And This Is Why I Love New York

Two Peas In A Pod

I've been meaning to blog about this for a week now, so I figured I'd stop hoarding all the comedy and start spreading the laughter. You're probably familiar with Kristen Schaal from her role as Mel on Flight of the Conchords, but Schaal was pretty well known on the NYC stand up comedy circuit before she hit the boob tube. As 'Kurt and Kristen,' Schaal and her buddy Kurt Braunohler produced some pretty ridiculous sketches. Now they've crossed the pond and will be gracing England's Channel 4 with their brainchild Penelope Princess of Pets. What really put the icing on the cake for me, is an additional character played by The Mighty Boosh's Julian Barratt. As sad as I am that the show wasn't picked up by an American network, I'm excited to hear how it's received overseas. Now I just have to find a way to see the episodes. Internet don't fail me now!

A Galloping Baby Boy

He's teeny, he's tiny, and his name is Einstein. Bask in his mighty glory!

Old New York Returns!

The above image was captured on Hester Street in the late 1800s. The old New York it embodies is full of excitement and unpredictability. So many things were evolving in the city, but there were always a few standards you could count on, like the Hester Street Fair. What started in 1895 in the Lower East Side, became a gathering place for immigrants, and served as a place for fish mongers to sell their catch. Flashforward to April 2010 and the Hester Street Fair has resurfaced, but with a modern twist. Instead of finding basic goods, the fair is now offering everything from food to clothing, and once again aims to create a communal space for local vendors. Tomorrow marks it's grand opening, and you can find the fair every weekend rain or shine. So make your way down to the LES to sink your teeth into one of Luke's Lobster rolls, or Sigmund's original pretzels!

Shall We Dance?

What happens when you ask Conan to prom? Find out here.

Same As It Ever Was

Although I read about the Uniform Project when it first launched almost a year ago, I haven't been diligent about checking back with Sheena's progress. Now that the project is almost over, it's incredible to see how much money she's raised for the Akanksha foundation. The concept was simple, since May 2009 Sheena's been wearing the same dress as an "exercise in sustainable fashion," and as a tool to raise money for education in India. Read all about it on her site, and watch this adorable video explaining the project:

For The Love of Food

New York City's cupcake boom may be over, but cravings still abound. I eat a cupcake maybe once or twice a year, but when I do I'm overwhelmed by just how satisfying eating a tiny cake really is. However, I do have to take into account the mess factor, as I often feel like I'm inhaling the delicacy in anticipation of the infamous cupcake crumble. All crumbs, no fun. Jorge Garcia, better known as Hurley from LOST, may have just resolved my major issue with these dainty cakes. So what's the best way to get a perfect ratio of cake to frosting, and how can you do it without making a complete mess? Garcia provides the answer, along with a helpful shot by shot demonstration of the technique, on his blog Dispatches from the Island. Dude knows his cakes.

Why Don't You Do Right?

Is that really you Christina? You look hot as hell but not quite like yourself. I think the fellas over at Esquire may have done some tweaking, because you're looking suspiciously like a curly haired Jessica Rabbit. Not that I'm complaining. I've been reenacting the following scene since I first saw Who Framed Roger Rabbit when I was little. I even had Ms. Rabbit stickers, and an awesome WFRR poster on my bedroom wall. Those redheads get me every time.

It's A Man's World

In Stitches

Few partnerships require the cooperation and selflessness needed to form a successful comedy duo. It's the ultimate yin and yang; a stage set to showcase malleability, and an ability to play off of each other. David Mitchell and Robert Webb have it down pat. Sketch comedy classic That Mitchell & Webb Look, and first person camera series Peep Show are finally making their way back to BBC America tonight, and I couldn't be happier. Apparently I'm not the only one, as New York Magazine interviewed one half of the "crass and clever duo" today in anticipation of the premieres. And let the British invasion continue...

So Many Girls, So Few Princes

There’s always been a rivalry between the East and West Coasts, but lately I’ve wondered if I’ve been shutting my musical blinders to the outside world out of pure loyalty. New Yorkers can admit that NYC’s music “scene” is in a constant state of flux, like so many epicenters where musicians outnumber accountants. That said, in the past few months I’ve noticed a definitive shift in my musical predilections, and that shift has taken me almost exclusively to the sunny coast, the crunchy-granola coast - the Best Coast. But don’t judge me spiteful New Yorkers, you know my heart will forever be found in the gutters of our beloved city. Even though Bethany Cosentino and Bobb Bruno have yet to release their first full length record as Best Coast, their EPs have turned me into a veritable super fan. Their music is heavy and fuzzed out, but Cosentino’s vocals and lyrics hint at a romanticism and innocence that’s been all but banished from female fronted rock acts. Our rock stars have to keep up with their male counterparts, and because of that we assume that aggression and ferocity are necessary to pump out a classic track. Best Coast prove that being boy-crazy, introspective and a little silly doesn’t mean you can’t shred.

