Animal Collective New EP: Fall Be Kind

Just listened to this for the first time today on a friend's iPod.

AC's new EP is better than Merriweather Post Pavilion. Just sit back and let this particular song, "What Would I Want? Sky" wash over you--listen to the bass notes after the first time and then pay attention to the number of layers in the music and also the tone changes. It's the best AC has done yet, nearing perfection in their own psychedelic sound. So good.

What Would I Want? Sky
Fall Be Kind (2009)



You feelin stormy? You feelin phony?

You're not the only

Machinima by Fay

Made these for my Machinima class this summer at Dartmouth. Used Snapz Pro X, Final Cut Pro, Mini-DV and Second Life to make this one. Had a lot of fun just experimenting with the medium, so unlike a lot of Machinima, my shorts play a lot with going between live action and animation (captured in Second Life). Enjoy the films! They were fun to make.





http://www.tiltfactor.org/?p=1237
MACHINIMA

FLANAGAN FS 49 DARTMOUTH 10A 301 N.FAIRBANKS

In this workshop, we conduct research in developing, understanding and advancing a real-time rendering and video production technique based on video games. This special topics course will allow a group of students to study the techniques of Machinima. Throughout the term students will examine film techniques and story creation techniques that apply to the traditional film form, examine Machinima on a technical and aesthetic basis, and critique current examples of Machinima films. Outside of class, students will collaborate, putting forth a large amount of effort to write and produce their own Machinima. Our course aims to investigate the underlying concepts of this new form of media, examining the relationship to animation, traditional cinema, and forms of popular culture. During the course, we will create Machinima projects while developing the theoretical framework around this approach as it relates to film and video, games, play, and participatory media.

Becoming Jane

I just watched the movie Becoming Jane this week (on DVD), and I thought it was a very good film. The premise of the movie (spoiler? ...) is that the main character Jane Austen basically lives the life of Elizabeth Bennett of Pride and Prejudice, and then later pens and publishes Pride and Prejudice based on her own great romance (because she is Jane Austen, author of Pride and Prejudice, haha). The main difference between the 'fact' of the movie and the 'fiction' of the book is that unlike her literary counterpart, there is no happy ending for Jane in the movie -- she never marries her real-life Darcy (love interest and penniless young lawyer Tom Lefroy, portrayed beautifully by James McAvoy) and is single for the rest of her life, living by the wit of her pen.

Earlier in the movie, in an attempt to convince her to marry the wealthy-but-boring character who has proposed to Jane, her mother admonishes, "Affection is desirable. Money is absolutely indispensable." The irony of the movie is that Jane takes this advice to heart and chooses not to elope with Tom Lefroy because she realizes the extent that his family depends on his income (and accordingly, his non-tarnished, non-eloped reputation) as a provider.

I liked the movie because it made me think -- and I realize this is starting to read like a fourth grade book report -- and realize the limitations women faced in the past in determining their own destinies, even in relatively high society. Of course, even today not all women have a choice.

Hold that thought. Live blogging, this is unfinished...

OK, I'm back.

Luckily, today in Western society a woman is no longer considered 'unmarriageable' if she is a writer... banker... production director... or whatever profession. Either way, I would not want to be alone for the rest of my life like Jane and have a great unresolved love who I discover many years later has named his first child after me (which Tom does for Jane). That was the very tragic conclusion of the movie.

I also liked the film because it recalls all that olde English shit we girls love: romance, restraint in interactions with the opposite sex, propriety, pride... prejudice... But seriously, I did enjoy the stolen glances and slight hand grazes between the main characters, and it reminded me that courtship used to be drawn out and slow-growing (is it still today, outside of college?). I was even willing to overlook Jane and Tom's seemingly sudden realization of their passionate love (in the woods, no less) because it was so... passionate.

Four stars to Becoming Jane for a strong lead character and being much better than I anticipated. I love being pleasantly surprised by movies. :)

JBKO

"To transcend the ordinariness that Jackie so feared in youth meant feasting on a diet of discipline and restraint."

- excerpt from my friend Christine J's book What Would Jackie Do?

I've always thought that being condemned to - or worse, resigning to - ordinariness would be a horrible fate.

Mat Kearney - Closer To Love

This song came on shuffle just now. According to my iTunes, I added it on 8/26/09 and last played it 9/28/09 but I have no idea where it came from. I really like it though.

The Business of Lady Gaga

"She is directing every frame of her music and her life, imagining how clips will appear on YouTube and what people will tweet after she appears on the VMAs," says Dumenco in a Forbes article with the subtitle "Lady Gaga isn't the music industry's new Madonna. She's its new business model."

The woman is truly a genius in more ways than one. Here we have another celebrity hyperaware of the power of media and using it to consciously shape her image to her liking.

Although honestly, I think Gaga's a bit overexposed, what with taking on everything from guest appearances on Gossip Girl to collaborating on earphones with Dre and songs with Beyonce to helping launch whatever products in Singapore.

Nevertheless, I still do love her and also actually respect her much.

*

Mac's newest campaign, "From Our Lips," will launch in March and promote "MAC Viva Glam Gaga Lipstick," at $14. Proceeds to be donated to the MAC AIDS Fund.

*Note color of face v. hand
**Also, I am loving these sunglasses... where can I get these?

By The Numbers: What Women CEOs Are Earning

Slideshow of Top Paid Women CEOS compiled by Forbes

#1 is Andrea Jung of Avon -- no surprise there.

SNL--The Mellow Show

Featuring Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Dave Matthews.
Absolutely hilarious. PS I'm now in love with all of them.

Lady Gaga--Bad Romance

Just because...

Lady Gaga - FAME MONSTER

Download the album - click here.

Ralph Lauren Dresses

In other news, I'm trying to pick out my favorite RL dresses this season. Because RL is rooted in old classics, sometimes the Fair Isle knits and tweed vests can get a little monotonous. Anyway, here they are:

Cashmere Chain-Back Gown
For when, you know, I need to go to fancy-shmancy events.


Apsley Jersey Dress
I would probably hem this one to a little higher above the knee.




Cashmere Cable Dress
Ralph makes one of these every year with a different neckline. I'm not sure how I feel about this one, but I just love the gray color and how classy it is. Great investment piece because it will never go out of style and can easily be layered. It's still a little long, maybe? I don't like these tights at all with this dress! Check out the tights in my post about Rugby--I just bought them today and am in love!

Recipes for Thanksgiving

I've been researching new recipes for my family to use for this Thanksgiving and came up with these yummy dishes from Food Network and Epicurious. What are your traditional Thanksgiving dishes?

Pumpkin Bars by Paula Deen:

• 4 eggs
• 1 2/3 cups granulated sugar
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 15-ounce can pumpkin
• 2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda

Icing:

• 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
• 2 cups sifted confectioners' sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Using an electric mixer at medium speed, combine the eggs, sugar, oil and pumpkin until light and fluffy. Stir together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt and baking soda. Add the dry ingredients to the pumpkin mixture and mix at low speed until thoroughly combined and the batter is smooth. Spread the batter into a greased 13 by 10-inch baking pan. Bake for 30 minutes. Let cool completely before frosting. Cut into bars.

To make the icing: Combine the cream cheese and butter in a medium bowl with an electric mixer until smooth. Add the sugar and mix at low speed until combined. Stir in the vanilla and mix again. Spread on cooled pumpkin bars.

Sauteed Turnips and Parsnips with Rosemary

Gourmet | November 2001 (epicurious.com) PS: Remember when Gourmet was still alive???

