CL’s V-Day Dorm Decor

Halloween, Christmas…those holidays are both easy to decorate. How can a co-ed dress up her dorm for Valentine’s Day? Let CL gives you a few ideas!

Classy

For a classy theme, use the classic colors: pink, purple, black, white, and anything sparkly!

Hearts – Cut hearts out of construction paper. You can hang these hearts up, but what you really want is the paper you cut out. Layer it over another piece, and soon you’ll have a classy cut-out to hang or tape to your dorm wall, cover your dorm door, similar to how you wrap your door with wrapping paper at Christmas, or  wrap a present for your special someone!

Cupids – Cut two little cupids out of construction paper. When you glue the paper cut-outs onto another piece of construction paper, place the cupids’ arrows so they face inward, and write a message in between them.

CL Quick Tip – red roses add always add touch of class – buy fake ones from your local dollar store!

Cute

For this theme, use bright, popping colors!

Hearts – Cut out hearts from bright colored paper. On each one, write a saying, just like one you would read on an actual candy heart! Use the cut-out paper to decorate your desk.

CL Quick Tip – for colors that really pop, use neon flash cards!

Cupids – Cut out two cupids and glue them, but have them point their arrows in the same direction. On the paper, write “Cupid Crossing!”

Hot

For a spicier theme, use dramatic colors, like red and black, and dramatic shapes!

Hearts – Attach hearts to long strips of paper, so they look similar to music notes. Tape them your door along with a sign that reads “Heartbreak Hotel” – like the Elvis song!

V-Day Tic-Tac-Toe – Use classic V-Day shapes (hearts, lips, Xs, and Os) and turn them into a fun tic-tac-toe board! Use the cut-out paper to decorate your desk.

CL Quick Tip – challenge your friends to V-Day Tic-Tac-Toe. Winner gets all of the candy!

Debra Schreiber is a Senior CL Writer, and a senior at Duquesne University where she studies journalism and Spanish. She loves the cute theme – especially the candy hearts!

CL’s Guide to Planning a Cupcake Party

 

With so many upcoming holidays (Valentine’s Day, Saint Patrick’s Day, Cinco de Mayo, and this CL intern’s birthday, to name a few), what classy co-ed doesn’t need a theme? A simple, cost-effective way to celebrate these holidays with your friends is a cupcake party. Cupcakes can be decorated in any way, making them an ideal palette for any celebration. Also, cupcakes can be made in a dorm or apartment without an oven! Let CL show you how.

Step One: Oven or no oven.

If you have an oven in your dorm/apartment, you’re already set. If not, you have  some options. You could go to your local bakery and request un-iced cupcakes. Or, you could by a cupcake maker.

These snazzy little devices make miniature cupcakes, and can be bought at local stores like Target (this CL intern has one and loves it!). You could also request that your friends bring un-iced cupcakes with them.

Step Two: Bakin’ the cakes.

Make the cupcakes about one hour before your guests arrive. This will give the cupcakes  time to cool, which needs to happen so that the icing will not melt while your guests  frost and decorate them. You can either make the cupcakes from scratch or buy mixes from your local grocery store (this CL intern loves Duncan Hines and Betty Crocker). Make sure to make or buy a variety of flavors (i.e. chocolate, vanilla, white, marble). If you make mini cupcakes, set a dozen on each guest’s plate. If the cupakes are of regular size, set a half dozen on each guest’s plate.

Step Three: Icing technology.

Just like with the cupcakes, you can make or buy the icing, and you should make or buy it in more than one flavor (i.e. chocolate, vanilla, orange chocolate, almond, anise). To make the icing different colors, you could use food coloring, but be warned that this will dilute the icing, making it runny and difficult to work with. To avoid this outcome, buy Wilton’s icing colors (which this CL intern recommends, along with anything else Wilton!). These will produce strong colors and not make your icing runny. Wilton’s products can be found at arts and crafts stores like Michaels.

Make the icing colors according to the holiday or event you are celebrating. Then, place the icings into separate bowls in the center of the table – don’t forget to label the flavored icings!

Make sure that you have good spatulas for your guests to spread the icings with. To decorate, you can either use plastic bags, by filling them with icing and then cutting off the bottom points on one side of the bags, or icing bags (another great Wilton’s product). These icing bags will allow your guests to use a variety of icing tips to create patterns and make flowers for their cupcakes. Leave one icing bag out next to each icing bowl.

Step Four: Other toppings, for your consideration.

