cheers and rock'n'roll

We've Moved!

2010-02-01T09:23:00.001-08:00

To our dear friends and followers:

After a brief hiatus, we have decided to relaunch our blog.

Please check us out at cheersandrocknroll.com !

Cheers!
B&M

Exciting News

2010-01-29T00:18:00.000-08:00

Stay tuned.... Check back on Monday, February 1st!

Break Time

2010-01-12T09:40:00.001-08:00

Brooke and I are taking an indefinite break from the blogging world.

Hope to be back soon!

Happy Twenty Ten!

CHEERS!

B&M

On my wish list...

2009-12-11T13:19:00.000-08:00

In an effort to control my tendency to purchase books, read them once, and never read or touch them again... a KINDLE!

Gotta love stop motion....
Her Morning Elegance

Sorry I'm Late

Who Gains from a Falling Dollar?

2009-12-11T09:53:00.000-08:00

(via The Big Picture, via The New York Times )

Help Yourself by Sad Brad Smith

2009-12-10T12:01:00.000-08:00

Went and saw Up in the Air this past weekend.....you HAVE to go and see it. It's incredible... from the acting to the soundtrack, it's an all around winner. Everyone will take away something from seeing this film. Anyway, I loved the soundtrack and just downloaded it tonight. Check out my favorite below and if you get a chance, "Angel in the Snow" by Elliot Smith.

That's So Aughties

2009-12-10T11:13:00.000-08:00

My friend Mike forwarded me the link to this dead on Vanity Fair web exclusive.......

"That’s So Aughties!
The 70s had shag carpets, lowriders, and lava lamps. The 80s had stonewash, Ray Bans, and Flock of Seagulls hair. The 90s had flannel shirts, Clintonisms, and heroin chic. But what will the decade that began with Y2K panic and ended with recessionistas yield in terms of funny and embarrassing nostalgia? Here are 26 possibilities.
BY HEATHER WAGNER
WEB EXCLUSIVE DECEMBER 8, 2009

1. Pete Doherty Clones (and Other Hipster Subspecies)
Brit rocker (and Kate Moss consort) Pete Doherty’s skinny jeans, propensity for fedoras, and hung-over glare set the tone for a generation of pretentious twentysomethings. Vice magazine was their lexicon, American Apparel their official uniform, and the Misshapes their house D.J. This P.B.R.-sipping, Parliament-smoking in-crowd spawned endless subspecies: the early adopters (Millennium White Belt Hipster), the blue-collar kitsch revivalists (Trucker Hat Hipster), the folksy foodies (Urban Farmer Hipster), and, by decade’s end, the prohibition-style mustachioed mixologists (Handlebar Hipster). They were all irritating for various reasons but all present ample future costume possibilities!

2. Oversharing
The 00s were one big Overshare. The rise of mobile phones turned the world into your psychiatrist’s office, while Facebook status updates, celebrity Twitter feeds, and mommy blogs enabled the relentless broadcasting of personal minutia, from the mundane (“Buying fresh fennel at Whole Foods”) to the shocking (“Just got DNA results. Jason’s the daddy!”). Another source of oversharing? Blog commenters, especially those of the hyper-religious or staunchly partisan ilk, who so often felt compelled to air the most vitriolic, illogical, and hostile opinions under the virtual cloak of “SoccerSue” or “Jimbo01.”

3. Text-Message Breakups
Breaking up has been historically hard to do, but in the aughties it was terrifyingly easy. Just have a few drinks and text, “Sorry. Not n2u.” Voilà! No drawn-out conversations about closure and emotional needs unmet—just a few keystrokes and it’s over. Also popular: the I.M. breakup, the Skype breakup, and the Google Wave breakup (currently in beta). And we’re betting somewhere, someone has broken up via emoticon.

4. Losing Your Job to the Internet
The decade began with the-Internet-as-ultimate-jackpot. Venture capital abounded and 22-year-olds in the Bay Area were making $85K a year as “key-worders” or “platform consultants.” But by decade’s end, the thing we thought would make us all rich was chomping away at profits in journalism, the record business, and beyond. If what you produce could be reduced to 1s and 0s (articles, songs, movies, best-sellers), you got royally screwed. Bleep bloop, enjoy that severance!

5. TV Shows That Are Better Than Any Movie Ever Made
Mainstream film did not exactly enter a new golden age in the early 2000s. In fact, most high-grossing blockbusters were C.G.I.-glutted behemoths of recycled ideas. The last people anyone expected to step into the quality-entertainment breach were the nation’s television producers, but—somehow—they did just that. Whether you were into the gritty urban realism of The Wire, the hypnotic narratives of Mad Men, or the epic Jersey saga of The Sopranos, it was a fantastic decade for TV—and for AMC, FX, and Showtime, networks previously known for little-seen Tommy Lee Jones films or last-resort soft-core late-night porn.

6. Gamer Culture
Behold the emergence of Red Bull–quaffing World of Warcraft players, shut-in Second Lifers, and Halo die-hards. The sheer unbridled geekery of gamer culture, where sophisticated graphics and motion-capture interfaces created a dazzling alternative to boring ol’ human existence, matured into a nationwide obsession, hastened by user-friendly innovations such as Wii Bowling or Guitar Hero, the latter of which allowed a generation of tipsy Uncle Bobs to unleash their inner Jimmy Page, to the quiet discomfort of all.

7. Celebutards
In the past, you usually had to do something significant to become famous, like act or sing or play a professional sport. But this decade, thanks to TMZ and US Weekly, the barrier to entry became absurdly low, as witnessed by the glut of “celebutards”: the young, wealthy, spray-tanned, multiple-D.U.I-receiving, brawling-outside-L.A.-nightclubs, underwear-shunning set. The world changed the day we all clicked to view Lindsey Lohan’s lady business with our morning coffee, and not, one suspects, for the better.

8. The Frat Pack
For some inexplicable reason, movie audiences in the 00s craved guilelessly stupid sex comedies with a heart of gold—a strange and sometimes unsettling combination that nonetheless raked in a ton of cash for one J. Apatow and his many imitators and second-tier collaborators. The existence of a movie tagline that reads, “From the Guy Who Brought You Knocked Up and Superbad” pretty much says it all.

9. White iPods
Whatever feelings you may have about Apple and its smug design-snob branding, it can be argued that the iPod was the innovation of the decade. It helped bring the music industry to its knees, produced an entirely new economic model via the iTunes Store, and created near-total isolation from our fellow man, as we bob along with our earbuds firmly in place. The original white iPod is already on display at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, and one can assume it will eventually take its place in the Smithsonian alongside the telephone and the cotton gin. Which is fine—just as long as they don’t also preserve those poppin’-and-lockin’ iPod silhouette people.

