25 Facts About CL Editor Sasha Graffagna

   Name: Sasha Graffagna 

   Position: Editor

   University: New York University

Major: Journalism + Comparative Literature

Organizational Involvement: Theta Phi Beta Sorority, NYU Women’s Choir, NYU Ballroom Dance Team

Pets: My black lab Danny!

Nickname: Sushi + Snoopy

Dream Job: Travel Writer

Favorite color: Teal and Hot Pink.

Favorite candy: Butterfinger.

Favorite movie: These are impossible…but I loved The Shawshank Redemption, which I just saw.

Favorite cuisine: Japanese!

Favorite season: Summer. Nothing beats the beach.

 

Coffee vs Tea: Do I have to choose?

PC vs Mac: PC

Coke vs Pepsi: Neither. I can’t stand soda.

Stripes vs Polka Dots: Polka dots. So preppy-chic!

 

3 words to describe me: talkative, well-traveled, optimist.

3 words to describe my style: casual, diverse, city-girl

 

You will find on my desk: a giant mess.

You will find on my DVR/Tivo: New Girl, How I Met Your Mother, 2 Broke Girls, Hart of Dixie, Once Upon A Time

You will find on my Ipod: J-Pop, regular pop, and Latin music.

You will find in my refrigerator: a lot of Japanese food.

I have a slight obsession with: coffee, chocolate, and Glee.

I dislike: closed-mindedness.

My friends would say I am: hyper and talkative.

I am most happy when: I am traveling.

Most people are surprised to know I: speak 3 languages! English, Spanish, and Japanese.

A classy co-ed is: a sophisticated woman who knows that college isn’t everything, but is out to enjoy every last minute of it.

Sasha Graffagna is a rising senior at New York University. She is studying Journalism and Comparative Literature, and super-excited for her last summer as a college student!

25 Facts about CL Intern, Brittany!

Meet CL Intern Brittany!

  Name: Brittany Lavenski

Position: Fashion and Living Writer

University: West Virginia University

Major: Public Relations and Political Science

Organizational Involvement:  WVU Public Relations Student Society of America and WVU Gold and Blue Student Ambassador

Pets: An adorable 9 month old puppy named Toby!

Nickname: Britt

                                                                                                    Dream Job: Doing PR while working with animals.

 

Favorite color: Olive green

Favorite candy: ANYTHING chocolate.

Favorite movie: Dirty Dancing

Favorite cuisine: Italian

Favorite season: Fall

Coffee vs Tea: Coffee

PC vs Mac: PC

Coke vs Pepsi: Water!

Stripes vs Polka Dots: Stripes

 

3 words to describe me: Compassionate, spontaneous, personable.

3 words to describe my style: Casual Carrie Bradshaw.

 

You will find on my desk: My phone, always.

You will find on my DVR/Tivo: Sex and the City!

You will find on my Ipod: Adele and lots of acoustic music.

You will find in my refrigerator: Chocolate, always!

I have a slight obsession with: my dog!

I dislike: apathy.

 

My friends would say I am: a go-to for advice and a good laugh.

I am most happy when: I feel academically accomplished.

Most people are surprised to know I: am happily engaged.

A classy co-ed is: a girl who stumbles upon her life’s passion, and wholeheartedly pursues it with confidence, humility, and ambition.

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Brittany Lavenski is a Fashion & Living writer at College Lifestyles ™. She enjoys studying PR and Political Science and is President of her university’s Chapter of PRSSA. When she’s not working, you can find her walking her dog or eating sushi and chocolate with her friends!

Get to Know CL Sorority and Lifestyle Writer, Chelse Hensley!

 

Name: Chelse Hensley

Position: Sorority Life and Lifestyle writer

University: Fairmont State University

Major: Political Science

Organizational Involvement: Delta Zeta

Pets: I have a 3 legged dog, Ginger, and a cat I named after Lou Taylor Pucci. His name is Lou Taylor Pucci

Nickname: I guess in high school there were just too many Chelse(a)’s for everyone to remember, so I’ve been affectionately called Hensley or Chensley ever since!

Dream Job: Editor at an entertainment or popular culture magazine.

Favorite color: yellow

Favorite candy:  I LOVE the cheap Krackel candy that comes in the Hershy mixed bags.

Favorite movie: Into the Wild or The Girl Next Door. I have a thing for Emile Hirsch, if you can’t tell.

Favorite cuisine: Mexican!

Favorite season: Fall, I love the feeling of new beginnings in the air.

Coffee vs Tea: I would probably (definitely) go into shock if I didn’t have a cup of coffee in the mornings.

PC vs Mac: Definitely a Mac girl.

Coke vs Pepsi: Coke.

Stripes vs Polka Dots: Polka Dots. Timeless and classic. And, let’s admit, stripes aren’t very flattering.

