A Guide to Winter in LA

December 26, 2019

In LA, one might not have the most typical winter experience—it definitely feels different when it’s 65 degrees and sunny outside. It might be hard to engage in idyllic winter activities like building a snowman or enjoying a White Christmas, but don’t worry: there are plenty of festive and exciting things to do if you’re fortunate enough to spend your winter in LA.

What to See

The Grove: Get your holiday shopping done at the Grove, one of LA’s biggest shopping centers. There are plenty of stores to find gifts for your loved ones or to just treat yourself! Better yet, there’s no shortage of good food, from an extensive Farmer’s Market featuring homemade ice cream, a French market, and Brazilian barbecue, to Dominique Ansel Bakery’s delectable pastries, and a Pressed Juicery for your green juice fix. Throw in a 100-foot tall Christmas tree and plenty of other holiday decorations, and you’re all set for one very festive shopping experience.

LA Zoo Lights: For colorful lights galore, check out LA Zoo Lights! Think Lincoln Zoo Lights but larger, brighter, and more colorful. With plenty of installations, most notably a tunnel of rainbow lights, there are lots of photo ops for you and your friends or family to take some cute holiday pictures.

Enchanted Forest of Light: If you want even more lights, the Descanso Garden’s Enchanted Forest of Light has your needs covered. It’s a one-mile walk where you get to interact with unique, breathtaking light installations, such as a stained glass pond and a lit-up forest. Definitely a one-of-a-kind experience to enjoy!

What to Do

Disneyland: Disneyland during the holidays? What could be more magical? Enjoy a beautifully lit castle as well as other seasonal decorations as you wait in line for your favorite ride or munch on some Mickey-shaped snacks. Even if you don’t celebrate the holidays, there’s a lot of childhood magic to relive here. Take a picture with your favorite character, snack on some overpriced but delicious food, enter the world of your favorite movie through the rides and decorations, or check out the new addition of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. Wholesome fun for the whole family!

Ice Skating at LA Live: Located between the Staples Center and many concert venues, LA Live is the perfect place for some outdoor ice skating. It may not have as nice a downtown view like that of Chicago’s outdoor skating rinks, but at least it’s not freezing outside.

Hit the Beach: Speaking of nice weather, make sure to take advantage of the warmth by going to one of LA’s many beaches. If you want easy access to shopping and food, check out a popular beach like Santa Monica, Venice, or Malibu. For a less touristy option, check out Laguna or Long Beach.

Hike Griffith Park: If you’re a fan out the outdoors, make sure to go hiking in Griffith Park. You’ll get a nice uphill hike and be able to spot the Hollywood Sign and the Pacific Ocean. Once you get to the top, you’ll be met with the best view that LA has to offer! Also make sure to check out the Griffith Observatory for some cool space-themed exhibits or a chance to do some stargazing. If you want to enjoy the observatory and the view but don’t want to endure the hike, make sure to park downhill and take a bus up Mount Hollywood instead of having to suffer the hectic parking lot up the mountain.

What to Eat

Coffee: No matter the weather, what’s winter without some cozy drinks? For your coffee fix, try: Alfred Coffee, with the “But first, coffee.” cups you’ve likely seen all over Instagram; Blue Bottle Coffee, a cult favorite; Maru Coffee, featuring sleek minimalist decor; or Go Get Em Tiger, which has a cute and cozy atmosphere.

Ramen: Even in a California winter, hot drinks aren’t enough, and what’s a better warm comfort food than a bowl of ramen? Find some delicious noodles at: Daikokuya, Tsujita, Slurpin Ramen, or Ramen Maruya.

Other Recommendations: There are way too many food recommendations to categorize, so here are some more miscellaneous yummy recommendations: Commissary, a restaurant inside a greenhouse; Chosun Galbee, for the best KBBQ outside of Korea; North Italia, for some good fusion Italian food; Wanderlust Creamery, because it’s never too cold for ice cream and because they have really unique global flavors; Din Tai Fung, for life-changing xiao long bao; Urth Caffe; a basic but aesthetically pleasing choice with good sandwiches and good green tea; and Grand Central Market, a food hall where you can sample the best of the food LA has to offer.

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Chicago's 24th Annual Christkindlmarket is Now Open for the Season!

December 3, 2019

A Festive Chicago Tradition

As the Chicago days get colder, it’s become tempting to stay in my dorm room, turn up my radiator, and binge watch holiday episodes of Friends. However, to stay indoors this holiday season would be a mistake. Starting November 15th, Chicago opened its largest open-air Christmas market. And the festival is well-worth the trip North to Daley Plaza.

Inspired by Nuremberg, Germany’s famed Christkindlmarket (which began in 1545!), this year marks Chicago’s 24th Annual Christkindlmarket. The festival has grown over the years, to include a wide range of vendors from around the world—selling everything from fresh strudel, potato pancakes, and hot apple cider, to intricate Cuckoo clocks, pewter holiday ornaments, and Matryoshka dolls. Since I was little, I’ve loved attending Chicago’s Christkindlmarket with extended family and friends.

