I'm here to give thanks. I want to take a moment to just be thankful. Be joyous for everything I have. I want to inspire you as well. We need it. The world needs it. Hopefully, there are some things on this list that you are thankful for too.

1. Being alive 

2. Oxygen for making all life possible 

3. Blossoming flowers in spring 

4. Puppies, kitties, baby animals of any kind 

5. Food when you're hungry 

6. Music 

7. Shoes on your feet & clothes in the closet 

8. Good health 

9. TV, literature, & film 

10. Opportunity to get an education 

11. Comfort when you're feeling down 

12. Seeing friends & family you haven't seen in ages 

13. Cold water on a hot summer's day 

14. Sleeping in 

15. Fresh cut flowers 

16. Cell phones for being able to reach people with ease 

17. The ability to read 

18. Sun, moon, stars, & everything beyond

19. Taking off your shoes after a long day 

20. Receiving a handwritten letter in the mail 

21. Dark chocolate 

22. Access to the internet & technology 

23. Knowing true love 

24. Gravity & breathing, that which we have no control over 

25. Caller ID 

26. Wisdom that comes with age 

27. Pizza 

28. Freedom to vote 

29. Enough money to pay rent 

30. Kindness of strangers 

31. Sense of smell to smell mum's cooking or fresh bread 

32. Sense of sight to see the sunset or your baby's first steps 

33. Sense of touch to hug others with love or feel the rain on your cheeks 

34. Sense of hearing to listen to thunder or your favorite song 

35. Sense of taste to enjoy a warm meal or cold ice cream 

36. Holding hands 

37. The love & support of friends & family 

38. A long night of sleep 

39. Sales 

40. Cozying up on winter's night 

41. Sound of a baby's laughter 

42. The last piece of anything (pie, pizza, candy, etc.) 

43. How the leaves change color & fall in autumn 

44. Travel 

45. Sunshine to brighten the day 

46. Advancement of technology & medicine 

47. That first cup of tea or coffee in the morning 

48. Pool & beach days in summer 

49. Clean drinking water 

50. Holiday traditions 

Let's spread thankfulness, gratitude, appreciation, & kindness. Don't spread racism, hate, lies, or bad thoughts on others. We don't need any more fighting or death or darkness. Take the time to be thankful, genuinely. Don't do it to do it. Go out of your way to be grateful or do something kind. Lord knows the world needs more love. 

Any plans for today? This is my first Thanksgiving away from my family (they are visiting my sister up in Berkeley). I will be spending the day with my boyfriend's family. Should be interesting. Now time to prep this vegetarian bake! :] 

What are you thankful for? Anything from this list? What are your Thanksgiving plans? Does your family have any special traditions? 

I've watched Mean Girls about 1,001 times but never thought about dressing as one of the Plastics for Halloween....until now! Mean Girls is a cult classic. That goes without saying, even though I just said it. But how can you achieve an authentic costume? Well, I've got the basics covered for you with this fab Mean Girls & the Plastics-inspired Halloween costume idea. In case you were wondering, the Plastics are a group of popular meanies consisting of Regina, Gretchen, Karen, & Cady from the film Mean Girls. 

Halloween is nearing & you're looking for some Halloween costume ideas. Duh duh duh dunnn. I'm here to help! Today I have a Wednesday Addams (from The Addams Family) inspired look for you to rock. Sport this as an everyday outfit -- if you're bold -- or try this on for size as a Halloween costume idea for women or girls.

As most of you likely know Clueless is one of my all-time favorite films everrrr. That said, it would make sense to feature Clueless's main character, Cher Horowitz, as a Halloween costume idea for women. I dug through some stills from the movie & created a hybrid outfit to emulate her style.

My boyfriend & I ventured up to Los Angeles for the taping of @midnight, an internet-themed improv comedy panel show hosted by Chris Hardwick on Comedy Central. I've never been to a television show taping, so it was an intriguing experience. We arrived to LA around 1 p.m. or so, lazily making our way from San Diego. 

