Boston Book Bean

Announcing--Looks & Books

2010-03-11T14:05:00.003-05:00

I am proud to officially announce that the blog's new home is now ready for public consumption! Looks & Books is Boston Book Bean's new and improved voice, merging fashion and books (with a few fun random bits) in one place.

If you are a subscriber, please remember to update your feed and bookmarks, and spread the word! I will see you over there. Thanks for reading. :)

Birth: Rebirth

2010-03-05T09:17:00.002-05:00

Tomorrow, Boston Book Bean celebrates its first birthday! It's been great blogging here, posting on such varied topics as my weekends, girl crushes, David Bowie, and poetry. When I first started this blog, I was unsure of what I wanted to say, so I tried to say it all. But it's time for a change--to celebrate Book Bean's birthday, she's getting a full renovation.

Stay tuned for a completely new look, new link, and new posts! I'm really excited about it and I hope you are too. I'm hoping to launch the new site next week. I will post the official announcement here.

Happy Weekend everyone!

Fashion Book--Ellie Andrews

2010-02-17T23:14:00.006-05:00

On Valentine's Day, Joe and I went to see "It Happened One Night" at BAM. I had never seen it, and didn't know anything about it, other than it starred Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert, old Hollywood names that didn't mean much to me. I was delighted by what turned out to be one of the most unexpectedly funny and smart movies I've seen in a long time. Directed by Frank Capra, the same man behind "It's a Wonderful Life" and "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington," the film is a precursor to the modern rom-com trope of boy meets girl, boy and girl don't get along, boy and girl participate in much sassy sparring before boy and girl fall madly in love. Yes, the movie is predictable and some parts are inevitably dated, but it adds to the charm of the experience.

Claudette Colbert plays Ellie Andrews, an heiress with an overprotective father who escapes his clutches and ends up stranded and broke on a bus headed from Florida to NYC. Clark Gable plays a reporter who takes up her cause in order to get her story. What drew me to Ellie is that she is wide-eyed and naive, but she's also bravely independent and not afraid to stick up for herself.

Since I've been reading magazines and essays all week, I decided to take on a film character instead of a book character for this Fashion Book feature. Ellie wears the outfit in the screen cap above for the entire film, save for her to-die-for wedding gown in the last scene (image at the bottom of this post). Here, I re-imagine her outfit if the film were to be remade today:

Items in this set:
Floral Sweater, Marc by Marc Jacobs,
BURBERRY SKIRT,
Chloe Capretto leather ballerina flats,
Pietro Alessandro bag,

We Love Colors - Color Guide Tights,

New York Weekend 2/12-2/15/10

2010-02-17T22:30:00.006-05:00

I was in New York for the long weekend and it was great to be able to spend more than a day and a half in the city for a change. Over the course of the weekend I celebrated Valentine's Day, got drinks with friends, ate massive amounts of chocolate, managed to get my coat taken from a bar (but it's being returned! faith in people=restored), did lots of shopping at Macy's and Beacon's Closet to try and find a decent replacement for missing coat (unsuccessfully), took a tour of "Love and Lust in Antiquity" at the Met, watched some Olympics, and just generally enjoyed spending quality time with the bf. Pictorial highlights below!

The prettiest, most delicious box of chocolates I've ever had--purchased from Chocolate Bar.

A bubbling skillet of Alpine mac n cheese (BACON!) at S'mac.

After the tour at the Met, we checked out the Modern Art section--this was my favorite Picasso.

There was also a hilarious and adorable exhibit on Victorian photo collage, where people used to cut out photos of their loved ones and paste them into funny scenes--a precursor to PhotoShop. I was definitely inspired to try my hand at this sometime in the future.

On Valentine's Day, Joe and I got dressed up and went to dinner and a movie. BAM was playing "It Happened One Night," with Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert, which was one of the most fun movies I've seen in a long time. I highly recommend checking this one out if you've never seen it.

There's nothing like being met at your bus by a handsome man holding a bouquet of flowers.

Hope you all had a lovely long weekend as well!

Fashion Book--Zelda Fitzgerald

2010-02-11T12:00:00.000-05:00

This week, I am reading The Crack-Up, a book of essays, letters, and excerpts from the notebooks of F. Scott Fitzgerald. As such, I've decided to do this week's fashion book feature on Zelda Fitzgerald--not a character per se, but a legend in her own right.

Zelda, Fitzgerald's wife, figures as strongly into the myth of jazz age decadence as F. Scott himself. A Southern belle, Zelda was a dancer with a firecracker personality. Tragically, she spent the last years of her life in various sanitariums, and died in a fire at Highland Hospital in 1948, nearly 8 years after her estranged husband's death in 1940.

Zelda:

Here's what I think Zelda would wear were she alive today:

Alexander McQueen Clutch--a truly tragic loss for fashion. He will be missed!

My Namesake

2010-02-09T14:40:00.004-05:00

Kate Spade named a dress after me! Wasn't that sweet of her? I think the rule is that if the product has your name in it, it's free, right?

The Soda Fountain Jillian Dress

Boston Weekend--2/6-2/7/2010

2010-02-08T23:05:00.006-05:00

I had a decidedly low-key weekend: I drove down to Rhode Island to see some family and friends, and also get my hair done. I also did laundry and slept a lot because I have a bugger of a cold. Luckily, my illness didn't stop me from enjoying some Super Bowl (and Puppy Bowl!!) festivities back in Boston on Sunday night. Here are some highlights from the weekend:

My hair, newly revitalized to its favorite shade of Angela Chase red.

It pays to have friends in high places: my friend Llalan writes a beer column for Bostonist, and holds tastings every once in a while. This week, we got treated to chocolate beers--every bit as yummy as it sounds.

We tried six different beers, but the clear favorite was this Southern Tier Imperial Choklat Stout--like ice cream in a bottle. Seriously.

For the game, I headed over to Raquel's. Raquel is serious when it comes to food, so I knew there would be quite a spread. Check out these adorable penguins she made with black olives, cream cheese, and slivers of carrot!

The spread. This doesn't even include desserts.

What did you all do for Super Bowl Sunday?

In the trenches

2010-02-05T13:41:00.009-05:00

There's nothing like the classic look of a nicely-cut, fitted trench. I am in the market for a new one come spring (please, get here faster!) because my cute white one that I got at Forever 21 two springs ago has seen better (and cleaner) days. Here are a few current favorites:

I love the royal blue of this Phase 8 "mac," available at John Lewis

The Bahnhof coat at Modcloth is sophisticated and chic--love the asymmetrical buttons.

You can usually count on Old Navy to present solid, budget-friendly jackets, especially for Spring. It's a classic, no-frills take on the trench that's easy on the wallet--can't go wrong.

This Topshop number (spotted on Feather) is unfortunately out of stock. But aren't the polka dots and bows so much fun?

And you can't mention trench coats without mentioning Burberry. They have cornered the market on beautiful, classic trench coats and it's a pipe dream for every classy lady to someday own one. You can pick up this basic model at Bergdorf Goodman.

