Alice Vol. 4 No. 1

A MILLION
PAPER CUTS
A sexual assault survivor speaks out
about believing women
A PRETTY PENNY
FOR PINK
How to rise up against gender-based
price disparities
HAIR NAH
Alice sits down with a creator whose
video game fights microaggressions
$5.99 Vol. 4 No. 1
This season is all
about standing up
and standing out
The University of Alabama | Winter 2019

Chilly weather may
force you to bundle up,
but now is not the time
to cover up. Boldness is
all the rage this winter.

Letter from the Editor
Volume 4
Issue 1
On the web:
alice.ua.edu
@alicethemag
pinterest.com/alicemagazine
Contact Us:
alicemagazine.editor@gmail.com
This semester we did a fashion shoot at Boone Cabin,
a house owned by The University of Alabama and tucked
away on the shore of Lake Tuscaloosa. The plan was to get
some shots of the models standing by the edge of the water.
The edge. Because we had clothes to return and models
to keep dry.
But Sabina Vafina, the lovely Alice photo editor, does not
live life on the edge. She dives right in.
Skipping directly to the water, she tossed off her shoes
and directed the rest of her crew to do the same. While the
models rolled up their pants (thank you!), Sabina walked
straight in, her flowing pant legs dipping into the lake and
trailing behind her. And that was that. Because when Sabina
Vafina walks into a lake, well, you do too.
As I watched my Ladies of the Lake, “Man, I Feel Like a
Woman” came on the photoshoot playlist. It got me thinking
about the best things about being a woman. Of course,
there’s the prerogative to have a little fun. And coloring hair.
And doing dares.
But the list is so much longer than Shania Twain made
it out to be.
The best things are the little pep talks the crew gave each
other before stepping on set. And the way they helped one
another out of the pesky holes that covered the lake’s floor.
And how they built a chain to pull each other along through
the sludge.
The best things are the things we women do to help
one another.
This issue of Alice has all the best things about being
a woman. We have women running for office and running
their own companies. Women encouraging other women to
be the best versions of themselves, and women channeling
anger into art. But it also has the sludge. It has sexual assault
and public body shaming and economic systems that keep
women disadvantaged.
It has the sludge because it’s there. Right below our feet.
We know you feel it. We feel it too. And we are here to build
a chain and pull each other along.
I want to thank my oh-so-incredible staff for all their
hard work and passion. This publication would not be
possible without the women behind the pages. The women
who ask the uncomfortable questions. The women who see
the wonder in everything. The women who do not stop until
they get it right. The women who walk right into the lake.
Editorial and Advertising offices for Alice Magazine are located at
414 Campus Drive East, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487.
The mailing address is P.O. Box 870170, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487.
Phone: (205) 348-7257.
Alice is published by the Office of Student Media
at The University of Alabama.
All content and design are produced by students
in consultation with professional staff advisers.
All material contained herein, except advertising or where
indicated otherwise, is copyrighted © 2018 by Alice Magazine.
Material herein may not be reprinted without the
expressed, written permission of Alice Magazine.
Rebecca Rakowitz
Alice Winter 2019 1

Editorial
Editor in Chief Rebecca Rakowitz
Creative Director MK Holladay
Photo Editor Sabina Vafina
Managing Editor Meg McGuire
Market Editor Kristina Cusolito
Fashion Editor Kallen Sebastian
Beauty Editor Kali Sturgis
Lifestyle Editor Sara Beth Bolin
Food and Health Editor Anna Klement
Entertainment Editor Mia Blackman
Social Media Coordinator Ashby Brown
Online Editor Gillian Castro
Marketing Editor Alexis Wolf
Contributing Writers Morgan Abercrombie,
Lindsay Ball, Allie Binford, Sara Beth Bolin,
Keely Brewer, Daley Cline, Hanna Fridriksson,
Kaitlyn Gabaldon, MK Holladay, Annie Hollon,
Rachel Hughes, Anna Klement, Cassie Kuhn,
Payton Lambert, Mariah Link, Mikelah Luke,
Kyra Mangle, Meg McGuire, Tarah Morris,
Sydney Pellegrini, Irene Richardson, Kallen
Sebastian, Kate Silvey, Hannah Taylor, Natalie
Vande Linde, Katrina Waelchli
Contributing Photographers Prestley
Bramlett, Syd Cargal, Alexis Craft, Tristan
Hallman, Sam MacDonald, Grant Nicholls,
Kali Sturgis, Emily Swan, Ally Thomasson
Contributing Designers: Ramsey Chandler,
Elizabeth Enloe, Sarah Lumpkin, Amanda
Morris, Shana Oshinskie, Kiley Peruch, Sarah
Sliman, Hannah Taylor, Ally Thomasson,
Holly Welch
Models Anna Bell, Amber Chan, Xsuela
Douglas, Genuwine Farlow, Jada Foster,
Katharina Fox, Alexandra Huryn, Angelina
Kim, Anna Klement, Lauren L’Etang, Montana
Maniscalco, Alexandrea Nessi, Saxby Sperau,
Kali Sturgis, Tina Turner, Katy Vanderblom
Hair and Makeup Kali Sturgis
Advertising
Advertising Creative Director Alexis Craft
Assistant Creative Director Grace Bryant and
Nataleigh Dang
Sales Representatives (205) 348-7845
Rayven Lane, Tricia Ownby, Emma Pyne,
Abigail Wolfe
Advisers
Editorial Mark Mayfield
(msmayfield1@ua.edu)
Advertising Julie Salter (julie.salter@ua.edu)
Published by UA Office of Student Media
Director Paul Wright
Contributing Artists: Emeline Earman,
Hannah Taylor, Ally Thomasson, Sabina Vafina
2 Alice Winter 2019

BEAUTY
21
6
6
9
12
17
21
AMAZON DEALS & STEALS
THE SKIN YOU’RE IN
HERE’S THE FORECAST
RUNWAY READY
GEEK IS CHIC
LIFESTYLE
26
28
30
A SEAT AT THE TABLE
PROTECTIVE PENDANTS
GETTING POSITIVE
Table of Contents
33
38
28
33
FASHION
38
43
45
52
45
THE SNOWBIRD
FASHION MADE CLEAR
STAIN REMOVAL SECRETS
NEW LIFE
THE SWEEPING
STYLE OF STEVIE NICKS
Alice Winter 2019 3

75
FEATURES
58
61
65
75
65 79
A MILLION PAPER CUTS
DEEPER THAN THE FABRIC
LADIES OF THE LAKE
A PRETTY PENNY FOR PINK
PAYING IT FORWARD WITH FAB’RIK
89
ENTERTAINMENT
96
86
89
92
96
HAIR NAH
VISTA KICKS
FIRESIDE READS
CLAIMING THE ROLES
111
FOOD & HEALTH
100
103
105
109
103
111
THE ANATOMY OF THE
PERFECT CHEESE BOARD
FIVE REASONS TO GET INTO
A BOXING GYM ASAP
DITCHING ANIMAL PRODUCTS
KEEPING SAD AT BAY
ON-THE-GO HEALTHY EATING
4 Alice Winter 2019

AMAZON DEALS & STEALS
GEEK IS CHIC
6
9
12
17
23
21
THE SKIN YOU’RE IN
HERE’S THE FORECAST
RUNWAY READY
Alice Winter 2019 5

The perfect makeup routine to complement your specs
By Hanna Fridriksson
If you wear eyeglasses, you
know makeup can sometimes be
a pain. But don’t let your frames
stop you from trying some
seriously fierce looks. With a few
tips and tricks, you can make the
most of your beauty routine -
bifocals and all!
NOSE
When it comes to how
glasses rest on a face, the biggest
problem many people have is
their nose. If you have an oily or
combination skin type, glasses
do not help. Not only do they
make nose makeup budge, it
always feels like it’s collecting
oil on the bridge of the nose,
causing breakouts. To combat
oil, use products like a toner with
salicylic acid, as well as oil-free
makeup products. Other ways
to stay less oily are to use a good
primer, powder and blotting
sheets. Dry skin types should use
mattifying primers where their
specs sit, so the glasses won’t
cause makeup to smudge.
SKIN
For the skin, tinted
moisturizers and BB Creams
work well for glasses wearers
because they don’t move around
as much. For foundation
wearers, staying light with
foundation is the key to not
having nose makeup move
around and to minimize those
annoying red lines. Extra
foundation and concealer can be
added to other areas as needed.
A brightening or lighter
concealer is also important for
under the eyes because your
specs can create shadows.
EYES
Eye shape and frames play
into what makeup looks are
most flattering. Generally,
super glittery and sparkly eye
looks do not pair as well with
glasses. When it comes to
eyeshadow, neutral tones in
mattes and a little shimmer are
more flattering.
6 Alice Winter 2019

IF YOU ARE
NEARSIGHTED:
Nearsighted glasses make
eyes appear smaller. Lighter
colors open up the eyes more
and make them look bigger. Try
using a white or nude eyeliner
pencil in the water line and a
bright highlight in the inner
corner and inner lid.
If you are doing eyeliner,
match the thickness with the
thickness of your frames so
neither will overpower the
other. However, try not to use
an eyeliner that is the same
color as your frames because
it will obscure, rather than
emphasize, your eyes.
Curling lashes is best
when wearing glasses, because
straight lashes can touch the
lenses, but stay light on bottom
lash mascara.
IF YOU ARE
FARSIGHTED:
Farsighted glasses make
eyes appear bigger. A smokier
eyeshadow look makes eyes
appear smaller, especially if
you put liner or shadow on
your lower lash line and water
line. You can do a look like
this for everyday if you put a
transition color a shade or two
darker than your skin tone and
smudge a darker shade on your
lash line.
Alice Winter 2019 7

8 Alice Winter 2019
EVERYWHERE ELSE:
For the rest of your features, have fun! Don’t
forget your brows. Do them as you like, but know
that glasses will emphasize your brows, so try to
keep them tidy. Wear bold lipstick to play up
neutral eyes, and add a poppin’ highlight, because
you can.
Glasses don’t have to be a hindrance. Makeup
is supposed to be fun, and glasses can be super
stylish, so treat your makeup the same.

Amazon
Deals
and
Steals
By Natalie Vande Linde
College life brings about a lot of budgeting, but
your self-care and makeup routine shouldn’t
have to suffer. These 10 beauty products from
Amazon are affordable and worth it.
AZTEC SECRET INDIAN HEALING MASK - $15
For those struggling with oily skin and angry
breakouts, this is your new hero. The mask is to
be mixed with apple cider vinegar and applied
to the face. It works to pull out impurities and
shrink pores, combatting those breakout areas
and moderating oil production. However,
sensitive and dry skin readers be warned: this
mask packs a punch. Try using it for only a
short period of time to ensure the best results
given your skin’s texture.
ESARORA ICE ROLLER - $12
An ice roller may not be number one on your
must-have list, but at an affordable price,
why not give one a try? Given their ability
to reduce redness, reduce the appearance of
veins, tighten pores, and even help the adverse
effects of an allergic reaction, the benefits are
seriously rewarding.
L.A. GIRL PRO CONCEAL HD CONCEALER - $4
This is one that comes heavily recommended
by influencers and beauty gurus. L.A. Girl
is an affordable, cruelty-free brand that has
received a lot of praise. Scroll through the
Amazon comments on this product to see its
impressive coverage of dark spots or sharp brow
bone highlighting.
Alice Winter 2019 9

BIO-OIL - $9
This gentle oil works to eradicate stretch marks,
scars, acne marks, and uneven skin tones. It can be
applied on any problem areas and since it won’t clog
your pores, you need not worry about breakouts.
Bio-Oil is hypoallergenic and packed with helpful
oils like lavender and calendula, so any skin type can
appreciate its benefits.
EMAXDESIGN 20 PIECE MAKEUP
BRUSH SET - $7
This price is truly crazy. Still, this brush set has
acquired an incredible amount of positive feedback
from buyers. Those who purchased this set are raving
in the reviews about how they’ve stopped reaching for
brush sets that cost $100 or more. Purchasing makeup
brushes can be overwhelming and intimidating, but
this set is a great place to begin or experiment with.
MILANI BAKED BLUSH - $7
Milani used to be stocked in drugstores regularly,
but is a little harder to come by now. However,
Amazon still has it on deck. Milani’s baked blush
shades offer an iridescence that hints at a gleam
but does not overpower the face. Winter can
leave skin feeling and looking dull, and a baked
blush like this Milani one is just the thing to pull
vibrance and a youthful appearance back into
the cheeks.
COSMEDICA HYALURONIC
ACID SERUM- $15
This is a holy grail product. Hyaluronic acid works
as a water-binding acid. When you apply this to the
face, it begins to pull the humidity in the air and use it
to continuously moisturize your skin. This is a musthave
product through the fall and winter months that
can be quickly applied under any moisturizer to keep
your skin looking plump and hydrated. It works to
improve skin’s overall texture and brightens your
complexion. Bonus: Cosmedica offers a cruelty-free,
vegan version.
10 Alice Winter 2019

EMBRYOLISSE LAIT-CREME
CONCENTRE - $18
Embryolisse is a long-time cult favorite. It’s a common
product among fashion week makeup artists, as it is
gentle, moisturizing, and revitalizes the skin with a
host of fatty acids. Embryolisse is cruelty-free, doubles
as a primer under foundation, and can be used as a
cleansing cream to gently remove makeup, or as an after
shave cream. It’s great for all skin types, and if your
skin tends to be sensitive or overly dry, it will adore this
hydrating moisturizer.
ELIZAVECCA MILKY PIGGY CARBONATED CLAY
MASK - $10
This clay mask holds 4.2 out of 5 stars with well over
5000 reviews. Carbonation in the mask works to gently
exfoliate skin and clear pores of impurities. Although
this is a clay mask, it’s a bit gentler than the Aztec Secret
Indian Healing Clay Mask, making it more friendly for
all skin types. Many reviewers raved and left photos
suggesting that even if the effects weren’t so incredible,
they would purchase it again for the amazing spa-like feel
the mask left them with.
MORPHE PRO 35 COLOR EYESHADOW PALETTE
MATTE 35N - $23
Morphe is another affordable and cruelty-free makeup
brand to check out. This eyeshadow palette is stocked
with 35 amazing matte neutrals that can be mixed and
matched to create almost any look. Anyone can enjoy its
classic and blendable shades.
Amazon can be a great place to delve into the beauty world
and experiment with new products without breaking the
bank. As you search, remember that reviews are key.
Check other buyers opinions. Is it causing breakouts or
drying out their skin? These type of reviews can be red
flags when trying new products. However, make sure to
check the percentage of poor reviews and be mindful of
the type of skin these buyers have. Search for reviews of
those most similar to you.
Alice Winter 2019 11

By Hannah Taylor
Let’s face it, commitment is scary. Even a simple
haircut can seem daunting at times. Whether
you’re thinking of chopping off your locks to keep
up with the latest fad, or considering trading in
your signature ombré look for a new bleached
“do,” any slight change of appearance can take a
lot of deliberation. And yet, according to a Pew
Research Center study, 38 percent of people
aged 18-29 have at least one tattoo. So how and
why, do so many people choose to permanently
modify their bodies in one way or another? New
developments in body modification practices and
technologies mean there are more possibilities
than ever for body alterations and enhancements.
People with experience in the field of body
modification sat down with Alice to give an inside
look at why so many Americans turn to tattooing
and cosmetic surgery.
A WORLD OF TATTOOS
Porscha Bryant, a tattoo artist with All Inked Up,
is the first woman to open her own tattoo shop in
Tuscaloosa, Alabama, received her first tattoo at
age 17.
Alice: What sparked your desire to become a
tattoo artist?
Bryant: The difficulty level. It’s trying to make
a picture on a moving curved surface, with a
moving canvas, and a vibrating utensil. It’s highly
complicated, and even some of the most wellversed
artists, they all give homage to tattoo art
12 Alice Winter 2019

ecause it’s one of the most difficult art forms.
And then on top of that, once your art walks out
the door, you don’t know how it’s gonna look
when it comes back. Some people take care of it
beautifully and some people don’t.
Alice: Have you ever been treated differently
or received negative reactions because of
your tattoos?
Bryant: I definitely (saw) different treatment once
I started getting stuff done on my arms. People
look at you with a certain type of hesitation. I
would say it’s been positive and negative, because
sometimes I’ll have people walk up to me and just
grab my arm like, ‘Hey, what is this, that’s so cool.’
There’s other people that are scoffy and stand
offish. But I think it’s becoming more accepted
these days, where people don’t really care if you
have visible ink or not. I would say five to 10 years
ago it was still a little bit more taboo.
Alice: What is the most rewarding part of being a
tattoo artist?
Bryant: My favorite part is the therapeutic
aspect of tattooing. I get people that come in
that self harm. I’ve had people come in with cuts
coming all the way down their arm. Instead of
cutting themselves, they end up coming back and
getting more tattoos. Or they’re trying to cover
something...say they did cut themselves. They’ll
cover it up with a beautiful piece. It takes away
that reminder for people. People that are dealing
with lost loved ones, and things of that nature [will
get tattoos]. I’ve had people give me hugs, crying
because [the tattoo] helped them get through
whatever situation they were going through.
I would say that’s the most rewarding thing
about tattooing.
Alice: What is one “wrong” perception most
people have about tattooing?
Bryant: This is one thing I complain about, I feel
like the majority of people who get tattoos these
days, they look at it as going to get their hair or
nails done. They look for the cheapest possible
tattoo, not really caring about how bad it looks.
Then, when they don’t like it anymore they want
to get it covered up. And really, if you look at the
ancient side of tattooing, it’s more of a spiritual
thing, a rite of passage. And people don’t even
want to feel the pain anymore, like ‘hey can I put
this anesthetic on it’. It kind of takes the whole
meaning away from it.
Alice: In your experience, why do people choose
to body modify with tattoos?
Bryant: There’s a cosmetic aspect to it that I think
a lot of people like. A lot of times men come in
because they see their favorite rappers, rockstars,
or athletes [with certain tattoos]. They come in
with pictures of their tattoos and are like, ‘Hey I
want this.’ So I think it’s more of a look people are
going for these days. Then there’s other people
that purely want a form of self-expression. They
come in and they have this particular art piece
that they want done on them and it means the
world to them. And then there’s people that look
at it more in the ritualistic aspect of the older form
[of tattooing]. [They] really respect it as a craft.
I’d say there’s those three different types of people
[who get tattoos].
Alice: What is one thing you wished more people
understood about tattooing?
Bryant: That it’s actually an art form. People don’t
look at it that way sometimes. It’s art, and it’s very
difficult to do. It takes years to master, just like a
painter or a sculptor.
BEHIND THE SCENES OF
COSMETIC SURGERY
A rise of surgical body modification has followed
the rise of social media stars. From the Kylie
Jenner lip challenge, to the unprecedented
movement of “Snapchat Surgery,” the stigma
surrounding cosmetic enhancement is beginning
to dissipate. Some ends of the surgical body
modification spectrum has even begun to take the
form of an alientistic fashion statement, as can be
seen in the art installation, A.Human. The surreal
display of humans with hyper-realistic, sci-fi body
modifications was presented in correlation with
this year’s New York Fashion Week.
Although conversations of surgical enhancements
are beginning to take a more futuristic turn,
the majority of surgical body modifications
are centered around subtle enhancements. Dr.
Kenneth Sanders is a facial plastic surgeon from
Shreveport, Louisiana, who talked with Alice
about his experience in the field of surgical
body modification.
Alice: What is one “wrong” perception that most
people have about body modification?
Sanders: [The Negative stigma of plastic surgery]
was dying out hard in the 80s and 90s. Number
one, our procedures were getting better then;
practices were evolving then. Every once in a
Alice Winter 2019 13

while people say well ‘I’m usually not a vain
person’, but then I say well what’s the difference
between caring about wrinkles around your eyes
and brushing your hair? You brushed your hair
this morning because you didn’t want messy
hair. What’s the real difference? More people are
looking at plastic surgery and enhancements this
way, now.
Alice: What are some of the strangest requests
you’ve had from potential patients?
Sanders: Pretty commonly, I’ve had people come
to me that want tattoos cut off. That’s not really a
good way to take care of tattoos. It’s not feasible
sometimes to cut of that large of an area of skin...
I’m not going to do surgeries that are going to
[result in] a weird, unnatural look.
Alice: How have social media and influencers
affected the industry of cosmetic surgery?
Sanders: [The Kardashians] hold a lot of power,
unfortunately, in my opinion.
Social media, in general, is huge. I do snapchat
story surgeries because I had people asking
about it.
Alice: What is the most rewarding part of your job
as a plastic surgeon?
Sanders: I remember in particular several young
girls, and when I say young I mean like even
middle school, grade school. Younger girls who
have really prominent ears, and you can pin that
back with a really simple little surgery. They come
in, one was literally crying as we talked about it
with her mom. It was that big of a deal for her. She
would never put her hair up. She didn’t want to
try out for cheerleading because she would have to
wear her hair in a ponytail. We do her surgery, she
comes bouncing in there with her hair in a ponytail,
joking, very happy. That’s pretty rewarding when
you do stuff with kids; anytime we do stuff with
kids that’s either reconstructive or cosmetic is a
pretty big deal because they’re getting picked on
at school. Even sometimes something as simple
as cutting a mole off a kids face [can make a big
difference]. Kids can be pretty cruel at school, so
that’s a real rewarding thing. One womean came
in, she was about 60 years old. She finally had her
financial status where she wanted it and she could
finally have her rhinoplasty done. She came in and
we did her rhinoplasty; she had a really big hump.
When she came in and we took the splint off, she
just broke down in tears, looking in the mirror.
Even at 60 years old, you could see the pain that
she had gone through in highschool and college.
That’s the most rewarding thing, when you can see
someone’s self confidence just get boosted hugely.
WHEN REAL LIFE BECOMES
A FAIRYTALE
Crystal Heuton has always wanted to be a fairy,
and she got one step closer after deciding to have
horns implanted in her forehead, two years ago.
Heuton started self-piercing at 13 years old and
received her first tattoo at the age of 21. The 30
year-old body piercer of Prattville, Alabama talked
with Alice about her experiences in the realm of
body modification. .
Alice: How did people react to your horn implants?
Heuton: The people close to me were mostly okay
with it. They kind of saw it coming, I guess. People
on the street aren’t so nice about it. Most stare.
Some people have asked to touch them. When I
moved back to Alabama, about four or five months
ago, someone told me to “get out of their state.”
I was in Target with my daughter and a lady
was following us and when we walked out of the
store she tapped me on the shoulder and told me
that my ‘kind’ isn’t welcome here, and I should
leave Alabama.
Alice: Do you experience negative reactions like
that, often?
Heuton: I mainly get negative looks. It’s rare
that it becomes that intense. But once people
get to know me, they don’t even notice the
horns anymore.
Alice: Why did you choose to get horn implants?
Heuton: I came across them a few years ago and
it’s kind of something that intrigued me. Then I
started doing them on a lot of clients. It was my
way of becoming like a nymph fairy-type of person.
Alice: What does the horn implant
process involve?
Heuton: We numb the client up with lidocaine,
so they don’t feel anything. Then we make small
incisions and separate the muscle from the skin
and bone. It’s an implant grade silicone that we
shove underneath the skin, and then suture it
back up. They’ll take anywhere from a year to
three years to fully heal. It’s very painful once the
numbness wears off. There’s a lot of swelling. It’s
a lot more than what people expect. It’s a lot more
than what I even expected.
Alice: What was the healing process like for you?
14 Alice Winter 2019

Alice Winter 2019 15

Heuton: It was really painful. The first week I
wanted to die, pretty much. There was a lot of
swelling. I looked kind of deformed for about two
weeks and then they started to take shape. It was
a lot to get used to. I kept hitting them on things.
Alice: What are some other body modifications
that you have?
Heuton: I have 80 percent of my body tattooed,
and pretty much everything visible is pierced.
I have large holes punched out of the tops of
my ears.
Alice: What drew you to the world of
body modifications?
Heuton: I was kind of born into the tattoo
industry. I just saw it as a way of expressing
myself. I know that sounds cliché, but it is.
Alice: What do you wish critics understood about
your choice to get body modifications?
Heuton: That it doesn’t change us. It doesn’t
affect how we work or how we are as people.
People see us and they think we have low morals
or we’re bad parents and stuff like that. We’re just
like everybody else, we just express ourselves a
little differently.
Whether it’s tattooing or surgical enhancements,
simple or bold looks, the world of body
modification is continuing to advance with new and
exciting techniques. Thanks to the ever-growing
movement of body positivity, body modifications
are more accepted and less stigmatized than ever.
So get that crazy tattoo, or don’t. Change your
face, or don’t. It’s your body and no one else’s.
But no matter what, never forget to love the skin
you’re in.
16 Alice Winter 2019

Here’s the Forecast
Alice Winter 2019 17

By Tarah Morris
and Payton Lambert
With chilly weather just around the
corner, it’s time to say goodbye to our
sun-kissed glows, and hello to trends that
will help you take on winter like a pro.
Hair Style
The Meghan Markle: This style
is no doubt a trend this winter. This
effortless and natural look is quick,
easy, and pairs great with just about
anything. Achieving this style takes five
minutes or less and is versatile enough
for class or a night out. Simply part
your hair to your preference, loosely
twist it into a low bun, then pull some
pieces forward to frame the face. Now
you can look like royalty everyday.
Sleek and Shiny: Looking for a style
that looks “fresh off the runway?” Then
this is the style for you. This look is
simple, yet classic and can be achieved
in no time! Smooth down your hair, use
a small amount of hair gel or a strong
hold hair spray, and push your hair
straight back. The result? A fashionforward,
edgy style that can be done in
a few minutes.
Hair Color
Warm: Even though the weather is
cooling down, your hair doesn’t have
to! When choosing your hair color
this winter, go for something that will
reflect light. Not only will warm tones
give your hair a beautiful glow, they
will brighten up your skin tone too.
Select a color that has an undertone of
gold, copper, or red to give your hair a
beautiful glow.
Chocolate: Deep, rich colors are a
must-have! A chocolate hair color, no
matter how light or dark the shade, is
guaranteed to stand out. To add more
dimension, ask your stylist to toss in
Green Jacket and Green Pants: Twice as Nice
Plaid Jacket and Plaid Pants: Lulu’s
pieces of contrasting shades. Your hair
color will be full of light and movement.
Jewel Tones: If you’re wanting to
make a statement, then this hair color
trend is the one for you. Throw some
pieces of jewel toned color into your
hair - whether it be a shade of purple,
emerald, or pink - and you will surely
turn heads.
Rose Gold: This hair color trend is
very versatile. If you’re feeling bold, go
for a shade with more pink hues. If you
want a more natural look, incorporate
more gold and pale pink hues, so
it blends seamlessly. You can also
integrate this color into a balayage or
wear it as an all over color.
18 Alice Winter 2019

