Anthony Bourdain: Master Of Philly Food Scene And My Heart

By Maggie Reid

I was sitting in my History of Costume class last week when one of my peers told me that an episode of The Layover with Anthony Bourdain (the only man over the age of 40 who I would consider eloping with) taking place in Philadelphia was to air that night. I soon realized that I was probably the last Philly resident to have heard about this event. A number of bars and restaurants around the city had already planned viewing parties of the episode.

I was elated when Bourdain mentioned a few key restaurants and bars that I frequent, such as Paesano’s and Federal Donuts in South Philly, Han Dynasty in Old City, and Johnny Brenda’s in Fishtown.  In addition to some of my old favorites, Bourdain mentioned some other restaurants that piqued my interest. Though I typically do not find Mediterranean and Israeli food mouthwatering, Zahav in Old City looked nothing short of incredible. I’m pretty sure my heart skipped a beat, or five, when I decided to delve further into Zahav’s menu and saw that they offered duck kebabs with pistachios and saffron. From the time I was 4-years-old, Vietnamese food has always had a special place in my heart. My personal favorite Vietnamese restaurant is “Vietnam.” However, when Bourdain dived into a bowl of pho from Pho 75 in South Philly, with slices of brisket, flank steak, soft tendon, and beef tripe I began to salivate.

Though I am confident in the date I have planned for Bourdain for the next time he stops by in Philly, I guess I could let him make a few suggestions too.    

"A Million Girls Would Kill for this Job"

By Suphattra Fatlowitz

Drexel’s Westphal College brought Christina Binkley and the world of fashion journalism to the newly finished URBN Center this fall.  Students and professors were jammed into a small lecture hall and eagerly awaited Binkley’s arrival.  Binkley was every bit calm, cool and collected when she appeared before us. 

Binkley has been with The Wall Street Journal for 18 years, however, she has only been writing about fashion for about 8 years now.  Binkley writes On Style each Thursday and contributes to WSJ Magazine, Off Duty, and Weekend as well as other newspaper sections.  She admits that she knew nothing about the world of fashion when she first got the assignment, but her outsider’s opinion gave her column a fresh take.  Prior to writing about fashion, Binkley wrote about real estate scams, gambling and the hotel industry – quite a different subject. 

One of the perks a fashion journalist has is the ability to attend Fashion Weeks in New York, London, Milan and Paris.  While there, Binkley attends big name ready-to-wear and haute couture shows, like Vera Wang, Gucci and Givenchy.  It seems as though Binkley has the life everybody in the fashion industry wants.  However, Fashion Week is a grueling time.  She said this is the most exhausting and toughest job she’s ever had.  During these five weeks, twice a year, days will last from 9 am – 12 am.  The writing doesn’t start until 12 am and then the next day is a repeat.

Binkley is a self proclaimed “factory nerd” who visits at least one factory in Europe each time she travels. This fall, she visited the Missoni knitting factory in Italy and said she now understands why the garments are so expensive. They simply take a long time to make, even by maching. She plans to go to a Hermes factory on her next trip.  Binkley has yet to travel to Asia where most of our clothes are being produced.  Her interests lie in rights issues as well as the translation from designer to production.

After Binkley’s personal account of how she began in fashion journalism, she opened up the floor to questions.  Here are a few of those questions.

How do you choose which shows to go to? There are shows I have to go to and shows I want to go to, which are often different.  In Milan I have to see Gucci.  I go to major shows every season.  This gives me less time to go out and explore.  I’d like to see smaller designers.

Explain your editing process. I sleep on it and then come back to it. 

How do you think up what to write about for the different shows?  What do you look for? I didn’t critique collections for the first couple of years.  I didn’t understand it enough.  Now I try to compare lines by critiquing on what they’ve done in the past.  It’s easy for designers to get carried away.  In their mind their client is Anna Wintour, not Neiman Marcus or Saks.  I’ll look for trends consumers want to know about.  I rarely downright think something is ugly.  I keep in mind price versus wearability.  I hate criticizing.

What kind of trends besides fabrics and colors are predominant now? Black & white, stripes, checks, volume – sack dresses, sometimes belted, and full skirts.

What’s your favorite fashion blog? The Cut.  It gives an insider feel.  I ignore some of the most popular blogs. 

Are there other parts of the industry you’d like to explore? Asia, production for mass markets, patternmaking.

How do you balance family time with such a busy career? I live in LA, make sacrifices and have strict rules.  There are a lot of functions I don’t go to unless they’re really important.

What should we (students) be keeping in mind in terms of what to deal with in the industry? People are willing to work their butts off for nothing.  If you’re at an unpaid internship, don’t stay long.  Move on.  A lot of fashion students race out to have the big job before they are ready for it.  I get a ton of pitches a day and I always have to determine if I should waste my time.  I look at where they’ve worked first.  I’ll move on if anything doesn’t hook me.  Get experience to build your resume, abilities and skills.

