Flavors of the Month: December

Apparently we have begun the descent into the most wonderful time of the year. Wow. That sounds hateful. Let's try that again. We are in the midst of the most wonderful time of the year! You need to be excited, so get there and fast. Because guess what? You are going to be within 10 feet of your parental unit(s) in less than two weeks so you better start washing your clothes and practicing quieter sex noises. Never fear, though, I have some little snacks to keep you sane through this season if you aren't finding yourself as jolly as you had hoped you would be by now.

SAY NO EVIL

Happy Holidays. Until last year, I didn't realize we were assaulting Christmas and Christians. I have always said Happy Holidays, even when I was a Christian, because guess what? I am including New Year's and sometimes if I am starting early enough, Thanksgiving. Since I became Buddhist, I also realized how rude it really is to assume that everyone around you shares your beliefs, to assume that the person next to you does not celebrate Hanukkah or Kwanzaa or Winter Solstice, which are all equally important to the people that celebrate them and right around the same time as Christmas. Which, by the way, I know we have all heard by now that Christmas happens when it does because Pagans were targeted for conversion. What better way to do that than roll their holiday into yours? This HISTORICAL FACT does not take away from Christmas, but you need to chill out. Please, stop thinking you are being assaulted. The Happy Holidayers are just trying to be all-inclusive. Just start coexisting like your bumper sticker suggests. And Happy Holidays.

SEE NO EVIL

The Sitter came out on Friday, 12/9 starring Jonah Hill. It looks like a modernized Adventures in Babysitting (one of my all-time favorites), without the Thor references or the lovely Shue. Even so, it looks like a pretty good revamp if you are a fan of Jonah Hill, so let's all go see it and report back. Note: this one looks pretty raunchy, hence the R rating, so I would not recommend you go to this movie if Superbad or anything like it is not your cup of tea. For example, the trailer opens with Jonah Hill going down on a girl. 

In other news, finally saw The Muppets and it was even better than I imagined it. Have to see it one more time in the theater before I buy five copies and watch them simultaneously.

For you TV/Travel Channel/Bourdain lovers, his new series, The Layover, is a great treat. He has X amount of hours in a city and hits the highlights. So far I have seen New York City, Rome & Miami and I am hooked. There are snippets of firsthand knowledge from people on the street that help you get a feel for the city's culture as a whole. If you have ever had to rush through a place, this is a show you can relate to and glean some mega tips from.

FUDGE NO EVIL

My latest obsession is Carnation's $5 Famous Fudge kits. Yes. I said $5. And fudge kits. I picked one up at a local IGA and made it for an ornament party this past weekend. It was not only incredibly easy to make since the box has the pan, marshmallows, "sugar mix", chocolate chips & evaporated milk(you just supply the butter), but it was some of the best fudge I have ever had. It wasn't the kind that is so sweet your teeth are screaming. I love sugar, but not an obscene amount. While you can either give these kits to yourself or as gifts, I think the most appropriate way to give this kit is as a hostess gift. So here's my idea: buy two kits, make one, give the other as your gift so that way the hostess can try how great it is and then will have it on hand for the next holiday party she has to go to and is too exhausted to be too elaborate after hostessing a party already. S'wonderful, s'marvelous.

HEAR NO EVIL

Since we are in the middle of December, you should probably listen to my new favorite Christmas album, A Very She & Him Christmas. It's cute, it's fun, Zooey sings a lot of Beach Boys Christmas tunes along with some of the classics. Love that they flip the lyrics for "Baby, It's Cold Outside".

You don't WANT to hear Christmas music, you say? Well, fine then. If that is the case, listen to the Velvet Underground. They have great tongue-in-cheek lyrics with that fabulous, nitty gritty rock n roll sound. Perfect for cold weather and cloud coverage.

Want something new? You are really demanding, you know that? Listen to Aloe Blacc's Good Things. You may recognize his song "I Need A Dollar" from the opening to How to Make it in America (one of my favorite HBO shows) but my love for that song lead me to his 2010 album. I love it. He is the modern day Bill Withers. Enjoy!

