Name the Dress #64!
The contest has ended. Be sure to enter again next week!
Winning Name: Rhythm and Hues
Winner: J.W.
The Mission Bell Tolls for Amos Lee
Now, I know it was released in January, but that is precisely why Amos Lee’s newest album, Mission Bell, is such a treasure…because I’m still listening to it! Like many of you, I’m sure, I tend to get burnt out on a playlist fairly quickly, but Amos has had a stranglehold on my ears for months now.
I was lucky enough to see him in concert the night before the album dropped, and he just might have put on the best live show I’ve ever seen and heard… seriously. Go see him! He was quite vocal about his excitement over the album release the next day, announcing to the crowd that he “felt like we were waiting for Santa to come down the chimney.” Fortunately, we must have all been good boys and girls, because Mission Bell is a soulful, heartfelt, bluesy-meets-folk-with-a-hint-of-jazz masterpiece.
Mission Bell is a very intimate musical portrait, capturing Lee’s soulful sound and poetic harmonies. A true artist, Lee forms a deep connection with every lyric and note, a union that comes through sublimely to the listener. A few of my new favorites are “El Camino,” “Flower,” “Cup of Sorrow,” and “Windows Are Rolled Down” (which has been stuck in my head for almost two weeks straight now. Not that I’m complaining). Here’s what the former Philadelphia schoolteacher had to say about the album-writing process on his Facebook page:
“My last two records were a little rushed, because I was touring so much and running around a lot…On this one, I took a year and a half and I just sat at home and wrote. I spent more time alone with these songs than I ever did in the past, which I think was really helpful. It was like going to a yard sale or a thrift store—you go through the first time and you might see something, but then you have to keep going back and forth because you always find something else there.”
At his show here in Chico, Amos was playing the song “Black River,” an especially emotional verse, when a loudmouthed concert-goer’s antics had him visibly unsettled. He stopped mid-song, put his guitar down, and announced, “I can’t do this.” He went on to explain how disrespected he felt by the laughing and shouting going on while he was pouring his heart into the performance. (To this, the audience erupted in applause. We didn’t want some loser messing up the mood either.)
You’ll be happy to know that the rowdy fan was escorted out of the building and the show went on. I wasn’t quite sure how to react to the situation at first; I think everyone felt a little awkward and embarassed that this had to happen in our town. But once Amos got going again, the tension subsided and the magical feeling was back. It just showed how seriously Amos Lee takes his art, and how important it is for him to connect to what he’s playing, so that his audience can connect too.
Like Mission Bell, his three previous albums, Amos Lee, Supply and Demand, and Last Days at the Lodge were similarly extraordinary. My favorites? Whichever one I happen to be listening to…But if I must choose, some of my most beloved are: “Colors,” “Keep it Loose, Keep it Tight,” “Truth,” “Sympathize,” and “Supply and Demand.”
Now, if you’ll allow me to gush just a teensy bit longer, I can’t leave you without praising Amos Lee’s voice. His vocal range is incredible and his sound will move you to the core. It’s no wonder Rolling Stone magazine named him one of the “Top Ten Artists to Watch” in 2005. I’ll keep watching, thank you.
Blogger Spotlight: Mandy of Oracle Fox
Blogger Spotlight is back! With a focus on Valentine’s Day, my favorite day of the week was on a brief hiatus. Now we are back with a blogger so talented and stylish that it was beyond worth the wait. Let me introduce you to Mandy Shadforth of the amazing Oracle Fox. This is a daily read for me and my close friends. It is a magical mix of great photography and spot-on styling. Mandy, hailing from Australia, not only makes flawless wardrobe choices but happens to be an amazing artist. Her range scopes from the super-realistic to mixing mythic images with astrological symbols. Her work is beyond captivating, so make sure to check it out here. Lets take a look at her some of my favorite images from her site.
Above is one of Mandy’s casual sketches that she posted on her blog. Her paintings are far more elaborate and realistic, but I just loved this super sweet hippie-love-child sketch with the beautiful desert background.
Obsessed with these leggings! The metal beading and sheer fishnet is a total homerun and I wish they were mine!
You all know I am a serious ring freak. Mandy sports some of the best rings in the blogosphere! I am in love with the large chunks of crystal and silver skulls.
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One of Mandy’s specialties is overlaying photographs with images of animals and nature. My favorite is shown above; the horses and her pose are so perfect together. I am super-obsessed with this blogger and I know you will fall in love once dive into the magical, mythical world of Oracle Fox!
Blogger Spotlight: Denni of ChicMuse
Time for Blogger Spotlight! This week while clicking around the blog rolls I came across Denni of ChicMuse. I instantly fell in love with her sophisticated style and impeccable attention to detail. Currently based out of Tokyo, this hugely popular blogger has pages upon pages of beautiful pictures to give you endless inspiration. Let’s take a peek at some of my favorite looks just to give you a hint of how special this blog is.
Gorgeous Miu Miu shoes!
Denni featured in an American Apparel Ad campaign.
I love the play of the black shorts and white maxi against a backdrop of overcast clouds.
Most insanely beautiful vintage 1970′s Yves Saint Laurent cape! This photo is an absolute vision paired with the YSL Mohawk pumps.
The great thing about Denni is that she features amazing high end clothing styled perfectly and comes across as the sweetest, best-friend-you-haven’t-met! Always cheerful and down to earth this girl writes a blog that is a real pleasure to visit regularly! Make sure to check her out! You will be enamored, I promise!
Blogger Spotlight: Karen of Where Did U Get That
Happy Wednesday! Time to introduce my favorite blogger of the week! I love my job because I get to spotlight all of the fabulous ladies out there and this week is no exception! This boho-beauty is Karen of the blog Where Did U Get That. A London native living in New York, this international fashion icon has had my attention for some time! I am happy to show you some of my favorites from her amazing selection on her blog.
Karen is a master at layering fabrics, patterns and textures. She always has perfect platforms and jeans to make you jealous. I love her bohemian-gypsy style and I would raid her closet if given the chance!
Make sure you check out Karen’s blog. She will definitely be your source of inspiration when the winter blues hit your wardrobe. Her blog is the first place I look when I am sick and tired of the same combos and it is freezing indoors and out! She really knows how to mix up her layers and stay stylish!
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