10. Logo Chic
Reasonably edgy at its inception, from Ashton Kutcher’s kicked-to-the-side Von Dutch trucker hat to Lil’ Kim’s Murakami Louis Vuitton bag, logo chic was soon embraced by the public, with mixed results. Ugg boots, Seven Jeans, faux D&G sunglasses, and Juicy Couture jumpsuits were the standard uniform, until the recession (and Jon Gosselin’s Ed Hardy shirt stretched over his protruding, A.T.V.-riding belly) precipitated a crushing dénouement.

11. Food Porn
Food was so hot in the 00s. Haute cuisine went mainstream, celebrity chefs became household names, and even your lunch meat was grass-fed. There was a curious high/low synthesis: mac and cheese, fried chicken, and burgers showed up on menus of high-end eateries, while the humble cupcake became a status symbol. Food was no longer just subsistence but a lifestyle, as the farmers’ market became the new singles bar, twentysomethings expertly brined turkeys on Thanksgiving, job seekers listed molecular gastronomy as a hobby on their résumés, and everyone knew the meaning of sous vide. And yet, somehow Arby’s continued to exist.

12. Internet Acronyms
OMG, LMAO, STFU! Popular Internet acronyms will persist, and likely become even more convoluted and complex as we grow increasingly dependent on our McGoogle machines, but the idea that they don’t belong in dictionaries or in official correspondence may gradually erode. We can actually imagine a future White House document that reads, “OMG, WTF is up w/North Korea?”

13. Terrorists
This was the decade when the terrorists actually won. From 9/11 to the current mess in Afghanistan, the bad guys got the upper hand, and kept it. No American hero saved the day, and there’s no clear resolution in sight. While it may forever be “too soon” to relegate al-Qaeda to kitschy nostalgia, there will be lots of ancillary war-on-terror ridiculousness to mock in retrospect, from airport Threat Level Orange alerts (has it ever been any other color?) to the theory that if we don’t all go shopping, The Terrorists Win.

14. The Housing Bubble
The 00s was the You-Deserve-It Decade. A four-bedroom home, an S.U.V., a new flat screen … who cares if you make less than $40,000 a year? You’re an American, and you need to keep up with the Joneses—who just got a new Sub-Z fridge! You could say that the housing bubble defined the arc of the whole decade, from McMansions and Mad Money speculation, to conscious overspending with money that didn’t exist, through the complete crash of the entire global economy. A new generation of permanent renters will likely look back on this MTV Cribs culture and wonder, “[insert new Internet acronym here]?” "

Cell Phone Etiquette

2009-12-10T09:07:00.000-08:00

So true. Hint. Hint.

(via Boing Boing)

Terrariums!

2009-12-09T13:11:00.000-08:00

LOVE these from Flora Grubb Gardens

Wall Bubble Terrarium with Succulent - $33.00

(via the LA Times)

Recycle electronics with USPS

2009-12-09T12:02:00.000-08:00

Select USPS offices are offering free mail back envelopes to be used for recycling inkjet cartridges, cell phones, PDAs, digital cameras and other small electronics. Now's the chance to recycle those small electronics for free!

http://www.usps.com/green/recycle.htm

(via Unclutter)

Best Movies of All Time

2009-12-09T09:47:00.000-08:00

The Big Picture
Easily one of my new favorite blogs.... moved it right to the top of my Google Reader.
Great graphic representation of the best movies of all time

Adopt a Species

2009-12-08T07:14:00.000-08:00

Instead of traditional gift giving this holiday season, consider adopting an endangered animal through the World Wildlife Fund's species adoption. With donations ranging from $25 - $250 you can help support and protect severely endangered animals. There are over 100 species to choose from and you can even sort by threat level (extinct in the wild, critically endangered, vulnerable etc.).

"Your donation will be used in general support of WWF's efforts around the world. 82 cents of every donated dollar goes toward conservation. WWF has been recognized by Charity Navigator as a Four Star Charity, and is a Better Business Bureau Accredited charity.World Wildlife Fund is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization."
http://www.worldwildlife.org/ogc/index.cfm

Hot Chocolate

2009-12-07T23:10:00.000-08:00

Yum! Perfect for this colder weather. Just ignore the nutritional info.
from the LAtimes

Total Time: 10 minutes
"Patissier Cedric Thullier, pastry chef at the Chateau du Pont d'Oie in Belgium, says to reduce or increase the amount of chocolate to vary thickness and the degree of bittersweetness. You'll love it-it's like drinking a bar of chocolate."

1/2 pound fine-quality semi-sweet chocolate with 60% cocoa content, such as Callebaut
4 cups whole milk

1) Finely chop the chocolate and place the pieces in a double boiler set over, but not touching, simmering water or in a heavy saucepan over low heat.

2) Add 2 cups of milk and stir, using a small whisk. Break up the chocolate until it starts to dissolve. Whisk continually until all chocolate is uniformly melted.

3) Raise the heat to medium, add the remaining milk and cook until it comes to a simmer (do not allow the chocolate to reach a full boil).

4 servings. Each serving: 422 calories; 126 mg sodium; 33 mg cholesterol; 25 grams fat; 47 grams carbohydrates; 10 grams protein; 3.34 grams fiber.

(photo via here)

Have a great weekend!

2009-12-04T15:49:00.000-08:00

Cheers!
M&B

(via imgfave)

Ten Primary Cloud Formations

2009-12-04T14:45:00.000-08:00

Throw back to 4th grade. Gotta love it.

macroscopicmarket on Etsy
Screen printed on natural stock paper (20" x 26") with glow in the dark ink.
click for larger view.

(spotted on swissmiss)

Lykke Li - Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?

2009-12-04T13:42:00.000-08:00

New from the wonderful Lykke Li
Download this free mp3 here from lykkeli.com

Lego's tribute to the Matrix

2009-12-03T10:56:00.000-08:00

After around 440 hours of work, and just in time for the 10th anniversary of the original movie release, Trevor Boyd and Steve Ilett present the Lego version of the famous Bullet Time dodge scene from The Matrix.

Julien Pacaud

2009-12-03T08:50:00.000-08:00

Check out Juilien Pacaud, a French illustrator, amazing portfolio.

"Perpendicular Dreams"

http://www.julienpacaud.com/

(via Design Crisis)

The Passenger

2009-12-02T19:30:00.000-08:00

A classic... and thanks to the Up in the Air trailer I get to hear this Iggy Pop song quite frequently.

World Aids Day 2009

2009-12-01T13:30:00.000-08:00

World Aids Day 2009 Official Website

Google.org - World AIDS Day 2009 to find ways to learn, act and give

World Aids Day - U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Toxic Travel

2009-12-01T13:19:00.000-08:00

Been catching up on my DVR since returning from Chicago.... wish I would have seen the Dr. Oz episode on toxic travel before I left for the break. Guarantee next time I stay in a hotel I'll be wrapping my remote in a ziploc baggie. Here's the article summary of last week's episode. Read more here at the Dr. Oz website

We travel to work, to play, to visit the people we love, and, when we do, the last thing we want is to get sick. But, unfortunately, crowded airplanes, hotel rooms – even your Aunt Sally’s guest room – are teeming with millions of bacteria and viruses just itching to hitch a ride with you. And at busy times such as Thanksgiving (when some 8 million people board trains, planes, and buses), your risk rises.

