Nichelle Newsletter

Groovy Kind Of Love

I thought about writing a really personal post about how wonderful the last four days have been, but I'm too shy to do it here. All I will say is that somebody told me that I have "dreamy eyes" and it is the best compliment I have ever received.

Bub.blicio.us:  Maybe because it is a West Coast thing, but I am just now seeing this site which is like a "Last Night's Party" for Tech+Online Media world.

Neal Medlyn: Sometimes, things are way better the second time. I went to "Neal Medlyn's Coming In The Air Tonight" again at Galapagos on Friday night, and almost died from laughter.  I also got onstage and was serenaded by Neal with the song, "Groovy Kind Of Love".

TOAST:  My friends and I did the Tribeca Open Artist Studio Tour on Saturday focusing on the good art, good cheap white wine and lively discussion of  politics, gentrification and the arts community.

Ivy Bakery:  I stopped by this new bakery in Bay Ridge  (87th and 3rd) on Saturday morning for their grand opening. I met the owner Daniellan Louie and sampled the chocolate cupcakes which are super moist and very yummy! If you don't live in the neighborhood, then you can order cupcakes for delivery. Ivy Bakery will deliver cupcakes FREE in Manhattan (via cupcake blog).

Hot Fun In The Summertime

Sharehouse Confidential Book Party: May 2, originally uploaded by candiedyams.

Best Beach Read Ever
Come Celebrate the launch of John Blesso's Sharehouse Confidential.
Wednesday, May 2
The Delancey Rooftop Bar
168 Delancey Street
7-9PM

Rehab

It's officially "pre-summer" since I spotted a man on the subway yesterday wearing seersucker pants with a navy grosgrain belt.

I don't even know what a facebox is, but some stranger keeps emailing me to be my friend.   

Maracas: Margarita Madness on a Monday is a deadly thing.

In case you read this via RSS feed, you may not know that on my sidebar, I have a countdown to when a certain Italian comes to town.  Tomorrow is the day! Blogging will be light the rest of the week.

Where's The Party

More Pics From My Photo Shoot, originally uploaded by candiedyams.

If you know me, then you know I love a good party.

John Blesso's Book Party is Wednesday, May 2.

Check out George Kelly's new blog, Blipster. 

Jossip media's new blog, Stereohyped.

Chicks and Giggles is tomorrow at 8PM. Hilarity will ensue.

Don't Put Another Dime In The Jukebox

Juke Box Stool, originally uploaded by candiedyams.

Only in Brooklyn, at the bar Commonwealth, there is a stool only for the jukebox. It is not a spare chair.

How To Save A LIfe

soft sculpture anatomical heart, originally uploaded by Bird in the Hand.

Lisa Congdon:  I stopped by San Francisco artist Lisa Congdon's art opening at Rare Device.  Her very cool show, Anatomie, is inspired by anatomy books.

Dod sees god:  Sampled a hot dog at Willie' s Dawgs in Park Slope ( 351 Fifth Avenue). The Mutt dog I had was very good. Plus, there's  a great selection of mustard and other condiments that I relish.

A blogger a day: I met Joyce Hanson of My Bad Girl Blog.

Voices Inside My Head

Ruined Music, originally uploaded by candiedyams.

I am performing on May 8PM at the Ruined Music 1 year anniversary. I will be reading something funny about a song.

Newtown

Yardbarker:  Deadspin meets Digg?  Here is a sports site for Monday morning quarterbacks, Tuesday morning point guards, and Wednesday morning pitchers. (via PaidContent)

Starnum:  Maybe this site is the solution for monetizing your recommendations.  BTW, Google is re-launching Froogle into Google Product Search.

Pandora: Click here to save it.

Do The Funky Chicken

, originally uploaded by martha martha martha.

I had an "Only In New York " experience Wednesday evening. I was walking south on Bleecker Street near Charles but not on the same of the street as the always-crowded Magnolia Bakery when a woman stopped to ask me where the Marc Jacobs store is located. First, I laughed. Second, I pointed across the street to where ONE of the Marc Jacobs' stores  is on the corner. 

She said, "I didn't recognize it."
"See, it has all those polaroids of people taking pictures with a chicken for Easter", I explained.
She looked puzzled as she walked across the street.

Meanwhile at the next block I walked into the other Marc Jacobs' where there was a blowout sale on random winter accessories like scarves, fingerless gloves and wellies. Luckily I found a colorful little beaded necklace for $11.   I had a mini-fashion orgasm!

Auto Suggestion

IdealBite:  It's like a Daily Candy for the eco-champions.  They have a blog, too.

ThreadlessKids:  Kids dressing like hipsters.  Apple sauce  stains look great on a T-shirt designed by a RISD graduate.

