Soul Suckers

I'm tired of this. Human beings are not disposable, despite popular belief. Feelings are palpable and yes, fragile. If you make an effort to enter somebody's life in the first place, you better know full and well the consequences of such a greedy endeavor.

We shouldn't have to settle for memory and dream. Time won't save my soul, he won't save yours. Because when it comes down to it, we are loving, bleeding, conscious things. We all have a purpose in this god forsaken world and it's no use taking advantage of us.

"and we are beautiful, and we are worth it all, and we are living/breathing" - mesita

I splurged this week and bought two, I feel beautiful using these, products.

Chanel Rouge Coco Lipstick in Mademoiselle 05. Here

A gorgeous rosy shade of pink with full color coverage with just one layer. I don't usually wear lipstick but this was perfect for me and I couldn't resist. As an added plus, the hydrating formula leaves my lips fully moisturized. Muah

Aveda Caribbean Therapy Body Scrub. Here

Just enjoyed a hot-stone pedicure the other day and asked for a body scrub recommendation. With salt and Caribbean cane sugar, Aveda's body scrub leaves your skin unbelievably smooth and with the use of coconut, avacado and passionfruit oils, leaves the perfect aroma.

From The Morning - Nick Drake

pleasant dreams,

R.D

cracking the code

I seem to have run into so many problems with Dress Codes lately... not personally, but with friends that come to visit from outside the city. Just the other night, a friend was scolded by an employee, Business casual. No hats, no flip flops, loose jeans.. All of which, of course, my friend had so craftily assembled into one outfit that day. Him being from Philadelphia, he hardly knew what kind of garb is expected to be worn when planning a night out in Big Apple turf. The same with another good friend of mine, whom I had to lend some of my own clothes to in order for her to look presentable for a night out. Are some of these expectations a bit too much, as my friends complained? In my opinion (although it hardly counts, considering I'm a lover of dressing sharply), it's simply a part of city culture. Most other colleges have a much more lax dress code, adorning themselves in pajama pants and college-name t-shirts when going to class. Yet, too many times have I visited friends and found myself a bit overdressed to the average person. In the city, it would seem nothing more than a casual day outfit while outside I would have people asking me if I was planning to go somewhere fancy. Breaking the "dress code" can certainly go both ways.

Coming back to Dirty Jersey is definitely something. It's sort of refreshing to see so much grass, but I have to admit that it isn't much greener on the other side of the state line. With every visit back home I begin to see things just a little differently than I did before. For example, window displays and clothing quality... As I visited my old haunts (i.e. the insignificant little mall five minutes away from my home), I noticed that stores I once rushed to no longer contained anything that appealed to me. My taste has since matured and become more seasoned--a result, I'm sure, of being in the city. There, I'm constantly surrounded by the highest quality in fashion culture. Going back to the suburbs, things just seem a little more... tacky? Out dated? A mixture of the two. I found myself drawn to the more expensive brands I once thought quite bland. My visit to Ann Taylor Loft, for example, was surprisingly the only place I found anything that appealed to me. My, being a fashion major certainly has its effects on you!

I take this visit in both a negative as well as a positive light. Negative, because it's quite disappointing to see such lowered qualities in stores outside of a major city. Even the higher end of the mass market (Express, New York, Inc., etc.) displayed tiered dresses that have been well overplayed in the past two seasons. Yet it's positive in the sense that I'm able to see how the mass majority dresses. In cities, people often tend to enclose themselves in a bubble where everyone is educated on the quality of the fabric and design of clothing, when in fact that is far from the norm in any other setting than an urban one. Still, I hardly see myself being able to turn back to stores whose grounds I used to worship.

I was, however, able to make a few excellent finds during my shopping escapades..

For example, this gingham blouse from J. Crew, which I'm absolutely obsessed with. The tagged price was about $69.50, much more than I'd normally pay for a blouse, but I just can't seem to resist.... The salmon-colored shorts were wonderful, too! I love the gold closures :)

These two lovelies were found by my friend Amanda on the sale rack... It's amazing what a little extra fabric sewn on a shirt can do. To the right is a quarter-sleeved cardigan with that same amazing print as the canvas skirt. I have to say, though, my purchase of the day was also hanging on the sale rack, to my pleasant surprise:

These amazing pair of paint-splattered pants were already on sale for $19.99?! Quality clothing plus quality prices? Oh my goodness..... It almost feels like stealing.

