Concert Review: Lollapalooza 2013

Day 1:

The Killers

New Order

Imagine Dragons

Atlas Genius

Twenty One Pilots

Grant Park

2 August 2013

Today was the first day of Lolla!! Holla it's freaking Lolla weekend!! I am super excited to write this post, after my first day at Lolla. I am now no longer a Lolla- virgin, and I can say that I am a true Chicagoan now. And my friend from Wisco came down to visit mee, so we could attend together.

The one thing that's hard about going to concerts with people you haven't before is that you don't know how to gauge their reactions. I had a great time seeing a true festival, and I got to experience all the different people and reactions and things and everything! But my friend was extremely judgey and got kinda annoying.

The train ride starting the day was quite insane! The train was beyond packed, the car had every eat filled and there were people standing the aisle. I think there was also a few baseball games going on at the same time as Lolla.

Either or, we made it in time to see Twenty One Pilots from the back. Which was amazing ! They put on a an amazing show, just like they always do. Afterwards, we got to wait and see Atlas Genius about 8 lines from the stage. It was amazing, since they also had blow up balls thrown into the audience. I got one too! Except it was covered a bit in mud, so I had a fun day of being slightly muddy. Afterwards, we headed to Imagine Dragons. Which was fun ... except that their stage had a 10ish minute blackout. AKA no music, no screen, no anything. We debated leaving, since we did pay to see music, but thankfully they pulled it together and everything was simply amazing! The music on the radio for Imagine Dragons does not do them justice. I went out and bought their album afterwards -- the energy and emotion that  came through their music was wonderful.

New Order was after Imagine Dragons, but we didn't really know them. We just sat and listened because they were before The Killers. Which speaking of which, oh my goodness. The Killers was worth the whole price of Lolla!! They were amazing and my hope in music was simply renewed! The playlist was everything from Somebody Told Me to Humans. Words can't even describe how amazing the music was, the set was amazing and the music was beyond perfect. I sound like a stupid fan girl ( I Know) but nothing compares to how amazing it was. We were only about 10 or so rows from the front, but when we fought our way out of the crowd, it kept going and going. The crowd spanned 2 stags! Which was beyond amazing. There were also lights and glow sticks that were being tossed around too!

Twenty One Pilots

Atlas Genius

Imagine Dragons

Imagine Dragons

The Killers

The Killers

We Love The Killers <3

Day 2:

Mumford and Sons

The Lumineers

Eric Church

Ellie Goulding

The second day of Lolla was amazing. The weather was just simply perfect, and we managed to smuggle in some popcorn! We started the day listening to Ellie Goulding in the lawn. Ellie Goulding is an amazing performer, she looked amazing and she sounded amazing. The crowd was so excited to see her, and everybody was singing along and dancing.

However, we only got to stay for a few songs, since Eric Church was playing right afterwards. So we headed towards the other stage to go listen to Eric Church. I personally am not a country fan, but he put on a good show. The most interesting part was that we could still hear Ellie Goulding playing, so I got the privilege of hearing a country version of Lights. Country music still isn't my thing though, considering a lot of the music had to do with beer or other things. He even opened two cans of beer onstage and poured them on himself.

After the Lumineers played, and I was surprised by how many of their songs I actually knew. Their music was really good, and they had a fun energetic vibe to them. The crowd seemed pretty into it- and we had the perfect lawn seats. So we were able to sit and eat some good food, while enjoying the show. But we were mainly interested in seeing The Lumineers since they were opening for Mumford and Sons. Now I wasn't a huge Mumford and Sons fan, but I have to say after their set I respect them so much. Their music was so lively, and we were able to tell that they were so grateful to be standing on that stage. They went through and played all their hit singles and almost every song off of their albums. My friend and I had fun singing along and even dancing with some random strangers. The most amusing part was between songs, we could hear the EDM music coming from the Perry stage. And I have to say that Indie Folk and EDM does not mix well. But it was fun because at one point, there were even fireworks to the sound.

Ellie Goulding (on Screen)

Eric Church

Mumford and Sons

Day 3:

Vampire Weekend

Two Door Cinema Club

Tegan and Sara

The Mowgli's

Alex Clare

Makeshift Prodigy

Last day of Lolla was super busy! We squeezed in so many different bands. Our day started of with finding Makeshift Prodigy, a band thats actually from Chicago land. They put on a good show, but the crowd was pretty small for them. Which is understandable, since I had seen them as an opening act for a $15 show before.

Afterwards, we headed towards Alex Clare. As much as I love his single Feel So Close, the rest of his music was not the same type of dance pop. But his music was still good and everybody seemed excited to hear his set. As soon as Alex Clare was over, we rushed to hear a few songs of The Mowgli's. I didn't expect them to be so popular, but their stage was overfilled and we ended up listening to them on the sidewalk. I was super happy to hear their music, and I love the new alternative indie sounds.