You can also purchase pre-made sugar flowers for some flair. Sprinkles are always classic. Other topping ideas are edible glitter, cinnamon drops, nonpareils or sugar pearls. In addition to these, you can also put festive figures or symbols on top, as shown below.

Leave these out in small bowls for your guests to use as well.

After these first four steps, you are ready for your friends to come over and create some amazing cupcakes!

Step Five: Cupcake favors.

Allow your guests to take their cupcakes home. Set aside a cupcake box for each guest with their name on it.

Debra Schreiber, a CL senior writer and Duquesne University senior journalism and Spanish major, has fond memories of baking chocolate chip cookies with father growing up. She believes this led to her passion for all things baking. She has most recently taken cake decorating classes at Giant Eagle Market District, Robinson location, and hopes someday to open her own bakery.

3 Ways to Make Extra Cash–Easily!

This time of the year is full of through-the-roof expenses. Paying for books, buying food to fill your fridge, and the inability to resist endless clothing and shoe sales has left some classy CL co-eds with a less than bountiful wallet. If your down to your last dollar and are unemployed, don’t hyperventilate just yet. Keep reading for a few clever tips that’ll keep your money flowing.

Turn A Hobby Into A Profit –  What’s better than being paid for doing what you love? If you’re one of those people who is constantly told that you do something well, use your talent for what it’s worth. Rather than only painting for fun, show your work to friends and family, unleash your inner salesperson and convince them that your masterpiece is worth purchasing. Or, you can start off your impromptu business by giving away your pieces for free–it’ll give your acquaintances more incentive to pay $1 or $2 next time.

You can even pick up a profitable hobby, such as jewelry making or knitting. Visit etsy.com to see how tons of creative people use their savvy brains to bring home the bacon.

Sell What You Don’t Want — Although America is currently being pressed with the issue of our government blocking certain websites (read about SOPA and PIPA via Google), the internet still offers a vast amount of sites to help you sell your aging items. Believe it or not, someone is on a desperate hunt for that dusty bookcase that’s been sitting in your room at home. Whether it’s clothing or old stuffed animals, if you don’t need it, get rid of it! Use Amazon, Ebay, or take your belongings to a consignment store such as Plato’s Closet. It’ll clean up your physical space, free up your mental space, and you’ll have more money in your wallet space!

Get Paid For Being An Intelligent Co-ed — Friends tutor friends for free all the time, but if you can rack up a few extra dollars by becoming a paid tutor, go for it! Stop by your campus library and see if they’re in need of students for tutoring services. If they are, you’re in good shape! If not, you might have to improvise. Vocalize that you are capable of re-teaching a subject to students in need in any way that you can: flyers, making announcements before or after classes, via Facebook, Twitter, hinting at it while in conversation… You get the idea! See what happens when you advertise your skill (consider charging $1 for the first session) and wait for the hopefully positive turnout!

Tiana Blue is a Senior Writer for College Lifestyles™. This fourth semester sophomore at Penn State is a print journalism major with a penchant for food, stilettos, and the city that never sleeps.

 

CL How To: Organize a Study Space in Your Dorm/Apartment

Do you find yourself sitting in your bed doing your homework?  Do you go to the library with a bunch of friends and leave realizing not much was accomplished?  Having your own study space has a direct influence on your grades.  We often sit down with a bunch of friends are “try” to study, ignoring the distractions around us.  Like many people, I often sat in front of my television and thought that I could get my homework done or study for that big final.  Eliminating those distractions and forming your own study space should be a task on your list when moving into your dorm or apartment.

Things to consider having in your study space

• Desk or a table and chair
• Computer/laptop
• Calendar for assignments and to organize schedules
• Bookshelves or hanging separators
• Accessories: papers, folder, pencils and pens, highlighters, scissors, tape, stapler, glue, colored pencils, and markers

Assembling your own study space can be quite simple even if you are working with a small amount of room.  Adjust your living quarters to reflect your style and comfort.  In your dorm or apartment section off a space strictly for your homework and studying.  Don’t use your desk as a place to put your clothes so you don’t have to put them away!  Set up your desk as an ample place to complete your work.

Avoid distractions in your study space.  Place your desk so its facing the opposite direction of the television or make it an effort to not have the television on when doing your work.  Try and avoid music that you feel like you will sing to well trying to study.  Music often helps people as background noise but try and keep it to a minimum.

Check out Meaghan O’s article on desk organization for tips on setting up your space!

