Songs »I Thought You Were Someone I Knew

by Jail Weddings (2010)

A strong douse of Scott Walker, a touch of Elvis Costello, a whole lot of 60’s pop mixed with the funnest side of Nick Cave.. put it all together with a ten piece band and you’ve got Jail Weddings. I was psyched when the video for “I Thought You Were Someone I Knew” popped up while browsing facebook and not just because that dapper front man is my cousin. Yes, a relation to me, and so cool! This is not his first music project. Los Angelians may know him from his previous band, The Starvations or Dante Vs Zombies. The album for this song, Love is Lawless comes out Oct. 26th.

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Posted on August 29, 2010

Albums »The Switched-On Boxed Set

by Wendy Carlos (1968-1979)

It’s hard to disconnect the powerful images Kubrick created for Clockwork Orange and the moog symphonies of Wendy Carlos. This is not a bad thing, but a full day of her tunes, courtesy of Shaun who let me borrow The Switched On Box Set puts you in one technicolor and strange mind frame.

This is a well designed and comprehensive set that includes her most famous album, Switched on Bach, the first classical album to ever go platinum. A revolutionary musician who took the newest instruments of the time to create unique sound scapes of familiar classics, Wendy takes the baroque and blasts it into the space age.

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Posted on August 29, 2010

Style Icons: Female »Cher

Entertainer

I am not naive enough to be hopeful enough to imagine that Burlesque, Cher’s latest dance across the silver screen will deliver anything near the genius camp of Showgirls, but the trailer did get me thinking about Cher. Her music’s never been my cup of tea, and I could say much, much worse about her second coming with the Europop “Do You Believe” period, but I won’t.

After all, she’s an icon who has proven herself to be a sometimes good actress and most importantly has always been a true glamour chameleon and daring provocateur with her wardrobe. No one else does Bob Mackie and head dresses like her.

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Posted on August 29, 2010

Restaurants »Red Hook Lobster at Rocky Sullivan’s

34 Van Dyke Street, Red Hook

Rocky Sullivan’s in Red Hook offers as part of their Think Global, Eat Local menu a home to the Red Hook Lobster Pound‘s lobster dinners on Friday nights. The mood is relaxed, the tables communal, and the lobster is truly outstanding. Honestly, this may have been the best whole lobster I’ve ever had the pleasure of eating. Jim, who once worked as a stoned, surly prep cook for a high end restaurant as a teen was thankfully there to help more novice lobster eaters out with the tricks of getting to the meat.

Make sure to take advantage of the plastic bibs, because if you don’t make a crazy mess, you’re not doing it right. With a side of corn and potato salad (or coleslaw if you’re a weirdo) this is perfect summer eating and a real must before Fall breezes in (any day now). The meal is finished off with a great sugary whoopie pie. Other nights, the noisy but chill spot offers more traditional pub grub.

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Posted on August 29, 2010

Desserts »Cat Head Cupcakes from Ruthy’s Bakery

75 9th Avenue

If you really want to take your party to the next level, bust out a small army of cat head cupcakes! Shaun was awesome enough to pick these up from Ruthy’s – the bakery with all the wild cookie monster cakes at Chelsea Market. As a lover of icing and cats, there really is nothing better than this, though even me, with a monster sweet tooth had to eat one in two sittings. The head is full of an icing/cake mixture that is not for the faint of heart when it comes to sugar rushes. Seriously, these were the coolest party surprise ever. Ruthy’s can make custom ones to bring delight to your loved ones too even if they’re not cat ladies.

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Posted on August 29, 2010

Drinks »Horchata

Traditional Drink

We drank all the left over Horchata before I remembered to take a photo, so I must give credit for this lovely photo to Food People Want. I must give thanks and credit to Andriana and Krista (of radiogastronomy) for bringing homemade version of the delightful, refreshing, milky, spiced beverage to my party. It was actually my first encounter with the Latin drink, that matches perfectly with the spice of Mexican food. Versions of the drink go back to ancient times and have made their way all across the world.

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Posted on August 29, 2010

Spend a Couple Hours »Baby Shower

Baby Fiesta

Wow, my due date is getting ever closer. Only roughly seven weeks left til Van’s arrival and my wonderful friends and family threw me a most excellent cat themed fiesta the other day. Some of the most incredible cooks I know (Mike, Shaun, Krista and my sister) graced us with an amazing spread. All homemade: slow cooked meats, chipotle salsa, guacamole, churros donuts, pepitas, cat shaped tortillas, and spicy chocolates, yummmmm. Plus, the visual highlight- creepy awesome cat head cupcakes from Ruthy’s (see more about them in the dessert section).

Julia and Stacy were there to organize the games, which included a heated race to down a baby bottle of screwdrivers (Josh beat them all with a little bit of clever trickery). Mostly it was just wonderful to spend the afternoon with so many loving, great people – from brand new friends to girls I’ve known since kindergarten. Van is so lucky to inherit you all (and all out dear friends and family that couldn’t make it) as his extended family. Loads of photos below/after jump.

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Posted on August 29, 2010

Places to Visit »Pharmacia Millionaire

301 S Broadway, Downtown Los Angeles

I can’t believe it’s taken me so long to write up Pharmacia Millionaire with you guys. It was definitely one of the more unusual spots we visited in LA earlier this year. A treasure trove of magic candles, potions, elixirs and voodoo dolls, the crowded pharmacy sits across the street from the more traditional tourist spot, The Bradbury Building. We walked away with a candle for home cleansing, which once burned to the end offered some charms that we were instructed to put under our mattress. We skipped on the vagina candle and anything black magic related but might be back one day for the bat’s hearts if I can figure out a way to use them. Even if you have no plans to purchase, the iconography and design for the products are worth a peek in this surprisingly friendly shop.

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Posted on August 29, 2010

Web Sites »Ugliest Tattoos

The Gallery of Regrets

Thank you Brandon for passing the site Ugliest Tattoos along my way. It really speaks for itself but I have to say I am profoundly shocked how many people permanently apply disgustingly rendered penises to their bodies. A few great ones are below/after the jump and they are nsfw.

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Posted on August 29, 2010

Laughs »Heavy Metal Puppy

on Funny or Die

I love this. So metal.

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Posted on August 29, 2010