Now you can look like a Wild Thing

When I was a wee little child, my go-to dolly was a stuffed monster from my favorite book "Where the Wild Things Are." I still sleep with the creepy little guy to this day.

"Where the Wild Things Are" is premiering on the big screen this October and I have been anticipating its arrival since I first got wind of the movie last year. I got even more excited, however, when I saw an email blast from Urban Outfitters showcasing their new "Wild Things" collection in honor of the new movie.

Included in the collection are various "Wild Things" T-shirts, dresses, keychains, and even dolls, including a new version of Bull, the one that I have. I, however, will be happily sporting the very adorable and recession friendly colorblocked jumper when I attend the premiere next month.

Above: Where the Wild Things Are by Mary Meyer colorblocked jumper, $58
For more Wild Things apparel and gifts click here.

Budget Friendly Gift Ideas

Above: Edible gifts, like this holiday fruit compote, make great, inexpensive gifts.
Photo: Hannah Whitaker/New York Magazine

With the economy dwindling, everyone seems to be cutting back on Christmas gifts this year, myself included. I ain’t got no job, and consequently, no money. However, I don’t want to give my friends and family a big box of nothing, so I’ve decided to get creative this year. Here are some budget-friendly ideas I’ve devised that won’t break your bank or make you look like a complete cheap ass. Double Whammy.

1. Holiday gift baskets – Who wouldn’t appreciate a basket full of homemade goodies? I’m making one stuffed with candied nuts, assorted cookies, fruit compote and turtle bark, all prettily packaged and tied up with ribbons for my boyfriend’s parents.

2. Scrapbooks – If you’re looking for something sentimental to give a friend, family member, or a significant other, make a scrapbook filled with pictures, quotes and memorabilia from your most unforgettable times together. It’s a surefire way to stir up their emotions. Seriously, when my friend’s sister made her one last Christmas, she actually cried. You know who you are.

3. Art – If you’re a pro at painting, a wiz at the pottery wheel, or an exceptional jewelry designer, put your skills to the test and create a gift that’s fabulously unique. It might take a lot of time to do, but it will mean infinitely more to the receiver than a boring gift card or a crappy Christmas sweater.

4. Music – If your eclectic ITunes collection is the envy of all your friends, make them a collection of mixed CDs. You can even be super lazy and use ITunes’ new feature, Genius, to make the playlists – all you have to do is pick a song you know your friend loves, and Genius will make playlists of similar songs for you.

5. Chores – If you’re broke but can’t cook, aren’t crafty, have horrible taste in music, and have absolutely nothing to offer, you don’t have too many options. Instead of throwing in the towel and “forgetting” a gift (oops!), offer to do some simple household chores. Clean a toilet, do the dishes, or mop someone’s floor. It might suck, but that’s what you get for being worthless.

Don't lose your shorts in New York

New York City is known for many things: world-famous shopping, delicious eateries, Central Park, Broadway, miniscule, overpriced apartments, and obscenely expensive everything. A couple days ago I returned from a trip to NYC to visit my sister, Rachel, and I came to my own Oprah-inspired aha! moment: You can spend an ass-load of money there. Next time I return, I intend to pinch some pennies using my own list of goof-proof cash-saving tactics. If you plan on visiting this green-guzzling town, pay heed to the following tips:

Culture
1. Visit the museums! Most of the galleries’ admissions are suggested, and will take whatever donation you give them. Ignore the sneering ticket box lady when she condescendingly asks, “Oh, is this what you’re giving me?” when you hand her $4 instead of the suggested $20. Don’t feel too bad – just look around and realize the thousands of people at the Met probably did the same thing.
2. Go to the Park! Central Park comprises 6% of Manhattan Island, and there are a bazillion things to do there. Take a walking tour, visit the Central Park Zoo, ride the carousel, or sunbathe in Sheep’s Meadow.
3. Wander the street fairs! There’s always some wacky bizarre or neighborhood festival going on almost every summer day in the Big Apple. Eat cheap street food and laugh at the weirdo performers guaranteed at every fair doing God-knows-what.

Nightlife
1. Hit on lonely cougars or dorky chaps! Why pay for your own drinks when some poor sucker would be glad to? Alcohol at the swanky clubs in NYC is notoriously expensive and all it takes is a little strategy (look for the cougars dripping in jewels and the loners with bottle service they’re dying to share) and chitchatting to score some drinks. If your significant other would be less than thrilled with you flirting for free booze, skip to tip number two.
2. Take advantage of club promoters! Club promoters get paid for rounding up hotties to the clubs so they will seem constantly packed and popular. The promoters provide free bottle service for all their minions in exchange for their attendance. You can usually find the promoters schmoozing outside the club, trying to entice good-looking people to come in the club with them. If you are neither attractive nor young, skip to tip number three.
3. Pre-game! If you don’t feel like working losers for your drinks or being hassled by weasel-y club promoters, but still don’t want to pay for booze that costs three arms and a leg, just make some cocktails at home and get schnockered before you hit the bars! You won’t have to worry about standing in lines at the bar, you’ll still be able to pay rent, and you can tell off every creep that hits on you because you don’t need them to get you drunk!

Shopping
1. Hit the sample sales! There are many designer-duds to be scored at sample sales, all at slashed prices. Check out dailycandy.com for weekend sample sale lineups. Warning: Crazy broads might tear out chunks of your hair for the discounted Chanel flats in your grasp at these shopping free-for-alls, so watch your back.
2. Scour the vintage stores! There are tons of funky vintage shops around town, and all it takes is a little persistence and a good eye to find some unique get-ups. My faves: Screaming Mimi’s, New York Vintage, and What Comes Around Goes Around.
3. Visit during sale season! Awesome stores like Barneys, Intermix, and Bergdorf Goodman have their biggest sales when they are trying to get rid of last season’s clothes so if you visit July through August or March through April, be prepared for some serious bargain shopping!

In above photo: Colleen to club promoter guy, "Haha! Thanks for helping me drink for free!"