Mount Hood

Easy-to-do at home nail art

Rylie Horrall  | Lifestyle Editor

Painting my nails has always been a fun activity for me to do; I think it’s relaxing and gives me an opportunity to explore my creativity. Generally, the most common thing that I do is just paint them a solid color and maybe use two alternating different shades. However, there are times that I want to do something more, but don’t want to spend money to get them done. Here’s a few DIY nail art styles that I do that others can feel free to try.

Note: I recommend throwing a clear coat on top of all the final looks to smooth them out.

Ombré

Be forewarned, nail polish remover is going to be needed to clean up the final look. Pick at least two different colors of nail polish — to go more drastic, use colors that aren’t similar in shade and/or hue. Take a square makeup sponge and paint the thicker end with both of the colors. The two colors don’t need to touch, but make sure there’s a plentiful amount on the sponge. Dab the makeup sponge onto the nail, adjusting the placement slightly to emphasize the ombré and get the colors to mix. Repeat this — adding a bit more nail polish each time — until it’s as pigmented as desired. 

Multi-toned

I’m going to suggest using two colors, but feel free to use more. For the base color that will go on the entire nail, I would recommend using something lighter, because it’ll be easier to put a darker tone on top of it. Depending on the brand, shade, etc., it could take a couple of coats. Let the first color dry completely. Using the second color, try to draw a straight line of nail polish horizontally across the nail. Using nail tape, scotch tape or drawing lightly with a pencil can help keep the line straight and clean. If tape was used, wait until the second color is dry before removing it. This can also be done vertically or diagonally, depending on preference. Try layering it up as well or swapping colors for different fingernails.

Small flowers

Multiple colors can be used for this one, so don’t be afraid to go crazy or just stick with something simple. Firstly, just paint the nails a base color of some sort. Next, take the next color that’s going to be used for the flowers and dab some of it onto a sandwich bag. Dip the end of a bobby pin into the polish and place a dot onto the dried nail. Repeat this process, placing dots close together to create a five petaled flower. Let it dry, then take another color — preferably something lighter, such as white or a pastel — and dab some of it on the sandwich bag as well. Repeat the step with the bobby pin, but only use it to dot the center of the flower.

 

Contact the author at rhorrall17@wou.edu

Photos by Rylie Horrall

Trading out books for bills

Rylie Horrall  | Lifestyle Editor

After finals are all finished, many students may be excited because of two things: one, spring break is around the corner, and two, they can get rid of their textbooks. Most classes on campus have textbooks that require students to pay potentially large sums of money for them. If, once the term is over, that textbook no longer has a purpose, there’s a few things that can be done.

The WolfStore, located in the Werner University Center, will generally buy back books during the last two to three weeks of the term. While some books won’t be bought back, it’s a chance for someone to get a little bit of their money back. If the textbook is in ‘high demand,’ meaning if the book will be utilized during the following term, it can be worth more. Currently, students can sell their books until March 20.

There’s also the alternative of selling textbooks on Amazon using their buyback/trade-in program. Like the WolfStore, selling won’t always work — depending on the condition or whether the book qualifies for the trade-in. If a student chooses this route, their money would only be available as an Amazon gift card. On the other hand, there are a few used bookstores and thrift stores in the IndyMo area that could be interested in purchasing used textbooks.

Many students take the route of just selling their used books to their friends, should their friends need them for next term. A person may not make money this way, if they choose not to charge somebody that’s interested, but the one who’s receiving the book could be saving a lot of money, especially if the textbook is expensive.

 

Contact the author at rhorrall17@wou.edu

Photo by Rylie Horrall

Tips to follow for raising your credit score

Rylie Horrall  | Lifestyle Editor

For those who aren’t sure what a credit score really is, it’s something that “reflects credit payment patterns over time,” according to experian.com. It’s an important financial consideration in someone’s life, as it is the deciding factor in multiple scenarios — such as taking out loans or getting additional credit cards later in life. A credit score is found using an algorithm on a person’s credit report, and it takes into account certain factors like account types, how long an account has been open and payment history. Because a good credit score is highly sought after and makes the user look responsible, it’s important to know how to raise it.