3 words to describe me: ambitious, light-hearted, over-dramatic.

3 words to describe my style: Clean, feminine, simple.

You will find on my desk: pictures of friends, inspiring quotes, and probably a cup of coffee.

You will find on my DVR/Tivo: My DVR is filled with old episodes of Glee and Whitest Kids U’ Know.

You will find on my Ipod: 95% Jason Mraz and Dave Matthews Band and the rest Glee. *not actual Chelse Hensley iPod statistics.

You will find in my refrigerator: leftover mexican food, guacamole- it’s a must have, and deviled eggs.

I have a slight obsession with: singer/songwriters.

I dislike: people who have no ambition in life or who waste opportunities given to them.

My friends would say I am: I would like for them to say I am strong and passionate, but they would probably just say I am weird.

I am most happy when: I am in my “happy place” in New York City. It’s my favorite spot in Central Park and I love taking a book and my ipod and just people watching there.

Most people are surprised to know I: have secret aspirations to be President of the United States.

A classy co-ed is: Being a classy co-ed is knowing the boundaries, but pushing them slightly anyways. I believe to be classy is to maintain yourself and your image, but always be thirsty for more and curious about the world around you.

 

Chelse Hensley is a news junkie and magazine fanatic who is obsessed with living life to the fullest. She dreams of a day when she can watch television and get paid to write about it. Her life motto: What Would Rachel Berry Do?

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CL’s Guide to Senior Sendoff!

I know the saying is “time flies when you’re having fun,” but lately I’m finding myself altering it to “time flies when you’re having fun in a sorority.”  This weekend I’ll be attending my third senior sendoff for the Alpha Chi Omega chapter at Marquette University.  Even though I’m not a senior yet, it’s starting to hit me my time as an active member in my chapter is coming to a close!  But no matter what year you are in your chapter, senior sendoff is a time to celebrate.  From recalling favorite memories to willing special tokens, senior sendoff gives seniors one last chance to pass on advice to their younger sisters.  Whether you’re a new member going to sendoff for the first time or a soon to be graduating senior, CL has you covered!  Just follow CL’s Guide to senior sendoff!

Attire

Your outfit for senior sendoff should mirror the event: classy.  Now that the weather is warmer, sendoff is the perfect chance to show off your new sundress or favorite summer look.  Try working in trends like these Steve Madden patterned wedges or color-blocked dress from Forever 21!

For Younger Members

Sendoff is a fun event for the whole chapter, but remember this night is all about the seniors!  Make the night one to remember by giving your seniors letters or even putting together a photo album to show them how much you appreciate them!

For Seniors 

Seniors, this is your night!  After 4 years of dedication to your chapter, it’s time to remember and share your favorite stories and memories!  If you’re willing items to younger girls, make sure to have items labeled and organized before arriving at sendoff.  At sendoff, sit with your pledge class of other seniors so you can share the night together.  But above all, enjoy it!  Make sure you get to fully appreciate your last night out with your sisters as an active!

 

 

 

Cassidy McAloon is pursuing a Bachelor in Arts Degree in Broadcast Journalism at Marquette University.  She is a fashion, sorority life, and apartment life writer at College Lifestyles.

 

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Top 10 Fabulous Formal Dresses Under $40

It’s getting to the end of the semester, CL readers. So that means warmer weather, finals and for some, formal! If you’re anything like me, you want the best dress for an even better price. Yesterday I bought my formal dress hoping for a simple 10% off student discount, it ended up being on clearance. I almost cried from joy when the priced dropped to $7.79.

Randomly having your dress fall under ten dollars was a huge stroke of luck. But, if you’d still love to snag a dress that costs less than your tickets check out the fabulous choices (all under $40) below.

(Click on any store name for a direct link to the website)

Macys.com $29.99

Macys.com $22.99 (also available in silver and teal)

Charlotterusse.com $29.99

Charlotterusse.com $39.99

Lulus.com $33

Lulus.com $38

Forever21.com $32.80

Forever21.com $24.80

Papayaclothing.com $18.20

Papayaclothing.com $21.99

From super sweet to elegant and retro, there’s a perfect dress (at the perfect prices) waiting for you! Happy shopping, ladies.

Ariana Romero is a senior entertainment, fashion and sorority life writing intern for College Lifestyles. She is so excited for her formal this upcoming Friday! 

Love It: Tracy Stern SALONTEA Review

Spring, Summer, Fall, or Winter.  From its luxurious scent to delicious taste, the College Lifestyles office embraces tea any time of the year.  From a cup on the go, to organizing amother/daughter or sorority tea party, our new ‘go-to’ tea is Tracy Stern SALONTEA ‘The Writer.’  (And yes, my one year old daughter will be having her first tea party soon!)

