Your Magazine Emerson Vol 3 Issue 7: March 2014

MARCH 2014

VOLUME 3 ISSUE 7

LIA CIRIO:

She’s en pointe to find her own identity as a ballerina

LOVE BEYOND BOYLSTON

Find your sweetheart off campus

A NIGHT IN ROXBURY

The morning after never looked so good

DINE OUT, EMERSON Is butter a carb?

STAFF PICKS: TV SHOWS Add these staff favorites to your Netflix queue for spring break It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Where else can you get kitten mittens, musicals, and Danny Devito all in one place?

KATHLEEN COLLINS Photo Director

True Detective is gorgeous, psychological, and utterly frightening show. And Matthew McConaughey’s biceps don’t hurt either.

CLAUDIA MAK Editor-in-Chief

The fashion, the music, the mentality is all so ‘90s and so irresistible. It’s also the only time you can see Calista Flockhart, Portia de Rossi, Robert Downey Jr., Hayden Panettiere, Jon Bon Jovi, and Taye Diggs on the same screen.

ANDREA PALAGI Style Editor

There are many reasons my recent binge-watching of Game of Thrones has been validated. This show offers great sex, graphic violence, episode endings that force you to find out what happens next, and of course, my future husband Jon Snow.

PEYTON DIX Head Stylist

My favorite show right now is Downton Abbey. I love period films and TV shows. This one has so much elegance and of course Maggie Smith is a goddess. And of course it’s full of romance!

CHELSEA TREMBLAY Romance Editor

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR God, I hate March. Honestly. Spring is my least favorite season and March in Boston is just a prolonged winter. I keep fantasizing about warmer times, but then I am reminded that the summer in Boston is awfully hot. So between blazing hot and freezing cold, I have come to the conclusion that there is no happy medium in this city! Whatever, at least March in Boston is a great excuse to keep wearing cute boots and jackets.

Plus I am looking forward to celebrating my partially Irish heritage for St. Patrick’s Day. I hope that, like in my hometown of Chicago, everyone will pretend they are Irish on St. Patrick’s Day regardless of heritage. Also, that everyone will drink in excess and dance in the streets like crazy. This month we have an exciting editorial for all you party animals, a real life scavenger hunt that you can take part in, and a look at if chivalry is dead. So amidst all this icy rain and drunken Irish celebration, I hope this issue of Your Mag keeps you company.

CLAUDIA MAK Editor-in-Chief

March is quite the month. On one hand, it’s dragging winter on like that annoying girl who never realizes when it’s past the time to leave the party. We’re over trudging through the snow that ruins our shoes, having melting ice water drip off of buildings onto our heads, and not being able to remember what sunlight feels like.

But on the other end of the spectrum, we get our Spring Break. We’ve grown comfortable enough with our semester schedules as to know when to be a little late to class so we can sleep in a few extra minutes. And the precious, rare days when the temperature goes above forty degrees remind us that summer is just a few weeks. We at Your Mag believe that just because the weather’s a bummer now doesn’t mean that you can’t put on your grooviest outfit, go out into the heart of Boston, and have the time of your life.

DANNY LEMAR Asst. Editor-in-Chief

YOUR MAGAZINE Volume 3 Issue 7 • March 2014

CLAUDIA MAK Editor-in-Chief

DANNY LEMAR Asst. Editor-in-Chief

ELIJAH CLARK GINSBERG Creative Director

OLIVIA JACOBINI Editor-at-Large

MATTHEW MULLEN Managing Editor

MEGAN TRIPP Design Director

ABBY WOODMAN & PEYTON DIX Head Stylists

KATHY COLLINS Photo Director

ANDREA PALAGI Style Editor

CEDRINE STREIT & MICHAEL MAHIN A&E Editor

MADELINE BILIS Living Editor

CAITLYN BUDNICK Head Copy Editor

MEGAN TRIPP & MADELINE BILIS Blog Editors

CHELSEA TREMBLAY Romance Editor

LEIGHA MORRIS Marketing Director

KAREN MORALES Asst. Blog Editor

CHEN XU & ASHLEY JURANICH YMtv Directors

Layout Designers BEKAH SKOPIL, ELISE SABBAG, VICTORIA LOUBERT

Copyeditors DEVAN NORMAN, MORGAN METZ, JANELLA ANGELES, MEGAN TRIPP, JACQUELYN MARR,

MADELINE BILIS, JULIA LOEWENTHAL, MOLLY LEGROW, CHRISTABEL FRYE, ELISE SABBAG, OLIVIA JACOBINI, PAULINA PASUAL, KELSEY PERKINS, JASMINE TAYLOR, ASHLEY HOWARD, JAIME KRAVITZ

Marketing ELISE MESA, JAMIE IANNACE, KINSEY MINSCHKE, REBECCA FLUHR, KELSEY JOHNSON, TRACY PARCO, LIA BROUILLARD, CAMILA ORIOL, BRIANNA MARTINIELLI, LEIGHA MORRIS, ESTHER GLASIONOV, MAX CHERRY, NATALIE BENJAMIN, STELLA SANGUANSIN, NIKOLAI JACKOWSKI

YMtv AMANDA GOMEZ, LINDSAY GUALTIERI, TERRENA SCANNELL, MEGHIN HEWITT, RORY MCCANN, WILLIAM VICKROY, STEPHANIE PUMILIA, JAIME TOSCANO, ALEXANRDA JAMES, TATIANA OCHOA, ANDY KEYS

EDITORIAL CREDITS: CALYPSO ST. BARTH 114 Newbury St, Boston, MA calypsostbarth.com

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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ROMANCE

6 March Into Love! by Ellie Romano 8 Dirty Dancing by Cabot Lee Petoia 10 I Saw You On Tinder! by Ash Czarnota 12 I Want You To Be Happy Day by Chelsea Tremblay 13 Money Matters by Ellie Romano

STYLE

16 The Superman Effect by Brian Thomas 17 Glamour in Glasses by Megan Cathey 19 Stop. Harem Time by Serena Kassow 30 Oh, My Orchid by Jasmine Taylor 32 Braids For Days by Courtney Major

LIVING

34 50 Shades of Gray: Home Edition by Jenna Gianelli 36 Nosh Your Heart Out by Matt Mullen 38 Geocaching by Madeline Bilis 39 Be The Change by Jamie Kravitz 40 Roll Roundup by Ashley Howard 44 What Makes A Gallery A Gallery? by Claudia Mak

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

50 Summer Movie Preview by Christabel Frye 52 Winter Ushers In Sounds of Summer by Michael Mahin 54 Art in the Age of Social Media by Kelsey Conner 55 The Indisposable Concept by Pimploy Phongsirivech 56 March Playlist

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FEATURED

14 LOVE BEYOND BOYLSTON

by Shannon Dwyer

20 A NIGHT IN ROXBURY 42 DINE OUT EMERSON

by Riana Odin

46 BALLERINA FAIRY TALE

by Pimploy Phongsirivech

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MARCH INTO LOVE text by ellie romano photo by nydia hartono models: jordan matayoshi & kelly pylinski

Take control of your love life this spring Have you been curling up with someone special all winter to keep warm but cannot call that someone special anything more than exactly that? When you start seeing someone regularly, the urge to define your relationship becomes more and more difficult to resist. You start wondering where this is going. Troublesome questions may even pop into your head: Do they feel the same way? Are they seeing anyone else? The closer you two get, the more you will want them all to yourself. The idea of them being with someone else breaks your heart, but you know that such an idea could be a reality as long as your relationship is not defined as exclusive. However, you love what your relationship with your special someone has bloomed into and don’t want to risk losing it over defining something so organic. You fear the complications that come along with putting a title on your relationship will scare your special someone away.

Nonetheless, you are going to face these fears the way you face the blasting cold winds of March every day - with your battle face on. You are going to take your love life by the balls and get what you want out of it! Just like March thaws the frigid temperatures of winter, you can thaw out the blurred lines of your relationship.

First you need to determine what you want with the person you’re romantically involved with. Do you want to take a baby step and start off by agreeing to be exclusive with each other? Do you want a full blown boyfriend-girlfriend relationship? Do you want to take them home to meet your parents? Or do you honestly just want to be Facebook official, announcing to all your old high school rivals that you have found love and shall continue to post it all over the internet? Deciding what you want out of your special someone will make it easier to devise a plan appropriate for attaining your goals.

When brainstorming how you are going to bring up this

topic with your significant other, it is key to remember to not over think the potential discussion you are going to have. If you over think what you are going to say, you are going to create scenarios in your head that never work out in real life. You’ll be anticipating things that may or may not be said. And then, you will become too nervous and not go through with speaking your feelings.

After deciding what you want with your special someone, it is time to work up the courage to lay your heart on the line with them. The person you are interested in is not going to get upset with you for wanting more; they most likely have been experiencing the same thoughts as you and feel relieved you brought them up. Another way to build up your confidence for this powwow is by not caring what happens after the discussion. This can be understandably difficult to do because you have strong feelings for the other person. But the less you let yourself care about the situation, the less it will hurt if the odds don’t come out in your favor. Have a “whatever happens, happens” mindset. This carefree attitude will make you feel extremely ballsy when you drop the bomb.

When the actual discussion of defining the relationship begins, it is best not to propose an ultimatum. In reality, no one wants to ever hear, “You either become my boyfriend or I’m never speaking to you again.” Your special someone might not be as ready as you to take the plunge into commitment and you should prepare yourself for a negotiation. Start off by telling your partner how much you enjoy spending time with them and how you hate the idea of sharing them with someone else. Ask if they would feel comfortable with taking your relationship to the next level and become exclusive. If they say they are comfortable with that suggestion, then that’s huge! You’re both on the same page and you have the green light to take this conversation further. If you are someone who

“You are going to take your love life by the balls and get what you want out of it!”

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wants to have a definitive title for your relationship, you now have the opportunity to DTR (Define The Relationship). You can nonchalantly ask a question along the lines of, “So how should I introduce you to my friends?” Then you can discuss whether actual definitions are necessary for your relationship or if your partner might not be ready to put a label on it. Try to propose all of your goals in this conversation because it might be a while before you find an appropriate time to bring up such topics again.

Also remember, this is your time to shine! Don’t let this be completely about the other person. If a solid relationship is what you truly want, don’t let them manipulate you into thinking it’s a horrible idea. Stand your ground! Hopefully in the end they’ll be standing there with you, preferably holding your hand.

At this point, you deserve congratulations! You just took a blurry lined, possible fling and turned it into a real and tangible relationship. Unfortunately for some of you,

your significant other might have commitment issues or be a bit flaky. But don’t stress; if they weren’t ready to be with you, then it wasn’t meant to be, and you can now move on to bigger and better things. You deserve congratulations just for pursuing your desires. March is a tough month to get through. That’s why it is associated with the phrase, “in like a lion, out like a lamb.” Once the coldest parts of March are over, beautiful warm spring is waiting for you around the corner. Questionable relationship statuses are just as difficult as March. March signals the sloppy transition from winter to spring, the regret filled post St. Patty’s Day morning, and that torturous I’m-ready-forschool-to-be-over feeling. It’s difficult, but so is pining after that cuddle-buddy. But once you grow a pair and have the courage to get what you want-just around the corner is relationship bliss waiting for you. Get ready for your new, defined romance to blossom just in time for spring!

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DIRTY DANCING text by cabot lee petoia photo by james hausman

Spice up your life and dance the night away at one of these clubs We live in an era where dancing simply means bumping and grinding, and movies like Kevin Bacon’s Footloose, Dirty Dancing, and dare I even say Hairspray bring longing for dancing decades that we did not experience. The ability to dance well with another person is a desire that many college students share 92 percent of Emersonians surveyed indicated that they do not consider themselves good dancers. However, they would like to be. The possibility of such happening seems to be slim to none if you didn’t grow up in ballet shoes. Luckily, Emerson is located in a hot spot for dancing! Here are some places around Boston that regularly offer affordable dance lessons.

Havana Club

288 Green Street, Central Square, Cambridge The Havana Club offers a variety of Latin dance lessons throughout the week. Simply hop on the Orange line to Community College station to get there and enjoy some cheap dancing! For $10 you can learn salsa and bachata on Mondays or rueda on Tuesdays. If the beginning of the week isn’t exactly your night on the town time, salsa lessons are offered to the 21+ crowd Fridays and Saturdays. Remember though, romance isn’t exclusively a Friday-Saturday (or particularly parched Thursday) thing; sometimes it’s nice to take a break from studying and writing essays to have some fun and spice up the same old routine.

The Club is infamous for attracting a wide variety of dancing abilities, from dance floor veteran to ultra beginner. The instructors are engaging, helpful, and guarantee a good time. While some people show up with a few friends, solo salsa-ers are paired with each other during the dance lesson, giving them the chance to connect with new people and have an awesome time.

The atmosphere at Havana Club is very distinct; it’s high energy, welcoming, and overall just happy. If you’re looking for some funky Latin rhythms, cool new people, basic dance skills, and a solid workout, Havana Club is the place for you.

Swing City

FEBRUARY 2014

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680 Huron Avenue, West Cambridge Youth Center This place is hopping! No, just kidding, it’s swinging.

Okay enough with the bad jokes—this place is a lot of fun.

Simply get on the Red line from Park St. and take it to

Harvard Square. There you will find Swing City and all its enthusiastic swing dancers. Swing dancing is a style that emerged in the 1920s with the rise of jazz music in the U.S. Awarded Best of Boston by Boston Magazine, Swing City is keeping that vibe alive with swing dance lessons every 2nd, 4th and 5th Saturdays of the month. With your student ID you can get in for $12 starting at 8 p.m.

