Currently Listening...

Yeasayer: "One"

They won't let you embed the video, so you gotta go here

One's not enough
I won't stop 'til I've given you up
Clear-eyed as I am, it's hard having fun
It's much easier said than it's done

Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution Awesomeness

I. Love. This. Show.

Can't say that enough!

It makes me smile and cheer for the people who are trying to change their lives for the better - and shake my head in disbelief at those who are so determined to be unhealthy and eat utter sh*t day in and day out.

Jamie has taken on a massive project, there's no doubt about it. Check out his website and take a moment to sign the petition. It's absolutely sickening to see what America's kids are eating in school every day, plus they don't even get knives and forks to eat with! And don't get me started on the pizza for breakfast. Barf. The school lady (I forget her name/job title) came in and told him that his beautiful veggie pasta and fruit was not enough fruit and veggies but the fried chicken sandwich and french fries counted (because there was an optional salad that no one chose)... Unbelievable. How have we gotten to this point? And why did it take someone coming all the way across from England to start any sort of change? The way the current establishment has screwed over the youth of our country is deplorable and it's high time parents demanded better. We're dooming them to a life of obesity, diabetes, and so many other health problems (like the high school girl who has spots on her liver and was told she might have 7 years to live because of her weight). Things can change, but it's going to be a rough road. This show is the catalyst we need to really begin to see things happen.

::end rant::

Plus, Jamie Oliver is just lovely. ;-) Gwyneth Paltrow interviewed him for GOOP, check it out.

I have to stop here and say thanks to my mom and dad for insisting we sit down and have dinner almost every night of my childhood, and especially to my mom for cooking those meals from scratch every day.

Jamie's food philosophy:

My philosophy to food and healthy eating has always been about enjoying everything in a balanced, and sane way. Food is one of life's greatest joys yet we've reached this really sad point where we're turning food into the enemy, and something to be afraid of. I believe that when you use good ingredients to make pasta dishes, salads, stews, burgers, grilled vegetables, fruit salads, and even outrageous cakes, they all have a place in our diets. We just need to rediscover our common sense: if you want to curl up and eat macaroni and cheese every once in a while – that's alright! Just have a sensible portion next to a fresh salad, and don't eat a big old helping of chocolate cake afterwards.

Knowing how to cook means you'll be able to turn all sorts of fresh ingredients into meals when they're in season, at their best, and cheapest! Cooking this way will always be cheaper than buying processed food, not to mention better for you. And because you'll be cooking a variety of lovely things, you'll naturally start to find a sensible balance. Some days you'll feel like making something light, and fresh, other days you'll want something warming and hearty. If you've got to snack between meals, try to go for something healthy rather than loading up on chocolate or potato crisps. Basically, as long as we all recognize that treats should be treats, not a daily occurrence, we'll be in a good place. So when I talk about having a 'healthy' approach to food, and eating better I'm talking about achieving that sense of balance: lots of the good stuff, loads of variety, and the odd indulgence every now and then.

gratuitous cuteness

If I ever happen to find myself planning a wedding, Eunice and Daniel's wedding featured on Martha Stewart Weddings is right up my alley. It's so whimsical and fun! I am not a fan of traditional weddings; this one was exactly perfect.

And oh my lord, her dress. I'd get married tomorrow if I could have that dress. Not to mention the crowns and fake 'staches they were sporting at the reception! Swoon. What an adorable couple! More at Hello!Lucky.

Between Alice in Wonderland and that wedding dress, I've decided I need to stop effing around and take sewing lessons. Only problem is I live in Nashville and I'm fairly sure those don't exist here, as I've yet to stumble across them. Anyone around here know something I don't?

It's taking every ounce of my will power not to buy every single thing on the victorian-inspired front page of etsy tonight! My faves:

1930s Industrial Sewing case from Epoca Eclectic

These lace up boots from SkinandWood are in perfect condition and are oh-so-lovely! If they were in black I'd snap them up. I still might.. So hands off, dear readers! ;)

I'm imagining the 25,000 different ways I could use this brooch from JeepersKeepers in a dance costume (along with just about everything else in that store!)

Speaking of etsy, I just posted some new hoops in my store. Please go buy one so I can buy those boots.

Today I'm listening to Wilco's Yankee Hotel Foxtrot; it's been a long while since they've graced my work playlist but it's the perfect soundtrack for this grey, mellow Wednesday afternoon.

