Tag Archives: Pop Culture

The Eyes Have it for Spring 2018

Posted in Culture, Pop Culture, Trend Spotting, Trends by

You might remember last years stars-on-everything appliqué trend ←shameless repurpose plug!…well, this seasons intuitive eye is most definitely a sign of these turbulent times.

Trend spotting is an endless pursuit of mine, and I see it (pun intended) as far more than a fly-by-night hair-colour or fashion accessory—but as an archaeological dig into our modern zeitgeist.  

I believe the watchful EYE has made its way into our current pop culture foray as a reflection of our need—more than ever—to feel protected.

However, there is a fuller back story here with lots to unpack, so lets get right into it shall we?

THE WATCHFUL DIGITAL EYE…

While technology giveth—it also taketh, and the world wide web has become the double edged sword for nefarious forces and illegal activity. It is no secret that we are being tracked and in many ways even controlled by our online usage—leading to a pervasive over-the-shoulder paranoia.

November 11, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / SPUTNIK / Mikhail KLIMENTYEV (Photo credit: MIKHAIL KLIMENTYEV/AFP/Getty Images)

We don’t have to look far in politics or pop culture to see this being played out in our day-to-day reality. From evidence that Russia colluded in Trumps campaign, to click-bait #fakenews that influenced the American vote, to the recent disclosure that Facebook et al has been mining our data without our consent.

Just last week Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg began testimony to the Senate Judiciary and Commerce Committees in the wake of the Cambridge Analytica scandal. Our entertainment further reflects our reality and it’s no accident then, that Hulu’s The Handmaids Tale was one of the biggest series for 2017-2018 seasons—i.e., being watched and controlled.

 FIGHT THE POWER…

At our core, we all have a basic human need to be SEEN, understood and validated.

With the spring thaw comes a deep winter pain that is coming to the surface ie; “into the light,” and what we have witnessed in the last year cannot be unseen.

This has been a year of continuous injustice, violence and systematic racism towards the black community that created the indelible #BlackLivesMatter movement. This has also been the year of the #MeToo movement and the #MarchforOurLives uprising of the Parkland students against gun violence and the NRA.

Kristah Suh, who started the Pussyhat Project, encouraged her network to knit DIY Evil Eye Gloves for the March for our Lives demonstration on March 24th, 2018.

Beyond the main takeaway of “stop don’t shoot” the eye was used as a symbol for self-protection, but its also a clear message of wanting to BE SEEN whilst being on high alert. “I’m watching you…” can be directed at our lawmakers, our police and our oppressors.

We are now collectively taking our safety into our own hands.

“I LIKE TO WATCH…”

Inversely, we all have a natural proclivity towards voyeurism.

The act of voyeurism—sexual or otherwise, is as old as time—but digital innovation has brought the act itself to an insatiable next-level. We are all privy to information hemorrhaging in the palms of our hands and our human interactions and sociability have been permanently altered as a result.

A Confederacy of Dunces?

Our collective habit has become that of passively checking our phones first thing in the morning for a fleeting glimpse of digital ephemera. The 24-hour life-casting scroll feed of celebrity/influencer access has become an insatiable voyeur addiction for many.

ALL EYES ON US…

When The Truman Show starring Jim Carey hit movie theatres (←remembah THOSE relics?!) in 1998, it was implausible to believe that someone’s life could be watched on a 24-hour life-casting feed, but that is exactly where we are today!

ALL ACCESS…

From 7 strangers “who stopped being polite” back in 1992 to the evolution of digital/social media innovation, we have become a culture obsessed with pointing the cameras at ourselves through a myriad of social media platforms.

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So while the camera may have TAKETH away our privacy and our previous analog anonimity, we cannot deny the countless ways that handheld video cameras have helped us capture injustice and bear witness to the world we live in. Never has this been more significant than in exposing the blatant racism and police brutality against the African American community.

From Rodney King to the Facebook Live streamed Philando Castille shooting, to the recent Starbucks incident, the video camera along with the immediacy of social media has been the eye of truth, exposing crimes in real time.

THE EYE TREND

The eye in all its permutations; from evil, flirty, to gimlet is seemingly everywhere for spring 2018. Not only are we seeing the classic nazar symbol which has been used for thousands of centuries to ward off the evil eye, but we are also seeing a bold singular eye on every piece of merch you can shake a stick at. Voila!

Bejeweled

Jeweller to the STAHHH‘s Lorraine Schwartz designed a blinged out evil eye capsule collection for spring 2018, which were prominently displayed by a bevy of starlets like Rita Ora and Blake Lively.

(Photo by Mike Marsland/WireImage)

I’m super obsessed with this incredible jewelry line from Brooklyn called Scosha. Their offerings are incredibly unique & unexpected, from their mix and match eye charms, to their chandelier “Treasure Earrings” to their line of cat eyes—my fave being the dainty disc droplets tears-of-joy stud.

Jacquie Aiche is a fine jewelry line from Los Angeles with a huge it-girl model following like Hailey Baldwin and Gigi Hadid. Jacquie Aiche is the go-to line for their sensual layering and unique body chains that boast a tribal and mystical aesthetic.

Apparel

Kenzo’s ubiquitous usage of the multi-eye or “world eye” motif is back for spring 2018 in a kaleidoscope of unisex offerings.