Tickets are free so you just print out the paper & it shows you how many guests you have. We arrived at 3 p.m. in time for the 3:15 p.m. RSVP time. We immediately showed our tickets, got searched, then sat down on some benches outside for 20 or so minutes. Then Brody Stevens -- or Steven Brody Stevens -- came out to hype us up. We were supposed to be psyched & clap & laugh loudly during all segments of the taping.

They have strict dress code. It said absolutely no t-shirts with logos, white tops, shorts or hats. It said they preferred dark, solid color clothing & that proved to be true once they moved me because my grey top seemed to get in the way of the camera. Man, I was really looking forward to my half a second of fame. I wanted to spot my head in the background of a shot. However, the way the show was filmed the only thing you ever see from the audience is the dark silhouette of the back of peoples' heads.

One of the only photos from the day. We found a cool jumping fox graffiti. I'm wearing: Tunic: Thrifted // Slip: The Closet // Necklace: my grandma's // Earrings: Claire's // Sunnies: The Way, Way Back movie premier

I would show you a picture but cell phones were absolutely not allowed inside the recording studio. It was intriguing to attend a live taping because you realize just how scripted everything is. If Chris messed up a line they reshot it. A couple times we didn't laugh or clap loud enough, so they had to reshoot it & we had to be even more clappy & laughy about something we obviously weren't naturally so amused by. Basically the bigger the laugh & the louder the clap the better. So yes, it is somewhat forced but simultaneously it's funny seeing as it's comedy. 

In between segment breaks the makeup crew would fix up the comedians' faces. You could also spot the guest comedians reviewing their cards, which I can only assume contained prewritten jokes to the answers to some of the segments. The experience was somewhat inspiring because I realized hey I could be a comedy writer maybe. I'm funny ha ha. Right? Right? Laugh with me guys. Laugh with me. By the time we were all done filming & got out it was nearly 6 p.m. Time consuming but fun.

I could get into all the segments & the comedians who were present, but I find that to be the least pertinent information from my time there. It was more about the teleprompters, the scripted funniness vs. naturally funny things that came out of their mouths, seeing how small Chris was in person, & just to do something new.

Have you ever been to a TV show taping? Which one? How was it? Let me knowwwww. :]

We just complement each other very well. We both have our unique strengths and weaknesses to the table and we seem to have a great balance with that all in mind. Two heads in our case are greater than one, and it's just been hella fun doing this all with your homie. Plus, one of us can use the bathroom when we DJ.

Everywhere. Literally everywhere we look, every mood, every other artist. We are the product of our environment, for better or worse. Inspiration is fleeting though, so when we find ourselves in the midst of it, nothing feels better.

First off, we are definitely not famous by a long run and with that, our day really hasn’t changed dramatically. We are more busy and travel more, but it’s the same shit for us. We love to eat, we love to sleep, gym, be whipped by our GFs, talk to our parents and sisters, and so on. We definitely feel more confident and comfortable about the future but with that comes the other side of the same coin, which is maintaining it and continuing it.

Asia was amazing. Such great people, so much history and they party their faces off as well. Had it not been for all this who knows, we may never have ever seen Asia, it's almost surreal. As for right now we are in SF working in our hotel rooms getting ready for the night. 

It would be easy to answer what we aren’t psyched about since there are far far too many things we are psyched about. We aren’t psyched about LA traffic. That is all. HARD is any performers dream come true, the lineup the crowd, the energy, the history, it’s the coolest of them all… them being festivals.

These bad boys are not to be touched.

Confidence, their ambitions and passion to achieve them, a bubble butt, nice lips, being able to have good banter, long hair, supportive and informed.

Netflix on the road is so key. We both have our favorite shows which we watch religiously. Also one last run through Instagram.

The Chainsmokers Dicks’ are HUGE

Eat, work out, dabble in porn, creep on Insta, read all the negative remarks on our FB, take naps.

The Chainsmokers, despite #Selfie making it to the No. 1 spot on Billboard's Dance Chart, are not consumed by their rankings. Instead, they aim to pursue their accomplishments further. You're only as successful as your last song, or something like that. Stay tuned because this is only the beginning for Alex & Drew aka The Chainsmokers who don't even smoke.

