Music Monday: I'm From Barcelona

Hello lovelies! The only reason why I somewhat survive Mondays is because of good tunes. Let's face it good tunes can chase away any funkiness that the day may hold. So toady I'm glad to share with you the chipper sounds of I'm From Barcelona. The first thing I noticed about these guys is how full and complete their sound is but still has a sense of youth and fun to it. After looking up more about the band I realized that its because they've got a lot of members! Talk about a FULL band, something like over 20 members. That's what makes them so fantastic. Elaborate sounds and unique instruments, blending together to create a nice solid sound. Their songs are punchy, fun and just have a good feel to them. I bet these Swedish lovelies are killer to see live! Definitely adding them to my list of must see bands!

"Feeling like a tape recorder.
Stuck between rewind and forward." 

Hope your week is successful with a hint of mystery. 

-Mint~Tea

Fall and days of laziness.

It is finally starting to feel like fall. I love fall for multiple reasons. First off fall fashions are my favorite. Between sweaters, scarfs, hats and just layers in general you can't go wrong. I think everyone just looks better in the fall. Everyone all bundled up and cuddly feeling. Don't get me wrong, I love shorts and a tank as much as the next girl. But something about the comforting layers that the fall brings is so lovely. I feel like fall also bring with it a certain feeling. I always blame it on the fact that people are going back to school and everything has a sense of urgency to it. Even though I haven't been in school for a while I still get all those same feelings. Normally it lights a fire under my bum to get stuff done. But this year its had the opposite affect. I'm dragging my feet more then normal and immersing myself in books, avoiding the simplest of tasks. I'm still pushing forward though, slowly hacking away at designs, work and living in general. But today I'm going to crawl back into bed and shove my nose into my book. For now I'm letting myself get wrapped up in the fall wind and all the feelings that it brings with it.

Enough ranting, here's a song that I can't get enough of.
Thelma Plum- Father Said

-Mint-Tea

Music Monday: Tennis

Aloha! Such a lovely Monday! Today I give you some tunes from the band Tennis! Now, I've come across these guys before and always kinda shrugged them off and didn't see anything to special in them. But then this weekend the song Marathon kept popping up on random playlists I was listening too. I realized that its an amazing song and I had to look up more of there stuff. I was pleasantly surprised with what I found and also disappointed in myself for not realizing the awesomeness earlier. Better late then never, right? Tennis is a lovely husband and wife duo, which is just cool. They've got this smooth, retro, indie sound that is very unique. At first they seem like upbeat snazzy tunes not to be taken to seriously. But then you listen to the lyrics and their songs gain some weight and heaviness to them that make them a good indie band and not a pop tune to be brushed off lightly. Plus how unique is that ladies voice. I could probably do with less ooh ooohs. They seem to be sprinkled in almost every song.Tennis has a specific sound that is easily identifiable, which I enjoy when bands can create a sound that sticks out and is unique to them. Anyways enough rambling, listen to the playlist (or at least the first song, its really neat.)  Hope you all have a successful Monday and if not there is always tomorrow! 

"In the woods somethings glowing, a burning light has started growing. It feels like change is upon us at last. Consuming us fast, change is upon us."

-Mint~Tea

Nifty Findings: Art

I find when I'm roaming the inter-web I'm always coming across amazing artists. I just wanted to share a couple of these nifty findings. First is Sophie Lecuyer. An amazing french artist who has a unique illustration style and tons of layer inky goodness through out her work. I found her HERE. My favorite project of hers is Metamorphoses. She has done screen prints on light boxes and when you turn it on the image changes. Such a brilliant idea and done so wonderfully. Check out her work. She does tons of etchings, sketches, illustrations, screen prints, mono prints and textiles. The lady is just awesome when it comes to utilizing techniques.

Sophie Lecuyer

Second is Nathaniel Russell. This guy has an awesome style that is witty and simple. I love artists that are distinct and you can instantly recognize it anywhere. I can't wait to get my hands on some of his prints or records. I'm also smitten over THIS post from his blog. Check out his work. You'll for sure find something that'll make you smile.

Nathaniel Russell

Third, are awesome sketches by Megan. I found on her blog Megan-Ta da! Also THIS lovely interview with  Marina Muun. Who has such a sweet and unique style that I just adore.

Marina Munn

Finally we've got a new lil' video from Rone, an amazing street artist from Australia. My heart just melts for some good street art. His style is awesome. Hes got layery drippy goodness all over the place. He works on a massive scale that just blows me away. The video is put together really well so you can see a little insight to his process. I mean, the guy is just cool.

Phew! Hope I haven't been too rambly. I just love art so much. I can't help but want to ramble and share it with everyone! Hope you got some inspiration from these guys, I know I did!

-Mint~Tea

Sketches

Lately I've been getting quite behind on my correspondence. I love snail mail and I always put extra love into every letter I send, but in the long run it takes me forever just to send a simple note. As my letters get piled up other projects are getting done. So, not a complete loss. I'm still being productive just not productively sending letters.  Other projects I've been working on are new tee shirt designs and new sticker designs! I'm also excited to make some nifty lil' note cards. Which should help me get caught up on my snail mail because I love sending handmade cards! Finally worked out some sketches and scanned them in. Now all I need to do is clean them up and get them ready for printing!

Alright, I know the sketches are rough. I mean really, really rough. But these silly little doodles help out a ton when I'm putting it into illustrator. 

Flower sticker designs. Hopefully we'll be able to finally use our new sticker maker! 

Forest on the water. Inspired from one of my favorite films The Science of Sleep. This one still has a lot of details to work out.  So we'll see how that turns out, it might not work out. It wouldn't be the first time.

Note card design I'm working on. Secret notes! 

-Mint~Tea

Music Monday: Happy-ish Playlist

Hello friends! Its Monday and I've made you a playlist! Now, not just any playlist but one that will make you bob your head and wanna dance a little bit. I listen to all kinds of music and although I hate to admit it, I enjoy a nice lil' pop tune here and there. (Within moderation of course) So I give you nice little happy tunes on this lovely Monday! If one of these songs made you smile or dance a little bit then my mission is complete. If not I accept the challenge! But for now, enjoy this playlist. 

And yes, that is a Matt & Kim  and The Beastie Boys mash-up tacked on to the end. Awesome, I know. Plus Kimbra doing a cover song/mash up. Double awesomeness. I should really do a playlist of just mash ups. Hm, next week my lovelies. 

-Mint~Tea

Sending

Catching up and some correspondence! I love sending mystery mail to people. Letters are fun to get but surprise letters are even better! I'm always pulling names off of sendsomething.net to send lil' notes to people.  Send something is one of my favorites because there is always new people and I've had some of my longest lasting pen pals off of there. But if you're not brave enough to send to random people there is always the Letters Writers Alliance.

Mail to strangers! 

Is that bad that I choose random people to send stuff to by there name? I mean the name Olive is just cool. Also whenever I see guys that like to send mail I always have to send them something, just because there isn't enough guys that send letters! After reading statistics from the LWA they only had 10% of there members that are male. So guys grab a pen and get writing! 

Send more mail!

-Mint~Tea