"How You Like Me Now?" - The Heavy

I am seriously digging the funky, retro sound of "How You Like Me Now?". The choice to sample Dyke & The Blazers' "Let A Woman Be A Woman - Let A Man Be A Man" was absolutely genius and gives it an infectious beat that I love. There aren't a whole lot of subtleties to this song; the title itself gives it away. And who doesn't dream of seeing that certain someone from a past life and impressing them with how cool/smart/mature/awesome you are now?

Like the song, this outfit has few, if any, subtleties. How appropriate, then, to include the Giuseppe Zanotti sandals designed by Kanye West, a man known for many things, but none of them subtlety (let's count how many times I can use the word "subtlety" in this post). I wanted the rest of the ensemble to speak to the retro-inspired nature of the song, adding some modern cat-eye shades, a little leopard peplum, and some cavity-inducing sweet bubblegum leather skinnies.

I suppose this look could be considered over-the-top, but so is the message that's being sent, so I think it fits.

Listen to the song here.

"Settle Down" - Kimbra

Ever since "Somebody That I Used To Know", I've become more and more interested in Kimbra. I'm drooling for her full-length album to be released in the States (if anyone knows where I can purchase it here, please let me know - it's not on iTunes nor is it on Amazon [booo]), and in the meantime I get to enjoy her 4-track Settle Down EP on repeat. 

The title track sets itself apart with an a cappella intro and a some percussive vocals that maintain throughout the song. It's a cheeky, honest song about wanting to settle down (hence the title, you guys). It almost sounds as if it's sung by a child who thinks she knows what love is, incorporating a bit of "Star Light, Star Bright", though it gets a bit more desperate towards the end and she almost begs her man to stay with her, singing "baby there's no need to run".


To evoke this look I put together a classic, "Mad Men" meets Stepford Wife look. Very demure, nothing too overt or risky, very proper. Almost unsettlingly so. 


Listen to the song here.

"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.