From Miley to Kris Jenner to Paper, Everyone's Obsessed With Niki Takesh

February 27, 2014, 9:45 am

≫ Next: Dries Van Noten Gets a Paris Exhibition

≪ Previous: Perfect Pussy's Debut Album Is Not Your Average Break-Up Record

$

0

0

Whether you know it or not, Niki Takesh has probably influenced you and the trends you love ever since you discovered Tumblr. Infusing cyber-glam sensibilities with a smoky breath of California sunshine, Niki is one of the underground originators of trends ranging from stoner-chic to ratchet runway and, while the style scene's still freaking out over the '90s, she's already leagues ahead and obsessed with the early 2000s. And with high profile friends/clients like Miley Cyrus and Brooke Candy, Niki has positioned herself in the first wave of URL to go IRL. She's also appeared in videos that are arty to the party, ranging from London-based artist Ed Fornieles "Pool Party" video for MOCAtv to Miley Cyrus' "We Can't Stop." And now everyone from Paper favorites Jeanette Hayes, the ATL Twins, and even Kris Jenner can't get enough of her. She's also a mini mogul in the making, having collaborated with L.A.-based brand, HOWL, on a small capsule collection. So while she's ascending from the web to reality, we had to get a hold of this bi-coastal beauty in between rides on her rocker bf's PJ (that's private jet, if you didn't know) to pick her brain for some fashion tips and hear about partying with Miley.

What's been your favorite styling job?

Probs any Miley job! It's always a party. Also I love working at Drake's house a.k.a. the YOLO estate because I love YOLOing.

What role, if any, did your Internet presence play in your styling career?

I don't think the Internet had anything to do with styling, I was just in the right place at the right time IRL. I wouldn't consider myself an Internet personality and I love styling but I don't really want to be a stylist. It's kind of like my day job that I'm settling with to pay the bills in my early 20s. I'm not complaining. I love it and I'm so lucky to get work but I'd like to do more.

What are you most excited about right now in fashion?

I'm excited for the future! I love seeing my fucked generation and all these young designers kill the game. I'm all about integrating technology onto garments.

What was your biggest 'WTF moment' from New York Fashion Week?

I feel kinda bad I left NY the day fashion week started and didn't pay much attention to anything but I did see some pics from the Marc Jacobs show and I've never missed eyebrows more!

What are the biggest changes you noticed between the past few fashion seasons?

Everything looks the same to me.

Your style seems to have evolved a lot in recent years. How would you describe your taste today?

Right now I'm all about effortless chic -- I barely wear makeup or even try to look cute these days. My hair couldn't be more boring and opposite of how it used to be 3 years ago. It's literally just one length and my natural color. I'll try harder soon.

What was filming Miley's "We Can't Stop" video like?

There was def no acting involved, there were about 300 blunts in rotation that day, and it was 5 a.m.

What can we expect from you next?

Hopefully just more work with creative control. I'm currently working on starting my own sunglasses line. And expect more video work from me! In a year I'll hopefully have collabed with another sick brand to design a capsule collection.

---

Dries Van Noten Gets a Paris Exhibition

February 27, 2014, 11:00 am

≫ Next: Is This The Best Vine Ever Made?

≪ Previous: From Miley to Kris Jenner to Paper, Everyone's Obsessed With Niki Takesh

$

0

0

Starting March 1, Les Arts Décoratifs museum in Paris is featuring an exhibition dedicated to the work and influences of Belgian designer Dries van Noten and his inimitable vision. Known for his love of prints, eclectic styling and contrasting male-female aesthetics, the Belgian original has made a poetic mark on the fashion world. First showing as part of the "Antwerp Six" in 1986, van Noten has found inspiration in everything from the work of artists like Mark Rothko and Elizabeth Peyton to the folk traditions of countries including India and Mexico. Curated by Pamela Golbin with exhibition design by Jean-Dominique Secondi, the show is part of an ongoing collaboration between the designer and the museum, including van Noten's use of replicated 19th-century textiles from its archives in his men's and women's Spring/Summer 2014 collections. 

Photo courtesy of Dries van Noten

Is This The Best Vine Ever Made?

February 28, 2014, 6:35 am

≫ Next: Spring Cleaning Chic with Gabe Saporta

≪ Previous: Dries Van Noten Gets a Paris Exhibition

$

0

0

This girl. Oh this girl. Flawless. [Hypervocal]
 
Jimmy Kimmel made an amazing compilation of all the local L.A. reporters freaking out over TWO INCHES OF RAIN. [Uproxx]

Way harsh, Rodney. [FYouNoFMe]
 

This little girl playing with a baby horse is too much. I want to live in an Icelandic meadow with them 24/7. [TastefullyOffensive]

All the dresses worn by Best Actress winners since 1929. [Mediarundigital]

GPOY. [FYouNoFMe]


Here's Obama "joking" at a manufacturing press conference about the government building an Iron Man. Ha...ha..ha? [TasefullyOffensive]

I repeat this line daily on my morning commute. The NYC subway WILL turn you into Parker Posey from Dazed and Confused, I don't care how nice of a person you think you are.  [LaughterKey]

Spring Cleaning Chic with Gabe Saporta

February 28, 2014, 8:30 am

≫ Next: Our 15 Super-Scientific, Super-Important Oscars Predictions

≪ Previous: Is This The Best Vine Ever Made?

$

0

0

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, Cobra Starship front man Gabe Saporta looks like a heartthrob rock star even when he's doing spring cleaning.
 
Gabe spruces up the place in an unbuttoned Gap Classic Worker Shirt, sweats and cute kicks. Yellow dish gloves make any ensemble look Fashion with a capital F. Gabe, you're our new at-home lookspiration. For more of Gabe's at-home looks, visit Gap Styld.by.
 

Hair and makeup: Stephen Thevenot and Anneliese Tiecke

Our 15 Super-Scientific, Super-Important Oscars Predictions

February 28, 2014, 9:30 am

≫ Next: New Party Alert! Duh Fridays at Hôtel Americano

≪ Previous: Spring Cleaning Chic with Gabe Saporta

$

0

0

We've spent weeks enduring endless "mani cams" and half-baked arguments on Twitter this awards season and now the payoff is finally here: Hollywood's Big Kahuna, the Oscars.  Ahead of the awards show this Sunday, we've calculated some super-scientific predictions on the night's outcomes. Read on.