See Jack Shop: Guys, now you can save a little dough and look good. The Budget Fashionista has a spanking new site just for you.

Site Design:  A cute little home interior store in Astoria (35-11 34th Avenue) that has cupcake dish cloths, cool retro rocking chairs, and awesome vintage glassware.  [Full disclosure: Bookkeeping client]

Because Of Money

Every once in a while,  I see  something I like and put it on my This Next list.   Currently, there's not a way to "monetize" this, but I like doing it anyway. There a few applications doing the image/shopping search thing (Wists, Snap, TheFind and Like), hopefully one will make it happen easily.

See more of my Nichelle's Picks list at ThisNext.

Use Me

Mintd: a collaborative space for artists, musicians and designers to sell their stuff.

Pipl: Before you next date or interview do a pipl search instead of a google search.

10minutemail: Want to email an anonymous tip? This email will self-destruct in 10 minutes!

Steady As She Goes

Jessica Cutler and Nichelle, originally uploaded by editrixie.

Here's a picture from Thursday's party, Jessica Cutler and me.

If you haven't read The Washingtonienne, pick it up.  Since the book's release in 2005, there have many  more political scandals but none have been documented with such hilarity and spunk.

Flame Thrower

So I didn't make my quota of 27 posts in seven days,  but it was fun trying.   This week, I will try to do 20 posts.  Saturday, I got some culture.  I went to the Film Forum to see "Jack Smith and the Destruction of Atlantis" which is a fantastic documentary about filmmaker and performance artist Jack Smith. Jack Smith is most famous for his  1963 film, "Flaming Creatures" that was so controversial that it was banned in 22 states.

I first heard about the  film "Flaming Creatures" in fall 2005 when I attended an event during the Performa which is a performance art biennial.  Then in 2006  artist Bec Stupak had a show at Deitch where she did a blind remake of "Flaming Creatures" based solely on what people told her about the film.  This post is getting meta, but the bottom line is there is nothing new under the sun, but it's great that people keep coming up with new ways to re-package ideas through their own perspective. That is the one thing that keeps art with similar themes from being carbon copies of each other.  If imitation is flattery, then a meme is unabashed ass-kissing.   Besos!

Black Butterfly

Standing proud, originally uploaded by carpe icthus.

Ryan takes wonderful pictures.  After this week of the "Imus Uproar", I really needed to see such beautiful girls!   I took dance (ballet ,modern and African) when I was a little girl and I loved it. Maybe that is why I still love ballet flats and scoop neck tops to this day.

Shockadelica

, originally uploaded by martha martha martha.

Last night I was a "merch girl" for RKB's book party for her recent anthologies, He's On Top and She's On Top.  It was a wild night of cocktails, spanking and cupcakes.   Downstairs at Happy Ending was hot.  Partygoers received free copies of Smartsco's fun game, Sex Smarts.   Jessica Cutler was there and declared how much she loves gay p@rn.

We Are The World

Enough Already!
I have read a lot of blogs lately and there's been a electronic item that has been blogged about so much that it reminds  me of the  iPod  blogging of 2004.  The Wii! Everyone is playing the muthaf@cking Wii.  From ukelele playing chicks to marketing strategists, the Wii is grabbing people from behind their laptops  and making them get up and  move. I have played and it is fun, but people gotta calm down. It is just a game and the last time I got so worked up over a game is when I got "Nintendo thumb" back in the day.  That is probably why I will never be a fast text-messenger. 

By the way, if noir is the new black, then what is the new noir?  Think about it...

It's Not Easy Being Green

I wrote the post for Keeping Nickels, but it may be of use to the party-going, comedy-loving readers over here.

 
Originally uploaded by Shelly and Roy.

Many of my clients ask me if they should keep paper copies of receipts, bank and credit card statements and bills. First of all, I think everyone should be doing online banking. For bank statements, you may want to download a pdf of the latest statement each monthly and only print it out when you need to use it monthly reconciliation. Then you may want to organize the statements in binder because there is always need to refer back to bank statements throughout the year, so if you keep them organized, then there will be no need to reprint or even worse have to pay for old bank statements. With credit card statements, do the same but I suggest printing those only when absolutely necessary (to dispute a charge) and then if you don't need a paper copy, shred the credit card statement ASAP to deter any identity theft.

Most utility bills are available online and you can keep them there unless there is an occasion (applying for a loan) where you have to show proof of your monthly expenses. Print only when necessary since most of your bill payments will either show up on your business checking or business credit card. If you pay in cash, get a receipt.

Cash receipts for taxi, food, office supplies should be recorded in your general ledger. They should be retained until the next year. Now if you have a scanner, you may want to scan all those little TLC (taxi) receipts and put several on a regular letter-size paper, but if your CPA or the IRS wants the originals, then you may have saved a tree but screwed yourself if you get audited. It is better to safe than sorry in this regard.

