Conference Etiquette?

It's conference season and if your attending one of the many conferences this Spring, including MGCA, NGLA, and SEPC, you may run into our director, Shelly Marie! Be sure to tell her hello!!!

Here are some quick conference etiquette tips!

1. Arrive no sooner than 15 minutes earlier to a lunch/dinner meal (this is the same for business dinners).
2. What is cocktail attire? Ladies - short, elegant dress + accessories (LBD is great)! Gentleman - dart suit + dress shirt + tie or dark blazer + dress pants + tie.
3. What is business attire? Think of 'courtroom' attire. Ladies - dress pants, pumps/heels, button up shirts, blazers, cardigan sweaters, scarfs, pencil skirts hitting knee, work style dress (shift dress/wrap dress). Gentleman - khakis, button up shirts, ties.

We know it hurts, but.....

1. Everyone loves flip flops, but even 'dressy' flip flops belong on the beach; not with a dress or pants.
2. Cell phones - place on silent please.

What if....

1. I am stuck talking to a 'scholar' or someone who is 'boring?' Keep your cool. We know, it's tough. Listen, smile, and use 'I' words. 'Wow, impressive.'
2. I forget a name? It's embarrassing to re-ask a name, but saying something as 'I have met so many people today, and I am terrible with names. Could you tell me yours again?'

Safe travels!!!!!

Supportive Statements When Discussing Diet and Eating Disorders...

If you suspect that a friend or sorority sister is becoming more obsessive with dieting; and avoiding eating with you and your sisters, we encourage you to use supportive statements and avoid confrontational statements....

Avoid the following statements if your friend sorority sister is obsessive dieting or avoiding eating with you:

'That is ridiculous. You have to eat.'

Instead, state the following:

'You seem withdrawn. Is everything okay?'
'You haven't eaten with me in a while. Is everything okay?'

This way, you bring up the situation without being confrontational.

(Taken from College Lifestyles program No Number (TM) - Greeks Fight Against Eating Disorders.)

Body Image Tip!

Tell yourself 'I will wear clothes that are comfortable and make me feel good about myself.'

--Adapted from Michael Levine, Ph.D and Linda Smolak, Ph.D in conjunction with the National Eating Disorders Association.

The Best Way to Wear Knits! (Great find from The Limited!)

With a chill still in the air, we still want to feel warm and snuggly (even though spring and summer clothes are hitting some of our favorite stores!) Knits (as in knit sweaters, cardigans, and wraps) are our best friends throughout the remaining winter months. As spring weather approaches, look for a lighter version of the knit cardigan/sweater.

Knits are extremely easy to wear and work for class, internship, and business attire!

Tips on wearing (According to Bazaar):
1. Chunky (as the open cardigan show here from The Limited ($24.50)) - This style works great as a light coat. The most flattering fit is to wear over a pencil skirt, fitted trousers or jeans, or leggings.
2. Sweater Dress - Pair a sweater dress with tights and boots. Be aware - appropriate undergarments is a must! No VPLs please!
3. Belts - belts come in handy when wearing cardigans to work.

Your own flare:
1. Funky - pair a fitted cardigan with a ruffle or bubble dress. Button in the middle to define the waist! Top with tights and boots.
2. Business - a V-Neck sweater over a white button up shirt and trousers. Top with stud earrings.
3. J-Set - fitted V-Neck worn alone, skinny jeans tucked into boots, scarf tied around neck, hoop earrings, hair pulled back.
4. Classic/Work appropriate - dress up a crew neck knit sweater with a broach or chunky necklace.
5. Casual - boyfriend style sweater, boot cut fitted jeans, flats (dress up with heels!)
6. Romantic - pair a sweater vest with a t-neck blouse, trousers or pencil skirt!

Remember, we feel the most comfortable about ourselves when we wear clothes that fit and feel great!

Yes, You Can Help Prevent Eating Disorders!

Remember, that others pay attention to the way you talk and present yourself! And, you can make a huge difference by being a model of healthy eating and self esteem.

The National Eating Disorder Association agrees. One tip they give:

'Avoid categorizing foods as good/safe and bad/dangerous.'

Why? Well, the more that you restrict, the more you would want something. It turns into that terrible relationship with food. Enjoy food! Love food! Our body's appreciate it!

The above is the exact basis of our director's book, 'Eat Well and Be Fabulous: A Guide for the Modern Day Woman.'

These Boots Were Made for Walking!!! (How to Match Boots to My Outfits!)

Boots are great for keeping our feet warm in the winter time!!! But with all the styles that we have for boots, how do we know which boot to match to our outfits!!!

1. A High-Heel Boot - Very similar to the pump. These can be worn to an internship, business meetings, etc. If you are wearing a fitted skirt, it looks great with ribbed tights and the hem of the skirt falling one inch above the top of the boot. If you are wearing a full A-line skirt; the hem can go pass the boot. (The high-heel boot shown is from Nine West for $99.00)

2. Riding (flat heeled) boots - work better with a shorter skirt and tights. For an 'equestrian-style,' tuck your jeans in these boots!

3. Ankle boots - work with trousers, as well as A-line knit skirts with tights.

4. Slouchy boots - work with skinny jeans and long skirts.

Match your style!

1. Boho - tuck your jeans into slouch boots, ribbed turtleneck, chunky cardigan, and big sunglasses.
2. Classic - black turtleneck, dark denim, black leather boots, silver jewelry.
3. Casual - jeans tucked into flat or cowboy boots, white button up shirt, belt, hoop earrings.
4. Class style - Tunic turtleneck dress, tights, flat boots (looks great with black dress, black tights, and natural/flesh tone color boots).
5. Business Attire - Trousers, ankle boots, cardigan sweater set, stud earrings.

Holiday Etiquette - Sending out Thank You Cards!

The holidays are over, and it's time to get back to 'real life!' Did you remember to send out thank you cards??? Thank you cards are the final touch for the holiday season!

When should you send a thank you to?
1. If you were a house guest.
2. For any gift you received.
3. For any house warming gift you received (for example, if a friend provided a dish for a party).

Keep thank you cards really simple, but always add a personal touch. A photo of the event (for example, if you all took a group photo) is a GREAT addition to the card.

Be sure when writing to card to not only discuss your gratitude, but also what made the event and/or gift so special to you!

Beat Dry Skin with a Milk Bath??? A tip from Cleopatra!

The holidays are over, and we just want to unwind before heading back to school! Unwind with a 'Cleopatra style milk bath' that beats the dry skin due to winter weather!

It's simple. Just add 1/2 cup of milk or dry milk powder to your bath. The milk acts as an exfoliant! Use a loofa to exfoliate! Want a special treat? Add a few drops of your bath oil!

Relax, school is just around the corner!!!!

Instead of Resolutions, Why Not Do Something New for 2009??

Last night, we rang in the New Year in style at College Lifestyles (TM)! While having our fun, we could not help overhear the 'resolutions' that others were saying. Most folks said the dreaded expression 'Lose Weight' or 'Diet'

We BOO Resolutions. At College Lifestyles (TM), we encouraged individuals to do something new AND set goals for success, instead of resolutions.

Examples of something new include:
1. Say something positive about your body daily.
2. Start a new hobby.
3. Write daily in a journal.
4. Reconnect with old friends.
5. Build a scrapbook of your positive accomplishments of 2008 and continue into 2009.
6. Volunteer.

Set Goals:
1. What are you looking to accomplish AND how will you accomplish. Since we work with students, most will say 'Pass my class!' List how you will do this. Maybe study 30 minutes daily or read 10 pages a day. What are your goals?

Happy Goal Setting!

Ring in the New Year with Style! (with looks from Banana Republic and Forever 21)

We LOVE New Year's celebrations at College Lifestyles! (It's an excuse to dress up!)

Ring in the 2009 with style!!!! Here are some of our favorite looks/styles!

1. Are you more of a 'Boho' style? Like more of a free-flowing look? This lovely red dress from Banana Republic ($99.00) is a nice alternative to a fitted/tighter dress. The red color is vibrant and matches the holiday spirit! Wear with strappy heels or flats and gold hoops.



2. Are you more of a ladylike dresser? Go for more romantic looks? This LBD from Banana Republic ($99.00) will look great on all figures, especially on fuller figure ladies. The wide straps add support and the fitted waist shows off curves! Complete the look with hair pulled off the shoulders and drop earrings.



3. Do you love the classic look of an LBD? This dress from Forever 21 ($24.99) is just that - simple and classy! The seams on this black dress is very figure flattering! Add a metallic clutch and shoes with a classic cocktail ring!

But Baby It's Cold Outside - Finding the Right Coat to Flatter Your Shape!

Here is a quick guide on finding the coats to flatter your shape!

(1) Petite (under 5'4") - congrats! Your similar to our director! Her biggest complaint - 'I can wind up looking 12 years old if I wear the wrong coat!' Problem resolved - look for belted (at the waist), hits mid thigh, fits close to the body. This coat from Forever 21 is perfect for our director!

