. Bite of Chic .

. From Across The Pond .

2012-02-14T12:08:00.000-08:00

Ladies and Gents, if you haven't heard Jethro's new tune, Before, (when you're done signing up for the free download) peep this video. Produced by Lost in the Specific and shot in a church, with Master Fox himself playing on a legitimate organ ---- the intro is a lovely din of chatter between the boys.

Fun Fact (Embarrassing Confession): I've now watched the video enough times that I've started to sing along to the chorus and not fumble the words.

Enjoy!

. Case Closed .

2012-02-07T12:16:00.000-08:00

Spikes, leather, chain, and feathers - Friend and Nemesis in a nutshell?

Introducing: The Bonnie Harness

(Bonnie must be one badass lass to get this one named after her.)

Friend & Nemesis accessories. Uzi tunic. Diba booties.

. La Deuxième :: Yours Truly .

2012-02-06T20:56:00.000-08:00

Ladies and Gents, you have just about half a fortnight left until Amour Appreciation Day. So if you don't know how to say "I love you" or "Thanks for being my best friend and eating ice cream with me, because we're both single", just let the smartyPants behind Yours Truly Handmade Paper Delights do it for you!

Are those not the most adorable cards you've ever seen in your life? Spread the love.

. For Love & Fury .

2012-02-06T20:29:00.000-08:00

She's a hardcore piece, the Fury Necklace from Friend and Nemesis, badass enough to dominate the entire homepage of their site. . . Paired with a cut-out maxi dress for a little femme and capped with a lace-up boot, this neckware is unlike anything I've seen on the market. It costs a pretty penny, but damn it's worth your while.

You know you're into it...

. Nomad Nuances .

2012-01-31T15:08:00.000-08:00

Much as I approve of head-to-toe monochrome darkness, on occasion I support a variation of shade too (and under rare, unusual circumstances will actually wear bright color like a normal human.) Strong enough to hold its own though, it seemed fitting that the featured accessory be the big drop of black for the day.

Enter: The Nomad Necklace.

Don't you just want to run your fingers through all that texture?

The Case: You can wear it with every day clothes. This dress was less than $75 from Zara.

Key Point: It's a unique take on the standard long necklace. And the tactile quality...Need I say anymore?

Be a smartyPants. And get in on it. I mean, please.

. Out of The Woods .

2012-01-30T22:58:00.000-08:00

Alright, you want the dirt? We somehow skid by on our heels and slipped under the radar of a potential $600 "shooting without a permit" ticket a few days ago, so we had to change up the locale. Obviously we couldn't traipse through location numero uno anymore after running into law enforcement - our "school photography project" cover could only go so far...

Hopefully the backdrop change won't deter you from browsing the product of an uninterrupted, apparently more legal use of our photography equipment.

That's right, catch that Nightfall necklace in action. Courtesy of Friend and Nemesis.

Remember that Tiara Gone Rogue Headband? This is her younger sister - meet the Spiked Hair Comb.

Madison Marcus 1sie. Friend and Nemesis accessories. E&J booties.

Keep your eyes peeled for the photoplay, duh. It's comin' to your screen in just a few days. . .

Roll into the week with some mellow indie? Yes, please:

Peter Wolf Crier makes the perfect music for creative time. Sitting at your computer writing a novel? Painting for your next show installation? Designing the logo for your next tee shirt line? Flip on this September-born record, Garden of Arms. It's got some mellow singer-songwriter tracks and a few more intense borderline indie rock tracks too. Whatever your flavor for background music when making the next cool shit you're gonna put on your wall or sell on a wall somewhere else / if you ever like indie music, I'm pretty sure this pack of boys will suit you. It's pretty hard not to like the tracks below. Try if you must, but when you finally admit that you love them, get a ticket to their shows, because they're touring! Whoooopy!

&lt;p&gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://peterwolfcrier.bandcamp.com/track/beach"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Beach by Peter Wolf Crier&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://peterwolfcrier.bandcamp.com/track/cut-a-hand"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Cut a Hand by Peter Wolf Crier&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://peterwolfcrier.bandcamp.com/track/settling-it-off"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Settling It Off by Peter Wolf Crier&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://peterwolfcrier.bandcamp.com/track/loud-enough-to-know"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Loud Enough To Know by Peter Wolf Crier&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&lt;/p&gt;

. Just a Tease .

2012-01-27T18:43:00.000-08:00

We've pulled some gems from Friend and Nemesis again...

Feeling maybe a little too badass, events took us closer to guerilla shooting than usual (we can neither confirm nor deny implications of trespassing.) We'll be back with more of the FAN collection next week, after the dust has settled.

. TV Girl @ The Echo .

2012-01-26T21:00:00.000-08:00

Be there or be square! On February 1st, a.k.a. next Wednesday, TV Girl is opening for Fujiya and Miyagi at The Echo in Echo Park, Los Angeles. Tickets are $12 in advance (twelve 99-cent burritos from Taco Bell) and $14 at the door (the price of a ticket to a movie you don't really want to see.) So pack your damn lunch from home, skip the boring movie, and spend your dollahs on a ticket to the show (it's better for your bod to dance than eat T-bell and way more fun than sitting all night!)

The boys were kind (silly) enough to let me pick their outfits out, and I'll have you know, they'll both be stylin' on stage. . .

Here's a little video. Get a taste of their tunes, if you haven't already (lame); meet the boys (they're funny and witty); and as always feel trendy, because now you got the skinny on who's cool in the music scene (you're excited.)
TV GIRL from Brooks Westervelt on Vimeo.

Obviously we took advantage of the chance to interview them, but you're just gonna have to wait for it. Cheeky, cheeky - shamelessly leaving you hanging.

xx

. Yours Truly .

2012-01-25T12:06:00.000-08:00

So, in the spirit of yesterday's post, it seemed appropriate to let you in on a secret that everyone should know about before Valentine's Day. Yours Truly, Handmade Paper Delights is quite possibly the cutest, most whimsical handmade stationery ever. Dotted borders are her signature trademark, but the lighthearted playfulness in each of the artist's designs is what really makes her work unique. Just take a peek at the pictures below. I mean, does it get any more adorable?

So, if you're not the Martha Stewart type, let Yours Truly do the crafty work for you.

A witty, creative maven... she even went so far as to make a card for those of us who celebrate Singles Awareness Day. It's not only about your romantic loved ones; Valentine's Day is the best day, because you get to tell your closest friends how much you love them too! I know several of my "Independent Woman" friends would get a giggle out of this one.

If you're not a proponent of Lover's Day, but you enjoy her aesthetic - fear not, my dear! There are many other holidays on the calendar (Her holiday cards are on sale! Get a jump on next year?); and she also makes every day, simple but chic, blank notecards as well. Have a field day, knowing the creator, she'll probably make a card at some point in the future for such an occasion, because she's just that creative. You have 20 days until Lover's Day, so place your orders ladies and gents!

In The Spirit of Love:

If you enjoy the sounds of Augustana, gravitate to Mat Kearney, or occasionally partake in belting out the lyrics of The Fray, you will probably enjoy the vocal musings of Cameron Ernst. He's in the running for Akon's Hit Lab contest to perform at The Grammy's; so if you're into his sound, vote for him! Polls close tonight, so better get your "Like" in there ASAP! While you're on the FB, you might want to check out his musician page too, so you can stay up to date on his touring plans as well. How cute is his cover of My Favorite Things? I melted; I'm not going to lie.

Love is Louder by cameronernst
My Favorite Things by cameronernst

. Goodies For The Ladies .

2012-01-24T14:10:00.000-08:00

It's almost that time again... Valentine's Day (also known in some circles as Singles Awareness Day). To get you primped, prepped, fluffed, and excited for the day here's a list of lovely products you should seriously consider getting yourself. (Boys, if you are completely at a loss for what to get your girl, she'd probably fall head over heels for you if you included any or all of these beauty potions in your shower of gifts for her.) All environmentally conscious and personally taken for a trial run by Yours Truly, I present to you:

1. For your face, to beat a breakout & banish blemishes for good - Dr. Brandt's Blemishes No More To Go $45.00
(At first glance it may seem like a hefty sum to pay, but the kit is cleanser, on-the-run cleansing pads, and moisturizer all in one package. Trust me, if you are prone to uneven texture or blemishes, you will be hooked from just your first usage. I kid you not, switch to this and your face will beam with confidence.)

2. To complement, refreshing and light toner - Evan Healy Rose Petal Facial Tonic $23.50

(What is more feminine than roses? I love this stuff. It gives your skin that beautifully dewy glow, and for a little bit you smell like a bouquet of roses. It's not overpowering though and doesn't dominate if you wear another perfume. Even if you use it every day, one bottle will last you quite a while, which is always nice.)

3. For sunken-in eyes or dark underlying circles - eyeSlices Legendary Eyes $18.00
(These babies do their job in less than ten minutes. The difference is noticeable immediately. I've seen! And I swear by these things for a quick fix, because they hydrate the skin so quickly and thoroughly.)

4. Now for your tresses. Want luscious lovely-smelling locks? Peter Lamas = Your hair's new BFF $18.00
(Any of my closest friends will tell you I am a beauty potion addict. This is the best hair care line I've
found yet, which is no statement to make lightly. I've tried the Avocado & Olive pair, the Rice Protein Volumizing combo, and the Soy Hydrating duet. Their fragrances are tantalizing; the line's organic and not chemically harmful; and it's totally affordable [in the scheme of pricy hair care products]; hello, I'm sold.)

5. To scrub and rejuvenate your bod - Sprout Skincare Scrub $ 22.00
(If you love a good exfoliating rub-down and enjoy the smell of coconut, you should be buying this immediately. I tried the mini kit to sample their products and loved everything, but this one was definitely in a class of its own when compared to other scrubs I've tried. Plus, it's so natural you could probably eat it if you were so inclined - not that I suggest it, but just to make my point.)

6. To keep your skin soft as a baby's tush - Kiehl's Soy Milk & Honey Whipped Body Butter $35.00
(I highly suggest purchasing the large size of this for $12.00 more, because you try this stuff once and you'll be hooked. Absorbs very quickly, non-greasy, smells light and lovely, and your skin literally has never been so soft.)

7. Last but not least, if you are not one of the few celebrating Single's Awareness Day (or even if you are single and just want to treat yourself to some all-natural grooming) and you actually have a special someone... I talked to the girls over at Sugaring LA, and they're hooking our followers up with $49.00 Brazilians. Usually $65.00, Nicole and Kasey, will happily prep your hoo-hah for V-Day at a discounted rate if you mention . Bite of Chic .
(I used to be unwaveringly devoted to my waxer, and then I came across Santa Monica's hidden treasure. Let's just say I'm divorced from waxing and never going back. Sugaring is not nearly as uncomfortable; the girls are extremely professional and sweet; and the result is leaps and bounds better than the aftermath of waxing. Book an appointment by emailing them here or call them directly at 310.795.2585. Remember, no mention of the blog = no discount.)

You have exactly three weeks until Valentine's Day. Happy beautifying!

xx

. Behind The Scenes .

2012-01-21T12:51:00.000-08:00

Wanna get a peek at what it looks like on set when we style and shoot? Jonesin' for a little BTS fix? Let us feed your mildly voyeuristic need...

Los Angeles from Brooks Westervelt on Vimeo.

Music:
Locals Only - Dom Kennedy

Models:
Kameron Burk
Tyler Miller
Dalton Gerlach

Featured Brands:
The Ampal Creative
Volga Verdi
Jedidiah USA
Figs Ties
The Edison Manufacturing Co.

. All In A Day's Work .

2012-01-19T23:36:00.000-08:00

Long time no see lovelies. Happy (belated) New Year!

Pardon the delay in updating, please. Shoots, styling, writing, and interviewing bands can hinder the daily updates. At any rate, we are getting back into the swing of it all and have some fabulous things to share in the coming weeks... ahem, new videos, amazing gifts to help you prep for Valentine's Day (yes, it's almost here. Yippee!), and of course, the skinny on a couple standby favorite bands... plus, new tunes!

Keep your eyes peeled. The updates are about to start rollin' your way.

Here are a few shots from a shoot for a friend a few weeks ago. A little projection play, if you will...

Ariel McCleese necklace. Zara blazer. Uzi caped tunic. J brand jeggings. Diba spiked booties.

2012, opened with a throwback:

There's just something about adding a whistlin' back-tone to an already invigorating, upbeat song that makes it irresistible. Yeah, their jams have been around for a few years now, but what is it about Total Babe that incites this constant repeat reflex and the smiling head-bob? I can listen to Heat Wave over and over and over, which I'm pretty sure is possible thanks to its overarching happiness, their clap-along instrumental sequences, and the general amiability of their tunes. It might not be summer yet, but it's practically around the corner, let's be real. So if you're freezing your ass off in the dead of winter somewhere, melt into the witty cuteness of these songbirds from Minneapolis. (They're probably freezing their asses off in the Midwest winter too, if we're being real... didn't you miss the cheeky cheekiness while we've been on hiatus?) Bearbones is the only track I can embed for you, but definitely give Shape Up a listen, and as always, do the right thing - buy their EP!
Total Babe - Bearbones by SkeetBeatz Playlist

. Last Chance Ladies & Gents .

2011-12-19T16:26:00.001-08:00

It goes without saying that all the holidays are breathing down our necks and about to pass in less than a blink.. So if neither of the guys we've featured thus far accurately describes the recipient of your generous present-giving, here's one other strapping young lad we've got in our back pocket. If it is entirely possible your man is of the most low-key, laid-back nature - the kind who stands firmly by his favorite, worn-in tee shirt but spruces up quite nicely once you convince him to dress for the occasion, whatever it may be that requires a dash of swank - the digs on this guy below might just suit your needs.

Intrigued? Read on you beneficent, soon-to-be-gift-bearing creature...

To Recap:

1. Jedidiah: Viva T. Get it here!

2. Jedidiah: Polaroid T. Get it here!

3. Jedidiah: Medal T. Get it here!

4. Vince: Sweater Hoodie (similar to the one pictured above). Get it here!

5. Zara: Navy Sport Jacket (similar to the one pictured above.) Get it here!

6. Jedidiah: Pepper Black Jacket. Get it here!

7. Levi's: 511 Rinsed Jean. Get it here!

Don't worry, he cleans up well too..

To Recap:

1. Figs: Silk Woven Blend Thomas Tie. Get it here!

2. Figs: Silk I IV I Tie. Get it here!

3. Figs: Silk Elephant Polo Tie. Get it here!

4. Barneys: Graph Check Shirt. Get it here!

5. Jil Sander (for someone very lucky): Basic 2-Button Suit. Get it here!

6. Pringle of Scotland: Tweed Sportcoat (another awesome option): Get it here!

7. Edison Manufacturing: Logo Flap Wallet (we shot the Coal Black version.) Get it here!

We'll see you after the New Year begins! Don't worry, we're cookin' up some fun things for the beginning of 2012, provided the impending Mayan apocalypse proves to be an utter falsehood...

Fingers crossed, right?

. Guys Gift Guide Round II .

2011-12-10T13:02:00.001-08:00

Does your man love a great tee? Have you found yourself in search of the perfect screen print design that's unique but still casual and not too over the top? Enter: Volga Verdi and Jedidiah. Both sites also have great deals right now, free shipping and discounts if you participate in social networking for the site. Get in on it.

We've also got another hat from Ampal Creative if the first Albuquerque option was too much for your guy. This Wax On hat is made from a waxed canvas that's water resistant and goes with pretty much everything.

To recap:

1. Volga Verdi: VT. Get it here!

2. Jedidiah: Sunset Ash T. Get it here!

3. Jedidiah: Scoop Cream T. Get it here!

4. Ampal Creative: Wax On hat. Get it here!

5. B.D. Baggies: 1986 Check Shirt. Get it here!

6. Comune: Braydon Black Overdyed Jean. Get it here!

7. Vince: Shawl Collar Cardigan (similar to the Ralph Lauren pictured above.) Get it here!

8. Paul Smith Jeans: Shawl Collar Cardigan (another cute option.) Get it here!

9. Bed Stu: Leather Moonshine Boot. (similar to the suede boot above.) Get it here!

I feel like if your boy can sport a shawl collar and some lace-up boots (I am such a sucker for a good lace-up, super indie boot), he is more than likely open to bow ties. Remember Figs Ties from Gift Guide I? Here are a few (amazingly adorable) bow tie options and a great brown and black plaid tie (from their yet-to-be-released collection.)

To Recap:

1. Figs Ties: Pure British Woolen Dugard Bow Tie. Get it here!

2. Figs Ties: British Silk Woolen Paz Bow Tie. Get it here!

3. Barneys: Mini Grid Sport Shirt. Get it here!

4. Banana Republic: Charcoal Cashmere V-Neck. Get it here!

5. Banana Republic: Light Grey Cashmere V-Neck. Get it here!

6. Banana Republic: Tan Silk / Cashmere V-Neck. Get it here!

7. Rag & Bone: Skinny Trouser. Get it here!

As if all that isn't enough to get your giving wheels a-turnin', here are some smaller accessory-type ideas. Maybe you just started seeing someone, or need a small stocking stuffer for your dad, a little something cool for your brother. Whatever your need may be, Edison Manufacturing can probably fulfill it. Based out of San Diego, they're very prompt about shipping. Here are a few shots of their rad comb case (comes with comb) and a couple key chain options. Everything is priced pretty well and handmade with sturdy, worth-it quality.

A Few Edison Manufacturing Accessory Ideas:

1. Comb Sheath: Get it here!

2. Key Covers (great for differentiating between keys): Get it here!

3. Font Feather Key Chain: Get it here!

4. Hand Sewn Key Clip: Get it here!

5. Medium Tote w/Pendleton Lining (comes in blue and red): Get it here!

Happy shopping!

. Blogger Night Out II .

2011-12-07T23:34:00.001-08:00

So if you follow me on twitter, you probably saw my tweets about last night's collection debut party for Thale Blanc. (Remember when we featured her pochettes and amazing iPad cases?) During our lovely evening of champagne and bite-sized yummies, we learned the backstory behind Deborah Sawaf's (head designer) newest endeavor, evening bags of the most stunning exotic skins in an array of eye-poppin' colors. Below are some sneak peeks at the collection.. See those colorful pochettes? She's made a double pochette for those of us who have more than one phone, or want to bring a camera out for the night (smartypants.) If you're indigenous to L.A., be sure to swing by Fred Segal on Melrose this Sunday from 12:00-5:00 for the exclusive trunk show. You'll definitely want to be seen among the next big thing to hit the market.

I want this tan bag on the left in my life, now, please. Don't you?

This is where you need to be on Sunday...Get directions from your humble abode here.

. The Gift Guides Begin .

2011-12-07T10:13:00.001-08:00

Does your boyfriend look like this? Is he the consummate professional, always on time to work, buttoned into a crisp shirt, topped off with a spiffy tie - is he the whole nine, rolled into one fabulous creature? If so, I styled and shot some great gift options (ahem, Figs Ties) to bestow upon your possibly preppy or maybe just entirely dapper beau...

So should you find yourself trying to justify purchasing one of these ties or scarves from Figs, let me give you the laundry list of reasons why it's absolutely okay (and by that I mean totally necessary) to do so. First of all, the quality is impeccable. When you touch these ties, you know they're well-made and going to last a long time. Secondly, though this is really equal to the primary reason, they are the perfect understated cool every guy seeks - easy to throw on, but gives a little instaChic to an otherwise standard professional ensemble. And last but certainly not least whatsoever, Figs donates part of their proceeds to children in need of clothing in underprivileged areas of the world. (Hit up their "About us" and learn more.)

To recap:

1. Figs Ties: Summer Wool, Hermann. Get it here!

2. Figs Ties: Silk Woven Blend, George. Get it here!

3. Hugo Boss: White Shirt. Get it here!

4. Hugo Boss: Slim Dress Pant. Get it here!

5. Falke: Tiago Sock. Get it here!

6. Paul Smith: Contrast Stripe Sock (Adorable. I mean come on.) Get it here!

7. Bruno Magli: Rorty Slip-on. Get it here!

The other great thing about Figs is that their scarves are amazingly soft and all natural. I'm talkin' so soft you want to sleep on this thing just to let your face rest on the fluffy cushion of heavenliness. Here's a slightly dressed down way to sport a lighter version of the Figs scarf pictured above.

To recap:

1. Figs: Large Cashmere Tie, Charcoal. Get it here!

2. Figs: Medium Cashmere Tie, Charcoal. Get it here!

3. Rag & Bone: Yokohama Shirt. Get it here!

4. Rag & Bone: Charles Shirt (cute second option if your man prefers stripes.) Get it here!

5. Element: Eastport Full Button Jacket (similar to the J Crew jacket above.) Get it here!

If you feel like all this is too dressy for your man, fear not. Here's a gift-worthy look for one who may be a little more laid-back. If he tends to sport the T-shirt and plaid button down on the regular, definitely snag these ideas:

There's some street-cred-worthy sickness pervading Ampal Creative's hat line. Above is their Albuquerque Snap Back hat, made with this great pendleton wool - totally soft, warm, and folds easily into any bag. It also just happens to compliment this Volga Verdi tee quite nicely. Throw a plaid flannel and a navy sweater over it, and he's good to go.

To recap:
1. Ampal Creative: The Albuquerque Snap Back. Get it here!
2. Volga Verdi: Superveloce Tee. Get it here!
3. Just a Cheap Shirt: Get it here!
4. Penguin Sweater Coat: Similar version here!
5. Levi's: Get it here!
6. Brass Brockton Buck Shoe: Get it here!

Big thanks to our first model, editor in chief from I'm All Ears, Mr. Burk.

With all these gift ideas, I'm pretty sure a musical note would overwhelm you, so I'll let you get to your holiday shoppin' and bring you some tunes a little later!

Feel free to email me, if you need ideas for anyone this holiday season. I am happy to assess your recipient's needs and provide suggestions...

. BoyishGirl .

2011-12-06T17:41:00.001-08:00

This look is chock-full of goodness to get yourself, yuh sistuh, yuh mothuh, whomever you're buyin' for during this fast-approaching holiday season. You've seen how the spiked headband can be femme or slightly more masculine, the bracelet here can also be a great little necklace, and these spats over the top of my shoes... who wouldn't want something so cool? At any rate, head over to Friend and Nemesis to get your holiday shopping on.
Also, please pardon the delay in the updates. We've been prepping and shooting gift guides for you! Keep your finger on the trackpad for tomorrow's first look at great options to get your boy for the holidays (your brothuh, yuh dad, yer cousin, the boss to whom you staunchly devote your life.) Yes, that's right.. menswear. I'll be bringing you options for all those guys. Just you wait...

Huge thanks again to Kristy at Friend and Nemesis for sending us amazing pieces! (PS: they've added a new necklace to their collection, The Siren, and it is pretty blanking cute.)

Shake your hipster:

Yeah, listen to that first track and you're gonna wanna shake your skinny-jean-covered tush. Your padded-80's-jacket shoulders will probably start to bounce up and down completely of their own volition. First Rate People, where have you been all my life? These kids know how to make indie-pop cheese-free and seem to cook up whimsical dance tunes like they were born to do it. It's sing-songy in the best sense of the phrase (a.k.a. you can twist along and occasionally shout a phrase here or there without sound like a total freak.) You should definitely add them to your Holiday Party Playlists. If you don't have any of those going yet, better get a move on, pal.

&lt;p&gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://firstratepeople.bandcamp.com/track/someone-else-can-make-a-work-of-art"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Someone Else Can Make A Work Of Art by First Rate People&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&amp;lt;a href="http://firstratepeople.bandcamp.com/track/someone-else-can-make-a-work-of-art-kidstreet-remix"&amp;gt;Someone Else Can Make A Work Of Art (Kidstreet Remix) by First Rate People&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://firstratepeople.bandcamp.com/track/funny-games"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Funny Games by First Rate People&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://firstratepeople.bandcamp.com/track/orion"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Orion by First Rate People&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&lt;/p&gt;

. Accessory Chameleon .

2011-12-01T16:25:00.001-08:00

Is it a belt? Or is it a necklace? Originally intended to adorn your neck, I thought it might be chic to sport as a belt. Lo and behold... Leave it to Kristy and Andreas over at Friend and Nemesis to create unique versatility. You want this Billow Nude collier in your life, because it's unusual and has totally intricate detail but is so light you don't feel weighed down whatsoever. Plus, if your standard leather waist belt is lookin' a little tired, you can always cinch your dress with its adjustable-length ribbon closure.

Necklace / Belt: Friend and Nemesis. Dress: Kelly Bergin. Booties: Topshop.

Musical Obsession of Late:

I just came across the free EP downloads from these boys. . . And my how lucky to get such happy tunes for free! If you like Jethro Fox, Bombay Bicycle Club, or Oregon Bike Trails, you will most likely appreciate TV Girl as well (if you don't already.) Pair Benny and the Jetts with the crazy wind blowing through L.A. right now, and you might just float away on a gust of happiness. Smile-worthy-synth, lighthearted backbeats, and retro-esque vocals reminiscent of the 60's. Plus, their lyrics are witty and oh so intriguing. I mean, come on, what more could you want? (I know I say that often, but listen to their bandcamp, and you'll undoubtedly agree..) They're playing a show in San Diego in a few weeks. Keep your eyes peeled for presale ticket info. I'll give you the skinny as soon as I get it.

