Monday, December 8, 2008

Worst venue award!?

I love a good rock show, but there are certain venues that can put a damper on even your very favorite band... My personal award for worst NYC music venue goes to (drum roll please) Webster Hall.

I have managed to stay away for a long time, but was invited by some friends to go see a Nada Surf/Delta Spirit show last night. So here's what you can expect along with your rock... giant thug like dudes with ear pieces patrolling the joint constantly with flashlights and trying to find reasons to kick people out, bad sound and my favorite, the tiny $9 well drink. Seriously, $9 for a small cup (probably 5-6oz). Last night we also had the added bonus of a non-heated room when it was in the teens outside. So after paying the $3 per item coat check, you realized that you actually needed to be wearing your coat.

I did actually have a very good time at the show last night. Delta Spirit was one of the best opening bands I have seen in a long time and Nada Surf did not disappoint. But next time, I'm hoping to catch them at Bowery or Music Hall of Williamsburg.

Webster Hall can keep the velvet ropes and thug bouncers. I just want the rock.

Friday, December 5, 2008

Upcoming Agapantha Trunk Shows!

UPCOMING PUBLIC TRUNK SHOWS:

Saturday, December 6th
Agapantha Holiday Party
12pm-3pm
76 Saint James Pl #3B
Brooklyn, NY
917-796-4964
Join us for brunch foods and bloody marys!

Sunday, December 7th
3rd Ward
195 Morgan Ave (corner of Stagg St)
Brooklyn, NY
(for directions) http://www.3rdward.com/about/operation
718.715.4961
12-7pm

Handmade goods & treats of over 50 local artisans, craft mavens & culinary masters including everything from LED Hula hoops & dog costumes, to custom cut clothes & jewelry, furniture & vintage ware from Brooklyn Kitchen, cookies & chocolates, wrapping paper, pillows & body soaps, custom electronics and Cut Brooklyn knives.

PLUS free gift bags, live music from Sigmund Droid & VJ Clay Franklin, chili & corn bread from Tom Mylan (of Marlow and Sons, Diner & Bonita), FREE Gimme coffee, spiked drinks, a costume photobooth by Deluxa and FREE workshops in textile design, electronics and collage.

Monday, December 8th
Agapantha Headquarters Holiday shopping party
5pm-10pm
213 Dekalb Ave #2
Brooklyn, NY 11205
917-796-4964

Sunday, December 14th
Ner Tamid Holiday Boutique
9am-3pm
5721 Crestridge Road
Rancho Palos Verdes, California
310-377-6986

Friday, December 19th
Toots & Tallie Trunk Show
4pm-8pm
http://www.tootsandtallie.com/
1006 Washington Street
Hoboken, NJ
201.216.0200

Sunday, December 21st
Neda Boutique Trunk Show
12-5pm
302 Court Street (at Degraw)
Brooklyn, NY
718-624-NEDA
Have custom jewelry made while you wait!

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

I need help...you get free jewelry!

Hey guys,

Just had a jewelry party canceled for this Saturday, December 6th. As you may know, this is a huge part of my business for the year and I'm trying to fill this piece of prime real estate space! So, wanna host? Know someone who might? In the tri-state area? Want to band together with a friend or two and host? It doesn't take much on your end... a few bottles of wine or drink and some simple snacks...and a minimum of 6-8 people. We can do brunch time, lunch time, later in the day, evening. We can support your favorite charity...whatever you like. We can even use my apartment (very spacious!) and your people. Get back to me asap with any ideas and we'll make it happen.

AND the best part is that you earn free jewelry for yourself or gifts and your friends get big discounts. I will bump it up to 20% of the sales of the day for you to shop with! Times are tight and I will help you deliver beautiful gifts for your generous hosting...

Get back to me at info@agapanthanyc.com or call and we'll discuss details.

Thanks so much,
Dani

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Hamster On A Piano (Eating Popcorn)

This is my new favorite You Tube video. Seriously, I'm falling off my chair.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRzTfgds0UI



Wednesday, November 12, 2008

I Heart.

I Heart...I Heart.

I HEART
is a new on the scene non-profit started by LA indie-rock musicians Arrica Rose, Abby Kincaid, and Laura Martin. While touring in the southwest, the girls were inspired by a fellow female musician who was creatively using her talents and connections to raise money for various charitable organizations in her hometown of Albuquerque. Excited about the possibility of re-creating her success in Los Angeles, the girls began brainstorming ideas for what would become I HEART.

