Tuesday Tunes: Nicki Bluhm & The Gramblers~The Van Sessions

For those of you werent one of the 15,750+ facebook members who got the video link below into your newsfeed this past weekend (It just hit mine today) you're in for a treat!  Its a P-R-E-T-T-Y awesome cover of Hall and Oates "I Cant go for That" tune from San Francisco's Nicki Blum and The Gramblers....recorded in their VAN!!

Appropriately dubbed "The Van sessions", the tune is part of a compilation of covers the band recorded on the road last summer while touring cross-country.  The 16 video playlist includes classic favorites from bands like The Allman Brothers, The Grateful Dead, Linda Ronstadt and James Taylor. 

As everyone knows, the true test of how talented a singer is to hear them live on stage. Well, they pass with flying colors.  These recordings are one step better (in my book) because all the tracks are completely unfiltered. Hell, you can even hear the 'white noise' of the highway in the background! It totally reminds me of the slight "hiss" you hear when listening to music on vinyl.  Who doesnt love that? As I listened thru the sessions and other live recordings (the duet, "Unforgetaboutable" is a fave.) I could totally see myself getting addicted to her laid back, folky, 70s songstress voice.  Fabulous voice PLUS great vintage style? (think Jane Birkin or Allie McGraw) - This gal is the complete package!

Cher  Nicki

Doesnt she look EXACTLY like a young Cher from the 70s?

Currently on tour, Nicki and the gang will be comin thru the Los Angeles area next month on the 20th at The Hotel Cafe. Pre-sale tickets are just $12 bucks and you can purchase them online.

1623 1/2 North Cahuenga Boulevard - Los Angeles, CA

Fans can keep up to date thru their social networks (listed below) and the band newsletter. Members who subscribe to the mailing list will get a FREE Mp3 of the song "Carousel" from their latest CD, Driftwood available now on itunes

NICKI BLUHM ON:
FACEBOOK - MYSPACE - TWITTER - YOUTUBE

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Monday Muse: 60s "it" couple - Jane & Serge

Hands dowm THE most stylish (and sexiest) "it" couple of the 60s:

Jane Birkin and Serge Gainsbourg

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Cold + Rain + Sunday afternoon= Netflix Documentary Marathon

Woke up to a rainy Sunday morning here in Southern California. Grabbed my laptop, curled up in bed and hit 'play' on my Netflix instant queue list. Todays movie marathon runs the gamut of fashion, art, journalism, music and interoirs:

EAMES: THE ARCHITECT AND THE PAINTER

This documentary tells the story of the husband-and-wife team of Charles and Ray Eames, widely considered America's most important designers

 

NEW YORK IN THE FIFTIES
It was a powerful time in New York City, as the bohemian movement unfolded and changed the beat of the city. The cast of characters interviewed for this fascinating documentary (based on writer Dan Wakefield's memoirs) reads like a "Who's Who" of the decade

 CIAO! MANHATTAN

Originally only superficially a chronicle of Edie Sedgwick's days at Andy Warhol's Factory, Ciao! Manhattan has become one of the most insightful looks at New York's "Silver Sixties" period and the horrible fallout that followed

QUEEN: THE MAKING OF A NIGHT AT THE OPERA

With the release of "A Night at the Opera" in 1975, Queen catapulted into the rock 'n' roll mainstream and broke new ground with the wildly inventive single "Bohemian Rhapsody." This installment of Classic Albums series examines the creative process behind the landmark recording.

teext and images: netflix.com

Groovin on a Sunday Afternoon: Weekend event guide for 3.25.12

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(NYC) Lovers of pop culture will enjoy Brooklyn Museum's ‘Keith Haring: 1978-1982’ exhibit that runs thru July 8th. It focuses on the early works and career of the pop artist.  His namesake  foundation created the Keith Haring Tumblr page in conjunction with the exhibit that will feature a picture a day of scanned pages from the artists personal journals. {FREE} The Brooklyn Museum 200 Eastern Pkwy 

