Prom, graduation,...what the fuck is next!?

Finally out of high school! I am so relieved I am finally out after four very long but memorable years. As happy as it may seem, It has not quite hit me yet that this is it, and my life is yet to begin. This quite frankly, freaks me the fuck out! I want to experience something big to symbolize the commencement of summer. I just hope it happens soon, I don't want this lasts after high school to go bye in a breeze. I want to do everything possible to make it the best so far! This is my last summer as an irresponsible adolescent, why not go crazy and enjoy it with my closest friends. There are so many things I want to do...I should start making a list! If you happen to have any ideas don't hesitate to pitch in. :)

Love always,

Juan-Carlos Ortega

25 Ways to Rediscover Europe: GQ.com

Once upon a time, there was a magical land, far across the ocean, where Americans—especially young Americans—could go to get lost.

When you traveled to this place, you had to pack everything you might need—especially such niceties as antiperspirant. You would carry all your money in the form of things called traveler’s checks. Phoning home was expensive; mail would take weeks. Knowing how to read a map was essential to navigation.

This place was called Europe, and it wasn’t that long ago that to be there was to be dangerously, thrillingly abroad. At least it felt that way if you encountered the place the way so many Americans did: with a backpack on your back and a Eurail pass in your pocket. It’s hard to think of another bourgeois rite of passage more valuable and unimpeachable than the modern American student’s grand tour.

Since then, let’s face it, both you and Europe have changed. You got an ATM card; they switched to the euro. They got Wi-Fi; you figured out Skype. You got a cappuccino machine; they discovered Starbucks. Your relationship has become like an older married couple’s: safe, smooth, comfortable, but lacking the charge of your early fumbling, passionate encounters.

Until now. Because GQ wants you to know that those days are not over. By following our simple (and cheap) guidelines, the passion can be rekindled, the magical land reclaimed. And the best news of all? You don’t even have to carry a backpack.—BRETT MARTIN






25 Ways to Rediscover Europe Travel Features: GQ.com

Swoon; Penn Badgely.

"OK, so we're not really best friends, but it looks like "Lonely Boy" Dan Humpfrey is actually more of a Soul Man. Between acts I got a chance to catch up with Gossip Girl star Penn Badgley. The Baltimore native told me that his first love was playing the piano and singing. I don't know if I can handle watching Humpfrey croon, but just so you all can understand how exquisite his musical taste is, here are some excerpts from two recent emails I received from him:
Naeem—

Shit, I was so surprised you knew who I was. I'm still always a little surprised if anyone other than a 20-year-old girl recognizes me.

My favorite musicians:
1. D'Angelo and the whole Soulquarians collective of that time, 1997–2001. I'm pretty sure Anthony Hamilton was singing in D's live band, the Soultronics. Erykah Badu, the Roots (other than Things Fall Apart, I'd rather see them live than listen to an album, as much as I love them all as musicians).

2. Also, a couple of musicians who played with D'Angleo in the studio & live who I've since explored and found as completely separate entities: Pino Palladino, Roy Hargrove, Charlie Hunter (that 8-string guitarist I was telling you about, gotta see him live to believe it).

3. I loved all the soulful hip hop going on then, with Mos, Talib Kweli & Hi-tek, Common. Really, 1999 and 2000 were it as far as I'm concerned. You had Train of Thought, Like Water for Chocolate, Black on Both Sides, Mama's Gun, and The big bad Voodoo. I was absorbing those albums all throughout my teenage years, and I'm still finding things in them.

4. Owusu & Hannibal! One of my favorites, perfect example of where Soul/R&B can go, where it should be taken. Not all this Akon shit. If you're going to use computers in soul music these guys know how to do it. The album is "Living With..."

5. Andrew Bird! This guy blew me away at Carnegie Hall, just this February. You must put this in there, he's doing something amazing. When he plays solo and loops his own violin playing, it is intriguing, intense, emotional and beautiful and tense and sexy and I could watch it for hours. I think he needs to capture more of that energy in his records, because he's doing himself an injustice... and his records are already great.

6. I love Prince, but that's probably not a surprise.

7. You really do have to include Electric Ladyland. Hendrix is like the Beatles in the sense that a lot of his music, if you gave it to some neo-hipsters with a shiny new Brooklyn-indie package, people would be flipping out like they'd never heard it before.

8. Jamie Lidell's great. Sorta retro-soul pop. Great live show. love Lykke Li right now, she is right up my alley.

9. I'm finally warming up to Animal Collective, I really like their vocal harmonies & layering.

10. Oh, Bjork. "Medulla" just kills me. I got the half-speed vinyl remaster. Wow.

There's so much! If you put all this in a blog it would put people to sleep. You have my blessing to put any & all of it in there, though, this email included. I'm headed to Thailand tomorrow, but if I think of anything else between now and then I'll send it your way..."
Interview by Spank Rock (Interview MAGAZINE)
Photos by Terry Richardson

Cinema; Metropolis by Fritz Lang.

I am so excited for the re-release of the 1927 sci-fi classic, Metropolis. In celebration of the film's 75th Anniversary, Fritz Lang's science fiction masterpiece has been digitally reconstructed to its most complete version ever-over a third longer than the previous "Moroder" version. Possibly the most famous and influential of all silent films, this restoration by the Munich Film Archive brings us as close to the original release print as possible, and features the original score by Gottfried Huppertz (performed by a 60-piece orchestra) and newly translated subtitles. The movie will be featured at the Kensington Cinema in San Diego, from June 4th to June 11th.

sweet disposition

Sweet Disposition by The Temper Trap

What's this hype about look book; Rachel S.

Be sure to check out the lovely 17 year old dreamer from Canada, Rachel S. She has quickly become one of my favorite femmes on look book. Her lovely bohemian look & sophisticated couture is worth checking out!

Picture this and that!

Here are some of the pictures featured on my Flickr. Feel free to check them out.

"People need to be made more aware of the need to work at learning how to live because life is so quick and sometimes it goes away too quickly. "
-Andy Warhol

Style Icon; Lydia Hearst.

American actress, fashion model, columnist, socialite and heiress to the publishing fortune established by her maternal great-grandfather William Randolph Hearst. The 2007 Michael Awards recognized her as their Model of the Year. Lydia was also given the award of the Best International Supermodel in Madrid on the 12th of November 2008.