Taylor Frankel

More by Taylor Frankel

Freshman 15 vs. Calorie Counting Apps 9/20/2012	If you don’t want to admit it, then I’ll admit it for you: you gained weight your freshman year. And trust me, you’re not alone. All those people who warned you the summer before your freshman year of the dangers of snacking late at night and drinking every weekend were right. And if all of that is true, you probably went home for the summer and worked all of that weight off by eating real food (not Chartwells) and falling asleep at decent times. But are you worried about keeping that weight off and staying in shape? Again, you’re not alone!
Coachella Takes the Ocean 9/13/2012	Unless you’re a California native, Coachella is probably still on your bucket list of things you need to experience before you die. This year, the idea to have a holographic Tupac was pretty insane, but then Coachella pulled something even more unexpected: the S.S. Coachella. Just imagine seeing the biggest up-and-coming groups and bands while on board a cruise ship. There are two excursions, one being a 3-day trip to the Bahamas, and the other is a 4-day trip to Jamaica. Both are in December, so treat yourself to an early holiday present and a post-finals treat. To get a reservation, you must be 21 years of age. The cruise leaves from Ft. Lauderdale. The boat features 11 different restaurants, four bars and three clubs. Other on-board activities include DJ tutorials, wine tastings, bar crawls and more. When the boat is docked, passengers can scuba dive, snorkel, jet skiing and go on adventure tours. Not only does this cruise line offer amazing music at night, but it also allows you to experience other activities that any other cruise ship would offer. If you’ve been searching for a reason to go on a cruise, this is most definitely the offer you should grab. Reservations are still available at www.ss.coachella.com.
Miami Loves Skinny Girl 9/5/2012	Living in Miami and staying fit for year-round bikini season gets pretty tough once alcohol is thrown into the mix, especially as a college student. But Skinnygirl cocktails completely turned that around for the self-conscious girls who still want to go out and have a good time. Skinnygirl was started by Bethenny Frankel (no, we’re not related) who used to be on the Bravo series “The Real Housewives of New York.” Frankel is now an entrepreneur, author, and incredible drink creator. With her drink mixes like sangria, piña colada and white peach margarita, she changed the way girls are able to drink. The naturally-sweetened, low-calorie bottles serve as a new option when going out and having a good time, while still keeping your body in mind. As if all of that wasn’t good enough, Skinnygirl has now started a line of wines and vodkas. I’m sure you just read that in disbelief, but it’s true! There are three wines to choose from: California red blend, California white blend, or a California rosé blend. What a perfect way to spend a girl’s night in or a romantic dinner without worrying about how many glasses you’ve poured. For those who are looking for a little kick in their drinks, Skinnygirl also has four new vodkas with flavors like tangerine and coconut. All of these new delicious drinks are naturally-sweetened and low-calorie options, just like the original cocktails. If you’re not ready to pick up your keys and speed to the nearest liquor store, then you should visit their website for some further persuasion at www.skinnygirlcocktails.com. Drink up, be safe, and thank yourself for choosing the healthier option.
Need New Summer Recipes? You Won’t Get them From Charty’s 5/1/2012	One of the best things about going home for break is eating home cooked meals again, instead of Charty’s mystery meat. Going without a kitchen has really made me appreciate cooking, and even though I’m not an expert chef, I know I’ll be whipping up as much fresh food as possible. The recipes I’ve found are super easy, and are perfect for barbeques, pool parties, and even to bring along to the beach. So get your grocery list out, because these summer treats will be just what you need after a long school year.
Top 5 Snacks to Indulge in While Cramming for Finals 5/1/2012	If you don’t have plans to pull at least one all-nighter during reading days, you’re either a super genius or a freshman with ridiculously easy classes. For the rest of us college students, staying up late and cramming our brains with as much knowledge as possible takes up a lot of energy. And when we push our bodies that hard, we get hungry; really hungry. Once Starbucks closes, the idea of the pizza trucks or Ben and Jerrys ice cream may seem like the only reasonable option to munch on that late at night. But you know you’re going to regret it in the morning, and that shouldn’t be one of your concerns with all the other stress during finals week. Instead, try one of these 5 snacks that will keep your stomach full, happy, and healthy. 1) Hummus: Best with pita chips, this energy-boosting snack will for sure defeat all your late-night salty cravings. This creamy dip can give you even more energy when paired with veggies like red peppers, cucumbers, or carrots. 2) Oatmeal: Though you may have hated it as a child, oatmeal contains oats, which is one of the healthiest carbs you can eat. When paired with fruit (I suggest strawberries!), this breakfast food can go from bland to delectable. 3) Blueberries: It may sound crazy, but these tiny, juicy berries are an amazing energy snack. If you’re in need of something to help you concentrate, these energy boosters will promote faster brain function and help you pull through your study session
