College Lifestyles March Book Club: The Violets of March

College Lifestyles is announcing our latest endeavor, a Book Club!  Every Saturday (when most of us curl up with a book), we will post questions to the site, Facebook, and twitter related to the book of the month.  Mid-month, we will develop style looks (based on the characters) via Polyvore and post to all our media outlets! Later in the month, we will host a twitter party (with great giveaways!) based on your thoughts surrounding the book.  In addition, we will have an interview with each author on their reasoning behind the book plot AND their future publications!

The book for March is The Violets of March: A Novel
by Sarah Jio.

Several of the College Lifestyles Interns are praising their love for the The Violets of March and are ready for Sarah’s next book, Blackberry Winter.

Book Description:

In her twenties, Emily Wilson was on top of the world: she had a bestselling novel, a husband plucked from the pages of GQ, and a one-way ticket to happily ever after. Ten years later, the tide has turned on Emily’s good fortune. So when her great-aunt Bee invites her to spend the month of March on Bainbridge Island in Washington State, Emily accepts, longing to be healed by the sea. Researching her next book, Emily discovers a red velvet diary, dated 1943, whose contents reveal startling connections to her own life.

Book Trailer:

 

About Sarah Jio:

Sarah Jio is a frequent contributor to major magazines, including Real Simple, Glamour, Cooking Light, and Redbook, and is also the health and fitness blogger for Glamour.com. She lives in Seattle with her family. The Violets of March is her first novel.  Follow Sarah via her website, Facebook, and Twitter!

Purchase the book:

Click here to purchase the The Violets of March: A Novel.

The Violets of March discussion will start on Saturday, March 3.

SIGN UP for our Book Club to win a copy of The Violets of March:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ZSBCYVY

QUESTIONS:

-Have you read The Violets of March or the Bungalow (Sarah’s 2nd novel)?

-If you read The Violets of March, what questions should we pose to Sarah for our interview?

-What questions should we cover in our Twitter Party?

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Award Winning Actress Erica Hubbard Chats with CL!

Chicago native Erica Hubbard is one of the most versatile, educated, and charismatic entertainers of today’s generation. Perhaps you’ve seen her star in ABC Family’s hit show “Lincoln Heights” playing the lead role of Cassie Sutton for four seasons. Or see her weekly as the outgoing Kita Whitmore on BET’s “Let’s Stay Together.” Her resume speaks volumes having been in the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, Save the Last Dance, and A Cinderella Story. Erica proves that beauty and brains isn’t just a statement, she graduated college in just three years and has appeared in numerous magazines. Erica gave College Lifestyles the scoop on how to become a serious actress, what her day is like, and her fashion tips.

CL: You graduated from Columbia College in Chicago. How do you think pursuing a higher education has helped your career?

Pursuing a higher career and earning a Bachelor of Arts Degree has helped my career tremendously.  From attending a four-year college I have a learned behavior of being detailed oriented, keen on time management, and disciplined enough to finish any task at hand.  Attending Columbia College in Chicago has taught me professional skills that I didn’t have to learn on a job.  I love to seek different opportunities and going through college it becomes habitual to study and research so you are made aware of how to maneuver through any profession educationally.

CL: What activities were you involved in when you were in college?

I formed the first Film and Television Organization, I was in CCABJ (Columbia College Association of Broadcast Journalism), I also wrote for the Theater Department Newsletter as well as our Dormitory Newsletter and I was on CCEN (Columbia College Electronic Newsletter).  While I was in college I also had a paid internship at an advertising company and was in the work-aid program working in the Dean’s Office. Moreover, I hosted a children’s television show for a local network in Chicago. I do not like to sit idle. I love to work and stay busy!

CL: As an actress you attend red carpet events, appearances, and award shows. What are your tips to co-eds who want to look professional, stylish, and fashion forward?

I am not afraid to ask for constructive criticism before I attend any event.  I like to hire a team of working professionals in the entertainment industry who can advise on my hair, make-up, and wardrobe styling. I would suggest that everyone center themselves around the best and the brightest in their specific profession.  Choosing a professional-working mentor who works in your same occupation can also help guide you and propel your career.

CL: Have you always wanted to be an actress? Do you have a few tips for students who would like to pursue a career in the entertainment industry?

I have always wanted to be an actress since I was nine years old.  Acting has always been a true passion of mine!  A major tip for anyone who wants to pursue a career in the entertainment industry is to read books written about the profession. Some might include Respect for Acting (Uta Hagen), Audition (Michael Shurtleff) and No Acting Please (Eric Morris & Joan Hotchkis). Also, I recommend that the student take classes and train on stage in a play as well. Next, make sure you get a great agent, and when you have a list of great credits get a manager on your team.  Lastly, try to get in all three unions for actors: EQUITY, SAG and AFTRA.

CL: What is your typical day like on the set of “Let’s Stay Together”?

My typical day on the set of Let’s Stay Together consist of waking up for an early call-time in which we all usually begin our day around 6 am, we go to hair and make-up, get dressed in our wardrobe, we eat breakfast, we find-out if we have notes or need new sides (if the dialogue has been changed or more has been added), the cast runs lines together, then we go over our blocking (we learned in rehearsals the day before filming), some of us stand-in for our own lighting, then we tape, we break for lunch, then we get touched-up for hair and make-up, run more lines for our scenes, shoot some more coverage if not completed, then film other scenes, after we get our lighting done.  Then, depending on if we shot all our pages that day we usually wrap at night around 8 pm or later.  Predominately each day is a 13-hour day or more.

CL: What type of other roles do you hope to pursue in the future?

In the future I think I would be interested in all different types of genres and roles.  While in school, the Chairman of our Theater Department (Sheldon Patikin-from Second City and Steppenwolf in Chicago) trained and challenged us to take on a variety of roles. With the vast amount of body movements, vocal techniques, and stage skills we learned, I feel that I can portray anything from a lead in a romance story to an action hero.

 Contact Erica Hubbard on her website or follow her on Twitter

Amber Ferguson is a fashion/health intern at College Lifestyles (TM). She is a sophomore at Prince George’s Community College studying English. She’s obsessed with reality TV & loves traveling. Follow her on Twitter @Ms_AmberDawn.

Blogging Socialite: CL Interviews the Jasmine Brand

While we are sound asleep, Jasmine  is busy working on her acclaimed entertainment and lifestyle blog theJASMINE.BRAND. Writing from the Nation’s Capital, Jasmine is one of the most authentic and truthful leaders in the celebrity blogging arena. It’s rare today to find stories about the Obama’s vacation and Kim Kardashian’s business wardrobe on the same website, but Jasmine accomplishes it. She is the epitome of ‘keeping it classy’ and is a master multi-tasker. Jasmine gave College Lifestyles her exclusive tips on how to break into the industry, what radio life is like, and the latest fashion scoop.

CL: What sets theJASMINEBRAND apart from other celebrity/lifestyle blogs and websites out there today? 

TJB: I practice responsible blogging, meaning I’m particular about what I report, where the information came from, my own sources, etc. I don’t take credit for others work and source as much as I can. I have a unique perspective and corny sense of humor that my readers get (thankfully). I also try not to shove my opinion down my readers throat because they’re bright and see things much different from me (lots of times) and I appreciate that. Besides, people don’t come to the Jasmine Brand to get my two cents, they come to get celebrity news (in an entertaining, yet polite way-I hope) and decide on their own if they’re a fan or not of what’s being discussed. And believe me, they are very vocal and I LOVE it!

CL: You have a unique and bold style (which College Lifestyles absolutely loves!). What are some affordable designers or stores that you like, where co-eds can snag the latest fashions? Do you follow any trends?

TJB: This is a tough one because I kind of do my own weird thing with my style. I like putting things together that really aren’t supposed to exist at one time. I’m not really a label girl (although I have a few things here and there). I like everything from Target, Neiman’s, Zara’s, Urban Outfitters (I like their rompers), American Apparel and yes, Forever 21. Trends? I try to stay away from them, because they’re hard to keep up with. I have an obsession with earrings and nail polish. The bigger the earring, the better. Nail polish is so cool, in general. If I was to die and had to come back as an object—POLISH all day! (P.S. I was gonna say a condom as a second option but that was a joke…like seriously.)

CL: We love your motto “You Sleep. I Blog.” Since you have to stay connected, how many tech gadgets do use everyday? What device(s) can you not live without?

TJB: I really only have two phones (I lost one) and a laptop. I can NOT live without my laptop. It’s like my boyfriend and sleeps w/ me every night. Like literally, it’s in bed with me while I sleep, hence me sleeping at weird times.

CL: Your work gives you amazing opportunities to interview celebrities on the red carpet at award shows and album release signings, host events in Washington, D.C., and meet/greet some of the most influential people in the industry. Could you give any tips or advice to journalism or communications students who aspire to have a career like yours?

TJB: I would say, think about the ‘why’ in terms of why you’d like to do this. It can be a thank-less job, so you want to make sure your heart is in the right place. Trust your instincts. Trust your gut. Work on your writing non-stop. Don’t be afraid to have your own ‘voice’ when you write. If you’re interested in interviewing celebrities, be over-prepared with what you know about them and what you want to ask. Be confident and remember they’re regular people and aren’t as fascinating when you actually meet them. Believe me, you’re probably more interesting than they are LOL.

CL: Do you ever get nervous or shy when interviewing certain celebrities?

TJB: I do get nervous and more so because I’m thinking, “Crap, what if they read something that I said about them that wasn’t the most positive.” I also get nervous because you usually have a short period of time to ask a gazillion questions that you want to get answered. Oftentimes, you’ll be interviewing them in a room-full of people, with their handlers kind of standing around (making sure you don’t ask them anything crazy) in the most awkward times. Maybe you catch them right after they’ve gone on stage, or while they’re shopping (if it’s a phone interview). One rapper, who shall remain nameless, lit a blunt while I interviewed him. So you have to just be flexible and roll with it (no pun intended).

CL: You are also a radio host for Elite DC Radio and speak at area conferences/events. How do you manage to juggle such a busy schedule?

TJB: I do short celebrity segments for Elite DC Radio, which is easier for my schedule, but overall, I have no idea, really! I get up early, prioritize, make a list and just kind of go for it. I really believe in only one speed, “Go!”

CL: Could you give us a glimpse of what your typical day is like?

TJB: It isn’t that exciting really. I get up by let’s say 4 or 5 a.m., hop online check emails, see what I missed while I was sleeping. I listen to a ton of radio and TV in the morning and some music while I get my morning content up. I talk to my best friend every morning, for like 5 minutes (boring, right?) and kind of work non-stop until 10a or so. My team checks in with me via email in the morning (or text message if they can’t get in touch with me). I handle some of the business end of the Jasmine Brand after 11 a.m. I see what’s on TV, sort of make my schedule for the rest of the day. I do celebrity interviews in the afternoon, so I’ll usually prep for those. I usually eat in between stuff. Once a week, I’ll make myself go somewhere during the day like the movies or I’ll take a lunch meeting. I usually have like two calls a day, but I won’t schedule anything more than that. I break in the evenings for a bit and take a nap and get back up around 9 p.m. or so. Long story short, I work all day But it’s fun and I absolutely love it.

CL: Where do you see theJASMINEBRAND in five years?

TJB: I’m superstitious, so I don’t really want to say. I have some things in the works now, but just expect to see more of me…outside of DC

You’ll instantly become hooked to theJasmineBrand when you follow her on Twitter! & check out her YouTube

Amber Ferguson is a fashion/health intern at College Lifestyles (TM). She is a sophomore at Prince George’s Community College studying English. She’s obsessed with reality TV & loves traveling. Follow her on Twitter @Ms_AmberDawn.

Q & A with YouTube Sensation Alyssa Bernal

Who knew a MySpace message could change a person’s life? Well just ask Alyssa Bernal, who was contacted by N.E.R.D. front man Pharrell Williams,  who saw her singing talents on YouTube. One year later the Texas teenager was signed to Star Trak Entertainment and recording her first album. When Alyssa was younger she used to be shy to sing in front of others, now with over five million views on signing covers from Rihanna, Katy Perry, and Adele, it’s no question that Alyssa brings new light and energy to the pop scene.  The songs on her album, Love Hangover, “are about long-distance love, missing home, and the tone is very easy-going”, says Alyssa. College Lifestyles had the opportunity to ask Alyssa a few questions, check them out here!

CL: What type of impact has social media (Youtube, Twitter, Facebook) had on your career and how you connect with your fans?

AB: Social media has made it possible for me to keep my fans updated with whatever is going on with my career. Thanks to social media I am able to figure out where most of my fan base is located so that I can go on a tour there and have a successful outcome.

CL: How would you describe your fashion style? Do you follow any trends?

AB: I lean towards boho looking clothes. Vanessa Hudgens has an amazing sense of fashion.

CL: You receive a lot of your views when you cover songs from hit artists. Who is your dream person to collaborate with?

AB: I would love to co-write a song with Taylor Swift. I’m a huge fan of her music and I love that we’re the same age and play guitar and are songwriters.

 

CL: We love your video “Cali Cali Cali”! what is your typical day like on a video shoot?

AB: Thanks! Basically, lots of makeup touch-ups and taking direction from the director. It also involves a little bit of acting.

CL: Do you have any advice for young singers/songwriters who desire to break into the industry?

AB: Never try and be like someone else. And social media does not hurt to try. And write your own songs!

CL: Do you have any upcoming projects you would like to share with College Lifestyles?

AB: I’m getting ready to go to Miami to record my second album. So excited about that!

Want to learn more about Alyssa Bernal or chat with her? Contact her on her website, Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, and of course YouTube!

Amber Ferguson is a fashion/health intern at College Lifestyles (TM). She is a sophomore at Prince George’s Community College studying English. She’s obsessed with reality TV & loves traveling. Follow her on Twitter @Ms_AmberDawn.