Why I’ll Give "Girl Meets World" a Shot

By Emily Stall

News of the Boy Meets World spinoff can be found on the social media sites of virtually every 90s kid out there. In case you’ve somehow missed the news, Disney is creating a spinoff of the classic 90s TV show and calling it Girl Meets World. The new show will focus on the daughter of everyone’s favorite couple, Cory and Topanga. My natural first reaction? NO! They’re going to ruin the legacy of the greatest show of all time! However, the news gets better. Not only is the original producer, Michael Jacobs, returning for the new series, but Ben Savage and Danielle Fishel are also reprising their roles as Cory and Topanga. And Danielle Fishel has hinted on her blog (http://dfishel.tumblr.com/) that other cast members may join the project as well. Fishel also writes, “I promise with the entirety of my heart that we will make GMW with the same honesty, innocence, and intelligence that you learned to expect from BMW.”

So, here’s to hoping Girl Meets World can live up to the Boy Meets World legacy. It’s no easy act to follow. What 90s kid doesn’t wish they could have a relationship like Cory and Topanga’s? We all remember the time Topanga pushed Cory up against his locker and gave him his first kiss. Or when Topanga’s family moved to Pittsburgh, and she ran away to Philadelphia to be with Cory. I can practically recite Cory’s speech to his mom to convince her that he and Topanga need to be together in Philadelphia. “She gave me my first kiss. She taught me how to dance. She was always talking about these crazy things and I never understood a word she said. All I understood was that she was the girl I sat up every night thinking about. And when I’m with her, I feel happy to be alive. Like I can do anything. Even talk to you like this.” (Seriously, watch that speech and tell me you don’t tear up.)

What’s so great about Boy Meets World is that it’s not just a sappy teen romance story. There are plenty of other great characters, like Cory’s best friend Shawn Hunter, who grew up in a trailer park. Shawn was always the funny tough guy with great hair, leather jackets and plenty of girls to choose from. But as the show goes on, the characters mature, and we learn that Shawn is a troubled boy who expresses his emotions through poetry. And you can’t forget about Mr. Feeney, Cory’s neighbor, principal, and teacher for every year of school. He even follows him to college! Mr. Feeney was always there to give witty remarks, and also great life advice. Cory’s older brother, Eric, was a great source of comic relief, reaching out to Mr. Feeney with his ever-popular “Feeney call.” “Feen-ay! Fee-hee-hee-hee-nay!”

But I think what really makes BMW great is that it wasn’t afraid to make fun of itself. As a show that could have easily felt too sappy (Full House or Family Matters style), the writers struck the perfect balance of serious content and humor. In one episode, Shawn and Cory compare their school schedules and comment, “Feeney for all of them.” “Yeah, me too.” Cory’s little sister, Morgan, disappears for an entire season and then returns, played by a different actress, a season later. The writers played off this continuity error seemlessly, by making the “new” Morgan’s first line, “Wow, that was the longest time out ever!” There’s an entire episode called “Kid Gets Acquainted with the Universe,” where Eric goes to Hollywood to star in a sitcom that is basically a spoof of the whole series.

If Girl Meets World is even half as witty, heartwarming, genuine, and funny as its predecessor, I’m sure it will have a cult following all its own.

La Dominique Creperie

By Nicole Pollitt

Savory or sweet? It’s not an easy question to answer, especially when looking at the menu for La Dominique Creperie. Located on 34^th  and Market Streets, the food at this little truck packs a big punch. The owner Zbiginiew Chojnacki, a Polish native, offers a small array of crepes for breakfast, lunch and dessert.

For this breakfast enthusiast, the breakfast crepe made with egg, sausage and onion topped with pineapple sauce was tempting. Then there was the strawberry, banana and nutella crepe that only a fool would pass up.

However for this fool, the winner was the Italian Crepe complete with chicken, tomato sauce, string beans, rice and hot pepper flakes. The first bite into the crepe didn’t scream Italian cuisine. Yet the flavors of the assorted ingredients worked well together, like your one of your mother’s casserole concoctions. The crepe had a little kick thanks to the hot pepper flakes, but the biggest surprise had to be the green beans, which complemented the crepe quite well.

All crepes cost between $5-7 and are big enough for two people or even two meals. La Dominique is not for those short on time however. The crepes are cooked fresh to order. But if you have time, you’re in for a treat.

