I couldn't help but notice the high numbers in the original "Fashionisters to watch for" and how much time has gone by in the "It Girl" fashion and who is in and who is out (but let's not write off anyone in the last list. It's just been announced today that Elizabeth Olsen is Nylon's October Cover Girl!!!)
Florence Welch
Since the 2010 release of Lungs, Florence Welch has been seen as a tribal answer to Stevie Nicks in song and hasn't been looked at too closely until this summer for her fashion ventures. July's Nylon AND Bust Cover Girl is getting more attention for hippyster (somewhere between hippy and hipster) looks of flowing ethereal dresses from "Where the Water Gave Me" to extreme elegance on her cover of the Shake it Out Single to even solid hipster which she modeled in both magazines. I have a feeling there's a fashion line in her future.
Jessica Chastain
More commonly known as the ditzy Celia Foote from the summer chick-flick blockbuster, "The Help," Jessica finally got her break and has been launched into the Hollywood limelight. While she has not been under the microscope known as Joan Rivers-headed "Fashion Police" just yet, she's already gracing photo shoots as a red-headed answer to Grace Kelly to simple elegant and sleek dresses on the red carpet of awaiting film projects like Wild Salome (which is on my list) and the recently unleashed "The Debt."
Riley Keough
Although better known to be apart of the supporting cast of rock-bio-pic "The Runaways" as Dakota Fanning's older sister, Marie Currie, Keough is finally bursting out of her grandfather's shadow, Elvis Presley as well as her mother's shadow Lisa Marie Presley Lockwood, but that's a whole another rock-bio-pic in itself. And that's a pretty big shadow, but with roles like "Jack and Diane" and "Kiss of the Damned" with hipster rocker Jay Brannan she'll be 2012's It Girl. Do not question me! What about fashion, you ask? There are small remnants of her rocker lineage but Rley manages to be subtly rocker. A girl after my own heart. I wish I was Juno Temple in "Jack and Diane" so she could make out with me!
Nina Dobrev
Dobrev is the veteran of this list, with a career spanning all the way back to being an extra in the original ten minute movie of "Repo! The Genetic Opera" in 2006 and already two seasons of "Vampire Diaries" (my vampire-guilty pleasure) under her belt; her fashion at long last has been unleashed on the red carpet at this year's Emmy Awards wearing a red Donna Karan gown as a presenter which is considered lower rank on the Hollywood food chain. But her looks certainly don't say lower rank. Aside the red carpet, like in Nylon's September edition she brought some sexy flannel fire.
So much new music and entertainment news, so little time! (Well that's a lie for the unemployed...)
Annie Clark (St. Vincent) composes
At number 19 in the Billboard 200 and number 9 in the Rock albums chart as well, St. Vincent doesn't disappoint with her new album, "Strange Mercy" which has been out for a few weeks now. So, in the immortal words of Natasha Khan (Bat for Lashes)'s "what's a girl to do" now that she has college kids singing "Cruel" on top of their lungs? Be the female Beethoven! In collaboration with yMusic, a sextet ensemble of 20somethings, she has created "Proven Badlands" for yMusic's "Beautiful Mechanical" that comes out tomorrow on New Amsterdam Records. But Annie's "Proven Badlands" can be downloaded here.
Glee's "Sneaky Gays"
Jane Lynch is back at the satirical grips of Ryan Murphy and the writers of Glee; knowing that the words her character says about the arts equaling death and comments on gay people (see link) seems to only be appropriate for her storyline for the new Season 3. This season, Sue Sylvester is out for ... tea? In the running as a Republican Tea Bagger for the GOP, Sylvester seems to be spot on in her dialogue of Partier's beliefs to the point you can see the satire and the blatant truth so much it makes you want to lose your faith in humanity. Possible satirical character opposite her in the tradition of Michele Bachman? Possible jokes about Iowa's votes? Gee... I can't wait?
Jenny Slate's interview with BUST Magazine
There is a point while reading BUST or Bitch where any shade of a feminist can get so excited over a celebrity's words it makes them want to holler out a "hell yes!" This happened to me... on the bus... *headshake* Well, considering where feminism is at right now it's a rarity to hear a woman who is actually content with being a woman; the periods and everything. Despite the fact we have long running sexist jokes in comedy against the woman's favor over how we are perceived during "that week of the month" and female menstruation shame still in Western culture and consumerism, it's so fantastic to know that SNL cast member Jenny Slate says differently about herself.
"I was so pissed as a six-year-old that I had a child's body - not because I wanted to have sex. I just wanted to be a woman. And I love being a woman. I love my bras, I love my tampons - I literally just love being a woman."
This is so encouraging to hear! While she is very feminine there was no feminine-shaming going on in her interview with BUST, as is common if a shamelessly girly woman gets a comeuppance of being too consumerist or fashion conscious in the eyes of feminism. Where are these female role models who don't mind their periods (besides me...) and are just happy with being apart of the most mystical gender? And even better question, where... OH WHERE can a girl get some Lunarpads offline and for cheap? Seriously, next time you strap a pad on it is known there is over 12 billion pads and 7 million tampons filling landfills in a single year.
