I am super addicted to the Style Says site. I used to have a Luxe site but lost my password.. oops. This site is awesome for finding new styles based on streetwear and celebrity fashion.

My Selection for the new Doctor Who

Vinyl Villanelle – submitted to Writers Digest contest

Broken vinyl, spinning on, crackling echoes of the heart

the music transformed, spilling song, splintered reel

keeps the beat with dusty time, living swelling art

 

drums thump along to our living pace, guitar hands strum

like plucking at veins pumping through our fragile steel

broken vinyl, spinning on, crackling echoes of the heart

 

warbling, trilling, crooning, thrilling voices come

out of machinery of gods praised in the 1950’s deals,

keeping the beat with dusty time, living swelling art

 

scratches and skips become anachronistic sums,

my ears twitching with uncomfortable appeal,

broken vinyl, spinning on, crackling echoes of the heart

 

generations, poor or wealthy, world audiences succumb

to the blessed prayer of music that bleeds so real

and keeps the beat with dusty time, living swelling art

 

holding on to intangible fantasy, the artist becomes

an everlasting symbol of what it is to truly feel

that broken vinyl, spinning on, crackling echoes of the heart

that keeps the beat with dusty time, living swelling art.

Matt Costa isn’t Mr. Pitiful with Sold Out Show at the Troubadour

By Cat Nuwer

On Thursday, March 22, Matt Costa, along with openers Sam Outlaw and Carly Ritter, played a sold out show at The Troubadour in West Hollywood.

Costa’s music has progressed gradually over the last eight years, with the latest album released in February, Matt Costa, taking on the classic style of folk-rock à la Bob Dylan. The artist first emerged on Jack Johnsons’s Brushfire label with Songs We Sing in 2006, a cheerful indie-pop record that included hits “Cold December” and “Sunshine.” Now Costa is mellowing out, exchanging the eclectic jangliness from songs like “Mr. Pitiful” with simple chords, soft vocals and poetic lyrics in his self-titled album. “I was thinking about the Basement Tapes [a collection of tracks that Bob Dylan recorded with The Band in 1967,” says Costa on his newest album[1].

The night started out with swinging country music from Los Angelian Sam Outlaw, backed by a double bassist and three acoustic guitarists. Outlaw crooned like John Denver in “Country Love Song” and then sped up the pace with rock-infused song “Keep it Interesting.” His sound is truly reminiscent of the old wild west – you can nearly see the tumbleweeds blowing by under a starry night while listening.

More and more, mainstream country musicians have been moving toward the clubby pop genre. Taylor Swift rarely features country staples in her songs anymore – now she’s attempting to dub step her way into dance music with single “I Knew You Were Trouble” released this year. Another example is Carrie Underwood, who left her signature country-rock style behind with 2012 hit “Blown Away.” For a pleasant change, the second opener Carly Ritter was genuinely grassroots with as rural of a sound as you can get – there was no superficial pop glitz in any of her jams.

Ritter, the daughter of the late John Ritter and granddaughter of country music star Tex Ritter, has a gorgeously deep voice like Carole King’s. She started her set with her most famous song “It Don’t Come Easy,” a breezy 60s croon, which has been featured on KCRW. She then moved into tracks that will be featured in her album coming out August 6on Vanguard Records. She’s a sweet ‘prairie princess’ – before her last song, she introduced it by saying that her mother taught her that “the most important words are darlin’ I love you.” Throughout her set, she received catcalls and loud enthusiastic responses from an audience of hip cowboy types and indie aficionados.

Costa emerged on stage around 10 p.m., and was cheered on as he delved into “Mr. Pitiful” as his opening number, playing the piano while accompanied by a guitarist, bassist, and drummer. Arguably his most popular song “Mr. Pitiful,” from the 2008 album Unfamiliar Faces, is artsy, eclectic, and whimsical. On stage, Costa’s hair was messy in a laid-back manner and he wore a matching brown blazer with brown pants that gave off a city meets country look. For the second song, a young woman came on stage with shakers and Costa strapped on a harmonica for the upbeat “Loving You” from Costa’s most recent album – the song has a vintage 50s-60s feel with a modern indie edge, much like something you would hear from She & Him.

