Stop motion Austin
I ran across this lovely stop motion video for Victoria Noll’s Take Me With You. Not only is the song really beautiful, but the video is inventive and pure eye candy for anyone who loves Austin. The video, which includes the LA-based singer/songwriter sitting in colorful metal folding chairs, was shot by Austin photographer Jose Lozano at more than 100 locations around the Capital of Texas. If you know Austin it’s fun to count how many local landmarks you can spot. Not so familiar with our little city, use my list below as a jumping off spot for things to do our places to go while in town for a visit. The video is like a very cool little tour around town. I think I know most of the spots featured in the video, but there also are a lot that I have no clue about.
Here’s a list of a few locations that I can spot. Let me know if you can figure out any more.
Lone Star bus out front of the Broken Spoke
The University of Texas Tower
Zilker Zephyr mini train
Chuy’s mexican food restaurant
South Austin Museum of Pop Culture
Pots and Plants (aka the Pink Flamingo Place)
Dreyfus Antiques (Eiffel Tower replica)
Guitar Town Austin sculpture
Whole Foods Market headquarters
Add comment September 13, 2009
When the skies had style
I’m loving these old photos of stewardesses (yep, not flight attendants). All of the airplane scenes from Mad Men recently really got me to thinking about how interesting, glamorous, and tad tacky and bizarre their outfits used to be. To check out more photos of these stylish stewardesses visit Vacation.com
Add comment September 11, 2009
The Fat-chelor: Fox’s More to Love reveals that romance doesn’t only come in a size 2
It’s summer and summer means there really isn’t much on TV. But one little (ahem) BIG show has been drawing me to the couch every Tuesday night. More to Love – a plus-sized Bachelor-type dating show that pits 20 voluptuous single women against each other as they vie for the affection of Luke, the luscious 3oo+- pound bachelor.
The premise sounds good. Finally, a “reality” show about regular folk looking for love. No teensy-tinsy models or hunky chunks of man meat frolicking in hot tubs. Just frumpy, jiggly, curvy, soft people who deserve love just as much as the next guy or gal. AND finally a “reality” show that isn’t afraid to show fat people without trying to make them loose weight or undergo drastic makeovers to be deemed worthy of attention.
I’m not a size two. Never have been, never will be. I’m tall, curvy, and go to the double digits when shopping for sizes. So I was excited and down right curious to see how this show played out. Episode one (when Luke gets to meet all the women) was pretty interesting. It really was a way to size up the cast. “Helpful” weight and height descriptions were placed by each woman’s name as they were introduced. At first I was a little shocked to see that information displayed (how rude they don’t do this on The Bachelor!) But at second thought, I think it’s good for America to understand what 5′ 8:” 198 pounds or 5′ 2″ 230 pounds really looks like.
Despite the promising plot line, However, there are a few things that kinda fall short for me about the show. There seems to be a big focus on eating. Every outing, date, or excursion involves snacking and all out chowing down.
On this week’s episode Wacko Danielle (the same chunky chica who decided to jump in the pool evening gown and all in the first episode) refused to eat seafood while out on a date with Luke, but then went for it when the dessert tray came out.
“Oooo desert,” Daniel said as she stuffed a frozen chocolate-covered banana in her mouth. Yikes, I’m sure that prop was carefully chosen.
A lot of the girls also are really open about never having a relationship before or even a date and they blame that on their size. Lots of tears are shed about “being too fat” to love. There are lots of people in this world (of all sizes) who have found love. I don’t think size has everything to do with how lucky in love you are. Although I do believe that a lifetime of ridicule can do a number on one’s self-esteem. That is likely the culprit here for many of the contestants. They don’t think they are worthy of love.
More to Love is only three episodes in. So I won’t be too quick to judge. And in the end I think the show really does have a positive message in there. Be yourself and totally go for it, despite your size. And if just one woman walks away from this show feeling prettier, worthy and ready for love (even if its not Luke) then I think they will be OK.
A Run down on the girls:
I’m was a big (excuse the pun) fan of tattooed rockabilly chic, Bonnie. But she got the boot tonight. I think she said it best, “I would’ve scared the hell out of his mom.”