L’Objet d’Art

While many co’s have a token or two of eye art—even Ikea has a wayyyyy tacky glass version this spring, nobody interprets hipster eye symbolism better than Brooklyn’s McQuan Studio

“We don’t need to see anything out of the ordinary. We already see so much.“~ROBERT WALSER

MISC

The following are a random culling that caught my eye for spring 2018…

Discount Universe is becoming a Coachella mainstay ↓

From L to R below: Catbird Diamond Eye Earrings, Evil Eye Tote at me.n.u, Gigi Hadid’s x Stuart Weitzman EYELOVE mules that launched holiday 2017 are still totes wearable, and a custom eye patch jean jacket at Cacao Houston.

Nails

And what would any trend spotting list of mine be if it didn’t book end with some fab nail art? From a flirty eye lashed motif to a traditional nazar, the combinations are endless! The Olive and June stickers are an amazing fast track for an instant DIY mani!

And while I, and many a digital think piece will rhapsodize about our analog pasts—a quieter time when we weren’t inundated with seeing EVERYTHING—I am still grappling with how to be a part of the conversation whilst preserving a sense of privacy.

It brings to mind the old adage; “would you rather be painfully aware or blissfully ignorant?”

I so wish we could find a healthy balance…

…or at the very least a new aperture?

I see you…

XOXO,

Grey is the New Blonde for Spring 2018

Posted in Beauty, Hair, Pop Culture, Trends by

There’s an old adage that goes something like this;

“When America sneezes the whole world gets a cold…”

The same approach could be applied to the every move Kim Kardashian + co. make—vis-à-vis their international influence in the trendsphere.

*Using vis-à-vis in a sentence makes me sound super douche-rocket-y, I concur!

Cases in point—in 2017 both Kim Kardashian and her youngest mega entrepreneurial sister Kylie Jenner started to sport silver/grey hair. By all noted accounts Kim had dyed her hair and Kylie was wearing a wig ← another beauty hack she’s become famous for!

Naturally, I was rapt with wonder on how I too could achieve this enigmatic hair trend of LE MOMENT.

Enter Kelly Betty; ambassador colorist for L’Oreal Canada and senior colourist at TAZ salon in Toronto, ON.

I first approached Kelly because I saw photos of her grey/silver hair work on Instagram and I LOVED the way she added in a darker and deeper root shadow at both the roots and on the side temples. The addition of a darker root adds a realism and dimension to this trend!

 

“My approach to the shadow root trend is to create a look that best accents my clients hair cut and skin tone,” says Betty adding that “shadow roots are very soft at the moment.”

Colour by Kelly Betty
Colour by Kelly Betty
Colour By Kelly Betty

While I and others refer to this ethereal look as the Grey Hair trend, Betty calls it ‘pastel blonde or silver/grey blonde’ and because she is the pro here, I adapt my language accordingly. In my ignorance I also assumed that one could go straight →to silver/grey out of the gate—no matter ones hair colour, and again I was mistaken. You can’t go straight to grey or silver…you have to go white blond 1st and then to silver, grey or yes…‘pastel blonde.’

As with any new pursuit, one need to set the table properly and that means strong and healthy hair as a base. This of course automatically disqualifies me, considering I am the official president of the weak hair club. “Pastel blondes are the strongest of the chemical services,” i.e.; (HARDEST ON THE HAIR) and they require commitment to the upkeep to keep them beautiful and as healthy as possible. This is a 3-step process if a shadow root or ghosting is done, and expect to stay at the salon for on average 3-4 hours,” says Betty.

The Ghosting trend is the latest amalgam of the grey or silver hair trend ↑ Photos courtesy of Narcity Media.

“The Ghosting trend is actually quite beautiful [on pastel blondes] adding subtle pops of shading in pale lavenders and silvery greys,” says Betty

Grey/Silver Hair on Celebrities

From Top *I believe its Ashley Olsen but it could be Mary-Kate too, hard to tell with these millionaires hobbits?!, singer Billie Eilish, Model/Actress MACTRESS Cara Delevingne, Blac Chyna + Keyshia Ka’oir, and lastly even Adam Levine took the grey hair trend for a spin recently.

But what prey tell is there for the rest of us, whose locks simply can’t survive the chemical process of the grey/silver hair trend? Why should we be left out on the sidelines while everyone else gets to have all the hair fun? Well my lover heads, I haven’t forgotten about you!

…And while we all can’t have Kylie Jenner’s custom wigmaker extraordinaire Tokyo Stylez at our beckon call, I have the next best thing for you and your hair needs my lovelies! I’ve partnered with the #1 online wig provider of top name brand wigs of human hair, lace front and synthetic wigs, Wigs.com!

I’ve sourced a couple of the grey/silver hair styles for your convenience below and as a very special offer for my readers you will get a 25% discount on these or any of the incredible offerings of wigs on Wigs.com by using the coupon code #SILVERPOP, so shop away to your hearts content friendsicles!

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From Left to Right: Whiteout by Hairdo HF Synthetic Wig, Ghosting inspired wig “Tessa” by Noriko Synthetic Wig, Risk Comfort by Ellen Willie Synthetic Lace Front Wig (Hand-Tied) Wig.

There are advantages to both synthetic and human hair wigs, so do your research as both can be cut, and some synthetic wigs can be styled using heat tools up to a certain temperature!

And that’s it kids! The moody and poetic IT GIRL hair colour of LE MOMENT is waiting for you, now go out and get your GREY/SILVER on this weekend!

