Target's Latest Triumph - New GO International Designs Aim To Please

Those who are of true personal style know that sometimes you have to get your hands dirty to find a real gem. Most ladies would never reveal their secret shopping havens of choice, but personally, I get a tiny rush from the shock I receive after telling someone I fished through the discount section on my local Wal-Mart to recover a bangin' accessory.

Target, luckily, has never reached the pantheon of "white trash" cliché that the 'Marts have cornered the market on (at least not in this part of the great state of California), but lately their guest designer collections have been... somewhat lacking. A girl of substance can only survive on basics from Isaac Mizrahi for so long, am I right?

Well hold on to your panties, fashionphiles, because recovering from the onslaught of the Jovovich-Hawk collection (I mean seriously Milla, what WAS that?) has done Target well: This round of GO designs features a brand-new line of amazing pieces, and the best part of the deal is that they're totally non-descript!

With ne'er a designer label in sight, the chic separates and adorable dresses are proof that you don't have to spend a million dollars to look like you've just dropped the cash. My personal theory is that Target needed to keep the GO cycle flowing while they got another high-end designer to contribute to their inventory, but I'm fine with what they've got happening now! Keep it up, babies!

P.S. Scope the hidden pockets on the super cute yellow and black colorblock dress. Adorable AND practical!
P.P.S. If my theory is correct, the ATOMIC ladies wouldn't protest if we got at least half the left-overs from the Zac Posen for Target collection shipped over to the states. Pretty please?

- Emily Rose

Songs That Make Emily's Heart Smile, Ears Dance, and Other Body Parts Do Things They Weren't Designed To Do!

While there are some songs that come and go as easily as the wind (cheesy I know, but bear with me), there are others that stick with you for life. These are some of the songs which have helped strengthen my philosophy of life, shape who I strive to become, and - strangely enough - restore my faith in society. Here we go!

1. Fire Island, AK - The Long Winters
There are only a few things that may warrant me to get a tattoo dedicated to it: my parents, my siblings, and this song. It's THAT amazing. John Roderick ties the story of a lost love into an amazingly poignant ode to anyone in one of life's tight spots (at least, to anyone who chooses interpret it that way). Did it reach you?

2. Prom Night At Hater High - The Long Winters
Come on, they had to stick together! This tune perfectly embodies the feeling almost every teenager has had to get the hell out of the place where they feel the least understood: their hometowns. Sample lyric: "These kids are my age/It's strange to say/Look up!/Every star is singing in space/But I am motionless/On this tiny strip..." I could cry!

3. Highschool Lover - AIR
I, unfortunately, can no longer enjoy this song recreationally because I'm saving it for a special occasion (those closest to me know what I'm talking about). But what I can say for now is that it's the most elegant, beautiful, heartbreaking, inspiring, devastating, simple song one could ever grace their ears with.

4. The Crane Takes Flight - Ted Leo and the Pharmacists
A close tie for third was this violin-driven ballad dedicated to the finer things in life: a good heart, a strong will, and an open mind. Mr. Leo mixes the wordplay of a poet with the rhythm of a true Jersey-shore musician, and both coexist perfectly in the intertwining genius of The Crane Takes Flight.

5. You Are What You Love - Jenny Lewis with the Watson Twins
I cannot say enough about this song. The lyrics are thoughtful and heart-wrenching, while still remaining meaningful and all together amazing. Her solo effort most definitely paid off, and we have the boys of Rilo Kiley to thank (among others) for their support of her work.

6. I'm Looking Through You - The Beatles
No list of mine would be complete without a Beatles song. Have you ever had a feeling that the person you're most trusting of isn't being as honest with you as they could be? Has it become a problem? The Fab Four knows how you feel, and you can consider this song written just for that person.

7. Polite Dance Song - The Bird and the Bee
The first song that really makes you want to do what it's instructing you to. Downplay the Macarena and obey Inara George's instructions. You will be rewarded with the time of your life.

8. Attached - Goodbye Ian
What originally stemmed from a recent, yet brief (who am I kidding, it's on-going), love of Ricky Ullman bloomed the love of a simple and beautifully written song about the pleading of a man who asks his lover to change their ways and come back to him. Kinda like rehab for the heart, huh?

