EVER HEARD OF IT?

The Resurrection

2012-12-07T20:36:00.000-08:00

Dramatic and borderline blasphemist title aside, I've indeed decided to raise "Ever Heard Of It?" from the dead. There's been little creativity in my life but have experienced a surge of inspiration. What, exactly? Please stay tuned to find out!

Quick Someone Make this a Deep V-Neck T

2010-04-20T18:04:00.000-07:00

FHL

2010-04-20T17:40:00.002-07:00

While walking home today I saw a guy limping, clearly injured, down the sidewalk carrying a red mascot lobster head in one hand and the body in the other.

FHL.

Haute Disney

2010-04-16T10:14:00.001-07:00

Just when I thought magazines had run out of ways to profile designers, Elle Espana figured out how to portray some of the world's most abstruse and eccentric minds the way everyone else sees them: as cartoons. Beyond genius!

Go to Refinery 29 to see Karl Lagerfeld, Dolce & Gabbana, Marc Jacobs and a few others drawn as Disney characters.

The Anti Jon & Kate

2010-04-15T18:57:00.001-07:00

There was a time when I was an avid fan of the now infamous TLC program Jon & Kate Plus 8. Tiny half Asian children being watched over by a bossy mom and laissez-faire dad -- cute. We all learned however that their suburban life straddling the line between watchability and insanity would quickly dissolve. Shitshow.

Luckily that show's done and we have a shinier, wealthier, more tan big family to watch! 9 by Design is this new show on Bravo that follows a bohemian husband and wife design team who, with their 7 children, move into a house, completely design and rebuild it, then move to another house. The concept is kind of strange and obviously impractical what with all their children under 12 years old. But because of their free spirit outlook on life and pretty furniture, it's a pleasure to watch. By the way the kids names are Wolfgang, Bellamy, Tallulah, Breaker, Five, Holleder, and Major. Reality television!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

How's my taste?

2010-02-09T20:46:00.000-08:00

It's scary to be back. Luckily Ira is here to save the day. If you're at any stage of trying to create something - movies, music, a piece of writing, anything that tells a story - this is a must-watch:

So go forth, build your catalog and let's bridge our respective motherf*cking gaps!

Thanks @lauramei for the link hook-up.

Back to the Runway

2009-08-21T07:08:00.009-07:00

Let's all exhale; last night's Project Runway debut on Lifetime didn't suck! In fact, it was good. Save a startling/annoying emotional episode ya done good, Lifetime.

The contestants appear to be the ragtag group of kooks, normals, gays, free-spirits and blondes typical of PR seasons past. The first challenge was boring but I guess they have to play up the red carpet and celebrity factor now that they're in L.A. (Side note: didn't Tim Gun look oddly nervous when he was announcing the challenge? Maybe the smog was getting to him.) I'm sure all the contestants breathed a sigh of relief that their first task wasn't going to involve making a garment out of curtains or palm tree leaves or something. Except Malvin, aka "I'm soooo androgynous" who claims he doesn't care about red carpets or watch TV. Get over yourself and get haircut.

The drama, served on a silver platter, came from Johnny the recovering crystal meth addict. The intensity and pressure of competition was just too much for him and he had to go and take a moment. And cry. Tim Gunn comes to alleviate his fears of being a failure, Johhny wipes the mascara from his face and gets back to work. He turned out something quite decent that the judges liked. If I had tried out for PR but didn't make it and saw some fool crying that he couldn't take the heat before the first stitch was even sewn I'd probably throw my shoe at the TV.

The Runway. Ah the runway. Goddess Heidi steps out to introduce the judges and all is right with the world again. While I applaud Lifetime's success in capturing the "feel" of the show for the most part, it's definitely obvious that Bravo has a higher airbrushing budget. Michael had bags under his eyes I never saw on Bravo and Nina looked almost old, albeit still chic and radiant. But Heidi, Michael and Nina looked like tens next to the surprise guest judge. Yup Lindsay Lohan took a break from peddling spray tan to offer her expert opinion on red carpet looks. God she looked terrible. I'm not even referring to her weight but her face? Not the face of a 22 year old. It's the face of a 45 year old haggard divorcee who's on 3 pack a day habit. Have a glass of water, Linds.