Julia Lebow ‘17, a film major, said that she enjoys Swing City because of the live music and open dance floor. The most unique aspect of Swing City is the exciting bands they feature during their dances. Their instructors are experienced, fun, and ready to help any new dancer interested in learning how to swing!

Ryles Jazz Club

212 Hampshire Street, Cambridge Ryles caters to all kinds of different dancing interests.

On Tuesdays they offer Noche Latina dance lessons to diverse experience levels at only $10 for college students.

Thursdays are Latin Caribbean night with Bachata and Kizomba. Friday is a mix of everything as an opportunity to show off your skills. Before 11 p.m. you can get in for $5 to dance the Bachata, Merengue, Reddaeton, Salsa, Cumbia, Vallenato, Punta, and Latin rock. If that sounds a little too intense Ryles offers simple Salsa lessons on Sunday morning and evening.

Ryles Jazz Club has one of the coolest dance venues in Boston, with two floors for plenty of room to move. It features a variety of dance styles, including tons of Latin dances and jazz which attracts a wide range of people, and a popular DJ.

Havana Club in Cambridge

K&S Music

1337 Centre Street, Newton Take the Green D line to Newton Center to get to this classy ballroom dancing spot. Lessons are offered every 1st Saturday of the month for $15. What separates this place from the rest is the complimentary pizza and drinks after all your hard work. Learn how to sway and gracefully float around the room for an hour, have a quick bite, and then show off your new moves from 8-11:30 p.m.

Bluesy Tuesy

45 Mount Auburn Street, Cambridge Located in Cambridge’s Democracy Center, Bluesy Tuesy offers bluesy dancing lessons for only $5. Every 2nd and 4th Tuesday night of the month learn how to “feel the music” from 7:30-8:30 p.m. After dancing there are opportunities to DJ as well!

According to everydayhealth.com, dancing can help reduce stress, lessen depression, keep your heart healthy, and increase energy. All of these benefits can be very helpful in relationships, making these places perfect date

destinations. If you’re planning a first date, dancing is a much better alternative to the typical dinner and a movie.

You’ll get over that uncomfortable embarrassment pretty quickly by laughing at each other’s stumbling moves and have fun holding each other all night. If you’ve been dating for awhile, you might need some stress relief or energy increase—serious relationships can be draining or dull after the “newness” factor disappears. Bring back that spark by doing something new with each other.

The staff of Your Mag encourages you to take advantage of the opportunities right outside your door! One day the memories of high school dancing, if you can call it that, will become a dark, dark memory. It’s hard to understand why rubbing butts against groins was considered a dance form. Take advantage of these great dance spots to make up for those dark days! Although they don’t offer the rave or rock concert style Emerson students may be more accustomed to, they do offer some old school style charm.

Remember, you don’t need a partner to go have fun and learn something new. Who knows? You might even find some romance along the way.

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I SAW YOU ON TINDER! text by ashley czarnota

Online dating is no longer taboo, so log onto these sites and start meeting people. You won’t regret it!

You don’t have to flush with embarrassment when a friend mentions your Tinder profile anymore. Using a social media platform to jump start a relationship is becoming increasingly prevalent. We are certainly the generation who has embraced the digital age in all aspects of our lives including dating. Emerson College has a relatively small student population compared to neighboring schools such as Suffolk, Northeastern, and Boston University.

After sorting through those who are taken, emotionally unavailable, or the jerk-offs that exist at every college, pickings are marginally slim for the students of Emerson.

Dating websites or apps have been looked upon as someone’s last resort for affection. In all reality, there is a fast growing trend in online dating and as such one should not be ashamed for using these social networks as a branch to extend their dating prospects. It is important to be mindful of the true nature of a few select dating sites and how to accurately portray yourself online, as well as exercising caution and safety when you agree to meet in the real world.

Depending on who you ask, between 17 and 35 percent of America’s long term relationships were started through an online dating network. In it’s infancy, online dating was a borderline taboo practice. The Internet was thought of as a place only to access informational databases and to sneak an online poker game during office hours. Slowly, but steadily, online chat rooms and the rudimentary forms of dating websites appeared. Online dating was exclusive, and by exclusive I don’t mean only reserved for the privileged elite of the world wide web-I mean those who dared to be the firsts to put their virtual identities in the open in hope of finding love in a far away place.

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From there, those first pioneers of online dating grew larger and branched out to more specific target audiences, but it did not come without scrutiny. Many can remember Dateline’s To Catch A Predator where host Chris Hansen would lure grown men posing as teenage boys in chat rooms looking to meet for sex into a decoy house, interrogate their actions, and promptly allow police to apprehend the suspect in question. The NBC special was enough to scare anyone away from online dating because it tapped into a natural human fear of the unknown. An Emerson student who preferred to remain anonymous recalls, “My parents had always preached to me about the dangers of talking to people online—so for me it was more like a forbidden-fruit kind of experience. I was tempted, and it was so easy. Plus, I figured if I was talking to people online they couldn’t all be psychopaths.”

The anonymous Emerson student cannot recall at what point they were drawn into the world of online dating. “It was mostly a mixture curiosity and a hunger to meet people from around the world that I didn’t have the physical means of meeting,” they recalled, “I think I subconsciously wanted a way to understand other cultures, languages and people; these kinds of apps gave me a means to explore. Early on I met a guy who was in his twenties. Naturally, I lied to him about my age and life, initially for protection. Being naive and fascinated at the world he provided me with a glimpse into (he lived very far away), I mistook my intrigue and infatuation with his culture for love. He “broke up” with me, and I was devastated at the time. The funny thing is, he recently contacted me and now I guess you could say we’re platonic pen pals of sorts.”

Since the time of Dateline, the world of online dating has undergone a series of changes. For one, the screening process is much more elaborate. You can go through a dating service, find a person based on your criteria, see their picture, and get a lot more information on your prospect than you would through a generic chat room. Dating sites designated towards a specific audience such Christian Mingle, Black People Meet, etc. Online dating has become very customizable in order to find your perfect match.

Certain dating applications specifically made for smart phones are trending among a younger demographic.

There’s OKCupid with it’s easy to use and customizable interface, the “hot or not” hook up application Tinder, the unique How About We in which upon signing up, singles post date ideas and are matched by mutual interests, or Grindr/ Blender that allows gay men and women to connect through an online platform.

“I was skeptical because it didn’t seem like a natural thing to do,” says a gay Emerson student who also wished to remain anonymous, “Everyone around me thought that they are for desperate people or for people who couldn’t interact with anyone in real life. I joined because why not? From what it looked like, a lot of people who did try online dating were successful or at least made friends from it. A friend of mine met her girlfriend from online dating and they’ve been together for two years and still going strong.”

Before you decide to jump into creating your OKCupid profile or agree to meet up with that hot guy or girl you’ve been chatting up on Tinder, it’s important to keep in mind that this is the Internet. Identities are subject to radical change and you are bound to run into people who have a talent for disguise. Honesty is the key component in online dating, because your goal is to find a partner whose

personality, interests, and goals align with yours, not those of some idealized self you’ve whipped up. If you lie about your age, relationship status, job, or anything else for that matter, you’re wasting yours and that person’s time with false advertising. Once you put away the facade and stop fretting over how others perceive you it will be that much easier to find someone who you can connect with.

Another crucial component to online dating is to be smart and safe. Before you meet with said prospect, lay your intentions out and plan your date accordingly.

Miscommunication about intent can lead to awkward situations or negative feelings so communicate your feelings without pause. It would be wise to meet in a public place, a Starbucks or restaurant downtown will do, instead of immediately jumping to the idea of going to said person’s apartment.

In addition, a feasible option would be to bring a friend and coordinate a double date for moral support.

There are a million more techniques to mastering online dating etiquette but for the most part one can catch on pretty quickly to the dos and don’ts just from experience. Online dating may not be for everyone but it should not be subject to any form of criticism.

There are bad people in this world and not all of them lurk behind fake profiles.

There is no shame in extending your social circle even if it means going through an online source to do it. The concept of “chemistry” is relative and a connection between two people who are open about themselves and towards one another should not be put under the spotlight of criticism.

Although times are changing and some of us type out the words “I love you” instead of speaking them, love actually remains.

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I WANT YOU TO BE HAPPY DAY text by chelsea tremblay

Pay it forward and spread the love Numerous studies have been conducted on the effects of love on people’s sense of happiness. We are supposed to believe that in order to be truly happy, we need to be loved. While us romantics absolutely want everyone to have love, there is one crucial pre-requisite—to be happy. To truly allow love into your life, and to give it to others, you must feel some sense of happiness. On March 3 the world will take a second to recognize this, as it is National I Want you to be Happy Day. This day is truly about thoughtfulness and being unselfish. You won’t be worrying about how others are going to make you happy, because you’ll be in such a good mood from bringing joy to other peoples’ days! According to a study by psychologist James H. Fowler, happiness can benefit people through three degrees of connection. So in theory, if you make someone happy, their resulted happiness will positively affect someone else.

Just complimenting someone in the elevator or letting your friend know how much you liked their vlog can go a longer way than you think.

Mark Twain once said, “I can live for two months on a good compliment.”

This may sound similar to Valentine’s Day, but it is far superior. National I Want you to be Happy Day is completely inclusive—everyone needs happiness, not just couples. That means friends, family, and

even strangers! And happiness doesn’t mean dollar signs, like “love” seems to these days. “Do something spontaneous!” says Lauren Feeney ‘15. “Buy a bus ticket to New York City with your friends. Or have a friend’s day out around Boston; you don’t need to spend a lot of money.” Liana Genito ‘16 agrees, saying a day of happiness should be a simple one. “I would spend the day with someone who understands my happiness as well as I understand theirs. It could simply be exploring the city and making memories we can always look back on.”

Sometimes it’s easy to forget what it really means to be happy.

Positive psychologist expert Shawn Achor insists that there are five key steps to increase your daily experience of happiness—be grateful, write in a journal, exercise at least 25 minutes a day, meditate for two minutes a day, and engage in random acts of kindness. All are simple and not time consuming; you could accomplish most of them on a T ride, and they will help get rid of that dark cloud over your head.

There are so many holidays that people don’t appreciate or really celebrate: Labor Day, Presidents Day, etc. Someone out there finally decided to declare one that could affect people everywhere and be easily, and enjoyably, celebrated. The true origin of this holiday is unknown, but it was most likely created by one of those guys who buy your coffee in the drive-thru line.

“In theory, if you make someone happy, their resulted happiness will positively affect someone else.”

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MONEY MATTERS text by ellie romano stock photo

It’s your first date with that special someone — but who should pay?

Women have been fighting for the same rights as men since the mid 1800s and thankfully, in this day and age, women are closer to equal rights than ever before. The modern woman is independent, strong, and in control of her own life. She does not need to ask a man for permission to do what she wants. Her aspirations are no longer relegated to only secretary positions. As of 2013, it is estimated that there are over 8.6 million female-owned businesses in the United States. So where does that leave the image of the damsel in distress? Where does that leave chivalry? With more and more modern, independent women coming to the forefront, is chivalry dying?

Chivalry is comprised of multiple parts, but we’re going to focus on courtesy and generosity, not the “knight in shining armor” fabricated fairytale side. A classic case of male chivalry is when a guy takes a gal out to dinner and then proceeds to pay for the meal.

Women in the past could, and typically have, expected men to pay

for their date. This has been a longstanding tradition. That is until recently. Currently, women are far more likely to try paying for their dinner or even the entire check.

It gives them a certain feeling of empowerment.

Another example of gender roles in flux is the process of buying an engagement ring. No longer just the man’s job, there is a large

percentage of women today willing to contribute for an engagement ring. A poll conducted by The Today Show revealed 46 percent of women would be willing to split the ring. Since there is such a newfound independence in women, should it become the norm? Should they pay for themselves on dates or go old school and allow their dates to pick up the tab? After questioning a handful of college boys (who

tend to be extremely frugal), the unanimous consensus came to be that guys expect to pay for their dates. “I would absolutely pay for my date. Even if she offered I would insist on paying,” says Joe Hornberger ‘17. Furthermore, after questioning a handful of college girls, the results showed that girls do indeed still assume their dates will pay for them. “If he doesn’t pay, he doesn’t get a second date. It’s a deal breaker!” says Tatiana Soffer ‘17. In fact, a survey administered in 2010 by Cosmopolitan showed nearly 50 percent of women think splitting the bill can hurt the romance between two people. When researching who pays on a samesex date, the rule of thumb was determined: you invite, you pay.

The conclusion was reached that chivalry is not dead. Women still expect courtliness! For all the college guys out there living on a budget, this news may come as a hindrance, but if you like a girl and want to take her out, you have to be prepared to cough up the dough at the end of the evening!

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LOVE BEYOND BOYLSTON text by shannon dwyer photo by sharat ganapati

Boston is full of love...if you know where to look There is a lot to love about the Emerson College campus. It’s located in an exciting, bustling and yet still gorgeous area of Boston. It sits directly on an MBTA stop, caters to both Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts lovers, and is within ten minutes from all the wonders of Newbury Street. But there is one aspect of our lovely college many have mixed feelings about: the size.

In comparison to other colleges, Emerson is physically very, very, very small. In the winter it’s awesome to not spend more than five minutes in the bitter cold temperatures while getting to class, but other times you can really feel the close quarters, particularly in the romance department. So the question is: where can you find love beyond Boylston? No worries! Below is a list of the hot spots other college and universities around Beantown.

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Boston University

When a Boston University student says to “meet me at the beach” they do not mean a literal beach. At BU, the “beach” refers to a stretch of grass behind the Marsh Chapel on the university’s campus. Storrow Drive, a highway along the Charles River, runs parallel to the BU Beach, and many students claim that if you close your eyes, the cars sound like waves. “The BU beach is really good too when the weather is nice!” says BU student Joe Walsh ‘15. “It’s the largest patch of real grass on our campus, which makes it both really awesome and a little bit sad.

