"We Are Young" - Fun.

I love writing these posts because it allows me to better understand why I love certain songs and connect with them. I've realized that themes that really resonate with me have been ones that evoke a sense of nostalgia, or love, or a sense of mortality. This is not one of those songs. But I still adore it.

This song has really been heating up the charts, as they say (gross), and it's easy to understand why. The melody is catchy as it builds, the percussion is moving and the overall sound gives the listener a sense of motivation to get out there and live. The message is simple: seize the moment. Enjoy life. The world is ours. Party it up. And, if we're being honest, get out there and find someone to carry you home tonight.

In honor of that sentiment, I've assembled one of those "out on the town" looks. You know the one - a little over the top, consisting of at least one piece that you're not quite sure you can pull off (but your friends insist you're rocking it, only you could make it work, and after a couple drinks you know that they are SO RIGHT)? This look is reserved for a night that will include more than one bar and dancing, lots of dancing.  So we have a Roland Mouret strappy top, some deliciously unavoidable J Brand waxed skinnies, Gucci zebra stilettos (you can totally dance in heels), and, of course, classic Wayfarers. If this look doesn't emulate a carefree night out, I don't know what does.

Listen to the song here.

"Who'd Have Known" - Lily Allen

Oh hey, did you guys know that it's almost Valentine's Day? Sort of hard to miss, what with all the commercials and love song/anti-Valentine's Day breakup song playlists. Being a bit of a romantic, I'm getting into the Valentine's spirit this year, paying extra close attention to all the love songs I listen to and buying handy hearts by the pound. On of the songs I've picked up recently is Lily Allen's "Who'd Have Known". It's been sampled on T-Pain & Wiz Khalifa's "5 O'Clock", but I listened to the orginal and it's such a sweet, honest story about the beginning of a relationship.

This look was a little trickier to put together because the song is much more literal than songs I've posted about in the past. With that in mind, I made the outfit a bit more "literal" as well, with literal meaning "totally wearable". This is what I imagine the girl in the song wearing her first night out with her crush. It's simple, accessible, cool, casual, but has some very pretty accessories to amp up the girly factor. 


Question time! What are you planning on wearing on Valentine's Day? Or what would you wear on your first big night with that special someone? 


Listen to the song here.

"Violent Games" - Poliça

Being a proud Minnesotan, I support Minnesotan musicians. We are very fortunate to have an incredible local music scene, as well as a truly exceptional radio station to showcase that music.The Current recently celebrated their 7th birthday at First Ave, and Poliça was the closing act. Their performance was highly anticipated, as the group had received a lot of positive buzz since releasing songs of their debut album "Give You The Ghost" (this album is incredible - it's available for electronic purchase now and the CD/vinyl will be released on Valentine's day). They did not disappoint. Their performance was truly captivating and their sound is amazing. I've been listening to their album on repeat since that show, and this song has really resonated with me. 


I generally like to listen to the lyrics of a song to feel a real connection to the meaning & emotion behind it, but this is a song of few words, and what really catches my attention is the overwhelming sound. The track opens with what sounds like an alarm and continues to build and lose control. It feels very futuristic, almost apocalyptic, and the minimal lyrics tell of desperation; the repeated idea of violent games and the raw sound make it feel animalistic.


Those were the ideas I wanted to invoke with this look, and what better designer to showcase than Alexander McQueen? His work typically has a dark beauty that is simply fascinating to me, and that mysteriousness was perfect for this song. I added some modern, rough around the edges, and a little over-the-top accessories to allude to the dystopian future in which I envision the wearer of this look living.


Unfortunately there's not a link to listen to this particular track, but here's the video for another track, "Lay Your Cards Out" (another really amazing song), and I very much encourage you to purchase their album!

"Little Talks" - Of Monsters And Men

It has been unseasonably warm recently here in Minneapolis, and it's really getting me in the mood for spring (let's get real, I'm never not in the mood for spring. But this is getting me even more excited). Ok, I may be getting ahead of myself - one forty-degree day does not spring make, but January flew by, amirite? Yes, February is the worst month ever always, but March has the potential to be lovely this year. So here's to March and easing into spring with this pastel palette and the deliciously vintage inspired hat with the adorably practical mittens and that gorgeous Etro coat.


