New Video: Rihanna - Man Down

Rihanna: Man Down (Video)

FINALLY !! Rihanna's fifth single (US) 'Man Down' has finally made an appearance. The visual was just freshly premiered on BET's "106 & Park" (around 12am UK). The joint which was co-written by fellow Bajan Shontelle, had to be shot somewhere in the Caribbean to match with the rhythmic reggae sounds produced by Shama Joseph. The video was shot and directed by Anthony Mandler in Jamaica in April 2011. Mandler told MTV News of the video in May:

"It's just one of those songs that demands a strong narrative and visual...you can expect something that's dramatic and shocking and intense and emotional and uplifting and enlightening."

The last couple of videos Mandler has shot for RiRi have been very floral and pretty; not to say this one isn't pretty but the reality of the song is seriously emotional a tad disturbing and definitely dramatic !! When it comes to translating audio to a visual Mandler is your man, and he has lived up to every word he told MTV under a month ago. The visual other than the guns that add the 'gangsta' appeal that Rihanna told MTV of last year, really makes you want to book a flight out to Jamaica and enjoy the relaxed vibe of the island while sipping on some fresh jelly coconut juice - as Rihanna does in the footage. MESSAGE...Rihanna also tweeted earlier that there is a message in her 'shocking' track: dsds

"Very strong underlying message 4 girls like me! #listentoyomama"

ONE ISSUE... the video could potentially be band from certain channels as did her S&M video, but this time due to the violent elements to the song and video. I'm hoping that they won't edit it or band it, but we'll see. Apologies in advance if the video doesn't work. With no further adieu, check it out...

COOL VIDEO!!

tuesday remix: sister style

you know how i told you my baby girl was feeling a bit under the weather? we have had a few sleepless nights at our house this weekend. and yesterday, instead of the bbq we were supposed to attend with my sister in law and her boyfriend, we spent the afternoon in urgent care. it turns out mimi has a really bad ear infection...the worst one the doc had seen all day. poor little baby girl. i feel so bad for her. the doctor told me to expect another sleepless night. luckily he was mostly wrong. she only got up twice last night, and the first time was before i had yet gone to bed. the second time was just to give her some meds (which took some effort! imagine a squirming baby with tightly pursed lips, tears streaming, and her head turning every which direction to avoid said medicine.) and she went right back to sleep. phew! hopefully this means she is beginning to feel better!

anyway, let's talk remix. this week's item is a silence + noise shirt i bought at urban outfitters years ago (2008, if i remember correctly). it wasn't a style i would normally wear, but it was on sale and i thought it was just really cool. perhaps too cool for me as it has been sitting in my closet, unworn, since then. so pathetic. i hate when i do that. i broke it out for the remix to see if i could make it work...and i was also so curious to see how megan might style it. turns out i really like this shirt. it's not really an everyday, throw on and run errands type of item. but i could definitely see it dressed down for a summer bbq with friends or fancied up for girl's night out. i think i will keep it and try and incorporate it into some outfits this summer. and if i don't, it's gone for good. i promise!

outfit one: the right to bare arms

jeans- H&M flary

shoes- charles albert

belt- H&M

necklace- H&M

headband- for love 21

ring- for love 21 

outfit two: give 'em the cold shoulder

shorts- F21

shoes- madden girl, opitz

scarf- garage sale

earrings- F21

i hope you all had a great weekend and are having a happy start to your week!

xoxo, the birds

straight hair styles

straight hair styles for black hair

straight hair styles for women

Jennifer Aniston straight hair styles

straight hair styles for long hair

Jennifer Lopez straight hair styles



Using a hairspray on straight hair has its benefits and draw-backs. While straight hair has an inherent need for hold and smoothness, some sprays can lead to damage that increases frizz and static electricity. On the other side of the argument, if you have curly hair and the purpose is to straighten your hair, a spray or mist is necessary to protect from humidity and holds curls at bay.

