Everything you didn't expect to love this July

If you’re a teenage girl with a Twitter account, you’ve probably beaten me to the following announcement: July is coming to a close. In the last month, the world met some royal and some not-so-royal infants—Amanda Bynes included. Many people also ditched their knock-off Ray Ban Wayfarer sunglasses for a newer trend. Whatever it may be, a lot has taken place in July and some of the things you enjoyed most about July probably took you by surprise.

 

Media

Now, in media, there’s this term known as ‘guilty pleasure’. If that term wasn’t rubbish before, than it certainly is after July 2013. In print, television, and music, media consumers of every taste have been served content that is just too damn good to be ashamed of. First up, like a love struck Ron Weasley, we all stared as W Magazine placed their June/July issue on stands donning a much more matured version of Hermoine Granger actress, Emma Watson. Elegant and regal on the cover, Watson portrays herself not only capable of being a partner in mystical adventures, but also as a partner in our daydream love affairs. In her feature, the 23-year-old English student of Brown University talks on transforming her acting career into adulthood sans wand.

In the television world, on a channel of our acened adolescence, MTV began airing Rivals II. Featuring grudge-bearing duos from Real World seasons past, Rivals II stands as a reminder of the reality television that first brought our gawky teenage souls the utmost happiness. Maternity leave for Snooki could not have come at a better time. Reality TV looks much better on these seasoned Real World-ers competing every Wednesday night through obstacles and hormones in the tropics of Thailand for a share of $350,000.

Of the many tales you’ve heard after your friends’ 21^st birthday parties, nothing can quite compare to that of Selena Gomez. The Disney-born star rang in her 21^st birthday by debuting her first solo pop album. An album infused with bass and fast-paced rhythm, Gomez now faces nightlife with her proper ID as well as her own soundtrack to play at the club. After coming into acceptance that it isn’t Rihanna’s accented voice coming through the speakers to this edgy and raspy album, you may have momentarily tuned out. Yet, more and more music patrons are joining the 'Selentourage' after hearing the praised tracks such as, “Birthday”, and “Slow Down”.

News

Ignited were the newsrooms this July. So much so, that our news stations made non-American events, American. Early in the month, we watched as Vice President Joe Biden scrubbed clean his already undamaged reputation. Biden’s agenda last month included meeting India’s prime minister and speaking on furthering gender equality in a modern state. What caught our attention, though, was the alter ego of Joe Biden’s. An alter ego that we can deem as the over-achiever with the Oval Office in mind for 2016. His preferred pieces of decor include portraits of Jefferson and Adams, both of whom were Vice Presidents before becoming President. Is it endearing or is it embarrassing? Could he be compared to the teacher’s pet or deemed “Most Likely to Succeed”? No one can say certainly, but he has our attention in any case.

Rivaling the political scandals and social justice travesty in America was an unnamed child with an instant net worth much more than his bald head will ever understand. George Alexander Louis, the royal baby, solicited a welcoming crowd of thousands of people and reporters alike. Like a secret society, Buckingham Palace holds the public’s attention without so much as a sneeze from the guards. Reporter Catherine Mayer of Time Magazine in London offers that the royal family will always cause a stir amongst nations because of the mystery they hold. Months from now, the gawking will ensue as we refresh our Twitter feeds to find out if Prince George is a fussy sleeper, or if his first set of teeth comes in on time.

Style

With the majority of summer behind us, two super brands are switching things up to test how passive summer has made you. No stranger to your credit cards, Nike and Ray Ban have taken their most sought after products and made them all the more desirable. Known for athletic gear to help you rival any lift, run or match, Nike presents Flyknits athletic footwear. Born from the idea of acting as a “second skin”, the Flyknit trainer comes as the newest craze for runners and cross trainers seeking support (arch, ankle, etc.). If your pair of Nike Frees aren’t already deep in your closet, go for a sweat in the Flyknit. After all, it’s a lot less intimidating and much cheaper than a personal trainer.

