Jersey Shore Recap: 2/2/12

To kick off this episode, the roommates got back to the shore, Vinny included.  At the house, Pauly fills in Vinny, including the strange niceness coming from Mike.  Deena suggests to everyone that they go out to Karma that night to celebrate the eight of them being together again.  Before going out, Jenni things there is something going on with her and Rodger.  She gives him a quick phone call and he does not answer.

On the party deck, Mike says he wants to get a tattoo that says, “Loyalty & Betrayal.”  Ronnie jokes about how Mike knows everything about Betrayal and nothing about Loyalty.

As soon as the group arrives at Karma, Mike goes off and does his own thing while Pauly and Vinny play wingmen for each other.  Later at Karma, Snooki pees her pants.  She goes to the bathroom to, “freshen up,” which actually means spraying immense amounts of perfume on her, to mask the smell.  This is, apparently, called a “shore shower.”  When they get home, Deena says goodnight to all the boys.  She then says, “I love you,” to Pauly and Vinny and asks that they return the favor.  The guys laugh and don’t reciprocate.

In the morning, Snooki wakes up before everyone else, still in her red dress and black heels from the night before, and takes off the dirty underwear and throws it away.  When Deena wakes up, she realizes her fused extensions and her clip-in extensions have gotten tangled overnight.  She goes to the bathroom to try to solve her problem.  She ends up wetting the extensions and blow drying them to help untangle them.  Using the blow dryer, Deena accidentally electrocutes herself.  She was fine.  She told Sammi she just felt the current running through her arm.  The two girls discuss their theories on electricity.

During the day, everyone wants to go to Jenks, an outdoor restaurant and bar.  Before going, Jenni tries to call Rodger again, but he ignores the call.  While getting ready, Snooki decides to wear two pair of underwear, “just in case.”  When the groups gets to Jenks, Mike runs into two random friends, which makes the guys wonder if they are actually friends or just people Mike met at a club before.  At the bar, Snooki says she needs to go to the bathroom again and it really hurts, so she says she has a UTI again.  In order to stop the pain, her solution is to take shots of tequila.  After spending a few hours at Jenks, the group decides to go to batting cages, but Mike says he is having a good time and chooses to stay.

After the batting cages, the group meets up with Mike again and Snooki, Deena, and he ride in the cab together.  In the cab, Mike throws out there how nice he has been lately but he still feels like he is the odd man out.  The girls say that may be because he rarely hangs out with them, he prefers to do his own thing.

When they get back, the bathrooms in the house are all taken, so Snooki urinates on the back porch.  She covers it with shorts.  Up on the party deck, Snooki, Deena, and Mike are together, where Mike tells them he does not have a hidden agenda for his sudden niceness.  Snooki tells him that the roommates don’t really trust him.  This upsets Mike, leading him to want to confront the rest of the roommates.  Asking the guys to be honest with him, Mike asks if he has done anything to make them angry.  They say no.  Pauly speculates that Mike was just intoxicated.

That night, the group decides to hang out at their house.  They are hanging out on the party deck when Team Meatball decides to play a prank.  They go inside, while everyone slowly migrates back to the house.  Snooki dresses in the bunny costume and one at a time, she ransacks her roommates.  With Pauly, pins him down and makes suggestive gestures.

Back outside, they play a game called, “Warm Beer,” which is actually not a game, but a joke to be played on Snooki.  In the “game,” they tell Snooki that it is a memory game and involves drawing pictures on the face of the person to your left.  What is really happening is that Ronnie is putting soot on Snooki’s face.  She has no idea until she goes inside to go to the bathroom.  She wants revenge.

Mike goes to bed because he has a headache.  Snooki puts on the bunny mask, climbs on Mike (in his bed), and wake him up, scaring him.

At work in the morning, Deena makes a pair of underwear that say, “I Jersey Turnpike,” so that when she Jersey turnpikes, they show.

At the house, Jenni and Snooki are getting their hair done when Snooki’s dad shows up.  She forgot he was coming today, but sends him to the store for cranberry juice.