Most Likely To Mention Food/How Hungry She Is On The Red Carpet: Jennifer Lawrence

Number of Celebrity Photo-Bombs and Selfies Taken on the Red Carpet: ~178

Host Who Will Just Not Be Mean Enough: Ellen DeGeneres

Nominee Who Will Most Likely Be Caught On Camera Giving Off Some Side-Eye When She Loses: Judi Dench -- sorry, Dame Judi Dench

Person That Everyone Will Imagine Naked Whenever the Camera Pans to Him: Michael Fassbender

Moment You First Realize That the Oscars Are a "Makes-No-Sense Shit-Show": When Pink performs

Most Likely to Take a Couples' Photo in the Vanity Fair After Party Photobooth: Jonah Hill's Wolf of Wall Street dentures and newly hot-on-the-market John Mayer

Upset that Would Break Twitter: We'll all see the 'Fail Whale' if Lupita Nyong'o loses to Jennifer Lawrence. We love you JLaw but sometimes you have to let another kid on the swing set.

Person Who Will Have a "Fuck This" Think Balloon Over Her Head All Night: Julia Roberts

Person Who Will Have an Even Bigger "Fuck This" Think Balloon Over His Head All Night: Christian Bale

Coolest Person Who Will Wear Sunglasses Inside All Night Long That Is Not Jack Nicholson: Bradley Cooper's mom, Gloria Compano

Movie You Probably Will -- But Must Not -- Forget Is Nominated for an Oscar: Bad Grandpa

Song That Will 100% Get Spoofed During the Awards...and a Spoof Probably Starring Billy Crystal and Whoopi Goldberg: "Let It Go" from Frozen

Person You'll Keep Forgetting Was Nominated This Year: Tom Hanks

Minutes the Awards Will Run Long: 26

New Party Alert! Duh Fridays at Hôtel Americano

February 28, 2014, 10:30 am

≫ Next: Fashion Blogger Lauren Gould On the Wonders of Amora Mustard + Strip Mall Pho

≪ Previous: Our 15 Super-Scientific, Super-Important Oscars Predictions

$

0

0

Most people would rather attend a house party thrown by a friend than that of a stranger. In New York, we often seek the same comfort in nightlife -- whether it means knowing the DJ, bartender, promoter or venue. Despite the intrinsic difficulty of merging the teasing exclusivity of most Manhattan clubs with this desire for familiarity and ease, Hôtel Americano's new weekly party, "Duh," seems to have found the right balance.

Organized by Joe Grun and Paper alums photographer Zac Sebastian and Alex Chapman (a.k.a. the rapper "Chapman"), Duh has already caused cool kids to queue up after only two parties. No doubt, this has something to do with the impressive names dropped on their weekly flyer. Opening night kicked off with rapper Theophilus London on the decks and a live performance by Le1f, who worked his flow right in the middle of attendees. This previous Friday, The Misshapes' Greg Krelenstein spun tracks before passing on the spotlight to rapper Junglepussy, who performed live. And tonight, Westgay's Frankie Sharp will be playing host and Vashtie will be in the DJ booth.

Theophilus London

And, despite the Billy Farrell-and-Patrick McMullan-approved names, the promoters say they want to maintain a relaxed, unpretentious vibe. "It's a new, popular party, so the door can get pretty tight. But the attitude of the party and the team throwing it is very fun and friendly," says Malik Winslow, who works as one half of the door team with Rachel Karp. In most cases, people are only turned away once the venue hits capacity -- not the capriciousness of the door guy/girl.

When you do make it downstairs, it can feel like you're in the coolest frat party you know -- not a bougie club. And much of that goes back to the crowd, which for the past two weeks has felt like a diverse mix of friend groups that nevertheless run in overlapping circles. Inside the party, "you see people you know and people you want to know," Grun says. He adds, "The ideal party crowd is a nonjudgmental, open-minded group of beautiful souls -- people who go out to enjoy themselves and not because going out is the cool thing to do."

"It's all about bringing people together who wouldn't normally go to or have fun at the same place," Chapman says. He credits the DJs' music tastes  (which, he says, can range from Kanye's "Drunk in Love" remix to Shaggy's "Wasn't Me") as helping draw in an eclectic crew. 

Though they're only two weeks in -- we're calling it now: New Yorkers have a new home away from home waiting for them in the basement of Hôtel Americano every Friday night.

Check out more photos from the first two parties above and below.

Duh Fridays at Hôtel Americano, 518 W. 27th St., New York; 10pm-5am

Greg Krelenstein and Nicola Formichetti

Junglepussy

Le1f

Chapman and friends

Fashion Blogger Lauren Gould On the Wonders of Amora Mustard + Strip Mall Pho

February 28, 2014, 2:00 pm

≫ Next: 10 Etsy Finds: A/V Club Edition

≪ Previous: New Party Alert! Duh Fridays at Hôtel Americano

$

0

0

Lauren Gould

In our ongoing series, Ladies Who Lunch, cook, co-founder of catering company bigLITTLE Get Together and Marc Jacobs' personal chef, Lauren Gerrie, will be whipping up lunch -- and conversation -- with some of our favorite New York City gals.

Originally from West L.A., Lauren Gould made the leap to the Big Apple to attend NYU and soon after launched a career in the fashion world starting with internships for Karen Rabinovitz (who was then a freelance fashion writer before she launched Digital Brand Architects), YSL, Gucci and Harrison & Shriftman. After getting hired at Work House Publicity, she was introduced to author and editor Ian Luna and wound up freelancing for him, working on some of his most well-known books about Louis Vuitton and Kenzo. Currently part of a power team at Howl Group with Rob Lee (whom she met one night at Schiller's) -- where she worked on the launch of Justin Bieber's international fragrance campaign -- she also finds time to work on her fashion photography blog, "The Marcy Stop." Originally launched with her friend Micol Cortese -- and named for the subway stop they were both living off of at the time -- Gould now runs the site solo and shares with readers her on-point fashion sense and her envy-inducing Brooklyn lifestyle. We sat down with Lauren during NYFW to talk food and to cook a filling wintry lunch that any fashionplate could indulge in. 

