Tag Archives: love

Celebrate Your Anniversary With Style

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Celebrate Your Anniversary With Style

Whether it is the date of your first meeting, first kiss, or your wedding, anniversaries are an exciting and special time that deserves to be celebrated. But how can you ensure that you are truly celebrating your anniversary with all of the style and glamor that you know it deserves? Unfortunately, many people don’t really know how to do this, and it often results in a less than satisfying day for everyone involved. In this post, we are going to take a closer look at how to celebrate your anniversary – of any kind – with true style:

The Difficulty Of Gift Buying: It wouldn’t really be an anniversary without gifts, and it is likely to be one of the first things that you think of when your date is approaching. If you find that you always struggle to find your partner a decent present that you are truly happy with, then you are not alone. Everyone knows this feeling, and it is one that is hard to do away with. So how do you go about ensuring that you end up with the right present? It might actually be easier than you think.

One useful way to do it if you are married is to fall in line with the traditional present buying rules for the years that you have been married. If you don’t know already, it is traditionally paper for one year, wood for five years, tin or aluminum for ten years, crystal for fifteen years, china for twenty years, and so on all the way up to gold for fifty years. If you have reached that genuine milestone, then you will probably want to splash out a little. There are many gold chains for men variations for you to choose between here, and you might be surprised at how easily you can find a fantastic present of this kind.

Even if you don’t want to go by this old rule or you are not married, you might find that gift buying doesn’t have to be all that hard. The trick is in working out what you think they might benefit from but which they would not normally buy for themselves. It might take some time to find something that is absolutely ideal, but the longer you spend on the process, the more likely it is that you will be happy with the resulting gift that you eventually find.

Once you have chosen what seems to be the perfect gift, you will have the issue of trying to come up with when to present it to them. This could be a more difficult concern than you have imagined, and you might end up going for a special occasion which the two of you can have together in celebration of your anniversary itself. If you can find a good time to reveal your gift, you will probably find that it seems to have much more value for the both of you. With the gift buying looked after, you will have dealt with what is often the most difficult part of ensuring that your anniversary celebrations are done with style. But there is much more to consider beside the present, so let’s continue on:

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  So sweet!

Writing A Letter: If you think that buying a gift is not enough, and you would like to express how you feel even more, then you might want to consider writing a letter to your other half expressing how you feel about them. For anyone who would enjoy receiving love letters in youth, this can be a lovely way to bring a little fresh life into the relationship, and at a good time as well. If you find that you often struggle with this kind of thing, then you might choose to take it as an opportunity to practice, as it is something that will always go down well in the future. Writing this kind of letter can be a great way to add a little genuine romance to your anniversary, and is the kind of thing that almost everyone will appreciate.

Depending on how you present it, you can also make this a great way to add some style to your anniversary celebrations. You could consider using old parchment style paper in order to give it an old world feel, for example. Or you might choose to have it delivered in an interesting and exciting way, which makes it more of an event. A letter is definitely worth putting the effort into if you want to make your anniversary as special as you want it to be – Even if you don’t have the best way with words!

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 Letter writing is a lost art.

Mixtapes Are Still A Thing: If you thought that the days of making mixtapes were long gone, think again. While the cassette might be a thing of the past, there is no reason that you can’t create the same kind of effect in a different way. If you are a little creative about it, you might even be able to upgrade the old mixtape idea into something more inventive and enjoyable that your other half will love.

One of the best ways to do this is to get a flash drive and load it with your favorite songs that remind you of them, or which you have enjoyed together in the past. If you present the flash drive in a special way, you will find that it really helps to make it more of a gift, and it is a lovely modern throwback to the old mixtape idea, which really seems to land with people well. Alternatively, you could make a CD, and in this way get a little closer to the original idea.

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#rockinout

Vacationing Is A Must: If you really want to make the most of your anniversary, then you might want to think about whisking your partner away to somewhere exotic for the weekend, or maybe even longer. For the truly romantic out there, you might even want to make it work so that this is the real surprise for them. If you can pull that off, you will find that it has a very strong effect, indeed. Nothing is better than a surprise holiday! Get this right, and it could be the most special anniversary you have had so far.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with a low key anniversary, because they are just as special. But if you’re looking to glam things up this year, then the steps above are a great place to start!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Scarf Series: Gianluca Lombardo Beauty Edition

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Scarf Series: Gianluca Lombardo Beauty Edition

Hi everyone and happy Tuesday! One accessory that I like a lot but never truly appreciate to its full extent is the scarf. God knows I have a ton of them, but it’s a rarity that I ever wear them. Why? Couldn’t tell ya. But one fateful trip to TJMaxx with my beloved mother changed my opinion on scarves entirely and I’m looking forward to sharing my purchases with you, as well as wearing scarves new and old in the future. Take a look and let’s discuss:

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^^^ I ❤ this scarf! 😉

This made in Italy, Gianluca Lombardo scarf caught my eye the moment that I saw it because of its gorgeous color palette. The burnished gold and rust orange spoke to me on a spiritual level because they are both colors that look fantastic on me, if I do say so myself. Not only that, but I loved the doodled heart pattern oh so much! Hearts on clothing is something that both my mom and I adore, so everything about this scarf was such an obvious “yes”.

The best thing about this scarf, though, is that it isn’t an infinity scarf, which gives me a bunch of different styling opportunities. I prefer to wear my scarves in traditional Parisian style over my head and, although you can sort of do that with infinity scarves, it just isn’t the same. I went ice skating this past weekend and wore this scarf Parisian style to the rink and then hung it around my neck while I was skating and it moved so beautifully and I felt so divine the entire time just from one fifteen dollar accessory. So worth it.

This Gianluca Lombardo beauty makes me feel so utterly chic. In fact, I wore it Parisian style to get lunch with my neighbor and “chic” was the word that she used to describe my look and it was such an amazing compliment. I’ve been told that I’m “stylish”, “fashionable”, and that I have “the best clothes” numerous times, but have never been called “chic”, even though that’s what I always strive for. Although, let’s be real, chic is probably not the first compliment that comes to mind in the way that I dress most of the time since I just like to consider myself “grungy chic” lololol.

I feel like in my skinny jeans, boyfriend blazer, oversized shirt, faux snakeskin booties, and a billowing, wrapped around my head scarf, I finally nailed the perfect Parisian look. Having my feelings of chicness confirmed by my neighbor was a huge fashion victory for me and I wouldn’t have achieved it without giving this scarf a try!

In just throwing this scarf on at TJs, feelings of chicness flooded me and I went into a scarf buying frenzy. This Gianluca Lombardo scarf will always be my A-1 but that doesn’t mean that I don’t simply adore the other two that I purchased, so do stay tuned so we can discuss them further, too!

So there you have it, my Scarf Series: Gianluca Lombardo Edition. What is your favorite compliment to receive about the way that you dress? What is your favorite accessory to wear? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

New Black & Champagne Glitter Nails

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New Black & Champagne Glitter Nails

Hi everyone and happy Thursday! After ten looooong months of having the same set of acrylics on, I finally got new nails this week. I haven’t had a chance to add my gemstone crosses to the middle fingers because I have absolutely no clue where the super glue stash is in my home. But, I do LOVE the champagne pink accent nails against the harsh black on my new set so take a look and let’s discuss:

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Instead of going to my normal salon hang out of Empress Nails to get this set done, I was sort of a traitor and went to LT Nails, instead, which is also close by to my living quarters. Don’t get me wrong, I freaking LOVE my nail tech, Steve. However, he has never put on a set of my acrylics before and I needed to go to someone that I could trust (Not saying that I don’t trust him, but filling nails and applying them is very different.).

I went to Anne at LT Nails all the way back in January to get my last set on and I was long overdue for new nails. I noticed during the last fill that I got that my nails were insanely yellow and because they were so brittle, they were cracking and breaking nonstop. It was miserable. Although it took ten months to finally get new nails, I remembered what a great job was done over at LT and scheduled an appointment at the salon with Anne.

In one hour and fifteen minutes, Anne was able to soak off my old set and apply, shape, and polish my new nails. She worked quickly and efficiently and it was definitely a job well done. One thing that Anne did differently than my Empress Nails techies was that she shaped the nail before the acrylic even went on. This made the shape more sharp and precise and definitely saved a lot of time, as well. The nails are not as long as I would like, but they never are when I get a new set so I am looking forward to them growing out!

I will be getting my nails painted black until the day that I die, but I am so obsessed with the bubbly champagne pink accent nails. Lil Red loves nothing more than sweet colors against punk rock black so this accent nail choice is no exception. The color is as pretty as a New Year’s Eve party dress and I love the bronze and silver glitter against the muted blush pink. I would definitely get another color combination like this again for the holiday season and it is easily one of my favorites that I’ve had in a long time.

So there you have it, my New Black & Champagne Glitter Nails! What accent nail color should I get next? What color of nail polish are you wearing right now? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

It’s In The Bag: Cry Sanctuary Edition

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It’s In The Bag: Cry Sanctuary Edition

Hi everyone and happy Hump Day! As you all know, I’m a dedicated shopaholic, so it might be strange for you guys to hear that I’m not really a purse kind of girl. Don’t get me wrong, I have a lovely collection of totes and handbags in my collection, but I never actively seek out a new purse when I’m shopping. That’s what my shoe addiction is for!

Yearly, I can confidently say that I buy a maximum of two purses, which might seem staggeringly low for those who read my blog. I much prefer to switch out the bag that I’m using with another loved one in my clothing hoard with the change of the seasons or when I’m feeling frisky. Because I don’t swap out my bag very often, it leaves my purse collection feeling fresh and new and it’s fun to feel like I’m going shopping in my own closet!

Am I the number one fan of the purse? Not by a long shot. But do I know an amazing deal on a gorgeous piece when I see one? Absolutely. Take a look at my new Sanctuary brand bag and let’s discuss:

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  • Original Price: $220
  • TJMaxx Price: $60

What instantly drew me to this beautiful purse was the piercing like gold hoops threaded into the crocheted design. Lil Red is a pierced up, punk rock princess so finding a bag that reflects that was really exciting. The craftsmanship that went into creating this Sanctuary sweetheart is so evident just by taking one glance at it. When this bag babe arrived in the mail, it also took me one glance whence it was outside of the box to decide that I loved it.

This purse was an unintentional buy. Seriously. The only reason I put it in my “shopping cart” online was to get myself to free shipping status. Then, I planned on taking it to the store to return it once it arrived. That plan was an obvious bust. *Eye roll* I should know myself better by now to realize that if an item is in the shopping cart, then there’s a 99.9999999% chance that I’m going to buy it. TBH, saying that this was an unintentional purchase makes me feel a lot better because I didn’t mean to like it as much as I did!!!

Regardless of the intentions of this purchase (Let’s be honest, it was intentional.), this bag is totally and completely perfect. It is edgy and chic with a heaping helping of glam and I am so happy to be able to add it to my purse collection. I suppose that I would buy this Sanctuary beauty again in a heartbeat. 😉

So there you have it, the latest issue of It’s In The Bag: Cry Sanctuary Edition! What is your favorite accessory? Are you a purse or shoes girl? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

If The Shoe Fits: Betsey Johnson Mules Edition

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If The Shoe Fits: Betsey Johnson Mules Edition

Hi everyone and happy Monday! I hope that all of you had a wonderful and relaxing weekend. So we all have those certain trends that we love to hate/hate to love/yada yada yada. For me, that trend is the mule. Don’t get me wrong, I love the first pair of Matisse mules that I bought and I think that some mules can be totally gorgeous. But, as a heel girl through and through, it’s a rarity that I can put my best feet forward in flats.

Obviously, a heeled mule would be ideal BUT THEY ALL LOOK LIKE CLOGS and I hate those. Lol, it’s not even a mule – it’s a straight up clog. I’ve thought a lot about this style of shoe and realized that what I need is the slipper shape of the top of the mule with a heel tacked onto the back for good measure. Preferably, a heel that’s not made of hard rubber, which makes the shoe look like a pair of clodhoppers if I’ve ever seen them.

I’ve clearly put a lot of energy into imagining the ideal shape for a heeled mule, but have had no luck in finding the pair that was “just right”. So, can you believe my surprise when I found the seemingly perfect pair of Betsey Johnson HEELED MULES while browsing on TJMaxx’s website?! Swoon. Take a look and let’s discuss:

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So, yeah. You can see that these babies above are exactly what I wanted. These shoes are literally a mule with a heel thrown on for funsies. These Betsey beauties are just darling. Mules definitely have the potential to look like shoes for the (very fashionable) elderly, but not these. The black and white striped heel in contrast with the vibrant yellow flowers screams whimsical tea party. These mules are youthful, sassy, and perfect for a twenty-something who considers a night on the town to consist of strutting down the aisles of Target and TJMaxx.

The best part of Betsey Johnson clothing and accessories are the adorable surprises that are in the details. The center of the flowers on my mules are actual metal, beaded, and jeweled brooches – not just some lame-o craft store find tacked smack dab in the middle. All of these hidden delights just show how much joy that Betsey has in creating her brand and why she will always be one of my favorite designers.

These shoes were made for everything from ambling through daily errands to a boozy bar crawl with the girls on a Saturday night. Somehow, Betsey Johnson knew that I was in desperate need of mules just like my new pair, so she snapped her fingers and put these on the market. Love, love, freaking LOVE.

So there you have it, the newest issue of If The Shoe Fits: Betsey Johnson Mules Edition! What is a trend that you love to hate? Do you prefer flats or heels? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

If The Shoe Fits: Baroque Bamboo Edition

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If The Shoe Fits: Baroque Bamboo Edition

Hi everyone and TGIF! As we progress deeper into fall, my love affair with TJMaxx intensifies. I’ve seemed to have amazing luck both in store and online for the past few months, and normally this never happens. We can all relate to times when we’ve walked into a TJs or Marshall’s and exited with nothing to show for it. I can’t say that I’m mad about my shopping success, because it’s great for my wardrobe but bad for my bank account! Meh… I just try not to think about it. 😉 Anyways, take a look at my new Bamboo brand heeled booties and let’s discuss:

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Normally, I try not to follow trends too closely as they’re happening, but there has been quite a few statement looks that I’ve been loving this fall and the baroque style is obviously one of them. Baroque has been very in this season and that is definitely reflected in these black booties with the “look at me” metallic gold filigree.

TBH, I can’t say that I was totally in love with my new Bamboo booties when I was ordering them. BUT, my mom really liked them and that clearly talked me into it. And now that the boots have made their arrival, I am so glad that she gave me the extra push to get them! I love clothes and accessories that make a statement and these babies just scream “I AM A SASSY GODDESS” while sporting them. And that is a hell of a statement. 😉

Obviously, I love the pattern of these shoes but I really love the shape of them, as well. They wear more like a platform heel than just a normal old blocked one because of the sharp upward arch. And if there’s one thing that this little mamma jamma loves, it’s a platform heel. The shape of these Bamboo babes combined with the golden filigree has a really regal feel to them, which is something that I have never associated with any of the clothes or shoes in my vast collection. And, I gotta tell ya, feeling like royalty is an amazing change of pace!!

I could name off a bunch of different styles of clothing that I’m looking forward to wearing these boots with. But, honestly, I’m most excited to pair these with a really sharp pair of black skinny jeans to create a sleek silhouette. I then plan on finishing the look with a more grungy piece in my wardrobe, like my Anarchy In The UK button down from Zara. The punk rock vibes on top will create an edgy and cool contrast with the regal feels from the shoes. And, of course, the gold filigree will look fabulous with the army green button down! I. CAN’T. WAIT!

So there you have it, the latest issue of If The Shoe Fits: Baroque Bamboo Edition! What is your favorite trend to sport this fall? How would you style these bootie babes? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

If The Shoe Fits: Betsey Johnson Booties Edition

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If The Shoe Fits: Betsey Johnson Booties Edition

Hi everyone and happy Hump Day! If there’s one brand that I love and one designer that I admire, it’s Betsey Johnson. A trained eye can recognize a Betsey piece without even thinking about it, and I love that the brand’s vivacious designer was able to create a name for herself and a look that’s so uniquely her own that nothing really compares.

I admire Betsey apparel, bags, and accessories from afar because they are too expensive for my taste. But when TJMaxx has the random jewelry or purse from her collection, it is such a treat! While my mom and I were doing some online shoe shopping on TJMaxx’s amazing website, I was so surprised to find a lot of Betsey shoes, because they literally never have them. It was a must to order a few pairs, including these gorgeous new booties. Take a look:

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My mom pointed out while I was trying my new booties on yesterday that they are not as edgy as my normal studded, buckled, crazy boots that I tend to go for. And that’s okay! I really try not to limit myself to one style (Although, I do have obvious favorites.), so going girly every once in a while can be a lot of fun!

What I love the most about these quirky little beauties is the vibrancy of the embroidered flowers. The black base color is dull enough that each pretty petal and shade completely pops. My favorite is the yellow and white pansy placed throughout the shoe – it’s so sweet and bright!

Each individual color in the flowers from the deep red rose, forest green leaves, and lush lavender is going to make styling these booties such a blast. It’s going to be fun to pick a color in the patterns and match it up to a top, jacket, or hat for a colorful and cohesive look. I actually tried these on with my favorite shirt dress from Zara the other day that also features embroidered flowers and it looked so divine. I can definitely see myself wearing that shirt dress, tights, my Betsey booties, and a trench coat as a sweet as can be fall look!

Betsey Johnson’s brand is just pure fun and I am so happy to have finally gotten my hands on something from her that isn’t just accessories. It’s going to be an interesting change of pace to go girly with my new boots, but I’m ready for it!

So there you have it, the latest issue of If The Shoe Fits: Betsey Johnson Booties Edition! Which brands do you admire from afar? How would you style my new kicks? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Carolina Belle Of The Ball Blazer

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Carolina Belle Of The Ball Blazer

Hi everyone and happy Tuesday! If there’s one style of jacket that I love, it’s the blazer. From fitted and sexy to slouchy but chic, you can really wear a good blazer day or night and it always looks like you’re dressed to the nines. Blazers are always an excellent option when I’m working in the field of helping people with special needs because it says professional but still casual and cool, especially since I normally just wear a plain old t-shirt or sweater underneath.

Obviously, I never say no to buying any particular type of clothing, but this rings the truest for blazers. It can be gosh-darn difficult to find just the right one so when a keeper comes up, it’s best to snag it ASAP. This fall, the velvet trend is hitting the clothing stores hard. I can’t say that I completely love it – BUT I do love the gorgeous navy blue velvet blazer I picked up from TJMaxx this weekend! Take a look:

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^^^ So. PRETTY!

Normally, when I’m shopping at TJs, I stay pretty well parked in the Junior’s department. However, I was helping my mom scour the women’s section this time, because I love picking clothes out for her. So, it certainly came as a shock when I found something for myself in the department that I would have never thought of looking in before!

I. LOVE. THIS. BLAZER.

Everything about this jacket is just perfect to me – the retro style, the metallic sheen of the fabric, the gorgeous floral print. This blazer seriously looks like a women’s smoking jacket and I am totally obsessed. As you all know, I live for all black everything clothing BUT this Carolina Belle beauty is the exception. Dare I say, I like this blazer even more in its deep navy hue and pewter detail glory – and that’s really saying something.

Aside from the magnificent color palette of my new find, which gives it so much edge without even trying, my other favorite part of this blazer is the fit. I am a solid Small in the Junior’s department (Sometimes Extra Small, depending on what I’m trying on.), so I was pretty worried that a women’s size jacket wasn’t going to fit me well. WRONG. I found my blazer in an Extra Small and the fit was totally divine. I often opt for the slouchy, boyfriend style blazer so it was fun to try something that was more fitted and sultry. 😉

My Carolina Belle blazer is going to be such a cool, unexpected piece for fall and I am so excited to start incorporating it into my outfits immediately. Of course, this will look fabulous with jeans and dresses, but I am most looking forward to pairing my new blazer with my mustard yellow A-line skirt and tights for a fashionable fall work outfit. Can’t wait!

So there you have it, my Carolina Belle Of The Ball Blazer! What is your favorite style of jacket? How would you style my new wardrobe addition? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Translating Your Love For Animals Into Action

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Translating Your Love For Animals Into Action

Mark Twain famously said: “The more I learn about people, the more I like my dog”. While this might be a little harsh as a statement, there are a lot of people who could agree with Twain’s words. In fact, there are plenty of famous people who share Twain’s opinion from Marilyn Monroe, who found that only humans bit, to Elton John whose best man at his wedding was his dog. While preferring dogs to humans might seem a little off, there are clear advantages in developing a bond with animals. They are reliable, they don’t judge you, they don’t have any hidden motive, and, more practically, they provide friendly company. As an animal lover, you can make the world a better place for our furry, feathery and scaly friends by doing some (Or all!) of the below:

Change an animal’s life:

Do you know how many pets are abandoned every day? Rescue centers are filled with found, lost, and lonely pets who need a little help to find a better life. Some of them have been through horrendous situations such as abusive owners. There’s no denying that adopting an animal from a rescue center can make all of the difference. Of course, this isn’t a path for the faint-hearted, as some pets will need a lot of patience and support to trust another human being, so do make sure that you are informed about their backstory. But don’t despair, the effort is worth it! More often than not, animals with the worst stories are the kindest. They are quick to recognize your intentions and show their gratitude. If you want to start with an easier case, you could adopt an old pet as they tend to be peaceful, easy to manage, and just as cute.

Share your opinions and be proud of them:

Sometimes, all it takes to make a difference is to make your opinions clear and known —  respectfully, of course! You can talk to your friends about your beliefs about animals, for example, and maybe encourage them to follow your model. You could opt for a more passive conversion by wearing message tees to promote animal rights and animal pride — discover more fashionable alternatives over here. Sometimes nothing makes a stronger impact than a tee that says how much you love your dachshund. It’s fun, playful, and weirdly unforgettable and that’s what matters!

Become a wildlife’s hero:

If you want to turn your love for animals into something meaningful, you can join some of the wildlife actions for the protection and safety of all animals. You don’t need to be a multi-millionaire to make a difference. Adopting a wild animal through the WWF can help to fund wildlife protection. If you’ve got time, you can volunteer with zoos or organizations to help clean beaches and rescue animals. Buying responsibly also means that you can support companies that don’t pollute the environment and endanger wildlife. So what’s stopping you?

Being an animal lover is not just about watching kitten videos on YouTube. It’s a matter of doing your share to help animals and promote the cause. By adopting a dog in your neighborhood or choosing to donate to save tigers in the wild, you turn your love into a valuable action.

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Monday Update: Marilyn Manson Concert Edition

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Monday Update: Marilyn Manson Concert Edition

Hi everyone and happy Monday! This past Friday my sister, Kristen, and I trekked to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (About a two hour drive.) to see Marilyn Manson in concert for his Heaven Upside Down tour at Stage AE. After literal months of anticipation for this show, it was finally the night and the performance definitely didn’t disappoint. ESPECIALLY CONSIDERING THAT WE WERE RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE STAGE!! Take a look at some low quality iPod pictures and let’s discuss:

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^^^ Lol, I love that last picture. “Ayyy”.

First of all, Stage AE was an absolutely excellent venue. It seemed like no matter where you stood in the crowd, your visibility of the stage was average at a minimum and amazing at the max. Kristen and I began our concert experience with an okay viewing for the opener (Alice Glass, who I’m not even going to talk about because she sucked.), and ended our night in front of the stage.

How, you might ask?

Well, it’s not like the crowd was intensely rowdy throughout the show. Some fights definitely did break out but nothing “major”, and some people just weren’t comfortable with it (understandably) and opted to get away from the vicinity of the mosh pit. So as soon as people left the area for safety purposes, drinks, or what have you, Kristen and I would make our way forward until we had a view of Marilyn Manson at all times during the concert.

And speaking of the concert…

It. was. AMAZING. Manson is nearing fifty years of age, and I told Kristen on our way home that this is probably the best we’re going to see of him since he isn’t getting any younger. There was no on stage self harm, no crazy gimmicks with girls, minimal audience banter, and not even an inkling of violence. This show was everything that his performances weren’t when the band was just starting out, but that doesn’t mean that it wasn’t a lot of fun.

The Heaven Upside Down tour didn’t seem so much of a celebration of his new album of the same name, rather, an ode to some old school Marilyn Manson hits that even people who don’t even like Manson love. We’re talking The Dope Show, Lunchbox, mOBSCENE, This Is The New Shit, No Reflection, Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This), and The Beautiful People.

Marilyn Manson played four songs off of Heaven Upside Down and opened the show with the album opener of Revelation #12. He then peppered KILL4ME, WE KNOW WHERE YOU FUCKING LIVE, and SAY10 into the set list. The rest of the show was filled with Deep Six (I’m disappointed that more songs from The Pale Emperor weren’t played.) and Tourniquet, which is another old love. (Manson then encored with Coma White but, alas, Kristen and I had to make the two hour drive home so that she could work early in the morning.)

^^^ Obviously the set list rocked…

And the performance that came along with it was just as good. The lighting, the different costumes Manson donned, his gorgeous speaking/singing/screaming voice – it all worked so well. I mean, a front row view doesn’t hurt, but it was a damn good show. Fans that were able to see Marilyn Manson in the beginning might think that he is slowing down (Unfortunately, I was a toddler so until time travel is invented, I will never know what his early shows were like first hand.), but, to me, he is just getting started.

Marilyn Manson dragged his last album, The Pale Emperor, through some gritty, rough blues influence and it came as a triumphant, different comeback. Yes, some tracks off of Heaven Upside Down does sound like classic Manson (KILL4ME and WE KNOW WHERE YOU FUCKING LIVE, anyone?) but that doesn’t mean that the whole album will, and I’m looking forward to exploring it in its entirety when it comes out on October 6th.

Marilyn Manson is at a stage of experimentation that is working in his favor – from his art, acting, and playing with new and unique sounds – everything seems to be a success. I expect Heaven Upside Down to reflect these gutsy changes and the fact that he is soon going to be a half a century in age. Friday’s concert brought us some old school fun mixed with new favorites, but it seems like the party is raging on just fine for Manson in a way that’s not only, dare I say, age appropriate, but totally fucking cool.

So there you have it, this week’s Monday Update: Marilyn Manson Concert Edition! What was the last concert that you attended? How do you feel about Marilyn Manson? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah