HOSTAGE : Blog

The iPad is out and I have one. An interesting section I stumbled upon (not at the free StumbleUpon app) is sex. Sex, in all its sexiness, is important to a relationship. Perhaps that is why there are so many free apps covering sex. Keep in mind these apps are for adults. Children 17 and under should read another HOSTAGE blog.

365 Sex Positions – The Eden Compass – A favorite of mine, gives you the challenge of not only mixing it up, but making time for everyday loving.

2 For Couples – My second favorite opens up a relationship-only magazine for the iPad. Not only is the movement and navigation trendy, but the content for couples is always refreshing. I’ll quit gushing and let you see for yourself.

Cover image for app 1001+ Sex Facts. This is one of my favorite free sex and relationship apps for the iPad. (HOSTAGE Photo/Apple)

Sex Facts or 1001+ Sex Facts – Interesting, amusing, and freaky facts. Be aware they aren’t always positive.

Sex Strip – Game played with your partner where you shake the iPad/iPhone and it changes the random cue. Every time you shake though an add pops up and you must touch to start. Kills the mood a bit, but keeps the app free.

So your man’s taste in fashion is a little off and you’ve decided it’s time for a change. Here are some tips to make it happen.

Make The Day About Him – For whatever reason, your man has suggested an outing to a mall or some shopping center with men’s retail close by. Don’t alert him to this. Agree and get ready to go, even if you just got back from the mall five minutes ago.

Say Nothing About His Attire – Let him go out in anything. Anything he wants. I know it’s hard.

Go Where He Wants First – He may ask you where you want to go. Be stealth and suggest a place he likes, like GameStop to check the latest Madden prices. Then, make your way towards desired clothing store. Once there, go to the men’s section and watch him look around. Don’t wear him out by looking at the latest cute winter jackets.

Try On Something – In the middle of his browsing, find no more than three articles of clothing you’d like him to try on. When you ask, put on your best puppy-dog eyes.

Compliment and Thank – Men desire compliments. Say nothing about price, say nothing negative, and thank him every time he tries something on.

Leave – When you find something you like on him, gush about it and then leave. Don’t buy it. Don’t ask him to buy it. Before you leave, he will say something. Take that as your cue. If he doesn’t want to purchase it, buy it as a present.

These tips make the shopping experience more pleasant for him and more open to a shift in wardrobe. Before you know it, you’ll be replacing those high school t-shirts with handsome business-casual.

The opening scene to Cee Lo Green's new music video "F**k You," September 1, 2010. The video is quickly becoming the latest popular angry break-up song. (HOSTAGE Photo/We Are Pop Slags)

With Cee Lo Green’s new break-up song rapidly gaining popularity, I thought I’d list my favorite pick-me-up/put-you-down pop songs.

6. Maroon 5 – Makes Me Wonder

5. Destiny’s Child – Survivor

4. Carrie Underwood – Before He Cheats

3. Beyonce – Irreplaceable

2. Justin Timberlake – Cry Me A River

And, of course, the song that sparked several viral videos and became an anthem for single women:

1. Beyonce – Single Ladies

To view the videos without ads, simply refresh the page. What’s your favorite angry break-up song?

So, it feels almost…disrespectful to bring light on fashion on a movie as serious and poignant as Precious. Buuuut, I just can’t keep it quiet anymore. There were plenty of unlikely sartorial gems in the movie, Paula Patton’s wardrobe being the highlight.

Ok, let’s just get it out of the way. Paula Patton is gorgeous with a capital G, so it’s no surprise that her role as determined teacher Ms. Rain was beyond beautiful, both in spirit and in looks.

She mastered 80s workwear like no other, wearing monochromatic looks and slightly slouchy, high-waisted pants like a pro. I really have no more to say on the subject. Can we all just stop and stare at her for a moment?

Okay, so I love heels. Even though when I wear my favorites, I feel like an absolute giant, towering over almost everyone. (High ones that make my legs look super long and lean are the very best…) But I definitely don’t like how my feet absolutely kill after an eight hour day in 4 inch peep toes, like last Wednesday. (They did look cute for my meeting, though, and that was the important thing).

On that day, by the time I made it to my car after walking about five miles, my feet were bleeding and I took my shoes off so I could drive home. (Probably not the safest idea in the world…)

 I’ve tried using the simple gel form inserts you can purchase at any regular store—but they never seem to help. Mostly, I end up affixing so many Band-Aids to the backs of my heels, that by the time I get home in the evening, I have a good collection of them going.

After going so long with the pain that goes along with heels, I think at last I may have found a suitable solution: Fit in Clouds. These are flats that fit in your purse and that you can use at the end of a long day of wearing heels. Essentially, they seem to be the rescue team your fashionable feet have been looking for.

Trying to get away but have nowhere specifi in mind? Well travel search engine, Kayak.com, has this cool tool for random vacations. All you have to do is enter you home city (or wherever you would like your departure destination to be) and see what region of the world has you price hovering above it. It’s really easy and helpful.

See for yourself: Kayak

A traffic jam in China stretches for miles, August 23, 2010. These jams can last for days. (HOSTAGE Photo/Breaking Alerts)

Commute to D.C. or NYC sucks especially when there’s an accident, but at least your not in China.

An accident Wednesday during rush hour started a jam in China for so long that drivers fell asleep behind the wheel. The line of cars dragged on for miles. According to the Associated Press (AP), approximately 10,000 trucks were stuck in the jam.

The traffic jam lasted so long that people shut of their engines and then had trouble restarting them when police attempted to find alternative routes.

This jam occurs on the tail of last month’s horrible traffic that lasted for five days.

So be happy that you’re commute is maybe two hours instead of two days.

Four trendy vinyl records. Website AndVinyly gives you option to press your cremated ashes into records of your choice. (HOSTAGE Photo/Master New Media)

Music: I love it and, though I’m not particularly talented in it, I would like my loved ones to remember me by it. AndVinyly has a solution. They will press your ashes into a record that will play your favorite tune, one that you’re known for.

The website itself puts me off though. It’s design of blood and skulls doesn’t say, “Trust me to put your ashes on a record of my choice.”

Still this is a show of our technology. In the future, we won’t be limited to becoming bones or ashes. Perhaps they’ll create ash-pressed pens for writers or a football for sports fans.

CollegeOnly as you can guess is a website for college students only. Founded by Josh Weinstein, Princeton graduate, he wants CollegeOnly to be as Facebook was years ago. Hopefuls will need a valid .edu address to become a member.

This website is for those who don’t want their parents or professionals to see their party pics, legal or not, and to post what they want without fear.

…by allowing our members to see and share what’s going on on campus, chat with schoolmates or other collegiates, and have a protected online social identity…Whether it is campus news and events or funny links, random chatter, and crazy photos — all of your education and procrastination needs can be found in one convenient place.”

I can’t guarantee there won’t be repercussions though. Once on the internet, it lives there forever. Dirt can be dug up especially when you’re trying to become a famous professional.

I’m sure professors with .edu emails will get on there or your boss who goes to community college at night.

I’m still sort of mourning the loss of Alexander McQueen, someone whose voice in fashion will likely never be matched. Today I was going through some archives and found pictures of the costumes McQueen created for Eonnagata, the ballet commissioned by Sadler’s Wells in 2009.

The choreography itself, I’ve heard, fell somewhat short of expectations, but McQueen’s costumes are completely breathtaking. They have both structure and fluidity, and are the perfect representation of McQueen’s sheer talent and versatility.

I danced ballet for over eight years, and I can’t imagine a better dancer to fill McQueen’s costumes than French ballerina Sylvie Guillem. Her movement is out of this world, and she is one of the most, if not the, passionate, electric, and intrepid dancers today. The combination of the two is a sad but beautiful reminder of the many forms art takes.

Studying abroad in Switzerland? Want to travel around the country practically free of charge? Consider investing in a ½ pass (Metà Prezzo), or in a Track 7 pass (Binario 7).

With a ½ pass, any train ticket you buy is half the price—as long as both the departure and destination locations are within the Swiss border. With and Track 7 pass, you can purchase all tickets for half the price and any train you take between the hour of 7:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. is free! In addition, some forms of transportation within cities and towns (buses, trams, etc.) are also free of charge after 7:00 p.m. For 99 CHF, which is roughly 100 dollars, you can purchase a ½ pass at most train stations—certainly at all the major train stations.  For 249 CHF, about 250 dollars, you can purchase a ½ pass and Track 7 pass. All you need is a passport size photo, your residence permit, and your passport.

For more information go to http://mct.sbb.ch/mct/en/reisemarkt/abos-billette/abonnemente/gleis7.htm.

The GreenShows Eco Fashion week will take place in two weeks, from September 12-14, coordinating with New York Fashion Week. To get all the details on the GreenShows, you can go to www.thegreenshows.com. There, you can also take a look at some of the designer sites to see what is new in sustainable and friendly fashion.

Photo: I Don’t Like Mondays

This is what a sustainable dress looks like. Designer Samantha Pleet’s Black Tied Dress will have the most eco-friendly shoppers buzzing. The dress, sold at I Don’t Like Mondays, is made of 100 percent organic raw silk. According to I Don’t Like Mondays, it was also made from “100 percent organic materials in a sustainable, wind-powered factory in New York.”

Where are your clothes made?

There are some things men just shouldn’t wear, first date or not. Girlfriends are too nice. We want you to be comfortable and so we bite out tongue. Here are the 5 Go Change or Get Out clothing choices that make us want to tear your clothes off, for not-at-all-naughty reasons.

Go Change

1. Turtlenecks – Sometimes these look really good on men. Sometimes they sweat like a dying snowman.

2. Khakis – Just when I get my man to stop wearing jorts, the baggy khaki falls out of style.

3. Peak-a-boo Boxers – Pants on the ground, pants on the ground, looking like a fool with your pants on the ground…

Boyfriend playing ping pong in college, 2008. His late-night outfit used to be tanktops, chain, and jeans. (HOSTAGE Photo/Aja)

4. Tank tops – A man should be wearing proper undershirts unless he’s mowing the lawn. Then only to avoid that awful farmer’s tan.

5. White Athletic Socks with Loafers – Long athletic socks belong in tennis shoes.

Get Out

1. Briefs – NO!

“But they’re – ”

NO!

2. Jorts – If People of Walmart doesn’t tell you to stay away…

3. Visors – Wear a hat or don’t.

4. Sweatpants – Only girls have cute sweatpants. You’re sweatpants are for indoors.

5. Velcro Sandals and Socks – I don’t care how comfortable it is, you are no longer a college athlete. Be a professional. If you must wear sandals, no socks or velcro. I don’t particularly like the man thong, but compromise.

This weekend I had an “adult” moment. Inspired by The Frisky’s “Holy Crap, I’m an Adult Moment”, I have decided to share my own. However, my moments are mere steps to becoming an adult.

I am prepping a fossil at the Wyoming Dinosaur Center, June 13, 2010. Part of my "adult" summer, I worked 40hours/week for the first time at my dinoAdventure. (HOSTAGE Photo/Aja)

This summer was so filled with “adult” responsibilities that I barely realized my slow transfer from college kid to professional. I applied for a new job, got letters of recommendation from real employers, signed a lease on a house, moved in, got an internship, worked full-time, dealt with car insurance after my car was hit, rented a car, and flew to Wyoming for my first non-family vacation and dinoAdventure.

Just this weekend, an “adult” moment sprang on me suddenly while putting on my driving glasses to drive Boyfriend and myself from MD (visiting family) to our new house in PA. I was being responsible and considerate.

What are your “adult” moments?

GARMIN 200w model GPS points the way, date of photo unknown. This device is one of several that have been recalled by GARMIN. (HOSTAGE Photo/Banner Land Panama)

Garmin has recalled over 1 million GPS nüvi devices because the batteries are overheating and sparking fires. Though this has happened infrequently and no one has been injured, flaming devices do not create optimum driving scenarios.

Recalled models include: nüvi 200W, 250W, & 260W and nüvi 7xx (xx are two digits). Your model number is located on the label on the back or bottom of your device.

Owners wishing to replace their device or battery should not attempt to remove the battery themselves.

Manufactured by a third party, the batteries have a limited date code range. When these batteries interact with certain printed circuit board, the risk of overheating and fire increases.

For those looking to buy a GPS, the recalled models have been discontinued, but lookout for them on ebay and Amazon. For more information about the recall, visit Garmin’s website.

The Fall season is slowly approaching, and I love it! Fall is my favorite style season. My friend just purchased a pair of black combat boots similar to the style in the middle, and I’m obsessing over them. There’s nothing better than a cute black boot for the Fall/Winter. Combat boots have been gaining popularity for the Fall 2010 season. As you see below, they’re versatile and can be worn with any style.  I love how you can mix and match between girly, casual, and dressy! Also, the variation of lengths between the boots gives you great options as well.  I can’t wait to get my hand on a pair, I’m already visualizing outfits in my head! For more information visit, Steve Madden.

Fall 2010 Combat Boots by BelleFleur29 featuring flat heel boots

What do you get when you combine just two “serious” years of dedication, passion and a solid group of four, particularly friendly, young musicians from Orange County, California? The answer, my dear readers, is Entice.

Enthusiastic, energetic, and loud, this radio-friendly, alternative rock quartet opened for Ryan Star and Thriving Ivory at the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco, California.

At the entrance of the GAMH, I flashed my i.d. to the bouncer, pulled back a heavy red velvet curtain and entered a room full of people bobbing and jiving to Thriving Ivory’s opening act, Entice. Backward, forward, right to left, and across the stage was Entice’s energetic and charismatic lead singer, Isaac Leland—a real performer. He’s got that relatable, yet not ordinary, type of voice that you just want to hear all the time.

Leland isn’t the only one of Entice’s members who exudes and obvious affinity for his audible art. Neither bassist, Kevin Brunhober, nor lead guitarist, Tony Chopp, are strangers to getting the audience off with their youthful dynamism. Yielding and wielding their respective instruments with playful pride, the two were far from stagnant. While all this was happening upstage, rhythmically and vigorously pounding away behind his band mates was Drummer, Kevin Doyle—often with a I just ran a marathon, pleased expression plastered across his face.

After their set, the band mixed and mingled with the crowd as they watched two following acts. Once Thriving Ivory fished their encore performance, the crowd began to shuffle out. That is when I met Mr. Brunhober (bassist) and the rest of his band mates.

At the venue’s entrance, Brunhober humbly said to me, “I was in the first band,” as he passed me the band’s card. In a sort of sneak attack, informal interview, I asked the Brunhober and Chopp all about their experience as musicians in an up and coming band. The goal here was to see if they were real people, still existing free of overbearing egos and attitudes that come with the promise of fame.

With sincerity, the boys discussed their day jobs, their favorite aspects of their music, and briefly, their hopes for the future. I left the show sure of two things, Entice has some awesome members and serious star quality.

Check out their myspace, facebook, ilike, and itunes to learn more about them.

Ok, so I jinxed it. The Internet problems I was having that I thought were gone? They came back as soon as I had made the proclamation that they were fixed, and they brought back a whole host of problems for my laptop. Hence, my slowdown in posting. It should be repaired on Saturday, but until then, I’ll have to post sporadically whenever I’m on campus and not in class.

Moving on to the latest installment of Unlikely Fashion Icon: The Nanny. Fran Drescher in The Nanny was a total babe. She knew it, we knew it, and every short, tight, and loud article of clothing that went her body knew it. I was talking to my best friend the other day about the therapeutic wonders of 90′s family sitcoms, and when she mentioned her summer ritual of watching The Nanny on Nick at Nite, we both let out a shriek of mutual adoration for the show. Not only was the show and its innuendo-riddled humor great, but Fran’s wardrobe and extroverted sense of style were completely enviable.

Fran was not one for subtlety. Most often her clothes were formfitting, the hems high as propriety would take them, the prints bold and formidable, and the hair, as a Jersey girl would like it, big. That’s certainly enough to seduce a wealthy British widower, no?

An honorable mention goes to Fran’s grandmother, who wore sequins and animal prints the way no other geriatric could.

When I go out with no-good intentions and no time to be home, I make sure to carry several necessities. As I’m in a relationship, I’m not going out to hook-up, but an all-nighter with no place to crash isn’t very flattering in the morning.

1. A change of clothes – This can be something as small as a pair of shorts and tank in your purse or a full outfit in the backseat. Even some comfy flip-flops.

2. Mouthwash – Self-explanatory…Colgate Wisps also work.

3. Hair Creme and Ties – Pull up your hair and smooth it out with creme or spray in a travel size container.

4. Wipes – Any type will work really. Something you can just put on your skin, the dirty parts, and your face to clean off the grime, stink, and running eyeliner.

5. Simple Makeup and Mirror – Don’t go the whole nine yards, but some lip gloss and thin eyeliner will work. Just to clean up for the walk/drive/work.

6. Sunglasses – Worse comes to worse, throw on some big shades. You’ll only need to makeup half your face and the shades will block the headache-making sun.

7. Deodorant – You’re clean and you look good again. Freshen it up with a mini-deodorant or a squirt of a something that will wake you up. Try cucumber.

For you single people looking to leave a hookup as classy as possible, read The Frisky’s How to Be A Good Hookup.

Not many people know, but I intended Boyfriend to be a one-nighter. Now we’ve been together for three years. It was an awkward process and we sucked at communicating our desires, but in the end it worked out. To turn your summer fling into the real thing, I found these five steps work.

1. Get a goodnight/goodbye kiss – If you know you want to see more of him, seal the deal. Kiss him and thank him for the time. Be subtle about seeing him again so as not to chase him away, but mention that you’d love to see him/kiss him again. Something that doesn’t suggest sex or a relationship, but meets at a happy medium.

2. Is he still around voluntarily? – A man you work with doesn’t count. If he’s still talking to you the day after of his own will, that’s a good sign. It may mean he wants you as a bootycall, but it’s a start. At least he’s talking to you. It’s even better if he checks in during the day.

3. Make a Move – The signs have been good so far. Ask him out or hint at meeting up with him during the day (not a night date) for a movie/lunch/coffee. Just remember boys don’t always get our hints the first time.

4. Two’s Company – You started just you and him so it’s best to leave meetings the same way. Group dynamics may make it awkward especially if you don’t have mutual friends.

5. Expectations Known – After a real successful date (this could be the first or the fourth), be straight about what you want. If you sleep with him again during that time, make sure you aren’t a bootycall. If he doesn’t want anything further, at this point it may be better to cut your losses. Hopefully, he’ll realize he wants something more and approach you as a boyfriend instead of a sex partner.