more than milk

2010-08-23T22:58:00.001-06:00

our new home is over here now.

dear more than milk

2010-08-05T12:04:00.001-06:00

should I keep you?

kind regards,
Jo

oh yes

2009-12-15T22:47:00.004-07:00

Yeasayer coming back to SLC in April. Finally. (via Stereogum)

mp3: Yeasayer - Ambling Alp

Have you seen the video for this single? Fa reaky. If appropriate.

a weather does christmas

2009-12-10T11:45:00.004-07:00

Round here we love free downloads from good bands of classic Christmas song covers. Especially since the 25 Christmas albums that play at work begin to feel more like the same one album on repeat. Thanks, Team Love.

mp3: A Weather - Baby It's Cold Outside

you'd think this was a jack white fan blog

2009-12-07T01:19:00.003-07:00

I Cut Like A Buffalo
Directed by Jack White

For a second this makes me want to watch "Help!" and then for a second Jack reminds me of Weird Al Yankovic.

sarey poppins

2009-11-18T16:42:00.003-07:00

Sarah of Belle & Sebastian has an Etsy shop? Yup. And she's got good taste in fabric. Of course.

the wait is over

2009-11-06T23:33:00.005-07:00

Some of my friends made this thing that they worked so hard on and we waited so long for and now it's finally here and ready for you to see.

(I sort of consulted on the music for the trailer. Apparently I'm into darker things, but that's as close as I'll ever get to my dream job of doing music for movies. Unless.)

I am dying just watching the promo videos. Like when Jeru tries to style Mike White like a fundy, or when Sam Rockwell gives her a hard time for eating a lot (as if).

Broncos is out now in several major cities and more next week, check for times and get yourself there asap.

ying

2009-09-14T00:33:00.003-06:00

Haven't heard of it? It's the next dessert trend. Invented by this 6 year old who happens to be my cousin and who should be famous and adored all over the world one day, along with the rest of his talented siblings.

I'm never having kids cause they'll never be this cool.

like a doctor without a prescription pad

2009-08-24T23:25:00.014-06:00

Hallefreakinlujah. The Rachel Zoe Project is finally back! I don't care if you love her or hate her, this is irresistible guilty pleasure television. No matter how stressed out they get, that is a dream job--swimming in couture all day and sitting front row at fashion shows. And how badly do I want to hang out with her assistant Brad? Do yourself a favor, if you are into fashion or celebrities just a little bit, watch it. And for true fans, rachelzoe.com has recently launched and you can get daily emails and see some ridic photos of RZ.

some watch porn. i watch this.

2009-08-22T20:45:00.000-06:00

like a buffalo

2009-08-20T00:30:00.003-06:00

Saw The Dead Weather last night. Twas the best show of the year at least. Jack and Alison are archetypal rock stars. I can't get enough. I have to clip my ipod to my underwears because I don't wanna stop hearing it just because I have to put my jimjams on. (The only working ipod doesn't plug into a stereo here.) When customers leave the shop I quick plug it in. There's a new plan to woo Jack with a De Stijl quilt. That's right, get ready. As per my new policy of not taking photos at shows (distracting and inevitably disappointing), I have no photos. This is better anyways.

thanks for the plenti

2009-07-27T12:21:00.001-06:00

There has not been enough music on mtm of late. Hopefully there will be more when I decide where to host mp3s from now on, and hopefully they will stop taking down the music when I post it. For now, we'll have to put up with 3rd party hosting.

Anyway.

Let's talk about how awesome it is that Paul Banks of Interpol is putting out a solo record under the moniker Julian Plenti and how awesome it is that it's a good record. Unwind is my new song of summer.

mp3: Julian Plenti - Unwind

By the way, what's this about Carlos D. not going by D. anymore?

neverland

2009-07-25T23:12:00.004-06:00

I was in Santa Barbara a couple weeks ago for a wedding. Since I was in the neighborhood, I took some wedding flowers and went to Neverland Ranch to pay my respects to MJ.

This place is seriously in the middle of nowhere, people. Like 3 hours from LA. On the way there I saw... not Neverland.

Security said the media had cleared out in the last couple days. That's where security hangs out.

The shrine had taken over the entire entrance to the property and then some.

It was 9pm and a constant stream of people, of all sorts.

The house is 2 miles in from the entrance, so these brick walls are really all there are to see.

It was probably a good thing I went as I'd been kind of obsessing and it got MJ out of my system. Or back to the usual baseline amount that's in my system.

classic

2009-06-29T10:26:00.008-06:00

I'm kind of obsessed with these Google homepage themes from the Audubon Society.

MJ forev

2009-06-26T01:12:00.003-06:00

I know it's MJ everywhere, but for good reason.
This one was my all time favorite.

bloom

2009-06-21T20:06:00.003-06:00

you all need to see the brothers bloom. it's a quite perfect movie. rinko kikuchi, prague, exploding barbie dolls, and so many little things. not to mention adrian brody.

nite

2009-06-10T01:02:00.009-06:00

it's late and i need to sleep but i just wanted to say hi. hi, internets. sometimes you break my heart. i hope tomorrow you decide to play nice.

so guess what. i went to pittsburgh. you should read about it at suppose. (but don't look at my hideous hair. it's cut now.) then i went to chicago and wisconsin. for the record, madison wisconsin is totally dope. next, oc. then lalalondon.

i'm just putting it out there that i am rooting for kupono on sytycd. also, you should watch southland. it's super intense and the best cop show in years. and especially interesting having grown up watching the l.a. news every night. plus little ryan atwood is grown up all strong and protecting you with a gun.

being about to sleep and all, there are no mp3s or even links here, but you should still totally listen to
the new phoenix
faunts
the kitsune maison 7 mix
and some other stuff that maybe i'll blog about later.

