This is for all of you who need a little boost into the week. I know I did, and I think it’s working!

I’m back from London and practically addicted to new music. It was quite the trip. Full of running around, drinking too much, and living too much. So it goes. Here’s the perfect band to welcome me back into the L.A. sunshine and to distract me from the fact that I’m already missing some of my favorite people back on the island.

A toast to Earth Day with Pure Vodka Green, an all organic Vodka, from farming methods and production, to transport and bottling.

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Recycle an old book you don’t use into a planter. Or simply order one from Gartenkultur.

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Charge your i-pod, Blackberry or cellphone using energy from the sun with this Noon eco-friendly solar bag.

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This one is funny and slightly disturbing, but the concept is great. These jackets and hoodies created by Sander Reijgers, are made out of materials from blow-up sex dolls. He quotes, “I customize existing tracksuit tops with parts of the blow-up dolls – the head, the breasts, the vagina, the anus. These dolls are so ugly and vulgar that turning them into something beautiful has become a challenge for me.”

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Most fans would agree that Primary Colours was a left turn from the Horrors’ debut album, Strange House, which was pretty obviously inspired by other horror-rock type bands like the Cramps, Gun Club, and the Seeds and was helmed by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ Nick Zinner.

The newest album, Primary Colours (yeah, coloUrs, because the Brits like to add U’s everywhere), was put together by Geoff Barrow (Portishead), Craig Silvey, and video director Chris Cunningam. You can already imagine how different the two sounds are. I will post a video track from the old album after this so you can all compare and critique. Even though I’m a fan of the new stuff, I feel like the original rawness is missing. LIke anything that’s overproduced, the original voice is harder to find and the original thing that got me listening is fading-out. I’m hoping the next album rocks!
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Billy (aka Wild Billy Childish & The Friends of the Buff Medway Fanciers Association) holds a special place in my heart because I saw him play with the Buff Medways at the Dirty Water Club in Tufnell Park when I first moved to London in 2003 and didn’t know a soul. I left that night with new friends and a new favorite band. It was like walking into a place I’ve hung-out my whole life. I started listening to Billy’s earlier band, Thee Headcoats, and a few of the bands that opened for them- Holly Golightly and Thee Headcoatees.

Put on your dancing shoes!

Today is the first official THING FASHION FRIDAY!!! Aren’t you a lucky bunny. I decided to focus on Japan’s Fashion Week, which happens in Tokyo from March 22-28th this year. First off, there are some rad designers showing, and lots of familiar faces flying East to participate. Yeah, I agree. We SHOULD be there too, but I’m thinking next time.

Here are some of my favorites…

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writtenafterwards

tiny dinosaur

tiny dinosaur

JUNYA TASHIRO

MOTONARI ONO

writtenafterwards

Phibery

Matohu

Matohu

Jazzkatze

Jazzkatze

Hidenobu Yasui

Hidenobu Yasui

fur fur

fur fur

dress33

dress33

beautiful people

The Dress & Co. HIDEAKI SAKAGUCHI

The Dress & Co. HIDEAKI SAKAGUCHI

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Jeremy Scott was in Tokyo Wednesday night to promote the third season of his collaboration with Adidas Originals. When asked about Japan, he said, “I just love walking around, seeing all the kids on the street, and getting photos with them.”

Party goers at Jeremy Scott for Adidas party. Photo By Giovanni Giannoni via WWD

Photo By Giovanni Giannoni via WWD

Photo By Giovanni Giannoni via WWD

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The Rodarte sisters were also hanging-out in Tokyo for a charity event in collaboration with Maggie Cheung, Crystallized-Swarovski Elements and retailer Joyce. The sisters designed four custom dresses for a silent auction to benefit UNICEF each of with were inspired by four of actress Maggie Cheung’s films- “Hero,” “In the Mood for Love,” “Clean,” and “Heroic Trio.” One of the sisters said, in regards to the trip “It’s our first time here and I’m in complete awe of Hong Kong,” said Laura Mulleavy. “There’s something so futuristic about the city. You’d be forgiven for thinking that ‘Blade Runner’ was shot here. And the women are so open to fashion.”

Photo by Courtesy Photo

That’s all for this FASHION FRIDAY. Facts from this article courtesy of WWD and Japan Fashion Week in Tokyo.

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