Alice Winter 2019 19

MAKEUP
Mauve Tones: Mauve has been on the
rise since late 2017, and will definitely take
center stage this winter. Vivid enough to
be a bolder version of your typical summer
look, but subdued enough to be be worn
everyday, mauve holds all of the versatility
one could ask for. Its warm undertones
will still heat up your face during the
cooler months.
Colored Eyeliner: Play up the eyes by
using brighter and bolder eyeshadows to
make the eyes the focal point of the look.
Colored pencil liners are a great tool to
accomplish this. Apply a neutral shadow
and add a pop of color with the liner. Try a
dark purple for brown eyes, an emerald or
gold for hazel eyes, a navy for blue eyes, or
an olive or purple for green eyes.
Dramatic Eyelashes: Eyelash extensions
became extremely popular throughout the
summer, and the trend won’t stop this winter
either. Many makeup lovers desire a set of
beautiful, full lashes, and with the growing
popularity of eyelash extensions, these
perfect lashes are now possible. Falsies are
also a great option to get voluminous lashes.
A set of luscious lashes pair greatly with any
makeup look and bring extra attention to play
up those eyes.
Nude & Brown Lips: When playing
up the eyes, use a nude or brown lip to
tie everything together, while keeping
the eyeshadow the focal point. Nude lips
pair perfectly with the warm tones used
commonly in the winter.
Glimpses of Gold: With the popularity
of warm tones in the fall, gold is a perfect
mixture of a metallic shine and a warm
color. Using gold in smaller amounts
draws attention to focal points of your
look, while still remaining toned down
and in the typical fall color scheme. Gold
makeup can be used in sheer highlighters,
pigmented shadows, or even in shades of
lipsticks.
Bold Brows: Bold, thick brows have
been trending for a while now, and their
popularity is only growing. Let your brows
grow out, and use a gel or pencil to tame
them. Bold brows look great with any
makeup look, and are easy to maintain
with practice.
20 Alice Winter 2019

supestore.ua.edu
Alice Winter 2019 21

Runway
Ready
How to give your beauty
routine the NYFW treatment
By Kaitlyn Gabaldon
As New York Fashion Week comes to an
end, the makeup trends are just beginning.
I, like many other beauty enthusiasts, have
asked myself, “Can I pull off a glitter lip à
la Pat McGrath?” There’s just something
captivating about these makeup looks that
seem like an effortless work of art as the lights
of the runway hit them at the perfect angle.
Whether it’s a simple look or something
otherworldly, we can all draw inspiration
from NYFW and try the looks on ourselves.
In past seasons, there has been a
minimalistic approach: skin that looks like
skin, glossy highlights, and the blotted lip.
But this season, it’s all about maximalism.
Bold and bright looks are commanding the
runways as designers showcase their Spring
2019 looks. It’s a stark contrast from what
we’ve seen before, but it’s a refreshing change
from the muted and simplistic looks. Although
it may seem intimidating to incorporate these
looks into your day-to-day routine, it’s a lot
easier than it looks.
22 Alice Winter 2019

The Blonds
The Who knew being bad could look so
good? The Blonds sent a Disney Villains-inspired
collection down the runway that captivated the
audience with pops of color intertwined with
the classic villain black. Dark eyes and bold lips
added to the high fashion looks that Cruella de Vil
would want for her wardrobe.
Want to go for a bold lip? Step out of your
comfort zone and go for a black lipstick. Use the
black pencil eyeliner from your makeup bag as a
lip liner to line your lips and keep your lipstick
from feathering.
If you’re not ready to commit to a black
lipstick, go for a deep red color. It will still give you
a darkened lip in a classic color that anyone can
pull off. And don’t be afraid to add an elevated
smoky eye to complement your bold lip.
Use a combination of traditional smoky eye
shades and jewel tones, such as emerald, royal
blue, and garnet, to incorporate color into your
eye makeup. For example, use emerald as a
transition shade in the crease instead of a black
or gray. Blend out the shades to have a seamless
gradient from one color to the next, You’ll get a
smokey eye with hints of color peeking through
that’ll put a spell on anyone.
Jeremy Scott
Move over foiled eyes, and say hello to foiled
lips! Statement lips had a comeback moment
during Jeremy Scott’s eclectic pop show. The
90s inspired looks were a tribute to Scott himself,
known for his marriage of colors, grunge and
flamboyance in his collections.
The foiled lip kept the look young and trendy
while the rest of the face was plain. It’s a fun
futuristic look that brings the attention straight
to your lips.
Exfoliate your lips before using liquid lipstick.
This is especially important for a foiled lip since
the look is texturized. Apply a matte, metallic for
a lustrous finish, or top it off with gloss to add
dimension to the lip.
Marc Jacobs
The Marc Jacobs show featured a
monochromatic look with heavily-lashed
blue, pink, and yellow pastel eyes taking
center stage. To make it pop even more, the
models’ hair was colored to match the shade
on their lids.
The overall effect only served to enhance
the color palette of the clothes, allowing the
models to become the human embodiment
of spring’s choice colors. While you don’t
have to match your hair to the color of your
shadow (though it is a cool effect), it’s easy
to pull off a monochromatic eye look. Pack a
matte pastel eyeshadow all over the lid, then
blend out the crease with a fluffy brush to
diffuse any harsh lines. For a bolder look, top
it off with black eyeliner and lashes.
Anna Sui
Once again we saw bright colors
surrounding the models eyes, but this time
it was taken up a notch. Makeup artist Pat
McGrath used diffused sunset tones to
create a yellow to pink gradient from midforehead
to the cheeks that’s reminiscent of
a tropical vacation. The sunset tones added
to the sense of wanderlust that encapsulated
Sui’s whimsical looks.
It isn’t a look for the faint of heart, but
that does not mean you can’t incorporate
the same color palette into an eyeshadow
look. Use yellow, pink, and coral shades
that compliment your skin tone, adding one
color at a time on the eyelid, then blending
in between each color to achieve a gradient.
The look is meant to be playful, so
play around with the placement of colors.
You can keep it just to your eyelid, or keep
adding color and blending it out toward your
temples to create the intensity of the runway
look. Add mascara to the lashes to keep
your eyes defined so not overshadowed by
the color.
Alice Winter 2019 23

Marc Jacobs
NYX’s Hot Singles
Eyeshadows ($5) come
in a wide variety of
bright colors that are
perfect to use all over
the lid.
Anna Sui
The Maybelline Lemonade Craze
palette ($11) has all of the colors
you need to achieve this look.
Jeremy Scott
Foiled lips are made easy with
the Touch In Sol Metallist Liquid
Foil Lipstick Duo ($25). It comes
in a variety of colors with a
matching liquid matte lipstick on
one side and a gloss on
the other.
24 Alice Winter 2019

26
28
30
A SEAT AT THE TABLE
PROTECTIVE PENDANTS
GETTING POSITIVE
33
THE SNOWBIRD
Alice Winter 2019 25

By Sara Beth Bolin
and Mikelah Luke
Mallory Hagan grew up on the
stage. After competing in pageants
for years, she found herself crowned
Miss America in 2013, representing
the United States with a glittering
tiara placed on her head and crowds
cheering her name. Now, she’s hoping
to represent the United States in a
different way: as a representative for
Alabama’s third district in the U.S.
Congress.
Hagan is one of a record number
of women running this election cycle.
According to the Center for American
Women in Politics, 256 women won
their primaries and will be vying for a
seat at the table this November.
“We’re one of the only industrial
nations that doesn’t have paid
maternity leave,” Hagan said. “We’re
26 Alice Winter 2019

still arguing over Roe v. Wade. We’re
having conversations over whether
birth control is a worthy expense for
healthcare. There’s all of these things
that simply having more women in
power would allow us to have more
robust and diverse conversations
about, especially when making
decisions that impact not only me,
but other women across the country.”
Many of these women were
inspired by the events after Donald
Trump’s inauguration, including the
rise of the #MeToo movement and
the Women’s Marches that took place
across the world to raise awareness
about women’s issues. When women
started to talk about their own
experiences, more and more began to
realize that they were not alone.
“I think women—primarily
Democratic women—have been
galvanized by the audacity of
modern sexism,” said Natalie Purser,
field director for Sean McCann
for State Senate. “There’s a sort
of viciousness and symbolism in
pushing a possible sexual assailant
through a confirmation, regardless
of the wishes of women. It’s a bleak
time that’s prompted women to seek
change via activism rather than give
into despair.”
Hagan, like many women, was
inspired to run for office because
of her own experiences. During
her time as Miss America, Hagan
worked with representatives to help
fight child abuse, which allowed her
to gain insight into how the system
worked. In 2017, Hagan was thrown
back into the spotlight when sexist
and derogatory emails about her
from the Miss America Organization
officials were leaked to the public.
She condemned the organization and
called for the board to resign that
December.
Less than a week later, Hagan
received a call asking if she would be
interested in running for office.
It’s a bleak time that’s
prompted women
to seek change via
activism rather than
give into despair.
Although Hagan had no formal
political training, she had the support
of others. Groups like Emily’s List
and She Should Run help mobilize
female candidates, teach them what
they need in order to have a successful
run, and offer endorsements that can
improve the candidate’s credibility.
“Our vision is a government
that reflects the people it serves and
decision makers who genuinely and
enthusiastically fight for greater
opportunities and better lives for
the Americans they represent,” a
statement on Emily’s List’s website
said. “We will work for larger
leadership roles for pro-choice
Democratic women in our legislative
bodies and executive seats so that
Alice Winter 2019 27

28 Alice Winter 2019
our families can benefit from the open-minded,
productive contributions that women have
consistently made in office.”
Women are increasingly running for office
at the national, state, local and even collegiate
levels, allowing all governmental bodies to
be representative of their constituency. This
includes The University of Alabama’s Student
Government Association, where women are
constantly running for office.
“It is imperative to have women in the
Senate,” said Caroline Stallings, an SGA senator
for the College of Engineering. “One thing
people may not realize is that The University of
Alabama is over 50 percent female. In order for
the Senate to serve its purpose of representing
the student body, it should have a similar
percentage.”
Stallings is the only woman of seven senators
representing the College of Engineering. She
began serving in SGA in order to make an impact
on campus, but she is now there to represent the
ever-growing number of women enrolling in her
college.
“Women make up less than a quarter of
the population of the College of Engineering,”
Stallings said. “These women deserve
representation. In this past election, I was the
only female candidate to run from the College of
Engineering. Going forward, I would love to see
this number rise.”
Stallings said no matter the results, women
will walk away from running with a new
confidence. Whether it’s president of the United
States or treasurer of your extracurricular club,
Hagan, Purser and Stallings encourage women
of all walks of life to run for office.
“When we have a seat at the table, we’re
not on the menu,” Purser said. “We can weigh
in on plans to limit how many reproductive
healthcare centers can operate, we have a hand
in developing more comprehensive sexual
assault policies. We can represent our own
interests. When somebody from a marginalized
group gains power, it’s a catalyst for other
women to pursue leadership.”

By Cassie Kuhn
For many women, traveling alone
at night poses serious safety concerns.
Evening jogs, being separated from
friends during a night out, and walking
from the library to the on-campus
parking lot are everyday situations
where women look over their shoulders
and grip their keys a little tighter.
When Lauren Gwin was a freshman
at The University of Alabama, she
became concerned for her safety due to
emails she received from the campus
police department and student stories
about crime. This concern inspired her
to create a fashion-meets-function selfdefense
jewelry company called The
Artemis Company, named after the
Greek goddess known as the protector
of young women.
“Self-defense jewelry is designed to
combine beauty and security to not only
dress for success, but dress to protect,”
Gwin said.
Although more old-fashioned means
of self-defense like pepper-spray and
pocket knives have their place, selfdefense
jewelry is easier for women to use
and access in case of an emergency.
“Even if you own pepper spray or a
taser, mostly these things just end up
in the bottom of your purse or latched
onto your keys – not the optimal place
for quick and effective use,” Gwin said.
“So, I realized that women needed
something that they could wear all of
the time that would be easily available
to use if they needed to.”
The Artemis Company offers a
variety of rings, bracelets and necklaces
with various functions. There are
three collections with different styles
and items which can be customized
depending on a woman’s color and style
preferences.
Gwin’s design process varies from
piece to piece, but it starts with an idea,
usually inspired from her experience
doing martial arts growing up.
“The first step is rough sketches on
paper,” Gwin said. “When I have an
Alice Winter 2019 29

awesome idea, I have to scratch it down
so I don’t forget it.”
Next, Gwin creates a model on her
computer. Those drawings are used
to order 3D printed metal prototypes.
Once the prototyping process is finished
and the designs finalized, Gwin has the
products manufactured.
One of Gwin’s favorite pieces
is a tassel necklace from the Blanca
collection. Inside the tassel is a
hidden spike.
“I think it fits perfectly with the
current jewelry trends, while offering a
hidden feature that could help you keep
yourself safe,” Gwin said.
The Artemis Company started sales
this fall, and Gwin has already received
positive feedback.
“I get messages on our social
media accounts from female survivors
of domestic violence thanking me
and encouraging me to keep going,”
Gwin Said “honestly, it’s this positive
feedback that helps me know that what
I am doing actually matters. I’m not the
only one that realizes how much women
need these products.”
According to the National Sexual
Violence Resource Center, 27 percent of
college women have experienced some
form of unwanted sexual contact.
“Having safety products has nothing
to do with a victim mentality,” Gwin
said. “It has everything to do with a
survivor mentality. No one looks at a
man carrying a pocket knife and thinks
of him as a victim. They view him as
strong and independent and someone
that can take care of themselves. Why
shouldn’t it be the same for women?”
The Artemis Company Jewelry
is sold at theartemiscompany.org.
Instructional videos are available on the
website to teach women how to properly
use the accessories.

