Friday's Awesome Five

Happy Independence Day Lush Scouts! It just so happens that the 4th coincides with a Friday this year (heeeeey three day weekend!), so I thought it would be an appropriate time to sit down and take the time to talk about some of my favorite things from the past couple weeks.

1. I've been listening to a lot of Angel Olsen lately. I was introduced to her via this great performance on David Letterman. She sounds similar to Courtney Barnett, but with a smidge more blues. I enjoy that I can often listen to her and pick out influences. Go ahead, give it a listen:

2. I've been watching the SHIT outta the FIFA World Cup. I watched almost ever match of the last cup, and while I haven't been quite up to that standard this time, I have watched every USA match and streamed several other while at work. Besides rooting for the USA, I watch for the gameplay, not because I really want any specific team to win. I witnessed our great game against Ghana and our amazing game against Portugal (minus the last 2 minutes). I saw the losing match with Germany that put us through to the round of 16, and heard my coworkers make the saddest noise ever as we lost against Belgium. I look forward to the next cup, because while we didn't necessarily have the hustle and cohesion we needed to really break out of this cup, we played well and played with courage and heart. Not to mention that Tim Howard is basically a God (and as a former Goalie, I definitely admire his ability to save ALL the things.)

3.  I'm super excited about the newly introduced program by Google, Made With Code, mean to introduce and excite girls about coding and computer science. As a kid who taught herself HTML at a young age, I wish something like this had been available to me at the time. I am however, going to be learning some more coding, to make up for lost time (obviously), through CodeCademy's free lessons. Better late than never, right? But regardless, I intend on introducing my sweet little niece to this, because code is rad.

4. Look at this great scarf! I love flamingos as a motif and they're so subtle in this. Also, it's an infinity scarf, so really no way to go wrong! I've been acquiring flamingo items at a rapid pace this summer, so I may look into investing in this one as well.

5. I went with my boyf to see The Grand Budapest Hotel last weekend and it was AMAZING. It may have displaced The Darjeeling Limited as my favorite movie. It had everything I love about Wes Anderson films, plus more action, more vulgarity, and a Czech/Austrian/Sudenten influence. It immediately made me homesick for Vienna and I felt overwhelmed with nostalgia on several occasions throughout the film. Even the boxes from the movie's iconic bakery "Mendl's" reminded me of the similarly pink boxes from Konditorei Aida found throughout Vienna.

Have a great holiday Lushies. May you keep your fingers away from fireworks, your belly full of burgers, and may you not get so drunk you humiliate yourself.

I just bought me a brand new box of matches,

Cait

Friday's Awesome Five (on Saturday, but still awesome!)

Hi there luscious Lushies! I apologize for my absence as of late. I've been fighting a pretty terrible back injury that has me in physical therapy several times a week. This Sunday, when sitting down to enjoy some soup (Szechuan pork soup, as it were), something crunched in my back and it left me screaming, unable to walk, and being taken to the hospital by paramedics. I'm in much better shape now after some good medications, one Harry Potter movie marathon, and lots of TLC from my Mom, so I intend on resuming my posts (especially since I have another week in which the doctor has forbidden me to work and there is only so many times I can watch 6 episodes of True Detective). So without further ado...

1. Wait, you might be saying to yourself, I am already well aware that Lush Scouts love donuts! However, these aren't just any old donuts; these are micro-bead donut pillows! They're 16" in diameter and less than 25$. If you are a blasphemer who likes ice-cream sandwiches, cupcakes, or ice-cream cones better than donuts, there are even options for you.

2. This video has been on repeat in my life this week (and everyone else's if you're judging based on the 4.5 million views). It takes on special meaning when you have a basic understanding of German, in that geil means both 'awesome' and 'horny'. There are a couple of other amusing jokes in there, involving cats and the like.

3. This handy little infographic (click to embiggen) is going to be helping me out with a little bit of spring cleaning, which I hope to do this week (I promise I won't over-do it Mom). Thank you unfuckyourhabitat!