Aqua's New Video "Playmate to Jesus"
About 3 weeks ago I advertised in the Hot Hot Love Vspot that Aqua is back and done playing with their Barbies for more serious themes... like fucking like a Robot or even Jesus. And the video of "Playmate to Jesus" which was released just last Thursday, shows purgatory as a house where the band is held captive in as Lene sings how she longs to be a playmate to Jesus while wearing Gaga-esque shoes. In the end, a member goes up into a bright light in the attic and goes straight out the chimney, showing that people will, in fact, go to heaven. Or at least that's what I took from it. Aqua's "Megalomania' is unleashed October 3rd.
Riley Keough's Jack to Juno Temple's Diane, Not Your Dad's Mellencamp Song
Riley Keough in i-D Magazine
Still in filming mode and already heavily criticized as a "lesbian werewolf movie" -- which it isn't, according to writer and director Bradley Rust Gray known for Angelina Jolie's "Salt" flick, as there is still very little information being told about the movie. What Riley Keough was able to tell i-D magazine that it is very expressionistic and almost in the same vein as "Black Swan." Excited now that it's compared to "Black Swan?" So am I.
Keough and Temple's teenaged characters meet up in New York City for one steamy make out session, yet the one night of sexual awakening affects them both differently. Keough's Jack tries to deny her feelings and pushes Diane away upon learning that Diane is leaving the country in a week. It's either Jack or the actual sexual awakening (non-Lesbian withstanding, I would love to believe) Diane starts to have vivid and frightening dreams while trying to hide a huge secret simultaneously.
Supporting characters also include Kylie Minogue and Jena Malone of Suckerpunch fame.
Leisha Hailey kicked off Southwest Airlines
So what does a lesbian actress to do when she's booted off an Airline for simply "excessively" kissing her girlfriend of four years? Cause a twitter war, because that's the most mature thing to do. <insert sarcasm here> Leisha Hailey was escorted off Southwest Airlines yesterday and immediately went onto twitter to announce, "We were escorted off the plane for getting upset about the issue."
This isn't the first time Southwest Airlines had escorted a celebrity off, recently Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day fame was escorted off for wearing slouchy pants and in past years Michael Moore for being too overweight. So why is it that two happily coupled women are added to the sins according to SW Airlines? They are still coming up with a valid answer as Hailey continues to litter her twitter in the way that only a scorned LGBT Totalitarian can do:
"This is an outrage. I demand a public apology by @SouthwestAir and a refund. Hate is not a family value. I will never fly this airline. We were escorted off the plane for getting upset about the issue. @SouthwestAir endorses homophobic employees. No one made her accountable."
"Since when is showing affection towards someone you love illegal? I want to know what Southwest Airlines considers as 'family.' I know plenty of wonderful same sex families I would like to introduce them to. Boycott @SouthwestAir if you are gay. They don't like us.
I would hate to sound against my fellow LGBT family (term used loosely) but we heard the same complaint that SW Airlines has taken a long time to give answers for Armstrong and Moore's apologies. Do your research, Hailey, as much as you rocked my socks off last April in concert, has there been any other homophobic attitudes? Or was it because you're a known LGBT celebrity versus the rest of us? In the time being, it was a simple "can you not kiss?" I had that in small town Iowa, in a coffee house and you know what I did? I laughed it off and directly into the waitress's face. I didn't turn into a total drama queen for the case of "Yay Gay." the "Yay gay" in celebrities is starting to become too look-at-me-I'm-gay-and-liberal whenever one tiny happening occurs. This is what happening to our society in general, everyone is so damned sensitive.
BUST Magazine's Fall Shopping List
I have found my spirit fashion guide in Bust blogger Kristina Uriegas-Reyes in her "My Fall Wishlist" post last Friday which praises the season of "Tights and Sweaters" which in the voguegasm world is the equivalent of "Sweater Tights and Biker Boots" season. Kristina, i think it's love between the black cloak (although it looks brown) and those pink saddle shoes. I WANT! As a fellow blogger, can you help a girl out in getting the depeapa flower bag on a discount?
Dum Dum Girl's New Video "Bedroom Eyes"
Dee Dee and crew are back to melt your faces with their heavy eyeliner, bright red lipstick and massive long legs (Thank you Jesus!) covered n retro tights. While "Only in Dreams" which was recently had low reviews for anyone who's a hardcore fan or expected more fuzzy softcore. But it's there, just evolved, and more 60s inspired which makes it capture my ears.
Cleaning out my soul about a week ago from blog posts two days in a row, I am back after a half week in my hometown enjoying a grandkid "shot"-a-long of 80s and 90s hits through the liquor cabinet (not kidding) and buying a kickass bag, picture below for 15 bucks. Looks like my hometown has some taste I never knew it had! But now back to the important cultural stuff...
