It’s a little circle of love up in here.

Fashion, at it’s core, is all about constant recreation and re-invention. It’s a continuously evolving way to recreate wearable arts & crafts. Yes, many trends are timeless and never go out of style (I see you, Little Black Dress), but most trends are just re-thought styles of the past.

And right now everyone is re-thinking and re-styling 80s trends and glam rock. Neon is everywhere; you can’t go anywhere without seeing leather leggings; embellished boots have made a kick-ass comeback; and my ultimate favorite, embellished Michael Jackson inspired t-shirts, can make any girl feel like a smooth criminal (OK, so not actually a criminal, but they will make you feel pretty bad ass).

And you can make those bad ass shirts all by yourself! Here’s an easy and money-savvy way to rock the MJ inspired look without breaking the bank!

What You’ll Need:

Old plain t-shirt: You probably have an extra shirt lying around. If not, pick up a pack of plain undershirts at Target or any craft store for just a few bucks!
Tip: Use any color and style shirt you want, but white and black are the most MJ-esque and look the best with added embellishments.

Fabric glue: Find this at any craft store. For best results use fabric glue designed especially for gluing gemstones and other embellishments to fabric.
FYI: If you’re a natural born sewer, this project can be also be done by sewing, eliminating the need for fabric glue. But if you’re like me and end up pricking yourself with needles and therefore stay as far away from them as possible, fabric glue will work just fine.

Silver, Black, and Gold Embellishments: These will be for the shoulder area of your t-shirt. Packs of medium/and large rhinestones, chain, beads, sequin appliques, and other silver embellishments will make your shirt rockglamchic.

2 Fabric patches: Pick up 2 small pieces of fabric (in the same color as the shirt color you’ve chosen) from the same craft store you’re already at for everything else. These will be placed on the shoulders, so you’ll want to grab sizes (or cut your fabric to size) according to how big you want you want your embellished piece to be. You will glue (or sew) your embellishments to these pieces of fabric, which will later be sewn onto the shirt.

Shoulder pads: If you dare….

Needle and Thread: Same thread color as your shirt choice.

What You’ll Do:

1. Wash your shirt first. Nobody likes crafting with dirty clothes!

2. Cut your fabric piece to the right size and shape (I recommend having a friend help trace the size of your shoulder), then glue (or sew) your embellishments onto your two fabric patches in any design or pattern that you want, using your fashion glue. Let dry!

3. Sew (or glue if sewing really isn’t your thang) on your now-embellished fabric pieces onto the shoulders of your t-shirt. If you’re daring and want a true 80s silhouette, this is where you also sew those shoulder pads into the inside of the t-shirt.

4. That was easy as 1-2-3… literally. You’re done! Work it, baby! You can dress up your shirt by tucking it into a skirt or pairing it with leggings and heels, or go casual and wear it with jeans.

This week was a good, if not totally random, week for music. I mean, who groups Daughtry, Jack White’s the Dead Weather, and the soundtrack to 500 Days of Summer in one category? I do. And I love them all.

Though, in totally different ways.

Chris Daughtry I love in a good-boy rocker kind of way. Jack White I love in a creepy weirdo fascination kind of way. And the 500 Days of Summer I love in a Zooey Deschanel kind of way. I love music in lots of different ways and this week is a prime example of how much my love can vary.

Daughtry – Leave This Town

Chris Daughtry is one of those musicians people of all ages love. I desperately wanted him to win American Idol. So did my mom. But alas, he didn’t. And it’s probably a good thing, because he got the freedom to do whatever he wanted. And now? Many people forget was even on American Idol. Which I think is a sign of a super successful American Idol contestant.

His first album, with his band Daughtry, was a huge hit, so I was totally excited for their second album, Leave This Town. And so far, I’m pretty thrilled with it. I especially love, “Every Time You Turn Around,” with its jungle-like sounds in the background (Hey, I’m a sucker for jungle animals) and “whoo hoos” throughout the song. Lots of the lyrics on the album are super cheesy, which leaves Daughtry in the position of being a rock band, without really being hardcore. I can see a lot of music critics taking issue with this; but I have to respect Daughtry for it. I always love a super nice rocker. I’m pretty sure the slower ballad, “Life After You” is going to be a huge hit because it has a little bit of that “Home” feel to it. And check out the lyrics: “All that I’m after is a lifetime of laughter/As long as I’m laughing with you.” Yes, it’s all cheese, but who doesn’t love cheese? I hope Daughtry sticks around a long time and I know I’ll be listening to their new album for quite a while. And when I’m dealing with an awful break up. This music seems about right for that.

The Dead Weather – Horehound

OK, so I’m a really big White Stripes fan. People are usually really surprised when I tell them this. There’s nothing about me that makes me look like I would be a Jack White lover, but I’m totally into him. And his completely strange relationship with Meg too. He’s just so weird, I can’t help it. Call it just a fascination; I don’t mind, but I do know the White Stripes can sing like whoa and I’ll give a little listen to anything Jack White decides to do. So, cut to me being super excited that he started a new band and just released a new album. The band is The Dead Weather and the album is Horehound. And I like. A lot.

Jack ditches his guitar and goes with the drums instead. He is joined by The Kills’ Alison Mosshart who I think compliments Jack’s voice perfectly. I love “Treat Me Like Your Mother,” probably because it really does sound like the White Stripes would sing. The back and forth between White and Mosshart is awesome and I’ve probably listened to this song about 50 times and am pretty sure I’ll never get tired of it. “Come on look me in the eye/You wanna try to tell a lie/I’ll bet you can’t and you know why/I’m just like your mother.” Every time the song ends, I find myself going, “Whoo, I need more. I’m also totally into the bluesy feel of “Will There Be Enough Water” and the sort of Western feel in “Rocking Horse.” My overall theory is that Jack White can do whatever he wants and I’ll still love him. Probably the creepier the better.

Various Artists – 500 Days of Summer Soundtrack

I usually don’t get very excited about soundtracks. They generally don’t do anything for me, unless it’s a movie I really, really love with a soundtrack that has my favorite artists on it. This lovely combination just doesn’t happen all that often, but when I heard 500 Days of Summer was starring Zooey Deschanel, I immediately thought, “I wonder what the soundtrack will be like!” And you know, it really is good, even if it does only include one song by Zooey’s band She & Him.

I don’t really know too much what the movie is about, but I feel like the soundtrack has given me a really good idea of the general feel of the plot, which I think is a sign of a good soundtrack. I never realized how much I enjoyed The Smiths until I heard them singing “There is a Light That Never Goes Out.” I immediately loved it and wondered why I don’t listen to them more. Of course, I loved She & Him’s version of “Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want,” but I also quite enjoyed The Smiths’ as well. I have to admit I’m not the biggest fan of Regina Spektor (I know. But her voice has always been a bit grating to me), but I actually kind of enjoyed her here. Both of her songs on the soundtrack, “Us” and “Hero” felt especially summery and perfect for what I presume the movie is about.

In fact, that’s what I liked most about the whole album – it’s so summery. From The Black Lips “Bad Kids” to Hall and Oates’ “You Make My Dreams Come True to Feist’s “Mushaboom” to Mumm-Ra’s “She’s Got You High,” the whole album just screamed fun and summer to me. And how could I not love that? Oh, and bonus (as if you needed more): France’s own Carla Bruni has a light and airy track on there too. Absolutely amazing. Just like 500 days of summer would be.

This week was all about utilizing what I learned in Girl Scouts all those years ago. No, not building a fire or navigating my way out of a forest, but that whole “make new friends but keep the old” adage. And by “friends” I mean, “musicians who I consider to be my friends because I spend so much time with them and turn to them when I need to cry, sing really loud, or dance around in my undies.”

There were some great new releases this week from some of my favorite musical talents ever, in addition to some from bands I never knew. And while I may have fallen for some of the new stuff, I’ll always hold onto the old faves.

Mat Kearney- City of Black and White

If you don’t listen to Mat Kearney, you need to. He’s hard not to like, trust me. I loved him from the minute I heard his album Nothing Left to Lose in 2006; from his smooth voice to his meaningful lyrics to the fact that he spells his name with only one “t.” I’m also in love with his new album City of Black and White, which is filled with his smooth voice again and equally as many meaningful lyrics. And yes, he still spells his name with one “t.” If you like music like The Fray and Joshua Radin, you’ll likely enjoy Mat Kearney.

My favorite song is definitely “Here We Go,” but honestly, there’s not much I don’t like about Mat’s new album. “Never Be Ready” is also pretty awesome and I totally love the lyrics: “We’ll never be ready/If we keep waiting for the perfect time to come/Hold me steady, we’ll never be ready.” The only thing I really miss with this new album is Mat’s white boy rapping. I suppose this album does sound a bit more mature without it, but it was so incredibly fun it’s hard not to miss it. But I guess that’s how it always goes when friends start growing up and changing; they may be different, but you find a way to love ‘em anyway.

Mandy Moore- Amanda Leigh

Mandy Moore is probably one of my favorite people in the world. Ever since high school, if you asked me who I would want to play me in a movie, it would be her. I thought it was nearly impossible for me to like her any more and then she married my other favorite person, Ryan Adams. I thought the world would implode upon such an awesome marriage of two beautifully talented people, but thank God (at least so far!) it didn’t. And Mandy survived to make another album, Amanda Leigh. Now, before you think I’m some super Mandy fan who isn’t going to properly judge her album, I’ll admit right now, I was not a huge fan of her last album Wild Hope. I found it to be mighty boring. So I was super nervous for Mandy’s latest release. But she didn’t disappoint me at all.

Marriage must be doing something good for her because her album is absolutely amazing. The more I listen to it, the more I love it. Why is Amanda Leigh so much better than Wild Hope? It actually has a lot of personality, unlike the previous attempt. The first single “I Could Break Your Heart Any Day of the Week” actually gets you dancing, but also showcases her beautiful voice. It’s almost like “Candy” grew up….a lot. There aren’t really any songs on Amanda Leigh that I dislike, but I’m a really big fan of “Fern Dell” and “Nothing Everything,” which are both upbeat and fun. I also have to love “Merrimack” because it’s totally about the river I grew up next to. Oh, and I absolutely love “Bug” as well, because “Bug” is Ryan’s nickname for Mandy. OK, I’ll stop gushing about Mandy Moore now. At least until she and Ryan Adams come out with an album of duets. Then the world really might implode.

Phoenix- Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix

I know I’ve head about Phoenix before, but I had no idea who they were or why should I listen to them. Then I learned they were “French Rock” and I still had no idea why I should listen to them. But then I listened to Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix and now I know why I should listen to them. Because apparently I was made for French rock. And Phoenix is just awesome. Allegedly, the album’s first single “Lisztomania” is about Franz Liszt and his piano performances. I have absolutely no idea who Franz Liszt is, but I totally feel like I have this “Lisztomania” when I listen to Phoenix.

Phoenix is the kind of music that makes you get up and dance and throw your hands around in the air. I’m not kidding here. They actually sound a bit like NYC’s own MGMT, mixed in with a bit of The Strokes. And maybe a dash of Franz Ferdinand too. I don’t even know the band very well, but I already feel like they’re allowed to have songs like “Love Like a Sunset,” where they spend 6 minutes building up the song instrumentally, and then start singing with only a little over a minute left. It works! Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix makes me wonder why more people I know don’t listen to Phoenix. And for that matter, why don’t more people I know listen to French rock? And what other French rock have I been missing out on? I’m grabbing my beret, heating up some crepes and working on building up my French music catalog ASAP. This is good stuff.

Dear (See Below) Bands,

I love your music. Love, love, love. But can you maybe try to be a little less annoying? It makes it so hard to defend you when I tell my friends about my favorite artists. Actually, it makes it hard to admit to anyone that you happen to be one of them.  And I want to make them like you, really, I do. But like that friend who has a minor character flaw that now pisses you off enough that you really can’t see the good in her anymore,  I’m finding it difficult to enjoy your music knowing how annoying you are.

Here are some heart-to-heart tips from your loving (secret) admirer to be a little less annoying and a little more rock and roll.

Fall Out Boy

You always have a spot in my 6-CD player in my car. Sugar, you’ll never go down on the playlist for me if you continue to make some of the sweetest pop punk music out there. But please, Pete Wentz, I’m begging you – cut your hair, lay off the eyeliner and put on a damn shirt when you are on a magazine cover. You need to settle down – you play bass. And, um, you have a kid?

Also, Patrick, can you please enunciate your song lyrics so I can actually sing along and not just randomly open my mouth while humming the tune to look like I know what I’m singing? And what’s up with the weird syntax and bizzare punctuation in the song titles? Thnks Fr Th Confusn. I mean, e.e. Cummings was a legit poet, while you’re just… an antithesis of all semblance of reason. And grammar. My English teacher highly disapproves.

