for lovers of mariokart

(photo credit: behance.net)

tic tac

(photo credit: photobucket)

"delicious ambiguity"

misty mornings

(photo credit)

I wish these existed in Phoenix.

xO JM

steve jobs & bill gates

signs

I wish all signs looked like this.

(photo credit: www.xmarkjenkinsx.com/outside.html)

xO JM

art inspired outfits

As I was "stumbling" today, I came across a page on polyvore from about a year ago with "Art Inspired Outfits." I have never seen this done before, and I thought it was such a great concept.  I personally view fashion as an art form, and I love the thought of choosing outfits based on paintings.

Here are a few of my favorites:

I absolutely love this idea. I might try to make some of my own sometime!

xO JM

drizzle

"I wanted so badly to lie down next to her on the couch, to wrap my arms around her and sleep...Just sleep together, in the most innocent sense of the phrase.  But I lacked the courage and she had a boyfriend and I was gawky and she was gorgeous and I was hopelessly boring and she was endlessly fascinating.  So I walked back to my room and collapsed on the bottom bunk, thinking that if people were rain, I was a drizzle and she was a hurricane."

~John Green, "Looking for Alaska"

super sprayer

i love them

"i need you so much closer...so come on, come on"

(photo credit: flickr)

raining

(photo credit: ffffound )

drool...

Sam Edelman 'Una' Peep Toe Bootie

oh, happy day.

Finally, the day that I've been waiting for has come. The Maine's second album, Black & White drops today. I'm so excited--I loved their first album, hopefully their second will be just as good.

I can't wait to start listening.

xO JM

we don't need

(photo credit: http://fueledbyphotos.com/post/143750987/buy-shit-we-dont-need)

her morning elegance she wears

It's an older music video, but I still am fascinated by it.

So clever. (And a great song!)

xO JM

"growing up won't bring us down"

(photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/araswami/2605623669/)

“Adults are always asking kids what they want to be when they grow up because they are looking for ideas.”

-Paula Poundstone

tetris, anyone?

First Person Tetris

Awesome.

Gives you a slight headache, but still very much awesome.

xO JM

"ghost in the machine"

A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of visiting the Arizona Museum for Youth in downtown Mesa. It was so much fun! They have such fun, interactive exhibits for kids; I definitely recommend a visit. (I think it's only about 6 bucks to get in, too!)

I was looking through the exhibits, and found this beautiful, beautiful piece of art, "Ghost in the Machine: Jim Morrison," that was so unique I just kept staring at it!

Isn't it wonderful? And next to Jim Morrison was the one, the only, Ludwig van Beethoven.

Being a violin player and having a ton of respect (and sometimes hatred) for Beethoven, I became obsessed with this. The artist's name is Erika Simmons, and it just blows my mind that she actually arranged all the notes and lines of music to make this unique piece of art. It seems as if he was hiding in the music the entire time, and someone just needed to pull him out.

And the same goes for Jim Morrison. Who knew that a simple cassette tape could become a piece of art?

Ms. Simmons says on her website, "I try to express an idea, through the arrangement of very common things, with the hope that some message is conveyed without words. "

Her work is so amazing and unique. Check out her portfolio--there are so many more of her pieces that are just as wonderful.

xO JM

"celebrate we will, cause life is short, but sweet for certain"

It is frightening to me how one second a person can be alive, perfectly healthy, and happy, and the next...well, they're just gone. And there's nothing anyone can do about it. And to me, this is just so tragic. It is the cruel nature of the world: the ones who deserve to die don't. And the ones who don't deserve to die do.

Rest in peace, Anna Marie Wright

06/02/89-07/07/10

Anna, I'm so thankful that you gave me the wonderful and hilarious experience that was being your friend. I loved being in your company; you always made me smile.

Your LC family misses you so much!

xO JM

national ice cream month!!

Today, I learned that July is National Ice Cream Month. It was actually Ronald Reagan who declared it so in 1984.  What a fine man.

So excited to celebrate. :)

xO JM

team...

Edward. No, Jacob. Edward. Jacob. Um...Can we have both?

