All posts in: The Stranger

10 Feb 2012

It’s A Valentine’s Day Post!

If you haven’t gotten on top of your gifts for Valentine’s Day this year yet, then you better get moving. Me, being the V-day rookie that I am, completely dropped the ball this week with my midterms and didn’t even realize that ordering Shari’s Berries later would result in a higher shipping cost. No strawberries for Katie this year unfortunately. Of course, I think my friend Alyssa promptly put me in my place when she asked me, “Can’t you just make those yourself?” Touche, Alyssa. Touche.

I meant to make this post a lot earlier for all of you, but life gets in the way sometimes. If you were relying on me to help you out with what to get for Valentine’s Day this year, then I apologize.

Here’s what you can do though if you’re sluffing:

The Stranger via Cupcake Royale

1. Desserts are great. Shari’s Berries is still awesome and if I could suck up my stubborness, I would dish out that shipping fee, but I can’t. Another alternative is Cupcake Royale’s Deathcake. The deathcake is injected with chocolaty goodness and Stumptown’s espresso ganache. YUM.

2. Another alternative that I wanted to take advantage of this year was making Valentine’s Day cards. This used to be my favorite thing as a child, buying the cutest Valentine’s Day cards to give to all of my classmates and making sure that the best messages went to my best friends while the generic, “You are sweet!” ones went to everyone else. The makers wouldn’t have made more of the generic ones and less of the better ones if that wasn’t their point. As young children, they taught us how to play favorites…Anyways! I wanted to make cards for all of my co-workers this year and since all of us are a pretty silly bunch, I knew they would appreciate it. The valentine above was made by a lovely lady named Beth who has constructed a number of cards for the holiday this year revolving around pop culture subjects.

via Refinery 29

3. This little item is called the “Smitten Snuggle” and it is designed for the couple that still wants to hold hands with each other while braving the winter weather. It’s pretty much the cutest thing I’ve ever seen.

Style

04 Jan 2012

In the News…

Fashion

– A first look at the Jason Wu for Target campaign! The collection debuts February 5, 2012. Is anyone else as excited as I am?! [Source]

– Vera Wang will hit the ice and show off her skills on April 2nd as an honored guest by Figure Skating in Harlem. [Source]

Music

– Indie singer Lana Del Rey has scored a modeling contract. [Source]

– The Black Keys cover the Rolling Stones’ newest issue. [Source]

– The Killers will release a new album in 2012. I still just love Hot Fuss. [Source]

Television

– The Kardashians are hoping to launch a tabloid – just won’t quit building themselves up. [Source]

– Tim Gunn receives a daytime talk show. [Source]

– Contestants for Celebrity Apprentice have been revealed. Clay Aiken! [Source]

Movies

– Twilight will become a Broadway musical for one night on January 16. Proceeds from the event will go directly to charity Blessings in a Backpack. [Source]

Seattle

photo cred | The Stranger

– Apparently, the QFC on Broadway skipped three months ahead to Easter even passing on Valentine’s Day. [Source]

– Christine Gregoire will introduce a new bill to legalize gay marriage in Washington state. [Source]

Other

– Michelle Bachman has officially ended her presidential bid. [Source]

– Rumored Britney Spears is shopping for a wedding dress in the direction of Betsey Johnson or Jeremy Scott. It looks like our pop princess is spicing things up by opting out of the traditional gowns that would have been made by Vera Wang. [Source]

– Nick Cannon was hospitalized after suffering from mild kidney failure. [Source]

– Zooey Deschanel has officially filed for divorce from Ben Gibbard…is also a savvy spender according to TMZ. [Source]

– Sinhead O’Connor has called off her divorce after a night of passionate lovemaking with her husband. The divorce was filed after 16 days of marriage. So…Kim Kardashian wins again? [Source]

– Emma Roberts is deferring her college experience at Sarah Lawrence in Bronxville, New York due to her work commitments and budding romance with Glee star, Chord Overstreet. [Source]

– Russell Brand and Katy Perry did not have a prenup. He could end up making $20 million off of her. [Source]

– James Franco has sold his first novel to Amazon Publishing. [Source]

12 Oct 2011

In Seattle News…

There was so much Seattle news swirling around yesterday that I decided to just make a separate post for it away from the rest of the pop culture news going on in the world.

