Showing posts with label Nicole Kottmann. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Nicole Kottmann. Show all posts

9 Must-Read Blogs for College Women

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Let’s face it, we all enjoy a good blog from time to time. Whether it’s Tumblr or your favorite pinboard on Pinterest, blogs are a great way to find anything from fashion inspiration to travel advice. Summer is the perfect time to catch up on some good reads, so here’s a list composed of a few of my favorite blogs, run by some fellow college girls.

Fashion:

You don’t need to be a Vogue subscriber to find out about the season’s latest trends. Here are a few blogs for all types of fashionistas; label lovers and penny pinchers.

For those on a budget: If you’re like me, your wallet can’t handle much more than a trip to Target or Forever 21, and this ‘Stylin Iowan,’ as her blog is so cleverly named, is the same way. This site is the perfect way for those with a laid-back and colorful style to find inspiration for affordable and adorable fashion ideas, all from a fellow Midwestern girl!

For those with bigger wallets ... or big dreams: ‘Silhouette Girl’ has got it going on, and I’m not the only one who thinks so. This Philly native has been featured on countless fashion sites, including Teen Vogue. Her personal blog features everything from DIY’s to travel pieces, but my favorite posts are pictures of her everyday ensembles. Although her taste is a little too expensive for me, her classy, semi preppy New England look has given me tons of new fashion ideas.

For those looking for a happy medium: ‘Kat’s Fashion Fix’ is the best of both worlds. Kathleen is a suburban Chicago girl going to school in North Carolina, and her favorite stores span from Coach to Ann Taylor to Target. This site is great for girls looking for outfits for all occasions since that’s how Kathleen categorizes her looks. Date looks, office looks, casual looks ... she’s got it all!

Advice

Sometimes we need a little help. Whether it’s about love, school or even what to do this weekend, these blogs can give you the insight you’re looking for.

Get organized: College Prep has everything. Although this NYC girl puts a strong emphasis on fashion, she gives plenty of gift giving, DIY and baking advice as well. My favorite aspect of her site is all the ideas she shares for staying neat at school and on the go. The iPhone app organization article is a must-read for all the Apple enthusiasts out there.

College survival: This blog is exactly what it sounds like. The College Survival Handbook gives tips on studying, jobs, finances and even partying (there’s an article about a meme drinking game ... enough said). All of it is practical and comes from college students, teachers and grads who have already survived it all. Check out ‘How to Make Proper Ramen Noodles’ for a good laugh.

Fitness, romance and more: This UT student loves to share the lessons she’s learned while at school. Her summer pieces are currently centered around her new workout routine, but if you scroll through you’ll find great articles on dealing with breakups, finals week and even annoying relatives.

A Little Bit of Everything

Because there are way too many awesome blogs to try and categorize, here are some others to check out!

For a good laugh

For classy outfit inspiration

For inspiration ...and bucket list ideas (both from the same blogger)

By Nicole Kottmann

CoMo's Secret Hotspot: Stephens Lake Park

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Columbia has a beach. Am I the only person that didn’t know this?!

Last week my roommate got a text asking if we wanted to go to Stephens Lake Park with a friend, where neither of us had been before. Our friend had just heard about the public beach the park offers, and naturally, we were all super excited to check it out.

Image Source: Nicole Kottmann

This is a phenomenal place for a day trip, especially for those who are staying in CoMo this summer. It wasn’t even sunny when I went, yet the park’s breathtaking natural landscape paired with the tranquility of the lake made for one of the most relaxing and enjoyable afternoons I’ve had this summer thus far.

Image Source: Nicole Kottmann

If you go, wear your swimsuit and bring everything you would need for a summer picnic. We had lunch on a straw mat in the sand, and I can’t begin to describe how enjoyable it was. The park is packed with locals of all ages, so people watching is a must. After you finish lunch and take a swim (or at least dip your feet in the water!), follow the trail and take a walk along the lake. Among the waterfalls, countless benches and hilltop playground -- you’re not too old, I promise. There are plenty of ways to take in the scenery and enjoy a beautiful summer afternoon.

Details: The park is open everyday from 6 a.m. to 11p.m., and it’s located at 2001 E. Broadway. The beach is technically on 100 Old 63 N, and parking is right out front.
By: Nicole Kottmann

4 Steps to Surviving Your First Cooking Experience



I’m a terrible cook. If you ask anyone that knows me, I promise they will agree. So when I decided to stay in Columbia this summer to get in-state tuition, I was terrified of the prospect of cooking for myself. And it doesn’t help that my good friend, of whom I chose to room with, doesn’t possess any culinary talent either.

Despite all of this, I decided to look at the situation from a positive perspective. Now I can finally learn my way around the kitchen! It’ll be great, I’ll get a Pinterest and pin all these great recipes, and they’ll be delicious.

I might have been thinking a bit too optimistically.

I did get a Pinterest, and I did create a cliché recipe board, which I attempted to make less cliché by naming it “Pinterest, teach me how to cook.” However, it hasn’t exactly been smooth sailing. I’ve over-cooked chicken, bought bananas that browned way too soon and burnt my fair share of toast. Regardless, I’m a strong believer that everything is a learning experience, and I’ve learned plenty that I’d like to share with anyone else who might be having daily kitchen meltdowns.

1. Breathe
The goal here is not to become the next Wolfgang Puck, so remember that perfection is not necessary. The goal is to feed yourself, and if you’re like me, you want to do that in the cheapest and least fattening way possible. Try not to get discouraged if you try something new and it doesn’t work out because there’s no way you’re going to get it right the first time. Practice makes perfect, or in this case, it makes edible and hopefully enjoyable food.

2. Keep it simple 
Actually, it will become much easier once you start buying your own groceries and realize that fancy recipes equal a not-so-pleasant grocery bill. Ask Mom, Grandma, or whoever can cook in your family if they have any easy recipes to send you that require as few ingredients as possible. I personally am a big fan of good old fashioned spaghetti. Also, you can make almost any chicken recipe simple (which I learned the hard way -- I should have stuck to just lemon chicken).

3. Get a little creative 
Again, this isn’t "Top Chef," but you definitely can use your imagination to spice up your everyday meals. Sick of peanut butter and jelly? Try a peanut butter and banana or marshmallow fluff sandwich. Grilled cheese boring you? Throw some avocado and bacon in with it. There are countless ways that you can make everyday foods more interesting, and a great place to get inspired is -- dare I say it -- Pinterest!

4. Plan ahead
I’m not saying you need to know exactly what you’re going to eat everyday, but if you are going to try to cook something from scratch, or at least partially, plan at least a few days in advance so you can get ingredients and have plenty of free time to make it. My roommate and I realized neither of us got scheduled to work last Thursday night so we planned earlier in the week to make the chicken dish I mentioned earlier, and although it wasn’t the best meal I’ve ever had, making it myself made it taste that much better.

There is no need to fear the kitchen. Take these tips and explore that uncharted territory with confidence! Remember, this isn’t a contest; this is all about self improvement. You don’t have to be the next Julia Child to make a tasty meal all by yourself!

Have any funny independent cooking disasters or maybe successes you want to share with us? Leave them in the comments!

By: Nicole Kottmann | Image: Source
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