The Vendors: A Selection of My Favorites

To navigate Chicago’s Christkindlmarket with a to-do list of “must-see” vendors would be to miss the point. After all, the market is about more than completing holiday checklists. And while it’s undoubtedly a great opportunity for gift-purchasing and holiday photos, it’s also worth taking the time to enjoy the festive atmosphere; for a few hours in downtown Chicago, visitors feel as though they’ve been transported to a German fairytale. And the experience itself is worth pausing to enjoy.

Nonetheless, I left this year’s market with a few favorite vendors worth mentioning. And what follows is a description of a few standout vendors - although it is by no means exhaustive. The point is not to create a “must-see” list; rather, the point is to illustrate the wide variety of fun holiday goods, available this year.

Arrow Mattick: Homemade Soaps, Wickless Candles, and Natural Products from Crystal Lake, IL

Located just to the left of the Christkindlmarket’s main entrance, Arrow Mattick’s wickless candles may have been my favorite find, this year. Since moving into UChicago’s housing, I’ve really missed the scent of burning candles. And while string lights can act as aesthetic candle-replacements, I had wrongly assumed that there was no replacement for the scent of holiday candles. However, Arrow Mattick produces a wide selection of wickless candles—which smell great, without the hassle of a flame (and the fear of accidentally burning down my dorm). My favorite three scents from Arrow Mattick are Christmas Pine, Merry Mistletoe, and Berry Christmas. I opened a wickless Christmas Pine candle on my dresser, as soon as I returned from this year’s market - and now my room smells like fresh Christmas trees!

TeaGeschwendner: Premium Loose Leaf Tea from Chicago, IL and Meckenheim, Germany

It was admittedly difficult to narrow down the choices at this vendor’s stall. With teas ranging from Rooibush Eggnog, Rooibush Cream Caramel, and black Christmas, to a Tea Advent Calendar, the stall offers many holiday-inspired teas. My favorites were the Snowman Tea and the Rooibush Eggnog.

Wooden Wonders: Traditional Hand-Crafted Slavic Gifts from Eastern Europe

As a Russian and Eastern European Studies major, I always keep my eye out for this stand. The stall features a wide range of Matroyshka dolls and Eastern European holiday ornaments. And it’s especially fun to study the larger Matroyshka dolls, towards the back of the stall; they feature scenes from beloved Eastern European fairytales. My favorite Matroyshka doll (pictured above) came from this fairytale-section of the stall!

Sweet Castle

My dad and little brother love this vendor. Selling everything from lucky marzipan pigs, to gingerbread cookies, vegetarian Haribo Smurf gummies, and chocolate-filled German music boxes, this vendor is worth the wait to get inside. I especially love Sweet Castle’s Edelmarzipan Mit Kirsche (a marzipan-cherry-chocolate candy).

Chiya Chai: Delicious Chai, Pie and Donuts from Chicago, IL

Each year, the Christkindlmarket features a different collector’s mug (this year’s new designs are pictured above). Many different vendors sell these mugs, but I especially liked Chiya Chai’s stand. They sell collector’s mugs filled with hot chocolate, hot cider, or hot chai for $8.00 (which is less money than the $10.00 price nearby, so be sure to compare prices!). Chiya Chai also sells mini donuts and savory and sweet pies, among other foods. I especially liked their Kale and Potato Pie.

And a Few More Vendor Favorites, Pictured Below:

Hoffman Company: German Wood Art from Dresden, Germany

Bienes Honighaus: Gifts Made from Honey from Augsburg, Germany

Black Forest Clocks, from Germany’s Black Forest

In addition to the vendors featured above, the Käthe Wolfahrt of America building is another festive market stop. There’s sometimes a short wait to get into the building, but it’s worth it; the building features everything from wooden ornaments and Christmas napkins, to German playing cards and advent calendars. It’s one of the prettiest components of the market, but photos aren’t allowed - otherwise this article would be filled with many images of Käthe Wolfahrt’s holiday goods!

The Details:

When: November 15-December 24
- Hours: Friday-Saturday 11am-9pm; Sunday-Thursday 11am-8pm (with special hours on Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve)
Where: Daley Plaza, 50 W Washington St., Chicago, Illinois
Free Admission!

The Globalization of Black Friday

November 29, 2019

It’s the last week of November, which for Americans means that Thanksgiving is just around the corner. While for some this means getting away and going home for the short holiday break, Thanksgiving has also increasingly become the holiday that marks the start of a near endless rollout of sales, deals, and insane holiday gift shopping. The irony of giving thanks for the things which we already have on Thursday and then hitting the shopping malls to acquire all which we do not yet own on Friday does not seem to be a deterrent for the consumer culture created by Black Friday. For most companies, it is such a profitable time that they extend their typical sale period into the following week, now known as Cyber Monday.

“Almost Black Friday Sale” by Urban Outfitters. Via: www.urbanoutfitters.com

But the shopping holiday has expanded, with companies offering sales the week leading up to Black Friday and the week following it as well, so as to encourage more spending. In the U.S., shoppers collectively spend an estimated $14.5 billion during this period every year.

Via: https://www.pureprofile.com/infographic-what-we-know-about-black-friday-cyber-monday-shoppers/

Interestingly enough, the all-American shopping holiday is now also beginning to spread around the world. From France to Argentina to Japan, people and companies all around the world are beginning to quite literally buy into the phenomenon of Black Friday.

