A Great Accessory - The Cocktail Ring!

Want to dress up your look without breaking the bank? Try a cocktail ring! It looks great with a nice dress or jeans and a cute top! This great find is from Twelve by Twelve for $1.99!

Love Starbucks? Their Newest Product gets a Thumbs Up!

Starbucks unveiled a yummy new smoothie line called Vivanno to its line of coffees and teas.

The Orange Mango Banana Blend is as good for us as it is yummy! Blended using Naked Juice products, whey protein, fiber, and 2% milk; this smoothie is great on a hot summer day! At $2.99-$3.99, it's comparable to most summer treats without any guilt!

Can I eat Grapes with My Fingers?

Yes!

If served grapes in bunches, you CAN eat them with your fingers!

If you are walking through a serving line at a restaurant/buffet/wedding, tear a portion of the grapes from the whole bunch and place in your plate. Don't remove one grape at a time.

Happy Eating!

Body Image - From the Words of Coco Chanel

'Fashion is architecture. It's a matter of proportions.' - Coco Chanel

'I hate my thighs. My arms are too big. My tummy is big.' Common quotes received by College Lifestyles (TM) during traveling, via email, and in the office. Our response:

'Understand the type of body that you have and flaunt the positive aspects of your body, not the negative. Most folks who are uncomfortable about their thighs have beautiful collar bones; most individuals who are uncomfortable about their tummies have toned legs. It sounds so cliche, but it's true. Right now, write on a sticky note your best body part - it may be your small feet, collar bone, bright eyes, smooth skin; and paste on your bathroom mirror. Select clothes that show off your favorite body parts, not hide them. In other words, as Coco Chanel says, select the clothes that frame your proportions.'

Love the style of Sex in the City?

Fashion junkee has a great selection (and affordable!) of dresses, shoes, and jewelry inspired by Sex in the City!

This yellow stunner is inspired by 'Samantha.' Listed on the website are categories of styles inspired by Carrie, Samantha, Miranda, and Charlotte.

Happy Shopping!

Will you Please Pass the Salt?

When asked to pass the salt, pick up both the salt and the pepper and to place them on the table to the person next to you. (if the requesting individual is on the other end of the table, it would be passed down as stated above). Salt and pepper is not passed hand-to-hand.

An easy tip to remember on not separating salt and pepper is 'salt and pepper are married, not divorced.'

A lovely marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Salt and Pepper!

Cookies are wonderful!

No guilt is associated with the delicious Kashi Oatmeal Dark Chocolate Cookie. Taste wonderful and wonderful for you!

At $2.85 a box and in most grocery/supermarkets; a great/affordable product. (Think about it, instead of a vending machine purchase at $0.75, pack one of the cookies in a ziploc bag for a snack after class or a work snack!)

A Great Site for Aspiring Dietitians! All Access Internships!

College Lifestyles ™ director, Shelly Marie, has received questions on ‘How did you get started in your career?’ In addition to her fashion and etiquette sense and savviness, Shelly is an eating disorder, body image, and weight management specialist.

Shelly responds, “My career path started as nutrition major. After a bachelor’s degree in nutrition from Nicholls State University, I attended Louisiana Tech University and completed my dietetic internship and finished my master’s degree in nutrition. My internship molded my career, since I had several rotations in the clinical, community, and management sector. I even spent time at a diabetes camp and was in ‘charge’ of 10 year old boys! My internship gave me several opportunities to speak to kids, adolescents, and adults. It was there I found my passion for speaking! Now, I combine my nutrition based passion of eating disorders, body image, and weight management with my flare for fashion and etiquette!”

Shelly encourages all who wishing to enter the nutrition spectrum to look at internships.

Shelly responds, “A great, new website to look at is All Access Internships. “

Can I eat Asparagus with my Fingers?

Yes and no!

If the asparagus is not covered in sauce and cooked firm, then it is acceptable to eat with your fingers. Any other fashion calls for a knife and fork.

Enjoy!

Love Audrey Hepburn's Style?

College Lifestyles (TM) director (Shelly Marie) loves (well, pretty much worships) the ground that Audrey Hepburn walked on!

'Her classic, ladylike style is that of an icon. She invented the great look of the little black dress.'

Are you a fan of Ms. Hepburn as well? Fashion Junkie, a fantastic website, has a vintage dress based on the classic style of Ms. Hepburn.