Tegan and Sara were after. Their music was so fun and pop filled. I enjoyed how much everybody sang and danced to their music. It was also fun how much they interacted with the crowd. Instead of just singing, or doing call outs, they would read the posters fans brought and comment on them. Or they would point out certain people in the crowd. It was very closely emotional. It was also funny how they referenced when Sara fainted at Lolla a few years before, as someone brought a poster that said Sara will survive Lolla! Poor girl, but she did make it this year.

I didn't really know Two Door Cinema Club, but I know their name as a band. However, their music was really good. But it was a little difficult to hear since we were sitting in the lawn at the stage next to it. The reason why we chilled a stage away was because we were waiting for Vampire Weekend. Vampire Weekend was an amazing show! We were fairly far from the stage, but we managed to find a spot along the fence, so we got to sit on uncomfortable poles. However, the pain was worth it. I never really listened to Vampire Weekend, but I was amazed at how many songs I knew. Everybody sang and danced, and Vampire Weekend seemed really grateful to be at Lolla. They kept thanking everybody for listening to them. I also forgot how cute the band is...

Tegan- Tegan and Sara

Sara- Tegan and Sara

Vampire Weekend

Vampire Weekend

A Look Inside: Off to Michigan!

So, at the current moment I am in the car. Yerp... traveling along the freeway at 70 mph.

This holiday weekend I am headed towards Michigan for a giant family reunion at the beach.

Exciting? Maybe.

Long @$$ drive? Oh, you bet.

After all, this drive is supposed to only be about 6 hours. And we are nearing our 7th hour in the car. Granted, I should be nice and give some slack for the ridiculus amount of traffic, the uber long line to buy fireworks, and these never ending amount of large trucks that keep cutting into the left lane.

Either way...

Road trips with your family become more restless than road trips with your friends.
It probably doesn't help that your brother is passed out in the back, your dad keeps trying to talk to you (while you're watching a movie), and it's pitch dark outside.

The only thing keeping mee sane, needless to say is my laptop and phone. Both supplying mee with entertainment. Or whatever is close enough to it. Jeesh, I sound like such a typical teen- angst.

Anyways.
Thanks for dealing with my rant. Or boredom. Who knows. Probably both.

Have a safe and happy Fourth of July everybody!

Mall Haul

More summer shopping! 

Last week my mom took mee shopping for a girls' day celebration of my birthday. We went to an outlet mall, so all the clothes were really well priced with lots of deals. Needless to say, when the whole day is spent together at a mall, lots of shopping ensues. 

This spree consisted of lots of summer wear. More funky tops. And lots of fun prints and colors. I also couldn't help but indulge myself in two of my favorite things, which were combined; makeup and Hello Kitty.

(I also pre- apologize for the pictures. I was lazy and didn't want to charge my camera- instead I opted for crappily lit phone pics.)

Zumiez:

1. Neon Boardshorts

These shorts are super cute! Now with the sunshine coming out, it's time to hit the beach! I am a fan of plain black clothes, but with neon becoming a new thing this season, I thought I could use some fun printed shorts to wear with my black bikini top.

2. White Lace Bandeau

Bralettes and bandeaus are super comfortable! Lately, I've been wearing these all the time because they are more comfy than bras, and they look cuter than a normal sports bra! You can wear these with man tanks, tanks, dresses, etc. I tend to pair these with funky backed tees and dresses - but I also like wearing these with cut up t-shirts.

3. Neff Beanies

I love beanies!! These hats are super comfy and can be worn in many different ways. Usually, most people attribute these hats with the winter. However, I wear them in the summer with dresses and baggy tees. They're great for second day hair or lazy days. Right now Zumiez is having a BOGO50% sale on all their beanies too!

4. V- Neck Pocket Tee

Always a fan of basics, these tees are super comfy, and they come in a wide variety of colors. These shirts are 100% cotton, and the pocket is an added bonus! 

5. Grey Vans Eras

Converse vs. Vans vs. Toms vs. Keds. I honestly love all of those shoes, and I do own all of them. However, Vans are super comfy, and Vans Eras are definitely one of my favorite because of the arch support for a flat shoes and the extra padding on the lid of the shoes. They are really nice to wear with skinnies or with dresses!

Pac Sun Outlet:

6. Bullhead Stripped Denim Vest

This vest is really nice because it is a way to immediately "hipster- up" any outfit, whether it's a dress or a tank. I recently wore this vest to a concert, and it is really nice because my phone and my money fit in the pockets wonderfully, without having to worry about anything falling out.

