CL’s What to Wear There: Summer Concerts

One staple of summer is the incredible concerts and music scene. Almost every genre of music has a concert festival and the big names have the most amazing summer tours. That being said, what on earth are you going to wear that will showcase your style while keeping you comfortable in the summer heat?

Not to worry! I’ve broken down some outfits for you based on musical genres and concert venues that will be sure to keep you in tune.

Country/Bluegrass

Whether you are into Taylor Swift or Corey Smith, you have so many options this summer when it comes to country music concerts. Everything is better with a little twang, and at a country or bluegrass concert, that includes your wardrobe. Most of these summer concerts will be outside, so wear light fabrics like cotton and lace. Also, play with fun florals and prints, but don’t forget the cowgirl boots!

I paired fun, flowy dresses with cowboy boots (my absolute favorite shoes) and vintage-looking accessories. It’s important to go a little country with your outfit, but don’t go overboard! Pairing boots with a cowboy hat will look too costume-y.

Rock/Alternative

Whoever you are planning on rocking out to, these concerts usually have a edgy vibe, so mirror that in your outfit choice. Dark colors, glam jewelry and bold makeup will go great in a moshpit!

Pairing an off-the-shoulder top with colored shorts is so chic. The chains on the booties give the look a rock and roll edge. Add on a necklace (or four!) for a fresh rocker chick look.

Hip Hop/Pop

I put these in the same category because they both have similar styles. It is all about bright colors and looking and feeling sassy. Because most pop or hip hop concerts are arena venues, you don’t have to worry about dressing for a hot summer night. So get fabulous with some bright high tops or stylish heels that will no doubt make you look better than what’s-her-name on stage.

Bodycon dresses are everywhere these days, and I love these turquoise stripes.  There are so many shoe options with this dress, so go crazy and pick something that shows off your personal style. Bright Nikes are very hip hop, while the flats will be comfortable all night. If you think you can handle it, bust out some fun heels. You’ll look confident with bright accessories that reflect your personality.

The Festival

One of the best things about summer are the all-day music festivals. Almost every genre has one from Coachella to CMA Festival to the Vans Warped Tour. The most important thing to remember is to dress for comfort. Yes, it is important to show your style, but you are going to be walking around all day in the summer heat (or maybe even rain) and you are going to be glad you chose breathable fabrics and flats!

I put together a few outfits for your summer music festival pleasure. The first is a sweet, simple sundress paired with flat sandals. Add chain necklaces and a lace fedora for an innocent hippie vibe. The second is a tougher look with distressed denim shortts and a graphic tank. Be sure to choose a tank that sits loose. You don’t want anything sticking to you while you are sweating in that summer sun. Pair this look with the most adorable crochet sandals and a sun-savvy floppy hat. The final look is for the daring fashionistas only! It’s summer and these music festivals are full of people who love to show off their amazing style. I love this patriotic retro look of a gingham crop top paired with high-waisted red shorts. The adorable sunglasses, chic fedora and floral sandals add a fresh vibe to the retro feel of this look.

Notice I included a hat with each look. As most music festivals are outside, it’s important to be sun savvy! Plus, hats are everywhere these days, so pairing one with some major SPF will make you stylish and smart.

The Ultimate Concert Bag

You have so much stuff to carry to a concert that there is no way you can leave your purse at home, but lugging that big thing around will surely cramp your style. The best bag to take to a concert is the cross body bag. It holds everything and keeps your hands free to raise the roof! They are so smart chic right now that there are options in every color and price point. The hardest part will be picking which one to wear!

Have fun looking stylish while rocking out to all your favorite bands this summer!

Kelly Adams is an intern at College Lifestyles (TM).  She is a journalism major at the University of Kentucky and a member of Kappa Delta Sorority.  She likes Audrey Hepburn movies, trips to the lake, and her cockapoo Nicholas.

From One CL Girl to Another: Top Feel-Good Songs of ALL TIME!

If you love music and a good giveaway, keep on reading!  I’ve compiled a list of the top feel-good, pump-up jams of ALL TIME (straight from my iTunes!) and I’m going to be giving away a CD with all of these songs to one lucky CL reader!  All you have to do is comment with your name, your favorite feel-good song of all time (it doesn’t have to be from this list!), and an email address where I can contact you if you win.  Good Luck!

