Flowing Like The Sea.

The second half of summer is always a weird time for me. I can only take the heat for so long. Too much sunshine makes me withdrawn. I love the seasons, I feel their impact on me. Autumn is my favorite, I get anxious waiting for it to come. Literally sweating it out. I got this Free People New Romantics High Noon tee back in May or so to take to Greece. It's so breezy and effortless, which definitely what I have been feeling the past few weeks. I love the blue color of it, it reminds me of the Mediterranean. And it looks great paired with Nars Heat Wave lipstick.

// Top - Free People // Skirt - American Apparel // Shoes - Jeffrey Campbell // 

// Bag - Rebecca Minkoff // Hat - Panama Jack //

Sounds of Summer: A Playlist.

"You're No Good" - Major Lazer

I saw Major Lazer at Coachella back in April, and they were such great performers. This is probably my favorite song of theirs. I love Santogold's vocals, over the vibey beat. I can listen to this song no matter what I am doing or where I am going.

"Black Skinhead" - Kanye West

I was in Greece on my honeymoon when Kanye unleashed Yeezus on the world. I instantly loved it, and listened to it endlessly. Now that I 'm home, I love to listen to this track when I run the stairs. It unleashes my inner beast and taps into this raw energy inside me. It makes me unstoppable.

"Lose Yourself to Dance" - Daft Punk and Pharrell Williams

I keep finding myself wanting to listen to this album. This song specifically has this funky, space boogie quality to it. It's so 70s. I want to throw on a pair of low riding bell bottoms, platforms, get my hair as big as possible and boogie like I'll never stop.

"Elephant" - Tame Impala

I know this album came out last year, but this song, specifically, I keep finding myself tacking on to the end of my playlists. It brings out my inner bad ass and somehow gives me instant swagger. I just become like a sexy, Johnny Depp character in my head. lol. I dare you to try it.

"Femme Fatale" - The Velvet Underground

My obsession with The Velvet Underground has somehow reached new heights recently.  A month or so ago I watched "Factory Girl" and ever since I have become even more hypnotized by that era. I have been listening to even more 60s jams than usual, which I didn't even know was possible. This song is a top one for me. I adore Nico and the femme fatale she's singing about is Edie Sedgwick.

"Pushin' Too Hard" - The Seeds

This song is what I call gothic surf music, which I have big spot in my heart for. I just really dig this song, especially the thrashing guitars. I can't help but sway my hips when I hear it. And I relate, I am often pushing too hard on myself. It reminds me not to take myself so seriously, to enjoy life more.

"Lazuli" - Beach House

This song is magic. The dreamy scales. The airy vocals. The notes fall around me like raindrops. Yet, it still maintains this throbbing pulse to the beat. I could listen to Beach House every day of life.

"Ni**as In Paris" - Jay-Z and Kanye West

This song shifts it into fourth gear. I know it's old news. But on my honeymoon, we were on a private yacht tour of Thira aka Santorini, and this jam came on and took the day to another level. I was living out all of my fantasies from watching Jay-Z's 'Big Pimpin' video. I was just instantly transformed into the baddest bitch around. lol. But for real. This song always elevates me.

"Swimming Pools" - Kendrick Lamar

Now for a dark turn. This is a song for summer nights. I can't help but groove to the sexy, moody beat. You can sing along so easily too with the lyrics, "Pour up. Drank. Head shot. Drank. Sit down. Drank. Stand up. Drank. Pass out. Drank. Wake up. Drank. Faded. Drank. Faded. Drank." Take a shot and get down. 

"Hands On The Wheel" - Schoolboy Q, A$AP Rocky

This song samples Lissie covering Kid Cudi "Pursuit of Happiness" which I was really into a couple summers ago. This song brings me back to a time when I was wild and restless. It reminds me that it may seem like I am in control with my "hands on the wheel" but I am just on this ride we all call life. Doesn't really matter if I steer, I am going where I go.

"Losing You" - Solange

The beat of this song is so ridiculously good. It's primal and 80s all at once. The music video is awesome if you haven't seen it. Solange is super sexy and adorable, just like this epic song. Her dance moves are amazing, I wish I could move like her.

