My weekend post is in two parts, because I felt that this next section deserved it's own post.
Sunday was the spring concert for Daniel's Music Foundation. Through
New York Cares, this organization has been my favorite to volunteer for
this past month. DMF is a music program for children and adults with
disabilities. If you have some time, look over the story behind how it all got started....amazing!
Over the past few weeks, I have been able to meet so many
great people, and students who have touched my heart. My job during
the courses was to sit with a student and engage them to participate in the class. Sometimes there were challenges, especially with the younger ones, but in four weeks I did notice a lot of improvements within each individual. In the adult/high school keyboard class, I just so happened to work with the same student each week, so the instructor asked me to aid him on stage during the performance. Fortunately, I didn't have to do much, as long as I got him on the right note at the start of a phrase, he was able to figure out the rest on his own.
I sat with the students in the auditorium during the first recital of the day. There was a "Rock 'n Roll" theme, which really produced some great acts, that I didn't even get to see during the classes. Even when the kids were not performing and just watching the others, I saw so much excitement in their eyes, and they were clearly vocal about it at the end of each song. Made me really miss performing back when I was a kid.
Music really does heal!!!
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Monday, May 21, 2012
A Weekend of Music, Food, Sun, and More Music, Part 1
I just had a lovely yet crazy weekend.
Saturday was the Great Googa Mooga Festival in Brooklyn. This is the first time for this festival of music, food, and drinks. I heard about it through Twitter several months ago, and it sounded like the greatest idea ever – bands playing while you get to feast on food from various restaurants in the city, and go beer/wine tasting! Tickets were free for a group of 4 people, so I definitely wanted to take the opportunity to try this out.
The festival was in the middle of Prospect Park in Brooklyn, which I was not at all familiar with. After arriving to the park entrance, it took me 45 minutes to find the place, because there wasn't any proper signage. Although once I got in, things were a lot better. Since it was still a little early, there weren't as many people, and easier to get through food and drink lines. I managed to try a "Soul Roll" from Cooking with Coolio, which was a delicious egg-roll with groud turkey with veggies, unfortunately with no Coolio in sight :(. One of my friends arrived an hour after me and we were able to enjoy some beer and the best chicken fingers I've ever had from Dirty Bird To-Go.
As the day progressed, there were hour long waits for just about everything. The bands playing on the main stage made those waits much better. There was this weird system for getting tickets to spend on the beer/wine tasting sections. While waiting in the one line for it, a very sweet New Orleans group, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, kept me and a friend entertained for an hour of waiting in line and for a couple other friends to arrive. Another favorite was Holy Ghost!, whose sound was just as awesome as the explanation point in their name! Lastly, the grand finale was the Roots! I'm a fan of ?uestlove, and really enjoyed seeing how talented this band really is, sousaphone and all.
Overall, Googa Mooga was just ok. It was really great in the beginning, however, I think the organization didn't account for 20,000 people for a 9 hour day. I've heard that they worked out some of the kinks for the next day of the festival and hopefully they've grown from this experience for next year. By the way, I hate that I wasn't allowed to take my good camera, so here are some phone pics.
Saturday was the Great Googa Mooga Festival in Brooklyn. This is the first time for this festival of music, food, and drinks. I heard about it through Twitter several months ago, and it sounded like the greatest idea ever – bands playing while you get to feast on food from various restaurants in the city, and go beer/wine tasting! Tickets were free for a group of 4 people, so I definitely wanted to take the opportunity to try this out.
The festival was in the middle of Prospect Park in Brooklyn, which I was not at all familiar with. After arriving to the park entrance, it took me 45 minutes to find the place, because there wasn't any proper signage. Although once I got in, things were a lot better. Since it was still a little early, there weren't as many people, and easier to get through food and drink lines. I managed to try a "Soul Roll" from Cooking with Coolio, which was a delicious egg-roll with groud turkey with veggies, unfortunately with no Coolio in sight :(. One of my friends arrived an hour after me and we were able to enjoy some beer and the best chicken fingers I've ever had from Dirty Bird To-Go.
As the day progressed, there were hour long waits for just about everything. The bands playing on the main stage made those waits much better. There was this weird system for getting tickets to spend on the beer/wine tasting sections. While waiting in the one line for it, a very sweet New Orleans group, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, kept me and a friend entertained for an hour of waiting in line and for a couple other friends to arrive. Another favorite was Holy Ghost!, whose sound was just as awesome as the explanation point in their name! Lastly, the grand finale was the Roots! I'm a fan of ?uestlove, and really enjoyed seeing how talented this band really is, sousaphone and all.
Overall, Googa Mooga was just ok. It was really great in the beginning, however, I think the organization didn't account for 20,000 people for a 9 hour day. I've heard that they worked out some of the kinks for the next day of the festival and hopefully they've grown from this experience for next year. By the way, I hate that I wasn't allowed to take my good camera, so here are some phone pics.
 |
| The main stage at the beginning of the day...it was nice. |
 |
| The Great Googa Mooga Cake |
 |
| While waiting in line for drinks, there were people handing out cup holders. Any Aqua Teen Hunger Force fan will love this! |
 |
| Hanging out with 20,000 people watching the Roots. |
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Let's Face It, I'm a Sucker For Eastern-European-Romanic-Period Composers
I got a nice little treat today. Not only did I get to hear one of my favorite classical pieces performed by a great orchestra, I got to hear them rehearse it!
The New York Philharmonic occasionally has an open rehearsal for their big performances at Avery Fisher Hall for a very affordable price. This week they were performing the world premiere of Magnus Lindberg's Piano Concerto No. 2, Dvorak's Carnival, and Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 4. Obviously from the last mentioned piece I had to see this performance. Because I am planning on going away for the weekend, the open rehearsal was my only option.
For an early morning event, the hall was pretty packed with all age groups. I found myself a good seat like a giddy little girl and anxiously waited for them to start. After the orchestra was seated and the conductor, Alan Gilbert, came out and announced that their resident composer of three years, Magnus Lindberg, was in the audience. It is his final year and final composition for the New York Philharmonic, so this really is a special weekend for the group.
Up first was the Tchaikovsky piece. I'm not going to lie...there were definitely tears forming in my eyes (yes, I'm a dork). I've only heard recordings of the 4th Symphony, so it was nice to be able to hear a lot of the sections that are marked "piano" instead of cranking up the volume on my iPod. Even though it was a rehearsal, they did play through a whole movement once without stopping before going back and fixing spots. Honestly, going back and replaying sections was my favorite part of this whole experience, because I got to hear it all over again.
I'm a fan of Dvorak's work, but I have never heard Carnival until today. It was the shortest piece on the program, which was helpful because I was still on a Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 4 high, sorry Dvorak! But honestly, I did enjoy this piece too. It has a great, catchy theme.
Finally there was the Lindberg Piano Concerto No. 2 premiere. Mr. Lindberg, near the front of the audience was out and ready with the score in front of him, which made me wish I was sitting a little closer so I can get a glimpse of it. I could definitely see a connection between this piece and the rest of the program, and the piano soloist's cadenza was amazing! It was such a nice treat to get the first sneak peak of this composition.
I'm a little sad that I won't be able to attend the actual concerts this weekend, but this rehearsal was a great alternative. Do other orchestras do this? I need to look this up. I've later looked at the program notes to get a better idea of the work. It's amazing to read what it took to come up with these masterpieces.
The New York Philharmonic occasionally has an open rehearsal for their big performances at Avery Fisher Hall for a very affordable price. This week they were performing the world premiere of Magnus Lindberg's Piano Concerto No. 2, Dvorak's Carnival, and Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 4. Obviously from the last mentioned piece I had to see this performance. Because I am planning on going away for the weekend, the open rehearsal was my only option.
