Sunday, December 26, 2010

Happy Holidays






Hi All!
Hope you all have had a great holiday! David and I went to MA to spend Christmas with family. One highlight spending time with our new nephew Nicholas or for short Nico. He is the cutest! As per usual David spoiled me with some very thoughtful gifts including a vintage fox fur jacket. Can't wait to wear it with my New Years eve outfit! We are driving home as I type this update and I'm looking forward to being home soon. I missed our cat so much even though it was only two nights. Have a great week all!
Xoxo, Littlest
P.S. Pictures not in order. Isn't David cute with our nephew Nico!

Monday, December 13, 2010

Nicholas James Luker


Hello All!
This weekend David and I had the great pleasure of meeting our new nephew born 12-9-10, Nicholas James Luker. He is the most precious little pea. I'm so excited and proud of parents Jay and Jennifer (David's sister). I can't wait to see him again and the rest of the family in a couple of weeks for Christmas. xoxo, Littlest

Friday, December 10, 2010

Getting Off The Ground: Dance-Art-In-Progress


Just wanted to let you all know about two work-in-progress showing this coming week at the Firehouse Center for the Visual Arts. Lida Winfield is a long time friend and fellow dancer that I have had the pleasure of working with. She is a skilled performer and very talented. If you are in the area or can travel to this show I strongly recommend attending as I know it will be great.

Two shows: One on December 16th and one on December 18th both at 7pm. Dance Artists Lida Winfield and Ellen Smith Ahern are collaborating – come celebrate and be a part of their new work! They will perform an hour-long duet composed of both improvised and set material. Generated from images of moving water, hawks, deer, and people in the map of an imaginary landscape, the duet is full of humor, awkward grace, aggression and tenderness.
Following the performance, please join us for a reception and introduction to their 2011 project, Getting off the Ground, which involves making and sharing work, teaching, and fund raising for sustainable artistry.
$10 Suggested Donation

You can read about their work and other dancers in Vermont in the 12-1-10 issue of Seven Days this month. Also if you are on facebook check out the event here.
xo, Littlest

Wednesday, December 08, 2010

James D. Kelly




I am in love with this series of photos by James D. Kelly. See the rest here. Also how awesome would this dress be for New Year's Eve?

Wednesday, December 01, 2010

Everyone Can Dance!

This is a picture of Erinn I took this weekend at the Women's Festival of Crafts
My friend Erinn Simon has a great post here. Check out her piece on the local news! Yeah Urban Farm Girl!
In other news check out this week's Seven Days article on dance in Vermont. It's got me super pumped to start dancing and performing dance again. As the well as see some great up coming shows. I have tickets to Big APE:"Everyone Can Dance" . Some of my friends are in the show and I can't wait to check it out. If you are local I strongly recommend going to the show and getting tickets as soon as possible.

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Thankful


Hi all!
Hope you had a great Thanksgiving. I know I've been quiet with the post updates but sometimes life just gets busy and there is not much time for such things. Today it snowed. The first real snow of the season and I couldn't be happier! I'm looking forward to taking it easy and spending more time at home over the winter months working on personal projects and being crafty! We had a great Thanksgiving with friends and family and I'm looking forward to seeing more family over the holidays. Not to mention meeting my new niece or nephew (it's a going to be a surprise) in the next week or two! I started holiday shopping today and got some great gifts! Local and handmade rule! Oh and I also got earlier this week an early Christmas present....yes my very first iPhone! I've never had internets on my phone before! Watch out world! This hipstamatic feature on the iPhone is addicting. See self portrait. If all goes well with some projects I have planned be sure to see more posts more frequently regarding said secret projects....secret for now. Love, Littlest

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Erinn Simon


Our lovely and talented friend Erinn is on this week's Stuck in Vermont vlog. Seven Days says it best: 10/16/10: Whether she is crocheting colorful creatures as an Urban Farmgirl or serving up healthy veggies as the Burlington Children's Space "Lunch Lady," Erinn Simon - mother of two with a third on the way - rarely has spare time on her hands.
Check out the video here: http://7d.blogs.com/stuckinvt/2010/11/erinn-simon-199.html

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Paper Anniversary


It's our one year anniversary today! What a year it has been. I couldn't be happier. Tonight we celebrate dinner at The Inn at Shelburne Farms. Can't wait to walk the beautiful grounds and have a great meal.
xoxo, Holly

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

My Town


The lovely home and design site Design Sponge has done another Burlington, VT guide post. I live here and love it. Check out the post here.
Illustration by Julia Rothman

Monday, August 16, 2010

Back From Tour and Local Show Sunday!






Hey all!
We are back from our tour adventures! There are no words to express what a great time we had and how generous and amazing the people we had the pleasure of working with were. We played several shows in German for the first time and it was amazing! Oh and to bike around Paris-what a treat! We love and miss Allo Darlin'. Touring with them rocked our world. Words can't say enough so here are some pictures of tour-more to come!
This Sunday night we rock our own local venue The Monkey House in Winooski, VT with a Welcome Home Smittens CD Release Party with our friends The Poison Control Center. We can not wait to rock out in our own state this weekend! See you there! xoxo

Thursday, July 22, 2010

London Bells Are Ringing



Great show in London last night at The Luminaire with Antarctica Takes It and Allo Darlin'. It was a sold out show and the energy was fantastic with the audience. Afterwards we went to our dear friend Camila's place and hung out before heading to sleep. She is a great host as usual. Today we head to Sheffield for our next show! Cheers luvs!

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Smittens on Tour


Hi all!
Just wrapping up our second day of tour. I'm finally feeling like my cold is going away and my jet-lag. Glasgow, Scotland was so fun the first night despite my tiredness. Seeing our friends abroad and our friends who are touring as well from NYC was great. Tonight we played in Birmingham, England and tomorrow we head to London. Check out our tour schedule here. Ok off to bed. Check our Smittens blog for more updates too.

Friday, July 16, 2010

The Smittens Cover Story in Seven Days


I meant to post this Wednesday but here it is now. Our cover story in Seven Days VT came out on Wednesday. If your local pick up a physical copy. If not here is the story online, http://www.7dvt.com/2010smittens . Thanks Dan Bolles for writing such a good article. We were very excited! Also our talented friend Ted Olson did the cover for this issue as well as the art direction for our newest album, Dancing Shoes: The Smittens Remixed. The picture to the left is a copy of the paper's physical cover.
Next time I update The Smittens will be all together on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean touring for three weeks!

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

News from our band!


Hi All!
The Smittens are very excited to leave on our next international tour! We can't wait to see our friends and make new ones! Plus play music with so many cool musicians! For our tour dates check out the front page of the blog.
We are also excited to announce on July 19th London’s Oddbox records will release Dancing Shoes: The Smittens Remixed, which is an 8-song ep of Smittens songs re-imagined by 8 different awesome re-mixers! Check out the link! Also the lovely blog A Layer of Chips gave us this review. Check out another review on Side Ponytail. Yay!
Lastly there is a Smittens song – our cover of Tullycraft’s “Sweet” on the fourth coming Kept a Scrapbook: A Tribute to Tullycraft on Unchikun Records. Check out this amazing tribute to one of the best bands ever!
Keep posted tomorrow for another post! xo

Monday, May 24, 2010

NYC Popfest-Two Smittens Videos

I know it's been a while since I updated. Life just flies by sometimes but I promise to start updating again more often. The Smittens had a great weekend playing at NYC Popfest. Saw friends from abroad and friends from NYC and friends from everywhere else. It was a fun time to say the least. Even witnessed Johnny Rotten get in a fight at he restaurant across the street from the club. That was hilarious to witness.
Here are some videos I found online from our show Friday at NYC Popfest.


NYC Popfest 2010: The Smittens perform Half My Heart Beats at Don Hill's from BlearyEyedBrooklyn.com on Vimeo.

Sunday, April 04, 2010

Happy Easter!


Happy Easter Everyone!
Hope you have a great holiday. Here is a picture of me from around Easter last year at my favorite vintage shop in town. They always bring out the big bunny every year and I couldn't resist a photo op. David and I are off to meet my mother and sister for brunch and later do dinner at my best friend's house. The sun is out and its warm. Yay!
xoxo, Holly

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Smittens show this Friday!

This Friday at Higher Ground in South Burlington!

FIRST FRIDAY
The Smittens (8-10pm)DJ Precious & DJ Llu (10pm-close)Showcase Lounge Friday, April 2nd
doors 7:30 show 8:00
ALL AGES $5 advance | $10 day of show

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Four Smittens shows this week!!!

Monday, March 22, 2010


Yes all five Smittens and four shows on the east coast! First off The Smittens are excited to return to the Rhythm & Brews Coffeehouse this Thursday- our last show there was on January 22nd, 2004, and prior to that was back in 2002 with My Favorite and the Alps! Come on out for a fun show and bring a mug for some free coffee, too!
Rhythm & Brews is a weekly coffee house that takes place every Thursday from 9:00-11:00 PM in the Fireplace Lounge of the Living/Learning (L/L) Center at the University of Vermont.(2nd Floor, Commons Building, one floor above the Marché)633 Main Street Burlington, VT 05405
Then we head to NYC Friday and our super psyched to play at Bruar Falls with our dear friends Knight School (ex Lil Hospital), Marisa Bestie (playing solo), and World Atlas for night of pop, dancing, and blueberry beer.
Show info: 8 p.m.- 12 a.m.$8 21+
On Saturday it is off to New Haven, CT where Tweefort presents The Smittens and The Wee Bees! Show info: ArtSpace Underground,ArtSpace New Haven, 50 Orange St. $5. 8-11 p.m. Drinks by 116 Crown.
We wrap it up on Sunday with an afternoon all ages show in Somerville Massachusetts. We are very excited to be playing Bloc 11 Cafe again. On the bill is Cotton Candy,Patrick Bryant performing SomervilleSpeakout and maybe some surprise guests! Show info: 4:00pm to 7pm at Bloc 11,11 Bow Street Somerville, MA 02143

We'll have our fresh new tote bags for sale. The big question is whether or not Colin will be sporting his beard for the weekend.... come see for yourself!

xo,
The band

Tuesday, March 09, 2010

And The Winner Is....









Us! This year we threw our Oscar party at Bluebird Tavern. I think it was the best one yet! Two of my friends came for the night from Massachusetts which made it even more special. It was a private event so we had the large blue room with the Oscars projected and then the bar area as well. I think 60 people came over the course of the evening. Our friends dressed up and everyone looked amazing. Here are just a few of the pictures taken on my camera. Thanks again Bluebird Tavern and thanks friends for making it a smashing success! xo, Holly p.s. I cut my bangs even more as you can see. Even better right?

Thursday, March 04, 2010

I did it again


Today in a moment of spontaneity I gave myself bangs. I seem to back and forth with bangs and no bangs. Usually I have some one else cut the initial bangs and then trim myself but I was feeling brave this time I guess. Last time I think I had them was two years ago maybe. I also had a bob then and my bangs were crooked and even shorter. Anyhow what do you think? Also here is a funny link speaking of bangs.

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Ladies Night

So Mary, Trena and I had a great ladies night. Got all fancied up and went to dinner at Trattoria Delia. Every part of our meal was amazing. The tiramisu was to die for. The wine was divine. Later we went to our friend's birthday dance party. That's were these pictures were taken. I wore my new BB Dakota skirt as you can see in the pics. The vest and pearl necklace were thrifted.







Saturday, February 20, 2010

The Smittens Interview at Baby Honey Blog


The Smittens were interviewed for Club Baby Honey blog.Check it out here or read below.

