NORGE

It's been hard for me over the last 48 hours to process what's happened in Norway. On the one hand, I have to admit to being frustrated by the lack of acknowledgment of the tragedy in the non-Scandinavian blogosphere--BUT that said, I also understand that not everyone feels like a blog is the ideal platform for expressing these kinds of sentiments. I guess I just feel weird not talking about it here when it's affected every other part of my life.

I've never been to Norway, but I have strong Swedish and Norwegian ties on my father's side (the marriage of a Thorson and an Almqvist.) I'm also supposed to be in Oslo for a day during the upcoming Øya festival. I'm still incredibly excited to finally be visiting one of the places I've wanted to travel to for as long as I can remember, but now my mind is also heavy thinking of the shock and sadness that this country, this city, and these people have undergone. My ♥ for all of you.

(photo found via Vanilla Scented)

A PLAN

It's been quiet around here, and I'll tell you why: the last few days, each time I go to try and post about London Fashion Week, about Valentines and new clothes and pink and white tulips, I can't bring myself to press Publish. Something needs to be said first.

I don't like to delve too deeply into politics here, mostly because I don't think it's the proper forum, and also because I never feel that I am articulate enough to speak the way I would like to about the issues I care most deeply about, a condition that brings me a great deal of grief and frustration. Still, I honestly feel that I can't go on posting here without getting this off my chest.

On February 18th, the House voted to pass a bill that, among other things, would strip Planned Parenthood of all Federal funding. It is a disgrace to this country to think that, in a time when so many women, children and families need the sort of services that this organization provides more than ever, that someone, anyone, would seek to cripple and destroy their efforts. Planned Parenthood has always been somewhere that I've known even I (uninsured, unemployed, or both) could go for free health screenings and family planning options--or, should the worst occur, find support and confidentiality in a time of greatest need.

This is a subject I tend to get really emotional about (seriously, I'm tearing up a bit here just trying to get this all to come out straight!) and there really is so much more I would like to say. Instead however, I will simply urge you to add your name to this open letter to Congress and pass it along to anyone you feel might share this conviction. And, if you live in the NYC area, come join me and a few thousand other pissed off individuals at the Rally for Women's Health this Saturday. Obviously, both men and women should be encouraged to attend, but I will say this: as a female of the species, you and I owe it to ourselves, our bodies, and every other woman on this planet to let the government know we refuse to take this attack on our rights to govern and care for our own selves lying down.

ARBOR VITAE

The last few weeks I've been quietly scurrying around, trying to get my latest venture off the ground. Finally, this morning, I'm proud to introduce you all to my new etsy store: Arbor Vitae Vintage. I've partnered up with an out-of-town pal to bring you guys some pretty sweet vintage goodies, including-but-not-limited-to super cozy sweaters (and ponchos, just wait for the ponchos!), warm winter hats, soft blouses and a few surprise odds and ends.

I'll be adding more items to the shop in the next few days, and I hope to be able to update fairly regularly from then on, so don't be a stranger!

Sponsor Ringo (and her bananas!)

(I meant to post about this a few days ago, but I got hit with what feels like the head-cold of the century this weekend...) As it will have been three months come October 1st since my last invitation, I'm putting out the call once more to any and all parties interested in investing in some ad space over in my Sponsors column.

If you'd like to know more about my rates, my stats, or are interested in partnering with me through a different channel (a giveaway or a discount code, for example), just send me an email at:

bananaweblog@gmail.com

I'd like to get things squared away by this weekend if possible, so the sooner the better. Thanks all :n )

<3
Siri

higher than the stars

The Pains of Being Pure at Heart are coming to a town near you! (...Maybe??) Today, the greatest band in New York City/the World is embarking on a two week tour of the Eastern Seaboard. They've put some of my very fave, very new songs into set list rotation, and I'm tellin' you, you don't wanna miss out! If you happen to bump into the dudes after the show, tell Alex that Little Banana sends her love.

announcements:

1) First and foremost, I'm happy to announce that the winner of the softspoken fringe necklace giveaway is...Margaret of Thousand Flower Farm! If the name sounds familiar, well...that's because she's my mom! Wtf?? Haha, yeah yeah I know what you're thinking, and I don't blame you, but I swear to you, the drawing was one hundred percent random and impartial as always. Still, I have to admit I felt a little funny...so I even took a screenshot of the random number generator as proof of this madness. Anyways, congrats mom! You'll be getting an email from me soon :n D


(photo courtesy of The New York Times Store)

2) You might have noticed that things look a little different around here. After hours and hours of futzing, tweaking, cursing and weeping quietly into my pillow, I finally figured out how to widen my blog's layout and add a right sidebar. I owe endless thanks to Tieka of Selective Potential for pointing me towards this excellent online tutorial. Thank yoooouuuu!!! And thanks to Blogger Guide for finally explaining the process in steps so simple even I could understand...