For an early morning event, the hall was pretty packed with all age groups. I found myself a good seat like a giddy little girl and anxiously waited for them to start. After the orchestra was seated and the conductor, Alan Gilbert, came out and announced that their resident composer of three years, Magnus Lindberg, was in the audience. It is his final year and final composition for the New York Philharmonic, so this really is a special weekend for the group.
Up first was the Tchaikovsky piece. I'm not going to lie...there were definitely tears forming in my eyes (yes, I'm a dork). I've only heard recordings of the 4th Symphony, so it was nice to be able to hear a lot of the sections that are marked "piano" instead of cranking up the volume on my iPod. Even though it was a rehearsal, they did play through a whole movement once without stopping before going back and fixing spots. Honestly, going back and replaying sections was my favorite part of this whole experience, because I got to hear it all over again.
I'm a fan of Dvorak's work, but I have never heard Carnival until today. It was the shortest piece on the program, which was helpful because I was still on a Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 4 high, sorry Dvorak! But honestly, I did enjoy this piece too. It has a great, catchy theme.
Finally there was the Lindberg Piano Concerto No. 2 premiere. Mr. Lindberg, near the front of the audience was out and ready with the score in front of him, which made me wish I was sitting a little closer so I can get a glimpse of it. I could definitely see a connection between this piece and the rest of the program, and the piano soloist's cadenza was amazing! It was such a nice treat to get the first sneak peak of this composition.
I'm a little sad that I won't be able to attend the actual concerts this weekend, but this rehearsal was a great alternative. Do other orchestras do this? I need to look this up. I've later looked at the program notes to get a better idea of the work. It's amazing to read what it took to come up with these masterpieces.
Monday, April 23, 2012
Why Aren't More People Doing This?
For the past few months, I've been searching for a volunteer organization that I can participate in. I kept running into one's that were full, had very sparse orientations to become a member, or didn't fit into my schedule. I then stumbled upon New York Cares, and all was right in the world.
This organization is great! There are 100s of different activities that you can participate in and can volunteer at any time of the day. I got so overwhelmed over the project list, because I wanted to get involved in everything. There were so many things on there that related to my interests, and what a great way to give back to the community while doing something that I love. After attending a half-hour long orientation last week, I was ready to start.
Because some of the more popular projects tend to fill up quickly, I was only able to try three different ones this past week. I started with giving manicures to senior citizens at a nursing home. Anyone who knows me well knows that I always have my nails done, and 99% of the time I do it myself, so I thought this should be easy. I must admit that for my first project this was an experience beyond my expectations. I arrived at the nursing home on time and it unfortunately took me about a half hour to figure out where I was supposed to go, because this place was like a maze. When I finally reached the right wing, I was able to catch up with everyone else, and learn the specific procedures of the place rather quickly. There was only enough time for me to give a manicure to one, a woman who had just turned 96 years old! She told me how she lived in the same home in the Upper East Side from the day she was born til a few years ago, when she woke up one morning and could no longer walk. Just by looking at her and noticing her behavior, I could tell that she was a gorgeous, girly-girl back in her prime days. When I asked her what color she wanted, she said pink, and I showed her some of the options we had. After turning down several shades of the girly color, she finally settled on a shinny hot pink that she loved. I feel so lucky that I had a chance to get to know her, and hope I will get a chance to do this project again.
Another project I tried was Music Explorers at a daycare. The kids were in the 3-4 age group, and could not be more adorable! Basically, the volunteer's job was to get the kids excited and participate with the teacher who led the group with songs on her guitar. Most of the children cooperated well while a few were all over the place, but I had no problem dealing with it. It was so sweet to watch them enjoy what they were singing, and even ask the teacher to repeat the "name song" when a new kid entered the room. That particular day, the teacher wanted to introduce a new song to the class that involved the kids saying different types of food that "Aiken Drum's" clothes are made out of (anyone heard that song before...it was new to me!). These kids were shouting out foods like tomatoes, lettuce, and carrots more than typical things that kids like. Makes me so happy that these children are in an environment that encourages healthier eating! This is an activity that I definitely hope to go back to.
