Taylor's music video style

If I come back in another life, I'd like to come back as Taylor Swift. Even if it was only for a day and I was limited to the wardrobe from just one of her music videos, I'd still want to be Taylor. 

It's only been in the past few months - actually since Blank Space premiered last fall - that I've had this resounding appreciation and admiration for the global superstar.

I was one of those "Taylor haters" for awhile, I know, I know - shame on me. Honestly, I thought she was a bit of a nut/crazy lady with all of her dating escapades and seemingly emotional roller coaster ride of a life.  And then she came out with Blank Space and shut me up. She produced the most beautiful music video (trumping any fashion week I've ever seen) and the song was about all of the stereotypes people like me had about her and it was fabulous - utter genius.

In the past few months, I have gone back and listened to most of her earlier songs, I will even put on her past concerts that have been shared on YouTube to listen to when I'm at work. I feel like she empowers, literally changes the world, when she produces her music. I listen to her lyrics and it makes me want to write music. I'd love to be able to capture my experiences and emotions with the verbal, artistic expertise that she masters time and time again. She truly has a gift.

Taylor acknowledges the fantasies and day dreams; the aches and pains; the embarrassing moments and the every day joys. She connects with her fans unlike most other performers because her music empathizes with listeners; she lets us know it's okay to experience emotions. And with that, Taylor's songs professes an understanding/appreciation that every moment of life exists for a reason, whether a breakup, makeup or total daydream, she encourages us to see life as an opportunity where we treasure heartfelt memories or recognize that new beginnings build stronger, better tomorrows. 

I mean really, whoever knew a break-up with Harry Styles could prompt so much happily ever after?!

Since I am a style blogger - I felt like it was only fitting to select some of the most dynamic looks she has sported in her 1989 music videos, including Wildest Dreams which was just released Sunday. 

It's totally fabulous. I have some of my favorite outfits from both Wildest Dreams and Blank Space below. Feel free to watch the music videos as well :) 

Oh and just so you know - I am actually seeing her perform in Columbus this months (eek!) and I literally can't wait. 

Follow Twirling Clare: Facebook//Instagram//Pinterest//Tumblr//Twitter

Mina Tindle

This spring a friend of mine played a dynamic album, a combination of soul, pop & folk, from French artist Mina Tindle. While it took me a couple of months to finally create this post, I knew right away that I wanted to share her music on the blog! 

Mina Tindle was born in Paris and has spent her career pursuing her musical passion and solo career. Gifted as a singer, songwriter and instrumentalist, she has produced two albums, her debut album Taranta in 2012 and then Parades in 2014. 

Frequent collaborations with The National and French pop and new-wave group The Innocents have helped to further elevate her musical clout. She primarily performs in France, but did come to Cincinnati in March for an act during the MusicNOW festival. 

I love her playful, yet sophisticated sound - and I hope you do as well!

See a collection of some of her song/videos below (a mix of both French & English pieces). 

(via)

Follow Twirling Clare: Facebook//Instagram//Pinterest//Tumblr//Twitter

bette davis eyes

(1) (2) (3) 

Follow Twirling Clare: Facebook//Instagram//Pinterest//Tumblr//Twitter

First Aid Kit

The Swedish folk duo is one of my new favorite sounds for spring. When I was visiting my friend Maddie a few weeks ago in Connecticut, she played some of their music and I totally loved their echoey ballads. I had heard "Silver Linings" on the radio before - they're not 'mainstream' yet, so I think it must have been the Spectrum on Sirius that played their tunes - and I recall really digging it.
A couple of their more popular songs (aka the ones with music videos on YouTube) are below for you to enjoy!
My other latest music obsession is One Direction (I know random. Since they went from five to four,  the other week, I have become totally into the guys & their music), that admitted, I think First Aid fits the bill better for Twirling Clare inspirations!
Who know, maybe some day down the line I'll throw in a few boy band lyrics & my hair doppleganger Harry Styles :) In the meantime, enjoy the songs - and have a great day, toodles!

Follow Twirling Clare: Facebook//Instagram//Pinterest//Tumblr//Twitter

keira knightly

A little music from Keira Knightly today. Keira took on her first major singing role in summer flick, Begin Again. In the past few years, Keira has played the leading lady in a lot of period classics like Pride & Prejudice, The Duchess, Atonement, and Anna Karenina. When she is not in some fabulous 19th century-esqe costume, she gets to play Mademoiselle Coco. 

As both the face of Chanel's perfume house and the star of a short film on the designer herself (when Gabrielle Bonheur Chanel entered the fashion world in the hat business), Keira has made an impression on both the film and fashion industries. 

