Part Deux: Christy's Favorite Things

I took a long break to study Oprah's favorite things and figure out what I want to include in my second part of lifestyle advice. I learned that there aren't so many things I want to share with others but more ideas or art. There may be many parts to come since a second part won't cover it all. I have a lot to share about clothing...

Without further adieu, part deux!

Clothing

Yes, this is a thing. It even has 'thing' in the name. However I want to share more ideas about this thing, than recommendations for actual clothing things.

I read a very interesting article about the "slow fashion" movement. I think it was originally longer but it's been online so long they decided to shorten it (either that or I can't find the original article I read). The slow fashion movement recommends buying high quality, ethically made items, in organic fabrics. It stresses buying a few well made (often expensive) clothing items instead of tons of Forever 21/H&M/WalMart tees, jeans and sandals. I think it is very practical to follow the guidelines Cline puts forth in her book -and mentions in the NYT article - but I find that I cannot follow them all. Some ways I have adapted her ideas and the heart of the slow fashion movement are listed below:

1. Buy "organic" fabrics as often as possible. By organic I mean fabrics from nature - cotton, wool, silk, modal. It can be pretty tough searching for a 100% cotton sweater in Forever 21 (I've tried and it took me about 2 hours) but it can be done. Sometimes it is so difficult that I will settle for cotton/poly blends which I think is better than full synth. Right?? Someone tell me it's ok!

2. Try to buy "quality" items. Quality is a broad terms but I simply mean that an item should have straight hem lines, no loose thread, tiny holes or poorly selected fabric. Thin cotton, although a good organic fabric, can rip or wear out easily. Make sure that the clothing item suits the activities you will be using them for. Ultimately, the better made the item, the longer it will last and the more you are contributing to "slow" fashion.

Quality over quantity is another big theme in slow fashion so don't be tempted to buy things just because they're cheap, on sale or you use it a lot (for instance don't buy eight tanks because you wear them a lot. Settle on three that are good quality and wash your clothes more often. Secretly, I think it's ok to stock up on a lot of one thing you use a lot as long as you are following the guidelines listed here).

3. Repair damaged clothing. So often I will have a beloved cardigan or nice blouse (do we use that word anymore?) that gets a rip or hole in it. I don't want to get rid of it. I like it. Instead of throwing that item away or donating it, fix it! I have become rather handy with a needle and thread. By handy I do not mean skilled. The good news is most tears happen at the seam and sewing along a seam is not only easy, it's easy to hide any mistakes!  Make sure you use the closest matching color of thread to the item you're mending. That also helps hide any flaws in your handiwork.
If you really can't repair things yourself, find a reasonably priced tailor or dry cleaner near you. This will still save you a lot of money in the long run.

4. Buy things secondhand. Find a really good thrift store or Goodwill to frequent. They will undoubtedly have some nice pieces of clothing. Some people suggest shopping in upscale neighborhoods because you will be more likely to find better clothing. I have to admit I have difficulty finding things I like at the Goodwill but then again I don't make a hobby of secondhand shopping. That is something I'm trying to change! I have friends and roommates however, who have great luck finding some quality pieces at the Goodwill in our neighborhood in Long Beach.

5. Never through away clothing that is "out of style". Chances are that item will come back in style. If it fits, it's in good condition and you like it - keep it! How many times have jean and leather jackets come in and out of style in the last decade? The answer: SO MANY TIIIIIIIIIMES!

In terms of brands or stores to shop at I am not terribly equipped to give good advice. I have been a broke college student for most of my recent history (I shop at the ever-evil Forever 21) and I also spend far too many days in lounge pants and baggy sweaters. I say shop where you want. Try to buy things made in America (which is a joke, I know). American Apparel is ok but I hear that their factories are pretty much like sweat shops in the U.S..  Cotton On has been a huge disappointment because many of their items are not cotton. WTF, right? Make sure you check the label there.

I hope this little guide helps some of you. Let me know how your new knowledge informs your shopping and wardrobe choices and by all means share your own tips in regards to "slow fashion" in the comments. Thanks for reading!

The Toshis

My roommates and I have a cat named Toshi. He looks like this

Awwwww. There's my Toshi! He's so cuuuuute.

Those of you familiar with American Dad the cartoon know there is a character on the show named Toshi as well. He looks like this

 

Since I love my cat and I love comedy - even lame cartoons - I was totally psyched when I discovered this coincidence. So to recap:

 

https://docs.google.com/file/d/13P1f0Ni7paEAbId79zdBG15I1zjU7UfN9srnOhiqUqwTsuLxTZJchbGMIQ2s/edit?usp=sharing

 

 

 

Damn this shitty computer. 