-- Aisha K.

My Face Blew Up at such a Casual Sight.

The morning after.

What a wonderful show it was, Passion Pit. I've never danced more in my life and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Everything from the head rush to the never ending ringing of the ears. I went with the best people, all willing to have the craziest time possible. My partner in crime, Cj and I met up with Passion Pit's lead singer Jeff Apruzzese's younger brother in the crowd and we ended up knowing a few of the same people. Gotta love Buffalo "Where everybody knows you name". The band played very well despite the electrical problems and Apruzzese's voice was spot on, impeccable. My only complaints: their set was way too short considering how long we had to wait for them to go on and I wasn't a huge fan of the venue (I really dislike big, stocky security men blocken my view).

I think my verdict was quite clear after the lovely band did a cover of The Cranberries' Dream (a request from Apruzzese's parents).

Problem is, now I'm craving another concert. Freelance Whales anyone?

La Blogotheque on Vimeo. Wilco

Song of the day: Difficult to pick today, so many to choose from. KEXP just posted this as their free song of the day and I thought it was just perfect after seeing Passion Pit. The Ruby Suns are quite an eclectic bunch from New Zealand that just came out with their third full album release the beginning of this month. Here we see plenty of digital effects and synthesizers that resemble Animal Collective's Merriweather Post Pavilion... Here, my friends, is Cranberry:

Cranberry - The Ruby Suns

(So many references to Cranberries!)
Tata,
R.D

You Say That Love Goes Anywhere.

I arrived in Buffalo with full intentions that I would be overcome by snow piles and slush. However, it's absolutely beautiful and warmer than New York... and no snow in sight. A lovely relaxing spring break it is so far.

And the long awaited Passion Pit concert tomorrow tonight with my best friend Cj and others. I have been fiending for another concert after seeing Copeland. It's finally here!

One of my favorites, Local Natives, serenaded us in a Yours Truly+Pitchfork.TV edition. I'd visit their Lair anytime.

Local Natives Lair. Beautiful day, beautiful band.

(Sticky Thread Live - Local Natives)

Check out more Pitchfork/TV Here And Yours Truly's Live from Local Natives Lair Here.

Song of the Day: A perfect song to drive to - roll down your windows, turn up the bass and have yourself a tiny little rave. Enjoy

11h30 - Danger

Bon Voyage to the Luckies going away for spring break,

R.D

so, basically...

Well folks, it's that time of the year--Mama Nature's on her annual mood swings and for the past three days, she hasn't been able to decide between sunshine, rain, and downright wind chill. How is my wardrobe to adjust so quickly to such fickle dress codes?? The answer's quite easy, really.. I look back at what I'd been wearing to accommodate for the weather change and realize that all of my looks have been centered around... well, the basics. Here's the run down:

Wednesday's casual night out caught me wearing my James Perse tunic (bought last week from his sample sale at Chelsea Market) as a dress, with black argyle tights, finished off with a navy blazer. Though the tunic was extremely simple in a light heather gray, it had a slight cowl at the neck and gathered sleeves (which were slightly ribbed in texture). And because I'm petite, I was able to wear this baby as a dress!

Thursday was a bit of a 'girls' night out', so I kept it simple by layering a long, black tank top from H&M under a basic black top with a huge scoop neck and deep Dolman sleeves, making it appear to be a single black dress. Topped it off with a few gold accessories (a chain necklace from Forever 21, 2 bracelets from different vintage shops, and a simple geometric bracelet from the Philippines), wore striped over-the-knee stockings for a bit of interest, and finally black suede boots. With a light, double-breasted jacket from H&M to fight the rain, I had no problem transitioning from an indoor hangout to a walk around the city.

Today, I went for warmth. Because it was so ridiculously chilly compared to the rest of the week, I decided to wear my long sleeved jersey tunic with a drop sleeve (H&M, as well!). Over it, I wore a black cardigan with a shawl collar and underneath, footless wool tights with brown over-the-knee stockings. Slipping into fur-lined Bare Traps boots and a Jones New York trench, I'd say I was pretty prepared to take on the wind.

I can't emphasize how important it is to have the basics in your everyday wardrobe. Just pair them off with different key items and you've got a different look for every day. If you're looking for extremely comfortable basic items with great attention to detail, I highly recommend checking out James Perse. His prices are pretty reasonable and the quality is basically... well. Exquisite.

-- Aisha K.

Weapon of choice

The Voice Project is this amazing non-profit that focuses on women in Northern Uganda that have been affected by Joseph Kony's war. They're using their voices, singing to let the former soldiers know they have been forgiven and to come home instead of hiding in what is known as the Bush.

Voice Project supports these women by spreading their message raising money through donations. But that is not all... they ask other musici

ans to participate in the cause. Basically each artist will pick another artist to cover and then those artists chosen would pick someone else. And eventually it all circles back to the women in Uganda. Clever, eh?

It's brilliant and innovative, and so captivating. I have for years been a close follower of Invisible Children that also focuses on Northern Uganda, so this Project really fascinates me.

Here is one of my favorites. Dawes covering an Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros song:


Dawes » Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros from The Voice Project on Vimeo.

Check out the site here as well as Invisible Children's site here.

As for song of the day, Surfer Blood Take it Easy was the immediate song I started humming when I woke.

Surfer Blood - Take It Easy

Have a wonderful Thursday,


R.D

Change in season, change in wardrobe. These warmer days have got me fiending for new clothes. I'm way more than ready to trade in my sweaters for sun dresses and skirts. One item I absolutely fell in love with this season? This canvas skirt with J. Crew's spin on the camouflage print. While the textile is actually made up of flowers and branches, the colors make it appear to be quite militaristic at first glance. Though it looks absolutely exquisite on Miss Dearlove, I found the fit to be a bit on the stiffer side with an odd poof at the back. So I guess I won't be buying this skirt for the season, after all.

Cotton/Silk Blend -- $25/yd

However, of my many, many trips to Mood Fabrics, I stumbled upon this lovely print. There was another roll of it in soft pinks, but I preferred the green. It strikes me how reminiscent this fabric is to J. Crew's canvas skirt, so naturally I had to do something with it. One and a half yards later...

Voila! Easy to make and light as air, so there's nothing to weigh me down when I frolick. Oh, I am so ready for spring. Salut!

-- Aisha K.

Memory is a fickle siren's song I didn't understand.

And so it goes, as they would say..I'm going back in time. A time where two young fellows named Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel wrote music and lyrics that compelled the heart. Hey,even warmed the soul. But what brings me the most joy on this journey, as I listen to Simon & Garfunkel, is the beautiful harmony as the voices blend together and create dancing melodies.I'm going back in time... and I may never come back.

"My mind's distracted and diffused. My thoughts are many miles away. They lie with you when you're asleep and kiss you when you start your day."

Kathy's Song - Simon & Garfunkel

As I walk along the cobblestone path to the MET in the drizzling rain, the lovely Fleet Foxes keep me company. I often forget that I'm listening to a contemporary band, rather I think of no time really. Timeless. "Timeless" is the key word that ties Simon & Garfunkel and Fleet Foxes in a tight objective knot. As Sub Pop's Aja Pecknold recalls, "Fleet Foxes’ sound is in constant motion—an ever-evolving, growing and changing, living thing, climbing higher and higher to reach an illusory pinnacle in the clouds that grows more elusive with each inch of elevation gained."

He Doesn't Know Why - Fleet Foxes

R.D

the first

I love to wake up in the morning not knowing what to expect of my day. Will I see something amazing? Will I meet someone new? I find myself constantly inspired by my encounters with people. You never know who you're going to meet. It's why I love the City, why I long to travel. I like to take these experiences and toss them into one heaping bowl of inspiration. It's my own personal recipe for art, style, and a full life--bon apetit, my friends. -- Aisha Koleen













I'm here to share my experiences, my dreams, and most importantly the music and art I cherish. I never close my eyes, never miss a moment. Life is so short, and I'll try
to experience everything my heart desires. And for the rest, well that's what books
are for. Cheers, Rebecca Dearlove