7.  Nollie Chiffon Maxi Skirt

As similarly to my last mall haul, maxi skirts and dresses are in... and I am a fan of this trend! Although being shorter than most, this style is amazing because you can dress it up or down, sweet or punk, day or night, etc. This skirt has slits up the side, and the maxi length is sheer fabric with the opaque fabric hitting just above my knees.

Guess Outlet:

8. Guess Tie- Dyed Shorts

Tie- dye is totally in now. Different colored shorts are a new trend that are really cool. I love colored pants already, but colored shorts allow for creativity in the summer too! I plan to wear these to warped tour or other fun music festivals. Pair crazy shorts with a more placid shirt to balance out your outfit though. 

9. Guess Colorblock Tank

White and Black are some of the new colors for the season. Luckily, I already love wearing simple colors, and this tank top combines these colors in a neat geometric form. The white is more see through, so it allows mee to wear a fun, bright colored bandeaus.

J. Crew Outlet:

10. Basic Star Tank

J. Crew has lots of different colors and patterned tanks at their outlet location. This tank is perfect for the fourth of July or any other outdoor festivities, like BBQs. Also, J. Crew is having all their tanks on sale, starting at $5.

BCBG Maxazria:

11. Lace White Cutout Cocktail Dress

This dress is simply adorable! I plan to wear this for my school's winter ball, a formal event at a hotel giving all the students a chance to be classy for a night. This dress is so cute! The straps and the cutouts are covered in lace, and they have a nice soft feel to it. The fabric is also very silky and is thick enough that certain colors aren't seen through it. I can't wait for December, when I can pair this with some simple gold jewelry and some nude pumps!

And that is the result of a long day at the outlet malls. I love outlets because they have the same name and style clothes as regular malls, but there are lower prices and way better deals. I'm excited for the upcoming festivities, which will give mee a chance to wear these pieces!

Want to know how I wear these? Or have any questions about them? Leave mee a comment!

Have any of these pieces or something similar? Let mee know how you wear yours!

Instagram

Finally got to see #falloutboy !!!

Instagram

Summer friends in #vans waiting for #fob !!

A Look Inside: Summer Road Trip

Photo: Fairway

Today is the beginning of my summer road trip!
& I am super excited!

4 friends. 400 miles. 2 concerts. 3 states.
We are going to drive from Chicago to my college, to visit some of my school friends and to see Fall Out Boy in concert. Nothing seems more exciting than driving with friends, listening to music, and navigating the country roads together!

But before we, or you, start your road trip there are some important things to remember to do...

1. Directions
It sounds simple, but know where you are going. Make sure you look up how to get to your destination and possibly find an alternative route. Smart phones and GPS's are wonderful tools that also help make this easier.

2. Timing
Not only should you plan how you're getting to your destination, you should have an approximate idea how long your journey is going to take you. Remember to also leave some additional time to make pit stops, food stops, and random stops!

3. Flexible Packing
All your stuff has to fit comfortably in your vehicle, along with all of you. Remember that even though you have the space to pack more than with traveling on an airplane, you still need to be conscious of the shared space. Be aware of what you are planning to do during your trip! You should have outfits for every adventure you want to tackle.

4. Destinations?
While you may have a single ultimate destination, keep in mind all the new and interesting places that you'll pass along the way. Research the locations you will drive through and keep your eyes open on the road for attractions.

5. Entertainment
But most importantly - have stuff to entertain yourself during the drive! The most important and exciting part of a road trip is spending time with your companions! Make fun playlists, eat tons of junk food, take lots of pictures, spend hours talking, and just have fun! Each one of us created a playlist that we plan to sing along too during our drive. We also spent a previous day baking and shopping for food we could take along with us.

With all that in mind, enjoy your own road trip and have fun! I'll let you all know how my trip went, but in the mean time have a good week everybody and stay happy!

P.S.  Some last minute tips for the first time road trippers:
- Take turns driving
- Use the bathroom when you can
- Have a paper map
- Save money where you can
- Choose your friends wisely

Daisy Summer Nails

I decided that since summer is upon us, it was time for some cute floral nails. This design is cute and simple, and it only took mee a few minutes to complete.

The colors I used were:
- ULTA Basecoat
- Revlon Fuchsia Fever- ULTA Snow White- Revlon Sunshine Sparkle- ULTA Babydoll- ULTA X-Dry

Steps:
1. Apply a thin base coat to protect your nails.
2. Decide which nails you want which designs on, apply specific color to each nail.
3. To paint a daisy:
    - Thinly apply small lines of white polish
    - Create a star like figure
    - Dot yellow paint in the center of each star
4. On lighter colored nails, use a dotting tool or a striping tool to create simpler designs.
5. Apply a fast dry topcoat to seal in your design.
6. Voila! Simple, fast daisy nails!

