Meghan DeMaria

More by Meghan DeMaria

5 Feel-Good Movies You Can Stream on Netflix

4/4/2013

Most of us enjoy spending our weekends at the many great bars on Franklin Street and in Carrboro, but sometimes it’s nice to enjoy a more low-key night in. Whether you’re alone or with your friends, these films, all available for streaming on Netflix Instant, are great options for when you don’t feel like going out.

1. Clueless (1995). An all-time classic, this Amy Heckerling film will have you longing to be back in high school again and maybe even inspire you to reread Emma. From a young Paul Rudd as golden boy Josh to the late Brittany Murphy as Tai (not to mention Alicia Silverstone as Cher herself!), the talent in this movie is superb, even if it’s a bit cheesy at times. But sometimes, collegiettes need a day to unwind and watch a girly movie, and that’s okay!

The Top 4 Women’s Sites (Besides Her Campus!) You Need to Bookmark

4/1/2013

We all do our reading for class each week (obvi!), but we also love to keep up with non-assigned reading, whether it’s the latest issue of Vogue or The Hunger Games. If you’re looking for new sites where you can get your article-reading fix, check out a few of our favorites, and be sure to add them to your bookmarks toolbar!

1. xoJane.com

Created by legendary journalist Jane Pratt, who created Sassy and Jane magazines), these site bills itself as a place “where women go when they are being selfish.” Pratt’s philosophy is that it’s okay--and healthy!--to self-indulge every once in awhile, and xoJane.com allows readers to do just that.

xoJane.com includes everything from fashion tips to articles on social justice issues. Each contributor and editor lets her unique voice shine in her writing, so there’s a lot of diversity in the site, even though its writers all stay true to its common theme. One of the most popular categories, “It Happened to Me,” includes stories ranging from heart-wrenching (“My Baby Daughter Died at Two Weeks Old”) to light-hearted (“I’m a Real Housewife of Beverly Hills”). Other tabs on the site include articles on everything from political issues to what plus-size women should wear to the gym, so there are definitely articles to interest everyone. Comedian Margaret Cho is also a contributor, so you’ll enjoy her articles if you like to laugh!

2. HelloGiggles.com

7 Skinny Dessert Recipes

3/29/2013

Most people who have tried to eat a healthy diet will tell you that moderation of unhealthy foods is a lot easier than trying to eliminate them from your diet altogether. Today, though, people are constantly thinking of healthy alternatives to your favorite foods, so you can enjoy the taste without the calories.

Now, we’re bringing you some of our favorite skinny dessert recipes from around the web so that you can satisfy your sweet tooth without ruining your health goals.

Big Fudgy Bittersweet Brownies
Recipe from Fitness Magazine

Calories per serving: 250

 

The plain yogurt in these brownies will give you four grams of protein per serving, and the cocoa powder and baking chocolate will satisfy any chocolate lover’s cravings.

Ingredients

1 large egg 1 egg white 3 tablespoons plain nonfat yogurt 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract 1 1/2 cups sugar 1/3 cup canola oil 1/2 teaspoon sea salt 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 3 ounces high-quality, unsweetened baking chocolate, chopped 1/3 cup unbleached, all-purpose flour 1/3 cup buckwheat or pre-sifted whole wheat flour

Directions

Teeth Whitening For College Women: Everything You Need To Know

3/23/2013

We all want to have a perfect set of pearly whites, but sometimes that’s easier said than done. Even when you’re brushing three times a day, drinking coffee—a staple of collegiette life—or red wine can discolor your teeth, as can a variety of other factors, like indulging your sweet tooth. 

But before you book an appointment with your dentist, we’ve got all the information you need about both in-office and at-home teeth whitening products. With a variety of whitening options at various price points, you’ll have a brighter smile in no time.

