Pop Culture, Wellness & Fitness

Get Ready for Summer With These Clothing Trends

Summer is just around the corner. So put the long sleeves and jeans away and revamp your closet with some of these cute summer clothing trends. 

Corset Tops

Cosets have been in for a while, but summer is a great time to wear the strapless and bright-colored corset tops again. Floral-designed corsets are perfect for the season and make a plain outfit look a little more upscale. 

Photo by Joshua Rondeau on Unsplash

Bermuda Shorts

Baggy, long mom jeans have been the go-to pants for the fall and winter. However, bermuda shorts are making a comeback this summer. Baggy, long shorts go well with almost any tank top and especially look great paired with a shorter crop top. 

Button-Up Shirts

It is almost impossible to wear long sleeves during the summer in Texas, but button-up long sleeve shirts are worth a little bit of sweat. Putting a cropped tank top underneath a button-up and tying it up at the bottom makes a good outfit to easily throw on. 

Photo by Vitaliy Izonin on Pexel

Platform Sandals

Platforms have definitely been in this year, from platform sneakers to platform boots. Sandals can sometimes be a little boring, so adding one with a platform to an outfit can not only make you look taller, but also elevate what would be an otherwise boring sandal look. 

Low-rise 

Even though high-rise barely came back into fashion– low-rise gets a lot of hate. However, low-rise pants and shorts are in for this summer and possibly for this upcoming fall and spring. There are definitely more low-rise denim and cargo shorts in-store than ever before.

Don’t be scared to try some of these trends because you may end up actually liking them! However, you don’t need to follow all the summer trends to have a great wardrobe. Wear what you want to wear no matter if it’s in or not.  

ATX / UT, Food & Travel

A Rant About Gluten-Free Dining

If you have a severe food allergy, you’re probably used to not having the best dining options. The person allergic to peanuts is used to not being able to have the peanut butter cookies for dessert. The lactose intolerant person knows to get the sorbet if their group goes out for ice cream and the gluten-free person asks for a burger with a lettuce wrap at In and Out. We know how to adjust. Since being gluten-free for the past few years, I’ve learned to roll with it. Do my friends want Whataburger? That’s fine; I’ll get french fries. Are we going out for pizza? If they don’t have a gluten-free crust, I’ll just get a salad. It’s pretty simple, for the most part, to avoid gluten. 

Since coming to college, I’ve been on a dining plan. My dorm has pretty good gluten-free options. There’s always gluten=free bread for toast or sandwiches, and on pancake day, they whip up some gluten-free pancakes (usually). Some meals don’t have a gluten-free option which is frustrating if I’m in the mood for an actual meal, not just a sandwich, or if the meal is really good and I can’t have it, but hey, beggars can’t be choosers. This was my mindset until my friends without dietary restrictions began to pity me. 

My friends got frustrated with my lack of dining options before I did. They began to say things like: “What do you mean they didn’t have a gluten-free option today?”, “Why wouldn’t that restaurant have gluten-free options? It’s so common now,” and “That sucks that you never get to have the dessert.”  Eventually, after listening to all their pity comments, I became a little frustrated. I pay the exact same amount for my dining plan as they do, but I probably have half of the options they do. There are four types of bread and four types of bagels for them every day. I have one. They can choose between ravioli, spaghetti, or penne on past nights, while I get the same gluten-free pasta that’s never cooked right and always a bit stiff and cold. I truly appreciate the options that I have, especially compared to the options five years ago, but still, it would be nice to have at least close to the same amount of options as everyone else.

Gluten-free food often costs more than the regular options, which is fine. I understand that the products can be more expensive and difficult to obtain, but it’s just ridiculous at times. For example, I used to get chicken fried rice from a place that charged an extra $5 for gluten-free. Want to know what they did to make it gluten-free? They just didn’t add soy sauce. So I paid $5 for them to remove an ingredient. 

Let me reiterate: I am so grateful for the options that I do have. When people go out of their way to make sure I have something to eat it means the world to me. I don’t mean to sound ungrateful because I’m not. I just want to be able to have a hot meal option for every meal at the dorm, where I pay for a hot meal option at every meal, and I don’t want to have to pay so much extra for a simple modification. 

Featured Image By Allison Geddie

Entertainment

Harrychella

Coachella has come and gone, and the most talked-about artist this year is the one and only Harry Styles. After headlining his first Coachella ever, the world was left speechless. Here is everything you need to know from both his performances. 

As weekend one began, Harry performed opening night on Friday and was the last performer of the night. Harry’s outfit was none other than a jaw-dropper. 

He first appeared in a long black feather coat, which after his First song came off to reveal his sparkly jumpsuit. He opened his set with his Newly released single “As It Was” from his upcoming album Harry’s House, which will release on May 20. But that wasn’t the only new song he sang. He also surprised the crowd by singing two new song’s never before heard called “Boyfriends” and “Late Night Talking.” And if you’re much like me, you haven’t stopped singing them since.  

Those two new songs weren’t the only surprises of the night. Harry brought out the one and only Shania Twain, who he has been a long fan of, to perform on stage with him. They sang “Man! I Feel Like A Woman” and “You’re Still the One.” I would like to say this performance was simply iconic. 

For weekend two, Harry found a way to upstage his last outfit by wearing a pink leather jacket vest and pants, including rhinestones, cherries and the initials HS on the back of his pants. After taking off the jacket, he revealed a matching pink leather vest. This outfit should definitely be in a museum, in my opinion. 

