Archive | March, 2011

Starry-eyed over this look

31 Mar

Adam Star-print silk tank, Net-a-porter.com

According to Elle Magazine, the new look of the season is stars -  accessories, shirts, dresses and more.  And I have to say, I’m LOVING it.

It is the perfect shape to spice up any print or look.  If they aren’t overdone with too much sparkle, stars can look very mature and elegant.  The tank to the right would look amazing paired with a leather jacket and some skinny jeans.

It is my new spring must have.  You’ll probably be able to catch me at the mall on the hunt for some starry fashion this weekend.

What do you think?  Love it or hate it?

Let me know in the comment section below.

Tags: , , ,

One spring trend isn’t all that

29 Mar

ASOS Stripe Egg Maxi Dress, Us.Asos.com

This spring’s trend that I love to hate is horizontal stripes.  And boy do I hate em’.

Now those who know me and have seen my closet are fully aware that I have always adored anything nautical.  That style is always in for me; in fact, half of my closet is navy.

However, this spring’s expansion on the nautical stripe for the soon to arrive warmer weather is a dud on real women.  Let’s face it ladies, anyone who wears anything over a size 4 is going to look broader in this type of fabric.  It accentuates any abdominal imperfections by accentuating everything but the waist.

As an accessory, this print is fabulous and funky.   However, I’m staying away from this style in dresses, shirts and skirts.  It is always better to dress for your figure than this season’s it style.

But enough about me, what do you think?  I’d love to hear about it in the comment section below.

Tags: , , , ,

Professor helps bring back some smiles

28 Mar

Professor Daack-Hirsch interacts with mothers in the Philippines, Photo submitted

Author’s note: This story also appeared in the Feb. 16, 2011 issue of The Daily Iowan, you can check it out there as well.

When Sandra Daack-Hirsch hopped on a west-bound plane in 1994, she didn’t know what to expect.  When she landed in the Philippines, she found a group of islands filled with families who needed medical help and expertise.

And she gave it to them.

She discovered a family in which five of the seven children suffered from cleft lip/palate — a condition in which a gap forms in either the upper lip or the roof of the mouth.  The University of Iowa assistant professor of nursing cared for three of them.  She developed a bond with the mother, who helped her find others in the village who needed surgery for the condition.  After returning home, Daack-Hirsch received several letters from the woman in her native language.

“The first time it was really exciting for me to be able to go someplace and not be someone’s mom, someone’s wife and really just be me and do what I do,” said Daack-Hirsch, looking at her husband.

She has been to the Philippines 14 times to help people suffering from cleft.  She conducted research and volunteered with an Iowa-based team working with Operation Smile, a nonprofit organization that provides surgeries and help for thousands of individuals, mainly children, who are born with a cleft lip or cleft palate.  Surgery allows patients to eat and speak normally, but it’s difficult to find in less-developed countries. Continue reading →

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

Mr. President, let the tax cuts go

16 Mar

Photo by Dana Beveridge, Flickr

The president’s decision to extend the Bush-era tax cuts for the wealthy last fall was the biggest fiscal blow that the middle class has experienced in recent times.

President Barack Obama’s deal with Republican lawmakers was unpaid for and will cost the government $858 billion.  The tax cuts and unemployment benefits extension will not do much to stimulate the economy or relieve the burdens of the middle class.The legislation merely gives the Democratic president a campaign talking point.  Obama will be able to say he cut your taxes, but he cannot say that he did right by the economy.

President George W. Bush chose to create these temporary tax cuts at a time where he had inherited a budget surplus.  The money was flowing in, people were at work and in the meantime the housing bubble was quickly growing, soon to burst.  However, the country’s fiscal situation was substantially brighter and the bill was sellable to the American people.  Bush made the wrong decision to create these tax cuts, but at least they were not permanent.  The sunset should have occurred during President Barack Obama’s tenure as president, but it didn’t. Continue reading →

Tags: , , , , , , ,

Who wore it better – Nicky Hilton and Jamie King

14 Mar

So last Friday, Nicky Hilton and Jamie King pulled a Samantha and Miley ala Sex and the City 2, showing up to a French Connection event in the same dress.  So the question all over the web has been: who wore it better?

