GROUND CONTROL

who needs a title!

2012-01-28T17:03:00.001-06:00

So...it's been awhile.

I'm sorry, that was the most I could come up with for my intro. A lot has gone on, while at the same time it feels as if nothing has gone on. I'm back at my parents house which is an adjustment. Which is odd, because I was only away from living within this establishment for almost two years time, which is not that significant. It's also weird to think of yourself as needing to adjust into a house in which you grew up in, but the things you grow accustomed to doing outside of your parents roof is hard to adjust out of once you get back living there. Nothing bad, per say, but just small habits you found yourself doing that may not have gone over so hot while rooming with your rents.

Although, I have to say that 2012 is going rather well. I seem to have melted into a stable environment and I can't say anything bad about that. I find myself riding along rather complacently down the old streets and it almost feels like I never left. So this whole jumble of "re-adjustment" and "feeling right at home" are merging, but the end result isn't so bad.

I've created my room to my hearts content and find myself happily in one of the largest bedrooms of the household. My counterpart has come over and "hooked" up my room with all the proper electronics I require (I know, I hate myself for it too) and now I feel pretty good in my own little space. I now find my time spent much differently. I've been a crocheting fool as well as spending time delving into my old tunes on my iPod I found while packing up the other house. My little nook is rather eclectic and I wouldn't have it any other way.

My friend mentioned that this whole 'Parents for roommates' situation is kind of like a re-set button on me figuring out my life. Mostly because I sort of feel like I'm in high school again without all the silly rules. My parents are doing what they can to make the adjustment easy...or something. It's the biggest drag in the world trying to conjure up a plan for yourself. Okay, I guess it's not "the biggest drag" but sometimes it seems pretty damn awful. There are a billion things I want to do. Settling on a few routes seems horrid. I want to perform or promote the hell out of something I believe it. Most importantly, I need to C R E A T E. It is vital to my existence. I need to keep getting inspired to the bone. Needless to say, I am enjoying being 10 minutes away from friends and a glorious 15 minute drive away from work. That gives me adequate time to sing about four Florence songs, or maybe just the same one four times over?

Here are some pictures to sum up my life that has occurred over the past few weeks:

Yep. I look like a Brooks Brothers wife.

I have dyed my hair red. It was time for a change.

If I'm making adjustments, it's likely my hair is going to have to do the same thing.

I actually really like it, yet was terrified because red is the only colour I have not done myself.

I am no stranger to box dye and typically have fabulous luck with it, but I wasn't sure how this would go.

Needless to say, I hope I will stay red for awhile, the best part is that I still feel like myself.

When I've had black/brunette hair in the past... I just feel odd.

I also feel like this hair colour requires a whole different look. Everything needs a collar.

I got a custom order to do a voodoo doll on a cookie.

I was so amped because I love doing weird shit like this on cookies!

Recent cookies I did, cupcake cookies. Gets me every time.

I took a sushi class at Sur La Table with one of my best friends, Meredith.

Her mom had gotten her the class for Christmas and had paid for a friend to take the class.

We ended up eating a making a ton more than I anticipated.

The rolls we made were: California, Spicy Tuna, Rainbow (shown above), and a handroll using Eel which is featured below. Everything was absolutely delicious.

I just made this hat the other day.

Crocheting has been a big part of my life lately, especially because I found a goldmine of my old yarn within my parents house. It's rather exhilarating.

In the past few weeks I've gone ahead and decided to open up a little Etsy shoppe

www.etsy.com/shop/tessacrocheted

Seriously. A crocheting fool is who I be!!

Let's just say I was way into this outfit in recent days.

I literally think everything in this outfit is thirfted minus the boots and socks.

I love the sweater, but the skirt is the real gem. I thrifted it brand new for $12 and it was $150.00 initially.

I scored this Pendleton coat in the Portland Goodwill.

When I tried it on, about 5 people came up to me and told me I must purchase it.

So I paid $50 for the originally marked $300 brand new coat and walked out revved.

This was when I initially got it and couldn't even wait to be pictured downtown wearing it...

I know. whataloser.

Sometimes I feel like my pictures sum it up best versus me trying to come up with words to describe the past month. Hopefully I can keep up with this sucker. I hope you guys have been keeping it as real!

twenty twelve. ah, it feels nice.

2012-01-01T15:58:00.003-06:00

Oh, 2011, you were full of it, just full of it. The good, the bad, and the ugly.

I can honestly say that I was one exuberant being when that clock hit midnight and 2011 was no more. Of course this was displayed by me crying my face off while 'Shake It Out' played perfectly along in the background. Some good things happened, but so few that I could count them on one hand. I feel like when I think back on this past year, it's like I'm trying to recall being washed away in a large wave that washed me away, cut me open, and poured its salty waters into my wounds. Yeah...like I said, it wasn't the best. I cannot exactly pinpoint it to one thing, except the fact that I anticipated the age of twenty three to be a complete drag. After such an uplifting year in 2010, I was so apprehensive to step into something new that hadn't had anything to prove. In 2010 I was golden, I was 22 and on top of the world. This past year was full of extreme highs and lows, being shuffled around with my job, contemplating what my body would look like hanging from the low ceilings at work, and just constant contemplation of what the real purpose of being here was, what was POSSIBLY going to make me WANT to live another year? This is where I think that maybe getting too into the political regime and being an informed person of society may have been to blame for this edge I had gained. DO PEOPLE EVEN SEE WHAT'S GOING ON?! I know it seems rather morbid, but just reeelaaxxxx. Ahh, alas. Some refuge...Unfortunately I had to wait until December to realize that everything was going to be just fine, fortunately, IT. WAS. TOTALLY. WORTH IT.

This past year had some gems, so I feel like I should point those out before you come over here and tattoo "Sad Sack" across my forehead; I sported some groovy outfits, I was 22 for three months of it [and then it all went to hell], I met some wonderful people, attended some rad weddings, got real "news-y", NY Fall Fashion week floored me this year, I saw Florence + The Machine TWO TIMES [1,2] as well as The Black Keys, Florence Welch said my name AND TOUCHED MY FLESH! Ceremonials dropped and became one of the best albums of my life, I actually went to a Halloween party and had a good costume, I put together a little bucket list, I consumed a lot of Portillo's, I SAW THE JELLIES!, and I became sort of a social networking whore. Yeah. There were other things scattered about, but if it weren't for past blog posts scattered in between moments of sanity, then I'm not sure how much recollection I would really have of the good.

Oh, you made the last leg of 2011 so, so, so good and worth it.

Me dressed as Rachel Maddow with an awesome older lady I met.

The nun/Maddow pairing picture was necessary!

and then some dancing happened...

a few outfits...

The food that got me through! Portillo's

The Jellies came to the Shedd Aquarium.

I mean, good things happened, no doubt, but it was come and go, lackadaisical happiness. I was just consumed with this unbearable sadness and contemplation that seemed to drive me in circles and get me absolutely nowhere. If there is one thing that drives me mad its that thing that everyone expects from you; you charting out your life's greatest plan, unveiling how you plan to make millions to support yourself. I know you are supposed to be doing this, having some grand idea of how you can fulfill your life as well as those around you. At the end of the day, I know that with age comes more "searching" for that security. I disdain this process although I know it's exceedingly important. I anticipate moving soon and getting out of this area that I've been living in for the past twenty two months. You'd think that number amount would make me happy, but it doesn't in the slightest. I am anticipating a 10 minute drive to work, being closer to friends and family, and just being in a better environment.

This New Years, my counterpart and I forewent our usual plans. We typically head up to Milwaukee to the Hotel Metro or drive 20 minutes in to Chicago and stay at the Hotel Monaco. We get tickets to the main show in the city that year, [last year, The Black Keys, the year before, Spoon] and then return back to our favourite rooms that we always book when we stay at those locations. This year it would have been fun, but it wasn't necessary or really feasible with us moving in week's time. So we found ourselves seated on the floor, sipping champagne, and watching some of our favourite episodes. It was the way to go.

AH HA! IT IS SNOWING! YAY. Little Flurries.

So all in all, I anticipate 2012 being more flashy and fun and I only say this because 2011 was like being dragged by a horse for 345 days (assuming that twenty days were tolerable). I don't necessarily have any resolutions that consist of being shared via blog or really to anyone. Resolutions are kind of like those little self goals/secrets you have that once you let someone behind it all, it doesn't really stay yours anymore. The idea and goal becomes much more impersonal and now becomes something you must fulfill because now it's expected of you. Therefore, let's just hope to keep it rockin'. Hopefully this year takes you on a journey and slaps you across the face hard. Even though I feel like my year was something that I could put on the 'things I disdain' list, I learned something. I became a stronger god damn person because of it. You better bet that I would have liked to take a horse tranq of a sleeping pill and slept through most of it, but I'm glad I didn't, because now I know there can only be better.

