Caught in a Mosh.

Riot Fest!!!

My boyfriend and I hit up Saturday's Riot Fest in Chicago -- We had quite the adventure! Due to complications we only were able to use one day of our two day passes. I ended up choosing Saturday, so that we could see Frank Turner. Frank is an incredible inspiration, beautiful lyricist, and wonderful performer. We also checked out GWAR (Honestly I have no words and too many words all at the same time to describe them), Hot Water Music, Gaslight Anthem, and Andrew W.K. Overall a great experience and perfect day. 

Riot Fest outfit 

Top -- Kohl's 

Skirt -- Juniper 

Shoes -- Bakers 

Jewelry and Clutch -- Brandy Melville 

Sunglasses -- Nine West 

Wearing sandals at a festival was probably one of my more horrible ideas. Docs would have been a much better choice and would have allowed me to participate in Andrew W.K.'s pit instead of having to watch from a few rows back. I got tossed into the pit early on, but managed to escape to save myself from broken feet. Note to future self -- ALWAYS wear moshing shoes. 

Close up of my Brandy Melville cross ring

Next up in music -- Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros and Crystal Castles. 

Around the House

Instead of continuing to clean or getting ready for work, I decided to take a few photographs of items around the house. (Part two will inevitably come the next time I get bored.) Although our house was furnished by someone else, there are many things that clearly scream 'Tara'. I love that at 22 I am able to be surrounded by so many things that I am passionate about. Music, being of the most importance, follows me everywhere -- the majority of my books are music related, the posters around my house, and even most of my shirts are band related. I feel at home when surrounded by Music more than anything else. Yes, even shoes and clothing! 

After running out of bookshelf space I had to invent my own shelving. Most of these books were gifted to me this past Christmas. I love Serious Drawings and Lost&Found. They are great fun and are ultimately coffee table books. The Rock Snob's Dictionary is also great if you're in the mood for some pretentious humor. And of course, most of the books featured above are music related. 

(One of my smaller bookshelves is not pictured). 

A snapshot of my large bookcase. The lowest shelf pictured is primarily video games mixed with a few DVDs/CDs. (Note the wild thing in the top corner. I've had him since I was a child. Even my cat was named after that book...too much fictional influence)

Our record player decked out with the slipmats I made Brendan for Christmas. They feature MSI lyrics and one of their older logos. 

Ignore how dirty the glass looks, I couldn't get a better photo. -- This is frame one of Brendan's MSI gear. Featured inside is a signed iPod by the man himself, Jimmy Urine, and Kitty's drumstick, given to Brendan by MC (A friend of mine back in The Netherlands). 

And frame two. -- When I first was talking to Brendan online I promised him I would get him a signed MSI shirt from Amsterdam when we finally met in person...and here it is! If you look carefully you can see Jimmy's signature above the yellow cars.

(Diablo players -- Look at what's on top of the frame) 

My ever growing collection of baggy band shirts. 

To end it all -- It wouldn't be home for Max and I if he didn't have his brown mouse. This was the toy he was given at his first vet visit nearly seven years ago. I can't believe it's lasted. 

Professional Shopper.

I have officially landed the best deal known to mankind. For $65 I purchased three pairs of shoes that would usually total at an epic $230.

How did I do this? Couponing online. First, only look at SALE items. This can cut off the majority of your cost (My most expensive shoes purchased today were $60 on sale, $160 originally). Then, add your favorite items to your cart and begin searching for the hidden deals. Many websites offer gift cards for signing up for their emails. Many even allow you to use two discount codes (if you have two emails subscribe both) and then you can double your discount. Today, I earned $20 for signing up to receive emails that I can instantly unsubscribe to. After doing this look for the special codes to get free shipping (these are typically located at the top of the page). Finally, if you  have the energy google coupons for the store you are ordering from. This way you may even find the awesome deal I did, allowing me to get two additional pairs of (sale item only) shoes for a steal when spending over $50.

And there you have it -- How I managed to save $165 dollars (not including taxes) and get free shipping.

Purchased for approx. $5 

Originally sold for $30

Purchased for approx $7 

Originally sold for $40

And the real reason I was trying to find deals... The Jeffrey Campbell Mesh Lita in Orange Neon.

Purchased for approx. $55

Originally sold for $160

I Have a Terrible Addiction.

It's the time of year where the summer shoe styles have gone on sale. . . My favorite time of year, but also my least favorite. These are the moderately affordable ones that I will attempt to avoid purchasing (mostly because I'm supposed to spend within my means, partially because my boyfriend will frown if I add any  more shoes to my collection).

Most all are Jeffrey Campbell  --

(Not so affordable, but I have no sneakers and really should invest in a pair...I can only wear docs so often. For some reason I have become incredibly difficult to please when it comes to basic flat shoes. My wardrobe consists of very few flat shoes, sandals and boots being the most common items, while day to day shoes do not exist. These are the first shoes that have really stood out to me, they have a perfect amount of flair while staying basic enough to wear with jeans and a hoodie.) 

(I've always loved the JC Lita and for some reason am in love with these neon orange jersey ones! Does anyone feel like celebrating Queen's Day early?) 

(So many ideas for how I could wear these!) 

(The only other flats I could afford, but some how they just don't seem as practical as the sneakers depicted above.) 

A girl can dream right?

Plaid Daydreams.

Today's outfit --

(Absolutely loving my outfit today so I just had to get photos! Such a light and fun summer dress for a shopping day. We intended to find me a few work shirts but instead returned with a huge stock of H&M clothing. . . and of course no work shirts :/. I now have two more pairs of skinny jeans and four shirts, my boyfriend came home with one pair of jeans, two sweaters, and three shirts. I guess we had our priorities!) 

(The favorite shot of the day, entirely unintended.)

(My reaction to finding out my skirt had flown up.) 

(My beautiful birthday present/ replacement ring from my boyfriend)

(Strange Coloring sorry! -- I'm in love with these shoes. They are neon pink and clear, perfect to show off my foot tattoo. These shoes go wonderfully with darker outfits to give a pop of much needed color.) 

Shoes -- Aldo

Belt -- H&M

Dress -- Urban Outfitters 

Ring -- Swarovski
Sunglasses -- Nine West 

Untitled

I don't know why but I always feel a little anxious when I post writing like I did below -- so just to take some of the focus off my rant, here's a photo of me with a cone on my head.

I would also like everyone to take this moment to appreciate the genius of Johnny Cash.

Take, Take, Take.

(Image from IMDB) 

All too often we are witness to the downfall of the beautiful in Hollywood. We publicize their every move, every sin, and every fault. We are so desperate to see the rich and famous as equals that we criticize them to their deaths. It isn't until then that we appreciate their humanity.
May 14, 1987 brought the death of one of Hollywood's most beloved female icons, Rita Hayworth. She was beautiful, smart, talented and witty. Perhaps it is these qualities that brought Jack White to compose 'Take, Take, Take' about a fictional encounter with the star herself. This song is an exceptional example of how much people need to take before they can ever have a chance at satisfaction -- yet when it comes to celebrities it never will be enough.

Taking a moment to examine this song it becomes apparent just how unsure people are about what defines true contentment -- Jack White begins his night drinking comfortably with his friend when Rita Hayworth walks in. It is from that moment on that White is beside himself and all rationality, taking more and more from the beloved star, until he is no longer content with himself or her behavior. It is this that gives Hayworth a bad name, forcing her into the stereotype of pretentious celebrities. I must ask now, after reading these lyrics (featured below) and thinking of the behaviors you have had around famous individuals, how much your actions have effected the way you think of them. While I do not believe that the way celebrities are thought of and treated will change, I do believe that there should be no justification for the irrational way people behave around them.

However -- if people must continue to exploit the rich and famous, I hope to make the best of it and continue to be myself as I attempt to join the ranks of the pop culture industry. I just hope you can appreciate the truth in Jack White's words, even if no one will learn from them, and even if people keep screaming shrilly at the Twilight cast.

(My intentions here are not to sound pretentious myself, only to highlight behaviors I find incredibly strange. This is prompted in part due to two members of One Direction who are best friends no longer being able to hang out in public due to homophobic 'hate' publicity that puts them in a place of danger. -- Not that this should be an issue if they were to be in a relationship, nor am I a fan in any way of the teen boyband -- It is also in part due to my experiences in the industry and being briefed constantly on acceptable behavior, that I am shocked isn't something people just know walking in to certain situations with celebrities.)

I was sitting' there, 
I had a comfortable chair, 
And that was all that I needed.
Then my friend offered me
A drink for us to share
And that was all that I needed.

Well then I felt at ease
But then I'm not too hard to please,
I guess you couldn't call me greedy.

Then I was shocked to look up
And see Rita Hayworth there
In a place so seedy.
She walked into the bar
With her long red curly hair
And that was all that I needed.

I said to my friend
Good God we're lucky men
Just to even see her.

Take, Take, Take.
Take, Take, Take.
Take, Take, Take.

I could not resist, I just had to get close to her,
And that was all that I needed.
I walked and loomed around her table for a while,
And that was all that I needed.

And I said “I hate to bug you ma'am,
But can I have your autograph”
And that was all that I needed.

