Rings

Love,

ALPHA

Foods to Improve Moods

Stressed: Eat Chocolate                                                          Sluggish: Eat a Spinach Salad

Chocolate, particularly dark
 chocolate, may help reduce 
stress hormones that are in your
 body.

If you can't concentrate, eat folate
rich foods like spinach and other
leafy green vegetables as well as
potatoes, fortified breads and
cereals, beans, peas and mushrooms.

Cranky: Eat an Apple with Peanut Butter                               Anxious: Eat a Salmon Burger

Eat combination foods which contain
carbohydrates with either protein or
some fat. Carbs are a great source
of energy that quickly burns out.
Adding fat or protein will slow the
digestion process, causing your
sugar and energy levels to remain
stable for a longer amount of time.

The omega-3 fatty acids in salmon can
help tame your anxiety. It can help
prevent and treat clinical
depression as well as reduce anger
and irritability. 

Angry: Sip Green Tea                                                  Sad: Eat Whole-Grain Cereal with Lowfat Milk

Green tea will help you calm down
fast because it contains theanine.
It will clear concentration and
focus you.

Vitamin D in your diet will hep in the
production of serotonin, a feel good
hormone, that can help you feel calm
relaxed and happy.

PMS: Eat an Egg-Salad Sandwich

In the days before your period, girls
crave carbs. Go for whole-wheat
bread and pair them with trytophan
rich protein such as eggs or turkey.

Love,
ALPHA

What Guys Think of your Hair and Makeup

• The first thing he notices is your eyes
• Guys prefer darkly lined eyes
• The smokey eye makes your eyes seem bigger, which is more appealing to guys
• Stay awake from fake lashes
• Avoid too much make up, but a little make up is better than no make up at all. Always use the four essentials - cream concealer under the eye, mascara, lip gloss, and some blush
• A study shows that boosting blood flow to the face makes it more attractive to guys, unless you're exercising, its hard to get that effect. Instead, use cream blush that blends with your skin tone.
• Use a soft shade on your lips. If you wear a bold color, guys would be worried that it would rub off on them.

Love,
ALPHA 

Everybody Talks - Neon Trees

The latest song I'm obsessed with! 

Love, 

ALPHA

Vogue: Charlize Theron

A little late I know (it's from the December issue) but these photos by Annie Leibovitz are absolutely beautiful. Enjoy.

Love, 

ALPHA

Spring Trends

Popular trends of the season brought to you by Fashionology. 

Pleats

Black  & White

Doily Lace

Zigzags & Chevrons

Roaring '20s 

Cold Shoulder

Lace Gowns

Tangerine Dreams

For more trends click here!

Love, 

ALPHA

How To Kiss Someone Passionately

How To Kiss Someone Passionately: Video : Nervous about your first kiss? Let VideoJug show you how to kiss someone passionately with this great kissing video full of kissing tips, hints, and advice on how to perfect that passionate kiss for that special person in your life. Dating Humor.

I just thought this was entertaining...hehe.

Love, 

ALPHA

Cuddles & Hugs

You know what? For once I don’t have anything negative to say. Halle-freaking-lujah! Cuddles are are fantastic. Hugs are amazing. Salacious cuddles? Yes, please. Friendly hugs? Hell yes! Comforting cuddles? Great! Free hugs? Always welcome. I am a huge fan of cuddling, and I’ve been fortunate enough to not yet meet a man who ain’t one, too. In my experience, boys love cuddling and aren’t afraid to admit it.

I’ve also found that hugs are a pretty non-contentious issue. Thank heavens! Although most matters of intimacy are fraught with politics, I find hugging to be a refreshingly simple act that rarely leaves any party dissatisfied. See someone who needs a hug? Offer one up. Need a hug yourself? Go hug someone – anyone! It’s as simple as that. Oh alright, there are a couple of rules to hugging – let’s explore:

The Awkward Greeting Hug.

Do you go for the hug or the handshake? Are there air kisses involved? What if you only saw them yesterday? Do they get another hug? Screw it – just hug them anyway.

The Tearful Hug.

Let’s face it, at several points during your life you will find yourself weeping uncontrollably on some poor victim’s shoulder. Maybe it’s your boyfriend’s shoulder, maybe it’s your mum’s. Maybe it’s your long-suffering flatmate’s (um, thanks flatmate, I owe you one). Take full advantage of said shoulder – clutch for dear life, weep until you’re blotchy and hideous and your fitful gasps aren’t making any sense. Just try not to get too much snot on their shirt.

The Tantalizing Hug.

You’re in bed with someone very attractive. The two of you are tangled together like earphones at the bottom of a handbag. Maybe you’re kissing. Maybe you’re having a Deep and Meaningful. Maybe you’re drunk. Perhaps it’s dawn and you’ve been like that all night. Both of you want more but neither want to toe over the line. Next time cross the line. But for now, leave it at spooning.

The Airport Hug.

Whether welcome hugs or farewell hugs, airport hugs are always the fiercest. Knock the wind out of the other person and squeeze ’em tight.

The Friend with Benefits Hug. 

The general rule is don’t do it, right? Friends with benefits don’t cuddle, friends with benefits f*ck and then leave. Honestly, I’ve never understood that rule and I’ve never adhered to it. What’s wrong with cuddling up to your friend with benefits? A hug does not equate to dangerous love.

The Couch Hug.

Lying on the couch, snuggled up under a blanket, covert naughtiness optional.

Overall, hugs are excellent, beautiful things and you should hug more people more often. Especially us gingers, we need the love!

Provided by CollegeCandy.

By Raquel. 

Love, 

ALPHA

Legalize Gay Marriage

Washington has passed legislation to legalize Gay Marriage! ((Read More Here!)) This is definitely the right way our society is suppose to go! I can't wait until all 50 states have legalized Gay Marriage! Oh Happy day!! 

Love, 

ALPHA

Night Sky

Love,
ALPHA

Is Your Fridge Making You Fat?

Don't: Store fatty stuff n clear containers. Because if you can see it, you'll reach for it, says Brian Wansink, Ph. D.

Don't: Keep family-style leftovers, says Wansink. Store them in single portions so you don't overdo it.

Do: Stock up on healthy protein, like omega-3-rich salmon or tuna salad. Mix with light mayo and toss with greens, and - voilà - lunch!

Don't: Load up on juice. Yes, it's fruit, but concentrated. It's like liquid candy - cut it with seltzer.

Do: Put cut-up veggies at eye level. You're three times more likely to take the first thing you see than the fifth, says Wansink's research.

Don't: Keep peanut butter within easy reach. Women end up eating spoonfuls straight from the jar!

Do: Have fresh herbs as well as ginger and garlic on hand. They stay great on the counter too. Tons of flavor, zero calories or fat.

Don't: Rely on low-cal, low-fat packaged meals. They're often high in sodium and low in nutrition.

Do: Swap regular yogurt for the Greek kind. Nutritionists are madly in love with the stuff. It is filling, has protein and tastes deceptively rich.

Don't: Trade bread for wraps. Yes, they're thin, but calorie-wise many equal three or four slices of bread!

Provided by Glamour Magazine: January

Love, 

ALPHA

Sweet Louis Vuitton

These ads are just so adorable!!

I'm loving this new Louis Vuitton look ♥ ♥

 ♥ ♥ Can't wait to see the couture line♥ ♥

Love,

ALPHA

The Super Bowl 2012

Okay, not really a football person - not at all. But!! I'm in Boston..

SOOO GO PATS!

Also, this year the game will be played in my old home Indianapolis! 

Weeeeeeeeeeeee

Tune in - Sunday Feb. 5, 2012 

Love, 

ALPHA

Movies: Haywire

Okay. The trailer looks good. But do not be mistaken - it was quite a horrible movie. A total waste of money - a little harsh but so totally true.

1) Boring Plot = very predictable.
2) No character development ((The main actress wasn't that great - sorry))
3) Rocking male cast but nothing really to show.
4) Fighting scenes were openly mocked in the movie theater.
5) Too quite - background music to make it more intense, forget it.
6) Many parts did not make sense - why was there a random guy with a car? really?
7) Just boring in general. I often never doze off while watching a movie in the theater. I dozed off.

Point. Don't see the movie.
Love,
ALPHA

Happy Chinese New Year!

Love, 

ALPHA

The Big O

Hooking up. Getting frisky. Taking a roll in the hay. Making love. Going ‘round the bases.
No matter what euphemism you give it, most people hope it ends with one thing: an orgasm. The fact may be simple, but the achievement itself and all the questions that surround it? Not so much. Lucky for you, we got 60 collegiettes™ from around the nation to spill on their orgasms and collected some insider tips (and reassurance) from a certified sexpert. Read on for the answers to all your pressing questions.

What is an orgasm?
Let’s start with the basics, like what’s actually happening to your body during the toe-curling, head-spinning release of pleasure. “There are an enormous number of things going on during orgasm,” says Debby Herbenick, PhD, research scientist at Indiana University and author of Because It Feels Good. “A few of the highlights include muscular contractions around the genitals and anus, a peak in breathing and heart rate and a rush of chemicals throughout the body.”

What does an orgasm feel like?
That being said, not everyone’s chemicals rush in exactly the same way. Some collegiettes™ we polled tossed around the words “perfect” and “amazing,” while others experience what they could only describe as “waves and waves of peanut butter Oreos” or “rainbows, butterflies and sunshine — down there.” But, if you’re having trouble imagining these ladies’ orgasms (we don’t blame you), here are some descriptions from anonymous college gals that you can actually get your head around.

“I feel it mostly in the small of my back, radiating out to my fingertips. It feels like an explosion of sensation throughout your body, pulsating with your heartbeat.”

“My body seizes up and I feel this kind of euphoria and a slight need to pee, but more pleasurable.”

“It's like that feeling you get when you first stretch in the morning, but for longer and it takes over everywhere. Your whole body gets hot, and you pulse down there. Then I get a bit dizzy, and I swear I see colors brighter right afterward.”

“Everything within you is contracting and releasing. Depending on how you feel about who you are with, it can come with an emotional bond.”

How long will it take me to orgasm, and how long will it last?
Patience may not be at the forefront of your mind during sexy time with your guy, but it’s exactly what it sometimes takes to get you off. “In the beginning of a fresh relationship or when you are new to sex altogether, an orgasm with a partner can take at least 30 to 45 minutes to reach,” says Dr. Herbenick. For our group of anonymous college girls, timing is influenced by a number of factors: how turned on they are before sex, the amount of foreplay, the position they are in, and the partner they are with.

According to Dr. Herbenick, once you reach orgasm, it lasts about 20 seconds on average. The collegiettes™ we polled reported anywhere from just three seconds to a full minute. So, is 45 minutes of work worth a seconds-long burst of pleasure? Most say yes, arguing that an orgasm seems much longer than what it actually clocks in at.

Does an orgasm happen every time?
A majority of the girls we surveyed aren’t able to orgasm with a partner every single time. The lack of orgasm may stem from anxious mind games you’re playing on yourself or anatomical differences that make it harder for you to climax each time. But, while a majority of our panel of ladies does not have consistent orgasms, a little over 15 percent of them have never had an orgasm. “Some women can experience orgasm reliably and others cannot, but there is nothing wrong with you if you've never had an orgasm,” says Dr. Herbenick.

Though scientists have yet to find a surefire way to bring a girl to bed-bouncing bliss, Dr. Herbenick suggests experimenting with a sex toy or other forms of intercourse. “Try to be open to experiencing pleasure from a range of sexual activities (fingering, touching, oral sex, or toy play) and don’t hold one too high up over the other,” she says. In the end, don’t be disappointed if your first orgasm comes from something other than your boyfriend, like a vibrator. Female masturbation allows you to discover what you like, where you like it and everything in between. Once you’ve done that, orgasm in general will become easier for you, and bedtime with your guy will surely benefit.

What about faking it?
Cue clichéd When Harry Met Sally reference. Thanks to the movie’s infamous diner scene, every lady (and guy) learned a big lesson in faking it. 60 percent of the collegiettes™ we polled have pulled a Sally and faked an orgasm with their guy at one point or another. While it may make your guy feel good in the moment, the payoff isn’t always worth it. Instead of teaching your partner what it really takes to turn you on, he’ll rely on his same old tricks, and you’ll rely on yours.

Dr. Herbenick swears that practice can make perfect — even with something like sex! Until you reach that stage, though, here are her five dos and don’ts for making it easier to achieve your orgasm.

Don’t worry, be happy. “Relax — stress is the enemy of orgasm.”Do concentrate on what you’re feeling.  “Try not to focus on your orgasm as a goal. Instead, focus on experiencing pleasure.”Don’t be self-conscious. “Learn to let go. Yes, even if you think you will make a funny face or feel like you have to pee.”Do experiment with new things. “Try different positions. For some women, being on top is best, but for others missionary is.”Don’t rely on your partner. “Try moving your hips or squeezing your pelvic floor muscles around the penis, fingers or sex toy if one is inside your vagina rather than expecting your partner to do all the work. You're the only one who can explore and find what feels good for your body.”

It’s no secret: orgasms can be complicated, stressful and not always 100 percent perfect. It can be weird and messy (hello, female ejaculation—which some women experience), but it’s all completely normal and individual to each girl. Though hard work might be the last thing you want to do in the bedroom, that’s what orgasms require sometimes. And before you know it, hopefully those mind-blowing climaxes will be much more regular — easy, stress-free and perfect orgasms!

Provided by Her Campus. 

By Sarah Weinburg. 

Love, 

ALPHA

5 Stages of a New Relationship

If you just started seeing someone new, chances are your relationship is going to go through some stages. These stages happen in almost every relationship (I don’t have a PhD in relationships or anything, I’m just going by my own experiences). So here are some stages that you and your new bf or gf will probably go through. And if you don’t, your relationship will probably end in a terrible break-up that has you eating a gallon of ice cream every day for a week (just kidding…you’ll only eat a gallon the first break-up night).