Mike is on the boardwalk and runs into Rodger.  When he gets home, Jenni is talking to Snooki’s dad about her problems with Rodger, and Mike informs her that he just ran into Rodger and that he was going to the beach with some buddies.

While Snooki and her dad are spending time together, Mike says he thinks Snooki is the real trouble maker of the house, not him.  He also admits he is going to call the Unit to finish the unfinished business.

What do you think is going to happen with the Snooki-Mike-Jionni-Unit frenzy?

Jersey Shore- 1/26/12

The beginning of the most recent episode of Jersey Shore was with Danny, the gang’s landlord and boss, coming to the house giving them some bad news: He had a deal that there would be eight people living in the house and working for him and because Mike did the dip, no one works very hard, and Vinny is gone, he is going to find two new people to live there.  Not one person was ok with it.  Shortly after, Mike comes back and gets filled in by JWOWW.

Mike admits that he isolates himself on purpose every year on his birthday just to see who will go out of their way to make sure he ok and to say happy birthday.

Next, Pauly, Deena, and Snooki are at work, and actually working hard, hoping to avoid new roommates.  After work, they all get fake tattoos.

At home, Deena calls Vinny to invite him to the surprise party being planned for Pauly and Mike and to tell him about Danny’s visit.  Vinny says he is “working on” coming back to the house and won’t be up for the party, but he is appreciative of the invite.  Later in the day, the girls go to Karma (where the party is being held) and discusses the strippers with an employee.  The male employee creeps all the girls out because of the way he talks to them and the things he asks about for the party (at one point, one of the girls comments that they aren’t trying to direct a porn film, just want something for their party).  The girls decorate Karma for the party, that night.

Later that day, JWOWW shows up for work on time, while Ron and Mike are late.  The boys know they are running late and they feel like jerks for it, especially because of the talk they had with Danny.  Danny is really angry that they are late, and decided to post “Help Wanted” signs throughout the store.  The signs receive a lot of attention.  There are a lot of women who approach Danny about the signs.  Shortly after, JWOWW sees the signs and rips them down.  Danny notices his signs are down and makes JWOWW make him a new one.  JWOWW is livid about the possibly of having someone new come in.  Ronnie chimes in, saying that if they get a new roommate, he or she will not be welcome and will never feel comfortable in the house because the roommates have been through so much together.

At the same time, the meatballs decide to go get more supplies and decorations for the surprise party.  They end up with balloons and bunny suits.

Rodger arrives for the party and soon they are right out the door for the surprise party.  When they get to Karma, Pauly and Mike are surprised as heck.  Neither of them had any idea and assumed they were going out for “a regular Thursday night.”  Snooki and Deena handcuff the birthday boys into wheelchairs and watch the strippers put on a show.  After the show, everyone is dancing and having a good time.  Mike is spending time with one of the strippers and Pauly met a brunette girl who was just at the party.  Both women spend the night at the house.

At home, Ronnie and Deena call Vinny and he ignores the call.  The two decide to just sit outside instead.  When they are on the porch, Ronnie gets emotional about Vinny.  It looks like his eyes are filling with tears.  Deena, sounding defeated, says she doesn’t think Vinny is going to return.

The next day, the group decides to do a “couples night.”  Deena calls Joey, her friend from last episode, and he agrees and will meet her at the house around 7:30.  Deena goes to find Snooki.  They try on their bunny costumes and then decide it would be funny to play a practical joke on JWOWW.  Deena tells her that she needs help getting something from underneath her bed and Snooki hides in the bathroom, dressed as a rabbit.  When JWOWW is in the bedroom, Snooki jumps out and they all have a good laugh, and JWOWW has a scream.

At some point that day, Jionni comes to visit, bring his girlfriend a dozen long-stemmed red roses.  The two decide to occupy the smoosh room and then fall asleep.  Everyone else goes out for couples night.  In the car, the girls raise concerns that when Jionni is there, Snooki never wants to go out.  Within five minutes of being at the club, there is a fight.  A girl fight.  Sam is involved.  Sam got kicked out of the club, along with the other women who were fighting.  Sam told her friends that someone came up behind her and pulled her new weave.  Deena wore fairy wings out.  They all went home.

