As published on BridalGuide.com

Check out all of these products! We dumped everything we had on this table so we could see what we had to work with. It was pretty crazy trying to figure out where everything went when we had to pack it back up—talk about bar tools galore!

Aimée attempted to make lemon peel curls for the edge of a martini glass in the opening shot. Despite her years of bartending experience in college, she was not too successful. Luckily, our photographer Alex figured out how to do it and curled the peel just right!

Our awesome photographer Alex checked how the pictures were coming out throughout the day on her computers. It was super cool to see whether products photographed well or if they needed to be moved around in the frame.

What a day…Get me a drink! Monica jokingly handed me the sour apple martini after we photographed it. She took a picture of me pretending to start Happy Hour early! Too bad we had only just finished the first shot of the day…

Packing and unpacking, packing and unpacking. Lots of the bar tools were really fragile so we had to be extra careful when packing them into the boxes. We had packing peanuts everywhere! I think I’m still finding them in my purse two weeks later.

I loved the way Alex used natural light in her photographs. We set up the products next to a window in her studio. The sun created a really beautiful tone in each shot, but also a pretty picture here—with Alex’s camera silhouetted against the light.

This picture in particular was quite difficult. We were trying to feature two sets of bar tools, but also trying not to have the frame be too crowded. We kept taking things out, putting them back in, rearranging. You’ll see in the magazine that we didn’t end up keeping nearly as many of these items in the shot.

…And we’re done! Overall the shoot went really well and we were surprised with how easily we got everything done (unpacked, set up, photographed, repacked, etc.). It was finally the end of the day, and time to start thinking about our next photo shoot, which was going to be in…3 days! Uh-oh…

http://www.bridalguide.com/community/blogs/welcome-home/tool-time-1/

As published on MySouthMain.com

HARRISONBURG–Va. Just last fall, JMU students were camping out overnight on the grounds of the SunChase off-campus apartment complex just to be among the first in line to sign one of their coveted leases. Other students would sign leases a year in advance because off campus housing was so scarce.

This year, it’s the housing complexes who are scrambling to sign leases as students choose from the more posh accommodations in a dozen just completed properties. Now SunChase’s website offers one month’s free rent to anyone who signs a lease for 2009-2010 by April 30th. In addition, they are deferring security deposits and giving $100 gift cards to those who sign leases online.

When it comes to housing, the tables have turned for JMU students, who have gone from desperate to discriminating. Rental properties are practically throwing themselves at students, giving away everything from TVs and iPods to cold hard cash.

“Students have more options now,” said Tracey Hasley, Property Manager of Ashby Crossing. “Things have definitely slowed up because of it.” Ashby currently has 50% of their 1152 bedrooms filled, though last year at this time they were at 90% capacity.

In order to lure some students, The Commons is offering $300 cash back when you sign a lease, while Southview and Stonegate are both giving away $25 gift cards just for touring their complexes.

“All properties are offering different things to get students to come see their units,” said Hasley. For Ashby, the special deals change weekly. This week the deal could be waived admin fees, while next week it could be lower renewal rates for current residents. “With the economy, people are looking for the best bang for their buck,” said Hasley.

The new options for student include several new apartment and townhouse complexes: Charlestown Townes, Campus View and Copper Beech, all close to Harrisonburg’s Valley Mall; North 38, off of Route 33 West; The Overlook at Stone Spring, off of South Main Street; and The Residences at 865 East, at the top of Port Republic Road. Virtually all of them have nicer, more luxurious features than most of the older complexes. The new apartments and townhouses have hardwood floors instead of vinyl tile, leather couches, and flat-screen TVs.  In fact, Harrisonburg seems to be on steroids lately, with new construction popping up on every corner.

This construction boom appears to be owed in part to JMU’s 2007 announcement that it planned to increase student enrollment by 4,000 over the next six years. Even the university is opening a new 421-bed residence hall for fall 2009.

Copper Beech’s Assistant Lease Manager Bern Stone said they bring in students with their sense of privacy and amount of amenities. “Quality student housing is very important,” he said. “Copper Beech has that fresh and new element. It’s not something people have been living in over and over for multiple years.”

In addition to their unusually spacious townhouses, Copper Beech has a 24-hour gym, luxury pool, and a game room that stays open until midnight every day

Junior Caitlin Merritt, who will move from one of the older apartments into a new Copper Beech townhouse in the fall, is excited. “It’s going to be much cleaner,” she said. “I also wanted a quieter and more secluded environment.”

