If you’re a gal who likes to paint her nails, you’ve definitely been in the spot where you’re in a terrific time crunch but want those hands to look great! Well, the world of nail polish as you know it is about to change.  Introducing Incoco Dry Nail Applique strips!  Once they’re on, you’re ready to go. Right that minute. No dipping your hands in ice water, blowing on your nails, waiting under a dryer or gingerly touching everything for the next hour.  Another awesome benefit is that the manicure is guaranteed to last 10 days without chipping, twice the time of a regular polish manicure! (I tested this myself, got 11 days wear!)

Application is easy, as you match up a strip based on size with each nail. Peel off the protective layer and stick on. Smooth it on from the bottom to tip, fold over your nail and then use the file to file off the excess. I found that each of the strips matched my nails perfectly, which meant lucky for me, I got 2 manicures out of each package!

I absolutely loved that everything you need is provided in the kit, so no searching for your file, buffer, cuticle stick, cotton balls or nail polish remover. The package the nail appliques come in is also resealable and they provide you with special tape to seal it so that they do not dry out.

The nail polish remover pad is soaked with polish remover, so there is no chance it will dry out mid-way through removal. It is also textured to make removal easier. I tried to remove the polish on one hand using a typical cotton pad and nail polish remover and found that the pad provided was much easier and quicker to use.

Another benefit I noticed–when I removed the polish, my nails seems stronger, smoother and were definitely longer.  I spoke to the sales assistant about this and she said that unlike regular nail polish; Incoco nail strips are porous, allowing your nails to breathe and look sassy at the same time! You can pick up Incoco at Walgreens Pharmacy or at an Incoco Nail Bar at most malls. (For a list of malls, go to Incoco.com and follow the link for nail bars.)

*By Nicole, who’s staring at her hands after washing the dishes and scrubbing the floors and still thinking, “Foxy shazaam!”

Today, we all have permission to throw away our business casual wear and forget about those years of lessons learned after our teen angst fell away. Street Dogs, punk rock veterans from Boston, released their latest, self-titled disc on Hellcat on August 31. A perfect burst of punk rock memories, tied together with topical and intelligent lyrics, the disc seems tailor made for the punk fan who has already finished college.

It’s a deeper, introspective, black & white kind of punk

Grabbing listeners’ attention immediately, Street Dogs continue on an 18 track race, linking song to song so perfectly it takes a quick check of the iPod to tell when one has ended and the next begun. Already sold on the album for nostalgic value, it was track 3, “Up The Union” that really hooked me. Taking the expected anti-Wal-Mart stance we’ve all come to expect from a punk rock album, Street Dogs demonstrate a firm grasp on the realities of our world that sadly most new punk outfits are happy to ignore. Using the lyrical tricks of Green Day and Bad Religion, Street Dogs are throwing a bone to the older listeners who tune into NPR and have opinions on the EFCA. We appreciate it.

A whole lot comes up when you google image “wal-mart evil.”

Without beating the listener down with a rhythmic reading of the New York Times, Street Dogs return to fun, energetic beats before hitting us again with track 10 “Hang ‘Em High,” an ode to Bernie Madoff and the colossal wreck of a Ponzi scheme he ran until 2008. Apparently unsatisfied with the 150 year sentence Madoff received, Street Dogs use this number as a platform to suggest that he be hung from the rafters instead. I’ll leave it to the audience to decide how they feel about that. In any event, points to the songwriters for working “Bernie Madoff” into so many rhymes.

I wonder if the PR person who put him in this hat actually thought it would make him look like a “regular guy.”

Beyond the memories of my fleeting youth, Street Dogs put together a great album with creative and thoughtful lyrics on a punk landscape. Even without the history of a wannabe punker, Street Dogs is musically solid and lyrically awesome, a fun listen for any rock fan.

*By Jesy,  who might be the only person in Chicago excited for the end of summer.

InnerView with Brynen

Mythology is: Brynen Sosa, Dane Carmichael, Jason Turner, Jordan Morrissey (Temp. Drummer 5/10-9/10)

I want to plug… our debut album, Greatest Hits! Available through CDBaby, iTunes, and of course, at every Mythology show!

Listen to me if you…enjoy complex, high-octane, progressive jazz metal. Also listen to us if you’re searching for something new, exciting and passionate.

Music is my life because: As an artist, I know nothing else. The need to create is an unexplainable part of my being. Whether it’s music, drawings, acting, comedy, writing etc. Art is above all.

