is plaid still as rad in '10?

We've seen plaid in store-font windows and mannequins and on the 12 year old neighborhood kid pushing around his skateboard, so has this trend been overdone? Most would say yes, especially after the tartan plaid has saturated the american eagle's and the hot topics and the like. I was definitely one to fully embrace the plaid, when it first made it's appearance, or re-appearance after the grunge era, but is it still fashion forward and can you still make a statement fully clad or minimally accessorized in plaid? Let's take a look at a few ways to wear this and still look le magnifique and relevant in twentyten!

chhhangesss

2009 was a year of changes, connections and lost connections with friends near and far, new jobs and new experiences, move-ins and move-outs, the realization of on-going love, and most of all missing certain cities so much and missing the creativity and inspiration they once filled you with. Here's a look back at the great things in 2009 (some 07/08) that brought me huge inspirations, and hoping that this post and the resurfacing of certain things will open the flood gates of inspiration.

As the days pass, I'll be posting photos and tid-bits or stories of everything and anything that brings me any kind of inspiration. What inspires you?

Band of the Month: THE LOOK + Contest!

The Look is a pop/rock band from Seattle, WA. The band's members include Andrea Valdez on lead vocals, Abdon Valdez on drums, Eric Freistadt on boards/guitar and Nick Lawrence on boards/guitar. Since their start in 2004, they have won over fans with songs like, "This Is How We Shake", "We Are Electric" and my personal favorite "Lose Control." They have played a countless numbers of shows throughout the Northwest and have done some stints at the Vans Warped tour, an appearance at the Bamboozle Music Festival in New Jersey, and the Virgin Music festival in Canada! They are set to start recording this September and a full-length album will be available before the new year!

They will be posting some new songs on their myspace page shortly, keep checking out for that!

Head on over to reccenter.com for THE LOOK updates, news, music, photos and videos that you wont find anywhere else!

For a complete list of shows and band bios/info visit the band website, wearethelook.com!



Chica y Bella has worked with THE LOOK and is proud to be giving away 2 necklaces!

The contest will run for one week and you can enter as many times as you'd like. Leave a comment on this post and the winner will be chosen by whoever leaves the most creative, LOVE-filled comment!

Contest ends August 15th at midnight. GOOD LUCK!!!

Band of the Month: The Composure + Contest!

The Composure is an indie, pop-rock band that hails from Pittsburgh PA. Paul Menotiades and Jesse Hall founded The Composure and have also been in a slew of bands; among them, Punchline and Me Just Being Me! The Composure is their latest project. Their music is fun, upbeat and always thoughtful. The boys have been doing acoustic shows throughout Pittsburgh for the last few months and they have recently announced the addition of 2 new members, Cory Muro on drums and Andy Marks on bass. Let's hope they stick with this, why you ask....because it's just too good!

Check them out and listen to their tunes at myspace.com/thecomposurerock!



Chica y Bella has worked on a great accessory for all of you fashionable fans! To win this mini bag/wristlet, leave a comment on this post!

Contest will be extended for one more week. It kind of got a late start, so tell all your friends to enter now! GOOD LUCK!

Contest ends Tuesday, July 17th.

Rilo Kiley's new music video

The first video from "Under the Blacklight" is for the track, The Moneymaker! Head on over to Pitchfork.com and watch it now! I will warn you, you have to sit trough 8-9 minutes of porn actors, talking about porn and reading lines. The last 2 and a half minutes are what you want to see! Just sit tight, I promise it's there.

SXSW

So, it's about that time for one of the greatest music/film/interactive media festivals that could ever be created. SXSW 2007, is sure to be a huge success! Everyone seems to be excited for the music portion of the festival, with their first 2500 wristbands selling out in less than 2 hrs, one can only expect that people are going to be in a frezy trying to get their hands on a wristband. Now, that all the wristbands are completely sold out, some are selling on ebay for up to $1000 a pair and the badges are up there at about $300-$400 for just one! If there was any event worth all of that cash, SXSW is definitely it! With over 1300 bands playing from all over the world, you'll be sure to leave austin with a few new favorite bands! For the full band list click here!

Here is a small list of some of my favorite artists! If you can't make it to Austin, listen to some of the artists below and get a little taste of what SXSW will have to offer this year!

Ghostland Observatory (Austin,TX)
listen to some of their music here!
The Watson Twins (Los Angeles,CA)
listen here!
The Gossip (Seattle,WA)
listen here!
Okkervil River (Austin,TX)
listen here!
And last but definitely not least, BLOC PARTY (London,UK)
listen here!


If you aren't lucky enough to get a wristband, you can still join in on the fun! This will be a treat for all you Arrested Development and David Cross fans! This event is FREE & ALL AGES, Check it out:

Friday, March 16th (Hosted by David Cross) with: Les Savy Fav, The Black Angels, The Gossip, Dead Meadow, Erase Errata, David Vandervelde, Matt & Kim, Danava, Brother Reade, Spindrift + special guest + Andrew WK discussing stuff.