July 2nd, 2009 by jiscilla

This is probably a few days tardy, but I’m still kind of in awe of the No Doubt/Paramore show I went to this past weekend. Angela was super awesome enough to get us VIP tickets to the Jones Beach show. We got there a couple hours early and just sat on the “boardwalk” thing-y, drinking some coconut wine and tangerine flavored NoS. Believe it or not, they tasted kinda good. It was so nice to just sit by the water and chat the whole time while listening to Janelle Monae open the show.

By the time Paramore was up, we got to our seats which were perfectly centered and slightly tiered (good for me because I’m so short and can’t see over anyone’s heads…even though no one was really in front of us). I was so amped to see them play. It has almost been a year!

Their set was, of course, amazing. Everytime I listen to “Let The Flames Begin,” I get chills. I think it’s my current favorite song they play live. It was awesome to hear two new songs of theirs. I’m an idiot for not knowing what the second one’s title is (not “Ignorance”). I am so so pumped for this new album (Brand New Eyes). Eleven tracks they recorded, eleven tracks that will be on this album. Solid! I love hearing them get so excited about their work…it’s a beautiful thing.

So many parts of the show rocked. The set, the video backdrops, the costumes, the abs (Gwen is now my motivation to get back into shape. Her body is serious). My favorite was definitely “Stand and Deliver.” I don’t know why, but I was so shocked when all of Pmore came on stage. Hayley sang, Jeremy and Taylor beat the drums…it was such a celebration. I love love loved it. I may have even squealed. To think, 3 years earlier, they were traveling via band van to venues as small as The Continental. I bet they couldn’t even imagine at the time, performing live on stage with freakin’ No Doubt. I’m slightly jealous of that, I must say, or the fact that Jeremy gets to see Gwen everyday on tour. Geez. Surreal.

Anyways, after all the “EPIC-ness” of the show, Jeremy came out to get me and Ang at the back gate. The poor kid ended up getting mobbed. Being the good guy he is, he took a bunch of photos with some fans before Ang pretended to be his publicist to get him outta there. He brought us back to the buses and showed us the sweet set of bikes they have on the road with them. I’m particularly fond of his wolf seat. I showed him the video I took of the show. He will always make fun of me for it. We basically just hung out, caught up on what’s new, and reminisced like we always do. It’s always good to see him.

We didn’t end up getting back to the city until late. Angela and I had our fair share of encounters with crazies that night. The Wantagh late night partiers, the homeless dude on the platform, and the cab driver who almost killed us 7 times and screamed, “Your momma, prick!” Interesting, I tell ya.

Anyways, I woke up the next morning completely way too early for it to be normal. I was sore, and I had bites ALL OVER my legs and feet! Jeremy was complaining of the mosquitos the night before, but I thought nothing of it seeing as I had long sleeves and leggings on. Now, I have this huge welt on my left limb (still). Hopefully that will fade quickly, lest not the memories of an awesome weekend.

June 30th, 2009 by jiscilla

I got them two days ago at Fabulous Fanny’s on 9th St. between 1st and 2nd Ave. Do you dig?

I swear, I thought I could only dream of finding a place like this. They have thousands of frames to choose from, and in ANY style you could possibly want. You want the 80’s? They got it. You want 1930’s spectacles? No problem. You want the cateye, blue butterfly frames from the 1960’s. Piece of cake. Trust me, you can’t even imagine half the stock that they have. The website is not even 1/16th of the store…you gotta go in and see it for yourself. I probably spent at least 2 hrs going through all the awesomeness. I had the hardest time deciding. I had to remain strong (meaning practical), though.

If you’re not into vintage, it’s okay. They have contemporary models, too. The frames I bought are actually made from a current brand named Kala based in California. I’ve just been so bored by the ordinary “Lenscrafter” scene. Everytime I walk into one of those places, I either get completely ignored, or they hand me stuff to try on that is no where’s near what I asked for. I seriously had no idea where else to look, and then I magically stumpled upon this lovely shop. I’m so happy (and they were so nice).

It’s not your average optical joint, but it is EXACTLY what I was looking for. I highly recommend to anyone looking for glasses…whether it be for reading or for the sunny days.

June 25th, 2009 by jiscilla

As much as I want and need to write a solid post about my MIA status for the past month…I think I need to build myself back up (kind of like working out…when you miss 2 weeks of 5 mile runs and 30 mins on the elliptical, you’re kinda hurting when you step back into your game). Slowly, I think, I will work my way back into it.

I am such a detail-orientated person, that I want to describe every little detail of my past month experiences because so so much has happened. I’m guessing I will go back later and do just that, but for now, I feel like I’m about to word vomit.

