Ombre Everything | FASHION/ STYLE

ombre by cavruch featuring Helmut Lang dresses

Ombre everything!!

I love tie dye, but there are certain times you want that free-flowing spirit without the possible hippy and/or YMCA summer camp connotations. Enter: Ombre. The graduated fade dye technique has been showing up in fashion for the last couple of summers and is now appearing in personal style beyond clothes, from hair color to nails.

I'm planning on doing an ombre color job a la Erin Wasson the next time I head to Panyc to see Mary Lou. I first spotted the idea in Who What Wear in December and am waiting for spring to get my color on. For a more extreme version of this trend check out Refinery 29's coverage, which includes some black to platinum examples (I'm personally not trying to bust that out in the office).

My other ombre inspiration is courtesy of fashion blogger Garbage dress: OMBRE NAILS. HAWT. I need these.

-ca

Recognizr, Augmented ID - APP OF THE WEEK

We've been gaga over augmented reality over the last year or so…And it's been so much fun tracking the ways developers have been making use of the technology. The latest app prototype (which runs on Android), Recognizr, is pretty gosh darn brilliant…and beyond creepy.

Dubbed Recognizr, the app essentially works like this: the user points the camera at a person across the room. Face recognition software creates a 3-D model of the person's mug and sends it across a server where it's matched with an identity in the database. A cloud server conducts the facial recognition since and sends back the subject's name as well as links to any social networking sites the person has provided access to.
[via Popsci.com]

While the Recognizr software seems to only search people who have actively registered with the service, we should all maybe think about stepping it up on some tighter privacy settings on your social networking sites…because there's certainly more like this to come…and it won't be long before all it takes is one snapshot on an iPhone, and a total stranger can get the goods on you.

All that said, we're constantly shifting our privacy boundaries when it comes to technology…The cyber-stalking capabilities social networking sites provide today would've scared us silly ten years ago. In another ten, it will likely be totally acceptable (and expected) that someone can get basic personal info about you from a simple snapshot on their phone..and life/culture without that technology will be nothing but a vague memory -- Let's not forget, just ten years ago, most people didn't even have cell phones!

And just think about all the amazing implications this technology might have….i.e. scanning celebrity faces during a television show and automatically connect to their IMDB profiles... Just sayin'.

-jmd

Tufts accepting YouTube video submissions with applications | TECH

Kids love posting online videos...And now Tufts University is tapping into that and getting to know their admissions candidates a bit better with the help of YouTube. The university is now accepting one minute YouTube videos as part of the admissions process. And about 1,000 of the 15,000 applicants submitted vids!  Will this catch on?  Check out a couple below...

[NY Times via Mashable]



-jmd

Very Mary Kate | ONLINE TV SHOW

I want to preface this post with the explanation that I LOVE Mary-Kate Olsen. I love her fashion, her chutzpah (you have to admit, she's risen above being part of the MKAO machine) and most of all, I love the story I read once in Page 6 that she was at some swanky bar and had someone lift her up so she could order a drink at the bar. I don't know or care if this story is true.

That being said, I also love this online TV show spoofing my wee muse. HA!

thanks Grey for sending it to me!!

Very Mary Kate

-ca

CTRL+Z I'm Sorry Card | CRAFT / TECH / HUMOR

For when you're really in the doghouse, and your significant other has a tech-friendly soft spot in their heart...

This 'I'm Sorry' card on Etsy has been making the blog rounds today -- but it's just so simple and smart, we had to repost...

Etsy seller PaperWheel offers a slew of cute/funny greeting cards with a bit of a tech flair...but how can you top the loving & apologetic sentiments behind the UNDO command?

VIA: Check out who else is talking about it:
Gizmodo
9GAG
The Next Web

-jmd

Beautiful Darling: The Life and Times of Candy Darling, Andy Warhol Superstar | DOCUMENTARY FILM

Great stuff coming out of Berlin Film Festival regarding the film premiere of 'Beautiful Darling: The Life and Times of Candy Darling, Andy Warhol Superstar'. We attended a pre-screening several months back and were entirely blown away by the in-depth, emotional retrospect on Candy's short life and career. The film features the voice of Chloe Sevigny reading passages from Candy's diaries, alongside interviews with John Waters, Paul Morrissey, and a slew of other Warhol-era characters. Producer Jeremiah Newton, who was both friend and roommate of Candy, was a catalyst behind the project, offering up his archive of Darling memorabilia, from personal diaries, letters, photographs, etc., which had been left to him following her death in 1974, at the age of 29.

