More local 'Project Runway' ties

l'etoile fashion editor Jahna Peloquin did a bit of sleuthing and broke some interesting news on her personal blog...

Lifetime announced the contestants for Project Runway's seventh season yesterday, and unfortunately there are no local designers to be found on the lineup. However, there is one local model who will be competing. Her name is Monique Darton, and here's what I've been able to find out about her: she's originally from Brainerd, where she graduated from high school in 2003 and signed with Minneapolis agency Vision Model Management. She now lives in New York and is signed with Wilhelmina Models.

Click through to Jahna's blog to read more and see more pix...



Submitted by @letoilemagazine

Marsh on Bachmann

Local rockstar journo Steve Marsh is in D.C. to interview epic wingnut, Michele Bachmann. Based on Marsh's hilarious Facebook status updates and tweets this morning, we expect the article will be comedy gold.

Marsh status update: "I'm wearing my magenta AmAppy underwears to the Congresswoman's office just so I can keep it loose and feel sexy out there, Nuke LaLoosh-style."

Marsh via Twitter: "Just went through security with a murder of Mormons (they're all wearing black). Their leader: 'Be reverent once you get inside!'"

Local peeps offered questions for Marsh to ask Bachmann, here are a few of our faves:

Michael Nicolas Delgado: Ask her if her tits are real.

Katy Morley: I'd like a detailed account of her childhood diet.

Ana Clara Voog: ask her how she killed her soul.

Judy Carter Grundstrom: I thought her husband was one of those people who tried to make gay people straight (which makes me think that she is probably married to a gay guy). Is this true?

Speaking of Bachmann, City Pages recently posted an article entitled "Michele Bachmann's 10 Biggest 'Oh no she didn't' Moments." The best part? The image that accompanied the article!

Image from citypages.com

Submitted by @letoilemagazine

Moooom!

Yes, this is an entire family wearing hand made bunny suits that resemble the one worn by Ralphie in the film "A Christmas Story." Wait! Wha'?


This morning KARE 11 posted a link on Twitter to an article about a family from Eagan who creates "over the top Christmas cards" every year. Wrapped Christmas presents, colored lightbulbs and snowmen - they've done it all and mom Sue is usually the brain behind the operation. Her son Michael claims the bunny suit is the most ridiculous one yet. See if you disagree: check out the hilarious photo gallery on Flickr that covers the last 20 years.

And now that it's been in the news, we're sure her kids aren't embarrassed at all! What are some of the most embarrassing things your parents did to you when you were young?

Submitted by @marrina.

Hot. Hot. Heat.

In case you missed it, Vita.mn announced their annual Hotness Contest last week.

The rules are simple: Know someone who defines hotness? Nominate them!
Alexis McKinnis, aka Girl Friday aka Alexis on the Sexes started a little discussion on Vita.mn where she laid out a few additional rules like "get your nominee's permission" and "no professional hot people." We particularly like that last one. Also, you can't nominate Alexis' mom.

Last year's hotties were all across the board: scientists, indie rock stars, travel directors, etc, etc, so we are excited to see who gets nominated this year. If you do have somebody in mind, make sure they have great personality as well; Vita.mn peeps had one- on-one interviews with the finalists last year just to make sure the hotties are not only good looking, but have great personalities as well. Yes, it's not all about being beautiful on the outside!

In the end, even if you don't participate in the contest, you MUST come the final party where the winners are announced. Last year's party at the W was a smashing success! See for yourself and count the hotties if you can.

Submitted by@marrina.

Caution: Strange Project Approaching

At first glance, this may seem like a strange project, but in fact, it's the project of uber-talented artist Dan Ibarra of Aesthetic Apparatus. Ibarra has been documenting the "Caution, car approaching" recordings that blare from downtown parking ramps when, well, a car approaches. Ibarra doesn't say what he plans to do with said recordings, aside from documenting them, but we think it would make a sweet remix a la "I've fallen and I can't get up." We also think such recordings would sound a lot cooler in a British accent.

Ibarra says of his interesting new project, "Since wildlife is mostly absent in downtown these warning announcements have become the chirping birds of Minneapolis. Each has it’s own characteristic tone and invocation but they are ubiquitous, heard on every street, and easily taken for granted. In an attempt to fully comprehend our aural surroundings I plan on documenting and cataloging all parking ramp warnings I can."

Know of a ramp with a recording or warning sound that Ibarra hasn't captured? Shoot him a message.

Submitted by @letoilemagazine

Semi crashes in to fire hydrant, floods street on Lyndale & 26th

@hello_robotlove reports via Twitter that a semi-truck smashed into a fire hydrant today by Common Roots Cafe on Lyndale, flooding the street (and the Common Roots basement). No one was hurt and the CC Club continued to pour strong cocktails for day-drinkers and looky-lous. And once again, Twitter beats the local news to the punch.

Photo by @kristoffer_k

Submitted by @letoilemagazine

Behind the scenes at Solid Gold's video shoot

Someone just posted a behind-the-scenes video clip from Solid Gold's video shoot for "Matter of Time" last weekend in Madison posted on facebook.


Judging from this outtake featuring Coulter in a lo-fi spacesuit, the video probably will look like something from Flight of the Conchords. Fortunately (unfortunately?) there is nothing porn-like to be found in the vid or pix, despite Steve Marsh's earlier claim via facebook. Click here for more behind-the-scenes photos on facebook.

Submitted by @jahnapeloquin

Things you didn't ruin in the '00s

We just came across this citypages.com article that we missed on Friday. It made us giggle. CP's list of "10 Things hipsters couldn't ruin in the '00s" couldn't have been more spot-on.

Photo by Wes Winship

Submitted by @letoilemagazine

Mallman needs your help!

Notorious local musician Mark Mallman announced today on his Facebook page that he needed some help with song titles. His fans came out with some pretty interesting ideas. Here are the highlights so far:

Steve Janke: Hey Jude

Adeana Montbriand: ginger root in your butt tonight

Sarah Wefald: Subtle Sexuality

Kim Sewald: Get your crucial slacks on
Jessica Wilson: lights out situation

If you have any out-of-this world ideas for song titles, check in and let Mark know!

Submitted by @marrina

Go Ali!

Late Sunday night Brother Ali announced on Twitter that he's flying out to NYC for a TV appearance on a hot, new late night TV show:
Well, he might just be the greatest of them all! In addition to the big announcement, Ali also shared his favorite artists list with us in another tweet that said: "Top 3 Rap groups of all time in chronological order. RUN-DMC, Public Enemy, The Roots."

Submitted by @marrina.