From The Nick to The Moth...(and Brooklyn too)

Last weekend as Sara and I drove home from our whirlwind NY trip, we queued up a podcast to keep us entertained. Sara chose a story from The Moth. (For those of you who haven't heard of The Moth, it's a non-profit storytelling org. in NY which brings in authors, celebrities, musicians, etc. to share stories live in front of an audience. Go check out the podcasts now - they're great.)

This podcast of The Moth featured Steve Burns from Blue's Clues, the old Nickelodeon kids' TV show. If your brain is as foggy as mine, let me help you out here - Steve Burns is this guy:

Nice shirt, Steve.

Anyway, Steve is no longer Steve of Blue's Clues (some dude named Joe took over); he's now a musician and off-Broadway actor. And bald. But anyhoo. Evidently he's doing pretty well for himself - or those Blue's Clues royalties still really pay off - because this is his gorgeous home in Williamsburg:

I love that his house is blue. Get it? Like Blue from Blue's Clues. Heh.

Yes, so right after I got home from said weekend trip, I came across these photos of his bachelor pad in New York magazine. Isn't the place great? Check out the interior courtyard:

I love that he has private garden space -- in Brooklyn. Who knew?

I'm glad to see that Steve o' the Big Red Chair is doing so well for himself and not, as was rumored for a while, dead from an overdose. Well done, you!

In case this post has piqued your interest, you can listen to Steve Burns' story from The Moth here. It was pretty hilarious.

A Barney-ism.

Today I woke up feeling like this:

I've been staving off a cold for a week now and the cold snap that has arrived (along with all the buckets of rain) hasn't helped me want to crawl out from under the covers anytime soon.

But enough with the whining! It's fall after all - beautiful leaves, fun things to do, cooler weather! - so I dug up a "Barney-ism" to give me a proper kick in the a$# for this Monday.

Wait for it:

Thanks, Barn.

I'm off being awesome (ha). See ya in a bit.

Photo 1 from High Street Market, photo 2 from Design Crush via ffffound.

Kills some brain cells (no alcohol required)

Let's take a little stroll down memory pop culture lane today, shall we? I've found a few nuggets from the weboverse that I had to share - any and all of which may place me squarely in the "pop culture whore / likes the same stuff as a 13-year-old girl / slowly rotting my brain away" category. But I don't really care. And neither do you realllly, do ya, Judgy McJudgerson? You know you love it. So let's take a look, eh?

First up: trendy nails.

Soooo, everyone (okay, every 16-year-old) knows Lauren Conrad is, like, the coolest. And everyone knows that all the trends come from Asia before they hit America. Well, LC (Lauren Conrad is known as "LC" for any of those of you who live under a rock...Sara) just got back from Hong Kong and look at the fun mani she brought back with her:

Photo by @LaurenConrad on Twitpic

I already covered matte nail polish and gray nail polish (both of which are going to be huge again this fall - though gray nails are now being usurped by "greige" - gray/beige), but is leopard the next big trend in nails? It is kind of cute, but I'm not sure it's the best for everyday workwear...

Next up: silly shower caps.

Thank you, Urban Outfitters, for always selling the most entertaining slash ridiculous products on the planet. Case in point: shower caps that look like animals (cat, shark, and so on), as well as other objects (no, no, UO is not about to leave out the possibility of putting an ice cream cone, raspberries or devil horns on your head!).

Here are some of my faves from their offerings:

The Happy Hippo would make for a cheery start to your day.
Or how about something furry and gray on your head (and not just hairs that need a dye job?)


The duck bill could serve as a visor to keep water out of your face. Convenient!

Ribbit.

All available on Urban Outfitters for $8.

Last: I can't not mention the VMAs in some capacity (and throw in both a Twilight and a SYTYCD reference all at once!).

So last year I commented on some of the performances from the VMAs (which are more fully known as the MTV Video Music Awards...try to keep up with the references here, folks...ahem, Sara) and this year I was really into the performance by Florence Welch from the English group Florence + the Machine. She gave one of the few live performances of the night and sang among a flurry of blue-painted dancers.

She was awesome, as were the dancers...whose movement looked strangely familiar. Turns out they were choreographed by Travis Wall, a So You Think You Can Dance alum.

Oh, and if the Florence song sounds familiar to you, it could be because it's the song from the Eat Pray Love preview (or maybe, if you actually are 13, it's because another Florence song - Cosmic Love - was used in Twilight).

Check out her live performance - and the awesome dancers - here:

And if you can't watch embedded videos, you can see the video here.

Well, I hope this dose of teenager-appropriate pop culture has brightened your Tuesday lunch break. I'm going back to my normal regimen of important and deep topics now (you know, things like Martha Stewart pole dancing, Obama drinking games, beards, and proper TP loading...those sort of deep topics). Cough.
:)

Another Oprah progeny

Has anyone seen The Nate Berkus Show yet? It started this Monday. I adore him (exhibit A, exhibit B), but I can't tell if the show is going to be tragic or awesome...

Though regardless I will probably DVR whatever episode Bethenny is on. I can't help it - she's oddly fascinating to watch - I think it's the extreme oversharing she offers. :)


Have you seen the show? Is Nate great? Or is the show a trainwreck? Do tell!

Recovering from the 4th / slow start

Do you ever feel like this after a long holiday weekend?

Photo via quite cheeky.

I do. We had a great holiday weekend, filled with gorgeous weather, lots of time out on the water, a festive 4th of July fireworks show (both downtown and an unsolicited show in our parking lot), tons of food, friends and some downtime for B (I had to work while everyone else was off - boohoo). And even though the weekend was great - and I loved having everyone around for the additional day off - I'm still moving kind of slowly this morning. If only there was one. more. day. off.... ;)

Nonetheless, I'm getting back into the swing of things and will be back in a bit. Check back!

I Poo in Blue

Did I really just see this on TV??

An ad for denim....wait for it....diapers. Whaa?! You read that correctly. Huggies has indeed created limited edition jeans diapers. And they're not kidding.

The commercial starts with a Euro voiceover of "My diaper is full -- full of chic." and ends with the tagline, "The coolest you'll look pooping your pants." Oh and don't forget the middle bits: "When it's a number two, I look like number one." and "I poo in blue." That's copywriting gold, y'all.

But don't just read about it, see for yourself:

(In case you can't view embedded videos, click here.)

Wow. I'm kind of freaked out by the fact that they're sexualizing a male baby in the ad, but then again, I also think the whole thing is kind of totally hysterical (and gross at the same time...). See? Flip. Flop. Any ad that makes you unsure of whether you love it or hate it must be pretty good. I'm definitely weirded out by the whole thing, but I'm also pretty amused, so kudos, ad agency.

Though I heard they turn your baby's legs blue... Oops.

Oh, and Sarah: Take a look below - this could be soon-to-be-born-at-any-minute baby Caroline in just a few short months. Huzzah! ;)

Photo by Amber Porter

Oops! Did I just ruin the surprise of what I'm getting little Caroline for an arrival gift? Darn. (ha ha)

So what do you think? Heinous or hysterical? Would you buy these for your baby?

Set your DVRs...

Don't forget:

The new season of Top Chef starts tonight - and it's in DC! Can't wait.

Inspired by... feet?

Before you get all weirded out, let me make this clear that this is not some foot-fetish kind of post. I'm realllly not into feet, but something about the below photo stopped me:

Isn't it beautiful? Maybe it's just the former dancer in me, but those feet are somehow so graceful. With them as an inspiration, I dug up a few more photos to help me get moving on this gray Wednesday. Hope you like 'em (and that you're not grossed out by the feet-as-inspiration...). :)

Doesn't this make you want to head out and dance the night away?


This one's a little cheesy, but if you scroll down, her bottom foot is actually pretty pretty.

But that may just be a dancer talking...

Speaking of, I need to remember to set my DVR for SYTYCD tonight!

Sources: photo 1- Mary Ruffle; photos 2&3- The Beauty File

Dance-off: Les Grossman shakes it with J. Lo

Photo courtesy of MTV

I used to think Tom Cruise was an overzealous, couch-jumping, fake-marrying, aliens-stuck-in-volcanoes-believing weirdo - and he very well might still be. But, after his performance on the MTV Movie Awards - as "Hollywood mega mogul" Les Grossman, his character from Tropic Thunder - I'm willing to give him a little more credence. I mean, he performed a dance duet with J. Lo and gave her a run for her money on the booty-shakin'. That deserves some props.

Do yourself a favor and take a look yourself (note: T-Cruise is in heavy costume as "Les Grossman" - but rest assured, it's him alright - don't you recognize some of the hot-stepping from Risky Business?).

In case you can't view embedded videos, click here.

So what do you think? Not bad, right? T. Pain T. Cruise has won back a few points in my book. Thankfully, because that Xenu business really freaks me out....

;)

Goodbye, Lost

Woah, did you see the Lost finale??

It's two days later and I'm still not sure what I think. Maybe hated it? Maybe liked it? Still churning thoughts and formulating an opinion, I guess...

Either way, our Tuesday nights just got a whole lot freer. Maybe B and I will take up crocheting. Or (Bay) snorkeling. Maybe rocket science. Jeesh, we should probably just use the time to work out and cook healthy dinners. (snore.)

Did you love it? Hate it? Will you miss it?

Wall struck: wallpaper

Step aside, Golden Girls! We're stealing yo' style. Wallpaper is back with a vengeance and this isn't just the palm leaf paper from Blanche's bedroom...(that was for you, Val - I love GG references!)

I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'm totally digging the wallpaper style as of late. Take a look and let me know if you're into it too (or if I'm rapidly slipping into geriatric territory - yikes!):

Kelly Wearstler's imperial trellis print is by far my fave. So hot.
Photo by Elouise, spotted on Oh Happy Day!


The ever-famous Miles Redd did this room (as seen in Domino Mag, RIP). I love how the slightly overly feminine wallpaper is punched up with turquoise and chevron stripes - two of my favorite things.


More imperial trellis; I couldn't resist. This time in green and, surprisingly, looking a bit traditional when paired with white and dark wood.


Before I get too carried away with the old-looking stuff, I thought I'd revert back to the style that really calls my name - young, light, fresh and quirky. In case you're wondering what's on the wallpaper above, it's ostriches. Take a closer look below:

Yep, these snaps are from the living room of Michelle Adams (the genius behind Lonny Mag). I never knew I'd love ostriches on a wall so much. Oh but I do.

And finally, wouldn't this be amazing to come home to?:

Jordan Ferney of Oh Happy Day's entryway - pretty and sweet. Pretty sweet. The best part? That's temporary wallpaper that can be removed - a renter's dream!

So what's the verdict? Love? Hate? I need to lay off the Metamucil?

I am very tempted to try the temporary wallpaper idea on our tiny entryway, but I think B and I might get a preemptive divorce (is that possible if you're not yet married?) if I try to rope him into helping me. I do love the look though!

Want to see more? Check out some of my other takes on wallpaper here, here and here.

Spring happenings

I've been gabbing about the slowly burgeoning spring weather and being outdoors lately, but I'd be pretty fake if I didn't divulge two other, slightly less natural, things I'm siked for in May.

Numero uno:

May 28th, people!

And slightly less fantastical, but definitely over-the-top in its own right:

9 by Design on Bravo

Are you into/excited about either of these things? I'm glad they cranked out the next SATC so quickly...but then again, I guess they kind of had to or the ladies would be 60 by the time the next one came out....

Rainbow trees

I've recently developed the most intense desire to visit Hawaii. I think it would be the best honeymoon locale ever. Watching LOST every week doesn't help squelch this desire either.

