Enjoy The Hannukah Cookie, Man!

I'm not sure who created the Arrested Development ode at left, but they're spot on. The comparison makes perfect sense: Michael is the hero, Lindsay is the beauty, Lucille is the villain, Gob is "a magician," Buster is the idiot, and Tobias is... well just a "never-nude" I suppose. In celebration of the genius that was Arrested Development and tomorrow's first day of Hannukah, check out Ben Stiller's cameo as magician Tony Wonder below:

Down By The Shore

So unless you're one of those people who don't own a TV, you've probably already seen or at least heard about MTV's new "reality show" Jersey Shore. It's probably one of the worst things I've ever subjected my eyes to, but after only one episode there are already countless highly quotable lines. That's got to mean something right? Parody is only a step behind, and comedians are hot on the tail of the Jersey Shore train wreck. Nick Kroll has made a name for himself doing both acting (FX's The League), voice work (HBO's The Life & Times of Tim), and stand up, but his character Bobby Bottleservice may be on the verge of becoming a viral sensation. I saw Kroll last year for a Chanucomedy event at the 92Y Tribeca, and his stand up snagged me in under a minute. His blog is pretty amazing too. And remember, unlike The Situation, Bobby Bottleservice respects women:

Photograph by Christopher Smith for the New York Times

Design Within Reach (No, Really!)

Vintage objects tell a story, and it's up to us to listen. Whether it's an old toy, a vase, or a set of vintage postcards, it's hard to imagine how many tales can be spun from just one item. Outside of New York City, it's easy to stumble across pristine vintage finds (I'm talking about you Detroit!), but within the confines of this city these gems are rare and pricey. However, some stores in Manhattan and its boroughs, continue to pride themselves on amassing items that evoke the beauty of the past without a hefty fee. Le Grenier (pictured above) is located on the waterfront in Greenpoint, just a few subway stops away from the city. The owner Maya Marzolf is a former producer of fashion photography who has worked with Steven Meisel and Mark Seliger, so you know her aesthetic is romantic and warm. The store is full of great antiques and housewares, and they also provide prop rentals for photo, film and other special events. Thankfully, they even carry replica Edison bulbs which are surprisingly hard to find in a city that is obsessed with recreating retro looks in both public and private spaces. But if you thought for one minute that Le Grenier was anything but authentic, think again. Marzolf's own home was recently featured on a blog, and although she "consider[ed] it a bit cringe-worthy to be “promoting” [her] own house" she spoke eloquently about the experience:

"I choose to share my own space with you just to illustrate that what I’m doing here at Le Grenier truly is a labor of love. As one of my dear friends phrased it, what better way to illustrate that my style is sincere? What I offer you at Le Grenier is not just something that I’m trying to sell; instead, it’s an aesthetic and lifestyle in which I myself partake."

And what a lovely aesthetic and lifestyle it is. Take a peek at Le Grenier's website, or saunter over to Brooklyn to check it out in person.

Lykke Li, Sång Fågel

I first met Li Lykke Zachrisson on a cold winter evening almost two years ago when I was working on a piece for Trace Magazine. Although the article never came to fruition, meeting the young songstress was a refreshing experience. At only 21 years old she was confident and eloquent - this was someone you could tell had figured out who she was from a young age. She told me how as a child she traveled a lot with her family, and those experiences helped shape her music. Li's music is a strange mix of upbeat pop songs coupled, with darker stripped down pieces. It's within these songs where she shows both her vulnerability and a softer side. The live rendition of "Tonight" filmed by Christian Haag, from her 2008 album Youth Novels, showcases her talent as both a performer and musician. Also if you're a fan of The Shirelles like I am, check out Li's homepage for a cover of their 1960 hit "Will You Love Me Tomorrow." Expect big things from this Swedish song bird:

For The Love of Food

We’re deep in the trenches of the holiday season, and you know what that means – total decadence. Whether your favorites are sweet or savory, family gatherings, office parties, and end of the year celebrations all involve the consumption (and sometimes over consumption) of treats. We’re just a few days past “pie season,” and headed towards “cake season” with increasing speed. So when you’re racking your mind trying to come up with the perfect dessert to bring to that holiday party, why not take a queue from Rachel Zoe and bring something as fashionable as your ensemble? I look forward to The Zoe Report daily, and today Zoe served up an unexpected twist for readers: food! Cake Monkey Bakery makes individually sized layer cakes, as well as cookies, pastries and a handful of other adorable confections. I don’t even know if I could eat one of their adorable cakes, for fear of destroying such a perfect example of pint size beauty. The best thing about Cake Monkey is that you can order what you need for others, and tack on a couple extra for yourself. Two cravings satisfied with one very convenient solution, who could ask for more?

Normal People Are So Hostile

With only a few more episodes of Dexter left until the season finale, I'm scrambling to find a new show to help me get through these dreary cold months. Sure there's always movies and cable, but where will I get my bloody satisfaction? That's still left to be seen. In any event, the fine folks over at Flavorpill recently highlighted some work by graphic designer Albert Exergian, who's been putting a pared down spin on classic television imagery. I love the poster he did for Dexter (pictured above) but he's also tackled a handful of my favorites from LOST, to Six Feet Under, Mad Men and Twin Peaks. I have a feeling the list will continue to grow, so check out his site and maybe you'll finally find that desktop image you always wanted.

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.

The Age of Blossoms

Wong Kar-wai's films are like photographs strung together with music and motion. His film In the Mood for Love is a perfect example of this. Set in Hong Kong in the 60s, the film tells the story of two people who become neighbors by chance, and soon realize that their spouses are cheating on them with each other. There's a quiet sadness to their relationship, and their rather innocent relationship becomes a place of solace and comfort. In the clip below we see the beginning of their relationship forming - the physical proximity of the two characters, coupled with the lethargic pace of the scene build an almost unbearable amount of tension. It's hard to explain just how powerful the performances, cinematography, and music are in this film, so it's best to start with a short clip. Whet your appetite with this, and then watch the film in its entirety as soon as you can.