rain don't change the sun

sometimes just choosing to be happy is the easiest way to get there. 

I've been feeling sort of blue lately and I can't put my finger on why. that's just life, I guess. but mind over matter, as they say. 

it also really helps if you see an awesome movie, find new music that makes your heart swell, and get a sweet deal on a pretty new dress! 

dress- via Pema // cardigan- Walmart // belt- random closing-day sale in Brooklyn // oxford heels- Seychelles (old)

the dress? from this store I found in Williamsburg that I think I'm in love with. they have a million pairs of Chelsea Crew boots.

the awesome movie? St. Vincent, with Bill effin' Murray. it's so good, you guys. it's heartfelt and hilarious and really, really fun. Brando almost cried, so it's obviously an emotional masterpiece. 

new music? well, that played a big part in uplifting my mood. obviously the fates have conspired to brighten my spirits. 

thank you, fates. thank you, Delta Rae. and of course thank you, Bill Murray.

I found a good woman, I found a job that pays
the tide comes in, I watch it all wash away
but I'm keeping it steady, that's just how I was raised
head held up, walking tall into each breaking wave

'cause the devil's in the details and he's taking his toll
sending good men down the foot trails of some lost lonely souls

and I say oh, oh
rain don’t change the sun
jealous is the night when the morning comes
but it always comes

so I'm working the graveyard, I don’t sleep till it's light
ain't calling in favors, I can't swallow my pride
and the bank's on a mission, they want to read me my rights
but they ever show up around here they're going to be in for a fight

'cause the devil's in my hometown and I ain't telling him no
'cause it’s my family, it's my love now, that I'm scared to let go

and I say oh, oh
rain don’t change the sun
jealous is the night when the morning comes
but it always comes

followed the track of my needle
tried to be good to my people
so why's there no peace?
no break, no relief

can I be blamed if I'm angry?
can I be saved if I'm barely clinging to hope?
I'm clinging to hope

it always rains down on us
and like an old dog lying by a new gravestone
it's still our home
it's still our home

so if you ever feel like you are alone
after the night, the morning comes
♥

a little bit of love

happy weekend, bloggerinos! I can't believe it's friday already. and you know what happens on friday? friday favourites, of course!

1. first up: have you guys seen my new blog design by the amazing Kaelah Bee? I love love love it! very easily tops the list of my new favourite things. 

2. I might be a little late to the party, can't stop listening to this album. I'm no soulful southern rock chick by any means, but I feel like the songs are about me. oh, and they're just plain rockin'. //Alabama Shakes. 

3. how perfect is this dress? golden hued, darling shape, and delightfully detailed. unfortunately, in the time it took to write this post, it sold. // 1919 Vintage. 

4. I really want a great, neutral brown bag. casual, versatile, and big enough to fit all my junk in. any shade will do! //clockwise fr. top right; Modcloth, Topshop, Ruche. 

5. love this fun string art in the shape of my favourite state. :) //Beau Grande Monde.

6. this polaroid camera necklace is another adorable Etsy find; you can have the little photo pull-out customized with your own picture! so fun. //Strangely Yours. 

7. Brando and I visited this Williamsburg used bookstore the other day, and I'm in love. the bulk of the books are modern & classic fiction, which is right up my alley, and the prices are great. I got Franny & Zooey for $1! //Book Thug Nation.

8. I've recently noticed a disturbing lack of midi skirts in my wardrobe. terrible, since they are the ideal separate- they a feminine, comfy, and securely cover my tushie. I love pretty pastels, flowy fabrics, and flouncy pleats. //clockwise fr. top left; H&M, Ruche, Zara, Ruche.

9. A Beautiful Mess recently featured Elizabeth's lovely home in one of their features, and it has inspired me to keep working on our own little apartment-sweet-apartment. I especially love the hutch Elizabeth used as her bar cart. a little kitchen bar is the next item on our "to buy" list.

