It goes like this: play these jams and clean your house. Put out anything that's in a box labeled "Christmas." Make some coffee with Irish Cream added to it, and make bourbon-infused whipped cream to top it off — this is one of those things that impresses but only takes five minutes to make. You can also make white Russians with that new marshmallow vodka, and/or any recipe on the side of a bottle of creme de cacao. Candy-cane garnishes are a nice touch. Use a bump-it, borrow a string of pearls, and put on a pretty dress. Have some friends over (tell them to dress up). Turn these songs up louder. BOOM: you just threw the best holiday cocktail party in town. READ MORE

When I was 12 years old, I fell in love for the first time. After two years on the rollercoaster of un-requitement, I gave up and carried on, with a broken heart. His name was Jonathan Taylor Thomas. These are the real surviving documents of that love: READ MORE

While I devour a lot of different types of music (complicated feelings about Lana Del Rey, anyone?), my heart has always rested with the oldies. I remember lying in bed at night as a preteen, listening to the oldies station and trying to force myself to stay awake so I could hear one. more. song. I was obsessed with the idea of becoming a sock-hopping, sick-in-love teenager. Now, thanks to YouTube, I can time-travel and share with you some of the best old jams you've never heard. READ MORE