cafe con lesley

Banjee & Willi Ninja

2011-01-06T12:35:00.000-08:00

and

DELOCATED

2011-01-03T23:27:00.000-08:00

My favorite show of 2010 by one of my favorite people of 2010, Jon Glaser, is gonna be available on DVD soon. I HIGHly encourage you to get high and watch this show. Or don't get high. The funny factor is the same either way.

CHANNEL YR INNER GAY COWBOY THIS WEDS JAN 5

2011-01-02T21:35:00.000-08:00

Elizabeth's Apartment

2010-12-27T10:31:00.000-08:00

(Muppet skin fur coat)

FUCK U XMAS (but I like ur card)

2010-12-26T01:42:00.000-08:00

Thought For Thought

2010-10-14T13:52:00.000-07:00

Sorry I've been slacking on my blog lately. I won't bore you with excuses. I'd rather talk about new and awesome exciting things, such as writing for the Thought Catalog.

I love this site and am honored that they asked me to write for them. (Side note is that I got them to work with another writer friend of mine, Nichole Beattie, so you should read some of her stuff too.)

My articles so far have been: All The Boyfriends I've Ever Had In Chronological Order (in 4 parts)
New York vs Los Angeles (a.k.a. "Driving: A Love Story")
and something that just went up today:
When I Had A Zine

I'll be writing for them weekly, so please comment and let me know what you think. I'm really insecure and everything you say on the internet I really take to heart.

Byyyeeeeee!!!!

Uniform Project Day 3

2010-09-03T15:46:00.000-07:00

I'm getting slightly worried that I'm gonna run out of fantastic outfit combinations.

I'm also getting more than slightly worried about how I'm gonna wear this dress in the New York heat.

Suggestions?

(PS please check out the site and help a good cause)

MEXICO

2010-08-31T14:39:00.000-07:00

I just got back from Mexico. Maybe I was sleep deprived, but tell me if your brain wtf's this as much as mine did.

I guess having to be at the airport at 4am didn't help, but I was kind of hungry and thirsty and usually I just depend on the kindness of airport McDonald's breakfast to help me out. Instead I saw this place:
Hmmm. Interesting. Looks like they're selling bags of hay and old TV dinners...

Upon closer inspection... what a shocker:
It's either old hay, cow dung, or a bag of hair. Yum, appetizing. I can't wait to eat this on the plane?

You know what I can really go for right now? A box of steak from 1978.
I then saw there was a candy shop open so I meandered my starving ass over there. Just in case you forgot, this is what candy usually looks like in my brain:
But I guess this is what candy looks like in a Mexican persons brain:
A delicious bag of doody balls.

Imagine if someone gave you these on Halloween:
Can I have some more candy flavored baby food please?
I'm really in the mood for a black pinwheel with nuts on it.
Oh yeah. MEXICO.
I'll take a plastic bag of turds for $109 please.

Playing The Sax That Sounds Like Life

2010-08-26T21:53:00.000-07:00

Today was a great day in LA.
I actually drove past "Melrose Place."
Then when I was driving down Sunset, "Hazy Shade Of Winter" by The Bangles came on the radio and it was just like Less Than Zero. There were palm trees everywhere.
I also found (after a month of having this rental car) a secret button makes Sirius radio happen.
Score!
And tomorrow I'm waking up at 4am to go to Mexico. WOW!

The Groupie Chronz: I'm Not With The Band

2010-08-19T22:38:00.000-07:00

I posted this on buzznet but thought I'd share it with you guys as well. What happened is that I got the chance to hang around a band. I got to win my way into their hearts, or at least try, so I figured I'd kill two creative birds with one bedazzled stone and write about. (I'm not sure why the stone is bedazzled, but let's just run with it). Now that I think about it, befriending a band isn't really being creative. So I just killed one creative bird.

Can you tell I'm tired? IT'S NO EXCUSE.

Anyway, here's part 1 of The Groupie Chronicles. Hope you likey.

Sometimes I moonlight as a groupie. I'll admit it. It means I go out with dudes in bands (well, there have only been 2 of them to be exact).

You might remember my first epic groupie adventure from this blog

And maybe my second groupie adventure could be just moving to LA for the summer, but I'm not gonna count that.

I was supposed to go to Comic Con today with a band but when my boyfriend overselpt, I got kicked outta the van.* He was stressed for time and I don't think me saying "wait, I can't find my phone!" really helped much. Needless to say I never made it to Comic Con.

Needless to say I'm bummed.

So instead I went shopping. I drove to Sunland thrift only to find zero things. Then I went to a store called Driftwood on Sunset and got this skirt. It's pretty I think!

*bathing suit top by APC, skirt from Driftwood, sneakers by Converse

I can only use this groupie chronicling as a learning experience.

1. If the band needs to wake up on time, be the type of groupie who sets a second alarm just in case.

2. Be the type of groupie not to forget anything, and if you do, don't tell the band. They don't wanna hear it.

3. Don't stay mad. Groupies should live like free birds. Let go, move on to the next groupie adventure.

* Please note that my "kicked outta the van" statement should be stricken from the record. It was an exaggeration on my part and my boyfriend is nothing but a sweet sweet guitar playing lovebug who also happens to be extremely determined and hard-working, while I am just merely along for the ride, in whatever vehicle (metophorical and literal) that will take me there, if I'm lucky.

Read PART TWO and PART THREE.

Love Was A Dangerous Angel

2010-08-09T21:53:00.000-07:00

I went to the screenplay reading of Weetzie Bat last night at Book Soup in LA. I wore this outfit because I thought it was Weetzie-esque. The thing about LA is that wearing anything other than flip flops makes you feel way overdressed. So that happened.

If you don't know what Weetzie Bat is, click here and here. Or I'll just tell you. It was a seminal young adult book series I read in high school. A lot of alernative kids were into it.

This was sort of a big deal. Girls with black framed glasses having only been dreaming about what this book would be like as a movie since 1995. Now those girls are older and wear contacts. Still, Weetzie will always have a cult following. Like this young lady:

This girl showed up too. She looks just like what I wished I looked like in the 90s. I was trying not to be too creepy with the camera.

Here's Francesca Lia Block (author) posing with... guess?

Yup. Dirk, Duck, and My Secret Agent Lover Man. (I KNOW!!)

Does this gal look familiar? She was only Dottie in Pee Wee's Big Adventure, the friend in Valley Girl, and the singer in the band that played at the dance in Better Off Dead.

She sang an acoustic version of "Send Me An Angel" that started out with a douche chill, but ended with just a regular chill.

Look at the girl who played Weetzie! Ain't she cute?

Overall I'd say that the script was actually pretty cute. I especially liked the part when Weetzie and Dirk went to the Jane Mansfield fan club party. I left early though because the girl next to me passed out and I let her mom take my standing room spot. I bought a book and left. Plus listening to people read scripts makes me feel weird.

I'm Going To This

2010-08-05T20:18:00.000-07:00

I hope it's not too packed

Black Eyes. Cold Hearts. Born 2 Lose.

2010-08-02T17:00:00.000-07:00

I've been having a really hard time lately, mostly it has to do with work (lack thereof). I'm not sure if this is the sort of thing I'm supposed to admit to the public or not, like does it make me seem less successful/competent? Probably.
It's the lack of confidence that leads to not being as prolific as I would like, and that's just where I'm at. It's a catch 22 because when I get more work it enables me to be more prolific, and as a result I feel better about myself.
When the opposite goes down I feel worthless. I feel like there's no reason for me to even exist and no words of encouragement can fix the feeling. Yeah I'm dramatic and sometimes throw my own pity parties but I don't care.
Not every weekend is a party. Not every outfit is a winner. It's hard for me to write and pretend otherwise.
I know this sounds gloomy. I'm harshing your mellow and being Captain Bringdown.
Let's all complain and close the curtains so no light comes in. Lock the door and sleep all day and don't wear makeup and don't answer the phone and delete yourself from Facebook and when someone tries to cheer you up don't even let them.
Do it now.
Do you feel better?
I do.

Sometimes I feel bad. I'm not gonna let myself feel bad about feeling bad.

(Another thing that helps is listening to this Buzz Bissinger podcast, thanks to my boyfriend for showing this to me).

In happy news, I went to Palm Springs last weekend where it was 107 degrees (I liked it). It was hard to sit in the sun but I managed. I needed to show off my Budweiser bikini. Reason #1 for happiness.

Reason #2: Local cover bands. They played "Boys Don't Cry" and "American Girl." I danced around in circles and pretended I was in an episode of Rosanne.

Reason #3: Gay men. They all live in Palm Springs and they are mostly bears. I went into a sex store called "GEAR" and found this not so subtle lubricant. We also went to a gay club where I drank many a Red Bull to the sounds of Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Rihanna, and Madons. T'was totally ruling.

All these photos were taken with my Blackberry because I forgot my camera.

