[click on pictures to watch videos!]

Picture taken by - Eddie A.

Lately, I have been going crazy because of the lack of cultural experiences I've had in the past year. I really miss going to museums, concerts, plays, multicultural nights, etc. I'm still getting to know ABQ and what it has to offer so when I discovered this little piece of heaven earlier today I definitely felt as if nothing was missing in my life.

The following is an amazing mini concert put together by MADE, a project...or group of projects that are sure to leave you in awe! This is specific one is a combination of three artists: a singer, a violinist, and a painter. The combination of the three is astounding. Here's the actual description given by MADE:

"Moments with ALOE BLACC, Mihalj “MIKI” Kekenj & JAYBO – The Songs.

In the Spring of 2011, a composer, a painter and a singer came together at MADE to create a moment.

Aloe Blacc´s original music was interpreted by Miki and his string-quintet, who translated the soul & funk songs into classical music compositions.

The string-quintet version and the lyrics of Aloe’s song “I Need a Dollar” inspired Jaybo to create his own visual interpretation of the song as an art piece."

This mini-concert which features an amazing string-quintet with soulful R&B influences will make you feel jealous of every single person who was able to attend! Below, I will include the link to the first of six videos. Take the time to watch them all and I guarantee you will not be disappointed!

MOMENTS WITH ALOE BLACC, MIKI AND JAYBO: "TAKE ME BACK" PART 1/6

July is a very important month! Not only does it mark my birthday and when my family and I moved to New Mexico but it also now marks the beginning of a new monthly section on my blog which will highlight the most attractive men in the last 30 days! Now, by attractive I don't only mean the best looking or best dressed but men who are not afraid to show their intellectual side, hard working attributes, or breath-taking performances! Let's begin this month's list, shall we?

1. Ryan Gosling
Ryan had been pretty much under my radar until about a few weeks ago when he kept popping up on my Tumblr dashboard and I couldn't avoid seeing him in almost all night talk shows promoting his new movie "Stupid, Crazy, Love." Who knew Ryan Gosling would become a fashion icon? I certainly didn't see that one coming!
I was also able to watch him in the mystery thriller "All Good Things" along side Kirsten Dunst, and let me tell you...it was such an amazing story! His acting has definitely evolved since The Notebook and I just can't wait to see his upcoming films!

2. Marcus Mumford
This amazing singer has earned a spot on my list because of his musical qualities...and, of course, his good looks! I haven't been able to stop listening to Mumford and Sons' latest album "Sigh No More" ever since I was able to get my hands on it! The lyrics are just fantastic, so true, so warm, so touching. I also love watching Mumford and Sons performances on YouTube, I think if a band had to bring folk music back into the spotlight it definitely should be them.
Marcus also has a little blog on the band's website where he makes book recommendations to all the fans, he doesn't update often but the recommendations so far are really great! A man who likes to read for pleasure...now, that is a pleasure all on itself!

3. The Mast Brothers
Rich and Michael Mast are two brothers whose passion of chocolate made them take part in the fantastic world of chocolate making, a world in which they are now stars! I watched a video on Vimeo about three weeks ago about this fantastic family business and on how they make their vibrant chocolates. Whenever a person has such a passion for something in their lives, I think that makes them automatically attractive! Take a look at the video, I think you will fall in love with them and their chocolates too. Who wouldn't? Especially with those unique wrappings...they're just so out of the ordinary... I wish I could eat one everyday of the week!

4. Matthew Gray Gubler
So if you know me personally you most likely know that I have this thing for smart, witty, dorky, and awfully well dressed men and I think Matthew pretty much fits the description 99.999%.
The other day I was watching TV (which is something I hardly ever do anymore) and his show "Criminal Minds" came up...aaaah I love his character, it sort of reminds me of the male version of Bones! So that's why he deserves to be on this list....just for being fantastic all around!

