Coolest cupcakes ever. What the fuck.

This afternoon while scouting Edge Of Urge for sales I found the coolest ring ever (although maybe not the most wearable ring ever) by D*licious. The Coffee & Cigarettes ring. A more classic counterpart is the Flying Bird ring. More proof that Jessie’s has better taste than nearly all of us.

Have a lovely Independence day. Now, go try to blow your hands off.

Au Revoir Simone: All Or Nothing

After one good listen through “Still Night, Still Light” by Au Revior Simone it’s pretty clear why they’re featured in every magazine I pick up. They’re three lovely girls who write about the same frustrations and struggles that haunt all romantics between the ages of twenty and thirty-five: The wondering. The dreaming. The wanting. The hoping. The one.

They wrap it all up in keyboard based pop songs that fit snugly together all the while maintaining a balance of diversity and continuity I don’t remember noticing in their earlier efforts. Hear more delightful tracks on their myspace and follow this to their official site. It’s simply too cute to pass up.

“Everywhere is some where baby, so can’t you see we’re in the middle of some where? Nowhere just means knowing nothing of where you’ve been, or where you’re going feels farther. You’re a sight to see this early morning getting lost in my own neighborhood. The same freedom you feel is what’s been blowing in my sails since I arrived here. It’s all or nothing. Slowly coming into view. The images are slowly coming into view. Finding out for once I know there’s less to life, what’s more is looking for me. Saying yes instead of no and wondering what might come my direction. Won’t be long, best just to gaze in days and fall to dream something familiar. It’s all or nothing.”

Fox & Clover is a line of jewelry and housewares made primarily of glass by the lovely and talented Sabrina Biassas. Right now her handy work is being featured at Vain in Ballard until the end of this month (I know, it’s only a few more days).

My personal favorite is the Buttercup Necklace (pictured above). You can find her Etsy shop here.

The Avett Brothers: I And Love And You

I’m a little partial to when the cello comes in. These boys are from Concord, North Carolina and if you don’t love The Avett Brothers already, you’re just stubborn (or a fucking idiot).

But please, don’t let a man convince you to dress in overalls and paint on freckles because of this band… trust me.

“Load the car and write the note. Grab your bag and grab your coat. Tell the ones that need to know we are headed north. One foot in and one foot back. But it don’t pay to live like that. So I cut the ties and I jumped the tracks for never to return. Ah Brooklyn, Brooklyn take me in? Are you aware the shape I’m in. My hands they shake, my head it spins. Oh, Brooklyn Brooklyn take me in. When at first I learned to speak I used all my words to fight, with him and her and you and me. Ah, but it’s just a waste of time, it’s such a waste of time. That woman, she’s got eyes that shine like a pair of stolen polished dimes. she asked to dance I said “it’s fine”. I’ll see you in the morning time. Ah Brooklyn, Brooklyn take me in. Are you aware the shape I’m in? My hands they shake, my head it spins. Oh, Brooklyn Brooklyn take me in. Three words that became hard to say, “I” and “Love” and “You”. What you were then I am today, look at the things I do. Ah Brooklyn, Brooklyn take me in. Are you aware the shape I’m in? My hands they shake, my head it spins. Oh, Brooklyn Brooklyn take me in. Dumbed down and numbed by time and age. Your dreams they catch the world, the cage. The highway sets the travelers stage. All exits look the same. Three words that became hard to say, “I” and “Love” and “You”, “I” and “Love” and “You”.”

Sky Larkin: Antibodies

Last year, Katie, Nestor & Douglas of Sky Larkin traveled to from their home in Leeds, UK to Seattle, Wa to see what it would sound like to have John Goodmanson produce their debut album The Golden Spike (out now on Wichita Recordings). I’d say they were awfully successful. The results are a beautifully executed & mixed collection of distorted pop songs that are neither pretentious or dumbed down. Strong, steady guitars and room filling drum sounds hold the foundation while allowing Katie’s vocals to soar over the rest.

Last month, they released the Antibodies cassette single with download. When ordering you select the cover you’d like (there’s one for each member) and on Side B there is personalized bonus material including something called “Real Attempts at Internet Dating”.

This may go without saying but, if they tour the US again sometime soon, I’ll be there.

“We need bodies and we need words to replace the lines repeated, steps retraced. I’ll take office if that’s enough and order my city to swallow yours up. We’re antibodies living off sentiment stretched over sediment and soil. Throw it overarm, throw it. We’re not gonna forfeit the summer for sake of others and lines repeated, steps retraced.”