SONG – Rush
ARTIST – Aly & AJ
ALBUM – Into the Rush
Don’t let nobody tell you “your life is over,” be every color that you are.

SONG – Who Says
ARTIST – Selena Gomez & the Scene
ALBUM – When the Sun Goes Down
I’m no beauty queen, I’m just beautiful me.

SONG – Raise your Glass
ARTIST – P!NK
ALBUM – Greatest Hits…. So  Far!
Raise your glass if you are wrong in all the right ways.

SONG – What the Hell
ARTIST – Avril Lavigne
ALBUM – Goodbye Lullabye
I’d rather rage than sit around and wait all day. Don’t get me wrong, I just need some time to play.

SONG – Hotel Yorba
ARTIST – The White Stripes
ALBUM – White Blood Cells
It might sound silly for me to think childish thoughts like these, but I’m so tired of acting tough and I’m gonna do what I please.

SONG – Weightless
ARTIST – All Time Low
ALBUM – Nothing Personal
Maybe it’s not my weekend, but it’s gonna be my year.

SONG – Don’t Stop Believing
ARTIST – Journey
ALBUM – Escape
Don’t stop believing, hold onto that feeling.

SONG – Unwritten
ARTIST – Natasha Bedingfield
ALBUM – Unwritten
Today is where your book begins, the rest is still unwritten.

SONG – Ob-la-di, Ob-la-da
ARTIST – The Beatles
ALBUM – The Beatles (The White Album)
Ob-la-di, ob-la-da, life goes on.

SONG – Saturday
ARTIST – The Rocket Summer
ALBUM – Calendar Days
I’m gonna make it this Saturday.

SONG – Tonight tonight
ARTIST – Hot Chelle Rae
ALBUM – Tonight Tonight – EP
I don’t know if I’ll make it, but watch how good I’ll fake it.

SONG – Life is a Highway
ARTIST – Rascal Flatts
ALBUM – Cars Soundtrack
There ain’t no load that I can’t hold.

Don’t forget to comment with your name, your favorite feel-good song, and an email address where I can contact you if you win!  Again, ONE LUCKY CL READER will win a CD with these songs on it!

Alli is a Biomedical Laboratory Diagnostics junior at Michigan State University.  When she isn’t spending time with friends and family or on the sidelines of an MSU football game, she can always be found playing with her dogs

Songs for the CL Gals Summer Playlist!

It’s finals season, and summer is on the horizon, which means it’s time to create the perfect care-free playlist to carry you into your summer mode! Here are the top songs on my iTunes for summer 2011…

Strip Me – Natasha Bedingfield

Who Says – Selena Gomez

Charmed Life – Leigh Nash

We\’ll Be Alright – Travie McCoy

Freak The Freak Out – Victorious Cast

We Are Young – 3Oh!3

Hey Juliet – LMNT

Kissin\’ U – Miranda Cosgrove

Change Is Gonna Come – Olly Murs

Dollhouse – Priscilla Renea

Hey Soul Sister – Train

Rock You Senseless – Jadyn Maria

Daddy’s Little Girl – Jesse McCartney

Last Friday Night – Katy Perry

Crazy Beautiful Life – Ke$ha

Comment with your summer favorites!

XOXO

Lauren Zeinstra is a senior at Western State College of Colorado, majoring in Marketing and Management. Vice President of Internal Affairs for the Student Government Association, she loves coffee, fashion, learning, and dance parties!

‘Feel Good’ Songs: An Interview with Classy Co-eds Living in Michigan

Listening to music is a great way to get you pumped up and ready to tackle any task whether it be working out, finishing that paper, or even applying for a summer job. Music can be inspiring, motivational, and just what you need to feel good.  I love music and dancing so I thought I would ask my friends the following question: “What’s your latest ‘feel good’ song?” Here’s how they responded:

“S&M” by Rihanna -Megan

“Dream Big” by Ryan Shupe -Liz

“Born This Way” by Lady Gaga -Melanie, Christine, & Katie

“A Little Bit Stronger” by Sara Evans -Lauren

“Super Bass” by Nicki Minaj -Michelle

“Monster” by Kanye West -Tanu

“Walking On Sunshine” by Katrina & The Waves -Erika

Add these songs to your iPod and feel good all day long! What songs would you add to the list?

