This week we chatted with Adolfo J Lara, an artist, director, and photographer based in Los Angeles. In the latest installment of our interview series, Adolfo discusses his affinity towards street art, his various sources of inspiration, and some advice for aspiring street artists.

Twenty Two: Let’s start with the basics. Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

Adolfo: My name is Adolfo. I’m 23, male, 5’11” (probably 6′ soon — I’m drinking a lot of milk), Mexican, filmmaker, artist, photographer, non-heartthrob, Los Angeles.

Twenty Two: What inspired you to get involved with street art as opposed to more traditional genres?

Adolfo: I like street art/graffiti because it allows me to put my work right in people’s faces, instead of waiting for them to visit my website or whatever. I can do something really cool in my sketchbook and no one will see it, but I can take that same thing and put it on a busy intersection and hundreds of people will see it.

Twenty Two: How do you differentiate your work from that of other street artists?

Adolfo: I really like humor, and being literal. Most of the time, I just write whatever I’m thinking in my head on a wall.

Twenty Two: Which pieces are you most proud of?

Adolfo: Any pieces that made someone’s day, made someone laugh, or at least made them smile.

Twenty Two: Where do you find your inspiration?

Adolfo: Film, music, old photographs, old magazines, urban legends, paranormal stuff, and comic books. I really like comic books, especially the old romance ones. Some people [who inspire me] include René Magritte, Erwin Wurm, Keith Haring, Spike Jonze, Harmony Korine, Michel Gondry, and Mark Romanek.

Twenty Two: Can you describe your typical day?

Adolfo: I don’t have typical days since I do so many different things, but they usually involve some kind of art making or movie making. I’m always trying to be productive. I get distracted very easily so it’s harder than you think, but it always usually ends at Chipotle.

Twenty Two: What’s the process you go through when you’re developing a new piece?

Adolfo: I like to listen to music, and the pieces are usually based on whatever I’m feeling that day. If I’m happy it will be a happy one, and if I’m sad it will probably be a girl crying or something. I think I just called myself a girl.

Twenty Two: In addition to being a street artist, you’re also a director and photographer. How does your work in each arena differ and overlap?

Adolfo: It doesn’t really overlap. I’ve been trying to figure out how they can work together but they really can’t. My art style differs from my filmmaking a lot. It’s weird. In film I have a style, but my art stuff is all over the place. It’s a big, beautiful mess. I’m like a kid.

Twenty Two: How has living in Los Angeles influenced your work?

Adolfo: Oh my god, there’s inspiration everywhere you look. The crazy people, the art, the size, the weather, the opportunities…

Twenty Two: When you’re not working, how do you spend your time?

Adolfo: Telling lies, and pulling pranks. Filming everything.

Twenty Two: What can we expect to see from you in the future?

Adolfo: I’m working on my first feature film, and a slew of short films. I’ll probably be dating Vanessa Hudgens.

Twenty Two: Do you have any advice for aspiring street artists?

Adolfo: Don’t blame me when you get arrested.

A special thanks to Adolfo for giving us the opportunity to learn more about his work. You can keep up with him by checking out his Tumblr ,Twitter, and Vimeo.

Click on the images below to see more from Adolfo.

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• Interview: Celeigh Chapman of COYOL

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This week we chatted with Jasmine Ash of Oh Darling, a Los Angeles-based rock n’ roll quartet with roots in Portland, Oregon. Along with Jasmine as its singer-keyboardist, Oh Darling is made up of guitarist Daven Hall, bassist J.Marie Hall, and drummer Jake Endicott. In the latest installment of our interview series, Jasmine discusses her work both as a solo artist and as a part of the band, her favorite vegan restaurants, and her personal style.

Twenty Two: Let’s start with the basics. Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

Jasmine: I’m Jasmine. I’m a singer/songwriter from the Pacific Northwest who loves music, fashion, reading, yoga, vegan food, bunnies (well, animals in general, really), and hiking in pretty places. Also, I love sandwiches. And cake of any kind.

Twenty Two: Have you always been interested in music and performing?

Jasmine: Music, yes. Performing, no. It wasn’t until I was in my last year of college that I became interested in making my own music and performing for people.

Twenty Two: In addition to being a solo artist, you’re also the vocalist and keyboardist for the band Oh Darling. Do you have a different mindset when you’re making music with a band as opposed to working solo?

Jasmine: Well, yes and no. I really try to write great melodies and lyrics for whatever I’m doing at all times. The band and the solo stuff are definitely different, music-wise: the band is a little more edgy and has got a lot of rock influences. Really fun to play live. My solo stuff is singer-songwriter-y, but with a little more dance and Motown influences. Also really fun to play live. Though I try to keep them really different, my voice always sounds the same, so there’s that.

Twenty Two: How would you describe your songwriting style?

Jasmine: It can be honest, fun, pretty happy, but sometimes heartbreaking. I guess it depends on my mood and environment.

Twenty Two: Where do you find inspiration?

Jasmine: As I continue to write more and more, I try to find my inspiration from different places. From people I work with, books I read, places I go, words and other stuff that just show up in my head. Believe me, there is a lot of bananas stuff going on up here.

Twenty Two: How has growing up in Portland and living in Los Angeles influenced your work?

Jasmine: I am totally a Northwest girl, to start. I love the rain and cloudy mornings. Not that I’m depressed or anything, I think because I grew up here, that grey weather doesn’t affect me like it does some people. It’s just part of my day. And it can kind of be romantic, I think. When I moved to Los Angeles I don’t really think I knew what to do with myself because of all the sun! I spend a lot of time in both places so I have a healthy dose of both weathers. Also I had never really co-written with anyone until I moved to Los Angeles, something that has very much improved my writing.

Twenty Two: Who are some of your favorite musicians at the moment?

Jasmine: Robyn, M83, Other Lives (their album is tremendous!), Zola Jesus, and Beach House.

Twenty Two: I see that you have a Tumblr dedicated to sharing your outfits. How would you describe your personal style?

Jasmine: I adore pairing vintage items with modern pieces… and I love finding those one-of-a-kind pieces that I know no one else will have, so I do a ton of thrift store/ vintage/ flea market/ Etsy shopping. I also love pattern clashing. (It’s a guilty pleasure.)

Twenty Two: You’ve described yourself as a “vegan animal lover.” What are some of your favorite vegan restaurants in Los Angeles?

Jasmine: Sage! (It’s magnificent.) Flore, Bulan, Café Gratitude, Elf Café, and I do enjoy a little Green Leaves delivery from time to time.

Twenty Two: When you’re not working, how do you spend your time?

Jasmine: I do a lot of yoga, love to go on hikes and runs outside, love to read and watch movies. You know, cool (nerdy) stuff.

Twenty Two: What can we expect to see from you in the future?

Jasmine: A lot! (I hope.) I just put a new album out called, “Beneath the Noise” in February and we’ve started playing some shows around the release. I also just finished a music video for the first single “Starlight” which will be premiering in the next few weeks which we are really excited about! (Think animated turtles and flamingos.) My bandmates (former members of Phantom Planet) and I are excited to keep playing shows, writing songs and getting the music out there to the world!

A special thanks to Jasmine for giving us the opportunity to learn more about her and Oh Darling. You can keep up with her by checking out her website, Facebook, Twitter, SoundCloud, YouTube, Tumblr, and MySpace, while you can keep up with Oh Darling by visiting their website, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and MySpace.

Click on the images below to see more from Jasmine and Oh Darling.

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The Sunday Best is a weekly wrap-up of the greatest things that happened this week in art, entertainment, fashion, food, the interwebs, and sustainability. Church clothes optional.

Here’s a sneak peek of what we have in store for you this week: a font made entirely of plastic toys, stamps featuring the works of British fashion designers, and malaria-fighting clothing.

Toy Font by Joshua Scott: For a recent feature for Bullett Magazine, photographer Joshua Scott used thousands of children’s toys and Giorgio Sans Bold to explore the perception of youth. Click for Barbie boots and nostalgia. (Trendland)

Just in Case Survival Kit: Mexican ad and branding agency Menosunocerouno created an end of the world survival kit equipped with chocolate, a notebook, matches, and more. (Beautiful Life)

Ryan Lochte Covers Vogue: Six-time Olympic-medal-winning swimmer Ryan Lochte covers the June issue of Vogue, becoming the fourth man ever to do so. He’s accompanied by soccer player Hope Solo and tennis champ Serena Williams. (The Cut)

British Fashion Stamps by Johnson Banks: In an ode British fashion, Johnson Banks has created a series of stamps adorned with looks by designers like Alexander McQueen, Paul Smith, and Vivienne Westwood. (designboom)

Malaria-Fighting Fashion Developed at Cornell: Two students from Cornell have created a line of stylish clothing featuring insect-repelling fabrics that prevent the spread of malaria. (designboom)

The Hipster Hunt: Lorena Galliot, a French journalist who now calls New York home, is on a mission to determine what a hipster is once and for all. (Design Taxi)

Books with Eco-friendly Tips: In the most recent post for her weekly advice column, Umbra shares some of her top picks for books filled with eco-friendly tips. (Grist)

Hello Kitty Airways: EVA Air has embraced Hello Kitty fandom to a T, decking out everything from their seats to their food with the Hello Kitty touch. (We Heart)

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• Interview: Brad Hooks & Sari Mellafe of The Young Romans
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This week we chatted with Brad Hooks and Sari Mellafe of The Young Romans, the indie-pop band making waves out of Los Angeles. In the latest installment of our interview series, Brad and Sari discuss their musical beginnings, their inspiration, and what they do in their free time.

Twenty Two: Let’s start with the basics. Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

Sari: I was born in California but raised in Santiago, Chile. I moved backed to the states in 2002. I’m the youngest of three children and the only one that pursued music as a full-time career. But other than that I’m just an ordinary, laid-back kind of girl. Don’t really fit the standard of a musician lifestyle. But music is definitely my main passion.

Brad: I was born in Charlotte, NC, and I started taking piano lessons when I was 5. My parents are pastors. So I grew up doing the whole singing-and-playing-in-church thing. I started my first rock band in high school. That’s when I quit the piano lessons and began writing my own stuff.

Twenty Two: Have you both always been interested in music and performing?

Sari: Not really. I grew up around musicians and have always been interested in music. But I didn’t start performing live until I was 15 years old. Still not used to it.

Brad: Let’s just say I was the lead in the elementary school play more than once. And there was singing involved.

Twenty Two: How would you describe your sound?

Sari: This one is a hard one for me.

Brad: Well, we try to focus on an organic sound, but also try to do something big and epic at the same time. So the vibe kind of vacillates between intimate moments and cinematic ones. But we do aim to steer clear of the music sounding too slick or polished.

Sari: One unusual thing that we have in our sound is that I often sing the lower harmony and Brad will sing the melody above that. It’s kind of a different thing than other guy/girl groups.

Brad: Well, Sari’s tambour seems to really shine in the low notes. And I really like to sing falsetto. So it works out.

Twenty Two: What’s the process you go through when you’re making a new song?

Brad: It happens all sorts of different ways. Sometimes I’ll bring an idea to Sari, other times she’ll bring an idea to me. Sometimes the song will start off with both of us brainstorming together.

Twenty Two: Where do you find inspiration?

Sari: Life in general. I can’t really put my finger on it. It’s just more, I don’t know… life, melodies… beats.

Brad: Life for sure. On our record “Tiger Child” there are songs inspired by love, life, death, separation, new relationships, trying to rekindle old ones, and pretty much everything in between. Often times though the idea will hit when I’m not at the piano. I’ll be driving, or running errands, and then a melody or lyric will pop in my head. I quickly pull out the iPhone and record it in the voice recorder. Most of the time the ideas don’t amount to anything, but one out four times or so they become a real song.

Twenty Two: How has growing up in North Carolina and Santiago, Chile, respectively, and living in Los Angeles influenced your work?

Sari: I think my father and older brother influenced me a lot more than where I grew up. Though the three of us are very happy people, we are all driven, musically speaking, by minor chords. I hold my breath and stop whatever I’m doing whenever I hear a song with a well-placed minor chord.

Brad: Um, I guess growing up in church in the South inspired me in a lot of ways. Probably mostly regarding song structure though. You really get a good idea of what makes a good verse and chorus. Out of the hundreds of songs in those hymn books, there’s a reason why you sing the same five every week. As far as being inspired by LA, I guess it would mostly have to do with how crazy the dating scene is here. Definitely provides a lot of fuel for the song-writing fire.

Twenty Two: Who are some of your favorite musicians at the moment?

Sari: Bon Iver. Another band I’ve been listening to is MeWithoutYou. And Nick Drake.

Brad: I’m a big pop guy. Not gonna lie. I kind of love Usher. Sorry, Sari. But I also have spent many, many hours jamming out to Led Zeppelin and Tom Petty. And I really dig Spoon, Jakob Dylan’s last record, and, yes, Robyn.

Twenty Two: When you’re not working, how do you spend your time?

Sari: Hanging out with friends and family. And petting animals.

Brad: Training animals? Like for a circus or something?

Sari: No, petting.

Brad: Oh. Ha… I’m super into running right now. And I live near the beach so that works out. I’m currently training (and I use that term loosely) for a half marathon this summer. We’ll see how that goes.

Twenty Two: What can we expect to see from The Young Romans in the future?

Brad: A lot of touring. Putting a tour together for the summer right now, and just working really hard to promote the album and try to get it out there as much as we can.

Twenty Two: Do you have any advice for aspiring musicians?

Sari: First, know your strengths and weaknesses and surround yourself with good people that can work with you in the areas you need help. Second, be smart and humble. There’s always someone that can do something better than you.

Brad: Ditto.

A special thanks to Brad and Sari for giving us the opportunity to learn more about The Young Romans. You can keep up with them by checking out their website, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.

Click on the images below to see more from The Young Romans.

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The Sunday Best is a weekly wrap-up of the greatest things that happened this week in art, entertainment, fashion, food, the interwebs, and sustainability. Church clothes optional.

Here’s a sneak peek of what we have in store for you this week: DIY perspex earrings, stop signs that say much more, and True Blood promo posters.

Stop Sign Typo Project by Changing Lines: The people behind Changing Lines have combined their love of typography and humor to create hilarious messages on stop signs. (Whudat) 

The Original Adam Brody: Adam Brody of The O.C. fame has a few projects in the works and shows off a few sleek get-ups for GQ. (GQ)

New True Blood Promo Posters: With less than a month until the season premiere of the campy vampire thriller, HBO has released a series of promo posters featuring the stars of the show. Click for Eric Northman, Sookie Stackhouse, and Alcide Herveaux. (Vulture)

DIY Perspex Earrings: Both parts Dutch fashion blogger and probable DIY queen, Ivania Carpio has created a pair of perspex earrings with a quick guide on how you can do the same. (Love Aesthetics)

If Pinterest Were Created in the 90′s: Apparently if the online bulletin board was created a couple decades earlier, it would be represented by cheesy informercials with a monotonous voice-over and tons of clip art. (Design Taxi)

Troll High-Fiving in Pisa: Romanian blogger and IRL troll Darius Groza gave oblivious tourists visiting Pisa, Italy high-fives as they were pretending to hold the eponymous tower up from a far. (Design Taxi)

Lesbian and Gay Rights in the World: The LA Times has created a map displaying how governments treat the gay and lesbian communities across the world. While many countries provide protection and recognition, others are far from condoning. (Los Angeles Times)

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This week we chatted with Amy Creyer, a social media consultant and the photographer behind Chicago Street Style. In the latest installment of our interview series, Amy discusses growing up in Greenwich Village and Arkansas, her inspiration behind starting the popular street style blog, and her own personal style.

Twenty Two: Let’s start with the basics. Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

Amy: I spent my childhood in Greenwich Village Manhattan before moving to Arkansas at age nine. I would definitely say I am a combination of both places. Although I was built to live in a big city like Chicago, I developed an appreciation for rural communities. Growing up in Arkansas, a state with a lot of poverty, taught me to see beyond money in contrast to a place like New York that celebrates wealth.

Twenty Two: Have you always been interested in fashion and photography?

Amy: I’ve been interested ever since I was a child in Manhattan. I have vivid memories of the punks with their spiked hair and studs along with the models, all of whom hung out around NYU where my mom was a business professor. As I grew up I would draw fashion illustrations in elementary school, and I escaped into fashion magazines as a teenager.

This always shocks people; I didn’t appreciate photography until I started my blog two years ago. I trained as an oil painter for three years in high school, so I always assumed photography was for people who weren’t skilled enough to draw. It wasn’t until I picked up a real camera and became serious about improving the quality of my images that I learned how tough photography is to do well.

Twenty Two: What inspired you to start Chicago Street Style?

Amy: I had been a fan of street-style photography ever since I found the Japanese street-style book Fruits at age 14. When I went back to grad school, I finally had the free time to start my own street-style blog. I saw all these well-dressed people on the streets of Chicago all the time, and I wanted to capture them and share their style with the world. Chicago used to have a bad reputation as a fashion city; that’s changing now. People are finally starting to see that Chicago is a very fashionable city.

Twenty Two: When you’re looking for potential subjects, what stands out for you the most?

Amy: Their spirit. I am looking for a certain type of energy. It’s difficult to put into words, but there has to be an internal experience within me for me to approach a person on the sidewalk. I walk past a lot of conventionally “well-dressed” people in Chicago because they don’t interest me. I’m looking for individuals.

Twenty Two: What did you take away the most from working with brands like J Brand and Michael Kors?

Amy: Companies are finally starting to understand why it’s important to view the relationship with their consumers as a two-way street. Before the social media revolution the fashion industry was a very top-down business. Now brands are starting to see why it’s so critical for them to authentically connect to their audience through bloggers like me.

Twenty Two: Do you use any of the same thought processes as a street style photographer and a social media consultant?

Amy: Both require the ability to use non-traditional problem solving techniques and the ability to not only understand, but anticipate what people what.

Twenty Two: How would you describe your own personal style?

Amy: My personal style is a complete mash up and reflects my personality, which is just as multifaceted and complex. I prefer the word “enigma” to describe myself. I have a dark side, exemplified by leather jackets and skulls, but also a bright and optimistic side dominated by neons and bold geometric prints. As a Pisces I also adore dreamlike and ethereal aesthetics, and often find myself purchasing sheer items and neutral, flowy dresses fit for a nymph. When I’m getting dressed, I like the idea that I channel different sides of myself depending on the day. A friend of mine who recently hung out at my apartment told me that she could really see the different sides of my personality in my wardrobe (I converted an entire room to a walk-in closet).

Twenty Two: Where do you find inspiration?

Amy: I look for inspiration on the streets when I’m style hunting. The people who I’ve photographed have influenced me far more than anything else. However, I do read niche fashion magazines like Gentlewoman, Lula, i-D, and mainstream publications like British Vogue and W Magazine for ideas and inspiration.

Twenty Two: How has living in Chicago influenced your work?

Amy: I am constantly thinking of ways to integrate the city’s architecture into my photos. For me, the person who I’m photographing is always at the center of the image, but Chicago is a photographer’s paradise.

Twenty Two: You seem like an active Twitter user. Who are some of your favorite people to follow?

Amy: I love to follow my friend @AskMrMickey, Mickey Boardman of Paper Magazine. He’s cool as hell, side-splitting hilarious, and has a warm heart. I also love Goldman Sachs Elevator because those tweets are always appallingly spot-on for the way financiers think. I worked at a trust and estate financial law firm for a year after college. That was all I could take.

Twenty Two: When you’re not working, how do you spend your time?

Amy: I spend my free time (what little I have) hanging out with my close personal friends. I recharge with them since they loved me before I had the blog, love me today despite the blog, and will love me after the blog. I don’t see that happening with a lot of the people I’ve met through fashion blogging. The public demands of being a successful blogger can be stressful at times and there’s a lot happening behind the scenes that people don’t see.

Twenty Two: What can we expect to see from you in the future?

Amy: I don’t know. That’s the beauty of watching life unfold!

A special thanks to Amy for giving us the opportunity to learn more about Chicago Street Style. You can keep up with her by checking out her blog, portfolio, Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Pinterest, and Instagram.

Click on the images below to see more from Chicago Street Style.

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Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

The Sunday Best is a weekly wrap-up of the greatest things that happened this week in art, entertainment, fashion, food, the interwebs, and sustainability. Church clothes optional.

Here’s a sneak peek of what we have in store for you this week: urban plant tags, a short pixelated animation of cameras throughout history, and a bike-friendly Tina Fey.

The Camera Collection: This short animation features pixelated images of various types of cameras throughout history, including film cameras, point-and-shoots, Polaroids, and a Diana or two. (Photojojo) 

Urban Plant Tags by Carmichael Collective: Minneapolis-based creative company Carmichael Collective has created a series of urban plant tags to be placed in front of fire hydrants, stop signs, mailboxes, and other urban infrustructure with details about the size, placement, and care for each. (designboom)

Celebrity Portraits Made of Perler Beads: American artist Steve Moore has combined celebrity portraiture with our own nostalgia of long days spent tediously making designs we would’ve liked to look like flowers with plastic Perler beads. Subjects include Britney Spears (above), Snoop Dogg, and Larry David. (designboom)

The Way I Dress by Chris Floyd: Photographer Chris Floyd has recorded a few interesting individuals getting dressed in this aptly-titled video series. Subjects include jewelry designer and actor Waris Ahluwalia (above), hockey player Sean Avery, and more. (Booooooom)

Roasted Strawberry + Coconut Milk Popsicles: A newly-minted Saveur Best Food Blog Awards Finalist, Kimberley of The Year In Food has shared a recipe for popsicles with strawberries, coconut milk, and cardamom. If this recipe is any indication, summer is almost here! (The Year In Food)

A Review of Every Britney Spears Music Video Ever: The consistently hilarious Ryan O’Connell has reviewed (nearly) every music video Britney Spears has ever created, starting with her teen provocateur roots and ending with the most recent Femme Fatale era. (Thought Catalog)

How Ethical Is ‘Artisanal’ Production?: For the latest installment of the Ethical Style series, Tabea and Jessica explore what it means for a good to be an “artisanal” product and how that label may not embody all the values that you’d expect. (GOOD)

Bicycle Beginnings: The avid cyclist and illustrator behind BikeyFace has depicted the experiences of what hopeful, albeit hesitant, bike riders eager to participate in National Bike Month. Of course, a bikey Tina Fey comes to the rescue to ease any and all worries. (BikeyFace)

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• 22 Unlikely Social Media Statuses Ending with #YOLO

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This week we chatted with Celeigh Chapman of COYOL, a Los Angeles-based band whose members include John Isaac Watters and William Gramling. In the latest installment of our interview series, Celeigh discusses her band’s interesting sound, her songwriting process, and her favorite places to travel domestically and abroad.

Twenty Two: Let’s start with the basics. Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

Celeigh: Newly 27, as of this week. Born and raised in Bakersfield, CA. Then I went to school at USC and have lived in LA ever since. I started performing / doing gigs in the third grade and actually performed a minimum of two gigs a week growing up. I love music and performing. I love writing music, seeing bands as well as the business behind it. That has changed vastly from when I was booking my own shows, and sending press releases as a teenager. I think the entire thing fascinates me.

Twenty Two: Your band COYOL has a very interesting sound, almost one that’s hard to describe. How would you describe it?

Celeigh: Oh man, that’s a tough question! Well, I think what I’ve decided is the best way to describe it is Folk Rock, although that hardly describes it. We have lots of influences, from Traditional Country, to Hymns, to Rock, and Folk, and Indie. I think our sound is just a combination of music we like, and then it just comes out very COYOL-ish.

Twenty Two: What do you mean by “COYOL-ish”?

Celeigh: I mean that there’s something about when Will, and Isaac and I get together. It’s a different thing than when we write for other projects or solo albums. It’s just this great mixture of sounds, and strengths, and even weaknesses, which makes it the best. True collaboration.

Twenty Two: Can you describe the process of making music for yourself versus making music with a band? Do you have a different mindset?

Celeigh: I do have a different mindset. When I write with COYOL, we usually start with an idea that I come up with, and try to find lyrics / poems that Isaac has written to support that. Maybe just a jumping off point. Maybe an entire outline. Then we figure out music to support it, and all have suggestions editing the lyrics, and the structure. It’s like making a stew: everyone throws in a vegetable or meat and then we keep stirring it until it’s delicious! There’s also a push and pull between us. Sometimes you have to give way to your own opinion for the sake of the group, or that someone is pushing you out of your comfort zone. I actually really like that.

For me, if I write on my own music, it’s pure emotion. What I have been feeling, what I’ve experienced, or what I’ve absorbed and it just comes out. It’s very pure. If I co-write for myself, then I usually come up with the idea and lyric ideas and the other person just helps me shape them and work through it quicker. Sometimes it’s painless and others… it’s really tough. But writing is something you have to constantly work at, to become better and put yourself in different situations because the outcome is different.

Twenty Two: How would you describe your songwriting style?

Celeigh: You mean genre or how I like to write… my process?

Twenty Two: Both.

Celeigh: I tend to naturally write country / folk songs. Three chords. Very honest. Although I studied jazz voice in college so I have written some jazz-leaning songs. That’s probably why I like COYOL so much. I can rock a little more.

Process for me is different. Sometimes it all comes to me in one sitting and other times there’s an idea that’s floating around but I can’t write anything and one day I realize what it all means. Other times it’s a simple idea that I just need to dig into until I figure out how to write a song about it. Every time is a little different. Maybe it’s a melody with no words. That happens too and then I can’t find words to fit the melody. It’s such a pain, and yet all part of the beauty of it.

Twenty Two: How do you overcome the challenge of finding the right words for a given melody?

Celeigh: I wish I knew sometimes! It just feels right. You can say the cheesiest thing, and if the melody is right it adds weight to it and it works the other way, too. Melody can add lightness to something quite heavy lyrically. How I overcome it… I just give in. Sometimes I figure it out. Other times I put it to bed in hopes I will someday.

Twenty Two: Do you find yourself writing about the same subjects or do the topics of your songs vary greatly?

Celeigh: I’ve tried to write about grander topics other than the typical ones but sometimes when I’m singing solo they don’t come off very well. Hopefully one day I can write and perform something that is really thought-provoking. With COYOL our topics range and they also mean different things to all of us. We each take a personal experience to the lyrics and cover a lot more than what I do in my solo music.

Twenty Two: How has living in Los Angeles influenced your work?

Celeigh: I have been exposed to so many different musicians, genres of music and art, and cultures, people, and landscapes. I mean everything here is different from where I grew up and I love that I’m constantly learning something new about this city. The inspiration is endless. I think for the most part LA has just given me so many opportunities that I wouldn’t have had back home.

Twenty Two: Who are some of your favorite artists at the moment?

Celeigh: First Aid Kit is an amazing band. I’m really into Robert Francis. He’s incredible and easy on the eyes.

Twenty Two: When you’re not working on your music, how do you spend your time?

Celeigh: Well, I’m a very social person. I think just being with friends and family and supporting other artists is really important. I have so many talented friends, and I just am so moved by what they are trying to accomplish and what incredible things they are dong. Also, I really love to travel if I can. I think seeing other places can really help your perspective and can bring inspiration.

Twenty Two: Where are some of your favorite places to visit?

Celeigh: I loved New Orleans. I’m dying to go back there. I haven’t had nearly enough time. There’s just so much history there. I also have family in Italy and it holds a very special place in my heart. Beautiful place and life is just so different. I wish my eyes could take video / pictures. Sometimes my memory can’t keep up with everything that I’ve been able to experience.

Twenty Two: Do you have any advice for aspiring singers?

Celeigh: I just answered this question for someone recently and said to learn an instrument. I think I’ll still say that. There’s something incredibly freeing about being able to accompany yourself. I have had to teach myself and it’s been a lot harder. I focused on my voice as my instrument, but not many people want to hear you sing a cappella.

Also, expose yourself to a lot of genres. It’s amazing how many tools and skills and techniques you can use across all of them, and yet learn some unique ones that will help shape your own personal sound. As many strengths as you can add to your repertoire, the better. You’ll just be a better singer.

Twenty Two: What can we expect to see from you and COYOL in the future?

Celeigh: Hopefully another EP from COYOL and a solo EP from me! Also, I think I’ll be writing a song for another film. I believe COYOL will continue to play around LA, and I will be playing my first solo show in a long time back in Bakersfield. It’s the last Friday in June. So much more! Promise!

A special thanks to Celeigh for giving us the opportunity to learn more about her work and COYOL. You can keep up with her by checking out her website, Facebook, and Tumblr, while you can follow COYOL on Bandcamp, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.

Click on the images below to see more from Celeigh and COYOL.

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The Sunday Best is a weekly wrap-up of the greatest things that happened this week in art, entertainment, fashion, food, the interwebs, and sustainability. Church clothes optional.

Here’s a sneak peek of what we have in store for you this week: Text-Only Instagram, a preview of Snooki and JWOWW’s new show, and swirled creamsicle meringues.

Designer Sushi: International ad agency I&S BBDO has created a line of designer sushi rolls, which features laser-cut seaweed in cherry blossom and turtle shell patterns. (designboom) 

First Look at “Snooki & JWOWW”: Two of the most infamous women on “Jersey Shore,” Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi and Jenni “JWOWW” Farley are starring in their own spin-off, set to take place in Jersey City. Tune in on June 21 for a pregnant Snooki and skeptical JWOWW. (MTV)

Summer Movie Casts as High School Cliques: Two Kyle’s from Vulture wanted to see where the casts of five summer ensemble movies would fit on the high school social ladder. Unsurprisingly, the cast of The Avengers made up The Jocks, while the cast of Wes Anderson’s Moonrise Kingdom included The Hipsters. (Vulture)

The Celebrity Hippie Spectrum at Coachella: Ally and Stella at The Cut have ranked the outfits celebrities wore to Coachella according to a hippie spectrum, ranging from “I Wish It Was Still 1969″ to “Get Away From Me, You Dirty Hippies.” For reference, LiLo ranked near the former. (The Cut)

Prada’s Parallel Universe GIF’s: Vahram Muratyan, known for publishing Paris vs. New York: A Tally of Two Cities in February, has created a series of animated GIF’s for Prada, echoing the nostalgia found in their most recent throwback collection. (Trendland)

Pimkie Color Forecast: The people behind the Pimkie Color Forecast have installed video cameras all around three major European cities — Paris, Antwerp, and Milan — in an effort to track the colors currently trending at the moment. (Springwise)

Swirled Creamsicle Meringues: A finalist in Saveur‘s Best Food Blog Awards, you can bet Lillie of the baking site BMUB knows a thing or two about making a delicious meringue cookie based off Martha Stewart’s own recipe. (Butter Me Up Brooklyn)

Food Infographics by Stephen Wildish: Illustrator and graphic designer Stephen Wildish has created a series of food-related infographics that make cooking and baking all the more enjoyable. Exhibit A: Ham Thickness by Social Class. (Acquired Taste)

Tumblr of the Week: This week’s pick is Movie Mimic, a site dedicated to reliving famous scenes in films like Love Actually (above), Inception, and Fast Times at Ridgemont High. (Movie Mimic)

Twitter of the Week: This week’s pick distills all of those Instagram photos you’ve seen (and shared) down to their text-only core. Close contenders include Pictureless Pinterest and Text Based Tumblr. (Thought Catalog)

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This post is a product of two things: reading too many posts on Thought Catalog and Cord Jefferson’s most recent Twitter status.

Thought Catalog is a blog written for and by twentysomethings about various topics, including internet memes and etiquette. Cord Jefferson, the Senior Editor at GOOD Magazine, often tweets things much more thought-provoking than what he ate for breakfast. In his latest tweet, he chirped: “I feel like #YOLO is very offensive to our brothers and sisters who believe in reincarnation. What does Drizzy have against Sikhs? Hmmmm?”

So, without further ado, here are some failed statues I came up with, all ending with the ever-popular you-only-live-once hashtag. Feel free to comment with any of your own, or just talk about how much you want #YOLO to die.

1. Just bought a book with 75 new knitting patterns. I’m making a sweater for my niece! #YOLO
2. Used a manual can opener instead of electric. Hope I don’t get carpal tunnel. #YOLO
3. Binge drank water from my Brita filter #YOLO
4. Did my math homework entirely in pen #YOLO
5. Bought regular instead of organic avocados at Trader Joe’s #YOLO
6. Used Georgia instead of Times New Roman on my term paper #YOLO
7. Bought up all the SPF 50 at CVS. SPF 35 is for the weak! #YOLO
8. Drove in complete silence #YOLO
9. Let my cereal get soggy for an extra thirty seconds #YOLO
10. Sent a heartfelt tweet to my favorite celebrity #YOLO
11. Ate pizza with a fork and knife #YOLO
12. Made my bed before heading off to work #YOLO
13. Printed out and laminated my grocery list #YOLO
14. Watched One Direction on SNL #YOLO
15. Paid full-price admission to the museum the day after Free Friday #YOLO
16. Took notes while watching PBS #YOLO
17. Wore a knitted scarf in the summer #YOLO
18. Used my sweatpants as a napkin #YOLO
19. Used the public restroom at Yosemite #YOLO
20. Wore nude-colored tights #YOLO
21. Actively kept up with worldwide events #YOLO
22. Read every post on Twenty Two #YOLO

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