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NOVEMBER
2011 executive director ANDREA GRIFFITH editor-in-chief IVEY HAMBY executive assistant TAMELA HODGES, TAYLOR WILLIAMS CREATIVE director PAIGE SIMPSON assistant director BAILEY DAVIS EDITORIAL director Dana Hortman assistant director KATIE LINDLEY ADRIENNE HAMIL, AMY WERNER, CAROLINE ARIAIL, CHRISTOPHER DESANTIS, KATE FOSTER, KRISHNA PATEL, STACI SCHMIDT GRAPHICS YOUNG KANG, ZACH SCOTT PHOTOGRAPHY KAVI VU, JULIANNE OCONNELL, PAGE ALLEN WHITE, DINA ZOLAN
MEDIA director WHITNEY NORRIS ALEXA ROME, AN NGUYEN, ASHLEE MURRAY, MARGOT WALLIS, RAVEN PRATT,
[AThensBLVD.COM]
STYLE director ELLIOTT POLLOCK producer VINAL PATEL ALI CARLSON, AMY BISGER, GABY GONZALEZ, KELSEY ARONIN, MORGAN LIPSINER
LETTER FROM THE
EDITOR
home is where the heart is; A little cliché, yes, but very true at the same time. I know that most people get excited about going away to college and think that they will never return home. however, after just a few weeks after being away, most people start missing their family, friends, and traditions of back home. Once out of the dorms, you can establish your own house. however, as I found out very quickly, it’ll never be home. starting my sophomore year through my senior year of college, I had the pleasure of living with the best roommate anyone could ask for. It was the perfect combination of a piece of home and a slice of new experience. My roommate and I had gone to the same school since we were in elementary school and were best friends from high school. We both evolved into different people, but still seemed to remind each other of where we came from. Although we had established a wonderful apartment and life here in Athens, my roommate and I would still drive the hour home to see our families whenever we could. Most people never understood why we would go home when there was so much to do here in Athens. however, the truth is that it was our apartment, where we learned, had fun, and grew, but it was not our home. now, as a recent college graduate, I have my own house, and it’s still not home. Whether it’s where your family or your closest friends are home is where you feel the most comfortable. home is where you go to relax and get away from the distractions of the real world. It doesn’t necessarily have to be where you grew up or where your parents are. It’s just where your heart is.
IVEY HAMBY editor-in-chief
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In This
Issue... Fall Shoes Dinner Menus a la Fat Free Feng Shui Milledge Avenue Spotlight Spurcin up the Place Who Says You Can’t Go Home Dorm Sweet Dorm Find Your Nook in a Book The Dinner Dilemma Home for the Holidays
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ON THE COVER FALL’S MUST-HAVE SHOES
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MILLEDGE AVE. SPOTLIGHT
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FASHION
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Fall’s Must-Have Shoes By An Nguyen
T
Photos by Kavi Vu
he summer heat brings out the flips flops and cute sandals we all love to wear, but with the cooler weather of fall finally here, we can bring out our beloved boots and other fall shoes. This season is all about the boots, booties, Oxfords, and wedges in different colors, patterns and styles. So take your pick of fall’s must-have shoes and liven up that fall wardrobe that you’ve been dying to show off.
boots
Everyone loves , and for the past few seasons they have made a major comeback, from heeled to flat, leather to suede, you can do no wrong in a great pair of boots. The flat riding boot, reminiscent of equestrians, is a great choice for day-to-day wear. They’ll add a classic, polished and slightly preppy element to your look without going overboard. Get a pair in brown or black leather so that you can wear them with any outfit, day or night. If you want something a little more out there, try a pair in reptile skin, which was all over the runways. Pair them with your favorite skinnies and a classic pea coat for a sophisticated look.
If you’re not a fan of the over-the-knee boots or are just looking for something with a little edge, try out some in suede or with interesting detailing, like studs or buckles. They’ll look great with skinny jeans during the day or with a great little dress downtown at night.
ankle boots
The Oxford shoe , that quintessentially male shoe that reminds us of the Jazz Age, is the perfect shoe if you’re looking for a mix of masculine and feminine. But don’t worry about looking too manly in a pair because they have been transformed to fit the female foot. Flat or heeled, the Oxford comes in a variety of colors and patterns. The classic Oxford pattern, with its stitching and eyelet shoelace tabs, is the perfect complement to any fall outfit. Wear them with your favorite skirt and tights for a taste of the menswear as women’s wear trend.
Wedges are still a huge hit this season, so
don’t think they’re going anywhere too soon. You can find the wedge on boots, booties and loafers, and in a variety of different materials and prints. Bright colors are still in this season, so why not try the unexpected and go for an electric blue pair that will add a pop of color to any outfit.
No shoe collection would be complete without a pair of . They’re perfect with suits for interviewing or for your job, but can also be worn with jeans and dresses to add just the right touch of femininity to your look. Nude pumps in patent leather, which were big for Spring 2011, are still a huge trend for this fall.
classic pumps
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Dress and Shoes from Heery’s
Left: Blouse from Agora, Wrap from Heery’s Right: Jacket from Heery’s, Romper from Agora, Shoes from Heery’s
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Dress and Shoes from Shoes from Heery’s
Heery’s 11
Vest , dress and shoes from Heery’s
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The Dinner Menu á la Fat Free
article by Dana Hortman
With the temperatures steadily dropping outside, it’s time to heat up the kitchen. Who doesn’t love a big bowl of hearty soup to soothe the soul and stomach on those dreary November days? Or the heavenly aroma and freshness of bread baking in the oven? Usually, a variety of soups contain a large amount of sodium, and bread is filled with fattening carbohydrates. However, for those cooks out there, here are several different recipes, courtesy of Weight Watchers, that allow you to not only to enjoy the warmth and comfort of soup and bread, but the taste in a low-fat form. Bon appétit!
Hearty Chick-Sausage Soup Servings 6 Tip: For a little more flavor, add one onion, chopped. Best served with: Garlic Bread
INGREDIENTS: 1 (16-ounce) package frozen vegetable gumbo mixture 1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast halves, cut into 1-inch pieces 4 ounces turkey kielbasa sausage, sliced 1 (14½-ounce) can Cajun-style stewed tomatoes, undrained 1 (14½-ounce) can fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth 2 teaspoons salt-free extra-spicy seasoning 2 cups cooked long-grain rice, cooked without salt or fat
DIRECTIONS: Place the first 6 ingredients in a 3 ½-quart electric slow cooker. Stir well. Cover and cook on high-heat setting 4 hours. Or, cover and cook on high-heat setting 1 hour; then reduce to low-heat setting and cook for 7 hours. Sit in cooked rice during the last 30 minutes of cooking time.
HEALTHY, COMFORT SOUPS AND BREADS PERFECT FOR WINTER
Garlic Bread Servings 4
INGREDIENTS:
DIRECTIONS:
1 (6-ounce) loaf French bread
Preheat oven to 350°.
Olive oil-flavored cooking spray
Slice loaf into 4 slices.
1 tablespoon minced garlic
Coat each slice with cooking spray. Spread garlic evenly over slices. Wrap load in aluminum foil. Bake for 10 minutes or until thoroughly heated.
Creamy Potato Soup Servings 4-6 Tip: Another ingredient that is optional for this soup is low-fat cheese. You can add mozzarella, cheddar or the cheese of your choice.
INGREDIENTS:
DIRECTIONS:
1 (32-ounce) bag Potato O’Brien Hash-
Pour the chicken broth is a large boiler.
browns with Red & Green Peppers
Whisk dry gravy mix well with the chicken broth.
3 cans 99% fat-free chicken broth
Pour in the hashbrowns.
1 package McCormick Country Gravy Mix
Bring the pot to a boil. Reduce heat and let the soup simmer for 20 to 30 minutes.
Bagel Chips Servings 4
INGREDIENTS:
DIRECTIONS:
2 (2¼-ounce) plain bagels
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Butter-flavored cooking spray
Slice bagels into thin slices, using a separating knife. Coat slices with cooking spray. Bake for 5 minutes or until crisp.
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Feng shui?
Tips and Perspective on Sexy Spatial Design
“Good energy comes through the door,” says interior design specialist Jade O’Connor. “You don’t want to have your front door and your back door straight across...the good energy [will] come in and go straight out the back door.” This is where most people stop and say, “uhhh...what is this woman talking about?” The answer is simple: Feng shui, or the study and art of balancing energy in a space. Feng shui is more than spatial arrangement, however, it’s an eastern philosophy on home living. Feng shui is, “wake[ing] up and open[ing] your windows, roll[ing] up your blinds and let[ing] the light come in to welcome the day...I automatically do that every day.” By Chris DeSantis
F
eng shui is more than decorating, though. It’s the traditional Chinese art of living and a philosophy practiced daily. The key word here is “Chinese,” O’Connor says, “Since I’ve moved to Georgia, no one’s really mentioned it,” O’Connor emphasizes, “I don’t think, in our region [or] in our town it’s something that’s practiced.” In fact, O’Connor has never had clientele in the Southeast request it, even once, and she’s been in the business a little over ten years. “It’s something that’s cultural...people are interested in it, and some people are very dedicated to it,” O’Connor says, “It takes a special kind of clientele.” So what is popular in Athens - in the West? Here, decorators address the art of spatial arrangement, but with a very different approach. “I don’t think I do [Feng shui] consciously but...I definitely have subconsciously digested some of the...principles on energy and flow.” Like most Western decorators, O’Connor focuses more on the pursuit of perfect balance, a concept often neglected, in a room’s visual aesthetic.
being excited. All of a sudden they’re cooking more, having play-dates.” How well a space is utilized not only affects everyday living within the space, but outside it too. “[If] your furniture layout is depressing and all one tone, one feel, one color, it has no energy.” This lack of energy can translate to a more depressing you. Spatial balance is quite possibly the most important tenet in decorating and ironically the most neglected. A common mistake people make is cluttering a room with too many accessories. Remember, impulse buys can kill a room. Always carefully consider a space before buying that sexy, silk sectional. The key is to use accessories and accents to create visually stimulating arrangements that bring light and purpose to a room. “In America, it’s so cheap and easy to just go to TJ Maxx and pile on the accessories,” O’Connor says, “People sometimes go to the extreme.” Remember, decorating a room is like getting dressed: before finishing, always take off one accessory. Those with style know that less is more. Sometimes all it takes is removing that one chair
A well-balanced room not only looks good, it feels good. “I see my clients change before my eyes. They go from not entertaining to wanting to have people over and
or picture to give an entirely new feeling to a space. Keeping these simple tips in mind can help you lose the drab and find the fab!
Tips > People gravitate towards odd numbers, so create groupings likewise while alternating heights. Never put objects of the same height all in a row unless on a long table.
> Consider your space and plan before you buy. Beware of impulse purchases! > Balance how stark a space feels and how warm a space feels. For example if your space is very stark, bring in warm colors and pieces, like a chocolate brown sofa and upholstery.
> Avoid the closed-in “dungeon” look. If a space is small, use lightly colored upholstery to make the space feel larger. > Round end tables soften corners in a room. > Make sure your area rug is big enough to fill up the space; they are very good for setting boundaries and creating a visual border. Go that extra foot. If you think an 8x10 will fit go for the 9x12!
> Don’t over accessorize. > If you don’t use it, lose it! Why have your living space filled with purposeless items you don’t enjoy? > Don’t be afraid to rip everything out of a space and start fresh! > Be brave and bold with texture and color. Break up your color scheme, never do a “purple room”! > Break things up! Never use one type of fabric throughout the room. Try mixing leather, linen and patterned textile, anything that breaks up that boxed look.
> If you can get an interior designer, do it! It is always helpful to have a new eye examine your space and help edit it. If you do, though, make sure you pick someone compatible for you. Designing a space is a journey you should embark on together!
> Always try to incorporate the outside inside. Try using plants and over-sized trees. Miniature fountains and flowers are good because they stimulate the senses.
> Utilize places like Target, TJ MAXX, Home Goods, IKEA, flea markets and consignment stores (Southern Comforts, Agora, The Potter House Thrift Store) to save money and maintain style.
> Try DIY projects. Buy a glue gun and staple gun, both under $30, and try upholstering something or making a head board. Buy vintage fabric online or at a local shop. Wall stickers dress up a space without having to buy paint. Buy vintage wallpaper online or locally and frame it like art work!
Allow yourself to be excited and ecstatic. Whether or not you choose to pursue Feng shui or a good sense of balance, like O’Connor, decorating is about expression in design and giving your space positive, life-transforming energy. “I get inspired by my own design. It’s an evolution [my clients and I] go through together. All the products I finish I want to take and fold up and put in my pocket to take home. It’s the best feeling in the world...I’ve given them a new way of living.” 17
Milledge Avenue Spotlight Home to More than Frats and Morning Joggers BLVD loves keeping up with Athens’ ever shifting trends, its latest digs and the people that rock them. But on a broader scale, BLVD just loves Athens. It is home to all of us, whether Athens is simply a transitory stop along the way or a final place to start a family. But, for all the love we have for this city, for these streets we walk, bike and drive, there is still so much mystery. Though impossible to compile every Athens oddity, we’ve highlighted a few fun facts of Milledge Avenue. By Adrienne Hamil
The Richest Tree in Town
Thomas-Carithers House
We Athenians love our trees. They’ve kept walks shady
Currently home to the University of Georgia’s Alpha
in summer and red leaved on fall game days for over
Gamma Delta sorority, this 1896 house is said to be
a century. But, one particular Athenian, William H.
haunted by the lovelorn ghost of Susie Thomas, who
Jackson, loved a particular oak tree’s shade so much
hung herself in an upstairs bedroom after her runaway
that, at his death in 1890, he deeded the surrounding
fiancé backed out at the altar. Rumor has it, ladies, that
land to the tree. Though the 400 year old giant finally
whoever lives in her room is sure to be engaged before
toppled in a storm in 1942, one of its acorns was
graduating UGA. Thought you were here for an MBA
replanted to continue its legacy. This beloved tree can
degree, girls? More like a “Mrs.”
be found today on the corner of Finley Street, known as the “Tree That Owns Itself.”
“ Perhaps that is what keeps our
romance with Athens fresha bit of new mystery combined with a long running past.
“
Photos By Julianne O Connell
T.R.R. Cobb House Given in 1844 as a wedding gift from Joseph Henry
Hamilton-PhinizySegrest House
Lumpkin to his daughter Marion and T.R.R. Cobb,
Built by Georgia’s first millionaire, Thomas Hamilton,
the Cobb House has been home to many. Serving as
the Hamilton-Phinzy-Segrest House, now home to
home to the Cobb’s, then as a fraternity house and later a boarding home, this 1830’s “Plantation Plain” has seen its share of Georgia. When threatened with demolition, the Stone Mountain Memorial Association stepped forward in 1984 and moved the house to Stone Mountain Park, where it sat on cinder blocks for nearly 20 years. “Plantation Even-Plainer,” anyone?
Phi Mu sorority, displays some of the finest ironwork on Milledge Avenue. It’s an interesting mix of Greek, Italian and a little bit of low country New Orleans flair. Rumored to have had the first bath tub in Athens, this house sits proud near the corner of Milledge and Broad streets.
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Sprucin’ Up th
Photos By Dina Zolan
W
hen it comes to decorating ones living space in college, the seemingly limitless choices on precisely how to decorate with style and taste while sticking with a budget can drive even the most trendy and resourceful students to a state of decorative dementia. Adding to the stress, there is no option to skip decorating, as bare white walls and no furniture is only good for hospitals. And nothing screams ‘freshman’ like a wall full of cliché posters. So how does one go about the art form of decorating with limited experience, knowledge and money? Lucky for those coming back to school, fall is the perfect time to spruce up your living space by incorporating your style with trends you love. It not only welcomes cooler weather, but the latest fashion trends unfold. The coveted fall issues of Vogue hit newsstands and you study them hoping to discover at least one item to incorporate into your wardrobe.
While fashion may be the focus for many during the fall, decorating your home, apartment or dorm should not be ignored. Fall is often a fresh start-new classes, developing new friendships and a different routine- so spruce up your living space to reflect the latest trends, but more importantly to highlight your style. Plus, cooler weather is approaching so there is no better time to create an inviting room where you enjoy spending time. While HGTV and decorating magazines may be great sources of inspiration, remember to stick to what you truly love. Athens is an eclectic town and students have a variety of options when it comes to decorating. Whether you’re going for a more vintage feel or something post modern or even rustic, chances are Athens has a shop for you. However, traditional furniture stores are often out of the budget of the typical college student.
he Place
YOUR ROOM YOUR STYLE ON YOUR BUDGET
By Carolina Ariail and Staci Schmidt
You’re ready to elevate your living space to something more than bare white walls and the posters you found on sale, but you worry that decorating will deplete your already bare bank account? Have no fear; decorating can be accomplished on a budget. When decorating, the only necessary element is creativity and a little salvaging helps. O’Connor’s advice is, “don’t do it all in a day…as you evolve so will your style.” Clearly, now is the time to get started on this creative, somewhat continuous, fun and totally worth the end result endeavor. As Athens interior designer Jade O’Connor suggests, “In decorating your apartment or dorm, you want the space to reflect your personality.” Just because an eggplant shade of purple is considered a “must-have” color by the experts at Pantone, no need to incorporate this color into your room unless it is “you.” On the other hand, if you love this purple hue, consider mixing it with deep teal and coffee-colored brown, which are two colors also on the 2011 Pantone color report, for a rich, bold look.
“One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” Incorporating vintage pieces and consignment store finds is one trend that is here to stay. Any good designer will tell you to shy away from the uniform, unvaried room. It’s all about taking something old and making it new,” said Airee Hong, owner of Agora, one of Athens most well known vintage shops. Other than clothing, jewelry and nick knacks, Agora also sells vintage furniture, and Airee has some advice for students who are going for the shabby chic look on a budget. For furniture, she suggests finding old wood pieces, and refinishing them or painting them a color that will pop, such as mint green or blue. “White lacquer furniture is super in right now and matches with almost everything, and painting a piece of furniture is super cheap and easy.” Similar to mixing a vintage necklace with your outfit, a vintage decor item or piece of furniture is sure to be the focal point of any room. For decorations, Airee stresses that spending a lot of money is not necessary. She gives a few quirky and creative ideas that can fill up space with style. For wall decorations, she suggests getting an empty vintage
frame and filling it with burlap to hang earrings. Or putting a chalkboard in an empty frame to keep up with a grocery list. For a gaping wall space, Airee says that hanging up an old quilt or tapestry can take up wall space stylishly for almost no money. Airee stresses that many of the common items around your apartment or dorm can be spruced up and made into funky pieces. She has the idea of hanging earrings off a glass or even using decorative mirrors as cheese plates. “The idea is to mix it up and be eclectic,” said Airee. “There are no rules to decorating; just use personal touches that make it appeal to you.” For guys, she suggests things such as antique advertisements, old beer and coca cola signs, vintage turntables and rock posters, and vintage electronics. Although Agora is an upscale vintage store, it is still possible to find treasures in Flea markets and thrift stores such as Potter House, Salvation Army and Pendergrass. If buying old, used items doesn’t exactly sound like fun but you still want to give your place a quickly “vintage” feel, stores such as Junkman’s Brother’s Daughter might have exactly what you are looking for. With items such as tapestries, pillows, lamps and chandeliers, including a wacky chandelier made out of Barbie dolls, posters, chairs, magnets, candle holders and kitchen decor. For more do-it-yourself options, Natalie Kilgore, an Athens’ area blogger who frequently features decorating tips on her blog, nattymichelle.blogspot.com, uses inexpensive shadow boxes (available at stores such as Michael’s and Hobby Lobby) to display trinkets and photos. Vintage buttons, coins or beads can be displayed at the bottom of the shadow box with old postcards or photos pinned to the top to create a collage look for your walls.
“Mirror, mirror on the wall…” Yes, mirrors are a functional and an aesthetically pleasing addition to any room. According to Kilgore, “a mirror collage made from thrifted or inexpensive mirrors of different sizes is the perfect solution to a
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Scarf from Heery’s
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Dress and vest from Heery’s
25
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“Who Says You Can’t Go Home?” How to deal with going home over the holidays and the changing dynamics
By Morgan Rushing
M
ost of us have lived on our own now at some point in our lives. Whether it is moving off to college or moving away for a job. How free did you feel the moment your parents or guardian left? You are now the boss. You get to decide what you eat for dinner, whether that be Oreos and ice-cream, a salad or Easy Mac. You decide what time you go to bed. If you want to stay out all night, you do. If you want to stay up watching television, that is what you do. Do not feel like making your bed, doing your dishes, showering... then you know, you just ignore it and do it when you feel like.
With all that said, it is still nice when you pack up the car and the dog, or whatever else your parents would not let you have while living “under their roof”, and head for home. There is not anything like driving back into your hometown, back to something that is familiar and almost unchanging during the time you have been gone. It is a quiet comfort being home, one that you would not admit to your parents, even though they can tell. For those of you who have graduated college and moved back in with parents, life just became very different. Granted you are saving hundreds
of dollars not paying rent, unless your parents make you pay, no light bill, electricity, cable and Internet. You name it and you are not paying for it. You are appreciative for your parents letting you move back in with them, but things change and it is going to be hard for the both of you. You eat dinner with them and then decide you want to go out with your friends. Then, the welcome home wears off. For those who have been away an extremely long time, or have parents that are attached, time might vary. Here are some things that you might have forgotten while you were away.
YOU:
YOU:
YOU:
YOU:
Want to go out and do not know what time you will be home.
Your room is no longer yours?!
Put your clothes on the floor.
Do not want to eat what they are cooking for dinner.
THEY:
THEY:
THEY:
THEY:
Want a time and continue to “wait-up” even though you told them not to.
Have a new guest bedroom, gym, yoga room or whatever they want to call it now.
Nagging starts. Clothes do NOT belong on the floor.
How do you have money to go out to dinner? I thought we would eat as a family.
So how do you deal? You grin and bear it. Your parents are doing this out of love. Yeah. Right. But it’s the truth. They have all this nagging and love built up while you are gone, and it just comes out when you are home. The role of parent never goes away. If you look closer something else has changed while you were away. Your parents (or whoever you go home to) have also become your friend. How many times when you had a small issue did you call home? Did not know how to get a stain out of the carpet? Call mom. Wanted to know which type of steak to buy for grilling out to impress that girl? Call dad. If you are now living with your parents, realize it is an adjustment for them too. Pretty sure they thought they did their job when they sent you off to college and now you are back. The whole point of going to college was so you could find a job and support yourself. It happens to the best of us.
SUGGESTIONS: Text your parents and let them know when you are on your way home from hanging out with your friends. Pick up your clothes off the floor. Tell mom that her cooking was incredible and you just cannot stop eating it, or it was so good, that you cannot eat another bite. And if you are leaving to go back to your apartment or school, remember you are leaving. Spend as much time with them over the holidays and once you are gone be thankful that you have your own place to return to.
YOU:
YOU:
YOU:
YOU:
I’m going out of town for the weekend.
Desperately trying to find a job in this economy with your college degree that cost so much money
Do not finish eating everything on your plate because they make a mountain of food upon your arrival.
Decide to go back for 2nds or 3rds because you really do not have any food.
THEY:
THEY:
THEY:
THEY:
Where are you staying? So, you are just ditching your (insert animal here) with us?
Why have you not found a job yet? When I was your age I was married, had a
Do you have an eating disorder? What are your eating habits now?
What are you spending your money on because your acting like you have not eaten in days? 29
A Warm Winte
By: Hanna
m er
ah Toles
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Dorm Sweet Dorm Making A Home Away from Home By Jessica Sooknanan
A
drafty, dark and cramped space hardly seems like the ideal place to call “home,” but as many college students know, a small, shared dorm room can quickly become home if you add the right touches. Make your dorm feel a little homier this (almost) holiday-season by noting some of these tips and dipping into your creative reserves.
Reset the tempo Change the entire feel of your room by simply opting for bedding that says more about you. Jennifer Cook and Jana Contardi are Atlanta-based interior designers and co-founders of the e-commerce site DeckMyDorm. com. “The bedding colors, pattern, and style often set the tone for the entire room,” explained the designers. “Layering your bedding with decorative pillows and soft throws not only adds to the comfort of the bed, but also enhances the room’s décor and makes a statement about you.”
Reorganize As the semester wears on, dorm rooms become filled with extra, unnecessary clutter. To give your room a different feel, team up with your roommate to clear out the unnecessary junk. Get rid of all the things you brought with you from home back in August, but never used such as unnecessary shoes, clothing, and maybe even furniture. Also, get rid of any extra books, binders and papers that can make your study space messy and uncomfortable. Reorganize while you’re at it. Cook and Contardi suggest that ‘a dorm space appears larger when there is less clutter. Divide your room into functions so you have a place to study an area for storing food and snacks, a comfy place to relax, and a place for clothes.” The designers also recommend adopting multifunctional items such as a storage trunk that can double as a coffee table in front of a futon.
Redecorate! The wall is your canvas when it comes to dorm decorating basics. Filling your wall space with accents that say something about you can make a lonely dorm room feel like your personal escape. Cook and Contardi clearly believe in the limitless possibilities of wall décor: “Decorating the dorm walls is the key to expressing your individual style, personal taste and creativity.” They recommend enhancing your space by getting creative with posters, wall decals and canvas art: “Take an ordinary poster and make it unique by adding your own colorful Japanese masking tape frame.” Adding window panels to dorm windows can brighten up your space and add a much-needed blast of color. Do not forget about the possibilities of decorating the backs of doors, sides of your dresser and windows.
Relight The overhead fluorescent lighting can feel harsh and uninviting, so warm up your room with softer, incandescent lights. Cook and Contardi propose going beyond the obligatory desk lamp by adding another lamp with a cool shade on your dresser. From there, they say, “consider a lightweight chandelier, organza or paper lanterns, string lights, Christmas lights or a fun disco ball. An interesting floor lamp is also an option.” With all the tests, papers and late nights, college can be exhausting. Transform your dorm room into an escape from these everyday pressures by incorporating the comforts of home into your dorm so it says something unique about you. 33
FIND YOUR NOOK IN A BOOK
The essential book guide for at home reading
F
By Dana J. Hortman
rom the timeless plays created by the renowned William Shakespeare to the heart-wrenching love stories of Nicholas Sparks and Danielle Steel, all types of literature continue to be prevalent not only in the classroom, but on the bookshelves of many. Whether reading is a favorite pastime or a simple distraction on a cold, winter day, any type of literature allows us to exit the world of reality and dive into the imagination of a creative writer. We the reader are taken to unknown places of interest and introduced to heroines, damsels in distress, villains and many other characters that make a good story. We become consumed and immediately are entertained. And the varieties of genres are endless. So pick the book of your choice, curl up with a soft blanket and mocha latte, and get to reading.
Chicks Dig It 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
One Fifth Avenue by Candace Bushnell L.A. Candy by Lauren Conrad Big Girl by Danielle Steel Heart of the Matter by Emily Griffin Goodbye, Jimmy Choo by Annie Sanders
Romance Me Please 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell Sundays at Tiffany’s by James Patterson Romeo & Juliet by William Shakespeare
“the varieties of genres are endless”
Get a Clue 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
The Complete Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle Remember Me by Mary Higgins Clark The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson Kiss the Girls by James Patterson The Shining by Stephen King
Living in a Fantasy 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
The Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling The Twilight Series by Stephanie Myer The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll Charlie & the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl
Reliving Childhood 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt Little Women by Louise May Alcott Winnie-the Pooh by A.A. Milne
Good Ole Classics 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens
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The Dinner Dilemma: A Dining Guide for the Nights When You Just Can’t Cook Dinner By Camille Aig-Imoukhuede
A
fter experiencing a long hard day at work, sometimes the idea of slaving over a hot stove and preparing dinner for a family is just unfathomable. On days like this, you often look for local restaurants to supply good food and service for you and your family. While there are many restaurants in Athens, where you’ll want to eat will likely depend on the day of the week, the amount of time you have, and the type of food you want to eat. Consider this your guide for three common dinner dilemmas.
The Midweek Dilemma
establishment, you can pick up food to bring home or enjoy a meal out. Earth Fare’s mission is to provide healthy foods to families. All the food served here is low in fructose corn syrup and grown locally. Every Thursday is Family Night so kids eat for free from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
The Solution: Big City Bread
The End of the Week “Problem”
It’s only Wednesday, and the week feels like it is dragging on. You don’t want to cook dinner but you don’t have a lot of time to wait for a table, order food, and then wait for everyone to eat. It is a school night after all, and you would like to be back home before too late.
393 North Finley Street Athens, GA 30601 Big City Bread offers fast, friendly service and delicious food. Nikki Smith, a frequent eater of the restaurant, was more than willing to vouch for her favorite restaurant and profess that Big City Bread offers the best cheeseburgers in Athens. Big City Bread offers hearty dinners: decadent entrees like salmon filet or rabbit cassoulet. Or for the finicky eaters, try macaroni and cheese or steak and frites.
The Healthy Eating Dilemma
You realize that you’ve been eating out more frequently than you’d like. Not to mention the fact that the food you’ve ordered hasn’t been the healthiest. If you’re concerned about your health and the health of the ones you love, opt for one of the healthier restaurants in Athens.
The Solution: Earth Fare
1689 S. Lumpkin Street Athens, GA 30606 Kendra Goode, mother and resident of the Athens area, feels better about eating out when she and her family eat at Earth Fare. At this healthy
Perhaps the best dinner problem to have is to need to select a place to dine as a reward for surviving a trying week. You want to enjoy a really delicious meal and some quality time with your family.
The Solution: Shoki Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar
10 Huntington Road Athens, GA 30606 This restaurant really delivers when it comes to taste and entertainment. Families of all ages and sizes will enjoy the experience. Kendra Goode recommends the sushi. You don’t have to be a sushi lover to enjoy the cuisine though. Some other mouthwatering dishes include tempura lobster, calamari, and a large number of other hibachi dishes. It’s best to make a reservation a few days in advance. Making a reservation earlier in the week will also get you excited about the weekend and encourage you to end the week with a strong finish!
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Why Can’t We Go Home for the
HOLIDAYS? By Katie Lindley
E
very November you get to pack your bags and head back home to celebrate Thanksgiving. An abundant table, loving family, and probably the token crazy uncle that makes everyone feel just slightly uncomfortable all wait for you. The warmth of good company, good food, and good memories fill the air. Maybe you hold contrary feelings about the holiday season, but like clockwork, you will make the journey home to appease your family. For over 400 people in Athens, there is no home to go to this holiday this season. For the over 40 families with children, they will ask, “Why can’t we go home for the holidays?”
“AAHS honestly wouldn’t still be open if we had to provide food every night”
Athens Area Homeless Shelter serves these women and their children, and provides them with transitional living for up to 24 months while they look for work, explained Kerri Steele, volunteer coordinator for AAHS. They can serve up to six families, which can range between 15 and 28 people. AAHS not only provides the basic necessities of food, shelter, and personal hygiene, but they also provide a programs through JobTREC that help the women with everything from cab vouchers if their job is off the bus line to helping pay for the GED test affirms Steele. Finding reliable childcare remains the most difficult and expensive obstacle
in securing a job. Because of this, AAHS provides a childcare assistance program which “for a minimum of three months cover[s] total childcare,” said Steele. Homelessness involves much more than just the lack of a home. The current economy and job market in Athens makes finding jobs in industries that require anything less than a college degree quite difficult. “Athens is an awesome little town, but what happens is people graduate and they don’t want to leave,” explained Steele. “You may have someone with a master’s in business and they’re waiting tables because they don’t want to leave Athens.” This specific problem “kind of limits the jobs that people that don’t have as much education can get.”. How does AAHS provide all these services? They rely on volunteers, and there are many ways to help. Monetary and goods donations like hygiene products, diapers, and cleaning products are always useful. What if you would rather spend your time than your money serving the less fortunate? AAHS has many different openings to assist: everything from random opportunities like helping with mailings to babysitting to providing food to the residents. Every night groups of people prepare and serve dinner, and AAHS “honestly wouldn’t still be open if we had to provide food every night,” says Steele. To Caitlin Greene, a junior at the University of Georgia, serving dinner at AAHS is more than meeting a basic need. “The most important thing we could ever do for the underprivileged is to encourage them. They desperately need to be
How to Get Involved
1st
check out the website – helpathenshomeless.org
2nd
contact the volunteer coordinator – volunteer@helpathenshomeless.org
3rd
Be involved! (or something along those lines)
surrounded by a loving community that will lift them out of their depression and hardship,” explained Green. She feels that the women and children at AAHS “need far more than a handful of cash or a few meals a week. Money and food are short term commodities, but encouragement will pull them through the long term struggle of finding a job and getting back the lives they lost.” This holiday season as you sit down to a table groaning with food and surrounded by people with whom you share a special connection, remember those who have no abundant table or loving community. You can choose to make a meaningful contribution to the lives of families struggling to survive. Will you?
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