Milk and Eggs
As shocking as this is to some people, I do not get crushes on girls on a face-to-face value. But upon seeing Jordan Sellergren (otherwise known as Milk and Eggs) at Public Space 1 the first time, I'll tell you, MAJOR girl crush. She's somewhere between Emmylou Harris and Joanna Newsom.I definitely detect Newsom in the gentleness of her vocals that sounded perfect with KRUI's sound system.
Thankful for all non-locals, her newest album is streamable here but careful, some of the songs may get trapped in your head badly.
Did I mention I felt like I was blushing for most of her half hour?
New Florence and the Machine
Was I the only one who made this immediate connection?
From a woman who is amazing to a woman who I wish could be... Florence Welch or it seems like lately Generation Y's own Stevie Nicks (yes I just went there). The Machine is back up and running as of Halloween, the day "Ceremonials" comes out. "What the Water Gave Me" was like something a Gothic Polyphonic Spree, now the latest from the red-headed piece of perfection is "Shake It Out" which has a category all on its own. Album cover and track list already has been leaked and this looks so promising I think I just died of a squeeattack. Doesn't the cover make her look like a Dante Gabriel Rossetti's painting?
Someone Needs Correspondence Letter Lessons... American Apparel vs. Nancy Upton
The winner is Upton! But instead of getting the last laugh like she had hoped, or perhaps did despite American Apparel's Creative Director Iris Alonzo's mild passive aggressive statements in an open letter she sent to Upton congratulating her on the win but also spent many paragraphs elaborating an apology that was never actually there.
Well thank you, Alonzo, (we think) but the point of Upton taking those pictures for her tumblr was showing the sad truth that anyone with a size bigger than 12 is going to be shunned and taken in by Lane Bryant (who probably has less slutty clothes than what you have) before getting a modeling gig with American Apparel. It's not about weight or size as it is the actual positioning and shrinking the female model to make her look smaller to the camera. Either way, she's going to be marketed as a little smaller than the "average" woman which is normal in the fashion world. (Although I do commend Kaela Humphries for walking during fashion week for Richie Rich and Svedka) Do I have room to talk? I think so, as being a previous large girl. Upton, keep taking those pictures.
There are three singers/bands who I consistently quote on my FB wall on a daily basis: Stars, Charlotte Martin and Emmy the Great. Emmy is once more quotable in her latest video of "Paper Forest (In the Afterglow of the Rapture) sings as she observes an older woman in her daily grief, "But I'm blessed - just to be, more or less - standing in the afterglow of rapture with the words the rapture left." You just want to hug her if you know where the lyrics from "Virtue" came from -- her husband leaving her for the church. Emma, you're wonderful!
SHARAA! (in best Ozzy impression)
Just in time for fall, the resident vocal hot chocolate of my mp3 player (Josh Groban would be a dark chocolate mocha) is unleashing a new album, Shara Worden or better known by her project name My Brightest Diamond. But her new album is considered as an experiment as she explains, "This next record I completely gave up the rock and just decided to make acoustic music and so I really focused on the chamber ensemble as a center piece rather than being as the icing on the cake. I really wanted to build the music from the ensemble as the basis for it." The first single, Be Brave, is deeply theatrical and almost bat-shit crazy (if not for the masks and makeup in the video) so it's as if she's never left my ear buds. "All Things Will Unwind" is due to be released October 19th. Free download here.
Listen to Austra's "Identity" While Reading the Next Post
To another chocolate-toned vocalist with a great operatic tone, Katie Stelmanis, doesn't completely annoy me with her overt message of the latest from the Canada Electronic band Austra. The B-side to their latest single, "Spellwork," is another piece of haunting majesty that seems to be Austra's schtick as Stelmanis sings "Strangers don't know me but love to control me." This is a perfection segue to the next and final criteria.
Chaz Bono Dances Way Into Prime Time Hearts
All of you may remember my initial twitter angst when it was announced that rock royalty's son Chaz Bono would be on Dancing With the Stars, but trans-education has to start somewhere, right? And despite my anti-ABC prime time, I cannot tear my eyes away as it started this week. The channel was left on as I was cleaning my purse out and he came on, limbs a little scattered, but it was decently well done for the first week. He has his Dad's cheerful ambiance and smile, and his mother's sense of rhythm and grace. Hate to break it to you original-Hairspray lovers who think Ricki Lake will win. It's Chaz's year.
Or at least for Cher and the LGBT enthusiasts, ABC has employed extra security just in case the naysayers may do something to the loveable Bono. But it's anyone's guess if something will actually happen. But not all conservatives are freaking out that Chaz Bono may "damage the younger generations" by being on the dancing reality show just for simply for once being a female. This is what the trans community calls cis-phobia, and even to a conservative journalist Douglas MacKinnon this is cis-phobia with Keith Ablow of FOX News at its finest.
