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Fleet Foxes

Is a five-piece band from Seattle that I can’t stop listening to – on the tube, in the morning, before I go to bed, at the gym…I’d listen to them at work if I could but unfortunately I’m exposed to Capital all day long! Not only am I forced to listen to it but if anyone decides to change the station it magically makes it way back – weird. Oh ya did I mention the radio is behind my desk? I didn’t? Well it is.

Sorry, I didn't realize I was so irritated. Where was I? Oh yes the amazing new band Fleet Foxes. I saw them last month at the Hoxton Bar & Grill in Shoreditch as part of Moshi, Moshi’s Record night. Not only were they incredible but everyone watching did so without saying a word – mouths open is disbelief and awe. Their harmony and sinful sound sent goosebumps to my arms – I was trapped in Fleet Foxes’ spell.

I highly recommend their new album a listen (already a classic!) and check out the Black Cab Session w/ lead singer Robin Pecknold below:

I Wouldn’t Either

How adorable is this pig? It refused to muck around in the mud that his owner had to give him some wellies! Talk about knowing what you want....

Via: Metro

Fascinating Food

Ever thought food was scary? When I was little I remember being scared of some foods….okay fine, sometimes I still am - the thought of eating chicken off the bone still gives me the willies (I’m weird, what can I say). Check out the food sculptures below – you might not look at food the same way again! The watermelon dude is a bit creepy in my humble option.

Check out more here

Picture of the Day

I love this table!! Apparently the controllers ACTUALLY work - tres cool!

101 Photoshop Tips

Download your free copy of The Photoshop Anthology now! Available courtesy of Sitepoint for the next 28days, 15hours, 16minutes, 3,2…seconds.

No catches, no strings, just loads of tips!

‘If you’ve ever been stuck for inspiration, have puzzled over just how to create a shiny aqua-style button, or wanted to create that seamlessly tiling background image you saw on a site recently, you need download this book’

Tonight's THE Night

Sex in the City premieres tonight in London (that’s right, it's the WORLD premiere) and the city is buzzing with excitement. I’d like to say that I’ll be down in Leicester Square waiting for the fab 4 to show up but let’s be honest me and large crowds don’t get along. But I’d still like to celebrate and share some cool facts. In today's Metro was a great article of the lesser known facts of SITC check them here

Love,
Charlotte xx

(Update: Outfits from the premiere below. What in the world is SJP wearing on her head? It's awful!)

One for One

In today’s day and age I think it’s important that businesses and individuals alike are socially responsible and aware. Bono (as much I find him annoying at times) had a great idea when he (along w/ the sponsoring brands/labels) introduced (Product) Red to the world. It’s easy really, you buy something that you’d normally buy (iPod, clothes, shoes, phones etc…) and part of the proceeds goes towards distributing anti-retroviral medicine to those dying of AIDS in Africa. This business model works because it doesn’t require a lot from the consumer. Tim Ferris (i.e. my hero) author of the 4-Hour Work Week, is using his influence to encourage others to be an ‘Eco Bounty Hunter’ and so far some great ideas have been discussed. With the reoccurring theme being that whatever it is, it needs to be ‘easy for the consumer’. Fair enough I guess people don’t want to have to go out of there way to be socially responsible so it needs to be in conjunction with something they’d do anyway. On this note I’d like to introduce a company, that’s been around since May 2006, but that I’ve just become aware of them, TOMS Shoes. For every pair of shoes that’s purchased, TOMS will donate a pair to a child less fortunate. So far they’ve donated 10,000 pairs to children in Argentina and 50,000 to South Africa. The shoes are pretty stylish and are great for the summer PLUS it’s a guiltless purchase – shoes with purpose, finally! I’ve recently seen them on sale at TopShop (Oxford Circus) and am considering the black, possibly the white pair to wear around the town.

It’s easy really ‘do the right thing…..be a man’*

*quote taken from Russell Peters’ 2 Concerts….1 Ticket DVD

I'm bored, Does that Count?

via Bullshit

Blame the Kids (in the Hall)

Last night I was indulging in my past, on YouTube no less. I became addicted to watching clips of ‘Kids in the Hall’ (who could forget Mr. Tyzik the head crusher ‘I crush you!’), I forgot how funny and random these sketches were. Minutes then hours quickly few by but I was captivated, I wanted to watch ALL the (available) clips. One in particular had a second screening – it was too funny to resist. I give you the ‘Apathetic Robbery’, it left me in stitches and hopefully will bring a smile to your face as well.

Lykke Li

Lykke Li is exploding on the music scene here in London (and I’m sure in Toronto as well) with her debut album Youth Novels. Her voice might sound familiar to some, as she lent her vocals to Peter Bjorn and John’s ‘Young Folks’ a classic hit. I was lucky enough to check her out at the Rough Trade Record Shop for a promo gig….Only one word can describe that set: AMAZING!! I hadn’t listened to the album before the show but quickly became a fan – her great voice and catchy sounds had me hooked. I highly recommend a listen…oh and check out the very creative video for ‘I’m Good, I’m Gone’

Sound familiar? It opened last week’s episode of Grey’s Anatomy.

Bunnies Tell It Like It Is

Angry Alien Productions have created (and continue to create) dozens of movie parodies. Hero and foes alike are reenacted by (cute) cartoon bunnies in only 30 seconds (more or less). Waste some time and check them out here.

Current favorites: March of the Penguins & Napoleon Dynamite

Pineapple Express

I’d like to start off this post by saying I enjoy the weekends. Obvious statement I know, who doesn’t right? What I enjoy most about the weekends is that I can do whatever I want, whenever I want, and that includes: watching trailers in bed. This usually happens on Sunday mornings, I wake up (well rested) grab my good’o iBook and check the latest (and some favourites) trailers on the Apple website. I swear I could watch trailers all day, but that’s bedside the point. Last weekend I was excited to see the new Seth Rogan film Pineapple Express had finally posted an official trailer. But I needed more….

Upon arrival to the movie’s website I was hopeful and excited – there was another trailer, a restricted one. Now because it was restricted they required some info – no problem, I’m over 18, it’s all good. But upon closer inspection it was compulsory to provide a ZIP code, so I entered the only one I could think of 90210 (don’t judge, I’m sure you’d do the same). I was rejected, how did they know? It was all very cruel! Not to worry, this story has a happy ending, I found it on YouTube and now you don’t have (I’m way too kind).



I can’t wait for this movie.

Cuppa Poo?

The most expensive coffee in the world is now a local at Peter Jones (Sloane Square) in London. What’s so special about this brew that warrants its £50 price tag (that’s per cup!!) you ask? Well, that’s a very good question.

The brew is called Kopi Luwak and consists of coffee beans that have passed through an Asian Palm Civet (a weasel/cat like animal native to Southeast Asia). Confused yet? Basically the Civet goes around eating the coffee berries and then poops them out – for some reason the actual beans are able to pass through the animals inside without being digested. But here’s the ‘really’ special part (apparently, not like I’ve tried it!), even though the bean hasn’t been digested it’s been exposed to certain enzymes in the Civiet’s stomach that breaks down the coffee’s bitter taste so it’s meant to be a lot smoother and tastier (?!). So when our furry little friend leaves his ‘stuff’ behind workers then collect and remove the beans, wash it and give it a little roast. The special blend is ready.

Even though it sounds very fascinating, I think I’ll pass (for many reason!)

Via: Metro

Reduce - Reuse - Recycle

Look at what can be done with a little imagination and a lot of disposable chopsticks (7382 to be exact!).

In only 3 months, Shuhei Ogawara has created the above canoe and is getting ready to launch it in May. I hope I’ll be that productive when I’m retired!

Good Luck Buddy

via treehugger

A Breakthrough Indeed!

Calling all ladies…have you seen the new ‘Breakthrough’ backless bar? It was introduced on the TV show ‘American Inventor’ and will be available in May. Who knew something so useful and practical could come from a reality TV show!! Most of time it’s a load of crap that would never sell (hey I’ve seen the commercials ok!)…but this, this is HUGE – men wouldn’t understand (and I don't expect them to) but I know you, my female friends will get how cool this actually is and what this means for our wardrobe.

Can’t wait for mine to arrive!

Pre-orders are available from Maiden Form in the UK and USA

Swimming…Not for the Weak

This week I joined my local Leisure Center (similar to a community Center for you Canadians) and was really excited because I was going to go swimming…before work! That was my plan, and by George was I going to stick to it. The first morning I was too tired (I barely made it into work on time!!) but this morning I did it! I woke up at 7am, put on my new one piece swimsuit (hideous!) and headed to the pool. I was a little groggy but glad I was following through with my ‘plan’. I took a little shower-like the sign advised me to- then made my way out of the changing room to the pool – this was it. I thought it would be best if I started in the ‘slow lane’ which is fine by me, I wasn’t trying to prove anything. I did my first lap (to the end and back) and felt great. By my third lap I needed a break, then after every next lap I needed another one….this was starting to hurt. I did about 10 when I realized couldn’t go on – my arms were killing me!! I knew swimming was a great form of exercise but let me just say it’s not for the weak! I might not go everyday like I had intended (we have to think about my hair and skin….) but I am going back. Yes I am!

N.B. I feel great though, a little sore but invigorated

Rick is Hip?

Rick Astley was interviewed recently by the LA Times and was questioned about the ‘Rickroll’ internet phenomenon (being misdirected to his music video for ‘Never Gonna Give You’ on purpose). Oh he’s hip and knows all but it – in fact he’s not even that bothered about it. Ever since this interview I can’t escape him, he’s all over the place. I’m tired of fighting it so in keeping with the trend I thought I’d dedicate a post to the man of the ‘80s. Rock on Rick!
Did you think I'd leave out the video? ya right!!

check it out here

Why Can’t I Sleep?

Why is that one night I’ll have the best sleep ever, wake up refreshed and ready to take on the world and then the next night while performing the same before-bedtime rituals I have the worst sleep ever? The other night I had this problem…I couldn’t sleep. I did everything right, I read a bit until my eyes got heavy then turned out the lights and settled for the night. Little did I know that I wasn’t going to sleep until hours later…..every sound around me became enhanced – the rain hitting my window, my boyfriend’s breathing….I just couldn’t drown these noises out. Music didn’t help either (which usually is my source of comfort), album after album finished bringing me closer to the morning. I was becoming more and more frustrated. I ‘woke’ up the next day feeling awful – eyes swollen, in a daze and worst of all grumpy!!

What am I doing wrong? How can I tackle nights like this?

Help me

Good Clean Fun

The other night I had passes to see ‘27 Dresses’ and even though I knew how it was going to end (obviously, it was very predictable) it was still incredibly fun and enjoyable to watch. I left the theatre in a good mood, no scratch that, great mood- I know, I know rom-coms are made for saps like me but I think everyone could really enjoy this movie (even boyfriends!)…. If you have nothing planned I suggest putting this movie in your diary for a little pick me up

Check out the trailer here

MGMT ... that's management to you sir

I can't stop listening to MGMT's new album 'Oracular Spectacular' - catchy beats and great lyrics, it doesn't get any better than this folks. If you haven't heard it yet, stop everything and go (quickly) to their myspace ... I mean it!

Current favourites: Time to Pretend and Kids.

Their website is pretty trippy as well

Putting Runners on the Map

Walk Jog Run is an incredible website. Using Google Maps you can plot the route you run, walk or jog and it’ll calculate the amount of miles/kilometers it is. Didn’t I tell you it was incredible? You can also search for for routes (if you need inspiration) or save your route for future reference.

Let me just say it’s actually very surprising how far one actually runs; I plotted my route around Clapham Common and its 2 miles (3.2 km)!!! I think I can easily run 5km sign me up for the next charity run……

Stripped to the Music

"A Challenge has been laid down. Forget chart positions, forget ticket sales, or brand-extending toiletries or MySpace friends or any other measure of success. From here on in, it's all about how well you can rock the back of a cab."BBC Radio 1 Online

The Black Cab Sessions has been put forth by Just So Films.

The Challenge: Musicians get 1 take to perform their hearts out. Only problem is, it's filmed in the backseat of a black cab.

Who will rock and who will flop? - you decide.

Bands/Singers who have risen to the Challenge so far: Spoon, Okkervil River, The Kooks, The National, Elvis Perkins, and The New Poronographers...just to name a few!

Things are so simple when you're 3

This is the most adorable thing EVER

All movies should be told by 3 year olds

Sudoku Maddness

I’m not sure why I’ve never gotten into this before but honestly I can’t stop playing Sudoku!

It all started a week ago when I was coming home from a night out, in my drunken state I decided I was going to try my hand at this problem solving game while on the tube. As I’m sure you could guess I wasn’t very good, at all. Instead I became frustrated with trying to solve the puzzle; I almost missed my stop for goodness sake! I left the unfinished puzzle on the train and headed home to my bed, not thinking anything more of it…until last Sunday when I bought the ‘Observer’ newspaper and found one inside. ‘I’m probably better in my sober state’ I thought, so decided to give it another (fair) chance….

Now I’m doing them all the time – before I go to bed, during my lunch period, while I’m waiting for dinner….I just can’t stop. I love the satisfaction of completing one of these bad boys.

I highly recommend them.

Kimmel vs Silverman

And so the fun/fight continues! Last week on his show, Jimmy Kimmel released his come back to his girlfriend’s (the comedian Sarah Silverman) ‘I’m f@*king Matt Damon’ with ‘I’m f&%king Ben Affleck’….fantastic!

If you haven’t seen it yet, Here’s Sarah Silverman and Matt Damon in ‘I’m F?#king Matt Damon’



Who are you f^£king?

Useless Facts

TNT magazine is one of my favourite Monday night indulgents….after work I grab my copy so I’m in the loop. You see there’s so much to do around London that if I don’t, I start to worry that I’m missing out on something – something really cool!

This week there’s a feature entitled ‘My Local’ (ie. your local pub) and the love affair it has with some. I’ve never lived in a country where they take the drink so seriously (and so often for that matter)…that being said I’d like to share with you some facts TNT brought to my attention:

• 60, 000 pubs
• 29 million pints consumed per day
• 39 million barrels of beer brewed a year
• £15 billion spent on beer a year

Anyone fancy a pint?

Adam's Apple

This is a very funny take on the ‘Adam and Eve’ story.

Via: Museum of Modern Fiction

I hope they decide to post more 'contemporary stories for the matured'.

Enjoy

It’s One of Those Days

I haven’t felt my best today. I blame the moon, even the stars. Last night I was tossing and turning all night and just as I was starting to fall alseep my alarm clock went off (this actually might not have been the case but it sure felt that way!). I obviously didn’t look my best, what with my puffy eyes and dark circles…oh wait it gets better. After spending hours (fine 10 minutes) straightening my hair I left the house to enter the worst fog I’ve seen in a while. Seriously, I couldn’t see a few feet in front of me, it was that bad. Now we all know with fog comes moisture and what does moisture do to someone’s naturally wavy hair, that they try to hide by straightening it? Needless to say I wasn’t feeling so hot today……..

That’s why I just loved this piece (I know it’s mean but it made me feel a little better) that Isthishappening.com did on the ‘ugly truth’, how celebrities look before the almighty Photoshop takes over and makes them red hot.

I wish I could have been Photoshopped today!

Pancake Tuesday

Mmmmm it's Pancake Tuesday and I haven't had mine yet....shame on me. I guess I'll be making them tonight for dinner (don't worry about my teeth mom I'll brush right after, promise!).

That's all really. I just wanted to share my excitment with you.

History Lesson

I love it when the BBC or Wikipedia shares what happened on this day in history, it’s always so fascinating. So let me share what I learned today - On this day in 1974 a 19 year Patty Hearst (the granddaughter of publishing entrepreneur William Randolph Hearst) was kidnapped from her home in California by the SLA (stands for Symbionese Liberation Army – an American urban guerilla warfare group). Approximately a year later she was photographed with a rifle in her hand trying to rob a bank…she had joined her capture’s crusade – it was thought she was brainwashed. Her jail sentence was pardoned after 22 months from 7 years.

She now lives a fairly regular life – married her former bodyguard, is an actress and has two daughters, 1 of which is a model.

Over all, Patty, you’ve lived a pretty interesting life.

Great Commercial

Now that the Superbowl is over…..what? just thought I’d follow suite – every website/blog I’ve been on today has said something about the Superbowl, and in turn the (very costly) commercials. Sorry, I didn’t watch the Superbowl and this post isn’t about that at all…however you could make a lose connection – great commercials.

Last night, while watching my regular Sunday night line up of TV shows, a great commercial from Talk Talk came on. I’m not sure why I liked it so much but it made a lasting impact (well enough for me to want to blog about it). I was never particularly interested in (the only think I can think of that’s similar is) Synchronized Swimming, but I really loved this advert – the skill it took to coordinate and choreograph this is mind blowing. How did they know what it would look it? How long did it take to perfect? Oh there are so many questions…and yet no answers.

Commercial in Question:

Do you remember when Coca Cola did something similar to this?





Or How about Miller Lite?



Crazy

I'm Disgusted!!!!!

In more ways than I can even explain.

I was sent this article from a friend today, and upon reading it I felt angry, violated, hurt and most of all disgusted. There are so many emotions stirring that I can't even begin to comprehend why there are still people out there that would judge and segregate. Seriously open your eyes, you can no longer pretend you’re in this world on your own!!!

Read the article you'll see what I mean.

Has 'Canadian' become a racist euphemism?

Source: The Guardian

I’ll Never Forget Again!

I just love this concept. Most of the time when you write your ‘must not forgets’ it smudges and you forget what it is your meant to remember. I usually resort to a piece of paper then sometimes, well let’s be honest here; most often I either forget the piece of paper or even that goes missing – you just can’t win.

The TO-DO TATTOO is a perfect solution (if you don’t mind everyone else seeing it, then again you could place it on your arm or anywhere really.) It’s most likely to stay on longer than ink and won’t be deterred by sweaty hands. You can cross off the items on your ‘list’ without placing a spec of ink on yourself. And like most temporary tattoos it probably comes off easy enough with soap and water….

Sounds good to me

What If?

If I ever found a genie lamp I would wish for unlimited wishes so the fun would never end. I always wondered what would happen if someone wished for unlimited wishes from ‘The Make a Wish Foundation’…..this spoof will show you exactly how the foundation would end up…bankrupt! (And wishing the child an early death – harsh)

Maybe that’s why you were never allowed to do that? Too much power is never good anyway!

I Can't Do That?

This guide of do’s and don’ts with babies is absolutely hilarious! I was filling in some spare time at work and came across this via The Triumph of Bullshit – a daily read, and couldn’t hold in my laughter. As it grew louder heads started to turn and people started to stare with suspicious looks ‘so what I’m taking a break’ I thought I’m allowed right? Instead of fighting it I passed it on…soon everyone in the office was in hysterics.

Hopefully it’ll do the same for you (check out baby’s face, priceless!)

Lunch at the Desk....again!

Have no time for lunch?– quick, grab your Bic pen and use these tips to eat at your desk.

In an online competition at designboom, contestants were asked to submitted their designs for dining in 2015 – either at home, travel or in the office. Din-ink was one of the 4 winners selected. Created by a team of crafty Italians, these practical pen tips are made of biodegradable material so not only are they practical but they’re environmentally friendly – how cool is that?

Now all you need is the food!

Little Things

This morning I forgot my novel at home, I know precisely where it is to – on my bedside ‘table’ (ie. my floor), exactly where I left it the night before. When did I realize this? Just as I was entering the tube station – I don’t live that far away but it’d take too long to go back. Bugger! The day just won’t be the same – I know it!

I find that even the most normal of days the only thing that makes my journey into work enjoyable is reading a good book to relax (and simulate my mind). I look forward to this ‘alone’ time, finding the opportunity to escape the busy train – you’ve got to do something to take your mind off the fact that you’re pretty much crammed in like sardines…I once had someone use me to balance themselves, nearly knocked me over – grab a pole people, come on!

There’s also the issue of where to look on the tube, if you’re not reading; you don’t want to stare at someone, but with people everywhere (literally right in front of your face) what option do you have? – reading some else’s paper? Maybe, but somehow they can always feel you starring, this then brings on the awkward paper move, or worst yet the look! Yikes! SO really there isn’t anything else to do but read……there’s always the Metro but I dislike the black ink it leaves on your hands. I feel dirty after I’ve read the metro and my hands feel dry. It’s just not the same as my book!!!

The Book: ‘Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day’ - it’s been made into a film to be released this year (I’m not particularly fond of the cast but will probably see it anyway).

Synopsis: Set in London, England in the late thirties about a governess who is sent to the wrong house by her employment agency; there she meets the glamorous night-club singer, Miss LaFosse. Think Cinderella but set in London instead of the forest/castle and instead of animals helping her, think glamorous aristocrats. Oh it’s so much fun to read and I’m almost done (can’t wait). I think today’s journey would have done it!

I think you know where I’ll be tonight

First Dance

My good friend is getting married in August (so exciting!) so while we were both in town for the holidays we made it our duty to not only catch up but try on bridesmaid dresses (me, not her!). Who knew it could be so tiring!! Honestly several hours later and I was pooped. We ended up going home and watching Dexter (amazing TV show on HBO, can’t really describe it, because it’ll sound really weird, but it’s not at all….). But before we decided to rest our minds of the wedding plans, this fantastic video was shown to us by her sister (thank you Stacie). This isn’t even that funny it's wicked!! I wish I had the moves (and balls) to do this.

Kudos to you both!!

The Best of 2007

I realize that we’re well into the new year but please cut me some slack I’ve been on holiday for a while – in the mother land of Canada celebrating the jolly season with missed friends and family, and I only just returned. That being said here’s a list of things that rocked my world in 2007. Let me know what you think – agree, disagree?!

MOVIES

This took a lot of work to narrow down (I was disappointed to see some go) but alas in no particular order, here are the movies that entertained, challenged and made me think…..

Atonement
Into The Wild
Juno
The Darjeeling Limited
Paris Je T’ame
300
3:10 to Yuma
Knocked Up
Bourne Ultimatum
Goodbye Bafana

Ones that didn’t make the list but made an impact (or I watched in 2007 but were released earlier)
The Lives of Others
Half Nelson
Volver
Sicko
Transformers
Hairspray

MUSIC
Albums that have made the journey into work a little more enjoyable/bearable below. Once again, in no particular order:

Okkervil River – The Stage Names
M.I.A. - Kala
The Tough Alliance – New Chance
Band of Horses – Cease To Begin
Feist – The Reminder
Spoon – Ga Ga Ga Ga
Vampire Weekend
Of Montreal -Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer?
Justice - ┼
Arcade Fire – Neon Bible
Iron and Wine – The Shepard’s Dog
Tokyo Police Club - Smith

Ones that I only just got into but didn’t get enough play time during the year:
The National – Boxer
Bat For Lashes – Fur and Gold
Andrew Bird – Armchair Apocrypha

BOOKS
A Thousand Splendid Suns - Khaled Hosseini
An Interpretation of Murder - Jed Rubenfeld
Into The Wild - Jon Krakauer
Outlander – Diana Gabalon
Norwegian Wood – Haruki Murakami
In Cold Blood – Turman Capote
Then We Came to the End – Joshua Ferris
We Need to Talk About Kevin – Lionel Shriver

I know most of these weren’t released in 2007 but that’s when I read (and loved) them.

I’m looking forward to what 2008 has in store (optimistic tone) Happy New Year Everyone!!