Not So Basic Black

Consolidation and the end of Not So Basic Black.

Jamie — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 02:06:58 +0000

Hi everyone!

As I mentioned recently in this post, I was struggling with what to do about the large number of projects that I am currently handling. I have multiple blogs, a podcast, and a full-time job, and managing them all in any real way is becoming tricky and the stress surrounding that makes none of them particularly effective or enjoyable.

In the past, when I first launched The Daily Wishlist, I felt a need to make it a separate thing. Which was fine at the time. However, once the transition to Not So Basic Black happened, the content changed to be a much better reflection of me and what I wanted to say beyond just shopping online. I still intend to write those posts, and I will always advocate for early shopping for birthdays and holidays, but I don’t think it all needs to be in separate locations anymore. It’s all written by me, it is all a reflection back on me.

So, I have migrated nearly all of the content from this site to JamieSanford.com. It’s now in the mix with my posts about online marketing and merchandising, because those are things I am also interested in and will write about.

Projects are not worth it if you can’t keep up with them and feel guilty for not tweeting more. That is just madness. I am excited to keep writing and creating content that is interesting and helpful, and I will be better positioned to do that from a single platform, and JamieSanford.com will be my home base from now on. I will set up the domain forwarding from NotSoBasicBlack.com later in the week.

I will be re-branding JamieSanford.com to combine that name with NSBB branding. I love the deer and they will stay.

Sights and Sounds #33

Jamie — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 06:59:04 +0000

Sights and Sounds #33

Lots of videos this week!

Crazy Mom harasses Michael Buble into letting her son sing with him, and the kid can really sing! Plus, Michael Buble’s reaction when the kid first sings is amazing. Videos like this are why I love the internet.

The gay marriage issue isn’t going anywhere, and this is an AMAZING video created for Australian TV that shows the exact reason why it shouldn’t be an issue at all.

It turns out that there is an album of trance tunes translated into classical music. This is Robert Miles’ “Children” which I remember so distinctly from high school. I want the whole album.

Another leaked Britney Spears track, I like this one a lot, it’s called “Strangest Love.”

That’s all for now. See you next week!

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Sights and Sounds: Emergency Madonna Edition

Jamie — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:39:58 +0000

Stop, Madonna time.

You all know that I LOVE pop music, so I had to share my initial thoughts on this new Madonna video for her single “Give Me All Your Luvin’.”

If you can’t see the embedded video, click here to view it on YouTube.

Let’s start with the song. It could be better. Of course. But, in the situation, I think it’s cute. The cheerleader thing and the football player-filled video are perfectly matched with Madonna’s upcoming Superbowl halftime show. And even though Madonna has had plenty of work done, she’s injecting something even better by bringing MIA and Nicki Minaj on board for the song and video.

I love these ladies together. Swag for days.

Then this happens in the video, a reference to a reference with the girls taking on Marilyn Monroe, as Madonna famously did in the Material Girl video.

BTW, work done or not, Madonna still looks fantastic. A little plastic? Of course. But she’s no spring chicken people.

Look at her body! She’s in crazy good shape. I need to borrow her yoga teacher and whoever makes her what I am sure are deliciously filling but super-healthy meals.

For what it is, it gets my OK on the “Touchdown” message at the end. It certainly is no “Like A Prayer” video, but its pretty good. I’m interested to hear the rest of her new album and make a new decision then.

Regularly scheduled Sights & Sounds tomorrow. Check out Tumblr for all of these fabulous images.

Sights and Sounds #32

Jamie — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 06:45:09 +0000

Sights and Sounds #32

Back again with more sights and sounds.

Marilyn of the week. I need to have a Marilyn movie marathon. Actually, I should just try to see My Week with Marilyn which looks amazing.

I know I am behind on this because hello, it is from New Year’s, but how adorable are Zooey and Joseph together? I wonder if they will hook up now that Zooey is single.

Thanks, Albert.

Another thing I’m super late on, but my blogging hiatus meant I wasn’t sharing. Anyway, check out DJ Earworm’s United State of Pop 2011.

Love this compendium of haircuts!

That’s all for now. Share things with me on Twitter!

Coach Leather Alexandra Satchel in Saffron (My Stuff)

Jamie — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 06:32:58 +0000

New segment!

I did threaten a style project last year, and I have failed at it. I still mostly wear safe things that are black. The most exciting recent additions to my wardrobe are more skirts, which hardly count as earth-shattering. Either way, I am excited about certain pieces of clothing and accessories that I own, so let’s share that.

This is Alexandra, a Coach leather satchel that I received as a Christmas present from my husband. I don’t normally do this, but I totally bought it for myself. This beauty was a purchase from the Coach online outlet, which shows up a few times a year. I got on the mailing list and so checked it out when I got the invitation. As seen here on the cached page on the Coach site, the Alexandra satchel was originally $358, but I scored this one in Saffron for about $170. I also got a fabulous purple leather wallet.

