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FAMOUS! (And not-so-famous): Polaroids by Andy Warhol

Located in Cohen Memorial Hall, (January 11 – March 2, 2018) 4-7 pm

 Andy Warhol is a big deal. Think technicolor Marilyn Monroe and Michael Jackson, soup cans, and the colorful collection of celebrities, drag queens, writers, and scholars that filled his galas. Think one of the most influential artists of the modern art world. And his artwork is being shown 10 minutes from your dorm.

Even if you’re not usually much of an art person, if you’re a person who likes the interesting and the funky then spend a few moments in Cohen Memorial Hall from now till March 2. FAMOUS! (And not so famous) is an exhibit comprised of polaroid pictures taken by Andy Warhol of celebrities and non-celebrities with short backstories included in plaques next to the artwork.

 

People like Dolly Parton, Georgia O’Keefe, and O.J.Simpson are on display, as well as Andy Warhol’s lovers and even some anonymous shots of body parts. Not only will you get to experience artwork, you’ll also be experiencing history: Warhol’s history, as well as modern America’s. Through Warhol’s polaroid camera you gain an intimate view of each subject; you feel as if you know each one as lose as a friend. In a tiny frame, O.J. clutches a football in an casual, personal way no photo shoot could ever capture.

 

 

The celebrities Warhol exposed with his polaroid were all flamboyantly famous, some involved in scandal, such as accusations of OJ Simpson murdering his ex-wife, Georgia O’Keefe’s romantic involvement with a man 50 years younger than her, and in the case of Dolly Parton, a woman whose every appearance draws excitement and drama.

These iconic celebrities hung next to polaroids of people that might not have been known to the entire world, however were a part of Warhol’s experience of the world. Walking amongst this mix of characters feels like you’re attending one of Warhol’s infamous galas, rubbing elbows with all walks of life. 

On January 25th you can become part of the exhibit by snapping a polaroid of yourself and adding your picture to one of the walls. So come enjoy this amazing and extremely close exhibit housing the work of one of history’s most controversial and intriguing artists.

On Friday, Jan.12, Nashville was the first stop on Avenged Sevenfold’s “The Stage” tour. It was no surprise that the show sold out due to the popularity of A7X as well as the other two tour headliners Breaking Benjamin and Bullet for My Valentine.   The inclement weather couldn’t even stop the thousands of people like me who were ready to have a great night rocking out.

As a huge fan of all three headliners, I’m happy to say that it was a great show and by far one of the coolest concerts I’ve ever been to. The Bridgestone Arena truly transformed and the energy from the pit was unreal.

Starting off the night was a popular metal band from Wales called Bullet for My Valentine. Due to the genre difference it seemed like many people were unfamiliar with the majority of Bullet’s songs, but it was a seamless set that was perfect in getting the crowd pumped and ready for the rest of the night.

After BFMV, was Breaking Benjamin a well known rock band that has come to Nashville multiple times in the past. Prior to their actual performance I had the chance to meet Breaking Benjamin which was definitely a childhood dream come true and for sure added to the closeness I felt during their performance. All of the members were nice and Benjamin proved to be just as cool as he always seems. During their set, the audience was given a nice surprise when Morgan Rose, the drummer for the rock band Sevendust, came on stage to play drums during the song “Failure”.

Avenged Sevenfold went on last playing an almost two hour long set that featured the use of multiple large screens that showed various short scenes and graphics to accompany the live songs. The stage presence of the band enhanced by the effects and crowd participation showed that the longtime band still had the ability to rock out just like they did in their early years. Like Breaking Benjamin, A7X had a guest perform with them. The guest was none other than the lead singer of the rockband Halestorm who covered “Wish You Were Here” by Pink Floyd with the band. A special moment of the night was when a memorial slideshow to a band member who passed away played to the song made in his honor. Many tears were shed but it was a magical moment in which strangers at the concert were able to come together and feel something more than just general concert happiness.

Fellow freshman student Ethan Beaty said the following about the night: ” The entire concert was surreal. Each band contributed an energy that fused the entire concert into an amazing, unforgettable experience. The venue fit perfectly, and the crowd reacted in such a way as to carry the energy provided by the bands’ performances.”

Overall, the first night of the tour was a big success and I can’t wait to see more photos and videos as it continues to 20 other locations in the USA and Canada.

Hello hello!!

I hope you are all as excited to be back reading these posts as I am to be back writing. I have lots of new intentions for this semester, and I can’t wait to share them with you over the next few months. To quote Bon Jovi “ohh we’re halfway there.” So, make this your best (styled) term yet!

Yours Fashionably,

Sophie

 

EAT

Nashville’s eating scene can best be described as the good, the better, and the great. I mean seriously, we are in a bustling city with such a lively food scene. My intention for this semester is to try as many new places as possible. I hope to discover some wonderful gems to share with y’all along the way.

 Caviar & Bananas

This is the ideal catch-all spot to eat. All types of eaters can find something pleasing to their palates. Located right next to campus, Caviar & Bananas is also a quaint study spot. Grab a fresh salad and settle down in this trendy eatery. You just might catch me there too.

  

 Adele’s Nashville

Something about this restaurant feels like home. The pop of blue from the chairs at the bar and the open kitchen make it very instagramable. This is the ideal place to catch up with new friends or reconnect with the old. As far as menu, the amount of options is short, but lovely. I opted for the kale salad with a side order of Brussel sprouts. Both of these plates were exceptional given their plain nature, and the other menu items such as redfish and rabbit came highly recommended! If you want something quintessential Nashville, give this place a shot.

 

Milk and Honey

The name of this restaurant is just as endearing as the food inside. Whether you want a southern breakfast or a light juice cleanse affair, this establishment has you covered. If you are looking for a new Sunday brunch spot, look no farther. I recommend the power muesli bowl or the avocado toast. Both will leave you happy and will make you check your calendar to figure out when is too early to come back for breakfast again.

WEAR

I thought it could not get any colder than it was during finals week. Needless to say, I was horrifically wrong. So lets focus on what you are wearing under the layers of coats and literal snow gear! I am a big fan of the funky basics that can STILL fit under my huge coats. Style is made to make a statement, even in the cold. So, what do your clothes say about you? Don’t be afraid to take a fashion risk. In this ice age, your clothes should at least be fun! Linked below are some of the pieces I am loving this week.

 

DO

Barre3

I will admit, I was tentative to try this place as I am not a major Barre girl. That being said, I adored this workout! Very upbeat, yet dynamically intense, barre3 will tone your body so incredibly fast and leave you “sore in a good way” for days after your first class. Looking to kick off your new year new body? This is a fabulous place to start.

 

Take Care of Your Body

In 2018, I am going to revamp my daily routines to include more self care. With the first year cold (aka the “Plague”) and the flu out in full force, it is time to put yourself first. My go-to drink is hot or warm lemon water. This is known to improve the overall health of your body and strengthen your immune system. I am also focusing on moisturizing face masks and lotions to help repair my skin from the cold damage. Find what fits in your schedule in the least amount of time, yet optimizes your self care.

 

 

Flipped is a popular novel and movie for teenagers. It’s about a sweet “not-love” story between a boy named Bryce and a girl named Julianna. Their story starts at the age of eight and ends, well, who knows when if you write the sequel yourself!

“Bryce: Memories”

—Irene Liu

Afterreceiving the Nobel prize for studying perpetual motions, I could only sit in my rocking chair, recall the memories, and listen to my grandson complaining about the school and girls. Just as what my granddad did when he was my age. I knew how I felt for Juliana Baker was the same way my granddad felt for my grandma. I understood “every once in a while you find someone who’s iridescent, and when you do, nothing will ever compare.” However, my granddad lived with his rainbow but I didn’t. The time we spent together had become memories and a pity. I spent every day searching out of windows and recalling the days I spent with Julianna Baker—the poor neighbor, the disgusting stalkers, the one who told me to be a person more than those blue dazzling eyes, the one who made me flipped, and the one who changed my life.