The globalization of Black Friday started around 2010, when companies like Amazon realized the potential to seriously profit from this holiday and expanded their sales to the U.K. From there, it began to spread through other international sales giants and garnered market competition. The more attractive the online sales were for U.S.-based companies, the more local retailers had to compete with the prices and discounts offered by companies abroad. Now, Black Friday is as much a global phenomenon as it is a uniquely American holiday.

However much it spreads around the world, it is a curious fact that wherever Black Friday occurs, the advertisements for it are always in English, regardless of which countries the sales are occuring in. It is not unusual to see a Black Friday sale sign written entirely in a foreign language except for the bolded, stand-out phrase “Black Friday” on it. In a way, the holiday has begun to globally export not only sale prices, but also American shopping culture.

For more insane numbers on Black Friday, read this World Economics Forum summary: https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2017/11/black-friday-in-numbers/

Feature image via.

5 Original Ways of Saying 'Thank You' This Festive Season

November 13, 2019

With Thanksgiving and Christmas just around the corner, it’s that time of year when we slowly start to reflect on our blessings, and think about those close to us for whom we are grateful. It’s a time for hitting pause on our high-paced schedules, consciously showing that extra bit of appreciation that gets lost over the course of routine. Forget the last minute dinner speeches and rushed goodbyes and, instead, try out some of these five original ways of saying thank you this festive season.

Write a Letter… and Mail It!

With the rise of the digital era, pen and paper sounds as past-century as black and white TV when it comes to reaching out to our loved ones. It’s incredibly convenient to simply hit a couple of buttons on our phones and talk to people over FaceTime or text… which is precisely what makes receiving a hand written letter in the mail so special. Nowadays, no one goes through such trouble of creating something physical to communicate, making the surprise element even better. Try adding on a wax seal at the end to really go the extra mile.

2. Send a Voice Note

Again we go back to the past time of phone calls… but with a modern spin. Sending a voice note to say thank you allows for the feeling of realness to really come across, while also giving you the means to plan your message ahead, and re-do if need be. An unexpected and hearty voice note after a long time of text-only conversations is sure to brighten up the receiver’s day. If you’re talented, try reciting a poem or singing a song too.

3. Stick On Surprise Post-It Notes

If you know that your friend has a set working space or office desk, try leaving some post-it notes throughout the week to show your appreciation. A sweet, short message can go a long way!

4. Record a Video

Another original idea is to record yourself sharing your message. To give it a more creative feel, try filming/editing the video on one of the many vintage camera apps that are easy to download and use, such as 8mm.

5. Get Typing and Email

Expecting nothing but work-related headlines to be filling their inboxes, emailing your loved ones can pose a great unexpected surprise during a busy day of tasks or classes. Try adding a fun twist to your message by writing as formally as you normally would on work emails!

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Source: https://unsplash.com/photos/p2OQW69vXP4

Get Bae Something Special This Valentine's

February 1, 2019

I get it… Valentine’s Day is quickly approaching and you’re probably wondering what to get your boo. Chances are you don’t want to go into overkill, but also want to express some sort of affection without being too materialistic. Besides the obvious CVS/Target run to get those iconic heart-shaped box of chocolates and maybe a bouquet of flowers or whatever, you might be at a loss for ideas. So you’re welcome, I’m here to help!

As a self-proclaimed gift-giving guru, I compiled a list of gift ideas to save you from retail misery–while also supporting some cool artists! While thoughtful presents are always more meaningful, here’s a list of low-commitment, low-effort gifts for 2019.

Tapestry

Does bae still have the basic mandala tapestry that literally every college freshman seems to have in their room? Either they still live in a dorm or got lazy and picked the only tapestry available on Amazon or just didn’t put *that* much thought into room decoration. Spice up the interior design by showing your love for their idiosyncrasies. This one definitely fits me, and I assure you that one that will fit your person is floating around somewhere.
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Ultra_Facial_Moisturizer_3700194712068_2.5fl.oz..jpg — Moisturizer

What says “I love you” more than skincare? It’s winter. It’s cold and it’s dry, and you should want your significant other to have a well moisturized, non-crusty face. In the name of skincare, pick up a solid moisturizer because good skin belongs to all genders! I’m currently obsessed with Belif’s Aqua Bomb and Boscia’s Cactus Water Moisturizer, but there’s all types of moisturizers for all skin types in every price range.
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Yoga Mat

Maybe you’re dating a big Yogi. Maybe there was a brief New Year’s resolution about working out or starting up yoga. Maybe you just want an excuse to have a yoga mat. What often serves as a functional workout tool can also double as a cute decorative accent in a room! Society6 offers a great selection of yoga mats with personality, and I highly recommend getting one.
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Personalized Book

This is just the perfect amount of personalization without breaking the bank this year. Available on Urban Outfitters for just $10, you can fill in the blanks on endless pages of prompts on why your special person is so special to you. Of course, if you’re looking for something a little fancier and more personalized, you can opt for an illustrated version on lovebookonline.com.
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Mugs

The good half of this year is likely to be freezing cold, if you haven’t already caught on to this winter vibe. Why not spice up your mugs with some personalization or a cute little message as a reminder of affection to accompany those endless coffee and tea binges while studying throughout the quarter? Etsy has a wide selection of different designs that surely have something that will match everyone’s tastes.
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Your 2018 Holiday Gift Guide

December 17, 2018

Holiday shopping can be hard, so we’ve gone ahead and done the job for you. Keep scrolling for a roundup of our favorite gift recommendations for the holiday season, crowdsourced from the MODA Blog writing and photography staff!