By Annie Hollon
Your college years are a chance at selfdiscovery
and reinvention, whether it be in your
interests and style choices or your outlook on life
and identity. Change can be difficult for anyone,
but it does not have to be drastic. Here are small
steps you can take to build a better you.
PRIORITIZE YOUR Z’S
Pulling all-nighters for assignments or that
new Netflix series you want to binge will not do
your health any good. Take the time to establish
a sound sleep schedule.
Matthew Cribbet, assistant professor of
psychology at The University of Alabama,
studies sleep and the impact it has on teenagers
and young adults. When it comes to a lack of
sleep in young adults, Cribbet said there is an
“epidemic” in this country around not valuing
the importance of sleep.
“We know that [a lack of sleep] really impacts
academic performance, standardized test scores,
attention,” Cribbet said.“It could even impact
things like driving or athletic performance or
musical or concert performances.”
If closing your eyes and counting sheep
does not cut it for you, find some alternative
sleep-promoting practices to help you drift to
dreamland. A popular tip is to avoid using your
phone or computer within a few hours of going to
sleep or to adjust the brightness on your devices to
make the transition easier. Avoiding caffeinated
drinks late in the afternoon and making it a point
to focus on relaxation are also great sleep habits.
Streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple
Music recommend late night music playlists to
help you wind down, and if none of those suit
you, curate your own nighttime playlist to ease
The
you into a good
Snowbird
night’s sleep.
LEARN TO SAY “NO”
Simple as it may sound, learning to say
“no” is one change you can make to almost
instantly improve your quality of life. As an
addition to your vocabulary, “no” allows you to
set and measure your own limitations and take
the reins on your personal welfare. Let this be
your way of establishing your limits for those
around you to respect. The reactions may not
be great from some, but those who truly respect
you will accept “no” as a reasonable response.
Begrudgingly going out with your friends when
you had every intention to rest and study is
not worth sacrificing your right to say “no” and
your sense of autonomy, so don’t fall prey to
peer pressure.
Saying “no” can be intimidating at first. If
you are not one for confrontation and assertive
statements, synonymous sentences that carry
the same meaning but more gently may be the
right choice for you. A “maybe later” or “I can’t
right now” can be just as good as “no.” This all
centers back to prioritizing you as opposed to
the satisfaction of those around you.
SPREAD POSITIVE ENERGY
Even if you are feeling at your worst and
would love nothing more than to shut the world
out for a bit, make an effort to treat others
with kindness.
Sharing the love can be a simple task that
takes seconds. It can be as easy as sharing a
funny post with someone that reminds you
of or replying to your friend’s subtweet with
words of encouragement. Taking the time to
greet someone you have not talked to in a while
will make their day a bit brighter. Spreading
uplifting energy to others will reciprocate in you
and those who surround you.
Alice Winter 2019 31

DROP THE NEGATIVITY AND
SELF-DEPRECATION
It’s easy to jokingly refer to ourselves
negatively by using deprecating names and
language. Whether it be calling yourself “the
worst” or “trash,” it is easy to fall back on these
terms out of habit when we talk about ourselves.
While it may all be for a quick laugh, associating
yourself with those negative terms leads to
subconsciously accepting that as a personal
truth.
Let self-love become the norm and make an
effort to use positive language when speaking
about yourself. Rather than call yourself
clumsy for tripping over your own two feet, call
yourself the epitome of grace. The irony in those
statements adds a tinge of humor but reinforces
a positive perspective. Speaking about yourself
like this not only lets people see you in a more
positive light, it will make you see yourself that
way too.
LOOK GOOD, FEEL GOOD
Whether you like it or not, your clothes are
a reflection of how you feel and who you are, so
do not be afraid to prioritize your appearance.
Putting effort into your wardrobe choices does
not mean sacrificing comfort. Rather, finding a
good balance of what makes you feel good about
yourself and what is practical for your day-today
life, will boost your confidence and comfort.
If you leave your room in the same crumpled
up t-shirt and messy bun you rolled out of bed
in, you are going to carry that grogginess with
you physically and mentally. By taking the time
to change into a clean outfit and do what feels
right to you as far as hair and makeup goes, you
outwardly present someone who is ready to face
the day, and you will feel that way too.
HANG UP AND HANG OUT
As much fun as it is to scroll through your
Instagram feed and send a flurry of Snapchats
to save your streaks, stepping away from your
phone can be beneficial in the long run. Whether
it be while you are with friends or studying,
leaving your phone out of the scenario can allow
you to enjoy what is happening around you.
According to a study conducted at Kent
State University in 2013, increased cell phone
usage directly correlated with increased levels
of anxiety among students. If decreasing the
time spent staring at a phone can lessen levels
of anxiety, it is an uncontested sign that your
social media can wait.
WHEN IN DOUBT, WRITE IT OUT
Pent-up emotions and thoughts can do
more harm than good, so take some pen to
paper and spell out what is going through your
mind. By taking the time to write about your
day, you can narrow down your thoughts.
Sarah Pirkle Hughes, assistant director of
the undergraduate creative writing program at
The University of Alabama, said writing does
not have to be “difficult or boring,” but it can
be a way of getting your thoughts organized.
Beyond just noting the mishaps and what-not
of your daily life, writing can be a means of
recognizing that you and your thoughts matter.
“One of the things that you have to have in
order to write is interest in yourself and interest
in your own life,” Hughes said. “You actually
have to love yourself and care about your
thoughts and about your experience as a human
being. Recognize that you have a voice and that
your voice matters, even if it’s only to yourself or
to your small network of friends.”
INDULGE IN LITTLE LUXURIES
There’s no such thing as a guilty pleasure,
and you should not deny yourself the joy of a
cheesy movie because you’re embarrassed.
Whether it be rocking out to early Jonas Brothers
jams or indulging in your favorite sweet treat,
find a way to treat yourself and feel no remorse
in doing so. By owning what you love with an
air of confidence, you are making it easier for
yourself to have confidence in your everyday
decisions. They may even bring a smile to your
face in the process.
32 Alice Winter 2019

Illustration by Ally Thomasson
The Snowbird
Alice Winter 2019 33

By Kate Silvey
Gloria’s best bet, the doctors tell her,
is to head south. They show her an atlas,
point at the coast, and thumbtack towns
and cities that straddle those last stretches
of land before the country dissolves into
ocean: Pensacola. Miramar Beach. Gulf
Shores, Perdido Key. When Gloria asks
if there are pills, or maybe an antibiotic
instead, they shake their heads and gesture
again to the map, more sternly this time.
Migrating south, they say, is the the only
treatment they can offer for something like
this. Her only hope at getting warm again.
Seated on the examination table, Gloria
nurses her white knuckles and shivers. She
has never traveled outside of Minnesota,
she tells them. The meandering crisscross
of highways and interstates, printed
in purple and red and blue on the map,
are winding and reminiscent of the veins
that curve across her paling arms. A nurse
pats her shoulder and Gloria pretends
not to notice when she slightly recoils at
the temperature of her skin. When did
the cold start? asks the nurse, and at first,
she doesn’t have an answer. It runs in her
family — her mother suffered from it, her
grandmother, her aunt on her father’s side.
Secretly, instinctively, Gloria had always
felt it coming for her too, predicted it just
as she predicts snow from the plump,
plum-colored clouds sagging low over the
urgent care. So when it finally arrived,
when the goosebumps materialized across
her freckled skin and her lips turned blue,
she hadn’t been surprised. But she never
expected to have to leave home.
When Gloria goes south, she is 26,
alone, and drives a red pickup truck toward
the Gulf Coast of Alabama by herself, the
chattering of her teeth like radio static
— ample sound to fill the silence. As her
latitude falls, the temperature outside
rises. Still, she turns the knob on the
truck’s heater as far as it will go. She never
even sweats.
She is able to find a home by the beach to
rent for the winter months, a bungalow with
a drooping roof and a paint job peeling in
dollops. It is wedged in between two beach
houses on stilts, standing on their tiptoes
as if trying for a glimpse at the Gulf over a
skyline of condominiums and discount surf
shops. Like them, Gloria yearns for a taste
of the Atlantic. The doctors say the water
here is warmer; perhaps it will rub some of
its heat off on her. The day she dips her toes
into its waves for the first time, the high
outside is 65 degrees Fahrenheit and she is
wearing two fleece coats, a wool scarf, and
knows that everyone else on the beach is
staring at her. At night, the portable heater
plugged into the wall hums and she closes
her eyes and remembers the sound of the
sea, churning and frothing and she wishes
she could swallow it whole, like a mug of
hot cocoa.
The neighbor who lives in the
bubblegum pink beach house next door is
a 63-year-old woman from Panama named
Alma. She brings Gloria a basket of fresh
cookies the day after she moves in, steam
still wafting from the cracks in the dough.
The melted chocolate bubbles when the
cookies are broken in half, but when they
slide down Gloria’s throat to her stomach
she feels nothing, her taste buds failing to
detect even an ounce of heat.
“Are you a snowbird?” Alma asks her. Her
bronze skin glistens in the afternoon light.
34 Alice Winter 2019

“Sorry?” Gloria says.
The woman smiles, her teeth like
polished oyster pearls. “That’s what they
call everyone from up north who comes
here in the winter. If you look at the license
plates this time of year, you’ll notice. All
over,” she sweeps her hand across the sky,
fingers splayed like the rays of the sun. “My
husband used to write down the names of
all the places. Canada, New York, Maine,
Michigan.”
“Minnesota,” Gloria adds. About being
a snowbird, she feigns a smile and said,
“It’s something like that.”
Gloria spends her mornings in Gulf
Shores on the bungalow’s front porch, as
the doctors back home prescribed. She sits
idly in the sun for hours, arms outstretched
and hands tilted toward the sky as if trying
to collect puddles of light in her cupped
palms. Often, Alma emerges out onto her
balcony and talks to Gloria over the sound
of seagulls down on the beaches. She works
at a place called Captain Jack’s Crab Shack
as a dishwasher, she says, sitting in a wicker
chair and busying her fingers with peeling
a gallon bag of shrimp. As she watches
her snap the shells from the shrimp’s pale
bodies and pop their discarded armor into
a ceramic bowl, Gloria suddenly becomes
self-conscious of all her layers. Even
though Alma has never asked why she
wears so much clothing, she knows that
the older woman must wonder. She tugs
her sleeves further up her arms to hide the
goosebumps tattooed onto her skin.
Alma speaks as long as Gloria will
listen. She came to Alabama from Panama
years ago so her husband could find a job.
He died last winter from a violent heart
attack. There are children back home she
has not seen in years, she says, and cannot
visit. She misses home — the mountains,
the sancocho, the stickiness of papaya juice
dribbling down her chin. The ocean, at
least, is a reminder. Alma loved to sail when
she was home. Here, she watches the locals
and the tourists steer their boats into the
Gulf and prays that God will one day let her
join them, but buying a boat at this point in
her life would be frivolous, ridiculous — or
so she tells herself.
Gloria likes listening to her. It is one
of the only good and hopeful things about
this place, because even as the weeks roll
by, she still shivers. The doctors said being
here would help and she should be getting
warmer by now, but the longer she lays in
the sun with no improvements, the longer
she dips her toes into the ocean only to
feel like ice, the less she believes them.
At night, she dreams feverishly of snow.
The space behind her eyelids is washed
in white, crystalline arms jutting in all
different directions and spinning, pointing
like the spires of a compass rose. She wakes
panting. I ran from winter but it followed,
she thinks. She wonders out of desperation
if she ought to run further.
In a moment of restlessness and
panic, Gloria researches airfare to places
like Death Valley and Libya. Tunisia and
Iran. The hottest places in the world. She
frantically googles images of Panama,
scrolls past photographs of lush jungles
and translucent waterfalls and tropical
islands and imagines condensation rolling
off her cheeks, heat pooling in her chest.
She yearns to sit in the sun until she burns,
to peel back layers of sunburnt skin until
all that remains underneath is shiny and
new. I can’t go on like this, she whispers.
Alice Winter 2019 35

I can’t go on like this. Outside her window
and past another row of beach houses, the
sea laps hungrily at the shore, begging it,
pleading it, desperate for its warmth.
It’s the middle of the night when Gloria
runs to Alma’s house and all the lights are
off, but she knocks anyway. Her neighbor
ambles to the door hugging a bathrobe to
her chest, bleary-eyed and barefoot and
mumbling muddled questions in Spanish.
Is something wrong? Why is she here?
For the first time since she went to the
doctor’s office in Minnesota, Gloria cries.
Tears leak from the corners of her eyes and
she swats at them with numb hands, trying
to wipe away the water. Is this what it feels
like to thaw? she thinks. Alma doesn’t
know what else to do but pull the younger
woman into her arms. She feels for the first
time the coolness of Gloria’s skin as she
presses her head into her chest, her fingers
weaving loosely, comfortingly, through
Gloria’s curls. Alma thinks of her daughter
back in Panama. She thinks of the last time
she held her like this. And she realizes,
standing underneath the sickly glow of the
moonlight in her late husband’s bath robe,
embracing another woman as she weeps,
what must be done. Something in her has
known what she must do for a long time.
Down the road, there’s a marina with
dozens of sailboats tethered to its dock,
their sails flapping incessantly in the
midnight breeze. Alma leads Gloria here,
the two women passing like shadows across
the gravel road. Gloria watches wordlessly
as Alma unknots one of the ropes keeping
a sailboat at bay, her fingers slender and
calm. The water is black. The tide is high.
Alma grunts and lifts herself onto the boat
once it isfree, itss bow creaking as she hoists
Gloria in behind her. With a few careful
maneuvers — a tug on rope, a firm twist of
a crank — their sailboat begins to trickle
slowly out to sea. No one hears them, no
one sees them. They steal away quietly into
the night, as if they were never there at all.
As the sailboat and its occupants
drift further out into the Gulf, eventually
disappearing from the view, Alma takes a
whiff of the air, smells salt, thinks of home,
and smiles. Beside her, Gloria hugs her
coats to her chest and faces the horizon.
She hears the birds gliding above them,
charting their course in the sky as they
make their path through the sea. All of
them, she thinks — the ospreys, the gulls,
the herons — all in search of warmer skies,
guided by some invisible current, some
innate desire.
She closes her eyes and listens. The
birds cry out in different languages, but
they are all saying the same thing.
Further south.
36 Alice Winter 2019

