Give Us Astonishment

God, give us a long winter

and quiet music, and patient mouths,

and a little pride - before

our age ends.
Give us astonishment

and a flame, high, bright.

- Adam Zagajewski

Words via: Crashingly Beautiful

Photo via: Pinterest

Wise Words

        "I always take more pleasure in liking something than in disliking something. That’s not to say there aren’t some things that deserve to be liked and some things that deserved to be disliked, but I’m never fond of disliking something.

        The lesson I’ve learned is to be wary of those who are. The ones who seem to think that being critical is the same as having good taste. Those people almost never have good taste, so their opinions don’t matter.

        There’s no particular sophistication required to be a critic. We know this, because children often dislike foods they learn to love as adults.

       So, even if what you’ve done isn’t so great, just remember that those who can’t say so with grace, those who seem to take pride in criticizing you, their opinions don’t matter. It may very well be that you’ve created a masterpiece, and they’re just children.

       If you can learn to be a fair judge of yourself, you won’t feel the need to rely on other people’s opinions."

-Chris Shiflett

James Blake - A Case Of You (Joni Mitchell cover)

                                                                                                     Currently OBSESSED.

The Swell Season Documentary

I'm so excited for this!!! Set aside some time in October for this documentary coming out about The Swell Season's Marketa Irglova and Glen Hansard. It chronicles their band during the quick rise to popularity after the movie Once came out as well as their romantic relationship. It's sure to be full of fantastic music!!

100 Years Of Outfits In 100 Seconds

Ben Howard - Keep Your Head Up

Everything I have ever wanted has now been knocked down a spot on my life goals list. This massive slip n' slide through the English countryside is now number one. After seeing this lovely music video I bet your life goal list will have adjusted itself accordingly.

Cinematic Orchestra - To Build A Home

Matrimony - The Wrote And The Writ (Johnny Flynn Cover)

Matrimony "the wrote and the writ" from ben joyner on Vimeo.

Here's the original if you're interested! 

Graduate with a B.A. in Humanities?

Awww, there is truth in this. 

Via

Harry Potter in a Roman Ampitheater

Over 6,000 people watching Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 at a roman ampitheater in Croatia. How cool would that be????????

Via: BBC

Dry The River - No Rest

This song has been stuck in my head for the past few days. My friend Ted has been posting about these guys for months and I'm glad I finally got around to listening to them!

Zooey Deschanel and Ben Schwartz - Tonight You Belong To Me

I love most of what Hello Giggles puts out there. One lovely treat is mini performances by Hello Giggles co-founder person extraordinaire, Zooey Deschanel. This one features a familiar face from Parks & Recreation, Ben Schwartz. They are singing, "Tonight You Belong To Me" from the Steve Martin movie, The Jerk. Enjoy!!

Gotye - Somebody That I Used To Know (Feat. Kimbra)

Oh, the twists and turns of a breakup. After listening to this song I understand why Gotye is up for a songwriting award. It's really straightforward yet I haven't heard a song encapsulate a broken relationship like this before. Naturally, I loooove Kimbra's addition to the song as well.
Side note: Look how crazy green his eyes are!!

The world map of useless stereotypes

Via:  New York Times

GOOD Magazine - Why we love America

Milo Greene - 1957

It's my birthday!!!

Everyone jump for joy!!! 

(Audrey Hepburn and Fred Astaire)

Via

Marques Toliver - White Sails

I love this. Thanks Communion. 

Sleepover

I really like everything about this photo, from the huge, regal library to the mess of glowing tents on the floor. I want to be a part of whatever this was. 

Via: Home Sweet Home

Alex Clare - Hold You

What a sweet song. This is a cover but if you want more Alex Clare check him out here or here. 

USA Bookcase / I want that

"The name of this piece-’Oh, the Farmer and the Cowman Should be Friends’. A one off piece designed for Timothy Taylor Gallery in London by designer Ron Arad. The United States make an excellent storage space for your favorite tomes. Wouldn’t it be fun to give each state a theme? For instance: western novels in Arizona, beach reads in Florida, Oprah’s book club in Illinois." - Description from here

Photo via IC

The Irrepressibles - In This Shirt

The Irrepressibles are a theatrical chamber pop orchestra from London. "A what?!", you say. I've never heard of such a thing before but I am glad it exists. When I first heard In This Shirt Jamie McDermott's haunting voice easily held my attention even though it was somewhat saddening. I think this video will do the exact same thing. It's actually a promotional clip from a movie called The Forgotten Circus and the dancing has an enchanting quality. In a world where people are quickly distracted before the end of a 90 second youtube video, the 5+ minutes just float by. 