&lt;p&gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://tvgirl.bandcamp.com/track/benny-and-the-jetts"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Benny and the Jetts by TV Girl&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://tvgirl.bandcamp.com/track/baby-you-were-there"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Baby you were there by TV Girl&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&amp;lt;a href="http://tvgirl.bandcamp.com/album/girls-like-me-7"&amp;gt;Girls Like Me 7&amp;amp;quot; by TV Girl&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;&lt;/p&gt;

. Tiara Gone Rogue .

2011-11-29T20:29:00.001-08:00

Anyone who's trafficked her blog knows Too Young For Fashion is a well qualified photographer. I was lucky enough to spend the day with her passing the time with some of our favorite activities... glorified dress up and designing photos for you. Designing photos specifically to highlight this kick-ass hairware. Neither your typical tiara nor your average headband, it is the tiara who met and fell in love with the punk rocker.

Do you ever feel like you just need to get your hair off your face for the afternoon? Let me tell you, with this blanket-like mop top I sure as hell do. When you want to get your hair out of your eyes and look fly while you do it, just click here and get one of your very own...

Baby it's the beat:

To continue questioning you, do you ever file through your iTunes and feel bored? Exhausted by your overplayed favorite songs that need a little refreshing and some new sass? Today's post seems to be a series of posed questions and then an attempt to feed your needs... Let's hope this one satiates your desire for sick new tunes with a good back beat and silky vocals. Ever heard Blood Orange? Whether you have or have not, his music is awesome. Chill but unusual, good bass and cool chord progressions, his voice will make your ear literally jump off your head and thank you directly for being so kind as to play his tunes. Below are a couple that my ears dig from his Soundcloud.. But see for yourself, he's got a ton of tracks up there. Listen and think, trendy hipster store-opening party in New York... Can't you see it fitting perfectly into that vibe? I don't know what it is, but I feel like his remix of Radioactive could slip seamlessly into a scene from How to Make It In America... an episode closing - introspective moment at a party or walking down a street, anyone? In any case, revamp your "recently added" at once with this guy...

Bad Girls by Blood Orange
Sutphin Boulevard by Blood Orange
Huge Quit part 2 (Vocal Edit) Feat. Erika Spring by Blood Orange
MARINA +THE DIAMONDS – “Radioactive” (Blood Orange Remix) by Blood Orange

. The Truth About Young Liars .

2011-11-29T00:06:00.001-08:00

Modern technology truly knows no geographical bounds. Yes, these boys are from and still reside in Canada. And yes, I still interviewed them so you could get to know them a little bit better. Newly signed to Nettwerk, I bring you a little truth about Young Liars...

EW: How did you all meet / become a band? Give me a little of your background history.
Andrew: Jordan, Ty, and I were in a band before Young Liars. Our lead singer quit to join a pop punk band so we spent a year jamming in my aunt's shed-turned-studio, getting absolutely nothing done. Then we found Angelo via a craigslist ad. He and I were totally convinced of the necessity of a synth player and Wes was an acquaintance of his. Also, ninjas.

EW: Where did your name originate? Does it have anything to do with TV on The Radio?
Andrew: It's actually from a comic series I was reading at the time. Though we really like TVOTR, we weren't even really making the connection in our heads at the time.

EW: I likened your style to Two Door Cinema Club, but can you tell me a little about who inspires your style and who you guys respect as far as musical talent / unusual sound / lyrical complexity / anything you like about a specific artist who inspires you to do what you do.
Jordan: Who inspires our sound is a tough one. I don't think any of us set out exactly where we wanted to head with our music, as much as it just happened. We love really good, interesting pop music, like David Bowie, New Order, and Beach Boys. We also enjoy the creativity and exploration of someone like Arthur Russell or Geinoh Yamashirogumi. For me personally, fellow Canadian, Patrick Watson is incredibly inspiring. He makes the kind of music that leaves me extremely moved. I remember seeing him play in a small church-like venue in Vancouver called St. James hall. He had so much passion and loved the music he was sharing. I would love to impart that same feeling to someone else.

EW: How would you categorize your sound?
Andrew: We try and make electronic pop music with as few tricks as possible. We try to create everything live using real instruments instead of backing tracks.
Jordan: I think we're often trying to make great pop songs with interesting details that can be found if the listeners care to look for them. Is there a genre for that?

EW: I’m relatively obsessed (meaning I now know most of the words) with Echoists. Can you tell me a little about the writing of that track?
Andrew: Echoists started as a very different track (I think Jordan made the first bare bones version of it) and it really wasn't panning out the way we wanted it to. A lot changed last minute. For example, the beginning guitar went from something that was Prince-like hard funk to the clean bouncy guitars you hear now. I would say Echoists has had about three completely different revisions before the final version on the EP.
Jordan: While were still writing and revising the track, we called it "Blue Eyes". I actually still call it that from time to time.

EW: How do you all work when you’re writing? Do you sit down all together at a given time and share? Is it constant and organic, i.e. when one of you thinks of something you tell the others, and it unravels from there?
Andrew: I think if we all sat down in a room to write a song from scratch it would be ridiculously uncoordinated. The basic formula of a track starts with someone coming with a few basic ideas that they share, like a chord progression or melody, then everyone plays on it for a while writing parts.
Jordan: We always create rough recordings of our rehearsals, usually with one of our phones, then I'll sit down with something more substantial and decide a direction for melody and lyrics.

EW: Do you all live together and meet in the room with the biggest couch and write together? (That’s really more of a question to be included in number 6, but it felt funny to have so many questions designated to one number..)
Andrew: Angelo and I live together. Wes lives in the general area of where we live, Ty closer to the downtown core, and Jordan in Burnaby -- a city that attaches to Vancouver. We do however own a large couch.

EW: What’s an average day like for the boys of Young Liars? Do you all eat, sleep, breathe music, or do you have other jobs? If you have outside activities / professional commitments, do explain…
Andrew: Right now, we currently all have day jobs. But, most evenings of the week are spent with band- or music-related things.
Jordan: We just finished a week in studio working on our full length, with a few of the guys taking time off work. I was able to spend all week in the studio working and it was unreal.

EW: Can I have the back-story on Andrew’s untrimmed beard? There must be some kind of privileged reasoning behind it…
Andrew: My beard started as a bet in high school, and hasn't been cut a whole lot since. I usually get it trimmed by a barber, but it's about the lowest it's ever been right now. It's easier than shaving every day.
Jordan: Andrew shaved his beard off about three weeks ago for the first time in years. Needless to say, we all miss the beard dearly. Though, when it is there in full force, we're pretty sure it is an evil beard that plots against us...

EW: Who are you listening to right now? Top five last played on your pods. (This can be for all of you, or if one person prefers to pipe up, that’s great too.)
Jordan: Elton John is just blowing me away with his sweet, sweet pop music this week. I also just found these amazing recordings of Erik Satie pieces from a pianist named Daniel Varsano. A little Beach Boys and Elvis in there too.
Andrew: I've been listening to a lot of Braids, Peter Gabriel, this Kora player named Toumani Diabate, and a tonne of Afro Cuban music.

EW: Are any of you reading anything noteworthy? If so, pray tell…
Andrew: I just finished Team of Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin. I'm reading 2666 by Roberto Bolano right now.
Jordan: I just read this weird Archie comic from 1990 that was an adaptation of an Archie TV movie from 1990 where Archie and the gang were all 35 years old and had messed up lives. Noteworthy? Not really, but it sure was bizarre.
Andrew: I heard about that, it's ultra depressing right?

EW: Who’s single? You’re all a foxy bunch. Give me the skinny…
Andrew: Jordan's married. Wes, Tyler and I all have long term girl friends. You can have Angelo I guess.

EW: Cheeky...very cheeky.

EW: What do Canadians do on Thanksgiving?
Andrew: Eat turkey, sacrifice our first born, the usual stuff.
Jordan: ...and then we prepare for Halloween. Do American's know our Thanksgiving happens at the beginning of October?

EW: What’re your plans for the future? Another EP, a trip to the States, touring in Canada?
Andrew: We're going to be re-releasing our EP under Nettwerk Records this winter and we're currently recording a full length.
Jordan: I really, really want to go back to the states this summer. If people invite us, we will come.

EW: Who's producing the full-length? Are you guys signed or looking to be signed to a label in the future, or will you be braving the music industry self-producing and self-booking?
Andrew: A local producer Digory Smallz is producing our album (don't worry, not his real name). We just signed with Nettwerk, so we're not really independent anymore. Going it on your own is great but having a team of people who care about music and want to help work with you is awesome too. We do self-book at the moment though.

- They're a witty bunch, aren't they? Don't forget to scope their Bandcamp. Hope you enjoyed getting to know them a little. I'll keep you posted on their touring plans. Let's hope they make it to the States again soon! Happy Tuesday -

. Return of The Sun .

2011-11-28T11:10:00.001-08:00

We're taking a break from the white box studio to bring you some outdoor photos, thanks to the California sun coming back to town. Much as I love Helmut Lang and a silky little drape action, there's a new love in town. Stopping by for a few days are the accessories of Friend and Nemesis. Badass and edgy, genius designer, Kristy Lee, sent me some pieces to share with you. The necklace below is one of her many unique, feminine but street-chic-worthy pieces. Happy Monday!

Necklace: Friend and Nemesis (Cache Nude Necklace.) Top: Helmut Lang. Skirt: Forever21. Shoes: Jeffrey Campbell.

The Covers:

While I usually prefer the original version of anything, there's nothing wrong with a cover every now and then, if it's done just right. Below are a few covers I've been listening to over the last several days. I thought I'd share with you to spice up our musical interaction a little bit...Some of them are even available for free download. Lucky you!

Ellie Goulding - The Wolves Act I & II (Bon Iver Cover) by TheseFriendlySounds

Iron and Wine - Bonnaroo Cover Madness from Aunt Martha on Vimeo.

Paradise (Coldplay Cover)- Noah And The Whale by brycoolviva

. Party Season .

2011-11-25T14:26:00.001-08:00

The holidays are here. Wherever you are, they're approaching in all styles, occasions, and festivities. So, what to wear? Well, a polka dot is always cute and has re-entered the Chic Conversation as of late, and Lanvin for H&M was pretty much beyond cute. (Yes, I was one of those devotees a few years ago standing outside the doors at 6:00 in the morning. Mind you it was definitely raining, and I was too stubborn to bring an umbrella, because I can't stand umbrellas. Thus, I had to suffer in the dank, frigid California morning air and enter the store smelling like a wet dog at 10:00, once I finally got through the doors. #FashionSlaveProblems) So, in any case, why not pair the cuteness together? Otis & Maclain's dotty little pattern definitely played nice with the solid of Lanvin for H&M's ruffled number.

Top: Otis & Maclain. Skirt: Lanvin for H&M.

Party Tunes:

Obviously as the holidays approach you want to have the coolest tunes to play at your hipster cocktail party. Enter: Papa. Upbeat and indie enough to give your bash the festive vibe you want, but chill enough not to overpower the din. Play their tunes and you'll still be able to hear when your friends ask, "Who is this kick-ass band? Why haven't I heard them before? Where'd you find them?" Get the LP and most of their tunes here. Lucky you, a couple of the tracks below can be downloaded off their Sound Cloud as well. I feel like these songs would play in this order if it was a party of mine that you were attending. Start the night off with I am The Lion King, let everyone come into the scene and get a little sauced with Let's Make You Pregnant (hilarious), and wrap the night up with the more mellow sounds of Ain't It So. However you like it, just get your shimmy and shake on. Let loose pals, the holidays are finally just around the corner. And someone, please sign these boys to a label..
PAPA: I Am The Lion King by Hit City USA
PAPA: Let's Make You Pregnant by Hit City USA
PAPA: Ain't It So by Hit City USA

. Fortune Teller Chic .

2011-11-24T13:36:00.001-08:00

Shall I tell your fortune? Give you a reading for your future? If you're American and in the States, I predict that by this evening you'll be in a tryptophan coma (or if you're vegetarian, let's hope you at least get a sugar high from the extra helpings of dessert to make up for the lacking turkey in your belly - I will definitely experience the latter.) If you are not American, do not partake in Thanksgiving overeating, and are confused by the aforementioned prophecy, I foresee instead that by the end of this post you will want to visit Inked and Sewn to learn how to make a turban of your very own...

- Though everyone will want to do that I bet -

Jess, over at Inked and Sewn, and I paired up to bring you two sides of the smarts it takes to be fashionable - the production and the final product display. She made it. I styled it. Initially, you might think it a challenging feat to rock a crystallized turban. However my dear Chic Warriors, if Jess and I can do it, you absolutely can. Doubt yourself not, and be not so pessimistic. Have faith in your style - spice up the bland with a little kick in the head, a little unconventional turbanwear always does the trick. When sporting a noteworthy head piece, I advise maintaining simplicity in the rest of your ensemble - i.e. standard white blouse, classic black jean, and relatively neutral shoe...

Turban: Courtesy of Jess at Inked and Sewn. Blouse: Silence & Noise. Jean: J brand. Shoe: Ego & Greed.

Sink your teeth into the tunes:

At the recommendation of the smartypants co-founder, Luke, over at Witness This, I am newly obsessed with Kith & Kell. Their write-up is relatively extensive compared to the blurbs I usually give you, so I'll just give you my brief thoughts and let you sink your teeth into their musical wisdom. Kith & Kell has mastered the feel good vibe :: sentimental guitar ratio necessary for happy, new-age folk. Listening to their bandcamp I wanted to dance (and by that I mean I was awkwardly bobbing my head and shaking my shoulders while hunched over my desk), go for a run on a beach, and drive in the car with my best friend down the coast to see them in concert immediately. Their melodic decisions are smart and unusual, keep you guessing and interested, and above all incite that uncontrollable smile and subconscious shoulder shaking head bob. I'm not the only one who thinks this...109 people and counting like their facebook. And you should too.. Big thanks to Luke for the heads up! <a href="http://kithandkell.bandcamp.com/album/wilderness-king-ep">Wilderness King - EP by Kith & Kell</a>

. So Long, Farewell .

2011-11-21T23:04:00.001-08:00

Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum. Two girls dressed as one. How freaky would it be if I told you now, at this somewhat developed stage of our relationship, that I'm a twin? There's a physically identical duplicate running around posing on occasion for . Bite of Chic . If only such a statement were not a complete and utter fallacy. I'm not a twin, but that would be a cheeky trick to play on you...

Sweater: JNBY (similar JNBY version.) Scarf: UO (similar version.) Socks: UO. Booties: E&J (similar version.)

This bittersweetly concludes my coverage of the JNBY shoot. Such great pieces, words cannot describe how much I love the collection. Disappointed to wrap it up, but excited for future coverage of their collections. Spring time for JNBY in California? I certainly hope so...

Side Dish of Music:

Do you know Mutemath? If your answer is "No, who the hell is that?", "Oh, I think that's what my roommate played last night, but I don't remember" or "Yeah, sounds kind of familiar..." Then my dear friends you are cut from the HipsterNation Team. They are definitely noteworthy enough to be known by you, and the other 11 million people who've listened to their MySpace - they've been on The Tonight Show, that should validate enough for you. So listen, don't tell anyone you didn't know them, just listen to the song below and pretend you already love it, by the 1:00 point, you probably honestly will... and I'll keep your secret. Here's the skinny, self-proclaimed "electro-alt rock", they've been around for a few years now and most recently self-produced their 2011 album, Odd Soul. Popped up on the music festival scene, they've definitely hopped around the big ones, Bonnaroo / Warped Tour / Lollapalooza. I originally fell in love with In No Time, but sample Blood Pressure and see what you think...
Blood Pressure by MuteMath

. The Last Supper .

2011-11-19T23:46:00.001-08:00

Devastating as it is, the truth will now come forth to be told. . . This is the second to last look from the JNBY shoot. - Woe and Dismay - However, on with the ensemble. These trousers are a pair I'd gladly sport to supper, and this jacket has already witnessed many a dinner party and nonchalant soirée. The two seemed a match made in ChicLand, and they're palette compatible, so that's always a plus. Cinch it up with an elasticized metal belt thanks to Zara, and ta-da.... InstaChic for your evening.

Songs for a Sunday:

Alright, so she's not so indie anymore, but that doesn't make her any less cool.. In case you missed Florence on SNL, here's a clip. One: her voice is unreal. It's just so damn good. Two: that dress is awesome, and I'm slightly (very) envious. I wish that bad boy was hangin' in my closet for the party-going of the holidays that's about to ensue... Happy Beginning of Thanksgiving Week!

. The Fox and The Houndstooth .

2011-11-18T21:06:00.001-08:00

"The Softest and Fluffiest of Fox Fur, meet, The Teeniest Tiniest of Houndstooth - and everyone be nice to The Cable Knit Sock." She said sweetly...

Do you ever feel (is Firework playing in your head right now?) like your clothes sometimes take on a mind of their own? Ask any of my dearest friends, and they'll tell you I imbue pretty much every inanimate object with an animated voice and persona. If only there was a way to share the experience with you. Maybe someday it'll come out in one of the videos we make.. Until then, I hope this outfit sparks your fancy. Big thanks to the Maguire Steele crew for all the JNBY - lotsa looks, lotsa posts!

Vest: JNBY (another JNBY version.) Grey Tee: Splendid. White Tank: Otis & Maclain (T-shirt version.) Skirt: Silence + Noise. Sock: UO. Boot: Via Spiga (similar version.)

Side Dish of Tunes:

Served fresh, here's the truth about these Young Liars. One, their bandcamp is jam-packed with melodic goodness and shake-your-hip-pleased-ear-sweetness. Two, they're Canadian. Three, I've never seen them live, but let's hope they plan to breeze through L.A. again, because they just played the Culture Collide Festival (and I missed it!!) How are they unsigned? I'm pretty sure many an Urban Outfitter would be proud to play any if not all of the indie-pop electro-jams from these boys. The vocals and backbeat in Marathon have a vibe similar to (but more lighthearted than) What You Know by Two Door Cinema Club. I'm newly obsessed with this band, mind you I just came across them about a half hour ago - entirely by accident, but what a happy little blessing in disguise. Hope ya dig. Apparently they're working on a full length album. Cannot wait for that release! Super Saturday find, not to pat myself on the back or anything..

<a href="http://youngliars.bandcamp.com/track/echoists">Echoists by Young Liars</a><a href="http://youngliars.bandcamp.com/track/colours-2">Colours by Young Liars</a>

. Robin Hood .

2011-11-18T18:36:00.001-08:00

I've had my hair in a side braid for about three days in a row now, and I'm pretty sure I've inadvertently given myself a perm. Somehow it's just become my go-to hair-do. I don't know what it was about these JNBY shorts that just harkened a schoolboy-esque vibe in my head, thus the blouse, over the knee sock, lace-up wedge, and pseudo-femme bow tie. Welcome to Femme Gone Homme Friday.

Blouse: Stella McCartney (somewhat similar version.) NeckTie: Vintage. Shorts: JNBY (similar version.) Socks: UO. Shoes: AllSaints.

Ring In The Weekend:

Remember the write-up about Jethro Fox? The warbling lad has a new chant, and it's quite pleasing to the auditory receptors, I might add. Hope you like it too! Haven't come across a download yet, but I'm sure he'll post it here when it's available.

Before by Jethro Fox

. The Cloaked One .

2011-11-17T22:46:00.001-08:00

Betcha wouldn't wanna run into me in a dark alley - all creepy and doe-eyed in a hooded cloak and asymmetrically-hemmed sweater... This is probably not an ensemble one could sport to the lawfirm, but that doesn't take away any of the chic à mon avis. Though the wrap is in my closet thanks to my love affair with cheapieCheapie from H&M, the knit number is of course, courtesy of JNBY. Who else could design a piece that so effortlessly exudes cool. It is such a kick-ass sweater. I wish I could wear it every single day.

Tra La La For You:

Much like Penguin Prison, this band will probably incite toe-tapping without you even realizing. So upbeat, happy synth, and a little clap-along every now and then. Stoic as you may be, I highly doubt you can help but shake your shoulders and wiggle your hips... Try - I dare you. Bombay Bicycle Club, a.k.a. four lads from the other side of the pond seems to always crack any grey mood that might come over me. The video on their homepage is pretty funny too - 0:57 seconds in, I want that Apache Coat in my life. Brit boys, I don't know how they seem to make unfailingly amazing music, but as I always say, there must be somethin' in those fish & chips. Why on earth are they not coming to the States? Did I miss it? Have they already come, and I devastatingly wasn't aware? In any case, buy their tunes (they've got quite a lot from which to choose), shake your tush, and spread the happy.

BOMBAY BICYCLE CLUB "A Different Kind of Fix" by STEELSYNCH

. Music Bloggers On The Town .

2011-11-16T14:43:00.001-08:00

You guessed it...I cameo-ed at the Penguin Prison show last night side-by-side a fellow music blogger. He might be new to the game, but keep your eye on Mr. Burk. He's got a good ear and always seems to scope the underground bands before the rest of the world. I have no doubt that his blog endeavor, I'm All Ears, will share noteworthy contributions to the contemporary music conversation.

As for the show itself, upon our enthusiastic and early arrival, Penguin Prison lovers had to wait while a truck be towed from blocking the entry, struggles of the indie, (literally) back-alley venue. Once we managed to get in, the show was unbelievable. Chris Glover's voice fulfills every desire you could possibly have for a live show. He literally sounds exactly like the record playing out of your speakers, but better! Everyone was dancing, singing along, and flailing all over the place to the beat. That twilight moment...the best moment of a show, when the world melts away for a second and all you want to do is throw your hands in the air and shake your body around, I mean dance...The Worse It Gets and obviously Don't Fuck With My Money. The whole set was lively, upbeat, and engaging. Thanks to applause and outright begging for an encore, Animal Animal was equally energetic and impressive. (I'd even go so far as to say it was better live than on the track at home.) Chris came into the rowdy audience several times to play among the fans (See above, he's gettin' some sugar from some dedicated Penguin Prison lovuh.) All in all, definitely a steal at 10-bucks-a-pop entry. Catch him tonight at SAPC, if you're in L.A. The One AM Radio will be there too, and they're amazing!

Happy Humpday. Ta ta..

. PseudoMenswear .

2011-11-15T10:56:00.001-08:00

Light on the imagery, because this ensemble just speaks for itself. JNBY trousers (similar version), and a lightweight open-weave sweater thanks to NeedSupply - topped off with the InstaChic suede wedge bootie. Happy Tuesday.

No, that's not my hand in my own waistband (cheeky, cheeky) - merely an attempt to show you the unconventional pocket detail of JNBY's genius.

Tunes Du Jour:

If you like Passion Pit or Penguin Prison (so excited for the show tonight), dig the old MGMT or the sing-song-ie side of Naked and Famous, you might just fancy these boys too. Capital Cities is giving away a free download on their bandcamp, get after it. Upbeat and catchy, it's pretty much impossible to be in a bad mood while you listen to these guys.

<a href="http://capitalcities.bandcamp.com/track/safe-and-sound">Safe and Sound by Capital Cities</a>

. Peek-a-Boo .

2011-11-14T13:10:00.001-08:00

Nothin' like a little leopard collar to spice up your Monday. You know how so many outfits on fashion blogs aren't really anything you could pass off as wearable in real life? (i.e. yesterday's post.) I feel like this is one that could actually translate to the work place - you know a slightly trendy work place (I don't think this would fly at a law firm.. but you get the gist.) JNBY yet again, designing pieces for the every day just keeping them anything but common. This cardi has interior ruffles lining the bottom made by the mesh overlay that sits atop the knit frame, and much as I'd like to, I cannot take credit for the cuff at the bottom of the trouser. They come pre-cuffed and perfectly prepped for adorable.

How cute are those ruffles? And it even comes with a hidden pocket for whatever you may need..

Yes, I did a jig, just for you. Nope, I didn't fall.

Cardigan: JNBY (similar version.) Blouse: Pixie Market (somewhat similar version.) Trouser: JNBY (similar version.) Shoes: AllSaints.

Monday Music:

If you don't know Ellie Goulding yet, I am so sorry for you. Her voice is literally angelic, and her music is amazing. Lucky you, she's going on tour - not so lucky you, the majority of her shows are Sold Out, but lucky her! You know someone is pretty awesome when she can sell out the entire Staples Center.. I love her tunes (obviously), but have recently been repeat-playing her cover of the Coldplay hit Don't Panic. Take a listen. Download here, if you like it (but how could you not?)

. Let It Out & Let It In .

2011-11-13T19:09:00.001-08:00

Asymmetrical blouse, "in&out of chaos" sweater, and "give a little, take a little" nylon shortieShorts...the unconventional amalgamation that somehow played nice together.

. Give a little - Take a little .

Blouse: Cheap Monday. Sweater: JNBY. ShortieShorts: Only Hearts. Shoes: AllSaints.

Some Sunday Tunes:

Got the Sunday blues? Woes about the work week starting up again tomorrow? Driftwood Singers might do the trick to pacify that inner sulk you're carryin'. Twangy and down-home-like, they're a low-key but stylish pair with an ultra folk almost bluegrass sound (considerably more mellow live than in the recordings on their bandcamp, the whole set felt the most like Sweet & Softly.) They were actually the first opening band at the Youth Lagoon show - gracing the stage in a floor-length prairie dress and leather boots sitting next to a tan polka dot shirt under a brown tweed blazer also accompanied by leather boots. A significantly laid-back way to start the show, but they were so good live. This song in the video below was actually my favorite that they played, and I'd gladly be lulled to sleep by that melodic goodness and poetic lyricism every night. If you're into the crooning of Willie Nelson or the mellow side of Allison Krauss, you might just want to get yourself tickets to Driftwood Singers' next show. I highly doubt you'd be disappointed..

. Alas, Chic Has Returned .

2011-11-12T14:44:00.001-08:00

Did you think I was gone forever? Did you feel abandoned? Apologies for my absence and the extended intermission from updated stories. Curating a gallery show, working a Lucky magazine shoot, and frequenting a whiteBox studio space to photograph some stunning pieces will really suck the time out of your day - time usually dedicated to writing posts for you! In any case, the chic is back, and in more ways than one... Remember that exclusive JNBY preview that Effortless Chic and I attended? After chit-chatting with Megan of Maguire Steele, I was able to get my hands on some of the pieces from JNBY to share the genius with you. If you are into everyday simplicity touched by a magic wand of trendy perfection, look no further and buy every piece in every store everywhere (You know you want to...) JNBY takes understated chic to a new level - no sweater is basic and no pant is average. Every piece has that coveted, perfect ratio of effortless cool :: everyday wearability. I hope you enjoy. This coming week's collection of images might be my favorite thus far...

I always think it's funny when people overAccessorize, and in an effort to pacify any disappointment caused by leaving you hanging forever, I seized the chance to riff on it and hopefully incite a chuckle from you..

Beanie: UO. Black Scarf: UO (similar version.) Green Scarf: Handmade (similar version.) Red Scarf: Handmade (similar version.) Sweater: JNBY (similar version) Legging: JNBY (similar version) Booties: (similar version)

Sound B(i)te:

This triple threat opened for Youth Lagoon a couple weeks ago. They were pretty intense live - shall I paint you a picture? Badass girl guitarist sporting colorblock tights and unwashed hair, lanky stand-up drummer rockin' Doc Martens, superIndie frontman singer in all black, and a Macbook with a lotta synth. Can you guess who it is? Obviously Young Magic. Their set was a mix of the loudest bass on this planet, unearthly high, airy vocals, and the most extreme drum-hitting I've ever seen. The lead singer and the drummer had this synchronized swaying motion which I still can't decide was intentional or subconscious, but they both rocked with the beat on the same wavelength throughout the entire show, back and forth - one monitoring his synth action and the other standing up banging his drum but both moving in the same direction the whole time. It was mesmerizing in a strange way. Check out their tunes - their album art is sick. They came all the way from Australia via NYC just to play at the Echo that night.

<a href="http://youngmagic.bandcamp.com/album/night-in-the-ocean-slip-time-7">Night In The Ocean / Slip Time 7" by Young Magic</a>

. Held Captive .

2011-11-03T13:37:00.000-07:00

There's nothing like waking up the next day after seeing a really good show from a band you love - it's probably one of the best "morning after" feelings ever, basking in the memory of how good the music was, remembering the witty band-to-audience chatter, feeling like you know the band a little because you saw them play five feet in front of you - yeah your ears are still ringing and your head hurts a little, but there's just nothing quite so good. Last night Youth Lagoon played at The Echo, and their set was aaawesome. Trevor and Logan are as good live (okay, in honesty they're even better) as you would want to expect. Above the familiar smell all indie-show-goers know (cigarettes, beer, and unwashed hair) was the pungent ripeness of Youth Lagoon's talent. I'm pretty sure it wasn't by chance that the audience was quietly staring at the stage throughout the entire set. Everyone was captivated and clearly in awe watching these boys play (the girl next to me wasn't even looking at her boyfriend, just staring dreamily at Trevor...) I had a chance to interview Trevor, keep reading and get to know him a little.

You know that moment, the twilight minute in a show, when you just get lost in the music - the bass is so loud you can feel air reverberating in your lungs, the singer's serenading you, the guitarist is completely absorbed by his riff, and all of a sudden the world just melts away for a second? You're there, and it's just you and the music. That's what I live for in a show. It happened during 17 and again during Montana. It takes my breath away for a sec every time it happens, and that feeling just never gets old. Applause to Youth Lagoon for a double-whammy in the breathtaking department.

I chatted with both guys after the show. They were lovely and sweet, just as talkative as they were on stage. I squeezed Trevor when we were taking a picture and said "Look at all your fans!", because the kid was being bombarded - I think he was momentarily overwhelmed, but it might have just been because he was taken aback that I squeezed him like I'd known him forever (even though we'd just met..) Logan has the most beautiful eyes and is a complete heartthrob. We had a lovely chat, and he was quite charming. It's so great when you can spend a minute with an artist you respect, whose music infiltrates your everyday life. Everything about last night exceeded expectations above and beyond. Alright, here it is - what you've really been scrolling for, the contents of our interview...

- Youth Lagoon Interview With Trevor Powers -

What was it like growing up in Idaho?

Boise has been one of the only places I've known since I was a kid. I've always done some trips here and there to other places in the Northwest or California, but I've never really had the opportunity to do much traveling until my music happened. With that in mind, Idaho has always been home and there is such a comfort in that. Boise is a calm city, but there are still things to do. I can go anywhere and it brings back memories. I can't see myself moving.. just letting my roots stay planted here and touring as much as possible.

How has the Boise music scene influenced your sound and style?

Honestly, I don't really know. Boise has really been the only place I've grown to know so it's hard to base anything off of that. But since I did grow up here, I'm constantly inspired by different memories or events that I've experienced. For instance, I'll be taking a walk through the park and see some bench and remember a conversation I had with someone there, or be having lunch with a friend downtown and see someone I haven't seen in years that sparks a multitude of memories.

And as far as style goes, Boise has always been pretty slow with that. (laughs) Over the past few years however, there has been a slow shift in the culture here and things have been getting a bit more progressive so that's been pretty inspiring.

Your music is such an intriguing juxtaposition of content - that it’s lyrically and emotionally intense, but melodically it’s fairly light, almost ethereal. Has the experience of being in several different bands delivered this combo, or have you always gravitated to making music this complex?

It's hard to tell where that comes from. I usually try to write the music and lyrics at the same time, or at least close to it. Like I'll start with a basic melody and just make up words over it until I stumble on some words that portray what I'm feeling or what I'm expressing. I don't see it as being very complex because most of the melodies are pretty basic. I just build on top of the song's foundation until it feels right.

In your bio on the label website, you talk about the plague anxiety’s imposed on your internal workings and somewhere else I read that your songs are like letting people read your journal. How do you overcome that wall to let the audience so seamlessly enter your realm and hear your confessions? Do you ever feel like you’re giving too much away?

I don't think I'm giving too much away because, still, only those closest to me really know me. They may know one of my human struggles but that isn't what defines me. Humanity is so much more complex than our weaknesses, so as far as people knowing I have anxiety, I really don't think that gives away too much of my personal life. Just shows I'm not perfect. And I don't see my music as being a confessional, for a couple different reasons. First, my music isn't just about my anxiety or struggles, that is just one of the many things that influences me. Second, the songs that are a bit more open, I'm just being honest with myself and writing what I'm feeling.

17 is my favorite track on the record (as of now, though I vacillate between it, Cannons, and Afternoons.) You mention your mom in it and reference your brain kickin’ fast…she sounds like a pretty wise lady telling you not to stop imagining. Can you give me a little insight to the writing of 17?

"17" comes from the idea of, ever since people are kids, they are encouraged to have imaginations or dream big. But in some cases, like mine, a big imagination can sometimes cause worries that don't need to be there. It's just like the mentality of an active mind being a beautiful thing if you know how to channel it. But an active mind that cannot be channeled or controlled can be chaotic.

Your first record is overall pretty introspective, any words on how your next record will further that line of thought or shake it up and share something completely different?

I've already started some different ideas in my down time, but even I don't know exactly where the next album will end up. I've found that the key to writing music is just living. If the well is dry of inspiration, then there will be nothing to write about. So in the time that I have at home between touring, my plan is to just keep living. After that, I'll see what comes out as far as music goes.

What’s been the most exciting part of the tour / the recent uprising of your career? I read that you quit working at Urban and decided to jump in feet first to the music scene, worth it as of yet?

I think the most exciting part, hands down, is to have people listening to my music. It means so much to me that people are able to relate to what I write. Secondly, it's so exciting to be able to travel now and do what I love. And yeah, quitting my job was definitely worth it. I was working at UO for about a year before I left to pursue music, and the hardest part was leaving my friends. It was a great job. I loved that work environment and my co-workers, but obviously to be pursuing my passion is a completely different story.

Who are you listening to right now (top five most recently played on your pod?)

M83, Townes Van Zandt, Girls, John Denver, Boards of Canada

I read that you were basking in the surrealism the business can create when you visited New York for the first time. What city are you most excited to visit in the future and why?

There's not exactly a certain city that I've been looking forward to visiting the most, but the opportunity to not only travel the U.S. but to eventually get the chance to cross overseas and see some things I've never seen. I can't even describe how thrilled I am.

Ta ta lovelies. Hope you enjoyed! For more photos from the gig, click here and check out this guy's flickr. We met at the show!

. hauteFresh Trend: The Interview .

2011-10-30T18:11:00.000-07:00

In an effort to broaden the melodic portion of this feast, one of multi-course creativity and interdisciplinary blogging (fashion and music on the same blogSpot), I invited the members of Warm Weather to have a chat (and by that I mean I asked if I could pick their brains about their song-generating process and unabashedly gaze in awe while sitting in on their rehearsal.) Below are the photos I took while I crept in and out of their music-makin' station in the self-constructed, "makeshift" studio abutting their Hollywood residence.

Meet: Ryan Pollie, Brendan Lynch-Salamon, and Justin Lerman

(counterclockwise from left.)

Here's the skinny on Warm Weather:

Ryan and Justin, east coast boys indigenous to Philly, have been pals since the days of superhero tighty whities, through middle school fast forward to present (musical growth and parallel friendship including a pop-punk band called Cereal Heroes - à la Blink-182, Weezer, and Green Day.) From Ryan, "We grew up together and started listening to and loving a lot of the same music at the same time because of it." Cue the Classic Rock Phase a few years after Cereal Heroes, a blossoming and faithful love for The Beatles, The Beach Boys, and The Who. Brendan popped onto their radar when he and Justin met while both studying at Dartmouth (these boys = smartypants ³) - no, they didn't meet pledging the same frat, the film studies major crossed paths with the psych major in an a capella group - my, how fortuitous. Equally beneficial to their future musicianship, Ryan interned at Interscope and Universal during his Junior year summer (gladly soakin' up some sun on the left coast, takin' a break from Bates.) Little did he know he'd meet and befriend a future source for recording studio time, a friend who was one of their first L.A. supporters to help get Dances off the ground.

So when did you guys get here, to L.A.?
Justin explained that "a little over a year ago now" he and Ryan drove out from Philly, picked up Brendan in Minnesota along the way, and the three of them "started writing songs onthe keyboard (the Casio keyboard they brought along in the car and plugged into the tape deck) and really looking at the idea of recording some stuff together."

I feel like your a cappella group experience has really influenced your music. The complexity of your harmonies is actually what grabbed me at first when I found your songs. Can you tell me about it?
"Well we've grown up in choir and a cappella groups. Ryan and I (Justin) did a cappella in high school." Brendan chimed in with "And I did choir too and sort of grew up singing in boys' choirs as well." We momentarily bonded over all having been in choir at one point or another as kids - yes, I was in choir and actually used to sing opera and musical theater in middle school, hilarious. Ryan brought it back to their current music for us and summed it up with, "it just comes super naturally for us, because all of our conception ofwhat a band should be has certain aspects of harmony in it and certainaspects of counterpoint in it. We’ve all studied the voice so much”, which is why their cooing and the ah-ing satisfies all the auditory needs of their listeners and really leaves nothing to be desired except more songs!

How do you feel like it's specifically influenced your songwriting?
"It’s like when you have these extra weapons in your arsenal, when it comes to trying to arrange something or write something, why not useit…" This is why they sound so cool and unusual, because they're constantly thinking, as Brendan put it "how can we add to it?". Plus, "so many of {their} favorite bands, they use vocals so well."

Absolutely. So who are your favorite bands then?

All three boys contributed a name here and there to this question and finished each other's sentences about why they all liked them, thus a collective list of bands they enjoy: "Obviously The Beatles, The Who, The Stones, The Beach Boys, but current bands in {their} scene, {they} really like Fleet Foxes and Animal Collective - anyone with really cool harmonies." Ryan's into hip-hop - digs Biggie, mentioned his favorite complete record as Illmatic from NAS, but he grew up on Marshall Mathers LP and The Slim Shady LP, and Brendan's into more of the underground scene of the genre ("I got really into Minneapolis rap when I was home sick once." He then mentioned artists I don't know and who are so underground, they don't even come up on the cyber radar - a.k.a. Tribe and Brother L.A. {if names are misspelled, please have patience and compassion for those out of the Minneapolis underground hip-hop loop, a.k.a. moi.})

Can you tell me a little about your writing process? Do you all sit down together and just spew out a song, is it continuous, how does it work?

"It's usually more organic than that... Sometimes Ryan will come up with acouple chords and I’ll like the progression, Brendan will be like, ‘oh what ifthis was the chorus’, and we’ll be like ‘yeah that’s awesome’... Everyone’s got aspecific skill set too which is great, like a specific expertise." Ryan built on Justin's point and expanded that "{they} always try to take theenvironment into {their} studio recordings... The first song {they} ever did {they} wereusing the tree in {their} backyard as percussion. {They} really like to use found soundsand stuff like that." Brendan was also saying that, "{They} try as much as possible toplay to {their} capacity at all times whenever / in writing. {They’ll} layer as muchstuff as {they} can play, as many instruments as possible…{they} never restrict{themselves} as far as how {they're} going to build a track." So basically, it's literally and figuratively No Holds Barred, when it comes to their song construction.

- Enter Fancy Feet -

The first thing I noticed when watching their live rehearsal / recording videos on their MySpace, was Ryan nonchalantly keepin' the beat to the song with this strange, compact, jingle-bell-adorned, "Thank you sir. May I have another?" baton - some unusual amalgamation of a percussion instrument and a fraternity pledge's wooden paddle under his foot. All I could think was "How the hell is he doing that - keeping time with his foot, playing a tambourine on his lap with his hands, and singing, and it all coincides?" Well they happen to all be masters of the "foot drum." Look below for a shot of the unconventional toe-tappin' in action. Apparently at their first show at the Whiskey A Go Go, their feet were mic-ed and everything!

We wrapped up the conversation with a quick touch upon what's next for the group...

So what's next for you guys? What're you excited about that's on the horizon for the band?"

"What’s next? We have an EPcoming up, shows after Christmas…" Ryan jumped in to finish Justin's thought with, "and then we’re also going tobe on our friend Y-O’s album. He’s a rapper from the group U-N-I, who’sreleasing his first solo record, it’s his debut…{they} linked up with him andnow {they're} on the last track of his record. It’s really cool." Justin piped back in and shared that, "Ryan has asolo EP coming out as well" which Ryan said will "probably come out after {their} collective EP, sometime down theroad." Warm Weather is also in the process of adding another member to the ensemble. A virtuoso much like they are, he apparently plays "a mean keytar, drums, piano, guitar, and sings too" - I swear each of these guys could be their own one-man-band if they had enough limbs and phalanges...

That's awesome. I'm so excited to see how it all unfolds. I have this gut feeling it's going to be really great. Can you tell me a little about the new EP?

We started talking about how the sound is "a little bit more wintry than Dances" and set to come out in the beginning of the year, how fitting that it will be winter. The guys explained that the slight change in sound is "actually why {they're} really excited about this EP, because people haven't heard this side of {them}", That turned the conversation to how often bands should release their music, and how much change is enough or too much change from record to record. As an avid supporter of Warm Weather as it is now, listening to them bounce the conversation around about how they may evolve was awesome. We went from talking about their future to discussing their current audience and the excitement of taking fans of your music along for the creative ride. Justin was saying, and the other guys agreed, they "really firmly believe thatin order to have a relationship with your audience you have to take them on that ride with you." Ryan astutely likened the idea to how confusing it would be for fans to listen to Please Please Me from The Beatles then listen to Magical Mystery Tour without having seen / heard any of the progression in their career along the way. It just wouldn't make sense, but constantly producing new albums and continually sharing their musical growth with fans over the years of the career, The Beatles' development and stylistic changes speak for themselves. Warm Weather plans to emulate that process by "doing what {they} love most - writing and recording... songs that {they} all dig", releasing EP's and eventually full-length albums as often as creatively possible always bringing you music with some kind of unique but "thematic consistency" that builds on itself. The idea of the ‘that was so cool I want to listen to it again’ and therewind factor will be a staple goal as they take their fans "places in those threeminutes {of a song} that a lot of pop doesn’t."

Lots of really great things in store for these guys. Keep your ear to the ground and eye on . Bite of Chic . - I'll keep you in the know of when and where to see them once they start playing gigs again...

- This has been the first . Bite of Chic . featured band interview. Hopefully many more to come in the future. -

Huge thanks to Warm Weather for being awesome, for creating unconventionally kick-ass indie music, and for agreeing to let me into their space to photograph the magic happening firsthand. In case you're way behind the curve, here's their EP.

xx
E

. Two For One .

2011-10-28T13:02:00.000-07:00

Ever wanted two for the price of one? Couldn't decide if your outfit was better with black tights or white tights, so both at the same time felt just right? Cue: AA Two Color Pantyhose. (Remember the harlequin story? These definitely made a cameo in that scene. You can imagine why the FratStars were beyond perplexed..) These tights are one of my favorite accessories, because they're unexpected and yet somehow simultaneously acceptable. Surprising but intriguing, they grow on you the more you wear them - InstaChic for your stems in chilly weather.

Aren't they so cute though? I just love these weird little tights. Plus people always ask where they're from, so now you can have them too! HappyWeekend.

- Top: Harpers. ShortieShorts: Ark & Co. Tights: American Apparel. Shoes: Betsey Johnson. (I don't know anyone else who executes colossal polka dot peep-toes quite so well.)

PS: Keep your eyes peeled for an unusual but exciting post tomorrow... I'm starting a new trend for Bite of Chic, and I think you're going to like it very very much. With that I am going to leave you shamelessly hanging and anticipating tomorrow's revelation. Here's a hint, it's always sunny where these boys live and they are masters of a certain art (ahem, harmonizing)...Ta ta til tomorrow.

. Fading Lights .

2011-10-27T10:22:00.000-07:00

I love a fur vest. I love a fur jacket. Hell, I love a fur detail on the cuff of a vintage Chanel suit. I may not like to chew on animal, but damn I like to wear it. This fur vest is slightly less eco-terrible though, because it is itself a vintage piece. In some form of backwards logic, I guess you could say it's like one less furry friend down, because it's been passed from one consumer generation to the next. Sorry to be a PETA heathen..

Vest: Vintage (similar version, and actually eco-friendly). Top: UO (similar version). Jeans (and by that I mean jeggings): J Brand. Socks: UO. Boots: Ch-ch-ch-check the last three posts...

From a friend who just saw this post in the making, I am hereby appropriating his expression, "Div" - yes, pronounced like and as in one letter shy of Diva. He saw this picture, and I kid you not, the only words out of his mouth were, "Super Div." Thus I am bringing it to you, compliments of a smartypants source, who chose to remain anonymous. Too much to handle? We think not. But if you're apprehensive to use it, just let it marinate in your mind for a little. You'll find it slipping into conversations for no reason, much like the name of your hot tottie flavor of the week.

Soundb(i)te:

I can't decide if it's twisted and wrong or just a little bit funny to share a band called Pepper Rabbit in a post that sarcastically bit PETA while wearing a vest made of bunnies (sad reality). In any case, they just wrapped up touring their new album. Red Velvet Snow Ball is their second record, and the tunes are as plush as the title would lead you to believe. Pretty much every review about them says they've got this great pseudo-atmospheric / just slightly synth-psychedelic vibe under strong vocals and skilled fancyFingers all over their array of instruments - I couldn't agree more. Personally I love Older Brother for its lyrical narrative and the cooing over the mellow instrumental, melted my heart to say the least, but their record is complex enough that it has a little something for every indie music taste. Some songs are superUpbeat and percussive and others are a beautifully balanced creation that rocks you gently as you listen. Peruse for yourself (a.k.a. hit up this "three songs free" EP! What a score!), I think you'll probably find something you're into. They posted this cool contest on their FB inviting people to submit remixes too, so if you're a remix-lovah maybe it's up your alley. Toodles. Enjoy Thirsty Thursday!

Pepper Rabbit - Older Brother by ashesofcolor

. Between Truth & Repose .

2011-10-26T10:35:00.000-07:00

It's almost that time again...beanie-season, a.k.a. every hipster's primeTime (oh wait, it's year round in California where the beanie is merely an accessory, not a weather-induced necessity?) In the last two days the outside temp has noticeably dipped (and by that I mean it's been lower than the usual 73 degrees and sunny).

Chilly, chilly - a biting brisk of 62 yesterday - the beanie and leather jacket pair felt quite appropriate (and actually added a snug little toastiness to my day.)

Jacket: Zara. Dress: Silence + Noise. Beanie: UO. Boots: you should know by now. (similar version)

Of course it went over a maxi dress with a big cut-out in the chest. What did you expect, practicality (jeans, some form of warm shirt and a flat boot?) Come ahn, in California practicality is questionable at best.

- Cue: The Dramah -

Kat (our loving and supportive mothuh) almost lost her smoked-salmon-late-lunch over the production of this bad boy. (Poor thing had a stomach full o' knots, because she thought surely I would fall all twenty-five feet to my doom before we got the photo we wanted from this production.) Only a dedicated blogger would direct (demand) creating this, and only a smartypants photographer could capture the light at just the right moment, from just the right angle. Not to toot our own horns, but in short we're proud to say this image was Westervelted. I'd be the sacrificial lamb for a good shot any day..

Humpday Hum-along:

The antithesis of dramatic, open your ears to the low-key duo that is Assateague. Don't be fooled by their mellow guitar strumming and silky voices, these boys seem like a barrel of fun and witty banter. I don't know them personally (yet..), but judging by their info page (creepy that one can even pass such judgment with a simple nod to technology and no face-to-face whatsoever), they seem like two guys who enjoy a good laugh and a mouthful of sarcasm. But we're here to talk about their music (not infer personalities from their photos)..which by the way, feels like a wonderful hybrid of Simon and Garfunkel cross-pollinated with the soft side of The Dodos. I hope this pair comes to L.A. I'd definitely attend that show. You're halfway to the weekend! Happy second half of the week!

&lt;p&gt;&amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;a href="http://assateague.bandcamp.com/album/assateague"&amp;amp;gt;Assateague by ASSATEAGUE&amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;a href="http://assateague.bandcamp.com/album/good-morning-blues"&amp;amp;gt;Good Morning Blues by ASSATEAGUE&amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;gt;&lt;/p&gt;

. We Who Are Vacant .

2011-10-25T09:09:00.000-07:00

You have exactly 3 hours until the doors close on the lace mask giveaway contest. Better shimmy and shake your way to Facebook if you want it.

I'll be running stories of leather, lace, and fur, sprinkled with a few feathers here and there throughout the week. I'm pretty much obsessed by this vintage white leather skirt. Threw some feather trim under my leather wrap belt and voila, InstaChic around the waist. My grandmama always told me "It's okay to give 'em a little somethin', but don't give it all away at once." (wise lady whose chic was effortless and spoke for itself) Thus, I've kept that advice as a rule of thumb and feel it's particularly fitting to this ensemble. On the whole, it's relatively conservative, (My skirt goes past my damn knees! The

Catholic school nuns would be so proud.), but it's been zazzed up a little by the sheer lace top (whose blatant transparency is borderline acceptable, because it's long-sleeved and high-necked)...

Exhibit A: That "just right" amount of giveaway.

Top: Forever21 (similar version). Belt: Bop Bijoux (similar version), trim: Mood Fabrics. Skirt: Vintage (A shmancy, but similar version). Booties: Elizabeth and James, of course - what else? (similar version).

Tuesday Tunes:

Little Red, anyone? Not so little considering 90,000 people have traffic-ed one of their tracks. They were touring their 2010 album throughout last year, but if you missed it, they still have a few dates left - depending on where you reside, which is hopefully in the Pacific Northwest or Canada if you actually plan to see these boys play live. I don't know about you, but for me driving to work consists of sitting on the congested freeways of L.A. for anywhere from forty-five minutes to an hour and a half, depending on the mood of the Traffic Gods. Sometimes you just need that perfect mix of songs to get you through the commute (fine, if you are lucky and live in a city where your public transportation rules and you can use the subway or bus, I envy you, but you probably listen to a pod while you strut yourself to the workplace, right?) Little Red always seems to meet the "wake me up, but do it gently" need of morning commute music, for me at least. Check their tunes out for yourself, you might just feel the same. Plus this video looks like it was probably a ton of fun to shoot. Toodles, til tomorrow.

Little Red 'Slow Motion' from Little Red on Vimeo.

. Leather, Silk, Lace, Oh My .