Here’s what you need to know to stay healthy and happy for that long-awaited vacation, critical business meeting, or weekend with your long lost cousins.

The Scare in the Air

You don’t need anyone to tell you how crammed jet planes are these days. As airlines try to stay competitive, they jam more and more of us closer together leaving our health at the mercy of our fellow passengers. In fact, one recent study found that when 1,000 people traveled between San Francisco and Denver, 20% of them came down with a respiratory illness within the first 2 weeks after flying. In a famous example from 2003, one coughing passenger on a flight from Hong Kong to Beijing infected 22 other people on board with the deadly SARS virus. Five of them died.

One of the reasons planes are such good incubators for illness is that their ventilation systems recirculate air from side to side. That means when the man in the window seat across the aisle from you coughs, his germs fly right onto you. So you don’t have to be sitting next to a sick person to be exposed. To make you more vulnerable, the cabin pressure inside airplanes dries out mucous membranes leaving them more susceptible to germs.

Air Quality Control

Luckily, there are a few simple steps you can take to reduce your exposure and minimize your chance of being sick on your trip.

Practice good hand hygiene Pack an alcohol-based hand sanitizer in your carry-on and use it early and often (after getting seated, before and after eating and drinking, and when you return from the rest room.) This step alone will reduce your chance of getting sick by 50%.
Wipe your worries away Bring along sanitizing wipes and clean your tray (which can harbor the dangerousMRSA bacteria and handrails.
Be wary of the bathroom Airplane bathrooms are some of the germiest places around. Wash your hands afterwards, use a paper towel to open the door when you leave, and then slap on hand sanitizer when you’re back in your seat.
Arm your immune system North American ginseng is a promising botanical product used to ward off flu. Populations that take it appear to have a lower incidence of viral spread. Try to be well rested and have any chronic conditions well under control before you travel.
Aim the air Make a fist with your hand and place it directly over your chest, then aim the air vent to blow onto it. That will give you the best airflow to protect you from being exposed to an infection.
Stay hydrated Drinking lots of water will not only help your membranes to stay moisturized, but it will help keep you from developing potentially fatal blood clots in your legs, which crop up because staying immobile in a tiny space slows circulation. Also get up and walk the aisle once an hour.

Hotel Hot Spots to Check Out When You Check In

The bedspread You may be tempted to flop down first thing but don’t do it until you remove the bedspread, which is rarely, if ever, cleaned. Fold it up and stash it well away from your belongings. Then check to the sheets. Look for hairs, any other evidence they were used, and traces of bed bugs. If the sheets aren’t clean, ask for a new room (if the sheets are dirty the rest of the room probably is.) If you find evidence of bed bugs, get a refund on your reservation and find a new hotel. If one room has bed bugs, others will too.
The phone and remote control Two of the most handled places in hotel rooms are almost never cleaned and harbor all manner of bacteria and viruses. Experts recommend using a Ziploc bag as a makeshift glove when handling the remote or using a chlorine antibacterial wipe and wiping down every button, crack, and crevice, spending extra time on the power button, which is touched the most.
The bathroom The worst offender is probably one you won’t suspect. Those cute courtesy glasses by the sink almost never get a proper dishwashing and are more likely wiped down with a towel from the room, leaving them loaded with bacteria. Skip them unless you’re supplied with plastic glasses sealed in plastic. Experts recommend travelling with your own collapsible cup.
The carpet A quick vacuum does nothing but pick up dust and move bugs and fungus around. So, bring slippers or flip-flops to protect your feet.

Home Sweet Harm: Hidden Dangers in the Guest Room

Staying at a friend or family’s house means more quality time with the people you love, but it also means more one-on-one time with the germs they harbor. If you’re preparing for guests, don’t just vacuum, use a germicidal cleaner on all carpets and use a chlorine-based cleaning product in the guest bathroom applying it with a lot of love and elbow grease.

Days With My Father

2009-11-30T15:48:00.000-08:00

We first mentioned this incredible photo essay from Phillip Toldedano back in April and if you haven't checked it out yet, it's a must. A few weeks ago, it was announced that the Days with My Father book will be published in May! Along with the email announcement, Mr. Toldedano allowed subscribers to choose a cover for the upcoming book. The two options are below. I chose the first one but they're equally heartwarming.

Days With My Father

2009-11-30T14:42:00.000-08:00

Hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving holiday!

We thoroughly enjoyed the holiday break... meaning we completely overindulged in turkey and pumpkin pie. Spending the afternoon trying to get my life organized and get back to posting!

Cheers,

M&B

(image via martha stewart)

Working For A Nuclear Free City

2009-11-24T16:12:00.001-08:00

Kingdom - Working For A Nuclea...

Clients From Hell

2009-11-24T07:02:00.000-08:00

blog: clients from hell
about: a collection of anonymously contributed client horror stories from designers

excerpt:

I've been thinking about that logo you sent over

…. Do you think it would be possible to see what it looks like with a duck on the left hand side. Have been thinking about ducks and what they represent, think it would look pretty cool you know?
(10 minutes later, another email)

… Scrap the duck idea, I don’t know what I was thinking. Perhaps we could try swapping the duck illustration and try using a chair instead. Chairs are good. I have sent an image of a chair for reference.

Rainbow Cake

2009-11-23T12:52:00.000-08:00

This cake would have been perfect for my Rainbow Brite birthday party when I was 5.

For the recipe click here.
And in case you want a rundown on those beloved characters from the mid-80s, here you go:

Rainbow Brite (originally named Wisp before taking this name) and her white sprite Twink. In one of the books, it is revealed that Twink used to be red, until villain Murky Dismal threw him into The Pits, which drained him of his colors.

Starlite is Rainbow Brite's talking, flying horse, who calls himself "the most magnificent horse in the universe". He is white with a yellow star on his forehead, and his mane and tail are rainbow-colored.

Color Kids

The names of each Color Kid's head Sprite is in parentheses, although several more named Sprites exist. Except where noted, each Sprite is the color of the Color Kid he or she belongs to. Sprites all look identical except for their colors, and in some cases, antennae. Regular Sprites have star antennae.
Red Butler (Romeo) - Brave adventurer.
Lala Orange (OJ) (in the 2004 merchandise line, OJ's name is Mango) - Has a crush on Red.
Canary Yellow (Spark) - Happy go-lucky.
Patty O'Green (Lucky) - Plucky prankster and tomboy.
Buddy Blue (Champ) - Loves sports and exercise .
Indigo (Hammy) - Likes to sing and dance.
Shy Violet (IQ)- Ultra-intelligent, creates devices and can fix space ships.

The 90-Day Contract

2009-11-23T11:16:00.000-08:00

The dude behind the new book, "The 90 Day Contract," Damon Alton, puts it this way: “Dating is stupid; I suggest you don't do it.” Nearly every aspect of our lives, everything from cell phone plans, to gym membership, is governed through a contract, “but dating is vague and ambiguous.” That ambiguity often leads to mind games, hurt feelings, drunk dialing, etc..

