Your Magazine Volume 17 Issue 2: April 2022

your mag

VOLUME 17 | ISSUE 2 | APRIL 2022

Recognized in Spring 2012,

Your Mag’s goal is

to promote knowledge of the magazine and media industry by giving students the opportunity to be responsible for all aspects of a monthly lifestyle publication. With an audience of urban college students in mind, members create content across a broad range of topics and mediums, including style, romance, music, pop culture, and personal identity and experiences. Your Mag’s overarching aim is to foster a positive, inclusive community of writers, editors, and artists.

YOUR MAG VOLUME 17 | ISSUE 2 | APRIL 2022

TALIA SMITH Managing Editor

AMANDA HAMPTON Editor-in-Chief

JULIA SMITH Creative Director

ABIGAIL ROSS Romance Editor

ALEA ADRIAN Head Designer

L I LY B R O W N Asst. Creative Director

KATHLEEN NOLAN A&E Editor

ISA LUZARRAGA Asst. Head Designer

M O L LY H O W A R D Editorial Director

ASHLEY FERRER Living Editor

HAILEY KROLL Asst. Head Designer

ELIE LARGURA Photography Director

OLIVIA CIGLIANO Style Editor

WILLOW TORRES Asst. Head Designer

A M YA D I G G S Style Director

CAMRYN CIANCIA Asst. Style Editor

CHLOE WILLIAMS Asst. Head Designer

NENA HALL Head Proofreader

LAUREN SURBEY Web Editor

NEEKA BOROUMANDI Marketing Director

GRIFFIN WILLNER Asst. Head Proofreader

JESS FERGUSON Copy Chief

JULIA MALLON Social Media Director

NATASHA ARNOWITZ Art Director

CHARLIZE TUNGOL Asst. Copy Chief

CHARLIZE TUNGOL Asst. Social Media Director

REB CZUKOSKI Asst. Art Director

NIRVANA RAGLAND Diversity Chair

SYDNEY ROWLEY Asst. Social Media Director

MORGAN MURPHY Asst. Marketing Director

COPY EDITORS: LOU BALIKOS, CARLEE BRONKEMA, JOEI CHAN, CHARLOTTE DRUMMOND, KATE HEALY, DHARVI GOPAL, FIONA MURPHY, VICTORIA REIN, RACHEL TARBY DESIGN: EVA LEVIN, ASHLEY FERRER, MARY WANG PROOFREADERS: CHARLOTTE DRUMMOND, CHRISTINA HORACIO, VIVIAN NGUYEN

YOURMAG | 3

contents ROMANCE 6 8 10 12 14 EDITORIAL 16 STYLE 24 26 28 30 EDITORIAL 32 LIVING 40 42 44 46 EDITORIAL 48 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 56 58 60 62 Y.MP3 64 YM ADVISES 66 YM SENIORS 68 ARTIST STATEMENT 76 YOUR THINGS 80 82 84 86 88 90 92 94

PLEASE STOP ASKING ME WHY I’M SINGLE THE SEX DEMON ON YOUR SHOULDER BOYFRIENDS ARE “CHEUGY:” IMPLICIT FEMALE GUILT LOVING HER AND HER PERSONALITY DISORDER SEX ADVICE DOMESTIC BLISS I’M IN A COMMITTED RELATIONSHIP WITH MY NAIL TECH DUA LIME ONE MAN’S TRASH SWEATY STYLE BABETTE I SHOULD’VE ASKED YOU QUESTIONS WOES OF A CHRONIC GIFT-GIVER LOOK AT ME NOW LOVE LETTER TO POETIC OBSESSION REAL HOUSEWIVES OF VERSAILLES DONE WITH THE JESTER’S ABUSE AN ODE TO ALL THE THINGS I’VE LOVED TO DEATH EROTICA OVER THE CENTURIES FREE ART: TICKETS START AT $70 SONGS FROM THE BACKSEAT OF YOUR PARENTS’ CAR GUIDE TO A FRESH START YM2K JESSIE VIRTUE NAILS ALEA ADRIAN AMANDA HAMPTON JESS FERGUSON JULIA MALLON OLIVIA CIGLIANO NATASHA ARNOWITZ TALIA SMITH REB CZUKOSKI

YMEMERSON.COM | INSTAGRAM: @YOUR.MAG 4 | YOURMAG

EDITOR’S letter

B

oston is a city of contradictions: yesterday, I picnicked in Ringer Park without a jacket, and today it’s snowing as I’m walking home from work. Last week, I sat in the Common between classes and watched a dog chase a little girl in a green dress around a ginkgo tree while a man threw up blue slush onto the sidewalk behind them.

It’s April, and as we’re inching closer to the end of winter, the end of the school year, the end of leases and spring internships, it’s more important than ever to—like the city itself—revel in this idea of multiplicity. We are large, we contain multitudes, all that jazz. The Your Mag team hopes this issue helps you do so.

This extra-chunky mag is a veritable font of plurality, thanks to the boundless creativity and hard work of our writers, artists, and staff. Here, you’ll find reflections on the second lives of used furniture, the intersection of personal style and gym attire, and acrylic-nail-induced crises of gender expression. Our Romance section ruminates on the inescapable lure of the risky hookup and challenges the binary of independence vs. monogamy. Our writers discuss finding new meanings for recurring symbols, the particular grief of losing grandparents, and how our hyperfixations do and don’t define us.

We’re saying goodbye to a whole host of seniors— nine (9)!!—and welcoming the new members who will be stepping into their shoes. Those of us who are graduating may soon be gone from the masthead, but you can find our faces and our favorite things immortalized in the pages of this issue. You’ll also find yourself transported to the days of sitting in the backseat of your parents’ car with our YMP3 playlist, and turning toward the clean slate of the future with YM Advises.

I’ll leave you with this quote from Mona Sa’udi as you flip through these pages: “I shatter in all my dimensions; I multiply; I take on shapes like water.” This time of year is one of transition and uncertainty, but also one of new beginnings. Our hope for you is that you embrace uncertainty and newness; that you insist on your right to be multiple; that you find comfort in your ability to take on new shapes.

Happy spring!

Forever yours (until May), Amanda

YOURMAG | 5

PLEASE STOP ASKING ME WHY I’M SINGLE WRITTEN BY ISA LUZARRAGA

PHOTOGRAPHED BY SOFIA FARRES

y first and only official romantic relationship started with a kindergarten classroom, some chicken-egg incubators, and a surprising amount of bravado. We were five years old and shared a stolen moment in the storage room of our class’s science project. When the baby chicks hatched, we declared our love for each other, and I knew it was meant to be. Sadly, kindergarten love is fickle, and he ended up “dating” another girl in our class within a week. Suffice to say, I’ve been single ever since.

It’s not that I am scarred by this cold sting of young love or that I’m relationship-averse, quite the opposite. Throughout high school, I had a few situationships, but the interactions never grew into anything official. Unfortunately, the details of my limited romantic life, and therefore singledom, are difficult to explain, especially to inquisitive family members and friends. Feeling awkward or discomforted by my singleness, they nearly always throw out variations of the same line: “How are you still single?”

A backhanded compliment at best, the rhetorical question doesn’t sadden so much as annoy me. Firstly, in my experience, this question is more commonly directed toward women than men. Additionally, the comment is an extension of sexist stereotypes and societal gender roles that imply a woman’s happiness is reliant on her relationship with someone else.

I know that the people who care for me mean well and that they want me to find love just as much as I do. However, good intentions don’t exactly soften the blow of the “single status” question. The “single woman” stereotype has a long and painful history of alienating and othering female-identifying individuals. Of course, there are several variations: “the emotionally-cold woman” trope, the dismissive “her standards are just too high,” and of course, the inane “spinster” categorization.

While there are certainly cultural and media exceptions, for example, even Carrie Bradshaw ends up with Mr. Big in Sex and the City.

Because of sexist stereotypes, real-life women have little room to savor their periods of independence. Instead, we feel pressured to show that we are capable of being loved and worthy of romantic attention.

Researchers Chelsea Pickens and Virginia Braun note the following in their report titled “‘Stroppy Bitches Who Just Need to Learn How to Settle’? Young Single Women and Norms of Femininity and Heterosexuality”: “Women’s experiences of being single were inextricable from their wider experiences of heterosexuality and pressures to enact a ‘desirable’ femininity.”

Noting how expectations regarding child-bearing factor into this phenomenon, Pickens and Braun identify the patterns of pressures felt by single women. The top four pressures observed were expectations of beauty standards, allowance for aspects of male superiority, gendered standards of sexuality, and mandatory (heterosexual) coupling by a certain age. These themes were proven to deter women from seeking out romance, some feeling overwhelmed and strained by stereotypes.

Another popular assumption surrounding single women: an independent, professionally successful, female-identifying person is considered too masculine to obtain and retain the attention of a man. Her accomplishments are attributed to her callous nature, instead of intellectual savvy, representing how the gender binary dictates mainstream cultural values. This perversion of gender roles hints at Pickens’s and Braun’s discussions of heteronormativity.

Communications consultant and author Ellie Mae O’Hagan gathered responses from single women, inquiring about their experiences with similar stereotypes.

“Despite the contentment of the single women I spoke to, in all there was a shared frustration with the fact that others couldn’t seem to comprehend their choices,” O’Hagan said in an article for The Guardian. “Many spoke of being handled with kid gloves by other couples, being pigeonholed as ‘workaholics’ by family members, or generally dealing with bafflement at the sight of their un-wedding-ringed fingers. In a society where a man is not simply a provider and a woman is more than a wife, our popular culture seems to be wearily stuck on repeat—churning out the same tired ideals of dependent Cinderellas and moneyed Prince Charmings.”

This suggests that while many single women may want relationships, they mostly want others to stop asking why they’re single. I couldn’t agree more.

Now, it’s true, I am not on The Bachelor actively searching for contrived love and my 15 minutes of fame. However, I am open to and hope to find love in my everyday life.

In reality, my kindergarten ex-boyfriend ended up relocating out of state in the following years, and he eventually came out to his friends and family. Remembering our diverging paths, so different from our interaction in the storage room, makes me laugh. Still, I like to think he taught me something about love.

In order for me to find my person, I will continue to reject the stereotypes and embrace the possibilities. YM

M

6 | ROMANCE

ROMANCE | 7

8 | ROMANCE

THE SEX DEMON

ON YOUR SHOULDER WRITTEN BY GRIFFIN WILLNER

ART BY NATASHA ARNOWITZ

ave you ever made a dangerous sexual decision that you instantly regretted? I know I have. A while back, I let a creature guide my fingers onto the godforsaken app, Grindr. Horrified but hellbent on seeking approval, I let the monster push my legs one by one into an Uber and message a nameless person until I was on the other side of Boston. Luckily, I came to my senses and called my friends in a panic right before arriving. While I survived, not all are lucky enough to escape the clutches of the sex demon on their shoulder.

Before you ask, yes, I’ve learned my lesson, and yes, I’ve finally deleted Grindr. In hindsight, my choices were insane. It’s not only unsafe to message someone without any credentials, but it’s dangerous to do so without giving any of your friends your location.

