Sometimes in life, you just know. And yesterday morning, upon waking, I just knew that if I didn’t find and purchase a last minute ticket to the Jay-Z/Eminem concert at Yankee Stadium and instead sat home on my couch in Jersey City watching Bravo and eating the remnants of my pantry in some sweatpants, I would have never, ever, EVER, EVER forgiven myself.

Finding someone to come with me wasn’t my proudest moment, but whatever. And after close to a dozen “nays”, I really thought I’d be going alone. I mean, not having any cool friends who will drop their existing plans and a bunch of money on a chance of a lifetime rap concert is no reason to miss it yourself, right? Luckily, an initial decliner decided to be awesome and spontaneous and disposable-incomey and came along, ’cause she knew, too. We found tickets on StubHub for a little under three times the sixty-bones some dude bought them for and were on our way.

First of all, our seats were amazing. I’m talking less about their approximation to the stage, which wasn’t great, and more about the fact that they were on some sorta wheelchair access terrace, which served as the greatest dance floor in concert history, I’m sure. We had all this ROOM! Everyone else was in a numbered seat, ya know? But we had plush folding chairs designated to numbered spaces on a huge, private landing; that we flung our bodies about all fucking night. Some of the other (re: booooooring) terrace dwellers were less than thrilled with us, but seriously, get over it. This is a rap concert. Stop sitting there and wave your god damn shirt around your head when Jay-Z asks you to!

The show opened up with B.O.B., who is apparently the dude behind that song about “beautiful girls” being “all over the world” and how they “got nothing on you” and also that song about “airplanes” and “shooting stars” and really needing a “wish right now.” I kind of like those songs, so that was exciting. He was good. We were ready.

Next up was Eminem. Shit was getting serious, and dude was on point, if not a tad voicetrack heavy here and there. He performed a lot of his newer hits, (“Love The Way You Lie”, “Not Afraid”, “3 A.M.”) which were both emotional and titillating, but also excited us all with some classics (“Without Me”, “Lose Yourself”, “Cleaning Out My Closet”, “The Way I Am”, “The Real Slim Shady”) and guest performances from 50 Cent who slayed me with some throw backs like “Patiently Waiting”,  “I Get Money”, and the undeniable,“In Da Club”, Dr Dre, who performed “Still D.R.E.” and the always awesome “Nothin’ but a G Thing”, with Eminem doing Snoop’s verse, and lastly, D12, Em’s posse, who performed a few of their ditties, including “My Band” and “Purple Pills”, which pretty much took me back to my freshman year in college faster than my fancy feet were tearing up Terrace 314.

At this point, the crowd was going bonkers. Jay-Z was coming. Who is he bringing? What are we in for? Is…gulp…Beyonce gonna show up?? Can you even believe your life right now?!?! AHHHHH!!!!!! Hugging Each Other! You’re my best friend! No, you’re my best friend!!! Two huge digital clocks reminded us how much time we had to contemplate these things before Jay-Z took the stage. No New Years could ever stand a chance to the mass countdown that ensued.

At ONE, the lights dropped, a silhouette appeared, “Smells Like Teen Spirit” started playing, and my heart exploded in my chest. Jay-Z was in the motherfucking house. He kicked it off with “Run This Town”, and right on cue, Kanye West appeared for his verse and stuck around to perform some of his hits like, “Can’t Tell me Nothing” and “Good Life” as well as the first ever live performance of the “Power” remix and “Monster”, featuring my new favorite raptress Nicki Minaj, who, to my delight, graced the stage. Next guest was Swizz Beats for “On To The Next One”, my hands down favorite track on The Blueprint 3.  I, of course, died. But was reborn with Hov’s solo section of the act, including performances of  ”D.O.A” and “U Don’t Know”.  Another guest appearance from Memphis Bleek brought us performances of “Hard Knock Life”, and “Big Pimpin”, along with a performance of “Renegade” with Mr. Mathers himself. Also, let us not forget Jay’s RIP Tribute to Biggie by blasting “One More Chance.” I mean…I can’t even…I don’t even…

Another pleasant surprise, Chris Martin, joined Jay on stage for “Heart of the City (Ain’t No Love)”, “Most Kings”, and awesomely, “Viva La Vida”. He was then replaced for rap game newcomer Drake for “Miss Me” and the live premiere of the Drake-Jay collaboration “Light Up”, as well as shouting out some love for Lil Wayne over there on Rikers Island (Wish u were there, Weezy!)