4. BEHOLD! The Teggings tubetop. This baby, from what I can tell, is essentially a functioning bandeau top for ladies with big tatas! Right now it's almost out of stock, but when black is back, you can bet your sweet bippy I'm going to buy one. A bandeau that would work for me would be a MIRACLE. It's like Re/Dress can see into my soul.

5. I'm gonna let you in on a little secret: I love looking in other peoples' houses. Now it isn't strictly because I'm nosy. It's more because I like to see how other people decorate. This is why sites liked Apartment Therapy etc are such an epic time-suck for me. This is why I can watch HGTV nonstop when I am somewhere with cable TV. This is also why I thoroughly enjoy the Young House Love 'House Crashing' series. In the most recent installment they took a look at the home of Kimberly (a stylish American living in Manchester). Just check out those colours, that bright and airy kitchen, and that amazing gallery wall that gives this poster-junkie hope for her own future.

Tired of waiting, tired of waiting for you,

Cait

Friday's Awesome Five

In just a short few days I'll be beach-bummin on my first ever jaunt to Hawaii, so pardon me if this five is a bit sun-soaked. PARDON ME, Lush Scouts!!

1. Courtney Barnett is a girl who surely knows a thing or two about sunshine--she's a new singer-songwriter from down undah! A recent discovery for me, this aussie's new single 'Avant Gardener' is guaranteed to get you chilling on your front lawn. She reminds me of Ty Segall or Kurt Vile in a way, with her psychedelic almost country sound.

1. The neon-coral Scallop Crop Vest (is that British for tank top?) is going to look so so good with my favorite pair of high-waist skinnies! It's leaving me yearning for that first day of spring where you can whip off your jacket and dance in the streets--but for now this bright and sunny top will have to do. From Topshop

3. I found this tasty sounding Candied Grapefruit Cocktail on pinterest this week, and it's kinda hard to tell if it's a cocktail or a cooking project... For people like us, that's a good thing! From Tablespoon

4. Every time that I forget and re-remember that indoor citrus trees are possible, my day is brightened! That happened today, and I spent a good amount of time learning more about how easy it is to keep a lemon, lime, orange, grapefruit, or whatever tree thriving in your favorite sunny window. I have only dim windows (apartment livin'... sigh), so I'll keep this on my list for my next move!

5. Another Topshop item I want need! Summer is the best time for big purses, so that you can have everything from your current book, a bathing suit, a jar of wine, a frisbee, to an emergency cardigan (should night unexpectedly fall). From Topshop

We'll get there fast and then we'll take it slow,

-gu

Friday's Awesome Five

1. I am obsessed with a little website that I think I've mentioned before called Human. While they have a lot of novelty tees that aren't really my style, they also have lots of feminism-themed items that I find more than amusing (I even purchased a crewneck sweater that I pretty much haven't taken off since I bought it). Take, for example, the below:

A bright and cuddly blanket to curl up with while also supporting eye patches and equality?

  

Some new throw pillows to spice up your apartment?

Or perhaps you'd rather wear your heart on your sleeve?

2. So basically, trailers forever. I've been keeping a window with 20 tabs of beautiful vintage trailers open in my Chrome for week. Did it weird out the man? Maybe. But I have a feeling there might be some paintings and/or papercuttings and/or beautiful daydreams coming.

(Srsly. Look at those flamingos... swoooon.)

3. One of my favorite ladies, my main sister/dirty mistress from my time in foreign lands, shared this pin with me, reigniting my passion for the Austrian artist Egon Shiele. I forgot just how much I enjoy his works. A student of Klimt, his life was crazy, his choices were questionable, and he may have been run out of multiple towns for his 'improper' behavior, but his depictions of places, women, and sex are gorgeous and unique. I encourage you to take a look!

4.  I'm in love with these dainty old lady teacups with sassy sayings inside from UO... I will divise a plan to make these. Stand by!