According to the American Dental Association, the hydrogen peroxide—an active ingredient in tooth whitening products—is generally not strong enough to damage your tooth enamel and gums. However, the ADA notes, “severe mucosal damage,” or damage to the mucous membranes in your mouth, can occur from tooth whitening products if you’re not cleaning your mouth regularly, so make sure you’re keeping your teeth and gums healthy while using whitening products, and talk to your dentist if you experience excessive gum pain or bleeding.

The 10 Best Movies About High School (& Why We Love Them)

3/5/2013

Whether you’re in high school or about to graduate from college, watching a fictional movie about high school can be a great way to escape the stress of everyday life. We all have our favorite classic high school films that remind us of the great times we had — or are still having — with our friends during our teenage years. These movies will remind you of all of the great things high school has to offer.

1. Mean Girls (2004)

This is probably the most classic high school film of our generation. With Lorne Michaels as a producer and a Tina Fey-penned screenplay, you know it has to be funny. But this movie is more than just cheap laughs: It has a heartfelt message and shows that being unkind is never a good idea, a lesson particularly relevant to high school-aged women. You can never watch Mean Girls too many times—people really do still quote it in college—so plan a girls’ night in with your friends to watch this classic film.

2. The Breakfast Club (1985)

The ‘80s were before most of our time, but it was a decade when tons of classic high school movies were produced, and The Breakfast Club might be the best one. A group of strangers from various high school cliques come together for a day of bonding and troublemaking, learning more about each other and having meaningful conversations along the way. Even though they only spend a day together, they dispel the stereotypes they each held about each other and form unexpected bonds.

We Love the ‘80s: ‘Carrie Diaries’ Fashion

2/26/2013

Whether or not you read The Carrie Diaries, a Sex and the City prequel by the original book’s author, Candace Bushnell, the new show is a great guilty pleasure. Conveniently replacing Gossip Girl on the CW, The Carrie Diaries follows a group of wealthy high schoolers exploring New York City.

The show is aimed at a younger set, but fans of the original HBO classic or those who just love hearing the ‘80s music each week will enjoy the show. With voiceovers from Carrie Bradshaw’s diary mimicking her speaking to the camera and love nods to Sex and the City--for example, stating the fact that Carrie plans to use her oven for storage instead of cooking--Carrie provides us with her background as a budding journalist eager to make a name for herself in Manhattan.

One of our favorite aspects about the show, though, isn’t the plot about Carrie’s deceased mother or watching her face pre-Mr. Big love interests. The reason we love The Carrie Diaries is the amazing wardrobe and the sartorial choices stylist Eric Daman makes each week. Daman assisted the legendary stylist Patricia Field on the original Sex and the City set, so he definitely knows how Carrie thinks. Plus, he and the rest of the Sex and the City team won an Emmy Award for their work on the show! Daman was also the costume designer for all six seasons of Gossip Girl, which has given millions of girls fashion inspiration in the recent past.

The Carrie Diaries is set in the ‘80s, when Carrie Bradshaw was in high school. The clothes aren’t all vintage, though--Daman combines contemporary labels like Marc by Marc Jacobs with vintage staples, like Carrie’s hand-decorated, splatter paint bag to create an authentic but shoppable look.

The Valentine’s Day Gift Guide: Your Friends and Your Significant Other

2/13/2013

Valentine’s Day is fast approaching, but if you haven’t bought gifts yet, don’t worry! We have the perfect suggestions for you, whether you’re buying something for your boyfriend or just a couple of your girlfriends.

For your boyfriend or girlfriend

Beer Making Kit

Most college students would be happy with a case of beer next time their friends are over, but go the extra step this year and spend a day with your significant other learning to brew beer yourselves with this beer making kit from FredFlare. The kit includes grain, hops and yeast along with a fermenter, thermometer and other tools, so you’ll be a pro brewer in no time. Drinking beer is a college staple, but how many people can say they’ve made their own brew? You’ll be the coolest girlfriend around with this out of the box gift. ($65, FredFlare.com)

Prestat Chocolates

Anyone can go to the grocery store and pick up a heart shaped box of candy, but if you really want to show how much you care, consider this luxe option. Kate Middleton and Prince William have been known to buy Prestat chocolates, so you know you’re in good company! The artisan truffle box contains 12 different flavors, so there are plenty for both of you to share. And these aren’t your average caramel and coconut, either--with flavors like Earl Grey and Ginger Fire, you can live the high life, even if just for a day. ($26.95, chelseamarketbasket.com)

Expensive chocolates a bit out of your budget? Bevello on Franklin sells treats of all price points from Dylan’s Candy Bar!

