Hey Hawkeyes!

Hope your winter break is going well! This break, I decided to pick up some books and dive into reading. If you’re looking for something new to add to your list, here are my recommendations for the new year:

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
A woman kills her husband and then completely stops speaking, while a psychotherapist makes it his life’s mission to “save” her. This thriller/mystery had an intriguing premise, but it didn’t completely blow me away. I’m giving it a 3/5. The pacing was slow, the characters were somewhat likable but didn’t stand out, and while the plotline was decent, it didn’t quite live up to its potential. It’s not horrible, but it’s also not amazing—a middle-of-the-road read for me.

The Appeal by Janice Hallett 
Now, this one is a favorite of mine! It’s not written like a traditional novel; instead, it’s presented entirely through documents, making it a unique mystery. The story focuses on a local theater troupe preparing for their next performance when the director’s granddaughter is diagnosed with cancer. This prompts a fundraising effort, but not everyone is convinced the money is going where it should. Then, a dead body is found in one of the props, turning rehearsals into utter chaos. The drama unfolds as lawyers sift through the documents to figure out “whodunit.” I loved the variety of characters and how you get a front-row seat to all the drama without the characters themselves being fully aware of it. I’m giving it a solid 4/5. While it does have a follow-up called The Christmas Appeal, I don’t recommend it since it’s essentially the same as The Appeal.

Wicked by Gregory Maguire
I’m still in the process of reading this one, but so far, so good! Wicked gives you the Wicked Witch’s perspective, which is such a contrast to the classic Wizard of Oz story from Dorothy’s point of view. Compared to the movie, the book definitely takes a darker, more complex view of the land of Oz. I’ll let you know my full thoughts once I’ve finished it, but if you’re into reimagined classics, this one’s worth checking out.

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Hey Hawkeyes!

I had plans to recommend a Christmas movie, but let’s be real—I didn’t watch either of the ones on my list. Luckily, I did check out some new movies that came out recently, so here are my thoughts!

Mufasa
Let’s start with this new musical—it was pretty good! I’m giving it a 7/10. Seeing Mufasa’s backstory added so much depth to characters like Scar, Rafiki, and, of course, Mufasa himself. The songs brought more personality to the story, which I loved. That said, I wasn’t a fan of the way the narrative kept cutting back to Rafiki talking with Pumbaa, Timon, or Kiara—it always seemed to happen right when the story was getting really good. Still, I enjoyed it overall and now feel a little more motivated to check out the live-action Lion King.

A Real Pain
Surprisingly good! I’m giving this one an 8/10. The story follows a pair of cousins on a trip to honor their late grandmother, which stirs up a lot of past emotions. I feel like you’re really just watching them go through life, going through grief, and trying to reconnect, It’s simple but really well done—definitely worth a watch.

Wicked
OMG, I absolutely loved this! It’s a solid 9.5/10 for me. Everything was just chef’s kiss—the songs, the costumes, the cast, the sets—it all came together so beautifully. I feel like as someone who has never seen the play I was easily engaged and was able to see the similarities with he Wizard of Oz. I’m already counting down the days for part 2, and now I can’t wait to dive into the book to see how it all wraps up!

So there you have it—a mix of musicals, drama, and magic to keep you entertained during the break. Whether you’re looking for something heartfelt, nostalgic, or just plain spectacular, these movies have a little bit of everything. Until next time, stay warm and enjoy the holiday season Hawkeyes!

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Hello Hawkeyes!

It’s finally time for my Christmas movie picks! This time, I’ll share two recommendations and two movies on my watch-list for the upcoming weeks. Let’s get started!

The Polar Express

Rating: 10/10

The Polar Express is exactly how I imagined the North Pole as a kid. This movie embodies the magic of Christmas and the holiday season that many of us wish could last all year. It’s been a yearly tradition for me, so in my opinion, it’s a must-watch—especially if you’re ready to embrace the holiday spirit!