5. Rupert Grint
This month my dad scored free tickets for the last Harry Potter movie ever! I said to myself "Italia, this is the end of an saga...a saga that has lasted for 10 years...you HAVE to go!" To be honest, I had never been an HP fan, I've never read the books or watched all the previous movies but what else is better than a free movie and did I mention that it was in 3D? My first 3D movie!!!
So my brother and I decided to go and to prepare I watched as many HP films as I could to sort of catch up on the story and oh my goodness, I fell in love with Ron, Rupert Grint's character. He is just so clueless all the time and loves to eat...he's just so funny! He also seems to have a bromance in real life with Tom Felton which makes him totally adorable!

6. Christopher Waltz
I've been a Christopher Waltz fan ever since Inglorious Basterds, in which he plays a scary nazi villain. This week I was watching the Green Hornet and I was just amazed at how well he can play any character...he makes the Green Hornet bearable along with Jay Chao who plays the sideckick Kato.
I absolutely love a good, down to earth actor who can make me enjoy any movie he is in!


Here you have it, the six men who have made a lasting impression in the past 30 days. Tune in next month to see who makes the list!

Rack Kingdom. That's the name of the newest adventure my brother and I have embarked on. We had been deciding for the last few months whether we wanted to do it or not but, at last, here it is...or well...a preview of it. We will be selling vintage clothing and bags/purses, so hopefully all of you will be able to find something you like.

I'm not going to lie, I am having a blast being part of this project! Can't wait to have it ready for you all!

I hope everyone is having a GREAT summer!

Much Love,

Italia.


picture taken by- Eddie A.

It's playlist time again! This collection is a bit different than any of the previous ones I've done in the sense that the sound is a bit more electronic, eclectic and has some soul and r&b references.
So yeah...here you have this month's collection of sounds. Open your ears and let the sound waves reach all areas of your brain, it will be a pretty pleasant experience I swear!






1. "They Don't Want" - Electric Wire Hustle

2. "After The Moment" - Craft Spells

3. "Wait & See" - Holy Ghost!

4. "Mykonos" - Fleet Foxes

5. "Living/Breathing" - Mesita

6. "Touch & Play" - Girl Is Töugh

7. "True Loves" - Hooray for Earth


P.S.
I have a question for you all! I've been thinking that this blog has pretty much turned into a "music" blog (in quotations because...well, I'm not a huge music connoisseur and this isn't professional or anything) and I do love sharing the music I find with you my 3 or 4 amazing readers! So the question is: Should I do a monthly playlist like this one? If I do it monthly they'll be a bit longer...i hope...so you have like the entire month to listen to it and enjoy. I was also thinking of doing a bi-monthly playlist but I'm not sure I feel up to the challenge just yet! So let me know what you think and let me know if you liked any of the music!

Much Love.

This.....



Turned into this....


So this week I received an incredible surprise! A good friend of mine sent me a Frida Kahlo bag in the mail, you cannot even begin to comprehend the extend of my happiness after seeing this bag in my hands! It was truly one of the nicest things anyone's ever done for me, and I was so ecstatic! The first picture is from a bag I had seen during a family trip to Santa Fe a few months ago, and I knew I just had to take a picture and label it as "the bag of my dreams." And then, this week I get an even more incredible version of the bag in the mail (as seen in picture number two)! I am in debt forever and always! *sigh...I can die a happy woman now that I have a Frida bag!!!!

In sort of an unrelated note...this bag got me thinking that it's almost that time of the year again...my birthday! I'll be turning 21 this year...I can't believe how fast time flies! I think the best gift this year would be spending it with good friends (such as the amazing sender of the Frida bag) but I will have to postpone that for a few months. In the mean time, I think I'll have a low key celebration with the family, maybe even go up to Santa Fe again. I'm excited, and no, not because I'll be able to buy alcohol and get into clubs...I'm actually excited to see what this new age brings. I hope many many many blessings!

Future Shorts has quickly become one of my favorite YouTube channels (apart from Blogotheque, of course). It features the absolute best of short films from all over the world, check them out if you have a chance...some of them are even better than complete feature films!
This right here is one of my favorites. It is called Apricot and it was written and directed in Australia by Ben Briand .
This short deals with memories of the past, of a first love, and of discovery of the present. The cinematography of it is astounding...everytime I watch it I think "best 10 minutes I have ever spent!"

Enjoy!