Lifestyle – Page 24 of 28

What we love about winter: Student Edition!

28Jan

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Lifestyle

What we love about winter: Student Edition!

When it comes to winter, most students picture cold mornings, the dark walk home after a 4pm class, the dreaded radiator breakdown, and the inability to leave the house without 5 layers on- especially a struggle when you’re already late for lectures. However, there are some who love the winter. Mostly because the winter means December, and December means almost Christmas, and almost Christmas means no Uni work, and no Uni work means filling your days with lie-in’s, mince pies and blankets. What’s not to love? Well we've rounded up 5 things about winter which even the self-confessed summer lovers can’t help but love this time of year… 1. The excuse to buy that new coat you wanted. So it may be £79 and completely impractical for rain, but what’s £79 when you can not only look great, but al...

28Jan

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Lifestyle

Keeping New Year’s Resolutions

January. Everyone rushes to the sales and frets about the extra present that has appeared on their scales. We vow to change but by March, this is forgotten and not achieved. Never fear! Here are some tips to help you keep your resolutions. Setting Goals Flexible targets are key to achieving your aims-Be positive and challenge yourself, but don’t afraid to tweak your targets if it becomes too much. Always set realistic goals for your resolutions, changing something small can make a huge difference. For example, ‘to be stress free’ is quite possibly one of the most unrealistic targets you could set for the year. We’re students, we get stressed, it’s a natural occurrence. Why not find a way that isn’t eating/ drinking/ smoking that alleviates stress for you? A better target would be t...

28Jan

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Lifestyle

This Month’s Beauty Focus: One For the Women Blessed With Darker Skin!

One of Royal Holloway’s central characteristics is its ethnically diverse alumni. With over 60 different nationalities being represented across the university, it is not surprising that skin tones vary from candid snow-white, to deep and dark chocolate. Without question, dark skin has been steadily conquering beauty ideals this year, from Lupita Nyongo’s nomination as the most beautiful individual of the year, to Alek Wek’s jaw-dropping Cosmopolitan magazine cover. It is clear to see that women with darker skin tones are slowly being thrust under the limelight of the beauty industry. In terms of high-profile public figures such as Oprah Winfrey, Tyra Banks and Michelle Obama, dark skin is no longer only represented within the fashion industry, but also within other important fields, such a...

28Jan

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Lifestyle

Hakuna Frittata: Pesto Courgetti, topped with Garlic Mushrooms

Have you ever heard of Courgetti or Zucchetti? If not, then today is your lucky day! If you have, then you already know just how awesome it is. To start with, Courgetti is an incredible substitute for spaghetti that I truly believe will slowly but surely revolutionise the world of food… I kid you not! Haven’t completely sold it to you yet? Here are some more glorious facts about Courgetti: not only is it gluten free, vegan and ridiculously healthy, but is also cheap, quick, easy to make, and incredibly delicious. What more could you want? I’ve made this recipe (see below) for my carnivorous best friend and my fussy sister –who, by the way, lives entirely off carbs- and both said it was better than good ol’ spagbol! Intrigued? Well keep reading! There are many ways to be creative ...

28Jan

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Lifestyle

Winter Layering

Layering essential number 1: The jean Be it high waisted, skinny, ripped or boot-cut, jeans are the undisputed essential when it comes to successful Layering. Not only does it act as a foundation for your entire outfit, you can easily take the infamously beloved jeans from day, (by simply throwing on a leather jacket over a white shirt and topping it off with some ballet pumps) to night, (with some heels and a tuxedo blazer.) Layering Essential number 2: the statement coat Struggling with the idea of investing in a statement coat whilst on a student budget is daunting to say the least. However, from October to March your outerwear is the first thing that everybody sees, so why not make a statement? Still struggling with the idea? Higstreet giants such as H&M often collaborat...

28Jan

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Lifestyle

Exploring the city – London from a different view

Personally, best way for a new RHUL student to explore London is by simply buying a travel card and heading for Waterloo. Then, just go wherever! Although the typical tourist-attractions are also something worth seeing, don’t always think London Eye, Oxford Street and Leicester Square; think hidden boutiques, street art, and intercontinental food establishments. That’s where the real heart of the city lies; in the ‘nitty and gritty’, not the polished tourist sights. On recent visits I have spent my time exploring such things, and here I’ll share just a small selection of my favourites. If you’re going to London at the weekend, a lot of popular food places will be busy (McDonalds, Five Guys, Nando’s etc.) and that’s why I say, don’t be scared to enter a restaurant or café that ...

28Jan

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Lifestyle

The Joy of Travelling

Over the past years there has been a large increase in people travelling to far-away places for work, holidays and to discover themselves. Travelling to both hot and cold climates or to the northern and southern hemispheres can be eye opening. You can learn more about yourself as well as how other people live and experience different opportunities. Travelling is not a new thing. The Greeks would travel extensively to parts of Africa and Asia, partly for trade but also to develop and learn new things that they could take back with them. For example, they would learn about the diverse native herbs and vegetation and the different animals that lived there; understand how different medicine and new science can affect life, and they would bring these new ideas back home with them. The Empire...

28Jan

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Lifestyle

The Science of Online Dating

Before starting my post-grad, I was a dating consultant for a few years. In that time I saw the explosion of dating sites from Match and Plenty of Fish, to popular “casual” apps like Tinder. Many of my clients had used them. They are easy to use, but many of my clients would get it wrong; therefore, not get their desired results. On campus I have met students who use dating sites and have asked me for advice. When looking at their profiles I am shocked to see they are making the same mistakes I have seen others do in the past. Here is my guide to online dating. *Say “cheese”!* Online dating is like going to the supermarket – you look and examine what is on the shelf before choosing what you want based on the look and feel of what is on offer. That is why Tinder is popular as it fits...

28Jan

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Lifestyle

From Egham to Waterloo

Trains. Sometimes they are late or sometimes they are on time which is a rare case for a regular traveller like myself. The main point is that they get us to our destination quickly or eventually. However, there has often been the thought of how to make a trip out just using a return from Egham to Waterloo which costs £7.05 (with the 16-25 railcard) or £10.70 for a return without the railcard. I am sure that no-one has been to every stop on that route. I certainly hadn’t until recently. It is a lovely little way of exploring the surrounding areas outside of Egham and further on. Here’s my suggestions for what to do at every stop from Egham to Waterloo and make the most out of the £7.05/£10.70 ticket: Staines: There is the obvious choice of taking a trip to Thorpe Park but that would ...

28Jan

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Lifestyle

Thigh gap or booty? The choice is yours.

Through the ages, women have had to choose a path at an inevitable life crossroad. In more classic times the choice would have been between Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe. At today’s crossroad she chooses between icons such as Keira Knightley and Adele. The question of what makes the body beautiful has shaped throughout history a careful sketch of opposing traits of feminitiy, personality and more worringly inner conflict. The path that she chooses defines how she views female beauty and will ultimately contribute to the creation of a standardised definition of beauty. Shakespeare was wrong to ask ‘to be or not to be’ but rather a more accurate (and useful) modern translation would be ‘to be thin or not to care’. I don’t think I’m making a ground breaking discovery when I say that body ...