Deena and Joey were trying to “spend time together,” but couldn’t because of an alarm clock that kept going off, even after Deena unplugged it from the wall.  Paula is over, and Mike had her stay the night.  He admits in a confessional that is really into her and hasn’t found anything wrong with her yet.

Pauly is just kind of walking around , not doing much, and says he is getting in a funk without Vinny around.  The roommates decide the only thing to do is to drive to Staten Island to kidnap Vinny.  First, they stop at the shore store to make shirts that all have “Vinny” sayings on them.  Mike’s says, “Vinning,” and Pauly’s said, “Free Vinny.”  Danny is really excited for them to get Vinny and bring him back.  When they get to Staten Island, they go crazy pounding on the doors and windows.  They barge in “like a S.W.A.T. team.”  Vinny is upstairs and they all hug him and show him love and affection.  He shows them a new tattoo he got across the top of his chest.  It reads, “Let Go, Let God,” in fancy cursive writing.  They ask him to come back, and he agrees.  In a confessional, he says he isn’t 100% better, but he thinks he can do the rest of his recovery at the shore.  He throws some belongings in a garbage bag and is on his way, but not without saying goodbye to his very upset mother.  The roommates are all together and going back to the shore.

Next week we can expect more bunny costumes and some unfinished business from Mike.

What do you think his unfinished business will be?

CLassy Out-of-Season Fashion Finds

It may be cold now, but it’ll be summertime before you know it. If you’re like me– already thinking about the warm days on the beach–  there’s some  cute clothing trends you’ll want to try out for the warmer weather. Thinking ahead of the seasons is just another way to help you budget for fun in the sun!

1. Swimsuits

If you’re going to school/living in a warm place, you’ll always want to have a swimsuit at hand, and right now is the best time to buy them!

Victoria’s Secret

Venus Swimwear

Forever21

2. Tank Tops and Shorts

You can never have too many pairs of shorts. Whether you need in now, or in a few months, it’s always nice to have them on hand to wear under outerwear, or to dreamland!

GoJane

Aeropostale

Old Navy

Need a little black dress? How about a blue one? These stores may summer-oriented, but the sales and hot deals are all year around.

3. Dresses

Charlotte Russe

PacSun

Delia’s

4.Formals

With prom coming for the highschoolers, it’s almost time for dresses to go back in-season. But if all you need a cocktail dress for a wedding or a quick closet stretcher for a formal event, these stores have your back.

The Rose Dress

Formals Etc.

Pacific Plex

Shopping out of season is the best way to save money on new clothes and accessories. The stores listed here are always trying to get rid of old inventory to make room for new clothes, so take advantage of the great sales! I know it seems way too early to be thinking about what you’re going to wear to you’re cousin’s summer wedding, but if your strapped for cash, now’s a great time to start thinking ahead!

 

Martha-Raye Adjei is an environmental studies major with a concentration in Sustainable Apparel at the University of Delaware. She hopes to become a journalist and sustainable apparel designer. In her spare time she likes to read, swim and watch TV

Jersey Shore: 1/19/12

Thursday’s episode picked up right where last week’s left off: Vinny was in a cab heading back to Staten Island, leaving Pauly D to head to the club to inform the roommates of what just happened.  When he got there, he told the girls, leaving Deena in tears and JWOWW to console her in the bathroom.  Early into the night (early as far as the roommates are concerned), Mike and Pauly bring girls back to the house.  The rest of the roommates follow.

We then switch over to Vinny, the only time he is in the episode, and see him getting comforted by his mother.  This lasts about 30 seconds.

Back at the shore, Deena and JWOWW are sitting outside, where JWOWW is still comforting a crying Deena.