Even if Chaz wouldn't win, I think he would be perfection at second or third, just to know that we have come this far to have Carson Kressley (of all the men in queedom) to be on the show. And after the Emmy's tolerance of Lesbian host Jane Lynch, a win for the plus-size Melissa McCarthy (yeah girl!) and for Game of Thrones's little nugget Peter Dinklage and the Modern Family sweep that involves a gay-married couple. You would think the way prime-time TV is going that Bono would get good reception, which he will in the weeks to pass.
After making my shitlist of the Top 5 Worst Lesbian Films Ever I received so many comments via facebook of why I wouldn't make a top 5 best lesbian films, because for me the best lesbian films are not of that genre specifically but any movie that encompasses a character of the Sapphic fold. Which explains why I had to choose on this list "Pandora's Box," "The Hours," and "The Haunting" for having the most relateable lesbian characters. But as for the general "Lesbian" genre, I have a few that won't make me vomit with uneasiness.
5.
Raus Aus Amal
(Show Me Love)
"Show Me Love" or sometimes known as "Fucking Amal" shows the mundane high school life in Amal, Sweden where nothing really goes on except soul searching, to find life's meaning as a teenager. To say that it's just another "girl going through the angst of realizing she's falling in love with a GIRL!" *le gasp* would be too easy but after watching the beauty of Alexandra Dahlstrom (who plays Elin) many times one can see two teenagers just trying to get through everyday.
Case in point is a particular scene with Rebecka Liljeberg (who plays the "butch" but not really Agnes) with her father who consoles her that high school isn't all that great. "When our class met, I think it was our 25-year reunion, when they found out that I'd done well for myself. Bengt, who was then the class king, he didn't become anything. And the girls who were considered the prettiest, they weren't special any longer. So I think you'll be glad that you don't have it so easily. Because those who have it easy often become quite uninteresting." Agnes retorts back with "But you're speaking in about 25 years. I'm sorry, but I'd rather be happy now than in 25 years" which makes this girl meets girl and eventually falls in love with girl plot line a little less grating and ten times more relateable. Plus, Swedish girls and their language are effing gorgeous!
4.
Salmonberries
Beautiful, heavy, poignant, and haunting are the best words to describe this little-known film from the 90s starring country singer (and a very full-frontal naked) k.d. Lang and "Aimee and Jaguar's" German actress Rosi Zech have a lustful connection that could rival Jack and Ennis from "Brokeback Mountain." Yet the androgyny seems to be more of a topic than the lesbianism.
Or at least it is all one-sided as Lang (as orphan Kotzbue) struggles to find her biological family once landing in a small town in Alaska and befriending Zech's role as German Librarian expatriate Roswitha. Roswitha helps Kotzbue find her heritage as Kotzbue helps in turn, going all the way to East Germany with her to make peace with her dead husband at his grave.
The vast and empty Alaskan backdrop gives the movie a heavy and sad ambiance but there is a beauty behind it and it has nothing to do with the fact that k.d. Lang is naked for a quick second (maybe...) or the heartbreaking scene towards the end that I will not give away that is kind of beautiful in its sadness. Or the fact that k.d. Lang is naked for a quick second...
3.
Pandora's Box
Georg Wilhelm Pabst's masterpiece of post-expressionism is not only an ode to German Expressionist but also one of the first Lesbian characters in film -- and not contextually. For the few scenes Alice Roberts's role as Countess Anna Geschwetiz one of the many people who falls for the iconic Louise Brooks's luminous Lulu. The dance between the two women is oddly sensual for its time, especially with Roberts's yearning looks. As Brooks recounts in the special features, Pabst had to personally direct each look for Alice did not know how to "play a lesbian." But it is a wonderful homage to the Weimar woman open with sexuality, equaling up to the Goddess of Marlene Dietrich.
2.
But I'm a Cheerleader
A little John Waters-esque in the colors and campiness there's something a little more than the atypical "Lesbian genre" plot of girl meets opposite girl, finds out she's lesbian (involuntarily), and falls in love with opposite girl. So whats the redeeming factor for my own "film elitist" mind (I say jokingly) in But I'm a Cheerleader? The cinematography, the music and the satire and humor.
Funny how a movie that is all about sexuality doesn't even have one situational moment of sex in it except for a beautiful montage of a makeout between the mind-blowingly beautiful Clea DuVall's Graham and Natasha Lyonne's Megan. With the shadow backdrop to the tune of Tattle Tale's "Glass Vase Cello Case."
It's kitschy in the details, and Jamie Babbit being one of my favorite directors, has a habit of making movies with a meticulous eye for every shot and that is apparent also in the make-out scene as well as the night scenes in the use of shadows which continues six years later in "The Quiet" another fantastic movie with a slight lesbian allusion. But for now, let's dwell on the majesty of the twee-inspired soundtrack.
1.
