MUSIC MONDAY: DIY RECORD WALL

I know I've touched on the subject, but for those of you that didn't know; I've moved into a new place! It's so full of exciting new opportunity and positive energy. Some days, I wake up and I feel like my heart is just going to explode from symptoms of extreme jubilation. Of course there are other factors that have been making things incredibly blissful, but right now we're talking about the physical space.

I've moved into a much smaller room and have been working hard to find creative and visually appealing space saving solutions while buying as little furniture as possible. It's been tricky, but I love the way things are shaping up.

One of my first DIYs in my new bedroom is this fantastic record wall, I have a growing collection and my record console can only hold so many.



This DIY really is as simple as sticking a binder clip on either side of the record, and hanging it on two clear pushpins. Of course you get get really fussy and measure everything out, probably do some tricks with a level and string or something, but I just lined everything up with the baseboards and the corner of the wall and filled in the negative space. I don't like over thinking projects or waiting too long to see my vision come to fruition.

You really don't need to buy those fancy record frames to show off your collection. You can just go to the office supply store and buy a few bags of binder clips.

I just saved you $100. You can Paypal me the difference.

Vinyl Monday; (More) Cat Stevens.

I revamped the VINYL MONDAY header! Do you love it?
It rained all day yesterday, so I didn't have a chance to take pictures outside. I took these at about 11:00 pm in the hallway between my bathroom and bedroom, I didn't shave or do my hair, so looking down kinda masked all that nasty. Enough about the pictures! It's VINYL MONDAY.

Did you know that I love Cat Stevens? BECAUSE I LOVE CAT STEVENS! His albums make up about 90% of my record collection and I'm totally not embarrassed by it. The first time I heard him, I was moved to tears; powerful stuff. As he gets older, he just keeps getting better. I hope that in some ways, I'm like him.

Does that make sense? Like, maybe some of his luminosity will brush off onto to me if I listen close enough?
I'm ready to shake the stardust out my hair but, first I'm going to go flip the record over.

What have you been listening to?

Vinyl Monday: The Monkees.

We've already discussed my gigantic crush on Mike Nesmith, but I wanted to make sure that ALL of the Monkees got a fair shake on my blog.

The are such a source of positive energy! You can't listen to them without smiling. This morning, I felt moody and little groggy before going into work. I wasn't really sure how to psych myself into happy mode until I dug out this record (the sleeve above isn't mine; mine is in VERY bad shape). Almost instantly, everything turned around.

Have you ever read about Maslow's theory regarding peak experiences? Basically, a peak experience is one of those moments where you are immediately flooded with intense feelings of happiness and inter-connectedness; a moment of transcendence. While it is considered to be insanely difficult to facilitate these experiences outside of using hallugenics, some things may trigger smaller (but still powerful) states of euphoria.

Listening to the Monkees this morning, gave me just enough personal illumination to make it through the rest of the day with a smile on my face.

Thanks boys!

Vinyl Monday: Sonny and Cher.

This was one of the other "Buy 2, Get 1 Free" records from last week.

I was actually embarrassed to buy this. It just didn't seem like something a cool kid would be picking up at a record store. I may have even actually mumbled something about how "this isn't for me, it's a gag gift".

Totally not a gag gift. Possibly a guilty pleasure.

I know that Cher is a big deal. I get it. I just don't subscribe to her current "brand", I guess. Aging pop-star/divas just aren't for me.

However, there was definitely a moment in time when she was AMAZING. It's abundantly clear; she was cool enough to rope in all of the coolest mustachioed bros in the mid to late 70s.

Can you stand how adorable her Sonny's outfits were? Consistently cute.

What are YOU listening to today?

Vinyl Monday: Seatrain.

Be sure to watch the video this week! It's incredible!


I was digging through the discount bin at our local record shop (Buy 2, Get 1 Free!!!!), and I came across this Seatrain album. I squealed a little and took a picture. The sleeve was just too good. I kept digging, and set this one aside. I almost walked out empty handed. I didn't know who they were, they just looked amazing.

A dude in overalls with no shirt underneath, a large amount of love beads AND awkward facial hair situations? This album cover was made for me, right?

I shamelessly shelled out $7 after finding two other equally as impressive albums, and skipped to work.

I got home and decided to do a little research. I'm usually not into super psychedelic stuff, but I really dig this.

Do YOU?

Vinyl Monday: Carole King.

I saw Lea at my day job earlier today (the one that's keeping my lights on), and somehow our discussion turned to THIS Vinyl Monday post. I was tired this morning and not feeling super thoughtful or anything. I jusy waved my hand over my record crates and pulled out the first thing I touched; Carole King's Tapestry.

To be completely honest, I have never ever listened to it. It's just one of those records that every single thrift shop/record store/goodwill has by the millions. I really like OTHER artists she's loosely associated with, she can't be that bad, right?

When I got home tonight, I found it incredibly hard to find a video in which Carole really seemed to encompass a "vibe", after about four or five I assumed she was just another1970's automaton; engineered to pump out the jams.

Finally, I found this one, where ol' Carole finally gets down and really rides those astral planes.
(The drummer is a stone cold fox, BTW)

So, now I guess I'm a convert.

She's really not that bad.

What do you think? Have I lost mind? Do YOU like her?

Vinyl Monday: Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass.

