Skateboarding seems to be the new official American pastime. We’re literally seeing guys on skateboards everywhere: Harlem, Lower Eastside, Nolita, Bedstuy, you name it. And we’ve seen all types: Euros, hipster dudes, little Puerto Rican kids, thugs, and so on. We came home yesterday to find a gang of little dudes videotaping themselves do tricks outside of our current home in Brooklyn. Too cute.

“Deeper Waters,” by Recloose featuring Joe Dukie

This song has nothing to do with America, patriotism or the colors red, white and blue. It doesn’t talk about democracy, politics or war. It’s simply a swinging, lazy, summer cookout jam with a beat that’s constant enough to do a slow, two-step to as you stand in line to add baked beans to your plate of ribs, hot dogs and deviled eggs. The perfect barbecue sonic backdrop.

To all of our favorite music icons from years past,

Please take notes from Al Green, whose new album, “Lay It Down,” sounds perfectly 2008 without coming across as if he’s trying to compete with Usher, Chris Brown, or any of the other young bloods singing R&B music these days. Rather than try to keep up with today’s TRL fixtures (ahem, Janet Jackson), he’s enlisted current popular young things (John Legend, Corinne Bailey Rae, ?uestlove, and Anthony Hamilton) to work for him in a way that shows off his strengths. Because, you see, you’re considered iconic for a reason. Why throw away the trademark that made you unique and earned you your fiercely loyal following in the first place? Take Green’s single, “Lay It Down,” for instance. It sits on his MySpace page next to classic gems including “Simply Beautiful,” and “Let’s Stay Together,” and manages to stand on its own. The same can’t necessarily be said for some of your work (we’re talking to you, Prince, Stevie Wonder, Sting and Michael Jackson) in the last ten years–as much as we madly adore all of you. Prince, it wasn’t until you stopped singing jazz and started playing with sexual innuendo again that you really got a rise out of us. While some icons have mastered the art of reinvention (think Madonna, who treats us to a new persona with each album, or Tina Turner, who went from rhythm and blues Ikette to MTV rock singing Mad Max vixen in the span of decades), others work best when staying true to their signature, the way Al Green has done here. And remember, these words come from love.

xoo,

Team Muse

A few months ago, we reported that Vogue Italia was planning an issue that would entirely feature black models. The magazine is scheduled to hit newsstands next week. It features a series of beautifully-shot photographs by Steven Meisel of models including Liya Kebede, Sessilee Lopez, Naomi Campbell and Chanel Iman. In today’s New York Times, Cathy Horyn addressed the black models issue in an article on the edition. While discussing the issue with friends today, several questioned the motivation of an-all black edition and whether this would mean we wouldn’t see any more black girls in the magazine’s pages for another twelve months. Honestly, only time will tell. But reversing the all-white formula doesn’t exactly solve the problem of reflecting how our society really looks. If nothing else, it’s great to see such beautiful images of girls of color. Across the Atlantic, American Vogue was working on a smaller statement of their own. We just got the July issue in the mail today, which has Vicki Woods’ feature on the topic with the title, “Is Fashion Racist?” Our answer: um, yeah, for the most part. But hopefully, not for long.

WHO: Elsa Mehary

WHY: She’s got two elements going on that give this ladylike look an edge: 1) the necklace worn as a slouchy belt and 2) the bright yellow shoes.

WHO: A cool-looking girl we spotted on Varick (unfortunately, we didn’t have a notebook handy to write down her name; we’ve since forgotten it).
WHY: Her white sandals are a cool, modern take of the gladiator and a great counterbalance to her light, low-maintenance dress, which she got at H&M for 50%.

I’ve tried wearing bangs on two separate occasions, both attempts failing miserably because my hair tends to get insanely oily just two days after a blowout. So the oil renders my bangs greasy pieces, rather than full-bodied forehead fringe. Hardly cute. After hearing me complain in the office, a friend gave me a bottle of Ojon dry cleanser, after trying it at her mother’s recommendation (love the word of mouth). It increases volume and sucks up the grease. And even though it comes in an aerosol can, the formula is eco-friendly (not sure how they worked that out), so you don’t have to feel guilty when you spray. $24.

Where have all of my friends gone? Today is a beautiful one with sun, not-too-hot temperatures and a slight breeze. And I’m realizing that all of my friends are in stages of life that don’t allow for Memorial Day spontaneity. They’re either living elsewhere, married, permanently attached at the hip to their lovers, or minding their kids. It’s bittersweet and on the cusp of bummer status. I’m just thinking of older days (not even that older, maybe just two years ago?) when we’d just make a call and have a posse of girlfriends rounded up and ready to tackle the city 15 minutes later. When did we all become adults? And why does the responsibility of adulthood make it so difficult to just up and go to a last-minute lunch with your homegirls?

“Visions of Violet,” by José James (click song title to listen)

Skateboarding seems to be the new official American pastime. We’re literally seeing guys on skateboards everywhere: Harlem, Lower Eastside, Nolita, Bedstuy, you name it. And we’ve seen all types: Euros, hipster dudes, little Puerto Rican kids, thugs, and so on. We came home yesterday to find a gang of little dudes videotaping themselves do tricks outside of our current home in Brooklyn. Too cute.

“Deeper Waters,” by Recloose featuring Joe Dukie

This song has nothing to do with America, patriotism or the colors red, white and blue. It doesn’t talk about democracy, politics or war. It’s simply a swinging, lazy, summer cookout jam with a beat that’s constant enough to do a slow, two-step to as you stand in line to add baked beans to your plate of ribs, hot dogs and deviled eggs. The perfect barbecue sonic backdrop.

To all of our favorite music icons from years past,

Please take notes from Al Green, whose new album, “Lay It Down,” sounds perfectly 2008 without coming across as if he’s trying to compete with Usher, Chris Brown, or any of the other young bloods singing R&B music these days. Rather than try to keep up with today’s TRL fixtures (ahem, Janet Jackson), he’s enlisted current popular young things (John Legend, Corinne Bailey Rae, ?uestlove, and Anthony Hamilton) to work for him in a way that shows off his strengths. Because, you see, you’re considered iconic for a reason. Why throw away the trademark that made you unique and earned you your fiercely loyal following in the first place? Take Green’s single, “Lay It Down,” for instance. It sits on his MySpace page next to classic gems including “Simply Beautiful,” and “Let’s Stay Together,” and manages to stand on its own. The same can’t necessarily be said for some of your work (we’re talking to you, Prince, Stevie Wonder, Sting and Michael Jackson) in the last ten years–as much as we madly adore all of you. Prince, it wasn’t until you stopped singing jazz and started playing with sexual innuendo again that you really got a rise out of us. While some icons have mastered the art of reinvention (think Madonna, who treats us to a new persona with each album, or Tina Turner, who went from rhythm and blues Ikette to MTV rock singing Mad Max vixen in the span of decades), others work best when staying true to their signature, the way Al Green has done here. And remember, these words come from love.

xoo,

Team Muse

A few months ago, we reported that Vogue Italia was planning an issue that would entirely feature black models. The magazine is scheduled to hit newsstands next week. It features a series of beautifully-shot photographs by Steven Meisel of models including Liya Kebede, Sessilee Lopez, Naomi Campbell and Chanel Iman. In today’s New York Times, Cathy Horyn addressed the black models issue in an article on the edition. While discussing the issue with friends today, several questioned the motivation of an-all black edition and whether this would mean we wouldn’t see any more black girls in the magazine’s pages for another twelve months. Honestly, only time will tell. But reversing the all-white formula doesn’t exactly solve the problem of reflecting how our society really looks. If nothing else, it’s great to see such beautiful images of girls of color. Across the Atlantic, American Vogue was working on a smaller statement of their own. We just got the July issue in the mail today, which has Vicki Woods’ feature on the topic with the title, “Is Fashion Racist?” Our answer: um, yeah, for the most part. But hopefully, not for long.

WHO: Elsa Mehary

WHY: She’s got two elements going on that give this ladylike look an edge: 1) the necklace worn as a slouchy belt and 2) the bright yellow shoes.

WHO: A cool-looking girl we spotted on Varick (unfortunately, we didn’t have a notebook handy to write down her name; we’ve since forgotten it).
WHY: Her white sandals are a cool, modern take of the gladiator and a great counterbalance to her light, low-maintenance dress, which she got at H&M for 50%.

I’ve tried wearing bangs on two separate occasions, both attempts failing miserably because my hair tends to get insanely oily just two days after a blowout. So the oil renders my bangs greasy pieces, rather than full-bodied forehead fringe. Hardly cute. After hearing me complain in the office, a friend gave me a bottle of Ojon dry cleanser, after trying it at her mother’s recommendation (love the word of mouth). It increases volume and sucks up the grease. And even though it comes in an aerosol can, the formula is eco-friendly (not sure how they worked that out), so you don’t have to feel guilty when you spray. $24.

