V
Magazine
Winter 2009
letter from the
editor
Change is in the air. A total cliché, I know, but all of my original thoughts are being saved for my thesis, so bear with me as I try and make this as insightful and deep as possible. When you really think about it though, this cliché actually seems to sum it up perfectly. While at times change can be overwhelming, it’s also incredibly exciting, and I hope this issues inspires you to embrace the change that really is in the air. And seeing that it is a new year and we have a new president (woooo, Obama!), why not go all out? V Mag has surely embraced change. We went all out for our 2009 premiere issue, which is the largest issue we’ve ever had. Full of priceless information, expert opinions, witty commentaries, and vintage vogue fashion, we hope you will at least come away with a few new ideas or perspectives. Go to Belmont and try one of the delicious restaurants like The Local. Go green to the max by using green menstrual products. Get laser hair removal and never have to shave or wax again, which would be perfect for Spring Break, which is quickly approaching. For as long as I can remember, I have been meticulously planning out my life, and my days have been dictated by my excessive list of things to do. So on my first and last college Spring Break venture, I have vowed to never be without a piña colada-filled coconut… ambitious, I know. Naturally, President Barack Obama and his exciting journey to the White House catalyzed my revelation that change is something meant to be embraced, not feared. The Obama campaign and victory have shown that “change can happen.” And what I’m learning, slowly but surely, is that we must allow it happen. Embrace it, live it, love it. Change truly is something we can believe in.
V Love,
Natasha Nader
vmagazine Editor in Chief: Natasha Nader Production Manager: Laura Kost Managing Editor: Laura Nix
section editors
Copy Editor: Stephanie Garcia Jenny Miller Randee Ulsh
layout artists Laura Kost Sara Buchanan Susan Carrai
fashion
Fashion Editor: Derrick Taylor Assistant Fashion Editors: Linnea White and Adele Farella Christine Brogan Alex Cook Rachel Swartz
photography
Photography Coordinator: Vincent Zhu Dan Tarjan Meredith McKee
business
Business Manager: Andrew Lehman Allie Evans Kayleigh Harrington Kristi Roberto Rachel Swartz
staff writers Jane Anne Murphy Thomas Pine Kristi Roberto Melissa Schrettner Katie Tannon Erica Turner Meredith Welch
V
Magazine winter 2009
reviews&culture belmont 5
a review of restaurants in the belmont area
there’s a dance scene at uva? learn about UVA’s dance minor and how to get involved with dance around grounds
6 entertainment REality check 8 fashion video of a fashion star 9 24 fashion vice and virtue health&relationships as heard on tv10 collegiate conscience faking 11 13 rock n roll 11 modern dating 14 politics good girls, gone bad battle of the drinking laws 18 challenged first ladies 15 19 skin clinic of virginia go green 21 fair trade20 16 how real is reality TV?
get the look of the stars of your favorite tv shows wondering what that song was last week on gossip girl? we’ll tell you
a review of restaurants in the belmont area need a new music fix? check out recommendations from a v mag writer
a square off between the two first lady candidates from this fall’s election learn how to be environmentally savvy with your menstrual product
waiting to turn 21? college presidents take a stance on the drinking age
learn about fair trade and how to get involved
the do’s and don’ts of fashion
a recent grad takes a look back at college debauchery
we’ve all experienced it. read a staff writer’s take on modern dating
the end of innocence. how all rules fly out the window once stepping foot onto a college campus
looking for a way to spice up your skin regiment? look no farther then charlottesville’s very own skin clinic
belm
mont:
discover the other corner of charlottesville
Charlottesville is the quintessential college town--or so you’ve been told. But have you ever really experienced Charlottesville? As students, our lives revolve around Grounds, but the city has so much more to offer. Charlottesville is an incredibly diverse community full of amazing cultural opportunities: funky art galleries, chic restaurants, organic markets, yoga studios, and beautiful parks. One area that you should definitely check out is Belmont. The neighborhood isn’t as popular among students as the Downtown Mall, yet it is worth trekking to at least once during your time at the University. Belmont is about a three-minute drive from the Downtown Mall. At first, it seems like an unassuming residential neighborhood, but a turn onto Monticello Road brings you to an old-fashioned strip mall (editors-is there such a thing as an old-fashioned strip mall?). Belmont offers some of the best locally-owned restaurants around. My first trip into Belmont began with a long wait at Mas—over an hour and a half for a table. Mas is a chic wine bar and tapas restaurant. The décor is mod, the food tiny, and the atmosphere distinctly big city. The menu is lengthy, separated into types of tapas or, for those with bigger appetites, raciones. Definitely be prepared to share... that’s what tapas are all about. The menu
by: Meredith Welch
looked divine and diverse. It featured everything from simple grapes to bread and cheese to bacon-wrapped dates to farm-raised mussels. Mas is the perfect place for a big group of friends to get together over delicious food. Another local favorite is La Taza Coffee House. I found myself at their outdoor patio one Sunday afternoon. I was seriously craving something brunch-like. I love breakfast food, but especially if I get to eat it during the lunch hour. La Taza was the absolute perfect choice. I ordered the chilaquiles, a.k.a. nachos with scrambled eggs. My love for chips and guacamole joined forces with my love for breakfast food and made a seriously disastrous brunch. I mean, disatsrous in a good way. My boyfriend had to practically roll me down the street to the car. You absolutely must try La Taza. There are a few other restaurants around the area that have also caught my eye. The Local is a semi-new eatery, which looks pretty hip from the outside. It’s located next to a super trendy wine shop called Crush. There is also a barbeque restaurant—Belmont BBQ--that has been calling my name for a while. Besides food, Belmont also offers other services. There is a yoga studio, hostel, and art gallery. I encourage you all to check out the area a.s.a.p. Explore Belmont for yourself, I guarantee it’ll be a good time!
5
There’s a Dance Scene at UVA?
a
n army of 32. An undeclared reserve of 25. These students represent the few, the proud, the Dance Minors. A baby in its second year, the phantom minor of the University has leapt towards rapid improvement. In the spring of 2006, a Dance Minor was approved, and Rose Pasquarello Beauchamp, the department head, and Keira Hart were hired to begin teaching in the fall of 2007. In May of 2008, the first group of minors graduated. The dance program focuses on contemporary and modern dance styles and emphasizes a balanced, intellectual education in the arts. “The curriculum is focused on technique, artistry, theory, and production,” explains Pasquarello Beauchamp, who is also the Artistic Director of InfluxDance Company. She is Certified Laban Movement Analyses and stresses a transformative, organic, experimental education of dance.
