A CL Girl’s Guide to Turning “Just Friends” into “More Than Friends”

Looking to find a summer fling in your friend circle? Look no further, CL is here to help! There ought to be at least one boy in the bunch who you’d like to see in a whole new light. Maybe you’ve known him since preschool, maybe you just met him—either way you’ll never know what could become of your relationship unless you give it a try. Here’s how you classy co-eds can take your relationship out of the friend zone.

1. Make sure this guy doesn’t have any prospective dates/girlfriends lined up. If he’s already trying for another girl, now is not the time to try for him. Just be waiting with open ears and a smile when things don’t work out with the other girl.

2. Give him extra attention. Hold his gaze slightly longer than usual, laugh at his jokes, casually touch his arm, you get the idea.

3. Get some alone time with your object of desire and see if the dynamics change. If he’s still the same burping bro that he is around his buddies, dating may not be in your future. If he’s suddenly a changed man, you may have a shot at romance.

4. Send a flirty text. Keep it short and sweet. Something that reminds you of an inside joke between the two of you will do just fine.

5. Make a move. Go in for a kiss. This cannot come until the very end, when your 99% sure he has the same feelings for you.

Erica Avesian is an intern at College Lifestyles (TM). She is a communications major at the University of Michigan. Erica hopes that you all find summer love or even just a summer fling.

14 Days of Valentine’s (Part I): The Challenge

Valentine’s Day is a holiday of mixed feelings and perceptions…there are those who love it and go “all out” to celebrate it, and there are those who despise the holiday — some even go so far as to label it “Singles Awareness Day (SAD).”

Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be all about romantic relationships – it can be about spreading love to everyone around you in a special way!  At CL, one of our goals is to make every co-ed and member of any community feel included, appreciated, and like they belong (CL intern Maggie wrote a fabulous article recently about letting yourself shine!).  So to honor Valentine’s Day this year, why not celebrate it a little differently?

The Challenge

• For the 14 days leading up to Valentine’s Day (or even commit to a few days in between now and Valentine’s Day), make a point to show “love” to someone in some way.
• At least one of the times you show “love” let it be to someone you don’t know or don’t know very well; at least one of the times let it be to a family member; at least one of the times let it be to a friend or sorority sister
• Tell us about it!

The Response (Part II to this blog)

• CL wants to know what you did to show love to others, so write to us!  Respond to the Part II blog with an example of something you did as an act of love to others – I will collect the responses I receive and create a follow-up blog post telling others what sweet deeds were completed leading up to Valentine’s Day (and also how creative our readers are!)

Examples of “love” you can show to others:

To someone you don’t know:

1) When you’re purchasing your coffee at a local coffee shop, hand the barista an extra five dollars or so, and tell them you would like to use that to pay for whoever comes to purchase a coffee after you.  Tell them Happy Valentine’s Day!

2) When you go out to a restaurant or any place of service, leave the server a tip that’s over 20%, or make them a Valentine’s card or little gift.  Write on the guest check or say directly to them “Happy Valentine’s Day!” (I’m a waitress, and this would make my day)

To one of your friends or sorority sisters:

1) Make a homemade Valentine’s Day card — construction paper, glitter, pipe cleaners, the whole deal!  Make it creative — perhaps even write a short list of some of the qualities they have that you love the most about them!

2) Text them during the day unexpectedly (like our CL TSM campaign!!) — tell them they are fabulous, or super talented, or simply that you are thinking of them and hope they have an awesome day today

To someone in your family:

1) Frame a picture of you and the person you are showing love to, and give it to them in an unconventional way — like wrapping it up and sending it to their work, or setting it somewhere randomly with a  little note, like a lost treasure

2) Surprise them by making them a nice, homemade dinner!

Are you in for the challenge?

Kelsey Book is a  writer and a dreamer who thinks faith, family, and musicals make her world go ’round!   She used to be an adamant supporter of “Singles Awareness Day” but even now as she has a boyfriend, she likes to focus more on loving everyone around her than someone she already gets to love each day of the year.

The Classy Way to Get the Guy (and Keep Him)

Dating in college can be tricky, exciting, overwhelming…nonexistent. To be honest, most guys are just looking for a hookup. But remember my classy co-eds, it is possible that Mr. Right exists. If it’s love, or even like, that you are searching for then you have to be tactful about your approach. I’m not trying to turn “getting the guy” into some scientific process because after all love is simply a “game.” Think of it as a fun game that you and he can win together. No cheating players allowed. Follow these college dating tips to master any scenario on your journey to happily ever after…

Scenario #1: You see an adorable guy at a party. You’re certain he sees you but he doesn’t approach you. Should you make the first move?