Lord Huron - When Will I See You Again

In the Open: Lord Huron - When Will I See You Again from In the Open on Vimeo. 

I just really like this and I hope you will too. If you like more Lord Huron go here!

Mumford and Sons - Lover's Eyes

Last night at The Pageant I saw Mumford and Sons and it was woooonderful. They played five songs they call new but to a serious Mumford fan they have become familiar after listening to them many times through different youtube videos. A song that has been stuck in my head since last night is Lover's Eyes, specifically the "I walk slow" portion of the song. 

Matthew and the Atlas and Low Anthem also opened for Mumford. I would suggest checking out both bands. Matthew's voice (from Matthew and the Atlas, obviously) sounds like what a 1,000 year oak tree would sound like if it could sing. And The Low Anthem included multiple clarinets and whistling into cellphones whilst holding them up to the mic. 

Florence and The Machine - Not Fade Away (Buddy Holly Cover)

Florence Welch: Not Fade Awayfrom Tabitha Denholm on Nowness.com.

Rave On Buddy Holly is an upcoming tribute album for Buddy Holly, obviously, with a track list full of amazing artists. Florence Welch from Florence and the Machine kicks off the compilation with Not Fade Away. Other artists on the disk include She & Him, Paul McCartney, My Morning Jacket, The Black Keys and Modest Mouse. 

Florence Welch

Via: Nowness

Carving the Mountains - Longboard Girls Crew

Carving the Mountains from Juan Rayos on Vimeo.

Seeing the "Longboard Girls Crew" fly at high speeds down a mountain road near Madrid only reinforces my unexplored high school desire to be a skater. I've always said if I went on the MTV show Made I would want to be made into a skateboarder or bmx biker. Definitely sticking with that. The video also seems a bit like an advertisement for long, straight hair. It does look nice under a helmet...

Via: Matador

Video by Juan Rayos

How to Identify and Get Rid of Poisonous Pals

(Sophia Loren and Jane Mansfield via Pinterest)

POISONOUS PALS: HOW TO IDENTIFY THEM & HOW TO GET RID OF THEM

by Marissa A. Ross

" Take the friend you have in question, and ask yourself this: “How do they make me feel?”

If it’s anything that strays far from “UH-MAZING”, then your friendship needs some evaluating. Friends should leave you feeling inspired and happy. These are the people who are supposed to put you at ease, help you have fun and deal with the challenges of life. If a friend stresses you out, makes you feel like less of a person or exhausts you, then chances are the relationship is not a healthy one. "

Read the rest of the article on Hello Giggles to find out the different types of friends, red flags and how to slooowly back away without getting hurt. 

Memorial Day 2011

"Four things support the world: the learning of the wise, the justice of the great, the prayers of the good, and the valor of the brave” - Muhammad

Photo of a pilot of the U.S. Women’s Air Force Service by Peter Stackpole, 1943.

Via: Tomboy Style

Harry Potter In One Word

The cast of the Harry Potter series was given the task of summing up their entire HP experience in only a single word. This sweet summary was compiled by Empire, an UK film magazine. Their most recent issue is all about the Harry Potter films and their greatness. 

Last night I saw... Johnny Flynn and the Sussex Wit

The first single off Been Listening, their most recent album.

This is a song I've heard a number of times but never really paid attention to the words. When they played it last night at the show my ears were opened to how wonderful The Water is. 

You might also recognize Johnny's pretty face from Burberry's spring/summer 2011 campaign.

Plan B - She Said

Plan B, aka Ben Drew, is a very popular British artist who is not breaking in to America and he is not happy about it. He said, “I’m too white for the black radio stations and I’m too black for white radio stations so nobody knows where to place me.” He's gotten numerous awards for his album, The Defamation of Strickland Banks, which is definitely worth checking out. Give him a listen here. 