Cheers to you and yours in the New Year!

-Tessa

Florence + The Machine: The Chicago Theatre

2011-12-05T18:55:00.033-06:00

Tonight was a game changer. A huge game changer. If I've ever started any entry with "tonight has been a life-changing moment", erase that from your memory, and let's start fresh here. I'm pretty sure greatness happened on the night of December Fourth. We can thank a marvelous team of people; FLORENCE + THE MACHINE, Laura Marling, LIN BREHMER, my mother, Brooke, WXRT, The Chicago Theatre, Greek Islands, and State & Lake. However, this is the whole. Let's focus in.

...and by "focus in" I mean let's go back a week when I first sparked the idea of sending Miss Florence Welch and her fabulous band a cookie bouquet. After all, we had just expanded our delivery zone to Chicago after merging shoppes and I KNEW I had to do something to show my appreciation in one of the best ways I knew how. I wasn't sure if I could make this happen. Sending edibles is such a risk these days, which is unfortunate when there is no harm in them. I didn't care, I just wanted her to admire the hell out of them. Would she even get them? I just imagined coat check workers eating them. So I conjured up some ideas. I knew these had to be ultra personal and really meaningful. It was so much more of a challenge then I thought because for the most part it was all stuff I had never decorated before. I loved that and just the thought of her even catching a glimpse of them made it that much more enjoyable to do. I am so lucky I had the opportunity to do this. Here is how they turned out;

"Shake It Out"

This is obviously a huge song off the album and it is one of the ones that holds the most meaning.

This show was something I felt that would help me let go of a lot,

hence the phrase I chose to put on the cookie.

This song just has such a catharsis effect on my body.

The sky is glazed to show that "It's always darkest before the dawn"

Yes, the girl is supposed to be me...shaking it out.

My favourite one, to show her "Ceremonials"

I was the most excited when I came up with this idea.

I glazed the sky "pink and gold and glittering"

I knew that I had to do something to represent "Only If For A Night"

(which I KNEW would be the perfect opening song for this tour-YES!)

"...My own secret ceremonials before the service began

In the graveyard, doing handstands"

I hope this was her favourite too.

'Cosmic Love'-obviously.

I had to do something to represent this song.

It means so much to me & it was the song I lost it to last time I saw her-yeah, big time tears in Milwaukee for this chick. Anywho, I would have LOVED to have decorated her sitting on the moon like in her promo, but let's be honest, I have another year of decorating in me for that, but seriously, things like that are in my grasp. MAYBE NEXT TOUR!

Wow. The Game Changer cookie.

You will find out later why this was indeed the GC cookie.

I thought this would be a great little touch on the name cookie for her to represent 'Spectrum'

"Say my name, and every colour illuminates, we are shining..."

This is my favourite song, on par with 'Shake It Out'

It was vital I included this song with her name.

The bouquet in full.

I had to include/single out Tom and Isabella because they are such a vital sound. I tried to snag some pictures off the screen when they played Saturday Night Live and recreate his harp. For Isabella, I wanted to do a piano/keyboard mix. I know her birthday is on Halloween and wanted to include something a little personal for her as well. I wish I had more time with these. I could have spent ALL DAY making them more intricate. I was in love with the 'New Jack Thanksgiving' sketch that was on Saturday Night Live and had to include something humorous in that bouquet to make her laugh. Flo Diggity Flo Doubt was her character name in the sketch. Check it out HERE.

So I decorated them, had them delivered to The Chicago Theatre on Saturday, hoping that Straight No Chaser had no intentions of scarfing them down, and just hoped for the best.

When Sunday rolled around I could not have been more excited.

This was like the prom all over again, kids, but WAY WAY better because I was actually excited for this.

pre-show snapshot.

I caught a good dinner with my mom at Greek Islands West and headed out to The Chicago Theatre. We had plenty of time to spare, so we had a couple of drinks and met up with my friend Brooke next door at State & Lake within The Wit hotel. The Tanqueray + tonic's had me feeling perfect before we headed in around 7:15. My mom (who I turned into an avid Flo fan, that's right) and I had row 13, two seats in from the aisle. Brooke was on the main floor, but separate from us. Just before we had sat down, we had asked a house manager to find out if Florence had received my bouquet. He told me to meet him back after Laura Marling and he would find out and let me know. This was invigorating. Now I was going to actually be able to find out if she got it and put it to rest.

I was revved when Lin Brehmer appeared on stage to introduce Laura Marling.

Yes, I was standing up. Screaming.

WXRT is a big deal, people.

Laura came on around 7:45 and played an adorable 8 song set, I believe. She was so cute and I'm glad that I got to hear her. She has a great voice, reminiscent of Joni Mitchell/young Chrissie Hynde.

So after Laura Marling had finished her set, I had headed back out and I ran into the House Manager. He informed me that Florence did indeed get my bouquet. Cue to me bursting into tears and unable to hold my composure. She got it. That was all that mattered. I could not be happier. I just hope she loved it. So we all regrouped to go out into grab a quick cigarette in between my crying fits.

We took our seats and the curtains parted and Lin Brehmer appeared once again to introduce Florence.

This was like the British Invasion all over again.

I loved the backdrop and the set for her show, it was beautiful.

My mom and I had debated ALL DAY over what song she was going to open with.

My mom was convinced it would be "Howl"

"BUT MA! SHE OPENED WITH HOWL HER LAST TOUR!"

I said that opening with "Only If For A Night" would be perfect because it sets off and explains Ceremonials.

When she did, I could not believe it! She played a great line-up, really high energy and rather mind blowing.

*If you see Florence + The Machine and at some moment "Mind Blowing" doesn't come into your head to describe what you are hearing or seeing, see a doctor immediately!*

I was a little confined in my row, so I was sure to make my way into the aisle because dancing to Florence is extremely vital. I was shocked by the number of people SITTING DOWN during her performance, but I was almost grateful for it because it gave me such a marvelous view.

This was during 'Cosmic Love', which I DID NOT record but is absolutely amazing.

THIS was when I was like "Excuse me girls, I need to get into the aisle for this one!"

It was so important it did. Now that I hear it again, I cannot believe I lived it. It was a cloud 9 experience.

I'm sorry, more like a cloud 9,000 experience.

I was so excited that we got to hear "All This & Heaven Too" live for the first time. T'was perfect.

I hope Isabella saw me give her the thumbs up afterward!

I am so glad because I saw Florence + The Machine the last show of her tour in the states and this (I believe) was the first show of this tour. I cannot complain with how that worked out.

I continued aisle dancing and she had made an announcement that she had gone through all of the gifts that she had received from the past Chicago shows, and how they had kept them and had just come across them. I thought this was my acknowledgement and thought that was great she kept all of her gifts. I was just wondering if my card was among that pile.

So during the course of the show I had sort of made good with the people around me and had met this awesome Florence fan who was quite the fellow. He had wished me "Happy Florence Day" when we first started chatting. I knew he was a 1/32 of a soulmate. During the course of the show he had ran down to the front of the stage. He had a flower that he has successfully passed off to Flo who then whipped it around as if conducting spells as she sang. I had gotten there just seconds before she had come and gone. I had ran back to my mom to tell her I was up front enjoying the amazing-ness that was inches away from the stage and then told her how I would be heading back to the stage front. I could not believe it. Here I was again, front row for Flo. I thought I had missed my chance to touch her flesh and was a tad disappointed, but knew I should be happy I was that close.

So at this point, the concert is nearing its end and she still had not played 'Spectrum'

There was a break and all of a sudden she started talking about a cookie basket she had received!

She had asked someone to fetch her the basket I had sent her.

Here she was, the amazing Miss Florence Welch, holding the cookie bouquet I made.

I picked out that basket, tissued it, designed it, sent it...I could just die.

AN ENORMOUS THANK YOU TO RACHAEL WHO MADE THIS PHOTO HAPPEN!

I REALLY APPRECIATE IT!

I was in shock, but was smart enough to put my 5'2 little self on a chair [I'm not on a chariot either! ;)]

She began explaining what some of them were because of the personal touch on them. She picked up the one with her name on it, her star, and held it up and explained how it said her name on it, so we knew what song was coming next. Florence then put the bouquet on the drum set stand as if it were for display. She asked who did it and I raised my hand and said "ME! ME! ME!" which then led her to look at me and say "You did this?"

I'm sorry, did I start LEVITATING HERE?!

"YES!"

She asked me my name, and "Tessa" came from my mouth, SANS TEARS! I was not crying like an infant!

I believe my named escaped her lips in acknowledgement.

She grabbed my hand. MY HAND. AND THEN...

She pulled me in for a hug. PULLED ME IN FOR A HUG.

I am so glad the bouquet meant something to her because it meant something to me too.