For Family

shoutout-to-aldi-for-these-diptyque-wannabes-aldi-aldiuk-aldicandles-candle-candles-reeddiffuser-interior-hygge-myhyggehome-myhomevibe-actualinstagram.jpg — Candles

It’s already difficult enough deciding what to gift your close family members, but distant relatives seem nearly impossible to figure out. I mean, what are you supposed to gift that cousin you only see once a year on Christmas or that uncle that you barely talk to? Say no more, candles are the perfect gift to purchase for someone who you might not know very well. Everyone has a room in their house that can use a little sprucing up and a pleasant-smelling candle can do just that! Of course, any old candle from Target might not do the trick if you want to seem like you put in some effort. If you’re feeling generous and have some extra cash lying around, then look into candles from Diptyque or Byredo! During the holiday season, department stores tend to carry gift sets as well. One gift set containing five mini Diptyque candles retails for $75 here. A cheaper option would be a single candle from Byredo for $40 and can be found here.
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Sheet Masks

Every time I go home, my mom asks me the same three questions: “How was school?,” “Are you hungry?” and “Did you bring me any face masks from America?” So I dedicate this gift to her. Face masks are a super easy gift to get for anybody in your life, but I always like getting them for my family since we all like to mask together during the holidays. Family bonding over skin care I suppose! Anyways, sheet masks are great during those cold and dry winter months where you may forget to practice a little bit of self-care. They come in so many varieties and can be purchased in bulk for all you last minute, buy-all-your-friends-the-same-present shoppers. I really like the *Innisfree My Real Squeeze Masks*, the *TonyMoly I’m Real Sheet Masks,* and the Face Shop’s Real Nature masks, but I’ve also heard great things about *Tatcha* and *SKII*’s Sheet Masks if you’re looking to splurge.
Image via Innisfree.com

A Class

Chances are your parents/aunts/uncles/grandparents still reminisce about college and the good old days every now and then. Well, good news: it’s never too late to pick up a new skill and you’re never done learning! Sign them up for a local lecture series in a topic they’ve expressed interest in… or maybe in one they have never even heard of! Snag them some class passes for a fun new exercise routine, art course or book club. A gift like this shows how much you care and pushes the older folks in your life out of their comfort zone.
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Barware Set

Alcohol is always a fairly foolproof gift, but why not up the ante and invest in some nice new barware for a parent or older relative? Whether you decide to splurge on a whole set of barware or simply stumble upon a cute cocktail shaker, a gift like this is bound to be used and appreciated by a loved one (rather than re-gifted for the next round of holidays!). It also saves you the trouble of trying to find a nice bottle of wine/liquor/beer that doesn’t scream “I judged this bottle by the label.”
Image via West Elm

For Friends

Nail Polish

This is a foolproof gift. There’s a color or style for any of your friends guaranteed, and it’s so easy to put together amazing and personal combinations for anybody in your life. Not to mention, brands will always have huge discounts and amazing gift sets around this time of year so really, there’s no reason *not* to pick up some colors for the holidays. Some of my faves include Zoya’s *Winter Wishes* set for the friend who loves getting glam for the holidays, China Glaze’s *The Grinch* collection for the friend who is a little bit experimental, and Essie’s fall mattes for anyone who’s just getting started with polish. And honestly, you might as well go ahead and pick up some for yourself. For the holiday season, I highly recommend anything with a little bit of shine to it–it’s a pretty quick way to add some holiday cheer to any look!
Image via Zoya.com

Stationery

Okay, so I know that nobody wants to think about school over the holidays, but when stationery is as cute as this, I would be happy to receive school supplies any day. Whether you’re looking to inspire a friend to get organized in 2019, or maybe feeding a stationery junkie’s aesthetic cravings, you can’t go wrong with these picks. For a really special and unique journal, I definitely recommend Mossery’s custom pads. Not only can you get an adorable corgi-filled notebook, but you can actually have your name (or your friend’s name) printed on the cover. Custom presents are always a fun way to make something all the more special for the recipient, and with a journal, it’s the kind of thing they’ll be using every day. I’m also a big fan of Zebra Mildliners, which are now sold at Target in packs of 15 for $17! Originally sold exclusively in Japan, these amazing pastel highlighters are a staple for any bullet journalist, or aesthetic-note taker. Finally, if you’re looking to buy a cohesive set of stationery for that hardcore academic without breaking the bank, I stand by Muji stationery. Whether it’s their world famous gel pens or their adorable washi tapes, or honestly any of their super minimal desk supplies, you can please even the most meticulous friend.
Image via mossery.com

Speakers

Speakers are the perfect gift for that music loving friend who loves throwing parties, but really anyone can stand to benefit from a nice new speaker. Urban Outfitters has a ton of options for the aesthetically-inclined, whether you’re looking for a small portable gadget, to a waterproof speaker (for that friend who loves singing in the shower), to a turntable for the friend who still swears by vinyl. For a roundup of some of the best portable speakers on the market, check out this review.
Image via Urban Outfitters