(2) Tall. Look for a style that hits right above the knee with a slight flare at the bottom.

(3) Curvy bottom. Look for button up, double breasted, A-Line styles.

(4) Smaller on top. Look for an empire cut with larger buttons/collar.

Stay warm!

Body Image Goal for the Holidays! Krazy Karaoke Anyone?

Make it a goal to surround yourself with people and activities that make you feel good! If you are traveling home from college, stay connected and re-connect with friends and family who make you smile! Set up a phone date or Facebook chat with your friends while you are home and enjoy a walk with family members! When you are having fun and around people who support you, you will be less than likely to have a negative body image.

Some examples from the College Lifestyles (TM) family:

Our director will jump into 'Krazy Karaoke' with her family and her lil sis will sit at the bon fire with her family! While our College Lifestyles family will be apart for the holidays, we know that we will be texting and chatting with one another everyday. We are already smiling about that one.

What are you going to do?

Who Doesn't Love Dark Chocolate and Strawberries? (You Bet You Can Do This at Home, Apartment, and Dorm!)

Dark Chocolate and Strawberries! Let's see - the dark chocolate has a ton of antioxidants - our favorite, it's found to give us healthier skin (a chocolate moisterizer!) and strawberries (improve my memory - isn't it finals time!).

Bakers Dark Chocolate (found at any local grocer) + strawberries makes a quick snack, but also can make a great dish for any holiday party!



So easy to prepare! Warm the container of Bakers Dark Chocolate in the microwave for 45 seconds. Stir. Dip washed (dried) strawberries and arrange on a plate (so we ate some while we were preparing!).

Place the remaining chocolate in the refrigerator!

What else can you dip in the chocolate? Bananas, Gram Crackers, and whatever your holiday heart desires!

Special note - Our director will feature this on KTAL The News Station on Monday at 5pm.

College Lifestyles (TM) Director to Appear on NBC KTAL.

Our director, Shelly Marie, will appear on NBC-Affiliate KTAL The NewsStation on the Monday 5pm broadcast!

She will be discussing simple, savvy, tasty delicious appetizers for holiday parties! Move over boring, tasteless fat-free dip; and say hello to delicious! (Forget fat-free stuff anyways)

Do you Journal??? Or Know Someone Who Does? Here is a Great Gift!

Do you find yourself jotting down items on slips of paper? Or, are you an aspiring writer or journal a lot? (Our director journals constantly and encourages all her nutrition clients to journal their thoughts and feelings).

This journal set from Pottery Barn ($16.00-69.00) is a great gift for yourself or for the friend, sister, or family member who enjoys putting pen to paper!

Journaling- putting your thoughts to paper!!!! Try it, it's amazing!

Are you a Houseguest this Holiday Season? Simple Etiquette and Gift Ideas.....

Many of us will be traveling to either family members homes, the homes of a special someone, or the homes of our sorority sisters! Show your appreciation for your host family by offering a small gift, washing dishes, and/or preparing a small meal (if you are a good cook!)

Simple gift ideas include:
1. You can send flowers in advance.
2. Nice bowl or pitcher (for serving foods).
3. Candles/candleholder.
4. Foods that your host cannot find where they reside!

Always thank your host when leaving (send a thank you note!). A special touch - send a picture of the entire group (if you all went to dinner, in front of the home) in the thank you letter!

Happy Holidays!

A New Staple in College Lifestyles (TM) Pantry? Great for a Dorm Meal!

We love the new V-8 soups! These soups are very easy to store in the dorm or apartment!

So simple to prepare! Shake the container, pour in a bowl, and cook in the microwave for a few minutes! Delicious!! And for less than the cost of any fast food meal, this will make a great study break/meal!!

Our favorite - butternut squash!

College Lifestyles - Body Image Activity

Try this activity for improving body image. Look at it daily!!!

'I will list 5 good qualities that I have (intelligent, funny, artistic). I will repeat these to myself when I start to feel down.'

Dinner Etiquette - What if I spill something at the table?

Pick up any 'small item' - jelly, vegetable piece, meat piece - with the blade of your knife or a clean spoon.

If it stained the home hostess tablecloth, dab some small water on the corner of your napkin and blot lightly.

Apologize to your host! Continue the celebration!

Need a quick brain booster on the way to a final? (It's in College Lifestyles travel bag!)

Fish is a known brain booster (see the salmon below); but there's more!!!

Kashi Pumpkin Spice Flax Bars are delicious and we can munch on while we are studying or, let's face it, running to class! The secret - omega-3!!!!!

Good luck!!!