Today’s soundtrack is a song I discovered while traveling in Rome in 2007 – so it’s a throwback. In our hotel room, my sister and I had Italian MTV on pretty much constantly because that was the only station which didn’t particularly bother us if we didn’t understand the words. I came back to the song this weekend because I needed something upbeat to entertain me during 5 loads of post-travel laundry – and I’ll admit, I get my love-song-listening on during the 2nd week of February.
It’s called Parlami d’Amore, by Negramaro : it’s in Italian, so I actually have not much of an idea what the song is saying, except what I can gather from its similarities to Spanish and from the action in the music video. The title, at least, I can translate roughly for you: Talk to me about Love!
Got the music video off youtube, so I apologize for the quality, but I like the video well enough that I wanted to share. Hope you enjoy!
I’m not a crazy Valentine’s sap, but I’m definitely in the pro-celebrate-love camp, so the husband and I are celebrating Valentine’s this weekend – I’ll wish you all a belated love day, hoping that you spent it close to those that are dear to your heart! In fact, I think every day should be pro-celebrate-love day.
Hey folks, hope you had a fantastic week! We’re back from our trip to Texas – it is always such a joy to see family. I’ll be posting some photos from our trip on Monday, but for now, here’s a Fresh Friday post!
I know by now it’s probably old news, but I actually managed to check out the Jason Wu for Target collection that came out last Sunday – much unlike the Missioni fiasco, this launch was pretty quiet by comparison. Though many racks were sparse by the time I dragged myself out of bed, there were some things left in my size and I snagged this navy polka-dot number.
I’ve been contemplating a bow blouse for a little while, and I think the polka-dots add a fun, spring twist! Here are two ways I’ve styled it so far:
Dressed down, to visit the UT campus in Austin with Cory and my sister.
Cardi: JCrew, Blouse: Jason Wu for Target, Pants: JCrew Factory, Shoes: TOMS, Necklace: James Avery (gift)
Dressed up, (ok I haven’t actually worn this yet – but I’ve had it in my mind since I saw the top in the store and it will happen soon! Stripes and dots, what’s not to love?).
Blouse: Jason Wu for Target, Skirt: Shop Kempt, Flats: Steve Madden via DSW, Necklace: Gift
I think it’s so important when you’re buying clothes to be able to see them working in your closet in multiple ways – it makes for fewer closet orphans and squeezes a little more creativity out of your wardrobe.
Did any of you grab pieces from Jason Wu for Target? What other pieces do you have your eye on for spring?
So, it’s the weekend – you’ve got some fun plans, or maybe just some mundane ones (anyone else spend all weekend doing laundry?) – and you’re looking for some new tunes to get you off the couch. Or maybe, you just want to sit on the couch and listen to new tunes? Definitely ok by me! That’s where Today’s Soundtrack comes in: music I’ve been loving lately and that’s sure to put a spark in your step. Whether you’re cleaning or road-tripping, batch-cooking or painting.
Growing up, I remember my dad listening to classical music, opera, and Buddy Holly. Anyone else picking up that “one of these things is not like the other?” Perhaps I should explain the seemingly random addition: my dad is from Lubbock, Texas. Buddy Holly is from Lubbock, Texas. They went to the same high school, albeit a few years apart.
Buddy Holly Statue in Lubbock, via Flickr user The Horror
So maybe it’s the nostalgia factor that earns Buddy Holly a special place in my heart; that would probably be a good presumption. Makes me feel somehow closer to my dad and his experience. I remember my family would go see The Buddy Holly Story (biographical rock’n’roll musical) almost every time it came to Chicago. And this past Christmas, we all got a copy of The Real Buddy Holly Story – it’s a regular family tradition at this point.
This weekend we are chillin’ in Texas to with my brother and his family celebrate my soon-to-arrive nephew and although we aren’t in Lubbock, for some reason this Buddy Holly stuff has to happen during my travels to the Lone Star State.
So, if you’re down for some good Elvis-era-rock-n-roll, this is where you want to be. Also, please note the hipster glasses. So cutting edge, that Buddy Holly, so cutting edge.
(Image Credits: top photo from flickr, and second is of this album cover, photo taken by me)
The nice thing about where we’re living in Colorado is that the mountains are so close – you don’t have to drive far to get out of the “hustle and bustle” (which to be fair, seems pretty minor compared to big-city-hustle-bustle back in Chicago). In any case, we can hop in the truck, and be hiking in more-or-less middle-of-nowhere in under 30 minutes.
One of the afternoon drives we’ve made a few times from Colorado Springs has been up Gold Camp Road, which makes a nice little loop with a few places to pull off and picnic or hike. Random Fact: the photo my husband and I used for our Save-the-Dates was actually taken on our first hike of Helen Hunt falls.
The trails to the falls are far from strenuous (in fact you can see them without hiking at all), and there are even well-maintained walkways, steps and bridges that lead you around the area – good for a relaxing stroll or an outing with kids, not really if you’re looking for an extreme athletic mountain adventure.
Though the falls may not be the most dramatic you have ever seen, they have a nice rambling feel to them. As a artistic eye, I prefer the play of water tumbling over rocks than water falling into space on most days – though they both have their unique impacts.
Helen Hunt Falls is named for an early American author and novelist, Helen Hunt Jackson, who lived in the Springs for a period in the 1800s and was buried there after her death in 1885.
It is definitely fun living in a place whose beauty has inspired other artists and creatives over history – it is almost as if that mutual inspiration connects you to something bigger than yourself.
We are coming from Texas and driving, we are planning on staying a few days in Telluride and then Ouray. We have never been to either place, but we are looking forward to it! We are thinking about camping a night or two also, but not sure yet!ReplyCancel
My in-laws come up from Arizona to camp near Telluride every year – their favorite campground is a place called Priest Gultch in Dolores. Also, definitely stop in Durango if you pass through on your drive, I really love it there! 🙂ReplyCancel
Thank you so much for the campground suggestion. I’ve been trying to figure out where to go. We have been to Durango a few years ago and loved it! We do plan on stopping there, too. I love that town, and Mesa Verde is amazing. Thanks again for the travel advice, I really appreciate it, and your blog!ReplyCancel
Hello! I’m back with another Fresh Friday installment!
We’re finally getting some snow out here in Colorado and even though it’s not as big of a blizzard as I would have hoped (at least where I am), I’m enjoying the powdered-sugar-dusting for what it’s worth. As far as I’m concerned, snow gives you an excuse to enjoy extra coziness like warm drinks and big, chunky sweaters.
Lately, I’ve been getting fancy and doubling up on some unconventional layers to keep myself warm as “real” winter seems to have shown its face at last.
Two Sweaters? Absolutely – especially if cashmere is involved.
Cable Knit Sweater: Hand-me-up from little sis, Sweater-Dress: JCrew (gift), Tights: Target, Bow Belt: Gap, Scarf: bought in Spain
Perhaps I’m breaking some rules here, but my toasty-warm self doesn’t really mind all that much. Double sweaters and double collars are double warm, if you ask me! And well, don’t question me on the tights – I know that they create a contradiction. For all you know, I have a big blanket at my desk at work, right?
What is your favorite way to layer up for the cozy winter months?
Your pictures look like they have my hair… jealous 😉 tee hee. I love your drawings though! I was wondering how you layered those sweaters on GCOGH, now I see 🙂ReplyCancel
All images & copy are original to Annabelle Needles unless otherwise credited. Please be kind and link back when using any material from this site. If you see any of your work not credited properly or you wish it to be removed please let me know and I will correct it right away.
Read our Privacy Policy here.
Now, onward and upward!
.png){kind=small}
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
Really like that blouse! … And the sketch. 🙂
Thank you Cynthia!