Erica Avesian is an intern at College Lifestyles (TM). She is a sophomore communications major at the University of Michigan. Erica’s ‘feel good’ songs are anything by Rihanna or Gaga!

Have Your Happiest Year Yet!

We all have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, so this year, why not make that pursuit a little bit easier? There are tons of simple ways to make yourself happier, and a lot of them don’t cost a thing and don’t take more than a minute. So what are you waiting for? Read my tips below to start of your new year happily.

1. Make a mix full of music that cheers you up.- I don’t know about you, but I have some go-to songs that boost my mood no matter what. Even after really horrible breakups, friend feuds, and even bad grades, my guilty pleasure song “Party in the USA” by Miley Cyrus never fails to put a goofy smile on my face. Just pick songs that have happy memories associated with them (like “Party in the USA” reminds me of going dancing with my girlfriends during my freshman year of college and my sorority winning homecoming). Put the mix on whenever you want a reason to smile.

2. Look up laughing babies on YouTube.- My older brother taught me this one. I once told him that I was having a bad day and he forwarded me a link to the most adorable giggling baby (and no, I’m not one of those baby-obsessed girls. Honestly, I prefer puppies, but it’s impossible to feel unhappy while looking at a laughing baby). Also, one of my best friends and I watched all of Grey’s Anatomy last summer and now whenever I’m sad, she sends me all kinds of hilarious Grey’s clips.

3. Work out.- I know, I know, you hear it all the time. Working out boosts endorphins and all that jazz, but seriously, it’s such a win-win. You’ll feel better, it’ll take your mind off just about anything, and you’ll be healthier too! A girlfriend and I go to a Zumba class at the gym together once a week, and it makes me feel incredible (not only because I feel healthy and accomplished and happy, but also because it’s like the friendship equivalent of date night and making time for the people you love is yet another wonderful happiness boost).

4. Take a deep breath and look up.- I know it sounds a little silly. I thought so too when I read it in a magazine, but I’ve tried it out in times of relative desperation (I have the worst luck with running into people at awkward moments), and it actually works. It kind of instantly clears your head, which helps lower stress and makes it easier to deal with whatever is going on, both of which will leave you happier in the long run.

5. Volunteer your time!- When I’m actively participating in volunteer activities, just knowing that I’m putting some good out into the world makes me feel happier all the time and extra happy when I get to actually do philanthropic work and see how I’m helping out. Also, the people you meet while volunteering almost always enrich your life in ways that can make you happy far beyond just this year.

There are tons of other tricks to feeling happier and I’d love to hear some of yours if you want to leave me some comments below. Good luck and have your happiest years yet!

Kat McClain is an intern with College Lifestyles, a sophomore at the University of Missouri, and a member of Alpha Chi Omega. She is looking forward to her new Service Learning class and Greek Week.

Ideas For Planning a Classy Holiday Party

It is officially the holiday season! Why not throw a super classy Christmas or holiday party? Here are a few tips and ideas for planning a successful Christmas or holiday party:

Tacky Christmas

When it’s time for a party, music is a must. I love the new Glee Christmas CD and think it would be perfect to play in the background of your tacky Christmas party.

Movies are an option for parties and usually depend on the amount of people you plan on having attend. A few options to go along with your theme could include movies such as Elf, How The Grinch Stole Christmas, or Nightmare Before Christmas. All of these are fun movies to keep keep the lightened mood at your party.

Snacks are a must! Some great snacks for your party could be puppy chow, popcorn balls, Chex Mix, Christmas cookies, and hot chocolate. Of course a cute decorative table for your snacks are a must to keep the the holiday spirit during your party.

Depending on the number of people you have attending your party you may want to give gifts to your guests. You can also use the gift ideas for the hostess of a party you may be attending. Christmas or holiday mugs decorated to be either cute or, to keep the theme alive, tacky, filled with candy canes make a great gift for guests to take home and enjoy later on.

