Christmas Buzz Levels are at an all-time high. How lovely are these! One of my major reasons for choosing Vienna has proved itself to be well worth it. This Christmas market at "das Rathaus" is just ONE of the many I hope to frequent. Yeeeeeeeeeeeow.
This came on my iTunes this morning and reminded me of about a 3 month period when Dee and I were literally obsessed [pardon the pun] over our dear Marina here. So much so we drove to the back of beyonds [County Carlow] to go see her.
Even though Dee's little Micra ran out of petrol along a very dark, lonely 10 mile stretch of road at like 8pm, during the middle of winter, but we willed the little car to the first petrol station on the outskirts of Carlow town and just made it. That was a fun trip.
Her music is one thing. She is like a unique combination of Florence and the Machine, Kate NashandLily Allen.
Her style is another. When most people think of Marina, they think of;
Fringe, block colours, wacky sunglasses, tribal prints, biker cut off shirts, baseball shirts, body suits, big black hair, eyeliner, black lipstick, figure hugging dresses, contrasting prints, fun, acid tones and a lot in individuality.
She's great, isn't she? I'd go into more but I am currently late for an appointment with my forthcoming project so enjoy another Marina-made tune or two.
It's been quite a while since i've been on hasn't it..whoops. Huntington Beach is amazeballs, i'm weak for the place, absolutely weak. I haven't too much else to say about it, it's like young love or something, i'm smitten. So i'll leave you with some pictures and what I consider to be part of the playlist that our summer seems to have conjured up. It's a random one.
Disclaimer: I'm tragic enough at photography and the screen is broken on my camera, (it's really upsetting and unfortunate) so excuse the quality of the pictures, i'm also too lazy to go editting but I prefer to refer to it as appreciating the raw authentic originals, yeah? yeah.
From top left then..
Enjoying the beach at sunset
Using utensils in every way possible..Starbucks cup and a fork to eat granola and milk, an obvious choice.
Downtown never gets old, drumming, dancing, shuffling, Brazilian non contact martial arts stuff and the breakdancing/ jumping guys, they're the coolest.
Getting creative with our coffee orders
Everyone skateboards here, its a very legitimate form of transportation. LOVE
Kelly Slater is a local hero, in a Seán Óg/ Ronan O Gara sort of way
Being incapable of taking pictures without pulling a face
The beach never gets old
Decorating our bikes for the 4th..(much too lazy to rotate this, soz.)
Oh the beach
Riding our beach cruisers. Everywhere.
Not being able to afford healthy food, it's costly and unfortunate..
So we tend to have to resort to these (yummy) alternatives. In turn we're falling into the 'ever gaining weight headed towards obesity' bracket of the population rather than the leggy beach babe Californian bracket, this is poor.
My bike has lime green rims, could anything really beat that? didn't think so.
California gets my love.
And some playlist..
This song rings through my ears daily and has yet to get old. Number 1 song of the summer.
This has to get a mention, I'm not a Bruno fan, but here he did well, very well.
Yeah a second mention for himself... This song just captures the vibe around here sometimes..ok alot of the time.
Obvious but no less brilliant choice.
This song tends to get a play in the mellow evenings, I don't know how it came to be on the playlist but I'm glad it is.
The tastes here are Very different to home, its no Bon Iver or Bell X1 like.. but its growing on me..who'd have thought it possible!?
See what I mean?
Cake are from Cali. And they capture the vibe.
Theres so much more but of course nothing comes to mind when you need it to. Thanks toob.
Last night I went to see BellX1 in the Marquee. This is my 6th time seeing bell-ex-wan, they were good!
I felt that I should have been allowed into the media tent because I feel like a music critic with all the posts about going to g-g-gigs. (well, two posts but still)
Unfortunately, I'm not the biggest fan of their new album...or the album before that. Luckily though, they played some of the older stuff...(slowset...beautiful!) Of course, Paul Noonan is still a sexy beast. I don't use the term "sexy beast" lightly, just so you know.
