American Idol is usually the last thing we would watch on TV, but when someone sent us a clip of the glorious Adam Lambert killin’ some old school rock songs in a totally new way, we became insta-fans.  His loss was a sharp reminder of America’s deep seeded biases.  Did Adam Lambert lose for being the worse singer?  Surely nobody with a decent set of ears could deny him having a far superior voice to Kris (the winner).  Did he lose for being Gay?  We happen to think so.  We asked man about town James Costa for a report live from the Finale and after party in Los Angeles.  Here’s what he told us:

Groundhog Day at Idol. Why does it keep happening? Why does America choose mediocre over greatness? I was at American Idol Finale and afterparty and felt like I was living a bad dream over and over.  There were many times where I wanted to yell out, “How the fuck did this happen?!” I have been an Adam fan all season. I was never a big fan of the show until I saw this guy belt out songs in versions I never expected them to be sung in. They would send chills down my spine.  When I saw the reaction to Adam on blogs, mags , and TV shows I thought to myself “America will get it and vote this guy as the next American Idol!”

Who cares if he likes guyliner and black nail polish!? So do tons of straight rockers. Why should Adam be treated any differently? Boy was I wrong. The old expression about Americans comes to be true once again. Never underestimate Americans, but also never overestimate them. What was the big fear Americans had in voting for Adam and making him the next American Idol. Was the world going to end if he won, would God strike us all dead, would the manhood of American men turn to mush? I know there are all kind of conspiracy theories out there of why Adam lost.

He's the true winner in our eyes.

The one I think is most true is that you had Gokey fans who were mad that he lost and if they had to punish anybody it was going to be Adam. He was an easy target. His sexuality was not clear (read: Gay), he was a glamrocker, a Jew, and he could sing the pants off anybody on that stage. He was the ultimate threat to America’s manhood. So those votes, combined with the Kris fans (mediocrity defined!), and the religious right who have nothing better to do but spend their time making people who don’t believe what they do as miserable as possible gave Kris the edge. Adam just had his fans, with no hidden agendas, who just though he was the best singer.  Which he is. Kinda tragic if you really think about. Are there so many Americans out there who are so frustrated with their lives that they take it out on the most talented guy in a singing competition? Anyway, I’m glad it’s all over but I fear that next year will be more of the same except the damage has already been done to American Idol. The bloggers are wild with threats of never watching the show again. I have to agree with them. I’m not sure if I can ever watch the show again. Until Americans grow up and get over their sexual identity issues we are doomed to repeat our past mistakes in who we vote for.

James Costa is a writer, producer, and animal welfare activist who resides in Los Angeles. He is also a board member of The Hunts Point Alliance in The Bronx, as well as an Advisory Member of the Sabre Foundation, a worldwide book donation program.

This weekend officially marks the kick off to summer - and that means crushes that give you butterflies, dewy skin, mojito’s that never end, and teensy summer dresses!  Hurrah! Although you’ll want to be mostly outside, take a couple hours to shop this weekend - either online or in person for cuhrayze deals at all your favorite shops.  Memorial Day sales are never to be missed.  A few we will be hitting:

Save up to 30% from today til June 1 at organic green style emporium (and our official favorite boutique), Kaight.  Snatch up organic cotton dresses, sexy string bikinis, elegant beach frocks, and killer vegan sandals for a nice chunky discount. Shop In-store andonline. Kaight. 83 Orchard St., between Broome & Grand. Tel. 212.680.5630.

Pick up some slutty dresses, fierce clutches, and ghetto fabulous accessories at “Sex in the City” legend Patricia Fields shop.  Everything is 20% off  from today through Monday. No Discount Code needed when shopping online; discounts will be generated automatically in your shopping cart! Patricia Fields 302 Bowery NY, NY 10012, between Houston & Bleecker streets.

Shop Bloomingdale’s til Monday for up to 40% off select merchandise (online and in store) like this darling look by Catherine Malandrino.

Who says breakfast is English muffins and fruit?  Try this easy (really!), healthful, and finger-licking breakie of champs, Glamazons!

Lemon Couscous with Apples and Dates
Serves: 4: Time to Prepare: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

• ½ cup of pitted dates, chopped
• 2 green apples, cored and diced
• 1 ½ cups of uncooked couscous
• 1 ½ cups of warm water
• Juice of ½ of a lemon

Instructions:
Chop the dates. Core the apples. Dice the apples. Place the dates, apples, and couscous in a medium bowl. Mix the warm water and lemon juice together in a small bowl. Pour the liquid over the couscous.
Fluff the couscous with a fork every 30 seconds or so, allowing it to soak for about 5 minutes, until
the liquid is absorbed. Mix everything together before it is served to ensure that the residual lemon juice gets on the apples. This will keep them from browning before you finish the breakfast. Make sure to add the apples and dates before pouring the warm water over the couscous. This allows those ingredients to lightly flavor the warm water which will then infuse the couscous. The apples and dates provide a nice mix of tart and sweet while the lemon juice brightens all of the flavors and also keeps the apple from browning. The couscous should be fluffed as it absorbs the water so that it does not become a big, congealed mass! The lemon juice is what made this dish for me, giving a bright feel to this dish, which is exactly what I
like for breakfast.

Raw Version:
Use finely shredded jicama for the couscous, soaking the jicama, apples, and dates in three cups of
water with the juice of two lemons for one hour. Drain the jicama “couscous” dish when it is done
soaking and serve.

Recipe Courtesy of  Jason Wyrick, the executive Chef and publisher of The Vegan Culinary Experience (the world’s only vegan culinary magazine). Check out this month’s free issue of www.veganculinaryexperience.com!

Bigger is better. Not in the gas guzzling SUV, beer belly sort of way, but when we’re talking about the super-fly thoughts that are traveling through your mind and encouraging you to dream huge, yes, bigger is better. King of thinking big,  Michael Port (The Wall Street Journal calls him a “marketing guru”) shares his top10 tips to bring big thoughts front and center.

It’s your mind that will change your life (and the world). When you think big, you’re large and in charge. Little known facts about big thinking , big thoughts are:

1. An Act of Abundance

To think big is an act of originality and creation - an act of abundance. When you think small, you resist your nature and create false scarcity. Big thoughts confirm the truth. You are more than enough. You will accomplish all you set out to. The world is yours for the taking. Grab it!

2. Embrace a Judge-less World

Bigger embraces. Big thoughts oppose the judging world. Let’s face it, we’re not here to judge or be judged. Imagine if you never accepted the limited views of others? That’s right! Your individuality reigns supreme. GirlieGirl big thinkers embrace their own uniqueness, innate talents and gorgeous gifts. You know you rock.

3. Collaborate and Foster Equality

Big thinking starts with (a) helping and (b) allowing yourself to be helped. People who play small think they have to do it all themselves. The truth is when you help another you break down false separations - the “us” vs. “them” syndrome. We are all interconnected. True collaboration gives and accepts. It’s the most beautiful explosion of equality, respect, love and creativity. Try receiving as often as you give.

4. Expand and Accept

Bigger invites challenges. It expands your personal capacity and confidence. On the flip side, small thoughts crave pre-ordained outcomes. Sure thinking big can be scary and certainly when we fear the unknown, we crave control. But you’re daring. Accept control for what it is… a farce. See where your big thoughts take you.

5. Bring the Joy of Promises

Where’s the joy in making promises? The act of making promises is liberating. It gives you all the permission you need to do big things and make creative adjustments along the way. Take some breathing room while you are fulfilling your individual commitments. Let go of rigid outcomes. If you think it has to be perfect, you may never attempt to realize your big burning desires inside.

6. Foster Authenticity

Thinking big aligns the public and the private you. Your heart is free to speak the truth and authentic actions follow. Full self-expression is the height of big bliss and the start of accomplishing all you desire. Yowza!

7. Encourage Congruency and Integrity

Big thinking and living in integrity go hand in hand. To live without integrity is to purposefully diminish your chances of success. At the end of the day, integrity is all we’ve got. In today’s world, telling the truth might just be a revolutionary act. It doesn’t get much bigger than that.

8. Bring Grace and Fluidity

Thinking big is adaptive. It is not transactional. It allows us to connect to others, but not be attached. It allows our networks, friends, colleagues and even lovers to be fluid. In the flow of big thoughts we will truly flourish and draw the people to us that we are meant to - people aligned with our values and actions.

9. Combine Love and Accomplishment

The combination of making yourself stronger combined with the process of love is the essence of thinking big. To love the process of what you do and who you are brings a lightness into your life (and the world). Love and strength are directly responsible for many of the biggest accomplishments.

10. Fuel Passion

It takes energy to get up and do big things. Thinking big is not only contagious it spreads like wildfire. It allows passion to course through your veins so you can live according to your hopes and dreams. It is universally the biggest and best thing you can do for your self and others.

Plus big thoughts make you blissfully beautiful while helping you accomplish all you desire. How big are you willing to think about yourself and how you show up in the world?

Michael Port is a New York Times bestselling author of 4 books including the provocative and inspiring Think Big Manifesto. More at www.MichaelPort.com.

These ‘aint your 1986 Jelly’s from summer camp, sister darling.  These are Melissa Plastic Dreams, whose collaborations with seminal Brit designer Vivenne Westwood has every fashionista we know twittering with excitement.

Vivienne Westwood & Melissa Plastic Dreams: $149 @ epauletshop.com

Melissa Plastic Dreams are ethically made in Brazil in a “closed loop” system, so there is no waste from production.  The patented plastic known as Melflex is a patented 100% recyclable, hypo-allergenic monomaterial that easily molds to your foot after a few wears, providing a comfortable custom fit forever! Not only are these shoes totally vegan and green, the company recycles 99% of the excess material left over from manufacturing.  It’s basically a win-win situation.

Melissa Plastic Dreams Campana Zig Zag in Gold (available in tons of other colors for spring/ summer 09), $65. @ KaightShop.com

Check out the recently released video “look book” below for your very own at home fashion show;

Vivienne Westwood Anglomania Mary Jane + Melissa, $111. @ Kaightshop.com