Sole Society has completely revamped their site, now instead of a new collection every month, a new shoe is released every day... with no obligation to buy - great news for my ever expanding closet, but perhaps not so good for my wallet?
What's especially cool is that I'm a now an official "Fashion Insider" for Sole Society - joining a club that consists of some of the most fashionable darlings around, Marlien Rentmeester of Lucky Magazine, Melissa Magsaysay of the L.A Times and one of my favourite bloggers Keiko Lynn (amongst many others)
This gives you a unique opportunity to shop what I shop! You can check out my Sole Society shoe closet here...annnnd if you've never shopped Sole Society before, you can get $15 off your purchase with the code Kelsi15.
I'm a Sole Society devotee, and can't recommend their shoes highly enough and my shoe closet (my actual shoe closet, not just my virtual one) is evidence of this!
Me and my Bristol bestie (and future - at the time - London roomie) Robyn (miss you lady), at the infamous Mr Wolfs, with Alex Taylor playing in the background.
It's been a long time since I've done a Style Soundtrack, and this one isn't really it's usual format. Not in the least.
Way back when, when I was still at University in Bristol, like many students I spent a great deal of time in bars, and whilst alcohol was most definitely a factor, unlike other students I was usually working. This put me in a really privileged position to be exposed to some really fantastic emerging musicians, as Bristol has one of the best music scenes in the UK.
These musicians became my good friends, and in what was one of the most transitional years of my life (graduating university whilst recovering from a very long term relationship and exploring new ones) were really my saving grace.
I'm not sure any of them really knew the profound effect they had on me at the time, and what being their friend, and getting to watch them grow as musicians had on me. I'm forever thankful for that year and the insanely fun times we had, even the one that "broke my heart" I have fond memories of...I'll leave you guys to guess who...
Hahah, if you happen to read this, no hard feelings doll. Isn't that amazing, that you can be so affected by a relationship "in the moment" - for it to have very little significance to your heart beating afterwards? I feel like that about the vast majority of everyone on my "mixed tape" of relationships. Learning curve.
Anyhow, this little trip down memory lane was prompted by a recent link to a new recording by a fab musician, Thomas Aplin who has since formed a proper band - Most Planes Land - it's a really gorgeous song and I wanted to share it here. It also led me to do a little investigating as to what everyone else was up to, so the following is a little mix tape homage to some lovely folks who are definitely owed a shout out, or five (and by default - a shout should go out to Ollie Jones..feels weird not including you..!)
At the end of March I spent a glorious couple of days in Las Vegas with Mr Style celebrating our fifth wedding anniversary. We went exploring "off strip" ( a full "off strip" guide will come soon) and finally made it to The Neon Boneyard.
It was a really great experience, more so than I initially had anticipated, I was looking forward to taking a ton of pics, but I learned a great deal about Las Vegas and it's beginnings as well as the history of each sign. I highly recommend a trip - just remember to book in advance!
This is a super heavy picture post so the rest of the pictures are after the jump!
I'm not really sure this officially constitutes a Dedicated Traveler post - however, I was able to visit 26 countries this morning whilst drinking Mimosa's and never leaving my couch. So that's "traveling" right? Or maybe we just file this under "Help, Kelsi's being "European" again". As my friend pointed out on Twitter, "you can take the girl out of England..."
Today saw the final of the Eurovision Song Contest, 2012 hosted by Azerbaijan (last years winners). For those that don't know, over forty-two countries compete to participate in the televised finale of the Eurovision Song Contest, with a song often voted on by their home countries. Twenty-Six countries compete in the finale and Europe calls in to vote for their favourite (you cannot vote for your own country)
The contest has been running every year since 1956. Past winners have included Celine Dion (Switzerland, 1988) and ABBA (Sweden, 1974).
This year was the first year since living in the US that I was alerted to it being on in time to find a live stream and watch it in it's entirety. You don't watch the Eurovision song contest to be blown away by talent. You watch it for the kitsch factor, the terrible costumes, Eurotrash beats, badly translated lyrics and amusing and predictable geographical/political voting (many countries vote for their neighbour/ally)
If you don't believe the magic that can be found in the Eurovision song contest - I took a few screen shots. I think next year we do a Twitter party and do it properly, non?
This years winner was Loreen from Sweden with "Euphoria" - a song a little too reminscent of Gaga's "Edge of Glory"
Moldova's entry had some of the best costumes - actually obsessed with the backing dancers dresses.
Irish duo Jedward mixed water and metallics and came off more than a little rusty in a number that was comically out of sync.
Azerbaijan presented glamour and drama. Oo-er.
Albania's scary snake dread lady was more than a little intimidating.
Turkey wowed us with a Fiddler On the Roof-esque number and a boat made of capes.
As my Sister in Law pointed out, Bosnia and Herzegovina brought "Lana Del Rey in a wind tunnel"
My absolute favourite was the Russian Grannies "The Babushkas" who wanted a "Party for Everyone" - actual lyric "C'mon and dance, c'mon and boom boom". The very spirit of Eurovision lives in them.
More Euro-Glam from Cyprus and France.
Italy presented a reincarnated Amy Winehouse, or how she amusingly dubbed on Twitter "Amelia Casa di Vino"
Norway brought the hottie, not a great shot of him here though.
Denmark channeled late nineties chick rock and military costumes...
Loreen, the winner from Sweden in her Kate Bush X Lady Gaga dramatic act.
Germany went for the mundane with probably the only record that would do well out of a Mediterranean nightclub.
These toe tapping Maltese boys were a favourite to win but ended up doing quite poorly.
This Ukrainian babe stole the show with her flower crown and fringe-tastic gown. The song wasn't half bad in a disco kinda way.
And the "Eurotrash" fashion didn't stop with the stage. When it was time to collect the votes we visit each of the 42 voting countries. This boy from Belarus was celebrating his man-cleavage (or lack thereof) in a BIG way, whilst this dapper gent from Bosnia and Herzegovina maybe took "metro-sexuality" a little too far? And, umm Finland. I don't think I ever want to see that again, thanks.
So that's the Eurovision Song Contest in screenshots. And now I'll leave you with our favourite Russian Grannies (who came second!). I dare you not to dance.
Suffering from greasy hair and no time to wash it I resorted to an old high school trick - the hair donut. However, my hair was a fair bit shorter in high school and now the use of the donut results in an über large bun. After the initial shock of it's sheer size I decided to rock it - and stuck in a flower comb for extra pizazz.
As a complete side note - sorry to have been gone all week but there's been some big happenings on my business side, I signed a very exciting contract (all will be revealed soon), I accepted a faculty position at FIDM (teaching social media!) and had an event to put together for one of my favourite Stylesmith clients Live! On Sunset...so a touch busy!
