Never let that be a problem again. I’ve developed my own fool-proof plan to get out the door in under 20 minutes (not including search time for misplaced keys, books, and wallets).

First things first, brush your teeth! This may seem obvious, but I know I’m guilty of running out the door mid-thought only to realize halfway to the T station that I forgot to brush my teeth and have to settle for some Trident (at least it’s dentist recommended, heh).

No time to brush through that bed-head; run your fingers through any major tangles, spray a little Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray through your hair, and scrunch. It smells like summer on the beach, which will help get you going on those cold, grey days.

A little Benefit Benetint on the cheeks and lips give a rosy glow and it’s so easy to apply that you can do it half-asleep. Just paint it on and smudge it around with your fingertips. A simple, smoky eye with a creamy dark eye pencil like Benefit Bad Gal is easy to achive; line the upper lid, and blend until you’re satisfied, smudge a little under the waterline, and finish with a few coats of Benefit Bad Gal Lash and no one will know you woke up at 9:59 a.m. for your 10 a.m. class.

The biggest time consumer tends to be the closet, so I always have a default outfit for days like these. A v-neck tee, trendy jacket, jeans, and weather-appropriate footwear works for me. Throw on some jewelry, grab your bag, and remember– there’s always time for coffee. Nothing says awake like 150mg of caffeine.

You may not make it to where you need to be in under 20 minutes, but being late is better than missing your engagement all together.

emmag by kidsmokes featuring Bullhead jeans

Our friends at Cirque du Soleil let us know of a great special going on right now.

Alegria from Cirque du Soleil will be in Boston at Agganis Arena August 26-30, and students can get tickets for just $25!

Visit the link below for the Student Rate and enjoy the twirling and trapeze-ing:

http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/CirqueDuSoleil/en/special/alegria/Boston.htm

By: Kendra Ryan

Your finals are over and your bags are packed. But WAIT! Don’t leave without the 4-1-1 on hot summer trends! You can go home and slip back into your flip-flops and camisoles, i.e. “normal clothes”, or you can be a REAL Emerson girl and stay fly even while you’re away.

Backless and One-Shoulder Tops

Gisele Bunchen rocks it casual, Claire Danes dresses it up

Sexy and sleek one-shouldered look

Hot summer trend number one: Backless or One-Shoulder Tops. Emerson girls get creative with the skin they show. Who wants to show off cleavage and midriff like everyone else, when you could show your sexy shoulders and your banging back? This look requires a sexy back- so take care of your b-acne ASAP with an acne cream and give yourself some color with a self-tanner. You’ll also need a backless or strapless bra. An exposed bra turns this look from first class to trash. A trip to Victoria’s Secret should hit the spot. You can nab yourself a set of reusable “nipple petals” for $8 or, for a little more support, Vicky’s backless/strapless bra is $45. Remember the rule of thumb for the one-shouldered or backless look: leave something to the imagination! If you’re flashing back, there’s no need to show off your cleavage, your shoulders and your midriff too.

Sheer Fabric

You can just see through Heidi Klum's sheer top- she leaves just enough to the imagination.

THIS IS NOT WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE! No self-respecting Emerson girl will run around in a sheer piece of fabric- especially since, as we all know, rule #1 of Emerson Girl Fashion is “bras are unnecessary.” Hot trend number two for this summer is sheer fabric when incorporated into your wardrobe by layering it with other pieces. If you have a cute tank, but you feel it lacks a certain jeanue se qua, put a sheer top over it and call it a day.

Boyfriend Jeans

Dress them up to make 'em girly

We saw this coming back in the fall when the “man shirt” was in. If you can wear your boyfriend’s shirt, you sure as hell can wear his jeans too. There are so many things that can go wrong with this trend so be sure to follow this one golden rule of boyfriend jeans: femininity. Boyfriend jeans are loose-fitting and manly looking, BUT if you pair them with a nice pair of heels to elongate your legs, a sweet feminine top to show off your assets, and some girly hair accessories or jewelry pieces you will never be mistaken for a man. Money saving tip: don’t dish out the money for this trend if you have a pair of semi-baggy straight-legged jeans sitting in your closet (or your boyfriend’s closet for that matter). All you have to do is role up the hem to just below the mid-calf area and you’re set to go.