Solution: It depends. If you want the chance to get to know him and are afraid you might not see him again then yes, approach him. Confidence is sexy! If you prefer to play “hard-to-get” then you might want to sit back and wait till he comes to you. Usually if he wants to talk to you, he will. But you have to keep in mind that you may have to make the first move.

Scenario #2: You’ve been eyeing a cutie in calculus. He finally asks to study with you. See, calculus does have its pros! But what exactly does he mean by “studying”?

Solution: The best way to handle this situation is to have the intention of studying. Keep it in the friend zone the first time the two of you study together. If you notice him sending you flirtatious signals, suggest that you hang out aside from studying and see how it goes from there. It is possible for this relationship to exist beyond school.

Scenario #3: You see the man of your dreams pumping iron at the gym and can’t stop glancing at him in the mirror but you’re too shy to approach him. Is this the right time and place to pick up a guy?

Solution: Maybe, maybe not. You can smile at him and maybe say a simple hi, but beware; he might be turned off by your forwardness. If you are going to pick up a guy at the gym, be nonchalant about it. Do not play the ditzy “how do I use this machine?” card, unless you really don’t know how, that is.

Scenario #4: You see Mr. McSteamy’s look-a-like in your building but have never uttered a word to him. You have, however, seen him shirtless on the way to the bathroom. What happens next?

Solution: You have to talk to him. Otherwise you’re just another girl drooling over him. Once he knows who you are, you’re one step closer to getting him.

Scenario #5: You’re falling head-over-heels for your best guy friend. Does he feel the same way?

Solution: This is a tricky one. You want a romantic relationship with him, but you do not want to ruin your friendship. First step is to act differently around him than you do around other guys. Add in a few flirty moves that show your affection towards him. See how he reacts. It’s a good sign if he acts the same way towards you. Once you have good vibes you should strive for some alone time with him.

Side-note: If a FWB scenario is all you want, make that clear from the start. If any guys are reading this, you have to do the same. Leading someone on is bad. Give your crush/SO/ soon-to-be-lover the same love and attention they are giving you!

Erica Avesian is an intern at College Lifestyles (TM). She is a Communications major at the University of Michigan. Erica would love to be the next Bachelorette (for the awesome dates, beautiful location, and boys of course!)

The Ex-Files

I’ve been seeing this pop up on TV (Gossip Girl’s Chuck and Blair) and in music (T. Swift) a lot lately, so I wanted to dive into the topic of exes a little bit. I know most of us have them, and that quite a few people have trouble letting go. So what makes the difference between an ex who should stay in the past and one that warrants a second chance? That’s the question I’m  starting to address today, classy co-eds, but with a disclaimer: I am not a relationship expert and every situation is different, so these are just loose guidelines.

First things first, a few considerations:

• How long ago did the two of you date/break-up?- If it was last week, chances are that this is a mistake. You guys split for a reason and a week probably isn’t enough time to resolve those issues.
• How serious was your relationship then?- This can go both ways. Super casual romances that never really took off are usually easy fixes, but it’s possible that the connection was just never really there and never will be. Really serious relationships tend to come with the kind of feelings that last beyond a breakup, but they also tend to end more catastrophically. Plus, the temptation is always to pick up where you left off, rather than starting over in the current situation.
• How did the relationship end the first time?- I know that for me there are definite dealbreakers here. Any guy who was willing to lie, cheat, and break promises then, probably hasn’t changed that much. It’s up to you and what you can forgive and forget about, but you really do have to forget and move on for a second chance to work.
• What’s different about the two of you now?- Is there a significant difference between the circumstances then and now? Have the two of you grown up a little more since the split? Why would this time around work when last time didn’t?

The next thing to consider is the logistics of getting back together. In my experience, it works better to literally start all over at the first date-type stage. It’s a little difficult and awkward, but it forces you to treat the new relationship as a new relationship and not a continuation of what the two of you had before. That said, you should try to do something different together to reinforce the feeling of new romance (read: no boring dinner and a movie dates). Race each other in go-karts, go ice skating, go mini-golfing, play laser tag, just have fun and challenge each other a little. The adrenaline rush of competition helps make things feel fresh and new.