But it’s a great place to study and meet new people for a spontaneous game of frisbee.”

Similar to our own New York Pizza (often called NYP) Boston University students have their own cheap and delicious pizza joint, T Anthony’s . Located at the Babcock Street stop on the B line, this pizzeria has been supplying BU kids with satisfying steak tips, onion rings, burgers and other typical late night cravings. “Usually the people you meet there are very social, and I’ve met a lot of cool people there,” says Walsh. “I probably don’t remember all of them, to be honest...but the ones I do are fantastic!” Stop by on your way back from an Allston party or before a BU Hockey game to mingle with the local students.

Harvard University

Ever since the fabulous Elle Woods graced the halls of this famous school, Harvard has been known for producing eligible spouses. Obviously the place to meet Harvard students is around Harvard Square where the campus is located. When the weather is nice students hang out in the quad (located in the middle of the campus) or along the esplanade. You can always find students at the local Chipotle and Otto, a pizzeria right across from the Harvard T stop. When it comes to the nightlife, Harvard can be very exclusive. “Harvard is a very cliquey school,” says Harvard student Isobel Green ‘16. “The Final Clubs are pretty exclusive, and if you’re a guy, you can’t get in without knowing a member.” If you can’t get into the famous Final Clubs parties, check out local hot spots like John Harvard’s Brew House and the nearby music venue The Middle East.

Northeastern University

After talking to numerous Northeastern students, the consensus is that NU kids love the bar scene. “Some popular bars my friends and I go to are on Lansdowne Street near Fenway where there live bands play on the weekends,” says Northeastern student Chris Mas ‘14. “My other favorite places that I’ve met other kids from different colleges are Howl at the Moon downtown, West and Johnnies, and the bars near the seaport.” Some popular spots by the water include Drink, Atlantic Beer Garden, and Lucky’s Lounge.

Many Northeastern students take advantage to their proximity to the Back Bay Fens and Victory Gardens, both in the Back Bay area. On sunny days students go to exercise and just play around. “I love hanging over there,” says Mas. There is a track and field which softball leagues and soccer leagues often use and it’s another place to meet people from the Northeastern and Wentworth area.” Fun fact: the Fenway MBTA stop is named after the Back Bay Fens, not the Red Sox stadium!

Boston College

If you’re looking for Boston College’s over 21 crowd make your way over to the historic Mary Ann’s in Cleveland Circle. “Mary Ann’s is famous, at least to us,” says Boston College student Matthew Preskenis ‘15. “In all honesty it’s kind of a shithole, but it has a longstanding association and history with BC, i.e. it was around when my dad went here.” The popular bar first opened in 1972 and has been the place to see and be seen ever since. With a line reaching waits up to two and a half hours long, Mary Ann’s is popular due to its great value. Busch Light drafts will only set you back $1.75 while the most expensive drink is said to be the $10 “Three Wisemen” which consists of Jack Daniels, Jim Beam, and Johnny Walker. The most popular nights are Tuesdays and Thursdays, but any night you will find this place pumping till 2 a.m.

Although they are located outside of Boston, Boston College has their own version of the esplanade. The Chestnut Hill Reservoir is a very popular spot for BC students to study, jog, run, workout, or hangout. The park has a running trail that is a little over a mile and a half long and plenty of space. “There are plenty of benches scattered around the running path.

When I’m done working out, I love to sit there and just admire the scenery,” says Preskenis. Go during sunset, you won’t regret it!

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STOP: HAREM TIME text by serena kassow photo by claudia mak model: carlyle thomes

So you thought Harem pants were only for MC Hammer and Aladdin?

Think again.

Once in a while, a trend rolls around that really makes you scratch your head. Is it cool? Is it chic? Is it casual? Is it dressy? No one really ever knows. This time, that black sheep of the season’s trends is, oh yes, the Harem pant.

Call it what you will - drop crotch pants, Hammer pants, whatever - but one thing can be agreed upon. In the family of pants, these are certainly the troubled middle child.

So, who actually wears these strange items? One major fan is (no surprise) Yeezus himself, Mr. Kanye West.

Spandex, leather, you name it- he just loves it. If you think about it, this totally makes sense - what could be said about Harems in the pants world is similar to Kanye in the rap world: cool, but strange in a way that nobody really understands.

According to fashion blog style in sight, Harem pants originally came from India, in the form of a garment known as the Salwar. They took on a new, western identity as “bloomers” in the mid-1800s, made famous by an American woman named Amelia Bloomer, who believed

women should be able to be comfortable and at ease in their clothing. Her movement gained momentum in 1911 when Paul Poiret, an up-and-coming Parisian fashion designer who also wanted to liberate women from the corset, surfaced on the fashion scene. His loose-fitting pants became known as the jupe culotte, one of Poiret’s greatest triumphs. It wasn’t until the ‘70s that they were resurrected by Yves Saint Laurent, and then adopted by the notorious MC Hammer in the ‘80s, the connection most people associate them with today.

The construction of the garment is, to be expected, incredibly simple: the material only touches your body around the waist or hip and the ankles (or kneesdepending on the hem length of the pants.) There are many variations of the garment - it can either fit snugly on the waist and taper down the leg, fitting like a loose trouser; or, it can hang loosely around the waist and billow down around the knees, forming a drop crotch and baggy silhouette.

Since 2008, designers like, Roberto Cavalli, Chloe, Ralph Lauren, Donna Karen, Gucci, Vera Wang, and Zac Posen (just to name a few) have all incorporated the Harem silhouette into their couture collections, thus, trickling down into more accessible trend-outlets like Zara, Top Shop, H&M, and French Connection. All took different approaches (as designers can and should do), some going for the slightly updated pantsuit, some for the eccentric, futuristic drama, and others for the full-on tribal effect.

So, to wrap it all up: Harems have certainly come a long way. From Bloomers to MC Hammer to Kanye, who knows where the future will bring them? We still can’t decide if we really want to find out.

THE SUPERMAN EFFECT text by brian thomas photo by kathy collins model: jake greene

Casting off the right glasses in a fit of apprehension can bring out your inner superhero.

Sandy-haired little nerds wearing thick-framed glasses scurry like neurotic mice flee through the hallways in efforts of survival. Bullies, cloaked in black leather jackets, lurk behind every corner scoping the area for another unsuspecting victim.

These thick-framed glasses labeled the nerds and geeks in the 1950s, but now they have taken on an entirely new meaning – The Superman Effect.

Now, think of Clark Kent. Calm, collected, and quirky, he blends in with the rest of the reporters at The Daily Planet. However when his arch nemesis Lex Luther takes another shot at world domination, Mr. Kent throws off those glasses and flies out as Superman – buff, heroic, bold.

Like this division between Mr. Kent and the Superman, certain glasses can add a second layer to personality.

“These thickframed glasses labeled the nerds and geeks in the 1950s but now they have taken on an entirely new meaning...”

Being frame conscious is essential for choosing the right glasses. Relate frame thickness directly to facial width. Thin, long faces deserve more streamlined frames, while fuller faces should go with extra thick frames. Different frames can distinguish and communicate an intellectual flare. Also, certain colors can be that small detail which makes an ensemble. Black, with its timeless and versatile nature, is always a great choice. Or if black bores you, try red or blue. Just don’t be distracting– beauty lies in subtlety.

Unlike the 1950s negative label of nerdinesss, today thick frames are synonymous with intellect and an attractive quirkiness; think Woody Allen or Ray Bradbury. Then when pressing matters arise, take off those glasses and kick some ass.

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THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS text by megan cathey photo by kelsey davis model: katie graham

Whether you wear glasses out of necessity, or as an accessory, here are some tips and tricks on how to wear makeup with your specs.

With countless stylish frames available on the market, long gone is the old “four eyes” stereotype. Rather, glasses can be a great extension of personal style. People who don’t even need prescriptions are wearing frames-glasses have become the ultimate fashion statement. And with trendy specs from the likes of Warby Parker and Ray-Ban, you can’t blame them. Whether you’re wearing glasses as a style statement, or simply because you can’t see without them, deciding on what makeup to wear can be tricky.

Fortunately, with a few easy tweaks to your daily beauty routine, your makeup can easily complement any pair of glasses.

EYES

When it comes to eyeshadow, natural but brightening shades like warm tones of brown, gold, and champagne work best. Shades that are too colorful will look cartoonish behind glasses. Prep your eyelids by applying eyeshadow primer like the Urban Decay Primer Potion (Sephora, $20). Primer will not only make your eyeshadow go on more smoothly, it will also help your eyeshadow stay on all day, a must if you have oily lids. After you’ve primed your eyes, swipe a light bronze color like the middle shade in the CoverGirl trio “Shimmering Sands” across your lids (Target, $3.69). Then, taking the darkest shade in the trio, blend into the crease and outer third of the eye. Take a fluffy blending brush and, using windshield-like motions, blend the shadows so the shades look seamless. Finish your eyeshadow by taking the light pink shade of the trio and placing it into the inner corner of your eye to open up the area.

Different types of lenses affect how big or small your eyes look, so keep that in mind when applying your eyeliner. If you are nearsighted, you will be wearing a MARCH 2014

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concave lens, which will make your eyes appear smaller.

Likewise, if you are farsighted, you will be wearing a convex lens, which will make your eyes appear larger. To make your eyes appear bigger, line your waterline with nude eyeliner. Rimmel ScandalEyes in “Nude” glides on easily and doesn’t smudge, even in the waterline (CVS, $4.49). If you want your eyes to look smaller, you’ll want a darker shade in your waterline and along the outer third of your lower lash line. Black can be too dramatic for daytime, so use either a brown or taupe shade. Rimmel ScandalEyes also comes in “Brown” and “Taupe” that are just as amazing. Or, if you want a subtle pop of color, line your waterline with a fun shade of purple or blue.

Winged eyeliner looks amazing with glasses, especially retro cat-eyed frames. When lining your upper lash line, a general rule of thumb is the thicker your frames, the thicker your liner should be. Felt tip eyeliner is like a marker, so it’s generally easier to use than a dip-brush.

Stila’s All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner in “Black” creates smooth, highly pigmented lines that won’t smudge (Sephora, $20). To create a wing, first draw a line from the outer corner of your eye toward the end of your eyebrow.

Then, draw a diagonal line to about the middle of your lid. Fill in the inside of the lines you’ve created. To finish, continue lining the rest of lash line as you would normally.

When it comes to winged eyeliner, practice makes perfect, so don’t stress if it takes you a few times to get it right.

Finish off your eye look with a coat of mascara. Straight lashes can get product on your lenses, so curl your lashes before you put on your mascara to avoid any smudging.

Revlon’s Lash Potion gives your lashes tons of volume without flaking off throughout the day (CVS, $7.99).

BROWS

Since glasses bring attention to your eyes, your eyebrows will naturally be a focal point as well. Glasses can overwhelm over-plucked brows, so leave them alone.

Besides, bold brows à la Cara Delevingne are all the rage right now in the beauty world. To define your brows, use an angled eyeshadow brush to apply brow powder. Use small, soft strokes so the powder mimics the growth of your natural hair. NYX’s Eyebrow Cake Powder comes with two shades, so you can mix them together to create your perfect color match (Ulta, $5.99).

Finish your brows with a clear brow gel so the brows look natural and not drawn on. To apply, start from the inner part of your brows and brush hairs up and the out, following the natural direction of the hairs.

Anatasia of Beverly Hills creates a clear brow gel that keeps your hairs in place without making them stiff (Sephora, $22).

FACE

Because the focus is on your eyes when wearing glasses, try to keep the rest of your face simple. Even out your complexion with either a tinted moisturizer or a BB cream, otherwise known as a “beauty balm.” BB creams give you the coverage of a foundation, but the hydration of a moisturizer.

The Body Shop All-InOne BB cream gives your skin a luminous, yet natural looking base (The Body Shop, $20). Either apply it with your fingers or use a buffing brush.

If you have any blemishes and need more coverage, use a concealer like Nars Creamy Concealer on any problem areas (Sephora, $29).

Glasses will only magnify under-eye circles, so it’s important to conceal that area if you’re not getting enough sleep at night. Don’t use too creamy of a concealer or your glasses will leave marks and you’ll get product all over them. Bobbi Brown’s Corrector is specially formulated for

under-eye circles because the peach or pink-based color neutralizes the purple tones of under-eye circles (Macy’s, $22). Because the skin of your under-eye is sensitive, apply with your ring finger because it exerts the least amount of pressure compared to your other fingers. After you’ve blended in your concealer, set it with powder. As the name suggests, bareMinerals’s Well-Rested Eye Brightener Powder brightens dark under eye circles, making you look like you’re not working on only three hours of sleep a night (bareMinerals, $18).

Either skip out on blush, or use a light pink cream brush to give your cheeks a natural-looking flush. Take a shade like NYX’s cream blush in “Natural” and using your ring ringer, blend into the apples of your cheeks (Ulta, $6).

LIPS

If you decide to put a lot of focus on your eyes, you also want to wear a natural shade on your lips. Tinted lip balms are great because they’re fussfree and can be used on the go. Revlon’s Kissable Balm Stains moisturize your lips while leaving a long lasting stain so you don’t have to reapply as often (CVS, $8.99). They’re an affordable option, and with a wide ranges of colors and finishes, don’t be afraid to test out a few shades to see what you like best.

“Honey,” a neutral mauve color, is a my-lips-but-better shade that goes with everything.

However, if you want to go with a more dramatic look, thicker frames balance out bold lips. If you decide to wear a bolder lip color, keep your eye makeup to a minimum. Pair your thick frames with a matte orange red shade like Nars’ lipstick in “Heat Wave “to look like you’ve just stepped out of a J. Crew catalogue (Sephora, $26). Use a lip brush for precise application, or for less intense color, apply from the tube, and then blot your lips with either a tissue or your fingers.

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A NIGHT IN photographer: paola camargo hair: julia kreitman makeup: abby woodman styling: peyton dix models: lea leblanc katie lohman niki current pablo calderon santiago andy stoffo

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lea is wearing a calypso st. barth top

ROXBURY

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lea is wearing a calypso st barth jacket

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lea is wearing a calypso st. barth jacket

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OH, MY ORCHID text by jasmine taylor stock photos

A comprehensive guide to your new favorite color Pantone, the trusted authority on en vogue hues, has recently announced that the color of 2014 is – drum roll – Radiant Orchid. Falling somewhere between cheery pink and glamorous purple, this color gives off an air of elegance and youthfulness paired with the playful lightheartedness of spring. It looks smashing when paired with the array of seasonal products coming out this month, plenty of which are in stores right now. Radiant Orchid can be found in everything from clothes to cosmetics to accessories—the sky’s the limit with this fabulous color trend. Radiant Orchid will be blooming in stores everywhere this season so read on for a rundown on a handful of the fabulous products that utilize this must-have color.

SCHOOL DAYS

Who wouldn’t want a pair of lightweight, slip-ons for spring, right? This dainty looking pair of Toms is the perfect addition to any trend-conscious fashionista’s wardrobe. These comfortable, stylish slips-ons are available at Neiman Marcus for $59.00. As snug as they are feminine, these flats would look perfect paired with a white dress, a denim jacket, and some vibrant yellow jewelry for the first day of classes after spring break.

FIRST DATE

Maybe you can’t afford to shell out more than a handful of bucks for a Radiant Orchid colored product. Maybe you want something in this color that won’t clash with any outfit you put together. Either way, Radiant Orchid nail lacquer is the answer to your prayers. This shade of Milani Nail Lacquer—technically, called Orchidia— can be bought at practically any convenience store for around $8. Obviously nail lacquer of any color can be acceptably worn with anything, so whether your personal style is casual or chic, you’ll look fabulous when rocking this color. However, this feminine hue would go best with a white blouse, a floral skirt, matching tights, and a pair of basic ballet flats. This orchid look is perfect to wear on a first date to make a flawless impression on your significant other.

SORORITY RUSH

When checking out sororities, you want to make the best first impression as is humanly possible. The way you present yourself can make or break your chances of joining the sisterhood. You want to look you best but often, while being a broke college girl, you also want to have money left over for books, subway tickets and, oh yeah, food! This tailored, orchid dress just might be calling your spendthrift name. The Lovely Lace Sheath Dress is available at Forever 21 for the very affordable

price of $27.80—I told you it’s calling your name. This piece is incredibly sharp and stylish on its own, but to effectively set it off, you will need the right accessories.

Pair it with some black pumps, a patent leather purse, and a pearl bracelet with a matching necklace and earrings.

Now get out there and show those sorority girls what you’re made of.

CHILLIN’ OUT

You know those days when you roll out of bed and wish you could take the covers with you? On such occasions— or rather, afternoons—a warm, soft, cuddly hoodie like this one is a wonderful thing to have. This piece is colored in a bright shade of Radiant Orchid that is sure to catch your sleepy suitemates’ eyes. The NYC Graphic Hoodie is available at American Eagle for $39.95. Slouchy and cozy, this would be perfect to throw on for on a lazyyet-fashion-forward Sunday marathoning classic Disney movies in the common room.

TOUGH CHICK

Okay, so you are totally in love with Radiant Orchid and can’t wait to buy something in the IT color of the year. There is only one problem, your personal style leans heavily toward the dark and edgy so this light and girly color will definitely cramp your style. Never fear, we’ve got you covered, girl! This pair of Doc Martens is colored a deep, dark shade of Radiant Orchid that can easily mix in with your tough wardrobe. These boots are available at zappos.com for only $120. Naturally, docs go with everything, but in order to integrate this edgy twist on a feminine color, wear them with black leggings, a band muscle t-shirt, a black leather jacket, a yellow beanie (to compliment the purple undertones in the shoes), and a silver chain with the first letter of your name on it.

CLASSIC FLARE

There is nothing in this world quite so perfect as a pair of shoes that is both stylish and versatile. Converse literally goes with everything—I guess you could say that Converse is the new black, tee hee—and now this Radiant Orchid colored pair can go with everything a color trendconscious Emersonian struts her stuff in on her way to that dreaded 8 a.m. On top of that, Converse are classics and pair well with other classic pieces nearly all girls have

somewhere in their closets. Need inspiration for the kind of classic outfit you could wear with these shoes? Try a pair of straight-leg blue jeans, a plain white tee shirt, and a baseball cap. Or for a modern twist, wear skinny jeans, a v-neck t-shirt, and a snap back. These shoes are available at Converse for $55.

FLOWER GIRL

Weddings in spring are the greatest. New plants, new baby animals, and a new lovey-dovey couple— it’s so romantic. Naturally, you want to look your best for the special occasion and you also want to ring in the beautiful new season by wearing something that exemplifies spring.

What could do this better than a pair of tights with flowers on them, right? And bonus, they’re in Radiant Orchid, the color of the year. When you put together your winning outfit, slip these gorgeous tights on and be prepared to turn heads—before the bride walks down the aisle, of course. This item is available at zazzle.com for a steal at only $16.50.

The great thing about Zazzle is that, if you so choose, you can customize the color, pattern, etc. However, for the sake of being fashion forward, this product in this color would pair best with stunning neutrals.

Wear a little black dress, black highheeled shoes, a black clutch, and some shiny black jewelry, and make that aisle your runway.

PLAY HARD

Major dilemma: You just got asked to play a game of ultimate Frisbee with your friends and have no idea what Radiant Orchid colored accessory to wear. Don’t worry your pretty little head; we have got you covered. You want something that will be stylish, but also keep the sun, and your hair, out of your face. What you need is a baseball cap, one that is unique and totally on-trend with a cool Radiant Orchid colored graphic on the front. Available at zazzle. com for only $18.95, this cap is a total steal for a broke college fashionista like you. Throw this on and pair it with workout leggings, a tee shirt, a hoodie, and a pair of Pumas. You’ll look super stylish while running all over the Boston Common with your best pals. It would also pair perfectly with an outfit that’s casual yet sporty. Wear it with black lamé leggings, a black tank top, a hoodie and a pair of platform sneakers.

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BRAIDS FOR DAYS text by courtney major photo by kelsey davis model: emily pietro

Have you fallen victim to wearing your hair the same way day in and day out?

Learn how to add some fun into your hair.

Braids are one of the most versatile and popular hairstyles. Whether a braided ponytail, side braid, or one to push bangs out of your face, they instantly give you the appearance of effort without the work.

Remember, before braiding it’s important to prepare your hair.

You want to be working with the best possible canvas, so detangle those knots. Using a spray bottle, slightly dampen your tresses so they will become easier to manipulate.

Use a leave-in conditioner like TRESemmé, which can be bought at most drugstores. This will quell nasty fly-aways and frizz to create a more polished look. Finally, secure your braids with small, clear elastics.

They won’t detract attention from your hair and can easily be layered with embellished clips or ribbons.

Now that you’re ready to learn how to braid, let’s get started!

THE CLASSIC

The “classic braid” refers to either the French braid or the Dutch braid.

Both are incredibly easy to create, and once you master them is when you can truly try out new braids.

1. To French braid, after all of your hair is brushed, pick a spot where you would like the braid to begin.

2. Separate your hair into three separate, even groups.

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over the new middle section (that was first your right section).

4. To make it a French braid rather then just an ordinary braid, add a small section of hair on your right side and place the original hair with the added hair over the middle section. Gather the left section and add a small amount of hair; place both over the middle.

5. Repeat until you’ve run out of hair and then braid normally as far down as possible.

To create a Dutch braid, follow the above steps, but instead of bringing the sections of hair over one another, bring them under.

The French braid is the multipurpose braid. It can be worn with a sweatband for working out or paired with a simple pair of earrings and teased on top to create an effortlessly chic everyday look. Once you are comfortable with French braiding, you can begin to French or Dutch braid your bangs or other sections of your hair to give your style more depth.

THE FRENCH SIDE BRAID

The French side braid is a Dutch braid starting at the left side of your head.

1. Gather three small sections above your ear, as close as you can get to your roots on the left side of your head.

2. Begin a Dutch braid without

adding any hair, do this twice.

3. After the two braids begin adding hair, but only where your hair meets your skin to keep the braid close as possible to your ear. Add hair in similar amounts to keep the braid symmetrical.

4. Continue this pattern all around the base of your head; stop once you get to your other ear.

5. Now create three new sections of hair. Keep the original three in the same section and then do a normal side braid for your remaining hair.

(Before you do the side braid, twist a part of your front section to keep the hair behind your ear.)

6. If you have thin hair, or would like your braid to appear fuller, you can carefully pull on the outer layer of your braid to get to your desired thickness.

This hairstyle paired with small statement earrings works for a myriad of situations. You’ll look put together going out with friends or going to class. In the wintertime try this look with a knitted cap to keep warm. Another option with the side French braid is to not complete the braid; instead twist your hair and put it into a low side bun.

THE FISHTAIL BRAID

The fishtail braid is extremely easy and looks best with medium to long length hair.

1. First, take your hair and separate

it into two sections.

2. Now take the section of hair closest to your ear from your right side, then bring it over to the beginning of the left section.

3. Next, take a similarly sized section of hair from your far left side next to the ear and bring it over to the front of the right side.

4. Use equally sized sections (small for a longer, more intricate fishtail or larger for an easier, messier look) and continue this pattern until you’ve gone as far as you can.

To compliment this, tie the bottom with a simple ribbon. This hairstyle can be worn casually or paired with chandelier earrings and a dress for a sophisticated, easy look.

BRAIDED PONY

This look will get the hair off your neck while still looking polished.

1. Using a brush to keep hair neat and bump free, pull all of your hair back into a high ponytail. About two inches from the base of your head is a comfortable spot.

2. Tie with an elastic, but leave a one-inch section of hair from the top

of your head out of the ponytail.

3. Braid your ponytail, but try not to move the hairtie. Tie the bottom of the braid with a clear rubber band.

Again, you can thicken the braid by gently pulling on the outer layers.

4. Take the one-inch section of hair; make sure it’s completely smooth and straight. Pull it back as if you were going to put it into the ponytail, but carefully wrap the hair around the hair tie. Use as many bobby pins as necessary to secure the wrapped hair around the elastic at the underside of the wrap. This will also keep the ponytail from drifting.

5. Finish off this look with hairspray or a light gel to keep from getting flyalways, but make sure not to use too much and get stiff hair.

The braided pony can be worn with pearl studs for business casual or paired with longer earrings and a smokey eye for a night out.

THE BRAIDED HALF UPDO

The braided half up varies in difficulty depending on the style you chose.

1. It could be as simple as starting your braid about three inches down from your roots on both sides.

2. Braid normally, and then tie with a clear elastic or secure it with an embellished hairpin.

3. Another idea is to go up to your roots on both sides, French braid it until you get to your ear, 4. Braid normally until the two sides meet in the middle of your head, and then put the left and right side together and create one braid that goes the length of your hair.

Both half up and braided pony can be business casual or worn out with friends. It’s a classic look that is as fashionable as it is functional by keeping your hair out of your face.

The variations of the braided updos are endless and depend on how much time you have.

When styling your hair, the possible braids you could incorporate into your look are endless and add interest to ordinary hairstyles. The versatility of braids allows for original thought, so don’t be afraid to experiment!

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50 SHADES OF GRAY: HOME EDITION text by jenna gianelli photo by olivia jacobini

Tackling interior design is no longer a “gray area” Gray is in and beige is out. Even color expert Kate Smith, a board member of the Armstrong Design Council on Color and keynote speaker for the House Beautiful Color Institute, can vouch for the budding love of gray in interior design. “Over the past decade or so, the design industry and the public have grown to love complex colors, colors that are hard to describe — such as the manifold shades of gray. Once you start to appreciate and understand these complex colors, there’s no going back,” she says.

Most people fail to understand that the value of the color gray goes far beyond paint on a wall. “There are a few interesting things about using gray as an accessory,” says Smith, “You can bring gray in without bringing in any other colors. It also helps you notice the shape, and the texture, and the surface of furniture and accessories.”

Gray is a true neutral, but it can add sophistication to any room in your home.

GRAY IS AN INTERCHANGEABLE COLOR

There are many shades of gray, meaning the color can act as either a warm or cool tone. It can contribute to either a mid-century modern feel as well as an industrial feel.

Grays can also be used if you are interested in adding a more of a mid-century feel to a room. In order to do this it is helpful to merge black-and-white stripes and gilded furniture. Paul Corrie, a designer based in Washington D.C. says that he is partial to using French, Swedish, and Gustavian antiques with underlying tones of gray to enhance the elegant Parisian feel.

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into his designs lately, explaining, “I do quite a bit of zinc case goods, like metal tables and metal towers,” he says.

However, if the industrial design isn’t for you, there are other ways to simplify the environment.

For a warmer feel of gray try mist, clay, thunder, or ink.

These colors are look great with colors like red, pink, and yellow, or more specifically, ruby, tea rose, and lemon curd valspar.

Wickham gray, gray owl, gray horse, Amherst gray, and temptation are all great gray color choices if you are going for a cooler feel. In addition, incorporate colors such as green, blue, or purple. Steel blue, lilac purple, and olive green are among some of the most popular choices when coordinating with gray.