5. Lastly, for your lulz:

Inner-City Wizard School from Peter Atencio on Vimeo.

mama says you should do it while you're young,
cait

Friday's Awesome Five

1. I'm kinda bad at the internet--I know that seems like a weird thing to admit, but I am famously not great at finding cool new blogs etc. (unlike you! you hip scout reading LS before it's even cool) But this week I discovered a new blog and also a new person I want to be: Keiko Lynn. Find her blog at www.keikolynn.com. She wears amazing outfits that are the perfect combo of badass and girly. Gurl is revvin' my fashion engines, and even makes me kinda want to wear cool eyeshadow!

2. The Looking for Love Sunglasses from ModCloth. Only one month till V Day! Cait and I got matching pairs.

3. This 'Huge Uterus Plush' toy. I want to hug it.

4. My weekend marathon show this week is Lilyhammer. It's a netflix original about a Mafia member who gets relocated to Norway and makes the 'Gu Frown' face a lot. Watch it!

5. I bought a LOT of Chia Seeds. A LOT. I definitely got caught up in the magic of costco, but I suppose there are worse random items to come home with in bulk! They have a zillion health benefits (my new years resolution is to be very regular) and I won't bore you with those because I'm sure your healthy friends have already spammed facebook with them. I've only tried a few things with them, and I'm in search of the perfect use! I've made the Easy Chia Pudding pictured below (I give it a B), I've added Chia to my oatmeal (A-),  and  soaked the chia seeds in orange juice and used the mixture in this Pineapple Coconut Citamin C Smoothie (A+). Send your favorite recipes my way, I have more than enough to do some experimenting!

Ch ch ch ch chia!

gu

Friday's Awesome Five

Salut Lush Scouts! I have a roundup of my faves from this week, and there are some really great things, if I do say so myself, so read on!


1. I had a great birthday this year! My parents sent me a package of cool things (including a neat bulletin magnet board my mom hand crafted), Gu got me a couple vinyls, my niece made me a card and sent me a picture of a rainbow unicorn, I went to a concert with Gu and some rad dudes, Gu brought me a donut cake (yes, those are giant donuts sculpted in the shape of a hamburger and fries, and yes, it did have real bacon on it), and she also accompanied me to Von Trapp's to drink Austrian beer and eat Käsespätzle!

I even got to partake in the sharing of a boot of Radler! (I have been informed by my uncle that I have betrayed my German ancestors by drinking without the toe up. My bad!)

Which brings me to my next point...


2. While living in Austria, I discovered the most refreshing beverage on the planet: Radler. It is a beer based, mixed 50/50 with soda, drink that comes in a variety of flavors from lemon to lime to grapefruit to berry and in Austria you can even get an Almdudler mix (if you know where to look). It comes in bottles, it comes in cans, it comes branded, and it comes generic. Similar to the British 'Shandy,' but better, I'm always shocked that it hasn't caught on in America. There is nothing like carrying your groceries from the store to the streetcar, to your apartment, and up several flights of stairs, just knowing there is an ice cold Radler to cheer you when you get to the top.

3. On an unrelated note, I recently ran across Fashion to Figure on Pinterest and I'm a big big fan! It's affordable, on-trend clothes for me! There are already many things in my cart to purchase. I've been wanting a galaxy dress for a while and I really like the colour and the style (especially the sleeves) of the one below. I'm just kind of in love with the striped illusion dress, and that skirt is so so so intriguing. The skirt is sheer, but there are boyshorts inside of it. It's just so crazy! Also interesting fact, the founders are the great grandsons of the Lane Bryant and the store is named after something she said in Glamour: You should never ask women to conform their figures to fashion, but rather bring fashion to the figure.

4. I made Gu this little craft project quite a while ago. It's a canvas with raised letters, all painted the same colour. I was making frames for my niece and nephew to keep pictures of themself with their brand new baby brother and had leftovers so I made one for Gu. It took us all of 6 seconds to decide that it should say 'LESS MOPE MORE DOPE' because that's her favorite slogan after 'Life's A Beach'.  I've been trying to figure out what I want to do with mine, but I think I've finally decided and I'll maybe do a quick little DIY when I get around to making mine this weekend.