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3 medium turnips (3/4 lb total), peeled and cut into 1/3-inch dice
• 3 medium parsnips (3/4 lb total), peeled, cored if necessary, and cut into 1/3-inch dice
• 4 medium shallots (1/2 lb total), cut lengthwise into sixths
• 1 garlic clove, chopped
• 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh rosemary

Heat oil and butter in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderate heat until hot but not smoking, then cook turnips, stirring occasionally, until crisp-tender, about 5 minutes. Add parsnips and shallots and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and almost tender, about 10 minutes. Add garlic, rosemary, and salt and pepper to taste and cook , stirring, until vegetables are tender, about 3 minutes more.

Maple Pecan Pie in Wheat-Flavored Crust

Bon Appétit | October 1999 (epicurious.com)
I've decided not to do the Wheat-Flavored Crust, but doesn't the pie sound delicious?

• 3/4 cup pure maple syrup
• 3/4 cup (packed) golden brown sugar
• 1/2 cup light corn syrup
• 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
• 3 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups pecan halves

Looking forward to experimenting this Thanksgiving!

Nicholas Kirkwood

makes some of the most architectural, beautiful, interesting shoes I've seen.

Sick silhouette exhibited in the entire Autumn/Winter 2009 collection. Well done. Proof that shoes can always be reinvented.

edit: haha look what else I've found online [after I posted my comments]: Nicholas Kirkwood debuted his shoe collection in 2005, and has been a force in the industry ever since. His shoe philosophy follows:

“It’s about silhouettes… It’s about the shape of the last and about the shape of the actual pattern that’s drawn onto the last, and color or material combinations. I don’t use anything that’s stuck onto the shoe. In certain ways it’s architectural, I suppose. Old-fashioned buildings like to be very decorative on the outside, but the basic shape is still a block, whereas modern buildings are more concerned about the actual shape of the building itself, rather than what’s put on as ornamentation. That’s sort of the way I try to think of my shoes in a sense, especially when it comes to the heels.”

V Magazine

... does amazing covers. Here's the most recent one with our favorite thinking girl's girlcrush, Natalie Portman.

 

"Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels."

- Kate Moss

It's a bit out of context, but noteworthy nonetheless.

Project Runway Finale

Before having seen any collections, I had predicted that Althea might win because she isn't mean (Irina) or one-note (Carol Hannah). But I was wrong! Having seen the collections, it was pretty clear that Irina's was the only cohesive one with a vision--though Michael Kors had a point that the warrior-woman has been done (over and over--Balenciaga's flower warriors; shoulder pads from the 80's; 1940's wartime womenswear) and apparently her T-shirts had some controversy about them concerning copying (ironic, right?) but other than that, I did like her helmets and that chain. No, Tim, it wasn't too costumey. Sometimes you don't give the best advice.

So, mean girl wins, nice girls lose. I still would've liked to have see Epperson's looks.

Carol Hannah's best look

A representative piece of Irina's collection. I thought it was cool...and I would wear that jacket...

Oh, and the web design at mylifetime.com really sucks. Bravo's websites are so much better! This is the worst slideshow I've ever had to try to use to get these pictures.

What Not to Wear: Rachael Ray Edition

I used to despise RR and all of her over-cheery, abbreviation-filled, colloquialism-confused cooking show on Food Network. But as I have watched more and more FoodTV (it's a problem, really), I've realized that I should not hate RR, but instead pity her for how bad her stylist is. Plus, her show is well-intentioned, so I shouldn't hate someone for just trying to be friendly, right? Anyway, here are some bad outfits and hairstyles.



A typical outfit, this top does nothing for her body. I'd imagine that these jeans also add like 20 pounds. I understand that she wants to wear tight-fitting clothing so her sleeves don't get caught in flames or whatever, but I still don't like it. PS: watch the show on TV--this image is definitely photoshopped. Those highlights are also too unnatural, distracting us from her eyes and instead focusing our gaze on the distractingly ugly bleach they slapped on there arbitrarily.

And this is just bad. Cap sleeves rarely look good on women (though for some reason they still make them) and these colors do nothing for her. Oh, and visit youtube--there are some great vintage eps.




