Even the recession can be trendy

(image courtesy of: http://www.feltclubboston.com)

Living in the city isn’t easy on a budget – and believe me, I know this fact firsthand. I’m known to break my budget on a twice-a-day basis. On the upside of the current dreary American economy are food specials. I live in a city that doesn’t allow happy hour (literally, legally, it’s a Blue Book law), but this doesn’t prevent food specials. Thankfully.

While I’ve scoped out several deals in the city (10 cent wings at the Asgard on Mondays, one dollar tacos at La Verdad on Tuesdays), my personal favorite weekly event is Recessionista Wednesdays at Felt on Washington Street. My three childhood best friends, K, C, L and I attended a few weeks in a row and left both times impressed, with full stomachs and wallets. The special $3 menu features appetizers such as garlicky shrimp and entrees like chicken picatta and mini chesse or veggie burgers. Desserts include apple crisp in martini glasses. Surprisingly enough, the menu as a whole was inexpensive with a half-order of lobster risotto costing a mere $8. Drinks range from about $6 to $10, so choose wisely and have only one or two. We all seem to approve of the red or white sangria (and, let’s face it, when isn’t sangria a good choice?).

Best yet, Felt sets a theme to each Recessionista Wednesday. Two weeks ago it was a chocolate theme – complete with chocolate fountain, dessert samples from a local bakery and celebrity trivia. Future themes include the Boston Red Sox, celebrities and country (as in country music). Count me in and remind me to look photo ready.

-M

Listen In Style

(image courtesy of: http://www.bhphotovideo.com)

I strive to have my home match my personality, so it's only appropriate to have my iPhone have a home that matches it's pop nature. As seen above, I choose to house my music while I'm not out and about in an iHome iP9. While pink might seem like the choice for a 12-year-old, I embrace my inner feminine side (and so should everyone, if so desired!). Added bonus feature? A great and reliable alarm clock.

(image courtesy of www.iphonestalk.com)

However, iHome isn't the only choice for iPod/iPhone speakerware. For indulgent speaker seekers, Bose's SoundDock is sleek, loud and thin enough to fit in any windowsill.

(image courtesy of www.fabsugar.com)

Stylish speakers shouldn't be limited to the bedroom (or kitchen, living room, or wherever your iHome may reside). Shuga Buds have been popular for a few years (best friend A gave me a pair for my 20th birthday). Swarovski crystaled and juicy with color, pairs could once be found at Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom and Bloomingdales. Now it (sadly) appears that one can only find pairs of sparkly earbud goodness via their official order form. Also sad? Reminder for iPhone 1st Generation users. No flush headphone jack = no usage of non-Apple earbuds. Time to upgrade!

-M

"Intoxicate Me, I'm A Lush"

(image courtesy of: http://www.unitedmusic.ro)

The most recent Britney Spears video leaked onto the interwebs tonight (via ontd). I must say, while Radar was one of my favorites off of Ms. Spears's Blackout days, I feel horrendously bored with it (song and video) right now. Maybe after a few viewings it'll grow on me. Or maybe not. What's with the horse innuendos? It's a bit overboard. I still prefer the scandalous If U Seek Amy video, if you ask me.

On a happier note. Brit-Brit is looking just as stellar as she did in her pre-breakdown, pre-head shaving, Slave For You days. Girl's got her abs back. How does she make it seem so easy?

-M

Mandatory Summer Reading

(image courtesy of http://hometownhollywood.com)

No. It is not embarrassing that I bought Lauren (or rather, ahem, LC) Conrad's book within the week it was released. It's not embarrassing that I devoured it in one day (in my cubicle at work, no less). It's not even embarrassing that I loved every page of it. I have zero shame when it comes to reading material. Nicole Richie's book? Have it, read it multiple times. Every single Gossip Girl book? Have them, read them to shreds. Valley of the Dolls (the original scandalous chick lit novel, if you ask me)? Read it for the first time when I was fourteen (yeah, my mom was proud - sarcasm). What is embarrassing is the lengths that I went to obtain a copy of LA Candy.

Remember in college, when that jerk professor would assign about 90 books with one being absolutely impossible to find? Not at any local bookstore. No one seemed to have a copy. And finally you'd just give up and decide that you can pass the class without it? That was my hunt for my own personal mandatory summer reading, LA Candy. I went last Thursday, after reading The Cut's review to my local Borders. I was positive they'd have a copy, if not many, maybe even a table full of them. But no. Not a single copy, "sold out" the dorky MIT-style salesboy told me, mystified. I checked at the Barnes & Noble (in Boston and in my suburban hometown, in hopes that my mother could get it to me). Sold out. I'm not sure when this happened, but somehow getting a copy of LA Candy was more difficult than finding sunshine in Boston these days (sad but true). I resorted to my trusty online skills and ordered myself a copy. And waited for the UPS delivery person. For days and days. When Matt, the person that handles deliveries at my office handed me the small, cardboard wrapped box this morning. I squealed. I kid you not. Squealed. He even asked me some question after that I just kind of nodded my head at without really knowing what he just asked. Hopefully he didn't ask for a date or anything too extreme.