This is another one of those instant "I LOVE THIS" songs for me - Of Monsters And Men is very reminiscent of Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes with their back-and-forth choruses and infectiously fun, brass-abundant melodies. This song is about love, growing old together, and eventually accepting death. Not such a happy notion, but the way they sing about it makes me want to smile and cry all at once. It makes me feel a lot like "C'est La Mort" makes me feel because the message is so similar, especially as the lyrics cry, "no wait, wait, wait for me/please hang around/I'll see you when I fall asleep". The difference is this song is so beautifully upbeat and childlike; it tells the same story in a completely different way.


I paired this look with "Little Talks" because this is what I imagine the woman wearing as she waits for her husband. It's youthful and pretty and fun yet still feels glamorous and romantic. 


Listen to the song here.

"Kill My Boyfriend" - Natalia Kills

I first discovered Natalia Kills when she opened for Robyn's Body Talk tour in early 2011. I thought she was dark but oh-so-fun to listen and dance to. Since then she's released a full length album, Perfectionist, opened for a bit on Katy Perry's California Dreams tour (when Robyn was unavailable), and put out an incredible video for "Kill My Boyfriend" (watch it here - seriously, watch it. It is stunning to watch, if not a bit disturbing, what with the whole "she's plotting to murder her boyfriend" thing. And the looks are to die for.).

This song is so absurdly catchy, I sort of forget that I'm chanting "kill, kill, kill" as I sing along. It reminds me a bit of Kate Nash's "Kiss That Grrrl", in that the melody and message of the song totally differ from each other. I love when that happens. And at its core, this song is really all about being with the one you truly love, by any means necessary. How sweet!


Hence the adorable, very spring-forward Mulberry peplum top with the super-strong Balmain leather pants. The look is clearly based on these two opposing pieces, but the accessories all have a pretty/edgy balance as well. The Missoni jacket boasts some shoulder hardware, the ASOS platforms provide a wide heel (perfect for chasing after that boyfriend*), and that ring is likely actually considered to be a viable weapon.

Again, listen to the song and watch the video here.


*Note: I am not endorsing actual violence with this post, I promise. I just have a weakness for pop songs with an edge.

"Blue Spotted Tail" - Fleet Foxes

I am very excited that we're starting to see more and more printed denim - it's such a fun way to update a classic wardrobe staple! This outfit was built around these adorably floral jeans by Citizens of Humanity. I love how spring-forward this look is with the mint green. I also love how I find this ensemble to be somewhat ageless - by that, I mean I could picture a 6-year-old version of myself wearing this, I could see myself wearing it today, and I could see myself throwing this on at the ripe age of 70 (I will be a hip septuagenarian).

It's the agelessness that inspired me to pair this look with Fleet Foxes "Blue Spotted Tail". An incredibly simple song (just singular vocals and an acoustic guitar, a standout in an album otherwise full of robust choruses with mixed harmonies and instrumentation), it asks big questions that everyone asks as a child, but we never truly find the answer, even once we're old. Questions like "why are there stars in the sky?", and "why are born, just to die?".


These questions transcend age and time, just as I intend this outfit to do so. Maybe not time - I don't think printed denim will be around forever.


Listen to the song here.

"Somebody That I Used To Know" - Gotye

Have you guys heard this song by Gotye? Have you seen the incredible video? This has quickly become my new favorite song, and Gotye's album, Making Mirrors, has been played on repeat while I'm at work. My only complaint is that I'm just now discovering this fantastic artist. But now that I have, it's only fitting that I pay him tribute with a new outfit!


This is a breakup song, but one of those awesome "good riddance" breakup songs that you sing along to once you've realized you're much better off without him. With that in mind, I thought it best to style this look based on a sexy, look-what-you're-missing dress. I didn't want it to be that simple, however. It's too easy to just do a sexy red dress and some killer stillettos. I want to add a bit more character, so I chose a more twee version of a sexy red dress (put a bird on it!), some cutesy Alex and Chloe heart earrings, and an adorably chic Marc Jacobs clutch. Then, to toughen it up and make the sex appeal undeniable, I included the DSquared stilettos and Alexander Wang leather jacket.


I would kill to accidentally run into an ex in this outfit, and I would have this song playing in my head as I did.