THE ALEXTHEARTISTE JAM OF THE WEEK: "JACKSON"

JOHNNY CASH AND JUNE CARTER CASH "JACKSON"

I am so in love with this couple. I've been exposed to tons of great Johnny Cash thanks to my boyfriend and have learned about how much Johnny and June Carter Cash truly loved each other. I love how he was tough as nails yet melted for June. I love how she looked so pretty and dainty but knew how to put Johnny in his place (plus look at her awesome hair!!!). Here's a great YouTube gem: Johnny and June sharing some cute couple banter on The Johnny Cash Show before singing the song "Jackson."

"THE NEW CLASSIC": FASHION/NIGHTLIFE NETWORKING @ OTIS LOUNGE

Fashion is all about networking. It's all about who you know, who knows you, who you have the right to air kiss. It's superficial, I know, but very true.

Nightclub Otis and Goorin (hatmakers that have been in the business for a long time) have put together an evening for you to go out, be seen and fill up your fashion--and nightlife--Rolodex (not to mention dance). It's called "The New Classic," happening every Wednesday at 6pm. Did I mention, for all you starving artists, that this event is free?!?! Here is more info (from this week's flyer):

"Wednesday/ August 27/ THE NEW CLASSIC
Goorin Bros and Otis Lounge present: the NEW classic. This new series is about coming together as a network of related businesses and diverse individuals to stimulate social interaction, business opportunities and ultimately enhance our national and international identity, specifically in terms of fashion and nightlife.

We have brilliant designers, top notch boutiques and the "fabulous people" in search of them... We have the entertainers, musicians, models, photographers, artists and quite a few of the worlds best DJs in our midst including Dojah who will be gracing the turntables this evening. And now we have a night that welcomes all of you to bring a friend and join in the process...

$3 Red Stripe $5 campari drinks all evening

//6pm-LATE// GRATIS"

THIS FRIDAY: PINK + DIOR = "PASSAGE"

The color pink and Christian Dior are two of my favorite things. Put them together and I'm over the moon. The rose-colored wonderland known as the club Pink and Dior are teaming up this Friday, August 29, to bring you "Passage," a night of fashion and music ("une nuit de mode et music"). Models (courtesy of JE Model) will sashay to the designs of Anya, Angel James, and Podoll, while wearing Dior cosmetics, and 'dos by Alcheme salon. Spinning the stylish night away are DJs Franky Boissy, Julius Papp & DJ MFR. Added bonus??? Swag in the form of Dior gift bags!!!

HAVE A HEART: MAKE A SCARF FOR THE SPECIAL OLYMPICS!!!

I found this wonderful opportunity to crochet or knit for a great cause in the "Talking Crochet with Carol Alexander" newsletter. It's the project to make scarves for the athletes, delegates and dignitaries who will be at the 2009 Special Olympics. Their goal is 5,000 scarves (due by January 15), so get knitting and/or crocheting and let's make it happen!!! Here is the official press release, from sponsor Coats and Clark, with all the information.

"RED HEART® SUPER SAVER® A PERFECT MATCH FOR SPECIAL OLYMPICS

Athletes at the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Idaho will be wrapped in a little handmade love, courtesy of knitters and crocheters across the country. Coats & Clark is sponsoring a project to provide each athlete with a scarf created in white and delft blue Red Heart® Super Saver® yarns.

The World Winter Games aim to give a scarf to each athlete, the delegates supporting them and various dignitaries who will be visiting the Games—and they need help to meet that mark. This is where Coats & Clark comes into the picture.

"We're thrilled to sponsor this project. Our goal is to see 5,000 scarves donated. It's a big number, but I'm confident we can do it," says Vicki Blizzard, media relations and special promotions director for Coats & Clark. "Knitters and crocheters are dedicated and generous and are known for rising to this type of challenge."

No special patterns or skills are required to create a scarf. Beginners, schools, scout troops and other local groups are actively encouraged to participate. "Our only rule," says Blizzard, "is that the scarves are knitted or crocheted by hand using delft blue (885) and white (311) Red Heart Super Saver yarn, because these colors perfectly match the Special Olympics logo and were chosen specifically by the World Winter Games organizers."

Coats is providing a knitted pattern and a crochet pattern but any pattern from basic stitches to complicated colorwork and stitch patterns may be used. Personal notes from knitters and crocheters who want to send their best wishes to the athletes are encouraged and should be firmly attached to the scarves, which will be handed out before the Opening Ceremony.

Special Olympic Scarves pattern

Completed scarves must arrive by January 15, 2009, and should be sent to:

2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games Scarf Project

3150 West Main Street

Boise, Idaho 83702

About the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games: The 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games will be held in Idaho, USA, February 7-13, 2009, and will include approximately 3,000 athletes from more than 100 countries and 6,000 volunteers. Competition will take place in seven winter sports – Alpine Skiing, Cross-Country Skiing, Figure Skating, Floor Hockey, Snowboarding, Snowshoeing and Speed Skating. Competition and other activities will take place in communities and venues throughout Idaho."

UGG STORE OPENS IN SF

Now that UGG has opened their store on 437 Sutter St. (on August 15), the only reason you'll have cold feet is because of commitment issues.

THE ALEXTHEARTISTE JAMS OF THE WEEK: MADONNA BIRTHDAY FREE-FOR-ALL: FRIDAY

"GIVE IT 2 ME" (FEAT. PHARRELL)

I couldn't do a whole week of Madonna jams without featuring a new song off of her latest album Hard Candy. "Give it 2 Me," produced by Pharrell, is definitely a dance tune you can get down to (reminds me of Marvin Gaye's "Got to Give it Up"). I'm not sure how I feel about Madonna telling people to "get stupid," but I'll save that for another post.

