Category Archives: Music

Obsessing over… (part 4)

It’s been a while since I wrote one of these posts. I hope you guys missed them, ‘cuz I sure did.

  • Lana del Rey: Despite how gravely she screwed up her recent SNL appearance, I LOVE this girl. Seriously, my iTunes have not gotten a break from her (as well as my next bullet point) for like a month now. I love the seductive, mysterious nature of her songs and her strange voice. She doesn’t sound like any other artist that’s popular right now, which is admirable, and she’s never collaborated with LMFAO, which is basically unheard of. Also, I’m a huge fan of her cool, slightly surgically-interfered with look. Recommended tracks: “This is what makes us girls,” “Video Games” and “Million-dollar man.”

  • Kate Nash: The songs of Kate Nash are the definition of contemporary Brit pop. They’re pure fun, for listening and for singing in the shower. Nash is a lot like her fellow Brit Lily Allen, but in my opinion, far more cool. She’s like the strange chick you went to high school with that you always wondered about befriending but never summoned the courage to. Listening to her profusely has also helped me perfect my British accent, an unsolicited skill I’m prone to utilizing after a few beers. Recommended tracks: “Don’t you want to share the guilt,” “We get on,” “Mariella” and “Kiss that girl.

  • Rock climbing at Brooklyn Boulders: One of my friends is really into this rock climbing business and one day, after getting fed up with my gym workout routine, I decided to join him. What I discovered is that not only is this a fantastic, low-impact workout, but it does wonders for the mind as well. I am no expert at this [activity, sport?] but from what I gather, strategy and overcoming one’s fear of heights (even though the walls are about 15 feet tall) and falling are far more important than physical strength. I’m still having trouble being comfortable with the possibility of falling off the wall (the floors are padded) but I’m determined to get good at it!

  • Blue nail polish: Not much to say here other than that I’m really into these right now. Left to right: Brucci “Gianna’s rockin’ blue,” China Glaze “Re-fresh mint,” Essie “Barbados blue” and OPI “Russian navy.”

Your turn! What have you been obsessing over?

Happy Valentine’s Day, ya’ll.

I am a girl of many words – I write this blog after all, and in real life I’m pretty chatty, too. But sometimes, music speaks louder than I do, and on this day of love, these songs say it better than I can. Enjoy, and I wish you all a very happy, sexy day.

*In semi-chronological order*

My Funny Valentine  by Chet Baker – I probably shouldn’t admit this to strangers, but I shed at least one tear every time I hear this. Yeah, I’m sentimental, and what?!

LOVE by Nat King Cole - My cat loves it when I sing this to him. Or at least I think he does. Either way, he can’t really stop me…

The Man I Love by Etta James – The most hopeful song ever.

La Vie en Rose by Edith Piaf - The Gold Standard of love songs.

Autumn Leaves by Edith Piaf - (translated from French) “Life separates those who love each other, softly, without making any noise.” Hey, I had to put a sad one on here.

Just Like Heaven by The Cure - Even if the original 80′s emo band isn’t your thing, you have to at least appreciate the hair.

Business Time by Flight of the Concords – Just do yourself a favor and click on this link.

L’Amour by Carla Bruni – The French first lady singing a ballad in her super-sexy, smoky voice. Takin’ notes, Mrs. Obama?

Video Games by Lana del Rey – “Heaven is a place on Earth with you”? Enough said. And I don’t care that this girl changed her name, got her lips overdone and put some extensions in her hair. Her voice is lovely, her music is ah-mazing, and she’s freakin’ hot.

What are you listening to today?

Obsessing over… (part deux)

Hello.

You’ve probably noticed that I haven’t been posting many recipes lately. You also might’ve noticed that it’s summer. New York is hotter than Satan’s den this time of year so I’m trying to spend all my free time at the beach and by the pool; the thought alone of cooking is hard to bear. Anyway, I hope ya’ll can forgive me.

I had so much fun writing the first “Obsessing over” post that I decided to do a follow-up. Here we go:

  • The new Incubus album, If Not Now, When?: Incubus has been my favorite band since the tender age of 13. You know when a particular music just speaks to you? Well, this is it for me. Their current sound is a bit more mature since their last release, Light Grenades (2006). I’m ecstatic that they finally recorded a new album. After a five year hiatus, I thought they were over for sure. This is one of my favorite songs at the moment.
    Not only is the entire band extremely talented, and their music awesome, but the lead singer, Brandon Boyd, is a Grade A hottie. I have been consistently obsessed with him for years! I mean look at him…

And to add more fuel to his sexy fire, he is also a great painter and poetic prose writer. Damn…*drools*

  • Zooey Deschanel: First of all, she’s the freakin’ cutest. I love her big blue eyes, voluminous hair and retro style. I also love that she’s not stick-thin, like most women we see on screen. I adore her movies, especially (500) Days of Summer – to say I’ve seen it at least 20 times would not be far from the truth. She’s also half of the band She & Him. Her voice is incredible – like a bird’s – and the songs are great.
  •  Lastly, I obsessing over my newest shoes! I got them at Call it Spring. They are adorable, comfortable and cost me a whopping $10 (reg. $50)! Here I am wearing them at High Line Park. You like?

As always, I want to know what you’re currently obsessing over, too :)

As of late

My life has been pretty hectic lately (which is exactly how I like it) so I haven’t been blogging as much as I would’ve liked to (which I don’t like so much).

For the past month, I’ve been busy with classes, my paying, boring office job, and a new non-paying internship at Paper & String. Paper & String is a new internet and mobile platform that connects independent retailers and service providers to people who work and play in their neighborhoods. We also cover news and sales, and promote special items. My job is to write about the respective places and their offerings. I am also often sent to frolic the streets of New York and talk to managers and store staff. If you live in New York, follow us on Twitter, friend us on Facebook, or sign up for the email newsletter. And if you own/work for a business in New York, let me know! I’d love to feature you.

So far I’m enjoying this new aspect of my life, though it is stressful. Not only is it hard to balance school, two jobs, a daily commute, and a social life, but I also have to try very hard leave a good impression on the professional world. So far so good, I think. It’s just what I have to do.

Here is some of my work.

In other news, for the music lovers out there, Radiohead released their new record…on newspaper…? Mais, non…

Well, not exactly. The album is now available in digital format ($9) on the band’s website and the ‘newspaper’ edition ($48) will be released in May. The latter includes: a vinyl formal, a CD, the digital format, and lots of printed artwork. I don’t understand what this newspaper business is about but I’m so happy the new album is here!

Their sound has once again evolved. I love their intricate rhythms and cynical undertones. My current favorites on the album are “Little by little” and “Lotus flower.”

In other other news, recipe post tomorrow! Chocolate bark, anyone?