DEAR MEMBERS ONLY JACKET,

Dear Members Only Jacket..

Hailing from the same continent as the couture heavyweights, you were a prevalent prominent fixture in the 80's. Gucci's little (step)
brother. Armani's nephew (through marriage). You were a staple in fashion and a symbol of popularity and power..for like a full 5 minutes. Like a former child star you were discarded. Abandoned. Forgotten. The marked down item with the blue sticker at the thrift store. For decades you remained illegitimate. Your epaulets were disrespected (you know..your shoulder thingys..yeah..highly disrespected). You're infamous tagline "When You Put It On Something Happens" was made infamous. By condom
companies. You were the punchline of history's cruel and unusual jokes. For decades we didn't hear from you. The growing popularity of pique coats, parkas, and basically any other jacket pushed you further into recluse. And worn by the fellow pictured.

But something amazing happened.. Someone in the Popularitry & Trends Regulation Office thought it would be funny to bring back a trend that wasn't even all that cool when it was alive. The 80's. You weren't meant to be popular again. It was kinda an accidental happening. But through the God awful rope chains and thrift store pillages looking for the most stonewashed Osh KoshBgosh overalls, you prevailed.

And we like you for it. Then it happened. Season 6 Episode 66. March 12 2006. Sopranos. You headlined the thing. Cool people are now adorned in your polynylon blend. Celebrities love your leather vintage feel (with the metal tag of course). Dare I say dope? Yes I do. You are dope Members Only jacket. Your price went from 47 cents to an illustrous 39 bucks on Ebay. Watch out North Face. MO, as we've so cleverly named you, forever will you be a staple in fashion and a symbol of popularity and power.

Lest you fall off again.

Zipped all the way up with neck piece snapped,

The Couture Group

5 SECRETS TO WOMEN...(You REALLY need to know)

This segment has been years in the making. Trial and error. Observations. Arguments. Making her cry out of joy. Making her cry because she hates the air I breathe. Me crying because of the centrifugal force of the knee full throttled into the pelvic region. Things of that nature. This isnt a groundbreaking discovery. Its through conversation, research, and real life experience. From the Couture Group (and their aching testes) to you..

Imagine. Just for a second. You strip away the face of a woman (no Dahmer). The outer layers. The parts we stare at. The hair. The essence. And you're left with this creature. It looks like a crumpled napkin. But its beating and its pulsating with these feelings, and this raw emotion, and this need to connect and communicate with someone or something. Hold on to that image and proceed.

It has been scientifically proven that women use the Left Hemisphere of their brain more than men do. It just so happens that side controls language and detail. Talking, communiciating, and paying attention very intensely to every circumstantiality.

Research has also found that their emotional responses also involve the left hemisphere, which explains the female need to verbalise emotions. The same studies have shown that males have greater activity in the right hemisphere when experiencing emotion, which is related to physical response. This explains why men don’t understand the female need to go on for an excruiatingly long time about their feelings and why women don’t understand the male need to slap someones face off their face when they get pissed off.


Its Just About Connection, Man...

Its this thing called face value. Its when someone says something and basically, its taken as literal as possible. Women really dont have a certain reason to talk to you. No goal, no alterior motive, just plain and simply they want to connect with you. Not saying that some are'nt conniving and deceitful, but if you havent sensed the invisible horns and had that little intuition of heartbreak, take her at face value..
What you probably shouldnt do: Not say anything.. If she's trying, try.
What she digs: A listening ear..

You'll Never Really Know How Mad She Is..

In order to keep the peace, women often don’t express how much they want to ice you in your sleep. They don’t stand up for themselves (in some cases), and they downplay the severity of their dissatisfaction. Now this in no way speaks for all women. Oh, you have some that let you in on EVERY piece of their disgust. But a majority do downplay how upset they are and just say "Okay" in that high pitch sing song voice. You know exactly what im talking about..

What you probably shouldnt do: Create an atmosphere or enviroment where she cant feel safe or be able to express her dissatisfaction properly. Look, if anybody has figured out how to do this, email me. Im still trying to figure that out.
What she digs: Assume that when she says that she's alright but she still looks upset, then she is still upset. If you take the time to try to get a woman to say what she really feels, that attempt alone will actually make her feel better because she knows you cared enough to try. Even though you may not care for the answer.
What she cant for the life of her get: That when a woman is upset and says she is fine to avoid a messy confrontation, men take her answer literally and leave it at that. Its how we do. Not every chick is worth this "extra mile", but one you're kinda digging may deserve a little more attention.

Women Solve Their Problems Audibily..

