Monday, June 29, 2015

Allie X


Allie X (Alexandra Ashley Hughes) already has Katy Perry's stamp of approval and after listening to her two songs over the weekend has won my heart as well. Two years ago, the Toronto native took a small jaunt to Los Angeles for a casual songwriting trip and then never left. Her sound is reminiscent to the infectious Lana Del Rey, but with more a glitter induced beat. Ms. X is still crafting her sound but has big plans for her future. She told Nylon Magazine:

"I plan on putting out enough collections to fully tell the story of X. And then I'd like to turn it into a musical. It's an abstracted version of my story. So, I'm not sure how it ends yet."

Two very enthusiastic thumbs up for any artist who can turn their tunes into a musical. Take a spin to her jingles below and be prepared to get your dancing shoes on. Enjoy!

Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Top Sandals For Every Occasion

Top Sandals For Every Occassion

Even though the weather these past few weeks hasn't entirely felt like Summer (I'm not complaining), I'm still pretty excited about all the footwear I've been able to wear now that I am no longer in the agony of a walking boot like last year. The Summer is the perfect time to explore a variety of sandals. Whether you're into flats, mid or high heels, wedges, and/or platforms, a neutral or metallic sandal is the perfect pairing for either a pair of cutoffs or a colorful Maxi Dress. Check out my top 6 sandals, each perfect for their own specific Summer occasion. 

1. Running Errands- Metallic Birkenstocks, $130

2. Walk On The Boardwalk - Pharoh Metallic Espadrille, $109


4. Afternoon Cocktails - Top Shop Wedges, $85

5. Dinner - Top Shop High Heeled Sandals, $85

6. Night Out - Dune London Harah, $125

For more sandal inspiration check out these other posts here and here

Monday, June 22, 2015

The Staves


Move over Haim sisters, there is a new trio in town and they go by the name of The Staves. They are an English acoustic folk rock flock of sisters from Watford, Hertfordshire, England and harmonizing is their calling card. Prepare to be blown away not only by these three beautiful females, but by a sound that is nothing less than flawless. Grab that Summer cocktail and perk those ears up to listen to the vocals of Camilla, Jessica, and Emily, you won't regret it for a second.

Friday, June 12, 2015

Father's Day Gift Guide


I don't know about you, but my Dad has EVERYTHING. He is a man who is incredibly hard to shop for and every Father's Day, I have to think outside the box when it comes to a gift. The holiday is quickly approaching (June 21st) and if you haven't figured out what to get daddio, than take a peak at my top 9 ideas below. Hopefully one of them will spark something creative this year.

1. Who said that his briefcase had to just be for work. Portable Briefcase BBQ Grill $80

2. Bring a taste of the Mad Men Office home with this nostalgic mug, Mad Men SC&P Mug $15

3. If he needs a stylish new gym bag, then look no further, Herschel Lonsdale Duffle $90

4. Jack Purcell's always make me think of my youth. Keep Dad forever young in these comfortable, and timeless sneakers, Converse Jack Purcell's $49

5. Dad can save his momentos on the go with this pocket-sized photo printer, Polaroid Zip Instant Mobile Printer $130

6. Give his favorite local bar a run for its money by getting him his dream gift of distilling a spirit of his own, Age Your Own Whiskey Kit $150

You can be gorgeous at thirty, charming at forty, and irresistible for the rest of your life.
Read more at http://www.marieclaire.co.uk/blogs/547165/coco-chanel-s-25-snappiest-quotes.html#3VokCAZMQyKDFMBy.99
7.  He can test his green thumb with this incredible vertical terrarium kit, Sedum Terrarium $38

8. Grab your baseball cap and head on over to Yankee Stadium to see your pinstripes. Dad will love a day at the ballpark and so will you, Tickets start at $17

9. My Dad is pretty much Superman. He'll be the toast of every wedding this season with these awesome cufflinks, Superman Cufflinks $60

Wednesday, June 10, 2015

IRIS


Words cannot describe Iris Apfel. The basics - she's a 93 year old American businesswoman, interior designer, and fashion icon. But beyond the basics, she is legendary. When I'm 93, I hope to embody just half her fabulousness and then I'll know that I've truly made a name for myself.