For more direction, you may reference my youtube video. However, I apologize because this is my first every youtube nail tutorial!
Video: Daisy Summer Nails

A Look Inside: New York Trip

This past week I visited some friends on the East Coast, where I visited Connecticut and New York.

We spent the first few days in New Canaan, Connecticut, which is Jillian's hometown. The town is really cute and there were tons of little stores all around. Her town hall is also the set of the Stepford Wives movie remake.

We spent the next few days going into the city. My favorite place in all of New York City is the Metropolitan Museum of Art. We visited the museum, and we got to explore the roof and other neat exhibits. The one exhibit that I was really excited to see was the Punk: Chaos to Couture exhibit, which displayed a variety of punk fashion outfits. The outfits varied by DIY to Prada or Alexander McQueen. The exhibit was really amazing, and I love the styles.

Later, we walked along Central Park and ate at Serendipity3. I had never heard of Serendipity3, but I will never forget the name of it now. They are famous for their frozen hot chocolate, and yes they totally deserve it! The frozen hot chocolate was super super delicious! And we also treated ourselves to a frozen chocolate cake sundae, which was equally as delicious. We left feeling completely full, and we later headed towards Times Square in order to get half price Broadway tickets at TKTS. Later that night, we got to see Once the Musical, which has an adorable story and wonderful songs. I really liked the style of the musical because it had a small cast, where each member was also pit and crew.

 

The other day we spent downtown, we explored all of SoHo and the Village. We ended up finding some really interesting things, like an Indian Culture festival and a vintage flea market.

         

 After doing some browsing and shopping, we ended up at Max Brenner's Chocolate Bar. And wow this place is a death trap for chocolate lovers. There are pipes that distribute chocolate in the main dining hall, there is a chocolate gift shop, and the whole menu is chocolate based. We ended up ordering chocolate syringes and chocolate pizza with peanut butter and marshmallows. However, there was also chocolate cakes, DIY smores, shakes, mochas, brownies, and tons more. I'm super happy I didn't get diabetes from all the chocolate we consumed at this place because when we finished we all gained about 20 pounds!

 Most of the other days we ended up hanging out together. The days were spent mini golfing, lounging around, and hitting the beach. Lots of inside college jokes and new memories were formed. I even got to experience a tropical storm on this vacation.

All in all it was a beautiful trip and I really enjoyed all the new sites I saw and the memories we formed.

Weekly Playlist: Summer Loving

Photo: Jennifer T. Alli

Music is a huge part of my life and I constantly am creating different playlists. I want to share some of my music choices with you and create weekly playlists. Some will be themed, some will be what I'm listening to at the moment. The goal is to publish a new playlist containing 10 - 20 songs every Thursday.

So with that in mind....

This is the first playlist I want to share with you guys!

After finishing our final tests and essays, packing up our dorm rooms (or cleaning out our lockers for high schoolers), and finally leaving school for the last time of the year, we all know one thing. Summer has started!! With the start of summer we can enjoy long nights outside with friends, stay up late because we want to, not because we have to, eat ice cream outside, or simply read a book, while sitting in the sun. Either or, summer is a cherished time amongst all students because it provides a small break from the craziness of a school year. 

While my summer started later than most because my  school got out mid- May, I am finally home and enjoying my time (and catching up on sleep)! However, the weather here has sucked a bit lately and I've been stuck inside because of colder weather and various thunderstorms.

I'm wishing next week will bring better weather and sunnier days! 

But hopefully you can enjoy these songs driving with the windows down or sitting in the sun.

1. Walking on Sunshine - Aly and A.J. 

2. The Remedy (I Won't Worry) - Jason Mraz

3. Say Hey (I Love You) - Michael Franti & Spearhead

4. Soak Up the Sun - Sheryl Crow

5. We'll Be Alright - Travie McCoy

6. Friday is Forever - We the Kings

7. Ain't No Rest for the Wicked - Cage the Elephant

8. Break Me Out - The Rescues

9. It's Time - Imagine Dragons

10. Smile - Uncle Cracker

11. Ocean Avenue - Yellowcard

12. San Francisco - The Mowgli's

13. Keep Your Head Up - Andy Grammer

14. Holding On to You - Twenty One Pilots

15. Great DJ - The Ting Tings

16. Purple - California Waves

17. Get It Right - The Downtown Fiction

18. Make Me Happy - Drake Bell

Have a great weekend everyone! Stay Happy!

Any suggestions for additional songs? Any opinions about songs on the list? 

Comment and please let me know what you're thinking! Thanks guys!