Style Icon: Debbie Harry

I have been a long time lover of Debbie Harry.  It started when they used to advertise those Greatest Hits of (insert genre of music or time period here) on television to me when I was in junior high.  I was first introduced to the song "Heart of Glass," here, and my long time love affair with Blondie began then.  Later, it caused me to have my hair short and blond, and in college, my workout playlist was full of Blondie. 

But what I really love about Blondie is Debbie Harry's no-nonsense style.  Whether in just a t-shirt, or in a fabulously glam dress, Debbie Harry always looks amazing.  She utilizes geometric patterns and bright colors in a way I only wish I could, and I've always wanted her short, messy, platinum blond bob (but let's be honest, it would not look good with my skin tone).  And her smokey eye and glossy red lip combo is a long-time standard of rock and roll, and one I've never been quite able to perfect the way that she does  Even now, after this many years, she still looks amazing, and she still can rock. 

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Style Inspiration: Heathers

Everyone knows that Heathers in an iconic movie- for many reasons.  It is the original mean girls movie- full of manipulation, mockery, and murder.  The one-liners are great- "did you eat a brain tumor for breakfast?" and the actresses are perfect.  But for me, it's all about the clothes, when I recently watched it, that was the only thing I could focus on.*  The fashion is completely and utterly over-the-top and I absolutely love it.  The Heathers all have their selected colour that they wear in monochrome, all the way down to their croquet mallets.  The 80s shoulder pads, the matchy-matchy color combinations, and the coloured tights underneath everything.  As it's becoming colder, I'm definitely feeling monochromatic looks with tights to match- I've already invested in purple, teal, gray, and navy pairs to get me through the winter.  I'm longing for lots of ruffly skirts, cozy sweater and blazer combos, lapel broaches, and perfect fall flats!  Just gimmie some pate and croquet and I'm sold!

* Besides Christian Slater that is, but if he's on the screen, he's pretty much all I can focus on!

Hipster Must-See: A Must-Watch List of Ridiculous Movies

I once dated this lovely boy.  He was nice, fun, had a great job, and then, one night, we were at the bar and Tommy was on.  And he had no idea what it was, not just that he had never seen it, he didn't know that it existed.  Well, I let that one slide, but when I later found out that he had never seen The Labyrinth, I decided that it was unacceptable, and we broke up.*

So in honour of that, I've decided to list my "Top 10 Must-Watch" list of movies.  Most of these are absolutely ridiculous, but they are fun, memorable, and I quote them all the time.



10..Tommy- I love this rock-opera.  I've blogged about it before.  I'm obsessed with Ann-Margaret, Roger Daltrey's hair, and, of course, the soundtrack.

9.  Purple Rain.  Prince has his own movie, I love Prince, therefore, his movie must make the list.

8.  The Legend of Billie Jean.  My parents kept trying to convince me to watch this movie, but being their child, I kept resisting.  When I finally watched it I understood the awesomeness, and bonus points, it also stars a young Christian Slater.

7.  The Labyrinth.  This is another one of my favourite movies held over from childhood.  Jim Henson is so over the top and ridiculous, and besides, Bowie is just so sexy in it.

6..Rocky Horror Picture Show. I went through a period of time in high-school where me and my girl friends watched this movie on repeat.  I've seen it in theaters, danced on stage to the time warp, and will only ever see Tim Curry as Dr. Frankenfurter (aside from his role in Fern Gully, but that's another story).

5. Willow.  Another one of my favourite topics.  It's fantasy, horrible CGI, and Val Kilmer.  How could it not make the list?

4. Pump Up the Volume.  You can put a young Christian Slater in any movie and I'll probably watch it.  Put him in a movie as a sexy-rebellious high schooler and I'm sold.  Also, the soundtrack to this movie is amazing.

3. The Goonies.  I grew up watching this movie on USA/TBS/ABC/etc. every weekend when I was a kid.  When I went to school in Canada, I met a slew of people that had never even seen it.  That simply won't do, if you haven't seen The Goonies, I'll probably pretend you don't exist.

2. The Warriors.  Walter Hill's gang epic is being remade in 2011.  I'm excited enough to see it, but it won't compare to the original.

1. Streets of Fire.  This movie rounds out the list of must-see ridiculous movies.  It stars Diane Lane and Willem Defoe when they were sprightly young things.  And it's sort of a musical. Bonus!


*We didn't break up because he hadn't seen those movies, I'm just being dramatic.

Hipster Must-Read: Bright Lights, Big City

I've been dying to read this classic Jay McInerney novel for ages.  Having been a huge Bret Easton Ellis fan for years, I couldn't wait to read the novel of his 80s literary rival.  And when I finally broke down and got a copy, it took me all of two days to finish it.  And with a film remake version set to come out next year, there is no better time to do so.

With similar tones to Less Than Zero, McInerney's semi-autobiographical novel explores the seedy underbelly that was the 1980s New York yuppie scene.  My favourite.  I love reading about the different areas of New York and how they change now, and let's be honest, I love reading about discontent people in their mid-20s (something about it just strikes a chord with me, what can I say?)

I've added a couple more McInerney novels on my list, and also added the Michael J. Fox film version to my Netflix queue, although I'm sure to be disappointed.  But since McInerney never really repeated his super star status with any other books, I'm wondering if I'm going to end up disappointed?

Style Inspiration: Teen Witch

Ahhh....the 80s.  A time when Madonna and Billy Idol ruled the airwaves, Dynasty and Cheers made television complete, and a time when John Hughes managed to explore the teenage psyche in a timeless way.  A time that has lent us so many great pop culture fixtures, including ridiculous fashions.

Being stuck inside due to rain, this weekend I forced my roommate to watch Teen Witch.  The cheesy movie, that is part musical, part ridiculousness, was modeled after Teen Wolf making an attempt to capitalize on the films popularity.

It's the story of Louise, the uncomfortable, awkward 15 year old who finds out that she is a descendent of a great witch and will gain these powers upon turning 16.  And what does she do with her powers?  Why, make herself the most popular and pretty girl in school of course.

And with that popularity comes a wardrobe of 80s excitement that I envy:

BEHOLD- Shoulder Pads!!!  Although they are making a comeback on the runways the past few seasons, nothing compares to the way they made formal dresses with shoulder pads in the 80s.

Perfectly matchy-matchy outfits.  The 80s was like Granimals, but for adults.  

And last, but not least, Tutu's.  There was an overabundance in tutu's and tiered skirts in this film that make me want to stock up and wear with ankle boots (my mom would be proud).

The Soundtrack of My Life: Edition 1

Lately, I've been going through a rather obsessive compulsive music phase.  Now, I am not an obsessive personality.  I can quit nearly anything if I put my mind to it, and can change habits quickly.  However, with my music, I like what I like, and lately, it's been a lot of the same things.

So, in light of my recent personal situation, and in light of being a 23 year old in New York City, here are a list of the 10 songs that I cannot get enough of right now in my life.

10. "Purple Rain," by Prince.  Duh.

9. "Falling Down" by Scarlett Johansson.  Yes, her album was not spectacular, but every time I hear this song come over my headphones when I'm walking through the city or in the subway, I am instantly calm and nostalgic for another life.

8. "Over It" by The Dandy Warhols.  One of my favorite bands, this song is my go to I don't give a damn anthem.  If only I meant it half the time...

7. "1901" by Phoenix.  Except I feel so super uncool liking this song now that it's in a car commercial.

6. "Second Hand News" by Fleetwood Mac.  I've been harboring a deep love of Fleetwood Mac since college (I know, I was a little late), and this song always reminds me of my friend Mark.

5.  "The Recluse" by Cursive.  A friend of mine once told me, in a reference to film noir, that I might be a black widow.  Apparently, that means that I may have the ability to get people caught in my web before I gobble them up.  I'm not sure if this is a compliment or not, but with a line like "you're in my web now, I've come to wrap you up tight, til it's time to bite down," this is one of those songs that takes me back to that memory.

4. "Empire State of Mind" by Alicia Keys and Jay-Z.  Yes, it's cheesy, and it doesn't really mean a whole lot, but there is no better song to listen to when I'm walking down the bustling streets of this amazing city.

3. "Piece of My Heart" by Janis Joplin.  Last week, at Harlow's Hideaway, I watch a great burlesque performer do a comedic piece to this song.  I've been listening to it non-stop ever since.  But that's what I love about Janis Joplin, you can forget about her for years, but the minute you need her, she's there.

2. "Nightingale/December Song" by Sunset Rubdown.  "You are a vast explosion and I am the embers." Uhhh, yeah, I feel that way a lot.

1.  "West Coast," by Coconut Records.  I can remember the first time I ever heard this song and the completely visceral moment I had with my friend Josh.  We looked at each other and instantly knew that we would both love this song forever.  I still get that feeling every time I hear the opening bars.

This list seems kind of weak to be perfectly honest, maybe I'll have to keep working on it.  I hope edition 2 isn't quite this pathetic...

Style Inspiration: Near Dark

I know that vampires are all the rage these days, but after taking a Vampires in Literature and Film class in university (oh yeah, that was offered), I feel like I might be a bit more qualified to talk about vampire films then some people out there.

I am a sucker for 80s vampire films. The Hunger, Lost Boys, and last, but very not least, Near Dark. Kathryn Bigelow's western vampire film is ridiculously violent, has a killer soundtrack (scored by Tangerine Dream), and is full of sociopathic crazy southern vampires.

Near Dark also does one thing for me that some of these other films have not. It gives me this ridiculous style inspiration. Call it growing up in the country, or maybe it's my fond nostalgia for the American Southwest, but it makes me want to be a sexy cowboy vamp.