Don't commit to dating - try someone out with a 90-day contract!

(pause)
For reals?

New York Public Library

2009-11-23T07:42:00.000-08:00

I've been spending a lot of my time in libraries these days.
There is something so serene about being surrounded by books.

The New York Public Library looks magical.
(image via here)

Blackbird

2009-11-22T13:03:00.000-08:00

Blackbird Goodies

I just came across this amazing shop. It's filled with a wonderful selection of gift ideas for all the men in your life. With the holiday seasons approaching quite quickly, better get a jump start on your holiday shopping!

Holiday Gift Guides

2009-11-21T10:59:00.000-08:00

With the last few holiday themed posts you could probably guess I'm starting to get into the festive mood. It is my goal to not only cut back on the gift giving this year but get it all done early. Been perusing these gift guides....

TreeHugger's Gift Guide

MAKE magazine's Holiday Gift Guide

Real Simple's 2009 Holiday Gift Guide

Martha Stewart's Homemade Gifts

Check out Real Simple's Holiday Gift Guide iPhone application...

the app includes other gift guides... ie. Cosmopolitan, Nordstrom, Sunset

and if you're still feeling Scrooge-ish - read this TIME article by Andrea Sachs "Why We Shouldn't Give Christmas Gifts"

(photos via Martha Stewart)

Have a great weekend!

2009-11-20T15:18:00.000-08:00

Cheers!

M&B

Genetically Engineered Bacteria Reveal Landmines

2009-11-20T12:25:00.000-08:00

This is incredible... AND it's a student-led project.

From BBC News -

Bacteria which glow green in the presence of explosives could provide a cheap and safe way to find hidden landmines, Edinburgh scientists claim.
The bugs can be mixed into a colourless solution, which forms green patches when sprayed onto ground where mines are buried.
Edinburgh University said the microbes could be dropped by air onto danger areas.
Within a few hours, they would indicate where the explosives can be found.
The scientists produced the bacteria using a new technique called BioBricking, which manipulates packages of DNA.
Alistair Elfick, from the university's school of engineering, who supervised the student-led project, said: 'This anti-mine sensor is a great example of how innovation in science can be of benefit to wider society.' "

Read the rest of the BBC article here

Stitchy Ornaments

2009-11-20T09:14:00.000-08:00

from anthropologie

Bonnaroo 2010

2009-11-19T13:08:00.000-08:00

Bonnaroo 2010
June 10 - 13 , 2010
Manchester, Tennessee

General admission tickets go on sale on Friday, November 27 for $209.50. After December 31, prices go up. If you've ever even entertained the idea of going, GO! Brooke and I had THE most amazing experience of our lives. Sure it's dirty and a bit overwhelming, but the music and people watching are incredible. We were b.roo novices the first time around. The next time we go, we will be pros. Guaranteed.

check out the site here for more info

Holiday Gift Checklists

2009-11-19T08:55:00.000-08:00

Definitely going to use these checklists from Lifehacker. Even though I'm scaling back on the gift giving this year, I can still appreciate the help in simplifying.
Download them here.

Signs You Might Be A Sons of Anarchy Fan

2009-11-18T09:59:00.000-08:00

Found this via Twitter yesterday (by following SoA's creator and showrunner, Kurt Sutter @sutterink) and just couldn't help myself. Honest enough, I started rereading Hamlet a few weeks ago so I laughed out loud (and felt weirdly obsessive) as soon as I read #1. And it's true, most days I do feel like a missionary (see #5).

(via Small Towns, Small Screens)

1) You start reading Hamlet. You know, for fun.

2) If you weren't a motorcycle person before, you are now to the extent that you can tell a Dyna from a Softail Springer when you see them on the road.

3) In testy social and/or work situations you wonder to yourself, what would Gemma do? And for the guys, what would Jax do? And then you actually do it.

4) You can actually understand what Chibs is saying.

5) You view yourself as a sort of missionary for Sons of Anarchy. When you discover that a friend and/or family member hasn't seen it, you begin proselytizing the unconverted on the merits of the show. Bonus points if you tell them all that Katey Sagal will be robbed, just robbed, if she doesn't get an Emmy this year.

6) You label and evaluate people according to personalities of Sons of Anarchy characters. For example: "My boss is such a Clay about the monthly financial projections;" or "Honey, we knew when you started dating him that he was a total Juice."

7)You consider adding Nicholas Nickleby to your Netflix queue because Charlie Hunnam is in it. Either that or The Lady Killers because Ryan Hurst is in that film.

8)You buy a manual typewriter to work on your manifesto.

9)You download all of the music from all of the episodes from iTunes, make a playlist and it is all that you listen to.

10)You work "darlin'" into regular conversation in addition to "blow back" and "big picture."

11) You know how hard it is to get #sonsofanarchy to be a trending topic on Twitter and you still haven't given up hope.

12) You actually saw someone in real life in a cut and wanted to go talk to him but had to restrain yourself because there is no telling whether he was a Tig or a Jax.

13) Your plan when Season 2 ends? Watch seasons one and two straight through (because you totally saved Season 2 on your Tivo). By then there will be news trickling down from Kurt Sutter sitting on the top of Mount Outlaw about Season 3. Season 2 will be out on dvd soon too so you can bide your time with the special features until next August.

14) You know that, in a pinch, a skateboard is an effective weapon.

15) You divide the world into two groups: those who watch Sons of Anarchy and those who don't.

Amen.

(via Small Towns, Small Screens)

THE WIRE 100 Greatest Quotes

2009-11-18T09:24:00.000-08:00

The best 10 minutes you'll spend today.

Punch cards

2009-11-18T08:40:00.000-08:00

Clever concept.

by twelvezeroseven

(via one cool pick)

Character Interactions

2009-11-17T09:21:00.000-08:00

My friend Mike emailed me this.... I easily spent a half hour pouring over it.
Click on the image for a full size view.

WWII in HD

2009-11-16T20:49:00.001-08:00

I started on Sunday night.
I'm skipping Gossip Girls tonight.
I'm watching part 3 tonight.
I'm hooked.

The WWII in HD documentaries air through November 19.
The History Channel @ 9/8c

The series shows the war through the eyes of 12 Americans who fought in the war or contributed to it in some way. Using diaries, journals, and new interviews, it follows these Americans as their personal journeys intersect with one another throughout the war effort. Hollywood actors, including LL Cool J of “NCIS: Los Angeles,” Rob Lowe, Amy Smart, Jason Ritter, and Steve Zahn, portray the young voices of the Americans. The original Americans include a war reporter, an Army nurse, a young African American from Toledo who became a member of the Tuskegee Airmen, a second-generation Japanese American, and a Jewish immigrant from Austria who wound up in the Pacific Theater.
The series draws on more than 3,000 hours of World War II footage culled from archives and private collections around the world. Restored and enhanced through HD technology, the footage brings to light some riveting stories on America’s fight for freedom against the National Socialist armies of Germany, Japan, and Italy.

