IKEA summer collection

Did New York skip spring and summer and just jump right back into winter? Feels like it. Well, IKEA is reminding you that summer is just around the corner (hopefully). They have a gaggle (yes, that's a real word) of new outdoor chotchke's for the one person in Manhattan who owns a yard. Still, those picnic blankets and brightly colored freezer bags will come in handy for movie night in Bryant Park!!! Also check out the outdoor light sticks that run 20,000 hours on solar energy! Transformer included.

Totally floored!

IKEA's new laminated TUNDRA floors make me want to jump up and down for joy!!! The click-lock function floor panels come in 25.726 sq. feet for only $30.61!!!! Ikea also has a great floor laying warranty - if for any reason you have a problem laying the floor, return it to IKEA for a full refund. The floor can be laid on existing floor (just not thick wall-to-wall carpet) and is surface treated for easy cleaning. How hot would this look in my new room?! Keep dreaming, Ty.

Top Songs You Need On Your iPod Right Now #2

This week I dedicate my Top 10 Songs to those songs that you use to underscore your day. You know you all do it; picking the right song to underscore the mood you’re experiencing like some horrible episode of Dawson’s Creek. While this list is a bit ‘Actor-Living-In-Queens-centric’, it’s still enjoyable. And hell, isn’t everyone an actor living in Queens anyway?

BEST ‘END OF A LONG WORK DAY’ SONG:

Fiore De La Citta – Seu Jorge

Cru

After finishing an obnoxiously long Catering gig, fight rush hour foot and rail traffic and fumbling to open that pesky top lock on your apartment door, there is nothing like Seu Jorge to mellow you out. First noticed as the guy who accompanied the soundtrack to ‘The Life Aquatic’, his personal CD is a gem.

BEST ‘POST SHITTY AUDITION’ SONG:

‘Honest Music’ – Nico Muhly

Speaks Volumes

So you didn’t book the next big Broadway show, or hell, you didn’t even get seen for the next big Broadway show, it’s quite alright. Mr. Muhly, a classically trained pianist from Juilliard, not only will underscore your inner turmoil but he might even give you élan for your next audition. P.S. This guy is the real deal.

BEST ‘CHECKING YOURSELF OUT IN THE MIRROR BEFORE YOU GO OUT’ SONG:

‘Funplex (Peaches Pleasure Seeker Remix)’ – The B-52’s

Funplex (EP)

They haven’t had a studio album out in who knows how many years but they still got it goin on... and we ALL know that The Peaches friggin' know how to underscore a party. The combination is an electronic nugget of sexy ridiculousness.

BEST ‘RIDING THE N/R/W MORNING RUSH’ SONG:

‘Tulips (Club Version)’ - Bloc Party

Little Thoughts (EP)

First off, Bloc Party is awesome. Saw them in concert this past fall and they are incredible. This is a great song for the morning because it’s mellow enough but it has a great tempo and bite to get you through all the pushing business men and Chinese women pretending to be pregnant so they can steal your seat. If you’re forced to stand, just bop around to the great beats in this song and clear out some room for you to breathe.

BEST ‘IT’S A SUNNY DAY AND I WANT TO SWISH DOWN 9^th AVENUE’ SONG:

‘Woodstock’ – Alice Smith

For Lovers, Dreamers & Me

It’s kind of rock, it’s kind of soul, it’s kind of pop, it’s kind of weird. It’s the perfect song to swish your tushy to as you stroll down 9^th Avenue drunk after brunch. You know you all do it.

BEST ‘TRYING TO IGNORE THE ANNOYING CHATTER AT THE AUDITION’ SONG:

‘Hirondelle - Benoît Pioulard

Précis

Don’t you hate it when you get to a big call in the city and everyone is screeching and talking about nonsense and everyone is everyone’s best friend and you just want to throw up and die? Yeah. This is a very mellow and ambient CD but not to the level of Sigur Ros which might make you comatose.

BEST ‘WASTING TIME IN __________ PARK AND IN A GOOD MOOD’ SONG:

‘I Feel It All (Britt From Spoon Remix)’ – Feist

I Feel It All (EP)

Great CD, good mixes, a nice remix of a classic song. Not too much done to it but enough to spice it up. Definitely a great song to mellow out to while people watching.

BEST ‘PRE-DRINKING AT THE APARTMENT’ SONG:

‘Impossible’ – Kanye West

Graduation

As much as you might hate mainstream music, you are a tard if you don’t think this CD is good. It’s like a chocolate Easter Basket of musical acumen. Great song, great sample, great beat, fun enough to get the night going but not so good that it ruins the song that plays around 1:00am.

BEST ‘ATTACK MUSIC WHEN TRYING TO GET THROUGH TIMES SQUARE AT 7:00PM’ MUSIC:

‘Boys Want To Be Her (Tommy Sunshine’s Brooklyn Fire Retouch)’ – Peaches

Boys Want To Be Her (EP)

This crap makes you want to pull out a knife and slit all those stupid-slow-walking-building-gawking-just-in-from-Idaho-fat-soccer-moms! Just kidding. Kind of. Not really.

