Road Trippin'

And we're off, the car and kids are packed, the ipod is loaded with new tunes and the glove box is packed with lots of old CDs, we're hitting the road, heading up the California coast.  We've got the itch badly to travel again...here's to 3 day weekends!      

Music is My Boyfriend

I want to buy a turntable, receiver and amplifier just like this.  See, I grew up listening to my dad's record collection and lately I've been wanting to hear all that old music.  Now granted, I have most of it downloaded on iTunes, but it's just not the same.  

I miss moving my fingers through the albums and looking at the cool art work.  I felt more connected to the artists when I could see a physical album vs. nowadays quickly downloading a song, only to really never play it again.  I used to play albums over and over and over again with my friends.  I miss that. 

    

Here are some of my personal favorites that I want in the collection...

Jules Still Rules

Kick out the jams yo...

I'm bringing the beats back to this blog! After being silent since my website was redesigned, I've felt a little restrained, inhibited, and maybe even a little boring. Music brings everything to life, makes everything a little more colorful, and for me evokes feelings, thoughts, and inspiration. So contrary to what many have said is a "faux pas" for having music on one's blog, I don't care, I couldn't resist cranking up the music. I hope you enjoy it and keep it playing...

"Happiness if free when you lose your mind." - Miguel Migs

Can I get an Amen? Right on!

Please Mr. Monday be kind to me...

Jules Rules

My favorite band during my 20s was hands-down The Strokes. I saw them perform live many times in L.A., made it back stage, and was able to party with them one New Year's Eve in Vegas. I was completely in love with the lead singer Julian Casablancas and when I heard he was going off on his own for a single album, I was intrigued. This is a picture of the marquee where he performed during the month of November in 2009 in Los Angeles. For me, Jules still Rules!!!

Photo courtesy of JCT

R + R

I'm off to chase the desert skies this weekend with my partner in crime Miss Chelsea Valentine. On the agenda: rest, relaxation, rejuvenation. Nothing like a little sister time (and pool time) to feed your soul. Peace, love, unity, respect!

Shake dreams from your hair my pretty child, my sweet one.

Choose the day and choose the sign of your day, the day's divinity.

First thing you see.

-Jim Morrison

When your needle finds its groove...

I was raised on vinyl. Growing up, my parents had a stellar sound system set up in our living room and my dad would throw on a great record and literally blast it. The four of us kids would dance around for hours taking turns playing our favorite records. Then Christmas 1988, it all changed when we got our first 5 disc CD changer that my dad hooked up to the system as well.

The vinyl took a backseat to the tiny little discs that seemed so futuristic at the time. By the time I got to high school in the mid 90s, my brother, sisters, and I had managed to collect over a thousand CDs. Every time my friends came over to hang out or for parties, they demanded to hear the vinyl.

The vinyl just sounded so clear, and when the needle first hit the groove of the record, magic happened. I especially loved when it was time to flip the record over to the B-side. You knew you were in for another treat, till it was time to pick another album. They still make music like they used to, but the ritual of listening to an album in it's entirety with your best friends is a thing of the past.

I one day am going to have a set up just like Gucci's Frida Giannini's living room with turntables and records displayed. To me it becomes art and who doesn't love music that is ready to be played at any minute!!??

International DJ Erick Morillo on the decks at Chicago's Spybar

"I can't remember last night"

Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band by the Beatles was a constant favorite of mine. I used to stare at this album cover for hours, analyzing and trying to figure out who each of these people were and what The Beatles were singing about. I literally cried at the "Love" show in Las Vegas when I got to see this music come to life before my eyes.

Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd. If rock had an opera, this would be it! I can't even begin to count how many times this album got played, again and again and again. It still doesn't get old!

I used to dance to this one when I was 5! I just loved Donna's disco hot pink heels and her big hair and that she was sitting on the radio! "MacArthur Park" and "Bad Girl's" were my top picks and the last dance at my wedding was Donna's "Last Dance."

The Rolling Stones' Sticky Fingers. This album used to constantly be leaning up against the stereo. It has a little zipper on the front and when unzipped you could see the underwear of whoever's pants these were. I definitely thought this one was fun, but didn't truly appreciate the music till I was much older. "Can't You Hear Me Knockin'" is hands down one of my favorites!