In addition to interchangeable feels, gray is considered interchangeable in regards to gender. Gray and white stripes or (pinstripes) set a more sporty menswear-inspired tone, while gray bases designed with white floral patterns suggest a more feminine vibe.

GRAY IN THE DORM ROOM

It may seem complicated to spice up a dorm room, but the reality of the situation says differently. Although you cannot paint your walls, there are many other ways to incorporate gray; for example you can use it as a complementary color. Complementary pieces can consist of anything from bedding, to décor.

To include gray as a complimentary color in your dorm, consider a few of the following tips: Bedding Bedding is an important aspect to think about when

decorating a dorm. It is the largest piece in your room and it is the first object the eye will be attracted to. Because of grays’ popularity, it is not difficult to find comforters that are solid gray or have mixed gray patterns.

Seating When shopping for your dorm essentials, seating is a must. Chairs are a very popular and easy way to dress up with gray. You can buy a gray chair and decorate it with pillows and throw blankets that consist of complimentary colors or vice versa.

Décor Décor is usually the little extra piece you use to liven up your living space. In this case, picture frames and desk accessories are great additions. Buy these pieces in gray or create a mixture of gray and one accent color.

GRAY IN THE APARTMENT

It is easier to get a little bit more carried away when living in an apartment. This is the place you have the potential of living in for multiple years and you might even be allowed to paint! People living in apartments also purchase everything on their own, including furniture. It is easier to use gray as a primary color in apartments and choose other colors to compliment it.

Walls Painting the walls with a gray color will immediately

make a statement when your guests enter a room. If you want to paint the entire room gray, it is important to incorporate some lighter tones. However, if you were to paint on one wall, a darker gray would look great, especially with warmer tones. Keep in mind however that the darker the color of paint on a wall, the smaller a room looks.

Furniture When bringing in furniture for an apartment, it is important to think back to what Corrie said about the industrial feel. Try purchasing metal furniture like bedframes and end tables. This will incorporate the gray in a different way but will still make a statement and allow the room to feel modern and chic.

Décor Apartment décor is a must-have. Because rooms are slightly bigger than dorm spaces, accents are needed to fill it out. One great addition is an area rug. Area rugs are a focal point in a room, meaning that choosing an appropriate color and design is imperative. White shag rugs look great as an accent to a gray-walled room, but, gray shag and oriental rugs can add the perfect amount of gray to any space.

For more tips on how to style with gray, and for some true thunder gray vs. Wickham gray differentiation, visit Kate Smith’s color inspiration Pinterest, http://www. pinterest.com/colorexpert

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NOSH YOUR HEART OUT

(ANY DAY BUT SATURDAY) text by matt mullen photo by carlyle thomes

The best Jewish cuisine in Boston... just in time for Purim!

This year on March 15 is Purim, the holiday that celebrates the deliverance of the Jewish people in Persia. According to ancient lore, the King of Persia once planned to kill all the Jews in his empire, but he was foiled and everyone was saved. To commemorate this miracle, people around the world attend feasts, exchange gifts, give to charity, and dress in costumes for parades. In its honor, here are the best places to eat Jewish cuisine in Boston. Ranging from generations old establishments in Brookline to quiet Cambridge eateries to a pop up dining experience all over the city, the Jewish food scene will leave your mouth watering.

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1

ZAFTIGS

2

RUBIN’S

335 Harvard Street, Brookline, MA The name says it all— Zaftigs, from the word zaftig, meaning pleasantly plump— is a place you go to forget about calorie counting. Having only been around 14 years, the restaurant is somewhat new to the scene in Brookline. However, in that short time they’ve amassed a loyal following of Brookline denizens.

The menu is overflowing with every Jewish delicacy possible: matzo ball soup, latkes, and pastrami sandwiches the size of textbooks, to name a few. Zaftigs serves breakfast through dinner (including a popular brunch). Portions are big here, but so are prices, so prepare to splurge in all senses of the word.

500 Harvard Street, Brookline, MA Rubin’s is the old guard of Brookline: it’s been around forever, the waiters are old and grumpy, and there’s a line out the door most Sundays. This is definitely the most authentic Jewish delicatessen on the list. Rubin’s menu is just as big as Zaftigs but is 100 percent kosher, and many of the dishes are more traditional, such as stuffed cabbage and knishes. What it lacks in aesthetic charm (the interior appears to be stuck in 1962), it makes up for in lovingly prepared, homemade tasting meals. Like any true Jewish establishment, it’s closed all day Saturdays.

RESTAURANT 3 S&S 1334 Cambridge Street, Cambridge, MA

S&S in Cambridge is another old favorite among Jewish-food connoisseurs. It’s been in the same location for almost a hundred years and apparently not much has changed. The waiters love to boast about “Ma Edelstein,” the original proprietor of the restaurant and veritable guardian angel. Featuring a somewhat smaller menu than Zaftigs and more updated interior than Rubin’s, S&S is a good in-between spot to avoid the crowds and large parties. You’ll mostly see older couples chatting over a plate of blintzes. If you’re looking for a low-key lunch spot, this is the place.

KIBITZ 4 KITCHEN Pop-up restaurant experience

Kitchen Kibitz— the pop-up dining collective started by Boston-area food lovers Jeff Gabel and Josh Lewin— would probably give the chefs at any of the above establishments a conniption. Kibitz is a dining experience where once every month Gabel and Lewin team up with a local restaurant— be it a Japanese, Italian, or Mexican establishment, among others— and create a one-night only special menu fusing Jewish food classics with the restaurant’s staples. According to their website, “This is a radical departure from your bubbe’s cooking; rather, this new take on classic dishes elevates old-world recipes with modern techniques, exotic flavors, and local ingredients.”

Try picturing pumpkin-seed challah or sunchoke latkes with sugar beet and pumpkin sauce. If those dishes don’t offend you or your “bubbe,” check out their upcoming dinner scheduled for the middle of this month. The venue is still to be announced. Both Gabel and Lewin claim they love surprises.

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GEO-WHAT? text and photos by madeline bilis

The only thing that lies between you and hidden treasure is a set of coordinates.

42.359356 -71.066254

This isn’t a random assortment of numbers; these are the coordinates to a geocache hidden in Boston especially for Your Mag readers.

WHAT IN THE WORLD IS A GEOCACHE?

If you think the idea of real-world treasure hunting sounds exciting, then you’re in for a treat—geocaching is just that. What started as a project in 2000 by a computer consultant/Global Positioning System (GPS) enthusiast has expanded into a worldwide scavenger hunt-esque event.

By plugging coordinates into a GPS device, participants navigate to the specified location to find what is called a “geocache”. A geocache is essentially a container filled with surprises; they come in all shapes and sizes. From microcaches (or tiny magnets) to traditional geocache containers (like small cases or canisters), they usually hold a logbook to sign. Some of the larger caches may contain small treasures that can be traded, and others contain “trackables”, which are little coins that must be taken out of one geocache and placed in another each time it’s found.

HOW DO I START?

Most geocachers download the Geocaching app, available on iOS and Android for $9.99. Although the price tag is high, the app allows you to search for caches to find in the area and gives you access to hints, photos, and recent find logs. However, any GPS app or GPS device will do as long as you obtain your coordinates from geocaching.com beforehand. Caches are hidden all over the world, from a small town in Wisconsin to Rome, the finding possibilities are endless!

ARE THERE ANY RULES?

There are three main rules when it comes to geocaching: 1) Sign the logbook, 2) If you take something from the cache, leave something of equal or greater value, 3) Log your experience at geocaching.com. By logging your cache, you can rack up your number of finds which in turn levels up your ranking. While geocaching, you must always look out for muggles. Muggles, or non-geocachers, absolutely cannot catch a glimpse of a cache or find out what you’re up to. As long as you’ve got a GPS and a good eye, you’re ready to start geocaching.

WHAT’S THE POINT?

Geocaching is just plain awesome—it boosts your level of physical activity in the great outdoors and forces you to put your noggin to good use. Boston especially has some historical caches that require extra cleverness to be found. While many caches are usually hidden in the woods, parks, or hiking trails, geocaches in Boston are even more exciting.

However, caching in the city requires a certain level of sneakiness because of the high concentration of muggles.

Hurry up and read the rest of Your Magazine— there are caches out there waiting to be found!

Visit geocaching.com to find other geocache locations and for hints about Your Mag’s cache.

BE THE CHANGE:

THREE ALTERNATIVE SPRING BREAK STORIES text by jamie kravitz illustration by pimploy phongsirivech

These Emerson students did not let their week of freedom go to waste.

AN OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE BACK

Dylan Manderlink ‘14 will be graduating with a BA in investigative theatre for social change. As a freshman, she stayed in Boston for her first Alternative Spring Break (ASB). Last year, Dylan participated in ASB in Biloxi, Miss., doing projects that directly impacted the community, such as helping clean up after a tornado. Now she is contributing again, leading the trip to Eagle Butte, S.D. She will be working on a Lakota Native American reservation and volunteering with their youth center, The Cheyenne River Youth Project. Here’s what Dylan has to say: “I chose to participate in ASB… because I wanted to give back to something bigger than myself, lend my skills and passions to a cause or people who could benefit from my assistance, learn from being outside my comfort zone, and strengthen my understanding of civic engagement and community service. Serving a community that’s unfamiliar to you and that is in need of assistance, compassion, love, and empathy is one of the greatest things we can do for humanity.”

A TRIP WITH REAL LIFE APPLICATION

Isabella Gordillo ‘15 is a political communication major. She has gone on ASB for the last two years, and is currently one of the student leadership coordinators for the program. She will be leading this year’s ASB trip to Detroit, Mich. Last year, Isabella was part of a group of thirteen students and two advisors who went to El Paso, Texas to do service in a border community and learn about the issue of immigration. They worked in homeless shelters, a community garden, an elderly home, and an after school program at a church. This is Isabella’s take: “I would have to say you get out of it what you put into

it. The week of service is obviously the core and peak of the program, but there is so much you can do before and after that week to make your time there so much more fulfilling. How do you familiarize yourself with an issue or area before actually going on the trip? How do you take what you’ve learned during that week and apply it to your day-to-day life? You’re only going to have a life changing experience if you go with the open mind that you’ll need and the excitement of what you learned to keep that experience going.”

A TRANSFORMATIVE EXPERIENCE

Andrea Gordillo ‘14 will be graduating with a BA in theatre studies: acting. She also traveled to El Paso last year to learn about immigration at the border. Looking to participate in service over break, Andrea was attracted by the fact that there were students eager to learn about immigration.

She is currently co-president of Emerson Understanding National Immigration Through Education (EmersonUNITE). Andrea explains the personal significance of the trip: “The experience at the border was extremely personal to me, as it challenged my personal notions of justice, identity, and service. I came back from the trip transformed, and I dropped my BFA degree to pursue minors in political communications and political science, with the intention of pursuing a career in advocacy and politics to enact change regarding immigration. My entire understanding of the world changed because of this trip. I advise any student considering participating in Alternative Spring Break to jump on the opportunity at the earliest possible second; the experience was unlike any other I have ever had. Because of it, I have a deeper understanding of who I am, what I want to do, and who I want to become in my life.”

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ROLL ROUNDUP text by ashley howard photos by irene he

These sushi hot spots are truly the best, so forget the rest!

Considering changing up your Dining Hall and EmCafe diet? Let’s just say that eating healthy among the mozzarella sticks and Ben & Jerry’s is no easy feat.

So instead of guilt-eating at NYP when you want a break from Sodexo’s delicacies, try taking advantage of a palatable, healthy, and trendy treat: sushi. Your Mag has rounded up the best sushi in Boston that will not only be mindful of your college budget, but will also be healthy alternatives to the greasy food we all know and love.

Genki Ya

232 Tremont Street This delicious and innovative sushi bar is one of Boston’s best. Right next to Emerson, Genki Ya not only delivers right to our residence hall lobbies, but it also stays open until as late as 2 a.m. for those battling a desire to ditch their homework. Genki Ya’s rolls are different and decadent, especially if you’re not into the whole raw fish bit — they have a long list of rolls that contain ingredients like banana, cream cheese, mango, and spinach. With a wide variety of beers and cocktails, a trendy ambience, and scrumptious rolls and sashimi, Genki Ya is totally worth the slightly pricier menu.

Favorite Roll: It’s a tossup — we love the ABC Roll (a unique combination of avocado, banana, and cream cheese) and the Mushroom Tempura Roll (juicy portobello mushrooms and green lettuce).

Non-Sushi Favorite: The miso soup. Yes, you read it right — this simple Japanese soup is served most MARCH 2014

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deliciously at Genki Ya. Besides, this inexpensive soup is said to be an absolute must have when ordering sushi at any restaurant; it’s low calorie and very filling, so it will help you feel full faster during your main course.

Irashi

8 Kneeland Street The least expensive of the sushi bars, Irashai, delivers delicious rolls for a fantastic price. The lunchtime special at Irashai is misleading — mostly because the special isn’t just at lunchtime, it’s all day long. For just $11, you can get the Three Maki Combo, which includes three mouthwatering rolls, a house salad with ginger dressing, and miso soup. There’s never a wait at Irashai, so it’s perfect for a casual, sit down dinner without the commotion of a packed restaurant. And if you’re feeling particularly adventurous, there is a wide variety of sashimi, including salmon belly, which is a melt-your-mouth favorite at Irashai. No matter what you’re hankering for, this Chinatown sushi bar truly delivers.

Favorite Roll: The Crunch Roll. It’s simple but savory, with just a stick of crab and a crunchy exterior. But if you’re looking to try something out-of-the-box, try the Futo Roll—it contains tamago, which isn’t raw fish but rather a Japanese cooked egg. This roll is perfect for trying something new because it doesn’t have an overwhelming or weird flavor; it melts in your mouth, tastes delicious, and is definitely worth the money.

