Notice: this list is in no way conclusive; strictly based on events from the week of July 7 through July 14, 2014

The following is from the perspective of our (mildly bizarre) intern, Caroline.

1. “Build Me Up Buttercup”

…Or any Temptations tune, for that matter. At Club Clarity, we are far from guilty of musical discrimination. On the contrary, we can and will blast any and every record we so desire — regardless of decade, genre or time of day (e.g. “Ridin’” at 9:08 a.m., per Brook’s request).

Enter the PlainClarity disco–errr–office and expect to hear an eclectic fusion of Brett Dennen meets Boyz II Men meets Sia, and, if you’re really lucky, you just might catch a live ukulele performance by Ms. Larios herself.

Oh, and “Durrand Durrand” (nod to Sarah D.) is known to make an appearance every now and then.

2. Cuddling with the parentals

I’ve come to realize that, over the course of two decades, my relationship with my parents can be summarized in three epochs (or phases).

· Love: encompassing birth through 7th grade

· Hate: covering age 14 through 17

And, finally, its current state:

· Intense-fondness-bordering-on-obsession

Just three years ago, I was scheming to escape life under my parents’ “cruel” regime. Well. I got my wish: college, 2000 miles away.

And now? Being in my parents’ presence is like riding shotgun in Santa’s sleigh.

How was I blind to their awesomeness for so long? “Distance makes the heart grow fonder” has never rung truer. After years of shunning my parents’ clinging and cringe-worthy dance moves, suddenly I have become the clinger. Mom visits me at school, and we’re inseparable; I proudly drag her out to bars, introducing her as my wing-woman. Friday comes when I’m home on break, and you’ll find me at a sporting event giddily talking trash with Big Papi (aka Dad).

Back to my point:

Remember when you used to crawl into bed with Mommy when you heard thunder, had a bad dream, etc? Well, I still do. But, now, I have no excuses, nor shame.

Simply put, I sleep with my parents because I want to take advantage of every millisecond I have left with them – awake or asleep.

Love you, Mom and Dad.

3. Cosmic Brownies

= Inarguably timeless dessert of the gods.

###pPaul Crehan claimed
an eternal spot in my heart last weekend for his Cosmic Brownie
catering to the set of a project-that-shall-not-be-named.
,>

One bite of these gloriously awful-for-you brownies is enough to make Victoria Beckham smile (no guarantees).

If, for some reason, you’re a hermit or a neurotic health whore and haven’t had a cosmic brownie — get out. No, seriously, step away from the computer and TREAT YO’ SELF.

4. Bromance

Bromance. A phenomenon as rare as it is powerful. An inexplicable link between kindred souls – bordering on amorous, but not quite. They say “opposites attract”. This theory holds true, too, when it comes to bromantic partnerships. History’s most revered bromances often involve foils: Bert & Ernie, Penn & Teller, Spock & Captain Kirk, Joey & Chandler, the Lone Ranger & Tonto, Beavis & Butthead. In fusing two opposing personalities, each of these famous (and infamous) pairs found enormous success. Only once in a blue moon does a bromance come along that conceives something great.

On Tuesday, Sarah, Brook and I had an amusing realization. Bromance is a recurring theme among our clientele…PlainClarity is bro-verflowing.

First, we’ve got Thomas Keslinke and Frans van der Lee: the ex-frat star and the braniac — the powerful pair behind Chef’s Roll. Together, they plan to revolutionize the food industry online.

Next, we’ve just recently signed on another bromantic duo: Rob Conaway & Pete Zacarias, two native, f&b-bonded Californians about whom we’ll divulge more soon.

Conaway is the brooding experimentalist with an intense aptitude for traveling, risk-taking and Stan Getz. Zacarias is the affable “life of the party,” who fancies Oingo Boingo, Fortaleza and his mother Candy’s cheesecake. Rob takes his coffee black; Pete – with an avalanche of cream and sugar.

Bromance is in the air at PlainClarity!

5. The eternally chic coquette dress

co·quette

kōˈket/

noun

noun: coquette; plural noun: coquettes

1) A coquette is a flirt, a girl or woman who knows how to flatter and manipulate men with her charms in order to get what she wants.

Scratching your head? Let me explain.

Imagine your “come hither” LBD conceiving a lovechild with your excessively-modest Easter Sunday frock. The result? A coquette dress!

Essentially, it’s the dress that every woman has and will forever have hanging in her closet. It’s the go-to number – not overly scandy, yet not underwhelmingly meek. It has just enough sass to get attention, while maintaining a dignified appeal. The coquette is endlessly versatile – depending on accessories, it suits work or play.

Get your coquette fix on Fleet's website.

Until next time,

Caro