NINObrand Brings the Genderless to Philly

   

By Catherine Drussell

  Draped capes and cocoon silhouettes are two signature styles one might associate with the designs of Bela Shehu of NINObrand, but genderless clothing? The adventurous Philadelphia designer is now branching out into the realm of sexless clothing - cutting and sewing henleys, hoodies, capes and pants. How can this be so, you might ask? The idea is not as outrageous as it sounds, for the enthusiasts that the Albanian-native designs for. Her customer is not afraid to layer piece after piece in luxury fabrications, creating androgynous shapes for the body. In other words, her customer is not concerned with flaunting his/her figure. These American-made garments are neither feminine nor masculine, but wearable because of their functionality.

 NINObrand gear cannot be found just anywhere. There is a level of exclusivity to this line, where one must either schedule a fitting at Bela’s hidden South Philadelphia studio, or make an appearance at one of her monthly trunk shows. Teaming up with Studio Christensen, NINObrand and HYLO boutiques have joined forces to host monthly pop-up shops in Rittenhouse where locals can experience the collection, and meet the designer herself. You can visit her website at http://www.ninobrand.com.

Staten Island and Sandy

 By Bianca Vasaturo, from Staten Island

 Nikki and Sarah, a typical Staten Island couple, have been dating for over four years. This past May, Sarah had to tell her parents news that wasn’t so typical: she was pregnant. A baby girl was on the way, She was 24 and not married.

 Sarah’s parents were initially outraged, and the story quickly spread throughout the entire island. Two months later, Nikki proposed to Sarah in what would soon be their new apartment on the bottom floor of his brother’s house. After much drama, Sarah, Nikki, and both families made up and eagerly anticipated the arrival of the child.

 They threw a baby shower soon after, and the couple received tons of gifts. The carriages, cribs, clothes and other baby supplies were all placed in the nursery on the first level of Nikki’s brother’s house. They were pleasantly surprised at the support their family and friends showed and were beginning to feel at home in the new apartment waiting for the arrival of their baby. What they didn’t expect though, was the arrival of Sandy. On Monday, October 29^th, Hurricane Sandy hit the east coast like a bully knocking over sand castles at the beach. It destroyed.

 Although Nikki and Sarah had been warned to evacuate their house, many neighbors and friends were convinced that the area was totally safe. They had dealt with heavy storms before and never been flooded, and they convinced themselves that they would be fine. The night of October 29^th, after a black-out and dramatic temperature drop, huge rivers of water broke through the first floor windows of the house and swept through the entire apartment. The couple grabbed a few things and left quickly, their unborn baby’s safety their only concern.

 The next day, in the calm after the storm, Nikki and Sarah went back to look at the damage. The house still stood, but six feet of salt water had flooded their apartment and destroyed almost everything, including all of the brand new baby supplies. They have nothing but each other now, and a baby on the way.

 While the hurricane was traumatizing for all New Yorkers, it hit Staten Island the hardest. Thousands of families have been displaced from destroyed neighborhoods and homes, and Staten Island Representative Michael Grimm says it will take almost three years for a complete cleanup. Michael Bloomberg, the Mayor of New York, is spending more time and money on other boroughs even though more lives have been lost in Staten Island than in any other part of New York City. Just the number of businesses lost alone is threatening to push Staten Island down a path of economic crisis that has never been seen before. Staten Island needs more money, more volunteers, and more effort on Bloomberg’s for the borough to recover. This story of Nikki and Sam is just one of thousands of examples of families that need help.

"Valentino: The Last Emperor" Director Visits Drexel

Matt Tyrnauer, director of Valentino: The Last Emperor, visited Drexel this month and met with Design & Merchandising and Fashion Design students. After a showing of the film, Tyrnauer delighted the audience with behind-the-scenes anecdotes about making the movie and about iconic fashion designer Valentino Garavani and his long-time partner Giancarlo Giametti.
How did the fashion diva and Giametti like the film when they viewed it? "They hated it," said Tyrnauer, "And each time they viewed it, they hated it more."
But, he added, "Now they are asking me to make another film about them, which is the worst idea I have ever heard."

I like to stare at men in their underwear

By Naomi Izen

I like to stare at men in their underwear.

Yes, that’s right, I don’t mind taking a few extra seconds to glance at a male underwear ad.

That being the case, I attended a recent lecture by Shaun Cole, Director of the Masters Programs for Curatorial Studies and Cultural Studies at The London College of Fashion. Cole spoke at The URBN Center at Drexel University about, “Jocks in Jocks”.

Cole started his talk off with a clip of David Beckham’s Bodywear line for H&M.  A few seconds of Beckham’s skin being shown and I was hooked…

Yet, next to me my male friend sat, eyes half open, trying not to look too closely.

The history of advertising men’s underwear fascinated me since indeed, it was always the sportsman that wore the jocks and the idolized ‘Greek statue’ body of the athlete has become the focal point. These ads are not just about the underwear but showing off of an ostensibly perfect man that all other males could  look up to. It seems the only option for male underwear ads is to show them on a muscular heterosexual athlete so that other men can feel safe looking at another male’s package or at least justified in wanting to buy the same undies.