For Begin Again, Keira takes on a new role, one that comes right out of the pages of 2014. A budding musician in this summer's rom-com, it's definitely a change from the some of her most recent flicks. I have yet to see the film, but came across some of her songs from the soundtrack and liked the sweet tune - Coming Up Roses is my favorite. 

(via)

Lost Stars

Tell Me If You Wanna Go Home

Like A Fool

Coming Up Roses

Follow Twirling Clare: Facebook//Instagram//Pinterest//Tumblr//Twitter

The Dreamer & Other Essays : Morgan Treni

A wonderful friend and acquaintance of mine from college just made her first album debut! 

Morgan was an English major, with a concentration in non-fiction writing. On a couple of occasions we had class together and I always treasured her presence in the classroom and around campus.

Morgan lived on the floor below me one year and occasionally I would pop into her room for help with a paper or material we were reviewing in class. Visiting her room was an escape to another world. Empty mugs with tea bags lined the desks, tapestries covered the walls, a few plants decorated the windowsill, there was a slight musky-incense odor, and Morgan was usually entertaining someone on the guitar. Everything about Morgan was like that. A perfectly whimsical glimpse into a life that seemed vintage, carefree, avant-garde, and truly inspirational. There was a rich bohemian sense about her, a charming spirit with an old soul humming around campus always wearing a scarf, sporting a disheveled up-do with glasses absentmindedly tucked away, and carrying more books in her arms than in her knapsack. She'd walk with a little spring in her step - and when Morgan was in a good mood, everyone was in a good mood. 

There was a brief period where she just couldn't think to attend class when it was rainy. She made me chuckle, but also appreciate the reasoning. Why embark upon a day that is not cheerful or inspiring? If Morgan didn't make it to class - we'd know Mother Nature having an off-day. 

After a couple weeks of spring in central Ohio, you learn sooner rather than later that it's better to start finding inspiration in the rain - or you'd be out of luck :)

Morgan has a way with words and language unlike anyone I have ever met. 

When I graduated she was immersed in the food and drink industry, helping a local Delaware, Ohio brewery get on its feet. When you'd ask her about work - it was incredible. You would have thought the hops were characters in a story. Each one was different...some exaggerated, some more subtle, some subject to entirely different tastes and flavors when paired with certain foods. Welcome to the early days of the craft beer craze. Even though I wasn't a fan of beer, after talking to Morgan you couldn't help but completely regret all of your Barefoot Wine nights!

Did I envision that Morgan would be behind a microphone singing her way to success? Not exactly. I knew her father was a musician and she was musically inclined, but two years ago that didn't pop on my "where in the world would Morgan be" radar. However, I am really not surprised in the slightest. Morgan is one of those people that I could never be surprised by, maybe because she is so surprising? She is full of creative energy and passions that bring beauty and art to the world, in all different forms.

So, why not add music to the mix?

My words cannot even begin to do justice to this creative spirit, but I hope they can give you a little snapshot of this incredible artist. 

Morgan's album, the dreamer and other essays debuted just a couple weeks ago and is available on cdbaby. Her album is described as a "fusion of folk, indie-pop, and jazz" influences. Listen to a preview of the album HERE.

Enjoy!! 

Morgan Treni: Musical Essays

Sound Cloud: Morgan Treni

Meet the Band, The Columbus Dispatch

Follow Twirling Clare: Facebook//Instagram//Pinterest//Tumblr//Twitter

Summer groovin' playlist

The perfect way to start the weekend - a new playlist! It's quite a diverse collection of jams, with both old favorites and new hits. I love this picture and wanted to create the background music for this season. So, here's an attempt at keeping these women, and you, groovin' all night long.

Enjoy!

(via)

Wake Me Down Under - Avicii, Aloe Black & Men At Work remix

Rude - Magic
Love Never Felt So Good - Michael Jackson & Justin Timberlake
Love On Top - Beyonce

Sexual Healing - Marvin Gaye (Kygo remix)

Jackie Wilson Said - Van Morrison
Sounds of Sunshine - Michael Franti & Spearhead
Hey Mama - Mat Kearney

It's Alright With Me - Matt & Kim

Ride - Timeflies
Forever - Haim
Girls Chase Boys - Ingrid Michaelson
Rather Be - Clean Bandit
One Minute More - Capital Cities
Best Of My Love - The Emotions
Can't Take My Eyes Off You - Frankie Valli
Classic - MKTO

Backseat Lover - Mayer Hawthorne
I Don't Want To Live On Mars - Ziggy Marly
Boys of Summer - Don Henley
Beat of the Music - Brett Eldredge
All Night Long - Lionel Richie

