Spring Semester Recap and Summer 2025 Plans!

Posted on May 27, 2025

Hello everyone!!

As I am currently wrapping up my first week of summer, I thought I would do a little recap and then discuss what I will be up to for the next three months!

I had finals about a week ago, and in the midst of that, had packing, magazine launch parties, move-out preparation (Gotta love the RA role!), and then hanging out with friends, of course. Several close friends of mine just graduated this past week and are off to do incredible things in every corner of the world – shoutout to one in particular: fellow blogger Elana Walters! I’m going to miss being in the same city!

I have also had some hard realities to face as my semester rolled its credits. Not only with my friends starting their adult lives, but also my time at Iowa is coming to an end. This is my last summer where I get to look forward to coming back to Iowa City and hanging out with my closest friends on a daily basis. I’m going to miss being here. Adulthood is getting close, and while that is exciting, there are so many paths to choose from, and I have no way of knowing until months from now where I’m going to end up.

However, I have a summer and one more year to make things count. Here is what I am up to when I’m not at Iowa:

• Catching up with friends back in Arizona (day trips to Sedona, anyone?)
• Visiting family in Indiana, getting my French passport, and possibly a Universal Studios trip?
• My boyfriend is coming to visit!!! I think this is the highlight of my summer.
• Enjoying my favorite eats here in my hometown, like Dutch Bros and Dayung’s
• My internships with Bookstr and my local chamber of commerce!
• Working my summer job at Abercrombie!
• Training for a half-marathon

As you can tell, this is not a relaxing summer. I don’t think I’ve genuinely ever given myself time off, I like being busy!

But here is a quick life update for y’all, and I am excited to share many more things at Iowa this fall! Have an amazing summer.

-Solenn

 

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Hyper Energy Bar Review

Posted on April 29, 2025May 2, 2025

Hey all!

Recently, a new cafe opened up in Iowa City. This one is called Hyper, and it specializes in energy drinks. I am not a big energy drink person, but I thought it was worth a try since it is already so popular.

I have a bad caffeine sensitivity, so I ordered a caffeine-free drink. I am so happy they offer that as an option! I got a white chocolate and blue raspberry flavored one. It had a good flavor, but energy drinks are not as yummy as a chai or matcha in my opinion.

A lot of people love Hyper, though, so worth a try if you like energy drinks!

-Solenn

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AWP Conference in LA

Posted on April 29, 2025May 2, 2025

Hello all!

Wow, April has been such a busy month as I’m wrapping up the school year and preparing for summer and my last year of college! (what?!)

Earlier this month, I went to AWP, the Association for Writers and Writing Programs conference. I went on behalf of the University of Iowa as a representative of the English department. I got a stipend in exchange for working a shift at the Iowa booth at the book fair.

In my free time, I spent time exploring the conference by chatting with presses and publishers, buying books from independent presses, and going to sessions held by authors and people in publishing. I learned tons of writing advice, how to pitch manuscripts, and even got my book signed by Carmen Maria Machado, an Iowa alum and a favorite author of mine!

In the evenings, my friends and I explored downtown L.A. This was my first time being in that part of California, and it was fun! We had a fancy dinner at a rooftop restaurant and went to the Last Bookstore and found ridiculously cheap books.

The conference will be held in Baltimore next year, and I have every intention of going again!

-Solenn

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New Coffee Shop Review: Daydrink

Posted on March 24, 2025

Hello all,

I tried a new coffee shop the other day, called Daydrink. It is tucked away in a neighborhood on Bowery St, making it a quiet place to relax and enjoy a drink!

I was on a rainy run that took me past it and decided to stop by as a post-workout treat. The baristas were so kind, and I had a fun conversation while waiting for my drink. I ordered a fig matcha with brown sugar – phenomenal! It came in a cute glass jar.

Inside Daydrink, they have cute plants, tables, and tiny old-school block TVs with shelves and shelves of old VHS tapes. It made me feel like a kid again!

 

I highly recommend checking this place out!

Bye for now,
Solenn

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Spring Break in Arizona!

Posted on March 24, 2025

Hey y’all,

Iowa just went on spring break, and I am headed home to Arizona! I only go home for breaks as an out-of-state student, so I’m looking forward to seeing my family, friends, and dogs!

It is in the 70s back home, so I’m looking forward to going on runs and tanning. I also am on the internship-grind, but I plan on getting some reading in, too.

While I was home, I checked out a fun new bookshop in Gilbert called The Bookish Shop. They had a cafe and lots of romantasy novels and bookish gifts like stickers and candles.

I am looking forward to coming back to Iowa City refreshed and ready to tackle the second half of the semester. A month and a half to go until summer!

Bye for now,
Solenn

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Date Night In Iowa City

Posted on March 3, 2025

Hello all,

Today I would like to share some fun places to go on dates in Iowa City! Whether they are best-friend dates, first dates, or with a partner, there are many student-budget-friendly places in town, or if you’d like to splurge, there are options for that, too!

Budget friendly:

• Z’mariks: For pasta-aficionados, I recommend this low-key eatery. They have big servings for ten bucks, or go on Mondays, where you can get a bowl of mac-and-cheese for 5 bucks!
• Java House/Heirloom: Great coffee (or matcha!) for a chill hangout. Stop by the next-door restaurant Heirloom for some great sandwiches and salads to accompany the caffeine, if dinner or lunch seems like a promising next step.
• Encounter: My favorite first-date place (and success story – my now-boyfriend and I had our first date there!), grab brunch or a casual coffee. No matter the outcome of the date, you can at least guarantee a delicious treat!
• Basta: For my Italian-food lovers out there who want an elevated dinner experience. Lots of gluten-free options and amazing pasta!!
• St. Burch’s Tavern: If aesthetics are your thing, the interior is charming and cozy. Large menu accompanies many different tastes in dining
• Airliner: Delicious, cheap pizza on Sundays. If you’re sporty, a fun place to catch an episode of The Bachelor or a Hawkeye sports game with friends!
• Baroncini: Cute outdoor patio and delicious Italian! I love going here with friends for a girls’ night out, but makes a great date night.
• Spare Me: If food isn’t your thing, Spare Me is a fun bowling alley. Get some snacks and go score some spares!
• FilmScene: Local movie theater, lots of yummy snacks and frequent discounts for students! See new releases or showings of older films
• Yotopia: Fancy a sweet treat? The best froyo in town!!!

These are just a few places of interest, but there are so many more restaurants, shops, and more, depending on your interests. If you have a car, Coralville has even more opportunities! Don’t forget to check the Iowa City events calendar for things like food crawls, concerts, etc!

Bye for now,
Solenn

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UCLA vs. Iowa

Posted on February 27, 2025

Hello all!

Today I want to recap our close game against UCLA this past Sunday. This season has been exciting with a new set of talented freshman, our beloved returners, and the attempt to grow without our core 4 and with our new head coach, Jan Jensen. With the new addition of West Coast teams, it has been fun adding new challenging teams to our bracket.

It was Pink Out at Carver Hawkeye in support of breast cancer, so we all came out in show! We had a surprise visitor, Cooper DeJean, who just came off his first season with the Eagles as a Super Bowl champion! What a way to show Hawkeye pride. Former head coach Lisa Bluder also was present, much to the joy of the crowd.

The game was close, often less than five points apart. I lost my voice the next day from how loud I was screaming. Our women did wonderfully on the defense, effortlessly blocking passes and snatching the ball. Sadly, we lost to free throws for UCLA, but we gave it our all.

I’m looking forward to where we stand going into March Madness, based on how well we’re doing. Make sure to cheer on the Hawkeyes in the next couple months!

Bye for now,
Solenn

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Don’t Turn Around – It’s Hadestown!

Posted on January 31, 2025

Welcome back everyone,

Today is my opportunity to let out my inner theater kid and express my love for Hadestown. Iowa City has a fantastic performing arts scene, which means that Hancher Auditorium regularly hosts off-Broadway productions, such as Hadestown. I got to see it for about 100 bucks with a student discount.

I went in completely blind, with only a vague idea of the story – the best way to do so in my opinion. The national tour cast is INCREDIBLE. Bryan Munar, who played Orpheus, is easily the best one. His performance of “Wait For Me” drove me to tears. I was transfixed for the entire two hours, and I gasped when he turned around at the very end.

I have been using the soundtrack as my movie soundtrack to walk to class. Go see it if you haven’t!!!

Oh, and we got a Playbill too.

-Solenn

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A Wild Night in Carver!

Posted on January 31, 2025

Hello everyone and welcome back to the blog!

This past week I went to the Northwestern versus Iowa Hawkeyes women’s basketball game. This was my first time back in Carver since the end of our phenomenal and historical season with Caitlin Clark last year. It was bittersweet losing all of our beloved seniors, but this year’s team is incredible.

It was a close game throughout most of it, but we pulled through at the end with a bigger lead and won! Seeing Lucy Olsen play in person was amazing!! And of course, Carver was filled with Iowa cheer.

Tickets are only five bucks a game for students, so go support your fellow Hawks!

Bye for now,
Solenn

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Places to go with your family in Iowa City!

Posted on December 30, 2024

Hello everyone! I am back to share my favorite places to take my family when they come visit me!

1. Wilson’s Orchard: Pick apples, shop at the farm store, and grab brunch or dinner at their restaurant!
2. A sports game: Iowa Athletics offers all sorts of sports for any fan, go and cheer on your peers!
3. Basta: An Italian restaurant with something for everyone. The outdoor patio offers a great ambience when the weather is nice
4. Stanley Art Museum: Come see the Jackson Pollock mural and a wide variety of art from around the world for free!
5. FilmScene: Catch a movie at one of two locations!
6. Encounter: A great brunch option or stop for coffee. The chai is incredible!
7. SpareMe: Have a bowling tournament with your family!
8. Coralville Mall: They have ice skating in the winter, a food court, and lots of shops, not to mention a MASSIVE Barnes and Noble

As an example, here is me at a women’s basketball game in Carver, a perfect way to spend time with the family!

This is a great way to enjoy some (free) options not out of your personal student wallet and to show your family why Iowa City is the best college town.

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