The last one for the week was a walk/jog in the park with an organization that helps athletes with disabilities. I figured this will be a great way to get me to workout, because my definition of an exercise is a short time on the treadmill and lifting a couple weights that are not even that heavy. I chose to go with a group that was only going to do a 4 mile brisk walk, because the 6 mile jog and walking service dogs was just not for me (I'm not the most comfortable person around dogs). The main focus of the group was a vision-impaired man who had recently ran the Boston Marathon. This guy wore me out! The "brisk" walk turned into occasional jogging, and 4 miles seemed like a lot more considering I had already walked 2 miles just to get to the meeting place. I did, however, enjoy talking to this guy and the others around me. He even knew exactly where he was in the park just by listening to his surroundings, and I also learned from him that the lamp posts list what street we are closest to – MIND BLOWN! After an additional 2 mile walk home at the end, I think it's safe to say that I got a good workout in considering it's a couple days later and I still can't feel my legs. I signed up for next week, so I'm hoping I can keep up next time.
This entire week as I experienced each project and signed up for some new ones for next week, I kept thinking 'why haven't I done this before?' I really wish this was something that I thought of doing earlier in life, because this experience has been very rewarding so far, and I'm doing activities that I really enjoy. Another thought...WHY AREN'T MORE PEOPLE DOING THIS? This world would be a much better place if everyone devoted some of their time to help someone else. There are no excuses for this, there's always a way to fit even the smallest opportunity into your schedule. And if it is something you enjoy/are good at, why not?
This organization is great! There are 100s of different activities that you can participate in and can volunteer at any time of the day. I got so overwhelmed over the project list, because I wanted to get involved in everything. There were so many things on there that related to my interests, and what a great way to give back to the community while doing something that I love. After attending a half-hour long orientation last week, I was ready to start.
Because some of the more popular projects tend to fill up quickly, I was only able to try three different ones this past week. I started with giving manicures to senior citizens at a nursing home. Anyone who knows me well knows that I always have my nails done, and 99% of the time I do it myself, so I thought this should be easy. I must admit that for my first project this was an experience beyond my expectations. I arrived at the nursing home on time and it unfortunately took me about a half hour to figure out where I was supposed to go, because this place was like a maze. When I finally reached the right wing, I was able to catch up with everyone else, and learn the specific procedures of the place rather quickly. There was only enough time for me to give a manicure to one, a woman who had just turned 96 years old! She told me how she lived in the same home in the Upper East Side from the day she was born til a few years ago, when she woke up one morning and could no longer walk. Just by looking at her and noticing her behavior, I could tell that she was a gorgeous, girly-girl back in her prime days. When I asked her what color she wanted, she said pink, and I showed her some of the options we had. After turning down several shades of the girly color, she finally settled on a shinny hot pink that she loved. I feel so lucky that I had a chance to get to know her, and hope I will get a chance to do this project again.
Another project I tried was Music Explorers at a daycare. The kids were in the 3-4 age group, and could not be more adorable! Basically, the volunteer's job was to get the kids excited and participate with the teacher who led the group with songs on her guitar. Most of the children cooperated well while a few were all over the place, but I had no problem dealing with it. It was so sweet to watch them enjoy what they were singing, and even ask the teacher to repeat the "name song" when a new kid entered the room. That particular day, the teacher wanted to introduce a new song to the class that involved the kids saying different types of food that "Aiken Drum's" clothes are made out of (anyone heard that song before...it was new to me!). These kids were shouting out foods like tomatoes, lettuce, and carrots more than typical things that kids like. Makes me so happy that these children are in an environment that encourages healthier eating! This is an activity that I definitely hope to go back to.
