Pandora, who?

For those of you who have yet to experience Grooveshark, it's time to get on it!  It's a music sharing site that has virtually every song you've ever heard (so intensive that I even found my grandparents' wedding song) and allows you to listen to them at your leisure.  You can save songs, make playlists, share them with others and every time you log back into your account, they'll be there waiting for you, like a lovable cocker spaniel.  Next time you're at a party with a host who listens to Nickelback and/or Creed, you can subtly suggest that they check out Grooveshark and, what do you know, there's your sick-nasty party hits playlist.  Works every time.

I tested it out by making my very own widget for you to enjoy!  These are all of my favorite songs from my time living in Australia - aah, I miss it every day.

Dr. Love by the Bumblebeez

I recently came across my favorite music video of  ALL TIME:

Dr. Love by the Bumblebeez

Toes done up with the fingernails matching.

                      
Nail art is on the rise and I think it's about time for me to stop admiring and start bedazzling.  In fact, I used to be pretty handy with my Urban Decay or even the occasional Sharpie in 7th grade math.  So, if you're ready to bite the nail bullet (or try the nailpolish made with Kevlar), below are a variety of styles to choose from, depending on how hard you're prepared to rock.

Black Lace: The look I've been wanting to get - I may even swing by Lincoln Mall tomorrow. (they know how to do it up on the SOUTH SIDE).







Do you want fries with that?

Ariel gets her nails did.

This is the most exciting discovery I made during my research.  The TX54 is a little ahead of it's time (debut scheduled for 2154), but it's a watch that is the size, shape, and color of a nail and it lights up when you press the end of the thumbnail.  Timex held a contest to find watch designs of the future and this little guy was the runner up (see other entries here: Future of Time)

I'm not a natural blond . . .

Every time I venture into Urban Outfitters I inevitably end up wasting half of the day there.  When I'm done trying on clothes, I move on to the floppy hats . . . then the sunglasses . . . then I head over to all of the quirky coffee table books.  My favorite Urban book of all is Post Secret, which is an on-going art project where people write their secrets on postcards and send them in.  There is even a cult following of people who leave secrets inside of the books at the various stores that carry them.  Some are cute, some are funny, some are achingly sad, but all of the secrets AND the artwork are incredibly interesting - just ask whoever happens to be waiting around for me to finish reading them.

Well, wait no more, friend.  I've recently discovered that Post Secret is in blog form and now I can get my fill anytime I want!

Post Secret

Coachella Playlist

For those of you who can't make the trip out to the
famed polo fields this weekend,
here's a little something to tide you over. 

And don't worry, team! Lolla is right around the corner.

Music for the Soul

This music site creates playlists based on your mood or stuff you're doing. Some examples: Dreamy, Just Woke Up, Jogging, Foreplay, and States of Hallucination.

Almost as good as someone making you a mix tape.

The Dirty South

I recently ventured down to the dirty dirty and it's obvious that I was born to be a whisky-slinging southern gal. I've been trying to catch up by saying "y'all," craving Creole, and listening to 99.5.  My absolute favorite realization of the trip is that chivalry isn't dead - it's just hiding south of the Mason-Dixon line.

Here are a few of the things that have been tiding me over:

These Tennessee ladies sound like a pop-personified version of Patsy Cline. What more could you ask for? Maybe crawfish etoufee and a sazerac.



Justified, the new FX series, shows that shooting bad guys with a southern drawl, a tip of a cowboy hat, and a "ma'am" makes all the difference in the world.

The Fountainhead vs. Atlas Shrugged

  vs. 

Random House released two lists of their 100 best novels; one from their board of directors and one compiled from reader feedback.  Numbers 1 & 2, respectively, on the reader list are Atlas Shrugged and The Fountainhead, both by Ayn Rand.  I was surprised when I saw the order, because I think that The Fountainhead trumps Atlas Shrugged any day of the week.  When I read it I couldn't put it down, fell in love with Roark, vowed never to be a second-hander, and claimed it to be the best book I have ever come across.  When I read Atlas Shrugged I enjoyed it, but I felt like I was reading the same story with different characters and the 50 page monologues weren't nearly as spell-binding the second time around.  However, as I mentioned, I read The Fountainhead FIRST, and the more I talk to people and read about Rand preferences it seems that almost everyone prefers the first book they read.  So, which one is actually BETTER?

Let's break it down:  The Fountainhead was written first, so many say that Atlas takes the initial ideas, such as objectivism - the pursuit of one's own happiness and rational self-interest, but more fully develops the characters and thoughts.  So, is it a better novel? More critically acclaimed? Or does the grittier idea flow of The Fountainhead reflect a purer philosophy?  Sometimes over-thinking a matter can make the idea more polished, but it loses some of its originality.  I think that this is the case with Atlas Shrugged, and some people may agree.  However, probably a million more would tell me I'm nuts.  

So which is it??

I'd love to hear feedback on this post - and please mention which book you read first!!!

Obvious Child

Gillian Robespierre's romantic comedy, Obvious Child, features a break-up, a few too many Jack and Cokes, a subway condom, an underwear-clad drum session, and, ultimately, an abortion date. It reminds me of a bizarro-world Juno, where instead of falling in love in 11th grade with a bun in the oven, the sparks fly at Planned Parenthood (which I am convinced is, after watching 16 and Pregnant for the first time recently, WAY more realistic).

The writing had me cracking up and Jenny Slate, SNL's newest cast member, is incredibly endearing as the lead role - never has a cuter girl uttered the words, "Your pee smells like Cheetos."  The short film is 20 minutes long and perfectly embodies the name of this blog - who wouldn't rather laugh with the sinners than cry with the saints?


Obvious Child from Gillian Robespierre on Vimeo.

P.S. You might recognize the leggy blond in the bar or the bewigged, balloon-carrying girl on Valentine's Day as none other than Chicago's own, Kelly Frances Ramsey.

Yo Gabba Gabba

Every red-blooded American has watched their fair share of Saturday morning cartoons over a delicious bowl of Lucky Charms.  Ah, the good ol' days.

Well, I've got good news, folks.  The good ol' days are back!!! Yo Gabba Gabba is the raddest kids' show since Thundercats and the best part is that it's not just for kids.  The have amazing guests like Jack Black, Andy Samberg, Amy Sedaris, Mates of State, Of Montreal, MGMT, Chromeo, and Datarock who either perform a music video or do a trademarked "dancey dance."  Here are a couple of my favorites:





Here are a couple other gems that couldn't be embedded:
Of Montreal - Brush Brush Brush 
Mates of State - No One Likes to be Left Out
Andy Samberg's Dancey Dance

Cheers to Mark Buehrle!

What better way to celebrate a White Sox opening day victory and one of the most amazing plays in baseball history than by uncorking a bottle of Buehrlot?  A wine which is, as any true Chicagoan would agree, far superior to CaberLee in more ways than one.

Bruce the Funny Dog

Sometimes you need a smile.  Our canine friend can make you smile.

www.comedycentral.com

Mashup Mix Master Trackademicks

Take Ram Jam's Black Betty, add some Rock DJ from Robbie Williams, and toss in The Jump Off compliments of Lil Kim and you will have yourself my perfect theme song.  It hasn't been created YET, but give it time - ah, the beauty of mashups.

Here's the freshly dropped 3rd album from Trackademicks: