What do fish and chips, Emma Watson, and
the term “bollocks” all have in common? Aside from the healing process of your
latest break-up, these articles also all originate from England. To continue
the thread of English trendiness aforementioned, America has been introduced to
the timeless clothing brand called ASOS launched in the United Kingdom in 2000.
Unless you’re making a summer holiday in
London, the brand can be found at ASOS.com. With shipping to over 190
countries, and payments available in a number of currencies, you’re sure to get
your fingers on your favourite finds.
A recent t-shirt splurge, $45.00
Laden
with simplicity, color, and utterly reasonable price tags, ASOS is the middle
sibling who has sat quietly between Urban Outfitters and American Apparel for
far too long. This is not to say that one cannot dabble between the three
brands. There are no forbidden fruits when you’re young, and if there are then
you can deal with the repercussions later. Until then, add some of the crisp
qualities to your closet that ASOS has to offer.
Fit for the duties of daytime and the
adventures brought forth from nightlife, this brand abides by the fashion rules
of today and combs in some promising hints for styles on the forefront. The
Earthy color palette and fitted pant motif in menswear promises that guys will
be taken seriously and look bold all the while. Likewise, ladies can find
solace in the simple, form-fitting dresses and denim that attract the eye with
a little lace here and a little off-the-shoulder there.
And if ever there is the opportunity to
be cheekier in your endeavors, ASOS gives a proper amount of possibility for
unique printed tees, sleek logos, and daring structure for both guys and girls.
Photos from ASOS, "New Clothing"
Beyond the racks—or pages, in our
case—of clothing on ASOS.com, there lies footwear, accessories and sunglasses
to be praised, as well. Hell, there are even pages of onesies that you’ll
undoubtedly save in your wish list for a time when you frequent sitting by the
fireplace once again.
The point is that this brand is one to
be backed because it skews a little from the typical path found in American
shopping malls. Let ASOS serve as your outlet for variety. Even if you’re the
biggest vanilla enthusiast out there, everyone enjoys some caramel syrup on
occasion.
As an American youth, part of outgrowing
teenage years is acknowledging that you were not, in fact, the pioneer of
style, music and slang that you once thought you were. Instead, when you come
into your twenties as an American, you find that you owe all your hip
capabilities to our overseas neighbors, the English. Go ahead; take a peek at
the sharp styles at ASOS.com —English accent not included.
Here we are, yet
again, mid-way through summer vacation. You might have discovered that there’s
little romance left in your regular running routes after stumbling upon a
homeless bachelor hangout. Perhaps the patio served as a good reading spot
until the neighbor’s dog pinned you as an intruder and decided to announce it
to the entire area code. Below are four summer-savvy and overlooked locations to
expand your repertoire beyond the usual hangouts of summers past.
1. Your rooftop
Unwinding at the end of the day is bettered with a view. Get
a different perspective and climb up onto your roof. Your own hill top view was
above your head all along. I’ve found the roof to be perfect, not only to watch
the sun wake up or dip behind the horizon, but for dining, as well. Eating
afternoon snacks, and even dinner for that matter, at the kitchen table is too
formal, anyhow. Don’t forget to haul a blanket up there, though. Shingles
aren’t so forgiving.
Northern Colorado sunset, June 25th
2.The local farmer’s
market
Imagine yourself at Whole Foods market. Now, add free
samples, lower prices and live music to that setting. Sure, I love the comfort
of my own grocery and regular lunch joints (I only really know aisle 8; peanut
butter and Nutella). Yet, the farmer’s market is ripe with fruits and
vegetables with more flavor and freshness than even Chiquita Banana would know
what to do with. Allergies—especially in Colorado—might have you equating
Mother Nature with the schoolyard bully of primary school. If so, pick up some
of the locally harvested honey at the farmer’s market to accustom your nose to
the pollen in your area. If nothing more than to be in the sun and watch as
kids race to eat dripping ice cream cones before their lingering canine does,
the farmer’s market is something to savor during its presence in the summer. Little
known secret, the women who sell the salsa are typically open to bargaining.
3.A good reading spot
Although it’s dreamy to think of yourself enjoying a good
novel while swaying lightly in a hammock, there never seems to be two trees
close enough to rig such a luxury. It’s torturous, really. There are other
idyllic alternatives, however. The best tip that can be offered in finding your
own reading oasis is to separate yourself from city-like noise.
In the northeast reaches of Fort Collins, there is a
tranquil little place called Bingham Hill. As a result of my dear friend
Amanda’s endeavors by moped, she discovered the quaint lookout area engulfed in
green grasses and bordered by the Rocky Mountain Foothills (photo below).
Perfect for reading about the shameless tales of comediennes, or the love
affair of Gatsby and Daisy, locations like Bingham Hill can offer the carefree
quality of vacation without the accompanied fees.
Bingham Hill, June 23rd Amanda demonstrating relaxation at Bingham Hill
4.The freezer—yes, the
freezer
Unlike the other ‘underrated’ locations, the freezer is not
intended to be your next preferred hangout. Rather, it’s the unsung hero of
summertime. The freezer is meant for more than your soon-to-be forgotten
leftover chicken breast. Freeze berries of any kind for cold treats during the
day, or make a frozen variation of your favorite mixed drink come nightfall.