Non-Sushi Favorite: The beef teriyaki. This tasty Japanese entree is truly scrumptious at Irashai — for just

$8, the large serving of beef or chicken, savory teriyaki sauce, and fried rice is a great deal for tantalizing food.

Snappy Sushi

108 Newbury Street Snappy Sushi’s rolls are a whirlwind of succulent flavors and decadent presentations. This, combined with its laidback environment and hotspot Newbury location, makes this sushi bar one of the best in Boston. Snappy Sushi is also the perfect spot to take your friends and family who are visiting the city! During warmer weather, there is an outdoor eating area where you can observe the busyness of Newbury while enjoying a California Roll. Among its menu are a wide variety of well-prepared rolls, each with a lovely and unique presentation. Snappy Sushi is perfect for those days when you and your friends want to window shop down Newbury and have a healthy lunch.

Favorite Roll: The Soft Shell Crab Roll. With a filling of deep-fried soft shell crab, avocado, cucumber, and tobiko, this roll is sure to not only fill you up, but leave you forever wanting more. This Snappy Sushi classic is sensationally delicious. Don’t forget to ask for a side of spicy mayo!

Non-Sushi Favorite: Under Appetizers on the menu, Snappy Sushi’s Avocado Salad is a small portion, but an immensely delicious dish.

With avocado, soft shell crab, cucumber, and flying fish roe with mayo, this unusual dish is sure to make your palate dance.

Jae’s

520 Columbus Avenue Jae’s Cafe, located in Boston’s trendy South End, is not only a perfect sushi hotspot, but also a hopping bar. Sit down in Jae’s mellow ambience for some delicious rolls, sashimi, and mixed drinks, all while having a night out with friends. Jae’s Cafe is perfect for when your wallet is feeling a bit tight, but you just have to take a break from the Dining Hall.

Step into Jae’s and prepare to have a leisurely dinner with lots of lychee martinis.

Favorite Roll: The Dynamite Roll. With scallop, crab,

and spicy mayo, this roll is both flavorful and savory. Try this roll with a slightly smaller Idaho Roll to complement the flavors; the Idaho Roll has a sweeter nuance, made up of sweet potato and eel sauce. With Jae’s massive menu, it can be hard to decide on what you want among the long list of delicious rolls, so try the aforementioned rolls to get started.

Non-Sushi Favorite: Jae’s simple lo mein, stir fried with mushrooms, onion, carrot, bok choy, scallion, and bean sprouts, is a mouth-watering classic with a twist on flavor.

Rather than the typical taste of lo mein, Jae’s lo mein has a more savory and somewhat spicy kick to it. If you’re in the mood for something more substantial than sushi, try the lo mein.

Duozo

131 Dartmouth Street Located conveniently in Boston’s Back Bay, Douzo is arguably the best of Boston’s sushi. This high-class restaurant has a modern and trendy atmosphere that really makes for a fancy night out.

Although Douzo’s rolls are more expensive than at other sushi bars, the rolls are large, delicious, and very filling. At Douzo, a single roll and some of their delightful miso soup will be enough to fill you up and leave you completely satisfied.

Favorite Roll: At Douzo, the Spider Roll is the most delectable combination of flavors. With soft shell crab tempura, avocado, cucumber, tobiko, and spicy mayo, this is truly a melt in your mouth favorite. The soft shell crab is incredibly flavorful, making you want to order it again and again.

Non-Sushi Favorite: Don’t be afraid to try new things when dining at Douzo — everything on the menu is made well and is beyond satisfactory.

From unique rolls to savory classics, we’ve rounded up some of the most delicious sushi bars in Boston that will help to get you away from the chicken tenders and fries we all are unwillingly attached to, and help you to take advantage of Boston’s wonderful food scene. For a night out the town, opt for a sushi roll with our helpful guide in hand!

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DINE OUT, EMERSON text by riana odin photos by carina allen

Get out of the DH and taste all that Boston has to offer Boston sure knows how to do winter. Between the snow storms that hold the city hostage and below-negative wind chills that make you question if class is even worth venturing out for, chances are you might have spent the majority of the first half of your semester indoors. Dine Out Boston is a city-wide culinary adventure that makes going outside worth every prix fixe penny.

For two weeks in March, a wide variety of dining establishments sprinkled throughout Boston and Cambridge offer prix fixe menu options for guests to choose from. Instead of their standard, daily menus, head chefs from each restaurant design specialty lunch and dinner dishes just for the event. For one fixed price, the meal includes an appetizer, entree, and in many cases, dessert. Beverages are not included in the price, however. This year, the two-week long event will take place March 16-21 and March 23-28, and has recently been rebranded. One of the crucial new changes to the former Restaurant Week is the sliding scale of prices. What had been a two-price plan for the past 13 years, with one standard price for all lunch menus and a slightly elevated cost for dinner, has since evolved. The individual restaurant can now choose to price their lunch menus at $15, $20, or $25 and dinners fall in the range of $28, $33, or $38. Restaurants felt the previous prices weren’t reasonable because they were either charging guests more than necessary or causing a MARCH 2014

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loss of profit over their costly creations. With a more tailored price feature, the hope is that more establishments will find themselves willing and able to participate. With March heralding the official start of spring, there is no better time for Emerson students to head out into their great city and participate as well.

If you happen to have some extra dough and are fed up with dining hall options, Boston’s spring restaurant week is the best way to get the most bang for your buck.

As college students, it is not often that we can find a few extra dollars to eat at a sit-down place, let alone a pricy one. Besides, why spend that $20 on a starter salad when it can get you a crop-top at Brandy Melville instead? Restaurant week is a chance for anyone with $15-25 to fill up on a gourmet meal without emptying your wallet.

Some of the most upscale hotspots around the city are made accessible due to the temporary pricing of Dine Out Boston week. From the cobblestones of the North End to the trendy tapas bars of Newbury Street, this is the time to try out the ritzy restaurants you might usually forego.

Jacob Forchheimer ‘16, experienced Met Back Bay, a four-star staple of Newbury Street, during August 2013’s restaurant weeks.

“Even though Met Back Bay gets good reviews, I would usually stick to places I already know are worth it when eating at an expensive restaurant,” Forchheimer says. “I decided to give it a try because of restaurant week. It was

definitely a good value.”

To ensure your own Dine Out Boston experience gets you more than what you pay for, there are a few tips every diner should be aware of. Start your search with the official listing of Dine Out Boston restaurants, which can be found at www.BostonUSA.com’s page on the event. There you will find not only the available locations, but also lunch and dinner menus with their corresponding prices.

Not every restaurant has opted to partake in the event for both lunch and dinner, and the prices do vary based on location. Be sure to also take a look at the menu provided beforehand, even if you are familiar with the restaurant, as all prix fixe menus are much more limited in options than regular menus. Once you have found the restaurant that appeals to you, reserving a table becomes the opposite of a hassle. A red “Reserve Now” button on the website brings you to your greatest eating-out resource, OpenTable.com.

Open Table allows you to see your pick’s availability for a desired date based on party size and time of day, as well as reviews from previous guests. You can book a time right away online without ever having to get in touch with the business over the phone. For larger groups or those

with an inflexible schedule, it is important to book well in advance. Because of the discounted pricing and short span of time, restaurants book up quickly. Plus, as an added perk, a free Open Table account accumulates points for each restaurant you visit with a reservation booked through the site. Points depend on the place, but eventually add up to a $20 dining certificate. If you’re going to eat out anyways, you might as well get rewarded for it.

The event is great for lunch or dinner, no matter what your social situation. A $15 spot can be a great way to catch up—and fill up—with a friend you haven’t seen in a while, and there is no better way to celebrate a group birthday dinner than with one of the restaurant week options. When everyone pays the same, lower-than-usual price, guests don’t feel uncomfortable about how much they spend. The pressure to order more than an entree is eliminated, which is something to celebrate all by itself.

Feel like you’ll miss it once it’s gone? Dine Out Boston will be back in all its glory for two weeks in August to give you that perfectly sautéed satisfaction you crave. For a complete list of participating restaurants, head to www. bostonusa.com/visit/dineoutboston/

YOUR RECOMMENDATIONS TOP OF THE HUB 800 BOYLSTON STREET

MET BACK BAY 297 DARTMOUTH STREET

Known to many as the ultimate Boston dining experience, the Top of the Hub is located on the 52nd, and highest, floor of the Prudential Building.

Few places can compare with the snazzy locale and impossibly stunning panoramic views provided by the floor-to-ceiling windows. Meals are elegant and reflect traditional New England dishes with an emphasis on seafood. A typical dinner costs upwards of $50 a person, so the $38 restaurant week price is a rare and excellent discount. The restaurant has surprisingly selected the mid-range lunch price of $20, which is an absolute steal. Lunch $20, Dinner $38.

About halfway down Newbury Street, Met Back Bay is perhaps most recognizable for its enviable seating options. In warm weather, their patio is nearly always full and puts you right in the middle of this busy area’s action.

Inside, the restaurant features large, spacious dining rooms. The ambiance is definitely of a sophisticated, elegant nature and their dishes reflect that. The entrees truly play the part of a four-star restaurant due to the delicate and deliberate styling arrangement of each plate.

The quality of the food makes up for the medium-sized portions. This is definitely a place you will be bringing your parents back to. Lunch $20, Dinner $33.

GROTTO 37 BOWDOIN STREET

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Grotto encompasses all the antique, charming delight of the Beacon Hill neighborhood, while being a refreshing break from the typical Charles Street scene. Cross the Common and make your way down a few winding, hilly streets to the almost hidden Grotto. Stone steps lead you down into the art-filled, intimate dining room. Meals start off with fresh rolls and an olives-in-olive-oil combination that rivals any Italian eatery in the North End. No matter what appetizer and entree you choose, the brownie sundae is a must-have. Portions are very generous and the menu is diverse. Lunch $25, Dinner $33.

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WHAT MAKES A GALLERY A GALLERY? text and photos by claudia mak

Emerson artists are determined to promote their photography, film, and t-shirt companies through a homegrown gallery show.

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The space where art is presented should not determine whether or not art should be taken seriously. Or at least that’s what Andy Stoffo ‘15 and Max Lyons ‘15 had in mind when they decided to put on a gallery show in the coziness of their own apartment.

“It started as myself and Max, we have t-shirt things that we’re doing, we wanted a way to show that. And then we were joking, ‘we should have a gallery! We have so many talented friends!’” says Stoffo.

But what started as mere humor formed into reality as Stoffo and Lyons’ apartment in Brookline transformed into a gallery for the evening of Feb. 22. Friends gathered around and conversed, chill tunes resonated throughout the walls, and the faint smell of tobacco lingered in the living room.

Photography by Kullen Pak ‘15, Rob Fraebel ‘15, and James Hausman ‘15, along with photos by Lyons and Stoffo were plastered on poster boards hung on the walls. The gallery was lit by strings of Christmas lights.

Fraebel’s collection of black and white cityscape prints caught the attention of a lot of the gallery goers. His dramatic and vivid photography makes Boston look less like a plain old American city and more like a gritty wonderland.

Fraebel draws inspiration from his friend’s photography and from photographers such as Lee Friedlanger, Garry Winogrand, and Larry Clark. Besides that, Fraebel admits, “Skateboarding is also a major inspiration for me because it is what got me into photography in the first place, and continues to inspire me to travel to and explore new places.”

It is easy to understand why Fraebel is inspired by the photography of his friends by looking around the gallery.

Every single one of them is skilled and has an incredible talent for capturing the secret vibe of a city or the whimsical exchanges between homies.

Although photography is not Hausman’s career aspiration, he still has a knack for taking captivating photos and sharing them with all. “I’m not sure if I ever see photography being my main pursuit in life, but I plan on pursuing and

continuing to hone my skills for as long as possible. I love photography and don’t plan on stopping anytime soon,” says Hausman.

T-shits designed by Stoffo and Lyons under the brand names Curb Division and Freshjawn were hung on the wall for sale. Stoffo’s Curb Division shirt sported an artistic front center graphic of an American flag against a concrete landscape. Lyons draws his inspiration for Freshjawn from hip-hop and street art, and he has some ambitious goals for his company.

Lyons wishes to one day, “[use] the money to run the company while donating to nonprofits such as AWOL and LTHH which focus on teaching at risk youth to express themselves through hip-hop and street art.”

The only speed bump in the night was when cops arrived on behalf of a noise complaint. But, like the dedicated art hooligans Emerson students are, after a quick circle around the block they returned to the show.

The night rallied on with a premiere of a short skate video filmed by Benny Goldman ‘15 and Fraebel titled “The Big Dirty.” You can check it out on Vimeo if you missed all the fun at the gallery.

Clearly Brookline PD does not have the same appreciation for the arts as us here at Emerson. They broke up the party a second time and ended it for good. Sometimes an apartment in quiet Brookline is not the best place to have a get-together.

But Stoffo insists that another gallery show has to happen.

Although not through Emerson College, “Not that the college’s involvement would be a bad thing, but we just want these events to be something that we created from the ground up on our own.”

The cops were big party poopers, yet Stoffo thinks that they achieved their goal with the gallery show, “to get people involved in our own community of talented artists.

I think our show this weekend really proved that we can do awesome things completely by ourselves.”

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BALLERINA FAIRY TALE text by pimploy phongsirivech photos by kathy collins

Boston Ballet’s Cinderella, and Principal Dancer Lia Cirio’s Tale This March, Boston Ballet presents Cinderella, the eternal classic that will transport you back to the world of glass slippers, ball gowns, and magic. From March 13 to March 23, this three-act production at the Boston Opera House features Sir Frederick Ashton’s stunning choreography and Sergei Prokofiev’s enthralling musical score.