Quite opposite from footwear, Ray Bans has long been trusted to fit the most stylish of sunglasses upon our suntanned noses. Similar to the aviator phase that stuck around long past its welcome, the classic Wayfarer style from Ray Ban is finally on its way out. A round sunglass lens, for men and for women, is taking over for the Wayfarer as of last month. Hot off the conveyor belt, Ray Ban’s Clubmaster sunglass is the perfect example of this new eyewear trend. With a wide frame on top and smaller, rounded lenses, this look is the perfect middleground between kiddie glasses and the safety goggles look that your parents might take part in. Without looking like a Willy Wonka, the round lens exudes a youthful, in-the-now appearance.

No matter if you’ve taken in your fair share of vitamin D or your fair share of Emergen-C to cure that hangover after a night out, summer has made you unaware. And if the past month’s happenings didn’t shake you awake from your summer slumber, perhaps a little shade and water will do well for you. 

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Widenening your Instagram-mar

 

No filter is no fun. Centered on exploiting your Friday nights, your guilty pleasures, successful or attempted adventures, etc. in the form of photo and video, the smart phone application called Instagram has been deemed a social media superhero for the last two years.

For users of the ever popular Instagram, the hash tag “nofilter” is synonymous with the white flag of surrender. With 19 photo filters and 13 video filters to choose from, this smartphone app is comparable to an electronic form of Photography for Dummies. By now, we’ve all found safety in our favorite filters. As hard as it is to admit, there are some objects and some faces that just aren’t complimented with an Amaro or Valencia filter.

 

Approach photography at a new angle, and check out these four applications to better your Instagram photos—to widen your Instagrammar.

Camera+

The iPhone is a gadget unlike those of our past (I’m talking to you, you once glamorous GameBoy Color). From your iPhone you can manage nearly every daily task, have Siri pick up your groceries, or even use the iPhone as a door stop. Yet the phone is equipped with a camera that might as well be an elderly man’s shaky monocle. Camera+ as an app, reduces the blurriness and enhances color detection in your photos for a truer, more appealing photo.

 

Aside from acting as a more stable camera, this app offers simple and complex edits. Some of the more elementary editing capabilities include tampering with exposure to make a photo lighter or darker. Perhaps you’re looking to crop the tip of your finger or that relentless photo-bomber who snuck into the photo. Camera+ can handle it, and even do you one better by adding a border to your photo, too, if you’d like.

 

Past the basics, there are a variety of effects to discover in Camera+. At first glance, you might think that these effects are merely Instagram filter knock-offs. Alas, they are not. One of the best parts of this app is the fact that you can decide the intensity level of the filter. If you should want the “‘70s” filter to look a little less reminiscent of the bell bottom years then you can simply add or subtract intensity that is applied to the photo.    

 

Whitagram

Taking inspiration from the grandfather photo, the Polaroid, Instagram photos are formatted to be square in shape. While it’s cute to scroll through a timeline of modern Polaroids scribbled on with emojis and slang, sometimes the square format crops the best pieces of your photo out. Next time your anxiety levels come dangerously close to “floor tantrum” because of the Instagram cropping, use Whitagram to capture your photo in its original stupor. In order to make the original sized photo fit, this app adds tasteful borders to the left and right, or top and bottom of the photo, depending on its orientation. Whitagram is especially useful for scenic, landscape photos that span side to side.

 

Phototreats

One of the sought-after trends on Instagram is the effect that will add sunspots, snowflakes, and holiday looking lights to photos. Someone deemed light distortion worthy and, not to be accusatory, but there’s a sunspot trail that leads right to fashionistas and socialites. If you’ve been looking for an app to add a corner of soft, flickering light to your posts, Phototreats will do just that. Really more directed at the femme users, these filters should be used not for making a statement, but for uttering a whisper.  

 

CameraTimer

The last recommended app for your improved Instagrammar will likely become the most praised in your repertoire of new tricks. So wake up introverts and individual adventurers, because there’s not always a passerby to snap a photo of you, and selfies are almost worse than being an offender of the “no filter” hash tag.