It was an absolutely surreal experience. I regret not remembering what her amazing dress felt like.

I regret not remembering every single ounce of that moment and feeling. You just can't when something like this happens. I am so grateful for that moment.

Another photo snagged by Rachael

Holding up her star cookie with her name on it explaining that 'Spectrum' would be next'

EDIT: (Jan. 28)

IT IS HERE!!

I went snooping and found this on youtube! YES! Thank you so much!

This is the shot of the basket on the drum stand!

It was the least I could do. I just..I cannot believe it.

I stayed on that chair the rest of that concert. I needed to. It was my Flo platform.

By the time this had happened, Brooke and my mom were able to join me by the stage.

After the show had wrapped up, [did it really HAVE to?], I called out to Tom, the wonderful harpist who makes tears possible on 'Spectrum', and asked for his setlist. See how it's ripped? I saw that man's struggle. Stage tape is a bitch.

I love it even more that it's ripped. This makes it look more real, more 'Rock 'N Roll', eh?

I spent the rest of the night getting into excitement/cry fits, resisting changing anything about my appearance, and looking at pictures from the evening try to confirm if it did all happen.

I am dying to get my hands on a video/clip/picture of this whole thing.

Unfortunately, the people I was with didn't capture this. If you did, send it my way!

A picture of that hug, or her holding that bouquet would make my life!

All in all, this was an AMAZING night. I probably have stressed that word in this post, but it's the pure truth.

tessaabee@gmail.com

TWEETS THAT MADE MY NIGHT:

LinBrehmer Lin Brehmer

Florence just showed the crowd her cookies.

20 hours ago Favorite Retweet Reply

LinBrehmer Lin Brehmer

Actual cookies

20 hours ago Favorite Retweet Reply

LunamothTom Tom Moth

@fatm_lover Too late! pic.twitter.com/hfIW63FS

4 Dec Unfavorite Undo Retweet Reply

LunamothTom Tom Moth

@fatm_lover here it is pic.twitter.com/kIs3UvxL

19 hours ago Favorite Retweet Reply

Thank you to everyone who made it an amazing night!

Read WXRT's review HERE

Pictures of then.

2011-11-18T00:05:00.000-06:00

Forget saddle shoes. I took these bad boys swiftly out of the bowling alley a long time ago.

Oddly enough, last week was the first time I've decided to rock them...and I've had them for 6 years.

This is one of my favourite sweaters turned inside out.

I still cannot determine what I like better, but I realised it makes a HUGE difference.

The pattern on the other side is totally different. I think it's neat how much it can change an outfit, just by turning it inside out. Next time you see a gnarly sweater at the thrift, pop it inside out and see how it looks.

Staying up past 3am allocates some Full House watchin'.

On this particular night, I couldn't help but notice this awesome outfit D.J. was wearing.

Let's just say it's something that I would definitely sport myself.

SUNDAY MORNING, BABY!

I grabbed this pack of buns from Trader Joe's.

I love getting delicious yummies for Sunday mornings.

Unfortunately, I could only finish one of these dudes, but it was tasty to the max.

I came across this on my walk.

WHAT. A. GEM.

There is this awesome house on the street over that does this huge display in their yard and while I've never seen the show, I've walked past the display numerous times during the day on my walks.

This was left up the other day and I can only hope it continues to stay up all year round. Too rad.

.on my walk.

WOMP WOMP WOMPPPPPPPP!!

Ceremonials - Florence + The Machine

2011-11-06T18:58:00.011-06:00

This past week on Tuesday, if you live in the states that is, one of the most important occurrences of the year had occurred. Florence + The Machine's second album, Ceremonials, had dropped, leaving us with more enamoring vocals, eerie mystic pop, and words that make me want to grab her hand and runaway to lovable lyric land. Then the thought occurs "OH MY GOD what would happen if I actually got to hold her hand?!?!?! and then run away with her!?!" :: maintaining composure:: Needless to say every song on Ceremonials is my new favourite song. It was recorded at Abbey Road and if you take a gander at the studio, you can see that it is the perfect spot for Flo to unleash her vivacious vocals. And she did.

I admit, it may be a tad biased. I will love anything she ever does...ever. She got me through tremendous amounts with her first album. There could be a version of her singing the alphabet in a hallway somewhere and I'd be like "Oh yeah, can you get me that in an MP3 and Vinyl version, ASAP?" The most unusual part of Ceremonials to me is how many people have access to it after such a short period of time of it coming out. I had the glorious Lungs to myself for a good year before it was anywhere, let alone in the ears of the masses or found anywhere on a frequency. However, this is not going to be a story about a girl who loved a musician more than anyone thought possible and then she got all famous and she totally ditched this artist she loved because all these other people started getting in on the fun. But this isn't some shitty garage band you fell in love with and they got huge and you started hating them because their music just got bloody awful. THIS IS FLORENCE, PEOPLE! I WANT everyone to be exposed to this bands work and not only like it, but LOVE it

I tend to have a rather difficult time delving into new albums. I generally shun out 'new sounds' by an artists whose 'old sounds' have captured my heart in just the right way. I just worry, "WHAT IF THERE IS NO CAPTURING?!" Mind you, I wasn't really "nervous" in this instance, but I glided through this album with such delicious ease. I desperately wanted to listen to every little beat in order, no skips, no repeats. I fell in love. Song after song. I wanted to give this album to every single being I know. A few songs stood out to me, but the general consensus was, "Oh, good god, she stole the other half of my heart". The first part was taken by Lungs in 2009. I can tell you, that her albums come out at time where they are absolutely vital to me. Her songs are almost replications of my emotions being yanked out and thrown into musical composition. IT IS ABSOLUTELY AMAZING. Her words puncture my soul and make me bleed musical ambition. Let's get rolling with my favourite songs in the order they appear on the album [which is impossible because they are all my favourite, remember?...]

2). Shake It Out

I can guarantee some tears will be shed during this song when I see her Dec. 4

This is obviously the breadwinner of the album and I am so revved to dance it out in her presence. It is the new 'Dog Days' and we all knew how hard I clung to that...

wait..you probably have NO CLUE how hard I remained loyal to that song, but I did.

I love it to pieces no matter how many times XRT plays it.
Again, this song is just what I needed right now.

Favourite lyrics from this song:

"...And all of the ghouls come out to play

Every demon wants his pound of flesh

But I like to keep somethings to myself

I like to keep my issues strong

It's always darkest before the dawn.."

&

"I'm always dragging that horse around, our love has pastured such a mournful sound,
tonight I'm gonna bury that horse in the ground!"

This is not where I will be sitting, I have two other tickets.

(I'm taking my mom this time around)

This is actually going to be a ticket for one of my girlfriends.

I am so glad I can provide her with a Florence ticket so she can be rocked by her presence. It's a pretty phenomenal experience.

They have this saying..."Third time's a charm".

I hold no doubts.

6). Lover To Lover

I really liked this song and as soon as I heard it and I felt like I was thrown back to some Motown grooves. Does anyone else feel me on this? I enjoy it and can't wait until she plays it live. I think it would make such a groovy opener. I don't get a general consensus in my adoration for it, but I like that even more. Plus, it is so fun to sing along to

...but not as fun as 'Shake It Out'.

Favourite lyrics from this jam:

"And I've been taking chances

I've been setting myself up for the fall

I've been keeping secrets,

from my heart and from my soul"

THIS NEXT SONG IS A KNOCKOUT. I CANNOT WAIT TO DANCE UP AND DOWN THE AISLES OF THE CHICAGO THEATRE LIKE I AM IN A POW-WOW CEREMONY. I HOPE THEY LET ME!

7). No Light, No Light

She is absolutely stunning in this video, I cannot even believe it.

FLORENCE, THIS MAKES ME WANT TO KISS YOUR FACE!

she looks absolutely stunning

I had to post the live version because I wasn't going to stand for another album cover video. This song just makes me FEEL, you know?!

Favourite lyrics from this groove:

"I never knew daylight could be so violent

a revelation in the light of day

you can't choose what stays and what fades away"

"You want a revelation? You want to get right?

Well that's a conversation, I just can't have tonight"

*Edit: I actually woke up with the above lyrics in my head every single day for a good two weeks when this album came out. So amazing.

8). Seven Devils

I love this song, but cannot seem to score a good video for it.

I love how powerful it is. It is definitely something I have to choreograph a dance to. It's just too powerful not to use your whole body to express it. The lyrics here are great, but one always sticks out to me like crazy;

Favourite lyric:

"And no rivers and no lakes, can put the fire out"

I hope the intensity is there when she performs this, but I know better than having to hope for such things at her concerts. It'll be there.

NOW FOR THE FAVOURITE SONG ON THE ALBUM!!!!

10). Spectrum

BOTH VERSION THROWDOWN!

This song utterly amazing. It is my go-to sing-a-long song right now.