Substance-wise? Meet reality television star Laur--I mean Jane Roberts. She has best friend Scarlett and reality tv besties Madison and Gaby. Scarlett is a feminist USC (hey, didn't Lo Bosworth go there before transferring?) freshman. Jane interns for a bitchy boss (hello Teen Vogue's Lisa Love) who is nice only on camera. Madison is a backstabbing two-faced attention hog (wonder who this reminds me of). Gaby is, "not the brightest crayon in the box" (Hmmmm. I wonder). Although LC swears that the characters and situations are fictional, I just don't quite believe it. Afterall, reading it and wondering if Heidi and Audrina are like this in person makes the read that much more enjoyable.

-M

Thank Goodness I Didn't Go To Prep School There...

(image courtesy of: http://thepreppyprincess.files.wordpress.com)

Confession. I love Bravo reality shows. The Real Housewives of Orange County. Top Chef. Project Runway (it just won't be the same on Lifetime this season). I waited, with baited breath and anticipation for NYC Prep. I assumed that it would be my new summertime guilty pleasure while the rest of my television viewing schedule includes Gossip Girl repeats and 16 & Pregnant on MTV (classy, I know).

Well, we know what assuming does...

I watched the full hour-long premiere episode of NYC Prep last night and, I can't lie. Part of me felt nauseous. Part of me wanted to gauge my eyes and plug my ears. Let me give you the rundown.

Quite possibly the worst part of the show. Overachieving Camille. Overachieving Camille who is nothing like fictional (yet fabulous) overachieving Blair Waldorf on Gossip Girl. Blair Waldorf would never check her SAT scores via Blackberry herself (she would have her devout minions do it for her). She also would never think that at 40 she would be "married with two children, after taking on the business side of a genetics firm." While I know that there are legacies to follow and family footsteps to fill, this girl is what? 17? Why does she have everything so planned out to the spaces and commas? Doesn't she see that this only leads to disappointment and? On top of this fact, petty, but true, why does she wear her hair like she does?

Also horrible? Sebastian, who hooks up with "between 2 and 16 girls a month." I have nothing else to say.

Aside from the obnoxious, overindulgent, ignorant kids (and I say this as a former overindulgent, ignorant kid), the perception that this show casts not only on the students' respective schools, but over private schools as a whole is unflattering and unattractive. Prep school, as a whole, was like any other high school experience. I'd never go back. The reasons for that, however, are not due to the fact that children had unlimited funds, Upper East Side penthouses and considered a $300 Alice + Olivia dress "cheap." However, looking at students now, I'd be inclined to not bring my future children into a private school atmosphere, for fear that either they would resent everyone around them, or, even worse, become one. Call me lame and adult, but I side with the school administrators on this one. Ugh. Back to a summer filled of DVD box sets and CW reruns.

-M

Music to my ears: Amir Farid at Radisson SAS, Kuwait

(Image courtesy Amir Farid's official website)

I attended a special piano recital featuring the young Iranian-Australian pianist Amir Faird at the Radisson SAS hotel, Kuwait the other night and had a fabulous time. (Nothing like an event put on by the Kuwait Chamber Philharmonia to make you wanna put on a cute little dress and heels and act all posh and grown up for a few hours...)
The pianist was magnificent! I wish I had thought of recording him play so I could share it with you guys...something about his naughty schoolboy smile and infectious enthusiasm drew me in so I didn't spend the evening just passively listening to him but rather responding to his little improvisations and interpretations. Check out this fantastic youtube vid of him practicing for another recital to get an idea of what I mean...
Farid litereally fell into a trancelike state while playing the piano...and when you are that involved with something you are doing...you are bound to do it well. He had the entire audience transfixed on him and his piano playing alone.
Even during the interval where everyone filed out of the gorgeous Hashemi for canapes and conversation, people were just focused on going back inside and getting on with the show.
My absolutely favorite part of the recital was Farid's rendition of Ravel's Jeux d'eau ....As the title suggests, this piece is supposedly inspired by the sound of cascading water/waterfalls and is composed by an Impressionist. It conjured up images of raindrops, waterfalls, fountains and even snow flurries (don't ask...thats just what some musical interludes reminded me of). Hear another pianist play the piece.

Gossip Girl Spinoff? Thumbs Up!

(image courtesy of: http://cdn.buzznet.com)

Firstly, my apologies, dear readers. My new job brings few opportunities to blog. I believe in the quality over quantity value, and so should all of you.

That being said, who caught last night's Gossip Girl, that included the pilot for the yet-to-be-titled Lily Rhodes Van der Woodsen spinoff? For the first time in a long time, I disagree with this weeks' Daily Intel roundup. I sat in my living room with my friends and we ate up every moment of the episode. The transitions from 1980s Lily to current day Serena and gang were seamless. The 80s fashions were believable and admirable -- enough for us to decide to throw an 80s themed party in the near future. Plus, can anyone else sense some of the 80s look coming back? Did anyone else swoon over Lily's blazer (see above photo)? I love me some tweed. Anyway, we love Lily as a teenager just as much (if not more), than Serena -- at the very least, Lily had impeccable hair as a teen and doesn't look like she rolled out of bed like Serena always does.