She pressed her lips against a white piece of paper,
And that was all that I needed.
Then I saw what she wrote, my heart is in my mouth,
And that was all that I needed.

Then she handed it to me,
and I think that she could see,
That that was all that I needed

I started to walk away, 
but then I remembered “Hey,
I forgot to get a picture.”
So I asked her one more time,
Could I have another favor,
That was all that I needed.

She was kind to pose with me,
Then I know my friends would see
My celebrity meeting.

Take, Take, Take.
Take, Take, Take.
Take, Take, Take.

So she said to me
“I need to go to sleep”
And it seems so mean.
It's almost as if she
Did not appreciate
How cool I was being.

She said “Goodnight” and walked away
And I didn't know what to say,
I just couldn't believe it!

Well, it's just not fair,
I just want to get a piece of hair,
And that was all that I needed.
Or maybe a kiss on the cheek,
I wouldn't wash it for a week,
That would be all that I needed.

Well, she didn't even care
That I was even there.
What a horrible feeling.



"All I wanted was just what everybody else wants, you know, to be loved." - Rita Hayworth 

Only Happy When it Rains.

In 1997 Garbage became the first band I had found and chosen without the guidance of others. Up until then I had a meek collection of Spice Girl albums (Stop Right Now being my favorite song of the lot), and a long list of acid rock and jam bands that were in constant loop around my house. I was introduced to the band while watching MTV one morning in our tiny apartment in Oegstgeest, The Netherlands and I simply fell in love. From that moment on Shirley Manson became my personal hero, a real musician that I could look up to and admire. This of course isn't to say that I still didn't secretly pretend I was Baby Spice in my spare time, but only to state that my seven year old self clearly had some taste.

As I faced the trials and tribulations of growing up I never outgrew Garbage. I distinctly remember, in one of my more embarrassing phases, playing 'Cup of Coffee' on repeat after a boy broke up with me in seventh grade. Traumatized as I was at the time, I managed to move on and continue to cherish Garbage throughout all the good and bad times I encountered. In ninth grade, during Garbage's last tour, I finally got the opportunity to see them play. Although I already had tickets to Marilyn Manson on the same night, I knew that I had better priorities. These priorities did not however include the fact that it was finals week and my late night excursion to this particular show had me fail my maths final. All and all I would say it was worth it, as seeing Shirley up on the stage of Paradiso sent chills down my spine and, if at all possible, made my love for the band grow. 

After the band separated I was devastated. However, the impact they had made on my life pushed me into the music world, without the influence of my mother and my friends. This made it possible to accept the fact that they had moved on, and it was time for me to push toward my dreams. Shirley Manson and the rest of Garbage have been the role models I needed to carry on knowing that I could succeed. This of course is also due to Shirley's experience with the same struggles I have lived with, none of which I shall go into now. It is with this that I would like to thank these beautiful people and express just how much of an impact they can make on one person's life.

My love for Shirley Manson and the rest of the band has never died, as I have been able to carry them with me throughout my entire life. While I no longer rock the Baby Spice look and fandom, I have become indebted to all that Garbage has done for me. Fifteen years after my first encounter with this immaculate band, I am thrilled that they have joined forces once again to create a new album, and embark on a new tour. While I still have the unused ticket to their show in Melkweg (I happened to be an ocean away and in surgery while they played), I can only hope that their travels bring them near my new home.

Thank you. 

Max.

Combination.

I've realized that I now have over 6 blogs!

This is getting a bit crazy and causes me to abandon then constantly, so I've decided to start combining them. My idea is to keep this as my main (moving the food and music one to this one) and keep my tumblr as is. I'm a bit overwhelmed at the moment -- it's taking a toll on doing everything I love and enjoy. In order to sort my mind and internet space I will be moving posts to this blog/deleting old blogs throughout the next few weeks. It's also impossible to sort through my chaotic thoughts when flicking between a million different sites, passwords, usernames, and ideas.

Oddly enough my "music" blog that I haven't posted publicly on since May 2010 had nearly 200 views yesterday!

Wish me luck!

Wallflower

Throughout my life I have had a series of novels that travel everywhere with me. In my grade school years I always had Stargirl on my person. From friday nights out, to classes, travels and concerts, I always carried it closely. There is something beautiful about finding comfort in words, especially if those words can touch your heart time and time again. When I graduated high school I had decided it was time to move on and I passed my worn out copy on to a dear friend who had taught me to find strength and pride in uniqueness. The same morals of which can be found within the pages of Stargirl.