THE ALEXTHEARTISTE JAMS OF THE WEEK: MADONNA BIRTHDAY FREE-FOR-ALL: THURSDAY

As much as I love Madonna and all her music, I have a certain soft spot for her earlier work. Perhaps it's because then I was a little girl, dancing crazily to her jams and wanting to dress up like her. Maybe it's because of the infectious beats found in 80s music (which I love). Perhaps it's because there's the perfect mix of the raw gritiness of a newbie and the confidence of someone who always knew she was a star. Either way, I've been a fan ever since. Here is one of my favorite Madonna songs, "Burning Up."



BONUS!!! On a previous post called "Madonna: Where it All Began," I had posted the video of her first performance ever, where she sang the song "Everybody." I just came across the video, which is also her very first. Here it is:

THE ALEXTHEARTISTE JAMS OF THE WEEK: MADONNA BIRTHDAY FREE-FOR-ALL: WEDNESDAY

You're not a true pop superstar unless you've ignited a dance craze. Here is "Vogue" in all it's pose-riffic glory. (I love how Madonna shouts out my favorite old Hollywood stars and channels Marie Antoinette--shows that this diva knows her divas.)



AT THE 1990 MTV VIDEO MUSIC AWARDS

THE ALEXTHEARTISTE JAMS OF THE WEEK: MADONNA BIRTHDAY FREE-FOR-ALL: TUESDAY

One of my favorite Madonna videos is "La Isla Bonita"--I remember watching it and wanting to dress up like a Spanish senorita just like she did, loving her entire look--from her hair color to her makeup to her clothing.

MICHAEL "MERMAN" PHELPS TAKES IT ALL

(OK, "Merman" is my nickname for him and it's sticking.) In no big surprise, Michael Phelps won his eighth gold medal in the Beijing Olympics, breaking Mark Spitz's record of most gold medals in a single game and making him arguably the greatest Olympian of all time. That's 14 career gold medals (the most of any athlete ever), 16 medals total and numerous world records broken. And he's only 23. For more information on Phelps' and his amazing career, check out his wikipedia page and his website. Congrats for showing us all what humans (or mermen) are truly capable of.

SEEING DOUBLE: JAYNE MANSFIELD AND ANNA NICOLE SMITH

Two beautiful and glamorous blondes lost way too soon. In this Guess ad, Anna Nicole Smith (pictured with DJ Sky Nellor) recreates the famous photo that depicts a horrified Sophia Loren, stunned by Jayne Mansfield's overt voluptuousness. 

THE ALEXTHEARTISTE JAMS OF THE WEEK: MADONNA BIRTHDAY FREE-FOR-ALL

HAPPY BELATED BDAY, MADONNA!!! Yes, Madge turned 50, on Saturday, and in celebration, I have decided to give you a huge dose of Madonna goodness--a WEEK of Madonna jams. This is the first time I have featured a JAM OF THE WEEK video every day!!!

Here's your Monday Madonna jam, fittingly, "HOLIDAY."
(OMG, I think that's Madonna's tell-all brother dancing next to her!!!)

THE ALEXTHEARTISTE JAM OF THE WEEK: "FASHION"

DAVID BOWIE "FASHION"

With all the fashion events going on in the City and Oakland this Friday, I couldn't help but get one stylish song stuck in my head: "Fashion." David Bowie lived it and sang about it.

SEEING DOUBLE: GIA AND CINDY CRAWFORD

When Cindy Crawford first started modeling, she was dubbed "Baby Gia" due to her striking resemblance to the exotic-looking model Gia Carangi.

FASHION-FILLED FRIDAY

I sometimes find it hard to find a cool fashion event to go to on a Friday, let alone three. Enjoy this fashion-filled Friday (August 15) with a Lady Noir runway show at Apartment 24, an Ed Hardy and Baby Phat bikini show at Suede, and G O O D: A Music and Fashion Community Benefit at Historic Sweet's Ballroom (in Oakland). And seriously, what's a fashion show without the swag (free goodies) ??? The Lady Noir show will have yummy treats and complimentary Snow Queen Vodka drinks until 10:30, and G O O D will also have tasty treats and goodie bags for the first 100 people in attendance. Both of these events will donate a portion of their proceeds to good causes (G O O D 100%), so it promises to be a night of fashion, with some heart.

MICHAEL PHELPS IS A MERMAN.

Dude, Michael Phelps is not human. He's a super fishman or something. It can't be human to swim like that.

See, I have proof right here...

(photographed by Annie Leibovitz for the "Disney Dream Portrait Series")

In all seriousness, congrats on all the gold medals and here's to many more!!!

SEEING DOUBLE: AUBREY O'DAY AND ANAHI

Danity Kane's Aubrey O'Day and RBD's Anahi are two pop starlets that can pass for sisters, if not twins.

THE ALEXTHEARTISTE JAM OF THE WEEK: "PAPER PLANES"

M.I.A. "PAPER PLANES"

This song is so implanted into my brain, it's not even funny. When it pops into my head at work, I start dancing in my chair, remembering the sick beat that drops right after "I fly like paper..." Proof that M.I.A. is always different, always innovative, always badass.

GUESS FINDS INSPIRATION IN AMY WINEHOUSE

Guess seems to have found inspiration in Amy Winehouse's tough-yet-fragile rocker/cutesy girl/60s chanteuse look for their latest ad campaign. The model sports subdued versions of Amy's trademark beehive hair and hair accessories; tiny, tight retro clothes; and even a "tattoo" on her chest. This ties in perfectly with Guess' knack for using retro touches in their advertising.