A while back my friends Carlos & Stephanie gave us thank you concert tix for officiating their September nuptials *fancy word, eh?* and tonight is the show. I dropped Liv at her Grandma’s earlier while I went to acupuncture so this will be the longest we’ve been away from her 🙁
I am STOKED…We are seeing
With no prep time and very little sleep last night we begrudgingly woke up to get Liv ready to meet Sarah at the LA Arboretum. It only took us 15 minutes to get there and WOW! The place was lovely. We saw Sarah and she suggested we do the shoot on the front lawn/fountains. Aww yeah, no admission! It actually was the perfect location because we had it all to ourselves *aside from a couple of geese* and it was the best spot for headshots, simple, as the casting agent requested. Sarah worked her magic for an hour and since we weren’t in the photo shoot I was able to take shots with my camera while we sang and danced to keep Liv entertained.
This is why I hire a professional, my camera was casting a shadow no matter what I did. Sarah took a look at our camera and suggested we take it to Nikon for service. She couldn’t figure out the wonky settings either!
They are old pals
That white you see on the grass was silk falling from these massive trees. Liv found them fascinating.
With summer *my favorite season* fast approaching, I think it’s appropriate for a summer/poolside *don’t I wish* beachy playlist. It’s been close to 2 1/2 years since I went to the beach so I am thinking this weekend maybe time to introduce my favorite beach to Olivia.
One of my favorite bands epitomize Rockabilly beach camp, John Waters style from the 60’s with a punk twist. I saw them live at Sunset Junction and they were FANTASTIC!! Even with Lux Interior in his 60’s he still rocked!
Happy TENTH Mix Tape Friday!!
I am excited for today’s playlist only because most of them are new songs that I’ve been listening to nonstop and I am LOVING them!! I give sole credit to Antz who sent them my way and said, I think you would like these. Good job sweetiepie, you know me so well. This is dedicated to my amigas at Coachella, I wish I was there. Only 2 more years and we’ll take Liv.
Appréciez!!
Antz is LOVING this song!!
“Truth” Alexander
This is my new non-Björk favorite song!! Love Oh Land!!!
“Wolf & I” Oh Land
This song cracks me up!
“Don’t Call Me Whitney, Bobby” Islands
I actually discovered this chick, she totally sounds like Joanna Newsom but harpless. Antz likes her a bunch. I find her to be adorable!
“Japan” CocoRosie
Speaking of Joanna, I noticed that one of my favorite songs of hers is on a car commercial *she sold out! Just Kidding* Antz is always saying why are all your favorite songs always in commercials? I dunno….cause I am awesome!! Anyways…I prefer live versions of her songs.
“Bridges & Balloons” Joanna Newsom
Arcade Fire has really won me over with this French song. J’aime seriously!! Makes me want to drive to Coachella tonight 🙁
“Une annee sans lumiere” Arcade Fire
This band is rad. That is all.
“Kick Drum Heart” The Avett Brothers
Björk, don’t think I don’t love you, my lovely. Now hurry up and finish your new album. Liv wants to see you live!! They played the Skunk Anaise remix version of this song in Sucker Punch, LOVE it!!
“Army of Me” björk
Here’s another Sucker Punch song. It’s so funny because they would play the original version at my beauty school and me and my friend Jessica would call this the acid trip remix and we would dance like the 60s.
“White Rabbit” Grace Potter & The Nocturnals *youtube has it posted incorrectly as Jefferson Airplane*
And lastly, the random song of the week! I heard this song at Liv’s World Citizen dance class and it so reminds me of my BFF, Aimee. She LOVES this dude! She saw him live a few years ago and begged me to go with her but I was Not likin’ it so I declined. Well, after all these years, this song has grown on me. Liv loves it so I’m onboard. It doesn’t hurt that he’s French either.
“Bongo Bong” Manu Chao
Today Liv started her dance class at HeartBeat House in Atwater Village. It was pretty awesome!! Liv was quite energetic and she interacted with the other children politely. I do believe she’s the youngest in the class. There’s a woman in the class who was also in my prenatal yoga class *small world* her daughter was born in December 2009. Liv made herself right at home and licked pretty much everything she got her hands on.