 

CameraTimer is an app that acts as a self-timer—much like the ones on digital cameras. The app is poorly formatted, but will add to the photo possibilities you have right in the palm of your hand. As long as you can fashion a tripod out of a rock, park bench, or book, you’ll never have to pass up a photo-op again. This app has also proved useful when looking to photograph your entire cluster of friends. With a variety of options for countdown length and number of shots taken, you’ll never find yourself wishing for longer arms for photo taking ever again.   

 

If Instagram were a member of the Full House cast, surely it would be the sleek and trendy Uncle Jesse. Twitter could pass as the comedic Uncle Joey, leaving Facebook with the dreaded and dull father-figure, Danny Tanner. The point here is that if given the option, the majority of us would only ever choose to hang out with Uncle Jesse. And now you can rise to the occasion, mustering content that is much more impressive than an indecipherable, “You got it, dude!”

Polaroid Proclamations

On any given day, the average, teeth-barring smile requires 26 muscles. What’s more, it takes a maximum of 25 seconds to snap four photos of you and your friends on an iPhone, and another five seconds before half of the subjects in the photo suggest that they look vile, awkward or demonic. In the 1970’s, while a friendly smile still required 26 muscles to muster, a single photograph took upwards of 3 minutes to spew from a Polaroid camera’s mouth and develop into something visible.

Polaroid pictures were praised for their instant, three-minute developing speed in its early years. The photos were waved side-to-side to reveal their slightly blurry or over-exposed content. It’s likely that some of these photos ended up on the kitchen refrigerator to greet you before pouring every glass of milk. Or else they’re probably centered in a family photo album chalk full of outings and their accompanying dates scribbled onto the white space beneath the photo.  

 

Last week, Once Again, a thrift store in Fort Collins that remains underrated to the neighboring thrift store giants like Goodwill and The Arc, answered my Polaroid prayers. From atop a shelf in the electronics section of the store, an original, Polaroid 600 camera jumped towards me and pulled me by the shirt collar to the cash register. Unscathed and without a scratch, the camera which could have been assembled as early as 1983, is fully functional despite its potentially not-so-brief retirement. Considering that the other electronic items on the same shelf included a vintage Kodak that looked as if it spent a good amount of time in a dog’s jaw and a AT&T brick-like cellular phone without the keys for numbers 3,6, and 0, I celebrated my find the only way I know how: inhaling bread and wine.

 

Polaroid 600 and Impossible Color Shade film

For $7.50, I purchased this grandfather of cameras. As Polaroid discontinued their brand in 2008 as a result of slowed business, I worried I’d never take any Polaroid pictures of my own. But with some searching online I found that Impossible Film still produces Polaroid 600 film. Impossible distributes on their website, the-impossible-project.com/ for as low as $23.49. They also have film available for purchasing on Amazon and eBay for the same price. Whether you prefer the ultra-vintage Silver Shade (Black & White), or ‘70s-reminiscent Color Shade film, Impossible provides either packages with a total of 8 photos each.

 

Of all the photo albums I’ve leafed through in my family, my attention is always first grabbed by the raw, candid nature of Polaroids. I, too, am an offender of documenting far too many irrelevant events (and meals) with my iPhone or DSLR Nikon D60. I suppose the difference between photography 40 years ago and today is that the “instantaneous” film became the much more instantaneous jpeg file. These are two different animals—film and digital; the first providing all that’s fresh and candid, the latter providing wider opportunities and infinite do-overs (memory cards permitting).

 

Despite my inherent finger-happy nature in regards to snapping photos, I’ve had to issue some self-restraint with my eight precious Polaroid photos. In two days, I’ve taken two photos. With only a flash and an exposure meter for darker and lighter photos, my Polaroid 600 has spit out both photos with the soft, over-exposed appeal that they’ve long been known for. One factor that reminded me of just how old the camera is was that it took around 10 minutes for the photos to develop. Nonetheless, my elderly soul is grinning with maybe even 27 muscles, as I continue looking for the best photo-ops in Polaroid form.

 

One of the premiere photos from my Polaroid 600

 

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Counterclockwise: Evidence that the '90s Never Left

People who ask whether you’d rather live in the 1970’s or the 1950’s in a friendly game of “Would You Rather” cannot be trusted. It’s a trick question. The best choice, of course, would be to live amongst the pop and denim ridden times of the 1990’s.

For the last 14 years, I’ve shared a personal mantra with those who care (and those who do not): if you weren’t a youth in the ‘90s, then you did something wrong. Lately, however, this mantra has been challenged. Although green slime, Jennifer Aniston’s signature haircut, and tomigachis all peaked in the ‘90s, recent popular culture trends are suggesting that perhaps traces of the ‘90s never left in the first place.

Push Twitter and Kim Kardashian aside and read on to discover the most prominent traces of the ‘90s in today’s culture…

1. Apparel, threads, gear

Although American culture may never be forgiven for trends like Heely’s roller shoes or skorts, there are plenty of styles that were born in the ‘90s and still thrive today. In regards to footwear, high-top shoes have held a strong presence throughout the last 23 years. Unlike the high-top haircut most famously donned by The Fresh Prince himself, high-top shoes like Converse and Nike’s have changed little in looks, and are still recognized as acceptable street wear for weekenders and rebellions alike.

It would be remiss not to acknowledge the Jelly Bean shoes that could be seen on girls playing hopscotch in the neighborhood or women linking arms with their boyfriends, most likely talking about how relatable Alanis Morriesette’s music is. While the transparent, and vibrant Jelly Bean sandals are less of a go-to trend than they were before, they still make good footwear for cooling down by the pool or walking along the beach and letting everyone know you’re stylish with only so much as a pop of the foot.

In addition to shoes, are some noteworthy trends taking a stand in streetwear that are as attached to the '90s as the Clinton scandal. Fitted, lacey, or loose, belly shirts are back and causing us all to question how this garment can make the area of the mid-drift between the belly button and upper ribcage look attractive. And if ever baring your belly gets to be cold, wrapping a sweatshirt or patterned flannel around your waist is not reminiscent of soccer-mom-chic. Guys too can sport a tee with an around-the-waist sweater for a casual day out. Nothing demonstrates your level of preparedness or capability of being street savvy quite like this trend will.
 

2. Slang

Call it what you will—shortened language, jargon, lingo—we’re all sloths when it comes to language and we seem to be content with this. Admittedly, the American shorthand language took a hard bite to the cheek with texting language. Nonetheless, a handful of phrases from the '90s are still thrown around in daily dialogue. 

When you’re recounting last Friday night’s events with friends, you probably use either the words “wicked” or “hella” in order to build excitement. If you’re on the phone with your significant other while they fumble with what movie to get at a Red Box location, perhaps you’ll suggest they get a “chick-flick”. Should you find yourself at a lack luster party and come up with an excuse to “bounce” (noun; meaning ‘to leave, or to exit’).

So which is it that came first, LOL or “whassup”? Neither. It was laziness that came first, and it’s a continually practiced trend that we pride ourselves in even today.

3. Drive-in Theatres

For every four media-hungry souls who illegally downloads films in the 2000’s, there was an equally media-hungry soul parked just outside the drive-in theatre in the 1990’s who didn't pay their admittance fee. As a leisure activity that boomed in the '50s, the drive-in was first viewed as an occassion worthy of dressing up for. Despite the closing of several hundred drive-in theatres since as early as 1960, watching a movie from outside the back of an SUV with a fist full of candy remains superior to the seat in front of the kicking toddler at the cinema.

Just as it was 20 years ago, the drive-in is fit for an entertaining time on warm weathered nights. A little more worn now, the drive-ins rarely use radio transmitting for sound anymore. One advantage, though, is that the lull in business has urged the lowering of entry fees, and showing of newer films. So lace on your converse, and re-charge with a double feature under the stars.

4. Justin Timberlake

In our younger years, it might have taken us a second to spot Justin amongst his fellow hair-bleached boy band members from ‘N SYNC. Yet, with one of the more successful going rogue stories, Justin has become all the more recognizable for his solo work. Even after the band’s separation in 2002, Justin has seemed to produce music and films in synchronization with what the audiences want.

Recognized in the ‘90s with his bandmates for a diamond-selling album and a knack for making teenage girls throw scrunchies and other garments on stage, Justin continued a steady role in the limelight well after boy bands took a hiatus from popular culture. Now, Justin has been decorated with awards not only for his music, but he was given an Emmy for his guest appearances on Saturday Night Live in 2009 and 2011, and has proven himself worthy of the bold, rugged male lead in several movies over the last 10 years. As a double threat, we just haven’t been able to get rid of him in any decade, nor do we want to.

The ‘90s was a time for the best of the cartoons, too much clothing made from Lycra, and a varied mix of faces in Hollywood to fawn over. That being said, you may have also been too young, maybe too awkward of a pre-teen, to enjoy it all at the time. Never fear, because some of the best traces from that decade remain today for our post-puberty enjoyment. 

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Seven Minutes in Action

There are countless ways to stir up trouble for you and your bank account during summertime, and you have to be ready for any spontaneous opportunity that may come your way. Whether you find yourself lost in the “Related Videos” tab on YouTube, road tripping with friends (all of whom sing off-key), or bonding with your trustworthy friend, Franzia, there are few excuses for dullness. That being said, there is little time to fret over a workout schedule.

Summer is ripe with spontaneity, as well as temperatures that can only be explained as Mother Theresa’s menopausal hot flashes. While neither of these conditions makes it easier to coax yourself into exercise mode, there is a speedy, seven-minute workout to save you time at the gym or in the heat without losing the burn of a thorough workout.

All you need for this workout is a dumbbell or plate that is challenging for you, a stop watch, and an open space. The goal is to work quickly to complete three sets of four exercises within seven minutes.

The Breakdown – 1 Set

1. Over-head lunges (30)

• Holding your weight directly overhead, lunge forward with your left leg so that your right knee touches the ground. Come back up to a standing position and repeat for your right leg. Alternate legs for 30 repetitions. Remember to keep your weight above your head for the entire 30 repetitions.

2. Mountain climbers (20)

• In a push-up position, bring your left leg up as close you’re your left hand as you can, then back down to your right leg. Alternate between your right and left legs for 20 repetitions. When you get into a rhythm, you might begin to bounce—try to minimize bouncing and keep your body parallel to the ground. You should feel toning in your hamstrings.

3. Side-to-side Planks (10)

• Starting in push-up position with your arms fully extended, turn your body to the left so that your left foot rests on top of your right and raise your left arm to the sky. Bring your arm down, and turn into push-up position. Repeat this, facing the right side now, and continue for 20 repetitions. Remember to put your feet on top of one another for a full rep.

4. Standing Squats (30)

• To finish, stand with your feet at shoulder-width, toes facing forward. With your arms raised in front of you, or to your sides, lower your butt until your quadriceps are parallel to the floor. Tip: keep an upright back and don’t look down at the ground.

Aside from learning just how quickly seven minutes passes, you’ll also gain high-level cardio and hints of muscle definition in your quadriceps, hamstrings and biceps. Chip away at that layer of stored sweets and mixed drinks you may have gained thus far into summer.

Though you may not complete three sets of these exercises on your first attempt, don’t succumb to couch potato-ism. With a workout like this one, it’s easy to set a goal for yourself because it is divided into separate movements.

Don’t get me wrong, I am an offender of talking myself out of workouts, as well—ask the local TCBY employees. Yet, this seven-minute burn will prove to you that efficiency is not always positively correlated to length of a workout. You’ll find that this routine gives you an adequate mixture of cardio and muscle pinpoint movement.

Mix this shortcut into your weekly workouts for those days when you can hardly pull away from the chilled mojitos or the shaded patio.

Not-so-Blurry Fandom

            Imagine what it’d be like to live in present times, but have the voice of classic, early American stars such as James Dean or Dick Clark. You’d be praised for your cool demeanor and assumed wisdom that is brought on not by being book smart, but by the way you enunciate every vowel from every consonant that spews from your mouth. Robin Thicke and Pharrell Williams are doing just that. Americans of varied ages and tastes are rushing the stage to hear their latest collaboration, “Blurred Lines” which introduces funk music to 2013.