Basically, RR is all over the place. I can't adequately convey it in a blog post, but here is a moment of complete randomness. Why they dressed her this way for the cover is beyond me--maybe they're trying to combine audiences for Mad Men with that of RR? I feel like I'm one of the only ones that overlap. Mad Men viewers would more likely tune into Barefoot Contessa, I think.



Part of why they dress her in bad v-necks, I think, is to cater to a particular audience--it's an audience that finds terms like "EVOO" and "Yum-O!" endearing, or comprehensive. These people don't necessarily watch Ina and her flamboyant friends in the Hamptons have a ball put together bouquets. So why, all of a sudden, is she dressed like a Stepford wife on the cover of her own magazine?

Like I said, RR needs some styling advice. Maybe she should call Stacy London--perhaps she'll deck her all out in the latest Searle knits.

NM falls as UO rises [from LVC ticker 11/18/09]

On the other hand, nearly everything from the Urban Outfitters 2009 Holiday Catalog is beautiful, wearable, modern, and not terribly out of price range. Over the past few years, I've grown to like their clothes more and more. I can't tell if it's because my taste has changed or if theirs has. I think it's a little of both - they've gotten a bit more luxe in their styling and I think the prices have come down a bit, too. That, or I've managed to find some great pieces from their sales rack (and online sales) a few times. 

I think their clothes are increasingly clever -- a sort of intelligence to it that you don't normally see with mass-market brands. It's that slightly different cut or strategically placed zipper. It all makes a difference, and it's the thought that's put into the making of a piece of clothing -- the R&D (research & development), to be nerdy about it -- that gives it value. Because at the end of the day, almost all clothes are made with the same materials, and aside from the R&D that goes into it, the only differenting factor is the craftsmanship (Is it made by hand or machine? How many hours did it take? Was it by a grizzled Italian man in the mountains of Naples [I just made that up, I don't even know if Naples has mountains], or by a 12-year old Indian boy plunging his hands in scalding hot water to retrieve silk cocoons?).

It's not always a hit at UO, and I'm rather picky about pieces of clothing if I'm buying them retail, but their stock is definitely rising in my mind.

Take a look for yourself:

How beautiful is this? Unfortunately I don't love the way the front looks [on the model, at least] and such is the problem that befalls a lot of their pieces, for me. That and the fact that I'll never truly know how they'd look on me because a lot of their models are uncommonly thin.

This doesn't even look like U.O., really. I think a lot of their pieces don't "look like U.O." to me anymore, and that's a good thing. I quite like this skirt. I'd want to see the material in person though, if it were heavier material it'd just be perfect.

They've got the right idea with this velour top. I want a velour top. Maybe not this exact one, but this is pretty directionally on point for me.

And the ubiquitous sparkly sequin skirt. It's still pretty.

 

Luxury Department Stores Are Dying. And So It Goes.

Went to Neiman Marcus today to try on dresses. There's lots of stuff on sale online, so I wanted to see what they looked like in person before ordering anything. And guess what? Nothing is cute! At all! Really!

This Marc by Marc Jacobs dress was the only remotely cute/usable piece. How unfortunate.

The thing is, it isn't just NM that doesn't have anything. Saks has boring stuff (since when were sequins, feathers and studs boring? oh, since the economy tanked) and nothing that says "unique" or "worthwhile." The clothing is so easily knocked-off by local lines like 344 (formerly known as Jasmine Sola) and Forever 21 that I feel as though it's impossible to get any special designer clothing (even the pricey stuff at these department stores is boring--Tahari is tired, Missoni is mundane--let's not even get started with the cashmere). And that's why everything is constantly on sale. Even designer footware at Barney's is getting marked down like whoa (a discount from $900 to $500 still keeps Lanvin out of my closet, but come on--that is quite a big price cut). Oh, and all these sales reminds me of how cheap it is to even make this clothing. Jeez.

^that jacket is see by chloe. do i care? no. it looks like it came from goodwill.

