Vicky's Winged Vamps

The over-the-top, annual Victoria's Secret fashion show was recently taped on November 10th. Style photographer extraordinaire , Tommy Ton, was behind the scenes at the decadent event and able to take these amazing shots of the lingerie-clad glamazons along with their heavenly winged sculptures. My favorite set of fanciful flight appendages has to be the bubble wings and the woven straw wings. Not really digging the Ed Hardy inspired look in the last picture though-that's because I find his clothing too busy and tacky.

Watching this runway show always makes me excited for Christmas. Yes, I do find it strange that an extravagant runway show consisting of impossibly beautiful women strutting around in embellished undergarments reminds of the birth of Jesus. This is probably because the show always airs between Thanksgiving and Christmas, and I've always thought of these holidays as plentiful and lavish, what with a good portion of us stuffing our faces with amazing food until it hurts, spending loads of money on the ones we love, and sometimes receiving copious amounts of gifts. Not that I'm complaining HA! 

The show airs on November 30th this year and I'm sure it will give me a dose of workout motivation-as it ALWAYS does!

"The Cinema We Built Was to Play the Greats"

Beware: This man will make you swoon!

One of the most talented and riveting individuals I've come across on the inter-webs has to be the brilliant Derrick Brown. His shows consist of cleverly merging music, poetry, and comedy into one highly entertaining and charming act that would even impress those most opposed to the thought of poetry. The video above of "The Kurosawa Champagne" is perhaps my favorite of his works because of how deliberate his tangled words are in conveying an exhibition of emotions through powerfully sincere, imaginative metaphors. Plus, it's a love poem that isn't cheesy and boringly typical, just beautiful! 

My favorite lines:

 ‘Dear, in the morning let me put on your make-up for you.
I’ll be loading your gems with mascara
then I’ll tell you the truth…’

I watched black ropes and tears ramble down your face.

Lady war paint.

A squad of tiny men repelled down those snaking lines

And you say,

"Thank you for releasing all those fuckers from my life"

and

Your boots are a soundtrack to adultery.

Thank God your feet fall in the rhythm of loyalty.

(GENIUS)

With quite the cult following, Brown travels all around the country, as well as Europe, dazzling audiences with his unique act and has also toured with an impressive loot of musicians like Cold Ward Kids and The Decemberists. Hailed as one of America's top 5 poets, the man is of course published and started his own press called Write Bloody Publishing. I highly recommend watching ALL of his videos-he even has a ridiculous video of when he was on some low-budget dating show.

"Gyspsy"

This look was inspired by none other than Stevie Nicks-hell the whole reason I bought this caftan was because the overall shape and flutter reminds me of the lovely, whimsical minstrel and her ability to always dress with such light-as-air caprice. However, the acid cool-aid colors and giant psychedelic paisley print definitely scream 60s as opposed to the more subdued 70s Stevie. I can't help but notice that caftans have come back in a big way. Just take a gander at some of my favorite vintage haunts, like Spanish Moss or Feathers (where mine is from), and you'll find an array of these loungers. HA when I first bought this particular piece and proudly showed its brilliance to my boyfriend he reluctantly told me that it looked like something you are only supposed to wear around the house or over a bathing suit. He was right, but that made me love it even more because vintage is all about reinventing under-appreciated treasures and showcasing them in a whole new light.

I'm ALWAYS initially drawn to bohemian-esque garments and jewelry, but make it a point to toughen-up the etherealness of said style with harder elements (preferably anything with a rocker vibe). So to mix things up I decided to pair the caftan with these semi-shiny, python-textured leggings and studded heels. On the whole it's all very comfy and I'm pretty sure you can see me from a mile away with this loud, punchy tunic. 

Caftan: Vintage

Leggings: Urban Outfitters

Shoes: Target

LifeTrax

Every Friday I'll be posting a small playlist of songs that float and flutter in and around my existence. These are the tunes that keep me going through my days as they inspire, console, and interpret my outlook on matters of sorts-think of it as a continuous soundtrack of my life, if you will. This particular set is definitely geared towards the cold weather to come and change in general.

This track from the marveled, electronica veterans' latest album, Heliogland, has gotten my attention because of its gothic nuances.

In particularly, the consistent, marching band drums give me that sense of forging through some daunting life crisis while keeping your wits about you, and the oh-so melodic vocals are the perfect soothing overlay.

Gal group Warpaint sure are turning heads with their dose of unadulterated psychedelics. To display their level of notoriety and talent-the artists opened for alt-indie rockers, Sonic Youth, in Austin as part of an after show for ACL 2010.  Actress, Shannyn Sossamon, and former Warpaint drummer recently directed the band's latest, stunning music video for "Undertow".   

Ryan Gosling (yes, the actor), his pal Zach Shields, and the Silverlake Conservatory children's choir make up Dead Man's Bones. Their one album is completely conceptual as it focuses on the supernatural. Seriously, who doesn't want to hear wee kiddos sing "My Body's A Zombie For You"?

White Dress is one of my favorite local acts. The sultry vocals and garage sensibilities will warm you to your very core-just in time for the dropping temperatures. If you're in Austin they will be playing tomorrow, November 14th, at The Hole In The Wall. You can check out more of their music here.

Air Waves just performed at FunFunFun Fest and she has also recently relocated to Austin (SCORE!). "Lightning" always brings a smile to my face and the tinkering bells make me daydream about the upcoming holidays-bells always do that to me.

I keep finding myself listening to The Kills time and time again. I love the dark, brooding rocker attitude their sound exudes along with their intuitive lyrics. The pair have awe-inspiring chemistry on stage, not to mention Alison Mosshart's rock chic style is perfection. 

www.r4nt.com

White Dress

Warpaint: www.aurgasm.us

Blue Suede Shoe Porn

I cannot stand Jessica Simpson's so-called music, but the girl certainly can design a pair of shoes. Upon first seeing these babies I fell in love immediately-the platform, those curves, that incredible COLOR! So, I splurged and brought these electric-hued stilts home. They are so deserving of black leather...lots and lots of black leather. I can safely say that the little Elvis inside of me is now satisfied.