Jenny Wright's tight jeans and tied shirts, Jenette Goldstein's blond hair and dark roots, and most importantly, Bill Paxton's spurs. I feel like I could get away with most of these looks in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, but the spurs are something I'm not so sure of. But man, I would feel like such a badass...



I wish I was cool enough to pull of Jenette Goldstein's wicked dark roots and tough as nails exterior



Bill Paxton and Adrian Pasdar in the memorable bar scene. This scene singlehandedly made me want to own spurs, if you have yet to see it, it's on IFC all month, and easy enough to find on Netflix.

Top 10 Favorite Books of 2009

I am not the New York Times Best-Seller list. I don’t rush out to buy the newest books, and I have never read a Twilight novel in my life. But I love literature and think my opinion is valid, so here is a top ten list of the books I have read in the past year:

10. Geek Love
Catharine Dunn’s novel about a family who’s members are nearly all in a carnival sideshow strikes a chord and common theme among books I like to read…it’s bizarre. It manages to be crazy, emotional, and sad all at the same time. I recommend it for anyone looking for something a little bit different from the New York Times Best Sellers.

9. Famous for 15 Minutes
Ultra Violet was an integral part of the Andy Warhol factory scene in the 60s. This memoir, albeit not well written, is fascinating to anyone interested in Warhol, Dali, and the sex, drugs, and rock and roll scene that was the New York 60s. Now out-of-print, it is relatively easy to find a used copy online.

8. Animal Farm
2009 was my year of catching up on classics. Unfortunately, most of those classics did not make my list, but George Orwell’s metaphorical novel has affected my core. Read in the course of two hours at a local coffee shop, I found myself deeply upset, and I don’t think I ate meat for weeks.

7. Drugs are Nice: A Post-Punk Memoir
Lisa Crystal Carver’s memoir of the 1980s and 1990s underground is missing the one thing you’d think it would have: drugs, at least from her. What it does have is lots of music references, the start of ‘zine culture, alleged Nazi’s and the story of one woman’s pain and strength to get through it.

6. Into the Wild
I found my copy of Into the Wild on the street and had I not, I probably never would have read it. Part of me envy’s Chris McCandless’ adventure, and the interviews with everyone he touched during his travels is inspiring. Later made into a movie starring the amazing Emile Hirsch, this story is wonderful and heartbreaking.

5. Middlesex
Jeffrey Eugenides ode to a hermaphrodite is his first, but not only appearance on my list. Spanning from Greek grandparents, to Grosse Pointe, Michigan, this novel is truly an amazing read.

4. Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs
Chuck Klosterman’s best selling essay collection makes it pretty high on my list. It is perfect for anyone in their 20s, it deals with topics relevant to growing up in the late 80s and early 90s, and it made me want to rewatch My So-Called Life.

3. The Fountainhead
Ayn Rand’s objectivism is not a popular topic among most people, and while I wouldn’t consider myself an objectivist, I will say this. I want to be Dominique Francon. Her powerful female role is admirable and inspiring, if only one day I can be that much of a ball buster.

2. American Psycho
Bret Easton Ellis tribute to New York and all it’s Patrick Bateman’s in the late 1980s. This was the last B.E.E. book for me to read, the most difficult, and my favorite. I had to speed through this one because I began thinking like Patrick Bateman and my inner monologues kept me up at night.

1. The Virgin Suicides
Jeffrey Eugenides first novel that was later adapted into a feature film by Sophia Coppola. Not only is it my favorite read of 2009, but it’s quite possibly my favorite read ever. Written with grace and eloquence, The Virgin Suicides hits a note that anyone who has ever faced adolescence can relate to.

Fashion and Film: Betsey Johnson versus Streets of Fire

While I was home in Montana last week I spent a day on the couch catching up on movies I had never seen or heard of that my dad loves. Now, what you have to understand about my family is that my parents are young, and therefore, their tastes are not your typical familial tastes. My parents live for the late seventies (hard rock, not disco), and the 80s (and all the gloriously large hair that goes with it, though they haven't went so far as to implement this into their lives, thank god).

Anyway, so my parents have always loved Walter Hill's film, Streets of Fire. When I was younger, I could not have cared less, but now, appreciating Diane Lane for the fine actress she is, I have started to go back and watch her films, so lucky for me, Streets of Fire was on the DVR. Lane's character, Ellen Aim is this hard-rockin' sexpot songstress who gets herself into a bit of trouble. Throughout most of the film she is running around in this black leather and red spandex get-up that is completely unexplainable. And nearly impossible to find a picture of.

Well, I think my beloved Betsey Johnson watched Streets of Fire while designing her fall collection, because this is rather reminiscent of Ms. Ellen Aim:



Or maybe BJ went through a Diane Lane phase, and stole this idea from Ladies and Gentleman, The Fabulous Stains, another Diane Lane film from the 80s. Ahhhh, the 80s, we should have never let you go.