Let's Have a #PizzaParty

 Yep, it's a cornishon stuffed crust pizza.

Is American Flag Fashion Fad or For Real?

We can thank LA-based brands American Apparel and Jeffrey Campbell for putting the 'American Flag Print' trend on BuzzFeed's 11 Tired Hipster Fashion Trends That Are All Over Instagram, but as much as people love to hate on hipsters, the trend of sporting stars and stripes among young people around the world is actually good for American brands. Beyond patriotism (genuine or not), the flag in commercial terms has represented quality, authenticity and aspiration. Bringing credibility and 'cool' back to the American flag print helps bring relevancy and value back to the "Made in the USA" tag inside of t-shirts, backpacks and even food.

There was a period when the Union Jack took over fashion and culture with influencers like the Sex Pistols and Spice Girls, now global superstars Lady Gaga, Beyonce, Katy Perry and Lana Del Rey are doing their part in spreading the stars and stripes craze. With Memorial Day, July 4th and the Olympics coming up, there's isn't a better time for the American flag to make its way into closets and onto Forever 21 racks across America. Flag fashion is nothing new, but broadcasting the bright stars and bold stripes through facebook, twitter and instagram is something we'll all be getting used to this summer.

Here are examples of the American flag trend starting with this USA dress I designed and made last year for the USMNT Game vs. Argentina (thanks Hannah for modeling!):

Jeffrey Campbell Lita Platform Boots in USA Print

True Religion's Recent Ad Campaign

Lady Gaga & Beyonce killing it in the Telephone Music Video

Lana Del Rey looking cute with her pouty face

One of my favorite movies

Nothing like a Bud Heavy on a hot summer day

Charlotte Free for Adidas Originals by Jeremy Scott

Two Student Shows You Need To Check Out in NYC This Week

Need a dose of inspiration? Check out these end of the year student shows from NYU's Interactive Telecommunications Program (ITP) and Columbia's Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation (GSAPP). Both are free and are only open this week.

ITP Spring Show 

May 14 (5-9pm) and May 15 (4-8pm)

NYU Tisch School of the Arts

721 Broadway, 4th Floor South 

GSAPP 2012 End of Year Show

May 14-18 (10am - 5pm)

Columbia University Avery Hall

1172 Amsterdam Avenue

I went to the GSAPP reception this Saturday to support some friends who completed their first year in the program.

Dear Beer Brands, No Bollocks Please

I've been noticing a lot of innovation coming from the light beer category recently, such as Miller Lite's pop top can, Coors Light's 16 oz. silver bullet aluminum re-sealable can and of course Bud Light Platinum--all of which makes me want to smack myself on the forehead and lay on the ground crying because again, it's light beer. I guess silly beer innovations is nothing new. Remember Miller Lite's "vortex" bottleneck which supposedly makes the beer taste better. Oh, what about MGD64, the 64 calorie beer? Wait how about adding a cold-detecting device on the can in case people couldn't pick up the beer and tell if it was cold or not.

It's not just light beers, premium beers are also differentiating itself with gimmicky features like Stella Artois' fancy chalice (interesting attempt to stray away the "wifebeater" beer label), and now, the "chalice can". Newcastle's recent "No Bollocks" campaign, created by Droga5, is a refreshing take on beer marketing, understanding that people don't care about chalices, resealable beer bottles or an easier way to punch a hole in the can for easier shotgunning (okay, maybe I do actually care about the last one), people just want beer that tastes good or is easy to chug. Dos Equis' "most interesting man in the world" is also proof that great branding and storytelling behind a beer brand can help drive recognition and preference, which is difficult to do in a category so vast and varied as beer.

Coors Light's resealable 16 oz. spaceship bottle - Really? Are you going to save that Coors Light for later?

Miller Lite's Pop Top Can - I still prefer to shotgun my beers from the side for dramatic effect

Stella Artois' Chalice Can - I don't get it.

Newcastle. NO BOLLOCKS.

I Love It Here.

nycgo.tumblr.com/ 

#TopChicret Maybelline 'Uses Shit Fashion Girls Says' P'trique For Charlotte Free Annoucement

Some brands talk about collaborating with Internet famous people and some brands actually do it, like Maybelline's recent annoucement of Charlotte Free as the new face of their brand. Check out the pretty funny video featuring 'Shit Fashion Girls Say' star P'trique below. "N.F.T. (not for twitter)."

Brand USA Launches Discover America Campaign with "Land of Dreams"

I am thrilled, fortunate and inspired to be a part of the team for Brand USA, the official tourism organization charged with encouraging people around the world to visit and explore the USA. The Discover America launch campaign was revealed yesterday at the International Pow Wow Travel Conference in L.A., and I am truly excited for what is to come--especially in digital and social!

Stay tuned but for now show your support for USA tourism by doing the 5 things below:

1) Watch the "Land of Dreams" Full Length Video starring Rosanne Cash

Here's the Making of the Discover America campaign and "Land of Dreams" TV spot

2) Explore the awesome DiscoverAmerica.com website where you can download the "Land of Dreams" track from Rosanne Cash for free and explore 250 unique USA experiences 

My friend and very own manager several years back from London Sam Edwards is featured in one of the travel journals here

3) "Like" the Discover America Facebook Page: Facebook.com/DiscoverAmerica

and/or visit the in-country Facebook pages here

 4) Follow @DiscoverAmerica on Twitter 

or our country handles @discoverusaJP (Japan), @discoverusaUK (UK), @discoverusaCA (Canada) and @discoverusaQC (French Canada)

5) Update your Facebook Timeline cover photo with a beautiful USA photo here

It's really easy to do!

Check out my out snazzy profile! But more importantly, check out the Grand Prismatic Spring (shown in the cover) at Yosemite National Park, learn more about it here

Ted is Real, His Name is Oscar

Funny, after watching the "Ted" trailer with Mark Wahlberg, Mila Kunis and Family Guy's Seth MacFarlane as Ted the teddy bear, I couldn't help laughing about how similar Ted is to my boyfriend's childhood teddy bear Oscar (he's a bear, NOT a monkey). I know crazy right? If you thought the movie was weird, think again, because a living teddy bear is not that weird. Oscar sleeps next to me every night in the corner with his pudgy foot often times kicking me in my face. Like Ted, Oscar has a giant head larger then mine, finds joy in the occasional drink and is a staple at house parties. Oh, did I tell you he likes to watch Mad Men too? I can't wait for the movie to come out in the summer, it looks like a riot. Oscar said he's excited too.

First Saturday at Dekalb Market

Thanks to my daily-deals scout/friend Gabs, my friends and I all jumped on an Urban Daddy $20 all-you-can-drink beer and mimosas deal at Dekalb Market in Downtown Brooklyn. Shipping containers, sunshine and Six Point Sweet Actions--not a bad way to spend a Saturday afternoon. Sadly, the food vendors were not prepared for the amount of people who came to the market, because by the time I arrived around 2pm, half of the food vendors sold out. My options for food were limited to meatballs and grilled cheese (which the lines were insanely long), and I ended up waiting 20+ minutes for the only quick and substantial food I could find--meat pies. Rule of thumb, unlimited booze with limited food only leads to very hangry people! If I were a pretzel or pizza shop, I would set up a stall at Dekalb Market ASAP! Nevertheless, this Saturday (hopefully) marks the first of many blue skied, friend-filled, warm, outdoor events.

"Nori Taco" - Fried Nori, Kim Chee Fried Rice and Pickled Veggies

Steak & Mushroom Meat Pies

Converse Releases "Warrior" with Kimbra, A-Trak and Mark Foster

3 Kick Ass Artists + 1 Catchy Song = Converse's formula for staying relevant & cool 

Watch the music video for "Warrior" which premiered today:

A old favorite: