Jenny from the blogg

It's Friday, Let's go for a joyride!

2010-03-12T11:22:00.003-05:00

I LOVE this commercial for the Kia Sorento. If you have already seen it. Watch it again, it'll make you smile. What an incredible cast of characters. It's such a creative concept! I think my favorite part is where the Mr. X, a BlaBla Boogoloo Monster (the rolly polly looking guy) tries to make a snow angel. It just cracks me up. I've also always had a thing for sock monkeys, too. I find them irresistible.

When you are having one of those days....

2010-02-24T14:14:00.001-05:00

Never fear. You can stick them with the bill! This clever little invoice for day-ruining invoice, by NY-based designer Jessica Hische, can be filled in and mailed off to any clients that you don't want to work with again.
{via Urban Outfitters}

A toast to Sundays....

2009-11-22T12:01:00.003-05:00

Ahhhh sleeping in is divine. Not sure who this quote is by, but thought I'd put I'd put it on a piece of toast this morning and serve it up to you. Enjoy.

Easy like Sunday Morning.

2009-11-22T11:52:00.004-05:00

Oh how I love Sunday mornings. Isn't this poster from Sarah Utter cool?

Curbside Cupcakes.

2009-11-20T08:08:00.001-05:00

Oh. My. Gossssh. I'm practically speechless.

I just saw this on Washingtonian.com Best Bites Blog. Washington, D.C now has a it's very own mobile cupcake business, "Curbside Cupcake" a roving bubble-gum pink van that sells cupcakes on the street. Maybe soon coming to an intersection near you. Find out where they are now on Twitter: http://twitter.com/curbsidecupcake

{photo from Best Bites Blog}

It's cupcake Friday....

2009-11-20T01:35:00.001-05:00

{by marc johns}

Marc Johns has the awesomest dang little illustrations on the planet. They are simple and just down right clever. Please take some time to check out his work. For it is certain, at the very least, to bring a smile to your face, make you snicker, LOL, or maybe even snarf your soda (like me). So be careful before you take a swig of your diet pepsi and look at his drawings.

P.S. In case you've noticed, tend post about cupcakes on Fridays. It's a developing pattern in my life. I guess they are on my mind on Fridays (well actually everyday). So... I'm going to post about cupcakes on Fridays for the indefinite future. Have sugary sweet, lick the icing off the top first kind of weekend.

I heart NY

2009-11-18T21:03:00.004-05:00

Here are some of my photos from my latest trip to New York City two weeks ago. Oh how I love this town.

{all photos by me}

Come on in. Sit a spell and have a listen.

2009-11-18T07:57:00.001-05:00

A new lovely video and song from Australian singer-songwriter, Lisa Mitchell.

After Apple Picking

2009-11-13T00:06:00.007-05:00

I went apple picking at Stribling Orchard in Markham, Virginia. What a beautiful place. Here are a few of my photos. You can see the rest on my Flickr page.

My long two-pointed ladder's sticking through a tree
Toward heaven still,
And there's a barrel that I didn't fill
Beside it, and there may be two or three
Apples I didn't pick upon some bough.
But I am done with apple-picking now.
Essence of winter sleep is on the night,
The scent of apples: I am drowsing off.
I cannot rub the strangeness from my sight
I got from looking through a pane of glass
I skimmed this morning from the drinking trough
And held against the world of hoary grass.
It melted, and I let it fall and break.
But I was well
Upon my way to sleep before it fell,
And I could tell
What form my dreaming was about to take.
Magnified apples appear and disappear,
Stem end and blossom end,
And every fleck of russet showing clear.
My instep arch not only keeps the ache,
It keeps the pressure of a ladder-round.
I feel the ladder sway as the boughs bend.

And I keep hearing from the cellar bin
The rumbling sound
Of load on load of apples coming in.
For I have had too much
Of apple-picking: I am overtired
Of the great harvest I myself desired.
There were ten thousand thousand fruit to touch,
Cherish in hand, lift down, and not let fall.
For all
That struck the earth,
No matter if not bruised or spiked with stubble,
Went surely to the cider-apple heap
As of no worth.
One can see what will trouble
This sleep of mine, whatever sleep it is.
Were he not gone,
The woodchuck could say whether it's like his
Long sleep, as I describe its coming on,
Or just some human sleep.

- Robert Frost, After Apple Picking

Haute Halloween Couture

2009-10-30T14:29:00.004-04:00

The spring 2010 line from Jean-Charles de Castelbajac. I'm liking the pirate-inspired designs with the eye-patches and parrots. It's given me some ideas for my non-existent costume as of today.

{via Black Eiffel}

Cupcake Car

2009-10-30T08:08:00.006-04:00

Now, I do love me some cupcakes, but this takes the cake...er...I mean cupcake!
It's so totally weird and out there and I love it!
Available at Neiman Marcus... for ONLY 25K.
As described on their website:

Put on your matching hat, slip under the muffin top of your Cupcake Car, and let the world figure itself out for awhile. Get (or give) the sheer, joyful chaos of a gift that is mind-blowing, triple-dog-dare, double-infinity forever cool. Make the kids or grandkids literally squeal with joy. Bring it to work and buzz the breakroom. Crash parades! Putter about the ‘hood. Ever had a crowd of kids chasing after you just for the crazy gleeful heck of it? (No worries, the top speed is a comfy-safe 7 mph.) What’s it made of? A 24-volt electric motor, a heavy-duty battery, sheet metal, wire, fabric, wood…and mad genius. Launched at Burning ManSM as a cooperative art car project, the Cupcake Car sprang from the fevered mind of Bay Area artist Lisa Pongrace and her less-rules-more-laughs posse of artists and techno geeks. Yours will be tricked out with your favorite topping, so start thinking flavors.

Polkadot Love.

2009-10-28T01:30:00.022-04:00

more pretty black and white polkadots

2009-10-28T01:15:00.010-04:00

My love for polkadots continues with these fabulous photos for Susan Woo taken by the very talented Geordie Wood

Polkadot Dreams

2009-10-21T07:17:00.003-04:00

Polkadots are my favorite pattern. I love how something so simple can be so bold. I've rounded up some lovely photos from Flickr that show the beauty of black and white polkadots. Please click on the link below each photograph to be taken to the source/talented photographer for each image.

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P.S. - More polkadots to come in various forms later this week... Stay tuned.

C'est Chic

2009-10-20T23:03:00.004-04:00

Sacrebleu! These cards by Darling Clementine are... well for lack of a better word... darling. You can purchase them in their shop here. They make a great gift for a friend or yourself. ;)

It's Raining, It's Pouring...

2009-10-16T14:54:00.005-04:00

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Rain
I opened my eyes
And looked up at the rain,
And it dripped in my head
And flowed into my brain,
And all that I hear as I lie in my bed
Is the slishity-slosh of the rain in my head.

I step very softly,
I walk very slow,
I can't do a handstand--
I might overflow,
So pardon the wild crazy thing I just said--
I'm just not the same since there's rain in my head.

- Shel Silverstein

What a gloomy, rainy Friday. I have a love-hate relationship with rain. On one hand it's a great day to stay inside under the covers, surfing my favorite websites, catching up on email, my DVR and sleep, reading a book and drinking a deliciously spicy cup of hot chai with my warm fluffy dog snuggled up next to me. On the other hand, it's too wet and cold to go out on hike and enjoy the beautiful fall colors. Well, I could, hike, but that's not really fun. Traffic sucks, too. People in D.C. just don't know how to drive when there's any kind of precipitation. The list goes on. What do you like to do on a rainy day?

C is for cookie...er...um...cupcake.

2009-10-16T11:40:00.003-04:00

This is an adorable idea...
Cupcakes, cookies and Cookie Monster.
Three of my favorites.
It's another cupcake Friday this week.
Have a delicious Friday!
Nom nom nom nom nom nom.

{via highheelsandhangovers}

This little piggy went to the market

2009-10-12T17:16:00.001-04:00

I went to Eastern Market on Sunday. I love that place. It's a public market on D.C's Capitol Hill, that's open everyday, but on the weekends they also have a huge flea market that surrounds the building and the parking lot next to it. Fresh fruits, veggies, artists, food, antiques, vintage galore, performers and more. It's a great place to wander around.

{all images ©2009 jenny from the blogg}

It's Friday. Go home and have a cupcake.

2009-10-09T08:19:00.000-04:00

Sam Brown has the awesomest little illustrations, ever. Check them out at Exploding Dog.
Then leave work and eat a cupcake, you'll feel much better. :)

Notte Sento

2009-10-06T07:07:00.000-04:00

This is an amazing little short film that was shot with a Canon EOS 30D Camera. The filmmakers took over 4,500+ still photos to create the film. This unconventional style of film making adds a very whimsical quality to it. Not only is the girl in this film absolutely stunning, her polkadot dress is fabulous. I want one!

{via ilovethecut}

Notte Sento (English subtitles) from napdan on Vimeo.

Office Space.

2009-10-05T07:39:00.002-04:00

Startin' this Monday morning off with some of David Fullerton's work from an exhibit called, "Sisyphus Office".

Very appropriate for a Monday morning, I think.

Here's an excerpt from the press release:

“The artists involved in the project are collaborating with businesses and offices in and around Houston in order to highlight art as a necessary distraction in our day to day life. The artists and offices involved in Sisyphus Office are working physically and conceptually with the notions of existentialism, capitalism, artistic romanticism and deadpan slapstickism as a means to examine the artifice that keeps us clinging to reality and distracted from the void. Sisyphus Office is about punching the clock, and then punching it again…but harder the second time. It’s about transcending the mundane through the beauty and absurdity of distraction. It’s about recognizing the comedy in the tragedy of the day to day… and then waking up again to do the same thing all over again the next morning.”

{all images by David Fullerton}

Still in an "Empire State of Mind"

2009-10-03T17:58:00.022-04:00

I spent last weekend in New York City and I loved every single second of it! I must get back there again SOON! Amtrak is running some great fares now. It was only $49 each way from Washingon, D.C. to NYC. Way more comfortable than taking the bus! Here are a few of my photos of the city that never sleeps.

1. Empire State of Mind, 2. Untitled, 3. 8 Street, 4. The Diner, 5. Untitled, 6. stairway to heaven, 7. 7th & 53rd, 8. Untitled

Here's a brief synopsis of my whirlwind 24 hrs in NYC:
Ate a huge slice of NY-style pizza
Wandered around Union Square
Tried on hats and coats at a street fair
Ate the best cupcake *ever* at Crumbs Bake shop
Shopped for deals at Loehmann's
Ate a delicious dinner while the DJ spun some great music at Butter
Did not dance on the bar at Hogs and Heifers Saloon
Floated a few doors down to SEA (the DJ suckedddd!)
Walked in the pouring rain with no umbrella ella ella ay.
Drank a pint at McKenna's
Slept on the top bunk
Drank the thickest blackest cup of coffee ever at The Diner
Boarded the Amtrak train to D.C.
Could not get this song out my head for the rest of the week.

Use Somebody

2009-10-02T19:08:00.005-04:00

So, I love the song, "Use Somebody" by Kings of Leon. It creates such a haunting mood in my mind when I hear it. I just heard this version earlier this week by Paramore. I usually don't like covers that much, but I kinda digg this one. It's a little rough and edgy. What do you think? Thumbs up or thumbs down?

Back on Track

2009-10-02T17:22:00.001-04:00

After a couple months off due to an extremely busy work schedule, I'm back on the blogging scene. I've got a crispy clean new banner and some design tweeks, too. So you can get with this, cuz this is where it's at!

In the words of the old skool rap song by Black Sheep

Engine, Engine, Number Nine,
On the New York transit line,
If my train goes off the track,
Pick it up! Pick it up! Pick it up!
Back on the scene,
Crispy and clean...

Another Monday morning.

2009-08-24T07:31:00.001-04:00

Time to get up. I wish I was a morning person. The summer's closing in fast. Hope you enjoy the last couple weeks.

Half Moon Bay, Pacifica, & SF - Vacation Day 5 Highlights

2009-08-23T21:38:00.006-04:00

My last day in SF...

Drove along the cost from Half Moon Bay up to the city. Here is me on the beach in Half Moon Bay.

Flora & Fauna in Half Moon Bay.

Punch Buggy along the coast.

The famous Lombard Street. The most crooked street in the world.

View of SF and the Bay Bridge from the top of Lombard Street.

Me.

Heading into downtown San Fran.

After dinner in the city. I said farewell and headed to the airport.

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream!

2009-08-15T19:27:00.009-04:00

I LOVE LOVE LOVE ice cream. It's my favorite dessert. Especially on a hot August day like today.

This photo by Chris Craymer makes me wish I was five again.

Isn't this print by Everything Lovely on Etsy adorable?

And this cool through the viewfinder print from Cassia Beck

Oh, and these flavorful vintage ice cream cups from Love is Vintage.

Ok, I'm off to the icecream parlor for some creamy goodness. See you there.

Rock & Roll, Baby!

2009-08-14T08:29:00.004-04:00

It's almost the weekend. Time to "Rock & Roll"!!!
(Another photo from my trip to San Francisco. This is one of the rides on the Santa Cruz Boardwalk)
{photo by me}

All-You-Can-Jet Deal!

2009-08-12T23:44:00.003-04:00

Just got this email from JetBlue. For anyone with the travel bug they are offering a deal. It's a All-You-Can-Jet Pass for $599 valid for travel from Sept 8 through Oct 8. Seems like a pretty sweet deal if you like to travel or have some people and places you want to visit this coming month. Happy Jetting everyone!

