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A New Footwork Doc Celebrates Chicago Music & Dance

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Footworking (the dance) and footwork (the music) coexist. The relentless and fractured tracks of footwork music design a map for dancers to navigate. It's marked by hyper-speed dancing and equally frenetic beats. Can't quite visualize it? You will now. 

I’m Tryna Tell Ya is the first full-length footwork documentary by London film and photography partnership Tim and Barry, renown for their cult-followed online TV channel Don't Watch That and visual representations within underground music. It chronicles the rise of the groundbreaking Chicago sound and style, featuring the key cohort of talented dancers, DJs, and producers who affiliate under the Teklife crew, displaying integrity and humor for their vision in equal measure.

We spoke exclusively to Tim and Barry at their studio ahead of the world premiere screening held at the ICA in London. 



DIMITRA SOTIRCHO: Can you tell me about the first time you met DJ Spinn and DJ Rashad, pioneers of the movement, when they played live on Just Jam back in 2011, a crossover time of the footwork scene into Europe?
TIM: So they came on, and we have a lot of people come through Just Jam. I don't often get like a geeky teenager, but I definitely got like a geeky fan-type teenager that day. They ended up playing a two-hour set. Up until that point we only had half-hour sets, but it was just so incredible that we were like, "Carry on, carry on!" They were affiliated with J-Cush of Lit City Trax; he was already a fan of our earlier work and suggested the idea of us coming out to Chicago. We took it from there. 

Sum up footwork:
Tracks, music, and dance.

The documentary draws parallels between footwork and grime—is this in terms of the DIY approach the MCs and dancers take in both scenes to interpret and feed into music making?
The link I found between footwork and grime... it was the energy more than anything else.

We were around photographically documenting the grime scene in the early '00s at a lot of pirate stations, raves, and studios. One of the keys things back then, and probably still now to a degree, is the sort of influence the MCs had on the producers and vice-versa. A producer would make a track and an MC, or several, would vocal it. The track would push on the MC's style, then the MCs would push the producers' style, so it was like this two-way exchange of creativity. It felt very much like how the footwork scene worked. So producers made tracks, the dancers danced to the tracks, the producers were watching how the dancers danced to the tracks, and then making new tracks for the dancers. That was the real link.

What were your impressions of Chicago?
I'd always wanted to go to Chicago. My Dad gave me a book when he visited there when I was about 10. I used to follow the Chicago Cubs, moreso because I liked the sports kit more than anything else. It didn’t disappoint. I've been to New York a few times, which I loved, but Chicago is a different world: a beautiful place with beautiful people. It's got its troubles, but it's incredible.

What is it about the city that breeds this lineage of dance music that keeps innovating?
Music in Chicago is like music in London: deep-rooted. There is a long history of Chicag

9 Pant Styles That Let You Have Your Turkey And Eat It Too

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Ahh, Thanksgiving, the gluttonous, glorious holiday where you can actually wear fat pants without judgment. Not only are they comfortable but they also conceal any food-babies born after a parade-gawking brunch, numerous taste-tests, and not to mention the turkey dinner itself. So what happens to these loose-fit bottoms once the holiday is over and you've returned to work... and the gym?

Well, we’re here to reassure you that fat pants are chic and easily worn, any size, all year long. They’ve even been spotted on tastemakers like Rihanna. And just in time for Turkey Day, we’ve rounded up nine pairs of our favorite joggers, sweats, and track pants that you’ll run to far beyond that post-holiday gym rush. If you find that you actually want to keep those extra curves, they'll look good in these pieces, too. After all, this is the year of the booty right?

Check out the slideshow above for our nine favorite pants that give you a little leeway after that #foodporn-worthy dinner is over. 


Fleamadonna Ribbon Sweatpants in light blue DKNY for Opening Ceremony DK '91 Logo Sweatpants in black Adam Selman Twill Track Pants in black Jeremy Scott X Shrek Shrek Plaid Fleece Sweatpants in green/brown Devon Halfnight Leflufy Velvet Track Pants in burgundy Standard Deviation Elastic Waist Pants w/ Pockets in black Opening Ceremony Chain-Link Double Zip Track Pants in cobalt multi Mother of Pearl Rhea Jogging Pants in navy Norma Kamali Side Striped Jogging Pants in dark grey/black

Sean Bennett Is Definitely A Video Game Character

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It’s no secret that Opening Ceremony surrounds itself with the most unique personalities in the game—staff included! If you’ve walked into any of our brick and mortars, you’ve definitely said hello to a few friendly faces. As part of our weekly #OCFaves series, get to know our team as they pick out their favorite new arrivals and turn 'em sartorial.



