I Love the 90s! - B-Grade Boy Band Edition

LFO - Every Other Time

BBMak - Still On Your Side

O-Town - All or Nothing

soulDecision - Ooh It's Kinda Crazy

98° - Because of You

I know you listened to this shitty/awesome music. Yay for the age of TRL! Which B-grade boy band's silly single got your groove grinding with their peppy pop?

Bellevue's Full of Money = Duh

To reinforce the obvious, here's an article from the Seattle Times:
Neiman Marcus attracted to Bellevue's rich demographics

The BMW M3 = Pretty Blonde

The BMW M3. It's very gorgeous in that familiar, non-exciting, seen-it-all-before kind of way. You know, like a blonde, American model. It's like the Marissa Miller of cars, ridiculously hot in a very expected way. And just like Ms. Marissa Miller (the other M3, perhaps?), that's not at all an insult. They're both composed of deliciously sumptuous curves. It's a symbol of reliably good looks that will get you very far in life that will impress the general public but won't blow the tops off of anybody familiar with the competition at the top end of their respective industries. As CNet's review puts it, "while it is a great-looking car, it doesn't earn a top design rating as it's not a complete head-turner." That said, both Ms. Miller and the M3 are exceptionally pleasant and stimulating in every sense of the word. I can't say anything about the character of Ms. Miller, but I have seen the M3 blow by me blazingly fast. Yes, it's the good life for those lucky individuals who find themselves in an M3. But I'd rather have me a Ferrari.

Confusables - Malaysian vs Filipino Co-Pilots

Not me! But very deceptively close. This is Co-Pilot Down. They are a "punk/alternative/hardcore" band from Malaysia. They are Asian. They might be a little crazy. But that is where the similarities end. Their Myspace is here:

http://www.myspace.com/copilotcrash

Which makes me wonder, why didn't they choose /copilotdown as their address? Copycats.

FIVE Blades, Dammit!

Fuck Everything, We're Doing Five Blades

Would someone tell me how this happened? We were the fucking vanguard of shaving in this country. The Gillette Mach3 was the razor to own. Then the other guy came out with a three-blade razor. Were we scared? Hell, no.

Paula Deen + Iron Chef = OH GOD!

This may be the greatest episode of Iron Chef ever. Ever. I LOVE me some Paula Deen. Now if only I could find the whole episode...

Robin Sparkles - "Let's Go To The Mall"

Because How I Met Your Motheris fantastically hilarious. And because the 80s didn't come to Canada until 1994.

Good French Musique!

Yelle - "Je Veux Te Voir" - She's cute as a button and sassier like a bell pepper. That made no sense. But this song is AWESOME.


TTC - "Travailler" - Because even trashy French music is classier than the average American rap song. It's all about working!

Google their lyrics. They're absurd.

Oh, Hipsters!

Question: How many hipsters does it take to screw in a lightbulb?

a. "You mean you don't know?"

b. "It's a really new number, you've probably never heard of it."

c. "I was totally into that joke last year before it became popular."

d. All of the Above.

Right then! From here.

And that lovely picture is from here, where you can decide if somebody is a hipster or just "special."

Estelle + Kanye = American Boy

Damn catchy, genre-crossing, rhythmic, perfect for summer.

THE OFFICE IS BACK!!!

Oh, Michael Scott! That cringe-inducing/lovable oaf is back and hosting a dinner party with Jan, his live-in lover. Oh goodness gracious. They take the whole George and Martha routine and bring it to exceptionally painful new heights. I'll attempt to post it later...

Because It Really Is Oprah's World...

MUST MAKE ROAD TRIP TO OPRAH.

The Killers?

Remember listening to The Killers? Weird to think about that now, when's the last time you sat down and listened to Hot Fuss? Well, there you go. "Somebody Told Me," all for your wonderful, almost-nostalgic pleasure! Yikes...

Work = War!

This is awesome. Spectacular. AMAZING. War at the workplace takes on a more literal meaning than those petty squabbles and water cooler gossip. Seriously. I want to work somewhere that lets me play with stuff like this. The best USB gadget ever!

BMW Concept CS = GORGEOUS PICSPAM!

Because I can't help myself. Who can resist a car that reminds me of the absolute ferocity of the old 8-series? Holy mahoney!

BMW Concept CS Side View Mirror = Whale Fin!

I LOVE this car, because even through the side view mirror resembles a glamorous whale fin, it's still the sexiest rear view mirror I've ever seen.