38
43
45
52
FASHION MADE CLEAR
STAIN REMOVAL SECRETS
NEW LIFE
THE SWEEPING
STYLE OF STEVIE NICKS
Alice Winter 2019 37

By Katrina Waelchli
University of Alabama graduate
Saxby Sperau followed her love
for fashion to create her own clear
handbag collection in response to
new stadium bag policies.
38 Alice Winter 2019

IT’S ALL IN A BAG
It was a sad day when students had
to put their beloved opaque purses on the
shelf following The University of Alabama’s
announcement of a clear handbag policy for
Bryant-Denny Stadium. The policy - which
has been implemented in stadiums across
the country for safety reasons - stated
that any bag bigger than a clutch had to
be see-through.
One University of Alabama alumna was
not going to let a rule stop women from having
a little bit of fashion fun. Saxby Sperau created
her own line of clear handbags in response to
the new stadium policy, saying “there is no
need to compromise style” when it comes to
the bags in her SAX B collection.
HIGH-QUALITY AND HOMEGROWN
After being denied stadium access during
a fall 2016 home game because of her designer
purse, the search was on for Sperau to find the
perfect clear handbag to mirror her style. She
found multiple mundane, nearly identical
clear bags, and thus the idea of SAX B formed.
Sperau believes in self-expression
through fashion, which is why she started the
collection: to give women the opportunity to
still be fashionable at an event that requires
a clear bag.
“To me, fashion is supposed to be fun,
and you should feel confident in what you’re
wearing,” Sperau said.
Sperau’s bags are made with english
bridle leather, solid brass and nickel
hardware, and high gauge marine-grade
polyvinyl chloride (PVC). This increase in
quality distinguishes SAX B in a market that
typically uses “pleather” and low-grade PVC.
Right now, the must-have SAX B items
are the classic tote and crossbody. The
tote is the earliest SAX B design and the
classicality of the bag is perfect for any game
day outfit.
“SAX B handbags are for women who
own their own style no matter the time or
place,” Sperau said.
Sperau said her biggest SAX B
accomplishment is that the products are
completely American-made.
“We value the artisans who work in this
country and their skills, and we are thrilled
that we’ve been able to work with them,”
Sperau said. “We want SAX B to be a viable
and sustainable brand known for high quality
products and continue to manufacture in the
United States.”
Alice Winter 2019 39

40 Alice Winter 2019

A FAMILY AFFAIR
It was Sperau’s mother who initially
thought of the idea to create a line of clear
handbags. She continues to engage in the
company in several ways, including being
the inspiration behind many SAX B bag
designs. To continue making SAX B the
successful business it is, Sperau and her
mother capitalize on each other’s strengths
and share the workload equally.
“It’s inspiring to see someone change
paths in their life and pursue something new
to them regardless of their age and prior
circumstances with so much passion,” said
Sperau, speaking about her mother.
While Sperau was initially fearful of
this working relationship, she now values
working with someone she can be completely
honest with.
“Transparency between partners in a
business makes things run a lot smoother
and allows a brand to achieve its vision a lot
easier,” Sperau said.
#GIRLBOSS
The SAX B brand is rooted in promoting
female empowerment and adopting the
#GirlBoss mentality to break glass ceilings.
Sperau said that a #GirlBoss is a “fearless
hunter” who is always willing to learn and try
new things to better herself and her brand.
For Sperau, it is also important to support
other women. SAX B frequently sends
their products to female bloggers and small
business owners to grow the community.
“We want other female small business
owners, bloggers and influencers to feel
appreciated for what they do and sending
them a bag is a great way to show how
much their work is meaningful to the female
community,” Sperau said.
SAX B also frequently participates in
Girl Tribe Co. pop-ups, where women-led
jewelry, fashion and art businesses pop up
for one day to support each other.
“We have met a ton of amazing women
through their pop-ups, and it’s fun to support
one another in our efforts to help flourish
women-owned businesses,” Sperau said.
YOUR TURN?
SAX B was a thought that turned into a
reality. If you have a similar desire to create
a company of your own, Sperau said to
continuously work toward achieving it and
don’t feel intimidated at the start. Her advice
for female entrepreneurs is to realize the
time commitment involved, but to never lose
sight of the reason you’re doing it.
“Don’t ever doubt yourself or your
product,” Sperau said. “There are millions of
people in this world, and there is a market
for any product.”
Alice Winter 2019 41

42 Alice Winter 2019

Stain Removal
Secrets Every
College Student
Should Know
By Tarah Morris
Thanks to these secrets, stains are
a thing of the past. Goodbye stains,
hello “fresh-off-the-rack” clothes.
Alice Winter 2019 43

SECRET #1
Don’t let a “Wine Wednesday”
spill stop your night out.
White wine removes red wine
stains. Take a small amount of
white wine onto a washcloth
and apply to the red wine
stain. This hack saves the
day and is an excuse to open
another bottle.
SECRET #2
Next time you get makeup on
your outfit, don’t panic; there’s
no need to change outfits.
Original Blue Dawn Dish Soap
removes makeup from fabric.
This trick works great on most
garments. Simply apply a small
amount of soap directly on
the stain.
SECRET #3
Deodorant stains are so
inconvenient, especially on
anything black. Good news:
Dryer sheets remove deodorant
stains. This stain removal secret
is great because you can take
dryer sheets with you wherever
you go. Plus, they double as
an air freshener! Keep some
in your backpack, purse, sock
drawer or car.
SECRET #4
Have you ever forgotten to
treat a stain? No big deal,
there’s even a trick for those
pesky spots that have already
been sitting on your clothes for
awhile. Mix baking soda and
vinegar to form a paste, which
will work the stain out. If it is
still resistant, add vinegar and
your detergent to water and
leave the item in the solution
for a few hours.
SECRET #5
If you’re looking for a stain
remover at the store that will
get the job done, try Clorox
Oxi Magic Stain Remover. This
product comes in a spray bottle
and is easy to use. Just spray
directly on the stained area, let
sit for a few minutes and drop
in the washing machine. The
best part is that it can be used
on clothes of all colors because
it doesn’t contain bleach.
44 Alice Winter 2019

New
Life
Hit the refresh button on
throwback threads. Thrift store
steals and consignment looks add
new life to your wardrobe.
All Clothes and Accessories: Twice as Nice
Alice Winter 2019 45

46 Alice Winter 2019

Alice Winter 2019 47

48 Alice Winter 2019

Alice Winter 2019 49

50 Alice Winter 2019

It’s in the bag
Alice returns for a big Spring 2019 issue this
coming March. Don’t miss it. Subscribe to the
magazine at store.osm.ua.edu and receive this
chic Alice computer bag with your first issue.
Use code ALICE2019.*
*Offer valid while
supplies last.
Alice Winter 2019 51

The Sweeping Style of
Stevie Nicks
52 Alice Winter 2019

Kimono: Soca
Alice Winter 2019 53

54 Alice Winter 2019

Alice Winter 2019 55

56 Alice Winter 2019

58
61
65
75
79
A MILLION PAPER CUTS
DEEPER THAN THE FABRIC
LADIES OF THE LAKE
A PRETTY PENNY FOR PINK
PAYING IT FORWARD WITH FAB’RIK
Alice Winter 2019 57

58 Alice Winter 2019

There’s no band-aid to put
over the wound, it’s just
death by a million paper cuts
at this point.
Alice Winter 2019 59

60 Alice Winter 2019

Deeper
than
the
Fabric
Alice Winter 2019 61

By Allie Binford
Fashion is a necessity, essential to
everyday life. Without something to clothe
you, you would quite literally be naked before
the world. Fashion is deeply personal — a
way of expression that can give you insight
into a person, their values and emotions. As
with any form of expression, with fashion
there is risk. There is risk of failure. Fear of
not being accepted. Fear of going too far or
not far enough. Fear of unoriginality. Fear of
exposing a piece of yourself to the world, and
it being rejected.
But there is also beauty.
Not beauty in the sense of vanity, but
beauty in honesty. The relief after getting
something off of your chest. The freedom of
showing your cards. Beauty in acceptance.
Challenging the status quo is the pulse
of the industry. Avant garde and haute
couture don’t exist for the mere mortal.
That’s why when you watch a fashion show,
you are not crazy to think, “What the hell are
they wearing?”
There is always more beneath the fabric.
In a sun-soaked room at The University
of Alabama, a group of senior apparel and
textile design students prepare for their
annual fashion show. One might expect the
scene to look like the Runway office in The
Devil Wears Prada, but the sewing room at
the heart of the fashion school was much
calmer, and much more personal. Sewing
machines rattled in the corner and students
sat at their workstations, captivated by
their tasks.
They were doing more than working.
They were creating.
Fashion for Life is an annual charity
fashion show where seniors in the clothing,
textiles, and interior design department
showcase their final collections. It is a
culmination of all they have learned at
The University of Alabama. This year,
the proceeds from the show will support
the Anxiety and Depression Association
of America.
Ask these students about their designs,
and you will learn more about them than
their final garments. Many of the designers
have familial ties to fashion. Mothers,
grandmothers, siblings — someone in their
family has mentored or inspired them in
some way.
For senior La’Shandra Garner from
Millbrook, Alabama, it was her mother who
bought Garner her first sewing kit when
she was a little girl, sparking her interest in
making her own clothes.
For Birmingham-native Jeff Austin, his
family was a sewing matriarchy. His late
grandmother’s expertise and encouragement
inspired him from the beginning. Austin
even pays homage to her in his Fashion for
Life collection with a specific shade of blue,
her favorite color.
“The blue — I tied that in as a memorial
for my grandmother because she would
always help me,” Austin said, his voice
changing from casual and light-hearted to
serious and sentimental.
The weight of his grandmother’s
influence on his life and designs was obvious
in the way Austin spoke of her.
“Whenever I had projects, I would always
take them to her because she worked in the
industry in factories doing inspections,”
Austin said. “I was trying to get an A, so I
would take [my designs] to her because I
knew she would tell me what I needed to fix.”
This personal undercurrent was echoed
by Christina Daughenbaugh, a design
student from Sacramento, California.
“Fashion, to me, is a way to express
myself,” Daughenbaugh said. “I tend to hide
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Alice Winter 2019 63

my feelings and thoughts, like my personal
feelings. Anyone will tell you I’m probably
the most blunt person you will ever meet.
Fashion is an outlet for me to speak my mind
and share my emotion. It also gives me a way
to connect with my grandma. She passed
away when I was really little.”
Daughenbaugh’s grandmother worked
in textile design in Argentina, specializing in
lace and hand embroidery.
For these designers, this show isn’t
simply a final project, it’s the culmination of
their college careers; both academically and
emotionally. For Austin, Fashion for Life is
a milestone that reflects hours of work and
extensive personal growth.
“[Fashion for Life] is not a big fashion
show, but I feel like this is something I’ve
worked toward my whole life,” Austin said.
“Just being able to do something seriously
and not just playing around with it. It’s
something that really resonates with me and
I was able to do it. I am doing it. It’s a big
thing for me.”
The charity show is a chance for these
students to show off their talent while
supporting a good cause, but it is also
a moment of vulnerability. Garner has
done fashion shows before, but this one
means more.
“I know I’ve done [other shows] before,
but this is kind of a debut. This is what I’m
about,” Garner said. “This is my talent. This
is what I can do. This is what I’ve worked
so hard for. It’s really exciting to be able to
share this with other people. It’s one thing
to finish it, see it and turn it in, but it’s
another for you to finish it and show it off
— to be able to share it and express it with
someone else.”
If you’re willing to look deeper than
the surface of fashion, you will find that
personal expression is at the heart of the
industry. These designers have taken time
to pour their hearts, souls and stories into
their designs. Fashion for Life will not only
be a celebration of their technical skills and
raw talent, but also their willingness to be
vulnerable. These designers are willingly
exposing their hearts to the world, but it’s
all worth it for that breath of relief. They’re
creating much more than clothes.
Editor’s note: The Fashion for Life show
is Nov. 18 at 5 p.m. in the Ferguson Student
Center Ballroom. The event is $5 and open
to the public. Designs from the show will be
featured in the Spring 2019 issue of Alice.
64 Alice Winter 2019

Ladies of the Lake
Let’s get down to business and leave the gloomy grays to the winter skies.
These colors and patterns have something to say, and so do you. Don’t be
afraid to get your feet wet. These ensembles are ideal for both work and play.