by: Linnea White
Multi-layered challenges of exploring movement, anatomy, dance forms and analytic aesthetics allow students to find metaphors between dance, art and life, as well as speak the language of dance. “Anyone can do it who wants to do it,” explains Hart regarding the minor’s accessibility. She did not start her modern dance journey until she was an undergrad and can therefore attest to the “just go for it” attitude expressed in the classroom. The program requires minors to complete a total of 20 credits, five credits of one credit Technique classes, including Modern and Ballet, three credits of History and Criticism, three credits of Dance Composition, three Production/Design credits, and six Elective credits. In addition, Dance Minors must participate in at least one dance performance within the department. In her third year involved with the Dance Program, Pasquarello Beauchamp has seen tremendous growth. “Enrollment is up like crazy. Minors and non-minors are flocking
toward the classes. They are all over-en- difficulty of conflicting dance backgrounds rolled,” she explains, with quantity increas- of students. “It would be most ideal to have ing from only three classes per semester to at many levels of technique offered more ofleast eight classes with two full-time faculty ten, but hopefully, that is something that and up to three part-time faculty. will come with time.” With the growing inThis fall, Autumn Proctor was admit- terest in classes, the department needs more ted as part-time faculty and already senses space to stretch its legs. a “passion to teach high standards of physiFrom the program, students enter many cal and mental elements of the moving art fields. By pairing the minor with a relative form of dance.” Her goals include not only major, they integrate dance into career discipline of core technique through Mod- plans, such as Dance and Physical Theraern and Ballet, but also to create an engaged py/Kinesiology, Dance and Anthropology, dance community and help the students find Dance and Psyche [Dance therapy], Dance their personal, creative voice as a dancers. and Drama, Dance and Arts AdministraMinors are often involved with other tion, as well as teaching dance or owning a University dance organizations. Fourth-year dance studio. “I want students to walk away Lindsey Turner is a member of the Dance with a well-rounded education,” comments Committee, a student organization estab- Pasquarello Beauchamp. “I look at the milished with a mission to advocate for the ex- nor as a beginning. Students leave here with pansion and development of the Dance Pro- knowledge they can continue to deepen.” gram, by “facilitating interaction between Turner hopes to be involved with dance students and faculty, communicating our therapy or alternative education methgoals and needs with ods using dance. the administration, Through the minor, I “Through the micreating a sense of have discovered a more nor, I have discovcommunity among ered a more acaacademic and artistic demic and artistic dancers on grounds, and building awareside of dance that side of dance that I ness.” There are I was not aware currently eight stu- was not aware existed, existed, discussing dent members. discussing dance on an dance on an intelSuccess is seen intellectual level, as lectual level, as an inside and outside art historian would of the classroom. an art historian would discuss a painting, For the first time this discuss a painting, or or an English scholsemester, local muar would discuss a an English scholar sicians provide live book,” she explains. accompaniment for would discuss a book. Through discovertechnique classes. ing a personal love “Dance productions are becoming more of dance as an art form rather than a perpopular, successful and professional,” adds formance and finding the core foundations Pasquarello Beauchamp. Perspective stu- of anatomical bodily movement, Turner atdents are visiting to check out the program, tests to the success of program. and increasingly stronger dancers seem to For a new minor, the program is well on be aware of the minor. “Students are be- its way. “I cannot explain how satisfying it coming well-rounded dancers, not just two is to witness so many students transforming dimensional,” explains Hart. “They are able into dance artists,” says Pasquarello Beauto think about dance, talk about dance, and champ. “I believe that constantly reevaluatperform different styles of dance.” ing the curriculum is the only way to be sure However, the program still has growing that we are creating a strong foundation for pains. There is much hope for improvement, what is to come – a major, a grad program, especially concerning better dance facilities. whatever we think we want.” From the need for office space, to longer Last spring, the Committee submitted a time allotted for technique classes, to space petition for a Dance Major, and Pasquarello with safer, sprung dance floors for classes, re- Beauchamp is in the process of creating her hearsals and performances, some factors re- own version. With continuing support from quire change. Pasquarello Beauchamp em- the minor’s faculty and students for expanphasized the need for more faculty and the sion, there is a bright future in sight.
dance in
Charlottesville McGuffey Arts Center’s “First Fridays”
Dance performances on the first Friday of every month. Spend a mere $8 to experience local and traveling dance companies expressing all styles of dance, from ballet to modern, as well as local artists’ works on display in the galleries. Located off the downtown mall at 201 2nd Street NW, students can easily take the trolley downtown to catch a Friday show.
Bill T. Jones’ Research Project, “The Lincoln Lectures”
On November 15, 2008, 100 dancers and non-dancers participated in renowned choreographer Bill T. Jones’ Repertory Project, funded by grant money. The group of 100 community members was diverse in its background, age, and dance experience, and included 15 UVA dancers. Along with other destinations experimental dance performances, Jones’ research will culminate in a choreographed piece set on his company and performed in Chicago, integrating videography from the research performances. “He is one of the leading choreographers currently in the world for Modern dance, so just having his presence here with us at UVA is a huge honor,” said dance instructor Keira Hart.
UVA Drama Department’s Experimental Dance Show
Showcasing student and faculty choreography alike, these performances offer a glimpse at the thriving dance program here at the University. Keep an eye out for the Spring Experimental Dance Show April 2-4, 2009 in the Helms Theatre. Auditions are open to the student body.
Paramount Theater
Brings in many nationally re-knowned dance companies, from Alvin Alley to Richmond Ballet. Located right on the Downtown Mall, this venue offers half off student tickets a half hour before show time, if tickets are not sold out.
PVCC
The Fine Arts and Performance program at this local college offers master classes and performances throughout the year, from famous modern to ballet companies. Check out their schedule at http://www.pvcc.edu/ performingarts/dance.php.
7
reality check
O
video make
by: Kristi Roberto
ver the past couple of years, reality TV has skyrocketed. Most shows relate to the same dramatic issues but take place in different million-dollar mansions. For example, the shows that feature controversial celebrities, such as Denise Richards, Lindsay Lohan, Pamela Anderson and Kim Kardashian, take us into “their difficult world” of divorce, drama and relationship issues. There is a trend in reality television – when a celebrity gets a bad reputation, they immediately start producing their own reality series in order to show the world who they “really” are. Case in point: Deana Lohan gets called a horrible mother and Denise Richards can’t seem to get her love life together, so what’s their solution? Of course, a reality show! Do they really think showing the public the drama we already see in tabloids helps their reputation? I don’t think so. They just give us even more reason to believe their lives are a never-ending marathon of pathetic drama. Reality doesn’t stop at just one controversial star; we need to be entertained by many at once. Shows such as The Hills take us into the life of rich, 20-something girls who somehow have time for high fashion jobs in addition to their lives of endless clubbing, boy drama and trendy clothes. Can we get any farther from reality? Their carefree lives may make you jealous, but who really wants a rude, lazy boyfriend like Spencer and a dramatic roommate situation like L.C., Lo and Audrina? Count me out. Do they really find love on dating reality shows such as The Bachelorette and The Bachelor? It’s one big competition for Mr. or Mrs. Right. How do you really know who is in it for the thrill of competition and who is in it for love? One can only guess. People all over the world are addicted to these shows, and the TV networks are thriving on this new brand of entertainment. Let’s face it – most of us watch them and have become addicted. But why? Yes, we know they don’t always portray real life, and the story lines are sometimes just utterly ridiculous, so why are we so fascinated and drawn to reality TV? Could it be our need to feel like we aren’t the only ones with relationship, friend, work and school problems? Or maybe it’s just because we can’t escape the intrigue of previews for new and upcoming shows. Or it could possibly be our desire to delve into the lives of others in order to catch a break from our own hectic lives. We need something to take us away from writing papers, doing copious reading assignments and going from meeting to meeting. We are interested in the lives of others to distract us from our own lives, even if it’s just for an hour or less. We just might need someone else to criticize or laugh at instead of criticizing ourselves. It’s not that we don’t like our own lives; it’s just a respite from our daily routine is sometimes necessary. We know that some of these reality shows aren’t really “reality,” or at least not the kind of reality we live as college students. Still, for some reason, we love to faithfully watch them every week. I know I personally like to step outside of my world for that short amount of time and focus my attention on something other than what I’m supposed to be doing or dealing with. Whether for a break or just because the shows are on, everyone has a different reason for escaping into the world of “reality” TV. What’s yours?