I'm still adjusting (and figuring out what to fill me new sidebar up with!) so bear with me. I'd love to hear any suggestions you guys might have, as well as any general feedback on the new look! Also, with all this new space at my fingertips, I'm considering opening up a couple of ad slots, and I'm wondering if that interests anyone? Feel free to email me or just leave a comment. Can't wait to hear from you guys! Woo!

<3
Ringo

Maude Loves Leopard

Just listed a few new things (oops, one just disappeared!!) on Maude Loves Harold Vintage, including this leopard print and leather bag (that white blouse may go soon as well, decisions decisions...) Still working my way through my closet in an effort to pay bills this month, so stay tuned...

this is it!

(photo of Alexa Chung found here)

Ok, our flight leaves in about 11 hours...and yep, I'm still awake, oops! Thank you all yet again for the tips and reccomendations, I don't know if I'll be able to follow through on more than a handful of them but regardless I know I'll have an amazing time. Hopefully I'll be updating here and there, I don't really know what the internet situation is going to be yet but I'll give it my best shot.

Sayonara suckers!
<3
Ringo

my nerd boyfriend loves Nerd Boyfriend too

If you haven't heard of Nerd Boyfriend, do yourself a favor and check it out. I just declared my love over on the FADER blog this afternoon. Prepare to be smitten!

Dagmar it's your birthday...

...happy birthday Dagmar!

It was my best friend's birthday yesterday--well, technically it still is where she lives, several thousands of miles away from me on the other side of this big stinkin' continent. Happy big 2-4 Dag, I miss you!! Hopefully I'll get your present sent off before Christmas this year.

Super Duper

Firstly, I just want to say thank you all SO MUCH for the wonderful comments on my last post!!! Oh man seriously you guys, reading them left me with a big ol' grin on my face...and the impetus to make more films! As much as I love photography, nothing can quite compare to the feeling you get when you project your first roll and watch it come to life, thinking: holy crap, I made that!



About the film itself: I shot it on a Yashica Super 40, which is a Super 8 camera. There are lots of Super 8 cameras out there, for a broad range of prices. You can get them off eBay with various levels of guarantee, and anything made by Canon is usually a pretty safe bet for a beginner. Additionally, I often see them in second hand shops for little more than a few dollars. Of course, here you take the risk of having no idea whether it will work or not. If the battery case (often inside the handle of the camera) looks clean and free of corrosion, that's a good sign. These batteries will almost certainly need replacing, as will the battery that runs the camera's light meter. This battery is a little more tricky, since it will be of the very small, round variety that is used to run watches and other small electronics.



There is a lot of information on Super 8 available on the web. This is a great resource, as is this. Super 8 film is still available, and generally costs between $8 and $14 a roll (about 3 minutes worth), depending on the brand and type. To make my film, I used Kodak Ektachrome 64T, which I purchased at Eastman Kodak here in NYC. After you shoot your film, you'll need to have it developed, which is sort of like having a roll of photos made into prints. You'll get a nifty little spool of film, which can then be put through a projector, should you have access to one. In order to edit your film (unless you want to go old school and try your had at splicing), you'll then need to have it transferred by a lab onto a DV tape, which can then be transferred, through a deck or through a DV camera, onto your computer. As far as I know, the majority of Labs that do this kind of work in the US are located in California and New York, but most of them accept mail orders. You can fill out an order form, ship your film to them, and they'll ship it back to you ready to go.



Bottom line is: this is definitely not a cheap hobby, but it is an extremely rewarding one. If you're a student, be sure to ask about discounts, both when buying your film and having it processed, as they are very often available. Even if you only get it together once or twice to follow it all through from start to finish, you'll have a piece of work that you can hold on to forever. And it is infinitely more satisfying than a Flip Cam, I promise you. (Not that I don't want one of those to...) Feel free to email me if you have any further questions. I am by no means an expert, but I'm an excitable novice, and I would love to share what little I do know with other curious parties!



About the music: you can check out Girls here, and buy their album here. They're on tour at the moment, and will be stopping off at a few US cities come November, including my own. Can't wait!!

(last photo courtesy of Girls' myspace)

bargain bin

I've reduced the prices on the last few things still in my Etsy Shop!

I'm moving next week and I'm still trying to figure out if/how I'll be able to keep the store up in my new place. Might require a temporary hiatus. Thanks to everyone who's shopped with me over the last few months!

(photo by me!)

Perv Pop Superstars

Two nights ago my friend Jacky called me at 1:30am to tell me that she had just opened her copy of the Village Voice to find this hilariously accurate illustration of the Pains (by Marc Burckhardt) gracing the front page of their Fall Arts Guide. She was right, this shit is TOO GOOD. My scanner wasn't big enough to capture the full glory, but you get the idea.

Alex is pictured in his favorite burgundy cashmere v-neck sweater and, of course, Peggy's bangs are immaculate.

