5.26.2010

I'm Off on Vacay: ENJOY the Music

Who Wants to Buy the Scariest House Ever?

I don't know about you, but I thought the Amityville Horror film was really scary. Ryan Reynolds' gorgeous bod couldn't even yank me from terror's hold (see pic at right: nom, nom, nom).  It was one of the scariest 'based on real events' movies I've seen in a while and the house was the center of each scene playing an active role in the movie. 
 
Don't remember? Watch the trailer below and while your at it why don't you purchase the house, ya know, for fun? Because it's pretty? For horrific nostalgia? Ick, or not, I don't know who would buy this house or why. You'd have to be a sociopath yourself - a real life Criminal Minds in the making... 



Amityville Horror House Up for Sale

Owner seeks $1.15M for famous murder site

(Newser) – The Long Island house made famous by the Amityville Horror movie has hit the market for $1.15 million, horrors not included. A family of 6 was murdered in the home in 1975, and the movie was loosely based on the haunting the next family to move in claimed to have experienced. Later owners reported no problems with the oozing slime, demonic pig, and other assorted horrors depicted in the movie, AP notes. Gawkers, however, were a problem, especially on Halloween. 

5.24.2010

Can We Just Take a Minute to Discuss the KFC Double Down

As a former fast food addict, just ask my college friends: they called me Fast Food Nation, after that dirty book... I know, It was a weird way to rebel against my overly healthy parents, but give me a break... Calorie books at the dinner table pressuring me into feeling bad about my Chick Fil A lunch? That's ridiculous! I was in highschool and have you ever eaten at CFA? IT'S DELISH PEOPLE! {On a side note they are coming out with a spicy chicken sammy - can you say AWESOME?!}

Enough of that cathartic venom, let's talk about the latest creation by the Kernel: the Double Down. This meat sandwich -literally, there is no bread, just double, giant fried chicken nuggets doubling as bread (the heart stopping kind) stuffed with double cheese and bacon. As a lover of bacon I am going to go ahead and say that this is one item that is not improved by bacon... I think this sandwich was best described on SNL when Seth said that for a small fee that the KFC employee will just stab you in the heart after you order it... Come on people! This is just silly. 

It's ironic that as our government scrambles to make businesses put nutritional info on their menus and just about everyone is on a diet that this gem hits the market. And flourishes. I am one who loves a gimmick, but this is one gimmick that I will be staying away from because I know it's bad for me... Just like I know going to Last Call when I have no money just a credit line is bad for me. This is just one of those things that should be avoided because it's so bad; it's good.

Here's an excerpt from Austin360's write up:

How much does it cost? About $5 and 540 calories (460 for the grilled version), putting it on caloric par with fast-food standards like the McDonald's Big Mac or a large order of french fries at Burger King.
But calories aren't everything. Nutritionists caution that consumers also should pay attention to the sandwich's salt and fat.
The Double Down has 1,380 milligrams of sodium (1,430 milligrams grilled). That's close to the American Heart Association's recommendation that adults eat less than 1,500 milligrams of sodium per day.
"This is not a healthy choice," said Walter Willett, chairman of the nutrition department at the Harvard School of Public Health.
Though Willett said eliminating the white bread is a good thing to do, "what really sets this product apart is the incredible amount of sodium in one sandwich."
Elisa Zied, a registered dietitian and spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association, said the 32 grams of fat is about half the total fat most Americans should be getting in an entire day.
In addition, to the exorbitant calories, fat, and sodium content let's dissect the name of this sandwich. Doubling down is a term that comes from playing black jack - when you double down in black jack  you double your bet on a sure hand and limit yourself to a single card when the dealer has a bust card showing aka a sure win and generally a more aggressive play than your standard hold, wait for the dealer to bust strategy. 

Is that what they want to convey with this name choice? Aggressiveness? It's is pretty aggressive when you think that the number one cause of death in America is heart disease. Sorry to be Debbie Downer - I am all about splurging - but there's a reason that companies are gearing towards the healthier items these days - these fatty items are literally KILLER.

5.19.2010

My Fave Fall 2010 Shows

Fall shows, you ask? Oh, I read and looked online, but was not inspired to write due to the lovely shift in weather. 

But the good Lord knows you can't cover Resort Wear until you cover Fall - as backwards as that might sound... This time around I decided to just pick my top 2:

1) Marc Jacobs

Look one and two at right are my faves from Marc Jacobs' shows where he channeled a decade he is said to love - the fifties.

