CRA ZE the homecoming issue special edition 1 / volume 6 / october 2014
contents
Table of Contents
02 Contents
12 How to Tie A Tie
04 Best Homecoming Boutiques
16 Best Pre-Dance Restaurants
06 Picking Her Corsage
20 Playlist: Cool Down
10 Playlist: Pump Up
22: Post-Dance Fun
A note from the editors... As long as there have been high school dances, there have been teenagers complaining about them. Dancing is embarrassing. These dresses are ugly. Tuxes are expensive. There are tons of things to plan and even more things that can go wrong. Luckily, with Homecoming just around the corner, we here at Craze decided it was time to lend you a helping hand. This issue will help you find what to wear, keep you excited for the dance, and make sure your night is the most fun possible. It also marks the beginning of a new practice for Craze: Craze special editions. These special editions are mini-issues dedicated to covering events and smaller topics on a much deeper level. They are outside of our usual publishing cycle, and so they can pop up anytime as a pleasant surprise. For now, we hope you enjoy our very first special edition of the year, and keep your eyes peeled for issue two, out Oct. 20.
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CONTRIBUTORS to the issue...
Editors-in-Chief: Lia Hagen and Allie Laing Design Editor: Kirsten McCormack Photo Editor: Abegale Headlee Copy Editors: Grace Wolfe and Estella Fox Lauren Chesire, Bridget Mizener, Sarah Lemke, and Jenna Hynek Staff: 03
fashion: homecoming
Finding the
PERFECT LOOK Local stores with to die for looks for the high school dance story by jenna hynek, design by allie laing, photos by abegale headlee
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litter falls to the ground off of expensive dresses while hairspray suffocates the room. The sticky fingers from mens hair gel shine like the sweaty foreheads that come from meeting a girl’s parents for the first time. Homecoming. It’s one of the few times a year you get the chance to publicly humiliate yourself in front of a large crowd or tons of Twitter followers to ask someone on date. With emotions running high, the pressure is on to find the perfect outfit. Boys, the stacks upon stacks of polo shirts aren’t going to cut it this time. It’s time to class things up and move on from the three button shirts your mom bought you in the sixth grade and branch out to the world of fully buttoned down shirts. Girls, the unspoken social law forbidding wearing the same dress as someone else doesn’t have to force you to spend hours online shopping. At least, not when Craze has recommendations for local stores with a hint of fame and lots of character that will be there for you throughout your process.
Students Featured: Freshman Haleigh Henry-Fewell Senior Patryk Bogdanski
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Winning Crown Boutique 11046 Elm St., Omaha, NE 68144
402.933.2525
The Post and Nickel 11015 Elm St., Omaha, NE 68144
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402.333.5206
fashion: corsages
3 Easy Steps To Impress Pick up the phone, tell them your name, and hang up. Ordering the perfect corsage is that easy. story and design by allie laing, photos by kirsten mccormack
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homecoming corsage is an accessory just like the perfect pair of heels or bow tie. Instead of having a generic, monochromatic flower around your wrist or pinned on to your sport coat, have a fabulous corsage or boutonniere that accentuates the color you and your date are wearing. Unfortunately, this isn’t always so easy. Figuring out which color will match her multicolored dress or questioning whether or not the petals will be the same shade of blue as his tie are common problems every high schooler has faced prior to the big dance. With help from Stems, a local Omaha floral shop, a simple solution is just a phone call away. Stems is known for their beautiful and intricate flower arrangements. They are a popular floral shop for Westside students during the Homecoming season. This year, they agreed to sponsor Craze, and together we created a system where they will coordinate you and your date’s corsages and boutoneirres for you. With these steps, you no longer have to worry about the hassle of choosing the rights colors or style to match your date.
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What to do:
1.
The girls call first. Give Stems your name, and describe the color and style of your dress. Make sure to include any added accessories you may be wearing as well.
2.
Next the boys call. Give them your name and the name of your date. Since the girls have already described the colors you two will be wearing, they will handle the rest from here and coordinate your corsage and boutonnieres. Yes, it really is that easy.
3.
The last step is to pick up your corsage or boutonniere the day of the dance. With only a phone call, you and your date have coordinating corsages and the experts at Stems did all the work for you.
To Contact Stems... 2321 North 90 St., Omaha, NE 68134 - 402.399.8003 07
fashion: corsages
Advice from Mic Jorn: Floral expert at Stems photos by abegale headlee
When wearing warm colors...
Mic: “If you are wearing warm colors, we normally try to incorporate those colors into
the corsage as long as it isn’t over done. We always try to emphasize the dress. I also would suggest using hints of gold for accents.”
When wearing cool colors...
Mic: “If you are wearing shades of aqua or purple, we would incoorporate shades of pink or yellow in the corsage. We like to use autumn tones of peaches and oranges and add details with berries or twine.”
When wearing multiple colors or patterns...
