The trailer for the Wes Anderson directed "The Fantastic Mr. Fox" is out (thanks to the wonderful blog vintage kids' books my kid loves for bringing it to my attention!) and it looks pretty, forgive me, fantastic. And how could it not be? The classic Roald Dahl's story, the Anderson aesthetic, and voiced by a bevy of Anderson favorites (hello Bill) as well as Meryl and George and the brilliant Jarvis Cocker of Pulp... do you think it could disappoint?
Check it out here:
A pretty girl in pretty clothes
"I used to wear cocktail dresses and heels every day.
Basically, it took me a really long time to get ready."
-- Zooey Deschanel (Jane mag. June 2007)
-- Zooey Deschanel (Jane mag. June 2007)
Is there anyone cuter in the world than Zooey Deschanel? I've already mentioned that I'm looking forwarded to her super cute summer movie, "(500) Days of Summer" and her musical collaboration with M. Ward, in "she and him," is a favorite. But now with the discovery of a blog, "The Many Faces of Zooey Deschanel," devoted to her cool and pretty girly style - there is no denying that she is a style icon in the making. For all of this, it could be so easy to hate her... But then the fact that she comes off, in interviews, as both a private, non-Hollywood person as well as a smart, straight shooter just makes you want to be best friends with her. Life really is unfair.
Forget the whole Katy Perry comparison, doesn't she look like Marion Cotillard, especially in these two pictures? Maybe because she looks more serious. Like the French.
She gives being pale a good name too.
I still won't wear them, but she even makes crocs look semi-cute.
A little bit Dorothy, a little bit Amelia.
With her lovely big sister, Emily.
Still from movie - how cute do they look together?
all images via the blog, The Many Faces of Zooey Daschanel, of course.
Soundwave
We had a great time this year at the Soundwave Music Festival a couple weeks ago on Vancouver Island. Big thanks to the organizers and everyone involved including all the dancers. Aside from our two night-time sets on the beach with the ocean and moon as a backdrop - one of the highlights was getting to play an afternoon set at the Meadow stage - check out this video:
In General it was a great crowd and great vibe all weekend. Thanks again Soundwave!
In General it was a great crowd and great vibe all weekend. Thanks again Soundwave!
Sounds of Summer
MALENTE - SOUND OF SUMMER MEGAMIX
Our good mate from Munster, Germany - Malente has done an out of character mix which gets away from his usual heavy electric dance sound. It turned out awesome. As he says it's done in the spirit of late 80's Ibiza Megamixes. He even managed to squeeze in Smalltown's Paul Simon re-edit. Anyways - enjoy summer and enjoy Malente.
"We are all held together by invisible thread."
I found the following poem/list by Raul Gutierrez here, but was moved by it so that I wanted to find out about the author. It turns out he's a really great photographer (his blog is called "Heading East") so it really is no wonder that he can paint such fantastic yet simple images with words. The poem moves beautifully from silly to moving and it really does get you in the last couple of lines. Read on.
"Lies I've Told My 3 Year Old Recently"
Trees talk to each other at night.
All fish are named either Lorna or Jack.
Before your eyeballs fall out from watching too much TV, they get very loose.
Tiny bears live in drain pipes.
If you are very very quiet you can hear the clouds rub against the sky.
The moon and the sun had a fight a long time ago.
Everyone knows at least one secret language.
When nobody is looking, I can fly.
We are all held together by invisible threads.
Books get lonely too.
Sadness can be eaten.
I will always be there.
by Raul Gutierrez
Trees talk to each other at night.
All fish are named either Lorna or Jack.
Before your eyeballs fall out from watching too much TV, they get very loose.
Tiny bears live in drain pipes.
If you are very very quiet you can hear the clouds rub against the sky.
The moon and the sun had a fight a long time ago.
Everyone knows at least one secret language.
When nobody is looking, I can fly.
We are all held together by invisible threads.
Books get lonely too.
Sadness can be eaten.
I will always be there.
by Raul Gutierrez
School days memories
The Christmas before my oldest son started kindergarten, my sister gave me this adorable keepsake book from Chronicle Books. Now son is in 2nd grade and the book is already stuffed full (maybe I need to be more choosy about our keepsakes).
School Days offers space to record facts about each of your child's school years--friends, favorite subjects, teachers--and 13 accordion pockets to fill with report cards, awards, drawings, and writing assignments (my favorite). The book's sweet retro illustrations are just decorative icing on the very useful cake.
My middle child starts kindergarten this year, and I ordered another copy because I love this book so. What's better, I ordered during Chronicle Books' annual Friends and Family sale, so it was 35% off and shipped for free--same deal for any in-stock Chronicle item until August 5.
