MUSIC: FAVE 5 IN 2011

I thought I'd pretend like I was some sort of major music blog and tell everyone a few of my favorite new songs (artists and videos) from 2011. I feel like a lot of really great stuff came out last year, or maybe I've just been paying closer attention.

"nothing can change this love" -TASHAKI MIYAKI

This LA band is so shrouded in mystery, which makes me like them even more. I have a chance to interview them soon, very excited. Been loving on all of their covers, including this and "All I have to do is dream," and self-titled EP.

"Don't Go Out Tonight" -IDIOT GLEE

Got a chance to interview James Friley last time he came to Austin to play a show. Haven't been able to stop listening to his music since. Super talented, and if you read his Twitter, all he talks about is food.

"July" -YOUTH LAGOON

From Boise, Idaho, this kid (Trevor Powers) has been getting the most attention out of this top 5 this past year. His debut album is 100% good, which is hard to come by.

"Sweetest Touch" -GROSS MAGIC

Obsessed with all of Teen Jamz, but this song is my favorite. Dig his (Sam McGarrigle) whole vibe.

"Easy" -PURE X

Straight out of Austin, and genius video by Malcolm Elijah.

Bonus guilty pleasure song: "BLUE JEANS" - LANA DEL REY

LATELY INSTAGRAMS

I resisted Instagr.am for the longest time, because I never jump onto technology fads immediately and because I kind of hate(d) that whole revolution of using your phone to make 'vintage' and 'film'-like photos. But I did it and I can't lie, it's addicting. And I am also obsessed with constantly documenting my life as boring as it may get at times.

Including: The Kills and Jeff the Brotherhood last night, typical meal in Taiwan, New Year's Eve me, my jewelry collection.

Follow me @tiffanydian if you wanna.

BTW, the Kills + Jeff show last night was amazing. Alison Mosshart even did a Patsy Cline "Crazy" cover during the show. Didn't know they did this, but I like it.

VOYEUR #4: ARIEL BENDER

Presenting Ariel Bender's submission to Voyeur - here are just a couple of snaps. Check out the rest of them and read the interview on the site.

On top of being one of the more interesting characters I've come across in life (I met him at a Polysics concert in Dallas when I was 17), Ari is also in this rad local Dallas band Missile. Check the music out on Facebook. Their music videos are so well-produced. Here's one of them:

GALZ-R-US ETSY

I don't often shop or browse on Etsy, but there are some seriously great things to be found. Most recently, my dear friend Kristin Wong, who was my second Voyeur feature, turned me onto her store that she co-owns called Galz R Us. The 90s vibe with a hint of chola is perfect and reflects the ladies who run the shop.

LINKS:

First of all, they have a great Tumblr page. Check that out.

Then, check out the Etsy store and buy something. It's all way cheap.

PHOTOBOOTH DROP

Probably the most narcissistic thing I do sometimes is take Photobooth pictures of myself when I'm feeling particularly restless or just want to document an outfit or purchase. I never really put these snaps anywhere, but I thought I'd drop a few of them on the blog.

Including: nail sheets, Underground creepers, Prototype Vintage bolo with UNIF top, favorite rings (Gretchen Von Eberstein all-seeing eye and FancySexyMe spikes ring from Dog & Pony), hanging out with my piñata Pedro, nose strip, bunny ears (the Halloween costume no one saw), Stolen Girlfriends Club dress + LF jacket, new lipstick, notes buttondown a la American Icon yard sale, getting ready on New Year's Eve.