Find The Chainsmokers on:

SoundCloud

Twitter

Website

Etnik. Fun fact: Etink is both his stage name & real name. It's kind of like getting to know him & his music on a personal level. "Oh hey! Etnik is playing at HARD Summer." I mean, it sounds pretty casual. My interview with Etnik (also seen ETИIK) was short. The German native is a man of few words. Brief. Concise. To the point. Instead he lets his music do the talking. He even described his music as simply Etnik, a man twisting knobs on stage. Well, let's see what he had to say.

Name: Etnik Zarari

Age: 22

Hometown: Hamburg, Germany

Current Location: Hamburg

What is a typical day like for you?  Having breakfast when others have dinner.

Where do you gather inspiration? It depends on the mood actually, but I'd say mostly from clubbing.

What do you do right before you go on stage? I take a quick look at the crowd & then I decide what the opening track should be.

How would you describe your music style? It's hard for me to describe my own music. It's just me being me while twisting the knobs.

What are you most excited about for HARD Summer? It's my first time playing in L.A., gonna be cool to play there, and I'm really looking forward to hang out with my good pals from Owsla & Pilo.

What did you have for breakfast this morning? Kellogg's Toppas. One of the top 10 on my cereal list.

Where's the coolest spot to hang out in Hamburg? Maybe it's just me, but I think Hamburg's coolest spots are changing weekly - so you are basically always kinda busy finding them.

Can you dance? Haha. Yes. Back in the days before I even started making music, I used to be in a dance school locking & popping.

It looks like you have your logo/branding tattooed on your chest, kind of like a superhero. How many tattoos do you have & who is your favorite superhero? It's my first and only tattoo. There's no superhero I can identify with.

What do you do when you're not making music? Listen to my favorite music or read books on how to improve my sound.

In case you were wondering or didn't know (like me), Kellogg's Toppas are the American equivalent of Kellogg's Frosted Mini Wheats. Mind blown! But at least we know one of his top favorite cereals. Etnik is a dapper young gentleman with cool hair & a unique style. His modern twist on techno will be a hit at HARD Summer. Check out one of his music videos here:


Find Etnik on:
Facebook
SoundCloud
Twitter
Website

                                              Bloglovin // Facebook // Instagram // Twitter

It's time! Ah yes. The trap & bass runs vigorously through your veins. The pulse of the music beats through your body. The crowd is jumping up & down from the start of the set to the finish. Hey chica, I'm Carmen! You must be wondering what to wear to HARD Summer. Don't worry, I've got you covered!

I'd wear this. I would rock this look from head to toe. I'm heading to HARD Summer in August. I went last year with the boyfriend, so I have a good idea of what to expect. Let me do some explaining.

It's going to be hot 

The festival doors open at 11 a.m & end at 11 p.m., so you'll be spending many hours in the sun. With that said I always load up on sunscreen as well as some lip balm to stay as safe as can be. Sunglasses are a must! The sweltering heat is caused by the hot California summer sun, but it's also due to the crowd. A light kimono helps as well. 

There are masses of people 

This is another reason to dress less. Everyone is heaped together. Walking. Dancing. Moving. Twerking. A light, flowy crop top is the way to go. It's not tight or sticking to my body. Pair it with Bart Simpson shirt or shorts or hat (my favorite television character).

Party, party, party

Since the stages are absolutely packed & kids are moving about frantically, I commit to wearing close-toed shoes. No cute white ASOS platforms for me unless I want a broken toe & a rolled ankle. I wanna dance. I wanna get to the front row, so sneakers are necessary. Plus, I'm on my feet for 12 hours give or take. I don't want to carry a purse.

I'll opt for a small wristlet to keep my phone, ID, tickets, & money in. I want to be able to stash it in my pocket or put it on my wrist without the risk of losing my valuables. I'll go for dainty jewelry to accessorize my look. I'll wear a few light rings paired with a simple necklace.