There, of course, were a few downsides. Unlike the Daily Intel, the thought of Keith Van der Woodsen being Serena's father is gagworthy. As a former Rufus fan, I wonder how Lily could have possibly chosen Keith over Rufus. His Tom Cruise circa Top Gun look was enough to make me want to cry. Also, why couldn't Gossip Girl have given us a proper prom episode? Blair and Serena going to get their makeup done. Their updos perfected. Their mani/pedi combination. Sigh. If only.

But, of course, every negative is erroneous when the fact of the matter is that No Doubt was on Gossip Girl! I loved them as an 80s band. I love their cover of Stand and Deliver. I love Gwen Stefani. Period. The end.

-M

The Fame Ball Comes To Boston!

(photo courtesy of: http://neonlimelight.com)

Lady GaGa says time and time again in interviews that no, she is not just a pop musician, she is an artist. She's not Britney Spears, or Miley Cyrus - manufactured simply for pop music and tabloids pleasure. She is an educated (albeit NYU dropout, but we'll overlook that), talented, artist that wants to be the future of pop music and culture. In all of these interviews, I admit, I scoff. I love GaGa's music, The Fame ranks in as one of my top 10 favorite albums of all time (no joke). But a serious artist? I thought she was just another 23 year old girl that wanted to sing and dance for a living, and maybe score some free designer duds while she's at it. Haven't we seen this before?

I was wrong. Savor those words because you won't hear them often. I had the honor of being front row at tonight's The Fame Ball tour at the House of Blues in Boston. While I still feel iffy about the House of Blues as a venue, I feel confident in the artistry that is Lady GaGa. GaGa is what we at Pop Culture Paradox love and value. Her tour is infused with Andy Warhol and pop art. Her hour long set is broken down by video clips telling the story of "fame" taking over one's being -- heart, head and face -- one's full identity. While her album speaks of only needing, 'runway models, Cadillacs and liquor bottles,' GaGa (or at least her tour managers)' depth of studying fame and pop culture goes much deeper.

I became addicted to pop art, as we know from previous posts, at a young age. I loved pop art from my 5th grade art classes where we had to design the back of a men's button-down shirt in the style of our favorite artist. I chose Andy Warhol and his silkscreen, commercial style. I love the consumerism that pop art shows, and the idea that common items and people can be art. For a pop art addict, Lady GaGa's show is basically the equivalent of an acid trip. My eyes locked onto everything. Her fashion - including a bubble dress (and who really cares if it was ripped off from a designer?). Her constant use of pop art style glasses and hats to shield her face. Her lack of pants (for the entire show! Props to her for having the confidence to show her bum for a hour in front of thousands of fans!). Her show even intellectually stimulates the consumerist, future advertising executive within me where I see product placement in her Clockwork Orange style films (Johnson and Johnson Baby Powder - who else noticed it?) and costumes (Hello grafitti collection by Louis Vuitton in that final encore outfit).

I walked out of the House of Blues feeling more fulfilled by GaGa's concert than expected. While a good pop concert is always great, one that revs the intellectual stimulation comes few and far between. GaGa said that to her, Lady GaGa is a lie -- like a lie you tell your lover in hopes that the lie can become truth. By doing so, GaGa sets herself so far apart from all the other pop princesses of Hollywood. I expect no mental breakdown from this one - or at least we can hope. The only downside to GaGa's wonder - she's younger than I am! Talk about putting this blogger to shame.

Also worth mentioning. The setlist can be found at this review of GaGa's recent Chicago stop. Personal favorite song of the night? Eh, Eh, Nothing Else I Can Say - although it may be because it strikes a personal chord with me. Opening for GaGa was Cinema Bizarre, a German punk band with a four-song set. Chester French and The White Tie Affair also opened, who I have to give kudos for. Chester French's cover of Hella Good by the so-good-it-hurts-to-listen-to-them No Doubt made my night complete. The White Tie Affair is amazing live - they pulled off my favorite songs from their album (Candle [Sick & Tired] & Allow Me To Introduce Myself...) along with an AH-MAZ-ING Lil' Wayne cover. Yes, you heard me right, just click on the link. You'll love it too.

-M

Canada is like a sorority I want to pledge desperately

So I'm just back from a business trip to Canada, and I'm completely jet lagged which is why I'm up at an ungodly hour...figured this would be the best time to gush about how great Canada is. Seriously. In all my time living in New England, I never bothered to venture up...sure I had friends who went over to Montreal the moment they turned 18 (some kind of rite of passage in the Northeast apparently, hehe) but for the most part, I was affected by the general American attitude of MEH to Canada...('The poor man's USA,' as one of my friends put so delicately). A hella lotta snow, hockey and strange accents was all that came to mind to be honest.

Anyway, I finally made it there from halfway across the world...and I am so glad I did! Canada is North America's best kept secret. I'm surprised at why nobody told how great of a place it is...sure there is a crapload of snow, but its gorgeous (especially to this former UMasser who lives in a desert now) and yes the Canadians have an unnatural obsession for hockey (which once again reminded me of UMass...lets go Minutemen) and pepper their convos with ehs, ouuuuts and abouuuuts but there is so much more to the country.