Personalized Jewelry

Monograms, horoscopes, birthdates… the popularity of personalized jewelry has hit a fever pitch (judging from my Instagram feed and shameless targeted advertising). For a cute charm with your BFF’s initials, you can look to almost any big box retailer (the necklaces to the left are from Anthro). For something a little more unique and personable, spend some time perusing Etsy, which has literally endless options for personalized jewelry. This is a great option if you’re looking for multiple gifts for friends with a wide variety of interests and personal styles.
Image via Anthropologie

For Someone Special

81x5ucbWXOL._SL1500_.jpg — Polaroid Camera

Okay, a little bit of an investment, but if you want something that you and your SO can use together, I think a Polaroid camera would be a great idea. In the age of social media, photo-editing and face-tuning, it can be really difficult to get the instant gratification that a printed photograph brings. Polaroid photos are instantly printed memories with no filters or enhancements necessary, just life captured in its raw state. Purchasing a Polaroid camera is also an incentive to go out and make more memories with the person you love! Check out MODA’s article on polaroids to help you find your perfect fit.
Image via amazon.com

Beauty Sets

Finding the right beauty item for your makeup-junkie partner can be quite an exhausting search down the Internet rabbit hole. Instead of trying to pinpoint the product they can’t live without, take advantage of holidays beauty sales and snag a beauty set. These are pretty foolproof, offer an array of different products in sample sizes–perfect for testing out!–and won’t break the bank. If you’re still lost, you can gage how worthwhile the investment is by skimming through customer reviews or asking a store associate.
Image via Urban Outfitters.

Concert Tickets

What better way to surprise your partner than with tickets to a show or concert they’ve been dying to see? Chicago’s concert schedule is constantly filling up with newly announced shows, and with venues of all sizes and styles to choose from, you have your pick of anything from symphonies, to intimate gigs or stadium tours. If you’re looking for something more adventurous, comedy shows, musicals, plays and dance performances are also solid bets.
Image via StubHub

A Weekend Away

School sucks (for the most part), so why not whisk your loved one off to a nearby locale for a change of pace and scenery? With app-based rental services like ZipCar and AirBnB popping up everywhere, it doesn’t have to cost you much to take a mini weekend road trip. Venture out to Lake Geneva, WI for a beautiful retreat from Chicago’s harsh winter, or make the trek out to Starved Rock State Park and escape from city life. If you’re looking for somethign a little more metropolitan, major cities like Detroit, Minneapolis, Milwaukee, Columbus, Cleveland and Cincinnati are only a short ride away and definitely worth exploring!
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How to Smartly Navigate Holiday Beauty Releases

December 5, 2018

Sephora floods with holiday gift releases around October, which is honestly a little rude. No one realistically considers gift shopping this early in the year. If you’re even slightly interested in the makeup scene, this time of year brings in more than just general interest from new releases; it seems like the best time to save money on products you’ve been eyeing all year through bundles and other techniques the brands have. But after being a veteran to the holiday season makeup hauls, I’m here to give you some insight so you don’t have to make the same mistakes I did, or even worse, buy a present that sucks for someone else.

Ignore Theoretical Retail Value

Beauty brands love to do this evil thing to its consumers where they put a “originally sells for” or “has a value of” price under the holiday selling price. Who doesn’t love to maximize gift value without inflating the price tag? Well, this is an evil scam we all need to learn to ignore. It’s common knowledge that a single Anastasia Beverly Hills shadow or an Hourglass highlighter has an individual price tag of about $10-20 per pop. But everyone also knows that it is so much more economical to buy palettes. This is sort of the same knowledge that applies to holiday set pricing; the brands inflate pricing value to make it seem like you’re saving more money. This year’s “new” holiday release from Tarte, Pineapple of My Eye Collector Set (retailing for $59 this year) is a perfect example of the holiday scam season. Containing about the same shadow amount as a regular palette, a blush/bronzer quad, and some miscellaneous eye and lip products, this set looks like a great deal. When looking deeper into it, the miscellaneous products are easily redeemable as free samples on the Tarte website with each purchase, and the palette only costs around $9-10 more than regular palettes. So basically, you’re paying a little more than usual for a blush/shadow duo palette… which really isn’t that original or groundbreaking.

Beware of Product Quality

I love myself a Marc Jacobs shadow, so obviously seeing a massive Marc Jacobs holiday palette made me shake last year. I bought it, for a pretty hefty price too, and then found myself more than disappointed. In hindsight, I’m not very surprised. The skyrocketing demand for makeup in the holiday season coupled with the effects on mass producing theme-less products is bound to create some deterioration in product value and quality. But for Marc Jacobs, I expected better. The only impressive part of this holiday palette was its packaging, deviating from the regular sleek, black packaging classic to the brand. What disappointed me the most was the patchiness and lack of pigment in the palette. The quality fell so starkly compared to the regular releases from the brand. I’ve heard similar horror stories from brands like Too Faced, so if you see a product in the holiday season that seems too good to be true, you’re probably right.

