Chameleon Blogger

The awkward in-between season of spring, summer and winter styles seems to cause up a stir in the closets of girls battling the constantly changing weather. Aside from this issue, it seems that typical styles are going out from last season, leaving fashionistas with confusion: what is still in and what is done with for the summer that lies ahead?

The key to this season is to keep the concepts of last season’s styles, but update them with new components that add an innovative touch to the designs that we repeatedly saw throughout the last couple months.

Peplum styles have been flourishing in everything from dresses to tank tops lately. A new approach that I spotted was this mesh-like peplum top that put a refreshing twist to the redundant style. Though mesh typically offers a casual look, the peplum design offers a unique element to the mixture to give off a classy statement look.  Based on how you dress it up or dress it down, the shirt can be worn to a variety of events.

And it is perfect for warmer weather days.

To try an alternative approach for this mesh shirt, a colored lace bandeau underneath could add a hint of fun with a pair of high-rise jeans and bright lipstick.

Photo by Ari Black

Maxi cut out skirts were popular in the fall, along with sheer maxis that covered an attached mini skirt underneath.  For the updated approach on the high-rise maxi skirt, the cut out look has added an edgy element to this outfit.

The longer length compliments the classy look of the peplum top, and the mesh material and the cutout are what add the special touches to otherwise common articles of clothing.

Another positive thing about these skirts is the way they highlight the shoes that the fashionista chooses to wear.  The skirt almost sets the stage for a pair of bold shoes to be noticed.  For a fancier situation, wear your pair of statement heels to dress it up.  To wear to class or in a casual setting, throw on a pair of ankle boots, as photographed.

The glasses are what really add the casual feel to this outfit.  Embrace the months where the sun is out and shining; throw on those pairs of glasses to give off a laid back urban look.   For a day in the city, these rounded lens glasses are ideal for an ultimate outfit topper.

And besides, who likes sun in their eyes anyway?

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Zaragoza is a pain to get to. If you aren’t going to Midway, it is way out of the way from almost anywhere in Chicago. That being said, it is worth the trip.

What makes Zaragoza unique is its menu. Zaragoza literally serves goat. That’s it. Goat tacos, goat quesadillas, and goat plates. Nothing else.

The atmosphere is largely non-existent, because the place is tiny, but it doesn’t matter- the food is great.

My experience with goat can be summed up in these five words: I have never eaten it. So, for my first time, I was a little anticipatory. From what I had heard, sometimes goat can be kind of chewy and dry. The goat here was neither of those things. It was tender, flavorful, and the perfect amount of moist.

The goat quesadilla came with a consommé, which is a type of soup made from bouillon or flavored stock that has been clarified. That means the fat and sediment have been removed. Despite the unusual nature of this soup, it was delicious. It added a bit of sweetness and richness of flavor to the goat.

The tortillas here are the real winner. They make store-bought ones seem like cardboard in comparison. They are slightly sweet, very slightly salty, and perfectly tender. Where some store-bought tortillas fall apart when under stress, these held together admirably, and did not burst due to the sauce or pieces of goat meat.

The service is service that only a family owned restaurant can provide-terrible in parts, but forgivable due to its sweet nature.

Zaragoza is out of the way. It takes several different L lines and a bus to get to. If you aren’t going to or coming from Midway, you probably won’t ever be close. However, if you decide to journey there, you won’t be disappointed.

Eat on.

Chameleon Blogger

This Week’s Choice -> Disney Movies

The Blurb

Need a break from final papers and projects? Netflix has been adding classic Disney movies in the last few months. Everyone loves Disney, right? Some of these movies might be your favorites! I shared my top five choices of which Disney movies you should watch below.

At A Glance

• Movies: Atlantis: The Lost Empire, Aristocats, Pocahontas, Alice in Wonderland, Dumbo, James and the Giant Peach, The Nightmare Before Christmas, and many more!
• Genre: Children & Family Movies, Feature Animation, Adventures, Classics
• These shows are: Classics, Imaginative, Feel-good
• Rating: 5 stars out of five

My Thoughts

Dumbo (1941)

One of Walt Disney’s first animation films shares the tale of Dumbo, an adorable baby elephant with oversized ears that goes through obstacles to gain confidence. The movie a cute underdog story as Dumbo fights through mean elephants with the help of a mouse. Also, “Baby Mine” is one of the most beautiful Disney melodies for a mother and their child.