just because i don't blog doesn't mean i don't miss you.

summer reading lists

2009-05-05T22:49:00.000-06:00

Was cleaning off my desk and found the summer readings lists from Uni High School in Irvine, CA, which I had picked up last year when I went to my childhood library in Irvine with Brooke. (Which, by the way is such a cool library. There was this spiral ramp leading up to the grown up section that was fun to play in.) We wanted to see how many of the books we'd actually read, and use them for ideas of things to read. As if we needed that. Since I've held on to these lists for so long, I thought I'd share them. You too can see how much (or little) you have in common with the literary habits (or coercions) of today's youth and add fodder to that to-read list on Good Reads. I've only read a few of these. Should I be ashamed? This is the high school that I would have almost gone to had my family not moved and put me in Catholic prep school, which just brings back horrible memories of staying up all night while my mom read Lord of the Flies out loud to me so I would stay awake because the summer reading test was the next day which we had only barely found out about since I had only barely enrolled...

University High School Summer Reading List

Incoming Freshman
Ender’s Shadow, Orson Scott Card
Charms for the Easy Life, Kaye Gibbons
The Good Earth, Pearl S. Buck
Sister of my Heart, Chitra Divakaruni
The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency, Alexander McCall Smith
Timeline, Michael Crichton

Incoming Sophomores
A Tree Grows In Brooklyn, Betty Smith
The Red Pony, John Steinbeck
Falling Leaves, Adeline Yen Ma
Bless Me, Ultima, by Rudolfo Anaya
Their Eyes Were Watching God, Zora Neale Hurston
Peace Likre A River, Leif Enger
A Lesson Before Dying, Ernest J. Gaines

Incoming Juniors
The Forest House, Marion Zimmer Bradley
The Crystal Cave, Mary Stewart
Absolution by Murder, Peter Tremayne
The Queen’s Man, Sharon Kay Penman
The Secret Diary of Anne Boleyn, Robin Maxwell

Incoming Seniors
The Alchemist, Paulo Coelho
Nervous Conditions, Tsitsi Dangarembga
The Bean Trees, Barbara Kingsolver
Tortilla Curtain, T.C. Boyle
The Samurai’s Garden, Gail Tsukiyama
Five Quarters of the Orange, Joanne Jarris
The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne

So how many can you check off this list?

better blipper

2009-05-04T20:01:00.004-06:00

Blogger and those other douchey types are really cracking down on the mp3s, which is partly why I haven't posted a lot of music lately. So instead of getting sued or at least getting the blog taken down, I'm going to rely on blip more to share music with you. basically it's like twitter, but for music.

you'll find my blip updates in that reliable sidebar and you can follow me on blip.fm.

freakin cutest thing you've ever seen in your entire life

2009-05-04T19:57:00.002-06:00

My mom and brother are both getting little Bernese Mountain Dog puppies. These are not them, but this is what they'll look like when we get them in a few weeks. I kind of think I need one for myself. How can I convince my roomies to let me bring one home?

other than running a fabric shop, here's what i've been doing

2009-04-19T20:42:00.006-06:00

Had escargot for the first time in honor of Erica's b-day. Went to the Paris Bistro in SLC which was super delicious.

Attended a fake wedding b-day party for a friend's daughter, at which her father dressed up as Macho Man and stayed in character the entire time.

At the last minute JD got us tickets to the Postsecret event at USU. Lucky day, though it turned a bit too group therapy-ish at the end.

Saw Glasvegas. Swooned the whole time.

Dyed Easter eggs with Rosie despite not having any kids around.

Continued to be obsessed with my monkeyniece who likes to play this game where she blinds me.

Carry on.

you're barely alive

2009-04-15T16:06:00.002-06:00

Word is, the lineup of the Twilight Concert Series in SLC this summer is shaping up to be pretty impressive. Better not plan any vacations for July.

July 9
Bon Iver
Jenny Lewis

July 16
Black Keys

July 23
M.Ward

July 30
Sonic Youth

August 6
Q-Tip
B.o.B.

August 13
Toots and the Maytals

Now if this snow would just die already.

Dear Butcher Boy,

2009-04-11T13:56:00.003-06:00

Wow, that was an amazing article in the Times. I'm sorry that I didn't have a photo of the mysterious baby teeth in the mysterious wooden box for your music video. I still hope I can get my hands on your album.

But most importantly.

When are you coming to the States?

Love,
Jo

holy liberty

2009-04-09T22:58:00.003-06:00

People it is here. Libbie Linton has finished her first full length album, some of which you can listen to at her myspace. It's beautiful and thrilling. Please go see her upcoming shows in Logan and SLC. Especially the CD release on April 23 at the TSC Auditorium at USU. Oh, and how much do you love that album cover designed by Jory Jory Dayne? ps. Libbie's birthday is July 4th so it is fun to think that Libbie is short for Liberty, even though it's really Elisabeth. Banjo for freedom!

at least it's something

2009-04-03T09:24:00.006-06:00

So much to say. I finally blogged about the grand opening over at Suppose blog. It went very well and we are having a blast.

Really this blog post is about how I really want to do this. This is from a friend's brother's site. I am kind of speechless about it. Brilliant.

attenzione! achtung!

