IM // UR | Oh you sexy thing!

We swear this isn't an ironic listening. We love Beyoncé and 4. OK, we might unironically skip straight to track 5, 'Party', produced by Kanye West and with rap by Andre3000, because we ain't no stay-home-mums that need all those ballads about being broken hearted and finding the right person. But, after that, the album turns into a beautiful compilation of classic r'n'b, soul and a bit of sweat-inducing booty tracks - not too many though - that sound surprisingly courageous considering the actual state of pop music. And for that, we bow down and hail Queen B. P.S. Get the deluxe version, for those extra couple of amazing tracks.

WE // R \\ WEARING

The name of this label has been interpreted in many ways; from 'bass-seekey' to 'base-ike', but the correct way describes exactly what this label is about: BASIC. Bassike delivers easily breezily cut staples with an interesting little twist that keeps them from being your run of the mill. For those that live in climates like that of Australia (where Bassike hails from) or Brazil, you'll know how easy it is to make fashion faux pas when the weather gets hot and the prospect of wearing anything but a bathing suit becomes slightly unappealing; Bassike is all and everything you need.

WE // R \\ WATCHING

Before watching HBO's Game of Thrones, I assumed the series would tend a bit more towards the blood-dripping Danish movie Valhalla Rising rather than fairy-tale stories a lá 'Lord of the Rings'; and for that I didn't really like the series at the beginning. But slowly, I found myself submitting to tales of bad kings, midget juggernauts, savage warriors and... dragons. And that happened probably because there aren't exactly good guys and bad guys here, like there are in Tolkien stories - and that is, of course, a simplification of his work. Another reason I relented to this series is because of the intriguing political backstage element that leads to the ever-happening dance of thrones. Oh, and did I mention the gratuitous nekkid-ness?

WE // R \\ GOING

Of the slew of new spots having opened up in Sydney in the last six months, The Norfolk on Cleveland St in Surry Hills has been one fated with success. Owned by some of the same kids that have brought The Flinders back to life (and currently, it's incredibly quick onset of 'The Norms'), you'll undoubtedly find The Norfolk rammed with all kinds, vying for a bite, a beer and a spot in the garden out back. The aim of the game is to cultivate Aussie pub culture at it's best; and it's doing a pretty decent job so far - if only you could get a table!

WE // R \\ READING

Super Sad True Love Story is the third book from the writer of the best selling Absurdistan, Gary Shteyngart. Incidentally, I read him name dropped in Flavorpill's Ultimate Hipster Reading list and in the same sentence as James Franco (they're buds, apaprently) just before I finished his latest offering. Don't let any of that put you off, or take away any of the sad scary brilliance of Super Sad True Love Story; written from the perspective of one 39 year old Lenny Abramov, son of Russian immigrants and in love with the impossibly cute and cruel Eunice Park. A satire that cuts to the bone, Super Sad True Love Story is exactly it's title. And it's good.

Oh you sexy thing!

Wednesday // March 25, 2009 at 15:08 // filed under Fashion // Art

If Hedi Slimane is my favorite rock'n'roll art photographer, Terry Richardson is my favorite mistress (I know, I'm a cliché). With super sensual shots in all different contexts he is one of the few who still manage to be himself while working for others. So Terry just did an editorial for Vogue Homme International entitled Autoportraits which shows him playing with this sexy blonde bomb wearing the coolest gold watches in town.

I adore the naughty moments therein, but I adore even more when Terry and the model combine their bodies into one sexy thing.

GALLERY

Blake, Terry and Leighton

Talking about sexy and Terry, he also did a photospread with the Gossip Girl cast for the American edition of Rolling Stone. So you get to see Blake Lively and Leighton Meester sharing an ice cream, some candies and the bed with all the other GG stars supposedly half naked (there's also a pillow fight but meh...).

"They didn't tell us anything about the concept," Blake Lively says. "We didn't know we'd have any props, but we saw this big fun table - like a kid's birthday party. Um, some of it was a little mature for a kid's birthday party. Some of the ... inflatable items...But it's all been a surprise; it's been really fun."

"He had some hot dogs. I'm worried what's gonna happen with the hot dogs," Badgley said upon arriving at the shoot. "I was thinking the exact same thing!" added Taylor Momsen. "When I saw all the props, I wasn't sure what he was going for, but I'm sure it'll be fun," Ed Westwick completed.

GALLERY