Where have all of my friends gone? Today is a beautiful one with sun, not-too-hot temperatures and a slight breeze. And I’m realizing that all of my friends are in stages of life that don’t allow for Memorial Day spontaneity. They’re either living elsewhere, married, permanently attached at the hip to their lovers, or minding their kids. It’s bittersweet and on the cusp of bummer status. I’m just thinking of older days (not even that older, maybe just two years ago?) when we’d just make a call and have a posse of girlfriends rounded up and ready to tackle the city 15 minutes later. When did we all become adults? And why does the responsibility of adulthood make it so difficult to just up and go to a last-minute lunch with your homegirls?

“Visions of Violet,” by José James (click song title to listen)

Skateboarding seems to be the new official American pastime. We’re literally seeing guys on skateboards everywhere: Harlem, Lower Eastside, Nolita, Bedstuy, you name it. And we’ve seen all types: Euros, hipster dudes, little Puerto Rican kids, thugs, and so on. We came home yesterday to find a gang of little dudes videotaping themselves do tricks outside of our current home in Brooklyn. Too cute.

“Deeper Waters,” by Recloose featuring Joe Dukie

This song has nothing to do with America, patriotism or the colors red, white and blue. It doesn’t talk about democracy, politics or war. It’s simply a swinging, lazy, summer cookout jam with a beat that’s constant enough to do a slow, two-step to as you stand in line to add baked beans to your plate of ribs, hot dogs and deviled eggs. The perfect barbecue sonic backdrop.

To all of our favorite music icons from years past,

Please take notes from Al Green, whose new album, “Lay It Down,” sounds perfectly 2008 without coming across as if he’s trying to compete with Usher, Chris Brown, or any of the other young bloods singing R&B music these days. Rather than try to keep up with today’s TRL fixtures (ahem, Janet Jackson), he’s enlisted current popular young things (John Legend, Corinne Bailey Rae, ?uestlove, and Anthony Hamilton) to work for him in a way that shows off his strengths. Because, you see, you’re considered iconic for a reason. Why throw away the trademark that made you unique and earned you your fiercely loyal following in the first place? Take Green’s single, “Lay It Down,” for instance. It sits on his MySpace page next to classic gems including “Simply Beautiful,” and “Let’s Stay Together,” and manages to stand on its own. The same can’t necessarily be said for some of your work (we’re talking to you, Prince, Stevie Wonder, Sting and Michael Jackson) in the last ten years–as much as we madly adore all of you. Prince, it wasn’t until you stopped singing jazz and started playing with sexual innuendo again that you really got a rise out of us. While some icons have mastered the art of reinvention (think Madonna, who treats us to a new persona with each album, or Tina Turner, who went from rhythm and blues Ikette to MTV rock singing Mad Max vixen in the span of decades), others work best when staying true to their signature, the way Al Green has done here. And remember, these words come from love.

xoo,

Team Muse

A few months ago, we reported that Vogue Italia was planning an issue that would entirely feature black models. The magazine is scheduled to hit newsstands next week. It features a series of beautifully-shot photographs by Steven Meisel of models including Liya Kebede, Sessilee Lopez, Naomi Campbell and Chanel Iman. In today’s New York Times, Cathy Horyn addressed the black models issue in an article on the edition. While discussing the issue with friends today, several questioned the motivation of an-all black edition and whether this would mean we wouldn’t see any more black girls in the magazine’s pages for another twelve months. Honestly, only time will tell. But reversing the all-white formula doesn’t exactly solve the problem of reflecting how our society really looks. If nothing else, it’s great to see such beautiful images of girls of color. Across the Atlantic, American Vogue was working on a smaller statement of their own. We just got the July issue in the mail today, which has Vicki Woods’ feature on the topic with the title, “Is Fashion Racist?” Our answer: um, yeah, for the most part. But hopefully, not for long.

WHO: Elsa Mehary

WHY: She’s got two elements going on that give this ladylike look an edge: 1) the necklace worn as a slouchy belt and 2) the bright yellow shoes.

WHO: A cool-looking girl we spotted on Varick (unfortunately, we didn’t have a notebook handy to write down her name; we’ve since forgotten it).
WHY: Her white sandals are a cool, modern take of the gladiator and a great counterbalance to her light, low-maintenance dress, which she got at H&M for 50%.

I’ve tried wearing bangs on two separate occasions, both attempts failing miserably because my hair tends to get insanely oily just two days after a blowout. So the oil renders my bangs greasy pieces, rather than full-bodied forehead fringe. Hardly cute. After hearing me complain in the office, a friend gave me a bottle of Ojon dry cleanser, after trying it at her mother’s recommendation (love the word of mouth). It increases volume and sucks up the grease. And even though it comes in an aerosol can, the formula is eco-friendly (not sure how they worked that out), so you don’t have to feel guilty when you spray. $24.