Cole’s talk included many half-naked men, the definition of Sporno (if you don’t know what that means, enjoy looking it up), and Babe Ruth’s underwear line (this is not a joke).

Every seat in the auditorium was filled, since apparently I’m not the only one who likes to stare at men in their underwear. Cole could have gone on and on about the history and all the different topics associated with men and their underwear, and we sure would have stared, I mean, err, listened.

If this intrigued you a bit, you can check out Cole’s book, The Story of Men's Underwear at Amazon.com

http://www.amazon.com/The-Story-Of-Mens-Underwear/dp/185995622X

Can No Doubt’s New Album "Push and Shove" its Way into our Hearts?

By Catherine Drussell
What happened to the days of Gwen Stefani bantering about making out and screaming, “Hey Baby,” or “Hella Yeah?” Eleven years later, No Doubt is still rocking steady with its edgy-pop tone, but the band's recently released album, Push and Shove, has combined synthesized tones with more seasoned ballads and grown-up themes. The album may not lack Gwen’s signature Ska-Cali feel, but the band has seemed to stray away from the raw-punk edge they were once known for. With acoustic sessions and softer choruses, the only song that seems to feed our hunger for the '90s No Doubt is “Push and Shove.” The title track has guest appearances from Jamaican dance hall star Busy Signal and producer Major Lazer, who have kept it youthful and catchy. Although Gwen has stuck with her ska roots for "Push and Shove", the song is a product of its time with auto-tuned voices and hints of Dubstep. There is a good chance that Gwen’s new album will “push and shove” its way into fans hearts, and they won’t be reminiscing too much of No Doubt’s Rock Steady days.

Discovering Food Heaven

By Maggie Reid

When my sister casually text messaged me, “So I got two free tickets to the NYC Wine and Food Fest on Sunday, do you want to go?”

I nearly had my first heart attack at the young age of 22 (this was before I had the bite-sized duck confit with poached quail egg sandwich!) We arrived at our new Mecca, Pier 57 on W.15^th Street and 11^th Avenue, at around 12PM and could not have anticipated what the next four hours had in store.

Upon entry, we were given a wine glass for the various tastings and a tote bag full of sample-sized food products. It was everything I could have hoped for and more. Table after table of local food vendors and restaurants sprawled across the intimidatingly large warehouse. The many wine, beer, and liquor merchants that were waiting to give us as many free samples as our hearts desired.

Though everything we tasted was delicious, some of the food highlights were as follow: tender pulled pork quesadillas with chipotle barbeque sauce, sharp cheddar, and avocado cream, and creamy chicken liver mousse with flavorful caramelized onions on a toasted crostini. Not being a huge drinker, the alcohol aspect of the event didn’t make as big of an impact on me, however I must say that I did taste a variety of red and white wines ranging from fruity and light to bitter and heavy. The grand tasting was just the appetizer (if you will), leading to the main course: a cooking demonstration by Bobby Flay. For 30 minutes my sister and I sat in our food coma stupor watching Flay perfectly prepare a Thanksgiving meal complete with turkey, mascarpone mashed potatoes, and marinated carrots. As I sit here with a bloated stomach two days after the fact, I still have to admit that it was all worth it.

Stephen Chbosky Still Makes Me Feel Infinite

By Emily Stall 

When I heard that Stephen Chbosky’s young adult novel, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, was being made into a movie, I was first excited and then a little nervous. Everyone knows that film adaptations of books are rarely as good as the original novel. This movie is an exception, probably because the author actually directed the film.

Perks is a coming of age story about a lonely, depressed boy named Charlie who is starting his freshman year of high school. He befriends an eccentric senior, Patrick, and his beautiful stepsister, Sam, who welcome Charlie into their friend group in an act of genuine kindness. As the story unfolds, we learn more about Charlie’s past and the difficult situations he has been through.

Chbosky explores difficult topics including homosexuality, abuse, drugs, alcohol and love. Even with the serious subject matter, there are many witty and humorous moments, like when Charlie inadvertently tries marijuana for the first time in the form of brownies. As someone who is notorious for crying at movies, I actually did not find myself sobbing during this film, though there were many moments that were so touching my eyes just filled ever so slightly. The three mains characters are so sincere and good that you can’t help falling in love with them, and wanting to be more like them.

In one of my favorite moments of the film, Sam, who just learned that her boyfriend had been cheating on her for months, asks Charlie, “Why do I and everyone I love pick people who treat us like we're nothing?” To which Charlie replies, “We accept the love we think we deserve.”

