Hey Bill O'Reilly...

Here's a message from me and my gay-loving, organic, vegan, hippy-dippy-trippy reefer, Lady-Gaga listening to bleeding heart liberal friends:

SUCK IT!!!

This man literally makes me physically ill. He is old-fashioned, rude, homophobic, and so conservative he can't even see straight. In a recent interview with Barbara Walters about her "Most Fascinating People" list, he completely slammed her choices, as well as referring to extremely talented singer Adam Lambert as "That Gay Guy." In addition, he was UNBELIEVEABLY rude to her. I have never seen such a disgusting display of immaturity on a serious news program IN MY LIFE. Watch all the madness go down, and then let me know what you think.



Keep it classy and fabulous!
xoxo, Laura

When I grow up, I wanna be Anna Wintour.

Vogue is arguably the most respected fashion magazine in the world.

And Anna Wintour is the brains behind it.

As the Editor-in-Chief of Vogue magazine, Anna Wintour propels the fashion industry in more ways than one. Miranda Preistly (Meryl Streep), the ice-cold editor of the fictitious Runway magazine in the 2006 film The Devil Wears Prada, was based on her. Anna Wintour IS fashion.

And there's finally a good interview of her, done by the fine folks at 60 Minutes. Watch it here.

Keep it classy and fabulous!
xoxo, Laura

Stuart Weitzman rocks my shoes (not my socks).

First of all, I must apologize for my not keeping up with this blog. I've been relaxing over the break, but I will be back full force on the 6th-ish.

I just found out something absolutely AWESOME. Fabulous shoe designer Stuart Weitzman has decided to forgo production of his annual Million-Dollar shoe. Why?

"There will be no Million Dollar shoe for the Oscars this year. With so many people struggling financially, and unemployment at 10 percent, I don't think it is appropriate. The actresses still want to go for glamour, but this year it will be more understated." (courtesy of Perez Hilton)

LOVE IT, and it's so true. Designers, editors, and all members of the fashion world should be mindful of the current economic crisis. It's not appropriate to continue hawking frivolous overpriced items in the current economic climate.

Hats off to you, Stuart Weitzman.

Keep it classy and fabulous!
xoxo, Laura

P.S. Germany may not be in as much trouble as those of us stateside, but German company GnG should take note of Stuart Weitzman's way of thinking.

Commercial song!

Who's seen that Palm Pixi commercial? It's a pretty standard cell phone commercial, but what's NOT standard is the song! It's "Sleepyhead" by Passion Pit. My friend Ben said that it's a standard pre-game song at the Sigma Phi Epsilon house, and I must agree, it's a pretty fab party song.

Keep it classy and fabulous!
xoxo, Laura

Not to go all Sarah McLachlan on you, but...

I just spend probably 45 minutes looking at PetFinder.com at small, adult dogs in South Carolina. I hardly made a dent in the list.

If I was looking for 45 minutes in just my narrow scope of what I'm looking for in a little apartment dog, imagine how many animals actually need to be rescued. It's not just special-needs animals or animals from high-kill shelters. It's all animals--cats, dogs, horses, hamsters, iguanas, and pot-bellied pigs--that are looking for their forever homes. There are so many animals in shelters who need help.

If you are considering getting a pet, please look at adoption first. Buying isn't bad--those animals need homes, too--but think about all of the other animals in bad situations who need help NOW.

Keep it classy and fabulous!
xoxo, Laura

I just e-mailed my hero!

Not Lady Gaga, people.
Jessica Shroeder, author of the What I Wore blog.
She's my virtual mentor--she's so cool! And I'm hoping to get an e-mail back. I'll let you know if I do!!

Keep it classy and fabulous!
xoxo, Laura

For real, though, this is my last U101 post.

A couple weeks ago, once I realized I had missed EVERY Capstone Cinema, I decided it would behoove me to go to the make-up cinema in West Quad. So, not wanting to go alone, I dragged my friend Zadams over to the learning center there to make him watch a movie about sustainability.

The movie was supposed to be this film called "Taking Root," but they couldn't find the DVD, so it ended up being "Milking the Rhino" instead. "Milking the Rhino" is all about how people in Africa have managed to lead a peaceful co-existence with the wildlife there, and how they are now using them to their advantage. It was an interesting movie, combining several of my favorite topics--economics, travel, and environmentalism. Plus, it had awesome views of Africa throughout the film.

During the movie, I was surprised at how much people in Africa used to really hate the wildlife until they started viewing it as an opportunity for tourism. I suppose elephants and gazelles are as common in their backyards as snakes and squirrels are in ours. But the first two probably cause more problems.

To learn more about "Milking the Rhino," click here for the trailer.

Keep it classy and fabulous!
xoxo, Laura

Oh yeah, not quite finished.

So awhile ago, I went to the Capstone Conversation with Jim Sonefeld, aka "Soni" from Hootie and the Blowfish. I have to admit--I didn't actually pay attention to much of what he said. I was a bit distracted because he's such an attractive fellow, and I was mildly starstruck. However, I did pick up on the fact that he's worked very hard to get to where he is today, and he gives back because of his success. He hosts charity events and plays free concerts, all for the benefit of the community. I personally think this is fabulous--using your stardom or prestige to give back to others is perhaps one of the best things you can do. I also really liked that he's a family man...that made him seem more real. Plus, he lives in Charleston, where I'm from, which is cool. Basically, it was one of the coolest things I've experienced since being here at USC. And you can bet I didn't forget my camera!

Keep it classy and fabulous!

xoxo, Laura

Last post for U101.

So, today is my last official post for U101. Sad.

But not really, because this means two things: 1. I've survived the first semester of my freshman year of college, and 2. There will now only be fun stuff, like music, fashion, etc. So yay!

I've really enjoyed U101 overall, especially the class discussions. The only thing I didn't like was reading The World is Flat. I didn't find it very interesting, and I didn't find it very easy to relate to my life. I wish we had done more fun stuff, like climbing the rock wall at Strom or going to the beanbag room. However, I do like that because we spent so much time discussing things in class, I really got to know all of my classmates and understand all of the different views we have.

This blog has been really good for me in terms of integrating what we've talked about in class, but not so helpful in terms of reflecting on my first-year experience. Because that's the thing--being in college is an EXPERIENCE. I don't like talking about things that are going on in my life so much as I like living my life. It's just like my friend Ben always says, "Don't talk about it, be about it." I'd rather be about it than reflect on it.

The best part of this blog has been actually posting about things that I really believe in--vegetarianism, gay rights, music, fashion, and art. I feel like those things--the links I post, etc.--say more about me than just talking about what I think about my first-year experience. But now that I've done the work, I can let the fun begin!

Keep it classy and fabulous!
xoxo, Laura

Have yourself a very Gaga Christmas.

The newly-coronated Princess of Pop herself, Lady Gaga, has done her own version of a Christmas song, simply entitled "Christmas Tree". It is HILARIOUS--check it out here. WARNING: this song is rather sexually suggestive, so you might not want to listen to it if you are easily offended (or if you want to keep your Christmas memories sweet and innocent).

Keep it classy and fabulous!
xoxo, Laura

P.S. You can download the song FOR FREE at amazon.com. Merry Christmas, my loves.

Corduroy skirts are a sin.

Click here to find out why.

Stop drinking the Haterade and start spreading the love.
Equal rights for all!

Keep it classy and fabulous!
xoxo, Laura

Another song from another commercial.

So there's this awesome Clorox bleach commercial about a bathroom being a playground. The whole thing looks like a really cool painting or something. But what's best about the commercial is the song in the background--"Birthday Girl," by Andrew Rodriguez.

Isn't it amazing where you discover things?

Keep it classy and fabulous!
xoxo, Laura

Tofurkey day.

Hey everybody! I hope everybody had a wonderful Thanksgiving...mine was pretty good, I must say.

So we have a few traditions at my house for Thanksgiving. First and foremost, we always start the day off by watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade, eating Pillsbury cinnamon rolls (NOT Grands, just the normal ones), eggs, fruit, and bacon. We've been doing that my entire life. I can't remember a time when we didn't do that on Thanksgiving.

Secondly, my mother and I always make homemade applesauce. It's amazing. I don't remember when we started doing it, but it's been going on for a very long time. We only have it once a year, and it's the best applesauce you will ever eat in your entire life.

We have a few weird traditions, too...we only eat chicken on Thanksgiving, not turkey. That's only started in about the past 5 years, when everyone fessed up and admitted they hated turkey and that having it around the house for two weeks afterward was awful. But besides the chicken, we always have some sort of vegetarian option, because either me, my brother, or his girlfriend, Claire, is a vegetarian at Thanksgiving. (That started when I was about 13 or 14...we all just keep cycling through.) This year it was me and his girlfriend. Also, we always have cranberry sauce from a can, and it always has to retain its can-like shape. (Kind of gross, but also hilarious.) We always have an alternate pie besides pumpkin, because my mom is the only one who likes pumpkin pie. We generally have either my chocolate mousse pie or Claire's famous peanut butter pie. Oh, and we always watch A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving on ABC, and we absolutely do NOT do Black Friday shopping, unless it's online.

All of our traditions, except for the vegetarian and chicken thing, have been around for as long as I can remember. What's your family tradition?

Keep it classy and fabulous!
xoxo, Laura

OMG VINTAGE GAGA.

If you have any doubt as to whether or not Lady Gaga is a talented singer-songwriter, or if she can actually write music, or whatever, this should clear things up...it's a video of her performing in 2005. And it's incredible.

Keep it classy and fabulous!
xoxo, Laura

Really?!?!?

So, in case you haven't heard, Wall Street giants Goldman Sachs recently recieved a shipment of the H1N1/Swine Flu vaccine to give to their employees. Except guess what? They got it before schools and hospitals. Really keeping it classy, Goldman Sachs.
Naturally, the good people at Saturday Night Live thought it was important to call them out.
So all I have to say to the people at Goldman Sachs is...REALLY!?!

Keep it classy and fabulous!
xoxo, Laura

Every time I feel the spirit...

I grew up in a very church-oriented household. I was always at church for something--preschool, choir, art, basketball, youth group, regular church, Sunday School, accompanying my parents to meetings, and so on. I never really thought about my faith--it was just handed to me. I was a Christian, and that was the way it was. I never questioned it.
My freshman year, though, things started to change. My best friend died from neuroblastoma, an agressive form of leukemia. Then, my sophomore year, I was diagnosed with depression. In April of 2007, though, my dad died very suddenly from a massive stroke. It was the breaking point--it made me question everything I knew about God. If God was so good, why did he take my father away from me? Why did he take my best friend away from me? Why did he make me suffer every day with sadness and anger?
It didn't make sense. The people at my church tried to comfort me, but their "words of comfort" quickly became a veil for trying to find out gossip about what was going on with our family. I stopped going to my youth group because people were much too nosy, and for selfish reasons.
I've grown away from the intense Christian lifestyle I used to lead, which, in the South especially, I feel is a big no-no. (It doesn't help that I have very liberal views on things such as gay marriage, abortion, and the legalization of marijuana--talk about being the black sheep!) However, I do have faith that God exists, and I do still believe in doing good things for other people. I believe that it's important for your spirituality to live in a self-sacrificial manner. Do charity work. Care for others. I believe that it's not all about you--it has to be about other people, too. And don't do things for other people for your own selfish purposes, so that you can recieve the glory--do it because you can and it needs to be done. Do it humbly and with a joyful heart. I've been pleased that there have been so many ways for me to give here at USC and with my sorority. I try and give as much as I can in all the ways I can.

"You only get what you give away, so give away love."
--Sarah Bareilles

Keep it classy and fabulous!
xoxo, Laura

Relations.

I love making new friends.

I've made a ton of new friends here at USC. First and foremost, there's the girls in my sorority, Delta Zeta. They're all really awesome--everyone is so funny and fun to be around! A few DZ girls in particular have really made an impact--Blake, Sarah, Nicole, Brittany, and Daley, just to name a few.
I met Blake on Bid Day. We ended up hanging out a lot because of mutual friends, and now she's someone I hang out with a lot. She and I have a lot in common, and we have the same sense of humor and style. I'm actually going to the basketball game with her tonight!
Sarah is my Big Sister. Obviously, she's great! She really is the best big sister I could ask for--she's been like my big sister since the first time I met her. I can talk to her about anything.
Nicole was my Bid Day Buddy (sort of like a temporary big sister). We still talk all the time--she's like an older version of me.
I didn't meet Brittany and Daley until a little later in the semester, but I always have the best time with them! Daley is hilarious, and Brittany is my voice of reason when I get too crazy.
I've become close to several of the girls on my floor as well--Alexis and Stevie, my suitemates (Stevie is in U101 with me, so she has a blog, too), Natalie and Krystin, who are roomates (Natalie's a DZ), and Taylor, who's also a DZ. They're people I can go to about anything!
And, finally, there's also my boyfriend, Will. I started dating him a couple weeks into school. He's wonderful. Enough said. :)
Everyone who I've met here has helped me in different ways--everyone is so positive and wants me to succeed. But I feel like it goes both ways--I want everyone else to succeed, too.

Keep it classy and fabulous!
xoxo, Laura

Ode to T-Swizzle.

Taylor Swift is one of my faves. She is so talented, beautiful, and she's not afraid to speak her mind (read: call guys out in chart-topping songs). On top of that, she's HILARIOUS! Check out some of her best stuff:
T-Swizzle and T-Pain
Saturday Night Live Monologue
Kate Gosselin
Parents are Terrible Drivers.

Keep it classy and fabulous!
xoxo, Laura

MEET YOUR MEAT.

This is why we should all go vegetarian OR, even better, vegan. Animal cruelty should not be accepted in the meat and dairy industry. Write to your congressman about enforcing stricter policies regarding agriculture, and support PETA.

Warning: this video contains extremely shocking and gory images. Do not watch this if you are easily disturbed.

Peace out.

When I get done with college, I am leaving the US. I am moving the either Paris or London, and I am STAYING THERE.

So studying abroad is the perfect solution to sort of "practice" for being away. Obviously, I want to study in London and Paris, so that I can be in the fashion captals of the world. I'm planning on studying in Paris at the end of my senior year, and I want to spend a semester in London either my sophomore or junior year. If I'm able to, I want to spend a semester in Paris as well, just to get used to the area.

I only see a couple of barriers in terms of studying abroad. One, of course, is the money. It's going to take a lot of cash to get me over there. However, I've already started a fund for that, and there are grants and scholarships I can get. The other is choosing the right school. I don't want to end up at some BS design school. That would completely defeat the purpose of my being there, because it would help me exactly ZERO. I'm not worried about being away from home or what my family will think--I'm actually happiest when I'm somewhat out of my element, and my mother thinks studying abroad is an awesome idea.

So, in a few years (maybe even months!), I'll be peacing out of here.

Keep it classy and fabulous!
xoxo, Laura

Lend a Hand, Part 3.

So far, I've really enjoyed my time at Hand. My mentee, Alice, is really starting to open up to me. However, I'm not sure how to approach certain topics, particularly academic success. (She's already very involved with extracirricular activities.) In terms of academic success, I think the most important topics to cover with her are study skills and organization. It seems to me that her grades are a little bit hit-or-miss, which, to me, indicates a lack of study skills AND organization. Again, I'm not sure how to approach the subject with her, since she just starting to open up to me, and I don't want her to think that all I care about in terms of her is school. I don't want to be her parent, so to speak. However, I suppose questions like these might work:
1. Why do you like your favorite class (in her case, Language Arts and Social Studies)?
2. What's your favorite way to study?
3. What's the difference between when you get good grades and bad grades? (i.e., do you study differently, participate in class, etc.)
In terms of her involvement...
1. Do you want to keep playing music when you get older?
2. Do you want to keep doing art?
3. Can you sign up for chorus next year?

Anyways, that's all for now.

Keep it classy and fabulous!
xoxo, Laura

Peace, love, happiness, and a balanced diet.

Life is all about balance--but I believe that you should balance things in your own way.

For instance, I'm not the kind of person who can spend all of my time studying, but I also can't goof around all the time. I can't spend a ton of time with my friends, but I can't be without them for long stretches of time, either. The biggest thing is that I have to be going constantly. I can't "stop and smell the roses." That drives me insane.

So far, I feel like I'm leading a pretty balanced life at college. First and foremost, my diet has certainly become much more balance. I eat a lot more fruits and vegetables, and I almost never eat pizza and other junk foods. I'm making straight A's in all of my classes as well as spending time with my friends and going out a couple nights a week. I've been able to do extracirriculars, too--I'm very involved in fashion board and Delta Zeta. I don't always excercise at the gym, but I do walk most places--I ususally spend an hour or more walking every day.

The only thing that's not very balanced is the amount of sleep I get. I don't always get enough, that's for sure. Red Bull has become my best friend because of my lack of sleep. However, the way I see it, it will all pay off in the end.

Keep it classy and fabulous!
xoxo, Laura

A 6th grader beat me at checkers...twice.

So far, I've only had two mentoring sessions with my mentee. The first session was just kind of getting to know her, learning names, etc. This second session (the one that just ended less than an hour ago) was the first "real" session so to speak.

Today, we just sat and played checkers in near-silence. It seems to me that Alice just needs someone to hang out with. She's a very motivated young woman--she wants to get and stay organized, and she wants to make good grades. She's taking steps to make that happen. What's nteresting to me is that she seems to be able to force herself to do the work that she doesn't particularly enjoy, like math. She told me multiple times last session that she doesn't like math, but today she told me that she thinks she did well on her math test! The arts seem to be more her thing though--at school, she's involved in art classes and orchestra. Several of her drawings were displayed on the walls at school.

The only thing I think I need as a mentor is a list of discussion questions...I never really know what to talk about!! She's a very sweet girl, but it's hard to get her talking.

Keep it classy and fabulous!
xoxo, Laura

You know that I could use somebody...

Recently, "Use Somebody" by Kings of Leon has become one of my favorite songs. I love the raw power and angst of the song, and the lyrics are beautiful. They sound more like a poem than a song. Obviously, I love the original version of the song, but I've also heard several covers that are AWESOME. Margaret Durante's version is pretty good, but I much prefer the versions by Pixie Lott and Laura Jansen.

Each voice gives the song a different tone--the original version by Kings of Leon has a wonderful roughness to it, as does Pixie Lott's version (though hers is slower and a bit softer). I'm not sure if I like how "pop country" Margaret Durante's version is--the song seems to lose a lot of the angst and pain that make it good in the first place. Laura Jansen's version is the best of the females--it retains the pain and power of the original version while still making the song soft and smooth.

Listen to all of them and let me know what you think!!

Keep it classy and fabulous!
xoxo, Laura

Life is no good without a little spice.

I'm a firm believer in learning about other cultures. I believe it makes us question our own world view and makes us better people. Which is why I'm a huge fan of diversity.

Prior to coming to Carolina, I thought of diversity on more of a world scale--I thought of "diversity" in terms of countries--Japanese people, Chinese people, Hispanic people...it wasn't really I saw in my own backyard. Since coming here, I see it more and more in my everyday life--people can be diverse in terms of their talents and interests, not just the color of their skin or what holidays they celebrate.

Take, for instance, the girls in my sorority. Outwardly, I suppose, we look similar. However, once you get to know everyone, you know that we're all different--some of us like Twilight, others like to read case studies. Some are pre-med, some are pre-law, and some are fashion. Some people are better leaders and some are better followers. Some eat only salad and others eat like 15-year old boys. Some are athletic, some are artsy.

I see it in terms of the other students here on campus, too--there are Greeks, non-Greeks, those who are involved and those who are not, the introverts and the extroverts, the northerners and southerners, the haves and have-nots.

I haven't really been at Hand Middle long enough to see how diverse the school really is, but these are my observations so far: my mentee, let's call her Alice, is hispanic. She's certainly not the only Hispanic child there--there are white children and African-American children as well. It's a very well-balanced school in terms of ethnicity. In addition, Alice has a talent for the arts, not so much for math and science (very similar to me). Other kids at the school are more athletic, while some are more academically-oriented.

Basically, diversity is not just about the color of your skin--it's about who you are and the way you live. Where do you see diversity in your life?

Keep it classy and fabulous!
xoxo, Laura

The original is always better.

I've loved indie music since I was a freshman in high school, and one of my favorite indie songs (well, indie when I first heard it) is "The Mixed Tape" by Jack's Mannequin.

It is an absolutely beautiful song, and, initially, it had an awesome animated music video, which I felt captured to essence of the song perfectly. However, the music video was soon replaced with a live-action version not nearly as good as the first.

This evening, thanks to the miracle of YouTube, I found the original animated version. And it was just as epic as I remembered.

Enjoy. :)

Keep it classy and fabulous!
xoxo, Laura

In need of a change.

I hate structure. I really do. The structure I need is a lack of structure. When things get too structured or boring, I have to change it up.

Usually I do that via my hair.

It's dark now, but it's lightening up again (thanks to months of bleaching it beyond belief). I need a change. I was thinking dark blonde (like Jennifer Aniston), or even light brown with blonde highlights (like Mischa Barton when she was on The O.C.), and maybe some bangs. (The bangs are a big maybe).

Option 1...
Option 2...

Let me know!
xoxo, Laura

The big picture.

I've said it more than once--fashion is my life.

Thus, it only made sense for me to come to Carolina and major and fashion merchandising (if you want to get technical, my major is actually retailing with an emphasis in fashion merchandising). My family was very supportive--they know I'm good at what I do--but other people don't really get it. They say to me, "Fashion merchandising? What kind of major is that? What are you going to do with the rest of your life? SHOP?"

In a word, yes. Sort of.

Throughout my undergrad years, I want to study abroad in London and Paris. I would also like to do something in Los Angeles and New York. For my major, we actually have to do an intership one semester--I'm planning on doing mine in Paris and simultaneously studying at the Paris Fashion Institute. Hopefully that will be the second time that I will be working there!

Once I graduate, I want to work for a big designer like Chanel, Diane von Furstenberg, or Yves Saint Laurent. I would like to work in styling and public relations. Another option is styling for a magazine like Elle, Vogue, or W. A third option is becoming a buyer for a large department store such as Neiman Marcus or Bergdorf Goodman. No matter how it all works out, I'm sure I will be very happy--as long as I'm in fashion, I'm good!

Even if money and education weren't factors, this is what I would want to be doing. It's not a glamorous lifestyle--there's long hours, endless travel, and an exhausting amount of work involved. It's not like what you see on TV on shows like The Hills and The City. The thing is, though, when I think about working in such an intense environment, I get excited. I WANT to work those long hours, I WANT to live out of a suitcase, and I WANT to feel like I'm going to drop dead at any moment from exhaustion. I want to run on coffee and red bull and fruit salad, deal with jet lag, and work until 2 AM...it sounds crazy, but it really is my dream. For me, working in fashion is not an option--it is something that is GOING to happen.

What's your dream?

Keep it classy and fabulous!
xoxo, Laura

Gaga for gay rights!!!

This is reason 212 why I love Lady Gaga. She is such a strong, powerful woman, and she always stands up for what she believes in.

Click here to watch Lady Gaga at the National Equality March Rally, held yesterday (10/11) in Washingston, D.C.

Keep it classy and fabulous!
xoxo, Laura

I brushed my teeth in a creek.

I survived the woods! No cell phone, no makeup, no bathroom. Click here to see pictures and some commentary about the trip!

Keep it classy and fabulous!
xoxo, Laura

The semester thus far.

So far, I've had quite the journey.
I've come what I came here to do--I'm making a 4.0, I've made a ton of new friends, I'm now a member of Delta Zeta and Fashion Board, and I've adopted a healthier lifestyle.
I've made a ton of new friends here--in particular, Jordan (my roomate), Natalie, Krystin, and Lauren. Of course, there are a LOT of others! Those are just the four that stand out in my mind the most.
My sorority sisters are fabulous--everyone is so down-to-earth and easy to get along with. I immediately felt accepted. We have, arguably, the most diverse sorority on campus--we have girls from the North, the South, blondes, brunettes, redheads, tall girls, short girls, and every major you can think of, from pre-med to neurological science to public relations to fashion merchandising. We all love to have fun though, and we all love each other!
I haven't really had any negative experiences (except the E-Z DZ thing, obviously--see "an open letter), and the ones that have been slightly negative have turned out to be positive things or just a good story to tell people!
The one thing I really want to focus on going into the second half of the semester is being more regimented about going to the gym and eating healthy. I've made a promise to myself that I will go four times a week (not hard--Sunday-Wednesday night), and that I will take a least one pilates class and yoga class a week. I also would like to focus on completely cutting out junk food. I'm already doing a pretty good job at that--I don't drink regular soda, and I only eat one small dessert a day. I think leading a balanced lifestyle like that helps out not just your body, but your mind and emotional well-being as well.
Well, guess we're headed into the second half of the semester...here we go!

Keep it classy and fabulous!
xoxo, Laura

P.S. Keep an eye out for my "personal challege" post...I'm going camping. In a tent. In the woods. With bugs. And dirt. I'm sure it shall prove to be quite interesting.

"Service Learning" is a redundant phrase.

I think the phrase "service learning" is redundant.

When you serve other people, you learn more than you could ever realize. You learn how good you have it, how blind you've been to the problems of the world, and how selfish you are some days.
Understand, though, that service is not just giving your money. It's about giving your time. My dad was huge on serving other people--he basically made it his life. Our family was fairly affluent, and he told me that the reason God had given our family so much was so that we could give it to other people who needed it a lot more than we did. He also said, though, that our money was worthless if we didn't give our time to other people as well. He gave his time and himself as often as he could--helping out with Salkehatchie (see one of my older posts), working in Haiti, Honduras, Mississippi, North Carolina, or anywhere else he could.
When you give your time to other people, when you give your whole self, you can't help but learn. Even if you aren't necessarily learning about a specific issue, you are learning about other poeple, and their situation, and how they view life.

And that is why "service learning" is a redundant phrase.

Keep it classy and fabulous!
xoxo, Laura

NEW OBSESSION.

I found this website on a sidebar at PerezHilton.com. I clicked on it out of curiosity, and now...
my life is complete.

Click here to find out what it is.

Keep it classy and fabulous!
xoxo, Laura

An open letter to the jerk who messed up my DZ sign.

So today, someone decided it would be funny to write "E-Z" on the Delta Zeta turtle on my door. So I decided to write an e-mail to everyone in my dorm:

Capstone Scholars:
There have been multiple cases of vandalism to sorority signs throughout Capstone. Vulgar messages such as "____ sucks cock," "E-Z DZ," etc., have been written on these signs. To remind everyone, vandalism/destruction of someone else's property is ABSOLUTELY UNACCEPTABLE under University Policy. In addition, messages such as this perpetuate negative stereotypes of not only sororities, but Greek Life as a whole. Also, when you destroy a sign bearing the letters of a sorority or fraternity, you are not insulting one person--you are insulting an entire organization, which amounts to hundreds of people here on the USC campus.
The vandalism to these signs has absolutely got to stop. It is disrespectful and extremely hurtful. As Carolinians and Capstone scholars, we are expected to hold ourselves to a higher standard. Thus, this kind of behavior is unacceptable and unbecoming to anyone at USC and in the Capstone program. So whoever you are, STOP.

Sincerely,
Laura Dixon

Safetay.

Everyone has been bombarded with all sorts of safety advice their entire life.

Look both ways before you cross the street. Don't talk to strangers. Wear a helmet. You get the picture.

Yes, safety is important, but when you're in college, personal safety is more important than ever. You're out more, you're on your own, you're by yourself, and you have to think about keeping yourself safe a lot more. Those of us who go to USC have to be doubly aware because of the fact that we all live in the city, where crime is more prevalent. Us women who go to USC have to be even more aware.

When we attended the safety presentation on Wednesday, I was please to see how many things USC had implemented to keep all of its students safe. Things like emergency call boxes and multiple escort services are just the tip of the iceberg. Students can keep their things safe by registering their bikes and expensive personal belongings such as computers, iPods, and cell phones with the police department. That way, if it's ever stolen, the police can get it back much more easily. (By the way, I am definitely doing that.)

Honestly, while I found the presentation to be informative, I'm already doing a lot of things to protect myself, like keeping the phone numbers for campus police and the DUCK escort service in my cell phone. In addition, I don't go anywhere alone at night, and I make sure I lock my door.

I hope all of you are being safe!

Keep it classy and fabulous!
xoxo, Laura

We don't do fashion. We are fashion.

Fashion is my life.

I live it, breathe it, eat it. I think about fashion every second of every day. Even when I have a "bum day" (and those are rare), I'm still conscious of my fashion choices. Fashion, to me, is everything.

Naturally, Fashion Board was the perfect club for me. I was so excited when I got that yellow application on my first day. I immediately filled it out.

When I attended my first Fashion Board meeting, I was so intimidated. There's almost 150 people on Fashion Board, and all of them are...well...fashionable. But moreso than anyone would expect. It's like taking the 150 best-dressed people at USC and sticking them in a room together. And then, the be-all end-all of fashionista divas stands up--his name is Marquis Bias, and he is (as far as I can tell), the only male on fashion board. He makes all of us girls look like frumps. I've never met anyone more fabulous in my entire life. Naturally, I was (and still am) intimidated by him.

When I tell people that I'm on Fashion Board, they don't get it. They're like, "What do you even do? Sit around and talk about Project Runway?" In a word, no. We do all sorts of things--we host USC Fashion Week in the spring, we help out with fashion shows, we have speakers come in and talk to us about how the fashion industry really is, we have sewing classes, we host style workshops, and we do community service.

Today we had our first event--Lee Denim Day Jean Drive. We raised a ton of money for breast cancer research by selling baked goods on Greene Street and at the Coliseum. We also collected clothing to give to foster children. It was a lot of fun, and it was all for a good cause.

Fashion board is definitely something I will continue doing throughout college--after all, as our motto says, I don't do fashion. I AM fashion!

Keep it classy and fabulous!
xoxo, Laura

This one is for Steven.

This is such a fabulous song...
"River Flows in You," by Yiruma

Keep it classy and fabulous!
xoxo, Laura

Current Obsessions 2.

They say the sequel is never as good as the first, but you guys be the judge. Here's some more current obsessions:

1. Season 2 of "The City," premiering Tuesday, September 29, at 10:30 PM on MTV. The vicious fashion industry rears its ugly head. Better sharpen your claws, Whit...

2. The new Harry Potter theme park, opening at Universal Studios' Islands of Adventure in Orlando, Florida in Spring 2010. New details have just been released, and it looks AWESOME!!

3. The artwork of Marilyn Minter. Her use of light, color, and the juxtapositioning of dirty and clean (in both the literal and figurative sense) is AMAZING.

4. Super-bright nail polish. Who says fall colors have to be dark?


Keep it classy and fabulous!
xoxo, Laura

Current Obsessions.

So I tried to post something really fabulous for everyone a couple days ago, but my internet freaked out and no one got to see it! Since I have to get ready to go to Hilton Head and really want you guys to watch some of the videos, etc., here's the basics: I'm obsessed with a lot of random stuff, and right now I have some obsessions that I want to share with all of you. (Click on the hyperlinks to hear songs and watch videos.)

1. Lady Gaga, Lady Gaga, Lady Gaga. The woman is a genius.

2. Peace. (Watch between 3:23-4:13 to hear my views on world peace and see me as a blonde.)

3. The Dawn Dishsoap commercial, and the song in it. (That little duck at the end is so cute!)

4. "Drip" by Charlotte Martin, and Upstate Carolina Dance Center's performance of it, choreographed by the wonderful Chad McCall, who I have had the privilege of working with.

5. "Chillin" by Wale ft. Lady Gaga. An awesome song.

6. Season 6 of "The Hills," premiering September 29th. I love "The Hills"! I can't wait for it to be back on again! Though I will definitely miss Lauren... :(

7. The What I Wore blog. Jessica Schroeder is my hero.

Well, have fun, gentle readers! I'm off to Hilton Head!

Keep it classy and fabulous!
xoxo, Laura

Let's have a chat.

High school and college are two completely different animals.

In high school, it was cool to be bored with the world. You slept in class, complained about going to classes (even if you liked them), rolled your eyes at administrators walking by--you get the picture.

Here in college, things are completely different. Gamecock fans are like rabid, crazed creatures (I'm allowed to say that because I am definitely one of them). Yes, people sometimes skip class, but making a 4.0 makes people worship you. People pay to have lunch with the president. Your professors want to meet you.

As a student, however, I was more than a little intimidated about introducing myself to one of my professors. For that reason, I chose the least intimidating of the bunch--my fashion merchandsing professor, Dr. Sally Hook Boggs. I figured going to her office and talking about what I talk about every day (fashion) was the best way to get my feet wet, so to speak.

So, after my fashion class last Thursday, I went to her office. She wasn't there yet (she was getting breakfast, I assume, or packing her things), so I sat down in a chair outside of her office and nervously flipped through the latest issue of Vogue, which was sitting on a table next to the chair I was in. Unable to concentrate on any of the articles, I simply looked at the editorial spreads.

After about ten minutes, she showed up. Fortunately, another girl was there simply to turn in some things for Fashion Board, so Dr. Boggs was settled when I walked into her office. She invited me to sit down, and asked what she could do for me.

I introduced myself, and I simply said that I wanted to come by and tell her who I was. She asked where I sat in the class and how I was liking Fashion Board. This small introduction quickly turned into a full-blown conversation, talking about everything from studying abroad, what I wanted to do with my degree, and talking about my favorite boutique in 5 Points. I was surprised to learn how much alike we were and how much she was willing to help me!

To anyone else who is planning on meeting their professor, I would tell them to not be nervous. Professors do actually want to meet you and help you! Meeting with Dr. Boggs was definitely a great experience, and I am so glad I did it!

Keep it classy and fabulous!
xoxo, Laura

Lend a Hand, Part 2.

Middle school has a certain scent to it.

I can't really describe it--but walk into any middle school and you will immediately understand what I'm saying. Middle schools have this scent of cold air and paint and I don't know what else. Whatever that scent is, it takes you back.

Hand Middle School smells like that. When I walked in, I felt like I was 13 again. I felt like I should have braces and glasses and that I should be wearing capri pants and platform sandals and an Aeropostale t-shirt with a monkey on it. What made it even more like middle school was all of the artwork on the walls (I went to an arts middle school). It was almost intimidating, walking into that situation again.

What's more intimidating, though, is the thought of mentoring a girl who is as awkward as I was back then. It's exciting, yes, but it's still kind of scary. What if she doesn't like me? What if I don't like her? There are a million things that could go wrong.

But, as my boyfriend says, there are also a million things that could go right. She and I could really hit it off, and maybe I could really make an impact. I honestly don't care if I personally get anything out of this experience (though I'm sure I will)--I just want my mentee to get something out of it. I want them to be able to trust me and be able to see me as a friend, a sister, or anything else they need.

And so the journey begins...

Keep it classy and fabulous!
xoxo, Laura!

Lend a Hand.

Now that I've vented about that stupid LASSI test, I can concentrate on more important things...helping out the community.

For this class, we have to go and mentor 6th graders at Hand Middle School. We're just supposed to talk to them, be their friend, and guide them in the right direction, without telling them what to do.

Honestly, I'm really excited about this. My only concern is that my student won't like me. If my 6th grade self met myself today, I don't know that I would like me. This is probably how our conversation would go:

College Laura: Hey! My name is Laura, and I'm just here to hang out with you!
6th Grade Laura: Why are you so perky?
College Laura: I'm just having a great day!
6th Grade Laura: What's so great about it? There's all these annoying people everywhere.
CL: Oh, I'm sure some of them are nice! You must have some friends!
6thGL:Well, yeah...like 6.
CL: Oh...well, you all must be really close!
6thGL: Yeah, I guess. Hey, what's your major?
CL: Fashion merchandising.
6thGL: So like, you'd pay more than $15 for a t-shirt?
CL: Of course!
6thGL: And let me guess...you straighten your hair every day?
CL: Well, yes...
6thGL: And you probably wear Rainbows.
CL: Yes...haha, what's your point?
6thGL: You are so shallow.
CL: Oh...um...*awkward silence*

I remember what it was like to be in middle school. I can remember feeling judged every day and hating the pale skin, frizzy hair, braces, and glasses that I saw in the mirror. Middle school is rough.

