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.