Updates and cool things

Since there is nothing exciting going on with me and over the past bit, I've been privy to a few cool things, I figure I'll share those instead. Some other people know about, some other people don't.

Cool songs that increase your indie cred -

Stars - We don't want your body :

I think this may be my favourite song off "The Five Ghosts". I say that now, 34 days before the album comes out. However, it's catchy, head bob worthy and Amy Millan rhymes "ecstacy" with "sex with me". Can't get much cooler than that.

Pogo - Upular

This artist named Pogo, takes sounds from various environments and remixes them into a song. This one in particular is from the movie UP. I'm a huge fan of that movie and obviously I figured I'd at least enjoy it. However, it blew my mind. It's incredible. The amount of work that would have gone into that is unfathomable. I get bored of projects after 5 minutes. That would have driven me crazy. He has 5 or 6 up on the youtube channel that I'm a huge fan of, 11 in total.

The Weepies - I was made for sunny days

It's the first song you hear as soon as the webpage finishes loading. I'm really not sure what I think of this to be honest. I'm completely impartial. I like it sure, it's not my favourite though. Not bad by any means but not mind blowing. I'd like to think I'm a relatively large fan of The Weepies, I can't say however, if this was the first song I had heard by them I'd feel the same. Nothing they'll make will be as good as Say I Am You.

The Soft Pack - Fences (Phoenix Cover)

The original is one of my favourite Phoenix songs so when I heard this version of the "Her Indie World" mix pack that Aritzia had playing in the store I almost exploded. While I do love this original and almost always hate covers, they brought something different to the song. It's a little more rough and I can actually hear and understand the lyrics. Who knew?!

Young Marble Giants - Salad Days

Another hit off the Her Indie World mix pack. This song (well the first half of this video) is so unbelievably cute. I think it's really good for waking up in the morning during the summer or for driving in the car with the windows down with the smells of the water and fresh cut grass crawling up your nose. It's one of those songs that I could see being put at the beginning of a Fox Searchlight Pictures movie that's about a 17 year old girl in high school that just found out her parents are sending her to some camp she doesn't want to go to where she'll meet the guy of her dreams and fall in love. Swoon, scratch that, vom. Being 2 minutes long, the song makes me happy. Unfortunately I couldn't get an album version to share, sorry!

Two Door Cinema Club - Lasso (Phoenix Cover)

While I still think that the original is better, this is still a really good cover. Maybe it's because I'm a big fan of TDCC, maybe it's because their initals remind me of TCDD and that makes me a huge science nerd. I'm not quite sure. Nonetheless, both this song and anything else from TDCC should be listened to.

Pretty things -

The past little bit I've taken a keen interest in fashion. Who knew. I'm constantly on the look for things that make me go "ooh!" or "ahh!". Here's a quick little list of cool places to check out.

Modcloth Clothing

A mix of vintage and vintage inspired clothing, mainly for women but I think they have a few things for men. I got my convocation dress from here. The prices are dirt cheap for the quality and variety. While they are in the states and exchange and shipping increase the prices slightly, it's more than worth it. New items are added every day and each item has a list of reviews that definitely help in decision making. While the sizing is different than what you'd expect, follow the instructions and you'll find online shopping becomes less fearful.

Lulu's

Similar to modcloth in the type of clothing, but I find with a smaller age range appeal. Mod cloth has items I could see myself wearing when I'm 30. Lulu's on the other hand I feel appeals to the 15-25 range. One thing that Lulu's has that modcloth does not is a lookbook and I love lookbooks. It puts together outfits for you. Click on an item in the lookbook and it shows your similar items too. That always helps. There currently are four categories and they change with the season.

Things to make you seem smarter -

Smart Pretty and Awkward

This website has become the first thing I check daily as my three tips for the day. Updated almost daily, each post starts off with a quote that will ultimately make you think, laugh or cry. The post itself shows something to make you smarter, gives you a tip on how to be prettier, and gives you some advice on how to seem less awkward. I can always use a bit of the last one.

Lobster and Fishsticks - Make it again 2010

It's a weblog that is for the reposting of recipes. Most of them are recipe makeovers. I'm usually not one for cutting calories when it comes to home made things and sweets but if you can cut the fat and calories without compromising taste then by all means, why not! My favourite recipe that I've found on here so far has been for low-fat strawberry bread. I've made it and not only is it awesome for breakfast but as a snack and as desert. Satisfying, without being heavy and sweet without being sugary. Type anything in the search bar and you'll come across a load of recipes.

Waterlife

This website tells the story of the great lakes, how they effect everyone in North America, how they're in extreme danger and how over the past 100 years we have essentially destroyed our life supply of fresh water. Canada holds the majority of the worlds fresh water supply. Due to our own ignorance and denial we've ruined the lives of those who will come after us. The toxicity levels of the great lakes are at all time highs, the majority of which has been caused by pharmaceuticals and other anthropogenically synthesized chemicals. Invasive species have essentially redefined food web systems within the basin.

The entire website is interactive and full of music and video. You start off learning about how water effects everything but from then can break it down into different categories like history, invasives, music, waste, chemicals etc.

Being a limnologist obviously I'm interested in this kind of stuff, but even I've learned so much from this and is probably my favourite find on the internet.