His models were smartly dressed in items finished to a T in that oh-so-50's-way, but in a more subtle, edgier manner that only Marc Jacobs can convey without trying too hard.

His neutral palette and use of the new long {trend alert on the new long: mark my words - long skirts, dresses, pants...} silhouette brought the fifties to the 21st century for a look that any woman can wear with confidence.

After several ok-ish seasons I am glad that Mr. Jacobs is back in stride with his talent. Can't wait to se what comes next - brava!

Want to see the show in  it's entirety? Watch the slide show here.

2) Dries Van Noten
 
Basically every single thing that came down this runway I wanted to own. It was not just for evening or for that one time you go to that one gallery opening where anything goes. Nope, these clothes are for every single day of our lives. Wearable. Chic. Timeless. With an edge. Ah, my favorite.

I diii-eeed when I saw the leopard scarf with just the right amount of sheen and leopard, not too your-grandma-in-Palm-Springs-leopard, but subtle and expensive looking.

So effortless, so chic. 

These clothes are def a do.

I'm generally against mixing patterns, but there is something about these mixes that just feels so right. Not too contrived or forced - just right. 

See the rest of Dries lovely looks here in the shows entirety.

I think Style.com says it best:
Freud's great unanswered question, "What does a woman want?" seems to be hanging over this round of collections, and it's already turned up some funny, off-beam stabbings around in the dark. Funny, that is, because isn't it obvious? What we want is a casual way of dressing that's also formal enough, new yet not ridiculously gimmicky, confident yet not egregiously aggressive, traditional in a comfortable way, yet also fresh in such a manner that we feel compelled to buy it. Well, let's hand it to Dries Van Noten for coming up with a personal squaring of all those apparently oh-so-difficult contradictions.
His collection was a serene piecing-together of classic menswear tailoring, washed-out military fabric, fifties and sixties ladylike shapes, and sweatshirting. The success was that he integrated all those elements in such simple, wearable ways that didn't scream "fashion."

Can't Get Enough of This Song



You know when you hear a song and you just play it and play it and play it? Like subconsciously at your desk you keep hitting repeat? Well, that's what I am going through now with "I am not a robot" by Marina and the Diamonds' Clock Opera remix.

I have this horrible habit of listening to music until I can't stand it. It's like I listen to it until it makes me sick and I can't stand it any longer. Ask any of my friends and they'll attest to this peculiar habit of mine... I tried to work on it intervention style, but to no avail, I still do it. Please don't judge me. Is there a name for this type of music addiction?

While the original version above is not what I am going through a love affair with I wanted you to see it and hear it before I bless you with the Clock Opera remix which you can download free here.

Marina And The Diamonds - I Am Not A Robot (Clock Opera Remix) by Hypetrak

You'll thank me later. Just listen to it through 2 times. You'll be hooked I swear it.

5.18.2010

2010 ACL Lineup is HERE!

5.16.2010

Lifesize Models: Will They Last?

I am finally going to do my Fall 2010 shows review. For those of you that are fashion savvy you'll know that it's a bit belated, but relax, I just didn't want to write about Fall clothes when we were all getting so jazzed about the weather turning warmer. And every girl every where is worrying about how can I get my legs tan without being orange or getting cancer?

As it is nearly June, I thought, why not give them a taste of what's to come? Well, if there is one trend that was among the most oohed and aaahed over this last fashion show cycle was Marc Jacobs' and Miuccia Prada's use of real life women as models - with - gasp - curves - and boobs!

While Elle MacPherson is a lovely 'real' lady let's hold our collective ooh's and ahh's over her revolutionary appearance on the runway of Louis V. and examine the truth behind this revolutionary push for real bodies and real women. 

Number one: For everyone that is a real woman; you know that Elle MacPherson is not one of you. Sorry, but her measurements are not standard nor average. She is/was a super model. While it is really nice to see a woman and not a pre-pubescent, skeletor of a girl let's not get our panties in a twist...

Number two: For anyone and everyone who knows anything about fashion then you know about the horrible death of the model who died of anorexia in Milan several years ago and the way that the fashion world tried to implement a 'fix it'  it by employing rules and helpful resources for models on the verge of starvation. While this is all valiant, until it's embraced by the rest of the fashion world it is merely topical.

Number three: Fashion is all about novelty and whimsy and generally the next big thing. As people start focusing on saving money and investing in items that will last more than just one season - especially in the wake of the worst recession since the Depression - fashion is losing some of it's bread and butter customers. Therefore, the novelty has to come from not the clothes, but from ta-da, the women wearing them. Not to be a complete skeptic, but I am sure that designers hoped that this use of 'real' models was not so much a needed wake up call in the fashion world, but rather a ploy to get women to buy, buy, buy.  I just hope that women were so inclined to buy, so that this thing called models that are alive sticks around. 

Feeling much better after getting that off my chest. Thanks for listening.

5.14.2010

New Ratatat from Austin RiffRaff

Jordan Jeffus and I have spent some serious time at Ratatat shows. Most notably was last year's show at Stubbs where we were really close to the stage only to be SURROUNDED by tweens. Yes, tweens. It was frightening to say the least.

So, we surrendered our enviable crowd position in search of some people who were more our age. It was a great show eventhough it was exceptionally crowded. Thankfully they have some new jams and Randall M. over at Austin RiffRaff, per usual, has the hook up. Check 'em out below.

I'm also really into their new song "Grape Juice City" and you can download the MP3 here for frizzee.


All Weather Leather? OH BROTHER!

As I sit at my desk listening to the thunder roll (thank Garth for that ditty) eating green beans from a can, hey, it's not gross, I microwaved them and I am starving, I think to myself a) why has the sun not come out yet it's nearly noon and b) why has my life spun so out of control that I can no longer consistently express myself on TheWellSet.com?

Well, with a great BIG apology, I say I'm sorry for being so focused on my paying job that my once creative outlet has hit the back burner - but, I miss ya'll and most of all I miss my creative outlet! I know some of you read last week's anti-clog rant and I'm sorry to all of those that love clogs, but trust me your toes will thank you, it'll be 100 degrees soon and that is just silly. To continue with my new theme of WTF, why is this considered summer clothes? 

I'd like to take a moment to discuss the leather trend

It started with a few pairs of leather shorts. Ok, shorts are all the rage and the weight of the leather shorts on the Chloe' '09 RTW (left) and DVF (right) runways looked nice and balanced out the flouncy blouses floating around. Sure you could buy these and wear them in the transitional months of from Winter to Spring and not feel so silly for wearing shorts when it's still coldish... BUT, designers have gone TOO FAR with what they are referring to as "All Weather Leather.

- Once again Who.What.Wear is off:
-yup, there are even leather sunglasses folks-

Yes, it's a lovely play on words and may be appropriate if you aren't from one of the sweatier states like Texas or Alabama, but please don't spend your hard earned doll-hairs ($) on this trend. Just like the clear stripper heals, the clogs, and Chanel's kitschy Spring show I give this trend one big "Oh Brother" and three "Not this time Depps!" 

{Have you seen Aunt Linda on SNL Weekend Update? Please watch here if you haven't- she's pee your pants funny}

Please, take my unsolicited advise and buy yourself some lovely linen or silk blend shorts. Your behind will thank you. 

Ah, it feels good to be back in the fashion saddle again. More to come. I am writing more-more-more, I swear. Into leather shorts? Hit me back with some comments in the comment section below... I'm all ears.

This is My Jayy-um

5.10.2010

Decadence on a Dime: Tex-Mex Essentials

Well, we’ve made it. It’s May and I am no longer hibernating from the cold. (Dallas is colder than Austin and I am a big wuss.) I’ve written about enchiladas before  and as everyone may notice, they’re my Tex-Mex weak spot.

Nothing says comfort food to me like a steaming plate of cheese enchiladas with Mexican rice and refried beans. I recently made my first attempt at making cheese enchiladas and they were a great success, thanks to a recipe from the Homesick Texan. They were cheesy and gooey and had the perfect texture combination thanks to a little crunch from the diced onion and shredded lettuce. The key to this recipe is her Chili Gravy. It has the perfect richness, and as gravies go, this recipe is fool-proof. I’ve modified her recipe a bit, and added a little more commentary. Making gravy can be daunting, but patience and extra chicken stock will make everything ok. So without further ado, Cheese Enchiladas with Chili Gravy.

Chili Gravy:

¼ cup vegetable oil

¼ cup flour

½ tsp black pepper

1 tsp salt

1 ½ tsp powdered garlic

2 tsp ground cumin

½ tsp dried oregano

2 Tbs chile powder

2 cups chicken broth

Start by heating the oil over medium heat in a skillet with ample surface space to make the roux. A caste iron skillet is preferable, but not necessary. Stir in the flour, a little at a time, and continue to stir for 3 to 4 minutes until it makes a light brown roux. Making a roux can be daunting, but as long as you are patient, and CONTINUE TO STIR, you should be alright. Take liberties with the time and the pace of adding the flour to make sure the roux doesn’t burn or the flour doesn’t fry in the hot oil.

