Hump Day Crush

So I have been known to say that I love anything with a beat and am an equal opportunity employer, but have no love for country music ever. A friend recently introduced me to Lyle Lovett and his big band and I can't say that I am a country convert, but I can say that I enjoy Lyle throughly.

Previous to receiving 'Live From Texas' from a friend in the mail, all I knew about Lyle was that he was the strange, cartoon looking random guy who was once engaged to Julia Roberts. I sometimes wonder whether this song pictured below is about her.

Once I listened I realized that he was a man with an amazing voice, catchy tunes, introspective lyrics and capable of witty banter. His caricature like features seem to turn into rugged features, with each line and curve having a story to tell. Oh, and I think that he would also be a great ventriloquist if this singing thing doesn't work out for him. I kinda want a mini-version of him to hang out in my pocket. Totally never thought I would say this but Lyle Lovett, you are my hump day crush of the week. xx

Hump Day Crush

Chester French. I had heard about them a while back (Harvard grads who Pharrell and Kanye both wanted on their respective labels), heard some songs, saw them perform on some late night shows, but wasn't 100% convinced on them until I saw them live at Summerstage this past weekend. They rocked the crowd with their performance, were hilarious and DA, the red-headed lead singer somehow managed to pull off powder pink jeans. Also awesome was the fact that he seemed genuinely into their fans, taking the time to chat, hug and mug for pics.

Their debut album is a great listen, but mostly, what won me over was their free mix tape entitled 'Jacques Jams vol. 1'. (so clever!) As if stirring up a bidding war between Kanye and Pharrell to sign them wasn't enough, Chester French busted out collaborations with both of them, plus, Bun B, Diddy, Jadakiss, Talib Kweli, Common and Lady Gaga, etc. The beats are pretty sick, the songs are catchy, and the duo is charismatic and cheeky enough to pull off lyrics like:

-'but those eyes in your head, well they butter all my bread, and I'm looking for a girl who feeds me well'

-'bow tie is straight, ascot looks great, ready to lay some pipe'

-'she craves attention, so I use protection'

-'you're my Puerto Rican Pamela Lee'...

without seeming douche-y. Don't even get me started on the skits re: endurance or swimming in Ciroc filled pools.

I thoroughly enjoy when one of their songs/skits comes on the shuffle mix, so much so that I get myself into trouble when walking down the street and I giggle to myself. Doesn't hurt that the dudes are cute too! Chester French you are my hump day crush. xx.

At the end of it all it was you.

It finally feels like summer here in NYC - it started on July 4th, and continued this past weekend. So what better time than to enjoy the summer at Summerstage, a free concert series at Central Park. Saturday was beautiful, 82, sunny but with a breeze - the perfect setting to see Chester French and Q-Tip.

Chester French was an added bonus, but Q-Tip was really the draw for me. He killed it for an hour - working the stage and pulling from his vast collection of great songs. From Tribe days, to Amplified and Renaissance, with nods to MJ (see red jacket and some Jackson 5 moves) and James Brown (his DJ pulled out a towel and draped it like a cape). I was impressed.

Evidently, us mere common folk weren't the only ones feeling it. Diddy, Cassie, Michael Rappaport, Fab 5 Freddy and Dame Dash were all there. Randomly ended up standing by the left side of the stage, near the VIP entrance and saw all of them. But found Diddy the most interesting to watch, mostly for his need for attention.

Everyone was staring, like he commanded it. I don't know whether it was his bluetooth, or the fact that he was the only person who stood on the ledge of a trailer (which was unnecessary to see the show), or that he tried and succeeded in starting the crowd doing the double clap, or that during the 'Vivrant Thing' he decided he was feeling it so much he turned around and slapped/humped the trailer, or that he finally climbed on stage during 'Award Tour'. Probably, the combination of all of it. I know I couldn't help but notice - but I can say I didn't join in the double clap. xx

Hump Day Crush

With fashion throwing back to the strong shouldered 80s and early 90s for Fall 09 and beyond, there is something that I am enjoying about the 2009 re-vamp. And it isn't the Balmain shoulder pads, the sequins overload or the resurgence of bike shorts. I am enjoying the re-emergence of the Supermodels. Known by their first names, dominating shows, adds and even MTV (think George Michael's 'Freedom' video and Cindy Crawford hosting 'The House of Style'), these women epitomized the look of the times - curves, power and beauty.

