New (Rogue) Wave

Love the band Rogue Wave but without word from them for a bit had let them slip into the recesses of my mind, and the "shuffle" on my iPod. Turns out the California band had in fact suffered the loss of band member. After a break, the band has regrouped and will release their fourth LP Permalight on March 2nd.  The first single, Good Morning, has the same sweet vocals but a little more electro pop, thought it admittedly sounds a bit contrived to me, a little dash of Flaming Lips and Death Cab blended in. Will definitely give the whole record a listen when it's released. Your thoughts? Take a listen will you...Permalight

Free Music Friday

Welcome to my new little feature:  Every Friday I'll track down some great new (or old) music downloads just for you....and you and you. Right. It's Thursday.  Sometimes I get a little anxious, and Free Music Thursday just lacks the catchy alliteration of Free Music Friday! First up, by DJ Action Jackson, A Wintry Mix, featuring some great danceable oldies (Tony, Toni, Tone) and new hits (Chromeo, Rich Kids), courtesy of My Old Kentucky Blog. MP3 download and playlist after the jump. Next, an easy way to add some of recent indie hits to your playlist, for free... Nylon Magazine is offering 27 tracks for free, just click on the link here, then the iTunes icon there, and the music will be loaded into your iTunes account.  Easy peasy. Super songs from Animal Collective, Dan Deacon, Yacht and more.  Complete playlists from both mixes after the jump.

Gig it!

Feeling nostalgic for those dorm room days? Didn't think so. These concert posters are so much more than your old school unfolded band pics from Tigerbeat. These silk-screened beauties are pure art. Awesome presents too. (You're welcome Anita!). Here are a few of my top pics from GigPosters. The site, which doesn't directly sell the posters, is a gem. It's a place for artists to display their designs/wares.  Posters are searchable by bands, designers, and top lists too. And no need to despair, if you're itching to replace your "Stay Calm and Carry On" poster with something a little more original, a little more you, the site has the designer info, including websites and email addresses for purchasing. All the posters listed here range from $12-40.

 

 

 

Back in (the) NYC Mood

Project Runway returns to NYC after what was a generally conceded lame and uninspiring season, it's first on Lifetime and in Los Angeles. Had it not been for past seasons, I dare say the viewship might continue its decline. But with the return of Tim Gunn to his native Fashion District, we'll give it another go. At least for an episode or two. It airs on January 14th at 10pm on Lifetime.  Here's a clip of what's to come, including guest judge, Nicole Ritchie, which by the by, I was given a preview of her new clothing line last October and have yet to hear of it again.  We'll see if it turns up at the tradeshows I'm off to tomorrow and Thurs....

And Now On The 1

While sifting through old emails for an address I found an email to friends with this NY1 piece on POP's Zagat review, from October 2008. An oldie but a goodie, in my totally unbiased opinion.  Check it out! Cameos by Oscar, me, and my sis, Anita.  Shop looks a little different now, blue accent wall, more merchandising, less clutter, but you get the gist! Come visit! Online shop coming soon. Very very soon. Stay tuned!

Anoraak to warm you up

I know this song, Nightdrive With You by Anoraak, isn't new (it's from the previous decade! 2008 to be exact.) But when I heard it this morning, it had me tapping my feet and swaying a little to it's 80s inspired pop beat.  And who couldn't use that on a freezing cold Monday after holiday workday, I ask you?

Lara's Theme

I watched Dr. Zhivago the other night, again. I love that this epic film, while far from perfect, is transporting and cinematographically beautiful from sweeping scenic images of frozen tundra to the ballroom scene where Lara shoots Komarovsky. As alluring as Omar Sharif's sad brown eyes are, it is truly Julie Christie's beauty and carriage as Lara that draws me in.  She's striking even in the midst of war. And her wardrobe, her hat! I bought a white rabbit fur hat in Shimla, India years ago that I wasn't brave enough until now to wear...and of course, I can no longer find it. So admittedly riding the trend, I bought this hat online at Target.

Discounted ABC's

I'm making a concerted effort to "take advantage" of the city. (Note I am not calling this a resolution, though I notably started yesterday. Way too weighty a noun. More like a suggestion....) Today's field trip was to the Bronx ABC Carpet & Home Warehouse Outlet. The main store in Union Square is beautifully curated/decorated and a bit overwhelming, and more importantly to me, out of reach expensive.  Lovely to look, nothing to buy, I sigh.  So was I rewarded in my trek to the Bronx? I wasn't in the market for anything in particular. My only purchase was an oblong Indian fabric pillow cover, $20, which Oscar already approves of (see pic below). Everything in the warehouse is a little worse for the wear, damaged, scratched, worn, but in some cases super discounted. The decorative items are largely not worth the 10-50% discount when you're talking tears, stains and chips.  But, if you're looking for a larger piece, rug, dresser, dining table or bed, I'd definitely recommend a visit. Oh, that incense they were burning; I was totally transported to the  Cottage Emporium in New Delhi...with about a 400% mark up of course!  More pictures after the jump.

Down the rabbit hole

While I wanted nothing more than to stay in bed today nursing my champagne headache and cursing the cocktail I christened the "Le Bon," I had to drag myself to meet my dad for brunch and to fight crowds on 5th Avenue "to see the lights!"  Honestly the crisp air and sun...and a bloody mary, did me good and reflectively, it was a much better note to start this new year on than being hermetically cocooned in bed.  And my reward? These gorgeous windows at Bergdorf Goodman. Stunning.  This year's theme is Curiouser and Curiouser, inspired by the works of Lewis Carroll, author of Alice in Wonderland and Through The Looking Glass.  The detail is amazing.  Those polar bears? Made of fringe! Horse hooves made of artichokes. Who thinks of that? Really need to step it up at POP.  My santa hats are totally not going to cut it next year!

New Yore Eve

A few pictures taken on the way home from the New Years celebration.  Love my neighbor/hood. Light dusting of snow and vintage cars, I was a little swept into the 70s. Merci Veuve. Maybe not tomorrow. But at least the shop is closed!