Cottage Gal

Every once in a while, I grow concerned that my city-girlness is reaching the point of no return. I worry that I'm climbing the ladder of higher and higher maintenance, and that one day I'll be incapable of functioning without eyeliner, hairspray and laptops. But all it takes is a weekend away to reassure myself that I can still wash off the makeup, jump into a lake late at night, burn to a crisp while writing by hand on a quiet dock, and share my heart at 2 a.m while mosquitos suck my blood. I can swap out the aspartame habit for a cold beer in the hot sun. I can consume my body weight in potato chips. I can play rowdy games, lip-synch to Bon Jovi (Nadine's hair + lake water = Bon Jovi's mane), make faces at a cute vomiting baby, and eat that smore that fell on the ground. With no hesitation.

You can take the girl out of the city AND you can take the city out of the girl. So good to know.

Dear Julia's cottage, I think I love you.

And because it's YouTube Tuesday, here's Bon Jovi at his best. We're practically twins.

P.S. I caught a fish. And put him back. Then caught another....

YouTube Tuesday: Motion City Soundtrack

This has been the summer of live-music bingeing and iPod dependency. For the past few weeks, Motion City Soundtrack has been slowly making its way into the "I heart" category.

Their MySpace bio won me over. I officially heart them.

Motion City Soundtrack, the most influential rock band in the history of the world, has been destroying the hopes and dreams of small children everywhere since 1997. This quintet of ex-Sears catalog hand models reside for the most part in Minneapolis, Minnesota; where it is always a pleasant 78 degrees and sunny. Errol Bumpstead, an 8 year old student at Wildwood Elementary school in Mahtomedi describes Motion City Soundtrack as, pretty good if you like that stuff. Justin Pierre, Josh Cain, Matt Taylor, Tony Thaxton, and Jesse Johnson comprise this feat of musical excellence. You, the reader of this brilliant paragraph of writing, formulated by a state college-paid education, can find out more about this academy award winning band as well as astrophysics and the whig party by visiting their website: www.motioncitysoundtrack.com. Enjoy yourself. - Nixon Fappleby

Song of the Day: Use Somebody

I don't know why I avoided the Kings of Leon bandwagon for so long. There was no real reason for holding out.

This song. I love it. So much.

TiLF: Things I Love Friday

Sleeping in.

And then rolling over and sleeping some more.

Eric Hutchinson.

On piano. On guitar. I think we'd be friends. But you already know this. 

Rob Thomas.

With and without Matchbox Twenty. I think I might love his new album. Time will tell.

iTunes gift card.

My family celebrated my birthday on Canada Day. Even though the actual date of my birthday is August 17th. That gives the rest of you plenty of time to figure out how to celebrate me.

(The iTunes card is merely enabling me. So addicted. Next up: Motion City Soundtrack.)

Dark-chocolate-covered coffee beans.

I like to eat my caffeine just as much as I like to drink it.

Writing.

Without direction, deadline or expectation. Sometimes it's nice to just let the brain go nuts.

Natalie Portman in Garden State.

I love this movie. And if I were a boy, I'd want to marry Natalie.

Google. 

Paul Rudd. 

Rumors of Zac Levi being Gargamel in the 3D Smurfs movie.

I'm so conflicted. And amused.

Doug the piano.

Even though he's almost broken. I guess 20 years is a long life for a much-loved digital piano. He's my therapist.

(A piano is a great gift idea. So if you love me and have a few grand to spare....)

myvintagevogue's photo stream.

I spent way too much time oohing and aahing over photos today. Next time I'm invited to the Oscars, I'm going vintage. 

Oh, Deer

Loveliness. A pet deer just seems so Audrey-appropriate, no?

Audrey Hepburn with 'Ip
Bill Willoughby - archival prints

YouTube Tuesday: Conchords Countdown

This is my desktop wallpaper at work:


It captures, A, how I feel most mornings, and, B, my love for all things Flight of the Conchords. Tomorrow evening, I will I see them live. (Sans Rhys, but still....) After that, all joy in my life will merely be icing on the cake.

Once upon a late sleepless night (Boy Behind the Wall was hosting an eclectic listening party of sorts), I was sent this via the wonderful world wide web:


Rhys is a new favorite. And at the top of my list of fantasy-dinner-party-invitees. Hilarious.

Some highlights:



Many thanks, Adam! We'll have to compare concert notes.

Sellotape (Pencils in the Wind)

Why does this song not get the love it deserves? It's not on their EP or CD. Tragic.



Rags to Rags....

You've probably seen this. Most of my Conchords friends have posted this on their blogs. Because it's brilliant.




P.S. This guy is opening for Flight of the Conchords. "Canada is what happens what love falls in love." So true. I think.

I Heart Polaroids

I think I have a crush on a photograph.

