Style Lush

Music Recommendation: Robert Vincent

Editor's note: For our last week at Style Lush, I've asked the writers to share both a favorite post by another writer, from over the last three years, and a favorite post of their own. You'll see these posts linked to at the top of their new post for the week. Enjoy a stroll down Lush memory lane!

by Hillary

I can't tell you how much I love this site and my Lush family. I still can't believe Jennie let me write for a style blog. Thank you for giving me this space to pretend I know what I'm talking about every Thursday.

My favourite Style Lush post is Jen's on homemade laundry detergent because I immediately started making (and loving) my own laundry detergent and haven't looked back since.

It was tough to choose a favourite post written by yours truly but I think my sock bun post wins that honour.

***

You guys, you need to be listening to Robert Vincent's Life in Easy Steps. He's kind of what would happen if Bruce Springsteen and Johnny Cash had an acoustic singer-songwriter baby. His lyrics are beautiful and I don't want to stop listening to this album.

"Light of the Stars" and "Second Chance" are standout tracks for feeling all the feelings (if, for example, you happen to be saying goodbye to a favourite blog. Or something.)

{Photo credit: robertvincentmusic.com}

Music Recommendation: Mother Mother

bBy Hillary

Mother Mother caught my eye because of their local roots, but their sound kept my interest.

One could make the argument that they're a hipster band and that's not entirely untrue or unfair, but they're more than just a couple chicks with bangs and three dudes wearing flannel and/or skinny ties.

They rock, okay? They're interesting and fun and if liking Mother Mother makes me a hipster then so be it. Pass me a Pabst Blue Ribbon and let's go thrifting for slouchy knit hats (but please make sure "Bit by Bit" off their latest album The Sticks is playing because that's my jam, man.)

{Photo credit: mothermothersite.com}

New Favourite Old(ish) Band

by Hillary

I called Hot Fuss by the Killers a timeless album but said they weren't one of my favourite bands. The album resonated with me when it was released and it's remained on heavy rotation on my iPod all these years later. I just never really got into the Killers as a band. 

And then I saw them perform live. 

The Killers put on one of the best shows I've ever seen (full disclosure: I also had the best seats I've ever had for a rock show thanks to my works-at-a-record-label friend.) Brandon Flowers had a massive smile on his face for the entire show and the whole band's energy was just ... joyous? I know that doesn't sound very rock & roll but I don't know how else to describe it. 

If you get the chance to see the Killers live, I suggest you do. Their live show made my list of top five concerts and I will definitely see them again if the opportunity arises.

{Photo credit: thekillersmusic.com}

Figgie Shoes

by Hillary

Figgie Shoes almost make me wish I was getting married again just so I could order up a pair of these gorgeous, custom hand-painted shoes. 

I think they'd look perfect peeking out from under a wedding dress and are an adorable wedding keepsake.

{Photo credit: michelebowmanweddings.com}

Boot Cuffs

by Hillary

I started seeing something new this autumn, as the summer dresses and flip flops were replaced by skinny jeans tucked into boots.

People were wearing their boots with legwarmers. Except that they're not called legwarmers anymore. They're boot cuffs.

That, my friends, is a pair of legwarmers. Re-branded.

What do you think? Are boot cuffs fresh and exciting or do they make us look like we're trying to revisit the 80s?

{Photo credit: The Comfy Times on Etsy}

GoldieBlox: Engineering Toys for Girls

by Hillary

GoldieBlox is a toy company founded in 2012 by female engineer, Debbie Sterling, in an effort to entice girls into the world of engineering.

I was skeptical at first, worried that it would just be a set of blocks painted pink and purple, but my fears were unfounded.

Debbie's passion for engineering and for opening up a traditionally male occupation to females shines through in her YouTube video. If you've got kids in your life, I recommend taking the four minutes to watch it.

 

 

Using the iPhone as a Toddler Distraction Device

by Hillary

My son is in a really fussy, fidgety stage right now. It is impossible to keep him happy and still long enough to change a diaper or make a phone call. He's also at the stage where my iPhone is the most fascinating thing in his little world. I try to limit his access to screens but desperation has driven me to start using my iPhone as a toddler distraction device.

A very expensive, very breakable, toddler distraction device.

Fortunately, the Fisher Price Laugh & Learn Apptivity Case exists.

Barf-inducing name aside, it's brilliant. You just throw on a Fisher Price app (free in the iTunes store) and lock your iPhone in the case. The touch screen is still accessible to your child but is protected by a plastic barrier. The case is sturdy but still colourful and attractive to kids. It's definitely worth the $20 to avoid a potentially expensive iPhone repair.

{Photo credit: fisher-price.com}

Toni Top Revisited

by Hillary

I proclaimed my love for the Toni Top here and I still maintain that it's the best nursing top on the market. Even cooler? It's now available as a tunic and a dress.

I own the tunic and I love it. It's stylish, comfortable, and has all the awesome features of the Toni Top (easy access for nursing, no fussy snaps or buttons, etc.) Just like the original top, the material is stretchy enough that it can be comfortably worn throughout pregnancy and beyond.

Snugabell wants to offer Style Lush readers a discount on their site, Amazon.com and Amazon.ca - just enter the code TONISAVE on a minimum $56 order for 15% off the Toni Top line through December 7, 2012.

{Photo credit: amazon.com}

Creative Christmas Countdown 2012

by Hillary

Advent calendars featuring Christmas-themed activities instead of candy are nothing new around these parts (check out posts by Jen, Jennie, and Lawyerish for more inspiration.)

The Creative Christmas Countdown 2012 by Creative with Kids is a little different (and a lot exciting!) Twenty-four bloggers have put together an advent calendar of Christmas-themed activities and art projects. All you have to do is subscribe to the countdown via email and you'll receive a daily email with a brief description of the day's activity.

Supply lists will be emailed the last week of November so you can be prepared for the first Christmas activity on December 1st.

Do you do activity advent calendars or do you use candy to countdown the days to Christmas? My mom sewed beautiful advent calendars for me and my siblings. She'd fill them with toffees and hang them on the wall. I used to sneak bites of my siblings' candies and then wrap them back up and put them back in the advent calendar half-eaten and sticky. I can see the benefits of an activity-based advent calendar, is what I'm saying here.

{Photo credit: creativewithkids.com}

Coconut Oil - Scar Remedy or Passing Fad?

By Hillary

Coconut oil is everywhere right now (probably due to the popularity of the Paleo diet.)

I've heard that it's great for your skin but couldn't justify buying a jar (of oil! to rub into my face! something just feels off about that) until the emergency room doctor recommended it to prevent my husband's wound from becoming a giant forehead scar.

I remain skeptical that my husband will escape unscathed but it was the push I needed to go out and spend $10 on a (tiny!) jar of coconut oil. I can't wait to try it out on my dry elbows and chapped lips.

What do you use coconut oil for? And, uhh, does anyone have any magical scar remedies to recommend? My husband is currently rocking an inch and a half-long gash on his forehead and is concerned he'll be left with a nasty scar.

{Photo credit: drbronner.com}