F-Off Friday

Yeah- I'm a week late for the Friday playlist. But, at least it's Friday- and I'm giving you a playlist. So what if it's late?! I'm always late... for everything... so you shouldn't be surprised that this is coming late, too. :)

This picture has absolutely nothing to do with the playlist, I just thought these babes were friggin' adorable.

Mouthwash- Kate Nash
This song is appropriate because Kate sings "I'm singing uh-oh on a Friday night... and I hope everything's gonna be alright." I'm not quite sure why she's worried about the evening, but it may have to do with her possibly swallowing the mouthwash she used...

Dickhead- Kate Nash
"I wish that you were more intelligent so you could see what you're doing is so shitty to me." #touche

Night Time- The Xx
This is because I know you're looking forward to the night time, so here's a song with the same name, by an amazing artist- known as The Xx. The whole album that this song comes from is awesome. I highly recommend listening to the whole thing over a bottle of wine/at work/on a Sunday/at night.

Who Knows Who Cares- Local Natives
Because who really knows what's going to happen this weekend? And who cares! Just go with it!

Shake Me Like a Monkey- Dave Matthews Band
"You and me, we go good together," Dave sings. Why don't you find someone you go good together with tonight?

Valerie- Amy Winehouse/Mark Ronson
This song deserves to be on every playlist, ever, because it's a swingin' fun time. If you're in a sour mood, it instantly helps you pop out of it. And the lyrics are awesome... and true. Anything by Amy is a winner in my book, and this is one of the top 5 best Amy songs, especially this version.

Turn Me On- David Guetta
Because this song IS AWESOME! It's the perfect Friday song... the beat is fast, so you practically dance out of your seat, and Nicki Minaj sings... and she's the perfect Friday artist. Simply fun, this song is awesome, and obviously- you're going out this weekend to find someone to turn you on. SO GO GET 'EM, TIGER!

Yeah- the list was a little... inconsistent, today. I'm totally aware of this. It's very reflective of my mood, and since this is my blog, I can do whatever I want.

p.s. check the URL, and save it. I got my own domain. #boom

HAPPY FRIDAY KIDS!

xo

Soundtrack Thursday

I took some time to think about what to provide your ears with today that would thrill, delight, move, and maybe even bring you back to that one time in your life. What I decided was pretty awesome: best songs from awesome soundtracks.

Here we go!

The Shins- New Slang (Garden State)
Starting off kinda melancholy, but ever so real- I bring you New Slang. Garden State is one of my favorite movies (and the only movie in which I actually like Natalie Portman,) and gives us an amazing soundtrack filled with music that may or may not make you cry- depending on your current state of emotions or the weather today.

The Wannadies- You and Me (Romeo and Juliet)
This song is just SO much fun. It starts off pretty slowly and then ramps up as quickly as you realize how hot Romeo is (like KAPOW!) Outside of the fact that I'm pretty sure Romeo & Juliet is the reason why I live in an idealistic, romanticized version of "real life," (what can I say, I was very impressionable in the 6th grade,) the whole soundtrack (both of them) provides serious tunes that Kiss 108 never played, but should have. You'll love this song, and if you don't, well- I'm sorry you don't like good music.

Day O- Harry Belafonte (Beetlejuice)
Not purposely coinciding with yesterday's 80s playlist, but happily entering back into that decade, I've added this memorable song from Beetlejuice. Everyone remembers this part when Alec and Gina try to scare the pants off tween-Winona's family. It's SO hilarious that I'm happy YouTube has the whole clip available for our enjoyment. This lunch hour, kick back and let the jealous juices flow over you as you imagine Alec Baldwin being a ghost in your Connecticut household.

Harry Potter Theme Song (Harry Potter)
I'm including this in here because like HP's magic, it's already lunchtime(ish) on Thursday, and that means there's only 1.5 days left of the week. Additionally, it brings me back to a time in high school when I thought HP was for babies, then read the books, and then saw my first HP movie at the Reading IMAX with Laura and realized that HP was just right for me. P.S. why isn't Hogwarts real? Or maybe it is...

Dick Dale and His Del Tones - Miserlou (Pulp Fiction) 

Remember that time Black Eyed Peas ruined that Pulp Fiction song? Well, here's the original, to round out your Thursday playlists. This movie, I have to say, is part of the reason why I never did drugs. I have to thank my parents, mom and dad, for making sure that my 6th grade eyes saw that part where Uma Thurman nearly dies and needed a needle injected into her heart and becomes part-cat and lives a 2nd life. What this song will do for your Thursday is similar to that story: it will bring you back to life after your sandwich, salad, or Altoid hits your stomach and you're about to fall asleep.

You're welcome! 

Tomorrow's playlist is going to bring you back, and I know a few close friends Rachel Lear who will fall in love with it.

WHAM- Wednesday!

Since I promised you a Wednesday playlist, here you go- I'm serving it up on a platter for you.

A platter made of crystal with a neon pink lining.

That's right. I'm talking in 80s terms. Terms that bring back the best of prep, (double popped collar whatwhat) and the best of music... or wait- was it THE WORST of music?

Well, it depends on who you speak to, but I for one am in love with 80s music. Preferably the 80s pop music. WHAM, Eddie Money, Duran Duran... I could go on, But instead... I'll provide you with a rad playlist to get your afternoon started...



Eddie Money- Two Tickets To Paradise
Everyone knows "Take Me Home Tonight," so feel free to listen to that diddy as well, but in reality- the best Eddie Money song for HUMP DAY is Two Tickets To Paradise. It gets you in that rockin' mood that you need to take you from Humpday to Friday. "I've waited so long... waited so long..." I mean- come on, this guy made this song for a Wednesday. We're patiently waiting for Friday to come along, and with that- paradise (the weekend.)

Steve Winwood- Higher Love
I melted some crayons in the plush cushions of my mom's car's backseat way back when, and I'm near certain this song had something to do with it. I mean, I would get distracted from coloring in my book and sing this song at the top of my lungs when it came on the radio. It brings me back to teaching my sister how to resolve our arguments about how to close a Polly Pocket shell with words instead of teeth. It's perfect for a Wednesday because you can't forget about the "higher love" that will find you in just 2 days time... for that's when the weekend begins. Have faith, my 80s children...

George Michael- Faith
Bringing me to THIS! THIS is the best song of the 80s. No matter how often I go to the Canal Room and jam out to Don't Stop Believin'... this is my ultimate preference of songs from the neon decade. (It also reminds me of driving to Nana and Grampys when I was little. Clearly, Mom had a huge influence on my choice of 80s music preferences.) Leaving WHAM was a tragic decision that George Michael made, but I, for one, am thrilled that he did. I mean, he couldn't have pulled off the biker-chic in that boy band! I welcome your dangly cross-earring and motorcycle jacket, even if you've never touched a motorcycle, George. What this song means to you, reader, on this Wednesday, is to have FAITH that Friday is coming. It's going to come after today... and then after tomorrow... but after that- OH HAPPY DAY!

Duran Duran- RIO
Yeah, yeah- you probably expected Hungry Like The Wolf. I'm not taking anything away from that song, but this song... RIO, just helps you get through Wednesday a little bit more. It's like you're taking a trip to Brazil without having to wait in customs at the airport after paying $50 for your bags to get lost! Take my advice: head to Brazil via headphones so that you can imagine yourself more clearly dancing along the sand with Rio, herself.

Whitney Houston- So Emotional
Whitney starts the song out, "I don't know why I like you... I just do." Well, I know why we like you, Wednesday- it's because you're closer to Friday than Monday or Tuesday was. I think this is actually Whitney's best song from the 80s, because it's not as over-played as "How Will I Know," or "I Just Wanna Dance With Somebody." It's slightly forgotten, yet when it's played at the Joshua Tree around 3AM you can somehow sing all of the words without hesitation. Bring it back, Whit, BRING IT BACK!

There you go: the 5-song playlist to change your Wednesday afternoon from boring to totally radical, dude.

Enjoy. Only 2 more days of these... I already have my plan for Friday, but if you have any recommendations for Thursday- send 'em ovah.

xo

Tuesday Playlist- Hippity Hop

On this seasonally chilly January Tuesday, we're all back to the grind and facing our first full-week back from the annual separation of years, this time 2011 and 2012. (Luckily, we (well, some of us) have a short week next week to look forward to! WOO!)

But there is a lot of space to fill between today and Friday. I mean, there's the rest of the day today (Tuesday,) Wednesday, Thursday and Friday... geesh, 3.5 whole days.

I have developed some playlists for your days this week. Oh, haha, you don't have to THANK me! But, you're welcome :) You will find Tuesday's playlist below. I will be developing these daily for the rest of the week, so don't forget about me between Wed and Fri. And, as I do everything in my life, I'm saving the best for last...so Friday is sure to be a doozy!
  

