For Your Friday

Because it's Friday, and because Mr. Rogers is wonderful, here's a video of Mr. Rogers learning to breakdance. Also, the very wise Mr. Rogers quote that's been passed around a lot this week, in the aftermath of the events in Boston, reminding us to look for the helpers. Happy weekend!

A Song for Your Friday

Sorry for the light posting this week, friends. It's been a dreary, uninspiring week here in NYC. But tonight I'm going to see The Lone Bellow perform, which should provide a much-needed dose of inspiration and fun. I love their video for "Two Sides of Lonely." The beginning is quiet and snowy, which is exactly how NYC feels and looks today.

A Song for Your Friday

Glen Hansard and Lisa Hannigan singing Blue Moon in Paris at Shakespeare & Co. It's sunny and sweet, and NYC is definitely lacking for sun, as I mentioned yesterday. I stumbled onto this the other day while looking at Glen Hansard's tour schedule, hoping for a New York show soon. No such luck, but this song almost makes up for it. Happy Friday!

The Paperman

Have you seen The Paperman yet? It's a Disney short film that's been making the rounds since it was nominated for an Oscar. It's the story of two people who meet on a train platform in 1940s New York, then part ways. In the absence of missed connections, he has to come up with another way to find her again. It's really sweet, and kind of reminded me of this story.

ps - I didn't mean to make this week all lovey-dovey stories, it just happened!

via Vulture

Introvert Alert

Have you ever thought much about if you're an introvert or an extrovert? I joke that if you've never thought about it, you're an extrovert. My friends and I talk about the differences between extroverts and introverts pretty often, and have even turned "introvert" into a verb (as in, "Are you introverting tonight, or do you want to go to dinner?"). I think people often think introvert = shy and quiet, while extrovert = talkative and personable. Really, a better way to think about it is where do you "recharge" - alone, or with other people? You can certainly be a talkative introvert or a quiet extrovert.

I'm definitely an introvert. I love being around people, but I need time alone to feel like myself. During the "lost week" of Hurricane Sandy, I spent an entire week with two friends (who I love being around!) and the only "alone time" I had was in the shower. By the end of the week, I felt like a raw nerve. I needed some introvert time, stat!



So I love this video that Gabrielle posted that uses cute illustrations to explain the differences between the two. The voice on the video is Susan Cain, who gave a brilliant Ted Talk on the subject. What about you, are you an introvert or an extrovert? I'd love to hear, it's one of my favorite topics :)

P.S. This funny introvert/extrovert comic.

Lennon and Maisy

Here's a pretty song for your Friday afternoon, by sisters Lennon and Maisy. Oh, and did I mention Lennon is 12 and Maisy is 8? Crazy talented. I think their cover is better than the original :)

Happy Friday!

A Tiny Little Piglet

Would it be overly dramatic to liken this little pig's journey down the stairs to the weekly process of getting from Monday to Friday? Monday throughThursday being the awkward/nervous process down the stairs, and Friday being the face-first dive into a bowl of oatmeal, of course. Too much? Well, just watch this tiny little pig and get ready to dive face-first into the weekend :)

via Jezebel.

Iceland

Do you think I should go to Iceland? This video says I should, don't you think? So gorgeous! I have my hopes set on a trip to Europe this fall, and Iceland has been calling my name for awhile . Have you been?

Video via Pret a Voyager.

The Brighter Side

Something about the mood of these pirate party photos I saw on Design Mom (taken by Eric Josjo) reminded me of one of my all time favorite ads. It's an absolutely gorgeous ad by a fantastic director, with a pretty ending that's a perfect start to Easter weekend. Hope yours is bright :)

Nebraska Jones

You guys are listening to Kimbra, right? I feel like she's all over the place these days, so I doubt I'm the first to tell you, but if you need an album to shake you out of a funk (musical, mood, or otherwise) please go purchase her EP right now. If you need convincing, watch the one woman blow-your-mind-amazing show she put on at SXSW in the above video. (Plus, anyone who can pull off a pair of Beetlejuice pants is worth your time.)