The looks were good, if not that exciting. My favorite was Nicolas's funky LBD with the woven silver design.

The winner was Ra'mon, whose gown was interesting, pretty and elegant all the way around. Great first effort. If it's any indicator of what's to come, I'd say he's going to make it to the top three easily.

Now for the loser. I'm so proud of the judges for voting Ari off even though what she made was technically more innovative than Mitchell's see-through miu miu or Qrystil's tacky Lisa Frank-inspired mess. Ari straight-up didn't give a shiz. I'll forgive her for not sketching but she ignored the challenge, did whatever she wanted, and made up some half-ass explanation. What I did find amusing was her uncanny resemblance to Samantha Ronson, Linds's DJ gf. Coincidence?

A solid beginning to what looks like will be a good, fun season.

Sometimes I Just Get Excited

2009-08-19T08:22:00.007-07:00

Here are some reasons why:
Blueprint 3 track list. Drops 9/11. But you knew that.

Top Chef Las Vegas premieres tonight. No more snake lady Gael Greene or ol' Dead Eyes Choi. It's just Padma, Tom, the real Gail, and brand new cheftestants, the way God intended it to be. Today is a holiday. In fact I may take tomorrow off to celebrate.

It's hot outside. Really hot and I love it.

The September Issue is out in theatres in less than 10 days. Rachel Zoe once said in an interview that if she could re-style any movie it would be The Devil Wears Prada because "real people who work in fashion don't dress like that." There's a connection there somewhere. (Photo courtesy of GlamBuzz)

I'm only partly excited about this but Project Runway LA premieres this Thursday. I'm holding off judgment until the first episode.

Love > Time

2009-08-19T06:32:00.011-07:00

On Friday I saw the much-anticipated (at least in my circles) book to film adaptation of The Time Traveler's Wife. The book is one of the most heartbreaking novels I have ever read. If you're not sobbing inconsolably by the end you're a robot. Naturally I was eager to find out if the film was as much of a tearjerker as the book.

Rachel McAdams plays Clare, the female lead -- an obvious choice but nonetheless, a great one. I always say this but her biggest strength as an actress and what separates her from the ScarJos and Amy Adams's is that she has the ability to play 15 or 45. She should win the Oscar for Best Facial Expressions. Also, they should create that category. Opposite McAdams is Eric Bana as Henry, the Time Traveler. Bana's performance is shaky and he seems disoriented but given that his character time travels involuntarily and winds up naked in strange places, I guess he nailed it!

The film is directed beautifully despite the fact the ending gets twisted a bit (won't go any further lest I spoil it). As a viewer you're pretty sure this isn't going to end well but still understand why Clare and Henry would want to try and live like any another other couple. There are a few gaping holes in the story -- dude, he time travels -- but you're able to shrug them off pretty easily.

It's a tender, sad movie that is well done enough to avoid being cheesy (ahem, The Notebook) or just all-out ridiculous. If you've read the book it's a must-see and if you haven't, it's still not a bad way to spend your evening. BRING TISSUES.

Real Life Rogers and Pongos

2009-08-12T08:23:00.010-07:00

Here's a cute and silly NY Times Well Blog post about dogs resembling their owners. Every time I notice this on the sidewalks it cracks me up. The classic example is, of course, Roger and Pongo from the underrated and shockingly disturbing Disney classic 101 Dalmatians. Take a gander at my faves:

You can scan the whole slideshow.

Weekend Warrior

2009-08-10T08:46:00.007-07:00

I had a great weekend enjoying many of the activities of which I am fond: hanging out with high school friends, doing laundry, sitting around, and riding bikes. Amrit is in town visiting his sisters so I met up them on the Upper East Side for drinks and a later supper at Beyoglu, a Turkish restaurant I'd been wanting to try. Much to the table's dismay they had run out of the two dishes everyone was planning on ordering: Iskender Kebab (thinly sliced lamb baked with tomato sauce and a garlicky yogurt atop pita bread - flavor explosion central) and Doner Kebab. Despite this majorly bad news, we decided to stay because it was nearing 10pm and everyone was hungry. The food was good but I definitely want to reserve my final judgment for when I can actually eat what I want. Food aside it was awesome seeing Amrit, one of my closest friends from home.