Manolo Blahnik, Jimmy Choo and Oscar de la Renta. These designers have become fashion powerhouses and household names in recent years. Of course, they represent brilliant design and great fashion, but what makes these names stand above the rest? Maybe we can attribute their fame to Sex and the City. Most women from the age of 17 to 40 religiously watched the show, following Carrie Bradshaw’s fashion advice and spending hundreds of dollars on feathered stilettos and princess cocktail dresses. Flash forward a few years to see the recurrence of the headband, nipped-in jackets, colored tights and general school-girl trends. Gossip Girl entered television screens last season, making every private school girl rejoice at the romanticism of plaid skirts and blazers, while simultaneously scoffing at the laxity of dress code at Constance Billiard. Though I wore a uniform from kindergarten until senior year, somehow I did not get the chance to pair my rolled-up plaid skirt with kneehigh Christian Louboutin boots. But nevertheless, this ridiculous fusion of teenagers and thousand-dollar boots works –and works well. For designers, the placement of their garments in shows like Gossip Girl makes perfect sense. The girls they represent are also their key audience: young, rich, beautiful socialites who gallivant around Manhattan, breaking hearts and setting trends. Avid fans can even go online to purchase the exact clothing items worn by their favorite characters. Gossip Girl goes even further by having Abigail Lorick’s designs stand in as those of Eleanor Waldorf, the mother of a key character on the show. This unknown designer has gotten exposure and even the chance to display exact looks from her new line on a Fashion Week episode. For a show whose characters spend so much time in the buff (see every episode of the first season), the wardrobes of Gossip Girl’s favorite teens have a far-reaching influence. The same sort of phenomenon takes place
Reality doesn’t stop at just one controversial star; we need to be entertained by many at once.
es the
by: Jane Anne Murphy
STAR
on MTV’s The Hills. With this “reality” show, three of the main characters have managed to launch their own clothing lines. Lauren Conrad’s eponymous line, Whitney Port’s future line Eve & A, and Bow headband Heidi Montag’s Heidi- by Wink, $56 wood have gained ex- winknyc.com posure because of the popularity of their “characters” on The Hills. It also doesn’t hurt for the girls to wear their own clothing on the show, serving as walking, talking, living models for their lines. So, do these shows have a real influence? The answer is a resounding yes. Stores are busting with plaid, blazers and headbands – the quintessential Blair Waldorf Lincoln Park After staples. Both Gossip Girl and Dark polish by The Hills set the standard for OPI, OPI.com the good life, with characters that shop at the hottest stores, stay in the newest hotels and throw down drinks at the latest night spots. These shows tell us what’s in, whether it’s skinny jeans or New York nightclub 1Oak. The characters live lives envied by many – and maybe the closest we can get is wearing the same Marc Jacobs dress as LC. Professional stylists dress these characters. They have the choice of any designer, any garment, any shoes, so if it’s good enough for Serena van der Woodsen, maybe it’s good enough for us, too. These shows provide a look inside fantasy dressing – what you could wear if you could buy anything you wanted. We can take these fashion ideals and translate them into our own wardrobes. We can layer a vest, a The Deal pencil leg scarf and a blazer with jean by J Brand, $161 our tights and boots for JBrandjeans.com class. We can paint our fingernails blue or black. The ultimate way that fashion is translated from the small screen to the streets is not through the purchasing of pricey designer items, but through the interpretation of trends applied to our own lives.
Left: Cotton funnel neck trench by Tulle, $113 tulle4us.com Below Left: Paige cuff boots by Frye, $398 TheFryeCompany.com Below Right: Cropped blazer by Gap, $68.50 Gap.com
Hopscotch skirt by Marc by Marc Jacobs, $328 nordstrom.com
GET THE
LOOK
9
White Nerd e Mixts ap that are im-
D
as
heard onTV
by: Melissa Schrettner
numerous primetime shows, such as The OC, Gossip Girl, and Grey’s Anatomy, among others. Her job includes finding acts to appear on the soundtrack and, possibly, in the show itself, as well as working closely with the director, producer, and writer to make sure that the track fits the scene it is intended for. Patsavas is one of the entertainment industry’s most important and influential people, bridging the gap between music and the media mogul that television has become. Patsavas recognizes the influence she holds in both the music and television industry, and is quick to relate that, while important, music alone cannot carry a scene. “If the scene is not done well, if the acting is bad and the writing is not up to par, then it’s difficult for music to save something like that,” she said. “However, that special alchemy of a really well done scene and a perfectly chosen song is really memorable.” So while music videos are on the out, regular primetime television is picking up the slack of playing new music. The shows put out soundtracks for their audiences, so keep your eyes peeled. You never know— with small acts being discovered and played on popular shows on a weekly basis, your band could be next.
download roc Recmmendations from Gossip Girl
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
Lady Gaga- Poker Face MGMT- Time To Pretend Santogold- Lights Out
this
espite the exchange of music television for reality television, TV is as important as ever when it comes to launching a music career. Most notably with The OC and Gossip Girl, primetime TV shows feature an “As Seen on Tonight’s Episode” ad in which they promote the music from that night’s soundtrack. Entire websites such as musicfromtheoc.com and omfgg. com have cropped up, dedicating the entirety of their contents to music featured on one show or another. Even with the lack of music videos on air, television still remains one of the main ways people discover new musical acts. Phantom Planet’s coveted spot as the musician behind the The OC theme song ago earned the band a large place in the pop culture limelight, and Death Cab for Cutie became mainstream after garnering much attention as Seth Cohen’s favorite band. Gossip Girl also seems to have found some music favorites in acts such as MGMT, Santogold, The Kills, and The Pierces, all of which have gone on to have successful careers. And it’s not only relatively unknown acts that receive the benefits of being featured on episode soundtracks—already established artists such as Beck and Coldplay began to give exclusive previews of their new songs to popular shows in exchange for the publicity they would undoubtedly receive. But who is behind the music, telling the millions of viewers just what is cool to listen to? Alexandra Patsavas is the music supervisor for
These are song r portant for every rap pose , to know (I also like them however). ing 1. Kanye West - Can’t Tell Me Noth es, (Remix) feat. Lil’ Wayne, Busta Rhym Young Jeezy 2. GZA - 4th Chamber feat. 3. Raekwon - Clientele Kid (Remix) Ghostface, Polite, Fat Joe 4. Wu-Tang Clan - Heaterz 5. Jedi Mind Tricks - I Against I 6. Curren$y - Air Assault feat. FS Jets Jay-Z, 7. Young Jeezy - Put On (Remix) feat. T.I., Kanye West, Ludacris, David Banner, Wale Funk 8. Notorious B.I.G. - Machine Gun 9. Madvillain - Raid Jones 10. Pimp C - Pourin’ Up feat. Mike and Bun B Sample) 11. Re-Up Gang - Roc Boys (Jay-Z mix 12. Santogold - Get It Up (Radioclit feat. M.I.A. and Gorilla Zoe) 13. Planet Asia - Thick Ropes feat. Mobb Deep 14. The Cool Kids - Dreaming
The Kooks- Do You Wanna
nr
MGMT
Oracular Spectacular
Republic TigersMade Concrete The Pierces- Boy in a Rock and Roll Band Nous Non PlusFille Atomique
The Walkmen
You & Me
The Fratellis- Tell Me A Lie The Ting TingsShut Up and Let Me Go
10.
LCD SoundsystemNew York, I love you but you’re bringing me down
Sam Roberts
Love at the End of the World
by: Thomas Pine
faking
ck
I was having a drink at The Virginian a few weeks ago, and I overheard someone say, “Hip Hop is dead. With J. Dilla gone, we have no one left. The only stuff out there is Kanye and Lil’ Wayne radio shit.” I looked up expecting to see a slightly overweight, curly-haired white kid with glasses and some sort of “college/experimental” facial hair, and guess what I found: exactly that. This is a being that destroys my credibility on musical topics with any person of color. The White Hip Hop Nerd. A quick character sketch: The nerd probably didn’t even listen to rap in high school. His attention was more diverted by late 90s hipster rock and Abercrombie & Fitch. He drives a light green Volkswagen Jetta, has a cringeworthy tattoo and posters from Pulp Fiction plastered on the walls of his bedroom. He may or may not have a girlfriend; if he does, she’s a 6, but
roll by: Laura Nix
Some of my earliest childhood memories include hearing my sister blast Courtney Love after a fight with my parents or peering in on my older brother teaching himself electric guitar to the Black Crowes. Naturally, I expected to have similarly hard-rockers aid my transition into awkward adolescence, but as that time approached, I watched with wide eyes as bands like the Backstreet Boys made their way onto VH1’s Pop-Up Video. Now, I’m the first to admit that singing along to “Tearing Up My Heart” with girlfriends on an afternoon shopping trip to Richmond is hard to beat. But looking back on our formative years, I have to say our generation got shortchanged in the music department. While wrestling with allencompassing crushes, two-day failed romances and the cattiness of 8th grade, Britney didn’t give me much to work with. I wondered if the rest of my days would be spent at slumber parties in friends’ basements making up dances to 98 Degrees. When “I Want It That Way” entered its 14th week at number-one on the Billboard charts, I was sure we were doomed. Then, a miracle happened. Bands with real dimension like the White
dresses so well that if you look at her quickly she approaches an 8 or at least a 7.5. He has an Apple laptop and a pair of Wayfarers in a weird color (most likely sky blue). The problem with this individual is not so much his taste in music; it’s the fact that he’ll make these absolutist statements that sound completely ridiculous. Statements like: “Hip-Hop hasn’t been good since Biggie died,” or, “People are stupid for liking Rick Ross.” They download one underground mixtape or listen to an artist like Curren$y or Asher Roth and think that they know everything about the hip-hop game. They make stupid statements not so much because they feel a need to complain about current state of affairs in the genre, but rather to show to others that their knowledge of hip-hop is slightly deeper than the average radio listener. I guess this is more of a criticism
of posers in general. They exist in every musical genre: blues, jazz, rock (God, don’t get me started on indie rock nerds), etc. What unites them all is a superficial knowledge of their chosen subject coupled with a desire to show others how ignorant they are. This is my main problem with the White Hip Hop Nerd: their malicious nature. Music should be a uniting element, something that allows all of us to experience creativity and humanity in communion. Reducing this to a formula where your level of coolness is calculated by how many artists you know multiplied by their level of obscurity seems antithetical to this ideal end. So, the next time you see some asshole at a bar trying to impress some girl by dropping a Mobb Deep lyric from 1997, perhaps you should “accidentally” spill a drink on him. The only thing these people care about more than embarrassing others is looking good themselves.
Stripes and Beck became some of the top-downloaded artists on Napster. To many, their music seemed gratingly foreign at first, especially in contrast to the sugary, sweet soprano of early Justin Timberlake. But after looking back on earlier decades, most realized this was where music was supposed to be. As bands cited the Velvet Underground among their top influences, teens around the U.S. gained a newfound appreciation for the subtleties of bass guitar and dusted off old Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen records to hear what they’d been missing. Now that the tides have turned, we can thank our lucky stars that the music moguls in Manhattan stopped airing O-Town re-runs and started backing artists who write their own music and know what a minor chord is. These bands don’t seem to be going away anytime soon, so here are a few of my current favorites: Sam Roberts, a group of five scraggly guys from Quebec, are well known throughout Canada and gaining a following in the U.S. With their tight sound, hauntingly solid voices and a lyrical mix of French and English, you’re instantly hooked. For those looking for a more conventional style, this band falls somewhere between main-
stream and alternative, but their best moments shine through when they veer away from the expected. Check out “A Stone Would Cry Out,” a rich piano and voice ballad for the recently heartbroken. Any college student can relate to the opening line, “The cinematic after effects To many, their muof alcohol sic seemed grathave led ingly foreign at me to be- first, especially in lieve that contrast to the t h e r e ’ s sugary, sweet n o t h i n g soprano of early more beau- Justin Timberlake. tiful than But after looking her face.” back on earlier These guys decades, most manage to realized this was come off where music was as effortsupposed to be. lessly badass without ever missing a beat. Their most recent album, “Love at the End of the World, came out in Canada this summer but won’t be available state-side until February ’09. While you’ve probably heard of the Strokes, you’re less likely to know of their musical predecessor and major influence, The Walkmen. Start pulling out those old “O.C.” soundtracks, continued on page 14
11
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continued from page 13 because they performed their song “Little House of Savages” on the show years ago. But their link to mainstream pop culture ends there. Who knew the organ could be this hip? With more than five releases under their belt, their newest album “You & Me” is their best yet. Hamilton Leithauser’s voice packs a forceful punch, and the energy he pours into performances is both mesmerizing and impressive. If you’ve been to a fraternity party in the last two years, you’ve probably danced to MGMT’s hit “Kids,” but the lesser-known rest of their album “Oracular Spectacular” is where you’ll find their best songs. With only one record under their belts, they took the liberty of a seasoned band and produced an album mixing everything from hipster alternative to electricguitar heavy pieces harkening back to 80s-era Prince. Few bands could pull off the variety MGMT packs into their sophomore release and still sound this good. Ten years ago, I was worried I’d be constantly looking back for the best music. But with the emergence of too many exceptional bands to mention, it looks like we have a lot to look forward to.
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n
hain-smoking. Tabloids. Late-Night Television. be. Gossip. -Texting. .Chocolate.