Though there have been various renditions of Cinderella, Sir Frederick Ashton’s is timeless. Principal dancer Lia Cirio, who will be dancing Cinderella, says that Ashton’s is “really special” as she describes the choreography as “very, very English classical”. She also adds that it is “a really beautiful ballet…the costumes and the scenery are great… it’ll be an audience pleaser.”

In addition to the performances, Boston Ballet provides two opportunities for the audience to meet with the company’s artistic director, dancers, and choreographers.

On March 15, Boston Ballet is hosting a “Post-Show Conversation” with the company’s Artistic Director Mikko Nissinen. Another amazing opportunity to get an insider’s view on the production choreography, history, costume, and music is the “Pre-Curtain Talk” on March 22. Both events are free for all ticket holders.

Your Mag had the remarkable opportunity to interview one of Boston Ballet’s principal dancers Lia Cirio. Lia won her first award from the National Foundation for Advancement of the Arts and was also awarded the top scholarship and Founders’ Award at the Regional Dance America Festival. Lia was invited to join the Boston Ballet at the age of 16, and was promoted to soloist three years later. Named principal dancer in 2010, she has starred in countless productions. She was hailed as “one of the most accomplished actress-dancers in the company” by The Patriot Ledger. Lia recounts her journey with Your Mag from after-school ballet classes in Carlisle, Penn. to center stage with the Boston Ballet.

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Your Mag: Firstly, which ballerinas did you admire the most growing up?

Lia Cirio: As a child I really loved Margaret Tracey, who is actually the director here at the school now…I used to watch the Macaulay Culkin Nutcracker every Christmas, and just watch her doing marzipan over and over again [laughs].

Also, Darcy Bussell from Royal Ballet…just flawless technique. She was totally different from New York City Ballet and their kind of dancing, so [she] was a big person to look up to. But then when I got into the company here at Boston, I really looked up to Sarah Lamb who was the principal here and now the principal at Royal Ballet… and um, Larissa Ponomarenko who’s my all time favorite principal…ever. Prima ballerina. And now, now she’s our ballet mistress so it’s really great to learn from her every day.

YM: Apart from getting to work with your idols, what do you enjoy most about being a ballerina?

LC: It’s not as glamorous as you think. I mean you have six-hour days [where] you’re constantly on your feet, [and] on your toes. Some days it’s work, definitely, but once you’re on stage, you know that it’s worth it…that feeling with the lights in your face…it’s indescribable, you know.

It’s a beautiful phenomenon and that’s why I do it. It’s the magic of the stage.

YM: And do you have any pre-show rituals?

LC: Well I do a warm up or whatever, [and] usually I say a prayer before I go onstage. I try to get the tension out of my hands, I try to relax and sometimes when I feel like

I’m getting worked up, I just find a chair and sit down and kind of…chill. Usually I’m pretty solid…but sometimes I have to tell myself, “You’ve done harder things, you can do this…no worries!”

YM: Like a bit of a pep talk?

LC: Yeah, exactly.

YM: And your brother, he’s also in the company, right?

LC: Yes! Yes, he is.

YM: And have you been in any productions together? And what’s it like working with your brother?

YM: So a little bit about the productions…what’s your personal favorite to have worked on?

LC: Well my favorite classical [that] we’ve done is La Bayadere, which we did this fall. It’s very exotic, and this was actually the second time we’ve done it. The first time we did it was my first full-length classical ballet as a principal, so it’s always gonna be really special to me but the role suits me the best I think, it just feels like me. So I really enjoy doing La Bayadere. Contemporary-wise, I love the [Jiri] Kylian stuff that we do…last year we got to do an All Kylian [production]…and I just loved getting to do that…it’s just pure, pure emotion, always just like human nature coming out through dance.

YM: And you’ve been on Cinderella before?

LC: No, no. Well, I mean we did a different version a couple years ago but I wasn’t Cinderella. This is the first time we’re doing Sir Fredrick Ashton’s Cinderella. I’m going to be dancing Cinderella and one of the Winter Fairies.

YM: And what can the audience expect from this version?

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

LC: Well, we’ve never danced together partner-wise cause he’s a little short for me, cause when I’m on pointe I’m taller than him…but we’re always in the same production.

Like this year in La Bayadere I did the lead, and he did Golden Idol [a solo]…also he just choreographed a piece for our BB@home [another Boston Ballet production] so I got to work with him and was in his piece. Yeah it’s really great to work with someone you’ve known your whole entire life and sometimes I get more nervous watching him on stage than when I’m on stage [chuckles]…but it’s wonderful…we don’t fight or anything, and we have a

really healthy relationship. It’s nice if you have someone who understands what you’re going through everyday. It’s easier to get through sometimes.

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LC: Well, I think the audience always enjoys [a] fairy tale ballet. They know it’s going to be a happy ending. This one’s really special ‘cause it’s very, very English classical [and] very structured…so I hope that that comes across to the audience. I mean of course there’s humor…the stepsisters are played by men [laughs]…So that’s really funny, we had a rehearsal last night and because I know the guys doing it…it’s really hard not to laugh…like they’re being mean to me…but I’m just smiling at them.

YM: It’s interesting that you mention humor because there’s always this vibe from ballet of being very serious, very structured, so it’s unusual that you have all these funny moments behind the scenes…

LC: Yeah it’s fun, it’s really fun…I mean we have fun all the time, really, on stage…There’s always little jokes and that sort of thing. I mean I know ballet can be very serious, but it’s nice to let the audience know that in the background we’re human beings too [laughs].

YM: And is your brother also in this production?

LC: Yes! Yeah he is, he’s dancing the prince with Misa Kuranaga…so we’re both doing leads, just not together.

YM: So, just stepping slightly from Cinderella to your career as a ballerina… what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve had to overcome in your career in general…like, for example, were your parents completely on board?

up again and moved to Boston for a year for me. They’ve always put us first. And the same with Jeff…he wanted to go train in Florida with a Cuban teacher, and they moved back and forth [laughs]…yeah it was crazy. [They were] so supportive. They just wanted us to be happy.

YM: I’m in awe, that’s incredible LC: Yeah, we’re so, so grateful. Oh wait, you wanted me to talk about some challenges I’ve had right?

YM: Yeah, so you know how being a ballerina is something that as a kid you dream of, but when you grow older it becomes less and less realistic and the image gets kind of surreal.

LC: Yeah, it is…but I mean you constantly have to make sure your body is the right size, like you cant get big, things like that…and for me I have very hyperextended legs [laughs] and everything is that much harder because my legs are so wonky crazy, so I have to really learn how to use my butt, [and] hone my techniques. So that’s probably the biggest things I’ve had to learn and am still learning. And also, it’s hard to have a personal life you know [laughs], …basically all my friends are from the ballet, and I’ve dated people from the ballet. And sometimes you can’t go out and have fun because you have a show the next day…but you know you love it, so you’ll just have to sacrifice.

“I think the audience always enjoy a fairy tale ballet.

They know it’s going to be a happy ending”

LC: Definitely! So just basically, work really hard, take as many classes as you can and something I’ve learned and I mean I still have to constantly remind myself is to not compare myself to other dancers. But definitely watch and you can learn from your peers, from the people above and [the people] below you. So, watch but don’t compare. I’m still learning [chuckles].

We at Your Mag would like to thank Lia for taking the time to talk with us. Lia’s dedication, perseverance, and her family’s unwavering support have made her journey extraordinary. Don’t miss her lead role in Cinderella – for more information about the production, visit: bostonballet.org/cinderella/

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LC: Yeah, so I didn’t know I wanted to be a ballerina really until I was 14. Before that I was kind of just doing it for fun…when I was 14 I realized I couldn’t see myself not dancing and then I found out I could do it as a career and was like “Oh! Maybe I’ll do that.” [Laughs]. And so, I grew up in Pennsylvania, and my parents found out about this school called Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, which was two hours away from where we lived and basically we just picked up and moved to Carlisle, Penn. Basically, it was ballet boot camp [laughs]…so my parents right away were totally supportive and on board. Mom did, like, loads of research [on] where people trained and things like that. They sacrificed a lot to help me with my career.

And when I was hired here at 16, I wasn’t allowed to live by myself because of a law in Boston, [so] they picked

YM: So closing up…do you have any advice to any aspiring ballerinas?

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COMING UP NEXT text by christabel frye

What movies you should be seeing this spring and summer We saw a lot of great movies in 2013. We were taken all throughout the history of America, from 12 Years a Slave to American Hustle to the very new Her. We ventured into the unknown with movies like Gravity, and got taken into the glamorous...and dirty worlds of money and crime in The Great Gatsby, Spring Breakers, and The Wolf of Wall Street.

Sequels like Iron Man 3 and The Hunger Games - Catching Fire didn’t disappoint avid fans of both franchises. Though 2014 may have lots of sequels and remakes, don’t doubt the strength of these movies. Highlighted below are some of the movies set to come out this spring, including a “must-see” for each month: March, April, and May.

MARCH

APRIL

MAY

300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE - MARCH 7 Get ready for the action packed, bloody, muscly sequel of 300, with Xerxes and Artemisia leading the Persians, and Themistokles leading the Greeks.

CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER - APRIL 4 After the 2011 Captain America movie, Marvel finally comes out with a sequel.

This time, Captain America (Chris Evans) must defeat the Winter Soldier, a Soviet agent.

THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 2 - MAY 2 Andrew Garfield is back as Peter Parker in this sequel to the 2012 movie. It features OsCorp, a company that seems to have villains going after Peter Parker in every element of his life.

DIVERGENT - MARCH 21 Based off of Veronica Roth’s novel of the same name, Divergent features Beatrice Prior, a 16 year-old heroine, in the not too distant future Chicago. Society is divided into five factions, which you are placed into based on merit. When Beatrice doesn’t fit into any of them, she becomes a “divergent.”

SABOTAGE - MARCH 28 This action movie features a task force from the DEA, lead by John “Breacher” Wharton (Arnold Schwarzenegger).

Suddenly, their lives are put in danger after a huge drug bust.

BAD WORDS - MARCH 28 Jason Bateman stars in this comedy as a bitter man who lost the spelling bee as a child and hopes to find a way to enter as an adult.

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UNDER THE SKIN - APRIL 4 IMDb describes this movie the only way possible: “an alien seductress preys upon hitchhikers in Scotland.” Starring Scarlett Johansson.

ONLY LOVERS LEFT ALIVE - APRIL 11 Vampires that have been in love for literally centuries. And Tom Hiddleston.

Great!

TRANSCENDENCE - APRIL 18 Johnny Depp stars as a scientist who downloads his brain onto a computer. He quickly discovers that he has abilities that he never could have imagined, something interesting to the terminally ill man.

THE QUIET ONES - APRIL 25 A professor puts together a group of students to help him with a strange experiment - creating a poltergeist. This movie is inspired by true events.

NEIGHBORS - MAY 9 A new mom and dad (Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne) move into their dream home only to discover that it’s right next door to a frat house, headed by Teddy Sanders (Zac Efron). The tagline is “family vs. frat.”

GODZILLA - MAY 16 This movie is a reboot of the classic featuring the giant Japanese monster who wants to do nothing but destroy humanity.

Bryan Cranston stars in this movie.

X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST - MAY 23 This sequel to the prequel of X-Men: First Class brings back all of the younger versions of the X-Men. Plus a more active Wolverine, who goes back in time to prevent a seemingly apocalyptic event.

MALEFICENT - MAY 30 Disney portrays Sleeping Beauty from the vile Maleficent’s point of view, and shows what lead her to do such evil things to Princess Aurora. She is played

by Angelina Jolie.

- MUST SEE THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL - MARCH 7 This film is set in Central Europe, between the wars.

Despite the anticipation and feelings of a destructive war that will be going on in the countries around it, the Grand Budapest Hotel is thriving. A famous concierge, by the name of Gustave H (played by Ralph Fiennes), is the most sought-after in all the land. When a new round of lobby boys is hired, one by the name of Zero Moustafa (played by Tony Revolori) stands out to Gustave, and they become very close friends. The movie follows the adventures of the two, as seen by a young writer (played

by Jude Law). After the death of one of the beloved guests at the hotel, Gustave is left a rare painting by the woman called Boy with Apple. Because of this, and because he had a one night stand with her, Gustave is suspected of murder. The film describes what happens, and it’s sure to be a very entertaining story. This film is directed by Wes Anderson, who gave us films like Moonrise Kingdom and Fantastic Mr. Fox. According to The Guardian’s Andrew Pulver, the movie is inspired by midcentury novelist Stefan Zweig. The entire cast is killer, with stars like Jeff Goldblum, Bill Murray, Owen Wilson, Edward Norton, Saoirse Ronan, and so many more. It comes out on March 7, so make sure you don’t miss this sure-to-be hit of 2014!

HEAVEN IS FOR REAL - APRIL 16 Based off of a true story and adapted from the New York Time’s #1 best-seller, this film is sure to get you thinking in an existential fashion. Four-year old Colton is placed into emergency surgery and almost loses his life. Thankfully

he doesn’t, and when he awakens, he tells his mother and father of the events that transpired while he was on the operating table. According to Colton, he went to heaven.

He saw his dad praying in the waiting room while Colton was in surgery, met his sister who was miscarried, and met his grandfather who died 30 years before his birth, among other things. At first, his parents weren’t sure what they should believe, but when he begins to tell them not only who, but what he saw, they begin to believe the story.

What makes this story interesting and unique, is that the father tells it through Colton’s eyes, using his words, and attempts to understand what happened to his son.

Starring Greg Kinnear, Kelly Reilly, and Connor Corum as Dad, Mom, and Colton, respectively, the portrayal of these events should make for a very interesting film.