Christy the Reporter Provides the Scoop on Bob's Burgers Live

While most people were home fixing dinner or watching the latest network singing competition, my pal and I were enjoying some of the best live entertainment I’ve ever experienced: Bob’s Burgers Live. If you are familiar with the show you are probably wondering how they could make an animated television show live. It was no ordinary performance, however. There was stand-up comedy, sketch comedy, a table read and finally a Q&A.

            The stars of Bob’s Burgers were all comedians in their own right before the show was created. If the names Kristen Schaal, Eugene Mirman, Dan Mintz. John Roberts or H. Jon Benjamin don’t mean anything to you I recommend looking up their stuff immediately. All of them are very talented. It’s rare to find a show that is rounded out with such great talent. These actors did not disappoint. Kristen Schaal regaled us with her fantasy ideal meeting with Tori Amos. Eugene Mirman shared his fan mail to Justin Bieber (“I put a $1 bill in my butt and I won’t remove it until we have an open and honest dialogue about religion!) and John Roberts did his trademark impressions. Roberts’ impression of his mom wound up being the basis for the character, Linda, whom he voices on Bob’s Burgers. Dan Mintz performed his observational, deadpan humor that did not fail to amuse us all. One joke that stands out: “If I were in a plane about to crash, I’d start taking away gay rights”.  Maybe you had to be there. Trust me though, it was hilarious.

 Jon Benjamin’s act was perhaps the most unorthodox. What started out as a rambling, narcissistic monologue about his comedic talent turned into a sketch where Bane from The Dark Knight Rises is discovered by Jon, sitting in the audience. Jon asked Bane about his visit to L.A. (to visit the financial markets and Bane’s homosexual brother) and Bane cited the coffee shop Intelligentsia as one of his favorite tourist attractions.

            The audience got a glimpse of the upcoming Christmas episode of Bob’s Burgers followed by a reading of the upcoming Thanksgiving episode. The latter was not read in its entirety so we’ll all be waiting until November to see what happens in the third act. It was so surreal seeing the actors voice their characters, especially Jon Roberts and Dan Mintz. Both actors are male and voice female characters.  I have to note that when Dan Mintz started his stand-up he had to try three times before people stopped laughing. I am pretty sure that the audience was imagining him as Tina, the awkward thirteen year old girl he brings to life in the cartoon. I think his voice will be forever linked in our minds to that female character.

            Unfortunately, Jon Benjamin proved somewhat rude in the Q&A session. Is this part of his charm? I don’t know. I felt as though some of the audience members left with their questions unanswered at best, insulted at worst. The short lived comedy central series “Jon Benjamin Has a Van” starring the authoritarian, self-centered Benjamin perhaps proves more autobiographical than most of us thought. On the bright side, we learned a few gems about the world of Bob’s Burgers. Bob’s favorite children are his girls, especially Louise, and Linda’s favorite is Gene closely followed by Tina. Also, the show takes place on the Jersey Shore. Here I was thinking it was Staten Island!

            I have to thank UCLA radio for the opportunity to see this fun show. Bruin Comedy and the UCLA radio promotions manager put in a lot of work for me to get these tickets and I just want to say I appreciate their effort very much. Due to their hard work hopefully there will be other great shows and lucky winners in the future.  I went to PaleyFest a few months ago and I can honestly say Bob’s Burgers Live, although similar, was much more entertaining. I had a great night seeing one of my favorite TV shows brought to life in my very favorite art form – comedy!  

Some things you should check out

People always ask me, "Christy, you know so much about life and culture what are some bands/comedians/foods/artists I should check out?"
This is not true. However, I had some friends over for some wine once and they said I was "classy".
The truth is all blogs are self indulgent to some degree so I will condense some of my favorite lifestyle tips in this post.

I think list format is preferrable, don't you think? Starting with most important...

FOOD
Anything Italian, French or Greek. I also enjoy Vietnamese food (which has a French influence often times).

Restaurants: Osteria Mama, Le Pain Quotidien, Balthazar's

COMEDY
I really enjoy witty, high brow comedy. I also like satirical, observational and physical comedy. It's great when these categories overlap.

Writers/performers: Tina Fey, Melissa McCarthy, Sarah Silverman, Amy Poehler, Dan Harmon, Louis C.K., Larry David, Moshe Kasher, Mindy Kaling and pretty much anyone on SNL.

Here is a picture of the genius Dan Harmon and me.

FILM
Comedies are of course the best form of entertainment you can find. I also watch anything nominated for an award.

Movies: E.T., The Other Guys, Dennis the Menace (1993), Hook, Angels in the Outfield, Superbad, Milk, Indiana Jones 1-3, Star Wars, Back to the Future 1, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, Milo and Otis, Jurassic Park, Independence Day, etc.
...Can you tell I grew up in the 90's?

Directors: Martin Scorsese, Woody Allen, Quentin Tarantino, Sophia Coppola, Nancy Meyers, the Coen brothers, Steven Spielberg, Gus Van Sant, Steven Soderbergh, etc.
Most films by these artists are worth a watch.

