Feeling Inspired

Northern Spyfood Co. inspired me to get my ass up at a decent time on Saturday to get to the farmers market.

Even though this katsu curry was nothing like what I can get at home, dis broke da mouth. I appreciate what New York can provide when your homesick.

The Kyoto and New Orleans iced coffee at Blue Bottle inspired me to attend a coffee tasting and sign up for coffee class.

I'm going to San Francisco in October to see them live. The Suburbs is one of the best albums of 2010. I NEED to see them play live at least once in my life.

Recent

Red velvet cake soft serve...my goodness that was good.

Toro y moi is my new obsession. Thanks to Sound Fix blog (and their amazing store in Williamsburg) and a fellow intern! I listen to him on the way to work on the M79 and E. He has a unique sound that puts me in a good mood. Hopefully I will get to see him play soon. Fave track: Talamak

This was one of the best nights I had in the apartment. It involved mimosa's in ikea cups, lmfao pandora playlist, fuji apples on our bottoms, kumu outfits made from sheets, naked marc jacobs shirt, hats galore, hula dancing, and ju. Unfortunately it would be extremely inappropriate to post those pics.

Snow out in Central Park

Halal food is my weakness...

This is what you call wash and fold.

I had Charlotte Gainsbourg's album, IRM in my iPod for a while, but never bothered to devote time to fully listen to it. I listened to it after watching Science of Sleep and it's actually pretty good. Also helps that she has impeccable style and is in a movie with Gael Garcia Bernal. Fave track: Time of the Assassins

Favorite Albums of 2009

These are my picks for the best albums of 2009 (in no particular order).

Animal Collective- Merriweather Post Pavilion

I think this is my number 1 pick for album of the year.

Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band - Outer South

Conor Oberst is my hero. Fave tracks: Eagle on a Pole, Nikorette, Cabbage Town, Air Mattress. I think it could've been better if he didn't share the mic....sorry:(

Monsters of Folk - Monsters of Folk

Best supergroup of 2009! M.Ward and Conor together?!?! Its a done deal. Let's hope they go on tour this year. Fingers crossed!!!

Blue Scholars - Oof! EP

Made me like hip-hop again!

Mayer Hawthorne - A Strange Arrangement

Looks are deceiving. You will love every song, so get this album if don't already have it! OH YEAH! Mayer Hawthorne in Hawaii on February 24th!

The Deadbeats - Deadbeats

My favorite local band:). My 2/3 and I have many memories listening to The Deadbeats. 2009 would not be the same without this band. Pick up your copy of at Fresh Cafe! Visit them at Jazz Minds every Wednesday and you might see me there.

Blind Pilot - 3 Rounds & A Sound

For some reason, this album makes me so happy. If you had a bad day, listen to Blind Pilot. Only good comes out of Portland, Oregon.

Discovery - LP

#2 favorite supergroup. Discovery consists of Rostam Batmanglij of Vampire Weekend and Wes Miles from Ra Ra Riot. This is a fun dance album that doesn't hide how lame and cute it is!

M. Ward - Hold Time

Loved it but became obsessed with it after seeing him live. Love you M.Ward.

Dent May & His Magnificent Ukulele - The Good Feeling Music of Dent May & His Magnificent Ukulele

Will you marry me Dent May?

Dirty Projectors - Bitte Orca

My favorite album cover of 2009. Great sound and music from this Brooklyn-based band. Fave tracks: Two Doves and Stillness is the Move.

The Whitest Boy Alive - Rules

Who doesn't like this!?!? AND the band name is great!

A Beautiful Mess Live On Earth

"Don't ever let your mind stop you from having a good time"

-Jason Mraz

Listening to Jason Mraz's new live album and it puts a smile on my face and makes me dance (and sing) while driving. It's feel good music that you must have! Mraz live albums are better than his studio. Check it out!

Strange Arrangement

When there isn't good music out there, you have to go out and search for it. August-October is usually slow for music but it is important that my iPod is ALWAYS filled with quality tunes.

Mayer Hawthorne - "A Strange Arrangement"

I recently came across Mayer Hawthorne while reading a local blog. John Mayer said it was the "best record of the year". I don't know much about R&B, but Hawthorne's vintage-soul music is refreshing. His songs sound like the R&B/soul singers of 1966 and 1974. He produces and plays all the instruments you hear on the album. This Michigan native is on my radar and the new "it" musician to look out for.

The Best Damn Place In The World To Wake Up

Blue Scholars: Oof! EP

It's been years since I listened to Underground Hip-Hop. Blue Scholars has officially reeled me back in and I'm hooked with their Oof! EP. "HI-808" makes me proud to say that I'm from Hawaii. Watch this video and you'll be hooked too! Foodland, poke, The Shack, Zippys, Shave Ice, downtown...that's the 808 love.

Blue Scholars - HI-808 (Official Music Video) from Blue Scholars on Vimeo.

Love the asymmetrical sleeves. I think the sleeveless and sleeve look is geneiuos! Why didn't I think of this myself?!? I am altering my shirts on my many days off work to create this hip and chic look.

Rock Hard Shoes:

I realized the shoes that have recently caught my eye and made my heart skip a beat resemble rocks. They are solid, a little bulky, harsh, strong, and dark. I need a pair of rock solid shoes to do battle in the greatest city in the world.

Images: Jak & Jil, style.com

All The Way From Mississippi

"Howard" by Dent May and His Magnificent Ukulele.

