11 Days to Christmas-Gift Guide

Gifts can get tricky when you aren't too sure what a person would like, but that doesn't mean you can't get them something related to something they are into.

If you have someone that has a particular interest, I would recommend books related to that subject.

Ryan Adams' Infinity Blues is a great pick for someone who loves music, poetry or both. Anyone that has listened to Adams' music knows how beautiful and pure his lyrics can be. He has been one of the most striking singer/songwriters I have ever come across, and this book is def a thrilling pickup from his usual soulful vocal rendering with words.  Amazon.com $10.85

7 Thoughts on Black Swan

1. First thing that I have to note about the movie is that Natalie Portman was the BUSINESS! Not only was her acting in this movie the best it has ever been...EVER, but she was ten times better than everyone else in the film. She totally deserves every honor and award that comes her way for this role. No kidding. She completely blew me away. She did the most intense face acting I've seen in years. It was all eyeballs for her. You could totally read her character in her eyeballs and it was hella scary.

2. As you may have heard from different sources or perhaps picked up from the trailer, the movie is scary. It's a thriller, but it also has a bit of a horror edge to it. And I can't lie, there were a couple of times that I jumped and even a few times I slid down in my chair with my hands trying to cover my eyes and ears at the same time. But, despite it being scary, there were people laughing in the theater that I saw it in, and I've yet to figure out if the parts that people were laughing at were actually funny or if there were just jokesters in the audience. It just seemed bizarre to be laughing really hard one moment and then squirming in your chair the next. Maybe it is just me but it didn't seem like it was meant to be that type of movie.

3. Mila Kunis is awesome...but not in this movie. I love her and she is a friend in my head but I'm not sure if this was her role. I feel like there may have been better picks for her character. It just didn't add up for me and I found it to be a tad bit disappointing.

4. Why was Winona Ryder in this movie?

5. I rarely take much notice to sound mixing and editing, but I def felt that this movie had some of the best. It set the mood and put everyone on edge. One of the key sounds I noticed that really got my skin crawling was every time Nina (Natalie Portman) would stretch before rehearsals, you could hear her bones crack. It was so gross.

6. I totally thought that I could never see Vincent Cassel (Oceans Twelve) ever again and not see past his obvious Frenchiness, but he totally pulled it out on this one. He really sucked me into his character and his role in the ballet company. This was def a promising performance for him as an actor in the US. I think people will be more open seeing him again. Probably, still only as a villain or bad guy, but tis the life of an actor.

7. Can you imagine how this makes most professional ballerinas feel now? Everyone is going to be scared of them from now on. Before, they used to walk around like leggy flamingos, with gross feet but now you're gonna wonder if they have an inner psycho lurking underneath all that spandex and tulle. Every time you hear someone tell you they are in a ballet company, you're gonna be like, 'how do you feel about birds?'

16 Days to Christmas-Gift Guide

Giving gifts are great but they aren't always cheap. Starting December 1st, I always try to create a budget for myself before I start shopping. Without a budget you can end up overspending and before you know it, you are singing the New Years blues because you can't afford to pay your bills.

If the budget you've created comes up short, you may have to think small, but that doesn't mean you can't impress. My favorite go-to gift is photo frames. I usually find a simple/fancy frame and pop in a photo of me and my favorite family member or friend. These gifts can't fail at being fun and thoughtful, and the best part of all is that they can come out being really inexpensive. Check out IKEA for great deals on frame packs.

IKEA $3.99/2 pack

Andrew W.K. Can't Keep the Night Silent

I didn't know Andrew W.K. was still around, but when I saw this video I definitely wished he was.

Luckily, this holiday season, you can relive the strangeness which is A.W.K., during his hysterical cover of a Christmas classic.

18 Days to Christmas-Gift Guide

If you are like me, this time of year can leave you a little frazzle dazzled from all the holiday shopping mayhem. Personally, I don't think I'm the best of gift givers. I find it frustrating enough to shop for myself, let alone someone else. Luckily for my friends and fam, I can put my feelings aside to brave the crowds and pick the gifts I know will make them smile.  That's why for the last two weeks leading up to Christmas, I'm listing some of the top gifts for any price range and personality. From the internet, to Wal-Mart. I'm listing the tips and hints to inspire a Christmas miracle.