10. and on that home decor note... I'd love to add this cheeky little work to our gallery wall! //Craft Complex.

friday night lights

I had fully intended to have this post up sooner, since it's kind of a "part b" to my last post. but I'm kind of glad I slacked off until today; I had a bit of a rough day, and rough days are best treated with happy memories. it's nice to remind myself why I like my life so much. 

last friday, I met up with Brando after my aforementioned lovely afternoon in the Prospect Park area. we planned on going to the FREE concert in the park for Celebrate Brooklyn. Amos Lee was playing, and Brando's a huge fan of his, and the opener was a local band that was supposed to be amazing. so yeah, friday night plans. 

while we were in line to get in, a lady in a stunning red polka dot dress came up to us and asked if we wanted to be "VIPs." of course my reaction was "what do I have to do?" but it was nothing! she worked for an event sponsor, Squarespace, and they were just handing out special bracelets to people in line to get access to a dining area, open bar, and front row seating. AWESOMESAUCE. it was probably the coolest thing to ever happen to me. I think maybe they were hoping for some good publicity, since we had our fancy-shmancy camera in tow, but little do they know... my internet fame is fairly subdued. 

anyways, it was really cool of Squarespace to do that and I want to declare my love for them for giving me my favourite NYC night so far. 

as you can imagine, the evening after that was pretty spectacular. we were literally in the front row, with unlimited free booze, and the concert was amazing. the local band was Lake Street Dive and you guys, I think they're my new favourite. after the set I immediately went to the merch table and bought their record. and I'm madly in love with the lead singer. she's my hero. 

Amos Lee was as genius as we anticipated (with a rockstar lady bassist), and I got some glorious snaps of the whole shindig. 

check it. 

(this is quite the long post, so click "read more" to see the rest of the photos!)

feeling good

this weekend has been a very successful one.
it started kinda early, with me arriving in St. John's to go to a concert on thursday night, and it's been crazy fun times ever since!
the band was The Sheepdogs, and they were amazing. seriously, you should go listen to them, and they're fantastic, but nothing will compare to the live thing. it was one of the most fun shows I have ever been to! so. much. rocking out.

my friends and I squeezed our way right to the front, so I got some pretty alright photos of the turbulent affair.
I touched his shoe, guys.
and he gave me the peace sign. he looked right at me.
*dies*

(loving. it.)

can't see The Sheepdogs without an abundance of plaid.

it was a seriously great night. and we've had a couple more since, and tomorrow's the Christmas parade. so thanks, November, for being awesome. 

hope you're all enjoying your weekend as much as I am!

♥

playing: catfish 2 boogaloo- the sheepdogs

rock you like the 80s

if you happen to be reading this on Sunday, June 24th, 

then be assured that I am currently the happiest girl on the earth. 

♥

under my umbrella

tomorrow marks day one of my family vacation. I decided to bid farewell to Aberdeen in the appropriate way; with an umbrella and smile of relief.

Brando and I spent a rainy saturday doing a few last-minute errands and succumbing to junk food (I've been craving hot wings for like a week- no idea why. it's not a very common craving of mine). I'm beyond excited to be seeing the Red Hot Chili Peppers tomorrow (!!), and to meet my family in London.

while I'm away I'll have the occasion to post once or twice, and I'm also delighted to say a few lovely ladies (and one thoughtful husband) have agreed to guest post here. I'm sure they'll do a wonderful job of keeping your interest, probably better than I could!

if in between, however, you find yourself for want of ways to fill the time previously occupied by my silly little blog, I have a few suggestions for you...

#1. watch Deadwood. reasons this is a good idea for you are threefold; one, Timothy Olyphant is positively beautiful. even in silly slicked back hair and a wicked moustache. and it takes one handsome son of a gun to pull off that look. 

two, it will make you feel much better about any vices you may have or be trying to overcome, particularly cursing. because compared to most of these folks I'm sure you behave like a saint. 

and three, it's just. so. good. I mean, it's all about rugged cowboys and their prostitute friends trying to make a living mining for gold in the wild west. it's an all-round feel-good family show. 

(except it's not at all. please don't allow your or anyone's children to watch this program.)

#2. dance around your living room to music not regularly associated with dancing, and do it in a fashion that you would be embarrassed to in public, or even in front of a mirror. some song suggestions are "Rock You Like a Hurricane" by Scorpions, "Peace of Mind" by Boston, and "Only the Good Die Young" by Billy Joel. trust me, it's more fun when the music does not lend itself to actual dancing. because let's face it, you probably don't have the moves like Jagger.

dress- ruche // cardigan- h&m // shoes + belt- new look // bag- jo totes 

#3. listen to the Chili Peppers. because that's what I'll be doing. particularly tomorrow. :)

more specifically, you could watch these:

peace out, bloggerinos!

I'll just be off now, having the time of my life. 

no big deal. 

♥

playing: dosed- red hot chili peppers

someone like you

I have a lady-crush on this gorgeous girl. 

"I don't like going to the gym. I like eating fine foods and drinking nice wine. even if I had a really good figure, I don't think I'd get my tits and ass out for no one."

loves herrrr.