"Love Letter" ~ Alicia Bock Photography

Almost Lost

Let's say that my name is Penny. And my TV's name is Desmond.* For some time now, our relationship has been distant. I have been waiting. And I have a feeling our love affair is going to heat up tomorrow.

There is one redeeming thing about January. That thing is Lost.

Doesn't everyone's TV have a Scottish accent?

P.S. Please give Henry Ian Cusick an Emmy. I mean, the guy was JESUS. (So was Christian Bale. All the great ones are at some point.)


*I'm aware that my attempt at Analogies 101 is a total FAIL. I almost don't care. At all.

YouTube Tuesday: I'd Rather Be With You

• This is the first song in my 2009 soundtrack.
• I am craving a sunshine-drenched road trip. Right now. Preferably with a fella who writes songs like this and plays them on the beach.
• Because the snow is coming tonight. Again.
  
• Zach Braff directed this video. The man has amazing taste in music.
• Every year needs a Josh. Last year, it was Josh Ritter. This year, it's Joshua Radin.
• Lyrics are both lovely and real. On that level, I suppose it's my new "Chasing Pavements." Hold the angst. With extra happy on the side.
• Okay, so it's nothing like Adele. But I love them both. For reasons that change by the day.
  
• Seriously, I need to learn to play the guitar. And to write ditties like this:
  

"I'd Rather Be With You" Official Video


I think I'm getting sick. So I'm going to make some tea, read a book, and get ready for bed at an insanely early hour. I secretly love my plans for the evening.

Fine, I'll admit it. I typed this in my bathrobe. At 7 p.m. I should probably post an ode to The Golden Girls or something. But I won't. Because my tea's getting cold.....


P.S. I lied. It's not really YouTube Tuesday. I used a MySpace video. My apologies to the 2% of you who noticed.

Sunday Afternoon

My mom is napping upstairs.

My brother is napping on the couch in the living room.

His girlfriend is napping on the love seat across from him.

My dad is napping on the couch in the family room.

I am not napping. I feel like a failure.

J'aime Capucine

I stole this from my friend Andrew's Facebook wall. Because I'm a thief. But at least I admit it. Because I'm not a liar.

When I grow up, I want to be a cute little French girl with amazing hair. I'm not kidding. Watch. And fall in love with Capucine.

A breathtaking story by Capucine. Starring baby monkeys lost in frightening trees, a witch, crocodiles, a tiger, a "popotamus" and a lion, and even a "tremendously very bad mammoth." There are also magic powers and an orange ring, but sometimes, "something goes amiss."

Once upon a time... from Capucha on Vimeo.

"You decided to be dead in heaven." Ahh. I love her.

source

What I'm Looking For

I've previously waxed poetic about my love of the knock-your-socks-off gospel choir. And my affection for a rock star named Bono is no secret.

Combine them, and I'm pretty much a puddle on the floor.

I was 5 years old when "Rattle and Hum" made its musical splash. When Marty McFly comes to take me back in time, I am going back to this moment. And then I'll lie down in the aisle and die happy. Or I'll just forget to blink and lose all sense of rhythm and make a fool of myself as an awkward outsider from the future. I'm cool either way.

Red Light

Best song ever.
Or at least best song for a Sunday evening.
In September.

I heart Jonny Lang.
I want him to teach me to play the guitar.

The video below is from 1997. He was 16. And brilliant. Intimidatingly so. At 16, I was actively avoiding practicing the piano....

Lie to Me

Katie's Crop

I wouldn't ask for it at the salon, but I love it.

Maybe it's the scarf.

I need a haircut.

source

What "On Her Toes" Looks Like

This is my blog in a single photo.
From boopsiedaisy's Etsy shop.
This photo is a close second.

Them Kids

This is stuck in my head. So I shall spread the catchiness with you.
Coolest music video of the day. Or week.

I heart Sam Roberts.

Chuck + Hellboy = Greatness

As you all know, I heart Chuck Bartowski.
And I'm secretly quite fond of Hellboy. Okay, maybe not secretly.
And tonight I'm on a bit of a post-someone-else's-ads kick.

I'm over it now.
I'll be original tomorrow.

P.S. I would buy the lunchbox.

Waiting for Wednesday

Off topic: "Waiting for Wednesday" is a Lisa Loeb song. Reality Bites soundtrack, anyone? Everyone needs a favorite '90s indie singer/songwriter with their own reality show. And yes, I want her glasses. But I digress....

Wednesday

The opening act: William Fitzsimmons

Since Beth and I are the same person, I'll let her explain his coolness to you. Here and here.

It's Not True


And the brilliant headliner: Brooke Fraser

She's my new favorite singer/songwriter. Every. Single. Song.

Out-of-context lyric of the day: It's my caution not the cold

Shadowfeet

My Dieting Philosophy

Yes, I'm one of those girls who orders Diet Coke and dessert.

I heart Cakespy.


image source

"I dance when I'm angry."

Have I mentioned that I love Flight of the Conchords? Just checking.