"Dress Up Your Address" (02/03/09)

I never appreciated how great I had it in the dorms until I had a space of my own. I spent my first year living in a double in Hitchcock, and despite grimy carpets and the occasional mouse in the shower, I had an adorable, well furnished room. With desks, dressers, bookshelves, beds, armchairs, and a fireplace, my room was cramped but cozy. The biggest problem was trying to find enough storage.

Later I moved into an apartment and faced a problem I never encountered in the dorms: What to do with all the space? Since my room in Hitchcock was pre-furnished, I had no furniture of my own for my new place. I decorated my dorm with posters duct-taped to the wall, but I felt that this wasn’t decor befitting a more mature space. I wanted to have an age-appropriate apartment—one that was classy but casual. I was totally clueless about how to create a functional and fashionable living area. Though my obsession with interior design meant I had lots of ideas about decorating, I worried that my tiny budget would make outfitting my apartment impossible. Right after signing my lease, I felt panicked instead of ecstatic. I wondered, Now What?

Furniture was the first problem. My roommate and I like to have friends over for movie and video game marathons, so comfy and copious seating was our first priority. We wanted to make an enclave of couches surrounding a TV, but our modest paychecks meant that retail stores were out of the question. Instead we found great deals on marketplace.uchicago.edu, a Craigslist-esque website just for the U of C community. In addition to a huge corduroy couch for $75, we scored a monster TV that was ours for only $70. Our purchases needed a little renovation—we went through many lint-rollers before our couch was fully free of cat hair—but buying from Marketplace allowed us to purchase furniture we never would have been able to afford otherwise.

Another thing I learned is that a coat of paint can make a dramatic difference in a space. I painted my bedroom a husky gray, and the muted silver tones added substance to the airy room without overpowering it. If your apartment is less-than-spacious, you can use paint to differentiate areas in multi-purpose rooms. My roommate and I have a combination living room/dining room, so we painted the dining room a light green, which echoes to the decorations in our living room but creates a distinct separation.

I felt that moving into an apartment meant that it was time to retire the posters and get some “big girl” decorations. I took the DIY route and got creative with room decor by expanding my notions of what could be mounted on a wall. I picked out some sheets of wrapping paper from Kate’s Paperie and mounted them in Ikea frames that I had painted burnt gold. One sheet of paper has beautiful flora and fauna motifs, and the other looks like a collage of vintage postcards. Each frame and sheet of wrapping paper was only $4, and for less than $20, I adorned my walls with pretty, dainty decorations that are much more sophisticated than my old posters.

You can also take a thrifty approach to decorating by recycling your glass bottles and creating easy table centerpieces. Wine bottles and Martinelli apple juice jars can be used as adorable vases for fresh flowers. The aesthetic is vintage-y, and since you’re using things you already own, the cost is minimal.

Next, I added pizzazz to plain surfaces with decoupage. I used Modge Podge glue to affix pages from vintage magazines to my boring white desk and chair. Any printed materials suitable for cutting and pasting, such as postcards, newspaper clippings, or pages from books, will work too. One of my friends used antique bird books to create a beautiful and unique desktop, and old medical textbooks would be quirky additions to a Spartan surface.

When confronted with the problem of where to put my stuff, I learned to make my decor do double-duty as storage. My two bookshelves did not come close to housing my massive book collection, so I used the books that didn’t fit to adorn my apartment. My collection of oversized artists’ monographs make great coffee table decorations, and I placed novels along the windowsill in the dining room to make the space feel cozy and plug the draft from under the window.

Though looking in my near-empty cupboards sometimes makes me wish I still had a Bartlett meal plan, I’m happy to be in a space of my own. While it’s daunting to face furnishing and decorating an apartment on almost no income, it is possible to make an empty space feel comfortable without spending a lot of cash. With creativity and a DIY–attitude, any budget-conscious student can live in style.

"Adventures: Andersonville" (01/27/09)

Most of us at the U of C have a deep and enduring passion for learning. Perhaps this is why some people become so wrapped up in the Life of the Mind that they neglect other aspects of their lives. Though scholarship should be our priority, we should also make time to take advantage of the amazing opportunities beyond the walls of the library. While it’s tempting to camp in a Reg cubicle until the beginning of spring quarter, beat the winter blahs by bundling up, braving the blustery winds, and getting off campus and into the city.