While most men on Grindr use Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)—medication used to prevent HIV—it was found that users were at a higher risk of testing positive for chlamydia or gonorrhea (8.6% of Grindr users vs 4.7% of non-Grindr users, according to the PMC archive of the U.S. National Institutes of Health’s National Library of Medicine). Clearly, I took a risk I should not have taken.

Whether surfing the internet or in-person, why do we make these decisions? Why do we let the sex demon take control? A 2015 study from the Handbook of Clinical Neurology suggested that sexual arousal interacts with the cognitive, emotional, motivational, and autonomic

systems of the brain. Each part may have been involved in my decision-making, but loneliness may have been an even larger factor. A few seconds without attention, and I felt as though I did not exist—and others can relate. An anonymous student says, “I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that I simply wanted to be seen. Coming to college after a breakup was difficult. It seemed as though the only remedy was to indulge in hookup culture.” Another student argues that they feel pressure from the people around them. They note, “... being surrounded by people who are heavily involved in hookup culture can be pressuring, even though they might not mean it…I know my peers may not realize it, but I’m very naive when it comes to this stuff.”

Unfortunately, the world is not safe enough for gallivanting through the streets of Boston at 3 a.m. Instead, we should develop a plan. Dating can be fun as long as you know a person’s actual name, you start out in a public setting, and you keep your location on for friends or family to see. If you choose to listen to the sex demon, decide whether or not you are emotionally ready for a hookup, or if you feel safe enough for protected or unprotected sex. In one student’s words, “Sometimes, moments take hold of you and refuse to let go. It’s not until one irresponsible decision scares you enough to realize you have to get a hold of yourself.” YM

H

BEING SURROUNDED

BY PEOPLE WHO ARE HEAVILY INVOLVED IN HOOKUP CULTURE CAN BE PRESSURING, EVEN THOUGH THEY MIGHT NOT MEAN IT.

ROMANCE | 9

10 | ROMANCE

Boyfriends Are “Cheugy:” Implicit Female Guilt WRITTEN BY MANNI BURACH

ART BY ELIZABETH APPLE

used to look down on young girls who were in long-term relationships. I thought being a young woman was supposed to be about to be about ambition, determination, about f*cking around and discovering who you are. I thought that young girls who dated seriously or got married early were naive—like lost puppy dogs in search of love and attention. How could you know you love someone and discover them entirely without completely knowing yourself ? “There’s no way it will work out,” I would think, “or worse…it will.”

For me, tying yourself to a man meant sacrificing a part of yourself, or at least a part of your dreams. To tie yourself down before you really get to accomplish any of them, well, that didn’t sit right with me.

To be honest, it really terrified me, and it still does.

So when I started dating my boyfriend, I did it for fun because I liked him. It was never supposed to be anything serious or anything long; I just was into him, plain and simple. I think it was for him, too, but as time went on, I really fell—which, by the way, was also never supposed to happen. And then suddenly, before I could take stock, two and half years go by, and I have become one of those puppy girls I had looked down on. So one day, two years in, I was sitting in bed, scrolling through TikTok, and I came across a video that said, “You wanna know what’s really f***ing cheugy? Having a boyfriend!” Now if you don’t already know, “cheugy” has become a term used to describe things that used to be very in trend and now are extremely outdated or cringey. Of course, I knew that this TikTok and its very popular sound about boyfriends being “cheugy” was satirical. But part of me couldn’t help but think about how true it feels—that having a boyfriend feels outdated, cringey, and almost anti-woman.

Before young women were free to educate themselves, work, or reach whatever goals it was that they held, many of them had to marry early to gain financial security before wealthy bachelors were off the

market or before their childbearing years were over. Now, in an age of hyper-feminism and “girlboss” mentality, it feels wrong to tie yourself down so early when you don’t have to. It’s as if we have reached a period in which young women feel they must choose between love or independence and cannot have both. Not only do young women choose one side of this binary, but then they must wrestle with the guilt of not choosing the other. I know this wrestle well.

Women now must make the most of every sliver of opportunity, because we haven’t always had it and we don’t know when we won’t have it again. Therefore, to dedicate some of that time and energy for reaching goals and furthering yourself to a man feels misguided and shameful. And in speaking to some of my other friends in relationships, especially those in longer ones, it’s not an uncommon feeling.

I’ve had instances where older women, in reference to hearing I have a boyfriend, tell me, “don’t limit yourself,” “keep your options open,” “make sure you always focus on yourself and your goals first.” Now of course this is great advice, but I tell myself these things every day. I’m not naive. I know what my goals are, and I’m a very driven individual.

I want them to know that I’m not someone who leaches onto a man and forgets who they are. But do those leachy, puppy dog women even exist? Maybe they’re a group that we’ve built up in our heads.

Women in today’s age are neither girl bosses, nor leeches, nor puppy dogs. We feel this implicit guilt of having to choose between love and independence and therefore further this age old trope that women can only be one thing. And to be quite frank, I think we’ve all had enough of that. We are multidimensional beings, and everyone knows it. Therefore, we can give ourselves to another and still maintain ourselves and our goals. We shouldn’t judge one another for what we choose to coexist as, whether it be Girlfriend and CEO or Single Woman and Unemployed or Wife and Mother. YM

I

ROMANCE | 11

Loving Her and Her Personality Disorder WRITTEN BY AMYA DIGGS

ART BY JULIA SMITH

y girlfriend V and I have known each other for 7 years, have been dating for 3, and each day I seem to fall more and more in love with her. I like to think that I know everything there is to know about her, and I guess to a certain extent, I do. I know everything that she knows about herself, but given that we are ever-changing human beings, she doesn’t even know everything about herself. For as long as I’ve known V, and even since before that, she has struggled with mental illness; depression, anxiety, and most recently, borderline personality disorder.

I never got the, “I was diagnosed with BPD” conversation, and it may sound selfish, but sometimes I wish I had. Instead, her disorder was something that I learned to recognize over time, but I can’t get upset about it because it was something she had to learn about over time too. She has spent many months out of her life going between different therapists and psychiatrists, just trying to get someone to listen to her. Only recently has she finally found a wonderful British woman who specializes in the disorder, who has been able to give my girlfriend the help that she deserves. I love V more than anything in the world, she knows that, and everyone around us knows that too. In the short month that she’s finally been getting proper care, I can confidently say that I have noticed a change. Progress isn’t linear though, and there are always days that are harder than others. Part of her progress, I assume, has to be from finally having someone other than me believe in her and validate her feelings. From psychiatrists turning her away, to therapists telling her that she could only have BPD if she was manipulative, to family and friends not knowing how to begin with understanding this disorder—I know it must be a comforting feeling for V to have found someone to help her who also believes her.

I’m a product of mental illness; I too suffer with depression, anxiety, and regulating my emotions. I’ve seen many people that I love suffer with depression, anxiety, addiction, etc. So why do I sometimes feel like her episodes are personal and that there is something wrong with our relationship just because of how she’s feeling? I know it’s not personal, I know there’s nothing wrong, but when you’re stuck in the moment, sometimes it feels like there is a disconnect. What I see V go through is much different from what I do and from what I’m used to seeing time and time again with those around me. I’m not sure why, but sometimes it’s harder for me to watch V than it is to watch my mother struggle with her alcoholism. I have many theories about it, though the most painful one is that I’m scared that one day V will give

up on treatment like my mother did, and that I will be stuck trying to hold together two women that I love so much knowing that I can’t do anything to actually help them. There is so much unknown with personality disorders, sometimes I think, “how am I supposed to educate myself on this disorder when mental health professionals themselves don’t even know enough about it to help her.” I see her getting better, but I can’t help to think the worst, and I guess that’s just because I’ve always had to expect the worst when dealing with my mom.

I get upset, anxious, and scared over what V goes through, and sometimes I hate myself for feeling even the slightest bit annoyed about her experience. It’s not because I don’t care or that I’m tired of being with her through this journey, it’s mostly that I can’t do anything about it but listen to her cry out in pain. It’s a lot for her to handle, I’m certain, but it’s a lot for me to handle too. Supporting her and making sure she feels loved will always be my main priority, but I finally know now that it’s okay when I get overwhelmed too. When I finally opened myself up and got the courage to communicate the different emotions that I go through when supporting her, things got a lot easier for us.

BPD is a powerful disorder, so it only makes sense that her raging emotions are often met with my scared, drained, or upset ones. How I feel about her episodes is different from supporting her through them, because my support will always be there.

I think about V and how much I love her all of the time, and whenever I do that, her illness never comes to mind. Maybe I’m able to look at things differently since I have my own experience with mental illness becuase I can imagine it would be a lot harder for us if I didn’t know even a little bit about what it’s like to experience such mental pain. It’s tough, and it’s even harder to try to put it into words. Loving someone with a personality disorder is without a doubt the hardest thing that I have ever done. It requires an endless amount of care and attention that may seem a bit too much for a lot of people to handle, and I get that. It is a hard and tricky thing to navigate, but I would never just give up on V for something that she can’t handle. It’s certainly not an easy position to be in, but that doesn’t mean that its difficulty is not worth it. V is learning and growing to be the strongest person of herself that I’ve seen in a while, or possibly have ever seen. I wouldn’t change being in my position for anything in the world. Her emotions are intense, and when it hurts her, it hurts me too. But she loves so hard, and I could never abandon that. YM

M

12 | ROMANCE

ROMANCE | 13

14 | ROMANCE

ROMANCE: SEX ADVICE ART BY WILLOW TORRES

69 is better than you think.

Gay men, it’s okay to give hand jobs in place of other forms of sex. It’s just as valid a form of sex as anal or oral.

Communication, communication, communication! Tell your partner(s) what you like/don’t like, how you’re feeling, what you want to try, etc.

Worrying about finishing makes it take longer and not feel as good, so do your best to get out of your thoughts.

Take the time to try out new things. You never know what you will end up enjoying!

No shame in using lube. <3 Sex isn’t a race! You’re not going to enjoy it if you keep thinking about how long you’re taking, so find a partner you feel comfortable taking your time with.

If it doesn’t fit, don’t force it!

Get a vibrator.

Pee after sex.

There is a $25 vibrator from Amazon that is magical. Good vibrators don’t have to be extremely expensive.

Get creative, use toys, and tie each other up. ;) Orgasm doesn’t have to be the only goal; the goal is to enjoy the ride.

Don’t feel like sex is an obligation. Make sure you’re having fun when you’re doing it.

ROMANCE | 15

bliss

domestic

16 | YOURMAG

DIRECTED BY REB CZUKOSKI PHOTOGRAPHED BY JULIA SMITH MODELED BY REB CZUKOSKI AND GUS FOWLE

YOURMAG | 17

i’m in a committed relationship with my nail tech

24 | STYLE

WRITTEN BY TALIA SMITH

PHOTOGRAPHED BY TALIA SMITH

fter an existentially challenging birthday “celebration” last December, I decided to donate a sh*t ton of old clothes, rebleach my outgrown eyebrows, and chop almost all of my hair off in one swift kick of willpower. In the pandemic era, birthdays come and go with a heaping pile of conflicting feelings attached for me; nostalgia of what a birthday party once was and could’ve been, anxiety for the year to come, and longing for the years of normalcy before. At my core, I’ve always been the type of person to “do something big” as each year passes by, and for a long while, a trip around the sun would likely equate to a sparkly new piercing, a hard-to-cover and spontaneous tattoo, or some other inconspicuous body-mod to convince me of inner progression. If the outside changes, the inside will follow, and I’ll just keep growing gracefully with age.

