. He had 2 extras so .... why not?

If you don't know, they are a Britain-based "pop opera" group comprising of 4 men in their 30's-early 40's. I had not heard any of their songs before last night. It was ... tolerable. Haha.

This was probably my 2nd most random concert I have ever gone to, the 1st being Peter Cetera of Chicago.

I've Got Yo Numba

Had to majorly up the contrast here because turns out black tulle is see-through with backlighting.

hook/eye detail

Him: Theory suit, Hugo Boss shoes, Burberry tie clip

Her: D&G Dolce & Gabbana dress, YSL tribute pumps, Banana Republic jewelry

What we wore to Fiance's cousin's wedding reception. We clean up real nice, eh?

So my shoes. MY SHOES. I had been contemplating these shoes for months. You probably wouldn't know from my postings, but I'm more of a purse gal than a shoe gal. Drop a G on a purse? HERE IS MY SAKS CARD AND MAKE IT SNAPPY. Spend more than $150 on a pair of shoes? GAHH....

So I'm in the YSL store for the 3rd time in a month and I have the Tributes on my feet (again). Then I hear Passion Pit's I've Got Your Number begin to play over the speakers.

YSL + PASSION PIT?

I only knew like 2 other people who knew who Passion Pit were and YSL is playing my current favorite song of theirs? By god, the song told me to buy the shoes.

By the by, Passion Pit is performing live in Austin and Houston this weekend. Unfortunately, I'm going to miss them. Fortunately, it's because I will be in Mexico in a giant floppy hat sipping micheladas by the beach. Updates will resume Monday!

Passion Pit - I've Got Your Number

Passion Pit - Sleepyhead

Gilty (Happy 420)

Featured!

 Check it out for a short little Q&A.

And Tonight:

The Faint

Ladytron

Nice co-headliners!  Can't wait to see them live for the first time, esp. The Faint.  Expecting a lot of high energy dancing times, but given what day it is, maybe not?

The The Faint (haha) song listed below is an old song, but if you've never listened to them, you have to listen to a classic.  It feels a little frantic.  I like to run to it.

The Faint - Worked Up So Sexual

Ladytron - Black Cat

FESTIVAL!

It's music festival season y'all!

The dilemma: which one to go to?

The contenders:  Coachella v. Ultra Music Festival

or

I went to Coachella last year and had a blast.  However, last year's lineup was better than this year's.  I think.

Ultra is solely electronic (I heart electronic).  And actually, most of the bands I decided to see at Coachella last year were electronic.

Couldn't I just go to both?  Sure.  But my pushing-30-year-old body cannot handle.  And it's a reccession guys.  My wallet cannot (should not) handle plane tix, hotel costs, plus festival ticket prices for both.

I've never been to Miami...... =)

• Coachella:  Lykke Li - Little Bit

• Ultra:  Cut Copy - Lights and Music
  

Coachella is April 17-19:  $99/day, or $270 for all 3 days.

Ultra is March 27-28:  $130 for both days.

Waiting 4 U

Canadian synthpop/electrofunk group Chromeo.

Comprised of childhood friends P-Thugg and Dave 1, who incidentally, are Arab and Jewish.

Dave 1 (David Macklovitch) is currently earning in Ph.D in French literature at Columbia University, where he also teaches undergraduate French classes.

Eh, EH?

But even without the fun trivia, the music speaks for itself.  One of my fav groups from 2008.  Danceability factor is HIGH.

• Chromeo - Tenderoni

• Chromeo - Waiting 4 U
  

I've really been liking the song Waiting 4 U lately.  It reminds me of my bf dancing.

SPEAKING OF WHICH.  Anyone else waiting for anything?

Clouds of Tulle and I are waiting 8-10 business days for these 5 inch beauties from ASOS.

ROYKSOPP

I haven't had a music post since I've restarted this blog and I almost feel like I've been hiding something from everyone because well, music is a pretty big part of my life.  If I had to choose fashion or music?  Hmm....I'm actually trying decide as I'm typing this which one I'd pick.  It's hurting my brain so I'll just leave it as that's a tough decision.

Anyways, what prompted me to post a music entry is ROYKSOPP.

Royksopp is definitely in my TOP 5.  Maybe even my TOP 3.

I discovered Royksopp in 2005, which happened to be the last time they released a new album.  With only 2 full studio albums released and a 3+ year hiatus, I've come to become very familiar and attached to their music.  Anytime I unexpectedly hear a Royksopp song (at a lounge, on TV, at the hairdresser's), it's like instant good mood.  The beats, the words, Erlend Oye's voice.  I love it all.

Well, the big news is omg omg omg ROYKSOPP IS BACK!!11!!111!

They've released a new song, which you can download from their website, called Happy Birthday.

Ok so this song is pretty mediocre for Royksopp, but I'll take what I can get.  Happily anticipating their new album!

Downloads 4 U:

My favorite Royksopp song:  Someone Like Me

A good Royksopp song that you might have heard before:  Remind Me

Yelle

I discovered Yelle a couple months ago when the lineup for Coachella was released. I immediately got to torrenting all the albums of all the artists I had never heard of and began my preparation.

Yelle caught my attention because:

1. She is French
2. She sings in french
3. It's synthpop dance music

The music is cute, fun, and likeable. I liked a couple of songs, even though you don't understand a word she's saying, and you can't tell anyone the names of the songs (or at least I can't). After the day-by-day lineup for Coachella was released, I saw that she had a slot right after M.I.A. and before Prince, so she was added to the itinerary. Didn't know what to expect, but there wasn't any other artist I wanted to see during her time slot and I knew a couple songs, so sure.

I LOVE YELLE.

Her show was probably the most fun show I saw there. (Well, maybe besides Hot Chip but their performance was so damn packed that I couldn't see the stage anyways. ) She had SO much energy and so is SO DAMN CUTE. Cute like when she was dancing around, I wanted to pat her on her little bowl-cut shaped head and saw "awww." Look at her marching around up there. How adorable!

The entire Mojave tent was jumping around and dancing with her. Even after being in 100+ degree heat for 10 hours and being sober, it was a pretty fun time.

Here are 2 of her more popular songs on Zshare:

Je veux te voir

À cause des garçons


Official Yelle Website
Yelle @ Myspace

RATATAT

Not your typical indie band. Entirely instrumental, great beats, a SYNTHESIZER (you know me and synthesizers), with a bit of funk. I confess, I didn't like them at first. Riding on Interpol's coattails and all their songs sounded the same to me. Plus, that RaWrr!! in "Wildcat" made me uncomfortable.

How very wrong I was.

The songs are great driving music, great lounging music, and great studying music. I love bands where the more you hear their songs, the more you like them. keeps gettin better and better!



Choice tunes from the "Classics" Album:
Wildcat
Loud Pipes
Kennedy

And for you hip-hop heads, Ratatat has a couple of albums [Ratatat Mixtape Vol. 1; Ratatat Remixes Vol. 2] where they do mixes with Biggie, Ludacris, Jay-Z, and Kanye.