Camp Essentials

Next week, I'm going to DAAPcamp at the University of Cincinnati. DAAP stands for Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning; I am participating in the Architecture and Interior Design camp, because I want to be an interior designer. Below is a sample of my packing list.

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I love my red polka-dot Keds. They are super comfortable and I can wear them almost anywhere with almost anything.

I am obsessed with Target's great t-shirts. They are comfortable and are fitted, so they are a little nicer than a basic unisex tee. I have about 10; they are so great, and cheap!

A good hat is a must. Personally, I love my Red Sox cap, but this is a great option if you don't have a specific team that you support or want something a little more stylish. 

I love my large Longchamp bag; it is perfect for toting around everything I need, and even fits my computer. 

A good swimsuit is a must in the summer. I am not a bikini girl; I love this blue tankini from Macy's.

Another summer staple for me is Nike running shorts. I don't actually run, but they are so comfortable. 

If there's any chance you'll do anything active, bring a good pair of tennis shoes wherever you go. My camp is not like most camps in that it is in a very urban area, but we still will be active, so they make the list. 

I also love my Sperry's; they are comfortable and go with anything that my red Keds don't.

Shower shoes are another must for camp; I don't know who's used that shower or the last time it was cleaned. Old Navy has super cheap flip flops that work great as shower shoes. 

J.Crew chinos are my favorite shorts; I wear them all the time. They are very comfortable and stylish.

I wish I had luggage this cute! I just found these on Polyvore. One thing that I can recommend if you're looking for new luggage is to get bright luggage. Everyone has a black suitcase, making it very hard to find your's on the baggage claim carrousel. 

I bring a reusable water bottle everywhere! Being hydrated is very important for your health, and it's good for the environment! 

A sleep mask is also very important; I will be rooming with a complete stranger who might have very different sleep habits than me. This way I can get all my beauty rest.

Last, I have travel-sized toiletries. Remember the good old days when you could bring regular-sized shampoo on airplanes? Of course, if you check your luggage you can still put liquids in there, but if not remember the 3-1-1 rule. 

I can't wait to write all about camp when I get back!

XOXO,

Margaret

TFiOS Review (Spoilers - Read The Book!)

I read The Fault in Our Stars two years ago, shortly after it came out. I knew nothing of what it would become; it was just one of countless YA books I've read. It was good, but not the best. Really, it wasn't even my favorite John Green book, that was Looking for Alaska, followed by Paper Towns. 

I've read all of John's books; I watch a lot of his and Hank's Youtube videos; I am a Nerdfighter. I found out TFiOS was going to be a movie about a year or so, when all the other Nerdfighters did. I was excited, but worried that, like so many book adaptations, it would be disappointing. 

I followed along with John on Twitter, and knew, given the amount of input her put into it, that it would be good. So, when I heard about The Night Before Our Stars, an event the night before the official release (last night) that would include a telecast Q&A with John, and the stars, and other people (the director and producer), I bought tickets for the nearest theater immediately. About a week later, I found out that the theater that they would be at would be the the theater I got tickets at. I was so excited! John, and everybody else, LIVE and IN-PERSON! The event was great, honestly one of the best nights of my life.

Famous people LIVE and IN-PERSON!
from the left: John Green, Josh Boone, Ansel Elgort, Nat Wolff, Wyck Godfrey, and Alton Brown
Photo Courtesy of TFiOS Movie Twitter Page

The official movie poster, courtesy of Google Images.