Tacky Pajama Party

To go along with your theme, Glee Christmas CD and Pandora are great for finding music to play in the background of a party. For Pandora, type in something fun like Charlie Brown Christmas or How the Grinch Stole Christmas to create a fun station to go along with your theme.

Movies are great way to entertain guests at a Tacky Pajama party. I recommend the Home Alone series, Jack Frost, and The Life and Adventures of Santa Clause. Since everyone will already be in their pj’s, movies naturally go along with the atmosphere, especially for smaller parties with a few close friends.

Have fun with your snack ideas! My personal favorite is puppy chow. I look forward to it at holiday parties. Popcorn, Chex Mix, candy bars, and hot chocolate are also great holiday snacks to have for your party.

Some gift ideas for your guests as they leave can be super simple or you can get really creative. A few ideas include jars of cookie mix, mini Christmas stockings filled with candy canes, and homemade scarfs/blankets. This will obviously depend on the number of guests attending but some items, like the jar of cookie mix, can also be found out stores like Walmart. This makes it easier on you if your running short on time.

Cocktail Attire

Pandora is a great source for Christmas music! Type in something like All I Want For Christmas by Mariah Carey to create a station. Now Thats What I Call Christmas is also a great CD with classic Christmas music.

If you decide to show movies at cocktail attire Christmas party, I recommend The Life and Adventures of Santa Clause. Also, It’s A Wonderful Life is always popular.

Some great snacks for cocktail themed parties that are simple finger foods, such as mini grilled cheese, veggie and fruit trays, cheese bites, crackers and cheese balls, jalapeno poppers, etc. You can get as creative as you want with these or have a very simple setup.

If you decide to give gifts at your party small goody bags of scents from Victoria Secret or Bath & Body Works can be great gifts. However, if you are on a tighter budget, homemade ornaments or bags of hot chocolate mix are also a great gift for friends to enjoy.

Tropical Christmas

Music at a tropical Christmas party is a must! Jimmy Buffett Christmas is perfect to help set the mood at your party. You can also type in Beach Boys Christmas songs into Pandora for more variety.

If you decide to have movies playing at your party I recommend Jack Frost or Christmas With The Cranks. Depending on the amount of people you may choose to stay with music instead of movies but these are great to show.

Again, snacks are a must! To add some excitement to your snack table add some tropical decorations like red and green hula skirts, plastic sun glasses, etc. Chex mix, punch, and peppermint bark are a few simple snacks for your party. Also to spice up the simple Christmas cookies, make them into shapes like sea shells, palm trees, beach balls, etc.

Great gift ideas for your classy guests could include jars of cookie mix, bags of hot chocolate mix, mini Christmas stockings decorated in a beach theme, homemade ornaments decorated in a beach theme, or small goody bags of tropical scents from Bath & Body Works or Victoria Secret, depending on your price range.

These were just a few ideas to build upon for your Christmas or holiday party. Be sure to add your own sparkle to it, relax, and have fun!

Happy Holidays!

CL’s Guide to YOUR Halloween Playlist

Halloween is rapidly approaching, can you believe it?! Although each day of this semester feels like eternity, it seems to be flying by. Hopefully, this week wraps up any midterms and you’ve done fabulously on them! Now it’s time to relax a little and enjoy fall and the upcoming fun holiday!

I LOVE Halloween. As someone with a HUGE sweet tooth and a love of dress-up, it’s like the perfect holiday (though it’s not quite Christmas). Something that people seem to forget about is that there ARE Halloween songs! Some songs are not necessarily “Halloween” songs, but there’s definite ones you can use. ABC Family has 13 Nights of Halloween, here are 13 ghoulish and fun dance songs to brighten any Halloween fiesta!

13.) Dinosaur by Ke$ha. Why you may ask? It’s such a fun song! Much of this summer involved my mom and I dancing to this song in the car. It’s peppy and has a kind of cheer-like vibe, which makes it so easy to dance to.

