Sara says: I'M A TOTAL OCTOBERIST

Holy crap, it's November. Time to start thinking about the holidays! Eeek! I'm sad to see Fall on the wane, but I think I'm ready for some holiday cheer. October was pretty great! Matt and I staycationed in Hot Springs, we went to an alligator farm, we went to the state fair (I hugged a llama!), and I've been loitering around my local hotspots (Argenta, Heights, Hillcrest) pretty much weekly. I've picked up so many local goodies! Soap, tea, honey, beads, yarn! It's truly felt like a harvest and I am just very appreciative of being alive right now. :)


+My favorite posts this month:
-Purple Haze
-National Coming Out Day
-Juliet Bad Romance


+New music I've been pumped about (because I haven't read any new blogs, recommend me some?)
-Tom Waits, Bad As Me
-Yo-Yo Ma, Stuart Duncan, Edgar Meyer & Chris Thile, The Goat Rodeo Sessions (here they are performing Attaboy)
-Drake, Take Care (here's Headlines)


+Movies I've watched:
-Season 1 of The Walking Dead, because I need something to replace True Blood on Sundays. I really LOVE the effects, but the character building is somewhat lacking in some areas - especially the female characters (Lori has never killed a zombie on screen, for example).

-ALL SORTS OF GOODNESS at the Hot Springs Documentary Film Fest

-The Perfect Vagina, which is online and free! It's from a filmmaker out of the UK and documents her journey learning about labiaplasty or "why we should love our lady bits rather than cut them up.". If you have a vulva, you should watch this. I had some great conversations about it!

-Twilight, I love love love debating the zeitgeist of Twilight. I'm so happy it exists. I'm going to go see Breaking Dawn with a friend this month! Teen Girl Squad activate!

-Paranormal Activity 3, eh it was better than the second one. I have this Halloween tradition of going to see really bad scary movies on Halloween. Last year's was The Last Exorcism.


+Creepiest Clown:
-POP!

+YouTube Videos that made me teehee:
-Nicki Minaj sings Super Bass with one of her littlest fans!


-Rethink Breast Cancer presents: Your Man Reminder


-It's better than drinking? Guinness World Records - Largest Collection of Clowns


-Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark: Cemetery Soup (These guys have more Scary Stories on their channel and have mad film-making skills! Super fun to see these stories brought to life!)



+Notable pins:
-Make an ami fishie out of plarn! I'm getting a bit obsessed with crochet...

Source: genuinemudpie.ca via Sara on Pinterest

-skelemingos and OMG WHERE CAN I GET A DEVIL ELF ON A SHELF?!?!?!

Source: kitschyliving.tumblr.com via Sara on Pinterest

-Lady Gaga-o-lantern (from Telephone).

Source: jezebel.com via Sara on Pinterest

-"The ad shows Rick Genest, who you may know as Zombie Boy and have seen him in the Lady Gaga Born this Way video, being completely covered with Dermablend Leg & Body foundation. If you didn’t know who he was, the beginning of this video would probably not shock you (but the end would!) as his skin looks perfect- you can’t tell that he’s COVERED in tattoos from head to toe. This ad had me go out and buy some Dermablend concealer the next day, no joke!"

Source: xsparkage.com via Sara on Pinterest

-The Miss Fat and Beautiful Contest, circa 1960

Source: jezebel.com via Sara on Pinterest

+Exciting happenings IRL:
-Christmas crafting begins!
-I see a light at the end of the tunnel for this semester at school!
-Thanksgiving recipe testing starts this week!


+Relevant photos:

Mum made us jack-o-peppers for Halloween!

Lucky cats from an Asian grocery store (I got the orange nom nom nom one!)

The Arkansas State Fair from the top of the ferris wheel!

Sassy alpaca at the fair!

Matt's doodle hung in an art gallery in Hot Springs!

Some of my plastic pumpkin collection on my porch!

+Big Girls Don't Cry Hotness of the Month:
-Fighting aliens with a hot pink hair dryer. Hiiii-ya!

Source: heyfatchick.tumblr.com via Sara on Pinterest

And that's about it folks! I love October! There's just so many fun things to do! I'm a total Octoberist. How awesome was October for you?

Sara sings: I AM MINE

Title is one of my favorite songs...

Source: amazon.com via Jessica on Pinterest

My beau, Matt, and I just left the one night screening of PJ20, a lovely rockumentary celebrating the 20-year anniversary of Pearl Jam's seminal album - Ten.

I would just like to take a moment, while it's still fresh in my mind, to reflect on exactly what Pearl Jam has meant to me for the past decade of my life.

My father and I had a difficult relationship at times. After the age of 7, I only really saw him every other weekend. But somehow, miraculously (no really, it's a fucking miracle) we connected when we shared music. He lived almost two hours away from me, so when we'd commute back and forth we would turn it up to 11 in his way overpriced (but epic) Alpine stereo. Mostly the classic rock station, which seemed oddly repetitive and I just kind of tuned the majority of it out. In the early 2000's, Dad started picking up more contemporary stuff. I was about 16.

I should probably credit my step-mother for that. She loved the movie City of Angels, which lead to Iris, which lead to the Goo Goo Dolls. The first album that really got us going was Dizzy Up the Girl by the Goo Goo Dolls. That album started what would become an ongoing conversation between my dad and I. But Ten, that album, made us really connect. Experiencing Ten together germinated a kind of emotional intimacy that my dad and I never had before. Our favorite song off of Ten was Black.

I know that's EVERYONE'S favorite goddamn song, but it's not just Eddie Vedder ripping his dark emotions from his chest that makes Black my favorite. I have memories of my dad hand writing the lyrics out on a piece of paper and handing them to me. I can see his handwriting in my head still. And we talked about it- what the song meant.

Ooh, and all I taught her was everything
Ooh, I know she gave me all that she wore
And now my bitter hands chafe beneath the clouds
Of what was everything?
Oh, the pictures have all been washed in black, tattooed Everything...

I was so fortunate that Pearl Jam toured to my hometown in 2003. My dad, Matt, and I went and had a blast. They didn't play Black, but it was still more of a gift than I would realize. It would be the first and last time Matt would meet my father.

Source: fivehorizons.com via Sara on Pinterest

Pearl Jam's Five Horizons Tour Poster (2003)

My Dad passed away in 2004. I played Black at his funeral.

Pearl Jam's Ten, a decade after it's release, brought my dad and closer together. As close as we would ever be. Ten gave me the words to send my dad off. I couldn't listen to Ten for about a year, but now when I hear it... it's like Dad's sitting right next to me. Especially when I'm driving down the road, wailing like Vedder at Lollapalooza.

Thank you Pearl Jam, from a life-long Ten Clubber. Here's to twenty more years.

Sara says: WHAT'S GOING ON?

Just checking in! I'm back in school so I'm feeling a bit harassed, haha. Over the summer I'll be studying psychopharmacology and family counseling. Conclusion: Give your entire dysfunctional family drugs! (Just kidding... maybe). Just to prove that I do not, in fact, thrift all the time I thought I would share a bit of goings on and what's on my mind this week.




*strummy strummy strummy strum strummmmm*

Source: npr.org via Sara on Pinterest

Eddie Vedder's Ukulele Songs is out and you can stream it all on NPR. What a calming summer treat! I adore him and what a great concept for a sophomore solo album. Ok, yes, it's sappy... but I for one plan to unabashedly roll around in the sticky sappy goodness of Eddie Vedder and his ukulele. If that's as dirty as it sounds, so be it!


"Rise dark girl. Rise."

Dark Girls: Preview from Bradinn French on Vimeo.

This is a preview of the documentary film, Dark Girls directed by Bill Duke and D. Channsin Berry. The full length film is supposed to be release at the end of the year. This preview is about 10 minutes long and features, "clips from the upcoming documentary exploring the deep-seated biases and attitudes about skin color---particularly dark skinned women, outside of and within the Black American culture." I feel like this film is going to be more insightful and impactful than Chris Rock's Good Hair. I'm not at all implying that Good Hair is a failure, but I would call it fairly basic. This is an issue that I feel pretty passionate about... lifting up young women to remove the veil of shame in whatever form it takes. Do watch and discuss!



"THAT'S SOOOO TAKEI!"


In the darkness created by fools in Tennessee, there is some light. Sparkly, sparkly light. Buy some "takei" stuff. It all goes to charity! Oh and I love his twitter!


Trendy Trends

Source: google.com via Sara on Pinterest

I got some of these Sultra Feather Hair Accents in a teal combo (Boho Breeze). Me thinks I'm gonna do a full review on these. Super fun! Available at Sephora.

Source: manicpanic.com via Sara on Pinterest

This lovely lady is sporting Manic Panic in Electric Tiger Lilly and a bit of Electric Banana. Think I could rock these colors? I'm itchin to do silly things to my hair.

Source: temptalia.com via Sara on Pinterest

Zoya Touch Collection (limited edition) in Minka, Shay, and Pandora $8.00 each. I love these nudie colors and Zoya is a really great company. I want all of them to make an ombre-effect mani.

Source: flavorwire.com via Sara on Pinterest

I freakin love these "earrings".


Yummy

Source: thebabycakesshop.com via Sara on Pinterest

Why don't I have one of these yet? I'm obsessed with the ones at Starbucks. In fact, I think I'm gonna go get one right now...



Y'all have a fab Memorial Day weekend!

Sara's feelin sexy: Music for V-Day!

Valentine's Day is officially upon us! 

Do not stress, gentle readers! Nor should you confuse your relationship with prostitution and get tacky gifts! NO! I say serenade your loved-one (even if your loved-one is yourself, your kids, your cat, or your mailman...whatever.) Nothing is sexier or more relaxing than winding down a day with music you love or that makes you feel in love. For the holiday, here's a small list of suggestions for any situation! 

Suggestions are welcome! And report any dead/shitty links! Have a lovely day.

..::Songs for Lovers::..