Madchen in Uniform (1931)
I sang its praises in the Top 5 Worst list, but Christa Winsloe's original school-girl memoir, "Das Mädchen Manuela," turned into play "Gestern und heute (Yesterday and Today)" was more explicitly lesbian than "Madchen in Uniform" which she was screen writer for. But what was filtered only helped with a classic 30s tension in the chemistry of Dorothea Wieck's Frau von Bernberg and Hertha Thiele's Manuela as well as the aesthetic team between Winsloe and director Leontine Sagan. While the film seemed more anti-fascist (thanks to Winsloe's involvement with the SPD) unfortunately this film isn't as widespread as its '58 or the adaptation of "Loving Annabelle" because of the Nazi's torching many reels available in Germany, but thankfully it was already widespread around the globe. Yet, the video quality is poor considering the film strip quality vs. the subtitles. But for it's deterioration and quiet tension, it's much better than most films of a consequential sexuality between women in film. And the kiss is hot.
Honorable mentions: Tipping the Velvet, Gray Matters, The Hours, The Haunting, Fire, Better than Chocolate, Aimee and Jaguar, The Quiet
Every fall there is at least those top five products or clothes you cannot live without - because fall in the long run is the most fashionable season (to me it is anyway...) From makeup to accessories, here is my must list for fall....
Girly fashion boots
An ultimate fashion outfit generally involves leggings, a longer shirt with a jacket on top. As flats are what summer is made of (well for girls who don't have high arches or bunions like I do) boots is a huge fall must and a perfect segue into winter considering texture. Biker boots, a staple in my own closet fashion, is just a must for any season, they can be girlified or blends something together as more femininely androgynous. And the frilly boots? Boots with that length are best worn with a thigh or knee length ensemble, varying its length.
Dark Leggings
Leggings is always a staple for me in any season, but in the fall it seems more acceptable when you just don't have pin-straight leg jeans to wear boots with. So yes, that is my defense to jeggings (very left, texture washed out by the light a little) despite their bad wrap in pop culture. Black leggings always looks good both under skirts, dresses and shorts (for the confident), leggings seem to be at their best when moderately embellished, like the leggings on the very right with the gold buckles. Modesty is key with embellishment on leggings, please remember this ladies!!
Essie was clearly the oracle of nail polish trends this year and I was a mere follower that found myself going back to the dark nail polish as soon as I saw the word "fall" enter pop culture just a few weeks ago. Handbag inspired colors such as Essie's Power Clutch is a collision of green and gray, finally booting out all greige colors (Confetti's Moonstruck) as a natural hue for fall/winter 2011, but there's nothing wrong with keeping out of season colors, just in case. And as for a night-out colors, dark gem colors such as Confetti's Happy Birthday (which actually comes out in natural light as a purple with gold and blue sparkles), KleanColor's Neon Sapphire, and Confetti's Masquerade Ball (my absolute favorite glittery polish with the ability to change between a russett to bright red with gold glitter). If it looks like a shade of chocolate on your nails, skin tone in mind, it's definitely a must.
Black/Charcoal Eyeliner
If someone was to interview me the question "What makeup would you have to have with you on a desert island?" I would have to answer eyeliner. It emphasizes your eyelashes and enhances your eye color (makes mine look more hazel). Which is probably why Wet n Wild's charcoal eyeliner is perfect, if done one way it can look well pieced together but can also be thrown on with a rocknroll fashion edge with a cat-eye which is also very much in style for the fall.
Plaid Scarves
I generally hate plaid, but if its designed on an accessory and used with great colors, I'll wear it. For the past week I have been wearing the hell out of the second one because plaid fall colors are definitely a huge must for this fall, the occasional pop of color, like the pink or yellow, is needed later in the season when finally hitting the upcoming winter blah's.
Tis the season for hit-or-miss trending topics that range from impending fashion trends to some good honest new sitcoms coming on TV (Goodbye Charlie Party-Boy Sheen and holla for a Cedar Rapids born and bred Ashton Kutcher). But as for my personal tastes, it's been stale for a few weeks until I'm finally able to compile enough for this weeks "Hot Hot Love" Vspot.
Rosi Golan Concert
Rosi Golan Little Village Live at Public Space 1 August 31st
This show truly blew my face off into a million pieces and if things went the way I had hoped, I would have scored the best free concert of my life. Rosi, with her new release of "Lead Balloon", had been on tour with Iowa City native Jason Reeves and stopped by Public Space 1 (Hipster Basement) for Little Village Live before playing the Mill later that night.
So maybe radio-people lost the internet connection for a few minutes and Rosi sat down on the bench in front of me, mind you there are only 5 people there as viewers and she personally asked me if I wanted a spot on her guest list for the Mill that night, she was missing one -- and was asking around for a gluten-free meal. Naturally since I'm a God at recommendations (not really), I suggested Mama's and had to decline the offer (broke girl + cab money, you know.) FAIL! It would have been epic. I had listened to her for about 2 years with her chirpy "Shine" and a date-worthy duet with William Fitzsimmons "Hazy." So really, this was epic and face-melting.