Her roommate Andrea Virden will move into 865 East in the fall because she wanted more upscale accommodations for her last year at JMU. “They’re going to have all new appliances, which is great because I cook all the time,” Virden said. “865 seems like it’s going to be so luxurious.”

Although Pheasant Run hasn’t suffered as much as other complexes, Property Manager Leslie Falconi she says she’s concerned about the future. “You never know what’s going to happen from one year to the next.”

http://mysouthmain.com/?p=871

As published on GirlsLife.com

You and your friends are trying to get your Halloween plans together. Sick of the same ol’ trick-or-treating? Or starting to feel too old to go door-to-door collecting candy? There are definitely alternatives. Check some of these out!

COSTUME PAGENT!

Have all of your friends get together in their Halloween costumes. Then vote and give out awards for the goofiest, scariest, prettiest costumes, etc.

TRICK-OR-TREAT FOR A CAUSE!

You can still get dressed up and go trick-or-treating, but instead of collecting snickers and skittles, collect canned goods. Ask for non-perishable items and donate them to a local food bank.
Trick-or-treat for UNICEF! You can collect donations to help children and save lives all over the world. It’s simple to do, fun, and a good cause! For more information, check out: http://www.unicefusa.org/site/pp.asp?c=hkIXLdMRJtE&b=1706865

DEVILISH DINNER PARTY!

Get all your girls together to cook and then invite the boys over to chow-down! Make blood (tomato) soup and spaghetti and eye (meat) balls. Don’t forget to decorate the table as creepily as you can!
Scary movie marathon! Rent your favorite horror films and cuddle up with some friends or possibly that cutie from math class!

PASS OUT THE SWEETS!

Give your parents the night off– instead of going around receiving candy, stay in and give candy out. It’ll be so entertaining to see all the costumes and the excitement on little kids’ faces.

TRICK OUT YOUR JACK O’LANTERN!

Carve pumpkins with different themes: scary, funny, pretty, funky, etc. Then take the seeds, sprinkle some salt on them, roast them in the oven, and snack on them later!

GASP AT GOULISH TALES!

Sit around outside when the sun goes down or in a dark room and share your favorite scary stories. Whether they are first-hand experiences, stories passed down from friends and family, or urban legends, you won’t want to sleep alone after this!

HOST A HAUNTED HOUSE!

Use your basement or a bunch of old boxes to create your own haunted house. Hang fake spider webs, stuff old clothes to make a dead body, play creepy tunes, and don’t forget to have someone hiding inside to jump out and scare people!

DECORATE CREEPY COOKIES!

Buy cookie cutters in shapes of pumpkins, ghosts, and witches. Then put orange and black icing and sprinkles on them!

GET DOWN AND BOOGIE!

Make a Halloween party mix (think “Thriller” and “Monster Mash”) and dance the night away.

CREEP OUT AT A CAMP OUT!

Grab your best friends, a tent, and some sleeping bags and camp out in your back yard. Don’t forget to bring some snacks to munch-out on!

HOST A HAUNTED POTLUCK!

Have a potluck party with Halloween candy! Instead of baking dishes, each of your friends has to bring a bag of their favorite Halloween goodies. Then dump all the bags together and you’ll have just as much candy as if you guys went trick-or-treating!

MAKE A SCARY MOVIE!

Take that camcorder and make your own scary movie with some friends. Designate jobs for everyone: a script writer, costume designer, director, editor, actors, etc. Then have a premier and invite all your classmates…even set up a red carpet!

MIX AND MATCH!

You can combine any of these ideas for even more Halloween fun! For instance, your day could go as follows:

noon-3:00 Set-up haunted house
3:00-5:00 Make devilish dinner and get dressed in your costumes
5:00-6:00 Have dinner with your friends
7:00-8:00 Go through haunted house, have a dance party, and vote on the best costumes
8:00-10:00 Eat potluck candy and tell scary stories
10:00-… Watch scary movies

http://www.girlslife.com/post/2007/10/21/happy-halloween-the-alternative-2-trick-or-treating.aspx

As published on GirlsLife.com

Love that new perfume you got this holiday? Want to let Grandma know that you really appreciate the gorgeous sweater she bought you? Try a thank-you note.

Hand written thank-you notes are much more sincere and meaningful than phone calls or e-mails. They really show people that you are grateful for their gifts. Try to get your thank-you notes out as soon as you can. You don’t want to send your cousin a card next summer thanking him for taking you to that Fall Out Boy concert over the holidays!

For starters, find some cute, yet small, stationary. Your message should be brief, no need to write a novel, babe! Grab a pen and you’ll be ready to get your write on!

• Begin your note by greeting your reader. You can address it to the person or people who signed your card. Hi Aunt Pearl!
• Then, express your gratitude. “Thank you so much for the über cute necklace.”
• Point out how useful your gift is. “It goes with everything. I wore it yesterday with my navy jumper and today with my red sweater!”
• Mention your recipient again. “I’m so glad I got to see you this holiday/I hope next year we can spend the holiday together.”
• Show your appreciation one more time. “Thanks again for the necklace!”
• Sign your name and put it in the envelope…You’re done!

Sometimes you just want to say, “You shouldn’t have! No…really, YOU SHOULDN’T HAVE!” You might be wondering, what if I don’t like the gift? Uncle Pete thought you’d enjoy that set of golf tees…and you don’t even play? There’s no need to lie and pretend you like a gift if you don’t. Even if it isn’t exactly what you wanted, you can still show thanks by saying something like, Thanks for the golf tees. I’ll think of you every time I use them.http://www.girlslife.com/post/2007/12/23/get-gracious-give-thanks-for-your-gifts.aspx

As published on GirlsLife.com

I had the opportunity to go skiing in Utah recently, and it was amazing! It seems almost impossible when you think about it: Standing with your feet locked onto two separate boards, as they slide and speed down a mountain. I mean, how do you even control yourself?

If you’re skiing for the first time, be sure to have someone with you who knows what he or she is doing. You’ll probably get the good ol’ pizza and French fries speech. It’s all about technique (not snack time!). If you wanna go fast, put your skis parallel to each other like two French fries and point them down the hill. If you want to slow down, point the tips together to make a triangular shape, like pizza! It’s that simple. Still scared? Don’t worry. There are different levels of trails on all mountains, and they’re all color-coded for ya.

Skiing works your entire body from top to bottom. You have to balance, turn, and support your body weight as you maneuver down the hill. On flatter trails, you use your arms to pole you through. Skiing is so fun, you don’t even realize you’re working out. Plus, it burns a whopping 450 calories an hour.

I also got to enjoy beautiful views of the mountains, lakes, and all sorts of scenery around me. It was incredible to stand at the top of the mountain and just look around. It felt like I was on top of the world!

Get some friends together to hit the slopes this weekend. And remember to keep an eye out for those cute snowboarders!

http://www.girlslife.com/post/2008/01/16/we-tried-it-snow-bunny.aspx

As published on GirlsLife.com

As a busy college student, I don’t always have time to cook healthy meals from scratch. I’m not gonna lie, I eat out a lot. It was hard to eat healthy at restaurants, because I never really knew the nutritional information of what I was ordering…until now! Eat This, Not That! by David Zinczenko is basically my new food bible. I picked it up in a book store and when my mom saw that I couldn’t put it down, she bought it for me right away. She’d never seen me so interested in health.

What made this book intriguing to me was that it wasn’t about starving yourself or eating only fruits and veggies. It takes into consideration what and where normal people eat. It knows that sometimes you are in a rush and you might have to go through (gasp!) a fast-food drive-thru. Instead of telling you not to eat McDonald’s, it tells you what is best for you when you do make that fast-food run (because this girl needs her French fries every once and a while!).

So I read the book, and made a few changes. For instance, I get the turkey burger almost every time I go to Ruby Tuesday’s. I found out that the seemingly healthy dish weighed in at more than 1170 calories! Shocking, right? So today, I got the 7 oz. top sirloin, for a mere 460 calories. Look how many calories this book saved me, in one meal!

Here are some of the other facts I was shocked to read in Eat This, Not That!:

• A standard pizza in Italy is 500 to 800 calories. The same thing at Pizza Hut can be over 2100 calories!
• Pick red bell peppers over green ones. You’ll get twice the vitamin C and nine times as much vitamin A!
• A ham egg & cheese English muffin sandwich at Dunkin’ Donuts is around 300 calories…A multigrain bagel with lite cream cheese? 500.

This book is full of info that will leave your jaw hanging wide open. I brought it home and none of my roommates could put it down, either! Zinczenko will help you decide what to buy at the supermarket, what to eat at holiday parties and what to order at your fave restaurants. I definitely recommend this book to anyone who wants to continue to eat delicious foods. Find realistic ways to make your current lifestyle healthier in Eat This, Not That!

http://www.girlslife.com/print/2008/03/05/we-tried-it-eat-this-not-that.aspx