Chronicle of Habit

COH: RIP

2008-09-22T16:04:00.000-07:00

Well, dear friends, if I can't update everyday, COH is just not the same. Life as a freelance writer has left little time for blogging, and if I do begin again, I believe I will start a new site. COH has served it's purpose and has been a blast to work on, but my time on the interwebs is now spent elsewhere.

You can see my concert reviews and all things music related on the BUST blog, and of course, pick up a BUST Mag and check in with the Guide that I help edit. In our music section, we've got over 20 reviews of the latest and greatest ear candy in each issue!

And, if you are in New York and looking to rage on any given night, be sure to check out my event listings at going.com

Thank you for your readership and support!

xo

Maybelline, Why Are You So Cute?

2008-09-07T16:29:00.000-07:00

I met Maybelline, this insanely cute dog in New Jersey today.

She jumped exactly three feet in the air to nip my hands and had a field day with my patent flats. She's also a pro at flying through the air to make a seamless landing on the laps of many. Adorable.

Brian Ulrich

2008-09-06T17:58:00.000-07:00

I like this photographer Brian Ulrich, who was recently featured in Vice. I especially like his thrift store project. He's traveled the U.S. shooting thrift stores and the employees that work in them. The pics all look really surreal, because of the randomness of the items in each shot and I like it.

For more, go to his web site.

Sarah with an "h"

2008-09-04T16:53:00.000-07:00

Seriously WTF?

Fall for Clogs

2008-09-03T15:57:00.000-07:00

The perfect fall shoe:

I want.

Jeffrey Campbell Leather Clog, $125.00

Summer '08

2008-09-02T15:31:00.000-07:00

Has been really, really busy. Here's a quick (distorted) look:

I am ready for fall. And to be blogging again....

Weird New Jersey: Cape May

2008-08-16T12:27:00.000-07:00

Cape May New Jersey is a magical place: It's the most southern point in Jersey, it is an island, the Victorian architecture is pristinely-preserved, there is a sunken concrete ship off the coast and for no reason in particular is a tourist destination for cute Irish guys. My BFF and I went down to her folks house for the weekend. Here we are getting a splinter out of my foot.

And here is a gross picture of the sunken ship! I have an irrational fear of large things submerged in water, so of course, total attraction/avoidance on this oddity.

And since I tend to see the spooky through the sunshine, I managed to get totally icked by these beachy things too.

Filled to Capacity: Sorry, the MGMT

2008-07-29T19:20:00.000-07:00

Whoa.

Photo from freewilliamsburg.com

So last Sunday's McCarren Pool Parties show, featuring Ting Tings, Black Moth Super Rainbow and MGMT was the most insanely crowded show I've been to in awhile. It's obvious that MGMT have made it- sure, the show was free, but the pool was packed to capacity. In the rain. And Black Moth Super Rainbow are a band to watch if you're into ambient '60s jams-meets-electro beats. They were a bit too slow for the dance-happy crowd, but I was into them.

I got my morning coffee at noon and walked by the pool. Already the line was into Greenpoint as people got drizzled on, waiting for doors to open 2 hours later. Mind blowing. I waited in the press line (in the rain), which took 45 minutes, and getting in on the VIP Dewars open bar was like getting on a 4 train at Grand Central at rush hour. But everyone was more stylish and drunk.

I liked FreeWilliamsburg's round up here. It really was the scene to end all scenes, the only surprise was that my friend and I managed to dodge any ex run-ins. All I can add is that Kiersten Dunst was indeed there, looking mediocre as usual, and Agyness Deyn was standing behind me looking kooky and small. Later that night I biked by frontman Andrew VanWyngarden (babe) talking to a cute girl outside of their tour bus. Also, the MGMT lineup has recently changed: the orange-haired guy (Hank Sullivant) is no mas.

Oh and the encore was a gorgeous 14 minutes long.

Not all Weeners Have Wieners

2008-07-26T20:01:00.000-07:00

OMG. Ween played last night at McCarren Pool!! (Sidenote: I do not see shows exclusively at McCarren Pool. I live next door and it's better to see the shows if I'm hear them anyways). And I couldn't not see Ween, I've only been a fan for like, ever.

As expected, the scene at the show was dudes in Ween shirts, trippy kids, college kids and old guys. As I was there with some BUST ladies, I couldn't help thinking about how they're sort of the quintessential dude band: kind of jammy, totally goofy, and really, just weird. Like, totally on their own trip and having an effing blast. I mean, come on, this is the cover of one of their classics. The marketing strategy to 13-year-old boys was genuis here:

I feel like there's more freedom, in general for guys to be on that whole weirdo, drug-induced trip, but girls aren't allowed so much. Callie, my friend at BUST talked about the fact that her dude friends are always surprised she's into Ween in their recent "Men We Love Issue" (of which Dean and Gene were featured).

Point is, doesn't matter if you're listening with girl's ears or guy's ears, they rule. Their set lasted nearly 3 hours, they got through a power outage on their amps near the end by just playing right through it, then playing louder thereafter, and did a double encore. Radness. Naturally, they played a some new stuff that was quite good from their latest, La Cucaracha. They also played a ton from this album, which I always loved, and whose cover I thought looked a bit like a lady part:

Again with the marketing strategies...

The live show even had some theatrics--I don't know if there was more smoke onstage or in the crowd--flashing lights, Gene on a megaphone and some serious shredding from Dean. Listening to the tunes made me remember how very strange they are. And seeing them in 2008, I couldn't help thinking they were a total relic of the goofy alternative music era, but amazing nonetheless.

Download now:
"Ocean Man", Voodoo Lady," "Mutilated Lips," "Gabrielle," "Big Jilm"

Liar's Live

2008-07-26T19:12:00.000-07:00

This post is way overdue. I saw Liars last Sunday at a free McCarren Pool show and I wasn't sure what to expect. I was going on blog hype from last fall and my very discerning friend's adulations, and his testimony that the frontman was like "7 feet tall with like 30 foot arms." So the latter is not entirely true, but decidedly, the live show lived up to its reputation.

The hourlong set was unwavering stomping/wiggling by frontman Angus Andrew (who I kind of have a crush on now), spare drumbeats, and droney vocals. I just really wanted to share these pics that my friend took because it was such a gorgeous day.

Photos by Thomas Shelley

Photo Essay: Jersey Thrift Adventure

2008-07-20T20:07:00.000-07:00

Best Reason to leave New York for New Jersey? Why, to thrift shop of course!

I took a day trip to lovely Newark to try my hand at some local thrift shops, and as expected, cleaned up for nothin'. This was our first stop, a messy little jam on Broadway. Consensus: too small, too disorganized and no furniture. Only a handful of snakeskin skinny belts were found.

This was our second, and most productive stop. That's my thrifting partner in crime, Rebekah (and may I add, a wonderful shopping companion. We aren't the same size, so there was no fighting. And the girl has an eye that was seasoned in the fabulous thrift shops on Fargo and Seattle). Consensus: It was no lie that they advertised themselves as the best thrift store in New Jersey. It was HUGE (i.e. 4 racks of black ladies pants alone), everything was well organized and there was the BEST bin of i-don't-know-where-this-goes-crap, in which I found a beautiful bathing suit and a chunky, woven, black and white checkered neck scarf.

Our last stop was a decidedly creepy and hard-to-find Goodwill on University. Consensus: The mission was clear. I felt I was in a sanctified place of used goods.

There was an amazing selection of furniture on the first floor (gaudy, crystal-encrusted lamps, cheesy-cute bedroom sets, velour chairs), but upstairs the clothing was outlet only stuff (i.e. damaged Liz Claiborne and FUBU gear).

There was, however, a weird dressing room that was seemingly inoperable, but home to this creepy crutch.

Here are some of my finds!

Psyched to Bike!

2008-07-14T09:41:00.000-07:00

They say, "it's like riding a bike, you never forget." And that when you have accidents, or failures, that you've got to "get back on the horse." Well, it's the bike in my case. I used to bike during college ('till my bike got stolen), and then when I lived a summer in Chicago. My then boyfriend gave me a crash course in city riding, and I was into it, though I never took to weaving in and out of downtown traffic. That same summer I got hit by a car (as a pedestrian), and I was mildly bruised, but awfully shook up. All I could imagine was the damage if I was on my bike. And it was enough to say goodbye to biking for awhile.

That was years ago, and upon realizing there are plenty of empty streets to ride around my hood, and that walking in New York is pretty dangerous too, I finally bought my first bike to get me around. No more shlepping laundry and groceries! Here she is:

I've always dreamed of owning a Peugeot car, but this cute little Peugeot bike will do. It only cost me $50 bucks from a friend who was moving and it is in (near) perfect condition. I got a new inner tube for the tire, and she rides like a dream. It feels so good to be back on a bike!!!

I don't know just how old it is, but I love the original details Like the super comfy seat! It needs a bit of a paint job, but ever mode of transportation I've ever owned does. That's just how I roll.

Big Deal: the Breeders Play McCarren Pool!

2008-07-13T17:05:00.000-07:00

It's true. The Deal sisters and their current lineup of the Breeders dropped by Brooklyn this afternoon to play McCarren Pool for a free show as part of the summer Pool Parties Series.

It was free. And it was apparently the place to be. The Olympic-sized pool accommodates thousands (and should be noted is a veritable oven in the summer sun), but the line out front moved slowly and there were still folks who hadn't gotten in by the end of the set! Bummer.

