Back to Life, Away from Reality

Reality has been the rising star of television since MTV premiered their first season of the Real World in 1992. Of course back then reality TV was a little more... real. What the producers were showing was groundbreaking; confronting genuine problems, capturing the struggle of young people on camera and with no sugar coating. This past season The Jersey Shore proved to be the complete opposite of real topped with fake tans and fake Italian family values. I am hoping that although wildly popular this will prove to be the climax of reality and it will once again share the spotlight with original scripted television.

Glee, like Real World was in 1992, is a groundbreaking concept and a breathe of fresh air. Watching the theater inspired show only makes me hope that there is more to come both in television and film. Think back to 1996 and Romeo and Juliet; not only was the film amazing but so was the soundtrack. Rarely does a show encompass both sight and sound so directly that both are a vital part to the story line. Glee, like Romeo and Juliet, has an interesting story only strengthened by music.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Brooklyn Flea Market vendors are bringing a whole new hue to the green term. In addition to selling vintage finds some savvy artists are creating new from old. Wrecords by Monkey spins old records into a collection of accessories. The Brooklyn based company got their start making cuffs while founder and namesake attended FIT and have since collaborated with MTV and the Grammy's. Mama Can't Sing gets a double word score for their Scrabble tile cuff links and rings. Suitcases, muffin trays and ironing boards are all unique ways to reduce the amount of space needed to display goods.

I Spy Ikat

From the Dries Von Noten and Suno runways to the streets of Brooklyn, ikat prints are springing up high and low. In prices that is. Cynthia Vincent's shoe collection at Target has stand out platforms for $29.99, while Ked's at Steven Alan are becoming available May 1st. There are also tons of vintage finds at the Brooklyn Flea. Wear the print to work by pairing with a blazer or straight cropped pants.

New...To You!

There are six words, very untrue words, that every female I know has said; "I don't have anything to wear." These words are usually muttered in the frustration of an upcoming event and from people, who like me, have more clothing than closets can hold or trunks can store. Whether it be for work, a party, or merely something in between, we constantly look into our closets with nothing more than disappointment. Sure, borrowing is an option, but can be a hard sell to some and is the cause of 95% of the arguments between my sister and me. There is a new solution to this closet-ed boredom that is both fun and wallet friendly. Refashioner allows you to take that once adored LBD that is no longer the perfect solution to all your occasions and put it towards something else. Refashioner is a sort of modernized Buffalo Exchange and clothing swap party combined. You trade in your clothing for credit towards something new...to you!

Two Wrongs Make It Right?

Working with someone like sharing an apartment, is one of the fastest and truest ways to get to know someone. In September I drove with my dear friend Sabina from Los Angeles to San Francisco and discussed over pie, and Route 1, our first impressions of each other. Unlike a lot of first impressions, these had little to do with physical appearance. We were both wearing our mandatory Southern Hospitality t-shirts and blue jeans and therefore personal style was unknown.
Luckily for us our first impressions were wrong. Sabina assumed that when I shared the new and ridiculous rules regulating the filling of barbecue sauce that I wanted to boss her around rather than protect her from the also new and ridiculous Napoleon-esque manager. I assumed that her shouting "whaTTT!!!??!" at anything and everything I said was an attitude problem rather than a hearing problem (still debatable). Seth Godin has said that "every interaction might be the whole thing", making it more important now than ever that a first impression be what we want to represent us. Of course making a good first impression is ideal, but if you are lucky enough, making good on a bad one can be all the more fun. What else can make you laugh so hard your stomach hurts and eyes well with tears?