I HEART’s philosophy is to 'do what you can, with where you are and what you’ve got'. It has enabled them as independent artists to collectively leverage their talents and utilize the project to contribute NOW as opposed to later. In the future they have plans to expand I HEART nationally as well as internationally, establishing chapters around the world and uniting artists across the globe who have a desire to use their art in positive ways to effect change.

Their first project was The Bombshell Alliance, a 1940’s style pin-up calendar and accompanying compilation CD featuring Los Angeles based female musicians. All profits from the sale of the calendar were donated to Sojourn Services for Battered Women and their Children. Additionally, they used profits earned from the calendar’s launch party to create a one-year scholarship for a young student to attend The Silverlake Conservatory of Music. (You can still purchase the individual pin-up posters + CD and they are beautiful!)

Their second project was The Indie-Rock Easel where indie-rockers who moonlight as visual artists turned their versatile talents into limited edition t-shirt designs for charity. Set in a gallery-esque heat press store (Red Heat), The Indie-Rock Easel was a night of live music, an open bar, and a chance to buy limited edition t-shirt creations pressed while you watch. All profits from the sale of the t-shirts were donated to Sojourn Services for Battered Women and their Children and The Silverlake Conservatory of Music

Coming up is the I HEART Songs for Change: 10 Los Angeles based musicians will write original songs that focus on themes of change, hope, prosperity, and community. The artists will gather together to record their songs live in a one day recording session - collaborations encouraged! The entire event will be filmed and the footage will be used to create a mini documentary. There will also be an album release party (date TBA) and 100% of the profits from the album sales and the event will be donated to the Los Angeles Coalition to end Hunger and Homelessness .

This is definitely something I can get behind! Check them out... http://www.iheartinc.com/

Saturday, November 1, 2008

Earrings of the week...

So at one point I wore my Rebekah med hoops for like 4 months straight without ever deviating. That's how much I love them. There's more of a healthy rotation going now, but these bad boys make me feel hot, hot, hot whenever I slip them on.

They measure 1.25" long and 1" wide. For the love of hoops, get yourself (and your BFF) a pair of these pronto. They retail for $72, but you get 20% off ($57.60) when you enter the discount code HELLYEAH at checkout.

Rebekah, earrings, agapantha, gemstone, jade

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Easy on the Ice

You'll have to forgive my lack of posting, but I road tripped it to Nashville, TN with my band Lucky Bitch and didn't have my laptop (major separation anxiety!).

A little background... Lucky Bitch is what happened when 5 of my best girlfriends and I decided to get together and rock. It started as an excuse to spend more time together and eat Mexican food (we are fiends) and turned into a legitimate debaucherous rock and roll show. With 3 of the ladies from the celebrated internationally touring Hip Hop band, Northern State (Robyn "Sprout" Goodmark, Corenne "Spero" Spero, and Katie Cassidy), the super talented Andrea Wulwick and Dana Klein and myself (previously a nationally touring singer-songwriter) Lucky Bitch is a powerhouse of creativity and energy...or as we like to pretend, a super group. So, after about 4 years we finally made our first record. It's still being mixed and mastered, but I'll give you some song titles to tide you over... "I Drink the Whiskey (All Night Long)," "Rock Ain't Free," "Fuck That Bitch," "The Lucky Bitch Blues," and "I Was so Drunk I Was Crying."

Easy on the Ice

It was a blast of a trip. 14 hour drive each way, 3 straight days in the studio recording everything live and tons of laughing. We did have time for one Nashville landmark, The Loveless Cafe.

This is where I feasted on the "Southern Breakfast" which included 2 eggs, 2 pieces of country ham, 3 strips of bacon, 2 sausage patties, breakfast potatoes and a heaping plate of biscuits and fresh peach, strawberry and blackberry preserves for the table.

Lucky, Bitch, Loveless, Nashville, TN, band, eat

Let me just say, I LOVE BACON. I know I am not alone in this love, so let me add that if you share a similar passion you need to eat at The Loveless Cafe. It was incredible...perfectly cooked, somehow both crisp and juicy and perfectly salted. Pure meaty joy. They had bacon for sale in the gift shop, but I had no way to transport it home. I was desperate to try the jalapeno and cajun styles, but had to walk away. Anyhow, the rest of the meal was incredible as well with a special shout out to the fresh baked biscuits and preserves - but let's face it, the bacon stole the show.

I must add... I just looked up the Loveless Cafe website to share the link with all of you and found out that the bacon and hams can last up to 90 days with no refrigeration. Now I feel like a real jerk. I guess I know what I want for the holidays...

Thank you Nashville, goodnight!

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Amazing outfit of the week.

Did you get the memo? Track suits are not just for athletes anymore.

white, dude, track, track suit, F train, new york

Ok, so I realize that's nothing new...but I was so into this guys outfit and his luxurious nap that I had to snap a picture. I mean, even his shoes match. Go Red & White, go!

Maybe this is the beginning of a weekly "who I saw on the F train" column.

Friday, October 17, 2008

Agapantha jewel of the week.

I stand by the statement that everyone looks good in a hoop earring. Right now I can't get enough of the Sarah Dagger hoop earring. They are so easy to wear with anything and the shape of the inside stone is just so damn sexy.

Photobucket

They hang just shy of 2" long and measure 1.25" wide.

Available in 14k gold fill or sterling silver.

They usually retail for $52 but you get 20% off when you order before 10/24. Just go to http://agapanthanyc.bigcartel.com/ and enter the discount code HELLYEAH at check out!

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Wonders of the $0.99 store.

cheap charlies

Took a walk down Manhattan Ave in Greenpoint this morning and thought I'd see if there was anything in the ninety-nine cent world I couldn't live without. Here's what I ended up with:

Notebooks grrr

I bought 2 tigers (I had to have one for myself) and 1 dog. Those are definitely getting stashed in the gift drawer. I'm not sure if you're really getting the full effect from the photo - the utter glory of the 3D animal. Pure joy really. If you must know, they were not $0.99 as many things at the $0.99 store are not...but they were indeed a bargain at $1.29.

I didn't end up buying anything else, but here are some other glorious photos.

trimmer

The packaging is amazing, no? Somebody is drinking their milk!

flowers

So realistic!

pirate

I probably should have bought these. Who doesn't want to be invited to a pirate party?

lighters

I think I will be hitting Manhattan Ave soon for the holidays. The selection of office, school and art supplies are always plentiful and there are tons of hilarious stocking stuffers for um, cheap. And if you aren't too put off by the strange selection, you can usually pick up some decent closeout snacks and spices. Capri Sun anyone?

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Dreams in Eames.

LA based stationary company Dog & Pony Show sucked my brain out and put it on cards. How did they know this is what I had been dreaming...?

eames

I love to write letters and send mail. Yes, people still do that... Dog & Pony Show makes me want to do it all the time, for no good reason. Sure, there are birthday's and thank you's, but what about just saying hi?

Photobucket

And as a New Yorker by way of Los Angeles I have a serious soft spot for the Let's Have Lunch card. Aah, the taco truck.

taco truck

Anyway, do yourself a favor and check out the amazing and always changing designs at Dog & Pony Show. Go write a note. Get off your I-phone and find a pen pal.

Monday, October 13, 2008

My rice will never be the same.

I love rice.mexican rice

There, I said it.

Last night was taco night and I decided to try a new recipe for mexican rice...Since I don't have the patience to follow recipes and I was missing a handful of the listed ingredients I looked up a few online and meshed them together to make my own. It was a hit and I may never have plain rice again.

In case you'd like to try it or doctor your own, here's what I did...

1 cup of white rice
1 can (approx 1.75 cups) of Muir Glenn fire roasted diced tomatoes w/ green chilis
2 garlic cloves
1 small onion
3/4 cup water
olive oil (i probably used about 4 tbls)
sea salt & pepper to tast

*Dice and saute the garlic and onions in olive oil for about 3-5 min or until lightly browned
*Add the rice and stir to give it a nice coating
*Add the can of tomatoes/chilis (these had an amazing flavor with a nice amount of heat)
*Add salt & pepper (you can always add more later)
*Add water, let boil and then simmer with covered pot for about 25-30 min.
*Fluff with a fork and add fresh cilantro to the top

You may want to try substituting the water for vegetable or chicken broth...always a great way to add a little extra flavor to your rice.