After the basket boys’ dinner, I tried my best to talk and please Juli. She, however, either ignored me or escaped from me. I knew the reason exactly, but knowing that I couldn’t make up for it really made me furious with myself.

Finally one day, my chance for winning Juli back came. Mom took me to plants market to buy some rose seeds. Various flowers and leaves seemed no difference to me, so all I could think about was Juli. Abruptly, a seedling that was dreadfully familiar to me appeared in my sight. Without thinking, I could tell from the shape of leaves and the texture of trunk that it was a sycamore tree.

Wait! The sycamore tree. The entire world for Juli. That’s something she would be pleased to see. I asked Mom for money to buy snacks, but ran immediately away to buy the seedling.

As soon as I arrived at Collier Street, I hold the seedling tightly and rushed to the Baker’s house. Luckily, Mr. Baker opened the door for me and permitted me to plant the tree in their yard.

Planting a tree was biting off more than I can chew, but it was worthy suffering for Juli. According to what Mr.Baker said, I dug a hole to fit the root and put the seedling in it. While I was filling the hole with earth, I noticed that Juli was watching me through the French window in living room. I nodded at her as if to tell her not to worry about her yard and that I had changed quite a lot. It was a shame that she didn’t mean to help planting the tree, but I could decipher that she was astonished and excited.

When everything—filling the hole and watering the seedling—was done, I went home with a huge release and a sense of wonder.

The wonder has gone by the time I got home and waved to her through the window.  She was standing in her room, looking at me through her window. Surprisingly, She waved back. The curve her hands looked like a picture of Michelangelo. I never truly understood its beauty but it just impressed me. For the first time since I met Juli, I realized that we never really talked or became friends. Nevertheless, everything would change tomorrow as we started to be true best friends.

When I got up, I felt like having a new birth. The sunshine was just right to fall on my bed and the sky was just right to look like 

her eyes. I rummaged through my closet to find the most good-looking suit and jeans. I don’t want to look too old and rigid nor too young and immature. I matched clothes for half an hour and finally decided to wear my basket boy suit.

When I got to the dining table, I found my family talking about the move of the Bakers. “Morning Bryce, what a pity that you missed the goodbye of the Bakers.” Mom uttered as she handed me my plate. “What’s going on? Why they left? The relationship between us was just about to start!” I blurt out immediately. “Well, obviously there was something not normal with Mr.Baker’s retarded brother, so they must move to a slum even cheaper than their current dump to pay for the extra treatments for him” Dad said with unconcerned and derisive tone as usual.

I had so much to grumble and shout, but I said nothing. I had so much to feel, but I felt nothing. I lost her again or I never really had her. We kept passing by each other and kept looking back to seek each other. Why we couldn’t stop our steps to hold each other’s hands? Maybe, the only thing to reduce my pain was to improve myself and make her be proud of me in the future.

If I could go back in time, I wish I could meet her in the proper light.

Downton Abbey in Vanderbilt—Writing Studio

by Irene Liu

Writing Studio is where we revise papers. It is located on the end of Edgehill Avenue, like an ancient castle. There’s a large courtyard in front of the door and a stone stair in front of the yard.

 

It is not yet the season-changing time, but falling maple leaves—with mixed color of yellow, orange, and red—pile on the dark ivory steps, scatter on scarlet wooden benches, sweep across brown marble floor. Those leaves, like my yearning for hometown Beijing, China where golden ginkgo leaves would bury me in autumn, is everywhere on campus. The boundary between autumn and winter in Beijing is so clear when municipal heating supply arrives. I don’t see the boundary in Nashville, as temperature can change from 20 ℃ to 7 ℃ in two days and bounce back several days latter. Every time I see sunshine falls in that yard, I wonder if the sun also visits Beijing and brings my longing to my family. I wonder whether my little sister still covers her nose when she wanders through the street full of smelly ginkgo fruits. I wonder whether my grandpa still gets up at 5am and runs around the park near my home. I wonder whether my mom is still energetic about working out and shopping. I wonder whether my dad is still unsatisfied with his stable job.