Bitchy "Cruel" Analysis
Another blog-analysis that would make everyone at Bitch Media proud... it would be more effective to show their opinion of Suckerpunch but both the bloggers and the zine writers have been getting on my last nerve. Where does art and interpretation begin and end or is it interchangeable? And if it is interchangeable, where in gay hell do they get off creating every single pop media that comes their way like it's misogynist even if it isn't? But with my irritation aside, this is a good pondering analysis. What does St. Vincent say to you? (She says to me she's an electric guitar rock Goddess)
Aqua replaces Barbie Girl to "Fucking like Robots"
By the power of Scandi-pop I give you... Aqua. Really? Trading in their barbies for robots and being a "Playmate to Jesus" at least they are consistent! Just finding out about this new double A-side single today, I find myself oddly excited between Le Kid burning up blogs all over the place and their grandparents in song, Aqua, coming back. I love me some shamelessly slutty-slutty dance music, myself.
Christina Ricci showing love-filled angst of short girl fashion
Christina Ricci, 90s child star and now a stunning 60s Pan Am stewardess tells Nylon the perfect fashion commandment, possibly without even knowing it. "When you're as short as me, you have to kind of know [your] proportions. I spend so much time in fittings and looking in the mirror, so at a certain point you kind of become aware of what works." Ricci, at 5'1" is probably smaller than the average woman at 5'4" like me, but she really does speak the truth on how to dress for your size and height. Thank you!!
Kathleen Edwards feat. Bon Iver "Wapusk"
As a contender for a perfect Fall song (Bon Iver and Justin Vernon have a gift for making music sound fall-like), Edwards and Vernon create some hot hot sex in the sheets and music with "Wapusk." As for the question if this will be on a future Bon Iver album? Only time will tell.
American Apparel is looking for the Next XL Fashion Model, and it could be anyone that is a healthy size 12 (really?) even Nancy Upton, tumblr extraordinaire for the account extrawiggleroom. I'm starting to see a pattern when it comes to women sizes, and blogger Kelsey Wallace touches base on this: if the acceptable model size is too small she's considered under-nourished even if she could be healthy and a plus size model is too large, healthy or not, have more rules on posing to actually look thinner.
Is American Apparel going to make this barrier even wider, like a facebook commenter on this article said, "leaving a stamp on her forehead of FAT GIRL" So American Apparel shouldn't bother finding an XL lady and just keep hiring girls that give me the effect of wanting to shove an entire extra large pizza in their mouth? While many advertising campaigns are moving forward with body-acceptanceyet the standards of beauty is still stuck in drive and at the fork at the road of contradictions. Need a help there, fashion week?
(I'm not much of a fan of any of those pictures, as they are seeming to dig the knife in a little more for any woman larger than I am and being a previous "fat girl" I cannot seem to look away at the above picture without feeling a mixture of "Yeah, girl!" and disgusted at it. Is there a middle line between making fun of weight versus objectifying it?)
Impending album for Alt-Christmas Music lovers...
Zooey Deschanel in Elf
Although October is too soon for a Christmas album, Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward are back together making some sweet-sweet Indie music. But this time, they are tackling some Christmas standards, which makes the whole Bing Crosby-Holiday Inn music seem less grating including a duet of "Baby, It's Cold Outside" harkening Deschanel back a few years when she sang with Will Ferrell in the holiday comedy"Elf". I am a lover of original Alt-Christmas (and you all cannot WAIT for that playlist, I can tell), if there is one on the album that sounds good, I'm not going to deny the power of Zooey. Can anyone really deny her? Besides the stereogum elitists?
Finally there's a crispy feeling in the air and nothing feels more right than walking around your main street in a fall-inspired tartan scarf and thick sweater textured leggings doing errands. Need some music to go with the chai or coffee in your hand? (Note: those who are not linked, are on the blog elsewhere. Browse!)
Kinda like the v-spot but more demanding, this is your "almost-fall" guide for the week when things are starting to change before the leaves even turn orange.
Circumstance starring Nikhol Boosheri and Sarah Kazemy in theaters August 26
Martha Marcy May Marlene starring Elizabeth Olsen and Hugh Dancy in limited theaters October 21
My Week With Marilyn starring Michelle Williams and Kenneth Branagh in theaters November 4
The Muppets starring Jason Segel, Amy Adams, Chris Cooper and Jim Henson's Muppets in theaters November 23
The Artist starring Jean Dujardin, Berenice Bejo, John Goodman in theaters November 23
The Iron Lady starring Meryl Streep and Jim Broadbent in theaters December 16
TV
(August 7) Hungry Girl Season 2 at 10 am/9c on Food Network
(August 15) Vampire Diaries Season 3 at 7 pm/8c on the CW
(August 19) The Playboy Club Season Premiere at 9:30 pm/10c on CBS
(August 20) Glee Season 3 at 8 pm/9c on FOX
(August 20) New Girl (starring Zooey Deschanel) Season Premiere at 9 pm/10c on FOX
(August 22) New NBC Thursday Line-Up (Community, The Office, Parks and Recreation, Season Premiere of Whitney) 7-8 pm/8-9c
Clothes
(Monday) One Dress that can teeter between Summer lightness but with a Fall look
Flower prints are still good but with the green, beige and brown it can be easily adapted to look more autumnal with layers of...
a leather jacket
thicker sweater tights (five dollar tights at Ragstock, I am coming for you!)
any colored cardigan to make the print really pop.