MENU

Winter Citrus Salad with Dill & Lime Coconut Chips
*
Spinach / Avocado / Coconut / Apple / Ginger Smoothie

What is your favorite meal of all time?

PHO! My favorite place is this random spot in Philly. My mom is Vietnamese, which is where my love for pho began. But my sister went to Temple Med School in Philly and found this amazing place called Nam Son. My mom always said you can tell the quality of pho from the herbs that they serve with it and this place gives you a huge heaping plate of beautiful unique greens. Of course it is in a strip mall off some random street, but it is so good. If I need a pho fix in NYC, Bia is delicious.

Where's your favorite spot to eat in New York City?

Recently I went to Shalom Japan, which is Japanese Jewish fusion. It reminds me of my mom's cooking. My dad was in Vietnam teaching medicine when he met my mom. When the Communist takeover happened he was relocated to Thailand and had one more year to teach. During that year my mom came to the US and lived with my Dad's mom in Philly. She learned how to cook Jewish food from my grandmother and obviously combined her traditions with the new cooking techniques and recipes she had learned.

What dish makes you most nostalgic?

Hmmm, we used to go to this place in downtown LA where you cook rare beef slices on this metal bowl or slate dish. When I was younger my whole family used to go there. You had to roll everything up in rice paper which is where I perfected my "rolling abilities."

What's your first stop in LA when you go to visit?

Bay Cities. ALWAYS. It's an Italian deli in Santa Monica. They make all their own breads there and they have these epic sandwiches. "The Works" is mind-blowing -- it has hot pepper salad and meats and cheeses. I have now started to smuggle their bread and pepper salad back in my bag. I will literally order online or call in my order once I land at LAX. You used to be able to fax in your order. When I was in high school in Santa Monica, a big group of my friends would put together an order, fax it from some random classroom, and someone would go pick it up. So worth it!

You have a little bit of the party girl in you.... or at least you go out to parties and events often. What are some of your all-time favorite cocktails?

I really love a Penicillin. I first had it at Dram, which is super dangerous because it is so close to my house and they make delicious cocktails. Essentially it is ginger, lemon, and you top it off with Laphroaig which gives it a nice herby taste. I feel like I could drink those year round because it is light, but rich. Although during the summer I love rosé. Once it's warm it is always "Rosé Season."

Citrus Salad

What is the biggest misconception about you?

I think people think that I am "just a blogger" and I don't do anything else. There is a lot more going on behind me and my identity on the blog. I am pretty business savvy and I don't always think that is translated through my fashion blog.

You mentioned that you and your boyfriend Isaac cook a lot at home -- what do you make?

Because he models and is really into fitness, he makes pretty healthy meals. His recent favorite is a chicken cauliflower curry, which is very paleo [diet]-friendly and it is delicious. We make a lot of salads and sometimes a 'throw together' pho. He also makes this homemade Caesar dressing that is super garlicky and has tons of anchovies.

If money was no issue, where would you go to eat and what would you eat?

There was this amazing street noodle cart in Laos that we would go to every day on vacation with my parents. Soup was a $1 and there were so many choices of meats and herbs. If not that Bay Cities!

What's your go-to condiment?

There's a mustard called Amora -- it's French and I originally discovered it in Bedford Cheese Shop where they charge $8. Then I went to France and they sell it in the grocery store for 1 euro. Now I stock up when I go and I bet the TSA thinks "look at this poor sad hungry girl and all her mustard!" I also make my sister, who is engaged to a French guy, smuggle me back this generic but oh-so-good mustard.

What lady would you most like to share lunch with?

My initial reaction is Michelle Obama. I just think she is really cool and I would love a peek into her closet.

10 Etsy Finds: A/V Club Edition

February 28, 2014, 2:30 pm

≫ Next: The Best, Worst and Weirdest of the Week

≪ Previous: Fashion Blogger Lauren Gould On the Wonders of Amora Mustard + Strip Mall Pho

$

0

0

1. You look at me with words but I look at you with feelings

Anna Karina was iconic in her many roles as Jean Luc Godard's leading lady. Her performances will be forever immortalized on-screen and on this balloon.

2. Bill Murray Fan Club Button

This pin actually can't be purchased. You can only earn it after watching Groundhog Day every day, for a year.

3. Dapper Ryan Gosling Crush Tee

If you're not a fan of Ryan Gosling, this shirt also comes in Zach Galifianakis and James Franco.


4. Lost in Translation Coloring Book

[Inaudible Whisper]

5. Twin Peaks Poster and Print

Every major Twin Peaks reference packed into one poster for the Lynchian super-fan.

6. I Love Films Brooch

For the who are adamant about the distinction between mere movies and films.

7. I Love Bad Movies Zine

I Love Bad Movies features essays on the '80s movies we love to hate and the ones that we wish we could just forget about.

8. Cher Horowitz Clueless iPhone Case

If Cher had an iPhone in the '90s, her case would definitely have her own face on it.

9. Bill Haverchuck Art Print



Whether you were a geek like Bill, a freak, or something in between, everyone could find something to relate to in the short-lived series.

10. Kramer Sutra

An illustrated fanzine that "provides a peek inside Hollywood's 108th most popular TV character from one year in the '90s."

---

The Best, Worst and Weirdest of the Week

February 28, 2014, 3:00 pm

≫ Next: Morning Funnies: 2014 Oscars Edition

≪ Previous: 10 Etsy Finds: A/V Club Edition

$

0

0

Best Mani of the Week: Snoop Dogg's! Love dem tips -- Elizabeth Thompson

Quickest High Fashion Delivery: Last week Jeremy Scott showed his first collection for Moschino -- a tongue and cheek take on our need-to-know-it-now culture -- at Milan Fashion week. This week it's available at Opening Ceremony, fries not included. -- Maggie Dolan

Best Vine We Saw All Week: This one! #Flawless. -- Abby Schreiber

Best "Art Show Announcement of the Week": President George W. Bush's. The former President will be exhibiting some of his new paintings in his first "on-purpose art show" at the George W. Bush Institute. Although the show has a rather serious title, The Art of Leadership: A President's Personal Diplomacy, I'm hoping there will be more puppy portraits and bathroom selfies in watercolor. -- Gabby Bess

Best Beauty Trend: This week Marc Jacobs announced that 64-year-old Jessica Lange was the new face of Marc Jacobs Beauty AND NARS Cosmetics announced that 68-year-old Charlotte Rampling was their new face. Good week for real beauty! -- M.D.