The first song I ever wrote…Oh jeez…I was probably about four years-old banging on my toy piano singing about my older sister. I never did come up with a title to that…

My current playlist includes: Frank Zappa, The Mars Volta, King Crimson, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Return To Forever, Bud Carroll and the Southern Souls, Ween, Tony Bennett, Exploding Star Orchestra etc.

Before every show I…chop out on the guitar. You can never practice too much! You never know when you’re gonna screw up either!

The desktop background on my computer is…a fireworks show I took a pictures of last Independence Day.

Sometimes you’re the windshield and sometimes you’re the bug. What’s today been like so far? I feel like the windshield! I feel like I am calling the shots and no bug is gonna stand in my way! And if they do, there’s always the wipers to help clean up!

Do you eat breakfast? If so, what do you have? Usually coffee with milk only, and sometimes a buttered croissant when I feel like it.

What’s the sexiest thing someone could ever say to you? “Brynen, you are incredibly sexy.”

If you could take credit for any invention, which would it be and why? I’ve legitimately discovered a way to both suck and blow at the same time…

Here’s what’s next from me: Playing more shows both solo and with the band. I’m currently culminating as many live recordings as possible for the next Mythology release, which will be a live album with minimal overdubs. Once we raise enough money from gigging and Greatest Hits, which will be very soon! I also plan to release a solo album in the near future. Also, continuing to do as much session work as possible for other artists. I’ll be busy!

Web sites I visit daily: Facebook, Youtube, Pitchfork, Wachovia (banking haha)

William Christopher is a totally under-rated musician. (Follow him on Facebook!)

My guilty pleasure is: White Castle…and disco.

Social Networking Links:

www.myspace.com/mythologybandwm
www.cdbaby.com/cd/mythologymusic
Search us on Facebook as well!

Follow me because: Remember when musicians had to be good at playing their instruments? We do. And we feel that aesthetic has been lost in music for a very long time now. We offer something that not many can offer in music these days: Adventure. Our songs are tightly structured and yet have a sense of free improvisation that very few artists are daring enough to have. It is these “blank spaces” within the songs that give the songs new life with each performance. Also, if you’ve seen one of our shows, you certainly haven’t seen them all! Each show is rather different as a result of that daring improv. Songs are also carefully constructed so that upon many different listens, one may find something new that they hadn’t noticed before. We’re not trying to write the most complex, difficult-to-play music, we’re simply writing what we feel is good by our own standard. If it happens to be complex or difficult-to-play, it’s because it helps get our original message across. Keep an eye out for us- you won’t be disappointed!

Congrats, you got the pink slip. And it’s not the fun, flirty frock above. Read on.

So you’re unemployed. That stinks. The country is in an economic crisis and you’re jobless. Good news is, you’ve hit rock bottom and there’s nowhere left to go but up! Here are 30 tips for keeping the sanity while you look for that perfect new job!

1. Wake up at 8:30 am every day. A schedule will make you feel productive. Sleeping in will just make you feel like a slacker. It’s best to be up and showered and have your coffee each morning as if you are going to work. Try to leave the house at least once a day. Go to where the jobs are!

2. Tell people you’re unemployed! You may just score some sweet deals. One PV staffer did this and has been offered free eyebrow threading and spa treatments because of her jobless status.

3. Save money by brewing your morning coffee at home. Incentive: Starbucks has delicious new brewed coffee flavors naturally infused with vanilla, caramel and cinnamon.  However, if you are crushing on a barista, it is in the best interest of your dating life that you continue to patronize your local coffee shop.  Just downsize to spare your wallet.

4. Take on a new hobby. Photography, painting sea shells, gardening, knitting, and learning to walk in six inch heels can all benefit you in the long run and some can even double as holiday gifts.

5. Go to lunch with your other unemployed friends.  Job hunt afterwords.  If all else fails, go discount shopping.

6. Now’s the time to stay up late and hit those networking events.

7. Make goals and stick to them.  When unemployed, people often procrastinate or shirk responsibilities as there is no one making sure they have completed the tasks at hand.  In order to mitigate this, create goals and hold yourself to them. Small, achievable goals. You will quickly build momentum and surprise yourself with how busy it makes you feel.