One of the simplest things to do is to pay bills when they are due. That repayment history can be used to predict how someone will take care of future settlements. This applies to credit cards, student loans, phone bills, rent, utilities and so on. By missing payments or getting charged a late fee, a negative mark can appear on an individual’s credit score for around seven years. However, according to experian.com, a negative mark’s prominence declines over time as newer payments are more relevant.

Specifically with credit cards, keeping a low balance is vital for a credit utilization ratio. A credit utilization ratio is calculated on the amount incurred on a credit card divided by the total credit limit across all credit cards owned, not just the one that is used. By keeping the ratio below 30%, it shows that the user isn’t maxing out credit cards every single month. It’s also an indicator of how well money and credit is being managed. Furthermore, if a credit card is no longer being used, don’t close it — if it isn’t costing any fees, it can increase the ratio since there is more total credit.

Checking credit reports is another key factor in maintaining good credit scores. If there’s an inaccuracy on a report, it can have drastic negative impacts if it goes unchecked. It could decide if someone can take out a loan or not, or even affect their lending terms and interest rates. According to myfico.com, contacting the credit bureau and organization that sends the credit bureau information can help fix the problem that’s been noticed.

 

Contact the author at rhorrall17@wou.edu

Photo by Rylie Horrall

Rearranging and recreating your space

Rylie Horrall  | Lifestyle Editor

I’m someone that needs a new change of scenery every once in a while — that can mean that I want to go out to the city for a day trip, try shopping somewhere new or just go on a walk. The easiest thing I do when I get into that slump is redecorate or rearrange my room. It always feels like a nice change of pace and doesn’t take much to do, not to mention there are plenty of benefits to redoing a bedroom.

A room can become cluttered after some time, so rearranging can help get rid of some things that have served their purpose. They don’t have to necessarily be thrown out either, as something that’s still useful can be donated if it’s no longer needed. Taking the time to go through things can also be cathartic — different objects could trigger nostalgic and happy memories, or there can be satisfaction in throwing away things that bring back unwanted reminders. If spring cleaning is on a to-do list for the future, redecorating and purging can be a way to get a jumpstart.

This type of project could work as a stress reliever and distraction from tension-inducing activities. After a long week of work and school, with obligations and due dates hanging over one’s head, taking a break to focus on a space designated for yourself can clear the mind. Plus, redecorating a space that’s frequently occupied can brighten the room back up; it increases someone’s productivity and exercises the creative side someone might not know they have, according to agapepress.org. 

The effect that rearranging can have on someone’s mood is beneficial as well. For a person that’s been in a strange funk lately or just hasn’t been in the greatest of moods for an unknown reason, a remodel could be what they need to improve their spirit. According to agapepress.org, a fresh look can bring life into an otherwise lackluster space, and can inspire an individual to so much more in everyday activities.

 

Contact the author at rhorrall17@wou.edu

Photo by Rylie Horrall

How to: Charcuterie board basics

Caity Healy  | Managing Editor

For those looking for a delicious, easy and aesthetically pleasing appetizer, charcuterie boards have been all the rage. Charcuterie, a French word which by definition is a branch of cooking involving prepared meats, is something that ages back to before refrigeration — it was born out of necessity. However, today it serves as a quick, pretty party-pleaser that is not only restricted by the root of its name; charcuterie boards can be modified to match a party’s crowd, one’s budget or even what’s in the fridge. 

All it takes to get started is a cute dish or cutting board of some sort and a little imagination. I’ve created two boards for inspiration: a basic meat and cheese board and a pancake board. However, remember that these can be adjusted however one sees fit. 

 

Meat and Cheese Board

What you’ll need:

Salami

Gouda cheese

Sharp cheddar cheese

Almonds

Green olives

Grapes

Marinated artichoke hearts

Mini dill pickles

Crackers 

Toasted sliced baguette

Herbs for greenery (basil, thyme or rosemary work well)

 

Pancake Board

What you’ll need:

Pancakes

Syrup

Blueberries

Strawberries

Raspberries

Whip cream

Chocolate chips

Butter

Peanut butter

 

Quick tips for charcuterie boards:

-The preparation is basic; it’s the presentation that’s key. Try to really fill the board, unless you’re going for a minimal look — in that case, leave intentional blank spaces.

-Find cute dishes to serve toppings in from thrift stores. It looks cuter, and it saves you money.

-Make sure to mix colors on the board to help it look vibrant.