For the setlist, Harry sang the same songs as weekend one but added in a fan favorite, his song Medicine, which to this day he has never released. 

And of course, there had to be a surprise guest, and this time it was none other than Harry’s close friend Lizzo. They performed “I Will Survive” and “ What Makes You Beautiful” together. Anyone watching this performance would see the fun these two have performing together. 

Overall, Harry’s performances were simply unforgettable. The stage presence Harry has on stage is like none other. Singing and dancing the whole time he performed and never forgot to stop and interact with the crowd. 

Hopefully, we will see Harry Styles on the Coachella stage again in the future.

Entertainment

A Return to Timeless Classics: Love For Sale

Love for Sale is the second and final collaborative album by Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett, as Bennett decided to step away from music in 2021 owing to his struggle with Alzheimer’s. As a big fan of their first album, Cheek to Cheek, and in light of Bennett’s retirement and the album’s acclaim, I thought that it was only fitting to listen to it and assess it myself. After giving it a listen, I can say that I was far from disappointed.

Love for Sale is a tribute album to the great American composer Cole Porter, who’s jazz standards were defining pieces of the early and mid-20th century and have been covered by the likes of Frank Sinatra and Barbara Streisand. In Love for Sale, Bennett and Gaga bring a new flair to Porter’s work, altering their renditions with just the slightest lyrical and musical changes without losing each song’s genre-defining wit and charm. With bolstering swing in “I’ve Got You Under My Skin,” smooth melodic runs in “I Concentrate On You,” and masterful instrumental solos in “Love for Sale,” Love for Sale truly has all the spunk and charisma necessary for a great jazz album.

The most enticing thing about Love for Sale is the chemistry between Gaga and Bennett. Whether it’s in their back and forth complimenting one another in “You’re the Top” or their cheeky remarks in “I Get a Kick Out of You,” the two seasoned singers masterfully play off each other and do justice to the savvy and endearing character of Porter’s songwriting style and Jazz Age music in general. Gaga and Bennett also hold their own in their solos on the album. Between their four solos Gaga’s rendition of “Do I Love You” stood out the most to me for its pensive and melancholy tone as well as her incredible vocal performance. Alongside “I’ve Got You Under My Skin” and “I Concentrate On You” made the biggest impression on me while listening to the album.

While individually, the songs on Love for Sale are all spectacular, I found that it is in its composite that the album matters the most. The renditions of Porter’s songs are done masterfully and with careful consideration for maintaining each song’s classic flair and personality, but it isn’t individual songs that stuck out to me so much as the album itself. Love for Sale is, above all things, an ode to the music of the past and a love letter to the genre that established Bennett’s career and influenced Gaga’s. While listening to the album, I felt transported to the time of jazz and swing and the suave and elegant atmosphere that defined the music of the 30s, 40s, and 50s, and in doing so, Love for Sale helped me push the bounds of my musical appreciation. In a modern musical environment defined by ever-changing genres and new technological advancements, Love for Sale carves out a space for a popular revitalization of jazz and allows us to still find appreciation for the classics that have set American music down the path that it is on today. I’m a bit of an old soul, especially when it comes to music, so I was taken by Love for Sale almost immediately. However, even if jazz or traditional pop isn’t generally your thing, I still strongly recommend that you challenge yourself and listen to the album. Doing so may open up a whole new musical world to fall in love with.

Food & Travel

What You Favorite Flavor of Ice Cream Says About You

With summer just on the horizon, many will be heading to the ice cream aisle. Perhaps you already have a favorite or want to try something new. Whichever one you choose all depends on you (and your personality).

Strawberry

Photo Courtesy – TheCulinaryGeek on WordPress

Even if it’s a basic flavor, it takes maturity to like strawberry ice cream. Although, maybe you just love strawberries. Either way, it’s quite a unique choice since many people don’t like it and refuse to eat fruit in a dessert. They’re most likely children (at least mentally), which you are not. Congrats on growing up!

Coffee

Photo Courtesy – Veganbaking.net

I wouldn’t be surprised if you were reading this at Starbucks. If not, you just added “get coffee” to your to-do list. Not only can you not function without coffee, but you also need it as a soft-served dessert. I hope you aren’t sleep-deprived, but maybe you’re already sipping on a latte after last night’s exam cramming. 

Matcha

Photo Courtesy – Leng Cheng on WordPress

Matcha is a very distinct flavor, which not everyone’s taste buds enjoy. You’re definitely open to new things and aren’t afraid of risks. You also appreciate food from different cultures, enjoying all types of meals. Maybe you’re picky about matcha lattes. Although, can’t blame you for wanting the right, authentic matcha taste.

Cookies and Cream

Photo Courtesy – pkingDesign on WordPress

You haven’t let go of your childhood favorite, bringing you comfort during troubling times. You give me “chicken nuggets” vibes when you order from a new restaurant. Ordering something new is a risk you just can’t take. Hey, better safe than sorry, right? Nobody can stop you from choosing what you love.

Mint Chocolate Chip

Photo Courtesy – gordonramsaysubmissions on WordPress

You have a strong personality, clapping back at mint chip haters. You’re also laid-back, not caring about what others think. You grab the mint chip ice cream with ease from the freezer, happy about your decision. Will your friends and siblings judge? Maybe. You gladly enjoy every bite, no matter the evil glares. I salute you, mint chocolate chip fans. 

No matter which one you choose, I hope it helps cool you down during the hot days ahead of us. But, just know, I might be judging just a little. 

Featured Image By Andrea Arias-Zarate

Your Guide to Longhorn Life