I also managed to read this awesome blog Tiny-Ass Apartment in it's entirety; I can't wait to move into my next (undoubtedly small) place in a few months and start decorating! There are some really great ideas and I had to stop myself from purchasing room dividers and Ikea furniture on the spot, since I have no idea what type of space I'm about to land in. Check out the latest entry - it's a teeny-tiny French apartment. And by teeny-tiny I mean 134 square feet. I can't imagine living in such a small place (hula hooping inside would be out of the question!) but the architect who fixed it up managed to make it a lovely space. I'd feel like I was living on a boat if that were my place. And this couch/bunk bed transformers-ish thing.. so rad!

In other news: scooter weather has finally arrived! Now if it would just quit raining...

Stepped off the plane at LAX

I accidentally deleted the first paragraph of this post and I'm too tired to try to re-do it. So you get the abridged version of the LA trip. (The first paragraph wasn't all that exciting anyway. Promise.)

Highlights:

The Waffle - Home of the Waffle Sandwich, my new favorite food. SO GOOD!

Cat & Fiddle Pub - If I lived in LA this would be my weeknight hang for sure. The outside patio is perfect and they have great beer, as any self-respecting pub should. 

The Griffith Observatory - We hiked to the Observatory from our hotel and saw a show in the planetarium; I geeked out because they filmed Rebel Without A Cause there. Hiking in shorts in February? Yes, please, and thanks.

My House - Drinks and dancing. Two of my favorite things!

The Velvet Margarita Cantina - besides having a totally fabulous name, it had blue velvet booths and $5 margaritas and burritos the size of my head. 

Native Boutique - Four words: Twenty Dollar Sale Rack. Not to mention beautiful clothes that one else in Nashville is wearing. It's our little secret, ok? 

P.S. On an un-LA-related note, I got bangs. I haven't had bangs since, oh, middle school. But I love 'em! Everyone run to the salon and get bangs right now! I'm serious, it's so much fun. Why didn't I do this like 5 years ago?

Bonnaroo Lineup Announced!

I made the ones I dig purple :)

THE 2010 BONNAROO LINEUP

Dave Matthews Band • Kings of Leon • Stevie Wonder • Jay-Z • Tenacious D • Weezer • The Flaming Lips with Stardeath and White Dwarfs perform "Dark Side of the Moon" • The Dead Weather • Damian Marley & Nas • Phoenix • Norah Jones • Michael Franti & Spearhead • John Fogerty • Regina Spektor • Jimmy Cliff • LCD Soundsystem • The Avett Brothers • Thievery Corporation • Rise Against • Tori Amos • The National • Zac Brown Band • Les Claypool • John Prine • The Black Keys • Steve Martin & the Steep Canyon Rangers • Jeff Beck • Dropkick Murphys • She & Him • Against Me! • The Disco Biscuits • Daryl Hall & Chromeo • Jamey Johnson • Clutch • Bassnectar • Kid Cudi • Baaba Maal • Kris Kristofferson • Medeski Martin & Wood • The xx • GWAR • Dan Deacon Ensemble • Tinariwen • Wale • Deadmau5 • The Melvins • Gaslight Anthem • Miike Snow • The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band • Dr. Dog • They Might Be Giants • Punch Brothers • Isis • Blitzen Trapper • Blues Traveler • Miranda Lambert • Calexico • OK Go • Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue • Martin Sexton • Lotus • Baroness • Dave Rawlings Machine • Mayer Hawthorne and the County • Japandroids • Jay Electronica • Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros • Ingrid Michaelson • The Dodos • Manchester Orchestra • The Temper Trap • Cross Canadian Ragweed • Big Sam's Funky Nation • Carolina Chocolate Drops • Needtobreathe • Tokyo Police Club • The Entrance Band • Local Natives • Brandi Carlile • Mumford & Sons • Rebelution • Diane Birch • Monte Montgomery • Julia Nunes • The Postelles • Lucero • Here We Go Magic • Hot Rize • Neon Indian • B.O.B

I have to say, Miranda Lambert is not one I would've guessed; good for her. Can't WAIT to see a full set from Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeroes! And, um.. Jay-Z? Yes please. Also excited to see the Black Keys; I've been thinking about using one of their songs for a belly dance piece. Same with Dead Weather. <3 Thievery and Bassnectar are always dancetastic and I want to give the Kings of Leon another chance; wasn't impressed the one time I saw them a couple years ago.

Now to find a pass because after last year I learned my lesson: this girl cannot hang unless there's access to a/c and free drinks. cue Beyonce: I'm a, I'm a, a diva.