BEST ‘I SAW MY EX-BOYFRIEND WITH HIS NEW BOYFRIEND FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE WE BROKE UP SO I WENT PARTYING TILL 6AM AND DROWNED MY ISSUES IN ALCOHOL THEN WOKE UP SIX HOURS LATER REGRETTING MY DECISIONS SO I TAKE THE TRAIN TO UNION SQUARE AND SIT IN BARNES AND NOBLE READING MAGAZINES ON THE FLOOR TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO WITH MY LIFE WHILE SUPPRESSING MY HANGOVER AND EVENTUALLY REALIZING ITS GOING TO BE OKAY BECAUSE ITS COLD AND THEY HAVE FRESH HOT APPLE CIDER IN THE FARMERS MARKET AND EXTREME HOME MAKEOVER IS ON AT 8’ SONG:

‘Transatlantique’ – Beirut

Elephant Gun (EP)

Does this honestly need an explanation?

- J. O'M.

New Buys!

Alas, the transformation of my room has begun. Out with the modpod and in with the rustic modern. The new lamp is from CB2 (59.95) and I must say it provides MUCH more light than I had expected. The chocolate duvet cover hails from West Elm and goes great with the reed pillow. I also love the new wine decanter from CB2 (14.95) that resembles some sort of lab glass and makes pouring wine a scientific drunken fun time;)

Stock up on your travel needs...

Flight001 down in the village is having a 20% OFF on all sale merchandise. Thus making that laptop bag uber cheap! They also have great dopp kits, wallets, grooming products, and an array of flight entertainment. Check it out before it takes off (literally.) Enter DeepSale08 at checkout to get the sexy discount.

Top Songs You Need On Your iPod Right Now:

*** My dear friend John O'Malley will be writing a weekly music column titled "Top Songs You Need On Your iPod Right Now". I have come to trust his music tastes indubitably...when O'Malley says "Jump to the music!!!!" you say "HOW HIGH?!!!!" -- enjoy the first post of many!!!:)

'Best For Last' - ADELE
Hometown Glory Single

Think if Jill Scott, Amy Winehouse and Beth Ditto had a love child. Whatever they are putting in the water in England seems to be working. First Amy Winehouse, then Duffy, now Adele. Keep it up.

'Wonder Dummied' - Brooke Waggoner
Fresh Pair Of Eyes

Brooke Waggoner is a diminished 7th chord away from being on the credits of Grey's Anatomy. If she has, then I'm out of it. Think Sara Barielles and Fiona Apple hanging out in Savannah, GA.

'Don't Ask' [Final Fantasy Remix] - Grizzly Bear
Horn of Plenty - The Remixes

I saw Grizzly Bear in concert in September and they were amazing. I saw Owen Pallett (of Final Fantasy) last year at a catering gig. Now Owen remixing Grizzly Bear is too much to take. If you like moody music and tender violins, get it now.

'Hundredaire' - Hey Willpower
P.D.A

If Mika was dating Justin Timberlake and they were having beers in the Lower East Side, it would sound like this. Great CD.

'The 1' - Janet Jackson feat. Missy Elliot
Discipline

I swear to god, Missy Elliot can't fail. Also check out 'Ching-A-Ling' from her upcoming new CD.

'Midnight Surprise' - Lightspeed Champion
Falling Off The Lavender Bridge

This guy supposedly was in a band called 'The Test Icicles'. That alone made me check him out. The CD is hit and miss but this song is dead on. Beautiful melodies and even a fun lyric interpretation during the chorus. Sounds to me like he says 'creeping down my balls'. Check out his (EP) which has remakes of 'The Flesh Failures' from Hair and 'Xanadu'.

'Paper Planes' [Scott B Remix] - M.I.A.
Kala

One of the best CD's from last year. This is a great remix of the song. If you are afraid of guns, I don't recommend it.

'Wraith Pinned to the Mist and Other Games' - Of Montreal
The Sunlandic Twins

Imagine for a second that Scissor Sisters went straight, had Radiohead as their mentors and Animal Collective punched them in the head every so often. I think it sounds like this.

'Les Artistes' - Santogold
Creator/L.E.S Artistes - Single

Everyone is always looking for the next Amy Winehouse, etc. This girl is the next M.I.A. just not as worldly. It doesn't even sound like she gets out of Williamsburg or the Lower East Side all that much. But she still rocks and she can also be heard on Mark Ronsons 'Version' in 'Pretty Green'.

'Like Knives' - The Fashion
The Fashion [EP)

Randomly downloaded this (EP) on I-Tunes and kind of love it. You be the judge.

-- J.O'M.

Wacky Antics

Probably one of thee funniest things I have seen in a long time...

OMG U Guys: Save Money, Google TXT Your Phone

For those of you who don't yet have the iPhone, Blackberry, Boysenberry, or any other of those wi-fi media packaged phones -- here's a simple money saving trick. The next time you need directory assistance don't call the 411 -- instead, text message your search query to GOOGLE at 466453 ('GOOGLE' on most devices) and they will text message back results. In the text field, simply type the name of the place you are looking for followed by the estimated zip code. Google will then txt you back within a minute - totally FREE! Amazing when compared to the $2.50 charge from directory assistance.