womens hair styles

womens hair styles

hairstyles for women

womens hair styles

womens hair styles

womens hair styles

Styling women’s hairstyles that are straight can be simple when the base of the hairstyle is already straight. Through the straight hairstyle which can be created, there are certain aspects which can be changed to create different appearing hairstyles for long hair, as well as medium and short hairstyles that encompass straight hair. Through the use of the straight hairstyles, individuals can ensure that they are able to maintain the appearance of sleek hair with the use of styling techniques.

inspiration day: memorial

happy memorial day! i hope you are all having an extra fabulous long weekend. i realize that some people may not link up today because of the holiday, but feel free to join in later in the week! in the meantime, make a cocktail, fire up the grill, and let's all celebrate those who have made our country what it is today.

today's inspiration is perfect for this odd minnesota weather. it can't seem to make up its mind. it's sunny and warm, then it rains and it's cool. however, we have been able to sit on the patio and watch the kids play on the swing set, and then sit on the patio (with a fire going), and share some great laughs with friends later in the evening. so i am not complaining. i do love that we can wear sundresses, and just carry around a cute coat just in case. so, without further adieu, here is today's inspiration.

 the beautiful emma stone. have you guys seen easy a? it's super cute...i especially love stanley tucci and patricia clarkson as the parents. i want to be cool like them! anyways, this outfit is super cute and easy (pun intended) and versatile enough to wear anywhere.

and here are our interpretations.

megan bird

dress ~ thrifted (delias)

necklace, earrings ~ F21

boots ~ vintage, thrifted

coat ~ target

nora bird

dress ~ prototype, marshalls

boots ~ vintage, thrifted

coat ~ xhilaration, target, new via downtown salvation army basement awesomeness 

bag ~ H&M, hand me down from the baby sister 

earrings ~ for love 21 (i think???)

happy memorial day, everyone!

xoxo,

the birds

it's not delivery

last night i made a quick, easy and delicious dinner. it was so nummy i wanted to share. it all started because i was lazy and didn't want to cook (go figure). mimi has been sick all weekend and has not been sleeping well. and so, of course, neither have i.

poor little bugger

so i was tired and lazy and told jim i was going to order in. there is this great little italian place in our neighborhood called fat lorenzo's (if you are ever in the neighborhood, check it out. yummy!), and they have a most delicious veggie hoagie that i was craving. and they deliver. bonus for the lazy mom! but since jim has been travelling for work lately and eating out a lot, we decided instead to make our own fat lorenzo's style hoagies. and even though i was tired and lazy it was super easy!

here's what you'll need:

spinach, tomatoes, green peppers, onion, mushrooms, feta, hoagie rolls, and marinara. also a bit of olive oil and some salt and pepper. easy peezy. this is what we used (we pretty much copied fat lorenzo's exactly). you can obviously use any kind of veggies and cheese you like!

and here's what you do:

saute the onions and peppers in some olive oil...

once those are tender, add the 'shrooms...

then the spinach...and once that is all cooked throw a bit of salt and pepper in...

slice your rolls and toast them in the oven...

while everything is cooking and toasting, slice the tomatoes and feta...

load everything onto your toasted rolls and cook a bit longer so the cheese gets melty and the tomatoes cook a bit...

serve 'em up with some marinara...

done and done.

so easy and so good. i ate my whole sandwich and was so very full. jim ate two! which, if you know jim, is not surprising...

i hope you are all having a great memorial day weekend. i am really enjoying it so far, except for the sick little girl. but we are feeling much healthier and happier today. now it's time for a family nap! see you later!

xoxo, nora bird

celebrity designers

i have noticed  a trend of celebrities branching out into other factions of fame lately. singers are actors, actors are designers, designers are perfumers. fame begets fame and money begets money. if i were rich and famous, you'd bet your butt i'd try my hand at fashion designing! not everyone has survived the fashion world (j-lo, beyonce), but there are a few that i think are pretty talented...assuming they are actually the ones behind the designs...

