Folks I met

A while ago I decided I should blog about every concert I went to.
Since I've already cheated but still have some cool pictures and stories to share, this is an all including blog on the most recent shows.
The title is a bit stolen from the band Jaywalkers, it's one of their songs and since I did actually meet a few people it's fitting!

February 28th
Heineken Music Hall, Amsterdam
Maroon 5

For the birthday of my sister Anouk we bought tickets to see Maroon 5. They hadn't been to The Netherlands in a very long time and since the three of us all liked the music and of course Mr. Levine himself, we decided this would be a fun 'sisters night out'.
Sara Bareilles, support act, warmed us up with a few of her early songs such as 'Love song', songs of her new album but also the covers 'Yellow' from Coldplay and 'Fuck you' from Cee-Lo. She really got the crowd going.
I bought her first album when I was in the USA and actually forgot about it for a while now, but this show reminded me what a great artist she is.

Then it was time for Maroon 5!

Their live performance was amazing, even though you expect a certain quality I was still surprised by how good Adams voice was and the band. They easily switched from one of the songs to amazing solo's in between.

And let's be honest... they are really easy on the eyes.
We also had a little sing-along during 'She will be loved' and the beginning of the clip is funny.



Setlist
Misery
If I Never See Your Face Again
Harder to Breathe
Give a Little More
The Sun
Never Gonna Leave This Bed
Secret / What's Love Got to Do With
Let's Stay Together (Al Green cover)
She Will Be Loved
Wake Up Call
Stutter
This Love
Encore:
Makes Me Wonder
Sunday Morning

You know that feeling when you are annoyed by all the girls that scream and almost throw themselves at the stage? I do.
But do you also know the feeling when you realize you are screaming just as bad? Unfortunately, I do know that one too now haha. Great show!

March 15th
Melkweg, Amsterdam
KT Tunstall

KT's show was opened by Pictish Trail, a young guy from Scotland making groundbreaking music and who also manages a small record label with a friend.
He played a few songs for us, (just him, a guitar and a synthesizer) some more melancholic than the other but pretty.

He also made an album with 50 songs of only 30 seconds each, hilarious songs.
The man himself was pretty hilarious too, he should start a theater tour combining music with jokes.
More info about him is on this link to his Myspace.
http://www.myspace.com/pictishtrail

Then it was KT's turn. I've been a fan of her music for some years now and already loved the albums 'Eye to the telescope' and 'Drastic Fantastic' but then 'Tiger Suit' came out.

The second album already had a little more edge than the first one, but number three is on a total new level. On the deluxe version of the album, she explains in a documentary that she wanted something different this time. She worked with different writers and musicians to find that exact sound and man did she find it.
Most songs start of calmly but build up to something so impressive, the drums and synthesizers probably are of the most influence on this aspect. But she also uses her voice in several different ways, some she never did before.
Still KT; so talented, independent, unique and still playing music by herself with her instruments and loop pedal sometimes but on a whole new level, I love it.

Setlist:
Come On, Get In
Glamour Puss
Uummannaq Song
False Alarm
If Only
Other Side Of The World
Scarlet Tulip (brand new song)
Black Horse And The Cherry Tree
Difficulty
Lost
The Entertainer
Saving My Face
Madame Trudeaux
Push That Knot Away
Fade Like A Shadow
Encore:
Funnyman
Close To Me
Suddenly I See

We were extremely lucky to walk in and find out we could almost stand at the front, so close to KT! Her voice (and of her bandmembers) were flawless and actually so was the entire show. Even though I am addicted to 'Tiger Suit', nothing can compete with KT doing a live show, everything is more intense.
The crowd was singing, dancing, jumping... standing still would be foolish.
KT was looking stunning wearing shiny black leather pants, a white top, hair in a bun with feathers and her iconic eyeliner. And her guitars, so many of them and all charming in their own way. I love the white one!

Pictures are by Marion, more are to find at
http://www.flickr.com/photos/marionnert/sets/72157626233596401/

Here some videos of the show
Glamour Puss


Push that knot away


Scarlett Tulip (new song)


I could talk about this show forever and never be bored myself but for you, you should go and see for yourself if you get the chance.
Seeing her live like this made her legendary to me and actually my number one favorite artist.

March 24th
Bibelot, Dordrecht
Jaywalkers & Go Back To The Zoo

After KT's show I didn't have any shows planned to visit, kind of a shame since I love music the most when it's live. But then Sidse, the manager of Jaywalkers, invited me and a friend to visit one of their shows in The Netherlands.

I think my friend Marion is my lucky charm, because when we entered the venue we could stand all the way at the front again. She also makes pretty good pictures if you ask me!
I already knew the music of Jaywalkers by listening to their Myspace but I must say that I liked it even better live. Although their music is indie/rock, which is really popular lately, it is anything but average because they really made it their own. It's pretty impressive if you ask me, at their young age.
They also looked impeccable, wearing nice suits or white shirts and bowties. My compliments guys! They really paid attention to every aspect of the show.
Their EP 'An Exercise' is available on iTunes
Unfortunately the colored lighting during the show made it difficult to make really clear pictures but luckely we have a few!

Go Back To The Zoo played most of the songs from their album 'Benny Blisto'. I've seen them live before and again they were really good, energetic and fun.
We stood closest to guitarist Teun, who not only is good looking but also a really good guitar player. Marion was able to make a few really cool pictures because we stood so close.

I was happy to know the album well enough to sing along but was surprised that not a lot of people did. Didn't they know the lyrics or what?
These guys really have their own clothing style. I spotted (tiger) print t-shirts, leather boots, minnetonka boots, scarfs, necklaces, denim waistcoats, sunglasses and hats. It's this style where it should seem that they didn't spend much time but they secretely did. Exactly what I always try but mostly fail.

I really enjoyed myself that night, the atmosphere was good, the music was good and last but not least... I got to meet the bands.
The Jaywalkers and Sidse were at the merch after the show where I was able to have a chat with them and get a picture! They are really nice guys :)

From left to right: Tue, Lucas, Jakob, me and Daniel.

After a while we suddenly saw the guys from Go Back To The Zoo at the merch too.

Bram, me, Marion and Teun.

A big thank you to Sidse and the Jaywalkers for a great night!

The only music thing planned for now is Rock Werchter festival in Belgium from the 30th of June until the 3rd of July. I'm really excited to go but also curious since it will be my first entire festival. Knowing me it will be hilarious for the others while I want to look at all times. Even without electricity, probably rain or extreme heat and not an entire wardrobe to choose from.
Time will tell.

Love,
Noes

The French connection

For some reason I love so many things the French are known for.
Macarons because they are simply delicious and cute, le Tour Eiffel is probably the most beautiful iron design in the world, du pain, the romantic feel of Paris, the sounds of the language although I’m in serious trouble should I ever need to use it myself and then of course… there is fashion.

As I said before in another blog, I adore how many French girls dress. Especially les Plastiscines because they are a little edgy too.

I found this cute drawing on ilovedyouforever.tumblr.com, a tumblr I visit every day because the writer Miriam has the best taste in pictures.

So today I decided I like it so much that I was going to figure out my own ‘French look’.
To have some order, I’ll just start at the top: Hair.

For some reason I believe the hairstyle (the two girls on the left) on this picture is really French. Maybe just because these girls have it but we need a hairstyle right?

I tried to make my own hair look like the second girl from the left.
First I straightened it, combed a part forward to create side bangs, backcombed my hair behind the side bangs heavily, used several bobby pins to pin the sides of my hair and finally used a lot of hairspray!

Make-up
Something I find distinctive about French make-up is loads of eyeliner and red lipstick. Since red lipstick is not a good look for me, I put the focus on my eyes.

To create this look it is best to use an eye-liner stylo, preferably extra black as well as the several layers of mascara.
I like to keep the rest of the make-up simple by using some foundation, concealer if necessary and nude lipstick.
Used products:
Gosh eye liner pen, black
Dior Show, Black out mascara, 099 black
Gosh lipstick, 134 Darling
Maybelline Affinitone foundation, 16 vanilla rose

And don’t forget, French manicure!

Clothing
It's isn't difficult and you can customize the look in any way you like.
A high waist skirt with simple top or a cute one piece, a powdery pink cardigan, platforms or heels, a trench coat, an envelope bag or real Chanel, the ray-ban wayfarer.

The time of Rimmel and ‘get the London look’ is over.
Get the Parisian look!
Love,
Noes

Jaywalkers

Recently the band changed it's name into 'Brigadiers' and they are working on a brand new album. Check out their website.

Meaning: the informal term used in North America for people whom illegally or recklessly cross the roadway as a pedestrian. No joke, there are even signs for it!

Reckless as this is on busy roads, I don’t want to discuss the traffic of North America.
I want to discuss music, a band from Denmark to be precise.



Jaywalkers, the experimental garage rock band consisting of Jakob Ludwig Løkkegaard,
Daniel Juhász Vigild, Tue Asmus Blichfeldt, Magnus Emil Thorn Jensen and Rasmus Blom from Denmark started their band in 2008.
They are inspired by bands such as Queens of the Stone Age, Them Crooked Vultures, the Dead Weather, Led Zeppelin and Mew.

They released an EP called ‘ an exercise’ with the songs: folks I met, at the entrance and only gold.
Listening to ‘folks I met’ I really feel some Jack White/Dead Weather influence there. It catches your attention right away by the dramatic guitar solo but then slows a little down for the singer to come in and make it flow. Though it has the feel of the Dead Weather, it stands on it’s own and feels less chaotic.
To me, it has a more specific melody, I can see myself dance to it while I probably shouldn't to the Dead Weather.

