I CAN CALL YOU BETTY

Elizabeth and I have very similar tastes in a lot of things. I especially know that in the matter of Paul Simon I can speak for both of us (just look at Elizabeth's profile photo) and proclaim his brilliance. I've been listening to our Graceland LP over and over all week. I've been going on and on to anyone who will listen about all the monumental aspects of this unique album. Just watch these two performances from his '87 concert in South Africa. (Then go to YouTube and watch all the other videos from that concert)
Would I be right to imagine that this album only further fueled (if not stimulated in the first place) your obsessions with Africa, Elizabeth?

I'm currently practicing my Paul Simon dance moves for a co-worker's birthday party on Thursday -- it's going to be amazing. Hand gestures!

FASCINATING RHYTHM

{rodarte images from style.com}

Rodarte fascinates indeed. The fairy frocks which could've dressed a childlike empress have given way in recent seasons to a different sort of fantasy. To me their Spring 2010 collection reveals a maturing eye, a different narrative, one in which the nightmare of reality is more fully realized. The influences of tribalism and survivalism seem apparent. The cobbling together of a garment, crow like, from shards of the destroyed and decayed (as well as bits of jewel here and there) evolves into a truly relatable whole. I believe the clothing's magic lies in its disintegrated finery and the trepidation to which it gives way: a beautiful unknown. This is a notion that I can presently understand and wholly embrace.
What alchemy arises when two sisters collaborate.