The next morning, Deena seems to be doing fine because she and Snooki decided to go day drinking at Aztec.  When they are there, the meatballs run into Deena’s sister, Joanie and a few of her guy friends.  They all take shots and Snooki takes more than the rest of the group, leaving in Snooki having to be held up by the men as they walk across the boardwalk.  There are cops around, but they don’t say anything about Snooki’s condition.  At some point, Snooki and Deena (who seem to have sobered up enough to be able to walk unsupported) return to Aztec where they have a mini dance off with some random guys.  Everyone is having a good time, but then the girls fall and decide “there’s no coming back from that now” so they return to the house.  At the house, Deena has a problem.  Her weave/hair gets tangled into a huge knot, because of all the dancing.  Pauly rips the weave from her head.  As usual, JWOWW is to the rescue.

After that, they all go to Aztec again.  This time, Jionni joins them.  In honor of Vinny, Ronnie wears skinny jeans.  When they are there, the group runs into the Unit, which sends Snooki into panic.  At the bar, Pauly meets a woman with a lot of tattoos and they go home early, much earlier than the group.  Also in honor of Vinny, Pauly and the tattooed woman occupy his bed (seriously).   Back at Aztec, Mike wants to confront Snooki, but when he is on his way to her, a brawl breaks out in front of him, causing the Unit to be kicked out of the bar.  Bummer.

The next morning, Mike is working when he meets a Bosnian woman who eagerly gives him her phone number and tells him she wants a grilled cheese the next morning.

That afternoon, the group calls Vinny.  He says he is taking it day by day but doesn’t plan to return soon.  Everyone is really sad without him, but they are giving him their support and hoping for the best.  JWOWW says they are being selfish if they are not doing that.

That night, the group goes to Aztec to celebrate Pauly’s birthday, which is the next day.  There, Mike runs into the Bosnian woman and is dancing and spending time with her.  Then, he sees Paula.  Forced to decide between the women, Mike passes the Bosnian woman to Pauly and keeps Paula to himself.  On the other side of the club, Deena runs into an old friend, Joey.  Joey goes home with Deena, Paula goes home with Mike, and the Bosnian woman goes home with Pauly.  The other couples are having some alone time (this is around 4:00 a.m.) when the Bosnian woman asks Pauly if they can just talk in his room.  Pauly says he doesn’t have time to talk to a girl at 4:00 in the morning so he calls her a cab.  The woman then returns to the house (a few minutes later) and says she wants to hang out with Mike, who is busy with Paula.  Eventually, Mike goes outside with the Bosnian woman (Paula is taking a shower) and she asks him why he is with Paula.  Mike says they connect really well and always get along.  Mike also says he loves to have a girlfriend and thinks he could get wifed up.  Eventually, the Bosnian woman leaves.

The next day is Pauly’s actual birthday.  His whole family surprises him at the house.  His gift was his hometown barber who gave him a haircut.  Pauly has not been this happy since Vinny left.  They make plans to go out for dinner and Pauly invites the rest of the guys.  Pauly is 31.  Mike, who is also celebrating his birthday, misses his family and wishes they had come to see him too.

Meanwhile, Snooki and Deena want to plan a surprise party for Pauly.

At dinner, Mike is sulking because he thinks Pauly’s family should be making an equally big deal about his birthday, which they are not.  Mike excuses himself from the table and falls asleep on a couch near the table.  Ron takes icing from the cake and puts it on Mike’s face, which wakes him up.  Mike didn’t receive the joke the way Ron hoped he would.

The girls are home and baking a cake for Pauly, but not one for Mike.  When the boys get home and see that there is only one cake, Mike gets upset again.  In a confessional, he admits that he is jealous and starting to realize he is usually the bad guy of the house and rarely the good guy.  The roommates are starting to get suspicious of Mike’s behavior.  Mike leaves the house and doesn’t say where he is going.

The episode ends with Mike’s departure.

So what do you think?  Was Mike in the right for being upset about the lack of celebration for his birthday?  The girls said he is such a jerk that they didn’t want to celebrate his birthday.  Should they have done something for Mike?

 

DAY 3: CL’s College Countdown Helps Plan Your Summer Parting Party

Parting ways with your friends from home can be a bittersweet experience – make it more sweet than bitter by using this CL guide to planning a classy summer’s end party!

