Thigh-highs are back?

While perusing Madewell's new site, I was reminded that Alexa Chung has created a collection for them in the fall. Exciting! One of the photos featured thigh-highs. A product of the Clueless era, I definitely wore these along with knee-highs (plus plaid skirts, mary janes and feather pens...) in middle school. It's way too hot outside to imagine wearing these now, but they'll be cute for fall. [whowhatwear.com]

Coincidentally whowhatwear.com also featured a gray crochet pair from Nasty Gal today in their "June Shop the Closet." I love those platforms they paired them with.
[needsupply.com]

Also featured in this were an adorable pair of Mini for Many 'Striped Canvas Wedges.' The link sent readers to an awesome store near me - Richmond's Need Supply Co. Yay for shopping local!

The National at The National

I saw The National at The National in Richmond last week, and they were simply amazing. My sister has me listening to them since they're her all-time favorite. Apparently it's difficult to get tickets to their shows in NYC, so she was jealous.

The boys from Cincinnati, Ohio do not disappoint live. Lead singer Matt Berninger's baritone voice is so unique. They sang a lot of songs from their not-yet-released album High Violet as well as tunes from previous albums, Boxer and Alligator.

Their new song "Bloodbuzz Ohio" is so good. "I was carried to Ohio in a swarm of bees." I still don't really know exactly what the lyrics mean, but I love the song.
At one point Berninger ran out into the crowd (see above photo). He was also swigging a lot of wine from a plastic goblet, which my sister assured me was totally normal. It was an awesome show. Now I'm looking forward to seeing Iron & Wine next week!

The caged foot sings

[bloomingdales.com]

I love a caged shoe. I wore a black pair in a wedding this past summer and have worn them for a multitude of occasions ever since. Lucky for me, caged shoes are still hot and will be into the spring and summer. Here are a few pairs that I adore.

Modern Vintage's 'Georgie Platform Sandal' (above) from Bloomingdale's is striking. I like that it's almost a boot, but still qualifies as a sandal. You know my mantra, wear it with tights now and without later. They're $295.
[piperlime.com]

Piperlime offers some great options, as usual. Jessica Simpson has an affordable pair at $89. The 'Cally' in a tan color called luggage is fabulous and goes perfectly with this spring's khaki trend. I also like the studs, and it's 5" with a 1" platform.

I'm also really digging Chinese Laundry's 'Kopin' ($90). It's available in black and toast - both have a cool snakeskin platform and heel. They're closed toe, but the cage is open enough that they'd look great in the spring too.
[southmoonunder.com]

For a little sparkle, BCBG's 'Strappy Beaded Platform Heel' from South Moon Under ($118) is a wonderful choice.

Neon lights

[Imaxtree/InStyle.com]

Normally in the winter, colors get a little drabber. However, lately we've seen a lot of neon colors. Designers like Matthew Williamson, Zac Posen and BCBG Max Azria incorporated beaucoup bright colors in their spring 2010 collections. I used to have a neon yellow sweater - I wish I could find that thing because I would break it out stat.

Neon is not always the easiest to wear though as photos from the eighties will atest. I bought a neon reflective vest for a 6-mile Christmas lights running tour in downtown Richmond that I'm doing tomorrow, and I'm positive that even that will look awful. Perhaps the best way to approach this trend is through shoes - preferably in hot pink.
[cusp.com]

I'm obsessed with Elizabeth and James's 'Open-Throat Slingback.' These hot pink leather heels with floral cut-outs from Cusp would be perfect with a black dress.
The neon pink 'Cradle Wedge' by daniblack also from Cusp ($150) are also pretty fabulous. I envision them with black tights now and without for spring.
[nordstrom.com]

DV by Dolce Vita's 'Ontario' sandals ($49.95) in pink patent leather from Nordstrom are the perfect flats for a vacation.
I'm also loving these Betsey Johnson 'Keilor' sandals ($149.95) from Nordstrom. I'd wear them now with tights to a holiday party.

Christmas music is all around

Listening to Christmas music simply makes me happy. I can pinpoint the start of my adoration to watching White Christmas over and over with my grandma when I was little. Crooner Bing Crosby had a voice like butter.

Of course, I'm a fan of traditional Christmas songs like my favorites - "O Holy Night," "Silent Night," "What Child is This?" and "Oh Little Town of Bethlehem." Songs like these have nary a bit to do with commercialism, but instead, the whole reason that we celebrate Christmas - the birth of Christ.