L8r Sk8r

It took me a good hour of pawing through the racks at the funky little thrift store next to my school, but I finally found the most perfect pair of vintage Wranglers to make into cutoffs.



Criteria: broken-in softness, true blue color, and a waist up to there. Check, check, and checkmate.



I fully expect them to become glued to my body the second I step foot onto the Best Coast. Oh, and this top is from the afore mentioned Ramona West, and it comes in at a close second to that perfect floral blouse I got all misty-eyed over...

I'm taking my computer with me and I'll have plenty of web access (my parents chose to install internet before an indoor toilet, a decision I both respect and support), so I'll be around. I've already set up a few timed posts to go off while I'm in the air/on the bus/in the boat.

And if all that doesn't satiate your me cravings, I've been featured over on the wonderful CaliVintage's blog. Check it!

Ok bye friends!
<3
Ringo

There ain't no words...

...for the beauty, the splendor, the wonder of my...



I've gotten a few questions about my hair lately, and I thought I'd make a little post to address the inquiries properly! I wish I had some juicy secrets to share with you, but sadly, the only special treatment I lend my locks is that I never, ever blow dry it. It can be a sort of a bitch having to plan showers to allow ample time for air drying, but it really is worth it. Heat is a hair killer!



Also, I do color my hair (and it's getting to be dyin' time again as you can see from the above photo!) My hair is naturally the sort of mousy blondish brown that looks good on pretty much no one, so I give it a kick in the pants with Herbal Essences Bold 'n Brilliant Color in #54 Amber Shimmer. However, it fades pretty fast, so the color that you generally see on my head is not what comes directly out of the box, but a slightly washed out, sun-bleached version.



Other than that, my bath products are kind of a crap shoot. I'm most likely to go for whatever shampoo is on sale and splurge on a slightly nicer conditioner. Right now I'm using this Pantene Nature Fusion stuff which I've been quite pleased with. I don't really use any product, though I used to be obsessed with that John Frieda Ocean Waves spray, until they discontinued it (hence the WTF pricetag!) And I do indeed cut my own hair and bangs, but all that jazz will have to wait for a proper video tutorial...

And just for fun:



A photo from several years ago when I had a really crap rendition of the Jane Fonda shag. It got soooooo much more mullet-y than this before I was finished...

Bits & pieces, odds & ends

• I'm featured on page 28 of this fantastic new online magazine called Spilled Milk (along with a whole slew of amazing girls, expect many familiar faces!)

• The winner of the ChickDowntown contest was a little lady named Cynthia, whose BB Dakota dress should be in the mail. Thanks so much to everyone who participated, and I'm absolutely serious about hosting a contest of my own in the future that's open to everyone worldwide. Stay tuned!

Makin' Millions

I'm off to do a pet-sit for the next few days, don't really know what the bloggin' sitch will be like.

Happy weekend ever-body!

True stories:

Sad fact: Nylon used to be a really cool, kinda weird, pretty special magazine.



Random fact: the San Francisco Public Library has every copy of Nylon ever produced, housed in hefty, bound volumes, and when I lived there I used to spend hours going through them chronologically. It was equal parts fascinating and mortifying to watch their slow but inevitable decline into the empty shell that exists today (and this was a few years ago, when they were still semi on top of their game...)



Fun fact: In celebration of their 10th anniversary, Nylon has scanned their first ever issue (April 1999) in its entirety, and posted it on their flickr.



True fact: you can see it all for yourself right here!

A Plea to Any Australian Readers:

That's it! I'm fed up! The lies, the deceit, the shattered dreams...that's right, I'm talking about you, Barnes & Noble.



Basically, I've given up all hope of finding Russh Magazine here in the US. Things were going so well, and then it up and disappears again! I can't take this kind of stress.

So I'm wondering if there's anyone out there who actually lives where this magazine is published (or anywhere else where they actually sell it, in stores, wacky I know) who might be willing to buy me a copy and ship it over here? And also, just how much that might run me? Cheapest shipping, plus the cost of the magazine and something for your trouble of course. You would be saving me such a world of pain, and I would love you foorrreeevvvveeeerrrrrr!

Edit: Eureka, I think I've found a source (a "RUSSH enabler", ha!) Thank you Hannah, and everyone else that offered to help! Proof that if you need a hand, sometimes all you gotta do is ask :n )


(Photo by Michael Corridore from RUSSH #28)

FYI: POBPAH

The Pains of Being Pure at Heart embarked on an epic Eastern US tour today. Suck-town for me, awesome for you if you live in:

Wallingford, Connecticut
Ithaca, New York
Northampton, Massachusetts
Rochester, New York
Toronto, Ontario
Pontiac, Michigan
Cleveland, Ohio
Columbus, Ohio
Nashville, Tennessee
Atlanta, Georgia
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Baltimore, Maryland
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
or
Lemoyne, Pennsylvania

Come on out and say hey to my favorite d00ds!