The great thing about the outdoor venue is that folks opted to lay out, picnic, watch a soccer game in the park and listen to a Breeders show. Where else can you do all this? Kim Deal's honey-drenched vocals are still as unmistakable as ever, and though they were promoting their newest album, Mountain Battles (their first release in 6 long years), I, like everyone else was happy to hear them play several songs from the alternative touchstone Last Splash . "Divine Hammer" was the soundtrack to this perfect, breezy Sunday afternoon, and when the droning "Cannonball" intro started, the crowd went wild. No doubt, it was '93 in McCarren Pool this afternoon, and people couldn't have been more into it.

As for the new stuff, it's more of the same, loud power-pop with the sensibility that only the 2 coolest ladies in rock could be behind. I was most stoked to hear that for the encore, they chose to play "Saints," a perfectly obvious choice. When Deal sang "Summer is ready when you are," it was official. The summer show-going season is on.

The Breeders continue a European tour for July/August.

Hansen Hair

2008-07-08T20:28:00.000-07:00

Happy birthday to Beck (a fellow Cancerian)! His 38th Birthday coincides with the release of his newest album, Modern Guilt, which dropped today. Haven't heard the album, but man, does he look fly in the press picks with this new long Hansen, er, Hanson hair.

Freak Out, Tune In

2008-07-06T21:31:00.000-07:00

I just watched this rock doc, The Fearless Freaks, tells the long, hard story of the Flaming Lips, a band who, come on, is hard not to like. It came out in 2005, but I've been needing some inspiration these days, so I popped it in at a friend's recommendation. I've been a longtime fan, but after hearing the back story on the Coyne clan (Wayne is one of 5 brothers, who formed a tripped-out sports team called, Fearless Freaks), and the fact that Wayne worked in a Long John Silver for like a decade, I kind of fell in love all over again. And who doesn't like a success story from a group of passionate, creative dudes who come from the middle of nowhere and find rock 'n roll success?

And, geez, could W.C. be anymore of a babe?

Oh, actually, yes. He can.

Lomo Love

2008-07-06T19:03:00.000-07:00

I am in love with this camera by Lomography that I purchased for $38.00 measly bones at Urban Outfitters!

Not only is it totally cute (it also comes in pink, blue and yellow)and easy to use (it takes 35mm film, and I've found using 400 film really makes a remarkable difference in the final prod), but the permanent fish eye lens makes everything in life a little more awesome. Here are some recent pics:

Non-Music

2008-07-02T15:35:00.000-07:00

So, last night I was pondering (with some music nerd friends) the best albums of 2008 (thus far). We're midway through the year, there had to be something catching the collective pop/rock/experimental consciousness. Right?

We agreed these were some faves so far:

It's really no surprise that most music in our awesome digital era is....kind of bad. And no surprise that in the last 10 years, the whole idea of rock 'n roll and pop has changed so drastically, in the way it's discovered, made, and packaged, that I'm not sure it really exists anymore. The whole irony trend which seems to be fading really muddied things up too...

It's possible that the current state of popular, alternative, and generally interesting music actually sounds like non-music (in the deconstructed, rethink-the-song kind of way). Same goes for Top 40, which, with the exception of hip-hop, sounds unlike music too (in the some-producer-cranked-this-out-in-an-afternoon way).

My friend and I were discussing this recently, and came up with this concept of non-music (not unmusic- that would imply a relationship). I wonder if Non-Music will become a post-milleniel genre for the shit I'm talking about?

On a more positive note: has anyone heard anything that they love recently???

Go Get This Album. Go See This Show.

2008-07-02T15:16:00.000-07:00

If you like classic soul, go-go dancers, psychedelia (any or all auditory/visual/conceptual forms), costumes, organs, brass band, rockabilly and/or punk rock, go get this album, by recent Vice Records babes, King Khan and the Shrines.

Naysayers will say it's totally derivative. People with two ears and a heart will say it's refreshing, catchy and impossible not to dance to. It may be true that this guy (frontman),

has a James Brown holler and swagger that brings to mind the late great himself, the show is so high-energy, I'll take an inspired revamp of something that was good awhile ago, good again. I'll take it and I'll like it.
Though it was enthusiastic, I will say, I can do without the moshing (yes, moshing), crowd surfing kids who were at a certain secret show in NYC last Friday night. I'm way over seeing music in that mess.

Buggin' Out

2008-06-29T16:15:00.000-07:00

So there's probably nothing I'm more scared of than this right here:

The American Cockroach. I sort of have a phobia of all large insects, but something about the stealth, filth and size of this guy makes my stomach flip (and not in the good way). Living in New York, roaches take over the city in the summertime, it's just par for the course. Even though I'm in my third summer here, I haven't become immune to the anxiety these, ahem, buggers, induce.

