Columbia-Themed Gift Guide

Roar, Lion, Roar: Leo the Lion Pendant by Razza

image via ebay.com

For jewelry lovers, it’s fortunate that our school mascot is a lion. For decades, designers have created incredible lion earrings, necklaces, bracelets and belts. The 60s jewelry designer Luke Razza created this lion pendant as part of his zodiac series, a popular theme for designers of the decade. Personally, I have this necklace in black and silver. Whenever I wear it, I get so many compliments and stares, some envious, some confused. This lion is unique, has a lot of character, and is a great conversation piece. Strangely, I feel empowered when wearing him, as if his mere presence will ward off creepers. I loved him as my Leo, as he was known to me before I came to Columbia, but now I especially love him as my Roary.

You can find this necklace, and other Razza pieces, on ebay (just search Razza). The price tends to reflect the necklace’s condition, but even for a mint condition piece I wouldn’t pay more than $60.

Another option are these lion earrings from ModCloth for $17.

Art Humanities: Pablo Picasso

 What kind of women could Pablo Picasso get? This book, with an introduction by Picasso’s granddaughter, chronically arranges Picasso’s lovers. There are excerpts from Picasso’s love letters, and over ninety of his works (playa playa).

Music Hum: Mozart Liqueur

For the full effect, sip on some Mozart (chocolate liqueur) while listening to Symphony No. 40.

Liqueur, $25.

 Contemporary Civilization: Homer and Aristotle Bookends

Make Homer (on the left) and Aristotle literal bookends of your Columbia education: place their books, and the “series of footnotes to Plato” (aka all of Western philosophy), in between them.

  Bookends, $40.

 p.s. There are also these bookends of Rodin’s Thinker (the sculpture outside of Philosophy Hall) for $59,

 DIY: Literature Humanities Gift

Framed Typography

Take a quote that you love, choose a suitable font and color, and stylistically arrange the words. Print it on nice paper and frame it.

 Image via etsy.com

Christmas Ornament

Buy some clear, fillable Christmas ornaments. Next, cut strips of text from your friend’s favorite book (below are literal excerpts from Pride and Prejudice), and wrap the strips around a pen until they hold a curly-q shape. Once curled, drop the text inside the ornament.

image via etsy.com

Hollowed Out Book

For a cool gift, follow these instructions and make a secret hollowed out book. Inside the book, place a flask filled with your friend’s favorite liqueur (or maybe use Mozart Liqueur for a “core connection”). If you want to be especially naughty and sacrilege, hollow out the Holy Bible.

image via etsy.com

 by Anna Sacks

Jina L., CC’ 13, Hoot’s Beauty & Health Director 

“In elementary school, kids made fun of my black leather jacket and touched my fur coat curiously. I never wore skirts except for my middle school uniform skirt, which I had to wear to school everyday. I guess haven’t changed much since then. In my closet hang a blue faux fur vest from 6th grade that I still wear and a total of three skirts. By nature, I gravitate toward clothes with heightened impact and a hint of androgyny.”

Day 1

“This faux fur coat is a testament to my love for exaggerated volume and shaggy texture. It’s actually much bigger than my size but I’m glad I purchased it because it’s the warmest winter coat I own. Besides, I find that I give and receive more hugs when I wear it.”

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Day 2

“Both the skirt and the jacket are from my mom. She used to wear these when she was my age. The jacket was a gift from my grandmother. They both have an incredible eye for proportions, colors, and quality. I really appreciate the inflated sleeves and the back of the jacket. I like to wear them together, wool-on-wool. I’m going to take good care of these so I can hand them down to someone, too.”

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Day 3

“This is what I usually look like on weekend nights. Once, someone asked me if I was dressed up as an animal.”

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Day 4

“I spend most of my time on the North side of campus where my science classes are. I like to read at Joe’s in NoCo in between classes and drink cafe mocha, which I discovered recently. The mirror-finish gold parka is from Kira Plastinina, a young Russian designer. I got this at her going-out-of-business (in the US) sale. Too bad, because people still ask me where they can find it.”