Gordon-Levitt and Deschanel are troubled lovers in "500 Days of Summer"

“What happens if you fall in love?”

“Love. You don’t believe in that. Do you?”

“What. It’s love, not Santa Claus.”

Spoiler alert: Tom and Summer don’t end up together in the end of the movie. Finally moving a step away from Hollywood’s perfect romantic comedy endings, “500 Days of Summer” starts where all breakup stories should begin: the end. Jilted greeting card writer Tom Hansen, played cleverly by Joseph Gordon-Levitt (the kid in “3rd Rock From the Sun”) reminisces about his 500 day-long tumultuous relationship with Summer (actress-singer Zooey Deschanel) hence the name, “500 Days of Summer.” The movie begins with Tom and Summer at their favorite spot in the city, hands clutched, Summer’s engagement sparkling in the sun. They look the part of a couple head over heels in love… so leave it to the narrator to drop in like Buzz Killington saying “You should know upfront that this is NOT a love story.”

Sure, boy meets girl, but boy and girl do not live happily ever after. “500 Days” brilliantly executes what relationships are really like. Tom is under the impression that Summer is his girlfriend; Summer does not consider herself to be in a relationship with Tom at all. Sound familiar? The story, told in “Memento”-like flash backs, is told from Tom’s point of view. As he tries to recall what went wrong, he can only remember the good times.

The result is a hyper-romantic, indie rock fueled, palpably real look at a very sweet and sour relationship. Zooey Deschanel is just about the most adorable thing to grace a movie screen, even when she’s being an absolute bitch to Tom. Joseph Gordon-Levitt is absolutely triumphant as Tom, who instantly becomes the hopeless romantic to root for. Who doesn’t love Tom? Well, Summer doesn’t, which makes you hate her right from the start. Even knowing relationship will end badly, you can’t help but empathize with Tom, feel his love for Summer, hope that the despite everything you’ve heard they WILL get back together, only to become equally heartbroken when you know it’s over.

Alone, the story would fit perfectly in either the romantic comedy or indie category, but what music video director Marc Webb adds to the equation is the stuff movies are supposed to be made of. Brilliant examples of Webb’s history in music videos are showcased throughout the film, the best being a split screen showing Tom’s expectations and reality towards the end of the film where he unknowingly attends an engagement party for Summer. Dream sequences, quick-fire dialogue, and a quasi-musical number that is surprisingly not cheesy are the cherry on top of this sundae.

“500 Days” could have very easily been terribly cliched, but, luckily, its original story saves it. It’s hard to believe that the screenwriters behind this also wrote… ready for this? “The Pink Panther 2.” Although it can easily be compared to recent indie rom-coms “Garden State” and “Elizabethtown,” “500 Days” gets rid of the lonely boy/manic pixie girl cliche and focuses on characters you actually care about. Deschanel and Gordon-Levitt are absolutely adorable and the chemistry is dreamy. These two bright young actors mixed with a terrific original story make for an honest, believable movie about what love is today, and has already found a place in the hearts of the lucky few who have seen the film on the indie film fest circuit.

Tanning booths- not safe!

As temperatures hit the 70s and 80s, the time has come yet again to pull out spring and summer wardrobes. Enter the miniskirts, the short shorts, the tube tops and, of course, the need for a beautiful, natural-looking tan. But with so many options from tanning beds to spray tans to lotions to sunless tanning pills, what is really the most efficient and safe way to get a natural looking tan?

Here, Dr. Bonnie MacKool of Boston’s Dermatology Associates lays down the dermatological law on four sunless tanning solutions.