Although it is kind of a trek, trendy Andersonville is worth the trip. Take the #55 bus to the Garfield Red Line station and ride to the Berwyn stop. Before you balk at waiting on the platforms, remember that the elevated stops are outfitted with heat lamps. Walk down Berwyn to Clark Street and get ready to stuff your face, your closet, and your bookshelf without emptying your wallet.

Fuel up for a day of shopping with a savory crepe at Icosium Kafe (5200 North Clark Street). The food at this charming Moroccan restaurant is both beautiful and bountiful. Start your meal off with the mint tea and honey, served in a lovely silver teapot, or the monster-sized and succulent dulce de leche. All crepes come with a side of soup, so be sure to opt for the delicious vegetable puree with hints of yellow squash and carrots. For the main dish, choose from a sweet confection like the Crepe Aziz (fresh strawberries, kiwi, and dark chocolate or nutella), or a savory dish like the Cheka Chouka crepe (roasted bell peppers, arugula, goat cheese, carmelized onions, Roma tomatoes, pine nuts, roasted garlic, and baby spinach). If you don’t find a crepe on the menu to salivate over, you can make a custom one. Unlike many crepes, these thin pancakes aren’t sickly sweet, but light and porous. The decor is amazing—beaded chandeliers and fresh flowers adorn each table—and the service is great; our waitress let us sit and chat at the table long after we finished our meal and didn’t bring us the check until we asked for it. Expect to spend about $10 a person for food and drinks.

If you’re not in the mood for crepes, feed on some fabulous falafel at Taste of Lebanon (1509 West Foster Avenue). Gorge on massive portions of schwarma, lentil soup, and falafel wraps piled high with tomatoes and tahini. Cheap eats are a dime a dozen in Chicago, but these prices are almost ridiculous. A meal of pita, soup, and sandwich will run you only six dollars. Be sure to plan ahead though: Taste of Lebanon is cash-only and closed on Sundays.

Those of you who can never get enough cheap, chunky accessories will want to raid the kitschy costume jewelry selection at Presence (5216 North Clark Street). I scored a headband with delicate felt flowers, a simple gold ring with a single amber stone, and a whimsical necklace with shreds of pastel shells. Frugal fashionistas will also want to scour the handbag selection. I found a chic faux-snakeskin clutch for $14. The cocktail dresses are perfect for a last-minute party ensemble—you can look like a million bucks for less than $40. A zebra-print dress with kimono sleeves might be inappropriate for Sosc class but would be a cute look for a night on the town.

Bibliophiles should make a stop at Women and Children First Bookstore (5233 North Clark Street), a great place to shop for feminist classics and provocative new releases in queer literature. If your bookshelves are already overflowing, peruse the gift section, which includes snarky, politically charged satirical pieces and alternative menstrual products. The bookstore also hosts feminist-friendly readings and gatherings such as the upcoming Lesbian Poetry Celebration on February 15. Check their website (womenandchildrenfirst.com) for a full list of events.

On your way back to the El, grab a tasty bite to go at the Pasticceria Natalina (5406 North Clark). This elegant-but-affordable Sicilian bakery offers pastries, cannolis, marzipan fruits, and deliciously rich dark chocolate. When the weather gets warmer, remember to cool down with some homemade gelato.

As college students, though we strive to sustain the Life of the Mind, we should also remember to get a life outside of the classroom. There’s too much to do in the whole city to have the South Loop be the northern extent of our Chicago adventures. Just for a few hours, leave Foucault in your Reg locker, get on the El, and get exploring!

"Nail That Interview! Fashion Do's and Don'ts for Landing the Gig" (01/13/09)

The start of winter quarter means it’s time to break out the long underwear, waterproof your favorite boots, and head back to the library to wait for the thaw. In case you’re not already nostalgic for summers past, remember that in addition to Kuviasungnerk/Kangeiko and Midwinter Blues, winter quarter is also time for another U of C tradition: the frantic scramble for the summer internship.

At best, the summer internship, a no-brainer for many undergraduate students, is a modestly paid opportunity to dip your toes into the deep end of the employment pool, network with interesting people, maybe live in a new city, and, if you’re a writer, score some clips for your portfolio. At worst, it’s a glorified type of indentured servitude with an occasional stipend of cold coffee and yesterday’s newspaper.

Parents, teachers, and counselors justify the unpaid internship by saying it is a character-building stepping-stone to a prestigious job in publishing, academia, or museum work. Eating stale ramen in a windowless, $1,300 per month apartment does perhaps build scharacter, and in many fields, a summer of relentless projects and relative poverty is essentially a prerequisite for later full-time employment. In this uncertain economic time, establishing working relationships with industry professionals is more important than ever.

It’s an intern-eat-intern world out there, so how can you set yourself apart from the militant and highly-qualified pack during an interview? Once you’ve proofread your résumé, firmed up your handshake, and compiled a list of thoughtful questions to ask, the real work begins. With an interview, you’ve got about 20 minutes to convince a suspicious employer that you, a college student most comfortable in a uniform of sweatshirts and pajama pants, are ready for the big leagues.

One of my former bosses told me that while a good interview can compensate for a less-than-stellar résumé, a poor impression could eliminate a competitor with near-perfect grades and impressive extracurriculars. The trick is presenting yourself as calm, competent, and confident, which is easier said than done when various professions have different dress codes.

As my dad says, you should dress like you belong at the organization in order to make it easier for the interviewers to better envision you as a future member of the team. This doesn’t necessarily mean busting out the business casual. When I showed up at my first interview for a stylish women’s fashion and lifestyle magazine wearing a prim and proper pinstripe skirt suit, my ensemble revealed my self-consciousness and lack of real knowledge about the publication. So when it comes to interviews, how do you know where to wear what?

For my interviews at magazines, museums, and art galleries, I bucked business casual in favor of stylish and sophisticated ensembles that closer resembled the outfits worn by the editors and curators that I’ve met. I try to wear things that are polished and professional while still emphasizing aesthetics and creativity. My go-to interview outfit is a gray, knee-length, v-cut wool dress from Banana Republic with figure-flattering darts below the bust line and a well-defined waist. I top the dress with a cropped Gap jacket with three-quarter-length sleeves. Accessories take these staples from timeless to trendy. I always wear my favorite charm necklace and faux-pearl earrings. This winter, I will pay homage to the jewel-tone trend by pairing the outfit with my opaque amethyst tights.

Adrienne Schmoeker, a fourth-year public policy major with an econ concentration, just accepted a full-time offer to be a business analyst at Sears. To dress for corporate success, she says she always wears a gray pantsuit, teal button-up shirt, and black heels to interviews.

“[Dressing professionally] shows that you respect the occasion and whoever you will be speaking with,” Schmoeker says. She suggests that applicants for corporate jobs like hers should err on the side of conservatism. “Always over-dress,” she says. “It won’t hurt.” What works in Schmoeker’s field wouldn’t work in mine, and vice versa. Once you know what professionals in your field wear, you’ll be able to dress and conquer.

Many students apply for out-of-state internships, and our busy schedules and meager savings accounts often make it impossible to interview face-to-face. While it may be tempting to conduct phone interviews sprawled out on your bed in your grubbiest, comfiest sweats, this is a dangerous plan. Worst case scenario: You fall asleep on the phone. More likely you will sound a little tired or lackadaisical, not like the frenzied, internship-getting machine that you are.

I’ve had good experiences with phone interviews that I treated like in-person interviews. Make the effort to dress as you would for a face-to-face interview with that organization, and take the phone call in a straight-backed chair to recreate the anxiety-inducing face-to-face interrogation. Though the person on the other end of the line won’t know how great you look, dressing the part may help you sound alert and assured. Your interviewer will be able to appreciate your ensemble once you get the job!

Maybe you’ve decided to skip Kuvia and sleep through this week’s 6 a.m. calisthenics. However, the internship search is one U of C winter tradition you can’t miss. Figure out whether your interview attire should be boho-chic or business casual, and ring in the new year with a new internship. Summer will be here before we know it.