12.) Man! I Feel Like a Woman by Shania Twain. This song is so silly, when I was looking for it on YouTube, I got wrapped up and started dancing along. It’s such a carefree, great song and it’s bound to put you and your friends in a great mood before heading out on Halloween, no matter where you’re going!

11.) The Lady is a Vamp by The Spice Girls. I love this song, period. I also love that there’s a ton of pop-culture references that you can use for Halloween costume ideas, such as Twiggy, Marilyn Monroe, etc. What is ANY countdown without the Spice Girls, to be honest?

10.) Bye Bye Bye by *N Sync. Okay, this song has NOTHING to do with Halloween, but I had to have it on. It’s so fun and if you’re like me, you remember it being roughly 2000 and in your room staring at TRL, trying to learn the rest of the dance moves. Yes, it’s here for sentimental values, but it’s also a fun song.

9.) Smooth Criminal by Michael Jackson. What would this list be WITHOUT MJ? It wouldn’t be remotely legit, in my opinion. It’s such a great song, whether it’s the original or Alien Ant Farm’s cover.

8.) Ghost by Fefe Dobson. I’m SO glad Fefe Dobson’s coming back on the scene. This is more a love song, but…ghosts are spooky! It’s a really fun bouncy song and if you haven’t heard it yet, you definitely need to have a listen!

7.) Everybody (Backstreet’s Back) by The Backstreet Boys. This song ALWAYS plays at my local amusement park’s Fright Nights because of the music video. It’s so fun and it’s such a throw back. This is also why Bye Bye Bye is on this list (I’m viciously Team *N Sync). The music video screams spooky, check it out

6.) Purple People Eater by Alvin and the Chipmunks. Okay, I know this seems childish, but I absolutely love this song. I have it on my iTunes and I honestly forget how good this is until it pops up on shuffle. It’s so fun and silly and spooky! I bet if you listen to it, you can’t help but head-bob at the very least.

5.) This is Halloween from The Nightmare Before Christmas. This one was hard since there’s like 5000 versions of this song floating around. I prefer the Panic! At the Disco version, but this one is the best quality. For me, I don’t know what Halloween (or Christmas) would be without The Nightmare Before Christmas. Tim Burton is a part of me and this song is silly and creative and combines all great Halloween things into one three-minute song!

4.) Monster by Lady Gaga. If you know anything about me, you know Lady Gaga was OBVIOUSLY going to show up on this list. You might be surprised she’s not the top. I LOVE this song. It’s a little eerie and it’s really easy to dance to and so much fun. Every time it comes on, I end up dancing whether it’s in my room, on the bus, in the car – it’s infectious.

3.) The Time Warp from The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Here’s another one this list would be naked without. It shocks me that some people have never seen Rocky Horror (I love Tim Curry), but everyone who watches Glee is in for a super surprise as the next episode is “The Rocky Horror Glee Show“! EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEK!!! It’s a fun song that tells you the dance moves and it’s so silly in the best way!

2.) I Put a Spell on You by Bette Midler. Like The Nightmare Before Christmas, Hocus Pocus is a stand out movie of my youth. Bette Midler is perfect to me in just about every single way and her version is perfection. Yes, that is Sarah Jessica Parker in the background as well. How phenomenal, right? Bette Midler has the pipes to make this song fun and powerful and it’s a great song all around.

Here is my personal favorite and most important song of Halloween:

1.) Thriller by Michael Jackson. THIS IS THE BE ALL END ALL MUST BE ON THIS LIST SONG FOR EVERY HALLOWEEN EVER. Seriously. Can you imagine a Halloween without “Thriller?” Can you imagine never knowing even a fragment of this dance? I can’t and I don’t even like to think about it. I’m determined to learn this dance soon and master it. It’s so much fun and I hope you all enjoy this song as much as I do. It really is the greatest Halloween-time song!

Are there any songs that I missed that you really love? I know the “Monster Mash” is MIA from this list, but is there anything else you wanted to see? What pumps you up and gets you in the mood to go out, have fun, and/or Trick-or-Treat?  Let us know

Briana Simko is a senior English and Theater Arts major at Duquesne University and she’s a proud sister of Alpha Sigma Tau sorority. She absolutely loves Halloween and she’ll probably be an Eskimo and spend the time trick-or-treating (at twenty-one) and listening and dancing to great music with her sisters.