Who: Sean Bennett from OCNY women's shop
Where are you from? Daytona Beach, Florida
Tell us what you’re wearing here: I'm wearing the Komakino MA-1 Jacket With Detachable Lining in green, Undercover Striped Sweater in pink, Dries Van Noten Parge Tie-Dye Long Shorts in rose, and Kenzo Maximilian Chunky Sole Lace-Up Boots in chocolate. I'm also carrying the Peters Mountain Works OC-Exclusive Longfellow 3M Reflective Backpack in grey. 
And your personal twist: My obnoxious Prada frames and the pimple on my lip
If this outfit were any TV or movie character, it would be: Definitely a video game character. Sora from Kingdom Hearts and Tidus from Final Fantasy are big inspirations.
Sum up your style in one word: Kooky?
Favorite fashion slang: Margiela 
Song or mixtape you’ve been obsessed with lately: DJ TLR's Lightning and Thunderclap Darkside Mix 
Last movie you watched on Netflix: Diners, Drive-Ins, & Dives 
iPhone or Android: Sidekick for Lyfe 
iMessage or FaceTime: Smoke signals 
Last moment that made you truly LOL: Answering that last question 
Last good art you saw: Marcel Dzama at the David Zwirner gallery 
Favorite place to people watch: Grindr 
Favorite hole-in-the-wall: The Eagle
Biggest fashion pet-peeve: Longchamp bags
Favorite emoji icon: The tongue, alien, baby face, and smily face
Favorite #hashtag to use: #seanbennetthair 


OCNY women's shop associate Sean Bennett in his #OCFaves: Komakino MA-1 Jacket With Detachable Lining in green, Undercover Striped Sweater in pink, Dries Van Noten Parge Tie-Dye Long Shorts in rose, and Kenzo Maximilian Chunky Sole Lace-Up Boots in chocolate. He is carrying the Peters Mountain Works

Pssst.... Black Friday Comes Atcha Early!

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Breaking: We've shaved two days off Black Friday, so do yourself a solid and jump the line at our sale, both in stores and online. While the rest of the world is still planning their game plan for beating the crowds, you can take 40% off designers like Hood By AirAcne Studios, and J.W. Anderson, and many more...

Happy shopping. 

Shop women's sale here / Shop men's sale here 

2014 Gif(t) Guide: What A Girl Wants

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The most dreaded phrase during gift-giving season is “I don’t know... surprise me,” especially when it's coming from a girl who seems to have everything. If your lady friend is terrifyingly vague with you this holiday, don’t freak out and buy her an iTunes gift card just yet. We’ve done all of the work for you with our handy women’s gift guide. We have some sparkle from Delfina Delettrez and Joomi Lim, some cozy from Kenzo and Yves Saloman, and even some sexy from Atsuko Kudo and Kim Haller. No matter what her style is, we promise your girl will get the surprise she asked for... in a good way.

Shop the 2014 Gif(t) Guide here

A 9-Year-Old Shares ​Tips For Turkey Day, & How To Play Nice With The Fam Jam

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Our daily meditation quote: There is no better time to eat pie than the present. 

On a recent weekday afternoon, we met our favorite nine-year-old, Dashiell, at Brooklyn's Four & Twenty Blackbirds for an afternoon snack, i.e. a thinly veiled excuse to fulfill his our latent, fat kid fantasy: a whole pie, a single fork, and a "book" that doubles as a fancy clutch. After all, if Thanksgiving is about family, then gluttony and retail therapy are its not-so-distant cousins.

Dressed in a suit, a Kanye West Deer Dana tee, and black felt trilby, Dashiell had very little qualms about eating in front of an audience that included an envious first-grader named Gigi, whose father only purchased her a cup of hot chocolate and no weekday slice of nice. (Side note: we could write a novella about said pie and its culinary merits, but we'll leave the glory in the bite.)

To be fair, Dashiell only got through a modest fistful of pie and most of his consumption was the gooey center, one strip of the lattice crust broken just so. Do you know what you're pretending to read? "No, but it's probably about a guy who is an idiot, but spends all his time trying not to act like one," he said. What does the pie taste like? we asked, hoping to have found the next Adam Platt. "Apple." And how many apples do you think went into that pie? "About 3,000," he replied, stone-faced. (The actual answer is between six and eight.) Perhaps not the most enthusiastic responses—we half-expected him to describe the tang of paperthin Cortlands and how the caramel teased the back of his tongue—but he had plenty of insight into Turkey Day, which we share below. Like Dostoevsky wrote in The Idiot, "Grown-up people do not know that a child can give exceedingly good advice even in the most difficult case." Even if "the most difficult case" is simply wielding a fork crammed with butter and sugar.




1a. Pie Crust Is Just A Plate
"If I could have a pie just to myself, I would rip into it—just stab it all over and take big bites like I've done with this apple pie. I also like the filling way more than the crust. The crust is like a plate for the filling so I don’t eat that." 

1b. BTW, Be Picky About Cream
"I would say 'No, thank you' to whip cream, because it actually makes the pie more plain tasting. But "Yes, please' to ice cream! The coldness of the ice cream pushes you to keep eating the pie. It’s like a surprise in your mouth that keeps you going until it’s gone." 

2. Eat In Circles
"If my mom or my Mimi [grandmother] makes me a plate at Thanksgiving and there’s too much food on it, it kind of makes me feel overwhelmed and my stomach gets afraid. And they always put something they think I like, but I actually don’t. So I split my plate in to different pieces and then I eat each piece going in a circle so my seconds is really the next part of my plate." 