My biggest hope for this experience is that I can help a student not feel so alone during this time, and maybe help them find a little bit of themselves in the process. Maybe they'll learn not to judge people. Maybe they'll learn to let their defenses down. Or maybe they'll just see me as a cool older sister. That sounds cheesy, I know, but that's what I would have wanted back then--someone other than my parents to guide me through those dark days.

Also, maybe someone who would have told me that putting feathers in my pigtails wasn't a good look.

Keep it classy and fabulous!
xoxo, Laura

LASSI, not the dog.

If there is one thing I love doing, it's surveys and quizzes.

They can be about anything--"What's your learning style?"
"How was your experience at McDonald's?"
"What Disney Princess are you?"
"What's your actual age?"
You get the idea.

So, because of my penchant for taking quizzes and surveys, I was actually somewhat excited to take the LASSI. The LASSI is a self-survey that rates your study skills, motivation, and various other aspects of your personality. Supposedly, it's a good predictor of how well you will do in college.

After 80 questions regarding how much I enjoy self-testing, taking notes, and staying awake in class, I recieved my results.

And they were complete BS.

I agreed with some of what they said...The test said I was motivated and had a good attitude about school. Those things are true. School is my number one priority--it's why I'm here, after all. It also praised me on my "Information Processing Skills" (my brain works, WOW, good job), my "Concentration" (that year of behavioral therapy paid off), oh, and we musn't forget--I am excellent at "Selecting Main Ideas." (I should certainly hope so. I've been selecting main ideas since what, 1st grade?)

But the rest of the test said that I needed to work on my study skills and time management. I completely disagree. I do not need to write my own tests or make flashcards to learn material. I simply go to class, read my notes, and do the assignments. That's what works for me. And as for time management, my schedule changes every day. I can't set out a "block of time every week" to study. Between ballroom, fashion board, and DZ, I'm always doing something different.

According to the LASSI, I should have flunked everything already. But guess what? I have a 4.0.

Stick that in your juice box and suck it, LASSI.

Keep it classy and fabulous!

xoxo, Laura

Salke-what? (and various other involvement adventures)

The summer I was 14, I was kidnapped, held against my will, and taken to Piedmont, South Carolina where I was forced to do hard labor for a week.

I loved every minute of it.

It sounds strange, I know, but that summer was the first year that I participated in Salkehatchie Summer Service, a service camp done in South Carolina with the United Methodist Church. Teenagers and young adults go to a town in South Carolina (there are 40 locations across the state) and work on houses in need of repair for a week. The goal is to make the houses safe, warm, and dry, but honestly, there's so much more to it than that.

You get so much more out of the experience than you could ever possibly put into it. You put in blood, sweat, and sometimes tears, but more often smiles. The experience really is indescribable. You start with this old, run-down house that isn't safe or warm or dry. Often times, the homeowners have been praying for years for someone to help them, because they can't pay for repairs themselves. You look at it and think, "How on earth are ten teenagers with no experience going to fix this house in five days?" Yet, in five days, you somehow manage to fix the foundation, put on a new roof, put siding on, paint, and anything else you can think of. After a couple of years, my friends and I started to referring to it as "The Salkehatchie Miracle." (We say that it's like Christmas, only better.)

After my first year, I kept going back. This past summer was my 5th year participating. I kept going back for the people, the experience, and everything about it. The years have just started to feel like time between Salkehatchies. I'm planning on sticking with Salkehatchie until the day I die.

Here's the house we worked on this year (before we started). It doesn't look that bad in the pictures, but the roof was caving in, the foundation was sagging, and the porch had to be completely re-screened and painted. In addition, there was a shed in the back of the house that collapsed and had to be cleared away. And here's the house after we finished!

So much better, yes? The only bad part of this year was that I sprained my ankle on Wednesday, so I had to stay on the ground the rest of the week. I found ways to help, though. I painted, cut roofcaps, etc. And it made for a good story. :)

Salkehatchie isn't the only service I'm passionate about, though. Leukemia research and stroke research are two causes that are very close to my heart. In 2005, my best friend Michael died from neuroblastoma, an extremely aggressive form of leukemia. Because of this, I dedicated my 16th birthday to Michael by having everyone donate money to neuroblastoma research instead of giving me gifts. In addition, one of the main reasons I joined my sorority, Delta Zeta, is because our chapter at USC has a local philanthropy project called Sweet Caroline, during which our chapter holds a huge blood and bone marrow drive. Last year they were able to add over 1,000 people to the National Bone Marrow Registry. In 2007, my father died from a massive stroke, which, as I found out later, is a fairly preventable disease, yet also one of the most devastating. Educating people about stroke and leukemia and doing things to help out are definitely things that are important to me, and I do everything I can to make a difference.

"You must be the change you wish to see in the world."

--Ghandi

Keep it classy and fabulous!

xoxo, Laura

P.S. Click here to learn more about Salkehatchie Summer Service as a whole, and click here to learn about Piedmont Salkehatchie and see more pictures from Piedmont Salkehatchie 2009.

P.P.S. Click here to learn more about the American Stroke Association, here to read about neuroblastoma, and here to learn more about the Sweet Caroline Blood and Bone Marrow Drive.

Messy in a clean way.

My mother is an organization freak.

She's had a subscription to DayTimer since 1983. Almost every document that has passed through her hands since 1996 is filed away neatly in cabinets, accordian folders, and binders. Every thought she has ever had about a party or thank-you notes or shopping has been written down in a notebook or an a legal pad. Our dinner schedule for the week is done on an Excel spreadsheet.

I, on the other hand, couldn't really care less about organization.

Since coming to Carolina, though, I've had a lot more to think about. I have sorority bills to pay, social events to attend, and, of course, I have to work in time to study, complete assignments, hang out with friends, and go to the gym. With all of these things to keep up with, I've found myself constantly writing in my planner, making sure that I have time to do everything, and, if I don't have time, I have to figure out what can be cut out. With all of this stuff going on, my calendar has become my best friend.

I've also organized all of my school-related stuff. I have two binders--one for Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and one for Tuesday and Thursday. I've been three-hole punching all of my handouts and worksheets so that all of my classes stay seperate. I can always find everything I need for all of my classes.

As far as my dorm room goes, my roomate and I are probably some of the neatest people on the floor. We have a place for everything and everything stays in its place. The only "catch-all" spot we have in the room is the bookcase (which holds no books, except on top). Our bookcase has everything--my shower stuff, cups, koozies, food, the microwave and coffee maker, dirty dishes, and my DVD collection (my roomate's DVDs are above her bed).

It hasn't been hard to stay organized at all. It's all just come very naturally with coming to college and being on my own. I guess I'm more like my mom than I thought!

Keep it classy and fabulous!
xoxo, Laura

Get involved.

On move-in day, my brother offered up several bits of wisdom:
"Interested is interesting."
"Go to class."
"Go to the gym."
"Take lots of pictures."
And, of course, his personal favorite--"All men want sex." (He says this is one thing I should always remember.)

But he also told me that I should get involved. Naturally, I wanted to be in a sorority, so I rushed, and I pledged Delta Zeta. But, as any one of my friends will tell you, I cannot be in just one organization, because I have far too many interests--I love dance, fashion, art, music, acting, and musical theater, and I often get excited about random things. So, on Wednesday, I went to the Student Organization Fair on Greene Street.

There were a few organizations I already knew I was interested in--The Gay-Straight Alliance, Carolina Ballroom, Fashion Board, and the Flying Gamecock Skydiving Club. This would be enough to fill up anyone's plate, but, being me, I wanted to see everything. I couldn't believe how many clubs and organizations there were! Bellydancing Club, Ultimate Frisbee Club, and even a Church of the Flying Spaghetti Club! It was absolutely insane. I went to most of the tables (which seemed to irritate my roomate a little bit), and all of the people were so passionate about their organizations that it blew me away.

I don't even know how many e-mail lists I put my name on. The only tables I avoided at all costs were the ones for various intramural sports (I hate sports). Oh, and the Outdoor Club (I'm allergic to grass). However, I think I'll be sticking with my original choices for clubs, plus I'll probably be doing the National Student Exchange.

I'm excited to be getting involved here at USC. What are you going to be involved in? Let me know!

Keep it classy and fabulous!
xoxo, Laura

Being a Carolinian means more than wearing garnet and black.

I was raised in Summerville, South Carolina, a town about 25 minutes away from Charleston. It's a place revered for its good schools, its football team (Summerville Greenwave!), and its "small-town charm."

I hate small towns, and I don't think they're charming.

Needless to say, I was pretty miserable most of the time in Summerville. I found things to do, of course, but I never really felt like I belonged there. My dreams were so big that I knew I could never stay there.

When I first started looking at schools, I considered places far, far away from Summerville, and far away from South Carolina. I looked at UCLA, NYU, and even Tulane. I wanted to live a fast-paced life, and I didn't think I could have that in my home state.

Shortly thereafter, though, my mother told me that I had to go to college in-state so that I could get in-state tuition. Frustrated, I settled on College of Charleston as my top choice. It sounds counterintuitive, I know, especially since I wanted more than anything to be far away from Charleston. It made sense in my mind, though, because not only would my (now ex-) boyfriend be attending there in the fall, but I could get a solid degree in International Business. Plus, Charleston has a great music, art, and fashion scene, which I love. College of Charleston was the place for me...or so I thought.

What I didn't consider in my plan was my brother, Dan. Dan graduated from USC in 2003, and he wasn't exactly happy with my not even considering Carolina. (Neither was his girlfriend, Claire.) Finally, just to get both of them off my back, I went on a tour of Carolina during October of my senior year.

I tried to hate it here. I wanted to prove my brother wrong--I wanted to show him that I knew what was best for me, and that he couldn't sway my decision. So I tried to find everything wrong with this place. By the end of the tour, though, I wanted to go here. Everything about it seemed right for me--it was far from home, but close enough for me to go home if I wanted to; there was an AMAZING fashion merchandising program; the campus was even prettier than C of C's, and, best of all, it was right in the middle of the state capital, which meant city living all the way.

When I first came here, I expected USC to be fun, but not THIS fun! USC has far exceeded my expectations in every way possible. Most of my classes are small, and the teachers are amazing--they're all knowledgeable and passionate about the subjects that they teach. The workload is easily manageable, and rushing for my sorority was the best experience of my life! I feel like USC is my home, and for the first time in my life, I feel like I'm where I'm supposed to be.

Being at Carolina is more than football and greek life, though. Check out the Carolinian Creed:

The community of scholars at the University of South Carolina is dedicated to personal and academic excellence.
Choosing to join the community obligates each member to a code of civilized behavior.
As a Carolinian....
I will practice personal and academic integrity;
I will respect the dignity of all persons;
I will respect the rights and property of others;
I will discourage bigotry, while striving to learn from differences in people, ideas, and opinions;
I will demonstrate concern for others, their feelings, and their need for conditions which support their work and development.
Allegiance to these ideals requires each Carolinian to refrain from and discourage behaviors which threaten the freedom and respect every individual deserves.

Being at Carolina is about more than cheering for the Gamecocks and wearing garnet and black to show your school spirit. It's about more than making good grades and trying to get your degree. Being a Carolinian means striving for personal excellence in all areas of your life. It means learning from other people by keeping an open mind and respecting the differences of all people. If we do that, and we expect the same from those around us, we can make the world a much better place to live in.

Keep it classy and fabulous!
xoxo, Laura

Welcome to my new blog!

Hello!

Welcome to my new blog, Classy and Fabulous at Carolina! This blog is for my University 101 class at the University of South Carolina, but I will probably be posting other things for you as well. This blog is named in honor of the late, great Coco Chanel, who was quoted as saying "A woman should be two things--classy and fabulous."

This blog will only run until December (unless you, the readers, request otherwise), because U101 is only a semester-long class. However, you'll be joining me on what is the biggest adventure of my life so far--my freshman year at the University of South Carolina.

Enjoy the ride!