Have You Heard?

In college I used to go to shows all the time, ravenous for new music and a raucous good time. As I've grown older I've become less patient with all the elements that come along with a concert - the crowd overflowing with drunken buffoons, the sticky floors, and the stench of sweat aren't as sweet as they used to be. But last Saturday I braved it all to check out a killer band from Knoxville, Tennessee. Royal Bangs put on one hell of a live show, and even though they were the opening band the crowd was enthralled with them immediately. They had all the elements of bands that I love: the intricate guitar work of Les Savy Fav, the joyous synth of Blonde Redhead, and the energy and enthusiasm to pull it all off. With two records released in the past year, I hope to see a lot more from these guys in the near future. Now kick off those shoes - it's time to dance!

For The Love of Food

The idea of cracking open a creature only to slurp up its very being is utterly barbaric. But it’s that animalistic approach to shellfish that makes it so appealing. We spend so much of our life trying to be polite, and proper, especially when it comes to food, that the freedom that comes with the slurping, dunking, and lip smacking of oyster eating is absolutely liberating. Once you get over the initial repulsion of seeing a gray slimy blob sitting before you, it’s quite easy to become addicted to this decadent little creature. I can admit that I’m completely addicted, without shame or guilt. And so I present to you five oyster havens, where you can dive in face first, and think about monetary consequences afterwards.

Markt is fashioned after a classic Belgium brasserie, complete with an antique bar, a huge selection of Belgian beers, and seafood galore. What they lack in cozy atmosphere (weekends are loud and packed at this Chelsea hot spot,) they make up for in quality. Their oysters are incredibly fresh and shucked to perfection. And at only $13 for a half dozen giant briny gems, I say it’s well worth the trip.

I have yet to visit Bleeker Street’s Fish, but from the rave reviews of my fellow oyster addicts this place has the best deal in town. Apparently you can get a half dozen oysters, and a pint of refreshing beer for only $8. It sounds completely insane, and one would think the seafood quality would suffer due to the incredible price, but I’ve been assured that their oysters are just as fresh and juicy as ever.

Grand Central Oyster Bar is the legend of the bunch. There’s a certain sensation that emerges from within when sipping a cocktail, and downing some oysters in such a historic place – you feel transported through time, to a place where women always wore skirts, and men actually held doors open. All in all, it’s a classic experience with a reputation that remains in tact even after all these years.

If you find yourself in Brooklyn, I’ve been told that Walter Foods is definitely worth checking out if you’re in the mood for some briny critters. The vibe is inherently retro, and the quality is supposed to be divine. I’m hoping I can visit the restaurant during oyster season (September – December) to sample their goods.

Lastly there’s Five Leaves, the tiny Brooklyn gem that sits precariously on a busy corner somewhere between Williamsburg and Greenpoint. Although my only visit to the restaurant was on their opening night, when they weren’t yet serving food, I’ve heard that their dishes are superb. Even if you’re just going for a quick drink, the John McCormick designed space is nautical and relaxed – a perfect beginning to a long night out.

The Revenge Of The Cat Lady

People who bring their dogs into stores, cafés, and restaurants are deemed 'normal', but a lady who prefers the quiet comfort of a feline is the crazy one - that just ain't right. The eternal debate over what qualifies someone as a 'cat lady' is still unresolved, but I think Miu Miu's runway show today made it a little cooler, and a lot sexier to be a cat lover. Many of her feminine designs were peppered with cat brooches, and her prints were utterly purrrrfect (I couldn't help myself!) Check out those chunky platform heels - a little bit of glam rock and a whole lot of attitude! Miuccia Prada's collection may be a cat lady's wet dream, but it also appeals to the little girl in all of us... if fashion was always this much fun wouldn't we always want to play dress up?

Via Cat Party

The It Factor

Whether you love her or hate her, you have to admit that Rachel Zoe has impeccable style. I've only recently started watching her Bravo show, and I'm completely hooked. From her visit with legendary designer Diane Von Furstenberg, to her romps through New York Fashion Week, Zoe is surprisingly endearing. Never having much interest in her, and taking the tabloid generated image of her as truth, seems to have been a mistake. After watching the show I realize there's much more to the pin thin stylist than meets the eye - she has a big heart, and her styling really is bananas. Although I can't claim to embrace much of her bohemian aesthetic, (since anything that loose and free flowing will only make a girl with curves look bigger,) I've acquired a deep appreciation for Zoe, and her quirky approach to fashion. Any woman who surrenders herself wholeheartedly to her passion deserves our admiration.

Life Is A Series Of Accidents

Throughout my time as an unemployed shmohawk, I was as healthy as can be. As I wrote from the comfort of my apartment (and sometimes my bed,) nary a sneeze escaped me. This week marks the 1st week of a new, incredibly challenging job, so of course I've been plagued by a nasty cold. On Day 1, as I sat in the conference room for my training it worked it's evil magic on me, and by the end of the day I was toast. I know that it's probably stress related, but I'm still annoyed at my body for submitting to the sickness so quickly. A friend of mine suggested I invest in a neti pot, and I flashed back to George Sibley lauding the neti pot as one of the best inventions ever created. He may have been a wee bit crazy, but he sure knows his history. So at the behest of a fictional character, I Googled to see what I could find. The following video may not have sold me on the benefits of using a neti pot, but it sure made me forget my sniffles for a few minutes. Where do they find these people!?

Design Within Reach (No, Really!)

When it comes to fashion we can't get enough patterns and color statements, but somehow once we step into the confines of our homes that love disappears. I'm not sure why color within interior design is regarded with such trepidation - when you really think about it, it's just as temporary as a brightly hued blouse, or a pair of sassy red heels. If you think you've made a terrible mistake, or you just want to try something new, it's incredibly easy to slap on some white primer and start all over again.

Jewel tones are the perfect way to liven up your space, without sacrificing a sense of light and space. Dark colors have a tendency to make a space seem smaller, but by using saturated colors in small doses like with an expertly positioned accent wall, or some choice accessories, you can create a memorable look. As you can probably tell by now, I'm very proud of my own NYC pad (pictured above,) and I did it all with some elbow grease, a keen eye for sales, and a bucket of paint. Jewel tones can take you anywhere, from the Mod meets Rococo of my apartment, to the Moroccan glow of this space. Just repeat the following mantra: I am not afraid of color, I am not afraid of color!

The Video Vault: No Doubt

My love affair with music started at an early age. At the beginning I had a tryst with pop music, followed by a lengthy relationship with Oldies, that eventually lead to my discovery of 'alternative' music. By the age of 12 I had discovered Nirvana, Green Day, and Weezer, but I had yet to find a band that was truly relatable. As much as I pined over Cobain, and Cuomo, I didn't identify with their struggles. That all changed when Gwen Stefani skanked her way onto the scene with her platinum pompadour, red lipstick, and killer boots. I was completely obsessed with her because she was everything I wanted to be: a sexy albeit tough goofball, that hangs with the boys. No Doubt's songs played upon the same dynamic, with their power chords, chugging bass, and celebratory horns. At 14, I felt that Stefani sang about the same things I was grappling with, from romance and heartbreak, to the ups and downs of being a girl. The first real concert I ever attended was for their Tragic Kingdom tour, and I can still remember the excitement I felt as I watched Stefani prance, punch, and power kick her way through their set. It's hard to jump start a 14 year old girl's self-confidence, but I'm happy to say that No Doubt did that for me.

Mad For Plaid

1. Pretty In Plaid Handbag by Betsey Johnson, $98; betseyjohnson.com, 2. Plaid Petals Skirt, $148; anthropologie.com, 3. Ascona Shoes by Harajuku Lovers, $115; zappos.com, 4. Color Wheel Shirt by BB Dakota, $55; modcloth.com.

For twelve years of my life I was chained to plaid. Day in and day out I had to adhere to a strict uniform that consisted of a plaid skirt, a white button-down, a tie, and a blazer... yes, a blazer. We weren't allowed to wear nail polish, dye our hair 'unnatural' colors, or wear more than one ring per hand. So one would assume that I would be completely adverse to the reemergence of plaid as a fashion must have. Oddly, I'm not. There's something intrinsically unsexy about a boring tartan, but the plaids that have been popping up in collections in the past few years are anything but boring. There are many elements that may have brought plaid back. Perhaps it's the naughty school girl cliché, or the laid-back appeal of grunge? Or maybe we all just want to be as comfortable as the Brawny man? Either way, get ready for fall with one of these fabulous finds.