December 28th Photo Shoot

Well, hello there! We've been gone (yes, again) but we've gotten together for a fun little shoot in the middle of Balboa Park. Winter in California isn't usually too chilly, although this particular Friday, we ditched our skirts and shorts for some traditional outerwear. Sweaters, boots, oh my!
As the New Year approaches, we'll be trying to post more often, and have more photos to share with you all. This time, we used the new Nikon D3200 and those kick-ass 200mm lens. 

Shelby was laughing at something stupid, in the photo above, probably her own joke.

Stevie, here, was psyched just to be out of her house for a few hours, 

as she shows off her signature face.

Photos from the rest of the little shoot can be viewed HERE.

C'est tout.

Shelby & Stevie

The Head and the Heart, She & Him, Snowmine, and More.

I like music.
You like music.
Have you ever met a soul in this world who didn't feel personally drawn to it?
Music is universal.
Music has saved cultures entirely. Music preserves aspects of communities for generations to come.
Music is saving us from forgetting the perks of simply being, every day.
I am here to share some of my favorite songs (of all time) with you.
I've color coded them for your accessibility.

Classic

Instrumental

Soothing

Fun

I recommend you stop what you're doing, redirect yourself to the YouTubes, and start searching these titles.

The Absolute Favorites

Bloom by the Paper Kites
Martina Martinez by Girls
Brand New Shoes by She & Him
Winter Song by the Head & the Heart
Ob-La-Di Ob-La-Da by the Beatles
The Way You Make Me Feel by Michael Jackson



The Recent Favorites

Let Me In by Snowmine
Strings by Young the Giant
Heart Attack by One Direction (I admit it)
Kinder Bluemen by Real Estate 
Boys with Girlfriends by Meiko



The 80s Favorites

So in Love by OMD
Just Like Heaven by the Cure
Heart of Glass by Blondie (okay, I know it came out in 1979 but let me have this)
Ask by the Smiths
Never Gonna Give You Up by Rick Astley (just yes)
She's Always in My Hair by Prince
Karma Chameleon by the Culture Club


I hope you enjoyed my brief little list of some of my very favorite songs.
Enjoy.



Xx
Shelby Alice

XXYYXX and Rain

Most natives in San Diego really have no idea how to drive in the rain. That is a fact. They have the tendency to drive too slow or too fast or cut in front of everyone or get so unbelievably antsy. It's quite annoying for the few natives who DO know how to drive in the San Diego rain. 

Today's "storm" was no difference (Yes, today could be considered a storm; the flooding on the curb almost went up to the sidewalk). Actually, this storm was different. It was about 10 times worse than all of the other storms I have ever experienced in my 15 years of life here. Roads were closed. Tons of accidents. I was talking to a friend, and it took him 2 hours and 20 minutes to drive 20 miles. Crazy, right? It's insane. 

My mom was driving me to school, well, she ATTEMPTED to drive me to school. After driving for an hour and only covering about 10 miles of our 25 mile trip, we just gave up and went home. 

So now I am working on one of my projects for school and listening to XXYYXX. I don't listen to electronic music that often, probably because I'm not always in the mood to listen to it. However, my boyfriend (who is a giant fan of electronic music) is starting to rub off on me. Plus, it's great working music. You can just turn it up super loud, bob your head to the music, and work on whatever you're working on. Unless you're reading. Then it's super hard. I find it insanely difficult to read with any noise in the background, but I feel like that's probably just me, be it that most people I know can read with music and screaming people in the background.

What I really like about XXYYXX is that they have weird, cute vocals in the background. They are repetitive, yes, but not the kind of repetitive that makes you want to rip out your hair and shove it into your ears. The beats are fresh, and it's not that super overwhelming type of electronic music that they play at raves (or at least I think they don't. I don't go to raves. I'm sheltered). 

So if you're having a super rainy day and you're stuck at home like am, be productive with some cool electronic music playing in the background. It'll brighten up your life. 

Have a fantastic day,

Stevie 

December

Oh, goodness. December has thrust itself on us, ensconcing us. I'm sorry for all the sappy text, but I really do love the final month on the calendar. I've recently discovered a tree, a little ways down from my block, that has the most beautiful leaves I've seen in California. The trees don't really change down here, and I've always wanted to enjoy the "true," essence of autumn. I took some shots and I would like to share them with you! I'm also sorry for the lack of posting, as you can see, it's been my turn to post for a couple weeks now! I'll have some reviews coming soon.

I hope you all have a lovely week.

Xx

Shelby Alice

Them Crazy Mondays

This is what Shelby and I did today in case anyone cares.
Also, we did a mini photo shoot!