"James Rasin's incisive documentary, "Beautiful Darling," which received its world premiere in Berlin, not only tells Darling's intriguing story but also makes a larger comment on the lust for celebrity that is one of the enduring, unhappy legacies of the Warhol era."
[via Hollywood Reporter]

Beautiful Darling will make the rounds in festivals in the coming months, including the BFI London Lesbian & Gay Film Festival, March 18-31, 2010. Beautiful Darling is set to air on Sundance Channel this June.

Also check out the February 2010 issue of UK Harper's Bazaar, which features the film and a spread on Candy (below).

A JJay Prods.production, in association with Sundance Channel, Citi Prods. (International sales: Beautiful Darling, New York City.) Produced by Jeremiah Newton, Elisabeth Bentley. Executive producer, Michael J. Newman, D.J. Martin. Directed, written by James Rasin. (Variety)

-jmd

Food Network to kick off second channel (The Cooking Channel) on Memorial Day | FOOD / TV

Scripps Networks (of Food Network, HGTV, DIY Network) will be replacing their Fine Living Network with The Cooking Channel. The channel will veer away from reality-entertainment/competition programming and hone in on informational/instructional shows. In addition, the new channel offers an opportunity for more niche programming themes (i.e. vegetarian/vegan, brunch, local, mixology (!!)). And now that foodie culture has trickled into the mainstream, Scripps is pretty smart in seizing the opportunity to hone in on and embrace some of the smaller categories under that umbrella.

[Rachel] Ray, the celebrity chef turned talk show host, will headline “A Week in a Day,” a one-hour show about stocking up on the week’s meals. Mr. Flay will be the host of a half-hour show, “Brunch With Bobby.” Emeril Lagasse will present “Fresh Food Fast,” a show that focuses on organic and locally grown ingredients. The channel is also importing several hosts from Food Network Canada, including Chuck Hughes, Roger Mooking and Laura Calder.

The Cooking Channel will cross-pollinate some programming with the Food Network. It is contemplating a postgame show for “The Next Food Network Star,” and an instructional series, “Cook Like an Iron Chef."
[via NY Times]

Well done!!

-jmd

Friskies 'Adventureland' - leaving us 'almost' speechless | ADS

Friskies has been pumping out some pretty....um...inventive advertising lately. Just last week, we covered the Swedish Parkouring Cat ad...And while we've seen the short version of this new 'Adventureland' spot on television, the long version is simply over-the-top crazytown. Somehow though, it's totally engaging. Engaging or not, I'm pretty sure sure I don't want my cat chasing this dragon.

Props on doing something new & not sticking with the usual, somewhat stale commercial format for pet food & products...

via dlisted
-jmd

Kristen Wiig to star in Paul Feig/Judd Apatow flick | FILM / ENTERTAINMENT / COMEDY

Totally beyond excited. SNL's Kristen Wiig (a Zandland & Zandl Group panelist fave), will kick off her first starring feature role in an upcoming project directed by Freaks & Geeks director, Paul Feig and producer Judd Apatow (Knocked Up, 40 Year Old Virgin). Talk about recipe for success...might just be the best movie ever...more to follow.

Variety: Apatow, Feig reteaming on Wiig pic

And for some giggles:





-jmd

Burger King to serve Starbucks Brand, Seattle's Best | EAT+DRINK / BUSINESS

Catching up with McDonald's popular McCafe, Burger King is teaming up with Starbucks brand, Seattle's Best to step up the Burger King coffee offerings. BK's trading it up! It's kind of like Target's designer collaborations...well, on a smaller and more drinkable scale. Smart move;  We're sure it will be a success.