May the Grey Be With You…

XOXO

WIN! PCR Ho! Ho! Holiday Giveaway!

Posted in Bitcoin, Contest, Giveaway, Pop Culture by

It’s HERRRRRRRRE-EEEEEERRRRRR!

 

That’s RIGHT! We’re absolutely euphoric with SEXCITEMENT (*sexy excitement*) for The Pop Culture Rainman’s™ Ho! Ho! Holiday Giveaway 2017!

Nope, were not giving away free Bitcoin…(but I’m going to write Bitcoin a couple more times because BITCOIN is totes trending right now and I’m so here for the SEO kickbacks )

…BUT we are giving away the COOLEST gifts from some of the HOTTEST pop culture brands in the multiverse!

Not sure why I’m saying “we,” ’cause really it’s just me, my cat daughter and my stepped on dreams over here?

So without further ado…let’s meet the PRIZES shall we?

1. CHAPTERS INDIGO Giveaway

Reading REAL **tactile** BOOKS is one of my life’s purest pleasures. With the help from my friends at Chapters Indigo, I picked out 6 stellar titles from 2017 that encompass all of my literary passions. From music journalism, break-out star essayists and poets, to a healthy dose of Cancon folded in—I think you’ll agree that my holiday book giveaway is pop culture GOLD!

 

Sticky Fingers by Joe Hagen [Knopf Canada]

As any musicphile knows, Rolling Stone Magazine captured the 1960’s youth culture of rock and roll and created a hothouse counterculture that dissected fame, pop culture and provocative politics. It is the ultimate music journalism tome, and writer Joe Hagen gleans exclusive access to editor in chief Jann Wenner and the cast of luminary artists and writers that made this magazine the zeitgeist juggernaut it remains to this day.

Uncommon Type by Tom Hanks [Knopf Canada]

Nope, it’s not a Tom Hanks memoir as one might expect, but rather a generous offering of fictional short stories by the two time Oscar winning actor. Hanks writes genuinely well, bringing both his well-mined sensitivity and honesty to this collection of 17 stories. Alternatingly whimsical, laugh-out-loud funny and deeply moving this book will delight his mammoth fan base!

We Are Never Meeting in Real Life by Samantha Irby [Vintage]

I am all about the hilarious female essayist category, and supernova writer Samantha Irby is the latest gem of the genre, putting all of her human (oh so human!) foibles on NAKED display for our side splitting consumption. The bitchesgottaeat.com blogger covers awkward sexual encounters, her failure to adult and ENDLESS funny-’cause-its-true vignettes about love in our digitally wallpapered modern-day dystopia.

 

101 Simple Truths For a Better Life by Humble The Poet [Indigo Press]

Heading into 2018 we could all use some pearls of wisdom through a fresh and unexpected lens, n’est pas? Former elementary teacher turned performance artist, rapper and YouTuber, Kanwer Singh aka Humble The Poet offers up just that with 101 Simple Truths. Singh was the winning panelist for Canada Reads 2017 and splits his neo-enlightened philosophies between Los Angeles and Toronto.

The Sun and Her Flowers by Rupi Kaur [Simon & Shuster]

Toronto SUPERSTAR poet and illustrator Rupi Kaur inspired the millennial generation of writers to post their digital ink to the ordinarily photo-heavy Instagram. Her meteoric rise and moniker as Instagram’s favourite #Instapoet (9.1 followers and counting!) is no easy feat for our impatient swipe-up reflexes + blink-and-you-missed-it attention spans. The 25-year-old’s second book of poetry is a treasure trove sure to be a passed down through generations to come.

Bear Town by Fredrik Backman [Simon & Shuster]

The perfect book to get lost in for the holiday season by Swedish blogger-turned famed author Fredrik Backman. Beartown is set in a small Swedish hockey town on the brink of extinction and grappling with a sexual assault case that has the town divided. You will be hooked by the eerie opening paragraph and see shadows of yourself in every one of the richly dense characters.

2. NESPRESSO Giveaway

I am a latte aficionado and would happily mainline on an IV drip if I could, so I am thrilled to be offering up this limited edition CRAIG & KARL Aercinno3 frother from coffee doyens Nespresso.

BUT THAT’S NOT ALL!

‘Tis the season to get hopped up on delicious holiday inspired coffees, so I’m also throwing in 3 sleeves of limited edition Variation Confetto pods in Snowball, Orangette + Licorice flavours!

 

Used with your snazzy new frother you can make the following specialty coffee recipes with ease!

*Click on individual pictures to read the fine print.

 

3. BLACK OPIUM YVES ST LAURENT Giveaway

This limited edition collectors bottle featuring black glitter and electric pink is a sophisticated and intoxicatingly sexy scent. I’m giving away 2 YSL 50ml Eau de Parfum bottles away to two lucky winners! Black Opium ‘Pure Illusion’ has top notes of pear, orange blossom and pink pepper. Middle notes of coffee, jasmine, almond and licorice and Base Notes of vanilla, patchouli, cedar and cashmere wood.

Also, it smells like BITCOIN, because you will feel like MILLIONS when you wear it, honey! Cha-CHING!

4. ALPHA INDUSTRIES Giveaway

ALPHA INDUSTRIES bomber jackets with the signature red “Remove Before Flight” flag were seen on everyone from Beyoncé, Justin Beiber, Gigi Hadid , Kendall Jenner and The Weeknd, in what was undoubtedly the fashion staple of 2017.