Alice in Wonderland (1951)

Follow Alice down the rabbit hole as she explores a bizarre world with talking flowers, mad tea parties, and a mysterious cat. “Alice in Wonderland” used to freak me out as a kid as it tends to be very weird. But, now that I’ve watched it again, I have to say that The Mad Tea Party is one of my favorite Disney scenes. A very merry Unbirthday to you! Yes, you!

The Aristocats (1970)

Madame Adelaide leaves her fortune to her beloved cats as her butler plots to kidnap the heirs and steal the money. You can’t go wrong to watch a Disney movie with singing Parisian cats. There’s also smooth-talking Mr. O’Malley that brings lots of charm. “Everybody Wants To Be A Cat” is certainly the best song in the entire movie!

The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

“The Nightmare Before Christmas” is technically not a Walt Disney picture because Disney decided to release the film under their Touchstone Pictures brand. They believe the movie was too dark and scary for kids even if I remember watching it as a child. The king of Halloween Town, Jack Skellington, gets tired scaring humans as he plans to take over Christmas by kidnapping Santa Claus and becoming the jolly old man himself. I have to say that “The Nightmare Before Christmas” is one of Tim Burton’s best stop-motion animated films with its magical visual effects, witty story-telling elements, and clever songs.

Pocahontas (1995)

Disney princesses have always been my favorite movies. In this story, an American Indian woman is planned to marry the village’s top warrior, but she discovers something worth more when she meets Captain John Smith. This movie is obviously not a historically accurate retelling of Pocahontas, but I still enjoy it on its own. “Just Around The Riverbend” and “Colors of the Wind” are my favorite songs in the movie.

All In All

What are you doing still reading this blog post? You should be watching some Disney movies right now!

Your Turn

Are any of the Disney movies mentioned above part of your favorites? Which Disney movies do you think Netflix should add on their instant stream next?

Photo by Matt Gillis/The Chameleon. “Waves merely rise out high and long enough to make a splash later, to contribute and be washed away with everything else.”

By Stevenson Valentor
Chameleon Staff Writer

Speaking is the vocal manifestation of ideas and feelings old and new.

Many of our ideas remain unspoken, though we may express them wordlessly through emotion or facial expression.

Emotions and facial cues are just subtle expressions that words could have communicated.

But when words are spoken, they may sit around in the air, around in the listeners’ own thoughts.

White caps are the manifestations we know as waves in the water; they come from the wind blowing water to the point where the water curls over itself.

Not all waves white cap. Therefore, not all waves are as easily distinguishable as waves.

So some waves return to the unspoken stirring before a full wave manifests (the water).

We can still recognize waves even if they don’t fully cap over themselves, but they are difficult to recognize seconds later in the wash of all the others (white capping or not).

However, there is a notable foamy residue from the waves that does manifest.

Though if only for 10 seconds, we can ponder the wave’s life. We can watch its manifestation after it has spoken and before it gets sucked back into its aggregate source.

But though we can note individual waves, they disappear after they cap. They return back to the water, even though they never left the water source, nor did they ever stop “being” the water source.

Waves merely rise out high and long enough to make a splash later, to contribute and be washed away with everything else.

The same goes for all of our collective wish-washing thoughts. They never stop being infinitely-expanding consciousness. They merely raise out from the source enough to be identified and soon to be forgotten once washed back and away with everything else (death, bodily decomposition).

Human lives rise and pass just as our thoughts do and just as the waves do.

The washing never ceases.

The wave building never stops: there are still, tranquil times, and there are storms.

But regardless of whether storming or still, nothing ever departs from its source.

To contact Stevenson, email him at svalentor@luc.edu.

Photo by Sarah McBride/The Chameleon. The Greenola Style launch party was hosted by Phi Sigma Sigma on April 16 in Damen Student Center.

By Sarah McBride
Chameleon Staff Writer

The Greenola Style launch party was held in the Damen Student Center on April 16.

The brand partnered with Phi Sigma Sigma sorority to launch their spring and summer 2013 collection titled “Kazmik Voyage.”

At the event, attendees could shop the collection of apparel and accessories, pick up swag bags, and learn more about the brand’s charity work.

Greenola is a Chicago-based fashion line that works to empower women in Uganda and Bolivia.