But then. Just when I thought I couldn’t handle any more… I hear the first notes of Alphaville’s 80’s smash hit “Forever Young” and watch as Beyonce enters center stage, singing the chorus of Jay-Z’s 2010 remix. Slap me and call me a twelve year old girl, cause I am one, apparently. I was overjoyed. Afterwards, my friend looks at me and says, “that was Beyonce’s voice!” and it was like, the deepest thing she’s ever said. We were drunk. And having the time of our lives. Shut up.

To finish things off, we were served a heaping platter of Jay-Z classics including, “Dirt Off Your Shoulder”, “Jigga”, “Izzo”,“Encore”, “I Just Wanna Love U”, and, of course, “Empire State of Mind.” No Alicia, but I was fine with it. She’s way too pregnant. I would have been nervous.

Jay-Z ended the night by delcaring “This is historic: They ain’t never gonna be another night like tonight”, and he was right. I danced, I sang, I screamed, I might have cried a little, I dunno. But what I do know, is that I woke up feeling like I was hit by a truck.

Best $200+ I’ve ever spent.

I have been wild about stationary ever since I was a kid pouring over the Sanrio collection. My tastes have matured since then but I am still crazy about all things paper and pen. I particularly like making my own stationary with found paper like maps, graph paper, wrapping paper, etc. For this eco-friendly stationary, I have been collecting security envelopes (from bills and bank statements) for the past few months. I try to go as paperless as possible but things still find their way into my mail. You may have noticed the envelopes from Big Brother and his goons are lined with a dense pattern to prevent your snoopy neighbor from checking out your personal beeswax. Well, some of these are actually kind of awesome when seen from a stationary perspective. This project is fast, easy and will make you feel good knowing that the envelopes were on made on The Man’s dollar, not yours!

TOOLS OF THE TRADE:

- security envelopes

- double sided tape

- mailing labels (not necessary but handy).

That’s all? That’s all!

1. Get a little batch of security envelopes going. Sadly, these are way too easy to come by!  Carefully, slowly, pull the seams apart. You can dampen them with a wet sponge to break down the adhesive but I’m too impatient to let them dry again so I just pull them. A little paper may tear but as long as the edge is clean, you are good to go!

2. Turn the envelope inside out and start by taping the bottom flap on to the smaller top flap.

3. Then tape one side flap and leave the other open for your letter, of course!  For the mailing address you can be a smarty and write it on the letter in the right spot or just stick a large mailing label on there! Voila! All done!!

And now, for a fun break, enjoy some kick ass looks, set to good music:

From Ann C.:
The Help and The Carrie Diaries (which takes you back to Carrie Bradshaw’s high school days).

From Erin J.:
Eat, Pray, Love (the movie is coming out in August and you can’t ever see the movie first!) and Good in Bed (for a cheesy read).

From Diana and Adam:
The “Otherland” Series by Tad Williams (totally enjoyable, page-turning sci-fi) and two hilarious punk rock classics: Please Kill Me by Legs McNeil and Our Band Could Be Your Life by Michael Azerrad.

From Cody and The Beau:
Rock and roll classics I’m With the Band and The Dirt, Gold Digger (about the real-life Lorelei Leigh), Prospect Park West (a fun, catty read even if you don’t live here), The Gossip Girl series (SO good!), Naked (or anything else by David Sedaris), and The Marseilles Trilogy (if you’re in a noir mood and have already read everything by Stieg Larsson).

Shop the entire OMFG style.com Summer Reading List on Amazon.com.

Okay, so now that we’ve helped you out, what books do you love? We need some new recommendations before we hit the beach this weekend…

The day’s finally here and beau and I have our Fandango tickets already purchased for the 2:30 showing in downtown Brooklyn.

How lucky am I to have a guy that not only watches all six seasons of SATC—and the first movie—with me in preparation for the second coming out and helps me sneak in a batch of homemade cosmopolitans, but also even takes the afternoon off from work with me to see Sex and the City 2 in the theaters so I can live blog it for this site on the first day it’s out?!? Love.

Now, as a disclamier, let me just say that my expectations are not high. The reviews have been terrible and, let’s face it, New York is one of the necessary elements of the SATC fantasy for me and taking the cast to Abu Dhabi just won’t cut it… I already know that. Also, wardrobe stylist Patricia Field lost a bit of her touch in the first movie, going more for head-to-toe designer than the clever mix that made the series’ fashions, though amplified, relatively believable. And really, let’s be honest, I’m 75% percent in it for the clothes!

So stay tuned, my pets, and keep your fingers crossed that there’ll be iPhone reception in the theater so I can actually do this thing! God knows, I’m ready for it…

2:14: On the bus, cosmos wrapped in a sweatshirt tucked in my Dior. Praying it doesn’t get confiscated and that there is reception in the theater. Looking forward to seeing my four faux friends again…

I thought I had reception but I don’t. So I think I’ll take notes and publish as soon as I get home. Bummer. BTW, Twilight Eclipse trailer!

