RED BULL HARTLINES 2016 FOLLOW UP

Here are some follow up vids from this past weekends Red Bull Hartlines 2016!

November Favorites!

November to me just screams BLACK FRIDAY, so as soon as it started, and I started my job at H&M again, I started to prepare for that nightmare instantly. 

BEAUTY

Red Eyeshadow

Something about red eyeshadow looks just screams, "idgaf about your natural beauty standards, I'm a boss bitch," so obviously, I'm into it. I did a red eye like the one above, for Thanksgiving dinner at my mom's house, but of course was too concerned about stuffing my face with home cooked Puerto Rican food, that I didn't get any pictures unfortunately.... But it's not something that I won't be doing again, so I'll get a picture eventually.

FASHION

Corset / Underbust

I've been wearing my corset a lot more recently, and falling more in love with it every time I put it on. Hand in hand with this part of my favorites, goes body con dresses and skirts. I've never really liked wearing dressing and skirts that hugged my whole body because I don't have a lot of shape in my mid section, but with my corset, it's literally all I want to wear ever. 

MUSIC

BANKS

I've been really into Pandora recently, and my girlfriend put me onto Marian Hill, and their radio station on Pandora because that's what she usually has playing when she gets ready for the day, and I loved everything I heard, so of course, I added it to my Pandora, and a bunch of music by Banks came up! I've listened to her a bit before, but never was committed or added any of her music to my playlists on Spotify. I. AM. SO. ADDICTED. NOW. THOUGH. I can't express enough how perfect she is. My favorite songs would have to be Better, Brain, and Bedroom Wall. I'm hooked.

INSTAGRAM

@BRETMANROCK

Where do I even start..... The first video of Bretman's that I saw was his HOW TO CONTOUR VIDEO . I remember being in tears watching it, because it was seriously, the funniest shit I'd ever seen. Bretman is hilarous, adorable, and can beat a mug for DAYYYYYYYYS. What a queen.

XO
MELANIE

REVIEW: Lemix J. Buckley's "Forgive Yourself" EP

    So I know I keep reviewing really twinkly emo/post rock stuff, and I promise I'll get to some heavier stuff soon, but local dudes keep hitting me with these incredible releases and I'd be really fucking shitty for not showing them to you! Not too long ago I showed you guys the single "Hauntings" by Lemix J. Buckley, and now I get to show you "Forgive Yourself" and finish what's been started :)

Cred: Marlene Lacasse

   It's a short lil' fella, with only 4 tracks, but it friggin' hits you. You go from the poppy, yet noodly, yet somber single to open with. Vocals chime in repeatedly "Does anybody have a gun? Won't you clean up when I'm done?". Heavy shit. Definitely a darker themed set of songs, despite the glassy twinkly finish. It's beautiful, though. Josh(Gill) and Gage(Welch) compliment eachother well with the sings and the strings. Then we check into "Bluff" which sort of sticks to the theme of "Hauntings", but seems to get even darker, as it seems to be telling a story from a convicted killer's vantage point- "Smiling in my concrete room//Remembering how I dismembered you ". Gorgeous guitar work and brilliant pacing by the drummer, Mr. Alex Bazzi, who's love for Zach Hill shows in this one. Kudos to Bradley(Lockheart) for holding it down on bass with such an animal on the skins. ;)

   Next we hit a spacier sounding "The Advocate", which really is a change of pace with a waltzy-er pace to go with the echo-ing guitars. It slowly builds in to a much more driving sound and pounds away till the end. Most excellent. But they saved the best for last. "Complex Up" really just shows off everything you'd love about these guys. Kicks off with a really bright, dance-y riff and verse that leads to this glorious chorus bit that just makes you wanna touch yerself. The VERY BEST PART, however is the incredible, building climax of and ending. Josh starts screaming in-between croons, and it all just ends in the right place, with Josh Screaming "I'm fucking sorry". Juicy, twinkly, emotive songs from an incredible Metro Det. area band. Check it below:

SEE? I fucking love these songs. Go download this shit. Listen to it repetitively and check these guys out live, they post shows on facebook!

In the meantime, I need to figure out why my poop is neon green!