I love you Mommy Dearest

Mommy Dearest: Madonna and daughter Lourdes "Lola" Leon

Wow, they grow up fast!!!

Lil Lourdes Leon is a Madonna-impersonator in the making. The Material Girl’s 12-year daughter has recreated her mother’s famous wedding dress pose in the 1984 hit “Like A Virgin” for the pop legend’s new music video. Lourdes, whose dad is actor Carlos Leon, displays some impressive breakdancing skills in the first release of the music video for “Celebration.” However, it’s this image from a rumoured second edit of the video that has Madge Lovers squealing.

Via: Pop Crunch

Little Fluffy Clouds

What were the skies like when you were young?

They went on forever

And they -- when I

We lived in Arizona

And the skies always had little fluffy clouds

And they were long and clear

And there were lots of stars, at night

And when it rained it would all turn

It -- they were beautiful

The most beautiful skies as a matter of fact

The sunsets were purple and red

And yellow and on fire

And the clouds would catch the colors everywhere

That's -- it's neat

Because I used to look at them all the time

When I was little

You don't see that

By The Orb

Photography Naudia J.

Wedding Set List

As Guests Arrive

“Save A Prayer” by Duran Duran

“All My Love” by Led Zeppelin

“Sympathique” by Pink Martini – Best of Hotel Costes

“Sun King” by The Beatles

“Chapel of Love” by The Dixie Cups

“I Can’t Wait” by Andy Caldwell

Processional As Groomsmen and Groom Walk In (Groom with Parents)

“I Fall In Love Too Easily” by Chet Baker

Processional As Bridesmaids Walk Down Aisle

“J’Ai Deux Amours” by Madeleine Peyroux

Processional As Bride Walks Down Aisle with Father

“Café De Flore” (Trio Reprise from “Le Defi”) by Matthew Herbert

Recessional

“Sowing the Seeds of Love” by Tears for Fears

Cocktails

“Sympathique” by Pink Martini – Best of Hotel Costes

“Latazz” by The Funky Lowlives – Best of Hotel Costes

“L’Amour” by Rouge Rouge – Best of Hotel Costes

“Morenito” (Bossa Mix) by Stephane Pompougnac – Best of Hotel Costes

“My Funny Valentine” by Big Muff – Best of Hotel Costes

“Et Toutes Ces Choses” by Rouge Rouge featuring Karin Viard – Hotel Costes Vol. 9

“Dream Machine” by Mark Farina – Hotel Costes Vol. 8

“Think Twice” by Ralph Myerz & Jack Herren Band – Hotel Costes Vol. 8

“Lo Que Pidas” by Julieta Venegas

“Omerta Bossa” by Isabelle Antena – Issy Does It

“This Is Not A Love Song” by Nouvelle Vague – Nouvelle Vague

“Smooth Operator” by Sade – Best of Sade

“Hold On To Your Love” by Sade

“You Know I’m No Good” by Amy Winehouse

“Me Gustas Cuando Callas” by The Brazilian Girls

“Save A Prayer” by Duran Duran

“The Fez” by Steely Dan

“Kid Charlemagne” by Steely Dan

Bridal Party Grand Entrance/Bride and Groom Grand Entrance

“Viva La Vida” by Coldplay

Bride and Groom’s First Dance

“Where Do I Begin” by Shirley Bassey

Father/Bride Dance

“Desert Skies” by Marshall Tucker Band

Mother/Groom Dance

“Isn’t She Lovely” by Stevie Wonder

Cake Cutting Song

“Happy Together” by The Turtles

Bouquet Toss

“Rich Girls” by The Virgins

Garter Toss

“Boys Wanna Be Her” by Peaches

Last Dance

“Last Dance” by Donna Summer

Bride's Processional: Cafe de Flore by Matthew Herbert

The first time I heard "Cafe de Flore" it evoked romance, great depths of love and passion, a rose garden, smells of perfume, fine wine, and simply, Paris. This will be the song to carry me down the aisle on my wedding day. Music has always taken me to far away places and has been the soundtrack to my life. For this event, I want to remember the day forever, I want to play this song and know that it's our song. I am not drawn to traditional wedding processionals that I have heard over and over at weddings, it's too generic. It's the little things like music that make the first impression, sets the tone and mood, for what's to come next.