It’s on! Alicia Keys…

Yay! Carrie looks amazing. No, scratch that–now it’s the 80s. We finally find out how they all met!

They’re at Bergdorf’s–my favorite place in NYC–shopping for Stanford and Anthony’s wedding!

Big! In a tux! Carrie! In a tux!

The wedding is crazy–like a set from a 30s muscial. Carrie’s hat is awful. Of course. Oh, and there’s Liza!

Liza Single Ladies as bad as expected… but I like that people in the theater are clapping!

Now we’re finding out what the problems are: Charlotte and Harry’s daughter is driving them crazy, Miranda’s boss hates her, and Carrie and Big are getting pressure for kids. Do you think these things will come up again? We shall see…

“There Big and I were. Somewhere between wild sex and a baby.”

And now Samantha’s issue: Menopause.

Charlotte has a braless nanny. Funny what a stir it’s causing after Carrie got splashed, braless, in the credits every episode…

Apartment envy! Carrie and Big have the perfect place! Want!

Yay! Smith’s back!

Carrie has her old apartment? And uses it as an office? Oh, crazy rich people!

The girls are going to Abu Dhabi!

Carrie is wearing the newsprint Dior dress she wore when she went to surprise Natasha at lunch after the Big divorce.

SJP and Madonna have the same too skinny face. Just a few pounds more and she’d look so much younger!

Miranda just said “Abu Dhabi Do.” I have a sneaking suspicion there’s a lot more Middle Eastern wordplay coming our way…

Charlotte is going by York (as opposed to her Jewish married name) because “it’s the Middle East.” On that note, is anyone else surprised Carrie took Bigs last name?

OMFG. Aidan.

“Bedoin Bath & Beyond”? Groan. On another note, I want to ride a camel. Oh, and now they made a cameltoe joke. Of course.

Carrie is out with Aidan dressed very un-Middle Eastern. Meow.

Miranda and Charlotte are bitching about motherhood. Oh, now they’re toasting to mothers without help. And I find it condescending… But women in the theater are cheering.

OMFG. Aidan and Carrie kiss! HOT kiss.

Wow. It just hit me how old they all are! Samantha is in a turban and looks like Joan Crawford. And there’s sweet potato on her face.

Carrie told Big about the kiss. And he’s not happy.

Now they’ve gotten kicked out of the hotel because Samantha was arrested for kissing.

The ladies are wearing burkas… It reminded me immediately of Brain in disguise in Inspector Gadget.

Carrie and Big: “It’s going to be just us two–are we enough?” “Baby–we’re too much.” Swoon.

The End. Or is it?

The Beau and I, in preparation for Sex And The City 2, and in addition to perfecting our cosmopolitan recipe, crammed for several weekends and have come out on the other end of all six seasons of SATC alive and entertained. Now, this isn’t our first time tackling the series, but each time is special in its own way. I know it’s easy to hate the show from afar, but watch it and you’ll fall in love with it. Watch it for hours and hours straight and you’ll start connecting everything that happens to you to an episode of the show. Example: “That sounds just like that time Charlotte dated the guy who called her a ‘fucking bitch, fucking whore’ when he came…” or “This is just like the time Samantha was wearing the pearl thong up all those flights of stairs…”

Since not everyone has the time, patience, or desire to sit through six entire seasons and one long movie before the sequel comes out, we’ve chosen ten episodes that we really like. They’re not the most essential to understanding the series or the core relationships in it per se, but they’re the ones that make us laugh. Maybe watch one or two of them before the movie to remember just how good the show once was.

Sex And The City (Pilot), Season One
One word: Abso-fucking-lutely.

Oh Come All Ye Faithful, Season One
Samantha falls for “James and his tiny penis,” Miranda dates the Catholic playwright who showers after sex, and Big won’t introduce Carrie to his mom.

The Man, The Myth, The Viagra, Season Two
Miranda meets Steve and expects a one-night-stand, Samantha dates an old guy who “hung with these cool cats in Cuba” (and whose naked butt inspires her to flee the apartment), back with Big, Carrie invited him out with the girls and everyone is touched when he actually shows up, especially Miranda, who chases Steve into the rain for a tear-jerking kiss.

20-Something Girls Vs. 30-Something Women, Season Two
The girls go out the Hamptons, where Charlotte gets crabs and Carrie sees Big. With Natasha. While she’s wearing a sparkly cowboy hat. Then she pukes on the beach.