"Burger King restaurants will begin selling the coffee along with iced varieties that also come with a choice of plain, vanilla or mocha flavors and whipped toppings. The brew’s suggested prices range from $1 to $2.79."
[via KansasCity.com via The Consumerist]

Last November, Seattle's Best combined forces with Subway, who now serves the coffee brand in 9,000 of their North American restaurants.  Personally, I'd rather pop into a Burger King for breakfast.

-jmd

New Young Pony Club, Chaos | MUSIC VIDEO / NEW MUSIC

Lots of love for this new music video for New Young Pony Club's latest single, 'Chaos'. Lately, these British cats have been sneaking their way onto our radar. Keep your eyes peeled for them -- Their new album, 'The Optimist' drops March 1.

If we were in the business of curating television commercial soundtracks, this track would be at the top of our list...Totally edgy with a great pop sensibility...Ting Tings style. Who knows, maybe we'll hear this one in the next round of iPod ads?

-jmd

Studded Sunglasses | DIY FASHION

Deborah came across the eyewear brand Coco & Breezy last week while logging interviews and immediately sent Paige and me the website.  They make the most rockin' sunglasses I have seen in forever.  We immediately decided that we need studded eyewear and we need it bad.  We devised a plan of attack: I had already stocked up on black and silver pyramid studs earlier this year from studsandspikes.com.  A little super glue, some sunglasses (mine are actually cataract glasses, while Paige gussied up deep discount sunglasses), pyramid studs - VOILA!

Paige's black & gold bling

 My suped up cataract glasses

Directions:

Choose sunglasses that have a flat front so you can easily glue the studs.  Take your pyramid studs and fold under the sharp parts on the back (normally meant to attach the studs to fabric).  We used a hammer as well as a giant heavy mallet to hit the backs of the studs to get the backs super flat.  Use super glue to attach studs to the sunglasses.  That's it!  It's a bit harder than it sounds if you are like us and repeatedly glue your fingers together.  Fashion is pain, right?

-ca, p!n

Spinnerette, Baptized By Fire | MUSIC VIDEO

Been a long time fan of all things Brody Dalle of the Distillers, and most recently Spinnerette. Spinnerette's newest album has been a standard on my playlist since it came out back in July 09. Just ran across this music video (my personal fave track, Baptized By Fire) -- and it just gave me good vibes, thought to share for your Zandland Friday Afternoon Fix. Hope you love as much as we love. Have a great long weekend!

-jmd

29-year-old fashion designer makes Gaga fashions for Barbie | DIY / FASHION / ENTERTAINMENT

We're not the only Lady Gaga enthusiasts out there:

"Lu Wei Kang, a 29-year-old fashion designer from Beijing, has spent the past year creating miniature Gaga-inspired outfits for his Barbie collection, which he’s hoping to market worldwide.

Nobody else dresses like Lady Gaga. She’s a fashion leader – just look at her in those amazing wigs, make-up, and outfits. I pay close attention to her music, clothes, glasses and make-up. Every detail makes me love her more and more and I thought it would be fun to make those wigs and outfits for Barbie dolls,” Kang told Britain’s Daily Telegraph this week."
[PopCrunch]

All images via PopCrunch. Check out the rest of the featured collection here.
-jmd

RIP Alexander McQueen, 40 | NEWS / FASHION / CULTURE/TRENDS

Blown away by the news of Alexander McQueen's unexpected death today. McQueen allegedly killed himself days before London fashion week and weeks before the unveiling of his new collection at Paris Fashion Week. Thoughts are with his family and friends. A true visionary.

(image via Style.com)

(Top Image: Shipwreck Dress, 2003 -- "Fave McQueen Moment" CA)
READ MORE:
Daily Mail: British fashion icon Alexander McQueen commits suicide
Fashion Designer McQueen Found Hanged
Huffington Post: Alexander McQueen Dead

Friskies Ad Features Cat Doing Hardcore Parkour | ADS / SPORTS/FITNESS

Friskies (2010) :48 (Sweden)

We've been giddy over Parkour for a couple years now...And we've seen it rise from obscurity and evolve ... with references ranging from advertising to music videos to exercise trends. This Friskies ad from Sweden is the first we've seen of parkouring animals...and we're kind of obsessed. Excellent.

via Adland

RELATED ON ZANDLAND:
-Parkour gains mainstream appeal | SPORTS/FITNESS
-SPORTS/FITNESS - Parkour Fitness Training
-MUSIC - Madonna takes on parkour
-EXTREME SPORTS - Parkour
-jmd

Apple iPad...Mega Reader & Kindle Killer | TECH / TRENDS

(image via Apple.com)

Say what you will about the iPad -- but something tells us Apple knows exactly what they're doing. Following the massive success of the iPhone's App-driven interface, we're excited to see what bigger and better offerings are in store for the ultra slick 'Kindle Killer' (that's right, we called it). There are a lot of fun prospects in store for the iPad (still not sure on the name)...

