Bronx zoo.

Forever 21 shorts, hat, and necklace, American Apparel shirt, Doc Martens shoes

I'm so behind on posting, and I admit it's because I'm not really doing all that much except for sitting in pajamas and applying to my dream jobs over and over again. Here's a quick post on what I wore to the zoo last week. It's definitely safari influenced, but mostly because Kris made me change since we were wearing the same shirt when he came to pick me up. All the peacocks had their feathers up, and you rarely see that. It was so pretty. After, we went to Bowery Congee, which I think changed its name to Village Congee or something like that, for Dim Sum. Delicious as always.

Music video and city travelling.

Pink bow, Thrifted bustier, Target pink skirt, Doc Martens shoes

I've been so busy lately writing, trying to find a job, visiting friends, playing lots of songs, and going to shows.  It's weird having nothing you have to do, and it will probably drive me crazy in a couple of more days.  I wore this outfit above to shoot a music video with Candy Hearts. It was our first ever music video, and I hope it came out okay.  All I know is the lights were really, really hot, there were so many cameras, and it took me like an hour to do my hair. I never thought I would see myself in HD--actually, I watched tv and worried about what I would look like if my chance ever came. Well, here it is.

Two days before, I went to Williamsburg to check out Lemuria at Death by Audio.  It was one of the best shows I've been to ALL YEAR,  and Slingshot Dakota and The Measure [sa] were also playing.  It was a dream line-up, and each band played all the songs that I really wanted to hear. It was great energy all around.  After the show we briefly hung out with the bands because Kris knows everyone, and the boys from Timeshares were there, who really know everyone. I've been dying to meet these bands because I really love them, I really want to play with them, and they dominate my iPod. I normally dont geek out about this stuff, but it was SO cool!

After the show, we ended up at the Charleston (like usual) since Kris has been stockpiling free pizza tickets (shh don't tell!). I slept on a floor, with no air conditioning, on a very loud street in Bed-Stuy.  when we woke up we went to Kellogg's Diner, where I got my favorite diner breakfast: waffles and ice cream. Well, that post was just one large run on.

Culture shock.

I forgot to post about Culture Shock.  Since it happened things have been just so crazy, and I didn't get any good shots of my outfit, but here's a rather boring looking picture of us playing. I assure you, it wasn't boring, no one had a proper flash.  I also met one of my idols: Andrew WK.  We are friends on twitter now.  I am also willing to admit that I was having trouble handling being right up front.  After, my legs were so bruised it looked like I was in a car accident.  I also messed up my arm when I was pushed off stage during an attempt to escape from the crowd. Three letters for my expression below: lol.



Kris looked a lot better in his picture than I did in mine, so I'm going to post his. Our drummer Nick, who picked Andrew up from the city, asked Kris to be his "body guard" since so many people were there. No one hassled him anyway.



and here is the ever-fierce Russel, ready to catch light on his good-side within a moments notice.

This is it?

Nasty Gal romper, Esprit Blazer, black wedges, and knock-off Wayfarers

It's time for the last issue of The Independent, and with this my mission ends, or rather it's expanded.  I've felt like this journal has been transforming, from an editor documenting the day-to-day to a girl whose trying to be a writer. A writer of everything: news, music, blog entries, and even screenplays and short stories. So here it is. I will finally try to "make it." I'm still struggling with what that means.

Along the way, there have been other struggles. In three weeks, I will officially be unemployed (by all jobs that actually provide money), and I'll no longer have anything to do with SUNY Purchase, except for the people I've met and love. My band is currently two skips away from being drummerless, as my drummer has been thrown into real life really fast. I don't know who we'll find to fill-in, but I'm excited to meet anyone in general whose as excited about music as I am.  As a result, I am getting reacquainted with my acoustic. I will be continuing with Her Campus through the summer, but from home. Yes, I'll be blogging from the comforts of living room.  Is 21 too old to be moving back home? I'm not sure yet, but I do know my Mom and sister (and my brother on a good day) are way better to live with than some of the people this school has stuck me with! Cheers to the years of random roommates being over.

Tuesday night Thermals concert.