Tuesday: Rap/Hip-Hop
Jay-Z- Glory feat. B.I.C.
Of course this guy sets the record for having the youngest "featured" artist on a song... a minute-old infant. Whatever, Jay. So, to have a kick-ass Tuesday, how about you set a personal record for emailing the most people about the most things (work related or personal-you choose) and keep things moving along? Nothing keeps the week moving more than doing lots of work and getting everything off your plate so you can leave early.
Drake- Over My Dead Body
This is the first song on his new "Take Care" album. It's just one of the many awesome songs on it. In it, he raps that "jealousy is just love and hate at the same time," which is perfect for you today since you want to make people jealous of the fact that you're getting all your shit done and get to leave early to catch up on the last season of Dance Moms before the season premiere tonight.
Rihanna- Watch and Learn
The entire Talk That Talk album is OOC (out of control,) and SO good, so it was really tough just adding one song to the playlist. My recommendation is actually to listen to the entire album, because it's THAT good. I mean... it's just so good. This song, Watch and Learn... don't listen to it without head phones. It's not appropriate to be blasted on the speakers when your boss is next to you in her interim-cube that you're all in because your company is displaced (if you happen to be me.) It's a good song to take a mini-break to and just let your mind flow to wherever it happens to flow...
Beyonce- Party
Of course we couldn't feature Baby Blue, Jay, and NOT Mama Bear. I mean, she's my favorite person, ever, in real life or fake life. So, take a listen to this song because it will help your work day cruise by. It's a good song to jam to while you type up status documents, discuss conference reports, or strip (if that's your profession, I mean.)
Common- The Light
Aside from bringing you back to high school, this song is great for a couple reasons.
1. You can type to the beat. Common provides pretty dope beats. (Yes. I said that.)
2. It's easy to get learn the lyrics if you listen to it often enough. So, if you have to romance a coworker, this song provides you the lyrics to do so.
(After you're done with this song, listen to "UMC" which will move you from professing your love in the break room to break-dancing with your new love out of the office.)

There you go. Once you get started on these 5, the remainder of your day will fly by.

Enjoy! If you have any recommendations for Wed-Fri playlists, leave me a love note below!
xo

When Things Aren't in Our Control

We worry.

We lose sleep.

We get anxious.

We talk to people about what's on our mind. Thinking that may help get the issues off our chest.

We pray that all will move along in our favor.

I am a believer in God and it sometimes comforts me to know that He will take care of the things in my life that I'm not in control of. But, it certainly does NOT take away all the worry or the anxiety that I cause myself by going over and over the issues and the problems in my head. I try to hand them over to Him, but alas, I am human.

Lately, it really seems that everything I am struggling with is out of my control. The worst part is that I feel like there are bits of these issues that I can guide towards receiving a positive result, but I'm not in any control of the ending.

Because I'm a person who needs to know answers RIGHTHISSECOND, it's tough to have a half-solution and have to wait for someone else/something else/sometime else to find out the final solution.

I suppose this is an opportunity for me to just go with the flow and try to find more solace in God. I'm sure I can find alternative projects to busy myself with that will pass time until He finds solutions to these issues. (Like laundry or running... or writing...)

I am 99% sure things like these happen because God is just testing me. My patience, my trust in Him, my life decisions... The cynical New Yorker in me is just picturing God spinning a blindfolded Jesus around in a circle with the goal to "pin the ending" on these solutions for me.

Regardless, I'm just going to keep going with the flow, because, really, what else can I do when things are out of my control?

Oh, that's right. Listen to Pandora all day.

Thank God for life soundtracks.

xo

So I Have a Problem... Kinda.

It's not a bad problem to have. I don't need to go to a therapy session to get fixed. I don't even think it needs to be fixed. Most people wouldn't mind having this problem, actually.

I want an iPhone for the wrong reasons.

The reasons are as follows:
- To get an application to manage my money easily (I hear Mint.com has a great one, thank you, Brigitte!!)
- To feel/BE cool (Yeah, I said it.)

And the number one reason...
- To get this case for it.

I also want an iPad. Which leads me to a whole 'nother set of problems.

- I want the iPad case and iPhone case to match.
- Kate Spade does NOT make that iPhone case in an iPad case size.

This is a Mulberry design, but I definitely can't afford this problem.

I know, I know. "Guurllll, get some bigger, and more serious problems," right? (I already have those, thank you very much, I just choose not to share them via my PUBLIC BLOG.)

But, seriously, from what I know about these gadgets, people use them ALL the time, more than is normal to use a gadget.

If I was purchasing an expensive handbag, I'd want a matching wallet, as well. If I was purchasing expensive slacks, I'd just buy a suit. If I was purchasing an expensive car, I'd probably get leather seats. Expensive things sometimes come in pairs.

So, this is a legitimate argument I have here.

Help! Does anyone have any good solutions for this kinda-fun-problem I have? (I'm open to looking at alternative designers for my gadgets, as well. And yes, I want designer cases.)

What? That's totally normal.

;)

Rules vs. Roles

Rules and Roles are easily merged. (And I recently found out that if you're from Boston, the actual WORDS "rule" and "role" sound the exact same to anyone outside of Boston. Sorry, to have confused you... Ken.)

One may think that it's a rule that men open doors for women, but in reality- that's a role that he chooses to, and should, play. 

Rules are actions/tasks that we, as people, are "supposed" to abide by. A perfect example of a rule-follower is Minkus, from Boy Meets World. Sean is someone who did not follow rules. (Sidebar: Sean was so crush-worthy, right?)