It rained all day Tuesday. I’m not a fan of rain. Everyone thinks its so great, there is so few gloomy days in LA that it makes people crazy. The traffic comes to a crawl, the water wreaks havoc on our foundation *new wall cracks appear overnight, not good* and my dog paws get all muddy and he tracks it throughout the house. Boo! However, there are a few things that I enjoy in rainy weather *I LOVE cute rainboots and umbrellas*
I get in a sentimental mood for some melancholic tunes. Thus this week’s Mix Tape Friday inspiration. Not your typical “I’m Only Happy When it Rains” playlist. Hope you enjoy!
This is an obvious choice for rainy weather but I played this song at my wedding and it’s been covered by Björk. As difficult as this is to admit, as beautiful as Björk’s version is, she can’t touch Billie.
“Gloomy Sunday” Billie Holiday
This song is an obvious choice, its simply lovely.
“Stormy Weather” Sarah Vaughn
I must pay tribute my husband’s favorite band who are the King of melancholy whose new album *The King of Limbs* is due out this Saturday.
“Down Is The New Up” Radiohead
Sometimes the rain puts me in a Psychobilly mood.
“Haunted Cathouse” Nekromantix
Did you think I would make it without a Björk classic? Mon Dieu!! I listened to this song every time I was at acupuncture when we were trying to conceive and I would sing this to myself;
One day, it will all come true.
One day, when you’re ready
One day, when you’re up to it.
One day, one day it will all make sense
One day, you will blossom.
*It happened*
“One Day” Björk
I could go on and on about how amazing Nick Cave’s talent is but we all know this. This soundtrack is a rare surprise, I really dislike westerns but Pretty boy Bradley, Sam Rockwell and Casey Affleck made it easy to stand, and the music t’weren’t too bad either!
“Another Rather Lovely Thing” Nick Cave & Warren Ellis
Please forgive me, I couldn’t for the life of me find the next 2 songs on youtube *strange they weren’t there, everything is on youtube* It is definitely worth a listen. This is one of the most beautifully, sad song I’ve ever heard. Jon Brion is one of my favorite modern day composers who often collaborates with director PT Anderson. I listen to it just to get depressed, haha!
http://www.last.fm/music/Jon+Brion/_/Chance+of+Rain
“Chance of Rain” Jon Brion
I love the turn-of-the-century feel I get when I hear this song. It’s like everything instantly goes black & white. J’adore April March!!
http://mog.com/tracks/mn1962555/april-march/chrominance-decoder/mon-petit-cowboy
“Mon Petit Cowboy” April March
This was playing in Liv’s nursery while I was watching the rain fall, rocking in her glider while I was breastfeeding her. I thought to myself, I should post my favorite rainy day songs.
“Lovely head” Goldfrapp
Yep, I hopped on the Grammy bandwagon and recently downloaded these guys but banjos and upright bass are doing it for me. I am typically not a Bluegrass fan but they won me over when I discovered they are Brits.
“Roll Your Stone Away” Mumford & Sons
Antz found this band for me and oh I love them so much *and I love my hubby even more for knowing me so well*
“Sur la planche” La Femme
Just because I’m in the mood
“Non, Je Ne Regret” Edith Piaf
All I can say about this chick is, I am soo happy I had the chance to hear her play live. I believe she is part fairy.
“Sawdust And Diamonds” Joanna Newsom
This morning I baked the blueberry muffins to perfection and of course I forgot to take a pic. My Mom spontaneously stopped by so I was a bit distracted. We did bring a few home with us so Antz took a pic for me. I am still feeling lame and grody so this will be a short but sweet post.
Speaking of sweet, Liv wore her new dress *the vintage one I got from Grow Kid Grow in Silverlake*
Tomorrow I’m going to Sprinkles with Aimee to pick up some cupcakes. She is giving one to Mr Big *things are going well with them, although moving at a snail’s pace* and I’m going to give one to my 2 Valentines…❤
New Year, New music…sounds lovely to me!
I found this amazing band on my fave show Yo Gabs during the Share episode. They are super cute and have made it to my Awesomely Happy playlist, quite the distinct honor! They remind me very much of Deerhoof with a dash of Freezepop.
“Count Five or Six” Cornelius
My next band is seriousnessly rad. They sound European but they are from the South *Say whaaa?* totally rocking my world.
“Tim, I Wish you were Born a Girl” Of Montreal
I have been playing this band too much *Antz can’t take them anymore* but I think they are brilliant. Michel Gondry *frequent Björk collaborator* directed this genuis video. I wish they would put out a new album soon, I’ve worn Viva La Woman out!