i have always thought that chloe sevigny has had fabulous and unique style. she is quirky and sexy and i would love to have a peek in her closets. which is why i was so excited to see that she has designed a line for opening ceremony. here are a few of my faves.

mary jane

alanna fitted jersey dress

sienna miller is another gorgeous starlet. her line, twenty8twelve, is sold in various places, including asos. here's a few of my top picks.

lao dress

denim shirt

and everyone knows the lauren conrad collection at kohls. there are (surprisingly) a ton of cute pieces!

floral bow dress

lace-trim swiss dot skirt

mostly i just want those chloe sevigny mary janes.

do you have any favorite celebrity designers? do you have any problems with celebrities branching out into fashion, perfume or other trendy areas of business?

a new shirt, a few beers and a little indecent exposure

we actually went out last night. it's been a long time since we've been out on a friday night. i had a half day at work, followed by an amazing kindergarten program, followed by some garage saling, followed by a much needed nap...and then out to dinner and drinks it was with some great friends that we have not seen forever.

i got this super cute t-shirt at one of the sales i went to. i love all things minnesota, and when i saw this shirt, i had to have it! i took it home and washed it right away so i could wear it out asap.

and because it is minnesota, i did need to bring a coat, so i threw on my $10 faux-leather jacket before we headed out.

this one was taken with my phone...everyone looks better in the "vintage" tint.

all in all it was an amazing night. we brought our friends to this crap hole in the wall bar and some guy got kicked out for *ahem* whippin' it out twice. yep, unzipped, unbelted and showed the world. we thought it was hilarious.

i hope your weekends are going well!

xoxo,

megan bird

style me: "hats, the musical"

when nora and i found this shirt, we looked at each other and knew we had to buy it for the shop. now, i hate to actually say that something we are selling is ugly, but it is. it's one of those pieces of clothing that is so ugly it's cute. and we both happen to love clothing that is so ugly it's cute. i mean, how can you turn down a beautiful silky vintage top that is covered, literally covered, in hats. now, if only we could find a hat that is covered in shirts...a match made in sartorial heaven.

the ugly item to be styled:

it's fabulous, right? it's almost surreal, like if you look at it long enough, a sailboat will pop out. trippy!

i took a close up of the hats, i thought this picture would look amazing framed.

wouldn't it be fantastic if under one of the hats, there was just a creepy lady looking at you?

ok, enough about the hats. i am turning into one of those red hat ladies. when i am old, i shall wear purple...

here's how i styled it. the longer sleeves didn't look great with my broader shoulders, so i bunched them up and tied them with some black ribbon i found at a rummage sale. and the longer length of the shirt would be perfect in the winter with a pair of leggings and knee-high boots, but it's (getting) warmer, so i decided to "summer" it up by knotting it (nora thinks i'm brave for showing a bit of my belly...i don't think you can see enough to actually see the product of two kids, so we cool).

one of my favorite things about this shirt...on the inside, there is a label ironed on that has the name "faith zimmeran" written on it in black marker. i love personal touches like that.

so what do you think? do you like hats? do you like shirts? well then do i have a deal for you!

happy friday, friends!

xoxo,

megan bird

Throwback Thursday: Busta ft. Diddy & Pharrell

Throwback Thursday: Pass The Courvoisier

Today's second Throwback Thursday track has to be Busta Rhymes 'Pass The Courvoisier Part II' featuring Diddy and Pharrell Williams. One because it was on the airwaves today, two because the production courtesy of The Neptunes is truly BADASS; and three because it really takes it back to that point in the nougties when R&B was still good. Not to say that it isn't good anymore at all, but it definitely isn't the same - the realness and vibe to music that used to be there has just vanished. Also it brings back those memories when music videos had those little skits, this particular one with a cameo appearance from chat host Mo'Nique who bads up Busta !! You can't help but chuckle. So cheers to old times, good music and the fact that tomorrow is the start of the freekin' weekend. Enjoy :)

GOT TO LOVE THIS !!