Tanning Beds

Price: Approx. $10-$20/single visits, approx. $20 for unlimited monthly packages

Efficiency: Average. 5-15 minute sessions, tan deepens after 3-5 sessions

Dr. MacKool Says: Not safe

Using a tanning bed is a cost- and time-efficient way to get a natural looking tan. The sun lamps in a tanning bed use two types of ultraviolet radiation: UVB and UVA. While UVB burns the upper layer of the skin, UVA works on the lower level of the epidermis to produce melanin, which makes you tan. However, the melanin does not oxidize immediately, so the skin needs 3-5 sessions to produce a deep tan. Tanning salons suggest frequent visits to the salon to maintain a natural tan.

Despite the efficiency of the tanning bed, Dr. MacKool said tanning beds are not safe. The National Institute of Environmental Health Science lists sunlamps as a carcinogen. “Any kind of unnatural light is unhealthy. In a tanning booth you’re getting an intense amount of certain unnatural light and with that there is always a risk of skin cancer,” she said. Skin cancer isn’t the only thing to watch out for; overexposure to UVA and UVB lights can also lead to premature aging, eye damage and suppression of the immune system, according to the Food and Drug Administration. The FDA warns those under 18 and those who burn rather than tan are at an increased risk of skin cancer. If you find yourself unable to take the tanning bed out of your life entirely, Dr. MacKool suggests watching your diet before tanning: consumption of psoralens- molecules found in certain plants like lemon, lime or celery that absorb photo ultraviolet photons- can cause dark spots on your skin. “The spots don’t go away for months and increase your skin’s sensitivity to UVA radiation,” she said.

Spray/Mystic Tans

Price: Approx. $20-$30/single visit, discount packages vary

Efficiency: Good. Less than a minute, quality varies with salon, lasts 5-7 days

Dr. MacKool Says: Safe

Spray tanning is the safest, most efficient ways to get a natural looking tan, according to Dr. MacKool. Sunless tanning solutions contain dihydroxyacetone (DHA), a safe skin product according to the FDA. Most tanning salons offer both spray booths and airbrush tans. An airbrush tan will cost you more, because it is applied by a salon airbrush specialist, as opposed to the spray booth, which gives you a 10 second full body spray and could leave your tan uneven.

DHA stains the dead cells on the outer layer of your skin and fades away as the dead skin cells fall off. For a longer lasting tan, Nicole Roketenetz of Boston’s Bella Sante Spas, suggests exfoliating your skin with warm water before heading to the salon. This will remove dead skin and smooth over rough patches.

Self-tanning Lotion/Spray

Price: Approx. $8-$45

Efficiency: Less efficient. Quality varies with product

Dr. McKool Says: Safe

Self-tanning lotions and sprays are made with DHA, just like salon spray tanning solutions. They are a safe alternative to tanning beds, according to Dr. McKool. Self-tanning products also tend to be less expensive than salon tans. To get the best tan for your money, TeensHealth.com suggests starting out with a light- or medium- toned product. If you feel satisfied with the progress of your tan, you’ll know it’s safe to move on to darker tones. Apply the product lightly and evenly, using less lotion on dry or thickened skin. Ask a friend to apply the lotion to places that are difficult to reach. After applying, wash your hands to remove excess lotion. The lotion can stain clothing, so try not to dress for 15-20 minutes after the application.

Tanning Pills

Price: Approx. $20

Efficiency: Not efficient or effective.

Safety: Not safe

Currently, there is no tanning pill approved by the FDA. Most tanning pills on the market contain canthaxanthin- a color additive only approved for use in foods and oral medications in small amounts. When ingested, Canthaxanthin can turn your skin a range of colors from orange to brown. The FDA says these pills can cause serious health problems including liver damage, hives and an eye disorder called canthaxanthin retinopathy in which yellow spots form in the retinas.

The Story of The Miracle Bra

I have a secret. There are things that us girls do behind closed doors when guys aren’t around. And thus, I begin my story of The Miracle Bra.
As roommates, the three of us girls like to take advantage of the surplus of wardrobes in our apartment. And when the three of us are home at once, the apartment sometimes turns into a catwalk.

One night one of my roommates announced that she needed a scandalous black bra to go with her Halloween costume. My other roommate jumped up from her computer excitedly to delve into her lingerie collection and offered her the perfect piece. As the borrower emerged from her room with the undergarment, the owner of it and myself both stared in utter amazement.

“YOUR BOOBS LOOK HUGE!” we exclaimed as she walked out, her cleavage nearly elevated to her chin. I demanded that I try it on myself. All I’m going to say about that is: wow. I was regretful to give it back to the roommate who had borrowed it in the first place. She stared down into the newly deepened canyon in her chest, impressed by her own curves.

She changed into the gown she was planning on wearing to an upcoming ball, barely able to zip it up in the back due to the new amount of volume in the front. The black bands of the bra protruded from the red strapless gown

“Could you tuck the straps in?” I asked.

“The straps come off!” she informed me. I was stunned.

“They even feel fake!” my other roommate suddenly exclaimed from the other side of the room, referring to the cleavage belonging to the roommate in the gown. She came over to offer me a feel. (Uh…)We experimented with it for days on after. It was, I tell you, the perfect bra. It shaped. It lifted. It had removable straps. It practically illuminated a glow from its frilly cups (which would, of course, only accentuate cleavage). It was the Miracle Bra.

(Image courtesy of: http://xbb.xanga.com)

They’ve been hailed by the British press as the “second coming of rock & roll” and have been opening for bands like U2 and Bob Dylan for more than three years. The retro-chic, southern-born band, known today as the Kings of Leon, overpowered the Agganis Arena this past weekend for two consecutive sold-out shows.

The New York-based indie band, The Walkmen, opened the show. Their ambient performance set the atmosphere perfectly for the anticipated headliner. The Walkmen’s stage presence was cool and controlled. Lead-singer Hamilton Leithauser added emotion to each song by swaying and arching his head back as he sang each word. The band featured a four-person horn section for select tunes like “Red Moon”, which added vibrancy to the rasp of Leithauser’s vocals. As the audience grew, The Walkmen wrapped up their performance nicely with the stand out song “Canadian Girl”, from their recently released album “Y o u and M e”. 

By the time Kings of Leon took over the stage, the 7,000-seat-arena was bursting at the seams. As the band entered main stage, the crowd erupted into ecstatic cheers. Kings opened with a steady guitar and drum pulse followed by a high-pitched screech by none other than Caleb Followill. “Charmer”, an older favorite, was an ideal song to start with, revving the crowd into a wild frenzy. 

The band’s epic performance included a brilliant blend of old and new songs. Followill’s nonchalant creeping and dancing around stage engaged the entire band, along with the audience. “McFearless”, “Knocked Up” and the crowd favorite, “On Call”, were songs also played from the band’s 2007 album “Because of the Times”.

The King’s powerful vocal-centric feel consumed the arena. When Followill asked the crowd, “So, are ya ready to sing?”, the band plummeted into their most recent singles “Sex on Fire” and “Use Somebody”. The five-song encore included the slower melodic tune, “Cold Desert”. This prompted a widespread lighter ignition, creating a sea of yellow sparks throughout the arena. “Closer”, “Notion” and “Manhattan” concluded the set.

The show melted easily into a musically memorable concert, proving that the Kings of Leon are one of the greatest live acts of our time.

Image courtesy of: http://thismarriagething.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/heart-handcuffs.jpg

Speak No Evil: BE That Girl (The Chronicles of a Real-Life Heart Stealer)

There is a new media fad in which books and movies keep declaring what girls shouldn’t do to get the guy. For instance: the movie “He’s Just Not That Into You,” the book Don’t Be That Girl, and the womanizing–and highly entertaining book– I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell, just to name a few. But last semester, I lived with a one-in-a-million chick that seemed to know exactly what to do to hook the guy.

My  old roommate would give Tucker Max a run for his money, and no, not because she sleeps with as many members of the opposite sex as physically possible. It is because I’d bet anyone that she could hook and deny the infamous womanizer in one night.  Hotties, nerds and players alike all fell for this girl. In just a few months living with her, I observed a great deal of her magic. Here are some stories:

One of her friends had come over a couple of times to study. He seemed like a shy guy and when she’d flirt with him he’d kind of blush and change the subject. I thought it was funny, her flirtatious confidence overwhelming him. But, within a couple weeks he had declared his love for her. The shy guy. I mean, really?