Some of the war scenes warrant caution for older children, however, because of the violence depicted, some light foul language and rear documentary shots of naked soldiers.
“WWII In HD” is extremely compelling viewing.

Alexi Murdoch

2009-11-16T12:01:00.000-08:00

Watched "Away We Go" on Netflix a couple weeks ago and ever since I've been listening to the soundtrack featuring the talented Alexi Murdoch on repeat.

2009-11-16T10:17:00.000-08:00

:: basic essentials of my life ::

(pic via here)

Oh! Sweet Nuthin'- The Velvet Underground

2009-11-15T09:11:00.000-08:00

Classic.

DIY Weekend Project- Bird Feeder

2009-11-14T09:18:00.000-08:00

Soda Bottle Bird Feeder Converter from Amazon - $10.95

(via Unclutterer)

Importance of Sex Education

2009-11-13T15:20:00.000-08:00

This 11 year old school girl has a baby on her wedding day.

The pair went on their first date to their local park then met at his mum Violeta's house near the gypsy ghetto where they both grew up.
But within a WEEK of them meeting, their daughter was conceived. Kordeza admitted: "I haven't had sex education classes and I didn't know how to get pregnant. I'd never had a boyfriend and I'd never heard of condoms.
"I didn't know I was pregnant until my grandmother saw I had put on weight. I just thought I'd eaten too many burgers."

how to buy shoes

2009-11-13T15:16:00.001-08:00

(click on images to enlarge)

Pumpkin Pie White Hot Chocolate

2009-11-13T12:41:00.000-08:00

Yum! Perfect for a chilly day.

From Kevin at Closet Cooking

(makes 4 servings)
Ingredients:
3 cups whole milk
1 cup canned pumpkin puree
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ginger
1/8 teaspoon cloves
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon vanilla
4 ounces white chocolate (roughly chopped)
pinch salt

Directions:
1. Heat the milk, pumpkin puree, and spices in a sauce pan until it just starts to simmer and remove form heat.
2. Add the chocolate and stir until it has melted.
3. Pour into mugs and top with whipped cream and garnish with cinnamon.

Misc. Headlines

2009-11-13T08:35:00.000-08:00

Artist Jack Daw's Golden Penny is Found

"Two years ago, Seattle artist Jack Daws made a penny using about a hundred dollars' worth of gold. It was a counterfeit. A good one, barely noticeable unless the patina wore down and the gold showed through, or unless somebody put it on a scale. (This is not a crime.) He put it into circulation at LAX while buying a Hustler. Essentially, he gave away a hundred dollars in gold. It was entirely possible that nobody would ever discover the sculpture in their chunk of change. But somebody did—...."

NC school officials nix cash-for-grades fundraiser

The school was offering 20 test points to students in exchange for a $20 donation. Rosewood principal Susie Shepherd had said that she approved the idea after a parent advisory council presented it as a way to raise money. Shepherd rejected the suggestion that extra points on two tests could make a difference in a final grade.

Wedding ring found amid 10 tons of trash

PARSIPPANY, N.J. - Sanitation workers sorted through 10 tons of trash to recover a wedding ring accidentally thrown away by a New Jersey couple. Bridget Pericolo had placed the ring in a cup that her husband, Angelo, threw out with the garbage before leaving for work Monday morning. When he realized the mistake, he contacted the town's sanitation supervisor, who suggested coming by the Parsippany dump.

Mystery of Argleton, the 'Google' town that only exists online

The town appears on Google Maps in the middle of fields close to the M58 motorway, just south of Ormskirk. Its 'presence' means that online businesses that use data from the software have detected it and automatically treated it as a real town in the L39 postcode area. An internet search for the town now brings up a series of home, job and dating listings for people and places "in Argleton", as well as websites which help people find its nearest chiropractor and even plan jogging or hiking routes through it. The businesses, people and services listed are real, but are actually based elsewhere in the same postcode area.

Whole Tree Architecture

2009-11-13T08:15:00.000-08:00

Architect Roald Gundersen founded Whole Tree Architecture and Construction in 1991 (formerly Gundersen Design) with the philosophy of using renewable building material to create sustainable and affordable designs. Inspiring.

(via Inhabitat,)

apple + ghetto PC =

2009-11-12T16:15:00.000-08:00

mac love .

Golden Brown by The Stranglers

2009-11-12T12:06:00.000-08:00

Mad Men November 23, 1963

2009-11-12T10:46:00.000-08:00

Following the intense Mad Men episode in which President Kennedy was assassinated, my friend Mike forwarded me the link to this article from The New York Times. In the article, "On Nov. 23, 1963, Some People Really Did Marry," the NYT City Room tracked down three people who, like Roger Sterling's daughter, had their weddings scheduled for the day after the assassination.

“This could have been an awful day,” said the character Roger Sterling on Sunday night’s episode of “Mad Men,” speaking to a half-empty wedding reception. “But here we are, not watching TV, but together watching the two of you.” (See related Arts Beat post.)

The outcome of the Sterling wedding was hotly anticipated among fans of the show ever since this season’s second episode, which was broadcast Aug. 23. In it, Margaret Sterling, the daughter of one of the guys with his name on the door at the Sterling Cooper ad agency, shows her father, Roger, the freshly minted invitation to her wedding, still months away: Nov. 23, 1963. The camera lingered on the invitation itself, inviting reality to dawn on the audience. The date is one day after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.

In real life, of course, no one saw this coming. Real-life brides-to-be had watched as the day they had been planning for months was pulled out of their control, and the nation’s grief and confusion — Was there a plot? Were others still at large? — threatened to drown out their wedding bells completely.

City Room called up The New York Times from Sunday, Nov. 24, 1963, and had a look at the wedding announcements. Amid the pillbox-topped veils, the hair flips, the orchids and stephanotis, we found a few New Yorkers who were actually married the day the Sterling wedding was supposed to have taken place. At least some of the announcements were written before the actual wedding day, so there was no way of knowing whether every one of those weddings went off as planned.

To read the rest of the article by Michael Wilson click here

Nomiya

2009-11-12T10:04:00.000-08:00

Wow. Now that's a view of Paris.
http://www.nomiya.org/

(spotted on SeeSaw Designs)

Inara George

2009-11-11T12:11:00.000-08:00

Have yet to listen to her latest "Accidental Experiment" but I'm looking forward to doing so. I discovered Inara after a few of her songs were featured on Grey's Anatomy (back in its prime). This will always be one of my favorites...

Fools In Love - Inara George

Free Airport WiFi courtesy of Google

2009-11-11T11:00:00.000-08:00

Along with the exciting news that Google will be providing Free WiFi to 47 airports throughout the holidays, comes the need to protect yourself from hackers and identity thieves. Click here for a list of participating airports (LAX, O'hare- no, Austin and San Diego- yes!) An excerpt from PC World on how to protect yourself...