After a year and a half of university, another novel fell into my life, The Perks of Being a Wallflower. This incredible story taught me to embrace aspects of myself I had been struggling to accept. I never quite understood the love I had for watching until I found The Perks of Being a Wallflower. I also discovered the passion one can have for a feeling, specifically for feeling Infinite. This novel has taught me more than I can express here, in such a public place, but it is needless for me to say that I am not quite ready to part with my copy just yet...although I do have an idea of who it will be passed on to. 

Yesterday during the MTV Movie Awards they premiered a preview for The Perks of Being a Wallflower film (Seen Here). I think it will be interesting to see how this impacts my love for the novel and if I will find it time to move on once it is released. All I know is that everyday I continue to embrace what has been taught to me through this book, and that I will continue to appreciate the quote, "And in that moment, I swear we were Infinite." 

8 Inches Gone!

A few weeks ago I got bored and cut off 8 inches of my hair. I know it still is quite long, but I still thought it was a shock. Feels a ton better, but I can't wait to grow it out again. I also got bangs -- for someone who rarely brushes their hair, they are a pain.

It's all about Sandals!

As of late I've been on a sandal kick. I've never owned more than the basic pair of thong sandals (or of course heels) and finally decided it was time to invest in a few pairs. A friend and I went to Indy last weekend and shopped up a storm.

I found these two pairs (called the Exhale) for 50$ together at a store called Bakers.

I adore the studs as they add a bit of punk into a mundane style. 

I also purchased these next shoes this morning as a "I just scheduled my first surgery" present. 

For $14 dollars I got these fun neon sandals at Aldo online. (I love finding shoes on sale!) No idea what I'll pair them with yet, but I don't think you can go wrong with such a bright color in such a dark, cold summer. 

Also--Sorry for the long absence from my blog, between finals, health issues, work, and family I've been quite busy. 

Posters

Instead of getting any work done today I filled out two frames with misc memories. The first is music themed and the second has a bit of everything. It's incredible how many ticket stubs I have. An entire frame full, two more with a few random ones and yet I still have more in a stack of papers. It's insane really.

I'll work on getting better photos once I hang them.

I miss the crowd

I miss this.

These photos were taken a few years ago at a Ben Harper show I went to with my mother. We've been going to shows together since Peter, Paul, and Mary in 1990. These particular photos were taken inside Paradiso, one of my favorite music venues in the world (The first being Melkweg and the third being Red Rocks).

Paradiso is an old church, with an epic history. The history itself deserves its own post that will come in time. As for now, I'm off to get some rest.

Roaring '20s

I've been having a major want for fringe recently. This dress is on sale for 13 dollars, 20 with shipping and I can't help but want it! Decisions, decisions. 

A peek into my closet.

Just a little look into the mess of my closet. A lot is in the laundry right now, which doesn't help my case in saying that I still want more! 

DIY Poster

Just a quick DIY project I made using some of my tickets stubs. 

As everything in my apartment is framed, I realized I had reached the point in my life where tape and thumbtacks are no longer acceptable. Instead, I went to the store and bought myself a large frame ($9) and carefully filled it with as many of my ticket stubs as possible. While quite a few did not make the cut, I now have a fantastic reminder of the many shows I enjoyed in high school. 

]I eventually went back to the store and purchased two more frames of the same size and will continue filling them with concert tickets, memories, and photos. It's a cheap and organized way to keep track of all the little bits of memories that have been carried with me each and every time I move.   

Show and Tell

After a long day of work and classes I decided to take a shopping break at a local boutique. This store in particular had recently undergone an incredible makeover, making it a top competitor for my favorite store in town (Twenty Ten and Juniper being the other two). After moving locations Collette really expanded. With a huge collection of clothing, including Free People, they greatly impressed me.

My friends have been going on about my mostly-black wardrobe, so I finally decided to do something to lighten it up. With waist length red hair and a hippy upbringing, it was about time to admit my dark days were over. Thus enter the three clothing items featured in above. The rose chiffon shirt is probably my favorite as you can pair it with nearly anything. Grey and black look the best under it, but I'm sure I'll find a nice brown to give it more of an earthy feel. The shirt gathers at the waist in a nice lose bow, and has great detailing up around the collar to add the right amount of flair. The dress is fabulous and fitted with a preppy collar to match the floral pattern. It also has pockets which I love. Finally the shoes (purchased from Juniper, not Collette on the same day), complete both items.

Hopefully this color scheme is the start of something new, an adventure into new fashions which I cannot wait to explore.

Shirt: Lovposh
Shoes: Bamboo
Dress: Love, Audrey 3+1

These boots were made for walking

Coat: Love Stitch

Shoes: Bandolino 

Also included: A roughly edited photo of my cat appreciating the places I ventured today