I will be rocking so hard to this in that theatre. THAT HARP?!

Absolutely amazing. I think those beautiful seconds where she is gently singing along to it where be the moments where I am balled up on the floor of the Chicago Theatre-CRYING.

I imagine a spin combo something like this when I hear that part;

[any chance to show off my favourite skating video of mine, right?]

seriously, yo! The timing works.

here's how to do to it for one rockin' Florence spin combo!

1) mute sound on skating video

2) start it from the top

3) start playing live version (just above) at 2:50

It will work out just swell, I swear.

This song also makes me want to hit the ice HARD. Can I sheepishly admit I've always wanted to do one of those cheesy ice shows where the artist is performing live for the skater? And I've always wanted to do that with Florence, he he! I choreograph something new in my head each time I hear it, or any of her songs really. It is just absolutely magic. The lyrics make me feel fluttery, light, and whimsical. The make me feel like the power of uttering ones name is more intense than I had once imagined...and my god, just look at her...

::drools::

Favourite lyric:

"So say my name and every colour illuminates

And we are shining..."

"And when we come back we'll be dressed in black

And you'll scream our names aloud!

And we won't eat and we won't sleep

We'll drag bodies from their graves!"

13). Remain Nameless

I love this song. It doesn't remind me of any other Florence song in terms of beat.

It gives off 'The XX' vibe, which I feel works well here.

Needless to say, I embraced this album with every ounce of my being.

I knew it would likely be delightful, but I didn't expect anything quite like this.

When I first fell head-over-heels in love with Lungs, I pondered what the sophomore album was going to be like, I had imagined the excitement that would be created around the release. I just knew that it wasn't going to be Lungs. And that's okay,because part of me wants to say that it's better, that I like it even more.

Songs like "Never Let Me Go" have a serious Celine Dion sound to them and

it makes me think Florence will be flocking to stages for some time to come and that kind of thinking gets me so excited! I better still be seeing her when I have gray hairs.

YEAH FLO, YOU GO!

YOU HAVE CREATED MAGIC.

THANK YOU.

I am so excited that they've reached Number One in the UK although it really comes as no surprise at all.

I love the exchange of tweets here, these gals are fun.

isamachine isabella

@flo_tweet can you reallllllllllly be bothered to do #xfactor ? I mean , the albums at number 1 we could just chill out?? ..... X

9 hours ago Favorite Retweet Reply

flo_tweet florence welch

by isamachine

@isamachine soooo, what do you wanna do tonight? Roast? Film? ...or perform on x factor. Casual sunday..xx

9 hours ago

isamachine isabella

@flo_tweet I can wear my pterodactyl costume right?

9 hours ago

isamachine isabella

@flo_tweet so errrr which song we doing later? #justkiddin... X

Older Flo posts that you may enjoy;

one . two . three

"Every demon wants his pound of flesh..."

2011-11-05T22:43:00.005-05:00

This week was busy, but full of good things.

Halloween was this week which is absolutely fantabulous!...

but that was also the inevitable end of October, which is one of my favourite months of the year due to it's heavy inspirational take-over. The spookiness was in full swing on Monday and I am so glad some plans came my way.

Not having plans on Halloween sort of feels like not having plans on your birthday.

One of my girlfriends was in town last week and came by to catch up, which is always so nice and so necessary. It was cut early because I had a train to catch into the city, at 4:51 to be exact. So I wasn't planning on dressing up...

That changed when Caitlyn mentioned it and I kind of felt like that meant I had to...

which meant that I really wanted to in the first place.

Of course I had fancied the idea, but I knew we would be going out with my counterpart and his friend, so I didn't want to pull my usual crazy shit. But I did anyway and this was the result; luckily I have random flower headbands around my wardrobe, green dresses, and bright yellow cardigans.

So I took the train to the city to meet my partner (who happened to be beckoned to the city for work) and his buddy, who both seemed to dig my flower get up, by the way.
~~I was the only one dressed up in the whole place.~~ No big deal.
We met at Sepia, where I fell in love with the drink menu (and the atmosphere) and ordered easily;

This isn't the full menu, it is just the shot of what I wanted to try most and what I actually did try;

Sepia Mule, French 75, Boston Martha

I chose the Sepia Mule. I have been wanting to try a Moscow Mule for some time now and I knew I couldn't pass up the opportunity.

I chose it twice and both times it was delicious.

If I ever go back it will be quite the toss up.
I'm sorry, when I go back.

The bartender was great, I recommended he wear a bow-tie, he was that kind of dude.

The fellas have some difficulty tying the suckers!

Here was the menu I drooled over even as I knew Portillo's was on the horizon.

When it comes to dining, I'm not stupid. I may be a Portillo's addict, but if meals like this appear on paper in front of me, I'm going to have different desires.

These just look absolutely exquisite.

Of course, the drink is my beloved Sepia Mule. It was absolutely delicious and dangerous and totally did the job. It was a jolly train ride back. That's the worst about just going for drinks, your buzz is enjoyed on the seats of a Metra car...ehhhh.

Here was my Halloween din-din!

Oh the joys of living in Illinois! (there are so few these days...)

A chili dog, cup of chili, and a small fry just felt night on such a fright night!

So on to another adored beverage of mine;

So I picked up these little gems at Adagio while in Downtown Naperville earlier this week. Seriously, if there is a tea shop in walking distance, I'm there!

I had been wanting to try the sweet potato pie since the last time I had been there and had a feeling that was going to be a seasonal treat. So I scooped up a bag...should have scooped up three more.

This is a dazzling close up of the sweet potato pie tea and it is so delicious in the most peculiar way. It is a starchy Ceylon black tea. It contains hints of marigold leaves, cinnamon bark, and natural sweet potato flavour. I just can't believe how delicious it becomes when used in concoction- with MARSHMALLOWS!

I find that adding 'mallows is the BEST way to go about drinking this tea.

It literally tastes like a Thanksgiving accompaniment in a cup.

A lot of people have unfavourable things to say about it, however, I don't need my tea to be overwhelmingly sweet. It is perfect for this time of year. I wouldn't necessarily steep this sucker in the summer. Was

{CASUAL FRIDAY RECAP}

Tights: both pairs, Forever 21 Skirt: Gap, thirfted BRAND NEW! Originally $50, scored for $5

Sweater: given to me by my mom (so soft!) Boots: Doc Martens-1940's Jacket: Forever 21

I felt the whole thing was very good-felt very 90's.

and the best part was that I enjoyed wearing this outfit immensely.

Especially the skirt! What a remarkable find.

Of course, another huge thing happened this week.

C E R E M O N I A L S

DROPPED.

Please tell me you got your copy?

I am over the moon about it.

I will talk about it more at length, but it is worthy of it's own little post.

Stay tuned!!

Being Maddow:

2011-10-31T10:19:00.002-05:00

The Maddow Breakdown:

I think I decided I wanted to be Rachel Maddow sometime over the summer and it was pretty much decided.

[read]

I thought it would be hilarious to get a picture with the nun.

This woman actually gave me an awesome idea in what to do with my life.

I really hope the idea works out, it is truly right up my alley.

I went with my friend Brooke (another Maddow fan), who was Kesha-

the counterpart to her boyfriend, Mustard.

This was another funny picture because I'd like to think that Kesha and Rachel Maddow would not pose together...but I could be wrong about that.

She even gave me rabbit ears.

That is so Ke$ha, that bitch.

Of course, sporting Levi's with Doc Marten 1940's.

Blazer with light coloured shirt. I batted around the idea of a black shirt...

and doing the whole "I'm a guest" look.

I also contemplated going as her look from her commercials;

So I kind of did both.

Of course I had to sport my red watch!

(you can most likely see it in the video above)

What was under the wig:

Coiled up blonde hairs and one painful little scalp!

This did not take as long as anticipated.

I have extremely thick, medium length hair and it took me 20 minutes.

This the progression that took place. It was perfectly brush-able. Just huge.

Think Monica when they are in Barbados;

I am really glad I went to a Halloween party this year dressed up as someone awesome.

Normally I just come up with a costume idea, but don't have anywhere to exhibit it, so it never ends up happening. I got a lot of compliments and everyone was surprised that I didn't have short hair.

I had some really good conversations with people and ended up talking a lot of random smack about Republicans that was all in good fun.

OH. And this may or may not have happened;

I think the best part is when at the end, Sarah goes, "Someone get this girl a hot dog!"

. . .

Casual Friday Reports:

this is a close up:

skirt: H&M circa 2004? (I saw this glitter tulle tutu-thing and knew it had to be mine)

tights & purple socks: Target, striped shirt: Forever 21 black tank top: acquired from mom

This was this past casual Friday. I pulled out the witch-y stops.

I was extremely disappointed to see that I was the only person to embrace the spirit!

This is one of my favourite days of the year.