Guys are more visually inept to solve a problem. Thats why we have more men scientists and mathematicians than women. We see the formula in front of us..boom. The Theory of Relativity. Women like to hear themselves solve problems. It helps them get clear on whats going on inside them because they may not be able to figure it all out with the hormones and emotions that take up the same brain. So when she talks about her issues to herself, she's not (that) crazy..and oh yeah, leave her alone.

What you probably shouldnt do: Try to figure out and help solve whatever issue she's working on. Its the equivalent of you deciphering a lengthy logarithmic math problem, and someone comes and erases mid-way through because they want to help..
What she digs: You being there and just listening
What she doesnt get: That men are goal and solution-oriented and that women are process-oriented; i.e. that the process of conversation is not what men enjoy but getting to the meat of the issue and thats it. Not preparing and garnishing the damn thing.

Its ALL About The Details..

From prior experience we as young men, may have been hurt. Lets keep it all the way funky. We were open like Wimbeldon and with the time and things you shared with this female, she turned around and did something so vile and mean spirited that you vowed never again will this happen to you. Ever. Inevitably the next female that wants to get to know EVERYTHING about you can't get past that wall because you're thinking "Nah, she's tryna play me." But naturally a woman’s interest in the details about your life is not an attempt to interrogate you or invade your privacy. She just wants to get to know you in high definiton detail. Thats just the way they're wired. On the other side of the spectrum their habit of sharing the details of their life isn't an attempt to make you her woman man friend. The "friend zone" does exist, but listening to her doesnt place you there. Agreeing with her every whim does. Rather, like the first thing we said she's trying to connect.

What you probably shouldnt do: Telling her the details don’t matter, that they’re nosey, that she's interfering and one word answers e.g. ‘fine’, ‘ok’, ‘good’, ‘dunno’ is like a slap in the face. Oh my goodness if there is anything you ever dont say, dont say these. They hold on to it. Because we're not as fine tooth combed equipped, we wont even know why 2 weeks later she's spazzing.
What she digs: Recognition of details. Listening to theirs and in return giving them some of ours. She honestly doesnt think you'll give that much to begin with so anything will make her smile.
Couture Group Tip: Women love impromptu praise especially if you add details e.g. “I like that dress, it makes your eyes really bright” or “That was a really good thing you did, I especially liked the way you…” It shows you pay attention.
What she cant seem to grasp: That men just aren’t concerned with details. So when details are'nt openly given (i.e. that broad from the past) she automatically thinks you have something to hide. There's a thin borderline between mysterious and shady. The amount of detail you give places you in either category..

Women Use Talking to Clear Tension

What we call harping on the same issue over and over again is actually her way to clear the air like Ionic Breeze Quadra (its a humidifier guys..)There's alot of "argumentative" women that like the drama of fights because it somehow makes them happy. But seriously, when there is a issue going on, she wants to dissipate the stuck energy around it. If that means in 20 different ways she asks you the same exact question about the same exact event, she will. Not until you kill yourself, but until she feels better.

What you probably shoudlnt do: Get over it, I don’t have time to listen, get to the point...just toss that in the box of things you probably shouldnt even mention. Not even a little bit.
What she digs: Listen without trying to find a point or solution (even thats our main right side of the brain way). Just let her get it off her chest..head, calves, shins, elbow, etc.. If infinite conversation drives you crazy or you don’t have a lot of time to be the confidant today, let her know what time you do have and give her the semi-divided.
What she cant make heads or tails of: That men take what is said literally. Face value if you will. Quite often we find females sorting things out and saying the same things over and over confusing and frustrating because women contradict themselves while thinking out loud..

God speed Gentleman.

STANFORD IS FREE.

As this being a life and style guide, the life comes first for a reason. We care about the well being and the future of all our readers, so when information this dope comes along, it is IMPERATIVE it gets passed on as widespread as technologically possible. We arent your parents, pushing you to go to school and get a degree. Its just our duty to be a liason between things you know, and obviously, things you dont..



RAMIT SETHI, a Stanford graduate and author of the very insightful website iwillteachyoutoberich.com recieved an email from Stanford stating..

Tomorrow, Stanford will announce significant changes in its financial aid program that will make undergraduate education more affordable for families receiving aid. We want you, our alumni, to be among the first to hear this news.

[…]

Stanford University today announced the largest increase in its history for its financial aid program for undergraduates.

Under the new program, parents with incomes of less than $100,000 will no longer pay tuition. Parents with incomes of less than $60,000 will not be expected to pay tuition or contribute to the costs of room, board and other expenses.

The program also eliminates the need for student loans.

Me and you. Your mother and your cousin too, can attend Stanford University. Oh, and not just there. By following in other top universities’ recent moves, Stanford and all of America’s top universities have effectively made themselves free for families without high incomes.

Thats crazy.

The main concern and reason for people not even applying to a school of this caliber is because they reject enough VALEDICTORIANS to fill up the freshman class. That fact alone could be disheartning. Pair that with the fact it would cost three arms and a leg to call that campus home makes the school a haven for trust/hedge fund babies.

To make the load even that much sweeter, here is a link of scholarships, that were cleverly placed in as reading material. If you've not applied for anything anywhere, check it out.
Loans are not needed. Room and board is taken care of (per the income being under $60,000). Other expenses are handled, and truthfully, I didnt know there were more expenses left. College is free.

Whats your excuse?

HOW TO ROCK...THE KEFFIYEH

Welcome to the first of many "How To Rock" sessions where we divulge on whats almost popular but hasnt really quite caught on yet or the "whatever what have you at the time", and make sure you do it correctly. Because if you dont do it right its really not worth doing at all. Its all about the Keffiyeh scarf this evening. Its coolness and well, its evils.

The Keffiyeh scarf is known mostly from its origins in Middle Eastern culture to protect the head and neck from the intense heat. Us Americaners, decided to take the colorful cloth and turn into something all our own. This trend is solely up to the wearer. The Couture Group is divided on this one. Some say yay, others nay. You decide.

In lue of the influx of Keffiyeh stardom, the Duct Tape Council of America and KABOBfest has prepared an enlightnening piece on the scarf and in a delightful segment named Keffiyeh Infiltrates Our Nation's Youth, it evens features the guido...sweet.

Protect Your Neck..

The Kansas City Shuffle. It’s when you make someone look left when all the happenings and ill-doing is done on the right. There’s even a song about it. But as Mr. Goodkat let us all know prior to quietly breaking Nick Fisher’s neck, you need a body for that. In 10 years, we all will suffer from the government’s love of Lucky Number Slevin. The Couture Group really isnt too into politics but, we'll make an excetption..
Since 1983, Social Security has been sitting on extra money, as the payroll tax has collected more money than the program has actually paid out. 3 years ago, the surplus was $159 billion. As the retiring baby boomers increase the program’s costs, the annual surplus will get smaller and smaller and smaller until 2018, when the system will fall into deficit. It sounds a little scary. You know…oooh..deficit. But AHA!
That’s where this B.S. “trust fund myth” comes in. This myth suggests that all of the Social Security surpluses since 1983 have been saved in a trust fund that will total $5.7 trillion by 2018. In the meantime in between time, Washington is lending this money to investors -- businesses and individuals. Like a Tony Soprano funded Laundromat, these things usually don’t end well..
In 2018, when the system first falls into deficit, these individuals and businesses will begin repaying this $5.7 trillion back to the federal government, and that money will make up all the program’s shortfalls until 2042. Therefore, the myth continues, taxpayers are off the hook until 2042.
But here is the fun part. Not one cent of Social Security’s surpluses was ever lent to businesses or individuals. Think about it: Has anyone ever heard of getting a loan from Social Security? Anybody? No? oh…

The surpluses were actually lent to the U.S. Treasury. The Treasury then spent this money on regular government programs like defense, education and welfare. So it is the Treasury that owes the Social Security trust fund $5.7 trillion.

And where does the Treasury get its money? Taxpayers like you and me.

It is the everyday person who will have to repay the Social Security trust fund $5.7 trillion beginning in 2018. Why should you care? That’s like 10 years. Which is directly around the corner and if it’s affecting anyone, it’s the younger generation. Style is essential, granted. But when the not too far tax increases are to the point where it would be more cost efficient to live in the car you cant afford to put gas into because it’ll be, I don’t know, 6.98 a gallon, The Couture Group cant have that come as a surprise to you. Well dressed or not.

This is why the president's 2042 date is so disastrous. It makes it seem as if the problem is very far away. True, he mentioned 2018, but bringing up 2042 simply muddies the logic. It reinforces the idea that there really is a trust fund from which we will be drawing to pay the elderly for the quarter-century between the years 2018 and 2042. There is not. It is just paper.
To bring the silliness full circle, the president himself has since admitted that there really is no trust fund. But his 2042 date is based on the idea that there is.

The campaigning, the commercials, the reforms, the tears, the race issue, the fact that she’s a woman, the colors, the confetti, the PROMISES…all a smooth slight of hand to make us look left. When in fact there is absolutely nothing they can do to change anything. What has been set into motion by a chain of events before, can't be altered so please watch your investments, watch your future, and ultimately watch your neck.div>

A personal friend to the Couture Group,and a former Vice President himself (Roc-A-Fella Records), mogul Kenny Burns wanted to share his opinions on Barack, Hilary, and pushing the motherf@#$*ng button..