"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.

"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.

"The Wilhelm Scream" - James Blake

Happy New Year, everyone! I hope everyone enjoyed their various holidays with friends and/or family. I was fortunate enough to enjoy a wonderful week long vacation at Summit Lake Lodge in Moose Pass, Alaska. It was pretty refreshing to be totally unplugged for seven days, and I was able to come up with a decent list of future posts - I'm so excited to share them all with you!


Without further ado, so begins the first real post of 2012. Fittingly, its inspiration was a song I heard on NPR's All Songs Considered podcast featuring the best music of 2011. I had heard this song by James Blake before on The Current, but this was the first time I was able to listen with headphones and really envelop myself in the sound. Boy, am I glad I did. This song is incredible.


The lyrics are simple in theory, focusing on the idea of "fallin', fallin', fallin', fallin'", but the melody just builds on itself in a really profound way. It begins somewhat dark but dreamy with a little bit of a futuristic feel and then grows in intensity and almost loses control. I think the folks at NPR summed it up best when they described it as a "startling sound".


This look is a tamer version of what I feel in this song. It starts with a simple, dark, elegant gown and the wearer just continues to add on to it with louder and louder accessories. I am seriously loving all the neon I'm seeing right now, and I was excited at the chance to incorporate it into this look.


Listen to the song here.