What's worse is that I've seen 2 large, large guys, like the cracker-eating one above in my bedroom. Horrified. I was completely immoblized by the experience last night, screaming and chasing one around my room as it crawled in and out of my shoe collection, up the radiator and behind my dresser. It even took flight at one point. Flight. Unacceptable. I can't believe how a thing so tiny could eek me out so badly. Give me planes, small spaces, needles, the dentist, any of it. Just don't give me roaches, because apparently I can't deal.

I've already put out traps, cleaned, et al. Any advice for what works? Any advice on overcoming such ridiculous fears?

Not Dead

2008-06-29T16:02:00.001-07:00

Shit.

I haven't updated in forever. For the following reasons:

1. I am no longer working my office job! Instead, I am pursuing freelance writing/editing opportunities. Because of this adjustment- working from my hot, stuffy, third floor railroad apartment, I try not to be on the computer more than necessary. This will change with a new addition of an ac unit.

2. I was on deadline for my new gig as BUST Magazine's Associate Music Editor! Working for them in an editorial capacity has been a longtime dream. I'm also now blogging for them, so stay tuned!

3. I have been traveling like crazy. There have been many family celebrations that have required Delaware/St. Louis/ Philadelphia travel.

I hope I haven't lost all my readership......More to come.

Mixing it Up

2008-06-06T21:19:00.000-07:00

I've been mixing it up on the music tip these days- gifting mixes like it's my job. I made 3 for my bff's birthday. One hippy-ass mix ful of alt-country, one dance mash-up and one soul cd. Then, of course, in true mix-making form, I had to make original collaged artwork. Duh!

BUST's Got the High and Short of It

2008-05-30T19:12:00.000-07:00

YAY!

You must, you must, you must go pick up BUST! Not only does the new issue rock-Amy Sedaris celebrates their 15-year anniversary with an awesome interview that includes wisdom on bunnies, making your craft circle work for you and why 3-year-olds are jerks, but the ladies at BUST published my DIY how-to on makin' ugly shorts into sassy high-waisted ones!

AND they let me model my custom-made pants for a photoshoot on my roof. If that's not do-it-yo'self I really don't know what is.

Big Printin': Life and Times of a Throwback Wardrobe

2008-05-27T20:56:00.000-07:00

This weekend I got to thrift shop in Delaware and I had some luck. Thankfully, because from here on out, I'm pinching pennies (more on that later). Though I've been yearning for babydoll dresses and over-sized shirts for awhile (and found some), I also realized I had to surrender to the prints that come along with the early '90s silhouette I was looking for. Which is fine, I have too many solid basics anyways. I look like I'm going to the office, like, always. These are some prints I found:

Serious tie-dye (by Gitano, don't sweat it). This shirt was a find. It's a total musician billowy button-down with TUXEDO TAILS. I'm going to wear it as a mini dress.

Broacadey Florals- in you guessed it, a vest. Though it's a child's vest and fits sort of rock 'n roll, so it's not like I'm revamping something I had in 3rd grade. Well, someone could've had it in 3rd grade, I suppose....

Tiny florals, in an empire-waist babydoll, that is totally cute. This time around with sandals, not Docs.

Sorry I couldn't show you full shots. My camera blows. I'll also add all purchases totaled $13.00.

The fact that in highschool, I used to scour thrift stores to find vintage (which meant at least 20 years or older, I was looking for '70s knits, band t-shirts and Wrangler bell-bottoms), and now I'm looking for things maybe 10-15 years old makes me think I'm a victim of some cultural phenomenon. And I'm not the only one. Laura Wills, of Screaming Mimi's, the vintage mecca of New York, was quoted in the current NYLON saying of her recent Opening Cermemony "vintage collection" (which is comprised of pieces from the '90s):

"Vintage used to be at least 30 years old, but now we're thinking 10 years is enough time for something to come back," she says.

Is this phenomenon indicative of a lack of innovation, or a tolerant climate of fashion where anything goes? Are we no longer coming up with new ideas? Why are we yearning for yesteryear without a time lapse to give us pespective on our fashion foibles and triumphs? What are your thoughts?

Louie, Louie

2008-05-25T18:24:00.000-07:00

This amazing brindle boxer (named Louie) belongs to my bff's sister. She brought him to stay with me this weekend.

Apparently my house is boring, by the looks of his face. Enjoy the cuteness.

Oh Boyd!

2008-05-16T11:17:00.000-07:00

The Summer issue of Anthem Magazine just dropped and it is hott! There's a rad article on Wolf Parade, inspiring looks from renegade high-fashion duo Rodarte, 15 bands to watch, and a feature story by me on this dreamboat (pictured below), Boyd Holbrook.

Boyd is a model/actor/artist extraordinaire and he was kind enough to have me over for a drink and some good conversation. Read all about how this Kentucky-bred carpenter became a Dior Homme fave, where you can see his work, and what gets him psyched!