London Bridge.

2009-08-12T08:18:00.000-04:00

This is a very cool time lapse website by Chris Boardman. He took a picture everyday on his daily commute to work of his view from October 2008 to March 2009. Check it out here.

500 Days of Summer Dance

2009-08-11T20:05:00.003-04:00

I wish we still had 500 more days of summer. The end is near and that makes me sad, but this adorable video clip makes me happy. It's Zooey Deschanel and Joseph Gordon-Levitt in a Bonnie and Clyde-like style dancing to one of my faves, Why Don't You Let Me Stay Here? by She and Him. For those who don't know, Zooey is the singer, too. Enjoy...

1,000 Word (plus some).

2009-08-11T19:06:00.006-04:00

They say a picture is worth 1,000 words. Well these beauty's have a few more...

{Images via}

Napa Valley - Vacation Day 4 Highlights

2009-08-10T20:50:00.024-04:00

Here are more photo highlights from my recent trip to the San Francisco Bay are. After a few days of sightseeing in San Fran, it was off to Napa for some relaxing and wine drinking.

Panoramic view of SF from across the Golden Gate Bridge.

Looking across the SF Bay from the other side of the Golden Gate Bridge.

The veranda at Sterling Vineyards.

Aging wine at Sterling Vineyards. Mmmm.

A view of Napa Valley from the top of Sterling Vineyards.

My favorite wine at Sterling Vineyards, the Malvasia Bianca.

The picturesque grounds of the Duckhorn Vineyards.

Close up of some of the pretty flowers at the Duckhorn Vineyards.

Love these skinny trees at Peju Province Winery.

Love this mint green bike.

The vines next to the Peju Province Winery.

Me enjoying a delicious dinner and wine at Angéle in downtown Napa.

Napa River at night.

The Dogs Days of Summer are here - Enjoy!

2009-08-06T23:43:00.003-04:00

My collie Tenzing.

{photo by me}

This is for you.

2009-08-03T22:55:00.004-04:00

Just because... I hope you have a wonderful day. The best things in life are free. It's true. A kind word, a smile, a nice gesture, a helping hand, a compliment... the list goes on. I got this beautiful bouquet -- for FREE! I was shopping a local nursery and it was the end of the night and I was just standing there waiting in line to pay and a lady walked up and said, "This is for you!" That totally made my day! Spread the love today...

{Photo by me © 2009}

San Francisco - Vacation Day 2 & 3 Highlights

2009-08-02T11:02:00.018-04:00

After hanging out in Santa Cruz and the South Bay area with friends, it was time to head north to San Francisco. It was my first time in San Fran, so I had to explore all the touristy things . . .

Happy Birthday America! July 4th fireworks over the SF Bay from a friend's place at the top of Russian Hill.

View of the Golden Gate Bridge from the Marina.

Panorama of the Golden Gate Bridge.

Typical San Francisco street.

View of the Bay and beautiful SF cityscape.

Cute and entertaining Sea Lions at Pier 39. I could watch them all day long!

Alcatraz from Pier 39

Colorful mural in Haight-Ashbury.

Vintage VW Bug in Haight-Ashbury neighborhood.

That's me in front of the "Painted Ladies".

{All photos by me © 2009}

New Zealand Tourism

2009-07-28T19:40:00.002-04:00

Major, major props to Tim Denee, a graphic designer from New Zealand who recreated the hilariously bad New Zealand tourism posters seen hanging in Murray's office on my most favorite show "Flight of the Conchords". The large size is available for download so you can print out your very own poster. He even created desktop background images for download, too. See, New Zealand does ... ROCK!

{images by Tim Denee}

Wanderlust

2009-07-28T00:35:00.006-04:00

Now that I'm back from my travels, I also hope to add a new regular post to my blog in the next month or so on my travels both abroad and in the U.S. For those of you who don't know me that well, I love to travel and usually plan at least one, sometimes two big trips abroad each year. Before each trip, I always spend lots of time researching my destinations online and reading other travel websites and blogs for inspiration. I hope to share some of my travel experiences from some of the fabulous places I have visited such as Morocco, Tanzania, India, Turkey and more! And in return I ask only one thing, that you get inspired to take a trip somewhere.

Here's a great quote a saw somewhere a few months ago, "You'll never leave where you are until you decide where you'd rather be."

Stay tuned!

{Photo by me © 2009}

Santa Cruzin' - Vacation Day 1 Highlights

2009-07-27T22:47:00.008-04:00

After a few week hiatus from blogging, I'm back!!! I'm going to gradually post a few photo highlights from my trip to the San Francisco Bay Area over the next few days. Here are some photos from my first day in Cali. I spent the day in Santa Cruz on the beach! I love the beach and I love amusement parks so this was heaven.

View of the beach from the boardwalk

The seaside amusement park

Rollercoaster of looove. Ooooh. Oooh. Oooh.

Running on the beach

Sampler platter at Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing. Yum!

Mmmm. Boardwalk fries.

There is a season, turn, turn, turn.

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream!

Colorful cable cars move along over the boardwalk

Ferris wheel. Weeeeee!

A beautiful Pacific Ocean view

{All photos by me © 2009}

I'm leavin on a jet plane

2009-07-01T10:07:00.004-04:00

Don't know when I'll be back again... I'm heading out of town for the next week or so for a little vacation to San Fran, Napa Valley and Sonoma and then off to Las Vegas. I won't have much time to post on my blog during that time, but I'll be back online sometime during the week of July 13th. I'm sure I'll have plenty of photos and inspiration to share with you then. See you in a few weeks. Have a fun and safe Forth of July!

My Furry Love

2009-06-30T14:05:00.004-04:00

Just thought I'd share a photo of my furry love, my dog, Tenzing. Here he is lounging on my bed. What a life!

{photo by me}

Monster Monday

2009-06-29T00:04:00.001-04:00

I was hiking this weekend and tripped over a rock and when I looked up I saw this and could hardly believe my eyes. It was a very sad Monster crying waterfalls of tears. I never really thought about how Monsters have feelings, too. This one was particuarily upset because his friends didn't invite him to the Monster truck ralley. He loves the Grave Digger more than, I do!

No seriously, these fun images are from the Commando Group's PhotoRemix project. Where they take photographers work and manipulate it. The original photos are by Damian Heinisch and remixed into a monster mash by Commando Group.

Splendor in the Grass

2009-06-28T10:16:00.002-04:00

I love the cool green summer grass...

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And the grass it was a ticking
and the sun was on the rise
i never felt so wicked
as when i willed our love to die

and i was your silver lining as the story goes
i was your silver lining but now im gold
hooray hooray im your silver lining

- rilo kiley, silver lining

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Stash of 'Staches

2009-06-27T15:02:00.001-04:00

{Mustache key hook}

{Old Chap Tee}

{Mustache Espresso Cup}

{The Plushtache lapel pin}

{Mustacheooooo cross stitch}

{Waxed and Dastardly plate print}

{Disguise}

Have a wonderful weekend!