9. Midnight Surprise - Lightspeed Champion
You know a song is good when you'll sit through almost ten minutes of it to get to your favorite part... and it's not even the lyrics that get you! Being the sucker for an amazing piano-driven crescendo that I am, the time flies by before I know it. Love you lots, Lightspeed.

10. Wild World - Cat Stevens
Ever tried to give advice to someone who just wouldn't listen? Play them this song and pray to God they wise up... but try not to shed a billion tears while doing so.

11. Doctor My Eyes - Jackson Browne
It seems as though every song on this list so far has been about a deeply personal journey, and this hit from Mr. Browne is no different. Recounting the mistakes he's made and resigning himself to the fact that no one is perfect, but STILL trying his hardest to make it through with a better head is the goal. Listen and love.

12. Munich - Editors
All you have to do is listen to the song for one minute and you'll be hooked. An excellent video often enhances the admiration one may have for a certain song, and when seen, this video will blow your mind. Grab your helmet and head on over to YouTube. (Note: Atomic will not be held responsible for any loss of minds due to blowage. Be safe, kiddos!)

13. O Yeah - End of Fashion
Set over a poppy beat with the accompanyment of young children, "O Yeah" will certainly teach you how to express happiness again - No need for expensive smile school!

14. Florida - Modest Mouse
Never move forward with regrets. Isaac Brock knows this, and now ao do you. Make him proud.

15. Satellite - Guster
This song makes me sad for so many reasons, which are essentially silly (brutal honesty never hurt anyone...ish). We all want to be thought of the way Guster loves their girls, period.

P.S. Honorable mentions go out to multiple songs by Tegan and Sara, TV on the Radio, The Rosebuds, M.I.A. and others!

Greatest Songs of All Time Series: Michaela's Picks

Here's something I've wanted to do for a while-accumulate a list of all of the songs that I declare brilliant, and in to particular order. Some may be extremely obvious,and some may be extremely odd. Check them out yourself, I'm sure they won't disappoint if you're open to all kinds of music. I've picked fifteen(I tried!) amazing songs to let you see what's been in my head. Enjoy!

1."Frank Sinatra" by Miss Kittin & The Hacker
Straight of of Party Monster, it's been a long time favorite of mine. You either love it hate it!
Either way, those French people are insane, and I mean that in the best way possible.

2."Gettin' It" by Too $hort
A favorite song of mine since I was a mini, and the best song by Too $hort in my opinion to this day. He's still on top of his game, though. The lyrics hit the spot, the beat is dope, $hort's a boss.

3. "Blue Monday"/"Ceremony" by New Order
The video for Blue Monday is bananas-so random, so 80's. I don't even think it's humanly possible to hate this song. Chances are that you're mom got down to this one, just like mine did.
Ceremony is it's polar opposite though, and simply beautiful. Beautiful enough to be on the Marie Antoinette soundtrack-in which it fits in so perfectly. Sofia Cappola knows good music.

4. "Black Plastic" by Ladytron
Classic. I bought Light & Magic when it first came out, stepping into synth-pop after my long industrial/EBM phase and it was a smooth transition. The song clearly is a combination of Shoe-Gaze and Synth-pop to where you can actually take notice.

5. "Fox in the Snow" by Belle & Sebastian
It's hard to explain why this song means so much to me. On the contrary to what you think, it's not about a "fox" being the main subject. It always has a way to make me calm and get my self together. Sometimes I feel like the song could possibly be about me and my struggles. Just let me go on and think that.

6."Sexy Boy" by Air
Air is one of the best bands in world. The music they make have this way of capturing every moment in your life that you want it to, and though the story in the song may be unclear, I find it an advantage. That being, the song can be anything you want it to be. I don't think about sexy boys when I listen to this song, and chances are that neither will you. It's too magnificent and hypnotizing to do that anyway. Air's songs are like a platter of hot platonic-uber sexuality with a side of beauty and a glass of class. Discover Air and you'll know what I mean.

7."Safe and Sound" by Azure Ray
The only song that make me instantly cry. Orenda Fink and Maria Taylor have the most beautiful voices I have EVER heard.