Mic: “When the girl’s dress has a busy pattern, I suggest that you stick to one color for
the corsage. We want to use the color that isn’t as predominant in the dress for the flower. If a dress has a lot of pinks and whites, but only a little orange, we would emphasize the orange in the corsage.”
When wearing white... Mic: “If a girl’s dress is white, we coordinate with what their date is wearing. If he was
wearing a blue tie or shirt, we would incoorporate blues in the corsage to really pop out against the white. If the guy had to accented colors, we would find out the girls favorite color.”
When wearing black...
Mic: “When girls wear plain black dresses, I suggest a red rose with accented white
flowers. You can also add some details in silver to really emphasize the corsage when against the dress or the boy’s shirt.”
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Visit Stems For the Perfect Flower Arrangement Order custom arrangements for any occasion including weddings, dances, baby showers, birthdays, holiday center pieces, and many more!
Located right off of 90th and Blondo 2321 North 90 St., Omaha, NE 68134 - 402.399.8003 -
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music: pump up
playlist:
UP ALL NIGHT music to get you psyched for the night ahead story and design by lia hagen, photo by kirsten mccormack
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ith the planning finished, it’s time to get psyched. Get together with a few friends before dinner and the dance. You can get dressed, help each other look your best, or ask for last minute advice on how to deal with your date.
Most importantly, you can pre-party. Hanging out before Homecoming is half the fun, especially with a good party playlist in the background. These songs will keep you dancing in your seat and pump you up for the main event.
1. Get Lucky Daft Punk
5. Stillness in the Move Dirty Projectors
2. North American Scum LCD Soundsystem
6. Eros and Apollo the Studio Killers
3. Yeah Yeah Yeah the Flaming Lips
7. Winner the Noisettes
4. Modern Jesus Portugal the Man
8. Heads Will Roll the Yeah Yeah Yeahs
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diy: tie your tie
diy:
HOW TO TIE THE KNOT keep your outfit fresh with these simple steps story and design by lia hagen, photos by abegale headlee
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nce you’ve chosen your outfit and picked the perfect tie to match your date’s attire, there’s only one thing left... Actually tying the dumb thing. Tie-tying scenes are in every other romantic movie and dress up scene, but it’s rare that you find a teenager who actually knows how to do it. Rather than letting you waste your time looking for barely helpful YouTube tutorials, we teamed up with WTV to create an informative, step by step guide to looking great on the big day.
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THE HALF-WINDSOR
step one
step two
step three
Pull the long end of your tie across the short end.
Bring the long end up, through the center of the cross.
Move the long end behind the short end.
step four
step five
step six
Pass the long end across the front.
Pull up and drag down through the loop.
Tighten with a center dimple.
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diy: tie your tie
THE BOW TIE
step one
step two
step three
Cross end one over end two.
Pull end one up behind end two.
Bring end two to the left to make a bow tie shape.
step four
step five
step six
Move end one up and over the middle of end two.
Fold end one and pull it through the loop behind end two.
Tighten, making sure both sides are even.
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THE FOUR IN HAND KNOT
step one
step two
step three
Pull the long end of your tie across the short end.
Move the long end behind the short end.
Pass the long end across the front.
step four
step five
step six
Move the long end up and pull it through the center loop.
Bring the long end down through the loop.
Tighten with a center dimple.
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food: restaurants
Wicked GOOD EATS restaurants for an enchanting evening story by bridget mizener and lauren chesire, photos by sarah lemke, design by kirsten mccormack
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f there’s one thing we’ve learned over the past few weeks, it’s that Homecoming is stressful. There’s so much to do: dresses, corsages, and restaurants… oh my! When it comes to where you’re eating dinner, there’s so much to consider. If you have a date, it has to be romantic; if you have a big group, you have to find enough seating; if you’re eating somewhere fancy, it has to be reasonably priced. Whether you’re planning a classy night with friends or a romantic evening with that special someone, picking the right restaurant can be hard. But, with our help, you don’t have to be a wizard to get it right.
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Spezia 3125 S 72 St.
402.391.2950
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f your weakness is Italian food, then Spezia may be the perfect homecoming dinner for you. This restaurant offers gourmet Italian food, topped with their homemade alfredo and spaghetti sauces. As soft swing music plays in the background, you can enjoy a range of different menu options. Entrées span from salads priced at $10.95 to steaks peaking at $37. Fan favorites include the chicken broccoli fettuccine alfredo and salmon pasta spezia. What really stands out, however, is found on the dessert menu: the tiramisu. Coffee-lovers and sweet-toothsufferers alike can delight in this Italian dessert. The whipped layers complement the rich ladyfingers, topped with cocoa powder, spelling out “Spezia.” It makes for the perfect ending to a homecoming meal.
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food: restaurants
Mark’s Bistro 4916 Underwood Ave
402.502.2203
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found myself half-jogging up the concrete steps leading up to Mark’s Bistro. Something about a staircase next to an art gallery in Dundee gave me a sense of adventure. The stairway opened to reveal the gorgeous outdoor patio, shaded by trees and strung with overhead lights. Mark’s puts a unique twist on classic dishes like their signature macaroni and cheese. With a teenager’s salary, Mark’s Bistro understands that sometimes we’re a little pressed for cash and offers a section of the menu called “Small Plates and Snacks” with smaller, cheaper portions of some of their dishes. On that menu, they also feature items that can’t be found anywhere else. The falafel sliders are beautifully plated, topped with Napa cabbage and garlic-chili aioli. The shredded kale, tomato, and cucumber jam complement the crumbly texture of the falafel, creating a dish that comes together in a crescendo of flavor. So fill up on small plates or an entrée; no matter what, everyone in your homecoming party will find something to feed their appetite.
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Pig & Finch 10387 Pacific Street
402.333.5206
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ith distinctive touches like tea candles on the tables, a chandelier made from wine bottles, and a plethora of pig-themed posters lining the purple walls, Pig & Finch is a great restaurant for a low-key night with friends. This pub-style restaurant was recently renovated from a Ruby Tuesday’s and has a classy, yet quirky, contemporary feel. The open kitchen and bar seating make this a perfect choice for a small or medium-sized group of friends. Though their entrees can be expensive, many other plates, like the flatbread with house-made sausage, are a little easier on the wallet but are still filling. If all you really want on Homecoming night is a burger, you’re in luck. The sandwiches, like the pub burger with the house’s signature “Finch Fries,” will satisfy your craving but are still upscale enough for a Homecoming night. With its unique combination of civilized atmosphere and pub cuisine, Pig & Finch makes a fun setting for your laid-back night out.
want to try something else? check out last issue for advice on how to cook the perfect homecoming meal 19
music: cool down
playlist:
CHAMBER OF
REFLECTION music for chilling out after the party story and design by lia hagen, photo by kirsten mccormack Inevitably, after all of the dancing and after parties, there will come a time when all you want to do is cool down. Maybe you just can’t keep the energy up any longer, or maybe you’re overwhelmed by the sheer awesomeness of your night. Whatever the cause, this mix is designed for
that moment. It’s music for the drive home or for sitting outside on your porch. The songs, smooth and calm, will help you decompress. Whether you’re analyzing every detail of your night or laughing sleepily with your best friends, it’s the perfect playlist to chill out to.
1. Thinkin’ Bout You Frank Ocean
5. Chamber of Reflection Mac Demarco
2. Hold On We’re Going Home Drake
6. Ribs Lorde
3. Primetime Janelle Monae ft. Miguel
7. Youth Daughter
4. Teen Idle Marina and the Diamonds
8. Bloodbuzz Ohio (Cover) Julia Stone 21
feature: post-dance
post-dance
HANGOUTS
not ready to go to sleep? check out these awesome twists on the conventional after-party story by grace wolfe, design by lia hagen, photos by estella fox
go camping
get some grub
There are many campsites around Omaha waiting for you to pitch a tent and continue the party. Snuggle up with your pals, stargaze, and tell scary stories while trying to not to freeze your butt off. Although camping in the wilderness sounds fun on paper, the planning and commute might suck the fun right out of the activity. Alternatively, set up a campsite in your backyard. Not only will you be closer to food, but you’ll also have a working toilet. Sit around the fire and sing some campfire songs, roast smores, relentlessly fend off insects — y’know, the entire camping experience. There’s just one thing. Wherever you decide to camp, remember to stay safe and draw sea-bear circles around the campground.
After you’ve danced yourself hungry, you’ll need something greasy or sweet ASAP. Luckily, there are tons of fast and easy places open late that can help. Village Inn is iconic for serving up late night meals at low prices. You could also hit up fast food joints for one dollar cones and loiter in the parking lot. Maybe you could go to Sonic for a Nerd slushee. If you’re looking for somewhere to hang out for a bit, try eCreamery in Dundee. Share a milkshake with your date or just drink the whole thing by yourself. Spill ketchup on your rented tux and pretend not to notice. Eating is the easiest way to entertain yourself and chill with your friends, and delicious dessert will put the cherry on top of your evening.
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cosmic bowling Bowling isn’t just for little kids’ birthday parties and middle-aged people in their professional leagues. It’s a fun, accessible sport that requires little to no physical exertion, making it fine to play in your homecoming attire. If you get a strike, that’s a perfectly good time to receive some guilt-free bragging rights. Is regular old bowling not fun enough for you? Well, places like Sempeck’s and Western Bowl offer cosmic bowling after 9 p.m. This ensures the fun will never stop. So slip on those sweaty, ill-fitting shoes and pick out the coolest ball. Laugh loudly, and don’t take it too seriously. After all, even if you weren’t crowned homecoming King or Queen, you can make that bowling alley your kingdom.
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