The movie was fantastic. I haven't cried in years, I've never cried during a movie, and I didn't cry reading the book, but I was tearing up a little toward the end. 
Part of the reason why I like the story is the same reason a lot of people like a lot of stories: it's relatable. I see a lot of myself in Hazel. No, I don't have cancer, and no I don't know what it's like to fall in love, but I am a 17 year old girl who knows what it's like to feel hopeless. At the beginning of the movie, Hazel is basically just sitting around waiting to die. Hazel's right, one day we'll all be dead and no one will remember Cleopatra or Mozart, much less us. But you can still live a full and happy life. One of the things John said last night was that part of the reason he wrote the book was to show that even a life cut way to short can be full and happy, and he reminded us all that death is simply part of life. I see myself in the sarcastic, cynical teenager who doesn't care what she looks like and spends most of her time with her family, and who knows that oblivion is inevitable. 
Of course, not everything about the movie was perfect, and I realize that it never can be. One of my biggest complaints was that you really didn't see the friendship between Hazel and Isaac. Many fan stories show the two becoming a couple, but if you had just seen the movie you would have no idea why. Isaac's character is not as well developed as it is in the book. The import scenes (Monica breaking up with him and him breaking the trophies, egging her house) are there, but they don't fit as well as they do in the book. 
Shailene Woodley (Hazel) did a phenomenal job. I have to admit, when they first cast her I had my doubts, but she made the perfect Hazel. Her voice was Hazel's voice, her smile was Hazel's smile, and her tears were Hazel's, too. Ansel Elgort (Gus) and Nat Wolff (Issac) were very good too, but they paled in comparison to Shailene. Laura Dern (Hazel's mom) was also excellent, however I was not impressed by Sam Trammell's (Hazel's dad) performance. His role was also made smaller than it was in the book. William Dafoe (Van Houten) was good, but his character was a lot more sympathetic than it was in the book. 
In the end, I'm left with questions similar to Hazel's. What becomes of Hazel after Gus dies? Does she sink back into her depression? How much longer does she live? What about her parents after she dies? Does her mother become a social worker? Also, what happened to Sisyphus the hamster? (Ok that last one was a bit of an inside joke from the screening)
Have you seen it yet? What did you think?

Also one kind of random thing I would like to share: the press is reporting that Shailene cried during the Atlanta screening of the movie; while she did cry during the Q&A, she was not actually there for the movie. They were in and out pretty quick.

For more TFiOS, see my Pinterest board.

What to Wear to a College Visit

I have been on many college visits. There are different types of visits, which require different outfits.
Shoes should be comfortable as there’s often lot’s of walking. I recommend bringing a large tote to each type of visit, you will get lot’s of literature.

Summer: If you’re unsure what the weather will be like or might be inside a lot, bring a cardigan. Throw it in your large tote when you don’t need it.

Winter: Don’t worry about your coat, as long as it’s in good shape.

Tour

A tour is the most casual type of visit, but it’s still important to look presentable.

A fitted tee and nicer shorts (such as chinos) is perfectly acceptable in the summer. Make sure the tee is not too tight and the shorts are not too short.

A sweater and dark jeans (with no rips) is great for a winter tour. Accessorize with a cute scarf, beanie, and carry-all.

Open House/Information Session

Open houses are a little nicer; you may end up talking to an admissions counselor.

A floral sundress with sandals is perfect for a summer open house. A bright bag adds a pop of color and a simple cardigan completes the outfit.

For a winter open house, wear black slacks and a nice sweater. Pair with riding boots and a colorful scarf to be comfortable and chic.

Interview

Interviews are by far the nicest type of college visit. You will be talking directly to an admissions counselor for an hour, and that admissions counselor will likely judge you by how you dress. First impressions are everything.

A simple skirt and blouse ensures that the counselor’s first impression of you is positive. Nude flats and a black bag are great accessories.

A winter college interview is formal, so wear slacks and a blouse. With this blouse I did not add a scarf because of the bow. If you can spring for a dressy hat, do so.

For college visits of all types it is important to look presentable and be comfortable.

A few other tips:

- skirts, shorts, and dresses should be at an appropriate length. Use your own discretion and ask your mom or a friend if you are unsure.

- while nicer shorts are ok, cut-offs are not

- each type of visit may include a lot of walking, so I do not recommend heels. If you do wear heels, wear short ones; 2.5 inches max.

- my rule of thumb is if you’re unsure about something, don’t wear it

All collages created on Polyvore.