RANT NO EVIL

At this point, you may be saying to yourself, "This bitch is still too cheerful. I want to think, MAN. I want to feel something real, MAN." Fine. Fuck off. Do you like comedy and comedians? Listen to Marc Maron's podcast, WTF. It's the perfect cure for the seeking comedic mind who wants to get into the heads of their favorite people. Some of my close male friends got me hooked last year. I think what I love about Maron the most is that he is so honestly desperate to understand how these people tick and what their secret is. He asks the questions I would ask as a post-grad film major who wants to make people laugh and be successful but feels like they are on the outside looking in and has no idea where the goddamn doorknob to this glamorous bubble is in the first place. Too revealing? Perhaps. But you will not regret either going online and listening or getting the app for your iPhone and donating some money to the cause. The best part: Maron's seeking mind has now made him relevant. I think the secret is, figure out who & what you are & run with it aka be yourself. Great episodes include: Patton Oswalt, Paul Reiser, Conan O'Brien, Ed Helms, Norm MacDonald and Anthony Bourdain. But all will be wonderful. I promise: www.wtfpod.com

TREE NO EVIL

As a Michigan girl, I grew up with parents big on the real deal Christmas trees. I grew up with plenty of people that faked it, but we didn't fuck around in my house. Moving to Oklahoma, pine trees are not really prevalent so fake is usually the way, but if you are in the OKC/Norman area, look no further! There is a family from Cadillac, Michigan that parks in that parking lot next to Panera on the corner of 24th and Main. You can get wreaths, tree stands & of course trees of all shapes & sizes and in impeccable condition. They are great people that come down after Thanksgiving and leave just before Christmas with prices no different than up North  where your tree only moves 10 feet from where it grew. You know what they say, "Once you buy real...."

RECEIVE NO EVIL

My personal email has basically become newsletter central. I am on just about every store, fashion & random info newsletter you can imagine in cities I have never been to nor live in and I love it. I am in the know, even if it takes me an hour everyday just to get caught up on it all. One of my current favorite newsletters I get is from Emerald Street, a site in London, that sends great tips, interviews, lists, etc. that are entertaining, short & sweet. This month they are partnering with the organization, Look Good... Feel Better, which gives makeovers to cancer patients so they can see themselves as the confident, beautiful women they are, cancer be damned. If you sign up for their newsletter in December, they donate $1 to the cause. So start receiving mail that is worth your while and help a sister out in the meantime: www.emeraldstreet.com

WEAR NO EVIL

Last but not least, let's talk about some trends that I am digging right now.

1) Peter Pan collar: It's been making its rounds lately, but I think cold weather is especially conducive in making the Pan collar work. It's cute, it's preppy, it's great casual or at work. Just do it already.

2) Fur cuffs, mufflers & headbands: Fur is always around this time of year, but I love that we are making our way back to the cuffs and mufflers of yesteryear. I will be opting for the faux fur, which is not only nice for all the little animals that just want to sleep right now (just not in the eternal sense), but it's cost effective. I am actually going to make myself some cuffs, because if there is a sewing project anyone with a needle and thread, let alone a full-on sewing machine can make, it's a faux fur cuff. Sassy.

3) Tights: These really came back in full swing the last couple years and I am obsessed. I have just about every color along with some patterned ones and I don't see myself quitting them any time soon. Not only can you comfortably wear a skirt, you snazz up your outfit tenfold. For the solid color tights, Target's $5 are unbeatable. I cut little slits in the top of the band (especially after nacho dinners), but they are pretty hardy and you will be talk of the town. Colors I am loving right now: mustard, tobacco, evergreen & red.

4) Pussybow blouses: In high school I got to play Mrs. Pearce and one of my outfits included a badass pink pussybow blouse from the 80s and a brown pencil skirt. I love the 80s, I love the 30s & 40s, I love eras that rocked the pussybow. It's formal, it's pretty, it's classic. I am dying to own this emerald green one from River Island and this blood orange one on Piperlime. Ruffles are over, start buying pussy.

5) Slipper loafers: I love me some moccasins, but only if they are by Minnetonka. They own the market of well-made, beautiful moccasins. But slipper loafers are back and they are making me happy. I want the River Island leopard along with these Aldo fuchsia glitter ones. Comfort. Glamour. Amen.

6) Driving gloves: I still rue the day I missed my chance to buy fuchsia driving gloves from Nixon. They were cheap & leather & gorgeous & I don't want to get into right now. But driving gloves are out and about this season and I wouldn't mind one bit if someone wanted to get me these brown ones from Madewell. 

**Cue Babs & "Grown-Up Christmas List"**

DRINK NO EVIL

It wouldn't be Christmas without eggnog (unless you are gross and don't like eggnog), so take your pick. There's lots on the market from the traditional, to the alcoholic to the soy versions. Now if you are wanting to jazz it up, I totally support that as a Polish/Scottish/Irish descended daughter of an alcoholic. Want some rum with that nog? Sailor Jerry's will do you right. It's potent, sweet, reasonably priced and will get the job done. Lactose intolerant? Silk makes some great nog as well as a mint chocolate drink. Want to make your own adult version of the mint chocolate? Get chocolate milk or Silk and some Rumplemintz BOOM you got yourself a stew. Sound like too much work? Pennsylvania Dutch eggnog is wonderful. Want the full enchilada with all the cream and eggs you can stand? In Michigan, Quality Dairy is your homeboy. In Oklahoma, Braum's will be your nog of choice. Where do you nog?

Hopefully I have pointed you in the direction of some things to make the next couple weeks a little deeper than an ABC Family Christmas movie. Don't forget your poinsettias (which are NOT poisonous for animals, they discovered!), your tree, and most of all, the realization that holidays are for having fun and enjoying the company of your loved ones. They're all batshit, but they're all you have got at the end of the day and someday, I know you don't believe me, but you will miss them, warts and all. So suck it up and chug your Sailor Nog in your Christmas sweater and tell your grandma for the twentieth time your name, school you dropped out of and why you are not married &/or do not have kids.

Happy Holidays!

bunny 

Flavors of the Month: November

Every month there is something to get excited about. The weather changes, fashion changes, new movies come out & the social calendar becomes restocked full of exciting adventures. So I will be keeping you in the loop. I know we are a little ways into November already, but maybe you haven't gotten fired up like I am and need some kindling for your soul bonfire.

BREW NO EVIL
The first weekend of November, some of my husby's and my best friends had everyone over for a day of football and home brewing lessons. We got to drink the fruits of their labor in the form of an amber they had brewed a month prior and then learned by making batches of pumpkin porter and holiday spice beer. It was lots of fun and I loved the whole process (I got to help strain the goodness into a bucket!). There are learn to brew classes popping up all over the place and I suggest you hop (get it?) in on one or hook up with a friend who already does it on their own. I believe the new DIY/getting back to basics trends like home brewing, sewing, knitting, carpentry, screen printing, wine making, collecting vinyls etc. are a positive reaction to all of the technology that has gotten us away from physically creating & collecting. Find something that has always interested you and master it!

SEE NO EVIL
The Muppets FINALLY comes out this month, Wednesday the 23rd (the day before Thanksgiving). The Great Muppet Caper is still my favorite, but anything to do with the Muppets is pure gold. Apparently Jason Segel (who wrote this film) cried his first day on set with Kermit and everyone had to break. If anyone was going to write this newest installment, he was definitely worthy of the job. So go see it. Thank you.

