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Alice Vol. 2 No. 3

Published by UA Student Media in May 2017.

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CHARLOTTE OC<br />

Q&A wtih trendy singer-songwriter<br />

48 HOURS IN<br />

BIRMINGHAM<br />

Hottest spots in the Magic City<br />

ESCAPE<br />

ARTIST<br />

Examining escapism<br />

in pop culture<br />

ETERNAL<br />

$3.99 <strong>Vol</strong>. 2, <strong>No</strong>. 3<br />

SUMMER<br />

Keep your head in the clouds and your feet in the sand as you<br />

shine in refreshing florals, throwback styles and dreamy trends<br />

The University of Alabama | May 2017


LOOKING AHEAD<br />

Grab your ice cream cones and leave<br />

your shoes at home as <strong>Alice</strong> braves the heat<br />

in this exquisite summer issue. Join us<br />

beneath sprawling moss-draped live oaks or<br />

on the waterfront as we explore the trends<br />

this season has to offer. The possibilities<br />

are endless.<br />

Photo by Alex Green


Letter from the Editor<br />

On the web:<br />

Twitter: @<strong>Alice</strong>themag<br />

Instagram: @<strong>Alice</strong>themag<br />

facebook.com/<strong>Alice</strong>themag<br />

alice.ua.edu<br />

<strong>Alice</strong> on Pinterest:<br />

pinterest.com/<strong>Alice</strong>magazine<br />

Editorial and Advertising offices for <strong>Alice</strong> Magazine are located at<br />

414 Campus Drive East, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487.<br />

The mailing address is P.O. Box 870170, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487.<br />

Phone: (205) 348-7257.<br />

<strong>Alice</strong> is published by the Office of Student Media<br />

at The University of Alabama.<br />

All content and design are produced by students<br />

in consultation with professional staff advisers.<br />

All material contained herein, except advertising or where<br />

indicated otherwise, is copyrighted © 2017 by <strong>Alice</strong> Magazine.<br />

Material herein may not be reprinted without the<br />

expressed, written permission of <strong>Alice</strong> Magazine.<br />

Summer is just around the corner. The temperature is rising,<br />

the sky seems bluer and sunscreen is an absolute must. My senior<br />

year is now coming to a close (waterworks may have taken place).<br />

This year has been a season of lasts and now this is my last <strong>Alice</strong><br />

as editor in chief. With this being my final issue, I wanted to<br />

make sure that I “left it all on the field.” Every time I see <strong>Alice</strong><br />

on the stands at the Supe Store or in the hands of a student, my<br />

heart swells. I couldn’t be more proud of this magazine. Having<br />

the opportunity to work with the magazine this year has been<br />

a dream come true. I couldn’t imagine my senior year being as<br />

wonderful without this position. I have loved every single second<br />

of working for this magazine. From the late nights laughs of<br />

productions to the moments of frustration from the April rain<br />

showers that made our photo shoots very difficult to get finished<br />

— it has been so rewarding. I cannot say enough good things<br />

about <strong>Alice</strong>. She’s a mentor, a fashion expert and someone that<br />

has made me realize my potential as a leader. She’s something<br />

different to other people — discover what she has to offer you.<br />

With all that sappiness being said, let’s talk about this issue.<br />

As I say every issue, the team and I have put all of our<br />

hearts and souls into this magazine. But, hey, it’s true and I<br />

want to recognize the incredible work ethic and creative genius<br />

of the editors of <strong>Alice</strong>. This summer’s magazine is definitely<br />

the most innovative that we’ve ever done. The Ten Bleaching<br />

Commandants on page 5 is something I will definitely urge<br />

people to check out (With recently bleached hair myself, I have<br />

been pouring over it). The fashion spreads are seriously stunning<br />

— turn to page 16 and get ready to be blown away. Read The Big<br />

Reveal to see the latest trend: fishnet tights (pg. 34). As many<br />

people will probably be attending summer weddings, catch up on<br />

our Wedding Survival Guide (pg. 41). Check out our article on<br />

alternatives to the pill (pg. 58) and nudity in art (pg. 62). Flip<br />

to our Coffee Crawl on page 70 to know about the newest coffee<br />

shops in town. What is summer without a good book? Go to page<br />

80 for Dreamy Pool Reads and page 87 for Poetry for People Who<br />

Don’t “Get” Poetry.<br />

While working on this season’s issue, our time was split by<br />

spring break. For part of that week I was able to go to New York<br />

City with Allie Binford, the next editor in chief of <strong>Alice</strong>. I know<br />

I’ll miss this magazine, but I also know that’s in great hands<br />

and I can’t wait to see where <strong>Alice</strong> is headed. As we adventured<br />

throughout the city and even at the top of the Empire State<br />

Building, Allie would bounce around incredible ideas for the<br />

future of <strong>Alice</strong>. Get ready, people, great things are coming and<br />

it starts with this issue. I’ll just leave you with this: *Cue “Don’t<br />

You (Forget About Me)” here.*<br />

Paige Burleson


Editorial<br />

Editor in Chief PAIGE BURLESON<br />

Creative Director MARIA OSWALT<br />

Photo Editor EMILY HEATH<br />

Managing Editor CLAIRE TURNER<br />

Market Editors ALEXIS DANZO AND ALLIE BINFORD<br />

Beauty Editor KAILA WASHINGTON<br />

Lifestyle Editor RACHEL WILBURN<br />

Fashion Editors ALLIE BINFORD AND EMILY HEATH<br />

Food and Health Editor MADISON SULLIVAN<br />

Entertainment Editor ELLEN JOHNSON<br />

Features Editor ALEXIS FAIRE<br />

Social Media Coordinator DONICA BURTON AND CLAIRE TURNER<br />

Contributing Writers EMILY ADAMS, HALEIGH AMEND, CHRISTINA AUSLEY, VONDRA ARNOLD, SERENA BAILEY, KATIE BELL,<br />

EMILEE BENOS, MIA BLACKMAN, SARA BETH BOLIN, PAIGE BURLESON, CARSON COOK, ANNA CRAIN, LOTA ERINNE,<br />

ANALIESE GERALD, JO HANNA HILL, KATIE HUFF, ANNA KLEMENT, LAUREN LANE, MIKELAH LUKE, LAWSON MOHL,<br />

MARIA OSWALT, KALLEN SEBASTIAN, KALI STURGIS, KIRBY TIFVERMAN, CLAIRE TURNER, DANIELLE WADDELL,<br />

AUDREY WATFORD, CAROLINE WELLS, CARSON WOODY<br />

Contributing Photographers PRESTLEY BRAMLETT, ALEX GREEN, TEAH SHAW, MARIE WALKER, SARAH WESTMORELAND<br />

Contributing Designer MARY KATE HOLLADAY<br />

Models ARI BARLEY, LUCY COOK, REAGAN CUNNINGHAM, ALEXIA DUGGER-MAYE, ALANNA FAGAN,<br />

EFFIE GUENTHER, MEGAN HILL, HALLIE HUDSON, ADAM KIM, SARA MORGAN, DONNA PATE, MADYSON SMITH,<br />

LINDSAY TATMAN, ALYISCIA THOMAS<br />

Hair and Makeup HALEIGH AMEND, EMILY HEATH, ALLIE LOWERY<br />

Advertising<br />

Advertising Manager RUFUS ALDRIDGE (cwadmanager@gmail.com)<br />

Advertising Creative Director GRANT SNOW (cwcreativemanager@gmail.com)<br />

Sales Representatives (205) 348-7845<br />

JADE LEDET, LIZZIE MIZENKO<br />

Advisers<br />

Editorial MARK MAYFIELD (msmayfield1@ua.edu)<br />

Published by UA Office of Student Media<br />

Director PAUL WRIGHT<br />

[2] <strong>Alice</strong> May 2017


Table of<br />

Contents<br />

Beauty<br />

5 BLEACHING COMMANDMENTS<br />

7 A WRINKLE IN TIME<br />

9 DON’T SWEAT IT<br />

11 IS YOUR SKIN WORTH THE<br />

SPLURGE?<br />

13 THE BOLD & THE BEAUTIFUL<br />

Fashion<br />

16 HEAD IN THE CLOUDS<br />

22 COLOR THEORY<br />

28 LET THE GOOD<br />

TIMES ROLL<br />

34 THE BIG REVEAL<br />

ABOUT THE COVER: The call of seagulls and crashing<br />

waves set the scene for our sunrise shoot in Fairhope and<br />

Montrose, Alabama. Pat Hall, a UA alum, and Charlotte<br />

Carey graciously let us into their homes and clued us in on<br />

the places to see around the Mobile Bay area. From tropical<br />

and breezy beachwear to cleancut formal outfits, this<br />

edition of <strong>Alice</strong> has it all. Sun-soaked streets and nautical<br />

views served as the perfect backdrop for our little getaway.<br />

Cover photo: PRESTLEY BRAMLETT<br />

See story: PAGE 48<br />

Lifestyle<br />

37 48 HOURS IN BIRMINGHAM<br />

41 WEDDING SEASON SURVIVAL<br />

42 PACK ATTACK<br />

44 BOTTLE IT UP<br />

45 REVIVING RESOLUTIONS<br />

<strong>Alice</strong> May 2017 [3]


Features<br />

48 ETERNAL SUMMER<br />

58 HARD TO SWALLOW<br />

62 EXPOSED<br />

64 ESCAPE ARTIST<br />

Health<br />

& Food<br />

68 SHADE OF YOU<br />

70 COFFEE CRAWL<br />

71 BREAK IT DOWN<br />

72 SUMMERTIME SWEETS<br />

73 SUPERFOODS<br />

75 ON THE BRINK OF NO STINK<br />

77 WHAT YOU REALLY NEED TO<br />

KNOW ABOUT EXPIRATION DATES<br />

Entertainment<br />

78 SO YOU’VE NEVER BEEN TO HANGOUT<br />

80 DREAMY POOL READS<br />

82 TAKE A CHANCE<br />

83 Q&A WITH STUDENT COMEDIAN<br />

85 THE SHORT LIST<br />

86 A DOC A DAY: DOCUMENTARIES TO MAKE YOU THINK<br />

87 POETRY FOR PEOPLE WHO DON’T “GET” POETRY<br />

88 CHARLOTTE OC<br />

<strong>Alice</strong> would like to thank<br />

the following stores for<br />

providing outfits and<br />

accessories for photo shoots:<br />

LULUS.COM<br />

MARKET HOUSE<br />

AZ WELL<br />

LAVISH<br />

PANTS STORE<br />

TWICE AS NICE<br />

LUCCA<br />

UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA SUPE STORE<br />

[4] <strong>Alice</strong> May 2017


BEAUTY<br />

Photo by Prestley Bramlett<br />

By Kali Sturgis<br />

As summer approaches, tans get<br />

darker, days get longer and hair definitely<br />

gets lighter. Take a look at our<br />

hair bleaching bible to get that sunkissed<br />

look while keeping the locks<br />

happy and healthy.<br />

DOs<br />

Do listen to your stylist. One of the<br />

hardest tips to follow, but the most<br />

important to acknowledge: listen. The<br />

majority of us who like to dye our hair<br />

will often go for a color that we find<br />

amongst social media or our favorite<br />

celebrities. Showing a picture to your<br />

stylist prior to your appointment will<br />

guarantee your stylist’s ability to be<br />

able to (or not to) color your hair how<br />

you would like it. So if your stylist tells<br />

you that the color you want is unattainable,<br />

ask what they could do to produce<br />

a hair color you can happily sport, or<br />

find another stylist who is confident<br />

in their hair coloring abilities, and<br />

see if they’re willing to get you your<br />

dream color.<br />

Do sleep in argan oil or coconut oil<br />

the night before bleaching. Easy to<br />

do, easily accessible and reduces hair<br />

damage from bleach; oil isn’t just for<br />

cooking. Seventeen.com dishes Kylie<br />

Jenner’s hair stylist’s trick to having<br />

healthy hair after bleaching. Coat your<br />

strands in argan or coconut oil the<br />

night before you bleach your hair, then<br />

go to sleep with the oil to let it soak<br />

into your locks and scalp. If you’re<br />

concerned about messing up your pillowcase,<br />

wrap your head in a towel<br />

or wear a shower cap to prevent leakage.<br />

Just don’t forget to wash it out in<br />

the morning!<br />

Do give yourself time to bleach. This<br />

is super important. Try bleaching on<br />

a weekend to give yourself time to go<br />

slowly and appraise your results. Then<br />

you won’t be rushed to fix any mistakes<br />

while worrying about having to be seen<br />

in public with discolored hair.<br />

Do be gentle with your hair. People<br />

wonder why their hair becomes so<br />

damaged after bleaching. The main<br />

problem comes from continuing their<br />

usual hair routine. When you bleach<br />

your hair, the actual hair follicle is forever<br />

changed. Invest in a deep-conditioner<br />

and use it once or twice a week<br />

along with always conditioning after<br />

<strong>Alice</strong> May 2017 [5]


shampooing. This will add that extra<br />

moisture your hair needs. When it<br />

comes to showering, your hair is already<br />

going to be dry and inelastic,<br />

and washing your hair multiple times<br />

throughout the week will cause major<br />

hair breakage. So reduce your everyday<br />

wash to every other day or even try<br />

every two days. Remember those oils<br />

that were so great for the night before<br />

a bleach? You can do the same thing<br />

before a hair wash to keep your hair<br />

hydrated and protected from environmental<br />

damage.<br />

Do get regular trims. A lot of people<br />

try to avoid this tip when they’re<br />

on the kick of letting their hair grow<br />

out, but this is so important to follow<br />

through with. You should be getting<br />

your hair trimmed at least every six<br />

to eight weeks so that your hair stylist<br />

is able to remove all of the previously<br />

damaged hair for new, healthier<br />

hair to grow in its place. Continually<br />

growing your hair overtop damaged<br />

hair does not magically make a happy,<br />

healthy head of hair.<br />

DON’Ts<br />

Don’t try and bleach your hair yourself<br />

if you have virgin hair. This point<br />

is kind of an obvious one, but if you’ve<br />

never dyed your hair before, then going<br />

to a professional is a lot safer than<br />

standing confused in the beauty aisle<br />

of your local convenience store. It will<br />

also ensure that you come out of the<br />

salon with practically perfect bleached<br />

locks. So put down that sketchy box of<br />

drugstore bleach and call your locally<br />

appraised hair salon to avoid damaging<br />

your hair and a bad hair day.<br />

Don’t overlap bleach in the same<br />

day: Genuinely think before re-bleaching<br />

your hair. Bleaching your hair already<br />

strips the hair follicle and causes<br />

it to be prone to breakage. Waiting<br />

at least a day before bleaching your<br />

hair again allows the scalp to relax<br />

from sensitivity you can obtain from<br />

bleaching. This will also help reduce<br />

hair damage that can occur during the<br />

bleaching process.<br />

Don’t use permanent hair dye to<br />

dye your hair. According to hercampus.com,<br />

permanent dyes disintegrate<br />

the hair cuticle due to the process of<br />

pulling out your natural hair color and<br />

sequentially putting new color back in,<br />

unlike semi- and non- permanent dyes<br />

that avoid damaging the hair by coating<br />

the hair follicle with color like a<br />

gloss. Semi- and non-permanent dyes,<br />

also, last for about four to six weeks,<br />

so you won’t have to worry about being<br />

stuck with a color you dislike for a long<br />

time or continuously having to go get<br />

root touch-ups.<br />

Don’t use (as much) heat. Obviously<br />

we all can’t avoid hot tools for<br />

as long we color our hair, but we can<br />

regulate how much heat we use. Keep<br />

the heat on low to avoid as much hair<br />

damage as possible. Patting your hair<br />

dry (not scrunching) or using a blow<br />

dryer and round brush can go a long<br />

way compared to straightening your<br />

hair. If you do use heat, make sure to<br />

apply some sort of heat protectant to<br />

your locks to reduce as much damage<br />

as possible.<br />

Don’t leave the bleach on for too<br />

long/too little. Leaving bleach on your<br />

hair and scalp for too long can cause a<br />

variety of mishaps to occur, including,<br />

but not limited to: chemical burns on<br />

your scalp, damaging your hair follicle<br />

and frying your hair to the point<br />

of it falling out. While this all sounds<br />

completely terrible, leaving bleach<br />

on for too little can also cause some<br />

problems. <strong>No</strong>t allowing enough time<br />

for bleach to sit on the hair won’t allow<br />

the bleach to lift the original color<br />

from the hair, which will cause those<br />

dreaded brassy tones to show up. So<br />

make sure you follow the bleaching<br />

instructions carefully.<br />

Getting that perfect summery glow<br />

to your hair can definitely take a toll<br />

on your strands, but follow these tips<br />

and you’ll be able to rock lighter locks<br />

while keeping it all intact. *<br />

Photo by Prestley Bramlett<br />

[6] <strong>Alice</strong> May 2017


BEAUTY<br />

Photo by Emily Heath<br />

By Anna Klement<br />

Everyone ages. Let’s face it, most of you reading this are<br />

in or around your 20s. When it comes to skin care (and<br />

life in general), we’re in that awkward age gap between<br />

too old to have baby’s butt skin, but we’re not yet past the<br />

teenage acne stage. From the inspiring words of Britney<br />

Spears, we’re “not a girl, not yet a woman.” However, you<br />

can’t help but see dozens of labels shouting out to you as<br />

you pass through the beauty aisle at Target — “anti-aging”<br />

this, “reverse fine lines” that.<br />

Do you ever wonder in the back of<br />

your mind when will be your time<br />

to step up to the plate and face the<br />

unknown of age related cosmetics?<br />

We’re sparked by these fascinating<br />

terms like “collagen” and<br />

“retinol,” but what do these things<br />

actually mean? If you’re clueless<br />

about where to begin, read on to<br />

learn how to really take care of your skin: there’s no time<br />

like the present.<br />

The truth is, you’re not going to learn the intimates of<br />

anti-aging skincare in your chemistry or anatomy class.<br />

Aging is a natural process of life. With the society we live in<br />

now, it’s hard not to be concerned about fine lines and wrinkles<br />

that are doomed to pop up on our face one morning.<br />

But don’t lose yourself in a world that requires anti-aging<br />

as a beauty standard — do it to love your skin and keep it<br />

healthy. My grandmother always says, “take care of your<br />

We’re sparked by these<br />

fascinating terms like<br />

“collagen” and “retinol,”<br />

but what do these things<br />

actually mean?<br />

skin now so you don’t have to pay for it later.” She’s the brunette<br />

version of Christy Brinkley, and I think I owe my entire<br />

top shelf to her as far as good products and good genes<br />

can go. Looking for your guide to keeping your skin fresh?<br />

Here’s <strong>Alice</strong>’s take on tackling anti-aging in your 20s.<br />

Sunscreen. You should be lathering up — Every. Single.<br />

Day. It doesn’t matter if it’s pouring rain outside; sunscreen<br />

is essential to the health of your skin. Prolonged sun exposure<br />

speeds the aging process tremendously. Infrared rays<br />

(hair dryers, ovens, phones) can also damage skin, hence<br />

why you should never be caught<br />

without this essential layer of protection.<br />

Radiation penetrates skin<br />

and attacks collagen. Stick with a<br />

SPF of 20-40. FYI- a higher SPF<br />

than that doesn’t actually work to<br />

protect your skin.<br />

<strong>No</strong> smoking. Cigarettes contain<br />

over 400 toxic chemicals. These<br />

chemicals causes blood vessels to<br />

constrict, which decreases blood flow that is essential to<br />

healthy skin . Smoking can also lead to puffiness, wrinkles,<br />

blackheads and scars. This is one of the most detrimental<br />

things you can do to your body when it comes to trying to<br />

age gracefully.<br />

Be gentle with your skin. Use eye cream, serums and oils,<br />

even if you have oily skin. When you break out, your body is<br />

trying to make up for lost nutrients. Dab eye cream on with<br />

your ring finger so the vitamins absorb fully in your skin. Using<br />

your ring finger gives you the perfect amount of control<br />

<strong>Alice</strong> May 2017 [7]


while also keeping your touch gentle<br />

— the tools to your skincare are<br />

your hands! Since skin is thinnest<br />

around the eyes, they often<br />

age first, so be sure to take care of<br />

that area.<br />

Daily regimen. Implementing a daily<br />

skin care regimen will get you into the early<br />

habit of taking a few extra minutes to show<br />

your skin some TLC. You can modify this list<br />

to what fits your lifestyle, but here’s an overview of<br />

some great steps to a routine:<br />

#1. EXFOLIATE Use an exfoliator 2-3 times a<br />

week to remove dead skin cells.<br />

#2. CLEANSE Use a gentle cleanser daily, even if<br />

your skin isn’t sensitive.<br />

#3. TONE The necessity of toner in your routine is<br />

highly debated between all sorts of online blogs and<br />

dermatological testimonies, but it can be worth it if<br />

you’re looking to improve your complexion. You can<br />

substitute this with micellar water, which removes<br />

excess dirt and has similar benefits to a cleanser.<br />

#4. MOISTURIZE This is an incredibly important<br />

step. Moisturized skin helps prevent aging. Your<br />

skin craves moisture (think about when your lips<br />

get chapped), so in addition to this, drink tons<br />

of water.<br />

#5. OILS This is for those of us with skin like<br />

the desert. Skip this step if you have oily skin, as<br />

the oil is meant to provide nutrients your skin lacks.<br />

#6. SERUMS Something all skin types should take<br />

the time to do. Something like a Vitamin C serum,<br />

which plumps skin, does just the trick.<br />

#7. EYE CREAM Small amount, ring finger,<br />

tapping motions — simple as that. You can actually<br />

use any excess on the skin around your lips to help<br />

with fine lines and wrinkles.<br />

#8. SUNSCREEN Can you tell how important<br />

layering on some SPF is? Use this in conjunction<br />

with everything else.<br />

Befriend a dermatologist. Remember to eat well and<br />

consult a nutritionist if you’re interested in vitamins and<br />

supplements. These things play a huge role in your outward<br />

appearance, although you might not see results as fast as<br />

the other tips. Try not to get too stressed out over aging<br />

because it’s the natural cycle of life. Aging is unavoidable,<br />

so take care of your body, and your body will love you back<br />

— after all, you only get one in your lifetime! *<br />

Crisis Pregnancy?<br />

We want to help you.<br />

Free Counseling,<br />

Adoption, and<br />

Multi-Level<br />

Support Services<br />

Available<br />

205-324-6561<br />

info@cfsbhm.org<br />

www.cfsbhm.org<br />

[8] <strong>Alice</strong> May 2017


BEAUTY<br />

DON’T<br />

SWEAT IT:The<br />

best waterproof<br />

makeup of<br />

the summer<br />

By Haleigh Amend and Kelsey Zaroff<br />

Summer means cookouts, beach<br />

trips, pool days and high temperatures.<br />

But after hours of sweating you<br />

might glance in a mirror at your makeup<br />

and think, “YIKES.” The good<br />

news is, <strong>Alice</strong> won’t let melted makeup<br />

kill your summer vibe. We’ve got the<br />

secrets to waterproofing your makeup<br />

for when things get hot and steamy (we<br />

mean humidity, of course). <strong>No</strong> matter<br />

what, your makeup will look as fresh<br />

as it did when you first applied it.<br />

THE PREP<br />

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Daily<br />

Liquid Sunscreen<br />

Before reaching for your makeup,<br />

you want to start with a sunscreen.<br />

Doing this will prevent wrinkles for<br />

when you’re older and decreases your<br />

chance of getting skin cancer. Also,<br />

who wants a burned face? The type of<br />

sunscreen you use can make or break<br />

the lasting power of your makeup, so<br />

it’s important to use one that’s lightweight.<br />

The Neutrogena Ultra Sheer<br />

Daily Liquid Sunscreen is oil free, so<br />

you won’t break out or look greasy.<br />

Milk Blur Stick<br />

Let your sunscreen soak in for five<br />

minutes before following the next<br />

step to make your makeup melt-proof:<br />

primer. The Milk Blur Stick will help<br />

you achieve the flawless matte complexion<br />

you’re after.<br />

THE FACE<br />

It Cosmetics Your Skin But<br />

Better CC Cream<br />

Once your skin is fully prepped for<br />

makeup, adding a light layer of CC<br />

cream will give you the coverage you<br />

need without looking too overdone.<br />

The It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better<br />

CC Cream will give you a natural<br />

look with insane coverage and an extra<br />

dose of SPF 50.<br />

NYX Gotcha<br />

Covered<br />

concealer<br />

If you’re not<br />

a fan of CC cream,<br />

you can simply just spot<br />

treat areas that you need to<br />

hide. The NYX Gotcha Covered<br />

concealer is waterproof and full coverage,<br />

so you know it’ll keep everything<br />

covered no matter what.<br />

NYX HD Finishing Powder<br />

A setting powder is going to be your<br />

saving grace for banishing shine.<br />

Carry this with you to touch up when<br />

<strong>Alice</strong> May 2017 [9]


you see shine attempting to break<br />

through. Translucent is best because<br />

it’s colorless and won’t get cakey when<br />

you add more to your face throughout<br />

the day. We love the NYX HD<br />

Finishing Powder.<br />

Physicians Formula<br />

Butter Bronzer<br />

To add a subtle bronze<br />

glow to your skin, apply<br />

a light colored<br />

bronzer — like the<br />

Physicians Formula<br />

Butter Bronzer<br />

— to the areas the<br />

sun would naturally<br />

hit your face. With a<br />

large, fluffy brush, apply<br />

the bronzer to the hollows<br />

of your cheeks, temples and<br />

under your jaw. For a fully bronzed<br />

look, apply the bronzer down to your<br />

collarbone and neck as well.<br />

Makeup Revolution Sun<br />

Kiss Highlight<br />

Make your cheekbones pop with a bit<br />

of a golden highlight. Dust on some of<br />

the Makeup Revolution Sun Kiss highlight<br />

in the color Sun Kiss. The shimmer<br />

in this highlighter is finely milled<br />

so you’ll look naturally lit from within<br />

rather than looking like you just<br />

doused yourself in glitter — or sweat.<br />

Tarte Cheek Stain<br />

A healthy dose of color on your<br />

cheeks will keep your face looking<br />

fresh. The Tarte Cheek Stain is perfect<br />

because it is a stain rather than<br />

a powder which will leave your cheeks<br />

with a rosy flush even after swimming<br />

in the ocean. There’s a wide range of<br />

colors to choose from so there’s a shade<br />

to flatter every skin tone.<br />

THE EYES<br />

NYX Eyebrow Gel<br />

If you like to keep your brows fleeked<br />

at all times, try the NYX Eyebrow Gel<br />

— it’s waterproof and long-wearing.<br />

Your brows will look natural and defined<br />

like normal, but this brow gel is<br />

specifically formulated to last. It won’t<br />

be going anywhere when you swim or<br />

sweat, and it’s also affordable.<br />

Revlon ColorStay Cream<br />

Eyeshadow<br />

The Revlon ColorStay Cream Eyeshadow<br />

is a quick way to add a wash<br />

of shimmery color to your eyes with a<br />

swipe of your finger. These come in an<br />

array of colors that give you options<br />

for every occasion whether it’s for day<br />

or night.<br />

NYX Proof It Waterproof<br />

Mascara Top Coat<br />

If you don’t want to buy a specifically<br />

waterproof mascara just to go to the<br />

beach, opt for the NYX Proof It Waterproof<br />

Mascara Top Coat instead.<br />

With this product, you can transform<br />

any mascara you already own into a<br />

completely waterproof product.<br />

<strong>No</strong>w that we’ve shared all of our tips<br />

and favorite beauty products for summer,<br />

it’s up to you to create your signature<br />

waterproof summer look. When<br />

you do, take a selfie and make sure you<br />

tag <strong>Alice</strong> on Instagram. *<br />

[10] <strong>Alice</strong> May 2017


BEAUTY<br />

Photo by Alex Green<br />

Floral dress: Buckle<br />

By Vondra Arnold and Anna Crain<br />

There is something satisfying about<br />

having aesthetically pleasing, high end<br />

and raved-about skin care products<br />

sitting on your countertop. Who doesn’t<br />

love going into Sephora and picking<br />

out their favorite beauty guru’s holy<br />

grail moisturizer or face mask? Are all<br />

high end skin care products worth the<br />

hype? Or are there equally as effective<br />

and affordable products out there when<br />

you aren’t willing spend the rest of your<br />

money on a tiny tube of eye cream?<br />

ASK THE EXPERTS<br />

When is comes to skincare, there<br />

are products that are worth the high<br />

price tag and others that you can<br />

find at your local CVS for $10. The<br />

big issue is deciding what products<br />

to splurge on and what products<br />

you can put on your shopping list<br />

for your next grocery haul. Price is<br />

not always the best indicator of the<br />

quality of a product. Dr. Neal Schultz,<br />

Founder of DermTv.com and creator<br />

of Beautyrx.com, shares that when<br />

you buy higher end products, you are<br />

paying for ingredients, formulation,<br />

the way the ingredients are actually<br />

mixed together, packaging, prestige<br />

and perception.<br />

When buying skincare products,<br />

ingredients are crucial factors that<br />

affect the quality. There are two<br />

different types of ingredients: active<br />

and vehicle. Active ingredients are<br />

treating agents. They’re things like<br />

Vitamin C, caffeine, and glycolic acid.<br />

Vehicle ingredients make up creams<br />

and lotions, which active ingredients<br />

are dissolved in. Dr. Ellen Marmur<br />

says, “Some of the more luxury<br />

department store brands may have<br />

more premium ingredients in them,<br />

though that doesn’t mean drugstore<br />

brands aren’t efficacious.” So be on the<br />

lookout for those ingredients during<br />

your next skin care routine update.<br />

<strong>Alice</strong> May 2017 [11]


WHEN IT’S OK<br />

TO SPLURGE<br />

Schultz suggests splurging on treatment<br />

products such as eye creams,<br />

moisturizers, exfoliants and antioxidants.<br />

These products tend to have<br />

more active ingredients, which are<br />

usually significantly better in higher<br />

end products. <strong>Alice</strong> has done the<br />

research for you and discovered the<br />

products that are actually worth<br />

the splurge.<br />

DR. DENNIS GROSS C+<br />

COLLAGEN BRIGHTEN & FIRM<br />

VITAMIN C SERUM $78<br />

This illuminating gel-serum packed<br />

with Vitamin C will brighten up your<br />

face — great for that 8 a.m. you stayed<br />

up all night for. The fast absorbing<br />

gel helps smooth skin and reduce fine<br />

lines. The serum is loaded with the<br />

antioxidants niacinamide and CoQ10,<br />

which help fade the appearance of<br />

dark spots and prevent future signs<br />

of aging.<br />

CLINIQUE MOISTURE SURGE<br />

INTENSE $39<br />

If the name isn’t convincing enough,<br />

customer reviews say this product is<br />

like drinking a huge glass of water<br />

— but for your face. This moisturizer<br />

locks in moisture without leaving<br />

your skin feeling greasy, no matter<br />

what your skin type is. Other customer<br />

reviews share that this product is excellent<br />

for the winter time and is great<br />

with or without makeup. It’s sure to<br />

become your go-to daily moisturizer.<br />

FIRST AID BEAUTY FACIAL<br />

RADIANCE PADS $30<br />

When it comes to exfoliation, you<br />

want a product that is going to penetrate<br />

into your skin. It needs to dissolve<br />

the oil and makeup that builds<br />

up deep in your pores. Dr. David<br />

Colbert, M.D., a cosmetic dermatologist<br />

in NYC, suggest using exfoliator<br />

with glycolic and lactic acids. First aid<br />

Beauty’s Facial Radiance Pads fit all<br />

the requirements and do just the trick.<br />

ORIGINS HIGH-POTENCY<br />

NIGHT-A-MINS MINERAL-<br />

ENRICHED OIL-FREE RENEWAL<br />

CREAM $43<br />

If you don’t like serums but still<br />

want their benefits, wearing a night<br />

cream may be for you. Night time is<br />

when your skin is able to regenerate<br />

and heal. Experts say antioxidant enriched<br />

night creams are most effective<br />

at reducing redness as well as moisturize<br />

dry skin. Origins formula is a<br />

creamy mineral formula filled with vitamins<br />

and oils.<br />

WHEN TO SAVE<br />

YOUR MONEY<br />

It’s still possible to treat your skin<br />

without paying the big dollar. Products<br />

like facial wash, toner, body lotion<br />

and even face masks will do just the<br />

job coming from your local drugstore.<br />

Of course, some drugstore products<br />

will be a bust, but there are plenty of<br />

fantastic items you can pick up on your<br />

next Target run.<br />

CETAPHIL DAILY FACIAL<br />

CLEANSER $10<br />

Cleansing your face is one of the<br />

most important parts of your skin routine,<br />

but this doesn’t mean you need<br />

to spend a fortune. Since cleansers<br />

are only on your face for less than a<br />

minute, you don’t need to splurge on<br />

ingredients that could be found in your<br />

[12] <strong>Alice</strong> May 2017<br />

moisturizer and serums. This product<br />

gently removes makeup, dirt and oils<br />

without drying out your face. Packed<br />

with glycerin and Pro-Vitamin B5,<br />

Cetaphil’s Daily Facial Cleanser will<br />

leave your skin feeling soft and clean.<br />

MARIO BADESCU’S RANGE OF<br />

TONERS $15<br />

Toner is one of those products you<br />

can go with or without. Since it’s not<br />

a necessary skin care step, there’s no<br />

need to buy something fancy. Toners<br />

range from complex treatments to basic<br />

hydration, so it’s best to find a toner<br />

that fits your skin type. Aloe and<br />

chamomile-infused toners are designed<br />

for those with sensitive skin, while glycolic<br />

acid and AHA-packed formulas<br />

fight uneven texture and brighten dull<br />

skin. Clarifying astringents are best<br />

for acne prone skin. Mario Bedescu’s<br />

range of toners are designed for a variety<br />

of skin types, all at a friendly price.<br />

GARNIER SKINACTIVE CLEAN +<br />

PORE PURIFYING 2-IN-1 CLAY<br />

CLEANSER AND MASK $5<br />

Yep. You read correctly, $5. Ever<br />

wanted to indulge your skin in the<br />

new trend of charcoal face products?<br />

Well, now you can. Garnier’s new clay<br />

cleanser and mask uses charcoal, while<br />

kaolin unclogs pores and removes surface<br />

impurities. You can use this product<br />

as a daily cleanser, but get the<br />

added benefit of it being a mask. In<br />

just five minutes and $5, you can treat<br />

you skin.<br />

Next time you go out shopping for<br />

your next skin care products, consider<br />

this: “don’t cheat yourself, treat<br />

yourself.” We want to take care of our<br />

skin and make sure it’s flawless, but<br />

take the time to look into the products<br />

you’re buying so you know exactly<br />

when to pull out a credit card. *


BEAUTY<br />

By Lawson Mohl<br />

Photos by Emily Heath // Makeup by Bobbi Brown<br />

<strong>Alice</strong> May 2017 [13]


“Although we love the<br />

smokey copper eyes<br />

and mulberry lips of<br />

the colder months, this<br />

season is the time<br />

to experiment.”<br />

If there’s one season that gives off<br />

that “anything goes” vibe, it’s summer.<br />

Although we love the smokey copper<br />

eyes and mulberry lips of the colder<br />

months, this season is the time to experiment.<br />

Bold, bright colors are becoming<br />

the summer staple; to hell with<br />

the rule that says you can only emphasize<br />

your eyes or your lips — never<br />

both. If you’re ready for the whimsy<br />

that comes with the warm weather,<br />

let <strong>Alice</strong> help you find your signature<br />

summer look.<br />

SPECTRUM SHADOWS<br />

Out of all of the makeup categories,<br />

eyeshadows have perhaps the widest<br />

range and availability of textures,<br />

finishes and colors. Don’t be afraid to<br />

make your eyes stand out; that ‘80s<br />

blue eyeshadow fear has morphed into<br />

a sought after statement look. Makeup<br />

brands have begun to cultivate a range<br />

of bright eyeshadow palettes, making<br />

it simple to create every eye look over<br />

the rainbow. You can choose to stick to<br />

a color palette — like a warm sunset<br />

eye or cool toned galaxy lid — or combine<br />

totally unrelated colors to really<br />

make an impact. Look for eyeshadows<br />

that aren’t chalky and don’t have a<br />

lot of fallout. To make the color stand<br />

out as purely as possible, prime your<br />

eyes with an eye primer, and use a flat<br />

packing brush for the lid. This makes<br />

it so you layer the pigment straight on<br />

rather than buffing it out to be more<br />

sheer. Then blend out your crease for a<br />

seamless, airbrushed finish.<br />

PUCKER UP<br />

One of the easiest ways to make a<br />

statement when you walk out the door<br />

is to play up your lips with a bold color.<br />

There’s no need to stick to the traditional<br />

reds and nudes — teal, lavender<br />

and electric orange are all underrated<br />

options great for making your lips pop.<br />

If you’re not ready to dive into the deep<br />

end of the rainbow, try an orangey-red<br />

or a hot pink; you can still be daring<br />

while keeping your look suitable for<br />

every day. Before you apply any bright<br />

[14] <strong>Alice</strong> May 2017


lipstick, make sure your lips are exfoliated<br />

and moisturized. You want to<br />

give your lipstick as much of a smooth,<br />

even canvas to work on, so you can<br />

build up that pigment. Look for a liquid<br />

lipstick or a bullet lipstick with<br />

some coverage to really make your<br />

lips eye-catching.<br />

GET IN LINE<br />

Graphic liner is a fast growing trend<br />

that is perfect for those of us who want<br />

to spice up that classic cat eye. The<br />

great thing about graphic liner is that<br />

it gives you full license to break the<br />

conventions of drawing on your normal<br />

wing: many of the styles employ geometric<br />

shapes, sketchy lines and symbols.<br />

If you want to create the look but<br />

you’re not sure where to start, look for<br />

natural lines around your eye that you<br />

can accentuate with eyeliner. Trace<br />

your liner along your crease and connect<br />

it with your normal eyeliner into<br />

the shape of an open wing. Skip top<br />

liner altogether and extend your bottom<br />

lash line with a double flick. Or do<br />

away with lines and ink out some cool<br />

dots instead. Don’t think you have to<br />

stick to black either; some of the most<br />

fun looks involve a cobalt blue, pure<br />

white, or an ombré of several colors.<br />

When it comes to getting graphic, liquid,<br />

gel and a creamy pencil liner are<br />

the way to go. Don’t forget to have a<br />

small clean up brush and some concealer<br />

on hand so you can sharpen and<br />

define your look.<br />

So whatever your comfort level is,<br />

don’t be afraid to be a bit more free<br />

with color this summer. Take advantage<br />

of this time to try new things, be<br />

creative and just have fun with your<br />

look — after all, with all of the colors<br />

of the rainbow at your disposal, why<br />

not use them? *<br />

SPRING101<br />

> TRENDS 2016<br />

@THE<br />

UNIVERSITY<br />

OF<br />

STYLE.<br />

online on facebook + university-mall.com<br />

1701 McFarland Blvd East<br />

Open Daily 10am-9pm, Sunday 1pm-5:30pm<br />

PLAID . COLD SHOULDER . TIE DYE . SUEDE<br />

FRINGE . BACKPACK PURSES . VIVID COLOR<br />

<strong>Alice</strong> May 2017 [15]


FASHION<br />

HEAD<br />

IN<br />

THE<br />

CLOUDS<br />

Photo by Teah Shaw<br />

Airplanes and location courtesy of Abe Alibrahim<br />

[16] <strong>Alice</strong> May 2017


Blazer: Az Well<br />

For once you have tasted flight you will walk the earth<br />

with your eyes turned skywards, for there you have been<br />

and there you will long to return.<br />

– Leonardo da Vinci<br />

Photo by Emily Heath Photo by Emily Heath<br />

<strong>Alice</strong> May 2017 [17]


Photo by Sarah Westmoreland<br />

[18] <strong>Alice</strong> May 2017<br />

Photo by Emily Heath


White flowy top: Market House<br />

Pants: Az Well<br />

All sunglasses: Lulu’s<br />

Gray jumpsuit: Lulu’s<br />

Photo by Emily Heath<br />

<strong>Alice</strong> May 2017 [19]


Blue jumpsuit: Lulu’s<br />

Photo by Emily Heath<br />

[20] <strong>Alice</strong> May 2017


Photo by Emily Heath<br />

Photo by Teah Shaw Photo by Sarah Westmoreland<br />

<strong>Alice</strong> May 2017 [21]


FASHION<br />

COLOR THEORY: GOLDENROD<br />

Photo by Alex Green<br />

[22] <strong>Alice</strong> May 2017


Photo by Alex Green<br />

Romper (above): Lulu’s<br />

Romper (left): Pants Store<br />

<strong>Alice</strong> May 2017 [23]


Photo by Alex Green Photo by Alex Green<br />

Goldenrod blazer: Forever 21<br />

Striped dress: Forever 21<br />

[24] <strong>Alice</strong> May 2017


<strong>Alice</strong> May 2017 [25]<br />

Photo by Emily Heath


Cool Looks for a Hot Summer<br />

It’ll be a summer of comfort and style in these bold, bright and colorful outfits –<br />

inspired by the sunny streets and untouched beaches of Cuba. The Havana Collection,<br />

available at The Trunk Show boutique inside both Supe Store locations.<br />

Floral flowy v-neck<br />

¾ length sleeve dress<br />

by JODIFL - $36<br />

3/4 length sleeve floral wrap romper<br />

by JODIFL - $34<br />

Chambray ruffle shorts<br />

by jella c. - $21<br />

Cold shoulder long sleeved<br />

tunic w/ eyelet lace trim<br />

by EMME - $40


Black strappy crepe dress with embroidered<br />

bodice by JODIFL - $36<br />

Ditsy floral wrap dress<br />

by JODIFL - $36<br />

Strappy cropped top<br />

by daytrip - $19<br />

Shorts: short linen ruffle shorts by<br />

veryJ - $26


FASHION<br />

LET THE<br />

GOOD TIMES<br />

ROLL<br />

Photo by Alex Green<br />

[28] <strong>Alice</strong> May 2017


Photo by Alex Green<br />

Red two-piece: Lavish<br />

Black off-the-shoulder top: Lavish<br />

All other items: Twice as Nice<br />

Photo by Alex Green<br />

<strong>Alice</strong> May 2017 [29]


Photo by Teah Shaw<br />

Photo by Alex Green<br />

[30] <strong>Alice</strong> May 2017


Photo by Emily Heath<br />

<strong>Alice</strong> May 2017 [31]


Photo by Emily Heath<br />

[32] <strong>Alice</strong> May 2017


Photo by Alex Green<br />

Bralette: Lavish<br />

Black bead necklace: Lavish<br />

Photo by Alex Green<br />

<strong>Alice</strong> May 2017 [33]


By Kallen Sebastian<br />

This season, less actually is more.<br />

Clothes that show a little skin have<br />

made a major appearance in both runway<br />

and day-to-day fashion. From<br />

nude and sheer to cutout and mesh,<br />

clothes seem to be doing a lot more<br />

showing and a lot less telling.<br />

Perhaps this is a result of recycling<br />

styles from the ‘80s, or perhaps it’s<br />

a byproduct of the lingerie trend:<br />

whatever it is, everyone seems<br />

to be getting on board.<br />

Although we may not<br />

all be so bold as to<br />

wear an entirely sheer dress like Rihanna<br />

or Kim K, we’re starting to see<br />

their vision.<br />

So arrives sheer tops, fishnets and<br />

cutouts of every kind. Fishnets aren’t<br />

limited to their classic design: we’ve<br />

seen a variety of colors and sizes on<br />

the streets (and the internet). If you’re<br />

feeling an early 2000s throwback, try<br />

layering fishnets over nude tights or<br />

try a pair underneath torn denim, giving<br />

you a little grunge while keeping<br />

you in 2017. Even better: try it with<br />

high-waisted fishnets that peek above<br />

your jeans.<br />

If full-on fishnets aren’t for you,<br />

don’t think you have to go all-out to<br />

be a part of the movement. Nude fishnet<br />

ankle socks paired with loafers or<br />

converse are a great way to add a little<br />

spice while keeping it subtle.<br />

Shirts and bodysuits with lace-up<br />

cutouts are also a simple way to show a<br />

little skin without baring it all.<br />

If you’re not quite so Madonna and<br />

a little more Jane Fonda, you will be<br />

pleased to know that athleisure hasn’t<br />

missed the cut either: mesh leggings<br />

and strategically-placed cutouts are<br />

making bold entrances into the athletic<br />

work. It gives workout gear a little sass<br />

without losing its function.<br />

With summer right outside our windows,<br />

it’s no wonder we want to show a<br />

little skin. This season, add some intrigue<br />

to the equation. *<br />

[34] <strong>Alice</strong> May 2017


Photos by Emily Heath<br />

Grey skirt: Twice as Nice<br />

Mesh shirt: Twice as Nice<br />

Black top: Az Well<br />

White pants: Pants Store<br />

Blue two-piece: Az Well<br />

Blue fishnet: Forever 21<br />

<strong>Alice</strong> May 2017 [35]