Writing studio is a place for love to grow.

 

Every time I enter writing studio, I feel like entering an old novel—Wuthering Heights, Mansfield Park, or Northanger Abbey. No matter which mansion it is, various fantastic stories are generated and profound thoughts are provoked by brilliant souls inside. I talk with tutors about Antony and Cleopatra and understand Cleopatra’s typical characteristics described by Aristotle and Wordsworth—her prototype comes from real life, her sophisticated personalities are open to interpretation, her villain are rooted in human nature. I talk with tutors about Wuthering Heights and find out the subversive power Nelly, the servant, has in the novel. She controls the narration and characterization by telling stories to the primary narrator Lockwood; she injects her merits and value to two Catherines and Hareton when raising them up.

Writing studio is a place for ideas to grow.

 

Every time I leave writing studio, I stand against the door and stare through the yard at the car road. Are there couples cuddling on the bench like every literary comedy ends? Are there lost souls like me who wish to leave their footprints on this place.

As I walk down the steps, everything goes back to routine. Cars move slowly on the road; people trot on the pedestrian with phones in their hands. I tighten my jacket and head towards the next class.

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Hello Friends,

I hope you  are as happy to be reading this new post as I am to be writing it. It is a little different from the others, as this time I was based in my Arkansas hometown, not our lovely Nashville. Now that all of us have returned to our beautiful campus filled to the brim with food and more than likely spent some Netflix binge watching, we must grind through the last few weeks of the semester. Squeeze your Vandy pals tight, finals are upon us. May your grades be merry and bright, and may your upcoming Christmas break be white.

xx,

Sophie

EAT:

Obviously the most important part of my feature this week … the FOOD. For Thanksgiving day, my family always has a traditional feast that could feed a small army.  A fun fact about me is that I can legitimately cook. Not in an ‘I made easy Mac and didn’t burn the dorm down’ kind of way, but rather in an ‘I can cook almost anything in a Southern Living cookbook and actually have it turn out well’ kind of way.  Cooking and baking are things that have been so present in my life for so long that I really had no choice but to learn how to do them! Thanksgiving provides the perfect opportunity to refine my skills, as I usually end up making a few dishes for T Day myself and help with other dishes. Below are some of the foods we baked and then devoured on Thanksgiving Day. I am going to have to eat plain lettuce for the next 10 days to make up for all the things I have consumed over break. As Vandy students would say, it was a full send occasion. #worthit

WEAR:

My style superlatives: Classic, Bold, Fun. If this is your style too, then you will ADORE some of the pieces I wore this week. I learned at an extremely young age from my mother’s closet that life is much too short to wear boring clothes. Over the years my closet has held many standout pieces. An outfit can go from standard to beyond amazing by adding a few funky items. Too many times I have heard people say that they aren’t bold enough to wear these fun items or they just don’t think it would ‘work’ on them. Well, I am here to tell you that this is simply not true. If you love something, do NOT be afraid to wear it. Be adventurous with your clothing. The item you are afraid to wear could just be the thing that ties your whole look together. This is your life, and you get to chose how you style it.