Oh wow, it’s actually over $450 from an Amazon seller.

The only Coach item I’ve owned before was a pocket wallet that I got years ago at the Woodbury Commons outlet mall. It has lasted through a lot of abuse and I use it all the time as my main wallet. The purple one is quite big, so I use that one for all of the other cards and documents I need to have but don’t access very much. I was drawn to these items specifically because they are not a big Coach logo fest, which I’m not into and have discussed before on the blog. The leather is quite buttery and soft, and I really love this bag. It’s a bit smaller than my recent bags which is an issue if I want to carry my camera around, but I can work it out.

So, here is me with Alexandra, a few days after Christmas at the Salvador Dali museum in St. Petersburg, FL. Also in the photo are my vacation hair (flatiron free!), giant sunglasses, blue topaz necklace, black t-shirt, black velvet blazer, jeans and black boots. Obviously, my new bag is the star of this otherwise standard/boring outfit.

More “My Stuff” posts hopefully to come soon.

Sights and Sounds #31

Jamie — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 00:44:40 +0000

Sights and Sounds #31

Hello everyone! My first post back after the break and it’s time to share some photos and videos.

I’ve been on a Marilyn kick for a while. She’s always beautiful.

Britney songs leaking out, this one is “Look Who’s Talking Now.”

Just over a week until RuPaul’s Drag Race is BACK!

Check out this amazing video of Burning Man attendees reading my favorite Dr. Seuss book out loud. Oh the Places You’ll Go!

That’s all for now. Share things for this post with me on Twitter!

Hiatus.

Jamie — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 02:05:23 +0000

The lack in posting might be obvious, but I am taking a hiatus from the blog while I figure out 2012 plans for this site as well as the new project I’m working on! I will be posting but not as frequently!

Be well, and see you soon.

95 Films in 2011

Jamie — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 04:18:10 +0000

So, I made it to 95 films. I lamed out at the end due to Christmas travel. Clearly, I thought I would have more time to watch things when I got back, but it didn’t work out. Either way, 95 movies!

Here are links to all of the posts! Some posts have multiple films so there won’t be 95 links.

There you have it. 84 posts covering the 95 movies I sat down and watched this year. My favorites were probably the documentaries, I fully intend on continuing my journey with more docs in 2012.

I am sure that I have another 2011 wrap-up/looking ahead to 2012 post in me. Happy New Year everyone!

Best Worst Movie (100 Films in 2011)

Jamie — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 03:42:16 +0000

95. Best Worst Movie (available to stream via Netflix)

So, it looks like I will be watching only 95 movies in 2011. Christmas in Florida messed with my movie schedule! Either way, I am pleased that I watched this many movies.

Here is the trailer for Best Worst Movie.

My husband said it best as we were watching this. Best Worst Movie is like a real-life Christopher Guest film. It tells the story of members of the cast and crew of Troll 2, listed on Rotten Tomatoes as the worst movie ever made.

I had not seen Troll 2, but this movie made me want to see it. Naturally, it has emerged as a cult favorite, with annual screening parties and other events surrounding a screening happening all over the place. We meet most of the actors from the movie in the film, and watch them travel to these screenings and be embraced by fans of the film that is apparently SO BAD.

Best Worst Movie is available on DVD from Amazon for $8.49.

Holiday Playlist 2011

Jamie — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 18:04:31 +0000

Holiday Playlist!

Apologies for the randomness of posting on the blog lately. December is a terrible month for consistent blogging, I will need to prepare for this next year.

Anyway, after a discussion on holiday tunes over the weekend, I wanted to share a post with some of my favorite holiday songs!

Wham, “Last Christmas”
The song is great, but closeted George Michael in this video is an 80s fashion extravaganza.

David Foster, “Carol of the Bells”
My parents had the CD with this version of “Carol of the Bells” and I just always really enjoyed it.

Mariah Carey, “All I Want For Christmas Is You”
Mariah Carey served up an instant Christmas classic in 1994 with this song that I think everyone loves now.

Andy Williams, “It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year”
Another fabulous classic, if I were making a movie set during the holidays, it would definitely open with this version of the song.

Nat King Cole, “The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting…)”
I think I never realized until now that most of the Christmas songs I like are mostly older than I am. Anyway, Nat King Cole kills it with a holiday classic. My dad then changes the words to something much less appropriate, and my Christmas is perfect.

Bobby Helms, “Jingle Bell Rock”
This song is fun and everyone knows the words, which equals a big holiday win.

Elmo & Patsy, “Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer”
A hot mess of holiday tragedy, it still makes me laugh, but not nearly as much now as it did when I first remember hearing it.

Jose Feliciano, “Feliz Navidad”
“I WANNA WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS!” I looooove singing along with this song, so it has to be on the list.

Alright everyone, chime in and leave a comment. What are your favorite holiday tunes?