Charlie learns to be active and participate in his life, something we could all be reminded of. Driving through a tunnel at night with his two best friends, listening to his favorite song and standing up on the bed of Patrick’s truck (as any fan of the book will remember), Charlie asserts, “Right now we are alive and in this moment I swear we are infinite.” 

Something Old, Someone’s New

By Emily Raduzycki

Clothing from mainstream retailers is becoming rather dull and repetitive, wouldn’t you agree?  Sure, we can still find pieces in our favorite hot spots but it's rare that we hear someone say “wow” anymore when out shopping.  Where to turn?  Vintage. 

The Urban brands have led the way in vintage retailing, often upping the price to match the one-of-a-kind nature (see photo).  Their vintage pieces are less focused on a particular brand or designer name but the retro style.  The dresses are primarily sourced from SOR Select, the label of Some Old Rubies, which reworks and sources vintage pieces.  Each of the pieces is an original and available in a limited size.  

I prefer, however, the classic pursuit in second-hand shops.  Philadelphia has many options to fit the college budget.  Philly AIDS Thrift or PAT, has three floors of merchandise ranging from items to furnish your apartment, to books and old magazines, to clothing.  Thrift shops such as PAT also serve as a non-profit, donating their proceeds to the AIDS Fund with volunteers as the employees.

 

My best advice when it comes to buying previously owned clothing is to go to places in or near an affluent community.  You will be more likely to come across a more valuable treasure in great condition because the donors or consigners tend to circulate their wardrobes more often.  My purchases are from a mixture of Philadelphia, New Jersey and London stores and include a Christian Dior blazer purchased for $10, a Robert Rodriguez top for $30, and many purchases under $5.  

If you’re visiting London any time soon, check out my ratings on the list of second-hand shops that I visited.  

Get Inspired by Madness: "Van Gogh Up Close" at the Philadelphia Museum of Art

By Barbara Hionides

He was addicted to absinthe, ate lead and paint, vigorously mumbled to himself, cut off his ear in the name of a broken heart, and most importantly created timeless masterpieces. Van Gogh. He was a genius of his time, even if no one saw it until years later. He created art works that were soon to be highly respected in the art world, bringing a new light to perspective, psychological fears, and depiction of light in art. They say that true creativity is born from madness, and in this case it is evident.

The Dutch post-impressionist painter had created over 2,100 works in his short 37 years of life, before he committed suicide. He started painting and drawing from an early age, highly involved in building his skill set as an artist. He soon found himself working for art dealers, later wanting to become a pastor, and finally deciding to stick to art when in 1886 he moved to Paris. When studying the impressionist style, one can note small colorful brushstrokes, a great emphasis on expressing light, depiction of realistic subject matter in an unconventional abstract way, and the movement of objects expressed through color and brush strokes. Van Gogh did just that. His style changed once he had discovered this new method of expression through painting. He emphasized colors, light and objects’ angles to create an accurate depiction of how he, having a mental illness, saw his subject matter emotionally and psychologically.

Fortunately for Van Gogh Up Close, a traveling exhibition of his most notable, unusual paintings done at the time of his mental turmoil’s peak, we can view these works in Philadelphia. The exhibition opened on February 1^st and will end on May 6^th at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Be sure to visit Van Gogh’s legendary works such as “Rain,” which is a depiction of his window while staying at the Clinique of San Paul after several mental breakdowns. Other works such as “Almond Blossom,” “Garden in Auvers” and many more show the true genius use of color, shadows and lines Van Gogh created through this works. The emotional and psychological impact his paintings unleash, reveal how art can truly inspire and allow for us to see the world through the artists's eyes. 

"Rain", France, 1889.

http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2012/02/03/arts/design/20120203-VANGOGH-9.html

http://www.philamuseum.org/exhibitions/743.html

Color, Color, and more Color!

By Anastasia Athineos

Being bold and bright doesn’t have to be just for celebrities. Anyone can rock a variety of fun colored denim to add a new flare to their wardrobe for a fresh and new look this season. Colored denim is a great way to show off your personality in a fashionable yet casual way. Celebrities have been giving this trend mainstream attention with their color blocking style by dressing up or down their outfits. What’s great about this trend is that it isn’t gender specific. Celebrities such as Rihanna, Kim Kardashian, and even Justin Bieber have all been spotted sporting the current trend.

This trend is one that takes some getting used to because not every color is going to look good on everyone’s skin tone.  In order to make this style look best you are better off pairing your colored denim with a simple neutral toned top or jacket. I find that wearing white, black, or gray tee shirts are the safest and most visually pleasing routes to take. By wearing a simple neutral tone, the color from the denim is able to pop and stand out without the outfit looking too loud. Colored denim cries out for fun accessories and shoes. The style of the accessories and shoes can take the simple denim outfit from trendy and flirty to laid back and carefree in a matter of minutes.

So experiment and let your mood and personality shine through your wardrobe! If you are feeling happy, wear something bright. And if you’re feeling a little blue, well cobalt looks great on everyone! No matter your mood, one thing is for certain - you can always feel confident stomping down the sidewalk in your bold, look-at-me pants and effortless style. 

Once Wed

Everyone thinks about it…

That glorious day when love and all things beautiful meet.

From the venue to the flowers, the invitations and dress – a wedding showcases your taste and design aesthetic. Tucked away in a shoebox under the bed or in an ambiguous folder on your Macbook are pages ripped out of magazines and images downloaded from the web.

We’re not crazy. It’s just premature planning, ya know?

Once Wed is a website that finally recognizes and facilitates our obsession.

Launched in 2008, Once Wed is a daily blog that archives notable weddings, supplies fresh ideas and DIY projects, provides vendor contact information and offers an outlet for the solicitation of used dresses.

Until that moment comes, we can fixate on other's. And when the day does arrive… you’ll be ready.

Stylitics: Virtual Wardrobe and Style Assistant

By Christy Lucca

Stylitics.com is an up-and-coming website that coins itself as “your own personal style assistant that makes being stylish easier than ever.” Thousands of fashionistas have been testing out this new style platform, which launched late last year. Stylitics offers a way for its users to view their wardrobe virtually while incorporating personal style trends, outfit history, and connections to popular brands.

The website serves to facilitate a smarter way for people to make decisions about their wardrobe. Users can input every item in their wardrobes and update them according to what they buy and wear each day. For each item, Stylitics will show the last time you wore it and other items you wear most with it. It keeps track of how much you spend on your wardrobe, so you can make smarter buys. It also sends alerts according to trends in your area and new ways to wear items in your wardrobe.

One of our own Design and Merchandising students at Drexel, Caitlin Stelben, is a campus representative for the company. She believes that, “It’s beneficial to students because they receive feedback about what they wear, allowing them to make smarter purchase choices in the future.”

Stylitics is the first website of its kind and revolutionizes the way people think about their own style. One of its biggest perks is the rewards and incentives from brands the more you use the website. After its launch, Stylitics will continue to grow and could potentially become the next biggest “trend.”

Visit the following websites for more information: http://www.stylitics.com/

http://www.facebook.com/Stylitics

http://stylitics.tumblr.com/

Can you see us now?

SOPA

By: Candice Watts

For as long as people have been freely surfing the worldwide web, there have been arguments over copyright infringement and financial loses.

SOPA or the Stop Online Priacy Act is a bill introduced on October 26th, 2011. The bill was proposed by Texas Republican Lamar S. Smith, to expand the ability of U.S. law enforcement to fight online trafficking in copyrighted intellectual property and counterfeit goods. In other words, SOPA would make it possible for companies to block the domain names of web sites that are simply capable of, or seem to encourage copyright infringement. The bill, if made into a law, would also allow rights holders to cut off the source of funding of any potentially infringing web site. This means if a website has a tool that provides users to post information, such as YouTube.com or Tumblr.com, and the posted information exhibits copyright infringement, any other companies doing business with this site would have to stop, including search engines and advertising companies.

On Wednesday, January 18th, there was the largest online protest in history, when Google.com got over seven million people to sign petitions against the bill. Other websites such as Wikipedia.com and its British partner Reddit.com organized an Internet ‘black-out’ which cut off their services for a day and replaced them with a link to contact your local senator.

After a heated protest, Senator Smith decided to postpone endeavors to draft the bill. This was seen as a “win” for the Internet and the 7 million people that protested against one of what could have been the worst move on the government's part.

There Can Never be Enough Color on Your Wrists

By Tatiana Beckman

My wrists are never naked. Over the winter break I did some holiday shopping for myself and family and no matter where I went I was always distracted by bracelets. I love finding bracelets with pops of color and unique styles. When we find something unique, many of us say, “Oh, I can make that!” and walk away from the usually over-priced piece of jewelry. Although I have given in on a few things myself, I also stuck to my word and made some bracelets of my own. I bought string, links and clasps from AC Moore and searched for a little inspiration. I love the idea of mixing materials because it adds fun and sophistication into one accessory. You can wear all the pieces at once or layer them with a charm bracelet and watch. There is nothing boring about layering bracelets, rings or any jewelery, and every piece you buy and stylize will be unique. Just remember when you say you can make it, you really can, so stop spending $20 on friendship bracelets when a pack of string costs $4. 

Best Pictures of 2011 (No Relation or Association to the Oscars)

Nominations for the Oscars have finally be announced today. With that, I have thirty-three days to see nine of the ten films that are up for Best Picture this year. As I tried to predict which films would make the cut into the category, I saw many movies this year, hoping that it would decrease the stress of the next month of constant film screening. Needless to say, I guessed the films incorrectly, and I sit with the challenge of nine films in thirty-three days.

