The Aristobrat

I wrote a piece on Gaga almost a year ago, I began delving into her music during the summer of 2008. While I was choreographing my own little moves to the techno remixed version of “Just Dance” America was just warming up to the album version. OLD NEWS.

Which is why I of course had to listen to her entire Fame Monster before it was released (November 23rd) and do a thorough review. The verdict? I have chills. I’ve been listening to “Alejandro” over and over again.


Disc 1

1. We all know and love “Bad Romance” - love the video, pure artistry. Unparalleled.

2. The first thing that came to mind when listening to “Alejandro” was “Spicy.” This song came to me at a perfect time when I was extricating a man from my life and the lyrics that really spoke to me were “Don’t call my name, I’m not your babe.” She’s fascinating.

3. "Monster" I can’t put my finger on it but she samples a beat from somewhere, this is a song that is going to be sung by every girl across the country while dancing “That boy is a monsterrrrr, he ate my heart”

4. So Happy I Could Die..Is it the modern version of “I Touch Myself?” That would do it no justice. I can easily see it remixed into a club anthem of 2010. “I am as vain as I allow…”

5. Speechless reminds me of some older rock (which Gaga has admitted in interviews she gets a lot of her inspiration from). I’m sure all of us have been “left speechless” by a boy before countless times. “Raise a glass to all the mending broken hearts of all my friends…I‘ll never love again” its amazing how she can write lyrics that seem to apply to all our lives yet the visual displays in her videos are otherworldly. The most amazing contrast no?

6. "Dance In The Dark" - I was highly anticipating this track just because the title seems so epic. “Silicone, Saline, Poison (botox) inject me…baby I’m a free b!tch…some girls won’t dance to the beat of the track..” I love love love this song! It has 80s electronica, vampire mentions (haha) and once again..I got chills of excitement to add this to my workout play list.

7. Telephone: I can’t say the collaboration with Beyonce surprised me. Even Queen B knows a good thing when it comes along, and you know she wants a piece of the Gaga pie.

"When I was doing the video with her, she called me and she said, 'What do you want to do?" And I'm like, 'I don't want to show up in some frickin' hair bow and be Fashion Gaga in your video.' I said, 'I want to do you.' I want to do my version of  Beyonce. So the whole time I was learning the choreography they were calling me Gee-yonce."

8. Teeth:  “Don’t be scared, I’ve done this before…show me your teeth…” When you hear what’s next it will make you fall in love with her even more. “Take a bite of my bad girl meat..” Where does she get these lyrics…I love this, it has almost a western feeling to it, but I swear she shows a lil bit of soul, I’m saying southern belle gospel soul (this coming from the daughter of a Georgian Baptist Belle).



Disc 2

1. "Just Dance" featuring Colby O'Donis
2. "LoveGame"
3. "Paparazzi"
4. "Poker Face"
5. "Eh, Eh (Nothing Else I Can Say)"
6. "Beautiful, Dirty, Rich"
7. "The Fame"
8. "Money Honey"
9. "Starstruck" featuring Space Cowboy and Flo Rida
10. "Boys Boys Boys"
11. "Paper Gangsta"
12. "Brown Eyes"
13. "I Like It Rough"
14. "Summerboy"
15. "Disco Heaven" (international bonus track) - I’ve been listening to this for quite some time as have most of you.
16. "Again Again" (U.K. bonus track)  - Ballad-y with a bit of a punch.
17. "Retro, Dance, Freak" (Japanese bonus track) - love it, it brings the most modern twist on disco I’ve ever heard.
 

"On my re-release The Fame Monster, I wrote about everything I didn't write on The Fame," Lady GaGa told MTV about the record. "While traveling the world for two years, I've encountered several monsters, each represented by a different song on the new record: my 'Fear of Sex Monster', my 'Fear of Alcohol Monster', my 'Fear of Love Monster', my 'Fear of Death Monster', my 'Fear of Loneliness Monster', etc."

Gaga’s latest tweet:
 @ladygaga: Seems as though my twitter was hacked yesterday. I could be angry, except I secretly love how psychotically smart my fans are.

Gaga is so young, so talented and still so humble after 4 of her singles on her very first album shot to number one:
 @ladygaga: Listening to bad romance on Z100 cruisin around the city. Lots of tears and shameless vogueing, feels like the first time I heard just dance 8:27 PM Oct 27th from TwitterBerry

I love a great vest... during summer I even had a version in a cover up for the beach. I wear them open, with one button done, or belted for a more polished look.


Now that the weather is getting colder, the traditional down or shearling vest just won’t do it for me. Faux fur will be included as well as a bit of leather and of course countless cashmere pieces.


Here are a few of my favorite looks ranging from the everyday casual to transitional pieces that are night-out worthy.







Anyone who knows me and my style especially during the winter is painfully aware of my Vince sweater obsession.

To be honest I’m wearing a gorgeous sage-colored one right now. How do you style your vests?

Until next time xo.

Lance Armstrong I am not. However, I do long to be the fashionable girl with effortless style, gliding down the street on my retro-chic bicycle. Perfectly tousled long locks flowing behind me and not a care etching my face. Its funny that no helmet ever appears in this daydream. My Tano Biker Babe Hobo or Tory Burch Amanda Bag  fills the basket in front of me while my Frye boots rest securely but lightly on both pedals.


Back to reality, I've decided I want a bike (how typical of me to decide this right before winter begins).  No mountain bike for me. I prefer a classic style, in a fun, flirty color. My favorite bike thus far in my quest is the Electrabike Original 7D Townie in Hot Pink Pearl which is very similar to the one Sarah Michelle Gellar is pictured with above.


I do wish Boston had a bike share similar to the one in Paris. Everything seems better in Paris. Luckily Newton has a bike lane in a lot of the streets, providing a fairly safe refuge for biking belles.
                            

              http://changeyourliferideabike.blogspot.com/         http://ridingpretty.blogspot.com/

                                    

Its that time of the year.. when everyone is focused on giving (and receiving) - not on what is needed but on things we want. I usually begin to feel guilty around November, thinking about how lucky I am, how much I have to be thankful for. Every year I vow to involve myself in my areas philanthropic scene.

This year I have finally become proactive and have sought out the right organization for me. During my search for the perfect non-profit, I came up with a small guide on selecting the perfect one for your strengths.



Choosing Your Charity:

1.  How would you like to donate: Time? Monetary? Everyday items? Decide how you would like to donate before doing your search, though this may change as you see the innumerable ways in which you can give.
   
2. Choose something that hits home: Whether you're fashion oriented and would love to gather gently-used prom dresses for a foundation that provides prom-wear for those unable to purchase them or you have a passion for the environment, research various resources such as those below to find the perfect fit for you. The more passionate you are about the cause, the more it will mean to you. A few places to aid you in that choice:
   

             The Chronicle of Philanthropy         Eventful          Volunteering 101       Volunteer Match

1. Donate extra clothes to your local Salvation Army or Religious organization.
   
2. Pick up a tag on your community/church/religious affiliation Giving Tree. My Church hosts one each year for children who otherwise would not get the little gifts we all took for granted as children. Last year my little receiver asked for socks, Axe and a few video games. So simple, so easy to pickup at CVS, gamestop and TJ Maxx.
   
3. Give blood. The Red Cross also provides more than one way to help if you're unable to.
   
4. Donate the rusty-hoopty that would otherwise collect dust in your driveway.
5. Depending on your area, giving is as simple as shopping!
6. Participate in community food drives and food banks.
   
7. Donate through payroll. Elect to have a small amount deducted from each paycheck to the charity of your choice. Most charity websites have instructions on how to set that up.
8. Serve or Deliver Holiday meals to those in need.
9. Boxtops is a simple way to raise money for education by doing a little collecting and cutting.
10. Vow to visit a Click-To-Donate Website everyday such as Free Rice or The Hunger Site
    

This year, it is more important than ever to take a moment and remember how lucky we are, then pass on some of what we have to those that may not be as fortunate. Remember to give.

Gazar - A silky but stiff material that resembles organza only with a slightly more loose weave. The fabric was developed and popularized by Balenciaga.

Etymology: Spain, though most likely from Arabic's qazz/gauze.


"Model Hilary Rhoda is wearing a Dior by Galliano silk Gazar gown, Lanvin pumps and leather gloves by LaCrasia."

As the numbers on the thermometer continue to dip, we find ourselves doing more than just the beloved act of layering, but exchanging our wardrobes altogether. Though we may have a few of our tried and true winter staples tucked away in storage, every fashionista needs to add key pieces to update her look.

I had a fair amount of my "Winter Wants" picked out by the end of September, most inspired from Topshop, Neimans and Shopbop.

The most important and functional piece on your list should be at least one pair of OTK's. Over-The-Knee boots are making an even larger comeback this year. We all know who has been rocking them all fall, we've seen the perforated ones on countless celebs, but its time to graduate to a much warmer version for those of us living in an area with actual seasons.