 

I’m giving away one women’s MA-1 W Flight in any colour of your choosing, but if you ask me I’m partial to the burgundy and mauve variety. Either way expect to look hella fly in your oh so LIT bomber jacket.

 

The RULES

Open to **Canadian** Residents Only

Must Be at least 18 years old to enter

You must be specific in which prize giveaway you are vying for; “I Want to Win The Nespresso Giveaway” or “I Want to Win the Alpha Industries Giveaway…” (*you can only choose 1 out of the 4) and you must use the hashtag #PCRHOHOHOLIDAY.

You must follow The Pop Culture Rainman on 1 of the following social media platforms:

Twitter: @popcultrainman

Instagram: @Reneepopculturerainman

PCR Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/popculturerainman/

…or HERE on my good ol’ bloggitty blog, either by signing up to receive my posts by email or by following me through WordPress.  

If you are able to join ALL 4 of my platforms you can enter yourself in for a 2nd prize giveaway!

Add in my Pinterest page (((5 platform follows ))) and you are fast tracked to a guarantee win!  But, If that’s the case holy f*ck knuckles you seriously need to get a life ← and I say this with love ♥ ♥ ♥

Winners will be chosen randomly by lottobot and will be announced here and directly to your respective social media channels depending on how you enter, on December 13th by 8pm Eastern time.

Got it? GOOD LUCK! Either way you slice it you are a winner in my books kiddo. Plus you will be marinating in my spesh brand of trend spotting content and comedy from now until forevs. TALK ABOUT WINNING BIG!

CONGRATULATIONS WINNERS!

Chapters Indigo Giveaway: Jill Barkhouse, Kentville NS

Nespresso Giveaway : Sandrine Ohayon Huynh, Montreal, QC

Black Orchid YSL Perfume Giveaway: Melanie Dragan Mississauga, ON + Karla Sceviour Botwood, Newfoundland.

Alpha Industries Giveaway: Natalie Van Appledoorn, Vancouver B.C.

Happy Holidays to you and yours! (Your pet children and your trampled on dreams…)

As you were lover heads,

XOXO,

Holiday Giveaway Alert

Posted in Giveaway, Pop Culture by

Greetings FA LA LA LOVERS!

Just a brief prompt in-between the take down of every pervy-pants in Hollywood, the media, politics, (and every other segment of the workforce) to tell you about my upcoming HOLIDAY GIVEAWAY!

The contest will be announced HERE on Monday December 11th, 2017 and at the very least, it will help to alleviate some of the existential angst that is the dumpster fire of our BROKEN planet.

In the meantime, for all my American readers (truth be told, the crux of my fan base are mainly the Helsinki’s…) an early Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

…And in bona fide Pop Culture fashion, I give you the best ending from my all-time favorite film about Thanksgiving; Planes Trains, and Automobiles.

Also, If you aren’t hysterically snot crying by 5:46, I. NEVER. WANT. TO. KNOW. YOU.

…Stay Tuned!

XOXO,

 

5 Easy Pop Culture Halloween Costumes

Posted in Halloween, Pop Culture by

 

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*Squish Candies Contest Details at Bottom of Story. 

 

Don’t have your Halloween costume yet? Fear not, friendsicles!

Whether you need something for your adulting parties this weekend or something to wear with the kidlets on Tuesday October 31st, The Pop Culture Rainman™ has got you covered for easy DIY pop culture inspired costumes!

1. Hurricane Melania & Donald

For a couple costume, I recommend the myopically out-of-touch outfit that Melania Trump wore on her way to visit the devastated aftermath of the Houston hurricane. I simply dub this ridiculous look “Hurricane Melania” and it’s really easy to do. Simply grab an all black ensemble and add a khaki bomber jacket, a pair of aviator sunglasses and your highest, most inappropriate pair of black stilettos.  

For Trump, a pair of work boots, beige pants, and white button down and rain slicker will do. The most important element is to get his Doritos dust spray tan down pat, as well as his fly away hair.  

Character Personas: For her, stay absolutely silent with a no-one-knows-what-you-are-thinking-poker face. For him, a general air of douche rocket-ness, with the occasional thumbs up and lampooned facial affectations.

2. Eleven from Stranger Things

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This is a great gender fluid Halloween costume that is sure to be a crowd pleaser for Stranger Things enthusiasts!

It’s all about having the short-hair-don’t-care buzz cut, the pink dress with white-collar, blue jacket, sports knee socks, white Chuck Taylors, a bloody nose and a box of Eggo waffles.  Close facsimiles of her outfit will do, and all are easy to source inexpensively!

Character Persona: A fish out of water air of bewilderment, but a wallflower you are not! You will knock out a bully without batting an eyelash, or at the very least throw a frozen waffle at their head!

3. “Cash Me Outside” Teen Danielle Bregoli

The trash talking teen who made her debut on a Dr. Phil intervention show, is now a bona fide Instagram star (11.6 million followers) and a newly signed rap artist for Atlantic records. Her look? Bad and Boujee!

Her hair is an auburn/aubergine red that you can wear straight, curly or in corn row braids.

Other pertinent details are a shaved eye brow, fake eye lashes, boujee long nails, and to cap it off, a gold grill. Be sure to wear a tank top that shows off your beige bra and ample cleave. Wear your boujee-ist pair of ripped jeans and you are good to GO!

