slowed down music

Time. A concept that humans sometimes loose themselves in. Days are measured in hours and minutes and years are measured in weeks and months, though even occurrences happen second by second we fail to understand its fleeting. As it passes by us we find that it can change in moments for each of us, sometimes fast, sometimes slower. The pace, rhythm, beat and melody of a song are all wrapped in time. This can make us feel different when the song is played. A fast tune with light melody may be perceived a happy or fun, while slow and heavy may feel sad or angry. These are natural emotions that we establish when listening to the song. Case in point, Call Me Maybe by Carly Rae Jepsen is fast, light and full of teenage angst when giving out your number, though when it is stretched out over 30 minutes it sounds like yearning, wavering, haunting, almost sci-fi. Take a listen above, and if you want to speed things along, about 14:10 is when the chorus starts.

Above Jolene, by Dolly Parton is a song about a Woman who confront this beautiful woman who is trying to steal her man. Though, even though it is a song about standing up and making sure what yours stays yours, when slowed down by 25% the song now sounds as if she is begging this woman to not take her man away, almost pleading. It becomes more about heartache and pain versus owning love. 

What really started me on this journey was a segment on Radio Lab based on Time, and how we perceive the moments in it differently. In that segment they experienced an art happening in New York where the Beethoven's 5th Symphony was stretched out over 24 hours in a glorious expansion of time dilation in music, which feels dreamy and surreal. In the above piece Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata stretches beautifully gracefully and romantically. Each of the above stretch into an aether of slowed grace. All forming a dreamscape of sound and feeling. 

son of a sailor

Ahoy there, from Son of a Sailor, a cool hipster upstart from Austin, Texas. The aesthetic is relaxed boho meets urban woodsman, a familiar sight here in Chicago's, Wicker Park. The duo William Knopp and Jessica Tata mix playful colors on leathers, beads and straps. They focus on delicate and light jewelry that has a brilliant pops of color that give character to each piece. Along side their bobbles they create fantastically curated leather and wood goods, in the form of woodsman pocket knives and mens shaving kits. This week they are at (capsule) in Las Vegas showing their wares but can be found normally on their website, and if your lucky a shop near you. Follow them on their really well curated blog. 

scout regalia

Holy design work, Batman! A design duo from Los Angeles, that focuses on the mix of industrial and modern outdoors. Most work is reminiscent of a modernized ranger station located in the city. They mesh beautiful muted earthy colors with oaks and pine that harmonize into a cool blend of industrial sustainability. Scout Regalia also specializes in interior design and brand identity, which are clean rustic, mountainous, and sleek, truly a sight to see. Even though they focus on modern design and furniture, though they also off shoot in bicycles and home items. They also have a wonderful blog that details their work and life, right here on blogspot. 

aperol

What can only be described as the taste of summer, Aperol combined the bitterness of a tart citrus and mixes it with the sweetness of orange twisted around warming rhubarb. The beverage was originally produced in 1919 under the Barbieri company in Padua, Italy. Even though it has a long running timeline of production, the brand did not become popular until after the Second World War, due to the American troops being introduced to beverage while stationed in Italy.  Now the beverage is produced by the Campari company. This change of events in the company history is interesting since both are a bitter aperitif, though the two are quite different, where as Campari is truly bitter and tart with 28% abv, Aperol contains a slightly higher sugar content, so it allows sweetness to subvert the bitter, and only has 11% abv, essentially removing that added bite that Campari can have. Try the liquor in the Summer Camp, the Rustic Camps official drink, or mix it with Prosecco to make the Spritz. 

of monsters and men

Watching the preview for the Secret Life of Walter Mitty (click the link for a trailer), I became reacquainted with Of Monsters And Men and the fantastic journey that their music takes the listener through. The band hails from Iceland where they developed their sound and competed in the Músiktilraunir yearly battle of the bands which began their journey to record and produce their first single in 2011 track Little Talks. Little Talks made its way onto their only major release album My Head is an Animal. The band speaks of their music as almost isolation and seclusion that brings them to their own mischief and fancy. 

“Iceland can be a very isolated country and that translates to the music, we get stuck in our little world”, Nanna Hilmarsdóttir cosinger/guitarist.

This Summer take an adventure and listen in to Of Monsters and Men if you haven't had the opportunity. Almost every song brings uptempo pounding beats, adventure and fun. 

zara

Zara is a Spanish retailer that was founded in 1974 and strictly focused on fast fashion. It promised that it's in house tailors could produce fashions in a 2 week timeline. They spend zero to little advertising a year, and focus on opening on new stores. In the 1980s the industry lead to even faster turns on production times and provided the company the look of "instant fashions," even from the 80s they were considered copied fashions. Though this upcoming fall season continues to explode with style and masculinity. The brand focused on the modern woodsman with an olive and taupe color palette. Distressed jeans are combined with t-shirts and knitted vests. Olive tones become a favorite in coats and jackets while taupes find their way into shoes, accessories and pants. Check them out online and in a local  store. 

summer camp

Bright, summery, fresh, tart and richly delicious. The Summer Camp is an official drink of Rustic Camp for the remainder of the season with its inherently sweet and tart flavors that come from a bright mix of lemonade and bitter Aperol. Who can resist lemonade, gin and bitters blended into a beautiful refreshing concoction reminiscent of a nice day sitting on a porch with the sun in the sky and a warm breeze passing slightly? Try the below for a cool adult treat to ease a the heat.