Public hotspots, which by nature are open and unencrypted, are notoriously insecure. Information you transmit via laptop, smartphone, or gaming device may very well fall into the wrong hands. There are ways to stay safe, however. We asked Edgar Figueroa, executive director of industry trade group the Wi-Fi Alliance, for some hotspot safety tips. They are:

1) Configure your Wi-Fi device to not automatically connect to an open network without your approval. By doing so, you'll be aware when you're connecting to an open Wi-Fi hotspot. "Many devices either come out of the box or are later configured to automatically accept any available Wi-Fi connection," Figueroa says. Auto-configuration is most popular on handsets and some consumer electronics products like gaming devices.

2) If there's a storage device or another PC on your home network, you may have sharing enabled on the laptop you've brought to the airport. "When you're connecting to a public hotspot, make sure that you disable sharing," says Figueroa.

3) If you're conducting business or sharing sensitive information, it's best to use a virtual private network (VPN), which creates an encrypted, private link across a public network.

4) Use a personal firewall, either the one that came with your Mac or Windows PC, or a third-party app from a reputable security vendor like Symantec. Firewalls come with a range of configurations. "You can configure a firewall that is somewhat impermeable, and then there are times you can have it pretty open," Figueroa says. "At a minimum, you'll want to know when an incoming connection is attempting to gain access to your system."

5) Should you pay bills and shop online at a hotspot? Well, it's probably not the smartest idea. If you must, however, "it would be best to do these types of transactions over a VPN connection," Figueroa says. At the very least, use a hotspot that has WPA2 security. Not every public hotspot offers WPA2, though.

Paper Pastries

2009-11-11T09:38:00.000-08:00

paperpastries

"Confections for your Correspondence"

One Story

2009-11-11T08:53:00.000-08:00

Really cool gift idea.

"One Story is a non-profit literary magazine that features one great short story mailed to subscribers every three weeks. Our mission is to save the short story by publishing in a friendly format that allows readers to experience each story as a stand-alone work of art and a simple form of entertainment."

For $21 you get 18 issues
One Story

(via shelterrific)

GetReadySetGO

2009-11-10T12:06:00.000-08:00

"UPcycled Vintage Luggage"

What a brilliant idea.

GetReadySetGO

When I was little, my family had the entire set of bright orange Samsonite luggage as seen above. Never had problems spotting our luggage on the carousel.....the bags were practically blinding. I'm loving these vintage totes and cases coming back into style .

spotted over on Absolutely Not Martha

WheresMyCellPhone.com

2009-11-10T10:54:00.000-08:00

Pretty handy when you misplace your phone and you don't have a landline.

Sadly I do this more often than one might think.

And it's free!

WheresMyCellPhone.com

Stackable Totem Mug Set

2009-11-10T09:38:00.000-08:00

from fredflare.com

Holiday Cards

2009-11-10T08:08:00.000-08:00

the holidays are approaching!
that means it's time to start sending out christmas cards and party invites.
always such an ordeal.
these cards from petite alma are adorable and delightful.

taylor swift does twilight

2009-11-09T12:42:00.000-08:00

Cary Grant

2009-11-09T10:42:00.000-08:00

Did you know Cary Grant's real name was Archibald Alexander Leach?

"C.K. Dexter Haven! Oh, C.K. Dexter Haaaaaavuuun!"

I watched one of my all-time favorite movies this weekend, The Philadelphia Story.
They need to make more movies of this caliber.
A witty romantic comedy, with a perfect cast.
It's a true classic.

2009-11-09T07:10:00.000-08:00

via: here

ecolean packaging

2009-11-08T12:16:00.000-08:00

Ecolean is a new packaging alternative dubbed as "A Lighter Approach to Packaging".

Lightweight packaging is our answer to the demands of the liquid food industry and consumers asking for modern and clever packages. By using a minimal amount of raw material we create a lightweight package which combines low environmental impact with consumer convenience. Saving resources is saving the environment. That is why lightweight packaging has become a heavyweight argument.

Ecolean products are currently sold in over 30 countries around the world, not yet here in the United States, but lets hope it makes its way here soon.

via: here

the beatles ::: in my life

2009-11-08T10:38:00.000-08:00

love this song.

In My Life - The Beatles

prada shoes

2009-11-07T16:07:00.000-08:00

these prada shoes are wild.

iPhone app translates a baby's cry

2009-11-07T11:29:00.000-08:00

Is this really necessary?

An iPhone application claims to decipher the meaning behind a baby's cries.

The Cry Translator uses patented technology to analyze the tone and duration of the cries and match them to one of five possible types: hungry, sleepy, annoyed, stressed or bored.

It then offers tips on how to treat the child according to the type of cry.

continue here

Stolen VW Found

2009-11-06T10:29:00.000-08:00

"It looks like it's brand new," said Mike Maleta, an investigator with the California Highway Patrol. (Department of Homeland Security)

VW bus stolen 35 years ago is found in shipping container bound for Europe. Customes agent inspecting a load bound for the Netherlands discovered a 1965 van that disappeared from a Spokane repair ship in 1974. CHP investigators are searching for the thieves.
Continue LA times article here.

More Wine Goodies

2009-11-06T10:25:00.000-08:00

To add to our previous posts...
some more wine goodies that would be perfect for the upcoming party season

available here.

Blue Holes

2009-11-06T05:49:00.000-08:00

Found on both land and in the ocean throughout the Bahamas are deep circular cavities known as Blue Holes which are often the entrances to cave networks, some of them up to 14 kilometres in length. Divers have reported a vast number of aquatic creatures some of which are still new to science. In addition, they’ve recorded chambers filled with stalactites and stalagmites which only form in dry caves. For the explorers this was proof that at one time, nearly 65,000 years ago, when the world was in the grip of the last major ice age, the sea level of the Bahamas was up to 150 metres lower than it is today. Over time the limestone of the islands was eroded by water and vast cave networks created. When sea levels rose again about 10,000 years ago some of these collapsed inwards and the Blue Holes were formed
(via: here)

Google Earth alphabet and numbers

2009-11-05T11:43:00.000-08:00

(via here)

pumpkin brownies!

2009-11-05T11:10:00.000-08:00

Pumpkin-Swirl Brownies
Adapted from Martha Stewart

Yield: 16 brownies

8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, plus more for pan
6 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 3/4 cups sugar
4 large eggs
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups solid-pack pumpkin
1/4 cup grapeseed oil
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter an 8- or 9-inch square baking pan or dish. Line bottom of pan with parchment paper; butter lining.

Melt chocolate and butter in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water, stirring occasionally until smooth.

Whisk together flour, baking powder, cayenne, and salt in a large bowl; set aside. Put sugar, eggs, and vanilla in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment; beat until fluffy and well combined, 3 to 5 minutes. Beat in flour mixture.