3. With Family, Kindness Kills
"I’ve learned if my brother is bugging me, I just walk away. Or I’ll say, 'Please sto

Shoe Heaven: 4 Winter Boots That Take You There

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This year is going out with out a bang bootie—and not just the kind J. Lo and Iggy are talking about. From now until summer, our feet will live in comfortable, warm boots that provide just enough protection from the elements while looking great with those added layers. The problem? These kickers can sometimes make us feel low (to the ground, that is).

This season, elongate those lines with heeled or platform pairs that'll elevate any outfit. Coming in at all different shaft heights—the ankle, calf, knee—our selection of winter boots complement bottoms of all proportions, from gauchos to your everyday leggings—without losing an ounce of sex appeal. The Lucie Mules, for instance, are sleek with its open-heel design, perfect if you want to show a little skin, or if you want to promote a little colorblocking with bright tights. The high version, a favorite among staffers, oozes retro '70s glam with its long front-zip. Also—all of the boots in the slideshow above feature an elastic banding at the top, which adds a bit of texture and, more importanly, makes things all the more comfortable. Booties, booties rockin' everywhere. 

Shop all women's boots here 

L-R: Lucie Mules in bone, Lucie High Boots in bone, Lucie Mid Boots in burgundy, Luna Double Zip Boots in black Lucie Mules in bone Lucie High Boots in bone Lucie Mid Boots in burgundy

Best Way To Burn Cals? Shopping, Of Course

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Right about now, you're probably polishing off the last of that pie before slipping into a pair of preferred fat pants. Between the family reunion interrogation session and your diet that went out the window, this Thanksgiving was a mind-numbing feat, and you need a bit of physical and retail relief to get you through the rest of this holiday season. Enter: OC's 2014 Gif(t) Guide

While an agonizing session at SoulCycle does sound, ahem, invigorating, the best way to burn off those unwanted calories is to move—even if it's just your fingers. Think of OC as your personal trainer, here to guide you through the necessary steps of successful holiday shopping for those on your gift list. The holiday season is a time for giving, and in honor of the fourth serving of pumpkin pie you opted to give up tonight, a little shopping for yourself is warranted. 

If Joomi Lim neck cuffs and Olympia Le Tan clutches aren't enough to bring you out of your holiday food coma, something from the OC Gif(t) Guide surely will. 

Put away that leftover tofurkey and shop the 2014 Gif(t) Guide hereFrom left: Dries Van Noten Textured Ankle Boots in silver (available in stores), Loewe Triangle Bag in yellow (available in stores), Niels Peeraer Bow Buckle Bracelet in white, Opening Ceremony and Intel MICA Bracelets in white and black, Joomi Lim Medium Neck Cuff w/ Spheres in ruthenium/rose gold, Joomi Lim Small Cuff w/ Spheres in rhodium/ruthenium, Olympia Le Tan The Idiot Book Clutch in burgundy, and Robert Clergerie Jordak Gold Detail Leather Slip-Ons in black (available in stores). 

2014 Gif(t) Guide: For Them Boys

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Dudes, let’s break it down for the family this holiday season. You don’t need another Netflix subscription (you’re secretly using your friend from high school’s mom’s account anyway), those posh shaving sets are really just there to make your bathroom look fancy, and giving ties really just says “I wish you would choose a more traditional career path.” Don’t get us wrong—your loved ones mean well. They just need a little... guidance. We're here to help. Sure, they might think Hood By Air is, we don’t know, a drone-based outerwear delivery service, and Raf Simons must be that band their coworker's son listens to all the time, but if that’s what you want, that’s what you get. So if Aunt Sally asks what you would like this holiday season, know that vagueness kills. Send her our way.

Shop the 2014 Gif(t) Guide here 

Cosmic Numbers: November 28

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As anyone waiting for that boy/girl to text knows, updates can be just as important as dates. In Cosmic Numbers, Morgan Rehbock, the guru behind our monthly Astrology IRL column, divines the stars to bring you in-the-moment advice on important dates.

Mercury enters Sagittarius for the rest of the holiday season. This planetary placement is seriously festive so expect fun in the next few weeks. Mercury in Sagittarius can be very sassy, so forgive any relatives who take their words of wisdom too far.

Aries
(March 21 - April 20)
Make adventurous holiday plans this season. Mercury sets off the grand trine in fire, making you feel totally vivacious until the end of the year.

Taurus
(April 21 - May 20)
You tend to be extremely acquisitive, but don't let your materialistic instincts take over this holiday season. Channel your energy toward others in nonmaterial ways rather than overspending on gifts.

Gemini
(May 21 - June 20)
While Mercury is in Sagittarius, you'll be feeling icy fresh in romantic situations. A holiday party is the perfect place to meet a winter crush.

Cancer
(June 21 - July 22)
Instead of giving in to indulgent desires, work on a new diet and fitness plan while Venus and Mercury travel through your house of health this holiday season.

Leo
(July 23 - August 22)
Mercury in Sagittarius will ignite a grand trine in fire that makes winter hot for you! The spicy energy coming up will help heat up your love life in a major way.

Virgo
(August 23 - September 22)
Keep things low-key in December, but make sure you still get festive with your closest friends and family.

Libra
(September 23 - October 22)
While Mercury is in Sagittarius this December, you'll be feeling feisty. Express yourself!

Scorpio
(October 23 - November 22)
Your mind will be on money while Mercury is in Sagittarius in December. This is a great time to brainstorm new ways to increase cash flow.

Sagittarius
(November 23 - December 21)
You're definitely the most mischievous sign of the zodiac, and you are about to start a fire (a grand trine to be precise) that makes December a month of excitement.

Capricorn
(December 22 - January 19)
Expect lively dreams this month while your 12th house of psychic activity is extremely active. You may espouse prophetic messages while you sleep-talk.

Aquarius
(January 20 - February 19)
Most of November was low-key since you had career matters on your mind, but December will be just the opposite. Don't miss a single opportunity to socialize!

Pisces
(February 20 - March 20)
All the right people will be thinking about you while Mercury and Venus travel through your 10th house of publicity in December. It's like that feeling when someone famous follows you back on Instagram.

Simon Says: Special Gifting Edition

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Here at OC, we are struck by how often we end up in everyday conundrums. The ones that land you in the thick of semi (or full-blown) awkwardness, or maybe, the doghouse. 

So, we turned to Simon Collins, the
 dean of the School of Fashion at Parsons, who after six years in his plum perch, just announced plans to step down at the end of this year. Translation: More time to divulge lessons on how to preoccupy oneself... 

In this special holiday edition of Simon Says, Simon shares with us his holiday 2014 gift guide.

For the girl you've only dated for three months and may leave it at that:
I’d suggest a lengthy subscription to one of those dreadful dating web sites. That way when you let the poor girl out of her misery, she’ll be able to find solace right away. You might also chuck in something slinky,​ since someone else is going to be getting what you’re not very soon.

For the girl you've only dated for three months and think this might be The One:
Oh, come now, we all know there’s only one way to keep the attention of the girl of your dreams, and I’m afraid OC doesn’t stock them. Leaving "a girl’s best friend" aside, you must remember that she has better taste than you and you don’t want to be asked for the gift receipt. I’d start with a simple Le Gramme bracelet, impossible to hate, and you can select according to budget and depth of feeling. That way if she hates it (and you), you can wear it yourself.

For the guy you've only dated for three months and may leave it at that:
A bus ticket outta town. That bastard had it coming and he better not show his face or get seen with some skank while you are still alive and kicking. 

For the guy you've only dated for three months and think this might be The One:
If you’re thinking he might suffice, then you can dress him however you like. I mean, it’s about time he got rid of the embarrassing junk he’s been wearing till now, and well done, you, for putting up with it. But now the real fixing begins, so why not begin with the Gold Hand Neoprene Crewneck Sweater, to remind him exactly where your hand will go when he makes a mistake.

For your sister:
Your sister is smarter than you and she’s given you some excellent advice over the years, like that time Mum caught you in a compromising position with a magazine. (Yeah, it’s online. Sorry.) Anyway give her something that shows how much you care, in the spirit of this most American of holidays why not a Proenza Schouler red, white, and blue bucket bag

For your brother:
Let’s face it—he’s a bit of an idiot. I know it’s not nice to say, but that time him and his friends were caught experimenting with duct tape and saddle grease (that’s online too, hehe). Still he is your brothe

The Missing Link At The Happiest Hour

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This summer, OC got you Tipsy and Tan. Now, we're just getting you tipsy. Meet Fridays at Five, our cocktail series where mixologists at New York City’s white-hot new restaurants create OC-exclusive drinks for our readers. Drinking on the job? Don't mind if we do...

Hats off to Black Friday shoppers; after a hectic family gathering, several days’ worth of cooking, and a little too much food, the last thing we need is another big event. Enter: The Happiest Hour, the latest escape in Greenwich Village. With decor inspired by Dirty Dancing’s tropical resort, and a back wall covered with retro tchotchkes (think seashells, cigar boxes, alligator heads), you won’t ever need a shot of whiskey at this laid-back bar (although you might want one).

Lest you can’t make it out to New York City, co-owner Jim Kearns shares a zippy variation on a house drink, the Link Ray. Fittingly titled The Missing Link, this refreshing celery-jalapeno-tequila concoction (with a dash of Lagunitas IPA) might just be the perfect remedy after battling the post-Thanksgiving crowds.
 
Name: Jim Kearns

If this drink had a soundtrack, what would it be? "Link Wray"

Drink of choice: A Miller High Life and Powers neat, or on the rocks depending on the day

Hangover cure: Water, sleep, and temperance

Best date advice: I always tell people to be themselves. People always put on too much affect. You can’t keep that up forever, might as well show your true colors, and if someone doesn’t like them, then fuck them.

Worst pick-up: At Pegu Club, when we were just packed to the gills on Fridays and Saturdays, a group of guys would come in at 3 a.m. and order Ramos Gin Fizzes. It’s a delicious drink, but it takes like, 10 minutes to shake a Ramos Gin Fizz properly. They would come in, order five of them, and then try to pick up every girl at the bar and get her to order a Ramos Gin Fizz with them. So we’d end up with 10 Ramos Gin Fizz orders. Once I tried to make five in one shaker; a couple minutes in, the shaker just pops open and sprays Ramos Gin Fizz all over the bar, all over me, all over the beautiful cocktail books, the POS, the barback, just everything. I cleaned myself up and came back and was like, do you still want those? They did. I never saw them leave with anybody.

What not to do to your bartender: There’s nothing worse than going to the guy who is waving at you, acting like there’s a fire going on next to him, and then he turns around to get orders from six people around him. And it’s like, okay, now I’m waiting for you. It just creates an awkward dynamic. I actually call it getting Jerry Lewised.



Exclusive Recipe: The Missing Link
OC Alcohol Scale*: 7 
“I mean, it’s a beer cocktail.” With tequila.

¾ oz lime juice
½ oz cane syrup
½ oz Suze
1 oz jalapeno tequila
1 dash celery bitters
Dash of Lagunitas IPA
Celery salt and heart for garnish

Rim a tall glass with celery salt (a mix of celery powder and kosher salt). Combine lime juice, cane syrup, Suze, and tequila in a shaker. Shake with ice, and strain into glass over ice. Top with IPA, garnish with celery heart and some black pepper.


*OC's Alcohol Scale ranges from 1 ("like sippin' from a juice box&quo

Happy Thanksgiving! XO, OC

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From our belly to yours, have a very Happy Thanksgiving.

If you're at home and looking for a diversion from your first cousin twice removed, or need a break from basting that turkey (a thankless job, really), here is a very useful pie chart that breaks down, well, America's pie preferences. Something this little dude can speak to.

 
 

Velvet Crush: Devon Halfnight Leflufy Fall/Winter 2014

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If we could describe Devon Halfnight Leflufy’s culturally rich namesake in hashtags, we’d surely opt for #eclectic, #ingenuous, and #cultchic. And for Fall/Winter 2014, the Canadian-Belgian designer was inspired by everything from Tumblr to his native British Columbia, to the Benelux, and everywhere in between.

For his sophomore collection, uniquely entitled “Coconut Water,” Leflufy cited references both culturally hip and personally nostalgic, which seemingly underline the brand’s aesthetic of catering to customers’ individualistic branding in lieu of commercial appeal. In addition, he confronts, as he puts it, “Tumblr ADHD,” along with the craze of the Internet—take the 3D Free Wifi T-Shirt, which features two balled up fists with “FREE WIFI” tattooed across eight fingers, lyrics from 1993’s “C.R.E.A.M.” by Wu Tang Clan, and among other societal parodies, an iced-out grill.

The Fur Short Jacket, no doubt, one of the collection’s standouts, fuses the utility of winter-ready mohair, with the fun of holographic hashtags adorned at the chest. Elsewhere, the collection centers on today’s fixation with comfortable (and luxurious) street-chic. Take the Flower Sweatshirt and Sweatpants, which, despite their digital flower jacquard prints, custom-made in France, were made for those moments in life where only sweats will do—the same with the Velvet Track Pants. “You can’t trust anyone who doesn’t love velvet,” says the designer. We couldn’t agree more.


Shop all Devon Halfnight Leflufy here


Model wears the Omega T-Shirt in white, Retro Dress Pants in red, and Reebok 101 Classic Sneakers in white. Photo by Alex Salinas  Free Wifi T-Shirt in black Fur Short Jacket in white

Cyber Monday, J'Adore!

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Between lingering food comas and widespread Mondaze, getting into stores for that perfect present can be like hitting the gym hard today—so not happening. Fortunately, you can shop from your current sitting, slouched, or otherwise reclined position and take 20% off everything, just by entering code GET20 at checkout—including an extra 20% off sale. What's one more day in your comfy pants?



Shop the OC Cyber Monday Sale 

New Horoscopes: December Brings The Zodiac Turn Up

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Get ready—the whole zodiac is going turn up to December’s positive planetary placements. When Saturn enters Sagittarius on December 24, it will usher in a new era, exchanging the heavy energy of Saturn in Scorpio that we’ve been working with for three years and swapping it out for a renewed sense of enthusiasm. Saturn in Sagittarius will invert all of your inhibitions and open up new opportunities. A highly advantageous grand trine in fire forms when Saturn enters Sagittarius and connects with Jupiter, planet of luck, and Uranus, planet of inspiration, giving every sign an extra push toward actualizing the new dreams that will come.

Shop all Astrology IRL here

Plus, look out for our Cosmic Numbers series, where Morgan gives tips and predictions for specific calendar dates, all month long.



While the year winds down, you’re actually getting ready to turn it up. An influx of fire is boosting your energy all around. The most radical energy is coming from Jupiter in Leo moving through your 5th house of passion, romance, and creativity, which boosts your mood like a blast of B-12. Move forward with creative projects while this planetary push gives you the energy to follow through. You are able to pick up on the message Uranus, planet of inspiration, has for you around December 15. You could get a wake-up call that something major in your life needs to be shifted, but you will definitely have the willpower to make this happen.

 
Have you been having trouble with bae for what feels like eternity? You’re both ready to settle your differences and deal with the drama in December, and you’ll be so happy to see the situation chill out. If you're not currently involved, your romantic status probably falls into one of two categories: You've either recently come out of a tumultuous relationship or you've been enjoying your singledom, spending introspective time thinking about what you need in a soul mate. No matter what, your relationship prospects are looking up in December, and you're ready to find something that will make you seriously happy. Trust—it's on the way.

 
When Saturn enters Sagittarius on December 24, it’s time to forget about the bad boys or girls and settle down in a more stable dating routine. If you are in a relationship, this will be a time to build long-term trust and stability, a "no-flex zone" if you will. Saturn will help you get to the next level if you were stuck on a dating plateau. For those who are not currently involved, the planets will help you make the perfect match in the months to come. Your ruling planet Mercury will be in your 7th house of partnerships for the first half of December, which will help you identify what it is you really need in a relationship. Far too often your rationalizations cause you to sublimate your true feelings. Use your exceptional communication skills to be straightforward with yourself and others this month and you will get more out of your relationships. On December 6 there is a full moon in Gemini that brings events from the past few months into sharper focus. Celebrate the achievements and connections you’ve made this year on this lunation.

 
If you begin December feeling like you were born to die, console yourself with the knowledge that an astral rift is opening at the end of the month that will allow you to emerge like a butterfly from a chrysalis in to a totally new identity. It will be like a move to a whole new borough of reality. The new moon in Capricorn on December 21 brings together an extremely refreshing combination of cosmic influences in your 7th house of partnerships, and it’s very possible you will meet the partner you’ve been dreaming of within a few days of this lunar progression. Venus, planet of love, will be in your 7th house from December 10, inviting more loving relationships into your life. This will be a welcome change of pace, since Mars, planet of aggression and heat spent more than a month in this placement, adding turmoil to your daily relations. You may still feel like you’re living in a Land of Gods and Monsters around December 15 when one last square between Uranus and Pluto create a sense of tension. Try to chill out and give yourself extra time to relax this week. Focus energy on your new moon manifestations.

 
Slow down in December for a strategic pause. You're halfway through the year-long transit of Jupiter through Leo, which provides you a level of good luck and positive vibes that won't be experienced again for 12 years, but you shouldn’t get swept away in the enthusiasm and lose sight of your larger goals. Jupiter goes retrograde on December 8 until April 8. Unlike Mercury, the retrograde of Jupiter will not be a nuisance; instead, it will allow you time to think about how you can better use the resources, which are bountiful, at your disposal. When success comes too easily, it's difficult to appreciate the positives. It's time to organize and repurpose certain aspects of your life so that you can fully actualize the good luck of Jupiter in Leo. When Saturn enters Sagittarius on December 24, it will begin a three-year-long focus on your creative pursuits. Put all of your energy toward your personal passions, and the rest of the universe will come to share your excitement.

 
You have been working hard, but I know you can go a little longer. Let the full moon in Gemini on December 6 be your motivation—it falls high on your chart in your 10th house of success and publicity. This lunar event will “make it rain” metaphysically speaking, giving you recognition for the hard work you’ve put in. You’ll be in the spotlight this week, so use this time to publicize projects you are working on, or approach a VIP in your life with a business proposal. You can be confident that your creative energy will continue later in the month. Switch gears after the full moon and focus on family because you do have some powerful things going on at home. Check in with the people closest to you and see what’s up. There might be familial tension to diffuse around the holidays because the final square between Uranus and Pluto, a planetary stress factor that we’ve all felt for two years, happens to fall in your house of family matters. Whatever the matter is, you will be well suited to play the mediator because your ruling planet Mercury will be supportive of your analytical instincts.

 
Your natural charm and social grace makes you impossibly likeable, but this month you won't care about likes while your ruling planet Venus is in the sassy and straight-forward sign of Sagittarius. It's time to get real, because being perfect is exhausting. Accept your selfie exactly the way it is. You'll never miss the followers you lose. Too often a Libra sublimates their own desire to please other people, so this month challenge yourself to follow your own voice without considering what others will think. If you normally stay in the city for the holidays, consider spending time with blood relations this year because a powerful new moon on December 21 in your 4th house of family ties would make the experience especially meaningful. This would be a great time to get back with anyone from your past who has fallen out of touch. You'd have a much better chance of keeping them closer using this lunar energy.

 
For months you have felt a shift coming. Interstellar stress has pushed you forward toward your goals over the past three years, and now the universe is ready to give you a cosmic massage and eliminate all the tension from the era of Saturn in Scorpio. On December 21, Saturn officially enters Sagittarius, and although it will come back for a brief stay in Scorpio from June to September 2015, you won't really have to deal with the pressure for another 29 years. Your Saturn struggle has made you stronger, and you should come out of this phase feeling proud of all accomplishments you have actualized, whether it's an internal transformation or a material achievement.

 
Like fellow Sagittarian Iggy Azalea, you have been sweeping through the season with a string of successes. The cosmos will continue to award you with positive vibes for most of December, as a trio of planets in the fire signs including Venus, the planet of love in Sagittarius, will energize and excite you. Your vibrant energy will make you the social star of all the holiday parties you attend this year. The full moon in Gemini on December 6 is well placed in your 7th house of partnerships, so take seriously any business opportunities or offers you get around this date. Even if they seem outlandish, they could be highly profitable. Enjoy the festive vibes in the first half of the month because much like Iggy, you are about to learn the true meaning of work. Saturn, the planet of structure and responsibility, enters Sagittarius on December 24 for three years, an influence that will give you the discipline needed to re-organize your life. Be prepared for major changes and re-structuring during this period of time. You might be in a funk for a moment, but you’ll be feeling fancy again sooner than you think. Neptune, the planet of subconscious visions makes an aspect to Saturn in the last days of December that could help you envision your future, so be in tune with your intuitive energies.

 
Last month held many dramatic moments, but this turbulent energy is finally moving out of your life. On December 15, one last aspect between Uranus, signifying everything new, and Pluto, power and transformation, could signal a major ending (or maybe a beginning) that you’ve been expecting. Clear out of any stale habits, relationships, jobs, or connections that are tying you down. Once you get this obstacle out of your way, the path is clear for you to move on and thrive. Capricorns tend to get stuck in a stable situation, but sometimes it’s necessary to make a move that could seem capricious or risky out of the blue in order to make it to the next level. The planet Venus will be your cosmic cheerleader from December 10 onward, giving your spirits an extra boost to help you through this time of transition. Mercury joins Venus in Capricorn on December 16, giving you a clear mind to make the executive decisions you are being asked to make. On December 21, a new moon in Capricorn will be a totally refreshing portal toward the next phase of your life.

 
Social situations will be bountiful in December (duh!) and you should attend whenever possible. You’re bound to have fun, and you’re likely to be presented with exciting work opportunities through your social connections. You’re allowed to stay home if you’re feeling shy (doubtful), but you absolutely have to get out there on the full moon when the stars are aligned perfectly for romance. If you’re not booed up, it is possible that you will discover new dimensions with an old acquaintance. If you’re currently entangled, the full moon will renew your romance, so plan a cute date that night! Over the past few months you may have jumped into some kind of partnership with a close companion. Be cautious about moving too fast this month. Jupiter, the planet of expansion, will be in retrograde after December 8 in your 7th house of partnerships, which means you may need to fill in some of the details that were left out in the beginning.


 
Ready or not, the cosmos have decided that it’s time for you to pursue your professional ambitions with more seriousness. The heat won’t be on until Saturn enters Sagittarius on December 24, so you do have some time to prepare. Saturn will spend about three years in your 10th house of success and publicity, helping you build, or transform, your professional reputation. This will not automatically be a planetary panacea to all of your professional problems, but if you work hard toward specific goals you will definitely see the rewards manifest. You may have doubts about whether you are on the right path for the first two months of this new planetary situation while your ruling planet Neptune makes a confusing aspect with Saturn, but work through the fog and have faith that you are going in the right direction. Introspection and meditation will help clarify your path. For all the money queens with eyes on the coin, rest assured that your finances will be supported by a buoyant fire trine during this professional transition. Your source of income may change, but you can count on a steady cash flow.

Solange Knowles' Latest Puma Collaboration Is A Wild Wonder

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Look up the term multitasker in the dictionary and you will undoubtedly find multi-talented powerhouse Solange Knowles' name. Just when you thought the impressive résumé of the singer/mother/Saint Heron founder wasn't enough, Solange has made the rest of the world look like slackers with the announcement of her second collection as creative director of sportswear brand PUMA. 

Fresh off of her wedding day, the songstress barely took a breather before taking to Instagram to release the first photos from the collaboration. After last season's debut "Blaze of Glory" collection, which showcased innovative interpretations of the beloved Disc style, Solange is back again with collaborators Hisham Bharoocha, Gerlan Jeans, and William Okpo for a two-drop collection. Hey, if it ain't broke...

"The two drops that make up this collection couldn't be more different from one another, but the commonality between the two is texture," says the singer. "I really wanted to focus on maximizing different textures to their fullest potential."

The first drop, "Wild Wonder," features three styles that are centered around the iconic PUMA Suede and XT2 styles. The myriad of colors and well-balanced serving of heavy mesh fabrication and contrast soles on each sneaker style is certainly of the eye-catching variety. The second, "Behind the Bazaar," features an additional two styles that will release at OC later this month. 

"[This experience] has been truly been amazing! I've been able to express so many parts of my artistry that I don't necessarily get to do as much in my realm," says Solange. "I absolutely love art direction, and being able to do that on so many levels during the scope of this collaboration has been super stimulating."