I Never Promised You A Wrap Dress

2010-07-27T12:32:00.000-07:00

I know it's hot in NYC, but over here in Los Angeles it's chilly! I got excited about this wrap dress I found at a thrift store.
Check out my rat tail and peep the way I wear it.
I'm crazy about these socks I got from Top Shop. I need more thigh highs in my life.
Also, this is important:
Side note, I'm really missing New York lately. I know I'm not "missing anything" and it's hot as balls there and I'm not dying to go home, but there's a new sense of longing in my stomach. I think most of the time in LA I just feel like I don't fit in anywhere. I've heard that it takes a while in LA to find your niche and I really get that. It's very autonomous out here which is a weird adjustment, but a good experience and experiment nonetheless.
I'm just gonna raise my big brown mug for now and say "here's to another month!"
More soon and wish you were here. xox

Little Things

2010-07-20T14:02:00.001-07:00

I just needed to share this with you:
1. My favorite drinking glass.
(dare you to notice my meditation stone in the background)

2. Pretty baubles in the bathroom, just casually hanging there.
3. THIS DOG
4. THIS DOG AGAIN
(Name: OSO. He is 14 years old).

Status Report

2010-07-16T12:28:00.000-07:00

Los Angeles has been treating me well. There are some ins and outs I've had to learn, for example, I can't really go anywhere between the hours of 4-7pm (the traffic will make you slit your wrists, plus the fact that the sun is beating down on you and you have to pee).
Hilary and I have been getting in a lot of pool time. The weather has been a dream and I finally figured out (sorta) how to control my hair (the air is really dry).
Here's Hilary being cute.

I wanted to take a picture of my feet because I do believe they are truly stunning.
The other night I went to this bowling alley where they had Karaoke. I was fiending for my peeps because I know we would have gone apeshit. I went apeshit anyway.
I mean, I couldn't not. This guy was there and his name is BLAQUE CHRIS.
Matty and Brian are in The Soft Pack and also, they love each other.
In other news, there are always coyotes (yes that's the proper pluralization) in the backyard and today we saw a deer eating an orange back there. I was too sleepy to take a picture.

We've been having some late night hang out sessions on the patio where we end up laughing too hard and smoking too many cigarettes and getting yelled at by our neighbor the next day. That's a little slice of perfection right there.

There's also a milkshake at the diner I really enjoy: vanilla, honey, and peanut butter.

Fuck I gotta start being more interesting. Will soon. xo

"I really want a Fedora..."

2010-07-07T13:42:00.000-07:00

The Fat Jew and Jonny Famous made this. Honestly, it's like literally so funny. I can't even deal you guys!!! It's my friends birthday, play Lollipop!!

Driving: A Love Story

2010-07-05T11:43:00.000-07:00

1. My House, In The Middle Of The Street: Los Angeles is good. Real good. It's quiet and weird and different. It's hard not to pretend that I'm Weetzie Bat up in this Shangri-liscious canyon. We have tons of tiny white lights that sparkle at night all around us. There's an orange tree and an avocado tree and a blue tiled bathtub. Everyday I like to put my bubbles in and open the window and take a bath. I come out smelling like sleepaway camp.

It is sort of like camp here. Mandy is our landlord but she's also like a camp counselor. She's got that camp counselor vibe of knowing how to wear a bandanna or cut her sweatshirt in the cool way. She also makes documentaries, including this classic.

2. Drivin' On 9: Remember when I was so scared to drive? Remember when that was a "thing" for me? It's not anymore. At least not extremely so.
I grew up driving but it was different back then because driving meant FREEDOM. I drove everywhere I possibly could the minute I got my license: New York City, New Jersey, every turnpike, highway, expressway, Roosevelt Field Mall, whatever.
Now driving doesn't have any "meaning." It means gas, getting lost, being careful. I guess it means freedom too but only if you can afford it. Guess what guys? FREEDOM AIN'T FREE. I really love my car. It was loaned to me by Pete Anderson aka "Teddy Ruxpin." I have my ipod all hooked up, complete with a driving mix. Sometimes when I'm feeling crazy I'll just let the tunes shuffle. Then Tilt comes on or NOFX and I can pretend that I'm 17 again driving to a Long Island hardcore show at the PWAC. (Ruxpin update: Pete went to see Todd Barry perform and Chelsea Peretti opened for him. He loved Chelsea so much he looked at her blog, where he discovered a whole world of smart funny girls: Aviva, Pia, Elizabeth, etc. Then he started following me on Twitter, saw my tweet about needing a car and BAM now I have one. So in other words, THANKS CHELSEA!)

3. The Weather: New Yorkers talk about the weather way more. Probably because it changes. But it's freezing here in LA. All I keep hearing about is how hot it is in NYC and here, I'm wearing a flannel and jeans. And it's not night. We had the heat on the past few nights even! WTF-balls? I want me some of that desert heat. BRING IT.

4. Funny People: I feel a little self conch-shell in LA because I'm so new here. Still trying to figure out how to keep whatever swerve I had (do people still say "swerve?" Ima bring it back if not). Plus, I'm not a comedian or a "comedy writer" per se. Every cool person is a comedian. They're like the Vincent Gallos of LA. In New York, the cool kids are the cool kids and the comedians are just nerds. I can't figure out who the nerds are here. Probably the homeless people.

Last night I went to UCB and I saw this guy and I was like, "I'm pretty sure we've met before." Turns out I've never met him, but felt like I had because he's on MAD MEN. Then Chelsea said, "Welcome to LA."

PS I changed my mind. Not gonna bring back "swerve."

PPS They still make this?

Going Going Gone

2010-06-27T15:23:00.001-07:00

A lot of people think travel isn't such a big deal. Even if it's for a long time, let's say, 2 months, people are still like "Oh it will be great" and "what's the big deal?"

They are right on both accounts, and while they obviously don't know that "it will be great" I'm willing to believe them and feel the same way.

HOWEVER, on Thursday I'll be leaving for LA for 2 months. And yeah it's not a big deal and it's gonna be great, but I'm pretty nervous. Here's why.

1. I'm Not The Bad Ass You Think I Am: Wait, do you even think I'm a bad ass? I don't know. But I'll tell you right now that I might not be. The first reason for fear is always fear itself! It's like, "Okay so I'm scared, check" but then the following thoughts are "what if the fear never goes away?" There's always the nightmarish fantasy of going to a place and suddenly your arms and legs won't move and it feels like there's gum all over your eyes and I'm just totally paralyzed by the fear of nothing. You know what I mean? I logically know that's not gonna happen, but the anticipation of feeling even more scared, well, it scares me. People say "Say positive" but sometimes that comes off as sounding dismissive. As much as I'd like to believe that I'm secretly a punk rock freight train hopper who lives each day like it's an all ages show, I am in fact quite not that at all. My ego puts up with a lot of eye-rolling when I talk about being scared of stuff, but whatever, it's still a thing. My moral code might have a dyed blue Mohawk but I'm still a human retard sometimes.

2. I'm Not Popular (yet) In LA: I've lived in NYC for about 10 years. I wear my housepants to the bar like it ain't no thing. It's because I feel comfortable here and people know me. All the crushes I'm ever gonna get within a 5 mile radius have been crushed and put away. Finally, after 31 years, I can just do me. It feels different having to do that in a whole new place. What if I'm a dork there? Wait it just occurred to me... What if I'm a dork HERE? Okay, next.

3. Although I Grew Up Driving, I'm Still Scared To Do It: You know what I'm talking about. I don't wanna die, kill someone else, get a ticket, or try to parallel park in front of a group of people. I think about this stuff a lot.

4. Boyfriend: Truth be told, a huge part of why I'm going is because I like a boy. We've spent some time together and even though I've gone through an excruciating break up this year, I couldn't be more siked. There's still the "what if" factor. I'm not gonna think about it so much. Don't think. Stop thinking. It's gotta be the bumper sticker in my brain right now. That's all I'm gonna say about this for now.

I wanted to write this stuff down and get it out of me because I'm sick of living with these thoughts. I'm not even going for that long. Also, I'm totally fucking stoked.

I'll miss you hot summer New York nights. I'll miss you little apartment and little cats around my neck. I'll miss you Miguel from the deli who gives me free cigarettes. I'll miss you buying a bagel and Snapple and Sour Punch Straws at 2am. I'll miss you Merks and Bill and Gav and Em and Judi and Jen and Xrissie and Elizabeth and Natasha and Bones.... so much. And everyone else. Come visit me. Now.

NOW.

Grease Is The Way That I'm Feeling

2010-06-26T21:07:00.000-07:00

Her hair was blue, now it's green. I like her mind, she hates the scene.

2010-06-25T22:28:00.001-07:00

Elizabeth and I started a new blog about the 90s. The REAL 90s. We're sick of the kids raping our youth and wanna set things straight. Check it out.

ASK ARF NUTZ

2010-06-21T19:51:00.000-07:00

So it's 11pm and I'm still at the office with Elizabeth. We got so heavily sidetracked in a 90s conversation that I can't even go into full detail about it because it might just be THE most important conversation I've ever had. Like way bigger than I can deal with right now (note: Urge Overkill and Soy Bomb were mentioned).

But as we were talking about all the places we would see shows (yes to the Academy, no to ABC No Rio--way too scary. Scary as in intimidating. Crusty punks! God Is My Co-Pilot! Too much for little suburban girls). Another place she was scared of was Coney Island High, but I wasn't. I used to go there all the time. They had that soul night that was later moved to Bar 13 but I forget what it was called.

Anyway cut to December of this year. I went to get a tattoo with Judi (we only go to Michelle Tarantelli btw) and there were people hanging out, whatever. At one point someone said my full name and this girl Hilary was like, "Wait, did you say your name was Lesley Arfin?"

And I was like, "Ummm DOYE BOMB!" (No I didn't say that but come on..."doye bomb"? I know.)

And then she was like, "Dude, I have this sign from Coney High Island that I took when it got shut down. It says "Lesley Arf Nuts" on it and I've been looking at it every day for years, wondering who you were."

And so she sent me the sign.

WEIRD BOMB!!

I guess if you look closely you can also see that I wrote "Bottle Rocket" and "Rushmore"??? I don't know. I was being a nerd I guess.

On top it says Dave Eliot.com or something and that was this dude who I thought was cute but he was also really cool and wasn't into me. That's fine.

(SUCK IT)

stuff like this

2010-06-17T14:18:00.000-07:00

I haven't updated in a while because I've been feeling extremely vulnerable. Overly emotional. Do you ever feel that way?

It's not so much depression or anxiety (right now) just a protective shield I need to use. It separates me from my friends, from other people, and from writing on my blog.

I don't feel lonely. I do cry when I watch Glee. I do cry a lot. I swear it's not because I'm a huge pussy. I'm not a huge pussy, just a regular one.

On July 1 I'm moving to LA for 2 months. So that's a thing.

Right now I really do wish I was able to write/talk/explain a lot but I'm just not ready. I feel ashamed when I get too emotional. I feel lame when I expose too much. It's like I'm almost too tough right now for my own good. I don't like it.

It's vulnerable. It feels fucking vulnerable. So I'm just gonna step away from my desk right now and walk down the street and let life happen the way it's supposed to happen so I can eventually make my way back to whatever the fuck it is I should be writing. With more clarity and less self conscious.

I have a deeply inner sad "I'm fucked" feeling, but on the flip-side I'm pretty sure that's the feeling that happens before things get good.

Ugh sometimes I just hate myself.

...And God Created Pete Anderson

2010-06-14T12:09:00.001-07:00

Who, I don't know, is just this random awesome dude who is helping me out with a car this summer. Oh and he made this too:

IT'S TEDDY RUXPIN
WEARING MASCARA
WITH TINY RAVIOLI HANDS
READING MOTHERFUCKING FIRST KISS!!!!

I DARE YOU TO QUESTION WHETHER OR NOT THIS MEANS EVERYTHING TO ME!!!

Elizzzzaaaaabbbbbeeetttthhhhh what do we do about this?!?!?!

where the day took me

2010-06-09T12:43:00.000-07:00

As you may have heard by now, Chloe showed her new line for Opening Ceremony yesterday in NYC. She got all her friends to be the models. I was one of those friends. FUN ZONE.

I want to own everything in the collection. All the dresses are pretty, comfy, and to quote my own self, "movable." I especially love the leopard print and the navy with white polka dots. Here, I'll just show you with pictures...

This is Dakota and she's wearing leather shorts that also come in white, but they are buttery soft and very..."movable." She's also wearing a crop top but most of the other t-shirts have Gothic kind of prints that remind me of Morrissey songs.

I think Carol looks really pretty in this print medley, and a little perfect navy cardigan is not always as easy to find as one would think.

SHOEGASM! Strawberry socks, models own. (*Side note: there is an actual store on 6th ave called Shoegasm and it's kind of really good).

Rita Ackerman's hot ass

I loved Anna's outfit because it included every print.

I wore one of these varsity jackets too. They're reversible so your dream of owning a rayon leopard or polka dot or black or gingham varsity jacket can now become a reality.

The food had a Marie Antoinette stee.

PINK CRATES?!?! WHERE DO I GET PINK CRATES!?!

Not sure if you can tell, but my sunglasses have hearts in the eyes. HEARTS IN MY EYES!!! In other words, if you have a crush on a girl and you want to get her a present, bingo!

HAPPINESS.

The coolest thing I will ever post

2010-05-24T12:39:00.000-07:00

HOW LAID DID THEY GET?
HOW REAL CAN THEY BE?
("All I know is if you were there, you were FUCKIN STOKED."-Bill Strobeck)

This is my fave GNR song. I'm going to LA tomorrow. This is for you LA. (even though this video is from NYC. You get it.)

LOOK AT THEM. THEY LOOK LIKE HOT MUPPETS.

(What me and Bill do when we're bored)

The dorkiest thing I will ever post

2010-05-24T11:56:00.000-07:00

is this TWIN PEAKS RAP.

I know, I know, I know.
My friend Matt Cutler sent this to me. I met him when I was 15 at the Holy Name of Jesus carnival in my town. He wore a gas station shirt that said "Butch" so we all called him Butch (remember when those shirts were cool?)
I used to talk to him on THIS phone like every night

We talked about Twin Peaks, and we talked about...They Might Be Giants. I can't even post a TMBG video because all of them are so douche-chill inducing.
This is the least dorky TMBG video I can find, if that says anything...
(E-dog, REM is not TMI. THIS IS TMI!)

But whatever right? These guys are PAID.
Okay I have to watch a Guns N Roses video now to cleanse my brain palette.

sealed with a kiss cuz a lick won't stick

2010-05-17T10:30:00.000-07:00

My office is awesome. I work with Elizabeth, who along with Marisa Meltzer, just edited a zine called FIRST KISS.
Elizabeth has made her way into BFF status with me. I mean, just look at her.

She's so cool!

You should order First Kiss. I wrote a story in it and so did Gavin, Aviva, Jaimie Warren, Tavi, The Arab Parrot, and so many other people who will be mad at me for not linking them, but come on guys linking gets a bit tiresome and I have stuff to do right now.

*ORDER FIRST KISS HERE*

PS Elizabeth gets cool shit in the mail from her millions of fans. Some girl sent her this headband that you can't wear in real life, but sure makes for a great impromptu-procrastination office photo shoot.

Even Trevor got in on the action.

Joe Jackson

2010-05-17T10:19:00.001-07:00

"[Joe]Jackson has actively campaigned against smoking bans in both the U.S. and the UK."

He's so cool. This is one of my favorite songs.

what's so wonderful about getting old?

2010-05-16T19:57:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I assume everyone knows these movies, Times Square and Ladies and Gentleman The Fabulous Stains.

Someone gave me the Times Square soundtrack for my birthday one year. It has Roxy Music, Joe Jackson, Patti Smith...I wish I could remember who gave it to me. Was it you Bill? It was a great gift.

The Fabulous Stains is kind of slow but when it rules, it rules balls.

sublet my apartment

2010-05-12T12:37:00.000-07:00

I'm leaving this one horse town for the summer (July and August).
Please consider subletting my AWESOME apartment. It's a studio located right on Ludlow street in the fast-beating heart of the lower east side. I live a block away from the subway, across the street from a bar, next door to a health food store, San Loco, and pizza place. I live close to everything, seriously. Like no one lives to closer to everything than me.

Internet and cable, duh. AC, obv. What else do you need to know? It's a studio. It's small and efficient. Really ideal for one person.

Enjoy sitting at the desk and writing emails to your friends in Japan!
Look at the horses in the bathroom. They are real.

Spooky the cat not included...unless you want him to be.
Interested in magic? I thought you might be. Conjure spells this way!

Sleep 'neath Lenny Bruce and Ryan McGinley's bf on a bike. Sweet dreams much?

Price available upon request. Please contact me at me@lesleyarfin.com

I say we just grow up, be adults, and die

2010-05-05T12:46:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I don't know which is better, the song or the movie.
I love this song and video, "Don't Box Me In," which was the theme song from the movie Rumblefish. They coulda used more footage of The Motorcycle Boy though. (Hot ass Mickey Rourke).

Is there anything sweeter than Harold & Maude? Would I like the movie as much if the soundtrack was different?

I used to listen to this song all the time. Never seen the movie though.

This is 100% totally fucking perfect.

How are you so burnt when you're barely on fire?

2010-04-29T13:42:00.000-07:00

(this photo happened after her outfit change)

So I went to see Hole at Terminal 5 the other night and because I'm still in the PMFM (pure motherfucking magic) phase (read here) I have to say I was pretty moved.

Hole consists these days of a bunch of random dudes with glitter and dreads and the same old Courtney Love. She came out wearing a black lace dress, black tights, and silver mary janes. The crowd was kind of old but I still managed to see everyone that attended looking like they were still young and grunge. My PMFM glasses were on and if anyone had some light wrinkles or strip of grey in their hair, I was blind to it. All I saw were flannel shirts and baby barrettes and sloppy knit hats. I saw what I wanted to see.

Courtney Love is an amazing performer. I saw her play years ago at Plaid or whatever that place was called and she was chugging whiskey on stage and the next day that picture came out with some dudes mouth on her tits in front of Burger King. While that has a sort of amazing to it, this years Courtney wasn't that.

She played all the songs I wanted to hear. When she played Violet, Chloe and I lost our shit. The whole room lost their shit. People were moshing and crowd surfing. That still happens! I didn't know that still happened. I feel like people get sued these days for antics like that. She also played 2 Rolling Stones songs and she even sang a slow song that gave me chills. The lyrics were like "I never wanted to be the person you see/I never wanted to be comic relief." I was really feeling that.