DO:

CAPTURE 

If any of you follow me on Insta then you already know how obsessed I am with taking pictures, but you probably do not know why. A few years ago I encountered this idea by Warsan Shire: “Document the moments you feel most in love with yourself-what you’re wearing, who you’re around, what you’re doing, Recreate and Repeat.”  For some reason, this idea stuck with me, and I have constantly been seeking to capture more of my moments via photos ever since. I challenge you to do the same. When you’re happy, when you’re exploring, or even when you feel a little lost, take a picture and remember the moment. The photos I have accumulated over the years doing this remind me of so many things and places life has taken me. Once you try it, you’ll be hooked too. Here are some of the best moments I captured over break:

 

COLLECT

Let me start by saying I do not collect things. I collect words. Weird as that may sound, I am a huge believe in the power of words to change a life. Some of my books are marked heavily, my Pinterest boards are overflowing, and my walls are covered in words. Collect whatever you find power in, and use it to fuel your passion. A little bit ago, I decided to cover my bedroom wall in pictures and quotes I loved.. and then an obsession started. I dare you to try it! Print out images, tear out pages, create art, and begin to cover your walls in things that inspire you to live each day anew. Doing this allowed me to find more happy in my day to day. I have SLOWLY begun to cover my dorm room walls in quotes and pictures, but it has already made a world of difference for me. I look up, see the words, and remember why I love them so dearly. If you end up even a little bit happier for having done this, isn’t that enough? I encountered more quotes over this break that will absolutely make an appearance on my dorm walls in the next few days.

BURN OFF

Like I said before, Thanksgiving means delectable food. Hardly anyone is going to pass up good food, so it seemed a workout was absolutely the best addition to my agenda. It is probably a good thing it is not bikini season just yet. Nonetheless, I recently joined OrangeTheory Fitness. It is a half cardio half weight training focused workout that boasts hundreds of calories burned every class. (No seriously, you BURN like crazy!) Another major feature of this workout is a focus on ‘after burn’ to keep you torching more calories all day. As soon as I was back to Nash, I took a class to start working off the turkey. Looking to try it out? The first class is free, and they will set you up before class begins so you aren’t fumbling in the wind as they tell you to change paces! I hope to run into you there … I’ll be the one dying on the treadmill 😉

Nashville, TN- Lady Antebellum plays at the Country Music Hall of Fame for Music Happens Here

Lady Antebellum is one of the premier country trios that have been ranking on the charts over the past eight years. If you aren’t familiar with them, kick back into your memory and think about the jams you listened to in the fifth grade. You most likely remember a song called “Need You Now.” Well that was a #2 billboard chart hit and my #1 elementary school bop by Lady Antebellum.

Lady Antebellum performed Friday, Nov.10, at the Country Music Hall of Fame for the Hilton Honors promotion “Music Happens Here”. Music Happens Here is a partnership between Hilton, Spotify, The GRAMMYs, and LiveNation to spread live music performances and traveling opportunities to Honors members. Hilton Honors is a benefits program available to people who book through Hilton. Nashville is only one of the cities that Music Happens Here has as a destination with London, Los Angeles, New Orleans and Seattle being the others.

The members of Lady Antebellum, accompanied by their longtime band, put on a great show playing an even mix of both old and new songs. A very special moment was their dedication of the song “Army” in honor of the veterans and veteran families in the room. Another great moment is when Charles Kelley being the silly, lovable person that he is, hopped off stage to dance with a woman in the crowd. While still singing. He also decided to sing a snippet of Josh Groban’s “You Raise me Up” after fellow band member Hillary Scott made a joke about how you never attempt to sing songs by Whitney Houston, Chris Stapleton, or Josh Groban.

Not only did the band put on a performance full of chemistry but the performance room had an amazing view of the city behind the stage. The view of the city coupled with the soft purple lights of the room had an almost magical feeling to it.  If you haven’t visited the Country Music Hall of Fame Museum yet I would definitely recommend spending your next free day there. Here’s the link:
http://countrymusichalloffame.org/ContentPages/visit

Amira Vivrette, A fellow Vandy 2021 member from Casa de Sutherland shared her thoughts about the show with me:

“The concert was amazing! There was a lot of energy in the room from the crowd and the band. The band members were absolutely hilarious. They made lots of jokes that really allowed the crowd to connect with them. As for the venue, it had a beautiful view overlooking downtown Nashville. Overall, the event was phenomenal and well organized.”