Shop the PUMA x Solange "Wild Wonder" collection here 

A version of this story originally ran November 25, 2014 




The Puma x Solange "Wild Wonder" collection now available in stores and online. Photos by Paul JungThe first drop of the collection, titled "Wild Wonder," features three styles that are centered around the iconic PUMA Suede and the XT2 styles. Solange is back again with collaborators Hisham Bharoocha, Gerlan Jeans, and William Okpo for a two-drop collection that is even more colorful and textural than the last. 

This Must Be The Place: New Vrindaban

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The rolling hills of rural West Virginia seem an unlikely spot for a Hare Krishna community to exist, and yet there it is: New Vrindaban. About an hour and a half's drive from Pittsburgh, this dreamlike place is the Oz at the end of a Rust Belt country road—not a mirage, but not exactly straightforward either. Hare Krishna devotees live here, but visitors (read: non-believers) are welcome to poke around, too. You can even stay on-site in a cabin if you want.

New Vrindaban was settled in the late '60s by followers of Srila Prabhupada, the man who basically founded the International Society for Krisha Consciousness (commonly known as Hare Krishna, an offshoot of Hinduism) and brought it to the West. The main attraction on the grounds is the Palace of Gold, an ornate building constructed by Prabhupada's devotees in the '70s—as a place for him to live. Unskilled teens and 20-somethings all, they taught themselves artisan skills to outfit the palace all in gold, marble, and stained glass. Unfortunately Prabhupada died before the construction finished, but now they give tours of the structure, which has an intricately adorned study, bedroom, en-suite bathroom, and even an on-site temple (where a statue likeness of Prabhupada now resides.)

Visiting New Vrindaban is a surreal experience to say the least. The community has been plagued with controversy past and recent, and it's clear that a lot of the Palace of Gold's exterior is rather in disarray—in addition to the repairs going on in other parts of the compound, which gives the whole place a curious vibe. Apparently visiting in summer (when the award-winning rose garden is in bloom) is a nice spectacle, but visiting during the quiet, introspective month of November is good too. One may be privvy to a one-on-one tour of the Palace or the deity-filled temple, which perfectly toes the line between preachy and educational. There's also an on-site restaurant for vegetarian Indian food; though, sometimes it might be closed early in order to offer a free meal to all the community (visitors included) deep within compound offices. It tastes really good, even if eaten as quickly as possible to get the heck out of there.

New Vrindaban
3759 McCrearys Ridge Road
Moundsville, WV 26041
MAPNew Vrindaban is likely the most surreal Hare Krishna community in America, perched on the rolling hills of the West Virginia panhandle. Photos by Alison Baitz Vegetarianism is hugely important for Hare Krishna followers—the compound at New Vrindaban includes a cow sanctuary. While visiting, I was fed paneer made from the on-site cows. The palace was made in the '70s by the unskilled hands of teens and 20-somethings, who taught themselves how to make things like stained glass and pieced marble floors. It was intended as a place for Srila Prabhupada (essentially the founder of the Hare Krishna faith) to live. Prabhupada sadly died before the completion of construction, so instead of the palace being a place for him to live, it's now a shrine with daily tours. Building the Palace of Gold took nearly a decade.

Tech Nerds, Rejoice!

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Say what you will about techie fashion, but you can't deny it has its perks. Sleek, modern, and optimum for the guy or girl-on-the-go, these high-functioning gizmos were not only made for the Zuckerbergs of the world, but for the music lover, the budding photographer, the solo tourist... basically anyone on your shopping list that lives in 2014. Tech nerds will get a style—and battery—boost with the Opening Ceremony varsity jacket, which features a built-in Mophie pack in the pocket, while the style savvy get a tad bit smarter with the MICA bracelet, available now for pre-order. If Rashida Jones, goddess of intelligent, beautiful goofballs everywhere, approves—so will your favorite nerd. 

Shop the 2014 Gif(t) Guide here

Best Of Both Worlds: Bellavance Fall/Winter 2014

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You really can have the best of both worlds. Bellavance, an NYC-based brand comes from two different perspectives—that of Parsons grads and BFFs Nolan Bellavance and Ava Hama. Together, the two create “approachable yet aspirational” magic. The label operates off of design qualities and techniques that seem contradictory, but in reality, work oh so well. This season, Bellavance brings us vintage yet modern, elegant yet fun, and structured yet laid-back, with elegant '40s-inspired silhouettes in utilitarian textiles and avant-garde shapes in monochromatic color palettes

The only part of about this collection that doesn’t have any bit of duality? Where you can scoop up the pieces, 'cause this collection is a certified OC exclusive. A twofer this good? You bet we locked it down.

Shop all Bellavance here 
OC-Exclusive Veruca Plisse Dress in black OC-Exclusive Dakota Wool Cross Top in sand/black OC Exclusive Avery Cut-Out Long-Sleeve Dress in black OC-Exclusive Liene Fence Plisse Cut-Out Dress in white OC-Exclusive Montana Denim Coat in indigo OC-Exclusive Aran Wool Culottes in pebble grey OC-Exclusive Beca Cashmere Turtleneck Top in black OC-Exclusive Vaughn Wool Top in pebble grey OC-Exclusive Yana Wool Pencil Skirt in sand/black OC-Exclusive Sienna Denim Skirt in indigo
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