Erin Hiatt

More by Erin Hiatt

The Truth About Backpacking Through Europe 4/20/2012	There are many cool and exciting things about studying abroad... Meet new friends, see new places, hear great accents, party every night... uh... if you're into that, and have a three week spring break! That three-week break ended when classes began this last Monday, but I can tell you, along with European fashion, America should jump on this bandwagon. As my friends here began to make their way home to see their families in nearby towns and countries, I pulled out my bag, filled it with minimal necessities, and took off for the unknown with three other girls. Well, our first stop was London, so I can't say it was "the unknown", but the sun was out the entire time, and our hostel was surprisingly clean and private. After our escapades in London, we entered into France and met up with a few of our guy friends, and we toured every inch of Paris. No joke. Our legs were achy, and I'm not sure any of us have yet regained feeling in our feet. So, it was a fun and necessary break to head up to Normandy and visit one of my travel buddy's grandmothers. Staying with family members is a fantastic and cheap way to visit new places... plus when it is a grandma, there is no need to worry about eating, and eating well. But this is where the ease of "traveling across Europe" ended. Our group split up after Normandy and two of us boarded a train back to Paris to catch another train to a city an hour outside of Paris. We had to catch a bus to the airport located in that city to begin our trip that only included a flight to Portugal, and then spontaneous planning to also visit Spain and Italy.
How to Americanize British Style 2/23/2012	I have been living in England for about four weeks now, and have come to the conclusion that Americans in general make a very good fashion effort. However somewhere over the Atlantic there is a something like an "International Fashion Line" (similar to the International Date Line), which makes everyone living on the other side of it inherently fashionable. People here are just born that way; toddlers walk around in outfits that I might be tempted to emulate. It really is a strange thing, but also inspiring... especially if you are a shopaholic like I tend to be. Unfortunately because of the high exchange rates here, I have to avoid stores for the most part, but on my "weak" days, I venture out, and I would like to share some of the awesome stores here that America should begin to embrace! 1. Primark Primark is a staple in European fashion, and is generally a very good definer of English fashion itself. The store boasts affordability and style - and it delivers! You could spend an arm and a leg, but you would walk out with at least a seasons worth of outfits. It's so easy to get lost in this store! American Comparability: Forever 21 and Younkers. Because of the prices of the clothing (very cheap!) and style component, Primark could be compared with F21. It also has a wide variety of departments and products, similar to my favorite home department store, Younkers. Can I order online? Unfortunately you cannot order online from Primark. However, they do have a page on their website with a handful of outfit ideas that are worth checking out to increase your European style knowledge.
How to Make Your Own Scarf 1/18/2012	I have seen these scarves all over the place, and have always liked them, but never knew how to create one for myself! As it turns out, they are extremely simple, and very cheap. I made a couple of the scarves for UNI’s Homecoming in early October, and can’t wait to share the steps with you! You Will Need: · Cotton T-shirt(s) · Scissors · Ruler [pagebreak] 1. Find any old (or new!) t-shirt from which to fashion your scarf (the larger the shirt the better!) [pagebreak] 2. Lay the shirt out flat, and cut horizontal strips across the shirt stopping around the armpit area. I cut mine into 1” strips, but depending on your preference any size will do. The larger the strips, the thicker the tubes will be. Also, keep the hemline strip separate from the rest of the strips to use later. (The hemline strip is the first strip you will cut at the bottom of your shirt) [pagebreak] 3. Once you have cut the shirt into strips, stretch them so they roll into “tubes”. Do this with all of the strips and then bundle them together.
Campus Cutie: Travis Vander Linden 1/10/2012	This week's Campus Cutie followed his dreams, came to UNI and got his degree, and is now on his way to starting his post-college career at Principal Global Investors based in Des Moines, IA. This one is a keeper, collegiettes! Meet our newest Campus Cutie- Travis Vander Linden! Name: Travis Vander Linden Major(s): Finance/Real Estate Double Major Year: Graduating Senior Current Relationship Status: Single Hometown: Grew up in Des Moines, Iowa Activities during time at UNI: President of the Real Estate Club Why did you choose UNI? I chose UNI because of a combination of great education and smaller class sizes. Future Plans: I am graduating this December and will be working at Principal Global Investors in Des Moines starting in January. Who has had the biggest impact on your life? I would have to say that my high school basketball coach had the biggest impact on my life. He gave me direction and a solid foundation at a very critical point in my life. Where is the most interesting place you have ever been? The most interesting place I have ever been was probably France. I spent the past summer studying there and it was absolutely beautiful. Not to mention all the history and culture that there is to experience there.
