the comeback

I think there's some old saying that rap is a young man's game. Well, Q-Tip is pushing forty and his latest album is much more interesting than whatever rapper du jour is using Auto-Tune and making the top of the charts. After his incredible solo debut, the booty-shaking about face party album, "Amplified", Q-Tip attempted a more daring direction for his next album, the unreleased "Kamaal the Abstract." Lengthy and comparatively experimental (this was when Nelly and Chingy were having their moment), it appeared as though Q-Tip would hang up the mic after such a deterrence or finally achieve the balance between something relevant and the soulful hip-hop he helped create in the late 80s/early 90s. His new album, "The Renaissance" should satisfy old fans as well as entice new ones who without him there would be no Kanye West, Andre 3000, or Common. Listen below for some of the album's highlights:

giada can no wrong

This was my first Thanksgiving away from my family. Don't fret readers, I spent it with a gaggle of friends, a roommate, and perfect strangers. Each guest at the dinner was asked to bring something. You can't count on me for a casserole, but I will provide a drink everyone will enjoy. Once again, I've stolen from the culinary resources of Giada DeLaurentiis. The cocktail I made was light and refreshing, seasonal, and was consumed rather quickly (I assume it was a hit). It's a twist on a Bellini, and will give spiked eggnog a run for its money throughout the holiday season (at least for me).

Cranberry Lime Bellini
1 Cup Cranberry Juice
1 Bottle of Champagne or Prosecco
1 Lime

In a large pitcher pour the cranberry juice and top with the champagne. Halve the lime and squeeze the juice into pitcher. Stir and garnish with a lime wheel or twist.

want: the one we all strive to be

Steve McQueen
photographs by William Claxton
$19.99“One time when I was with him, he drove a brand new Ford convertible, with only thirty miles on the speedometer, at top speed for such a long stretch of the Texas highway that the engine began to smoke and eventually caught on fire. He slowed down and shouted to me, “Clax, when I tell you to jump, jump!” We did jump out of the car just as it burst into flames. Steve sat on the side of the country road at a safe distance from the burning vehicle and laughed his head off.”—William Claxton

Who needs Black Friday when you can window shop online?

nine to five

I don't know if it's a conflict of interest to ramble on about the particulars about what is I'm doing to advance myself career-wise in this city, but I guess I can say I intern for a company in which fashion and public relations are cozy bed partners. I'm learning a ton about about how both industries operate, but more importantly it leads me down the strangest paths sometimes. Somehow I found myself in Mario Sorrenti's photo studio this morning picking up a package. Which Mario Sorrenti, you say?

Kate Moss and Mario Sorrenti
photographed by Mario Sorrenti
Purple, Fall/Winter 08/09
Yes, it would be that Mario Sorrenti. Unfortunately, I did not see Mr. Sorrenti or Ms. Moss, but I did manage to get an eyeful. I could swear up and down I saw Malgosia Bela in repose in front of the makeup mirror. You know I feel about Malgosia. I was only there for a brief spell, so I couldn't glean much in terms what they were shooting for, but I did manage to catch a glimpse at the racks of Spring/Summer 09 pieces that instantly come alive in person. The murderous Prada heels? They were there. The furry Chanel heels? Yeah, those too. The Rodarte leather tights? Uh, huh. The Yves Saint Laurent cage coat? That was the last thing I was able to see before I felt the collective photo and fashion assistant's eyes escort me to the door. If only they knew my gawking was pure admiration. Oh well, maybe next time.

a slowed down actress

ARNAUD DESPLECHIN: Right, I am going to start a silly game with you. It’s a quiz. But I don’t want to bother you…
CATHERINE DENEUVE: No, go on!
Picasso or Matisse?
I would say Picasso.
Rolling Stones or Beatles?
Rolling Stones.
Town or country?
Town, but I like the country nonetheless.
Renoir or Bresson?
How cruel to be asking me this! I am going to say Bresson… No… Oh, Renoir, when I was younger! Now, I would probably say Bresson, I think.
Studio or location? I was very surprised to read that you like shooting in studios.
I do prefer natural landscapes. But on some films, the natural landscapes are so narrow, the noise is so loud, the presence of the crew is so strong, that it’s very hard to find intimacy.
Flaubert or Stendhal?
Stendhal.
Pollock or Warhol?
Pollock.
Beethoven or Mozart?
Oh dear… You see, I could draw a line down the middle and say: that’s my night, that’s my day… I will say Mozart because I want to stop crying.
Shakespeare or Molière?
Well, Shakespeare, yes.
That question was too easy. Shakespeare or Strindberg?
That’s a hard one! I will still say Shakespeare.
Too easy. Strindberg or Chekhov? Now I’m being a bastard.
Oh, I love both their worlds so much! I can’t choose.
I have a solution: Nicolas Ray or Téchiné?
[laughing, she chants]: Téchiné! Téchiné!

"How Does My Queen?", interview By Arnaud Desplechin
Film Comment, November/December 2008

For the uncut interview click here.

want: she's got legs

Patrick McMullan Studio 54 Shower Curtain
$32
I didn't think twice about the importance of a shower curtain until I had my own apartment this year. My first shower curtain was a basic clear curtain in the vein of the one from "Psycho." There's something really sexy about seeing someone in the shower, but the plastic blurring out all the bits and details of what's behind the curtain. That might be sick truth to admit, but it's a fact. My second curtain was a map of the world. I loved that curtain because not only did it function as a shower curtain but it was an educational tool as well. So many people would come up to me at parties and thank me because they finally found where Botswana or Easter Island is on the map. I found this curtain the other day on Urban Outfitters website and I need it. It features my two favorite things: women in heels and black and white arty paparazzi shots. Having this curtain would definitely add something to look at while using the bathroom instead of the towel rack or the rubber duckie soap dispenser.

ready made

Why is it that Italian cuisine is almost better as a leftover? I made a generous amount of pasta the other night and I turned into a ravenous beast when I reheated it for dinner last night. This is the most simple recipe and even those who feel like they can't even boil water correctly will find that not only does this taste really damn good, but it's unbelievably quick and easy. I initially saw this on Everyday Italian, but I added the shrimp to it (Doesn't everything taste better with some form of protein in it?) and I used the spinach and chive linguine to add extra flavor, so feel free to play and add whatever you like to this super simple recipe.

Quick Shrimp and Linguine
Sea Salt
1 pound linguine (I got the spinach chive linguine at Trader Joe's)
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter, room temperature
1 1/4 cups very finely grated Pecorino Romano Cheese
1 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
1 cup coarsely chopped arugula
2 tablespoons minced garlic
1/2 tablespoon thyme leaves
24 deveined, tail on shrimp

For the pasta:
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the linguine and cook until tender, stirring frequently, about 8 minutes. Drain, reserving 1 cup of the cooking liquid.

For the shrimp:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. On a large pan cover with aluminum foil and place shrimp evenly on the pan. Drizzle olive oil, sprinkle salt, pepper, garlic, and thyme leaves to coat the shrimp. Place in the oven for about 5-8 minutes. You don't want the shrimp to dry out, but the timing depends on your oven and how well done you like your shrimp.

When the water and shrimp are done, toss the hot pasta in a large bowl with the butter. Add the grated cheese, the pepper, and shrimp. The water, butter, and cheese make an excellent, surprisingly light sauce. Add the arugula (it wilts easily so wait to do this right before you serve) and toss to combine. Season the pasta, to taste, with salt. It tastes like an alfredo without the heavy creaminess of alfredo. I promise. Shit. Is. Good. Feeds 4-6 and make double to have plenty of leftovers to be enjoyed over the next few meals.

first look: the wrestler

"The Wrestler"
directed by Darren Aronofsky
December 31, 2008 (limited)

Mickey Rourke's face looks AWFUL, but this looks like the movie that will redeem Aronofsky after that pretentious vanity project that was "The Fountain."

first look: where the wild things are

"Where the Wild Things Are"
directed by Spike Jonze
October 2009

"Spike Jonze: Yeah, I think this one I just wanted to... from the beginning, I wanted it to feel a certain way. I wanted it to feel “real,” or not-real because it’s not “real,” I wanted it to feel like... like when I was a kid, and I would play with my Star Wars action figures, or read Maurice’s books and imagine me being Mickey in IN THE NIGHT KITCHEN, or whatever it was... it felt like it was everything, you know? It’s like your imagination is so convincing to yourself that... you’re there, you’re in it. And I wanted this movie to take it as seriously as kids take their imagination and not, like, fantasy it up. So I think it just started from that feeling, that it could feel like you were there with them, like Max was there with them, and not just in some fantasy movie."--Aint It Cool News

Check out the lengthy interview with Spike Jonze at Aint It Cool News on what looks like it could be a complete mess or a burst of pure genius.

want: cartier tank française watch

Carter Tank Française Watch
$4,500
*Want: Holiday edition returns. Stay tuned for more gifts I'm craving this holiday season.
I used to wear a watch religiously. The leather band on my Kenneth Cole watch I owned since high school broke after I came back from Italy in 2006 and the battery died in the other Kenneth Cole watch I used to wear. I haven't bothered for whatever reason to replace or repair either. I miss wearing a watch. It's a classic, simple accessory for a man and I really loved both of those watches. When I grow up, I want the Cartier Tank Française watch. It's been the model for every watch I've ever owned and makes a great statement--well designed, durable, and timeless. I know everybody is strapped for cash these days, but Santa, Mom, Dad, whomever, can I wake up Christmas morning with this in my stocking? Pretty please?