2009-06-26T01:01:00.004-04:00

{photo by me}

Come Monday Night

2009-06-22T12:11:00.000-04:00

"Come monday night the day of work is done
Tuesday morning lose the grey of ordinariness
Start by putting off your chores"

The debut single from Stuart Murdoch's (of Belle and Sebastian) latest project God Help the Girl. Very appropriate for this coming Monday evening, don't you think? Enjoy and maybe you will sleep much better after a listen or two.

Pet Project

2009-06-18T08:27:00.005-04:00

Another barkalicious book. This one is called "Pet Project" by Charity de Meer. Charity doguments girls with their dogs in their favorite shoes. Here's Charity's artist statement about this project...

"This project started when I was walking around New York City, alas, without a camera. I saw a girl in parachute pants and red spike heels walking her toy dog. I lamented about what a great shot that would have made....

A year or so later, I was in Key West and saw a woman standing under a streetlight in a short red skirt, high black heels with a Pomeranian on a leash. It reminded me of the NYC girl, the contrast of the outfit with walking a dog, the fact that our canines have been elevated from “pet” to fashion statement.
Thus began my project...

Prints will be available through Jonathan Adler. Book can be purchased here.

{Images Charity de Meer}

The glamourous, The glamourous...

2009-06-17T14:08:00.001-04:00

This book, Glamour Dogs by Catherine Ledner looks pawsitivley cute! It's not out yet, but coming this Fall. Catherine is a commercial photographer who is well known for both her love of animals and her quirky animals photos.

We flying the first class
Up in the sky
Poppin' champagne

Livin' the life
In the fast lane

And I wont change
By the Glamorous, oh the doggies doggies

I'm talking Champagne wishes, caviar dreams
You deserve nothing but all the finer things

Plus I gotta keep enough lettuce
To support your shoe fetish

{Photos by Catherine Ledner, Lyrics by Fergie}

Why the long face?

2009-06-16T14:20:00.003-04:00

Even my dog, Tenzing is sad that it's only Tuesday and not Saturday yet. He's also sad about the fact that I've been way too busy to keep up with posting fun things on my blog.

He's telling me to stop slacking off and get to work on posting.... Okay, okay...soon, I promise. If only I could train him to type and blog. Doggonit!

P.S. - Isn't he cute? Don't tell him his nose looks big in that picture though. He might get even more upset.

Daisy Friday

2009-06-12T08:35:00.007-04:00

The Daisy follows soft the Sun --
And when his golden walk is done --

Sits shyly at his feet --
He -- waking -- finds the flower there --
Wherefore -- Marauder -- art thou here?
Because, Sir, love is sweet!

We are the Flower -- Thou the Sun!
Forgive us, if as days decline --
We nearer steal to Thee!

Enamored of the parting West --
The peace -- the flight -- the Amethyst --
Night's possibility!

-Emily Dickinson, The Flower Follows the Sun
{All photos by Jenny, Photos from my evening stroll down my street}

Anna Bond, Illustrationess

2009-06-11T12:43:00.007-04:00

I love love love Anna Bond's style - her illustrations are extraordinarily adorable and clever in their execution. She does editorial illustrations, album covers, band posters and even wedding invites and so so much more. She is immensely talented so please check out her work ASAP. Here are a few of my favorites of hers from her website and her blog and her Flickr page...

{All images Anna Bond}

And she even has a shop coming soon -- Yippeee!

Faces in Foam

2009-06-11T12:11:00.006-04:00

Michael Keen, owner of Studio 6 Coffee House in Denver, CO will sketch a portrait of you in the foam of your latte. You can literally drink yourself. It's a very cute and clever concept that I caught wind of on this link from the Today Show. Check out the video below...

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the
Economy

Summer Girl

2009-06-08T23:20:00.007-04:00

{Me in "The Summer Girl - I Heart Jun Jul Aug t-shirt" from Festa}

I'm a summer girl at heart. Born in the month of June, it's just oh so close to my heart. This lovely t-shirt from from Festa t-shirts is my new favorite!!!

P.S. - Thanks Sarah @ Festa! You rock!

Beach Baby, it's Friday.

2009-06-05T07:35:00.000-04:00

It's Friday and I just wanna be a beach bum. Click here to listen while you look (Bon Iver, Beach Baby). Lllloove it. Have a beautiful weekend...

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Tilt Shift Maker

2009-06-04T15:05:00.001-04:00

Tilt Shift Maker is a nifty little website where you can make your photos look like there were taken with a tilt shift lens. I tried some of my photos on it and it seems to give the best effects on wide angle landscape type images of cities, but that's just my experience. Try it with some of your images. It almost makes them looks like mini-scale models.

Here are how some of my images turned out...

{Udaipur, India. View from the City Palace}

{El Jem, Tunisia. View from the tiny city Amphitheatre of El Jem (coliseum).

{Fes, Morocco. View of the leather tanneries. Boy did it stink!}

{Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. View from Fuerte de San Cristobal}

P.S. - Please share some of your best tilt shift maker images. Post a link to your Flickr page or blog, etc in the comments section please.

{All images by Jenny from the blog, ©2009}

Some things just click.

2009-06-02T19:17:00.002-04:00

Have you seen the actors and directors series shot by Annie Lebovitz for Vanity Fair? Annie photographs 10 partnerships that helped generate more than four dozen Oscar nominations this season. She captures these partnerships and the magic between them. Click here to view all of the photos.

DANNY BOYLE and DEV PATEL, The Dickensians
One film together: Slumdog Millionaire (2008).

PENÉLOPE CRUZ and WOODY ALLEN, The Odd Couple
One film together: Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008).

DARREN ARONOFSKY and MICKEY ROURKE, The Ringers
One film together: The Wrestler (2008).

SAM MENDES and KATE WINSLET, The Partnership
One film together: Revolutionary Road (2008).

{photos, Annie Leibovitz}

Mellow Yellow

2009-06-01T22:11:00.017-04:00

Let me introduce to you my new favorite color, the lovely summery...

1. Bloom Shade 2. Vintage Aluminum Love Seat 3. Isola Bella Rug 4. Grizzly Bear Silk Screen Poster 5. Antoinette Fainting Sofa in Sunflower

And here are a few rooms with lovely yellow accents...

My living room pictured below is very very monochromatic. Gray walls, white couch, gray velvet curtains, mirrored tables, black and white throw pillows. I've been thinking I need to spice it up a bit with a few splashes of bold color. I'm thinking yellow might be the color. What do you think? Yellow? Another accent color? Keep it monochromatic? And why? Please feel free to comment below with your suggestions or share a link of inspiration. Thanks in advance for sharing.