Toronto, my first stop, was among the cleanest, neatest, safest and most organized larger city that I've been too in ages. A fab combo of NY & Boston with its own unique flavor brought by masses of immigrants (the majority of whom I found to be extremely well integrated) made Tdot extremely likable and seemingly livable. Downtown kept me happy with the largest indoor shopping mall Eaton Center and a ton of cutesy boutiques around. Check out The Bottom Line, the classiest sports bar (its not a paradox, promise!) which, surprise, owned by a former NHL player. It is also THE place to go for sports celebrity sightings!

Halifax is a smaller town with stunning views...British style pub Elephant & Castle provided cheap food to kept me happy. Also, Nova Scotia is where a ton of Scottish and Irish immigrants settled - so its got a very similar vibe to Boston.

Edmonton was the best for famous Alberta steaks..LUX, Ruth's Chris Steakhouse (polish off your meal with Chocolate Sin cake, the name says it all!) and The Sawmill Steakhouse are worth checking out.

And Vancouver, consistently rated among the top most livable cities, was absolutely stunning (good news, it is also the warmest place to be in Canada, the only downside being its constantly rainy, like Seattle) With its extremely high Asian population, had sushi and sake at Tsunami Sushi one night and Indian food at Vij's the other...both were excellent.

And the people, oh the people, so great...Canadians are ridiculously friendly, super helpful and a great looking bunch.

Go on over the border if you're in the States now, I highly recommend it...and if you're halfway across the world like I am, start planning summer getaways...I know I am!

Holy Fangirls Everywhere

(photo courtesy of www.cilike.com)

Last night marked my first trip to the "new" House of Blues in Boston, MA to see none other than Jesse McCartney (and about 2000 screaming fangirls). Placed at the old location of the Avalon nightclub on Lansdowne Street, A and I were sorely disappointed upon walking in. While I cannot speak for the restaurant portion of the building, there have been little to no renovations of the stage area past some paint and new pictures hanging on the wall. I downed my overpriced Corona ($7 my ass) and pushed my way through the waves of sixteen year olds to get close to the front. Standing, waiting for the main act to go on, made me reminisce and miss the old Avalon nightclub - a location that stood when the rest of the audience around me were watching Barney & Friends on television and drinking Motts apple juice. But I digress.

In this review, I want to make one thing clear. Jesse McCartney is not Justin Timberlake. He never will be, no matter how many remixes he has with Ludacris featured on them. He is not, was not, will not be as huge, because my generation of fangirls will never let that happen. Nonetheless, the 21 year old McCartney (who still appears to be 14) brought on the screams -- and the pushes and the shoves -- from girls all over Boston.

I give him credit for putting on a good show. While A and I couldn't withhold the pushing and shoving up in the front for the whole show (we ditched with a few songs left), we left impressed with McCartney's singing -- and songwriting -- skills. He sang 100% live. His songs sounded just as good onstage as off. The songs were catchy as hell. His stage presence wasn't too shabby. Still, the whole experience makes me pine for the pop stars of yesteryear. Excuse me while I go pop in an old *NSync cd.

-M

The Oscars Overload

(photo courtesy of washingtonpost.com)

I don't know about all of you, but I am on Oscar hangover from last night and today's newscasts. I will choose to skip over the winners (because I'm sure you and I have both heard them 100 time over on CNN today), but instead let me touch on a few details.

Penelope Cruz winning best supporting actress was exciting as hell for me to see. I saw Vicky, Christina, Barcelona at a cute artsy theater in my college town with a friend this past fall and fell in love with the movie as a whole. If you haven't seen it, go see it, and you will love it. It shows the complexity of relationships in today's world in such a brutal light that it's refreshing. An ex told me via text message once that Cruz's character, Maria Elena, reminded him of me. Although it's a definitely stretch (I'm not that crazy people), maybe there's an Oscar in my future too.

On a different note, as exciting as it was to see Heath Ledger's family receive the best supporting actor award on his behalf, was anyone else a bit disappointed not to see Matilda (his daughter with actress Michelle Williams) accept it, as she is the designated recipient?

Finally, let me share this hilarious (and awkward) red carpet interview with LiLo regarding the Oscars. Why so fidgety, Lindsay?

-M

Tea Heaven

(image courtesy of www.teavana.com)

Although the Prudential Center has taken away my beloved Mango, there is still Teavana to keep me satisfied. I have long been a tea and coffee addict. When I feel healthier, I go for teas. In high school I was the Starbucks Chai queen. I drink tea nightly while curled up on my couch, watching Friends reruns. It's delicious and I blame the Asian in me for being hooked.

Introduce Teavana to my tea fixation. Walls of tea of every flavor imaginable. Last week I tried the 'Sour Cherry Serenade' which tasted like a neverending red Sweettart (always a good thing). With A in tow, I tried the Raspberry Sangria flavor. Again. Delicious. Today I tell my trusty Teavana man that I have the start of a scratchy throat. He whips up some white tea peppermint blend with lots of honey. Hopefully it'll get the job done.