She didn't play a long set, but all in all I really enjoyed it and danced around and felt really moved and happy. I like Hole.

DAY THREE!

2010-04-28T09:34:00.000-07:00

I know I'm a little late but here's my DAY 3 of Coachella adventures.
Sorry I didn't update sooner, I was too busy seeing HOLE play, which I will update you about ASAP.
Been so busy doing the following:
1. Texting Elizabeth when not talking to her on the phone or working with her or hanging out with her. (ps I need to think of a nickname for her. I'm taking suggestions. She doesn't like LIZ.)
2. Trying to chase down checks.
3. Brainstorming/workshopping ideas about my life.
4. Writing stuff for streetcarnage.com
5. Trying to find my cat a new home.

There are a million things I need to sit down and tell you. Like we need to have a heart 2 heart. I will soon.

I always wanted to be something special most of all

2010-04-23T12:11:00.000-07:00

Found this gem on Kathleen's Blog

Day Deuce

2010-04-22T20:16:00.000-07:00

Click here for #2 of my Coachella shit storm.

Remember when I said I hated outdoor music festivals?

2010-04-21T14:53:00.001-07:00

Well, Kanon Vodka heard that as a cue to send me there. Read about it here.

If you're not playing in your favorite band, then you shouldn't be playing

2010-04-21T00:04:00.001-07:00

I'm trying to channel Mia Zapata. Who's in?

Have a good weekend

2010-04-15T09:45:00.000-07:00

I'm going to California

Hopped up outta bed, turned my swag on, took a look in the mirror said what's up?

2010-04-10T00:08:00.000-07:00

Either I'm bored, cracked out because I can't sleep, both, hungry, and other things, BUT as I was making a mix I came across 3 videos IN A ROW that start with the artist getting out bed in the morning. Some people might call this a huge waste of time. I might be one of them.

Exhibit A: Hoodoo Gurus-I Want You Back (one of my new favorite songs, unfortunate band name however)

Exhibit B: Soulja Boy-Turn My Swag On (classico domingo)

Exhibit C: Big L: Put It On (RIP!)

I'm sure there are more, like I'm sure the song "Manic Monday" by the Bangles starts with an alarm clock going off and everyone being really manic, but that song is not good. Have you ever really listened to the lyrics? "My 'I don't have to run' day"? Really? That's your rhyme?

I've been trying to make a mix tape to post in honor of all the people who made banners (I'm sorry I can't make individual ones) and I will, but I simply don't have the mixtape-making care juice I once had as a youngster. Please don't be mad. I'm so tired and I can't sleep. I even started to make a mix and this is where my brain went!!

So cut me some slack and I'll love you forever and I'll really mean it this time.

Yes She Is My Skinhead Girl

2010-04-05T08:07:00.000-07:00

P is for the painful way she'll make me feel someday

U is for Utopia, the other times with her

N is for the New Wave dreams she had back in her teens

K is for the kid in her

My P.U.N.K. girl

Today, skins n punk girls.

Love

2010-04-04T20:47:00.000-07:00

All Marisa Meltzer everything.

Visual Arts Workshop

2010-03-31T11:43:00.000-07:00

I don't know how to use Photoshop. I don't even have it. I'm good at cutting and pasting things (literally) but when it comes to most visual arts, I really just don't have that thing that makes it look effortless. Even taking a picture of someone is painful for me. I get lost in images, I don't know how to pick them or put them together or draw or any of that.

But I don't know how to describe this feeling I have when the weather starts getting nice. It makes me wanna buy things and eat hot dawgs on the street and sit outside on a stoop for many hours. It makes me wanna not shower for days and not even care. It makes me wanna eat Sour Punch Straws all night long and cruise around the city on a never ending sugar high. WEEEEEEE! So here's to trying to capture that feeling with images.

I got this screen cap idea from White Lightning. I tried Polyvore but that shit was confusing and it wasn't working the way I wanted it to. Like I couldn't upload it or something. I don't know. A graphic designer I am not, but I like pretty pictures.

I think I just get a little overwhelmed with imagery sometimes. Don't you? Ideally I would just cut these out from a mag, paste them into a book or hang em up somewhere, and call it a day.

ARGH!! THE FUTURE!!!

This Is Weird

2010-03-30T14:20:00.001-07:00

So, I spoke to a psychic today. Although I'm a Pisces I have to tell you that I've never had any luck with psychics. They usually tell me shit that's way off (i.e. "do you work with medicine?") or stuff that is so vague it can be relevant to anyone (i.e. "you have a very independent spirit.")
Today my experience was very, very different.
I spoke to her over the phone and barely said anything the whole time. She was so on point about some stuff it was freaky.
At one point she asked me if I had done a drawing of my cats that had been on hanging up in my apartment for a while (I didn't tell her that I even had cats). I couldn't think of anything (a drawing I did???) until I remembered that underneath all the crap hanging on my fridge, was this:

I made this years ago and it's been taped to my fridge since I first moved in. She told me I should put it on my blog (I didn't tell her I had a blog).
So here it is. I doubt it means anything but I just wanted to do it, especially because I had such a weird, insightful reading from her.
If you don't believe in psychics that's fine (Gavin) but for the love of God let me have this!

Top 10 Least Favorite Things

2010-03-23T18:38:00.001-07:00

Today someone asked me "Are you going to Coachella?" And I responded by saying "I wouldn't go there for fun if that's what you mean. Going to 3 day long outdoor music festivals are probably on my list of Top 10 Least Favorite Things To Do."
Then it occurred to me that I should actually make that list!
So here it is!
(And btw, I realize my answer sounds flippant and rude but within the context of the conversation it was more "ha ha." But I still meant it).

1. Outdoor Music Festivals: I don't care if Elvis is playing. A 3 day long music festival IN THE DESERT? Really? That sounds like fun to you? Let's talk outfits first off. You want to look cool right? But you also need to be comfortable. The two don't go hand in hand. It's gonna be a million degrees and you think your jean shorts aren't gonna chaff the inside of your thighs? And how about going to the bathroom? You're gonna be drinking all day. Let's wait in line for the port-o-potty (those fuckers are on my top 20 least favorite things)and sit in a bathroom with diarrhea splashed against the walls. Oh and I bet you can't wait to get up reallllly close for... RADIOHEAD?!?! THE WORST BAND EVER. Being up close in the mosh pit, okay, that's your choice if you're 17 years old or younger, but if you're not up super close, chances are you're gonna be standing really far. Almost as far as not even being there at all. I'll be standing as far away as one would from a TV. Actually I'll be sitting, comfortably in front of a TV. And if the TV is showing said music festival, I'll be changing the channel.

2.Roller Coasters: That's right, I said it. I hate them. You have to stand in line forever to go on a 5 second ride that isn't comfortable, makes you feel sick, all your change falls out, and you have to sit next to either a stranger or a friend and what... scream really loud? How awkward is that? Are you supposed to raise your hands in the air and wave them like you just don't care? Well I care! Because I'm scared! Am I supposed to pretend like I'm bored? I don't get the roller coaster. Spills and chills? None for me thanks.

3. Water Sports: What's wrong with just swimming? Why do I have to "keep trying" to get up on water skies or a body board or whatever because you know I'm gonna fall off in 2 seconds. And the entire boat is now watching all of my failed attempts. Falling down in general isn't a good look but how about falling down in a bikini?

4. Peer Pressure To Do The Above 3 Things: I'm old enough to know what I like and what I don't like for the most part, so don't call me a pussy or tell me to "just try it." I have tried it, and I didn't like it, so don't try to convince me I will. I jumped off a cliff into fresh spring water. It didn't feel like "freedom" it just felt fucking cold. And also it hurt. It was a high jump. Can you not make me do it again?

5. Dinner Parties: I remember when I first saw the movie Pretty In Pink and Andie shows up to the mansion for the rich kids party and the girl notices her pearls and goes "Nice pearls. This isn't a dinner party honey." They proceed to get wasted and put pizza on the record player and that's when I knew dinner parties weren't for me. Don't invite me to your gay potluck because the only thing I'm bringing is a pack of cigarettes for myself. If that. Save that glass of white wine for someone who cares (about being boring).

6. Dick Riding: I'm specifically thinking of when I either go to a party or away for the weekend. Are we not old enough to know how to be alone for a little while? We don't ALWAYS need to do everything together. If you want to lay out and I want to go shopping, it doesn't mean that we're "in a fight." If I'm sitting alone at a bar it doesn't mean that "something is wrong," it just means that my friend is talking to someone else and I'm okay to not be involved in the convo. If something is wrong, I'll leave. I'm a big girl. I can find my way home without it being a huge deal. Alone time equals a good time, a necessary time, so get off this dick!

7. Getting Sprayed With A Hose Or Being Shot In The Face With A Water Balloon:
You got me! Now I'm wet! You win! I'm wet and look dumb. Thanks for the "surprise."

8. When You Sing The Lyrics To The Song In My Face: Right, I get it. You know every word to "She Keeps On Passing Me By" by the Pharcyde. Yeah yeah, you totalllllly used to listen to it in high school. That's so cool. How uncomfortable is it when you're out and a song comes on and the good friend that you're with starts looking at you right in your eye-holes super hard and sings the lyrics. Like what are you supposed to do? Look away? Look back and smile? Start singing along? There is no right answer because the act itself is very wrong. Just thinking about it is giving me the creeps. It's one thing to sing along to something together...that's fun. But when someone sings AT you it's just plain rude. It's the difference between a conversation and lecture but in song form (double ew).