For instance, we were recently talking with one of our Young Adult Thought Leader Panelists, a makeup artist here in NYC about how the tablet interface will replace physical (and costly) portfolios for people in creative professions (makeup artists, photographers, designers, architects). Flipping through a digital portfolio is not only lighter, cleaner, cheaper and more streamlined, it's also way cooler than a bound book (and complete with full zooming capabilities and video playback).

Flipping pages is so '00s.

So is the iPad going to be the final slay to printed media as we know it? We can say with pretty good confidence that it's sure to do it's damage.

Another example of the pending fun to be had: The tablet version of comic book reader app, Panelfly (which already exists as a popular app on iPhone/Touch) was featured on Gizmodo, which highlighted the general awesomeness to come for comic book lovers.

"As far as reading and navigating content on the new iPad app goes, let's just say it'll blow us all away. From what Stephen was able to share with me, Panelfly "didn't want to stray too far from the native Apple UI elements, [they] wanted to create something that was [theirs] as well as a platform that gave the content the respect it deserves." And from the looks and sound of it? They've succeeded.

Call me a geeky comic book lover, but apps like this one are what I'm looking forward to when it comes to the iPad. The gadget won't replace my computer, it won't replace my TV, and it won't replace any other device I've got around the house. But it will be what I sit down with when I want to catch up on some comics, magazines, journal articles, and what will be formerly known as "print" media."
[via Gizmodo: Comic Books Will Look Incredible on the iPad]

(image Panelfly Comic Reader App via  Gizmodo)

And that said, Gizmodo nailed it on calling out the sweet spot for potential iPad consumers. It's a mega-reader...to replace all hand-held print materials. Sure, it will check your email and allow you to review and edit documents...but at heart, it's a multi-media, internet enabled portable reader -- and a hot one at that.  For marketers, there's likely to be an opening for video content in magazines and other (traditional) print media.  So get ready to give a fond farewell to newspapers, magazines, books, comics, portfolios, photo albums... And starting at $499, it's pretty much priced to succeed...The similarly sized Kindle DX is only $10 less (!!), and that doesn't even come with color, let alone all the other fixins the iPad has to offer.

It will be interesting to see what other 3rd party developers have been working on to make use of the nice, rich, big(ger) screen. Think about gorgeous touch screen gps maps...and the games (quiver) on that big high res touch screen.

Sounding off for now...More to come we're quite sure.

RELATED LINK:
Huffington Post: Interview Magazine Shows Off iPad Capabilities (VIDEO)

-jmd

Die Antwoord | NEW MUSIC

My brain is melting.  I'm not sure exactly how to feel about this video , but it's bizarrely addictive and catchy, so I'm throwing it out to the Zandland readers:  Die Antwoord . My first thought listening: WHAT IS THIS ??  I googled 'em up and got this description :

Die Antwoord : a three-piece rap-rave outfit from South Africa, consisting of Ninja, Yo-landi Vi$er and DJ Hi-Tek.

So guys, raves are back and you probably already have something in an afrikaan print from American Apparel .  I suggest cranking this and getting it on.

