Once upon a time I admitted to the world that I sometimes on occasion park my behind in front of my television and watch Whitney.
I KNOW.
It was not a proud moment.
I realize that I will never live this down. Now, to be fair, I do not think that Whitney is particularly all that funny, but, I don’t know, sometimes I watch crappy shows that are taped in front of a live studio audience just to see if they mess up. Surprise! They mess up a lot on Whitney. And honestly? Watching an actor unable to get through his next line because he’s laughing through the scene is freaking hilarious, especially when the mom from Malcolm in the Middle is on. Sometimes I even take shots of vanilla vodka after each flub. Try it. You may find that like the show a awful lot more.
Recently, though, I tweeted about my love of The Mindy Project and received complete and total social media silence in response. And then I thought…maybe people don’t care about my warrior name—it’s Leslie Knope Movie Popcorn, for the record. And then I thought…Is admitting that I watch The Mindy Project like admitting that I watch Whitney?
The answer to this is false.
The Mindy Project is a really good show. Even if I’m the only one watching it.
It’s still hitting it’s groove, I believe, but the first few episodes of Community were a little on the under-funny side and, hell, Parks and Recreation took almost an entire first season to become the very best comedy to ever hit my television screen.
Here’s the thing about Mindy. She’s real; she’s possible. She’s successful when it comes to work, but hopelessly hopeless when it comes her love life. She knows she’s awesome and yet, like the rest of us, has moments where she lies on the floor in her office in total despair. And let us not forget her comedic timing—it’s impressive, really.
And her style? Let’s talk about her style. I would totally go out on a limb and assume that Mindy’s style is indicative of the actual Mindy’s style. She can wear an outfit that is equal parts $400 designer sweater and $14 Forever 21. She’s not afraid to tuck something in (We should be taking lessons from her, ladies). She’s not afraid to display her curves (Suck it, camera adding ten pounds.) in incredibly form-fitting sparkly dresses and lounge on the couch in sweatpants and moccasins. Her wardrobe includes vintage-inspired pieces, jewel-toned peacoats, mix-and-match pieces, bold cardigans, and a hell of a lot of polka dotted blouses.
And don’t forget, she dressed as Lil Wayne on the Prairie, Dirty Harry Potter, and Tinkerbell Tailor Soldier Spy that wasn’t even her final outfit…
“Mindy wins Halloween,” said in my very best Jeff Probst
Her final outfit was Diane from Cheers. Yes. Diane from Cheers. And then her date showed up as Inigo Montoya.
And then I cried real tears of pop culture joy.
This scene—and this outfit—were perfection, as Mindy whines about her frozen yogurt not actually tasting how it’s supposed to taste. I have been there. Many times. I’m looking at you, pumpkin flavor from Menchie’s. I don’t care how many pictures of Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez you have hanging on your wall, your pumpkin tastes like butt. This entire outfit, you guys? Can be yours!
Cardigan and Top, from Modcloth. Plaid skirt from Buffalo
And while you can’t lounge in front of your tv while waxing poetic about Charlie Brown and eating delicious, delicious popcorn, you can recreate the look with that old pair of ratty, post-childbirth/sick-day-approved sweatpants from the back of your closet (or the front, ahem) and this $20 star sweater from boohoo.com and these awesome moccasins.
And this! You guys, I don’t even know where to begin with this one. Oh, maybe with the fact that she’s wearing Spanx patterned tights which immediately makes her my TV girl crush forever and ever, even though Mindy says that I can just call it a crush and no one will think I’m a lesbian (not that there’s anything wrong with that). She is also wearing the most lovely Trina Turk skirt and Peacoat from Modcloth, both of which need to be added to my ever-growing dress-like-Mindy holiday 2012 wishlist. (My poor, poor husband.)
So, you really need to start watching The Mindy Project.
I promise, it’s nothing like Whitney.
Want more ways to dress like your television? Check out how to dress like Jess from New Girl and Zoey from Hart of Dixie.
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About Ali Martell
