Thank you all for your patience. I know my posts have been spotty, but I’m truly hoping to have more consistent content soon. I regrettably have to do hideous things like work because shockingly, blogs don’t really earn that much money. Still, I hope to find a proper balance soon enough…
Gracias!
-Ben
About a year ago, my friend Mat launched a funky, new online furniture store called Apt 2B, which aims to sell stylish pieces at affordable prices. The timing seemed perfect: I desperately needed a new couch, er, SOFA as my current one was in a murky state of disrepair (speckled with red dots thanks to an explosion of fake blood from a 2006 House MD screener — long story). The only downside for me was that I would have to order a sofa sight-unseen as this was an online-only venture.
Well, a year later, I still have my decrepit couch, but perhaps not for long. Mat and his team have taken over the Alpha space on Melrose Avenue here in Los Angeles for a month-long “pop-up” of sorts. I dropped by the opening night to finally see the goods in 3D, and I have to say, it was all super cool. I’m not just saying that because Mat is a friend of mine. I say it because I really liked what I saw. I swear I’ve fallen in love with a sectional, and at just over $1300, it’s a total steal. This could in fact signal the end of days for my old Crate & Barrel sofa.
Don’t take my word for it though. My friend Phamtastic tagged along as well, and given that she definitely knows her interior design, I hold her opinion in high regard. In short, she loved Apt 2B too, and already she’s planning on purchasing some big ticket items for her friend (who has charged her with redecorating his living room). The point is this: if you live in Los Angeles and are in the market for some stylish, funky furniture or decor, be sure to swing by the Apt 2B pop-up this month. Tell Mat that B-Side Blog sent you!
Apt 2B at Alpha
8654 Melrose Ave
West Hollywood, CA
Mon-Sat: 11a – 7p; Sun: 12 – 6p
Until 5/31 only!
Hey everyone — in case you didn’t hear, Ronnie Karam (TVgasm.com), Matt Whitfield (Yahoo!) and I are recording a live episode of Watch What Crappens tonight in Hollywood! Well, it won’t be live across America, but we’re recording it in front of a live studio audience at the Improv Olympic (6366 Hollywood Blvd between Cosmo and Ivar). If you’re in the Los Angeles area, come by at 7:30 PM tonight and join the audience. Tickets are $5. We’ll be doing the podcast as usual, except this time… there’ll be people in front of us! Topic tonight will include Real Housewives of NJ, Real Housewives of OC, and Don’t Be Tardy for the Wedding. Plus, assorted other gossip items and games. Should be fun!
The Great Wall of China is the only man-made thing visible from space, right? Not so much. Check out the video above to have a few common misconceptions debunked. You’ll never know when you’ll need this information at a cocktail party…
Via The Daily What
Talk about a delicious dish: Ben and Jerry’s has officially announced their newest flavor titled “Schweddy Balls,” a reference to one of the greatest Saturday Night Live skits of the ’90s. The ice cream will feature a vanilla base with a hint of rum as well as “fudge covered rum balls and milk chocolate malt balls.” So basically: it’s full of balls, appropriately enough.
No word on when Schweddy Balls will hit shelves (assuming it hasn’t already), but its launch will be nationwide. Limited batch only though. Grab your Balls while you can!
AolTV: Schweddy Balls Ice Cream: Yes, It’s Real!
Via Chris Harnick
See also: Schweddy Balls @ benandjerrys.com
Also, if you’ve never seen the Schweddy Balls skit, do yourself a favor and watch the clip after the jump. Continue reading
Just when you thought you knew your Starbucks inside and out, here comes a bombshell revelation: there’s a SECRET Starbucks menu. Dunh dunh DUNH. Much like the “secret menu” at In-N-Out, Starbucks has its own line of special coffee preparations, and now the Huffington Post has blown it wide open. Prepare yourself for the Green Eye, the Zebra Mocha, the Chocolate Dalmatian, and much, much more. Ladies and gentlemen, it is time to take the red pill and go down the caffeinated rabbit hole…
Huffington Post: The Ultimate Guide to Starbucks’ Secret Menu
It seems like every week this summer, there’s been a tragic story of someone getting swept away to their death, with the latest coming today after news broke that a 19 year-old girl slipped and fell into the Niagara River, sending her over the falls where she is presumed to have died. Turns out the girl had climbed over a guardrail when she lost her footing and tumbled into the water.
Prior to this tragedy, we had several other incidents this summer, the most famous of which being a trio of hikers who were swept over Vernal Fall in Yosemite National Park after similarly climbing a guardrail to get closer to the raging waters. Also of note: a man who fell into a blowhole in Hawaii and was swept out to sea, and a woman who managed to cheat death after being sucked into the Niagara Falls whirlpool. “I just wanted to touch beauty,” said that survivor.
I by no means want to make light of the death that’s occurred. However, I can’t help but think that perhaps these untimely demises could have been prevented. That’s why I’ve created the official B-Side Blog Guide To Not Getting Swept Away. Details after the jump…
“Ladies and gentlemen: this is the Countess speaking. We have arrived. On your phone.”
That’s what I imagine LuAnn De Lesseps’ new iPhone app says when you start it up. Yes, you heard me correctly: LuAnn has a new iPhone app. Money can’t buy you class, but it can nab you “Countess LuAnn” for $0.99. The application offers many useful tools, such as a primer on etiquette, an “Ask the Countess” feature, and most importantly the ability to create images of you and LuAnn. That alone might be worth the dollar.
Additionally, users can take “Etiquette & Manner” polls and thumb through LuAnn’s bio, photos, and videos. There’s also much, much more, which only makes sense for someone enjoying the “Chic, C’est La Vie” mobile lifestyle. Features that don’t appear to be included:
To purchase the app, click here.
Via OK magazine
Today is 7-11 (actually, it’s 7-11-11), which can only mean one thing: free Slurpees! 7 Eleven is giving away free 7.11 oz (get it?) Slurpees, and at some stores in Los Angeles, there will be Slurpee-themed contests. Winners can be eligible to have a truck come to their house for eighty-four days of free Slurpees. Sounds a bit intense for me, but hey, if you get off on brain freezes, then get on it!
Confession: I’ve never had a Slurpee before. I’ve also never eaten Taco Bell. Perhaps today I’ll cross one of those off my bucket list…
Once again I’ll be hosting another episode of my web show, Housewives Hoedown, and this week I’ll be joined by my friend Sita Young. We’ll be discussing Real Housewives of Orange County and Miami, and we’ll be paying particular attention to Alexis and Jim Bellino.
Call in to share your thoughts on Alexis and Jim. I’d like to know who is worse: Jim for the way he treats Alexis, or Alexis for happily taking it? Furthermore, which couple will last the longest: Alexis & Jim, Tamra & Eddie, or Gretchen & Slade?
Tune in at http://talkmedianetworks.com/live/
And call in at 424-238-0611
Show starts at 3:30 PM ET / 12:30 PST
See you there!