See ya next week <3

-XOXO TOPH

 

PS- MAY THE FOURTH BE WITH YOU!

Uerige _ Doppel Sticke altbier

According to this German dick I encountered a few days ago, this isn't an altbier. I rolled my eyes like a turd but really, it's more of an imperial altbier. With a higher abv at 8.5%, it's compared more to a barley wine style. It has a nice medium body and sticky. Definitely a sipper. Spicy notes, dark fruits. A little sweet and a little boozy. Overall it's a great German beer, even if it's not technically true to the style it presents itself as. That flip top lid bottle is awesome too. I'm looking at you, home brewers. Cheers!

My score: 93

Rate Beer: 98

Beer Advocate: 92

Pastel Princesses

So as some may know, I work at an H&M here in Raleigh. As a very trendy store, lots of trendy people come through, so of course, I get to see every current trend that I've been scrolling through Instagram looking at, come to life in my store, which is pretty cool. One I've noticed for quite awhile now, that doesn't seem to go away, is all of the Pastel Princesses I've seen come through! So many adorable pastel heads of hair come through the store, and I drool in envy. My best friend and roommate are both Pastel QUEENS! Lacy usually floats somewhere between lavender, and silver purple; and Summer is either lavender, or platinum white blonde.

Because of how dark my hair naturally is, and how much dye and crap I have on my hair from past styles and colors I've done, it will be nearly impossible to have a mane of beautiful pastel hair! So, for now I can just admire from afar, and from my laptop screen as I scroll through Pinterest. My hair board on Pinterest is an overload of styles and colors, but here are a few of my favorite Pastel Princesses! 

One of the most inspirational women I've been following on the internet for the past few years, is a Pastel Princesses, and her name is Angelina or ALB (Instagram/YouTube/Tumblr: Albinwonderland.) Angelina has had pink hair since she was 14 years old, and has been bright pink, and pastel for years!

She's the most empowering woman I've ever seen in my life, because she definitely preaches personal style, and individuality, which is something everyone could use in their lives. I watched a video of her's that really opened up my eyes, and helped me on my personal guide to self love and acceptance! Angelina was also probably the first lady who opened my eyes to feminism, and thank goodness for that. As cliche, and lame as it sounds,  I don't think I'd be as confident today had I not watched her inspirational and helpful videos.

I honestly don't see this trend dying any time soon, and I am not complaining about that one bit, because I love all of the little Pastel Princesses I see everyday. Keep on keepin' on you Princess Mermaids, I live for you!!

Melanie XO

Sierra Nevada - Bigfoot Barley Wine Ale

It's not wine, ya dingus. It's beer. You haven't been paying attention. Nicely hopped, nicely malted and certainly a bold, boozy-sweetness. This multi-gold medal winner weighs in at a hefty 9.6% and you can taste it too. Shit warms the blood. Sick of shoveling already? Here's your reward. Don't live in areas that get snow? May you choke on this heavenly nectar. Centennial, Cascade & Chinook are pumped into this bitter beast matched with tons of 2 row barley and english caramel malts. It's just a big beer, okay? Hey, get drunk real fast thanks to my this thing here. Basically, you're welcome and go drink this beer already. Cheers!

BONUS!! Watch it ferment!

My Score: 93

Beer Advocate: 93

Rate Beer: 99

Kuhnhenn - Dripa

The ever elusive Dripa. Once found all around Michigan at all times has now been brought down to, maybe they have it, maybe they don't. Even it's consistency is inconsistent. Yet, it remains one of the best IPA's I've ever had. Double Rice IPA. Someone once argued with me that rice doesn't belong in beer. That it's left for the Bud's and the Miller's to fuck up beer that way. I farted in that persons general direction. Rice does belong in beer. The gold medals they have won for this beer proves it. Rice allows the character of the hop to walk right up to your lips and punch your tongues face. Finishes so clean without any hop residue. Insanely easy to drink, which may pose a problem since it's 9.5%abv. I think the worst part about this beer is that it's rarely bottled and absolutely never distributed. You can usually find it on draft either at a bar or at the brewery itself, though. Thankfully growlers of the stuff as long as they have it. So, if you haven't already, go visit Kuhnhenn. They also own a bed and breakfast across the street should you get blitzed. Don't for get to order some amazing Vincenzo's pizza while you're there! Cheers!