8. "Around the World" by Daft Punk
The duo that are legends. The masked, larger than life, genius duo. A group that hip-hop, pop, and electro fans love alike, Daft Punk have shown us some serious staying power throughout the years and they keep handing out their crafty concoctions like it's Christmas. Let's just face it now, Daft Punk is inspired by the greatest and inspires the greatest. This song is just one example of why that's so clear to see, well, hear.

9."Rock N' Roll" by The Sounds
The Sounds kick ass, period. This one is a personal favorite of mine, and it's like a gorgeous punch in the face. I guess i'm drawn to songs like that, ha ha.

10."Head Over Heels" by Tears for Fears
I think the title speaks for itself. Whether your relationship is constantly sweet, perfectly bittersweet, or just bitter, it tells a story that you understand.

11. "Pretty Baby" by Blondie
Debbie Harry was, and still is, the most beautiful woman of rock. That voice, that face-What will it take you people to listen to another song of Blondie besides "Heart of Glass"?

12. "Call Me Up" by Chromeo
I'm a firm believer that there is nothing sexier than Dave 1's voice and P-Thugg's beats. Damn I wish they were Prince's proteges, but it reallydoesn't matter because they sound like it anyway.
This specific track could also do no wrong in the mixing world, Kill the Noise and Swear Words have released dope remixes that are as good as the original.



13. "Romantic Rights" by Death From Above 1979
What was going though my mind when I first heard this song? It was like nothing i've ever heard before, and all I wanted to hear from then on out. The grinding, mega-distorted guitar, the banging, bass-y drums, the laid back vocals and the cheeky lyrics. The cherry on top would have to be the electro influence thrown in there. A perfect big mess, I like to call it. It works wonderfully, either way. R.I.P., DFA1979, but we're happy to see that JFK has moved on to better things, like our beloved powerhouse, MSTRKRFT.

14. "D.A.N.C.E." by Justice
Alas we've come my favorite group. I can go on listing why this song is f**king perfect for days on end, but instead i'll just say that Justice has creativity you wish you had. You can see it in their performances, their style, their music, their videos, their remixes. They're the type of group you wish you could be. Definitely a huge influence on what I plan to do next, and their music inspires me in all kinds of ways. Thanks, boys.

15. "Monster Hospital Remix" by MSTRKRFT
How many songs do you know of that have a remix and a video to go with it? This would be one of them and the reason is quite clear, the MSTRKRFT remix is far better than the original. The song oozes something that I described about Air, it totally serves you perfection and tact. Everything has been manipulated in the right way-obviously the song that made me fall in love with MSTRKRFT. They are just as perfect as their counterpart, Justice.

16. "Hypnotize" by Notorious B.I.G.
It's pretty damn hard to list just one Notorious B.I.G. song, when every single one is amazing.
Either way, this particular song is one that I've loved since it came out. Even when I was a kid, I knew this song was boss. It's easy to see that if he was still alive, he'd be a bigger mogul than Diddy, and a better role model for everyone. Guess that is one reason why they called him "Biggie". Everything he did was larger than life.

LA Riot's Coachella Mix

The sickest mash-up that I've heard in a very long time. An Atomic favorite, LA Riots, have released a Coachella Mix that's available to hear at The Los Angeles Times Coachella page (the Quicktime player is to the right).
Not only is it an astounding twenty-minute long mix, but it includes all of our favorite artists and favorite songs. Here is a track list of what is specifically in the mix:

Hot Chip — “Ready for the Floor (LA Riots Remix)”
Kavinsky-"Testrarossa Autodrive (sebastiAn Remix)"
Justice-"DVNO (LA Riots Remix)"
Bonde Do Role-"Marina Gasolina(Radioclit Remix)"
Uffie-"Hot Chick"
M.I.A.-"Bamboo Banga"
Kid Sister-"Control (LA Riots Remix)"
Cut Copy-"Saturdays"
Chromeo-"Needy Girl (Vandalism Remix)"
Boys Noize-"Oh! (A-Trak Remix)"
Justice-"TTHHEE PPAARRTTYY (LA Riots Remix)"
Yelle-"A Cause des Garcons"
Tegan and Sara-"Back in Your Head (Morgan Page Remix)"