-ca

The Snoball Cake | RECIPE / HOW-TO

Snoball Cake aka CONCEPT CAKE

This weekend I had a very important birthday to bake for and was racking my brain for the appropriate cake.  For people who love to eat cake, the taste is obviously most important.  This cake was intended for an ice-cream-only sort of man - but would be served in an ice-cream-less setting (a bar - can't really bring an ice cream cake to a bar!).  I decided the most important part of this cake would be aesthetics (appropriate, as the birthday boy is an artist).  With flavor on the backseat, I turned to Hostess Snoballs to get my desired bonkers look.  Seriously, this cake was BONKERS.  As a nod to the art world, I have dubbed this "CONCEPT CAKE."

you will need:
-1 box cake mix (to be made as directed on box)
-as many Hostess Snoballs as you can find.... we found about 12 packs, so 24 snoballs
-box of toothpicks
-buttercream frosting - we used Martha Stewart's recipe, dyed pink

Since we were going to cover it in Snoballs, I decided to just use a mix cake.  Fair enough, right?  I can't even remember which one we used.... SUPER MOIST DELUXXX PUDDING INSIDE white cake should do the trick.  We baked two cakes in 9" round pans.  Then Anna whipped up some buttercream frosting, which we dyed pink to match the snoballs.  We might have also had a little "situation" involving the cakes falling apart a bit.  Luckily Paige showed up in time to show us how to fix this - it involves freezing the cakes, applying a "crumb layer" on each, putting them back in the freezer and then frosting.

 

Frosting "concept cake"

Paige attaching Snoballs with toothpicks

Ok, here's where it gets good.  We've got our freshly frosted cake.  Now stick a toothpick in the middle of the cake so it's halfway in.  Pop a snoball on top of that.  Secure with more toothpicks through the top of the snoball, pushed down far enough where you can't see the toothpick.  Repeat! 

-ca

Matthew Albanese landscape model pics are totally dreamy | FRIDAY AFTERNOON FIX

More delicious art to obsess over...The work of Matthew Albanese is beyond sick.  Read the materials/descriptions at the bottom of the post.  Serious dreams.

"My work involves the construction of small-scale meticulously detailed models using various materials and objects to create emotive landscapes. Every aspect from the construction to the lighting of the final model is painstakingly pre-planned using methods which force the viewers perspective when photographed from a specific angle. Using a mixture of photographic techniques such as scale, depth of field, white balance and lighting I am able to drastically alter the appearance of my materials. For images documenting how these works are made see my facebook fan page Matthew Albanese. All works are currently available for acquisition."
[via Strange Worlds: Photography Served (via FFFFOUND!]

ALL IMAGES & DESCRIPTIONS via PhotographyServed.com:
"Sugarland", Made out of 20 pounds of sugar, jello and corn syrup. The crystals were grown in my studio over the course of two months; "Salt Water Falls" Model made out of glass, plexiglass, tile grout, moss, twigs, salt, painted canvas & dry ice. The waterfall was created from a time exposure of falling table salt; "Aurora Borealis" This one was made by photographing a beam of colored light against a black curtain to achieve the edge effect. The trees were composited from life ( so far the only real life element in any of these images) The stars are simply strobe light through holes in cork board; "Mars # 2" Again, Paprika, cinnamon, thyme, chili powder, charcoal,  This is the first landscape I ever created.

-jmd

Paul Chatem's interactive paintings | ART

LOVE the artwork of Paul Chatem. Having one of those, 'I wish I thought of that' moments:

"Friday night is gonna be quite a night for art, folks. I am very excited to see Paul Chatem’s “The Death of Bighead” at Cave Gallery. Not only does Paul have an awesome style, but he makes interactive paintings! You can turn the gears and crank his artwork to your heart’s content. It’s hard to think of anything more fun than that."
[via Beautiful Decay]

Check out Beautiful Decay for more info, images.

-jmd

It's ALL about the Meatballs | FOOD / TRENDS

(image via Bon Appetit)

In the footsteps of mac & cheese, tater tots and sliders...Meatballs are the newest stars of the quickly expanding comfort food trend...And these little critters are popping up everywhere!  Even Bon Appetit Restaurant Editor, Andrew Knowlton named the Meatball the 'Dish of the Year'...  We simply can't disagree.

Coming in all forms, shapes and sizes, here are a few meatball offerings we've seen around in NYC:

Meatball Diversity:
The Meatball Shop
84 Stanton St.
New York, NY
The Meatball Shop, slated for February 9 opening, will keep it's doors open until 4am, catering to the LES late night crowd.

