I am alive! Believe it or not!
I apologize for my lack of posting this holiday season, but I will be picking it back up very soon – most likely with a focus on music.
In the mean time here is a tune from my band, Rebecca Butler and The Richards, called “Us We You Me” for your enjoyment:
"Volcano"
Theresa Himmer‘s Icelandic street art installations from 2006 – 2008 titled “The Mountain Series,” were anything but usual.
Instead of ordinary materials for this series of installations, Himmer used thousands of sequins to create three installations, “Glacier,” “Volcano,” and “Waterfall.” She says of the series, “[It] investigates the relationship between natural and artificial landscapes while speaking to the increasing commodification of Icelandic nature” (read more).
The movement and reflective nature of sequins allowed for these art installations to come to life and “recall how landscapes respond to changes in wind and light” (read more).
"Glacier"
"Volcano"
"Waterfall"
All photos courtesy of Theresa Himmer.
Zombie movies are all virtually the same, give or take slight plot variations. Still, they are an unstoppable force in the entertainment industry.
The modern, flesh-hungry zombie was first popularized by George Romero’s film, Night of the Living Dead in 1968. After all this time, audiences are still entertained by the same zombie-plague scenario.
However, AMC‘s television show The Walking Dead, which premiered last year, has brought something slightly new to the zombie table. The zombies presented in the series, or “walkers” as they call them, are still the rotting, “flesh-starved,” reanimated human corpses that we have come to know and love; however, they are no longer presented simply as mindless, “lethargic sleepwalkers” (via Joshua Gunn).
The Walking Dead zombies are faster than your ordinary walking dead. They no longer slowly drag their decomposing body after you; these zombies become speed-walkers when they see a good piece of flesh. The “walkers” also have a heightened sense of hearing – scream or shoot a gun and they’ll come running (or at least walking fast).
So what does all this contribute to the show?
A more intensified zombie apocalypse scene for the show’s characters; and with that suspense, a more entertaining zombie show – and you thought that wasn’t possible.
The theme of this week seems to be DIY projects. Maybe I’m just in the holiday spirit.
This beautiful and easy DIY comes to you from Green Wedding Shoes. While they have created the garland tutorial for wedding decorations, these can also make beautiful holiday decorations as well. Here are the step-by-step directions courtesy of greenweddingshoes.com:
What You’ll Need:
What To Do:
Step 1: Stand 5 feet away from your friend with yarn ball in hand. Hold on tight to the end strand of the yarn. Toss the yarn to your friend and pull both your ends, leaving no slack. Have your friend hold on to their end and throw the ball back to you. Repeat these steps until you have10-20 tight strands between the two of you. Cut the end of your yarn to cut it away from the yarn ball.
Step 2: Still holding the yarn tight between the two of you, both of you should begin twisting the string in opposite directions until it is twisted tight. Be sure to not let go of your ends.
Step 3: Walk towards one another, so that the two ends of yarn meet in the middle. They will naturally twist in the middle to create a neat braided look. Take a small piece of yarn and tie a tight knot around the combined ends so the twisting doesn’t come undone.
Repeat these steps in varying colors, widths, and lengths to create beautiful decorations for any event!
All photos courtesy of greenweddingshoes.com
“Us” begins with hurried piano keys and tense violin strings. Regina Spektor‘s voice enters with a tone of soft power on the words, “They made a statue of us.”
Her sharp and enunciated voice emphasizes the unusual story of the lyrics with words such as, “We wear our scarves just like a noose, but not ’cause we want eternal sleep. And though our parts are slightly used, new ones are slave labor you can keep.”
The moving bass line of the piano and the somber violin strings build in the chorus to tell a story of their own. They set the tone of the song.
Spektor is known for her eclectic and unfamiliar songs. Each one is its own different musical style, and somehow I love all of them.
Dream Catcher by Rachel Rice
Since the DIY Christmas Ornaments have been so popular, I decided to feature another fun DIY that can be used for gifts this holiday season: DIY Dream Catchers courtesy of the creative minds from Free People’s blog BLDG 25. These dream catchers can be made from found and recycled materials.
Creating dream catchers varies depending on your artistic vision; however, Free People’s guest blogger Rachel Rice has shared a creative way to create “feather” tassels for your dream catcher using recycled plastic bottles. Here are the step-by-step directions courtesy of Free People:
Step 1: Cut the ends off of the plastic bottle using an X-acto knife or sharp scissors.
Step 2: Cut the body of the plastic bottle into segments.
Step 3: Cut out a few feather shapes from the plastic segments.
Step 4: Using a hole punch, make a hole in one end of each “feather”. Make diagonal cuts into the sides of each “feather” using scissors. Optional: jump rings may be added to the feathers at this point if desired.
Step 5: String the feathers together using ribbon or wire, and then connect the tassels to the rest of your dream catcher however you’d like!
All photos courtesy of Free People Blog.
I began watching this TV show because I had heard so many good things about it from so many different people. I was skeptical at first that it was just another sappy family TV drama like Gilmore Girls or One Tree Hill; but I found that Parenthood is much more realistic and compelling.
The comedy-drama revolving around the Braverman family first aired in 2010 on NBC. The series features many well-known actors such as Lauren Graham, Dax Shepard, Peter Krause, Monica Potter, Erika Christensen and Craig T. Nelson. Currently in it’s 3rd season, the series deals with real world issues that families can relate to and sympathize with such as raising a child with Asperger’s disease. Not many television series have the tenacity to delve into such difficult issues.
Parenthood successfully follows the lives of 15 central characters (no joke) all within the extended Braverman family. The series somehow effectively helps the audience develop an individual connection to each one.
The detailed character and plot development is exactly how the show pulls off the comedy-drama genre. I can honestly say I sob and laugh alongside the characters in every episode, and I know a few men who do too (not to reveal any names).
Penfield Kasson Parka
My browser has become acutely aware that I like clothes. Each webpage I look at now has an ad from one of my favorite clothing stores. It’s scary, dangerous, and very exciting all at the same time.
However, on this cold Texas day, I’ll share some awesome and, more importantly, warm coats that I’ve found.
The Penfield Kasson Parka from Madewell is cute and practical. The cotton and nylon blend coat is weather resistant, and the checkerboard plaid lining is extremely warm. It’s casual, comfortable, and still very stylish.
Fur Trimmed Wool Coat
Free People‘s Fur Trimmed Wool Coat may be a bit pricier, a little less warm, but just as magnificent (and a bit more versatile). The faux fur collar is detachable so the coat can be worn Fall through Spring without any hesitation. It can be dressed up and down. The back extends into a pleated skirt creating a feminine and classy look. Although it also comes in black, the “rose red” is much more eye-catching and interesting.
Tobaggan Fringe Sweater
The Toboggan Fringe Sweater from Spool No.72 might be my favorite. The cozy blend of wool and acrylic feels like wrapping a blanket around yourself. The sweater features knit detailing, fringe trim, and a beautiful native pattern. Best part – it’s under $100.
I’m not one to rave about Disney stars or teenyboppers (does anyone even use that word anymore?), but I recently stumbled upon the music video for “Love You Like A Love Song” by Selena Gomez & The Scene and was surprisingly fascinated.
Usually I avoid musicians bred out of Disney Channel stars like the plague (ahem – Hilary Duff, Miley Cirus), but this video is clearly trying its best to avoid grouping Selena Gomez with the other cookie cutter musicians that have come out of Disney Channel shows.
With the addition of “& The Scene” to the band title, Gomez is attempting to assert herself as a real musician. She’s acknowledging that she doesn’t come up with the music on her own – she has a band supporting her.
The music video for “Love You Like A Love Song” features a few scenes of psychedelic colors and an acid-trip vibe – I don’t think Disney would approve. Her voice sounds much too mature for her baby face. But she combats this with unusual outfits and boyish pinned-back hair with metallic lipstick that clearly imitates the styles of Katy Perry and Lady Gaga, attempting to assert herself as a women and not just a child star.
The song begins with only a pulsing beat and light vocals while Katie Herzig sings, “My mind is like a heavy hand, always making more of what really happened.”
Just as the lyrics, the song is beautifully simple with soft string plucks, light bouncing keys, and an occasional muted rattle from the shaker. The chorus builds with layers of throbbing keyboard electronics and an intensified drum beat. Still, the song somehow retains it’s soft and laid-back demeanor even while making you want to dance around your room with your hands in the air. (Or is that just me?)
Herzig has had her music featured in many TV shows and movies including Grey’s Anatomy, Smallville, Bored to Death, and Going the Distance.
I first heard this song, Free My Mind, earlier this week featured on Madewell’s holiday video. It is from her 5th album released earlier this year titled The Waking Sleep.
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