 

Contact the author at chealy16@wou.edu

Photos by Caity Healy

Do something fun this leap year

Rylie Horrall  | Lifestyle Editor

This year is a leap year, which means there’s an extra day tacked onto the end of February, subsequently pushing forward the rest of the months to follow by a day. For those who don’t know, this happens every four years, and, if they didn’t exist, we would already be in the year 2021. Here are some ways to commemorate the extra day that we have this month.

Play leapfrog

Spend this year’s leap day playing leapfrog with a group of friends. It’s just the same as any other day, but why not play into the theme of ‘leaping?’

Celebrate a birthday

Have any friends that were born on a leap day? Celebrate their birthday with them, since it technically only happens every four years, making them only five years old. Go all out and invite a bunch of people, grab some food and get an activity set up such as a movie marathon or various board games.

Have a self-care day

The end of the term is nearing, which can mean that tests and classes become more stressful. Having an extra day could be beneficial for some much needed rest and relaxation. Take a bubble bath, hang out in pajamas all day, watch some favorite shows or partake in some hobbies. It’s important to give the mind a break and take a mental health day if it’s needed.

Sleep in

For anyone that feels like they’re behind on sleep, having an added day may be a blessing. This Feb. 29 is a Saturday, so it’s a great chance to sleep in and catch up on some much needed z’s that have been lost due to late night studying and early morning classes.

Enjoy the day

Take the day to relax and spend time with friends. Go out and enjoy the sunshine that’s been slowly creeping in by planning a picnic. Since this is Oregon, however, double check the weather the day before to ensure that unexpected rain doesn’t diminish plans the day of.

Memory box

Create a box that can only be opened on Feb. 29; fill it with pictures from the day or just overall favorite photos. Another addition can be a note to a future self or group of people, or some sort of memorabilia from a group gathering. Once the next leap year hits, then it can be opened again to see a progression of change from the last four years. 

 

Contact the author at rhorrall17@wou.edu

Photo by Kay Bruley

Photo by Kyle Morden

Buying made morally easy

Sage Kiernan-Sherrow  | News Editor

Although thrift shopping is still the most sustainable and ethical way to shop, many people prefer shopping online or find the concept of purchasing previously-worn clothes dismal. However, researching brands and online clothing stores is time-consuming, sustainable clothing is often more expensive and, while many people care about supporting ethical and sustainable brands, they feel intimidated by the task of weeding through information. Fortunately, now they don’t have to. Here are some online clothing stores that are ethically and/or sustainably sourced. 

 

Everlane

A California-based company, Everlane conducts in-depth research on every factory they partner with and pride themselves on being “radically” transparent, according to their website. They are up-front about the cost it takes to manufacture each piece of clothing, and often share their production stories online. Everlane primarily makes minimalistic clothing and their basics all run for less than $50. 

 

Love Justly and thredUp

These two are coupled together because they represent similar concepts; Love Justly partners with already-confirmed ethical clothing brands to purchase their excess stock and sell it for less than the market price. They’re extremely budget-friendly, sell many styles of clothing and they offer free shipping on orders over $50. Similarly, thredUp ⏤  the “world’s largest online thrift store,” according to thegoodtrade.com ⏤ is committed to second-hand shopping, where clothes that are not accepted for resale are recycled or repurposed.

 

Alternative Apparel and Threads 4 Thought

Both Alternative Apparel and Threads 4 Thought represent similar minimalistic styles for competitive prices. Alternative Apparel uses organic and recycled cotton and hemp and is currently pledging to replace all virgin polyester in their clothing with 100% recycled polyester by 2021, according to their website. Threads 4 Thought utilizes sustainable material, promises ethical working conditions and gives part of their profits to the International Rescue Committee.

 

Dazey LA

By far the most expensive on the list, Dazey’s apparel runs between $50-100, but is chalk-full of colorful, unique and artsy statement pieces. They are committed to empowering women and print phrases on their clothing to promote conversations about women’s rights. They use organic materials, are committed to zero waste and some proceeds go to supporting female entrepreneurs.

 

The aforementioned brands are a good start for people looking to limit their ecological footprint and commit to ethical practices, but ethical shopping can be done anywhere ⏤ from local farmer’s markets, to thrift stores, to buying DIY. 

 

Contact the author howlnews@wou.edu

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