This past Saturday, my girlfriend Allison and I, spent 80 glorious movie minutes watching her documentary and caught a glimpse of her extraordinary life of love, statement glasses and impeccable closet. A unique film that showcases a woman who holds your imagination from the moment she appears on the screen. You simply cannot take your eyes off of Mrs. Apfel, but then, why would you want to?

Don't walk, run to the theater to see this film. Her influences are remarkable and it's no wonder the world is still amazed by her talents almost a century later.


Monday, June 8, 2015

XYLØ


Back in February, LA based duo XYLØ, debuted their single America on Soundcloud and history was made. The Internet has been all a buzz and the song has been played over 1,000,000 times, which is pretty massive for a band who just started. 
If you missed your chance to fall in love with them over the Winter, I've got a great second opportunity for you as they just released a follow-up song last week. The latest single from this brother/sister pair is "Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea" and it's melancholy pop at it's finest. Fans of Lana Del Ray and Broods, get your ears ready and listen below.

Friday, June 5, 2015

Minted

Minted
This past December, I used the glorious minted.com and created the perfect holiday cards (even at a reasonable price nonetheless). I was perusing the website over the weekend, and noticed that they not only sell custom cards, but you can also buy amazing art from independent artists all over the country. Similar to Society6, you can search by category, size and even tack on a great frame to your order - all at the fraction of the price from a gallery or art festival. There were so many artists that I loved, but behold my 9 favorites. Head on over to the website and check it out. Happy shopping!

1. A Helpful Reminder by Annie Clark

2. Summer Landscape by Katherine Moynagh

3. Golden Mums by Rebekah Disch

4. String of Lights by L. Daniel

5. Pinning for Pineapples by Joni Tyrrell

6. Serene Forest by Hooray Creative

7. Lookin' good by Amy Schwager

8. Magic Carpet Ride by Melissa Marcarelli

9. All in the Details by Courtney Wilburn

Wednesday, June 3, 2015

Horoscopes for June 2015

MARCH HOROSCOPES

We are half way thru 2015, where the heck did the year go already? I still can't believe it's Summer. Let the weddings, weekend getaways, and cocktails outside commence.  Check out your monthly horoscope courtesy of Susan Miller from Astrology Zone. There are predictions for each sign below from her and then head on over to get the full scoop from her website for the month of June. ENJOY!

AQUARIUS (Jan 20-Feb 18)
So many times when I go on Twitter, readers ask, "When will love be coming for me, an Aquarius?" Over the past ten months, the planets have been favoring those members of your sign who are attached, for you have had the best marriage aspects of any sign since Jupiter entered Leo in July 2014. Jupiter is still in your marriage and committed partnership house and will remain there until August 11. 

PISCES (Feb 19-March 20)
June will be month filled with surprises, as Uranus, the planet of unexpected events will be very friendly and active all month, putting a strong emphasis on making plans for a real estate deal, improving your living arrangements, or deciding on care for a family member. You won't be short of work projects, for many will fly in the window all month, and probably as a result, your financial outlook will be excellent too. Let's get started.

ARIES (March 21-April 19)
June is a solidly strong month with enough sweet aspects to keep you happy. The month starts out on June 2 with a big full moon in Sagittarius, 14 degrees, big as a pizza pie in the sky. You may travel far and wide, possibly spontaneously, or be arriving home after a long trip to a foreign country. Full moons bring closure, so you may now wind up an exciting creative project or be given the approval to start one, possibly involving a publishing or a broadcasting assignment.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20)
Lately you've been thinking a lot about money. Saturn, the taskmaster planet that uses tough love to teach us lessons, has moved into your eighth house of other people's money. This house rules credit cards, student loans, taxes, mortgage payments and re-financing plans, and court and other legal cash settlements, including division of property in a divorce or child support payments. You get the idea - the eighth house is about money other than the money you are paid by salary. Generally it represents money that comes in or out in large chucks.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21)
It is time to make an important relationship official at the full moon on June 2 in Sagittarius, 12 degrees. You may be getting engaged or married within five days of this date, or you may be about to sign papers with a proposed business partner. Full moons create a sense of urgency to finalize talks, but at this full moon, you should not rush. Mercury is your ruling planet, and is still retrograde, until June 11, and it is never wise to sign a contact with Mercury out of phase. Something will be wrong, but you won't know which clauses are troublesome until months or even years have passed.

