So, while out in the madness of the Christmas shops this afternoon, I found myself in an outdoors clothing shop and I unexpectedly came across a new clothing label I'd never heard of. It seemed an odd place to have had these particular clothes, in amongst the likes of Ripcurl and Roxy (which I am partial to on occasion), but I came straight home and googled them. I think White Stuff is UK based, given the prices are in GBP, but there's not much else info on their site.
I love this sweet dress. It's called the 'Happy Culture' dress, and I think I love it a tiny bit more than the 'Sleepy Hollow' dress. But only a tiny bit.
And the skirts, oh my. Yes, I am a skirt girl, through and through. Skirts and dresses. And how to make a choice.
So, the Wishing On A Star skirt?
Or the Tranquility skirt?
And don't get me started on the knitwear!
How sweet is this tank top?
Yes, skirts, and dresses and knitwear. I think I'll be back after Christmas to spend some money on myself. Kit myself out for the new year!
For the last three years, once Christmas starts to roll around, there is only one album I want to hear. Sufjan Stevens is one of those artists who, every time I find myself re-listening to his music, I am literally stopped in my tracks. He amazes me every time.
There is a magical quality to his music which I love, and a purity that just seeps under my skin. I cannot think of anyone else who creates music like this.
But it is also, at times, tongue in cheek, and often humorous with song titles such as 'They Are Night Zombies! They Are Neighbors! They Have Come Back from the Dead!! Ahhhhh!'
In 2006 he released Songs for Christmas, a 5 cd box set of Christmas Carols and original compositions recorded between 2001 and 2006. And it is this that has made Christmas for me over the last three years.
A stunning collection that I am still getting to know, even after repeated listenings.
And once I start listening to it I find myself getting my Sufjan Crush all over again and I cannot stop listening to his other music too.
Until the kids ask me to stop...
My poor, long suffering friends on Facebook have been quietly putting up with my Christmas Countdown with Sufjan' that I've been doing each day since the 1st of December. A song a day. My kind of advent countdown!
I wanted to include a favourite song here, but it's been incredibly difficult to choose just one. But I think, given the time of year I will share one with you from the above album.
This was recorded in Dublin a few years back. I remember it well because I didn't get tickets to it and was sorely peeved about that! I heard after it was amazing.
How about this for a perfect blend of music and fashion? Believe it or not I first came across this on a pop up ad on Facebook of all things. A Bon Iver designed t-shirt? How could I not click on it! And I am very glad I did. The Yellow Bird Project is a Montreal based non-profit charity project that invites bands to design t-shirts, the proceeds of which go to a charity of their choice.
And as you would expect, they are pretty cool designs aren't they? And guess which one is on my wishlist?
And if I was buying Christmas presents for my entire family this year, they'd all be getting one of these!
Do check out Yellow Bird Project for more bands and designs. And it gets better: they also do an Indie Rock Coloring Book for adults, with designs by the likes of Rilo Kiley, The National, and The Shins.
'Intended for bearded hipsters and the women who abide them...'
Another music post. I know. But I guess I've been doing more listening than looking lately, and this particular gem is something that just keeps on growing the more you listen to it.
Chequerboard is John Lambert, an Irish musician who divides his time between Dublin, and Sligo, and there is something both soothing and uplifting about his music that means you can have it on loop for a whole day and at no point do you feel you've overdone it.
In the words of The Ticket magazine: Chequerboard is the nomme de guerre of Irish musician & visual artist John Lambert who blends classically tinged acoustic guitar music with glitchy electronica. His delicate, detailed and emotionally charged instrumental music has been capturing the imagination of critics and the public alike since the release of his celebrated ‘Penny Black’ album. (***** 5 stars, The Ticket)
Here's one of his suitably atmospheric video's that perfectly captures his sound, which has been described as soundscapes. Do give it time, it's a slow build.
Check out a series of article on John here on NME's website. And you can hear some of his music over on his myspace here.
Liebemarlene, Vintage Look Book. I discovered this gorgeous blog a while back and bookmarked it where it promptly got lost in my overcrowded 'bookshelf' of bookmarked blogs (phew!), and i just rediscovered it and am totally smitten!
