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Eddie Vedder, Ukulele Songs

I am in love with the softer side of Eddie Vedder.

His newest solo album Ukulele Songs that was released in May of 2011 is full of unique tracks that are a treasure to find. He lets you escape to a place where you can literally feel his soul. He brings a melancholy vibe to usually upbeat instrument and creates a wonderfully juxtaposition between his somewhat sad lyrics and the lovely twang of the ukulele. Furthermore, this album is a beautiful showcase of the depth and volume of his voice. There is nothing flat in this album, each song has as much depth and feeling as anything a full band could produce with a handful of instrumentals and vocals.

Don't expect a stripped down version of Pearl Jam, but rather Eddie Vedder stripped down to his soul, something you can only get from a solo album. Expect bittersweet.

Bittersweet is a feeling I have been in love with and obsessed with for a very longtime. Whether it is beautifully painful, pleasant with twinge of sadness, or creates so much loving feeling that the thought of ever loosing it brings you the deepest sadness, they all bring up the deepest emotions. And for this reason, bittersweet gets me every time.

Check out his album on Amazon and enjoy!!!

Pinterest Jewerly Finds

Some jewelry inspiration finds from Pinterest!

The Seamstress Bracelet

From Fancy French Cologne

Image from fancyfrenchcologne.com

Miraglia Cuff

By Frank Miraglia

Image from mschon.com

Etched Silver Feather Band Stacking Rings

From Roots Jewelry

Image from etsy.com/shop/RootsJewelry

Oxidized Silver Loops

From Laminar

Image from etsy.com/shop/Laminar

Skinny Railroad Spike Cuff

From Giles and Brother

Image from gilesandbrother.com

Enjoy!

Amoeba Music

The last time I was at Amoeba Music was when I went to LA with one of my best friends for a concert. I cannot even remember the band we were going to see, but the tickets we had were free from her sister and it turns out she gave us the wrong night. So we ended up at Amoeba and I loved it!

I found myself there again this past weekend, lead by my sister (who now lives in LA) and Jimi, and I was ecstatic! Our visit to see my sister total happened on a whim, I had a not so great day on Saturday, so my first thought was I need to hang out with Lily...and there we were Sunday morning. So, when she said food and Amoeba, I was all in.

Isles and isles of music (records and CDs from all genres) and then isles and isles of DVDs/BluRays (they have everything) and they are all second hand, equaling pretty cheap. Jimi and I came out with 5 DVDs, 1 BluRay, and 9 CDs for about 100 bucks. The most expensive thing was the The Book of Eli BluRay/DVD/Digital Copy at around 15 bucks, which is about half off. All of my CDs came in around $3.99 and Jimi was able to score 2 DVDs that were both only $1.99, or $Free.99, as we like to call it.

Huge selection, good music, a good vibe, great deals, and a friendly staff.

I wish they had one closer to us, then LA, because I love CDs/DVDs and the idea of having a collection. There is nothing like really wanting to watch that one movie you have been craving, or really wanting to listen to that album you have been thinking of and it being right there in your collection. Yeah you can buy files, these days, which I do, sometimes. But when it comes to an album, I love the overall feel it can have, with the album art, the CD art and the song placement.

I love a good album, even more than I love a good song, because a good song doesn't always necessarily last, but a good album becomes a lifetime favorite and never gets old. <3

Family

The Fam (Property of Maddie Dierkes)

This is us.

Jam seshes, lots of good food, good videos, brotherly jokes, Mexican beer, hiking, camping, good design, lots of talk, creative, athletic, at the beach, southern california made, Mammoth trips, paddling out, rocking out, hard work, and a whole lot fun.

Patagonia Poster Children, Mammoth, circa the 90s (Property of Maddie Dierkes)

Family is kinda a big deal to us. I don't know what the norm is, but we quite possibly may take it to a new level...just ask Jimi.

It's A Dog's Life

White Wolf in his Element (Photo by Maddie Dierkes)

I have always loved the idea of a dog beach, because hey why not! As long as people treat it with respect, then why not share one of your favorite places, the beach and the ocean, with your favorite four legged friend. I bet it is, or will be, one of their favorite places as well.

We got to take our dog, Ozzie, to the Huntington Dog Beach this past weekend, with my parents dog, Sophie. Boy, did they have a blast! Jimi and I had no idea how much Ozzie loved the beach, as we just got him, and he belongs to Jimi's sister. As soon as we got to Pacific Coast Highway, and he could smell the ocean he was ecstatic!

The beach was much more successful than the dog park, with Ozzie, because there was a lot more for him to do, since even though he gets along with other dogs, he doesn't really like to play with them all the time. His favorite thing: playing fetch! He is a Border Collie, so he takes this very seriously.

Sophie and Ozzie both did hot laps upon arrival and then settled into their favorite past times: Ozzie playing fetch, and Sophie playing with the seaweed. Sandy, wet and exhausted by the end. This made them clean, yet tired dogs for Sunday brunch though!