Five Reasons To Love New Year’s Eve

by Jessica Hodgson (Madewell)

No joke, New Year’s Eve is my favorite holiday. Sure, I get the drawbacks: pressure to have the perfect night, looming resolutions you’re bound to break by the third week of January, no party actually seems like it’ll be fun enough. Here, a few reasons why I’ve got a soft spot for Dec. 31—date or no date.

1 – It’s the Perfect Excuse to Glitterbomb Myself
Aesthetically, NYE is the best holiday. There are no cheesy color combinations to conform to and, personally, I find it a great excuse to go nuts with the sparkle. I’ll start with this Golden Glitter Skirt as the perfect base to my glam bonanza. Additional shine may include (but is not limited to): glitter nail polish, a clutch with a mirror finish and a fancy headband fashioned from repurposed tinsel off the tree.

2 – Who Doesn’t Love Festive Beverages?
Call me a traditionalist, but NYE is a time for champagne. That being said, it never hurts to spice it up! This festive twist on the usual bubbly seems easy enough—and looks delicious, too.

3 – I’ll Happily Get Tagged in Facebook Pictures
New Year’s Eve is a time for friends, and you just know that someone will be capturing every second on Facebook or Instagram or whatever. So this year I’ll be all done up and prepared to face the inevitable via Refinery29’s tips on how to up your photogenic factor.

4 – A New Calendar Awaits
I always treat myself to a new calendar every year; this year I’m buying Atlanta-based artist Michelle Armas’s version. She signs each one, and since I’m a bit off from affording one of her originals, this is pretty darn close.

5 – Time To Play Musical Catch-Up
At the close of each year come the inevitable year-end “best-of” recaps. While many publications just list the top albums or singles of the year, Matthew at Fluxblog has made it impossibly easy to sift through the best of the best—and then download them right away.

How to Spend Your Imminent Food Coma

by Jessica Hodgson (Madewell)

Here comes Thanksgiving: a time for awkward family moments, football and epic food comas. Of course, the tryptophan overdose often leads to napping and general lollygagging, but I challenge you to use this upcoming four-day weekend for more than just sloth (though laziness is accepted and totally understandable). Behold—five things to do whilst in your post-turkey food coma (and the subsequent days thereafter).

1. PLAY: Many moons ago, my family discovered the wonder that is Scattergories. This game can be played by any number of people (teams often get the quieter guests involved) and combines creative wordplay with creative lying. Mix in guests who have been imbibing and you’re sure to have a rockin’ good time.

2. SEE: It’s been scientifically proven that those who don’t enjoy the Muppets don’t have a soul. Please, everyone, go see The Muppets.

3. READ: Maybe overeating makes you want to curl up with a good book. If so, I recommend I Was Told There’d Be Cake, by Sloane Crosley. Equal parts endearing and hilarious, this collection of essays is perfect light fare for the long weekend.

4. WATCH: Quirky comedy Community may have been shelved by NBC for the moment, but you can still get your fill by watching seasons one and two, then doodling evil goatees on family photos in solidarity.

5. MAKE: Looking for an inexpensive way to glam up your wardrobe? The ladies over at Honestly…WTF have plenty of suggestions, but I’m definitely going with the beaded button-up. Even with my minimal sewing skills, I can handle this project. I’m thinking assorted gold beads on one of my Madewell perfect shirts. Instant update.

6. BONUS! Because maybe you want to roll out of your food coma and try to tackle the gym, listen to The Knocks to get you revved up. This NYC duo’s synth-pop tunes will surely challenge you to shake it (I speak from experience).

Blood-curdlingly cute illustration by Kelly Lasserre.

If you’re on the East Coast (like we are at Madewell HQ), the sudden snowstorm that blew through town was probably more of a trick than a treat. But that didn’t stop us from celebrating the sweetest, spookiest holiday of the year. So, without further ado: Team Madewell’s weekend of super-ghoul costumes and creations.

Star quality: Alice’s pumpkin is basically the cutest jack-o-lantern we’ve ever seen.

Christina’s take on Day of the Dead is truly killer.

Jac’s face says it all (’cause mimes aren’t allowed to talk, you know).

Maggie comes to peace (ahem) with her past life.

Jess and friends revive a favorite from the ’80s music video vault: Robert Palmer’s all-black, slicked-back “Addicted to Love” girls.

In Praise of the Podcast

by Jessica Hodgson (Madewell)

My top three podcast series, each hilarious and enlightening in their own right.

It’s true, we have a gazillion ways to be stimulated in this day and age, but allow me to vouch for one of the more undervalued mediums: the podcast. In addition to a wide and wonderful variety of content, this audio gem goes places visual media can’t. (Walking the dog or taking a shower? Could be hard for you to effectively watch TV or read a book.) Also, the instant accessibility of podcasts makes them a very low-risk investment (read: they’re free). iTunes has thousands to choose from, so with a little digging, you’re bound to find something to keep you entertained. Here are three great podcasts I recommend adding to your list.

1. The Moth: An established literary fixture, this series is all about real stories from real people. Sometimes heart-wrenching, sometimes silly, but always engaging.

2. Stuff You Should Know: Do you know how tickling works? Well, I do, thanks to SYSK. This lives in the education section, and while it may be fact heavy, it also brings the laughs.

3. The Complete Guide to Everything: Tim and Tom are basically two guys shooting the you-know-what, and the result is nothing short of hilarious. (Just beware of listening at work—you will laugh out loud.)

The Wonderful World of Wayne White

by Jessica Hodgson (Madewell)

Failed Abstract Paintings of the Seventies, 2002

On one of my recent daily ventures around the blogosphere, I encountered the fantastic Wayne White—and I’ll be honest, I’m obsessed. An American artist who’s also known for his Emmy Award-winning set and puppet design for Pee-wee’s Playhouse (you should be sold on that fact alone), White grabbed my attention with his whimsical collection of “word paintings.” I’m already a typography junkie with a sincere appreciation for the absurd, so White’s traditional landscapes peppered with irreverent phrases are totally up my alley. Until I can afford an original, I’ll be poring over his book, Wayne White: Maybe Now I’ll Get the Respect I So Richly Deserve (edited by Todd Oldham), which I immediately bought as an end-of-summer gift to myself.

It’s just so good: Wayne White: Maybe Now I’ll Get the Respect I So Richly Deserve