Nicole Peynado

Summer is quickly approaching, which means it’s time to put away your sweaters and pull out your sleeveless, strapless, and backless tops, or dresses.

Tank tops expose a majority of your upper body (shoulders, arms, upper back, and chest). Try out this 15-minute “tiny tank-top workout” that will help tone your muscles and help you look great in a tank-top for the summer.

1. Standing V Raise: Take a lightweight dumbbell in each hand (about 2-8 pounds). Stand with your feet at shoulder width apart, and your arms at your sides. With your arms straight (not locked), raise the weights in a V shape until your arms are parallel with the floor, then return back to start. Do 12-15 reps, three times.

2. Shoulder Press: Take lightweight dumbbells in each hand and stand with your feet shoulder width apart, and your knees a little bent. Hold your dumbbells just above your shoulders, and palms facing in. Press your weights up until your arms are straight above your head. Hold your dumbbells above your head for one second, and then take three seconds to lower back down to your shoulders. Do six-to-eight reps, three times. 

Year in school: Class of 2015

Major: Business

Minor: Communications

Relationship status: Single

HCUO: What would be your ultimate dream job? To be a CEO or a manager consultant!

HCUO: What’s your favorite part about being a student at the University of Oregon? Being around such a diverse group of students, and the beautiful campus!

HCUO: What’s the first thing you notice about a guy? I always notice a guy with nice arms, a guy that’s tall, and a guy that carries himself well because confidence is always an attractive quality!

HCUO: What’s the best pick-up line you’ve heard lately? “I like a girl in boots.”

HCUO: Heels or flats? Heels, definitely!

HCUO: What is your favorite fall trend? Maroon pants, and leather they are bold and trendy articles of clothing! I think these two things can make you stand out in a crowd!

HCUO: What is one thing no one knows about you? I can’t whistle. I know, it’s sad…

HCUO: What are three things you can’t live without? Family, friends and my running shoes!

HCUO: Where would be the ideal place for a first date? Zoo lights, in downtown Portland because it’s an affordable place to hangout, and I love walking past all the pretty lights!

Some of you may know Megan Bauer from the School of Journalism and Communications here on campus. Others may know her from a dance, economics or even a psych course. Either way, this public relations/advertising double major with minors in dance, econ, and psych is one busy girl. She just finished up an internship with JetBlue Airways in New York City this summer, and has several other internships under her belt. She is hard working, ambitious, and full of personality. Check out this Q&A session she had with Her Campus Oregon.

What made you decide on becoming a PR/Ad major?
I originally started out as a pre-med major because I wanted to make a difference in the community. After doing two terms of chemistry and being completely miserable, I decided to take a step back and rethink all my classes and what I was interested in. I went to different guidance councilors to figure out my options, and finally met with Bill Morrill, who introduced me to the PR major—which I immediately knew was for me! After being in the School of Journalism, I started hearing more about the ad major and got really interested in the creative side of communications. At first I was stuck between both majors in my mind, but then decided that PR was my primary focus, and that I could use advertising to enhance my PR passion through the use of creative ideas.

What is your favorite aspect about PR/Ad?
I've always said that my happiest time would be sitting and talking to people all day long, that is what I truly love to do! My favorite part of public relations is the networking aspect. I like hearing about individual people’s stories because I think you can learn a lot by listening to people’s history and where they came from.

As many of you may know, it’s fashion week in New York! In favor of this regal occasion, this week’s blog takes a closer look at the trends of this coming year. Check out what outfits were featured at Fashion’s Night Out in San Diego (Pictures taken by UO alumni Martin Torres)

One of the trending looks this season will be the a-line dress! It flatters any body type because an a-line appears to give the shape of an hourglass figure. This type of dress can be worn casual, or you can throw on a blazer for a career to look to your upcoming internship or interview. For the best looks wear a solid color dress and make it pop with a hot pair of heels!

The next look that will be trending this year is a denim top! This top will be popular because it’s so versatile. Throw it on with a popping colored pair of pants like the model below for a bold look, or throw on a cute floral skirt for an effortless chic look. Or you can just throw on a scarf as your only accessory for a simple, and glamorous look.

Although the pencil skirt has been popular in the office, it’s time to take it out and wear it to any occasion! The pencil skirt can easily make you look sexy, but classy, because of the knee length. It hugs your hips and makes your legs look longer than they appear. The best part is that there are so many pencil skirts in a variety of colors and patterns, so there’s a look for anyone. This look goes great with a pair of wedges and a simple tee tucked in. For a night out with the girl’s just throw on a pair of high heels to take the look from day to night.