I was so bummed to be at Target and discover they seemed to have packed up the Halloween stuff and have unveiled the Christmas overload.

I won't rock the look again today, but I will be in this kind of festive-look mode!

Tonight my counterpart and I will be headed around the South Side.

I'm taking the train in and am dying for some Argo Tea!!!

I have no idea what is in store, but I look forward to a good gin & tonic...

with four limes, and it's things like this that make me think I should dress as Maddow today.

My New Obsession:

Ceremonials comes out TOMORROW and I am debating about getting it on Vinyl...

EVERYONE MUST GET IT.

I AM SO REVVED FOR THE CHICAGO THEATRE SHOW!!!!!!

DEC. 4 I CANNOT BELIEVE IT'S HAPPENING!

The Boilerhouse: Katie Liddy

2011-10-26T16:03:00.001-05:00

So last night at work we were listening to WONC, as always. If you're curious as to what WONC is, it's the local college radio station at North Central College, where they have a phenomenal broadcast program. It may also be the sound a duck makes if you step on his little foot, however, I cannot confirm the latter. I am a huge fan of the station and long to have my own show, but since I don't attend the college, that becomes a tad far-fetched. Anywho....

They feature a local artist on Tuesdays and have them play a few songs live in the studio before their show at The Boilerhouse on campus. Last night, they featured Katie Liddy. I thought that she had a nice voice and that she seemed really new to the whole game. Ingrid Michaelson would be the best way to describe the vibe.

That is the perfect time to see a musician, when the talent is still raw and not re-worked in any way. So it turned out that we had gotten out of work exceptionally early (7:10) and knew that even if I went, I would still be getting home earlier than anticipated. It started at 8, so I had some time to try to rack up a companion to check it out with me. So I tried to call up a few friends of mine, unfortunately, everyone had other plans going, so I just took the opportunity by myself. I knew that I would regret missing out on a free show and the chance to do something different.

She received this guitar from her Grandmother when she was 13.

The signatures represent the people who have played it. Very rad.

Here were the list of songs she played;
1) See Through (original)
2) Honeybee (Zee Avi)
3) Too Young (original)
4) Autumn Fallin'
5) I Wish You
6) Skinny Love (Bon Iver)
7) Cross My Mind (original)
8) Each Night Comin' (Iron & Wine)
9) Barfly (Ray Lamontagne)
10) Grey (original)
11) Reasons To Love You (Meiko)
12) Day To Dream (original)

Here are the original versions of the covers she played;

I am so glad that I ended up going. She put on a great little show, was very nice, and it was nice to interact while she played because she pretty much knew her crowd. It was super intimate and was nice to meet some of the DJs that I hear all the time. I just like that crowd of people in general. Of course there was plenty of free schwag to swipe. I scored two CD's, along with a licence plate holder, and a sticker! I felt like I was 5 again.

Misty Boyce: The Syndicate

Crime In Stereo: I Was Trying To Describe You To Someone

Hit up The Boilerhouse on campus Tuesday nights 7:30/8-9.

the tick that bit.

2011-10-25T12:04:00.003-05:00

My cousin and I get together every so often and head off into the woods for a good hike.

He lives in an area of the burbs with some sick forest action and we always go off the beaten path. So yesterday we were doing all sorts of climbs, creek leaps, log crosses, and then we came across this sweet stone bride. I was like "Yeah, I'm going to need a picture on that bridge." It just looked too magical to pass up.

So if you want to be grossed out to the extreme, I can go ahead and lay this on you;

Yesterday I mentioned a little something to him about ticks as I discovered I was covered ass to ankles in those sticky bushes.

"I better not get any ticks out here"

. . .

So fabulously enough, I wake up this morning to an itch or some odd scab on my side.

Cue to me seeing something like;

AHHHHHHHHH!!!!

TOTAL BLACK SWAN MOMENT!

I was bloody horrified and a little bummed out to see it wasn't a feather.

It was one of these jerks;

I pulled that sucker out, not sure if I got the whole thing.

I'm sort of freaking out if the head is still submerged in my skin even after trying to gently tweeze it out for what seems like forever.

::freaking out::

hopefully things like this don't start happening:

EEK-tastic.

So that's my tick story.

I hope you didn't throw up on your hands.

The Bucket List

2011-10-21T20:07:00.006-05:00

I was tagged by one of my girlfriends, not just in blog-world, but in real life too, to do a blog post about my bucket list. In order to provoke this, she did one about her's and I did the same. So here goes!

1).

Sing on a stage:

...Auditorium style. I want to straight up grab the mic in a packed auditorium (probably stealing some kid's spot in the variety show) and belting something out, like 'Something To Talk About' or 'Like The way I do'. See, here's the thing, I can sing these in my car. Alone. I have done karaoke on a stage, in a crowded bar, that one of my favourite artists had just performed on and it went well, I suppose. However, if the whole auditorium thing went poorly and I screwed up on stage, I'd likely throw the mic into the face of a front-rower. Everyone wins!

this one is a good one....I wish this was on a karaoke track.

2).

Do something artistically as a career:

...and to some extent, I do, but I mean something where I am on my own, making money to support myself. Whether that be jewelry, glass blowing, cake decorating (big tymer style), fashion stuffs, coaching figure skating, etc. All of those things hold appeal to me, it's just deciding the right time to pursue it. But is there ever really a "right time"?

3).

I want to go back to Malta:

...and cry into the Mediterranean once more.. I took a walk by myself one day (I went with a group for a field study) and I had purchased In Rainbows for the trip. I sat alone on these little stone steps right by this little inlet by the sea. A million things were going through my mind and I just kept listening to 'Weird Fishes/Arpreggi' over and over. I cried endlessly (at least that is what it felt like) and ended up walking around in the shallow part of the sea and I loved every second of my mixed emotions of sheer happiness and realization coupled with uncertainty and change. I never wanted to leave and I think that was my little parting day with it all. I loved that little bit of land so much. I just cannot believe I boarded the plane to leave. Now that was just silly!

this is me walking in Gozo. I was running up and down and jumping all around.

This was during our first few hours there.

This is at Dwerja, the next day. I loved this place and could have literally sat here all day.

I sat on the ledge of these huge rocks that hung over the sea and the huge waves that were crashing were just barely touching my feet. It was amazing.

4).

I need to see:

Radiohead, PJ Harvey, David Byrne, Nine Inch Nails, & Florence and the Machine (again) before I leave this earth. I feel that this isn't asking a lot. I've seen Thom Yorke with Atoms for peace and I've seen Florence twice now, but these artists need to make their own little festival...with other fantastic artists, of course. They are just too good to not see live.

5).

I want to perform:

...Dance. Something elaborate. Something either I choreographed or something insane that was choreographed for me. I was born to use my body artistically and I know this because I will strive for perfection and am so dedicated when a goal is in reach.
I swear I could have played both swans....
When I was a skater, I worked at it so, so hard at it. Dancing is amazing and it means so much to me. I want to perform. All the time. I was to be on SYTYCD! But I will NEVER EVER NEVER EVER NEVER EVER do anything like that, I just want to be choreographed by these people.
::cough cough:: Mia Michaels ::cough cough::

6).

I want to go to NY fashion week:

...at least once in my lifetime. I feel insane for not attending this past year, seeing that one of my best friends forever lives in New York. I've loved fashion for too long to not attend events like this.

7).

I want to go back and be formally educated once again.

I love a classroom setting, I love the people I encountered, and it only betters you in so many ways. Although I don't agree with a lot of the curriculum in this country, you have to embrace it and educate yourself while interacting with others and passing requirements. On the same note, I want to use this in a career that is respected and makes adequate money to support living.

Okay, so even though this is what was happening last time I was in college, I swear the last semesters I really shaped up (I always did fairly well in college, but, ya know...)

I studied to this song quite a bit;

8).

One day I want to see what's really going on inside my head.

Sometimes I just don't like what's happening, but am useless in preventing it.

9).

I want to go skydiving ASAP.

I feel this needs no explanation

10).

I need to go storm chasing.

I have been in love with weather and have been such an enthusiast for the greater half of my life. Tornadoes and severe weather have always fascinated me. They have wonderful opportunities at the local college, but I can't strum up the money. One day, the money will be strummed, my friends. And I, Tessa, will be tailin' the tornadoes!

The wind noise on this is just awful, however, there is some awesome footage. I took a class with the professor leading this trip. C.O.D is phenomenal for meteorology.

I want to listen to this while I'm watching a tornado roll across the ground.

11).

I'd love to meet the people who have had a big impact on my life:

and personally thank them. It would probably be ultra creepy, but really? If you did something professionally and people loved it and truly admired your work, wouldn't YOU want to hear about it? These people include; Florence Welch, Sasha Cohen, Rachel Maddow, Natalie Merchant, Terri Hemmert, etc.