Several of the films that I consider to be the best of 2011 unfortunately won’t be recognized as such. Because of that, I have created the the Best Picture award as voted by a committee consisting of myself. The nominees do not receive anything for being mentioned in this blog, sadly. With that, here are the nominees for the Robert Reynolds “Best Picture” Award:

The Descendants / Alexander Payne

This is the one film on my list that also exists on the official Oscars list. Staring George Clooney as a man whose wife slips into a coma after a boating accident, he must deal with the troubled times of his family, while also amidst the selling of a huge amount of property he owns. This only gets troubled further when his older daughter tells him that his wife had been cheating on him prior to falling into the coma. With the scenery on the beautiful islands of Hawaii, we realize that family issues exist even in the most paradise-like places. An amazing cast with a beautiful, simple, and true story lays the groundwork for one of the best films of the year. (It also doesn’t hurt that 50-year-old Clooney is looking better than ever.)

Like Crazy / Drake Doremus

Like Crazy, like The Descendants, is beautiful, simple, and comes across as pure and true. While on a semester abroad, British beauty, Anna, falls for an American boy, Jacob. Her visa expires, but infatuated with her relationship, she stays in California. They have a quirky, cute relationship that makes you smile while sitting in the dark by yourself. She returns home to the United Kingdom to see her family, and once trying to reenter the US to see Jacob, she is informed that she isn’t allowed back into the country because of her offense of overstaying her visa. The movie shows their struggles of wanting to be together, actually being together, wanting to be apart, and being forced to be apart. The film is beautifully shot and has an amazing soundtrack to accompany the scenes.

Bridesmaids / Paul Feig

Simply stated: one of the funniest films I have ever seen. I’ve seen this one in the range of twenty to thirty times since it came out. With a basic story of a group of bridesmaids’ adventures between engagement announcement to wedding day, the major success is in the writing and the cast. This movie is proof that girls can tell a fart joke, and even tell it more successfully than their male comedian counterparts. Every member of the cast delivers a different element to the group, and together create a riot to watch. This movie is one of those that you will end up quoting into your life more than you’d expect, as I find myself making a Bridesmaids reference almost daily now. While Kristin Wiig and Maya Rudolph are the leads and are both tremendously funny, Melissa McCarthy gives the most hilarious performance from a supporting actress in recent history.

Beginners / Mike Mills

Beginners gives proof that no matter how old we get, we can still be considered beginners in relationships. Ewan McGregor stars along side of the beautiful Mélanie Laurent in an unexpected relationship that is equally involving of his dog, Cosmo. Christopher Plummet, nominated for an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor, plays McGregor’s father who comes out as gay in his seventies and spends his final years of life proudly and openly being gay while fighting cancer. Each time I’ve watched Beginners, it has managed to make me cry during both happy scenes and quite opposite scenes. Beginners is another film where the soundtrack in bang-up and completely sets the tone for the film.

Weekend / Andrew Haigh

I had previously reviewed Weekend for this blog a few months back, so if you’d like a complete review of it, go back a few pages to check that out. Weekend is an honest depiction of a gay relationship that lasts for, as the title suggests, a weekend. While the relationship is brief, it is sweet and true. They reveal things about themselves that often don’t come out until much later in relationships, and also manage to be extremely believable characters with many dimensions, which differs from the often one-sided gay characters that are displayed in films. Weekend is a much different variation on the traditional love story, but still comes off very charming and sweet.

Christian Dior Spring 2012 Couture

The 2012 Spring Couture shows have arrived, and after a year of scandal, the Dior house seems to be regaining an even keel. After a rollercoaster of a collection presented during the Fall 2011 Couture show, John Galliano’s former right-hand man and current stand-in Bill Gaytten presented forty cohesive looks. The Spring 2012 Dior couture collection harkened back to the New Look. The color palette was simple, ranging from white to grey to black, with pops of red and deep purple. The first look out featured the wide lapels, nipped waist and full skirt characteristic of the New Look. A romantic embellished floral pattern danced along the see-through taffeta skirt, mixing the sweet nature of yesteryear with the bold and risqué element of modernity. The full-skirts gave way to the wrap jacket and pencil skirt that were also popular in the late 1940’s, and again, the see-through fabric gave the collection a modern twist. A luxe array of fabrics and textures also added to the rather traditional silhouettes. Sleek black alligator-skin jackets were paired with delicate skirts, as if to counterbalance the delicate pieces that preceded them. The beautifully constructed collection gave way to floor-length gowns that appeared to be variations of the first dresses in full bloom. Tight-fitting bodices exploded into huge, flared skirts that consumed the runway in ruffles and pleated tulle.