TELEVISION
Again, mainly comedies.

Shows: Community, Comedy Bang Bang, The Sarah Silverman Program, Saturday Night Live, Bob's Burgers, Parks and Recreation, Family Guy, Kids in the Hall, Flight of the Conchords, Mad Men, The Cleveland Show, Workaholics, Children's Hospital, Delocated, The Colbert Report

I gave you a lot of information to look into today. So, I will continue the condensed list of the finer points of an informed lifestyle in a subsequent post. Keep a look out for part deux (two)!

Pasta Estivo

I have been making this delicious Spring/Summer pasta dish for the past couple weeks. I love it so much I made it 3 times in that short span! I cannot claim full credit for the recipe. I don't know which magazine I got it from but I have a feeling I ripped it out of a magazine I found while I was helping middle-schoolers do an art project. It could've been from 1998. I don't know. Recent or not I have adapted the recipe just enough to call it my own.

Ingredients:
1 C. Whole wheat rotini
about 10 sun-dried tomatos (in a jar or bag)
fresh ricotta cheese
sliced olives
1-2 Tbsp. capers
3/4 C. cherry tomatos (halved)
1/4 C.olive oil
3-4 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar

Directions:
Boil water with a dash of salt. Add rotini. While the pasta is cooking add capers, sun-dried tomatos, vinegar and olive oil to a food processors (a blender will do in a pinch). Sometimes I add pepper and italian herbs. A little hot pasta water is good to thin out the dressing a bit.
After about 10 minutes the rotini should be done. Drain in collander. Run pasta under cold water while still in collander. You don't want piping hot pasta in this dish. Put cooled pasta in a medium sized salad bowl.
Pour dressing over rotini and mix thoroughly. Add most of the olives and most of the cherry tomatos and combine with pasta. Place the few remaining olives and tomatos on top for a more aesthetically pleasing appearance. Put a dollop of ricotta (or more) on top of the pasta. Grind some pepper on top or italian herbs.

Oh Lordy. It is so good. I have a picture below. I didn't make it super fancy and presentable for this picture unfortunately, but I will do better in future.

Bon appetit!

A quick recipe for the flat broke

Wow. It's been a while since I've blogged. Sorry, no one! (That is precisely how many people read this.)
I have another recipe to share - the No dinero Huevos Rancheros:

Ingredients:
tortilla chips
salsa
eggs
black beans
olive oil/vegetable oil/butter

Coat a small frying pan with olive oil or the fat of your choice. Cook one or two (depending on your appetite or preference) eggs sunny side up. In the meantime put a handful of tortilla chips on a plate. Sprinkle with a serving of black beans. Spoon some salsa on top of your chips and beans. When your eggs are cooked (the yolk should be intact but still a little wobbly) slide them onto your chip melange.

Use a fork to eat since the yolk will ooze all over the chips. This dish is cheap, fairly healthy and quick to make. Perfect for anyone lazy and broke. I hope this recipe serves you well as it has me.

I will be moving...eventually

I've had this idea for a website for a while now and I've only been savvy enough to start a blog. My goal is to have a complete website. So for now I suppose the format will be blog entries until I learn how to create a "real" website. Is that pathetic? Does everyone know how to create websites these days besides me? If the answer is yes then I am not surprised but I kind of am because I thought I was smart. Also, hip and as technologically fluent as a common person (at least). Maybe I've overestimated myself in this regard.

If I may abruptly change the subject let me share my first piece of cultural wisdom. I fancy myself a decent cook. I can follow recipes well and I create my own from time to time. Here is a recipe I created a couple months ago:

The Not Kosher Spinach Salad

Ingredients
- 4 C. spinach (loosely packed)
- 4 strips maple smoked bacon
- 1 large tomato
- chopped green onion to taste

Dressing
- 1 tbsp dijon mustard
- 3 tbsp. red wine vinegar
- 5 tbsp. olive oil
- 1 tsp. sugar
- salt and pepper to taste

Cook bacon in skillet until crisp. Set aside on a plate covered with paper towels to remove excess grease.
If you have long stemmed spinach, rinse then cut off the stems and chop spinach coarsely to bite size pieces. If you use baby spinach in a bag you can skip this step. Cut your tomato into six parts. Remove the seeds. Finely chop your green onion. Put these ingredients in the salad bowl. Crumble the bacon and top the salad with it.
For the dressing simply whisk the ingredients together in a small bowl, adding the salt and pepper to taste.

Serves 2

This salad can serve more if you are using it as a side but I usually eat it as a meal.

I hope you like the recipe! I know it's simple and there are many variations out there but this one is quick, inexpensive and requries few ingredients. To speed up the process even more skip making the dressing and buy a dijon dressing or vinaigrette. Trader Joe's has a great one.