I would definitely have to agree with her statement! Keep an eye out for Lady Antebellum’s next visit to Nashville as well as for the upcoming performances in the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Photos provided by Hilton Music Happens Here

 

Hello friends!

This weekend was a blur of festivities and activities, so I hope you have had time to catch your breath. I am so sad to see tailgate season end and will be patiently waiting for it to return. Here is peek into what I did these past few days that you may want to incorporate into your time as we head into Thanksgiving Break. As the holiday season progresses, make time to focus on the happy.

xx,

Sophie

EAT:

Nashville’s food scene is the stuff of legends. I am always on the hunt for new, fresh, and fun places to eat. This weekend I had a visitor from out of town. So, I made sure they visited a few classic and funky Nashville eateries.

FIVE DAUGHTERS BAKERY

A donut a day keeps the doctor away. The donuts and atmosphere of this quaint little 12 South bakery make it just that much sweeter. The decadent donut shop has flavors for all kinds of donut connoisseurs. It is also perfect for all the health conscious individuals out there too, as the shop offers both vegan and paleo flavors of donuts. The paleo chocolate chip donut was exactly what I needed after a crazy week.

  

BAJO SEXTO TACO LOUNGE

Extremely fun yet low pressure are the perfect words to describe this funky eatery. Not conforming to typical taco options, Bajo Sexto has tacos, enchiladas, quesadillas, and salads perfect for every type of eater. This lovely little place is suitable for winter having indoor seating and outdoor seating packed with heaters. The bold pink and blue designs are the ideal pop of liveliness. (PS: if youare an Instagram fiend, this is the ideal place to snap a pic and addsome fun to your feed.)

E.I.O. & THE HIVE

Everything is organic. Eio, pronounced E-I-O, manages to make unhealthy foods (read Pancakes) healthy or at least healthier. Not only will you enjoy all the fresh and filling dishes, but your soul will thank you too. The place is decorated fabulously following a design scheme somewhere between a beehive and an indoor garden. I have been here multiple times during our first semester and am always beyond satisfied with how my visitors (and well duh myself) love this kind place. Pro tip: order the blueberry muffins, you won’t regret it. Also if you have never tried kombucha, this is the place to do it. They even have it on tap and ready to go. The staff is tremendously friendly and willing to answer any question you may have.

WEAR:

I am ABSOLUTELY not made for cold weather. period. Late fall and winter chic are going to be my style for the next few weeks as the temperatures continue to plummet. Not sure how you feel, but I will be dreaming of a warm and sunny summer with every degree that the weather drops. The tailgates left me with the perpetual question of how to be stylish and WARM. These are some of my favorite pieces I wore this week! I more or less gravitate towards the greys and blacks this time of the year. A monochromatic scheme or neutral tends to look more chic and well put together even if you rolled out of bed five minutes before class. All of the are classic items that fit seamlessly into any wardrobe.

   

  

 

DO:

WORKOUT

If you’re going to indulge in all the food our lovely city has to offer, it is important to take care of your body too. This week I hit the reset button and took a few hot yoga classes. My personal fav, HOT YOGA PLUS, is right near campus. If you don’t want to go to an off campus studio, the rec also has a wide variety of workout classes to let you ‘get your sweat on’.

WATCH

This week I streamed the documentary Dior and I. Every wannabe vogue girl and boy alike should watch this if they want to see how a fashion show comes together seamlessly over time. I don’t usually have time for Netflix, but this is a documentary I would definitely make time for again. 10/10.

TREAT YOURSELF

Dry House Nashville. With the weather being so mixed, I chose to get a blowout this weekend to bring some life back into my locks. For those of you who are reading this thinking “what the heck is a blowout?”, it is a magical experience where a salon professional shampoos, conditions, blow-dries , and styles your hair. The Dry House Nashville is my favorite blowout location as they are notable for styling many celebs before major events like the CMAs. If gen chem has you stressed to the max or you just aced your last calc test, treat yourself like I did and schedule an appointment for a little self care.