So You Think You Can Type?
Typewriter
bookends available at Restoration
Hardware
You're totally going to
hate me for telling you about this site, because it's
just that addicting and you'll need to ask
your doctor to call in an Adderall prescription to
help you re-focus on the more important things you
probably have to do. Typeracer is a game that
measures how fast you type and then tells you your
words-per-minute speed.
It's not as simple as it sounds! I don't know about
you, but I haven't practiced proper typing skills
since fourth grade and I'm rusty as shiz. What makes
Typeracer so irresistible is that you can compete
live against other players. I swear, you can't stop
trying to win. I first read about the site last week
on Wall Street
Journal's Buzzwatch before it popped up on
GeekSugar just
yesterday. Glad to know I'm not the only dork
concerned/ competitive about my wpm rate.
Today's headlines:
Attention, Nine Inch Nails fans! Trent announced
yesterday that their new album is "on him." (Billboard)
Stephen Colbert wins a webby for "Person of the
Year." (CNN)
Spielberg gets in on the Wii with Boom Blox.
(Wired)
Brit has a child custody hearing today, and it's
expected to go well. Here's hoping! (AP)
Defeat does not exist in this dojo...
If you're a fan of The Karate
Kid, you must check out this
video from sweeptheleg.com.
There is so much awesomeness here, I don't even know
where to begin!
Are there any celebs
not backing a fragrance right now? I want to
know what they smell like. (McDreamy signs with Avon,
WWD)
Apple turns 32 today. H32B! (TUAW)
Harvard-dropout-turned-Facebook-founder Mark
Zuckerberg (aka one of the most awkward human beings
in America) is set to host SNL this week. Can't wait.
(CNET)
Jessica Simpson has a kidney infection, but she's OK.
Get well soon! (NY Daily
News)
Beauty Blogs are Blowin' Up
By far, the most popular
question I've received via e-mail, text, twitter, IM,
or even phone in the last 24 hours has been "Have you
seen The Times Style Section yet?"
Yes, I have. And Holy awesome.
In case you haven't seen it yet... here's the article
my fam and friends are referring to. Check it out!
Upload a New 'Do
Wanna see how you'd look with Reese's latest haircut?
Check out HairMixer.com
If you're looking to
start out the new year with a new hair cut, but
haven't the slightest clue where to begin, click on
over to HairMixer— a site that lets you
upload your pic and literally try on your favorite
stars' manes. Cool feature: there are tons of male
celebs with fab hair on there, too—in case you
want send your boyfriend a clue while you're at
it.
My Ugly Christmas Sweater is Uglier Than Urs
There's nothing not funny about ugly holiday
sweaters—especially the kind your Mom wears with a
straight face as if it's totally normal and cool.
Check out this design-your-own ugly
sweater site, and check out other people's
concoctions while you're at it. It's so fun— I
can't think of a better
Friday-before-Christmas-time-waster.
Do Me a Favor, Go Scrooge Yourself
I'm over everyone and their mother Elf-ing their hearts out. It's
so last Christmas.
I think they should all Scrooge themselves instead.
Bah Humbug.
If I Had Dressed Up Today...
iJustine Got Shot... So She Doesn't Date
iJustine teamed up with online
production team Black 20 on this one.
(Black20 has a very cool story
that involves hitting the jackpot in AC
and using it for their shooting budget.) Enjoy!
Make Way for Total Beauty
Image
via TotalBeauty.com
Two things you probs know
about me by now: I have a loving (to the point of
unnatural) relationship with my beauty product
collection, and I live on (well... in front of) my
iMac. The former happens to be my profession, the
latter is a hobby-turned-infatuation with scoping out
the latest in online trends. With these two things in
mind, one can imagine the dance party I threw for
myself when I found my new friends at TotalBeauty.com.
I'll tell you why.
Total Beauty is like a Facebook app that 'superpokes'
your best friend's face cream; a Google search for tips on how
to create a peacock eye effect; or a Perezelle post about what's
'peppered' in the beauty biz. Doesn't that sound
delicious?