The last one for the week was a walk/jog in the park with an organization that helps athletes with disabilities. I figured this will be a great way to get me to workout, because my definition of an exercise is a short time on the treadmill and lifting a couple weights that are not even that heavy. I chose to go with a group that was only going to do a 4 mile brisk walk, because the 6 mile jog and walking service dogs was just not for me (I'm not the most comfortable person around dogs). The main focus of the group was a vision-impaired man who had recently ran the Boston Marathon. This guy wore me out! The "brisk" walk turned into occasional jogging, and 4 miles seemed like a lot more considering I had already walked 2 miles just to get to the meeting place. I did, however, enjoy talking to this guy and the others around me. He even knew exactly where he was in the park just by listening to his surroundings, and I also learned from him that the lamp posts list what street we are closest to – MIND BLOWN! After an additional 2 mile walk home at the end, I think it's safe to say that I got a good workout in considering it's a couple days later and I still can't feel my legs. I signed up for next week, so I'm hoping I can keep up next time.
This entire week as I experienced each project and signed up for some new ones for next week, I kept thinking 'why haven't I done this before?' I really wish this was something that I thought of doing earlier in life, because this experience has been very rewarding so far, and I'm doing activities that I really enjoy. Another thought...WHY AREN'T MORE PEOPLE DOING THIS? This world would be a much better place if everyone devoted some of their time to help someone else. There are no excuses for this, there's always a way to fit even the smallest opportunity into your schedule. And if it is something you enjoy/are good at, why not?
Monday, April 9, 2012
Coffee, Baked Goods, and Biscotti...OH MY!
Lately, I've been thinking of trying some new coffee/bakery places around the city. There are just so many around here that I need to branch out from my weekly trips to my nearest Dunkin Donuts (as much as I plan to always remain a loyal customer!)
I decided to finally try this one place called BisCoLatte. They specialize in 60 different flavored biscotti and they are HOMEMADE. I love the cozy, coffee shop feel that has a colorful twist – the interior is very cute. I got the 5 flavor sampler to get a variety that ranged from oatmeal-coconut-chocolate to fig and hazelnut, all of which were delicious. They also feature soups and oatmeals of the day that I didn't get a chance to try, but definitely makes me want to go back.
During a Saturday of obsessively watching the Cooking Channel, Levain Bakery, was featured in one of the shows. Watching "food experts" talk about the delicious special cookies and coffee cake, made me want to rush over to their location on the UWS while my mouth was still watering. I ordered the Chocolate peanut-butter cookie and the sour cream coffee cake. Their cookies are huge mound shapes that are soft and fluffy, which is my standard for a perfect cookie. The coffee cake had this gooey cinnamon-brown sugar mixture at the bottom, that put me in a sugar overload for the rest of the day. The space of the bakery is very small with limited seating, but you can watch the bakers work while waiting in line for takeout. I got a glimpse of the cookie dough and wanted to jump behind the counter to taste it before it went in the oven.
I had arrived a little early to an event in the Upper East Side one evening, and decided to find a coffee shop to take up some time. I stumbled in a place called The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf. I had to keep myself out of the customer line for a couple minutes, because I was overwhelmed by so many choices. It was a little hot out that day, so I went with the Coffee-Ice-Blended flavor Black Forest. Of all flavored iced coffee drinks I've had, this one is my new favorite. I know this is breaking my "no sugar in coffee drinks" new years resolution, but I think this is a good once in a while treat.
Do you have a favorite coffee/bakery shop that you regularly go to? What are some of your favorite menu items from there?
I decided to finally try this one place called BisCoLatte. They specialize in 60 different flavored biscotti and they are HOMEMADE. I love the cozy, coffee shop feel that has a colorful twist – the interior is very cute. I got the 5 flavor sampler to get a variety that ranged from oatmeal-coconut-chocolate to fig and hazelnut, all of which were delicious. They also feature soups and oatmeals of the day that I didn't get a chance to try, but definitely makes me want to go back.
