Happy New Year!

All I want to do is pop bottles! In celebration of champagne, 2010, and all the possibilities that lie ahead I wish you and yours a Happy New Year! Down with the last horrid decade and onto the next. I'll be back to blogging on Monday - remember to party in style, and for my automobile wielding friends that means don't drink & drive!

Monkey See, Monkey Do

There's something off about seeing one of nature's creatures, curiously poking at one of man's most unnatural creations: Jell-O. But squirrel monkeys are just so darn cute, that you can't help but watch them as they try to decipher just what the heck they are looking at. The Bronx Zoo claims that this is a special holiday treat "Jell-O enrichment" for the monkeys, that helps them "stimulate their foraging instincts." If only I was allowed to "stimulate my foraging instincts" like that when I was a kid. Now that's what I call a blueberry surprise!

As If!

1. L.A.M.B. 'Biker' Plaid Miniskirt, $175; nordstrom.com, 2. The Heidkrüger Boots, $89; modcloth.com, 3. Cashmere V-neck Cardigan, $168; jcrew.com.

On Christmas day I watched the 1990 holiday classic Home Alone, and what really struck me was the fact that I loved it just as much now as when I saw it then... almost twenty years ago. Ouch. Twenty years is a long time, and it seems that like so many things in life, fashion's cyclicality tends to find inspiration by looking back to the 20 year mark. With that and thoughts of the celebrity deaths that loomed throughout 2009 in mind, I looked to the grungy comfort of Clueless star Brittany Murphy, and her lovable character Tai. As much as flannel has had a comeback in the past five years, I have to admit that I'm still not sick of it. For winter days it's the perfect way to be comfortable, warm and still exude a sense of style. Pair some flannel with a pair of lace up booties and pay tribute to Clueless' "tragically unhip" breakout star.

Friend Of A Feline

From Thundercats to Catwoman, the Pink Panther and the epic that is Avatar, cats have been popping up in pop culture for decades. Somehow their fictional presence has always been marred by the stigma that surrounds them in the real world. Still seen as mysterious, nasty, dark creatures, cats always play second fiddle to their canine rivals. Man's best friend, the pack hunter, the loyal side kick, is often matched against the rogue, aloof, independent feline, so its no wonder that those who care for them often get a bad rap too. But no longer! With the help of the feline-like Na'vi of Avatar and the legendary Garfield, hopefully we'll all soften our hearts to the lesser loved species. Helping to break the myth of the "crazy cat lady" is Nathan Davis, a specialist in the U.S. Army who recently won Tidy Cats Campaign to End Cattiness with his cats Frank Sinatra and Sergeant Snog. I'm digging his honesty and passion, so check out his winning essay and webisode to see how he's helping bring the feline love this holiday season.

Xmas, Festivus, Etceterus!

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays! I wish I could meet this reindeer and tell him how cute he is. I'll be yucking it up at the 92Y Tribeca tonight for their "The Twelfth Night of Chanukah" comedy showcase featuring Janeane Garofalo, Todd Barry, and a bunch of other Jews and Atheists who have no where else to go! But not to worry, I'll be back to blogging on Monday. Season's Eatings!

Déjà Vu: Good Golly Miss Dolly!

Dolly Parton is the kind of Diva that I can get behind. She's not just any run of the mill Diva - her bubbly personality, music and style have made her a legend. It's obvious that I abide by her cardinal rule (which inspired the name of this blog), but what's not obvious is my current obsession with classic country. I never gave country music a second thought until this year, and sweet sassy molassey have I been missing out! Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, Hank Williams, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Tammy Wynette - the list of classic country crooners goes on and on. And apparently I'm not the only one that's been sneaking in some country behind closed doors. Check out the 1983 country hit "Islands in the Stream" by Dolly Parton, Kenny Rogers and the Bee Gees, and then take a listen to the 1998 hip hop hit "Ghetto Superstar" by Pras, Ol' Dirty Bastard, and Mya. It's like hip hop is giving classic country a solid fist pump!

