CL’s Summer Reading List

Remember how much you hated the summer reading you had in elementary school? Now that we’re in college, summer is often the only time we can skip the bulky textbooks and read (gasp!) for pleasure. CL helps you out with our very own summer reading list, categorized based on what kind of book you want to read.

 

1. Short Series: The Hunger Games

Chances are, you’ve heard of a little series called The Hunger Games. Yes, it’s huge, and with the second movie coming out in November 2013, this franchise is only going to get bigger. So what better time than summer to acquaint yourself with this pop culture epidemic? Sure, you can just see the movies, but the books are better. Immerse yourself this summer in Suzanne Collins’ world.

2. Long Series: Game of Thrones

Game of Thrones is the first installment in the fantasy series A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin. You might know it better for the well-respected HBO series of the same name. With an expected seven books and only five out, Game of Thrones is perfect for the reader looking to start a new love affair with a book series.

3. Beach Read: Where We Belong

Looking for a slightly more meaningful beach read? Check out Emily Giffin’s Where We Belong, a heartwarming mother-daughter story that’s still light enough for the beach. Emily Giffin has also published Something Borrowed, which turned into a movie starring Ginnifer Goodwin that came out last May.

4. Summer Cookbook: Vegetarian Cooking at Home with The Culinary Institute of America

Vegetarianism has been getting a lot of attention lately, for its health benefits as much as its eco-friendliness. But you don’t have to go vegetarian to try all the delicious recipes in Vegetarian Cooking at Home with The Culinary Institute of America from the Culinary Institute of America. And with 200 recipes, you’re sure to always have a fresh idea for Meatless Monday.

5. Movie Mania: Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter

On June 22, Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter will hit theaters. As the title suggests, the movie tells the story of President Abraham Lincoln, who finds that vampires are trying to take over the United States and sets out to destroy them. Want a head start? Check out the book that the story is based on, by Seth Grahame-Smith.

What books are you planning to read this summer? Let us know in the comments!

Sasha Graffagna is a junior Journalism and Comparative Literature major at New York University. She is currently on exchange at La Universidad del Sagrado Corazón in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

5 Summer Movies to See With Your Girls

Summer is a great time to go outside and swim, run or tan. However, you are bound to get tired from the sun. When that moment comes, round up your girls and see one of these great summer flicks! Here are five movies that are guaranteed to keep you entertained:

1. The Lucky One-based on the novel by Nicholas Sparks, this movie tells the story of a marine who finds a photograph of a woman he doesn’t know while at war in Iraq. When he returns home, the marine sets out on a quest to find the woman and becomes involved in her life. Check out the trailer and read reviews here!

Starring Zac Efron and Taylor Schilling; in theaters now

2. The Five-Year Engagement-This romantic comedy tells the story of a couple who deals with relationship problems when their engagement keeps getting extended. Learn more about the movie and watch the trailer here!

Starring Emily Blunt and Jason Segel; in theaters now

3. LOL-Lola, a 17-year-old high school student, is dumped by her boyfriend. To get back at him, she enters a new relationship with his best friend. Meanwhile, she deals with a strained relationship with her mother. Learn more and watch the trailer here!

Starring Miley Cyrus, Ashley Greene and Demi Moore; opens May 4 in limited release

4. What to Expect When You’re Expecting-This movie, based on the book of the same name, follows five couples that deal with all aspects of pregnancy and childbirth. Learn more and watch the trailer here!

Starring Jennifer Lopez, Cameron Diaz, Matthew Morrison and many more; opens May 18

5. Snow White and the Huntsman-The evil Queen Ravenna tries to prevent her stepdaughter, Snow White, from becoming the future ruler of their kingdom. When Snow White runs away, the Queen asks the Huntsman to kill her. However, he instead befriends Snow White and teaches her the art of war to help in her rebellion against the Queen. Learn more and watch the trailer here!

Starring Kristen Stewart, Charlize Theron and Chris Hemsworth; opens June 1

 

Which of these movies are you most looking forward to? Tell CL in the comments below!

 

 

Rachel Osman is a sophomore studying journalism at Indiana University. She can’t wait to see all of these movies this summer!

5 Ways With Popcorn

A bag of microwave un-buttered popcorn is a super-fast, surprisingly healthy snack. Unfortunately, it can also get pretty boring. Jazz up your Friday movie night with our popcorn recipes and the perfect movie for each one.

 

1) Popcorn Italiano (Adapted from the Food Network’s How To Boil Water):

To Watch: An Italian-inspired movie, like Roman Holiday.

To Eat: Pour popcorn out into a large bowl. Add a dash of extra virgin olive-oil, and a pinch of garlic powder. Add a generous helping of italian seasoning. If you’re out, mix together any combination of dried basil, dried rosemary, thyme, and oregano. Finish the recipe with a few sprinkles of parmesan cheese.

2) Movie Theater Popcorn

To Watch: A timeless classic, like The Wizard of Oz.

To Eat: Crush pretzels into small pieces. Mix with popcorn in large bowl. Add a small handful of Milk Duds and M&Ms. Top with some cinnamon sugar to taste.

3) Power Popcorn (Adapted from Eat Drink Better)

To Watch: A inspiring athletic movie, like Prefontaine.

To Eat: Pour popcorn into large bowl. Add sunflower seeds, nuts, and some dried fruits. For nuts, we like chopped walnuts, but try sliced almonds if you’re in a hurry. For the fruits, raisins are standard. Try dried figs or apricots for a gourmet touch.

4) Hot & Spicy Popcorn

To Watch: A thriller, like Columbiana.

To Eat: Pour popcorn into a large bowl. Add a bit of shredded cheese when still hot and toss until it melts a little. For spice, sprinkle on cayenne pepper, paprika, and as much hot sauce as you can handle.

5) Cookies & Cream Popcorn (Adapted from Handle the Heat)

To Watch: A chick flick, like When Harry Met Sally.

To Eat: Melt some white chocolate (6 oz for every 13 of a cup) in the microwave. Pour over freshly popped popcorn, and toss with a spoon to coat. Chop up some chocolate cookies (Oreos anyone?) and mix together. Wait about 10-15 minutes until it sets, or stick it in the fridge for about 5 if you’re impatient.

What are your favorite popcorn recipes? Let us know in the comments!

Sasha Graffagna is a current junior at New York University studying Journalism and Comparative Literature. She is currently on exchange at La Universidad del Sagrado Corazón in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Train Like a Tribute: Hunger Games Inspired Workouts

Unless you’ve been living under a rock (or disguised as one like Peeta), you’ve probably been exposed to the phenomena The Hunger Games . From the trilogy holding the number one spot on Amazon for months to the movie’s premiere being the third most successful release ever, The Hunger Games is quickly becoming “the next big thing.” Katniss’s character is captivating—she is strong, courageous, and fans easily fall in love with her. In a recent interview with Self Magazine, Jennifer Lawrence shares that her physical conditioning for the role focused on balance, strength and agility to prepare for the roll of Katniss.  Want to spice up your own workout routine? Channel your inner tribute and try these Hunger Games-esque workouts without the bloodshed and starvation.

Trail Running

Katniss spends plenty of time running (and sometimes tumbling) around the forest. Taking your run from the treadmill to the trail challenges your body’s balance, feels better on your joints, and is a wonderful way to enjoy the spring weather and flowers.

 Body Combat

Actual person on person combat may risk physical injury, but a fun class like kickboxing, Body Attack, or a Turbo Jam DVD will still give you ample time to practice your punches and release your pent up stress and anger.

 Kettlebells

This recent fitness craze is a more practical way to build functional strength than lifting 100 pound bags of flour over your head like Peeta. Check out Ellen’s article to learn more about them!

 Archery

Haven’t picked up a bow and arrow since summer camp growing up? Practice intense focus and channel your inner-Katniss at a local range. Not accessible? Look for U.S. archer Khatuna Lorig in the Olympics this summer who trained Jennifer Lawrence to shoot. In an interview with NPR, Lorig states, “Once you start shooting, you’re gonna like it… Come on, how can you not like archery? You have to be physically strong, and you have to be mentally strong. So what else do you need in your life?”  Lorig’s comment definitely resonates with Katniss fans awed by her determination, strength, and passion.

 

Can’t get enough of The Hunger Games? College Lifestyles has our review of the movie, thoughts on Catching Fire, and style inspiration!

 

Claire Brooks-Schulke is a Health & Sorority writer for College Lifestyles. She is a huge Hunger Games fan and loves the strength Katniss possesses. 

 

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“The Hunger Games” Review

It is March 23, which means the highly anticipated film The Hunger Games is finally in theaters. It is predicted to bank about $100 million in its opening weekend, so is the movie worth all the hype? In a word: yes.

Fans of the books who were worried about the possibility of an unfulfilling adaptation can rest easy.

The Hunger Games takes place in the post-apocalyptic universe of Panem with a prominent divide between the haves and the have-nots. As punishment for the rebellion 74 years ago, a girl and boy between the ages of 12 and 18 from the twelve districts are chosen to participate in a televised fight to the death.

The all-star cast is led by the amazingly talented Jennifer Lawrence who plays Katniss Everdeen. Lawrence can handle the emotional weight of the film while bringing subtlety and nuance to the performance which made the scenes authentic rather than forced. Lawrence is in almost every frame of this movie, and she rises to the occasion to really carry this film.

The supporting cast delivered great performances as well. Josh Hutcherson brought the charm and likeability essential to Peeta Mellark. Elizabeth Banks gave a light-hearted humor to the film as the eccentric Effie Trinket. Woody Harrelson captured the wit of mentor Haymitch Abernathy, and was able to give glimpses into Abernathy’s haunted past.

Gary Ross had a major challenge ahead of him, not only to please the dedicated fan-base, but to highlight the brutality of the games while keeping it at a PG-13 rating. Ross utilized the shaky cam technique to illustrate the fatalities, and at times it became a bit confusing to distinguish who was fighting who, but it was effective overall. The creative choices Ross took, such as the fading in and out of sound, added the intensity needed to tell this story.

Ross collaborated with author Suzanne Collins on the screenplay, so for the most part the content remained faithful to the source material. If this film was lacking in one area it would be really establishing the connection between characters. Some of the emotion and character building from the book was sacrificed due to pacing and runtime, which lessened the impact of some scenes.

Overall, The Hunger Games is a faithful adaptation, and telling film for the society we live in. Preparation is already under way for the next installment, Catching Fire, and it is probably safe to say this franchise is poised to continue strong.

 

Monica Maldonado is a journalism and fashion merchandising student at the University of North Texas, and a member of Phi Kappa Phi.  When she’s not running around campus trying to find her next story, you can find her attached to her laptop, feeding her addiction to pop culture and fashion.

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CL’s Entertainment Round Up!

The Entertainment Round Up is back this week! And, what an action packed week for its return. Everyone’s favorite celebrities, from Lourdes Leon to Johnny Depp, were busy this week. So what was Hollywood up to? 

You’re A Superstar Lourdes Leon!

Madonna has released another preview for her hotly awaited upcoming album MDNA. This time, Queen Madge featured her daughter Lourdes Leon. The track, “Superstar,” has Lourdes singing backup in the chorus. The up beat song seems to be dedicated to Lourdes, with the lyrics, “you’re my angel bringing peace to my life. Oh lala you’re my superstar. Oh lala love the way that you are.” What a great mother-daughter message. To hear Lourdes and Madge’s collaboration click here!

Welcome to The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games premiered in Los Angeles this Monday. Stars Jennifer Lawrence, Liam Hemsworth and Josh Hutcherson walked the star studded red carpet. Everyone expressed their excitement and pride for the movie. Leading lady Lawrence even admitted during interviews that she accidentally knocked out Hutcherson during filming. Producers weren’t joking about training. Get your fill of the Hunger Games on March 23.

No More Ms. Nice Gaga 

Lady Gaga may be ending her love affair with the media. Gaga’s interview with Oprah Winfrey will air this Sunday as a part of Winfrey’s Next Chapter special. After the special, the pop superstar says she’s not opening up for a while. Gaga, born Stefani Germanotta said in the interview “I do not intend to speak to anyone for a very long time. … No press, no television, if my mom calls and says, ‘Did you hear about…’ I shut it all off.” How long do you think this vow of silence will hold for Gaga– does her Twitter count as chatting? Tell CL in the comments!

 

The Boys Are Back In Town 

You can’t keep a good team down for long. Director Tim Burton and Johnny Depp will be back on the silver screen with Dark Shadows, a remake of the popular soap opera of the same name. The trailer for Shadows hit the Internet this week, watch it here. The supernatural campfest centers around Barnabas Collins, a 17th century vampire who wakes up in the very different 1970′s. Catch Depp back in front of the camera with Helena Bonham Carter along with new co-stars like Michelle Pfeiffer and up and comer Chloe Moretz on May 11.

 

Bye, Bye Love Broker

I hope you haven’t gotten too attached to Bravo’s newest show Love Broker. The new show featuring matchmaker Lori Zaslow has been pulled from Bravo’s schedule. Broker premiered on March 5, with only two episodes airing. Both installments drew less than 500,000 viewers. Bravo’s hit Bethenny Ever After will be put in Broker’s time slot. If you did get hooked on Broker, expect to see Zaslow’s reality show return this summer.

This week also saw the Duchess Of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, playing field hockey in sneakers and the development of a Mortal Instruments movie, the heir apparent to the Twilight and Hunger Games throne. Next week will be dedicated to more Big/Little goodness, so look forward to the return of the Round Up in two weeks!

Ariana Romero is a senior entertainment, fashion and sorority life writing intern for College Lifestyles. This week she enjoyed her spring break staycation! 

Oscars: The Best and The Worst

The night of the Academy Awards, millions of viewers tune in to see what (and who!) their favorite stars are wearing.   After looking at tons of pictures, I (and some fellow interns) have decided on a list of CL’s Best and Worst Dressed.

The Best:

5) Michelle Williams

The My Week with Marilyn nominee looked fabulous in this Louis Vuitton number.  The coral color and subtle jewelry give this star a simple, but elegant look.

4) Tina Fey

Though she was only presenting an award, this 30 Rock funny gal looked great in a custom made Carolina Herrara gown.  It was a simple look, but the dangling earring and fancy hair helped her make her way onto our Best Dressed list.

3) Angelina Jolie

Her black, velvet dress by Versace helped get her on our list.  That, and her arm candy, Brad Pitt. Her lips pop with red color, creating a nice contrast with her gown.  Not a bad slit, either.

2) Missi Pyle

Missi Pyle, actress from The Artist, rocked the red carpet in this seafoam green, silk dress by Valentino Delfino.  The color and draped sleeve help make this dress look extra great on her, but what is so beautiful about it is that it is green.  This is a cruelty-free, peace-silk, mineral dyed dress.

1) Stacy Keibler

Stacy Keibler looks almost as good in this single strap, gold gown as she does with George Clooney on her arm.  Designed by Marchesa, this gown  makes Keibler look like an Oscar.

…Other close contenders: Jennifer Lopez, GwenythPaltrow, and Penelope Cruz

 

The Worst:

5) Emma Stone

Emma was overpowered by the large bow by her shoulder and the amount of bold color.  Her dress, designed by GiambattistaValli, blends her in with the carpet itself.

4) Meryl Streep

The Best Actress winner does not look great in this gold, draping dress.  In fact, it looked like a really shiny bathroom.  Also, it looks much like the dress she wore to the Academy Awards about 20 years ago.

3) Rooney Mara

Rooney Mara looked far too thin in this cream dress designed by Givenchy.  The dress, with a plunging neckline, did not do the The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo star any favors.  Her hair looked barely done and her deep red lipstick was not flattering.

2) Melissa McCarthy

Marina Rinaldi designed this empire waisted, kind of pink dress.  The dress didn’t flatter her figure, especially with those free flowing sleeves.  Love her acting, don’t like her get up.

1)     Sacha Baron Cohen

As a way to promote his new movie, The Dictator, Cohen showed up in his complete dictator outfit.  To top that off, he brought along two military babes, also in costumes.  Later in the night, he threw fake ashes on Ryan Seacrest.  His bad taste and poor judgment puts him right to the top of our worst dressed list.

 

…Other close calls: Sandra Bullock and Kristen Wiig

 

Who do you think was best and worst dressed this year?

 

 Alli Heitzenrater is a writing and PR intern for CL.  She is a senior Creative Writing Major at Penn State Erie, the Behrend College.  Alli loves cupcakes, Reality TV, and shopping.  

CL’s Entertainment Round Up!

A CL girl is a busy girl—even the interns. I usually use Friday’s to write for all of you, our wonderful readers. After compiling all the week’s juiciest Hollywood gossip and entertainment I get down to making a coherent article. This Friday was instead filled by hours of reporting for my news class and writing a surprisingly long story. The rest of the weekend I got to spend time with the great girls from the Zeta Omega chapter of Alpha Gamma Delta, who visited us at Alpha. But that doesn’t mean I forgot about my Weekly Roundup. Here’s Hollywood’s Weekly Roundup—the weekend included.

 

Happy Birthday Riri!

Today is Rihanna’s birthday. Let’s hope she finds love in a hopeful place this time around. The pop superstar is 24 today, and a certain ex of hers didn’t forget. Chris Brown tweeted at the birthday girl, “HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROBYN!” Robyn Rihanna Fenton answered with a simple “Thanks!” It’s good to see that the two can be so amicable after such a difficult public break up.

Whitney Houston Goes Home

Loved ones gathered on Saturday in Newark, NJ to say goodbye to singer Whitney Houston. A private viewing for those especially close to Houston was held on Friday. Industry insiders like Oprah Winfrey, Mariah Carey, Alicia Keys and Stevie Wonder all paid their respects to their friend.

 

Lindsay Lohan Back and Livelier Than Ever

When I searched IMDb for Lindsay Lohan’s most recent projects, Herbie Fully Loaded came up next to her name. Remember when LiLo actually did things? I miss those times. Well, she’s about to be directly back in the spot light—and live! The actress is set to host Saturday Night Live on March 3^rd with Jack White as the musical guest. With an iconic Debbie Downer sketch already under her belt, I’m excited to see her back on SNL.

 

We’re Not In The Smithsonian Anymore

Dorothy’s infamous ruby slippers from The Wizard Oz won’t be on display for much longer. The famous footwear will be pulled from their current spot in the Smithsonian, and prepared for conservation. The shoes will be back out for the “American Stories” display starting April 5^th.

 

The Vow Promises Not To Disappoint

Channing Tatum and Rachel McAdams have a romantic blockbuster on their hands. Last week, The Vow took in $11.6 million on Valentines Day, the highest gross a movie has ever made during the holiday mid-week. The record-breaking movie beat out former winner, 2005’s Hitch, which made 7.5 million on the romantic day.

Ariana Romero is a senior entertainment and fashion writing intern for College Lifestyles! She can’t wait to see what shenanigans go on in Hollywood this week. 

CL Predicts: Academy Awards 2012

The biggest award show awarding the best in movies for 2011 is fast approaching, and with it comes the inevitable guessing game of who will take home the top honors.  The Artist proved to be a dark horse this awards season picking up the Golden Globe and BAFTA for Best Picture. The lead actor and actress races are in a dead heat with both George Clooney and Jean Dujarding earning three awards, and Meryl Streep is only one win ahead of Viola Davis.  However, the Academy Awards are notorious for mixing it up, so who knows what surprises we will see. These are College Lifestyles’ predictions for the 2012 Academy Awards.

1. Best Picture- The Help

The Help has received it’s fair share of awards in the acting area, and picked up the SAG award for Best Picture. This movie not only showed off the stellar acting chops of Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer, but it connected with the emotional side of us as well.

2. Actor in a Leading Role- George Clooney

George Clooney starred in The Descendants, a story about a father trying to reconnect with his two daughters after their mother dies in a boat accident. Clooney has received the Golden Globe and Critic’s Choice award for his performance, and he seems poised for another win.

3. Actress in a Leading Role- Viola Davis

Viola Davis made quite the splash this awards season for her performance in The Help. She has tough competition in the form of one Meryl Streep, but Davis has been gaining steam in the past couple of weeks.  This should be one of the night’s most interesting categories.

4. Actor in a Supporting Role- Christopher Plummer

Christopher Plummer captivated audiences playing Hal Fields, an elderly, homosexual man diagnosed with terminal cancer, in 2010′s Beginners. Plummer has swept his category this season, so there isn’t much strategy for this choice.

5. Actress in a Supporting Role- Octavia Spencer

Octavia Spencer has four awards to her name for her role in The Help. After playing small parts in a variety of films, Spencer made her name known this year, and has the accolades to prove it.

Tune in February 26 to see who takes home the top honors, and sound off in the comment section to let us know your picks for the big show.

 

Monica Maldonado is a journalism and fashion merchandising student at the University of North Texas, and a member of Phi Kappa Phi.  When she’s not running around campus trying to find her next story, you can find her attached to her laptop, feeding her addiction to pop culture and fashion.

Friday Flashback: Favorite 90s Movies

We love the 90s at College Lifestyles!  The decade of Pokemon, the Spice Girls, and Grunge gave us a great movies, music, and trends.

Join the College Lifestyles team every Friday for our Friday Flashback, where we take a look back at some of our ‘favorites’ from decades past!

This week, we are taking a look at the 90s movies we first played on a VHS.  We give you full permission to Redbox these movies!

 THE WINNER:  ”10 Things I Hate About You”

 RUNNER UP:  ”Clueless”

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

•  ”She’s All That”
•  ”It Takes Two”

ROUNDING OUT OUR LIST:

• “Mr. Holland’s Opus”
•  ”The Lion King”
•  ”Drive Me Crazy”
•  ”Fools Rush In”
• “Never Been Kissed”
• “Ever After”
• “Fried Green Tomatoes”
• “The Waterboy”
•  ”Titanic”
• “Silence of the Lambs”
• “Beauty and the Beast”
•  ”My Best Friend’s Wedding.”
•  ”Spice World”

 Did your favorite 90s movie make our list?

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