Beyond my usual manic appearance shift tendencies (blue dye one week, sharp curtain bangs or a shag cut the next), my most recent annual identity shift took somewhere around 10 inches of hair off my head and left me with a micro-mullet — bangs and all. And so, entering into my 22nd year, I brought with me a multitude of Lady Di, Robert Pattinson, Tinkerbell, and Machine Gun Kelly references, as well as a lingering gender expression and sexuality crisis. Around a month ago, I stepped back and realized that as soon as I cut my hair, I felt a slow-developing question mark creeping up on my mind and almost immediately began implementing, arguably small, but so undeniably noticeable changes in my outward feminine presentation. I’m now on my fourth consecutive acrylic nail set this calendar year, I wear some rendition of a color-coordinated makeup look nearly every day, and have even opted for a more fragile, airy perfume.

I feel like my lack of hair has sucked me into a reversion of self.

I’m creeping back into older, more hetero habits of mine and presenting as hyper-femme—a major shift for myself as a bisexual cis woman who only about a year ago went through a heavy identity and fashion crisis that parelelled my coming to terms with being gay. No harm in wearing a skirt or two, but a dip of the toes into my old drinking water now feels like walking on a slow-burning tightrope. Caught between androgyny and femininity, I burn. And the tip of the cigar singes the worst for me at the nail salon.

I’ll give a well-deserved shoutout to my girl Tweety, the nail tech who has swindled me into a routined residency at the shop that conveniently sits around the corner from my apartment. As much as I love Tweety, her gossipy coworkers, and the homey ambience of Allston Nails, I can’t help but stare into those oversized mirrors that consume its rented walls and hate what’s looking back to me for these three reasons: 1. Tweety definitely does not know I’m gay, 2. I feel straight as hell whenever I go to her, and 3. I am absolutely dumbfounded by the number of comments I’ve gotten about my nails—from far too comfortable friends and family—now being the “least gay thing about me.”

Not to beat the untamable horse that is bi erasure into the ground,

but I am 100% irrevocably over the idea that a feminine-presenting bisexual woman is just a straight girl in disguise, and if she looks like a girly-girl, she’ll only want a manly-man to satisfy her. Yes, my chosen sets are nearly 2 inches long, coffin-shaped, and femme. But they’re also adorned with edgy, sexy, and far-from-straight-girl Pinterest-inspired designs. Not that it really means anything to my point of erasure, but my current set accounts for 16 gems (half black, half white) and two fingers full of miniature white and black eyeballs; the rest long, nude, sharp, gay, and hot. I’m obsessed with them, the same way I was obsessed with my last set, with the red corner-to-corner tips and cute little black slithering snake (in retrospect, it did look like sperm). Long story short, I f*cking love my nails—I just can’t help but be a bit frustrated at the idea that an acrylic layer of product and minimal slab of paint on my fingers immediately makes it “impossible” for me to be intimate with anyone who has a vagina.

But I know it’s all not true, that I’m still as queer as I was before falling into a comitted relationship with my nail tech. Being the buttend of a joke that brings my presentation to the forefront and questions it makes me want to rip off my entire set (no matter how horribly it would hurt and how torn my nail beds would remain). As lighthearted as the jokes about my de-yassification might be, they do most of the leg work in forcing me to continually reevaluate myself: how I’m presenting, why I’m doing the things I’m doing when I dress myself, and what I’m trying to show the world.

Alas, no one is screaming slurs in my face, I’m not experiencing debilitating dysphoria surrounding my gender, and I am very much capable of buying a bottle of acetone to remove my ever-femme claws.

It can be so, so much admittedly worse than what it is, and I righteously acknowledge that. But my biggest issue—the one that’s bringing me to pour these feelings to the page—is that I don’t want to be seen as someone I’m not. I’m here, I’m queer, and I love my long nails. To me, that doesn’t seem too hard to get on board with. If I want to grasp for femininity to compensate for my short, gay haircut, just let me do it! I still love women, claws and all.

Yes, my nails, my jewelry, and my makeup do make me feel cute.

But my silly little feminine touches never fall short of reminding me that I am constantly in flux with my style and expression as it aligns with my sexuality. Maybe this is more of a story about me hyper-analyzing the way I’m being perceived, or thinking too far into how pink my wardrobe palette is becoming. Maybe I’m just trying to hold onto whatever heteronormativity, and therefore, femininity, I have left in me. Maybe I’ll realize down the line that none of this really matters to me in comparison to everything else I could be worrying about. In the meantime, I’ll be with Tweety, talking sh*t about all of you—reaching for compensation, searching for a balance, and convincing myself that I owe the world androgyny—all while getting the hottest set of nails you’ve seen this side of Allston. YM

A

STYLE | 25

DUA LIME I

nternational pop star Dua Lipa is finally performing her postponed Future Nostalgia world tour. It has been two years since her second album, one of the best reviewed albums of 2020, came out. Lipa’s album released on March 27, 2020, only 13 days into lockdown. The nostalgic 1980s-inspired record brought color into a world that was starting to turn gray. In a 2020 NPR interview, Dua detailed how her new album was “meant to describe a future of infinite possibilities while tapping into the sound and mood of some older music she loved.” It promoted not only great music but also fashion during its premiere. Don’t start now and tell me that Dua Lipa is not a fashion icon.

What is interesting about this singer is how her wardrobe

26 | STYLE

reflects her album and vice versa. Dua really goes for the physical looks. For example, in her concert, she wears a black crystal catsuit

by Mugler, a designer that blew up in the ‘80s for its architectural and bodycon fashion statements. The ‘80s was known for its striking shades, silhouettes, and style. From power suits to shoulder pads, this decade’s trends are making an epic comeback, especially thanks to Lipa. She is known for embracing the ‘80s personal color palette of neon pinks and greens: “Did a full [1]80, crazy.”

Pink is the color of universal love and harmony. Future Nostalgia brought everyone together during one of the hardest times. At the 2021 Grammy Awards, Lipa wore a glittery butterfly gown. She looks like she is levitating in the custom Atelier Versace dress featuring

WRITTEN BY LILY BROWN

pink Bulgari gemstones. Lipa has been a longtime enthusiast of the iconic ‘80s brand and great friend of Donatella Versace herself. Like Dua’s music, Versace calls back to the decade’s glam as it introduced a different kind of fantasy to fashion. After walking in the Versace show in fall 2021, Lipa has become their official face and continues to expand upon her ‘80s aesthetic.

Green is the color of life and growth. Despite being in a global pandemic for the last two years, we are getting through it, and Lipa’s music is here to help. Future Nostalgia brings a new life to disco pop in the 21st century. She pulls inspo from the past but reinvents it for the future. Dua Lipa is as vibrant as the Balenciaga lacy lime green bodysuit she has been wearing on tour. She shared to her crowd at

ART BY NATASHA ARNOWITZ

Madison Square Garden how “a lot of collective childhood dreams are coming true on this stage.” The lacy, sexy outfit screams ‘80s Madonna, yet it takes on a current twist. While the catsuit sports the cool spandex and bold color trends, it also has an almost Y2K vibe with the green.

Every time Dua Lipa attends an event, she is always very colorful, and she reestablishes trends. Lipa has admitted multiple times how she wanted her album to be something that felt reminiscent but also fresh. Her neon color palette, along with her bold sense of style, really emphasize the true meaning behind Future Nostalgia. When looking deeper into her style, it really makes me love [her] again. YM

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WRITTEN BY OLIVIA CIGLIANO

PHOTOGRAPHED BY OLIVIA CIGLIANO

One man’s trash...

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esthetic trends these days mutate and repopulate collective culture like an invasive species, dominating social media before their short life spans run their course, they’re replaced, and fade into oblivion—found dead in a landfill ditch or left astray with the trash on Monday morning. The “fast” economy is not a new topic in the lexicon of sustainability or even quality, whether for fashion or food. Trends drive markets and inspire consumer audiences, but we know with convenience comes ethical compromise. When you’re learning to shop consciously, you often discover blindspots. Forget about oat milk and where you bought your outfit for a second: what do you know about the piece of furniture you’re sitting on right now?

Fast furniture is less talked about than fast fashion, but you’re probably more familiar with it than you think. Maybe your puzzle-piece Ikea desk crumbled to bits after only six months, or your millennial-pink “girlboss” decor from Target in 2016 now sits in a storage closet. It’s a wasteful, environmentally taxing industry, as Americans throw out more than 12 million tons of furnishings a year, according to the EPA, which increased nearly five times since the 1960s. Likely, the rise of mass media and the visibility of different interiors encouraged new aesthetic demands—which are only exacerbated by Instagram and TikTok. According to Vogue, 2022 interior trends encompass harmonic earth tones, architectural bubble sofas, and soft minimalism, à la Kim Kardashian’s mausoleum mansion. All your knick-knacks, dopamine-sparking hues, and maximalistic sensibilities are duly out. But these curated, commodified lifestyles presented in media, and the rate they’re replaced, feed into disposable, detached consumer culture.

Fast furniture manufacturers use outsourced labor for lower wages and the transportation of both raw materials and their finished product accounts for a goliath carbon footprint. Some brands construct furniture with recycled or sustainable matter, but they’re expensive and pitched for higher incomes. Shopping “sustainably” is a privileged ability. One solution to affordable, eco-conscious homeware is resale, and, per usual, college students are tapped-in.

Forbes accredits the recent furniture resale market boom to young people, nearing $16 billion by 2025 (a 70% increase since 2018). The pandemic-factor disrupted the furniture industry in likely ways. Supply-chain issues delayed deliveries, so local exchanges became the safest, most convenient option; all the while, spending more time at home and online led homeowners to rethink their environments.

While furniture is generally an investment for a long-term home, college students are only entering a commitment as long as their lease. Quality matters for functionality, but pricepoint and style are also priorities, which is why pre-owned furniture tends to exist alongside items from Ikea, Target, Wayfair, and Amazon. Secondhand finds are always more sustainable because you’re giving new life to something that would otherwise be trash. Plus, it’s naturally incentivized with shockingly good deals—if you dig for them.

Or, with luck, you could stumble upon vintage mirrors or even full kitchen sets on Boston’s trash nights, like “Allston Christmas,” the sweet spot during college move-outs when students offer unwanted home items on the street for free.

A beloved tool for connecting metropolitans looking to exchange gently used items is Facebook Marketplace. “I got super into it sophomore year of college,” says Sabine Waldeck ‘22. “I’ve always had this vision of what my apartment would look like because I grew up on Tumblr, collecting things and avidly hunting for the best deals. I love mid-century modern stuff, and a lot of that style is on Facebook Marketplace and in thrift stores.”

Will Percarpio ‘23, an antique lover, scored a gem online: a teal blue dresser of solid wood and hand-crafted handles for $80 on Facebook. “This old lady in Beacon Hill didn’t want to keep the piece anymore, so she was in the market for a seller. It didn’t fit their space, and I jumped on it as quickly as I could,” he says.

“I had to lug the dresser down winding stairs and narrow hallways and strapped it into my mom’s car to bring back to my apartment.

I now have a piece she built with her husband in my apartment.

That dresser has seen a lifetime of arguments, of love, of intimate moments between two people who loved each other. How can you beat that?”

Recent graduate, Alyssa Raine, shares the same sentiment: “I love things that are preloved and have history.” She keeps an eye on her Instagram feed for her bargains. “A lot of my secondhand furniture is actually from friends from college who moved out, and their furniture was also pre-owned and secondhand. I have a vintage green vanity that stores all of my skincare and makeup. It also doubles as a desk for me. It’s totally unique. It was previously owned by my friend’s roommate, so I love that I know who it came from.”

Sourcing pieces from unlikely places lends itself to a mix of eclectic aesthetics, contrary to trends—which, for Keely Ventress ‘22, is the point. “I tend to like how my space looks more when it’s not uniform, it feels so much homier,” she says.

Waldeck is an avid fashion thrifter and it translates into smaller home pieces like dishware, saying there’s similar, satisfying serendipity. “I like older vintage clothes mixed with more trendy stuff, which my decor style is like,” she says. “But my fashion is a bit edgier, and my home decor style is much warmer, because who doesn’t want to feel warm in their own space?”

For Ventress, she shops similarly for fashion and furniture. “I love finding things that are ‘staples’ and building either an outfit out of it or finding a new way to decorate my room,” she says.

Still, having the option to shop both stylishly and sustainably comes with responsibility. “I do get scared about taking things from people who rely on secondhand more than I do and where my place stands in all that,” Waldeck says. “That’s why I don’t try to over-indulge, and when I buy pieces, they are things I intend on having for years and not for a trend.” YM

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WRITTEN BY CAMRYN CIANCIA

Sweaty I

am not a sporty person by any means, but committing to a consistent workout routine has forced me into a space that had been unfamiliar to me for so long. Scarred by Texas athletic culture, once I came to Boston, I kept up with the mythical “3-10-30” treadmill routine or the occasional run. Then, wanting more, I began to seek out exercises on TikTok and YouTube, and in the past three months, I have seen significant results in my strength. This shift in my life has led me to think about the outfits I wear to the gym. Once I finally built enough confidence in my body and workouts, I began to go sans shirt and just work out in a sports bra. This liberation was a big deal for me because I have never been one to even show my bellybutton due to my self-consciousness and body dysmorphia.

Although I belong to Planet Fitness in Downtown Crossing for just $10 a month, thanks to student deals, I recently began making my way around all of the major fitness classes in Boston (SLT, SoulCycle, Barry’s Bootcamp, etc.). Not only are these studios significantly nic-

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Style er than Planet Fitness, but these pricey classes make working out feel luxurious. There are Le Labo products in the all-white marble locker room at SoulCycle, and attendees compare their Sweetgreen salads and Pressed juices and all sport some version of the same workout gear, usually embellished with the little Lululemon circle.

Because there is a contrast between the different gyms I attend, this greatly affects what I will wear. If I’m going to an overpriced Pilates class, I will most likely be unfamiliar with the workout. So to ensure I won’t get judged, I wear my Lululemon Align Tank-Top to compensate for my lack of Reformer machine expertise. On the other hand, I know I will be stared at if I go to the male-dominated Planet Fitness wearing a sports bra for a self-guided workout. And after a couple uncomfortable experiences with testosterone-blasted older men watching me in my bra as I do squats in the mirror, I am no longer as enthused

PHOTOGRAPHED BY ISA LUZARRAGA

to wear a sports bra as a top. Despite the “judgment-free zone” being tion of my paycheck to my athletic-wear cause. To help save money, I advertised, I often do feel judged and exploited. committed to not buying any tops, only small bras that offer limited No matter how cringey it sounds, through my “fitness journey,” support to my boobs, so I ravaged through the sales rack and picked I revisit the same dilemma: how do I look the part at the gym while up a few discounted items. I can now say that from my socks to my preserving my personal style and my savings acheadband, my workout fits are coordinatcount? This is a difficult question to answer as ed, but I still personally feel weaker than one pair of Lululemon leggings costs as much as my biceps.

While building a a year’s subscription to Planet Fitness. It is not lost I find it ironic that some of the most second wardrobe of on me that my dilemma is unavoidable if I can expensive pieces I own are the ones that workout gear seems embrace wearing an old T-shirt and Nike shorts are constantly sweated in and thrown into to work out in. But truthfully, half the fun and the my laundry basket. While building a secsuperfluous and motivation for me to work out is looking the part, ond wardrobe of workout gear seems sumaterialistic, I can and unfortunately, knowing I have the same logo perfluous and materialistic, I can justify justify it by knowing I it by knowing I will continue to work out. on the back of my leggings as everyone else helps me feel more secure. However, I shouldn’t feel will continue to work And though there are some days I don’t the need to invest in clothes that don’t make me feel comfortable enough to show my midout. feel like myself—but does functionality ultimately riff, nevertheless, I feel empowered, taking trump personal style? control over my body by wearing what I Luckily, I embraced athleisure in high want and participating in the workout. school, so I have a small collection of Lululemon leggings left to rotate Whether it be walking into a cycling class or plain-old Planet Fitness, throughout the week. Exhausted from always running loads of laundry, I feel like I’m making an investment in myself, which makes it all jusonce I depleted my stash of bras, I decided I needed to sacrifice a fractifiable to me. YM

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BABETTE DIRECTED BY JULIA SMITH

PHOTOGRAPHED BY JOHNNY FORT MAKEUP BY MOLLY HOWARD

MODELED BY JOHANNA MALICDEM

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WRITTEN BY JESS FERGUSON ART BY JAMES SULLIVAN

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still remember the last words I told my Nana when she was still coherent: “Good luck with your surgery. I’ll see you soon. I love you!”

Except I never saw her soon—at least never in the same way. I didn’t know that would be the last time we would have a normal conversation. I said an off-handed goodbye to my Grandpa when I went off to school in fall 2020, sure that I would see him over Thanksgiving. But I only saw him again to say my final goodbyes.

Many have the luxury of properly saying their goodbyes to their loved ones in their final moments, but I had no idea those moments were—well, final. Grandparents, at least for me, were major members of my family. As Rory Gilmore so eloquently put it, they were my “twin pillars without whom I could not stand.” Although I have stood since their deaths, it has not been as tall or strong.

My dad’s parents died when he was a child, so I unfortunately never met them. Because of this, I always cherished the two living grandparents I did have: my mom’s parents.

My Nana and Grandpa showed up and supported me through every event, big or small, in my life. They were the type to go to every sports game, every school concert (no matter how bad we sounded), and every birthday. Their personalities were quite unalike (which is probably why they divorced when my mom was young): my grandpa was outgoing and outspoken, always telling jokes and letting everyone know exactly how he felt; my nana was more reserved and laidback, one of the most patient and kind people I’ve ever met. But despite all their differences, they did have one thing in common: their love for their grandchildren.

As the name suggests, my grandparents served as an extended set of parents throughout my childhood and teenage years. They made me feel like I was capable of anything, and as an insecure youngest child, that meant the world to me. To have such a strong unconditional love from someone other than your parents was integral to my upbringing and ambitions.

I always expected these hugely important people to be at equally important events in my life, like my college graduation or my wedding.

Even though my Grandpa was constantly calling Emerson “Emmanuel”—to the point where I gave up correcting him—he was always showing people my articles and bragging about my writing, and I knew he would want to see me cross that stage. Because of both of their sudden declines, I had to carry the weight of my grief and the “what-ifs” of not being able to say a proper goodbye to them.

I melted into a puddle of tear-filled grief when I first heard “marjorie” on Taylor Swift’s evermore, a track about her grandmother who

died when she was a teenager. The lines “I should’ve asked you questions / I should’ve asked you how to be” cut through me every time I hear them. Because these losses were unexpected, I didn’t accommodate for our time being cut short.

As I’ve grown older, I’ve realized that in my youth, I didn’t see my grandparents as real people with real lives outside of being a grandparent. I spent so much time with both of them, but I feel like there’s so much I still don’t know about them. Being a grandparent was an important chapter for them, but not their full story. There are a million questions I would ask them if I could, but I never got the chance to. I would ask them about their lives instead of always blabbing about my own, or I’d seek advice on adulthood. I would savor every moment with them, maybe even document them in writing. I would set aside my teen angst and be more grateful for them.

I mourn the fact that they never got to see 21-year-old college senior Jess, a still fiery but more mellowed-out young woman who tries to be patient and gracious like her Nana, and passionate and selfless like her Grandpa. I wish I could tell them that I’m graduating early, studying in Los Angeles, interning for the Boston Globe, and writing, as always—and I know they would be proud.

As more time passes since I lost my grandparents, my memory of them has gotten hazier. Especially with my Nana, it’s hard for me to picture a time in which she wasn’t quietly struggling through her cancer. Pictures help trigger some memories, but it’s still foggy. I’m not a particularly spiritual person, so I never know if anyone is actually listening when I talk to them during times of trouble, loneliness, and pride—though I would like to believe they are. My dorm overlooks the State House, where my Nana used to work, and when the sun reflects off its gold dome, I like to think my Nana is smiling at me.

Don’t get me wrong, I love the rest of my family, and I’m more than grateful for their love and support, but I still feel a massive void in my life without my grandparents. Grief is never easy, and losing a grandparent—or all of them—is particularly difficult, especially when they played such important roles in your life. If you’re lucky enough to still have grandparents in your life, enjoy the little moments while you can.

But if you’re like me and no longer have these people with you, “hold onto the memories; they will hold onto you” (yes, another Taylor Swift reference, what can I say?). Write down everything you remember, look back on old pictures, reminisce and ask your relatives about them, or talk to them directly about your life. Just because they’re gone, doesn’t mean their memories are. YM

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woes of a chronic gift-giver WRITTEN BY KATE RISPOLI

PHOTOGRAPHED BY HAILEY KROLL

’ve been told for a long time by many different people that my love language must be gift-gifting. More often than not, the person making this observation is someone I’ve just given a gift to. Touched by the personal thought I’ve put into the gift, they assume I give gifts to others to show my love, though I would posit the opposite: I give gifts

gift increases feelings of satisfaction and helps to reinforce relationships.” Reading that statement, I realized I never had these feelings of satisfaction or relationship security after gift-giving. For me, it only allowed for temporary gratification and short-lived relief. Eventually, the cycle would repeat itself. By choosing not to address any problems— real or perceived—at their roots, they would keep popping up.

Gift-giving is nothing more than a temporary fix when it is used to mend cracks in a relationship’s foundation. Material items are not enough, especially in comparison to genuine effort and honest communication, to allow for relationship security. By realizing this, I found myself realizing that gift-giving is not my love language.

This isn’t to say that I have discovered my love language, nor am I looking into it at the moment. Regardless, it was important for me to discover what a love language was supposed to mean and how it was supposed to make one feel. Reading the psychology of love languages was a turning point: my security in my relationships was strengthened for only a moment before fading… I never felt better.

I needed to know that love languages are not only how you express your love to others; they include the act of loving yourself. There should be a mutual benefit from expressing this love. Gift-giving should be giving love to others and yourself—not simply giving all you have for the sake of security. YM

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to receive love.