I’m not really sure why, but I think the super curvy Malissa (in the photo above) has a shot. And by the looks of it Luke is pretty much into here too. Although some of the girls seem a little upset that she hasn’t been fat all of her life. She gained all of her weight since high school.
I have a feeling that the sensative curly-headed Kristian likes loves Luke a whole lot more than Luke likes her. She’s already talking about how she’s falling for him and they’ve barely been alone together! I’m afraid she is setting herself up for massive heartbreak later on.
Add comment August 12, 2009
Mad Men Style Mania
Everyone seems to be mad for Mad Men (including me) and the oh-so-cool clothes featured on the show. So in honor of the new season of Mad Men starting (Aug. 16, yippie!) I’ve put together some inspiring images and other fashion tid bits about 60s vintage Mad Men style.
Banana Republic was wise to hop aboard the Mad Men fashion band wagon. The shop has special selections inspired by the series including this pencil skirt and top inspired by everyone’s favorite curvy Mad woMan, Joan!
By the way, if you would like to find out how to make your own pencil necklace like Joan is often wearing (as she is above) check out fellow Austinite, and Naughty Secretary herself, Jennifer Perkin’s blog.
eBay also is a great place to find vintage 60’s dresses. Whether you are a Betty, Peggy, or Joan you can find the right curve-hugging frock (even in yummy plus sizes) to wear to that Mad Men premier party. During a recent search I even found a vintage bullet bra. I also found The Rainbow Has a Mustache’s photostream on Flickr. They have lots of cool ideas on how to rock the vintage in a modern way. OH, and they have an Etsy page. Bonus!
From the rainbow has a mustache
AMC has an awesome video tour of the Mad Men costume shop. The woman behind the vintage threads lets us know that the next season will be filled with even more dramatic shapes, colors and textures. Now, word has it that Mad Men costume designer Janie Bryant may launch her own clothing line.
Add comment August 5, 2009
Chose the Wright Photographer
Finding the right photographer to capture that special moment, that special feeling, that special look is difficult. It takes someone who is both technically able and artistically talented. Krist Wright, a self-taught photog from Austin, may be rather new to photography, but her passion, raw talent, and attitude is simply poignant.
“I’ve always found magic in pictures and the stories they reveal,” she writes on her new Web site. “The possibility of capturing the truthful moments is what excites me the most. I believe those are the images that we truly hold dear.”
Years spent in front of the camera as an actress gives Kristi the experience it takes to direct her subjects. But she also is a great observer and is able to take a step back to let the action play out and catch candid moments.
Kristi’s photos often have a dreamy, romantic, sometimes vintage vibe. Soft colors, unique angles, and attention to detail truly create timeless images. She describes her style like a contradiction. “I’m drawn to the light and the dark. The old and the new.
The vintage and the modern.”
Kristi has snapped toddler’s birthday parties, backyard weddings, backstage at fashion shows, and concerts…..a true versatile photographer with oodles of potential.
1 comment August 4, 2009
SXSW Recap and Michelada Memories
So I never really got to posting about my last day of SX. Let’s just say I was tired. It was an awesome time and I got to see some really great shows. On my last day I hit some day shows on South Congress. I had a really wonderful piece of pizza from Homeslice and amichelada to zap me back into life …..yum. Musical highlights that day would have to beThe Bird and the Bee (a poppy all-girl group with super cute matching outfits) andErykah Badu (who showed up late, but rocked it any way).
Michelada recipe:
Can of beer (try Modelo, Lone Star or Dos XX)
Lemon juice from 1 lemon
2 dashes of Worcestershire sauce
1 dash of soy sauce
1 dash of Tobasco
A pinch of black pepper and salt
Salt the brim of a glass, mix together everything but beer and then pour beer over the top of mixture.
Add comment April 15, 2009
Day 2 … a nice night at church and other peaceful music
I’ll start at the end … at church.
I never imagined that one of the best shows I would see during sxsw would be at church. Thanks to some genius in the booking dept. at sxsw corp. (whoever they may be) some of the most interesting and best sounding concerts this year happened at Central Presbetarian Church. I’ve read lots about St. Vincent and Grizzly Bear, all of which also played in this cool downtown sanctuary during sx this year. I caught Elvis Perkins in Dearland on Thursday night. It took the band a while to set up, but it was worth the wait. They had a horns section, complete with a French horn and baritone. Their drummer also was quite cool. At one point he was on the floor beating a marching drum and jingling some bells. Another song’s intro included whistles and bird chirps (supplied by the drummer again). Elvis lost both of his parents early in life and his soulful, at times sad, songs fit well in the peaceful, somber church at 1 in the morning.
Listen to that bird chrip song here…. it’s called Shampoo
Earlier on Thursday night I caught up with the beautiful Laura Gibson. I really don’t know how I stumbled upon this artist. I just listened to one of her songs and thought she would be cool to hear play. She’s from Oregon (so were the other acts playing that night at the Red Eyed Fly). Laura has a soft, voice and this may have not been the best venue for her to play. The folky, sweet singer at time was over powered by thumping and thudding of neighboring acts. At other points some audience members were a little too loud. She’s the kind of act you really need to sit and be quiet to enjoy fully. One of her songs was used in this cute commercial for the Oregon Humane Society. It’s just as sweet and cute as she is.
Add comment March 22, 2009
SXSW Day One: Off to a Rough Start
my bus stop
If I had to guess, Wednesday was going to be a bad night. Things started out ok, caught the bus downtown, walked to my first show of the night, got in without having to stand in line. But then I discovered I had forgotten my ID at home. The ultimate party foul. It was in a pair of jeans I had worn out to St. Patrick’s Day. Doh! After a little sweet talking and promising that I am in fact over 21, the door guy let me in. I think I coughed up by CostCo card (and that seemed to do the trick). I caught a performance by the aforementioned Thrift Store Cowboys. They were great, and I think a packed house of what seemed to be alt country music lovers agreed. But there wasn’t much time to hang out as I was headed deeper into downtown for the rest of the night. I decided to take my chances sans ID and it all worked out. Thank you door guys (you know who you are).
On my quick walk down 6th St. I ran across some interesting characters. There was some hair band from Japan all dressed up in spandex mugging for photos in the street. Some dude with a giant light bulb on his head, and this thing walking around on stilts. Gotta love sxsw freak watching.
Next up was The Seedy Seeds. This quirk duo from Ohio mixes folk with electronic pop. They play banjos, accordians and kazoos, along top of electronic drumbeats. It’s just the right mix or nerdy weirdness that I like. I first heard them on My Old Kentucky Blog’s show on Sirius. The crowd was small, but dug the happy music that The Seedy Seeds were able to provide. I snagged a CD before I left and enjoyed overhearing people from up north talk about how great the weather is in Austin. Haha, I live here.
Another quick walk down Red River St. got me to Stubb’s where I was hoping to catch The Decemberists. But once I saw a huge line that snaked down the sidewalk and around the corner, I figured it would be impossible. So it was on to my backup, Club DeVille for a showcase put together by another blogger, Brooklyn Vegan. I’m glad I made it. I caught and unplanned, yet awesome, set by Those Darlins. The girl band from Tennessee had tons of energy with the honky tonk tude of Loretta Lynn and the playfulness of drunk Dixie Chicks. It’s their first SXSW and it was nice to see a band super excited about the experience. “We plan to Slut it up real good,” one of them said. Apparently I wasn’t the only person that enjoyed the show.
I was getting sleepy at this point (I did have to get up and go to work the next day). So I headed out to catch a cab home. But on my way by Stubb’s I noticed that there was a short line to get in to the Decemberists and I figured, what the heck. I had only missed maybe 20 minutes of the show really. The band was performing its entire new album, The Hazards of Love. The new disc is a rock opera concept album with a story line and characters. It also was broadcast on NPR. You can listen to it here. I’m not really sure where all those people went who were standing in line earlier. But Stubb’s really wasn’t that full by the time I got there. I don’t know if people didn’t like the weird concept, or maybe had to get up and go to work the next morning, but I was able to get up fairly close.
I enjoyed the show, and it was awesome to see and experience something so unique.
So, tonight is Day 2. I’m pretty tired….but I do have Friday off from work. I’m sort of playing it by ear tonight, with really no set plans. We shall see where the night takes me.
Add comment March 20, 2009
