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.

We Did It!

So Canada won Olympic gold, but before we get all nationalistic and teary eyed let's go back to in time to Canada in the 1980s... when things were equally as awesome! Joey Jeremiah I still love you, and this song triggers memories of not wanting to go to school on Monday morning. Ironically I now feel the same way about work.

For The Love of Food

There are some foods that are embedded in our minds and hearts, because they trigger memories of carefree childhoods and family gatherings. The memories are triggered through the sounds and smells of a dish - the flavor that was once delicious and comforting, has become loaded with countless meanings. All this to say that authentic Venezuelan food takes me back to my grandmother's kitchen, watching her unwrap hallacas, and slice through thick fudge-like dulce de leche. Thankfully I don't have to travel all the way to Venezuela to get a taste of the past, since a Venezuelan restaurant just happened to pop up on my corner in December. I was so excited to see that the long abandoned space was finally getting a makeover, and completely floored to find that the menu posted in its front window was chock full of Venezuelan treats from my childhood! Guayoyo has everything you could ever want from an authentic Venezuelan culinary experience: fresh tasty homemade food, excellent music, affordable prices, and a helpful waitstaff willing to enlighten and educate even the most timid patron. This place is for real. After my first bite I knew I was home... or at least around the corner.

Pictured above the carne mechada and camarones arepas from Guayoyo; photography by Natalia Moena.

Cat Man

Your Hair Is So "Very"!

"But why is it so perfect?" she asked.
"Because it's groomed with the tears of thousands of girls who watched Untamed Heart," he replied.

Have You Heard?

Pop music is like that famous Mother Goose rhyme - when it's good, it's very very good, but when it's bad it's horrid. The latest pop export has only one album to their name, but oh what an album it is. La Roux's self titled record came out in June, but I only discovered it by reading an enthusiastic post over on Fourfour. As far as pop music goes Elly Jackson and Ben Langmaid are a perfect pair. Jackson's red mane is enough to make any fan of androgynous icons take notice. Their music is an unstoppable combination of electropop and retro synthpop influences. This is the kind of music you listen to when you're getting ready to hit the town; music that makes you feel sassy, powerful and enigmatic. Listening to "Bulletproof" makes me want to cast off any uncertainties about myself, and strut what my mamma gave me... when a song has that kind of effect you know it's a keeper.

Flu'ed Up

I have a horrible case of the flu and didn't have the strength or time to blog yesterday (I slept from 5:30pm until 2pm today) - here's a little something to quell my guilt:

Déjà Vu: Madonna

Although the Material Girl of yore is long gone, we still have the memory of her killer fashion sense, unapologetic attitude, and sarcasm to keep us going. Desperately Seeking Susan was one of those light-hearted films that sparked many things within me: an acknowledgment of the importance of personal style, a distaste for crappy hot tubs, and most importantly a desire to make out with Aidan Quinn. Keep in mind, the film came out in 1985 when I was a wee toddler, so I saw the film for the first time in high school. Just like every other teenage girl, I wanted to be Madonna. I still dream about the Santo Loquasto designed pyramid jacket featured in the film.

Madonna continues to be an inspiration to this day, but for me and many others, her best work was released when she was still rough around the edges, and willing to go out on a limb with both her look and her sound. She's inspired so many musicians, and many of her songs have become anthems. It's interesting to hear how artists from different genres interpret her classics, and the following rendition of 'Borderline' is a beautiful overhaul of the song (featuring Wayne Coyne from The Flaming Lips). So once you're done dancing to the original, take off your shoes, get into your sukhasana pose, and let the sounds sink in.