9. When You Say Something And Your Friends Nudge Each Other And They Think You Can't Tell: Not only can I tell, but now I just feel really bad about myself. Turns out these people aren't the greatest friends in the world. Do I need their approval? Do I need them to like me? I don't think so.

10. When People Say "It's Just A Game" And Then Change The Rules: Um no, that's not how games work. You can't play celebrity and fuck up and just expect to get away with it. Maybe if you're 7, but if you're an adult playing a game, play by the rules. There is a humor curb. Like if you wanna break a rule that's okay but make sure it's hilarious. We'll let it slide for laughs, but there's no pussy exception. This doesn't mean take the game UBER seriously. That's gay too and also makes people feel weird, because making sure you win in an adult game is also for 7 year olds.

Where do I even begin...

2010-03-18T00:26:00.000-07:00

This was the best thing to come home to tonight. A bunch of junk mail all containing the most awesome visuals man.

okay so how many mix cd's do i have to make and where do i send em?

REALLY!??!

2010-03-10T08:21:00.001-08:00

So good. Made my day. I'm off to Sweden. See ya soon. xox

Style Icon

2010-03-04T17:57:00.000-08:00

ROBIN BYRD!

I always wanted to a Robin Byrd Show fashion story.

You can still catch episodes of Robin's sexy show on Manhattan public access (channel 35). It's listed as THE ROBIN BYRD SHOW.
SHE'S A LEGEND!

Some Other Amazing Banners...

2010-03-04T16:56:00.001-08:00

I MEAN...

I'm taking a remedial high school art class for fuck-ups and retards.

2010-03-03T12:03:00.000-08:00

A giant glass of milk!

"Now we're the newest members of the general population!"

You guys down for some reggae?

Ghost World is one of my favorite movies of all time.

And yet another new banner by...

2010-03-02T23:35:00.000-08:00

Only my all time revolutionary girl hero: Miss Kathleen Hanna.

Big ups sister!

(I'll be posting more amazing ones later, but come on...you know I gotta let this one flap in the wind for a while. It's too late for me to post them now anyway. Gotta get back to my page-turning book, Weekends At Bellvue.)

This is pretty unstoppable

2010-03-02T11:55:00.000-08:00

(via Kathleen's blog)

Props to Santigold.

Banner Submission #2

2010-03-02T11:46:00.000-08:00

Someone named "Diiet Pepsi" made this!

If you have to ask...

2010-03-02T11:26:00.000-08:00

I am turning 31 on Monday, but today I wore a baby barrette in my hair.
I'm afraid to ask
because I know that if I have to ask
it probably means that

yes. I am getting too old to wear baby barrettes.

she's the joanest jett around

2010-03-01T11:33:00.001-08:00

I'm super into girls who write graffiti lately. Kind of obsessed. I'm not claiming to know a lot about the subject (yet) but these girls are legends and also pretty fuckin punk.

Loving these photos from Aurel's Pussy book...

This chick just got outta jail. She's cute and has a blog and there's an interview with her here.

And these two are the end all be all in mine eyes...

Claw is basically the new Hello Kitty. She has a published book and a fashion line too.
But 17...who knows what happened to her. She's like a ghost or a fairy tale.

Banner Contestant #1

2010-03-01T07:49:00.000-08:00

This is from a girl named Mo, and it's AMAZING!

HELP ME? (a contest)

2010-02-28T15:44:00.000-08:00

Look at the top of the blog and see where it says "Cafe Con Lesley"? Well, it's ugly and boring and I wanna change it.
The problem is I don't have photoshop, skills, or want, to make a pretty banner.

CAN YOU HELP ME?

Let's call it a banner contest! Please send me some banners and if you win, obviously it will live on my blog for all the world to see, but also I will interview you AND send you a mix cd.

Not enough? Um... what else can I give you? I don't know. Sometimes people just do these things for fun. Maybe you're a graphic design person and can whip this kinda thing up in minutes.

Anyway, please help me make my blog a better looking place.

(ps blingee inspires me.)

I Started A Side Project Blog

2010-02-28T00:20:00.000-08:00

Adjust your peepers! Check out my new side gig.
It's a blog about people who like REALLY don't go out that much.

Sometimes we all need a break from the nightlife and the boogie, so hopefully this blog will inspire you with some ideas on how to spend your alone time.

It's called I Never Go Out.

ENJOY!

I must be hungry...

2010-02-18T13:04:00.000-08:00

I eat your hate like love.

I haven't been writing that much personal stuff lately because I'm too close to it. I'm like a wad of gum stuck in my own hair.

Mmmmmm... gum.

On another note, I'm really into my new JEGGINGS. They look like jeans but they act like leggings!! My clogs are very right now too.

(dress, ysl. jeggings, h&m. clogs, atomic passion).

Dancing In Heaven, I Never Thought I'd Get My Feet This Far

2010-02-16T15:02:00.000-08:00

Technique is in our fingers...

I used to let you wear all of my clothes...

Meet me at the bottom of the bottomless blue pool...

Third And Delaware

2010-02-12T10:43:00.000-08:00

My sister showed me this amazing website. It's all about the fashion from the TV show ROSEANNE.

You Just have to see the site. It's one of my favorite things in the whole wide world.

FIST FIGHT IN THE PARKING LOT!!!

2010-02-09T22:58:00.000-08:00

I GOT MORE MENTAL FANS THAN METAL BANDS WITH PENTAGRAMS

2010-02-08T19:47:00.000-08:00

I'M SHINING LIKE A NEON SIGN ON A DINER HOMIE

(thanks veeva)

DYING OF GIGGS

2010-02-08T11:14:00.000-08:00

The David Lee Roths of Hip Hop: A Beastie Boys Tribute

2010-02-07T20:42:00.000-08:00

This video has everything. A gorilla playing an electric guitar, decapitation from head banging, a safe robbery, and bad lighting/makeup (you can see Adrock's herpes).

Watch this one for some of the best dance moves I've ever seen.

At school I majored in advanced Def Jam.

Do you like parties? Let's invite all our friends and have soda and pie.

Welcome Home Dinky Bosetti

2010-02-06T10:28:00.000-08:00

Today's icon is Dinky, duh.

X Girl pt 2

2010-02-05T11:27:00.000-08:00

Today's outfit was inspired by my favorite X Girl and 90s icon and Now icon and one of my favorite people, Miss Chloe Sevs. I was looking for a specific photo that Pat O'Dell took a while ago but I couldn't find it. This is sort of the gist.

T shirt: Given to me by Meryl Smith aka "Merks-Gruber" aka "Merks Fish."
Plaid button down: Sal's Boutique aka Salvation Army
*You can't see my raver jeans but they're just your basic wild boot cuts from The Gap. Sneakers, Adidas Rod Lavers.

There's a whole soundtrack that goes along with it too. It's my Long Island Rail Road playlist. The songs I used to listen to when I took the train into the city. The songs I listened to when I wanted to be cool in the 90s.

1. Quicksand: Dinosaur Jr.
2. 6'1": Liz Phair
3. She Be Wantin' It More: Luscious Jackson
4. Prove My Love: Violent Femmes
5. I Wish I Was Him: Kathleen Hanna
6. My Drug Buddy: The Lemonheads
7. Stick The Fucking Flag Up Your Ass You Goddamn Son Of A Bitch: Propagandhi
8. Puzzle Pieces: Tiger Trap
9. March: Avail
10. #1 Chance Pirate TV: Team Dresch

There are 1000 more. One day I'll add them.

Care To Take In An Old Steve Reeves Movie?

2010-02-04T11:09:00.000-08:00

Today's inspiration:

X Girls

2010-02-03T14:10:00.000-08:00

It's really hard to capture how hard I'm feeling myself today. I mean outfit-wise. It's totally 90s inspired by Marisa Meltzer's new book, Girl Power. Marisa is the genius behind the Sassy book, and now she has a new book about 90s girl bands.

I wore my X Girl shirt, can you see?
Photobooth does not do wonders for me.

Here's another attempt, plus the "outside" version of the outfit. Note girly thermal worn under the t shirt. CLASSIC 90S.

If you don't buy Marisa's book you're a total poseur!
Guess what I'm gonna do later? Oh just make a list of my top 10 favorite girl bands is all. STAY TUNED MY DUDES!

Things I Need

2010-02-02T13:57:00.000-08:00

1. Bamboo Earrings, at least two pair.

2. A dreamcatcher.

3. A Kindle?!?!

ummm this is amazing

2010-01-28T21:49:00.000-08:00

Top 10 Songs That (Kinda) Changed My Life

2010-01-26T21:13:00.000-08:00

You asked for another top 10 list, so here goes. I can probably add 10 more to this list. Maybe I will someday. God, people love lists. So do I. So fun!

1.Chesterfield King, Jawbreaker: I wrote the lyrics down in my diary. I memorized them. Me, Leslie, Alexis, and Farber bought a pack of Chesterfields (they're awful) and smoked them in a 7-11 parking lot, drank a beer, and felt the chill of Fall. Just kidding, we smoked them in the parking lot of the On Parade diner and played this song over and over and over while we all not-so-secretly wished Blake from Jawbreaker would be our boyfriend. Today, Leslie is married to an old guy, I don't know where Alexis is, and Farber is my homie for life.