 
H&M jacket, Forever 21 dress, Simply Vera tights, Dr. Martens boots

I started writing this entry on Saturday night, when I was sitting in my bedroom eating Sugar Babies and watching Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants 2 for the 10th time, but then my cold went into full swing, and I decided to just stop.  As dull as last night was, Tuesday night was so much fun (despite the sickness that won't die).  I wish I could wander around NYC every day, trying new restaurants and going to shows, but I can't because today I WILL finish my article and my songs. I stocked up on cold meds and coffee and I am ready. to. go.

Before we hit up Brooklyn Bowl to see the Thermals, we went to Soy & Sake, an awesome vegetarian restaurant in the West Village. First we got an appetizer of crispy chicken and it was heavenly— dare I say better than real chicken nuggets. I got the coconut crusted chicken, which came with yummy pineapple slices, and Kris got the General Tsao's chicken, which was so good. So much soy, I probably shouldn't eat soy for a while. After, we stopped by Rocco's, which Kris swears has the best cannoli he's ever had. It was pretty good, but that place always feels touristy to me. I like the idea of a dessert restaurant though!

After that, we finally made it to Brooklyn Bowl.  The opening acts were, well... typical Brooklyn, adorned in feather headdresses, animal masks, and wandering micro-Korgs.  The Thermals were excellent, though, and I'm completely enamored by Kathy Foster. Chick bassists rule, and I'm probably the All Girl Summer Fun Band's biggest fan.  Brooklyn Bowl was cool though, even though bowling there seemed pretty expensive. The crowd was weird a mix of hipsters and thirty-something professionals who looked like they just got out of work. Perhaps they were grabbing a beer after work.

Here's a little secret for those of you who want to attend sold out shows at Brooklyn Bowl. Sometimes, they just say they are sold out and then let you in at the door. If they are actually sold out, you can say that you are bowling and easily sneak into the show (thought you'll have to pay for bowling, which is slightly more than a ticket).

The last couple of weeks.

 
American Apparel bandeau, Free People tank, Forever 21 shorts, Steve Madden booties

Apparently, the only time I can find for blogging is when I'm sitting sick in bed, unable to even talk because of my sore throat.  This was the first time I called in sick to work since about a year ago (it was only a 2 hour shift anyway). I wish that calling in sick could be left for days where I feel amazing and am going to do amazing things, but they're not. I don't get mental health days. Tomorrow, no matter how sick I am, I have to make the second to last issue of The Independent before I hand in my keys to the office (well, I mean they'll probably just change the door code) and graduate.  My senior project is almost finished, and I am going to have my life back, but no job. Cheers to starting the hunt (more than I've already started).Since I've taken such a break, I'm going to try to do things chronologically.  Two Fridays ago, I went on down to Arrojo Studios to be a hair model for my friend Kelly's graduation.  I got my hair colored, cut, and Kelly took me to this amazing frozen yogurt place for lunch. All in all, she did a fabulous job ! Nick Arrojo was even there and I was giggly like a silly fan girl. I can't help if it "What Not to Wear" is one of my favorite shows.  Above is the final product, and I won't post the before picture because after I saw it, I swore I would never go out without makeup again.

 After the hair show, I headed up to Harlem to hang out with my sister who was preparing for the final test for her bartending certificate.  Why she needs a bartending license when she already has a big career job in her field, I don't know, but we made fondue, tried the beer she brewed in her dorm room, and she practiced making all of the drinks out of her book.  I was one of the testers for every drink she made.  I don't normally drink that much, but I consider this instance more of an academic assignment than drinking.

This is some delicious drink my sister made with orange juice and grenadine!

Candy hearts record release show.

Thrifted sweetheart bustier, BCBG jeans, TJ Maxx flannel, Steve Madden flats

Friday was the Candy Hearts record release show at the Charleston (the really fun pizza bar).  I was so happy that the basement was filled with tons of old friends, new friends, and soon to be friends.  Earlier that day, I travelled the lengths of New York City to get my hair styled by my friend who is graduating from Arrojo really soon! I'm her hair model for her final project, so by next week I will have an extremely different dye and cut. I'm nervous because I've never dyed my hair except for the wash-out red streaks I put in when I was 15 and punk rock.

Friday afternoon, before Kris, Greg, and I ate at this AWESOME Mexican place (that I got no pictures of because I was delirious with hunger), we filmed a Pink Couch Session.  This was my second ever on-camera performance, and I was pretty nervous because of number of people who will probably see it.  I had always watched the Pink Couch and thought about what it would feel like to sit in the place that so many bands I adore and respect sat.  Well, now I know what it feels like, and it feels awesome!  It was, overall, the most fun I had in a long time, despite my inability to stop giggling because of how excited I was. I can't wait for it to be posted.  We also checked out Big Soda's session and it was so cute!

I wish I could say the rest of my spring break will be equally as fun, but I have so much work to do! I am writing a really great article for Her Campus, doing some freelance work, delving deeper into my horror screenplay, preparing a french presentation, finishing my senior project, planning an end of the year party for The Independent, reworking my resume, and scouring the job listings on ED2010.com. I am really lucky to have all this wonderful creative work going on right now!

Now for picspam:

Too busy to go out.

Target Shirt, Forever 21 Jeans, Vintage Shoes

I haven't had a chance to blog lately.  Mostly, I've been so consumed with work that I've been wearing outfits that could scare small children.  It's also been rainy, windy, and cold, cold, cold.  It was so stormy out last night that I saw a tree crack and fall right infront of me, along with the aluminum siding of an apartment in my complex. During these next two days, I have so much work to do, and I'm taking a break mid-week to see Andrew WK in the city. I could use some cheering up.  I feel like I haven't been out in ages.

I wore this outfit the last day it was nice out. I didn't even need a coat. Oh, how I wish it was like that right now!   I went out to get bagels for lunch and had a yummy bacon, onion, and potato sandwich on a jalepeno cheddar bagel.

 

From Park Slope to Harlem and other things.

Vintage Glasses, TJ Maxx Jacket, Urban Outfitters Shirt, Thrifted Stretch Pants, Dr. Martens Shoes.

Friday, I went to visit my sister in Harlem but somehow found myself in a 2 hour subway ride to park slope to see my friends (who happen to be in this awesome band Field Mouse) and finally meet Jenny Owen Youngs, who is great friends with all of them, and I've heard so much about (not just from Perez Hilton). NYC Subways are so frustrating after 12am, and it took us some ridiculous amount of time to get home, and I totally passed out on Kris's shoulder and had weird subway induced dreams. 

Here are a few things for you guys to check out, that I forgot to post about because I am in a whir of senior project haze and watching way too much "My Life as Liz.":  Candy Hearts was featured in Star Beat Music, a cool blog about the NY/NJ underground music scene and in The Captain's Memos, so go on over there and comment, and tell them what you think!

I have more to post about, including exciting Indy news, but I am waiting to receive the pictures first, so stay tuned!

Happy valentine's day!

Rodarte for Target dress, Betsey Johnson belt, Guess platform pumps

 I was so psyched when I found this dress in my size (it was the last one!).  I bought it a month ago, but I was saving it for Valentine's Day! I decided to overload on the bows, because of how sweet this holiday was.  My boyfriend said I looked like a little present.  Anyway, we ate really awesome sushi and saw Valentine's Day, which I liked except for T-Swift's acting, and I'm not usually one to point that stuff out.

I'm also really excited because this week was huge. I finally published my first two blogs on Her Campus and played a ridiculously crowded, out of control show (which I will blog about tomorrow, if I can sneak away from the Independent!)

Stepping outside of your comfort zone.

Nanette Lepore dress, Simply Vera Wang tights, Jazz shoes from TJ Maxx

Turquoise dress, purple tights, gold shoes, and a big bedazzled headband—it’s sort of loud.  I, for one, am not used to dressing as vibrantly as I did for my recent band practice.  I'm used to muted colors, one stand-out accessory, and comfortable shoes, which is considered a cardinal sin in my sister's mind (she frequently dons 5" heels to gallivant all over Manhattan).  After seeing Yes Man last night, I figured why not? Almost everything I have achieved is a result of stepping outside of my comfort zone.  Applying to become editor of The Indy (we even have writing interns this semester!), deciding to try my hand at cooking tofu, and actually securing band-mates over and over again (which is really as nerve wracking as dating) are all things I was very apprehensive to try, but ended up becoming who I am.  

So I ask my readers, if you are out there, what is something you desperately wanted to avoid (going to the gym, finishing that research paper before the last minute, or even telling someone how you feel) that actually paid off?

Southern Tour

Sorry for my almost 2-week absence. I came back from my southern tour with Candy Hearts just a few days ago.  We decided it would be a great idea to go south in the winter to avoid the snow.  Unfortunately, the minute we booked it out of Pittsburgh, we were stuck in the biggest snow storm the south has seen in a long time.  All of the news stations were reporting on the so called "Arctic Blast." That is just my luck.  Our biggest show was canceled, I never was able to see Louisville, and I was stuck in a random hotel somewhere in Ohio.

One more unlucky thing: one of my favorite bands, Lemuria, happened to be playing in someone's basement on the very same day that we played at the Little Hamilton Collective in Nashville. The place was cool (heat or not) but all everyone kept saying was how everyone was at the Lemuria show instead.  Hell, I wanted to head over there myself, but I'll catch them if they come around Brooklyn! Note for next tour: research popular bands in the same scene, and don't bother competing with them, especially if your favorite band plays in the same basements.

Aside from those two slip-ups, tour was wonderful! We met so many great people, and played so many wonderful, fun, shows! I really fell in love with Nashville, but nothing is quite the same as New York.

Post-show hanging  with the band in Pittsburg.  I got this dress at Kohls.  Who would have thought.

Here's a picture someone took of us at Snug Harbor in Charlotte, North Carolina.  Loving my new Voodoo Sparkledrive that I got for Christmas!  After meeting some awesome kids  in Asheville, we were led to Lunchbox records where Kris picked up Dear You by Jawbreaker. I can't wait to listen.  Coolest record shop ever!

On the left is outside our hotel room in Columbus, Ohio.  It wouldn't stop snowing. Thats my good old van covered in it.  Poor guy. On the right is the awesome street-punk band we played with in Nashville.  The girl was really cool, and could shred on bass.  She thrifted and sewed all of her clothes.  I really love her patent docs.

That's all for now. I spent the majority of the tour actually enjoying the moment rather than documenting it, which is something new for me, so I don't have pictures of all the shows or the people we met. Stay tuned and find out how much I ate when I discovered how awesome southern food is.

Happy holidays, everyone!

Franco Sarto shoes, Xhilaration skirt

I don't have any full pictures of my outfit, because I ripped my tights, but my sister looks cute in sequins, a fringed skirt, and a feather headband. So 1920s!  Here are some pictures from my family's Christmas party; I'll spare you the video of my cousin imitating "the Situation" from Jersey Shore.  Now that the holidays are over, I must secure New Years plans. What are you guys doing, and what are you wearing?

It's almost Christmas!

On Thursday I went on a trip to the Council of Literary Magazines and Presses and learned a world of things about book and literary magazine publishing.  They have a library that is open to the public by appointment, which has a great selection of issues from various members (such as Fence and A Public Space, whose editors I got to meet).

After that, I met up with Kris to do the most touristy thing I could think of— seeing the tree in Rockefeller Center.  I couldn't get any good pictures, because Kris is terrible at taking pictures, and it was really dark.  If you can imagine, the tree was really big and really sparkly, and I was underwhelmed, cold, and hungry.  Apparently, a Magnolia Bakery opened up around there, and Kris almost had a heart-attack when we passed it.  We were in search of dinner, but when you see one of those life pretty much comes to a complete stop.  I've never even gotten anything except boring vanilla, but I don't want to try something else because it is too good to risk passing up!

As soon as we scarfed down our pre-dinner dessert, we arbitrarily picked a Thai place to eat at and stumbled upon Pongsri.  It was probably the most delicious food I have tasted (and Kris, who's a real foodie, agrees!).  Their Tom Kha Gai (Thai Chicken Coconut Soup) was like nothing I've ever tasted.  It just tasted like so much, and I have decided that I only want to eat that for as long as I live.  Their curry was also the best curry I have ever had.

Does anyone know any other good Thai places in the NYC area?