The Acoustic Rooster Rides Again and a Not-quite Treatise on Tunes

 Glam Guitar Barrettes

Yo, Where Did the Rest of the Bow Go? Necklace

Top: Macy's

Skirt: Marshalls

Leggings: Boscov's

Shoes: Ami Clubwear

Bag: Betsey Johnson, Macy's

Sunglasses: Michaels

Fabulous Felt Tribal Treat Barrette

Top: Chaps, Kohl's

Jeggings: Mudd, Kohl's

Boots: Charles Albert, Alloy

Bag: American Eagle, Payless

Sunglasses: Rampage, Boscov's

 Day Glo Danglers Necklace

Top: Self Esteen, JCPenney

Skirt: H&M

Shoes: Qupid, DSW

Bag: Apt. 9, Kohl's

Belt: Gifted

Scarf: Repurposed from We Love Colors tights

Sunglasses: Brigantine beach shop

Lola Locket Necklace

Tee: Gifted

Hoodie: Mossimo, Target

Jeans: Earl Jeans, Macy's

Shoes: Fergalicious, DSW

Bag: Candie's, Kohl's

Sunglasses: Mudd, Kohl's

I've always loved music.  (There's an original statement for you; that Tote talker, she really digs those deep cuts.)  Hearing a favorite song on the radio can make my day, and I've been known to idle in the driveway with a choice one blaring (my Spidey senses indicate that I may have already blogged about this; if so, then please excuse my, ahem, broken record rambling).  Although I don't go to concerts much anymore (I prefer rocking out to CDs, having come to terms with the truth that those outings were always about the outfits), the necklaces and clothes in this week's post make me think of the Southwest and indie bands and the connection flickering, mirage-like, between them.  In particular, my memory is homing in on the introspective stylings of Jimmy Eat World.  Probably because they hail from Arizona (home of other such phenoms as the eponymous iced tea and JCPenney brand jeans) and because the husband and I saw them one New Year's Eve years ago, an account of which is ensconced in this blog's considerable archives.  Bright and sunny with a side of pensive, the Southwest seems as good a place as any to brew the bittersweet brain stew that is alternative music.  I think.  I can't be sure because I've never been there.  

What I am sure of is that the Mossimo hoodie in outfit number four is a touch too toasty for the desert.  It kind of looks and feels like a blanket, which is why I vowed never to wear it outside the house (despite displaying it here with a tee shirt and jeans).  Still, at $7.48 it seemed an attractive addition to my pajama wardrobe.  Tribal pattern or not, it's a fleece fashioned for northeastern nights.

One last thing.  I don't know what's up with the rooster.  Except that it's colorful and crazy and sounds good next to acoustic.  Truth be told, I don't know what's up with the acoustic, either.  But then, best not to pull at that thread.   

New Year's Eve With Jimmy Eat World at the Big Casino

I've always wanted to do something, oh, I don't know, glittery on New Year's Eve. Usually I end up watching the ball drop from my couch (no glitter there). Last year I contemplated buying Goo Goo Dolls tickets but cheaped out or chickened out or something. So this year I said no to all that imminent boredom and disappointment and started thinking. I didn't want to go to a club (the bf and I aren't really club kind of people, despite what my wardrobe may sometimes suggest) or some lame dinner buffet. So, I hoped somebody decent was playing in AC, and low and behold, Jimmy Eat World was coming to Harrah's. (I'm perfectly aware of how uncool the phrase "low and behold" sounds. But I couldn't seem to stop myself.) I'd never seen a show at Harrah's, so this upped the appeal. And although I've never been a fan of Jimmy Eat World's biggest hit, "The Middle," I also knew from experience that even songs that sounded mediocre on the radio were often fantastic live. Plus, I liked "Big Casino", "Laugh it Off," "Chase This Light," and some of their other stuff. Best of all, the show provided an opportunity for me to wear an electric blue leopard dress that I picked up for $17 at Macy's last summer. (I'm sure there's a post about that in here somewhere.) I couldn't really think of a place other than a casino where such a garment would be appropriate.

So, how did the show measure up? It was mostly fun. The Concert Venue at Harrah's was kind of a generic space, though, a little large and not distinctive like the Borgata's Music Box or Showboat's House of Blues. Also, they used those neon strobe lights, which are annoying and obscure everything (I should have realized what was coming when I read the warning about possible nausea and headaches upon entering.) But the music was good. And, just as I'd suspected, "The Middle" was better live than recorded. They played it at the very end, only after the crowd demanded it. (You know how that goes.) You know what's funny, though? I thought that the songs I already liked were better recorded than live (so much so that I ended up listening to them on CD on the way home). Oh, and I almost forgot. In honor of New Year's Eve, there was one of those giant nets of balloons above the stage, to be released at midnight. Only it . . . wasn't. The band made several jokes about this, in their slightly dorky way (no f this, f that bombs from them. Well, maybe just one). I think they may have started playing again, only to have the balloons slide down later. It was kind of anti-climactic. But much better than falling asleep sleep in front of the ball. So, mission accomplished.