1. Butterflies and Rainbows

So you two just started dating, and obviously everything is perfect. You want to spend every minute with each other and you can’t keep your hands off each other. You’ve forgotten who your friends are because you haven’t seen them in a week; you’re too busy being complimented on how perfect you are.

2. You Meet the Friends

If you already know each others friends, you’ll probably skip this. But if not, he gets to meet your friends and you get to meet his. He’ll definitely love drinking cocktails with you and your girls at your favorite Asian-fusion restaurant followed by a Grey’s Anatomy marathon. And I’m sure you’ll have a blast hanging with his bros playing XBox while drinking Red Bull and eating 4-day-old pizza. YUM!

3. Your First Fight

Uh-oh. You guys went out last night and  another guy hit on you, and now your BF is upset. Or he forgot to mention that his “friend” who he went to lunch with was really his ex. It’s okay though, you won’t break up. Everybody has to fight eventually (just don’t fight like Sammi and Ronnie).

4. Sex

This stage doesn’t have to be number four. It can be number one or number five or anywhere in between, but having sex with someone new is a big thing. You’re letting them see all of you, and sex means this person most likely means something to you (unless you’re Paris Hilton or Kim Kardashian, then sex means you get a reality show).

5. I Love You

This is the leap into the next stage, once you say “I love you,” your relationship is no longer new. AsCarrie Bradshaw once said, “Everything before I love you just doesn’t count.”

Provided by CollegeCandy.

By Jessica Zaleski

Love, 

ALPHA

Boston Snow

Come Back for More Snow Pictures

Coming Soon!! 

10 Simple Rules to Better Health

1. Stop Counting Calories
Research shows that the average person is terrible at counting calories and we guesstimate that we eat far less than we actually do. Plus, counting calories makes you focus on hitting a certain number, rather than on what you're putting in your body. The math you should do at every meal? This simple division: fill half your plate with fruit or veggies, one fourth with protein and the final fourth with a whole grain carb.

2. Don't Skip Meals
Skipping meals has always been a bad choice. Why? It's because you're probably going to overeat later in the day which isn't great. Also, try avoid skimping on meals too - it also results to overeating or snacking... If you know you're going to have a huge dinner and want to save your stomach for it? Have a light lunch and then something to nibble on like a couple (meaning 2) slices of turkey or some crudités with hummus.


3. Make Sure Your Snacks are Just That - Snacks!
Nutritionists say you should eat something every few hours. It helps to keep your metabolism up and make you less apt to overeat. A snack should be about 150 calories and you should aim for two a day. Make sure whatever you nibble on has protein, healthy fat and some fiber - think an apple plus a handful of pistachios. But if you're not hungry, you probably should skip the snack. Your body is basically saying that it doesn't need that extra food.


4. East Your Veggies First
When you start out eating the heartier parts of your meal - the bread, the pasta, the salmon - it's harder to control your appetite later in the meal. But when you start by having a salad or those green beans, you fill up faster and eat fewer calories.


5. Set Small Goals
Women who set overly big goals tend to fail; that kind of thinking is just too grandiose and intangible. The near-instant gratification of reaching each mini goal, however, propels you to make new ones and keep going.


6. Do the Right Cardio...
Any cardio is good for weight loss, but interval training (exercise at a moderate intensity with vigorous bursts) always wins over a slow and steady pace. That's because the harder you work, the more calories you burn even during the less intense intervals. How much you need it? The best evidence shows that 200 minutes a week of some sort of physical activity, even if it's brisk walking, is optimal for weight loss.


7. ...and Strength-Train!
Toning is key. That's because the more muscle you have, the faster your metabolism gets - and the more calories you'll burn always, not just at the gym. Focus on moves that target your largest muscle groups (butt, thighs, and back). Most women think of arms and abs first, but they're tiny areas. It's the muscles that are the metabolic monsters. And think quality, not quantity. No need for hundres of squats. Doing a few dozen well (mind that form!) will change your body.


8. Watch What You Drink
Many, many women overlook liquid calories! But they are a goldmine - seriously. When in doubt, stick with water or seltzer.


9. Don't Eat Too Low-Fat
You may think low-fat is good, so nonfat is better? Not quite. The absence of fat puts you in a deprivation territory therefore you wont feel as full and satisfied and will ultimately eat more of something else. Have a little healthy fat at each meal and snack - a teaspoon of olive oil on your salad, a bit of goat cheese. Bonus: It'll help your body absorb more of the nutrients in your food.


10. Get at Least Seven and a Half Hours of Sleep Each Night. 
Adequate rest allows your body's appetite and satiety hormones to work the way they should, so you will feel less hungry and won't be nearly as apt to overeat when you do grab a bite. Plus, when you're tired, you don't make healthy decisions!

Provided by Glamour Magazine: January

Love, 

ALPHA