2011-10-24T07:36:00.000-07:00

All Hallows' Eve is exactly one week from today. If you are like I am, one who waits until the last minute to throw together a random costume (ie: wearing a classic harlequin getup to a frat party and being asked every thirty seconds what the hell I was - amount of coverage somewhere between this much and this little - needless to say, nobody thought it was as cool or funny as I did.) Moving on, if you experience similar difficulty coming up with something unique and "cool" to be, let this be the year you knock their socks off. Should you be one who plans your ensemble as far in advance as July, after reading this post, you might be changing your mind. These little lace masks, compliments of Laced and Waisted, may give you cause to reconsider your mad hatter, Chinese take-out box, nurse, Lady Gaga, or whatever lacy, bite-size version of a Disney princess you were previously planning to sport on Halloween Night. The reason they're cool?

1. They look rad.

2. They adhere directly to your face - meaning free of annoying, awkward strap around your head. (Don't worry, I tried it myself and can honestly attest to the simplicity. It took literally 35 seconds to swipe the adhesive on and press the mask over my cheek bone. Stayed put during the whole shoot, and I didn't flinch a bit when peeling it off either. Oh yeah, and they're reusable!)

-Bite of Chic Stamp of Approval-

Mask: Laced and Waisted. Gloves: Vintage (similar version). Dress: Classic U-back American Apparel. Skirt: Two Weeks. Booties: Elizabeth and James (similar version. I'm sure it seems they are the only boots I own, but they just go so well with everything! They're my InstaChic fallback.)

Ladies and gents, dig the mask? Want one for yourself / ya mothah / your sister / yer girlfriend / whomever? Lucky you, I'm giving one away! Enter: this week's free giveaway. That's right, I'm giving one of these haute mamas to one of you. You know the drill, just Like the FB and follow me on Bloglovin. Should you so desire, you can follow me on twitter too. Follow the aforementioned steps by tomorrow at 12Noon, and I'll get it to you, wherever you are, in time for you to sport it on Halloween! Trick or treat? Obviously you want a chic little treat. The flood gates are officially open...

Kick off your week with some sunshine:

Nothin' gets me going like straightforward honesty. Oregon Bike Trails doesn't waste any time beating around the bush - Zach just gets right in there and makes music that's so happy you wanna snap your fingers and make a funny face at your friend while you jokingly (shamelessly) dance around together. It must be the Santa Monica thing - for some reason people who live by the beach seem happier on average (sweeping generalization, but let it go.) In any case, he couples lighthearted music with honest, picture-painting lyrics. I don't know about you, but the second I hear one of those lemon-shaped maraca / shaker deals, my heart goes pitter-patter, and the love affair with the song has begun. Stay updated on his life / tour / creations - I know I want to hear when his full record will surface. It might not technically be summer anymore, but listen to A Summer Thing, and despite where you may be in the world, for four minutes and three seconds you can pretend that you're about to bike to the beach, flail around in the sand with your best friends, and eat watermelon. Ah yes, fantasy land..

<a href="http://oregonbiketrails.bandcamp.com/track/a-summer-thing">A Summer Thing by Oregon Bike Trails</a><a href="http://oregonbiketrails.bandcamp.com/track/high-school-lover">High School Lover by Oregon Bike Trails</a>

. Bits in a Nutshell .

2011-10-23T12:03:00.000-07:00

31 Bits took the time to create their own little video to explain the mission behind the brand. As if it's not enough that their jewelry goes with everything, comes in an array of colors to suit every mood, is actually adorable, and totally an awesome pricepoint... 31 Bits gives back to the community too! Though, you know this, because you've been reading about it all week. It's such an amazing program they've organized to support these women in Uganda. Main goal: solidifying bright futures, making it a reality. 31 Bits provides its participants with the knowledge and technical skills to be financially independent people. Educating women and teaching them the tools they need to start their own business someday; the whole idea is remarkable and already making such an impact. Watch the video. You'll notice about twenty seconds into it that you're involuntarily smiling...it's just that good and so heartwarming.

Also...Congratulations to Julia Paull - this week's contest winner! Adorable 31 Bits necklace comin' your way!

Notes on the Designer:

In just three years, 31 Bits has grown from working with 6 women to over 100 women in Uganda. Kallie Dovel, head designer in the U.S., created the business plan for what is now known as 31 Bits and remains in close contact with the women in Uganda (thanks to the internet, skype, and 31 Bits reps from the U.S. staying in Uganda). She's a self-taught accessory designer, whose only formal training is her own dedication to learning the technique and always staying in the know about what's next for the business. No surprise that she's inspired by Suno and Free People. Can't you feel the ever so slight hint of an earthy, hippie vibe in their photo shoots? Innately creative, her favorite color (self-proclaimed fan of Kate Spade's color of the month campaign - Cha Cha Chocolate for October, by the way) is always changing with her inspirations, but she happens to currently be fixated on emerald green. A big believer in the power of laughter, Kallie is a breath of fresh air. I met her for just a few minutes, and could tell by her smile alone that she radiates happiness. Bringing a little piece of the philanthropic mastermind behind 31 Bits straight to you, I hope you've enjoyed our week featuring their goods. Big thanks to Kallie and Alli for giving me pieces from the collection for the shoot.

Sunday FunDay:
I realized today as I was perusing my library for what to share with you that my musical inclinations and thereby recommendations are somewhat biased. Much as I like to consider myself an objective listener, prowling the scene for mere musical talent and melodic catchiness or the satisfying reflective vibe of a particular mood articulated in song...the truth is I only share the music I like (obviously). So I'm undeniably predisposed to give whatever band a glowing review, because I already like them. Therefore, from now on I will only be telling you the musical qualities any particular mentioned musician(s) possess that particularly grabbed me, and my approval (obsession) with said band will go unmentioned (or I'll at least attempt to conceal it and appear unbiased.) To keep my promise, I'm about to share a group so talented that their music speaks for itself. Warm Weather's EP, Dances, is an array of songs that can be played at an indie picnic just as easily as they can ring through your speakers with your windows rolled down on a breezy summer day. City of Angels inhabitants that they are, these boys have mastered the skill of infusing L.A. chill into their tunes (get a load of fancy fingers on the bass and the low-key but inviting vocals), and their harmonies are intricately complex enough that all the tracks are a unique spin on the band's established style - fresh and keepin' you comin' back for more. How they are currently not signed to a label is a mystery to me (the bias is resurfacing..) Watch them play live in the videos on their profile. Let me know what you think...leave your thoughts / hopes / dreams in the comment confessional...

&lt;p&gt;&amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://warmweather.bandcamp.com/album/dances"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;dances by warm weather&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;gt;&lt;/p&gt;

. Banished to the Wasteland .

2011-10-22T12:52:00.000-07:00

Bite of Chic - leftovers. One of the last few looks from that shoot out in the promised land. Nothin' softens up a rockscape like a few ruffles and a collar of 31 Bits necklaces...and a random stick we found...? I still cannot get over it that the beads in the jewelry are all made from recycled paper. It's nuts. Only one day left to Like the Facebook page and enter the free giveaway to get a necklace of your very own. Doors close at 12noon tomorrow! Get at it.

Necklaces: 31 Bits (Different color version, contact the ladies if you want this exact color). Bracelets: 31 Bits. Dress: Diab'less. Socks: Urban Outfitters. Boots: Steve Madden.

Song for a Saturday:

Most people know Psapp as the singers of the Grey's Anatomy theme song...but did you know they're giving away a free download on their site? Quirky virtuosos of creativity, this boy-girl duo is dynamic in their own right. They do all their own album art, nonchalantly slip squeaky toys into their music like it's no big deal, have casually posed topless in Paris at least once in the past, and make sweet remixes. Intrigued? Want to buy some of their artwork? Yeah you do. Here's the entirety of their music up for grabs to date. Pretty cool cats - listen to this weird little track. It starts out funny then unfolds into this cool mix of beats, mellow electro, silky voices, and smart lyrics. You want in? Lucky you, the track is downloadable from the SoundCloud... You're welcome. Toodles.

Psapp - Curuncula by mashavslonovnike

. GenerationOverlap .

2011-10-21T13:18:00.000-07:00

What's shakin' babycakes? You ready for the weekend? I know I am.. It's weird and grey in L.A. right now, so hopefully the sun will show her face sooner rather than later. I was feeling a little retro after shooting that look for Madame Pinkston. So here's the last of that shoot. Some pseudo-50's leather hot pants, 60's-revival Chelsea boots, a jacketVest from the 70's - all tied together with paper beads from today's 31 Bits. Reppin' three big decades and sporting 'em with one of my current faves in jewelry. Sorry I'm not sorry for the generation overlaps.

Jacket : Vintage Wayne Clark. Tank: Zara Basic. ShortieShorts: Ark & Co. Boots: Ganni (similar version.) Necklaces: 31 Bits.

Whistle a tune of gladness, weekend madness:

To go with the retro vibe topped off with a little badass, here's a femme fatale artist whose music is already on the rise. Her voice is strong; her range is insane; and her style is undeniably kick-ass. Guesses on who it is? Anyone thinking Jessie J? Yeah, I am. All her music is here, including her new single, Domino. Get a load of her pipes live in the SoundCloud below. She's touring with Katy Perry. Talk about a dynamic duo. Enjoy, ladies and gents. HappyFriday!
Jessie J - Mama Knows Best (live at Showcase Live) by mrgeorgeeason

. Collaborative Chic .

2011-10-20T01:58:00.000-07:00

How about a little collaboration? What do you think? Jen and I thought it was a genius idea (okay, Jen thought of it, and then I said it was genius). During our lovely night out together last night, she invited me to throw together a look I'd sport on an average day in the life of . Bite of Chic . I put this together for her, and here's a sneak peek of the post.

- Brief intermission from our desert aesthetic. If you loved it, fret not there are still posts to come from it -

In any case, here's a simple yet chic ensemble you could throw together yourself for a lunch date with the girls. Add a blazer and trot to a cocktail party - it can easily go from day to night with any sort of fitted jacket. Big thanks to Jen for being a creative smartypants.

Tank: Zara Basic (best tank top ever, in the history of tank tops). Necklaces: 31 Bits - Meadowsweet, Timber, Heritage Long (gifted). Trousers: Superfine. Booties: Elizabeth and James (Similar Version).

THE CONTEST UPDATE: Remember how I mentioned my first giveaway? Here's the skinny: Follow the blog on bloglovin (click the badass lady with the cross over her nip) and like the facebook page (click the button right above said lady, with the facebook logo we all know and love). Ya gotta do both. Want to up your chances? Get an extra entry chance if you refer a friend who also follows the aforementioned steps (have your friend write on the facebook wall that you so kindly let him / her know about the blog. Your people have to give you credit, or I won't know whom to thank... ahem with a free giveaway.) The sky's the limit on the number of extra entries you get from referrals who give you cred, so definitely dig into that one. Don't forget, you're lookin' to win one of these cuties, the turquoise necklace in today's outfit. Let the games begin...

Tunes for your every day life:

First of all, their name is awesome. Their style is cooky and badass (re: captain hat, pseudo mugshot, and nonchalant tophat), and the fact that they live across the pond on another continent is mildly (in honesty, really truly depressing) disappointing. Balthazar B and The Beatitudes might be the most intriguing band of three boys I've come across to date. Read their bio on their site...neuroscientist, animation artist, and a mysterious character known only by the inital B...I'm just going to come right out and admit that talking to the three of them together would probably be one of the most interesting conversations on this earth. Not only that, but they're European and all three totally smokin' - which to American girls is like saying they're made of candy. In case you don't already love them from this description (what more could you want, you hooligan?) Listen to their track below, download their record, and make a ruckus about them coming to the States to play (she said sweetly.) Their record is fantastic, but am I shocked? Not in the slightest.

Snowden's Secret by BalthazarB

. Bloggers' Night Out .

2011-10-19T11:53:00.000-07:00

Effortless Chic side by side with Bite of Chic. What do you get when you mix two bloggers with a collection preview party and a fashion show? Trendy clothes, unconventional cocktails, and laughter every other minute. Last night, my dear friend and fellow blogger, Jen Pinkston (as in editor and mastermind behind The Effortless Chic) invited me to be her +1 for the evening. Fun-filled was our night, let me tell you. Who doesn't love riding from the 2nd to the 7th floor for no reason other than to snap the perfect elevator photo...Sorry about it.

Started at Chateau Marmont for the Maguire Steele celebration of JNBY USA Spring 2012 Press Preview. The collection is absolutely awesome. Stunning drape, unique cuts and flattering frames, superTrendy trousers - the perfect juxtaposition of conceptual femininity and architectural delicateness. Lookbook not yet available, but will be soon! Keep your ear to the ground, I'll keep you in the know. From Chateau we travelled downtown to Vibiana for the Alternative Apparel Spring show. From minimalist to vintage surf, only in fashion can you squeeze such an array of aesthetics into one evening all in the same city. Ry Cuming opened the show with a mellow but inviting acoustic guitar interlude. Then, in true show fashion, came the tribal drums and the intense backbeat we all know and love at a collection debut. The superLow back tank dresses were my favorite part of this collection, but overall be ready for Alternative Apparel's signature laid-back, effortless beach cool.