Audience members were encouraged to participate – Costa opened a couple numbers with just his bare vocals and guitar, inviting the audience to sing along to songs like “Miss Magnolia.” Upon leaving the stage, the response for an encore was momentous – minutes later, Costa came back unaccompanied for Songs We Sing classic “Cold December.” When he asked the crowd what to sing next, it was a complete hullabaloo with people shouting out different titles at once. Seeming to be pleasantly taken aback, he launched into “Acting Like a Fool” before bringing the band back onstage for their final number “Mobile Chateau.”

Throughout his set, Costa played crowd pleasers from his first album, like “Sunshine” and “Behind the Moon” as well as newer material like “Clipped Wings” and “Silver Sea.” He would turn from echoing Dylan with a smoky voice while riffing on the harmonica, to acting like cult director Wes Anderson during quirky hipster tunes like “Good Times” (see the new music video). A blend of genres was represented, including folk country, California 50s-style pop and surf rock, and alternative indie rock.

Before heading out to the east coast on tour, Costa will make his way up north this month, hitting San Francisco, Portland, Vancouver, and more. The Blank Tapes will replace Ritter and Outlaw when Costa hits the east coast – founded by Californian Matt Adams, The Blank Tapes is a lo-fi poppy indie group with punk strains.

 

---

[1] Information found at Matt Costa’s official website: mattcosta.com

Oscar Predictions

Oscar night is coming up! There’s a handful of great films nominated this year, so it may be tough to choose your picks. I’ve seen nearly all the movies nominated this year, and read the predictions from LA Times, NY Times, Rolling Stone, EW, and Huffpost. So I thought I’d take a shot at my own predictions! I also chose what I wish would win, even if there’s no chance. I didn’t include the shorts because I still haven’t seen them.

Picture:

Will Win – Argo

My Fav – Silver Linings Playbook

Actor:

Will Win – Daniel Day Lewis in Lincoln

My Fav – Daniel Day Lewis

Actress:

Will Win: Jennifer Lawrence in Silver Linings Playbook

My Fav: Jennifer Lawrence

Supporting Actor:

Will Win – Christoph Waltz in Django Unchained

My Fav –  Christoph Waltz

Supporting Actress:

Will Win – Anne Hathaway in Les Miserables

My Fav – Sally Field in Lincoln

Animated Film:

Will Win – Wreck It Ralph

My Fav – Frankenweenie

Cinematography:

Will Win – Life of Pi

My Fav – Life of Pi

Costume Design:

Will Win – Anna Karenina

My Fav – Lincoln

Director:

Will Win – Ang Lee: Life of Pi

My Fav – David O Russell: Silver Linings Playbook

Documentary:

Will Win – Searching for Sugarman

My Fav – Searching for Sugarman

Film Editing:

Will Win – Argo

My Fav – Zero Dark Thirty

Foreign Film:

Will Win – Amour

My Fav – Undecided

Makeup/Hair:

Will Win – Les Miserables

My Fav – Hitchcock

Score:

Will Win – Life of Pi

My Fav – Skyfall

Song:

Will Win – “Skyfall” from Skyfall

My Fav: “Skyfall”

Production Design:

Will Win: Anna Karenina

My Fav: Lincoln

Sound Editing:

Will Win – Zero Dark Thirty

My Fav – Skyfall

Sound Mixing:

Will Win – Les Miserables

My Fav – Les Miserables

Visual Effects:

Will Win – Life of Pi

My Fav – Life of Pi

Adapted Screenplay:

Will Win – Argo

My Fav – Silver Linings

Original Screenplay:

Will Win – Django Unchained

My Fav – Moonrise Kingdom

Movie Review: Skyfall

If I could sum this Bond film into one word, it would be: action! This film is packed with wild chase sequences, extraordinary explosions, and wow-able stunts (like a motorcycle chase on the rooftops of an anonymous Middle Eastern city). But, director Sam Mendes turned Skyfall into a film not only for eye-popping action, but also for exploring human nature.

In terms of style, Sam Mendes has the uncanny ability to shine a bright light into the dark shadows of human nature (see American Beauty). It is in this film that we find Bond’s Achilles heel – his mother-son-like attachment to M, and the sore spot left from a traumatic childhood experience at Skyfall manor.

