Day 5: Hump Day Homework "Christmas Stories"

It's time for your weekly Hump Day Homework (Christmas edition): 

Watch: Christmas Every Day (1996)

This is the one that started it all! Started what? The ABC Family (back then known as the Family Channel) Christmas Movies! Yes that's right, this Christmassy homage to Groundhog Day, that starred the oh so dreamy Erik von Detten as a frustrated teenager reliving Christmas day over and over again, was the first of many awesome made for TV Christmas movies. And that alone is reason enough to check it out.

Listen To: Tis The Season to be Fearless

listen to me

This is hands down the coolest Christmas album I own. And it's perfect for those wanting something a little deeper (and louder) than roasting chestnuts. Highlights: Breathe Carolina's Mile High Christmas and The Maine's Ho Ho Hopefully.

Read: Christmas Fanfiction

  

Shameless self promotion, but my own Christmas Stories actually go quite well with this week's theme. So check them out if you're a Psych, Castle, or Sherlock fan. 

Peace, Love and Mistletoe

Laura

Day 3: Santa Claus is coming to town…

 …through your TV screens. 

In honor of the long anticipated Castle Christmas Special airing tonight, here's the top 5 of my all time favorite Christmas Specials (watch them if you haven't yet!):

5) The O.C., "The Chrismukk-huh?" (2006)

The most controversial choice on the list. People seem to either love or hate this episode, that plays with the idea of what had happened if Ryan had never come to Newport - But I for one can't get enough of the show's take on my favorite Christmas movie (It's a Wonderful Life). 

4) Psych, "Christmas Joy" (2008)

Another slightly controversial one. I know that a lot of people really dislike this episode, but I can't help it, I'm a simply sucker for a funny Christmas ep, and this one had reindeer, and a Santa Baby montage…  

3) Remington Steele, "Dancer, Prancer, Donner and Steele" (1985)

The agency's Christmas party takes a turn for the worse when three Santas take the detectives and their party guests hostage - but what really makes this, is the unexpected twist that ends with a motorcycle chase in a Christmas tree lot.

2) The Middle, "A Simple Christmas" (2010)

Maybe it reminds me of the family Christmases when I was a kid, maybe I just enjoy chaos,  but few things are as entertaining as a Heck family Christmas. And I'm already looking forward to this year's Christmas special.  

And on number one, my all time favorite Christmas episode...

1) The Twilight Zone, "Night of The Meek"  (1960)

Nothing will ever live up to the magic of Night of the Meek. It isn't among the most shocking or "cool" episodes, but I will never forget Henry Corvin and the magic burlab bag. 

So what are your favorite Christmas Specials? Let me know comment below!

Peace, Love and Mistletoe

Laura 

Will They Or Won't They?

…Catch the bad guy ;)

As most of you know I grew up loving detective shows, but the clever detectives weren't the only thing I loved about them. The shows I adored the most always had a "will they or won't they?" arc going on. 

So… "Hi my name is Laura, and I'm a shipper"

My first detective show ship was Remington Steele's PI duo Remington Steele and Laura Holt. However the "shipping" didn't start until years after I first saw it. I wasn't even born when this show originally aired, and since I was about 5 years old when I saw the first reruns I didn't fully grasp the concept of UST (unresolved sexual tension) yet. But during a little DVD marathon yesterday I realized something: my first TV ship has a lot in common with one of my current ships…in fact they might even be the same people:

Yes I'm talking about Castle's Richard Castle and Kate Beckett. And being named after the (romantic) lead is not the only thing these two shows have in common:

Remington and Castle are both sharp-witted (sometimes cocky) guys, and their partners in crime, Laura and Kate, are the more serious (but nevertheless very flirty) part of the duo. And all four were (or in Castle's case are) too afraid and stubborn to make a move.

RS, however, is the more campy show of the two. With the exception of a few episodes it was a lot more lighthearted than it's modern day counterpart.  There seemed to be less at stake, and the characters shared their first kiss in the third (!) episode. On Castle it took three seasons to get to that particular milestone. Okay, so technically both kisses weren't even real (we know they were, but the characters themselves might deny it), but that is just another thing the couples have in common.

So RS might be ahead in the speed category, but when it comes to continuity I prefer Castle's slow but steady approach. At least we know where the couple stands, and even it is very frustrating at times the big relief will be worth it.  And until then I always have my RS DVDs if I'm in need for some serious fluff.

Another funny tidbit is that Brosnan was actually offered the role of James Bond 10 years before he first played 007, but couldn't take the part because of his commitment to RS. And wasn't it Richard Castle who happily turned down the offer to author the next Bond novels just so he could continue writing about his favorite NYC detective?  Coincidence or not, I leave that up to you…

Peace, Love and Sunshine

Laura 

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Glitterati

I found  a wonderful (very sparkly) H&M skirt the other day, and while it is perfect for a night out I was looking for a more casual way to wear it.  

...So I asked Castle's costume desinger and fashion genius  Luke Reichle for help, and here's what the master came up with:

...and  my take on it:

I can't wait to rock this look later this week! Thanks Luke!

Peace, Love and Sunshine

Laura 

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DIY: TV inspired Halloween Costumes

Last year a silly heat wave ruined my plans of being Penny Lane for Halloween (70s fur coat and  80 degree Weather don't mix...).  So there was only one thing to do: I hit my closet and tried to put together a last minute alternative. One blue sweatshirt, two orange converse, and a bunch of blonde clip in extensions later I was  Chuck's Sarah Walker:

Dressing up as your fave TV character is always an easy and cheap costume idea. In most cases you find everything you need  in your own closet. And even wigs or hair pieces can be found super cheap at Claire's or most drugstores.  

 Here's some inspiration:  

Wanna be Elena from The Vampire Diaries?  All you need are dark skinny jeans, a tank top or cami (either bright red or a darker color, like navy or petrol - no brights!), and of course her trademark KRMA leather jacket (but don't worry Asos, H&M and Forever 21 sell similar styles that look just as cute). And to complete the look with the perfect makeup check out this tutorial. 

If you're in the mood to dress up as Castle's Kate Beckett, you need a classic trench or peacoat, killer heels and of course her watch and ring. Just borrow your dad's, brother's or guyfriend's watch and find an old ring to wear on a necklace. Not detectivy enough for you? Just hit the next toystore and get a fake gun and police badge.

Feeling extra glamorous? Why not dress up as everyone's favorite Upper East Siders Serena and Blair. There are so many options here, but one look that works particularly well for Halloween is their season one school girl look. Keep it preppy for Blair (bows and headbands, and headbands with bows...), and show your wild side with Serena (short plaid skirt, messy hair, oversized cardigan...). 

...And If you wanna go for something funny, pick a reality TV character. Don't know what to do with those Juicy sweat suits and Ed Hardy tees?  Put them to use by  dressing up as a "Real Housewife" or a Jersey Shore character.  Got an old prom dress and a giant bottle of hairspray?  Be a Toddlers and Tiaras pageant girl! 

I hope this could give you a few ideas.  And if you already know what you're going to be for Halloween  then let me know and comment below!  

Peace, Love and Sunshine

Laura  (select comment as: Name/URL - and double check to make sure your comment shows up - sometimes you have to try twice)

Fashion(able) Police

I was five years old when I found my first style idol. But instead of wanting to dress like the girls on 90210, my idol was an old detective in a wrinkled trench...yes I'm talking about Columbo (and yes I did have a very mature taste in TV lol).

Watching reruns, bundled up in one of my dad's coats, I had decided that detectives have the coolest style in the world. Five short years later I was ten and wanted to wear nothing but penny loafers, knee socks, and preppy plaid...I had discovered Nancy Drew. Fast forward another seven years and I was idolizing a badass blond teen sleuth with tough yet sometimes girly style, Veronica Mars. 

The point of this story is that I spent most of my life idolizing famous detectives and their style, but not one of those detectives was as classy, cool and simply gorgeous as my current crime fighting fashion idol: Castle's Det. Kate Beckett, played by the wonderful Stana Katic.

I could go on for hours about how much I adore every single one of her outfits, but I'm gonna let the pictures speak for themselves:

No matter how crazy or hard the case, Beckett always looks perfect. In fact, I love her style so much that I often find myself browsing the internet to find the pieces she wears. This used to be a sometimes frustrating experience, until I discovered that the genius behind the show's amazing wardrobe is on Twitter. Costume Designer Luke Reichle tweets during the episodes, and answers every fashion related question – gone are the days of browsing through website after website to find a scarf or shirt. Thanks Luke!  

Luke Reichle (RedCarpetLuke) on Twitter

Stana Katic (Stana_Katic) on Twitter

Check out Castle on ABC 

Got any crime fighting fashion idols yourself? Comment below!