Something Old, Something New...

Nothing more satisfying than finding something for next to nothing is there? Our local town recently had a new addition of a charity (thrift) shop! This is a very telling sign of the times and rather something as this particular well-to-do town is more home to the likes of up-market boutiques and I never thought I'd see a charity shop there. But there it is, and I have to say the quality is delightfully up-market! But of course. And even better, the prices are proper charity shop prices, unlike certain other ones who have been taking the you-know-what of recent years.

So I popped in the other day with very little in my purse and no intention really other than to have a look. But I did spend. A little.

This sweet cardigan is so perfectly Julia Childs that I 

couldn't resist it at just €3.

I think it's the colour as much as anything.

And although this skirt (for €5) doesn't look so great on a hanger,

it's lovely on. It's years since I wore something so long

and I bought it thinking I would alter it in some way,

but it's too nice as it is! 

But then, part of my intention not to spend was because earlier in the week 

I had (fatally) gone to my favourite shop, Avoca for breakfast and as 

usual stopped to look at their sale rail on the way out. Shopping with friends 

can be bad for you. Persuasive friends. Friends who insist you try on that

dress that made you gasp when you saw it, and then rave about how perfect it is

on you...sigh... I am weak...I am. So I bought it. And, yes it was on the sale rail,

but this is Avoca we are talking about... 

So I won't be telling you how much I paid for it, even when one friend was cheeky

enough to ask them to knock a bit more off it (which they did!). 

It wasn't huge. It was less than €100. But still more than I would usually spend.

But I had to. And I'm glad I did. Because it is just so lovely.
A friend said it is like something out of Bagpuss,
which is so apt because that is a world that still exists in my head.
Some days I think in my head I am in that little shop:
Bagpuss & Co.
It's perfect. A shop that doesn't sell anything.
It's just a place for lost things...

Take a little peep here.
This is my childhood, this is all that makes me who I am today.
I cannot think of anything that captures it better.

These Days.

Listen here for more of

Danny And The Champions Of The World.

Here's a band we've been listening to over the last week or so, and I really wanted to share this video with you. I don't think it's an official video, I think it's probably fan made. But from the first time I watched it I've come back to it again and again.

Because it is just so incredibly moving. 

It's such an uplifting song, and coupled with footage that is simply people dancing, it somehow breaks my heart, in a good way. Dancing is such a human thing, and done with such quiet joy and confidence and honesty, with no self-consciousness, that it becomes a thing of great beauty.

And watching it my heart is filled with such great love for humans. I can't explain it. But maybe one of you will get what I mean too. And even if you don't, it's a joy to watch, regardless. 

And do turn up the volume a little!

Midlake, For Valentine's Day.

Midlake On The Menu.

I can't believe I haven't posted here about this band before now!

Back in November I was thrilled to read that on the back of their new album, Midlake were on tour, and coming to Dublin. I was still feeling grumpy that I had missed out on no less than four gigs by bands I would love to have seen, so I was determined not to miss this and bought tickets the day they came out.



I've been listening to the new album and it is just gorgeous, with echoes of English Folk that just rolls over you like warm water. I wondered if I would like The Courage of Other's as much as I loved their previous album The Trials of Van Occupanther which is on my list of Albums I Never Get Tired Of, and so far I am loving it. (The above song is from the Van Occupanther album).

Have a listen here for some more songs from The Courage of Other's.

So, that's where we'll be tomorrow night, and I'm looking forward to it, to a night of meeting and eating with friend's, a night of live music, of being transported away for the evening.

Happy Valentine's Day to you all, and I hope you get to do something lovely, wherever you are!

Update: 
It was amazing. They were brilliant. It really is something else to see seven incredible musician's up on stage, playing together like one fluid entity, each playing one unique layer of sound, yet knowing exactly where everyone else is, all in a perfect, seamless fusion of beautiful  music.
And they did take beloved songs and bring them to another level, and it was everything a live show should be.
I have to say, the above song was one of the highlights for me. The drumming alone on this song was heady stuff, and just gorgeous.

So, a happy girl I am. This will keep me warm for many weeks to come!

Pink Mountaintops.

And A Few Of My Favourite Things.

I was never one for fashion magazines. Although if someone produced a Vintage/Thrift fashion magazine I would no doubt be a fan. The only exception might be the Irish magazine Prudence which is not only aimed at people who are broke, but it doesn't have a ridiculous price tag like most fashion mags do. I like that!
This may be why I love places like Etsy and ebay. But of course that takes time to browse, something I don't have an awful lot of. Which is why magazines are great, I guess!

I do go through phases of buying Interiors magazines when I need inspiration, my favourites being Homes and Antiques, and Living Etc.

But my absolute, all-time-favourite, can't-live-without magazines have to be my monthly music regulars Uncut and Mojo. I just love to hide away with these and a cup of coffee for an hour or so and devour every word I can. It's never enough, but there is a month's worth of reading in them and by the time the next one is out I have just about finished it. And you get a free cd each month too.
My favourite pages are the music review pages, which is where I find all sorts of jewels, both new and old, new bands, new singers, new albums, rereleases. It's all there. And if I like the sound of it I'll take myself off to Spotify to check them out. (Although sometimes you have to wait a couple of weeks for a new album to be available to listen to.)

One thing I have discovered from reading these two magazines is the record label Jagjaguwar, which is host to some of my all-time favourite bands like Bon Iver and Volcano Choir. This months Uncut included a cd of songs from bands on this label, some of which I have heard of, some I haven't. And I wanted to share the one that jumped out for me, the one I am listening to on loop.

From British Columbia, Pink Mountaintops.



Their sound reminds me somewhat of Mazzy Star gone somewhat gospel, and someone else I can't put my finger on. Last year's album 'Outside Love' is just gorgeous. Have a listen here. (The title track in particular is sublime).

So, let the middle of the week just slide right on by us. I am focused on the weekend, with the right kind of laidback sounds to keep me company. And plenty of reading material, which I've no doubt will furnish a number of posts here on ~Carnival~.

Hope your week is going swimmingly for you too. And what might you be listening to?