During a Saturday of obsessively watching the Cooking Channel, Levain Bakery, was featured in one of the shows. Watching "food experts" talk about the delicious special cookies and coffee cake, made me want to rush over to their location on the UWS while my mouth was still watering. I ordered the Chocolate peanut-butter cookie and the sour cream coffee cake. Their cookies are huge mound shapes that are soft and fluffy, which is my standard for a perfect cookie. The coffee cake had this gooey cinnamon-brown sugar mixture at the bottom, that put me in a sugar overload for the rest of the day. The space of the bakery is very small with limited seating, but you can watch the bakers work while waiting in line for takeout. I got a glimpse of the cookie dough and wanted to jump behind the counter to taste it before it went in the oven.
I had arrived a little early to an event in the Upper East Side one evening, and decided to find a coffee shop to take up some time. I stumbled in a place called The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf. I had to keep myself out of the customer line for a couple minutes, because I was overwhelmed by so many choices. It was a little hot out that day, so I went with the Coffee-Ice-Blended flavor Black Forest. Of all flavored iced coffee drinks I've had, this one is my new favorite. I know this is breaking my "no sugar in coffee drinks" new years resolution, but I think this is a good once in a while treat.
Do you have a favorite coffee/bakery shop that you regularly go to? What are some of your favorite menu items from there?
Friday, March 23, 2012
Happy Spring
Eideh Shoma Mobarak!!
(translation: Happy New Year!!)
This week is the official first day of spring. While the weather warms up and flowers start to bloom, the Persian community celebrates a new year or "Norooz". This holiday dates back thousands of years to the Persian Empire and many families, including mine, still celebrate it today. Even though Iran is the only country that recognizes the calendar (it's technically 1391 this year), I think it's cool how the new year corresponds with the first day of spring. It has a sense of "rebirth" and starting fresh with the cycle of seasons.
Traditions include, doing some massive spring cleaning, taking time to visit family and friends, lots of food and parties, spending time outside, and putting together the traditional Norooz table setting "sofreh."
I grew up with a sofreh that was detailed and colorful, so trying to replicate that was a challenge. I live in a typical Manhattan studio where my kitchen, dining room, living room, and bedroom are all in one closet-size space, so I wanted to put together something.
Being in the spring mood, I wanted to celebrate by going outside and really experience spring. It's been absolutely beautiful out the past few days and I had to take advantage.
I also have a yearly tradition of cleaning out my closet as a part of spring cleaning and donating clothes that are still in good shape that I no longer wear to Goodwill. I really dug through this year and found shirts that I haven't worn since the first couple years of college!!! (aka, a long time ago)
Can't wait to see what the new season brings! I actually have no major events set in the next few months, guess that just means that I'm in for a lot of surprises!
(translation: Happy New Year!!)
This week is the official first day of spring. While the weather warms up and flowers start to bloom, the Persian community celebrates a new year or "Norooz". This holiday dates back thousands of years to the Persian Empire and many families, including mine, still celebrate it today. Even though Iran is the only country that recognizes the calendar (it's technically 1391 this year), I think it's cool how the new year corresponds with the first day of spring. It has a sense of "rebirth" and starting fresh with the cycle of seasons.
Traditions include, doing some massive spring cleaning, taking time to visit family and friends, lots of food and parties, spending time outside, and putting together the traditional Norooz table setting "sofreh."
I grew up with a sofreh that was detailed and colorful, so trying to replicate that was a challenge. I live in a typical Manhattan studio where my kitchen, dining room, living room, and bedroom are all in one closet-size space, so I wanted to put together something.
 |
| Here is my sofreh "haft-seen" on the corner of my kitchen counter. Each item symbolizes (7 of them begin with an 's') something for the new year. |
 |
| There is supposed to be real goldfish (symbolizing life), but I was a little lazy and opted for goldfish crackers. |
 |
| Colored eggs symbolizing fertility. |
 |
| Hyacinth flowers, the standard flower in the sofreh. |
 |
| "Sabzeh" symbolizing rebirth (I used wheat grass) |
Being in the spring mood, I wanted to celebrate by going outside and really experience spring. It's been absolutely beautiful out the past few days and I had to take advantage.
 |
| Performers on a lovely day in the park. |
 |
| First signs of spring in the park. The picnics are starting. |
 |
| The tree that I see outside my apartment window. I love watching this tree change every season. |
I also have a yearly tradition of cleaning out my closet as a part of spring cleaning and donating clothes that are still in good shape that I no longer wear to Goodwill. I really dug through this year and found shirts that I haven't worn since the first couple years of college!!! (aka, a long time ago)
 |
| The bag of clothes I donated. |
Can't wait to see what the new season brings! I actually have no major events set in the next few months, guess that just means that I'm in for a lot of surprises!