Stephanie Coppola is an intern at College Lifestyles ™.  She is a graduate student at Quinnipiac University studying Interactive Communications.  She has a specific spot set up in her apartment to do her work!

CL Asks Classy Co-eds – What are Your Favorite Kid Movies?

Looking for a fun night with friends, family, or sorority sisters? Try a classic kiddie movie night, with these suggestions from co-eds like you.

 

“Peter Pan.” Not the cartoon. 2003 version with Jeremy Sumpter – Anissa Gilbert, Duquesne University, junior ISM and marketing major.

“The Princess Bride” and “My Neighbor Totoro.” – Gabrielle Tomasko, Duquesne University, integrated marketing communications and digital media arts major.

“A Little Princess.”  – Kelsey Daugherty, Duquesne University, senior, nursing.

“Aladdin.” – Michelle Lawrence, Duquesne University, senior, nursing.

“Sleepover.” – Sarah Williams, Duquesne University, sophomore psychology major.

“The Little Mermaid.” – Leanne Gallaway, The Art Institute of Pittsburgh, senior photography major.

“The Nightmare Before Christmas.” – Brooke Mendoff, Duquesne University, sophomore public relations/advertising and broadcast journalism major.

“Lion King.” – Alycia Washington, Duquesne University graduate, public relations and advertising degree.

“Despicable Me.” – Liz DeCarlo, Duquesne University, sophomore physics and modern languages major.

“Homeward Bound.” – Lauren Pitzer, Duquesne University, sophomore psychology major.

“Beauty and the Beast.” – Ellen Dimmick, Duquesne University, sophomore history major.

“Christmas Eve on Sesame Street.” – Elena LaQuatra, Point Park University, sophomore TV broadcast major.

“The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.” – Amy Kerlin, Duquesne University, sophomore political science and communications major.

 

Debra Schreiber is a returning CL intern from summer 2011. Her favorite kid movies include “How to Train Your Dragon,” “Ratatouille” and “The Pebble and the Penguin.”

 

CL’s DIY Food Gifts

Have a friend or family member who’s a foodie? Still need a gift for them? Then make your own food gift for them by choosing one of these simple DIY food gift ideas.

Ingredient gifts are the easiest to make – just grab a jar!

Try this cookie in a jar recipe from allrecipes.com.

1/2 cup white chocolate chips

1/2 cup crispy rice cereal

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips

1/2 cup rolled oats

1/2 cup white sugar

 “In a 1 quart jar, layer the ingredients in the order listed. Pack down firmly after each addition.

“Attach a tag with the following instructions: Cookie in a Jar 1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). 2. In a large bowl, cream 1/2 cup margarine until light and fluffy. Mix in 1 egg and 2 tablespoons water. Add the entire contents of the jar, and stir until well blended. Drop by rounded spoonfuls onto an ungreased cookie sheet. 3. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes in preheated oven. Remove from baking sheets to cool on wire racks.”

Does your foodie love hot cocoa? Then try cocoa in a jar from Nestle® Meals!

6 cups NESTLÉ® CARNATION® Instant Nonfat Dry Milk

1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

1 cup plus 2 tablespoons NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Baking Cocoa

1 1/2 cups miniature marshmallows, (optional)

“COMBINE dry milk, sugar, cocoa and marshmallows in large bowl. Pour into 2-quart jar or tall container. Seal with lid and decorate with fabric and ribbon.

“RECIPE TO ATTACH:
Measure 1/2 cup cocoa mix into mug. Stir in 1 cup hot water or milk. Makes 12 servings.

“VARIATION USING PINT JAR:
1 1/2 cups NESTLÉ CARNATION Nonfat Dry Milk
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons NESTLÉ TOLL HOUSE Baking Cocoa
1/2 cup miniature marshmallows (optional)

“RECIPE TO ATTACH:
Measure 1/2 cup cocoa mix into mug. Stir in 1 cup hot water or milk. Makes 4 servings.”

Cookbook gifts add some knowledge to your food gift.

Buy your foodie a cookbook, preferably a baking one, and wrap it. Then, buy the ingredients for one of the recipes and turn them into an ingredient gift, or just buy  the most prevelent ingredient in the recipe, for example, flour, and put it into a festive bag. Or, make one of the recipes, put it in some tupperware and tie a bow on top!

Food baskets also make amazing gifts.

Instead of ordering a food basket online, create one of your own, specifically for the person you’re gifting. Try making a theme basket, full of the food they love. Do they love coffee? Try assorted coffee, hot cocoa and tea packets. Chocolate? Throw together a basket full of different flavors, percentages of cocoa and brands. Do they need food for their dorm room? Make a care package they can take back with them. Do they like watching movies? Make a movie-themed basket full of popcorn and assorted movie candies.