Divide batter between two medium bowls (about 2 cups per bowl). Stir chocolate mixture into one bowl. In other bowl, stir in pumpkin, oil, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Transfer half of chocolate batter to prepared pan smoothing top with a rubber spatula. Top with half of pumpkin batter. Repeat to make one more chocolate layer and one more pumpkin layer. Work quickly so batters don’t set.

With a small spatula or a table knife, gently swirl the two batters to create a marbled effect.

Bake until set, 40 to 45 minutes. Let cool in pan on a wire rack. Cut into 16 squares.

via: kitchen sink recipes

google wave

2009-11-05T08:16:00.000-08:00

brooke and i are google everything.
here's a new one for you may have not heard...
GOOGLE WAVE
Google Wave is an online tool for real-time communication and collaboration. A wave can be both a conversation and a document where people can discuss and work together using richly formatted text, photos, videos, maps, and more.

A wave is shared. Any participant can reply anywhere in the message, edit the content and add participants at any point in the process. Then playback lets anyone rewind the wave to see who said what and when.

A wave is live. With live transmission as you type, participants on a wave can have faster conversations, see edits and interact with extensions in real-time.

Lifeguard Towers

2009-11-05T05:34:00.000-08:00

summer time is over.
meaning beach days are left for those odd days we have 75+ degree weather.
until then, check out these...
THE WORLD OF LIFEGUARD TOWERS

Tylosand, Sweden

Miami Beach, FL

Grocio Prado, Peru

Calafell, Catolinia

Binz, Germany

Alicante, Spain

dealbreakers

2009-11-04T20:36:00.000-08:00

awesome blog: dealbreakers
some excerpts...

GUESTBREAKER: You (Unironically) Call Things Gay

Ok, its one thing that you are find it unacceptable for me, as a male, to attend spinning classes, so what? I like pretending to ride bikes in a hot, sweaty room with techno blasting, but how did you describe it? Did you really just say “that’s sooo gay”? Really? Are you aware that that stopped being OK after you graduated from high school? Wow, its also “gay” that I’m really upset about it? You make me sick...

Your Slutty Halloween Costume

Um, a white tube top and a white miniskirt? That’s your costume? That doesn’t make you a “sexy angel,” that just makes you sexy. Sunglasses and a bra doesn’t make you a “hot cop,” it just makes you a skank with weakened nighttime vision. And putting a sash over your underwear doesn’t make you a beauty queen, it makes you a target for a sex crime. Please drape my jacket over your shoulders so you can be “Sexy Decreased Chance of Being Assaulted.”

GUEST(FRIENDSHIP)BREAKER: You Watch The Hills Or Any Related Spinoff

Oh yeah I know, I love this show too. Can’t wait till Joel McHale chimes in with all the zingers. Wait a tic, this clip has gone on far too long. Is this MTV?? Wait what? What do you mean you can really relate with Lauren Conrad? What the fuck are you talking about you hate Heidi for choosing Spencer over her friendship with Lauren?! And how in the HELL do you know all of their names by heart? You wish you looked more like Audrina? Is that the one with fake tits? Oh excuse me, I wasn’t previously aware they all have fake tits, allow me to be more specific—-the one with the fake tits and dead eyes? Wait——-why won’t the channel change? OH MY FUCKING GOD IS THIS A DVD?!?! Give me that friendship braclet back!

Time's Best Travel Gadgets of 2009

2009-11-04T12:16:00.000-08:00

A few favorites from Time's Best Travel Gadgets of 2009

Optoma PK101 Pico Pocket Projector - $299.99

Capable of producing a wall image of up to 60 in. that is both clear and vibrant. The projector is lightweight at only 4 oz., lasts up to 1.5 hours per charge and has an LED that can last up to 20,000 hours.

Yelp App- free

A must have. A city guide in your pocket. I already use this once a week.

Eye Fi Pro - $149.99
The 4-GB Pro model, which works with all cameras, seamlessly transfers photos via wi-fi to photo-sharing sites or your desktop. It also supports the RAW unprocessed image format, leaving you with the option of post-processing pictures at your discretion. You can also choose which images and videos get uploaded via the selective-transfer mode. And yes I am that lazy that the thought of transferring photos via wifi sounds like a dream.
iMinds - $0.99 per track
8 minute audio books covering a variety of topics....."bursts of knowledge." Purchase from iTunes or Audible.com

Joby Gorillamobile - $29.95
Offers hands-free viewing in just about any situation. Its flexible, wrappable legs virtually secure your device of choice to just about any surface.

Make Your Own Candy Bars

2009-11-04T11:19:00.000-08:00

project time!
chow.com takes on your corner store candy bars.
check out the recipes here for some scrumptious goodies!

Bookseer.com

2009-11-04T08:45:00.000-08:00

Cool website that offers book suggestions based on other books you like

Bookseer.com

All you have to do is type in the title and author

Example:

A search for Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen yielded:

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
Nights at the Circus by Angela Carter
The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield

Cooling Cucumber Mask

2009-11-03T10:57:00.000-08:00

Found this cucumber mask in the October issue of Everyday with Rachel Ray. Easy enough and a perfect pick me up after all the Halloween festivities.

1 tbsp witch hazel
1/2 cucucumber, chopped
1/4 cup aloe vera gel
1 tbsp cornstarch

Using a blender or food processor, mix the witch hazel, cucumber and aloe vera gel. Mix in cornstarch to thicken. Refrigerate for 1 hour. Smooth over face and neck and place 2 cucumber slices of the eyes. Leave on for 10-15 minutes. Rinse, pat dry and follow up with moisturizer.

The Wire

2009-11-03T10:06:00.000-08:00

I'm currently making my way through all five seasons of The Wire on Netflix. I absolutely love it.... which is why I was pretty jealous when I found out Harvard will have a class based on incredible series. As reported by the New York Post,

The class will be taught by sociology professor William J. Wilson, one of the best-known African American history professors in the country, who has made no secret of the fact that he is a huge fan of the show.
"I do not hesitate to say that it has done more to enhance our understanding of the challenges of urban life and the problems of urban inequality, more than any other media event or scholarly publication," Wilson told the audience before poking fun at himself, "including studies by social scientitsts."

[photo via HBO]

Wine cork trivet

2009-11-03T09:53:00.000-08:00

A unique hostess gift.

Would go well with the wine bags Molly mentioned here.

Yay for the holiday season!

available at karmakiss.com

FLOW: For Love Of Water

2009-11-02T18:26:00.001-08:00

Just arrived from Netflix and I can't wait to watch it. Ever since I watched Blue Gold: World Water Wars, I've been fascinated by the water industry and the fight over fresh water sources.

To learn more check out http://www.flowthefilm.com/

2009-11-01T10:46:00.000-08:00

Baby by Devendra Banhart

World's Tallest Treehouse

2009-11-01T09:55:00.000-08:00

Made out of reclaimed wood

(via Inhabitat)

Happy November

2009-11-01T09:03:00.000-08:00

(via imgfave)

Happy Halloween!