(Also, you'll notice Skins' Kaya Scodelario as his crazed ex. Scodelario played Effy Stonem on the UK series first four seasons.)

The Burning House Project

The Burning House Project answers the question, "If your house was on fire what would you save?" Creator Robert Holden said, "It's a conflict between what's practical, valuable, and sentimental. What you would take reflects your interests, background and priorities. Think of it as an interview condensed into one question."

Hannah Queen, 20, Blue Ridge, Georgia, Photographer- Basket of family photos, old and new - Macbook - iPhone - Wallet - Cast iron skillet
- Leather bracelet with mustard seed charm, which was my grandmothers - Leather bracelet, a gift from my mom - L'Occitane Lavender Hand Cream - L'Oreal Voluminous Million Lashes
- Lancome Teint Idole Ultra - Letters & postcards from friends - Favorite tea towel, which was a gift
- The complete works of Jane Austen - Blue ball jar, filled with river rocks. Souvenirs from a perfect day.
- Minnetonka moccasins - Favorite wooden spoon - Two forks from old family silverware
- Twig spoon, a gift from a friend - Not pictured, Canon 5d Mark II

Rohan L Anderson, 35, Ballarat, Australia, Photography & Design

- Nixon Chrono Dive Watch - Japanese bone handle knife (had it for 22 years) - Led Lenser torch
- iPhone - Nikon 50mm f/1.4 - 500gig Time Machine Back Up - Macbook
- My glasses. Can’t see without em so may as well gram em! (yes they have real lenses in them) - One of my Nikons. - CZ 22 Magnum. It’s my favourite hunting tool. - Barbor International
- G-Star Raw circa 2004? Love these guys. I haven’t bought G-Star since. I’m happy just to keep these as the best pair of jeans I’ve ever owned.

Tucker Gorman, 23, Maine, Aspiring Industrial Designer

- Lifelong teddy bear Chewy (Chewbacca) - Journal/sketchbook from spring of 2009 in Denmark
- Norse Projects 5-panel hat - Larry Bird autographed basketball - Citizen Eco Drive Watch
- Leatherman Freestyle Tool - Phone charger - Mac Book Proa - HTC Droid Incredible - LL Bean zip-up tote

Laura Pritchett, 24, Southern Delaware, Artist

- The unglamorous but practical galoshes that I wear most often - A painting I am (almost) satisfied with
- An irreplaceable blouse which has no tag and I have no idea who made it, but love - The wooden clothes hanger from my grandfather’s closet - The perfectly weathered belt I am rarely without 

- Candid shot of grandfather and his car - The last remnant of family plaid my grandmother brought back from Ireland - Keys from my childhood scavenging - 1957 edition of the Fanny Farmer Cookbook with my grandmother’s and mother’s recipe alterations handwritten in the margins - The bit I trained two horses with - Klein bag with my well broken in sable brushes - The hatchet my great grandfather used to build his house - The Ball jar that I keep all of my flash drives in - Family Bible - Moleskine journal I kept while traveling in Uganda - First fabric sample produced by Tukula.org with my design for Ugandan tailors - iPhone

Via: My Modern Metropolis

Ha Ha Tonka - Usual Suspects

Ha Ha Tonka, "The Usual Suspects" from Bloodshot Records on Vimeo.

Last time I saw Ha Ha Tonka there were two encores and a whole lot of boot stomping at the sold out show. It was faaaaantastic. Usual Suspects is the first single of their third album, Death Of A Decade. Give it a listen and bop around in your seat a little bit. 

I want that.

I would like this print in my kitchen, please.

By Esther Aarts via My Modern Metropolis

The Isle of Knowledge - A Map

This clever map by Marian Bantjes was created for the UK illustration magazine, Varoom. The theme was knowledge and the map "refers somewhat to the "known" beyond which lie monsters." Mostly it just reminds me of the map from The Phantom Tollbooth.

Plato Quote

Remember, remember, remember.

Via

Design Sponge - St. Louis City Guide

Finally! Design Sponge has over 120 different city guides and not until today did my fair city of St. Louis have one! They cover Soulard/Lafayette Square, Cherokee, Midtown, Maplewood, Tower Grove/South Grand, Central West End/Forest Park/The Grove, and Downtown.

 So here it is, a detailed guide to seeing, doing, eating, shopping and staying in the Lou. 

Print via: Firecracker Press

Hair!

I think my hair has too many layers but if it didn't I would looove to be able to do this!!!

Via: The It Girl Project

Mumford and Sons

I am seeing these guys on June 5th and I am getting increasingly excited!

Photo via: tumblr

Gold Miner, Mozambique

"The glowing hues of dusk bathe a mud-splattered gold miner in the border province of Manica. The area draws scores of workers from neighboring Zimbabwe who pan for traces of the precious metal in turbid waters." 

Via: National Geographic's Photo of the Day

Teacher's Time Vs. Pay

"Ever wonder how the hours American teachers work and the salary they earn compares to teachers in other industrialized nations? Well, the picture's not pretty. In this infographic courtesy of the Future Journalism Project, American educators work the most hours of all industrialized nations, but are the fifth lowest paid after 15 years on the job. Only Luxembourg, Hungary, Iceland, and Norway pay their teachers less."

Via: GOOD

Roald Dahl-ification

So true!!!!!

Hanging by a...clothespin

This looks like something a big sister would do. I may have been that type of big sister...

Via: Old Chum on Flickr

Lykke Li - Sadness Is A Blessing

Lykke Li - Sadness is a Blessing (Director Tarik Saleh) from Lykke Li on Vimeo.

By the end of this video all I could think was, "Aww, she's just acting out to get attention." A lot of the small children I work with do the same thing so it's pretty easy to spot. Sometimes it feels like negative attention is just better than no attention. Anyway, with the arrival of Lykke Li's newest album Wounded Rhymes my love for her has increased tenfold. If you give it a listen yours may multiply too. 

Safari Njema!

This photo makes me miss living in Tanzania. It was actually taken in Kenya but I saw similar views in the Serengeti. The sky really does seem bigger in Africa. (By the way, safari njema means have a good trip!)

Via: Ben Heine on Flickr

Mac People vs. PC People

PC people sound kind of lame. Mac people sound kind of stuck up. As a small child I was told , "We are PC people," and I have been ever since. Which one do you have?

Via: my friend Kate via Mashable

Sleeping Soldiers - Tim Hetherington

Sleeping Soldiers_single screen (2009) from Tim Hetherington on Vimeo.

I can't imagine what soldiers dream about while deployed. The late Tim Hetherington spent five months in the Korengal Valley in Afghanistan with US platoon in 2006-2007. One of the many pieces that came from that time was this short film depicting what fills the heads of soldiers when they get a chance to sleep. It's beautiful and scary. This one screen of a three screen installation that was first shown in New York. 

Tim Hetherington

Lady Gaga at Disney World

Via: Rolling Stone

Hair!

I would like to make my hair do this.

Via: Glamour

I want that.

I've never enjoyed riding bikes but if I had this Kate Spade cruiser I think I'd give it another go. 

The Men Who Don't Fit In - A Poem for Travelers

The Men Who Don't Fit In*

Robert W. Service

There's a race of men that don't fit in,  A race that can't stay still; So they break the hearts of kith and kin,  And they roam the world at will. They range the field and they rove the flood,  And they climb the mountain's crest; Theirs is the curse of the gypsy blood,  And they don't know how to rest. If they just went straight they might go far;  They are strong and brave and true; But they're always tired of the things that are,  And they want the strange and new. They say: "Could I find my proper groove,  What a deep mark I would make!" So they chop and change, and each fresh move  Is only a fresh mistake. And each forgets, as he strips and runs  With a brilliant, fitful pace, It's the steady, quiet, plodding ones  Who win in the lifelong race. And each forgets that his youth has fled,  Forgets that his prime is past, Till he stands one day, with a hope that's dead,  In the glare of the truth at last. He has failed, he has failed; he has missed his chance;   He has just done things by half. Life's been a jolly good joke on him,  And now is the time to laugh. Ha, ha!  He is one of the Legion Lost;  He was never meant to win; He's a rolling stone, and it's bred in the bone;   He's a man who won't fit in.

Scala & Kolancy Brothers- Use Somebody (King of Leon cover)

Scala & Kolancy Brother first became heard throughout the world in the trailer for The Social Network when they covered Creep by Radiohead. They take well known songs, rework and transform them by having a female choir, often with minimal accompaniment, perform the new finished product. With this Kings of Leon cover, Use Somebody takes on a whole new depth of sadness. The video for the song hurt my heart and will leave you in a funk. You should still watch it, just have someone to hug nearby. 

Scala & Kolacny Brothers - Use Somebody by rhinomusic

Woodkid - Iron

Woodkid - Iron from WOODKID on Vimeo.

This video is visually transfixing. Without an obvious story to draw you in, the viewer is left to piece together how each of the individuals apply to one another, if they do at all. The majestic (too dramatic of a word? maybe, maybe not) horns let you know something is about to go down alongside the war drums that are essentially saying, "bring it." Woodkid is Yoann Lemoine. Singer/songwriter is only his most recent resume addition. Originally, Lemoine is a music video and commercial director as well as a photographer. You'll also notice model Agyness Deyn and black clouds of smoke that remind me of the Deatheaters from Harry Potter.

Brother - Darling Buds Of May

Communion provides me with so much great music!

How to cope with stress

Via: Miss Moss

Amy Poehler Quote

“I get worried for young girls sometimes; I want them to feel that they can be sassy and full and weird and geeky and smart and independent, and not so withered and shriveled.” — Amy Poehler in an interview for Bust Magazine.

Miller Williams Quote

Something to strive for... 

“Have compassion for everyone you meet,
even if they don’t want it.
What appears bad manners, an ill temper
or cynicism is always a sign of things no ears
have heard, no eyes have seen.
You do not know what wars are going on
down there where the spirit meets the bone.”
- Miller Williams. 

Florence and The Machine - My Boy Builds Coffins

After hearing a recording of Ke$ha singing without autotune it is quite refreshing to hear a naturally stunning voice like Florence Welch's. This 2008 video is from before she became more well known but when she starts to sing about halfway through her impressive voice will fill your tiny computer speakers to capacity. 

I want that.

I would totally buy this Jonathan Adler lamp if it was about $375 less! 

Toy Stories by Aled Lewis

Aled Lewis is making something new every day. These clever photos are part of his Make Something 365 project. You can see more of them on his website or his tumblr!

Via: SO

Help The Struggling

Help the struggling find a way to enjoy forever.

Via: Newspaper Blackout

Childish Gambino

Recognize this guy? You may know him as Troy from Community. A few weeks ago he released an EP under  his rap alter ego Childish Gambino. There's also been a much blogged about addition to Jamie XX's remix of Adele's Rolling In The Deep and his remix of Kanye's All Of The Lights. You can download his EP here (he didn't actually name the release anything but many people have taken to calling it Freaks and Geeks EP). If you really want to be on top of things he released this track a week ago.

Childish Gambino- Freaks and Geeks EP by blastyourmusic

Happy Birthday Paul Rudd!!

Happy 42nd!!!!

Pandit - Pack Your Bags

Pandit - Pack Your Bags from Tyler T Williams on Vimeo.

I love this beautifully shot video for Pandit's Pack Your Bags. Honestly, I liked the video more than the song originally but with a couple of viewings the song has grown on me. It gives you a glimpse into heartbreak. Each half of the couple seem to be miserable yet neither one is scrambling to reunite with the other. What happened?? Did he move to a snowy nowhere? Did she go away to school? Maybe one made out with the other's best friend and it was a terrible decision but it's hard to forgive cheating? One accidentally shot the other one's pet and didn't show enough remorse?

World Order - Machine Civilization

The intricate dance moves in this video are transfixing. It gets really good around 3:15!!

Death Cab For Cutie - Codes and Keys

Death Cab's new album isn't out until May 31st but a few tracks have been released to get people excited!

Codes And Keys (Gibbard Solo, Live in SF) by TwentyFourBit.com

Ben Gibbard - When the Sun Goes Down by WaterTowerMusic

Death Cab For Cutie - You Are A Tourist by thisisfakediy