Giada - Inaugural Issue FREE

Hey everyone! So part of why I haven't been around as much these days is that I've been working on some other projects that are similar, but far more lucrative and have way more readers. (Props to you, core group of awesome ones, though.)

And one of those things launches TODAY! The inaugural issue of Giada, a digital weekly is available for FREE for your ipad in the itunes store. It's coming soon to other digital platforms. But for now, if you have an ipad, please give it a try. 

There's tons of amazingly delicious Giada recipes, music playlists, style and beauty tips, and tons and tons of travel stories so you too can live the good life. I've tasted these recipes, I've seen these tips in action, and I can tell you... WORTH YOUR TIME.

I want to be Giada when I grow up and this emag will make you want to as well. Super thanks to everyone involved for the opportunity to be a part of this. (Especially you, Ashley Reed!) 

Launching things, being there when it all starts is my most favorite part of life and especially of any sort of artistic/professional experience. With all your help, this can be the start of something really fun and special. We'll keep working hard; you keep reading. 

Radio Silence Friday Links

Still here in Vegas. Movin and shakin and whathaveyou. There were some good links flying around lately though, so I present them to you now. Haviland gets here later! Yay! Hope you have a fabulous weekend!! 

- Despite not being the biggest fan of Marisha Pessl, I still have high hopes for her latest, Night Film. There's also an app, which seems kind of cool. Her website for her first novel was one of my faves. 

- Aerin Lauder home collection, you excite me. 
- Also, these home items at Waiting on Martha. Good stuff here. 
- The collected wisdom of Chris Rock.
- Infinitely better casting for Lady M in this Scots version of the Scottish Play.
- Building creative confidence
- I love stories like this. Artefacts being returned. The human element.
- Cool video about the history of Santa Monica
- New Frightened Rabbit "Radio Silence." Preorder "Late March, Death March" EP.

Vegas Today

Me thinks it's time for a little Vegas, so I'll be in the car today, headed East into the desert for some Dad time and songwriting time with the Haviland. Being in Vegas is normally a pretty good motivator for me to do something with my life. Maybe I'll even stop tinkering with this pilot and cowgirl up to showing it someone. Giddy up.

(PS - I stole this picture from one of my friends. I don't remember which one. If it's you, thanks! And...hope that's okay.)

Music Monday - Dolly Parton Covers Herself. Sort of.

While covers and re-interpretations of this song abound, leave it to Dolly herself (well with the help of some basic technology) to be capable of perhaps the best rendition. Jack White, Ellie Goulding, Laura Marling, Mumford & Sons, Fiona Apple and even Miley Cyrus, you can all take a seat. Turns out, all you gotta do is slow the original down by 25% (33 rpm) and you get a soulful, amazingly organic sounding piece of music. I can't stop listening. 

I do have a weak spot for A. this song. I was very nearly named Jolene. (I think we can agree it's probably best I wasn't.) B.) The country music and C. The Dolly. She is everything. If I could be a version of Dolly for the new millennium, I could die happy. She's blonde, has big boobs, gives herself permission to be sweet and even a little ditzy, but she's laughing all the way to bank as the most successful female songwriter of all time. No need to cover Dolly. Just let Dolly do it. 

Beauty, boobs, and heart, Ladies & Gentleman. And SKILLZ.

Celebrating G-Dawg in Town with CHVRCHES

Because I'm about to go pick up the amazing Gretchen from the airport after her months-long sojourn back in the land of Scots (and other celts-- she was in Ireland jaunting around with Mr. B. Kearney) I'm going to post the new video from CHVRCHES. 

I know I know. Sometimes I feel like this is an all CHVRCHES all the time kind of channel, but to be fair, this is their first real video, and... as I mentioned, The Gretchen. I'm pretty jealous she was back in paradise and something about the lovely, spritely Lauren Mayberry makes me feel like I never had to leave. I plan on hugging Gretch, using the words man and dude a lot and remembering the happiest time in my life. 

The Mother We Share Out Now (UK out Sept 16)
The debut album The Bones Of What You Believe is out Sept 23 / N.America Sept 24.
Pre-order Standard: http://po.st/TBOWYB II Special: http://po.st/TBOWYBSpecial 

Music Monday - Capital Children's Choir Covers Crystal Castles

Do you like alliteration as much as I do? Let's hope so because here's London's Capital Children's Choir covering Crystal Castles. I think I prefer this version of "Untrust Us" to the original. 120 Children singing. Oof. This is some ethereal shit, people.

A Year Ago Today...

A year ago today, I cashed in my permanent resident alien card to the UK and flew back to the United States. I had no idea what I would do next. Heathrow seemed like home at that point and I remember fighting with my grandmother via email even as I stood in line to check my bag and say goodbye to London. 

I still hate that I had to leave the UK. But I'm happy I live in Los Angeles even more than I ever I thought I could. I recently rediscovered some thoughts I wrote in a journal around the time I left. I'd like to share them with you, but I'll wait until tomorrow since today is Friday and it's time for Friday links. 

- I want this. I'm starting to feel sad. 
- Get it, George Clooney. Eff the hedgefunds. 
- I'll always have a soft spot for my first job out of college. The End of Saks Fifth Ave.
- I feel like learning more languages. I miss Europe. 
- This bag is hot. 
- These pictures of my cousin, Tennessee Williams, are lovely.
- My next read is David Rakoff's final piece: a novel in iambic pentameter.
- Haim. The Wire.

Watch Out For Mattresses

So... I had a real blog post planned for today, but turns out, I ended up spending most of the day dealing with this disgusting mattress which got lodged in my wheel axel on the 105/405 junction. I didn't see it fall off anyone's truck and I didn't see it at all until it was too late because some giant SUV was blocking my view and veered away from it only at the last minute. Special thanks to the amazing Highway Patrol Officers who worked to free me and kept me company. 

(PS- Yeah, before you ask, I'm pretty sure that's urine.)