October 2011 archive

October 16, 2011

NYCC 2011

This year at the NYC Javits Center (see above) the annual NYC Comic Con was held. The comic convention is a 4 day event that is touted as the East Coast’s biggest comic con, its only rival being San Diego’s comic con. This year for the first time I believe, every day SOLD OUT! Luckily, I bought my Saturday ticket a couple months ago because I attended last year and could only make Sunday when it was at a close. (wah wah) Now, why would I go to a comic con?? Well lots of reasons, mostly because I appreciate the art aspect of it and I like dressing up, not to mention a favorite past time and bonding with my Father was: Godzilla, Star Wars, (SOME) Star Trek, Comics, and sci-fi in general… so its also a part of my history that I hold dear and someone that is dear to me. Awwww…

First things first.. ONI PRESS !

Now last year I went lone wolf to this, BUT, this year, I had an accomplice… Lets just call her Mademoiselle M. I mean.. who took this picture?!? ahaha.. Oni Press is near and dear because they published one of my favorite comics that described my life in High School very nearly perfect with Chynna Clugston Major’s Blue Monday..after which I followed her other creations and endeavors with Hopeless Savages and Scooter Girl. Ya.. I like her. Now between M and I we had a short to do list of people/artists we wanted to see, so once we did that.. we wandered happily from one discovery to the next. We ran into Zombies, Transformers, Lego Men, Johnny Cupcakes, Vampires, Video Games,”Free Tours of the Universe.” and many wonderful artists in many different mediums. One lovely girl was even making her own updated versions of Alphonse Mucha’s work !!

Olivia DeBerardinis

Matt Papa “Pixxel Papa”

Tara McPherson

Adam Hughes

There was so much wonderful artwork all so different from the next, I could post 100 pictures but there is a small sampling for you with links provided to the artists websites. I tend to take a special interest in Pin ups, subversive and dreamy images… so I gravitate towards the bizarre takes on classics and overall bad ass. pop art, bright.. etc etc art. There was something for all tastes. Now, moving on.. Comic con is perhaps more widely known for those “weirdos that dress up.” … Well.. yes.. but its quite fun and besides the convention attendees dressing up many of the various vendors have their own mascots or characters mulling about. I myself, having time in advance to actually consider it, took the simple route… subtle.. vampire..

I paled myself out and put in contacts that made my eyes gold flecked/more caramel.. which you can’t tell here because I have dark eyes they didn’t turn up in the photographs. Anyway I also am wearing a Cullen Crest because.. yes.. its a Twilight necklace.. I considered even brushing my face with translucent glitter so I would “sparkle” but decided against it. Overall I was aiming for Alice Cullen…

What sold me on it was mostly the fact that I could wear my own clothes and spend about $20… done and done. However I had to take the contacts out eventually because they were seriously uncomfortable and clouding my vision a bit. Awesome. Sooooo.. ya.. Let’s take a stroll shall we?

This was not a stationary object.. there is actually a person inside !

We also came across a table that had a wicked zombie meandering around and we were told that, apparently you can go to some camp for a few days and literally live action role play a Zombie Apocalypse !?!? Ya, that sure beats summer camp. If I ever have children I’m sending them to this “camp” and they will probably grow up severely damaged from the experience. (kidding) All I know is that I want to do it and so does Miss M, whom is my adventurous lady friend I can geek out with. In November we will be attending the Quidditch World Cup (I’m not kidding) in Manhattan with our Gryffindor scarves and complimentary hot chocolate. Keep an eye out for that…In the meantime here are some of the goodies I carted off from NYCC 2011 !

No that is not a condom, that is an emergency monocle.. in what appears to be a mock condom wrapper.. ahahha. I am never opening it, its too awesome. I shall keep it as is in all its glory forevermore… I could keep writing but I shall not bore you with any more details, I’m sure you get the gist.. and if your ever in New York City.. come to Comic Con!!

Oh ya….The book is always better but…

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grWV8WZtAQc]

October 9, 2011

Xes ni ecaps.

I must procure this dress in my wardrobe, I’ll take the spikes too.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4uBFh6FsIU&feature=player_embedded#!]

[vimeo http://vimeo.com/29165606%5D

October 9, 2011

Macaroon or is it Macaron?

Since moving here I have curated a new love. Macaroons. They come in pastels and earth tones in many many flavors. So far I have been to 4 different places in Manhattan that make these delectable treats.

Dean & Deluca
La Maison du Macaron
Bouchon Bakery
Macaron Parlour (at a street fair and online)

While all were delicious there are a few notable differences… Bouchon Bakery had macaroons the size of your hand practically, served chilled they melt rather fast and are fragile .. I got a box of 12 and ate them in two days time.. yikes. Dean & Deluca has the more typical oreo cookie sized macaroons and they are tasty, my favorite combo so far being chocolate and lemon ate in tandem with a coffee… While Macaron Parlour is run by a cute couple and you can order online, so far they have had my favorite flavor.. Bacon and Maple! with real bits of bacon. Amazing.. I am going to order a batch from them soon. However today I stumbled upon (serendipity!) La Maison du Macaron, which was quite lovely in that if you choose to stay and lounge on their comfy couches or chairs they serve everything on a silver platter. Also they actually have places to sit which is few and far between in Nyc due to space and the ever progressive movement of New Yorkers (and I suspect not encouraging lounging gets more people in and out of the door which equals more $$$) At this quaint French cafe they have 50 flavors of macarons and as I’ve read an excellent almond croissant, I shall have to try that next time… they serve Lavazza coffee and its quite a nice presentation overall…

I recommend a stop in if you ever find yourself in the Chelsea/Flat Iron area…..

Heres a new take on the claw foot bench for Halloween… ha.

Here is a video for Macaron Parlour:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHVBoY0_tk8]

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GeQGxJWGbb8]

A little French song to get you into the mood.

October 2, 2011

Some people give me the creeps.

Happy Saturday !! So I had quite an eventful one and I hope yours was too. I woke up earlier than usual and picked up a package from the post office.. after that I headed into the city on my Vespa with my roomie (= We went to the Upper West Side and ate at a place called Big Nicks.. (delicious). On the way there we took a route over the Queensboro bridge and thru Central Park, it was an absolutely beautiful ride and Fall day ! On the way home however.. we got rained out. We were soaked to the bone but it was a lot of fun anyhow, a bus driver even opened her window to tell us to be careful ahahah.. anyway after I dried up I went back to the city to wander and for a show… here are some goodies I found on the way..

Near the flatiron they were having live music in Madison Square park and an outdoor food event… I got bacon and maple syrup macaroons ! I thought I could die happy after that, two of my likes collided. I also got a nutella and hazelnut one too.. Mmmmm Mm! I stumbled across a new design store as well that opened a few hours before I got there for their debut.. so cool. Its a finnish design company that is making a come back, originally popular in the 60’s and 70’s (I knew it reminded me of mod era style for some reason) totally cool. Marimekko.

(The outdoor foodie market)

…Lamb?…..

After this I hopped on the subway to Union Square where they were also having their usual Farmers Market.. I wandered around a bit and came across the Andy Warhol monument.. someone had thrown a can of tomato soup across it which I first thought was terrible but then decided good for photos.

I’m assuming if Warhol were still alive he’d have thought something similar.. “oh, that’s terrible..” I soon wandered into the park to read but it started raining so I retreated to the nearest Starbucks (I know, but they have bathrooms!) and loitered there until I met up with my friends for the show. Now, if your unfamiliar with X, well, get familiar.. ahahah. They are on a current tour with no opening bands but instead playing a film before hand that is chock full of great material. Read more here: !!! and here: !!!! Below are some stills I was able to capture.