2. Double Dare Ya, Bikini Kill: Farber loaned me this album (along with Pussy Whipped) and from the moment I heard the first song, my life would forever be changed. I don't think DDY was the first BK song I ever heard, but it was definitely the one that kicked my ass the hardest. I was alone in my bedroom and read the lyrics on the record sleeve and suddenly felt like I had a new purpose in life. Um, I didn't know what it was, but I was a girl and that counted for something. Corny? Yes. True? Also yes.

3. Carry The Zero, Built To Spill: This song reminds me of when I lived on 11th street and Ave A. Me, Ben, and Emily were all laying on my bed, singing this song, all of us knowing the lyrics by heart even though we hadn't grown up listening to it together. Ben grew up in Cali, Emily in Wisconsin, and me in New York, but it was like we had all grown up living in the same bedroom. In a way I guess we did.

4. Ghetto Bastard, Naughty By Nature: When I was in 7th grade I found my favorite friends in the world. They were wiggers. Sort of. We used to listen to this song on repeat and I didn't feel ashamed or "white" or "privileged" because I was 13 and that stuff didn't matter. We didn't intellectualize the songs we loved, we just loved them. And they loved us right the fuck back. And I love this song.

5. Katy Song, Red House Painters: I like this song, but I also love it because it reminds me of Bill and how much a single person can love a song so much. If you could pull a string on Bill and have a song play, it would be this one. And maybe a John Frusciante song after that. This song reminds me of him and how special he is.

6. Nude As The News, Cat Power: It's true that this is an emo list. What can I say, I'm in an emo mood. I love all of Chan Marshall's music but this song especially because it reminds me of when I went to Paris. I was with Ally in a little hotel room and we ate the best food and listened to music. Then we ran into Chan's boyfriend at the time and we hung out with him and just laughed for days. I told him I loved this song and asked him what it was about and he told me. But it's a secret. I can't tell you. (ps it's not that hard to figure out I'm just thick sometimes). Today Ally is a teacher and Chan lives in LA and I have no idea what happened to her ex boyfriend.

7.Can't Help Falling In Love, Lick The Tins, Elvis, and Dead Moon: This is one of my favorite songs of all time, by all 3 of these artists, but the Lick The Tins one comes at the end of the movie Some Kind Of Wonderful and it just captures the whole tone of the movie perfectly. This is why I miss John Hughes! He really worked music into his films in a way that made them seem even more meaningful than they already were. It reminds me of my friend Bobby because he once told me he liked this song, and then he sang it, and if you knew Bobby you would just think that's super cute. And then it would become one of your favorite songs too.

8. I Wanna Sex U Up, Color Me Badd: This song has taken a different shape for me through the years, but I'll never forget how it worked its way into my heart. Fuck have I become the type of person who can't let go of the past? Anywhozzles, for a long time I couldn't hear this song without having a sense memory attack of Marcie Getleman's basement. We were all sleeping over and we invited some boys over. Everyone was hooking up except for me and Ally so we played this song to "set the mood" for our friends. I remember Ally flipping the cassingle over every time the song ended while Collin felt up Marcie. Marcie died a few years ago from a drug overdose, so this one's for her. RIP.

9.Dreams, The Cranberries: I was sitting in the back of someones car with Marlene when this song came on, and Marlene started singing. I had known Marlene for a little while but we weren't really close friends yet. I had never known she had such a good voice and she was singing so small and quiet but it made a huge impact on me. I asked her "Who sings this song? I really like it" and then she made me a mix tape. This was the first song on the mix. Today Marlene lives in Brooklyn when she's not traveling the world and she's probably reading this right now.

10. Helplessly Hoping, Crosby Stills & Nash: One night I had a band. It was a folk band with Heloise, her husband James, and my ex boyfriend Scott. We were called Double Deuce and we all sang this song together. We never played anywhere and I don't even think the 4 of us hung out again after that night, but fuck if we didn't nail this song. We sounded like birds singing at the gates of heaven! That was a good feeling. Heloise and James are in an awesome band that you should go see live called Heloise And The Savoir Faire, and Scott is an artist who goes out with a famous person.

This was fun! I'll do it again another day!

you're beautiful. i think you are too.

2010-01-25T00:49:00.000-08:00

I love the movie Flirting. It came out in 1991 and Nicole Kidman was on the box but she's barely in it. I thought Noah Taylor was such a sweet and dorky fox back then and Thandie Newton, so pretty. As far as adolescent make-out scenes go, this is in my top 5. Watch the first 3 minutes or so, unless you wanna watch the whole movie. It's totally worth it. And I don't care for boring movies so...

ALL MESH HOODIE EVERYTHING!

2010-01-21T11:19:00.000-08:00

Sorry about my new favorite thing in the world I just bought.

It's called a blue mesh netted hoodie. But it's also called love.

I have a feeling I will be able to incorporate this into my outfit every day. I'll probably become known as "the girl who always wears that blue mesh netted hoodie" WHICH IS OKAY WITH ME!

I am going to try and reinvent the fashion wheel with this new hoodie. Photos coming soon...?(Sorry again for the awkward office pix)

PS. *BONUS FUN CORNER VIDEO* (thank you Sophia)

you know that you are as cold as ice to me

2010-01-13T14:52:00.000-08:00

Together is a Swedish movie about a bunch of people who live together. It's called a commune. The name of the commune is "Together."

It's an inspiring fashion source if you wanna look like a cute 70s granola kid in the winter, which sometimes I do. Just to stay warm and comfy.

Side note: These Chinese slippers are always cute but not so much for boys aka DO NOT RAISE YOUR CHILD IN A COMMUNE.

Consider a cat,

corduroy, and a plethora of plaid.

Vintage North Face or

Vintage LL Bean

On Writing

2010-01-11T21:24:00.000-08:00

The other day I twittered "I don't like writing anymore" which is true for any writer I'm pretty sure, but I did get a lot of feedback on it.

Of course of love writing but sometimes I feel like there's only a specific kind I actually enjoy doing, which is this bloggy-style writing aka writing about myself and my thoughts and feelings, which is great and everything but it's no big whoop. Everyone likes that writing that kind of stuff.

I used to fantasize when I was younger about being a great fiction writer. While I do enjoy writing fiction from time to time, it's not my biggest strength. Neither is journalism or screenwriting.

Basically, unless what I'm writing about somehow involves ME, I don't ever think it's really that good. It's good enough I suppose, but I never was one to strive for being just "good enough."

So I've found myself in a bit of a pickle career-wise because what I love to write about (more or less myself) isn't exactly the most marketable kind of writing because who really cares, you know?

It's sad in a way but at the same time very liberating to admit this rather than trying to please other people or find some kind of get-rich-writing loophole. I'd rather just do what I like and do it to the best of my ability then try to hustle my way into mediocrity, even though I'm sure that's not even possible anyway.

Cuz see, when I write because other people tell me what I "should be" writing (i.e. a screenplay, advertisements, etc.) the writing is never as good as it is when I'm writing from my own damn heart. Not that anyone is asking me to do advertising work anyway (I'd actually try to kill it in that arena if given the chance).

Basically I'm just airing out my woes because while I do write for a living, I need more work and I don't know how to get it. That's why I'm going to school for my CASAC.

Or maybe I'm just trying to rationalize giving up. I can't tell yet.

Don't Call It A Comeback

2010-01-06T20:21:00.000-08:00

Merks said to me the other night "Don't worry Les, you do look like The Wrestler" and even though that sounds like a diss it's not, because IT'S MY WINTER FASHION SOURCE!

Mickey Rourke in The Wrestler had the best style ever. It's what I've been going with every day. Flannels, zip up hoodies, puffy coat. He had bleached blonde hair and a deep tan too. My hair is only half-bleached and I'm scared of getting a fake tan. Marisa Tomei also looked cute. Maybe my style is a combination of the two.

Rocky had a similar style and it's great. And who's cuter then Adrian?

Maybe Marisa Tomei in My Cousin Vinny. FULL CIRCLE!

Winter Wear

2010-01-05T13:26:00.000-08:00

It's cold out. Too cold to wear skirts n tights. Too cold to look cute. I am so sick of my clothes and am lacking fashion inspiration. I go out in a flannel shirt, sleep in it, and then wear again the next day. Who cares?

Look how cute these Japanese girls are pulling off winter style. It's not like we're shocked. Japanese people have been living in the future since Year 1.

I feel like this is a very Missbehave look. And she's killing it with those Ugg boots.

Okay so maybe these aren't the sexiest of looks but it's cold. It's hard not to dress like a dump-mare and stay warm. I know these outfits are NOT very J Shore but I have to save those looks for warmer weather. Unless I buy Ugg boots. Pink ones.

DARE I????

[photos via dropsnap]

Dee lovely and Dee licious

2010-01-04T16:28:00.001-08:00

I'm re posting this from Tibor's blog because everyone needs to watch it right now. It's dee leechay.

Deee Lite - Groove Is In The Heart
Uploaded by chriscjcj. - Explore more music videos.

