Darkhouse on Goodreads
Red Fox on Goodreads
Dead Sky Morning on Goodreads
The Benson on Goodreads
Lying Season on Goodreads
On Demon Wings on Goodreads
Old Blood on Goodreads
Into the Hollow on Goodreads


Saturday, March 07, 2009

Inspired By: Coldplay









Silk and lace button-up dress: ASOS; Shoes: Madeline; Necklace: ASOS - Colplay to me? Dark and romantic, sweet and serious, which I thought this outfit captured quite well. Innocence in a concrete jungle.


I'll admit I that I haven't listened to Coldplay's new album "La Vida Loca" so I don't know if you could classify me as a die-hard fan, per se. But I am a die-hard fan of their first two albums, "Parachute" and "A Cold Rush of Blood to the Head."

In fact, I started listening to Coldplay in 2001, when Parachutes was released. I was 19 year's old (totally just dated muhself) and travelling alone through Austalia. I had heard "Yellow" played enough Down Under to want to hear what else Coldplay had to offer. I distinctly remembering buying Parachutes on cassette as I only had a walkman to travel with (now I'm REALLY aging myself) and then listening to the album ad nauseum as I traveled up and down the East Coast and finally, the Red Centre (the best part).

The most beautiful moment I had was waking up with the sunrise in the middle of my 24-hour bus ride from Darwin to Alice Springs. I leaned against the window and watched as absolutely nothing but soft pink light and red dust flew by for hours. It was wonderfully humbling, egged on "Spiderwebs" playing in my ears. Weird, how certain memories of your life stand out, while others are so easily forgotten.

Parachutes remind me those days when I was young and free. And Cold Rush also brings me back to better - at least more exciting - times.

In 2003, I moved alone to New Zealand to go to school. I bought the album just before I left and promised myself I would not listen to it until I arrived in the country, so I would always associate my new beginnings with it. I was true to my word, only playing it as the plane was an hour from gracing Auckland with its prescence. I remember the clouds, so bright and velvety and the achingly blue sky as the jubilant intro of "God Put a Smile Upon Your Face" came on. It was so fitting. I was a character in a movie.

"Green Eyes" was also poignant, as I crushed hopelessly on a guy, who had the nicest green eyes (I ended up dating him - he was a freakin' psycho. As in, should be locked up kind of psycho - anyhoo, long story and not the point) and I clearly remembering sitting on the beach in Punakaiki while visiting my half-sister on the South Island and listening to that song, wondering about him and what my life would hold (I met him online before I got to NZ).

Ironically, the line "Nobody said it was easy, no one ever said it would be this hard" from "The Scientist" really came in handy later on when he dumped me. Via text.

Then "X&Y" album came out, which I enjoyed, just not as emotionally as I had the others. I also had compiled a CD that had all of Coldplay's B-sides from their earlier albums, which I thought packed more punch. It reminds me of Journalism School (I went to two unis, one in NZ, one in BC), and going for drives in my tank of a car through the old mill town where I lived, past brown desert hills that looked velour at sunset.

I also remember cheating death to drive in the middle of winter, in the worst snowstorm ever, just to get to Vancouver (uni was 3.5 hours north-east) to see Coldplay in concert. Totally worth dying for, I would think. It was still the most powerful concert I have ever seen. Not the "best" but the one that left me speechless, my emotions riding high for two wonderful hours.

Anyway, that's Coldplay to me. I thought I would write a sentence or two but I guess it brought up some grand old memories. And I know Coldplay gets a bad rap from most people, in fact a friend of mine recently called it "souless," but no music that brings up so much beauty in my memories can ever be called souless to me.

PS - like the dress? It's up for sale on eBay. I only wore it for this photoshoot so it's brand spanking new :) Ebay link: http://shop.ebay.ca/merchant/marilynmunro

25 comments:

Sarah said...

The Scientist is one of my favourite songs, it is so beautiful and haunting, and would be even more so just after a break up. I LOVE the dress, it is just so delicate and feminine! Are you sureee you want to sell it, it looks so perfect on you!!

Tina { Luphia Loves... } said...

you look absolutely stunning! amazing dress, necklace & belt! :)

DaisyChain said...

I love the dress,
and the explanation of your inspirations <3

Ashleigh said...

I like it ;) ....p.s. I got the tights...I LOVE them,..nothing Ive seen before ...and im posting them today ...bc well...when I get something new..im weird like that..it has to be the first thing I wear regardless of what the weather man tells me :P
XOX

Unknown said...

I just came across your lovely blog!!

I liked it!

xoxo

Jordan said...

Cute dress! I'm glad you're having some better luck now. It sounds like you just needed to do some experimenting, and if you're feeling better not taking the pill, then good for you. I'm into my second month of YAZ, and it's actually making my cramps WORSE. Yuck. I'm thinking of switching back to Yasmin because I'm in so much pain. I have a question for you: can you recommend a good facial moisturizer? I'm looking for a new one, and your skin always looks like it's glowing. What is your skincare routine?
Thanks!
Jordan

Unknown said...

Ahahah Thanks for the sweet comment. You're right, it's definitely Suzy Shier. I should totally know that...lol. I once worked there when I was 15!!!

I love that dress of your so gorgeous.

xoxo
Stephanie
www.modernantoinette.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

Oh and by the way...today the weather was absolutely wonderful. 6C (and you know you're from Canada when that is considered wonderful weather...lol)so it wasn't so bad. Plus the sun was out big time.

Last week was a different story!!

xoxo
Stephanie

Cupcake Blonde said...

I love how certain songs and bands can spark memories. A soundtrack to life. :)

Love the dress. Yet another time I wished I was your size. :)

amy said...

You are SO beautiful! I am such a fan of your blog. I only recently came across it but I've already been inspired. Not only are you photographs inspiring, but so are your words. I really like this outfit on you, its romantic yet fun, and I think I have similar shoes as you! Looking forward to future posts pretty stylish girl. Talk to you !!

love always
amy !!

My Lipstick Daily said...

i love old coldplay, I dont think the new stuff is quite as good. Your outfit is adorable!

Mummerina said...

Isn't music such a huge part of memories? Gosh, I wouldn't even know where to start if I was to think about songs that bought back memories!

saray said...

lovely dress!

Rachel said...

If you were a size or two bigger, I would go bid crazy! I love the dresses. also liked the story of coldplay - i love how music can take you back to a time in seconds.

Alice said...

that dress is adorable!! i always look like i'm wearing lingerie when i wear silk/satin though. but you manage to make it look completely appropriate!

Couture Carrie said...

I love Coldplay!
And my mom is actually in NZ right now, hiking!

Fab dress!

xoxox,
CC

prettyneons said...

Oh I always love how you explain your inspiration, I loves that frock too! ;)
Peace and Bows...
PrettyneonsX

Holly said...

you look amazing! great views :)

♥ Marta ♥ said...

Perfection - so pretty :)

P.S. Thanks for suggestion Shopbop and I know that it's amazing, but I really can't justify paying $45 for shipping. It is like $45 right? Please do let me know, because if it's less... well, I'm all over it :P

Mom Fashion World said...

you're so pretty in your lovely dress and your shoes too.

http://momfashionworld.blogspot.com/

♥ Marta ♥ said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
♥ Marta ♥ said...

Hey you, it's me again... lol.
Do you know if there are any codes for Shopbop? because I will have to take your word for it and check out their sale section... hehe :)
I hate how long Revolve takes, but at least the shipping is free.

Style Spot said...

You look great in that dress, it suits you perfectly! Love how you're inspired by Coldplay. They are incredible xoxo

Rebecca, A Clothes Horse said...

That dress is so darling! I want to steal it from you.
P.S. You asked the best question.

MizzJ said...

I have to start shopping at ASOS, you always have the cutest items from there! Is shipping a lot?

Coldplay has long been my favourite band and I could sing all the songs from Rush! I like their first 2 albums better than the latter 2, where I feel they're trying too hard to sound like Radiohead or U2 - they're still great though!