Priced at $45.00 (brew your own coffee for 2 weeks to save the $$), this dress serves as a wonderful piece for a special occasion - whether it be a date, cocktail party, or wedding reception. (Also offered in red, white, yellow, blue, pink, and purple).

Top this look off with what else but pearls and wide-rimmed sunglasses.

Image Savvy - Dress to Flatter

This wonderful find from Forever 21 is universally flattering to all body shapes! At $27.90; this dress is sure to please everyone! The design and style of this dress draws the eyes upward and focus is placed on the lovely V-Neckline!

Top this dress with nice sandals for a day look, and neutral or silver strap heels for a night out!

Nutrition Finds - Dark Chocolate Chex Mix!

Looking for a great, nutritious summer snack??!! Look no more than Chex Mix's newest flavor - Dark Chocolate!

Discover this yummy selection in the 'chip' section of your local Wal-Mart, Target, Albertsons, Kroger, and Winn-Dixie! Averaging $1.99-2.50 a bag, this treat not only will last several trips to the pool, but cost less than an fast-food visit!

Full of dark chocolate covered pretzels, chocolate chex cereal, and chocolate candies; it hits the spot!

Nutritious and yummy!

Brain Food and Happy Food? Look No Futher than Nemo! (Okay, fish!)

Most of us have heard sources of omega-3 (Nemo, well, fish) assist as a brain food; but did you know that Nemo and other omega-3 foods can improve your mood? Eating omega-3 sources make us happy!

Here's the question though: How can one get fish in the diet while being in school? It's not everyday that the cafeteria serves salmon or that we can afford to buy salmon and cook on our grill at our apartment (who has a grill!)? In addition, it's not really convenient for us to grab salmon, trout, and mackerel while walking to class!

What to do? Easy, look to tuna. While tuna has a bit less omega-3 than salmon, it still is a source of omega-3! StarKist has a wonderful product called Tuna Creations (see picture). With 4 different flavors to chose from including hickory smoked, zesty lemon pepper, herb& garlic, and sweet&spicy (my personal favorite!), everyone is bound to be happy! It's great - no preparation needed, just open up the bag and eat! I have found these at many shopping chains including Wal-Mart, Albertsons, Kroger, Winn-Dixie, and Target for around $1.15-$1.50. (An added bonus - since it's vacuumed sealed, no smell!)

(Here's the biology behind it - when omega-3 levels are increased in the blood stream, serotonin metabolizes, which improves mood)

Fashion Finds - Scarf under $15.00!

For those of you who know me (and just a little bit more information about me); my favorite accessory is a scarf! I use it in so many different ways - to add color to my wardrobe, to add a touch of flare, to dress up an outfit, and to dress down an outfit! The options are pretty endless!

As I was shopping, I noticed this lovely scarf at the Gap for the great price of $14.99!

Here are some of the uses that I have for this lovely scarf:
(1) The color is amazing - what a great scarf to add to jeans, nice flip flops or sandals, and a neutral tank top (white, off white), ponytail.
(2) A color fanatic that I am, I would were with a turquoise jersey dress, gold hoops and sandals.
(3) Carry into fall with a neutral sweater.

Gotta love sales!

Fashion Finds - Wrap Dress for Under $20.00

It's sale time again! Old Navy is just hitting it on the spot!

A wrap dress - so ladylike, versitle, and flattering (and it's one of my 7 essentials in image programs!)

Tip - For the most flattering fit (no matter what your size S to XXL), look for the belt to wrap and tie around the smallest part of your waist.

For example, those wishing to conseal a tummy, look to tie the dress at an empire level (under the bra line). To flatter curves and to give the impression of curves (for those with no defined waistline) tie at the natural waist.

Wrap dresses can go from day to night with a just changing shoes and handbag!

I found this at Old Navy for $14.99!

Fashion Finds - Ballet Flats for under $10.00!

With stores starting 50% sales, I discovered some great finds that I can use now and in the Fall!

Here are some great ballet flats from Old Navy for $9.49. The biggest tip that I encourage for folks to look for when purchasing flats is to make sure the flat has a cushioned bottom.

These flats go great with our summer dresses, shorts, and jeans!

~Shelly

How Rude???!!!

A recent survey suggested that 56% of individuals check their phone or talk on the phone while in a public restroom! This is a huge etiquette no-no! Remember, even though you may be behind a close door, we can still hear your conversation! Be polite - talk to your friends while in private or softly in a quiet area!