Every single thrift store I have ever been in has had a copy of this Herb Alpert album.  I finally decided that if everyone thought it was worth purchasing in 1969, that maybe it had to be good. I bouth it at shop that was have a 20 records for $2 sale, so it was a small price to pay to satiate my curiosity.

The best ten cents I've ever spent; it's pretty great!

Nothing can turn a frown upside-down quite like this record. Even the cats are dancing!

It's really fun to do just about anything to, really. I've written papers for school while hanging out with ol' Herb.

The next time you come across it, give it a chance. You will adore it. I promise.

Isn't that video incredible?! 

The Return of Vinyl Monday: Andrew Jackson Jihad.

(If you're easily offended of if you have a ton of feelings, skip the video)

Vinyl Monday is back! Excited? I am.
I've been super busy since graduating, but I really want to get back to my regular blogging schedule. I miss you guys!

I have a ton of catching up to do with everyone, so if you were expecting an email from me for one reason or another I'm going through the first batch tomorrow.

As soon as the weather hits about 80 degrees, things get pretty folksy around here. There's something about tossing on a pair of cut-offs and riding bikes with don't-care-hair that seems to go hand in hand with both old and new folk music.

This morning I dusted off Andrew Jackson Jihad's "Only God Can Judge me", and folk-ed around until it was time to leave for work.

What did you do this weekend? 

vinyl monday: tilly and the wall.

I was going to wait until I could secure a clip from my DVR, but I'm just too excited to wait!

Today, my doily ghost was featured at the beginning of THE MARTHA STEWART SHOW! I almost cried. I'm still not even sure how to react to hearing HER say MY NAME!!!!

I could just burst, really.

TILLY & THE WALL - BEAT CONTROL by Team_Love

So, it's clearly time to celebrate and I don't know any band that captures the way I feel today better than Tilly and the Wall. Beat Control is such a great song and the video seems to capture the sort of dynamic energy that I'm feeling right now.

What sorts great things have been happening to you?

<3

Robbie.

Coming up...

-the finished Bird Mask.

..

-EVEN MORE Vintage Halloween Inspiration

-a pile of Finished Fabric Pumpkins

-A Haircut

-and maybe a finished sock?

...Stay Tuned!!!

vinyl monday: the gaslight anthem.

It had rained most of the day in Jersey. It's kinda bleak. However, I did see a girl with a really swell umbrella.

My boss calls the Gaslight Anthem "rainy-day-in-north-Jersey" music. I tend to agree, but I don't mind his negative connotation. I can't think of anything more sweet than walking around little North Jersey towns in the rain.

But I digress, interpret their sound however you want; please enjoy it.

I'm going to go work on a tiny paint-by-number-clown.

What's your favorite rainy day activity?

<3

Robbie.

Coming Up...

-The Never-Ending Braided Rug.

-A Work in Progress; The Bathroom.

-The First Roll of Film From My Diana Mini

-Acrylic Stash-busting + Vintage Craft: God's Eye

...and much more

vinyl monday: hair.

Dave and I went to a Chinese buffet for dinner and I feel like I may have eaten far too much. I'm kind of drowsy. I can barely hold my head up. I'm a fool for those fluffy little donuts. I'm going to try to make this quick, because I'm going to feed the cat and hamster and then pass out on the couch.

When I was in that strange place between a teenager and an adult. You know the place, where you stay out late every night and drink like a fish? Yeah? It's near there. I would spend endless hours at my best friend Dan's house. His mom used to boil chicken in ketchup for dinner while we practiced jazzercise moves in his formal living room.

One (recovery) day, we sat on the couch until the sun went down watching his parents movies. That day was the first time I had ever seen "Hair"and it blew me away! If you haven't noticed, I have a sort of affinity towards the sixties/seventies; it seemed like "Hair" was created just for me!!!!

Dan and I aren't friends anymore, we both grew up; just in two very different ways. Our lives have both changed drastically, but I will never forget the smell of boiling ketchup or watching "Hair" three times in a row.

Are there any movies/plays/musicals that have had carved out a place in your memory?

<3

Robbie.

Coming Up...

-The Never-Ending Braided Rug.

-A Work in Progress; The Bathroom.

-The First Roll of Film From My Diana Mini

-Acrylic Stash-busting + Vintage Craft: God's Eye

...and much more

vinyl monday: rilo kiley

I completely lost the entire weekend! I have no idea where it went...

I do remember finally seeing Harry Potter, and cutting endless strips of plaid fabric for the braided rug. Maybe I did a little homework?

I really love Rilo Kiley (and anything else Jenny Lewis does). It's the perfect thing to listen to while laying around the house after scrubbing the kitchen all day. Monday is like my Saturday. I'm usually off on Monday and Tuesday; so I use those days to clean up, organize my week, plan out my blog posts and do Western Civ homework.

I have this fool-proof method adapted from the FlyLady to keep everything in order, because I'm home much less than I'd like to be. Maybe I'll share my "Control Journal" with you soon :-)

I'm off to do a quiz about Charlemagne! Wish me luck?

<3

Robbie.

Coming Up...

-Thrift Store Finds

-The Never-Ending Braided Rug.

-A Work in Progress; The Bathroom.

-The First Roll of Film From My Diana Mini

-Acrylic Stash-busting + Vintage Craft: God's Eye

...and much more