New Isn’t Really “New”

Here’s my biggest issue with holiday releases: the products aren’t really new. Either the products in the holiday packages are just smaller sizes of currently existing products that are slightly smaller or bigger than the travel-sizes or they are just repackaged releases of the previous year’s holiday bundle. I think it deceives newer customers into thinking they’re getting a great deal when they’re not. A lot of times, the smaller products are bundled with other products that end up overpricing the holiday collection for little value. It ruins the point and originality of holiday releases that are supposed to make them special.

Maybe with this information, people will just opt to doing what I’ve done in the past. Instead of getting special people non-special gifts with incoherent price tags, I normally pick out something a little higher on the price point, but a product that is loved by everyone, something that really works, or something that I think will match the personality of the gift receiver. Let’s stop picking easy, generalizable gifts… it’s only begging for the inevitable relegation to re-gifting.

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How to Craft the Perfect July 4th Cookout

June 29, 2018

July 4th is fast approaching so it's about time to dust off the grill and invite friends over to watch the fireworks! Whether you'll be sipping beers on the Point, enjoying the display on Navy Pier, or celebrating in another city entirely, keep reading for a roundup of recipes perfect for any July 4th cookout. And for even more foolproof recipes, check out our article from last summer.

Chips and Guac

It doesn't get much better than an appetizer as simple and refreshing as tortilla chips and a side of freshly-made guacamole. This recipe only takes 20 minutes of prep time and utilizes a handful of in-season ingredients. Let it sit for an hour before serving.

Strawberry Avocado Spinach Salad with Poppyseed Dressing

The avocado theme continues with this super simple and refreshing salad recipe. With only 15 minutes of prep time required, toss together this salad and dress with mustard, vinegar and honey to complement the onions, strawberries, avocados and baby spinach. Add toasted almonds for a little crunch.

Mediterranean Grilled Chicken Kabobs with Cayenne Tahini Sauce

Burgers and hotdogs are a summer cookout staple, but if you have some extra time and/or are feeling ambitious, these chicken kabobs utilize a handful of spices probably lying around in your pantry to create a more memorable meal. The cayenne tahini sauce gives the whole dish a nice and unexpected kick, and as an added bonus, it only takes 12 minutes to cook on the grill!

Classic Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Macaroni and cheese is always a welcome dish on any table, and if you have an hour or two to whip together this dish, you're sure to please a lot of people. This recipe utilizes sharp Cheddar cheese as the centerpiece, but feel free to mix and match a handful of your favorite cheeses for a greater variety of flavors. Don't forget to season with plenty of pepper!

Grilled Fish Tacos

Utilize that grill again for this fun recipe. This site recommends mahi-mahi or Pacific halibut, but use your favorite fish or whatever is fresh and in season for the most successful rendition of this recipe. Incorporate your favorite summer veggies to complement your protein of choice and drizzle with lime.

Misc. Grilled Vegetables

Toss together some hardy veggies like eggplant, bell peppers, corn, zucchini, squash, asparagus, cremini mushrooms and onion in olive oil, vinegar, pepper and salt for a quick and easy side dish. Choose from your favorite spices and herbs for additional seasoning and grill for around 25-30 minutes or until the veggies have grill marks on either side.

Apple Pie

I always think of apple pie and a generous dollop of vanilla ice cream on the side as a classic summer dessert, but feel free to edit this recipe with fruits of your choosing (cherry, peaches, or blackberries work particularly well). Bake for 45 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and don't forget the ice cream!

Long Island Iced Tea

We've helpfully compiled a list of super simple summer cocktail recipes for you ahead of time, but if you're looking for something especially refreshing (and boozy), a homemade Long Island Ice Tea can be thrown together in under 10 minutes. This recipe utilizes a decent amount of vodka, rum, gin and tequila, so clear out that liquor cabinet and remember to hydrate in between drinks!

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It's the Holiday (Cocktail) Season!

December 13, 2017

A simple cocktail for nights in and good company.

Gifts for Fashion Forward Friends

December 11, 2017

We have officially traversed the divide from fall into the holiday season and it's time to start thinking about holiday shopping. Here are some quick pickups to help speed up dreaded task of finding the perfect gift.

Wear

Hot Sox ($8.00)

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2017 Holidays Gift Guide

December 5, 2017

December commenced in a flurry of finals and fleeting sunlight, and before we know it we'll be barreling towards winter break and the holidays. While your mind may still be fixated on term papers and exams, take a much needed study break and check out some of our holiday gift suggestions, perfect for family, friends, significant others or even an obligatory Secret Santa!

Olivia

Magma Sketchbooks

For all the artistically inclined people in your life! These beautiful sketchbooks (which you can purchase at the super cool stationary store Papersmiths) are made entirely of eco-friendly materials and provide plenty of blank pages for designs and sketches. Better yet, in the back of each sketchbook are subject-specific information and practical tools. Choose from Art & Illustration, Film & Animation, Architecture, Fashion Design and other subjects.

primary-boy-smells-group_1_1_1050x.progressive.jpg — Candle Set

Buying someone candles may seem like a cop out, but trust me it's not. Especially after moving off campus, candles have become my go-to for livening up the apartment. There are also a surprising amount of trendy candle brands out there right now, with interesting scents and spot-on packaging. Personal favorites include Boy Smells, Good Natured Soy, Replica and Madewell's recently launched line.

Portable Record Player

Record players really add a personal touch to your living space–especially as you start to amass a record collection of your own! I've always liked these portable Crosley record players (which you can find in an array of cool colors and finishes at Urban Outfitters (they're on sale too!!). Toss in a couple $1 vinyls from Hyde Park Records on 53rd and you've perfected the art of thoughtful gift-giving.

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Kardelen

Mejuri Jewelry

In my opinion, the best gift to give (and to receive!) is the gift of jewels. It's a personal, thoughtful gift that stays with the recipient for years to come. I first fell in love with Mejuri's jewelry when I saw their evil eye designs, but upon prowling their website a little further, I see that they have a bounty of simple, elegant little gold and silver pieces that are perfect for that girl in your life who chooses to stay understated (and whom everyone envies for her effortlessness). Image via

For Love and Lemons Bralettes

What you wear underneath is just as important as what's on top. These bralettes are endlessly comfy and downright sexy- just like For Love and Lemons. This is the perfect gift for that girl who loves to be chic in all aspects of her life. Image via

Lirika Matoshi Stars in Her Eyes Socks

I know these seem frivolous and wholly unnecessary, but where is the fun in a gift that is practical? Give the gift of glitter in this unique little stocking stuffer, which is perfect for pairing with strappy heels for a shimmery night out. Image via

Juliet

Sephora-Favorites-Superstars-Everyday-Must-Haves-Holiday-2017.jpg — Beauty Box Set

If you know someone who doesn't know how to start their beauty collection, Sephora's Superstar Everyday Must Haves has everything to satisfy their beauty needs from primer to highlight to liquid lipstick.

Clara Jewel Ear Jackets

Earrings usually get overlooked in a jewelry collection, so do your friend or family member a favor by getting them this dainty but detailed piece from Rebecca Minkoff!

Chicago Architecture Tour

Instead of a physical present, why not gift an experience? Give your special someone tickets to Chicago's famed architecture tour and have a chance to explore its rich history and scenery!

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Emilia

glass_water_bottle_w_cup_rituals_pink_petal_03_styled.jpg — Water Carafe

Whether you're buying a gift for someone who's in housing or has their own apartment, you can't go wrong with a classy (and millennial pink!) glass carafe. It's the perfect addition to a vanity or a bedside table. And let's be real: knowing you don't have to get up to go to the kitchen when you wake up parched sure helps you rest easy.

Sephora "Into the Stars" Palette

Suddenly "new year, new me" seems a lot more plausible. Sephora just started selling this limited mega-palette with more than a 75% discount. You can become your most makeup obsessed friend's favourite person overnight. Or you could just do what I did and buy it for yourself.

images.duckduckgo.jpg — Dodow

Have a friend who you're pretty sure hasn't left the Reg since third week? You may want to get them this. Dodow is an innovative device designed by insomniacs to help you get to sleep faster. The touch sensitive disk projects a soft light on your bedroom ceiling. By coordinating your breathing as the light expands and contracts, you're able to finally let yourself relax enough to nod off. And it really works.

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Yeju

Compartes Rose and Rosé Chocolate

My obsession with Compartes chocolate will never end. The packaging on each flavor is unique, fun, and perfect for a holiday gift. Each chocolate bar is $9.99, and the truffle sets are a bit pricier ranging from $59.99-$99.99. Roses and Rosé is in my opinion the most fun flavor Compartes has. The bright pink color of the chocolate is a bit shocking at first and the rosé salt on the back is a lot of fun. It'll be the perfect gift idea for someone with a sweet tooth.

Atelier Bloem Black Tulip Eau de Parfum

Atelier Bloem's fragrances are a bit bougie and expensive for a present, but if you're willing to go all out for this gifting season, this is the perfect thing to get, especially for a friend, girlfriend, mom, etc.. There are a lot of great scents in Atelier's selection, but this one is my absolute favorite. Black Tulip is such a clean, fresh scent. It's not overwhelmingly floral to the point that it smells like your grandmother, but it has enough strength to be bold. If my boyfriend got this for me, I'd probably die of happiness.

Kate Spade New York Monogram Cardholder

Cardholders are the best thing to happen to me since I graduated from my high school era of Lilly Pulitzer wristlets. They're compact, practical, and cute. Gifting this to a friend of yours will be a nod to her productivity, and you can't go wrong with Kate Spade's classic simplicity. These cardholders are available in various monogram letters, so you can customize it to your special someone.

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How to Spend $1K

December 1, 2017

With Black Friday and holiday season just around the corner, it's time to really start thinking about what you're going to get for that someone special this year. All the special deals and limited-edition releases makes this time of year an especially exciting time for someone as shopping-savvy as myself. I'm also a self-proclaimed gift giving genius.

The first thing I do is set up a solid budget. $1000 seems like a reasonable cap, and that's what I usually stick with. Next, I always think of what will really have sentimental meaning or a great reaction for the person receiving the present. To me, nothing says thoughtful gift more than seeing an easily recognizable blue Tiffany box.

For this holiday season, I present to you a down-to-earth, common but special item from Tiffany.