I just saw pictures of these incredible rainbow eucalyptus trees from Maui over on Benign Objects and had to share. Aren't they amazing?

I didn't even know trees like this existed. They're absolutely beautiful.

First wish: an engagement. Second wish: two tickets to Maui to see these (and all the other amazing stuff Hawaii has to offer), please!

To do: book list

I waxed poetic (ha) about reading and basking in the sun recently, but - shockingly - haven't quite followed through yet. Hey - it's been gorgeous out - things to do, boats to kayak, outside patio bars to haunt! - plus kickball has started back up and Lost is in its final season (I know, I know, awful to say, but it's true!).

But I am serious about turning off the tv (especially with the sun back, and past 6pm!) and digging into the large pile of books stacked on my bedside table.

I just started The Happiness Project today. I'm only about 20 pages in so I can't make a fair judgment yet, but I'm eager to read more. We could all use a little more happiness right?


Here are some of the other books currently (and patiently) sitting next to the bed and waiting to be read:

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
What the Dog Saw by Malcolm Gladwell
If You Have to Cry, Go Outside by Kelly Cutrone (my mother saw this one and thought of me - should I be concerned??)
What is the What by Dave Eggers
The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein
Plainsong by Kent Haruf

Have you read any of these? Do you have a current favorite or something you just read and want to recommend?

Miley Cyrus + LOST's Hurley = awesome, dude

I wouldn't otherwise rock out to "Party in the U.S.A.," but for Hurley, I'll make an exception. Enjoy:

Link (for all you iPhoners): YouTube

Come on, you liked it too, admit it!

Originally found here.

Stood up by the snow and movie sequel anticipation

Well, the big 3-day snow never materialized (despite 50mph winds, I've yet to see a single flake of snow), so I'm left feeling a little stood up. Good thing Val broke some big news this morning to cheer me up a bit. Yup, that's right: Zoolander. Sequel.

What really, really, ridiculously good news - makes me want to go get an orange mocha frappuccino! (If you're not getting any of these references from the first movie, just skip this post now...)

So what has Derek Zoolander been up to for the past 10 years? Perhaps this?:

Image from MTV's Photoshoppers

And in case you need some cheering up too, here's a little something to leave you on a good note (or a ridiculous one). It's yours truly doing Derek Zoolander's signature pose, the "Blue Steel." Since we couldn't have a breakdance fight right here on sea*life*style, let's have a Blue-Steel-off. Ready, set, go:


I think mine needs some work... (and I need some self-tanner immediately!)

Smell like a man, man

Whaaat?

Link (in case you can't watch the embedded video): click here

B and I saw this last night and thought it was hilarious. Even this morning it's seriously cracking me up. Enjoy...I'm on a horse.

How to be your own baby doctor...?

Okay, don't judge me for A) having seen this and for B) actually blogging about this, but I was so freaked out I had to share.

After reading a tweet from @thelilbee that said "Kourtney Kardashian pulled her own baby out of her in delivery. I just watched it on DVR. CRAZY!" I knew I had to see it for myself. (Thank goodness for tv shows being online these days.)

In case you also have a strange urge to watch this weirdness too, here's the video clip from "Keeping Up with the Kardashians" on E! (skip to 26 seconds if you just want to see the weird self-birthing part):


Click here for the link (in case you can't watch the embedded video).

I mean, WTF?!? Do people just pull out their babies from their own vajayjays these days? Does anyone else think this is weird? And she seemed so calm - no sweating, crying, swearing, nothing - she just reached down and pulled the kid out. So. Weird.

Green (screen) acres - Hollywood's altered reality

It's amazing what tv and movie productions are able to create with a small set and a green screen these days. Check out this clip from Stargate Studios showing what's real and what's been "green-screened" - it's pretty amazing:


Link (in case you can't watch imbedded videos - iPhone wut): Watch here.

As seen on Roblahblog.