LIFESTYLE<br />

Photo courtesy of Prestley Bramlett<br />

[36] <strong>Alice</strong> May 2017


48<br />

hours in<br />

Birmingham<br />

By Emily Adams and Christina Ausley<br />

Birmingham: our local big city with a southern, small-town feel.<br />

Whether you’re visiting for the food or the sights, it’s the perfect<br />

city to spend a weekend. Birmingham’s historic downtown area,<br />

up-and-coming music scene and delicious southern eats are all conveniently<br />

located only an hour from campus. Treat yourself to some<br />

retail therapy, make evening plans to see the hottest show in town<br />

and, most importantly, leave a little room for a bit of spontaneity.<br />

Day<br />

1<br />

<strong>No</strong><br />

weekend excursion would be complete<br />

without a luxurious hotel room.<br />

Stay at the newly-renovated Hampton<br />

Inn and Suites’ Tutwiler Hotel for its<br />

convenient downtown location and affordable<br />

room options. The Tutwiler is<br />

perfect for anyone who admires southern<br />

elegance and appreciates modern<br />

conveniences.<br />

9 a.m. Chez Lulu and Continental<br />

Bakery is a little slice of Paris right<br />

here in the deep South. Step into this<br />

corner bake shop to sample the best<br />

<strong>Alice</strong> May 2017 [37]


delicacies Chef Carole Griffin has to offer.<br />

Every bite of her crepes, baguettes<br />

and tarts is a taste of authentic French<br />

cuisine (just ask her many loyal customers).<br />

The doors to the bakery open<br />

at 7 a.m., and since every item on the<br />

menu is made fresh daily, it’s definitely<br />

worth making the early morning trek.<br />

Stop by for a delicious breakfast bite<br />

and ask for the daily special. You won’t<br />

be disappointed!<br />

The details: 1909 & 1911 Cahaba Rd. /<br />

$9 / chezlulu.us<br />

10 a.m. Once you’ve had your daily<br />

sugar fix, head to the Market at Pepper<br />

Place. A retro farmer’s market located<br />

in the former Dr. Pepper Syrup Plant<br />

and Bottling Company, Pepper Place<br />

offers the freshest food and trendiest<br />

wares on the market. With over a hundred<br />

Alabama-based artists, artisans<br />

and crafters present each week, the<br />

market is a hub for tourists and locals<br />

alike. Be sure to take the time to explore<br />

the rest of the historic Lakeview<br />

Design District during your visit here!<br />

The details: 2829 2nd Avenue South /<br />

Varies / pepperplacemarket.com<br />

12 p.m. From Pepper Place, it’s only<br />

a short walk to one of the quirkiest<br />

shops in town: What’s on 2nd. A treasure<br />

trove of undiscovered vinyls, vintage<br />

movie posters and collectibles of<br />

all kinds, What’s on 2nd will keep you<br />

busy for hours as you lose yourself in<br />

its ever-changing inventory. Stop by<br />

this local favorite to find that perfect<br />

vintage piece for your apartment or to<br />

peruse a bit of pop culture history.<br />

The details: 2323 1st Ave. N. / Varies /<br />

whatson2ndbirmingham.com<br />

1 p.m. After a morning of exploring<br />

the city, you’re probably looking forward<br />

to some quintessential southern<br />

eats. Saw’s is barbecue at its finest,<br />

and the heaping plates of mouthwatering<br />

brisket, chicken and pork are<br />

Photos from top left to bottom: Light Tunnel, Seth Doyle;<br />

downtown Birmingham, Blair Blackmon; Birmingham sign,<br />

Morgan Stevenson; Penny & Sparrow at Iron City, Emma Bjornson<br />

[38] <strong>Alice</strong> May 2017


definitely worth the wait in line. (Get<br />

here before the lunch hour rush to<br />

snag a spot at the front.) Saw’s is an<br />

award-winning eatery, and it’s easy to<br />

see why when the homemade sides are<br />

just as delicious as the main course.<br />

The details: 1008 Oxmoor Rd / $15 /<br />

sawsbbq.com<br />

2 p.m. There’s nowhere better to grab<br />

dessert (and to relax after a satisfying<br />

meal) than Church St. Coffee and<br />

Books. Come here to lounge with a new<br />

bestseller in the cozy upstairs reading<br />

nook, buy a homemade gift for a friend<br />

or try a tasty treat off the unique<br />

café menu. The Breakup Cookie is a<br />

cult-favorite and locally famous for its<br />

chocolatey deliciousness.<br />

The details: 81 Church St., Mountain<br />

Brook / $10 / churchstreetshop.com<br />

7 p.m. For a picture-perfect moment<br />

after the sun sets, visit the Light Tunnel.<br />

An underpass turned art installation,<br />

the Light Tunnel is the creation<br />

of artist Bill FitzGibbons. Using thousands<br />

of LED lights on a computerized<br />

system, FitzGibbons turned a historic<br />

Art Deco tunnel into a technicolor wonderland<br />

perfect for cyclists, pedestrians<br />

and Instagram enthusiasts to enjoy.<br />

The details: 2501 5th Avenue <strong>No</strong>rth /<br />

Free<br />

8 p.m. To wrap up your first day in<br />

Birmingham, catch a show at Iron City<br />

Music Hall. Originally built in 1929 as<br />

an auto factory, Iron City now hosts<br />

one of the most phenomenal music<br />

scenes in Alabama. Featuring upcoming<br />

acts such as Mayday Parade and<br />

Sister Hazel, Iron City is the perfect<br />

venue for a girls’ night out or a rockin’<br />

date night. With its three stages, two<br />

bars and restaurant, there’s sure to be<br />

something that catches your eye at this<br />

downtown music hall.<br />

The details: 513 22nd St. S. / Varies /<br />

ironcitybham.com<br />

Day 2<br />

The sun rises on day two and it’s<br />

time to kick-start your last 24 hours in<br />

the Iron City. Stretch your legs and get<br />

ready for a day full of French cuisine<br />

made with local ingredients and views<br />

to die for. Use these tips, but also plan<br />

ahead by making reservations if you’re<br />

in the mood for a nicer sit-down lunch<br />

or dinner under the city lights of Birmingham.<br />

8 a.m. Let’s toast! If you’re in the<br />

mood for a tasty morning treat, try<br />

this: Trattoria Centrale. Start your<br />

morning off right with Trattoria Centrale’s<br />

famous French toast in a trendy,<br />

European-styled café. If French toast<br />

isn’t your thing, the café also offers<br />

fresh scones, omelets, sandwiches and<br />

orange juice — all made with local and<br />

organic ingredients.<br />

The details: 207 20th St N / Varies /<br />

trattoriacentrale.com<br />

If you’re closer to Clairmont Avenue,<br />

Bogues remains open from 6 a.m.<br />

– 2 p.m. and offers a unique spot for<br />

breakfast, brunch or lunch. This Birmingham<br />

gem offers traditional southern<br />

hospitality and cuisine from biscuits<br />

and gravy to a stack of blueberry<br />

pancakes, not to mention the prices are<br />

more than reasonable.<br />

The details: 3028 Clairmont Ave / Varies<br />

/ boguesdiner.com<br />

9 a.m. If you want to see the true view<br />

of Iron City, check out Birmingham’s<br />

Vulcan Statue. Home of the largest<br />

cast iron statue in the world, this giant<br />

stands tall over the city. For just $6,<br />

you can climb up the steps to the top<br />

and view Birmingham in all its glory.<br />

The overlook is a great photo-op and<br />

can be accessed in the early morning<br />

or late evening for spectacular sunrise<br />

and sunset views. With Birmingham<br />

known as “Steel City,” how could you<br />

miss this 50-ton iron giant?<br />

<strong>Alice</strong> May 2017 [39]


The details: 1701 Valley View Dr / $6 /<br />

visitvulcan.com<br />

11 a.m. If you’re looking to walk off<br />

those blueberry pancakes or French<br />

toast, Railroad Park offers an array<br />

of walking paths and trails. The park<br />

also offers free exercise classes like<br />

yoga and Zumba whether you’re in the<br />

mood to relax or get your heart rate<br />

up. Visit http://www.railroadpark.org/<br />

for the park’s schedule of events.<br />

The details: 1600 1st Ave S<br />

12 p.m. In need of a little pick-me-up?<br />

If you’ve spent your afternoon walking<br />

the trails or climbing the Vulcan Statue,<br />

you’re more than likely in need of a<br />

sugary or caffeinated boost. For a hip,<br />

rustic and local coffee shop, try Urban<br />

Standard Coffee for a house-made chai<br />

latte or iced coffee.<br />

The details: 2320 2nd Ave N / Varies /<br />

urbanstandard.com<br />

If you have a sweet tooth, try Doodles<br />

for homemade sorbet or Savage’s Bakery<br />

for an intricately-frosted cupcake<br />

or cookie. Both locations are long-running<br />

and local favorites.<br />

The details: (Doodles) 3236 Cahaba<br />

Heights Rd. (Savage’s) 2916 18th St S<br />

/ Varies / savagesbakery.com<br />

2 p.m. Let’s turn the page, if you’re<br />

looking for a little taste of shopping, be<br />

sure to sort through Jim Reed Books.<br />

This historic book store offers thousands<br />

of novels, magazines, newspapers<br />

and antiques fit for almost any curious<br />

visitor. The best part about this<br />

shop is that it offers around 250,000<br />

uncatalogued items up for discovery.<br />

Ask for just about any obscure item,<br />

and they’ll find it for you.<br />

The details: 2021 3rd Ave N / Varies /<br />

jimreedbooks.com<br />

Outside of books, Charlemagne Records<br />

and Renaissance Records offer<br />

thousands of vinyls to skim through<br />

and purchase. Whether you’re looking<br />

[40] <strong>Alice</strong> May 2017<br />

for classic rock, alternative or vintage<br />

pop, both of these businesses will more<br />

than likely have exactly what you’re<br />

looking for.<br />

The details: (Charlemagne) 1924 ½<br />

11th Ave S / Varies // (Renaissance)<br />

2020 11th Ave S B / Varies<br />

6 p.m. Once dinner time rolls around,<br />

try Bottega Restaurant for upscale<br />

Italian fare or Hotbox for a fun take on<br />

Asian food for less than $10. Though<br />

both locations couldn’t be more different,<br />

both offer some of Birmingham’s<br />

best cuisine and local favorites.<br />

The details: (Bottega) 2240 Highland<br />

Ave / Varies / bottegarestaurant.com //<br />

(Hotbox) 4036 5th Ave S #2 / Varies /<br />

hotboxbhm.com<br />

8 p.m. If you’re looking to wrap it up,<br />

enjoy Birmingham’s nightlife watching<br />

the sunset from Red Mountain<br />

near English Village, purchasing a<br />

ticket for the night’s performance at<br />

Alabama Theater or checking out<br />

Moonlight on the Mountain. Moonlight<br />

Photo by <strong>No</strong>ah Hinton<br />

on the Mountain provides a unique<br />

musical atmosphere where you’re encouraged<br />

to bring your own drinks<br />

and snacks, as they don’t serve any of<br />

their own. Instead, the intimate setting<br />

offers live acoustic acts, poetry<br />

readings and comedians. Visit http://<br />

www.musiconthemtn.com/events/ for<br />

their schedule of events and more information.<br />

The details: (Red Mountain) 2011<br />

Frankfurt Dr / redmountainpark.org<br />

// (Alabama Theater) 1817 3rd Ave N /<br />

Varies / alabamatheatre.com // (Moonlight)<br />

Bluff Park Shopping Center, 585<br />

Shades Crest Rd<br />

Check out the app “Birmingham IN<br />

Guide,” where you can get a layout<br />

of the city’s restaurants, hotels and<br />

attractions. The app also supplies directions<br />

to each location and customer<br />

comments to help you find the parts of<br />

Birmingham that best accommodate<br />

your preferences. *


Wedding<br />

Season<br />

Survival Guide<br />

By Katie Bell<br />

With the sunshine comes the bride:<br />

summer wedding season is upon us.<br />

From what to wear and who to bring,<br />

this time of year can be a little daunting.<br />

Travel, lodging and registry gifts can<br />

be enough to make your head spin. We<br />

know you know the Golden Rule (don’t<br />

wear white to a wedding), <strong>Alice</strong> has<br />

the best tips to not just surviving but<br />

thriving for every summer celebration.<br />

Lots of planning goes into a wedding<br />

from the bridal party’s side, and being<br />

prepared on your side can help the big<br />

day transition smoothly. It’s a special<br />

event celebrating the couple’s big day,<br />

but a bride is just as worried about her<br />

guests having fun as she is walking<br />

down the aisle.<br />

First and foremost, RSVP to wedding<br />

invitations by the suggested date<br />

given. This helps the bride plan for catering<br />

and seating, while also showing<br />

appreciation and respect for the hard<br />

work that went into designing, organizing<br />

and mailing those invitations.<br />

Next, book a hotel or Airbnb for the<br />

weekend if applicable. Always go in<br />

with friends to reduce the cost and<br />

make a fun road trip out of it if you<br />

don’t fly. Also, monitor the bridal registry<br />

and pick a gift within your price<br />

range or go in with a friend on an expensive<br />

item.<br />

As far as bridal showers go, don’t<br />

sweat if you can’t make all of them —<br />

the bride will understand. Pick a party<br />

that works with your schedule, RSVP<br />

and enjoy the time celebrating the bride.<br />

DO<br />

“Pick the right shoes. Don’t wear a<br />

pair with skinny heels that will sink<br />

into the ground if it’s outside. Dress<br />

for the venue.” - Molli, 22<br />

“Take a date that you know can handle<br />

the agenda for the day. A ceremony<br />

and reception can sometimes be allday<br />

events, and mixing that with alcohol<br />

and strangers and be overwhelming<br />

for some. Take someone who would<br />

be excited to go.” - Kelley, 22<br />

“Eat a little something before you<br />

go. You never know what the food table<br />

will look like and partying on an empty<br />

stomach can be risky.” - Kim, 54<br />

DON’T<br />

“Don’t blow your budget going to<br />

every party or shower a couple has.”<br />

- Angel, 38<br />

“Don’t post pictures of the wedding<br />

before the professional photographer<br />

does.” - Allison, 35<br />

“Don’t experiment with spray tans<br />

a few days before a wedding if you’ve<br />

never gotten one before. I did once …<br />

let’s just say it didn’t go very well.”<br />

- Kady, 22<br />

<strong>No</strong>body wants to provoke a bridezilla.<br />

When choosing an outfit, steer clear of<br />

anything that could potentially overshadow<br />

the bride or bridal party. Don’t<br />

be the guest on her phone the whole<br />

time — this means putting it away for<br />

the ceremony and reception.<br />

You are responsible for your plus one<br />

date, which means choose a respectful<br />

date who knows how to conduct himself<br />

or herself around an open bar and new<br />

people. At the end of the night, don’t<br />

worry if you’re unable to say goodbye<br />

to the bride and groom. Offer congratulations<br />

and praise at some point of<br />

the night when the bride and groom<br />

are available; saying goodbye can be<br />

hard in a reception room full of people.<br />

Overall, remember you are there to celebrate<br />

the marriage of a friend and to<br />

have fun. *<br />

<strong>Alice</strong> May 2017 [41]


Pack<br />

[42] <strong>Alice</strong> May 2017<br />

By Lota Erinne and Carson Woody<br />

Whether you’re spending a summer<br />

in Paris or just going home for the<br />

weekend to visit family, there is one inescapable<br />

issue when it comes to traveling:<br />

packing.<br />

It’s the least glamorous part of any<br />

trip, yet it’s arguably the most important.<br />

After all, how can you enjoy<br />

a getaway with friends if you’re scrambling<br />

to replace those sandals you left<br />

at home or worrying about how to deal<br />

with the catastrophe of a shattered<br />

bottle of foundation? An organized, efficiently-packed<br />

suitcase is the key to<br />

starting any trip on the right foot, and<br />

we are here to help you unlock the keys<br />

to a stress-free vacation.<br />

WEEKEND TRIP<br />

Whether you’re going on a fun getaway<br />

with your friends or traveling<br />

for something more serious, everyone<br />

needs to know how to pack for a weekend<br />

getaway. All you need for this short<br />

trip is one bag and maybe a large purse<br />

or tote bag (seriously, those things<br />

can hold everything). Here’s what<br />

you’ll need:<br />

Shirts: It’s tempting to dump your<br />

entire closet in your suitcase, but stay<br />

strong. You’ve worn the same shirt for<br />

the past four days (#RealTalk). Two<br />

or three shirts should do the trick.<br />

Pants: Depending on the weather,<br />

two pairs of pants or shorts should<br />

be fine. For a lightweight solution<br />

that barely takes up any space,<br />

bring leggings.<br />

Underwear: Here is where you can<br />

splurge. Underwear hardly takes up<br />

any space, so overpack a little on this<br />

in case of emergency. Pro tip: you can<br />

pack underwear inside other things —<br />

like shoes.<br />

Toiletries: Just bring the basics.<br />

Wherever you are going will most likely<br />

have shampoo and conditioner, so<br />

remember the essentials: your makeup<br />

bag, a toothbrush, some deodorant and<br />

personal medications.<br />

A WEEK<br />

Weeklong trips pose a dilemma:<br />

Should you stick to one small-to-medium<br />

sized bag? Or would it be better<br />

to bring two bags or just upgrade to a<br />

big suitcase?<br />

One big suitcase is fine for air travel,<br />

but less is definitely more if you’re<br />

driving to your destination. It’s best<br />

to cram all you can into a suitcase<br />

that’s not too tough to maneuver and<br />

doesn’t take up much space. Here<br />

are a few tips to maximize efficiency<br />

and keep your long-suffering zipper<br />

from busting.<br />

Pack socks and underwear in shoes.<br />

This technique, as weird as it sounds,<br />

will keep your shoes from flattening<br />

out. Lay them on their sides with the<br />

soles touching each other to keep from<br />

getting your clothes dirty — no one


Attack<br />

wants to open their suitcase and be<br />

greeted with a dirt-streaked surprise.<br />

Roll your clothes. You’ve heard your<br />

parents lament your habit of just<br />

throwing everything in the bag, and<br />

now it’s time to listen to them. While<br />

folding is the most common practice,<br />

rolled up clothing saves even more<br />

space and is easier to sift through<br />

without yanking out the contents of<br />

your suitcase.<br />

Don’t cut corners. Once your bag<br />

seems full, take a moment to reassess.<br />

Are there empty spaces in the corners?<br />

Could you reposition your makeup bag<br />

to create more room? Never miss an<br />

opportunity to fit a few last things in<br />

your bag.<br />

Get stacked. Place anything fragile<br />

— glasses, breakable makeup containers,<br />

etc. — between layers of softer<br />

material. Be sure to pack everything<br />

tightly to minimize jostling as you<br />

travel and keep your belongings intact.<br />

STUDY ABROAD<br />

Congratulations: You are about to<br />

embark on one of the most exciting adventures<br />

of your college career. With<br />

all the paperwork and detailed planning<br />

behind you, you want to make<br />

sure that that last piece — packing<br />

— is as painless as possible. As with<br />

any lengthy trip, a well-packed suitcase<br />

is essential. However, you don’t<br />

have to pack literally everything you<br />

own just because you’re going to be<br />

gone for months. Remember: you can<br />

buy things in other countries too, so<br />

that pillow that’s taking up space in<br />

your luggage has got to go. What you<br />

need are the essentials, and a few other<br />

lesser known items that people tend<br />

to forget.<br />

Medicine: If you take a regular medication,<br />

research it and make sure it is<br />

allowed in your destination and on the<br />

plane. It’s best to pack a full supply for<br />

the duration of your trip.<br />

Clothing: Roll your clothing so it fits<br />

better in your suitcase. You’ll be gone<br />

for a while, so bring all your staples,<br />

including at least one nice outfit. Pay<br />

attention to the weather as well, and<br />

pack accordingly. If you need to bring<br />

a big winter coat, wear it with you<br />

while you travel to save space.<br />

Photocopies of all important documents:<br />

This is the most important one.<br />

Make sure you have copies of all the<br />

documents you need (passport, visa,<br />

etc.) — actually, make multiple copies<br />

and store them in a secure place.<br />

Credit Card without Foreign Transaction<br />

Fees: <strong>No</strong> one wants to pay extra<br />

fees when they are already traveling<br />

and spending money.<br />

Toiletries: Keep these minimal. Most<br />

of these items can be bought in any location,<br />

so free up some space in your<br />

suitcase and leave them out.<br />

Shoes: You don’t need more than<br />

three pairs of shoes — wipe that grimace<br />

off your face, you know you don’t.<br />

Pack one for casual day-to-day wear,<br />

one formal pair and one pair for more<br />

rugged terrain.<br />

Leave some room: When you eventually<br />

have to go home (yes, you do have<br />

to leave at some point), you’ll want to<br />

bring a few mementos back with you.<br />

Leave some extra space in your suitcase<br />

to store memories made on your<br />

amazing time abroad.<br />

OVERALL TIPS<br />

A suitcase is a suitcase no matter<br />

where you take it. The following strategies<br />

are useful for trips of any length<br />

— keep them in mind every time you<br />

travel and you can’t go wrong.<br />

Check the weather forecast for your<br />

destination and prepare accordingly.<br />

Plan your outfits, or at least have an<br />

idea of what you’ll need to wear.<br />

Make a list of everything you pack.<br />

When you’re coming home, go back<br />

over the list and be sure you aren’t forgetting<br />

anything.<br />

Travel is going to be a bit hectic no<br />

matter what, but you don’t need to<br />

let the stress take over the fun and<br />

adventure of the journey. When in<br />

doubt, focus on the necessities and<br />

remember that if your forget something<br />

it won’t be the end of the world.<br />

Happy Traveling! *<br />

<strong>Alice</strong> May 2017 [43]


LIFESTYLE<br />

BOTTLE IT UP<br />

By Danielle Waddell<br />

With sweltering heat right<br />

around the corner, hydration<br />

is key to keeping up<br />

with your summer bucket list. <strong>No</strong>t<br />

sure what type of water bottle best<br />

suits your summer needs? Here’s our<br />

list of hyped-up water bottles, their<br />

perks and downfalls.<br />

A+ Nalgene Tritan Wide<br />

Mouth (32 oz.) $10.99<br />

Easy on the nose. Users say Nalgene<br />

bottles don’t hold the “smell,” as compared<br />

to some other bottles. If you’ve<br />

experienced (and hate) the “smell,”<br />

here’s your new BFF!<br />

<strong>No</strong> limitations. The Tritan’s wide<br />

mouth allows for lots of ice and water<br />

without the difficulty of fighting a<br />

strange or small mouth shape.<br />

Tough skin. Nalgene users gush<br />

about the bottle’s durability. <strong>No</strong><br />

amount of drops, falls or abuse drive<br />

the bottle to leak.<br />

Shape of you. Nalgene bottles<br />

come in all shapes and sizes, so be<br />

sure to check out which one best fits<br />

your preferences.<br />

A<br />

Hydro Flask (21 oz.<br />

Standard Mouth) $32.95<br />

Baby, I’m worth it. User Mallory<br />

McIntosh said the bottle is heavy duty,<br />

long-lasting and perfect for keeping<br />

cold drinks cold and hot drinks hot.<br />

For long summer days on the beach,<br />

ice cold water is more than worth the<br />

extra money.<br />

Tough Skin. McIntosh says the nice<br />

exterior of Hydro Flasks fade quickly<br />

[44] <strong>Alice</strong> May 2017<br />

with a few drops to the floor, so handle<br />

your Flask carefully.<br />

Shape of you. Be aware of the different<br />

mouth shapes; different people<br />

have different preferences. Research<br />

what’s best for you before purchasing<br />

your bottle or any add-ons.<br />

A heavy load. Hydro Flask products<br />

tend to be rather dense (part of<br />

the temperature technology), adding<br />

some weight to your daily cross-campus<br />

travels.<br />

Tinted, not tainted. Users say the inside<br />

of your Flask may stain from coffee<br />

or tea — a warning for those easily<br />

panicked by signs of staining.<br />

A-<br />

S’ip by S’well $24.99<br />

Baby, I’m worth it. Keeps your hot<br />

drinks scalding and your cold drinks<br />

frigid.<br />

Ice, ice, baby. The small opening<br />

makes getting peculiar-shaped ice into<br />

the bottle tricky, so be aware of your<br />

freezer’s ice shape.<br />

Size matters. On the topic of size,<br />

S’ip is a bit on the small side, but<br />

Erika Pope said she loves the size —<br />

S’ip fits into backpack pockets beautifully.<br />

Thankfully, S’well’s handy<br />

temperature-keeping strength is found<br />

in all their bottles for those seeking a<br />

little more water room.<br />

Don’t sweat it. Pope raved about the<br />

bottle’s no-sweat power. Dry hands<br />

for days!<br />

B+<br />

Brita Filtered $18.99<br />

So fresh, so clean. With a built-in<br />

Brita water filter, users can drink<br />

nearly any water, anywhere — a major<br />

bonus for world travelers.<br />

Work for it. Due to the filter itself,<br />

along with the shape and science of<br />

the spout, it takes a bit more effort to<br />

drink water from this bottle as compared<br />

to others.<br />

Clean freak. Cleaning the bottle<br />

proves to be quite a hassle as areas of<br />

the lid are difficult or nearly impossible<br />

to reach.<br />

A piece of cake. Replacement filters<br />

for the bottle are inexpensive and easy<br />

to replace.<br />

B- CamelBak Chute<br />

(0.75L) $15.00<br />

I’ve got it handled. Chute users love<br />

the harnessed cap that folds back and<br />

snuggly slips into the handle. <strong>No</strong> worries<br />

about losing the lid or having it<br />

fall on your face mid-sip.<br />

Clean freak. Frequently compared<br />

to the difficult-to-clean Eddy mouthpiece,<br />

Chute’s wide mouth allows for<br />

easy cleaning.<br />

Rain drop, drip drop. While some<br />

users never experience leaking issues,<br />

others say the Chute leaks no matter<br />

how well or tightly the cap is screwed<br />

on. Give the bottle a thorough trial run<br />

before allowing it the space next to<br />

your laptop.<br />

Tough skin. The Chute can take a<br />

hit (or two, or three…) While reviews<br />

say a few falls might further affect the<br />

leaking, the bottle itself proves to be<br />

tough stuff.<br />

Summer is fun, but not when you’re<br />

dehydrated. Whether hiking your way<br />

through summer (Nalgene for the<br />

win!) or relaxing on the beach day-byday<br />

(hello, Hydro Flask), don’t forget<br />

your most important accessory: your<br />

water bottle. *


LIFESTYLE<br />

Revamp<br />

and Revive<br />

Your New Year’s<br />

Resolutions<br />

By Mikelah Luke<br />

It’s sweet summertime right now,<br />

and, between all of the beach trips and<br />

days in the sun, you realize that you<br />

haven’t even thought about your New<br />

Year’s resolutions since January. But,<br />

hey, it’s okay, it happens to the best of<br />

us. In fact, statistics have shown that<br />

about 45 percent of people who make<br />

resolutions each year don’t maintain<br />

them past six months. If you don’t<br />

want to be one of those people and<br />

you’re looking for a way to get back on<br />

track, here are our five steps to revamp<br />

and revive those resolutions, so you can<br />

get out of that “better luck next year”<br />

mindset and you’ll be able to show the<br />

rest of this year who’s boss.<br />

Step 1: Revisit<br />

The first thing you need to do is revisit<br />

your resolutions. Think about<br />

what it was you wanted to change or<br />

start doing and write it down. Along<br />

with doing this, you want to make sure<br />

you’re being realistic when it comes to<br />

making your resolutions. It’s great in<br />

theory but ending world hunger can’t<br />

be done in a year. It’s a better idea to<br />

have realistic goals that you can complete<br />

in a decent amount of time. You’ll<br />

feel loads better in the end when you’ve<br />

actually accomplished what you set out<br />

to do.<br />

Once you’ve got your thoughts together,<br />

try to prioritize your list by<br />

what’s most important to you. Figuring<br />

out those things can make the entire<br />

process a lot less stressful. Let’s<br />

face it — you probably already have<br />

too much stress in your life, so you<br />

should try to cut out as much of it as<br />

possible.<br />

Step 2: Support<br />

So you’ve got your new and improved<br />

<strong>Alice</strong> May 2017 [45]


list: what’s next? Get a support system.<br />

We honestly can’t stress this enough<br />

— if you don’t have someone there to<br />

help motivate you, you’re more likely<br />

to fail compared to someone who has<br />

a whole army of people behind them.<br />

I’m not saying you need an entire battalion,<br />

but a couple of people, or even<br />

one, is always better than none. For example,<br />

it’s easier for most people to go<br />

to the gym with a friend than it is for<br />

them go to by themselves. It’s always<br />

helpful to have someone go with you to<br />

help motivate you, and that same logic<br />

applies here.<br />

If you’re trying to eat more vegetables<br />

or cut out sodas from your diet,<br />

you can always expect to have weak<br />

moments. Sometimes you’d rather eat<br />

the cupcake instead of the celery and<br />

having someone to tell you, “<strong>No</strong>, remember<br />

that you’re trying to cut that<br />

stuff out,” can help you move leaps and<br />

bounds towards your goals.<br />

Step 3: Baby Steps<br />

While your support system can help<br />

hold you up during your weak moments,<br />

you have to first remember<br />

that taking small steps is essential.<br />

Rome wasn’t built in a day, and you<br />

can’t change your whole lifestyle in a<br />

day either.<br />

You always have to remember to take<br />

it one day at a time; while it can seem<br />

like it’s easy to just cut out half of your<br />

regular food groups in one day, trust<br />

me, it’s not.<br />

Step 4: Patience<br />

Speaking of failure, it happens to everyone.<br />

Failure is a part of life and unless<br />

you have the willpower and determination<br />

of a bull, you’ll probably fail.<br />

But, even if you do mess up, you<br />

have to remember not to be too hard<br />

on yourself. Stuff happens and life can<br />

always get the best of us. If you’re at a<br />

tailgate and you decide to try that football-shaped<br />

cupcake instead of going<br />

for the vegetable platter, it’s completely<br />

fine. Sometimes cheating is good for<br />

you, and you have to try not to feel too<br />

guilty about straying from the path<br />

you’ve set out for yourself.<br />

Always remember to take care of<br />

yourself first. While sticking to a goal<br />

can feel great, mental health should<br />

always be your top priority. A healthy<br />

mind is always the first step to creating<br />

a healthy lifestyle.<br />

Step 5: Keep It Fun<br />

Last but not least, make the process<br />

fun. If you’re too clinical about this,<br />

it won’t be something you want to do<br />

every day and you’ll go right back into<br />

that “better luck next year” mindset.<br />

Try to find ways that can make you<br />

happy to be making lifestyle changes.<br />

If you can find ways that you enjoy<br />

you’ll want to do it everyday and then<br />

eventually it’ll become a habit. Reward<br />

yourself along the way — when you<br />

reach a milestone, go buy those shoes<br />

you’ve had your eye on, or treat yourself<br />

to a facial and a night in with your<br />

dog. The little things always add up in<br />

the end and can really make changing<br />

your life worth it.<br />

<strong>Alice</strong> knows that being a student<br />

can be tough, especially when you<br />

feel the pressure of keeping up with<br />

homework, internships and social lives<br />

as well as your personal goals. We’ve<br />

been there and know how rewarding<br />

it feels to complete a New Year’s resolution.<br />

Hopefully these steps can help<br />

you as the mid-year slump approaches.<br />

There’s always time to turn the year<br />

around and with our guide and your<br />

people around you, you’ll have that list<br />

of resolutions finished in no time. *<br />

[46] <strong>Alice</strong> May 2017


48<br />

58<br />

62<br />

64<br />

Features<br />

Eternal Summer<br />

Hard to Swallow<br />

Exposed<br />

Escape Artist<br />

Photo by Alex Green<br />

<strong>Alice</strong> May 2017 [47]


Photo by Prestley Bramlett<br />

Black floral maxi: Lulu’s<br />

[48] <strong>Alice</strong> May 2017


ETERNAL<br />

SUMMER<br />

Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?<br />

Thou art more lovely and more temperate:<br />

Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May,<br />

And summer’s lease hath all too short a date:<br />

Sometime too hot the eye of heaven shines,<br />

And often is his gold complexion dimm’d;<br />

And every fair from fair sometime declines,<br />

By chance, or nature’s changing course, untrimm’d;<br />

But thy eternal summer shall not fade<br />

<strong>No</strong>r lose possession of that fair thou ow’st;<br />

<strong>No</strong>r shall Death brag thou wander’st in his shade,<br />

When in eternal lines to time thou grow’st;<br />

So long as men can breathe or eyes can see,<br />

So long lives this, and this gives life to thee.<br />

–William Shakespeare<br />

Styling by Allie Binford<br />

Hair and makeup by Allie Lowry<br />

<strong>Alice</strong> May 2017 [49]


Photo by Prestley Bramlett<br />

Green maxi: Lucca<br />

White jumpsuit: Market House<br />

Photo by Prestley Bramlett<br />

[50] <strong>Alice</strong> May 2017


<strong>Alice</strong> May 2017 [51]<br />

Photo by Alex Green


Striped two-piece: Pants Store<br />

Photo by Prestley Bramlett<br />

[52] <strong>Alice</strong> May 2017


Photo by Prestley Bramlett<br />

Photo by Prestley Bramlett<br />

<strong>Alice</strong> May 2017 [53]


Photo by Prestley Bramlett<br />

[54] <strong>Alice</strong> May 2017


White tank: Market House<br />

Black top: Az Well<br />

Striped skirt: Az Well<br />

Light blue dress: Lucca<br />

Striped pants: Market House<br />

Photo by Alex Green<br />

<strong>Alice</strong> May 2017 [55]<br />

Photo by Prestley Bramlett


Photo by Alex Green<br />

Photo by Alex Green<br />

[56] <strong>Alice</strong> May 2017


Tan dress: Lucca<br />

Navy jumpsuit: Lulu’s<br />

<strong>Alice</strong> May 2017 [57]<br />

Photo by Prestley Bramlett


Photos by Marie Walker<br />

[58] <strong>Alice</strong> May 2017<br />

HARD<br />

TO<br />

SWAL-<br />

LOW<br />

A look into fertility awareness and<br />

hormone-free alternatives to the pill<br />

By Maria Oswalt


The ‘80s had Heathers, the<br />

‘90s had Clueless — if you<br />

ask any college-aged woman<br />

today what she considers the<br />

most quotable movie of her generation,<br />

I’d bet good money she says it’s Mean<br />

Girls. The 2004 teen comedy became<br />

a cult classic with its witty one-liners,<br />

which continue to be relevant over a<br />

decade later. My favorite quote comes<br />

from the skeeziest character in the entire<br />

movie — Coach Carr, the health<br />

teacher. Parodying abstinence-only<br />

sex education, he proclaims to a gym<br />

full of teenagers:<br />

“Don’t have sex,<br />

because you will<br />

get pregnant and<br />

you will die.”<br />

Various studies, including one in<br />

2007 from the National Center for Biotechnology<br />

Information in the U.S. Library<br />

of Medicine, suggest that abstinence-only<br />

approaches to sex education<br />

don’t delay or prevent sexual activity<br />

in adolescents — so I wouldn’t recommend<br />

Coach Carr’s tactics. However,<br />

that’s a debate for another day. Rewatching<br />

this scene made me recall the<br />

sex education I received growing up in<br />

north Alabama.<br />

Despite the anti-sex stereotypes<br />

surrounding the Bible Belt, the sex<br />

education I received in high school<br />

was relatively comprehensive. I vividly<br />

remember when my tenth-grade<br />

health class watched The Miracle of<br />

Life — well, actually, I remember the<br />

smooth surface of my desk against my<br />

forehead and the faint smell of Clorox.<br />

I’d put my head down to avoid seeing<br />

too much, and the girl sitting behind<br />

me generously narrated every gruesome<br />

detail, so I wouldn’t miss out.<br />

Outside of the awkwardness of that<br />

film, my health teacher did a decent<br />

job explaining the biology behind sex,<br />

talking about the dangers of various<br />

STIs and even discussing the pros and<br />

cons of barrier methods vs. hormonal<br />

methods of contraception. Something<br />

that never came up, however, was the<br />

science behind fertility. I was shocked<br />

when, at 20 years old, I learned that<br />

there were natural, hormone-free ways<br />

to avoid pregnancy that were nearly<br />

as effective as hormonal<br />

contraception.<br />

I was doubly<br />

shocked when I<br />

learned that the<br />

pill is classified as a<br />

Group 1 carcinogen<br />

by the World Health<br />

Organization. If<br />

there were healthier<br />

options, why<br />

weren’t we learning<br />

about them? I was<br />

already an adult (well, as much as you<br />

can consider a 22-year-old who wears a<br />

Pikachu onesie every so often an adult)<br />

when I realized that I knew next to<br />

nothing about how my fertility worked<br />

— and a quick survey of my friends revealed<br />

that I wasn’t the only one feeling<br />

that way.<br />

“The only sex ed I got was in seventh<br />

grade, and they basically told us, ‘Use<br />

the pill. Use condoms.’ It wasn’t until I<br />

was in college that I learned anything<br />

about the possible consequences,” said<br />

Georgia Gallagher, a freshman from<br />

Denver. “I feel like most women are<br />

in the same boat as me, and they take<br />

it because they don’t realize there are<br />

other options.”<br />

Genevieve Aucoin, a senior from Atlanta,<br />

echoed her sentiments. “Most of<br />

what I remember from my high school<br />

sex ed was a single transparency they<br />

put on the projector that showed the<br />

different kinds of birth control and the<br />

pros/cons of each. I think there was<br />

something about the Rhythm Method,<br />

and they said that it was ineffective<br />

— that was all they told us about<br />

‘natural alternatives.’”<br />

Mary Katherine Holladay, a sophomore<br />

from Athens, Alabama, said<br />

that she received an abstinence-only<br />

sex education. She eventually got her<br />

information about contraceptives from<br />

friends and friends’ parents.<br />

“I’ve tried multiple forms of birth<br />

control, and for the most part they had<br />

a negative effect on other areas of my<br />

life, such as my mood,” Holladay said.<br />

“It just wasn’t worth it. Hormones,<br />

for me, haven’t been an effective or<br />

worthwhile solution.”<br />

As college-aged men and women, it’s<br />

imperative that we make well-informed<br />

sexual health decisions — so what exactly<br />

are the consequences of using<br />

hormonal birth control? What are our<br />

options in regards to natural methods?<br />

PILLS N’ POTIONS<br />

Let’s start at the very beginning (a<br />

very good place to start). The history<br />

of the pill is riddled with controversy,<br />

and not just because of the typical drama<br />

surrounding contraceptives. Many<br />

ethically reprehensible practices were<br />

involved in its development — for example,<br />

in the 1950s, biologist Gregory<br />

Pincus, gynecologist John Rock<br />

and Dr. Edris Rice-Wray couldn’t find<br />

enough women willing to endure the<br />

painful side effects from the trial runs<br />

of their hormonal contraceptives, so<br />

they turned to forcing women to participate<br />

in their studies. “These women<br />

weren’t told what the pill was for;<br />

instead, they were supposed to shut<br />

up, take their medicine, and submit<br />

to frequent, invasive medical exams,”<br />

writes Bethy Squires in her Broadly<br />

article “The Racist and Sexist History<br />

of Keeping Birth Control Side Ef-<br />

<strong>Alice</strong> May 2017 [59]


fects Secret.” She goes on to mention<br />

that the development of birth control<br />

for men was considered, but it was<br />

eventually dismissed due to the side<br />

effects. “It was believed that women<br />

would tolerate side effects better than<br />

men, who demanded a higher quality of<br />

life,” she writes. Beyond the trial runs<br />

of hormonal contraceptives, as it was<br />

brought into the consumer market,<br />

the risks continued to remain under<br />

wraps. Thankfully, modern technology<br />

has reduced the number of side effects<br />

related to the pill, but it has not<br />

eliminated them.<br />

Estrogen acts as both<br />

a promoter and an initiator,<br />

so higher levels of estrogen<br />

in the body lead to much<br />

higher risks of breast cancer.<br />

[60] <strong>Alice</strong> May 2017<br />

A RISKY CHEMICAL ROMANCE<br />

With this knowledge, it’s no surprise<br />

that there are so many misunderstandings<br />

surrounding the pill’s side effects.<br />

Recent studies link use of the pill with<br />

everything from depression to a higher<br />

risk of breast cancer.<br />

A <strong>No</strong>vember 2016 study from Denmark<br />

is the most recent one to find a<br />

correlation between hormonal contraceptives<br />

and depression. This study<br />

reported an 80 percent relative risk<br />

increase in the likelihood that a 15- to<br />

19-year-old taking oral contraceptives<br />

would later be put on antidepressants<br />

as well. Other types of hormonal contraceptives<br />

— such patches, rings and<br />

injectables — reported higher rates<br />

of correlation with depression than<br />

oral contraceptives.<br />

When it comes to breast cancer, the<br />

connection comes from increased estrogen<br />

levels. According to the American<br />

Cancer Institute, cancer is caused by a<br />

mutation in a cell’s DNA. Carcinogens<br />

are factors which can aid in the development<br />

of cancer in one of two ways:<br />

either they speed up the cell division<br />

rate as a “promoter,” which increases<br />

the chance that a mutation will occur,<br />

or they are an “initiator,” which directly<br />

causes the mutation. Estrogen acts<br />

as both a promoter and an initiator, so<br />

higher levels of estrogen in the body<br />

lead to much higher risks of breast<br />

cancer. While oral contraceptives as<br />

a whole have been labeled as Group 1<br />

carcinogens because of this, the pill<br />

comes in many forms with varying<br />

levels of estrogen, so each type comes<br />

with a different risk level.<br />

Other, less severe side effects that<br />

have been linked to the use of hormonal<br />

contraceptives include nausea, mood<br />

swings and a loss of libido.<br />

As our culture increases its awareness<br />

regarding the hormones we put in our<br />

bodies through our food, it is equally as<br />

important to consider the effect of the<br />

hormones we consume through contraceptives.<br />

While the knowledge of these<br />

side effects might not affect every person’s<br />

sexual health decisions, it is important<br />

that this information is more<br />

widely known.<br />

NO EASY ROAD<br />

The primary reason that natural alternatives<br />

to the pill are not utilized is<br />

a lack of convenience. They require the<br />

user to study and chart their own fertility<br />

levels — hence why they are often<br />

referred to as fertility awareness-based<br />

methods, or FAMs. They can also be<br />

referred to under the umbrella of Natural<br />

Family Planning.<br />

According to the Guttmacher Institute,<br />

a sexual health research and policy<br />

organization, only 1.4<br />

percent of people avoiding<br />

pregnancy use FAMs. It<br />

makes sense that — with<br />

the convenience of simply<br />

taking a pill rather than<br />

charting and learning about<br />

fertility — a whopping 25.9<br />

percent of contraceptive users take<br />

the pill.<br />

When it comes to effectiveness, however,<br />

the two are almost equal. Studies<br />

from the Guttmacher Institute reveal<br />

that the percentage of women using<br />

FAMs who will have an unintended<br />

pregnancy over the course one year<br />

of “perfect” use is only 0.4–0.5, compared<br />

to 0.3 percent of women who<br />

“perfectly” use the pill for a year.<br />

WHADDUP FAM?<br />

So what constitutes a fertility awareness-based<br />

method? A common misconception<br />

about FAMs is that they are all<br />

essentially the Rhythm Method. The<br />

Rhythm Method, developed in the early<br />

twentieth century, is calendar-based<br />

— users chart their periods and use<br />

mathematical projections to estimate<br />

the next time they will ovulate. This is<br />

not nearly as effective as other FAMs,<br />

which typically require the user to<br />

monitor more than just timing. Furthermore,<br />

twenty-first century medical<br />

technology has greatly improved their<br />

effectiveness. Today, the most common<br />

FAMs are the Creighton Model,<br />

the Symptothermal Model and the<br />

Marquette Model.<br />

CHEERS TO THE<br />

FREAKIN’ CREIGHTON<br />

The Creighton Model of NFP focuses<br />

on female cervical mucus. Users learn<br />

from a certified instructor about the<br />

various types of mucus and how they<br />

relate to fertility and hormone levels,<br />

and then they monitor and chart their<br />

observations every day. While there is<br />

a bit of a learning curve, this method<br />

can be highly reliable if done with the<br />

help of an instructor; a five-study composite<br />

compiled by NaProTECHNOL-<br />

OGY found the method-effectiveness<br />

of the Creighton Model to be 98 percent<br />

and the use-effectiveness to range<br />

from 94.6 to 97.9 percent.