"Dropla" - Youth Lagoon

Honestly I just love the "you'll never die" line over and over again, it makes me feel immortal for a few minutes. The melody sounds like it's out of a dream land. Regardless of my mood this song definitely transport me to another place.

"Vanished" - Crystal Castle

This song wants to make you move right from the first note. It makes me feel like I am in a sexy laser tag game or something. It makes life become an instant music video. It has this relentless buzz to it that makes you feel like dancing all night might be a good idea.

"gun-shy" - Grizzly Bear

I love Grizzly Bear. This song is on their new album. It takes it down a notch. It's a very chill song, but can be really hypnotic. It's like one long deep breath. I love the break in the song, it draws me in so much deeper.

"Bleak Bake" - King Krule

This song is like floating through space. It has this twinkling, magical quality. It makes me feel like gravity might stop working and we will all just float away...Oh and the British kid behind this enchanting diddy is only nineteen.

"Feel It All Around" - Washed Out

I know its the theme song of Portlandia, but driving around to this song makes everything shift into slow motion. It feels like actual time slows. On hot days where you already feel stoned, this song makes the whole drive home feel like an out of body experience.

Happy listening!

Xo

Dancing Barefoot.

This video is just incredible. I love Patti Smith and I love First Aid Kit...But this performance of First Aid Kit covering Patti Smith's "Dancing Barefoot" is just on a whole other level. Sometimes I think music can be pure magic. And I think this is one of this moments. Johanna & Klara just transport me to another time and place with this touching rendition. Patti Smith is in the audience and is moved to tears. This moving performances stirs me deep in my inner well. I hope it stirs you too.

ENJOY SOME MAGIC. 

Greece Part Two: THESSALONIKI

Away we go. Ready for take-off. It's so funny how things change. I have been home now just about a month. I was so longing to be in one place for a time, but now already I feel the restlessness growing. I want to fly away to some unknown destination once again. For now these photos of our wonderful time in Greece will have to suffice. After Athens we visited Thessaloniki. It holds a special place in my heart because it's where my great grandmother used to live and where my grandfather was born. I wasn't really sure what to expect. It's a pretty gorgeous town right on the water. Modern buildings shooting up right next to ancient archways and piles of thousand year old rubble. Through the years it has been occupied by all sorts of other countries and people but the Greeks are strong and resilient. That is what ultimately drove my family to flee to America, their home was bombed during WW2. I really enjoyed walking down the streets and imagining my grandfather as a young boy running around through the markets and wondering if my great grandmother attended any of the churches, imagining what their life and experiences must have been like. It's a very busy metropolitan city. It's considered the cultural center of Greece. An hour or two in the car will take you to Chalkidiki, which is a peninsula that has some of the most gorgeous beaches I have ever seen. We had such a fantastic time, lots of late dinners followed by romantic walks, and ate the best fish of our lives in Kassandria. The owner has a grove of olive trees behind the restaurant. You pick a fish out of a tank and he prepares it for you with fresh pressed olive oil and lemon. It tastes like heaven, especially combined with a delicious Mythos beer. It is pretty much the best thing ever after a long day of beach adventures. I long to return to Greece. One day, hopefully not too far away....

The White Tower. A prisoner white washed the whole thing for his freedom.

Mmmm....wine.

Daniel loved the older Greek women.

So many very old churches. 

Where the city meets the sea.

I loved walking around.

Ouzo.

The greeks love outdoor dining. I do too.

Some deliciousness.

The views from the White Tower.

A top the White Tower.

In the White Tower.

A tile mosaic in the Archeological Museum. It was the floor in someone's home a very long time ago.

Cherries and olives in the market.

Me in the courtyard of an old church.

My man looking fierce in pink.

The Mediterranean Sea and the White Tower.

Thessaloniki.

The Arch of Galerius and Rotunda. Built by the Romans in the 4th century.

Daniel is always working.

Panorama from the top of the White Tower.

Stopping for a photo op during a sunset walk. The sun set after 9PM!

Driving around the peninsula in Chalkidiki. 

 A magical beach near Kassandria.

Enjoying a Mythos.

Daniel enjoying some mid-afternoon Ouzo.