My camera is TERRIBLE. Seriously, it's probably the worst camera in existance.
I hope Bell x1 don't read this, but I hate the new guy who plays synth. He's a fool. (Soz guys, I love the rest of you)
I think good ol' Tim from Neosupervital was drumming for them last night but I couldn't really see his face because his bloody cymbal was in the way the entire time. Remember he was drumming back when we saw them at the marquee the first time deeeee? What a man.
They played Tongue :)
HOWEVER, James Vincent McMorrow was supporting and for me, he completely stole the show. He was amazing, wonderful, lovely and lots of other positive adjectives.
Ever since Ciara put one of his songs up here I have loved him. I felt a lump in my throat at one point. Wow.
I wanted to buy his album after but I had 90cent and there was no ATM in the whole place, and no suggestion box where I could leave a note suggesting that they aquire one for next year. Darn.
Cashier No.9 also supported. They were underwhelming.
We left humming and happy. Then we got Lennox's and went home to make chip butties. Job.
Fleet Foxes were UNREAL last night. Mind bogglingly good. They're one of the best bands I have ever seen live. I think I want to marry the entire band, but especially Robin Pecknold. What a voice. It's just the most unusual, goosebumpy sound. He's so awkward on stage too, and we all know that awkward people are the best kind of people. They all seemed genuinely surprised and chuffed that people were going mental, but Robin, bless his little cotton socks, he giggled everytime the crowd cheered and clapped and whooped.
I will see them again before I die. Next year guys?? We could maybe follow them...everywhere. They'll have to speak to us eventually. Then we can all become friends. We'll have to roughen up our looks though. ACTUALLY, my sister said that I looked homeless today when we went shopping. SCORE. Get on it, girls. We should have a competition to see who looks the most likely to be in Fleet Foxes. HA!
Best €39.20 I never spent. :)
Here's a video of my favourites:
INCROYABLE, I know.
Also, I loved that last post! I want all of those beautiful clothes. YAY for My Third Cousin and I! Can we be bestest blog friends? Definitely.
The ever lovely Sarah from My Third Cousin and I is a fellow Cork woman and one who has quite an eye for fashion. She is constantly experimenting and sharing her own personal, suavey style on her blog and really I'm quite envious when I think of my wardrobe and see hers in comparison!
Pop over and do yourself a favour and learn from a master. We are aware here that we're not keeping up with the fashion side here as much with all our gallavanting so Sarah , who we read regularly, kindly did a take on what to wear where we are. So sit down. Put on the kettle. Have a scone. Grab a piece of paper and maybe your laser card. Do enjoy.
Thanks for having us. My Third Cousin and I have compiled 3 looks that have been inspired by your travels. All the pieces are from ASOS and ASOS marketplace, Free people, Planet Blue and Urban outfitters. Here iswhat our dream wardrobe would look like if we were in:
P.S. We may have nabbed the Cali skirt for ourselves. I must say we are very jealous of your adventures and are we are living vicariously through your blog posts.
_____________________________________
Long live My Third Cousin and I!
And aren't those puppies the cutest?!
Keep an eye out for the latest posts and get some travel inspired outfits of yer own.
If you are in anyway like me, then Harry Potter pretty much defined your childhood reading. I still have my first copy, before all the hype began, from when I was 9. I love looking back on all the browning pages and various food stains and the childish handwriting on the front cover. I basically grew up with the book because any year they released a new story, I was always the same age as the characters [even though Harry Potter is technically set in the late 80's/early 90's].
Second Edition. Boo yeah.
