Geeks, Get Your Kicks!

So wow and yeah for Adidas. Taking it old school for their new line of kicks that will have geeks flipping out!!! Check out the link. Nuff said.


Star Wars Sneakers

Mod for the Bod

So where you can find kick ass clothes that aren't overly pricey? Clothes that say, "I'm fantastically creative, well put together and so much cooler than you." www.modcloth.com that's where. In a world where MadMen has taken hold of our psyches, the polished retro look is back. Yet it's nearly impossible to outfit yourself as such with a standard trip to the mall.

Check out the site and all it's wares. These clothes tell me 2010 will be so much better than 2009 - because I won't have to spend it in maternity garb(age).

ModCloth

Real Estate - Boom!

So my newest most favorite band everrrrr is Real Estate. Yes, I live in Tampa where 'real estate' has been a bad word of late. But let me tell you all now, this Real Estate is hot!

It's the kind of music that beckons the days of wandering around on Saturday afternoons in Philly (when the biggest decision of my day was which bar to drink at) and popping in to an indie record shop. The kind that was grungy and smelled like patchoulie. And it was just a mess of ripped posters of recent or upcoming shows and the guy behind the counter barely acknowledged you unless you were a die hard regular. That tinny sort of mellow indie music filling the store and making you feel cool simply because you were standing inside and were in the know.

Itunes and the internet has made it a lot easier to have access to cool music. But those shops are practically gone now. I miss them so.

"Suburban Dogs"

Holidays on Ice

So it's that time of year again for all of us to be subjected to Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas" and anything by Perry Como.

Well, not on my watch! The Reindeer Room series is chock full of holiday hits worthy of any hispter seasonal soiree. Up to Volume 3 t this point, all of them are gems.

Push play. Add Ice. Shake. Pour. Chill.

White Christmas, Cool Like

Mindful Yet Headless

British-born, Nigerian-raised artist Yinka Shonibare has a new exhibit on display at the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art. Whether you make it there or not, you should at least know about it.

In all of his pieces, the subjects are headless. Shonibare's art contains references from across the globe and combines details that span centuries. Among this varied explorations of contemporary issues: water shortages, climate change, class, race and exploitation.

"Head" to DC to check it out live or to the link below to visit virtually.

Shonibare's Art

Deep Thoughts

Ever wonder how to make sauerkraut, crash a party or feign sincerity? You can learn it all plus share your special knowledge with Wired's "How To" wiki. I think I may enter an article about how to get through a meeting with a client who stops randomly and reads out verse from his bible and talks about saving homosexuals. Yes, how to indeed...


How To

Magnum Opus

Cool is coming to Tampa this Saturday, November 14. Art, Music, dance and all things hip will be at the Ritz in Ybor Saturday night.

This is the 4th of Square One's art-explosion events. Themed all things environmental, dress in all white or green if you go. I'll see you there!

Info below:
Magnum Opus Deets

Lullabies

Not that new but ever so soothing, Flunk's "For Sleepyheads Only" is a journey into blissful calm. I'm not one for re-makes (I usually say leave well enough alone) but their version of "Blue Monday" makes it seem like New Order never really owned it at all.

Push play and chill.

Blue Monday

Free Loveliness

"Sita Sings the Blues" is an interesting film concept. The creator has developed a 'Creative Commons-Share Alike License" which unlike 99% of films out there, urges you to copy, share, distribute, etc without asking for any financial retribution.

One would think this being the case, it wouldn't be any good. But on the contrary, it's an animated, colorful, musical, Bollywood-esque festival of sorts and most definitely worth Creative Commons-Share-Alike-ing!

Check it out, enjoy the beats, appreciate the illustration and then PLEASE do your part and forward on. Maybe even donate to Nina Paley, the artist, if you can spare a few dimes.

The website

The trailer

Get Wacked

"The Wackness" is a great little flick that offers insight into two struggles on both ends of the life spectrum: the teen/youth and that of the late middle-age.

A teenage drug dealer (Josh Peck) deals to his older psychologist (Ben Kingsley) and ends up dating the doctor's teenage daughter. The dealer and doctor find themselves in an unusual friendship, ultimately saving each other (of sorts) in the end. Funny, touching with a strong script, this movie is worth a watch.

Set in mid-90's New York, The Wackness mashes up an outstanding soundtrack of early hip hop with late 60's flower power. Notorious BIG meets Mott the Hoople.

Add it to your queue and enjoy reliving your past (and hopefully not looking at your future!)

The Wackness trailer

Shop Deco

The Webster in Miami's South Beach district has reclaimed one of the area's ubiquitous art deco hotels and re-purposed it with a purpose! A full service, high-end fashion stop now, The Webster is helping Miami reclaim its fashionable, "it" place status.

Those heading south this fall should wander in. The inventory will keep you progressive and hip. The service and environment will have you stepping back in time to fashionable days of yonder.

And be sure to grab a bite at the ooh and ahh Caviar Kaspia restaurant in the lobby.

The Webster

R2 Drink Too

I'm back from my post baby hiatus. Now with two kiddies ruling the roost, it's all the more critical I stay up to date on all things cool so as not to totally lose myself in motherhood. Anyway, on with my newest entry.

It's this time every year I pine for my northern big city days. Crisp fall weekends in bulky sweaters tooling around town, ducking in and out of bars with the local free press in hand, sharing a pint with Greg and wondering where we were eating and what show we were hitting that night. So the opening of Philly's new R2L this coming November has me drooling.

Located on the 38th floor of Liberty Two, R2L is a new cocktail restaurant and will be all things chic. Especially with chef to watch Daniel Stern heading the place.

All you Phillyphiles best check it out and let me know how it is. I'll be surely hitting it on my next visit!

R2L Yumminess

Under the Same Moon

"La Misma Luna" is an endearing tale of a brave boy, Carlito, who travels from Mexico, on his own, to meet up with his mother in LA. It's not overly sappy but extremely touching with some smart humor sprinkled in. I love a movie where a character takes a road trip and ends up in unexpected places with unexpected characters. The hero of this tale also happens to be only 9 years old.

The last scene is one of the most perfect ways I've seen a movie end. Subtitled and already on DVD, add it to your queue and give 'reading movie dialogue' a chance. It's well worth it!

Trailer

Short and Sweet

OK, I'll keep this brief. Three bands you should be listening to:

1. Grizzly Bear

2. Helio Sequence

3. Ben Harper and the Relentless 7 (Ben's new group for his new release, which totally rocks)

Some samplings below...


Grizzly Bear's "Two Weeks"

Helio Sequence, "Keep Your Eyes Ahead"

Relentless 7's "Number with No Name"

Give Yourself a Black Eye

So black is the new black this fall with a super dramatic, super matted black eye make-up treatment. Making it's gothic appearance on runways recently, the dark look is daring if pulled off appropriately. A look for a day at the office or a big client meeting? Not so much.

But for a night out, when you nab a sitter and want to feel fashionable, or to transform your look from office to happy hour/post work clubbing, it's all good! Granted my post work clubbing day are way over. However I do believe I'd like to adopt this look at least for one big night I owe myself (after dealing with 8+ months of shlubbo pregnancy!) What do you Coolsters think? Yay or nay on the black eye?

See below for more details on pulling this off right.

Black Eyes Done Right

Stewing over Stussy

So in the early 90's, I spent my summers "at the shore" in rental houses with lots of friends. (Shout out to the old Rehoboth Beach crew!). I also spent a lot of time hanging out with East Coast surfer boys (in a very platonic fashion, of course...). And one of my staples was my worn out blue Stussy hat. In fact, one of my surfer dude pals lived in his for like 4 months straight. Stussy was the shit.

But Stussy has disappeared in the last 10 years. Not that I'd be wearing it anymore anyway - completely not age appropriate for me at this point. I am however, quite excited to read that the new fall line has rejuvenated interest and that the Stussy name will once again reappear in the youth culture.

Perhaps it is time for me to get over my own ageism and just start wearing that Stussy hat again!

Check out this article from online urban culture journal 'SoJones'...and look for the signature Stussy signature on a local late teen/ early 20-something near you.

Stussy Gear

Gag Me!

"Choke" starring Sam Rockwell (he can do no wrong) and Angelica Houston (same) has all the makings of a movie I love: a cast full of Indie movie favorites, quirky story line, tight writing, black humor with a twist of heart-wrenching emotion, a sort of surprise ending and a director who knows what he's doing.

Our sex-addicted, emotionally-depraved, con man hero, Victor Mancini (Sam Rockwell) fakes choking at restaurants. But that is only a small part of this character rich film. He works as an Irish slave character in a historical park. He cares for his dying mother who's hospitalized. And that's just the beginning. This movie is hilarous, touching and intriguing all at once.

So pop some popcorn and settle in. Just don't choke!

A sneak peek...

Choke Trailer

The Skinny on Skinny Jeans

Much to my pleasant surprise, the skinny jean trend is continuing this fall. Although I will not be able to squeeze my 8 month pregnant ass into said skinnies until at least November, I am pleased nonetheless.

This fabulously fifties look has shown up again on runways. However, this time around the ankle slouch is out. So go skinny but the length is now flush with your ankle to make a nice clean line.

Another jean trend spotted for fall is the higher waisted style. I am not sure I'm buying into this "mom jean" look, even tho I am one. This may be one fad designers are trying to sell us on that just won't stick. How many of you will take on the high riders or will you-like me-most likely continue to shoot from the hip?

Let me know...

Best places to score jeans in a varied price range:

Nordstrom's Jeans Guide

Gap Jeans

Science is Hot!

Since it's July and since our name is "Keep Your Cool", I wanted to share this ditty about a science experiment that deals with how hot the human form can stand. While science may not be hip, it certainly is cool.

Great animation. Fun writing. Only 2 minutes long. Watch it and learn something.

"Sweat" by Lev Yilmaz

A Night With David Lynch

Dangermouse teamed up with David Lynch on their new music project, "Dark Night of the Soul". Instead of a standard music video, the cool take on this project is that Lynch did a series of still photogrphas instead and they created a photo album. It will be distributed with a blank CD to burn as you wish.

Check out the links below for the full story on NPR and the gallery of work. Expect typical Lynch fashion: dark, moody and offbeat - like a cool nightmare that scares you yet you somehow don't want to wake up.

Gallery of work


Full news story

Like Teen Spirit

"American Teen" is not a lame reality show TV rip off, as I thought it may be. Funny, insightful and extremely real, it brought me back to the horror and heyday of my own high shcool drama. I highly recommend this wonderfully directed documentary. Warning to parents, it will make you cry thinking of your own entering the shark tank someday then leaving it - and you - behind.

We seem to think our own high school experience is unique, but when you look at this movie, you realize, we all have much more in common than we think. It's the same everywhere. So whether you are the princess or the geek, you are neither overly fabulous nor alone.

American Teen Trailer

Where for art thou, cool keeper?

So it's been a long - really long - time. I was going to start a new blog with a different publisher, but then never did that and hence this has sat idle.

I'm back and ready to get serious about this little ditty o' mine.

So let's cut to the chase shall we? You're cool tip for the day. New music you should be listening to from these oldies but goodies who have new/newish releases:

Dinosaur Jr's "Farm". Listen here...

Dinosaur Jr's MySpace Page


Gomez's "A New Tide". A highlight track...

"Airstream Driver"


Stay tuned. More entries to come. Now with more interactive features.

Virtual SXSW

So another year has come and gone and I have yet again, not made it to South by Southwest. What kind of cool keeper am I that I have never made the sojourn of hipness to Austin, Texas?

I have enclosed a link for you to sample 100 top bands/songs featured at this year's show. So you can order some Tex Mex, ice the Lone Star beers in a bucket, kick up your cowboy boots and feel just like you are there, except not crowded into a smelly smoky bar with thousands of other peoele. Part of the fun I admit...


http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=101495094

Sweet Magnolia's

A quaint little ditty of a shop in South Tampa, Magnolia's is worth the trip. Housed in an old brick general, it reminds me of a place I'd find plunked down in Ravenswood or Lakeview (in Chicago) off the beaten path.

Funky housewares and an overall cool inventory makes for gab-worthy gifts.

Magnolia's - 303 S. Magnolia Ave. Tampa FL!

Shop there soon!

