It's hard to stay cool: Ra Ra Riot's The Rhumb Line

A rhumb line is a line crossing all meridians of longitude at the same angle.  It's also a pretty album by Ra Ra Riot. I'm revisting this late summer 2008 debut from these Syracuse indie rockers.  It's really rich musically, with string intsruments weaving through more percussive and snappy beats.  It's a big boquet of fun!
Best news: Ra Ra Riot perform Friday, February 5th along with The Antlers at BAM.

Ra Ra Riot at BAM!

Oh snap!

Today I picked up some classic Chuck Taylor All-Stars in stormy grey.  I'm feeling really grunge-tastic.  It's amazing that this is actually my first pair; somehow I skipped the angry teenager trend in the 90s.  It's never too late for a classic punk/grunge throwback.  "It's not like I'm some modern punk, dickhead. It's an obvious, 1977 original punk rock look." -Enid, Ghost World
Since I'm fifteen again, I'll need to grab a pack of grape flavored Bubble Yum and some slap bracelets. See you at recess...I brought my Skip-it!

Gun Salutes: Tamar Mogendorff

Tamar Mogendorff likes stuffing animals.  Although, her faux taxidermy is a sweeter version of actual hunting trophies, where the beauty of the animal can be appreciated harmlessly.  Bumbling around over the long weekend, I discovered her newest creations at bird in Williamsburg (203 Grand Street).  I always loved her miniature bird houses and mushrooms, but these new larger creations are really enchanting. 
They remind me of "Golden Pony Boy" from one of the hippest and heartfelt love stories: Michel Gondrey's "The Science of Sleep."

(Golden Pony Boy was created by Lauri Faggioni, another wonderful lady who stuffs adorable objects.) 

There is something very clumsy and charming about the raw finish of hand stitched objects.   To see more pretty:

TAMAR MOGENDORFF

Gucci bulldog keychain.

Spotted.

Luxury, bows, bulldogs...these are a few of my favorite things. When I see cute like this, "Love my Way" by the Psychedelic Furs starts playing in my head.  Is that weird? I hope so!

hello newness!

(Print by Mike Monteiro, available through 20 x 200, a Jen Beckman Project )

2009 almost took the fight out of me.

It was totally dope and important and fun and awesome, but exhausting and dumb.

Here's hoping that 2010 is completely pleasant.

I'm hanging up my boxing gloves.

But I am prepared to take them down again.

Keep your glory gold.