Florence Welch

This is one of my favourites by Sasha Cohen. I love the straight-line footwork, the sprial sequence, her dress, and most of all her timing and consistency!

Read more about Terri Hemmert [HERE]

12).

See a play on Broadway.

I've seen off-Broadway plays, but I'm so inspired each time. I always grew up thinking I would be on Broadway. I was entertaining at such a young age and was singing and dancing along to The Phantom of the Opera soundtrack at age three. I just think it's inspiring to the point of overwhelming to see those people come together to create something so marvelous.

13).

I want to work with the elderly.

After reading so much Advanced Style, I just feel that we have so much to learn from them. This is not a recent discovery, but I am so glad that the field study previously mentioned was with ladies and gents over the age of 50. That was such a treat. I loved hearing about their travels and their views on politics. It was such an enriching experience. I could only imagine the stories you would hear over time.

Now, to accomplish!

Tessa in a Turban.

2011-10-20T12:53:00.000-05:00

It's Turban Time, kids.

Trying this look out today;

Jean [part one of the blog Idiosyncratic Fashionistas] seems awesome. I want to meet these women of [Advanced Style] ASAP.

I don't have a title.

2011-10-19T19:33:00.000-05:00

Today was just the right kind of day to listen to Zaz. Her first self-titled album came out in 2010, but I recently started listening to more of her. It is the perfect listening on a rainy day, that and Radiohead, but the problem there is that you may just end up only in the mood to contemplate what shape your soul is.

If you know what I mean...

[monday]

Sweater weather is here and I'm pretty excited about it seeing that I have a slew of funk-ass sweaters for this time of year. This sweater reminded me of something that came off the Proenza Schouler Fall 2011 line.The problem is that I tend to get excited about a burst of cold air, until I'm smack dab in the middle of January complaining up and down about the awful weather that belongs to this city. This shot was just before work. Unfortunately I have a horrid dress code I have to follow; black/khaki pants, white/black shirt under the worst polo you have ever seen. I know I make it seem pretty exciting, but don't be fooled, once I got to work, it was all-black time.

[today]

sweater: Goodwill socks: stolen from my mom's sock drawer long ago

I love these leggings and tend to incorporate them into a lot of my outfits like the two other pairs I scored at Uni Qlo while in Japan. I picked this out in two seconds and guess I was feeling a blue mood. I am so enamored with this sweater and cannot believe I scored it for so cheap. It's really thick and soft and "ha ha ha!" I just looked and it's a Casual Corner sweater. That's funny for a slew of reasons, but none of them need explaining. For whatever reason I like this shot. I know, it's pretty lame.

This is one of the last things I decorated last night. We've been getting out at midnight lately, so I've been getting home ultra late;

"I feel Heaven, stay for the sound"

2011-10-15T18:33:00.004-05:00

[Casual Friday Recap]

scored these at the thrift my mom showed me, Savers $2.99

they had a whole gaggle of them, pumpkins, cats, vampires, bats...

but these best matched the shirt I had just ordered.

I want to say I got this jumper at Target....of course.

woot shirt! $10

this is definitely a spot to check out everyday.

Free shipping on everything & they normally come out with some awesome t-shirts.

I got these suckers at Target (I had no idea how much shit I owned from Target or how much I really wore it, good god) after some additional walking around to convince myself they needed to be mine. I got these last year and I knew I couldn't pass them up. I want to say they were $8.99 or some small price that doesn't really require "convincing", but oh well. They are mine now with no regrets.

As stated a million times over, Casual Friday is my day. Especially when those Friday's fall in October.

I have a decent amount of Halloween funk at this point and I love putting it to use. I wasn't too enthused about fake holidays (Sweetest Day + Boss's Day) keeping us at the work establishment past midnight, but my paycheck will be rollin' fat. There were some good laughs for sure and that always makes it worth it.

[Today]

today, I am admitting, the bright skies were nice.

This is probably because it was definitely sweater weather.

FINALLY.

See, here's the thing. I am all about nice weather and an Indian Summer, but once it drops below 55º, let's keep it that way. Once it is sweater season is in, I want to keep that momentum going because it seems in those few short days where coats and sweaters aren't necessary, the ability to layer well leaves my brain.

I got this sweater at Goodwill last year around this time and I love it. It's ugly in just the right ways.

I'm really drawn to the colours in it.

I call these pants my "Rock Star" pants because they are basic, thick in material, and just the perfect black pants to wear anywhere. Unfortunately, they are a tad big. They were originally cropped, but I undid the seams so they were longer. Gap $50

...Because the weather was so dashing, I did the usual routine and headed out for a walk.

I walk past the park that's almost always wide open and if the swings are free, I always snatch the opportunity. I love swinging, always have. I was that asshole 5'th grader that had a swing everyday even though "it was so unfair" (this is why you have to run to the park during recess, kids).

So today that opportunity was present and I took it for a good half hour. My iPod is a great accompaniment on the swings, but sometimes I miss those middle school conversations and those times where the swings served as a destination, that was "going out" on a Saturday night when I was 13. Keep in mind, I was kind of a huge loser. So today some great tunes came across on shuffle in my "Recently Played" list that's a good 400 songs wide; ah, I love all of these songs. All for very good, but different reasons, but they were just what I needed to hear today. What a great to sport a funky sweater and soak up some sun...through that thick...sweater...

Hopefully you dig 'em and head for the swings soon while you still can!

black birds on a grey sky.

2011-10-13T11:46:00.000-05:00

[gloom is here - Thursday]

As a thick layer of gloom hovers over the city of Chicago today, I couldn't seem to find myself in a better mode of complacency. It is exactly what I needed after sunshine fest took over the past week, although getting out and soaking up the last 'without a coat' temperatures of the year were quite satisfying. Waking up to grey skies is automatically waking up to less obligation, or at least it feels that way. Sometimes it makes me down right hyper and I clean the house as if Mr. Clean were coming by for personal inspection, but actually, I would only let him in if he had his all natural counterpart, Mrs. Meyers with him. Let's face it, this is one cute cleaning couple;

A lot of people cannot comprehend why I sometimes possess the serious desire to move to London and forget the sun ever existed. I think grey skies give me some sort of reassurance, like I'm not the only one going through a little instability. I just like variation. Sunny skies all the time would kill me. I'm just not cut out for a bright sky every day, especially if the last thing I'm feeling is sunny and bright, and those days where those feelings cannot even be found the mood chart, that sun better make its way behind some clouds. However, the rain that made itself permanent for a week's time before the week of sun had set in also had a way of messing with my head. Heavy opposites you're playing Chicago. I wish I could ask for a little more consistency in high pressure & low pressure systems. Here's the thing, Thunderstorms tend to balance out my brain perfectly, especially gnarly ones that require tons of warnings to be sent out. It gives me something to track and follow, quite the weather enthusiast. I will admit, sometimes there is nothing like a bright blue sky with the perfect temperature to accompany it, but I could not have it every day.

My counterpart and I have been tampering with the idea of moving to Portland, OR at some point in our lives together. Portland is an absolutely an amazing place for more reasons than one. Whenever I tell people about this the first words out of their mouth generally has to do with things like "It's so rainy" and "Such a high suicide rate" and while this is correct, somehow gloom didn't hit the same in Portland. When we were there last September, it rained two days and was perfectly sunny for two and they have the dreary that does not keep you inside. It more so gives off that "lets get in our galoshes and gallop around town" vibe, which we did, minus galoshes. Plus, this gives you a reason to by one awesome umbrella. CHECK THIS OUT.

seriously: sing a little tune.

My name appears on the work schedule today, and I'm thankful that it did not during the last few sunny days of our Indian Summer. I can go into my windowless work environment and be rest assured that the gloom will still be lingering over us.

OH, YEAH!

Here's some 'Bloom' for Gloom;

Hair of a unicorn.

2011-10-11T16:23:00.000-05:00

[Sunday]

I've had PJ Harvey in my head for a week's time.

Her album Let England Shake has been one of my go-to albums since it came out.

She won the Mercury Prize for this album.

I absolutely love cherry pop-tarts (and the placement of their sprinkles-SO MANY).

I may even like them more than it's brown sugar/cinnamon companion...

between my Halloween themed cereal special that I've been scarfing down and my intake of pop-tarts,

I'm starting to question when I started pursuing the same breakfast options as a six year old.

One of the best factors of friends ridding of their clothes is getting to go through them to see if you want anything.

I try to keep in mind the friends that like certain styles & when it comes time to give-away, I keep those people in mind.

When I helped my friend Brooke move some of her stuff months ago, she had me look through some of her clothes to see if I was interested in anything. I always find a few gems in my friends clothing disposals.

She said that I "have to take this dress" because she didn't know who else it would fit & it was an older vintage-y dress.