My gift-giving is not rooted in love for others but rather insecurity. In the midst of my own anxieties about my relationships, I use gifts to avoid confronting any problems, real or perceived. When I felt like an outsider in my middle school friend group, I made one of the girls homemade cupcakes to win her over. When I felt my high school best friend was secretly mad at me, I’d put my card down for her late-night McDonald’s and refuse reimbursement. When I felt tension with my first-year roommate, I’d buy her the occasional crystal or astrology knick-knack.

While my actions may have been perceived as loving from the recipients, they certainly were not acts of love toward myself. I was sacrificing my own time and money to avoid the discomfort of confronting my own feelings or expressing myself in relationships that fueled anxious thoughts. Giving up material items initially felt easier than opening up, though the payoff did not last as long as I would have wanted.

In his research of the psychology behind the concept of love languages, Dr. Jeral Kirwan of University of Arizona says that “giving a

I NEEDED TO KNOW THAT LOVE LANGUAGES ARE NOT ONLY HOW YOU EXPRESS YOUR LOVE TO OTHERS; THEY INCLUDE THE ACT OF LOVING YOURSELF.

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Look At Me Now WRITTEN BY ASHLEY FERRER

PHOTOGRAPHED BY JESS FERGUSON

very couple of months or so, some sort of trend featuring users sporting their “glow-ups,” physical transformations into someone more conventionally attractive, resurfaces online. Dating back to 2014, during the peak of Vine, the emphasis society has placed on the visual and aesthetic of life is painfully evident.

At this very moment, #GlowUp on TikTok has accumulated over 46 billion views under its hashtag. These transformations glamorize users’ quick physical transformations to shock viewers into praising them for their achievement of fitting the beauty standard better, regardless of their methods of getting there.

Even YouTubers have hopped on this trend, participating in challenges such as the “24-hour glow-up challenge,” where individuals attempt to modify themselves into prettier people within a day’s time. The trend of breakup glow-up videos have also been popularized recently, despite the notion that most of the aspects being “improved upon” are as a result of unhealthy coping mechanisms such as rapid weight loss. Many call out its romanticization of eating disorders and its skewed message that one must again become more conventionally attractive after heartbreak to redeem themselves.

These trends target our insecurities and benefit from the misrepresentation in the media of what we should look like at a certain age.

Since social media has instilled a culture of consuming each other as content and limiting one another to mere physicalities, people participate in these challenges in hopes of having their appearance validated in ways they hadn’t before conforming to society’s ideals of attractiveness.

In fact, I can recall yearning to be seen as attractive in my predominately white town my entire adolescence. I would often resort to harmful measures like restricting my eating, just so I could achieve a drastic transformation right before events. Yet, it was the obvious shift of attention and quality treatment that further enabled my unhealthy behavior.

Inside, I still felt like that young, overweight girl with a tooth gap and overwhelming guilt for exploiting that part of my identity to make my current self more palatable.

Not only does this obsession with glow-up culture insinuate that one’s worth equals their perceived attractiveness, but it has completely erased the experience of being a tween.

With the access middle schoolers have to social media, they can see what teenagers are doing and emulate their behavior with ease.

They no longer suffer from the atrocious “awkward phases” we all remember, where we wholeheartedly expressed ourselves without any fear or self-awareness of how attractive we looked.

Nowadays, this line is completely blurred. Whereas we had this time to be lost, fashionably confused 12-year-olds, this new generation of tweens are now fully aware of how teenagers interact with the world, completely skipping this stage.

In fact, TikTok user @shamelesscloutchaser, known for conducting social experiments on the app, explained this phenomenon the clearest I’ve ever heard it.

“When you were 12 years old, you had no access to what 17-yearolds were doing...” he says. “But now, an 11-year-old can open up TikTok and see exactly what actual 17-year-olds are doing, what they’re wearing, how they’re talking, and it’s allowing them to adopt that culture faster than ever.”

Contributing very much to this issue is the inaccurate portrayal of tween and teenagers in Hollywood. From shows like Riverdale to Euphoria to movies like Sleepover and Perks of Being a Wallflower, our obsession with attractiveness has transpired in adult actors playing the roles of very sexualized adolescents. This misrepresentation creates a disconnect between what the persona of what this age group should look and act like and their actual stage of life.

It also gives younger children, especially young girls, the impression that being considered conventionally attractive enough to be sexualized is empowering. With these glow-up challenges, one can see young girls comparing what they perceive as their now desirable state to prepubescent images of themselves, claiming that as their rise of attractiveness.

Even among Generation Z, which is just a few years older than Gen Alphas, various users expedite this race to age these kids with phrases such as “I didn’t look like that when I was 12!” and more predatory comments like “Age check, please” circling TikTok. With all of these aspects of society serving the narrative that these kids are somewhat more grown simply because of the advanced presentation of their physical appearance causes us to forget just that: that they’re still children and should be treated as such. YM

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Love letter to poetic obsession,

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o matter how long I’ve been writing, a decade at least, I come I think the word ‘she’ in general is a big pronoun for me, just because back to the same poetic obsessions. I write about rain and women hold such an importance in my life,” Lewis says. growing older, the moon, wings, and freedom, or about nostalLewis considers the symbols they return to as rooted in aspects of their gia and rosebuds and running away. I used to hate it. There was no new life, especially issues of race or gender. Considering the evolution of inspiration. I couldn’t bring myself to put on a different voice or give poetic symbols, Lewis says, “I started writing pretty early, so I saw symmeaning to things I had no use for. Oftentimes, that meant I stopped bols… just literally for what they were. [Now,] I interpret the things I writing altogether. Writing about the same things over and over again see based on my own perspective, which is built up from my experimade me lose momentum, and convincing myself I had nothing worth ence.” writing about was far easier than doing it anyway.

Learning to accept the obsession their work creates, Lewis also At some point, I had to realize all the symbols I couldn’t get out notes the symbols they have resolved through their writing. of my head were there for a reason. I “I used to write heavily about the female took a poetry course in high school—a experience,” they say. “But I’ve kind of couple dozen teenagers in a room too moved away from that because I don’t Almost like a ghost who small—and the instructor told us to stop really identify as a female. It’s just growhaunts before finding avoiding our poetic obsessions. He said ing and discovering myself as a person; that whatever those things you always I have evolved from certain symbols.” peace, poetic symbols write about are, they are important.

In many ways, recurring symbols exist as manifestations The poetic symbols every writwork as means of personal exploration of the experiences, er has have meaning. For me, the rain and development through the act of reminds me of home and the moon of writing. Almost like a ghost who haunts relationships, or ideas we falling in love. My writing is littered with before finding peace, poetic symbols exwork through as childhood memories hidden in colorful ist as manifestations of the experiences, furniture and broken teacups, and my relationships, or ideas we work through writers. hopes and fears are caught in violet unas writers. Over time, those manifestacertainty. There is a lifetime of love and tions shift and evolve to represent the loss, growing older and forgetting behind every word I write. growth of a writer and eventually, if ever, are resolved. Instead of Recently, I’ve realized my symbols have changed. I still write fighting the repetition of certain symbols, accepting their appearance about the same things but in different ways and for different reasons. and understanding the meaning they hold personally and poetically is I’m seven states away from home, and each of my written souvenirs invaluable. say new things. Now, rain means missing the sound of it falling on anyI will probably continue to notice the same little things for the rest thing but concrete, sunlight is nostalgia, and the ocean reminds me of of my life—the moon on the horizon and wilted flowers, or people who my mother. My written symbols evolve as I do and reflect the changes look like old friends and the sadness of baby blue. I’ll still find colors in my life and my writing. for every thought and string them together with buttons, feathers, and Thinking about my own poetic obsessions, I wonder at those rosebuds. My writing will be decorated with the same ghosts I’ve alof the writers I love. I think about Pablo Neruda’s vibrant colors, his ways had, but maybe now I’ll stop pushing them away. No matter how flames and flowers; Dorianne Laux’s birds, blooms, and bittersweet many times I write about the same few things, there is something new sadness; or Audre Lorde’s urgent sunrises and houses built on silence to find and learn and love. There are different stories in the same few and survival; even Homer’s classic “rosy-fingered dawn”—countless words, and different ways to tell the same story. I’ve done it a million beginnings on an endless journey. I don’t believe any writer is truly free times, and I’m doing it right now. YM of their haunting obsessions. Any writer I’ve ever read has symbols of their own they can’t escape, becoming the objects and sentiments that exemplify their writing.

Author and poet Alex Lewis finds comfort in the symbols they WRITTEN BY GANDHARVIKA GOPAL can never escape in their writing. “I use the symbols of hands a lot…

sincere ly,

ART BY KATHERINE RISPOLI

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done with the jester’s abuse

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ason Korn, an Emerson freshman and aspiring musician, released his third single, “Jester,” on Feb. 24. Korn had previously released two songs, “Voices in My Head” and “Fairytales,” but “Jester” marks a new and exciting era for the musician. Korn says that “Jester” is a special song to him that speaks to his mental health and helped him get through his struggles. He says the release feels like a weight lifted off his chest. We talked about his writing process, and he told me how uses songwriting as a form of therapy to work through and understand his emotions and experiences. He emphasized the importance of writing from a place that feels genuine to him. Otherwise, “it doesn’t feel right to sing it.” He said, “every single song I’ve ever written is very personal in some way. And no matter if I cover it with metaphors…when I write a song, it’s basically like a diary entry.”

All musicians find inspiration in unique places, and Korn gets a lot of his inspiration from jazz musicians, especially Miles Davis, Luiz Bonfa, and Duke Ellington. He also draws inspiration from more modern musicians, including Rex Orange County, FINNEAS, Phoebe Bridgers, Frank Ocean, Jacob Collier, and Matilda Mann. In addition to creating music, Korn is almost always listening to music. He’s been listening to a lot of Grady, especially “The Love Umbrella.” Some of his other favorites are “Apricot Princess” and “Pony” by Rex Orange County. Korn’s own music falls into an indie pop category, with soft melodies and poetic lyrics. “Jester” is a slower and sadder song about dealing with one’s own mental health struggles.

Korn has been creating music for as long as he can remember, and his earliest memories of creating music involve using a wooden spoon to bang on a bunch of pots and pans. Music has always been a big part of his life, stemming back to his parents playing lullabies and singing to him as a child. Describing growing up in a musical Latino family, Korn said, “There’s always some kind of dancing…We just love moving.” He also told me, “When I listen to music, it just feels like home.”

Last fall, Korn moved from California to Boston to begin his first year at Emerson. His inspiration for writing and creativity has grown since his move because new experiences are so important for his writing process. He has also enjoyed the new connections he has made with performers and musicians in a community that values creativity and 56 | ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

WRITTEN BY KATHERINE ASSELIN PHOTOGRAPHED BY EITAN EHRLICH

creation so much. Unlike many of his peers, he hasn’t felt homesick since moving across the country: “I was just writing a lot of music.

Because it’s the only thing that I knew.”

Since moving, Korn has missed being able to share his music directly with his family. He particularly misses the brutally honest critiques his uncle offers. On the other hand, he has gained a network of friends and peers with whom he can work and bounce ideas off.

