Sketch.

So, I know I am just terrible at updating this account. In the mean time, I've gotten better with my other social networks through the computer (Facebook, Myspace and, yes, Twitter) and have been trying to catch up on the piles of magazines I have on my floor, some television shows I've gotten horribly behind on, my stacks of new music (which is ALWAYS growing), and some sketching.

I had put my sketchbook aside because I got a bit busy with work and things, but I've tried to pick it up a bit since. I hope to pick up a pen more often to add to it because I've missed it a bit. I have some projects in the works and am really hoping to make some time for them. I'd like to try my hand at screen printing and perhaps creating my own line.

In other news, my research is kinda picking up-I've been trying to research on local up and coming music for an article I want to have posted on and online magazine. I've been talking to a few bands that seem interested and hopefully we can get some photoshoots organized very soon. I have some spots in mind to do these photoshoots, so, weather-permitting, it works out alright!

Giant puddle.

Hey to whoever reads this,

I had a semi-eventful day!

-Started with work this morning from 5-10am, unloading all the new stock in the women's shoe department-let me just say, I'm really digging Michael Kors' "Heidi Platform."

-Had a coffee meeting with a friend from Detroit Fashion Pages to discuss potential future projects with photo shoots; she likes my idea to do a piece about local music and try to do a photoshoot for an article to put on the site. I'm all about researching music; finding new stuff to listen to and share.
--Currently doing some research on local bands to see if I can write up an awesome article.

-Impromptu bookstore and pizza trip with a friend who found me after my meeting, and then it rained...and of course, when I decided to get back to my car, there was a puddle past my ankle just waiting for me around my car. Oh well!

-Now off to do more research and hopefully update this more often!

Long wait.

So, it's been an awfully long time since my last post, but I'm going to try and get better about posting on a more regular basis. Let's hope I can stick with that!

So much has been racing through my mind lately: family business, work business, friend visits, people moving, new music, concerts...speaking of which, Warped is coming up next week and I am utterly excited for it! I have some friends coming in for it and then a mini road trip planned for the weekend after it. I still can't get over how amazing the lineup for Warped is this year-it's going to be amazing!

Here's some new music I just can't get enough of:

-For All Those Sleeping just released their debut full length Cross Your Fingers with Fearless. I am really happy for them and can't wait to see them on the Pyknic Partery tour. Be sure to snatch up your ticket if you haven't yet-you can also get VIP tickets and do an eat and greet with all the bands!
-Parkway Drive are getting fresh with their new album Deep Blue! They have such a way of just pulling you into their music. I can already picture the rowdy crowds they get at their live shows...
-Pierce The Veil's Selfish Machines is such a triumph! Vic has such a distinct vocals and the instruments are so clean and intriguing. Definitely a CD I've put on repeat.

That's just a little taste of what I've been listening to of late...come follow me on Twitter, yes I have an account:
http://twitter.com/shopeing

Giant chicken fight.

Setup for Asking Alexandria

So, the other night was a fantastic event to be seen by all those who made the smart move to buy tickets in advance. I drove a few hours from Detroit to Grand Rapids so I could catch the Artery Foundation Tour headlined by Attack Attack! I almost thought it was a dream when I saw the lineup. I was very excited to see the UK talents Bury Tomorrow and Asking Alexandria (I personally believe Asking Alexandria to be one of my top buys of 2009).
I was not disappointed by the show. Bury Tomorrow got the crowd going-and even got a circle pit started. Asking Alexandria made the whole floor pretty much into a huge pit. It was so amazing to see the positive reaction of the crowd to these bands, especially for BT since it was there first time in the States. Lead vocalist Dani spoke of what a great welcome it was for them. Even with technical difficulties, Michigan natives I See Stars recovered and kept the energy up. Followed by Breathe Carolina, where David seemed to have a minor wardrobe malfunction, but didn't let that stop him from running around stage. Ending with Attack Attack! who got the crowd involved in a giant chicken fight and ended with being called back by the fans for one more song. As they sang "Stick Stickly" as their encore, former vocalist Austin made an appearance.
Basically, an amazing show, and I can't wait to catch Asking Alexandria on their next tour in a matter of months, where they will be the headliners with From First To Last, We Came As Romans and A Bullet For Pretty Boy. That lineup is shaping up to be a great show as well.

Warped Tour.

Bring Me The Horizon

You Me At Six

Has everyone seen the lineup for this year's Warped Tour?!

It's INSANELY AMAZING!

I am so pumped!

There are so many bands playing that I want to see again or see for the first time--it's always hard when they don't give you the schedule til you get there...but that's all part of the excitement that is Warped Tour!

Grab your water bottle and something to write or type the schedule to and maybe a small camera that won't take up too much pocket space because Warped is ALL about the experience more so than trying to get your Kodak moment. Don't get me wrong, I love taking photos at shows, but when the lens gets fogged from all the heat around you from all the people that's when there gets that haze on all your photos. I will say though, that I did get some decent photos and I met a lot of people! Like I said earlier, I'm totally a people person!

Out of the 45 bands I listed the other day 11 will be on Warped! But I didn't even list everything and I can say that I want to see pretty much every band...or as much as time will allow!

