Consequence+ Kanye + John Legend

A couple years ago I tried to buy a copy of A Tribe Called Quest's Midnight Marauders and wound up with Consequence's lookalike mixtape "A Tribe Called Quence" (which was not so great). But Cons TV (coming later this month) might well serve as Consequence's break into mainstream music. The first single "Whatever U Want" features some other good music talent and a well-placed Jackson 5 sample. I'm not sure where Hype Williams was going with the pony tail swinging concept which is all over this video but regardless it's a good song.

Vybz Kartel

After hearing Kartel's single "Romping Shop" every 30 minutes on Hot97 for the past month (albeit half of the lyrics are censored), I can say I never got sick of it. "Yuh Love" appeared over on Mad Decent a couple weeks back. The video (which resembles a low-budget endorsement for iMovie) isn't much, but the song is on another level. Although listening to Kartel sing about monogamy presents some contradictions ... the video supplement offers further questions such as: how is a picture of a Ferrari F50 (first seen in minute 1:13) relevant to this song?

Love Your Mind - Anxiety and Depression Awareness Month

Hello there lovelies,

As I come back from a slightly extended absence, I've got a topic to talk about that's really close to my heart. I'm a little late to the party, but October is the Beyond Blue Anxiety and Depression Awareness (ADA) Month, obviously aimed to promote understanding and awareness of anxiety and depressive disorders. According to Beyond Blue, depression affects 1 in 5 people throughout their lifetime, and one in four people experience anxiety. That's a hell of a lot of people - and those figures include a lot of people that are near and dear to me. I've experienced depression firsthand, and I know what these disorders can do to people. So maybe it's not much, but I'll do my little bit to get the word out.

Beyond Blue makes it very easy to do just that. If you head on over to their website they have a range of online information, as well as packs that they'll send to you for free. Here are just a few ways you can help raise public awareness about these disorders:

• Order some information packs from Beyond Blue and distribute them to people you know, or around the workplace.
• Use one of the Beyond Blue woven shopping bags to carry stuff around.
• Wear a blue wristband for the month of October.
• Display a Beyond Blue fridge magnet at home or work.
• DIY yourself an ADA month t-shirt/bag/anything else you can think of.
• Download one of these Beyond Blue posters from the website and put it on your blog or just link to the website.
• If you've experienced anxiety or depression talk to people you know about your experiences - half the problem is that people still don't think of these disorders as a normal part of life!
• Download the anxiety and depression checklists at the Beyond Blue website, and check your family, friends, and of course yourself.
• Anonymously send an information pack to anyone you think may be experiencing anxiety or depression.

So seriously, if I haven't said it enough head on over to the Beyond Blue website and get involved. The more people there are getting the word out, the more those people who suffer from anxiety and depression will know they're not alone! Speak up for all those people who may not presently be able to speak up for themselves - they will thank you later. And I'll thank you too.

Until next time, xo.

Deadmau5 Contest - C.D. + Poster

Not into hats? Fear not, for the contesting continues. This time we're offering up a Deadmau5 C.D. (For Lack of a Better Name, which dropped on September 22nd and can be streamed in full at the dude's MySpace page) and poster. If you're keen to get your paws on the new album, hit me up at PandaToes@gmail.com with your favorite picture of the Deadmau5 mask and include a caption. Simple enough, yea? I'll use my flawless judgment to pick the most clever submission.

And in case you've been living under a rock for the past few years (or just don't really get down to electro house on the regular), be sure to check out the somewhat new video for "Ghosts N Stuff." In the words of one Deadmau5 publicist, "It features, uh, ghosts, and stuff. Cool!" Seems relevant. Peep:



Be sure to stop by his site to see when dude's hitting a town near you.

EDIT: Contest ends in one week.

YACHT Fitted Contest + Gucci Mane + Plies

Some time ago we gave away a Panda Bear fitted. Now we're back with another lid from a group artist-gone-solo: YACHT (granted YACHT is no longer a solo gig, but you get the point). And like last time, it's a New Era fitted courtesy of our friends at Fader. If you're keen to parade around town in a fresh, free cap, send me an email (at PandaToes@gmail.com) with three or four sentences explaining why Jona Bechtolt (see: YACHT) is cooler than you. Then I'll decide who is the most worthy of such an accessory.

As far as videos go, be sure to peep the latest from one of my favorite rappers in the game: Gucci Mane. Dude finally did up a video for his hit "Wasted" (with Plies), and it's much like what you'd expect. Lots of drinking (often out of red Solo cups), plenty of rocking out (sometimes with guitars), and no shortage of pool party splashing. Love. This. Song.



Get excited - we've got three or so more contests lined up this week.

EDIT: For U.S. residents only. Sorry, guys.

EDIT 2: Contest ends in one week.

A Dose of Style - Beach Edition!

Hello there beautiful readers,

Now I know it's moving into Winter time for some of you, but for those of us in Australia the weather has been unseasonably warm lately. It's made me start dreaming of pools, beaches, and thus, bikinis. Today I'm bringing to you beach inspiration, in the form of some chicks who really know how to rock a bikini/various beachwear. Enjoy!

Pink - Man, oh man I love this chick. I love the simple but quirky swimwear, the cute hat, and of course the kyak/canoe paddle-as-accessory. I mean, she's proabably using it for something, but it looks cool too right?

Rihanna - It's an old picture, I know. But I am crazy about the mismatching patterns, and how they manage to look like they're meant to be together because she walks so confidently. Bangles are a nice touch also.

Scarlett Johansson - This bikini is adorable! The colours suit her perfectly, as do the sunglasses (hopefully she's wearing sunscreen too!).

Zooey Deschanel - My favourite look today! Whilst technically not a bikini, Zooey looks so cute and I'd love to wear something like this down to the beach. Seriously though, this girl is too much adorable.

Until next time, xo.

Things I love Thursday!

Well lovelies, as hard as it is to believe, yet another Thursday has come around! As Thursday is my current favourite day of the week, it makes Things I Love Thursday all the more appropriate. Here we go!

Photo by electric bird

• Mila Kunis - I mean, a wicked hot actress who also voices a character in Family Guy? What's not to love about this girl? And, since she was in Forgetting Sarah Marshall as well, I can forgive her for her role in the terrible sequel to the movie version of Bret Easton Ellis's American Psycho. But only just.
  
• The South Park movie - it's been so long since I watched this, and I finally watched it again the other day and laughed myself silly. Ok, so the humour is crude, and low-brow. That doesn't stop it being hilarious.
  
• Discovering cool new blogs - my recently found recommendations include: a cat of impossible colour, Hot Piece of Sass, Julie's Jotting's, What Claudia Wore, Doe Deere Blogazine, Le Love, and, possibly my new all-time favourite, What Chuck Wore (it may not have been updated for awhile, but reading through the old entries is hilarious).
  
• Richard Dawkins - Well, if it is completely wierd to be in love with an old man who spends his time battling backward thinking and promoting the teaching of science, then call me completely wierd. Recently I watched his TV series The Root of All Evil, and it was amazing, if some of the people he interviewed were a little disturbing. I'm also reading The God Delusion, and I've got The Selfish Gene, and The Blind Watchmaker waiting for me when I'm done.
  
• The Boyfriend cooking me dinner - I'd had a terrible night, as he was working a night shift and the animals wouldn't settle down. All their noise kept making me think there was something in the house, and at around 2AM they knocked a plate off the kitchen bench (which then smashed). I rang The Boyfriend up in tears because I was so exhausted, I had glass in my feet and I had to work the next morning. When I came home from work the next day the kitchen was clean, and dinner was waiting for me, to try and make up for my horrible night. I love him. <3

Photo by ilove.color

Other happiness gems: Inked by Carey Hart; typographic tattoos; head scarves and turbans; free stuff on magazines; watching my cats sleep in funny places; "Hey Mum, remember that goldfish we flushed down the toilet? He wasn't dead." *giant goldfish cocks gun*; steamed dim sims; rainbow gladiator sandals; borrowing exercise DVD's from the public library - I can just swap them over when I get bored!; realising I'm practising belly-dancing isolations when I'm day dreaming, and having a clean kitchen (courtesy of The Boyfriend!).