2009-10-31T10:17:00.000-07:00

Happy Halloween!
Cheers,
M&B

(via Martha Stewart)

Daylight Savings Time

2009-10-30T13:51:00.000-07:00

Remember to turn back your clocks one hour this Saturday night/Sunday morning....
an extra hour of sleep!

image: Prague's astronomical clock

Hollywood Hills Home

2009-10-30T13:28:00.000-07:00

How gorgeous is this house? Listed at $5,995,000.
See more here at www.roseandchang.com

spotted on Absolutely Not Martha

Classic Cinema Online

2009-10-30T11:36:00.000-07:00

Want to set the Halloween mood? Check out Classic Cinema Online where you can watch hundreds of classic films....for free! From action films to westerns the site has a bunch of different categories. This week you can watch "House on Haunted Hill" or "Dracula" to get into the Halloween spirit.
http://www.classiccinemaonline.com/1/

Household objects depicting scientific concepts

2009-10-30T11:23:00.000-07:00

see more here

Chocolate-Caramel Shortbread Cookies

2009-10-29T14:08:00.000-07:00

i want to make these now.
how scrumptious do these look?
check out the recipe over at chez pim

Parallel Parking

2009-10-29T13:15:00.000-07:00

via: the essential man

Euphemism of the Day:

To Parallel Park...

Maneuvering your car in the space between two other cars without hitting either.
To actively put yourself in an uncomfortable situation with the idea that you can handle it with grace. Ex. Inviting two potential love interests to the same event.

Grocery Store Musical

2009-10-29T10:55:00.001-07:00

six undercover actors burst into song in a grocery store in Queens

Corkscrew Wine Jute Bags

2009-10-29T09:58:00.000-07:00

charming rustic wine bags.
upcoming party season: perfect to wrap a wine bottle in for your hostess.
available at wisteria.com

GNO: Girl's Night Out

2009-10-29T08:02:00.000-07:00

SUSAN B. ANTHONY AND SACAGAWEA'S
GUIDE TO A BITCHIN' GIRL'S NIGHT OUT.

By Julia McCloy & James Stefen
---

1. Don't Be Afraid To Add a Twist
First of all, you have to remember that this is YOUR time. This is your time to get out and celebrate being a woman in the most important way possible: drinking Appletinis! Or if you are a real pioneer: drinking Appletinis with a twist! That is what I, Susan B. Anthony, drink. (In fact, if you want to find a kick-ass recipe for an Appletini check the latest issue of my feminist mag: Revolution, Appendix D: The International Council of Women's Guide to Getting Wasted).

2. Listen to Your Jams
Next you have to make your iPod playlist. Girl, this is no little thing either. It sets the mood. If I learned anything from the Seneca Falls Convention, it was that you have to set a mood because it lets guys know, as you drive past in your yellow Mustang with the top down, that you are in control. An essential song is "It's Raining Men." You can even make it every other song on your playlist. Sacagawea also suggests "I Will Survive"—which is good but implies some kind of heartbreak or whatevs. So I can't endorse it as hard as she does. But I will tell you anything is better than the traditional Indian rain dance type of music she puts on her pink iPod nano. After all, we want it to rain men, not rain, obvs. Another one of Sacagawea's favorites is "Suffragette City." I can only guess that she likes it because the "oooohs" and "wham bams" in the chorus remind her of her own language. However, I checked the lyrics on the Internet and discovered that the song was written by a lady named David Bowie, who isn't even a little bit Indian.

3. Follow the Leader
You will also need to designate a leader. Sacagawea always thinks she should be the group leader because she led Lewis and Clark across America carrying a baby on her back. That is ridiculous because GNO should have nothing to do with babies and weird helpless exes. Sometimes I have to remind Sacagawea that the "B" in my name stands for "Bitch, pleez" when she starts to get on my nerves about being the leader, or tries to impress me with her long brown hair (which is clearly a weave).

4. Be Sexy (in the City)
A fun thing to do is to pretend that you are all characters from Sex in the City. I am usually Carrie, because I am a better leader. Sacagawea is Charlotte because she can be dumb sometimes. For example, I have to order drinks for her because she still doesn't know the difference between an Appletini and a Mango Margarita. So I have to say, "Girl"—which is what I call her because I don't know how to pronounce her name—I say, "Girl, I will talk to the bartender. You stay over here and stroke your weave."

One note on GNO attire: You want to be sexy, not slutty. Heels = yes. Short skirt = yes. Showing a little cleavage = hell yes. But showing a little cleavage does NOT mean pulling up your cloth shirt and getting out your breast right in the middle of the club, especially if you get your breast out to feed a baby. Sacagawea has done this on more than one occasion.

5. Be Decisive
Deciding what exactly to do on a GNO can be hard. That is why I bring a coin to flip to help settle difficult decisions. I use my silver dollar rather than Sacagawea's coin. Mostly for efficiency. It is easier to yell "heads or tails" than "face with a baby that you carry on your back like a backpack" or "you bending over to plant some corn with a baby that you carry on your back like a backpack."

6. Be Discreet
Facebook makes GNO a little tricky, because you don't want your parents seeing you and your girls grinding on a guy on the dance floor. They will never understand even if you tell them how handsome and sweet the guy was and that he told you you smelled like his "balls after he went to Cancún." Facebook is not so much a problem for Sacagawea, who says her parents are not on it.

7. Stick Together ("Hos Before Bros")
You need to have some kind of buddy system on your GNO. When Sacagawea is holding my hair back while I am vomiting into a toilet in a bathroom where someone is doing blow it often occurs to me how much hanging out with her on a GNO is a lot like listening to Frederick Douglas eloquently argue. It really is almost exactly the same, except that Sacagawea is not a black man and she doesn't really speak English. Also, no one is arguing anything and I am just vomiting.

On your special GNO night you have to remember that you are a team. A fighting team. Like in the military. GNO is like the closest thing to war that is not, in fact, war. It is war, but with hot bartenders and super hot club remixes of your favorite songs. And just like in war you have to have your girls' backs. Or else shit can get real. I saw this war movie called The Deer Hunter and believe me, you better take care of your girls because no one wants a GNO to end with one of you trapped in a cage, forced to play Russian roulette until you shoot yourself in the head and your brains splatter out. I mean, come on. That would really suck.

8. Have Fun!
The biggest and most important thing to remember is to have fun. It is your chance to let your hair down or, in Sacagawea's case, let your weave down. As a woman, Girls Night Out is the most important thing you do. So do it right!

worst birthday ever

2009-10-28T12:47:00.000-07:00

via: fatawesome
(click image to enlarge)

Seattle Home

2009-10-28T12:45:00.000-07:00

How cool is this house? I'm obsessed with the black white and yellow nursery.

(via Desiretoinspire)

Generationals

2009-10-28T08:52:00.000-07:00

a glorious revelation.

&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://generationals.bandcamp.com/track/when-they-fight-they-fight"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;When They Fight, They Fight by Generationals&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;

Fall

2009-10-27T15:43:00.000-07:00

themarthablog