Whatever the vice, we all know what it feels like to fall prey to the cute little devil sitting on our left shoulder. Though the devil often overrides the angel, each of us still has shining moments of virtuous prowess. These shoulder wars we have come to know so well are simply a fact of life for those of us who skate the line of naughty and nice. But if the angel or devil always won, how would we achieve the balance that allows us an enjoyable four years? People hail college as the best time of their lives for a reason: for our short time here, the consequences of being bad often pale in comparison to the immediate benefits. I spoke, in confidence, to some UVA fourth years with plenty of sinful—and praiseworthy stories under their belts. About to formally enter the real world, soon-to-be grads take a look back on their last four years, sharing some personal insights and words-to-thewise. When weighing various plans of action, justifying borderline bad decisions is a skill many college students employ. One student I interviewed said, “a pre-meditated vice such as skipping class because I don’t feel like going doesn’t seem as bad as skipping class because I’m too hungover to get out of bed. I justify that whatever I’m doing instead of what I’m supposed to be doing is a more valuable use of my time.” Still, this process of reconciliation is one which allows us to continue to justify questionable actions—so while a person may temporarily pacify their conscience, is there ever hope for complete redemption? The same student admitted, “I know there are extremely virtuous people out there, and that inspires me to want to be a part of what I perceive everyone else is doing.” So, part of the incentive for moral behavior seems to be the pat-on-the-back feeling we get when we do something commonly viewed as virtuous, which begs two questions: since virtue is, essentially, a social and cultural construct, as well as a notion with strong religious undertones, which acts are supposedly the worthiest, and why do we care so much about what other people deem virtuous behavior? Nevertheless, the typical games we play to rationalize our actions are often very effective. The “I’m going to eat this entire cake and then go to the gym later,” is one of many commonplace excuses the average student uses to avoid various obligations. Of course, our procrastination isn’t helped by the quick-fix pastimes available at our fingertips, namely Facebook, MySpace, and the
myriad of reality television shows we can now record on TiVo. Another student I talked to applies the “work hard, play hard” rationale so often used to calm the consciences of college students everywhere. While this cliché seems like a fun one to live by, it is unrealistic to achieve a consistent balance. The student went on to offer insight on giving into vice, admitting, “It’s so hard not to gossip about people. I try not to because I don’t want to be gossiped about, but, at the same time, sometimes people suck. In that case, I tell only my closest friends…and maybe the Facebook community...but life is boring without at least a few vices!” Here is the moment of truth: life would be dull if not for guilty pleasures to keep things interesting—so can we really blame ourselves for a little indulgence once in a while? The last fourth year I spoke to offered additional insights about the balancing act of vice and virtue in college, saying: “Like the average UVA student, I’ve had my experiences associated with alcohol, parties, and a degree of scandal...” However, this student adds, “I’ve balanced these more shameful acts with acts which some would deem “virtuous”- mainly a lot of volunteering. As an RA, I helped fellow peers dealing with extremely serious problems, and I’ve been involved with several organizations that mentor local K-12 students in the Charlottesville community.” I think the majority of UVA students would agree that some of their extracurricular activities, from student clubs to community service, help to offset their other extracurricular activities on Thursday through Saturday nights. Ultimately, the resounding conclusion to juggling vice and virtue during college seems to be: “In the end, I’ve done good and bad acts during my time in college, but my conscience, well, it’s relatively clear.” After getting some candid answers from UVA fourth years, it’s obvious that being bad is not only inevitable but often justifiable. For some, balancing vice and virtue is a sensitive matter; many people try to be virtuous and well-behaved at all times, while others work to conquer the opposite feat. However, one thing about which students seem to agree is that vice is natural, especially in college, and as long as it is complemented by virtuous behavior, there is no substantial cause for remorse. I agree wholeheartedly that vice and virtue should not be mutually exclusive—people need both to enjoy their numbered years. Bottom line: when you are confronted with that tiny quarrel between the little angel and the little devil, listen to both, and don’t be afraid to give in to temptation.
life would be dull if not for guilty pleasures to keep things interesting—so can we really blame ourselves for a little indulgence once in a while?
Modern D
by: Erica Turner
Alone. Waiting. Wondering, “Will he that a guy she was seeing believed that “excluever come along?” It’s the typical thought sive” meant it was okay for a guy to hook up in any post-pubescent, or in some cases pre- with other girls but that vice versa was out of pubescent girl’s mind. We have all been the question. How romantic! What have relationships come to? Whatevdown the inevitable path of late nights, notall-together-there decisions, and bringing er happened to dating, you know, going out on someone home we probably do not want to a date one-on-one. Or courting? Ok, maybe that one’s a bit of a reach see the next morning. But hey, this is the time Don’t you love how but you get my point. for those experiences the word “relation- These days, instead of meeting someone in class, right? Only in college ship” has slowly people drunkenly introcan we justify a slightly been erased from duce themselves at frat above average BAC, the vocabulary of houses. Instead of dates, one too many midnight people “hang out” at their blunders, and random most men and apartments or “meet up” hookups. Sadly, for women, and has at a party or bar. Instead some, and don’t lie, peoinstead been of the “end of the date ple, these endless nights replaced by the will he kiss me” crisis, of unattached and particularly meaningless new, 21st century guys and girls readily make out (or more) at the escapades can become term “exclusive?” end of the night, often in monotonous. One has to wonder when they will come to an end. public places. Instead of the nice walk home Now don’t get me wrong. I’m in full support after a date, it’s often the awkward “walk of of a person’s choice to be liberated and un- shame” the next morning. The question is derstand that some of us are perfectly happy what led to this bizarre “dating” ritual that has with the single life. The other half of us now become common and accepted behavior however, want the occasional Friday night in among young men and women? It is now conto watch a movie, someone to snuggle with, sidered normal for guys and girls to go about and someone to take home to Mom and “hooking up” with whomever, whenever, with Dad. We are looking to find, oh what could no relationship behind it. People are perfectly it be, that word that scares the guys away…a okay with going out, meeting someone, hooking up, and the next day it means nothing and R-E-L-A-T-I-O-N-S-H-I-P. Don’t you love how the word “relation- the two possibly never speak again. How is ship” has slowly been erased from the vo- this normal? Now about the term, “hook up.” Some cabulary of most men and women, and has instead been replaced by the new, 21st cen- consider it just kissing, I have a friend who tury term “exclusive?” Exclusivity is now says it includes everything but sex, and othused to describe two people who like each ers claim it includes the whole spectrum of other, hook up only with one another (hook bases. In most situations, it’s whatever both up being an ambiguous term itself), and oc- parties feel comfortable doing within their casionally go on dates, but for some reason state of drunken abyss. It’s free, it’s effortless, are too afraid to actually call one another and most, of all it’s fun. I have seen hooking “boyfriend” or “girlfriend.” The whole set- up take place at parties, frats, and bars in the up has always been a little baffling. It seems most non-private of places, but people do not as though the two “exclusive” people are do- seem to mind. Once they have begun, it’s only ing the same thing that people in a “relation- three more shots later before they go home to ship” would do, so what’s the deal? It seems a more secluded spot. What does this all come down to? Singles to be a guy’s way to avoid the horrible deed of actually “settling down” with just one girl. have it pretty rough. How can a guy or girl Poor guys, they have it so rough. For them, looking for that special someone compete with as long as she isn’t dubbed “the girlfriend” the wild, free, lifestyle that is taking over our then they can assume their freedom and culture? If a guy is Mr. Right, and a girl is have the opportunity to still see “what else is only looking for Mr. Right Now, there might out there.” A friend of mine once told me have a problem.
a T I N G
L
G g
ooking at my friends’ ID pictures taken first year, I can only laugh. Wide-eyed and bushy-tailed, we all have the appearances of naive first years, ready to throw off our chains after eighteen years of parental protection. No longer needing to report home after curfews or stealthily consuming Mike’s Hard Lemonade in friends’ basements, we felt empowered, ready to do anything our little hearts desired. I guess it’s no surprise that the infamous Wertland block party in August led my once-chaste family friend to entirely skip first, second, and third base and lose the cherished V-card on a one-night stand. I cannot recount the number of good-girl-gone-bad stories I’ve heard – stories of how previously virtuous girls shed their pure, “sugar and spice” high school images in favor of complete and utter naughtiness. Take, for example, one of my friends who dated the same guy for over a year before college; they were high school sweethearts, madly in love. Although the two received acceptance letters from different universities, they decided to make it work, and stayed together. However, when they realized the difficultly of a longdistance relationship (only a few months into school), she decided to call it quits. After kiss-
Good girls, by: Randee Ulsh
GoNE BAd.