With prices comparable to Starbucks, Teavana isn't a cheap thrill, but it's worth the penny for the rest of you tea lovers out there. And if you can get away with it, just linger by the wonderful sample stations located in every store - I suggest the Chai they always have available - and drink to your hearts content.

-M

My name is M, and I am a shopaholic.

(image courtesy of www.cinemasterpieces.com)

"...and those girls didn't need money at all. All they needed was their magic cards. And all I wanted when I grew up was one. Little did I know that I'd end up with twelve!"

As mentioned and promised, I attended the Boston advance screening of Confessions of a Shopaholic this evening at the AMC on Tremont Street (my personal favorite movie theater around). When I say I loved this movie, I mean it. I loved the books. I loved the movie. I love Isla Fisher as the shopaholic, designer obsessed Becky Bloomwood. I love how the movie seems to focus on her, and not on the love story that so infiltrates the books. I love the humor, the clothes and the music of this movie. But let me be more detailed...

I consider myself lucky that I haven't read the books by Sophia Kinsella within a few years. Those with the books at the forefront of their minds, you might be disappointed. I, for one, know that I will be bringing my copy of Confessions of a Shopaholic with me on the T tomorrow morning to re-read. One noticable thing that the wonders of Hollywood have done is make Becky Bloomwood not British. Sorry to all you Londonites, but in this, Becky is a born, bred and raised New York girl. Secondly, with that being known, events from books one (Confessions of a Shopaholic) and two (Shopaholic Takes Manhattan) are smushed into this one hour, fifty-three minute movie.

The music of the movie is a pop princess's dream. I heard Katy Perry in a few scenes. I heard Amy Winehouse. Most importantly though, I heard Lady Gaga. More specifically, Lady Gaga's rendition of the ever wonderful "Fashion" as sung by Heidi Montag. Choose not to believe me, but I wouldn't say it if it's true, but somehow, someway, Montag takes the win in this pop song duel. Gaga's version appears in a snippet during the movie, and in a longer version during the credits, and is rather lackluster. Disappointing, but true.

Isla Fisher is Becky Bloomwood in this movie. She is not Borat (or excuse me, Sasha Baron Cohen's)'s wife. She is Becky Bloomwood. Journalist and shopaholic. She does such a great job that I couldn't see another actress fitting such a role so perfectly. Her co-star, Hugh Dancy as the charming Luke Brandon becomes more attractive with each moment that the movie goes on. The romance storyline could be better developed, however, the focus on Becky Bloomwood as an individual is wonderful - and a refreshing change from so many female focused movies that focus on the 'they' rather than the 'her' of the character.

The first thing I said as I turned to A, my best friend at the theater with me, was, "Oh my god. That was about eighty times better than He's Just Not That Into You." And it's true. Confessions of a Shopaholic is the first legitimate, fun-filled, non-boring, laugh out loud funny girly film of 2009. It's a fabulous thing.

Grade: A-

-M

Grammy = YAWN

(image courtesy of www.wordpress.com)

I remember when the Grammy's used to be good. Really good. Think Alanis Morissette kind of good. Now they air every year and I kind of always forget about them. Today, if it weren't for P's unfortunate post about our beloved C.Brown, I would have entirely forgotten.

In case if you're like me and didn't watch the show, I tracked down the performances online. I only watched a very pregnant MIA start to belt out 'Paper Planes' when I decided I had enough, but click if you so choose. (I was personally more amused by the sight of Matt Lauer in a Snuggie than any of these singers, but to each her own.)

-M

Face it, he's just not that into you.

(image courtesy of: www.collider.com)

I, along with seemingly every other woman in the US this weekend, saw He's Just Not That Into You. As a part of my bff A's birthday extravaganza weekend, we were hoping with crossed fingers not to be let down. With such high expectations, it was bound to faulter in some way. Of course.

While I'm (as you all know) very anti-spoiler, I will try to review with as little giving detail as possible. I understand that the writers/producers (one of which is the lovely Drew Barrymore) wanted to give the movie a Love Actually feel. A million different storylines that all somehow intertwine. I love movies like this, only, He's Just Not That Into You tries to do too much with too little time. Drew Barrymore's character appeared in so few scenes that I forgot about her character (and its' name) completely. There was an extension of the Scarlett Johannsson (who I loathe as an actress) and Kevin Connolly (who I think is so adorable) storyline that just confused the viewer. This, tied in with the awkward performance by Jennifer Connolly who doesn't play the cheated-on wife convincingly, and the erratic confessional style pieces of random strangers, made He's Just Not That Into You at times, cringeworthy to watch.

That being said. This movie had it's great romantic comedy moments which other recent romantic comedy movies have lacked. Jennifer Aniston was wonderful. She almost too-convincingly played the girl that dreams of getting married to the a guy that is 'morally opposed to marriage.' My only wish was to see more scenes of her storyline. Hand in hand with this, her boyfriend in the movie, Ben Affleck, is like a fine red wine. Better with age. I swear he looks the exact same as he did in Armageddon (circa 1998).

I must admit, I never did read the book version of He's Just Not That Into You. I never really cared if there were rules or exceptions to relationships -- and I still don't, to be quite honest. My suggestion? Go out (or rent!) this for a girls night out or in kind of evening. Don't expect Oscar-worthy performances - but at least Ben Affleck is easy on the eyes. :)

Grade: B.