Best Non-trend, Trend of the Week: Normcore. Having no style is the new style, according to an essay published on The Cut this Wednesday. Nondescript fleece pullovers, Yankees baseball caps, and ensembles that are "exhaustively plain" are markers of NYC tourists and art school kids alike. It took a few decades, but Seinfeld's signature look is finally catching on. -- G.B. [Photo via The Cut]

Most Fun Music Video We Watched All Week: EMA's video for "So Blonde." -- A.S.

Morning Funnies: 2014 Oscars Edition

March 3, 2014, 6:20 am

≫ Next: Three Must-Hear Spring Albums

≪ Previous: The Best, Worst and Weirdest of the Week

$

0

0

Somehow the most embarrassing thing about John Travlolta last night wasn't his sad, shoe polish doll-hair wig, but his butchering of Idina Menzel's name as "Adella Dazeem." Woof.[Dlisted]

Adela Dazeem now has a twitter account with `12K followers.


Ellen took a selfie with everyone during the Oscars and it was re-tweeted 578 billion times and made the sun explode. 

And then someone who is a genius made everyone in the photo into Kevin Spacey. [KariVonHorn]



Pharrell dancing to "Happy" with Lupita, Meryl and Amy Adams was magical. [via DorseyShaw]

Steve McQueen was the best over-it clapper of the night. (This was when John Ridley won for best adapted screenplay and the two are supposedly in a fight.)

Well, this is just mean: A collage of Leonardo DiCaprio made of photos of other people winning Oscars. [Digg]

Benedict Cumberbatch photobombed U2 on the red carpet because he's the best. [Buzzfeed]

 

Jennifer Lawrence fell down. [MikeHayes]
  Ellen ordered pizza for everyone and Harrison Ford was King 'Za, y'all! [Buzzfeed]

Brad Pitt was merely prince 'za. [Buzzfeed]

Ellen sneaking up on Sandra Bullock and Leo was pretty fun. [Buzzfeed]

 

Ellen made a joke about Queen Liza looking like a man and was served a nice heaping plate of ice-cold bitch face. [Mike Hayes]

Ellen and Liza took a selfie later and Liza was thrilled. [Buzzfeed]



P.S. At the Spirit Awards on Saturday night, an editing snafu showed Reese Witherspoon clapping for the winner of the award she was on stage presenting. #INDIE. [Dlisted]

Three Must-Hear Spring Albums

March 3, 2014, 8:15 am

≫ Next: Ten Thoughts On Girls' Latest Episode: "Flo"

≪ Previous: Morning Funnies: 2014 Oscars Edition

$

0

0

St. Vincent 

Self-Titled (Loma Vista/Republic)

For her self-titled major label debut, St. Vincent (née Annie Clark) has augmented her angular brand of loopy guitar pop with a bristling arsenal of kaleidoscopic Day-Glo synths, making this her busiest work to date. Lead single "Birth In Reverse" is the album's statement of intent that jostles with nervous energy and head-spinning turns of melody, revealing Clark's ability to unearth new sonic territory even under big label supervision.
St. Vincent is out now

The Men 

Tomorrow's Hits (Sacred Bones)

After embracing the '70s country rock influences that haunt the blistering garage punk on the 2013 album New Moon, Brooklyn-based quintet the Men have gone full-Nashville on Tomorrow's Hits, a dusty collection of worn-in rockers that's equal parts Bob Seger, the Band and Bruce Springsteen. The speedy, organ-fueled burner "Different Days" is destined 

to be pouring out of dive bar jukeboxes for the next few decades.
Tomorrow's Hits is out March 4

Christina Vantzou 

No. 2  (Kranky)

Christina Vantzou garnered plenty of accolades for the "post-classical chamber music" of her 2011 album No.1, and now she returns with a fuller, more challenging release. Recording with a 15-piece ensemble, Vantzou crafts a cohesive, impressionistic score that both swells boldly (opener "Anna Mae") and chills beautifully ("Vancouver Island Quartet") with ethereal soundscapes that are simply hair-raising in their measured, patient execution.
No. 2 is out now

Ten Thoughts On Girls' Latest Episode: "Flo"

March 3, 2014, 10:00 am

≫ Next: Big Freedia's Guide to Mardi Gras

≪ Previous: Three Must-Hear Spring Albums

$

0

0

In this episode, Hannah leaves New York to visit her dying grandmother and Adam tells a big lie...

1. It sucks to realize your loved ones are actually kinda shitty people
This episode essentially serves to remove Hannah from her constantly "in the moment," "adult" environment of work, friends and relationships and to place her back into her "bigger picture" familial context. It also serves as a vehicle for Hannah to realize how flawed (and human) the authority figures are in her life.  After getting a call from her mother that her grandma Flo is on the verge of dying, Hannah leaves the city and goes to visit her in the hospital. As she's packing for the trip, she tells Adam how loving her grandmother was ("she always cut out the 'Cathy' cartoons for me and mailed them on Fridays") and seeing Hannah and Flo (excellently played by Nebraska's June Squibb) interact in the hospital, we're inclined to believe that assessment. That's why it's all the more surprising -- both for the audience and for Hannah -- when, one scene later, Loreen tells Hannah about what an awful mother Flo was to her and her sisters. Hannah has to suddenly reassess her perceptions of her grandmother -- and we see this happen again with her mother, her aunts, and her cousin (more on that later). While adulthood opens your eyes to a lot of things, one of the most jarring is the moment you first realize your parents -- or grandparents -- are, like most people, incredibly imperfect and prone to errors of judgment and behavior. These realizations later in life can often feel more significant than the disagreements between parents and teens, when adolescent rebellion often has more to do with a parents' rules than their fundamental values. 