A Few of My Favorite Things

As a new intern here at College Lifestyles, I thought it might be nice to kind of introduce myself to everyone with the short list of the things that I love the most (because the long list would never be finished).

1. My mom- I have the most wonderful relationship with my mom, and I’m so glad to have such a strong, positive, graceful, and classy woman to look up to. If you’ve ever seen the show Gilmore Girls (another one of my favorite things), we’re actually not unlike Lorelai and Rory.2. Music- I love all kinds of music. On a bad day, Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson, or the music from Glee can almost always cheer me up. On the flip side, when I’m in a good mood, there’s nothing better than an upbeat tune to keep me pumped up. I love to dance and to sing along to all my favorite songs (especially during impromtu dance parties with my sisters and on the car ride home from school to do laundry).
3. TV on DVD and on the internet- I love tons of TV shows, but because I’m extremely busy (double major, Greek life, early graduation, June LSAT, other campus activities, social life, etc.), I almost never get the chance to watch them on TV. Therefore, I have become a Hulu.com addict. I can watch current shows on my own time, anywhere I can get an internet connection. Also, I can watch shows that are off the air now (Will and Grace, Gilmore Girls, Friends, and Sex and the City mostly) and shows that come on cable channels that I don’t get at school (True Blood and Dexter) whenever I want to and over and over again.

4. My best friends- In addition to some of the best sisters in the world, I have the most incredible group of best friends back home and from living in the dorms last year. While sisterhood is a friendship unlike any other, having best friends outside of my letters isn’t something I would ever give up.

5. Wild Cherry Pepsi, Dr. Pepper, Soy White Chocolate Mochas, and Pumpkin spice lattes- As much as I love to sleep, I find it happens a lot less often than I’d like, so I am also pretty heavily caffiennated most of the time. I love Starbucks coffee (and my new RED tumbler that donates a percentage of my coffee purchase to charity) and around lunch, I usually choose one of my guilty pleasure sodas.
6. My planner, dry erase calendars, and other organizational type stuff- I love, love, love the feeling I get when all of my stuff is in the right place and easy to find when I need it to study, write papers, take notes, or whatever. My planner and dry erase calendars (one weekly and one monthly) help me keep track of due dates, fun sorority events, meetings, and plans with friends. With a schedule as busy as mine, writing every little thing down is one of the only ways to stay sane.

7. My wonderful sorority sisters- Here at Mizzou, home of the Tigers, we just finished formal recruitment, and I’m so excited to welcome our new members into our fantastic sisterhood. My sisters are always there for me when I need a laugh or a hug or a shoulder to cry on. Going through sisterhood week and recruitment week with them since I moved in to our lovely house in early August has been an absolute blast.

8. Jewelry- I love to dress up my preppy (think Sperry boat shoes, Miss Me jeans, and Hollister graphic tees and polos) style with fun, romantic, and vintage-y jewelry whenever possible.

9. Magazines- I love to just curl up listening to Lady Antebellum or Justin Beiber (yes, I have the fever) reading Cosmopolitan or Glamour from cover to cover. It’s a nice way to relax and unwind from a stressful day or recover from a big test. I love reading the style, hair, and make-up tips (although I’m usually too timid to try most of them).

10. Flowers and butterflies- I am allergic to pollen, but I absolutely adore receiving flowers. I love red carnations (my sorority’s flower), peonies, roses, lilies, orchids, and Gerber daisies especially. Butterflies remind me that things really do change, since all butterflies start out as caterpillars and then transform into something beautiful with just a little bit of hard work. Flowers and butterflies remind me that there really is so much beauty in the world even on my worst days.

I hope that was a fun little insight into my personality and I’m so excited to be writing for College Lifestyles. Hopefully you’re excited to read more too.

XOXO,

Kat =)

Kat McClain is an intern at College Lifestyles (TM). She is also a junior at the University of Missouri-Columbia, studying psychology and communications. She is currently obsessed with the song “Teenage Dream” and the new student center on Mizzou’s campus.