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(DFW) Check out the Texas Pinball Festival where the old school gamer can relive their childhood while basking in the glorious sight of vintage pinball machines, retro arcade games, and classic slot machines. Plus they're FREE to play!  Hourly prize drawings for pinball related memorabilia including the grand prize raffle: 'Transformers' Pinball Machine {$10 adult} Hilton DFW Lakes 1800 Hwy 26 Grapevine, TX

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 (LA) Calling all cops and sweet tooths: For Your Art will host the 1st ever 'round the clock' donut pop-up shop this weekend off Wilshire Blvd.  As many know, LA is a mecca for 24hour donut joints. Some of the metro's best bakeries and diners will offer foodies their confectioned toroids from noon on the 24th till noon on the 25th in 2 hour stints (click to see the full schedule).  I of course HAVE to try the Apple Fritter by Inglewood's historical landmark Randy's, but Nickle Diner's Bacon Maple sounds just too good to pass up as well! The event coincides with LACMA's free screening of Christian Marclay's 24 hour film: The Clock {FREE} For Your Art 6020 Wilshire Blvd.

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Movin' down a crowded avenue

Doing anything we like to do

There's always lots of things that we can see

You can be anyone we like to be

All those happy people we could meet

Just groovin' on a Sunday afternoon

~The Rascals: Groovin'~

Wednesday Wish List: "It's LACROIX darling!"

A beautifully illustrated book for the future little Miss Vintage.

  

If I HAVE to drink water, might as well be from something glamourous!
They're from almost 4 yrs ago, but can occasionally be found on Ebay.

I plan to bring back the art of letter writting with these (and these)

I know...I cant believe I dont own the AbFab box set yet either!

Patsy: What are you wearing, Eddy?
Eddie: Lacroix.
Patsy: It's fabulous.
Eddie: Good... Thank you.

Blank journal with 3-D images (complete with glasses!)

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Soul Train is now a Blue Train: RIP Don Cornelius

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I'm devistated to read the news of Don Cornelius' passing today. Even more shocking, is to hear it may be an apparent suicide *shaking head* Oh Don, You will be dearly missed. May you now rest in the peace that you could not find here on earth.
"...and as always, we wish you love, peace and soul!"

SAG 2012: Red Carpet Exposé

Exposed backs & bodices were a popular trend on the Red Carpet for this year's SAG Awards. Here are two of our favorite looks from that night.

Julie Bowen in Temperly London

Vibrant color, sparkling details, excellent draping and sexy open back

Rose Byrne in Elie Saab (Hands down Best of Show - She ROCKED that jumpsuit!)

Bold shoulder, plunging neckline & exquisite beadwork (Flawless hair too!)

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Gossip Girl 100th Episode

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Grab your pal's and get comfy on the couch -
The CW's Gossip Girl 100th episode airs 8/7c TONITE!

Friday Finds: $5 NWT Leifsdottir Cashmere Sweater ($228 retail)

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No brand is more synonymous with the Anthropologie customer than Leifsdottir. Each item in their collection is always effortlessly casual yet classically modern at the same time.  Case in point this DARLING sold out 'Daybreak Cardi'. Made from the softest, palest lilac cashmere with the most adorable floating daisy buttons down the front!  Problem was, normal retail price was a whopping $228 *DOH!*

I'm a sucker for Anthropologie and all but there is NO-WAY my conscious would ever allow me to pay full price on their clothes.  Thank God I've got 3/4 of the brands they sell on "speed-dial" in my brain! Comes in handy while thrifting :) I was thrilled to be able to pick this one up yesterday for $5.  In case you're a little slow with the math, that's 98% OFF retail! It was just icing on the cake when I took it off the hanger to fold it into my cart and realized it still had all of the original tags attached *giggles*  I tell ya ladies, it PAYS to take your time & go piece by piece down those aisles.   There are treasures just waiting to be found!

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DECO DELIGHTS: La Vie Parisienne Magazine



  

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