Rawkin' Covers

2009-05-26T23:34:00.000-04:00

Not not cover songs, but pillow covers. I have been drooling over the covers from Bonjour mon coussin for a while now. Check them out they are sure to rock your world. AND what's really cool is that the pillow covers are compatible with the IKEA standard sizes (35X35, 50X50, 72X72 cms). You can order the covers only or the complete pillows.

Happy Memorial Day!

2009-05-25T22:21:00.007-04:00

I spent Saturday afternoon cruising around the Potomac River in Washington D.C/Virginia and viewing the monuments and sites along the river there. What a beautiful day for boating! We attempted to dock in Georgetown but it was too crowded and there were no more spaces left to park the boat so we headed down south along the river to the Old Town Alexandria Marina. We docked in there, ate lunch and explored the main street. Here are a few of my photos...

Sail boat on the Potomac River

View of the Washington Monument from the Potomac River

The Torpedo Factory Art Center on the waterfront in Old Town Alexandria

King Street, the main street of Old Town Alexandria

Motorcycles from the "Rolling Thunder" lined the streets of Alexandria (and all of the local DC area streets)

Pretty bike parked along King Street in Old Town Alexandria

{all photos ©2009 Jenny from the blogg}

Plunge into the long weekend.

2009-05-21T18:31:00.005-04:00

Head first baby! Memorial Day weekend is finally here and that means the pools are opening again. Yeah! I hope you have some very fun or relaxing plans for the long weekend. I'll be boating along the Potomac River tomorrow viewing all the beautiful DC monuments and scenery, then it's off to the blast for the past to see the Bangles in concert and the rest is TBD... Sometimes not having a plan for every second of the weekend is, well, absolutely wonderful! Have a fabulous weekend and thanks for reading my blog.

1. Jello Salad for a Cannibal Giant, 2. The Pool, 3. Untitled, 4. arc of water, 5. Back in the water!, 6. Just below the surface, 7. Untitled, 8. Untitled, 9. Untitled, 10. Untitled, 11. Blue Line, 12. Pepper takes a dip, 13. Paradise in a pool, 14. Untitled, 15. marrakech - 14, 16. Untitled, 17. Untitled, 18. Untitled, 19. pool kid, 20. flying, 21. Fun in the pool, 22. Itaipava 2008, 23. frog legs, 24. the wave, 25. are we playing volleyball or soccer, 26. wedding III: georg and me under water, 27. Pool, 28. 113, 29. ♥ Summer Time ♥, 30. Chapuzón // Dip, 31. Learning to Fly, Part II, 32. Continue relaxando / Keep relaxing, 33. Thailand - Chiang Mai - Swimming Pool - square, 34. ~float~, 35. Swimming pool, 36. Swimmer

Dreams of Flying

2009-05-21T08:20:00.001-04:00

This wonderfully whimsical series of clever perspective photographs is called "Dreams of Flying" and is by Jan von Holleben kind of reminds me of the video by Tomas Mankovsky I just posted yesterday.

{Photos by Jan von Holleben}

P.S. - Would you rather have the power to fly or be invisible? And of course why!?!?

Sorry I'm Late

2009-05-20T08:49:00.006-04:00

Sorry I'm Late is a sweet little short video by Tomas Mankovsky. This looks just about how my daily commute to work goes every morning. ;) To view the video click on this link.

Such great heights

2009-05-18T23:09:00.008-04:00

Photos from the 2008 Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta. Lyrics from "Such Great Heights" by Iron and Wine.

{photos © 2009 Jenny from the blogg}

iPhone Obscura

2009-05-17T22:08:00.008-04:00

carefree.
spontaneous.
fun.
iPhone photos.

My favorite accessory just became my new project and experiment. Kinda like the age old polaroid these photos have a unique size and look that's unmistakable. Not sure where it's going, I guess we'll see in a few months. Here's a few of my first in a diptych series.

{© 2009 images by Jenny from the blogg}

Chews your shoes (and your dogs) wisely...

2009-05-15T12:13:00.000-04:00

Se magnifique! Wonderful little feature from the French edition of Marie Claire

{images Marie Claire}

It's a dog eat shoe world out there so keep your closet door closed!
Have a wonderful weekend!

Friday I'm in Love

2009-05-15T08:29:00.001-04:00

I don't care if Monday's blue
Tuesday's grey and Wednesday too
Thursday I don't care about you
It's Friday, I'm in love with this ring...

{Love Ring by by Chutapat Wittaya}

Available in gold and silver, too. Now talk about bling bling. That's all I'm sayin'.

Quimby the Mouse

2009-05-14T18:37:00.003-04:00

Here's a little gem of an animation for you to enjoy. The story and concept are by Chris Ware for "This American Life". The song is "Eugene" by Andrew Bird and the animation is by John Kuramoto. I kind of feel like the moral of the story is that if it's meant to me, it's meant to be. Watch it and you'll see what I mean. ;)

Quimby The Mouse from This American Life on Vimeo.

It's Tuesday, love thumbody!

2009-05-12T07:09:00.002-04:00

Too cute. Had to share this. Now go hug somebody.

ReDOGulously Cute.

2009-05-11T21:22:00.003-04:00

Love my sherpa, Tenzing...

{photo by Jenny from the blogg}

Mother's Day at my favorite shop, Brambles

2009-05-10T22:59:00.006-04:00

I stopped by my mom's shop, Brambles today before taking her out for a Mother's Day dinner and snapped these few pictures. Her shop is beautiful, ecclectic and chock full of some gorgeous home furnishings. Here are a few pictures of the back room of her store. The paintings in the photos are all painted by her. Check out more images from her shop here. She's not currently selling her merchandise on line, but if you are ever in the Washington, D.C. area definitely stop by and visit. The shop is nestled along the edge of the Occoquan River in the quaint little town of Occoquan, Virginia. She sells all kinds of home furnishings - everything from sofas, chairs, farm tables, antique one-of-a-kinds, jewelry, home accessories, and more!

{photos by Jenny from the blogg}

P.S. - My mom does have a few of her paintings listed for sale on Etsy.

Recipe for the Weekend: Pineapple Mojito

2009-05-09T09:06:00.004-04:00

I recently had a pineapple mojito for the very first time ever a few weeks ago and can I say YUM? Wow. It was amazing and probably one my new favorites drinks for this upcoming summer. It's a beautiful weekend out there make one and sit on your porch or your rooftop deck or just because.

Ingredients
12 fresh mint leaves
2 teaspoons sugar
1 lime, quartered
Ice cubes
4 tablespoons pineapple juice concentrate
1/2 cup white rum
1/2 cup club soda
Sugar cane sticks, for serving, optional

Directions
Divide the mint, sugar, and lime wedges among 4 high ball glasses. Using a pestle (from a mortar and pestle) or the end of a wooden spoon, mash the mint, sugar, and lime together. Add some ice and top off with some pineapple juice concentrate, white rum, and club soda. Swirl with a sugar cane stick and serve. (If you want to make it a little stronger, since most flavored rum has less alcohol than regular rum, I'd suggest you add a splash of Bacardi 151 to spice it up) Also, if you want to be fancy, add a wedge of pineapple to the top of the glass. Drink up and enjoy. Repeat.

{photo by Jenny from the blogg}

Happy Happy Friday

2009-05-08T01:32:00.001-04:00

This photo by Max Wanger seems just perfect for a "Happy Friday" post.

By the way... I have a huge crush on Max Wanger's photographs. They are, fresh, artistic, slightly off beat, lovely, nostalgic, light hearted and highly creative. I don't think I've seen any thing like them in a while. He shoots at some beautiful locations and uses his props very creatively and cleverly. To see more of his extraordinary work please visit both his website and his blog.

{All photos by Max Wanger}

Angus and Julia Stone

2009-05-07T09:09:00.000-04:00

For your listening and viewing pleasure...

Angus and Julia Stone are a brother-sister duo that hail from the "land down under" (Australia). This video 1) makes me wish it was summer already 2) wish I was drinking a mango mojito and 3) wish I had a cool parisol like that one! But, alas I'm working for the man today. Boo.

Type Cast

2009-05-06T07:25:00.002-04:00

Here's a sweet little cast of characters of all things type....

Tieopgraphy is an awesome find from the first issue of Uppercase Magazine. Designer Ed Nacional created this display typeface constructed from a personal tie collection. According to his website most of the collection was acquired from his dad and the rest he found at flea markets, thrift stores and a few new. He plans to expand this tyepface and add alternates, numbers and ligatures in the near future.

The multifont belt buckle by Steel Toe Studios cast in pewter from lead free old pieces of letterpress type.

The swashbuckle belt from Veer.

Etched bamboo type coasters from Veer.

Awesome little "find and seek" type project from Rhett Dashwood. He spent the last few months (from October 2008 to April 2009) searching Google Maps only with the state of Victoria, Australia for land formations, buildings, etc. in the shapes of letters. Now talk about having an eye for type!

For the coffee drinker and type lover here is something to satisfy both habits... Introducing the Helveticup another goodie from Veer. This white ceramic mug features four weights of the timeless font – in corresponding caffeinated shades.

And last but not least this nifty little Twitter gadget called Twitter Magnets. Let's you have fun online putting combinations of words together just like you might do on your fridge. Go ahead and see if you can write your very own haiku, song, poem or love note.

And on this note, I bid you adieu. Have a wonderful Wednesday. Thanks for visiting my little blogg.

P.S. - In the comments section... tell me what's your favorite font and why? And please please please share other cool font/typography links, etc.

Work Better.

2009-05-04T07:35:00.005-04:00

I know you’re what you’re thinking... “Ugh. It’s Monday already?”... “I wish it was still the weekend.” ... “Why can’t every weekend be a three-day weekend?” ... “Dude, I should’ve called in sick today.”

My sentiments exactly.

So you probably came here to avoid doing work and I’d love to distract you from whatever you are really supposed to be doing, but I have to apologize. Today my post is here to enlighten or uplift you and remind you of ten very simple, common sense things you can do to “Work Better”.

I think of this list as a healthy reminder of the simple things we sometimes forget. I think the most important one is #10. Whenever I smile, even when I’m not happy, it makes me just feel better. :)

This list was created by Peter Fischili and David Weiss (1991). The list is also painted on the side of building in Oerlikon, a suburb of Zurich.

Happy Friday...

2009-05-01T07:45:00.001-04:00

*Sigh*
I hope it's lovely.

{All photos by me}

Hold your horses...

2009-04-30T10:07:00.003-04:00

It's almost Friday. Only one more day 'til the weekend. :)

Some photos I took of the wild horses last spring while camping on Assateague Island, Maryland. The horses run free all over the island.
{All photos by Jenny from the blogg}

Silver Linings

2009-04-27T21:34:00.003-04:00

I want to share with you jewelry by one of my most favorites, BB Becker. BB Becker uses the power of words to inspire each and every one of his beautiful silver jewelry sculptures. His wife Josephine's handwriting is engraved into each piece which give them each a wonderful handcrafted charm.

#415  Stacking Bracelet
The butterfly counts not months but moments,
and has time enough.
-Rabindranath Tagore

Various Rings
Quote from the #619 Ring:
Wherever you are,
You will always be in my heart.
-Gandhi

#841 Sterling Silver Doorway Pendant
Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it.
Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.
-Goethe

#440  Sterling Silver Bangle
We must ever be friends;
And of all who offer you friendship,
Let me be the first, the truest,
the nearest and dearest.

#210  Subway Token Bracelet
Wherever my travels may lead,
Paradise is where I am.
-Voltaire

Check here to see where you can find your silver lining by BB Becker.

Word UP!

2009-04-22T08:02:00.000-04:00

Do you love:
a) words
b) fonts
c) fun
d) flickr
e) all of the above?

Then I've got a super fun little website for you that allows you spell words using photographs of letters from the ever popular image sharing website Flickr. Please check it out and give it try. You're gonna be hoooked! It's so money! Word up! (Literally).

It's a Carnival...Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

2009-04-17T07:15:00.000-04:00

Happy Friday to you from moi.

xoxoxo,
Jenny

{Photos by moi}

Lost 'n Found

2009-04-14T08:27:00.001-04:00

I was lost and then I found these adorable art prints from Studio Mela. Wonderful, lovely, inspirational words to help you get through each and every day. You can see more prints and cards on her website and also on Etsy.

{Art prints from Studio Mela}

Flutter: The New Twitter

2009-04-13T22:10:00.003-04:00

Hilarious video mockumentary about taking microblogging to the next level...

Go ahead, Flutterize your life and sign up today!

7 Dresses

2009-04-12T09:00:00.000-04:00

Here are 7, yes 7 wonderful dresses from Sarah Seven, a fashion designer based out of Portland, Oregon. Her dresses are so awesome. I totally want to buy one but, need an occasion to justify it. Maybe you have the perfect occasion. If so please check out her store on Etsy to purchase one. She also has a blog located here.

{All images and dresses from Sarah Seven}

Freshly Hatched Easter Greetings...

2009-04-11T15:42:00.003-04:00

Have a good Friday, ya'll.

2009-04-10T09:22:00.003-04:00

{photos by me}

Hello There.

2009-04-09T08:10:00.003-04:00

{Close your eyes and open your mind}

{Please do not copy | create something new}

{Somebody save me from these fools}

Clever posters that use keyboard commands from ATMOSTHEORY, the one-man design studio of Christopher David Ryan... a Portland, Maine-based graphic artist, daydreamer, pseudo-scientist, wanna-be astronaut and untrained intellectual who tends to find inspiration in pretty much anything... especially music, the universe, the human condition and natural phenomena. He's got lots of more cleverness on his website. Please take a look. They are also available for purchase here in his online shoppe.