The Thin Red Line

The Bigger, The Better

Well, well, well. It seems as though my signature look is making it's way into the mainstream. It's not like I was ever re-inventing the hair wheel, but I liked to think that my obsession with big hair was only reflected in rock stars, geriatrics, and retro chicks. Now high fashion is honing in on the fine tooth comb that makes it all possible, unless of course you're one of the lazy ones who opts for a Bump It. For shame! We all know that backcombing, a little root booster, and some Goth Juice does the trick. I refuse to let my hair go flat, but I guess now I have some competition based on this New York Times slideshow. I still think I could beat those broads in a tease off - they're no match for my finely honed skills!

Blood Brothers

Both Quentin Tarantino and the Cohen brothers have created films that span genres, and stoke controversy. Their films are character and dialogue driven, and usually peppered with sex and violence. Though often bloody creations, both Tarantino and the Cohen brothers explore thematic elements that dig deeper into the human experience. But sometimes you push that aside to sit back and watch the chaos unfold. Leandro Braga did just that when he spent thirteen days watching Tarantino and Cohen brothers films. He's collected 500 scenes in the following clip - now that's what I call a cinephile!

Via New York Magazine

Down The Hatch

The days of drinking at the office are long over, but that's not to say that things can't get a little crazy after hours. Office parties are always a great idea in theory, but the consequences of mixing alcohol and professionalism (or lack thereof) can lead to some awkward situations. Regardless, these communal drink-offs often end up turning into great moments of unity and bonding. It's pretty much guaranteed that if you put some beers, tunes, and co-workers together, you'll get one hell of a karaoke party. An internal video leaked today from the set of Mad Men, and in it we get a glimpse of cast and crew throwing a couple back while bidding adieu to the third season. It's great to see some of the cast out of character, and even better to see Peggy texting and Roger in a wig. Enjoy!

Via New York Magazine

A Meow Massages The Heart

Another "Why didn't I think of that?!" moment: Cute Boys With Cats.

Have You Heard?

Spring is almost upon us, and with that comes the search for the perfect summer soundtrack. Sometimes you have to go looking for music that makes your heart swell, but sometimes you're lucky and the music finds you. There are so many young musicians out there trying to make the perfect record, but very few of them have what it takes to succeed. It's not that they aren't trying, often times they try too hard. And then there are those few, those musicians by happenstance, that find their calling through song. Christopher Owens of San Fransisco band Girls is one of those people. His story is so far fetched, so chaotic and poetic, that it could easily be the plot for a Russell Banks novel. Born into the Children of God cult, Owens was shielded from music and the outside world until his teenage years. His story is best told through his own words, and this interview tells it best. But regardless, you really don't need to know about Owens to like Girls. Their influences range from Buddy Holly and Elvis, to the Beach Boys and Nirvana. It's all there in a whirlwind of sun, hair, and above all: love.

For The Love of Food

There's been a lot of talk about New York City cuisine's return to comfort food classics. Whether it's because of the poor economy, or actually some poetic return to the past, it's nice to eat things that make you feel young. Take the cookies at David Chang and Christina Tosi's Momofuku Milk Bar: they're buttery and completely decadent. They transport you to a time when cookies were analogous with caviar, and calories were inconceivable. The 10 year old in you just can't resist their "Compost Cookie" that's packed with pretzels, potato chips, coffee, oats, butterscotch, and chocolate chips. Take a trip back and try out the recipe here.

Mad About Edie

Andy Warhol's first book of photos, Andy Warhol's Exposures, was published in 1979, and of course many of the images that he initially wanted to include in it didn't make the cut. Thankfully the rejects have made it into a second book, Andy Warhol Unexposed Exposures. The images are currently on view at New York City's Steven Kasher Gallery until April 10th. The show looks like a real gem, and as Edie would say: "I'm pulverized by this latest thing!"

Andy Warhol, Edie Beale, ca. 1976-79. © The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Inc. Courtesy Steven Kasher Gallery, New York

Via Flavorwire