BE A SYMPTOTHERMAL<br />

KIND OF MAN<br />

(I tried, y’all. There are zero good<br />

puns using the word “symptothermal,”<br />

so I did what I could).<br />

The Symptothermal Model also<br />

monitors cervical mucus, but in addition,<br />

it reqiures the user to track<br />

their basal body temperature as well.<br />

This dual-tracking method has been<br />

found to have an accuracy rate of 99.5<br />

percent when used properly with an<br />

instructor’s help.<br />

Both the Creighton and Symptothermal<br />

models are especially useful<br />

for women with irregular cycles who<br />

might have trouble relying on calendar-based<br />

methods like the Rhythm<br />

Method. Although it is more time-intensive,<br />

monitoring the body’s natural<br />

signs and functions to estimate ovulation<br />

is much more reliable than merely<br />

relying on statistics.<br />

BACK ON THE MARQUETTE<br />

The Marquette Model tracks hormone<br />

levels to determine fertility with<br />

an at-home urine test. This model is<br />

more high-tech than the others and<br />

requires less training, but that comes<br />

with a price — the cheapest fertility<br />

monitor, from Walmart, will set you<br />

back $110.99. Higher quality monitors<br />

can cost up to $200. If you can<br />

afford it, the Marquette Model is easier<br />

to use, and it has been found to be 97<br />

percent reliable.<br />

THE MORE YOU KNOW<br />

The benefits of FAMs go beyond<br />

just being a hormone-free way to avoid<br />

pregnancy. If someone using FAMs<br />

decides that they do want to get preg-<br />

nant, the body literacy gained by using<br />

FAMs makes achieving pregnancy<br />

much easier. Furthermore, it is empowering<br />

to better understand the way<br />

your fertility works. Men and women of<br />

all ages can benefit from having better<br />

body literacy.<br />

“I’ve actually been charting since<br />

I was eighteen,” Aucoin said. “Since<br />

then, I’ve learned a lot more about my<br />

body and why it does the things it does.<br />

It’s not some big mystery any more.<br />

[Fertility awareness] has given me an<br />

opportunity to get to the base of my actual<br />

health problems, helping me treat<br />

what needs to be treated rather than<br />

merely treating the symptoms.” *<br />

THERE’S AN APP FOR THAT<br />

Although many prefer the traditional<br />

pen-and-paper style of charting, if<br />

you’re a techie kind of gal, there are<br />

apps that can help you chart, track,<br />

and estimate your ovulation cycles.<br />

Here are a few of top recommended<br />

apps for Natural Family Planning:<br />

OVUVIEW<br />

Ovuview’s tagline is “Period<br />

and fertility taken seriously.”<br />

Available only for Android users,<br />

OvuView uses the Symptothermal<br />

Model to monitor your period,<br />

fertility, and more.<br />

KINDARA<br />

Kindara boasts that they are<br />

“the most powerful and trusted<br />

fertility app on the market.” In<br />

addition to the app, they also offer<br />

a bluetooth-connected basal<br />

body temperature thermometer.<br />

Kindara is available for both Apple<br />

and Android users.<br />

GLOW<br />

Glow is new and unique in that<br />

it is the only app to offer both<br />

male and female fertility tracking.<br />

They allow you to input your<br />

current symptoms, medications<br />

and other factors that might affect<br />

your charting. A review from<br />

How We Flourish (howweflourish.com)<br />

highly recommends this<br />

app; however, they also warn that<br />

you should not rely solely on its<br />

predictions. The author states,<br />

“[Glow] attempts to tell you your<br />

percent chance of getting pregnant<br />

on a given day — DO NOT<br />

pay attention to these numbers!<br />

They are simply estimations and<br />

mean nothing about your own fertility<br />

— trusting them is basically<br />

trusting the calendar method.”<br />

NAPROTECHNOLOGY<br />

Interested in learning more<br />

about FAMs? Want to talk to<br />

a professional? Look into finding<br />

a NaProTECHNOLOGYspecialized<br />

doctor near you.<br />

NaProTECHNOLOGY (short<br />

for Natural Procreative Technology<br />

and often shortened<br />

further to NaPro), is a relatively<br />

new reproductive science<br />

that focuses on fertility awareness.<br />

NaPro-specialized practictioners<br />

can help you navigate<br />

the world of FAMs and discover<br />

how increasing your body<br />

literacy can lead to an overall<br />

healthier lifestyle.<br />

<strong>Alice</strong> May 2017 [61]


[62] <strong>Alice</strong> May 2017


EXPOSED<br />

Photos by Marie Walker<br />

Text by Claire Turner<br />

From Native American cave paintings to every piece in<br />

the Museum of Modern Art, art has defined and refined<br />

our culture, setting examples and breaking barriers. Art<br />

is years spent chipping away at a slab of marble; art is the<br />

scent of oil paint in a warehouse; art is the snap of a camera;<br />

art is dark charcoal on fingertips. Art is a great wave<br />

coming over the horizon; art is a sculpture of a god. Art is<br />

a collection of fruit in a bowl; art is a woman posing nude<br />

on a bed.<br />

Or is it?<br />

A great debate exists that argues whether or not nudity is<br />

actually considered art or pure objectification. However, everything<br />

in art is technically objectified: a tree, an animal,<br />

an idea. According to Susanne Langer, author of Mind:<br />

an Essay on Human Feeling, art is “the objectification of<br />

feeling and the subjectification of nature.” Basically, this<br />

means art is taking something of value and turning it into<br />

an object while the subject desperately wants itself to be<br />

known. Artist and muse, working hand-in-hand.<br />

Think back to the classics. Sandro Botticelli’s 15th-century<br />

Birth of Venus, which depicts a long-haired nude woman<br />

emerging from the sea in a seashell while modestly trying<br />

to hide her body; Edouard Manet’s Olympia from 1865,<br />

which shows a nude woman on a bed staring confidently at<br />

the viewer; and Pablo Picasso’s 1907 The Young Ladies of<br />

Avignon, which portrays five Cubist nude women, known<br />

to be prostitutes. Each work was and is celebrated for the<br />

artist’s mastery, yet in today’s world, a well-known feminist<br />

like Emma Watson poses semi-nude for a magazine and is<br />

criticized for being a hypocrite. Bodies define feminity at its<br />

core: more than homemakers, more than prostitutes, more<br />

than child bearers ... beneath it all, women are women no<br />

matter what they are wearing.<br />

How can a painter of a nude woman be more acclaimed<br />

than the woman herself? The nakedness of a woman who<br />

is cloaked in confidence and shrouded in mystery deserves<br />

to be the center of attention. <strong>Alice</strong> wants to commemorate<br />

women of all types, no matter their shape, color, role or belief,<br />

and remember that a woman is a woman over and under<br />

her clothes. *<br />

<strong>Alice</strong> May 2017 [63]


Escapism through film and literature<br />

By Paige Burleson<br />

[64] <strong>Alice</strong> May 2017


After all the hype, I finally<br />

gave in. My mother, sister<br />

and I shuffled into the dimly<br />

lit theater with our torn<br />

movie tickets. I stopped dead in my<br />

tracks as I rounded the corner, seeing<br />

the room was almost entirely full, and<br />

the movie didn’t start for another 30<br />

minutes. We stood at the front for a<br />

few seconds as we scanned the rows,<br />

looking for a seat. Faces peered down<br />

at us, and I began to feel uncomfortable.<br />

We decided to split up — I lost<br />

sight of my mother as she went left,<br />

and my sister, Katherine, and I went<br />

right. I asked a middle-aged man if he<br />

was saving the two seats beside him,<br />

and, thankfully, he wasn’t. Katherine<br />

and I did the awkward dance to get to<br />

them, and we collectively let out a sigh<br />

of relief when we claimed the chairs<br />

as ours.<br />

The previews started and after each<br />

one, Katherine and I would quietly discuss<br />

if we would see it or not. The film<br />

began to roll, and the screen lit up with<br />

bright colors and singing and dancing<br />

in an L.A. traffic jam as the ever-wonderful<br />

Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling<br />

appeared. As I began to feel immersed<br />

in the movie, all of my cares, worries<br />

and doubts of society, politics, school<br />

and my future faded away. The only<br />

two things that could bring me out of<br />

this blissful trance were the man snoring<br />

next to me and the ending of La<br />

La Land.<br />

DEFINE IT<br />

When I returned to my bed in Tuscaloosa,<br />

Alabama, I put the needle on<br />

a Duke Ellington record and pulled up<br />

Google. Merriam-Webster defined “escapism”<br />

as “a habitual diversion of the<br />

mind to purely imaginative activity or<br />

entertainment as an escape from reality<br />

or routine.” People escape the burdens<br />

of their life mainly through film,<br />

literature and music.<br />

Some forms of escapism are through<br />

nostalgia for decades past. Listening<br />

to Frank Sinatra can transport you<br />

from 2017 to a “simpler time,” just like<br />

reading The Great Gatsby can push the<br />

politics of today out of your mind and<br />

replace it with prohibition and wild<br />

parties. Another form of escapism is<br />

through the fantastical, such as Game<br />

of Thrones, Lord of The Rings and other<br />

popular books that are turned into<br />

movies or TV shows.<br />

Vogue created a list of 21 escapist<br />

movies that will truly make you want<br />

to buy a plane ticket to a glamorous location,<br />

each filled with striking scenes,<br />

dazzling colors, fashionable outfits and<br />

the desire to escape. Some of the more<br />

popular movies on this list include: The<br />

Talented Mr. Ripley Atonement, The<br />

Grand Budapest Hotel and The Blue<br />

Lagoon. In this May 2016 article, one<br />

Vogue editor described watching Blue<br />

Crush as, “The location and the entire<br />

plotline tapped into my 20-something<br />

(read: present day) dropout dream to<br />

take up surfing full time, live on the<br />

beach and date a pro quarterback.”<br />

These movies (and many more) are<br />

intended to entertain, but they also<br />

create an innate sense to gravitate towards<br />

the idea of dropping everything<br />

and escaping into the screen.<br />

THE SWEET ESCAPE<br />

While looking for the definition, my<br />

Google search also brought up the<br />

question about whether escapism is just<br />

<strong>Alice</strong> May 2017 [65]


avoidance. The word escapism usually<br />

carries a negative connotation. Some<br />

articles, such as “How to Snap Back<br />

to Reality” and “Leave your Fantasy<br />

World and Live in Reality,” described<br />

the downsides of too much escapism.<br />

Other articles say that escapism can<br />

help alleviate depression and can promote<br />

a creative lifestyle. The one thing<br />

that these articles and studies agree on<br />

is moderation. I am not a professional<br />

psychologist, but I do believe that I (an<br />

almost-journalism graduate) should<br />

not tell you what is right or wrong.<br />

How about I present you with the information<br />

and you can come up with a<br />

conclusion for your personal life?<br />

A Lifehacker article said, “[Escapism]<br />

allows a momentary reprieve<br />

from your circumstances, giving you<br />

a chance to recharge your batteries<br />

before you jump back into the fray.”<br />

The writer agreed that escapism is a<br />

normal way to get away from the feeling<br />

of being overwhelmed. When not<br />

in moderation, escapism can also be<br />

detrimental. Patrick Allan, the writer<br />

of the Lifehacker article, said, “Think<br />

of escapism like sugar or salt. You can<br />

sprinkle it on top of your life to make<br />

it better, but too much will ruin the<br />

whole thing. It can cause problems at<br />

work, damage personal relationships<br />

and maybe even cut yourself off from<br />

normal social circles.”<br />

Writers such as C.S. Lewis and<br />

J.R.R. Tolkien were advocates for escapism.<br />

They escaped through writing<br />

and we escape through their words. In<br />

C.S. Lewis as Philosopher, the writers<br />

said that Lewis “considered that used<br />

in moderation, escapism could serve<br />

both to refresh and to expand the<br />

imaginative powers.” Even inside the<br />

novel, The Lion, the Witch, and The<br />

Wardrobe, the children escape from<br />

Nazi Germany into the countryside<br />

and eventually to the land of Narnia.<br />

Without Lewis’s imagination, we also<br />

wouldn’t be able to escape to his world.<br />

In Tolkien and the Modernists, Theresa<br />

Freda Nicolay said, “Tolkien argued<br />

for escapism in fantasy literature as<br />

the creative expression of reality within<br />

a secondary (imaginative) world.”<br />

Escaping to Middle-Earth in Lord of<br />

the Rings wouldn’t exist without Tolkien.<br />

These novels and movies have affected<br />

people across the world. These<br />

writers created worlds for their characters<br />

and readers to fall into when<br />

their surroundings get overwhelming.<br />

<strong>No</strong>w, the movies of our childhood are<br />

being made into live action films, and<br />

escaping to Neverland, Wonderland<br />

and other fantastical realms has never<br />

been easier.<br />

In a study about “Culture and Politics<br />

in the Great Depression,” Alan<br />

Brinkley says that in 1929, Americans<br />

escaped the depression through<br />

magazines, radio and movies. He said<br />

in Life magazine in the 1930s “most<br />

of the pictures give no indication<br />

that there was such a thing as a depression;<br />

most of the pictures are of<br />

“Think of escapism like sugar or salt.<br />

You can sprinkle it on top of your life<br />

to make it better, but too much will<br />

ruin the whole thing.”<br />

[66] <strong>Alice</strong> May 2017<br />

bathing beauties and ship launching<br />

and building projects and sports heroes<br />

— of almost anything by poverty<br />

or unemployment.” Most films of that<br />

time were “consciously, deliberately set<br />

out to divert people from their problems,”<br />

said Brinkley. In no way am I<br />

comparing our society and politics to<br />

that of the Great Depression, but I believe<br />

that any stress about presidents,<br />

money or war can be escaped through<br />

film and literature just as they did in<br />

the past.<br />

BUT I’M NOT THE ONLY ONE<br />

Hello, my name is Paige and I’m a<br />

daydreamer. My head is perpetually in<br />

the clouds. I’m a talented escape artist.<br />

<strong>No</strong>, I can’t escape from chains or<br />

boxes, but I am pretty dang good at<br />

escaping reality. Whenever I’ve had a<br />

long day, my favorite way to escape is<br />

to read any of the Harry Potter books<br />

(I could never choose a favorite).<br />

The world of magic that J.K. Rowling<br />

created holds a special place in my<br />

heart. I can to be completed captured<br />

by her words and able to keep my stress<br />

at bay — at least for a few chapters.<br />

When I start to feel overwhelmed by<br />

graduation, I lay at the end of my bed,<br />

turn on my globe string lights and put<br />

on a Penny and Sparrow vinyl on the<br />

record player. Records automatically<br />

make me feel better. The scratching<br />

sound the player makes before the music<br />

begins takes me back to a time before<br />

I was born; an era that I’ve experienced<br />

only through books and movies.<br />

Through watching Z: The Beginning<br />

of Everything on Amazon, I saw Zelda<br />

Fitzgerald (then-Zelda Sayre) go from<br />

an Alabama beauty to an icon of the<br />

‘20s. I felt as if I was traveling along<br />

with her from Montgomery to New


York City. After just binge-watching 13<br />

Reasons Why on Netflix, I have needed<br />

to escape through happier means.<br />

When wanting to turn off my mind<br />

and relax, I tend to watch 20-minute<br />

shows that I’ve already seen. My personal<br />

favorite is Scrubs, perfect for<br />

those wanting to laugh and relate to<br />

the characters.<br />

Movies are a whole other obsession<br />

of mine. I think any Tim Burton or<br />

Quentin Tarantino movie has the best<br />

cinematography for escape. Netflix recently<br />

added Midnight in Paris to their<br />

site, and it sat in my queue for a few<br />

days until my roommate convinced<br />

me to watch it. Woody Allen (another<br />

talented escapist director) brings the<br />

lovely Paris to life, but with a twist.<br />

Gil (Owen Wilson) finds himself transported<br />

to the 1920s at the stroke of<br />

midnight. It’s a must see for those that<br />

love the Jazz Age and the scenic views<br />

of France. Lion, a true story about a<br />

young boy getting lost in India and<br />

finding his way home after 25 years,<br />

has breathtaking scenes of India and<br />

the beaches of Australia. It was also<br />

nominated for a few Oscars, so, you<br />

know, no big deal. The plotline will<br />

have you in tears and the views will<br />

leave you breathless.<br />

Last, but not least, I give you Fantastic<br />

Beasts and Where to Find Them.<br />

As you already know, I’m quite the<br />

Harry Potter nerd, so when this movie<br />

came out, I was first in line to see it.<br />

I was once again able to travel to this<br />

magical world through film and I forgot<br />

about all the worries I had a few<br />

minutes before the lights dimmed.<br />

BON VOYAGE<br />

There you have it. Escapism is the<br />

act of escaping reality through entertainment.<br />

In moderation it’s a good<br />

thing for your mind and soul, but<br />

abusing it can lead to avoidance. So I’ll<br />

just sit (still on my bed) with the Duke<br />

Ellington record waiting for me to flip<br />

it to the other side. And I’ll talk to you:<br />

The girl who is stressed out about finals,<br />

or the girl who is going through<br />

a bad breakup or the girl who doesn’t<br />

know what will come after graduation.<br />

Escape. Escape through film, television,<br />

Netflix, music, a book or whatever.<br />

Just escape. You’ll always find your<br />

way back. *<br />

<strong>Alice</strong> May 2017 [67]


HEATH & FOOD<br />

Shade of You:<br />

Tanning Bed Alternatives<br />

By Audrey Watford<br />

With summer just around the corner,<br />

the pressure to be bronze<br />

goddesses in our beachy Instagram<br />

posts also brings the unhealthy pressure<br />

of tanning bed use. It’s easy and<br />

affordable, plus you can see quick results<br />

before your eyes, but it’s not worth<br />

the damage to your skin. The mildest<br />

of side effects are early wrinkling, sunspots<br />

and freckles, not to mention the<br />

increased risk of skin cancer, resulting<br />

in difficult treatments and surgeries to<br />

remove damaged skin. Why chance all<br />

of this when there are healthier ways<br />

to achieve that covetable glow?<br />

Self-Tanners<br />

The first, no-fail option is applying<br />

tanning products wherever you are,<br />

from the comfort of your home to a<br />

hotel room. Options for self-tanning<br />

range from sprays to mousse gels to<br />

wipes. TanTowel is great for fair skin<br />

tones and beginners, although the<br />

[68] <strong>Alice</strong> May 2017<br />

glow can be deepened with a darker<br />

shade option. The towelette allows a<br />

more thorough coverage, and the tone<br />

is forgiving if you miss a spot or two.<br />

TanTowel also offers a spray that can<br />

be used for spot tanning, such as legs<br />

or face, and both applications begin to<br />

show up within two hours. It is available<br />

at Ulta or Amazon.com. Jergens<br />

Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer is a<br />

great option for those who worry most<br />

about pale legs. It is available in Fair<br />

to Medium and Medium to Tan shades,<br />

and you can use it in replacement of<br />

your regular body moisturizer. It can<br />

be found at Target, Wal-Mart and<br />

most drugstores. St. Tropez Self Tan<br />

Classic Bronzing Mousse is the best<br />

option for any skin tone, even the fairest<br />

of complexions don’t look orange.<br />

St. Tropez offers a tan applicator mitt<br />

to rub the foam all over the body, and<br />

you can immediately see a difference.<br />

You can add multiple layers depending<br />

on how dark you want to be, and the<br />

foam is available in three sizes at Ulta.<br />

Spray Tans<br />

Spray tans are an effortless option<br />

for last minute tanning. Palm Beach<br />

Tan in Tuscaloosa offers beds and<br />

sprays, but Tara Spath, the store<br />

manager, recommends sprays for<br />

skin health.<br />

She said UV light from tanning beds<br />

automatically draws vitamins and<br />

nutrients from the skin. Palm Beach<br />

spray tans last three to five days, and<br />

the color can be restored at any time<br />

with another spray and without skin<br />

damage. You can choose between<br />

sprays in a computerized booth or by<br />

hand by one of the staff, whichever you<br />

are more comfortable with. The salon<br />

offers a college-friendly Silver package<br />

of $19 a month, but the best package<br />

is Platinum for $69.95, which includes<br />

unlimited sprays and discounts on<br />

all additives for a longer lasting tan.<br />

If you have sensitivity to the odor of<br />

spray tans, Palm Beach offers scents<br />

to add to the Mystic spray booths to<br />

lessen the smell.