Love Prevails

Today, while sitting on a bed of pebbles in my backyard, I overheard my four year old neighbor tell his father something that I don't think I'll be able to "unhear," for quite a while. As the 11-o'-clock sun beat down on me, with my matted hair and pajama pants, I heard little (we'll call him) Daniel exclaim, "I hate you!" His father paused for about half a beat, before laughing and saying, "no, you don't, Danny." Daniel didn't have to think twice about it, because he simply said, "yes, I do."
Now, whether the boy meant it or not, I was still unable to register that this toddler actually thought that he felt such a distain toward his father. I'm not sure how their relationship will work out as Daniel matures, but I wish them the best. I would like to dedicate this post to the people, places, and things I love.

In the meantime, here are some photos that represent one of my favorite months. 

Have a peaceful Thanksgiving. As Ellen says, be kind to one another. Thank you for reading, and please remember to be thankful and appreciative. 

Xx
Shelby Alice

Aesop Rock and Alabama Shakes.

Hello, readers. It is I, Stevie, of the best friend duo. Sorry I haven't been posting as much as Shelby has. But that should be changing soon!

This post will be reviews on rapper Aesop Rock and the up and coming band, Alabama Shakes.

No, not Asap Rocky, who sort of stole Aesop Rock's name. But Aesop Rock. The rapper who first debuted in the super early 2000's.

Wow, when I started writing this post, my boyfriend called to Facetime me and I was listening to Aesop Rock, writing this post, and then he just started a rap battle with me. I just got sidetracked. Sorry, y'all. Rap battles are healthy for all relationships.

Anyways, Aesop Rock is a bit of a blast from the past, and he's pretty good. His lyrics are a bit hard to follow (or at least on my first listen, they have been), but I kind of like it. Odd Future reminds me a bit of Aesop, but he doesn't have that "rebellious"(I guess you could call it) sort of tone to his lyrics. He's a great listen, if you're in a rap kind of mood.

Alabama Shakes. They were my great find last weekend. They have a bit of a bluesy/folk feel, with a some rock sprinkled over it. Their debut album, Boys & Girls, is what I'm currently super into. The vocals are so powerful, the music easy listening to. It just makes you feel good. If you're into The Black Keys, you'll totally love Alabama Shakes. Go on. Check them out now on Spotify. You'll thank me later.

Taylor Swift: Red and A Fine Frenzy: Pines

This is a duo album review, analyzing the newest released records of Taylor Swift and A Fine Frenzy. Both albums were released in October, and although the month has recently passed, these reviews have been long over-due.


Alright.
We knew this was coming, the album was recently released on October 22nd, and Taylor Swift has been all over the media. Between her infamous songs (in which the lyrics not only spotlight her ex-lovers, but highlight each and every one of their mistakes) and her disgusting, failed relationship with Connor Kennedy, Taylor Swift just loves attention.

Her album, Red, is filled with dance-inspired songs (a new addition to her Wikipedia "Genre," section), reminiscent ballads, and annoyingly screechy anthems. Her first single, "We Are Never Getting Back Together," not only rattles through the depths of your mind, but brings you to the conclusion that at 22, Swift really shouldn't be focusing on juvenile relationships. These kinds of relationships, however, seem to be the only thing keeping her from being another lost country star.

Red is a poppier, more repetitive side of Swift's musical career. "22," and "I Knew You Were Trouble." are quite a jump from her previous singles. Personally, I don't like this new sound Swift has experimented with; her songwriting abilities seem to be lacking throughout the album, with uninspired beats and immature choruses. Expect the usual pining for her ex-lovers on each track.

"Starlight," is one of my personal favorites, despite the ho-hum tracks on Red. Although the painfully raw lyrics we're used to hearing from Swift are not present throughout the album (at least not as much as I'd like them to be), "Starlight," and "Everything Has Changed," (a duet with Ed Sheeran) really stand out on Red. "The Last Time," (a duet with Gary Lightbody of Snow Patrol) is a beautiful ballad between Lightbody's rugged voice and Swift's haunted notes. 


Because the majority of Swift's songs revolve around her unsuccesful relationships, her tracks are the perfect remedy for a bad breakup. Red switches things up a little, replacing yearning verses with "mainstreamed," whoa-oh-oh chants.

All in all, Red is not a total blow. The album is not as insightful as her previous album's, the lyrics seeming a bit forced and repetitive, and the guitar is evidently missing throughout Red. It isn't Swift's usual sound, and she should probably go back to her folksy Speak Now jingles. For you die hard Swift fans, try not to be too disappointed. But who knows, you might just like it.

Verdict: 3 out of 5 stars
View Red HERE.


Be sure to check out Swift's bonus track, "Come Back.. Be Here."