Hello Smittens! I'm interviewing you because your wonderful cover of the Just Joans 'What Do We Do Now' (from your seven inch split EP on Wee Pop!) made my Top 20 Songs of 2009 list. How does it feel to be in receipt of such an overwhelming accolade?

Well that was some great company to be in. And clearly we couldn't have done it without the genius song they wrote.

And how did that collaboration come about? Were you good friends with the Joans beforehand? Can we expect similar projects in the future? Maybe with Transmittens?

We wanted to cover one of their songs after we saw them play the first time in Glasgow. We were on the books to release a single on WeePOP records, and invited them to join us because we enjoy gimmicky symmetry and of course we wanted to hear what their cover of one of our songs would sound like, and, lucky for us, they were game. As far as future collaborations go, there's nothing currently on the books, but you never know.

Similarly, what are The Smittens favourite songs (or popshows or LPs) of 2009? You don't have to do twenty, I know that you're busy people.

The Littlest Smitten says her favorite pop show was seeing Gordon M. from Ballboy playing in the church at Indietracks.

The Charming Smitten says: The Middle Ones at London popfest, Suburban Kids in San Fran (the night after the SF popfest) or the POBPAH Valentines show in Burlington, VT.

The Greek one says: San Fransisco Popfest final Tullycraft show

The Lady Smitten says: I fell in love with Cats on Fire last summer at Cosy Den.

And the Dashing says: The Would-be-Goods at Twee as Fuck last February, Burning Hearts in Stockholm, Speedmarket Avenue at Indietracks, Just Joans at the Nottingham all-dayer in November. I've been addicted to all these bands' records this year.

Your performance at Indietracks last summer was one of the highlights of the year for us here at Baby Honey Towers. Any other favourite moments of 2009?

3 Smittens got married a week apart in 2009 (two of them to each other). It was really the year of doing everything we dared ourselves to do. Also finally touring Sweden--better known as the Magic Kingdom of Indiepop.

And what does 2010 hold for the band? New records? Are you coming back to the UK? Can we book you? We'll start stockpiling the Newcastle Brown.

Yes, yes, and yes please. Though Colin still hasn't gotten over the fact that they don't have Newcastle on tap in Newcastle. 2010 holds some time in the studio recording a new album, the release of our addition to the Tullycraft Covers compilation (put out by LA Tool & Die), the release of our latest album, The Coolest Thing About Love on vinyl, a cover of a Cars Can Be Blue song for the HHBTM 10 year anniversary compilation, and for sure, a UK and European Tour. We are also confirmed to play NYC popfest and Indietracks, and have been invited back to play Cosy Den as well.

How is Vermont? Is there much of an indiepop 'scene' going on in Burlington? Are you aware of the British band called Vermont? They were pretty good actually.

We love Vermont. As far as indie pop goes, we are currently sitting in a room with 80% of the indiepop people in this state (it would be 90% if Max was here). There is a big indie community here in Burlington, VT but it spans a variety of genres and media--artists, farmers, dancers, folk musicians, bakers, and more. It's an amazingly creative, conscious, and beautiful little place and we totally feed off that and hopefully give something back as well.

We're big fans of Wee Pop! and think that Camila is, like, totally rad, but can you tell her to stop making the packaging for the 3" CD-Rs so pretty? Sometimes it's heartbreaking to have to open them and spoil such beautiful design.

First off, Camila is the bees knees! You've seen her cd artwork; what you don't know is that she makes a mean veggie lasagna and is the best host in all of the UK! If you buy two of every release, you wouldn't have to worry about whether your only copy got ripped.

When I cack-handedly attempted to interview you and The Pocketbooks last time we met, you mentioned that you very much enjoyed discovering some particularly British delicacies such as Marmite and Newcastle Brown Ale. In the spirit of cultural exchange, are there any US or Vermont-based
foodstuffs us Brits should know about?

