Laughs »Livin the Life
by A. Samuels
I remember many years ago having a discussion about how unintentionally “bad” things (think Ed Wood) had gone the way of the dinosaur with media having become so overproduced by committee and only concerned with profits, with unusual voices being silenced by businesses that found no need for them…
and then the internet exploded with opportunity for amateur talents.
Anyone can have a dream and make it happen, so long as that dream is limited to becoming a viral video.
Just take A. Samuels, a 55 year old casino executive who wants to be a rapper.
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Posted on August 21, 2011
Restaurants »Smash Burger
Various Locations
I went all the way to Minneapolis to have Smash Burger, which I have learned has a location in Brooklyn, but every menu is customized to its location, so if I want a grilled pastrami burger, I can go locally but only in Minneapolis can I get the delicious Twin Cities (cheddar cheese, Swiss cheese and garlic grilled onions).
Another difference is that locally one can order a glass of wine with their burger, which back in the Midwest, I was thrilled to find beer on the menu – complete with frosty mug!
The burger is juicy and flavorful, the sides excellent. We shared onion strings and fried pickles (Yum!).
Good stuff – for chain fast food especially.
See more: Restaurants American Burgers Fast Food Minnesota
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Posted on August 21, 2011
Albums,Style Icons: Female »Comme à la Radio and Brigitte Fontaine
by Brigitte Fontaine (1969)
The strange and beautiful album Comme à la Radio by Brigitte Fontaine is like a marvelous magical mash up of some of my favorite things:
Take the sultry french vocals of Francois Hardy, add the discord of Morricone‘s jazzier scores, throw in the baritone tones of Nico at her most avant-garde and toss in the bizarre moodiness of Amon Duul II and you’ve got one album I simply cant resist getting excited about.
That such an interesting talent is not more well known is both a surprise and a fact that makes me happy with the world. If someone as cool and amazing as Fontaine was unknown to me, just imagine how many more gems are out there for my discovering.
This is another find I have my Pandora app to thank for. Le Goudron, one of the albums most universally listenable and fantastic tracks came on during a Quick Mix and I was beside myself.
Fontaine herself is fascinating. Not only was she a major figure in the French underground art scene of the 70’s, she’s relevant and active today incorporating electronic sounds into her music and collaborating with such artists as Sonic Youth, Jarvis Cocker and Grace Jones.
I might just be in love.
See more: Albums,Style Icons: Female 1960s Experimental French Musicians
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Posted on August 19, 2011
Style Icons: Female »Vera Neumann
Artist of Scarves
Anyone that’s bought a from a vintage shop will likely find a Vera Neumann scarf in their drawers. But lest you think she and her work are just old fashioned though – you’ll find that she’s having a bit of a resurgence.
Anthropologie has a We Love Vera collection based on her work and her website is very modern with a “bright, happy, inspirational” blog that was surprisingly excellent (I wish blogs as loving existed for more of my favorite people).
A creative woman who followed her passion for painting into success, Vera soon found her scarves gracing the necks of women like Grace Kelly, and in an iconic shot, the naked torso of Marilyn Monroe.
She was nothing if not prolific and her happy painted flowers, geometrics, and suns have made the world a more beautiful place.
See more: Style Icons: Female Artists Designers
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Posted on August 18, 2011
Hunks »Jack Kerouac
He Belonged to the Beat Generation
The recent Tom Palumbo entry lead me to these stunning, heart stopping Jack Kerouac portraits and re-lit old high school stirrings.
An iconoclast of cool, his name is synonymous with the Beat movement and, just look at the man – he was wildly handsome.
Opinions on his writing vary (though the more poetic of my male friends have always fawned over On the Road), but his influence on culture and literature are undeniable.
While his life ended due to years of heavy, heavy drinking, you can feel his charisma radiating from any photograph taken of him.
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Posted on August 18, 2011
Movies »Little Fugitive
directed by Morris Engel (1953)
Little Fugitive, to be honest, was forced on me by an old friend years ago, and I never fully thanked him. It’s a classic, simple film that effectively shows a day in the life of a little boy.
Forced into exile when he’s convinced by his older brother’s friends that he’s killed him (a plot point that’s not as grim as you might think), adorable Joey runs away to Coney Island until his brother finds him.
Despite being a non-actor, Richie Andrusco is fascinating to watch as he gathers bottle, eats watermelon, and makes friends. It’s just as fun to see the old fashions, signs and scenery of Coney Island circa 1953.
Available on netflix instant, this is a great find for lovers of old New York and anyone in the mood to feel like a child again.
See more: Movies 1950s Children’s
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Posted on August 18, 2011
Books »Indestructibles Book Series
by Jonas Sickler and Kaaren Pixton
I am one happy mama. Taking after his parents, Van loves books!
He gets adorably excited pretending to read and just can’t seem to get enough of them.
Among our favorites are these “Indestructibles” paperbacks; named so because they can’t be ripped, and are meant to be grabbed, chewed and bent. And I can attest that their claims are true – Van has put these through the ringer and they are merely wrinkled.
Dear friend Grace sent us our first (and still Van’s most beloved) a quirky take on Hey Diddle Diddle. The retro but modern illustrations by Jonas Sickler are absolutely charming. We loved them so much we ordered nearly the whole series.
Kaaren Pixton is the other illustrator who leads artistic, fun paintings to the animal books.
A great gift for little ones.
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Posted on August 17, 2011
Web Sites »Grain Edit
Modern Graphic Design Inspiration Blog
Great graphic inspiration blogs are aplenty, but you’ll find fewer as well maintained, interesting, and informed as Grain Edit.
From children’s books, to bottle labels, from calendars to maps the Grain Edit team tracks down the greatest stuff to inflame the creative mind.
The site is constantly updated with newness and the archives could take days to explore – but it is worth the time, so start digging and enjoy!
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Posted on August 14, 2011
Songs »Somebody’s Watching Me
by Rockwell (1983)
I am shocked I haven’t recommended Rockwell‘s Somebody’s Watching Me yet!
This catchy (sometimes too catchy – I’ll find myself with the phrase “Or maybe showers remind me of Psycho too much” repeating in my brain for days) ode to paranoia is a household favorite over here.
And no offense to Rockwell, but how did he manage to snag Michael Jackson for some backup singing? However it happened, from the photo below, it looks like the recording sessions were fun – and Micheal’s jeans, tee and band jacket – excellent.
BTW, I just read that Rockwell chose his performing name because he “rocked well”. Totally love it.
If you want to continue on Rockwell’s odeyssey of being messed with, watch and listen to his follow up number “Obscene Phone Caller“.