This Mississippi pop singer is my pick for cutest dork of the year! His quirky music is fun, simple, and features strings, percussion, trombone, and the UKULELE! This is an album you can listen to from begining to end without skipping songs. Whenever you're having a bad day, Dent May will turn that frown upside down!

Howard works at my restaurant.

...Howard's getting fatter

He's rusty in the sack
Nothing really matter's,
cause he's back

Fave tracks:

Meet Me in the garden

I'm An Alcoholic

College Town Boy

You Can't Force a Dance Party

Howard

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My Summer Playlist

I finally finished making my summer playlist! These are the songs I am listening to when going to the beach, going out, and driving (day or night). Some have sentimental value but most are just fun songs to accompany this summer weather.

1. Lisztomania - Phoenix

Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix was released just in time for summer! The whole album is catchy, easy to listen, and FUN!

2. Lion In A Coma - Animal Collective

Funky, fun, bouncy, and quirky. After getting used to Animal Collective's unusual style and sound, Merriweather Post Pavilion is (so far) my favorite album of 2009. It definitely lived up to the hype and is refreshing to my summer like Aoki shaved ice after the beach.

3. I Could Break Your Heart Any Day Of The Week - Mandy Moore

YES Mandy Moore. It's my "song I sing in to the car" song:)

4. Stronger Than Jesus - A Camp

5. Fences - Phoenix

6. My Girls - Animal Collective

Can't get over how good this song is. I'm in love.

7. I'm Leaving You Because I Don't Love You - Jens Lekman

Break up with your boyfriend/girlfriend. HELLOOO it's summer! Time to have fun and meet new people!

8. The Strangers - St. Vincent

9. Use Somebody - Kings of Leon

Grammy winner...blah blah

10. Cheerleader - Grizzly Bear

Just saw this music video...it's creepy.

11. Girlfriend - Phoenix

12. Summertime Clothes - Animal Collective

13. Jails and Bombs - Amos Lee

Strictly sexy. Last Days at the Lodge isn't my fave Amos Lee album, but this song is a great mix of R&B and Folk. Reminds me of driving home late at night and his show at Next Door.

14. Air Mattress - Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band

Outer South is a great album. Purchase ASAP!

15. Two Weeks - Grizzly Bear

16. For What It's Worth - The Cardigans

Who knew The Cardigans put out such great folk/pop music?!? Long Gone Before Daylight is a great album.

17. All Of A Sudden - Telekinesis

"All of a sudden its summer time." Read about him in Under the Radar and I am intrigued! I think his music is a mix of Death Cab, Beach Boys, She & Him, and Helio Sequence.

18. Everblue - Mandy Moore

A little emo.

19. Here Are Many Wild Animals - A Camp

20. Rock With You - Michael Jackson

This is my fave Michael song. RIP <3

21. Won't Let Me Go - Amos Lee

I'm Awake, It's Morning

I was listening to this album while driving to work in traffic this morning. Conor Oberst is simply amazing. A poet, artist, musician, and so much more.

Fave Tracks:

Another Travelin' Song

Train Under Water - "I always get lost when I leave the village. So I couldn't meet you in Brooklyn last night"

Lua - Saw him play this live. Beautiful song.

Simply classic album

New York 1

So my dreams of moving to New York may finally come true. The city is amazing with so many things to do and see. The food was delish and culture and diversity was everywhere.

When I arrived in New York, Dara took me to the East Village. This sculpture is part of a building. We also witnessed a photoshoot with a tall blonde model and a bunch of kids dressed up as iron man (She had Christian Louboutin's on).

After hours of walking around Williamsburg, I bought Naot sandals from Shoe Market to treat my feet! There were so many great finds in Williamsburg. This hat is a vintage piece from the 50s from Artists and Fleas market. I bought it from Ricky who makes crazy hats!

One of my main priorities was to see a show at the famous Bowery Ballroom. I've heard the buzz around the venue and saw Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist. I went to the Bowery the last night of my trip and ended up seeing A Camp. BTW...great band! Nina Persson was awesome. She reminded me of a dramatic Jenny Lewis with a raspy voice. A Camp exceeded my expectations:).

Played tourist in Time Square and sat on the fancy bleachers. It was nice, but a little to crowded for my liking.

Must-Haves

Jenny Lewis - Acid Tongue

Acid Tongue came out in 2008, but after seeing Jenny perform, she's back on my playlist! She was absolutely amazing! Maybe Hawaii's music scene isn't so bad after all. Of Montreal and Jenny Lewis in the past two months!

Fave Tracks:

The Next Messiah: sexy as hell!!! The almost ten minute song was even better than the album version.

Carpetbagger: No Elvis Costello but still awesome!

See Fernando: This got the crowd going and calmed angry concertgoers (including us) who were waiting outside for 2 hours.

Pretty Bird: SEXY

Rise Up With Fists!!! Hana Ho!

Peter Bjorn and John - Living Thing

This is not the best album I ever heard, but there are a few songs I love. I was hoping the entire album had a dance/electronic feel like "Nothing to Worry About".

Fave Tracks:

Blue Period Picasso

Nothing to Worry About

It Don't Move Me

Score! 20 Years of Merge Records

I don't have much background information on this compilation, but I like it! Apples in Stereo, Death Cab, Bright Eyes, Broken Social Scene, the list goes on... A great mix of the best indie artists we know and love. I am waiting for my Dark Was The Night in the mail but this will do for now:)

Fave Tracks:

Don't Destroy This Night: A side of the New Pornographers I've yet to discover. This is my "dance while I'm driving" song!

Papa Was a Rodeo: Great Bright Eyes song.

Complications: FUNKY. First song I've heard of Broken Social Scene.