{Posters from Atomstheory}

Brush With Creativity

2009-04-07T08:47:00.000-04:00

It's springtime and the birds are singing! It's time to get out and be creative! Go out and have a brush with creativity this week. Start that art project you've been meaning to for months, plant a garden, help a friend, write a poem, take some pictures, make a photo album, redecorate your home or even start a blog. Whatever you do, push yourself to be a little more creative. :)

Here's a fun link where you can splatter your creativity. Click here for FUN!!!

A few colorful inspirations I handpicked from Flickr. . .

{Photo: s.u.s.h.i.♥}

"The world is but a canvas to the imagination." - Henry David Thoreau

{Photo: 3rd foundation}

“Everyone who’s ever taken a shower has had an idea. It’s the person who gets out of the shower, dries off and does something about it who makes a difference.” - Nolan Bushnell

{Photo: AgniMax}

"Those who wish to sing, always find a song." -Swedish Proverb

{Photo: *MichelleLynn*}

"Think left and think right and think low and think high. Oh, the thinks you can think up if only you try!" - Dr. Seuss

{Photo: John Baird}

“To draw, you must close your eyes and sing.” - Pablo Picasso

{Photo: RUKnight}

“Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures.” - Henry Ward Beecher

{Photo: Librarianguish}

“You can’t wait for inspiration, you have to go after it with a club.” - Jack London

{Photo: ahh phooey}

"And by the way, everything in life is writable about if you have the outgoing guts to do it, and the imagination to improvise. The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt." - Sylvia Plath

{Photo: RobinLynne}

“Creativity is contagious. Pass it on.” - Albert Einstein

{Photo: Brooke Inman}

I'm always looking for creative inspiration, so please tell me your ideas or about your projects. Tell me what inspires you? What kinds of creative projects do you enjoy? You can share them in the comments section. I look forward to hearing from you.

Case of the Mondays

2009-04-06T09:37:00.000-04:00

It's Monday. Your co-workers already getting on your case? Here's what you need to get. It'll definitely help you through the day. Case Closed!!!
{Photo: passiveaggressivenotes}

UPPERCASE Magazine

2009-04-05T19:48:00.005-04:00

Announcing a brand spankin' new magazine from the folks at UPPERCASE - UPPERCASE Magazine. "A magazine for the creative and curious" is their motto and from the sneak peek I've seen, I'm totally curious. It's published by Janine Vangool founder of UPPERCASE and Deidre Martin the co-editor. If you aren't familiar with UPPERCASE, they sell lots of other wonderful design goodies. Check out their storefront.

Back to the issue at hand... It looks totally amazing. Here's a little video teaser...

Nearly done! from UPPERCASE gallery on Vimeo.
http://shop.uppercasegallery.ca/collections/uppercase-magazine

The illustration on the cover of issue one is done by Blanca Gómez. This quarterly magazine is 84 pages of glorious print on paper, 8.75" x 11" perfectbound. The Spring issue is shipping now followed by Summer (July 2009), Fall (October 2009) and Winter (January 2010). You can get your subscription here. I'm going to go get mine right now...Peace out! <3 Jenny

It's Frrrriiiday!!!

2009-04-03T08:07:00.002-04:00

{Magnolias outside the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C. Photo by Jenny from the blogg. }

Brambles on Etsy

2009-04-02T22:41:00.008-04:00

So there are these beautiful new paintings on Etsy (the website where you can sell your own handmade goods and buy them from others, too). I might be a bit partial, since they are painted by my mom, but nonetheless I still love them and want you to love them, too. She just listed them and will be adding and selling more in the future. So please check out her store, BramblesStudio on there to see her lovely artistry. And by all means buy a little or big something to make your home or someone else's just a little more lovely. She paints on high quality gallery wrapped canvas with acrylic paints in her own impressionistic style. She not only seals each piece with a kiss, but with tinted beeswax which gives it a nice antique finish and quality. Please feast your eyes....

Happy April Friends!

2009-04-01T22:15:00.001-04:00

This April-themed wall paper is from designer Able Parris. You can download all of the sizes on his website here. He even includes a size for the iPhone! What a nice way to accessorize your phone or desktop for April.

Headbanders Ball

2009-03-31T20:04:00.003-04:00

Move over Axl Rose... there are some new headbands in town. I've been smitten over headbands for the last six months. Here are links to some of "rawkingest" headbands I have found. Welcome to the jungle baby...

From The Bungalow...

From Pluma...

From Bambako...

From Lou and Lee...

Even Urban Outfitters...

I hope you had a ball looking at all the awesome headbands. Please, please, please do share your thoughts and any links to other places to find more headbands. Thank you.

Go ahead, judge a book by it's cover

2009-03-30T18:03:00.004-04:00

A great new graphic design find... The Book Cover Archive. It's a great new website showcasing book cover design. It's a great source for design inspiration. Check it!

{Images from The Book Cover Archive}

Photos to make you drool...

2009-03-29T13:43:00.000-04:00

Isn’t Kim Cornelison’s photography just exquisite? Her work is just so lovely it makes me drool...

Kim’s an editorial photographer who photographs for magazines such as Country Home, Better Homes & Gardens and even commercial clients like Crate and Barrel and Target. I had seen her work before, but never expected to meet her in person. Back in October of 2008, I took an advanced Photoshop course out at the Santa Fe Workshops and met this wonderful couple in the photography business. It was Kim and her husband Alfie. Alfie was taking the course with me so he could learn to do more advanced post production work on the photos. I was just reflecting on the class the other day and decided to check out her website again and you should, too.

{Kim and Alfie taking photos at Tsnakawi in New Mexico during my class at Santa Fe Photographic Workshops. Photo by Jenny from the blogg}

More of her beautiful work...

{Photos by Kim Cornelison}

NEW Cool Artsy Magazine: Antler

2009-03-25T23:32:00.010-04:00

There's this super cool new online magazine called "Antler". The magazine focuses on all things beautiful and inspiring in life. Everything from fashion, to art, design and literature. The premiere issue is pretty sweet. Hopefully it will enchant and inspire you as much as it did me. And to top it all off - it's green! it's only offered online in an effort to save trees and reduce their carbon footprint. Check out the debut issue here.

Next issue is up April 15 and they are currently accepting online submissions.

Here are a few glances at it's beauty...

