Dear John.

Hulu - so this is it. I had hope for our relationship. 

Sure, I was skeptical at first, but you started to win me over.  I started to believe in you, but it was too good to be true. 

Now this. 

You aren't the boy I thought you were. You let yourself be pushed around by the big mean dumb kid.  You didn't stand up for yourself OR your friends and now your lunch money is handed over every day (their's too). And I want to keep my lunch money.

You totally sold out (and I really should have seen it coming).

Definitely not the knight in shining armor, loyal friend, hero to all.  No "braveheart" here, that's for sure.

So I've moved on. It was hard, but I did it. He's a little more "bad boy", can't really bring him home to mom, but you know what? He stands up for what he believes in.  

Anyway, I'm sorry for the way things worked out, but just thought you should know. What? His name?  I'm sure you've heard of him - BitTorrent.

Money Changes Everything.

Something C&E Girl has been mulling over lately - extraneous costs. 

Specifically, cable costs. 

Specifically, $150 - $170 a month. 

Multiply by 12, add in Netflix subscription and a random movie on demand and it comes to a nice $2000 a year. For content that is essentially FREE.

A quick inventory of what this tidy sum brings me: 1000+ useless channels, 2 "premium channels", a HD DVR box that records content to watch on demand....except the same content is already offered FREE/minimal cost from other sources.  Um, maybe a phone line, more likely, not, as mobile works just fine. And of course, Internet access (which, all by it's lonesome via Time Warner is $40/month). We have been brainwashed into paying for something that exists FOR FREE. Sort of like bottled water (that's for another time). 

Apartment Therapy had a nice little discussion on TV or no TV today, but no one really talked about specific alternatives...so C&E Girl has decided to her vast knowledge resource to educate the masses:

1. Assume your news will be more current from online sources than broadcast. Goodbye to Tom Brokaw, Katie Couric (will we really miss her?) and Entertainment Tonight. And assume that almost any network will have your favorite programming online within 24 hours, so you will never miss a minute of The View, Oprah Jon Stewart. Factor in access to Joost, Hulu, Miro and there's no excuse. 

2. Did I mention that you can connect your video iPod/iPhone and/or your laptop to your TV? No? Now you know. Ask the nice man at the electronics store for the right cable, switch your TV to the right input source, and voila.  Eliminate DRM restrictions on the content you already own/have paid for (iTunes has already started) and off you go. 

3. Hmmm, what about the evil (and fave) Bit Torrent sites? Just Google "Bit Torrent", and remember that C&E Girl never promotes any illicit activity, theft or piracy of copyrighted material.  

4. If you can't give it all up, get basic cable, a Netflix subscription and a Roku box. 

5. Add AppleTV to the mix. Not perfect - C&E Girl prefers streaming to storing - and it isn't up to it's true potential yet, but hey, even if you add in the initial cost of the box and 3-4 "season passes", you will still come in waaay under the $2000/yr you are paying to the thieves who provide cable service TimeWarner, Comcast, CableVision, etc. 

5. Boxee. Sigh. Where to begin? FREE FREE FREE. My newest obsession and crush. It holds a solid little place in my evil heart.  Add it to your to your laptop (Mac OSX or Linux) or Mac Mini and you open up a whole new world that adds social media to your viewing pleasure.  

6. Plex also does a lovely job, without the social media aspect and again, for Mac or Linux OS's.  Especially like their Valentine's Day Card to media companies. Obviously, true Cheap and Evil's at heart. 

7. Boxee+Apple TV and your already fabulous world grows exponentially (and so does your Apple TV functionality).  Throw in a Netflix subscription/Roku box and..."huh, cable? what's that?".

So my fave Cheap and Evils, why pay for what you can get for (relatively) free? $2000 can easily a round trip ticket to Rio :)

Lucas Cocktail: 3 Parts Sugarplums and 2 Parts Lithium.

Seems like George Lucas has more than sugarplums dancing in his head. Or maybe he invested too much with Madoff. Yes, Star Wars: A Musical Journey will soon be here. Replace the Rockettes with Ewoks and Wookies and we get a Galaxy-wide Spectacular. Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick as Yoda and Luke? Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise as Lea and Vader? And who will play Jabba?

Broke George Lucas Sells Off "Star Wars" Stage Musical (Defamer)

Cue the Ewoks, Star Wars Hits the stage (E!Online)

Top Headline News.

Scandal in Illinois? Nope. Big 3 bailout? uh-huh.  Kenny Shopsin? Hello, that was soooo Y2K (there was a documentary done on him ages ago).  Gwyneth Paltrow's new breasts? Close, but not quite.   See below:

• CNN (weekend filler?)
• Just Jared
• Press Trust of India (yes, INDIA)
• AFP
• ABCNews.com (ah, nothing else newsworthy?) 
• Associated Press
• And more...

Cause, you know, nothing else important happened this week that could possibly be newsworthy. Nada. Zip.

Where the Wild Things Are.

Brilliant. And rarely do I bestow that upon ANYONE.  I want a dogfish. Seriously. (That guy is pretty hot, too). 

Pretty Things.

Your very own online closet filled with pretty dresses at NYMag - shop away!

Aquaman.

God, it's been a long time. Was off and running and now I'm back. Fear not.

Michael Phelps is sort of like George W. Bush (January not too far away)...he just won't go away and is incredibly annoying.  What's up with that? Seriously.  If they would just put him on display from the neck down, a bag over his head, all would be good (hit "mute" to avoid Beckham Syndrome).  Kelly Slater - an ENTIRELY different story. It's a package deal my dear C&E's. Bask in the glory of the surfing god. 

Kelly Slater Highlight's @ Yahoo! Video

Spelling Change.

If You Don't Like Something Change It.

Two (2) weeks, people. 14 days. 336 hours. And counting. Election Day - Tuesday, November 4 we have to make a change.  A big one. Stir up the system. Right the wrongs. It's inevitable. And, quite honestly, our future depends on it.  

I KNOW all of you C&E's are registered and ready. But we still need to remind people that one has to show up and vote to make something happen.  And there are two fabulous groups out there making sure everyone is on top of things:

• Several intensely talented and creative people from Poke and Mother (and elsewhere) teamed up to create SpellingChange.com to spread awareness of and support Obama's campaign. So if you can remember your ABC's, create a word. A letter.  Just say SOMETHING. 
• Our friends on the West Coast are also up to some neat tricks. "People in the Middle for Obama" wants to talk to you.  You - "non-partisan, non-ideological, common-sense middle ground." Independents, Republicans, Democrats. People who represent all groups - who have decided to vote for Obama. Want to share your story? Send photo and the below info to MiddleforObama@gmail.com: Name, Age, Sex, Occupation, State of Residence, Marital Status, Children, Political Affiliation, and your story - Who are you? What are the issues you care about the most? Why have you decided to vote for Obama?

Get out there people. Time is short - make sure you are heard!

The Real Thing.

But even better....

Of Mythical Proportions.

Photos from Gryphon-NY.com

Desperate to find that elusive classic but fabulously fashionable coat to chase away gloomy days? Convinced it's just a bunch of fiction that raises your hopes again and again only to dash them to the ground? Look no further...Amiee Cho, a former Vogue fashion writer, heard our pleas and gave us Gryphon. Classic outerwear with contemporary twists - fur trim (fake or recycled), shimmering fabrics, shrunken silhouettes - make dreary days sparkle and chases away those Burberry Blahs. Check out entire collection at Gryphon-NY.com or purchase at RevolveClothing, IntermixOnline or Shopbop.

Man Made.

Best of both worlds.  

Get Your Groove On.

Guster. Happier. Always Good. Listen.

Word Up.

Created by dynamic duo Daniel and Michelle Lehmann and tucked away in Soho is a fabulous little store called Clio, brimming with unique tabletop objects.  Never again will you duplicate yet another set of highball glasses from someone's registry.  Rebel! Ignore the list. (It's really all about you anyway).  

Most obsessed with the Words tabletop collection, incredibly partial to the "Coffee" mug as it has the perfect shape and heft to make that morning java oh that much more incredible.  Clio, 92 Thomson St (btw Prince & Spring), 212.966.8991; info@clio-home.com

Been Caught Stealing.

Someone else's clothes.  It's a rare moment when Cheap & Evil Girl wears clothes other than hers. But in a perfectly folded pile on the shelf in the closet are about 4 pairs of sweatpants that do not belong to me (sweatpants are great for relaxing in after conquering the world).  Not the Juicy "track suits" we have come to know and love. No. We are talking the grey, drawstring, no pockets, loose, washed and worn, elastic at the ankle, maybe a team name or university in now peeling letters and - oh - did I mention they belong to an ex-boyfriend and are 3-4 sizes too big? (Actually, several ex-boyfriends). Yeah THOSE sweats. Almost impossible to find lately, unless you stealthily abscond with a well-used pair from your current bed-buddy. Until now. 

J. Crew has brought back the classic graphic fleece sweatpant and was considerate enough to realize that women everywhere would probably do alot of "borrowing" with no intention of ever returning, so some extra inventory in smaller sizes is available. Choose between Graphic Fleece No. 12 in graphite (that would be old-school heathered grey) or Graphic Fleece No. 7 in faded black. For a sweet $59.50. 

Spell It Out.

Oh my minions, I have been so remiss; this financial debacle has been keeping me busy - it took YEARS to orchestrate and it's finally coming to fruition. Something to keep you occupied as I take over the money markets:

Alphabet Bags.

We love them. We want them.

A sturdy yet fabulous cotton canvas tote, measures 16.5"x14", priced at a reasonable £10 (that's approximately $17.70 for those of us in the US, €12.78 for our EU C&E's) and international shipping available - to ANYWHERE.

Perfect for carrying away large piles of cash!

Way Ahead of the Curve.

So the NYT's finally got around to talking about fab new cocktail lounge, Apotheke. Only 3 weeks after yours truly gave it a go.  I'm so cool it makes my little head spin.  In case you missed it, definitely time for a go-see: Apotheke, 9 Doyer Street (btw Bowery & Pell); 212 406 0400

All That Glitters Is Gold (Silver, Magenta, Green...).

The new iPod nano. Buy one to match your cashmere. Better yet, buy several. Pretty AND smart (take note, guys). 

She Comes In Colors.

As temps start to drop, you need to seriously think about what warm, soft, fuzzy material is going next to your oh-so-delicate skin. Enter J.Crew Cashmere. More colors than the rainbow, more styles than Rachel Zoe will ever provide. Especially cool - the long-sleeve crewneck tee ($145) and the short-sleeve tee ($118). 

Catch A Piece of...

...Maine. Yeah yeah, not like, own a piece of land. More like have your own personal - and handsome - lobsterman catch you a few yummy sea creatures and ship them off to you.  Catch A Piece of Maine, started by brothers John and Brendan Ready (mmm, just how ready, I wonder) offers two levels of partnerships:

• Catch a Piece of Maine Partnership - essentially, you own the trap and everything that ends up in it. Someone else does the work and ships all the good stuff, plus extras, to you. A full year partnership will cost $2,995 and get you at least 13 tasty lobster bakes delivered anywhere you choose.  Meaning, 13 times a year you'll receive via next day shipping four 1 1/2 pounder lobsters, 1lb Maine Steamers, 1lb Maine mussels, 4 servings of a homemade dessert from local purveyors (so think blueberry pie....), lobster bibs, utensils - the works kids. Plus a photograph and bio of your lobsterman and a map of where your tasty little critters were caught. Do the math, it's actually a great deal.

•  Share a Piece of Maine - think "Hamptons Share" without the hassle.  For $249 you get a "share" of the catch from one one of the lobstermen. And like above, all of the goodies for a fabulous lobster bake. A one time only thing, but still amazing value. 

Eat up kids.