“And so with the sunshine and the great bursts of leaves growing on the trees, just as things grow in fast movies, I had that familiar conviction that life was beginning over again with the summer.”
― F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby
The Audiofiles: Bouncing Through Memorial Day Weekend
Per usual – the long weekend came and went with an amazing amount of fanfare and a complete lack of respect for the limited amount of hours in a three day time span. Whether your time was spent marinating in relaxation or in complete play-cation mode, chances are you’re still yearning for just one more sweet day to get your life back together. The one benefit to today’s condition is that 5pm on Friday is just so much closer; but what’s a gal to do until then? Well, relive the weekend of course!
I both kicked things off and ended things right with a few of my favorite things – my partner in crime, some picnic eats and a marathon of my ultimate TV show, Battlestar Galactica; if you’re into political, military or sci-fi drama’s this is simply a must-see series. Check out this trailer and tell me you’re not interested; all four seasons of the reimagined series are currently on NetFlix so try it out while you still can!
Considering the amount of DJs in Chicago for EDC or in Las Vegas to enjoy the pool parties, on Saturday night we got one of the most eclectic lineups I’ve ever seen – Jack Beats, Style of Eye and Jamie Jones. Two of which I adore, the middle I still have no clue who they are. The new Create is where the old Vanguard was – there’s essentially less tables, more LEDs and I’m so okay with that! And as a bonus, the glorious outside patio is still in tact and prefect for catching up with new and old friends alike.
Probably my favorite thing about the long weekend was the fact I had friends from all over the state coming into town for one mission: a sun & fun filled play-cation. I, for one, can definitely get down with that. Sunday morning I made the beautiful trek down to Venice Beach to grab brunch with one of my best friends from high school and her new business partner. They’re starting up a boutique Marketing firm in the SoCal area called the Marketing Minxes – it’s an uber cute concept and I have the utmost faith in their vision. Plus, like I really need an excuse to head out to the beach!
The only mission for the afternoon and evening was to get our collective boogie on – and thanks to some good doses of karma, we accidentally ended up at XIV, yet another SBE venue on the replacement rotation. For any party junkies the place used to be known as Colony; it’s pretty small and intimate, especially for the ridiculous level of raging taking place there! It was a madhouse with Co2 so thick that you couldn’t see in front of you for half a minute and the most confetti I’ve ever seen at a club. A few minutes after walking in, we heard something trancy – and turned around and saw one of our favorite DJs – Gareth Emery! We even got to hear Concrete Angel, ahhhh – insert #trancearms here; so epic – and the perfect way to rage until the Monday light =)
Happy Caturday!
Friday Fun: MDW Ready!
If there’s one thing I need to own up to at the moment, it’s that I’m a sucker for a three day weekend – and truth be told, it’s even better when everyone can join in on the fun! Sunshine, cocktails, good vibes and great friends; there’s simply nothing better! I’m not entirely sure what my weekend plans are, but as John Lennon so eloquently phrased it: life is what happens when you’re making other plans. The only thing that you really need to bring to the table during a weekend like this is a smile on your face and a bounce in your step. Well, and maybe a few more things – colorful nails, the threat of a good time and an epic playlist.
Who says you need to stay with the Red-White-and-Boring trend this Memorial Day Weekend?!
I love the pop of neon colors and bling and shimmer of sparkles, so pairing them together – absolutely perfect.
No one will ever accuse you of being unprepared to party if you carry one of these suckers around in your purse; for an even better treat, fill it with champagne, or your favorite mixed drink!
Lazy day vibes and deep house seem to go hand in hand, and for great reason – when the work goes away, your soul comes out to play! And every soul digs that soulful, and so funky, sound of deep house.
Oh, Snap: Comfort Food
How many times have you heard the following from friends, family and your partner: the way to my heart is through my stomach. But did you know that their statement actually holds weight? One thing that I didn’t know until I read a fascinating book on Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman is that not only are there a significant amount of serotonin receptors in our stomach, but most of the serotonin we posses is manufactured there! Lining the walls of both the intestines and digestive track are loads of enterochromaffin cells and these little guys are responsible for creating a whopping 90% of it.
I’ve always landed firmly on the taller side of life. When I was born I was 19″ and a tad under 6lbs – leaving me pretty tall and lean on the BMI chart. Growing up, not a whole hell of a lot changed – by 4th grade, I was taller than all my gymnastics instructors and realized that was definitely not my calling. By 6th grade, I was 6’0 and had stopped growing – but when it came to filling out, I didn’t. My metabolism is somehow quicker than my mouth and no matter what I ate, or how (in)frequently I seemed to hit the gym – gaining weight has never been my strong suit, especially after I stopped playing competitive sports.
