Missoni, I don't understand

Actually, I do. It's just...ugly.

I just peeked at their(Target) site for the first time since I've been reading about the website shutdown for the past 15 hours.

Someone bought this?

Girls, we have way better taste than this, right? The colors, the design, ugh. I had no idea it was this tacky. I've seen Missoni's clothing before and It wasn't quite this loud.

I'm gonna take a pass on this one.


Something NOT tacky from Northern Soul artist Donnie Elbert. Hey, sweet baby.

Park Treasures

I work across the street from the largest park in the state of Maryland. That's a made up fact. I have no idea if it's the largest park, but the mental image is astounding, isn't it? I will say it's pretty damn big and exceptionally beautiful.

I just realized how great it is this past weekend when they hold their monthly flea market! It's a massive and eccentric garage sale(sans garage) with close to 40 vendors.

I scored my man a 25 cent brass and copper buckle, a tiny wooden elephant(I'm attempting to build a small collection), Smokey Robinson and The Miracles early Tamla vinyl and this book. It's my bus ride read and If you think you know everything about Dylan, you don't. He was shy, sometimes too confident, romantic, stubborn, young and deeply in love for that moment. So far, it's a sweet peek into their first meeting and an exciting musical and idea bursting chapter in Greenwhich Village. I know I've mentioned this book before, but I just got my hands on it and I'm hoping it lives up to MY hype.

Alone music

When I'm home alone, I'm free to listen to every shitty 80s to early 90s song imaginable. It feels so good. There's no one here to explain it to. But if they are in the next room it just doesn't work the same. My dance routine just won't be as ..appreciated.

Pandora's Hall and Oates channel is guilty pleasure central. Listen and stay awhile.

I don't care if he's home(I do, he has a sweet face) but sorry. I wanna play Journey while I clean the room.

All day.



oh, steve perry.

Stax Records

I've always been a big fan of everything Stax Records related. The Memphis label operated for a good 15 years before shutting its doors in 1975. It also shut the door on a significant time in soul music. A period that brought us Otis Redding, Johnnie Taylor, Eddie Floyd, The Staple Singers..just to name a few.

They were the soul underdogs in many ways(Not to mention the Northern Soul that was brewing in England). Berry Gordy cornered the market with a more polished, aesthetically pleasing, radio friendly soul sound. The people agreed. But the people didn't always see what else was happening. That artists were and could be grittier. That the neat and highly successful Motown label had talent lurking and working in the background that just weren't be noticed passed Gordy's dollar sign dreams. What fit into his idea of the perfect radio hit. I guess it was basically a pre-cursor to what radio hits are measured against nowadays(MAIN DIFFERENCE: Motown artists(though polished) were extremely talented and had some of the best instrumentally talented backup musicians that music will know).

But Stax was here and Memphis had an army of voices that could not be denied. It was encouraging and exciting to see someone battle the biggest soul label.

Otis Redding would have turned 70 years old tomorrow. What would Otis be like now? I wonder. Still performing? Would there have been a time when people didn't love Otis Redding? It's weird to say I'm glad he never faded out because his potential was obviously endless. But a part of me is content that we are left with such a powerful legacy to admire. Even if it was short lived.

In the spirit of Stax Records and Otis Redding


And my new(ish)favorite Stax Tune. Pops did it right.

So, When?

It's funny when we ask ourselves that. When is my life going to be different, more opportunities, more creative, etc? As if, someone comes knocking on your door to deliver the "your life is about to change" package. It's a lazy way to consider life and its possibilities and joys. I fall victim to this. Hard and loudly. I wait for freelance writing opportunities, when truthfully, I haven't done my part.

This blog kicks your ass.

She's right about my generation. We are dreamers with our eyes closed, living in the clouds above. We denounce "the man" but have a hard time working around him. We are slightly hypocritical about our values and beliefs. We are completely unsatisfied (as my mother would say) and somewhat lacking direction. BUT my generation is also creative and full of new and cutting edge ideas and we romanticize life In It's endearing simple steps. We just need to put all these things and ideas in a place. They don't have to fit perfectly, but It has to work for us.

And then I thought about him. Kris Kristofferson's 1970 debut album is packed with genius. Lyrics that knock you back.

Moving on?

Listen. I'm not rich. I appreciate cute and affordable clothing like any other gal, but I've read too many articles and blogs and seen too many "behind the scenes" clips. Forever 21, something ain't right.

Not to mention, the material sucks ( I know, I get what I pay for). But I'm tired of paying for shitty clothing, you know? I'm gonna (attempt) to subscribe to a better fit, better material, and maybe something a little more long lasting. And maybe something the 14 year old girl walking down the street isn't wearing.

I'm not trying to change your mind, by any means. I can't quit cold turkey If I tried.

They aren't the first and only corporation to exploit workers and certainly not the last.

But I can read this.

More new.

I've been trying to find new songs, artists, books, publications, etc. Films have mostly been the new lately. Here are a few I've seen that I'd definitely recommend.

Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work

First of all, Joan Rivers is typically never someone I would envision desiring to explore. She's obnoxious, tacky, frightening, obsessed with the shallow hollywood world..But you know what? Those characteristics kind of appealed to me too. I completely forgot how genuinely funny she is and how she truly is an iconic comedienne. I totally recommend this. It was heartbreaking, truthful, and hilarious. An extraordinary woman.




Another Year

This British film moves at a pretty slow pace. You are constantly waiting for something to happen. As if, something NEEDS to happen. The truth is, nothing explosive needs to happen. It's the story of their life, relationship and the people who share their life-their beautiful and somewhat ordinary life. Mike Leigh seems to nail the everyday in the most casual and human way. And that's what you'll enjoy about this film.




White Lightning

Jesco White is ..scary. The hillbilly, crude talking, mountain dancing West Virginian is an endless amount of shock and entertainment. This film is based loosely on events in his upbringing, boozing and maniacal life. I now understand the cult following in regards to this guy. It was an interesting(sometimes sad) and frightening peek into the life of a crazed Appalachian dancer who just wanted to make his daddy proud. Man, them hillbillies scare me.


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Everlasting Moments

God, I loved this. I loved the photos she created, how she came to create them and the world it slowly shaped around her. So many tender images that are still vivid in my mind weeks after seeing it. I don't want to say any more. Please see this, and tell me after.



Lastly, I started watching this. I really want to embrace them. I've tried. I really have. There's something about Wilco that bothers me. Actually, there's something about Jeff Tweedy that bothers me. Is he arrogant? dull? hyped up? He sure as hell pukes a lot..

I actually really love watching the musical process take place. A hectic but sometimes serene production studio where a stunning phenomenon unfolds. Music is made. I dig all of that. But, I'm not feeling that yet. I'm halfway through, to be fair to the documentary. I'm not sure I'll make it.