Let Me Take You to the Max...

Saturday August 29, 2009 @ Nokia Theater in NYC Times Square. I went to see Q-Tip, Mark Ronson and DJ Spinna, in a tribute concert to celebrate Michael Jackson, on what would have been his 51st birthday.

It was pretty nuts - three djs, many MJ fans dressed up in his iconic looks (most prevalent was Billie Jean). Basically the 2500 person capacity theater turned into a giant sweaty dance party.

Q-Tip getting down and Mark Ronson flexing his muscles. Ronson had made the 'I heart AM' shirt, and spun a set of songs specially completed that day for DJ AM.
Q-Tip mixed it up. Old Jackson 5, 80s Michael and even threw in some Janet. And rapped his verse on 'Got Til it's Gone'. And I was pretty impressed that Mark Ronson mixed in beginning riff from The Strokes 'Someday' with some MJ seamlessly.
Q-Tip also was like the head dancer. He was seriously unafraid to bust out some crazy moves. Old school Jackson 5 hand rolls, some Michael Jackson hip moves. He even at one point led the entire crowd in the electric slide. I was surprised that many people in the crowd were completely unaware of the moves that comprise the electric slide. I guess they never went to a sweet 16 party.

Instead of rocking out to the air guitar, Mark Ronson broke out his air trombone and Q-Tip found his air trumpet. I must say the two dudes danced and it was v v cute.

Grandmaster Flash showed up, in between Mark Ronson and DJ Spinna. And so did Angie Martinez. And DJ Premier. And Anthony Anderson. And Quincy Jones called in on Mark Ronson's cell phone and had a convo with the crowd.
And this girl. Marsha Ambrosius. I didn't know who she was, but man could she sing. Turns out she is a songwriter and wrote a song about MJ, and has sung on some tracks with Nas and Common amongst others. And she will have a solo album soon. Watch out.
Then Q-Tip hopped off the stage and into the crowd. He was like right there! And I touched his back. And then I was raising my hand up, dancing to the music and I touched a hand and instinctively drew it back. Turns out it was his. Oops.

Q-Tip then pulled a bunch of rando girls up on stage, Mark Ronson had disappeared, I sweat all the make-up off and was ready for a pitcher of water. Friends I showed up with were no longer there - some were pooped, sat in the chairs and lost their steam, some got separated in the crowd and headed out earlier since they had to work the next day. I experienced a good chunk of the concert on my own, but man was it a good time. It was almost 4am and it was time to hit the city lights. xx

You taste just like glitter...

Ok, so I caved a little early this year on the Barneys Warehouse Sale. But in my defense there were special circumstances - an extra 40% off of discount prices for all women's designer clothes and shoes started early!

After trying on a sick pair of Givenchy peep toe zip front booties, and getting both sides of shoes in my hand (no small feat), I threw them back to the ocean and walked away.

And I am glad I did.

I came back the next day, last Friday, and spent my afternoon digging through the racks. After trying on a bunch of stuff. Marni ruffled poplin top (wrong color), green metallic Lanvin heels (these were so sick but hard to wear in real life), Louboutins (suede MaryJanes - nice but slingback, too tough to walk in), a bunch of denim, and some random Dries pieces, it came down to the final heavyweight bout. Marni black open toe knee high boots from the Fall 08 runway vs a Dries Van Noten sequined cross back, backless apron top (although I have no intention to wear it bare and backless).

I loved the Dries Spring 09 show - stunning and easy to translate into real life. And when I saw the collection in the stores, I remember drooling over the sequined pieces.

And as for the Fall 08 Marni show, I have the lookbook hanging over my desk, and I can always use a good pair of black boots!

After some deliberation and a few phone calls, I went with the Dries. Actually the tipping point was when I walked 5 steps in the Marni boots and the inside stitching was rubbing against my baby toe.

And am so happy with my decision. The top is entirely hand stitched - ribbons (4 different types of ribbon), 4mm and 6mm sequins (flat, cup, and faceted shapes for 6 different types of sequins), bugle beads, round beads, white grosgrain straps and a silk charmeuse lining. My favorite part of the top besides the price (normally $1400, I got it for $251, 82% off!) is the play on matte and shine and the texture.

The darker matte flowers in the picture below are actually multiple 4mm flat sequins stacked on their side and threaded through, then stitched to form the flower petals. Beads are sewn on sequins to create mini-flowers. Bugle beads are stacked and threaded in loops to add dimension. It is an amazing layout and fantastic handwork - it made it through a season on the selling floor, plus the crazy wilderness of the warehouse sale, without losing any beads. Click on the pic below for the zoom in.

I was worried that it is too precious and special to wear often, but I thought about it. Why waste it just chilling in the closet? So I wore it today - to work - over a white Hanes V-neck tee and ripped boyfriend jeans. It was fun to wear something pretty fancy, really dressed down on just a plain old regular day. I highly recommend it to kick off your week. xx

Oops I fell over. I fell over again.

When walking home last night, this was the scene at Gap Kids on the UWS.

The store was still open and people were walking around.

I don't know what's worse, the mannequin falling over, or the fact that the mannequin has no head and it looks like it's head fell thru the floor. xx

Hump Day Crush

So the much hyped up 3rd season of Mad Men kicked off two weeks ago and the cast has been making the rounds promoting the show.

There is the dreamy Don Draper that every lady focuses on for his smoldering looks, position of power and terrible decision making while drinking during work. Played by Jon Hamm, he is dreamy out of character and pretty funny too. Also, there is the voluptuous Joan Holloway, who is adored by men and women for knowing how to use her curves, making sure everyone knows she is the queen bee, but complex enough to have a sensitive side. Played by Christina Hendricks, she gets praised for her curves in real life. And then there Pete Campbell. Who is hated by almost everyone for being a weasel who is not above blackmailing his boss, impregnating a co-worker while married, and overall just being a jerk.

But this weeks crush is on Vincent Kartheiser, the guy who plays Pete Campbell. There is something about the fact that he seems pretty cute in real life, but plays a huge weasel for his day job that is really appealing. Vincent Kartheiser, not Pete Campbell, you are this week's hump day crush. xx

Everyday We Hustlin'...

So I finally made a trek out to CitiField this past week!

I was impressed with the set up - the nice escalators, a Shake Shack (the line was nuts!) and flat screens set up in the seats that had a partial view. Our tickets were $5 off of Stubhub, normally $19, in the upper deck in left field. It was nice to be that high since we were getting a cool breeze on a hot hot night, but I don't recommend it if you are going to watch a tight game. It is a funny angle since the upper deck hangs over the left fielder so you can really see any balls hit/caught there. But we still managed to have a good time!

But more impressive than the clean new stadium, was what I saw on the plaza in front of the coming off of the 7 train. This dude. In a prime location, unable to be missed when walking to the stadium. In a Mets uni, yellow Oakley blades, chilling with a pipe. He had a jug in front of him set up, saying to take a pic and donate to him!

So being a sucker I did. I was waiting for friends who were running late, and ended up observing him for a good hour - his owner stood off to the side, and packed him up to take him home after the opening pitch. Can't knock the hustle!

Now I wonder, what can mine be? xx

Hump Day Crush

The Barneys Warehouse Sale. A twice a year phenomenon, there is something so exciting to look forward to about the two week sale held in a Chelsea warehouse. I can feel my pulse quicken when I think about the racks of possibilities - Barneys - at great prices!

There is a lot of strategizing involved, everyone has a different tactic. I know other people who like to go at the start and scope out what they like and hope that they can hunt for it later. I am not that disciplined. In the beginning, a lot of the prices are what they were when the clothes were still in the store. It isn't easy to resist a deal at Barneys in the store, but it's a lot harder when you see the clothes racked up on plastic hangers and shoved tight on racks in a warehouse. Your mind plays tricks on you!

My strategy includes waiting until the last half of the sale, usually until the last several days when the prices are discounted on top of discounting. I usually like the two days before the last day, you get discounts but not the last minute crazy crowd. Also key is wearing something that is easy to change in and out of, and underwear you are comfortable standing around in front of strangers in since there are no changing rooms. Wear slip on shoes for easy trying. And I really like going by myself, with my ipod and a small bag so I don't have to check it at the door - zoning out and hunting the field at my own pace. This also prevents friends talking you into buying things and limits the amount of crap you can try on and carry around.

I have usually scored at the sales, especially the Spring/Summer sale that happens to start tomorrow in NYC (8/20). Spring/Summer weight clothing in neutral colors are the easiest to wear year round, so you can get the most bang for your buck.

Here is a snippet of what I have racked up over the past several years, specifically at the Spring/Summer sales:

-Marni platform knee high camel boots. You can't see in the pic but the heel is awesome. Regular price $915, I paid $180

-Chanel peep toe lace up wedge booties. Regular price $1285, I paid $400.
-Ksubi jeans. Regular price $290, I paid $45. (picked up a bunch of washes!)

-Balenciaga pants. Regular price $285, I paid $50 (black and the best shade of army green)

-Men's Earnest Sewn x Canada Goose waxed canvas jacket. Regular price $1000ish, I paid $300 (3 jackets in 1)

-Dries Van Noten shantung vest with metal sequins, Regular price $680, I paid $160.

So now you know where I will be in about two weeks. But for now, I will be giddy with anticipation over this week's hump day crush - the Barneys Warehouse Sale. xx

I love game, I love game...

For some reason this summer, I don't have the attention span to sit down and read - I have no ability to concentrate on a book long enough to get into it. Which is really a shame, but I guess it is something about wanting to shut my brain off. So I took my brain out for a mini-vacation to see 'Paper Heart'. A movie about the making of a documentary movie. Kind of a mind warp, but the movie was cute, funny and awkwardly awesome.

Some favorites about the movie without giving too much away:

-The movie incorporates paper dioramas and puppets that were really charming and sweet. It reminded me of the school projects I would always wait to the last minute to finish when I was little, and my Mom helping me build dioramas about 'Swan Lake' or Abraham Lincoln.
And that fifth grade quality to these scenes just enhanced their awesomeness.

-The main character Charlene is refreshingly unpolished and un-girly.

She rocks baggy jeans, glasses and hoodies. Her hair is just hair to be tied back, not a weapon formed with hairspray. Make-up is non-existent. She is one of the dudes, but I love how this doesn't register into the story line. It was great to see a 'love-ish' story that didn't involve a girl needing to change her look to snag a dude.

-Michael Cera. Love him and his awkwardness.

-Another parallel story line is getting other perspectives on being in love. From couples to kids, to a girl on the playground who thinks the ideal date is hot wings at Applebees.

-And the overall idea that a female is curious on if she was really incapable of falling in love.

Take a break from this heat and go see for yourself. And if you play your cards right maybe someone will take you out for hotwings. xx

Hump Day Crush

Dudes with Glasses. Maybe I am just a sucker for accessories, but there is something fantastic about a dude who can rock a pair of glasses! When they are really working, both functional and fashion-wise, there is something about four eyes that makes a dude more attractive. This week's crush was inspired by a dude I have seen on my subway car twice this week. One day he was wearing these ridiculous checked sunglasses (I think they may have been a ladies' pair) and was cute but nothing to write home over. Today he was rocking thick frame black glasses with working lenses, and dude was totally cute. Don't know what it is about the frames, but I am loving it this week. Men who rock glasses, you are my hump day crush. xx

Why you all in my ear, talking a whole bunch a sh*t I ain't trying to hear?

For three months I have been living the life of a platinum blonde. The one constant question I keep getting asked is 'Do blondes really have more fun?' - it was cute the first time I heard it - after three months of being blonde, it is officially old. So here is my definitive response. I don't know if blondes have more fun since I try to maximize the fun quotient in my life no matter the hair color. But what I do know is that the blonde brings out the crazy.

Some reason people think that I can and have to listen to their judgement on my actions - why I went blonde, what they think of the color...here is a tally of some of my experiences both good and bad:

-Two on street marriage proposals from random passersby.

One happened while I was wearing sunglasses which covered most of my face, in front of my apartment and had to walk an extra block to avoid letting the crazy know where I live.

-Supportive family and friends - who were kind enough to be awesome (at least to my face!)

-A man I work with telling me everyday he sees me that he hates the color and it makes my face look even fatter

-A random man asking me 'hey blondie - where's dagwood?' on the street. Had my first 'blonde' moment when I thought Dagwood was a street in lower Manhattan.

-Multiple people telling me I was brave for doing it.

This was usually followed up by a backhanded compliment like. Choose your favorite 'I could never do that', 'I like it, but it's not quite there yet' or the best was said on my first day of being blonde 'maybe you should go red instead'

-A man on the subway who decided to shout to the entire subway 'A blonde Chinee girl. That ain't right. That shouldn't even be legal. uh uh.' He then went into a tirade about how Chinese people eat sewer rats as a delicacy. So many things wrong with the statement, including but completely not limited to the fact that I am not Chinese.

-Random people feeling the need to touch my hair. Not okay.

-People assuming that I went blonde to be more 'White' or to get more attention.

-Being told that my best asset was my black hair. And that I am going to ruin it with the bleaching. See below pic for a before shot.

It has been a really entertaining de facto social experiment. Everyone has a comment - from the workers at the places I grab my to go lunch, to rando people on the street, friends and co-workers. And to be honest it is getting really tiring - for the first time since May, I am really glad I decided to do this just for the summer. I know the reasons why I did it - for fun, a new challenge, a new look, curiosity to try something I never did before. It doesn't go deeper than that. I know I don't have to justify my reasoning, but I do want to say one thing. For the haters who think that I went blonde to be more white - I have never wished that in my life - and why not flip the script? Who says that bottle Blondes should only be White?

To be honest, I think Luda sums it up best 'GET BACK GET BACK, YOU DON'T KNOW ME LIKE THAT!' xx

Hump Day Crush

Most of us have seen Joseph Gordon-Levitt as the little boy on that alien comedy 3rd Rock from the Sun back in the day. Or on the F train in the beginning of the summer in NYC. Or in his latest movie 500 days of Summer this past weekend like I did. A spectacular relatable non-love love story, Joseph Gordon-Levitt was so smoking in one scene - coming up the escalator in a suit you could hear every girl in the audience turn and whisper 'oh my god. he's so hot' to their friends. And yes, seeing him in person, he is just as cute as you would think, even wearing glasses in a tee all scruffy in the hot disgusting F train. A little on the wee side for me, but hey with that face, the smile, and seemingly interesting personality I would be willing to leave my heels on the shelves. Oh, and did I mention the boy can sing? If you haven't seen 500 days of Summer yet, do it. And develop a crush too. Joseph Gordon-Levitt, you are my hump day crush. xx