WACK OR PHAT?

2010-01-04T13:36:00.001-08:00

Now that we're entering a new decade, I think we start all admitting what's been on our minds for a while. Fuck high brow. It was cute for a while but I'm sick of it and now it's time for something different. There's something new we all want to embrace. Something that has gone from being ironic to being earnest. Something that has gone from guilty pleasure to just pleasure.

I think you know what I'm tawlking about...

I'm talking about ditching the Balenciaga for Juicy Couture. And then, ditching the Juicy Couture for Mandee. Or Joyce Leslie. I know in the 90s us pasty girls rebelled with pilly sweaters and saddle shoes and then we graduated to wanting to look normal and so we bought Marc Jacobs sweaters that looked just like the ones we had in the 90s but didn't pill as much. RIP TO THAT SHIT SON!

I'm getting a spray tan as I write this.

I mean, JWOWW is a style icon. She is willing to go where not many of us are. It's true that Lady Gaga started the no pants things but she's famous and she has to wear crazy shit to get people to like her. JWOWW is just a regular girl who likes to go clubbing with no pants. BAWLS!

JWOWW is hot. All she wants to do is go home, eat ham, and drink water. That's what I want to do too!!!

On the first episode she wore a bikini top and sweatpants rolled up at the top. SHE KNEW WHAT MY DREAM OUTFIT WAS EVEN BEFORE I DREAMED IT.

Thanks Ladies. More on this to come.

Moo's Favorite Thing

2010-01-03T19:53:00.000-08:00

i don't even know what to do with this song

2010-01-03T01:58:00.000-08:00

What more can you do with a song? You can listen to it. Dance to it. Sing along to it. Make up new song lyrics and re-invent it. What else?

For Bill and Merks. Happy 2010!

Eh

2009-12-30T19:18:00.000-08:00

I haven't updated in a while.

'teves.

Maybe more in 2010. I need a new camera n whatnot.

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

I Could Do This All Day

2009-12-07T12:58:00.000-08:00

My sister and I were OBSESSED with Emmett Otter's Jugband Christmas. This one's for you Kate!

What's Your (hair) Damage?

2009-12-03T11:37:00.000-08:00

How to ruin your hair 101 goes like this:
bleach it
dye it a bunch of colors
dye it over and over again
straighten it
curl it
blow dry it all the time
sleep with it spread out on your pillow so in the morning it's just one huge knot
have the Jewish hair gene
and finally...

CRIMP IT!!
Inspired by White Lightning's collection of Teen Beat and Big Bopper magazines over here at the office, as well as this little lady:

It was pretty hard to find a crimper, but I have some secret hair spots around the city. This one costs $20. Besides it being a totally awesome look, it it's also just plain fun to do.

The following photos are of the crimping process going down BUT I was at my office and suddenly felt weird cuz I thought people were watching me.

Please Turn This Into An SNL Sketch

2009-11-28T16:45:00.000-08:00

via Santa V Satan

Wait, I'm sure I know this kid...

New Favorite Thing From Funny Or Die

2009-11-27T21:37:00.001-08:00

Rachel Zoe Outtakes - watch more funny videos

Thanksgiving is good, but Christmas has better songs

2009-11-25T22:54:00.000-08:00

And better movies too. I used to watch this one over and over and over...

D.I.S.C.O.

2009-11-23T20:03:00.000-08:00

You might recognize the two people in this video as my friends Bill and Merks. Just kidding but how good is this song/dance moves/outfits?

Thanks availaBILL

Are Women As Horny As Men

2009-11-20T21:30:00.000-08:00

Watch this video that me and Judi Rosen make a guest appearance in. I almost ruined the entire thing because I couldn't stop laughing. When you watch it, you'll understand why. It was by far the hardest acting gig I've ever had to do. WARNING: DO NOT WATCH THIS DURING SCHOOL HOURS. YOU WILL GET SUSPENDED FOR WATCHING PORN.

Am I late on this bit of awesome?

2009-11-15T13:41:00.000-08:00

LOL EXTREME

Scar Stories

2009-11-13T18:41:00.000-08:00

Do you have an awesome scar that can be accompanied by an even awesomer story? Please email me@lesleyarfin.com

I wanna interview you!

You'd Look A Lot Better Without All That Black Shit Under Your Eyes

2009-11-13T11:22:00.000-08:00

Sometimes I think as a writer I have to pigeon hole myself into a certain category, and if I don't fit into said category, I'm a failure.

I feel like a lot of my closest friends are constantly telling me to write a screenplay, yet most of them don't even read this blog. So why would they want me to write a screenplay? It surely can't be because they love my writing. I think it has more to do with the fact that I'd sound a lot cooler as a friend if I was a screenwriter.

Make that a successful screenwriter. The buzz of Hollywood. BFF's with every buzzworthy screenwriting name. My scripts would be so funny and awesome. I'd lunch with the Apatow's and have slumber parties with The Fempire.

I don't mean to sound like I'm dissing those people--why would I? I love their work just like everyone else. But am I nothing if I'm not a success? Does it not sound cool enough? You can't name drop me. You can't make yourself seem cooler cuz you're BFF with me.

And then there's the book scene. I'm sure whatever I write will never make it to the NYT book review. I'm pretty sure my poems aren't getting published in The New Yorker anytime soon. I didn't go to an Ivy League school and I don't plan on teaching at one either. I barely went to college. I barely went to high school!

I knew when I was 16 as I do now, that the hierarchy of what we were all dealing with back then would follow us around forever. In the office, at the meeting, in the scene. It's The Breakfast Club wherever you go. What I didn't realize was how cool it would be to be uncool. Nirvana had to come along in the 90s and ruin that for everyone.

I know rationally that I am what I am, etc. But still I'm not immune for wanting to be a cool, awesome, successful, paid person. Just "wanting" that doesn't really mean anything though. I can take action, and even if I do it's still not a guarantee.

I know logically not to measure my worth by who wants to be my friend or how big my apartment is or whether or not I'm the toast of the town, but I'd be lying if I said that my work doesn't get caught up in this kind of spiderweb of thoughts.

It is a spiderweb exactly. It's fucking sticky and enticing and I'm pretty sure that if I don't get myself out of it, I'll be eaten alive.

Jinx

2009-11-09T13:00:00.000-08:00

I have some cool things going on right now. A part of me is like "Don't talk about them, you'll jinx it!" but then another part of me is like "Really? You believe in jinxes?"

I actually don't believe in a "jinx." Is it a hex? Is a ghost or a witch secretly plotting against me (maybe). I do believe that what I really mean to say is "saving face" and how embarrassing it can feel when said face is covered in shame. Just in case the really exciting thing I'm excited about doesn't happen, I don't want to feel stupid and be the boy that cried or wolf. Or in this case, the girl that cried TV show.

Yes that's right, MTV has optioned the rights to Dear Diary for TV. Yes it's fucking awesome! But really, you know how these things go. I guess I won't really be super excited until I'm on an actual Dear Diary The TV Show set. Sometimes these things don't happen, and if they do, the idea that it might even be a good show that goes to series is kind of one in a mill. But it is a high honor nonetheless. So jinx or no jinx, how about I just feel siked for a wee minute?

Another cool thing that I'm doing is getting my counseling license. It isn't the coolest job in the world or anything but it's something I'm really interested in and have been wanting to do for a while. It's specifically drug/alcohol counseling. It seems like a pretty dark career choice but I'm ok with that. I really like the TV show Intervention. It's so good right? Anyway, I know I will be really good at this and maybe one day I will go for an MSW or PHD but who am I kidding here? Probably not. MAYBE!?!?! WHO KNOWS!?!?!

Weirdly I am more excited about the counseling thing because the probability of that happening is greater than the TV show and I'm mostly just interested in things that have a beginning, middle, and end. Not so much things that have a beginning and a middle and then the person doesn't email you back.

Another thing about something good happening is the fear that people are wishing I will fail because there's that quote "Whenever a friend of mine succeeds, a small part of me dies." It's a funny quote though and yeah jealousy and envy are real things, even when we are totally cool people who are nice 99% of the time.

There is a fear I have that those negative thoughts people have suddenly go viral and before you know it, not only do I not have a TV show but I have nothing. And I'm poor and alone and old and no one likes me anymore.

I know logically I don't REALLY believe this to be true, but since when did logic have anything to do with anything anyway? Aside from math and driving.

My Style Icon

2009-11-04T11:27:00.000-08:00

Many people have style icons, and that's cool. My style icon is Lizzie Bougatsos from Gang Gang Dance. It's not because she has a dark, weird, punk style (although that don't hurt), but more because she has the rare ability to throw on anything and make it look good.

First, she is beautiful. She sort of looks like that actress Laura San Giacomo from Sex, Lies, and Videotape.

Second, have you ever seen Lizzie perform? She was made for the stage. Her voice is like a combo of Kate Bush and Betty Boop. She dances like a ballerina on a lot of coffee. And Gang Gang Dance is also just a really good band. When Lizzie performs I can't take my eyes off her, even if she's just dancing around on a regular dance floor. Watch her play the drums! I dare you to take your eyes off of her! (note: this isn't the best live video of GGD because their sound was fucked up, but watch her drum in the beginning of the song).