Base Tans Debunked<br />

By Carson Cook<br />

Natural Tanning<br />

The last, most beneficial option is<br />

tanning naturally outside. <strong>No</strong>t only<br />

does sunlight improve brain function<br />

and sleep quality, but it also provides<br />

the richest glow to your skin. The Skin<br />

Cancer Foundation recommends at<br />

least a SPF of 15 or higher for acceptable<br />

UVB protection for normal everyday<br />

activity and a SPF of 30 or higher<br />

for extensive sun exposure. Adjusting<br />

the angle of your body toward the sun<br />

periodically makes for a more even tan,<br />

and the reapplication of sunscreen is<br />

best every two hours, especially on the<br />

sensitive skin of your face and neck.<br />

An after-sun moisturizer with aloe infusion,<br />

such as Hawaiian Tropic Silk<br />

Hydration, is a great way to soothe and<br />

replenish skin after a day in the sun.<br />

Regardless of the option you choose,<br />

all are much healthier than the harsh,<br />

direct UV rays of tanning beds — it’s<br />

like a hot box for cancer. Taking care<br />

of your skin is so important, and we all<br />

want to look young forever, don’t we? *<br />

With summer right around the corner, drug<br />

stores everywhere have set out brightly-colored displays<br />

of sunscreens that many of us walk right past.<br />

Yes, getting some vitamin D from the sun can be<br />

healthy, but only if you’ve protected yourself from<br />

the harmful UVA and UVB rays.<br />

UVA rays hit the surface of your skin, causing<br />

sunburn. UVB rays penetrate deeper into the epidermis<br />

layer, which is where most cases of skin cancer<br />

occur. How can you be sure that you’ve protected<br />

yourself from both types of rays? Make sure the<br />

sunscreen you choose says “Broad Spectrum.” This<br />

means your lotion will protect from both UVA and<br />

UVB rays. It is also highly recommended to use a<br />

sunscreen with SPF 30. Less than SPF 30 is not<br />

enough protection, and anything higher than 30<br />

does not actually protect you more. In fact, many<br />

who wear sunscreens with super high SPF end up<br />

burning because they think the higher SPF will<br />

protect them and forget to reapply every two hours,<br />

as recommended.<br />

Another commonly held belief is that once you<br />

have a base tan, you will not burn. Getting a base<br />

tan is the equivalent of wearing an SPF 4, which is<br />

essentially no protection at all. The best sunscreen<br />

will be a lotion, not a spray or powder.<br />

There is no way to know for certain how much of<br />

the sprays or powders are absorbing into your skin.<br />

The best sunscreens contain two important ingredients:<br />

zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. Wearing<br />

sunscreen is important every season and even when<br />

you are not tanning. One of the most common places<br />

of skin cancer forming is on the left arm from<br />

your car window while driving.<br />

<strong>Alice</strong> May 2017 [69]


HEALTH & FOOD<br />

Coffee Crawl<br />

By Caroline Wells<br />

<strong>Alice</strong> tries three local coffee shops<br />

Oooh, coffee. I am convinced the<br />

word “coffee” lights up the pleasure<br />

receptors in the brains of every college<br />

student. It is coffee’s bitterness<br />

and warmth that draws us in and its<br />

caffeine boost that keeps us coming<br />

back for more. It’s the early morning,<br />

the late night and the afternoon cups<br />

of coffee that keep us alive. Recently<br />

in Tuscaloosa, coffee shops have<br />

been popping up everywhere. <strong>Alice</strong>, of<br />

course, wanted to try them all out, and<br />

this is what we found.<br />

Heritage House<br />

Heritage House is the traditional<br />

local coffee shop in Tuscaloosa loved<br />

by every college student that walks<br />

through its doors. It has expanded into<br />

three locations in town and the newest<br />

location is <strong>Alice</strong>’s favorite. Large<br />

windows and long tables make this<br />

Heritage House feel like home. If you<br />

are a fan of the flavored coffee, Heritage<br />

House’s specialty coffee menu will<br />

make all your dreams come true. I got<br />

the Bama Blitz coffee (vanilla, caramel,<br />

roast of the day, steamed milk). It<br />

was smooth, sweet, and delicious. For<br />

all of you black coffee warriors, the<br />

Turtle Kisses roast is a must try.<br />

O’Henry’s<br />

Although O’Henry’s is one of Tuscaloosa’s<br />

coffee franchises, its environment<br />

nestled in downtown feels<br />

inviting and homey and anything but<br />

a chain coffee shop. It offers a large,<br />

covered outside patio for good weather<br />

days and many single tables for days<br />

when studying alone is a necessity. If<br />

you are a sugary-sweet coffee lover,<br />

this coffee shop is for you. O’Henry’s<br />

drinks are crafted with true Ghirardelli<br />

chocolate, making their lattes<br />

some of the sweetest and tempting in<br />

Tuscaloosa. If you are a fan of chocolate,<br />

caramel, and coffee, The Snickerdoodle<br />

Mocha must be your next<br />

order. But, if coffee’s not your drink<br />

of choice, O’Henry’s Hot Cocoa made<br />

with Ghirardelli Chocolate will become<br />

your new addiction.<br />

Monarch Espresso<br />

Two Alabama alumni recently<br />

opened the newest coffee shop in Tuscaloosa,<br />

Monarch Espresso. This coffee<br />

shop has a big-city feel with its<br />

dark brick interior and modern tables.<br />

It appeals to true coffee lovers with<br />

a simple but delectable menu. Some-<br />

what of a hidden gem is the Cuban, a<br />

velvety espresso with sweetened condensed<br />

cream and steamed milk. They<br />

also offer clean and rich tasting pour<br />

overs. The Guatemalan pour over is a<br />

dark and smooth coffee that delivers a<br />

punch of dark roast flavor.<br />

[70] <strong>Alice</strong> May 2017


HEALTH & FOOD<br />

Break It Down<br />

By Analiese Gerald<br />

The sun is hot and the beach<br />

is waiting, and while there’s<br />

an excited rush as everyone<br />

buys their newest and cutest bikini,<br />

there’s also the annual scrambling to<br />

hit the gym and get that last-minute<br />

beach body.<br />

Since most quick-fix workouts don’t<br />

produce the miracle results they promise,<br />

I decided to look for a program<br />

that was a little more trustworthy<br />

when looking for my summer workout<br />

plan, even if it meant some more time<br />

and effort. I settled upon fitness guru<br />

Shawn T’s Hip Hop Abs.<br />

Shawn T is well known and respected<br />

in the fitness world, and I have previously<br />

done his infamous Insanity<br />

workout program, (which was every bit<br />

as insane as advertised, but so worth<br />

the results). Hip Hop Abs is a monthlong<br />

program that averages around<br />

30 to 50 minutes a day and goes for<br />

around $28 on Amazon. One month of<br />

hard work in exchange for some toned<br />

abs seemed both realistic and worth it.<br />

I was ready to go.<br />

Week 1<br />

I started off my first day with the<br />

program’s instructional video “Secrets<br />

to Flat Abs,” which explained Shawn<br />

T’s “tilt, tuck, tighten” technique, the<br />

backbone of Hip Hop Abs. I learned<br />

how to tilt my shoulders over, tuck<br />

my hips under and constantly keep<br />

my core tight, activating all parts of<br />

my abs while it felt like I was simply<br />

dancing along to the video. Even just<br />

learning the technique had my abs<br />

burning! When I moved onto the first<br />

workout, however, I got a little discouraged.<br />

Though the hip hop dance moves<br />

were fun and easy at first glance, applying<br />

“tilt, tuck, tighten” while still<br />

keeping pace was less simple. Each day<br />

I got the hang of it a little more, but<br />

I still felt like I wasn’t fully following<br />

the technique, and therefore didn’t feel<br />

like my abs were getting as much of<br />

a workout as they could be. Week one<br />

wasn’t a total flop, but more frustrating<br />

than I’d hoped.<br />

Week 2<br />

Week two, day two: something<br />

clicked. Though I had been consciously<br />

focusing on sticking to my technique<br />

while following along with the workout,<br />

beginning my second week there were<br />

still some specific moves where I didn’t<br />

feel any work being done in my core.<br />

But practice makes perfect held to be<br />

true, and I was finally able to complete<br />

a workout tilt, tuck, tightening the<br />

whole way through and keeping pace<br />

with the dance moves. Along with this<br />

improvement came the soreness, which<br />

just motivated me even more. I wasn’t<br />

immediately flawless — I still had to<br />

pause occasionally to make sure I was<br />

dancing correctly — but I finally felt<br />

like every move had a purpose and was<br />

making a difference.<br />

Week 3<br />

I was used to the dancing, and tilt,<br />

tuck, tightening was coming more and<br />

more naturally. This was the week<br />

where I started to both feel and see<br />

the long-awaited results. In the workouts<br />

I noticed my stamina improve,<br />

and that I was able to go longer before<br />

getting tired and do more without being<br />

sore. Visual changes were less noticeable,<br />

but subtly started to appear.<br />

I shaved off a small amount of weight<br />

and there were the beginning hints of<br />

defined abs. Another thing that made<br />

a big difference this week was making<br />

a conscious effort to clean up my eating.<br />

Exercise that isn’t paired with a<br />

healthy diet isn’t very effective, if effective<br />

at all.<br />

Week 4<br />

I entered my final week with excitement<br />

about where I was at and even<br />

more excitement at the last bit of progress<br />

I could make during the week.<br />

There was definitely a sense of accomplishment<br />

on the last day, and though<br />

I didn’t stick to the program perfectly<br />

(life happens), I stayed as consistent<br />

as I could, and it paid off. The results<br />

I started to see in week three became<br />

more pronounced — my stomach was<br />

noticeably flatter and abs more defined.<br />

Besides just looks, I felt stronger<br />

and had better endurance. Each<br />

workout I was able to do longer without<br />

getting tired.<br />

Overall, I’d recommend the program<br />

with the advice of sticking to it, even<br />

if the tilt, tuck, and tightening takes<br />

a while to get the hang of. <strong>No</strong> workout<br />

program is going to give you Victoria’s<br />

Secret abs in just one month,<br />

and Hip Hop Abs may require more<br />

focus than most, but I was happy with<br />

the changes I saw and felt in my body<br />

and my mind. *<br />

<strong>Alice</strong> May 2017 [71]


HEALTH & FOOD<br />

Southern Summer Pops<br />

Ingredients<br />

1 cup sweet tea (your favorite brand or homemade)<br />

¼ cup sliced peaches<br />

Directions<br />

Pour sweet tea into popsicle molds about halfway,<br />

then place sliced peaches in each mold to desired affect,<br />

pour in more sweet tea until the molds are filled<br />

to ¼ of an inch of top. Freeze for at least four hours<br />

before enjoying on the front porch.<br />

By Jo Hanna Hill<br />

Is there anything better than having a delicious<br />

popsicle in the scorching summer heat?<br />

Well, it could be better if you made that popsicle<br />

yourself. These recipes are easy, fresh and just<br />

as satisfying in the summer sun.<br />

The following recipes make about six popsicles<br />

from a standard mold. If you don’t have a popsicle<br />

mold you can easily use paper cups — just fill<br />

them to ¼ inch below the top, cover with plastic<br />

wrap and stick a popsicle stick through the middle<br />

before freezing.<br />

Parfait Pops<br />

Ingredients<br />

1 cup plain yogurt<br />

¼ cup sliced strawberries and blueberries<br />

A sprinkling of Granola<br />

Honey (optional, but delicious)<br />

Directions<br />

If using honey, drizzle honey on sides of the popsicle<br />

molds first. Spoon a thin layer of yogurt in each<br />

mold, sprinkle berries over yogurt and then top<br />

the berries with more yogurt in alternating layers.<br />

Repeat until ½ of an inch from top of mold, (ending<br />

with a yogurt layer). Make sure to get yogurt<br />

throughout the layers so the finished pop stays in<br />

one piece. Top with granola before putting in stick<br />

and freezing for at least four hours. Makes a perfect<br />

breakfast for warm summer mornings.<br />

1 cup lemonade<br />

½ cup blueberries<br />

¼ cup fresh mint<br />

Smoothie Pops<br />

Ingredients<br />

1 banana<br />

Frozen strawberries, blueberries and cherries<br />

½ cup orange juice<br />

½ cup plain yogurt<br />

Directions<br />

Blend all ingredients together (you can even switch<br />

out these ingredients for your favorite smoothie).<br />

Pour the smoothie mixture into molds, place sticks,<br />

and freeze for at least four hours. Yes, you will probably<br />

have extra smoothie after placing the mix in the<br />

molds... but who’s complaining?<br />

Blueberry Mint<br />

Lemonade Pops<br />

Ingredients<br />

Directions<br />

In a separate bowl, crush the blueberries and mint<br />

together. Add the lemonade to the bowl and mix all<br />

together before pouring into the popsicle molds.<br />

Freeze for at least four hours for a refreshing pop.<br />

[72] <strong>Alice</strong> May 2017


HEALTH & FOOD<br />

Superfoods<br />

For the Broke College Student<br />

By Lauren Lane<br />

The word “superfood” often comes<br />

with the connotation that it must be<br />

overpriced and sourced from the Amazonian<br />

jungle or an Asian village.<br />

There is no actual legal or scientific<br />

definition of a superfood, but they are<br />

often defined as a nutrient-dense food<br />

that can improve one’s quality of life<br />

and provide a wide variety of vitamins<br />

and minerals.<br />

College diets are notorious for lacking<br />

enough essential vitamins and<br />

minerals; instead, they are often full<br />

of salt, sugar and fat. Superfoods are<br />

great options to add to our diets as<br />

they add multiple vital nutrients, and<br />

can be affordable if you buy them from<br />

the right vendors. We have picked out<br />

10 of our favorite superfoods for you to<br />

try, and, if you buy them from Amazon<br />

Prime instead of the Amazonian jungle,<br />

you too can eat like Gwyneth and<br />

Gisele everyday.<br />

Dark Chocolate<br />

You already like this list, don’t you?<br />

Well, the kind of dark chocolate we<br />

are talking about is not Hershey’s.<br />

Dark chocolate must contain at least<br />

60 percent cacao to be considered a<br />

healthy addition to your diet. Cacao<br />

is loaded with antioxidants, good fats,<br />

fiber, minerals and vitamins, particularly<br />

magnesium. Dark chocolate also<br />

contains flavonols, which lower blood<br />

pressure and protect us from UV rays.<br />

Ghirardelli Intense Dark and Green<br />

& Black’s are two affordable and<br />

healthful options.<br />

Black Beans<br />

At less than a dollar per can, you are<br />

almost stealing your optimum health<br />

into existence by adding these to your<br />

grocery list. Black beans are full of<br />

protein, 14 grams per cup to be exact,<br />

and 12 grams of fiber. They are also<br />

high in Vitamin B6. Combine these<br />

with quinoa, avocado and salsa for a<br />

well-rounded, satisfying dish.<br />

Flaxseed<br />

These little seeds are chock-full of<br />

Omega-3’s, both kinds of fiber, and<br />

they have been known to reduce cancer,<br />

cardiovascular disease and diabetes.<br />

The subjects of Charlemagne back<br />

in the eighth century were required by<br />

law to consume them because he believed<br />

so much in their nutrient power.<br />

Keep this superfood in your refrigerator<br />

and blend it into smoothies or into<br />

pancake mix.<br />

Granola<br />

Yes, granola. Ignore the refined<br />

grain-laden, sugar bomb versions and<br />

<strong>Alice</strong> May 2017 [73]


check out healthier brands such as<br />

Purely Elizabeth. This brand of granola<br />

is a combination of healthy fats<br />

from coconut and cashews and different<br />

kinds of nutrient-packed seeds,<br />

proving itself worthy to be called a<br />

sweet superfood snack. With flavors<br />

like dark chocolate sea salt and banana<br />

nut butter, you can enjoy snacking on<br />

Purely Elizabeth granola on its own or<br />

in yogurt.<br />

Broccoli<br />

With brussels sprouts as the trendy<br />

veggie of the moment, broccoli has been<br />

pushed out of the limelight. Broccoli<br />

provides more than 100 percent of the<br />

daily-recommended amount of Vitamin<br />

K and C and is anti-inflammatory. It is<br />

an excellent detoxifier and helps support<br />

a healthy digestive system. Serve<br />

this cruciferous veggie raw with hummus<br />

or mixed into a healthy stir-fry.<br />

Oats<br />

Oats have been keeping breakfast<br />

healthy for generations. Whether<br />

you prefer them steel-cut, instant, or<br />

soaked overnight, this whole grain can<br />

be made differently every morning of<br />

the week. Oats are full of filling fiber,<br />

bone-building manganese and energizing<br />

carbs to power you through 8 a.m.<br />

classes and group projects. Make your<br />

oatmeal Instagram-worthy by topping<br />

it with sliced fruit, nut butter, coconut<br />

flakes and whatever else will get you up<br />

[74] <strong>Alice</strong> May 2017<br />

in the morning.<br />

Green Tea<br />

Speaking of getting up in the morning,<br />

green tea provides anywhere from<br />

35-70 milligrams of caffeine and is full<br />

of catechins, a special type of antioxidants.<br />

Debates over whether or not<br />

green tea actually helps you lose weight<br />

have us unsure, but it is a healthier and<br />

more relaxing swap for sugary drinks.<br />

Harney and Sons Green Tea with<br />

Coconut is a great starting point for<br />

green tea newbies, as it adds a sweet,<br />

tropical flavor to this otherwise bitter<br />

drink without all the sugar.<br />

Salmon<br />

Salmon gets its acclaim from being<br />

rich in Omega-3’s and being a good<br />

source of protein. It is also full of Vitamins<br />

D and B12, vitamins that can be<br />

difficult to come by. This famous fish<br />

is also good for our hearts, brains and<br />

bones but needs to be wild-caught and<br />

not farmed. Salmon is often served<br />

with grilled veggies and healthy grains<br />

to provide a nutrient-dense meal.<br />

Leafy Greens<br />

There’s a reason why your mom<br />

made you eat them. Leafy greens,<br />

such as kale, spinach, chard and cabbage<br />

are some of nature’s most nutrient-dense<br />

foods in the world. They are<br />

a leading source of calcium and iron<br />

and also provide a host of other minerals<br />

and vitamins. Leafy greens are a<br />

good source of fiber and help detoxify<br />

the body. If the only kind of greens you<br />

are used to are in spinach dip, blend<br />

them into a smoothie until you can eat<br />

(and enjoy) them in a salad.<br />

Avocados<br />

This fruit may be as trendy as the<br />

Kardashians and for good reason.<br />

Avocados are loaded with monounsaturated<br />

fatty acids, which are known<br />

to help with weight loss and reduce<br />

cholesterol. They are also full of fiber<br />

and adding them to any meal will keep<br />

you full for hours. Sneak these into a<br />

BLT or add them to a sushi roll for improved<br />

heart health.<br />

Red Wine<br />

You’re welcome. Start feeling better<br />

about Wine Wednesday and The<br />

Bachelor on Monday nights thanks to<br />

our friend, resveratrol. It helps prevent<br />

blood clotting, inflammation and<br />

reduces cholesterol and assists other<br />

antioxidants in keeping our hearts<br />

healthy. Pinot <strong>No</strong>ir provides the biggest<br />

resveratrol bang for your buck<br />

and should be purchased by brands<br />

other than Barefoot and Sutter Home.<br />

So next time your friend is trying<br />

to justify her college diet of Taco Bell<br />

and Cook Out, tell her about the superfoods<br />

that are at her disposal and rake<br />

in the thank-you’s. *


HEALTH & FOOD<br />

“On The Brink of <strong>No</strong> Stink”<br />

Tips for Deodorizing Smelly Workout Shoes<br />

By Madison Sullivan<br />

You lace up your tennis shoes and hit the boardwalk, the<br />

sun sizzling on your face and the sea breeze whipping past<br />

you. With the summer heat comes sweaty runs, long hikes,<br />

trips to amusement parks and cycling classes that are all<br />

fun and games until you slip out of your sneakers, seeing<br />

noses crinkle in disgust.<br />

Every athlete and gym rat knows the struggle that comes<br />

with breaking in the perfect workout shoe. The smell. And,<br />

as the summer months approach and the temperature soars<br />

it only gets worse.<br />

Although life is not the movie Holes, and “Sploosh” doesn’t<br />

actually exist, I have put a few methods to the test (on my<br />

countless pairs of equally smelly sneakers) to help you figure<br />

out the best way to banish your tennis shoe funk once<br />

and for all.<br />

Disclaimer: Don’t actually use peaches and onions like in<br />

the film.<br />

The Store-Bought Method<br />

What: Sneaker Balls Deodorizer<br />

Where: Dicks Sporting Goods<br />

Price: $4.99<br />

Well, you’ll break a sweat by the time you get the packaging<br />

open; so make sure you’re not wearing tennis shoes<br />

during this part of the process or you’ll have to clean that<br />

pair as well. Once I finally wrestled the packaging open,<br />

I realized the deodorizers smelled like clean laundry and<br />

looked like tiny soccer balls, so I was excited to give them<br />

a try. I twisted them and popped them halfway into each<br />

sneaker, leaving my shoes to sit overnight. The next morning<br />

I took a big sniff and immediately regretted the decision.<br />

They smelled almost exactly the same with a hint of<br />

deodorizer mixed in. If you’re dead set on using Sneaker<br />

Balls, I recommend using them as soon as you get a new<br />

pair of shoes, popping them in every time you get home to<br />

keep them from smelling from the get go.<br />

<strong>Alice</strong> May 2017 [75]


The DIY Method<br />

What: Washing Machine<br />

Where: Any washer & dryer<br />

Price: See your local laundromat<br />

I’ll preface this by saying I was very wary of this method.<br />

In the past I’d heard my friends swear by it, but could never<br />

bring myself to put my grimy shoes into the machine that<br />

I trust to clean my wardrobe. So, I waited until I was home<br />

with my laundry expert of a mother before I finally gave<br />

myself permission to put my pudding-stained (thanks to my<br />

best friend), once white-soled, absolutely disgusting tennis<br />

shoes into her pristine washer and dryer. Let me tell you,<br />

I am a convert. In fact, I just washed another pair today.<br />

Here’s how it’s done: pour Tide detergent into the machine,<br />

tie the laces at the top with the tongue open, and start the<br />

regular cycle on hot. My mom informed me that some people<br />

take out their laces and wash them separately while using<br />

this method — but since my laces were not the part of the<br />

shoe that smelled, we left mine tied. Next, stuff them with<br />

dryer sheets, wrap them with a towel and put them in the<br />

dryer. Keep in mind that it will sound like your dryer is<br />

falling apart. It (most likely) isn’t. Once we got my sneakers<br />

out of the dryer, they smelled and looked new. I would<br />

recommend this method to anyone who has the time and<br />

doesn’t mind the noise.<br />

The Quick Fix<br />

What: Dry Shampoo<br />

Where: Your dresser<br />

Price: $3.00<br />

I’ll admit that this is a secret trick I’ve used in the past<br />

and I honestly never knew it was a thing other fitness junkies<br />

did until recently. I discovered it one day when I was<br />

about to go on a date and could smell my sneakers wearing<br />

them… standing up. (Give me a break, I’m a health writer!)<br />

The dry shampoo was the first thing I could find that had a<br />

pleasant smell, and, as I leaned over to slip off my shoes and<br />

spray it, I realized that its moisture wicking, smell-masking<br />

design is the perfect quick fix for when you don’t have time<br />

to spare. Granted, this is not a permanent fix, it likely won’t<br />

last longer than a few hours, but I’d recommend it to mask<br />

tennis shoe odor in a pinch.<br />

So next time you’re scared to take off your shoes around<br />

another living human being, remember these tips and try<br />

them all out to see which method works best for you so that<br />

you no longer have to live in fear. Pound that pavement and<br />

be comfortably stylish in peace. *<br />

[76] <strong>Alice</strong> May 2017


HEALTH & FOOD<br />

What You<br />

what you<br />

Really<br />

really need to know about expiration dates<br />

Need to Know About<br />

Expiration Dates<br />

By Caroline Wells<br />

Cool air rushes onto your face as you<br />

open the fridge. You’ve never been this<br />

hungry in your entire life. You feel like<br />

a lion about to attack. As you look and<br />

push around, your heart begins to sink<br />

because, as always, there’s nothing to<br />

eat. It’s not that the fridge is empty<br />

or that there’s nothing on the shelves.<br />

It’s actually packed. Someone looking<br />

over your shoulder might think you<br />

were crazy for even suggesting there’s<br />

nothing to eat, but a closer look at the<br />

contents of the fridge reveals the sad,<br />

dirty truth: All the food is expired or<br />

expiring too soon for comfort. All of it<br />

will be wasted. You aren’t sure how it<br />

got to this point; in the grocery store<br />

your intentions were to buy, cook and<br />

eat everything you bought. But somehow,<br />

all of it has expired so now you<br />

can’t eat it … right?<br />

Well, maybe, but also maybe not.<br />

An “enjoy by” or “consume by” date<br />

is actually more of a “highly suggested<br />

day,” more than a date when a product<br />

will actually go bad, causing food illness.<br />

In an article by The National Resources<br />

Defense Council, titled “Wasted,”<br />

the author notes that pounds of<br />

food are thrown away because the average<br />

American misreads “sell by” and<br />

“best by” dates.<br />

“‘Use by’ and ‘best by’ dates, commonly<br />

found on both perishable and<br />

nonperishable products, are manufacturer<br />

suggestions for peak quality.<br />

They do not indicate food safety, as is<br />

commonly believed, nor are they regulated,”<br />

the article stated.<br />

If food is kept in an airtight, shallow<br />

container in the refrigerator, you<br />

might be able to consume it a few days<br />

after the best by date. Unfortunately,<br />

microbial growth is not stopped by<br />

refrigeration or freezing, it is merely<br />

slowed. So if there is green mold growing<br />

in your Greek yogurt, it’s time to<br />

throw it away and buy a smaller container<br />

next time.<br />

Some foods that are usually safe to<br />

consume after the expiration date include:<br />

canned goods, cereal, frozen<br />

foods, cookies, chips, crackers, bread<br />

without visible mold and dry pasta.<br />

These foods will generally be okay to<br />

consume past the expiration date, but<br />

always use your senses. If it looks or<br />

smells terrible, it’s time to chunk it.<br />

Some trickier foods that can be consumed<br />

after the expiration date involve<br />

a small test to make sure they are safe<br />

to eat. Eggs are usually fine to eat and<br />

cook, but to test put them in a bowl<br />

of water. If it sinks, it is still safe to<br />

eat. If it floats, you can throw it out.<br />

Hard cheeses like Parmesan and cheddar<br />

are also fine, even if they have a<br />

little mold growing on them. Carefully<br />

cut off all of the mold before consumption<br />

and the remaining cheese will<br />

be edible.<br />

Most of the time, produce is hard to<br />

buy because it must be used so quickly<br />

after purchase. Salad mixes can be<br />

difficult to use before the stated expiration<br />

date, but they are usually fine to<br />

eat a few days after. Wilted leaves are<br />

no big deal. If the leaves are soggy and<br />

slimy though, pitch them. As for your<br />

meats, freezing them is the smartest<br />

way to preserve them. Cooking and<br />

consuming raw meat that has been sitting<br />

in your fridge for longer than four<br />

days is not safe, but freezing/re-thawing<br />

meat can extend the shelf life for a<br />

few months.<br />

“If it looks or smells<br />

terrible, it’s time to<br />

chunk it.”<br />

Although expiration dates can sometimes<br />

be up to interpretation, always be<br />

smart with your choices when deciding<br />

to consume something past the printed<br />

best by date. So next time it’s midnight<br />

and you’re rummaging through<br />

the fridge for a late-night snack, take<br />

a closer look at the packaging before<br />

you ditch your attempts and drive<br />

to McDonald’s. *<br />

<strong>Alice</strong> May 2017 [77]