8. Watch the Food Network and become such a great chef that you score your own show and push Rachael Ray into oblivion.

9. There is no excuse for missing General Hospital. You’ll be in suspense every weekday until the next episode.

10. Go back to school- for free! Unemployment offers classes at local college campuses and online through SkillSoft. Get certified in Photoshop, InDesign or Illustrator and learn project management, finance, marketing, healthcare and more. Stats: 3,000 companies and over 10 million end users rely on Skillsoft  to provide high quality, tailored training programs in a wide range of essential business and IT skills.  Visit your local One Stop Career Center for more information.  There’s never been a better time to change careers and do what you always dreamed.

11. Discover new things! Whether it’s really cool beauty products or trends or music, it’ll make you feel good and keep your spirits up until you find a job. This unemployment thing can be discouraging!

12.  Take on freelance writing gigs or intern. Keep your resume active! Get your foot in the door- you never know where it may lead.

13. Get tattooed by an apprentice. It’s way less expensive and you can great some great work done. Remember Alistair, Planet Verge’s graphic designer from our zine days?  He’s an apprentice at Body and Soul Tattoo Tattoo in Guttenberg, New Jersey and offering sessions for just $25.  Our staffers have taken full advantage and you should, too.

14. Work part-time!  Unemployment lets you earn a certain amount of money a week by taking on freelance or part-time work. If you do this, you’re also extending your time on unemployment because you’re saving money the state would have been paying you otherwise.  Bonus idea: Work at your favorite store so you get a discount on the items you purchase the most.

15.  Volunteer.  Some opportunities can even lead to career work and will certainly help with expanding that professional contacts list.  Suggestion: Help animals in need at your local  shelter. You can even foster a pet now that you’re home!

16. Get in shape!   You’ve got plenty of free time so set aside some of it for bettering your body! It’s great for you inside and out and will help you stay maintain positive feelings during a time when it’s easy to become discouraged.  Take your dogs for a walk, go for a bike ride, or train for a marathon.

17. Babysit. It’s under the table cash.

18. Let go of your past. Go through all your old crap. Donate clothes you never wear;  burn pictures of exes who broke your heart; say goodbye to your hoop earrings from 7th grade when you were obsessed with Salt ‘N Pepa,; and while you’re at it, trash anything your currently wear that has a skull on it because that was only cool in 2005.

19. Start dating more!  If there was ever a time you needed free meals, it’s now. Is it really so wrong to book a different dinner date every night until you meet your match?

20. Hang out at Barnes and Noble and read the latest issues of your favorite magazines for free. Bonus: Save money by canceling your subscription and increase your chances of meeting new people!

21. Be an extra in film/TV shoots.

22. Start selling stuff on eBay/craigslist, etc. Begin with gifts from your former loves.  Or, get crafty. Make jewelry and sell it on Etsy.

23. Most beauty stores will give you free product samples. Pretend you have skin allergies and need to try everything before you purchase. When you run out, just hit a different store and get more.

24. Brush off that list of contacts.  Dig into your LinkedIn account, old friends from varying companies, and people you have reached out to over the course of your career.  Explain your situation and see if they have heard of any opportunities for which you may be qualified.

25.  Bang. Most salons offer free bang trims to customers. It’s an easy way to keep your style fresh and not worry about being able to afford a full haircut. You can retrieve your mind from the gutter now.

26. Start a business.  If you have had entrepreneurial aspirations or just a desire to start a company, now is the time to test the waters.  Whether you want to sell your wares or provide a service, start researching and testing out plans for your start up.  Do not forget to add this experience to your resume!

27.  Go to a nude beach. Hey, it’s free, you won’t get tan lines and you’ll probably be the only one there so you’ll have plenty of time to contemplate your life.

28. Catch up with old friends. Our careers and busy lives often leave us struggling to maintain all of the relationships we have formed over the years, use this time to catch up with and rekindle all of the friendships that may have fallen by the wayside. Bonus: it’s a proven statistic that friends help keep us positive in times of adversity!

29. Become an author. That’s what Kate Rockland did while she was unemployed. Watch her interview on Planet Verge TV.

30.  Buy a lottery ticket. Maybe fairy tales do come true!

*By Nicole & Joelle, who’ve become experts at this unemployment gig.

The PETA friendly attitude is just icing on this sarcastic cake.

Frankel, before she was the author of the highly questionable diet book “Naturally Thin” and star of Bethenny Getting Married, was the catty voice of relative reason on three seasons of the Real Housewives of New York City. Throughout each episode of excess and obliviousness, Bethenny would chime in with a clever observation or quip about one of her vapid costars.