A few tips for deja vu couplings:

• Try not to rehash the past.- Sometimes before you can honestly start over, you have to discuss what happened back then. But once you’ve committed to giving it a second chance, don’t look back. Don’t discuss it. Don’t joke about it. I’m not saying to forget it happened, but it’s not important to your new relationship.
• Recognize patterns of behavior.- It is easy to fall back into your old pattern of interaction, just like the first time you dated. Which is part of the draw of returning to an old flame in the first place, but if you notice that you’re falling into the exact same problems you had before, you need to address it before you just repeat past mistakes.
• Don’t rush it.- Because the two of you already know each other and have a history, it’s not as easy to take things slowly, but it’s important to re-discover (not to sound cheesy) each other. Don’t skip steps you wouldn’t skip with any other new relationship.
• Don’t keep it a secret.- There’s no reason to hide your happiness from the people who care about you. Yes, there may be negative comments, and it takes maturity to calmly ask for your loved ones to support your decision, but it will only cause problems later if you don’t tell anyone.
• Have fun!- With so much to think about before you get together, it can be hard not to over-think it every step of the way. But relationships are supposed to be fun and make you happy, so once you’ve made the decision, just enjoy it. If you’re that worried about it not working out this time around, maybe the second-chance relationship isn’t for you.

Winter Dates for Classy Co-Eds

I find winter a little dreary personally and I absolutely loathe snow, but there’s something wonderfully fun about dating in the winter. Nothing like a little love to warm up this season, so here are a few of my favorite date ideas for winter (and cute outfit suggestions to match!).

1. Ice skating- Even though I really don’t like being cold and I’m not typically super-coordinated, I’ve had some really wonderful times on the ice. It’s a good date idea because it gets you guys moving around, possibly competing a little, and it might even give some of you a chance to show off or learn something new. I don’t know about you, but circa 7^th grade, it was the thing to do to couples skate at the skating rink, and this is kind of like an upgraded throwback. Being cold gives you guys a good excuse to break the awkward touch barrier on early dates and challenging each other (maybe doing a quick race around the rink to decide who picks up the tab for coffee after) can help you forge closer bonds faster.

What to wear: Warm winter boots or cute closed toed (not too dressy!) heels, cable knit sweater tights, knee length or higher denim skirt, a girly cardigan, and a camisole. Depending on how cold it is (or if you have an indoor or an outdoor ice skating rink), you could also add in a scarf, gloves, and a cute hat.

2. Baking and decorating holiday cookies- I’m obsessed with Christmas, so I always have a lot of fun inviting over a group of people, or just my current paramour, over to make the sweet stuff everyone loves. As a date, teaming up to make yummy treats to share (possibly during a fun Christmas movie like Four Christmases) or competing to see who’s the better decorator lends a festive air and can also become a fun tradition if you guys are still going strong next holiday season. Just google a good recipe and make a nice mug of hot chocolate (with whole milk, whipped cream, mini marshmallows, and sprinkles! It’s worth the calorie splurge, because it’s totally delicious and every girl knows the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach ) .

What to wear: Since you’re staying in, go for cute and comfy in warm fuzzy socks, distressed jeans, and a cute thermal. If you head over to his place instead of inviting him to yours, opt for leggings under the jeans, a cute fur lined hoodie, and your scarf/hat/gloves of choice, if necessary.

3. Go to a lighting ceremony- There is something so magical about watching the city get all lit up for the holiday season and oftentimes there’s music and performances during the ceremony. You can get coffee or hot chocolate and huddle together in the cold to enjoy the show. Then you can grab dinner somewhere local and enjoy all the culture and holiday spirit around you.

What to wear: Since you’ll be outside most of the time, it’s important to have a cute outer layer with a fitted pea coat or trench. For the cute factor when you take off the coat, pair a sweater dress with some killer boots (and opaque tights, of course, so you don’t freeze).

Kat McClain is an intern at College Lifestyles, a student at the University of Missouri, and very disappointed that Pumpkin Spice Lattes are gone until next fall. She loves movies, music, and the lovely all boy Warblers from Glee.

CL Summer Reading List: Top Books Every Classy Co-Ed Needs

What is there to do this summer besides lying out in the sun, working part-time, and sleeping?  That’s simple, picking up a good book and reading.  With all the new releases out there, you might be asking yourself ‘What book(s) should I read?’  Let me help.  If there is one thing I know, it’s how to pick a great book.

Here are a few of my recent favorites that I’m sure any classy co-ed will enjoy:

Everyone Worth Knowing

Summary – When Bette Robinson quits her Manhattan banking job like the impulsive girl she’s never been, she knows she won’t miss the 80-hour workweeks, her claustrophobic cubicle, or her revolting boss. But soon the novelty of walking her four-pound dog around her unglamorous Murray Hill neighborhood wears as thin as the “What Are You Going to Do With Your Life?” phone calls from her parents.

Then Bette meets Kelly, head of Manhattan’s hottest PR firm, and suddenly she has a brand-new job where the primary requirement is to see and be seen inside the VIP rooms of the city’s most exclusive nightclubs. Bette learns not to blink at the famous faces, the black Amex cards, or the ruthless paparazzi. Soon she’s dating an infamous playboy—and scaring off the one decent guy she meets. Still, how can she complain about a job that pays her to party? But when Bette begins appearing in a vicious new gossip column, she realizes that the line between her personal and professional life is. . . invisible.

Everyone Worth Knowing has been one of the best books I’ve ever read, and now one of my favorites.  The book covers every emotion a person feels when going through change, love and friendship. I bought my copy in France while I was studying aboard, and once I finished it, both of my roommates read it – and loved it!  I would recommend this book to anyone!

Lucia, Lucia

Summary - Set in the glittering, vibrant New York City of 1950, Lucia, Lucia is the enthralling story of a passionate, determined young woman whose decision to follow her heart changes her life forever. Lucia Sartori is the beautiful twenty-five-year-old daughter of a prosperous Italian grocer in Greenwich Village.

The postwar boom is ripe with opportunities for talented girls with ambition, and Lucia becomes an apprentice to an up-and-coming designer at chic B. Altman’s department store on Fifth Avenue. Engaged to her childhood sweetheart, the steadfast Dante DeMartino, Lucia is torn when she meets a handsome stranger who promises a life of uptown luxury that career girls like her only read about in the society pages. Forced to choose between duty to her family and her own dreams, Lucia finds herself in the midst of a sizzling scandal in which secrets are revealed, her beloved career is jeopardized, and the Sartoris’ honor is tested.

Lucia, Lucia was another novel that I just could not put down.  It is full of fashion, success, romance, and betrayal.  This is another one that I would recommend to anyone.

One to Pick Up:

I have not yet read The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake, but I have read many great reviews on it.  As soon as I finish my current read I will be picking up a copy for myself.

Here are a few reviews on the novel to help you decide if this is your next summer read:

“Odd and oddly beautiful….moving” (The Washington Post)

“The fairy-tale elements in her writing, far from seeming outlandish, highlight the everyday nature of her characters’ flaws and struggles. In Ms. Bender’s stories and novels, relationships and mundane activities take on mythic qualities.” (Wall Street Journal)

“wacky stew of alienation and contradiction….unraveling family secrets as strangely lucid as they are nightmarish. At its core, Aimee Bender’s novel The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake encourages us all to make the most of our unique gifts while still finding a way to live in the so-called real world” (O, The Oprah Magazine)

The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake

Summary – On the eve of her ninth birthday, unassuming Rose Edelstein, a girl at the periphery of schoolyard games and her distracted parents’ attention, bites into her mother’s homemade lemon-chocolate cake and discovers she has a magical gift: she can taste her mother’s emotions in the cake. She discovers this gift to her horror, for her mother—her cheerful, good-with-crafts, can-do mother—tastes of despair and desperation.

Suddenly, and for the rest of her life, food becomes a peril and a threat to Rose. The curse her gift has bestowed is the secret knowledge all families keep hidden—her mother’s life outside the home, her father’s detachment, her brother’s clash with the world. Yet as Rose grows up she learns to harness her gift and becomes aware that there are secrets even her taste buds cannot discern.

If you are looking for another book to read, check out Kaitlyn’s post about the upcoming Cassandra Clare novel Clockwork Angel

Samantha Crotty is an intern with College Lifestyles.  She is a Communication/Print Media student at Western Carolina University.  She absolutely loves cuddling up in bed and re-reading all of her favorite books, especially P.S. I Love You.

CL’s Guide to Wedding Guest Etiquette!

