Shoe Leather: Behind the seams of Shoestring Magazine

Billie Jean to Balmain: RIP, One-Gloved Wonder

Photo credit: nitro : licious

By now, everyone reading this blog post has heard the sad news that we've lost not just funnyman Ed McMahon (originally a beer pitchman?) and the fabulous Farrah Fawcett (from Charlie's Angels to anal cancer: need we say more?), but that we also lost enigmatic pop icon Michael Jackson yesterday (from what appears to have been a heart attack).

While everyone was out there expressing their shock and awe in the media, the blogosphere, and on Twitter, trying to get confirmation of the truth of MJ's passing, one of our most uniquely hip friends was on Facebook posting the best status update ever:

"Who's going to buy women's Balmain now?" (See Nitrolicious if you don't get the reference.)

Liana went on to write the perfect eulogy on her blog, New Brahmin, mixing sadness over the loss of such a uniquely talented musician with sadness for such a uniquely sartorial male pop star. (I won't do Liana justice by trying to paraphrase, so just go read her blog post, "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough.")

What I will do, however, is grab and purchase a few bargain-priced, MJ and MJ-inspired tunes and trendy items I'm obsessed with today in particular, as my inbox and my screen light up with audible and visual tributes to the man who was — always will be — so much more than Thriller. Stay tuned for the recap of my inevitable Billie Jean and Balmain-inspired bounty... (This is turning out to be one hell of a nostalgic, trip-back-to-the-80s week, to say the least...)

Rest in piece now, MJ, rest in piece. We'll always love you, and hope that now all your pain, confusion, and hopefully misinterpreted good intentions are laid to rest with you. Our thoughts are with your family and close friends right now, and we thank you for all the many years of inspiration and entertainment, as only Michael Jackson ever could provide.

~ Melissa

PS ~ If you feel compelled, like the rest of the world, to download and play Michael Jackson tunes all day today, please consider shopping on Amazon.com through the banner below. A portion of each sale goes to support the snarky and money-saving editorial you love from Shoestring.

Shoestring News: The Future of Media

Over the past few years, ever since leaving print publishing to join the wired ranks of Web start-up editorial teams, my favorite thing to do whenever I get together with journalism or PR colleagues is talk about the future of media. Especially when I get together with my old roommate Jess (left), an amazingly talented photojournalist and my consummate partner in crime during those early freelance years. We survived on about $3 a day for food and booze, about what we had leftover after rent. But man, were those lofty, idealistic, often cynical conversations about current events, culture, and the craft memorable. Thank you, Annie's Mac n' Cheese, can cooking, and the "love jugs" of Carlo Rossi wine we stretched and stretched and stretched...but I digress.

Last Friday, I had the pleasure of meeting Marlo Fogelman, founder of marlo marketing/communications in Boston (and a great friend to local young entrepreneurs) at one of my favorite French restaurants for lunch. We started off talk ing about Shoestring's public relations plan, and inevitably the conversation turned to (surprise!) the future of media. Rather than rehash, check out her thoughtful recap of our conversation, pondering when and who will find us all a way to make money on online content other than advertising alone. In the words of a recent media critic interviewed on NPR, we will be lighting candles in front of that man or woman's photo for the rest of our journalistic lives.

(Oh, and if you're looking for a PR person, Marlo rocks. Check out her site, below, for more info. Just sayin'.)

Shoestring News: Indie film On Broadway now available

Some of you may have seen the interview in the launch issue of Shoestring Magazine with our friend Dave McLaughlin, director of On Broadway, a fabulous film starring Boston natives Joey McIntyre, Eliza Dushku, Mike O'Malley, and Lance Greene (plus cameos from native Boston comic Amy Poehler and her husband, Will Arnett).

Ginger and I had the pleasure of screening On Broadway earlier this year while Dave was still showing on the festival circuit, and I'm thrilled to announce that the movie is now available for rent ($2.99) or purchase ($9.99) globally by digital download, exclusively from Amazon.com.

It's a great way to support independent artists, get a jump on holiday shopping, or have a cheap date night or movie night at the same time.

And, if you haven't already, check out The Making of an Indie Movie, our interview with Dave about making On Broadway, on Shoestring Magazine now.

Shoestring News: RIP Paul Newman (and Newman's Own?)

This morning, I awoke in a haze—partly due to cold medicine, partly due to my pre-coffee detangling of last night's debate rhetoric—to the sad news that Paul Newman, actor and activist, passed away at age 83, after a long battle with cancer. Rest in peace, Cool Hand Luke. All our love and sympathy goes out to your family and friends.

Since the early 80s, Paul and his eponymous brand, Newman's Own, have been at the forefront of the natural foods and responsible consumerism movements, and, at Shoestring, we're enormous fans of Paul's body of work, not only as one of the best American actors in the history of Hollywood, but as a socially conscious entrepreneur. I would even venture so far as to say that the way he's handled his successes over the years have made him an idol of mine.

Paul and Newman's Own have made high-quality, all-natural foods and products available to the masses for almost 25 years, and now, like our economy, the Newman's Own future is unclear, which infinitely saddens me and is a double blow on a dreary Saturday. My cabinets are stocked with the likes of Newman's Own dog food, which was a security blanket last year during the pet food contamination scare and eventual recall, and Newman's Own salad dressing, which comforts me during what seems to be a never-ending quest to regain my coed figure before turning 30. Just as his smart, anti-hero films were a touchstone during my rebellious, brooding teens and early twenties, his brand was a go-to during the early years of the "green" trend.

Paul's foodstuffs are just like he was: accessible to anyone, anywhere; equally high brow and rough-and-tumble; both classic and cutting edge. We're hoping his family and his executive team will choose to let his likeness and legacy survive, even, and especially, as we mourn his passing.

Support Paul Newman's family company and charitable causes, while at the same time supporting the news you love from Shoestring and Bargainista, by shopping for Newman's Own products through any advertisement in this post.

Shoestring News: Daily Candy loves our Market Editor!

We've always known how amazingly fabulous she is, but now Daily Candy Boston has recognized Shoestring's own Kara Butterfield, Market Editor, and her company, Make Ready, in yesterday's edition!

Much like the show Freestyle on HGTV, Kara is an aesthetic magician who takes the items you already own and re-styles them in genius new ways that are both hip and at the heart of the way you *actually* live. (And, reinforces our belief that what's good for the wallet is also good for the planet.)

Meghan and I couldn't be more proud of Kara for this amazing press coverage, and hope that you'll check out Make Ready if you're looking to spiff up and sensationalize your dorm room, apartment, or home. I can attest personally that each and every time Kara visits my urban shoebox, she leaves it infinitely more chic—and usually just by moving one or two items or making one suggestion.

Stay tuned for Kara's dynamic decorating ideas in our launch issue of Shoestring Magazine, hitting the web in mid-October!