These models still look great today and hold their own in current ad campaigns (like YSL). However, I am glad to see the new guard, the 2009 versions wearing the 2009 versions of the 90s. And Lara Stone leading the way. Hitting the scene with an exclusive at Givenchy in 2006, Lara Stone became a fast favorite of designers and editors. (One of these pics below was a tear sheet I passed to my hairstylist to go blonde...) Recently a lot has been made of the fact that she has curves (she is a size 4), the gap in her tooth, her mouth. But, I don't think it's fair that she's broken down into parts - all I know is that she captures the feeling this moment, and that she looks damn good doing it. Lara Stone you are this week's hump day crush. xx

Hump Day Crush

I apologize in advance for not having a picture of this week's hump day crush. I will try to explain this week's crush as best as I possibly can, but please know it was near impossible for me to snag a picture without making a scene.

While riding the subway this morning, I noticed a woman wearing a cute summer dress, and also noticed a colorful tattoo on her arm. As I looked closer, I couldn't believe my eyes. The tattoo was of a short stack of pancakes, three high on a blue plate with a pat of butter on top. And coming up from the short stack was - wait for it - squiggles of steam. This isn't even the best part. There was a half moon of fruits encircling the steamy pancakes. 5 fruits in total, all with stick legs and arms, and googly eyes. I spotted a banana and two strawberries, but I couldn't make out the other two.

This has provided endless entertainment for me today. What was the motivation? And the story behind it? And why this for the rest of your life? I also loved the attention to detail (think steam squiggles!) And how did she manage to have a cute boyfriend? I also was telling a friend about it while walking down the street exclaiming 'you have to live with that for the rest of your life!' And in some witty NYC pick-up fashion, a random man on the street chimed in 'I'll live with you for the rest of your life!'

So thank you, to the short stack pancake tattoo for endless entertainment and smiles. You are my hump day crush and will put in an order at brunch this weekend in your honor. xx

Tenderoni You Got to Be.

So every summer I choose one semi-cheap sandal that I wear the shit out of for the season, and happily give them up once they've fallen apart mid-September. Last year it was a Matt Bernson studded cuff sandal, this season it is a Kork Ease, cork on cork wedge. I came across these online, but since they don't have half sizes I went to a shoe store to try out sizes. Turns out it was an orthopedic shoe store and they didn't have this exact style. But they did have a lady sitting next to me asking for something to 'hide her bunion'.

So, I sized it out, placed my order on Zappos, and was so psyched to receive them. The first day I wore them to work, three people I work with ask me about them, and two of those three bought them. Kinda bummed that I no longer had the 'exclusive', I decided to just enjoy them. They looked cool, gave height (nude and height!) and they were so comfy (see orthopedic shoe store). So how bummed was I when the strap popped off from the left side not even a month in?

Motivated enough to call and email, I was prepared for a battle with Zappos customer service to get my shoe replaced. Turns out no battle - they were so helpful, friendly and so quick to respond. They knew my account history, sent me a prepaid UPS return label a $25 credit to a new purchase and free overnight shipping for life. Turns out they didn't have my size in stock, but they gave me back a full refund, no hassles. Totally recommend buying from them for their customer service alone!

But after all that, I was left without my shoes, and was seriously missing them. I manically tracked them down from a seller on Amazon (I struck out on the first five sites I tried), but cross your fingers that these suckers don't pop a strap since I doubt I will have the same luck with customer service the next time. xx

The City Winks a Sleepless Eye.

So this has been a strange summer so far. And even a stranger past couple of weeks. Between all of the rain in the city (rain rage), Ed McMahon, Farah Fawcett, Steve McNair and of course Michael Jackson. All on top of trying to get through regular life. I know I have been neglecting many things, in life and in posting, could it be because I am now a blonde? (see post from April 8th)

But anyway, through all this, there have been some rando things that have been entertaining and a good distraction. One of these is Larry King. Really? You're wondering. Yes. Since everything is in re-runs for summer and with all of the MJ coverage I have been watching more Larry King than ever before, or really than I would ever want to. And it is so unintentionally funny, I am usually guaranteed a good chuckle. Here are my top three favorites of recent episodes:

1) While interviewing Lou Ferigno regarding his relationship with MJ as a friend and trainer, LK threw it to a break saying 'we'll be right back with Lou Ferragamo'. Returning from the break, he tried to correct himself saying 'I'm sorry, earlier I meant to say Lou Ferragamo' You can clearly hear Lou Ferigno correct him off camera and then you hear LK say to Lou 'what can I say, you have a weird name'

2) When describing MJ's accomplishments, he mentioned '13 Emmys'. Someone off camera clearly said 'Grammys'. He corrected himself and said '13 Emmys and Grammys'. And was corrected again and finally got it right with '13 Grammys'

3) Tonight, LK told John Mayer that 'the smartest thing the Jackson family did today was invite you'.

No offense to John Mayer, but really LK? Really? xx

Hump Day Crush

RIP MJ. xx