bossa n' famous.

my boyfriend got me hooked on the "bossa n' " albums. these tracks are a bossa nova twist on songs from classic bands like the rolling stones, bob marley, guns & roses, the ramones, the beatles & madonna. they're so good - check them out pronto.

do any of you know about the tumblr awesome people hanging out together? its my new obsession... here are a few of my favorite photos:

penelope cruz & woody allen

charlie chaplin & helen keller

wes anderson & kanye west

henry ford, thomas edison, warren g. harding & harvey firestone

mother teresa & princess diana

madonna, sting & 2pac

...happy hump day my loves!

be optimistic.

i adore these parings of fashion & art. miss x moss is simply fabulous.

...yesterday during my thrift & garage sale excursions, i found this old belle & sebastian cd in a pile of ribbon! its unbelievable how catchy this song is - i've been singing all day (& now you will be too!).

*i just returned from the grocery store & subconsciously bought 5 things that have wasabi flavoring... is that bad?

i love it all.

buddy holly.

i wish this was real life.

in ruins.

fol chen is so great!

giving up the gun.

this just made my night.

geburtstag.

my mother's love for classical music is astounding. she knows her music history better than me (don't tell my former professors) & can school almost anyone on facts about the various musical periods. ever since i can remember, she has claimed, "bach is my best friend" -- i know this might sound insane to many of you. but, if you knew my mama you would crack up & probably not be surprised at all. a few days ago, she sent me this email:

Hello Everybody,

Yes, today is the day....Johann Sebastian Bach's 325th birthday....turn on your local classical radio station and you are bound to hear the treasure of music he left us...Soli Deo Gloria!

Love, Rose

this is one of the thousands of reasons why i love my madre.

...she's the best! (& so is bach).

mumford & sons.

my new crush = mumford & sons. this folk rock band from london has wooed me with their vocals & instrumentals (hello, banjo!). hear there story here & listen to a few songs here. do it!

the boat that rocked.

i finally got around to watching the unbelievable film, pirate radio. not only is this movie hilarious, the soundtrack is outstanding. if you haven't seen it yet, watch it this weekend. it will put you in the greatest mood... trust me!

listen #8.

stop, look, listen & download. the new urban outfitters CD is out & it is more than impressive. the 25 track picks are awesome & have got me dancing in my apartment like a crazy lady. whether you download this album for free via itunes, or listen to it on the website, just promise you'll check it out... its more than worth it!

a few of the featured artists are:

sister crayon

field music

avi buffalo

& many more : cold cave, yeasayer & owen pallett.

she & him.

zooey deschanel + m. ward = she & him, a very talented indie pop duo whom i love. this march, they will release their second album, volume two. the album will have 13 tracks, one being the song below: in the sun. this song pretty much rocks my world. what do you think?

almost alice.

so, guess which movie hits the theaters march 5...tim burton's imaginative alice in wonderland (in 3D!). i have no doubt this film will tear up the box office with johnny depp as the mad hatter, helena bonham carter as the red queen & crispen glover as the knave of hearts. this movie is bound to be outrageous.

&, guess which album hits the stores march 2...the soundtrack to this new version of alice in wonderland, almost alice. yesterday, myspace publicized the artists, who the soundtrack will feature. the 2 songs i am most anxious to hear are, "very good advice", which robert smith (from the cure) will perform. also, "the lobster quadrille", which will be covered by franz ferdinand. this cd is going to be m.i.n.e. hands down.

evian. live young.

let's observe the effect of evian on your body.

ok--this commercial just made my day.

the first days of spring.

dear noah & the whale,

did y'all write this song for me?

"cause blue skies are calling...but i know that it's hard."

love, leah bell.

then you can start to make it better.

my night is complete, thanks to this awesome flow chart & the lovely lady at

far out brussel sprout.

today marks the date of declaration of dependence, the new kings of convenience album. i can't wait to hear what the brilliant numbers norwegian duo have created. its been 5 years since their last album launch, so i'm sure there'll be many surprises & incredible tracks. their new single, boat behind, is simply unbelievable & makes me smile. check out the video!

la vie en rose

some days i feel like being swept away...

be my valentine?

amazing valentine cards via: papercrave:

tandem bicycle card by lark press

smock paper:

spitfire girl's cherry wood sparrow card from urban outfitters: 

although tomorrow is valentines day, i have yet to see a store overly decorated with pink & hearts & fake red roses. there are no love songs playing in the supermarket & my students aren't making valentines boxes or giving out little candy hearts that say, "be mine" or "hug me". yes, the japanese do celebrate this holiday of love, but in a completely different way. february 14 is deemed a day for girls to give their loved ones some chocolates (which, they typically make themselves) or a bag of candy. in return, on march 14, white day, boys are expected to give back a more expensive or significant gift. interesting, ne? 

regardless, i've been in the valentines spirit all week. i've been constantly listening to love songs & classical heart breakers from my older albums, newer purchases & of course, the radio (thanks to my new internet installation). i can't get enough of npr's valentines specials: make out mix, &  lesser known love songs as well as the holiday love selection from my favorite boston radio station. here are some of my top picks for valentines day!

•  "Debra" from Beck's Midnite Vultures album
  
• "Samba da Bencao" from Bebel Gilberto's Tanto Tempo album
• "Danny Says" from The Ramones' End of the Century album
• "Love is the Reason" from Blossom Deary's Soubrette album
• "Anytime" from Brian McKnight's From There to Here: 1989-2002 album
• "Anti Love Song" from Betty Davis
• "My Sweet Hunk O' Trash" from Billie Holiday

...i also had the hankering to make valentines day cards for my coworkers.  the cards turned out really cute, even though i didn't have any modpodge (hah!). 

i didn't get any cards in the mail, but i did email my loved ones these cards by kate spade,  which i thought were adorable! check them out (via creature comforts):