Roles are actions/tasks that we, as people, choose to play. You know how Shakespeare said, "All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players?" That's similar to how I see "roles." People choose to act their roles day in and day out for their specific reasons.

I've never liked rules.  I don't like when people tell me what to do, where to go, who to talk to, and I generally do the opposite, depending on what is asked of me. (If it has to do with work or family, I typically follow rules, though.) 

  Examples follow:

• Crossing the street in the sidewalk/when it says WALK only (I strongly disagree with this. Walk whenever and wherever the cars aren't bombing straight at you.)
• Eat dessert after dinner (Only sometimes, I switch this, Mom, not all the time.)
• Wear a dark color on the bottom and a light color on the top (I like to have full creative liberty with my clothing choices.)
• Abide by certain signs on walls in restaurants, hospitals, etc. (If it says don't use your cell phone, chances are I'm using it... purposely.)
• Treat others the way you'd like to be treated. (Now, this one depends on the circumstance. Once, a woman was rude to my mom for no good reason, and even though my mom turned the other cheek (she's a great Christian,) I chose to be rude right back at this woman to give her a taste of her own medicine. Call me a New Yorker, if you want, but I was taking care of what needed to be done.) Most other times, I abide by this rule. It's much easier to be kind than mean, 99% of the time.

I do like roles, and enjoy acting my role as a woman, daughter, sister, friend, granddaughter, cousin, niece, and coworker.

Examples follow:

• When courting, men pay for dinners, drinks, and cabs (No question.)
• When an elderly or pregnant person gets on the subway and you're in a seat, offer them your seat (This goes for any young, healthy person with 2 working legs.)
• Clean up after dinner if someone else made it (In my house, it may as well be a rule, but I see it as a role. For example, My grandmother and grandfather cook & prepare Thanksgiving, so I see it my duty as a grandchild (the eldest female grandchild, at that) to happily clean and put away everything once the meal is over.)
• Men cut the grass. (I don't know how to use a lawnmower, and I don't ever want to learn unless I have no choice. And see how HAPPY that guy is?!  He's thrilled to be mowing his own grass.)

The issue with rules and roles is that there is a fine line that divides them from"options," or "rights." A few things above could even be classified as a role, but also an option, or a rule, and also a right.

Am I alone out there? Does anyone else use their cell phones places you shouldn't and think that mowing the lawn is your dad's, brother's or neighbor-boy's job?

xoxo

Friends of St. Jude Winter Gala 2011

A few weeks ago, the NYC Friends of St. Jude hosted a Happy Hour at Chelsea Manor. It was a good showing of friends and strangers coming together to learn more about the organization, and enjoy each others' company.

While we were all drinking our cocktails or imported beers, a man stood up on a cushy leather couch, tapped his cocktail glass, and received everyone's attention.

His name was Michael Swart and was 30 years old. Looking dapper, and not at all nervous to speak to a room of 30+ people, he told us that he was once a patient at the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Tennessee.

We were all in shock. No way. He looked so healthy!

He told us that in the middle of his sophomore year of college, at 19 years old, he was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. After 6 weeks of treatments, he was finally in remission. It took 2 years of chemotherapy to keep the cancer from coming back. To reiterate: that's from 19 years old to 21 years old.

What were most of you doing when you were 19-21 years old? Not sitting in a room getting chemotherapy fed through your veins, I'm sure. 

Thankfully, he has been cancer free for the last 10 years.

Everyone in the room had goosebumps by the end of his speech, some people had damp cocktail napkins in their hands from a few fallen tears. He was a phenomenal speaker, and inspired everyone in the room to not take their health for granted anymore. Friends thanked me for inviting them, since his speech reminded them of what was real, when all day they had their own, smaller worries in their minds.

So often during the day, we're stressed about work, relationship issues, friend drama, or family situations, and while those things impact our daily lives, we often forget that we're healthy. We wake up every day expecting to feel alive. Maybe we wake up with a headache from a need for caffeine or because we partied too hard the night before. But, we have our health.

If you're thankful for the health that you have- why don't you purchase a ticket to the Friends of St. Jude Winter Gala? The money goes straight to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, so you're able to help a child (or 19 year old) become cancer-free by purchasing a ticket for $100, while enjoying an open bar, eating hor'dourves, and submitting silent auction bids for cigars or jewelry.

You're able to register for the event here: Friends Of St. Jude Winter Gala

Details follow:
When: Friday, December 2nd
Time: 9pm-1am
Where: Angel Orensanz Foundation/Lower East Side (Norfolk and Houston)
Twitter: NYC_StJude

2010 Friends of St Jude Winter Gala (Angel Orensanz Foundation)

I hope that Michael's story impacted your day as it did mine that night at Chelsea Manor.

xo