Green Blazer and Yellow Jacket: Twice as Nice
Floral Dress, Plaid Jumpsuit and White Shirt: Fab’rik
Plaid Dress, Plaid Pants and Plaid Blazer: Lulu’s
66 Alice Winter 2019

Purple Blazer: Twice as Nice
Pink Plaid Skirt and Pink Blazer: Lulu’s
Outfit: SOCA
Alice Winter 2019 67

68 Alice Winter 2019

Alice Winter 2019 69

Jumpsuit: SOCA
Top: Lulu’s
Dress: SOCA
70 Alice Winter 2019

Alice Winter 2019 71

72 Alice Winter 2019

Alice Winter 2019 73

Outfit: SOCA
Glasses and top: Lulu’s
74 Alice Winter 2019

A Pretty Penny
for Pink
Alice Winter 2019 75

76 Alice Winter 2019

“Women make less
than men and are
also charged more
for products.”
Alice Winter 2019 77

78 Alice Winter 2019

Paying it
Forward with
Fab’rik
All clothes: Fab’rik
Alice Winter 2019 79

By Rachel Hughes
Sometimes trying to make a positive change in
the world is daunting. It can be difficult to know
where to start. Thankfully, there are ways to give
back just by shopping locally. Located in Midtown
Village, Fab’rik (pronounced “fabric”) is one of the
newest boutiques to come to the Tuscaloosa area.
The brand also has two locations in the Birmingham
area. Priced competitively to nearby boutiques,
Fab’rik donates part of its proceeds to two worthy
causes: Asher Babies and Free Fab’rik.
Asher Babies, named after the Fab’rik CEO’s
adopted daughter from Africa, provides funding
in countries across Africa for abandoned children,
many of whom are developmentally or physically
disabled. Every Fab’rik store sponsors a different
child, and when an article of clothing from their
Asher collection is sold, a portion of the proceeds
is sent to care for that child and aid in adoption
efforts. The Tuscaloosa Fab’rik boutique sponsors
a toddler named Tabitha, and a picture of her is
available at the store.
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Alice Winter 2019 81

82 Alice Winter 2019

“[Asher Babies is] an integral
part of our brand, and it’s something
that sets us apart from other stores,”
said Taylor Swafford, manager at
Tuscaloosa’s Fab’rik.
In addition to placing these children
with caring families, donations help to
pay for their education, therapy and
healthcare. In cases where children have
been wrongfully separated from their
parents, Asher Babies provides a service
helping children reunite with their
family. If a child is not adopted, Asher
Babies will provide for the child up into
their adolescent years. So far, 45 children
have received assistance through
the brand.
Through donations, Asher Babies
also helps girls fight against cultural
norms for women in Africa, tackling
issues ranging from poor educational
opportunities to violence and rape.
Fab’rik also supports Free Fab’rik, an
Atlanta-based organization that provides
housing and clothing for victims of sextrafficking
by partnering with other
organizations, such as House of Refuge.
Volunteers go to the homes or shelters of
these women with bags of clothes in tow.
Volunteers start by playing games
and chatting with the women, and
eventually racks of clothes are brought
out. The women are able to begin their
free shopping spree, each selecting
five articles of clothing. A volunteer
accompanies each shopper, acting as a
personal stylist. While providing nice
clothing to girls and women in need is
a practical goal, the primary purpose
of this mission is to return dignity and
confidence to the beneficiaries of the
program.
Even though shopping for clothes
and other necessities seems like a
personal venture, it can be so much more.
When choosing places to shop, consider
making an impact on the world- not just
an impact on your wardrobe.
With brands like Fab’rik, you can
do both.
Alice Winter 2019 83

84 Alice Winter 2019

86
89
92
96
HAIR NAH
VISTA KICKS
FIRESIDE READS
CLAIMING THE ROLES
Alice Winter 2019 85

By MK Holladay
Some people fight their oppressors by staging protests. Others face them on social
media. Momo Pixel chose to create a video game. She is an artist, art director,
singer, songwriter, creator and self-titled “bad-ass creative.” In late 2017, she
created a web game called Hair Nah. The goal of the game is to smack the hands
of people trying to touch a black woman’s hair. While the game clearly takes a fun,
sarcastic tone, the intent of the game is to bring attention to a microaggression
black women face on a regular basis. Microaggressions are unconscious
expressions of racism or sexism. Repeated constantly, these seemingly small acts
can have negative effects. Alice got to talk to Momo Pixel about Hair Nah and how
she overcomes oppression.
Alice: How did you decide to create Hair Nah? What was that process like?
Pixel: The idea came to me after writing a script called Hair Nah. It was based off
my experiences in Portland, and I was trying to explain the script to my creative
directors at the time. As they were trying to act it out, that’s when the idea hit me.
“This would make a great game.” The process was long, hard, and stressful. Like I
had a panic attack midway cause of all the work that needed to be done. But it was
also fun. Every time I finished designing a level I would get re-excited about the
game. I’d be hyped about my color choices and aesthetic. And finding the sounds
for the game was so fun!
Alice: I know from your Instagram that you do a lot of actual, tangible pixel art.
Were you doing that before the game? If so, did that influence the game?
Pixel: Yeah, so like before the game, I was doing pixel art with like Perler Beads
and stuff. I didn’t actually start doing digital pixel art until December of 2016 and
had the idea for the game in February. I’d only been designing digital pixels for like
two months but I think doing it analog for so long helped me understand it faster.
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Alice Winter 2019 87

Alice: Do you feel like any of your other
creative outlets contributed to the game?
Pixel: Anything that I intake influenced
the game. So I love colors, and that is all
up in there. But also just my love of anime.
I feel like they always have fantastical
backgrounds, so I tried to incorporate
that into the feel of the game, especially
like how beautiful the [airport TSA scene]
looks. Like the TSA be boring as hell, haha.
And I love video games. I mean, I have an
old school video game controller, and so
all the games I have are pixelated, and I
think seeing those over and over helped
me choose how to design the title.
Alice: Do you think of Hair Nah as a form
of activism?
Pixel: Yeah, I do. I mean, it’s my way of
being smarter than my oppressor. I did
something to help stop microaggressions in
such a big but unique way. It’s unexpected,
and it’s sneaky.
Alice: While making the game - or just
being creative in general - do you feel like
you faced any barriers because of your race
or gender?
Pixel: I would say in general. You have to
do things another way, cause people will
always try to stop you. And no, I didn’t
have too much trouble with the game.
There were some barriers, but I just didn’t
allow them.
Alice: What advice would you give to other
oppressed people who are trying to make it
in a creative field? Or just get things done
in general?
Pixel: To work on their craft. Find
something and hone in on it. Find multiple
things that you can work at and constantly
get better at them. So that you can
absolutely believe in your abilities without
validation from the world. You validate
yourself, but first, make sure you’re the
shit and not full of shit.
You can check out Momo Pixel’s game
Hair Nah at www.hairnah.com.
88 Alice Winter 2019

Vista Kicks
By Meg McGuire
Seven nights a week, live music
crescendos its way into the neon ambiance
of Memphis Overton Square from Lafayette’s
Music Room. The venue echoes with lyrical
testaments to records past. The 1970s
brought then-up-and-coming artists like
Billy Joel, KISS and Barry Manilow to its
historic stage before closing its doors for
nearly four decades. Post-resurrection,
Lafayette’s still swears by the same iconic
ensemble of tunes, food and artists that are all
equivalently soulful.
On an otherwise slow Sunday evening,
four California natives take the Southern stage
in maroon, silk blazers. In a frenzy of groovy
riffs and hair-flipping instrumental breaks,
the band transports the audience back to the
venue’s hay-day with a bit of a modern twist
that Vista Kicks lead singer Derek Thomas
describes as falling on the spectrum between
“booty-shaking rock ‘n roll” and “rock ‘n roll.”
Thomas leans into the microphone as his
fingers flirt with the piano keys, spinning a
lyrical narrative about the tension between
love and paranoia.
“She ain’t a woman, yet, she’s a girl,
22 and she’s in love with the world.
My cherie, mi amore.
I hear my lover knocking at my door.
Cherrybomb daisy, roller coaster baby,
Hotter than a lizard in the sun.
Long hair, lazy, loves to drive me crazy,
I think that she’s gonna be the one.
Alice!
Look we’ve got the world in our hands.
Alice!
How long can we live in wonderland?”
Alice Winter 2019 89

Following the show, having traded their
coordinated garb for denim and leather,
guitarist Sam Plecker, bass player Trevor
Sutton, and drummer Nolan Le Vine concurred
with this eclectic genre description. When
asked what their band’s spirit animal would
be, they all had something to contribute,
finally settling on the combination of a saber
tooth tiger, monkey and butterfly.
A few tracks into one of their records, it
becomes clear to the listener that this selfassessment
is quite accurate.
The quartet’s narrative spans back to
their childhood in Roseville, right outside of
Sacramento, California. In high school, they
began entertaining at weddings, restaurants
and corporate events, covering legends like
Frank Sinatra and Otis Redding. The group
dispersed in college, but summertime reunion
jam sessions eventually evolved into EPs. At
the time, the group was performing as “Babe,”
but when a territorial Irish group by the same
name sent a series of aggressive Twitter direct
messages, they began to reconsider. The band
had just landed a national tour, so they deemed
it the ideal time to regroup and rebrand. Sutton
pitched the name “Vista Kicks.”
And so it was.
“It doesn’t mean much,” Pleckler shrugged.
“It just means us and our music,”
Le Vine said.
Drawing inspiration from a smorgasbord
of artists ranging from Bob Dylan and The
Beatles to The Beach Boys and ACDC, Vista
Kicks manages to deliver a cohesive sound
that is an altogether retro, booty-shaking good
time. Edgy lyrics sail seamlessly across the
soulful soundwaves of a bygone era. It’s jazz.
It’s funk. It’s rock ‘n roll. And it’s as Californian
as the artists responsible.
Vista Kicks released two full-length
albums over the course of the past year – quite
the feat for the new kids on the musical block
– or anyone for that matter. Booty Shakers
Ball (2017) offers a citrusy assortment of
dashboard-drumming bops that will have
snowbirds longing for warmer days and
summer flings. It’s cloudier counterpart,
Twenty Something Nightmare (2018),
delivers a moodier sound, studded with jazzy
bugle blasts, train whistles and piano solos.
Laced with handcrafted lyrics that dissect love
from every possible angle, both records pack
a punch in all their gritty, harmonious glory.
Plus, the instrumental breaks are a vibe-anda-half.
Sutton said if he could stress anything
to Vista Kicks fans, it would be the band’s
reachability.
“We’re just like anybody else,” Thomas
agreed. “People can do what we’re doing.
We’re making our own music. We’re putting
it out there. We’re following our dreams, and
we’re taking risks in life – but we’re living.”
Gas station pitstops for sour octopus
gummies and sunflower seeds fuel crosscountry
van ventures to bring their endearingly
organic artistry to the American stage. From
their in-house music studio to the band’s own
backyard garden, the group invites their fans
into every moment of quirky nonsense and
musical genius.
One way in which Vista Kicks promotes
engagement is by encouraging the most avid
of fans to join their exclusive Kick Back Club.
Applicants are asked to answer three simple
questions in 300 words:
1. Why do you love Vista Kicks?
2. Why do you love yourself?
3. If you could change “it,” what would “it” be?
According to the band, the responses have
been both beautiful and tragic, allowing them
personal glimpses into the souls of those on
the other side of the aux cord. It is this sense
of relatability that they believe fills the gap
between listener and musician. They don’t just
want their fans to simply consume their art,
they want to also give them a platform to be
heard and make their own.
“The music is theirs,” Thomas said. “Once
they listen to it, once it becomes a part of their
lives, we no longer own all of it. We own all of
our music, but we share ownership with our
fans. That’s the way we see it.”
In typical rockstar fashion, it’s not
unusual for the band to be out after a gig or in
the studio until 3 or 4 a.m. only to have to be
ready to perform again the next day. It comes
with the territory, and with the dates for their
U.S. Winter Tour hot off the press, it looks like
things won’t be slowing down anytime soon.
When asked what the world could be
expecting from Vista Kicks in the future,
Thomas raised an eyebrow:
“Put simply? World domination.”
90 Alice Winter 2019

Alice Winter 2019 91

Fireside Reads
By MK Holladay
While you’re cozying up by the fireplace this
winter, expand your horizons with this list of
books that offers perspectives from women
across all walks of life. So put on some thick
socks, make some hot cocoa, and step into
someone else’s world.
THE FEMALE PERSUASION
BY MEG WOLITZER
If you’ve never had the pleasure of escaping into
one of Meg Wolitzer’s charming novels, this is
a great place to start. Greer Kadetsky is a shy
and naive freshman in college who is head over
heels for her boyfriend Cory. She hears Faith
Frank, an older woman who has been fighting
for women’s rights for years, speak and her life
is turned upside-down. Faith takes Greer under
her wing and changes her life completely, for
better and worse. This novel will awaken your
ambition and lust for something new.
IN PIECES
BY SALLY FIELD
The Sally Field you grew up knowing and
loving, lead a much more complicated life than
you might imagine. Field’s memoir touches
on every piece of her life in a totally raw and
emotional way. From her acting career, to
her marriages, to the troubling sexual abuse
she experienced as a child, Field explores
her life candidly and works to figure herself
out in her writing. Every woman has a story,
and reading this will allow you to discover so
much of yours.
92 Alice Winter 2019