The Grinch

Rating: 9/10

I’ve always loved The Grinch for his quirky attitude and his adorable sidekick, Max. Whoville is hilariously unprepared for the chaos they unleash leading up to Christmas! I prefer the animated version because the characters are so much cuter compared to the original, where the Grinch looks creepier (which I’m sure was intentional). This is a simple, heartwarming movie with a fun twist on a classic story.

Onto My Watchlist…

Krampus

I’m still in the Halloween mood, so Krampus seems like the perfect mix of Christmas and spooky vibes. I vaguely remember starting it before but getting too scared to finish it! The story centers on Krampus, a dark and menacing figure who punishes those on the “naughty” list. It’s about a dysfunctional family trying to band together and defeat him. Wish me luck getting past the first 10 minutes this time!

A Christmas Story

This is on my list simply because it’s a classic that so many movies reference. I’ve never actually seen it, but from what I’ve read, it follows a typical ’40s kid navigating Christmas with his family (and a bully!). I’m not sure if I’ll love it, but it never hurts to give a classic a try.

Hopefully, if you’ve seen the first two movies, you love them as much as I do! And if you haven’t seen the last two, maybe we can check them out together this season.

As we head into winter, keep an eye out for my upcoming Winter Weather Activity Guide! Stay warm, and I’ll see you soon!

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Hello, Hawkeyes! Hope your transition into fall has been as good as mine! With Halloween season here, let’s dive into my favorite scary movie recommendations.

Evil Dead

Rating: 9/10
If you’re looking for heart-racing jump scares and intense suspense, Evil Dead delivers! Here’s a quick summary: Mia, hoping to overcome her drug addiction, asks her brother David, his girlfriend Natalie, and their friends Olivia and Eric to join her at their family’s remote cabin for support. Things take a dark turn when Eric discovers the mysterious Book of the Dead and unknowingly awakens an ancient demon. Chaos ensues as the malevolent entity possesses Mia, leading to a terrifying night they’ll never forget.

Monster House

Rating: 8/10 (mostly for nostalgia!)
Monster House may not be super scary, but 8-year-old me would disagree! This animated classic is about three teens who can’t resist investigating their creepy neighbor’s “haunted” house, especially after he warns them to stay off his lawn. As they uncover the house’s dark secret, they realize that it may be alive—and they’re determined to find out why.

The Visit

Rating: 7/10
This one’s just…odd! But in the best way. The Visit follows two siblings who go to spend a week with their grandparents in rural Pennsylvania. As the week unfolds, the kids start noticing that something is definitely off with their grandparents. The entire movie keeps you guessing with twists you won’t see coming.

If you haven’t seen these three, I hope you enjoy them as much as I did. If you have, they’re definitely worth a re-watch! As Halloween wraps up, stay tuned for my Christmas movie recommendations.

See ya! 🎃

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Hello Hawkeyes! Hope you’re enjoying the start of fall weather as much as I am! As the days get cooler, it can feel a bit tougher to stay academic, so here are some tips to keep the motivation going and avoid the slump.

Take a Break

Midterms, homework, and projects may be piling up, but sometimes, the best thing you can do is take a break. Whether it’s going to the gym, reading a book, watching a movie, or trying a new hobby, giving yourself a breather can be just what you need to reignite that academic flame. My personal favorite is catching an episode of House whenever I can.

Get a New Hobby

You might wonder, If I’m already so busy with school, why would I add something else to the mix? Trying something new can actually relieve stress since there’s no pressure like a grade hanging over it. Plus, it’s a great way to unwind! I picked up crocheting over winter break last year, and it’s become a relaxing go-to when I need a mental reset.

Go Outside

Fresh air does wonders for the brain! Spending all day indoors isn’t great for your body or mind, so take advantage of our beautiful campus green spaces or nearby parks. Whether you walk, sit, run, or even play games outside, a dose of nature can be refreshing.

As winter approaches, it’s easy to fall into the habit of skipping class or letting the homework slide, but hang in there—fall break is just around the corner for a much-needed reset! See ya!

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We’re back in Iowa City for another semester! If it’s your first time here, welcome to Iowa City!