So I have known Lizzie for a few years now, and we're both from Long Island and that's a big plus for me in terms of friendship. Even when she's just wearing a t shirt and jeans she looks great. She can be wearing high end, or something she bought off Orchard Street and I wouldn't know the difference. Her hair is like a pile of black ribbons and even when it's a big old mess, I can't tell if it's intentional or not.

A lof of people drool over expensive clothes, but I don't think that's what makes good style. I think it's the ability to pull off something casual, normal, ordinary, and/or inexpensive and make it look fabulous. That's what Lizzie does and I salute her for it.

We carved pumpkins, what have you ever done with your life?

2009-10-30T21:14:00.000-07:00

Fuck Embarrassment!

2009-10-27T22:20:00.000-07:00

It's not like I go around saying I'm punk anymore, but when you grow up with a bunch of punks, you live under an unspoken code of conduct and rules that seem to stick on your ribs like the fattiest of foods. And even after you've digested a whole bunch of bullshit, that punk fat is still there except its evolved past your ribcage and has traveled into your DNA.

Of course it's all kind of a joke now but I know one true punk can sniff out another, like a junkie on the street. We're still around and just because some of us have traded our safety pins in for Brooks Brothers, it doesn't mean we can't find each other. In turn, just because someone trades their Brooks Brothers in for safety pins, we can sniff out poseurs too. Especially when the safety pins are made by Balenciaga (Brooks Brothers would have sounded better in that sentence, but I doubt that company makes safety pins).

Without going into further explanation (punks don't feel the need to explain) I will say that "being embarrassed" is NOT PUNK.

Embarrassment is for the weak. Embarrassment is clearly stating "I care about what you think of me, even if you're a total stranger."

I won't lie and say I don't care what other people think of me, of course I do. If I didn't, I'd wear Juicy sweatsuits everyday because they're mad comfy. Fuck it I'd wear sweatpants. I don't because I care what people think. Mostly my friends, people who might offer me a job, and not to mention I like to feel good about myself--which happens to be punk.

Does that mean I won't start doing a dance routine in front of a crowded restaurant because I feel like it? No. And if it embarrasses you then go find tickets to a Taylor Swift concert and get off my fucking stage (punks say "fuck" whenever they want).

Sometimes we get loud and obnoxious. Sometimes we get "inappropriate." So? That's how we live. Maybe you're reading this right now and realizing that you are in fact punk and you didn't even know (not very punk but we'll let it slide).

Another punk thing to do is contradict yourself and feel ashamed and dumb and embarrassed and say dumb things but tell the world anyway because bottling shit up and pretending it never happened in such an ugly way isn't for punks at all. It's for boring people who hate things that are ugly and off-putting and weird and not always easy to understand. Or stupid. Or smart. Or sloppy. Or apologetic.

For more on what I think punk is, read this. It pretty much sums it up.

COME TO THIS PARTY PLEEZE

2009-10-27T13:51:00.001-07:00

It's on Thursday and I am DJing.

Top 10 Favorite Things: Footwear Edition

2009-10-26T11:10:00.001-07:00

I'm gonna start making lists of my top 10 favorite things but narrow down the specifics, so this is the first one and it's SHOES. I want to do shoes first because most of the time I plan my entire outfit starting from the bottom up. And everyone knows that when you have a good outfit, you have a good day.

1. Merrell Hiking Boots: Woah. Bet you didn't think I'd start with these! Even though Machine will probably make fun of me for wearing these, I don't care cuz I really love them. They are a bit hippie but if you wear the shoe in a non-hippie context, they look really cute. If you wear them in a normal way, you'll just look like a lesbian from Colorado who enjoys hiking---which I'm not exactly mad at either.

2. Elizabeth and James pony hair flats: I just bought these flats and I love them. Mine are more of a cafe con leche color. They look like very expensive moccasins. When I bought them at Saks, they gave me a free "Influence" book which I left on the street outside my house. I don't know why. I just didn't want it. I thought it was boring.

3. Madison Harding Boots: One of my main homies makes this line of footwear, and last year she gave me one of my favorite pair of black boots. I am a huge fan of black boots/booties and am constantly buying them even though I wear sneakers most of the time these days. I wear black boots when I hit the streets but I just haven't been doing that very much in the past few months. Black boots-wise I have a whole army of these fuckers, from Alaia to Top Shop. As well as the Mad Hard ones. I love the Mad Hards because they are comfy and can be casual or fancy. Most of my black boots are the same shape and go a little higher than my ankle. I don't know why I keep buying the same pair of shoes. It's just what I like.

4.LL Bean Beanie Boots, Duck Boots: Fuck those tall Hunter rain boots. They're so hot they make my socks sweat, and ladies I'm sorry but unless you're Kate Moss, those boots will not get you laid. I guess if you are going to traipse through the wet marshes of the English countryside then yes, you should be wearing Hunter boots, but if you're short like me you should ABORT MISSION and consider these instead.

5. Black sneakers: I love sneakers and yes I have some white ones, but my eyes always go to black. All black everything...on your feet. I used to love love love these black Reeboks I had but I'm pretty sure they were bootleg because I haven't been able to find them or even find a picture of them in years. I got them at the Salvation Army aka Sal's Boutique. I love black sneakers and jeans because it makes me feel like either a jazz dancer or a waiter. I really enjoy costumes. Right now my black sneakers are these and I looooooovvvvvveeeeee them. Nike Air Max. I do enjoy wearing Nike's but that is mainly Machine's influence cuz he is obsessed with Jordans. I have black high top Jordan's but they feel too "moon boot."

6. Vintage Joan & David Tweed Bucks: I found these at Sal's Boutique for $5. Ultimate score. It's hard finding good vintage shoes in my size (6.5). I usually don't even like vintage shoes. It's the one vintage thing that grosses me out. I don't like "old heels" or "old leather" or wearing "old shoes that someone else wore the shit out of". Like you won't ever catch me saying "look at my new amazing vintage boots!" In my head that translates into "look at these overpriced old smelly boots I paid for at some dip shit lower east side store called Edith Machinist*." Anyway, these Joan & David are so awesome and in great condition and I'm pretty sure they belonged to my mom in the 80s anyway.
(*Side note: I have a side beef with the store Edith Machinist on Stanton street. Without going into crazy detail, she sold me a pair of shoes that fell apart the minute I got home and she wouldn't return them. Nevermind the fact that I live on the same block and have been a custie since day one. She left the old price tag on them as well, which was a sticker that said $7. And it was Christmas. I boycott that store now.)

7. Black Motorcycle Boots: These are classic. When I was just out of college I heard about a little website called "ebay." I thought it sounded cool so I searched "vintage motorcycle boots" and found these. I guess at that time, ebay items were sent down from heaven and God was a top seller. Haha.

8.Sven Clog Boots: I recently just threw out my pair of clog boots cuz they were worn the fuck out. When I went to buy them again I saw they were double the price. Typical. Even though I won't be buying them for this winter because they're overpriced, I will say that they were probably the best winter boots I ever had. They looked really cute with leggings when I wore leggings all the time. I'll miss you Sven clog boots.

9. Charlotte Ronson Hiking Boot Boots: These shoes are a perfect combo of two of my aforementioned favorites: the black bootie and the Merrell hiking boot. They are also lined with fleece-like material making them extra warm. At first they were too tight by the toes but now I put shoe stretch on them before I wear them and they're perfect. Shoe Stretch is a miracle drug for shoes and I HIGHLY recommend everyone going to their local cobbler to buy this stuff.

10. My shittiest running sneakers: These shoes make me the most happy. They are butt ugly and not cool at all, yet I would save them in a fire. They're silver Sauconys and when I wear them I basically look like a meth head from 'Zona. That's not a look I'm trying to go for anymore even though it might seem that way. I just feel most like myself in these ugly running sneakers. I really don't know why. I feel very confidant when I wear them. Even Moo, who is a footwear connoisseur, enjoys them. And I don't think he knows why either. I consider them the ruby slippers of my wardrobe.

The Anti-Happy Award: Because sometimes being happy is overrated, I will also add a shoe I really don't like. I know my friends will argue with me over this one, but I feel like the over-the-knee high heel boot is really gross. It's very Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman, which is to say, whorish. Don't get me wrong, sometimes your feet need to be whores. That's why I own multiple pairs of Pollys. But these boots are a) highly trendy and b) highly expensive. Which means in a year from now they will look bad and you'll have wasted a lot of money on something that corporate America brainwashed you into buying. Not to sound too much like I "hate the man" but magazines are huge advertisements. It's not like I don't fall victim to this (I talked about leggings earlier, for example, or Nikes)but I don't feel like I'm that dumb to actually believe that I can pull off thigh high boots without looking like a midget whose shoes are eating me alive. I'm sure some girls can pull this off but in 6 months it will look cheap and passe and you'll be over it. Maybe my friends will prove me wrong though. I double dare them.

A New Kind Of Karaoke

2009-10-22T22:20:00.000-07:00

I love karaoke but I got so bored of killing it every single sesh that I stopped going. I wanted to be fair and give other singers a chance.
Now there's this new thing where instead of a song, you get to do a scene from a movie and the screen basically puts you in the movie.
Some futuristic Japanese shit.
I haven't done it yet, but this is one scene that I will slay.
Of course it's still a song though.