2. Did anyone else think Rebecca was like a 'Bizarro World' version of Shosh?
Rebecca's mile-a-minute speech patterns, hyper-analytical mind and social cluelessness really reminded me of Shosh but if Shosh had a darker edge. #JustSayin

3. Hannah's been so caught up in the present that she realizes she has no idea what she wants out of her relationship with Adam in the long term
As a striving young adult in a city like New York, there are so many day-to-day low-level stressors, activities, opportunities, parties that it practically takes all of your mental bandwidth to make it through the present -- let alone plan for the future. I (and I'm guessing I'm hardly alone here) often feel like the only time I can sit down and make important Life Decisions is when I'm out of the city and free of its constant distractions. As I touched on earlier, this episode was fun to watch (as was the episode in season one in which Hannah returns to Michigan) because by pulling Hannah out of her 'twentysomething-in-New York bubble,' we see her begin to consider the bigger picture. And this includes marriage. Initially flabbergasted that her mother would suggest she pretend an engagement with Adam, Hannah begins to consider the possibility that this might be something she wants.  And it's understandable that she later feels confused and a little bummed when she talks to Adam about it. Though she's unsure about what she wants from their relationship, she can't help feeling disappointed by Adam's shared hesitancy. 

4. That scene with Loreen and the aunts dividing up Flo's OxyContin made me very uncomfortable
Uh-oh, will we next see Loreen and Tad descending into pill addiction?

5. Actually, that whole scene had some unsettling undertones
On the one hand, it was fun to watch three middle-aged women revert back to old sibling rivalries and arguments but on the other, it was uncomfortable to watch Margot and Loreen use their daughters as proxies in their own competitive one-upmanship. Beyond that, it was also interesting -- and disconcerting -- to see that their main source of rivalry in that moment centered on their daughters' relationship statuses rather than their careers (or any other markers). Just as Hannah expressed shock and indignation over her mother's request that she lie to Flo about being engaged to Adam, there is something very retrograde -- yet extremely realistic -- about watching these two women who are clearly very, very proud of their daughters' career achievements act like a boyfriend (or husband) is the only thing that matters. This sentiment gets echoed later on during the fight in the hospital when Loreen's main source of ammunition against her two sisters is the fact that she's the only one who's had a stable and intact marriage. As Loreen admits to Hannah, she's actually not that progressive and, despite Margot's DGAF attitude and Sissy's Chico's sale rack wardrobe, neither are they.

6. Rebecca and Hannah's relationship was spot on
I thought Hannah and Rebecca's cousinly vibes were very accurate. The tension between their inherent suspicion of one another and their desire to do what they're "supposed to do" in this situation (spend time together and bond over their grandmother) was fun to watch. Also, much like the rest of the episode, Hannah's assumptions about her family get proven wrong yet again when she learns that not only is Rebecca not as straight-edge as she thought but she's also in a polyamorous relationship.

7. Reality check: Hannah would most definitely be drinking a Bud Heavy in that bar
While I can sort of believe that a random suburban/small-town bar *might* serve Brooklyn Lager, I think the producers should have had a little bit more fun with this "I'm not in Greenpoint anymore" moment and had her drinking something more mass appeal. 

8. Aww Adam
Adam really steps it up this episode, what with him borrowing Desi's motorcycle so he can rush to Hannah's side when she tells him she got in a car crash and lying to Flo that the two of them are engaged. Speaking of that phony engagement, now that marriage has been brought up, how will Adam behave once Flo's in the ground? Will we get to see Hannah and Adam discuss marriage further? Do we even want to see them do that? Despite his history of douche-y behavior, Adam's always seemed better equipped than Hannah to handle commitment (remember season one when Adam tells her "when I commit, I fucking commit" and Hannah argues that she's "the most scared" person ever?). But at the same time, he's still a lone wolf and non-conformist. And, as chill as Hannah sometimes pretends to be around Adam, as she tells an editor, she's still from the Midwest and can't totally shake off some of the traditional values with which she was raised. She is her mother's daughter, whether she wants to admit it or not. I hope we get to see this play out before the season is over but I also hope that the two don't get engaged...yet. As Hannah says, she doesn't want to get married until she "can have a swimming pool in my living room." You don't have to abandon that goal yet, Hannah. 

9. Flo's relationship advice was intense
Though at its core Flo's advice to Hannah was on point, the delivery gave us a little shudder ("you'll want him to die the most vile death possible"). Though we know nothing about Hannah's grandfather, Flo's manner suggested she was projecting her own experiences and feelings about marriage onto her granddaughter. And, speaking of projecting...  
 
10. Loreen's transformed into a very unsympathetic character
Though she thinks she has her daughter's best interests at heart, Loreen's plea that Hannah "keep her options open" because Adam is "an odd man" was way harsh -- especially, as Hannah points out, after all that he did for the family that day. Throughout Loreen's monologue about what it'll be like to be married to an odd man whom you have to constantly "socialize" and "make the world a more friendly place," I kept wondering to what extent she was referring to her own marriage. Tad is a little "outré" (at least by East Lansing, Michigan standards): he wears an earring and fedoras and gives off some "not-so-heterosexual" vibes to a few people (or at least Elijah). And, by the way they belittle him during their fight ("he has a body like a gymnast and a brain like a toy poodle), it seems like Loreen's sisters don't think highly of him. Is there more to Tad and Loreen's marriage that we don't know about? Is Loreen burnt out from trying to lead a conventional, Midwestern life with an unconventional man and thinks her daughter might fall into the same trap? Either way, that scene made us like Loreen less -- couldn't she have at least chosen a better opportunity to voice her concerns about Adam?    

Best lines of the episode:

"The only thing I remember about my grandmother was that she had really rough skin and she spit a lot." -- Adam
"My grandmother was really neat and she had skin like a kitten's ear." -- Hannah

"When Jerry Milberg didn't show up for my prom, mom promised me that ring." -- Aunt Sissy

"I always promised myself I wouldn't get married until I had a swimming pool in my living room." -- Hannah

"Tad Horvath, catch of the fuckin' century. Body like a little gymnast, brain like a toy poodle." -- Aunt Margot

"I ate one cheese sandwich and I'd like another!" -- Grandma Flo

Big Freedia's Guide to Mardi Gras

March 3, 2014, 12:30 pm

≫ Next: Meet the Oscars Pizza Delivery Guy

≪ Previous: Ten Thoughts On Girls' Latest Episode: "Flo"

$

0

0

When it comes to getting turnt up during Mardi Gras, we didn't think there could be a better expert than New Orleans' own, Big Freedia. Below, the Queen of Bounce gives us her top 5 tips for celebrating Fat Tuesday in style.

