/// STEAL THIS :: HOLY FUCK

Luckily I have an awesome roommate to remind me that today is in fact Thursday -- and not Wednesday like I previously thought. As it is Thursday, it means it's time for STEAL THIS. To end this week, I've chosen HOLY FUCK to take us into the weekend.

HOLY FUCK :: RED LIGHTS



BONUS /// RED LIGHTS LIVE AT SXSW 2010

/// MID-WEEK PICK ME UP :: DAVID LYNCH

David Lynch is a total creep. And I love him. So much.
David Lynch Signature Cup Coffee from David Lynch on Vimeo.

Also, this is a photo of myself & some of the cool kids I roll with. This photo is so awesome, I don't even remember it being taken.

/// Photo by Matt Steck

/// LET'S TALK ABOUT BEACH FOSSILS

So I mentioned I was ready to pee my pants over the Beach Fossils + Craft Spells show, right? Right. Well, folks, they did not disappoint. I was truly impressed by their performances & cannot say enough good things about them. It was such a fun, dreamy, energetic show -- the perfect way to break into spring. Without further ado, a recap in photos & video.

The Fiddlercrabs

Craft Spells

Beach Fossils 

And a couple videos to give you a taste:

Craft Spells from Jessica H. on Vimeo.


Beach Fossils from Jessica H. on Vimeo.

I would also like to point out that they are the nicest dudes ever. I'm always a bit concerned that people I admire will be dicks when I meet them, but not these guys. They were incredibly gracious as I went all fangirl on them.

So yeah. Go buy their albums. Go see them live. You will not regret it.

/// STEAL THIS :: BEACH FOSSILS + CRAFT SPELLS

Bear with me as I feel a cold coming on and I'm desperately trying to catch up on sleep. Posting is going to be fucked this weekend.

However, I would like to post Thursday's edition of STEAL THIS. Mainly because it involves how spoiled I am.

Why am I spoiled? Because this little band called BEACH FOSSILS is playing in my crap town & I, for once, do not have to drive to see an awesome show. For once, I can get shit-faced, call a cab home, and sleep in my own bed, as opposed to a floor or a couch. (I'm not ungrateful, dear friends, who have let me crash countless times; just appreciative of my delightful bed.)

Back to Beach Fossils. I've been obsessed with their debut album since last spring. It is the ultimate summer album (and it's still great any other time of year.) It will make you want to grab a six-pack -- or some lemonade -- sit outside in the sunshine, and relax. Or do a dance, as I am wont to do.

BEACH FOSSILS :: DAYDREAM




Beach Fossils - Daydream from Enid Valu on Vimeo.


They are playing with CRAFT SPELLS, whom I don't know much about, but I'm excited to check out.



Plus, the super fantastic local band, The Fiddlercrabs, will be kicking things off for the evening.

Is it really obvious I'm totally freaking out about this show? Because I am.

/// MID-WEEK PICK ME UP :: ROMANCE WAS BORN

It was finally somewhat warm today. I spent a good chunk of the day inside at work, but I enjoyed walking to get some lunch and not having to wear a coat. (However, as the evening was chilly, I got to parade around in my leopard print crop jacket from by CORPUS.) The sunshine & the smell of spring in the air got me craving some fun colors & florals. Enter the label Romance Was Born.

Romance Was Born is the creation of designers Anna Plunkett & Luke Sales, hailing from the Land Down Under. Their lines are flirty meet edgy; whimsical with attitude. They are just what I need to spruce up my all black closet & still keep my style.

/// Photos courtesy of the fucking amazing Australian store VIOLENT GREEN showcasing their arrival of new Romance Was Born items.

(PS. Can I move to Australia now? Those cats are cool as shit.)

/// STEAL THIS :: T. REX

Again, I've fallen behind. But a dear friend rolled into town yesterday & I had entirely too much whiskey. However, I did spend part of the evening listening to T. Rex's "The Slider" on vinyl, which has inspired this post. (Therefore, my tardiness is beneficial to you.)

I first fell in love with T. Rex in high school as I was starting to come out of my angsty, riot-grrrl phase. My dear friend, Anne, had an obsession with all things British just like I did. (I had to make a diorama in the first grade about Great Britain and since that point, I've had an unhealthy interest in the Brits.) We would spend the majority of our time delving into British books, music, & film to the point where we would trade our gathered treasures in the mornings before school started so we could swoon over our new discoveries. It was in front of her locker before first period that she handed me a copy of T. Rex's "Electric Warrior". And there, my love for T. Rex and Marc Bolan was born.

Enough of my nonsense. Run out of listen to "The Slider" over & over again. It is absolutely phenomenal. Listen to "Electric Warrior" too. Marc Bolan will enchant you. (He's, like, number one on my posthumous love interest list.)


T. REX :: TELEGRAM SAM



BONUS :: MARC BOLAN + DAVID BOWIE (+ MARC BOLAN FALLING OFF THE STAGE + GIGGLES)

/// SUNDAY KIND OF LOVE (ON A MONDAY)

I was so exhausted yesterday that I didn't get a chance to post some of my favorite loves. So here they are for Monday!

1. My lovely new sweater jacket. My wonderful friend, SeungHoon, was back in South Korea & picked this up for me at his friend's shop, Bon Bon Lounge. It is absolutely perfect for spring -- if spring ever arrives.

2. A gorgeous photo of my grandmother (she's the one leaning back) I discovered as I was packing up her house.

3. My loot from Record Store Day!

4. My favorite piece from PSU's Arts Crawl 2011. (The mirror moved back & forth on the table.)

5.  "Twin Peaks" now on Netflix watch instantly.