I've collected quite a few Christmas albums and random songs over the years from musicians like Hanson, Jewel and even Britney Spears (you may remember "Santa Can You Hear Me?"). These always make me smile...
In Love Actually, aging rocker Billy Mack (the fantastic Bill Nighy) sings "Christmas is All Around." This is a beautiful piano version features one of my favorite scenes playing in the background.

I still crank 98 Degrees' album This Christmas in my car (yes, I actually paid to see Nick Lachey in a solo concert; sue me!). "This Gift" about a Christmas proposal is a boy-band classic.

Josh Groban's Christmas album Noel is incredible. His voice gives me chill bumps - especially in his song "Thankful." He sings, "It's up to us to be the change, and even though we all can still do more. There's so much to be thankful for." Isn't that the truth?

Here are a few other greats...
-Mariah Carey, "All I Want for Christmas is You,"
-Nat King Cole, "The Christmas Song"
-Wham!, "Last Christmas"
-N'Sync "Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays,"
-Elvis Presley, "Blue Christmas"
-Brenda Lee, "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree"
-Eartha Kitt, "Santa Baby"

Richmond native Elliott Yamin also has a great holiday album Sounds of the Season.

Robert Earl Keen at The National

Last night I saw alternative-country singer/songwriter Robert Earl Keen at The National in Richmond. I wasn't very familiar with his music even though my dad and sister are fans. Despite not knowing any songs, it was still a fun show. Keen sauntered out onto the stage in what appeared to be a forest ranger's outfit.

Texas-born Keen has a unique and pleasant voice, and is renown for his song-writing. There was a mixed crowd from frat boys to drunk oldsters. Keen threw in a holiday tune in the form of his funny Christmas song 'Merry Christmas From the Family.' The lady sitting behind us kept trying to kiss our cheeks and tell us 'Merry Christmas' in a drunken slur.

Most of the crowd seemed to know the words to every song as they sang loudly and danced. I thought that Ryan Adams earlier albums may be channeling Keen's style. Charlottesville, VA-band Sons of Bill was the opener.

"2012" - It's a disaster alright

I got free tickets to see 2012 last week, but it was a monsoon here in Richmond, so I declined. Instead I stupidly paid money to see this film this weekend. The Roland Emmerich-directed film had excellent special effects, but it still missed the mark.

The premise of this film is that scientists have discovered the Mayan prophecy that the world would end in 2012 is coming to fruition. In 2010, seats begin to be offered on several arcs for one-billion euros each. Basically only the insanely rich will survive this epic disaster.

Scientist Adrian Helmsley (Chiwetel Ejiofor from Love Actually) is the lead scientist in the United States for the impending disaster. He reports to Carl Anheuser (Oliver Platt) and the president (Danny Glover). Meanwhile, author Jackson Curtis (John Cusack) took his two kids camping in Yellowstone when they discover that a lake that used to be there has dried up. They end up in a government-secured area, and meet Helmsley who happens to be reading Curtis's book. They also meet crazy, conspiracy theorist radio host Charlie Frost (Woody Harrelson - a bright spot in this film). He warns them about what is going to happen to the world.

Eventually California is destroyed as the earth's crust begins to shift. Curtis, his family, his estranged wife (Amanda Peet) and her boyfriend (a plastic surgeon and amateur pilot) must evacuate on a small plane that he has rented. They end up meeting up with some wealthy Russians, who Curtis chauffeured. They are racing against time to get to China, which is where the arcs are. Washington, D.C. is destroyed, and the president stays despite having a ticket on the arc. His daughter (Thandie Newton) goes and has a ticket on the arc.

What happens with the tsunamis is very much like a modern-day flood that Noah experienced in the Bible. Animals, art work like "The David" and literature were loaded onto the arcs ensure their survival. I found this interesting. However, we know that in Genesis, God promises never to flood the earth again, hence the rainbow. 2012 just dragged on way too long to be enjoyable.

Lust: John Hardy Palu Macan Tiger collection

[jrdunn.com]

I'm a big John Hardy fan. Though I've had a few issues with some of his pieces, and they had to be sent back to Bali (where their main workshop is located) to be repaired, I think that the company does beautiful work. I have a lot of pieces from the Kali collection. They're all very wearable. Right now I'm obsessed with the Palu Macan Tiger collection.

My favorite pieces in the Palu Macan collection are the silver kick cuff ($895), dome ring ($495) and medium twist chain bracelet ($495). Though I'm very into gold jewelry at the moment, the sterling silver tiger design is unique and beautiful. Plus, it would go well with my other Hardy pieces.

According to johnhardy.com, Macan means tiger in Balinese. It is the symbol of "courage, passion and triumph over the impossible." Hardy moved to Bali in 1975 where he studied Balinese jewelry making. He formed the company in 1989. Then in 1998, Hardy hired Guy Bedarida from Van Cleef & Arpels as head designer. In 2007, Hardy retired and sold the company to Damien Dernoncourt and Bedarida.

The company is very green and earth-friendly too. Who doesn't love that? In 2006, they launched their Sustainable Advertising Program where they calculate carbon emissions associated with their print ads then plant the equivalent number of bamboo trees in Bali. They also plant bamboo for every piece in sold in the lovely bamboo collection.

My local jewelry store Fink's sent me a gift card for $100 off $500 purchase of John Hardy (hence the reason this falls in the budget category too!). So tempting. They're also hosting an event in Richmond where you can meet Bedarida on Saturday, November 7 at Short Pump Town Center where he will talk about his inspirations for the pieces in the 2009 fall collection. He will also autograph any piece purchased at the event.

U2's 360 Tour with Muse

I went to the U2 360 tour last night in Charlottesville's at the University of Virginia's Scott Stadium. I'd only seen U2 perform in London at Live 8 in 2005, so I did not want to miss the opportunity to see them play so close to home.

I wasn't on the floor (where Bono mentioned that ticket sales went to benefit AIDS medicine in Africa), but my tickets in the upper level weren't all that bad. The set was so incredible that I think you had to be up high to experience it all, or at least that's what I'm telling myself. My ticket was less than $40 - you can't beat that to see a legendary band.

The incredible British band Muse opened. I'm kind of obsessed with them right now. They did the Twilight soundtrack song "Supermassive Black Hole." Twilight author Stephenie Meyer is a known fan of the group, and has said that they provided inspiration for the series.

The group also sang a few songs from their new and fifth album The Resistance like their radio hit "Uprising" and "Undisclosed Desires." They sang hits off of their older albums like "Starlight" and "Knights of Cydonia." Lead singer Matt Bellamy's falsetto is unreal. To me, their music sounds other-worldly. I often think that they sound a bit like Queen too with their harmonization.

After a short wait, U2 came on. Bono was wearing black leather with his signature shades, and The Edge was wearing his signature beanie. The claw-like set turned into a light show. There was a large screen that expanded and lit up during different parts of the show.

The band sang all of my favorite songs including a duet between Edge and Bono of "One," a vivacious rendition of "Beautiful Day," "With or Without You," "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For," "Stuck in a Moment You Can't Get Out Of," "Pride" and "Vertigo."

U2 is a very human rights conscious band, and you could tell during the show. Bono talked about peace, and in one song they had student members of UVA's Amnesty International group come on stage wearing masks depicting Burma's elected leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been jailed since her election. He also frequently thanked his band members Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen, Jr. for letting him be in their band - he even said that he would be nothing without them. Bono also kept telling the crowd "God bless you" and did a touching rendition of "Amazing Grace."

It takes a certain kind of band to be able to play in an outdoor stadium. I saw the Rolling Stones at Scott Stadium a few years ago, and I loved it. U2 and Muse definitely pulled it off well - the sound and show were amazing.

Jason Mraz tune "I'm Yours" makes history

Richmond, VA cutie Jason Mraz has broken records with the longest running song on the Billboard 100. The catchy tune "I'm Yours" has been on the charts for 71 weeks since May 2008.

Mraz's song beat out LeAnn Rimes "How Do I Live," which was on the charts for 69 weeks. Yahoo Music reported that he'd actually been singing the tune at shows for five years, and the fans prompted him to release the single.

When I was in Milan last October, I was pleasantly surprised to hear that they were playing this song on Italian radio. I'm glad his song has been so successful. I've seen Mraz perform twice, and it's always a great time.

Citizen Cope show

I saw a great Citizen Cope show tonight. I wasn't entirely familiar with their music, but I had free tickets, so I was excited to check them out. I'm really glad that I did.

Citizen Cope's lyrics are soulful, and the songs have good beats. I love his songs "Brother Lee" and "Bullet and a Target." He must be very popular among college students because I'm pretty sure that 95% of the people in the audience were wearing a North Face jacket and/or UGG boots.

Guest singer Alice Smith sang with him on a few tunes. She was amazing. Her voice is very unique and powerful. She has a new album out called For Lovers, Dreamers & Me. I definitely want to check that out!