1. This isn't insider-y, but everyone must go to the Zulu Parade! It's on Fat Tuesday and there's so much build up to the big day and this is the parade to go to if you only go to one!

2. After the Zulu Parade, you have to go under the bridge to watch all the second line bands -- the Mardi Gras Indians. What we refer to as "under the bridge" is actually not a bridge -- it's the I-10 Claiborne Overpass where crowds of people gather to continue celebrating. And "second line bands" are the people who follow behind the main parade bands dancing, singing, chanting, and basically just having a good time! And as for "Mardi Gras Indians," those are people who dress in Native American tribal costumes. Some say the costuming is in honor of the alliance between African-Americans and Native-Americans that helped slaves from New Orleans escape to freedom. It's a very important part of Mardi Gras culture and you can see it in all the parades here.

3. Every block/neighborhood has DJs who hold block parties -- I call them Hood DJs. You can go to the 6th Ward or the 7th Ward, wherever. You really get a feel for the local neighborhoods by going to the different block parties.

4. When you're ready to hit up a bar, Republic is a great place to go for a drink and some entertainment.

5. Finally, after all the partying you have to get a Po' boy at Gene's. It's open 24 hours -- so New Orleans!

The Zulu parade kicks off at the corner of S Claiborne Ave & Jackson Ave. at 8:00 a.m.

Republic, 828 S Peters St, New Orleans

Gene's, 1040 Elysian Fields Ave, New Orleans

Season two of Big Freedia: Queen of Bounce returns to Fuse in June.

Meet the Oscars Pizza Delivery Guy

March 4, 2014, 6:30 am

≫ Next: How The Thing Quarterly Is Disrupting the Publishing & Art Worlds

≪ Previous: Big Freedia's Guide to Mardi Gras

$

0

0

Ellen interviews the Oscars pizza delivery guy. [via Tastefully Offensive]

Airplane! stars Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Ted Striker reunite for a Wisconsin tourism ad. [via Hyper Vocal]

Awesome Clarissa Explains It All cartoon GIF. [via Tall Whitney]

Amazing instant date prank. [via HuffPo Comedy]

Looks legit. [via F You No F Me]

"Drakes On a Plane." So good. [via Tall Whitney]

Shade thrown. [via Knusprig Titten Hitler]

Deuces up. [via Rats Off]

The Doge meme might be played out for 13-year-old Tumblr all-stars but it is alive and well on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Facebook page. Thanks for bringing the LOLZ back to politics, intern Jeff! [via Afternoon Snooze Button]

Jimmy Kimmel called Rob Ford on his cell phone and got him to come on his show. True story. Watch Part I of his interview, above. Side note: how is this guy still in office? [via Jimmy Kimmel]

Idina Menzel -- sorry, Adele Dizeene -- stopped by the Tonight Show last night and performed "Let It Go" with Jimmy Fallon and The Roots using classroom instruments. Hearts = melted. [via Tonight Show]

How The Thing Quarterly Is Disrupting the Publishing & Art Worlds

March 4, 2014, 8:40 am

≫ Next: Dramatic Fashion Is the Thing For Spring

≪ Previous: Meet the Oscars Pizza Delivery Guy

$

0

0

photograph by Michael O'Neal

Given the supremacy of the digital world, it seems counterintuitive that an endeavor like The Thing Quarterly, an "object-based publication" that sends items designed by contributors including artists David Shrigley and Tauba Auerbach to subscribers, would flourish. The opposite was the case. Produced by San Francisco-based visual artists Jonn Herschend and Will Rogan, the first "issue," a window shade by Miranda July, was originally slated for a run of 50 -- but they received thousands of requests. "We accidentally stumbled upon something people were looking for," Herschend says. 

photographs courtesy of The Thing Quarterly.

This something was, the duo speculate, a democratization of art collecting. For $240, The Thing Quarterly subscribers receive pieces by four different artists throughout the year whose work they'd never be able to afford in a gallery; and the artists themselves, whose collectors are increasingly pooled from the rareified world (at least financially) of slick Russian oligarchs and hoodie-wearing Silicon Valley billionaires, are able to reach a wider audience. "It literally enables artists to create something that goes into people's hands," Herschend says of the pieces.

photograph by Michael O'Neal

Contributors have included not only visual artists such as Auerbach (who produced a wall clock) and Trisha Donnelly (a secret), but also publishing superstar Dave Eggers (a shower curtain), actor James Franco (a table mirror) and writer Jonathan Lethem (a pair of clear eyeglasses).

Next up is iconic West Coast artist John Baldessari, who designed a set of pillowcases. (Both Herschend and Rogan plan on sleeping on theirs.) "We get so excited about every issue," Rogan says. In an e-commerce-everything consumer world where almost anything is available through the click of a mouse, there's something to be said about that. 

For subscriptions to the thing quarterly visit thethingquarterly.com 

---

Dramatic Fashion Is the Thing For Spring

March 4, 2014, 9:30 am

≫ Next: Tennesee Thomas Shows You How To Do Vintage Right

≪ Previous: How The Thing Quarterly Is Disrupting the Publishing & Art Worlds

$

0

0

(L - R) Katy wears a top by Stella McCartney and necklace by Marni. Natalie wears a dress by Acne. 

Rachel wears a shirt by Alexander Wang and dress by Dion Lee. 

Rachel wears a coat, sweater, skirt and tights by Miu Miu and shoes by Robert Clergerie. 

Katy wears a dress by Saint Laurent over a dress by Ralph Lauren.

Natalie wears a dress and shoes by Fendi. 

Rachel wears a shirt and vest by Chanel and shoes by Giuseppe Zanotti.

Rachel (l) wears a sweater, skirt and shoes by Burberry.

Natalie (r) wears a top and skirt by Burberry and shoes by Robert Clergerie. 

Natalie wears a sweater by Derek Lam.

 Rachel wears a coat and skirt by Edun and top by Preen.

Natalie wears a dress by The Row and shoes by Miu Miu.

Katy (l) wears a dress by Louise Goldin.

Natalie wears a top, skirt and briefs by Burberry.

Rachel (r) wears a top and shorts by Louise Goldin.

Natalie wears a suit, shirt and tie by Ralph Lauren. 

Rachel wears a shirt, skirt and leg warmers by Prada and shoes by Fendi.

Katy wears a dress and shirt by Marni.

Rachel wears a dress and shoes by Rodarte.

Katy wears a dress and shirt by Gucci.

Natalie wears a dress by Jil Sander.  

Set design by Adi Goodrich

Hair by John Blaine for Vita de Luxe using BedHead

Makeup by Dina Gregg with AIM Artists / Manicurist: Chelsea King for Orly Int'l Manicure with Celestine Agency

Models: Natalie Keyser at Fusion Models NYC, Katy at Ford L.A. and Rachel at Next / Fashion Coordinator: Kelly Govekar / Fashion Intern: Stanton Jacinto / Casting: Kevin Breen / Stylist's Assistants: Olivia Cartmill, Saskia Vaye, Kelly Maroney, Justin Guizar  

Tennesee Thomas Shows You How To Do Vintage Right

March 4, 2014, 11:40 am

≫ Next: Iggy Azalea Channels Cher Horowitz in Her New Video for "Fancy"

≪ Previous: Dramatic Fashion Is the Thing For Spring

$

0

0

Musician and actress Tennessee Thomas is all kinds of cute in her Gap Slub Tee - which looks like the worn-in '70s vintage t-shirt of your dreams - paired with a dark denim mini and saddle shoes. Tennessee always serves '60s girl-group realness mixed with a touch of punk edge. Girl crush alert. 

Head to Gap Styld.by for more of Tennessee's look. 

Hair and makeup: Anneliese Tiecke

Iggy Azalea Channels Cher Horowitz in Her New Video for "Fancy"

March 4, 2014, 11:45 am

≫ Next: "Prrrto Rrrrico": Ten Thoughts On This Week's Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

≪ Previous: Tennesee Thomas Shows You How To Do Vintage Right

$

0

0

Last summer Charlie XCX told us that she was inspired by the movie Clueless and was dying to raid Cher's closet, so when we saw Paper cover girl, Iggy Azalea's new video for her track "Fancy," which features XCX, we totally bugged! With Azalea as Cher and XCX as Tai, the video, directed by Director X, is a total homage to the 1995 cult classic and hits ALL the right scenes: Cher's digital closet, debate class, the freeway freak out (Truck truck truck truck! Ahhhh!!!), the Val Party, lunch on the quad and of course gym class ("Ms. Stoeger, my plastic surgeon doesn't want me doing any activity where balls fly at my nose."). From Cher's iconic yellow tartan ensemble, Dionne's Dr. Seuss headwear and everything Ambular to backwards caps and baggy jeans (as if!) the fashion doesn't miss a beat either. So check it, above.

"Prrrto Rrrrico": Ten Thoughts On This Week's Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

March 4, 2014, 1:00 pm

≫ Next: "Drunk In Love"... As Told Via Emojis

≪ Previous: Iggy Azalea Channels Cher Horowitz in Her New Video for "Fancy"

$

0

0

1. Carey: The ladies enjoy the final few days of their Puerto Rican adventure, sans Lisa, who fled back to California with Ken before sunrise like two murderers on the run. "I didn't care if I had to woooolk back to bloody LA," Lisa says. Oh well! That's just what people who pretend to be British do! They leave luxurious resorts in Puerto Rico at 4 in the morning and fly back home, 3,000+ miles away without telling their friends! I wish the women had broken out in a musical number, entitled "That's Just What People Who Pretend to be British Do!" It ends with the Sisters Richards each standing on the shoulders of Yolanda and Brandi while Joyce sits off to the side, not included, but clapping and smiling anyway. Back home, Charlatan Vanderpump aligns herself with the Grand High Witch herself, Carlton. Ohhhhhhhh, of course. "Thehhhhaaaaa sooooo mean!" Lisa whines in her horrible, raspy, (now confirmed) smoker's voice. "They're like sharks, swarming around the blood of the wounded," Carlton says back. You can tell Lisa is like, "Oh, shit, the only one on my team is this loon." Sorry!!!! Gotta take what you can get, Pumpy-Pump! Carlton tries to cheer Lisa up by saying, "Lisa, you have an amazing, thriving business in Beverly Hills." Good. Great. I'm going to add that to the top of my resume: "I have an amazing, thriving business in Beverly Hills."

2. Carey: With the Vander-frauds gone, a sigh of relief spreads over the vacationing ladies, and Joyce takes the women on a tour of "her" Puerto Rico, as she says. "Thank you for coming to my beautiful Prrrrrrrrrrrto Rrrrrrrico," Joyce says. "I want everyone in the world to love my beautiful Prrrrrrrrrto Rrrrrrico as much as I do," she adds. They don't too much legitimate sight-seeing -- they just want to hop over poles and into public fountains. They get off a huge bus and some random guy hands them an iguana with a wig on. Yolanda of course feels perfectly comfortable letting a lizard with talons latch on to her. "Yes, beast, hello!" She whispers. "We have the same blood! Ha!" She goes onto the bus and shoves it in everyone's faces; Kyle, of course, is super over-the-top  about how scared she is, but NOT KIM. NOT MY GIRL, KIM. Kim embraces the iggy like it's her own. When no one was looking, Kim shoved it into her bag. On their last night in Puerto Rico, Kim brought it out of her bag and sat with it in bed. "You're gonna be my daughter now," she says, staring into the lizard's beady eyes. "You're gonna be my daughter and your name is gonna be Karen and you're never gonna leave me, ya hear me? Never."

3. Eli: We're going to defend Kyle's reaction to the iguana: the others hadn't seen what she'd seen. She'd looked directly into the eyes of the iguana, and had seen only an immeasurable distance. Time seemed to slow down around her as she began to move deeper and deeper into the iguana's eyes, until she sees a circle of hooded figures standing around a large rock, but the moment before she could see who or what was on the rock, she felt almost as if she was forced out of the iguana's eyes and back into her own mind. The iguana waddled away into an obscured area. Minutes later, Carlton walked out, picking bits of scaly skin from her body.

4. Eli: One of the interstitial shots finally shows something that I've personally been waiting for since I started watching the show:  PEOPLE ON SEGWAYS.  Why Segways aren't an integral part of the show right now, I cannot understand.  Any scene that's happening, could be happening on Segways, and should be happening on segways.  If they ever decide to do a remake of the whole series, with the exact same dialogue, with the only change being that everyone is on a Segway, you know what my DVR will be up to.  ESPECIALLY if they wear helmets.

5. Carey: Looooooved the parallel of Kim and Yolanda moving their respective daughters into college. Kim's youngest, Kimberly, settles into a normal, standard, jail-cell freshman dorm room at some normal, standard college an hour and a half away in Cali, while Yolanda's precious pastry Gigi moves into a sprawling, white, sparkling apartment in Manhattan, most likely funded by papa Mohamed. "I didn't want Gigi to live in a dorm because I want her to be living in a more grown up, work setting," Yolanda explains of her model daughter. Translation: "I didn't want my daughter living with poor people." Kim and her hunky ex-husband (seriously, WHO IS THIS GUY????) move their little cherub into the crappy little dorm room with way too many bed covers and shit just like any normal parents moving their embarrassed teenager into college does. Kim cries and rambles in her strange, husky whisper about how much Kimberly means to her and it's genuine and awkward and sweet. Yolanda blubbers to Gigi before she leaves NYC; Gigi clearly watched 'til Yolanda's limo was out of sight from her upstairs balcony and lit up a cig, looking out at the endless valley of skyscrapers and feeling absolutely nothing.

6. Eli: Thanks to Kim, Kimberly could run a mattress cover black market over at UC San Diego. "I just want you to be comfortable," Kim sobs, while swaddling Kimberly in more and more blankets, until she looks like a giant egg. We're so used to seeing such nice places on this show that when they cut suddenly to a dorm room, it's sort of shocking to see regular living space, with cheap carpeting and fake wood. I'm just sad we don't get to see who her roommate is.

7. Carey: Brandi brings her v. bohemian, v. modest parents from Sacramento to Yolanda and David's lemon temple. "My dad is very intimidated by money," Brandi explains, "but I think he'll relax once he sees how down to earth Yolanda and David are." Hahahahaha, Brandi. Hahahahahaha. Ok. Brandi, Yo-Yo, and Mr. and Mrs. Glanville walk in on David while he is composing in his obnoxious office. He looks absolutely void of interest in playing host, but pretends to be friendly and gives Mrs. Glanville a double cheek kiss, which she looks entirely uncomfortable to be receiving. Love her! Then Brandi's assistant shows up in a car that Brandi bought for her parents. A HONDA! Brandi bought her parents a Honda, and wants to give them it at the Foster's palatial estate to show them that she's rich too! A Honda baby!!! Her parents are literally like, "Oh, thanks," and drive off without even hanging around for celebratory "My kind of successful daughter just bought me a new (?) Honda" drinks. Poor Brandi!

8. Eli: Carey mentions the double cheek kiss, which I thought was hilarious because, in my head, it's the preferred greeting of the American snob or run-of-the-mill European. If it's customary in your country, go for it! Who am I to play goalie with your traditions. However, I pretty much know for a fact that it is not a Canadian tradition, DAVID FOSTER. Be true to your own culture, Dave, by giving them a good-natured, light headbutt while handing them a cup of piping hot Tim Horton's coffee. Every time someone does a double cheek kiss to me it feels less like a greeting and more like a very brief boxing match fought with lips.

9. Carey: When Kim admits, "I'm concerned about myself when Kimberly leaves for college" EVERYONE SHOULD BE CONCERNED. What the fuck???? She's basically like, "Hey guys! I am a barely recovering addict who's going to be alone in a weird house in the middle of a crater with only my annoying dog as company! HEYYYYYY!" Kim should be on 24/7 Kim Watch. I want three patrol cars in front of her house at all times and a live-in chakra cleanser.

10. Eli: By the way, this scene where Kyle and her friend watch their assorted children get their ears pierced was almost unwatchable.  First, we see the youngest girl getting hers pierced, which is terrible to watch because I'm not in the habit of watching little children cry.  Then, one of her elder daughters gets her ear pierced, which is a generous description given that she basically screeches for 20 minutes while flipping around like a rainbow trout in the bottom of a canoe.  I've never had my ears pierced, but I assume it's not fatal, so I think you can calm down.

"Drunk In Love"... As Told Via Emojis

March 5, 2014, 6:30 am

≫ Next: Goodbye "Disruptive," Hello "Relevant" As the Word Du Jour

≪ Previous: "Prrrto Rrrrico": Ten Thoughts On This Week's Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

$

0

0

Enjoy Beyoncé's "Drunk In Love" via emojis. [via Hyper Vocal]

Heyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy. [via Afternoon Snooze Button]

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge if they lived off the Montrose stop. [via 100 Years of Lolitude]

We are not over this yet. Sorry/not sorry. [via Funny Or Die]

ICYMI: Jimmy Kimmel has been getting A-Listers to act out mash-ups of Oscar-winning films and viral YouTube videos. Behold, Keyboard Cat-meets-Amadeus starring Kevin Spacey, Mandy Patinkin, Christoph Waltz, Ben Kingsley, Abbie Cornish, Gary Oldman. It's unreal. Seriously...Frank Underwood as Keyboard Cat? So, so good. [via Jimmy Kimmel]

HOW DID WE MISS THIS LOVELY EXCHANGE?! [via F You No F Me]

Amazing Polaroid selfies unearthed from the Mulder and Scully archives. [via 100 Years of Lolitude]

omfg fml [via F You No F Me]

Watch Lena Dunham SNL promo clips -- she hosts this Saturday's episode with musical guests, The National. [via Tastefully Offensive]

Wednesday is brought to you by Dubya's twerking fake-out. [via Afternoon Snooze Button]