My friend Murph introduced me to Kimbra by making me watch her "crazy dancing video with creepy dolls" of the same song she performed at SXSW, Settle Down. I'm obsessed with how she sings "Nebraska, Nebraska Jones." Any music you're are listening to on repeat lately?

Update: also, watch this one. It's official, I'm obsessed with her.



Top video via Maggie at Mighty Girl.

Wednesday Pick-Me-Up

This song never fails to put me in a good mood. Really, the whole Graceland album
will do that, but especially Diamonds. Hope it helps you get through the rest of "hump day." :)

Google Doodlers

I love that the Google Doodle is pure fun. There's no real reason that Google's logo needs to change with holidays and the like, but it says so much about the company ethos that they do it anyway. Here's a video about the artists behind the Doodles (spoiler alert: you may get a little verklempt at the end :)



Doodles via Google, video via Mashable.

Dance With Somebody

My friend Bethany sent me this song this morning and it was the perfect way to start an otherwise dreary day. Of course, everyone loves the original (and how awesomely 80s was that video?!) but this cover by Ben Rector is so fun, I've been playing it over and over. Hope it gets your morning off to a great start!

Post-It Love

What an adorable waste of paper :) Have a great weekend!

Ron Swanson

I've had a slow start to the week after the long weekend (I've been doing that a lot in 2012, I need to get on the ball), but I'll have a Weekend in Pictures post up soon. In the meantime, direct your attention over here to a website looping the greatest Ron Swanson scene ever.

Via Aziz Ansari

Hello, Hello

Hello, hello! Anyone else have a harder time than usual getting going after the holidays? The past two weeks have felt like one long Sunday. Anyway, I'm excited to be back from my unintentional extended blog break today with a new Weekend in Pictures post and regular posting this week. Happy (belated) New Year!

Miracle on 22nd St.

Just one last little bit of Christmas cheer before I sign off for the holiday weekend. What would you do if you suddenly started getting hundreds of letters addressed to Santa? It happened to a couple in Chelsea and I love that they reacted with generosity instead of cynicism. Merry Christmas, indeed!

Blue Christmas

Yay, it's Friday! My friend Katie recently said December feels like the fastest month and I really think she's right—it's flying by. Every December I get a little panicky that there won't be enough time to do everything on my "Christmas Bucket List." I want to watch all my favorite Christmas movies (there are quite a few), listen to all my favorite Christmas music (um, again, that's a lot), drink enough eggnog, see the store windows on 5th avenue, the list goes on... So, to get a little closer to getting it all accomplished, here's a pretty version of a pretty (but sad!) Christmas song from one of those Swedish girl bands, First Aid Kit. Happy weekend, everyone! I hope you get to do something festive.

PS - Didn't you love Trae's gift ideas for guys? I'm in awe of all the cool stuff he found. Maybe I'll actually get my dad a present this year, instead of fretting about it all month and then finally deciding he'd be happier if I made him dinner.

A Year In New York

Even though I'm feeling wanderlust-y, I still love, love, love where I live. Which is maybe why this video, shot over the course of a year in New York, makes me a little teary (in a good way). I think the music helps, it's one of my favorite songs from one of my favorite albums of this year.

Happy weekend, everyone! After watching this video, I feel like I need to get out and enjoy this wonderful, big, dramatic, heartbreaking, strange and magical city.

via stephmodo

Swedish Girl Bands

The title of this post makes it sound like I might know a thing or two about Swedish girl bands. That's not true at all. I really only know of these two. A more apt title would be "Swedish Girl Bands Who Have Become YouTube Sensations by Singing Beautiful Covers" but that's rather long.



Anyway, just some beautiful music for your Tuesday morning. There must be something about the cold Swedish air that makes for beautiful harmony singing.