‘At the entrance’ feels more lounge and calm while ‘only gold’ pops out again with heavy guitars and drums that are anything but ordinary.



Although it appears that this band is at its start, the diversity in their music will make sure it definitely is not at its end for long.
I’m always looking for cool new music and this band is definitely a good addition to my playlist. I'm looking forward to some more songs!

They were already playing shows in their own country, but they are now visiting us too.
On Thursday the 24th of March in Dordrecht, Friday the 25th in Zaandam and Saturday the 26th in Sneek they are the support for our Go Back To The Zoo.
Tickets are still available for the shows in Dordrecht and Zaandam so make sure to be there!

Buy them at:
Bibelot Dordrecht
Kade Zaandam

For more info and music:
Jaywalkers on Myspace
Jaywalkers and their management Catching Paper Planes

Enjoy!

Love,
Noes

Phone traffic

A friend of mine was wondering what a world without social networks would look and feel like.
Sure, it wasn't such a long time ago but can you still exactly remember that time? I know I can't.

Thinking more about it I remembered when I got my very first cell phone.
I sounds so ridiculous now but I was eleven.
I have a little niece who's eleven now and she doesn't have a cell phone, even in this era.
But okay. My oldest sister, who was fifteen at that time, was promised to be allowed a cell phone then. But of course my other sister, thirteen, wanted one too and when she got the green light I was so jealous that I kept asking untill they got sick of me and said ok.

So we went to the store together and bought three cell phones (store was happy). This baby was mine.

Yes, totally size 'refrigerator' but that was appropriate for that time.

I had it for about two years when a kid from school kicked my schoolbag around (asshole) and totally destroyed it.

This cutie was cell phone number two.


He/she lasted a long time but died old age so was replaced by *drum ruffle*


Real pretty and good working but the turning mechanism wasn't the best idea since after two years it made my voice sounds as a robot everytime I wanted to call someone. Not very sexy. Also my subscription ended for this one so I decided it was time for a brand new, healthy, one. One without crazy slide or turning thingies.


Maybe this pink lady didn't put the fancy in pants but it was cute, reliable and had a great speaker!

The last one on the list is my current baby, I decided to join the movement and buy myself a smart phone.

We've been together for over one and a half years now and are very close friends :)
She (yes because she has pink, purple and turquoise dresses)connects me to all my friends by not just calling and texting but also Facebook, Hyves, LinkedIn, Twitter and even here on blogger.com.
I never thought to get so attached to all these things until she had to leave me for reparations on the A-button and I was extremely frustrated to not have all these things all the time. Not really healthy.
I decided not to leave my phone on my bed when I sleep anymore, normally I would check it everytime I woke up, even in the middle of the night.
She can now rest a little further away and we see eachother on a normal time in the morning.
I do believe that social networks make it easier to find others and to communicate with them but they can also mess things up that normal face to face communication wouldn't. You don't have facial expression and intonation which causes misunderstandings quite often.

Maybe my friends' idea isn't such a bad idea and from experience I know that I will survive. Maybe for a couple of days, maybe longer. I don't know when but I'm gonna try it out some day and after that, I'll let you know.
Someday soon, but not today.

Good night!

Love,
Noes & B. Berry

Wishlist

A few days ago I was discussing birthday presents with one of my friends.
We came to the conclusion that for some people it's really difficult to find something that suits them perfectly since they buy everything they want themselves OR they don't really have any specific hobbies.
But there are also some people for who it's pretty easy to do right with b'day presents because you just know that whatever you buy from a specific hobby or genre, it will do.
Apparently I am one of the last.

Not only am I a person that loves to shop, for anything actually, but I am also really clear about what I like. One of those things is of course: baking and cupcakes.
I have the sweetest sisters and friends that always let me know when they see something cool with cupcakes or they surprise me with it.
Atm I am still living with my parents, but I can imagine what my own home is going to look like when I move out.

Here some things that I haven't bought yet but are a-ma-zing.

'You're dangerous, I'm loving it'
Yes, while making this blog I'm listening to Glee music.
Cupcakes are dangerous to me.



Or




Even though I past the age of six years ago, I would still wear them.


Cutest pincushion I have ever seen


Transform your cold feet to cute feet

Some luxurious things



Katy you make me so jealous! I will never be able to afford this cutie, but I keep searching for the imitation.

'I'm addicted to you, don't you know that you're toxic'
Gosh I love them so much!

Love,
Noes

Tough cookie

The name of this blog, the saying 'tough cookie', is kind of perfect for the subject.
I want to tell you something more about me.
Of course I'm always blogging about things I like, things I would like to have or things I admire. But I never really blogged about what I am. Right now. Who and what am I?

Okay, so why is 'tough cookie' a good title?
It's not to say that I'm a total bad ass, 'cause I'm not, but it's the combination of those two words. The two worlds actually.

Being tough (strong, cool, not easy to hurt) and a cookie (sweet, cute) are total opposites. But I'd like to believe I have a little bit of both, I'm talking about both the inside and outside.

Style
I think the mixture of the two things is the most striking here.

- Although I love my new cool leather short boots, I also really love my cute little Uggs. They are actually little because I have quite small feet.



- I hardly ever wear an outfit not involving black, but black looks so good with that little pink touch.

- I adore the Ray-Ban Wayfarer sunglasses, but I have hamster cheeks (truly) so they just won't look cool on me.



- I love my red leather Friis & Company bag, but I'm still dying to find a cupcake themed bag too.

Can you see where this is going?

I just love how Les Plasticines dress. Tough, leather, black but still with dresses and long beautifull hair. Tough and cute!
And they are a bad ass female rock band. What's not to like about that?




Maybe she's a bitch, but she's a well dressed bitch that makes amazing music. Just so you know.

On the inside I'm definitely more a cookie than I am tough. For some reason there are still people trying to test that, even though it's not hard to see when you've met me, so it's really not neccesary.
I'm still working to get more tough when it comes to feelings and I really learned some usefull things the past time. From myself but also from others.
Never doubt yourself.
I believe that the decisions we make, the way we act and the people we surround ourselves with are a pretty good mirror of what we are.
It took me some time and experience to figure that out but better late then never. At least now I can stop doubting myself every single time anyone else does.
We are not all the same. That's just the way it is.


Music
I'm really into rock music. Think about bands like Muse, Foo Fighters, Bands of Skulls, Kings of Leon, The Pretty Reckless, Nickelback. I can't think of a better sounds than distored guitars.
But sometimes when I'm in this dreamy mood or I'm thinking things over I also really love music that is fragile.
Music that doesn't cover anything up but shows everything it's about.
Therefor I also really love KT Tunstall, Duffy, Counting Crows, James Morrison.
I like the balance. At some moments I can really go wild, dance and scream along at a busy concert or festival and at another time I can just relax and dream away.

Addictions/hobbies
I think it's obvious what my latest addiction is since I'm always talking about it: Baking. I love to make cupcakes, cookies and cakes. I love it allright, but it's not a thing for a rock star to do.


(the cake I made for christmas)

But a while back there was something totally different I was crazy about, my electric guitar. Of course I still love it, but to be really really good you have to put some serious time in it which I do not always have or want to give up for it. I like to do different things, not just one. Still I think I should put some more effort in it soon since I get all excited when I hear great solo's.

Even though I am already growing more into what I would like to be and I don't want to be a copy of somebody else, there is someone that states an example.
I do not know her personally but in my opinion she is independent, fun, extremely talented, hard working, cool (also her looks) and since she has a husband too she is definitely loving.
KT Tunstall, we can all learn from you!



Love,
Noes

Tell me B,

Where did you get those shoes?!



I've seriously been to every shoe store in the area, several times, the last months because I really really want boots like that.
Never found the exact right pair, the looked too 'pippi longstocking', too 'army boot' or just ugly.

Now while reading someone's blog I saw this picture of Miss B./Miss Leighton Meester herself with the boots.
I will probably not be able to afford the exact same pair she has, but they have the exact right look.

I did see these boots from Wanted in an add in Nylon Magazine, but since I live in Holland, Europe, I'm not able to buy them.

If you read this and know where to find them, please tell me!

Love,
Noes

PS. How cute is that dog! And of course, she's awesome.

The macaron battle

It is a fact that baking is one of my addictions, reading blogs and tumblr’s too.
The combination of those two makes me start a whole new baking adventure every once in a while.
Yesterday it was making macarons, the cute colored French cookies.

I must admit that this was not an adventure, it was a battle. Even though I read that making macarons isn't easy, I was determined to make them successfully.
It took a lot of time, a lot of frustration and even more cleaning up but it is the final result that counts: I did it!

Here two pictures made with my Blackberry (not the best quality).
The macarons were mint colored, regular almond flavor with chocolate filling in regular size and mini.




Love,
Noes

Dear Ed Westwick,

I love you.

It's been a while

There are enough excuses to explain why it has but that's just useless.
Only one of them inspired me to blog about: I need to focus on things that make me happy, not on the things that make me feel bad.

So here we go..


Just so you know

Going to











Going to be busy with








Fashion and style















Things that always make me smile








This post has become something like tumblr but pictures just say so much more than words.
I'm also gonna host a tea party soon with everything homemade (by me of course) so that will mean new blog recipes!

xoxo
Noes