Avril Lavigne

“I’m with you” on how most of your songs are about girl problems to which every teenager can relate. And I love how you have other gigs too, like co-writing “Breakaway” for Kelly Clarkson and even recording The Spongebob Squarepants Movie theme song (my little bro totally agrees).  But I’m pretty sure that hot pink hair, combat boots, and thick-enough eyeliner to paint a mural were out of fashion like 10 years ago. You remind me of the wanna-be punk-rocker chicks at my old high school who stood in their corner by the snack machine and talked about how “complicated” their life was and how their parents didn’t understand them. You’re married now, for goodness sakes, so do your husband a favor and stop wearing pink angel wings and acting like a “sk8er boi.” Oh, and learn how to play the guitar for real. You’re kinda getting “under my skin.”

Coldplay

The first time I heard “Clocks,” it changed my life. And continued to do so for the 100 times I listened to it on repeat afterward. You should even see my wall – there’s a giant banner that shouts, “viva la vida,” my adopted mantra para mi vida. But enough with the same gloomy, sad looks while you play haunting, heart-wrenching melodies on the piano, Chris Martin. I’m wondering if you’re able to play some different chord progressions as well, since you only seem to stick to one particular one on every. single. bloody. song. Can we maybe change it up a bit, with chords and tempos and basically not have the same harmonic patterns last throughout the whole album? Or four? Keep the accent though, please. Oh, and tell Gwyneth to lose the GOOP.

Simple Plan

My friend saw you in concert in Japan, and just like her, I must say: I’m “addicted” to your music. In a “perfect world,” I would hang out with you guys all day and do crazy stuff like dye the neighbor’s pool yellow or something, because, let’s face it, “I’m just a kid.” You seem like a bunch of cool, fun kids just making music because you can, and I love that about you. But unfortunately, you kinda remind me of blink182. But not in a middle-school-memories, emo-phase, dress-like-a-punk, nostalgic sort of way. More like a trying-a-little-too-hard, bad-album-titles, life-is-so-unfair-let’s-cry-about-it sort of way. Skateboarding is a sport, not a prop, and yelling at your parents on a rooftop in the pouring rain? Effective, but kinda cheesy I must say. Maybe there’s a reason you’re “still not getting any”…

Miley Cyrus

My guilty pleasure of all things guilt-full and pleasurable is “See You Again.” It’s on my workout playlist, my clubbing/dance-party playlist, and my blasting-in-the-car playlist. To the point where I’m headbanging and screaming out the lyrics with my girlfriends, and looking like a mad woman to the car next to us. But oh mah gah. There is so much advice and wisdom I wish to impart upon you that’s long enough to last a whole Oprah episode. You’re obviously not as big as a band, but your ego is big enough compete with one. Can you please act your age and stop dating older men that are probably not into you and more into your…assets? And stop taking those trashy MySpace pictures that even my 12 year old cousin knows not to take? You’re probably one of the reasons sexting is such a problem these days among teens. Or maybe just why television shows are going down the drain. Whatever happened to old Disney classics like Even Stevens and Sister, Sister? Dump the TV show and the drama queen act and just behave more like the role model you’re supposed to be for young girls. Then I won’t be so embarrassed when someone sees you on (every single one of) my iPod playlists.

Love,

Your (Not-So-Secret-Anymore) Admirer

This week we’re going to do some traveling. Whether it’s back in time, to another country, or just down South; this week’s new music releases are taking us away. And I don’t know about you, but I love traveling. So grab your bags and don’t bother making a mix tape for the ride, because all the music you need is right here.

Chris Isaak- Mr. Lucky

Oh, hi Chris Isaak. You’re back. Remember “Wicked Game”? You know, “And I wanna fall in love…with you” Yes, I told you we were traveling back in time. Despite the fact that we haven’t heard from this guy in awhile, Chris Isaak just has one of those voices I’ll always be a fan of. Not only is he back with a new album, Mr. Lucky, but he’s got a new TV show as well. The Biography Channel will soon be airing his Inside the Actor’s Studio like program for musicians. So obviously now is a good time for him to come out with some new music himself. The album is great, and comes with a huge perk: a duet with Michelle Branch (yes, I am a fan). While ”I Lose My Heart” is a really pretty song with a country-ish twang, I wish he gave Michelle a larger part (like a solo somewhere in there). Isaak also has a duet with Trisha Yearwood, which is one of my favorite songs on the album, showcasing Trisha’s beautiful voice throughout. I’m not sure any of the songs on Mr. Lucky will surpass “Wicked Game,” but it’s nice to hear Chris singing again.