I never intended to be a foodie. In fact, I know a considerable amount of people – including my family – who consider my love of cooking, nomgasms or food porn absolutely ludicrous. It’s not that I’ve found food repulsive or I hate eating – it’s merely the fact that ever since I can remember – food and I have had a fairly indifferent relationship with each other. I used to find myself going throughout the majority of the day without a meal; granted, I was grumpy, fatigued and not exactly pleasant to be around but at the time I attributed that to having high anxiety or being diagnosed with depression.
Thankfully, I have a support system that both lifts me up and fills my stomach – they’ve taught me that comfort food has a purpose and a nourished stomach is a nourished soul. I’ve found that one of the most important things about food, fitness and nutrition is to have both a routine and a goal; one without the other is slightly pointless. I’ve gone from bypassing lunch to scouring the dessert bar, from breakfast on the go to breakfast in the apt – and it’s really made all the difference. For the first time in my adult life, I can honestly say that I love food and thanks to living in Los Angeles, I’ve had the chance to experience so many different restaurants, as well as almost any type of food you can imagine! I’ve slowly but surely been collecting a list of my favorite noms and I’m stoked to be able to share this with everyone =)
Loaded Mac & Cheese from Elephant Bar
Bacon wrapped asparagus from Sushi USA
Uni – my ultimate.
Basil, tomato and mozzarella skewers; made fresh by yours truly!
Shrimp, avocado, tangello, cucumber and tomato salad. Also known as veggies that are really fruits.
Drumstick ice cream cones; omnom!
If you’ve never had Calypso Lemonade you’re in for a real treat =D
Only the best for my sweet tooth – Sour Patch Berry Kids and Mike & Ike Tropical Typhoon!
Macadamia, raspberry pancakes – proof the best recipes are still in your head =)
Mango & Sticky Rice!
Potstickers: I could survive off these.
Mango & Vanilla Creme Puffs from Beard Papas; only the best!
Can’t go wrong with a Grilled Cheese & Tomato Soup!
Steak, medium rare. Always.
I ❤ Sushi.
BTA Benedict from Tart – my breakfast standard.
Waffles Versaille from the French Crepe Company at the Grove
Dim Sum @ Bao
My Step-Mom’s Pumpkin Pie
Quotable: Pablo Neruda – Sonnet XVII
Sonnet XVII
I do not love you as if you were salt-rose, or topaz,
or the arrow of carnations the fire shoots off.
I love you as certain dark things are to be loved,
in secret, between the shadow and the soul.I love you as the plant that never blooms
but carries in itself the light of hidden flowers;
thanks to your love a certain solid fragrance,
risen from the earth, lives darkly in my body.I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where.
I love you straightforwardly, without complexities or pride;
so I love you because I know no other way than this:where I does not exist, nor you,
so close that your hand on my chest is my hand,
so close that your eyes close as I fall asleep.
― Pablo Neruda
The Audiofiles: We Go Deep
For what was supposed to be a relaxing weekend, in true Amanda fashion – never a dull moment. Not like I need one – nor am I complaining – just saying, I’m exhausted and need some tunage to match my mood! Thank goodness I’ve been collective some stellar deep house tracks over the last few weeks to keep me in a state of trance; hope y’all dig them as much as I do!
Tracklist
- Maya Jane Coles ft Karin Park – Everything
- Mark Knight – Your Love
- Hot Natured ft Anabel Englund – Reverse Skydiving
- Disclosure ft Eliza Doolittle – You & Me
- Hot Natured & Ali Love – Benediction
- Ali Love ft Kali – Emperor
- Steed Lord – Remember Me (Russ Chimes Remix)
- Duke Dumont – Need You 100% (SKREAMix)
- Pete Tong ft S.Y.F. – Dawn (Blond:ish Remix)
- MANIK ft Jeremy Glenn – Parasol (Climbers Remix)
- Russ Chimes – Back 2 You
- Storm Queen – Look Right Through (MK Dub III)
- HAIM – Don’t Save Me (Cyril Hahn Remix)
- Nate Dogg – Gangster Walk (SION’s Hipster Lean Remix)
- Disclosure vs MNEK – White Noise (Full Crate & FS Green Remix)
- AlunaGeorge – You Know You Like It (Bondax Remix)
- FKJ – So Much To Me
- Solange – Losing You (Cyril Hahn Remix)
- Hot Since 82 – Like You
- Lee Foss & MK Ft Anabel Englund – Electricity
- Russ Chimes – Turn Me Out
- Betoko vs Mario Basanov vs Vidis – Control The Suspend
The Bouncy Kitty 
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