Kill Me

I remember when shit wasn't complicated.  When I could do whatever the hell I wanted without any regard.  Well this isn't all true exactly because I've always had limits.  Every time I think about this I remember my favorite book of all time, the book that changed my life, PLEASE KILL ME: The Uncensored Oral History of Punk. I read this book because I was obsessed with the Velvet Underground and the Ramones, which is a sweet phase that young rock n roll fans go through in life- you're young and you think that people don't understand you, you think that you're always right and you listen to "dark" music about suicide and drugs.  You're also probably obsessed with Wes Anderson and you watch Ghost World everyday, I know I did.

This is one of my most treasured books because they're a bunch of interviews chronologically put together about the birth of this awesome music genre. The characters to name a few are: Nico, Marianne Faithful, John Cale, Patti Smith, Iggy Pop, Dee Dee (my favorite Ramone) and the Godfather of Punk himself Lou Reid.  Lester Bangs who coined the term punk and edited the magazine with the same name compiled this book.  Of course as I was reading it I did not know who a lot of the people being interviewed were, but Bangs is such a genius to add a glossary of all the characters's names along with a short bio.

Please Kill Me tells it how it is- it's totally uncensored and you pretty much learn not only about the history of punk, but also who fucked who and who died from going overboard.

Speaking of going over the edge my favorite punk rock couple is: Sid and Nancy, RIP to the both of you. Nancy died of a stab wound and Sid of a drug overdose on a separate occasion. Sid's suicide note read, "We had a death pact, and I have to keep my end of the bargain. Please bury me next to my baby in my leather jacket, jeans and motorcycle boots. Goodbye.." Sad-Romantic and grimy as hell because this dude had 100% heroin in his body.

Seriously, this book will make you think about life as a precious gift. I'd say that 80% of the people in it died due to some stupid shit like drugs or chocking on their own vomit. Not cool at all.

Nancy's body taken out of the Chelsea Hotel

Photo by: Crime Scene Photographer

Makes Me Happy

Two weeks ago I found myself at Outside Lands Music Festival at Golden Gate Park. Being at the park brings back tons of memories- my first and last 420 celebration, the birth of the Peace Circle, and a midnight walk through the park playing hide-and-go-seek behind bushes and trees.  I also remember being there two years ago at the first ever Outside Lands Music Festival with the coolest cousin ever who I had just met a week prior to.

This year the lineup was alright.  Honestly, I looked up almost every single act the night before and added my picks to my Outside Lands App (which sucked btw!)  I was there to see the Strokes perform and everything else would be extra music goodness. Watching them while screaming their lyrics at the top of my lungs reminded me how fucking awesome they are.  I wasn't the only one singing like my life depended on it and it hit me that even though they have not released an album in four years, thousands of people came to see them play old material.

The Strokes rule, really.

The year was 2000 and they popped into the mainstream sphere via MTV.  Check it out...

I don't remember the exact moment when I first saw this gem, but I am sure I shit my pants because I was so damn happy that something had come at last to replace the bullshit that is 90's rock (I love you Nirvana).  Music critics call the Strokes and the bands that came right after (The White Stripes, The Hives) the "Garage Rock Revival."  The sound is old indeed- the instruments they used are vintage and the way this new genre was recorded was very raw and pure.  The Strokes are pop in every sense where their music is simplistic and catchy, but it's most definitely rock n roll.  It's also not in your face aggressive, thank God because that is totally overdone.  It's also extremely awesome that Julian's voice is reminiscent of Jim Morrison's.

I have so many amazing memories seeing them live.  Prior to Outside Lands they played at BFD, which is this music festival in the Bay Area.  They were one of the last bands to perform and by the time Julian Casablanca's, the singer went onstage, he was fucked up.  He had this huge white cooler full of booze with him where he proceeded to take from throughout their set.   It was a special one alright because they played all of their singles from the most recent one at the time to "Last Night."

There was also the time they played at the Concourse located in San Francisco.  I think that was the time I saw how badass Nick Valensi was. This dude had the tightest solos and I could hear exactly that he was influenced by Slash.  I was also standing on the right side front, squeezed in between tall dudes, but everyone was jumping and singing along so I did not care.  I also remember my homies kicking some punk's ass for talking shit, ha ha!

Three studio albums and an EP makes it impossible to pick my favorite Strokes song.  Frankly, it feels like having to choose your favorite child, but I die every time I hear this one, especially the music at the beginning...

Visualz!

Image inspirations from this week.  Currently watching the Rachel Zoe Project.  I've missed you!

Coolest Celebrity Couple Ever?

American Vogue June 2010

I know, I'm kinda late on this but it deserves obsession from my part.  This couple is just too awesome.  Not only is Jack White the best contemporary musician, but his wife Karen Elson is one of the coolest models ever.  I love that they finally decided to be photographed together like this, it was about time.  Her hair is also totally amazing!!! I've been wanting to dye it that same exact hue for two years now, but I'm a bit scared it might turn copper like last time I did.  It wasn't that cute let me tell ya!

Sweet Music

When I first heard "California Gurls," it was on MTV and it was the music video.  I thought: what the hell, Snoop is supposed to be a gangsta...I watched it again today and I think the whole thing is pretty tight.  I don't really know Katy Perry's music and even though the song is pop as hell, it's definitely cute and I can't hate on that.  

