Crafty Cat » Culture

Contest time! Get a free pass to Urbandub’s First Decade

clair — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 16:49:52 +0000

Remember the pictures I posted of Urbandub? Here’s a chance for you to win a pass to the Urbandub’s online concert. Here are the mechanics.

1. Post any of the Official Teaser videos or posters on your blog / social network.

2. Include a link to http://Pelicola.tv/AliveOutThere on your post.

3. Leave a comment on this blog post with the link to your post to validate your entry.

4. By May 3, I’ll be raffling off AOT online concert passes to 4 lucky fans. Great way to spend the week with your rocker friends!

It’s that easy! But if you can’t wait ’til May 3, be one of the first to witness Urbandub’s First Decade online concert starting April 23 for only 60 Pesos. Purchase a passkey by texting ALIVE60 URBANDUB to 2363 then log on to www.pelicola.tv/aliveoutthere to enjoy the concert! (International viewers can also purchase a passkey via Credit Card)

So just follow the instructions and I’d be posting the winners by then. I am excited to see the full concert soon and I hope you are going to watch it with me soon.

Thanks to Pelicola.tv, Globe Tattoo and especially to Urbandub for ten rocking years!

My first crochet hat

clair — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 18:48:40 +0000

It is attempt 1.5 because the first one failed due to the lack of available yarn. My fault for not buying enough ~_~ Anyway, I ended up making a different hat instead of the one in the pattern because I think I screwed up how a series of steps was supposed to be like.

the hat – a work in progress picture

top view of the hat (when worn)

top view of the hat (upclose)

side view of the hat

me wearing my own hat

So despite me screwing up with the instructions — that or my stitches are that bad — it turned out ok, as far as I am concerned as it’s something I could wear anyway. My first project! Yay!

A Decade with Urbandub – Online Concert Coming Soon!

clair — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 16:49:29 +0000

Last week I had a chance to go to the taping of Urbandub’s first decade’s online concert. Thanks to Pelicola.tv and Globe Tattoo for making it possible. It was an awesome night of watching them perform. I was only able to get one somewhat decent snapshot before my phone’s battery heated up terribly.

My boyfriend, JM, has better pictures of Urbandub on his flickr account. Here’s one of Gabby:

Image credit: JM Ibanez

And a picture of Lalay:

Image credit: JM Ibanez

If you’re a big fan of Urbandub, then you better wait for my post regarding this event. It’s coming up this April. I’d definitely let you know how you could view the online concert, etc. For now check out the other bloggers who also went to the taping. They took really great pictures.

This Year in Clair’s Playlist

clair — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 17:39:56 +0000

This year (and last year) as well I’ve gone to several gigs of groups and bands I started listening to. And there are local artists whose works have prominently been on my playlist. I mean, I think I’ve been mainly on a Korean electropop and Vocaloids binge while I’m at work but aside from those, I’ve been listening to the following Filipino groups pretty often. If you’re following me on Plurk, you’d notice how many times I write about Up Dharma Down, Urbandub and Taken By Cars. On to the list.

Up Dharma Down

No doubt about it, the group Up Dharma Down really got me hooked on them. It’s the combination of the lyrics, Armi’s voice, the way they combine the sounds of their instruments and whatever effects they use. Armi’s voice is just sooo awesome. Whenever I listen to Up Dharma Down I can’t help but feel the ups and downs of being in love. Whether it’s as if you’re floating on a cloud or your heart has been torn and thrown away and run over, they make it easy for me to feel all these things with their songs.

Most listened to tracks from Up Dharma Down’s albums: Sugarcoats and Heartbeats, Sana, Taya, Every First Second

Taken by Cars

I probably love them because of their upbeat songs. With this group I am baffled at how girly Sara Marco can sound and yet in some tracks she sounds, well, a bit androgynous to me. When it comes to live performances, I can’t help but enjoy how much energy Sara has when she dances. I really like watching them live. So far.

Most listened to tracks: Uh-oh, Shapeshifter, Neon Brights

Urbandub

Why do I love Urbandub? Amidst the electronica I’ve been listening to, Urbandub simply stands out. Haha. Well, when I’m getting out of the electronica binge I usually follow it up with Urbandub. I think that their music contrasts well with how smooth a lot of Clazziquai and Humming Urban Stereo’s songs are. When I want something that’s more rough than my normal listening music, I instantly listen to the songs from their earlier albums. Their new album has some songs with lyrics which could be interpreted in more than one way.

Most listened to tracks: A New Tattoo, A City of Sleeping Hearts, Soul Searching

Razorback

I used to not like Razorback. Mainly because the band was all the rage in high school aside from Wolfgang. I wasn’t quite into their sound back then. I think high school for me was defined by Color It Red, Side A (yes, I listened to Side A and I used to have the tapes), Joey Ayala, Eraserheads and Sugar Hiccup. Anyway, some co-workers and I went to the Eastwood gig of a radio station. Jam, I think. Razorback was there to perform some songs. They were simply AWESOME. I got the 2-disc thing they’re selling in record bars. And I ended up *cough*downloading*cough* their greatest hits album. I was happy to see them in another gig in Saguijo last June.