(The fact that some poor soul made this breaks my heart.)

"Eclipse," the third movie of four in the "Twilight Saga" was released today. I've heard good things about the movie, and it supposedly is "the best of the three" movies that are out.

Here's the trailer. Seems pretty intense.

"Eclipse" Trailer

Because I am a fan of the novel series, I feel compelled to go see the movie. However, I honestly don't know how much more of Kristen Stewart's awful acting that I can take.

xO JM

cover yourself up

I would imagine that it is difficult to cover a popular song...I know that I've heard my fair share of covered classics that just sounded awful.  How many times have American Idol contestants attempted to cover Mariah Carey or Whitney Houston and miserably failed? It hurts my ears just thinking about it. 

Sometimes, though, a song or artist can be successfully covered. Not to say that they are better than the original (although sometimes it seems that way), it's more of that they usually give you a different perspective of the original song and if executed well, it can be pure magic.

Some of my favorite covers:

"If You Leave"

Original: OMD

Cover: Nada Surf

"Whatever You Like"

Original: T.I.

Cover: Anya Marina

"Addicted To Love"

Original: Robert Palmer

Cover: Florence + The Machine

"I Wanna Love You"

Original: Akon ft. Snoop Dogg

Cover: The Maine

"Poker Face"

Original: Lady GaGa

Cover: Glee Cast

"You Belong With Me"

Original: Taylor Swift

Cover: Butch Walker

xO JM

"jeweled balm"

 

Summer is the time when one sheds one's tensions with one's clothes, and the right kind of day is jeweled balm for the battered spirit. A few of those days and you can become drunk with the belief that all's right with the world. ~Ada Louise Huxtable

spare change

A few weeks ago, my photography-crazed sister showed me this website that has all sorts of fun photography related items for purchase. As we were browsing the site, we saw a "Wish Frame Bank" that was part picture frame, part piggy bank!

Isn't it so cute? The website gives the good idea of putting a picture of something that you are saving up for or even just a silly picture like the one shown above.

The only problem: I had a small problem paying $27.00 for a picture frame that's supposed to help me save money! So, I went to IKEA and bought a similar version of this frame/picture box for $2.99. Score!

Then, we drilled slot in the top of the frame. (I don't fully trust myself with power tools so I got some help).

The next decision that I had to make was what picture to put in my frame. My mind raced to Nordstrom's shoe department when thinking of things that I should save up for.

Hmm...

Steven Madden 'Trackks' Sandal?

Seychelles 'Joan' Wedge?

Unfortunately, my conscience got the better of my desire for fantastic sandals, and I realized that I should be responsible and save up for school. So, I decided to put a picture of my friends and I in the frame to start saving for my last year of college. Boring, I know...but it is always fun to see pictures of you and your best friends!

(And maybe I will sneak half of whatever I save to go to Nordstrom's to satisfy what seems to be more of an uncontrollable need than a want for these gorgeous wedges.)

xO JM

father's day

Happy Father's Day, Dad!

Love, Jul

gaga ooh la la

(photo credit: mtv.com)

"I have found that my work has to be both deep and shallow. All of my songs have meaning, all of my clothing has iconography buried into it. But by the same token, it's just as special if you look at it in its shallowest form. A quick moment of melody, a beautiful dress. People think, 'GaGa's so sweet', or 'GaGa sucks'. The point is that it's memorable."

"I'm dressed conservatively today, I should take off my pants just to freak them out!"

-Lady GaGa

Whether you hate her or love her, you have to at least respect her for being fearless and for doing what appears to be whatever the heck she wants.

xO JM

checking in to AA

Today, I write about my one true love that I met about 3 years ago.

 

 

 

American Apparel.

 

I was browsing their website, and here are a few of their new pieces that caught my eye. I love their style. It's incredibly simple, yet so...awesome.

"Stripe Knit Patterned Tank"

"Lace Print Nylon Tricot High-Waist Swim Brief"

"Unisex Le New Big Tee"

"Chiffon Oversized Button-Up"

And just for good measure...the shirt that, if it were socially acceptable, I would wear every day if I could.

"Unisex Tri-Blend Short Sleeve Deep V-Neck"

(However, it's usually worn with a bra of some sort.)

I can't wait to hit Tempe and do some retail therapy.

xO JM

come and open up your folding chair

I have been a fan of Regina Spektor for about 4 or 5 years now, and my love for her has far from faded. She's been on and off the radio, I think that "Fidelity" might have aired on a few alternative-indie stations, and I've heard mixed reviews about her from my peers. She truly is a great example one of those people/artists that can either be viewed as absolutely nuts or absolutely genius.

Well, I think she's not only genius, but she sounds phenomenal live. Here is Regina (yeah, we're on a first name basis) playing "Folding Chair" at the gigantic 4-day Bonnaroo Music and Arts festival that took place this past weekend in Manchester, TN.

Regina Spektor, I think that you're fabulous. (And you are adorable in your floral dress and red lips!)

xO JM

sunny necessities

I've always been a fan of sunglasses--on other people. It seems so difficult to find the perfect pair of sunglasses for my face shape. Sunglass shopping usually just ends up with me trying on every pair in the store until I find one that looks halfway decent.

 

With summer here, the sun bringing Phoenix area 105 (& up) degree days, and Nordstrom's summer magazine sitting on the counter tempting me with new styles and shapes to try, I decided to suck it up, learn what looks best on my face, and get some sunglasses.

There are several websites that offer the same tips, but here is an article from Women's Health that actually shows a few examples of types of sunglasses to fit your face shape! (The less people who have to struggle like I do to find sunglasses, the better.)

Here are some of my favorites for the summer:

a. Oversized Square, Betsey Johnson: $65.00

b. Forever 21: $5.80

c. Quirky, Juicy Couture:$98.00

d. Forever 21:$5.80

e. Modern Square with Metal Temple, Tory Burch:$165.00

f. Topshop

g. Printed Round Frame, Emilio Pucci:$295.00 (Ouch, but they're fun to look at!)

The good news is that you don't need to spend $295.00 out of your next paycheck to have fun sunglasses for this summer. Nordstrom's BP section as well as Urban Outfitters have some for $10.00! And this way, if you accidentally sit on them, you won't feel bad about having to get a new pair.

xO JM

"The Hunger Games"

(photo credit: http://www.suzannecollinsbooks.com/)

(photo credit: http://www.daemonsbooks.com/)

As this book series is all that seems to be on my mind as of late, it seems only fitting that today's post should be about it.  There isn't much to say, except that if you are looking for a phenomenal summer read, "The Hunger Games" novel series by Suzanne Collins will not disappoint you. 

As of right now, only "The Hunger Games" and "Catching Fire" are in stores now, but the third and final novel of the series, "Mockingjay," is said to be available for purchase 08.24.10. I am mid-way through "Catching Fire," and I'll be honest when I say that although I love my new hobby that is blogging, I'd rather be reading right now.  This is probably the most addicting book series I've come across, and believe me, I went through the "Twilight" phase with all the other Edward loving, Jacob loathing (until the movies came out and Taylor Lautner's shirt came off, of course) teeny-boppers.

I'll leave you with an excerpt from a book review written by Stephen King for Entertainment Weekly (www.ew.com) that can serve as a brief book summary.  Although it doesn't clue you in on the fact that this novel will be almost glued to your hands until you finish it, it does give an plot accurate description without giving too much away.

"The United States is gone. North America has become Panem, a TV-dominated dictatorship run from a city called the Capitol. The rest of Panem is divided into 12 Districts (the former 13th had the bad judgment to revolt and no longer exists). The yearly highlight in this nightmare world is the Hunger Games, a bloodthirsty reality TV show in which 24 teenagers chosen by lottery — two from each District — fight each other in a desolate environment called the ''arena.'' The winner gets a life of ease; the losers get death. The only ''unspoken rule'' is that you can't eat the dead contestants."

I promise that you won't be able to put the book down, unless, of course, you feel compelled to write a quick blog about it.

xO JM