Check out my interviews with some of the previous HARD Summer performers:

ETC! ETC! Who is the man behind the music? Well, from what I can gather via our interview, ETC! ETC!, is a father first then a musician. Although his life revolves around music & touring, it's crystal clear that he adores his two children, Olive, 4, & Isaac, 1. On Father's Day Sunday, he posted the classic fridge photo of he & the kids. Cue the ooh's & aw's.

ETC! ETC! also known by his real name, Jose Guerrero, has a large following throughout his social media presence as well as in real life. His music is energetic, fast-paced, & bass-heavy. I mean, that's what you would expect from a trap & bass, moombahton artist. What is moombahton? It's a beautiful mixture of house music & reggaeton.

Who is he? What's he like? Who is he rooting for in the World Cup? Most importantly, does ETC! ETC! prefer tea or coffee? You'll see.

Name: Jose Guerrero

Age: 30

Hometown: Los Angeles

Location: Los Angeles

Where do you find inspiration for music? In everything. Other people's songs, vibes, my city. Just depends on the day and how I'm feeling that day I guess.

Do you have any pre-performance rituals? I like to go to the club early to feel it out, see how the night is going, and prepare myself mentally.

What's it like to be on tour? Going on tour is amazing, but it is stressful. It's fun because you get to be in different cities, meet tons of amazing people, see everyone's cultures, and try things you normally wouldn't in your city. Stressful because you miss your fam, it's hard to work on music on the road, and if you are alone it gets lonely.

How do you define success? Man, success is what you make of it. What you want to accomplish in your mind, heart, and soul. I feel like the only way to feel true success is to be happy with what you have accomplished, in your goals, etc.

What are you most excited about for HARD Summer? Playing on home turf. I was fortunate to be added to HARD Summer last year last minute and it was beyond amazing. Best festival I played. So this year now that I know what to expect I'm going all out.

How many languages can you speak? Two. English and Spanish.

What's one of your favorite family traditions? Hmm really don't have any. I should start some I guess.

If you were immortal for a day, what would you do? Make fun of everyone who was mortal, and do tons of stunts.

Are you a coffee or a tea person? 100 percent coffee. Tea is for old people. Coffee is my addiction. Makes me feel good.

What do you do when you're not making music? Spending time with my two kids.

Tell me something I don't know about you. I have a collection of soccer jerseys that I've never worn but one day I will.

Perhaps he'll get some use out of his soccer jerseys as he watches the World Cup. Who's he rooting for? "Obviously I'm rooting for USA. It's our team. Come on." Well I had to ask. When I informed him that I preferred tea myself, he quipped with, "Stop being old and drink coffee." 

Find ETC! ETC! on:

Facebook

SoundCloud

Twitter

                                       You can find me on: Bloglovin // Facebook // Instagram // Twitter

*photographer unknown. please tell me if you do.

CUT SNAKE. They're tan & blonde & good looking, pretty much what you'd imagine a stereotypical Australian/San Diegan hybrid to be. But the boys are also funny & friendly. Let's just say these two gentlemen are not to be taken seriously. They've got a very rampant sense of humor, more so Paul, what with his dick surfboard and all. But one thing is perfectly clear: Australia has the best waves. Sorry California, you just don't cut it for these lads from the Land Down Under.

Cut Snake's music can be best described as chill wave techno. Their jams are the kind of thing you tap your toes to, nodding your head & swaying slightly to the beat. The duo will be playing at HARD Summer on August 2 + 3, their first festival in Los Angeles.

Names:

Leigh Sedley & Paul Fisher 

Age: 

Leigh: 30

Paul: 28

Hometown: 

Leigh: Sunshine Coast (Australia)

Paul: Fuck knows

Location: 

Both: Los Angeles

What do you think the other person brings to the duo?

Leigh: Fish brings nudity, bad breath, and A LOT of noise.

Paul: Music, picks his nose a lot, always scratching his ass too. He also brings a shit smell with him.

Where do you find inspiration?

Leigh: I find a lot of inspiration in old music, I try to be open and listen to everything. I dig almost all styles of music, and so listening to a wide range helps me bring different elements into whatever we're working on.

