Travel days are the worst part of vacation. It means back to the regular routine: work, working out, laundry, and the end of relaxation. Luckily, I softened the blow by watching Jack Johnson in concert on M's iPad and sorting through all of the photos I snapped in Chicago. I can't wait to share some of them with you!
She is everywhere lately. Is anyone else listening to Lady Gaga's new album on repeat like me (especially at the gym!)?
Amazing. That pretty much sums up the Jack Johnson show from last night. I had a great time and it was definitely a highlight of my summer thus far. I was worried about the crazy thunderstorms that passed through most of yesterday, but it magically cleared up in the late afternoon and was gorgeous for tailgating and the concert! I threw together this Greek-style shrimp and orzo pasta salad (a huge hit) and paired it with cheese & crackers and some tasty brews for our picnic and we even managed to score amazing pavilion tickets at the (very) last minute. I felt up close and personal to the band, G Love, and of course Jack.
I've loved his music for a while now, but my admiration has skyrocketed since last night. He is amazingly talented and really puts on a fun, memorable show. It was nice to see lots of families and tons of green organizations promoting recycling, carpooling, and sustainability on the tour. I even waited in line for waaaay too long for the obligatory concert tee shirt (thanks babe!). Best part of the night: singing along at the top of my lungs to Banana Pancakes and hearing some great new songs off of To The Sea. You know it was a good show when you listen to the albums on the way home and all the next day. Oh, and he gave an adorable shout out to his mom & mother-in-law (who were in the audience). Love it.
I'm trying to convince M that we need to see another tour date. Preferably on the west coast.
Can't you see that it's just raining
Ain't no need to go outside...
But baby, you hardly even notice
When I try to show you this
Song is meant to keep ya
From doing what you're supposed to
Like waking up too early
Maybe we can sleep in
I'll make you banana pancakes
Pretend like it's the weekend now
I'm really looking forward to going to my first outdoor concert of the summer this evening. I'll be seeing Jack Johnson, which should be a great time, considering I associate so many of his songs with summertime! Marc & I are going to pack up some beverages and tasty snacks and get to the venue early to take advantage of tailgating and hopefully a gorgeous sunset. I have my fingers crossed that Jack will play my absolute favorite song of his, Banana Pancakes. The song has the ability to instantly put a smile on my face, which is ironic because I loathe bananas (with a passion). 
I hope you all enjoy your Saturday & have something fun planned for tonight!
Since I've been spending so much time at the gym lately, I've really been getting a lot of use out of my ipod. The problem is, I seldom stray from the few playlists I have with upbeat tempos (perfect for working out). In other words, I'm in a total music rut. It's boring, blah, and just plain lame. I need your help! What are your favorite motivational workout tunes? I'm not overly picky, just looking for fast-paced songs to keep me going. Feel free to suggest more than one song (or album).
I'm looking forward to hearing your recommendations!
Do yourselves a favor and go out and buy (or download) the new Roots album that came out today, How I Got Over. They never disappoint. Ever. Need proof? This is their eleventh album. Groups that lack talent don't continue to produce that many albums. They are also one of the best live acts I've experienced. Their success is well-deserved.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!
If I had a mini-me right now, I'd make sure he (or she) owned this rad little Beastie Boys onesie. Because it's never too early to start some hip-hop education. So cute.
So maybe I'm watching American Idol this season. Don't judge me, judge the Idols! Tonight I heard one of my favorite performances so far. Andrew Garcia did a very unique rendition of Chris Brown's song Forever with his acoustic guitar. It sounded great and Andrew exuded confidence. He has a fabulous voice! Check it out in the video below. The video quality is terrible, but it's the only one I could find and the audio wasn't affected.
I spotted this link at Happiness Is... and instantly became enamored with the 50+ variations of Gaga dolls. Veik (the artist) basically makes replicas of Lady Gaga's wild costumes and puts them on Barbie dolls. I must say, he is extremely creative and crafty. He really includes all of the little details, even down to dyed wigs, decorated sunglasses, and props. I encourage you to check out his Flickr set of photos. He isn't planning on selling the collection anytime soon, but he does offer some DIY tips so you can attempt to make a Gaga of your very own.Some of them look like they took a long time and a lot of planning. Check out the Hello Kitty gown below. Wow!
Urbanears has some headphones that I would love to get my hands on. I love the bright colors and the fact that there's not a brand name written all over them. My favorite ones are the sea foam green (they've dubbed it ocean). I've never been a fan of the little earbuds that come with ipods because they always fall out. These are great because they have a wide headband and look like they'll stay put. They even have a special jack where someone else can plug a set of headphones into them and listen to music with you! A great idea if you ask me. I can remember many car rides as a kid where my sisters and I would fight over sharing headphones. Problem solved! They even fold up to the size of a fist for easy storage in your bag. I have to give credit to Sam at Post Grad Hair Cut. She brought these to my attention as part of her Valentine gift feature.
The headphones have just recently arrived here in the US and they might even be carrying them soon at Nordstrom. For now, you get get your very own pair at Karmaloop. When I first saw them, I thought for sure that they were made by Apple, with the bright, simple design and all. I guess other companies are trying to appeal to those of us who can appreciate the sleek simplicity of monochromatic electronics.
I would be lying if I said I liked Lady Gaga, mostly because I don't just like her, I LOVE her. Are her outfits over the top? Sure. Are her music videos a little obscure? Definitely. Is she entertaining? YES! I think her fashion sense and outlandish personality are all just a part of the package and persona that she has created. I really do enjoy her music. It's catchy & energizing and you don't have to read too far into it. I find myself humming her songs throughout the day and some of the catch phrases become lodged in my mind indefinitely (Ra Ra-ah-ah-ah, Roma Roma-ma, Gaga Oh la-la). You get the point.
I was pleasantly surprised to find that Lady Gaga was recently hired by Polaroid (the camera company) as a creative director. I think this is a great move on their part. Sales of instant cameras have been tanking ever since digital cameras hit the market and have become mainstream. What better way to revive your product than by collaborating with one of the hottest pop artists currently on the scene? I have a feeling they may have a big campaign in the works to launch some fun, affordable instant cameras that somehow incorporate Gaga's unique style into the mix. Having always loved the satisfaction of an instant camera, this totally excites me. I cannot wait to see what's in store for this line (due out late this year)! In the meantime, take a look at this photo from Lady Gaga's blog where she displays her new business card!