Any fashion/biker boot
Flowery accessories that have the same colors but not necessarily the same print (see next picture for example) Mixing prints is the thing this fall!
Always have an emergency men's wear outfit on hand.
I easily look too butch, so my tip for anyone like me is to incooporate really feminine patterns, like...
the floral scarf
lace (to match the neckline that you really can't see in this picture)
lighter lines versus harsher black and white stripes when mixing patterns like this
If you do layers, make sure it's light (For now)
Mix patterns!
Gray/White stripe t-shirt with lace neck
Rose scarf with green background with lace ends (worn in a tie style or knotted over the chest)
Pin Stripe vest (that is far too large for me... anyone have a sewing machine so I can fix it?)
More layers are encouraged when it gets cooler! But for now...
Leather Jacket/Biker boots
Even a neon-florescent cardigan or jacket (listen to Nylon)
Denim skirt with leggings and boots on a warmer day
My rule of thumb for cooler days: More lighter layers you wear, the more awesome you look (some of us sweat easily)
Some true Muppet fans cannot wait any longer for "The Muppets" -- their first movie since 1999's "Muppets in Space" -- coming out November 23rd. In the lieu of these 12 years, what have we been doing other than re-watching Jim Henson's greatest DVD collections of The Muppet Show, Fraggle Rock, Muppet Babies, and the original skits in SNL as well as the movies (Fraggle Rock I lay claim to as of the past weekend...) Since 80s/90s culture is coming back full swing thanks to TeenNick as well as the return of the Muppets, I think it's time to walk through the Ghosts of Muppets Past -- and the top 10 epic Muppet quotes (to me anyway).
1. "Light the lamp, not the rat" - Rizzo, Muppet Christmas Carol
2. "Bear Left!" "Right, frog!" - Kermit then Fozzie, Muppet Movie
3. "But it seems to me the frog and the bear are temporarily out of service." - Dr. Teeth, Muppet Movie
4. "Look, Mother. It's my life. OK. So if I want to live on a beach and walk around naked... Oh." - Janice, The Great Muppet Caper
5. "Hey kitty, nice kitty... I'M FROM JERSEY!" - Rizzo, Muppet Christmas Carol
6. "God save my little broken body." - Rizzo, Muppet Christmas Carol
7. "A bear in his natural habitat... a Studebaker." - Fozzie, Muppet Movie
8. "I'm on my way to New York City to try to break into public television." - Big Bird, Muppet Movie
9. "I love it, but of course, I know fifty ways to love your lever." - Paul Simon, The Muppet Show
10. "Listen, I don't take my clothes off for anyone, even if it IS "artistic."" - Janice, Muppets Take Manhattan
S. Carey at the Mill
May 13
S. Carey, more well known as the drummer and second voice to Justin Vernon's Bon Iver was a really busy boy this summer - starting his solo career with his first album "All We Grow" and heading back to collaborating with Vernon and the rest of the Wiconsians with Bon Iver's huge comeback for the rest of the summer. While Carey is like the Ringo of instrumentals, with a lot of help with friends, he is still able to make his own sound between Bon Iver, Sufjan Stevens, and even Iron and Wine.
It was a fantastic concert despite the fact that both me and my friend was totally exhausted that night, while our mutual friend which brought us to the Mill that night for her birthday had more energy than the both of us, which is a rarity. Despite that and between bites of the Mills kickass cheese bread listening to the soothing sounds of S. Carey. I was hooked and even looked up Bon Iver and immediately fell in love.
Here's Bon Iver's latest music video, "Holcene," just released today (filmed in Iceland... absolutely stunning!)
Crooked Still on Java Blend and Iowa City Summer of the Art's Arts Fest
June 3
Crooked Still at Arts Fest, Main Stage
Like most bands who come through Iowa City, chances are NPR or Little Village Live will get you on stage first before you hit the stage the night or the week of your initial performance. Crooked Still was on Iowa City's NPR branch, otherwise known as Java Blend at the local coffee house (and only coffee house in my addicted mind) Java House Fridays at 2 and then Arts Fest about five hours later.
I immediately loved them, probably because their style of bluegrass is the type that is mostly bearable and actually something that goes well with the Yeats poetry I was reading while watching them which I told lead singer Aoife O'Dononvan (who I saw pelting across Iowa Ave to get food before they got on the Arts Fest stage) for a quick three minute conversation. Embarrassingly she mentioned she had a new fan in "the girl with the hat" (me) and pointed my direction. *faceplant*
I have posted their version of Johnny Cash's "Ain't No Grave" which has appeared on the second season finale of True Blood, so here's another...