Paul: The beach.

What's the music-making process like?

Leigh: Normally just us sitting in the studio for 10 hours with a carton of beer. By the end we emerge thinking we have made THE BIGGEST TUNE EVER.

Paul: Fun. Loud. Repetitive. Slow. Fast. Grooving. Dancing.

How did you two meet? 

Leigh: We met when we were 12. We had to stay together for 3 days to film a small TV surf documentary. He was an absolute animal. To this day, I don't think I'll ever see a looser 12 year old than Fisher!

Paul: We met at the beach competing against each other. From there we travelled the world, surfing, and partying having the hell time.

What are you most psyched about for HARD Summer?

Leigh: This is our first festival in LA, so I guess just getting to play such a big festival amongst so many of the artists we look up to.

Paul: Just to play in front of a crowd that loves house music and is there to go crazy and have fun. Also watching other amazing artists from everywhere going mad! I also just wanna get right amongst it and have a boogie.

What's the best television show ever created?

Leigh: The Simpsons.

Paul: Breaking Bad.

How would you describe your perfect day?

Leigh: Wake up to a big healthy breakfast in bed, followed by a long surf with good mates in perfect waves, a few beers in the afternoon watching the sunset, then hit a Jimmy Buffet concert in Hawaii.

Paul: Getting barrelled all day, coming in with all ya mates and just having beers, listening to good tunes while the sun goes down.

What's the San Diego surf culture like compared to Australia's?

Leigh: It is very similar but the waves in Australia are way better.

Paul: SD waves break once a year. Australia breaks everyday.

Do you dream in color or black & white?

Leigh: Colour of course!

Paul: Colour. I love colour.

What do you do when you're not making sweet sweet music?

Leigh: Surf, eat good food, and travel. It's a tough life.

Paul: Surfing my brains out. Hanging with my girl, friends, and family!!!

Leigh & Paul's personalities & tunes showcase their style effectively. You don't have to be best friends with them to know that they're cool kids. From Oz to U.S., from The Simpsons to Breaking Bad, from the Sunshine Coast to "fuck knows," Mr. Fisher & Mr. Sedley are good guys, good vibes. Stay updated. Stay cool. Stay positive.



Find the boys on:
Facebook
SoundCloud
Twitter
Website

Read more of my Q&A interviews. :]


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SHIBA SAN. This French native is making waves globally, taking house music from his home to yours. Paired with his background in hip hop, Shiba San's music style contains bits of deep house and ghetto funk. The artist is scheduled to play his premier U.S. festival at HARD Summer 2014. The electronic dance music festival takes place on August 2 + 3 at the Whittier Narrows Recreation Area in Los Angeles. "Okay," one of Shiba San's latest songs, has garnered quite a bit of attention throughout the EDM realm. Bust out your speakers, take a listen, and let it soak in. Okay? Okay. Shiba San is very chill and bassy, perfect for summer.

Name: Shiba San

Age: Changing all the time

Hometown: Paris

Location: Paris

Where do you gather inspiration? It's coming from everywhere. I'm listening to a lot of stuff coming from a lot of countries. Sometimes when I'm riding my scooter--that's a very Parisian thing to do, riding a scooter--I have an idea for a melody, I stop and I record it on my iPhone. Thank you Steve.

Why the name "Shiba San?" It's a Japanese dog, which I like a lot, with a similar personality as mine. Moody.

How do you define success? Berthillon on a sunny Sunday afternoon in June. You have to be Parisian to understand. 

What is your favorite thing to see in the audience while you're on stage? I obviously like to see people reacting to my music, jumping up and down, booties & boobs, you know what I mean.

What are you most excited about for HARD Summer? That's going to be my first festival in the US. I saw the videos, so I'm very impatient to be there.

What's the best film of all time? Se7en.

What do you do when you're not making music? I listen to music.... a lot. I like to play tennis too and I like spending time with my friends and not with my manager.

If you could have one superpower, what would it be? The one from Sangoku.

Find Shiba San on:

Facebook

Instagram

SoundCloud

Twitter

Materials you'll need:

Steps: