I have two major obsessions this week: Kate Nash and the Sock Bun. Let’s begin with Kate Nash. This Duffy meets Ingrid Michelson British goddess came into my life through my roommate’s computer speakers. She was blasting “Navy Taxi,” a track from Nash’s EP. I fell madly in love. It was about 1 a.m. and I needed something calming, but with a kick to get through a Modern American Studies chapter that left me nearly comatose. Needless to say, this song was able to resurrect me from the dorm room dead and I have listened to it 136 times since. It was two nights ago. This gorgeous, red-headed Brit has released two albums since 2007 and is currently working on a third scheduled to drop this year. Fun fact: Her biggest single, Do-Wah-Doo, was featured on the Bridesmaids soundtrack. Another one of my personal favorites from her is ‘Nicest Thing’ from her Made of Bricks album. It’s an infectiously stunning song that makes you want to bawl your eyes out. If you are a victim of unrequited love, put down the Ben and Jerry’s and put this song on-it has no calories.
SOCK BUNS. They’re excellent. I am currently wearing one and Otessa (Creator of OJBG) walked into the office and said that my bun looked PERFECT. Otessa, there’s a sock in my hair. Response: What?! No way! Yes, there is currently a sock on my head which keeps a nearly perfect circular nest on top of my head all day long. Pair your bun with a pair of statement earrings and some winged liner and you can have a SPICY look in five minutes. They are incredibly easy, quick, the perfect mask to a bad hair day, and the style works on any kind of hair type, as long as your hair is long enough to put into a pony tail. Here is a link to a great YouTube how-to video on sock buns: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hfMlMhSACCE
A couple of tips for Sock Buns:
1. Make sure your pony tail is TIGHT (so that is doesn’t fall down during the day) and at a height that you want.
2. The bigger/thicker the sock you’re using is, the bigger/thicker your bun will be.
3. Don’t be afraid to use bobby pins or hairspray to tame fly-aways, baby hairs etc.
An over-sized white sweater has never looked so good. On Monday night at the Rock and Roll Hotel, Twin Sister took the stage and entranced the audience with their shimmering art-pop. The band drifted to and dabbled in disco, dream-pop, funk, freak-folk, and synth-rock– never settling on a distinguishable sound. But lead singer, Andrea Estella was the literal ’star’
From the minute she took the stage, Estella was mesmerizingly odd. She swayed and eyed the audience coyly, thanking them for bringing her out of a daze as she simultaneously placed them into one. She reminded me of an anime character, both sweet and slightly deranged with comically dazed facial expressions and girlish movements. Her black eyes were in striking contrast to her long, fried, bleach-blond hair and all-white outfit.
Something about Estella made me feel both uneasy and at peace– like falling into a psychedelic day-dream. Twirling in her long pleated skirt and playing with her sweater, she cooed through the show. She continually crouched down in her ankle boots in-between sets to take a sip from her Guinness. She is undoubtedly on her way to becoming the next indie darling.
Estella’s odd stage presence paired with the shimmering disco beats, sexy vocals, and a twinkling soundscape left me feeling woozy and enchanted. Definitely check out the bands first full-length album, Heaven. And listen to some of their addictive songs here:
I’ve embedded some pics that I took (along with a couple hipstamatics by Jorge Franzini too) that I think are pretty neat. They are for you to peruse…and I hope you like them (:
So I just went out of town with my beloved long-time friend, Lauren. And we went apple picking, at the Carter Mountain Apple Orchard and Vineyard. It was the end of the season, so apple-varietal options were somewhat limited (either Fuji or Pink Ladies). Although, Pink Ladies are one of my favorite types– they are such wonderful almost-dessert-like eating-apples. They have hints of (I swear) honeysuckle and rose. And they are both crisp to crunch on, but soft on the palate. Pretty perfect.
{photo: Otessa Ghadar :}
The other great thing about Carter Mountain is that it is not only an orchard, but also a vineyard. So, after hiking through the apple orchard hills, we were able to do some wine tasting (which they called “Wine Flights”… as in flights of fancy…?) The sweet wines had the great distinction of “tasting like shower gel,” according to the ever-quotable Lauren. Super-vintage the wine may not have been… but still, some were quite drinkable and a good time was had by all.