Below are two frozen treat ideas to try:
Frozen Dipped Banana Pops by Comfy Belly healthy recipes and treats
A potassium-packed treat coated in your favorite type of chocolate and crushed peanuts
Watermelon Mint Tequila Popsicles by Hungrygirl por vida
Different from the average Otterpop, this cocktail on a popsicle stick will make any landlocked barbecue seem not so far from the beach. Try without mint, too. CAUTION: melts quickly.
We all love a classic face-off; The Beatles vs. The Beach Boys, the Confederates vs. the Union in the civil war, the cheeseburger vs. the hotdog.
This summer, the alternative music junkies from Humboldt County, CA. to Atlanta, GA. are turning up the volume for a musical battle from overseas—the United Kingdom versus Australia & New Zealand. Ripe with instrumentals that make you believe you can make the head bob look cool, and countless, catchy choruses, the Brits, the Aussies, and the Kiwis are showing Americans a worthwhile head-to-head—or vocal cord-to-vocal cord—matchup.
If your summer siestas have taken place at the nearby indie café, you might’ve turned your ears towards the stereo in order to hear Bastille’s new music over the crushing of coffee beans into espresso. Initially formed in 2010, the band is comprised of four men from London. This is further evidenced from their often skinny jean clad legs and mussed hair.
Dan Smith, the lead vocalist of the group, has a sound comparable to the fluid lead singer for The Lumineers, Wesley Schultz. However, Smith retains his own style in a wide vocal range that is supported by occasional hints at his English accent. While the band’s premiere studio album, Bad Blood, began to catch attention from the U.K. rdebut in March of 2013, the U.S. was not far from earshot. Early stand-out singles, like ‘Pompeii” with a rhythm made for summer, will have you and your slew of friends walking in step down the sidewalk; undoubtedly looking less British and rugged than the members of Bastille, yet enjoying yourself all the same.
Now, if you’re less of the café, siesta type of summer soul, and you like to cut straight to the nightlife, drink-in-hand technique, you might make fast friends with another U.K. band—Disclosure. Recognized for their addicting tempo that picks up when it should, and slows down just as you need to catch your breath from your own awkward interpretation of dancing, the electronic duo is coming into the American spotlight quickly.
Brothers Guy and Howard Lawrence, the duo behind Disclosure, hail from Surrey. Yet, the undeniable likeness of their music on U.K. streets and U.S. soil alike has led to appearances such as the stages at Coachella last April. “Latch ft. Sam Smith” (attached below) comes from their premiere album, Settle. This single has hit number one on U.K. charts, and number two on American electronic charts. Perhaps, electronic music does, in fact, have a place in 2013 and Disclosure stands tallest among the rest to make this argument.
To combat these two groups from England, are two solo artists from down under. The first is singer-songwriter, Lorde from New Zealand. With two number-one hits in New Zealand, her single, “Royals” is climbing the charts in the U.S. Upon watching the music video to “Royals” (attached below), and finding a striking fair-skinned, blue-eyed, brunette singing to you—directly to you—you’ll be left jarred just long enough to watch the music video at least once more.
This alternative pop maven also gleans popularity from her songs, “The Love Club”, and “Tennis Court”. These hits all tie together with bridges as equally tranquil as heard in “Royals”. The clarity in her voice and freshness in her look has jumped from the island and has us all in a kiwi tizzy. If you haven’t knelt to praise Lorde’s musicality thus far, then surely finding out that she’s but 16-years-old will make you throw in the towel and succumb to her fandom.
Lastly, Betty Who a native of Sydney, Australia lends listeners her own classic pop persona just in time for rolled down windows and topless… Jeeps of this season. Her overarching, popular single, “Somebody Loves You” was first premiered by American bloggers in late 2012. Now, her lyrical “ooh’s” and “aah’s”, that we’ve long associated with the work of Madonna and Whitney Houston are making a comeback. Betty Who is settling in as one of the most preferred artists to lose track of time to on hot summer days.
From innovation within electronic music and the revival of meaningful lyrics, these groups and artists from overseas are meant to stay awhile. Boys versus girls, Brits versus Kiwis and Aussies—call it what you will, surely we’ll all be singing along regardless.
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Saturday, June 22, 2013
Trying my own
...at a more formal environment for blogging (no offense to my love affair with Tumblr-- http://furledbrow.tumblr.com/).
In an attempt to render my own restless fingers syndrome, an utterly fictional illness that I've diagnosed myself with, I will start to use this page for text and photos regarding not-so-hard-hitting news items from popular culture, life in Colorado, and the running world.
Let's watch as I fumble with a couple of these initial posts, before shedding the training wheels. I hope you'll find something worthwhile, or non-sensical enough to intriuge you within these posts. If not, I won't be offended if you return to channel surfing between The Voice and that re-run of FRIENDS in which the gang plays a game of Thanksgiving football.
