Overall, I would label my trip as a success and well worth the $15 I spent total.

Written By: Amanda

The six-volume graphic novel series is written and drawn by Brian Lee O'Malley. It features the titular Scott Pilgrim, an average video-game-loving 23-year-old who hasn't quite learned how to grow up and his ragtag group of “friends” (I use that word strenuously). Scott's been having some weird dreams about a pink-haired delivery girl, and, when he actually sees the real thing at a party, it's love at first sight. It's all romantic-comedy fun until the girl, Ramona Flowers, informs Scott that, in order for them to date, he must first defeat her seven evil exes. And, while he attempts that, Scott must also finish things with his previous girlfriend Knives Chau, get his band Sex Bob-omb off the ground, and get a job so he and his roommate can pay the rent.

The thing that made the series so fantastic was its use of hilarious video game tropes: level-ups, free lifes, and weapon upgrades (Giant Hammer: +2 against girls) are frequent occurrences. Besides the aforementioned seven evil exes, the characters are just average joes, so it's quite interesting watching them adapt to this new action-packed lifestyle.

 

Because I wear contacts 90% of the time, not a lot of people know just how blind I really am. I have a pair of coke-bottles that could rival your granny's in thickness, and I absolutely love wearing them.

Glasses are such a great accessory. They are different and unexpected, draw attention to the eyes, and, with all the different shapes and colors, can give the wearer a chance to show off their personality.

So, to any of our readers out there who are keeping their lenses locked in the bathroom cabinet like some dirty little secret, I ask you to treat your frames not as a necessary evil, but as another accessory in your wardrobe.

I absolutely love thrift stores. To me, it's like a modern-day treasure hunt. Of course, that doesn't mean that the experience is all fun. Here are a few tips to take some of the stress out of thrifting:

Chances are, even if you've heard of it, you have most likely never watched the 1982 film Blade Runner (or one of its numerous director's cuts). I can't exactly blame you: its science fiction plot line and surreal universe lends itself only to cult status. However, if you're in need of a little wardrobe inspiration, this “guy” flick may be perfect to you.

Like many science fiction films made in the 80s, Blade Runner takes place in the distant future of 2019, where humanoid robots known as “replicants” are considered illegal and must be tracked down and eliminated by “blade runners”—but this isn't all that important. Rather, it is this cyber-punk universe that should be your inspiration: the world is a futuristic, grungy Chinatown. Juxtaposed with this is a reworking of 1940s style clothing and hair, with a touch of 80s glam rock thrown in. It is the only film I'm aware of in which leather trench coats, white fur, and clear ponchos (with nothing underneath!) can all exist in harmony, and there's just something about that that I find fascinating and know other viewers will too.

So put down The Devil Wears Prada or Confessions of a Shopaholic, and let Blade Runner show you a thing or two about fashion.

This may be a bit shocking to you, but I have an announcement to make: Twilight has ruined vampires. Now put your weapons down and let me go on.

I would be fine if those sparkly vampires kept to their own series. But no, they must infect and spoil every supernatural media there currently is out there. The fact that I now cringe whenever I find “vampire” written in a character bio is a real hindrance in discovering new things to get into.

Fortunately, there are at least some characters hanging around in pop culture (like bats, get it? Haha, I'll stop now) that are showing the world just how awesome a creature of the night can be.

 

I had high hopes for True Blood. I've never been a fan of Bill Compton, but my heart fell a little when Eric, originally a monstrous bastard, fell into the cliched love triangle with Sookie Stackhouse. At the very least, viewers have his lazy assistant Pam. Pam finds nothing appealing about retaining her humanity and revels in her vampiric status. Every week, I look forward to her snappy comebacks and all-around meanness.

Besides being the bad boy of the Upper East Side, Chuck Bass spends his nights gallivanting around with women and sucking their—

Wait, Chuck Bass isn't a vampire? Is he a werewolf, then?

Selkie?

Robot Unicorn? Really, nothing? Just a normal human guy?

Wow, I've completely missed the point of this show, then. Well, he's still better.

After a failed attempt to rid his apartment of a vampire that randomly took residence there, Conrad ended up becoming a creature of the night himself. Like many other vampires in pop culture today, Connie does not drink blood from people. Though, instead of it being love for others or an attempt to be less of a monster, it is because, combined with many other neuroses, this vampire is a germophobe (and who knows where your neck's been?). Instead he must dig his fang—yes, he only has one—into blood transfusion packets he gets from a back-alley doctor. Referred to as “the worst vampire in the world” by the author herselfl, Conrad is living (erm, undead) proof that just because someone is a vampire in a series does not mean they are without faults.

1. Count von Count, Sesame Street