A MILLION WAYS TO DIE IN THE WEST - MAY 30 Seth MacFarlane directs this “Western,” and stars as a sheep herder whose girlfriend (played by Amanda Seyfried) leaves him after he leaves a duel without competing. She begins dating a new guy, and he a new girl, and the story outlines the events that take place after MacFarlane’s character realizes that he’s dating the wife of an outlaw and wild criminal, played by the one and only Liam Neeson. This cast is what makes the story so tempting. It can only be described as a cast created by the same guy that made Ted and Family Guy. Neil Patrick Harris, Charlize Theron, and Sarah Silverman are among some of the talented people involved in this film.

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WINTER USHERS IN THE SOUNDS OF SUMMER text by michael mahin stock photos

The Boston-based dream pop band is taking off

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The ironically named Winter, a dream-pop band born out of the Boston area, is bringing back some much-needed summer sunshine to this chilly season. If you haven’t heard of Winter and their particular brand of “dreamy-star-projecting music”, as accorded by their YouTube channel, you should check them out immediately. They’re just about the perfect sun-soaked delight to help you thaw out for the approaching spring.

“Even though my band is named Winter, I don’t like the winter,” says lead singer and Emerson alumni Samira Winter ‘13, after whom the band is named. “My last name is Winter and my favorite seasons are summer and spring. I also really enjoy bands that have a summery feel like Real Estate and Best Coast.”

This affection for all things warm and sunny shines through on Winter’s latest EP, aptly named Summer Singles. The EP in question consists of two tracks; the first, entitled “The View”, is a laid-back, effortlessly listenable slice of ‘70s-style pop with discordant vocals and hazy guitar riffs to boot. The other, “Alligator”, begins with their characteristically eccentric lyrics (“You’re my alligator/The holy creation/You don’t even have to tell me why”) and then the chorus (“And you’re the reason why I never feel down/And you’re the reason why I never feel down/ So down, so down”) hits and the listener is immediately hooked.

Though only two tracks-long, Summer Singles perfectly captures what makes Winter so instantly appealing; particularly their dreamy, wind-blown vision of perpetual summertime.

If Winter’s sonic vision seems startlingly assured for such a young, and relatively unknown, band, it’s definitely taken time for Samira and her bandmates to find their creative voices. “I’ve always loved music,” notes Samira. “If that meant listening, researching, performing, and creating. It’s not something rational that I can explain, it’s really a strong passion.”

That lifelong passion translated to her experience at Emerson College. Samira began recording music at WERS during her first two years at Emerson, while at the same time belonging to a band by the name of Primacy Effect. “Those experiences led me to

figure out what I wanted my music to sound like and what I didn’t want it to sound like,” says Samira.

Her experiences at Emerson were instrumental in finding her creative and musical perspective. She began by experimenting with different kinds of artistic mediums through the Pro-Arts program. “I experimented with so many different ways of communication and art that by the end of it I knew that I wanted to focus on one: music.”

This artistic and musical experimentation helped to inspire Samira. “Emerson kids are really inspiring,” she states. “Being part of that environment, whatever you wanted to pursue, I naturally started believing more in my dreams. I loved how every Emersonian had their own niche, their own world where they could do the best at what they did.”

After having a friend, Nolan Eley, help record and produce her original material, which would become her first EP entitled Daydreaming, Samira decided to form the band Winter. Upon graduating, Samira then chose to move out to LA, a difficult transition if only because of the rich Boston music scene that Samira was departing from. Her decision to move across the country, and the conflicted feelings it conjured, are referenced in “Alligator,” in which Samira laments “If I should move here soon/ But I’ll miss my Boston life.”

“Boston life was amazing!” she notes. “I love the Boston music scene. There are some cool official and unofficial venues and so many bands. I had never been to a noise show, or heard shoe-gaze, or attended free jazz concerts before living in Boston. It’s such an intellectual and academic city so a lot of people don’t really care about fitting in or making music that will be popular. Boston opened my eyes and ears to all sorts of music and helped me grow as a songwriter.”

And though the move separated Samira from her original band partner and producer Eley, she claims “the songs and the sound [are] still the same.”

Furthermore, Winter seems to be enjoying the rewards of their newfound musical and artistic vision. Having just finished a twoweek tour in Brazil this past January, Samira has finally lived out a long-awaited dream.

She says of the experience, “I have always dreamed about touring and I realized in this trip that touring isn’t anything impossible; it’s just a trip but that needs much more organization and planning. Playing in Brazil felt really good because a lot of people had never seen dream-pop performed live...It’s just a really beautiful country. So during the day we could go to the beach and

feel really close to nature. My next ambition is to tour in the U.S. and see what that’s like!”

Brazil has served, for Samira, as a continuing artistic inspiration for her music. “I’m part Brazilian and so I love the intimist quality of Bossa Nova singers,” she states. Additionally, of her band’s summery sound, she comments: “I grew up in Brazil, so the warm weather reminds me of the happiest moments of my childhood.”

Elsewhere, Samira’s influences touch upon everything from nature to other artistic mediums like photography. She notes, “A lot of times other songs can inspire me, like the first time I heard ‘San Francisco’ by Foxygen. I started writing a new song immediately after. Also conversations can be really inspiring.

For example, the Winter song ‘Nothing’ blossomed from a conversation with my Emersonian friend Lorena Alvarado ‘13, when she said ‘Everything is nothing.’ The day after she said that I wrote the song. Films, photography, seeing a beautiful landscape, feeling the wind hit your hands, all of these sensorial experiences inspire me.”

And, of Winter’s hazy, dream-like sound, she states, “I think a lot of the dreamy-ness comes from my personality and the kinds of films, books, art, and music I’m into. Another big part of the dreamy-ness is my friend Nolan Eley’s sonic choices when he was producing the songs. Both of us are really into shoe-gaze and dream-pop so those influences created Winter’s sonic dream experience.”

So what is in store for Winter’s future? Well, a lot. Samira claims that a full-length album is in the works to be released in a matter of months, just in time for the spring/summer season.

Additionally, Samira found time while touring in Brazil to record an EP entitled Tudo Azul which features all new material sung in Portuguese and which will be released under her solo profile.

When asked about her decision to pursue music professionally, Samira states: “I don’t know if I ever made the decision to ‘pursue music professionally’ because I still don’t really see myself as a professional musician. I basically just do it because I love it.”

Even so, Samira certainly has some exciting prospects for her musical and creative future. “I have a lot of goals to improve my chops as a singer, guitarist, and to learn more about recording,” she comments. “Other than improving my music skills, I would love to collaborate with different people and experiment with different kinds of music and different sounds. But most importantly, I want to be able to play shows and release music I love on a regular basis.

That’s the dream.”

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ART IN THE AGE OF SOCIAL MEDIA text by kelsey conner stock photos

Has social media changed the way we view property rights in the entertainment industry?

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From the way that we look at ourselves to the way that we look at art, social media has found a way to change almost everything it touches. It seems like nothing is hidden anymore, as people have lost their sense of privacy.

They bare it all to the merciless online masses; drunken or nude photos, detailed descriptions of their sex lives and details of other people’s lives. Even art is not safe from this intrusion.

With the Internet, people are gaining a sense of entitlement and ownership of albums, movies, and television shows that they have obtained illegally.

Most recently, Quentin Tarantino had a significant run-in with an online breach of trust: the script of his newest Western film, The Hateful Eight, was posted without his permission. On the other hand, Beyoncé was able to drop an entire visual album without leaks.

So, how is this “no holds barred” mentality changing the way that we view the rights to the privacy and property of others?

In January 2014, the script of Tarantino’s The Hateful Eight was posted online. This happened months before filming even started, and Tarantino’s response was quite strong.

Not only did he shelve the film, but quickly filed a lawsuit against Gawker, the website that originally posted the script. According to The Guardian, part of the lawsuit reads: “Gawker Media has made a business of predatory journalism, violating people’s rights to make a buck.”

Kanye West had other thoughts on his newest album,

Yeezus, which he allowed the media to record during the listening party. As he stated during the album’s listening party: “I had to learn about giving, this whole album is about giving.” The album was well-received, reaching number one on the Billboard charts.

However, sales fell 80 percent in the second week and it quickly lost that title. So what happens when an album does almost the complete opposite, and has a surprise release?

Known for her fiercely loyal fan base, Beyoncé likes to be an innovator. On Dec. 13, 2013, “Queen Bey” released an album that shocked the world in many ways. Firstly, even though there had been rumors of a new album in the works, almost no one knew the date that it would be released. Secondly, it was deemed a “visual album,” containing music videos for every song. Thirdly, it was released quietly on iTunes, with no promotion and no advertisement.

As of Feb. 5, her self-titled album has sold 1.7 million copies, according to Billboard.com, - outselling Yeezus in the first three days. The numbers speak for themselves-but many believe that no one other than Beyoncé could pull off such a monumental stunt.

For some artists, such as Kanye, leaks are used as a marketing ploy. For others, such as Tarantino, they are devastating breaches of privacy. Social media, and the Internet in general, have seemingly created a sense of entitlement to anything available, no matter what the cost may be to the creators.

INDISPENSABLE DISPOSABLES text by pimploy phongsirivech stock photos

One roll of film, one week, 24 snapshots of your ‘indisposable world.’

Chapman via email, and he shared with us his passion for IC. Your Mag: How did IC come to be?

Stuart Chapman: Indisposable Concept stemmed from the initial idea of creating an exhibition…I thought it would be encompassing and socially diverse to make it more interactive online, to build a community via a common thread.

YM: Do you have a favorite roll, photograph, or submission?

SC: There’s been over 500 rolls shot now and there’s been lots of great rolls, letters, and little gifts sent…it’s so amazing meeting total strangers willing to share their world…we’ve had people share particularly personal moments from their lives including births, funerals, weddings, holidays.

YM: Do you have any tips or advice for participants?

SC: …Ditch the phone for a bit and take a look at what’s happening around you. Go for a walk, really look at things, feel the world around you, smell it, capture it…We forget to enjoy things sometimes.

We at Your Mag would like to thank Stuart Chapman for taking the time to respond to us.

Indisposable Concept has yet to receive disposables from Boston. Take the chance to add your story to the worldwide collection of irreplaceable disposables.

If you decide that disposable cameras aren’t for you, check out and follow @indisposableconcept on Instagram (or www.indisposableconcept.com) anyway; their posts will liven up your feed and you’ll find yourself lost in enthralling snapshots from total strangers’ lives.

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Indisposable Concept, its title coined by creator Stuart Chapman, invites participants worldwide to capture a slice of their lives in 24 disposable photographs. This Australian-based project operates through Instagram, Facebook, and Tumblr to create a massive collection of disposable photographs.

Indisposable Concept (IC) chose disposable cameras in order to remove all the technicalities of photography and give everyone a chance to participate regardless of camera model and expertise. The project strips photography to its most basic form; it’s more about capturing moments rather than fixating on technicalities as Stuart Chapman, founder of IC says, “It’s getting people to capture and share their lives, in particular the things they love and view as indisposable.”

Unlike digital cameras, disposables eliminate the chance to delete, edit, or duplicate immediately after the photograph is captured. Ironically, a disposable is therefore priceless – or, according to Chapman, ‘indisposable’. His definition of indisposable: “…Of or pertaining to something that is not disposable, something that one cannot do without.”

IC is open to everyone. The instructions are simple: purchase a disposable camera (available at CVS, Walgreens, or online), capture 24 moments, print the disposables, and send them (via mail or email if scanned) to Indisposable Concept, located in Queensland, Australia.

Afterwards, keep tabs on IC to check if any of your disposables will get posted. The only rules are that you must take at least one selfie, and all photos must be taken within the span of one week.

Your Mag had the opportunity to interview Stuart

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MARCH PLAYLIST photo by beth treffeisen

Boston is still frozen over and you may be wondering, “why did I choose to live here?� If this is the case, we hope you have managed to escape away to some sunny paradise or jazz haven. For those of you who are tied body and soul the winter wonderland, be sure to enjoy it to its fullest before the sun sneaks out. Whether you would rather be wrapped up in a blanket or towel, take this month to recharge and have some fun. Why not plug in your headphones and cue up our playlist, which channels the best of winter with a little spring flavor in between.

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1

2

3

“STREET PARADE” Theresa Anderson

“ENGLISHMAN IN NEW YORK” Sting

“50 WAYS TO LOVE YOUR LOVER” Paul Simon

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6

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“COUGH SYRUP” Young the Giant

“THE HIGH ROAD” Broken Bells

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“TEAM” Lorde

“THE WHOLE ENCHILADA” Keb Mo

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“PO BLACK MADDIE” North Mississippi Allstars

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“HURRICANE” MS MR

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“SLOW SUICIDE” Scott Stapp

“I HAD A DREAM” The Sun And The Moon

“IF I LOVED YOU” Delta Rae

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“SUN DRENCHED” The Interlopers

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“AUBERGINE” Lady Lamb the Beekeeper

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“BLUE EYES” A Silent Protest

“BRAND NEW BURIAL” Banjoshi

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“GOLDEN TWIN” Wild Ones

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“GIVE ME DEATH” The Devil’s Twins

“IT WAS MY SEASON” Okkervil River

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“SOUTHERN SUN” Boy & Bear

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“LOVE ME LIKE YOU LOVE YOUR PILLS” Dave Austin and The Sound

4

“MIRROR” Ellie Goulding

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“I AND LOVE AND YOU” The Avett Brothers

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“CARS” Gary Numan

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“TROILUS” Grey Season

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“YOUNG FATHERS” Typhoon

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“NIRVANA” Sam Smith

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“ALLIGATOR” Winter

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