Rugby.com

Speaking of finding the meaning of life, everything I've done will obviously lead me to be the editorial/creative person for Rugby.com. Not only do they have insightful films in 16mm, vintage-style clothing, and New England tradition, but Rugby.com (and the company) has great music.

The insightful part was a joke, by the way.

Anyway, check out the website

and look at my favorite pieces online (some of the stuff I really like isn't on the website for some reason!)

Thoughts on the future/ abnormal blog entry

Do you ever feel like there's a larger purpose for you in life? Sometimes I forget it, but I very much feel like I'm working towards something larger. I'm not completely sure what it is yet, but there are so many people in the world who we - as highly educated people with so many resources - can help. I feel like I'm moving in that direction. I'm still figuring it out and searching for how, but I'm going to do something to affect humanity for the better. And effect change in the world. Sometimes one just needs to be reminded, but I know I can do something, and I feel like everything I'm doing now is to equip me to do that huge, significant thing. So far, I think my liberal arts education has been a step forward. So I just need to keep moving forward and keep the larger picture in mind, even if I can't yet see it clearly. I think I can see it more clearly than ever before, though, and that is good. I feel myself moving from more micro-type life goals to now seriously considering more macro goals that I've only thought about more in passing. Oh, senior year of college.



How about you? Thoughts?



/end scene

Email going around

My friend got this e-mail of The Lloyd's Prayer and did a dramatic reading of it for me... hahahaha

OUR CHAIRMAN
WHO ART AT GOLDMAN
HALLOWED BE THY NAME

THE RALLYS COME,GODS WORK BE DONE
WE HAVE NO FEAR OF CORRECTION
GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY GAIN
AND BANKRUPT OUR NEAREST COMPETITORS
LEAVING NO ONE LEFT TO STAND AGAINST US
AND BRING US NOT UNDER INDICTMENT

FOR THINE IS THE TREASURY
AND THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE
FOREVER AND EVER
GOLDMAN

Burberry

I love their jackets. I love their perfumes. And now... THEIR HEELS.

And this dress. I think it's just made of sparkles and all that is good and Burberry. Amen.

One more

I like it but I'm not obsessed with this dress. I do like specific elements of it though. The color is one of my favorite dress colors to see on other people and the material is interesting. Lindsay Price is so beautiful and even though she tries a bit too hard a lot of the time, she looks just blissful here.

And this

... is why I <3 Leighton Meester.

Art Deco

Art deco on the body is so beautiful!

Lou Dobbs on SNL

Daryl Hammond does a spot-on impersonation of Lou Dobbs on Weekend Update. I feel like Daryl Hammond only has a few things he does on the show as a cast member, but he makes up for the lack of quantity with very high quality performances.

When I Grow Up--Fever Ray

This song is always stuck in my head. Don't ask why.

When I Grow Up
Fever Ray

When I grow up

I want to be a forester

Run through the moss on high heels

That's what I'll do

Throwing out a boomerang

Waiting for it to come back to me

When I grow up

I want to live near the sea

Crab claws and bottles of rum

That's what I'll have

Staring at a seashell

Waiting for it to embrace me

I put my soul into what I do

Last night I drew a funny man

With dog eyes and a hanging tongue

It goes way back

I've never liked that sad look

From someone who wants to be loved by you

I'm very good with plants

When my friends are away

They let me keep the soil moist

On the seventh day I rest

For a minute or two

Then back on my feet to call for you

You've got cucumbers on your eyes

Too much time spent on nothing

Waiting for a moment to arise

The face in the ceiling

And arms too long

I'm waiting for him to catch me

Kinda cool lyrics, right? I like the image of running through the woods on high heels...very interesting

Listen here:

http://artists.letssingit.com/fever-ray-lyrics-when-i-grow-up-p2bb8qq

Bootz

O.M.G. LOOK AT THESE BOOTS!!!
Beautiful shoes are an art form.