VOX
BY CHRISTINA DALCHER
If you like The Handmaid’s Tale, you’ll love
this novel. Set in a society in the not-so-distant
future, Vox describes a world where women’s
rights are slowly taken away. Now, women
must wear bracelets that limit them to 100
words a day or they will experience immense
pain. Some people say that Vox feels less like
a dystopian novel and more like a warning
for what’s to come given our current political
climate. Regardless, it certainly offers insight
into the oppression of women and how far that
can go.
THE BELL JAR
BY SYLVIA PLATH
This novel is a must-read for every woman.
Esther Greenwood is a college student working
for a women’s fashion magazine in New
York City. While she is living this incredibly
luxurious life, she’s in reality just a smalltown
girl with a man, Buddy Willard, waiting
to marry her. In the summer, Esther is forced
to go home and live with her mother. She tries
to write a novel, but she soon becomes deeply
depressed knowing her extravagant life in
New York City is over. The Bell Jar shines a
light on the postgraduate turmoil many people
experience and portrays mental illness in a way
that is simultaneously raw and relatable.
SHE WOULD BE KING
BY WAYÉTU MOORE
This novel is a mix of historical fiction and
fantastical realism. It takes us back to the
inception of Liberia, one of the West-African
colonies that former slaves from the United
States were sent to after the abolition of
slavery. Gbessa, June and Norman come from
different walks of life, but they all have magical
gifts that allow them to settle differences
between settlers and natives. The settlement of
Liberia and America’s involvement in African
governments are often overlooked in American
history. This book covers so much of that
history in such an interesting and enlightening
way. It’s an excellent read, not only for its
historical relevance but for its mystical story
that will leave readers empowered.
Alice Winter 2019 93

94 Alice Winter 2019
college women contributed to this magazine

None of the
images of
women in
this issue
have been
retouched.
Alice Winter 2019 95

Claiming the Roles
By Sydney Pellegrini
Jenny Lester and Julie Jurenas are two young
women trying to make it in the indie film industry
in New York. They are currently working on their
first indie feature-length film, What She Said.
The film is a “kitchen sink drama with a black
comedy heart” that follows the journey of Sam, a
Ph.D. student who has spent the last year in courts
pursuing charges against her rapist.
Alice talked to Jenny and Julie about their
upcoming film, their all-star all-female production
team, the importance of women representation in
the film/TV industry, and some films with female
directors that they love.
Alice: Tell me a little bit about yourselves and how
your production company, Shallow Graves, started.
Jurenas: Jenny and I met in college in 2010, and
we slowly became friends. Once we graduated, we
were besties, and we moved to LA together, kinda
boppin’ around [jobs], and we kinda switched gears
and tried to figure out what to do with our lives
and how to stay creative. We started making little
videos for ourselves, our friends, or for little short
competitions, just producing and editing them
ourselves, making them for $0, and submitting
them to things. We were like screw this. It's our
time, we’ve outgrown our jobs, and we obviously
have drive and ambition, and we need to follow
through with that, because it’s now or never.
Lester: We were working in this super A-List,
high-level creative world, and we were watching
everything and being like, “Oh my god, why
is everyone doing everything wrong all the
time? We could do stuff so much better with …
$200 and some string lights.” So we took that
principle and decided to start our own production
company officially.
Jurenas: One of our first bigger projects of any sort
of clout was our pilot to our web series which is
called Platonics.
Lester: We made it out of pocket and had a lot of
people rally around us to loan us their skills because
they liked our vision.
Jurenas: When we had a pitch meeting in LA, we
had a little bite, but it kind of fell to pieces, and we
were like, “Okay we're just going to move. We're
96 Alice Winter 2019

just going to do it.” Jenny was really feeling New
York, and I was curious about it and didn't really
know what else I would do once I left my job, so I
was like, “Yeah, let's go.” We've been here for about
a year.
Alice: So you guys are best friends, roommates, and
you have a production company together - how
does that work?
Lester: I think right now we're in the best place
with it we've ever been. It takes some navigating,
and it takes sizing out how each other work. There
was a lot of frustration at first because we both are
super driven and get a lot done, but we work really
differently, so sometimes progress on one side or
the other looks different for one of us, and we had
to learn to let each other work the way we're going
to work. We push each other and it’s really great.
Alice: Tell me about the project you are working on
right now.
Jurenas: We are working on our first indie feature.
It is a family drama, and we plan on shooting
it in Virginia on my family's farm. This movie
is a kitchen sink drama where 10 people are in a
cabin, and the plot happens over the span of just a
few days.
Lester: But it has a lot of dark comedy, because I
wrote it.
Jurenas: Yeah, Jenny wrote a beautiful script.
Alice: Jenny, how long did it take you to write the
script? What was that process like?
Lester: From conception to now, I'd say it's taken
the better part of a year…the story deals with
sexual assault. The main character is a survivor
of sexual assault, and I just wanted to give a voice
to so many women who have gone through this
in a really respectful and really knowledgeable
way. I've been doing so much research this year,
talking to so many survivors, and talking to so
many organizations that work with survivors, and
watching documentaries just so that I could really
do the story justice. I wanted to make sure that
Sam, the main character, felt really authentic and
not be some sort of two-dimensional caricature.
Alice: Why is female representation in the film
community important to you? How is starting
to change? How can outside people continue
that change?
Jurenas: The film and television world is mostly
male. It's kind of disturbing. There are women that
are too afraid to pursue this because it's a boys’
club. One of our favorite filmmakers, Zoe Lister-
Jones, started a movement of an all-female crew
in her directorial debut in her movie called Band-
Aid that came out a few years ago. That was a huge
part of her campaign, and it was something she was
really passionate about, and so we wanted to do
the same.
Lester: There are so many women that are more
than qualified, but they are watching from the
outside. So we have the two of us who are leading
the production company. I wrote [the screenplay],
Julie is the lead producer, and we hired a director
Alice Winter 2019 97

who is not only an actress and director and a
female, but she is also an activist. She works with
an organization in New York called Outsmart,
which is an organization that trains nightlife staff
on how to recognize signs of sexual assault before
they happen. She works with them and speaks with
them and trains them. We also have an amazing
up-and-coming female director, Alexa Wolf. She
won best short in the LGBTQ filmmakers showcase
at Cannes last year.
[So many] women actresses have said how much
more comfortable it feels to be on a set run by
women and how supportive it is and how much
more they're able to be vulnerable. Obviously this
is a story that involves a lot of vulnerability, so
we're excited to have an all-female-run set. Women
were only 18 percent of all behind the scenes work
on the 250 top-grossing films last year.
Jurenas: That’s absurd! There are more women in
the world!
Lester: Even in the show Godless, which won a
bunch of Emmy’s this year, I remember when
it first came out, even though it's a show about
women in a town where there are no men, the pilot
was something like 87 percent of the dialogue went
to men. In the pilot of a show about women. Like
what is anyone doing?
Jurenas: What are they doing?
Lester: We are obsessed with Indie movies and so
will see a lot of the things that come out and will
be like, ‘Are you kidding me? This was made seven
months ago, had a female director and writer, and
it's a cast of six men, four women, and they're all
white? Like what is happening?’ We don't have
any resources. We don't have any sort of pull. We
don't have any names attached, but we're still fully
committed to hiring as diverse a cast and crew as
possible, because you have to put your money where
your mouth is, and you can't say that you are - I
mean obviously we are working toward becoming
the best allies and the best intersectional feminist
we can be, and we still have a lot of work to do, but
if you can't even start with your own project, then
you don't leave yourself anywhere to go.
98 Alice Winter 2019

100
103
105
109
111
THE ANATOMY OF THE
PERFECT CHEESE BOARD
FIVE REASONS TO GET INTO
A BOXING GYM ASAP
DITCHING ANIMAL PRODUCTS
KEEPING SAD AT BAY
ON-THE-GO HEALTHY EATING
Alice Winter 2019 99

The Anatomy of the
Perfect Cheese Board
By Anna Klement
Few things in this world are as
decadent as stinky cheese and fine
wine. Luckily, the level of
sophistication needed is not
symmetrical to the level of effort
required to build the perfect
charcuterie board. Wine and cheese
platters are a simple way to impress
guests without spending hours meal
prepping in the kitchen. The anatomy
of the perfect board consists of a
formula almost anyone can master.
Let’s start with the basics: dairy.
If you’re a Kraft singles kind of gal,
it can be a bit intimidating skimming
the deli section for cheese that
tastes luxurious, but does not break
the bank. Blue cheeses are a crowd
favorite and usually complement at
least one accompaniment nicely. It’s
also fair to include a cheese that is
sweeter or flavored with some kind of
fruit. For example, cranberry flavored
goat cheese can be found at most
grocery stores.
It’s imperative to include different
textures, flavors and sources. Consider
mixing cheese from cows, goats or
even buffalo. Include a minimum
of three different cheeses for
optimal results.
First comes cheese, next
comes crackers.
You need something with crunch.
As fun as it might be to eat cheese with
our fingers like our friends in France,
it’s courteous to give your guests the
option to make a miniature, cheesy
100 Alice Winter 2019

your holidays
sandwich. Table Water crackers, pita
chips, baguette slices and Wheat
Thins are ideal preferences. The more
bland, the better since mixing flavors
of seasoned crackers could potentially
interfere with the natural essence of
the cheeses. However, the liberty of
charcuterie boards means there are
virtually unlimited combinations to
what you can serve.
Take things to the next level with
fruits, nuts and olives.
Since firm cheeses are typically
pungent, it is necessary to include
fruit or nuts that are slightly sweet,
but not overpowering. Think:
pears, apples, pecans, blueberries,
blackberries grapes and almonds.
For soft cheese such as Brie or
Camembert, strawberries make a
nice addition. Be liberal with your
accompaniments, since they add
plenty of color and variety and should
complement the cheese. It’s okay
to use savory flavors such as dark
chocolate covered almonds, tart
cherries, spiced pumpkin seeds or
marinated olives. And if you’re a fan
of olives, don’t be afraid to combine
kalamata with manzanilla. Because of
its distinct texture and umami flavor,
a small bowl of olives goes a long way.
Pickled cucumbers also enhance the
mildness of cheese and crackers with
an acidic gusto.
Lastly, there must be meat.
Charcuterie quite literally
translates to “the art of cooking
with meat.” It’s rare to find a cheese
board that doesn’t include some form
of cured meat. Adding salty flavor
is necessary for your taste buds in
the mini cheese sandwich party.
Classifications of salami and capicola
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are probably what you would find on
a board if ordered at a restaurant.
Similar to the cheeses, texture and
diversity is encouraged. If the thought
of pâté makes your stomach churn, it
is acceptable to skip it.
It’s important to have options
that cater to everyone’s dietary
restrictions. Your friend who is vegan,
has a nut allergy or is dairy-free
should not have to miss out entirely.
Presentation is key for the perfect
cheese board. Seasonal produce
will always taste better and look
more appetizing for your Instagram
pictures. Fall boards including
cranberries, gouda, apples, cherries,
walnuts and toasted pumpkin seeds
will look better than citrus, sharp
cheddar and blueberries. Boards with
marble slabs and oak paddles add
a nice contrast. Hummus, drizzles
of honey, and light preserves can
flatter the palate as well. Small, white
ramekins can house your nuts and
olives to the side. Don’t forget a dull
knife to cut and spread the cheese.
Pro Tip: Buy cheese pre-cut from
a wheel for smaller servings and
easier preparation.
102 Alice Winter 2019

Five Reasons to Get into a
Boxing Gym ASAP
By Anna Klement
Boxing allows women to knock out a high-energy workout and personal
therapy sesh all at once. There are few things in the world that can make a woman
feel more fierce than a punching bag and gloves. It doesn’t matter what your mood
is walking into a gym before a sweat sesh, endorphins always fight back to help
your mind and body. If done right, boxing will temporarily exhaust you, but leave
you with an incredible amount of energy for the rest of the day.
Historically, boxing has been a grungy-male dominated sport. Sometimes, the
amount of testosterone in the room can be overwhelming for anyone who has not
experienced a class before. Don’t let potential fear keep you from experiencing
your inner Rocky. You’re only a few punches away from some serious Michelle
Obama Arms.
Alice Winter 2019 103

CALIBRATE FOCUS
It is nearly impossible to daydream during a boxing
class. Concentration is essential in boxing, but it might
come naturally. Outside factors like physical pain should fade
as you focus on anticipating the next combination. Intentionally
focusing on current actions can promote mental clarity and retention.
IT’S EMPOWERING
Sometimes it just feels good to hit something. In addition to being a
wonderful stress reliever, boxing can also be an aid for tense muscles.
Frustration tends to builds up throughout the day, but punching a
bag can explode healthy energy into your body. Talk about a major
confidence boost! Ironically, fighting can contribute to overall
happiness and decrease levels of anxiety or depression.
IT’S A KILLER CARDIO AND STRENGTH WORKOUT
Contrary to what some might believe, boxing engages every part of
your body. Most trainers will incorporate jumping rope, running and
core workouts in typical classes. Punching might seem easy until you
incorporate power, precision and speed. Kicking is an intense full
body collaboration. In a few seconds, your core is engages power to
balance your upper body when you lift your legs to rotate and forcefully
kick. It’s fun, efficient and will sculpt your muscles to improve body
composition.
TECHNIQUE + SKILL
Unfortunately, Michelle’s Arms probably won’t transform on you
overnight. Practicing combinations multiple times a week is rewarding.
You’re learning something, which means there will always be room for
growth. It’s fact that not even Muhammed Ali could always throw the
perfect punch. Boxing teaches self-discipline. To be good, you need to
practice form, mobility and accuracy. You’ll be better for it in the long run.
IT COULD HELP YOU IN THE REAL WORLD
Boxing is quite literally self-defense. You’re training to fight back.
Most of the time, it’s a stationary bag, but there might be a time in
your life someday when throwing a jab and sliding out of a potentially
dangerous situation will pay off.
104 Alice Winter 2019

Ditching Animal Products
A Quick Guide to Eating Vegetarian, Dairy-Free and Vegan
Alice Winter 2019 105