All of the designs are handmade in these countries out of sustainable and traditional materials, and the proceeds of the sales go to the women in Uganda and Bolivia, helping them lead better lives.

The collection features a mix of color-blocked and tribal-inspired pieces that have the feel of the countries they came from.

All of the pieces have a fresh, modern twist that makes them easy to incorporate into any wardrobe.

Printed peplum tops are on trend for spring and bright cotton dresses are perfect for the seventy degree summer days.

Additionally, the brand’s colorful jewelry line of unique and interesting pieces will liven up both warm and cold weather outfits, which is something Chicagoans must keep in mind since winter always seems to be around the corner.

After the fashion show, guests were entertained with a short set by Chicago-based singer and songwriter Ashley Lauren Elrod, who also happens to be a spokesmodel for the brand.

Elrod’s set included her song “Warrior,” which has topped the Christian rock/pop charts since its release.

She also promoted the charity Project: AK-47, which helps rescue child soldiers in Asia and Latin America.

The launch party allowed Greenola to both successfully showcase its designs and communicate their mission.

Their goal of empowering women through fashion is inspiring, and shows how to truly make a difference in the world.

To learn more about Greenola or Ashley Lauren Elrod, visit www.greenolastyle.com and www.ashleylaurenonline.com.

To contact Sarah, email her at sarahmcb@comcast.net.

Chameleon Blogger

According to the calendar, 2012 was a leap year. On February 29, we all acknowledged our extra day and maybe did something out of the ordinary, maybe a small celebration of some type. Still, for all intents and purposes, for most of us, 2012 was not much different than any other year.

But for Victor Saad, 2012 was truly a leap year in more than just an extra day. Victor spent all year “leaping”—taking risks: jumping, and seeing where he landed.

Victor, a Chicago-born man the product of many childhood moves, was working as a youth and family counselor in a Midwestern church when he started to think about going back to school for an MBA. He was interested in “social enterprise,” businesses that are, in his words, “for profit and for purpose.” He began to do some research on what it might take to procure an MBA in today’s education system. But as he researched his options, he just wasn’t sure that the standard programs fit what he was looking for, both in content and cost.

He was wrestling with this dilemma in spring 2011, when he took a trip with some students from his church, and suddenly, he had an epiphany—he knew what he had to do. As he continued to think about it, bouncing ideas off others, and entering as many conversations as possible, the idea kept growing and growing. It would be called “The Leapyear Project.” For a year, for twelve months, he would have twelve different experiences, working in different capacities, and learning about business in the real world every step of the way. It would be his self-made education, his very own, personal MBA.

There was a lot of planning involved. He met with countless people, explaining his ideas, trying to prove to others that his objective was worthwhile. And, after a lot of hard work, it happened. Victor spent 2012 in twelve different places, including China, Costa Rica and Cairo, working for companies and figuring out how he himself was going to make a difference once this adventure was all over.

And what he decided?

That he should give it all away. And the Experience Institute was born. Launching this fall, the Experience Institute will be designed to give motivated learners the chance to gain what Victor did—a non-traditional education that is credible and valuable, and gives the student real-world experience. Through stints at different companies, non-profits, volunteer opportunities, conferences, and other styles of learning, each student’s year will be completely unique and reflect that person’s interests and talents. Check it out at expinstitute.com, if you’re interested in learning more about it.

What does this story mean for us as students? Well, take risks. They can be scary and they might not get you the results you want, but if you stop taking them, you’re standing still. And have conviction in your own ideas. If you don’t believe in them, others never will. Be crazy. Be ambitious. Be insane.

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I am posting and writing about a video today that I believe all women (and even men) should see.  I believe the topic of this Dove Beauty Campaign video parallels with fashion because personal appearance is something everyone worries about.  Though clothes and top trends are fun to experiment with in the fashion world, it is important to remember what really matters: the confidence and self-awareness of individual beauty truly makes every human being magnificent.

As I watch this video, it brings me back to the message that my mom repeatedly taught me throughout my childhood.  She had been a model throughout her college years and struggled during her career of watching the people she cared about take drastic tolls to reach  what they perceived as beautiful.  Their perception of beauty would require unhealthy practices that left them sick and in need of help.  Learning from these situations, she constantly reminded me throughout my childhood to never be overly critical, despite all of the media and outside influences that would cause me to do this anyway.  We are all guilty of being critical of ourselves, and I continue to question why.