Mesmerizing Melodies

'Jenny Lewis' is simply lovely. Her new release "Acid Tongue" is great. But she also has paired with 'The Watson Twins' and that's some pairing worth devouring. If she was in a sorority, which surely someone as cool her wouldn't be, she'd be sisters with Mazzy Star and Neko Case. That's one I'd pledge!

Haunting, mellow and smart, there's something on her for anyone looking to take a break from life and think for a while.

Mono e Mono

Check out 'Mono in VCF'. Their new self-titled release has an audio aesthetic that is reminiscent of a Dionne Warwick/Burt Bacharach collective, yet its musicality and lyrics are most definitely modern. I love spreading the word about a hot band with a chick lead. Females always get unfairly short-changed when it comes to street cred for cool music.

Maybe it's Womano e Womano for this little gem of a find...

No Christopher Walken Here

Deerhunter has indeed found it's place in the indie rock world. Up to it's fourth release now, "Microcastle", Deerhunter is settling in to be one rockin' outfit. A little basement/garage-y sounds more polished this time around, yet still funky enough to sound like you are shopping in an old vinyl shop in a cool big northern city somewhere.

They're previous release, an EP called "Flourescent Grey", is also worth checking out as it's a bit haunting and perfect for a cloudy January day.

Something new and something old, sort of

Check out 'TV on the Radio'. Had never heard of these guys 'til very recently. Glad I did. "Dear Science", their latest release, is diverse and rich. And all very good.

And one of my classic faves is out with another new one. The Roots' "Rising Down" lives up to the high expectations I always have for them. A little more electronic than organic this time, "Rising" features Mos Def. And for that alone, it needs a listening to.

I'm In the Mood

Who says Tampa isn't THAT interesting? We're getting the world's largest mood ring as an art installation. And just in time for the Superbowl. The sculpture, modeled after a large football, has an interactive component that allows people all over the world to log their mood online. Then, the Mood Ring sculpture designed by Will Pappenheimer and Chipp Jansen, will reflect the colors people have chosen. While a mood ring purist may be disappointed that the sculpture itself isn't colorized by touch, it is a new age techno twist on an old favorite.

So go to www.tampapublicmoodring.com and "come on get happy!"

http://www.madmuseum.org/

So who says rubber gloves are only for the doctor's office? The "Second Life" exhibit going on in NYC's Museum of Art and Design features artists using everyday objects to create...art! Whether you make it to NY for the show or not, the site is interesting and it's just cool to think that somewhere on display right now is a large tailor's dummy and thousands of latex gloves creating one gorgeous ball gown.

The museum find it's own second life at it's new location in the revamped 1964 Columbus Circle space nicknamed the "Lollipop Building" (I LOVE that!)

So take out those rusty old safety pins and perhaps explore what YOU can do with YOUR everyday objects!

"That Crash That Took Me"...By Storm

Listen to The Crash That Took Me. I love this band because the name is so non-band like. But also because the music is ethereal and yet rocks you where you're standing. They are a mash up of musicians from several bands out of Dallas Fort Worth. Who knew Texas could produce something so thoughtful and interesting?

Check and out and be taken my friends!

Shopgirl Starlet

I know it's a bit on the dated side, but rent "Shopgirl" with Claire Danes, Steve Martin and Jason Schwartzman. I'm sure I'll get some push back on such a suggestion. It's not too weighty and some perceived it as all fluff, but I happened to really like this flick. It was a Rom Com with some thought put in to it. It's pace was methodical, almost slow. But that's what I enjoyed. And although the pairing of Steve Martin and Claire Danes doesn't fit like a glove (pardon the pun), the movie ends up being interesting for several reasons.

First, setting was a strong character here. Not only did the city of LA sparkle, but each of the homes in which Mirabelle floats through were all unique and grounded each character nicely. Although I've been there myself and would never really enjoy living out west, the movie made romantic the idea of living in Hollywood-something I appreciated.

Second, it was very stylishly art directed. The clothing was fanatastic, even the dressed down stuff.

And finally, any movie that features Mark Kozelek (of Sun Kil Moon and Red House Painters fame) as a yoga zealot has my vote!

So go shopping! And if you have low expectations, you'll be very pleasantly surprised.