More savers:

• Get a shredder. They are not just for ex-Enron employees.
• Scan when you can. Set-up online fax service and have faxes sent directly to email. This is more efficient, too.
• Get a printer that enables you to recycle printer cartridges.

Big energy saver: Turn OFF the laptop when you are not working. Stop and smell the roses!

Hang Me Up To Dry

Oh! This rain is making me want to stay in all day.

One of my favorite funny-folk-rap-singer-songwriters Don McCloskey has a new album out called Northern Liberties.  You gotta listen to his song, "Return of The Freak Emcee".

One of my coolest friends is leaving New York for LA to work as a producer for "News and Notes" on NPR.

The DeeLees are performing Friday night at Banjo Jims (9th and Ave C). Who are the DeeLees?! They are Deidre Rodman and Lee Ann Westover of the Lascivious Biddies, and they will be singing some 80's covers. 

Recently, I had a pint of Peak Organic Beer which is on tap at  d.b.a.  I just checked out their website which asks people to share their peak experiences which does not necessarily mean "Peak" experiences. I like the fact that the website encourages people to share experiences.

Ask Me A Question About The Atom

I had only one student today for my bookkeeping class, but I will do it again focusing more or Web 2.0 financial/invoicing applications like Billing Orchard, Blinksale and Wesabe.  I also figured out a actual purpose for Google Page Creator.  It is pretty good for presentations, so I may never use Powerpoint again.

A cool small business/freelance related website: Acuity Scheduling is an online scheduling application which is good for professionals who schedule appointment like personal trainers, massage therapists, etc.

Forget Myspace, Facebook, et. al... I just created my own niche social networking site for Keeping Nickels using Ning! My network  is focused on cash management tips for microbusiness owners and freelancers. Join my Keeping Nickels network, and I promise to never hijack your profile or tell you about my next show. [Only here at Nichelle Newsletter will I shamelessly self-promote]

It's A Miracle

These 27 posts is  7 days  are not going to write themselves, but I will give you links.

• I am teaching a class, Keeping Nickels: Bookkeeping for  Crafty People tomorrow at Etsy Labs (325 Gold St.)
•  Cupcakes Take The Cake got a nice mention in the Food and Wine blog.
  
• Nichelle Newsletter is "Awesome Blog of the Week" over at The Budget Fashionista.

Dress You Up In My Love

If you see me in person, you rarely see me wearing pants or jeans.  This was not always the case. In college I was extremely casual, wearing sweats to class.   My first job out of college was professional dress so I wore suits to work and that was an expensive requirement.  I can't fit into any of those suits now, but I know that a suit or dress seemed easier to wear that matching up an outfit. Even after leaving corporate work, I enjoy wearing dresses because they are more comfortable than wearing pants.  Plus I think I have a nice pair of legs.  Today I am thinking about wearing jeans mainly because I am so sick and tired of wearing tights.  It's April already!

Update: Today I heard about Zafu.com which is a great site for helping you find the perfect jean. It's an online referrer as opposed to an online retailer.

Nappy Roots Day

Earlier today, I scanned Technorati looking for stories about the Imus mishap. I'm sure almost the whole planet knows that MSNBC radio show host Don Imus called the Rutgers college basketball team "nappy headed hos".   That comment (however flippant) was wrong and dare I say it---racist and misogynist.  However, I  don't think  that Al Sharpton with his press and curl should be the defender of the nap.  Where is Angela Davis when we need her?! 

After reading what Don "I Messed Up" Imus said initially and hearing his apology, I am left feeling  indifferent.  On one hand, it pains me that someone with a major media presence can be so stupid, but  on the other hand I will not be distracted by these flares. I won't play the role of "Angry Black Woman".  I can't be bothered even if my earrings are off and I have a tub of vaseline in my purse.

Coincidentally, a man on the street complimented  me today saying that he liked my nappy hair.  The man didn't even know that I was a ho because  I was walking without my pimp.   Ha!

Move

Is there  such a thing called "subway troubadour etiquette"?  There should be.  A thin guy with a guitar and a paper cup decided to hold a mini-concert in one car on  the D train in Brooklyn. He sang 3 songs and then paced up and down the subway car after each tune expecting tips.  Why not go to the next car?!  Most veteran subway troubadours move on after one song, two if they are getting a good response. However, the car that I was in  tonight was nearly empty.  The other passengers  and I did this cool trick of  synchronized eyeball-rolling as we tried to "tune him out".  I didn't even have a book or a game of SuDoKu to soothe me.

By the way,  last night I had the pleasure of  hearing someone blow chunks on the subway and then 10 seconds later smelling the vomit.   I looked around and spotted the offender holding his head down and  I wondered if he was drunk or ate too much Easter candy.  I moved to the next car even though I had only one more stop.   Switching cars is the one true path to serenity.

Mamacita

October 25, originally uploaded by candiedyams.

The very funny Pat Candaras who has performed at Chicks and Giggles many times is a contestant for Nick at Nite's funniest mom contest is featured in an article in the New York Post.

Come check out our next show, tomorrow where we have special guest Greg Patillo.

Good Times

As I wait (highly intoxicated) for the season  premiere of the  last nine episodes of The Sopranos, I am amazed and and grateful of the wonder of good food, good friends and a good host.  With champagne, conversation, music and cheese, a good time was had by all.

Raspberry Spumante,  Peach Champagne, fruit salad, pate  and my mac and cheese were the highlights.

I expect to be slightly hangover tomorrow.  Apparently tmro is spelled with 2 r's and one m. Hmmm...

Pig

Buona Pasqua! Happy Easter!

I made macaroni and cheese this morning for an Easter brunch that I am going to today.  I used two packages of  Annie's Homegrown Shells and Cheese as a base, and then added Monterey Jack and Cabot Cheddar.  I  baked the casserole in the oven for a bit and then added a layer of honey maple ham.  I also sprinkled a wee bit of brown sugar on the ham for taste.   

Growing up, my family always had ham for Easter dinner.  I even played "Piglet" in a grade school production of Winnie The Pooh. Then  after my sophomore year in college, I gave up the "swine" for about five years.  Now my love of pork has returned as I am mainly crushing on crispy bacon.  I also like an Italian sausage now and again. Bada Bing!
 

Ribbon In The Sky

Ribbon and Trim, originally uploaded by thistletown.

Thinking of Easter, I remember wearing pastel dresses and ribbons in hair. My mother would take me along with to Hancock Fabrics and buy grosgrain  and satin ribbons.

My cousin has a story about her childhood home in Cambridge in the latest issue of 02138. 

Ken Tanabe  (Loving Day) and Eric Byler  will be speaking at Columbia University at a discussion, "Exploring the Hapa Identity" on Monday, April 9,  8PM at Lerner Hall.

Back And Forth

Photo Shoot, originally uploaded by candiedyams.

I'm back. To make up for my  dereliction of duty, I plan to do 27 blog posts in 7 days, starting today!

Last night, I went to see Neal Medlyn's latest show, "Neal Medlyn's  Coming In the Air Tonight" at Galapagos, where he sings along to some Phil Collins' songs. It is a hilarious show and it is every Friday in April. Kenny Mellman was last night's guest performer, and he wore a T-Qualizer Shirt while singing "Against All Odds".

After the show,  my friends and I stopped by McCaig Welles Gallery, Black Betty, and finally Roebling Tea House.   It was the merry walking tour of Williamsburg.

Let The Good Times Roll

So my good friend is helping me get my computer back up and running. It's not fixed yet, hopefully regular blogging will resume by Monday.  Chicks and Giggles rocked last night, and we got great shows coming up so you must come down next Tuesday and every Tuesday.

I bought bologna (baloney is how I pronounce it) today. I ate it on the side with my scrambled eggs with monterey jack cheese and a few slices of a green apple.  Yum! Saturday is the cupcake meet-up, so join us if want cupcakes. 

Mama Said Knock You Out

DSC_3901, originally uploaded by brianvan.

Random thought from Friday night:

What if there was a strip club called, "Once Upon A Tart"

Anyway...I am doing Stripped Stories this Wednesday at Mo Pitkins. This is my  fourth "performance" so far this year, but don't call it a comeback.


"Stripped Stories" Hosted by Giulia Rozzi
and Margot Leitman
April 4 at 9PM.  $5
Featuring true sex stories on the theme of: "Guilty Pleasures"
With:
The Rob and Mark Show (Spike TV)
Anthony  Atamanuik (30 Rock)
and producer Nichelle Stephens

Each show features a comedian, a writer or musician, and an average, everyday person (non-performer) revealing hysterically honest stories about their sex lives. The soon-to-be married Giulia and the recently single Margot will each reveal their very own juicy stories amidst some games, audience interviews and hookups... hopefully.

I hear that reservations are  highly recommended!

Hold On, I'm Coming

Laptop woes, I stopped by Geek Squad on Saturday and they will charge $199 to fix my computer. WTF? I just need the stuff on my hard drive.

Here's a tip: Don't put all your important passwords to things like Paypal,your bank, on your computer  because if your computer crashes, then you're f@cked. Keep a list of passwords in a notebook and/or secure email that you can access from any computer.

With me not being able to blog as much or check email frequently, I am getting more sleep. So I guess that's my new beauty regimen.

A shout out to some of my clients: 15MinutesMedia, Adfemme Rare Device, John Blesso (order his book on Amazon today).

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