Ingredients:

2 oz gin (I love Journeyman Distillery)
3 oz lemonade (we did a strawberry lemonade; premix is fine or create your own).
1 oz Aperol
full glass of ice.
3 dashes Angostura bitters


Directions:
1. fill glass with ice.
2. pour ingredients over ice and stir.
3. serve chilled and enjoy.

urban outfitters

Even though this week has been the nicest weather here in Chicago, and continues to be a beautiful Summer week, retailers  are already releasing their Autumn and back to school lines. I have to admit I'm not opposed to see the summer graphic carry over in to the fall collections. One major release stems from Urban Outfitters where the bridge between lighter fabrics, deeper hued colors and warmer tones have begun arriving at locations. A sneak peak of what is to come has been released this week on the website, and the full collection is not due in stores until the beginning of September. Check out the chunkier knit sweaters, that have Native American inspired patterns that mix cooly with fitted camouflage printed pants. Their accessories are spot on with nautical inspired bracelets and a black and tan faced Timex wristwatch.   

cactus

Finicky, fickle, pointy, sharp, is how most people view a cactus. Most do not see the soft, flowery, feathery, and warm. Cacti mixed with other succulents bring a variation on texture and look to a terrarium or other planting, like that of Michler's florists designs. Cacti comes in multiple variations and species. They are most thought to grow only in desert regions, which is only partly true, the cactus grows in rather arid landscapes that are known to have drought. Many varieties can survive in high variations of temperature ranges from 35-110 degrees. Cacti form differently from deciduous and coniferous trees and shrubs, being that they carry most of their root above ground and store their water resources in the above ground portion. It becomes a natural reservoir due to its ability to absorb water quickly and store it in their bodies, that are wrapped in a natural cuticle, much like that of our own. They are also covered in spines to protect themselves from natural predators much like our hair except incredibly stiff. They also bloom in an array of flowers and colors to cross pollenate. When cultivating and growing the plants, be sure to keep them in a loose, silty and sandy soil which allows for maximum drainage. Keep the plant near natural light, as a warning cacti do not make good office plants do to lack of natural light and buildings have UV blocking on the windows. More inspiration and how to's can be found on HGTV's site.   

coffee

Delicious, roasted, deep, robust, carmel, rich, aromatic, mild, creamy, acidic, bright, bold! How can one beverage have so many descriptors? Coffee, that sweet nectar of the gods, is the sound, taste and smell of many of the worlds population second only to tea (recently as broken down by coffee and tea consumption) as a morning routine. Coffee's history extends to the 15th century where is was brewed in monasteries in Yemen. This is where we now traditionally associate Arabica beans to come from. As history progressed the process of brewing coffee under hot water and through cheesecloth spread to northern Africa where beans were smuggled to India by a Sufi monk Baba Budan in 1670. And as european merchants began expanding trade routes to Northern Africa by boat the coffee boom expanded into Italy. Where coffeehouses began to open and the Italian roasted blends began catching popularity and the trade route expanded to a larger scale by the Dutch East India Company, the same traders that transported beer, in the form of IPA. Coffee's popularity boomed through the rest of Europe, as a result needed the crop to be grown on plantations, like that of Java and Ceylon islands. It wasn't until it 1727 where it became planted and popularized in Brazil as an Export. Coffee has also represented oppression as it was avoided being drank in the revolt of the Boston Tea Party in the US. Today, coffee is a social activity, where many coffee houses encourage the exchange of ideas, and allow for people to have a creative respite while working on projects and other media. It has also become a complex tradition in the types of brewing that brings out the flavors of the roasted beans differently, where there is the french press, having a slow drip pour over, and lastly espresso and its partner the latte. How ever it is drank, hot or cold, quickly, or slowly on a Sunday morning while reading the news, it is a staple in most American's households and lives. If you are looking for the perfect cup, start here: Chemex, Bodum, Intellegentsia, Metropolis, Breville.

unearthedgallery

An Etsy Shop from Madison, Wisconsin named unearthed gallery has some interesting an unusual finds. Heidi Anderson the shop owner offers a mix of retro and industrial designs. Some standout pieces are; the metal steelcase desk that spans 8 feet in length and is set in burnished steel, the grey suede butterfly chair that softens what can be a very masculine piece, and the scottish lawn balls that were manufactured in Glascow which would make wonderful bookends. The variety that offer is pretty extensive, so check them out at their Etsy page: unearthedgallery. 

yearbook

The vintage store, Yearbook, in Forest Park, IL. several miles outside of Chicago city limits has the wonderful charm of an old 1950's Harvard boys sports club. This store is a motley mix of old and new. Older salvaged items that have been restored to their original glory and their newly glistening patina. Newer items, have been created to have a throw back sensibility. Plaids, strong reds, mahoganies, and leathers deck rule the roost. The entire shop feels like it walked straight out of American Graffiti. If you are in Chicago make a trip to the south burbs and pay them a visit. 

