Filed under: brooklyn, gentrification, jersey love, newark, nyc, pillaging, pride, rage, sanctimony, schadenfreude, sin in general, the good fight, the next big thing
So, I moved to Newark. It’s weird. I actually seriously dig it here. I loved and will always love Brooklyn, but Newark is like what I imagine Brooklyn used to be like. Everything here seems so undiscovered and ignored and just waiting for a bunch of crazy kids to move in and repurpose it in some kind of DIY revolution. My house is like that.
So I was excited to see this article linked and discussed everywhere this week. Apparently Newark is turning around. That would almost be too bad. Newark’s got so much grit to it but it’s open and …clean in a way Brooklyn isn’t. I’m 10 minutes from the Holland and 10 minutes from a Target and Wal-Mart in Union. If Whitey McHipster came over from Brooklyn and priced my ass out I’d be so upset. All the good ethnic places would be replaced with Tempo Prestos. And I’d have to listen to douchey conversations on the Path train.
Hipsters, stay back!
Filed under: accessories, brooklyn, death by cute, drink, eat, entertainment, fetish, gadgetry, geek love, in the house, indolence, intoxicants, jack white, lust, retro, sex, sin in general, smoking
- Smoking- In addition to my beloved Djarums, I am also digging these weird Springwater cigs. Smoking is so underrated.
- Trader Joe’s- It’s like someone hosed the place down in awesome and win. Tarte d’Alsace and some two buck Chuck makes you almost feel not-poor for like, fifteen whole minutes. Truffles for under $3. Real instant mash. Natural beauty supplies. If only they added house brand valium and vicodin and staffed it with teenage brits, I’d never leave.
- Queer as Folk reruns on Logo- anyone who hates on touchy touchy boylove needs to watch Brian and Justin dancing at the prom. I can’t think of anything more romantic in the history of romance ever.
- My imaginary boyfriend- is he real? Even I’m not sure anymore but I’ve still never seen anyone cuter. If I’m remembering right.
Leading me to…
- Hitachi Magic Wand- It’s just so powerful, I might have to tell my roommates I use it for old car accident injuries. Every time Boondock Saints is on, my back just starts acting up. Especially during the outtakes.
- Jesus Christ it’s a lion, get in the car! Please, God, let the internets stop producing memes so I can get some sleep.
- Leisurewear- It’s gotten to the point where my one career goal is to be able to wear sexy sweats and sleek sneakers. Career garb is so awful in so many ways, it always feels dirty.
- Jay-Z’s American Gangster- I think this album is gonna give The Black Album a serious run for its money in the long-term. Yeah, I said it. Fucking genius, this is.
- On Demand Programming- why can’t the fuckwits who are responsible for cable make one that fucking works already? I’m paying $3 a month, and I want to watch Hookers at the Point for the sixteenth time. Damn you, iO.
- My car- Newark is so fucking weird- I can leave my easy-to-park-in space and be in the Holland Tunnel in ten minutes. You can’t even get from Tillary Street to the Manhattan Bridge in that amount of time, who knew? Anyway, driving stick in Jersey traffic is scary, but now I have a Beetle again.
- Scrabulous- Eamon playing “VAGINA” for twelve points, shocking only that it came two whole plays into the game.
- Burger King pranking customers- you mean other than serving them Burger King food?
- My toddler versus my prized possessions- this pint-sized terrorist has a knack for destroying electronics and media in seconds, while you’re just trying to form the “nuh” in “no.” Then she manages to turn on the waterworks and make you feel guilty.
- Jack White- sexy, cheeky, mysterious, and tall. Considering all that and the hair, I’d marry him like, right this second.
Filed under: boys, brooklyn, death by cute, entertainment, i own it, nyc, pillaging, pride, rage, the good fight
Oh, my God, this is the best BK shout out ever- hello, Brooklyn…
Filed under: brooklyn, death by cute, entertainment, geek love, ha, haute, love, nyc, pillaging, pride, the good fight
Jay-Z shows love to Dublin.
Filed under: boys, brooklyn, death by cute, entertainment, fetish, geek love, ha, love, lust, pride, sanctimony, sex, the good fight, totally gay
Slashers in the HP fandom, I’ve heard, have always vocally hoped someone, anyone in the HP books would be confirmed as gay. We they got their wish this week when JKR confirmed what no one seemed to suspect. Dumbledore was totally gay for Grindelwald! Ha, ha. So cool. And fandom imploded. And imploded again. It even made Wikipedia.
I think now it’s safe for JKR to tell us what we already know- Harry and Draco were secretly in love with each other all those years and it’s bittersweet when they see each other with their kids and beards wives. Harry/Draco OTP!