“Obviously I’m trying to better my own songwriting, and people are trying to help as much as they can…Like, it’s just a great place to keep growing as an artist because everybody is so supportive.” Korn also described his new favorite place to write: the dock in the Public Garden.

“I would sit there for hours. And I just cranked out two or three songs just chilling there,” he said.

Getting into the mindset for writing a song may seem like a challenge, but it comes naturally for Korn. He explained, “I never know I want to write a song until it already starts happening. Because obviously, it comes from a very real place. And songwriting for me helps me through a lot. So usually, when I’m like, battling a lot of turmoil… lyrics just start popping in my head.”

As a Musical Theatre major at Emerson, Korn has been learning music theory. He feels that it has opened his eyes to understanding the methods of creating melodies, which his mind does automatically. The multitalented musician told me that he plays three instruments well, those being piano, guitar, and ukulele, but he has some knowledge of a number of other instruments. He is hoping to purchase a trumpet soon and teach himself to play that as well.

“Jester” was Korn’s first release in over six months, and there are many new opportunities on the horizon during this exciting time in his career. In the last two semesters alone, he has been featured in several Emerson-based podcasts and magazines. Korn feels that he has grown so much from “Jester,” and he is very grateful for where the new song has put him in his life. When we discussed his future in music, he revealed that he plans to spend his spring break in a studio recording the rest of his upcoming album. Hopefully, the next single off of that album will be released at the end of March or beginning of April.

His debut album’s title is still in the works, but for now, he is leaning toward “Plans For Us,” and the last single he releases before the album drop will have the same name. He described this as a concept album based on the five stages of grief. Many of the songs on the album are about the relationships and experiences that Korn used songwriting to understand and move on from. Up until this point in his music career, he has focused on writing songs as individual experiences instead of a bigger picture, so he is exploring new methods of writing and creating with his upcoming album.

You can find Jason on all streaming platforms at “Jason Korn,” as well as on Instagram and TikTok @Jason_Korn1204. YM

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AN ODE TO ALL THE THINGS I’VE LOVED TO DEATH WRITTEN BY CLAIRE FAIRTLOUGH

ART BY REB CZUKOSKI

hen I was in kindergarten, I had a pet snake—it wasn’t really a snake, it was made out of wood. But it was real to me. My snake was always with me, and I named her ‘Shaky.’ This very original name was coined from how often I would shake her, back and forth, over and over again. When I was doing homework, shake. When I was eating dinner, shake. Until one day, she

Of course, this isn’t all bad. Technology and social media have allowed us to reach people that we never would’ve reached before. People make careers out of the content they consume. Friendships can form across continents. This is a beautiful thing.

But every time I catch myself scrolling too long on TikTok, I remember the times that I spent holled up in my room reading Harry Potter. I’m transported back to the bands that I would make fan pages for until I didn’t care about them anymore. This was a natural phase of growing up: finding what I’m interested in and trying to navigate what was worth sticking to.

However, I was able to figure this out before I had any show I wanted to watch at my fingertips. Before I could look up anyone and connect with them with a flick of my finger. I grew up while the internet was changing into the beast that it is today.

What we fixate on aren’t our personalities. They are important to us, but they’re not who we are. This has taken me a while to reconcile with, since I’ve based so much of who I am with what I love, what I’m passionate about. I know I’m not alone in this. We live in a hyper-consumerist culture that rewards it when we move on to the next thing.

It’s time that we sit with ourselves and ask what’s beyond our media addiction and attention economy. What do we love, and how can we stick with it? It’s time for us to sit with ourselves, examine ourselves, and just slow down. YM

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snapped in half.

That was the first time I became aware of death. It may seem silly, but my favorite toy died that day. We tried to glue it back together, but it wasn’t the same. Shaky would never shake the same way again.

It was embarrassing to admit how close I was to this snake, so I didn’t let anyone know how upset I was at losing her. Instead, I moved to the next toy, the next show, the next book that would satisfy the urge that I would have to focus on something.

In our social media-obsessed society, our focus has been diminished severely. The instant gratification of social media rewards quick content that’s easily consumable. Every video, every photo that we scroll past, scratches our brains in the same way that my wooden snake did. It becomes our comfort, something that we have to have with us always. Something that makes every social interaction safer, every uncomfortable moment easier. It’s easier to escape in a world that we’ve curated for ourselves.

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F

or as long as humans have been having sex, they’ve been making art to reflect it. From nude paintings to phallic sculptures to smutty fanfiction, erotica

has been produced in many different iterations and mediums for centuries. One of poet and scholar Audre Lorde’s more recognizable essays, “The Uses of the Erotic: The Erotic as Power,” defines the erotic as “an internal sense of satisfaction to which, once we have experienced it, we know we can aspire.” Erotica, then, can be understood as the way humans transform those intense feelings of (mainly sexual) pleasure into art and literature. It’s often made with the purpose to arouse the viewer, but sometimes it’s to just share the creator’s own sexual experiences and thoughts.

Our modern understandings of erotica are influenced by our tech-driven world. The most recognizable medium today is video pornography, which is accessed online through websites like PornHub and Bellesa. It’s often used as a tool to stimulate viewers— usually physically rather than aesthetically or emotionally. Wattpad, Literotica, and other online platforms are another way erotica is shared, this time through writing and fiction. Explicit magazines like Playboy are also popular and accessible.

But before the introduction of the internet and the commercialization of porn, many cultures from all different eras and countries were creating erotic art for viewers to enjoy.

Jumping all the way back to prehistoric times, archaeologists have found engravings of vulvas and penises on cave walls. In a cave in Abri Castanet, a site in the southern region of France, the engravings are located about the space where inhabitants would gather to eat and sleep, situating the art as a public mode of sexual observation. Grecian vases and cups have been discovered depicting figures in all kinds of sexual acts. Some of them were more humorous while others portrayed more serious, suggestive scenarios. These explicit images are similar to the NSFW art many continue to create and share today for erotic inspiration and arousal. Drawings of fictional characters in sexual situations are often shared among fanbases on websites like Tumblr.

Japanese shunga, a specific style of erotica artwork, was popular from the 17th to mid-19th century. It often highlighted exaggerated depictions of genitalia and faces exuding orgasmatic bliss. The images were often made

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ART BY FRANCESCA POLISTINA

as woodblock prints and illustrated everything from mastubation to tentacle sex. They also weren’t limited to heterosexual intercourse and focused on feminine pleasure.

Shunga was a mainstream genre that was not considered obscene, but rather used as a tool to educate and celebrate sexual engagment. Young brides often received shunga before marrying for instruction and arousal. Now, sharing sexual “manuals” is even more common. Magazines like Cosmopolitan are known for publishing articles with various sex positions to experiment with. These are often accompanied by diagram-like images and detailed instructions.

Even in more sexually conservative periods and cultures, erotica still slipped through. During the Italian Renaissance I Modi (The Ways) was published. It showcased prints and later accompanying poetry that portrayed sixteen couples in various sexual positions. I Modi was mass produced for a large audience, breaking from the traditional stance that erotic works were reserved for the wealthy. This step towards increased accessibility helped bring us to where we are today, with erotica being available for free on online platforms.

Even during the Victorian era, a time when many European cultures were discouraged from even mentioning sex, people continued to produce erotica. During the 19th century, Hollywell Street in London became an epicenter for selling erotic novels and pornographic prints.

Erotica has always, and continues to, serve as an outlet for sexual desire in cultures where the subject is more tabboo.

Despite its many different forms, erotica has been produced for nearly all of traceable human existence. A lot of its current criticism, particularly of that concerning porn, is based in concerns about exposure. Indeed, erotica shared online is much more easy for children and minors to access. There’s also the issue of desensitization; many worry that overconsumption of erotic materials will cause people to become disinterested in real sexual encounters or experience them with less feeling. While those are all valid concerns, it’s important to remember that erotica provides a number of benefits. It can be a safe and approacable tool for sex education (like with shunga) and gives people creative ways to express their feelings of sexual joy and desire. Erotica will likely stick around for as long as humans have sex, so learning to engage with it in a responsible way is beneficial for all. YM

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Free Art: Tickets Start at $70 WRITTEN BY AMANDA HAMPTON

ART BY REB CZUKOSKI

he Art of Banksy exhibit displays the following quote from the infamous street artist on one wall: “Art should comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable.” With ticket prices starting at $40 and skyrocketing to $70 on weekends, the latter half of this equation is certainly the target audience of the exhibit, which opened in Boston on February 17, 2022. Walking through the gallery space in Harvard Square, patrons are unlikely to feel uncomfortable in the way Banksy intended: the only disturbing thing about this exhibit is its blatant perversion of the anti-capitalist messages behind Banksy’s art.

The exhibit proudly declares itself to be “the world’s largest collection of privately owned Banksy art,” according to its website, which is quick to proclaim the price tag attached to such a collection: $35 million. It has traveled to a number of major cities around the world, and includes such prominent works as “Girl and Balloon,” “Flower Thrower,” and “Rude Copper,” along with some of Banksy’s lesser-known indoor pieces, jammed together in a moody, dimly-late maze of gallery rooms.

Banksy became active in the 1990s, and has maintained his anonymity ever since; this mystique, combined with the political and social commentary that accompanies his art—mainly works of street graffiti, his works have expanded to include re-worked paintings, screen-prints, performance exhibitions, films, and even a theme park—have made him a mainstay in both the art world and the public consciousness. Much of his body of work deals with critiquing capitalism and consumerism, with titles like “Barcodes,” “Cash Machine Girl,” “Morons,” and “Sorry the Lifestyle You Ordered is Currently Out of Stock” among them. The latter two examples deal directly with the commodification of art and the shallow nature of the market surrounding it. In 2018, he made headlines after shredding one of his most recognizable works, “Girl and Balloon,” just after it had sold at auction for $1.4 million.

It’s jarring to see the work of an artist known for his guerrilla installations and anti-establishment tendencies displayed in a gallery, particularly without the endorsement of the artist in question. A message posted to Banksy-affiliated website Pest Control states, “Banksy has NOTHING to do with any of the current or recent exhibitions and they are nothing like a genuine Banksy show. They might be crap so please don’t come to us for a refund.”

Several other Boston exhibits featuring famous artists, including Frida Kahlo and Vincent Van Gogh, have garnered criticism for charging ticket prices that are often double the price of admission into the museum where they’re displayed for mere reproductions of the artists’ works. The Banksy exhibit faces the opposite problem: it displays genuine Banksy artwork, sourced from private collectors, without the consent of the living artist. Banksy’s ethos, which endorses free, public art and rejects capitalist excess, seems entirely at odds with a show that profits from his work without his blessing.

In a 2016 interview, the show’s original organizer, Banksy’s former agent Steve Lazarides, admitted of the show that Banksy “probably f*cking hates it.”

This notion was cemented with a statement released by Banksy’s management company, in which they announced that legal action was being taken against the exhibition’s organizers, who they say “abuse Banksy’s name for their own financial greed.”