SuperNew Tunes:

While mingling at the Maguire Steele cocktail party, this genius DJ was playing a cohesive flow of songs, and one totally caught my ear. I looked at Jen and told her I loved it and wondered who the band was. Ever the networker that she is, we walked to said DJ, inquired, and it just so happens that he had slipped his own band into the mix. Sparking a brief conversation, we exchanged info, and he nonchalantly passed me a copy of their recent record. I bring you The One AM Radio, indigenous to LA and about to be one of my new faves (probably yours too.) Listen to their album below (I've been listening to it on repeat since getting in last night), and buy their record. For being relatively new, they have an awesome body of work. Electro-indie meshed perfectly with unique voices of boys to girl trio. Mostly upbeat but still mellow enough to vibe well in the background of a cocktailParty scene. The only thing I'm bummed about is not knowing them sooner, because I absolutely would've attended their spot at the Echoplex in August...

Heaven Is Attached By A Slender Thread by The One AM Radio

. Bird of the Wasteland .

2011-10-18T17:41:00.000-07:00

Bite of Chic - Reporting from the short cliffs above a relatively abandoned desert land, here's your daily dose of update. When the wind blew during the shoot it nonchalantly highlighted the best feature of belting this dress only in the front. Anyone who knows me knows I have a habit of doing this to the bohemian dresses in my closet. Slip the belt around your waist, tuck it through the arm holes (yes, through the draping armpit) and fasten at your back on the interior of the fabric, underneath the dress itself and against your bod. So simple, huge difference.

Notice how you can see the waist in the front, but that fabric in the back still flows freely in the wind. So effortlessly chic. This dress was CheapieCheapie, but it becomes FirstClass, when you give it a little unexpected, initially unintentional chic. As easy as only exposing half of your belt.

Dress: H&M. Necklaces: 31 Bits. Belt: 31 Bits (told you it had multiple purposes...) Bangles: 31 Bits. Sandals: Candela.

PS: The bigger bead necklace in this ensemble...you like? I'll be doing my first giveaway this week, and it's for one of these cuties. Keep your eyes glued to the blog over the next few days. I'll be giving you the details soon. (Hint: liking the facebook page for the blog will serve as you throwing your name in the hat for the drawing...)

Side dish of sounds:

This song from this boys and girl trio has come up twice in my shuffle today, which is strange and unusual considering the vast array of tunes in my library, so I'm taking that as a sign to put it in this post for you. The Seedy Seeds are a band I want to know and befriend - not only because their homepage picture is awesome, but mostly because they're from Ohio and 2/3 of them are vegetarian (I happen to be an herbivore as well.) In any case, their music ranges from mellow folk-ie indie to slightly more upbeat electronic-esque indie. So essentially you should be able to find something that suits your fancy if you are a hipster like most people claim to be. Here's a little somethin' somethin' called Verb Noun. Enjoy, ta ta.

The Seedy Seeds - Verb Noun by Sedera_Ranaivoarinosy

. Desert Sunset .

2011-10-17T11:59:00.000-07:00

31 Bits has been around for a little over three years now and has several different collections to suit your every color palette. Yesterday you saw a variety of fairly neutral beads, but feast your eyes upon the beautiful muted reds and blues of today's necklaces. Again, they're awesome to layer. So unique and affordable, I doubt you'll be able to hold yourself back from buying several. Plus, your dollars stretch a lot farther than you may think and actually help support 63 women in Uganda, who make all the pieces from 100% recycled paper.

How cute is the leather tie on this necklace? It makes adjusting the length a breeze, so you can choose to wear this one as a short or long layer in your ensemble.

Top: Vintage (Similar Version). Necklaces: 31 Bits Apple Drape and Orchard Bunch. Skirt: Forever21 (Similar FirstClass Version).

B(i)te of Music:

You want some indie? I'm talkin' super underground, still has less than 5000 plays collectively on his MySpace, indie. The absence of site traffic is mildly baffling, because his music is actually great, the kind you can just let yourself get lost inside because it's so inviting. Reminiscent of Radio Dept., I bring you Plastic Flowers. So underground he doesn't even have a soundcloud, but you have to hear She Learned the Best Way. It's killer. Rather than leave you hanging without music simply because a soundcloud doesn't exist, I unearthed this weird little video for you (the internet is such a strange but all-providing concept). Random, but awesome. Enjoy.

Plastic Flowers - She Learned The Best Way from Kevan Giffen on Vimeo.

. Accessory Overdrive .

2011-10-16T19:14:00.000-07:00

Bite of Chic update: new week, new designer to know. We stepped out back to give you a new backdrop too - perks of living in California, multiple different geographical vibes within just a few miles of each other. See the accessory party goin' on? Want the invite? The inner circle to know is 31 Bits. A jewelry line born out of philanthropy and living a bi-continental existence between The States and Uganda. Hear this call for attention, because these ladies have built an entire line around giving back. Keep your eyes peeled, I'll give you more background scoop throughout the week.

Have you ever seen so many beads on one human being? It's hard not to go nuts, because their pieces are 1) super affordable 2) so compatible and 3) umm, obviously super cute. That little headband will make more than one cameo this week, let me tell you now. It can serve many a purpose, my friends.

Headband: 31 Bits. Glasses: Vintage Emmanuelle Khanh (somewhat similar version). Necklaces: 31 Bits. Bracelet (left hand): 31 Bits. Bracelet (right hand): 31 Bits. Dress: vintage (similar Free People version). Socks: Urban Outfitters. Boots: Steve Madden. Hot damn that's a lotta credits..

Beats to JumpStart your week:

Sorry, but any band / DJ / artist / what-the-hell-ever-beat-maker with a song called Tinseltown Trannie (that happens to actually be really good, by the way) is kick-ass in my book. Judging by the fact that almost 70,000 people have spent two minutes and sixteen seconds of their lives listening to that song, obviously other people think it's awesome too. If you haven't heard Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti, I hope I've sparked your intrigue. A recent mixtape / sixteen-minute, one track EP dropped about a month ago in early September, Witch Hunt Suite for WWIII. Check it out. I hope these self-proclaimed "cookoo-land-inhabitants" go on tour soon. I'd play "Where's Bite of Chic?" in that audience for sure.
Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti - Round And Round (The Hood Internet Remix) by hoodinternet

. Efficiency Chic .

2011-10-15T21:43:00.000-07:00

Melancholy as it may be, I'm about to wrap out my Thale Blanc story for the week. However, in an effort to leave you happy and salivating for more of her genius creations, here's the promo video for Debbie Sawaf's pochettes and a sneak peek of the newest product addition to her line...

Notes on the Designer:

Debbie Sawaf - aka ultraChic brainiac - created Thale Blanc out of necessity (satisfying a gaping hole in the accessory market) and a desire to stop wasting time (cue streamlined efficiency). Much as she disliked rarely finding her phone before missing a call, she enjoyed many a bottomless Mary-Poppins-style bags most of us carry (mother to toddling little ones, she's gotta be prepared for anything, and all the tricks have to fit in the bag on-the-go). Thus, for not only herself but for the rest of us with hectic lives like her, she conceived an accessory adventure that, in its first year of production, has grown to provide evening bags and tech-cessories, like the iPad cases in addition to the initial Pochette idea. No stranger to appreciating luxury materials, her line covers every corner of the best leather and suede available, and she designs every product to serve a specific purpose yet look simultaneously chic.

Below are images of the iPad covers, her newest endeavor - complete with case for your headphones (custom-made retractable headphones to avoid that tangled mess that's so annoying... specifically designed for Thale Blanc, I might add), circular opening for facetime capabilities, purple silk interior, and the standard magnetic base to hold your iPad upright, should you desire to use it tabletop style. Absolutely genius.

Hope you've enjoyed this week's Designer of the Week. Big thanks to Thale Blanc for sending pieces to Bite of Chic. I've loved sporting my Pochettes and Thale Blanc iPad gear all over town. Ta ta lovelies.

. chromaPOP .

2011-10-13T11:25:00.000-07:00

Everyone's obviously all over colorBlocking in the last few seasons, but how do you add zing to your ensemble with getting overwhelmed if you only stand comfortably in earth tones? I love a double portion of brightly colored fabric just as much as I appreciate a small dose of whaBAM for an outfit. However, I am not the masses, so here's an ensemble that's mostly relaxed in the saturated hue department, but zazzed up a little with a Thale Blanc pochette - so saturated you just want to swim in it.

Whistle a tune of gladness, it's almost the weekend:

Much as I love a little back beat and some hip hop, I am, at heart, a complete sucker for a whistling, singer-songwriter, indie boy. Enter: Youth Lagoon. Don't recognize the name? Don't worry, the most recent record, The Year of Hibernation, just dropped a few weeks ago. In any case though, prepare to love this one if you melt at the musical creation of the introspective indie boy types. I don't know about you, but I'd gladly hibernate for a year with someone who could sing like this and make music like, Afternoon, every day. Who on earth wouldn't? He's touring next month - better get after those tickets before they sell out... I'll see you at the Echo show, if you're an L.A. native.

Cannons by Youth Lagoon

. Happy Humpday .

2011-10-12T18:35:00.000-07:00

Want to step out and greet HumpDay bright-eyed and bushy-tailed? Nothin' says happy like red peep-toe espadrille flats and a brightly patterned scarf, oh and of course a Thale Blanc pochette to accentuate your tote. Smartypants head designer, Debbie Sawaf, coordinated the colors in her line to purposely match the palette of top handbag designers. Talk about catering to your chic audience's needs. These little nuggets literally go with everything in your closet.

Ever want to just twirl it out? Duh, it's HumpDay, of course it's appropriate to twirl around in the street. It's only the best day of the week.

Top: Free People (similar version) Jeans: Joe's Jeans. Pochette: Thale Blanc. Scarf: Vintage. Shoes: Old Navy, do you die? I know... (similar version)

Mid-week-vibe-age:

Who would've thought that it would someday be socially acceptable to mix -hip- to the -hop- over musical theatre songs. I can't cover it up, I sing along shamelessly to this song. I'll admit when Wicked came out and transformed into the widely known theatrical experience that it is, I never would have guessed that Huey Mack would spit rhymes over one of its songs a few years later, but man am I happy he did. Ya dig? Yeah, you do too. Sorry about it.

Huey Mack - Popular by The Kollection

. Trend - Neutral .

2011-10-11T20:12:00.000-07:00

The button-down dress is pretty much a staple; and I have yet to meet a person who doesn't enjoy a muted color palette on occasion. So for those of you, who gravitate more toward green and brown than you do toward black or grey, I bestow upon you this chromatically neutral ensemble. And should you be one to represent trends on the regular, hop on the band wagon with the Thale Blanc iPad cases already, will ya? This one is made of a stunning hornback suede, reminiscent of the alligator. Bring the wilderness to the city, ladies. You can even attach your phone to it, slip your credit cards into the extra little pocket, and clip your keys to the interchangeable chain strap. It might make you think twice about bringing a purse to your next engagement...

Dress: Plastic Island (This season's version). Socks: Muji Mens (similar at UO) Shoes: AllSaints. Ipad Case: Thale Blanc (gifted), duh.

Flavorful side dish of tunes:

If you like soulful pop that's a throwback to the 60's, Fitz and The Tantrums is for you. Given that they made a cameo on the Friends with Benefits soundtrack and recently played on Leno, millions of people obviously already know them. However, if you are not one of their mass followers, never fear. You still have time to learn their music by heart and fall in love with them, before they go on their Fall Tour. Want the free download? Click it crazies. There's no denying it, I'm in love with their record (ahem, Dear Mr. President). Download, listen, twist and shout.

. Comme Des Enfants .

2011-10-10T15:45:00.000-07:00

To satisfy the frilly and femme in many of us, Debbie Sawaf created this sweet little pochette complete with velvet inlaid chain and bows along the way. The essential add-on to your "afternoon coffee date" or "lunch with the girls" ensemble. Wear it anytime you want the perfect balance of elegance and innocence.

Dress: Nicholas K. Bag: Thale Blanc (gifted). Shoes: Marc by Marc Jacobs.

A b(i)te of elegance for your ear drums:

What's more elegant than the French (in their entirety as a nation, of course)? And how fitting that Coeur de Pirate has a voice so angelic it's practically cherubic. Prepare to hear your newest raison d'être. Her music is quite easy to love - not only because it's French and beautiful, but mostly because it just plain makes your heart melt, it's so cute. A style maven in her own right, of course her songs range from delicate piano and feminine softness to upbeat with rich, soulful vocals. No shock. Enjoy. There's been buzz about her all over the musical blogosphere. In case you didn't know, now you do. Buy her record, and Vive La France!

C'était salement romantique by daretocarerecords