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Pines, by A Fine Frenzy, takes Alison Sudol's voice to an entirely new level. Sudol's previous hits include "Almost Lover," a daunting, reminiscent ballad, and a personal favorite of mine, "What I Wouldn't Do." Pines, however, is not quite the case. As reviewers on iTunes have speculated, Pines seems to be more of a self-indlugent album, rather than the long awaited masterpiece that her fans anticipated.

As a long time fan of A Fine Frenzy, I approached the album with an open mind. Sudol's opening track jumps into a peaceful, yoga-esque, beach soundtrack. For the first minute or so, Sudol entrances her fans, as always, with her soothing melodies. This, however, is not at all short lived, as the album continues at the same pace for the first third of the album.The first six tracks are solemn, calming, and all together boring. 

If it is Sudol's signature, upbeat tunes you are looking for, promptly skip to the seventh track, "Sailingsong," before switching to, "It's Alive." "Now Is The Start," concludes Sudol's uplifting tracks on the album Pines. 

Pines is nothing more than a disappointment, as her fans have waited a total of two years for her next release. The songs are more meant for background eulogy music, rather than a sing-along in your room playlist.

Sudol, ultimately, should stick to heart warming ballads paired with poetic verses, rather than the strained, upsetting record she has presented us. Unless you enjoy aching for the lover you never really had or watching paint dry, Pines is not for you.


Verdict: 2 out of 5 stars View Pines HERE.




Xx
Shelby Alice

Dog Is Dead: All of Our Favorite Stories

Shelby here! In our earlier post, we mentioned that we would be writing reviews and sharing our personal works of art on Peculiar Curls.

Today I wanted to bring everyone's attention to a bitchin' band, by the name of Dog Is Dead. Their innovative, catchy, and "indie-pop," tunes on their newest release, All Our Favorite Stories, will have you hooked.

All Our Favorite Stories opens with a down-tempo "Get Low," before picking up speed with its typical Dog Is Dead sound, "Do The Right Thing." All Our Favorite Stories is a collection of jazzy, poppy, and folksy rhythms, including the dancing-down-the-street jingle, "Glockenspiel Song," and the summer nights anthem, "Talk Through the Night." "River Jordan," is perhaps the darker side of All Our Favorite Stories, with a daunting melody. "Ricochet," transitions the album to a slower, more mellow pace, before slightly picking back up again with "Burial Ground." The album finishes with "Talent Show," and despite the 10% popularity bar on iTunes, the closing track really brings the album to closure.

Verdict: 4 out of 5 stars

To sum it up, All Our Favorite Stories is a beautiful treasury of songs you won't be able to shake out of your head. Be sure to pick that up as soon as you have the chance!

Buy Dog Is Dead merchandise HERE,

Have a wonderful weekend, lovelies!

Xx
Shelby Alice

October 13th Photoshoot

So hey, we've been gone for a couple of months, soaking up the sun, enjoying the crisp autumn air, and all. We decided to get together for another shoot, using that Canon Rebel T3 (with da 18-55 mm lens) and a nice backdrop.

Here is Stevie contemplating whilst posing on an abandoned tree stump. Her lovely blue lace dress is from Urban Outfitters, for those of you fashion-crazed viewers.

Shelby here, is posing in her American Eagle dress, looking rather perturbed.

We've come up with more ideas for our blog; our own personal creative works, reviews of things we enjoyed (or didn't enjoy), and just random posts! So be sure to check out Peculiar Curls frequently for all of the awesome and rad stuff that is to come. 

Also, if you're interested in seeing the rest of the photos from today's shoot, click

HERE. 

We wish everyone a happy beginning of autumn, and that everyone will stay warm and cozy for the season. Whip out the scarves and boots, get your Pumpkin Spice Starbucks drinks, and read our blog. 

That is all.  

Shelby & Stevie

August 11th Photoshoot.

Hello, world! Shelby and Stevie here. We just finished snapping photos out under the uncomfortably hot Southern California sun in the middle of a field with a Canon Rebel T3 and a humble 18-55mm lens. Above, we have attached a slideshow that showcases our newest photographs, linked to our Flickr account, that you should totally check out. Images will change often, so be sure to check it periodically.

If anyone would like to know, Shelby's skirt is from Miss Selfridge and her lovely sailboat shirt is from Forever 21. Stevie, on the other hand, got her skirt from American Apparel and her unicorn shirt from Urban Outfitters, if any of y'all cared. We used various items as props: two glass Coca Cola bottles, an antique tea set (Yeah, I really have no idea where it came from), a Kodak pocket instamatic, and whatever props nature gave us (which wasn't much).

So, please do enjoy our photos as we will be posting more in the near future. 

Kittens. 

Shelby & Stevie