Awesome things about the song: it's about California girls and Snoop is in it.  Loving the video because: of the Candy Land theme, the colorful wigs Katy and the ladies wear, their glittery eye makeup, and then there's the cupcakes, lollipops, gummy bears, cotton candy and other sugary treats.  The whole video is really a little girls dream come true!

Favorite Snoop quote, "I love the Bay just like I love L.A."

All images from the Katy Perry Official Website

Girl With Green Eyes and Miu Miu Rocks

TCM is da shit, seriously.  The other day I happened to catch Girl With Green Eyes.  The film had already started, but I decided to watch it because the main actress, Rita Tushingham has the most unique look.

The film is directed by Desmond Davis who I've never heard about.  The story is kinda sad because it's about Rita's character Kate who falls in love with an older man, Eugene played by the actor Peter Finch.  She's a girl from a village living in Dublin with her roommate.  Her youthful energy attracts Eugene and she is thrilled by his maturity, but their love doesn't really work out because the age gap becomes a problem.  I seriously wanted to cry when I saw this because I really wanted them to be in love and together, but it didn't work out in the end because they are just so different in regards to where they're at in their lives.

The film poster is kinda sad because it totally embodies how Kate feels about him.  She is totally engrossed and wants to be part of his life so badly.  Tears....

Now, for some out of control happiness: the Miu Miu 2011 Resort Collection

Miu Miu Photos by Style.com

I've died and gone to heaven, seriously.  This collection is amazing!  It has a bit of some of my favorite things: the 40's, 70's, stripes, polka dots, cute patterns (apples), sky high platforms and super cool jewelry.  The styling is also very pretty, voluminous hair and red glossy lips are always a plus.  I also like how different patterns are mixed, I'm definitely into that right now.  

Lately I've been keeping it minimal with the accessories though, maybe it's the heat? Something about feeling super hot and having a lot of stuff on you is not really appealing at the moment.  Don't get me wrong though, I love my jewelry, especially stacking up bracelets and big earrings.  Here's a recent outfit shot, it was sorta windy that day.

Hello, Again

I'm back like a heart attack!  Hello blogsphere, it's been a minute.  Plenty has happened since I last wrote: marriage and baby!  It has been incredibly overwhelming and life changing, but wonderful and joyous at the same time.  It's totally awesome being a wife and a mother, I feel pretty special!  I don't really share details about my personal life unless you're in my tight circe of family and friends so forgive me if I digress from giving you the full scope.

There are a million things I would like to talk about and the hard part is choosing where to start...

Films.  I used to view them on a regular basis, but for some reason it's difficult to motivate myself to watch one these days. There was a period when I watched a Hitchcock film everyday and knocked out about half of his filmography.

My favorites are Marnie and The Birds.  Marnie is about a young woman who has some troubles, one of them is being distrustful of the opposite sex.  It's pretty interesting because it's very psychological, but then again you can say that about all of his films.  Marnie is also cool because it was the last film that Bernard Herman did the score for.

The Birds has the most crazed out scenario- when birds attack humans!  Honestly, it can't get better than this and the best part is that it was shot here in Northern California.  The Birds is seriously freaky, I highly recommend it.

All photos from the HIitchcock Screenshot Gallery

I am totally ecstatic at the new Stanford Theater Film Schedule.  Check out how beautiful this place is...

They show classic stuff here and that means plenty of Hitchcock as well, yeeee!!!!

Update, FINALLY!

It's not my intention to be a terrible blogger, the truth is that my laptop died.  So much has happened since I last wrote: Valentine's Day, Mc Queen's death, watched a few great films- Good Heart and A Single Man.  I've also started working out on a regular basis, which has been really nice actually. 

I wish I could write a kick ass post, but I can't upload all all the photographs I've accumulated to this shitty computer and since I'm a visual gal I gotta give you a photo with a story.  Maybe I will get my laptop to work again, or perhaps get a fat tax refund and I can purchase a new one. 

Only time will tell.

Sexxy Kat Von D

I nearly creamed my pants when I saw this at the bookstore the other day.  I love this lady, she is so BEAUTIFUL and she is MEXICAN!!!  I dig her look, her tattoos are specially classic and awesome in black and grey and her hair is flawless!!!!  My favorite photo is probably the second where she is the Mother Mary pose, she looks like an angel!  I regret not ditching work a few months ago when she was at B&N in San Francisco signing autographs for a book she was promoting.  On another Kat note, has anyone tried her makeup line?  I don't own it, but I tried the tattoo concealer on my tattooless wrist and it is amazing!  I would apply it under the eyes after a night of heavy partying because it's made to hide anything! 

Photos by James Dimmock

Valentine's Day Pretend Shopping!!

Valentine's Day, even though it's a commercial holiday is one of my favorites because of all the cute shit they sell.  I'm a sucker for anything with a cupcake or glitter splashed on it.  I decided to look up some of the merch being sold at some shops and here are my favorites...

Delfina Delettrez Kiss Earrings, found via style.com

All You Need Is Love Pillowcase Set, Urban Outfitters

Petit Four Lip Balm Set, Modcloth

Heart Speaker, Urban Outfitters

Sprinkle Heart Ring, Fred Flare

Quit Playing Games With My Heart Bracelet, Modcloth

Sheer Hearts Tights, Urban Outfitters

Btw, the Sheer Heart Tights are only $12!!!  If you have been looking to purchase some inexpensive ones, this is it!  Tabio and American Apparel sell them, but are quite pricey at approximately $25.