One would be remiss to ignore the fact that Banksy himself is not immune to the lure of capitalism in the art world: the ruined “Girl and Balloon,” re-christened “Love in the Bin,” sold at auction for $25.4 million in 2021. While Banksy donates much of his proceeds to various philanthropic causes, there can be no question that he benefits from the sale of his work. It could certainly be argued that capitalism, in its most deceptive form, sells itself convincingly as anti-capitalism.

And it’s also true that the Art of Banksy exhibit allows the public to view works that would otherwise be sequestered in warehouses or private collections.

However, the issue of accessibility is most telling when comparing the exhibit to those that can be attributed directly to Banksy. His own exhibits have been free, meant to be stumbled upon in the street, or in the case of installations such as “Dismaland,” requiring an entry fee of a few dollars. In a final ham-fisted twist of irony, Boston’s Art of Banksy exhibit concludes by depositing viewers in the museum gift shop. Likely a nod to Banksy’s 2010 documentary “Exit Through the Gift Shop,” a manifesto for the artist’s anti-consumerist art philosophy, this final stop on the unauthorized Banksy tour makes the exhibit’s ultimate goal entirely unambiguous: not celebration, but commodification. YM

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Y.MP3 Songs From the Backseat of Your Parents’ Car Jessie’s Girl — Rick Springfield Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me — Elton John Xanadu — Olivia Newton-John You Make My Dreams (Come True) — Daryl Hall & John Oates You Can’t Hurry Love — The Supremes Happy Together — The Turtles Take on Me — a-ha Rio — Duran Duran Video Killed The Radio Star — The Buggles Walking on Sunshine — Katrina & The Waves Fox on the Run — Sweet Don’t Bring Me Down — Electric Light Orchestra Freedom — George Michael How Bizarre — OMC Fantasy — Mariah Carey Bye Bye Bye — N’Sync River —Joni Mitchell Roam — The B-52’s Every Breath You Take — The Police Tom’s Diner — Suzanne Vega

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paying homage to the classic hits that are our parents’ favorites

Papa Don’t Preach — Madonna Your Song — Elton John Changes — David Bowie Bohemian Rhapsody — Queen Born to Run — Bruce Springsteen Only the Good Die Young — Billy Joel Centerfold — The J. Geils Band Kiss — Prince Jack & Diane — John Mellencamp Your Smiling Face — James Taylor You Oughta Know — Alanis Morissette Don’t Know Why — Norah Jones Last Kiss — Pearl Jam Paper Bag — Fiona Apple Learn to Fly — Foo Fighters Tighten Up — The Black Keys Helplessness Blues — Fleet Foxes Do You Realize?? — The Flaming Lips Weird Fishes/ Arpeggi — Radiohead

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FResh Start FResh Start FResh Start YM ADVISES: FResh Start FResh Start FResh Start GUIDE FResh Start FResh Start FResh Start FResh StTO art FResh Start FReA sh Start FResh Start FResh Start FResh Start FRe h Start FResh Start FResh Start F sR R E FResh Start FRe sh Start FReTsh A Start SH S FResh Start FResh Start FResh Start FResh Start FResh Start FResh Start FResh Start FResh Start FResh Start FResh Start FResh Start FResh Start

Fear not, friends, the end of the term is near! I try to practice staying in the moment each day, however difficult it might be. For me, this means relishing the moments of joy throughout the day. When I laugh out loud in class or feel loved by my friends, I remind myself to hold on to those feelings and let them carry me through the busy, exhausting days. — Isa Luzarraga, Assistant Head Designer

I place a great amount of my happiness on the weather and daylight, so if you’re anything like me, you’re in luck! The weather is getting warmer, it’s staying light past 4 p.m., and I’m only wearing a light jacket to walk to class. Take advantage of this as often as you can. When I find myself in need of a recharge or when I’m lacking motivation, I’ll go for a walk through the Garden or to another scenic spot, and it grounds me and gives me that boost I need to get through my slumps. — Jess Ferguson, Head Copy Chief

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Start FResh Start Start FResh Start Start FResh Start Start FResh Start Start FResh Start Start FResh Start Start FResh Start Start FResh Start Start FResh Start Start FResh Start Start FResh Start I’ve been trying to look at where I’m at right now through the eyes of my future self. What would she want me to be doing right now when she looks back? Won’t she be romanticizing the last March 11 homework assignment I’ll ever have, or the nights I spend watching stupid movies in relative silence with my roommates, so shouldn’t I be doing that too?

It helps to think about approaching life in a way that would make the me of six months from now proud. — Amanda Hampton, Editor-in-Chief I try to balance my school and social life as much as I can. It’s easy to throw yourself into one or the other, but striking that balance takes effort. I like to set aside time in my weekly schedule to allow myself playtime with my friends, as well as time to study and get work done. Study blocking really helps my time management, and I can see how much time I’m devoting to certain activities. — Alea Adrian, Head Designer

Trust me, I’ve been through quite a lot these past two semesters, so I’m extremely ready for it to be over and summer to be here. It’s tough, but the main things getting me through are routine and relishing in the little things. Having a set schedule helps keep me busy, distracted, and gives me a reason to get up in the morning. My advice is to not only schedule work, try to also add in set times for yourself to decompress. One of my favorite parts of my routine is doing my skincare because it’s a constant every morning and night for me to take a second for myself, breathe, and moisturize my very dry skin from the winter weather. Enjoying those little moments makes the routine and entire day so much better.

— Hailey Kroll, Assistant Head Designer

When I used to run cross country, my favorite motto was always, “the faster you run, the faster you’re done.” Summer is just around the corner, and there are many great adventures awaiting us. As we approach the final stretch, my advice is to look forward to what is ahead. This might just be the futurist side of me talking, but pushing through and doing all the hard work now will be so rewarding. Just think of the trips you might take, the new clothes you’re going to wear, the reunions with all of your friends, or even the fun days in the sun. With finishing the semester strong and avoiding that end-of-year slump, a well-deserved break is in everyone’s future. — Lily Brown, Assistant Creative Director Something that many of us, including myself, forget is that each day is filled with little accomplishments, little victories, little moments to be cherished and enjoyed. I try to look at all of the things I do not have on my plate before making a monster out of what I do have; after that, I move forward and cross out all that I get done with a song I love, more time with friends, or an activity I enjoy. It is hard to remember that each day is only 24 hours, and if we remind ourselves of that, it is easier to look at all of the positive things we have accomplished on a moment-to-moment basis. Pat yourself on the back for getting out of bed! Give yourself chocolate for writing that essay! Go to bed early after emailing that professor! Be proud, and keep moving forward. — Griffin Willner, Assistant Head Proofreader

Since it’s my last semester ever, I know that the spring term is always the most difficult to get through. It’s still frigid outside, I usually feel burnt out, and summer plans tease my imagination. But it’s important to focus, especially now that there’s a degree at the end of the tunnel. I make sure to reorganize myself, eat and sleep well, and take a walk on those glorious but rare sunny days. I often feel overwhelmed, but it’s also important to prioritize spending time with friends whenever possible, since we’ll all go our separate ways come May. Relishing in the good stuff while finding balance with self-care and professional goals is the only way to do it. — Olivia Cigliano, Style Editor

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YM2K:

Ym SENIORS

PHOTOGRAPHED BY LILY BROWN SELF STYLED

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TALIA SMITH

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AMANDA HAMPTON

ALEA ADRIAN

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JESS FERGUSON

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NATASHA ARNOWITZ

OLIVIA CIGLIANO

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JULIA MALLON

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ARTIST STATEMENT 76 | YOURMAG

JESSIE

V I R T U E

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Describe your work in one sentence.

I design fun, crazy nails for every occasion.

How and when did you get into painting your nails?

I remember when I was little I used to love getting my nails painted. I always wanted to do it myself, so I started doing my own nails. I would always be able to do my left hand, but I could never do my right hand since I’m right-handed. I often just had one hand painted or asked someone else to paint the other one for me.

What is one of your favorite sets you’ve made? What makes it special to you?

I did these space-themed nails one time, and I was obsessed with those. I also love doing cow and cheetah print nails. Nail art is special to me because I get to try anything I want. I like to do a lot of tiny surfaces, so it’s kind of a fun challenge too. I feel like it’s something that can go unnoticed, but when someone notices my nails, they get all excited. It makes me excited, too. Everyone at Emerson has really seemed to like them a lot, which is very sweet.

What inspires you?

A lot of times, I paint my nails for special occasions or holidays.

That usually sparks my inspiration. I love a good theme or festivity.

Why nail art?

Sometimes doing bigger art projects stresses me out a little bit, and I feel like doing nails was always very low-stakes. Plus, I like to wear a lot of rings, so having fun nails is a nice pairing with that.

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Who are some of your favorite creators/artists?

I honestly don’t follow too many nail artists or anything very closely. I get a lot of inspiration from Pinterest. There is one creator who uses the handle @thehangededit. They are someone who I really like to watch because they have so many great designs.

What advice would you give other/ new creators?

My advice is that it’s a lot easier than it looks. I always go into a crazy design thinking it will be super hard, but it always works out. And if you mess up, there are literally no consequences. You can easily take it off or redo it. Have fun, and just go for it.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

I actually just changed my major to Comedic Arts this semester.

I have been writing sketches and doing stand-ups. I love doing it all! So hopefully in 10 years, I will be in the comedy universe somewhere. I would kill to be a writer on an adult animation show, a showrunner for a sitcom, or doing stand-up potentially.

Things are a little broad for me at the moment, but I know wherever I am and whatever I’m doing, I will be fully equipped with some fun painted nails.

Where can readers see more of your work?

My Instagram is @jessmv2, and my nail Instagram is @ jessievirtuenails. I don’t really have a system in place for appointments or anything because I have never really done other people’s nails professionally. If this article sees the right people, maybe I will!

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YOURTHINGS WITH Alea Adrian

Cupcake jewelry holder I made this in highschool at a local pottery paint bar with my mom—a place we’ve gone to annually since my childhood. It sits on my window sill and holds my earrings. It’s sentimental because I made it with my mom, and I love picking out my earrings to go with my outfit in the mornings.

Blue horseshoe ring I got this at a rodeo in Wyoming with my brother’s girlfriend. We sat at the shop for 30 minutes trying on all of the rings. I decided on this horseshoe ring because it reminds me of my horse girl roots, and horseshoes are supposed to be used for good luck! The blue in it brings a pop of color to my go-to all-black outfits, and it’s fun when people ask me about it.

Daily planner This is how I plan my life. I love to organize and plan my days to a T, and this custom little planner from Papier is aesthetic and functional. It calms me down to see everything I need to do in the day and helps me keep track of all my assignments and deadlines.

Black corduroy tote bag I carry this tote bag with me everywhere—it’s become a comfort item for me. It’s the perfect size with the right amount of pockets, and despite having it for a couple of years, it’s held up in great shape.

Glossier Balm Dotcom I cannot go two hours without applying this. I’ve heard that applying lip balm decreases your lip’s natural ability to produce moisture, but I love the way it smells and feels. I’ve gone through all of the scents, and right now I’m on the “Rose Balm Dotcom.”

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YOURTHINGS

WITH Amanda Hampton

Grandma’s thumbprint necklace I used to have a few pieces of jewelry I never took off, but because of the wear and tear of daily life, this necklace is the only one that’s still intact. I’ve worn it almost every day since the beginning of 2020. I only wear silver jewelry, it goes with everything, and it’s a nice reminder of my grandmother (her thumbprint, her name, and her birthday are engraved on the back), so I plan to wear it until it disintegrates.