HEAR NO EVIL
On Tuesday, the 15th, my husby and I saw The Pixies live in Bricktown! They are currently on their Lost Cities Tour playing their masterpiece album, Doolittle, while hitting all of the cities they have never played in. They were even better live and you could tell they were all having a great time. Probably some of the most memorable moments of the show were when they opened with Un Chien Andalou playing on the big screen, "La La Love You" and when they fogged out the stage and audience during "Into the White." I also aspire to be as effortlessly cool as Kim Deal. Pixies are wonderful any time of year, but the crisp autumn air is paired perfectly with their sound.

Their opening band, Imaginary Cities, from Winnipeg, were by far the best opener I have seen. The lead singer, Marti, sounded like a sexy cat cartoon character with awesome moves like Janis Joplin and even a little Shirley Temple thrown in. Let's just say she was an adorable badass. Their music is right up the Pixies' alley, but less grungy. Loved when the guitarist, Rusty, switched from piano to rocking out on his guitar. Check. Them Out.

The Horrors' new album, Skying, is great for this time of year also. They hearken back to The Smiths, The Cure and The Thompson Twins with just a pinch of surfer rock in some of their songs.

Of course, while we are discussing the Smiths, they are my favorite cloudy/rainy/cold day band, so add them to your playlists this fall.

EAT NO EVIL
'Tis the season for Thanksgiving. Please stop jumping straight to Christmas, Thanksgiving is the best. It is my absolute favorite holiday because there is no expectations other than creating amazing dishes and getting together with your loved ones so you can eat like fatasses and fall asleep while drinking and watching Lions football. Then you get to wake up, have dessert and more leftovers and watch Planes, Trains & Automobiles. And continue to drink. Quit jumping the gun & enjoy this low-maintenance holiday. Stay tuned for details on a Hobo Potluck we will be hosting the Saturday after Thanksgiving. My Thanksgiving secret weapon shall be revealed at that time!

PAINT NO EVIL
I am devoted to L'Oreal Paris' nail polish in Devotion. This picture doesn't really do it justice, but it is a strange taupey cocoa color that can appear more cocoa in some light, purple-ish in another and even charcoal in others. I originally was on the hunt for Essie's Hot Cocoa nail polish, but when I compared the two, Devotion won my heart (& it was $3 cheaper!). I may still pick up hot cocoa, but it has a bit more warmth with hints of cognac, while Devotion is a flatter color. GET IT NOW.

WEAR NO EVIL
My freshman year at Michigan State, I roomed blind. My roommate and I hated each other most of our first semester, but by the end of it, we became great friends. I realized she was basically a younger version of my mom. Go figure. We still keep in touch, but one thing I took away from that experience that always keeps her close to me, is her affinity for crazy old lady/old man sweaters. They were always somewhere between a 1970s ski trip sweater and a Peruvian llama sweater. Now I too have a collection and this season, thanks to Rachel Zoe, I found out Stella McCartney gives my old roomie and I some legitimacy. Go with the hip grandma look and you will not only be cozy but chic.

Keep a look out for some more new featurettes, including Party On, Dude, where I will chronicle the themed parties I host. I will not only show you our Halloween Bash, but our Hobo Potluck the Saturday after T-Day!

Other than that, let me know what your "musts" are for November or what you think of mine.



Turkey Time and warm November days,
bunny

Working Girl: Back to Basics

As boring as it can be, you need your neutral, classic pieces. Tops & bottoms in white, cream, beige, black, gray, brown, tan, etc, will all be your best friends in your new work wardrobe. When you slowly build this core up, you can pair one of the neutrals with a bright or patterned top or bottom that will let you express yourself, but also be grounded and mature. Plus, when you have a good line of neutrals, it's way easier to get up and throw together a great outfit after you drank a little too much the night before.

On an episode of What Not to Wear, they had a young woman with no confidence in her ability to put together professional outfits. Her outfits were too casual or too bright because she thought that neutrals were boring, but she was moving up and needed to be taken seriously. Stacy & Clinton came to her rescue and explained that she could still be youthful & have fun with her wardrobe, but there was a method: find something you like, something you love & add some bling. Basically, find a flattering neutral for your top or bottom, add a fun top or bottom that you love, then put on the amazing shoes with personality &/or funky & blingy jewelry to top it all off. Don't overdo the bling, but with a neutral at the base of any outfit, you will look great!

