December 9, 2015
WINTER 2015
T
‘was the week before finals and all through New Brunswick, students were fleeing their studies and flocking to parties. With nothing to wear to showcase the season, they rushed to Finale to shop with good reason. A dancer, a prancer and a vixen, they walked out with outfits they could take pics in. The men, wanting to get their ratio higher, asked Santa for Clavon’s Wear suit attire. Dressed to the nine’s, they were finally ready, to dance and take shots, and listen to Fetty.
December 9, 2015
Winter Wrap 2015
Thoughtful gifts you can get off campus DANIELLE NAER CONTRI BUTI NG W R IT ER
Holiday shopping is in full swing, online sales are soaring, young kids are on their best behavior, empty-nested moms are emptying their wallets and college kids are hurting badly. Why? We don’t like holiday shopping. Other people shopping for you? Yeah, sign me up and by the way, I need a new pair of Toms. Thinking of dozens of thoughtful, unique gifts for our loved ones has become nearly impossible, and especially challenging while away at school. It is easy to shop for your loved ones as a freshman. All you need to do is buy Rutgers apparel for every single relative and friend you can think of — problem solved. What about year two, three or even four? Your mother can hardly stand even glancing in the direction of yet another “Rutgers Mom” T-shirt. What about those of us who don’t even have cars on campus? Take a deep breath. We’ve got you. This is shocking, but Barnes & Noble is not the only store close to campus that will bring smiles to your loved ones’ faces this holiday season. Inside Beat went shop-hopping through New Brunswick and flagged the hottest
sales on the coolest gifts. Even the most hard-to-shop-for members of your crew will be impressed. For your overly sentimental mom, grandmother or great aunt who still have your third-grade class pictures on the fridge, get large-framed prints from George Street Camera. Enlarged, framed family photos from the good ole’ days will be sure to bring a tear to every relative’s eye and make for an sensible, long-lasting gift. Not only does this spot have student discounts, but they run from $7 per print to $30 for larger prints. For your little sister in the midst of her Tumblr-induced hipster phase, get vinyl records from Spina Records. Vinyl at Spina typically goes for about $20 each, with styles ranging from contemporary, 1920s jazz, the Beatles and more. There’s truly something for everyone in an awesome holein-the-wall shop, so it’ll be super easy to please your lil’ sis with one of those vintage-style items. Even if she doesn’t have a record player, it’s an awesome collector’s item to show off to her friends. It will look cool right next to her tapestry and polaroid pictures as a bedroom decoration. For your workaholic relatives who desperately need a chill pill,
get Massage Envy Spa treatments. Dads, this one’s definitely for you, but the ladies work super hard too. We’ll just toss this up for anyone who works themselves into a seemingly irrevocable oblivion week by week. Help them remember that they need some “me” time with this spa’s amazing packages, with massages starting at $69 an hour waiting to be gifted. They have 1,000 clinics throughout 49 states, so regardless of where you’re from, it’s always a mere stone’s throw from home. Head over to the RWJ Fitness Center to book one of these quick trips for a loved one to visit. For your fashionista BFF who swears she’s a Jenner, go to Finale. This is the New Brunswick hot spot for all things fashion. From sunglasses to purses to pumps, Finale has dozens of dazzling accessories at unbelievable prices that are perfect for gifting. Be sure to stop here for your roomie or sorority sisters with impeccable fashion sense to help enhance their wardrobe. For your significant other’s family that you don’t want to splurge on an overpriced Edible Arrangement, go to Thomas Sweet. I think we’re all pretty tired of paying $40 for 12 measly pieces of fruit. Gift baskets and assortments from
You can get the perfect holiday gift right here on campus. PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY EDWIN GANO / PHOTO EDITOR
Thomas Sweet are the perfect solution, and your boyfriend’s mom will love the idea of getting high-end sweets from a popular local place like this. Holiday gift
baskets start at around $25, with assortments running at a more affordable rate of $10 each. This puts them in every college student’s holiday budget.