Character Persona: Threaten to beat up every 4th person you meet, and remember to incorporate Ebonics into all of your speech. For example, “I’m going to beat CHU up, dumb HOE.” Pure elegance, ya feel me?

4. Marion Kelly

Toddler Marion Kelly stole the worlds hearts when she interrupted her father Robert Kelly’s BBC interview with her “hippity-hoppity” entrance.

All you need to covet this look is to wear your hair in pigtails, sport a canary yellow sweater, grey jeans, and a pair of pink frames. I say go full-on method and buy a pair of baby frames!

Character Persona: You’re 4! The world has yet to break your heart and crush your dreams. Act deliriously happy while you do the Marion Kelly strut + eat all the candy!

5. Iris Apfel

Fashion icon Iris Apfel is by far my favourite nonagenarian, with Betty White coming in at a close 2nd. The 96-year old’s signature bold + colourful style is easy to mimic with a FABULOUS pantsuit and oversized, chunky baubles and bracelets. 

Add a short and spiky slicked back grey wig and red lipstick, her signature black round specs, and for extra flair a red boa!

Character Persona: New York Fabulous. Tell everyone about your design restoration projects you did at the white house for nine presidents while telling everyone to put away their phones and “TALK TO EACH OTHER!”

All of these can be turned into sexy costumes, except I draw the line at baby Marion Kelly! Leave her playful innocence in TACT you PERVS!

…I’m all for a slutty version of Iris Apfel however!

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I’ve partnered with Squish Candies to offer up 1 lucky winner a ‘brainy” candy bar selection of all 4 Brain gummies.

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The rules are simple! Just follow along on my Twitter @popcultrainman or my Instagram @reneepopculturerainman or HERE on my blog to qualify with the hashtag #PopCultureBrains. *Canadian Residents Only.  I will pick a winner randomly by 1pm tomorrow and will have it shipped to be received in time for Halloween!

Happy Halloween Kittens! 🎃👻🍭

XOXO,

The Truth About Harvey Weinstein

Posted in Pop Culture, Truth by
 Photo Credit: Peter Strain for Variety Magazine

 

It was 2003 at the Toronto Film Festival and I was a newly minted Canadian stringer for People magazine.

I can’t say I wasn’t enjoying the power that my press badge afforded me that year; doors opened, publicists waved me through, A-list celebrities stopped to talk to me on a dime.

Because smart phones were still a new phenom, and the iPhone ephemera non-existent, I had a bird’s eye view of celebrities unguarded and letting loose at various parties that simply wouldn’t be possible today.

Over imbibed on champagne and enjoying the exclusivity of VIP after hours access, I recall a young male Los Angeles director telling me about the nefarious practices of Harvey Weinstein. He mentioned Gwyneth Paltrow and the Machiavellian sex pact that she previously had to make with Weinstein to sustain all of her Miramax roles.

I balked in disbelief.

Gwyneth Paltrow—she of the alpha female variety, with baked-in familial ties to Hollywood, seemed pristinely above something as seedy as the clichéd Hollywood casting couch?

“Trust me it’s true,” he said with an authority that made me feel sheepishly naïve.

Why do I mention this instance in the wake of the recent Harvey Weinstein scandal?

Before I go on, I want to make it abundantly clear, I believe all women, full stop.

It’s just that when we speak of entertainment, or specifically Hollywood, lines become blurred and statements are vetted, or alternately—fully written by publicists. This is a business based on public opinion, likability and keeping up appearances, and the truth isn’t always applicable. The truth can put brands and businesses in peril.

Many celebrities came forward since the New York Times piece about Harvey Weinstein broke two weeks ago. Each of them a unique weather system of their own truths, accounts, and opinions. I could not help but become obsessed with championing Rose McGowans Twitter feed, and thought Canadian Mia Kirshner had written the most compelling and moving op ed, that is until I read Canadian Sarah Polley’s op ed.

Meryl Streep had a statement of veritable shock and awe, George Clooney had a ‘safe statement’ that pivoted in every direction but straight—specific enough to mention that he “never saw anything,” and Gwyneth Paltrow had soft core allegations towards the man that she worked with repeatedly.

Gretchen Mol took the opportunity to tell the world that she was never one of Harvey’s girls.

Jessica Alba remained silent and continued to tweet about Haircare + Decluttering Ones Life for her business The Honest Company ←yes the irony is thick.

Blake Lively another rumoured compliant, was radio silent for 48 hours until her latest film “All I See is You” is due out and a story about her being harassed by someone ‘other’ than HW is added to the mix. The title alone: Blake Lively Shares Her Own Story of Hollywood Harassment  feels like publicity driven clickbait pablum, and I wonder if again this was a choice, a buffer, a diversion to be put out as to not takeaway from her new film. It’s hard to believe she was spared Harvey’s advances.

Georgina Chapman announces she is divorcing her husband, articles about Marchesa’s fate hanging in the balance are written and within this maelstrom of empathy, support, accusations and announcements, I can’t help but feel like I’m witnessing a “Wag the Dog” performance on the part of many. The mechanism of the statements themselves, are like a Shakespearian play with “entrances and exists,” the perfectly synchronized press releases in conveyer belt succession feel like an expertly played chess game.

Beyond the victims statements and brilliant op eds, plus anything and everything Lena Dunham wrote, it felt like a parade of people TRYING to save their own asses?

The truth? Maybe far more of our favourite actors, the ones who even put out statements of accusations did so as a defense mechanism. Perhaps they were even in touch with Weinstein’s crisis team as they put out their statements. Perhaps, some were even willing (insofar as it wasn’t under forced duress) participants in the unthinkable trade of sex for the promise of career advancement.

I don’t want to shame anyone, but where are all these A list celebrities who, according to Weinstein’s recurring trade pitch/preamble, went along with his offer? And, am I terrible for even thinking this? Does it even matter who they were or weren’t in light of this bigger picture?

One of the few people to expose the truth that “everybody knew” and admit his own personal culpability of silence was director Scott Rosenberg. It’s a must read.  Yes, it’s brave, but let’s face it, he has far less to lose with his transparency than the above aforementioned.

Even Vanity Fair featuring a black and white photo of Weinstein on their latest issue with the sobering caption Game Over, took Miramax’s ad dollars for decades.  They actively sacked stories that were percolating about Weinstein and yet here they are to add their truths into the ‘shake down’ Cuisinart.

I revert back to that night in 2003 when, whether fact or fiction, I became privy to the Weinstein rumours/heresy and I was not remotely seeking it out. I was merely an off-duty/unknown freelancer and even I got an earful.

You want the truth about Harvey Weinstein and the rest of Hollywood, their knowledge and or complicities’?

Maybe we can’t handle the truth.

Maybe it’s obliquely liminal like one of my favourite quotes from August: Osage County the Pulitzer play turned film, distributed by the Weinstein Company, natch.

In the scene, character Tracy Letts played brilliantly by Juliette Lewis tells her judgemental sister about sacrifices that she’s had to make. Sacrifices she’s not proud of but that were made for her own survival.

“My point is, it’s not cut and dried, black and white, good and bad. It lives where everything lives: somewhere in the middle. Where everything lives, where all the rest of us live, everyone but you.”

― Tracy Letts, August: Osage County

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Couture Candy; This Ain’t Your Granddaddy’s Fun Dip.

Posted in Food, Pop Culture, Trends by

 

A previous limited edition from Sugarfina: 4 karat gold-dusted, Dom Pérignon-infused gummy bears

A box of Nerds is soooo very pedestrian, while a bag of Maltesers reeks of bridge and tunnel. 

Luxury and couture candy—aimed towards an up-scale adult market, is the latest trend in sweet bonbons.

Sugarfina

Sugar Logo

Leading with their tag line ‘Candy for Grown Ups’—Sugarfina is a luxury gourmet candy boutique curated by Los Angeles wife and hubby duo Rosie O’Neil & Josh Resnick. Inspired by their vast travels, they set off to meet with the world’s premium candy ‘artisans,’  bringing only the finest of ingredients back into their pristine boutiques.

Luxe offerings like Kyoto Blossoms, tiny sugar flowers imported from Japan and Baby Champagne Bears sourced exclusively from the Bavarian region of Germany (where gummy bears were invented!) are flavoured in Brut and Rosé. 

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…and below Champagne-infused, handcrafted marshmallows dipped in 24K gold, their famed Bling Rings—sculpted from dark chocolate with a thin sugar shell brushed with edible silver and Champagne Bubbles dressed up in tiny white nonpareils—all superb for your swankiest cocktail parties.

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With boutiques across the US and one in Vancouver’s Nordstrom’s and a newly minted boutique in Toronto’s Nordstrom’s!

Sweet Saba

Lady in Red: Maayan Zilberman Photo- Steve Earle

 

Lingerie designer-turned baker-turned rock candy confectionista, Maayan Zilberman’s Sweet Saba line offers a multi-sensory experience that is equal parts kitsch and artful design. 

rock shorterSweet Saba; Not your granddaddy’s rock candy…

 

The former Israeli and Vancouverite has been showing off her unique wares through a series experiential New York pop up stints, where she currently resides. Back in November, Zilberman created a conceptual ‘Candy Rock and Crystal Bar’ at Fort Gansvort and during February and March a  ‘Lovers Rock’ collection at The Standard High Line Hotel.  

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Too beautiful to eat? A pop up display promoting the ‘healing powers’ of Sweet Saba’s gem inspirations.

Zilberman worked closely with a food technologist to create 30 experiential flavours that range in taste from champagne, grass (yes, actual grass!) bubble gum, bacon and whiskey. 

Clients can purchase Sweet Saba mainstays online—our favorite being the mix tape that can be customized with whatever title gives you the coziest nostalgic **feels.**

Custom Order the name on your very own mixed tape.

 

And being that Zilberman is never not dressed to the chicest of New York minute NINES, replete with red lips and her signature sex kitten nails, who can resist the lure of a one-of-a kind tube of lipstick—infused with vitamin c and antioxidants, no less!

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Her designs are constantly evolving with each pop up performance, the next slated for the Whitney Museum this April!

Chocolates X Brandon Olsen

 

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CXBO chocolates; Not your granddaddy’s Goobers…

 

Few new brands can boast A-List testimonials like Beyoncé’s, but that’s just what happened when through creative channels, QueenB got to taste Toronto’s Brandon Olsen’s delectable CXBO chocolates. “We sent some of our salted caramels for Blue Ivy’s birthday,” says Sarah Keenlyside, marketing director of Chocolates X Brandon Olsen, (also fiancé X Brandon Olsen!) Unfortunately the salt wasn’t suited to Ivy’s toddler taste palate, but Beyoncé was so impressed that she told her assistant that he “should have brought 100 boxes!”