The films came along and to be honest, they didn't exactly do much for me. I preferred the way I had imagined things in my head, even though I got the pronunciation of names completely wrong [i.e. Professor Snape was Professor Snapey and Hermione was something like Hur-MEAN-y]. Yet, the films did good because none of my siblings like reading much so by watching the films, I could finally discuss plot lines and who do you think will do what's with them. It also allowed me to taunt them about what would happen in the next film as the books were always one or two ahead [I'm actually an excellent sister, let it be known]. The films have gotten better and I have found the last one to be an excellent adaptation of the book, so much so that I am hopping off the walls to see the next one. My massive girl crush on Emma Watson, as previously discussed in "Ode To Emma" post, did help matters. We saw an advert for the latest film in Buenos Aires last week and me and my friends simultaneously "eeked". Out loud. Right there. In a really dangerous train station. Like a pack of giggling school girls. Facepalm.
Some people just go too far.
But everything good must come to an end. I was sad to see the last book's final page rest open in my hands as will the throngs of Harry Potter fans be when they leave cinemas in July. Yet, the time has come. Harry's story has run it's course and we must all grow up now and leave space for the next literary hero. Or has it?
Unless you've buried your head in a big, dark hole and stuffed cotton wool in your ears, then you will know of the mysterious Pottermore project that has been hopping from facebook to facebook and site to site this week. JK Rowling is not ready to hang up her pen, so it seems.
Apparently, there is going to be some kind of announcement in 3 days regarding the Harry Potter adventures. Daniel Radcliffe of the films claims no knowledge of the Pottermore project but says it would be "self-defeating" to play the role again after saying goodbye to it so is it safe to say that this is something of the ink variety from Rowling? Her lawyer would say nothing except that "This is not a new Harry Potter book". Poo to you, Sir.
Thoughts? Opinions? Where else can she take this story? Is enough enough? Or is this your ultimate Harry Potter wish fulfilled? Another wizarding adventure? Yes please?! Or is it just a place for Harry Potter fans to meet and remember the stories? Answers on a postcard please.
Will back and writing this weekend as I'm back from a nice break to Buenos Aires. However, I have a University report to complete before then and 10 lesson plans! Maybe Ciara will update us on life in California or Megan and the beauties of France. I've to finish our "Over the Andes" piece and hopefully, we will have a guest piece sooooooooooon. And I now realise the new format doesn't work in all internet browsers so will be trying to give that a fix. Until then, please enjoy the following clips that are keeping me sane.
Autumn is in full swing here so please do enjoy the beginning of summer tomorrow. It will only be a few short weeks till the exams are over and school or Uni is out for a few weeks so dear friends, hold on in there my dear friends. My summer playlist is en route but it's taken me 2 days to clear out of my iPod of the not-so-good songs and will likely take another few days to be uploaded with the much-better-songs.
Here's a little pick me up for the time however;
Now to follow suit, as every fashion blogger in the world has probably done by now, Kate. Oh Kate. You did not disappoint. The wedding dress may have been the talk of the day but for me, it was her evening dress with the angora cardigan. She looked absolutely stunning and very feminine. I'm sure my mum has an angora scarf or two at home, so I'll be rummaging once I'm home. Her morning-after outfit was lovely as well in a grey-blue dress, blazer and platformed wedges.
The Middleton's in general were a stylish bunch, with a big round of applause going for Pippa Middleton, Kate's younger sister, who has won legions of fans overnight. Mum and Dad Middleton looked very dapper and younger than their years and Kate's brother, at a young 23 years, looked the right gentlemen. Notable mentions go to Joss Stone [excellent colour on her], Princess Eugenie [in the night outfit, the day one was a tad mank], the Queen herself in cheerful yellow and personally, I liked Victoria Beckham's self-created outfit. You try being heavily pregnant and wearing six inch heels!
Overall, the whole affair showed how the monarchy are moving with the times. Kate could be the first "commoner" Queen, there were cart-wheeling vergers and there was more colour in Westminster than ever before.
Huzzah, jolly well good and crumpets.
S
x
P.S. Just look at that. What a sight. It was more than a wedding. It was history. Think of everyone who's ever been christened or wed or buried in that abbey. Outstanding.
I'm actually a bit excited about the Royal Wedding though I shouldn't be. Marriage really isn't that rare an occurrence but I suppose the fascination comes from the fact, particularly Stateside, that Kate Middleton represents all the "normal" girls in the world, who may find their "Prince Charming" and win his heart too. I blame Disney, personally.
However, she's a smart girl, her parents' fortune is self-made [so she's a commoner - scandalous], she's pretty but not intimidatingly beautiful and she doesn't appear to be a self-righteous gold-digging cow. In fact, she's the kind of girl you can imagine having her hair in pigtails, singing "Spice Girls" into a hairbrush, aged 11. Maybe that's just me though...
Kate Middleton
Midleton, Co. Cork Many women try to see themselves in her and rather than people bequeathing her bad thoughts and envious looks, most appear to genuinely wish her the best in her marriage to Prince William, as they would their own sister. Which I think is rather nice. Bit more love in the world, right? Though she'd be sick of hearing it, I suppose she's this generation's Diana - not in appearance, personality or style however. It's more an issue of semantics. She means something to people, a real life princess and future Queen, who shows that love can overcome obstacles like birth rank. There is one distinct difference between Kate and Diana, which should be noted. Kate and Wills chose each other. There was limited meddling from the family and from what I can only assume, no coercion. It must be the first on-off-on-off again bond in the Royal's history. I don't think anyone else has had as much freedom in their romantic lives as William and Harry [as much as possible given their status, that is].
Yes, the whole thing is trivial in comparison to the real issues of the world. And yes, it's no-one's business. But it is really. The Royals are the face of Britain. They are the representative force. They've threaded their role into every family in the country so people feel every right to poke their noses into their business. And isn't it nice to have a happy-ending and something fun and frilly to take our minds off the looming projects, the ongoing bills and crap weather? Exactly. On you trot, nay-sayers [unless you actually live in London ,where I imagine the daily disturbance will have driven you mental as you sit in traffic for 3 hours or are made stand on the tube as 11 women dressed as Corgis make their way to Buckingham Palace for the reception].
All that remains to ponder is the dress.... What a pity it begins at 6am my time and I rather enjoy sleeping...
S x
P.S. I don't know why or how Brian O'Driscoll and wife got invited but I'd have adopted a shite D4 accent and spiked hairstyle to escort Mrs. O' Driscoll along, just to see that McVities cake. Fair play Wills.
So you may have noticed that Google did a fabulous video to celebrate the 122nd birthday of Charlie Chaplin. Readng Chaplin's life story was a real insight into the mind of a clever and some may say, self-destructive man. From beginning his life as a child actor in acting troupes on the Victorian stage to acting for TV shows until his death in the 70's, he never relented on work despite being accused of sympathising with communist politics and having to relocate to Europe during the McCarthy era in 1950's America. He was played by an excellent Robert Downey Jr in 1992 in Chaplin, a film which starred Chaplin's own daughter.
What I found really interesting about Chaplin was his choice of women. Married 4 times, 11 children and a host of other relationships, his women were as beautiful and handsome as they were talented and young. Their style is typical of the era and had me questioning how can women these days embrace their features and personify the natural yet glamorous look of the 1920's to 1940's. They just don't come like this anymore.
Edna Purvience, Mildred Harris, Pola Negri, Marion Davies, Lita Grey, Merna Kennedy, Georgia Hale, Louise Brooks, Paulette Goddard, Joan Barry, Oona O'Neill
Stunners, the lot of them. All different and all just beautiful in their own right. Some are ultra-feminine, others are almost handsome but tis' inspired me to take a leaf out of their book and attract my own "Little Tramp"... but not literally... Step One: Buy hair rollers. And we're four hours behind GMT time so nopes, it's afternoon, Ciara!
S All pics from Wikipedia and Google themselves. Big legends.