Easy hot chocolate spoons you’ll be stirring all winter JULIA TERRANOVA CONTRIBUTING WRITER
As the holidays approach, you may be scrambling for gifts for your friends, family and coworkers. What if I told you that in less than a half an hour, you can prepare a thoughtful, inexpensive and delicious gift by making one of these hot chocolate spoons. Wrap a few up in some cellophane, attach a baggie of hot chocolate mix and bask in the praise of your loved ones. What could be better? We used marshmallows, crushed candy canes and white chocolate chips to top our spoons, but there’s no need to limit yourself to just that. Get as creative with the toppings as you’d like — some mini M&M’s or festive sprinkles would also make excellent, decorative toppings.
WHAT YOU’LL NEED
1 cup of chocolate chips 15 plastic spoons Toppings (melted white chocolate chips, crushed candy canes, marshmallows, etc.)
Dive into winter with this decadent treat, while getting your chocolate fix in a bite sized portion. PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY EDWIN GANO / PHOTO EDITOR
STEPS TO TAKE
Place the chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for one minute and stir. Microwave at 30-second intervals, stirring thoroughly in between. Repeat until chocolate is smooth. Fill the spoons with melted chocolate. Use a spatula to fill and level off the chocolate evenly. Once filled, place spoons on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Decorate! For the white chocolate drizzle, we microwaved ¼ cup of white chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl, then used the tines of a fork to drizzle on top. Be sure to gently press larger toppings into the chocolate so they do not fall off. Place the baking sheet into the freezer for about 20 minutes or until the chocolate is set. Stir into a mug of hot chocolate or coffee and enjoy! Be sure to store the chocolate spoons at room temperature — if they are left in the freezer or refrigerator, the chocolate might “bloom” — harmless, but not attractive.
Adding a peppermint chocolate spoon will give your hot coco a minty taste. PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY EDWIN GANO / PHOTO EDITOR
January 21, 2015 Wrap 2015 Winter
December 9, 2015
4 practical gifts that will be appreciated JANINE PUHAK STAFF WRITER
Tired of all things Christmas? We feel your pain. PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY EDWIN GANO / PHOTO EDITOR
Embrace your inner grinch this season MARY ELLEN CAGNASSOLA STAFF WRITER
December can be a tough month for those of us who tend to fall on the Grinchy side of humanity. Once the sleigh bells start ringing and the holiday shoppers begin trampling Walmart employees for seasonal deals, anyone who dares criticize the holiday spirit gets accused of being a part of the “War on Christmas.” Really though, American Christmas culture is all about corporate profits and materialism anyway, so let us jingle all the way to Whoville and give all the jolly jerks a dose of red and green reality.
SANTA ISN’T REAL
He’s just a lie your parents told you so they could eventually crush the foundation your entire concept of what Christmas was built on. Your friends and family were the ones spending their hard-earned
cash on those gifts, and you thanked some imaginary bearded stranger in a velour suit instead. Bet you feel like a real idiot.
CHRISTMAS MUSIC SUCKS
It may be enjoyable for the first 12 or so years of your life, but beyond that, Christmas music is just an ear-worm that will drive you to the depths of insanity. How many times do we have to hear Mariah Carey’s dog whistle “Christmas Love Song” before someone takes a stand and says enough is enough?
EXTENDED FAMILY IS ANNOYING
You don’t know what anger is until your great aunt sits alone on the porch and refuses to come inside and eat at the table. You also don’t know anger until you give your transient uncle a nice gift and you get a Pussycat Dolls karaoke CD from the dollar store
in return. Let’s not forget the time when your estranged second cousin gave you a bag of oatmeal and glitter, and told you to feed it to Santa’s reindeer. IT’S JUST A WASTE OF FOOD, KATHY. The list goes on for miles.
DECORATING IS AN UNNECESSARY HAZARD
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, more than 15,000 decorating-related injuries occur in November and December every year. Sorry kids, the only gifts your dads are getting this Christmas from crappy, plastic Saint Nick and his reindeer buddies are traumatic back injuries. Blame your mother, she’s the one who made him climb up on the roof.
YOUR HEART IS TWO SIZES TOO SMALL
It’s a serious medical condition, dammit!
HOME IMPROVEMENT
It’s never too early for spring cleaning, so make your comrade’s Januar y return to campus a little smoother by tidying up. Maybe they need an air conditioner removed and a solid closet reorganization — or a fresh coat of living room paint and a good vacuuming. No matter what you pitch in with, the thought is sure to count.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and we are absolutely broke. Through a whole semester of new textbooks, food deliveries and Spring Break down-payments can sure thin out your piggybank. Gifting for your loved ones should be the last worr y on your mind as finals arrive. Embrace the fact that you are charmingly penniFREE WHEELS less and rise to find some ultra Possibly the most easy, breezy “bargains.” If you do it right, and beautiful gift of them all. this holiday season won’t set Your vehicle-less buddies will you back a rejoice when dime, but will you offer to advance ever ypick them up one’s appreciafrom class on Embrace the fact that you another camtion for what a thoughtful, are charmingly penniless pus, or step witty pal you up as their and rise to find some are. Some of designated ultra “bargains”. the best gifts driver for a don’t come night out. Bofrom the nus points for store, but the an excursion heart. Check to the mall or out Inside Beat’s ideas for to- grocer y store — and remember, tally free presents that are resist any gas money offers! sure to bring joy wherever you go. Cheers to giving a LATE NIGHT DELIVERY AT little more than just another THE LIBRARY gift card. Maybe they forgot their phone charger, didn’t eat dinner, arrived without a sweatTUTORING SESSION Whether you’re a math whiz shirt or simply just needed a or literar y genius, chances are hug. Your crew will surely celthat not all your friends are ebrate a special deliver y of the too. Help them out by spending one thing they forgot at home. an hour or two with the books After this mission has been acwhen they need it, and they’ll complished, you can officially be singing your praises until consider yourself an A-list elf. Happy holidays! Christmas Day.
Save your money with this DIY ugly sweater NICOLETTE ACCARDI CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Nothing screams Christmas like a good ole’ ugly sweater. Each year, there are ugly Christmas sweaters spotted ever ywhere around campus, especially Christmas parties. Barnes & Noble has one that is $40 — what a rip off — so don’t bother blowing a paycheck on a sweater with Santa’s face on it when you can make one on your own. You no longer have to fear spending a wad of cash on an ugly sweater that you are probably going to wear once a year. Here are the steps to make ever yone jealous with a rad, one-of-a-kind ugly Christmas sweater. Being ugly never felt so good.
FIND A PLAIN SWEATER
Pick a plain sweater that is preferably red, green or white to keep it festive. Tr y to hit up a thrift store or Walmart, or find an old one that you don’t care about. This way you won’t have to spend much money (or any at all) on something you are going to ruin anyway.
GET GARLAND IN FUN COLORS
Buy traditional green garland, or colored garland if you’re feeling adventurous. Drape the garland in a zigzag design down the whole front of the sweater in the shape of a tree, and use a hot glue gun to keep it in place.
BUY CHRISTMAS BOWS
Purchase some cheap, metallic stick-on bows from your local pharmacy or arts and crafts store. For some extra pizzazz, use a hot glue gun to put some colored rhinestones and pompoms onto the sweater.
GET MINI CHRISTMAS BULBS
Bulbs are not just for the tree anymore. Hang them on the garland! Buy ornament hooks and put it through the opening of the bulbs. Place the mini bulbs along the zigzag of the garland. You will basically look like a pimped out Christmas tree. Follow these directions this holiday season to design a customized ugly Christmas sweater without breaking your bank. Santa will be proud and appreciate your sense of “style.”
No need to blow $50 on a sweater that you’ll probably end up wearing only once a year, just make your own using household products. PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY DANIELLE GONZALEZ / FEATURES EDITOR
January 2015 Winter Wrap21, 2015
December 9, 2015
CREATIVE DIRECTOR DANIELLE GONZALEZ
PHOTOGRAPHER ANNIE POLLOCK
STYLIST BRENDA STOLYAR
MAKEUP DENISE TEJADA SHANNON FREDERICK
HAIR DENISE TEJADA
MODELS JOHN ROBERT LANARAE WEST DAN PADGETT VITORIA DUARTE NICOLE JIMENEZ MICHAEL ANDERSON
SET ASSISTANTS NICOLETTE ACCARDI LAURA DENGROVE JANINE PUHAK DANIELLE NAER
SAMPLES PROVIDED BY FINALE 120 ALBANY ST #3, NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ 08901 732-828-2122 CLAVON’S WEAR WWW.CLAVONSWEAR.COM 844-390-4497