By Mariah Link and Daley Cline
Editor’s note: Deciding to go
vegetarian, dairy-free, or vegan,
is a major health decision. Proper
preparation and research should
be done in order to reap the full
nutritional benefits. Please consult an
expert if considering. This quick guide
and recipe list is a great place to get
started.
VEGETARIAN
The transition from meat-eating
to vegetarian can lead to a healthier
lifestyle. Ethical reasons aside, meat
is not manufactured like it used to be.
Chances are, there are meats on the
shelves possibly contaminated with
antibiotics, GMOs, hormones, and
other additives. The plant-based diet
is a healthy option for many people.
Vegetables pack more nutrients per
bite than most foods and tend to fill you
up faster.
VEGAN
Ready for a community of selfproclaimed
animal lovers and tree
huggers? Welcome to veganism.
Finding the motivation to change your
current lifestyle is the first and hardest
leap of faith in becoming a vegan. Your
motivation might be animal welfare,
protecting the environment, or reaping
immense health benefits. Becoming
vegan is a lifestyle choice. Your
contributions benefit your diet and the
world around you. No need to worry,
vegan diets can satisfy your taste buds
just as well as a regular diet.
Environmentally, the benefits of
being a vegan have been linked to less
stress on our natural resources due to
the decreased demand for land, fossil
fuels and water for. Additionally, living
a vegan lifestyle helps put a stop to
factory farming, which is one of the
most extreme and common sources of
animal cruelty. A vegan diet can reduce
your carbon footprint as well as the risk
of multiple health conditions such as
type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease,
strokes, obesity, and even some
cancers according to MD Anderson
Cancer Center.
DAIRY-FREE MILK
At an early age, we were often told
by elders and commercials featuring
celebrities with milk-staches to drink
milk for our bones to grow and become
strong. An increasing amount of
research may disagree with our former
motivators. According to a study
conducted by Harvard, animal milk
may be doing more harm to our bones
than good. Research has shown that the
consumption of dairy might be causing
various health problems – ranging from
bloating, fatigue, digestion problems
and frequent sinus infections, to
inflammatory skin conditions such
as acne or eczema. Although it may
seem impossible to quit consumption
of dairy, it’s more feasible than ever
thanks to today’s ranging options of
milk alternatives available at many
grocery stores. Cereal and smoothies
no longer have to sacrifice nutrients or
flavor thanks to the creative geniuses
behind oat, almond, coconut and
soy milk.
106 Alice Winter 2019

ANYTHING A
COLLEGE GIRL NEEDS.
EVERYTHING A
COLLEGE GIRL WANTS.
For all the things you wish you had and all the
things you forgot, we’re Tuscaloosa’s go-to place
for shopping.
Shop Belk Women, Belk Men, Kids and Home,
JCPenney, Café Court and More!
WELCOME TO THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA
FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF SHOPPING
online on facebook + university-mall.com
1701 McFarland Blvd East
Open Daily 10am-9pm Sunday 1pm-5:30pm
Alice Winter 2019 107

Play with the delicious alternative recipes below to see how
yummy being vegetarian, dairy-free, or vegan can be.
BREAKFAST
Baked Blueberry Pancakes
INGREDIENTS: 1 1/2 cups Bisquick Original Pancake Mix, 1
cup Almond Breeze Original, 1/4 cup applesauce, 1/2 cup frozen
blueberries.
DIRECTIONS: Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease an 8×8 baking
pan and set aside. In a large mixing bowl, combine pancake mix,
Almond Breeze Original and applesauce. Stir until just combined
— do not over mix. There will be lumps and that is okay. Gently
fold in the blueberries until incorporated into the mix. Pour
into the prepared pan and gently smooth out the top. Bake for
about 20-25 minutes until the edges start to pull away from the
pan or a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Let cool for five minutes, then slice and top with your favourite
pancake toppings.
LUNCH
Stuffed Sweet Potato
INGREDIENTS: 1 large sweet potato, scrubbed, ¾ chopped
kale, 1 cup canned black beans, rinsed, ¼ cup hummus
DIRECTIONS: Prick sweet potato all over with a fork.
Microwave on High until cooked through, 7 to 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, wash kale and drain, allowing water to cling to
the leaves. Place in a medium saucepan. Cover and cook over
medium-high heat, stirring once or twice, until wilted. Add
beans. Add a tablespoon or two of water if the pot is dry.
Continue cooking, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the
mixture is steaming hot, 1 to 2 minutes. Split the sweet potato
open and top with the kale and bean mixture. Combine hummus
and 2 tablespoons water in a small dish. Add additional water
as needed to reach desired consistency. Drizzle the hummus
dressing over the stuffed sweet potato.
DINNER
Vegan Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
INGREDIENTS: 4 cups elbow macaroni, 1 large head
cauliflower, chopped, 2 large carrots, peeled and chopped, ½
cup nutritional yeast, ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil, ⅓ cup water, 1
tbsp lemon juice, ½ tsp onion powder, ½ tsp garlic powder, 1½
tsp salt, ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper, Paprika, as garnish
(optional), Vegan parmesan cheese (optional)
INSTRUCTIONS: Cook pasta according to package
directions, drain, and set aside. Fill a large pot with water, and
bring to a boil. Add in the chopped cauliflower and carrots. Cook
for 10-15 minutes, or until softened. Drain, and add to a food
processor or high speed blender. Add in the oil, water, lemon
juice, nutritional yeast, onion powder, garlic powder, salt and
pepper. Process/blend until smooth. Add cheese sauce to your
pot full of drained pasta and mix well. Serve, with a sprinkle of
vegan parmesan cheese and some paprika, if desired.
108 Alice Winter 2019

Keeping
SAD
at Bay
By Keely Brewer
Although it may not feel like it in the South, winter is
quickly approaching. For some people, especially those
who reside in areas with summers that are only bearable
in a poolside chair or an air conditioned building, these
cold months can not seem to get here fast enough.
However, others dread the onset of winter. Seasonal
depression is an issue that many people experience but
rarely talk about openly. Because it is something that
most individuals choose to deal with quitely, the scope
of its effects are often diminished.
Lee Keyes, executive director of the Counseling
Center at The University of Alabama said seasonal
depression is a form of mood disorder which occurs
during periods of low amounts of sunlight. Anyone can
experience seasonal depression, but it is more common
among people in northern latitudes.
“It’s less common in the South, but those who are
sensitive to sunlight can be affected here too,” said Keyes.
“Other mood issues can occur during low sunlight but
for other reasons such as staying indoors and inactive
for too long.”
For sufferers of seasonal depression, the sadness,
lethargy, and apathy that comes along with it may seem
inescapable. Luckily, there are ways to avoid the dread
of the winter months.
“Get plenty of sunlight, get outdoors, and get
moving,” Keyes said.
Soak Up the Sun
The sun rises later and sets earlier in the winter, and
there isn’t much anyone can do to change that. What
can be done, though, is adjusting one’s sleep schedule to
make the most of the little daylight available. Although
leaving a warm, cozy bed in the winter is no easy task,
having those extra two or three hours of daylight can
make a monumental difference in mood and energy.
Use the thought of the warm cup of coffee that could
be in your hands as motivation to get moving. A lack of
sunlight can lead to decreased production of melatonin
and serotonin, which directly affects mood and energy
Alice Winter 2019 109

levels. In addition to waking up earlier, make an effort to
spend more time surrounded by natural light. This could
mean enjoying the brisk weather outside or simply sitting
near a window that lets in a little more light.
“When sunlight isn’t available, get phototherapy lights
you can install or use at home,” Keyes said.
HappyLight and Circadian Optics are brands that
specializes in light therapy lamps.
Fuel Your Body
SAD can increase cravings for foods heavy in sugars
and carbs. Resist those temptations and fuel your body with
foods that will give you energy instead. Satisfy your need
for sugar with fruit. Pomegranates, apples, bananas, and
passion fruit are just a few of the fruits available all winter
long, and you don’t have to worry about the sugar crash that
inevitably follows the consumption of other foods filled with
sugar. Appetite is one of the most common changes brought
about by seasonal depression. Making an effort to keep meals
packed with nutrients and whole foods is key to maintaining
your energy.
Keep Moving
Depending on where you live, you might experience
pleasantly cold weather that serves as a nice relief from the
last three months of humidity and heat. If this is the case,
take advantage of this and find time to exercise outdoors by
going for a walk or biking along a local trail.
If your winters are filled with below freezing temperatures
and consistent snow, opt for exercise at your local gym or
recreation center. Swimming at an indoor pool, utilizing
an indoor track, or riding a stationary bike are all great
alternatives to outdoor exercise. Group exercise classes like
kickboxing, cycling, or Zumba are also great ways to boost
your mood.
Seek Help
At the end of the day, only you know how you feel and
what works best for you. Advice that may help someone
tackle their own struggle with seasonal depression might do
little to help you. Adjust your schedule to fit your needs, and
make time for the things that will fuel you. Reach out to your
support system of family and friends.
Consulting a therapist or other mental health professional
might be the right option for you too. Keyes suggested
evaluation by a licensed mental health professional for
proper diagnosis.
“[People should seek professional help] when they
notice symptoms of depression, and it lasts more than two
weeks, or one feels impaired in terms of normal life tasks.”
Keyes said.
Just like other forms of depression, there are treatments
available to help ease the symptoms associated with SAD.
110 Alice Winter 2019

On-the-Go
Healthy
Eating
By Daley Cline
Often times, people blame unhealthy
eating on external factors, such as not having
enough hours in the day to cook or shop for
healthy foods. We point fingers at busy
schedules, but eating healthy from morning
through the mid-afternoon munchies can be
easily maintained with proper preparation
and execution.
GRAB-AND-GO BREAKFASTS
We know by now that breakfast is the
most important meal of the day. Even if
you can’t find time to sit down and savor it,
prepare the following healthy options ahead
of time, so they’re ready for you to grab as
you walk out the door.
Peanut Butter Energy Balls:
Ingredients include ⅔ cups creamy natural
peanut butter, ½ cups dark chocolate chips,
1 cup old fashioned oats, ½ cups ground
flax seeds and 2 tablespoons honey. Mix
your ingredients together in a bowl, roll into
balls, and store in the refrigerator for up to
a week. It’s ideal for breakfast or a midday
snack. You can also add chia seeds, dried
fruit and cinnamon to enhance the flavor.
Overnight Oats: All you need for this
filling and nutrient-dense breakfast is ½
cup liquid such as dairy milk, almond,
cashew or coconut milk, and ½ cup oldfashioned
rolled oats. Mix your liquid
and oats in a jar or container and let it
sit overnight in the refrigerator. In the
morning, add fruit, nuts, nut butter, seeds,
protein powder, granola, coconut, spices,
zest or vanilla extract on your way out. Don’t
forget a spoon!
Egg Breakfast Muffins: This is
dedicated to those with umami taste buds.
The ingredients include: 6 eggs, ½ cup
cooked chopped spinach, ⅓ cup crumbled
cooked bacon, and ⅓ cup of shredded
cheddar cheese.
To make, preheat the oven to 375
degrees. Coat 6 cups of a muffin tin with
cooking spray or line with paper liners.
Alice Winter 2019 111

Crack the eggs into a large bowl. Use a
whisk to blend the eggs until smooth. Add
the spinach, bacon and cheese to the egg
mixture and stir to combine. Divide the
egg mixture evenly among the muffin cups.
Bake for 15-18 minutes. Pop the finished
product into the refrigerator and enjoy
your egg-cellent creation on busy mornings
throughout the week.
NUTRITIOUS SNACKS PERFECT FOR
BUSY BEES
Surrounding yourself with nutritious
staples will satisfy your hunger and maintain
your energy levels. Consider stocking your
pantries and purses with the following
healthy snacks:
Jerky: Jerky is the perfect snack for
those looking for a high amount of protein
while keeping carbohydrates low. A oneounce
piece of beef jerky provides 9.4 grams
of protein. If beef doesn’t work for you,
turkey is equally nutritious. And if you’re
not into eating animals, it’s been written
that watermelon jerky is nature’s healthiest
candy.
Trail Mix: Trail mix is a great way to get
your daily dose of healthy fats. It’s possibly
the perfect cure for a sweet tooth. Opt to make
your own combo with preferred nuts, seeds
and semisweet fruit to avoid the unwanted
added sugars that often hide in store-bought
mixes. However, don’t feel ashamed to mix
in dark chocolate chips or cacao nibs if your
sweet tooth begs for something more.
Fruit: Apples, bananas and oranges
don’t require refrigeration, and therefore
can be thrown into your purse or backpack
without hesitation. Dehydrated goji berries,
apricots or figs will also satisfy your sweet
tooth and deliver antioxidants and fiber.
Bonus: they’re also great in trail mix.
Granola: Don’t underestimate the
flavor of this traditional yogurt-topper; it
tastes just as delicious on its own. Bring a
ziploc bag of granola to munch on when you
need a yummy crunch.
Popcorn: When air-popped and eaten
plain, popcorn is a healthy whole grain food
that is low in calories. Microwave at home
and throw into a Ziploc for later. If your
popcorn needs added flavor, try mixing
olive-oil and sea salt after it is popped. If
you’re looking for something prepackaged,
SkinnyPop or Boom Chicka Pop boasts
tasty flavors while keeping calories and
sodium under par.
“Better for You” Crackers: It is now
possible to find crackers that don’t make
you feel as bad after crunching on a few
more than the suggested daily serving. Nut
and seed flour-based crackers sans artificial
flavors are easy to find in most grocery
stores now. Try Simple Mills Almond Flour
crackers in Farmhouse Cheddar. It’s grain,
soy and corn free.
Dark Chocolate: A square of dark
chocolate contains iron as well as organic
compounds that are biologically active and
function as antioxidants. It’s important to
stay in the 70–85 percent cocoa range to
maintain the nutritious elements and less
sugar. The darker it is, the better it is for you.
112 Alice Winter 2019

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