– During Bumbershoot weekend, Kevin informed me of a new car service named Uber that had just been brought to Seattle that I could use in place of taking a taxi or the bus. So how does it work exactly? Uber is an on-demand car service that will pick you up from wherever you are and take you anywhere you need to go in a sleek black car. Known as “everyone’s private driver,” Uber is a service that is all about convenience and style. If you’re a member of the service, then your payment is just charged to your credit card so no more fumbling at your dolla dolla bills! This service is great for a night out, but is also the safer bet in place of a taxi or bus – – as suggested by Kevin.

“In Seattle, pricing currently starts with a $7 base, plus $3.75/mile distance and $0.75/mile time fees with a $12 minimum and $50 set rate for Sea-Tac.”

To learn more about the service, click here to visit their website.

[Source]

– PBS is making a documentary that will highlight Seattle’s thriving music scene. The program titled “Seattle Music…something in the water” isn’t all that clever, but will feature some of your favorite local bands including The Head & the Heart, Shabazz Palaces, Pickwick, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis and a few others. The show will air on October 21st. [Source]

– Storefront installations will be returning to Broadway this fall/winter! The last time this happened was back when I was a freshman and back then I don’t think I was able to fully appreciate it. Storefronts Seattle will take over vacant store fronts on Capitol Hill stretching from Pine Street to Roy and will be decorating them with creative and visually pleasing installations. [Source]

– Food trucks are rolling up with a sweet surprise! Street Wheels, a new hot pink truck parked on 2nd and Pine, will be dishing out their treats every day from noon-6. Their menu features a number of ice cream sandwiches, chocolate dipped ice cream bars, and a handful of your favorite classic desserts. [Source]

– Molly Moon’s has been named the King County Executive Small Business of the Year! [Source]

– After one man stiffed a bartender last week at one of my favorite bars in Capitol Hill and then criticized her weight on the receipt, the locals went nuts. Something you should learn of the day: If you’re going to stiff a bartender, don’t pay with a credit card. Capitol Hill locals harassed the guy via his Facebook to let him know that he is just not welcome back to our neighborhood ever again. This story got around so quick, I even found out on The Frisky shortly after the incident. Read more about what happened here and here.

13 May 2011

It’s a Death Cab Post

Just because I wake up before nine in the morning doesn’t mean that I am able to fully comprehend any type of news or announcement until at least ten. It had to have been around 8:00 AM that morning when I received the news from my best friend that she had managed to snag a ticket to the secret Death Cab For Cutie show for the following Wednesday evening. Surprised to find that I wasn’t informed of this earlier, I googled the poo out of this news only to find out that at that second (well within minutes) the tickets had just gone on sale. I found myself on Ticketmaster debating with my best friend whether or not I would go for the next five minutes. As I tried to piece out my schedule, I came to the conclusion that I just couldn’t sacrifice an evening for this. Within that hour, tickets had sold out.

So I either made a really bad decision or… but there was no good alternative for me. I most likely had missed out on a fantastic show – the first show in Seattle from Death Cab in two years, the most anticipated show in the entire city, a secret show that I have always wanted to be a part of.

I can’t exactly describe what my relationship to Death Cab is like or explain to anyone why I like them so much. I have not been a fan of them since the beginning. I don’t even own their first album. Just because I haven’t been there from the start doesn’t mean that I have to like them any less. I discovered the band through the boyishly handsome Seth Cohen after he announced that they were his favorite band on the OC and when they later appeared on an episode to perform “A Movie Script Ending.” I didn’t attend their first show nor did I see the photos from it. They did, however, play their very first show at the venue that I used to work at – the venue that I considered a home. They built themselves up from a little known band to a band that can sell out a show in less than an hour. It’s been a long time coming for them, but they make me so proud to say that I am from Seattle. Over the years, they have been THE band for me and I’m not exactly sure what that means, but they are more than just the soundtrack to my homework and study seshes. Their performance three years ago moved me to tears with my best friend and it’s not just because we were forced to crowd surf from the first row at Bumbershoot right before the performance started. It’s an indescribable feeling and emotion and one that I cannot describe in words that are more honest and true than Stranger writer Megan Seling. So with that, I’m going to direct you to her review, which embodies everything that I am feeling.

Not gonna lie…I’m totally listening to all of the Death Cab For Cutie songs in setlist order straight from Wednesday night. [Source]

15 Apr 2011

In the News…

Fashion.

– Matthew Williamson’s collection for Macy’s is now out and it is packed with beautiful party dresses and prints for the spring/summer. View and purchase the collection here.

– J. Crew will open their first International store in the UK at the end of the summer. [Source]

– Last season, Miu Miu’s appliqued dress made on the cover of nearly every magazine. This season, it is Prada’s entire Spring collection that has earned 48 covers. [Source]

– FOX News makes a huge deal over a J.Crew ad in which creative director Jenna Lyons is painting her son’s toenails pink. [Source]

Music.

– Incubus will release their new album “If Not Now, When?” on July 12th. [Source]

– Glenn Beck has been using Metric’s music and Emily Haines is weirded out. [Source]

– Taking Back Sunday’s new self-titled album will be released June 28th. [Source]

– My favorite former boy band member Jeff Timmons of 98 Degrees has decided to join the Chippendales dance crew at the Rio in Las Vegas from May 12 thru June 5. [Source] The little girl inside of me is swooning.

– And in case you haven’t heard yet, Nicki Minaj will be touring with Britney Spears this summer. [Source]

– LCD Soundsystem will be releasing their final show on DVD. [Source]

Television.

– Nickelodeon has renewed iCarly for a fifth season. [Source]

– ABC is cancelling All My Children and One Life to Live. [Source]

– AJ Cook is planning her return to Criminal Minds full time again. [Source]

Movies.

– Cannes has announced their film festival line up. [Source]

– Ellen Page, Jesse Eisenberg, Penelope Cruz, and Alec Baldwin have signed on for Woody Allen’s new film set to be shot in Rome this summer. [Source]

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LeeWmjB9uJE&feature=player_embedded]

– Monte Carlo starring Selena Gomez, Katie Cassidy, and Leighton Meester with an appearance by Cory Monteith. I don’t think anyone actually believes that all of them are supposed to be just graduated seniors.

Seattle.

– Moe bar will be streaming live coverage from Coachella this weekend for free! Still not the same experience, but it’s the thought that counts. [Source]

– This Saturday is Record Store Day! Tons of record stores in Seattle will be having special events including band signings and special band performances. For the full schedule, check out The Stranger here. Also, a new record store called Spin Cycle is opening TODAY on Broadway at 321 Broadway on Capitol Hill.

– Yogurtland’s opening is tentatively planned for this weekend! [Source]

Other.

– A man is auctioning off a jelly bean that looks like it has an imprint of Kate Middleton’s face. [Source]

– NBA has fined Kobe Bryant $100,000 for his offensive slur at a ref. [Source]

– Seann William Scott has checked out of rehab. [Source]

– Catherine Zeta-Jones is currently being treated for bi-polar disorder. [Source]

– Scarlett Johansson has moved in with Sean Penn. [Source]

– Emma Roberts is covering the May issue of Seventeen Magazine. [Source]

– Harry Potter actress Bonnie Wright is engaged to Jamie Campbell Bower. [Source]

– A two-year old boy was given sangria instead of orange juice at a Florida Olive Garden. [Source] rookie mistake

– Learn how to be a jetsetter with Refinery 29’s useful infographic. [Source]

– The world’s oldest man, Walter Breuning has passed away at age 114. [Source] Damn.