Women and men simply perceive themselves as something they are not.  I, myself, am still guilty of this.  In my college years, it is common for me to see the women around me flipping through magazines or online shopping, commenting on how they “wish they could look like that,” or how they will “never be as skinny” as the models.  It’s time that we all take a step back and acknowledge that we are all “more beautiful than we say,” as the video puts it.

Once the video shows the results of the drawings side by side from the self-perception view compared to other perceptions, it really shows how it is such a common tendency to analyze only what we don’t like on ourselves rather than appreciating what we are thankful for.  Old and young, the criticism never seems to end.  There’s always something we will want to change, so why don’t we accept it and concentrate on more important things?

Another critical message to take away from this video is that others see us more beautifully than we see ourselves.  Throughout the video, the ones being drawn would give themselves harsh descriptions that displayed their low confidence.  When the others were asked about the individuals they had met, they were complimentary in an honest way.  The ironic thing is that the more complimentary people’s drawings were more accurate to the individuals’ looks in the end.

Though not everyone can go through this experience of being drawn from a forensic artist, we can all take away from this video the bottom line message:  be less critical and believe that you are beautiful.  Hold confidence.  It will benefit you in the way you carry yourself throughout your day-to-day life, whether it be in job interviews, classes, or just walking down the street.  Most importantly, stop being so hard on yourself.  Whenever you need a reminder, watch this video again and give yourself a break.

Chameleon Blogger

Summer is a small Thai and Pan-Asian restaurant under the Granville stop on the Red Line. If you haven’t noticed by now, I am very partial to Asian food, and this place delivers the goods.

Summer is not a dive, but it is priced like one- perfect for a college kid on a tight budget. The interior is very modern, but is strangely welcoming. There are pulsing lights, odd colors, and some uncomfortable chairs around the dining area. Trust me-sit against the wall on the padded seats.

I have been there several times, and I have gotten several different items. However, one dish stands out to me above all the others: Pad Thai. This dish can be generic and flavorless, as it is a staple at many Thai places, but at Summer it is delicious.

A well-done Pad Thai has copious amounts of ground peanut, egg, chicken, and flavor. Summer delivers on all three accounts.

Traditionally, Pad Thai comes with Thai rice noodles, bean sprouts, scallions, egg, ground peanut, and a choice of meat (choose the chicken). Summer uses those ingredients, but also provides two fresh slices of lime, which make a huge difference. The Pad Thai is flavorful, complex, and filling. To me, the best part comes when I take a bite with a bit of lime juice on it. The sharp, sour taste of the fresh lime contrasts perfectly with the smooth, almost sweet, almost teriyaki taste of the noodle.

My one gripe with the Pad Thai at Summer is the chicken. Often cooked too much, there is simply not enough of it to justify paying extra.

Besides the fowl problem, Summer is worth the short L stop. I, for one, will be there again soon.

Eat on.

Chameleon Blogger

This Week’s Choice -> Pretty in Pink (1986)

The Blurb

Andie, a teenage misfit, has her dreams come true when the popular guy, Blane, asks her to prom. But, social cliques cause conflict in this teenage love story.

At A Glance

• Cast: Molly Ringwald, Harry Dean Stanton, Jon Cryer
• Genre: Dramas, Romantic Movies, Romantic Dramas
• This movie is: Romantic, Feel-good
• Rating: 3.7 stars out of five

My Thoughts

I can’t turn down the opportunity of recommending another John Hughes movie. They’re classics! Pretty in Pink tells the story of Andie (Molly Ringwald), a working class teen who has a crush on the preppie playboy, Blane (Andrew McCarthy). Of course, there’s no surprise that this is another coming of age Hughes film with puppy love and teenage drama.

Pretty in Pink is most certainly one of Ringwald’s best roles as she plays the impossibly cool, Andie. She has great taste in music and an edgy style. Isn’t it already awesome that she works in a record store? The best part is that her strong personality makes her stand up to her deadbeat dad (Harry Dean Stanton) and brush off insults from the cruel rich boy, Steff (James Spader). Ringwald truly crafts a headstrong and realistic teenager that manages to go through high school troubles.

Andie’s best friend, Duckie (Jon Cryer), comes to a close second for my favorite character. Cryer was the breakout star of Pretty in Pink. Cryer’s character is funny, quirky, a bit overbearing and totally smitten by Andie. You at least have to see his hilarious impression of Otis Reddings’ “Try a Little Tenderness.”  Also, you may recognize Cryer as one of brothers in “Two and a Half Men.”