industrial rustic

There is always a delicate balance in design between hard and soft, clean versus rough, warm versus cold, and more recently rustic versus industrial. The combination of beautiful cold, clean lines juxtaposed with warmer, rough edges has become an ideal mix to marry polar opposites. Martha Stewart and Sweet Paul frequently brings the cozier nantucket beach sensibility with metals and stone. In the place where most people find the most time Kitchen Building has a few great examples. And Check out Workstead for design inspiration and great lighting finds.

surfing

There has always been a great love in humans to conquer nature and the world around them. In surfing you not only feel like you get to own your own piece of the world, but you become one with the wave, the water, and the board. Surfing was first observed in Tahiti as early as 1767 by a British Royal Navy vessel aptly named Dolphin. Her crew and those that later observed the islanders sport were amazed by the way men could ride on planks of wood and master themselves ashore on wave power alone. It was later James King who wrote about the art of surfing on his voyage to Hawaii under the command of Captain James Cook of the HMS Endeavour. Lieutenant King returned years later to the islands and wrote and extensive account of his travel, this quote is from his log book of the HMS Discovery, 1778:

“But a diversion the most common is upon the water, where there is a very great sea, and surf breaking on the shore. The men sometimes 20 or 30 go without the swell of the surf, & lay themselves flat upon an oval piece of plank about their size and breadth, they keep their legs close on top of it, & their arms are us’d to guide the plank, they wait the time of the greatest swell that sets on shore, & altogether push forward with their arms to keep on it’s top, it sends them in with a most astonishing velocity, & the great art is to guide the plank so as always to keep it in a proper direction on the top of the swell…”

As modernity came to surfing the genre has only slightly changed in the form of the board, e.g. surfboards, longboards, paddle boards, and more. Most are made from polyurethane foam and resin, while even newer models are being made from carbon fiber and flex composites that make it easier to  maneuver the board in the water. Though as materials have changed and there are now surfing competitions, the spirit of getting the perfect wave has little changed. For water lovers and hardcore surfers alike there are many locations the globe over to visit and begin your love for the sport. Check out CNN's top 50 spots to surf, if you are planning your next seaside adventure. 

urban wood goods

Based out of the Midwest, Urban Wood Goods, brings a distinctive industrial and rustic mix that meshes into a modern yet aged feel. All the wood is reclaimed (for more reclaimed wood ideas check out a previous post). and comes from homes in the Chicagoland area that have been demoed. Most pieces come with some variety in the thickness of the wood tops, finished or unfinished and in some cases size. If you are looking for something that has some aged character and has a low eco footprint check them out on their website: urbanwoodgoods. 

chicago lakefront

Chicago has some of the nicest beaches of any major metropolitan area. It hosts 26 miles of total miles of fun and sun during the Summer season nested under the backdrop of a beautiful skyline. Lake Michigan offers a nice respite against a large bustling city, being a land locked lake it remains pretty calm most of the year, though since it is so large it does experience tidal patterns, resulting in large waves during and after large storms. With 24 beaches total intermixed with eateries, harbors, volley ball and tennis courts, a golf course, and places to wet your whistle there is a location for everyone. This year they started paddle boarding and boating lessons, the park district also offers classes in rowing and canoeing. If you visit Chicago this year, make a point to visit the lake to relax.

rustic sangria

Nothing quite says summer like Sangria. It's fruity and tart. Sweet yet slightly savory. And yet it goes down way to fast. Sangria is a Spanish staple served mostly in the Summer months and is made from table wine that is used to balance the acidic or heavier plates that are served year round. Since there are almost an infinite combinations to make this delectable beverage the staples that are required are: wine, mixed fruit, a seltzer or soda if preferred, and a stronger liquor to bring out the flavor of the fruit (brandy is the normal choice). This particular recipe is great for a more tropical feel as the rum adds the warm sugary notes from the spices. As a reminder there is some down time, if you do make this be prepared to do this in steps. 

Ingredients:

one granny smith apple
one peach
one quarter grapefruit
one half lemon
one lime
one bottle inexpensive white wine (Rex-Goliath pinot grigio was the chosen bottle)
one cup spiced rum (Sailor Jerry is a great go to)
4 dashes Angostura bitters 

Directions:

1. In a large container pour in the wine. 
2. Core the apple and chop apple in to small chunks. Pit the peach and cut into tiny bites. Place contents into pitcher with wine. Macerate the peach to bring some of the flavor out of the fruit. Put in fridge for and hour to two so the flavors can meld, this can be done overnight as well. 
3. After sitting remove from fridge. 
4. Slice your grapefruit and and lemon. Cut them into wedges and add them to your mix. 
5. Pour your rum on top of the mix and stir in. 
6. Add 4 dashes of bitters to the mix and stir in. 
7. At this point it is ready to serve over ice, though if you would prefer it can sit again for another hour in the fridge to stay nice an chilled. 


makes 2 quarts: serves 6