Cutest Phone Cases For The Cheapest Prices 4/24/2012	I know it may seem crazy, but there’s a good chance that at least one person has judged you based on your phone case today. Come to think about it, I judge people by their phone cases. Obviously the main purpose of a phone case is to protect your phone from damage, especially while drunk in the Grove. But don’t think you should compromise cuteness just because you need to put a case on your phone. Here are a few examples of phone cases and companies who create great safeguards in cute and compact cases. iPhone: Are you in the mood for a mixture of animal print, pastel and a designer name? Then the Rebecca Minkoff ‘Cheetah’ case in ‘Yellow Multi’ is right for you. Need something that will protect your phone no matter how many times you spill beer on it? You’ll probably want an Otterbox. It may be a little bulky, but their new colors will keep your iPhone super cute! Are you trying to rep your hometown even though you’re a thousand miles away? A sports team phone case would be perfect for you. Not only do they have every sports team imaginable, but you can also personalize the case to say whatever you like!
Zipcar Drives a Hard Bargain 4/17/2012	Remember the first time you took the Metro to Target, stocked up on everything you could possibly need and realized you were responsible for carrying all those grocery bags back to the dorms? We’ve all been there. Being a freshman without a car is extremely difficult, especially when living in a city like Coral Gables. There are so many places to go off-campus that are only a 5 minute drive away, or a 20 minute walk. And not all of us were luck enough to buy a parking pass off of an upperclassman. So, it would seem like we are stuck. Think again: the new rental car company, Zipcar, lets you reserve a car by the hour. So instead of taking care of your own car, paying for gas, and worrying about a parking meter, Zipcar allows you to pay an hourly rate and go. How simple is that?
All About Give Tanks and The Boys Behind It 4/3/2012	The other day, I had the pleasure of interviewing two of the three founders, Mikael Doumeng and Mark Anspach about their clothing line Give Tanks. They, along with Kappes Chatfield, started this company where they work with a foundation close to their hearts. 25 percent of their profits go to Ciudad Sandino, Nicaragua to help students pay for school supplies and uniforms. Here’s a little more about the line, how it came to be, what they hope for in the future, and everything in between. Q: First of all, how did you guys meet each other? A: Have you ever used RoomSurf before? Well, Mark has a twin sister that goes to Tulane, and she made it for him. And Mikael was the first match. The only things we found out about each other were that we both liked wind surfing, reggae music and Heineken. It was a match made in heaven. Kappes was at the end of our hallway freshman year and we all got along. Now the three of us are roommates. Q: What is the background behind Give Tanks? A: Give Tanks was born in our kitchen. Mark and Kappes were first introduced to the “Give Tanks” phrase when they visited me in St. Thomas and it’s a normal phrase that means being “tankful." We all just thought of it at once. We wanted to do something that was conscious and make a different. We all knew we were hippies in the way where we tried to live consciously, but it’s hard to share your message with people unless you have the resources to do so. Give Tanks give us the ability to make people something to smile and possibly alter the way they think.
Pinterest: The Newest Way to Combine Your Dream Recipes, Houses, and Weddings into One 3/27/2012	We all love having classes with a professor who is oblivious to our Facebook and Twitter stalking that it’s almost too good to be true. But after a while, these social media sites get boring, and you may even consider resorting to paying attention to pass the time. But now there is a new site called Pintrest, that will have all the girls in your lecture hall not paying attention to Powerpoint slide 12. Pinterest.com is a virtual pinboard that allows users to collect online pictures and sort them by category. You can create boards such as new recipes, home decorations, and even wedding plans. This site is especially great for businesses, since they can make their own accounts and post pins of their current products. Every time a picture is repinned, it is shared with a new audience, and can mean major publicity points for many companies. When I’m not giving my undivided attention to my professors, these are some of the boards I’ve created, and the pictures they feature:
Groupon is a UMiami Student's Best Friend 3/22/2012	No matter how hard we try to save money by eating at the dining hall instead of the food court, going a few days without Starbucks or searching for the best Thursday night drink specials, let’s face it: we, as college kids, are perpetually broke. Perhaps the money you made as a camp counselor did not last as long as you hoped. Maybe you tried to find an on-campus job, but that can be difficult. But have no fear, because Groupon is here to save the day.

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