My Score: 100

Rate Beer: 98

Beer Advocate: 98

Flying Monkeys The Chocolate Manifesto

Chocolate lovers rejoice. I have found for you, the most chocolatey beer around. It may be like drinking boozy chocolate milk. Or a million melted tootsie rolls. With booze in them. Flying Monkey brewery's The Chocolate Manifesto is your Wonka beer. It's huge in everything from a 10%abv, to flavor, and mouth feel. The lactose sugars make this one a milk stout and it is ever so creamy. Roasty, sweet, cocoa, caramel. It's dessert in a glass. The packing is as eye catching as it can be, too. So you're sure not to miss this on the shelves. Try playing around with some hard ciders and making snakebites with this one. I've had this beer mixed with McKenzie's Pumpkin Cider and it was pretty damn good. Had Halloween written all over it. Pair this with an insulin shot. Cheers!

My Score: 89

Rate Beer: 98

Beer Advocate: 93

Beers 101

It's not that I'm upset. I'm just disappointed. I often am told, "I like stouts but not ales...". Well guess what fancy pants, a stout is an ale. So is that fruity beer your bff Jill likes to smash so when her boobs come out she can 'blame it on the a-a-a-a-a-alcohol'. To hopefully alleviate some of this confusion, I am going to give you the quick lowdown.

There are two types of beer: ales and lagers. Ales are any type of beer that is brewed at higher temperatures (60-75°F). It's the higher temp that allows the specific type of yeast to ferment and quicker than lager yeast. Lagers are brewed at lower temps (around 34°F) and then further stored in cooler temperatures to mature. Lager is a German word meaning "to store". Aside from obvious labeling, a lager will almost always announce itself with lighter, more crisp flavors. Almost always hay/straw in color. Pilsners, marzens and bocks are all prime examples of a lager. There's really not much more to lagers so that leaves just about everything else as an ale. Only a few random styles make an appearance in a 'hybrid' category.

So there you go. Next time your butthole friend says "Fuck IPA's! Give me a real ale!", you can tell him to go suck a randall. An IPA is an ale. CHEERS!

New Belgium Lips of Faith - Le Terroir

I always want to talk about sour beers every chance I get. I love them. So if you're new to the craft game you've no doubt heard of Fat Tire. It is literally everywhere. Upon tasting your first Fat Tire, you may or may not guess that this brewery has an insane number of tricks up their sleeve. New Belgium's Lips of Faith series has an incredible roster of amazing brews, including some of the best sour, barrel-aged beers I've ever had. One of my favorite beers ever being Le Terroir. This wild ale has a light crisp, easy drinking body but is nicely dry hopped with Amarillo hops for a peachy finish and a touch of Citrus because it's an amazing hop. Having a champagne-like essence this beer is fine on it's own or paired with tons of meats and cheeses. Of course, it wouldn't be surprising that New Belgium's sour program was so good if you had known their head brewer was from a brewery called Rodenbach. If you're familiar with what they do, it all just makes sense. This beer is released once a year and it just came out so go wherever finer beers are sold and just buy up as much as you can. Cheers!

My Score: 100

Rate Beer: 100

Beer Advocate: 96

Founders Mosaic Promise

Mosaic Promise is a simple beer. But that's not to say that it is simple in flavor. From just one hop and one malt (golden promise), this beer delivers some great flavors. Light-medium body. Super easy drinking IPA. Mosaic hops are a hybrid style that blends the citrus hop with the simcoe hop. It's one of my favorite styles and flavors and the fact this beer isn't over slammed with different malts, it really does show off the hops profile. Everything keeps simple with a 5.5%abv and bitterness right down the middle at 50 IBU. This is a one off brew, which is pretty common for Founders and other micro breweries, so cram it down your face hole as much as possible. This beer though, should have come out two months ago. Would have made a great mowing the lawn beer. Cheers!

My Score: 95

Rate Beer: 97

Beer Advocate: 90