Fashion Book-Franny Glass

2010-02-03T22:13:00.004-05:00

Before I learned how to read, I toted copies of Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, and Glamour wherever I went. I called them my "fashion books" and I loved nothing more than looking through the beautiful photos. Ever since that time, both fashion and books have been among my principal passions. I do my best to meld the two--trying to be creative with my wardrobe on my meager publishing salary, but I decided to bring these two interests even closer.

Every week from now on, I'll be putting together an outfit based on a character from the book I'm reading that week. This weekend, in honor of J.D. Salinger's passing, I re-read Franny and Zooey on the bus to New York. Franny Glass is one of my favorite characters in literature--a striking balance of naivete, thoughtfulness, and intelligence. Here's what I think Franny might have worn on her afternoon date with her boyfriend Lane:

Items in this set:
Oscar de la Renta Silk-chiffon pussybow blouse, $990
LANVIN, 1.560 EUR
EmphaticNYC | Chanel Shoes -Two-Tone Black/Beige Leather T-Strap Pumps..., $275
Prada beige perforated saffiano medium tote at Bluefly, $1,435

Jack Vartanian Lapis Lazuli Ring at Barneys New York, $5,670

I Dream of Joanie

2010-02-03T14:26:00.007-05:00

I miss Mad Men. I miss it a lot. Even though LOST is back (!!), I am still hankering for the return of Mad Men for its sharp writing, intelligent story lines, and most importantly, Joan Holloway. I can't help it. I think she's one of the most wonderful characters on television. Think about it--she plays the accordion.

Though Joan and Christina Hendricks, the actress who plays her, are two completely different people, and I'm well aware of that, I can't help but find myself admiring Christina as well. She seems so...awesome. I can't explain it. Here are a few favorite shots of her to demonstrate my point:

At the Director's Guild of America Awards--LOVE the color of that dress, and the flower is really cute.

I am in support of any actress who can make glasses look hot.

Love the print on this dress--also, curves. Thanks.

Green goddess.

Anthropologie Win

2010-01-28T16:32:00.004-05:00

I have an announcement to make. This is what I'm wearing today:

After last week's post, my generous, thoughtful, and sweet boyfriend surprised me with the Anthropologie pencil skirt I was drooling over. It fits like a glove and I am so excited to pair it with all kinds of colors and textures! Just wanted to share my happiness with you all.

{pardon the messy chaos that is my bedroom and my poor self-portrait skills}

Reading, Writing, and Relationships

2010-01-26T12:41:00.002-05:00

Many of you know that I moonlight as the editor of Fringe Magazine's blog. I wrote a post today about reading and its importance in romantic relationships. It's something that I think is part of a larger debate on what people look for in a significant other. Do they want a mirror of their own tastes and hobbies, or someone who can show them new and different interests?

It's not a black or white area, as far as I'm concerned, but an interesting debate nonetheless. Check out the post!

Flower Power

2010-01-26T11:52:00.003-05:00

I love this rosette pillow in Nina Gotlieb's New York farm house--the color, shape, and idea are just gorgeous!

{via DesignSponge}

The Cherpumple: The Craziest Dessert You've Never Heard Of

2010-01-25T23:30:00.007-05:00

What do you get when you bake an apple pie inside a spice cake, a pumpkin pie inside a yellow cake, and a cherry pie inside of a white cake, stack them on top of each other, and then frost them with cream cheese frosting? It's called a Cherpumple and it's one giant dessert monstrosity.

Some bold and enterprising friends decided to take on this challenge to celebrate their respective birthdays this past weekend. Below, a few photos that document the beautiful insanity that is the cherpumple.

The pumpkin pie, nestled in its pan of yellow batter.

The apple pie receives its delicious spice cake bath.

The finished product. The weight of all they layers caused quite a bit of damage to the structural integrity of the dessert--a common occurrence, I fear.

The pie fillings oozed together to form a sweet and sticky taste explosion! Or some kind of explosion...

*images courtesy of Kerry Skemp, resident cherpumple extraordinaire

Apologies to Anthropologie

2010-01-22T13:33:00.006-05:00

I have always had a little bit of a chip on my shoulder about Anthropologie. Sure, the dresses often make me swoon, and if I'm passing by a store, it's a treat to stop in and browse. However, I have never purchased anything there. Why? Because to me, the clothing is a poorly made, slightly more pretentious big sister to the hipster threads at Urban Outfitters (the two stores are owned by the same company), and nearly every item comes with a jaw-dropping price tag. This isn't to say I've never shopped at Urban (I have) and I do own one item from Anthropologie that I wear constantly--the lovely earrings at the bottom of this post that my boyfriend got me for a gift.

Cut to a couple of weeks ago when the January 2010 Anthropologie catalog turned up in my mailbox (addressed to my apartment's previous tenant). I decided to flip through, not expecting to see anything too extraordinary. Boy, was I mistaken. The catalog is chock full of lovely photographs, beautifully styled outfits, and unexpectedly wearable pieces. Here are just a few of my favorites:

If only I could pull off the jaunty scarf, skinny capris, and snappy oxfords look.

Love the innovative bodice on this one.

The SKIRT. The blouse goes gorgeously, but oh that skirt....

This is probably the dress I would get the most wear out of from the catalog--here's a closer look.

The perfect springtime ensemble. It makes me yearn for sunshine.

I wasn't the only fan of this season's catalog: Check out what A Cup of Jo and Jezebel said too!

Boston Weekend 1/15-1/18

2010-01-19T22:10:00.007-05:00

It was a great long weekend, complete with cupcakes, lazy afternoons, brunch, tapas, burgers, an open mic night, and candlepin bowling! Here are a few highlights:

Coconut cupcakes--my first attempt at making cupcakes from scratch and they turned out ok!

Pretty cupcakes! Mint chocolate, raspberry, and coconut, all made by me and my roommate.

Bacon chocolate chip pancakes!!

The weekend wrapped up with a trip to Sacco's Bowl Haven, a candlepin bowling alley straight out of the 1950s. So charming and fun!

Bowling shoes rule.

Here's to this week speeding by and another weekend on the horizon!

Beef Stew!

2010-01-18T22:32:00.007-05:00

As you know, I got a crockpot for Christmas this year. I didn't quite know where to start, so my good friend Kim came over to show me the ropes. We went marketing and got celery, potatoes, onions, and carrots, stew beef, red wine and a can of beef broth.

When we got back to the apartment, we chopped and sliced the veggies, then dredged the beef in flour.

Once the meat was dredged, we browned it in a skillet, which Kim insists is the only way to cook meat in a crock pot.

Once the meat was ready, we popped it in the pot, covered it with the veggies, and then put in two cups of red wine, a can of beef broth, some crushed garlic, and a couple of bay leaves. I cooked it on high for 6 hours--since I was in the apartment for most of that time, the smells were so delicious it was torture to wait so long!

The end result was worth the wait and as a bonus, I used the remaining veggies to make crockpot chicken soup yesterday--all I did was put a couple of frozen chicken breasts in the crock with the vegetables, equal parts chicken broth and water, and some garlic. After a little over five hours on high, I took the chicken out, shredded it, and then put it back in for another half hour of cook time. Simple, fantastically easy, and perfect for another snowy weekend.

Hit the Reset Button

2010-01-14T12:57:00.004-05:00

I spent this past weekend holed up in my apartment, working on a project for work that turned out to be much more time consuming that I had originally anticipated. For some reason, January in the office has been brutal and I have been super busy. I found myself in a cranky rut, especially after having not gotten the lazy weekend I wanted. So yesterday, I skipped the office and went to Diesel so I could get more work done on the same project. I don't know if it was because of the coffee or because I was working on my own schedule, or what, but I felt so much more productive and motivated than I do when I'm in the office Monday through Friday. I even found time to do my laundry, tidy up the kitchen, and run a few errands, which further boosted my mood.

I'm back in the office today and feeling the pull of busy exhaustion again, but luckily, I have a major reset in the form of a long weekend coming up! Forecasted: birthdays, cupcakes, cocktails, dancing, boyfriend time, chocolate chip bacon pancakes, karaoke, and candlepin bowling. CAN'T WAIT.

What's your reset button?

*image credit*

Winter Sock Dilemma

2010-01-08T14:57:00.005-05:00

As I've mentioned a few times, one of my Christmas presents this year was new snow boots. In Boston, snow boots are a must, but for me, they are an absolute essential as I have a paralyzing fear of slipping and falling in the ice. I tend to wear my snow boots out pretty fast each winter, so this year, I asked for a heavy duty pair. Here they are:

Now, these boots are pretty fantastic: warm, good traction, a cute plaid pattern. However, I seem to be having a problem keeping my socks from bunching up and rolling down around my toes. I cannot STAND this, and had the same problem when I was a little kid. I asked some friends what I should do about it, and I got a recommendation to buy boot socks. Boot socks?! Why, I didn't know such a thing existed! Apparently, they are designed specifically to avoid such boot/sock battles that I've been struggling with. I plan on going out and buying some this weekend. Other weekend plans include coffee with friends, making beef stew in the crockpot, and working (fun fun!). What are your weekend plans?

Crock N Roll

2010-01-05T15:33:00.004-05:00

Happy New Year all! One of my resolutions this year is to cook more--as in, make at least one new meal or baked good each week. It may sound easy, but when it comes down to it, it's difficult to fight the urge to pop in a frozen pizza after coming home tired from the gym on winter nights!

One of my Christmas gifts this year was an awesome red crock pot. I'm super excited to get cooking, but I'm not quite sure where to start! Does anyone have suggestions of blogs, favorite recipes, or a good slow cooker cookbook to recommend??

Merry and Bright

2009-12-30T09:45:00.005-05:00

The holidays are a time for traditions. Though they're often cheesy and silly, I think that traditions define what it means to celebrate family, friends, and loved ones around the holidays. There are personal traditions (it doesn't feel like Christmas until I've watched It's a Wonderful Life) and there are family traditions (at Christmas dinner, my mom puts out those crackers with little prizes in them and we all wear our paper crowns through dinner, despite how silly we all look).

My favorite holiday tradition though is the annual party I have with my friends from high school. This year was our 10th annual-a big milestone! It started in 1999, in a friend's basement with a Secret Santa exchange, cookies, and silly movies, and has progressed to fancy appetizers, a ridiculous Yankee Swap, and plenty of libations. Our little group has grown to include boyfriends, husbands, pets, and soon, there will be babies. We are scattered around the country, and though we don't often talk or get together as much as we could, we still manage this one time a year to come together, saddle each other with crazy presents (this year I got a leopard-print "snuggle"--not to be confused with a Snuggie), and laugh until our stomachs hurt. It's a good time.

Get Festive: Weekend in New York, 12/11-12/13

2009-12-15T23:12:00.012-05:00

I spent this past weekend in New York, getting into the holiday spirit. Christmas in New York is a wonderful time--full of sparkle and spirit. As my bus crawled its way down Fifth Avenue Friday night, I peeked into the opulent buildings, windows warmly lit, decorated with twinkling trees and glowing candles, doormen standing like toy soldiers at each grandiose entryway. The shop displays get more elaborate each year--Cartier was adorned with a giant, sparkling red bow, Bergdorf's Men's store had actual props and characters from the Fantastic Mr. Fox movie, and nearly every store front was full of color and glitter. Here are some highlights from my festive weekend:

Just another Saturday morning in Williamsburg. NYC's SantaCon took place Saturday, and we were treated to all manners of Santas, elves, reindeer, gingerbread men, and Frosties everywhere we went in the city.

Ninja Santa!

Brunch at B Bar & Grill--SO GOOD.

One of the best lattes I've ever had.

Probably my favorite window display, for its creativity and sheer strangeness. This was at Bergdorf's.

Close-up shot, courtesy of Joe.

Joe's Christmas tree, which is pretty much the most adorable tree I have ever seen.

On Sunday, we went to see It's a Wonderful Life, my absolute favorite Christmas movie, at a theater in the East Village. So much fun to see it on the big screen.

How are you getting into the holiday spirit?

Give a Hoot

2009-12-09T16:59:00.003-05:00

I've always felt a kinship to the owl--bookish, screechy, green. I am loving this French Connection top--kind of want to add it to my Christmas list.

Salem in November

2009-12-08T12:00:00.000-05:00

On a sunny Saturday just a few weeks ago, Joe and I decided to take a drive to Salem. We figured it would be a good time for it, as the weather was still nice, but all of the Halloween hoopla had died down for another year. Neither of us had ever been before, despite its proximity and accessibility from Boston. I was charmed by the town--though we didn't visit any of the tourist traps they call museums (the Peabody-Essex is obviously an exception--that's the real deal), I enjoyed just walking around, taking in the sights and the colonial feel. Here are some photos, most taken on Chestnut Street, a street of beautiful historic homes.

Chestnut Street

Someone converted this old car into a 3-wheel motorcycle. Very Back To the Future.

I loved all of the doors of the houses and how they were decorated for the fall.

The Derby Square Bookstore is a chaos of books--all half-price new books, remaindered from other bookstores, stacked in delightfully precarious leaning towers all over the store. When you spot something you want, it's like playing a game of Jenga to remove it. Who doesn't enjoy an extra challenge while book shopping?

To the Farthest Port! We took a walk to the end of an old pier and read about Salem's history as a commercial center hundreds of years ago. The ships have long since stopped coming, but it's fun to imagine what it was like in the old days of bustling maritime commerce.

Adventures in the Kitchen--Thanksgiving Edition

2009-11-30T23:41:00.009-05:00

I'm kind of a klutz in the kitchen. I've been doing my best to expand my horizons lately, both in cooking and in my eating habits, thanks largely to taking part in a CSA farm share this summer and in reading more cooking blogs. One of my favorites is Smitten Kitchen, for its beautiful photography, snappy commentary, and delicious variety of recipes. This Thanksgiving, I decided to stray from the traditional mashed potatoes I've made in the past and tried this sweet potato and swiss chard gratin recipe. Divine!

First, I substituted rainbow chard for the swiss variety. The colors are so gorgeous--how can you resist?

My mom was an excellent suis (sic?) chef, helping me cut and peel all the sweet potatoes.

Look at those greens steam up! Mmmm.

Once all the greens and stems were cooked down and the cream sauce made, I grated some Gruyere cheese and layered all of the ingredients with some spices.

An hour later, I had a bubbling, crispy, cheesy veggie delight! My family seemed to enjoy it, and I hope to make this a regular Thanksgiving staple at our table.

My grandmother's table, all decked out for dinner.

What did you all make for Thanksgiving this year? Anything new?

Winter Coat

2009-11-23T15:38:00.005-05:00

Every year, New Englanders dread the coming onslaught of winter and its biting wind, driving snow, and treacherous sidewalks. If I could hibernate for the entire season, I would--burrowed under the covers in my sweatpants, armed with an endless supply of DVDs, books, magazines, and hot cocoa. Sadly, this is not an option. So, in the meantime, I tried to make the best of the coming cold by treating myself to a new winter coat. I searched and searched, looking for something serious: heavyweight, but still sophisticated enough to wear to the office each day. Before I succumbed to the temptation of spending $300 on this Boston winter staple, I stumbled on a one-day sale at Macy's. The gods of outerwear were smiling on me that day--I scored a Michael Kors coat that fit my qualifications, for 40% off its original price (which turned out to be about half of what I almost paid for that Northface coat). Here's a poor quality snap of me in the coat, since I can't seem to find it online:

Luckily, I haven't gotten to wear the coat yet, because we're still in that transitional time of chilly, crisp fall air: a lovely time of boots, tights, and scarves, paired with cute little coats (mine is purple, and I love it). I saw this transitional coat on Modcloth today and fell in love. If only I could justify buying it....

The wooden buttons, the cute collar, and the amber in the middle are my favorite parts. Sigh.

New York Weekend 11/13-11/15

2009-11-16T21:18:00.017-05:00

I spent the weekend in New York, with the perfect balance of amazing food, cocktails, and lazing about. Here are some highlights:

Finally--my quest for flat black boots is over!

All the Williamsburg breakfast joints have funky art.

Dinner at Morimoto: started out with the beef carpaccio--SPECTACULAR.

I will dream about this tempura shrimp for the rest of my life.

Yellowtail in a 300 degree stone bowl--HOT.

Chef Morimoto caught me a sea bass! And it was delicious. So so delicious.

Next to Normal was phenomenal: highly recommended.

Spoonbill and Sugartown: Fun to browse the books; more fun to coo at the cats. She has a Hello Kitty pillow!

And this fellow was sleeping right on those books.

My Jimmy's milkshake. This was shortly before I "housed it." (The waiter's words. Not embarrassing at all).

The Bar at 4R

Late night pizza is always better when T. Hanks is in the house.

Sunday brunch on the outdoor patio!

Reading in the park.

A warm Brooklyn afternoon in the park in November. Delicious.

The Great Pumpkin

2009-10-28T13:24:00.005-04:00

October is the month for changing leaves, apple picking, hot cider, Halloween festivities, and pumpkins! This year, I've had the chance to experience all of these wonderful things. I spent a good chunk of Sunday carving pumpkins and eating candy with friends. Here are our results:

Bats!

Rupert, our pumpkin baby.

The carving, while fun, is tough work--lots of knife maneuvering, creative drawing, and gut scooping involved. When I saw these painted pumpkins on Unruly Things, I thought they looked so elegant and chic that I was jealous (love the black and white). Maybe next October!

Field Notes

2009-10-26T13:06:00.003-04:00

These tiny little notebooks have caught my attention. Field Notes are only about 3" x 5", so they're perfect to throw in your purse or carry in your pocket, to write down all those lists, quotes, and deep thoughts that occur to me on an hourly basis.

I may just have to order some!

Show Review: Dead Man's Bones

2009-10-15T09:31:00.009-04:00

There's something magical about a group of kids dressed as ghosts, their cherubic faces painted like skeletons, chanting "My body's a zombie for you" over and over, their youthful voices bouncing exuberantly from the rafters. Like some fantastical dream, this was the scene at the Middle East Downstairs last night--the low ceilings and dank basement air proving to be the perfect venue on a chilly October night to groove to the "gothic folk" music of Dead Man's Bones, the Los Angeles band featuring actors Ryan Gosling and Zach Shields.

Though Ryan Gosling began his career starring in such teeny bopper fare as Disney's MMC and Breaker High, he was soon earning both heartthrob status (for The Notebook) and critical acclaim (with his heartbreaking, Academy-Award nominated role as a drug-addicted high school teacher in Half Nelson and his Golden-Globe nominated role in the sweet Lars and the Real Girl, one of my favorites). In 2007, Gosling and fellow actor Shields bonded over their common fascination with all things supernatural, deciding to channel this obsession into a musical endeavor. They both set out to learn how to play and write music, coming up with songs like "Werewolf Heart" and "Flowers Grow Out of My Grave." After two years, they had recorded an album, with backup vocals by LA's Silverlake Conservatory Children's Choir. Both Shields and Gosling were drawn to using the unique and multi-layered voices of the young, a technique that lends a haunting, ethereal quality to their music.

It was the band's first official show, following the release of their debut eponymous album on October 6. The stage was set with a backdrop of a haunted house, a graveyard, strings of glowing white lights, and the aforementioned gang of ghostly kids. I honestly wasn't sure what to expect--the band lists among their musical influences The Cure, The Andrews Sisters, Joy Division, and James Brown. The event page had this to say about the band: "The outcome is an artistic aesthetic of old Universal horror films, vaudeville music-hall numbers, and silent-screen melodramas perfect for the month of Halloween." Though the set was short (about an hour), the music had the sold-out crowd dancing and clapping to the beat, wildly cheering after each song. Highlights included the raucous "My Body's a Zombie for You" and the daze-y "Pa Pa Power." The band's sound is an oddball mix of doo-wop, gospel, and synthesizer pop that melds into cohesive music you want to listen to year-round. It's vaguely reminiscent of The Arcade Fire, and Gosling's voice is just the right timbre to lend a spooky depth to the lyrics.

I know what I'll be playing at the office Halloween party, for sure.

*cross-posted at Bostonist*

Dressed to Impress

2009-10-08T12:18:00.003-04:00

This dresser was profiled today on Design Sponge. I love it. I have a white dresser in my bedroom that is a little taller than this, but otherwise similar. I've had it since I was a baby--it was a mustard yellow originally, until my mom painted it white and put gold knobs on it. My plan has been to buy some funky new knobs to give it a little bit of personality, but maybe I should commission someone to paint it with an awesome scene too!

When a problem comes along, you must whip it

2009-10-05T17:33:00.001-04:00

I saw Whip It, Drew Barrymore's directorial debut, this weekend. Surprisingly, I was not disappointed--I pretty much got what I was expecting, which was an all-out fun celebration of tattoos, sass, girls beating the crap out of other ladies, and general hipster disillusionment set to an enjoyable soundtrack. Yes, it was predictable. Yes, some of the dialogue was completely twee. But can you really go wrong with a movie that centers on a roller derby team called the Hurl Scouts, whose members feature names like Smashley Simpson, Bloody Holly, and Rosa Sparks? No, no you cannot.

Bliss Cavander (Ellen Page) is a timid teenager stuck in backwater Bodean, Texas, forced to compete in beauty pagaents to please her mother, played with empathy and warmth by the lovely Marcia Gay Harden. When Bliss takes a shopping trip to Austin, she gets her first glimpse of roller derby, and goes to try out for the team on a whim. What follows is pretty much your standard underdog team sports movie montage of wacky hijinks--the Hurl Scouts are the worst team in the league, but the women are fun and they lose with panache (chanting "We're #2!!" after losing yet another derby match). Inevitably, the scrappy novice Bliss is a flash on skates, and soon, the team is coming from behind to claim victory. Though the movie's trajectory here smacks of The Mighty Ducks in fishnets and eyeliner (the team even has two deaf players, The Manson Sisters, who are ringers for the Ducks' infamous Bash Brothers), there are some pleasant surprises: Alia Shawkat (Maebe Funke from the brilliant Arrested Development) crackles as Bliss's best friend and fellow Squaler-slinger, Pash; and though Marcia Gay Harden's character walks a dangerous line toward being a typical Texas pageant mother stereotype, the movie dials it back, never making a caricature of her. In fact, the mother-daughter relationship was one of my favorite parts of the movie, and I think it was portrayed realistically without getting too schmaltzy.

One of my major issues with the movie was the requisite romance element. Bliss falls for the "dreamy" Oliver, who in turn falls for her after they share a deep moment over a record (isn't that how all good hipster romances start?). Obvi, love ensues, complete with games of Marco Polo in a cornfield, sharing pickles/making out at the movies, and having sex underwater to a Jens Lekman song. Swoon! Ok, number 1, he's not cute at all. Number 2, why can't relationships be more clearly developed than "oh hey that chick is checking me out and she's cute so of course I am going to stalk-I mean, go to her place of work in a tiny town that no one ever goes to just so I can hang out with her" in movies? Is that too much to ask? However, I liked how the whole relationship scenario ended up, so the movie gets points for that.

In the end, the movie isn't completely cliche, and it's fun to watch, regardless of the pitfalls. It's even mildly empowering for the ladies, which is always nice to see. So grab your best girl friends and treat yourself to a movie that won't make you hate your life--I'm glad I did!

*cross-posted to Fringe Magazine

Inspired by Joan Holloway

2009-09-30T10:51:00.002-04:00

I stumbled on What I Wore just this morning, and LOVE this outfit:

{image source}

The color, the cut of the dress, the tights, the scarf--everything. Perfect.

I'm also sort of loving the haircut. I wonder if my hair would do that....

Sky High

2009-09-29T11:06:00.002-04:00

{Cupcakes and Cashmere}

Now, I'm the girl who always has a spare pair of flip flops in her bag and doesn't wear any heels that are higher than 1 inch, but oh my word are these YSL heels not absolutely gorgeous? I would most likely fall and knock out a couple of teeth if I ever attempted to actually wear them, but they are so beautiful I might just put them on a shelf and gaze at them, like art.

Bellezza

2009-09-28T07:48:00.004-04:00

These two images caught my eye this week as being quintessentially Italian. It makes me want to go back in a bad way...(but what doesn't?).

{Garance Dore}

The dark hair, the olive skin, the red lipstick, the gorgeous green silk, the clutch, the newstand...perfection.

{The Sartorialist}

Again with the dark hair, that red purse, that skirt, that scooter....sigh.

Please note....

2009-09-25T10:29:00.001-04:00

I just realized my last two posts have been tangentially wedding-related. This does not mean I have suddenly become enthusiastic about weddings. I just thought I would clarify.

Thanks for your understanding in this matter.

Sweet Dress

2009-09-25T10:19:00.002-04:00

I saw this in the New York Times' Pursuit of Happiness blog, and I just think the dress is so sweet for a wedding. It's cute and fun, but still pretty. I also love the colored sash. Maybe not so much the tattoo, but we can't all be perfect.

The Wedding of the Century

2009-09-24T12:19:00.002-04:00

As much as I've complained about Jim and Pam's relationship as of late(it's too cutesy, they never fight, they're sort of boring when not star-crossed), I have to admit that I'm really looking forward to their wedding and this Entertainment Weekly cover makes me smile. Also, even though I still maintain that the show could benefit from a little creativity with the relationship, executive producer Greg Daniels makes a good point in the accompanying cover story: "We didn’t want to do the soap opera-y thing and cheapen it. Besides, our ratings keep going up, so I don’t think anyone minds them being together.”

The special one-hour long wedding episode is set to air October 8, and I'll be watching (and let's be honest--I'll probably even tear up a little bit).

Vintage Esquire Covers

2009-09-23T16:51:00.006-04:00

Grain Edit had a post today about vintage Esquire covers, so I popped over to their cover archive to check them out for myself.

Below, some of my favorites:

The most incredible thing about Esquire, more than the fantastic art direction, was the amount of quality writing in each issue. As far as I know, Esquire still has great articles--why can't a magazine for women feature the same calibre of literature and cultural commentary?

Back in the Saddle

2009-09-22T10:09:00.002-04:00

I've been a blogging delinquent lately. In fact, I've been delinquent in nearly every area of my life these past 2 months. But I'm reasonably confident that, starting today, I'm coming back swinging.

I moved into a new apartment 3 weeks ago. So far, I love it. Most of the common areas are set up and unpacked, but my room is a disaster of haphazard cardboard boxes and piles of half-unpacked shoes, laundry, and other random detritus from my life that I can't quite bring myself to scrap(a pink wing from two Halloweens ago, floppy discs full of college papers, two Starbucks barista action figures [yes, two] I got as gifts back when I was working there). Furthermore, the walls of the apartment are that blank, creamy vanilla color that screams for something, anything to free it from its own boredom, and my roommate and I have yet to hang our art. In an attempt to feel less like a transient camping out in my own home, last night I sifted through the large still-to-be-unpacked box of my CDs and chose my favorite album art to hang on the sloped wall above my bed. I then carefully lined them up in neat rows, sticking globs of Scotch tape to the backs and pressing them against the plaster with my palms. This process took me about an hour, after which I proudly stood back and admired my handiwork.

It was about 30 seconds after I snapped this shot with my cell phone that the first liner note detached itself from the wall and quietly fluttered down. I resolutely plastered the backing with more Scotch tape and pressed it back into place. I then repeated this when the second booklet fell. And the third. By the time I went to bed, I had resolved myself to the fact that music and lyrics would be drifting down to cover me in my sleep, and I did wake this morning, the glossy pamphlets surrounding me like discarded flower petals. But I won't give up--I will get better adhesive (suggestions welcome), and by god, that album art will stay on my wall!

Even though it was ultimately a failed experiment, I had a fun time doing it. As I pored over those dusty plastic cases and bright album covers, and somehow managed to use up almost an entire roll of Scotch tape, I was transported back to high school, a time when I spent most of my hours in my bedroom, listening to those CDs and cutting pictures out of magazines to tape to the impressive full-wall collage I had adorning the bare plaster there in lieu of wallpaper or paint. Sometimes it’s good to get back to your roots, even if just for a little while.

Eat Your Heart Out, Peggy Olsen

2009-07-28T09:52:00.004-04:00

Mad Men is one of the best shows on television right now. People keep telling you this, and you're probably tired of hearing it, but it's true. Just watch it. Season 2 just came out on DVD, so I'm scrambling to watch before the Season 3 premiere on August 16th. It's not a challenge to curl up on the couch with 2 hours of Don Draper a night though.

The delightful Pop Candy alerted me to the new promotional website the show's network, AMC, has created for the show, where you can "Mad Men Yourself" and create your own little 60s avatar of yourself. I was tempted to go with more of a Joan Holloway, martini-bar vibe, but let's be honest--I'm more of the Peggy Olsen type (though Betty Draper is my favorite).

First Couple

2009-07-23T09:26:00.004-04:00

I just love this photo. I don't know why--maybe it's the lighting, maybe it's Michelle's dress, or her hair, or the way they're holding hands and smiling all shyly. I kind of love that these people are our leaders.

Woulda, Coulda, Shoulda

2009-07-20T10:14:00.007-04:00

What I Should Have Been Doing yesterday, on a lovely, sunny Sunday:

Drive down to the Beach to:

Listen to records on this adorable portable record player.

Wear this lovely Anthropologie swimsuit.

Enjoy a delicious frozen lemonade.

Eat a bag full of my favorite RI delicacy, clam cakes.

What I actually did yesterday:
Cleaned my apartment to ready for the impending packing process and Big Move--just barely six weeks left and running out of time!

Hope you all made use of your sunny Sundays better than I did!

Daria on DVD--Coming Soon....

2009-07-07T11:41:00.004-04:00

This makes me very happy.

Almost as happy as getting my copy of this in the mail today (fingers crossed).

Farm Share!

2009-06-24T20:31:00.003-04:00

My roommate and I have just started a farm share, where we pick up a box of produce from a local farm once a week. This week is our first week, and since the season is just starting, we got mostly greens--kale, beet greens, lettuce, and rainbow chard. Along with the greens, we got the sweetest strawberries I've ever eaten, and yellow beets.

I've never been one to be too adventurous in the kitchen, so I'm excited to get the chance to go outside of my comfort zone. Sunday night, we used the kale and beet greens for dinner and made roll-ups, rolling the leaves with a filling of ricotta cheese, spices, parmesan, and quinoa, and then baking them with olive oil, garlic, olives, and tomatoes. It was different, and very flavorful. Also, we had leftovers enough for lunch and dinner for two days!

Tonight, after a long day at work, I came home and cooked up the rainbow chard--the dark green leaves were veined with crimson and fuschia, and the colors actually brightened up my mood. I added the chard to linguine and scallops with a scampi sauce--surprisingly quick and easy!

I'm looking forward to a summer of fresh fruit and vegetables, and eating more healthfully, creatively, and locally as a result.

I'm Only Happy When It Rains

2009-06-22T09:45:00.003-04:00

It's been raining in Boston for what seems like a month straight--with only a day or two of relief here and there in between the omnipresent gray drear. I'm more than tired of it and aching for summer sun, but thought I would try to look for a silver lining in all of these clouds, and put together a list of things to enjoy in the rain:

1. Sleeping in and spending the weekend in pajamas.
2. Wearing bright rainboots and splashing in the puddles.
3. Sitting in a coffeeshop, writing and drinking lattes, watching the passersby grapple with umbrellas.
4. Prowling the bookstore or library, finding the perfect book, and curling up with it, a mug of tea, and some cookies.
5. Baking.
6. Taking a long drive down a deserted 2-lane road.
7. Going to the movies.
8. Damning it all and wearing a sundress anyway.

Here's to hoping for a sunny weekend, but enjoying the rain while it's here!

~image courtesy of Flickr user Emmanuel Tabard

Fashion Police: Special Jumpsuit Edition

2009-06-17T15:42:00.007-04:00

I'm not the biggest trendsetter around, but I do appreciate the occasional fad. Those ubiquitous gaucho pants from summer 2005? I had a pair. Huarache sandals? Just bought some cute multi-colored ones. I was even known to rock a bodysuit in my younger years. But there are some trends that I just can't get behind. My number one trend I will NEVER succumb to? THE JUMPSUIT.

Whitney, I thought you had a future in fashion design. After seeing this, I will seriously think about any potential purchases from your line.

Well, if anyone can pull off a jumpsuit, it would be Chloe Sevigny. The bad news? Chloe is not pulling off this jumpsuit.

And lastly, Lindsay--I know this has been a rough year for you, but seriously? We're going to do this now? You look like MC Hammer's genie in a bottle.

Film Review: Away We Go

2009-06-14T22:46:00.004-04:00

I didn't think it was possible to love John Krasinski any more than I already do. But it is. It really, really is.

On paper, Away We Go is pretty close to perfection: starring Krasinski and Maya Rudolph, directed by Sam Mendes, and written by Dave Eggers and his wife, Vendela Vida, with a soundtrack by Alexi Murdoch, it's a near can't-miss. But if I've learned anything about movies recently, it's that you can't always be fooled with a great cast, great writers, and a promising plot. I lowered my expectations appropriately, just in case.

I'm happy to say that I was pleasantly surprised--what I feared would be just another pointless quirky indie romance filled with slow-motion montages set to sad guitar music turned out to be a light, smart, and sweet comedy. Krasinski is pitch-perfect in his role as Bert, a lovable 33-year-old insurance salesman, and Maya Rudolph easily switches gears from her zany SNL characters to Verona, his sassy and independent girlfriend. The movie follows the couple as they roam the continent in search of the perfect place to raise their soon-to-be-born baby, and features great cameos by Maggie Gyllenhaal, Catherine O'Hara, Jim Gaffigan, Allison Janney, and Paul Schneider. It has its quirky indie romance montage moments, but all in all, the script is funny and charming and just the right amount of poignant.

I think it's time for Jim to grow a beard...

Aspirations: To Be a Rockstar

2009-06-11T13:26:00.003-04:00

I have a crush. On a woman. But so does pretty much everyone I know--male and female.

I can't quite put my finger on whatever quality makes certain women so alluring, but whatever it is, Jenny Lewis has it in spades. Her show at the House of Blues in Boston last night was punctuated with screams of "We love you, Jenny!" and "You're crazy beautiful, Jenny!" and "You're adorable!" between each and every song.

To be honest, I'm not her #1 fan. Her solo stuff is good, but not quite my speed. And Rilo Kiley, while a fun band, isn't making any of my top ten lists. But I went to the show and found myself just as captivated by her as the rest of the audience. More than the rollicking folk and quiet alt-country ballads she and her band played, I found myself hypnotized by the way she effortlessly kept the packed venue rapt with attention, just spinning around the stage in jeans and a t-shirt, shaking that crazy red mane of hers.

You can't help but be fascinated by anyone who can go from this:

to this:

I just want to BE her.

Great Scott

2009-06-08T15:02:00.002-04:00

I just read a fascinating article about Frances Kroll Ring, the woman who worked as F. Scott Fitzgerald's typist in the final year of his life, as he was working on his last book, The Last Tycoon. The Great Gatsby has long been a sentimental favorite of mine, and Fitzgerald a standby storyteller when I'm in the mood for a witty classic. It's interesting, and poignant, to read about his struggle to forge a literary comeback. He's such a tragic figure--pretty sad, really.

Living is easy with eyes closed

2009-06-04T21:20:00.005-04:00

I never thought I would say this, but this really makes me want to go out and buy a PlayStation (or whatever) so I can play with this all day long.

WTF, RI?

2009-06-04T16:40:00.004-04:00

New Hampshire passed a marriage equality bill today, making it the 6th state in the nation, and the 5th in New England to do so. This is great news! But wait, there's something missing...

I know that my home state has a Republican governor and a somewhat more conservative population than my new place of residence, but seriously, Rhode Island? WTF? Your state motto is "Hope." To me, that means hope for tolerance, equal rights for all, and the right to happiness--not too much of a difficult concept to grasp. Get your act together, Little Rhody.

Aspirations: To Be Crafty

2009-06-04T12:42:00.003-04:00

If I move out of my apartment, I will have to give up the built-in bookshelf that lines my amazing round bedroom. This makes me sad. However, I am excited about the prospect of awesome new bookshelves. Since my budget is low, this DIY project from Country Living caught my eye. I wonder if I would be capable of doing something like this without having the entire structure collapse on me?

{spotted on you are my fave}

Wedding Wear

2009-05-27T07:16:00.003-04:00

A good friend of mine is getting married this weekend, and no matter how many dresses I have in my closet, I always feel compelled to buy a new one for a special occasion. I've been looking for the right dress for a few weeks--something just this side of fancy, but not too dressy that I wouldn't be able to wear it to the office or out.

Express was one of the last places I thought to look, but I found this and couldn't resist buying it. With a black cardigan and my new black patent open-toe wedges, I think it'll be a good mix of bold and feminine.

Fashion Police: Katie Holmes

2009-05-26T17:06:00.001-04:00

Is it me or does Katie Holmes look absolutely ridiculous in this outfit? Those pants take the meaning of "high-waisted" to another level.

Playing With Food

2009-05-22T10:28:00.002-04:00

This is the most adorable use of raw fish I've ever seen.

Skirt Chaser

2009-05-22T09:32:00.002-04:00

It's officially spring, which means it's time to trade tights and boots for bare legs and sandals. No matter how many cute dresses I have in my closet (and I have quite a few), it never seems like enough when I'm walking down the street, envious of everyone else's pretty dresses.

I usually prefer dresses to skirts, since there's no need to find matching tops, but I do enjoy a kicky skirt every once in a while--which is sad when I open my closet and find the 3 or 4 sad, ill-fitting skirts I've had since college. Maybe instead of buying new dresses, I should buy a few skirts.

I would love something like this candy-colored solid tulip skirt Emily from Cupcakes and Cashmere has:

A good philosophy for a rainy day

2009-05-17T10:00:00.002-04:00

Linus, I feel you.

{Spotted on now voyager; via Cup of Jo}

Ears Dripping Jewels

2009-05-15T13:21:00.008-04:00

I normally don't like Anthropologie--I tend to find their clothing is badly made and wildly overpriced, though some of the dresses set my heart aflutter. But when The Lil Bee pointed out their divine earring collection, it was all I could do to not run out of my office and head straight there.

Here are my top choices under $50 (because I know I certainly can't afford more than that--we're in a recession people!):

Ok, so these last ones are actually $58 but I am IN LOVE with them.

Poetry in Motion

2009-05-12T23:59:00.003-04:00

The Sundance Channel recently piloted a project where they asked artists to make short films based on poems. There are some really cool clips--this is a Billy Collins poem called "Forgetfulness."

High School Musical

2009-05-04T09:19:00.002-04:00

This weekend, Lexington High School will experience an influx of indie rock fanatics as students screen "The Needle That Sings in Her Heart," a musical based on the 1998 Neutral Milk Hotel album In the Aeroplane Over the Sea .

Lexington High alum Amanda Palmer (of the Dresden Dolls) will perform in the play, which "centers around Anne Frank, as well as violence, death, and apocalypse - all themes of the obscure concept album," according to the Herald. (Right, "obscure concept album"....this article kinda made me mad).

If it wasn't my birthday weekend, I would totally consider going to see this. Maybe they'll take the show on the road someday?

Aspiration

2009-04-30T23:08:00.004-04:00

I have many aspirations in life--to have an office with a door, to be able to run 5 miles without collapsing, to own a Diane von Furstenberg dress and Frye boots.

One of my most coveted dreams is to have a room in a future dwelling with floor to ceiling bookcases. The Lil Bee just put these in her NYC apartment:

*SWOON*

I need to organize my life

2009-04-29T22:15:00.003-04:00

I haven't been a very good blogger these past couple of weeks. I'm chalking it up to the lovely weather--but if we're being honest, it's actually because I have been generally lazy as of late.

I keep insane to-do lists--crossing things off my list is one of my favorite things in life. It helps me feel less scattered and more accomplished, seeing what I need to do in black and white.

Maybe if I download this snazzy to-do list, I will be more on top of my blogging.

Away We Go

2009-04-07T07:43:00.001-04:00

John Krasinski + Beard + Glasses....yes please.

Everything's Better with Bowie

2009-04-03T16:41:00.003-04:00

I just recently started watching Flight of the Conchords and I'm in love. While I was watching the other night, the Bowie episode delighted me, and it got me thinking about how many things in this world have been improved by David Bowie's involvement in them (not even including his awesome music, which really goes without saying).

Here are a few of my favorite examples:

Flight of the Conchords

Extras

Labyrinth

Christmas

A Spring Dress I Can Afford

2009-04-03T07:17:00.003-04:00

Floral dresses are huge this Spring, and I don't have one. This is cute, and within my price range, but I would have to see it in person. You just never know with Old Navy.

{Old Navy, via Feather}

I Heart Brian Fellow

2009-03-31T23:06:00.002-04:00

Want This Dress Please

2009-03-31T00:09:00.004-04:00

J. Crew, I wish I could quit you.

{J. Crew, via Feather}

The Rory Gilmore Book Club

2009-03-29T10:28:00.002-04:00

It took me a long time to suspend my cynicism and sit down and watch The Gilmore Girls. Once I finally did, I loved it. Yes, it often made me cringe at the cheesiness or roll my eyes at the sheer unbelievability (is that a word) of some of the plots, but the script was, for the most part, sharp and funny and smart.

One of the things that stands out is Rory's obsession with books. Again, it's highly unlikely that she would have been able to read as much as she did, but we were also expected to believe that she could eat a burger and fries every day, never exercise, and still weigh 98 pounds. However, if you're willing to move past that, Rory's love of books is one of the things that made the show so unique. Do you ever see Serena van der Woodsen curl up with a good book on Gossip Girl? How about Brenda and Dylan discussing the finer points of Kerouac on Beverly Hills, 90210 (ok, that's a dated reference, but you get where I'm going with this)?

According to this list, Rory read over 175 books over the seven seasons of the show, spanning from The Divine Secrets of the YaYa Sisterhood to Memoirs of a Dutiful Daughter to Speak, Memory. There are also Rory Gilmore book clubs on sites like Goodreads and Shelfari. It sort of makes me want to start my own...or at least conquer all of the books on the list myself.

Let Me Eat Licorice

2009-03-27T16:49:00.003-04:00

Neutral Milk Hotel's "In the Aeroplane Over the Sea" is a beautiful, much loved song with that holds many memories for me. In my office CD swap, the song turned up on at least 3 different mixes, so it's clearly a powerful song for many...apparently, even those who aren't quite sure of the words.

This cover is certainly one of the best things I've seen in a long time.

Sandcastles in the Sand

2009-03-26T23:03:00.002-04:00

I organized a CD swap in my office and our official exchange day is tomorrow. I sent out an email inviting people to participate, and 26 people ended up signing up. I assigned everyone to random groups of 5-6 people, and everyone had two weeks to make a mix for each person in their group. Though not mandatory, themed mixes were encouraged. An extra copy for the genius organizer was also encouraged--I've already gotten a few CDs so I'm really excited for tomorrow. It's gonna be like Christmas.

Because it's still too cold, I decided to make a summer-themed mix, with songs that remind me of summer. Here's the playlist:

# dance dance dance--Lykke Li
# Fireworks--Animal Collective
# Postcards from Italy--Beirut
# What is the Light--The Flaming Lips
# Dry the Rain--Beta Band
# Strange Lights--Deer Hunter
# Summer Afternoon--The Kinks
# One Kiss Don't Make a Summer--Lucky Soul
# I Sing I Swim-- Seabear
# The Sun Goes Down and the World Goes Dancing--Magnetic Fields
# Electric Feel--MGMT
# Kim and Jessie--M83
# I Wish I Was the Moon Tonight--Neko Case
# Shady Lane--Pavement
# Bag of Hammers--Thao Nguyen and the Getdown
# Walcott--Vampire Weekend
# Modern Nature--Sondre Lerche
# This Must Be The Place (Naive Melody)--Talking Heads

The swap got a lot of buzz and everyone seems to be having a lot of fun with it. I'm already planning another iteration for summer and have begun contemplating what my next theme will be. Ideas?

The Perfect Summer Sandal

2009-03-19T16:38:00.007-04:00

Though it will be a good couple of months before I'm willing to bare my toes to the elements, I'm already starting to contemplate summer footwear. Flip flops are my go-to choice for comfy summer shoes, but they're not really office appropriate. I will be prowling shoe stores in the coming months, searching for a flat, neutral sandal that is dressy enough for work, but not too fancy for breezy summer attire.

Here are a few pairs topping my wish list:

{Frye; via unruly-things}

{Piperlime}

{Piperlime}

{Piperlime}

The Feast of St. Joseph

2009-03-19T12:37:00.003-04:00

Rhode Island has one of the largest concentrations of Italian Americans in the country, so it's not surprising that while I was growing up, wearing red and eating zeppole on March 19 was just as prevalent as wearing green and eating corned beef and cabbage (gross) on St. Patrick's Day (March 17).

St. Joseph's Day always makes me a little homesick. Now that I live in Boston (just about an hour north of my home state), I find that most people have no idea what I'm talking about when I wish them a Happy St. Joseph's Day. Yes, the Irish population in Boston far outnumbers the Italians, but it seems like some kind of ethnic snub when the entire city is awash in green for St. Patrick and nary a zeppola in sight for St. Joseph. Come on people, he was Jesus' DAD (sort of). Show a little love. Wear some red, eat some Italian food, and go find me a zeppola.

Wild Things

2009-03-18T13:18:00.000-04:00

I am not a wild person by nature, and I certainly wasn't a wild child. But I did love Maurice Sendak's classic story of imagination and the land of make believe. In first grade, we read the book and made monster masks out of brown paper bags. Mine had orange yarn hair and a mean, sharp-toothed grin. We wore our masks and danced around the room, pretending to be our monsters.

Spike Jonze's film adaptation is scheduled to premiere this fall and I have high hopes for it, based on the awesome poster and several of my Hollywood favorites (Catherine Keener, Paul Dano, and Lauren Ambrose) doing voices. Also, I will always love Jonze for his stellar Buddy Holly video . Another also, Dave Eggers is co-writing the screenplay. All kinds of awesome.

{image courtesy of Videogum}

Cloud Wall

2009-03-13T09:56:00.001-04:00

The walls of my apartment are a drab vanilla color and though I have a few prints and paintings hung, I just don't have the creative energy to do much with the blank spaces. I love this idea though--a collage of cloud images on the wall: so pretty and creative!

{from Design Sponge, via Cup of Jo}

The Fuckit List

2009-03-12T12:21:00.000-04:00

Michael Ian Black is my hero. Modern culture has tried to brainwash us into thinking we need a "Bucket List": 1,000 Places to See Before You Die; The 100,000 Books You Need to Read Before You Die; The 1 Million YouTube Clips You Absolutely Must See NOW.

Everyone's favorite deadpan comedian finally stood up and wondered, "What about the stuff we DON'T want to do before we die?". And that's where the Fuckit list was born.

On mine: Going to the Super Bowl, reading the Harry Potter series, sailing around the world, and going skiing. What's on yours?

Cheesus

2009-03-09T14:41:00.000-04:00

The good people at Everything is Terrible put together this inspiring montage of your favorite savior sightings. Gives new meaning to finding God in all things...

Gig me

2009-03-06T18:54:00.000-05:00

I've been craving a concert poster to hang in my apartment for months now, but every time I browse the web, I can't seem to find one that I love enough that's not sold out or too expensive.

Here are a few I'm dreaming of:

The Arcade Fire

The Decemberists

Frightened Rabbit (sidenote: We Were Promised Jetpacks is my new favorite band name)

Jens Lekman

*All images from GigPosters.