/// STEAL THIS :: NO AGE

Fuck, I cannot say how much I love No Age. The L.A.-based noise pop duo seriously kick some ass.

NO AGE :: FEVER DREAMING



Opening Ceremony's Spring/Summer Men's Collection Video featuring No Age :: Chem Trails

Calle Zapatos Perdidos from Opening Ceremony on Vimeo.

And a bonus song because Cliff & his boys are playing poker tonight. (Thanks for dinner, dudes.) (PS. This song in no way implies that you're not getting laid. I just like it.)

The Rapture :: No Sex for Ben

/// MID-WEEK PICK ME UP :: PRETTY IN PRINT

More than being addicted to shopping (which I am), I am addicted to print and patterns and interesting textiles. Even the bf thinks he can buy me clothes based on my love for pattern. ("I'll just buy you something leopard print.") So here's a (small) collection of lovely prints I've come across recently.

  

    

  

Row 1: Emma Cook Lightbulbs Sleeveless Shirt Dress; Just Female Sleeveless Printed Maxi Dress

Row 2: Giambattista Valli Leopard-print Silk-shantung Skirt; Givenchy Gladiator Sandals

Row 3: Nom de Plume by YaYa Penny Dress; Stine Goya Anthias Cotton Dress

Row 4: Charlotte Olympia Marina Flat Sandals; Silence & Noise Architectural Dress  

/// GAUZY DREAMS

It may technically be spring, but here in the Northeast, we're having a hard time shaking the winter blues. While I may be trying desperately not to let the cold, rainy days damper my spirit, I cannot help but dream of warm summer nights sitting outside, cocktail in hand. So when I came across Agyness Deyn's spread in the May issue of Vogue UK, I could not help but let my mind wander to sunny days & balmy nights.

 /// Agyness Deyn, shot by Tim Walker; Vogue UK May 2011 (photos via fashionologie.)

Gorgeous, no? Here's to warmer days & light, airy dresses.

/// STEAL THIS :: YELLE

To continue the trend of girl crushes from last week, I am pleased as punch to present another one of mine on this rainy Monday. Yelle* is so cute & so French -- with sick style. Their new album, Safari Disco Club, has been on repeat since I got it. It's another killer electro-pop album from them & it never fails to get me dancing -- usually in my bedroom in the morning whilst trying to wake up.

I'm also really fond of them since they came to prominence due to the song "Short Dick Cuizi" (an early version of "Je Veux Te Voir") which made fun of the French rapper, Cuizinier.

*I do realize that Yelle is a trio, but Julie Budet's stage name is Yelle. Together with Grand Marnier & Tepr, they make YELLE -- and they are great.


YELLE :: Que Veux-Tu

/// SUNDAY KIND OF LOVE

1. Sleek watches by O Clock.

2. Gorgeous Fall '11 look book by Opening Ceremony. (The knits! The patterns! The colors!)

3. The lovely & enchanting Marianne Faithfull.

4. Really chic geometric jewelry pieces from Lepidoptery.

5. This video (I adore the girls' style. And I'm a sucker for a dude on a skateboard.)

/// STEAL THIS :: M.I.A.

First off, my number one lady crush is on M.I.A. I could talk about how awesome she is all day. I had the privilege of seeing her perform live last September & she sealed the deal for me. For being a little lady, she owns the stage, she exudes cool, and she does it with such ease. (As much as I love LCD Soundsystem, I left M.I.A.'s show early to catch them & I was severely disappointed. I'm still kicking myself.) You can't deny it: Girl has got some serious swagger.

M.I.A. :: Boyz (An oldie, but still amazing; from 2007's Kala)



ViCKi LEEKX (M.I.A.) :: Gen-N-E-Y (M.I.A.'s mixtape released after 2010's /\/\ /\ Y /\)

/// MID-WEEK PICK ME UP

It may not be your mid-week pick me up, but it sure as shit is mine. Like I mentioned on Monday's edition of STEAL THIS, I was trying to go see Cloud Nothings in Pittsburgh. Well, kids -- WE DID IT.

It was a very brief trip : leave State College shortly after 6pm, arrive close to 9pm, drop belongings off at DZ's, buy beer, walk to show, CLOUD NOTHINGS, bar, the O, pass out, drive home.

As for the show itself, I highly recommend going to see Cloud Nothings. Get off your butt & do it. Seriously.

In conclusion, one of the best songs played that night:

/// STEAL THIS :: CLOUD NOTHINGS

In honour of potentially seeing them perform live tomorrow night in Pittsburgh, here are Cloud Nothings, hailing from Cleveland, Ohio. I'm a big fan of their music & their very quirky videos.

/// SPRINGTIME DREAMING

I wear black -- and I wear a lot of it. If you open my closet, you are met with a wall of black. Typically, I end up running late in the morning because I'm shuffling through a pile of all black clothes, desperately trying to find that one black item I have in mind.

However, despite my penchant for neutral colors -- specifically black, duh -- I cannot help myself from dreaming of bright, sunny colors for a spring time wardrobe. Perhaps because it's still snowy & cold here in central Pennsylvania. Perhaps it's the thought of my impending move out West. Perhaps I'm broadening my horizons.

Whatever the reason, I've been drooling over some very cute items of at ASOS. Take a look:

   

    

Clockwise from top left:

1. ASOS SALON Floral Cocktail Dress

2. ASOS SALON Asymmetric Bardot Cocktail Dress

3. ASOS Textured Lampshade Skirt

4. River Island Abstract Floral Shift Dress

Want to know what else I'm drooling over? Click the link on the sidebar to see my SVPPLY. And soon enough I'll learn to make fashion collages to post here.