Follow Twirling Clare: Facebook//Instagram//Pinterest//Tumblr//Twitter

Playing For Change

One of the coolest projects I have seen in awhile. Sara Bareilles is partnering with musicians around the world to record some of our favorite songs. Sara Bareilles is known for her recent hit, Brave, and one of my favorites, King of Anything. She has a quirky and clever, style but more than that, her songs are empowering.
I love that Bareilles is taking her message beyond the lyrics, and adapting her songs in a way to make the world a better place. Her upcoming album will feature 185 musicians from 31 countries. The project puts together the sounds of all the artists to recreate music, a global language. The goal: to unite people across all cultures.
The song below was premiered exclusively on Elle this week. Marvin Gaye is one of my favorite artists and I especially like What's Going On. This is a fantastic rendition - a beautiful collaboration.
If you are interested in learning more about the cause, you can explore the entire YouTube site and see other previews of the Playing For Change initiative.
The album, Playing for a Change 3: Songs Around the World will be out June 17.
Toodles!

Follow Twirling Clare: Facebook//Instagram//Pinterest//Tumblr//Twitter

summer in the 60s

Happy Friday!

I came across this image on one of my favorite street style blogs, The Sartorialist. I love this splashy dress in a vintage cut and the petite kitten heel slingbacks are such a divine addition. Makes quick get-a-ways that much easier!

Turning the tables back to the 1960s today with this image and one of my favorite songs that pops up on my Vintage Cocktail Party playlist - because everyone needs to have one :)

Enjoy your weekends, toodles!

(via The Sartorialist)

Follow Twirling Clare: Facebook//Instagram//Pinterest//Tumblr//Twitter

classy girls

For all of the classy girls! 

One of my most favorite songs - the BEST lyrics ever. 

(via)

"Classy Girls"

Well she was standing in a bar

I said, 'Hello, how do you do?'

She handed me a beer with a kangaroo

She spoke of places I had never been

That she had traveled to

And we slowed danced, faster too

And I made her laugh, I made a pass

I showed her my half dollar ring

She said, 'that's pretty cool,

but classy girls don't kiss in bars your fool'

So later on the crowd calmed down

And I believe it was as if something drew me closer to her lips

So picture my surprise when I had tried to lean in for a kiss

And she just smiled and turned her head down

I asked her 'Why?' and she replied

It was nothing I was doing wrong, it's just what it is.

No, classy girls don't kiss in bars like this

No classy girls don't kiss in bars

Boys will break their backs and hearts

 But it's alright, the hardest part is through. 

Oh through!

Oh through!

Oh through

The hardest part is through. 

Follow Twirling Clare: Facebook//Instagram//Pinterest//Tumblr//Twitter

moonwalk

This Sunday is the Flying Pig Marathon in Cincinnati. Although I am not running in the marathon, it's a city-wide event! Kudos to all the athletic superstars who are racing this weekend. I admire your determination and training over the past few months; wish I had that dedication! I am signing up to train for a summer 4 mile race in Hyde Park. I am training with a group and that starts next week. I know it's nowhere near a marathon ranking - but hey, you gotta start somewhere, right? 

One of my favorite things that I came across this week was this video documenting the origins of the moonwalk. Yep, long before MJ was even born, people were strutting their stuff.
For those that aren't running this week, maybe you can join me in a little moonwalk dance-off! I think dancing is the best exercise; honestly, I'd pick this ANY day over running.
I may or may not be practicing the moonwalk as I get ready for bed...
Enjoy your weekend everyone, toodles!

(via)

(via Mashable)

Follow Twirling Clare: Facebook//Instagram//Pinterest//Tumblr//Twitter

American Cool

The National Portrait Gallery is hosting an exhibit titled American Cool. 

The exhibit explores the "coolest" figures of generations past. But what exactly does cool mean? It's a seemingly unique trait and supreme compliment that carries a global fascination. People obsess over the mysterious and inexplicable phenomenon - some going as far to spend their lives trying to emulate and  capture the cool factor - the essence bestowed among the esteemed and elite.
This exhibit looks at the American concept and features those who have contributed to an artistic vision of the American culture movement. The movements might have changed throughout the years, Walt Whitman to Kurt Cobain; Billie Holiday to Tony Hawk, but each are/were significantly revered for their special something.
Take a look at some of the creme de la creme - the coolest people and their featured portrait. 

Elvis Presley

Frank Sinatra

James Dean

Miles Davis

Walt Whitman

Billie Holiday

Jean-Michel Basquiat

Deborah Harry

Joan Didion

Lauren Bacall

Madonna

Marlon Brando

Steve McQueen

Tony Hawk

Kurt Cobain

Audrey Hepburn

Jimi Hendrix

via Slate, The Daily Beast, The Washington Post

Follow Twirling Clare: Facebook//Instagram//Pinterest//Tumblr//Twitter