Word of the Day: Vivacious

One time a coworker told me I am "vivacious," which I consider a huge compliment.

Vivacious - Attractively lively and animated; lively in temper, conduct, or spirit.
That outgoing, vivacious girl is going to be famous one day. You should be her friend.

Synonyms: lively - sprightly - spirited - brisk - animated - bubbly - ALIVE

If you ask me, this cute, bouncy melody by Irish songbird, Lisa Hannigan, is a perfect example of what it means to be vivacious...and colorful. 



Check out "What'll I Do" as well. I love happy music!

xoxo,
Sarah

Steal His Heart

I love when I come across new artists and find a new song that I want to play over and over. Today, I discovered Emily and the Woods, and I can't get enough of her song "Steal His Heart." I'm especially loving her cute little music video.



Some of those cute lyrics...

Get in my boat 
We'll sail away 
I've always been scared, scared of the sea 
I'll give you some string, you'll find your way home 
And I will be waiting when you return

I can't steal his heart, but I can steal back mine 
I can steal back mine, I can steal back mine
I can't steal his heart, but I can steal back mine

Happy weekend!

xoxo,
Sarah

P.S. I love her thick eyeliner. It looks awesome. 

The Brooklyn Bunch

Top: Ingrid Michaelson, Greg Laswell, Jenny Owen Youngs, Bess Rogers; Middle: Lauren Zettler, Rosi Golan, Ian Axel, Katie Costello; Bottom: Peter Bradley Adams, Allie Moss, Allison Weiss, Greg Holden

There is an ever-growing number of indie artists based out of Brooklyn, and I am a huge fan. After seeing many of them together in various concerts and videos, I've noticed that they are more than individual artists. Many of them are really good friends, and, depending on who is headlining, you might even catch a few backing during another's tour. It's really cool to see that kind of community among artists. 

Not long after discovering this cool little community from Brooklyn, my bestie and I decided to dub them "The Brooklyn Bunch." For us, it all started with Ingrid Michaelson's tour last year. We had heard that Bess Rogers and Allie Moss were backing, but we didn't know anything about who was opening. And then we met him, Greg Holden...it was love at first word! Yes, his charming British accent got me, but his music drew me in because of its honest lyrics and beautiful melodies. Not surprisingly, I snagged his EP at the concert and looked him up on myspace, where I later discovered even more artists like Ian Axel and Rosi Golan. 

Since my blog has been dry on the musical inspiration lately, I'm sharing a playlist with my current faves from The Brooklyn Bunch (click the link for my mix on iTunes). Enjoy!

And check out this awesome cover of Go West's "King of Wishful Thinking" by Lauren Zettler and friends. It's always been one of my favorite songs, and I love what this group did with it!



Oh! And since this is a FASHION blog, I can't end without commenting on the style of The Brooklyn Bunch. In general, their looks are carefree, relaxed, and thrifty.  The girls wear vintage boots, skinny jeans, and basic tees or blouses, paired with knitted scarves and hats. And the boys rock shaggy hair, plaid shirts, and dark-rimmed glasses. These looks definitely work for them!

xoxo,
Sarah

Musical Inspiration from my April

As promised, I am back with another edition of music that I could not get away from throughout this month! The grouping includes an interesting mish-mash of folk (surprise, surprise...), acoustic, country, and even a little mainstream goodness. Some songs are new, others are old, and one is even older (good ole John Denver), but this month's soundtrack all comes together to be quite marvelous if I do say so myself.

1) You Belong With Me - Taylor Swift
2) Forgive You - Vedera
3) Cemeteries of London - Coldplay
4) I Met Up With the King - First Aid Kit
5) Bird Song - Sherree Chamberlain
6) We Sing - Vedera
7) Ambulance - Eisley
8) The Girl - City and Colour
9) Electric Bird - Sia
10) Grandma's Feather Bed - John Denver
Description: Beautiful songs (some happy, some sad, some indifferent) that have inspired my April.

Download the playlist on i-Tunes!

What songs, albums, or artists made your April fabulous?

xoxo,
Sarah

Musical Inspiration from My March

As mentioned in previous convos, fashion and music go hand-in-hand. Whether it is hip, indie bands bringing skinny back or fashionistas styling the up-and-coming for shoots, both groups are essential in making our world lovely.

Being a musician and fashionista, it seems only fitting to share my musical inspirations, which always spill over into the aesthetic of my style anyway. So at the end of each month (or early into the following), I will provide a quick rundown of music that has won my attention and numerous listens, complete with a playlist!

During my March, the following songs were playing on repeat:

1 ) Harold T. Wilkins, or How to Wait for a Very Long Time by Fanfarlo
2 ) Acorn Factory by The Dodos
3 ) Rebellion (Lies) by The Arcade Fire
4 ) Fools by Diane Birch
5 ) She's Got Something by Greg Holden
6 ) Telephone by Pomplamoose
7 ) Maneater by The Bird and the Bee
8 ) Bicycle by Memory Tapes
9 )  Eet by Regina Spektor
10 ) The Hat by Ingrid Michaelson
11 ) Vagabond by Wolfmother
12 ) This is the New Year by Ian Axel
13 ) Haven't Met You Yet by Michael Bublé

Download my playlist on iTunes!

xoxo,
Sarah

P.S. Ian Axel has been a favorite for the last couple weeks, ever since discovering his youtube channel. Currently in the touring company of Greg Holden (another fave and featured artist above), Ian's music is filled with honest lyrics and fun melodies, which mixes great with his unique voice, so definitely check him out. His very cool video of "This Is The New Year" (below) features several New Yorkers from the music scene up east. Such a blast!

Your English Is Good!

Once you have been around me long enough, you will discover how much I adore music. Not only is it a fabulous means of expression (a bit like a journal), but musicians are often seen as trendsetters. Just remember the Sgt. Pepper look from the Beatles or the recent revival of military attire by Coldplay with Viva La Vida. And do not even get me started on Eisley; they definitely have their own kick going (quite possibly responsible for bringing skinny jeans back), and most only wish they could keep up!
 
All that to say, music inspires me, and it influences the fashion industry. This evening, my lovely sister introduced me to Tokyo Police Club's video "Your English Is Good," which is filled with very stylish individuals enjoying a summer day. I want to join in the fun chronicled by this adorable group of friends!

See for yourself:



xoxo,
Sarah
@itsalovelylife

P.S. In other news, I am ready for spring and cute floral dress wearing!