(PS Lauren is an acclaimed food-writer extraordinaire –{I’m so proud of her!!}– She writes a column for NYC’s the Village Voice, and her work has also appeared in the NY Times, Gourmet, Elle, etc… And her 1st book, “Four Kitchens”, was just published… you can check it out HERE and HERE.) Can you tell by my descriptions in this paragraph that I was spending the weekend with a food writer? I think she inspired me…
#3 Old-school Vanilla Egg Creams at the Soda Fountain Counter (photo: Otessa)
3. Having a vanilla egg cream, at a bona fide 5 & dime drugstore soda-fountain-counter
Doesn’t this just remind you of Jimmy Stewart and make you think: “It’s a Wonderful Life”. Ahh!! So amazing. Also, let’s talk about “New York Egg Creams”. A) They are my favorite. B). They have *neither* eggs, nor cream. The delightful and magical beverage refreshment hails from Brooklyn and was allegedly created in the early 1900s by Jewish candy store owner and emigree, Louis Auster, who came to America and opened a candy store in Brooklyn. Reportedly, 3,000 Egg Creams were sold each day, until the day the store closed.
Approximately 1/2 cup cold whole milk*
1 cup bottled seltzer
2 tablespoons chocolate syrup**
* Skim or 1% milk won’t foam as well
** Fox’s U-Bet Chocolate Syrup is used in New York. (NB many purists allege it’s not a “true” egg cream, w/out Fox’s choc. syrup. But, I personally wear the “white robes of the apostle” for VANILLA egg creams. I swear by them. Or try them both and do a taste test.)
Preparation:
Pour 1/2 inch of cold milk into a tall soda glass. Add seltzer or club soda to within 1 inch of the top of the glass; stir vigorously with a long spoon (this will cause it to become white and bubbly with a good head of foam).
Very gently pour 2 tablespoons of chocolate syrup slowly down the inside of the glass; briskly stir with a long spoon only at the bottom of the glass where the chocolate sits. The resulting drink should have a dark brown bottom and a 1-inch high pure white foam top (if you mix it too much, the foam disappears).
NOTE: Do not let Egg Cream sit for a long period of time-5 minutes or more; it will go flat.
Kind of a funny story: I got really hungry while at Monticello. (*you see I am one of those people who absolutely adores and must feast at breakfast…and if I don’t get enough food in the AM, I am a grumpy-borz. So, I was trying to avoid becoming a crabby toddler, and to alleviate my snackiness…I started feasting on Thomas Jefferson’s garden.
Monticello has an amazing “Heritage Garden” so it was ideal for snacking. I definitely ate a shockingly spicy pepper tho’ — and spent the next 15minutes by the nasturtiums and lemon balm, trying to soothe my poor face/tongue/self.
They have a new baby octopus! RIP to Octavius our former octopus, who was a wonderful octopod…and who, while female, had the deceivingly masculine name of “Octavius”.
Octavius in her prime. So fierce and clever. (photo courtesy of the DC zoo)
(In case you didn’t know, I spend most Thursdays as an “Exhibit Interpreter” at the zoo’s Invertebrate House. So, yeah, I have oodles of admiration for this place. Best in the zoo. True words.
#9 Stevie's Wondrous Bird of Beauty on Fulfillingness' First Finale
9. Stevie Wonder — Bird of Beauty, on “Fulfillingness’ First Finale”
(This one’s from Ashley!)
Listen here:
Fulfillingness’ First Finale is a landmark album by Stevie Wonder, released on July 22, 1974. And ASHLEY says it’s been her weekly obsession-in-song-form.
We had a long talk about the Muppets today at OJBG HQ (aka 20/20). They are awesome. We love them. Sesame Street too.
this picture brings me to the verge of tears. RIP Jim ____________(photo courtesy of http://theredherringmusic.tumblr.com/)
RIP Jim Henson. We miss you.
I’m really & truly looking forward to the new Muppets movie… it looks amazing. (I was a tad worried about the Disney-fication of the Muppets) … but this trailer had me absolutely enchanted! The silliness, the SHEER JOY, the camaraderie, the pure muppet-ey magic… it’s all here. I can hardly wait (:
Watch the trailer here and see for yourself. What do you think??