Maybe I should have ordered several copies. I can't imagine that one copy is really going to hold 13 years worth of the stuff I have to save, unless my enthusiasm wanes a bit as the years go by. Maybe 9th grade writing isn't as charming as 1st grade writing. Here's hoping.
shed love
I love small spaces. Cozy houses. Little nooks. When I was in elementary school I had a friend who had a tiny walk-in closet and we would have our sleepovers in it. So the leap to loving sheds - not so big. And isn't this just the loveliest shed, belonging to and photographed by BisyBackson, you've ever seen? Still plenty of rough and tumble and dirty tools, but I would love to hide out in it and read. A tiny little house surrounded by such lush greenery (and with 5 saws within arm's reach!) would just be heaven for a slumber party too.
Blogs j'adore: This Wheel's on Fire
Starting now, I'll be doing a little segment called "Blogs j'adore". With this segment, I will spotlight individual bloggers whom I find endearing, and have them answer this set of questions -- which is clearly ALL you need to know about a person. First up is This Wheel's on Fire. One of my daily reads, each day she mashes up a collection of amazing photos ranging from classic and modern style icons, musical heroes, and delightful actors and actresses. As she was perhaps my first blogger supporter, she was the given choice for the premiere segment. Enjoy!
Name: I'll never tell ;)
Blog: This Wheel's on Fire
Location: San Francisco
Occupation: Student
What to expect upon viewing your blog: I post photos of people I admire for various reasons including style, musical background, acting talent, etc. Sometimes I share my rants with you...
Three favorite artists that started their recording career before 1980: By now they seem overrated, but to me The Who, The Rolling Stones, and The Beatles were vital in shaping who I am today.
Three favorite artists that are actively recording: Death Cab for Cutie, Prince (who I realize started before 1980, but he is still recording today so...), and U2.
Five favorite songs of the moment, any era (Title, artist, album, and year of release):"Chi Il Bel Sogno Di Doretta" -- Sarah Brightman's version kills me every time. It's just about as gorgeous as songs can be. It's even better when you've seen A Room With A View, which also happens to be a favorite film of mine. It's from Puccini's La rondine; "L'Amoureuse" -- Carla Bruni from her 2008 album Comme si de rien n'était; "Water" -- The Who. This live version is from their most famous album from 1971, Who's Next; " My Way" -- Sid Vicious. His kickass version is from 1978; "Don't Let Me Down" -- The Beatles. This song always has a way of breaking my heart. It's from the Get Back/Let It Be 1969 sessions, but was not released on an album until 2003's Let It Be...Naked.
Five favorite albums of all time, off the cuff (Album, artist, year of release): Simon & Garfunkel's 1981 reunion live album: The Concert in Central Park. The Rolling Stones' 1972 album: Exile on Main St. Wings' mighty fine album from 1973: Band on the Run. For all of Pete's honesty and nakedness The Who By Numbers from 1975. 1970's John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band.
Five favorite films of all time (Title, director, year of release): These are not necessarily the best films I've ever seen, but I would classify as some of my favorites. The Big Chill, Lawrence Kasdan, 1983. Annie Hall, Woody Allen, 1977. Dazed and Confused, Richard Linklater, 1993. American Beauty, Sam Mendes, 1999. Il Postino, Michael Radford, 1994.
Three favorite books of all time (Title, author, year of release): Breakfast of Champions, Kurt Vonnegut, 1973. To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee, 1960. The Unbearable Lightness of Being, Milan Kundera, 1984.
Top two female style icons: Anita Pallenberg & Anna Karina
Number one male style icon: I'd choose a mash-up of all of the Rolling Stones, but if I had to pick one it's Keith Richards without a doubt.
Top five crushes of all time, off the cuff: I'd like to start by saying that Pete Townshend has been a crush for far too long, so he is more like my unknowing husband (or something).... Daniel Day-Lewis, George Harrison, Johnny Depp, Gary Oldman, Mick Jagger.
One deceased person you'd love to have a drink with: George Carlin!
That person in three words: Brilliant, original, and timeless.
Last album you listened to in it's entirety (Title, artist, year of release): Volume One, She & Him, 2008. Zooey must be from another planet, right? To be that gorgeous, talented, and stylish should be illegal. It just makes the rest of us look bad ;)
Favorite blog you'd like to share with the world: As a political junkie I read more than just fashion blogs, so I'll recommend Joan Walsh's blog at Salon.com.