Hooray. This is the longest In the News…posting I have ever made.

14 Jan 2011

Mad Rad // Champagne Champagne Tour Journal

Last week, I had the pleasure of meeting the band members of Champagne Champagne – Mark, Pearl, and Mr. Thomas as I have decided to nickname him. Local celebrities on the hill, the trio is known for their beats, raps, and unpredictable antics. They gave a performance at Seattle University like none I have ever seen before. Immersing themselves throughout the crowd and performing alongside students allowed the audience to be completely involved with the set. Plus, the guys were super nice and at the end of the night, Thomas had even offered me the job of becoming their music manager. Oh someday…

On Saturday, Champagne Champagne and local group Mad Rad left for their tour and the bands have been blogging about their travels through The Stranger’s Line Out blog. Unfortunately, the tour van recently got pulled over in Arizona, but not wanting to spoil to you what happens next – I’ll let Thomas spill the details for you here.

Good luck guys! Safe travels and stay out of trouble!

01 Dec 2010

Michael Cera IS Mister Heavenly

Subpop Records in Seattle recently signed Mister Heavenly, a band that apparently no one has ever heard of. I didn’t have much time to research them when the news hit yesterday, but this new blog post from The Stranger’s Line Out definitely got my attention.

Earlier this evening, Mister Heavenly opened for Passion Pit at the Moore Theater and will continue touring with the band for the next ten days. The band is made up of Nick Diamonds, (Islands/Unicorns) Honus Honus, (Man Man) and Joe Plummer (Modest Mouse). Cut to tonight’s performance, the audience found Mr. Dreamboat Michael Cera playing bass on stage!

WHAT?!

First of all, can we just take a second to appreciate the names of the band members. If I were unfamiliar with them at all, I would’ve thought that the band was going to be a big secret featuring all-star players. In a way, it kind of is. MICHAEL CERA. I can’t get over it, sorry.

24 Nov 2010

People Are Getting Lazy

The Stranger is taking a poll on their blog right now to see how many people would

a) not eat it

b) eat the shit out of it

So far, 82% voted against eating the can of french toast puree. The other 18% is just making me nervous.

Source

02 Oct 2010

Thomas Hunter Records Album

In the Seattle music scene, Thomas Hunter is known for being an incredibly talented guitarist for Kay Kay and His Weathered Underground and Wild Orchid Children. When he is out and about, he is easily distinguished as the man with THE mustache. In fact, that may very well be the first thing that you notice when catching sight of him for the first time.

I actually had the chance to meet Thomas just a few weeks ago when he performed at Seattle University. This week, The Stranger published a new article about his solo project and new album entitled “White China Gold.” While this is news to me, it certainly is no surprise. After all the success and praise that his two bands have received, I am excited to hear what Thomas will bring to the table next.

Read the article and interview here.

Listen to his three songs here.

14 Sep 2010

Justin Bieber’s Acting Debut

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOuEh7e3f50&feature=player_embedded]

As you certainly remember, Justin Bieber got a guest starring role on CSI: Crime Scene Investigation… why? BECAUSE THERE’S NOTHING THIS ADORABLE LITTLE MOP TOP CANNOT DO! Now… are you ready to see him ACT THE SHIT out of a CSI scene? Here’s Justin getting grilled by a cop who wants him to narc out his bomb-making brother. Note how Das Bieb is totally going for a Alec Baldwin/Christopher Walken vocal vibe. Also note that there is someone in the very next room waiting for him to hurry up and finish the scene so Justin can be presented with his Emmy. (Might as well give him his Oscar, too. It’s only a matter of time.)

Source

My two cents:

I’m going to have to agree with this review from The Stranger. Is it just me or is Justin Bieber overemphasizing every line of his? I also feel like all of his movements fall into place at the “right” moments. Take deep breath, close mouth, act passionately. LOL. It’s Justin Bieber! Let’s just stick to singing – but even I don’t enjoy it that much.