1.      Setting a date.

Setting a date can be the most difficult part of planning your summer party. With friends at work, internships, or on vacation, getting everyone together takes tactful planning. First, consider what you already know about your friends’ schedules – when do they usually go on family vacations? When do they usually go back to school? Then, send out a text or Facebook message asking when everyone could be available, tossing out a few date ideas that are good for you. Make sure that you do this a month or so before you think the party will be – this way, girls with work will have time to request off. If some have not responded to your messages within 5 days, give them a phone call. At this point, you should have a rough idea of a date – so set it. Let your friends know by giving them a phone call. You could also create a Facebook event – just remember that some people check theirs’ more frequently than others. If a few people cannot make it, don’t sweat it – try to set aside time for a lunch or phone date. 

2.      Thinking of a theme.

What theme best represents the spirit of your group? What is one memory that you all share? What is one thing you all have in common? Asking these kinds of questions will lead you to a theme idea that everyone will love and remember. For example – about two years ago I hosted a Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants/Disney Princess themed party. The Sisterhood series was still popular at the time; the majority of us had read the books, seen the movies and identified with a character – and the newest freshman in our group loved Belle. It was also a way to integrate how we were going to stay in touch while far away at school – by writing letters, just like the Sisterhood girls did. Themes like this can also help you to plan fun activities and make party favors.

3.      Cooking for everyone.

Cooking for five or more can be a challenge – especially when everyone has unique tastes! Important things to remember are: if there are any vegetarians in your group and if anyone has any allergies (allergies can also determine if it will be an indoor or outdoor event). Pizza can be a quick and easy crowd pleaser, but if you are feeling more adventurous, try having a taco bar or baking a casserole, (just remember to maximize the recipes – make more than you think people will eat. They can always take some home!). As for dessert, make a light and simple treat – like the strawberry dessert mentioned HERE, or sundaes. Cupcakes are also a quick make, and having everyone decorate their own will make it a bonding activity!

4.      Making thoughtful gifts.

This is where having a strong theme helps. For the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants/Disney Princess example, I decorated envelopes for each of the girls with stickers, magazine photos and quotes that fit their personalities. We also compiled lists of everyone’s school addresses. Each girl gave her envelope to the girl who would write to her – this way, everyone would remember to write, and remember the finest and most memorable qualities of the girl they were writing to. If you’re having a “foodie” themed party, give each of the girls a small, decorated book with all of the recipes you used for the party, and start a recipe chain. These ideas are not only cute gifts, but ways of reminding each other to keep in touch. Need some ideas? Check out 101 Crafty Gifts.

5.      The week before.

Make a schedule of everything you will need to do the day of. Buy the decorations, plan the activities and make the food preparations. If you feel as though you will be swamped the day of the party, ask one or two of your girls for some help – for either the preparations before, or the clean-up after! If you still have not heard from a few of the girls, now is the time to give them another call – and to call everyone else to remind them of the date and times!

6.      The day of.

The big day has finally arrived – don’t stress it, you should be well prepared! If not, don’t worry. This is a time for you and your friends to celebrate your special bond. Make sure to thank everyone for coming throughout the day, to give a special thanks to those who helped out, and to remember those who could not make it.

7.      The days after – until break!

The following week, send a card or make a phone call to everyone, thanking them for coming, or making extra time for those who could not. During the semester, try to keep in touch with everyone – and plan something for when you will all be home for break!

 Debra Schreiber is a senior at Duquesne University where she studies journalism and Spanish. She loves cake decorating, the Pittsburgh Penguins, the television show So You Think You Can Dance, hitting the gym, and her lovely Alpha Sigma Tau sisters!

CL! Exclusive! Interview with Jessica Quirk Creator of “What I Wore” Blog

You wake up in the morning throw on a cute outfit and as you’re walking down the street you start getting compliments and then you want to make sure everyone on campus notices your cute outfit.