The temperature is warming up, the flowers are blooming, the sun is in the sky, and there is love in the air! This can only mean one thing: wedding season! Many of us have already gotten save-the-date cards and invitations to friends’, sorority sisters’ and relatives’ weddings.  However, many questions arise when it comes to our duties as wedding guests.  With help from Peggy Post and her book Emily Post’s Wedding Etiquette, I will give you some pointers on what the bride and groom will expect from you!

1. First and foremost, once you receive a wedding invitation, RSVP as soon as possible!  This allows the bride and grooms to get an accurate count for things such as the caterer, and can also allow a new guest to be invited, if you happen to decline.  Please remember that unless it says “and Guest” on the invitation, only the people that are listed are invited.
2. If you are invited to a wedding, you are expected to send a gift.  If the bride and groom are registered somewhere, try not to sway from their registry list.  This will prevent multiples of the same gift, as well as unwanted gifts.
3. For the actual ceremony, if you happen to
   

   Make this day special for everyone!

   arrive late, walk down an outside aisle to find a seat quickly and quietly.  Also, if you arrive during the procession, wait until the bride has gone down the aisle before entering.  Do not try to sneak a peek at the lovely bridal party; there’s a chance you could end up in the photos!

4. Just as all of you fabulous CL women know, (and as my mom would say) mind your Ps and Qs!  Simple things like not talking during the ceremony, no karaoke stunts after taking full advantage of the open bar reception, and forever staying the classy and fun guest the bride and groom expect you to be!  Not sitting with anyone you know?  Introduce yourself and use some of Karen’s tips for meeting new people to help you through the reception!  And hey, it’s a wedding! Why not ask the single guy to your left to dance when the next song spins?!

For more helpful hints on wedding guest etiquette, check out this article from The Knot!

How many weddings were you invited to this season?  Did these tips help?  Did you have other questions about this topic?  Email us at intern@collegelifestyles.org or check us out on Twitter: @collegelifestyl!

Becky Alberico is an intern at College Lifestyles ™. She is a Communication Studies major at Edinboro University of PA, and a member of Alpha Sigma Tau! Becky enjoys going to weddings because she loves to dance to the Macarena and the Electric Slide!

View my last post about throwing a Summer Solstice Soiree to give yourself an excuse to hang out with your friends and have a party!

Calling All New Sorority Alumnae!

As a recently-inducted alumna of my sorority, there are times when you are going to want to jump in and be a part of the chapter again – especially if you are nearby and had a lot of input in it before!  Here are some general tips on how to transition into your new role as an alumna of your sorority.

Be the Chapter’s #1 Fan!

You are the supportive backbone and offer moderate advice when asked.  Now that you are an alumna, you only have national dues to pay each year, which means a lot more $$ for donations for recruitment, decorations, food & supplies for sisterhood retreats, the Convention pot, and much more for your home chapter!  Think about the philanthropic ideas everyone wanted to accomplish and what monetary needs the chapter had when you were there and take advantage of the opportunity by helping your fellow sisters!  If you don’t have the funds, come up with a few ideas yourself and mention to the current chapter Fundraising Coordinator, Philanthropy Chair, or come out for a scheduled fundraiser for encouragement. 

Time:

One of the top priorities you now have is giving your time to the chapter.  This also means having to understand where your boundaries lie.  Whether or not it was your choice to become an alumna of your sorority, you no longer have that power of “what to do” in the chapter.  This is a very touchy subject to most recently-inducted alumnae.  Take my side for example..  This is my first semester being an alumna and having so much input holding the position of Chapter President before I transferred schools definitely makes me take a step back and evaluate myself.  Just because I was the president for a year does not mean it is my place to give a freely expressed opinion.  I left my home chapter knowing everyone still had things to learn, accomplish, and improve on, but I have FAITH in my sisters.  I know no one is out to “destroy” any tradition or lead the chapter into shambles.  If someone needs help with a situation, I might give my input on “what I would do” with the facts given to me, but also add in “what is best for the chapter or sister, etc.?” because I have not been at close distance to know what’s appropriate or not. 

Take the Initiative:

Just because you are no longer on the chapter roster doesn’t mean your sisters don’t think about you!  You remember how busy each semester calendar is, along with everyone’s school, work and daily life.  If you haven’t heard from a certain sister in a while, she hasn’t cast you out- she is probably just running around like a chicken with her head cut off!  J  Don’t stop contact with your sisters.  A simple text or tweet will let them know you also have not fallen off the radar and still think about them, too! 

Little Things To Show You Care:

Look for an upcoming holiday or find out the next social event your home chapter is putting on and make little goodie bags focused around that theme.  Add some candy or bake a little treat (rice krispies are the best, quick and easy to make; you can create a fun and funky color with food dye matched around the theme, too!) and put a cute and short sisterhood quote or personalize it by telling each sister why you love her and/or are thankful for her in your life! 

Alpha Sigma Tau - Epsilon Gamma Chapter - Fall 2009 Bid Day

 

Find CL Executive Director – Shelly Marie    , CL Intern Emily R., and ME! (Hint: search front row).

Kayla Norris is an Intern at College Lifestyles(TM).  She is a proud sister of Alpha Sigma Tau Sorority and misses her busy life at Epsilon Gamma Chapter, but is excited to see her sisters at Alum Day at the end of the month! J

 

Kaitlyn Loves February!

1.  Name: Kaitlyn

2.  Be honest, did you watch the Superbowl? Of course I did!  I still wish   (and always will) that the Steelers were there this year, but it was still entertaining

3.  Romantic comedy or love story? I like the rom com, but a good love story is quite enjoyable as well!

4.  Favorite ‘love’ movie(s): The Holiday, Beauty and the Beast, Grease and 10 Things I Hate About You

5.  Love getting or giving Valentine’s cards? Both! I miss the days of elementary school where you would make the little “Valentine box” and everyone in your class would get cards from everyone else!

6.  My Valentine’s cards have to have the following cartoon characters? Twilight valentines haha Emmett please!

7.  Chocolate or flowers? Anything dark chocolate mmm… or chocolate mixed with peanut butter, but flowers are lovely too.  I am so indecisive!

8.  Favorite flower: Of course the yellow rose and also tiger lilies!

9.  A great Valentine date would be: A trip to ‘The Wizarding World of Harry Potter’… wait, that’s just me? Oh…well then, something creative.  Not your typical dinner date.  The restaurants are so crowded anyway.  I like Kayla’s suggestions!

10.  My favorite love quote: Live, laugh, love

11.  Things that ‘make my world go round and I love’: AST, my BFF, my family, chocolate, my ipod and new Mac!, books, movies, coffee and the internet!

12.  Favorite Winter Olympic sport: snowboarding and figure skating

13.  Anything else you love about February: my best friend’s birthday, one of my pledge sister’s birthday and I’m going to Florida at the end of the month!

Kaitlyn Kline is an intern with College Lifestyles.  She is an Edinboro University of PA and Alpha Sigma Tau alum.  She would probably commit a small crime for some dark chocolate!

Stephanie Is All About February

1.  Name: Stephanie

2.  Be honest, did you watch the Superbowl? Yes, I watched it. And by “watch” I mean it was on in the background while I procrastinated about my doing homework by Facebook stalking.

3.  Romantic comedy or love story? Romantic comedy–love stories just give us poor perceptions of reality. Sorry, someone’s gotta be the Negative Nancy!

4.  Favorite ‘love’ movie(s): Runaway Bride, The Notebook, My Best Friend’s Wedding

5.  Love getting or giving Valentine’s cards? Both!

6.  My Valentine’s cards have to have the following cartoon character: Spiderman!

7.  Chocolate or flowers? Flowers. I can’t eat them … or at least it would be really awkward if I did.

8.  Favorite flower: French tulips (and, of course, the wine carnation)

9.  A great Valentine date would be: tall, attractive, wealthy, have a great sense of humor and adore me (that’s the kind of date you meant, right?)

10.  My favorite love quote: “This love is difficult, but it’s real.” Thanks for that, T-Swizzle.

11.  Things that ‘make my world go round and I love’: 5-hour phone conversations, cuddling, that “new love” feeling, srat sisters, Christmastime at Starbucks, Michigan sunsets

12.  Favorite Winter Olympic sport: Bobsled!

13.  Anything else you love about February: It only has 28 days, and it’s Black History Month. Plus my school gives us a week off for absolutely no reason whatsoever.

Stephanie Hardiman is an intern with College Lifestyles (TM). She is a senior journalism major at Washington and Lee University. She is a proud sister of Pi Beta Phi and will be drawing anatomically correct hearts on her valentines.

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