As a kid, I often dedicated my Sunday afternoons to exploring the extensive teen magazine section of my local public library.
I was fascinated by recommendation sections (“Five purses you need this fall,” “Ten podcasts that will change your life,” “Eight celebrities you should keep your eyes on,” et cetera.). Although I never implemented these recommendations, merely reading them and secretly ripping the photos off my favourite pages, I was captivated by the thought of the author being an expert in niche categories.
While I’m no expert, I’ve got my finger on the pop culture pulse and feel like I’m well-versed in trends.
In this column, I’ll seek to keep you updated on the hottest fashion trends, the catchiest new songs, the juiciest reads, the most bingeworthy TV, and my own personal trendsetting journey: my favourite Kingston find. I’ll mainly be informed by the internet—more specifically, the 11-year-olds on TikTok who tell me what’s cheugy—but I’ll take things with a grain of salt and exercise my own judgment when making my picks.
My credentials, you may ask? 20 years of trying to be cool.
Watch
Lena Dunham’s quotable comedy series, Girls, is having a resurgence among Gen-Z viewers. Set in New York City, it follows four 20-somethings navigating relationships, friendships, jobs, dreams, and their mental health. As the average Gen-Z reaches their twenties, the show becomes increasingly relatable and pertinent. As Buzzfeed told me, I’m a Hannah (cusp Shoshanna).
I’m glad to see Girls becoming popular among my peers; it depicts multi-faceted and flawed young women, rather than the typical straight-laced characters we’re fed today.
Read
Over the winter break, I finally got around to reading Most Hated by Kara Alloway, a book I purchased last summer primarily for its aesthetic appeal. To my delight, the content matched the punchy and attractive cover.
Most Hated narrates the tale of a clique of affluent women filming a reality show. As a dedicated reality TV enthusiast, this book provided the coveted behind-the-scenes glimpse I’ve always yearned for. The writing was enjoyable, and the plot was filled with so much intrigue I found myself audibly gasping at certain moments.
Listen
Calgary’s sweetheart, Tate McRae, is fast-tracking her way to pop stardom. The 20-year-old triple threat (singing, song writing, and dancing) has taken off in the last few months, with songs “Greedy” and “Exes” topping the charts and getting stuck in my head.
Her elaborate choreography and athletic style have drawn comparisons to Britney Spears, and many fans are quick to dub her as the next-generation successor to the pop queen.
Her dynamic stage presence has created a magnetic allure for fans globally. As she continues to carve her path in the pop music landscape, I’ll be sure to keep an eye on McRae’s rise to fame.
Wear
The newest fashion trend taking over TikTok has ‘clean girl aesthetic’ subscribers shaking in their platform Uggs. “Mob wife winter,” popularized by Mikayla Toninato on TikTok, categorizes the smoky makeup, gold jewelry, designer bags, teased up-dos, and messy glamour seen in recent off-duty celebrity fashion. It encourages maximalism and loud patterns promoting a bigger-the-better mindset. Think Michelle Visage, or Adriana in The Sopranos.
As far as winter trends go, I’m a fan of this one. Many mob-wife wardrobe essentials are timeless pieces—a large bag, dark sunglasses, and a flattering little black dress, to name a few. As long as the fur is either faux or vintage, I’m all for fashion trends that encourage a hunt in your mom or grandma’s closet.
Visit
If you have an afternoon free in Kingston this winter, I highly suggest you try CRAVE Coffeehouse’s Toasty Almond Latte.
As someone who typically strays away from milk alternatives, I found myself pleasantly surprised by the nutty flavour. It was the perfect beverage for a grey, snowy day, and I imagine it pairs nicely with any of their baked goods to cope with being behind on readings.
The café itself has a warm and inviting atmosphere, always bustling with awkward first dates and group study sessions. It feels like the quintessential Sunday hangout spot in a classic college movie and has undoubtedly become a favourite among many Queen’s students, living up to its hype.
Tags
Fashion, Kingston, Music, News Flash, TV
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