The plotline here is simple and yet engrossing. In Skyfall, James Bond aka 007 protects M and M16 when a deranged agent from the past comes back to take revenge. Bond must decide whose side to take — the villainous Silva (played brilliantly by Javier Bardem) who offers endless freedom and power, or the tough authority figure M, who offers a respected life of duty.

To focus on acting, this is Daniel Craig’s third turn as James Bond. He truly fulfills the part — physically he is extraordinarily strong, sexy, and rugged-looking, while emotionally, with those piercing blue eyes, he is able to emote the darkest of feelings, while remaining mysterious.

Javier Bardem is ingenious in his role as Silva; he is violently disturbed and has got the quirky-loony attitude, much like Batman’s Joker. Silva is determined to kill M after he recovers from torture while out in the field; he believes M abandoned him at the time of his most dire need.

Returning to the screen as M, Judi Dench does a phenomenal job in playing the top leader in British secret security. She breathes air into the rather stiff character. It becomes obvious thoroughout the film that Bond sees her as a mother figure since his own mother died when he was young. She is one of the only people able to break down Bond’s tough exterior.

The film also features newbies Naomie Harries as the famed character Eve Moneypenny (the attractive ‘secretary’ figure in the series), and the gorgeous French actress Berenice Marlohe, who makes a brief appearance as the new Bond girl

The new Q, played by 32-year-old Ben Whishaw, is certainly a new take on the brainy character. Whishaw gives Q a more hipster-gone-genius take, which adds humorous tension to the relationship of power between Bond and Q.

Many of the Bond theme songs have won Academy Awards and it is almost a guarentee that Adele’s “Skyfall” will take a place in the 2013 awards show. It’s been a fad with Bond movies to have sort of trippy intro sequences during the credits. This heralds back to Dr. No, which of course starts off with the vision of James Bond shooting at you seen through the barrell of a gun. It then leads into a Jamaican-style dance routine with the brightly colored silhouettes of dancing ladies. Skyfall doesn’t disappoint in this way – the title sequence is a gorgeous piece of artistry, flowing from theme to theme, dark images blending together and repeating, all while Adele sings the song “Skyfall” passionately. It seems a lot like the title sequence of Fincher’s adaptation of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, which features a plentitude of nude body art, but Skyfall’s sequence is less sexual, more enigmatic.

If you’re a Bond fan (classic references like the Aston Martin are hard to miss in this film) or/and an action junkie, you will most likely love or at least appreciate this film.

Television: Once Upon A Time review

Official poster

Just started watching the ABC series Once Upon a Time since the first season was released on Netflix. While the script is very corny (think live action Disney channel movies), it is pretty addicting and has some gorgeous costumes. The plot line is simple and easy to follow: cool chick, obviously a complete outsider, comes to a mystical town in Maine that is made up of people from a fantasy world. Her young son Henry, who she had given up for adoption, leads her into a quest to save these displaced fairy tale characters from real world horrors and the Evil Queen. Emma Swan, the protagonist (played by Jennifer Morrison) is definitely the perk of the show. Her character plays realism against the Disney-style fantasy and she’s the best actress of the bunch. Plus her wardrobe rocks.

Emma (Morrison) wearing her signature leather jacket with a plain t-shirt, jeans, and riding-style boots.

It also doesn’t help that her love interest in the first season, Graham, is a total fox. He turns out to be the Huntsman from the Snow White story, and things don’t turn out so well for him. He’s used as a sort of catalyst character, making Emma’s quest all the more important.  His fateful end makes Emma realize how much she cares for her son Henry. It’s a clever use of character and plot line, but it’s sad to have such a handsome face, and good actor, leave the show.

Emma and Graham (Jamie Dornan) kissing

Graham looking lovely

The costumes for the Evil Queen, Snow White, and Cinderella are particularly beautiful and since ABC gave the show such a big budget, you can tell the dresses are finely made.

Snow White (Ginnifer Goodwin) in her hunting outfit

Snow White’s character is far more strong of a person than in the Disney animation. She’s a pleasant combination of the kind-hearted original animated character and Kristen Stewart’s tough version of the princess in Snow White and the Huntsman. At one point Goodwin’s Snow White even saves Prince Charming rather than the other way around. She also outsmarts the Evil Queen at multiple points. But she still has a very pretty wedding dress with feathers and diamonds.

