November 25, 2014
THANKSGIVING EDITION
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY EDWIN GANO AND MICHELLE KLEJMONT
Page 2
November 25, 2014
Always dress accordingly JANINE PUHAK STAFF WRITER
Thanksgiving break is the time when distant family like to get to know you better by asking the questions everyone dreads. Ease the tension by playing a fun drinking game during dinner. PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY EDWIN GANO / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Sip with caution during dinner NATALIE LIN STAFF WRITER
As the long-awaited Thanksgiving holiday approaches, you might be craving a little more than turkey. Whether you’re thankful for gravy, cranberry sauce or stuffing, nothing beats a good sip of wine or champagne at the dinner table. If you’re 21 or older, these dinner table tips will have you shamelessly sipping more wine with your pumpkin pie.
BUDDY UP
It’s always more fun to play a drinking game with a friend! Take this opportunity to get to know that quiet cousin you never talked to or your uncle that is, in other words, a “tank.” Preferably, you’ll need someone that’ll share your opinions and isn’t afraid to get a little silly at the table.
TURKEY COMMENTS
Finally, the moment you’ve been waiting for: digging into the turkey.
Suddenly, amongst all the chewing and pouring of gravy, the table comes alive with turkey talk. Take a sip of wine whenever someone makes a comment or complaint about how they think the turkey is “dry” or “moist.”
INEVITABLE QUESTIONS
When you’re in a room with your entire extended family, some things are just impossible to dodge. You’re going to have to prepare for an awkward lecture about your future career or even a comment about how you never ended up losing your freshman 15. Whenever someone makes mention of how college is going or your major, take a long drink.
THE WORST KIND OF QUESTIONS
Best believe that your family won’t just be asking about your academic life. After someone engages in the dreaded questioning about your (possibly) nonexistent significant other, take comfort in
a generous gulp of wine. If you’re asked an uncomfortable question that you’d really rather not answer, finish your glass.
WHAT HOLIDAY IT IS, AGAIN?
Your mom switches on the radio and, lo and behold, what’s playing? Is that Jingle Bell Rock? Indulge in a sip of wine for every premature Christmas song you hear or whenever someone decides to mention Black Friday shopping. It’s bound to happen.
GIVE THANKS!
Keep the spirit of Thanksgiving alive and well — as the tryptophan starts to kick in after your meal and you’re falling deeper into that food coma, think of everything in your life that you’re thankful for and take a small drink for each one. Sip responsibly! For more Thanksgiving themed ar ticles, check out targuminsidebeat.com.
Thanksgiving is a time of gratitude, and the way you express that gratitude and celebrate the holiday is based on your preference. Whether you’re heading home for a few days or sticking around campus, hopping on a plane or lazing around with friends, the right outfit is just as important as the right dinner. Thanksgiving is the official launch to the season of revelry, the challenge is now on to stay stylish in the face of fully indulgent cuisine and cruise in grace through the new year.
SCENE: FANCY DINNER AT GREAT AUNTIE’S
Ladies: Keep it clean and chic when getting together with your extended family so the topic of conversation will revolve around how wonderfully you’re doing at school, not how short your hemline is. A cowl neck sweater, sleek corduroy pants and riding boots are a surefire combination for a successful reunion with even the fussiest of old aunts. Gentleman: You’ve got it easier than the girls do when dressing to impress because it is almost impossible to go wrong with a button down and khakis. Swallow your pride and consider trimming your facial hair (even if it’s just a little) to further highlight the well-rounded young champion you are. The gods of No-Shave November won’t hold it against you, I promise.
SCENE: MEET THE PARENTS
Ladies: You can’t go wrong with dressing extra nicely when meeting your special someone’s family for the first time, for it would be a little cheeky to arrive at the table dressed like you’re ready to hit the College Avenue campus on a Friday evening. Skater skirts, natural makeup and a
cardigan in your favorite color are proven winners, but the best thing you can wear is a smile. Don’t stress — they’re going to love you. Gentleman: Dressing the part is key to making a good first impression, especially with the dad. Do some investigating and figure out how formal the dinner is going to be first, then play off of your partner’s look. A plaid shirt layered underneath a quarter zip is timeless for Thanksgiving as are dark jeans with a refined knit. When in doubt, it’s better to be a little more dressed up than dressed down.