We have really good locally brewed beer here in VT. And great local cheese. and obviously there are those guys Ben and Jerry. You might want to check out spelt pretzels, fluffernutter sandwiches, half and half in your coffee, and when in New York, Dominican breakfasts of yellow rice, black beans, and eggs (with a side of fried sweet plantains). PS don't be fooled by the Canadians: Vermont maple syrup is the best. In fact, it's nearly sugaring season.

Tell us a secret.

We can be real bitches. If we're on stage and all wearing stripes, it's not actually a coincidence...

Do you have any tattoos?

Both Dana and David are inked in places we can't divulge.

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Our show with Mates of State


Last night we opened for Mates of State at Higher Ground. It was one of the best nights of 2010 so far. They were so good. Also they couldn't have been more pleasant to talk to and friendly. Thanks for having us on the bill!
xoxo, Holly

Monday, February 15, 2010

Mates of State Poster for Wednesday


Handsilk screen on old sheet music by talented Ted Olson. Each flyer is one of one. For Sale at the Mates of State show this Wednesday! We are so excited to open for them at 8pm sharp. Hope to see you there! xo, Littlest

Thursday, February 11, 2010

The Smittens Are For Lovers

We've got a Valentine's Day show Sunday night! As quoted from the Burlington Free Press today, "You know it’s Valentine’s Day when two bands on the bill are named The Smittens and Jenny Montana and the Love Club. Those acts will be joined by Burlington indie-pop queen Missy Bly at The Monkey House in Winooski."
Come on by and feel the love! Also don't forgot to come out Wednesday night for Mates of State at Higher Ground. We start the show at 8:00pm.
xoxo, Holly

Monday, February 01, 2010

We are Artist of the Month!

The Smittens are opening for Mates of State on February 17th at Higher Ground in South Burlington, VT. Higher Ground has just listed The Smittens as artist of the month. Check it out here or read below. I can't wait for this show. It's going to be so fun! Come out and support us and see a few great bands!
February 2010
The Smittens are a five-piece indiepop band from Burlington, Vermont and like to think of themselves as a DIY twee pop explosion. Dana Kaplan, Colin Clary, David Zacharis, Holly Chagnon, and Max Andrucki switch up instruments, song-writing, and singing to create brilliantly lyrical and hyper-catchy pop songs of all colors, shapes and sizes.
Catch The Smittens with Mates of State in the HG Showcase Lounge on February 17.
http://www.myspace.com/thesmittens

Monday, January 25, 2010

Exciting News for The Smittens!

Hi there!
I've been a sick girl for the past few days despite having a gig in the middle of it which by the way was super fun! Thanks Cave Bees and Wolff! Today I left work early as I'm still fighting a nasty sore throat and stuffed noise. I was feeling kind of down as one is want to do when your sick and can't get anything done or have any fun but then The Smittens got confirmation tonight that we are opening for Mates of State on February 17th at Higher Ground in South Burlington, VT! We are very excited and honored to open for one our favorite bands. So buy tickets now if you haven't! It's going to be a great night of music. Also on the bill is MT Bearington from New Haven, CT.
Cheers and love, Littlest

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Show this Saturday!

Hey all!
Hope you can make it to the The Monkey House this Saturday night for The Smittens, Wolff and Cave Bees. Dan Bolles music blog Solid State writes about it today here. Check it out! Also here is a video of Wolff. Enjoy!

Monday, January 18, 2010

Todays Outfit





Everything thrifted! Except the shoes they are from Old Navy last year.
xo, Littlest

Sunday, January 17, 2010

Date Night


Last night David and I had a date night. I wore my new BB Dakota navy blue skirt and UE pink tee shirt. Love them both! We went and saw three great local bands. Butterfly Star Power who's singer is only seven! Followed by our friend James's band James Kochalka Superstar and lastly on friend Missy Bly. It was great show and we were in bed before midnight!

 
Posted by Picasa

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

The Bobbin


Local shop The Bobbin Sew Craft and Lounge gets a write up in The Burlington Free Press. I'm so psyched for them. I love my state and the people in it.Read the article below or online here.

Three years ago The Bobbin Sew Bar and Craft Lounge was born in Burlington. Co-owners Rachel Hooper and Gyllian Rae Svensson, both of Burlington, host weekly classes in mending, knitting, block printing and have coined the term “eco-sew” with their Friday afternoon classes designed to educate the community on reusing materials.
“About 67 million tons of fabric hit the landfills every year,” Hooper said. “We live in this disposable culture where we don’t value quality materials and we don’t value the labor that goes into making our clothing.”
This surplus of materials is what brought them to create The Bobbin. All sustainable sewing and crafting classes include materials. “A lot of our materials are recycled,” Svensson said. “Basically, we are here to give people a place to build a skill and recycle. It’s empowering for everyone involved.”
Many people come in intimidated by the sewing machines, but Hooper and Svensson said they are always on hand to show people that sewing can be fun and accessible. After taking a sewing class, machines can be rented by the hour.
“For some, it’s hard to pull the sewing machine out and make space,” Hooper said. “Here we have all the space and material you need to sew and create.” They offer birthday parties for children and parties for adults, too. The space and the guidance of Hooper and Svensson can be booked for an evening, or people can stop by to do some mending. Svensson said The Bobbin is a green business.
“We’re bringing sock darning back,” Svensson said with a chuckle. “As Americans we are going to need to reach a place where we get back to basics.”
Hooper said, “We embrace the Depression-era ethics of mending. Remember ‘a stitch in time saves nine?’”
Along with alterations and custom design work, The Bobbin also has clothing for sale made by local designers. The arts and crafts that line the walls and myriad vintage materials are also for sale.
Last week the two women held a class in crochet, creating models of the shape of the universe — coral-like structures called “hyperbolic pseudospheres” by some scientists.
While holding a red and blue piece of crochet work, Hooper explained that it was a hyperbolic pseudosphere.
“It’s next-wave geometry. It’s about negative curvature,” she said. “See how it folds in on itself and crenulates. That’s because of the properties of hyperbolic space. Scientists are using models like this to figure out how big the universe is.”

Saturday, January 09, 2010


Hey All!
Well last night's show at The Monkey House was super fantastic. Thanks to all that came out.
Here is the latest review of "The Coolest Thing About Love". Click here to go to I Was A Teenage Ghost Cat's review or read below. xo, Littlest

Vermont's The Smittens have turned American twee into an art. They're as soft as Ohio's Bears and as polished as Tullycraft. Three part harmonies utilizing the holy trinity of twee singing: The cute girl, the nerdy guy, and the dopey baritone. The effect is quite fetching. They call themselves "bubblegum," not twee, but this is just semantics.

The Coolest Thing About Love is the kind of album that grows on you. The sound quality may actually be too hi-fi for its own good. Fortunately, the songs themselves are incredibly infectious. I find myself singing "The Interstate" and "Baby Don't You Know" more often than I care to admit.

When the world gets a little too sharp at the edges, it's good to have a record like this in one's arsenal to make it a little softer for awhile.

Thursday, January 07, 2010

EatingWell in 2010

The lovely local lady Eva Sollberger's latest Stuck in Vermont Vlog for this week is about EatingWell Media Group. The theme song for this weekly vlog is by us, The Smittens but in this particular vlog this week all the music is by us!

EatingWell Media Group are a national magazine, website, and cookbook publisher in Charlotte Vermont. This year they are releasing a new cookbook called EatingWell 500 Calorie Dinners which is soon to be featured on QVC.
Make good on your New Year's Resolutions and eat healthy and local in 2010!
Music: The Smittens, The Coolest Thing About Love, "Something Sassy"

Wednesday, January 06, 2010

Solid State Music Blog

Dan Bolles writes about our show this Friday with local act Swale on his music blog today called Solid State. Check out his post here.

Monday, January 04, 2010

Smittens Tote Bags!

Check out the new The Smittens tote bags! So cute! We'll have them at the show Friday at The Monkey House. If you can't make it to the show email us at band@smittens.com. Only five bucks!