Author: neethi

One of the classes that I am taking this semester is on literary theory and during yesterday’s session we discussed the concept of taste – who has it, who/what controls it? I found this discussion to be especially pertinent to the discussion of many artistic forms such as fashion.

When I think of fashion icons and arbiters of sartorial taste, I usually remember the scene in Devils Wears Prada where Meryl Streep’s character informs Anne Hathaway’s character of the path of cerulean blue sweaters from the runaway to the discount bin. Centralized media, such as magazines and newspapers, have historically been the only source for fashion legitimization. However, with a burgeoning number of blogs and personal web pages, taste has become (at least in my mind) a far more fluid and open term. For example, one of the fashion blogs that I have recently enjoyed reading is created by a 13 year-old girl (she was 11 when she started it)! Thus, does age affect who is considered to have legitimate taste? Do you think with advent of blogs have a democratizing effect on artistic taste and legitimacy or will our fashion culture forever be in the hands of Anna Wintour types? Here some blogs that I personally look to for examples of good taste:

-         http://www.thestylerookie.com/

-         http://thesartorialist.blogspot.com/

-         http://www.karlascloset.com/

Let me know what you guys think and some of the people/websites that you look to for style inspiration! Have a great rest of the week 🙂

For some people, Facebook is their method of procrastination. For me, it’s YouTube. A few of you may know my love for a good Youtube cover (Gabe Bondoc, anyone?), so I have decided that for this week’s blog I would share with all of you another one of my favorites.

Her name is Meghan Tonjes and she has a truly soulful voice. A Michigan native, Tonjes does both regular covers and clever mash ups. Some good ones include her mash up of Taylor Swift’s Innocent with Kanye West’s Runaway and of Taylor Swift’s Mine with Katy Perry’s Teenage Dream and Ellie Goulding’s Starry Eyed. I also love her weekly Glee sessions where she covers songs featured on that week’s episode of Glee. However, if you are looking for some new stuff to listen to, Tonjes also has a lot of good originals to choose from such as The Weight Of. Part Ingrid Michaelson and part Jewel, Tonjes is definitely one of those artists who can get you through a tough night of studying! Here is a sample clip:

Innocent/Runaway

Hope you guys are enjoying your week so far! Let me know what you think in the comments section below 🙂

Hi, my name is Neethi and I have TSS. What is TSS you ask? Well, it stands for Taylor Swift Syndrome. Unfortunately, with the impending release of her third studio album Speak Now, this condition has worsened and I have taken to my blog to find support during these difficult times.

To be more specific, TSS is officially defined (by my friend Sarina) as the delusion that results from listening to TSwizzle’s music. The symptoms of the syndrome include feeling all warm and fuzzy on the inside and becoming unreasonably optimistic about love and life. As a self-proclaimed pessimist, I find my status as a victim of TSS to be extremely disturbing.

Though I had hoped that my condition would be temporary and that the poor quality of Speak Now would help ease my troubles, it seems that the exact opposite has occurred. If you thought that the songs on Fearless were insanely catchy, then be ready to have Speak Now on repeat. Here is a breakdown of a few of the songs from the album:
– Permanent Marker: Has a Should’ve Said No vibe to it, but this time she’s singing to the dude’s ex instead of being the ex.
– Mine: “You made a rebel of a careless man’s careful daughter” – Perfect.
– Innocent: So-so song about Kanyegate 09. West’s song (Runaway) was better in my opinion.
– Back to December: Allegedly about Tay-Tay’s relationship with Taylor Lautner. Out of all the tracks released thus far, this one leaves a lot to be desired. The verses and the chorus are pretty weak.
– Speak Now (aka My guilty pleasure track): Girl tries to stop boy from getting married. They live happily ever after. Cheesy? I think not.

Clearly, I’ll be counting down the minutes till the album is released on October 25th. Will you? Post your thoughts below 🙂

For my last entry of the year I’ve decided to switch it up. That’s right, no more random music reviews, musings on movies, or token commentaries on university policies.  This blog post is going to be different (it will actually be about art!).  This post is going to be about one of my favorite (lesser known) painters, Thomas Chimes.

Thomas Chimes was one of the most influential artists in the greater Philadelphia area during the 20^th century. Inspired by such artists and literary figures as James Joyce, Matisse, and Vincent van Gogh, Chimes was an integral player in the Abstract Expressionist Movement. Although Chimes is probably most famously known for his portraits of 19^th/20^th poets, writers, and artists, one of his most intriguing works (at least in my opinion) was his series entitled “White Paintings.”

These paintings, fashioned by Chimes later on in his life, are said to be reflections of his own personal traumas (i.e. his separation from his wife). The images depicted are whitewashed to a point where it seems as if you are looking into the depths of human memory through a dense fog. In order to create this effect Chimes applied color pigments onto a white canvas and then wiped away the paint so a faint outline of the intended figure.

Personally, I love this portion of Chimes’ works because it is so completely different from anything else that was being produced at the time. Also, on a more practical note, looking at these images is extremely calming so definitely check them out if you are feeling stressed about finals.

Here is a link with a few sample paintings from the series: http://www.philamuseum.org/exhibitions/2007/107.html?page=3

Hope you guys enjoy Chimes’ stuff and let me know what you think. It’s been really fun sharing my random thoughts with you guys. Good luck with finals and hope everyone has a fantastic summer 🙂

Close your eyes and clear your mind of any rambling thoughts. Now, imagine yourself walking around the campus of your dream college- what do you see?

Hopefully, for many of you images of State Street and the Diag occupy your mind. However, I think most of us can agree that the ideal campus contains classically constructed buildings scattered among an abundance of greenery. And maybe, for the fun of it, we could throw in a lake and a couple of squirrels.

Recently though, certain schools have decided to infuse modern works of art into their collegiate landscapes. For example, sculptural pieces made out of wire and metal have begun to populate Cornell University’s picturesque campus. Cluttered around the school’s stone bridges, these new artistic additions are known as the “Suicide Fences.”

Okay, so they aren’t actually called “Suicide Fences,” but in the wake of recent alleged student suicides, Cornell University has erected fences (and increased security) along bridges that overlook the beautiful gorges that surround campus. Similar actions have been taken by schools like New York University who instead of building fences put screen floors on every level of dormitory stairwells.

As I read about this new development in the Cornell Daily Sun, I was extremely disheartened. Instead of spending time and money on these temporary fences, shouldn’t the university (and other schools) be trying to figure out why these students are committing suicide? Or maybe they should put in the time and effort to find new ways of reaching out to desperate students. No, instead schools like Cornell and NYU have taken to physical construction as an answer to mental and emotional strife. What they don’t realize however is that no amount of metal or security guards can stop someone from committing the act of suicide. If someone wants to jump, believe me, they will jump.

In the 60s it was all about the Brits – the Beatles, Rolling Stones and the Zombies were some of U.K’s finest musical exports that found tremendous success stateside. Now, another crop of talented musicians from the other side of the pond have once again invaded our airwaves. Here is a brief overview of the artists that are leading the British offensive:

1. V V Brown: Those of you who read Perez Hilton religiously (like me) might have heard about this Northampton native a few months ago. Recently featured in the SXSW festival, Brown promises to definitely be a top charter soon enough. Part Estelle and part Amy Winehouse (the part that isn’t a crazy crack addict…), VV has a style and soul that is very retro (think Dita Von Teese, but less sass and more class). To get your feet wet, be sure to check out “Shark in the Water” and “Game Over.”
2. Tinchy Styder: The best way I can describe this rapper from East London is that he is the British version of Akon. Though his rhymes (yes, I said rhymes!) might not be as intellectual as Lupe Fiasco, he is pure pop/hip-hop perfection. I dare you guys to listen to his collaboration with Amelle Berrabah (“Never Leave You”) and not get it stuck in your heads! Most of his music has definite traces of dance music (ex. “Number 1” with N-Dubz) in it, so be sure to keep this guy in mind when you are doing those all nighters near finals time.
3. Cheryl Cole: Though one-fifth of the mega girl group Girls Aloud, Cheryl Cole has unfortunately made international headlines recently for her husband’s extramarital activities. However, regardless of her husband’s affinity for the Tiger Woods’ way of life, Cole is set to put out her first solo album sometime this year. Like Justin Timberlake and Beyonce, Cole is the first from Girls Aloud to go solo, and judging from her first single “Fight For this Love,” she will definitely be successful. Most of the album is produced by Will.I.Am/ Taio Cruz and has a pop and hip-hop vibe. For a first time listener I would definitely recommend listening to “Parachute” or “Boys.”
4. Taio Cruz: Most of you have heard Cruz’s collaboration with Ludacris (“Break Your Heart”), but he has a ton of other musical gems worth listening to. My personal favorite has to be his collaboration with Sugababes (think Destiny’s Child combined with the Spice Girls) and Busta Rhymes on the track “Like a Star.” Like Pharell and Ne-Yo, Taio Cruz is a singer-songwriter/rapper/producer and has worked with artists like Cheryl Cole, Justin Timberlake, and Britney Spears. A lot of his own tracks have a heavy bass line that is perfect for the clubs (ex. “Come on Girl”). So, when you are in need of taking a dance break from your life, be sure to put on a Taio Cruz track and proceed to shake your groove thang!

This list is by no means a definitive collection of the newest and best in British pop/hip-hop, but I hope that it piques your interest. Happy listening and let me know what you think in the comments section below 🙂