Kristen Schaal is a Horse!

I effing love comedian Kristen Schaal.  She's not your regular female comedian, that's for sure.  You may remember her as the crazy stalker fan from the Flight of the Conchords television series or from her hilarious Sony Xperia Play commercials.  Have to say the Kristen is Killing It one is my favourite.  There are also some outtakes that almost made me pee my pants.  I first saw these commercials whilst watching StarCraft II tournaments on MLG.  Call me a nerd if you must, but I actually find it more entertaining then our national passtime, watching NHL hockey... I'm going to get crucified for blogging that... but I digress.

I first heard of the video in this post, without seeing it, on WYNC's Radiolab.  In the Loops podcast, they describe what they perceive to be the emotions go through a number of different emotions.  At first they're like, "Oh!  This is going to be a regular comedy skit. Kristen Schaal is a horse?!  Look at her silly dancing!  Ha ha ha!" and then after a couple more repeations they're like, "OK, OK, you're a horse."  and then they start getting a bit upset, "Really, you're still singing and dancing like a horse?  When will this END?"  But something happens, and eventually, it's just plain hilarious.  The comedy doesn't really fit with expectations, and all they can really do is laugh! Of course I had to watch the video after listening to the podcast. You can definitely tell the audience is transitioning through a range of emotions. I heard somewhere that Kristen and Kurt Braunohler once kept that skit going for 10 minutes!  You you imagine?

Remember

National War Monument in Ottawa

11/11/11

How will you remember?

I have a midterm tomorrow morning, so guess how I'll be remembering?  By exercising my right to cram all day.

Trend: Bold Brows

Style Inspiration: Emma Watson

Since her feature in British Vogue, I’ve noted Emma Watson among my Style Inspirations. Before then, she was just that girl who played Hermione in the Harry Porter series to me. Maybe I was out of the loop. I’m loving her super short haircut right now. Her features are strong yet feminine enough to carry it well. I can’t help but be reminded of Twiggy. Perhaps it’s the short hair/British Vogue association all swirling around in my mind, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Ms. Watson counted Lesley Lawson as one of her favourite fashion icons.

Watson’s style right now is all about a feminine palette, lace, and just the right amount of sparkle.

Trend: Felt Hats

In case you didn't know, I love hats.  I think they bring a touch of class to any outfit.  In Saturday, October 29th's edition of the Style section of the Ottawa/Montreal Globe and Mail, there was an inspiring spread of floppy felt hats.

I got mine in brillant blue from Olam Boutique in Montreal of $59.99CAD.

Here's some I'm drooling over:

Style Inspiration: Charlotte Gainsbourg

Whilst living in Australia in 2008, I had a lot of free time on my hands.  I went on a journey of musical discovery to find, among other artists, Ms. Charlotte Gainsbourg.  I become hooked on 5:55.  How could I not?  She collaborated with Air, another of my very favourite French musical ensembles, to create an album of strange love analogies with her whispery voice reminisent of best girlfriends amateur attempts to sing with acousitc accompanyment. The critics may be harsh, but I love her for her simplicity and honesty.

Since then, the French actress/musican has always caught my eye whenever she (frequently) graces the pages of glossy North American magazines.  Her natural, low-maintenance style has defintely been a style inspiration to many in recent years.  Noteably, Gainsbourg is the face of Balenciaga Paris fragrance, running elegant campaign that's not over-defined.  More details on the fragrance & history of the campaign on Wendy Lam's blog, nitro:licious.

What I love about Charlotte Gainsbourg’s style is that it’s not over-defined.  You get the sense that almost anything would fit, yet there’s something very Gainsbourg about everything.  Her unfussy brunette lochs insight envy.  For me, she embodies modern French elegance.

Leslie Feist: Metals

Not long after the album's release on October 4th of this year, I purchased Leslie Feist's newest album, Metals.  I blog about it only now, more than a month after, because I had to let it sink in.  Metals has been in an endless spin on my turntable ever since I got it & I have to say: I love this album.

It's so different from her previous albums, but it's so Feist.  The vocal harmonization on Bittersweet Melodies gives me goosebumps... & I can just picture a crowd of friends swaying in unison & singing along to the la la la parts.  The lyrics to Comfort Me ring so true to me. A Commotion is another of my favourite tracks because of it's Andrew Bird-esque arrangement.  I'm not sure if she's using violins through the Janus Horn (a spinning phonograph style speaker) to get the effect, but it sure sounds like it - sounds like awesome.  Potential hipster anthems include: Graveyards and Comfort Me.

Stream the ablum here.

I'll be attending her show at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa on Monday, December 5th, 2011 & so should you.  Tickets are still available. I'll let you know if it's as good as her Reminder tour :)