Before I actually start talking about the music, I’d like to blab a little bit about this first photo. Found on Flickr, the shot is of Emily Haines of Metric by user crazybobbles. I can’t even being to describe how beautiful this is. Take a look at the rest of their sets—there are a lot of really good photos from live shows and concerts.

Ah, Metric. This is going to be hard to limit how much I write simply because I am madly in love with every single track on Fantasies.

Gimme Sympathy — we’re so close to something better left unknown — Possibly my favorite track off the album, and also one of my favorite songs ever. The song’s perfection lies within its first thirty seconds—the first verse.

Help I’m Alive — if i stumble, they’re going to eat me alive — First single and probably most interesting sounding off Fantasies. Something about the strange beat and sound effects used as the skeleton of the song draws me in. I hate to sound repetitive, but i think this track’s hook is in the first segment of the song also.

Twilight Galaxy— did they tell you you should grow up, when you wanted to dream — I think the title word “twilight” is probably the best idea to associated with this song. The dream-like synth sequence in combination with Emily’s calm vocals is very reminiscent of sunset/sunrise tranquilit. Definitely one of the slower tracks on the album, but definitely a gem.

I’ve been waiting for this for ages. Crossing The Rubicon, the new album from Swedish synth-rock-pop group The Sounds. 2009 has been a good year in music so far and it will only get better.

I have nothing to say really other than this album is truly epic. There’s a great mix of upbeat dance songs and a few beautiful rock ballads. What makes everything even better: a majority of the tracks have a very 80s-rock influenced sound.

No One Sleeps When I’m Awake — standing in the shadows I hear people say I’ve got confessions to make — The incredibly infectious lead single off Crossing The Rubicon is sure to please fans of The Sounds, alternative rock listeners, and then some with its catchy guitar hook.

Beatbox — turn it up and break it down, come on bring that beatbox back — This song is so energetic and fun it’s almost ridiculous. Maja’s rapping is a bit funny sounding, but I guarantee the beat will have you dancing in your seat. Promise.

Midnight Sun — I will be coming with you, tonight you’re all that I want — A beautiful and euphoric sounding rock ballad that screams midsummer love. A great track to listen to on a warm night with the windows down and moonroof open.

Yes, it’s what you’ve always wanted. A stalkerish account of my daily wardrobe and activities. I try to keep these as accurate as possible—but I’m constantly changing my mind so there’s a good chance I’ll change outfits 3 times in a day.

Todays agenda: work, eat, be lazy, horror movie sleepover. Tomorrow: shopping with mama and possibly Star Trek. Saturday: another free day! Anywho…

Years and counting. Twenty-one was alright. Nothing special, but good enough. Wonder what twenty-two has in store for me. We’ll see.

I’m not sure what Old Navy is even trying to do anymore. I always looked at them as sort of a bland family clothing store—a discount GAP (what the really are, actually, seeing as how they’re owned by GAP). For a short time however, I was blown away by their attempt (and success in my opinion) at maturing and evolving into something a little more (see all the gorgeous photos in this post). Where do I stand now? You’ll see.

For a year or so, leading up to the Lights campaign, Old Navy’s advertising department seemed to be hitting the jackpot using catchy songs in television spots and memorable catch phrases. February-June 2008 marked what I consider to be their climax of advertising and overall design. A series of four cinematic tv-spots (led by creative director Landis Smithers, art director Richard Christiansen, associate producer Sara Fisher, cinematographer Darius Khondji, wardrobe stylist Eddie Schachnow, executive producer Connie Bang, first assistant director Paul Norman, and others) were created for each month from February to May. Each showed off the upcoming month’s new collection and also featured a different song from Canadian synthpop artist, Lights. The commercials were beautifully created using state-of-the-art filming equipment and had excellent cinematography and art direction—quality of Hollywood films, really.

The new look of oldnavy was fashion-forward, trendy, and youthful looking. The spring collection could’ve easily fit in at Forever 21 or H&M. In June, there was a follow-up television ad to the Lights campaign showing off some sparkly new evening wear while also advertising for the MTV movie awards. The rest of the summer line saw nothing like that. The interactive website which accompanied the spring campaign became a boring static page of summer collection shots that did the gorgeous garments no justice (Seen in the last two images). When fall and winter came around, the entire Old Navy “NEXT” page had been taken down.

Since then, Old Navy seems to have reverted to their old ways. Selling boring polos and vests with gimmicky advertising. Their new campaign, I believe is something called “The Modelquins” in which a series of still-frames show mannequins in different situations with voiceovers attempting to give them some life. Quite a large step backwards in my book.

I’d love to see some more eye-candy advertising and fashion from Old Navy, but I’m not sure if that’s in their agenda. The Modelquins seem to have a new commercial out every time I turn the tv on—I guess someone’s buying into the advertising.

PS: In addition to returning to old marketing and clothing, Old Navy has also reverted to their old logo (left). I wonder if that has anything to do with why I find myself shopping there less and less lately. Maybe it’s the fact that nothing in that store fits me. Anywho, I definitely favored the new logo (right) and its miniature form, a simple “ON”. Read more about the change on Brand New.

PPS: I still love their two-for-five flipflops. If they ever decide to get rid of those, I don’t know what I’ll do with myself. Maybe explode.

I’m here! I’m here! Life has been busy. Fun, though? Sometimes. Working, saving, sending, spending, enjoying, etc. There’s a lot of eating and not enough sleeping in there, too.

One of the things I’ve been wasting the very few minutes of free time on, has been POLYVORE. It’s a collaging site where you can throw together outfits, make moodboards, or whatever really. It’s a fun way to relax and experiment. Go check it out. Try to ignore the masses of collages cluttered with “keep your head up, girl” quotes made by preteen girls—there’s alot of good inspiration on there if you look for it.

It’s been quite a busy summer, and I’m only 6 days into it. Let’s see, there’s the unpacking (my room is still a giant mess of boxes and clothes everywhere. I need to get my act together, I miss seeing my pretty wood floor), working at Isaacs to make a few bucks, freelancing, designing for the heck of it, catching up with friends I’ve lost contact with, applying for jobs, and a bunch of other things.

I leave you with just a few things I’ve found over the past day or two that make me happy. I believe they all were found through Door Sixteen, Desire To Inspire, or The Style Files. So show some love and check them out.

Just a new project i’m currently working on: a line of energy drinks geared towards young women.

One time a few weeks ago while running to Walmart in the middle of the night to buy some dvd+r’s, I set eyes on a bit of new branding that I fell in love with.

The new Memorex packaging has been taking a lot of hits, but I’ll stand up to defend it. I for one love it. The minimal design, bright colors, greys, and use of ultra light helvetica neue rolls right down my alley.

The criticisms are mostly that the new logo is boring or reminiscent of birth-control pill designs and the colors are too feminine. Although I see the point, after looking back at the old designs, I feel its definitely an upgrade.

After looking through the gallery and watching the short films about Anthropologie on Adobe’s Shortcut to Brilliance, I have been reminded once again why I love their design and why would love to work for them.

The end.

Tomorrow marks the last day of my four years in college. And I still have no idea what I’m doing with my life. I do, however, know what fonts make me happy. And currently, these are it:

I’m too lazy to link each one to its respective website, instead just google them. I know, I’m a meanie.