-M

Blah GG...

This picture is pretty much how I feel about the most recent episode of GG...Sorry M., but the show realllly took a nose-dive into mediocrity this week...With the completely absurd story-lines (the Chuck and Miss. Carr sub-plots were the worrrrrsttttt...even darling Dorota was annoying in this episode)...could GG be showing signs of the dreaded sophomore slump?!

Dear Gossip Girl Writers. I Bow Down To You. Xoxo.

(photo courtesy of eonline.com)

Now, now, I know I normally tend to blog about the BEST SHOW EVER the day after the episode airs. However, this post is to serve as a reminder and warning to you, dear readers, that if you did not DVR and do not watch/download/stream or however you choose to get your weekly Gossip Girl fix then you are missing out. Because tonight was the BEST EPISODE EVER of the BEST SHOW EVER. Period. The end. No arguments. I am in awe of far and few things (the makers of delicious champagne, Diane Von Furstenberg and the energy of young children top the list) but Gossip Girl writers, you have outdone yourself. I bow down.

I hate to post spoilers. And so I won't. Go buy the episode on iTunes in a few days (or I know you know the illegal streaming sites too, don't lie). Watch it on your iPod. iPhone. Whatever gadget you want. Have fun, just don't gasp as loudly as I did in the middle of a lecture hall class. Heaven knows I wouldn't want to get you in trouble.

-M

You Know You Love Me

In the midst of my young, post-college professional life, I have little time to indulge in guilty pleasures. One time that I allow myself is Monday's at 8pm. One of my bestests (ironically enough, we'll call her S), comes over to my New England apartment while we gorge on junk food and drink overpriced champagne (my current bottle of choice? Veuve Clicquot.) while watching B, S, D, C, Lily, Rufus, and whoever else happens to be on the Gossip Girl that evening. We forget how mortifying high school really was, and kind of miss it. I, a prep school graduate, tend to lean on the side of regret as I realize that I should have fully embraced private high school. Oh how everything is so clear in hindsight.

This weekly tradition, however, has been let down by the CW. First a month-long hiatus (completely skipping over the holidays!). And now what looks like a gap week inbetween episodes. What's a girl to do, left malnourished of trashy, gossipy drama?

My answer? Read the books. I caught onto this bandwagon a bit too late, as I was too busy ignoring my true vein interests and trying to look like an intellect circa 2004 and was buying books like 'A Million Little Pieces' (and okay, I won't lie, all of the 'Confessions of a Shopaholic' series). Plus, prep school was a little too close to the realm of my actual life to fully indulge and enjoy books about prep school. Regardless, now with my stuffy New England prep school years just about five years behind me, I can indulge. And I do. Don't even try to tell yourself that these books are geared towards twelve-year-olds (just hide your face in your Pashmina like I do as you need to head over to the young adult section as your local Borders or Barnes and Noble Booksellers), because the action that Serena, Blair and Nate get in the books is just about comparable to (or sadly, more than) any action that my group of twenty-something's get on a regular basis. Another plus to reading these books in your twenties? You can bust through one a day -- no lie. It's like reading an extended episode of the show, which is wonderful and a curse all at the same time. I'm now just starting the prequel (that just came out in paperback) with the rest of the series read and under my belt. What am I supposed to read next? Any suggestions? Do they write a 'Gossip Girl' for adults that I'm unaware of?

-M

Ayyame: Not the Arabic food your mama made you

The latest addition to Kuwait’s food scene is Ayyame, an Arabic-fusion restaurant. Ayyame really puts a deft, sophisticated spin on Middle Eastern food with their extensive selection of mezze (meh-ZAY). If you aren't familiar with mezze, think hors d'oeuvres or tapas - lots of small plates to be eaten before a meal (or even as a meal!)

The restaurant's interiors are gorgeous (as you can see in the pictures...lots of floral details are mirrored in the interiors, the menu, the napkins and even the plates.) To get the full Ayyame experience, I would recommend calling ahead and making a reservation (of course, assuming you don’t mind dining in a perpetual shisha/hookah-induced haze)...there is plenty of outdoor seating too. We were seated outside and while it was nice to look over at the marina and enjoy the weather, the breeze inevitably cooled our food down quite a bit and sent many a napkins flying out of our laps and onto the faces of other patrons...whoops!

The service was personable and attentive (if a bit sketchy at one point...but that was the only thing that soured the experience at the end).

The great thing about Ayyame is that it combines good food, good prices and a great atmosphere. We had enormous quantities of food and tons of leftovers for a very reasonable price.

Circus: Track by Track Analysis

Let's face it. This analysis is far more important than of almost anything else I can write. With the depressing stories on the newsfront: CitiGroup cutting 50,000 (yes you read that right) jobs, the American economy 'already in a recession,' and 'value-based' holiday shopping (sorry Neiman Marcus, I wanted your Lego sculpture for $60,000.00 this year too. There's always 2009.), and the growing feeling of buyers remorse, there are very few things that can make Americans excited and happy.

Thankfully Britney Spears's new album is on its' way. And thankfully for me, I got my giddy hands on a copy last night. I won't say how. Sorry. A girl's gotta have some secrets that can be shared with only the closest of best friends. Regardless, forget the depressing economic analysis, and enjoy the mind-numbing analysis of Circus. It's been on repeat on my iPhone all morning long (the whole album). So that's gotta say something...

First things first, logistics. Check out the track list.
1.) Womanizer
2.) Circus
3.) Out From Under
4.) Kill The Lights
5.) Shattered Glass
6.) If You Seek Amy
7.) Unusual You
8.) Blur
9.) Mmm Papi
10.) Mannequin
11.) Lace & Leather
12.) My Baby
13.) Radar

Bonus Tracks:
-Rock Me In
-Phonography
-Amnesia
-Trouble (iTunes bonus)
-Quicksand (iTunes bonus)

(Sidenote: I can't give a description of the last two, as being iTunes tracks, they won't be available until the US and international iTunes release on December 2nd.)

Womanizer: Boy don't try to front, I know just what you are.
So we've all heard this one over and over and over. 20/20. MTV. KISS108FM. All I see in my mind when I hear Britney's melodious voice is her naked thighs in that music video sauna. Although for a 15 year old boy, this image would be fantastic, for a twenty-something girl, no thanks. I'm good. P and I have already given our two cents about this song anyway. I still love it. P doesn't like how the word 'womanizer' rolls off of Brit-Brit's tongue. To each his (or her!) own.

Circus: When I crack that whip, everybody gonna trick just like a circus.
Britney's next single (apparently the video has already been shot) is one of the best on Circus. Like old school Britney style, it sounds straight off of In The Zone or Blackout (minus the crazy). The beat is infectious - I want to start dancing in my cubicle. I can only hope that this starts getting played at bars and lounges soon. One can only imagine how this song could get me going, post a few martinis -- can someone point me in the direction of a danceable bartop?

Out From Under: I don’t wanna dream about all the things that never were.
One of the 5 songs that we got a taste of on the promo cd that leaked last week. The minute clip or so really doesn't do this (or any of the other 4) songs justice. Britney's ballads are normally either stellar (i.e. Everytime) or horrible (i.e. Dear Diary). This falls within the stellar. It's heartbreaking and really beautiful sounding at the same time. Probably a good one to reminisce about an ex/crush/whoever about. Yes, call me a sap, it's okay.

Kill The Lights: Is that money in your pocket or are you happy to see me?
Think Stronger v.2.0. As Danja declares in the hip-hoppy intro, "Your very own pop princess, now queen of pop." I wonder how Madonna feels about this declaration of her clear dethroning - although it's probably been long done by now. While this was leaked by Jive on purpose as a buzz track last week, the sound has definitely grown on me with each listen that I give it.

Shattered Glass: You're gonna see me in your dreams tonight. My voice is gonna haunt you all the time.
The moment I opened this song on my iTunes, I immediately thought of late 80s/early 90s pop. Slightly reminiscent of old school Madonna and Ace of Base (my guilty pleasure), the chorus is simple and catchy. Also fantastic, the throwback to Everytime lyrics. Haunting in your dreams, blah blah blah. The one falter of the song? Must Britney say 'glass' the way she does? Give it a listen, see if it makes you cringe a bit too.

If You Seek Amy: Love me, hate me, say what you want about me. But all of the boys and all of the girls are begging to if you seek amy.
I've already written a fair amount about this song after the promo leak, but I cannot lie, this is one of my new favorite songs. It's already been made into my iPhone ringtone, and even my boyfriend's jaw dropped when he heard it playing in my room this weekend. "Is she saying what I think she's saying?!" That's the common response to the song - (still don't get it? Say 'if you seek amy' 10 times fast). I've read blurbs wanting this to be released as a single, and although it'd be popular, I'm thinking the metaphor might not go over so well with radio station airplay. Boo.

Unusual You: Didn’t anyone tell you, you’re supposed to, break my heart? I expect you do, so why haven’t you?
By far, the best ballad(ish?) song of the album. It sounds a bit like And Then We Kiss, an unreleased song from the In The Zone era. It's slightly more upbeat than a full ballad, but incredibly haunting and sad. Seems like Ms. Spears has the same trouble with men that every twenty-something girl does. You're not alone Britney!

Blur: Can't remember what I did last night, everything, everything is still a blur.
One of the tracks that I'm completely undecided on. Running parallel with Early Mornin' from In The Zone (which also took me about a zillion listens and a remix version to have me decide I liked it), Britney seems a bit too old for me to want songs about her drinking so much that she forgets what she did the night before. She has two babies at home, shouldn't she be home tending to them? Not sure if she's sending the proper message about being competent with this one...

Mmm Papi: I can really get far, don't break my heart. Let's make out.
Okay, this song had me hooked until about 40 seconds in when Brit-Brit just wails out, "oooo Papi love you." I'm sorry, I can't handle her voice saying 'Papi' for one. For two, why would you call a guy 'Papi' and not feel totally awkward about it (and have some sort of father complex). It's not a completely horrendous song, but it falls low on the Circus totem pole. It's one of the few (only?) songs that she co-wrote herself. Surprised? No, not really.