 

Want to really dress up your food gift? Then check out Tiana’s DIY Christmas gift wrapping tips.

 

Debra Schreiber is a returning CL intern from summer 2011. She is a senior at Duquesne University, studying Journalism and Spanish. When she’s not studying, you can usually find her at the gym, reading or catching up on her favorite shows.

On The Fifth Day Of Christmas CL’s Giving You… 5 DIY Decor Tips!

DIY is appropriate for any time of the year, especially if you’re looking to save some cash around the holidays. Need a few decor tips? No problem! For all of you last minute decorators, CL’s created a list of affordable and savvy DIY projects to jazz up your humble abode this Christmas.

Fuzzy Snowflakes —  This is a fresh spin on classic paper snowflakes. Let’s get started!

What You’ll Need:

• Felt fabric
• Scissors

What You’ll Need:

• Gingerbread Man cutouts
• Construction paper
• Scissors
• Assorted art supplies (glitter glue, ribbon, craft puff balls…)

Gift-wrap Your Home – Everything’s a present waiting to be opened with this tip.

What You’ll Need:

• Ribbon (different lengths and thickness)
• Scissors

How self-explanatory is this DIY? All you have to do is take your ribbon and have fun wrapping it around different items in your house! From lamp shades to door knobs, legs on a chair to the handles on your fridge, wrap and snip your ribbon around whatever you’d like. Add some charm to your ribbon decorations by tying a bow.

“Kissball” Ornament — Push your mistletoe to the side for this clever ornament drawn up by Goodhousekeeping.com.

What You’ll Need:

• Styrofoam balls (suggested: 4-inches)
• Fabric
• Rubber bands
• Ribbon
• Scissors

Can’t get enough of my DIY tips? Wait until you check out Debra’s article–she shows you how to create a themed party filled with hot chocolate drinks and candy cane party favors. Happy holidays, CL readers!

Dorm Decor for the Holidays

Tis’ the season to deck the halls, and for most of us that means the residence halls.  Decorations help remind us of the upcoming holidays during the stressful final weeks of the semester.  CL wants to help you make your dorm rooms full of holiday cheer in a cheap and chic way.

Paper snowflakes- The last time you made a paper snowflake may have been in kindergarten, but like naptime, they are making a reappearance in college.  Just grab some computer paper, fold, and cut away.  You can hang it on the walls, from the ceiling and on your door.  If you’re daring, you can even opt for the three dimensional ones.

String of lights- Check with housing before hanging to make sure it is not a fire risk.  Lights make any room more cheery and festive.  It adds a certain holiday glow to the room.  We recommend keeping them up all year round actually, that’s how much we love them.

Small, fake Christmas tree- No matter what holiday you or your roommates celebrate, decorating a Christmas tree is always fun.  Add decorations and homemade ornaments that fit your personalities.  Last year, in honor of our Hawaiian roommate living with us in New York, we draped leis on the tree.

Garland- Garland is an inexpensive and easy way to brighten up a room with holiday spirit.  Wrap it around bed frames, banisters and doors for a quick, festive look.

Paper Chains- Another childhood craft that can be used as a decoration.  Cut out strips of green and red (or blue and silver) construction paper.  Wrap them around each other to create a colorful chain to hang from your ceiling.

Personalize Santa Hats or Stockings- Go to a local dollar store and buy Santa hats and glitter glue.  You and your roommates can decorate and personalize your hats and stockings and place them around your rooms and as decorations.

Get creative- Use paper and just get creative! Host a snowman making contest out of computer paper, or each design your own paper Santa hat.  No matter how ridiculous it sounds, just have fun making holiday themed crafts together.

Most importantly, have fun!  The holiday season is about spending time with those important to you.  Have fun decorating with each other while wishing each other happy holidays.  What’s your favorite holiday decoration?

 

Nicole is a CL intern who goes to Marist College.  She is a Communications major with a concentration in Journalism and PR.  Nicole is a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma, Marist Ambassadors, and Communication Arts Society.  She enjoys running and hanging out with her sorority sisters and friends

College Lifestyles and Small Kitchen College Holiday Cookie, Cupcake and Cocktail Contest!

Calling all aspiring chefs, nutritionist, dietitians, and foodies!  College Lifestyles is joining forces with Small Kitchen College and announcing our first annual holiday cookie, cupcake, and cocktail contest!

Holidays are the time of festivities, fun, family, and food – and we want to know your favorite cookie, cupcake and cocktail recipes.

Our College Lifestyles kitchen is busy preparing our own cookies, cupcakes, and cocktails using Zevia products, while the Small Kitchen College stadium is cooking up holiday goodies, and we want to know your best recipe tips and ideas which make your holidays yummy!

All recipes will be posted on our site and Facebook page; and the winners (in each category) will receive a copy of Eat Well and Be Fabulous.  Judges include Editor in Chief of College Lifestyles, Shelly Marie Redmond AND Small Kitchen College Founders Phoebe Lapine and Cara Eisenpress and Managing Editor Lily Bellow.

In addition to our judges, we will offer a Peoples Choice Award!  Recipes and pictures will be posted on our Facebook page to allow for your friends to vote.  Voting will go up on 12/18 and close on 12/31.

 Contest Guidelines:

1.  Recipes must have an accommodating picture.

2.  Send your recipe to info@collegelifestyles.org.  Use subject line – CL/SKC Recipe Contest.

3.   In the body of your email, include the following:

• Name
• School (alumnae are encourage to enter as well!)
• Recipe Title
• Recipe

4.  Do let us know if you have the following:

• Blog
• Twitter
• Tumblr

5.  Recipes/pictures are due 12/15.

Postings to Facebook will occur on 12/18.  Voting will close on 12/31.  Winners will be announced on 1/7/11.

Also, join our virtual cookie swap – post your recipe here!  http://collegelifestyles.org/2011/12/cl-virtual-cookie-swap-2/

We look forward to your recipes!

 Shelly and the College Lifestyles Team

 Pheobe, Cara, Lily and the Small Kitchen College Team

Celebrate the Upcoming Holidays with your Sisters

The next few months are filled with holidays and feelings of cheer, gratefulness, sharing and giving.  Some of the best people to share those warm feelings with are your sisters.  Learn how you and your sisters can come together and celebrate the holidays.

Potluck dinner- Have your own Thanksgiving supper on campus.  Whether you have a sorority house or you are using a sister’s house, invite each girl to contribute a certain dish.  To make it more interesting, ask your sisters to use a family recipe or a dish representing their heritage.  It shows that no matter how diverse we are, there is a certain bond that connects us to be grateful for.

Thanks jar- At your meeting this week, pass around a jar and ask each sister to submit what she is thankful or to thank a specific sister for a simple act.  It is a nice reminder to count your blessings and show your appreciation for each other.

Secret Santa- It is unrealistic to buy gifts for your entire chapter, but it is nice if you can give one to at least one sister.  Secret Santa is a great way to get your sorority excited for the holiday.  It also allows girls to be creative and learn more about each other if they are given a sister that they do not really know.  Try to keep it at a $15 limit or DIY because many sisters are on a budget.

Donation Tree- Ask your college activities if you can set up a fake Christmas tree in the student center.  Work with a local shelter or children’s center and ask the children to write down something they want on a paper ornament. Hang the paper ornaments onto the tree and ask the students on campus to take one and buy that gift for the child.  Together, everyone can deliver the gifts for a deserving child.  Philanthropy and spreading the holiday spirit makes everyone closer.

Holiday Party- As a sisterhood event, gather your sisters for a fun holiday party.  Bake holiday themed goods and hand out candy canes.  You can ask your classy guests to dress in holiday colors, or make it more formal with dresses.

Decorating- Deck the halls of your sorority house! Give everyone a project to do, whether it is setting up figures on the lawn or wrapping garland around the staircase.  Play Christmas music to get everyone excited for the holidays.  If your chapter does not have a house, such as mine, do some holiday crafts together, such as wreath decorating or personalizing a Santa hat.

Holiday Show- Find a nearby show that celebrates the holidays.  Look for a reenactment of the nativity in a local community.  Even if a sister does not celebrate Christmas she can still appreciate the presentation.  My college offers trips to New York City and every year tickets to the Christmas Spectacular.  Look at theaters and cities close to campus to see what is offered and take a fun trip there together.

We want everyone to remember the importance of the holiday spirit.  How do you and your sisters celebrate the holidays?

 

Nicole is a CL intern who goes to Marist College.  She is a Communications major with a concentration in Journalism and PR.  Nicole is a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma, Marist Ambassadors, and Communication Arts Society.  She enjoys running and hanging out with her sorority sisters and friends.

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