Add all the dry ingredients and continue to cook for 1 minute, constantly stirring and blending ingredients. This is a simple instruction, but very very important. If you don’t stir continuously, the roux will burn and you’ll have to start over. This burning step is the bane of my mother’s cooking existence.

Add chicken broth (or water), mixing and stirring until the sauce thickens. Turn heat to low and let sauce simmer for 15 minutes (the time is less important that the thickness of the gravy, which can be altered with chicken broth or water if it gets to thick). Add water to adjust the thickness. When I reach the chicken broth step, I often have to transfer the roux/gravy to a medium sauce pan. By this point, the surface area of the pan is less important than the height of the side walls of the pan.

Makes 2 cups

Cheese Enchiladas:

8 corn tortillas

2 cups shredded medium cheddar cheese

1 cup Velveeta, diced in small cubes

1 medium onion, diced

Shredded lettuce

2 cups chili gravy

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.

Wrap the tortillas in paper towel and microwave for 20-30 seconds. This can be done in batches of 4 to achieve a more consistent heating through. Keep the tortillas wrapped in the paper towel until ready to assemble enchiladas.


Pour ½ cup in the baking pan to lightly coat bottom. Take a tortilla, put ¼ cup of cheddar cheese and Velveeta mixture and 1 Tbs of onion in the center and roll it. Place the tortilla in baking dish, seam side down. Continue with remaining tortillas. Take remaining chili gravy and pour over the rolled tortillas. Sprinkle remaining cheese and onions on top. Place a couple small cubes of Velveeta on top as well. Bake for 10 minutes or until sauce is bubbly and cheese is melted.

Makes 8 enchiladas

You can read the original Homesick Texan recipe and blog post here.

5.05.2010

Sorry WWW: Don't Buy Now = Clogs

Unless of course you wish to clomp around like a horse and pretend you are in the 90s. I know, I know, you are so into clogs because they were on much of the major runways for spring and summer {Gasp! Chanel!? - you know how I feel about that}. 

I cannot think of a more impractical summer shoe! The heel for one is extraordinarily clunky and you might say, "But Afton! It offsets the proportions of those extra miniskirts that are in by adding some weight to the leg!"

Well, my dear, this might be somewhat true. However, by 'adding weight to the leg' you are also making your miniskirt extra mini by adding 4-6 inches to you legs. Can you say a-hook-er (please note the shoes of hookers on the right)?? Additionally, the close toe says sweaty mess to me. Maybe not if you lived in a Nordic country. But def not here in 'Merica.

Save your pennies or invest your hard earned cash in a pair of shoes that can crossover from work to play like a solid pump in nude or a pair of gladiators sandals that are just refined enough to not make you look like you are straight out of Sparta. This way you can wear them with many things and get your moneys worth. All the while not straining your toes to keep this hunk of a shoe they call the clog on your feet as you sweatily slide around in them all day. 

Trust me, you will be glad.

L-M-F-A-O. Our Diet starts tomorrow. Besties with Testes. Hilare.

5.03.2010

Oh, Mary Kate!


Very Mary-Kate: Zac Efron from Mary-Kate Olsen on Vimeo.

Actress Elaine Carroll started a series of Internet videos called "Very Mary Kate" in which she impersonates Mary-Kate Olsen. She puts new webisodes up every Monday and Thursday, and each gets hundreds of thousands of views on Vimeo. Her online persona extends to Twitter, where she writes things like "my favorite color is clear, my favorite flavor is bland, my favorite food is invisible pie." In the webisodes she says things like, "I wanna finish my education. It’s part of being a grown-up. I want to major in ponies." She doesn't give the Olsen — a CFDA member! — a whole lot of credit. “You can kind of compare Mary-Kate to Eeyore in ‘Winnie the Pooh,’” she told The Wall Street Journal. “She doesn’t really know what’s going on, does not have it together, trying so desperately to become an independent woman but just does not understand the world in which she lives.” What do you think? Comedy gold or jokes that are old?

Check out more here: http://verymarykate.com/

Don't Judge Me. I Like This Song and Need it this A.M.