Filed under: accessories, brooklyn, cheap, death by cute, geek love, nyc, shopping, sin in general, wear
I have a problem with my gear multiplying. As I move from place to place during the day, I am followed in a pigpen like fashion by a rotating amount of Djarum packs, lighters, red lipsticks, Lego Star Wars figurines, my phone, random notebooks, and you get the picture. On any given day I can return home with way more items than I left with. I love these compact and cute reusable totes that you can just stick in the bottom of your bag, in case. I would worry, though, about not only carrying one more thing, but using it cause it’s there. Still, it’s better to be prepared…*
*ridiculous facial expression optional.
Filed under: accessories, brooklyn, haute, jewels, nyc, retro, shopping, vanity, wear
One of the best things about living in New York is the constant inspiration on the street and subway. The pants I’m wearing right now were acquired after asking a very eager to share woman at Broadway-Lafayette where she got them. I may not have taken them off since. New York City dwellers are subject to temperature extremes (60 degrees outside, 160 on the subway platform where you’re stuck for half-an-hour), environmental exposure, long walks to and fro, and other look killers you just don’t have to deal with when you drive to and from work in your own climate controlled space.
A few weeks ago I spied a woman in her late thirties who looked like the perfect combination of together and polished and professional and stylish and casual. She was wearing a neat little suit derivative that really embodied all this. An approximation:
- Dark jeans
- A short-sleeved blazer
- A subtly-screened, tissue weight tee
- Stylish sneakers- though I’d choose riding boots
- Extra credit: practical tote and pretty pendant
Filed under: accessories, brooklyn, death by cute, geek love, ha, indolence, lust, retro, sassy, the good fight, wear
A few months ago I was stuck in a cab on Smith Street for what seemed like hours. Finally when the cab sped up I caught a glimpse of this adorable, unique tee-shirt but why wasn’t I paying more attention?!? it’s not like I can screech at the cab driver to stop so I can go peer in the window and maybe go in and buy one. That would be crazy. Steve’s always on Smith Street so I asked him to look. Every day. For all eternity. He finally remembered but got the name wrong so he had to go back. That actually happened. But now I know and it was totally worth waiting for. I really, really love popsicles but I’ve always had a weakness for distlefinks. I think I talk about distlefinks more than anyone on the internet. Skates are cool, too.
Filed under: brooklyn, entertainment, fetish, geek love, ha, in the house, indolence, pin-ups, retro, sassy, sex, sin in general, the good fight
Oh, dear. Vice Vixen needs a job! This was unexpected and while it couldn’t come at a worse time, when is it a good time to look for a job? Still, we all know I get my by any means on whenever there’s a drought, and I’ve already dusted off my resume and made some good connections. So…
Young professional;
Excellent writing skills;
Whip smart;
Able to solve problems creatively;
thoughtful and articulate;
works well on a team;
great phone skills;
takes direction well;
helpful;
sunny disposition;
hands on;
works well under pressure;
culturally diverse;
excellent customer service skills;
and professional appearance.
Available for interview immediately. Hiring?
Filed under: accessories, brooklyn, death by cute, geek love, haute, in the house, indolence, lust, nyc, pin-ups, retro, sassy
I’ve always wanted a swanky-pants office. And this one just completely takes the cake. Gorgeous. Amazing. Inspiring. Pink. Oh, Design Sponge. Y u so crazy awesome?
Filed under: bathing, brooklyn, cheap, death by cute, geek love, haute, indolence, nyc, shopping, the good fight, vanity
I’ve gone on and on about my love for homegrown beauty products, and I lovelovelove The Bubble Roome’s Brooklyn-themed natural offerings. Now that their site’s back up, I’mma have to check out their gorgeously-packaged Hemp Oil Lotion. None of the scents are based on my favorite- dark chocolate- but the Clementine & Cedarwood looks like a really nice option.
…courtesy of Gridskipper. The best ice cream in New York. I can sadly confess to only having sampled one (Emack and Bolio’s), but it is damn good. Where’s Il Laboratorio del Gelato? No honorable mention for Rice to Riches?
