Trying My Luck with the Ukulele

We named this ukulele Cece

Way back in high school, I tried to learn the guitar but I had no luck. I didn't have the perseverance to memorize all those chords and tabs. Also my fingers were too stiff to shift from one chord to another, taking me about 3 seconds to transfer. I got discouraged right away. 

With the ukulele, it's a different story. I started strumming the four-string wonder last year after I got a hold of my friend's ukulele (Thanks, Zapie!). One thing that attracted me to this little instrument, other than its cutesy size, is its sound. There's a cheerful vibe to it-- often reminding me of a fun laid-back island life. 

I have convinced L to buy one just for practice and I've been having so much fun playing it. Trying my best to strum a song or two everyday; however, I still have a lot of chords to master. Forgive my slothfulness but I always choose to play the easy songs. Haha. Anyway, here are a few cover attempts (I hope I'm not making a fool of myself). ;]

Pumped Up Kicks - Foster the People (Ukulele Cover)

Tennis Court - Lorde (Ukulele Cover)

Hopefully I didn't make you squirm while watching these videos. Haha. I'm off to practice other covers and maybe post some more.

Photo Inspiration #1

Source: http://www.tumblr.com

Source: http://melancholik.tumblr.com

Source: http://www.pinterest.com

Source: http://melancholik.tumblr.com

Source: http://melancholik.tumblr.com

Source: http://melancholik.tumblr.com

KaityBob's Gourmet Burger and Pub

I first heard about KaityBob's from my sister who kept recommending their burger. There are also a couple of people I know who gave positive feedbacks. In fact, they were more than positive especially because of this one guy's statement "It's the best burger in town" with the genuine look on his face. He said those words like he has the burger right in front of him ready to bite it then and there. Haha. 

L and I have been wanting to go there but for some reason we couldn't. The pub is actually located in another municipality so it's a bit far from the city. It claims to be the best kept secret of Baclayon. Actually, I agree with that since it's mostly heard of by word of mouth. 

One Sunday morning after going to church, we decided to grab a burger for lunch. At last, we were finally going to taste the so-called  ace of all burgers in my island. We ordered the most popular on the menu, Cheesy Burger priced at PhP 109. It's a quarter kilo burger with potato bun, lettuce, tomato, onion, cheese and the KB Special Sauce. I think it has something to do with the sauce that's making the burger extra extra special. It's so juicy and delicious. If only I could stomach one more I would but I was too full already.

Flashback to our first bite: we counted to three before sinking our teeth in then looked at each other with smiles on our faces because the burger have met our expectations. It's really what the say it is, the best burger in town. 

Cheesy Burger

Canned Coffee

Yup, it has the right to be called The Best

Try Baclayon's best kept secret:

KaityBob's Gourmet Burger

Barangay Taguihon, Baclayon, Bohol Philippines

Sew Maui

Sew Maui is a collection of clothes by Dumaguete City based designer, Maui Lezama. Her creations are a melange of fun, girly and chic. You'd imagine Zooey Deschanel sporting her dresses. The signature high waist cuts, open back and vintage-inspired style will add flair to your daily wardrobe.

Take a look at a few pieces from her collections.
Source: www.facebook.com/mauistitches 

Maui in her own design

What's great about getting clothes from Sew Maui is that each one is unique, unconventional, charming and beautiful at the same time. The garments are uncommon; she's definitely not selling hundreds of pieces for one design-- no worries about encountering someone else in the same clothes. Her collections are limited so you gotta grab the one you're eyeing at as soon as possible before another quick buyer says "mine" on the picture. You can ask for MTO (made to order) clothes though for the same design but in a different fabric.  

Not only does she make clothes for everyday wear, her creations include formal wear and gowns that has been featured in weddings and Miss Silliman pageants. 

Of course I didn't let Sew Maui pass me by without grabbing a piece or two. Here are items I snagged:

Get a piece from Sew Maui:

www.facebook.com/mauistitches

www.facebook.com/SewMaui

www.facebook.com/MauiLezama

Krista Huot

Fairy tale, folklore and vintage kitsch combined-- these generate beautiful masterpieces by Krista Huot. Familiar characters like Snow White, Alice in Wonderland, and Rapunzel are depicted in unique and remarkable features. Krista made a signature of her own in the art world making her paintings stand out and noticeable. 

Advice from a Caterpillar

I find her works are telling the stories of known characters in a different light making them interesting and more enchanting.

Masquerade

Hanami

Rapunzel

Wind-Up

Queen Mab

The Poisoned Apple

Temptresses

See more of her art:

http://kristahuot.com
http://flickr.com/photos/kristahuot
http://twitter.com/kristahuot
http://kristahuot.etsy.com

Vintage Stuff

I kept mentioning in prior posts that I have a thing for vintage stuff. The nostalgic air and the thought of it still being around despite the years might be the magnet for me. I have come across a few objects from the past and they have some kind of effect on me making me want to travel time and wonder what it'd be like to experience the previous eras. Good thing I have my trusty film cameras (which are vintagey themselves) to keep them in a collection of photographs. Oh well, can't get enough of them.

The old and classic through the analogue lens:

Pentatonix

Source: http://www.ryanseacrest.com

I've seen Pitch Perfect and the movie made me appreciate a cappella even more. The creativity injected into the covered songs made them sound way better than the originals. One day while scanning the news feeds of a social media account, one of the blogs I'm subscribed to posted an entry claiming that a cover by Pentatonix surpassed the original-- the song was Royals by Lorde. I'm currently hooked on the latter so I was really curious. As soon as the video played, I had goosebumps all over.

Pentatonix - Royals (Lorde Cover)

Pentatonix hails from Arlington, Texas naming their group after the musical mode with five notes in an octave-- the pentatonic scale. They are the winners of NBC's a cappella singing competition The Sing-Off during the third season. Their first two EPs PTX Vol. 1 and PTXmas were released in 2012 and the third is to be released this 2013 with covers and original songs. 

The group posted several renditions in their YouTube channel; some, if not most, are viral. I must say they recreate the songs impressively. I'm not surprised how they became the champions of The Sing-Off Season 3, they absolutely deserve it. Pentatonix gives each one of their covered songs a certain flair that wasn't there in the original. These guys know what they're doing and they're doing it real good. They are catching a lot of attention in the biz with their remarkable blending techniques and phenomenal bass and percussion. Kudos to this exceptional ensemble. 

You SHOULD listen to these as well; get ready for goosebumps:

Pentatonix - Evolution of Music

Pentatonix - Somebody that I Used to Know (Gotye feat. Kimbra Cover)

Pentatonix - Since U Been Gone/Forget You Medley (The Sing-Off Performance)

Pentatonix - Video Killed the Radio Star (The Sing-Off Performance)

See and hear more:

http://www.youtube.com/user/PTXofficial/videos

P.S. Their Sing-Off performances are golden. If you haven't seen them yet you better watch them now. *Wink*