"It's the kind of homey, hip farmhouse where you'll happily drop by to overindulge on a spaghetti/meatball/beer trifecta before (or after) wandering out into the regal wilds of the LES. Walking in, know that you'll be entering a world littered with all manner of esoteric yet comforting and addictive little balls of meat—spicy pork, veggie, chicken, salmon—that you can pair with various carb vessels like pastas (the aforementioned spaghetti and meatballs), breads (heroes and sliders) or...nothing."
[via UrbanDaddy]

Competitive DIY Meatballs:
Last month, we checked out the sold-out Meatball Slapdown, a meatball-creation competition hosted by Brooklyn Grange and The Meat Hook. Entries included balls from Frankie's Spuntino, Bamonte's, Roebling Tea Room, The Meat Hook and Roberta's (whose fennel-infused recipe was a knockout hit with Zandl Group President Irma Zandl and Editor/Trend Analyst Paige Newman -- Word is, keep your eyes out for the meatballs special to pop up on the Roberta's menu...it's a rarity).

Meatballs & Body Art:
The Smile
26 Bond St. (bet. Bowery and Lafayette)
New York, NY
This cafe, store & em...tattoo parlor (??) sports a Moroccan Lamb Meatball dish.

"Curated by former Earnest Sewn guru Carlos Quirarte and his partner Matt Kliegman, The Smile is sort of like an old-timey country general store, except modern and perfectly suited for the city. Set in an 1831 building with a history of multi-tasking (the previous tenant was that classic combination, antique store/massage parlor), the cafe/shop is just how you'd picture it: old wood everywhere, Edison bulbs and plenty of exposed brick."
[via UrbanDaddy]

Couture Meatballs:
Armani Ristorante 5th Avenue
717 5th Ave.
New York, NY
Even the Armani Ristorante on 5th Ave. features an upscale version, the 'Polpettine Di Cinghiale Alla Cacciatora', wild boar meatballs with a mushroom sauce and greens. It's on the 'bar menu' and at $22, these meatballs will totally compliment those Armani shopping bags.

Meatballs on Wheels:
Eurotrash
106 N. 3rd (at Berry)
Brooklyn, NY
We've spotted the Eurotrash truck in Williamsburg, Brooklyn...and we've seen first hand the late night crowds from the nearby bars Levee and Radegast Beer Hall, aching for some frugal-friendly Swedish Meatballs to go. So if you're partying it up late night in the Williamsburg hood, with visions of Ikea Swedish meatballs dancing through your head, make your way over to N. 3rd for a quick fix...Oh, and they also serve Belgian fries and deep-fried Mars bars...if you like variety. Hats off to the genius who combined two of the biggest trends in food right now -- food trucks & meatballs. FYI, the truck is closed for the Winter...but if you shoot them the request (and for the right price), they'll come to you: "We can park our truck in front of your event and give your guests the full Eurotrash experience". Catering available all winter long.

(image via Bon Appetit)

Hot & Spicy Meatballs:
The Bon Appetit blog steps us through a mouth-watering, unique Vietnamese Banh Mi recipe featuring pork meatballs, complete with mayo and Sriracha...Check it out:
Make this ASAP: Vietnamese Banh Mi Sandwich Recipe: bonappetit.com


With the heavy surge in comfort foods, and the big focus on meat in general (butchers are gaining big cool points these days), it's making it harder and harder for us vegetarians to stand our ground without being enticed by all the divine offerings...VegCooking Blog offers a list of the top 10 Vegan Meatballs in America, with featured balls from NYC all the way to Portland...And now, after all that, I sure am hungry.

-jmd

Amanda Blank struts her stuff at Santos Party House NYC | LIVE MUSIC

(image via Metromix)

Checked out the Amanda Blank show at Santos Party House (NYC) on Friday night in what Metromix referred to as a "hip-hop salad with chunks of punk, pop, guttertech and party energy for the late-night club tummy"....and it was well worth the 14 dollars (!!). We caught this soon-to-be superstar on the road with Santigold over the summer at Bacardi B-LIVE in St. Louis, so we already knew what to expect...That said, homegirl's got a jaw-dropping Peaches-meets-Gaga thing going on. And aside from the geniously catchy and sizzling beats and sounds, the fabulous Ms. Blank could sell her stuff on stage presence alone...to just about any crowd...a true performance artist.