Behold... a tin can.

That's right! This year you can show the ones you care about that you really think they need a hunk of metal as an "everyday item." It's quite the decorative statement for the experimental interior designer.

Standing at a proud 4.5" with that "instantly recognizable, the signature Tiffany Blue® hue of this design’s enamel accent," this is the item that everyone will be raving over.

For a reasonable price of $1000, this item can be customized for an extra $45 engraving, so you can really express how you feel about the person you want to gift this to.

In all reality, this adds onto the trend of the endless cycle of absurdity consumer culture is creating. Knockoffs are objectively the worst, but if you're really feeling up to gifting a tin can, just go to Michael's.

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The Post-Thanksgiving and Pre-Holiday Outfit of the Year

November 26, 2017

Once in a blue moon, the fashion world's avant-garde tastes and my absurd personality harmonize to form perhaps the strangest approval of fashion-forward ideas. I couldn't get on board for the ultra-bougie Crocs or the Supreme labeled bricks, but something about this new item caught my eye and gives me the desire to offer it a rare but well-deserved gold star.

Coined as "swoveralls," this clearly millennial-targeted hybrid between sweats and overalls offers comfort of casual material mixed with the forgiving shape of overalls. It seems like the perfect time to release this piece - right when everyone's perpetually bloated from Thanksgiving food but still going straight into Christmas season with broken dreams of that bikini body that never will be.

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It's the perfect outfit that shows that you've given up on your New Year's Resolution, but that it's completely okay.

It’s national overalls day. Celebrate, it’s alright 🕺💃. I mean look at us we’re jumping for joy over here. Take 20% off with code SWOVIE20 because heck you deserve it. #swoveralls #nationaloverallsday

A post shared by The Great Fantastic (@thegreatfantastic.co) on Nov 20, 2017 at 6:03am PST

And fear not. Swoveralls will fit you, all your new extra loving pounds, and probably that box of cookies you've been staring at for the past 15 minutes. It comes in loosely sized categories of XS/S and M/L.

The company responsible for Swoveralls is The Great Fantastic, which really is a testament to how I feel about the clothing items they make. Swoveralls are made in three colors - navy, black, and gray - and are available to all genders. So far, The Great Fantastic has not ventured into other brilliant pieces, but I'll be on the lookout for more. This sort of brilliance doesn't just fade away.

Even though it's a bit pricey ($85 a pop) for something you'll most likely be wearing in bed all day, it's worth the investment.

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Step up Your Game with SprezzaBox

November 24, 2017

Creating a cohesive, business professional look is no easy feat. What colors match with what? What are the best grooming products or accessories? It can be a headache to get it all right. That’s why we at MODA partnered with SprezzaBox and let them take care of the mind-numbing shopping for things not always top of mind.

To give some background, SprezzaBox was founded in 2014 and is based in New York City. Sprezza, short for Sprezzatura, means dapper or stylish, without trying and that is the basis behind the brand. The mission is to remain stylish in an ever evolving environment. Through a SprezzaBox subscription you will get a box every month catered to work-wear fashion that is both dapper and a saver to the bank. With just $28 you get a box of goodies guaranteed to have a value of over $100. Inside of this box are four to five lifestyle items and one bonus product. But don’t let us just tell you, SprezzaBox sent us our very own box and we couldn’t love it anymore.

Inside this month’s box we found a 50% promo code for HelloFresh (value $0), an Alâra pocket square ($25), An Ivy tie ($55), a pair of Sprezza socks ($12), a sleek pen ($?), and the ultimate item for this month, a Maestro watch ($105). What we love especially about SprezzaBox is the transparency—inside your box you get a notecard detailing exactly the worth of each item. After fact checking this note, we found everything matched up, and the box we got was over $200 in value, with a large portion coming from the over $100 watch.

What was especially cool was how all the products worked so well together. Our An-Ivy tie, a chic Copenhagen based group, felt of high quality and matched the edging on our Alâra pocket square perfectly. The silver pattern on the tie played well into the sheen of the Maestro watch, which further matched our blue-based look with the colored second hand. Finally, our Sprezza socks brought home the look—no need to double check if you tie matches the entirety of your look, SprezzaBox has your back.

Now, for many of you, the makings of this box are not your everyday wear. We don’t all wear ties or pocket squares everyday but the future is closer than it may seem. SprezzaBox is the perfect way to create a look to impress on your upcoming interview, for the first day of work, or even that upcoming formal! And as you become a member of the workforce and start to wear a tie everyday, your wardrobe is well founded for such by your SprezzaBox subscription.

But, don’t just take our own word for it! Get your own SprezzaBox today and with our code, MODA10, you’ll get 10% off your subscription order!

And just because the holidays are coming up and we thought we’d be extra nice, enter our giveaway with SprezzaBox here to get your free box today—just put in your name and email! Best of luck.

All images via SprezzaBox

Easy July 4th Recipes

July 2, 2017

Red, White and Blue Ice Cream Floats (via The Butter Half)

All you need are strawberry and lemon lime sodas, vanilla ice cream and a handful of freshly cut berries to make these delicious ice cream floats. Better yet? Prep time takes five minutes, so you'll be serving your guests these cool, delicious treats in no time!

Time: 5 mins