Accessorize has to be one of my favorite retailers in the UK. They have the cutest bags, jewelery and accessories. This adorable bag is super sweet, super cute and super girly. It is perfect for that best friend, girlfriend, sister or fashionable mother that loves a little color. What makes this particular gift extra special is that it ships from the UK, which means no one she knows in the US will have it. She'll feel like the most special girl in your life. Accessorize $50.43

Arcade Fire and Fantastic Dancing Doll

How awesome is it to watch Regine Chassagne (of Arcade Fire) dance? It is like watching a porcelain doll come to life and front an indie rock band. It is both strange and thrilling, but mostly thrilling.

Man Bear Gloves

I was passing Rothmans in NYC and saw these HILARIOUS man bear gloves in the window.

Could you imagine someone wearing these?  Someone should buy them and show up at random holiday parties wearing the most gigantic furry gloves known to man kind. Priceless!

How Martha Stewart Saved Turkey Day

So, I'm sure most of you are tired of seeing leftovers by now and could possibly pass out at the sight of another turkey leg, but I thought I would post a couple of pics from my adventures in cooking.

This year I got the genius idea to host Thanksgiving at my house. Being that I am from super far away and I couldn't afford to make the trip home this year, I thought it would be fun to invite friends over with my similar situation and have a day of games, food and fun.

There was only one problem! I had never cooked like that before in my entire life.

After panicking for a few days, I got myself together and started searching the net for Turkey Day recipes. I eventually came around to Martha Stewart Living and found a bucket load of recipes.

Martha saved the day!

I found everything I needed. Recipes for mashed potatoes, honey glazed carrots,green bean casserole, homemade rolls and a delicious apple tart.

With the help of my BF I added stuffed bell peppers, mac and cheese, and roasted turkey legs.

I had a tough time starting out with the rolls, but everything else came together pretty easily. Although I was exhausted at the end of it all, I couldn't believe how easy it was.

Our friends enjoyed the food and company, and the night ended as a success.

Viva la Martha!

Cookie Monster Pulls a Betty White

Cookie Monster is probably one of my favorite characters on Sesame Street. He's fuzzy, he's a lunatic and he loves COOKIES!!! If cookies were crack (drugs), he would def be a junky. This is for sure. Lucky for us, the worst high he has to worry about is a sugar high.

Anyways, you have to check out this hilarious video of Cookie Monster auditioning to host Saturday Night Live. It will either leave you wanting to see more Cookie Monster or maybe just searching for the closest chocolate chip.

14 Again

How is it Jesse McCartney totally makes me swoon? In 10 seconds flat I'm 14 again. How does he do it?!?! Does anyone else have this problem?


Whether you have this problem or not, you should check out his new video "Shake".

10 Thoughts on Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1

1. How awesomely scary was this movie? From the gigantic maneating snake Nagini, to the merciless, grimy deatheaters. HP7 Part 1 had to be one of the scariest movies I have seen recently (but that is mostly because I make a point to avoid anything that could be classified under scary).
2. Let us give three HOORAH’s for the location scout. With Potter and the gang hitting the road to find horcruxes and such, HP’s location scout finally had a chance to do something either than finding new hills to have the cast run up and down.
3. Did anyone else miss Dean Thomas and Seamus? I know they don't come back until later in the book but I can’t help but to miss them.

4. Was it just me or did it look like they bought Dumbledore’s tomb at IKEA? What was up with the modern design eastatic…on an island? Who cleared this decision. This couldn't be what he would have wanted for himself. If his office was any indicator for what his style is, I would say the tomb was a complete miss.
5. Side note: Did anyone else get to see previews this time around (they skipped straight to the movie for us last year)? Well, if you did, you may have been treated/tortured by Ron Howard and Steven Spielberg’s new pet project Cowboys vs. Aliens. WTF was that about?!?! How bored are these guys, and what the heck was Daniel Craig thinking? Was he that put out about the disintegrating of the James Bond franchise, that he had to go out and do whatever he could to keep is face in the game? Moreover, when is the last time the guy had some protein? He looks sick! And Harrison Ford…oh gosh…do not even get me started on him. Is this how far he’s going to destroy is legacy of awesomeness? I would like to know what Ally McBeal said when he said he was going off to play Cowboys vs Aliens with James Bond and those two guys that used to make good movies but now are sort of just shooting it around, trying to score for hits out of an ever-growing list of misses. Sheeshhh!