1920s highboy dresser I love dark wood and hefty Gothic pieces, and I really despise minimalism. And I have waaaay too many clothes.

So, this dresser is my pride and joy, and I kind of never want to leave Boston just so I can keep it forever. I got it from Facebook Marketplace from a really sweet couple that I paid to load it into my mom’s minivan and carry it up my stairs. It has my whole life inside of it, and I think is what I would look like as a piece of furniture.

Phlur perfume I’ve been wearing this perfume, Siano by Phlur, since my senior year of high school. It’s warm, spicy, and a little earthy, and it lasts forever. I love that it’s very distinctly mine and that my friends can tell when I walk into a room.

Also, the brand is cruelty-free and focused on sustainability, and I’d highly recommend checking them out.

Juicy Couture coin purse I got this baby from Depop at the beginning of the semester when I finally decided to stop carrying all my important things around in a wallet with a broken zipper. I have also managed not to lose my Charlie Card or Emerson ID this semester (knock on wood), so I’m thinking it’s good luck. I’ve since decided this is my year of Juicy and have bought 2000s-era Juicy tracksuits as well. More to come, I hope.

Diet Coke My things would not be complete without it. I am, simply, an addict. Working in the food service industry when I was 19 has ruined me, and now I can hardly go a day without cracking open a Diet Coke. I’m mildly embarrassed, but there are worse things I could do.

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YOURTHINGS WITH Jess Ferguson

Gold chunky hoops Despite my sprawling earring collection, most days I find myself wearing chunky gold hoops. I have yet to find a look they don’t look good with. I’m definitely a gold jewelry proponent, so they always match perfectly with my stack of rings, nose piercing, and necklaces. From sweatshirts to dresses, these hoops never fail to pull my look together and make every look more intentional. I’ve had a few different pairs over the years, but most recently mine are from Etsy.

Black turtleneck Black turtlenecks make up about 75% of my daily outfits. Like the hoops, they’re the most versatile piece I own: I wear them under dresses in the fall, with slacks at work, under T-shirts and sweaters for a layered look, with jeans to class—the possibilities are endless. They make me feel my most confident self ! I have several, including one from Forever 21 in 2016, one from Everlane, one from Savers, and one from Target because you can never have too many.

Engraved necklace My Nana died in the spring of 2019, which was difficult for me and my family because we were so close and it was my first major loss. My mom, sister, aunt, and I all have engraved necklaces with her handwriting so I can keep her close to me even when she’s not there. Because of this, I’d like to think that she’s keeping an eye on me even when I can’t actually be with her.

Glossier “You” perfume I only recently got this perfume last Christmas when I decided it was time for a more mature scent (sorry, Ariana Grande), but I’ve worn it every day since. The aroma lasts all day, and I love how unique and natural it is; it’s called “You” because it’s supposed to be a “second skin” scent that adapts to your skin’s chemistry. It’s safe to say this will be my signature scent until further notice.

Hydro Flask water bottle I got my Hydro Flask, my emotional support water bottle, the summer before my first year at Emerson, so it’s really been through every college milestone with me: freshman orientation, the time I got stuck in a Little Building elevator with 18 other people, getting sent home because of a pandemic, the aftermath of my first Tam night. As silly as it sounds, it’s really been one of few constants in my life over the past few years, and I proudly lug all 32 ounces of its glory wherever I go. It recently sustained another blunt force trauma on Boylston Street, so I reluctantly bought another one as a backup, but until it kicks the bucket, it’s me and her against the world.

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YOURTHINGS WITH Julia Mallon

Prada sunglasses Sunglasses are the most underrated accessory. Over the past year, and since working at a Sunglass Hut, I was able to build a great collection of shades. These Pradas are my absolute favorite pair. The brown tortoise goes with every outfit, and it was also the first designer purchase I’ve ever made, so they hold a special place in my heart.

Apple Watch My grandma and I got our Apple Watches together, and although she can barely work hers, I don’t think I’ve gone a day without wearing mine, even if it’s for a few hours. Something about it is just so comforting, and my wrist feels naked without it.

Passport I’m very thankful to have parents who introduced me to traveling at a young age and have taken me to other countries. Traveling is one of my biggest passions, and I’m hoping to have travel coexist with my journalism career after graduation.

Iced coffee (in a Mason jar) Calculating how much money I spent on Starbucks, Dunkin’, and other coffee shops in a year was actually terrifying. Now, every morning at home, I pour myself a cup of coffee, with my favorite creamer, into a little Mason jar with precisely three ice cubes.

Emerson Athletics parka You will rarely catch me wearing a cute coat during the winter months because the Athletics’ parkas are simply the best. Sports played a huge role in shaping my college experience, and getting this coat meant that another season was starting. I can’t imagine what my time at Emerson would have been like without the teammates, friends, and roommates I met through sports.

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YOURTHINGS WITH Olivia Cigliano

Minolta 35mm film camera I bought my vintage Minolta Freedom Zoom 125 off Depop back in winter of 2020, just before the pandemic hit.

It came along with me on my last normal spring break trip (my sophomore year) to Washington, D.C. and quickly became my bestie during lockdown, my dog Nala as my model and muse. Ever since, I try not to leave the house without it. I’ve always loved photography as a creative outlet and a way of documenting memories, so in college it became a hobby to snap film photographs on long walks around the city, of my beautiful friends, or in quiet moments of inspiration.

Black sunglasses Sunglasses are my kryptonite, and there’s nothing like a pair of pitch black shades—or three. I have them in every shape that looks good on my head, whether vintage or from Target. Black is chic and goes with everything; plus it blocks out the haters.

Telfar Small Black Shopping Bag I manifested this purchase, I promise. I’ve been following Telfar Clemens and his brand for years now and decided he would be my very first real designer bag. Over the course of 2021, I spent several early mornings trying to order one during the brand’s infamous drops (in any color, I didn’t care), but it repeatedly sold out while it was in my cart. But I always wanted the small black shopping bag, so I gave it one more try, and finally, on a fateful morning in June, the order went through. It was the same rush I felt when I snagged One Direction tickets in 2014, the tour that happened to be the last with Zayn. Despite my large purse collection, this special bag is easily my go-to.

Green Moleskine journal This holds all the secrets to my universe. I’ve regularly journaled since I was 17, and I’m now on my fourth notebook. It’s my diary, sketchpad, and therapist, scattered with to-do lists, amateur poetry, and ugly brain-dumps. I think everyone should journal because it’s a way of documenting your thoughts and experiences at a given age. As a writer, it grants me the privacy to exercise my pen.

Black Nirvana perfume Elizabeth and James Black Nirvana perfume has been my signature scent since I was 16—I remember saving up $30 in high school to buy the rollerball at Sephora. It’s a heavenly aroma of violet, sandalwood, and vanilla that I constantly receive compliments on from friends and lovers alike. It’s from the Olsen twins’ accessories brand, which, to my heartbreak, discontinued its fragrance line. If that weren’t the case, I probably would gatekeep this gem. I scour the internet for stray rollerballs now.

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YOURTHINGS WITH Natasha Arnowitz

Sunflower crochet bag: My friend Sophie made this for my 21st birthday, and I’ve used it everyday since. She is so talented at crocheting, and I am so honored to have one of her beautiful creations!

My rings: My garnet ring was a present from my dad for my 16th birthday. It has both gold and silver, and a smooth, very dark toned garnet. The gold ring with a tiny diamond, ruby, and emerald is a “sister ring,” because my mom and my aunt each have one, and it contains both their birthstones. I never take my rings off.

Rainbow sprinkle doughnuts: This past year, doughnuts became my favorite food group, specifically rainbow sprinkled raised ones. My friend Zoe and I order them every week, as they are a necessity to life.

Chai latte: I MISS TATTE. I’m in LA, and no chai has even come close to Tatte’s. It’s not okay. Evil, dare I say. #BringTattetoLAParty Yarn: I really enjoy knitting, specifically socks. Watching TV and knitting is the most relaxing hobby; I highly recommend it.

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YOURTHINGS WITH Talia Smith

Gold Pulsar watch I got this on Etsy from a shop I definitely forgot the name of, but I do remember how excited I was when it came in the mail and wasn’t as scratched up as I thought it would be. It doesn’t actually work and therefore doesn’t do the one thing a watch is supposed to do—tell time—but it does go with almost all of my outfits.

My lovely cat, Suki It feels a little weird to consider Suki one of my “things,” but I do always refer to her as “my everything,” so this list would feel incomplete without her little smiling face here with me. She’s just about to turn 2 years old, so this is essentially a birthday shoutout for her. Love you, queen.

An old and very incorrect world map This (besides Suki) is my “one thing I’d save in a house fire” if I had the chance to. I was gifted this gorgeous map by my late cousin, Sammy, for high school graduation in 2018. It has since followed me through four household moves and perfectly ties together my room decor every. single. time.

Gold chain silk bandana Thanks to constant hair crisis, I’ve found myself more drawn to hats, bandanas, scarves, balaclavas, and everything in between. This bandana has become a staple for my style this past year, namely because it matches my favorite bulky-chained loafers (and my gold Pulsar watch).

Point and shoot film camera A lovely 22nd birthday gift from my parents, this camera comes with me to almost every party or gathering and has frozen some of my favorite memories from this year of my life. Yes, photo film is dying and expensive. Still kinda fun to be blinded with a surprise flash every now and then though, right?

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YOURTHINGS WITH Reb Czukoski

Dylan the guitar I love making music, and even though I’m no professional, singing and playing my guitar is a huge stress reliever for me and a fun lil’ hobby. I can’t recall how long ago I got Dylan, but I remember being so excited at Guitar Center with my dad, looking at all the instruments and respectively strumming away on different guitars to pick the best one. It was a super fun day, and Dylan gets much love from me during my downtime.

Noise-canceling headphones I don’t really have meaningful attachments to random items in a sentimental way, so most of my favorite things are practical and used in my everyday life, like my headphones. These headphones were a gift and make listening to music so much more enjoyable because they’re noise-canceling, and they also come in handy when I want to tune out the noises of walking through the city. I take these with me everywhere.

Softball mitt I play for Emerson’s softball team, and this school not being sports-oriented makes it obvious I really really love the game. I use my catcher’s mitt all the time, but I chose my glove over my bat because I thought it was funny that throughout my years of playing, this has been my third mitt of the same brand and my second of the same model.

Akadema, please sponsor me.

Sunny and Cher Although the dogs at my parents’ house aren’t just “things,” I love them so much, and they are one of my favorite parts about going home. It hasn’t even been a year since we’ve had them both, but they’re the second and third shih tzus in our family, officially making our household the crazy shih tzu home. We got Sunny with her name already set, so naturally when we got an unnamed pup, we had to go with Cher.

Drawing Tablet Pen Unsurprisingly, one of my most-used items is my drawing tablet and pen. Since I do animation and digital illustrations, any time I’m in the middle of work, that probably means carving out a dent in my couch from sitting in the same spot and using my pen and tablet. My art technology is super important to me because it makes doing work in my career and field so much more efficient.

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