Mannequin: Got my heart set, do anything that I want so thank you. I like it and I do what I like, and if do what I like, then you’ll like it.
What is with all these pop princesses all about being 'bossy' (yes, I'm talking to you Lindsay Lohan) and knowing what you want. We get it, you know what you want, and you'll get it. But Britney, you say this, and you wanted Kevin Federline and you went for it (remember, you proposed to yourself?!), and look at where it got you? I don't know if you should always go with what you want... But I digress. Mannequin, not a horrible song, is upbeat, perfect for a good workout, but not the 'blockbuster' single that bloggers originally hyped it up to be a few months ago after hearing a clip leaked from a dance rehearsal.

Lace & Leather: Cotton candy kiss, can't wait for my sugar rush.
I'd have to say, by far this song has the most Blackout-ish sound to it. A little electronica-ish sounding, I can probably see this as a potential song - or at least I can hope, because I think a remixed version of this song would be 100000 times better. When the track listing for Circus got initially released, there was a murmur assuming that this song would be oh-so racy. Sorry everyone to burst your bubble, but you can get your head out of the gutter. Nothing too scandalous here. If you want more scandal, push 'back' on your iPod to track 6.

My Baby: With no words at all, so tiny and small.
Okay, it only natural that there's some sort of song for her kids, but does it have to put me to sleep? I would choose, Someday (I Will Understand) over this track as a loving song to her little ones any day. Unfortunate but true, this would be the song to hit skip over. I mean, take one listen to it, how many times does she have to say 'tiny' in one song? I get it Brit. Your kids are small -- tiny even. But ehhhhh, let's grab you a thesaurus next time.

Radar: Intoxicate me, I'm a lush. Stop, you're making me blush - people are looking at us.
I was just as surprised as anyone else when I saw a Blackout track appear on the Circus listing. New remix? New tempo? New something? That's what I assumed at least. But no, with the exception of a new 2 second intro (which kind of sounds like a 'wooooooosh'), it's the same track. Same lyrics. Same everything. I already have a Facebook album already titled with lyrics from this song - from March. How 2007 of you Britney. First recycling songs, next thing I know you're going to be seen wearing your old graphic tanks. Sigh.

Rock Me In: Hold me tight, don't let go. Take me in your arms and bring me close.
For the record, I do not know how these bonus tracks became bonus tracks and didn't make the cut for the main album. Brit's voice sounds a bit like it does in Do Something in this song. The song as a whole? Upbeat. A bit trippy. Infectious. Fantastic.

Phonography: And everybody's got freaky tendencies, here we won't admit it 'cause we all got needs.
Oh Britney. So edgy. Trying to have 'phonography' sound like 'pornography.' You're so badass. Apparently phonography is all about, following commands and "buttons coming loose." Or something like that. So apparently Britney likes phone sex, and likes to sing about it. She certainly has taken a page out of Madonna's book. Although I wonder if Madonna would ever say, "talk that sexy talk to me." Something tells me no...

Amnesia: I get amnesia when I'm standing next to you.
By far, my favorite bonus track (maybe song) of the album. The melody of the song screams classic pop music. It's catchy and upbeat - and oh my god gets stuck in your head so easily. It's very early Britney style (think something that would have been on Oops... I Did It Again). Maybe not a sophisticated style for Britney, but I love it - and that's what matters right?

After scrolling through the producer list for the album, it appears that Lady GaGa's track only made the iTunes bonus for the international version. Oh, I can hardly wait till December 2nd to hear it.

EDITOR'S NOTE: I got the iTunes bonus tracks + an unreleased track tonight. Here's the lowdown on them...

Quicksand: Gotta keep on breathing, baby even we're sinking.
Fifty seconds into Quicksand, and it's full on Lady GaGa a la Eh, Eh, Nothing Else I Can Say. The resemblance is so clear. Which means I absolutely love it. It's a techno pop ballad. How this didn't make it onto the main album is beyond me -- or actually, rather, maybe it's because there's enough people being called Lady GaGa impersonators already. Ahem Christina Aguilera. Lucky for those iTunes shoppers, they won't miss out.

Trouble: Then again I, I think I wanna lose control. Ain't nothing wrong with a little bit of trouble.
Another pretty quality bonus track. It's not a spectacular track, and a bit repetitive. Regardless, it's a good, upbeat song to get ready to go out to. I have a feeling, much like Womanizer, P and others might not love how the word 'Trouble' rolls of of Ms. Spears' tongue.

Rock Boy: Play me like a guitar and get into action.
I'm not fully sure what the deal is with this track. My best bet is that it's an unreleased track (I read somewhere that she recorded something like 40 songs for this record). Anyway, she, without a doubt, sounds like Ashlee Simpson in the intro -- you know how A.Simps always tends to say "uh!" or "uh huh!" at the beginning of every song? Yeah, Brit is doing it too. Despite that, this song is listenable -- there's something missing to it though that I can't put my finger on... Anyone with the track have suggestions?

Happy listening (if you can track the album down too)!
-M