ing only one other guy before her boyfriend, she realized the extreme amount of liberty she now possessed. Fast forward to the next year – she ended up doing the dirty-dirty in the beds of five different guys. And yet, this doesn’t seem quite out of the ordinary; I have more than a handful of friends with similar stories. After all, the first year of college seems like prime time to unleash the wild side. Upon years and years of upholding the cliché “goody-goody” image in high school – including everything from vowing to never touch a drop of alcohol to avoiding male genitalia at all costs to devoutly attending weekly youth group meetings to signing up for every possible club and activity to ensure top-college admission – many girls no longer see the necessity in remaining true to these once-practiced values. Perhaps this explains the reasoning behind one of my once-sober friends consuming copious amounts of alcohol one Friday night, later waking up on a hospital bed. It wasn’t until later when photos popped up on Facebook that she was able to piece her night together; she realized that she probably should have stopped after the 30 second keg stand and ten jello shooters. With the endless possibilities that come with college, it’s not difficult to let loose, es-
pecially when given on any weekday or weekend night, you are bound to find at least one person willing to party. After all, college gives Thursdays an entirely new meaning: no longer a day set aside for pep rallies for Friday night’s football game, Thursday’s a time to get the weekend started early. Walking around grounds on any given night, you’re guaranteed to spot clusters of girls, dressed to the nines – from derriere’s hanging out to fully buttoned-up cardigans – drunkenly stumbling down the streets. It’s interesting to think that less than a year before, some of these girls were delivering valedictory speeches to their entire senior class. It’s not surprising that after four years of high school, many of daddy’s little angels lose their halos. New to the “drugs, sex, alcohol” view on life, they let all inhibitions go, turning in their sweeter-than-candy label to become an edgy bad-girl, willing to experiment. After all, college is a time for us to learn who we are
and to start the next chapter of our lives – unfortunately, that chapter happens for many of us to be filled with too many stainful, regrettable nights to count on two hands. And let’s not forget the first frat party experience – take a glance around the room and you’re bound to see random strangers bumping and grinding, practically having sex with clothes on. It’s funny to think that in high school, this kind of dancing was forbidden at my high school dances – our principal required every student (and parent) to sign an agreement that “dirty dancing” would not take place. Oh, the glory days of high school. But by all means, keep living on the edge. These four years are supposed to be the best years of our lives – a time to learn and discover who we are. So, I say, let’s live up our newfound vices, while remembering who we are and where we come from. Because even if we’ve tested out those bad girl waters, we haven’t completely lost our good-girl values.
because even if we’ve tested those bad girl waters, we haven’t completely lost our good-girl vaLues.
THE Skin Clinic Virginia of
by Natasha Nader
I
n a world where new technology is all the rage, the myriad of technological innovations available to us not only make our lives easier and more exciting, but they also allow us to look better for longer, with less time and effort. What a wonderful world.
Relative to major metropolitan areas like New York City and Los Angeles, Charlottesville probably isn’t paramount in most minds for places to find the latest in non-surgical skin procedures and treatments. However, things are changing thanks to a U.Va chemical engineering alumna. A passion for art and a personal experience with skincare inspired Beverly Sidders to become a licensed Master Esthetician and then to open The Skin Clinic of Virginia in May of 2008. Since then, along with Emily Packett, also a Master Esthetician, and Jane Holland Mason, M.D., The Skin Clinic has been providing cutting-edge skin procedures and healthy ways to beautify skin that are only a short drive from grounds. The Skin Clinic features a wide range of services, including laser hair removal, Fraxel™ laser resurfacing, facials, chemical peels, Microdermabrasion, Botox™ injections and dermal fillers. Many beneficial treatments are offered that not only improve an individual’s appearance, but also maintain skin health and longevity, which is predominantly what The Skin Clinic hopes to achieve. Laser hair removal is the most popular new trend, according to Sidders. However, a common misconception about the laser is that it’s painful and
expensive. Sidders says people don’t realize that it’s actually less painful than waxing. “If people think about what they spend for waxing, razors, and also the time they spend shaving and then compare that to never having to shave again, they realize the benefits of the laser, especially for underarms and bikini areas,” Sidders says. Laser hair removal can be done for all skin types and for both men and women. Generally, it takes between three and six sessions to remove over 90% of the hair. The most common treatment areas for women, which are underarms and simple bikini, cost $150 per session. Guys can get anything lasered, from the back of the neck to the “Men’s Full Monty,” as it’s so pleasantly worded in the brochure. “It’s not just about being bikini clad and ready,” Sidders notes. “Anyone that has hair that’s embarrassing, gets ingrown hairs, bumps or rashes can benefit. The laser actually solves a problem, so it’s quite rewarding.” Sidders has lasered people with excessive hair growth, mens’ beards and women’s upper lip hair, among many other areas, all with great success. The Skin Clinic also has the only YAG laser in Charlottesville, which is used on darker skin.
The products sold at The Skin Clinic are also very popular. New clients are welcome to visit the office for a free skin consultation and bring in all of their current products. The staff will analyze the products – review the ingredients, the benefits of them and “If people think also recom- about what they mend prod- spend for waxing, ucts that razors, and also may be more the time they spend b e n e f i c i a l , shaving and then d e p e n d i n g compare that to on the indi- never having to vidual’s skin. shave again, they The recom- realize the benefits mendations of the laser, not only in- especially for clude prod- underarms and bikini ucts available areas,” Sidders says. at The Skin Clinic, which range from $20–$128, but also products that can easily be found at drug stores. Appointments can be scheduled online 24/7 for any of the procedures. If you’re in the middle of writing a paper, studying for an exam, stressed out, breaking out – whatever issue is plaguing your life – take solace in the fact that a relaxing facial or permanently removing hair on any part of your body is only a click and a short drive away.
The Skin Clinic is located at 1011 E. Jefferson St., Suite 204. For more information or to book an appointment, call (434) 977-4100 or visit them online at www.skinclinicofvirginia.com
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d e g n e l l a h C s w a L s e s Drinking u p m a C e g e l l on Co
by: Kayleigh Harrington
I
magine entering a bar, ordering a beer or a mixed drink and meeting friends. Responsibly sipping an alcoholic beverage is the norm for those over 21, while those who under 21 tend to drink to get drunk. A lowered drinking age may be the future if the many college presidents who are joining forces with the Amethyst Initiative movement successfully publicize scientific research and debates relevant to the current drinking age. They hope to evaluate its effectiveness and provide a new solution. The motivation behind more than 120 college presidents signing on to pledge their support of the Amethyst Initiative is their belief that the illegality and secrecy of drinking in college leads to abusing alcohol and binge drinking. Their goal isn’t necessarily to lower the drinking age, but to “rethink” the law and debate its merits and effectiveness because, realistically, all students are bound to encounter drinking, even on the driest of campuses, before age 21. The consensus of many of the participants is that the age should be lowered, but they want to prove that there’s significant evidence weighing against the current regulations. Ruth C. Engs, a professor at Indiana University, supports the lowering of the drinking age due to research on the topic. She states that the number of drunk driving accidents began to decrease seven years before national law encouraged the raised age through federal funding, but also because drinking occurs in a secretive and rebellious manner. Frat parties and bars don’t teach young adults how to drink responsibly, as countries where teenagers have a glass of wine around the family dinner table do. This has led to a vast increase in problems in the United States, especially among college students, of alcohol playing a negative role in their lives and education. Students at the University of Virginia recognize the fact that prohibiting alcohol actually contributes to the dangerous problems surrounding it. First year Laura Beam supports lowering the drinking age, and she says that even her parents agree that it should be lowered. “When they were in high school it was 18, and it just makes more sense,” she says. “A lot of the problems that students encounter are because of drinking.” Historically, the drinking age has typically been lower, even in the state of Virginia. To coincide with
the legal age of adulthood and accompanying responsibilities, the drinking age for beer was lowered to 18 in the 1970s. Many students feel that considering 18-year-olds as adults is unfair given that they seem to carry all of the burdens of an adult, yet lack the benefit of purchasing and consuming alcohol legally. First year Katie McNally stated the opinion that many have in respect to the military and drinking: “If you’re old enough to die for your country, you should be old enough to have a beer when you come home.” Though on military bases restrictions can be bent according to the regulations of the country they are in, even a 20 year old veteran of the Iraq War can’t order a beer at a bar. As of late September, 129 college presidents have signed their names to the initiative’s Web site. In Virginia alone, the presidents of Washington & Lee, Randolph-Macon and Hampden-Sydney have supported of this effort. Those who have joined the initiative want the law to be reexamined from an educated perspective in hopes that it may succeed in keeping young adults out of danger and create an air of maturity around alcohol that’s often absent today.
Cindy McCain
nytimes.com
Hometown: Phoenix, Arizona
Family:
Only child to James Hensley of Hensley & Co—a large Anheuser-Busch beer distributor (second marriage for parents)
Birthday: May 20, 1954
Age: 54 Childhood:
Grew up in affluent Phoenix neighborhood—Junior Rodeo Queen of Arizona at age 14—Best Dressed as a senior at Central High School in Phoenix
Religion: Baptist
School:
University of Southern California— BA in Education, MA in Special Education— Cheerleader and in Kappa Alpha Theta
Job: Chair of Henley & Co.
Fashion:
A more conservative dresser, McCain favors Chanel and
Oscar de La Renta. A mix of couture elegance and leather jackets, she has the money and feminine fashion sense to emulate former First Lady Nancy Reagan
Pet Projects:
Founded American Voluntary Medical Team—organized trips to war-torn third world countries
Children: Meghan, Jack, James, Bridget
Love Story:
Met John McCain at a military reception in Hawaii, April 1979, when he was in the Navy and 18 years older than her and already married to Carol McCain. After his divorce, they married on May 17, 1980.
Controversy:
Was addicted to Percocet, Vicodin and painkillers after she had two spinal surgeries. Her addiction was so bad, she was taking twenty pills a day and had a physician write illegal prescriptions for her.
Conclusions: McCain is definitely the portrait of a Southern Lady— beer, expensive couture and Republican.
Battle of the First Ladies
by: Stephanie Garcia
Michelle Obama
The American people have voted and made their voices heard—not only will the next president of the United States be the first African American president, but Barack Obama will also be one of the youngest to enter office. But enough of that. When considering the potential first ladies to take over the White House in 09, the American people voiced their preference as well: rather than put up with another four years of stiff, straightlaced designer-ware, the fashion-conscious public voted for the fresh, quirky, yet Jackie O-like, fashion of Michelle Obama. VMag put together a side-by-side comparison of what was in store for the Oval Office.
msn.com
Hometown:
Chicago’s South Side
Family:
Frasier Robinson, a city water plant employee and Marian, a secretary
Birthday: January 17, 1964
Age: 44 Childhood:
Grew up in a conventional two-parent home with an older brother (Craig, now Oregon State University’s men’s basketball coach). Skipped second grade.
Religion: Protestant School:
Princeton University (BA in Sociology, minored in African American Studies); Harvard Law School (JD)
Job:
Lawyer for mayor of Chicago, University of Chicago and its hospital system
Fashion:
Obama is largely compared to Jackie O fashion-wise. She supports several up-and-com-
ing American designers and is known for her sheath dresses that flatter her athletic, youthful figure. Vogue featured her in April 2008 as a fashion “It” girl.
“For the first time in my life, I am proud of my country,” Obama has been slammed for being unpatriotic and the media has labeled her “an angry black woman.”
High Praise:
Conclusions: Obama is a qualified leader in her own right and her Jackie-O fashion is a little more cheap-chic and relatable than her Republican counterpart.
Obama has been named one of Essence magazine’s “25 Most Inspiring Women” and one of Vanity Fair’s “10 of the World’s Best Dressed People”
Children: Malia Ann and Sasha
LOVE STORY:
Michelle and Barack met when they were the only African Americans at their law firm and she was assigned to mentor him. They married in 1992.
Controversy:
After making the comment,
19
Green by: Samantha Breslin
“Sponges are cheap, usually not more than $1.50 a piece.” Wow! Lunapads are washable menstrual pads and pantyliners made of 100% cotton, also offered in organic cotton. They come in all different thicknesses and lengths according to different flows, and are even available in various colors and prints. They are made up of “two layers of cotton flannel base,” according to lunapads. com, “topped with a central pad made of one layer of ultra thin nylon and two layers of cotton fleece, plus ric-rac bands to hold liners for added absorbency.” They also have a snap fastener to fold around your underwear like you would a regular pad with wings. They cost around $1720, but last for several years depending on how you wash them. Switching to these products is an easy, costefficient way for women to make a significant impact on saving the environment. An estimated 20 billion sanitary pads and tampons are dropped into landfills each year, according to divacup.com, and the adheThe eco-friendly sives, additives and dioxon (a trend has inspired carcinogenic women to take their by-product of awareness to a the bleaching new level and make process of rayon tampons) are changes to their menstrual product released into the atmosphere, regimen. Just like capable of using a canvas bag causing health as opposed to paper problems. Also important is the or plastic, women fact that Staphy- are switching from lococcus aureus, disposable tampons the bacterial and pads to differtoxin of Toxic ent alternatives. Shock Syndrome (TSS) associated with regular tampon use, thrives on rayon. Therefore, these alternative products are not only eco-friendly, but also health conscious. UVa’s feminist organization, Feminism Is For Everyone (FIFE), is even conducting their own one-month trial of these menstrual products, under the title, “Alternative Menstrual Month.” “You are doing your part to be more environmentally friendly, and by using the diva cup or any alternative product, you are setting an example for others,” says FIFE’s president, Jessica Little. “Women talk about their periods, and if you start using something different, there are bound to be conversations. And from conversations we invoke change toward the realization of something that may be different from the norm, but economically and ecologically makes sense.” It’s worth a shot, so, hop on the band-wagon!
TIDE! These days, it seems like everyone is buying those reusable canvas bags at the grocery store that say things like, “Go Green!” I mean, don’t you have one? If not that bag, then you must have a bamboo t-shirt from your favorite department store. Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know that tons of people are participating in the exploding green movement— even UVa’s dining halls—that aims to please our temperamental environment. The movement has become more than just a concern for the environment. It has become a stylish statement, which allows fashionistas, supermarket shoppers, and automobile owners alike to be trendy. And what’s up next? Green menstrual products! The eco-friendly trend has inspired women to take their awareness to a new level and make changes to their menstrual product regimen. Just like using a canvas bag as opposed to paper or plastic, women are switching from disposable tampons and pads to different alternatives such as DivaCups, Sea Sponges and Lunapads. The DivaCup is a non-absorbent, hypoallergenic cup that collects menstrual flow during that “time of month.” It sits in the vaginal canal, can be worn for up to 12 hours, and gets rinsed out for re-use. In fact, the company offers a special cleaning solution that doubles as a facial cleanser (maybe a little weird)! Its surface is soft and smooth so you cannot feel it if inserted properly, and supposedly it is great for all activities, including travel and exercise. Instead of purchasing several boxes of tampons for $810 every month, you can buy one DivaCup for around $30 at local drugstores that can last up to ten years. Sea sponges are made of silk and can be found at a cosmetic counter or even in an art supply store. You wear them and remove them like tampons, and change them about as often. It is possible to tie a string through the sponge in order to remove from the vagina much like a tampon as well. After use, you rinse out the sponge in cool water, and if need be, with a mild soap or baking soda solution, followed by a thorough water-rinse. So, you need to have at least two sponges at a time, so as to alternate between uses. According to an article about alternative menstrual products on libaware. economads.com, written by Rebeca Potasnik,
FAIR TRADE by: Jenny Miller and Meredith Welch
Would you believe that eating chocolate could benefit the lives of people in third world countries? What about drinking coffee? Or buying flowers? Forget associating these indulgences with bad behavior—just be sure that you’re buying Fair Trade products. Fair Trade is an economic movement that helps to empower farmers in the third world. Farmers are able to participate in this beneficial movement by taking the initiative to organize a co-operative farm community that meets the standards of Fair Trade certification. Once certified, importers purchase goods directly from Fair Trade farmers, eliminating middlemen, paying a guaranteed minimum price. Fair Trade farmers, in return, invest in local economies. Through their support of social and business development projects as well as reserving benefits for communities that abide by fair labor practices, Fair Trade certification raises the quality of life for farmers in third world countries. Fair Trade empowers farmers to lift themselves out of poverty by giving them the tools to produce more cost efficient and valuable goods. Not only does Fair Trade improve peoples’ lives, but it protects the environment, as Fair Trade farmers engage in environmentally sustainable farming methods. Fair Trade is a global movement, but did you know that select coffees and teas at Greenberry’s and Java City on Grounds are Fair Trade certified? Students Promoting Fair Trade is an organization founded at UVa in 2002 that actively promotes Fair Trade Products around Grounds. Recently, the organization presented a Fair Trade policy to dining services and student council, which both supported, as dining services has increasingly incorporated
more and more Fair Trade products into dining options. Besides working towards becoming a Fair Trade university, the organization promotes awareness through events. To name a few, this past Halloween they handed out 2,500 pieces of Fair Trade chocolate and informative brochures on the Lawn, and on Valentine’s Day they sold Fair Trade roses from Ecuador for $2 each. The next event is a sustainable-dining themed dinner at Newcomb Hall on April 21st, that includes organic, local and Fair Trade products. If you would like more information on the organization, check out their website at www.student.virginia.edu/~spft. Even if you aren’t in the organization on Grounds, you can be active in the global Fair Trade effort. Consider buying coffee from one of the many Fair Trade certified coffee shops in Charlottesville like Java Java, Mudhouse, Whole Foods, Higher Grounds and Java City. Other Fair Trade products can be found at Integral Yoga Natural Foods, Rebecca’s Natural Foods, and Innisfree World Artisans. Fair Trade products don’t necessarily cost more, but buying them is socially responsible. Why buy a similar product of the same quality when you could support developing economies?
Learn more at:
TransfairUSA www.transfairusa.org Make Trade Fair – Oxfam International www.marketradefair.com Equal Exchange www.equalexchange.com/fair-trade
21
fashion
viceviRTUE and
Vices
by: Jane Anne Murphy
1
Vogue and InStyle’s lists of fashion faux pas are not always relative to college life. Luckily for you, I’ve compiled some fashion dos and don’ts that are especially relevant to U.Va students.
Don’t be a slave to trends.
4
Don’t let your panty line show.
5
Some trends, as we all know, turn out to be terrible ideas. If you happen to be one of the lucky few to realize this during the height of the trend, stay far, far away. This way, a few months afterward, you’ll be able to laugh at and mock your friends for their poor fashion choices while you remained true to your stylish ways.
2
Obvious? Maybe. But this occurs far too often. I understand that low-rise pants are popular, but underwear can easily follow suit.
3
Don’t be afraid to dress up.
Being overdressed is always better than being underdressed. However, don’t wear a suit to Coupe’s. Often we get into the habit of saving nice clothes for special occasions, but what are you saving them for? The longer you keep them in the closet, the more likely it is that you won’t wear them at all. And fashion is meant to be shown off !
Virtues
1
Do wear something unique.
As I said before, if you like it, wear it. Shop at different stores, find small boutiques and get excited to find something that none of your friends have. The fact that no one else is wearing it makes it that much cooler.
2
Do wear bright colors. Brown, black and gray are great, especially for fall, but it is color that makes you stand out. This season, don’t be afraid to wear yellow, green, purple, blue and neon colors to add some fun to your wardrobe. This extends to accessories. There’s nothing more unexpected and fabulous than a jewel-toned scarf or patterned flats to add to your outfit.
3
Do step outside of your comfort zone.
Get out of the habit of wearing jeans and a t-shirt everyday. College is the height of experimentation, so why shouldn’t your wardrobe be part of the fun? You don’t have to always dress strictly preppy or artsy or sporty. People don’t fit into one category, and your clothes shouldn’t either.
Don’t wear Crocs.
You can wear them in the shower, you can wear them for activities involving water (like tubing), but try to keep them in the shower caddy. Sure, they’re comfortable, but so are about 500 other types of shoes that aren’t quite as hideous. Birkenstocks and Chacos are more attractive and still offer the same “comfort” as Crocs.
Do not wear seersucker after summer is over.
This doesn’t mean you have to wait until Easter, as the old fashion rule states, but at least wait until the season is right. There’s no need for seersucker when it’s 30 degrees outside. There are certain transition pieces from summer into fall, but seersucker is not one of them.
6
Don’t wear things just because other people are wearing them.
If you like it, wear it, but don’t do it just because everyone else is.
4
Do wear accessories.
Accessories fit anyone and are the easiest way to diversify your wardrobe. A stack of bracelets or a long necklace can be the perfect accent to any outfit.
5
Do dress for your body type.
Not everyone can wear stovepipe skinny jeans or babydoll dresses. Know your best assets and flaunt them. If you find yourself in love with a certain dress, try it on, even if you’re worried it might not work. The one-shoulder style might not be as flattering once you’re in the dressing room and that tiered dress may turn out to be your going-out staple.
The golden rule is that there are no rules. These basic guidelines are just that, and in the end, you should do what you want. Know what works for you and what will make you feel the best. And next time you’re standing in front of your closet, keep these dos and don’ts in mind.
vintage vogue
Stepping off the train straight from an era of post WWII fashion and culture, the Vintage ‘Vogue’ Traveler finds a place within a contemporary setting. By fusing vintage styles with modern fashion trends, a fresh, eclectic style is formed that brings our travelers to life.
From headpieces and clutches, to simple classic jewelry and old-fashioned dresses, vintage and contemporary trends effortlessly translate into a unique category of fashion for females.
From prep blazers and fedoras, to casual pants and suspenders, guys can use classic trends and vintage pieces to dress up that plain white Vneck tee.
Antics and Ike’s Underground, local vintage stores located on the Downtown Mall, donated clothing for all of our vintage looks, from the soldier returned home to Hollywood glam girls to the 1950s housewife. Both shops offer a diverse assortment of vintage clothing and items, allowing shoppers to mix and match their way into a one-of-a-kind outfit. Thrifting can take a toll on the weary shopper out for a treasure, but these vintage stores supply fabulous finds for prices that are generally reasonable for a college student. Even better yet, these shops provide authentic vintage clothing, as Ike called his shop a work of ‘social anthropology.’ Whether shopping for an edgy, original everyday look or searching for an out-there costume, these stores provide endless options.
Antics Clothes
Kodak Camera $25 Red Pillbox Hat $18.50 White Gloves $15 Printed Cotton Shorts $32 Leaf Pin $24 1980’s Clutch Purse $22 Suitcase $25 Crinoline (used under black and white dress) $25 Makeup Case $28 Suitcase $28 Peacock Clutch Purse $33 Heck with Housework Apron $35 Ruffled Cotton Dress $35 Nellie Don Printed Dress $58 Black and White Dress $36 Marine Corps Uniform $38 Yellow Trousers $34 Wool Jumper $68 Green Dress $30 Brown Leather Purse $16 Suspenders $12.50 Faux Mink Wrap $75
Ike’s Underground Clothes White Blouse $18 Prep School Jacket $68 Faux Possum Fur $68 Netted Hat $12 Fedora $8 Tan Mod Hat $12 Hair Pins $16 Stone Bracelet $15 Pearls $16 Gold Pearl Bracelet $12 Black Ring $24 Large Clear Gem Ring $18 Yellow Gem Ring $24