Easy Come, Easy Go, Season Three
Charlotte proposes to Trey and he says “Alrighty,” Carrie runs into Big and he tells her it’s over with Natasha, they start a steamy affair while poor chumpy Aiden is sanding her floors, and Samantha’s dating a guy “with the funkiest tasting spunk.”

Hot Child In The City, Season Three
Carrie meets a guy in a comic book store and finds out he lives with his parents. They get stoned, listen to Hot Child In The City, and when he gets busted by his mom and blames Carrie, she takes the weed and enjoys it with her girlfriends.

The Real Me, Season Four
Carrie walks (and falls) in a fashion show (produced my Margaret Cho) in Dolce undies and is stepped over by Heidi Klum and Charlotte learns her vagina is depressed.

Belles of the Balls, Season Four
Carrie and Aiden are doing well the second time around and for some reason, Carrie is trying to do the friend ting with Big. Big, meanwhile, is dating Willow Summers, a movie star. And when she breaks up with him, he takes a left by the sign for farm fresh squash and arrives at Aiden’s country house, where the two proceed to fight in the mud.

The Post-It Always Sticks Twice, Season Six
Charlotte doesn’t want to make a big deal over the fact she’s getting married a second time–until she does. Meanwhile, Samantha starts falling harder for Smith while Berger breaks up with Carrie via Post-It note. Then she gets stoned.

The Domino Effect, Season Six
Miranda is dating (and sexing) the hot Knicks doctor. Steve walks in on them, slams into the wall trying to run away, and ends up with a tampon up his nose. Big’s in town for a “heart thing” and Carrie can’t stop crying about it. He eludes to growing old together as she takes care of him, but the next morning he’s back to his old emotionally-distant ways.

The BIG finale’s this weekend… What are your plans? Knocking back a few warm Dharma brews with friends? Whatever you do, be sure to dress the part!

Get LOST by icelandicody featuring Stella McCartney shoes

Have tough financial times made you reconsider your gym membership? Or has a time-crunch made it difficult to get there as often as you’d like? Well, with an at-home workout, you have no more excuses. Especially if you have a Netflix subscription.

Enter the joys of Netflix “Watch it Now” workout videos.

What you’ll need:

• Netflix subscription
• computer or TV to watch on (find out if you have a Netflix-to-TV-ready device)
• comfortable workout clothes and sneakers
• room to move (12 square feet should do it)
• dumbbells (only for some–if you don’t have weights, click here for some homemade weight set alternatives)
• yoga/Pilates mat (only for some)

My favorite Netflix “Watch it Now” workout offerings:

• Self: Slim and Sleek, Fast!
• Self: Bikini Ready, Fast!
• Crunch: Burn and Firm Pilates
• Crunch: Fat-Burning Pilates
• 10 Minute Solution: Yoga

There are also dance workouts, like Crunch: Cardio Salsa and Crunch: Fat Burning Dance Party, that are great if you like to dance, but for someone with two left feet like me, following along can be a bit of a challenge. I am going to give the Fat Burning Dance Party another go, however, because with a little bit of practice, I’m actually pretty sure I might pick up some new moves.

Each workout is approximately 30-50 minutes and vary in difficulty. Both of the Self videos I listed are butt-kickers (lots of squats and other intense muscle-toning exercises) and leave me sore enough the next day I have to rest my legs and abs and do a free routine with the dumbbells for my arms. The Crunch Pilates videos are challenging, but not quite as intense and don’t lead to the same sweat-breaking. Funnily enough, they’re all the same instructor! Her name is Ellen Barrett and she looks like Sherilyn Fenn and Lauren Graham had a love-child (remember how Sherilyn played both Jess’s step mother in California and Luke’s ex and April’s mom in Stars Hollow? Weird). Ellen is friendly without being overly enthusiastic and gives good verbal cues to ensure you’re doing the workout to the best benefit.

Here’s a little taste of Ellen in action:

Anyway, now that you’re working out at home, you don’t need to worry about the trip to the gym, public showers, the fact that the cute guy from the coffee shop is seeing you in tight clothes and no makeup, or the cost of membership. Sweet.

Maybe it’s because I went to see Hole in concert last night, or because I just read an article about how Ultimate Frisbee was invented at my alma mater, but I’m feeling in a very high school mood today. Here are my picks for the best movies to bring you back to the days of crushes, cliques, and locker combinations.

Better Off Dead

Can’t Hardly Wait

Clueless

Dazed and Confused

Fast Times at Ridgemont High

Heathers

Napolean Dynamite

Rock and Roll High School

Sixteen Candles

Superbad

John Stewart in Half Baked: