Hipster Must-Watch: The State

Thanks to the power of instantly streaming Netflix, I get the opportunity to rediscover a million shows that I never really knew existed.  One such show is The State, the short-lived sketch comedy show that I've heard buzzing about for a while.

This sketch comedy show that aired on MTV for 29 episodes launched the careers of Michael Ian Black, Thomas Lennon, and Ken Marino.  Sketch comedy, which was huge in the 90s, has somehow essentially died in our modern television (aside from SNL, but that's a duh).  The State brings us back to all that glory that made sketch comedy so cool in the 90s.  Sketches on government, the environment, and spoofs on popular television commercials remind me of my childhood.

The only problem is that watching The State has made me terribly nostalgic for MTV in the 1990s.  Ya know, the days of MTV Unplugged, Tabitha Soren, and actual music videos.  Pretty much everything before MTV decided it was going to worship the consumer-culture of spoiled brats and girls pregnant way before they should be.  The days when MTV had shows on that required actual talent.  When MTV actually had some sort of credibility as a subversive television station that broke the pop culture barriers and made it cool to be different (ahem, Daria).

Oh MTV, how I miss you.

Style Inspiration: Mad Men

I have been a bit apprehensive about doing a style post pertaining to Mad Men for quite some time now.  This is mostly due to the slew of fashionista bloggers out there worshipping both the style of Betty and Don Draper alike.  But, with the season premiere just around the corner, I thought it was time to honour the show that has given me fashion inspiration before I even watched it.  And what an appropriate way to celebrate my 100th post!

You see, I have been a collector of vintage clothing for ages, and it just so happens that the hourglass waistlines and full skirts look pretty tremendous on me, so the late 50s and early 60s style has been a go-to of mine for years.

I adore the flower print dresses, and on more than one occasion I have claimed to wanting to dress like I'm rushing a sorority circa 1962.  Pair that with some sparkly costume jewelry, clip-on earrings, or maybe an oversized cocktail ring and I'm sold.

Unfortunately, dressing like it is 1963 all the time is no longer practical in this sweltering and filthy city.  You can only get away with second skin dresses and matching heels so often.  So I steal a few touches here and there to make it more practical.  Lately, it's been all about the liquid eyeliner paired with a heavily saturated lipstick.  I'm addicted to MAC's Lady Danger (definitely my signature colour), Impassioned, Morange, and Girl About Town for these purposes.

I also love adding vintage broaches to my dresses.  I have been lucky enough to come into a few of these over the years, but you can find them on eBay for super cheap.  It probably doesn't hurt that Christina Hendricks looks absolutely phenomenal in all the 1960s styles.  No wonder Prada and Louis Vuitton both stole the 1950s/60s inspiration for their upcoming seasons!

The City Cancelled?

Today on Fashionista.com, Lauren reported that there is a rumour floating around that MTV's The City will not be returning next season.  Normally, I would not address any rumours or news about reality TV, as I think most often it is a contributing fact to the decline of high-culture, but I kind of like The City, so this rumour is a disappointing one.

Unlike the first season of The City, this season has been a lot more focused on the budding careers of the four protagonists, Whitney Port, Roxy Olin, Erin Kaplan, and Olivia Palermo.  And while most of the careers are rather unbelievable (I would say all of them are reality TV based except Kaplan's), it was nice to have a show focused around women in the workplace as opposed to women in romance and friendships.

I know that The Hills had some focus on Lauren Conrad's career, but let's be perfectly honest, that show was about relationships, friendships, and drama.  And while The City isn't without any of those factors, it stood above the rest as being a show that could have a potential positive effect on the younger generations watching it.

But such is the world of MTV.  I think it's time for me to face reality...MTV has went from being a place of subversive alternative culture and programming to one of declasse consumerist filth.  The City (although still ridiculously consumerist and superficial) gave me some hope amongst a sea of My Super Sweet 16 and The Hills. 

Style Icon: Angela Chase

Due to my bed rest last week and current unemployment this week, I have had a lot of time to re-watch old TV shows, mainly My So-Called Life. Now this is not my first watching of MSCL. In fact, I've watched the entire series probably 4 or 5 times, if not more.

Re-watching this show has made me decide one thing...I want to be Angela Chase.



Claire Danes perfectly captured that teen angst that the 90s was known for. I understand feeling that way at 10, then again at 12, 15, 17, and at 23. Only, Angela did it better. That hair, those friends, those emotions, that family, that drama, and more importantly...




That boy. Ahhh, Jordan Catalano, you were the childhood crush I never recovered from. You have been and always will be the perfect bruting male. If I dye my hair can you pretend that you wrote "Red" about me, and not your car?

Let's not forget the clothes. The flower prints, the plaid, the boots, the perfect shapelessness of Angela's dresses.




It makes me think that the 90s coming back won't be such a bad thing. I'm dusting off my Doc Martens in anticipation.

The New 90210, Changes Already?

Okay, so I have to admit that although I don't watch Gossip Girl, I do have a slight addiction to the new 90210. Okay, maybe addiction is pushing it. I have a nostalgia for the old 90210 followed up with a dvr set to record the new one. Fair? If I miss an episode it doesn't break my heart, I don't try to watch it online, and it's not exactly a topic of conversation among my group of friends.

But like it or not, I gotta say that I'm shocked to hear the new casting news. According to Entertainment Weekly, Dustin Milligan will not be returning full time next season. I have to admit that this news leaves me rather disappointed. I kind of liked the fact that the hunk on the show, wasn't exactly a hunk, and he looked like he could have been in high school, oh and he seemed like a nice guy....wait. WAIT WAIT WAIT. I get it. None of the aforementioned qualities produce high ratings. Right. I forgot about that.

Either way, Dustin Milligan is a Canadian actor, who I've seen in random Canadian shows during my college years and therefore, I have a soft spot for him. I can't guarantee I will continue to watch after this season, but then again, I can't guarantee that I would have continued to watch even if Dustin Milligan would've stayed on.

The Case of Heidi's Missing Dog

Okay, there has been something on my mind for months, and I'm surprised it hasn't become something more talked about in the celebrity world. In the first season of the Hills, before it blew up and became the spectacle we all love today, there was a very special Christmas episode. This was the episode where Lauren received her black quilted Chanel bag from Jason (before she decided to forgo Paris to stay with him....idiot!). Anyway, in this very special episode, Heidi was whining at her boyfriend (who will remain unnamed, mostly because I don't remember the poor schmauks identity) to get her a dog. Well, anyone that watches The Hills will know that he got her a stuffed, toy dog, and boy was she mad. However, seconds later he opens up the door and brings in a new puppy for Heidi. Well, this puppy, Bella, has long since disappeared from the face of The Hills. I understand that people get rid of dogs all the time, but I can't believe that MTV hasn't said anything nor have any celebrity bloggers.

PETA, you might want to get on this one. Lord knows what Heidi used Bella for.