+Roberta Flack- The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face 
+Norah Jones- The Nearness of You
+Coldplay- Yellow (Me and mine's song, if you will.)
+Lady Gaga- Bad Romance (You know, for slightly less functional lovers perhaps.)
+The Monkees- I'm a Believer
+Bruno Mars- Just the Way You Are
+Elton John- Your Song
+Sade- By Your Side
+ Des'ree-  Kissing You
+Queen- You're My Best Friend
+Lonely Island- I Just Had Sex

..::Songs for Pissed Ex-Lovers::..

+Christina Perri- Jar of Hearts
+Alanis Morissette-You Oughta Know
+Cee Lo Green- Fuck You
+Rihanna feat. Eminem- Love the Way You Lie Part II
+Lady Antebellum- Need You Now (You know, desperate times...)

..::Songs for Fabulous Single Ladies::..

+Beyonce- Single Ladies
+Sara Bareilles- King of Anything
+RENT Soundtrack (Rosario Dawson)- Out Tonight

..::Songs For Swaggerin Single Fellas::..

+Loney Island- The Creep
+Lil Wayne- Comfortable

Sara sings: "I'm a freak bitch, BABY!"

That's right our Lady of Gaga- and I love you for it.

Since I couldn't possibly give any of a shit less about the Super Bowl, I'm gonna discuss sexy ladies. But not just ANY sexy ladies... sexy WEIRD ladies.

There seems to be a trending movement in pop music and I, personally, am all about it. I lovingly refer to it as the...  

 WEIRD AESTHETIC.

Here's some of my favorite crazy ladies in no particular order.


Lady Gaga "And, now, I’m just trying to change the world one sequin at a time." -ladygaga.com bio

Why: I love her "monster" theme. We're all monsters. We're all ugly and beautiful at the same time. We're all scary if you scratch beneath the surface. Her whole concept, to me, is about expressing what's beneath the surface without apologies. Proud to call myself a "Little Monster".


Favorite Video: Bad Romance  



(image from http://www.ladygaga.com/photos/detail.aspx?fid=16698&phid=16700)


Nicki Minaj "Ok, first things first I’ll eat your brains. Then I’mma start rocking gold teeth and fangs..." -Kanye West "Monster" lyrics feat. Jay-Z, Rick Ross, and Nicki Minaj

Why: Say what you want about Minaj vs. Lil' Kim blah blah blah... but it's been too long since a female has been livin large in the hip-pop game. Many have said that she's the "Rap Lady Gaga" and as a fan of both I disagree! Nicki's theme is "barbie" and she lovingly refers to her fans as something along the lines of "barbz/ken dollz/kenbarbz". Confused? There's an app for that! But I love me some Nicki Minaj! She raps, sings, acts, and has seemingly effortless haute couture sexiness. And her ass should have it's own zip code and/or religious following. What's not to love?

Favorite Video: Massive Attack




(image from http://www.mypinkfriday.com/media/photos/4451/109561)


Ke$ha "I want to show you that you can be funny and hot … you can drink and read. People are still getting used to what I am." -Kesha from quotelicious.com

Why: If you look past the auto-tuned brain crack, Kesha is really good at telling stories. Her songs take you to a moment in time... if you can stand to go there. Her theme is somewhat less concrete than Gaga or Minaj, but Kesha is all about people as "animals". Getting dirty, having fun, being wild n' out, crazy-fun-times, and dare-I-say GET SLEAZY!

Favorite Video: Take It Off 



(image from http://www.keshasparty.com/us/photos/official)


Rihanna "But you'll always be my hero even though you lost your mind." Rihanna "Love The Way You Lie Part II" lyrics feat. Eminem

Why: Rihanna is extremely successful and has demonstrated a lot of staying power. She has, what?, 5 albums that have all been chart-toppers. But, I feel like Rihanna really embraced her weird with Disturbia back in 2008 and it's only gotten better since! Her latest, S&M, has me all kerfuffled. 


Unrelated but important: I noticed a Google search term for her was "rihanna bruised"- fuck you people.  

 Favorite Video: S&M


(image from http://pointemout.com/2011/02/01/video-fab-the-premiere-of-rihannas-sm/)


Beth Ditto, lead singer of the Gossip "Everybody knows but no one can tell. A homemade haircut but she wears it well. She's a dimestore diamond." The Gossip "Dimestore Diamond" lyrics
 
Why: Because she's ah-mazing! I have to give credit to Citizen K for turning me on to The Gossip. I literally love every track on their last album Music for Men. Beth's theme, as it were, definitely has to be gay, sparkly, "I-don't-give-a-fuck", sass. She's one of those folks who may have actually supposed to been born a drag queen (Gaga pulls that off so well that people STILL think she has a penis somewhere). I'm still relatively new to their music, but I love Ditto's attitude (big girl in tight clothes OMG). WORK IT!


Favorite Video: Heavy Cross




  

(image from http://gossips.co.za/?p=198) 

 

 

Stay tuned for: Crazy Ladies I <3 Part II!