Saturday, December 13, 2008

Ernie Proclaims His Love For Bert

David shared this with me and now I am sharing with you all. Enjoy.
Buying local and handmade is so cool! Check out a video from my friend Eva's Stuck in Vermont vlog this week. Stuck in Vermont is a 100% homegrown Vermont vlog about art, music, obsessions and outsiders, brought to you by Seven Days, Vermont's alternative newsweekly. Last Sunday she covered The Bobbin Sew Bar and Craft Lounge's "Buy Handmade + Local First" holiday party! Several of my crafty friends are in the video including Urban Farm Girl. I'm so lucky to be a part of this great community!

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

More Smittens Press!

Hi All!
The Smittens are very excited because we just found out that Pop Matters included us in their ten top for The Best Indie Pop of 2008!

Here is what they said:
References to flowers, kisses, and summertime abound in their songs, and the Smittens seem like the band most likely to break into a group singalong at any moment. That means they’ll get dismissed by some as too cute, which is a shame, and not just because haters would miss out on fantastic melodies. Their music is more than just happy-go-lucky. It has more to it than just fun (though fun it is). On The Coolest Thing About Love, that happy/cute side of the band seems mostly an idealistic dream of what love can be, one that in real life is felt in passing moments but still worth striving for. Love is complicated by distance, personal failures, and the passing of time. But when everything clicks right, it generates excitement, peace and contentment. The Smittens capture all of that in suitable song forms—classic pop anthems, impromptu doo-wop ballads, the melancholy strumming of a guitar.

Saturday, December 06, 2008

Burlington Free Press Review

Vermont's Burlington Free Press did an end of year review of local artist albums in Thursday's Weekend Section. Here is what they said about our latest album "The Coolest Thing About Love":
The Smittens — The Coolest Thing About Love — This is the most well-rounded album by one of Burlington’s best-loved bands. There’s still plenty of jangly, happy twee-pop that the quintet has patented, but tunes like “11:11” (which inspired the album’s title) and “All the Love In the World” — both sung by Dana Kaplan — temper that giddiness with a more downcast sense of reflection. That adds depth to the optimism these guys wear like hearts on the sleeves of their cozy sweaters.
For the review online go here.
Today I woke up early and went to The Possibility Shop. For those not in the know this is a church thrift shop I've been going to since I was 14 years old in my town. I've found some pretty amazing items over the years for super cheap. Well today I went on a mission for Christmas tree decorations, specially Christmas tree balls and other fun ornaments. I found some different colored balls but none were super special however with a price tag of ten cents each I couldn't pass up getting a bunch. I also purchased some garland and Christmas cards. On a non holiday note I picked up the vintage book and napkins below and picture frame as well.




Later my friend Ginevra and I went to Battery Street Jeans Consignment shop and then Recycle North's Household Goods Thrift Store. I didn't purchase anything at Battery Street Jeans but did end up getting old Holiday cookie cutters and a stocking at Recycle North for 60 cents.