The main event of the previous weeks was Jessica’s bridal shower and bachlorette party. If you read her’s or any of my girls’ blogs, I’m sure you’ve heard plenty, but I can’t help but indulge, myself. It was (in no exaggeration) probably the most fun weekend I’ve had in my entire life…purely for the fact that I have thee best friends ever. I will write separate posts on this later, because I would never like to forget these nights.

Besides that, a lot has been going on. My friends are getting married, my brother got engaged, I had an old friend from high school pass away and another death in the family, work has been getting intense, I have been busy falling in love with my boyfriend…I just haven’t had the time to find for the internet.

I promise I will make a comeback. I have books I wanna discuss, fashion fads I’m digging, products I’m into…my brain is filled to the brim, I need to let it all loose (that way, I can make room for more..hehe)!

Whoever said life only gets better with age wasn’t joking. Though, I feel a granny sometimes and not everything is perfect, I still feel like I lead this amazing life. Thank you, God, for blessing me with all of this!

June 10th, 2009 by jiscilla

This clip completely blew my mind. Is this really Mark-Paul Gosselaar or just some insanely uncanny lookalike? It’s too perfect to be anyone else…right?

June 7th, 2009 by jiscilla

I need to feature a girl of mine who’s killing it in the industry right now. Shyrelle Kalilikane (she’s Hawaiian) is not only just a pretty face, she’s got insane talent. From modern to street, she’s got it covered.

Some super gorg recent shots of her I’m obsessing over:

Do me a favor and watch her video from Carnvial below, and then head over to dancemedia.com and vote for her in Capezio’s Award for Choreographic Excellence (ps….the video is a little better quality over there). She friggin’ deserves it with all her hard work and dedication, and look at how hott this performance is!

If you liked her choreography for Phantom, then check out her performance at Virgin Megastore in Times Square for Janet Jackson’s Album Release.

This all got me reminiscing of the old days. We look like babies here.

May 29th, 2009 by jiscilla

Apologies everywhere…I’ve been slogging! Yeah, slacking + blogging = a slog. Can you ever forgive me?

I couldn’t let this one go by, though. I am FULLY addicted. Yesterday, I bought the Passion Pit album titled “Manners.” My dear friends, if you buy one CD this summer, let it be this one. Seriously, you won’t regret.

My curbie, Dagger, has been talking to me and my girls about this band for quite some time now. It took me a week or two to actually go check them out, but geez louise, I have no idea why it took me so long! I am already slating “The Reeling” as my summer jam (I actually had a dream last night and this was like the theme song for it…I literally heard it playing all throughout my dream). EPIC-ness.

Passion Pit - The Reeling

I have lots of favorite tracks off the CD, but I have to say “Sleepyhead” is my number 1. This is the song that got me hooked. It makes me wish I was back dancing. Rhapsody would do some dope shiii to this stuff. Somebody get me back on the dance floor!

If you like MGMT, I think you’ll probably end up liking this band. I’ll even categorize it with the likes of Peter, Bjorn, and John…but that’s just in my opinion. I’m not exactly a rep for Sony Music & Management.

Go check it out…don’t make me say, “I told you so!”

May 22nd, 2009 by jiscilla

A couple weeks ago the boys were in town. They were doing some radio tour performing at local clubs and bar, and I, obviously, had to go support. I introduced them to my friend, Rubina, and she instantly fell in love with them…I mean, who doesn’t? I have been raving about these boys for the past year.

Currently they’re on the Top 40 countdown! Things have all been coming together, and I’m so excited for them. They’re so on their way to being the next big thing. Soon, girls will be saying ‘Nsync who?

Oh, and Asher has a movie coming out soon. Everyone’s gotta go out and see the remake of Fame!

I don’t care what genres you’re into…how could you not be into this:

May 19th, 2009 by jiscilla

Anxiety is on high right now, and I have a feeling it won’t be disappearing anytime soon. So much going on, so much planned, so much I need to/want to do. Must. Do. It. All.

I wish sleep wasn’t necessary.

May 14th, 2009 by jiscilla

I’m not really sure where to start with this post. I’ve already re-wrote the first paragraph about 6 times, and I honestly don’t think there is anything I can write to justify what I am about to acknowledge. As most of you that read my blog, you probably already know that we lost a good friend the other night. His name: Chris Brightman (most of us know him as “Bmann”). He was a “regular” at Trainwreck, and seeing how I view Trainwreck mostly like a family, this is a great loss to all of us. While I wasn’t close with him outside the party, I am extremely saddened by this. He was such a great dude…funny, sweet, and always friendly. He, also, took some of the best pictures!

Man, I’m just speechless. I don’t handle things like this well, though I should be used to it after all the deaths I’ve been through in my short lifetime. And I just went to a funeral last week! Geez, can we all just stop and actually realize the value of life? I just want to tell everyone how much I love them. Seriously, I care so much for so many people, and I bet not even half of them know it.

I wish I got to know Chris, better. I wish I got to know what kind of person he really was. I wish this week’s Trainwreck wasn’t his last.

I hope all those close to him remain strong. I’ll be praying for him…all his family and friends.

Rest In Peace Bmann. We love you.

(I took this picture of him just two weeks ago)

And I hope this wasn’t inept. I wish I could find all the right words to say.

May 6th, 2009 by jiscilla

Good lord, have I been MIA or wha? Been almost a month since I last wrote. This is ridic because, obviously, so much has happened since then.

I have been busy, busy, busy with a bunch of shoots and parties to cover. I’ve been spendin’ a ton of time with my beau and other such good friends. I’ve had lots of work to do. It’s just been one crazy month.

As far as shoots go, I had mucho ground to cover. I spent a day with the new band, Tinted Windows. First, I met up with them at the Z100/Clear Channel Radio studios where they were doing a few radio interviews. I took a bunch of shots from behind the scenes, and it was cool to hear everything they had to say since I wasn’t all too familiar with them besides their past projects. In case you didn’t know, the group is made up of Taylor Hanson (vocals, Hanson), James Iha (guitarist, Smashing Pumpkins), Adam Schlesinger (bassist, Fountains of Wayne), and Bun E. Carlos (drummer, Cheap Trick)…obviously all quite the successful pasts. After that I hopped in their van with them to go uptown to their next destination. They were set to film a live studio performance for AOL Sessions. That, in itself, was pretty rad, too, seeing the production behind it all. All the dudes were super nice (my favorite being James Iha). It may seem odd to put them all together, but somehow it just works for them. I hope good things come out of this for them. I’d like to see them perform again. As for my other shoot, it was with Columbia artist, Samuel. That was pretty awesome, too. I felt bad because poor Samuel was sick and could barely speak, but he ended up being a real trooper. We started out fairly early because we were shooting outdoors. I probably should have scheduled it even earlier, though, because by the time we got to the location (Cloisters), the sun was looming overhead. Still, the whole day seemed pretty successful, and we came across a bunch of fun spots to shoot. Once I get approved photos, I’ll be sure to post both shoots here.

Trainwrecking has been fun, too. I’ve been trying to get back in action, but half of the time, something always comes up…which is why I’ve been slacking on these photos. Let me tell you, though, this party has grown even bigger from week to week. That makes me so proud of my Dagger and Mr. Rob Hitt.

My boy has been spending a lot of time doing his own thing for his band, A Great Big Pile Of Leaves, and I’m trying to be in full-on support mode. I’m so proud of him and the other dudes for all their hard work cause everything is turning out so great. I’m sad I missed their video shoot this past weekend, though, cause I have been on-and-off sickies (right now, I am on).

However, somehow I managed to OD on my zinc cough drops and medicines to get me to Bamboozle where I spent the day/night with Nicole, Jac, Crystal, Bramli, and Mandy (Side note: The rain did not help). It was a little bit miserable with the weather, but we had such a fun time.

My favorite part of the day had to be our trip to Chili’s. It was warm, there was yummy real food, and a “Legit” waitress (omg, I didn’t just say that)…oh, and Tropical Sunrises! Nah, but seriously, my highlight of bamboozle might have been Taking Back Sunday. Seriously, that band…amazing (also, don’t hate on me, but I’ve only seen them perform once before and it was from afar. It was a real treat when Adam Lazzara climbed the lighting rig on side of the stage and hung upside down about 20 ft in the air while singing “Make Damn Sure”). Anyways, other bands we watched: The Maine, Rocket to the Moon, and No Doubt. Gwen was obviously amazing. She kinda pulled the “awe” factor in me that I didn’t know I had for her. I am currently beyond stoked to see them perform again this summer repeatedly with Paramore. Rocket to the Moon is definitely a band I haven’t heard of until the girls introduced me to them, but I actually really like them, so write that down on my “Music To Buy” list. I met a ton of cool people, I just wish I had more time (and energy) to hang with them all. JV’s bracelet selling went friggin’ awesome.
Her street team is beyond the bomb.

I could only wish I had fans like hers (if I were to have fans)…not to mention, Mandy’s too! Between those two girls, geez, we couldn’t walk more than 10 feet without someone wanting a picture. It was awesome. By the time we got back to the hotel, I was exhausted. I passed out in the middle of the room, with everyone else around me. I guess that’s what I get for being old.

Annnnnyway, tonight, I’m going out to see the boys of VFactory, but before I do that…I must nap. Peace and love, my homies.

To see more pics from Bamboozle, Click Here.