I have this new philosophy. You can take it with a grain of salt…or just a dainty little tea cup filled to the brim with Earl Grey. Yep, my philosophy has to do with acting like the fabulous french women do. We all feel it. When we bounce out of college we all suddenly want to be crazy classy and successful in the dating world. For me to conquer those two goals, I need a diagram or a list. In a happy hour epiphany, a girlfriend and I were discussing dating, stressful job situations and fashion. Then…it came out:

“I want to live like french women do.”

Fine, I’ll admit it. I got the idea from a recent Cosmopolitan article, sue me. But also, please nod in approval for me finding the only semi-classy article in Cosmo. The article inspired my heart strings. French women live fabulously, non-apologetically, mysteriously, seductively….I couldn’t pull my eyes away from it and obvi I have to share it with you. So aside from never shaving our armpits and being ‘totally natural’ let us live like the french women do. Read More »

There’s a great many things to do and places to see in this world of ours.  As humans, our lives are pretty short (and if you party like I do, it’s probably going to be even shorter).  So we have to prioritize!  We have brains for a reason and that reason is…reasoning (well, at least some of us use them for that purpose: see comment about partying above).  Let me be your voice of reason as I show you all the things you should be doing right here, right now.

We say it all the time: shut up.  Sometimes you mean it (like during a particularly nasty fight with the bf) and sometimes you don’t (Clueless-esque situations of surprise and pleasure), but those two little words will always be there.  How many of us actually listen to them, though?  Have you ever actually shut up when someone told you to do so (I, for one, make it a point to talk louder/longer when someone tells me to shut up)?  Perhaps it’s time for us to listen.  Perhaps it’s time to really shut up.

Living in a single room in a new dorm this past week, I’ve learned the value of keeping my mouth shut.  I’m not unfriendly, but I’m not chatting up a storm either.  I’m trying to keep it cool and start out as the mysterious, cool and collected girl (a bit of a change from former dorm experiences…but we won’t go there).  What I’ve learned includes how to seem nice and approachable without saying a word and how to not look like a creepy loner.  In fact, I’ve enjoyed my silence so much, I’m thinking we all need to try it.  Try this on for size: reasons why you should shut your pie hole.

Work Those Eyes – If you’re not flexing those vocal cords, then you’ll probably be doing most of your communicating through your eyes.  Instead of a long-winded answer, just raise an eyebrow.   Instead of an awkward giggle and stuttering attempts at flirtation, try winking.  Simple glances and blinks become volumes of communication.  And imagine the make-up possibilities when all the attention is focused on your eyes… Read More »

So we are finally in the dog days of summer (which I realized when I went for a run at noon). Some of us are working, going to school, or schlepping around interning. Others are laying by the pool sipping sangria (*jealous*). But, I think we can all agree that a break of any kind is welcome. Especially when that break is a trip to somewhere cool, offbeat and–the best part– cheap. So pack your favorite flip flops, airy sundress and camera and head somewhere, anywhere but here. Might I suggest any of these destinations:

Isla de Vieques, Puerto Rico.

This 21 by 5 mile island is referred to asIsla Nena by residents, loosely translating into “virgin island”. Located only 6 miles off Puerto Rico’s coast, it is a hotbed of natural beauty and tropical activities. You fly onto the island after flying into San Juan, Puerto Rico, so be prepared with a your iPod, a magazine, eye mask or Valium–whatever it takes to get you to board an 8 seater plane to Vieques Airport.

Once you’re on the island, you can stay anywhere ranging from $90 a night B&B’s to luxury hotels, so whether you’re on a typical college budget, or you happen to have a trust fund, there are accomodations for you.

Activities on the island include: hiking, snorkeling and diving, biking, fishing, sightseeing and dining in Bravos de Boston, Vieques’ most fashionable town. However, the highlight of this destination is definitely its Bioluminescent Bay. The bay is filled with phosphorescent microorganisms, that glow in the dark when disturbed. Nighttime charter boats take you on a guided swimming and kayaking trip to the brightest bio bay in the world. If you’re looking for a tropical getaway that won’t break the bank and is off the beaten path, Vieques is it. Read More »