Music Monday (On A Tuesday): Regina Spektor

Regina Spektor - 'Don't Leave Me (Ne Me Quitte Pas)'

Truth is Monday left me and Tuesday slapped me in the face.  Posting Music Monday a day late, but surely not forgotten.  I have decided to post a song that is a not brand new, because this is the one song that is helping me bounce into this week with a smile on my face.  The rain all weekend forced me inside into reprieve and I managed to get caught up on some much needed school work; but by the way I was dragging my feet I could haven been outside in the mud (it was terrible!).  Hearing the lyrics to this song at the end of the weekend allowed me to finally embrace the rain - simply for the lyrics "I love Paris in the rain" brought me out of my Tallahassee funk and I began Paris daydreaming...

Tell me what you've been daydreaming of?  Or have you found any new music you like?  Please share!

Love, A Pinhead

L'Wren Scott Spins A Web Of Gold

Most models turned designers just don't do it for me.  Something in the designs seems almost insincere to me as if they want to hold on to strutting the catwalk so badly they will create a collection and then walk out following it for that feeling of the hot lights on their face, the flash of cameras glistening in their eyes, the hushed breath of the audience, the pressure to not fall flat on your face.  However, I have never taken that impression away from a L'Wren Scott collection - a former model turned designer in 2006.  In fact, Scott's show has been one of my favorites this season and I don't have anything bad to say about any of the pieces she sent sailing down the runway on golden sails.  My only complaint is, I can not seem to choose a favorite.  Can you?

 

Is anyone else completely enamored with the gold as much as I am??  Opulence, color and texture all are themes that I can stand behind and as you can see L'Wren Scott spun gold around these bodies - literally!  The shoes and most of the dresses were actually created using 23-karat gold leaf.  Gold is the most valuable thing on the planet at the moment and Scott brought her designs to a new level of lavishness and luxury, maintaining functionality.  I would love to be in the audience and be able to breath in the beauty of the gold thread as it sparkles and shines down the runway before disappearing and allowing yet another stunning ensemble to saunter forward. 

L'Wren Scott: Ready to Wear Fall 2013 | Photographer: Giovanni Giannoni

Love, A Pinhead

Music Monday: Lana Del Rey

WARNING: this is a song that you will want to listen to over and over again.  Lana Del Rey's latest song 'Burning Desire' captivated me the first time I heard it and I still can't seem to hit pause so I thought I would share with you all!  Lana has an amazing voice, that is evident from the moment you hit play.  Similar to her other hits 'Born To Die' and 'Blue Jeans' this song is just as powerful and emotional with a slightly more upbeat and catchy chorus that invites you to sing along.  Don't get me wrong, in no way is this a good choice for karaoke contest unless you are an American Idol contestant.   And not only is the song mesmerizing, Lana has an old Hollywood glamor with a sexy twist that will make your eyes go dry from not blinking.  Take a listen and let me know what you think!

Love, A Pinhead

Sweet On You

Valentine's Day is tomorrow and for those of you still searching for last minute sweets to send your sweetie look no further.  Plus who wants to pay so much for next day shipping on a box of prepackaged chocolate when you can buy make up with that money AND make an easy treat that they will never forget.  Something created out of love is so much better than anything store bought - and I promise theses are so easy to make Martha Stewart does it with her eyes closed.  Here's what you need:

1 cup butter
2/3 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/3 cup pecans
2 cups flour
1 cup organic raspberry preserves
powdered sugar

Heat oven to 375 degrees.  Beat together butter and sugar until fluffy, add vanilla extract.  Slowly pour in flour while mixing.  Add pecans and mix until even distributed.  Dough will roll out easier if placed in the refrigerator for a few hours, but this step is not necessary.  Roll out dough to 1/8 inch thickness and cut with large heart cookie cutter.  In the middle of 1/2 of the cut hearts cut out a smaller heart in the middle to serve as your 'window'.  You can take all of this extra dough to make more cookies or I like to cook them too for a smaller cookie snack.  Place large hearts on an ungreased cookie sheet in the oven for 10-12 minutes.  When they start to turn slightly dark on the edges they are done.  Let cool on cookie sheet for a few minutes and then move to cooling rack, sprinkle tops with powdered sugar.  Once completely cool, spread the organic raspberry preserves on the whole hearts and top with the cut out hearts.  Find some extra cute packaging write a little love note and voila, Cupid you're done!  

Happy Valentines Day!

Love, A Pinhead

Music Monday: The Lumineers

Happy Valentine's week!  I don't necessarily like "love" songs and frankly I think most of them are a little cheesy so I wasn't going to make you suffer through that.  Instead, I chose this song by The Lumineers, Stubborn Love.  I encourage all of you to take a listen, in a relationship or not, this song is powerful and can resonate on many different levels.  Let me know what you think! 

Love, A Pinhead

Copenhage Fashion Week: What They Were Wearing

Myself, like many of you, have been glued to my laptop engulfed in the New York Fashion Week cloud.  Viewing as many runway shows as possible until the toothpicks holding my eyelids open finally break has not only drastically increased my coffee intake to superhuman proportions but has also birthed many new folders on my desktop of images of anything and everything Fashion Week.  So instead of selfishly hoarding all of these pixels to myself I have decided to share some that inspire a part of me I never knew existed.  A part of me that wants to be draped in layers of lusciously dense fabrics, with my fingertips gloved, my feet wrapped in socks and laced in thick boots to fight the frigid temperatures and of course a fur hat placed strategically on top.  Anyone want to join me for a weekend of Scandinavian skiing? 

What do you think?  Any favorites?

Photos from Copenhagen Fashion Week.  Photographer: Louise Damgaard 

Music Monday: The xx

 

I am beyond thrilled to be in Orlando and going to see one of my favorite bands The xx tonight!  They are an English indie pop band and the vocals are out of this world.  Soft, sultry and heartfelt lyrics are bound keep you coming back for more.  If you haven't heard to them please take a listen to the song 'Chained' and let me know what you think.  

Happy Monday Pinheads! 

Rooney Mara Cooly Covers Vogue

Most of us recognize Rooney Mara as the distant, icy, rigid star of The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, which is why I was a little surprised to see her on the February cover of Vogue.  I don't know about anyone else, but I am ready to bask in the spring glory and leave the chilly feeling of being contained in a deep freezer every time I step out of my house behind me.  Although I have to admit I do find Rooney completely stunning and captivating. 

 

Here it is, one (hopefully) last look at the cold sensation that is winter.  Black, grey, and white will soon be leaving my closet in droves as I opt for lighter and brighter colors to embrace the onslaught of spring shower bringing many May flowers.  

All photos taken from Vogue.  Have a great weekend, Pinheads!