Coachella Band of the Week: Yelle

I don't know about you, but we've always been suckers for accents. While we've never understood a word of Yelle's songs, this French trio's high energy pop electro beats have always had us wanting to hit the dance floor every time we hear la musique. Do yourself a favor, put on your dancing shoes and meet us at the Yelle show!

                                        

Remembering Elizabeth Taylor

This morning one of the greatest actresses and social activists passed away.  Elizabeth Taylor was known for her stunning beauty, superior talent, glamorous style, and bringing attention and awareness to AIDS at a time when many people did not even acknowledge the disease.  She once famously stated: "I don't think President Bush is doing anything at all about AIDS, in fact I'm not sure he even knows how to spell AIDS." We love a woman that uses her stardom for good!

We recently checked out the Elizabeth Taylor in Iran installation at the LACMA and were in awe of the beautiful photographs! Here are some of our favorite Taylor photos & quotes:

"Big girls need big diamonds."

Could she be any more glam? We think her thick eyebrows were just as signature as her eyes!

"Success is a great deodorant. It takes away all of your past smells."

From the Elizabeth in Iran Installation at LACMA

"It's all about hope, kindness, and a connection to one another." 

Coachella Band of the Week: The Black Keys

Whoever said rock is dead hasn't heard of the Black Keys. This blues-rock band has caught our attention with their break out hit "Tighten Up," and we haven't been able to stopping listening since. The duo took home 3 of the 5 Grammy Awards they were up for this year, but their older albums, Thickfreakness and Rubberfactory, are nothing to sleep on.  And if you're a fan of "Howlin for You," the short musical film they recently released featuring Shaun White is worth checking out.  Seeing their name among the many other must-sees on Coachella's Friday line up definitely had a little something to do with us immediately declaring Friday the best lineup of the weekend.  

Coachella Featured Artist of the Week: Ms. Lauryn Hill

Coachella is quickly approaching! Ok it's about 5 weeks out, but still there is no shortage of planning & anticipation on our end.  When we first scoped out the line up on that famous January 18th night, we had to do a double take when we saw Ms. Lauryn Hill's name. 

"Killing Me Softly" is still one of our all time favorite songs, and that classic all white ensemble from the "X-Factor" music video is as chic now as it was then.  We loved her as part of the Fugees and our love for her only grew after the release of her solo album "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill," which earned her 5 Grammy Awards.  Although she basically fell off the face of the earth for a bit, we are glad she'll be gracing us with her presence on that epic April weekend. Talented, beautiful, and super stylish, Ms. Lauryn Hill is one artist you want to mark as a must-see on your Coachella set list.  

We love her bold, bohemian style which she's always managed to make look so effortless.  Check out some of the pieces below to get Ms. Hill's look: 

Clockwise from top: Maik Sheer Skirt, ModCloth Newly Coined Necklace, Milly Starboard Stripe Boyfriend Cardigan, UO Narrow Macrame Belt, Rachel Leigh Bold Stud Earrings, Amrita Singh Allie Bangle Set, Winter Kate Tilapia Balloon Sleeve Silk Blouse, Ben Amun Striped Resin Bangles, Yochi Textured Button Ring, Dori Csengeri Glow Drop Earrings, Tarina Tarantino Distressed Barrel Wood and Mesh Beaded Bracelet, House of Harlow 1960 14K Gold Tribal Hoop Earrings

Countdown to Coachella

We at East of Highland treat Coachella like a national holiday, an annual ritual, and for those  first-timers - a rite of passage. Before the line-up is even announced and tickets are released, requests for time off are put in, hotel reservations are made, and we are already thinking about potential outfits. It's a vacation. It's an experience. It's basically our heaven. Where else can you play in the desert for 3 days listening to some of the best up-and-coming artists or the most influencial musicians of our time, all while surrounded by inspiring bohemian and hipster fashion, and carefree music-lovers just having a good time?

The countdown has begun ... It's just 42 days until our most anticipated weekend of the year. Will you be there?

Here's a peek at last year's Coachella

Night at the Museum

A visit to the museum doesn’t typically cross our mind when planning our Friday/Saturday night.  Throw in the LACMA’s newly opened Ray’s & Stark bar, and a Friday night museum visit is no longer completely out of the picture.  Dinner, drinks, and the Fashioning Fashion exhibit—ok you got us LACMA.

Named after Ray Stark, the late film producer behind classics like Annie and Steel Magnolias, Ray’s is the restaurant and Stark Bar the adjacent bar & lounge. Ray's architecture effortlessly fuses together the inside and outside, so although we chose to sit inside, the glass windows still allowed for plenty of people watching.  The bold furniture and beautiful textiles lining the walls instantly caught our attention and after some question asking, we found that almost everything in the restaurant had a story-we especially loved the teacup installation.  

Offering a farm to table menu based on seasonal, local ingredients, Ray's uses fresh ingredients for both the food and handcrafted, speciality cocktails.  We tried (& loved) the Orange Blossom (gin, orange juice, orange flower water) and a fruity vodka cocktail the bartender whipped up upon request.  While you can order your drinks while eating at Ray’s, the Stark Bar Bar Bites menu is reserved only for those dining at the bar.  We had saved up our appetite, so small bites were out of the question this evening.  The oil poached Striped Bass was cooked to perfection and forget counting calories because the delectable desserts are not to be overlooked. 

Of course a visit to the museum wouldn't be complete without actually checking out an exhibit or three. Being the fashion lovers that we are, we couldn't miss the Fashioning Fashion: European Dress in Detail 1700-1915 exhibit which examines fashion over a 200 year span. The intricate embroidery, luxurious textiles, and tailoring made us want to put on one of these mantuas and travel back in time! But we are definitely thankful fashion has taken a slightly more comfortable approach.  

Snaps from a few exhibits: Fashioning Fashion, Elizabeth Taylor in Iran, In the Service of the Buddha 

Tell us: Would you spend your Friday/Saturday night at LACMA now?