Most played tracks: Giyang, Payaso, Paghihintay

Anyway, here are two groups I’m watching too:

Techy Romantics

I think my friends and I first saw them in the Taken By Cars video launch. They were upbeat and more into electronica, the type I liked so I ended up watching out for their gigs and their album. Locally, I don’t really know many groups that have that electronica vibe that’s just right to my ears. (Drip’s trip-hop is pretty different too that’s why I love them!) They make me feel like dancing when I hear them so that’s one good thing, as far as I am concerned. Anyway, Dondi Virrey’s DJ set was pretty good when I went to Rock the Riles this year. They had their album launch last week and I was lucky enough to get my CD signed by all three of them. Haha. Fangirl mode. Aside from that, I’m looking forward to remixes of some of their songs.

Fave tracks in the album “Touch”: Out of My Mind, Get It On, 7 Years, Dance Like Lightning

Us-2 Evil-0

This group is fun to listen to. I love the way they play with words especially in the track “Mikey is the New Mong” *laughs* And then there’s the song, “Super Poke is Nothing Compared to True Love” which is quite interesting in the way Mich and Quark sounded like they overlap. Then again, for me, that’s the overall sound of Us-2 Evil-0: everything overlaps. Maybe like the way thoughts run so fast in our heads and tumble upon each other. And that’s why it’s fun to listen to them.

Fave tracks in the album “Dirty Debutantes”: Super Poke is Nothing Compared to True Love, Mighty Heart Attack, Our Weekends Dissolve, Mikey is the New Mong

Binging on Vocaloid Songs

clair — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 15:52:35 +0000

Yesh, I am binging on Vocaloid songs. Not exactly a big fan of Hatsune Miku. I think she’s cute and all but I’m becoming more and more addicted to the voices of Kagamine Len, Megurine Luka and Gumi. I really love the songs I’ve found on YouTube and I ended up searching for more on NicoVideo.

Now I am looking for more songs. Ack. Yes, it’s becoming an addiction I guess. I don’t even watch all of their videos. I just listen to the music mainly.

I guess what’s addicting about these Vocaloids are their upbeat songs. They do have slow songs too but it’s the fast ones that I love more. Some of them you could really dance to. At least I have them to perk me up, right? This kind of music seems to help me work too.

Jonette’s lovely creations: skirt, petti, scarves

clair — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 11:57:16 +0000

I’ve asked my crafting buddy, Jonette, to make me some scarves (because she can knit!), a petti and 2 skirts. I already got my scarves and my striped skirt from her but I haven’t taken pictures yet because I am a shamelessly lazy cat ;_; And I don’t have my own digital camera. So let me show you her work. Good thing she posted a lot of pictures on Facebook

red x grey scarf with checkerboard-like texture

The first scarf really looked so cute even in the pictures. I was excited as she was telling me of its progress. This scarf is not only cute; it is also warm and soft. The yarn she used was good. I could wear this on the days that I wear black or grey. (My usual colorsXD)

Cotton Candy Cumulus

This is the second scarf and it’s really awesome because of how soft it is. I love the yarn she used because of the colors that suddenly just show up, like bits of the powder used in making cotton candy. And the texture does remind me of cumulus clouds! I really must take close-up/detail shots of this scarf she made for me. See? Isn’t she awesome?

puffy petticoat!

This is still with Jonette so she could use it as reference for the second skirt she’s making me. After all, if this petti is going underneath the skirt, she might as well know how it would look like with it! I tried it on when we met up a couple of weekends ago and it was nice and puffy! I love it It’s a bit loose on me but there are always pins to help me wear it haha. I think she mentioned adjusting it. But seriously, it’s nice and puffy

lulu - the skirt inspired by the VM regimental stripe skirt

This is the first skirt she gave to me. I saw the pictures of the cloth she saw in Divisoria and I just loved the stripes on this one so much that I had to simply ask her to make me this nice skirt. I don’t regret it one bit because it fits comfortably on me.

Jonette is really dedicated to her craft and I am so happy that she indulged me with my requests. If you think that she’s really awesome, please drop by her blog, The Hobby Horse and show some love.

PS: All photos on this blog entry are from Jonette’s Facebook albums and blog.
Lulu – first skirt commission
First scarf commencement
Cotton Candy Cumulus

Music Time: Let’s Listen to Up Dharma Down

clair — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 03:51:43 +0000

I’ve liked Up Dharma Down since I saw their video “Pag-agos” on tv. I was very intrigued because I didn’t see any credits during the first time I saw it. Until the day that no one told me it was Up Dharma Down, I had no idea. “Pag-agos” was interesting not only because of that, but it was the singing, the lyrics and the overall feel of the song that got me hooked.

After that I started hearing their other songs on the radio too. I think that from Fragmented, their first album, I heard “Maybe,” “We Give in Sometimes” and “Oo” The last one seemed to be quite popular. Must be because a whole lot of people could easily relate with the lyrics of the song. A song talking about a person’s love story. Not necessarily a happy one at that.