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Day 5

“I’m wearing the Strokes t-shirt given to me by a dear friend, old black skinny jeans, and pointy black leather shoes. Most of my shoes are pointy. They make walking much more exciting. On sunny but cold days, I like to wear all black and soak up the sun.”

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Photos by Rubii Pham 

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On Surface to Air’s outer windows, enlarged hand-sketched portraits give a taste of what’s waiting inside. The words “ACCEPT THE MYSTERY” are stamped in bold right above the front doors. When you enter the store, you are encompassed by a dim mystique of modern architecture, composed of marble, concrete, wood, and slate.

When on the lookout for cool and edgy menswear this season, Surface to Air is definitely the place to visit. Originally based in Paris, the brand just recently opened its New York Flagship Store at 27 Mercer Street and is a fresh addition to the thriving cluster of stores that already occupy the streets of SoHo.

The brand’s Autumn/Winter 2011 Collection brings an urban twist to classic menswear. One of my favorite items is the Aquamarine Corduroy Suit Jacket. The garment combines impeccable tailoring with 70’s inspired buttons and materials. Its slim lapel and tailored hemline make for a perfectly fitted silhouette. It would go well with a pair of jeans, brogues, and a white tee for a casual day on the town, or with a pair of slim chinos, a crisp button down, and a bowtie for dressier occasions.

Another item that caught my eye was a 100% wool fedora hat. Beige with a black leather band and neatly positioned silver buckle, it’s a signature piece that will make your outfit distinguishable from others.

by Andre’ Fuqua

Did you guys catch the VS Show this past week? #motivationtoworkout

It’s December! I keep asking myself where the snow is – that’s what December is, after all. It’s definitely starting to get colder. And you know what else is starting? FINALS! (Hooray.) These links will hopefully distract you from whatever distress classes pile on you.. Enjoy!

Harry Potter + Mean Girls: Perusing through these gifs gave me hours of happy distraction. If you are a Harry Potter aficionado and Mean Girls tickled your fancy, you’ll thoroughly enjoy this tumblr.

Funny Typos: Although having typos yourself won’t get you the grade you need, shitmystudentswrite typos are hilarious. Thank goodness for common sense spellcheck.

Winter: Although it’s not exactly full-blown winter yet, GalaDarling has compiled a number of amazing things to keep in mind when the weather starts getting super nippy.

NYC: This is what I love about New York. It’s so dramatic and colorful. Well maybe not during the winter, but this editorial of Ondria Hardin by Brad Triffitt is amazing.

H&M + MARNI: Marni’s collabing with H&M! Watch the video – I can’t wait for it to come out… MARCH 2012!!

That’s it! Enjoy this penultimate week of classes

by Lydia Ding 

Who’s tall and blonde and haute couture all over? Why, Lady Gaga, of course!
On Monday November 21st, friends and self-described “little monsters” came out to celebrate the ribbon-cutting ceremony of Gaga’s Workshop at Barney’s. In true Gaga fashion, she transformed the fifth floor of the Madison Avenue men’s shop into an over-the-top reinterpretation of Santa’s holiday workshop–not for the fashion faint of heart. The lady of the hour dressed to the nines in a white and black accented ball gown fit for the Snow Queen, piled-on pearls, a snowball puff headpiece and her signature black sunglasses. Topping the guest list were Gossip Girl star Blake Lively in a stunning cobalt blue, lace-shouldered suit, charming funnyman Neil Patrick Harris, best friend and trusted creative confidante Nicola Formichetti looking dapper in black, and none other than the true little monster, Gaga’s younger sister Natalie.

To enter this treasure trove filled with limited-edition products and whimsical objets d’art, guests entered through a façade that gave the illusion of stepping into Gaga’s mouth. Inside, they discovered McQueen inspired sweets, handcrafted tea cups, and customized copies of her favorite Roald Dahl novels among many wish list worthy items–best of all, 25 percent of all sales from the Workshop or online go straight to the Born This Way foundation, dedicated to youth empowerment.

Stop by and see for yourself through January 2nd–hopefully, if you’re on her nice list, you’ll walk away with something special to give, and of course something equally special to keep!

Gaga and her right-hand man, Nicola Formichetti 

by Olivia Aylmer & Esther Jung

Image via Vogue.com 

Allison, a junior in Columbia College majoring in Comparative Literature and Society, and her Watt double are a refreshing reminder that college doesn’t have to be dominated by messy dorm rooms and sweatpants.
Allison grew up in Saskatchewan, Canada and Minneapolis, around an overwhelming amount of lululemon and prep-school types, respectively. It’s hard to see those influences in the twenty-year-old Allison, who “loves the idea of classic Chanel” and aesthetically prefers “elegance with a pop of fun, like bright colors or a dressed down necklace.” Admittedly, in her freshman year she tried the “typical New York” gray and black wardrobe, but eventually grew into her bright corals and greens. College has really been where Allison has solidified herself, from her general “dabbling” in culture to her personal concept of style.
Allison has interned for a modeling agency and The New York Time’s T Magazine, but doesn’t plan to work exclusively with fashion. Fashion has influenced her through more than just the industry itself—she finds inspiration in The Great Gatsby and other literary period pieces in addition to Vogue. Nevertheless, Allison clearly embraces fashion, applying it to the comfort of her established style and the collages on her dorm walls.

1. Photographs taken while studying abroad during the summer in France.
2. Favorite belt.
3. Festive, holiday appropriate YSL heels.
4. A jewelry hanger and pearls
5. The “perfect New Year’s dress”
6. “Everyday school outfit” with collage and bed in background.
7. Watch gifted by her boyfriend.

by Angel Jiang 

After months of blood, toil, tears, and sweat (I might be exaggerating, but only marginally), may I present to you Hoot’s F/W 2011 issue, featuring Kelsey Chow! The issue will be available online on December 6th, but if you would like a copy personally delivered to your dorm step, click here!

by Rubii Pham

Hope to see you all tonight at our Perspective on Fashion Panel in the James Room (that’s fourth floor!) of Barnard Hall!

Let’s face it. The thought of waking up at the crack of dawn to stand in the cold with hordes of sale-hungry fashionistas, only to find yourself reaching for the same covetable pair of pumps as a fellow shopper an hour later sounds less than appetizing. Never fear! There are plenty of sample sales around the city happening before and after Black Friday for you to give thanks for. So, what are you waiting for? Throw on your favorite scarf and start shopping!

11/29–12/3 Men’s, women’s, and children’s apparel is up to 60% off at the J.Crew sample sale. The selection includes jewelry, shoes, and outerwear, as well as a limited assortment from Madewell. The men’s Authentic peacoat is $150 (originally $295), the women’s Stadium cloth cinema coat is $150 (originally $350), and the Wooltown skirt is $35 (originally $88). 260 Fifth Ave., nr. 28th St.; T–F (10–8), S (10–6).

11/30–12/4 Womenswear is up to 65% off at the Theory sample sale. 261 W. 36th St., nr. Seventh Ave., second fl. (212-947-8748); W—F (10-7), S-Su (10-5).

11/15-11/20 The Boyfriend leather cross-body bag is $178 (originally $295), and the quilted leather Flame satchel is $272 (originally $495) at the Rebecca Minkoff sample sale. 14 W. 14th St., nr. Fifth Ave.; T (4-9), W-S (10-7), Su (11-5).

11/25 Bring in six canned goods to any Alexis Bittar store and receive 15% percent off your purchase. See store website for various times & locations.

11/28-12/2 & 11/5-12/9 Cashmere, cashmere-blends, and cotton apparel  and accessories are up to 75$% off at the Autumn Cashmere fall/winter sample sale. 231 W. 39th St., nr. Seventh Ave., Ste. 1111 (212-398-2244); M–F (9–7), then M–F (9–6).

Check out NYMag.com for more fabulous finds, and consult their fashion calendar for a month’s worth of events to start the holiday season off in style!