Home to amazing restaurants, the best student sections, the friendliest people, and so much more. Let me take you through my three favorite parts of being back on campus!

1. Iowa Football

   Nothing beats a game day at Kinnick Stadium! The energy in the student section is unmatched. Personally, I wasn’t a big football fan until I went to my first game last year, and now I’m slowly getting hooked. Whether you’re into football or not, traditions like the Iowa Wave make Kinnick come alive as we cheer on our fellow Hawkeyes!

2. Outdoors

   If you love the outdoors, Iowa City has plenty to offer. On and near campus, there’s a ton of green space, like the Pentacrest and the park across from Hancher Auditorium. If you’re looking to venture off campus, I have two amazing recommendations.

   Lake MacBride State Park is about a 20-minute drive north of downtown and offers beautiful lake views and trails that take you into the woods.

   

   

3. Shopping and Coffee

   Iowa City has a variety of shops where you’re sure to find something you love. My current favorite is Beno’s Flower Shop—the atmosphere is so cute and cozy. If you’re into plants, crystals, or jewelry, you’ll definitely find something here. I love getting their small, shaped crystals because they’re adorable, and their crystal wall has so many options. When it comes to coffee shops, I have one requirement: they must serve good chai. While many shops offer it, I think Poindexter does it best. It’s also one of the best spots to study, thanks to its dim lighting and quiet atmosphere. I haven’t explored the full menu yet, but the seasonal items are always a hit—my favorite is the Maple Praline Latte.

   

   

   
   Welcome back to Iowa City, and enjoy the fall weather! See you around!

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I can’t believe it’s already time to begin preparing for the next semester, which is crazy to say because time is flying by! So, I’m going to give a brief overview of how I prepared for my first semester at Iowa!

• Scholarships

Definitely something you don’t want to miss, when you hear people saying scholarships are important, listen to them! Iowa has a pretty good scholarship pool for first-time students that is based on your major, interest, or personal background. You can never have enough scholarships so it’s also really good to apply for outside scholarships which can be a little harder to qualify and receive because there are more applicants than just those who attend your school!

• Finding a Roommate

If you are living on campus and aren’t single it’s important to find a good roommate that suits your living style. I currently live with a friend from my high school and I found it made my college adjustment so much easier because I already knew who I was living with. But, honestly, if you don’t know your roommate beforehand I definitely recommend reaching out to them and being honest about how you live to avoid uncomfortable conversations down the line!

• Planning Out Your Room

I know it seems a little odd, but your is going to mean a lot to you because you won’t really have any other place to hole up some days. I started by planning on Pinterest by looking at how other people used similar-sized spaces for some cute decor and ideas. From there I tried to find places where I could just make a huge order so I would have a ton of little packages, I used Bed Bath and Beyond and Amazon! From there I would open and test everything I brought because when you buy dorm things early there is no time to try it actually in the dorm so, the house ends up looking a little messy but in the grand scheme of things it is definitely worth it. I plan on making a more detailed dorm guide in the next month so definitely be on the lookout for where I will go through some of my best and worst purchases to my dorm!

college is stressful, exciting, and everything in between but if you aren’t prepared for even the basic overlooked part of it you will definitely find yourself more stressed out. Without these three tips, I don’t think I would have adjusted to college life as easily as I did, which I am incredibly thankful for. Anyway, definitely be on the lookout for my in-depth dorm guide, and I will see you soon<3

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If you haven’t gotten the gist of today’s post it’s all about coffee shops! Recently, I’ve been on an insane kick for buying coffee and different types of pastries, so let’s get started with my top 3 shops!

• Java House

The best place for super sweet drinks! My personal fav is the Decadent Dark Mocha Frappe, so so good! If you like dark chocolate with no taste of coffee then this is for you. I don’t like to taste coffee super strong because I think it is too bitter, so the sugar masks it up really well. Another plus is the cookies, specifically the chocolate chunk. I know the chocolate chip is a little played out but you can never go wrong with a classic, especially in Java House. Definity is one of my favorites because they are super big and have so many chocolate chips, which is so yummy!