Saturday I did huge batch of laundry and lounged. Most weekends I'm worrying about what really fun thing to do or see next and don't allow myself to just be (I know -- poor me). But this weekend I consciously kept open. That night Arif and I went to a great Italian restaurant in Soho, Il Corallo Trattoria. Fresh, tasty pasta for pennies. The service is so-so but with such well-priced, good food we didn't mind too much.

Sunday was our "active" day. We took a long walk then headed to Hudson Urban Bicycles, an awesome bike rental shop and checked out two beach cruisers for the afternoon. We made our way uptown along the Hudson bike path. I had a slight altercation with an older lady who refused to get out of the way even after I rang my bell (twice!). But other than that, it was a great way to spend the Sunday.

Adventures in Cooking: Quiche

2009-07-06T07:13:00.010-07:00

I kicked off my 4th of July Saturday by making one of my favorite dishes - quiche. I "followed" a simple recipe, with a few improvised adjustments (in italics)

4 eggs
1/2 cup mayo (I substituted for low-fat)
1 cup half and half
3 strips turkey bacon
2 tablespoons flour
1 package frozen spinach
1 cup shredded mexican blend cheese
half a large white onion
2 tablespoons of butter
Salt & pepper to taste

I started by sauteing the turkey bacon. Once they were crispy, I placed them on a paper towel. I then cooked the onions in some butter while the spinach thawed. I beat the eggs, half and half, mayo together with some salt and pepper then added the cheese. Once the onions sweated out a bit, I added the spinach and let them melt down. I then added the flour -- or at least the powdery white stuff in the unmarked jar I assumed was flour...

Once the veggies were all cooked together and cooled (so as not to scramble the eggs) I combined everything and poured it into a store-bought pie crust. I added some cheese to the top for good measure and let bake in a 350 pre-heated oven for 50 minutes.

After a couple of bites we noticed the quiche had a sweetness to it. I assumed it was the onions. But after giving it a little more thought I suspected something was afoot. I went over to the "flour" jar and took a taste. It was confectioner's sugar.

It actually ended up pretty tasty anyway but I think next time I'll make sure to taste my ingredients.

Dancin Machine

2009-06-26T09:05:00.014-07:00

I was eight years old when I had my first taste of competition and I have Michael Jackson, in part, to thank.

My parents and I were at a neighborhood party. They were held once a month at a multi-purpose room with the DJ on one side and tables of food on the other. In the middle was the designated dance floor. The crowd was a mix of mostly senior citizens, parents and their young kids. The children usually played outside but I of course preferred the company of adults.

This particular party a dance contest was being held. It required a partner and, since everyone my age had no interest in partaking, I befriended an elderly lady and boldly asked her to dance. She happily obliged. Now my memory has more than likely blurred the sequence of events and indeed, the night in general but this part I remember vividly: As soon as I stepped onto the dance floor and saw I was the only kid participating in the contest I became embarrassed. As much as I didn't want to be part of the kids' circle I wanted even more to be perceived as cool and dancing with an old lady? Not cool. I almost backed out but instead I walked up to the DJ booth and asked,

"Excuse me! Do you have any Michael Jackson?"

The DJ looked down, smirked, and said, "Uhh yeah. A lot."

Humiliated by my ignorance but determined still I asked, "Can you play 'Black or White?'" Before he could answer, I turned around and thought to myself, I am winning this dance contest. He played the song and we danced.

We got third place. Our shared prize was a six-pack of glasses with a fruit design on them, which I got to keep. The thrill and fun of competition had been planted - thanks to a song.

The Anna Show

2009-06-25T11:29:00.003-07:00

The trailer for soon-to-be-released, Sundance darling Vogue-umentary, The September Issue. Like any aspiring fashionista worth her labels, I am trembling with anticipation.

The New Pretty

2009-06-24T06:25:00.019-07:00

Zac Efron, dude from Gossip Girl (no, other dude -- dude that looks like Zac Efron), Edward Cullen. America, this is who you think is beautiful. I'll admit I'm guilty of helping put 17 Again at the top of the box office. Um twice. But do you find it a bit odd that we (I mean 'we' as a celebrity-obsessed collective) have the same famous crushes as our middle school-aged (and younger) counterparts? Feel creepy no longer. It turns out we're in the middle of a revolution. And, like most things wrong with society today, you can blame Ashton Kutcher.

Today's Observer points out that "...those wide-set eyes, the narrow nose that flares up at the tip just so, the childish puffy cheeks and the not-too-rugged jaw lines, topped with carefully placed strands of layered hair" that seemingly all leading man-boys possess are simply part of a Hollywood evolution. It's been a slow progression, starting with @aplusk back in 2003 hiding his wispy bangs under his hideous trucker hats. Today it's the New Male Beauty. According to one fancy prof who's an expert on physical attractiveness:

"Fifteen years ago, when men came in, they absolutely wanted to maintain that rugged look, which meant that higher bridge and stronger features, but now they want a softer look. Our culture is leaning towards a more empathetic man who can understand a woman’s feelings, and that comes out in new facial features."

Ryan Reynolds on Jon & Kate

2009-06-23T06:17:00.012-07:00

Underestimated for his comedic chops and slightly overestimated for his studliness, Ryan Reynolds is one the most entertaining actors around. (Re: Just Friends; Definitely, Maybe). While I wish he'd been able to be the screwy one in The Proposal instead of Sandra Bullock, I'm glad he's finally getting a piece of the media's attention. And look! He's even up on his current events:

"I wanna see 'Jon & Kate Plus Eight: The Musical,' Jon versus Kate. I wanna see four kids on one side and for kids on the other, snapping menacingly to music as they walk toward one another." - New York Daily News.

Buying Season

2009-06-19T06:11:00.027-07:00

Unlike runway and couture shows, resort collections are all about the consumer. Designers want to make retail-friendly looks that appeal to the fashionable, buying crowd. I don't fancy myself a member of the latter club but if I were, here's what I would buy:

Yigal Azrouel - The turban trend rages on

Proenza Schouler - Swooning over the layered folds

Balenciaga - Matchy-matchy done right

Jenni Kayne - The sheer top with the ornate skirt is effortlessly cool

Lanvin - I just want to be this girl

3.1 Phillip Lim - A suit I can hang with

Phi - I'd lose the bike shorts and opt for a bare leg but other than that, the ideal drinks & dancing frock

Stella McCartney - White for summer - No brainer

Stella McCartney - This collection gets a double nod of approval because it was my favorite so far. Light and chic summer wear at its best

Did Amazing Happen?

2009-06-18T10:33:00.019-07:00

One of my favorite literary adages is: write what you know. Full disclosure: I don't know basketball. Well not much anyway. I spent a handful of my formative years watching the Chicago Dynasty with my overexcited father (which remains some of the best memories I have of my dad). And in fifth grade I received the consolatory "Coach's Award" from my coach, probably because I was a kiss-ass and he was embarrassed for me. But from high school on I paid little attention to the NBA mostly because Michael retired and my dad had moved on to his current "athletic" endeavor: golf.

Indeed my knowledge of b ball is cursory, at best. So why am I writing about it, you ponder? Because two days ago I read Bill Simmons's Kobe '09: Change we can believe in? (thanks Jim!). Apparently Bill Simmons is a big-shot sports journalist? Whatever. What he wrote excited me. He explored the media's obsession with labeling Kobe as a changed man from last season. He used three key questions to structure his argument:

1. Did Kobe Bryant change as a player/person/leader/performer from 2008 to 2009, or did his circumstances change?

2. Did the '09 Lakers really like each other, or was it like a Bill-Hillary thing?

3. Why was the media so desperate to convince us Kobe HAD changed, that his quest to win a fourth title was a storyline that dwarfed all others, that we needed to understand this was a GREAT PLAYER WE ARE WATCHING, that he really wants this, that he's like a coach out there ... I mean, what was the motivation here?

Simmons tackles each of these issues with erudite vigor, wit, and an unabashed love for the game (he devotes an entire, pretty unnecessary paragraph on Jordan's charisma). It's inspired and totally fun. Read, even if you don't really follow the NBA. (But especially if you don't like Kobe.)

Down with Up

2009-06-18T08:56:00.008-07:00

Disney Pixar's Up makes you want to hug an old person. It also breaks your heart. Yes it was adorable and beautiful because Pixar doesn't know how to be anything else. But its brilliancy lies in the fact that it hits on all emotional cylinders. I was gleeful. I was sad. I was angry. I was confused. Clearly I'm no film expert but isn't this mix of emotions what a good film is supposed to produce?

Also for anyone still reading this baby I've vowed to start writing again so tell your friends.

Let's Talk French

2009-04-21T06:36:00.010-07:00

This is Chester French. Their debut album "Love the Future" comes out today. They're on Pharell's Star Trek label. I've already had a chance to listen to it once through and all things considered, it is an impressive effort. It remains to be seen whether the music industry will fully catch on to what Max and D.A. are putting out but the fashion set has already taken notice.

How can you not? Their style is decidedly -- sometimes overly so -- anti-hipster, prepster or anything other -ster under which they might be classified. It's working for them. Today's WWD lauds D.A.'s "three-piece suits and bow-tie looks." (That sounds like it'd be a lyric in one of their songs). Months back when they were virtual unknowns they scored a L'uomo Vogue spread. Me, I dig the steez; it's irreverent, cocksure and unique. Kind of like "Love the Future."

1 Thing I Like About Julia

2009-04-17T07:24:00.014-07:00

I love finding out that actors aren't dumb. It also helps their cause if they have real, non-PR-icized hobbies and interests with which I can relate. Charities and fundraisers are all well and good but having dipped my toe in the public relations world I know it's mostly a bunch of phony, self-important hoopla.

Actress and lifelong Mets fan Julia Stiles wrote an article for the Wall Street Journal about opening day at brand-new Citi Field. It's not nostalgic in the least. In fact it's a pretty straight-forward account of one fan's relationship with the plainer, less glam of the two New York baseball clubs. Stiles opens with,

"Once again, the Yankees are harshing my mellow. .. With all the excitement of a new ballpark, now Mets fans are forced to share bragging rights again, as Yankee Stadium is rebuilt for nearly twice as much money, and without the baggage of a bailed-out bank for its name."

I'm not a Yankees or Mets fan but I enjoyed this unexpected review. Would I care if it weren't written by Julia Stiles? Probably not. But at least she's one more celebrity I can admire for something other than what bag she's toting. And did I mention the girl blogs?!

Mother May I

2009-04-14T12:33:00.014-07:00

Last night like most Mondays evenings I was watching How I Met Your Mother. It was a mediocre episode during which I spent most of the 22ish minutes pointing out all the ways they tried to hide both Cobie Smulders' (Robin) and Alyson Hannigan's (Lily) third trimester pregnancies. Hold a jacket over it! Lean over awkwardly! Get naked and cover it with a sheet!

Indeed as much as I love playing "Who's More Pregnant?" they need to go on with the show already. And by that I mean introduce the MOTHER! Please. And if you haven't yet casted her, feel free to choose any one of the excellent actresses from my Mother Wish List:

Rachel Bilson - Eats adorable for breakfast. Plus she's sassy but sweet, brunette and enough of a ball-buster in her Summer days to make you believe that she'd have Ted whipped.

Tiffany Amber-Thiessen Kelly Kapowski as the mother? Every Gen Y-er's (or are we Gen Xers?) head would explode.

Natalie Portman - Hear me out. For one, I have a feeling NP has comedic chops. We know Ted's favorite movie is Star Wars so wouldn't it just be so nerdy and cute? Lastly the anticipation has been so long that the mother should at least be an It girl and no one's hotter than Natalie.

Padma's Naked

2009-04-14T12:25:00.005-07:00

Really naked. I wonder if this shoot has anything to do with the forthcoming (and let's face it, probably better than the original) Top Chef Masters? It'll be hosted by former model (burn) and Eat Out NY host Kelly Choi. But yeah, Padma's naked.

Source: New York

This Story Starts in Murray Hill

2009-04-13T11:46:00.024-07:00

"...of course, with New York, a city you never just move to. Because you always remember the day you arrive."

It's somewhere around the 10 day mark when I feel the need to post something really substantial to make up for my lack of blogging. Well it's been what - more than a month now? Apologies but it's only today that I found something provoking enough to regurgitate.

It's -- wait for it -- a New York feature! Ta, um, da! My First New York is a sappy, cliched and sacchrine sweet cover about regular and famous people who wanted to and did move to New York. I loved it immediately. And since I still vividly remember my arrival in NYC, I thought it fitting to share -- EHOI?-style.

I landed at Kennedy Airport with two suitcases and an envelope of cash from my mother, carefully budgeted for two weeks' worth of groceries and transportation (it would all be gone within my first two nights in Murray Hill -- more on that later). I took a $75 cab ride to my month-long sublet in Williamsburg, on Richardson St. It reeked of cigarettes and clearly hadn't been cleaned since its erection. I took the apartment blind, meaning I had responded to a posting on Craigslist and talked to my roommate only a couple of times before deciding to take it. Why Williamsburg? Because I read from somewhere, (probably NY f-ing Mag) that it was a hip and cool neighborhood.

I was excited but terrified. I had interviews lined up but no job and, after 30 days, no place to live. My first meal was of course, pizza. I ate it on the sidewalk and stared at the old Italian men on the corner bodega thinking, "I am here. I always wanted to be here and now I am." I slept the lightest sleep of my life on the yellow(ing) futon since I hadn't purchased a bed yet. Those first few days were tough. I would be walking around and suddenly burst into tears out of fear that I had gotten myself in way too deep. The consummate achiever, I'm only happy when I'm challenged. But I feared this choice -- moving across the country with no real plan -- was over my head.

Luckily I had reinforcements. That first week I met up with a good friend who was in the city on vacation. We met at her hotel in Midtown East (which, ironically, is across the street from where I live now). Our first stop was Phebe's, a fratty but comparatively chill bar in the East Village whose clientele was 75% men in button down, wrinkle frees 25% girls in pearl earrings and cable knits. We decided to leave. This time we told our cab driver to take us to "the most fun place in the city." About 30 blocks later we stopped at the corner of 34th and 3rd - the heart of Murray Hill. It was and is the pulse of post-college, beer-swigging, meat market-seeking New York. We didn't leave until nearly dawn. We talked to everyone, drank everything and gushed over our hopeful futures (my friend too was on her way to her dream city - London). And we did it again the next night. It was the most independent I'd ever felt and I knew without hestitation that feeling was the reason I moved to New York. I would be fine.

I whittled away almost everything in that bank envelope within two nights but I like to think it was a sound investment in my happiness. And while I have now become part of the Murray Hill-mocking masses I will always be grateful for its unabashed doucheyness and welcoming atmosphere -- just not on the weekends.

Bourdain on Everyone Else

2009-03-11T14:37:00.013-07:00

No surprise to anyone: I worship most celebrity chefs. If your name isn't Sandra Lee and you cook on TV, I want to be you. Leading the pack is Anthony Bourdain, former chef, fantastic writer , host of Travel Channel's No Reservations and all around BAMF. As T.I. would say he's got "flow colder than February with extraordinary swag."

I recently read a series of reviews he wrote for MSN TV (hey, work's slow) called Culinary Picks and Pans. I don't watch all of the shows but still found every slide entertaining. He feels bad for martyr of the culinary world, Rocco DiSpirito ("It was a slow-motion car wreck, wasn't it?... I think Rocco's particular crime was that he was always such a talented cook"). He hates Spain... On the Road Again (aww) but thinks Mario Batali is "the smartest, funniest guy I know." Marching on with his anti-Rachael Ray crusade, Tony states "I think people respond to her because of her personality and not her cooking, which is pretty damned awful." Unforgiving... but true.

I agree with mostly everything until he bags on Mark Bittman, "And Mark Bittman, I don't think he adds value to anyone's TV show... I saw him make paella once on a TV show; he's been dead to me ever since." C'mon Tony, have a heart.