“Sugar Water” Cibo Matto
Boo, Warner Bros *aka Tha Man* cockblocked embedding for this video but here’s the link.
Now it’s time for Björk song of the week. This week is an oldie but greatly. I know I’m biased but I have never heard such orginality, magnificent voice *even when I have no idea what she’s saying*, such natural talent. Hearing her sing live brings tears to my eyes, it’s so ethereal is the best word I could describe her as.
“Cocoon” Björk
I found out about this next guy from my Beauty School Bff, Jessica. She just saw him play at the Hollywood Bowl and now I’m super jealous. He so reminds me of Elliott Smith *they are both from Omaha* but I hope he doesn’t end up like Elliott, who committed suicide at a young 34 *which I will be turning in 2 months, eeep* His voice is haunting and sweet, I love this video *Antz cannot stand him, he finds him to be pretentious, haha*
“At the Bottom of Everything” Bright Eyes
Speaking of suicide…why are the most talented and successful people end up depressed and kill themselves? Alexander McQueen, Micheal Hutchence, Kurt Cobain *although, I seriously think foulplay was involved*
On a lighter note, here’s the random song of the day. Brought to you from Space Ghost *a short lived awesome show that has a huge cult following* As a matter of fact, Story was Brak *along with Chris a Moltar* for Halloween one year and their costumes was so spot on I regret being too drunk to have taken a picture. I stole this one from her facebook. I do not love beans, for the record.
“I Love Beans” Brak
My last song for this Mix Tape Friday switches up the all Indie, all the time mix. Being a former MM fan, I get nostalgic for some hardcore rocking every now and again.
Hark, the Mix tape has made it’s triumphant return and this week I’m bringing you my Christmas Edition
I have a pretty kick-ass itunes playlist playing that has inspired today’s Mix Tape Friday. Let’s go…..
I’ll start with an old classic *I totally love the 60s and cutie pie Doris Day* I used to watch all her movies when I was little *I had no clue of what was going on in those movies* but I loved Doris’s voice and how bright and cheery she always seemed.
“Baby, It’s Cold Outside” Bing Crosby & Doris Day
Here’s another Golden oldie that instantly sets the mood. I adore Rat Pack!!
“I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm” Dean Martin
Since we’re on a Rat Pack Swinging set
“Mistletoe & Holly” Frank Sinatra
Ella has an amazing Christmas Album “Ella Wishes you a Swingin’ Christmas” I would post every single song here but I am only going to choose one, my absolute favorite of hers. She is so major!!!
“Santa Claus is Coming to Town” Ella Fitzgerald
If you’re gonna make a Christmas playlist, you must include an old favorite but with a modern twist. I love this version of a timeless classic.
“Carol of the Bells” The Bird & the Bee
Anyone born before 1985 knows that Christmas is not complete without A Charlie Brown Christmas. I adore the Vince Guaraldi Trio , but I’m way into composers. I was happily surprised to hear it featured on The Royal Tenenbaums soundtrack *one of my favorite movies*
Christmas songs has one King *his name is not Elvis*, I’ll let you hear who I am talking about.
“Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire” Nat King Cole
If Nat is the King, I would crown Mr. Kitt, the queen. Her playful Christmas songs are so rad, I totally get excited to bake cookies for Santa while dancing to this tune.
“Santa Baby” Eartha Kitt
And now my last, yet random Christmas tune of the day. This song totally reminds me of my grammar school days, singing in our Christmas Pageant and then heading out to look at the neighborhood lights with my Mom *unknown fact: Antz and I didn’t grow up in the same neighborhood, but we went to see the same neighborhood Christmas lights as children* Here’s an unlikely band you may not relate to Christmas but I wanted to close with a rocking song.
“We Wish You a Merry Christmas” Weezer
Please have a safe Christmas, we’ll be hanging around the casa tomorrow, eating Cinnabons, *Liv is loving her new organic pear juice* taking pics of Liv’s 1st Christmas and we’re crafting, I’ll be mood board-ing to our heart’s delight. We’ll be heading out to my Mommy’s house for a couple of days, so hopefully Olivia may have a White Christmas!!
Today was the day, after a disappointing non-shopping morning, it was 1pm before we knew it so I got busy on my Yo Gabba-cure
I need to run, we are going to the Grove to check out Anthropologie’s sale and then we are meeting for dinner at Story & Chris’s house!! Laters