Jen11 - 11 Artists Named Jennifer

2009-03-17T21:09:00.007-04:00

I had to blogg about this for obvious reasons....
Being part of the Jennifer Demgraphic or Jen-eration of women with this lovely name. I had to share this wonderfully clever concept. Fellow Jennifer, Jennifer Khoshbin brought together the art of eleven talented women all named Jennifer. She says, "Did these women unknowigly grown into a common artistic sensibility?" This is a travelling exhibit that will be showcased at a few different galleries. For more information on the exhibit click here. You can also order the book here. Here's a sneak preview of the art:

{More than a million of us were dubbed Jennifer within the span of just fifteen years. From a place of relative obscurity, the name grew on a wave of sudden and unprecedented popularity. Now as an adult, Jennifer has become targeted as the highly sought after demographic of Generation X. In the business press, we are actually known as The Jennifer Demographic or Jen-eration.}

O'Happy St. Patty's Day

2009-03-17T10:03:00.000-04:00

Jones Street Station, Watson Twins & Ben Kweller @ 9:30 Club

2009-03-06T18:25:00.003-05:00

I went to the Ben Kweller Show at Washington DC’s 9:30 Club last Thursday night, February 26. It was an unbelievably amazing show. I went with my one of my best pals, Deanna. We got there early and claimed our spots right along the left front of the stage. We weren’t quite early enough to snag one right in the middle, but this one was pretty good. There were three acts lined up to play: Jones Street Station, The Watson Twins, and Ben Kweller.

{Jon Hull head thrashing on the harmonica and Danny Erker on guitar, Jones Street Station}

{A close up of Jonathon Benedict (JB) on the keyboards}

Act 1 - Jones Street Station
Jones Street Station (formerly the Jones Street Boys) opened the show with a boot-tappin’ and crowd-pleasin’ set. They are Brooklyn-based bluegrass/folk-rock/alt-country band with an extremely impressive array of instruments ranging from harmonicas, mandolins to banjos to guitars to keyboards and accordions. They had a highly energetic stage presence and got the crowd going with Jon Hull’s head-thrashing harmonica. By the way, Jon was sporting a cool army-green tool belt full of harmonicas around his waist. The boys of Jones Street Station are quite a diverse group with Jon Hull (vocals/harmonica/accordian), John Benedict (pianist/vocals) and ‘Danny Erker (guitar/mandolin/banjo/vocals), Walt Wells (bass/vocals) and Sam Rockwell (drums/percussion) with the first three all taking their turns with the lead vocals. Some notable songs in their set were Evergreen, Flyover State and Last Time. Their closing song, the last verse of “Tall Buildings” (cover of John Hartford's song), where the boys lined up on the edge of the stage and sang a cappella harmonies with out mics while armed with a single guitar and harmonica was an absolute stunner that left chills running down my spine.

{Leigh and Chandra of the Watson Twins}

Act 2 - The Watson Twins
Next up were the beautiful and talented identical twins Leigh and Chandra Watson who make up “The Watson Twins.” They hail from Los Angeles, but get their country roots from growing up in Louisville, KY. The twins were the reason I really even went the show, since I really dig a few songs off their latest album, “Fire Songs”.

Their set got off to a very slow start with the crowd. Their slow, seductive harmonies and smoky voices were mellow in contrast to the boys of Jones Street, almost too mellow, but that was to be expected if you had listened to their album “Fire Songs” before attending the show. It was a relaxing calm before the storm (before Ben Kweller’s set). I enjoyed them since I knew their music, but felt like the crowd at 9:30 didn’t fully appreciate them. Things finally picked up for the duo with a smoky rendition of Bill Wither’s, “Ain’t No Sunshine” and “How Am I to Be,” an upbeat, 60’s-esq song with doo-wop style piano that got the crowd’s hips moving a bit. Leigh asked the crowd to move. “Just give us little something, a little hip shake,” she joked.
A couple other songs that stood out were two of my favorites off their album “Firesongs”, the “Bar Woman Blues” and their gorgeous cover of Cure’s “Just Like Heaven.” I enjoyed the twins and their beautiful voices, but thought they could’ve had a bit more charisma on stage and they should’ve turned up the vocals more. I felt like they were drowned out at times be the other instruments in their band.

{Ben Kweller finally out on stage}

Act 3 - Ben Kweller
Once the twins left the stage we waited as the crowd got a bit antsy and the club was buzzing with anticipation of Ben’s onstage arrival. Ben Kweller is an idie singer/songwriter who’s been performing for the last decade. Finally, at about 10 pm when Ben and his cute shaggy haircut, took the stage, he announced to the packed house that this was the “Best night of the tour, I’m calling it now.” He played most of his well-known classics and then quite a few new songs of his new album “Changing Horses”. His three-piece band consisted Kitt Kitterman (steel pedal guitar/dobro), Mark Stepro (drums/backing vocal) and Chris Morrissey (bass/backing vocal).

{Kitt Kitterman on the steel pedal guitar}

{Chris Morrissey playing bass and backing vocals}

There were quite a few funny outbursts through out the show. As Ben began playing a song a guy from the crowd yelled out for Ben to bring his friend Jason Roberts out. Ben stopped mid-song and said, “Do you know him? Then go to his house and hang out with him!” Then another drunk guy somewhere in the middle yelled out between songs, “Do you wanna a shot of Jager?” To which Ben accepted and the crowd passed up to him from the back. Another crowd request was to play an old crowd favorite “Falling” which he did much later in the show. Ben is an extremely charming, witty and funny guy. He was interviewed on our local radio station, DC101.1 that morning by “Elliot in the Morning”. You can to him singing "Things I Like To Do" from that interview here.

The highlight of the show was when Ben hung up his guitar and sat at the piano. At one point the rest of the band left the stage and left him solo on the piano as one white spotlight shined down on him. His rendition of one of his old favorites, “Thirteen” was magical, mushy, and heart melting.

{Ben Kweller singing solo}

For the encore Ben invited both opening acts out on stage. Everyone lined up at the front of the stage with arms around each other and sang the upbeat “Fight” a new song from his new album. Then it was on to his hit “Penny on Train Track” where he closed the show. All in all it was great show and a great cast of performers. I’d recommend going to see Jones Street Station or Ben Kweller concert any day.

Changing Horses - The New Album
If you haven’t heard Ben’s new album, “Changing Horses” yet. Go out and get it – it will be well worth the ride. While it deviates from anything this indie-popster has done in the past, it’s one of his best albums to date. I’d liken it to Dylan singing Willie Nelson songs. It looks like Ben has decided to embrace his Texas heritage in this alt-county album with steel guitar and a twangy style of guitar and singing to match. So far my favorite track is “Old Hat”. Oh, and by the way CMT and Country Weekly both gave the album four starts. It's even available in vinyl and if you buy the vinyl you get the CD, too. So why wouldn't you?

Random thought for you...

2009-03-04T10:59:00.002-05:00

"You're the Ketchup to my fries."
I LOVE ketchup. It's my most favorite condiment. So that means if you are my ketchup, you are a VERY special person. I also love this illustration by Dara DiLiegro. Check out her cute illustrations here.