            Urging us all to dance has proven an easy task for this funk duo with an easy tempo and complex lyrics. Upon first hearing Robin Thicke’s initial “hey, hey, hey”, you, too, will become a follower of funk and begin to dance along with far too much shoulder movement—tapping your foot surely will not suffice. 

“Blurred Lines” delivers a dynamic sound complete with an up-beat rhythm and prolonged note holding. Without much help from the finger snappin’ background instrumentals, Robin Thicke and Pharrell are shaking music patrons awake from a 21^st century, auto-tune slumber. This refreshing single, while it is fit for your summer soirée or a rebellious rant around in the nightlife, should not be listened to in your search for relaxation. Quicker than a round of espresso shots, you’ll be back on your feet wide-eyed and willing to take on the defiant hobbies of your youth.

The accompanying music video (see above) can attest to the theme of rebellion. Certainly reminiscent of their own bachelor parties, Robin Thicke and Pharrell twist and turn with a trio of models for the better half of the video. With props limited to high-waisted shorts and ponytails, the men all return to married life after four minutes and some odd, fleshy seconds.

For the last 11 weeks, “Blurred Lines’ has been shuffling its way to the top of Billboard’s Hot 100. Finally at number one, the song rivals another popular track, “Get Lucky” which also features Pharrell. Both songs pay homage to the catchy songs of 8-tracks past. Surpassing his number 14 hit of 2007, “Lost Without U”, Robin Thicke still sings to us in a crisp suit, but he’s loosened his tie just enough.

Now, usually when your mother recommends that you look into an article of popular culture, you find yourself enveloped in a collection of YouTube videos centered on Earth, Wind, and Fire or Diana Ross and The Supremes. And this time around—trust me—you are willing to go there if it means being in the company of these funk forerunners.

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Clarity brought forth by Cardio

The uneven cracks in the sidewalk always move perpendicular to my stride when I run. I can tell which lawns are tended to most regularly, and where the uneven dirt paths collide once again with the unforgiving concrete.

When I run, I have surrendered to the habit of looking down at the path ahead of me. For this reason, I recognize my regular running peers more certainly by their shoes and laces rather than their sweat-covered faces. For a number of years, as a distance runner, I’ve plotted my route before starting the stopwatch on my wrist and I take off at a jog only looking up at streets signs or passersby. At the beginning of this week, however, I uncovered a trail run interconnected with several other unexplored paths that had my sights set on the horizon, rather than the ground; up, rather than down.

The trail to Horsetooth Rock

On the western flank of Fort Collins lies an outdoor playground. Horsetooth Reservoir sees travelers in search of water sports, picnics, biking, jogging, boating, etc. At the foothills, just east of the Reservoir is Spring Canyon Community Park. Laden with just enough toddlers and far too many dogs, this is usually the point at which I turn around on my runs. Yet, just beyond this oasis of kids and canines, the Spring Creek Trail (west) connects with the Fossil Creek Trail. As opposed to Spring Creek, the Fossil Creek trail is not paved and has several branches from the main path suitable for mountain bikers and runners alike.

Nestled between the foothills and park, Fossil Creek trail winds amongst the knee-length brush and nudges you along the dark green tree line of Horsetooth Park. Like arteries to a heart, the fingers of the Fossil Creek trail dart around Dixon Reservoir, where fishermen whisper song lyrics either to themselves or to their potential catches.

Dually, the terrain was all but flat. By no means, was it a hill tempo run, but I cannot praise this area enough for the rhythm it urges runners to find in order to keep pace.

There are so many opportunities within running; be it for pleasure or with a competitive heart. Steve Prefontaine, running legend and Olympian said, “Some people create with words or with music or with a brush and paints. I like to make something beautiful when I run. I like to make people stop and say, 'I've never seen anyone run like that before.' It's more than just a race, it's a style. It's doing something better than anyone else. It's being creative.” It’s the creativity within running that I’m just uncovering.

As the sun ducked behind the foothills on a run the other night, the grasses around the thin trail on Fossil Creek remained a glowing orange. Crickets were fooled by the setting sun and began their nightly song. And I was able to watch this all in focus, and the whir of my running feet was now in my periphery.

What a fool I’ve been looking down for so long.

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