I gladly took it off her hands, and she informed me that she would give me the belt when she found it.

Next visit to her new apartment and the outfit was completed when she handed it to me. This was the first time wearing the dress since I got it all those months ago. It's not the most flattering, but I enjoy it none the less. The pictures really don't do it much justice.

& then there was this;

unicorn hair.

this needed to be noted right away.

This picture is from the October issue of Nylon and as soon as I saw it I kind of freaked out.

it's probably perfection.

Saturday's Occurences

2011-10-09T17:15:00.001-05:00

[About Saturday]

So yesterday it was super nice out for it being eight days into October in Chicago.

My counterpart had a day date planned with car repair and I knew if I wanted a fun day, it would be totally up to me. I texted a few people, thought about taking a train into the city to roam around by myself, or bounced around the idea of driving back out to Naperville to spend it with my parents. I had a super good feeling about this one. Lunch downtown, followed by meandering through the blocks and heading into the Riverwalk was the game plan. We ate lunch outside at Hugo's Frogbar, and then proceeded to walk around. My parents have never been in an Apple store. I know, I KNOW. I feel like a big reason for this is because my parents both hate crowds in addition to high priced gadgets that they feel serve them no purpose. I am totally against the idea because I know how busy it was going to be on a day like that in downtown Naperville. I warned them of this, but we continued to walk to it anyway. There was a tiny shrine outside for Mr. Jobs and my mom refused to let me place my iPod headphones along the bouquets of flowers. I don't think she quite realizes that I have countless pairs around the house. Her reason? "I need new headphones, if you're just going to put them on the ground, I'm going to just pick them up & use them". Needless to say, they are still in my purse. At this point we are now outside the doors and my parents are just kind of anxiously looking in and my mom is like, "Do you really want to do this?" and my dad said "No." So my parents have still never been into an Apple store. I applaud them for this. It's just a bloody awful experience, grimy fingers swiping countless iPads, kids taping away on the Macs, and 182,219 employees just dying to ring your purchase right in the middle of the store, or on the side of the store or wherever the hell you want to purchase your item because they can. It is kind of like my standing with Denny's. I've never been in one, and I have no desire to ever go in one.

So we continued on and I had wanted tea and I ditched the Starbucks idea after seeing that 20 people were parked in line at one of the three downtown locations. I decided to take it on over to Adagio Tea. I had never been here and was kind of expecting a mix between a Starbucks & an Argo Tea. However, it was more like Teavana. I was so excited and my parents were tea enthused as well;

You were able to smell everything on your own, which I loved. I hate having to ask employees to smell the tea, especially at Teavana because you are smelling out of the bin that people purchase the tea from. I could have gone around the room smelling and comparing the teas all day. I absolutely loved it. I smelled the Cocomint Green and it pretty much sealed the deal, really solid combination. Ideal for morning or after dinner, because you get the kick from the tea, and the sweetness from the chocolate & mint for after you chow down.

But I am dying to taste this sweet potato pie. I'm hoping they have these teas year round, and not just seasonally.

I cannot wait to go back there, hopefully it will be sooner than later.

We walked across the street to a little shop called Serendipity. It's a super mini thrift that gives back to charity.

Last time I was here they had some lime green Doc's in the window for $25!! Unfortunately they were a size too big and my mom has some serious disdain for certain bright colored accessories. This time they had a fabulous plaid patterned Pendleton** coat, wedding dresses, and this gem;

for $6!

WHERE ARE YOU, LADIES?! Let's be friends.

Red Hat Society

along the riverwalk.

If you're unfamiliar, the Riverwalk in Naperville is sort of a big deal to people who live around the area, for it is rather awesome; click here for more

[the 'fit]

Boots: thrifted Goodwill $4 Tights: Forever21

I can't say I'm a fan of the Marilyn Monroe statue downtown Chicago...

But this Dick Tracy one is all the rage in my book.

There is a great little story about it [here]

I guess we can top it off with this excitement;

OH YEAH, BABY! RETWEETED BY XRT!

Tessa__Gee Tessa Groll

Hell yes! Terri played some new @flo_tweet and I screamed when it came on. so good! @93xrt

8 Oct Favorite Reply Delete

All in all, it was a really good day. I really wanted to spend the day outside doing something fun. I was glad that day included the rents as well as one of my close girlfriends and her companion. Everyone has the "get outside" mentality this weekend. I'm mustering up the anticipation to take a stroll around the neighborhood. Keep it real.

[show line-up tonight]

Sunday Night Football. The Good Wife. Breaking Bad. Dexter

**I have the BEST luck when it comes to scoring Pendleton goods in Thrift stores. I was in the Portland Goodwill about a year ago and there was this phenomenal floor length red coat. I tried it on and about three other people that were in the store flocked over and insisted that I needed to buy it. It was $50 and I knew this coat would last me forever. I decided to take the advice of the store-goers and I bought it. So yesterday I was in front of this plaid coat and my mom and I had struck up conversation with this woman and her friend visiting from New York. She also adored the coat and said "Hey, you know try that on, if it fits and your mom doesn't get it for you, I will." Unfortunately, it was pretty big and it did not make its way into my life, but feel fortunate for finding such things.

Why yes, I do have the time, It's Jelly time.

2011-10-07T22:43:00.006-05:00

[About Thursday]

this song is really good. We heard it driving home the other day on XRT of course.

She reminds me of a young Chrissie Hynde/PJ Harvey.

It finally happened. My counterpart and I headed into the city via Metra in the early afternoon and hiked over to the Shedd Aquarium. They've been hyping the hell out of their new Jellies exhibit and I've been dying to see it aka bugging him to take me! They have this cool little theme song they always play on XRT and it always makes me ultra excited to see their pulsating little bodies pushing their way through the water...okay that might be too much commercial quotation, but it's damn accurate. Check out this music and do the Jellies dance (which I made up and TOTALLY FORGOT to do while in the exhibit).

If I were the girl in the ad, I'd be screaming in excitement. It'd be along the lines of:

"JELLIES! OH MY GOD ::SCREAMS::"

I LOVE starfish.

Let me say this though, we scoped out the whole place and we saved the jellies for one of the last things we did. I love everything they have there. Unfortunately the penguins were closed for show, but that's okay, as long as my brainless little blobs would be rockin' solid, I knew we'd be fine. While it was a neat little exhibit, it was not what I was expecting. I was expecting a HUGE exhibit, especially because it's going to be there for quite some time (as most of them go), like floor-to-ceiling jellies is what I wanted. I wanted to be encompassed in Jellies. If only I could have been wearing jellies...However, they were still beautiful and laid out rather nicely. I snagged a few pictures of them;

One of these Jellies makes me want egg drop soup-ASAP.

another makes me want to brush my hair.

Oh the urges the jellies give.

If you're in the area, definitely check out the Shedd. A good time will be had.

Rest assured, it not only confirmed that I love these little guys, but that I am also looking to purchase a home large enough to house my beluga whale I hope to have in the future. Hopefully my counterpart is also actively looking into the same situation.

What a great time.

It was so nice to get out in the city on such a nice day. I have been trying my best to take advantage of all this nice weather action. In addition to taking mighty fine advantage of that, I'm quite enthused Argo Tea finally had a chance to make its way through my body, that delicious bastard. So I've never been and I've always assumed it was snooty because of their "city only" locations. I went in and found out that it was rather Portland-esque. People on Macs-everyfreakingwhere, dim lighting, menus that screw with your head until your realize they are purposefully changing to show you more options, dread-locked baristas...on and on.

I got their version of bubble tea, which allowed me to choose a flavour & a type of tea. I chose green tea/coconut/2% milk. It was delectable! It was really neat because it was not typical bubble tea with the tapioca, but was the actual taste of coconut;

I want to work here. I want to make little leafs in your milk froth. I want to sell insurmountable amounts of tea. I AM ARGO TEA!

::deep breathing::

okay. it's cool.

But yeah, needless to say, I am glad I finally had it.

Now I'm craving it and the closest location is 20 miles ::sobbing::

So, 10:30 p.m. probably isn't the ideal time that I should have waited until to eat the leftover fried rice from last night, but being that I have a few more years of lucky metabolism ahead of me, I shall relish in the greasy goodness past dinner time.

Hopefully your Friday night plans are a tad better than mine.

I am going to make Oatmeal Raisin cookies today.

2011-10-05T13:29:00.000-05:00

[Yesterday]

what happens when you thrift pants shorter than anticipated?

You add some funky socks and call that shit a day.

shoes: [target] they always have them $9

socks: stolen from my moms sock drawer long ago.

sweater: found at Marshalls, brand Mercer & Madison.

top: Old Navy. I have so many funky print things from there as well as basics.

I can incorporate this top a million different ways.

Intermission Song:

Florence + The Machine [remix]

I posted this song the other day. The official video is out for it. See that[HERE]

I just finished this scarf last night. I also started it last night.