Olsen’s chocolatier comeuppance has been a slow and steady rise after spending years as a chef de cuisine in some of Toronto’s most prestigious kitchens—his inherent love for “all things sugar” finally winning out. “We use really high quality ingredients and I care a lot about the flavour combinations,” says Olsen. “I think it comes from my background as a chef, where the design of a plate is important, but if it doesn’t taste good, your restaurant isn’t going to last very long!”

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Luxurious flavour combinations like Lime Ginger Black Pepper, Raspberry Rose Fennel, and Cinnamon Brown Butter are part of the draw, but equally are the distinct artisanal design elements of CXBO’s bit sized chocolates. The moulds are a specific reference to American architect Buckminster Fuller who famously designed geodesic spheres (he did the Biosphere for Expo ’67 in Montreal), the splatter an ode to Jackson Pollack’s famed technique. Their boxes are all individually splatter painted as well, making every box an original work of art. “I’m a Lego guy, always have been,” offers the confection wunderkind, “and I think people who are into Lego as kids are inherently interested in design and colour.“

Choco Lite
Holiday themed exclusives; a Valentines gift set and the magnificent Chocolates X Brandon Olsen Easter egg that sold out within days.

 

Presently, you can order Chocolates x Brandon Olsen through their online web site and Shopify, but coming in May CXBO will be opening a College street west location with an open concept kitchen—Willy Wonka styles—Olsen’s favorite childhood film!

***

So is there a price to pay for luxury? Does high design equate to some hefty cha-ching?  Well, yes and no.

Sugarfina’s products were moderately priced all things considered; the exquisite ingredients, the uniqueness of product, the displays and packaging—the overhead of being a stand alone boutique in a tony Bev Hills zip code?

Sweet Saba’s pricing is most definitely on the higher end with a customized mix tapes costing you a cool $40.00 a pop, the lipsticks at $15.00. But the creativity tho? The experiential flavoring tho? The vitamin C and antioxidant infused lip sticks tho?!?! Plus did we mention its KOSHER?!?!

And lastly on the topic of Chocolates X Brandon Olsen which were recently coined as “Too Die For” from a Toronto Life Magazine e-commenter, what is $18 for a box of 9 delectable bites— if not the most reasonable ticket to heaven ever? Also, Beyoncé approved?!

So really, why even try to put a price on zee works of art, n’est pas?

Until we meet again—parting is such SUHWEET sorrow…

XOXO

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The Fur Nails Trend: Yeaaaa, No.

Posted in Nail Art, Pop Culture by

Photo: Libertine NYFW

If you’re just tuning in, you should know that here at The Pop Culture Rainman™, a nail trend story, ANY nail trend story gives us warm and cozy amniotic fluid *feels* on the reg.

The Reason?

a) Nail art is the gift that keeps on giving and is a trend writers evergreen-content bestie.

b) It keeps the lights on at our head office and has helped fund my dream of bringing my production of the 1986-1993 runaway TV hit Perfect Strangers—The Musical to off off off broadway.  

P Strangers

…I’m thinkin’ Simon Helberg for ‘Balkie Bartokomous’

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…and Michael Cera for ‘Larry Appelton’—but I’m still working out the deets.

c) Who am I kidding, our ‘head office’ is my bedroom and I pay an occasional intern in Benzos and leftover Swag that “I don’t care for.“

Ahem. Where were we?

Ah yasssss, Nail Art…is a huge audience draw for The Pop Culture Rainman™, and that is why it hurts me to say that the latest nail art trend of hideous Fur Nails is one that I cannot endorse. 

It all started at the Fall/Winter 2016 runway show for fashion label Libertine at New York Fashion Week. Jan Arnold, whose work I adore as style director of CND nail polish came up with the concept, which incorporated FAUX-FUR on the digits of all the models. I put faux-fur in bold letters, as I wanted to make clear the distinction, as anything else would have enraged me, being that I am militant ANTI-FUR.

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Fur Nails : Do Not Try This at Home

In the words of  my best friend who commented on one of my many experimental whacked-out hair colors whilst I was still in university; “it’s great for the clubs, but bad for the library.“

Translation: Leave it for the runway, but do not try this at home. Also, do the kids even go to the library to study anymore?

I have to say I do appreciate this ↓ Troll Doll version from Instagram Nail Artist Narmai.

Troll Dolls

I mean that is super cuuuute stuffs amirite?

To sum up, in the bold words of Dr. Seuss who was most definitely tripping his balls off when he wrote the classic Green Eggs and Ham:

I could not, would not, on a boat.
I will not, will not, with a goat.
Not in the dark! Not in a tree!
Not in a car! You let me be!
I do not like them in a box.
I do not like them with a fox.
I do not like them with a mouse.
I do not like them here or there.
I do not like them ANYWHERE

 

Yeaaaa, No.

XOXO

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My Unusable Promotional Items

Posted in Comedy, Pop Culture by

A thousand years ago—back in 2009, I fashioned myself a nifty testimonial page with industry media leaders auto tuning singing my praises. It was an effective promotional tool that I regularly used in my arsenal of PR stuffs, that is until 2014. Here’s just a glimpse of the larger set of testimonials and cue the famed Sesame Street jingle…”One of these things is not like the other…”

Obsolete Testimonail Page

Let’s just say a testimonial from Jian Ghomeshi, who is on trial for sexual assault, punching and choking women in Canada isn’t a sterling example of an effective, endorsement?