Beats by Dre Solo Headphones

7 Pinterest-Worthy Valentine’s Day Crafts

2/7/2013

Regardless of whether or not you’re in a relationship, Valentine’s Day can be super fun. With all things glittery, red, pink, and, of course, heart-shaped, February is a blast. Don’t all of the cute Valentine’s Day store decorations make you want your apartment or dorm to be a little more festive, too?

Check out these fun and simple crafts, which you can do with just a few easily accessible supplies. Whether you’re giving them as gifts or just decorating your dorm, making these crafts is a fun way to have a girls’ night in with your friends.

1. Homemade Valentines

Valentine cards are probably the most widely recognized part of Valentine’s Day—remember passing the ones with cute Disney characters on them out in elementary school? Up your game by making your own cards this year for your family, friends, or boyfriend. It’s a cute way to show them how much they mean to you and a great excuse to improve your scrapbooking skills. Card making is more fun and effective if you get a group of friends together, because that way you can share supplies like heart punches and glitter glue, so plan a day where a few of your friends can catch up and make valentines together.

Tools and Materials

Colored construction paper Markers or colored pencils Scissors Glue sticks Glitter glue pens

Classic Valentine Card Instructions
Elementary school art might have included drawing a heart on paper, but you can do a lot better than that.

Campus Celebrity: Tim Longest

1/30/2013

You probably remember Tim Longest from last year’s Student Body President election, when glitches with the Student Life online voting platform made students question the legitimacy of the election’s results, in which Tim missed the runoff by four votes.

Despite his presidential loss, however, Tim has remained incredibly active on campus during his senior year. This semester, he’s taken on a different presidential title at the Dialectic and Philanthropic Societies, and that’s just one of many organizations in which he’s involved. A former member of the Men at Carolina living-learning community, Longest is currently working with SAFER Carolina, which raises awareness about sexual violence on campus.

Her Campus UNC staff writer Meghan DeMaria asked Tim about his involvement on campus and plans for the future.

Her Campus: What activities are you involved with outside of class?

6 Ways to Work Out More This Semester

1/22/2013

A New Year means a lot of new starts: new classes in the spring semester, new activities after class and, of course, New Year’s resolutions. One common New Year’s resolution among collegiettes is to work out more than we did last fall. Maybe you got really overwhelmed with class or your internship and didn’t make it to the gym as many times as you wanted. This semester doesn’t have to go the same way, though. Check out our list of ways to work out more that will make you WANT to meet your New Year’s resolution.

1. Set a schedule and stick to it

Once you’ve been through a week or so of classes, you’ve probably figured out which nights are crunch-time for homework and what times during the day you have a few free hours. Decide which time periods are going to be your designated workout times, and stick to them. Courtney Kabbes, a junior at Indiana University, suggests wearing gym clothes to class or packing them with your books so that you’re not tempted to make excuses to avoid working out. Find out what works for you, and keep your workout schedule consistent.

“I’ve always found it helpful to find open spots between or after classes and scheduling in workout time then,” says Michelle Lewis, a senior at UNC-Chapel Hill. “Last semester, I went to the gym every day after my Monday/Wednesday class, and it became a habit,” Lewis says. “It felt like it was part of my class schedule, and you're not supposed to skip class, right?”

2. Find a workout buddy

This is a tried and true solution for collegiettes. You and your friend can hold each other accountable for keeping up with your workout schedule, not to mention the fact that the pain of exercise will be way more bearable with a friend in tow.