Rustic Modern is IN THE HOUSE!!!

Designers are continuing to dish out the woodsy modern look of their furniture -- and thank goodness West Elm caught on!! The log cabin inspired design craze has been my most recent obsession. Check out these affordable pieces from West Elm and look forward to more posts on this amazing trend. (antler table lamp 149.00, tree-stump side table 179.00, wood plinth clock 49.00)

Recipe #4: Zesty Braised Chicken with Lemon and Capers

So I made this ridiculously tasty and easy meal the other night. Serve it with roasted carrots and garlic mash! Yummmm.

Zesty Braised Chicken with Lemon and Capers
ACTIVE TIME: 25 MIN
TOTAL TIME: 1 HR 30 MIN
SERVES: 4

ingredients

• 8 bone-in chicken thighs with skin (6 ounces each)
• Salt and freshly ground pepper
• All-purpose flour, for dusting
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 4 large peeled garlic cloves
• 1 1/2 cups Sauvignon Blanc
• 1 1/2 cups chicken stock, preferably homemade
• Four 1-inch strips of lemon zest
• 4 thyme sprigs
• 1 tablespoon capers, drained
• 1 bay leaf
• 
  

directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°. Season the chicken with salt and pepper and dust with flour. In a large ovenproof skillet, melt the butter in the oil. Add the chicken, skin side down, and cook over high heat, turning once, until browned, 12 to 14 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a large plate and pour off all but 1 tablespoon of the fat.
2. Add the garlic to the skillet and cook over low heat until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the wine and boil over high heat until reduced by half, about 5 minutes. Add the stock, lemon zest, thyme, capers and bay leaf and bring to a boil. Return the chicken to the pan, skin side up. Transfer the skillet to the oven and braise for about 45 minutes, until the meat is tender.
3. Return the skillet to the stove and boil until the sauce is slightly reduced, about 5 minutes. Discard the thyme, bay leaf and lemon zest, if desired, before serving.

Do It Yourself

So I'm just going to go ahead and assume most of you hate Rachel Ray as much as I do. She abbreives EVERYTHING from EVOO to the infamous Rachel Ray "sammy". The only props I am giving her are her really cool printable design templates that she has for place cards and candy bar wrappers. Check them out at her magazine website. Thanks a bundle Rachey Rach Rach!

Stock up on cards!

RockScissorPaper has everything you need for cards...from correspondence to gift wrap and tags, all at a very reasonable price. Be SURE to check out the sale and clearance items as most cards are marked down to around $3.50.

I can BREATHE!!!!

I don't know how the rest of you city dwellers feel, but my apartment gets DRY. And I mean Sahara dry. I think I saw a tumbleweed blow by my bedroom door one time. I've been on the lookout for a humidifier lately but they all seem to look like a hospital urine tank. Then I stumbled upon the Japanese plusminuszero Humidifier. The futuristic orb comes in a variety of different colors, ranging from bright orange to light pink. It will run you a hefty $259, but come on -- a humidifier that doubles as art. How sexy is that?

Out with the orange, in with the new!

So I need some help....
My room needs a makeover. Living in my bright bold space for over 2 years has been amazing. The colors revive and excite me and my modern/sleek furniture has given some serious edge to a very drab palette. I need a change. I have decided to tone down the room a little and go with a more masculine western vintage vibe. Think branches and wood candles with glass chandeliers and floral wallpapers (see attached inspiration photos). The idea came to me when I saw a copy of Wouter Deruytter's "Cowboy Code" book at Barnes&Noble. the hard part for me is making sure I don't take this western thing to literal. I want to kind of hint at it but not shove it all over your face like a banana cream pie. Now what to do with that darn orange wall... I wish I could find some sort of faux wood wallpaper -- I'm just a little scared to paint it brown. Ideas? Please post comments yalls...

Cut and Paste!

I have been obsessed recently with the wall decal craze but have been a little shy to join in. With that being said, Harmonie Interieure has introduced a line of gorgeous easy-to-apply wall stickers that might make me change my mind. The French retailer has been the talk many design blogs lately (it's pretty easy to see why). It's as if Anthropologie and Moulin Rouge had a baby. Well, a sticker baby. **Now shipping to the US! Get on it you design freaks!

Also check out ferm LIVING from Denmark.

Applaud for PhotoStamps

PhotoStamps lets you take your photos from your computer and turn them into sexy postage. This will finally give me a chance to blackmail my cousin Dean when I send him a stamped letter containing an image of him passed out with a banana in his mouth. SOoOO priceless! PhotoStamps come in one of seven different postage denominations ranging from 26 cent postcards to 41 cent regular first class to $4.60 for packages to meet all your mailing needs.

My Open Bar = Dangerously Genious!

Need to have a night on the town but have no money to blow on booze? Have no fear, MyOpenBar is here!!!! For every day of the week, MyOpenBar lists the venues that have free (or sometimes discounted) booze and at what time. They even have a 'martini' scale that lets you know if its up to par. This is a great place to take your broke friends who come to the city and don't want to hand out $10 for a martini. Just make sure to put that trashcan by the toilet afterwards...