Gaytten’s nod to the original house of Dior coupled with the grandiose and artful notions that Galliano brought to the house in 1996 show that Galliano’s right-hand man might have what it takes to assume the position of creative director at the scandal-stricken company. With multiple collections being displayed after Galliano’s departure, it seems as though LVMH is unable to find the perfect replacement for the line. Perhaps this collection will solidify Gaytten’s place as the final contender for the position of creative director at Dior.

- Melanie

Philanthropy In The Industry

Philanthropy.   A word rarely associated with the fashion industry or its partakers, but Tory Burch has proven otherwise.  A native from Pennsylvania, she has become a model business woman in her philanthropic approach to running her business and supporting the lives of individuals who share her same dream.

I was surprised to hear that this amazing designer took the time to offer guidance and support to women across America, who are trying to start up businesses to provide for their families.  Burch’s outlook is to give resources to exceptional individuals that don’t have access to it and teaching them about finances and skills to run a business.  It is more about investing in the hope of the American, rather than throwing out money to people that might not know how to use it or spend it.  She is creating job opportunities that are declining in a time of economic disarray.

Her efforts can be praised, as she is supporting a new generation, like myself, that looks for social responsibility and patronage in companies and corporations.  But why wouldn’t you want to share your knowledge and expertise?  Wisdom is meant to be passed along, so that our world can mature and advance to bigger and better things.  Like Burch, I don’t see it as creating competition, but a way to reward others and yourself for your personal achievements.

Restaurant Week: Is It Really a Good Deal?

After staring at the intimidating list of restaurants over and over again, my family and I decided on a new restaurant to try for lunch. It was the first day of restaurant week and the new Jose Garces restaurant, Garces Trading Company, was booked! The atmosphere was chaotic yet fascinating, as people were crammed next to one another with servers running from table to table. The French-inspired restaurant, opened last February, was set up like a market, with a house-cured charcuterie, wine shop, and retail items such as coffee, olive oil and vinegars. The restaurant serves as a quick spot to grab lunch or a place to sit down and unwind with a nice glass of wine. 

For restaurant week, lunch is $20 per person and for dinner it is $35 per person. Typically, lunch is three courses. My family decided that because portions would be smaller, we would all try different items on the menu and share. The goal was to leave full and satisfied. Among the different dishes we had mozzarella cheese, pasta fagioli, house antipasti, scallops, pan panelle, citron and winter verrine. At the end of each course, each of us found ourselves with a different plate sitting in front of us. 


With five restaurants in Philadelphia, Jose Garces did not fail to live up to our expectations. Normally, a meal for the four of us would cost $75; in this case it was over $100 after we made some purchases at the market. At the end of lunch my dad, a first-timer on the Restaurant Week train, asked if it was worth the $20 deal. I thought to myself and came to the conclusion that although I would normally order one dish for under $20, I loved the fact that I could try a few different appetizers, entrees, and desserts. The entire experience was definitely worth it. All types of foodies can enjoy restaurants that they may not try if it weren't for Restaurant Week, (including college students who do not have a lot of money). The secret behind the Restaurant Week hype is that it seems cheap for three [mini] courses, or four for dinner, and people have a chance to say, "I ate at a great restaurant for a great price!"

NYFW cordially invites you...

It's New York Fashion Week....show schedules are jam packed. How do you decide which shows to attend? I personally adore these cards as I think emails are a little overused nowadays. If I'm was VIP or a VVIP, I'd want to get an invite card in the mail. A handwritten one would be even more impressive.

-Best Athayu

15 minutes of critic fame.

That golden time has come and gone and is now swimming aimlessly throughout the most searched topics on the web. From ‘sexy and sultry’ to ‘frumpy and what the hell were they seeing when they looked in the mirror,’ photos are flooding news feeds all over. Everything from celebs to even the bugs on the red carpet were being criticized for what they were wearing so I thought I’d say forget what the critics say and listen to what Amanda Rodriguez has to say. This is an article I’d like to call 15 minutes of critic fame where I’ll showcase the most fab and burn your eyes with the most drab.

STONE fox:
Emma Stone wore a breath-taking color blocked plum and raspberry Lanvin gown which complimented her pale milky skin wonderfully. Both the perfect mixture of edgy and elegant, with the dramatic eye and simple updo, this goofy clutz was nothing short of a fashion goddess.

Blue Ringer:

What do you get when you throw watercolors on a poorly draped table cloth? That’s right, Sarah Michelle Gellar’s dress. This dress was anything but flattering for this un-aging beaut. From hair to make-up I give this all thumbs down, but I do give thumbs up to her for wearing the dress her two-year-old daughter picked out. Sweet mother but there is a time to say no.