BMW Concept CS = GORGEOUS!

The new BMW Concept CS is SO FREAKING GORGEOUS that it makes me want to cry. And if only my tears were crude oil, because then I could make enough money to afford this work of beauty (if it ever gets a production model). More info here.

Wait, An Attractive Redhead Male?

Square Hippies has photos from the new Julianne Moore film that also stars the fantastically attractive Eddie Redmayne. Something about the splendidly wealthy Bakelite family who had some pretty shady dealings under the surface. Yummm...

Portfolio!

Hey there, if you're cool, you'll check out my ever-evolving portfolio for Fashion Illustration. Check it out here. Sweeeeeeet.

Daria + Andres = Sweet Lordy

OhLaLa has a preview of the best photo editorial I've seen in any fashion magazine so far this year. Vogue Hommes International's latest issue features Daria Werbowy and Andrés Velencoso Segura in next to nothing, photographed by Inez and Vinoodh. So ridiculously hot, I can't even stand it.

Oh, White Folks In Seattle!

What the wonderful blog "Stuff White People Like" considers to be "the greatest passage in history":

“Wil Shipley, a Seattle software developer, uses his iPhone at the Whole Foods fish counter to check websites for updates on which seafood is the most environmentally correct to purchase. He quizzes the staff on where and how a fish was caught. Because he carries the Internet with him, “I can be super-picky,” he said.”

HAHAHAHAHA. I LOVE IT.

Bellevue + Burberry = A Match Made In Retail Heaven

Burberry, the brand that seems thoroughly through with overexposing their ubiquitous Nova Check, is opening a store at Bellevue Square by the end of the summer. You know, I've come to appreciate Christopher Bailey's efforts to revive the brand. He's done a lot to make the brand a lot more relevant than it had ever been, including introducing some real handsome bags and endless new iterations of trenches and coats, including a few that spawned countless imitations at fast fashion chains. The 5,300 square foot store will be on the first floor, near Nordstrom. To celebrate, admire Eddie Redmayne, actor and one of the many handsome chaps featured in the Spring ad campaign.

Why Jim Halpert Rocks

Because he's cool with everybody having a massive crush on him. Hot. Going to hockey games with Milo V. doesn't hurt either.

Double McFix With Cheese + Bacon

Holy freaking crap. Holy freaking crap. Yowza. When the hell is Wanted coming out?!

YouTube Player

I've updated the YouTube player at the top of the screen! It's currently all James McAvoy, but I'll probably be rotating that every week (or month...). Maybe something less gorgeous (I somehow doubt that...). Leave suggestions, all three of you. Ahn click dem adz!

Fall In Love With Marion Cotillard

You may have noticed Marion Cotillard when she starred in the head-spinning Jeux d'enfants with the winsome Guillaume Canet or in Tim Burton's wonderfully magical Big Fish, but she's definitely coming into her own right now with her recent sweep of awards season for her gritty, wrenching role as Edith Piaf in La Vie En Rose. Taking America by storm is no easy feat, but her acceptance of the Best Actress Oscar is certainly going to help things along. Oh, and she's also quite stunning.

Seattle Tidbits

What you learn when you're away from the city:

- 4004 One Lincoln Tower in Bellevue is an exceptional apartment. One caveat: the rent at the luxe penthouse is a frightening $14,000 a month. Ouch.

- Crazy chaotic children are terrorizing Bremerton.

- A 1998 ferry is up for auction on eBay. Starting price? $4.5 million.

- First the SLUT, now the ASS. Oh, Mayor Nickels!

- This is what you miss when you're not in Seattle. I love seattlest.com. Read it!

Jil Sander - Four Stellar Coats + One Stunning Gown

Raf Simons' F/W 2008 collection for Jil Sander featured numerous examples of the new minimalism perfected. Especially of note were the four strikingly clean and modern coats with stand-up collars that were more modern than and desirable than those old minimalist bores of the past, thanks to new explorations of textile texture and tone, along with masterful work with virtually invisible tailoring seams. The gowns were all exceptional cases of drawing a beautiful silhouette line with fabric, creating a much stronger impact than those floaty, over-decorated gowns that tend to dominate Milan (see Dolce & Gabbana and Roberto Cavalli among others).

Brazilian Goodness

Made in Brazil has the best shots of Miro Moreira around. I like how I don't have to know Portuguese to read the site. Skankariffic!

Chrisette Michele...Just Because

Chrisette Michele's "be ok" is a catchy song, if I do say so myself. The lyrics are, well, forgettable, but her voice is really something.

Zac Posen Sac Hobo

This is one gorgeous bag. The color, French blue, is absolutely spot-on, the shape is simple and attractive, and the size is perfectly reasonable. Signature subtle Zac Posen hardware completes the look. Get it for $1295 from Nordstrom. Perfect for almost any girl.

Well Said

Cyanide & Happiness @ Explosm.net

Moving to Canada

Where the dollar is stronger and the men are hotter. Ryan Taylor is exquisite.

Fall 2008 Men's Reviews - Lanvin

Lanvin's current menswear designer, Lucas Ossendrijver, has come up with a fall collection that is sure to please both current Lanvin fans and those who have yet to discover the classic/cool line that stores like Barneys New York and MAC in San Francisco have been buying up. The look was charmingly carefree and clearly young-skewing, but it was also certainly appropriate for work. Ossendrijver offered a much better take on the recaptured youth concept that Thom Browne has often butchered. Foulards en soie made a keen appearance in place of ties, especially in the slick steel grey that feels so modern right now. Rich chocolate velvet didn't seem outdated, but felt pleasingly unexpected as a piped, double-breasted blazer. The blazer was surprisingly fresh paired with loosely-tailored navy trousers, an over-sized, winter-white blossom at the lapel, and a bow-tie worn with a crooked insouciance. Glossy shoes (a Lanvin signature) featured much thicker soles than in years past, a trend that more conceptual designers like Raf Simons to Miuccia Prada have also embraced. Even the most traditional of gentlemen will pine for the sleek jackets and coats, cut in a flattering silhouette, a perfect cross between boyishly boxy and European trim. My favorites from the collection are here, and the whole show can be found here.

YSL Fall 2008

Stefano Pilati's latest collection for Yves Saint Laurent featured two kinds of supreme chic. The first mode had the late 60s, early 70s silhouette, with loose, slightly flared trousers serving as the perfect base for more timeless coats and jackets, all in relatively muted tones. The second mode was strikingly more modern, featuring rich shades of pure green and true blue, along with gently beautiful maya blue and velvety aubergine. Mixed with black trenches or cropped trousers, the effect was deliriously of-the-moment. More of my favorites from the show here, and the whole collection here. It's by far my favorite collection of the season thus far.

A.P.C. Spring 2008

A.P.C. designer Jean Touitou makes some crazy desirable clothing, which is amazing considering how they're basically simple basics, made well in the right palette and flattering cuts. Everybody has been raving about the $140, completely unadorned, raw denim in their New Standard jeans. The prices are on the high end for non-designer basics, in the realm of Theory, but with better quality and more French ingenuity. Pictured here, the striped sailor shirt is $70 and the polo is $80, while the cardigan runs $250, the suit jacket $450, and the double-breasted trench is $465. A.P.C. shoes, while gorgeous and well-crafted, are easily in the $400 to $500 range, far too high for their comparative worth. A lovely collection for the new young, urban professional, but a little out of my price range. Available at Blackbird in Ballard and online here.

Ryan Taylor

I've talked about Ryan Taylor before, but here are two more recent pictures, the first from Arena Homme Plus, the second from Details. They're from his model portfolio, which I guess is meant to show his range, from vaguely primitive and unkempt to vaguely suave and Bond-like. In any case, he's always hot. From here.

Ali Stephens for Chloe

Craig McDean shot Ali Stephens for the Spring/Summer 2008 Chloe ad campaign. The results are pretty freaking magnificent. Ali is American, 16 (16!), and got her huge breakout moment in the Prada show from last September. Any girl who gets booked for a Prada show is pretty much guaranteed a full booking schedule the next season. Anyways, more of the Chloe ads here and here.

More Flight of the Conchords!

Hiphopopotamus vs. Rhymenoceros

Mutha Uckers

Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Lessattractive Clement, of the awesome superduo Flight of the Conchords, tackle the absurdism of rap and big-city racism in this pair of songs from their eponymous show. They don't always rap, I just happen to like it more when they do.

That Didn't Last Very Long...

Read The Vintner's Luck. Gaspard Ulliel stars in the movie adaptation next year, alongside Vera Farmiga, Keisha Castle-Hughes, and Jérémie Renier. It should pretty much be amazing. Source

A Change of Pace

And no, not Lee Pace. Here's something less slutty, the song from Once. Watch it!