If you haven’t heard of Jessica Quirk she is the amazing creator of the “What I Wore” blog that showcases her amazing daily outfits (photos courtesy of her husband Adam). She posts her outfit creations on a daily basis and not only are they trendy and cute but they also mix a lot of couture items with vintage items to give them a fun twist!

 

What girl doesn’t want the whole world to see the amazing outfit she created?!

“I’m thrilled with where the blog has taken me, but no, I didn’t start it with these opportunities in mind. I sincerely just love getting dressed every day,” said Quirk.

Her blog has taken social media by storm and has now become a popular selling novel dubbed the “Cookbook for your Closet.”

Quirk’s Cinderella moment came when the PR girls from Kate Spade sent her the perfect, crème, satin heels accented with a ruffle for her wedding day in September of 2010.

“At this point, I don’t accept many of the gift offers I receive, simply because I don’t have the closet space,” said Quirk, “I’m so grateful to be able to work with so many talented designers be it through collaboration or attending their fashion shows.

While many of us look at celebrities like Lauren Conrad or Kim Kardashian for style inspiration, Jessica takes her own spin by looking at fictional characters and decades to create her ultra trendy outfits.

“I look more to fictional characters from decades past for inspiration.  I love the late seventies and the styling in Annie Hall and Love Story.  I also have a thing for the 50′s housewife, especially Betty Draper.”

 

Her style is not only unique and trendy but also classy to model a CL’s closet after. Jessica Quirk leaves us Classy Coeds with some words to live by:

“Really use the resources you have available to you.  Many other students donate or sell their gently used clothing and that’s a great place to shop when you’re on a budget.  I don’t think I found my real style until a few years after I graduated and had disposable income to use for that purpose.”

Every CL girl should check out Jessica Quirk’s book What I Wore: Four Seasons, One Closet, Endless Recipes for Personal Style.

CL’s Top Ten Things to Do Before Summer Ends!

August is right around the corner, which means it is almost time to go back to school. Some of you classy co-eds are super excited to be headed back to your university to reunite with friends and college life. Others are dreading heading back to exams and all-nighters. Either way, you should definitely be enjoying your last few weeks of summer! Read on for CL’s top ten fun things to do before heading back to school.

1. Go to a landmark/site unique to the place you’re at for the summer. Take advantage of wherever you are by going to a museum, park or restaurant that’s only in your city.

2. Shop around for a first-weekend outfit. You know how you used to have a first-day-of-school outfit? Well, in college that equates to a first-weekend outfit. Remember to pick something classy that shows off your summer tan!

3. Plan a final “hurrah” weekend trip with your friends! Pick somewhere not too far away, and take a little trip before you start getting bogged down with back-t0-school packing.

4. Get some cute dorm gear. Be sure to check out Room It Up and Dorm Smart for your dorm and apartment shopping.

5. Start the school year fresh with a haircut. This will save you the challenge of finding a salon near your university.

6. Spend at least one day at the pool, the lake or the beach. (Do all three if possible!) Do I really need to explain why spending the day in the water and the sun is a fabulous idea?

7. Go on a “date” with people you won’t be seeing during the school year. Whether it’s your internship buddies or your high school best friend who goes to a different college, try to squeeze in a goodbye dinner before you part ways.

8. If you’re home, make sure to have at least one family meal before you leave. You’re going to be gone for a while, so the least you can do is commit to a couple of hours of quality family time.

9. Grab an ice cream cone, and eat it outside. Ice cream in the summertime is just a little bit better! (I am a huge sucker for chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream.)

10. Learn how to change a tire. A lot of us drive a long ways to get to school. If I ever got a flat tire, I would call my parents or a close guy friend, whoever was closest. Not very independent of me! I have vowed to learn how to change one before I leave for school. This CL article is a great resource on learning how to change a tire.

Carli Christain is a junior at Kansas State University majoring in Spanish and taking pre-pharmacy requirements with the intent of going to pharmacy school. She absolutely cannot wait to get back to school but loves summertime!

Staying Classy on Vacation: A CL Guide!

Summer’s not over yet and there’s plenty of time for some vacations. If you’re heading off to the beach or traveling across seas, every CL girl should know her vacation etiquette! Here are some tips for when you’re traveling with a friend’s family instead of your own.

1. Be helpful!

Whether it’s packing up the car or carrying bags into the hotel, make sure you offer to help! Extra hands can go a long way during a vacation, especially when trying to save some time for more relaxing and fun activities!

2. Be Polite!

Minding your manners and saying please and thank-you are always good gestures. Your friend’s parents will also be impressed with the added gesture. Being polite can be the deciding factor between being invited to go on vacation again next year or not. Being polite also keeps the mood light and happy. Rudeness tends to add tension to the environment. Plus, being polite is just the classy thing to do!

3. Be Yourself!

If you’re not familiar with your friend’s family, you might feel a little bit uncomfortable or awkward when you first arrive. Being yourself is a great way to ease your own discomforts as well as allow the family to get to know you (I’m sure they’re just as nervous meeting you too!). Talking with your friend’s parents and siblings will also diminish some of the beginning awkwardness. Getting to know them and showing interest in them will allow you to fall into a routine with them. Once you feel comfortable around them, they’ll feel comfortable around you and you’ll be able to enjoy the vacation better!

4. Be Gracious!

At the end of the vacation thank your friend’s parents for taking you with them. Also it’s always nice to send them a thank-you card in the mail after the vacation. If you feel comfortable enough or know the family well, giving a thank you gift at the end of the vacation is also a nice gesture!

Following these few tips will surely help you have a fun care-free vacation with your friend and his/her family! Plus you’ll be classy and every CL girl wants to stay classy!

Do you have any vacation etiquette tips or advice? Have a story about vacationing with a friend’s family? Comment below!

Nicole Savitsky is a junior at DeSales University majoring in English and Communications. She loves going to the beach during the summer, especially with friends! She can usually be caught reading a book, trying to get a tan, or swimming in the ocean when she visits her favorite vacation spot!

Your Guide to Celebrity “How-to” Books

Non-fiction books are great to have on a lazy summer day. You can learn new skills, improve your old habits, and expand your vocabulary all in one day. Some the following books are my personal favorites and others have been recommended to me. We see celebrities on TV all the time, now it’s time to read their thoughts.

The EveryGirl’s Guide to Life by Maria Menounus

This book is essential for every college girl to pick up. It honestly should be on every college’s reading list. Everything from time management, organization, weight-loss, eating healthy, dealing with drama, and dating is discussed in detail.

Style by Lauren Conrad

This former “The Hills” star shines as she expresses the items that every woman should have in her closet. Other topics such as makeup, traveling, and hair are also featured.

A Place of Yes: 10 Rules for Getting Everything You Want Out of Life by Bethenny Frankel

Who actually likes to hear the word no? To get what you seek in life Bethenny gives readers her rules on how to act on their passions and become business savvy.

Eva’s Kitchen: Cooking With Love for Family and Friends by Eva Longoria

This is not your average cookbook. If you ever want to experiment with making international dishes this book is perfect to get a few ideas. This “Desperate Housewife” shares Mexican, French, Italian, and Latin American cuisine recipes.

Think Like a Guy: How to Get a Guy by Thinking Like One by Giuliana Depandi

E! host Giuliana Depandi gives her words of wisdom in this relationship guide. It’s funny, creative, and insightful.

Target, Barnes & Nobles, and Amazon carry all of these books plus many more.

Amber Ferguson is an intern at College Lifestyles (TM). She is sophomore at Prince George’s Community College studying English. She’s the first girl out on the dance floor, is obsessed with reality TV, and loves getting stamps on her passport when she travels to new places.

CL’s Fresh Summertime Flavors for the Healthy Co-ed!

Summertime is full of different flavors. Many delicious flavors of summertime dishes come from fruits and vegetables. After browsing through Tumblr, I came across a list of tasty fruits and vegetables that are low in calories and high in fiber. Plus they’re all summer favorites! So if you want to add some new flavors to your summer nights (or days!) then try some of these ways to mix-in these tasty treats!

Fruits!

Blackberries. Try blackberries in salads, smoothies, tea (hot or cold), jams, salad dressings, and pies!
I found a recipe for Blackberry-Basil Vinaigrette to add to a fresh and crisp salad!  It only takes 5 minutes and will add a delightful change to your summertime salad!

Raspberries. Raspberries are mostly known to be found in desserts and ice tea. However, to mix it up a bit, try them in a cereal like Cheerios or Special K. Add them to salads or choose a Raspberry-Vinaigrette salad dressing. Raspberry is also a common flavor in yogurts (a delicious and cool snack or addition to a lunch!). I found an interesting recipe for Raspberries. This recipe calls for Raspberries as ice cubes to add to a delicious Honey Lemonade! This will definitely be a great change to the normal summertime drink!

Blueberries. Blueberries are usually mixed in cereal, salads, jams, and in pies. The flavor is commonly found in yogurt as well. Why not try blueberries in a frozen fruit bar, in cream-cheese on a bagel (blueberry or not!), and in a smoothie. If you’re over 21, try a blueberry margarita. I found a recipe for Sweet Lime and Blueberry Pomegranate Chicken. It only takes 55 minutes and would be a fresh twist on a chicken dinner!

Peaches. Peaches are usually found in jams, pies, and teas. Peach is also another common yogurt flavor. Try adding peaches in salads. Grab some peach sorbet. Or try this delicious recipe I found for a Peach Smoothie!  It’s a different and refreshing treat for the summer!

Nectarine. Nectarines are usually eating alone or in a pie filling. However, nectarines would be great in a salad, smoothies, or sorbet dessert. Try this unique recipe for Nectarine and Radish Salsa! A different, but delicious and zesty topping for dinner or lunch!

Vegetables!

I know vegetables are not the most favorite food choices, but give them a try in these different ways to add some spontaneity to your summertime meals!

Broccoli. Broccoli is usually served cold and fresh with a dip or cooked as a side dish. It can be cooked with a creamy cheese sauce or mixed with carrots and cauliflower. Broccoli is also found in soups, salads, cooked with eggs (omelets and quiches), and in casseroles . I found a recipe for Broccoli Salad, a cool and fresh side dish that’s great for summertime parties!

Carrots. Again carrots are a favorite as a cooked side dish for dinner or as a raw snack with dip. They are usually mixed with other vegetables or eaten alone raw. To get a change with this vegetable you’re going to have to mix-up what you pair it with. I found a recipe for Herbed Carrots and Zucchini that looks so delicious! This vegetable mash-up is sure to be a hit summer flavor!

Sweet Yellow Corn. Who doesn’t love corn on the cob? It’s an essential summertime vegetable for any barbecue or  dinner. Corn is also a favorite side dish, usually paired with mash potatoes. Corn is also found in soups and burritos. I found a recipe for Mexican Yellow Squash With Cubed Pork Steaks that uses corn. This meal will definitely be a spicy treat for your summer!

Snap Green Beans. Snap green beans are also another side dish for dinner and is usually eaten cooked or raw. I’ve noticed that green beans are used in casseroles a lot as well. Try this Green Bean and Cherry Tomato recipe for a delicious summery side dish!

Sugar Snap Peas. Like green beans, these are also used as a side (both cooked and raw). When eaten raw, they definitely satisfy a crunchy craving and are deliciously fresh. They are used in different salads and found in a lot of Chinese dished . Try this recipe I found for Spring Rice Salad with Lemon-Dill Dressing that uses sugar snap peas as a mix-in vegetable. This will be a great summer side!

Try these fruit and vegetable filled recipes for healthy, refreshing, and tasty meals for summer! You’re sure to mix up your summer flavors with these selections! Go ahead and try something new!

Nicole Savitsky is a junior at DeSales University majoring in English and Communications. She loves reading, writing, hanging out with friends, and staying healthy. She can’t wait to try some delicious new recipes to spice up her summer!

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