Easier With Practice is an independent film about a struggling author’s random call turned relationship with a phone-sex operator. The film is the first major work for Director Kyle Patrick Alvarez and writer Davy Rothbart, who originally wrote the story for GQ from a firsthand experience. Thus far, the film has received fantastic reviews from The Huffington Post and Variety, and it even won the Grand Jury Prize at CineVegas last week.  Now, it makes its international debut at the Edinburgh Film Festival tomorrow. More info and behind the scenes look after the jump. →

Toothbrush. Change of underwear. Lotion and a disposable Bic. Your mother always stressed the importance of preparation, and, as a model girl scout, you know what items to keep with you at all times. Luckily, Napoleon Perdis’ Madame Prep has garnered all the same pretty patches. Acting as base coat, this primer promises to make your lashes even more luscious once mascara is applied. Natural waxes and nylon fibers bring out body, while the lovely wand wards off clump. Because as every member of the troop can tell you, selling all your cookies requires the know-how of a true leader…we call her Madame Prep. →

Check out these images of wood-based turntables, designed and shaped in some unusual, curious ways. Some of them remind me of old Bauhaus School designs with the crazy Kandinsky geometrics. In case you’ve forgotten, not only do these record players make good design pieces, they play music too. Time to hit up Origami and empty my wallet again…

“There Goes the Neigborhood”
3rd & Crescent Heights – Los Angeles, CA
6/20/09
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This Saturday, Famous Stars and Straps will release a collaborative venture with Rebel 8 entitled: There Goes The Neighborhood. In addition to live art by Mike Giant, limited edition releases and classic cars on show, Travis Barker of Blink-182 fame will be making an appearance. Don’t miss out on the fun – stop by 3rd and Crescent Heights Saturday at 2pm!

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For more info, visit: http://www.famoussas.com/

Founded 26 issues ago in 2001, Beautiful/Decay has since then emerged from its humble beginnings as a self-bound, black and white publication to an internationally recognized sourcebook showcasing the latest emerging talent in contemporary artists. As they conclude the journey from issues A through Z, Beautiful/Decay will be unveiling exciting new developments via an array of mediums.

Abraham Biggs died quietly in his room alone, except for the live audience that was watching the 19-year-old via his webcam.

Two weeks ago, Jonathan Hock allegedly performed various sex acts on an unconscious woman while streaming the incident live on the internet.

In both cases, the nearly all of the spectators did nothing, choosing simply to watch and comment. →

Javier Peres is pleased to present new works by John Kleckner and Mark Flood. Never has defacement been so unabashedly stabby and consumer-culture critical as with Houston-based artist Mark Flood, nor as minutely crafted as with the Berlin-based American artist John Kleckner. →

MSNBC: “Politics is no longer the only game in town. A broad cultural renaissance has come to Washington, DC. NBC’S Joel Seidman on the musicians, playwrights and poets who are leading the way.”

Each administration brings change →

Lovemade debuts jewelry collaboration with Han Cholo
Linda Nguyen, the co-founding and design division of Lovemade has joined forces with Han Cholo’s long established jewelry guru Brandon Schoolhouse to create their first limited edition accessories line.

The Lovemade for Han Cholo collaboration debuts with a snake shape earpiece, originally crafted to be worn behind the ear. The piece creates a new category of jewelry, an innovative departure from a standard earring.  →

After seven Iranian citizens were killed during the post-election protests, BBC has confirmed that Iran’s Guardian Council has made a decision to recount votes that were questioned after the election’s outcome. President Barack Obama addressed the violence in Iran  →