Filed under: accessories, brooklyn, fetish, gadgetry, geek love, haute, indolence, love, lust, nyc, pillaging, pride, retro, sex, sin in general, vanity
Well, I’ve wanted a Vespa for eons anyway. But check out this sweet modded one on Engadget:
Quang Nguyen, a forward thinking Vespa-modder (no pun intended) has managed to cram a touchscreen rockin’, WiFi sportin’, XP-equipped PC into his red GTS250
Filed under: brooklyn, indolence, pillaging, rage, sanctimony, the good fight
Does anyone else not remember hours of consecutive lightning? Tornadoes in Brooklyn? Flooding that turns Smith Street into lakes? Yeah, me neither. This latest transit debacle highlights how truly exposed New Yorkers are to a real crisis. And Mr. Bloomberg, the contingency plan of go fuck yourselves is really wearing thin.
I love this city, but this is not the NYC I know. And it sucks.
Filed under: brooklyn, cheap, drink, eat, entertainment, geek love, indolence, nyc, pillaging, ravaging, sin in general, skate, sleep
I am just getting my socialization on this weekend in a hardcore way. I:
- Celebrated my main gay’s 21st birthday;
- Met my Snopes friends and got sassed by an inattentive waiter (by proxy);
- And have a date at the Waldorf-Astoria tomorrow.
I sincerely hope to be back in one piece on Monday.
Filed under: brooklyn, cheap, geek love, rage, sassy, sin in general, skate, the good fight, wear
Skating with a DIY, non-bout-hosting skateclub means we raise funds. Like last night, Sweet Action Skate Club hosted a super-fun bake sale and recruiting party at Rope. And it kicked mega-ass. But we couldn’t skate inside on accounta Our Lady Mess almost killing herself once or twice there.
But the internet means an abundance of reasonably priced gear. Case in point- a custom (long length!) jersey tee at Shop Lattitude. I wanna get this one with my name and number, but the possibilities are like, so endless!
Filed under: brooklyn, entertainment, geek love, lust, pin-ups, rage, retro, sassy, sex, sin in general, skate, the good fight
The demand to try out for the Gotham Girls Roller Derby is massive. And with good reason- they’re fierce, talented, amazing skaters, and skilled athletes overall. But several local skating organizations are recruiting, too, and just in case you rollergirls in the the NYC area and beyond haven’t heard, please check them out because they need skaters, too!
First (and I am a member), Sweet Action Skate Club is based in Brooklyn and is not a derby club. It’s just a bunch of cool, scrappy chicks who meet up wherever and whenever they can to skate. We are headed by the talented Our Lady Mess, and we are recruiting and partying at Rope this Thursday, so c’mon down and meet us, okay?
Second is the newer than GGRD but just as fierce Long Island Roller Rebels. This is my home turf, and these girls can skate. And they, too, are recruiting. (Strong Island, represent!)
Last, and newest is Suburbia Roller Derby- they are brand-spankin’ new and in need of good skaters. They have some alums from LIRR, GGRD, and Connecticut, and they’re looking for some fierce girls as well. They skate at this cool little throwback rink and they’ve got three practices going a week.
These newer leagues are a great opportunity to really learn from the ground up and become an awesome skater. I’ve seen these girls skate and it’s amazing- it’s a real grassroots girl thing, and it makes you very proud of all these women for resurrecting something and making it so much cooler.
Check them out, aspiring rollergirls- they need you!
Filed under: brooklyn, drink, entertainment, nyc, pride, sin in general, the good fight
It’s come to my attention that the bar of my youth, of drunken Seanchai gigs and late-night cider swilling, is closed or closing. I met my ex-husband there, and countless bad boy blow-ins from Belfast before that. The best bar in New York City, driven out by skyrocketing rents.
The good news is- and this is excellent news- it’s moving to Red Hook. Aw, yeah!
Still, raise a glass. It’s as good a reason as any. >cue sad montage music<
I feel ya, Pharoahe. When my babydaddy played the Pharoahe Monch remix of Rehab by Amy Winehouse, I loved it. Then this morning, I was ferrying my two demon children to acquire cinnamon buns and stifle their incessant talking for two frickin’ seconds, and I heard it mixed with Jay-Z. Jay-Hova! That’s my boy! Oh, the happy. This clip here has both the Pharoahe Monch and Jay-Z bits, and both are excellent. I’m not too keen on the body image judging in the clip there, but I think the song stands on its own as kick ass.
Filed under: brooklyn, entertainment, geek love, i own it, rage, retro, sassy, sin in general, skate, the good fight
Sweet Action Skate Club is recruiting! Come to our party Thursday, July 26th at Rope to meet the girls- we’re of varying levels of experience and welcome newcomers. Details are below, or comment with any questions and I’ll hollaback. (Girls only!)
Or, er, Brooklyn. You ever see something on the street and it catches your eye and you wonder WTF the deal is, and then you keep seeing it and you have to hunt it down and wear it no matter what? Yes? No? Am I the only one? I’d seen this shirt a few times and then the final time I snapped and had to have it. After some furious clicking, I learned that it is exclusive to Vinnie’s Styles on Flatbush Ave., and it’s only available in store. Still and all, it was totally worth the walk.
Filed under: brooklyn, entertainment, geek love, love, nyc, sex, sin in general, skate
Wanna come see the Sweet Action girls all dolled up? We’re gonna be at the Coney Island Mermaid parade tomorrow, June 24th. Get details here. Come show your favorite roller girls some love!
Hammocks are really awesome. But if you live in Brooklyn or any other big urban area, you probably have no permanent access to a tree. Or a yard. Or sunshine or singing birds or asbestos free air. But that’s beside the point. Sometimes you may have a small patch of tar outside if you’re rich, or about 5 free square feet of space in your apartment not occupied by dirty clothes and ramen noodles if you’re upper middle class. This mack daddy of hammocks for indoor or outdoor use is no-tree-required and would be nice even in the living room for optimum laziness. Pricey, but it looks like you can keep it for like, ever and ever.
Weddings are a ridiculously expensive venture. I know, I’ve gotten married twice- to the same guy, but still. I’m kind of an expert. Bridal gowns are notoriously poorly made, overpriced, and tacky. Which is why I was barefoot in a white nightgown at my first and my second gown was homemade. And awesome. If I ever take another trip down the aisle, I hope these super well made and inexpensive Issac Mizrahi dresses from Target are still around. If the first wedding cancels out the second, then I can still wear white, right?
Being a girl means, unfortunately, less opportunities to pee. Boys can always resort to a quiet alley in times of need, whereas the fairer sex risks more exposure, drenching our shoes, or being pushed over mid-pee by evil friends. (I’ve seen it happen!) This ingenious new service will text you the location of a nearby bathroom in an emergency, if you didn’t heed your mother’s advice to go before you leave home. Because naughty girls aren’t necessarily dirty girls.
I attended the awesome, edge-of-your seat Bronx v. Queens bout at Hunter College last night. The girls were on, and the bout was crazy! Bronx eeeked out a win in the very last few minutes, largely down to Beyonslay‘s awesome blocking skillz. And Suzy Hotrod‘s speed skating was unreal.
This time, the halftime show was super cool. Brooklyn Double Dutch had me and my gay riveted with their performance. I can’t find a vid anywhere, but they were fierce! Check ‘em out if you can, because they really are the rockingest. And now I need some oldschool athletic shorts.
I have a very, very serious addiction to ice cream. In all honestly, it must make up 20-25% of what I consume. This new range of New York ice creams has some awesome looking flavors and decent ingredients. I’m especially intrigued by Staten Island Landfill:
Staten Island Landfill
This ice cream has everything but the kitchen sink! Throughout the vanilla ice cream you’ll find bordeaux cherries, chocolate crunchies, brownie chunks, and a serious fudge swirl.
Anyone who knows me knows I’ve got a soft spot for two musicians- Jay-Z (Brooklyn, stand up!) and Jack White. I was so excited to find this mash-up. And, like anything mixed with Jay-Zeezy, it works!
Via MyNinjaPlease.
I have always abhored shirts with legends like “I Taught Your Boyfriend That Thing You Like”- besides violating the girlcode, they’re often hideous and poorly fitting. I’ve spent hours playing with Spreadshirt and the results are always better and cheaper than anything you’ll find at Mandee or T-Shirt Hell. Stencilry is an excellent resource for shirt-building here, too, but the stock designs are way cool.
I have been lusting after this sexxxxy necklace since I saw it on the surly chick at Gorilla a few months ago. The contrast of the matte-ified razor and the delicate little heart just slays me. And to me, it just says break my heart and I’ll put your balls in a vice.
Sweet Action Skate Club has a lot of fans for a little skate club. And why wouldn’t we- who doesn’t love kick-ass girls who skate in the park in knee socks? (Or, if it’s me, cower alongside promising to move sometime soon. Hey, I dress.)
Show your love for strong women by snagging some SASC gear here.
It sucks not having an ice cube maker. I was pampered growing up with constantly available ice, but have yet to snag a cube since I got married and divorced and was relegated to those horrible ghetto trays. I have to grudgingly admit to adoring these blingy cube makers, though- makes using homemade ice a little better. I suppose.
I’m a sucker for indie body products. I’ve been entranced by The Bubble Roome since I discovered it. I love their espresso soap and their body butters look divine. But I’ve always subscribed to the theory that men are attracted by foodie smells, and this oatmeal soap looks just delicious.