Hilton takes this one easily, pairing the mini with a waist flattering belt and silver bangles.  The choice of black pumps for both women was a good one, but King just flopped without any accessories.  The leopard print dress lacked any gusto without them.

The ladies did not seem to think much of the coincidence and posed for pictures together, laughing it off.  What do you think?  Who wore it better?

Tags: , , ,

Iowa City resident devoted to baseball, family

14 Mar

Mary Villhauer

84-year-old Mary Villhauer does not like to be alone and at the City Park baseball diamonds, she’s never had to be.

Mary Villhauer and her husband Howard, who passed away in 2007, joined the Iowa City Boys Baseball organization in 1960.  Since then, the league has grown quite a bit from 16 teams with two bags of equipment partly because of the encouragement and passion that the Villhauers put into it.  Mary Villhauer still acts as the concession stand manager, secretary and treasurer.

Some may wonder how a woman could handle such responsibility so late in life, but one look at Mary Villhauer and it all makes perfect sense.  She stands upright when she greets you at her door, with a firm handshake and welcoming voice.  Her blue eyes maintain a hint of youth when she smiles, especially when she talks about the ballpark.

Born Mary Elizabeth Crowley on June 26, 1926, she was the only child of Elizabeth and Timothy Crowley. She spent too much time growing up on a farm outside of Hills, Iowa, where she was left with only her parents for company.

“All my life I had hoped to have a brother or a sister, especially a sister,” Mary Villhauer said.  “And of course I never did and it was very lonely, especially when we were in the country.” Continue reading →

Tags: , , , ,

Brittney Bellows seeks diversity in Iowa City

14 Mar
Author’s note: This story also appeared on Feb. 21, 2011 on HerCampus.com’s University of Iowa Chapter.  You can check that out here.
Bellows and her host sister in Jordan

University of Iowa senior Brittney Bellows sees cultural diversity all over campus, no matter what the city’s demographics say.

The 21-year-old political science major spends a great part of her time trying to broaden her horizons and learn about different ethnic cultures.  This could be a hard task considering Iowa City’s population is over 80 percent Caucasian.  However, she manages to find people to learn from everywhere by simply talking to them.

“Iowa City itself has so many things to offer, there’s music, theatre, events at the IMU and food, so many different kinds of food,” said Bellows.  “And there’s always a huge opportunity in just meeting people who aren’t American.”

Bellows makes time to attend as many events put on by the UI’s Office for International Students and Scholars (OISS) as possible.  She’s spent time exploring different kinds of cuisine, dance and other types of culture on campus, something that many students miss out on at first.  Continue reading →

Tags: , , , , , ,

Oscar Fashion: What worked

1 Mar

Author’s note: This post also appeared on March 1, 2011 on HerCampus.com’s University of Iowa Chapter.  You can check that out here.

Watching the red carpet coverage of the Academy Awards is always a blast for any college fashionista.  The 2011 ceremony was filled with gorgeous gowns that appealed to a multitude of tastes.  Each and every one of us had a moment where we gasped in amazement and almost died of jealousy.  Here’s a rundown of some of my personal favorites:

Halle Berry

If there was a Queen of Oscar Fashion, Halle Berry would own that crown.  Her Marchesa gown was a dream that must have drawn all eyes as she worked her way down the red carpet.  Her spiky pixie cut topped the ensemble off perfectly; she doesn’t need long locks to make jaws drop.

 

 

 

Sandra Bullock

Last year’s Best Actress defined elegance last night.  Her strapless Vera Wang gown and timeless up-do were classic and brilliant.  Bullock’s regality was hard to miss when pointing out brilliance in Oscar fashion.

 

 

 

 

Penelope Cruz

Penelope Cruz looked fiery and fierce alongside her hubby Javier Bardem.  Her L’Wren Scott gown showed off her flawless post-baby figure, catching light in all the right ways.  Nobody should have been able to keep their eyes off of this lady in red.