5. I am considering putting myself on the market for a rug to brighten up the floor of my room/protect my carpet and thus far I'm finding a few things that draw my eye over at Urban Outfitters. I really like the split rugs that they are offering. I like the idea of getting two prints for the price of one. I'm also always a sucker for bright bright florals. I really like the half polka-dot/half floral rug pictured below and I've included a bonus, because I just really like that mat!

She Moves In Mysterious Ways,

Cait!

Friday's Awesome Five

1. We're having a Lush Outing tonight, Cait and I along with some boyz are going to see The Coup! I am beyond pumped, putting a lot of tracks from their most recent album "Sorry To Bother You" on serious rotation. Not to mention their videos which are super fun and clever/awersome/hilarious. Who's ready to get some socialist boogie-ing on? We are! 

The Guillotine

Your Parents' Cocaine (w/ Justin Sane from Anti-Flag)

Land Of 7 Billion Dances

The Magic Clap

2. Shorts season is fast approaching! Well really if you don't live in the Pacific North West you're probably already sweating, but up here we're still just thinking about shorts most days. Currently I only have some real gnarly jorts that have been doing a great job, other than that shorts are kind of the worst in my opinion! Stay tuned for a 'gu comes to terms with wearing shorts' post. Note: that is not gu's butt.

3. Happy Birthday Week to Cait!! The only way to say that and truly mean it is with this picture of Paul Simon dressed as a turkey:

4. I'm moving soon, and have found myself drooling over hip home goods from spots like Urban Outfitters (already bought a duvet cover... so sue me) and ModCloth that probably shouldn't be priority over expenses such as, oh the security deposit or whatever. I really really love this Spotted on the Shore Shower Curtain from ModCloth! I don't know too much about Bettie Page, nor pinups in general, but I am all about girls being hot if they wanna. I don't think my dude soon-to-be-roomie Jordan will mind those curves, either.

5. As we speak I'm whipping up some vegan lemon almond scones to send to my sister all the way in NYC! We've long had a beautiful sistership, where I love baking and she loves to encourage me to bake and tell me how great my treats are. Unfortunately with a zillion miles between us, it has turned into me texting her pictures of, like, mini cinnamon rolls fresh out of the oven, and Lisa replying 'bring me soooome :(' Today's your day sis! This recipe I found was too good not to finally send to her! My general philosophy with internet recipes is to use them for their science (aka all the baking soda stuff you can't guess) and then go to town with the craziest flavors you can. Get ready for some fluffy delish treats, sis!

     

     

Friday's Awesome Five

1. It's spring time which means it is almost summer time which means all I can think about are fruity cocktails. Forever and ever. Next on my to-do list is this Blueberry Passion Mojito.

2. Speaking of alcohol, the recenet purchase of Elysian Superfuzz was an excellent choice. Fruity but still with all the excellent qualities a good pale, we enjoyed a couple of these with a fancy ass pizza we made the other night. And seriously, who could resist the packaging?

3. Ya girl has been online shopping! I just dropped some dough at Lulus.com (among other places... sorry bout it), they've got lots of super girly and cute stuff. Maybe too much. Either way, I picked up this frilly little skirt, and Cait was very surprised! I guess spring is putting the girly girl back in Gu!

4. I'm getting a haircut today! I am so so excited! I have no clue what I'm gonna do, but I have never gotten a bad 'do from the sistas at Supernova. Whenever I get the final "so what do you think?!" there's only ever one thing to say:

5. This weekend is the Daffodil Festival in Tacoma! You wouldn't believe the gritty city would still be into this kind of thing, but the festival revolves around a group of "Daffodil Princesses" and is a debutante type of thing. They do some volunteering, throw a parade, and daffodils get painted on main intersections around town, so I'm not complaining! Check out their Facebook page for event info, I'll see ya there pre-gaming Second Saturdayz!

Brought to you by a splash of gu and a dash of Cait.