6. Did anyone feel like Voldermort was less scary when you saw him more often? He is scarier when you don't see him a lot and he's off hissing and being a goo sperm demon baby.
7. Did anyone else want Bill Nighy to have more screen time? He's one of my favorite British actors and they waited a zillion years to put him in the series and when they finally did they killed him off in no time flat. What a bummer!
8. Who didn’t love Rupert Grint’s comedic timing? He is so funny. A lot funnier than in the books. Same goes for Helena Bonham Carter. I'm not sure she was meant to be funny but every time she shows up I go into a fit of laughter. Her insanity humors me.
9. Does anyone else feel like the Bonnie Wright, who plays Ginny Weasley, looks like Laura Linney? And Laura Linney sort of looks like the woman that plays Harry’s mom. Every time Harry’s mom pops up I am like, ‘Oh, Laura Linney, I forgot you were the mother of the chosen one. Too bad about the whole Voldie incident.’
10. Did anyone else find themselves in the middle of an audience of Pro-Dobby supporters? Everybody in the theater cheered every time Dobby showed up on the scene. Do they not realize Dobby is the Jar Jar Binks of the Harry Potter world? He's not as bad but he is still annoying. Nevertheless, I will say his little squabble with Kreacher was fantastic. It's great to finally see Kreacher's character and importance finally start to form.

Where the Wild Things Are

The other night my boyfriend and I were passing through the East Village and spotted this hilarious sign for a missing unicorn.

How do you lose an entire unicorn? That's like losing a bear...in a zoo...or something.

By the way, please don't call that number because I have no clue where it leads to. I have a feeling it has to do with Charlie Sheen or cupcakes or old guys looking for someone to chat about maps with. Who knows?!?! I don't want anyone to get hurt.

A Sweet Little Look Into the Future

Just last week I was out, eating with a client, when I cracked open this delicious little message. 

 Don't you love life's little pick-me-ups?

Pop Riot-Alejandro and the Sands of Time

Recently I’ve been listening to the same song on repeat over and over

again and I have come to the conclusion that there is no hope! Lady

GaGa has finally infected my eardrums with a catchy dance beat and a

cheesy adoration for a Casanova by the name of ‘Alejandro’. Where

could a former teenybopper go to hide from such a sensation?

The truth is; it has taken me a long time to come around to

‘Alejandro’. I (like most everyone else that heard the first 10

seconds of the song) knew it was a rip on a classic Ace of Base tune

from the early 90’s. It seemed that as soon as the song was released

there was an instant backlash against the Monster Muncher GaGa and her

sample. It was the one song that everyone one hated to love.

As a child of the 80’s I grew up during a time where Ace the Base

ruled the airwaves with their hip songs about new beginnings and love

lost,  but who knew they were too cool to sample? It instantly turned

into a Can’t-Touch-This moment. Ace the Base, all of sudden, became

the purest remnants of what we loved of an era ravaged by grunge and

gangsta rap. Lady GaGa had come along and tainted it with her sex,

drugs, and weird costumes. She could do it to Madonna but ‘The Sign’ was a big whopping OH NO SHE DIDN’T! (Cue the head role)

The truth and truthiness of the matter is that Lady GaGa, in all her

dysfunction, is more like us than you may want to admit. She may wear

meat dresses but she loves a good pop tune just like you and me. ‘The Sign' is catchy and sweet as the summer days that I spent at camp dancing to it on the playground.  I almost feel that if the

situation were in reverse, I wouldn’t be turned off by it at all.

Pop music is like champagne at a P Diddy party, it’s free and

flowing. And it’s irresistibly delicious to the ears. If you were

going to sample a song you loved, wouldn’t you rip a something that made

you feel good every time you heard it?

In reality, we shouldn't be hating GaGa for her pop lust, we should be shooting her high fives. She reminded us of a song that even we, ourselves forgot was awesome. Let's stop being so prudish about our past pop love affairs and start having a shagging good time whenever the mood strikes us.