Wear, Watch, Want #120: The Exotic Bargain Warehouse Edition

Wear: Chooka Lined Rain Boots

These boots are super comfy, keep your feet dry, are easy to slip on and off, are fully lined, and cost $23 at Costco. When I say you need a pair, YOU NEED A PAIR.

Watch: Hustlers

I saw Hustlers this week, and it was a joy. My favorite part? Lorene Scafaria’s directing. I love seeing the female gaze in films. LOVE IT. If you’re not familiar with the female gaze, the best example (maybe ever?) is the scene in Hustlers when Jennifer Lopez is walking to the ATM, unknowingly about to be arrested. The shot is of her back as she’s walking down the sidewalk, she’s wearing leggings and a Juicy sweatshirt with the hood up, and the shot cuts off at her waist. Her butt (remember, this is Jennifer Lopez’s butt, in a pair of skintight leather-esque leggings) isn’t in the frame at all. And that’s the female gaze kids. It is rare and refreshing and when you learn to notice it you will ALWAYS see it. The same goes for the male gaze, which you will ALSO see all the time once you know to notice it, and it will infuriate you. For an example of that, i would point you to almost anything, but particularly anything Joss Whedon has directed. He LOVES the male gaze, hoo boy.

There’s a ton of praise for Jennifer Lopez in Hustlers, and it’s all deserved, even the Oscars talk. BTW, I am simultaneously THRILLED and STRESSED by the possibility of Lupita Nyong’o and Jennifer Lopez both getting best actress noms. I would like two awards to be given out, were both of them to be nominated. ALSO it would be Such A Move for the cast of Hustlers to submit themselves ALL in supporting roles but also JLo deserves best actress.

I would also like to remind every person saying that this is Jennifer Lopez’s best role as though her excellence is a SURPRISE that in 2001 she had the number one movie, song, and album in America. She is the reason we have Google Image Search. She has been involved in SO MANY scandals but managed to keep her longterm image squeaky clean. She has always been amazing.

Want: Kirkland Shearling Slippers

I have owned MANY pairs of Ugg slippers. They are amazing, worth the price, and especially good if you have perpetually cold feet. Last year, however, I tried the Kirkland Ugg knockoffs from Costco and they are basically just as good. They cost $20 and do the job just as well. They’re not as soft, but they’re also not as expensive. I will add, they’re still sheepskin and genuine shearling, so if you were hoping for a vegan alternative to Uggs, these aren’t it. BUT, if you want the same materials for a fraction of the price, get to Costco. I literally wore through my pair from last year, and I’m eagerly awaiting their return to Costco for the season. They sell out fast, and for good reason, so I’m checking the Costco app every day. They’re that good.