It looks as if I'm back to my scarf-in-three-hours regime.

I love making what I call, 'Scarp Scarves'. I've been talking about finding this onslaught of usable yarn at my parents house. I plan on using a lot of it in a blanket with the same concept I'm knees deep in [I just got a craving for banana bread]. In addition to finding all of this yarn, I found this awesome scarf that I made back in high school that I've been incorporating with everything. Well, I had the time on my hands and wanted to make another one. If you want one...let me know.

I tend to make them with a mix of different types/brands of yarn which makes them really soft & super warm.

Someone should really make sure I don't shop during the month of October because I get suckered in with shit like this. I should not call it that though, because upon having it this morning, the first bite was like crunching into my youth. I literally plunged head first into the longing of wanting to be an 8 year old watching Saturday morning cartoons, picking out the crunch berries profusely. While I normally never get cereal like this [I kind of like my food to have some benefit, I guess], the "LIMITED EDITION" plastered on the front kind of made it official. It did turn the milk a Shamrock Shake shake sort of green. Groovy. I'll take it.

I love it when all the holiday episodes and movies start rolling out.

**It's true. I'm going to make Oatmeal Raisin cookies today.

Things I Carry

2011-10-04T12:55:00.002-05:00

I've seen this done around the internet and have been wanting to do this for some time.

This song seemed appropriate for the purse journey.

This is the purse I carry and the ~~things~~ lovely possessions that are in it on the average day;

purse: thrifted; Goodwill $8 I absolutely LOVE IT!

Wallet:

Forever 21 front sales bin [pic includes: shopping lists, reciepts I can never throw away from stores in Japan, Comme des garcons perfume samples I got at the museum that make the air smell awesome each time I open my wallet, love notes from my counterpart, & wedding seating of a wedding we went to this summer] This wallet is oozing with memories. I have hotel room keys, business cards, & a couple of pictures. It's the good times wallet.

Matches:

These are from Hugo's Frog Bar in Downtown Naperville I always go here with my mom for a quick lunch in the middle of a busy day. We both end up snagging a few of these matchbooks when we leave. They always help me in a jam.

Pepto: for obvious reasons!!! Notepad: (Target) to get out whatever is clawing at my brain mints/gum: obvious choices

Book: if room allows, I always have a book. I've been toting around The Picture of Dorian Gray for too long and it needs to get finished. B&N sells classics for CHEAP CHEAP CHEAP! pen assortment + sharpie: necessary bottled water: oh, absolutely.

Eye Patch:

My most recent & random addition. I'm so proud. I love telling people the real reason pirates wore patches.

I found this in the bin of yarn at my parents house. What a gem!

Headphones: 2 pairs. Very important LipBalm: (Sephora, $7) Amazing! Flavour actually tastes good.

Deli #:

I decided to keep this one because the deli counter was hoppin' when I was there

& I had a valuable conversation with an older woman behind me.

Plus, B22? Like I'm throwing anything with 22 on it out.

Tea: chamomile, it isn't a bad thing to carry around. Especially because a cup of hot water is free at Starbucks.

Lighter & Cigs: bic-(PURPLE!) and Nat Sherman's. I love these because they are light & don't have additives.

[Fantasia's] are my favourite way to go, but those are more of a treat.

Lipbalms/Glosses: Yelpstick, I get this at the Yelp events that I go to. They are awesome. Revlon: [firecracker]

Sephora: lipstain. I regret not getting the hot pink. Maybelline: in some embarrassing shade.

~~hunting~~ pocket knife thing: I love the idea of having this on me. always.

Abercrombie 8 perfume:

I HAD TO! An old employee of mine was a model for them & he got me a sweet discount. This scent reminds me of high school and I can't resist having it for a backup scent. I've had it for so long, but now it reminds me of so many things because of all the times I've used it.

I'd love to see spin off posts of this. It is SO neat to see what people tote around.

Unfortunately, I couldn't include my phone in this shot [because that it was I use for my camera!] and this purse doesn't feature my other favourite fun time purse item which is my tiny toy phantom hand that broke off some odd toy I had in my old bedroom. I pulled it out in any situation that required assistance and said "Need a hand???" while jabbing them with it. Ah, I shall bring the hand back.

Eating Accordingly

2011-10-03T11:58:00.000-05:00

Being that it is October, I like to eat the cereal of the season;

Obviously.

On another note, I get that they add whole grain, who cares.

Why aren't they adding more fiber?

October Daze } Outfits } Roseanne

2011-10-02T16:58:00.000-05:00

[Sunday's Ensemble]

Jacket: OLD [fervore??] Brown sweater: old-school Target

Shirt: Target Dress: Old Navy [on sale-awesome score!]

Necklace: homemade

As you know, big Florence fan, her single "Shake It Out" came out today.

I cannot wait to see her tour with her upcoming album Ceremonials.

This is a must-see read from [Interview Magazine]

So I went to Target today to get a few things that I forgot to get for the next two weeks when I went shopping yesterday. Of course, I couldn't resist taking a little stroll around the sales rack [which can seem like a thrift rack] and the sock section where funky tights and boot socks reside.

This dress was like "OH HEY, BUY ME!" I know you can't really see it here, but the pictures are extremely unflattering unless it is being worn. I will show it then. I know, no one is on the edge of their seats. I love the pattern so so much and knew it would work in any season. For $14.00, there would be no bitching or self discussion, this thing was going to be mine. The boot socks are a must each season [$8 a pack] I get one pack, so now I have 6 pairs. I love Plum purple and the mix of purple/colours for the 1st pair. Really stoked to wear them with my Docs and/or every other pair of shoes I own.

This clip is the first part of the episode, it's lengthy, but good!

I had the honour of seeing the Halloween episode of Roseanne, S2 last night because apparently someone over at TV Land is thinkin' just like the ol' TG. I wanted to get all revved up for Halloween on my first day of October and this was perfect last night! I love Roseanne and it's perfect white-trash humour.

Thrifty adventures // Casual Friday Outfit

2011-10-01T21:10:00.002-05:00

The other day I got an opportunity to go hang out with my mom. She's been telling me about this new thrift that they put in 15 minutes away from my parent's house called Savers and she has also been well aware of my un-dying need to thrift. So these are my little treasures from the trip;

one of the first things I came across. I fell in love instantly.

My mom had her doubts, to prove her wrong I put this bad boy on the social networks & let my friends respond.

All 3 of them said yes. Done deal.

AWESOME adornments.

It even has that rockin' grandma/thrift smell.

This was brand new from Gap, tags on, $50 to $5.99. MUAHAHAHA!

Empire Records-esque

I saw this and knew I had to have it. It is marked as a size 12, multiple sizes too big.

I was really bummed out, but when it came to trying it on, it fit me perfectly.

When I read the label on this plaid pleated beauty, it reigns from a boutique in Wilmette/Oak Park, Spauldings.

It was also marked brand new with a tag for $168, mine for $14.99!

It shall go perfect with my babies;

this is a total high school throwback for me when I had a whole collection of odd shit to wear atop my head.

It just seemed right. Plus, I knew they would go perfectly with my just-arrived Woot shirt!

I love this bright little floral dress. It's a tad big, but it works.

My mom tried taking it in, but the machine was acting up.

The funny little thing about this is that it is a SKORT!!!

ha ha ha ha. Where are my jellies??

This reminded me of something from Proenza Schouler Fall 2011 and I knew it had to be mine.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Casual Friday outfit.

Huge. Deal.

These are cool, but were instantly made cooler by turning them inside out.

leggings: UniQlo (Japan) Dress: Target Coat: Forever 21 Scarf: hand-made by me

this scarf has a satisfactory back story to it;

So I made this sucker in high school. I made A LOT of scarves in high school, almost 1 a day.

I crocheted in all of my classes, teachers allowed this because I still participated, did well on tests, & did homework.

[this was also allocated in college]

So that's about 6 hours of crochet time, which totally allowed me to do one chain per class.

I was rolling these out all the time, gave them out to people, etc.

This was obviously an awesome scarf & was COMPLETELY excited upon finding it.

I accumulated a ton of yarn; a huge bin of it over at my parents house.

I was over there the same night we went thrifting while my mom was trying to take in my dress in the basement.

I went through the huge bin because I am working on a scrap blanket...

[where I use all my old yarn from past projects]

I took home two huge bags of yarn that is totally rad and usable.

I threw out one garbage bag of un-worthy threads. The blanket will be HUGE.

It's already getting to be kind of a beast...

So anyway-

EARRINGS....

earrings: bows (Forever 21), Turquoise ones (?)

Necklace: I made this sometime last week.

Needless to say it's part of every outfit.

However, now that I made this one today, there will be some competition:

I'm in love with this necklace.

It definitely looks better when you see it live!