ENTERTAINMENT<br />

So You’ve Never Be<br />

Our Guide To Alabama’s Biggest<br />

By Ellen Johnson<br />

Florence Welch, one of the U.K.’s most acclaimed artists<br />

of recent years, hails from South London. Florence + The<br />

Machine is ranked 270th (an impressive number) in the<br />

world for number of monthly listeners on Spotify. Her uplifting<br />

anthem “Dog Days Are Over” was covered on the TV<br />

show Glee. Her songs are a melancholy melting of pop and<br />

soul sounds, the farthest thing from country music. Why,<br />

then, was she singing on an Alabama beach in May 2016?<br />

She was a headliner at Hangout Music Festival in Gulf<br />

Shores, Alabama — that’s why. Under the moonlight, Ms.<br />

Welch sang “How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful” adjacent<br />

to the blue, big, beautiful ocean, bringing the 2016 festival<br />

to a close. Hundreds of thousands of people have made the<br />

musical pilgrimage to Hangout since the festival’s first year<br />

in 2010. Since then, the artist chops have risen to a level<br />

of almost outrageously cool: Red Hot Chili Peppers, Stevie<br />

Wonder, Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, Kendrick Lamar,<br />

OutKast and Kings of Leon are just a few of the artists and<br />

bands who’ve played Hangout over the years. Still can’t believe<br />

this all happens right here in Alabama? It gets better.<br />

This year’s headliners are Frank Ocean, Twenty One Pilots,<br />

Mumford & Sons and Chance the Rapper. WHAT. You<br />

read right. Around 40,000 people will flock to Gulf Shores<br />

beaches again this year for a slammed lineup chock full of<br />

music’s biggest names and the best of indie’s up-and-coming.<br />

If you’re one of the ones lucky enough to trudge the<br />

same sands as Frank Ocean and warm yourself under the<br />

same sun as Mumford & Sons’ banjos, make sure you make<br />

the most of your experience.<br />

Here’s your Hangout quick guide; you won’t want to miss<br />

a thing.<br />

[78] <strong>Alice</strong> May 2017<br />

1. Don’t fasten that wristband<br />

until it’s where it belongs —<br />

on your wrist<br />

The Hangout wristbands, which are<br />

your only means of entrance to the festival<br />

everyday, will arrive in your mailbox<br />

a few weeks before you make your<br />

way to Gulf Shores. You’re going to be<br />

so gleeful at the thought of dancing by<br />

the waves to your favorite Head and<br />

the Heart song that you’ll want to rip<br />

that sucker out and play with it. Don’t.<br />

Once you tighten the wristband, it cannot<br />

be loosened and it won’t fit on your<br />

wrist. That means no Head and the<br />

Heart for you. So don’t tamper with<br />

the wristband until you’re so close to<br />

the sea you can smell the salt in the air.<br />

2. Hydrate so you<br />

don’t die-drate<br />

You are allowed to bring an empty<br />

water bottle up to two liters in size to<br />

the festival. There are water stations<br />

everywhere you go on festival grounds,<br />

so you’ll be able to fill up your favorite<br />

Camelbak or Nalgene and hydrate<br />

yourself all the daylong. This is definitely<br />

your best move — you won’t<br />

have time to enjoy the music if you’re<br />

too weak to walk.<br />

3. You should eat, too<br />

<strong>No</strong> outside food or beverages are al-


en to Hangout:<br />

Music Event of the Year<br />

lowed inside the gates. However the<br />

food inside the festival, while pricey,<br />

is delicious and satisfying. Anything<br />

you could get to eat at a shopping mall<br />

is available: pizza, Mexican food, Chinese<br />

food, sandwiches, hot dogs, etc.<br />

It might cost a little extra, but you’ll<br />

thank yourself later when the only<br />

sounds you hear are sweet musical<br />

notes, and not the rumblings of your<br />

stomach.<br />

4. Get there early<br />

Once the schedule is released, you’ll<br />

realize that the bigger acts won’t start<br />

until later in the day or evening. But<br />

you, dear knave festivalgoer, have no<br />

time to waste with so much new music<br />

to discover. Eat some breakfast and<br />

then get to the gates when they open<br />

at 11 a.m. Head straight to whatever<br />

act seems the most interesting. You<br />

never know when your new favorite<br />

band could be performing on the next<br />

stage over.<br />

5. Keep an open mind<br />

You probably paid close to $300 for<br />

your general admission ticket (or more,<br />

if you’re swinging for VIP options),<br />

and while it’s not cheap, it’s a great<br />

deal for the amount of music you’re going<br />

to be hearing. Many would pay that<br />

amount just to see one of the headlin-<br />

ing artists, but you’ll get to hear ‘em<br />

all. But don’t forget about the names<br />

you haven’t heard of before — LANY,<br />

Frances, Joseph and Cobi may sound<br />

unfamiliar now, but if you head into<br />

their performances with an open mind<br />

(and open ears) you might pleasantly<br />

surprised.<br />

6. Dress the part<br />

It’s hot out there, so you will be most<br />

comfortable in light clothing. Swimsuits<br />

are an obvious choice, but if you<br />

want to cover up a bit more try for<br />

athletic material shorts, a lightweight<br />

cover-up or a rash guard or surf shirt.<br />

Funkier options include overalls and<br />

anything tie-dye. Wear a comfortable,<br />

sand-friendly shoe like Chacos or Sanuks<br />

(back straps are helpful when<br />

trudging from one stage to the next).<br />

But your most important accessory is<br />

sunscreen. Lather up several times a<br />

day so you don’t get burned.<br />

7. Stay close to the festival<br />

If possible, you’ll want to find a condo<br />

or house within walking distance<br />

(say, around one mile away) of the<br />

festival. You can leave throughout the<br />

day and re-enter at any time with your<br />

wristband, but it will be pretty hard to<br />

sneak home for a bit if you’re staying a<br />

bus ride away. There’s pretty much no<br />

parking at the festival, so say goodbye<br />

to your car for a few days. While many<br />

condos do offer shuttles, you’ll thank<br />

yourself if you stay close.<br />

8. Embrace the fanny pack<br />

Hands-free is the way to go when it<br />

comes to festivals. A backpack will feel<br />

too cumbersome, a purse too loose —<br />

fanny packs are the sweet spot. Keep<br />

your sunscreen, sunglasses and cash<br />

in there for safekeeping.<br />

9. Take it all in<br />

You made it. You and 40,000 others<br />

are all here together in this one place<br />

for the same reason: to hear music. The<br />

musicians are passionate about what<br />

they’re doing, and hopefully you’re<br />

passionate about what you’re hearing.<br />

Take in each moment to realize what<br />

you’re experiencing because it’ll be<br />

over before you know it. Appreciate the<br />

magic that is live music. Remember<br />

that one James Taylor concert in the<br />

‘80s your parents always talk about?<br />

Well, Chance the Rapper could be your<br />

James Taylor. *<br />

<strong>Alice</strong> May 2017 [79]


ENTERTAINMENT<br />

By Serena Bailey<br />

Hot summer days spent lounging by the pool are the perfect<br />

time to catch up on some reading. The school year is busy,<br />

and those over-before-you-know-it months leave little time<br />

for indulging in a novel or fiery non-fiction work. With sunny<br />

days ahead, take some time for yourself, escape reality and<br />

choose one of these dreamy reads. Here’s <strong>Alice</strong>’s list of recent<br />

and upcoming book releases that will hit the stands just in<br />

time to complete your personal summer reading list.<br />

If you like sci-fi adventure…<br />

The Wanderers by Meg Howrey<br />

As three astronauts train to be the first humans on Mars,<br />

they spend 17 months in one of the most realistic simulations<br />

ever. Always under observation, the pressure to remain calm<br />

and in-control is high. As they struggle to work in increasingly<br />

claustrophobic quarters and with each other, they realize that<br />

life in space is no less complicated than life on Earth. But,<br />

as the line between what is real and what isn’t begins to blur,<br />

they each must confront their own personal struggles and<br />

examine their longing for discovery.<br />

If you want to up your nerd cred...<br />

Thrawn by Timothy Zahn<br />

The Star Wars galaxy is more than what you see on the big<br />

screen. Follow the story of one of the Empire’s most cunning<br />

generals as he rapidly climbs the ranks of the Imperial Army.<br />

After Thrawn is rescued from exile by Imperial soldiers, he<br />

seeks to gain the attention of Emperor Palpatine and become<br />

his most loyal and successful commander by taking down<br />

smugglers, spies, pirates and rebels. However, Thrawn’s<br />

skill on the battlefield doesn’t translate to politics, where<br />

he struggles to navigate a potential alliance with those who<br />

could make or break his ascendance through the ranks.<br />

[80] <strong>Alice</strong> May 2017


If you want to get political...<br />

This Fight is Our Fight: the Battle<br />

to Save America’s Middle Class<br />

by Elizabeth Warren<br />

Elizabeth Warren has made a name for herself in Washington<br />

as being a fiery and outspoken force to be reckoned with.<br />

Looking back on her own middle class childhood in Oklahoma<br />

and weaving in stories from American workers, the senator<br />

from Massachusetts examines the history and current state<br />

of America’s middle class. From how it was born, how it<br />

grew, why it’s currently under attack and what can be done<br />

to save it, Warren looks at how political leaders like Franklin<br />

Roosevelt, Ronald Reagan and current leaders from both<br />

sides of the aisle have influenced the lives and well-being of<br />

American workers.<br />

If you’re the tech friend...<br />

Startup: A <strong>No</strong>vel by Doree Shafrir<br />

Shafrir’s debut novel follows three characters as their lives<br />

intertwine in a Manhattan tech startup office. Mack McAllister<br />

is the creator of a $600 million idea, the mindfulness app,<br />

TakeOff, and he’s about to launch a new version that could<br />

turn it into a $1 billion business. Katya Pasternack is a tech<br />

journalist looking for a hard-hitting story that will make her<br />

one of the biggest writers in the industry. Sabrina Choe Blum<br />

is a jaded mother and writer trying to break back into the<br />

industry, whose husband is also Katya’s boss. When a scandal<br />

embroils TakeOff and the company goes viral for the wrong<br />

reasons, these three become entangled in the mess. It’s up<br />

Sabina and Katya to get to the bottom of it, and tell a story<br />

that the men in their lives would prefer stay hidden.<br />

If you want some more mystery...<br />

Into the Water<br />

by Paula Hawkins<br />

After the success of her debut novel, The Girl on the Train,<br />

Paula Hawkins returns with a new psychological thriller. A<br />

single mother is found dead in the same river where a teenage<br />

girl met a similar fate a few months before. She leaves behind<br />

a lonely fifteen-year-old daughter, who is now left in the care<br />

of her aunt, a woman who never wanted to return to this<br />

town and who’s a stranger in the eyes of her niece. As the<br />

investigation goes on, secrets about the town and the river<br />

will be dredged up from below its seemingly calm surface.<br />

<strong>Alice</strong> May 2017 [81]


ENTERTAINMENT<br />

Take a Chance:<br />

Streaming Services Rejuvenate the Music Industry<br />

By Katie Huff<br />

A 23-year-old from Chicago, filled<br />

with the purest form of happiness and<br />

endless love for his hometown, made<br />

history in February. You may have<br />

heard of him. Among his fans are Beyoncé,<br />

Kanye West and Barack Obama.<br />

His most recent album is heavily influenced<br />

by gospel music and focuses on<br />

the many “Blessings” he has received.<br />

He is most often seen with the number<br />

3 stitched on his baseball cap.<br />

Chance the Rapper made history at<br />

this year’s Grammy Awards with his<br />

three wins; the number three is fairly<br />

constant in Chance’s life. He won best<br />

new artist, best rap album and best<br />

rap performance. The album, Coloring<br />

Book, was released solely on music<br />

streaming services, making it the<br />

first album to be nominated and win<br />

a Grammy without actually selling a<br />

single copy.<br />

Chance’s win lays the groundwork<br />

for immense change in the music industry.<br />

The Grammys would never<br />

have considered a stream-only album<br />

in previous years, but as the music<br />

industry landscape changes, award<br />

shows must adapt.<br />

Spotify has more than 50 million<br />

paying users, Apple Music has over 20<br />

million paying users and SoundCloud<br />

has over 175 million monthly users. As<br />

streaming services such as these become<br />

more popular, the need to buy a<br />

CD on iTunes or at Target becomes insignificant.<br />

The many features of each<br />

service allow listeners to experience<br />

their favorite songs in two clicks from<br />

any location.<br />

[82] <strong>Alice</strong> May 2017<br />

With the Spotify app, you can listen<br />

to the xx’s most recent album<br />

through your headphones as you sit on<br />

the beach, walk to class or wait at the<br />

DMV. The ease with which one can listen<br />

to music with the introduction of<br />

these streaming services has changed<br />

the music industry forever.<br />

Artists are perhaps those affected<br />

most by the push towards streaming.<br />

Bands just entering the music industry<br />

greatly benefit from streaming<br />

services. Music can be uploaded to<br />

SoundCloud in less than a minute. Any<br />

SoundCloud user is capable of uploading<br />

their tracks to the streaming services<br />

and the music is available to the<br />

public in an instant. Every minute, 12<br />

hours of music is uploaded to Sound-<br />

Cloud. The artists use SoundCloud in<br />

order to increase their followers and<br />

acquire a fanbase. SoundCloud does<br />

not pay license holders like Spotify, so<br />

it functions as a resource for artists to<br />

connect with followers.<br />

The upload process for Spotify is<br />

done through labels and distributors<br />

to protect against licensing issues.<br />

Spotify has partnerships with labels<br />

and a large percentage of the streaming<br />

service’s profits redistributed<br />

amongst the labels. While many worry<br />

that streaming services put the music<br />

industry in danger, many labels are<br />

actually benefitting from the change.<br />

Illegal downloads are far less common<br />

because streaming service users can<br />

pay a small amount for an immense<br />

catalogue of music at their fingertips,<br />

or they can make use of the free<br />

streaming offerings.<br />

Most streaming services offer artists<br />

the ability to view their analytics.<br />

This allows an artist to see how users<br />

are finding their music, where their<br />

listeners are and the listeners’ demographics.<br />

The ease of access to statistics<br />

such as these is beneficial to artists<br />

as they plan how to release their<br />

music and where to tour. Small artists<br />

without labels are able to receive information<br />

that they may not be privy<br />

to otherwise.<br />

Streaming services give artists control<br />

of their music and diminish the<br />

ability of large record labels to undermine<br />

the artist. Chance the Rapper is<br />

not signed to a label and he does not<br />

need to be. He is able to release his<br />

music on streaming sites and forms a<br />

fan base through these sites. Coloring<br />

Book debuted at Number 8 on the Billboard<br />

200 chart, so the business model<br />

is working for Chance. His profits come<br />

from touring and selling merchandise,<br />

including that famous “3” hat.<br />

Music streaming services have revived<br />

the music industry. Users are<br />

able to listen to any artist at any time.<br />

Because of streaming services like<br />

Spotify and SoundCloud, our culture<br />

has a widened appreciation for music<br />

and an increased participation in the<br />

music industry. Those that felt excluded<br />

from music in the past are now welcomed<br />

with open arms into the large<br />

music communities of Spotify, Sound-<br />

Cloud, Apple Music and Tidal. <strong>No</strong>w,<br />

artists like Chance the Rapper consistently<br />

contribute to the immense sea of<br />

music found online and provide users<br />

with an easy escape. *


ENTERTAINMENT<br />

Q&A with Hallie Tarpley<br />

The Hows, Hijinks,<br />

and Ha-Has of<br />

Being a Female Comic<br />

By Mia Blackman<br />

For Hallie Tarpley, second grade<br />

was more than an arena for reading<br />

and learning multiplication — it was<br />

her first comedy gig. She’s now a<br />

junior at The University of Alabama<br />

majoring in telecommunications<br />

and film. She got her start telling<br />

jokes to classmates before storytime,<br />

but since she has blossomed into a<br />

rollicking stand-up act, performing<br />

on real stages instead of classroom<br />

carpets. She’s a regular at Stand-Up<br />

Tuscaloosa, her favorite corny joke<br />

involves zebras and her ultimate life<br />

goal is to shake Tina Fey’s hand. This<br />

funny lady isn’t slowing her roll or her<br />

punchlines anytime soon, and she’s<br />

defining for herself what it means to<br />

be funny, and what it means to be a<br />

woman in the male-dominated world of<br />

stand-up comedy. <strong>Alice</strong> sat down with<br />

Tarpley to talk life, comedy and all<br />

things laughs.<br />

<strong>Alice</strong>: What got you started<br />

into comedy?<br />

Tarpley: It started mostly with<br />

television. Just loving comedic<br />

television and then when I was nine, I<br />

was in second grade, I started telling<br />

jokes to my class. I would get a little<br />

segment before story time and I would<br />

get to tell a joke to everyone on the<br />

carpet. They would be mostly jokes I<br />

heard from joke books or comic strips<br />

or something like that but sometimes I<br />

would try originals and they would not<br />

go over well. Like I would try to write<br />

my own jokes and they were so bad.<br />

<strong>Alice</strong>: Is there a comedian you look<br />

up to?<br />

Tarpley: I like Ellen DeGeneres a<br />

lot but she’s so clean though so I feel<br />

like we don’t have the same style. I like<br />

Jen Kirkman, Amy Schumer, Sasheer<br />

Zamata, Liza Treyger, Jenny Slate.<br />

I like a bit of everything. Louis C.K.<br />

obviously. I like Anthony Jeselnik,<br />

he’s crazy. You never know where<br />

he’s going.<br />

<strong>Alice</strong>: How would you describe your<br />

comedic style?<br />

Tarpley: That’s a toughie ‘cause I<br />

don’t really know. I think I can describe<br />

the differences between myself onstage<br />

and off-stage. I’m like a little reckless<br />

on stage. Last night I was hosting a<br />

show and I used language that I don’t<br />

really use in day to day life. So I think<br />

it’s just like a freedom to be a character<br />

who’s like a little bit bolder and a little<br />

bit more interesting as a character but<br />

scarier as a person on stage.<br />

<strong>Alice</strong>: What would you be doing if<br />

you weren’t a stand-up comedian?<br />

Tarpley: Oh my gosh. Just a<br />

loudmouth probably. I do think about<br />

this. I think you divide comedians<br />

into “you can be comedically minded”<br />

or “you can be funny,” and great<br />

comedians are both. And not to say I<br />

fall anywhere specific on that spectrum<br />

but just from what I observed being<br />

around other comedians is some people<br />

are comedically minded and, to me,<br />

that just means they’re critical and<br />

upset by a lot of things. Someone<br />

that’s funny can make that criticism<br />

something that is funny and sellable.<br />

I think I would just be a loudmouth.<br />

It would be strange. I don’t know… I’d<br />

probably just stick to my babysitting<br />

job or something [laughs].<br />

<strong>Alice</strong>: Do you ever feel pressure to<br />

talk about a certain subject because<br />

you are a female comic?<br />

Tarpley: <strong>No</strong>t a certain subject but<br />

I feel the pressure to be that much<br />

better because typically I’m the only<br />

female in a show. I’ve occasionally<br />

done all-women shows, which are very<br />

exciting, but usually there’s maybe<br />

one other female and so I get really<br />

upset with myself or the other female<br />

comedian if either one of us are below<br />

top notch. For the male ones, I don’t<br />

group them because there’s so many<br />

of them. Especially the straight, white<br />

male comedian. There’s a lot of them<br />

so you don’t feel the pressure to uphold<br />

the whole situation on your shoulders.<br />

So I definitely feel pressure to be very<br />

refined, very prepared and I fall short<br />

all the time. I think at the end of the<br />

<strong>Alice</strong> May 2017 [83]