Liu Wen

Is the first Asian model to walk in the Victoria's Secret show upcoming this month. She's extremely well established already and has walked for Anna Sui, Prada, Gucci, Chanel, Miu Miu, Yves Saint Laurent, Hermès, and Jean Paul Gaultier among other big names, and has tons of print/editorial accomplishments as well. VS, since it's aired on national TELEVISION, is a different kind of exposure though (no pun intended), and this is very, very cool.

Nationality: Chinese

Birth Date: January 27, 1988
Status: Established
Known for: Cheekbones, Smile
Agencies: Marilyn Agency
Friends: Emma Pei, Hye Park, Charlotte Hoyer, Shu Pei, Karolin Wolter, Xiaoyi Dai, Mo Wandan, Laura Blokhina, Diana Farkhullina, Daul Kim, Eniko Mihalik, Du Juan, Arlenis Sosa, Yulia Leontieva

Read more: Liu Wen - Fashion Model - Profile on New York Magazine

Gowns: Don't judge.

I'm watching "Say Yes to the Dress" on TLC and decided to look at some gowns from Fall 2009. Here are my faves (so far):

Monique Lhuillier

Slang in the 50's

Went through a phase when all I wanted to write research papers on was Marlon Brando and his high/low points. Well, I was watching Down Home with the Neely's on Food Network and started hearing all this jive, reminding me of a less-popular Brando flick called "The Wild One" about the Black Rebel Motorcycle Club (BRMC) and its takeover of a tiny no-wheresville town (one of its famous lines is "What are you rebelling against?" to which MB replies, "Waddya got?"). One of the best aspects of the movie is the jive/slang that's spoken. Luckily, a YouTube video has already been made of all the slang moments. Enjoy!

Lou Dobbs and Sesame Street

Yes, we know that Lou Dobbs has resigned from CNN. Rumor had it that he has been communicating with Fox news, but I believe he's been getting in touch with his pals at Pox. Fast-forward to the 4 minute mark and enjoy. Please excuse the Goldman Sachs jokes.



Thank you, Stephen Colbert, for shedding light on this great mystery.

Christian Louboutin Dillian Flower Pump

Here's a new game: what does this new shoe by Christian Louboutin most resemble?

My ideas are:

-Mitochondria
-Intestines
-Flower
-Flamenco Skirts

What are your ideas? COMMENT!!!
(Georgina and I had a laugh about Bloomingdale's recent email "New Louboutins Have Arrived!"...I wonder who in the world is that desperate for them right now?)

Banner choice explanation

The painting we currently have on display in our banner is Several Circles (Einige Kreise) by Wassily Kandinsky, 1926.

I chose this painting because a Kandinsky painting is heavily referenced in one of my favorite American plays, "Six Degrees of Separation" by John Guare, and I had actually never taken the time to look up what Kandinsky paintings looked like outside of reading the descriptions in the play, and I guess this artist was at the tip of my brain.

I've actually reviewed the play in one of the earlier blog entries. I read it as part of my American Drama course with Professor Donald Pease - quite a bombastic and fantasmic orator - last spring. I realize now that I really loved that class and I wish I had taken more English classes during my time at Dartmouth. Aside from practical concerns or excuses like completing my major/minor, I think I've been a bit intimidated by English classes because I've been terrified that they'll somehow reveal that I'm not as good at the subject as I think I am. Perhaps I'll try to audit another class like that this winter or spring. I love literature!

Here's another Kandinsky I love:

Wassily Kandinsky, Improvisation 31 (Sea Battle), 1913,

National Gallery of Art, Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund

Next blog color scheme, perhaps?

Galliano's Christmas Tree

Courtesy of NYMag.

John Galliano has designed a Christmas tree that makes me swoon--not only is it playing into the Japanese painting aesthetic that I've been loving lately, but its minimalism just seems appropriate for the times, too. The blues are gorgeous and the overall look is just pretty. Doesn't really say Christmas to me, but that's okay.