Making Scents of Myself
I've
always wanted to Warhol myself.
As cliche as it may sound (and it's soooo cliche), I'm a firm believer that scents say a ton about one's personality and attitude. I've always been drawn to musky, treehugger-y blends—not because I'm a greasy hippie, but because I like to think of myself as a free spirit, and I suppose patchouli-based fragrances provide a non-offensive way of releasing my inner bra burner. Is that weird?
more...Introducing RokandLola.com!
RokandLola.com,
a cool new dotcom for the latest trends in fashion.
For the past few months,
I've been working on launching a new shopping site,
RokandLola.com, which I'm
thrilled to announce is now up and running!
Rok & Lola is a fabulous boutique in Red Bank,
NJ—the "hippest" town in Jerz (lets pretend people
still use the word 'hip.') Before R&L came to
town, us locals had limited access to trends beyond
the Gap and Old Navy, so needless to say, they've
been welcomed by a hungry clientele, sick of
lackluster trips to the mall.
(Insert Jersey mallrat/ hair/ parkway joke here. Now
shut up and keep reading.)
E-Cards That Won't Annoy You
SomeEcards.com, the newest
way to snark your friends to death.
Last week, a friend sent
me an e-card. At first, I thought it was a tad
strange (I mean, what was this, 1999, when Blue
Mountain was considered social networking?) Then, I
opened it and literally LOL'd. It was an illustration
of a scuba diver with the caption "I'm terrified of
being offline," which, for me, is equal parts
accurate and amusing. After a few hours of clicking
and laughing at more sarcastic sentiments, I sent
cards to at least ten friends (and counting).
Apparently I'm totally behind the ball on
this one, as someecards.com was (not
surprisingly) featured in the Times
Sunday Styles over a week ago.
If you're not into Hallmark wishes, give your pals
a virtual punch in the arm with one of these guys.
They'll LUV you for making them LOL, I
promise.
McDonald's Monopoly: Now Online
Play
McD's Monopoly online at PlayatMcd.com
During my coffee run this morning, I
noticed Monopoly is back at McDonald's. I never pay
attention to these things (although I know some
people wait all year for this game), but I saw a sign
advertising an online version of the game, so I
obviously had to investigate.
PlayatMcD.com is a virtual
Monopoly game board with super-realistic graphics
and sound effects, where you can register with
your e-mail addy and choose a game piece. (I've
always been a fan of the puppy.) Next, you load in
your coupon vouchers, roll the dice and hop around
for a bit. Your account tracks and saves your
progress for the next time you have coupons. So
far, I've won a free small soda and $1 off at Toys
'R' Us. Sweet.
When the alternative is to glue your coupons to a
lose-able print-out of a game board—the online option
clearly a smarter strategy. Good Luck, and if you hit
the jackpot, you're splitting it with YBLAG, ok?
I Can See the Future (of Digital Music)
Don't let the mean man
take Joe Torre away! (MLB.com)
Britney hung out with her boys yesterday (NY Daily News),
and little sis Jamie Lynn stood up to an obnoxious
lady on the street (it was great, and I so would
have done the same exact thing). (Page Six)
Marion Jones gives back her medals. (Washington Post)
P. Diddy's a P. Daddy for the 6th time. (ITN)
Daily Candy is sponsoring an online food drive for
New York soup kitchens that are short on supplies.
Help if you can! (Daily Candy NYC)
This is the next book I'm buying (...sorry... slow
news day, apparently). But seriously, can't wait to
buy this. (Gawker)
YBLAG's Breast Cancer Picks
For
more on how you can fight breast cancer, visit
Susan G. Komen For the
Cure
Also, visit the American Cancer Society
website for
info on early detection, Mammograms, and support
groups.
October has become
synonymous with walking, glossing and ribbon-ing in various shades of
pink. Breast Cancer Awareness Month
makes it easy to support breast cancer research
with its seemingly millions of limited-edition
products made exclusively (or partially) for the
cause. Below, I've listed and linked out my
favorites.
Tory Burch Canvas Tory Tote, $195, toryburch.com
Belkin Remix Metal for iPod Nano, $30, Belkin.com
Smashbox BCA Blushing Pink Fusion Soft Lights &
Brush Set, $59 ($82 value), sephora.com
A Toast to the Plaza
An
Eloise print that's been displayed in my parents'
living room for as long as I can remember
Back in the day, it was
tradition for my family to hit up the Plaza for my
parents' anniversary. In middle school (when I was
way too old to believe in such a tale) I remember
strutting around the lobby, eagerly anticipating a
run-in with Eloise, the mythical daughter of the
Manhattan landmark. We were both free spirits, so I
just knew we'd be instant friends, and I'd ask if I
could pet her puppy and we'd peruse the gift shop
together.
Since the Plaza has closed for renovations, I've
never been able to pass the site without getting a
little choked up. Besides the fact that the building
would never be the same, I can't help but wonder
about what happened to my girl Eloise. Where did she
go? The Four Seasons? Will she get first dibs on one
of the new penthouse apartments?
I know, I know. I'm way too old to believe in such a
tale. But I can't help that I do.
Today, the Plaza will celebrate its 100th birthday
with a fancy fete for its nearest and dearest. Did
you know that when first it opened in 1907, it only
cost $2.50 to stay overnight? For reals.
Here's a beautiful Times article about
the special occasion. Happy Birthday, the
Plaza!
Blogging Like a Fug
Above: The Fug
Girls, Heather and Jessica. Photo:
NYmag.com
I love how every single
time these girls say fug, I laugh my tush off. It,
like,
never gets old. (GoFugYourself)
If you're dying for another Martha Stewart resource,
don't fret: Marthapedia will soon be here to help you
with all that macaroon baking. (MediaPost)
With the release of new software, Apple makes good on
promise to shun unlocked iPhones as they threaten
potential hackers with "irreparable damage."
(Information
Week)
Apparently, until today, Disney had a cellphone
service. (Wall Street
Journal)
Filed under YBLAG category "so yesterday," Google
celebrates nine years of providing the most effective
boyfriend-stalking technology to date. (the Post Chronicle)
Ralph Lauren is on the cover of the new Men's
Vogue. I love him. (Men's Vogue)
What movie will you see this weekend? I still have to
see Across the Universe. (No one wanted to
join me last weekend.) (Yahoo Movies)
Did you hear about all the new YBLAG updates? Sick.
(YBLAG)
Oh, and did you hear I was on the radio this morning?
(YBLAG)
I Need This Roberto Rodriguez Jacket...
I love it for its kind-of-boyish but -still-girly feel... and because I'd probably live in it throughout the fall, along with my favorite skinny jeans and James Pearse beater. (via Intermix)
Ralph Lauren Introduces Rugby.com
Rugby
by Ralph Lauren (Rugby.com)
Gone are the days of seeing rugby players for the
sweaty, brawny, daisy duke-wearing athletes they are.
Enter Rugby.com, Ralph Lauren's
newest line for men and women that puts a modern
twist on prep school chic. Rugby launched in 2004
in Boston, and is now in eight storefronts around
the country, including one near
NYU in Manhattan.
I'm obsessed with the site, which isn't surprising —
Polo.com has the most
user-friendly interface of any shopping site on my
radar. Rugby.com has a similar feel,
with an interactive history on the sport's signature shirt, a blog, video components, digital wallpapers and gorgeous
photo galleries.
The only thing I couldn't find were details on where
these guys and gals gather for post-game drink ups.
Let me know if you can find those anywhere...
More Online Sales
Everyone's getting rid of their summer and early fall
stock right now, which makes this a perfect time to
stock up on staples for next year.
I always find great sale items on these links:
Polo.com
Shopbop.com
Tobi.com
Urban Outfitters
Blue Genes
Scoop
ActiveEndeavors.com
Know about a cool online sale? Let me know and I'll
add it to the list!
What's on Your List?
Check out ThisNext.com, a cool new way to create a wish list and give not-so-subtle hints about what you want for Christmas or your B-day!. You can search other people's loot, link back to sites you love, and go shopping! You can also recommend a bunch of stuff to your friends. My wish list of the moment is above. Click on the image to try it yourself, it's super easy and fun!
Bono + The Beatles = A Very Happy Me
MySpace TV has a ton of clips from Across the Universe, which opens everywhere this weekend. I've posted my favorite below. Duh.
Across the universe - I Am The Walrus
Add to My Profile |
More Videos
Once You Go Black...
Photo:
Blackle.com
Early this year, an eco-friendly blog posed the idea that mega megawattage would be conserved if Google had a black screen. In response, Heap Media introduced Blackle, with a pledge to "Save energy, one search at a time." So basically, when you Blackle your ex, rest assured that, while you're wasting your own energy, Earth will be just fine.
Perez Sez...
My New Friend Kristopher Dukes
Above: Kristopher
Dukes, F.B.E. (Fashion Blogger Extraordinaire)
See that iPod nano on the
left?...yea, my right, your left...scroll down a
little..., see the third link down on my blogroll?...
Kristopher
Dukes?...yea that one...click on it (don't
worry, I'm not going anywhere)... now click the
about tab...ok... done yet?
Isn't that a cool story?? Hello? Hello!?!? Where
did you go?
Ok, if you're still here, stop ignoring me and check
out my new blog find, Kristopher Dukes.com. Not sure how
I only found this chick today, because apparently
the L.A. based blogger has been writing for
fashion and style pubs since she was 15. Love her
stuff...
you will too. Her tone is seriously hilar. (And did
you notice we have the same laptop?)
Oh, and I e-mailed her tonight to give kudos, and she
was basically the coolest and wrote back immediately.
She thinks YBLAG is "chic." So now we're BFF.
Gwen Stefani Live, Coming to a Deskjet Near You
Above: One of
Gwen's exclusive designs for HP.com/Gwen
Have I ever mentioned
that I love Gwen Stefani? I love Gwen Stefani. Today,
I love Gwen Stefani even more than I did yesterday.
Check it:
GS recently teamed up with HP to give her fans
another look-see into her couture creativity. By
logging on to HP.com/Gwen, fans can download a
ton of unique designs and print them onto
mini-posters, greeting cards, and even CD labels
for mixes! There's also a section with Harajuku
Girl paper dolls that you can customize to look
like you and your crew. Actually, I'm going to go
play with that feature now...
Spread the word: You Blog Like a Girl!
But wait, check this out...
Above: Big kisses
to NY, NJ and Cali!
After taking a peak at
YouBlogLikeaGirl.com's traffic report (shown here, in
a pretty map version), I've discovered that our
reader base spans 37 out of all 50
states!! After
three weeks! That's not including readers hailing
from other countries, including Canada, Europe,
Argentina, Russia and China! OMG!
Next week marks the one-month anniversary of YBLAG.
Ya think we can hit up the whole U.S of A in four
weeks? It's up to you! The following states have yet
to check us out. If you have family, friends or
frenemies in any of these places— send them our link!
• Washington • Wyoming • South Dakota • Nebraska • New Mexico • Oklahoma • Louisiana • Mississippi • West Virginia • Maine • Alaska • New Hampshire • Vermont • Delaware
Thank you so much for
reading You Blog Like a Girl! 
Keep spreading the word and come back often!
I'm Intrigued...
I went to check out iJustine's blog, and this is what
I find! Hmmm.... Can't wait to see what's next! I'll
keep you posted. In the meantime, I'll hang out with
her here.
Need An Outfit for the US Open?
I don't. But I kind of wish I did,
because I'm obsessed with all of these clothes. Can
you buy them if you promise to watch the matches on
TV?
(Photo: Polo.com)
Click on the image for a
preview!
Under Mandy's Um-bah-rella, ella, ella
I heart Mandy Moore, and I'm willing
to ignore the fact that this song basically came out
last week— but girlfriend needs to come out with some
original material. 
First
Coverage,
now this?