Most Popular Songs on My iPod

If you asked me to name my favorite music, I'd name lots of classical & jazz songs, plus several "indie rock" bands like Spoon, The Shins and Arctic Monkeys. But is that what I REALLY listen to?

Apparently not. The list of songs I listen to most on iTunes tells a different story.

"Vienna" by Billy Joel (50 plays)
Ah, how can you not secretly (or publicly) love Billy Joel? "The Longest Time", "Uptown Girl" and "She's Got a Way" are my real favorites, but since I'm not currently in a committed relationship, "Vienna" works better for me. As an occasional perfectionist, this song remembers me to chill out.

"Rehab" by Amy Winehouse (52 plays)
I looooove Amy, but like Billy Joel's "Vienna", this isn't at all her best. But definitely the most catchy.

"Black Cadillacs" by Modest Mouse (58 plays)
OK, so this one fits my typical M.O. for music. But it still perplexes me as to why I appreciate this song so much. (I promise that it's not because they say "f***" a lot.) Mostly likely because it has a few really good lyrics:
I didn't die and I ain't complaining, I ain't blaming you
I didn't know that the words you said to me
Meant more to me than they ever could you
I didn't lie and I ain't saying I told the whole truth
I didn't know that this game we were playing
Even had a set of rules

"Flavor of the Weak" by American Hi-Fi (62 plays)
Ah, this one brings me back to my summer camp days. This song had just come out and we'd blast it in our cabin. I was eleven or so years old and my hair was so sunbleached it was white. I had poofy bangs and a crooked ponytail.

"Happy Together" by The Turtles (64 plays)
I know, this song has become cheesy, being overused in television commercials and movies. But that little build-up in the intro followed by such pure, joyous song? It's as irresistible as baby kitties. Watch the video!

"Banana Pancakes" by Jack Johnson (85 plays)
Jack Johnson is mostly just good music to study with or fall asleep to, so I probably just stuck one of his albums on repeat while engaging in one of these activities.

Other popular songs on my iTunes include "Something" by The Beatles, "Where Do You Go To My Lovely" by Peter Sarstedt, "Harder to Breathe" by Maroon 5 (yes, it's pathetic) and "...Baby One More Time" by Britney Spears (yes, even more pathetic). Are there any embarrassing songs you listen to a bit too much?

Web Favorites #1

RSS feeds are a great way to stay updated on your favorite websites. If you aren't familiar with the concept, it's basically having one website that keeps track of your favorite websites, letting you know when these websites update their content. I use Google Reader. Please add me to your feed; here are some of the websites I have on mine.

Childhood Flames
Camille is really cute, especially if you're into a really minimalist aesthetic.

Fifi Lapin
A bunny dolled up in the chicest fashions? Even more adorable than it sounds.

Karl Lagerfield's Guide to Life
Hilarious, but you might tire of it quickly unless you're really fashion-obsessed. I'd like to see more funny fake celebrity blogs on the web.

Stuff White People Like
A usually funny commentary on white, middle-class America.

Cheap & Chic #1

Can you believe that this absolutely adorable dress is only TWENTY SIX DOLLARS? No joke, kids. (It's not even on sale!) It comes in other colours and is from the amazing Twelve by Twelve line from Forever 21.

The only Olympic-related thing I've watched so far was a bit of a women's volleyball game. Hopefully this does not make me terribly un-American. I love the Olympics, but there have just been better things to do...going on dates, exploring Chicago's suburbs and eating too much cheesecake, for example.

First date fashion

First dates can be the most exciting/intimidating/weird experiences ever. And what you wear can make a big difference!

I had a date last night, and two separate guys asked me for my number on my way to meet my date. Red heels can work wonders!

Any fashion advice for dates? Any bad first date stories?

I miss you, Anna!

Anyone else watch that teenage soap opera "The O.C." a few years back? I never got past the first season, probably because they dropped my favorite character, Anna (Samaire Armstrong).

Not only did she have good taste in artists (the overrated but still AMAZING Warhol), but she also rocked the short blonde hair. Holla! Tomorrow I'm getting my hair cut, hallelujah. It's been way longer than 6-8 weeks. I currently looked like a drugged-out Kurt Cobain or greasy-haired Paris Hilton. Thinking of getting the Anna-style hair below, but I might keep with my current trend of getting it super-short in back and longer in the front. Think Victoria Beckham (without the fake boobs and sexy husband).

Boyish hair, womanly attitude

Usually television isn’t much of a muse for me. All of those images of CoverGirl mascara and McDreamy are pretty brain-numbing. You especially wouldn’t expect me to find inspiration from one of VH1’s countdown shows, but earlier this week I did. One of the “Best 90’s Songs” featured a video of Sinead O’Connor and her hair (or lack of). It made me want to shave my head. While bald can be scary (Britney), it can also be dangerously sexy (Nat in “V for Vendetta”).

OK, so I would never have the guts. But it did remind me of how much I’m looking forward to getting my hair cut nice and short next week. Something can be so feminine about short hair, as it really brings the focus on your features and curves; you have to be flawless to pull it off. I’m a conformist in loving the boyish blonde crop of Agyness Dean.

There is this whole rumor, though, that guys don’t dig the pixie do’s. I think it’s just like a lot of other things- a matter of preference. Some guys like curvy girls; some like waifs. I’ve had plenty of guys in love with my hair. There are guys who’ve told me I would be even cuter if I grew it out, but when I refuse they don’t seem to mind much. As a blonde, no matter what I do strangers come up to me and touch my hair. When it’s more cropped, I feel like it has more of a style- I feel glam even in a t-shirt. My hair is just so straight that it takes to short styles well; once it gets long it looks completely flat.

How do you feel about short hair? I think more gals should do it- didn’t Halle Berry look so much better when she had the pixie?

Trend: Cutout Shoes

Cutout shoes are the definition of sexy footwear, combining structuralism with foot cleavage. These Yves Saint Laurent Folies Sandals are flying off the shelves at Saks for good reason. As a journalism student I can't quite cough up $895.00, but with shoes as great as these I don't know that a cheap version can be found.