SCENE: LAZY DINNER AT HOME
Ladies: Lucky you, if Thanksgiving is at your house, that means a day of finger foods and football on the couch. You more or less have won yourself a get-out-of-jail-free card to lounge about in leggings and a fashionable sweatshirt embellished with studs or (tasteful) gems. Throw on a statement necklace if you aim to win some style points, and your job of looking adorable has been well done. Gentleman: Casual cool is a no brainer when you combine your most beloved pair of jeans with a short or long sleeved polo, striped of course. Don’t take advantage of the relaxed dress code to have a field day with the just-rolled-out-of-bed look because you are better than that. Besides, sleepy chic is what the after dinner nap is for, and you’ll need your rest for the merciless, early morning workout that will come too soon — Black Friday. In the spirit of Thanksgiving, no matter where you are heading or who you are breaking bread with, once you’ve got your sartorial situation covered, you can focus on what’s important: the feast!
DIY Turkey Cupcakes
Add variety to the typical Thanksgiving dessert options by making DIY turkey cupcakes from premade ingredients. SABRINA SZTEINBAUM / ASSOCIATE NEWS EDITOR
SABRINA SZTEINBAUM ASSOCIATE NEWS EDITOR
Thanksgiving dessert can range from the more sophisticated pies and tarts to the ‘cutesy’ cupcakes, and everything in between! Though grandma’s pecan pie may be the annual tradition to end the feast, consider adding on to your repertoire of dessert, with these adorable and easy-tomake turkey cupcakes that are sure to entertain and impress all ages. Though you are welcome to use your favorite cupcake and frost-
ing recipe, you can make these semi-homemade by purchasing pre-made cupcakes, Nutter Butters, M&M’s or Mike & Ike’s, Twizzlers and candy eyes (which you can find at any craft store or Party City). All it takes is a few simple steps. Spread frosting on the Nutter Butter and attach two candy eyes. Then, either cut an M&M or Mike & Ike in half for the turkey’s beak and use frosting to attach it underneath the eyes. Lastly, cut the end of a Twizzler diagonally for the wattle ... and voila!
November 25, 2014
Page 3
Different types of shoppers you’ll encounter on Black Friday RACHEL NAROZNIAK CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Merely hours after the turkey has been carved and the thanks have been given, another “holiday” demands to be recognized. This event, which prompts people to excuse themselves from family reunions in favor of dashing out to the nearest shopping mall, is Black Friday. If your post-Thanksgiving plans include participating in the Black Friday shopping craze for the first time or heading out as an annual tradition, trust Inside Beat to familiarize you with the different types of Black Friday shoppers you might encounter at your favorite stores this holiday season.
THE SEASONED PRO
Identified by her place in line outside any given store (which is always first), a carefully cut mountain of coupons in hand and the occasional mumbling of “this ain’t my first rodeo,” this one is the seasoned pro. Marked by years of Black Friday shopping experience, the seasoned pro can effortlessly navigate the parking lot and find the store aisle she is looking for without a glance at the aisle sign. Somewhat ruthless and definitely determined, expect a sharp honk of the horn or a gruff “excuse me” if you happen to linger in her path a second too long.
THE COLLEGE STUDENT:
Long live discounted ramen and toilet paper! The college student battles the brutal November weather in a hoodie emblazoned with his school’s bold logo and chooses a hand basket instead of a shopping cart in an effort to keep the purchase volume low. This shopper can be heard lamenting his bank account balance, which just may be lower than his school’s football record.
THE FAMILY
Easier to spot than the sale signs that paper the walls is the family. Even if you don’t see them, you can locate them by hearing the highpitched crying of their children when denied an item and an argument between the parents. Always rolling up “squad deep” to each individual aisle, their motto seems to be “no one left behind.”
THE FIRST-TIMER
Trusting and innocent, the first-timer is befuddled when her friendly smiles and attempts at small talk in the line outside a store, which are met with grimaces from her competition. She discusses the items she’s come for with anyone in earshot and overzealously repeats, “Yeah, this is my first time doing this.” She learns the hard way that manners are nonexistent on Black Friday, when she is nearly tram-
pled at the store’s opening by the “friends” she made outside.
THE FIGHTER
The aisle he enters is his territory, and he glares at each shopper who happens to lock eyes with him. He pushes, shoves and chuckles to himself when he takes the last item from the shelf, but all humor is lost when someone else grabs what’s “rightfully his.” As intimidation may just inspire the other shopper to surrender the item, he claims he “saw it first” and cordially invites his competition to step outside with him.
THE “CELEBRITY”
Recognized by incessant foot-tapping, heavy sighs and obnoxiously loud complaints about the wait for a register, the “celebrity” lets everyone around her know she is far too special to have to wait in line. Oddly enough, no paparazzi are present to witness the scene and post it in tomorrow’s tabloid. What luck! But no autographs, please. While “Black Friday” may be antonymous to peaceful, it certainly does not have to be. Keep these shopper descriptions in mind to know who to avoid this Black Friday, so it can truly be the best Friday. For more Thanksgiving themed ar ticles, check out targuminsidebeat.com.
As the most anticipated shopping day of the year, Black Friday brings out all types shoppers. Make sure you know how to spot and avoid each one to get the most out of your shopping day. PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY EDWIN GANO / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Make packing less stressful with simple clothing hacks CHRISTINA COLON CONTRIBUTING WRITER
It’s about that time of the year. Thanks to the season shift, the weather is demanding that you revamp your wardrobe. Where to begin? What do you bring home for break? Before you risk overstuffing, consider this helpful guide to help trim your closet.
DO MAKE IT FUN
Packing isn’t often looked at as a good time, but it can be if you set the scene right. Put Pandora on a reliable station (you can never go wrong with ‘90s throwbacks), clear the floor and get ready to get moving. The music will give you the energy you need to get pumped up for this otherwise painfully monotonous activity.
DON’T HAVE THE TV ON
DON’T GRAB-AND-BAG
It’s tempting to go all hanger-hands and fling whatever first catches your fingertips into your suitcase, but nix this messy strategy. You’ll end up with a huge mound of items, spending way too much time storing them. Instead, clear your bed and use the available space as a giant placemat. Being able to see and fold each garment individually will make packaging them a whole lot easier.
DO BRING OUT THE HEAVY BAGGAGE
Now that you’ve settled on what to take, it’s time to decide what’s going to hold your belongings. We suggest a fair-sized backpack and a medium-to-large luggage. If you know you intend to take a lot, use a duffle bag. Garbage bags, totes and bins are oth“Before you risk er alternatives, overstuffing, consider but please, use this helpful guide to help them sparingly. The less you trim your closet.” bring, the better.
Tasks are way easier to accomplish when there are no distractions. Do you really think having that awful reality show in the background is going to make you move any faster? No. You’re going to end up making a kitchen run, staring at the screen with your mouth full of pretzels and dusting crumbs on all your favorite outfits. Avoid the remote control at all costs.
DO HAVE A PACKING PLAN
Get out a piece of paper and create two columns: yes and no. Allocate key pieces based on the following questions: Have I worn this recently? Can I wear it anytime soon? Is this a staple to my style? You don’t have to go through every single thing you own but think of the basics (shoes, shirts, pants) as well as your accessories (belts, scarves, light jackets) and categorize them accordingly.
DON’T GET ATTACHED
Face it, there’s no point in keeping those shorts, skirts or sandals any longer. Yes, they will beg to be kept and sure, it’ll be hard to let them go, but they’ve faced enough months of neglect. Say your final goodbyes, head to the mall for some closure and just think — now, you’ll have more room for cozy scarves, cool beanies and, best of all, giant snuggies!
DO DONATE WHAT YOU DON’T WEAR OR NEED
Instead of carrying over those items you haven’t worn in years, why not give it to someone who could really use it? Offer your apparel to local shelters or churches in New Brunswick. Not only will doing so make you feel that much more organized, but it’ll also make you feel great to do some good for your community.
DON’T BE LAZY
Once you’ve sorted out what to keep, toss or give away, you’ll need to be particular in how you package. Even if you’ve never worked in retail, the art of
folding is one that you should master, if not, practice. You don’t need to be top-notch in rolling up your clothes. For bottoms, simply fold horizontally, then vertically. Tops involve
nothing more than tucking in the sleeves and following the same technique. Now that you’ve divided, gathered and situated your clothing, you’re all set to go!