Campus Fashionista: Amanda Biermann 12/13/2011	Amanda Biermann is not your average college student, nor does she try to be. We spotted this unique campus fashionista at the Family Weekend International Dance Theater and Orchesis Dance Company Show. Name: Amanda Biermann Year: Senior Major: Leisure, Youth, and Human Services Hometown: Muscatine What is your favorite place(s) to shop? Forever 21 and Urban Outfitters What is one article clothing that you couldn't live without? Skinny jeans-always! And canvas shoes, I have them in almost every color. Who is your fashion icon? I hate copying people, and I hate when people copy me. I do what I want; I just wear what I like. Jesus is my only icon. Any advice to aspiring college fashionistas? Be yourself, don't be worried about what is in or cool. I don't wear what is “cool”. I'm not a very cool person. Elements of Amanda's Outfit: Pink hair bow: The hair bow added a fantastic pop of color to Amanda’s otherwise black and white outfit. Plus she bought it at Wal-Mart for a dollar in the little girl’s section! Vest: She added this vest to her jeans and top, tying it all together. The button detail, and the gray and black fabric compliment her white shirt, and the detailing around the neck.
How to Deal with Finals Week 12/13/2011	Ladies, now that another semester has bypassed us in the blink of an eye, I hope that you have been able to enjoy the last few weeks before we head into finals week. For those of you who have not yet experienced the craziness that comes around this time on campus, this is your inside guide to how to deal. For those of you who have been around the block a few times, and still don’t know how to deal… this is for you too. December in Cedar Falls is lovely. Simply driving down Main Street and seeing the twinkling lights and festive decorations can put me in a jolly mood for days. However, spending time anywhere but the library for weeks before finals can be extremely difficult, and can make you forget what a happy time of year it really is. Therefore, I have compiled tips to help you power through and even enjoy the hectic times awaiting you. 1. Plan. I am an avid planner. I have notes all over my planner, sometimes down to the hour outlining how to get everything done. I am also a procrastinator, so this type-a behavior is necessary. However the one time that I am able to make a plan and stick to it, is during finals. By now you should have an idea of what your professors are requiring from you for their classes, which means you will be able to figure out how much time to dedicate to each class and project/paper/test. It is now time to make a schedule. I am serious – even if you think you are going to be able to finish everything on time, this will alleviate unneeded stress. Once you have created your schedule make sure you have the necessary materials to complete each assignment to avoid last minute panic. Finally, follow it.
Buying Generic: How to save money in college 9/28/2011	Since I started college three years ago, my bank accounts are considerably less padded than they were in high school. Students have many expenses in their lives that have never been there before, including groceries, medicine, and other day-to-day items. (What? My parents don’t pay for these anymore?) Unfortunately, it is common for the newfound freedom to cause increased spending, leading to trouble. Which begs me to ask the question: Do you spend more money than is necessary? Buying generic is a great way to save money, is fairly painless, and has a significant impact on your pocketbook. In the last few years many companies have hired market researchers to compare their products to new generic versions. Pharmaceuticals are a huge arena for the generic vs. name brand battle. In 2004, the Executive Director of the National Center for Public Policy Analysis, David W. Almasi stated "The competition should be welcome because it serves the needs of consumers. Because consumers now have more choices, all of the drug companies are forced to price their products lower to stay in competition." This is great news for us poor college folk: prices are lower, and quality is higher. Some things to think about when buying generic are to put your presuppositions on the shelf, and not go straight to the product you grew up with because it is recognizable to you. Many times the ingredients in your favorite name brand cookies are identical to the generic option, so compare labels to see how different the ingredients really are.
Start Your Day the Coffee Way 9/21/2011	Today we are celebrating what keeps you going as a collegiette and the single most important lifeline of a college student. I can’t walk anywhere on campus without seeing it – you can’t go anywhere on campus without it! Yes girls, java, java, java. Coffee is as much of a staple in a student’s life as textbooks and homework… or partying and girl’s nights? Whichever you wish to claim, we all can appreciate a darkly brewed cup of joe. So, to continue this informal celebration, here are some great recipes that’ll satisfy your coffee bean cravings! Mmmocha Brownies 2 Large Eggs ¼ Cup of Warm Water ½ Oil 4-5 teaspoons of Instant Coffee (More or less depending on your taste buds) 1 Package of Your Favorite Brownie Mix Instructions: 1. Heat over to 350F. Spray pan with cooking spray. 2. Add instant coffee to warm water - let dissolve and cool. 3. Mix brownie mix, eggs, oil and the cooled coffee together. Stir until completely mixed, then 10 more even strokes to distribute the coffee flavor completely. 4. Pour batter into pan, and back 30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool. 5. Frost with any frosting of your choice, melt chocolate chips and spread over brownies, or eat just as they are!

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