Igniting the Savvy Co-ed’s Musical Mind

I’m sitting in my room listening to the monsoon occurring outside my window. Air conditioner turned off; I’m throwing caution to the wind. Let the summer heat engulf me, I’m embracing these abnormal temperatures. Lights dimmed low, shuffling through my iTunes, it’s the perfect way to honor this storm. I have carefully chosen five songs of differing artists and genres that will either present an escape from the storm raging in your mind, or take you to the heart of it, inflaming your temperament. If you need more, I have 9.6 days worth of music that I would be more than willing to spew to the world.

The Dreaming Tree – Dave Matthews Band

Of course Dave (I figured after years of worshipping this God of a musician, I earned the right of a first name basis) not only makes the list, but rests firmly at the top. This tale of song cuts deep to the soul, with its heavy underlying darkness capturing your mind. Illustrating a loss of innocence, it forces us to reflect back on our personal memories, relating to the song’s characters. After all, we are in college; our innocence is long gone.

Heart Shaped Box – Nirvana

Mmm…Nirvana. There’s something about this song that I find so…sexy. Kurt Cobain captivates my full attention with his opening single notes followed by a raw chorus filled with raunchy chords. The founding father of grunge, Nirvana makes me envious of those 90s co-eds.

A Movie Script Ending (acoustic) – Death Cab for Cutie

Acoustic version is the only way to dig it as the sheets of rain force you to relax and reflect. Ben Gibbard’s honest voice compliments the melodic repetition throughout the chorus, creating a flawless atmosphere of tranquility.

Comptine D’un Autre été – L’ap – Yann Tiersen

Sometimes words are too much; your pulsating mind doesn’t need the crowding of someone else’s thoughts. In these unavoidable heavy times, cloud your mind with the compelling work of Yann Tiersen. This double-edged sword will either let you escape yourself for two-and-a-half minutes, or fuel the fire burning in your mind and soul, causing you to take a deeper look at your plaguing thoughts.

Home – Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros

And as the clouds disperse (since summer storms bring only a quick relief to our busy lives) and you begin to see that hazy sun, turn up your speakers for this prodigiously gorgeous song. It’s simply beautiful. The voices of Alex Ebert and Jade Castrinos are so endearing and pure, they put you in a trance of wonderment. Such innocent lyrics about perfect love, this song has played in my mind throughout my past few months of travel.

“Home is wherever I’m with you…”

Kate Dopazo is an intern with College Lifestyles and a senior at the University of Maryland. With this post, she hopes to spark new musical interests within her readers.

CL’s Ultimate Summer Road Trip Playlist

It’s road trip time! But before you go anywhere, run to the store and grab an itunes giftcard because you’re going to need it!  Get ready to download the best songs for your road trip playlist! These jams have to keep you energetic and singing one, five or twelve hours into your trip.  Here are my picks for CL’s Ultimate Summer Road Trip Playlist.

1. Ace of Base – The Sign
2. Ke$ha – Dinosaur
3. Marc Cohn – Walking In Memphis
4. R. Kelly – I Believe I Can Fly
5. Jonas Brothers – Australia
6. Matt & Kim – Daylight
7. The Rocket Summer – Brat Pack
8. Tupac – California Love
9. Backstreet Boys – Everybody (Backstreet’s Back)
10. Hanson – Man From Milwaukee
11. Journey – Don’t Stop Believin’
12. Justin Timberlake – Seniorita
13. Rihanna – Shut Up and Drive
14. New Kids on the Block – Step By Step
15. Regina Spektor – Folding Chair
16. Eddie Money – Take Me Home Tonight
17. Jay-Z ft. Kid Cudi – Already Home

One or two classics thrown in with many favorites! Check these out for your next road trip!

What songs made it onto your playlist? Let us know! Tweet at us: @collegelifestyl!

Becky Alberico is an intern at College Lifestyles ™. She is a Communication Studies major at Edinboro University of PA, and a member of Alpha Sigma Tau! Becky cannot wait to see the cornfields and flatlands between Pennsylvania and Iowa with fellow intern Kaitlyn in less than two weeks!

Check out Hillary’s post about what kinds of snacks to bring with you on your next road trip!

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