Name: I'll never tell ;)
Blog: This Wheel's on Fire
Location: San Francisco
Occupation: Student
What to expect upon viewing your blog: I post photos of people I admire for various reasons including style, musical background, acting talent, etc. Sometimes I share my rants with you...
Three favorite artists that started their recording career before 1980: By now they seem overrated, but to me The Who, The Rolling Stones, and The Beatles were vital in shaping who I am today.
Five favorite songs of the moment, any era (Title, artist, album, and year of release):"Chi Il Bel Sogno Di Doretta" -- Sarah Brightman's version kills me every time. It's just about as gorgeous as songs can be. It's even better when you've seen A Room With A View, which also happens to be a favorite film of mine. It's from Puccini's La rondine; "L'Amoureuse" -- Carla Bruni from her 2008 album Comme si de rien n'était; "Water" -- The Who. This live version is from their most famous album from 1971, Who's Next; " My Way" -- Sid Vicious. His kickass version is from 1978; "Don't Let Me Down" -- The Beatles. This song always has a way of breaking my heart. It's from the Get Back/Let It Be 1969 sessions, but was not released on an album until 2003's Let It Be...Naked.
Five favorite albums of all time, off the cuff (Album, artist, year of release): Simon & Garfunkel's 1981 reunion live album: The Concert in Central Park. The Rolling Stones' 1972 album: Exile on Main St. Wings' mighty fine album from 1973: Band on the Run. For all of Pete's honesty and nakedness The Who By Numbers from 1975. 1970's John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band.
Top two female style icons: Anita Pallenberg & Anna Karina
Number one male style icon: I'd choose a mash-up of all of the Rolling Stones, but if I had to pick one it's Keith Richards without a doubt.
Top five crushes of all time, off the cuff: I'd like to start by saying that Pete Townshend has been a crush for far too long, so he is more like my unknowing husband (or something).... Daniel Day-Lewis, George Harrison, Johnny Depp, Gary Oldman, Mick Jagger.
One deceased person you'd love to have a drink with: George Carlin!
That person in three words: Brilliant, original, and timeless.
Last album you listened to in it's entirety (Title, artist, year of release): Volume One, She & Him, 2008. Zooey must be from another planet, right? To be that gorgeous, talented, and stylish should be illegal. It just makes the rest of us look bad ;)
Favorite blog you'd like to share with the world: As a political junkie I read more than just fashion blogs, so I'll recommend Joan Walsh's blog at Salon.com.
Scribbling in style
I have a confession. When I was kid, I would squirrel away my own new crayons and use my siblings' sets just because I did not want to wear the tips on my own Crayolas. There is just something about fresh box of crayons.....
I loved to color and I still do. Sometimes my son will move on to another interest and I will just want to finish the page we were working on. It is such a relaxing activity- sitting with a case of crayons and a coloring book that is just waiting to be filled up.
We have all sorts of coloring books around the house these days, but my favorites are the more unique sort. They make those lazy afternoons a little more exciting and they can be the perfect gift for that child that seems to have just about everything.
Taro Gomi has a series of coloring and drawing books (Scribbles, Doodles, Squiggles) that are just plain cool. There are pages and pages that vary from layouts with instructions to open spaces that allow imaginations to run wild. They are so imaginative and often funny.
A favorite from my childhood that is still around is Richard Scarry's Best Rainy Day Book Ever. It is not only filled with coloring opportunities, but all sorts of activities that involve cutting, gluing, writing....I remember working so diligently (as diligent as a 2nd grader can be) on this book and loving every minute of it.
Small Magazine has an original coloring book on Etsy that is very sweet and just off the beaten path. A unique art experience for those looking for a little something different.
If you have not colored in awhile, I suggest giving it a try. You might be surprised by how freeing it feels to pick up those crayons again.
"Tom forced people to find the best they had in them. He was the best producer, bar none, that rock & roll has ever seen or will see." - Butch Trucks.
A handful of weeks ago, I was skimming the television guide, when I came across a film by the name of Tom Dowd and the Language of Music. I immediately tuned in, as I recognized Tom Dowd as the producer of Layla by Derek and the Dominos, and I also knew of his work with the Allman Brothers. I pride myself on knowing a bit about music history, but even I had no idea that Tom Dowd was so influential. It's actually rather difficult to think of anyone more important to the history of record production. Tom Dowd is like the unsung George Martin, except George Martin's list of musical conquests pales in comparison. Tom Dowd was born on October 20, 1925 in Manhattan, New York City. Born to an opera singer of a mother, and a concertmaster father, Dowd grew up playing piano, violin, tuba, and string bass. Graduating from high school at the age of sixteen, Dowd went on to continue his musical education at City College of New York. He also played in and conducted a band at Columbia University, as well as working in their physics laboratory. After a stint in the army and work on the Manhattan Project, Dowd took a job at a classical music recording studio, until finally being employed by Atlantic Records. His extensive scientific knowledge helped him quickly become the label's go-to engineer, and along with his own formal musicality and contagious enthusiasm, he became a favorite of artists and executives. Producing such legends like Dizzy Gillespie in the 1940's, Dowd came into his own during the 1950's. Helping to craft such classics like The Coasters "Yakety Yak" and Bobby Darin's "Splish Splash" during the day, by night Dowd nurtured the talent of jazz greats like Thelonius Monk, Charles Mingus, and perhaps most importantly John Coltrane. The partnership of Dowd and Coltrane resulted in legendary recordings like "Giant Steps", "Central Park West", and "My Favorite Things". These landmark sessions helped turn Coltrane into a world-renowned genius, and Dowd into an esteemed engineer. Dowd also worked extensively with Ray Charles, including "What'd I Say"; Dowd even made the decision to split the track in half and release it as a single -- one half on each side. Starting during the Kennedy years and into the Johnson era, Dowd and friend Phil Ramone mixed sound for White House functions. From there, Dowd found himself working with soul legends like Booker T. and the MG's, Otis Redding (the stunning Otis Blue), and Aretha Franklin. He then became immersed in 60's rock and roll, producing Cream's legendary Disraeli Gears and the equally momentous Wheels of Fire. Dowd began new endeavors, like building Criteria Studios in Miami, and further immersing himself in the raunchy rock and roll he had begun producing. He heard the Allman Brothers Band and knew immediately that they were what he needed. He went on to have a lengthy relationship with the Allmans, producing their best records, like At Fillmore East. Soon Dowd took on his most remembered endeavor, producing Eric Clapton's latest group, Derek and the Dominos, and their sensational record Layla. In the film, the footage of Tom Dowd revisiting the tracks on "Layla" is deliciously inspiring. His remarkable thrill of something he must have heard a million times is admirable. Dowd went on to produce the best solo albums of Clapton's career, and they remained friends throughout the years. During this period, he also produced many an album for Rod Stewart, as well as Lynyrd Skynyrd, including their remarkable Street Survivors. In addition to having an incredible list of clientele under his belt, Dowd is credited with popularizing multiple track recording (making Atlantic the first record company to use an eight-track recorder) and commercializing the use of stereo sound. Dowd remained an in-demand producer until his dying day, and I'm sure the list of those who wish they could use him now is mind-boggling. But alas, Dowd passed away due to emphysema on October 27, 2002; just seven days after his seventy-seventh birthday. Luckily, his phenomenal contribution to a plethora of musical genres lives on. Tom Dowd's entire musical discography can be found here. Tom Dowd and the Language of Music can be found on Amazon. It's well worth the money, as it documents all of the activities mentioned, told by Tom Dowd himself and the others who lived it with him.
Serge
Check out this video of Serge Gainsbourg and Whitney Houston having a joint interview in France. Serge you were a glorious dirty old man.
toy city vs. miniature country
This is a passage from Sylvia Plath's "The Bell Jar" that has always resonated with me - the desire to live in both the country and the city at the same time.
Esther Greenwood talking to her sometime boyfriend Buddy Willard:
"Remember how you asked me where I like to live best, the country or the city?"
"And you said..."
"And I said I wanted to live in the country and in the city both?"
Buddy nodded.
"And you," I continued with a sudden force, "laughed and said I had the perfect setup of a true neurotic and that that question came from some questionnaire you'd had in psychology class that week?"
Buddy's smile dimmed.
"Well, you were right. I am neurotic. I could never settle down in either the country or the city."
Esther Greenwood talking to her sometime boyfriend Buddy Willard:
"Remember how you asked me where I like to live best, the country or the city?"
"And you said..."
"And I said I wanted to live in the country and in the city both?"
Buddy nodded.
"And you," I continued with a sudden force, "laughed and said I had the perfect setup of a true neurotic and that that question came from some questionnaire you'd had in psychology class that week?"
Buddy's smile dimmed.
"Well, you were right. I am neurotic. I could never settle down in either the country or the city."
How about you? Are you more of a city person:
image by isayx3
image by mausheld
image by outdoorphoto
Or do you prefer the country?
image by karenw82
image by doobrady
image by tch1337
Clearly, the only thing I do know is that I want to live in a miniature world!
And, if you don't know already, there is an online application that makes tilt shifting so easy to do. Check out tiltshiftmaker.com to manipulate your own pictures and make your toy towns.
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