PEACE.

Not really liking blogger. Moving to tumblr.

http://insomniatictendencies.tumblr.com/

I'm also selling some really cute things this summer once I get through college and get back home. I'm going through a cleansing and going to get rid of a lot of things that I don't need but are incredibly cute. I'll keep you posted through tumblr.

Procrastinating with Pretty Pictures

from www.loicpeoch.com/

Astronomy Picture of the Day

The best site for a daily dose of cosmic beauty.
Click here

Broken Bells

If you were a fan of the Shins and have been missing out on your normal fix, you should definitely check out the Broken Bells. This band is composed of the Shins lead singer, James Mercer and Danger Mouse. Their tone is a bit different from the more upbeat Shins sounds you're used to but its perfect for more mellow atmospheres or a long road trip. Here are a few of my favorite tracks from their album:







If you like what you hear, all their tracks are up on youtube.

Home for the Weekend

I made a run out to Target today and spent $60 on impulse purchases. Here's what caught my eye:

I saw this on sale for $12 so why not?
I thought the studs on the sides of the zipper were a little Balenciaga-esque.

When it was on the rack, the strap was this length:

but the strap can be adjusted to be super long. I think i'll end up using it with the long strap and slinging it across my body.

there are also snaps on the strap that allow you to remove it and convert it into a wristlet.

I also picked up some heat protectant for the rare occasion that I decide to curl or straighten my hair. I've heard great things about the Tressume brand and it was pretty cheap (around $4) but I'll let you know how it goes once I've tried it.

I've been looking for a good shirt dress and I found one that I didn't hate (made by Converse). It looked pretty olive green in the store but when I brought it home it looked a little more faded.

                                                

Here is a close-up of the tie. Its pretty nice looking imitation leather. (sorry its not focused well)

This is what it looks like on:

I also picked out some movies to add to my collection that I've been meaning to buy for the longest time.

I only just realized that they both have huge eyes on them...I also tried to buy American Beauty but they've been sold out every time I've gone! That movie made me realize what a good actor Kevin Spacey is. 

April 2010 Playlist

Now that it's gotten warmer, my playlist has transitioned from slow, mellow music to more upbeat road trip music. I haven't been this happy with a playlist for a while so here are a few songs that I've been listening to on repeat:

Opposite of Adults-Chiddy Bang

Giving Up the Gun-Vampire Weekend

Side Note: Not sure why they chose Joe Jonas to be in their video...but there are a lot of other good cameos.


Tenuousness-Andrew Bird
(this is an AMAZING live version-probably my favorite live performance ever)

Side Note: Check out his other performances In the Basement because they're unbelievable. (Section 8 City is another great one)


Airplanes-Local Natives

Side Note: I recommend getting the entire album (Gorilla Manor)
Doesn't the intro kind of remind you of No Cars Go by the Arcade Fire?


Excuses-The Morning Benders
There's a little 1 minute explanation in the beginning.

Side Note: The Morning Benders new album is exponentially better than their last one and this is one of the best off of Big Echo. If you liked this, check out this excellent cover done by youtubers:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OD072SlIIWU


So(ul) Amazing-Blu&Exile
This totally makes me think of summer days in the city.



Diplomat's Son-Vampire Weekend
Love, love, love. Unfortunately, no video. Just amazing sounds.



Connect For-Common Market
Need a pick-me-up? Listen below.



Hey London-Chiddy Bang
I would have liked this so much more without the Alvin and the Chimpmunks-esque track that keeps repeating. Not sure if the rest of the song makes up for that annoying helium voice...



World Sick-Broken Social Scene
The guitar intro-ing in is what I imagine heaven sounds like.



Breakneck Speed-Tokyo Police Club
Not the normal fast paced music you expect from Tokyo Police Club. Perfect for long drives with the windows down.



Just a quick sampling of what's on my ipod. Leave your thoughts. Or go outside, sit back, and let the music do the talking. It's gorgeous out.

TRESemmé Fresh Start Review

I couple months ago, I decided to join the "No Poo" movement and wash my hair less often. I still rinse it with water but the problem was that my hair would get too oily near the roots on the days that I didn't wash it. TRESemmé Fresh Start dry shampoo looked pretty promising, so I picked it up the next time that I made a run out to Target. Unfortunately, I was pretty disappointed. But I'll lay out the pros and cons and let you decide for yourself.

Pros:

• Reduces SOME oil/shine.
• Relatively cheap.

Cons:

• Dries on as a white-ish color and doesn't completely brush out.
• Smells a little off.
• Makes your hair feel dirty/sticky/heavy.
• Doesn't completely reduce oil.

Now, I realize this sounds a little biased but I'm incredibly critical and usually notice the annoying things first. From my experience, I didn't feel that Fresh Start did a good enough job to even compare to washing your hair. It didn't live up to my expectations and I definitely wouldn't buy it again. I've probably used the product less than 5 times but I dislike it so much that I don't think I'll use the rest of the can.

I recently found a homemade shampoo recipe through StumbleUpon that I'm eager to try out this summer, which I'll update you on after I've tested it out. It uses baking soda for the "shampoo" and apple cider vinegar for the "conditioner." I'm pretty sure my hair will end up smelling terrible. But maybe that's a fair trade-off if it turns out healthier and shinier. 

The Best Chapstick I've Ever Used.

This has to be my favorite chapstick I've ever owned in my entire life. And i've owned a lot. I probably bought every flavor of Smackers chapstick when I was a kid. I liked Burt's Bees for a while because of the minty-ness but it made my lips feel weird. I don't know if there is a term for it but it was kind of the lip equivalent of pruny fingers I suppose? Plus I feel like all the chapsticks I used before made my lips "shed" and an inconsistent rate. I can't remember why I decided to buy the Nivea chapstick since I'm such a creature of habit but it had to be one of the best decisions that I've made.

There are so many things that distinguish this chapstick from others but here are the ones that I notice the most:

• It glides on so smooth to the point that it actually feels wet. 
• It offers SPF (even though its a low one)
• Also available without SPF (the cap is dark blue)
• Actually MOISTURIZES your lips without making them "pruny"
• Doesn't have any flavor/scent. I find that flavors make it seem cheap and they taste terrible.
• Not colored or dyed.
• Relatively cheap.
• The cap is like a sheath instead of the typical dinky chapstick caps.
• Easier to keep track of and it's just cooler in general.

Beauty Tip: For perfectly moisturized and healthy lips, I apply chapstick on at night before I go to sleep. Skin is more absorbent at night and you won't be tempted to constantly rub your lips together/smack them so it'll stay put. The chapstick can be properly absorbed and your lips will show a visible difference in no time at all.

Best Fashion Campaign. Ever.

What isn't there to like about this campaign?
No, really. I can't think of anything.

For some reason, the direction of me reminds me of Wes Anderson films, and Shirely Manson with Elijah Wood make me think of rich, heavily medicated, eccentric couples that I wished lived in my neighborhood.
And Zee Avi. Could they have chosen anyone better for the background music? Clearly I'm rambling but you catch my drift. What more could you ask for out of a campaign? I honestly can't get enough.

Intro

Somehow my mind manages to be the most active right when I'm trying to fall asleep. Maybe it's insomnia or maybe it's the Arizona Iced Tea I drank a few hours ago...Hopefully using this as an outlet can calm my insomniatic tendencies by getting my thoughts out on [digital] paper.

I apologize for this sucky first post, but hey. Its 3 AM. I'm dreading all the thing I have to get done tomorrow but hopefully when it quiets down I can actually post something of substance. For now, here's a panoramic of Paris that makes me wish I could speak French.