 

 

 

Anne Hathaway

Anne Hathaway’s second look of the night was certainly the best chosen by Rachel Zoe.  Her entire wardrobe was stunning, but this Givenchy frock was exceptional.  Hathaway looked contemporary and youthful as she glided across stage in this gown.

 

 

 

Jennifer Hudson

Jennifer Hudson made me dream in tangerine on Oscar night.  This gorgeous Versace gown was by far the best of the night.  Her new svelte figure shone through, highlighting her natural beauty in perfect elegance.

 

 

 

Jennifer Lawrence

If there were a dress that stood out on its own, this one was it.  Jennifer Lawrence looked stunning in this simple Calvin Klein creation, no jewelry necessary.

 

 

 

 

Natalie Portman

The Best Actress winner stunned everyone in this plum Rodarte gown, Jimmy Choo heels and Tiffany earrings.  Portman looked elegant, sleek and regal while both working the carpet and accepting her Oscar.  If only we could all look forward to being this gorgeous during pregnancy.

 

 

 

Hailee Steinfeld

Finally there’s a beautiful young woman who works carpet with style and class well beyond her years.  The Best Supporting Actress nominee helped Marchesa design this age-appropriate work of art.  Let’s hope this is just the beginning of incredible fashion choices for years to come.

So you’ve seen some of my favorites, what were yours?  Sound off below in the comment section!

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Relationship ready?

1 Mar
Authour’s note: This piece also appeared on Feb. 6, 2011 on HerCampus.com’s University of Iowa Chapter.  You can check that out here.

Photo credit: Spitefully, Flickr

For women it seems like they’re everywhere.  Couples walking down the Pedestrian Mall holding hands or cuddling on the Pentacrest, causing one of two reactions: longing or disgust.

If you’re one of the objectors, then more power to you.  But, if you’re sitting there wishing for your Prince(ss) Charming, there are some things you need to consider about yourself before getting jealous.

Women often don’t have any easy time accepting themselves.  We nitpick and nag ourselves to death, an endless inner monologue of emotion.  It is this exact behavior that needs to be nipped in the bud before we even consider dating.  A woman who isn’t sure of herself is never going to wind up with the right person.  So be sure to ask yourself these questions before looking for love:

1.  Are you comfortable with yourself? – Many of us aren’t.  No matter your body type, major, hair color, GPA or part-time job, you should wake up most days feeling cool and confident in yourself and your personality.  If you aren’t sure of yourself, (s)he won’t be either, and your relationship will start off on rocky ground.  That’s not the place anyone wants to be.  You’ve got to love you before anyone else will.

2.  Do you know what you want out of life? – Thinking of backpacking through Europe after graduation?  Picturing that high-profile job in Los Angeles?  Dreaming about starting a family in the suburbs?  Maybe your goals and aspirations are not that clean-cut, but it is important to have a vague idea before getting seriously involved with anyone.  Knowing where you’re going will help you figure out how you’re going to get there.  This will keep you from wasting time on a lot of mismatches on the way to the right person and may provide some good insight on where to meet him or her.

3.  What are your priorities? – Do you spend a lot of time with family?  Is the library or gym your home away from home?  You’ve got to know yourself in order to live life to the fullest with or without a significant other.  Knowing what you spend your time doing or thinking about will help you understand yourself better and have a much easier time in the dating world.

4.  What are your deal breakers? – If you celebrated the smoking ban three years ago, you probably should not be dating a smoker.  Knowing the kinds of things you cannot negotiate on will keep your relationships easy and fun, the way they should be.  No one wants to become attached to someone that they can never fully accept.  You are who you are and that’s great.  The same principle applies to others.  It is important that you figure out what you need before expecting someone to rise to unmeetable standards a few dates in.

Now that may seem like a lot of heavy thinking, but in reality those questions are all easily answerable.  Try taking a walk with a close friend or hitting the gym with your iPod if you need some extra time to think about you.  Once you’ve figured all that out, your path and your dating prospects will be much clearer.

Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.