Musical Notes

Illustrated by Jacqueline Davis Moranti

Let me start off by saying apologies for the lack in updating the past few months. I've been keeping myself pretty low key and focused. My SO and I have been busy moving into our first home and furnishing it. From new living room pieces to beautiful new, modern appliances. I've even discovered a new hobby of mine aside from interior decorating, plants! With all this movement and excitement, I've been using music as a form of entertainment, preoccupation and a soundtrack to all my thoughts.

Festival Style Refresh

Illustrated by Jacqueline Davis Moranti

With the beginnings of the warmer weather marks a brand new music festival scene! From Coachella to Electric Daisy and countless other festivals, there are many opportunities to look boho fresh! This year like the past is no different although the styles are better and bolder. And ofcourse before you grab last year's floral sundress, remember that in 2017 it's all in the details! This year, even if you don't have tickets, take the time to refresh your festival style with some new trends.

2016 Musical Review

Illustration by Jacqueline Davis Moranti

Can you remember the last time you replayed a song.. 10 times over?! Tunes that made you sing out loud and forget that you are in public, songs that fill you with inspiration to achieve your next best project.  I've had that feeling plenty of times this year. 2016 has been filled with many new songs worth repeating over and over again. As a freelancer, I feel it's important to have songs surround you while you're working, creating, thinking, and drafting. Music is a big source of inspiration for me, sometimes the right beat or lyric sends my mind into a creative spiral after a long drought. This year new music was in abundance and here's my list! 

Musically Inclined

Illustrated by Jacqueline Davis Moranti

Nothing like the beat of a new tune you discovered to get you going through a workout or your work day. A hook from a song that gets lodged in your brain immediately upon hearing it, that you have to find out more details about the song/ artist. This feeling happens to me all of the time. I'm constantly discovering new music, researching the lyrics and learning more about the voice crooning it.  I don't know about you, but I love a good live show, attending concerts are one of my favorite past times, when I fall hard for an artist upon discovery, I really fall hard! Sure, there are tons of sites in which one can buy their tickets from but not too many that can offer the best bang for your buck especially when you attend live shows often! 

Musical Review 2015

Illustrated by Jacqueline Davis Moranti

2015 has been very musically inclined. Music defines moments and helps shape our thought processes at certain times. Musical therapy is something I take quite seriously, there's nothing quite like putting on a pair of headphones and tuning out the world to tune into your favorite tracks. Music is the emotion that we forget exists until certain events in our lives, music is a way of life, music is the unknown yet welcomed distraction. Music is the world's most known yet most innocuous form of medicine, it can help keep your emotions aligned and enliven your brainwaves. My music taste goes from a fast, prominent beat to a slowed down, meditative beat. Since I listen to so many tempos my state of mind and energy levels stay pretty fair. Music therapy is key, and I've listed my top albums from this past year that have truly captured my senses! 

Musical Review

Illustrated by Jacqueline Davis Moranti

It's the last quarter of the year, what an insane ride 2014 was! This year proved to be challenging,  difficult and motivating at the same time. One thing that helps me get through any situation is music, music has a way of taking me to another place that can only be reached through beats per minute or decibels! Think about it, could you imagine going through life without music, without a song to celebrate your new promotion or without a song to celebrate your latest achievement. I've rounded up a few of my favorite albums from this past year!

Made In America Fest

It's almost that time of the year, the unofficial end of Summer, Labor day weekend. Time to say good bye to those fabulous warm weathered adventures and fashions but one Summer time goodness still stands true, the music festivals! Music festivals are great because they provide you with many rhythmic choices. If you're not into one artist's music then you can walk over to the next tent, for another that meets your satisfaction. My favorite fact about music festivals is that it has a way to unify people. Genres are molded together in one place to bring people from all over to celebrate bliss with sweet beats. "Like minded people gather together." It's truly a beautiful thing! This Labor Day weekend, August 30-31st, in Philadelphia, the Budweiser Made In America Festival sets up shop for it's third consecutive year to showcase the hottest and latest in music right now!

Jaw Jackin'

Illustrated by Jacqueline Davis Moranti, c. 2011

There comes a time when you turn on your music playlist and start skipping through songs, until you find one that has you wondering if you could create a playlist for that one song! Lately, I've found myself thinking this way. I would be at the gym, walking home, doing laundry, or even sketching at a park and contemplating that I just don't want to listen to anything at all. I am the biggest music lover, music has a way of helping one get through any situation and provide you with confidence with just the tiniest of lyrics! That's why when I felt like listening to nothing at all during a recent cardio session, I knew I needed new tunes! That's when I discovered Lapalux. 

Cardio Jams

Illustrated by Jacqueline Davis Moranti

I'm a huge fan of music, it's in our everyday life. From the moment you wake up to the second you close your eyes to sleep, there's always a tapping, chiming, rapping or a banging that adds to the soundtrack of our lives. Music is inspiring, motivating and adds to the mood of many moments in life that's why I was never into school dances... the wrong music choices were always chosen. When it comes to doing my cardio sessions at the gym, I always make sure I've got the right amount of BPMs (Beats Per Minute) to keep my heart rate going. 

My Favorite Albums in 2013

Illustrated by Jacqueline Davis Moranti

I can't even count the number of times that I've realized there were only a few weeks left in 2013! It's insane how fast a year can fly by, atleast there was good music to rock out to, whilst the time flew on by! 2013 was a good year in music, sure there was the Miley Cyrus incident, Artpop and the exclusive Beyonce album but to me there was so much more. I'm constantly getting asked what sort of music I listen to because I never seem to jump in on the conversations about all of the most talked about mainstream music artists, what can I say other than I love to live out of the box! I've rounded up six of my favorite albums for the year, and believe me it was not an easy task! 

Freestyle.

You remember that time in the 80's when the "Freestyle" music was heard all over? Yea, I wasn't really around to fully embrace that moment in music history either, but growing up I have listened to it, think Stevie B, Lisa Lisa, Cover Girls, and Laissez Faire. When I hear this music, it definitely, at least to me, defines that era (1980s). 

Anyways, I brought it to attention because this outfit, makes me think of that music, bright colors paired together especially pink, even my hair has an 80's reminiscent feel to it, although my hair will always seem that way! These photos were taken by my good friend Drake Murray. I don't think he's fully aware of the talent that he beholds, truly love his work and I hope to collaborate with him even more in the future! 

Top, jeans, and flats: J.Crew, bag and necklace: Forever21, jewelry: thrifted, Forever21

Drake really wanted this concept for his portfolio, technology(e-reader) vs. traditional(good ol' books). 

                                                                                                                 Xoxo,
                                                                                                                    Jacqui

My Birthday Surprise.

Recently, my BF surprised me with an early birthday present, this past wednesday. He kept telling me, "just dress casually, no heels please!" Ofcourse I was curious and antsy about what it could be.

Top: J.Crew, jeans: Gap, sandals: thrifted, jewelry: Forever21, thrifted 

I saw that he even made our dinner, packed it up in our retro colored cooler! I had no idea what was in store! We get to the destination, the Mann Center in Philadelphia and i've spotted a few people dressed as characters from my favorite, most beloved video game ever, The Legend of Zelda! That's when he tells me we're here to see a symphony of the franchise's music! Yes, I am a big video game aficionado, and the Zelda franchise tops it all for me! The event was to say the least, awesome! BF had prepared a three course meal, might I add he is an amazing cook! Appetizer, main course, and dessert, he even bought wine! The lawn seats were perfect for our little picnic! Unfortunately I didn't get any great shots of fans in cosplay, but I did find out that a college professor was in attendance, in full costume and a great one too. I feel like i've revealed too much of my nerdiness already!

Our "wine" glasses!

My wonderful BF 

Our view from the lawn, the orchestra was still settling in.


As for what I'll be doing on my actual birthday (July 30), I'll be spending most of it styling a photo shoot for an upcoming magazine! And styling men, a first for me! After that, not sure where the day will take me. 

                                                                                             Xoxo,

                                                                                                    Jacqui

Average Fruit.

Blouse and necklace: Forever21, trousers: H&M, oxfords: Urban Outfitters, jewelery: thrifted

Average Fruit - Jacqueline Moranti

Sworn to fast with all my might

The clay was soft, the future bright

Old fashioned ways that won't erase

Out of control, this building gate

Blinded like new

I'm feeling much stranger about you

Blinded like new

I'm feeling much stranger about you.....

-Little Dragon - A New

I've been listening to Little Dragon 24/7 recently. Her music is amazing, I discovered her back in the autumn of 2010 at the Gorillaz show. She was wearing an awesome sequin jacket that I have been coveting ever since! Actually she is known to dress super uniquely, i'd say Gwen Stefani meets Bjork? Anyways, you should give her music a listen, no matter what genre you favor!
So my birthday is coming up soon (eeeep!) and lately my BF has been acting strange, ducking and hiding things. I'm usually very nosey, but lately i've kind of grown out of that and just let things be. All I know is part of the birthday surprise will be revealed tonight and i'm really excited about it!
Also, my lovely buddy, Chaucee did a fantastic interview write up about me! Check it out at Streets and Stripes! She's one of my daily reads!

                                                                                                           Xoxo,

                                                                                                               Jacqui

Concerts.

        I was at a a concert recently, whilst there I saw so many fashion faux- pas. At a concert, individuals should dress comfortably since most of the time will be spent dancing erratically or standing. I've never actually been to a music event where there were seats, unless it was a jazz club. That is why wearing heels to a concert is not a smart idea, especially since there are so many cute flat options. Another thing that I saw a lot of, was the mini body- con skirts. I love my body- con skirts but I would never wear them to a concert, I'd worry the whole night that it's riding up, while im dancing, causing me to constantly pull it down. Not an attractive look. Also, I don't think I'll ever understand the reasoning behind clutches, to a concert? I have compiled a few looks that are sure to be comfortable enough to boogie in!

This outfit is fun with a hint of sexy thrown in! i've paired a high- waisted jean with a sequined bandeau top. I know, sequins?! Many think that sequins are only a holiday staple, not quite so especially when artfully paired. The chiffon top gives the right amount of coverage and it's a light material to feel comfortable dancing the night away! The belt helps to show off your waist. As for shoes, I'd go with a a pair of black flats, probably something with the metal detailing to continue the look.

        This next outfit consists of another pair of high- waisted jeans, a graphic tee and a button down blouse over top of the tee. Graphic tees are perfect for concerts, they're comfortable, stylish, versatile and support the musicians! Usually when I wear graphic tees, I like to pair it with some jewelry to make it more interesting and not too "I just rolled out of bed" look. I'd pair this look with a nice pair of metallic flats or sandals. 

        And now to break away from the black and white! This outfit would be perfect for music festivals (Coachella, Electric Daisy, Electric Zoo)! A pair of bright green high- waisted shorts and a fun printed tank. I believe high- waisted jeans or shorts are great options since you don't have to worry about a certain butt crack incident or under garments peeking through, whilst your dancing away. Plus, high- waisted options flatter many body shapes! This outfit would look great with an awesome pair of sandals, like a fun blue shade to compliment the blue buttons on the shorts and in the shirt. All of these outfits would look great with cross- body bags, backpacks and even the more modern fanny packs! There's so many ways to be stylish and comfortable at a concert, hopefully these tips helped!

                                                                                              Xoxo,
                                                                                                   Jacqui