K’Naan- Troubadour

And now we’re traveling far, far away. What? You’ve never heard of K’Naan? OK, neither had I. But I’m telling you, you totally need to start listening. First of all, Troubadour, K’Naan’s second studio album, was mostly recorded at Bob Marley’s home studio in Jamaica. So you already know the guy’s pretty cool. K’Naan was born and raised in Somalia and raps about his home country, his experiences, and so much more. I’d describe him as a much cooler, more hardcore version of The Black-Eyed Peas. It’s rap, but it’s rap that you can sing along to; rap that holds incredible meaning behind the words. K’Naan sings lyrics like: “They don’t teach us the ABCs/We play on the hard concrete/All we got is life on the streets” and “How did Mandela get the will to surpass the everyday/When injustice had him caged and trapped in every way/How did Ghandi ever withstand the hunger strikes and all/Didn’t do it to gain power and money if I recall.” Umm, but I swear, it’s fun music! If you don’t believe me, just listen to “Bang Bang,” which features Adam Levine of Maroon 5. I’ve had it on repeat all day and you probably will too.

Joe Bonamassa- The Ballad of John Henry

Joe Bonamassa is going to take us down South. OK, so really he was born and raised in Utica, New York, but his blues-rock music will make you feel like you’re down South; or at least in an underground Chicago bar somewhere. I’ll admit I’m not a big listener of the blues genre of music, but something about Joe Bonamassa’s new album, The Ballad of John Henry, has me really feeling the blues. But in a totally good way. I mean, come on, he does a cover to the song titled “Funkier Than a Mosquito’s Tweeter.” I have absolutely no idea what that means, but the song is pretty much a blast. The title track and “Happier Times” almost remind me of a cleaner version of the Drive-By Truckers, so I automatically liked it. But my favorite track might have to be “Feeling Good” a bluesy-rock take on the recently made popular by Michael Buble Bobby Darin original. Who ever said the blues would make you sad? After listening to Joe Bonamassa, I know I’m feeling good.

Another week, another new pile of CDs to sift through. I don’t know what it is about 2009, but this week’s new releases were great. Again. It didn’t matter if the artist was new, old, or really old (sorry, Billy!), they all put together some great sound that everyone should pick up and take home.

The Bird and the Bee – Ray Guns Are Not Just the Future

Where did this group come from? I have no idea, but I first heard them a couple weeks ago with their cover of The Bee Gee’s “How Deep is Your Love.” Wow. And then all the sudden I hear they’re coming out with a CD this week and of course I’m psyched. This duo reminds me of a combination of She and Him and a softer version of Stars. Ray Guns Are Not Just the Future is their sophomore album, which makes me excited to also check out their first album (which I hear is even better). I’m kind of obsessed with the track, “Love Letter to Japan” because it’s ridiculously fun and has some musically exotic overtones.” The lyrics to their songs are all relatively light-hearted, but super catchy. “Birthday” is especially true of this: “I will love you on your birthday. I will love you better than them.” And now I know love The Bird and the Bee.

Franz Ferdinand- Tonight: Franz Ferdinand

Ever since “Take Me Out” became a hit, Franz Ferdinand has been my sort of go-to music for when I need that extra kick of motivation. Tonight is very similar sounding to the group’s first two albums, but I also hear a touch of Weezer in there, especially in the track “Lucid Dreams.” (Note: not to be confused with Liquid Dreams.) I’m really loving “Dream Again,” because it sounds unlike anything I’ve heard from Franz Ferdinand before, and though I love their traditional sound, this shows that they can really go further than that. Yes, though it’s a bit cheesy, “No You Girls” had me dancing around my room and I can definitely see myself playing it as my getting ready music on a Friday night. But for “Take Me Out” fans, you’re totally going to love the single “Ulysses” as it’s exactly how you think Franz Ferdinand should sound.

Bruce Sprinsteen- Working on a Dream

OK, so I’ll admit I’m not the biggest Bruce Springsteen fan. Sure, I’ll sing along to “Dancing in the Dark” if it comes on in the bar and yes, fine, I kind of enjoy it, but the Boss has never been at the top of my playlist. That said, I’m pretty impressed with Working on a Dream, which truly proves this man has staying power. Um, not that he didn’t already prove that years ago. I was actually able to listen to “Tomorrow Never Knows” several times without constantly thinking “Born in the USA.” That means I liked it a lot. The title track, “Working on a Dream” is traditional Bruce but with enough of a new feel to it to make it exciting. The lyrics seem a little outdated though: “I’m working on a dream/Though sometimes it feels so far away/I’m working on a dream/I know it will be mine someday.” Bruce? I think your dream came true about 25 years ago.

[All images from Amazon.com]

I am a Cosmo devotee. Have been since I started stealing my mom’s when I was twelve. I am amazed monthly by the hair, the witty captions, and their never ending innovation of synonyms for the word penis. Many of my friends, acquaintances, relatives and sisters swear by Cosmo as their Bible (and for the most part I do too). But there are some times (well…many times) when Cosmo’s take on real world situations is – in a word – whack.

I will still accept their declarations of lip gloss superiority like they were handed down from the divine, but when it comes to their interpretation of all things men (or at least all things greatly generalized and stereotyped), I think I’ll be reading with a grain of salt handy.

And I’ll pass that grain onto you. With every passing month and, in turn, every new “Secret Sex Fantasy Guys Won’t Tell You!” revealed, I will be here to break it all down for you. I will find the truth buried deep between the unsafe sex positions and “things he secretly loves you for,” so you don’t end up with a stiff neck, an angry boyfriend or some seriously embarrassing sexcapades.]

This month, Cosmo did a damn good job at publishing articles that were, for the most part, interesting, non-redundant, and (my fave) THEMED! I mean, yeah it’s expected, but Feb’s issue had more V-day tips, lingerie ideas and suggestions than you could shake a stick at…and I still logged onto their website to check out all the extra stuff they promised. I couldn’t have asked for anything more (except for a coupon for 1 free Victoria’s Secret ensemble for the 14^th).

But, since it is Cosmo, there was bound to be some advice that you just read and think “Seriously?” This month’s issue delivered that little nugget in the form of its “His Point of View,” courtesy of the Man Manual. At first, I thought this article had been misplaced and was really one of Cosmo’s hilarious “If Guy’s Edited Cosmo” pieces. Unfortunately, the female editors must have let Jonathon Wilde really edit “The Best Times to Impress Him.”

When His Buddy Gets Dumped

Cosmo says: “If your guy’s male pal gets the ax…he has only one job: to help get the dude laid. So give your man the green light to spend more time than usual acting like a wingman.”

Kari says: Uh, in your dreams! First of all, getting his friend’s wallowing ass laid is not going to immediately fix everything, but way to trivialize guys’ emotions (as usual) and suggest that everything will be all better with a little bootay. Second of all, guys out on the prowl + unidentified amount of whiskey + serious lack of common sense or girlfriend cannot end well. There are plenty of men out there who tend to assume a pack mentality, and if their bros are hooking up…

During An Argument

Cosmo Says: Since women are way better at arguing than men, let your guy off the hook whenever you have a disagreement. Instead, do as this awesome girlfriend did and say, “Enough yelling, let’s figure this out over a beer.”

Kari Says: Yes, because alcohol is the perfect way to diffuse a heated situation. On a serious note, though: why should I dismiss an issue that I obviously feel passionately about just because it makes you uncomfortable to discuss it? Furthermore, just because I’m gifted with inherent and badass verbosity doesn’t give you an excuse to be a whiny a-hole about losing arguments (that you’d probably lose even if you were talented at arguing.) I mean, you don’t see me insisting on driving because I’m jealous of your superior spatial reasoning skills. Pssh, with excuses so weak, no wonder why you don’t want to argue with us.

The Session After a Bad Bedroom Session

Cosmo Says: Disregard that time it didn’t go so well, smooth it over by awaiting your man in lingerie and never speaking of it again!

Kari Says: Ok Cosmo, when I was 11 you taught me that the most important part of any relationship was communication. Of course, my then boyfriend Danny didn’t grasp this concept and I immediately dumped him (I’ve always taken your word as law!). So why on Earth should we break the rules now, especially when we’re talking about another key aspect of any bond? I’m not saying that you should dissect what went wrong or draw a diagram for him or anything, but I think it deserves a little discussion, especially if it’s never happened before. That way you can figure out just why the nooky was so lame and happily move on from there.

When He’s Had a Triumph at Work

Cosmo Says: “Guys base a lot of their self-esteem on how they perform at the office. Get excited when he kicks ass at work and it makes him feel really manly.”

Kari Says: Agreed! Every guy deserves props when he’s done something good. (I mean, I love to call my boyfriend and tell him when I got a good grade so we can virtually high-five.) The best part of having a partner is having someone to share your emotions with, especially when they’re happy, “I rock!” emotions. But why stop there? Be proud of your guy even when he does little things that he’s proud of. Using every single day as an opportunity to impress him goes a lot farther than waiting for his bro to get dumped or for his equipment to malfunction.

So what did you think about this month’s Cosmo? Rants? Raves? Obsessed with those Havianas on page 57? Good, me too.

Maroon 5- Call and Response (The Remix Album)

While we anxiously await the release of some new music from Maroon 5 (why on Earth does it take them so long?), we can temporarily get our Adam Levine fix from Call and Response, an album of Maroon 5 remixes. The album makes me happy because it remixes the songs enough that some of them actually sound like new tracks. But it also makes me wonder if Maroon 5 desperately wants to get some play time in the clubs. Whatever the case, this whole album may be worth it just to hear the Mark Ronson “Wake Up Call” mix featuring Mary J. Blige. Not to mention, the album includes remixes with Of Montreal, Cut Copy, and Deerhoof.

If you tell me the hotness that is Adam Levine is involved, I’ll buy it, but I’m eager for something new from the boys of Maroon 5.

Brandy- Human

Wait, Brandy still exists? Didn’t she kill someone in a car accident a while back? Well, yes. But now she’s ready for her comeback and you can almost feel the pain of her past through the music in her new album, Human. The title track relays to the public how sorry she is for what we’re to assume is the accident: “I make mistakes but I can’t turn back time…I’m only human.” But despite all this pain, Brandy somehow manages to make most of the songs on the album positive and cheerful. I have to admit, I’ve been a fan of the upbeat track “Right Here (Departed)” from the first time I heard it on the radio.

Brandy may never reach her “That Boy is Mine” fame again, but she’ll definitely get some serious radio play-time.

Cat Power- Dark End of the Street EP

This EP full of more Cat Power cover songs is perfect for listening to on a cold, lonely night. Her beautiful version of Otis Redding’s “I’ve Been Loving You Too Long (To Stop Now)” caused me to hit replay over and over. Dark End of the Street is certainly not an upbeat album, but each song completely wraps you up in the beautiful crooning of her voice. Cat also covers songs by James Carr, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Sandy Denny, Aretha Franklin, and the Pogues. Some tracks don’t quite match up to the originals, but that’s OK because you may never have heard the original anyway. And what you don’t know won’t hurt you.

Cat’s back covering the classics and helping you feel a little bit more depressed…in a good way.

[All images courtesy of Amazon.com]

Oh, she’s just being Miley…via Brett Ratner

This whole “presidential election” thing has got more drama than any MTV reality show

Fess up on those summer plans

My marriage offer still stands, Jonas Brothers

Oscars vs. VMAs

I, too, would rock a “J” tattoo for John Mayer

Once a Samantha, always a Samantha

For those who once tried to rock, we still salute you

You want nothing more than to slap your boss. And then to quit your job. You want to spit in your professor’s face. You want to tell your parents you’re joining the circus to make money for crack…JUST TO PISS THEM OFF. Today is the day you tell your best friend that those jeans DO make her ass look big because HER ASS IS BIG. You want to list off all of your exes to your guy who have been better in bed. That’s right. This is what I refer to as a “SCREW EVERYONE” day.

And they should never be spent without a soundtrack. So me and my Ipod went and made a playlist for these days.

“Spent on Rainy Days” BRIGHT EYES (Indie)

“Blueprint” FUGAZI (Punk)

“Gravity” DRESDEN DOLLS (Rock)

“Today is the day” MOROS EROS (Indie/Experimental)

“The Egg” SHINER (Indie/Alternative)

“The Other” ISIS (Experimental/Metal)

“The Never Aftermath” THE END (Metal/Ambient)

“In The Belly Of A Shark” GALLOWS (Punk/Rock)

“Complete and utter confusion” FEAR BEFORE THE MARCH OF FLAMES (Experimental/Rock)

“Set fire to the face on fire” THE BLOOD BROTHERS (Other/Punk)

So instead of taking your Screw Everyone day out on the people around you…why not just put on these songs and let out your angst the old fashioned way? You know…like a 14-year-old who just slammed her bedroom door in her mom’s face. And then locked the door. And then wrote “Screw EVERYONE” in her blog.