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
The Next Fashion Star
Last night was the series premier of Fashion Star on NBC. Among the thousand reality shows I regularly watch, I just had to fit this one in (thank God, The Bachelor is finally over!).
When I first heard about the show, I thought 'This better not be a copy of Project Runway,' because I'm already a huge fan of Heidi Klum and Tim Gunn. Some other "fashion designer" shows have been a disappointment to me, because they were trying to replicate that concept. I'm glad that there were some major differences between the two shows:
There were some great designs on the show, which makes me want to watch more to see what else some of the designers have up their sleeves. Top favorites where a 2-in-1 mini-skirt that had a zipper to change the look and a cerulean blue shift dress with a partial open back.
My worst list was definitely the woman who decided to just show a collar/neck tie combo that went with outfits that she did not design. WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT ON THE FIRST CHALLENGE? It was a horrible first impression, and although she was the bottom two, she didn't get eliminated. The guy, who did lose, at least put out constructive leather jackets. He was, however, very disrespectful to the judges by saying that women do not know mens' design. Ouch!
Overall, the designs that made it to Saks, H&M, and Macys are great, but they sold out online so quickly. I also realized that this 'buy the next day' concept is a great idea, but I think NBC failed to realize that most of their audience will be disappointed, because either an item can sell out in a minute or items can be overpriced. I know Saks is well...Saks, but seeing a skirt go for $350 versus a H&M dress for $20, I'm gonna be discouraged from buying any of their merchandise.
Regardless, I'm hooked. Can't wait til next week!!
When I first heard about the show, I thought 'This better not be a copy of Project Runway,' because I'm already a huge fan of Heidi Klum and Tim Gunn. Some other "fashion designer" shows have been a disappointment to me, because they were trying to replicate that concept. I'm glad that there were some major differences between the two shows:
- Project Runway focused on a runway/couture look, which is great in an artistic way, but Fashion Star took a commercial/ready-to-wear approach, which appeals to a bigger audience
- Project Runway has one adviser (TIM GUNN!) and three judges/guest judge, where Fashion Star has three advisers and three retail buyers
- Project Runway has only one winner per episode, Fashion Star can have multiple winners
- Project Runway has one final winner that funds their first collection, Fashion Star has each winning design PER EPISODE chosen by one of the buyers, H&M, Saks, or Macys, and can be purchased the next day!
There were some great designs on the show, which makes me want to watch more to see what else some of the designers have up their sleeves. Top favorites where a 2-in-1 mini-skirt that had a zipper to change the look and a cerulean blue shift dress with a partial open back.
My worst list was definitely the woman who decided to just show a collar/neck tie combo that went with outfits that she did not design. WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT ON THE FIRST CHALLENGE? It was a horrible first impression, and although she was the bottom two, she didn't get eliminated. The guy, who did lose, at least put out constructive leather jackets. He was, however, very disrespectful to the judges by saying that women do not know mens' design. Ouch!
Overall, the designs that made it to Saks, H&M, and Macys are great, but they sold out online so quickly. I also realized that this 'buy the next day' concept is a great idea, but I think NBC failed to realize that most of their audience will be disappointed, because either an item can sell out in a minute or items can be overpriced. I know Saks is well...Saks, but seeing a skirt go for $350 versus a H&M dress for $20, I'm gonna be discouraged from buying any of their merchandise.
Regardless, I'm hooked. Can't wait til next week!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)