July 31, 2010

Quick Things 07.30.10

Some quick links that are worth checking out...

July 30, 2010

Summer Friday: The Joys of Working from Home (a.k.a. Shower Optional)

Every Friday between Memorial Day and Labor Day I'm going to be featuring guest bloggers as a part of my "Summer Fridays" series. This week's entry comes from the lovely and talented Brooke Forry of ClaremontRoad.com who shares her personalized journey into the world self-employment.

Just about six months ago, I had a moment of temporary insanity. "Hey, I'm going to quit my job and start my own business!" I thought to myself. "This will be fun!" And then I did just that.

Actually, that's not how it happened at all. In reality, my decision to quit my job and start a business may have been an absolutely crazy leap of faith, but it is one that I thought about and wrestled with for a long time. It was one of the most difficult decisions I have ever made -- to leave a stable 9-6 job as a graphic designer for complete unpredictability and financial instability -- but half a year later, I can proudly say it is the best decision I have ever made in my career.

To make a long story short, in early 2010, I partnered with four other amazing designers and friends to form Curious & Company, a full service design firm specializing in print and interactive design. While we're still getting our business established, we are fortunate enough to each be able to work from our individual homes, which, for me, means I spend the majority of my time here:

work from home office

You can find me sitting at my little desk click-clacking away and designing up a storm pretty much all the time. Sometimes wearing my pajamas. Okay, usually wearing my pajamas. With no makeup on. And my knotty (unwashed) hair pulled back into a ponytail.

In all seriousness, I do bathe (sometimes,) and I love working from home. While I work probably twice the hours that I did at any previous job, having the flexibility to make my own schedule gives me the opportunity to take time to myself when I need it, make plans with friends and family without feeling limited to hour-long lunch breaks, spend time with my husband even when I'm working and have control over how efficiently my projects run. If you've ever thought about working for yourself or working from home (or both), here are my best personal pointers.

July 28, 2010

'So You Think You Can Dance' Season 7 Top 6 (Again!) Performance Recap

After announcing that no dancer would be eliminated last week, the top 6 dancers performed on again on season 7 of So You Think You Can Dance.


Photo by Mathieu Young/FOX

Each contestant performed three numbers; one with an all-star, one with another contestant and one solo. Because no one was eliminated last week two dancers are going home this week. At the very end of the show Lauren did not appear on stage and Cat Deeley said she was with the medics being treated for an injury. Is this season cursed or what?!

Check out the vlog for a recap of the night's performances.


Here are the details on all of the night's routines in the order they appeared:
Kent and Anya's cha cha routine
Choreographer: Jean-Marc Genereux and France
Song: "First Kiss" by 3-Oh!-3 and Ke$ha

Robert and Kathryn's contemporary routine
Choreographer: Stacey Tookey
Song: "Heave Is a Place on Earth" by Katie Thompson

Jose's solo
Song: "Giant Squid" by RJD2

AdeChike and Courtney's jazz routine
Choreographer: Tyce Diorio
Song: "Manteca" by Dizzy Gillespie

Lauren's solo
Song: "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" by Aretha Franklin

Jose and Comfort's hip hop routine
Choreographer: Marty Kudelka and Dana Wilson
Song: "Try a Little Tenderness" by Otis Redding

Billy's solo
Song: "Lights Go Down" by Telepathe

Kent's solo
Song: "A Song For You" by Elliott Yamin

Lauren and Allison's Broadway Routine
Choreographer: Tyce Diorio
Song: "Who's Go the Pain" from Damn Yankees

Robert's solo
Song: "A Beautiful Mess" by Jason Mraz

Billy and Ade's contemporary routine
Choreographer: Stacey Tookey
Song: "Mad World" by Michael Andrews ft. Gary Jules

AdeChicke's solo
Song: "Pretty Wings" by Maxwell

Kent and Jose's Broadway routine
Choreographer: Spencer Liff
Song: "From This Moment On" from Kiss Me Kate

Lauren and AdeChicke's foxtrot routine
Choreographer: Jean-Marc Genereux and France
Song: "Fever" by Beyonce

Billy and Robert's Bollywood routine
Choreographer: Nakul Dev Mahajan
Song: "Ganesh" from Bombay Dreams

What did you think of tonight's performances? Who do you think did the best? Leave a comment!

Maroon 5 Rock the Beacon Theatre for Fuse

Last night I was invited to see Maroon 5 perform a special tour kick-off concert at NYC's Beacon Theatre. The show -- creatively called Fuse Presents: Maroon 5 Live From the Beacon Theatre -- was broadcast live on Fuse and featured Adam Levine and co. in a 90-minute set of their greatest hits, plus new material from their upcoming album Hands All Over.

Maroon 5 Beacon Theatre
Photo by Mark Sundstrom/Fuse

I saw Maroon 5 way back when I was in high school. They played the side stage at a Sheryl Crow/Train concert (I went with my mom, because we're awesome) and just had their first single on the radio. I've always liked their music, but haven't seen them live since. Let me tell you -- these dudes can rock! I forgot just how many hits they had until they played them all back to back and front-man Levine sure knows how to command an audience.

July 27, 2010

Photos: 'Scott Pilgrim vs. the World'

Meet charming and jobless Scott Pilgrim (Michael Cera). A bass guitarist for garage band Sex Bob-omb, the 22-year-old has just met the girl of his dreams... literally. The only catch to winning Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead)? Her seven evil exes are coming to kill him.

Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World

Scott Pilgrim has never had a problem getting a girlfriend. It's getting rid of them that proves difficult. From the girl who kicked his heart's ass -- and now is back in town -- to the teenage distraction he's trying to shake when Ramona rollerblades into his world, love hasn't been easy. He soon discovers, however, his new crush has the most unusual baggage of all: a nefarious league of exes controls her love life and will do whatever it takes to eliminate him as a suitor.

As Scott gets closer to Ramona, he must face an increasingly vicious rogues' gallery from her past -- from infamous skateboarders to vegan rock stars and fearsome identical twins. And if he hopes to win his true love, he must vanquish them all before it really is game over.

Check out a ton of pix of Michael Cera and the rest of the Scott Pilgrim vs. the World crew after the jump...