Not Just Any Hourglass

No, your eyes aren't playing tricks on you, and this isn't Photoshopped madness. V Magazine just released a preview of their upcoming issue, and the Terry Richardson photo shoot above features model Jacquelyn Jablonski and 'plus size' model Crystal Renn playing an haute couture version of simon says. An in depth preview of the spread is currently on The Cut, and I have to say it's amazing to see Renn literally use her assets to put her competition to shame. She's fierce from "H to T" as Tyra would say. Meanwhile, other magazines are honing in on the 'plus size' trend through other dubious means, namely sticking a regular size model into some padding and calling it a day. The photo shoot below is from the third issue of German magazine I Love You, and was inspired by... you guessed it: Joan from Mad Men. I love me some Joanie more than anyone, but when you try to reproduce the curves of a woman with some padding the result is less than appealing. I appreciate the effort, but couldn't they have found a real voluptuous woman, and not just a model to fill Joanie's shoes?

Via New York Magazine and Cat Party

What Lies In The Shadow Of The Statue?

Scott Campbell's "LOST Showdowns" are just one of the many LOST inspired pieces you'll see on display at L.A.'s Gallery1988. I can't get enough of Mr. Ecko versus the Smoke Monster, or Boone versus the plane! Simple cartoons that speak volumes to LOST fans - the perfect way to get pumped for the final season. The exhibit runs until Christmas eve, so you better hurry if you want to get a glimpse of the action. Check out Flavorwire's interview with gallery owner Jensen Karp to get the whole story behind this unique venture.

Welcome To The Dollhouse

This week seems to be full of great finds that only exist in the minds of artists. First there was the Philco PC, and now these Lady Gaga dolls! But this situation is extremely cryptic... All I know is that this incredibly talented 28 year old guy, that goes by the Flickr name veik11, has been replicating some of Gaga's ensembles and his work is amazing. The attention to detail is shocking, at least to someone who knows nothing about hobbyists who take doll dressing very seriously. There's a whole community of people who make outfits for dolls, along with those who make the dolls themselves. Thank goodness some of them are hip enough to realize that Gaga is an ideal muse. Her outlandish outfits may cause an uproar in the real world, but in Barbie's world she's right at home.

Via Jezebel

The Video Vault

With all this talk about the new Runaways movie starring Kristen Stewart and Dakota Fanning, I started thinking about women who rock. One of the first names to come to mind is the strangest: Siouxsie Sioux. She's been brandishing her own style of in-your-face-rock since the 70s, and everyone from The Cure, to PJ Harvey and Radiohead have sited her band Siouxise and the Banshees as an influence. So what's all the fuss about? Check out a video of their first single, the 1978 classic "Hong Kong Garden." There's nothing like some good ole rock 'n roll to smother the winter blues...

It's A Bird! It's A Plane! It's A PC?

Long ago I was a PC user, standing behind my desktop until it took it's last choking breath. I said sayonara to the PC in 2007, and never looked back - until now. Form versus function is taking on a whole new meaning here, so much so, that I actually considered cheating on my MacBook with this stunner. This is the Philco PC, and unfortunately at the moment it's just the beautiful brainchild of designer Dave Schultze. Inspired by the Philco Predicta televisions of the 1950s, Schultze has managed to remake the PC into something spectacular. The monitor itself is a gem, but upon further inspection the stylized keyboard, tower, and mouse help to create an unbelievable combination. The video below includes some primo close ups of the product - now let's just hope that one day it comes to fruition!

How Soon Is Now?

I pretty much died when I found this picture of Joseph Gordon-Levitt à la Morrissey. As if playing lovelorn-Smiths-lovin' Tom in this year's 500 Days Of Summer weren't enough, Joe has to go and do this. Sigh. I was incredibly excited to read today's Golden Globe nominations and see that Gordon-Levitt has been nominated in the Best Actor, Comedy category for his role in the film. He's been acting since he was six, so it's about time he gets some time in the bright shiny spotlight - although from what I can tell he doesn't relish in it all that much. I've been digging on Gordon-Levitt since '96, because as a tomboy who was big into comedy, his role as Tommy on 3rd Rock from the Sun struck a chord with me. Yeah, you might think that's weird since he was playing an old alien stuck in the body of a human adolescent - but isn't that how we all feel at that age? Anyway, congratulations to Joe on his nomination, and for old times sake here's one of my favorite clips from 3rd Rock from the Sun:

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.

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.