chew on this
the i-candy blog
in defense of my real housewives upbringing
twenty years ago, the world was introduced to orange county’s finest: jeana keough, kimberly bryant, jo de la rosa, lauri waring petersen and vicki gunvalson- the founding mothers of bravo’s the real housewives. the oc housewives birthed a reality tv phenomenon with the launch of twelve real housewives series, along with international editions and several spinoffs, including the real housewives ultimate girls trip: roaring 20th, which premieres on august 9th. despite its cultural impact, the franchise is often perceived by critics as toxic depictions of women that perpetuate “negative stereotypes.” i believe that the real housewives achieve quite the contrary. the show gives audiences the discernment to recognize toxic traits in relationships through complex relationship dynamics, and asserts that even though society rushes for success, the things that make life sweet are still yet to come.
Share a Vodka Soda with Abby Garcia
“Vodka Soda” is the kind of song you play with your windows down, hitting green light after green light as you fly down the backroads of your hometown. It’s the golden hour drive home after a first date, a surge in your stomach of excitement that feels like a caffeine high. Abby’s voice is lilting and honest, the song a hopeful approach to dating that stays with the listener after the song ends.
Jonie’s “better at this” seamlessly weaves Oklahoma folk with L.A.’s vibrant soundscape
In her latest single “better at this,” Jonie blends melancholic and vulnerable lyricism with graceful finger-style guitar arrangements that cultivate a sense of optimism, whimsy, and brighter days ahead amid a wave of self-doubt.
As a Los Angeles-based musician born and raised in the birthplace of red dirt and Oklahoma folk, Jonie’s distinctive sound embraces her folk roots and is influenced by her experience of moving and L.A.’s vibrant music soundscape, drawing inspiration from Adrianne Lenker, Ken Pomeroy, Samantha Crain, and Kaitlin Butts.
”I feel like ‘better at this’ is a sad song, but sonically, it feels more hopeful or, like, bright, and I think L.A., just like this sunny, gorgeous lightheartedness, absolutely has been affecting my music in a good way,” said Jonie.
an i-candy girl’s guide to summer
Summer is something we, people of all ages, look forward to. Even if you hate the season, you still look forward to it because society has signaled warm winds and a shining sun as freedom. Whether it be freedom from school, if you’re a student, or freedom from those long months cooped up in seclusion from the brutal temperatures of winter. Summer has always been the season of now. But often, at least to me, summer does not always bring its fast paced nature the moment the weather goes over seventy degrees. Often, summer feels long and boring. You sit there and wait, and wait and, wait and then, oh look, it’s fall again.
Talking about Folk Music + Heartbreak with Sydney J
With her latest release of “angel baby,” indie-folk musician, Sydney J, offers an intimate perspective on love, and missing someone through her grounded acoustics. Blending warm vocals with soft instrumentation, guitar, and elegant strings, she gives a preview of what’s more to come – and all that we can be excited for. The track is part of a continuing rollout of her upcoming album in August, and I had the pleasure of speaking to Sydney about it, and everything about music that she feels connected to.
Your new favorite DJ:
East Coast native Zara Lindiwe, better known as grrlkiss is a DJ and producer on her way to becoming a permanent fixture at gigs in downtown Los Angeles. The unique sonic signature she’s dubbed “kunt dance music” has been electrifying crowds since 2025, but it is only one aspect of the much larger predominantly pink and pastel world of grrlkiss. Her social media is just as bold in its creative direction as her music.
an introduction to the world of i-candy
I’m a total music video fanatic. I’ve spent entire days binging them on YouTube, and a good one can literally keep me up at night. Discovering i-candy zine felt like watching all of the greatest late 90s/early 2000s music videos, and I saw this new creative world as their child. I’m so excited to introduce you to the world of i-candy through some of the media that inspired its creation!
Beverage of choice: A comment on coffee
Coffee has always been something I associated powerful, determined adults with. It’s glamorized in film and tv, celebrities only coming out of their private getaways for a brewed beverage at a sweet cafe with their not-so-secret romance. In Gilmore Girls, it’s a state of being, a mantra for Lorelai and Rory Gilmore. Don’t talk to the girls until they have had their coffee! It brought them together, pulled them through life-changing exams, all nighters, big big changes.
micro shorts in august (A Music Tangent)
All I can say is, "Gimme gimme (more), gimme (more), gimme gimme (moreeee)!"
2024, THE YEAR I FINALIZED MY FAVORITES
2024, the year i finalized my favorites