(image via Metromix)

NY Press did a pretty solid write up on the event. An excerpt:

"Hipsters, gays, fashionistas and students jumped and gyrated with Amanda Blank on Friday at Santos Party House in an energetic display of Lower Manhattan Egalitarianism.

A black bandana shrouded Blank’s face; the sleeves of her long black shirt puffed at the shoulders and she wore no pants, just a peek of something leopard below. Was this a Lady Gaga concert? No, and Blank didn’t seem to care that Gaga beat her on the pantless road to fame. In fact, she didn’t seem to care about much as she threw off the bandanna and shirt and performed her entire set in a leopard-print negligee.

The Philadelphia rapper’s sex-fueled performance showcased songs from her album I Love You, released in August. A drummer to her left and a DJ to her right accentuated Blank’s low and sensual tonality in a mixture of rap and pop with electronic beats to empower the crowd’s hip-shaking dance moves. Her performance was consuming, if raunchy...."
[via NYPress.com]

Opening for Amanda Blank was the fabulous Maluca (Mad Decent)...watch out for this one, whose Diplo collaboration, El Tigeraso is pleasantly dance inducing...

Check out more pics at Metromix.

xo.

RELATED ON ZANDLAND:
FREE MUSIC - Amanda Blank, "Make It, Take It"
Amanda Blank's 'DJ' gets spin on 90210 | TV / LIVE MUSIC
NEW VIDEO - AManda Blank - Might Like You Better
NEW MUSIC - Major Lazer LP Out Today
NEW MUSIC - AManda Blank

-jmd

Regretsy Revolutionizes Fashion with "Skants" | FASHION

I'm going to ease everyone into this post with a little haiku:

Harem pants are great
But if you don't have any,
No fear use sweaters

Ok, well that's not exactly true, but for the sake of a quippy little introduction, I thought it worked. But let me start at the beginning. I've been pretty excited about the return of the harem pant (or as some people refer to them, the MC Hammer pant). I mean, I'm not a dress pants kind of person and while I love jeans, sometimes they just feel like the same old, same old. Harem pants, on the other hand, seem like a refreshing change to the silhouette, and you can dress them up or down and still feel just as comfortable. To wit, I present to you Exhibit A:

Now here is where you travel with me a little bit. Regretsy, a fave blog of mine recently came across this "gem" of a homemade outfit (original post here):

Upon closer inspection, it was determined by the site's creator, April Winchell, that these "skants" are basically a sweater turned upside down. Upon this revelation, she opened up the site to submissions from readers sporting their own versions of "skants."

While the ensuing contest was absolutely hysterical (and sometimes gross when people used turtle neck sweaters - think about it...), I thought some of the entries - provided the neck holes were sewn up - could actually work as real, proper pants:

Or...I've lost my mind. Either way, you best believe I'm headed straight home to try on some up-side down long-sleeve shirts.

-p!n

U.S. Census CGI 'Claymation' Ad by Shilo | ADS

Census "Community" - Director's Cut from Shilo on Vimeo.

The U.S. Census has been working with great creatives for their 2010 campaign (last week we featured the ad by aclaimed director, Christopher Guest). This ad, by creative production company Shilo, rocks out some pretty sweet CG 'claymation'. Simple and effective. Well done.

About Shilo:
Shilo is an Emmy Award-winning creative production company representing a group of filmmakers led by directors Jose Gomez and Andre Stringer. Internationally known for creating original and commissioned work that is powerful, provocative and visually extraordinary, Shilo's deeply held passions for design-infused storytelling and their innovative applications of live-action, design, and animation techniques deliver breakthrough experiences for screens large and small. From its studios in New York and La Jolla, California, where recent projects have spanned short films, commercials and music videos, Shilo has the capacity and experience to originate ideas and handle all aspects of production. Shilo published its first book, We Make It Good, in 2007, and also curates the site WeMakeItGood.com. For more information, or to request a reel, please contact Tracy Chandler at +1.212.219.4700, or visit Shilo online at shilo.tv.
[via Vimeo]

-jmd