CANCER (June 22-July 22)
A big full moon in Sagittarius, 12 degrees, on June 2 will start off the month. You will be working hard to finish up an assignment, and you may also consult a doctor about an ache that has been persistent or another problem that you'd like to have more information.Full moons tend to bring a floodlight of truth and final information, but with Neptune spreading fog to the situation, it may be difficult for your doctor to give you a definitive diagnosis. 

LEO (July 23-Aug 22)
Your romantic life, or a pregnancy, baby, or child, will be joyfully on your mind as the month opens. A full moon in Sagittarius 12 degrees on June 2 will bring your attention to something regarding love or children to fullness, within four days of June 2. Overall, this is a sweet full moon, for it will receive with a nod from Jupiter, giver of gifts and luck, in your sign, dear Leo, and from Uranus, the surprise planet, orbiting in pioneering Aries. You may spontaneously travel to an exotic location on this full moon, or return home, as full moons tend to finish up activities within four days of its appearance to prepare for a new cycle.

VIRGO (Aug 23-Sept 22)
You are about to enter a wow of a month for career advancement, and it doesn't matter if you are a Senior Vice President in a multi-national company seeking a CEO position in a competitive firm, or a mother whose children are grown and are looking to enter the work force for the first time in years - every Virgo can advance and be overjoyed with the position you land. Mercury, your ruling planet, and Uranus, the planet of surprise developments will be very active in June and form the structure of this incredibly exciting trend.

LIBRA (Sept 23-Oct 22)
This will be an active, productive month for you, and it looks like travel is on the agenda. Traveling now would be a great idea, because later you will be seeing impressive career opportunities pop up. Those will begin to happen in the last third of June through July, so it will be important to be at home base when your career will begin to pop. To keep things fun, your friends will have a role to play too, so you have plenty to look forward to this month.

SCORPIO (Oct 23-Nov 21)
You've had remarkable cosmic support for your career since last July 2014, and this month you will continue to receive even more sensational aspects for you to build your professional reputation and make good money. You still have Jupiter, giver of gifts and luck, in your career sector (tenth house), an amazing privilege that you will continue to have until August 11, the date Jupiter will leave to enter another part of your chart. This month, June, and August will be your best of 2015 for reaching for the stars when it comes to career, so don't let up your efforts.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22-Dec 21)
June is a solid month where you can make astounding progress, especially with partners. Uranus will be very active this month, all in a friendly way, so romance should sparkle, and your creativity will reach all-time highs. You will be able to travel, if you like, or wait until early August, when more opportunities, too special to pass up, will come your way.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22-Jan 19)
June will be month filled with surprises, as Uranus, the planet of unexpected events will be very friendly and active all month, putting a strong emphasis on making plans for a real estate deal, improving your living arrangements, or deciding on care for a family member. You won't be short of work projects, for many will fly in the window all month, and probably as a result, your financial outlook will be excellent too. Let's get started.

Monday, June 1, 2015

MYZICA


When most people think of Nashville, thoughts of a bubbly indie-pop band don't cross their minds. Introducing MYZICA, the cutest duo to ever come out of the country-fried state and break all the clichés. Tennessee-based producer Micha Tawiks creates beautiful shimmering synths and singer Isaaca Byrd has some infectious silky vocals. I'd say that's a damn good combo for a great indie-pop song. Expect a lot more from these two as their debut album drops June 9th. But for now, take a spin below and see for yourself.