The outfit I am showcasing today is not the most exciting outfit I have, but it is one that is flattering, I get lots of compliments on & it is SUPER comfortable.  Most of all, it's got those lovely neutrals with personality that we all love (or will learn to love).

My ruffled blouse and basic black pencil skirt both hail from JCPenney. Some people scoff at good 'ol JCP, but if you want quality stuff at a reasonable price, they are a better option than most. Some love Kohl's, but they just don't have the same quality and they are usually more expensive. JCPenney's best brand for work neutrals is Worthington. For your funky stuff, try I <3 Ronson. American Living is another good one that can be a little mom-ish, but it is meant to be an adult preppy line like JCrew. Sometimes they have great funky pieces, but for the most part, they have lots of classic patterns & styles. 

My shoes are Aldo Howett in black leather. They are well-made & comfortable & although they were $60, they are well worth it since black flats come in handy 150% of the time. Aldo makes great flats (neutral & otherwise), so check them out. 

***Invest in your classic pieces. You will save money in the long run and feel fabulous every time you wear them.

Your assignment this week is to find a FLATTERING plain black pencil skirt and plain black flats. Also, stop buying knit tops for awhile, you need more blouses. 

Hope this was helpful. Leave any questions or comments below and stay tuned for next week's exciting edition of Working Girl!

back in black,

bunny

Working Girl: Funking Up the Professional World, One Outfit at a Time

Since I graduated from Film school a year ago this December, I was promoted from my job as a lowly sales assistant to an executive assistant at the company’s corporate office. It’s still entry-level, but at least I have my own space and I am no longer crawling on my hands and knees cleaning and organizing. Chained to a desk with a stricter dress code and a wardrobe of college student/boho chic, I found myself lost at sea when it came to work apparel. I also found myself getting depressed over my increasingly boring outfits that recycled the same tired pieces.

It has almost been a year now and I am finally starting to feel like I have more options, not only in the variety of pieces I own, but in my ability to funkify my neutral drone wardrobe, while still staying in dress code. These limitations have, in turn, inspired my Casual Friday outfits, where I am more apt to let my freak flag fly, but appropriately.

Can this be my wardobe? Do we even need to discuss this?

I know I haven’t been the first workforce newbie lost when it comes to acceptable yet stylish outfits for work, so I have set out to guide you through this frightening time. Frightening, not just because you are a young professional with rules on how you can dress, but frightening because you are most likely a twentysomething who is on the same rollercoaster I am; somewhere between bliss and hysteria, fully aware that time is flying by and you aren’t even sure you are on the right ride.

Every week I will post my favorite work and Casual Friday outfits and/or answer office survival questions. For example, what pieces you should have to make your groggy mornings easier and your outfits sleeker, where you can find these (reasonably priced!) pieces, the dos and don’ts for office apparel, along with any other advice on surviving office life, from Lean Cuisines to community coffee to catty coworkers. I am still a rookie myself, but with a year under my belt, I can help you avoid the mistakes I have unfortunately made and be the office mentor you are probably missing at your own job.

I'll bang out the first one for your reading pleasure this Friday. I'm holding us to this, so write yourself a memo or task or something and I'll see you at the water cooler!

working it for a Working Girl ending,

bunny

Meow Mix

Great things are in the works for jojobunny.  I came up with a bunch of little featurettes when I was applying to be an editor &/or writer for a blog, but since things didn't work out, I am taking my know-how to the interwebz streets. I'm currently getting said posts squared away, but I promise I will keep the space between posts shorter than in the past.  While you wait, please like various & sundry on Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/various-sundry/243081135748148

And then visit this other amazing blog:

http://thekittencovers.tumblr.com/

And then listen to this song:

lock, stock & two smoking blog posts,

bunny