Too much excitement is happening in my life right now, so here is where I shall end this blog tonight...

New Years resolution.

I'm sitting here and I'm wondering, what makes a New Years resolution so hard for me to keep at?

I was just reading not that long ago that, should a person have a huge self goal for themselves, they should keep it to themselves because announcing it to other people can give you a feeling of false accomplishment. I guess I agree with this comment in that I find myself falling into this trap quite a bit...talking about future goals and plans for myself. Granted I haven't created my five year plan yet, perhaps because it changes so much. And I suppose potential in a future goal is not as definite as success doing what you said you could do a few months ago and actually doing it.

That's where I land: I want to share my goals, but then I tend to hesitate in telling other people in the case that I do not or cannot follow through. And, as much as people may say they don't need other people in their lives, everyone tends to strive for approval; myself very much so.

I'm very people-oriented.

I like being around people.

I like watching social dynamics between people.

I like people watching.

Needless to say, I go off on tangents quite a bit.

Going back to what I started with, I guess it's safe to say that yes, I guess I create a sort of pseudo-resolution every year. But, I guess I want to try and do it with not telling many people, see if that article is actually right or if it makes any difference to the amount of people I tell-I suppose that in itself is a type of resolution is it not?

CHEERS!

Bottoms up!

a CD.

So, I've been conversing with friends about who still buys cds versus who just buys off of their computers for just a digital file. I guess I'm in the minority, but I do like having a physical copy of a cd. The only times where I think it was inconvenient was when I went to a show, bought a cd, got crushed by the people around me, as did the case...but I think the cd was fine; tough plastic I suppose?

My computer, Wesley, as trusty as he has been, has had his share of breakdowns, so I was always thankful to at least have the cds. But, I suppose, that is what my external hard drive is for and takes up much less space than my shelf and boxes full of cds. I do always love looking at the album artwork, but now you can get that in addition to your purchases on like itunes and such. I just like having the physical in front of me. Although, I do love my new little ipod, so bright and colorful! His name is Winston, yes, I know it's silly to name things, but I suppose that's how I get connected to things so easily...

Recently, I've gathered many cds, whether buying on a whim or buying with intent or being a gift. I love music, I love receiving music or suggestions, and I love sharing music and suggesting different artists myself. Right now, I find myself in a darker mindset, so I've been listening to a lot of hardcore/metal with some pop punk to keep me upbeat as well. I've found some great bands in the past year.

The bands I would say I have been listening to a lot lately are (alphabetical style):

-Artist Vs Poet

-Asking Alexandria (pictured-I have and love the Dropdead! tee on the gent to the far left!)

-Attack Attack!

-Blessthefall

-Breathe Carolina

-Bring Me The Horizon

-The Cab

-Chester French

-A Day To Remember

-The Devil Wears Prada

-Drop Dead, Gorgeous

-Eat Me While I'm Hot!

-Flyleaf

-Forever The Sickest Kids

-Girl Talk

-Goodnight Nurse

-Hey Monday

-I See Stars

-I Set My Friends On Fire

-Justin Timberlake

-Kings of Leon

-Lady Gaga

-Let's Get It

-Mayday Parade

-Miss May I

-Norma Jean

-Opshop

-Paramore

-Quietdrive

-Ratatat

-Red Car Wire

-The Rocket Summer

-Saosin

-School Boy Humor

-Sky Eats Airplane

-A Skylit Drive

-There For Tomorrow

-Underoath

-The Used

-Vanna

-The Veronicas

-We Came As Romans

-We The Kings

-can't think of any x's...

-You Me At Six

-can't think of any z's...

-3Oh!3

---and that's only a fraction of the music I've been listening to of late!

Color!

The Pantone swatches are out for Spring/Summer 2010 and spring fashions are entering the doors to our stores and bringing in not just a splash, but a wave of color! I'm a bright color enthusiast I suppose, so this is a very exciting time to see all the new items currently shipping out to our favorite stores. I've been seeing some great accent pieces that can fit in anyone's wardrobe and won't trim your wallet down that size I wish I could...lots of tshirt dresses and other shirtdresses have been popping up, brightly colored swimwear is being unpacked and put on mannequins, and people never seize to be amazed that spring stuff is coming out now!

Some trends I'm looking forward to:
I've been seeing a lot of masculine trends turning a feminine chic route, like the ever popular hunting jacket and bringing out the rough sportster in every chickadee. You have your safari, military/utility jackets and shirtdresses with their beige and sage coloring, then you get your future femme fatale in sparkling metalics. But, don't let that title fool you, for there's always room for the Sex and The City doll around town with your higher than a city skyscraper heels, high cut shorts and intriguing backs, just don't take it too far to the point of trollop.

I always love looking through Rodarte's things. They were showing tribal and warrioresque at their show for spring (pictured). They sure know how to turn heads. They're young to the scene, but they know what they like and people are flocking to see their shows. With their futuristic shredded survivor female with bands of color popping here and there, they run with an idea and stick it to a tee!

I'm always open to your opinions, so feel free...