Check out the Muppets brand-spanking-new-ish website HERE too
HONORABLE MENTION…. this one is from our wonderful new intern, Cristina Goldchain — “Party Rock” by LMFAO
a song that you dont want to like but you cant help it. Its the 3rd wk of this song being in her head since she saw a Halloween light-show, that was set to pumpkin faces, and this song. (search Youtube for link)
The weekend we have all been talking about is finally here! Reel Fest D.C. is in full swing this entire weekend. At the festival, there will be a screening of Orange Juice in Bishop’s Garden Episode 4.02 “Sarah Live! At Comet Ping Pong” as well as works by some of Washington, D.C.’s most inspiring up and coming filmmakers! OJBG is being screened Saturday night at 9 p.m. and Monday afternoon at 12 p.m. at the Boston University Center for Digital Imaging Arts. The address is 1055 Thomas Jefferson Street NW,
Washington, DC 20007. Visit the Facebook event for more details! To purchase tickets, head to the Reel Fest D.C. website: http://www.reelfestdc.com/
*Tip: Note the location change in the Facebook event. It would be tragic if you showed up to the wrong place and missed this splendid event.
We have raved about the actual event, but the After-Party is just as important! Right after Reel Fest D.C., head on over to the D.C. Jazz Loft this Sunday night, November 13th, for some sweet tunes, a cool atmosphere, and great conversations with inspiring D.C. natives who love the arts just as much as we do!
*Tip: Check out the Facebook event for all the little details regarding the After-Party.
Who doesn’t like getting stuff for free? OJBG certainly does! Z Burger in Tenleytown is offering its customers a single patty burger 100% free of charge. The offer is available from now until November 18th. Why are you still sitting here reading this? Go get that burger.
*Tip: OJBG heard of this deal through ScoutMob. Download the app to your smart device and easily stay informed about all of the hot deals circulating D.C. every day.
It’s okay to give in to the camp tradition of kissing the clock and making a wish at 11:11. Take this once in a lifetime opportunity to make a wish at 11:11 p.m. on 11/11/11.
*Tip: Be careful what you wish for- it may actually come true this time around.
5. The Harry Potter Finale
If you’re like me and enjoy a cozy night in on the couch with Chinese food fresh out of the carton and your best pals next to you every once and awhile, I suggest making a night like this happen this weekend in celebration of the DVD release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2. Who would give up an opportunity for relaxation, quality time with the pals, and a night to relish in the FINAL CHAPTER OF HARRY POTTER? I certainly would not.
*Tip: Watch Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone first. Your mind will be blown by how young the trio was, how sucky the special effects were, and how incredibly wonderful the series’ beginning still is.
#6 see kimya live at the black cat. minus the bunny suit
#6 Kimya Dawson is playing tonight (11/11/11) at the Black Cat… doors are at 9pm. Check it out, get tickets & info HERE.
It’s been a while since I saw her live…actually it was several years ago, when she and Adam Green were still Moldy Peaches. There was a bunny suit involved & the drinking of (fake/real?) pee on stage. Quite memorable. I also have one of Adam Green’s sweaters. Long story. It was bought from off of his back.
Not your average cardigan. An awesome duo from DC, it features Maureen Andary and OJIBG favorite Sarah Curtin (part of Juicy Demise with Ellen Reid, who wrote the Season 1 theme song!). The group features unconventional music-making with kazoos and glockenspials layered with their sick vocals, making them a standout along all the drab pop mainstream players in the media now. Other than Sarah’s obvious contribution to OJIBG in the theme song, lots of Sweater Set songs will be in coming episodes, so stay tuned!
My favorite song by Sweater Set is Duke. What’s yours? Go to their fanpage at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Sweater-Set/167966639893959
The group were finalists in the 2008 NewSong Finalist contest. They performed at Bryant Park in the summer of 09, take a look at their youtube video of the perfromance.
Today at the OJBG offices, we are beyond excited for Sofia Coppola’s sure to be amazing new film “Somewhere.” In line with the critically beloved “Lost in Translation”, “Somewhere” centers around a washed up actor (played by Stephen Dorff in what is sure to be the most buzzed about comeback performance of the year) through life at the Chateau Marmont. His numbing existence is saved by his 11 year old daughter (played by Dakota’s nearly identical younger sister Elle Fanning).
The trailer, set to “I’ll Try Anything for Love” by Julian Casablancas from the demo version of ‘You only Live Once’ by Coppola’s indie rock fave The Strokes, is nearly void of words. Instead, the trailer follows Dorff and his waifish daughter from film premieres to hotel pools in the overexposed light of LA summers.
Check out the film when it premieres on December 22nd and until then satisfy your cravings with the trailer. Enjoy!
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