Another friend was a total player, and a total cutie. In the few brief times that he was around I could tell that he liked to, and had, hooked up with a lot of different girls. But before long my roommate was telling me how he wanted to make her his girlfriend. She told him that even if he really thought so, she didn’t think he could handle the monogamy. Plus, she admitted to me she didn’t really like him anyway.

Kate Voegele was playing a free concert at our school so we decided to check it out. After her set we hung around for a little while along with another friend, and started chatting with the guys that were in her band. The drummer–I kid you not–approached her, got her number and asked what she was doing later that night. We headed back to the apartment, he called her and the three of us went to hang out with them in their hotel room. He took her out in the hall to “talk” and later when I asked what happened she responded, “Nothing really. He just told me that he really liked me and I told him it would never work.” Woah. Talk about a complete role reversal with the band member and the groupie.

Of course, we assumed that he would find some band-stalking skank within a day or two, but a few weeks later my roommate got a text.

“He said he’s going to be on One Tree Hill tonight,” she told me.

At the end of the episode Kate Voegele went onstage to play a show. We squinted at the instrumentalists in the background and, lo and behold, almost hidden by the drum cymbal behind her, there he was. True story.

So after living and learning from my awesome ex (*sniff*) roommate, and very good friend, here are some of my observations that I think attributed to her success:

Traits of a (Successful) Heart Stealer

Confidence: If nothing else, the girl has confidence. She has a lot of trust in herself and she knows what she likes and what she’s good at. No matter who she is around–whether it’s the nerdy guy from class or the model she made out with (no lie)–she is completely and 100% herself.

Flirtatiousness: She had this great flirty air about her that was slightly edgier than being a “one of the guys” jokester, but subtle enough not to be skanky. Some classy ways she would flirt:

-Eye contact

-Sitting next to the guy instead of on the other end of the couch or in a chair across the room

-Laughing (hers is so cute!)

-Conversational touching (on the arm or the knee–just to keep their attention)

Staying True to Herself: In regards to just doing her thing and keeping the mindset “If he doesn’t like me for me, then I don’t want him, anyway.”

Now, go forth and BE that girl!

With Chinatown just around the corner there is always the option of grabbing sushi for lunch in-between classes. Why not make that extra seven minute walk and indulge yourself in sushi and tempura that will leave your taste buds craving more?

Located on 58 Franklin Street, just one street away from Downtown Crossing, Samurai serves authentic Japanese cuisine, including some outstanding sushi.

Samurai offers a wide variety of appetizers that range from traditional Mixed Tempura ($7.95) to not-so-typical dishes like Beef Tataki (thinly sliced rare beef, served with ponzu sauce for dipping). Boiled Gyoza ($5.95) is a menu item worth trying, as is the Crab Rangoon ($4.95), which distinguishes itself from the oily, over-fried Crab Rangoon served in Beijing on the Common.

The main courses are served in ample portions and leave you full, unlike the majority of Japanese restaurants. The Deluxe Combo Box is a good option if you want to try a bit of everything. For less than $15 you get 6 rolls of sushi, tempura, white rice, salad, soup and choice of either chicken, shrimp, beef, eel or salmon. There is also a wide range of Teriyaki dishes as well as Chef Specials that include a variety of different beef, chicken and noodle dishes, all under $15.

The sushi at Samurai is also fantastic. There are a wide variety of rolls, from regular hand rolls such as the California roll and Philadelphia roll, which are priced at $4.99, to Special Rolls such as Sakura Roll (inside: shrimp tempura & cucumber, outside: Spicy Tuna crunch and caviar) and Bagel Roll (Deep, fried roll, eel with smoked salmon, cheese and scallion), all of which are priced under $10 and are served in portions of 8-10 pieces. In general, sushi is served fresh and is consistently delicious.

The service at Samurai is prompt and the prices are very reasonable for a small college budget. Consider indulging your taste for unforgettable, unmatched Japanese cuisine.