The Tracy Stern Salon ‘ The Writer’ Tea consist of black tea leaves with cinnamon, clove, and cardamom give ‘The Writer’ its sophisticated and chic taste – similar to the characteristics of our CL team!

While I love ‘The Writer’ tea, Tracy Stern SALONTEA offers various varieties including:  The Musician, THe Society Hostess, The Romantic, The Fashionable Dandy, The Artist, and The Lover.

When brewing Tracy Stern SALONTEA, be sure to pay close attention to the directions.  While we steep conventional green tea bags for 1-2 minutes,  ‘The Writer’ steeps for 3-5 minutes.  One can then add cream, sugar, and/or honey.  (Etiquette tip:  If planning a tea party, sugar cubes are preferred due to neatness). 

Tracy Stern, founder of SALONTEA, developed as a lifestyle brand that encompasses a fusion of fashion, style and art and TEA blended into distinct yet interconnected categories. She uses tea to bring people together and believes that everyone should experience life through simple defining luxuries, from preparing the perfect cup of tea, to creating the most elegant and effortless tea party.  One can purchase her tea by visiting her website OR NYC location.

Disclaimer:  We’d like to thank the team of Tracy Stern SALONTEA for supplying samples for our review.  Opinions of the product are all our own.

 

Shelly Marie Redmond, MS, RD, LDN is the Editor in Chief of College Lifestyles.  An avid tea drinker, she loves the classiness and sophistication of a modern day tea party and is the proud owner of Tracy Stern’s Tea Party Book!

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Giving Back with Verizon Wireless: The UHopeLine Program

Where would we be without a smart phone and tablet?

To be frank, we in the College Lifestyles home office would be quite lost without a smart phone.  Texting one another, checking our emails, and posting to our Facebook/Twitter are a part of our daily activities.  It’s true, we are quite attached to our technology.

As a proud Verizon ambassador, we have been testing great Verizon products, the Droid RAZR and Droid XY Board which you will read future reviews, but we are most impressed with a collegiate philanthropic program offered by Verizon Wireless, the UHopeLine Program.

Verizon currently operates HopeLine.  HopeLine® turns no-longer used cell phones into support for domestic violence victims and survivors.

UHopeLine takes Hopeline one step further.  By helping schools raise awareness of dating and domestic violence and gives back to those who have been affected, Verizon Wireless UHopeLine allows co-eds to sponsor cell phone drives at their campuses to donate phones to this amazing cause.   In addition to donating phones, individuals can sign pledge cards to end dating and domestic violence.  To organize and start a UHopeLine phone drive on your campus is quite simple.  Visit the UHopeLine by Verizon webpage to download a toolkit.

We encourage all our student organizations and sorority chapters to give back AND sponsor a UHopeLine drive on your campus.  By donating your used cell phone, you are giving support to victims of domestic violence.

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CL’s Top 10 Big/Little Initiation Gifts!

It’s almost here!  After making it through recruitment and finding the perfect little, it’s finally time for spring initiation!  As a big myself, I know how much fun it can be to shop for your little as you see her become an initiated member of your chapter.  I also know how hard it is to find classy presents on a coed budget.  But don’t let shopping for your little stress you out!  Follow CL’s Top 10 Big/Little initiation gift list for help!

1. Paddle

Paddles are a traditional gift given to a little by her big.  To set your paddle apart check out the custom design Lilly Pulitzer-esque from The Painted Prep Etsy Store.

2. Letters

New initiates want to show off their letters!  Get creative and make your little adorable letters to hang like these from Etsy.

3. Lavalier

What girl doesn’t love jewelry?  Lavaliers are a special gift to give your little on initiation.  They last a lifetime and are a great reminder of the bond sisters share.

4. Picture Frame

You know that perfect moment when you knew you and your little were meant to be?  Take a picture from that event and put it in a lettered picture frame to show your little how much you cherish the memory!

5. Matching Set

Show some big/little love!  Surprise your little on initiation with something that matches you.  My entire sorority family has these matching pink v-necks!

6 & 7. Sweatshirt & T-Shirt

Help your little wear your letters on campus!  Custom design a sweatshirt and t-shirt for her using her favorite colors and designs.  Companies like Greek Creations have a lot of fabrics and designs to pick from!

8. Lettered Bag

Lettered totes are perfect for carrying books to classes.  I personally love the sorority collection of bags by Vineyard Vines!

9. Accessories

Your little can never have too many sets of letters.  Pick out some fun accessories in her style like these neon sunglasses to give to her for initiation!

10. Sweet Treat

To top everything off, treat your little to her favorite dessert or snack!  Buy her favorite candy or bake her favorite recipe to tie your package all together.

 

 

Cassidy McAloon is pursuing a Bachelor in Arts Degree in Broadcast Journalism at Marquette University.  She is a fashion, sorority life, and apartment life writer at College Lifestyles.

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College Lifestyles Summer/Fall 2012 Internship Applications are Open!

Looking to jump into the world of writing, PR, and social media?  College Lifestyles is currently accepting applications for its virtual internship for the Summer/Fall 2012 year.

College Lifestyles is the premier nutrition, etiquette, career, and lifestyle firm for savvy co-eds and sorority ladies.  College Lifestyles prides itself in bringing the most current information on nutrition, the sorority experience, etiquette, fashion, health, careers tips, lifestyle, and image to it’s readers through our website, e-newsletter, Facebook page, Twitter, Pinterest, tumblr, collegiate/sorority programs and presentations.

 

Summer/Fall Internship positions we have available:

• Nutrition/Health Writer
• Fashion/Beauty Writer
• Sorority Life Writer
• Lifestyle (to include, but not limited to health, beauty, going green,    entertainment, dating) Writer
• Etiquette Writer
• Career Resources Writer
• College Prep Writer
• PR/Event Planning Team
• Advertising Team
• Social Media Team

Currently, College Lifestyles is on the ‘look-out’ for interns to share some fantastic stories and PR work!  In particular, we are looking with interns who need writing experience for a portfolio for class and/or looking for a future career in writing, social media, advertising, and PR.  Our greatest need for writing is fashion, nutrition, and sorority life writers.  If you want to give tips on the sorority life experience, show off your style, and/or share your cooking talents, this is the place to showcase!

We are looking for interns who are ‘go-getters’ and who are not afraid to set up interviews with classmates and professions, perform interviews for posting on our website, discuss College Lifestyles with friends, family, and sisters.

Interns can range from freshman to graduate students and can be any major; but we would prefer the following majors:

• PR/Marketing.
• Business.
• Nutrition/Dietetics/Health.
• Fashion Merchandising/Design.
• English.
• Journalism.
• Mass communication.
• Advertising/Business.

Requirements for internship include:

• Daily internet/computer access with access to Facebook, Skype, and Twitter. (please do not apply if you do not have any of the above social media accounts)
• Camera (for snap shots/pics).
• 20-30 minute biweekly SKYPE calls with our CEO and CL Interns.
• 5 hour week time commitment.
• Understanding of technology
• Represent the College Lifestyles brand at your university

While we are open to all styles of writing, we will only accept those interns who fit the mission and brand of our organization.  (Please read the about page on our site to learn about our mission and brand).

Applications are due by 5/6/12 (or sooner!) via email to info@collegelifestyles.org.

While this is not a paid position, students will gain worlds of experience to build your portfolio, working with teams (via email and Facebook), networking with peers, interviewing some pretty ‘great’ individuals, share your talents with the world (!) and showcase your talents.

Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions, we encourage you to ‘Spread the Word!’ on our internship!

Contact us at info@collegelifestyles.org to request your application packet!

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CL’s Guide To Shopping For Your Little!

I’m usually an entertainment writer for College Lifestyles. Only something really exciting can pull me off of The Hollywood Reporter and People. One of these events is about to kick off: Big/Little Week! Earlier this week, I started buying everything to fill my baskets.  After long hours on Amazon.com and figuring out my favorite Letter combinations, I’ve learned a few tips.

Think about your traditions

Because Alpha Gamma Delta recolonized at Syracuse University Fall 2010, my big and I are just beginning our family. This gives us a chance to talk about why we’re so similar and what we want our family to stand for. When you’re shopping for baskets, especially if you have a Letters themed one, consider what matters most in your family line. What has every fabulous woman passed down or valued? What are some fun things like your favorite colors or animal?

Check out her social networks

Some of the most creative things I’m putting in my Little’s basket come from comments she’s made on Facebook and Twitter. If the whole world can see it, you should check it out! Maybe she Tweets about her favorite shows or put a link on her Facebook of an awesome necklace she found. If your Little has a Pintrest, you’ve hit the jackpot. Everything she loves is in one place.

Shop around

Maybe everyone at your chapter buys from one official Greek licensed retailer. But look around! See who has the best prices for what you want. Some websites have amazing deals that you wouldn’t otherwise know about.

When shopping for items to put in your basket, go to local craft or hobby stores and dollar stores, they have great choices that you wouldn’t find elsewhere. They’re also usually reasonably priced. Go to the mall for the things you’ve always had your heart set on from a specific store. Amazon also offers low prices and free shipping on many items.

Talk to her

It may seem obvious, but talk to your Little! Simple everyday conversations will illuminate so many things about you’re her you wouldn’t otherwise know. I ordered my little a poster I would have never thought of purchasing without just talking to her as a friend. It’s also the things I’m most excited to give her.  Talking to her will tell you what she’s really passionate about and what makes her tick.

Happy shopping CLassy ladies!

Ariana Romero is a senior entertainment and fashion writing intern for College Lifestyles. She loves her Little so much and can’t wait for reveal! 

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