• Prarie Lights

BEST HOT CHOCOLATE EVER! If you’ve never had rose hot chocolate, please try it:) I’m not really sure how to describe it but it’s like a light flowery blush along with the hot chocolate. The first time I tried it I was super surprised at how much I really enjoyed it and I think if you’re into sweeter but lighter flavor you would definitely enjoy this.

• Encounter Cafe

My personal favorite because I am a big fan of chai! A lot of cafes don’t have the best quality chairs because they use syrups and not the real thing but encounter is not playing around when it comes to their chai. I try to avoid drinking actual dairy so their chai blend works so well with almond milk with it being too overpowering.

Iowa City definitely has so many unique cafes that all have different vibes that can fit everyone’s unique style. nothing is better than a good drink from any of these three cafes if you take my word for it, but there are still many cafes I still have to explore! I’ll definitely be doing a restaurant review shortly because there are so many hidden gems I think everyone should know about! See you soon<3

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Winter is coming back regardless of how nice it is right now, sooo the only thing to do now is to prepare for the inevitable. I am the type of person to be completely bundled up in winter, I can’t stand the feeling of the vicious cold on my body so I try to get the most useful things against the cold.

Long puffer jacket

My saving grace of the winter season, genuinely I don’t know what I would do without it. My jacket is from Nautica and it has done a really good job of lasting since I got it a year and a half ago. I say when it comes to winter coat there are three things I look for: the fit, length, and thickness, and this jacket hits all three marks. Starting with the fit I got mine a little bigger so I can still wear sweatshirts and sweaters easily underneath it. In the past, I have had jackets that have been super tight when I wear their types of tops and it makes me really hot with all the layers on so tightly. Going onto the length, something about a long jacket is going to do it for me every time. You are probably thinking who cares how long the jacket is? I used to think the same way until I slipped and fell into a wet puddle of slush that left my butt soaking wet, so having a longer coat really helps to avoid these situations and longer jackets look better for layering outfits too! Finally thickness, not all winter jackets are made the same, some are made for light wind and some are made for freezing temperatures. Luckily, my jacket leans on the thicker side which is perfect for the various winter temperatures of Iowa City. Regardless, without a winter jacket, it is impossible to stand a chance against the winter weather if you don’t have something to protect yourself.

Snowboots

Another holy grail that I completely underestimated how useful they would be. Before coming to college I hadn’t worn snow boots since elementary school because I found them unappealing to the eyes but times and designs have changed. I recently purchased the Sorel boots and haven’t looked back because of their comfort, stability, and durability. Easily one of my winter staple shoes because they go with a lot of outfits and still look good. The best part is my feet don’t get cold when I wear them because of the wind compared to my tennis shoes. These are also AMAZING when it comes to walking on ice, snow, slush, and even puddles so no more wet socks. Overall, I am totally in love with these boots because they are so versatile and durable through the winter elements, so I wouldn’t mind some more snow.

Accessories

While winter is cold it easily has some of the best accessories. Starting off with my favorite, earmuffs, I can’t rave enough about these. I purchased mine from Amazon in November when it started getting a little cold and they’ve held up really well. Personally, I don’t like wearing beanies because they mess up my hair so earmuffs are perfect for protecting your ears without compromising a great hair day. Since they are pretty small it’s easy to just throw them inside your back if you are not sure how cold it will get that day and they are even comfortable enough to wear all day if you don’t want to take them off. Next up are scarves, I rotate between two scarves, a monogram and plain colored, which allows us to switch up the look depending on what I wear. Most importantly, scarves are perfect for having some protection against harsh winds and snow from hitting my face.

Between my top three winter picks, I can’t even choose a favorite, each one works so well with the other that I really think about them as a one-fluid option when it comes to getting ready for cold snow days! No matter how cold winter gets, I hope everyone can stay warm and stay tuned for my next post of cute and cozy places for Valentine’s Day! See you there <3

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