Liking Lately: January Finds

Photo from feralaudio.com.

1. My Favorite Murder podcast. True crime is something that's always interested me but which I was always afraid to admit. If I say that I'm interested in true crime and serial killers, aren't I more likely to end up in jail, wrongfully committed? If you listen to the podcast, you know that talking about it is a super scientific way to keep it from happening ("it" being either wrongfully committed or being murdered yourself). Plus, it's nice to finally know I'm not alone: The podcast's Facebook group has more than 90,000 members. And it makes sense, doesn't it? If you're a normal, well-adjusted human being then it's sort of fascinating to see when someone isn't. And I suppose this human fascination is why murder mysteries, Law & Order SVU (Benson and Stabler 4eva), Bones, Criminal Minds, NCIS, and the like are so popular. 

The podcast also reminded me of Michelle McNamara's website, True Crime Diary, which I've been hearing about for a long time. Unfortunately, Ms. McNamara passed away recently, but her work in researching and reporting on true crime cases and working toward solving them. 

Photo from epicurious.com. Don't skimp on the cheese.

2. Roasted butternut squash and kale salad. I made this a week or two ago and I can't stop thinking about it. Roasted garlic dressing! Cheese! Add a protein and you've got a main course. The leftovers will be great the next few days as the kale tenderizes in the dressing. I never eat leftover dressed salad unless it's kale. Use Trader Joe's tuscan kale and butternut squash zigzags to save on the prep time. 

3. Litsy. If Goodreads and Instagram had a baby, this would be it. It makes interacting over books fun, easy, and visually appealing. Post quotes, reviews, and blurbs, with or without your own edits. Add a book to your stacks directly from a friend's post, and collect points for your posts and interactions. I'm @TheCopyCait over there: feel free to add me.

Standing ovation with a sprinkling of copywriter envy for whomever wrote their tagline: "Litsy: Where books make friends."

Photo from screenfad.com.

4. Shameless. Not a new show, but new to me. Best described as a dramedy, this show has made me laugh and cry in seemingly equal measure. My husband and I started watching it a couple of months ago and pretty quickly got obsessed. I love getting into a show when it's far enough in that there are several seasons to binge on, while still a good season or two left in the tank. That's the sweet spot for me. You get the benefit of not having to wait for new episodes while still being able to participate in the fandom while it's going on. 

Photo from amazon.com.

5. Trader Joe's Mint Melange Tea. I usually take advantage of January to recover from the holiday chaos by slowing things down and coming back to center, so to speak. One way I do this is by sipping (decaf) tea at night. Mint, in various forms, has long been my go-to. I recently picked up this Mint Melange at Trader Joe's. If there isn't one near you, I understand it may be similar to Mighty Leaf Mint Melange. (It may well even be the same exact tea, given that TJ's contracts companies to make their products.) And of course, there's always good old Sleepytime.

What are you liking lately?

Marketing Monday: Christmas Adverts

Seasonal marketing feels pretty lovely right now, and it's no secret that I'm a fan of all things British. During this busy week, let's enjoy some charming, feel-good Christmas adverts, as they are known in their native land. 

Every year, lots of British companies participate in what would be the equivalent of our Super Bowl commercial competition. Starting in early November, these ads swoop around social media, stirring up buzz and setting the tone for the season.

The most well-known of the annual commercial showdown (DOUBLE MEANING) is arguably John Lewis, a high-end department store. This year's was particularly lovely. (Make sure to check out #MontyThePenguin from 2014, while you're at it.)

Boots is a store I always like to duck into in the UK. It's a bit like CVS and the beauty section of Target thrown in with a bit of something extra (they even make their own lines of makeup and beauty products). And hey, Kate Middleton's been known to pop into Boots as well. Their ad(vert) this year was particularly touching.

Tesco is my favorite place to pick up my favorite British treats (Haribo and Tunnock's), and I think we can all relate to what they've put out here:

This year's Marks & Spencer choice isn't quite doing it for me, but they can't all be our favorite, and this one is ranking quite well.

If you're a Wes Anderson fan, you can't miss this short film he directed for H&M starring Adrien Brody. 

This Heathrow ad is quite a charmer.

Saving the best for last, and cheatin' while I do: Mog stole my heart last year in Sainsbury's ad, and so I'm including her here. Mog is a beloved children's book character in the UK, and this was her film debut.

(Fun fact for my American readers: "mog" or "moggie" are British terms for a cat without a pedigree or not of a known breed. If you rescue a cat from the pound and have no idea what kind of cat it is, you've got yourself a mog.)

Sainsbury's ad this year is also nice, but it will never be Mog. That said, I love that Sainsbury's chooses a charity to support with their campaign each year, and that their ads are subtly but perfectly related. Mog helped with Save the Children to support children's literacy, and Dave the singing Dad is helping the Great Ormond Street Hospital for children. Per UK Fundraising, "All profits from the sale of the specially created Gingerbread ‘Dave’ (£1) and The Greatest Gift film animation kit (£5) will go to Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity." The charity is making it possible for parents to stay near their sick children while they're in the hospital.

Check out the behind-the-scenes videos as well: I enjoy them almost as much as the ads themselves. 2015, 2016.

Friday Find: SNL Holiday Sketches

SNL's seasonal sketches are some of my favorites and there's no shortage of them to choose from. During this crazy time of year, let's take a minute to enjoy some of my favorites. What are yours?

[Obligatory warning that these sketches air on late night TV, so proceed with caution re: subject matter and/or possible language.]

The quality of this video is terrible, but Mark Jensen Family Christmas has forever ruined/bettered It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year for me. My husband and I crack up every time we hear it because, well, watch. 

This holiday twist on a repeat Justin Timberlake sketch is a fun one:

Peach candle? We've all been the peach candle.

Glengarry Glen Christmas: what's better, the sketch itself or the actors breaking? Doesn't matter. (You call yourself an elf, you sonofabitch?)

There is the Emmy nominated (Do It On My) Twin Bed:

And of course, perhaps the best holiday sketch of all: Pete Schweddy and his delicious balls.

Merry everything!