Yellow Treehouse

This is a restaurant built in a Redwood tree 10 meters up. Instead, I would like it to become my new place of residence. Just another reason to visit New Zealand. *Sigh*

Read more about the project!

Jamie Lidell - A Little Bit Of Feel Good

Little bit of funk. Little bit of soulful singing. Little bit of the equine persuation. Lotta bit of greatness.

jj - baby

The best adjective I can think of to describe this song is Dreamy.

P.S. This song is actually a cover.
Some more info....."JJ are a swedish indie group. Little to no information is available on the band’s members Joakim Benon and Elin Kastlander. The band have been championed by online publication Pitchfork, being rated as one of the top bands of 2009. "

Jamie Cullum - Please Don't Stop The Music (Rihanna Cover)

Even though Jamie Cullum makes this song jazzy and I think it's fantastic, I can't listen to it without hearing original beat in my head and imagining many dance parties.

notebook doodles

There is a lovely blog called notebook doodles.

There are many cute and clever sayings drawn on to pretty pictures.

She takes requests too!

She also has a little book of lyrics and a little book of crushes (which is where the top picture came from).

The Rise and Fall - Phillip Chbeeb

The main awesomeness starts around 1:40. Phillip never disappoints! Case in point, this SYTYCD performance and many more.

Rosemary Clooney in White Christmas

If I am ever rich enough to have a dress especially made for me I think it might look something extremely similar to this dress worn by Rosemary Clooney in White Christmas. All the curves are so beautiful! Let's also take a second to recognize that George Chakiris, who later went on to play Bernardo in West Side Story, is one of the dancers.

I posted previously about White Christmas here.

Merry Punjabi Christmas!!

Fun.

Fun. is made up of Nate Ruess (who's voice you'll recognize from The Format), Andrew Dost ( of Anathallo) and Jack Antonoff (of Steel Train). The trio's debut album Aim and Ignite appeared on many Best Of lists this year.

(Since Imeem ruined all our lives and was bought out by Myspace I don't know of a good way to put music on my blog. Until then, youtube will have to do.)

Happy Christmas Eve!!!

Fantastic Wedding Invitation

Isn't that clever!
From HERE!!

♥

When I was 5...

Starbucks Love Project

This video just warms my heart. You can also add yourself to the chorus of voices. Starbucks is donating 5 cents for every video submissions up to 1 million. They're doing the same for submitting drawings to the site.

SYTYCD Season 6 Top 20 Group Dance

It was just so good!

Penelope

I first saw the trailer for this movie a year ago and by the powers of Redbox I finally saw it this afternoon. It was so great! Penelope was such a sweet, fun, creative movie and I recommend you all see it. The dreamy James McAvoy is also part of it which should be more incentive. Also, the character of Penelope is refreshingly strong unlike many other female portrayals we see nowadays. The trailer for this movie is also where I first heard one of my favorite songs.

Camera Obscura - French Navy

As Deb said "And if 'French Navy' doesn't make your heart pang even just a little bit - I hate to break it to you, but you may not have a heart."

Joshua Allen Harris' Inflatable Street Art

Trash Bags + Street Vents = Monster Art
Via: IC

Charlie Brown Christmas

Jason Lytle - FREE! Christmas Album

You can go HERE to download this gem. Recorded in his living room, Jason Lytle sat down and improvised 35 minutes of music on his piano thusly giving us this gift of an album for Christmas. Thank you kind sir, thank you.

I take you seriously

"I feel most movies I see don’t take me seriously. It’s like they think I’m 16 or something. Or they don’t realize that I’m sitting in a movie theater and there’s nothing else going on. They don’t need to fight for my attention. They got my attention. They can be comfortable, it’s fine."

Pitchfork: Guest Lists: Kings of Convenience

Mumford and Sons - Banjolin Song (Live)

I anxiously await the day I can see these guys live.
(How adorable is the shy Marcus Mumford in this video?)
Here's another and more recent music video.

All That Glitters...

Via: The Drifter and The Gypsy

F. U. Penguin

F. U. Penguin is a blog by someone who got tired of all the hoopla around cute little animals. Now there is a place where those fuzzy animals get told off in a slew of insults and profanity. Here are some examples...

Tamarin
What are you, in the witness protection program? Or is that supposed to be ironic and you actually hate beards? Honestly, Tamarin, I think it's time to move on to a style that says something other than "I'm a really big fan of the TV show 'Kung Fu.'" And the tail, GOOD FUCKING GOD, MONKEY. There's no excuse for keeping yourself in such shoddy condition. ARE YOU A FUCKING CLEVELAND BROWNS FAN? I'm sure you've gotten away with a lot up to this point in your life because you are a monkey, and the more you look like an old man the more attention you get. But it's time to grow up, Tamarin. Take some responsibility for your actions.

Hyrax
You want a piece of me, Hyrax? I will fucking destroy you. Oh, your closest living relative is the elephant? An animal that is afraid of a mouse? Well guess what, pussy, I share a bunch of DNA with the chimpanzee. They don't even get mad, they store that shit in their heads and make a plan, Hyrax. And then they fucking play for keeps. Just like me, Hyrax. Just like me. So you think I'm afraid of your vampire teeth and poorly developed internal temperature regulation? No fucking way, Hyrax. So get a couple of your buddies, a makeshift knife, and some pillowcases and meet me in fifteen minutes. Because it's fucking on, Hyrax. Oghadisthatababyonyou? And another one? How come they look so creepy and yet so disgustingly cute? WHAT DO THEY KNOW THAT I DON'T KNOW. Oh, no. THEY ARE MULTIPLYING. You win this round, Hyrax. You can have my apple. Just don't let them bring western civilization to its knees.

What's with the stupid pose, Cat? I'm sure you think you are just headed for the Sears catalog now... or you are making fun of people who are headed for the Sears catalog. I'm going to be honest with you, Cat, you look like a total loser, so I really hope this isn't your laid-back-but-sophisticated look. On the other hand, if you're really trying to make an ironic statement about funny photo portraits in a turn-of-the-century trucker-hat kind of way, then a. I hate you and b. you really should have gone all way. So either way, fuck you, Cat. The hours of Photoshop I will get out of you cannot heal the part of my soul you have destroyed. But I will try, Cat. I. will. try.

Post Secret Video - What's your secret?

PostSecret: Confessions on Life, Death and God from Frank Warren on Vimeo.

My favorite is the couple.

Also, how does that camera make everyone look so beautiful?

LXD on SYTYCD

In case you missed it...


This performance was phenomenal to say the least. Check out when the 3 dancers do the series of flying scissor kicks in perfect unison. Ridiculous.

LXD Trailers

LXD "Moments" Trailer from Jon M. Chu on Vimeo.

Directed by Step Up 2's Jon M Chu, LXD is going to be an online series that seems to depict dancers like superheros. But not in a cheesy way, more like an alternate reality of awesome kind of way. Tomorrow (Wednesday) members of LXD will be performing on So You Think You Can Dance and it's probably going to be amazing. If you have a sharp eye you'll notice Harry Shum in there. He's currently on Glee and also was in Step Up 2. You're also going to want to watch these trailers all blown up on full screen.

LXD "Choices" Teaser from Jon M. Chu on Vimeo.

Ingrid Michaelson - Die Alone

Die Alone - Ingrid Michaelson

I just really like this song right now.

Beyonce - Crazy In Love

Beyonce - Crazy In Love (Official Music Video) - Click here for more blooper videos

I know this isn't new by any means but goodness gracious how can I make my body like hers?? Please, don't tell me it's by freakish amounts of exercise because I don't want to hear it.

The Avett Brothers - Slight Figure Of Speech

The Avett Brothers - Slight Figure Of Speech - watch more funny videos

The first 3 minutes features a funny and slightly manic salesman before they lead into the performance part of the video. Both halves are worth watching.

Alvin Band

Cyberspace 2008 - Alvin Band

Temple Pressure - Alvin Band

Glowing Tree - Alvin Band

Alvin Band, I think I love you.

Lady Gaga speaks out against homophobia

Props to Lady Gaga for not dropping any names in her interview on Fuse recently. The first rapper I thought of was Kanye. During his verse in "Run This Town" I kind of cringe for multiple reasons one of which being the homophobic lyrics. Guess he just has to keep proving his manhood otherwise we'll all assume he likes men.

Andrew Belle - Static Waves

Static Waves (Feat Katie Herzig) - Andrew Belle

Vampire Weekend - Cousins

Finally! This is the first single off Vampire Weekend's upcoming album Contra which is out January 12th.

Big Businesses Oppose Ban On Child and Slave Labor

Here is a story from Change.org about businesses opposing a legislative ban on products made by children and slaves. God bless the free market.

from Amanda Kloer at Change.org:

Rachel Maddow’s choice of “you child labor-endorsing, pro-slavery freaks” to describe business groups’ opposition to a bill that would ban the import of goods made by child labor or slave labor was pretty apt. However, I personally would describe the move as the most stunning display of corporate douchebaggery since Walmart’s “dead peasant’s insurance” fiasco. According to a recent report from Inside U.S. Trade, business interest groups are “worried” that a legislative ban on goods made by children and slaves could prompt the government to more actively seek out and identify consumer goods made by exploited people. And if we started doing that, well then businesses might have to start giving workers their rights, paying them a living wage, not abusing children, and freeing their indentured slaves. And then where would we be?

The relevant part starts around 3:30.

My colleague (and frequent guest poster) Tim Newman also has a great analysis of the history of legislative attempt to ban goods made with child and slave labor here. Last year, the International Labor Rights Forum took Cargill and Archer Daniels Midland to task for trying to block a voluntary child labor free certification initiative in the Farm Bill. The initiative passed, despite the lobbying of interest groups. History shows that despite the powerful corporate lobby, grassroots activists can be just as powerful a voice for children and workers as high ticket lobbyists can be for corporations.

As of now, we don’t have word as to which business groups and which companies are going to out themselves as squishy invertebrates rather than men and women by vocally opposing legislative measures to prevent and reduce child labor and slavery around the world. But once we get word of who is standing between us and a market untainted by slavery, we will let them know in no uncertain terms where they can stick their opposition. Because let’s face it — coming out against a ban on slave-made and child-made goods is the same as acknowledging that your company uses those products and that you’re okay knowing that. And I for one certainly don’t want to shop at a company who actively or passively supports exploitation and abuse in the name of their own profits.

(Via IC)

Ramona Falls - I Say Fever

Ramona Falls "I Say Fever" from Barsuk Records on Vimeo.

This music video is creepy and amazing.

(Via: We Love You So)

My Parents Were Awesome

My Parents Were Awesome is a blog that reminds us our parents had lives before we came along. "Before the fanny packs and Andrea Bocelli concerts, your parents (and grandparents) were once free-wheeling, fashion-forward, and super awesome."

(via IC)

Hug With Eight Arms

(Via I Heart Love)

Bad Romance - Lady Gaga

In case you've been living under a rock here's the video for Lady Gaga's newest single. It's confusing, awesome, crazy, futuristic, dirty and I want to watch it again.

Awesome needlepoint, what?

Usually the words awesome and needlepoint don't really go together but in this case they obviously do. Stephanie Tillman has created a veritable treasure trove of humorous, animal related needlepoints and you can see them all here.

Via here