day it will make me better; it does<br />

make me better.<br />

<strong>Alice</strong>: How did you become involved<br />

with Stand-Up Tuscaloosa?<br />

Tarpley: I started actually with<br />

Goulash Comedy out of Birmingham.<br />

I followed Goulash Comedy on<br />

Instagram and I saw they were having<br />

an open mic in <strong>No</strong>vember of 2015. I<br />

didn’t want to tell anybody so I just<br />

drove down in the dark of night. I<br />

brought one of my friends and lied<br />

to everyone else. I tried it for the<br />

first time and I didn’t come back to<br />

January 2016. In that early winter<br />

I met several Tuscaloosa comedians<br />

who came down to do Goulash and<br />

they were like, “You know we have a<br />

stand-up group in Tuscaloosa.” and I<br />

was like “Whaaat?” So then I liked the<br />

page, went to a show, went to an open<br />

mic and the rest is history.<br />

<strong>Alice</strong>: How do you develop your<br />

comedic material?<br />

Tarpley: I usually bring around my<br />

book that I carry all the time. I have<br />

four editions of this book. I’ll just write<br />

down things that stick out to me like<br />

“Oh! That’s funny!” and it’ll come to<br />

me in a perfect punch. And then other<br />

times it’s things that bother me and<br />

I’ll articulate why they bother me and<br />

communicate it to someone through<br />

some type of an analogy. I think this<br />

would be worse than someone finding<br />

my diary because nothing makes sense<br />

in it. It says, like, “Buffalo text, alcohol<br />

question mark, proving not a baby.”<br />

It’s just absolutely senseless. I’ll also<br />

write all my set lists down and jokes<br />

just so I can look back at them.<br />

<strong>Alice</strong>: Are there some topics that<br />

can get racy? Who do you think has<br />

more leniency to talk about those<br />

topics? Male comics or female comics?<br />

Tarpley: I think female because I<br />

think males have the ability socially<br />

to examine a wide array of topics<br />

but I think with women in general<br />

there’s like a purity that you expect<br />

and when they defy that expectation,<br />

it’s automatically funny. When you<br />

[84] <strong>Alice</strong> May 2017<br />

have me at 5 feet 2 inches, and I come<br />

on stage and say things bigger than<br />

what my appearance would suggest,<br />

then there’s automatically a disrupt<br />

of expectations. If you take someone<br />

like Jenny Slate — she looks so nice,<br />

wholesome and girl-next-door-esque<br />

and then she says all this stuff like,<br />

“Whoa! We’re going there.” But when<br />

Anthony Jeselnik does it, it’s like not<br />

surprising because he looks sinister,<br />

like a scary man. I think women have<br />

a better opportunity to defy those<br />

expectations but I think it’s harder for<br />

a woman to be a clean comic.<br />

<strong>Alice</strong>: Harder to be a clean comic…<br />

so is your set list kind of racy?<br />

Tarpley: I try to play it pretty<br />

evenly. I think I could assemble a clean<br />

set, but in a college town, me doing<br />

a bunch of dad jokes, I don’t think it<br />

would go over quite well.<br />

<strong>Alice</strong>: What is your favorite show<br />

that you have ever done?<br />

Tarpley: There was a show, Fresh<br />

Ground Comics in Birmingham, and it<br />

was like a ten-minute set on a Friday<br />

night and I was so nervous cause<br />

my mom had invited a bunch of her<br />

friends to come and there was also a<br />

girl I babysat in the crowd. It was just<br />

very scary to have these people I knew<br />

professionally and my mom’s friends<br />

there and then to go up on stage and<br />

behave in a way I normally wouldn’t<br />

around my parents’ friends, but it<br />

actually went really well and it was a<br />

huge relief.<br />

<strong>Alice</strong>: What is the funniest thing<br />

that’s happened to you recently?<br />

Tarpley: I got called a psycho<br />

in some bar. This woman started<br />

screaming at me because I was dancing<br />

too close to her. She was wearing a fur<br />

vest and it was extremely scary. She<br />

was, like, 40, too, and bleach blond<br />

and she was like, “You are standing<br />

too close.” And then she went on this<br />

rampage and her husband had to carry<br />

her out of there. It was really nuts.<br />

<strong>Alice</strong>: What do you think is the<br />

biggest misconception people have<br />

about female comics?<br />

Tarpley: That who they are on<br />

stage is who they are in person. I think<br />

you could apply that to comedians at<br />

large but with women I think it’s a<br />

harder line.<br />

<strong>Alice</strong>: What are your future projects<br />

and goals?<br />

Tarpley: Stand-Up Tuscaloosa<br />

recently started a new show at the<br />

Wheelhouse Sports Pub on the fourth<br />

Wednesday of every month and I’m the<br />

host of that show. It’s open mic and<br />

I think trying to connect that with a<br />

student audience is my immediate goal<br />

right now. I think other open mics are<br />

great, but they’re just geared towards<br />

a more older population of Tuscaloosa.<br />

But I think there are so many students<br />

who would as comedians and audience<br />

members have a better time there.<br />

<strong>Alice</strong>: What is your ultimate goal<br />

in life?<br />

Tarpley: I think I would love to<br />

shake Tina Fey’s hand. I just want to<br />

say hello. I think that’s my ultimate<br />

goal.<br />

<strong>Alice</strong>: What is your favorite<br />

cheesy joke?<br />

Tarpley: What’s black and white<br />

and black and white and green all over?<br />

<strong>Alice</strong>: A sick skunk… maybe?<br />

Tarpley: Two zebras fighting over a<br />

pickle! It’s so good. It’s so simple and it<br />

takes you on a journey.<br />

<strong>Alice</strong>: As a comedian, do you<br />

surround yourself with funny people?<br />

Tarpley: Ummm, no. Sort of.<br />

Yes. One of my best friends is also a<br />

comedian but we can only spend so<br />

much time together, cause it’s, “Punch,<br />

punch, punch! Joke, joke, joke!” And it<br />

gets so shop-talky that we have to take<br />

a break. I feel like I surround myself<br />

with eccentric people that inspire<br />

comedy more so than people that are<br />

funny themselves.<br />

<strong>Alice</strong>: To finish off, what is the best<br />

piece of advice you have ever received?<br />

Tarpley: My grandmother says<br />

this and my mom repeats it: “Make a<br />

decision and make it work.” *


ENTERTAINMENT<br />

The Short List:<br />

Five Short Films You Didn’t Know<br />

You Should Be Watching<br />

By Emilee Benos<br />

Director and Star Jim Cummings in Thunder Road<br />

When most people think of standouts<br />

of the Oscars or Sundance, or movies<br />

in general, short films don’t usually<br />

make the list. A real shame, because<br />

there are so many great short films out<br />

there. <strong>Alice</strong> compiled a list of the five<br />

best short films of the last year you<br />

didn’t know you should be watching.<br />

Some tell stories of dreamers, some<br />

of grievers, and some of frustrated<br />

lovers, but all are worth watching<br />

(plus, their short run times make for a<br />

quick watch).<br />

Thunder Road<br />

Winner of the Grand Jury Prize at<br />

the 2016 Sundance Festival, Thunder<br />

Road tells the story of a man giving<br />

a eulogy for his mother using Bruce<br />

Springsteen lyrics. Director and star<br />

Jim Cummings originally conceived<br />

the idea when he was drunk and heard<br />

Springsteen’s Thunder Road on the<br />

radio. In just 12 minutes, Thunder<br />

Road goes from awkward, to comical,<br />

to heartbreaking and back again.<br />

What is perhaps most noteworthy is<br />

Cummings’ delivery of the whole thing<br />

in one continuous take. Thunder Road<br />

originally premiered on Vimeo in July,<br />

and is still available to view.<br />

Her Friend Adam<br />

What director Ben Petrie calls<br />

“16 minutes of romantic doom,” Her<br />

Friend Adam tells the story of couple<br />

Robert (Ben Petrie) and Liv (Grace<br />

Glowicki), and Liv’s gay friend Adam.<br />

When Liv gets home from work,<br />

what starts as a casual exchange<br />

evolves into a full-fledged argument<br />

over Robert’s dislike and mistrust of<br />

Adam. The actors deliver real, raw<br />

performances — Glowicki won the<br />

Short Film Special Jury Award For<br />

Outstanding Performance at the 2016<br />

Sundance Festival.<br />

Food For Thought<br />

Director Davide Gentile originally<br />

developed Food For Thought for World<br />

Health Day 2016. Food for Thought<br />

takes place in a diner, eliciting a sense of<br />

childhood nostalgia. The film explores<br />

how bad food can be detrimental to<br />

your health. The cinematography is<br />

a standout feature of the film, and<br />

Gentile uses color, sound and closeup<br />

shots to deliver his message and<br />

make the film engaging. Food for<br />

Thought leaves viewers full with an<br />

important message.<br />

Embers and Dust<br />

Embers and Dust takes place<br />

during Orson Welles’s infamous 1938<br />

radio broadcast of War of the Worlds.<br />

Written and directed by Patrick<br />

Biesemans, the film follows residents<br />

of a small town hearing the broadcast<br />

about a fictional alien invasion for the<br />

first time, and explores the fears of<br />

the 1930s. The film brilliantly blends<br />

fiction and reality, and the lighting and<br />

cinematography effectively transport<br />

audiences to the scene.<br />

Stutterer<br />

Stutterer won an Oscar in 2016 for<br />

Best Live Action Short Film. In the<br />

film, director Benjamin Cleary and<br />

producer Serena Armitage explore<br />

the problems that arise with modern<br />

romance. The film stars Matthew<br />

Needham as Greenwood, a lonely man<br />

with a stuttering problem who begins<br />

an online relationship with a woman<br />

named Ellie. Greenwood fears meeting<br />

Ellie in person because of his stutter.<br />

Stutterer is a sweet and poignant<br />

shoutout to today’s society. *<br />

<strong>Alice</strong> May 2017 [85]


ENTERTAINMENT<br />

A Doc<br />

A Day<br />

Documentaries<br />

to Get You Thinking<br />

By Sarah Beth Bolin<br />

So we can all agree that Netflix is<br />

one of the most important creations of<br />

the 21st century. Hours upon hours of<br />

the most talked about, cherished TV<br />

shows and movies are available at the<br />

tip of our fingers. But what do we do<br />

when we get tired of mindlessly bingewatching<br />

the same shows over and over<br />

again? What if we want something to<br />

help us think? Documentaries are<br />

there to pick up where sitcoms and<br />

dramas leave off. There’s something<br />

out there for everyone, no matter what<br />

your interest is. Lucky for us, Netflix<br />

is a gold mine for documentaries.<br />

Here’s a few that are set to inform<br />

and entertain.<br />

Poverty, Inc.<br />

As a society, everyone wants to<br />

help each other. We see someone in<br />

poverty on TV and our heartstrings<br />

are tugged. Companies like TOMS<br />

thrive on a philanthropic platform that<br />

help justify buying a pair of shoes so<br />

that we can help people in need. We<br />

send billions of dollars in relief aid to<br />

natural disasters each year. But what<br />

happens when the disaster is over and<br />

people start relying on aid instead of<br />

producing themselves?<br />

[86] <strong>Alice</strong> May 2017<br />

Happy<br />

What really makes us happy? Is<br />

it money? Family? Friends? Power?<br />

Happy explores the idea of happiness<br />

and takes us on a journey to find a true<br />

form of it. Follow the filmmakers across<br />

the world from Louisiana to sunny<br />

Brazil to the small island of Okinawa,<br />

Japan as they search for the answer to<br />

this question. This documentary will<br />

surely make you smile.<br />

Making a Murderer<br />

Okay, so if you haven’t heard of Making<br />

a Murderer, you might be living<br />

under a rock. This viral Netflix sensation<br />

premiered in 2015 and has rocked<br />

the world of criminal justice. Follow<br />

the story of Steven Avery, who was released<br />

from prison after 18 years for<br />

a crime he didn’t commit. After starting<br />

an investigation about corruption<br />

in the police force, he was arrested<br />

and convicted of the murder of a local<br />

woman. Avery and a team of lawyers<br />

worked for almost 10 years to get the<br />

conviction overturned, and the popularity<br />

of the series helped raise awareness<br />

for false convictions and corruption<br />

in the police.<br />

The Hunting Ground<br />

According to statistics, one in five<br />

women in American colleges and universities<br />

are sexually assaulted. But<br />

most of these crimes are not reported.<br />

Why not? The Hunting Ground<br />

explores rape culture on college campuses<br />

and exposes the stigma against<br />

reporting sexual assault in American<br />

universities. It also captures the stories<br />

of survivors and explains their<br />

decision on whether they chose to report<br />

their assault or not. It’s definitely<br />

hard to watch, but it’s one of the<br />

most eye-opening documentaries you’ll<br />

ever see.<br />

Planet Earth<br />

This documentary is seriously nostalgic.<br />

Everyone remembers middle<br />

school science classes — whenever<br />

teachers didn’t want to actually teach,<br />

they would roll out the box TV and<br />

turn on Planet Earth. But these colorful<br />

documentaries are still beautiful at<br />

any age. The series explores so many<br />

parts of the world, letting the viewer<br />

experience places, people and animals<br />

that they never would before. It’s a<br />

great way to see the world without ever<br />

actually leaving your couch. *


ENTERTAINMENT<br />

Illustration by Shel Silverstein<br />

POETRY<br />

for People Who<br />

Don’t “Get” Poetry<br />

By Kirby Tifverman<br />

Reading poetry for pleasure can seem like a daunting<br />

task for even the most avid lover of prose. However,<br />

good poetry has the power to resonate like no other<br />

works can — sometimes a compilation of figurative language<br />

can ring far more true than our favorite novel.<br />

If you’ve been dying to dive into poetry, but you don’t<br />

know where to start, here are the best poetry books to<br />

read if you’ve never read poetry before.<br />

Where the Sidewalk Ends<br />

by Shel Silverstein<br />

Shel Silverstein, acclaimed author of The Giving<br />

Tree, wrote multiple volumes of poetry for children<br />

throughout his life. He was a favorite childhood author<br />

for many before they could fully grasp the life lessons<br />

behind his silly words. Like all of the best children’s<br />

fiction, the poems in Where the Sidewalk Ends are just<br />

as enjoyable and authentically touching when re-read<br />

as an adult.<br />

Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur<br />

Rupi Kaur wrote and self-published this #1 New York<br />

Times bestseller in 2014. Milk and Honey is a collection<br />

of poetry that weaves beautifully through four sections,<br />

highlighting the reality of being a young woman. A story<br />

of love and loss, joy and pain, any reader can relate<br />

to this tale of the ups and downs — the milk and honey<br />

— of life.<br />

Love & Misadventure by Lang Leav<br />

A story of love lost and found again, Love & Misadventure<br />

will strike a millennial nerve while navigating<br />

the 2017 tumultuous dating scene. Pick this one up if<br />

you’ve recently been dumped or just need your faith in<br />

love restored.<br />

The Complete Poetry<br />

of Edgar Allan Poe (Signet Classics)<br />

by Edgar Allan Poe<br />

Before you dismiss this one for conjuring memories of<br />

high school AP Lit, consider this: Poe was basically the<br />

originator of both the crime and horror genres. Instead<br />

of binge watching a Criminal Minds marathon, pick up<br />

The Complete Poetry of Edgar Allan Poe. Like his famed<br />

short stories, many of the selections are guaranteed to<br />

make a chill run down your spine.<br />

Crank by Ellen Hopkins<br />

A constant page-turner, Crank is the story of a young<br />

girl and her terrifying personal demon. Crank, the<br />

street name for crystal meth, haunts this story’s protagonist,<br />

Kristina. As the monstrous drug infiltrates<br />

Kristina’s relationships, life and personality, you’ll realize<br />

just how thrilling poetry can be. *<br />

<strong>Alice</strong> May 2017 [87]


ENTERTAINMENT<br />

By Ellen Johnson<br />

Sometimes teenagers and people in<br />

their 20s need time to figure things out,<br />

learn about themselves and discover<br />

their world. But most don’t take that<br />

path of self discovery after making an<br />

album for Columbia Records. Charlotte<br />

OC (given name Charlotte O’Connor)<br />

is a different story. The British singersongwriter<br />

made her debut album for<br />

Columbia as a teenager in 2011, and<br />

then temporarily stopped making<br />

music to work a stint in her mother’s<br />

hair salon. In 2013, she was back with<br />

her EP, Strange, and a newfound fire in<br />

her music. Her latest album, Careless<br />

People, was released in March of this<br />

year, and with comparisons to female<br />

powerhouses like Sia and Lana Del<br />

Rey, she’s one to watch in 2017. <strong>Alice</strong><br />

chatted with Charlotte about life,<br />

influences and making music even in the<br />

darkest hours.<br />

Did you always know you wanted<br />

to make music?<br />

Charlotte: When I was 16 years old<br />

I started playing guitar...I just had<br />

the feeling, just incredible. It was a<br />

really nice feeling and that’s when<br />

I got the feeling I could do it. And<br />

when I started writing that’s when I<br />

got better and that’s when I realized I<br />

[88] <strong>Alice</strong> May 2017<br />

wanted to create something as a singer.<br />

It’s another outlet for you in music<br />

and It’s about creating. That’s the<br />

moment when I realized I wanted to do<br />

this forever.<br />

You made an album for Columbia,<br />

but it didn’t work out, and you<br />

took a few years and worked in<br />

your mom’s salon. How did this<br />

experience shape you as an artist<br />

and as a person?<br />

Charlotte: I was so young. I wasn’t quite<br />

proud of what I had done looking back<br />

to it now. It’s not necessarily where my<br />

head’s at. I think when I took two years<br />

out I was grateful. I think I was losing<br />

myself a little bit. I kept my head down<br />

and tried to figure out what I wanted to<br />

do and do all the stuff I was missing out<br />

on doing when I was making a record.<br />

When you’re that young and doing it it<br />

kind of feels like you’re doing a chore,<br />

and I think you need to take yourself<br />

out of it to get back again and see. I<br />

think being in music is fueled by being<br />

hungry for it. If that hunger’s not there,<br />

you’re not moving along.<br />

Can you tell me about the<br />

inspirations behind the new album<br />

and how your hometown influenced<br />

your music?<br />

Charlotte: I’m from Manchester in a<br />

town called Blackburn. It’s quite a<br />

small industrial town. I grew up there.<br />

It was boring in a way, but there’s also<br />

this kind of folklore there — ghosts and<br />

witches. [In my music] it’s not quite<br />

home, but the idea of home and the<br />

warmth to it. But there’s also a little bit<br />

of coldness and a bit of quite majestic<br />

about them and quite otherworldly about<br />

them, which is how I see Blackburn: as<br />

a warm place of my home, my parent’s<br />

home. But there’s also this coldness of<br />

being in a <strong>No</strong>rthern town but also this<br />

magical feel to it. I wanted my music to<br />

be like that. I wanted it to feel like that.<br />

Can you tell us about the songs<br />

“Darkest Hour” and “Medicine Man”?<br />

Charlotte: What I was going through,<br />

being in a toxic relationship, I wrote<br />

that song as a way for me to get my head<br />

around it and for me to realize how I<br />

felt about that situation. It was about<br />

me evaluating it. It’s almost like a little<br />

bit of a prayer. When things get really<br />

bad you always kind of ask for help from<br />

something or somewhere. “Medicine<br />

Man” is about love. It’s about that<br />

feeling of love for the first time. Love<br />

is like medicine in a way. It’s somebody<br />

there making it a little bit better.


You’ve been compared to artists<br />

such as Sia and Lana Del Rey. How<br />

do you feel about that?<br />

Charlotte: I appreciate both of those<br />

artists. I think that Lana really carved<br />

the way for artists like myself wanting<br />

to make pop. It’s a gateway for artists<br />

like myself.<br />

Who are your musical influences?<br />

Charlotte: I’m always really inspired<br />

by Aretha Franklin. I was watching<br />

the Muscle Shoals movie and it’s super<br />

interesting that she couldn’t find who<br />

she was in the beginning. <strong>No</strong>body really<br />

knew what to do with her and then all<br />

of a sudden it was just her. With great<br />

artists, you’re not easy to be placed. It<br />

takes time to find. She’s always been<br />

one of my favorite, if not my favorite,<br />

female vocalist. I also liked Freddie<br />

Mercury a lot when I was younger.<br />

What music are you really into right<br />

now/what’s the best album you’ve<br />

heard lately?<br />

Charlotte: I listened to the new Childish<br />

Gambino album and I really liked that.<br />

The Sampha album is amazing. The xx<br />

album, the new one, is incredible.<br />

Describe your songwriting process.<br />

Charlotte: I kind of like making the<br />

piano first and putting the melody on<br />

top of it. It kind of merges together. I<br />

like doing it at the same time. I don’t<br />

usually go in with lyrics first. I usually<br />

write the lyrics after the structure.<br />

Do you have a favorite song to<br />

perform?<br />

Charlotte: I like performing “Medicine<br />

Man.” It’s a lot of fun It’s like the sweet<br />

spot in my voice so it’s really nice to<br />

sing. Another called “Running Back<br />

to You.” I completely lose myself in<br />

that song.<br />

What do you enjoy most about<br />

playing live?<br />

Charlotte: The fact that I’m not really<br />

hiding behind anything. And it’s that<br />

one moment where I can do that and<br />

it just feels like I’m being my most<br />

magnified self and there’s nothing I can<br />

really do about it. And there’s nothing<br />

really anybody else can do about it,<br />

because I’ve got the microphone. It’s<br />

kind of like a power to it. It’s like the<br />

feeling when you were a kid, like being<br />

a child again. The only way I can really<br />

explain it. You don’t completely lose<br />

yourself in it; you’re really present.<br />

If you could tell your 16-year-old<br />

self anything what would you tell<br />

her now?<br />

Charlotte: I’d tell her to stop messing<br />

with her hair and stop back combing it.<br />

I’d tell myself to stop wearing so much<br />

makeup because I probably looked like<br />

a drag queen or someone a lot older<br />

looking. I’d also tell myself to drink lots<br />

of water. And I’d tell myself to not try<br />

and do things to please others, like it’s<br />

about what makes you is you being you.<br />

Somebody once said to me, “Be yourself<br />

because everybody else is taken,” and I<br />

think that’s just like quite an important<br />

thing to remember. It’s the most<br />

attractive thing when you see someone<br />

truly being themselves. It takes time,<br />

but once you find it, it’s easy. *<br />

<strong>Alice</strong> May 2017 [89]

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