My love for Frankel first bloomed as I watched her sip a water and calmly watch the as the ever-psychotic Kelly Bensimon (for whom the second Google auto search option is “Kelly Bensimon crazy”) completely imploded at frat-tastic Brass Monkey in Manhattan. Demonstrating not only immense self-control, but also incredible comic timing, Frankel somehow managed to be funnier than Bensimon’s hand symbols showing her height, inexplicably above Frankel.

You can feel the hate. And it’s amazing.

Since that outburst, Bensimon’s antics have provides frequent fodder for Frankel’s wit. l

Then there was the Halloween party that left her skating through Times Square which was just one of the greatest things ever.

with a puppy! I’m in heaven.

Despite her emotionally questionable behavior in the last season, and the terribly self-indulgent spin-off about her wedding and moving apartments, I will miss Bethenny as the Real Housewives continue on their journey to whatever Utopia they are searching for – the Hamptons, St. Thomas, Connecticut, whatevs. Though I will never tire of watching Alex and Simon flitter through the city in ridiculous clothes and acting better than everyone, I can’t say that I will be tuning in next season. Without the snark and sass of Bethenny to keep them in line, or at least make them funny, I simply can’t take the rest of those people.

*By Jesy, who thinks “75 degrees and sunny” should count as a weather related work absence.

The Sun The Moon The Stars (InnerView with Matt Dwyer)

I want to plug… Really? I feel like I am being set up for this one.

Listen to me if you… get loose. Be free. Love. Experiment. Share. Hollow Earth. Psychamogic.

Music is my life because: Born next to a white swan at the heels of Saraswati. Feed me honey.

The first song I ever wrote… was written way before this lifetime on one string and two drums.

My current playlist includes: Black Widow, Epitaph, and Charles Manson’s Lie.

Before every show I… have a mild anxiety attack. It leads to me kicking off my shoes or undressing. Some gin will sooth my soul, whiskey will just heat it up. Your choice.

The desktop background on my computer is… The Devil getting jerked off by a little girl.

Sometimes you’re the windshield and sometimes you’re the bug. What’s today been like so far? Windshield. Fuck–we got a bug problem, so we’ve been crushing larvae all day.

Do you eat breakfast? If so, what do you have? Fresh fucking press—everyday.

What’s the sexiest thing someone could ever say to you? It’s not what you say to me, it’s what you do. And no, it’s got nothing to do with making love—just how you cool my core afterwards.

If you could take credit for any invention, which would it be and why? Telling stories. Imagine being the dude who can say, “Yea, I was the first one to tell a story.” God damn.

Here’s what’s next from me: I assume you mean us? If that’s the case then recording another group of songs that will be out on tape, playing with the idea of some video work and playing a few more shows this summer/fall. If you did mean me then—working on a a project with Adriana Rizzolo (who played harmonium on Sire) writing some songs with my cousin, Vincent Ardizzone (who sang in The Oval Portrait), writing even more songs with Those Mockingbirds’ Adam Bird among a few other art projects that are merely aspirations in my daydreams.

Web sites I visit daily: realitysandwich.com, digg.com, stonerrock.com, craigslist.org, zamandayolculuk.com/

Planes Mistaken for Stars is a totally underrated band. Although I think more people are starting to miss them now that they are no longer playing.

My guilty pleasure is: Spending way too much time on the Internet. This shit kills me, but it’s so Goddamn easy to get lost.

Social Networking links:
We’re bad at updating these.
Facebook
MySpace
Blogspot
Bandcamp

The Exotic Aquatic… with Jason Soroka

I want to plug… that we’re recording an EP called Pass It On.

Listen to me if you… are sick of robotic music.

Music is my life because: It’s one of the few real things that has remained real.

The first song I ever wrote… was in 7th grade and terrible.

My current playlist includes: Washington Square Park, The Tallest Man On Earth, A. A. Bondy and Descendents.

Before every show I… make sure my hat is backwards.

The desktop background on my computer is… a photo of Titus Andronicus at Pitchfork Music Festival this year. It’s awesome.

Sometimes you’re the windshield and sometimes you’re the bug. What’s today been like so far? The bug; crawling around and exploring.

Do you eat breakfast? If so, what do you have? I’m on tour right now, so no.

What’s the sexiest thing someone could ever say to you? “Let’s fuck.”

If you could take credit for any invention, which would it be and why? Air.