2009-03-09T19:58:00.003-06:00

yo yo yo

2009-03-05T13:18:00.002-07:00

We are only 2 weeks away from the grand opening of the Jo Thomas and Kathy Thomas fabric shop collaboration:
March 20th and 21st y'all. Big things are happening in Preston.

samandali

2009-03-02T17:59:00.003-07:00

I just found out that my friend Sam sculpted the original Yo Gabba Gabba characters for the pilot episode of the kids' show. They eventually got replaced but if you have the dvd you'll see them. This is a topic of conversation because 1) I'm obsessed with Yo Gabba Gabba especially since Chromeo's appearance last week. And 2) Sam is a really good artist. He's the one who along with his wife/my dear friend Alison, did the paintings for the upcoming film Gentlemen Broncos. The first time I met Sam, I walked into the house and a bicycle made of bones was hanging from the living room ceiling. Just one of his art projects. Sam and Ali now have an etsy shop where prints of some of their paintings are available. Man, I have talented friends.

pretty little letters

2009-02-19T19:49:00.000-07:00

I was scanning the 2008 Webby Award Winners where I found Veer's Type City, a magical place where the buildings are made of the most lovely of typefaces. Explore it, and then get covetous perusing their type gallery. I want them all, especially the art deco ones. Maybe I should have studied graphic design.

ham rash on your bum hole

2009-02-17T21:09:00.005-07:00

Ever since this ran on SNL I can't stop thinking about it.

I mean, what if you mixed up the ham and the tp? And I'm kinda obsessed with Jon Hamm being all over tv right now, on 30 Rock and Best Week Ever ("I like being on television and I don't like it when I'm not.")...
So Erica and I decided I should make something with Jon Hamm's face on it that says "Don't get a ham rash on your bumhole." Kind of in the style of towelbama. But what should I put it on? A towel? pillow? kleenex box cover? help! And then I'm gonna send it to him. He'll love it, right?

Happy V Day

2009-02-14T12:08:00.000-07:00

Erica and I made valentines.
My favorite was this hilarious one of hers.

Turns out I forgot to mail mine. So just pretend you got this in the mail from me. Inside it would say something loving and also funny.

In-N-Out coming to Utah (St. George doesn't count)

2009-02-12T17:45:00.003-07:00

Deep in our hearts, we knew this day would come. Yesterday it was announced that In-N-Out will be coming to northern Utah, first Draper and soon after more SLC locations. As early as late summer I could be watching Andy eat a 4 x 4. The proof.

is this heaven

2009-02-10T01:36:00.000-07:00

Those Dancing Days - Those Dancing Days

Swedes, natch. This just adds fodder to my perm-lust.

2009-02-09T01:12:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I think I should have an anonymous blog for all the good gossip I get. I have to restrain myself often. But I can't not mention this one.

So, I have this amazing stylist. Turns out Alexis Bledel practically stalked him at Sundance and now they're dating. And on their first date they smoked weed with Wyclef. I mean, they steamed in the sauna with Wyclef. I can't even handle this.

If I was going to the Grammy's

2009-02-08T18:46:00.004-07:00

I'd wear one of these.

After all, the fashion is more relevant than the awards.

2009-02-03T04:32:00.001-07:00

I will be in Pittsburgh when Flight of the Conchords will be here in SLC in May. This is majorly bumming me out.

i've been thinking

2009-01-28T01:04:00.008-07:00

Does David Bowie know that we are all singing about his nipples?

Sundance: Day 4

2009-01-27T21:07:00.001-07:00

1.24.09

Rosie and Scotty join me for the final movie of Sundance, Dead Snow: Norwegian Nazi zombie thriller. Which actually turns out to be just as much of a comedy as a horror movie. Frankly they could have done more with the Nazi thing to make it scarier. Best part: the hero hangs from a cliff by Nazi zombie intestines which are still connected to the Nazi zombie on the other end. Worst part: love scene in the outhouse.

Now it's time to catch up on all the regular movies. Maybe I should not spend hours watching SAG Awards fashion recaps.

Sundance: Day 3

2009-01-25T19:24:00.010-07:00

1.23.09

Leave before dawn. I actually have a ticket for "The September Issue" but don't get in thanks to all those special pass holders who show up. 100 angry fashion junkies and Park City retirees are turned away.

Barely stay awake for "The Reckoning," a documentary about the International Criminal Court. Learn about crimes about humanity and war crimes in places like Rwanda, Congo, Uganda, and Columbia. Think the U.S. looks pretty shady in refusing to join the ICC. Best part: the sweet old man (what is his name??) who's first trial as an attorney was as a prosecutor at Nuremberg at age 27. Unbelievable. Worst part: the camo-wearing fan gushing at the Q&A. See ijcentral.org for more on the international justice movement.

"Adam" turns the audience into big babies, including that camo-clad doucher again. It's a romance about two neighbors, one of which has Asberger's Syndrome. Best part: Hugh Dancy. Worst part: the tinge of Lifetime Movie Networkishness. "Adam" will come out later this year via Fox Searchlight.

I giggle and grin all the way through "Paper Heart," the project of that stoner girlfriend from Knocked Up, Christine Yi, who is on a search to make sense of her disbelief in love. It's part documentary footage and part narrative about a budding romance between her and Michael Cera. Completely hilarious and touching. Best part: Charylyne and the kids at the playground in Atlanta questioning each other, and pretty much every other second of the film. Worst part: that Michael Cera is actually dating Charlyne Yi in real life instead of me. "Paper Heart" has distribution; please do see it when it comes out.

It is a slow year at Sundance. Only sighting today: Greg of Misshapes. He stands next to me in line forever, and I still don't talk to him. Meanwhile, a friend sits next to David Bowie in a screening.

Sundance: Day 2

2009-01-23T00:32:00.001-07:00

As in, my second day at Sundance, not the second day of the festival.

1.19.09

Randi and Matt join me for The Immaculate Conception of Little Dizzle, a totally bizarro movie about janitors who eat prototype cookies and get impregnated with little blue fish. Well, just the guys get pregnant. Love everyone in it including Vince Vieluf and Marshall Allman. It is a treat to see Tania Raymonde in it, the actress who plays Alex on Lost, and whom I have had a girl crush on since she her first episode.

Become obsessed with that Pendleton blanket-turned-sweater.

Jump out of the car at Holiday Cinemas just in time to meet Dirk and Kathryn going inside for Short Program III. Worst short: the one by former BYU film students. Sorry. Best shorts: Pencil Face, which luckily for you, can be watched here. The opening images are amazing. 2 Birds, from Iceland, horrifying but totally beautiful. And Instead of Abracadabra, from Sweden. Of course my favorite is Swedish. About a 25 year old mustachioed magic freak living with his parents. Completely charming and hilarious. You can download if from iTunes for free until 1/25, along with a handful of other shorts, but I can't vouch for any of the others yet.

Late night shuttle ride to the lot.

Will we survive Friday?

The Suppose blog is up and running!

2009-01-22T20:04:00.003-07:00

You won't have to read about the shop so much on this blog, as the official shop blog will be here:

SUPPOSE THE BLOG

Just be warned, if you click on any of the other links you will be getting a sneak peak at parts of the site that are not fully finished or functioning, but are exciting nonetheless.

can't hardly wait

2009-01-21T11:20:00.003-07:00

YES! Glasvegas are coming to SLC on their tour. This year was looking pretty meager but finally some good shows are trickling into Utah.

Glasvegas played Letterman recently and I was getting such a Joe Strummer vibe from James Allan.

Sundance: Day 1

2009-01-21T00:05:00.002-07:00

1.18.09

Crying baby and apathetic mother on the shuttle. Who brings a baby to Sundance?

French film Louise-Michel about a lady who can't read who used to be a guy who works in a factory that gets shut down and hires a guy who used to be a lady to kill the boss. Best part: he dresses up his bald, dying cancer patient cousin in his old dance costume and sends her to kill the target. Worst part: a reenactment of 9/11 in a trailer park, which is later explained and is more benign that assumed.

While waitlisting Stay The Same Never Change, Dirk shows me the envelope for "Anna Wintour + 1" he found in the trash at The September Issue screening that he didn't get into. I get jealous that I wasn't there to catch a glimpse of her.

I like Stay the Same more than most. It stars teen girls the director found on myspace, in their own homes, with characters they collaborated on. Despite amateur acting, I kind of love the girls and really wish they'd been at the screening for the Q&A. Best parts: putting on a child's Hulk costume and pounding the floor, sewing a life-size man doll. Worst part: confusing kidnapper and mother characters.

The only celebrity sighting of the day is the guy from Amelie who produced Louise-Michel. But I get good parking spots.

no dice

2009-01-20T23:19:00.006-07:00

Threw a shower for my almost-sister-in-law Saturday. Playing with faux diamonds, glitter, and all things Tiffany blue is pretty fun.

Here's what I did:
glittery name tags
glittery "diamonds are a girl's best friend" banner on Tiffany blue
faux diamonds in all sizes everywhere
gem and faux diamond rings for prizes
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes playing silently on the flat screen, unmuted for Marilyn's musical number
dessert bar (I made the diamond-cut baklava and red velvet cupcakes topped with edible diamonds)
fake Tiffany jewelry boxes filled with homemade caramels for party favors
Didn't have time for:
diamond playlist with copies on cd for everyone
wrapping the lingerie

mp3: Fox The Fox - Precious Little Diamond
mp3: The High Dials - Diamonds in the Dark

who can clean up this mess?

2009-01-20T16:07:00.003-07:00

TheNest.com has featured Towelbama among Obama related goodies like Narciso Rodriguez tees and OBALMah lip balm. One of these days Towelbama will pay the bills!

two more weeks

2009-01-19T11:46:00.003-07:00

My brother Matt and soon-to-be sister-in-law Randi had some early wedding photos taken last week. You can see some here and help them out with a comment there--if their post gets the most comments they win free prints.

I have become an 80 year old lady.

2009-01-16T01:12:00.004-07:00

Can you believe the opportunities that come about in Preston? Tonight we went to the concert of a master yodeler. He accompanies himself on the accordian, plays the zither and the alphorn, and can play the mouth trumpet and yodel at the same time. My mom bought 4 of his cds and now we are going to learn to yodel. Aunt Stacie already knows how. She's so cool.

Oh his name is Kerry Christensen. And it's all because he served an LDS mission in Austria.

Plus, how is yodeling a European thing and a country-western thing?

I knew you had it in you.

2009-01-14T17:35:00.003-07:00

I don't know why, but I kind of love Rumer Willis. She wasn't all that good in The House Bunny, which was otherwise totally funny, and she's usually kind of a mess. But hello, with red hair in an eggplant dress at the Golden Globes? Yes.

Klicktrack, I think I love you.

2009-01-06T22:37:00.004-07:00

I learned about First Aid Kit from Brooke. They are on the roster at Rabid Records in Sweden, the Knife's own label, which normally has a policy of never taking on new artists. That should tell you something. I couldn't find it anywhere cause it's not out yet in the US, but thank you Sweden, for Klicktrack. I always seem to find the album or remix that can't be found elsewhere, and it's always so cheap.

mp3: First Aid Kit - Our Own Pretty Ways

Oh crap.

2009-01-04T23:34:00.001-07:00

There is a Mormon on the new season of The Real World which starts this week. Please don't let him be a moron. Please.

Happy New Year!

2009-01-01T17:40:00.006-07:00

from the warmth of OC. It's good to get away from the snow for a minute.

Starting a business, having the holidays, having a chronically ill mom, and spilling yogurt on your camera thus ruining it, make for a bad blogger. I barely even listen to any music. I think I am foregoing the year-end best-of brouhaha since I've probably blogged all my favorite music this year already.

But here's the current status of our shop. We are still not open because we decided to buy a building and renovating. This is what we look like for now.

decorate sufjan

2008-12-18T22:40:00.002-07:00

at xmas.asthmatickitty.com

2008-12-16T00:39:00.003-07:00

Speaking of Erlend, and Röyksopp's birthday, I just wanna watch this a lot a lot.

make it happen, niall

2008-12-15T01:09:00.003-07:00

finally!

2008-12-04T00:55:00.002-07:00

Rejoice ye, for Mac users can now watch Netflix movies and tv shows on their computers without having to use Windows! What took so long, Netflix? Maybe I'll go watch some Family Ties now. Shalalala.

{previously on the Netflix vs. Mac saga}

sgood.

2008-12-03T15:07:00.002-07:00

While I haven't been blogging I've been listening too the CMJ 2008 sampler from Insound. If you never downloaded this free mix I think you can still get it here. Free samplers rarely impress but for a couple weeks it was almost all I listened to. It's just fresh enough and varied enough and as a whole is a very lovely mix. I was in a bit of a music slump and it has inspired a flurry of new music acquisition. I was gonna post a few favorites, like Crystal Stilts, Longwave, Cut Off Your Hands, Army Navy... but the whole thing is just so good. Go get it.

the reason

2008-11-19T16:03:00.006-07:00

I'm a bad blogger these weeks is because I've been spending my busy days here.

Those are just some of the boxes that are filling up my mom's house. Boxes full of our fabric and books and patterns that will be moved to the store very soon. Boxes that will not be moved to my mom's new house this Saturday. Those boxes are in all the other rooms. We are crazy. Opening a store and moving into the house that was 5 years in the making, all in one week.

That's just some of our Kaffe Fasset fabric. They are all in our web shop now. But I can't tell you where to find that web shop yet. Not till it's finished. Wait in suspense, you.

If I'm not unpacking fabric or packing the house, I am probably hanging out with my little monkey niece.

She has already shown a propensity toward Kaffe's "lovely fabarics." Man I am obsessed with her.

wompus

2008-11-19T13:13:00.001-07:00

Maybe Erica and I spent a whole evening recently whipping up this little bag. Made the pattern up ourselves and everything. It's to be a gift for her friend.

It's nice and stiff so it can hold scriptures! And maybe there's also room for a Relief Society manual. We used what Erica likes to call Thomas Tricks, which are techniques my mom has taught me, to get the features we wanted.

You probably want one in which to take your lunch to work.

as if you didn't already want to shop at anthropologie all day

2008-11-13T14:38:00.004-07:00

Watch this.

single songs

2008-11-10T13:37:00.003-07:00

Niall had a lovely idea and started a collaborative blog effort called Single Songs. I can't wait to see what everyone does with it. Here was my first post. But go to singlesongs.blogspot.com. Better yet, subscribe.

T he Waitresses - Square Pegs

I started watching Square Pegs again recently. Filling in all those holes since I was 3 when it aired. The Waitresses show up in the first episode to play the freshman dance where they play "I Know What Boys Want" and the theme song "Square Pegs." It's even better if you watch it than just listen to it. The singer Patty Donahue has a presence that reminds me a bit of Alison Goldfrapp.

Halloweenie

2008-11-10T12:52:00.004-07:00

There was an hour from landing in SLC from Houston to when Dirk's Halloween party started. I had no plan for a costume. So Erica and I whipped up a little Rachel Zoe! She had a wig handy, I rummaged the closet for a fur, and she used a Hannah Montana wig to be my assistant Taylor. She wore the Ray-Bans indoors and went around all night yelling about Brad's incompetence.

Of course Dirk was Vincent Price cause it meant he got to carry a crow on his shoulder all night. Or was it a raven? Phillip and Laura made a lovely Dwight and Angela.

If you put finger over the flash it makes for a nice bloody colored photo of Madame Rayla telling fortunes. Ashley and Sara's costumes made us all want fresh corn dogs real bad.

Finally recovered from Houston. Let's review.

2008-11-05T22:51:00.006-07:00

We met some amazing people, many of them some of our favorite fabric and pattern designers like Anna Maria Horner, Sandy Klop, and Liesl Gibson of Oliver + S. And Jay McCarroll. What? Yes, the winner of season 1 of Project Runway was at Market to show off his new lines of quilting fabric. Jay and I were maybe the youngest people at Market (quilters are on average like 30 years older than me) so I think we had a special bond. We had a chance to visit every day of the show and you'd better believe I will be sending him photos of what we concoct out of his fabric.

I'll save more details for our shop blog when our website is up and it's time for the fabric to come. But here's a peek at something he made to show off his fabrics.

I have to say, Jay is such a lovely person. Full of compliments and stories and quips. On the first day the booths were open, he was sitting at his booth watching some Japanese industry people wander around. Thinking his designs would appeal to the Japanese aesthetic (they totally would) he started shouting "kawaii! kawaii!" which of course we know means "cute" thanks to Gwen Stefani, in hopes they would hear and want to come over and see what was so cute and discover his fabric and want to buy it all. This wasn't just once, he kept at it, but I think the Japenese group just wandered away. I also got his opinion on recent PR winners: he likes Leann but not Christian. I could go on gushing but I'll spare you a recount of every single conversation.

I'm also really excited about Anna Maria's new line shown here in frames:

You'll be able to get all these things in our online shop when they come out, by the way. We were pretty much giddy and exhausted the entire trip. We picked out a bunch of new fabric for the shop that will come next year, saw Kings of Leon, the wildest fashion show, and some quite interesting accessorizing, and had a heyday picking out vintage trims and buttons from someone named Dusty.

The International Quilt Festival happened right after Market where there were endless exhibits of quilts. I quite liked this one.

There's more but I'm worn out all over again.

i'm in houston, ya'll

2008-10-28T00:06:00.001-06:00

It's my first time:
to Texas
on a business trip
at International Quilt Market (THE trade show for the quilting industry--sorta Fashion Week for the cotton fabric and sewing market)

Met my second (and today maybe third) Project Runway winner.

Things are going just swimmingly. More than that even. Forgot my camera cable though. Be back this weekend.

shut up right now

2008-10-20T01:26:00.004-06:00

I can't stop watching The Rachel Zoe Project even though she's a hag and I can't stand her. I also can't stand her associate Taylor even though she's adorable. (Taylor, it's "Brad or me" not "Brad or I." I know everyone thinks they're being proper when they use the so-and-so-and-I's but if it's the object you are WRONG. Please review your pronoun cases. Maybe that's my pet peeve.) Assistant Brad's ok though. Good glasses and get's picked on; I'd hang out with him.

If you dare.

2008-10-17T10:04:00.004-06:00

Waking up to a new video from Lykke Li is nice. A second for "Breaking it Up," this time live.

all i ever wanted

2008-10-16T09:49:00.004-06:00

Spent the last half hour playing with this what Niall sent me. Best time suck on a Thursday: an interactive oval office featuring Palin! So many surprises. Being president is fun.

Which one of these is Rachel Bilson's trailer?

2008-10-14T22:42:00.004-06:00

It's a crap picture, I know. I was trying to be stealth. Summer Roberts is right here in Sugarhouse! I wasn't stalking. I passed the trailers going to the Gentleman Broncos set. Then I passed her set (for Waiting for Forever?) going to the post office. Maybe I'll take some cupcakes to her trailer.

why did you take off your sequins?

2008-10-14T13:06:00.007-06:00

New Of Montreal video. Perfecto.

Really, I love Kevin Barnes.

amer i can: part zwei

2008-10-11T10:18:00.004-06:00

My other recent traditional American-type adventure: quilt show in Ogden with Natali. I mean, what's more American than a John Deer/Ford truck quilt?

I took that specifically for Erica who's obsessed with tractors. I mostly like this one.

But I was especially obsessed with this one, made with found blocks from the 30s that ladies had embroidered their names on. What was the story with that? And those prints on the fabric are killer.

Speaking of quilts, here's the haps on my shop. My mom and I are opening a quilt shop, meaning we will carry cotton fabric used for quilting (or anything else), and other sewing notions and fabulous stuff. We'll also teach quilting, sewing, and project classes. We're both obsessed with cool fabric, she is an expert quilter, and I'm a control freak, so this should be awesome. The shop is called Suppose, and grand opening is tentatively planned for Black Friday. So anyone who's in the Cache Valley area for Thanksgiving, consider coming by for our big party the day after. We also have an amazing team creating our online shop which will launch the same day. More details on all that to come.

know what makes me happy?

2008-10-09T11:27:00.002-06:00

hey there, towelbama

2008-10-08T00:01:00.001-06:00

May I introduce you to Towelbama. For Obama fans who have kitchens. Amy, Ashley, and I collaborated on this project which sprang out of a ridiculous conversation at Sunday dinner. I quite like the result. Amy inspired, Ashley drew, I hand embroidered. We feel like there could be a huge market for our creation, available now at Etsy. Leave a comment with your email address or contact me via Etsy if you'd like to buy a made-to-order Towelbama. Soon to come: Pillowbama, Scarfbama, and Shower Curtainbama.

shaky

2008-10-07T20:29:00.003-06:00

Another free mix, this time from Insound. I'm not in love with it, but yay for new Of Montreal and yay for this Cut Off Your Hands track.

mp3: Cut Off Your Hands - Happy As Can Be

not too tired for you

2008-10-06T14:22:00.006-06:00

Have you seen ronaldchevalier.com yet? It's the site of Jemaine Clement's character in the Hess' new movie Gentleman Broncos and it is full of ridiculous awesomeness to be expected from all involved. Those yellow eyes following your curser around are creep creep. The other day I got to see my homies Ali and Sam in action creating some big amazing harpie paintings for the gallery on the site. You can see a couple of them there already but there are more to come. Can't wait for the movie! (It premieres at Sundance and releases in Feb.)

amer i can: part ein

2008-10-03T20:25:00.004-06:00

Been having some very traditional American-type escapades. That word just makes me think of Paula Abdul. Classic type, not mental type.

My first Utah State Fair!

I just love all bottled color.

This was the hugest fowl I've ever seen. Nearly stuck his head through the top of the cage when he stood up straight.

4-H crafts! Don't worry, Dirk and I are gonna make some doll-head pillows so you can have one too. Not a joke.

Eating fried stuff. This is my friend Erica who recently moved in. Every day she has a new story like about how Ando from Heroes is kind of a smarmy creep. Or about how she talked to Tilda Swinton on the phone days after winning her Oscar and she was totally delightful. I told her she needs to start a blog.

Fried oreos. I cannot believe I put that in me.

projorowo

2008-10-01T19:21:00.006-06:00

I have been staring at fabric online all day. (More to come on that.) Did you know that there is a line of Project Runway fabric? The more I look at the body forms one the more I like it, but the rest I'm not so sure about. I mean it's cool they exist, but I probably wouldn't use them.

But I am kinda into these tree prints.

Can't wait for the runway shows! I have been careful to stay away from Project Runway spoilers while perusing Fashion Week. ps. Isn't Kenley a bitch?

unbroke

2008-09-30T14:48:00.001-06:00

Last week at this time I was readying myself to see this.

Mark Nakemura, why aren't we friends? Maybe you're gay with Thayne and don't want to date me, but I still want to hang out.

Jerusha treated us girls to a VIP box & delicious spread at the SLC stop of the So You Think You Can Dance tour. Just in case you've never seen the show and weren't sure, you should be jealous. It inspired us to put on our own dance competition. We'll choreograph dances for each other then perform them for each other and then give each other prizes. Who's in?

edit: blogger took down this previous post, probably cause there was a duffy track. so whatever, here is it again without music, and with jory's appreciated comment:

Ok, so I do not watch SYTYCD -- haven't ever caught a single episode. But when you said that thing about Thayne, I was like... wait a minute.

Back in 2002, Jac and I shot some pics for this dance studio in SLC, and one of the guys we shot, and that I later worked on an illustration for, was named Thayne. So I Just looked it up and it's totally the same guy.

The illustration is here. (The studio name is made up, as is the show name -- this was just spec. work.)

CRAZY.

hey, peaches

2008-09-29T23:42:00.000-06:00

Spent the weekend with the fam including my freaking adorable little niece. At age 2 she is already a perfectionistic Virgo like me. She lines up her teddy grahams on the high chair tray and meticulously puts her crayons in the box, over and over.

And she likes her lipstick. And stepping on the dog's tail. If my brother wasn't so good with her, I'd steal her and raise her as my own.

utah doesn't suck.i swear.

2008-09-28T19:09:00.000-06:00

Amber and I had heard about some place in Draper called Pirate O's that was supposed to be Utah's version of Trader Joe's. Such a bold claim had to be investigated.

mp3: Salty Pirates - Common Sense

Despite our wariness and their ridiculous name, we were impressed. It was a relief to see that they weren't a sad knock off, Chadders style, but a well-stocked international market with local charm, including

an entire wall of hot sauces

a cold room with cheeses galore

and Irn Bru! Praise tartan.

We continued our exploration of unsucky Utah, heading to the new Sunflower Farmers Market across the street from Fashion Place. In three words: decent produce, cheap.

Then to Red Butte Garden which none of us had visited before and where

little Andy licked this rock fountain

and I got obsessed with these huge leaves that look like they're quilted.

mp3: The Concretes - Under Your Leaves

What to investigate next, Ams?

cheap as free

2008-09-28T18:00:00.005-06:00

Another Urban Outfitters mix is up, with all sorts of new super duper.

goin goin back back

2008-09-27T00:26:00.005-06:00

Here's the proof of the last trip to OC.

Oh and my brother got engaged!

Back

2008-09-26T23:45:00.004-06:00

to blog business.

Maybe I've done all sorts of awesome in the last couple months but was too lazy, er, busy to blog about it. Maybe I'll attempt now.

Here's a photo peek at Carnie Gras 2008

including this wild decor from the interior of the Preston hair salon, Cuttin Curral.

2008-09-17T21:05:00.002-06:00

So much to talk about. Like how I:

was in the Herald Journal last week. They talked about my new shop.

am opening up a fabric shop called Suppose mit meine mutti, btw.

went to the state fair. Fried stuff, freaks, 4-H, and the Zipper.
Amazing.

am being featured in some Etsy newsletter this week.

But the blog hiatus goes on as I am at this moment in the car on to way to Cabin! See you next week, bitches.

more pretty

2008-09-10T10:52:00.004-06:00

I use igoogle as my homepage. Maybe you too. It's a handy little thing to have my email, rss feeds, site stats, movies times, etc. etc. etc. all together for constant checking. Plus the artist themes make it pleasing to the eye. But you can only stare at an artsy drawing of sellotape or the same Swedish fashion lineup for so long. Well they've finally added new ones and and they are awesome.

A little Radiohead?
Or my current pick, Stella McCartney. Plus, the Keff Koons one has been updated with new photos.

I am pleased by little things.

ooh, pretty

2008-09-09T23:48:00.005-06:00

The new nanos. I want every color. It will introduce a whole new system for sorting my music. ps. You shake it to turn on shuffle.

good for watching when you can't sleep

2008-09-05T00:39:00.004-06:00

Demetri's soothing voice...

There's a million.

on the tele

2008-09-04T13:50:00.006-06:00

Must check in on last night's fashion reality television.

First of all, Hallelujah! Stella is GONE from Project Runway! She was a disaster from day one. I was equally thrilled when Keith left last week. Oh dear, do not blame SLC for your lack of opportunity! You are just not fit for fashion. I'm all for Leanne to keep on winning things. I was with her from day one but she has also made much progress. And I will say, I liked Kenley's purple feather shoulder pad thingies on her dress (that she made of course).

Second of all, ANTM. I know everyone else has given it up but I can't help but watch this train wreck. This time they upped the ante with a transgendered contestant. As usual my pick is the awkward smart one. Those usually leave early on, but I'm holding out hope for Marjorie--the completely neurotic, French-born, home-schooled one. She doesn't even need a makover, she is already the next Agyness Deyn.

Already so much dvr catch-up to do. Hooray for the new telvision season!

Upcoming in SLC updated

2008-09-03T11:34:00.003-06:00

Imagine my excitement when I saw Yelle was coming. Then imagine my chagrin when I realized I would be in Houston for bidness. Imagine the vindication of seeing Kings of Leon and We Are Scientists in Houston instead of Yelle in SLC.

Speaking of Houston, I've never been to Texas. We'll have some time off. Any suggestions of what we need to do/see/eat?

2008-08-30T02:19:00.005-06:00

Every time I hang out with Adam it's an adventure.
Unfortunately my camera battery was dead this time.
Not capturing great moments on film just keeps them uncorrupted, right?
Tonight we tried to see Delta Spirit but got there too late.
Adam, you're right, they do make quite good music.
Found an aged, hand-carved wooden box full of old tiny teeth in his new old house.
And a locked door surely hiding some good secrets.
Drove through Midget Village.
It was more than I had imagined, a fanciful forest with fairy tale cottages, peacocks, and stone pillars adorned with adages.
Next time I'll charge my battery.

At Broken Social Scene

2008-08-29T00:18:00.001-06:00

Gallivan Center, 8/21

Beanies unite!

What are you reading?

Today's Obsession is

2008-08-23T19:49:00.004-06:00

Anton Yelchin. Have you seen Charlie Bartlett? Kid was born to be a performer. It figures I love him, he's Jewish.

mp3: Spiral Beach - Voodoo (from the Charlie Bartlett Soundtrack)

2008-08-20T21:56:00.002-06:00

We ran into Aziz Ansari the other day at Disneyland. My brothers were so excited they wouldn't stop jumping around on my toes.

2008-08-18T08:37:00.002-06:00

The fam is all in the homeland. This is what we did Saturday, and yesterday, what we are doing today, what we will be doing tomorrow, and every other day here.

basia, basia, basia

2008-08-12T23:55:00.001-06:00

Time to check in on what's getting top plays on the iPod this week.

I'd been seeing that image of Basia Bulat's album cover around the blogs and record shops for a while and just kept thinking, that looks like Michelle Williams. Which is maybe why I didn't listen to it for a while because that resemblance just recalled the melancholy of the loss of Heath Ledger. But one can only resist a cool hat for so long, which is lucky because Oh, My Darling is a sweet and tender gem of a folk album. Uncomplicated but with a range that keeps things from getting boring. "The Pilgriming Vine" in particular is one I wish I'd written and I'll be watching for the upcoming music video.

mp3: Basia Bulat - The Pilgriming Vine

Carnie Gras '08

2008-08-11T10:46:00.002-06:00

Last weekend is what my parents' hometown of Preston, Idaho looks forward to all year. It's the small town country western version of Summer in Ibiza or whatever crowded raucous comparison you can imagine. Rodeo weekend and all the accompanying festivities. We get to see all sorts of wackadoodle, like these clowns somersaulting over bulls and kicking at their horns with their sneakers.

And then there was this rockin cowboy.

It kinda makes me want to try bull riding. Why are there no girl bull riders anyway? How come they only let them do barrel racing? That's wack.

aadoratiion

2008-08-05T23:59:00.004-06:00

It's family time extravaganza here, from which I'll pause for a moment to celebrate the release of The Faint's Fasciinatiion today. I picked up a copy last week during my evening with The Faint, a night that made up for my last Faint show in which the douchey In The Venue oversold (which they do consistently and illegally) and turned away half the ticketholders when the fire department decided to show up and enforce the capacity.

Last Wednesday night began with with a tortuous local opening band. I don't know how I've never seen the Cave Dolls before, but I sure hope I don't have to see them again. This is the hateful face their performance elicted from Rosie.

Because I'm just so embarrassed for them, I won't even bother with a photo or detailing why it was the dregs. Rather, what joy it was when I found out that Shy Child, who's last show I attended was quite eventful, was opening also. Today Megan points out another eventful Shy Child performance that is not to be missed.

The Faint can do no wrong, so I can't be objective about the show or the new album. It's been almost 10 years since the first time I saw them play and they changed my life. They always deliver a dark dance fest and this time it continued into the wee hours at the after-party where Todd and the boys dj'd and there was plenty of frolicking room. My photos are sort of sad so check out Jory's better photos of the evening. My camera battery was dead, so I didn't get my photo with the guys, which is probably a good thing because I would have accosted them with hugs for the night they gave us.

I particularly enjoyed Todd's lab coat and goggles.

mp3: The Faint - Get Seduced

Guilty Pleasure Wednesday

2008-07-30T23:02:00.002-06:00

So much to say but so little time. I'm exhaustedly trying to rehydrate from my evening with The Faint and pack for my weekend at That Famous Preston Night Rodeo. More on both of those events to come.

Anyway, this is a guilty pleasure not because this artist's hyped history, but because he's a sleazy grod. I won't even make you look at his photo. But man I can never get Mickey Avalon's "Jane Fonda" out of my head.

mp3: Mickey Avalon - Jane Fonda

There's a one who's had some good 'dos over the years. I would totally get that shag.

game locked tight

2008-07-29T14:39:00.004-06:00

The Jewish homie half of Chromeo is my crush today. This is still my favorite song on the album.

Yogurtlanded

2008-07-23T21:00:00.001-06:00

Checking in from OC. I'm quite succeeding in having both Mexican and Yogurtland daily. Finally, I was able to see this Asian wonder of the frozen yogurt world Niccole had been freaking out about.

Here's why it's a banger.
1. Sleek, simple, clean, modern. Clear glass tiles, simple displays. Nutrition information is etched into a floor-to-ceiling clear glass panel.

2. Tons of flavors (almost all fat-free). Not just the tart ones like at those other trendy places, though there's plenty of those. Creamy goodness like cookies & cream and peanut butter. Authentic-tasting fruit flavors. And the toppings! Even Cocoa Puffs, mochi, and the freshest of fruit.

3. Affordable. Stuff yourself for 3 bones. For half the cost you get twice as much as at Pinkberry. Plus the large cups keep the toppings from spilling out.

and duh,
4. You serve yourself. Way more fun and way more efficient, plus it comes out perfect. If you want to try 14 flavors together, you can!

I tell you all this to make the case for my plea. Somebody please open a franchise in Salt Lake City! I'll make it easy for you. On yogurt-land.com, just click on "contact" and you'll see the franchise FAQ and application. Who's on it?

lstn

2008-07-21T00:39:00.001-06:00

Not exclusives or remixes or anything, but there's 21. And they're free. From Urban Outfitters.

2008-07-18T16:39:00.000-06:00

See you in the OC.