“We Give in Sometimes” is a beautiful song with a video to go with it.

Again, Up Dharma Down has worked with Everywhere We Shoot for this video.

Now that the second album, “Bipolar” is out, I am even more amazed at how they improved as a group. I really enjoy listening to their songs. Even if I listen to the album the entire day, it’s perfectly fine with me. I practically love the entire album. But when it comes to their videos, “Taya” and “Sana” are really the ones that stand out for me. When it comes to the overall sound and lyrics, I think it’s “Every First Second” and the song at the end of “Sugar Coats and Heartbeats” that really move me aside from “Taya” and “Sana”

The video of “Taya” has an interesting play on lights. And it’s playful too. The title “Taya” is reminiscent of our childhood days of playing “tag” or “hide and seek.”

Still playful is the other video, “Sana” which has the classic Super Mario Bros. feel to it.

And if you’ve grown up in the 80s to early 90s, Kuya Bodjie is in the video too so you remember the Batibot days.

I do hope that I get to watch more Up Dharma gigs in the future. I want them to sign my CDs of Fragmented and Bipolar. Both of which are treasures in my music collection.

My Sewing Projects

clair — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 13:42:11 +0000

Here are some things I want to make.

In Progress:

Chibitalia skirt – Start date: 08 August 2009

Done:

Wishlist:

Chibitalia blouse
Chibitalia apron
a reversible bag
a flared skirt
a wrap-around skirt
drawstring pants
drive-in pants/thai pants
pajamas
curtains for my room
pillowcases
change the collars on my tees
plushies

Promod: My New Favorite Shop

clair — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 13:26:51 +0000

I’ve always liked looking at the display of Promod, Trucco and Warehouse in Greenbelt 5. (I work in Legazpi Village and it’s really that often that I get to pass by this mall.) Anyhow, I know that Promod has a lot of pretty items when I went inside the Trinoma branch but it was the time I accompanied a friend. This time I went there because I knew there is a sale and I was looking for a basic black top with long sleeves. Aside from the sale items, I checked out their accessories. I really like them! The items I would possibly go back for:

I saw in the catalog that they have a necklace with scissors pendant. This is something I’d really love to have.

So far, their accessories aren’t cheap but they are not too expensive either. Some of them even look like they could be used for steampunk, Victorian and lolita fashion aside from the regular streetwear that’s why I really like them. Their sale period in Greenbelt 5 is supposed to end on the 15th. I hope we get our salaries early by one day so I could go back for an item or two.

Shopping for Lolita Fashion in the Philippines

clair — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 06:41:59 +0000

There are no brands here in the Philippines so local lolitas must be resourceful. Some of them who have been making clothes and accessories for themselves seem to have opened online shops, knowing that there are kindred spirits who share their interests. I’ve bought some products from some of them already and I’m glad to have their products because they are not only pretty, they are well-made. There are also clothes being sold in malls and vintage stores that look victorian enough for lolita fashion so that you could coordinate them well and be happy with what you get within reach.

Shopping on Multiply

a commissioned skirt. from OneFreeKiss.

If you got Multiply.com you could search for lolita fashion and you will see different sites and shops that talk about it and/or sell stuff. From skirts, to socks, to hats, headdresses and other accessories, you’d see a whole range of lolita styles too. One of my favorite shops is One Free Kiss by Catherine De Jesus. Her hats are lovely and she does commissions too. Most of her wares are gothic lolita and I swear that they are awesome. She designs them and you really know that you’re not wearing just something that everyone has. Though most of her clothes are really made for petite girls, she has some plus size friendly skirts too. If ever, you could commission her for a skirt too. For shoes, I see a lot on Gothic Vanity Store and I was able to buy my black rocking horse shoes from there. That shop enables you to preorder stuff that you can’t really buy here. Some items come from Bodyline and Montreal, as well as GLP. Other shops of note are Lolita Virus (for cute jewelry), Baby Moon (also for hats — they have cake hats!), Lolita Lovelace and Reason de Vivre. These are just a small sample of the awesome online shops we have by local lolitas.

Mall Shopping

It takes a trained eye and some patience to buy pieces from the mall. Some shops like Kashieca, Bench, Kamiseta, Apple & Eve seem to have cutsews, skirts, blouses, boleros and cardigans that can be coordinated in a lolita way. I just saw a black bolero in Kashieca that reminded me of Metamorphose’s bolero with ribbons. If you find it during a sale, then all the more awesome and that will really fit your budget. (Speaking of sale items, I saw cute ballet flats at Zara and it could be cute with a lolita ensemble! It comes in purple and red, plus it has dainty ribbons.) And it’s even more fun trying them on before buying!

Vintage Store Hunting

This requires luck. But I swear, some vintage stores have lolita shoes, complete with bows and ribbons and chunky heels which are totally not stripper-like. There are some store with nice boots that could be worn ala-punk lolita. I now regret not buying those cute flats with the metal skull and rose decoration. Those were really cheap and cute. But I read somewhere that Quiapo’s vintage stores does have lolita blouses and skirts. Not plus size friendly, but still something interesting especially for the younger and petite lolitas from our country.