Snow White in her wedding dress

The Queen’s outfits are super creepy a la Tim Burton or Bellatrix Lestrange in Harry Potter. This goodie below was worn in Episode 9 which follows Hansel and Gretel.

Creepy dress = awesomeness

Also am a big fan of Emilie Ravin as Belle. She’s gorgeous and quite a good actress.

wearing her classic yellow gown

classic blue and white peasant dress

If you enjoy classic fantasy stories or are a huge Disney geek like I am, I would recommend this show as your new guilty pleasure.

Fashion and TV: Revenge

ABC’s daring show Revenge has really taken off. It has become known as a sort of source for fashion and cold-blooded evil. Emily VanCamp’s character is endearing even though she is of the cruelest kind. I’m only half way through the first season, but I can already tell that this steamy hit is going to hold some real shockers. I totally recommend this show to anyone intrigued by drama, sex, and fashion. Thank you to costume designer Jill Ohanneson for rocking my socks off.

Here are some of my favorite outfits thus far:

Emily VanCamp in Vera Wang and Christa B. Allen in Reem Acra.

We first see these gorgeous red dresses in Episode 1, which is a sort of cliffhanger that keeps the audience in the dark the whole first season. Charlotte and Emily are dressed for Emily’s Fire and Ice themed engagement party.

Emily in beautiful Lela Rose dress.

Have yet to see this episode, but I am slightly obsessed with this dress. It kinda looks spiderwebey which makes sense because Emily (Amanda) is like a spider spinning a wicked web of literally Revenge. I love that Jill Ohanneson paired Emily’s cold attitude with soft colours. It’s like Emily is trying so hard to seem normal, but when she’s herself she wears black.

Ashley wearing Azzedine Alaia dress.

Rachel Roy spike earrings that were rocked by Ashley

You cannot deny that Ashley, the innocent and yet fabulously fashionable assistant of Charlotte, has got major style points.

Just wanted to post this bc it’s amusing

Fashion: Halloween style

So I’m a big geek for Halloween stuff, especially funky fashion. Luckily, I am not alone. I shall show you proof.

Heidi Klum wearing a fun cardi while shopping for pumpkins with her kids

Okay, if Runway genius Heidi Klum can be geeky during Halloween time, so can I. Now I’m wondering where she got that cardi… I’m wondering how she will dress for Halloween this year. Creepy cat? done. Wild native man of no particular origin? done. Skinless person? done. Wow what choices are left?

As to cute outfits to wear in the Halloween theme, I’m a big fan of wearing pumpkin orange in the right circumstances. I particularly like this Eliza J Ribber Cowl Neck Sweater Dress for $100 at Nordstroms:

Orange done right.

Alright, onto the actual costumes…

Conrad gone flapper

Alright, I guess Lauren Conrad’s flapper costume is mediocre, but flapper girl is one of my all-time favorite choices for costumes.

McCord all Antoinette’d

I’m a big fan of AnnaLynne McCord’s Marie Antoinette gone slightly stripper outfit. I think the ladies from Mean Girls would approve. What are you? ‘I’m Marie Antoinette. DUH.’ But really I want to wear this.

Karen telling us how it’s done

I’m personally thinking I’m just going to easy this Halloween since I’m working. If I wasn’t, I’d go all out (which means you should too). I’ve decided on wearing a sexy black dress, some fangs, and red lip stick, calling myself a vampire and defending myself when people ask me why I’m not more pale. BECAUSE I’M LAZY!

Forever 21 Lace Perplum dress. perfect for vampiring

red lips a little Rocky Horror

 

cheap plastic fangs makes this outfit super inexpensive

Happy Halloween everyone (in two weeks..)!!

Fashion: Scarlett plus Pucci

 

I just felt the need to share this beautiful Pucci dress. Scarlett wore this, along with Bulgari diamonds, to the champagne Moet & Chandon’s annual party. Hell yeah! The cut and colour are very beautiful and work with seasonable fashions like dark green and perplum cuts.