Like any movie I watch, the fashion and costuming of the movie stands out to me. In “Pretty in Pink,” fashion becomes a method to show the different classes. Blane wears light-colored dress shirts, khaki trousers, and oversize blazers that clearly states he’s a privileged teen. Andie’s style of floral prints, polka dots, brooches, and hats might seem “granny-like,” but it emphasizes herself as an “outcast” from the popular kids.

The funny thing about “Pretty in Pink” that ship-to-ship combat even existed in the 80’s. And by ship wars, I mean relationships like Team Jacob or Team Edward. There’s still debate today on whether Andie should have gone after Blane or stuck with Duckie (even if they only remained friends). I consider myself a Duckie girl because he’s adorable and he’s head over heels in love with Andie.

All In All

John Hughes doesn’t disappoint his fans with this “teen angst” version of the standard Cinderella story. Sure, there might be so high school clichés, but the realistic characters remind you of being 16 again.

Your Turn

Would you add Pretty to Pink to classic 1980’s movies? Why do you think that many of John Hughes’ films are considered classics?

And to join in the silly ship wars, are you on Team Blane or Team Duckie?

Chameleon Blogger

It was pretty adorable to eavesdrop on my roommate this morning. She was working hard on a project of hers that’s due tomorrow, but every once in a while, she would stop and let out a cheer. Her brother was running in the Boston Marathon, and she was able to track his progress and his whereabouts online. She also made sure to comment on the photos of him that were posted onto Facebook; you know, the ones that showed off his lovely expanse of man-thigh and his classic running face.

If my research serves me correctly, he finished 67^th, with a time of 2:28:28! He crossed the finish line ahead of the masses, and in doing so, was able to leave the area with his family about 20 minutes before two explosions killed a couple of people and injured at least 23 right where he had been standing. Just the thought of it makes me shudder.

Now my entire newsfeed is blowing up with links to news articles and sentiments of worry, of sympathy, of support, of bewilderment. But mostly bewilderment. And rightly so: the Boston Marathon has been around since 1897, unhindered by anything close to what happened today. It is the country’s oldest marathon, and was particularly symbolic this year, as many of the runners stated that the 26 lives that were taken a few months back in the Sandy Hook shooting had become their motivation to finish 26 miles. This marathon was supposed to be a testament to love, to overcoming obstacles through hard work, in spite of pain. As of now, it stands as an ironic representation of senseless violence.

The most common response from people in this type of situation tends to be something like, “I’m sending you my thoughts and prayers.” “I’m praying for you, Boston.” I always find that to be so interesting, because attacks like these, which seem to be happening more and more frequently across the United States, make me feel very far away from God. They make me angry with him, actually, because they force me to start questioning why I’m planning to dedicate my life to an entity who would let this happen. But then I remember a passage of text that has been burned into my memory over the course of this semester. In his book, God in Relationship, theologian Michael Himes explains the difference between joy and happiness in faith:

“I am speaking of joy, not happiness. Happiness is dependent on a thousand external factors, whereas joy is the interior conviction that what one is doing is good even if it does not make one happy or content. Being happy cannot co-exist with being frightened or disappointed or lonely or dissatisfied or rejected, but being joyful can … a profound conviction that it is a good way to live a life and spend one’s energy and talent, is of immense significance. [It] echoes back to the discussion of restlessness as opposed to satisfaction. It is, in fact, the first sign that one may have found the will of God.”

Theology is a discipline that is necessarily famous for asking big questions (and delivering few answers). Chief among these questions is that of human nature: is it inherently good? Inherently bad? Neutral? That’s fun to ponder and all, but at times like this, I don’t think that it’s the least bit important. What is important is the fact that we all have the capacity for joy within us. Not happiness; joy. So I would like to pray for Boston, too. I pray that the victims and their families, their friends, take the time and the space they need to question and to doubt. I pray that they find wholesome ways to heal, in body and in spirit. I pray that our local and national leadership can find a way to overlook disagreements and political boundaries in order to recognize, and respond to, reality. And I pray that we can all take advantage of our connections to this attack, or lack thereof, and identify the different dimensions of joy: the good, the bad and the ugly.