HappiestList 2K8: Number #5, #4, and #3

#5: Michelle Obama

Michelle Obama's cool and all, but she has not been bestowed this mighty honor--one of the Happiest of 2k8--just because she's 'cool.' M-Bama is the Happiest because she is married to a President with benefits. America's changing for the better (like, way better), and while we are all blessed enough to be alive to watch the transformation, M-Bama's got the best seat in the house.

Oh, and there's this:

#4: Sam Sparro

Sam Sparro is an enigma. A gay ex-soul singer son of two preachers from Australia, there are so many adjectives applicable to his description--sexual, effervescent, genuis--there aren't enough descriptions in my vocabulary to describe him. Impressive production qualities aside, his debut Sam Sparro created its own disco vernacular: the ominous single "Black and Gold," the sparkling dance track "Cut Me Loose"--cuts that speak directly to the spirits of the young and the restless. Sparro's also become somewhat of an icon, with a personality ill-fitting any stereotype. If I may be childish for one moment, (LOLZ) the one flaw in Sparro is his horrible style. Neon is sooo 2k7. Agreed?

For a full review of Sam Sparro, click here.


#3: Preps

It was a good year for the preps. No, the preps aren't some alt-indie folk band or a new STD (or is it?). I mean what I say. Sorors, fratties, rich white kids and Ivy League types all benefited from 2k8. The election of BaROCK-N-RObama the sole exception, the cult of being preppy has once again ascended the pop culture ladder and now sits proudly on the peak. Why, you ask? Why, because the alts and the emos have lost their sting. What is 'mnstrm' is now what is 'alt.' So what's "alt" now? How can one differentiate themselves from the herds of American Apparel zombies?

Throw on a sweater, pull up some khakis and kick off your Toms. If you're a girl, you've got only one clothing option: Nike running shorts, a teeshirt that makes you look rich ('I <3>) and nike running shorts. For evening, swap out the shorts for black tights that end mid-calf and a pair of brown Uggs. I promise you'll feel better. Don't believe "prep" is the Happiest of 2k8/possibly the Happiest of 2k9? Two words: Gossip Girl.

You're reading the blog of a guy who bought his first pair of Sperry's last night. Prepare yourselves, people, for the altapocalypse has begun.

Mad Style: TOM's Wrap Boots

Snatch these up quick, females.

Herringbone Toms

I ordered some herringbone Toms a few days ago and just got them in today. (If at this point you're trying to figure out why I always order everything: Tom's is a shoe company/charity hybrid, and the charity component only works if you buy shoes direct--online.) They're pretty extreme, yes, but they fit really well with blacks, dark colors, etc. Prints are so trendy, they are always floating in and out of style. With a bold shoe you can add an edge to whatever you're wearing without a noisy print jamming up your style.


Because they're Toms, they fit like a slipper (some would argue they look like one, too), but sturdy construction keeps them fresh for as long as you can stand the eventual "Tom reek" that appears after about six months of use. Gross, yes, but it's just a fact of Tom wear-age.

My old Toms ripped on the first day, but I superglued them and they are still in great shape. They were light brown burlap Toms. Here's a link to the Toms website if you want to read up on their charity or buy some of these awesomely priced shoes.


[Confession: Holy crap. Pharell's work with Madonna paid off in diamonds! Cash money diamonds, that is! I'll post a review tomorrow, when the album is released.]