Keith Haring's Mural, Painted Over

We all have experienced, as an artist or as a curious onlooker, that some of our favorite pieces of street art eventually fade, are painted over, or vandalized by other so called "artists". Fortunately, this was not the case with Haring's mural on Houston St./Bowery in New York City.
The Keith Haring Foundation, Deitch Projects, and Goldman Properties have hired a group of artists to recreate, or repaint, the mural in it's original form, using various photographic documentations of the original mural to bring it as original as possible.
I have to say, for someone who has been a fan of Haring and looked at his work as extensively as myself-the job was well done. Not only are the colors as brighter than before, but if Keith were still around, i'm sure he would be extremely flattered.

The mural is set to debut as finished on May 4th, which would have been his 50th birthday, and set to stay up until New Years Eve until it is sadly repainted by the city, once again and forever.

Everyone's Perfect Accessory: Sunglasses

It only being a month and a half away from the summer season, I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to bring you some advice in serious sunglass shopping. Have you ever walked around the city or even driven by in your car, seeing someone with sunglasses that completely ruin their outfit? Well, we have.
We're bringing you the rules of sunglass shopping and where to buy them. In time, you'll see that a perfect pair (or two) of shades could be the only accessory you'll need to be looking fly.

Rule #1: Your Face Shape
Oval-shaped faces should wear large squared frames or large circular frames, it balances out your features and compliments the face shape very well.
Round-shaped faces can wear almost any style, but beware of that generic rectangle-shaped frames that are still being sold in stores!
Square-shaped faces look great in circular framed glasses, can can almost pull off any shape.
Heart-shaped faces look great in bigger square shaped frames, or bigger circular shaped ones. The trick is to balance out the narrowing of the chin in something that "pops" if you will. Sometimes, if you can pull it off, you get that bubble eye/alien effect, that can be very flattering. Thank you Nicole Richie, who is one example of this working to your advantage!

Rule #2: Faux Pas and how to avoid them
It may not even be about your individual face shape! Since there can be fashion faux pas, there can definitely be sunglass faux pas. We've all bought cheaply made glasses that break. The truth is that you don't have to spend a lot to get great quality sunglasses, the trick is it take your time looking around! Even though wearing a specific designer's sunglasses seems like a dream, it's not always flattering to see a huge logo on the side of their head that is shouting, "LOOK AT ME!".
There are other places that you can find the same amount of luxury for a whole lot less.

Rule #3: Where to buy & how to buy
Last season, the Ray Ban wayfarer came back. The only problem is that you see everyone with the same colors! You can break the habit by simply thrift shopping (and, no, not those hot spots that are so expensive). The Claw Money online shop offers many vintage wayfarer styles, including my favorite i've seen to date.

Vintage Purple Marbled Mosaic Ray-Ban Wayfarer, $200, at Claw Money.

You can even find your perfect round-frames, rare and vintage, from American Apparel.

Vigneri Sunglasses, $75.

And for those of us who don't want to spend the cash for some rare shades, we always have Urban Outfitters behind us, with prices ranging from $10-$20 for some stylish shades.
A favorite of mine are the flat-top aviators that they offer, because the flatter any face shape!

Flat Top Aviator sunglasses, $16, at any UO location.

Remember to take the time, and look out everywhere you go for sunglasses, sometimes when you least expect to, the perfect pair comes to you! Hope to see everyone out soon with their "perfect pair"!

Our Very First Time

Hello Atomic readers,

We're pleased to inform you that atomiczine.blogspot.com is our new blogging headquarters! We will be bringing you detailed blogs with a punch and your daily dose of California-cultured art, music & fashion. We can only hope that you are as supportive as you have been in the first few months that we have been in business. A big thank you to everyone who reads, challenges, praises (even criticizes us), and helps us with their individual contribution. In other words, thanks for your support!

Remember, we are always looking for new and exciting things to bring to the table and would like you see you reach out to us! You can contact us on our MySpace; there is a link at the bottom of the page (pretty nifty, right?).

Until our next post,
ATOMIC!