Alexis Stevens/Best Friends Forever at The Mill
June 24
Best Friends Forever, Bree and Jessica on my crappy phone
Alexis Stevens, rocking my face the first time.
Whenever there is a familiar stage name in town, I will go. If you happen to be a twee band (one of the few that are still alive from the '90s) I will go to you indefinitely and find it more valuable than any concert I can usher at the Englert. Best Friends Forever was indeed worth it, having had their song "Back Pocket" on my ITunes forever, not knowing where I got it from. The sing-song quality got stuck in my head once more as Alexis Stevens was singing, Bree and Jessica were sitting at the next table next to me and my friends and I don't know what kept me from going over to them and squeeing over the fact they are insanely twee!
Alexis was insanely impressive, there was a quality of her voice in the Mills sound system that made her sound surprisingly haunting and I could not get enough! Which led me to "Little Village Live" yesterday in the -- as I like to call it -- hipster basement otherwise known as Public Space 1 yesterday where my face was blown all over again.
Holcombe Waller/Haley Bonar at The Englert; Intimate Series
July 1st
A very lo-fi night, I didn't get any pictures other than a love for Waller Holocombe, the unknown band for me. One of the few ushers on hand that night who actually knew who Haley Bonar was (through the power of last.fm), it was fun and I even got a little happy when she sang this - one of the few songs I knew of hers. The Acoustics that night was perfect! Especially during "May Day," I had chills.
Holcombe Waller (the man, not a band let me remind you) opened the show and I actually found myself loving it. A little Iron and Wine and a little Bon Iver with a violin, it was the most elegant lo-fi indie shit I've ever heard!
Lipstick Homicide at S.O.S. Save Our Spaceship
July 13
Kate on left, Rachel on the right. Hidden drummer, Luke Ferguson
I always have a soft spot for Lipstick Homicide... West High ex-students Rachel Feldman and Kate Kane as musical partners-in-crime ready to melt faces and take names with their punk-infused pop... or is it rock? One can't ever really tell nowadays. I always try to make time to go to their concerts if I have the cab money and finally Save Our Spaceship happened -- a high school event for and made by the local teens, a fundraiser to raise money for eco-focused efforts in both the high schools in the surrounding area as well as the University.
I sat behind the Gemini DJ and Karaoke booth with the owner I knew whose karaoke system is used Tuesday nights at the gay bar as well as through few a people. Between managing to get a great picture of the spastic Kate (Kate, if you're reading this I mean that with love) and checking my text messages almost insanely for a hook up. But after introducing myself to Kane, it seemed like my day was complete.
However, they are touring the west side of the states so keep your eyes peeled staring August 25th!
Have I mentioned they're adorable?
Sallie Ford and the Sound Outside/Jolie Holland at the Englert, Intimate Series
July 15
The concert that caused me to put Sallie Ford's video up on here at least two times because they are that in! (They played Dave Letterman a few weeks ago playing "I Swear.") Another Portland-import to the Englert's historical stage like Holcombe Waller, Sallie Ford opened and seemed to be the highlight of that night for ushering.
Jolie Holland
Jolie Holland, more popular for her collaborations with her band "The Be-Good Tanyas" that teeter between lo-fi indie and bluegrass (note: "The Littlest Birds" more popular amongst "Weeds" fans and "In Spite of the Damage" from "The L Word") took the stage and I was excited to hear a more subdued "The Littlest Birds." The Intimate Series holds 100 seats to be sold that are set up on the stage and at one point attendees came through the back stage door to get that sense of a small intimate concert.
What was even better that she was sitting a few rows behind me in the house and was talking to the other stage usher. Holland actually asked if the theater was haunted by any ghosts without knowing that yes, The Englert is haunted by its original owners; William and Etta Englert. I knew a few staff members that had experiences that the usher did not know - as she was tempted to pull me over to talk to this fantastic musician.
Holland's newest from her new album "Pint of Blood"
Alexis Stevens at Little Village Live
August 17th
So the lady with the enigmatic voice that captured me two months prior finally got herself a seat at Little Village Live (Little Village the local arts/entertainment/event zine) at the "hipster's basement", something they have been trying to get to happen for awhile now. And in the midst of instructing the new incoming freshmen to "Never wear crocs... and please, wear pants. Not pajama pants, not shorts, just... just wear pants!" Stevens talked about the department she teaches in as well as playing new unreleased material that will be appearing on either an EP or LP to be released later this year. I'm totally for this.
Turns out that Sleepy Sun, Milk and Eggs (local), and even Rosi Golan (!!!) will be on Little Village Live in the coming three weeks at the hipster's basement five to six, if you can't make it, there's always the online podcasts. I am so excited for Rosi Golan because she's also playing the Mill that night with local and local favorite Jason Reeves so if you hear squealing in the background of that podcast, it's me because I've loved her songs for about a year now.
Not from Little Village or opening for Best Friends Forever, but here's a youtube link from playing The Mill a year ago...
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