Here’s what’s next from me: We’re going to play a bunch of shows and try to get our friends and fans excited about our new music.

Web sites I visit daily: strikegently.com

Manchester Orchestra is a totally underrated band.

My guilty pleasure is Cash Cash.

Social Networking links:
www.facebook.com/theeyoticaquatic
www.myspace.com/theexoticaquatic
Twitter @ExoticNJ

Follow me because: I’m not a robot.

Your extra-volume, 3X lengthening mascara is smeared under your eyes and carried along a river of salty tears down your cheek, under your nose and hell–let’s face it–you look like you spent the night preparing for a mating ritual with a raccoon. In reality, you’re reading over saved text messages from the guy you swore to all your friends was finally The One. That is, until it ended.

Before you even had a chance to let it sink in, your BlackBerry is going off the hook with alerts because he already changed his Facebook status back to “single” and therefore declared your heartbreak to every single person you know, including those who are barely “friends.” And those people not only feel it’s appropriate to mass comment on your status change, but “like” it.

Now, you may choose to publicly cry about this, but it’s best to save your dignity.

Here’s how (heartbroken guys, this applies to you, too!):

1. Delete the post.

2. Delete him and all his friends from your page. You may later choose to re-add him, but for now, you need your distance.

3. Delete all your photos with him. The last thing you need is for a potential new boyfriend to see documents of you making out with your ex. It’s that thing you need, too.

4. Do not post sad song lyrics or a status about said event. Anything you need people to know, just call your real friends. You never know what mutual friends lurk your page.

5. Go out with your girls, snap the night away and post! Show that you’re strong, having fun and like Gloria Gaynor, you will survive!

6. Don’t hide your relationship status. Proclaim you’re single loud and proud! You never know who’s been secretly standing in the wings, waiting for the chance to make those extra-volume, 3X longer eyelashes flutter in tune with your heart.

Artist Name: SRIMIX

I want to plug… my laptop to the wall before it dies while typing this.

Listen to me if you… want to get sweaty.

Music is my life because: “Without music, life would be a mistake.” -Nietzsche

The first song I ever wrote… punk rock song about life at 10 years old.

My current playlist includes: Animals as Leaders, Boys Noize, MSTRKRFT, Mogwai, Chromeo

Before every show I… have a drink or 3.

The desktop background on my computer is… a picture of a turntable in Poland.

Sometimes you’re the windshield and sometimes you’re the bug. What’s today been like so far? I’m the windshield of a Hummer!

Sricording.

Do you eat breakfast? If so, what do you have? I woke up at 3 pm today so I went straight for the Boca burgers. But usually it’s eggs for breakfast.

What’s the sexiest thing someone could ever say to you? I’ll let you know when I hear it!

If you could take credit for any invention, which would it be and why? The toaster oven. I can’t believe how fast my Black and Decker toasts and bakes!

Here’s what’s next from me: “Empire of the  – Walking on a Dream (SRIMIX remix)” & KRS One is going to rap over my song, “On My Signal” for an exclusive Guitar Center compilation! Check my sites for updates.

Web sites I visit daily: brooklynvegan.com, nytimes.com, gmail.com, beatport.com

MISERY SIGNALS is a totally underrated band.

My guilty pleasure is: downloading torrents!

Social Networking links: myspace.com/SRIMIX soundcloud.com/SRIMIX and I hate this one but… twitter.com/SRIMIX

Follow me because: Jess Sager says so.  (Editor’s note:  Smart, smart man.)

Add one part David Garrett, one part historical recording studio, sprinkle in some funk and endless amounts of talent and you’ve got yourself a recipe for a great album.

With Rock Symphonies (which was recorded at NYC’s own Electric Lady Studios), Garrett pays tribute to some of the last four decades’ most iconic bands and their greatest hits. From Zeppelin’s “Kashmir” to Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” Garrett has taken the tunes we all know and love and turned them into classical masterpieces with the City of Prague Orchestra. Garrett also shows his versatility with rearranging Beethoven’s Fifth and pitting Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons” against U2’s “Vertigo” in a mash-up both the composer and the band would rock out to. This young man is a master of his instrument and is continually showing the world that rock’s roots are in classical music and that the two work beautifully and energetically alongside one another.

This is crossover success in the truest sense. You owe to yourself to give it a listen. (And hey, the album art isn’t half bad, either…)

*By Nicole, who “knows when it’s real…”‘