How many of us feel exhilarated when we donate our second-hand clothing? Do you feel the urge to supress a smug look of superiority because of the saintly deed you did? If you're like me, you may feel like you're a cut above the rest of the stingy scrooges who hoard mountains of clothing that they know they'll never wear again. Well, let's not get ahead of ourselves just yet. This week, I learned something that stopped me from hopping on my high horse. In my "Textiles & Apparel in the World Marketplace" class, we discussed how our good intentions could be contributing to unemployment in other countries.

Used clothing is a booming business in developing countries because the citizens are often unemployed and cannot afford new clothing. So, many thrift stores sell our donations for profit to these struggling nations for $1-$2. Since the already struggling textile and apparel workers in these countries cannot compete with those prices, they often lose their only source of income and join the ranks of the other unemployed citizens. I don't know about you, but I no longer feel like the cat's pajamas after learning that lesson. How about you? Feeling bad? Don't despair! Join me and give your used clothes to neighbors or your local community instead. You'll be back on that horse before you know it!

Courtesy: New Internationalist

Courtesy: Clothing Bin Cult

“Antioxidants will cure all your health problems!”

“Antioxidants will give you tons of energy!”

“Antioxidants will solve all global problems!”

Okay, I made up the last one. If you’ve read health media, like I have, you are familiar with the craze over antioxidants. While I will show you that antioxidants, such as blueberries, make an excellent addition to your diet, they don’t do as much as the fanatics say they do.

The blueberries … they love you.  No really, they do (unlike sugar).

First, let’s demarcate a few statistical variables (oh gosh, math!). When researchers study antioxidants they may miss stating something important to their audience that their audience definitely needs to know -- the difference between antioxidant supplements and antioxidant foods. Our bodies have co-existed with foods for thousands of years; they have not co-existed with supplements. This means that studies about antioxidant supplements should be disregarded because we’re interested in changing our diets, not adding pills to our pill-popping regimes.

The Harvard School of Public Health pummeled the antioxidant craze: "The studies so far are inconclusive, but generally don't provide strong evidence that antioxidant supplements have a substantial impact on disease. But keep in mind that most of the trials conducted up to now have had fundamental limitations due to their relatively short duration and having been conducted in persons with existing disease" (emphasis mine). Ouch.

However, we’re talking supplements vs. foods because we want to eat antioxidants. Any differences there? The NIH performed a study and looked at the differences between a diet high in antioxidants versus antioxidant supplements. The results: “Although observational studies suggest that eating a diet high in antioxidant-rich vegetables and fruits is associated with a lower risk for many chronic diseases, there is limited evidence to support the use of antioxidant supplements to prevent disease.” Foods high in antioxidants – such as fruits and vegetables – produced benefits against chronic diseases. However, the antioxidant supplements have little evidence in their favor.

We know that foods high in antioxidants prevent and help with chronic diseases over supplements. Now, we just need to find the right foods to add to our healthy diet. Thankfully WebMD gives us a ranking with the top five foods containing antioxidants being:

1. Small red bean

2. Wild blueberries (watch out, they’re hard to capture)

3. Red kidney bean

4. Pinto bean

5. Blueberries

Wild blueberries -- the ones that refused to take Ritalin.

Phew. That’s a lot of research for one article, but now we know that our antioxidant foods do contribute to our health. And in some cases, antioxidant foods are much cheaper than antioxidant supplements – so we’re also saving money while living a healthier life. Talk about a win-win.

As a freshman college student, living in a city isn’t always easy when it comes to trying to decide what to wear. Ask my roommate. I’m always trying on multiple outfits before I find the perfect outfit. Four outfits later and I finally end up finding the one outfit to highlight my day, but now my comforter is covered up with a sad heap of wrinkled clothes. Once, when I was in a hurry to get to my class on time, I of course, had trouble deciding what to wear. Just that one time the stars and moon aligned, and I did indeed find the right outfit, but to no surprise left the bed hopelessly littered two stacks high with the “has beens”, “the you gotta be kiddings” and more than a few—“what was I thinking”, all which I swept into a merry little pile. Then I decided to put my comforter over this clothing mega-mountain and out the door I went. When I got back from class I surprised my roommate who said that she thought I had skipped and was sleeping underneath the covers. Okay, My bad… I mean come on you want to look cute every now and then when walking around the campus. I mean a person can only live to blend just so much, am I right? Don’t get me wrong there’s nothing wrong with wearing VS Pink yoga pants, but sometimes it’s nice to switch it up and break away from wearing yoga pants 24/7.

Now, from time to time, I hop on the train, grab a soy chai latte and stroll Newbury Street in Ol’ Beantown. Just what a girl needs, right? And let’s be honest, window shopping is utterly painful and not at all fun unless you can spend some money. In fact every time I go, I go fully armed with two purses and a backup clutch (no just kidding). So, into Urban Outfitters or Anthropologie I go, drawn like big hair to the Jersey Shore, and it’s not long after that I find myself carrying multiple scarves, sweaters, hats, and tees. It’s silly because I always end up putting all of the items back. I don’t buy a single thing, mostly because I feel guilty. I know I should be saving for my college tuition as well as for my future. But just because us poor college geniuses don’t exactly have the cash for the new infinity scarf from Urban Outfitters, or that cool bottle of Florence perfume from Anthropologie, doesn’t mean that we can’t be fashionable. There are other ways to look cute while walking around campus. Stores like Forever21, and H&M are great stores to purchase good quality, inexpensive trends for the season.

I’m so addicted to too many things…. Fashion magazines, Starbucks, and Gossip Girl just to name a few, and oh yeah, Pinterest! Lately I’ve been hooked! And for those who don’t know Pinterest (if you couldn’t guess) is a virtual pinboard for your own personal interests. Pinterest allows you to organize and share all the beautiful new things and get inspired from people who share the same interests. People use Pinterest to plan their weddings, decorate their homes, share recipes, and fashion looks, and some even trade beauty tips. (http://pinterest.com/about/help/) Pinterest is endless and equally addicting, and in a way, it’s kind of like the new Facebook. So check it out! Before Pinterest, I bought many magazines each month. In fact, I should have been sent to magazines anonymous. First step, I would go to Barnes & Noble, and buy Glamour, Nylon, Elle, Marie Claire, Lucky, PeopleStyleWatch, and Instyle magazine. When I was done perusing, they’d all end up collecting dust on my desk. The next month I would go out and buy all the newest issues all over again. No end to the vicious cycle. Well, poverty and inspiration finally teamed up and I decided to take my old magazines, a handy pair of safety scissors and a wall of rainbow pushpins and cut out the looks, the celebrities, and beauty tips that I liked most and made a gaudy collage on a bulletin board. Doing all of this of course, to my own personal soundtrack, and a mug of tea. Then I would cut away until the last cows came home.

When I was finished the bulletin board was of course mounted onto the wall where I could look at it everyday, and get ideas on how to do my hair and makeup for the whole week, as well as what to wear in a pinch. I still use my old magazine issues, and now I’m using Pinterest. I take my pins, print them out and make fashion inspirations for my dorm room wall. Everyday I look at the outfits and I see what I already have in my closet and try to mimic what I see on the wall. It’s a fun way to find your creative side as well as your personal style. For those who have a passion for fashion, I definitely recommend checking out Pinterest, if you haven’t already!

Fashion is fun and addicting, but it’s really all about experimenting! I know when I wear a certain outfit, it gives me great confidence. When you wear something that you feel good in, it shows in every step that you take. Fashion is all about showing off your personality as well as letting it shine! So, go get inspired!

Some people have intricate minds, with many deep eccentricities and theories.  For such people, including myself, I present a workspace catering to our need for the thought provoking.  Finally, a desk space that can be organized, practical, and extremely interesting for the eyes, all in one!  The key to such an ensemble is to let every rudimentary object (say, a paperweight) be a work of art on its own (say, a clock with a magnified beetle on it). Don't be afraid to let your cerebral genius shine with this one.  A desk with such characteristics allows inspiration to lurk in the darkest of corners.  Writing your fan mail to Tim Burton will be a piece of cake with this phantasmagorical display!

desk for the dark minded by katieforshizz on polyvore.com

As a college freshman, I’ve faced many daunting tasks since closing the last zipper on the last overstuffed suitcase.  I thought I had prepared for everything college could throw at me.  Various shoes, sweatshirts, and dresses gradually have made their way to my cozy closet space.  Yet, the one cramp in my style that I definitely did not think of while packing, lived in my brain. I’m an extremely forgetful person, and while planners and iPhones can help me remember to get certain tasks done, I don’t have an app that can locate my lost dorm key.  The keys one uses to get into dorm areas are vital, they literally give you access to your home away from home.  Furthermore, if a key is lost, not only do most schools require you to pay upwards of $400 (gulp), but the school may need to change the lock on your door, considering there’s no knowing who found your key.  This means your roommates have to go out of their way to get their keys replaced too.  Talk about stress on top of a mountain of never-ending academic, social, and hygienic responsibilities!  Luckily, I have devised various concoctions to keep my university access items on me, always!

The Cape Cod Charm Method

If you haven’t heard of what a Cape Cod bracelet is, picture an elegant silver band bracelet that connects by means of a golden sphere, or “pearl.”

Courtesy: Cranberry Jewelers

The bracelets come in a variety of textures and shades, while the original and most widely received pattern is seen above.  For such a dainty accessory these puppies are extremely durable and lightweight.  I literally wear mine everywhere, and here’s why: The Cape Cod Bracelets unscrew at the pearl (which is how you open and close the bracelet).  Since the silver rung is thin enough to fit through the hole in my key, I simply string my Key onto the bracelet as if it were a charm. Simply twist the golden pearl securely shut, and you can always have your key on you!

The Key Necklace Method

Not everyone may want a Cape Cod Bracelet (they can be pricey.)  Here I have an alternative that, with the proper chain, works just as well.  Should you have a long necklace lying around somewhere, then simply string your key onto the chain! Of course, you can also string your key onto a short necklace.  I’ve seen many use the shorter necklace option, and truthfully it looks daintier than having a long key chain hanging from your neck.  What makes the longer necklace option more practical is how unlocking a door requires you only to reach down and then out, most likely without you needing to move your neck. Make sure, however, that the chain of the necklace is resilient enough to be worn every day.

Courtesy: 2 Sister Designs

Regular key lanyards may be easily lost or forgotten considering how easily they can be dropped or left on your desk.  Knowing where your keys are will make your life as a university student far simpler, especially if you have more than one key to worry about (for art or computer studios).  As a Babbler, now you can be fashionable and function-able when it comes to your keys!