Cue Cat Face Palm!

Cat Face Palm

Back in 2013–just a year into my blogging career, I wanted to create some clever ‘on brand’ promotional photos glommed into the scenes of some famed pop culture pics. I hired a graphic designer (who, incidentally I paid in Xanax) to carefully place me within the mise en scène(s).

Cosby

Well, not more than 6 months passed before allegations (re)surfaced about Mr. rapey-pants Cosby, and an onslaught of accusers started to trickle in during 2014 and 2015. You can’t make this stuff up folks. This was a gong show PR effort, and a waste of good pharmaceuticals. Unusable.

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One could easily make the case that Nickelback’s music is a form of ear rape, but really is there anything that lends itself to less ear-to-the-ground, street cred than a photo op of oneself and Chad Kroeger?

Chad

I’m not even able to use it ironically at this point?!

It’s really too bad as I think Chad is a nice guy and looks quite handsome here. All in all it’s just a waste of both of our fine dental work.

I still hold onto it, clandestinely–natch.

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To better office supplies,

XOXO

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P.S. *Not intended to offend, discount or trigger survivors of sexual assault. Felt it was an irony of coincidental kookiness that needed to be told. Also, it’s ok to laugh sometimes. 2015 was an all you can eat buffet of sads and tragedies, so I implore us all to laugh when we can, (if you find it comical that is?!) Namaste.

PCR Weekly Round Up: Twitter Hearts, Trudeau Paper Dolls, Adele in Rolling Stone!

Posted in Pop Culture, Trends by

This week I decided to cull the weeks *top* pop culture stories together—a couple of amuse bouches gleaned from my taste making curations, if you will.

First up, Twitter Changes Stars to Hearts and people react in a crazy cakes complainy recital!?

We’re a fragile sort, when it come to the comforting and familiar spaces of our online platforms—I get it.

I can recall a time when Facebook would change its design, seemingly every other month—and the result had me coming apart at the seams? “What you switched my face square to the left side? What, Uh…Who am I…Where…I Can’t…PAPA CAN YOU HEAR MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE?”

Collectively were extra sensi when it comes to people moving our STUFF—even if we didn’t design the stuff to begin with, so I get the ‘discomfort factor’ to a degree.

What I didn’t expect when Twitter switched its star format to a happy heart, were the hemorrhaging homophobic slurs that were pouring in?!

Ignorant, ignoramuses! But let’s not give these foolios any more oxygen than they don’t deserve! This was actually a strategic move on behalf of the powers that be at Twitter to attract new users. The simple ipso facto is, that HEARTS are a more familiar visual cue than stars—and its the official prompt of Instagram which is leading in new users, per platform.

Adele Interview in Rolling Stone

Photograph by Theo Wenner

I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Adele when she came out with her first album ‘19‘ in 2008.  I had a full hour with her in her hotel room (ahhhh those were the days!) and Adele came across as funny, humble, unfiltered, confident, in control of her music + production and was very weary of the ‘toxic’ fame game. After reading her latest interview in Rolling Stone it’s so nice to see she hasn’t changed any of her values after her meteoric rise to success. If anything, she seems to be an even more pronounced version of the young woman I met seven years ago. That’s why it’s it really pissed me off to read that Damon Albarn, threw Adele under the bus by calling her “insecure” and her music “middle of the road” after they attempted to collaborate together for her latest album ’25’.

Known as the lead singer for the sonic rock group Blur, I also interviewed Albarn for his animated collective straight out of a k-hole—Gorillaz back in 2006. Albarn, who was allergic to the commercial-o-meter when it came to keeping the mystery in Gorillaz in tact, was and is without a doubt a creative genius. That being said, I think his comments, towards Adele are frankly…sh**ty. Her mass appeal is because she is the last of the stand alone, big voiced TALENTS who doesn’t come with any formulaic bells & whistles.

 She was farrrrrr from insecure in our interview, telling me and I quote…

“I don’t give a s**t what critics think of me…” ~Adele to me in 2008

Not all music has to be intricate puzzles that are so counter-culture as to alienate a wider audience?! Keep your hateful opinions to yourself, and for the record, Adele has never courted fame, nor are her lyrics and productions simple? She’s beloved because her music is INCREDIBLE. Deal with the fact that she ultimately did not want to work with YOU and your undermining BS?

Whose the insecure one now? **DROPS MIKE**

Justin Trudeau Paper Dolls

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I will keep this brief as we are running long on writes, and as you know millenial eye balls start to melt if they have to read more than a paragraph that’s without the distraction of video accompaniment. Poor things.

So the wonderfully clever minds at New York Mag’s The Cut published a fun paper dolls interactive post about premiere Justin Trudeau on November 5th, which resulted in some whine-a-thons from crusty Canadians who need to take the themselves sess leriously?! They put a Canadian flag over his kibbles + bits, what is your PROBLEM people?! Please you are giving the majority of us, who find this HYSTERICAL (albeit not quite original, we did this allllll the time at Naked Eye Magazine) a bad name! Swing easy Canucks of mine—there’s nothing offensive here.

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And that’s the kind of week it’s been all up in this pop culture piñata,

XOXO