Author: Dalton Primeaux

Mardi Gras is right around the corner and everyone is flocking to New Orleans to join in the fun that is Carnival season madness. You may be pretty familiar with some Mardi Gras traditions like celebrating in the French Quarter, watching parades, bar hopping on Bourbon Street, and catching tons of beads; But, here we have 10 very interesting facts you may have not known about Mardi Gras.

1. So what does Mardi Gras mean? It’s actually French for “Fat Tuesday.” It marks the last day of “Carnival” season – which is characterized by tons of parties, decadence, and feasting – which is pretty much where we get the “fat” from. 
2. Mardi Gras has its roots in the Catholic faith. Despite the debauchery that is modern day Mardi Gras and no scriptural ties, Carnival season marks the time after Advent and before Lent. Basically, Mardi Gras is getting all your sinning in before Ash Wednesday.
3. Most people think of just parades when they think of Mardi Gras, but the season’s traditions start before the floats begin to roll. The kings and queens of each krewe, or New Orleans social group, begin the season by hosting formal, invite-only balls
4. It’s hard not to notice that during Mardi Gras everything is decked out in the colors purple, green and gold. They actually mean something! Purple stands for justice. Green stands for faith. Gold stands for power. In 1872 they became the season’s official colors.
5. King Cake takes its name from the Bible’s three kings. And the plastic baby stands for baby Jesus. It celebrates Epiphany, a Christian holiday that reflects on the kings visiting Jesus.
6. Mardi Gras isn’t just a New Orleans thing. Carnival is celebrated throughout the Gulf Coast and internationally in Brazil, Germany, Italy, Colombia, Trinidad, Mexico, and more.
7. Pope Gregory XIII made Mardi Gras an official Christian holiday in 1582, but it didn’t makes it’s way to New Orleans until the 17^th
8. Flashing your boobs is completely illegal. Though it’s a common occurrence on Bourbon Street, flashing at a parade will most likely get you arrested. 
9. New Orleans doesn’t require any of its bars to close at a certain time, and embraces the “go-cup” tradition, which is asking for a plastic cup to carry your alcoholic beverage in as you leave. The city allows alcohol to be consumed on the street as long as it’s in an unbreakable container. Of course, this doesn’t mean drunkenness in public is legal.
10. It’s illegal to ride on a parade float without wearing a mask. This was a law put in place to break down social barriers and allow everyone participating to associate with whomever they want.

Punxsutawney Phil’s forecast predicts six more weeks of winter. That is six more weeks of brutal, frigid wind and gross, icy walks to work.

Being prepared for anything during these critical conditions will make all the difference between surviving gracefully and ending up an ice-sickle-covered mess. What you pack in your handbag can change everything. Here is a list of 5 simple items to make sure you always have on hand and should constantly replenish in your bag until spring has finally sprung. 

Moisturizer

The dry air and cold wind is constantly whipping at our face every time we go outside, causing so much damage to our skin. That’s why moisturizer is so important during the winter. Don’t wait until your face dries out and becomes red and flaky to start using a facial moisturizer. Prevent it by using moisturizer daily. Keep it in your handbag to reapply as needed throughout the day. Remember, even though it is winter; still be sure to use a moisturizer with SPF. Despite the weather, the sun can still do a lot of damage to our skin. For bonus points grab a moisturizer that can double as a body lotion as well to keep the rest of your body safe from the effects of the harsh winter air.

Lip Balm

The winter weather is also not so kind to our lips. Having a mediated lip balm on hand at all times is a must. I’d even advise storing a back up in your bag just incase the first one gets lost. Our lips can dry out very quickly, so you never want to be without. Without proper care, your lips will dry and crack in virtually no time. It’s painful and unsightly! Also note that often when our lips are chapped it’s a sign of dehydration. So, be sure to drink lots of water everyday to combat cracked lips.

Eye Drops

Often left off of our winter beauty checklists, eye drops are so important to surviving the cold weather. The weather tends to leave our eyes red and our vision blurred. It’s so important to hydrate of eyes throughout the day. Red, itchy eyes are just as unappealing as cracked lips. Constantly having to rub your eyes can be distracting, for you and people you’re conversing with.

Extra Gloves

If you are like me, you go through several pairs of gloves each winter. I usually find ways to ruin them or lose them. Unknowingly they fall from my pocket or my bag as I’m walking around the city. And, when I need them most, they usually aren’t there. It’s smart to have an extra pair in your bag just in case. The cold weather is extra tough on our hands so we always want to keep them protected.

Hand Sanitizer

As if winter wasn’t bad enough, with it comes cold and flu season. Always have sanitizer in your bag, ready to use at a moment’s notice. This is especially important if you live in an extremely populated city or you spend most of your day interacting with a number of people. You want to make sure you don’t become susceptible to unwanted germs. There’s not cute about a cold. You should be spending winter playing in the snow or sipping cocoa by a fireplace, not in bed sick.

Most of America is gearing up for the big game this Sunday. It’s an exciting time for football enthusiasts. Patriots fans and Seahawks fans alike will all gather with their friends and celebrate over beer and pizza, because ‘Merica. But, just because you aren’t a huge football fan doesn’t mean you can’t still have fun at a Superbowl party. 

Whether you were dragged to the party by a significant other, or you just joined for the sake of FOMO. There are a bunch of fun things you can do to enjoy your time with your reveling, football-loving friends.

One fun way to enjoy a Super Bowl party is to prepare some interesting football snacks for the rest of the gang and yourself to enjoy. Bring some simple ingredients to the party and prepare treats in the kitchen while the game is on. Make it a group effort, and invite other non-football fans to join you. Some great ideas for party food would be guacamole, jalapeno poppers, chilidogs or snack mixes. You can even be bold and prepare sliders or chicken fingers. Making fattening guilty-pleasure party food is actually really fun and your friends will certainly appreciate it.

If cooking isn’t really your thing, you can always try mixing cocktails for the rest of the party. Beer doesn’t have to be the only drink available. Shake up a few different Super Bowl-worthy mixed drinks, like a sazerac, rum punch, a woo-woo, or even an irish coffee. Experiment and have fun with it.

Once everyone has his or her drink of choice in hand, initiate a drinking game! Make up your own rules and ask all your friends to join in. Every time your team fumbles (knock on wood) take a sip. Every time the other team scores finish a drink.

Make the night more interesting by betting on a team. Wage silly, amusing winnings with your friends or significant other. If your team wins your boyfriend has to take you to that new restaurant you’ve wanted to try. If his team wins you have to go take him to his favorite bar and buy him a round. It’s a lighthearted way to get invested in the game and join in the fun without having to actually like football.

The Super Bowl isn’t just known for the football. The half time show is also a huge part of the Super Bowl. The musical performers are always huge stars with over the top performances that usually don’t want to be missed. It’s much anticipated! As are the Super Bowl commercials. These million dollar advertisement slots are usual more entertaining than the game itself. Throughout the night take polls between the guests as to which commercial is their favorite. It’s a great conversation starter.

The most important thing is to go into the night with a positive outlook. Focus on the time that you are getting to spend with your friends, not the reason you are together. Whether you are a football fan or not, there’s no reason to miss a great opportunity for a fun night.

Graduating university is such a momentous occasion and should be celebrated accordingly. All your hard work and dedication paid off in a big way, and after several long longs you have something to show for it. But with one chapter of your life ending, another is just beginning.

Now you are about to enter the real world. You’ll be trading in classrooms for offices and dorms for apartments. Even though you have been dreaming about this time in your life for years, it’s not as easy as it looks. You may be sick of homework and midterms and professors now, but eventually the challenges of the real world may leave you ready to run back to your dorm room.

Everybody’s path is different. It’s damn near impossible to present an instruction manual about surviving after-college life and it help everyone. Some people will choose to continue their studies. Some people will choose to move back home. Some people will decide to take some time to travel. Some people will choose to get married and start a family. So, a play-by-play would not be of use to many. But, there are some tips everyone can use to achieve the right mindset that it takes to survive your first year out of college.

First of all, realize that you do eventually have to get a job. You can’t continue to rely on loans, grants and your parents to support you. You will have your own home, your own car, and so on. Trust me, when your bills start coming in (especially your student loan bills) you will definitely want to start job searching.

College may be over, but that doesn’t mean you can stay in bed all day and go out all night. Sure, celebrate graduation and maybe even take a vacation to reward yourself and refresh, but you don’t want to make a habit out of it. Not only is the act of actively looking for a job just as time consuming as an actual job, it also take a lot of effort. You can’t just stroll into an interview after a walk of shame in last night’s dress and a hangover. So, even though you don’t have morning classes anymore, still make an effort to wake up early, go to bed at a decent time, and keep bar-hopping to a minimum.

Network, network, network! No matter what career path you decide to take, networking will always be to your advantage. Go to industry events and parties hosted by companies you admire, and chat with people in your desired field. Share your ideas and what you’ve learned in college and grab some of their advice. You will learn a lot, and may even get a new contact for a potential interview.

One of the most important tips to surviving the first out of college, is managing your own expectations. You may have dreamed of graduating college, and then landing the perfect job, moving into a mansion, and having tons of freedom. However, the real world doesn’t work that way. Your first year out of college will not be easy, and mentally preparing for that will make all the difference. You will most likely be living with roommates in an apartment, not owning a mansion. You will be working your way up the corporate ladder; so don’t expect a job that pays millions right out of college. You will have to start from the bottom and work your way up. Knowing that and preparing for it will give you a peace of mind that many people don’t have out of college.

Don’t get me wrong, the responsibilities that fall into your lap after you walk across that stage may be demanding, but being an adult doesn’t have to be. Have fun. Meet new people. Explore new activities. Never stop learning. During your first year out of college, meditate and reflect often. Look back at how far you’ve come and all your achievements. Take time to be proud of yourself. It will rejuvenate your passion and strength. That way you can be ready to work your hardest and finally get that mansion you’ve always dreamed of.

Impressing your boss doesn’t necessarily stop after your interview. Once you’ve landed the job, you still have to be able to exude trust and responsible. That’s one of the only ways to ensure promotions, raises and your boss’s respect.

Office politics are alive and well in most businesses, and there is no way one can survive and thrive in an office setting without sincere regard from your supervisors and support from your coworkers and teammates.

1. First impressions are everything. Going into your first day of work with the right attitude and strategy will make a huge difference on the rest of your career. Being upbeat, friendly, and helpful to your team will keep you on everyone’s good side and keep you as productive as possible.
2. When you arrive one your first day, being polite is a must, but don’t draw the lie there. Be outgoing. Introduce yourself to everyone and make a conscious effort to remember everyone’s name and position. It will make them feel special, and will definitely come in handy down the line.
3. Be respectful to everyone. Treat everyone in the office with the same about of kindness and sincerity, no matter their title. Just because someone is an assistant or intern or receptionist or custodian, does not mean they deserve less of your time or respect. Your kindness will be reciprocated and it will more than likely be noticed by your supervisor.
4. In the same vein of showing everyone equal respect; don’t be hesitant to offer your assistance to everyone. Whether it’s helping to lift a heavy package, taking notes for someone, or even just proofreading a report or email, always make sure to offer your assistance. Being a team player is a huge part of being well respected.
5. Staying positive, and keeping a great attitude throughout the day will make a huge difference of your first impression. Despite how long a day is, how hard a project is, or how annoying your boss is, don’t express it out loud; definitely not on your first day. People will natural gravitate towards someone with a positive outlook. If your comments or actions are negative, soon enough people will begin to associate your will negativity and try their hardest to stay away.
6. Be polite. If you step out of the office for coffee, ask other members of your team if they would like something. If you bring snacks to work, make sure it’s enough to share with your immediate teammates and make sure to offer them some. It shows that you are thoughtful and selfless. Showing consideration will always be the best first impression in must situations.
7. At the end of the day, take time to meet with your boss or supervisor and let them know all the great things you loved about the position and the company. Also, never leave without telling everyone goodbye. Just packing up and leaving without talking to anyone make you seem rude. Never go the anti-social route on your first day. It’s the worst impression you can make in an office setting.

Taking the right steps and preparations to make a good first impression can change everything. You will have a stronger relationship with your team, a healthier environment, and lead the way to a successful career.

So, you’re not really a fashion fanatic and you don’t really understand this foreign concept of “style?” You may think that it’s something you are just born with, the fashion gene. You just weren’t one of the lucky ones. Well I’m here to tell you, sir, that you are quite wrong. Anyone can learn how to be stylish. Even you. Doesn’t that sound fantastic?

You should absolutely care about fashion and style no matter who you are. It’s how you are presenting yourself to friends, coworkers, clients, bosses, etc. Especially in a business setting, you want to represent yourself and your team as professional and organized. It also boosts self-image and, in a unique way, it just makes you feel special.

To start, there are a few basic investments you need in your closet. With these items you can start to build a perfect wardrobe. Once you learn how to incorporate these simple pieces into your daily routine, being stylish will become so much easier.

1. Oxford Shoes Sure you have tons of fancy sneakers and loafers, but having a pair of oxford shoes is most important. Special occasions, and work-related meetings or events call for a traditional lace-up dress shoe. If you want to look like a true gentleman and impress your peers invest in a pair. And just face it, slacks with sneakers just looks tacky.

2. Black Suit It’s proper for all gentlemen to our their own suit. At least a two-piece suit, preferably light weight fabric and neutral color, should be hanging in your closet. Black is by far the smartest color suit because it’s appropriate for a wide range of events. I would recommend having the suit, regardless of label or price tag, tailored to fit your body perfectly. When it comes to a suit, the most important element to looking dapper is a proper fit.

3. Neutral Dress Shirts You can’t spend the rest of your life in t-shirts, especially graphic ones with quirky quotes and images. Even though I do have a special place in my heart (and wardrobe) for some vintage rock band tees and they will always be perfect for a low key, off duty look, they don’t always scream maturity. Every man must own a few neutral, solid button-down dress shirts. Simple, classic colored dress shirts are important staples to a grown man’s wardrobe.

4. Classic Pair of Jeans Every man owns a pair of jeans, maybe even a few pairs, but they may not be necessarily the right pair. Denim is such an important part of a man’s attire because it’s so versatile. The right pair can be dressed up or dressed down and wore to almost any function. When investing in the perfect pair of denim, look for a straight leg or classic fit and a dark wash. Stay away from ripped jeans, flared legs, and those horrifying jeans with the bedazzled pockets.

5. Leather Belts It seems simple enough, but many guys over look the power of a belt. Invest in both a black leather belt and a brown leather belt, each with little to no detailing and a simple, metal buckle. Doing so makes each belt versatile, going from casual outings to business setting. Also, it’s important to coordinate the leather belts with the other leathers in your outfit. Never wear a brown belt with and black shoe, and vice versa. It can completely ruin an outfit, and leaves your peers thinking a 5-year-old dressed you. You don’t want people to think that about you. So don’t be lazy or careless when it comes to you outfits. Take the time out to properly dress yourself. You will definitely see a difference in the way you look and feel. And, you know what they say, everygirl is crazy about a sharp dressed man.

New York City is one of the most exciting cities in the world. It’s a city of culture, adventure, and history. One of the few downsides to a New York City experience would be the cost. It’s not a secret that New York is a very expensive city. Fortunately, there are many things that both visitors and residents can enjoy without liquefying all their assets for a weekend of excitement on the little island of Manhattan.

It’s safe to say one of the many appeals of New York City, is the distinctive differences in culture that lie within each neighborhood. It’s true what they say, that New York City isn’t actually a city. It’s a world. One of the most inexpensive activities is simply walking around the city and noticing the changes as you walk from one district to the next. Experiencing life in the West Village is different from life in Midtown. Chinatown is nothing like the Upper East Side. Find your favorite New York neighborhood and investigate.

When you explore the city, truly explore it, without an agenda or schedule, you will start to notice so many subtle hidden treasures – from street art, to landscaping, to architecture. There’s so much history hidden in the city, but if you look hard enough you can find it. Take the beauty that is Grand Central Station. It may not be free to ride one of the trains, but it is free to explore the station. Make a checklist of hidden features inside the station and see if you can find them all. Such as the hidden brick of the main ceiling that reveals what the station looked like before restoration, the hidden bar, and the amazing whispering gallery where visitors are able to hear the whispers of each other from diagonal corners of the room. See more secrets of Grand Central at UntappedCities.com.

Another exciting hidden gem of the city is the abandoned City Hall stop along the 6 train subway line. For just a minuscule subway fare of $2.50, you get to go back in time and see a piece of New York City history. Once a popular downtown stop along the 6 line before the length of the subway trains expanded, the City Hall stop now serves as the turnaround for all 6 trains. If you enter a downtown bound 6 train on its last stop, and wait for a bit, the train will continue down the line passing the abandoned stop in it’s turnaround to become an uptown bound train. It’s one of the most fascinating, beautiful, and inexpensive hidden gems of the city.

New York City is also known for its amazing parks located all over the island. They are free to enjoy and full of beautiful sights and fun adventures. If you are visiting New York City, don’t miss the chance to walk through the High Line Park, an old suspended train track converted into an incredibly beautiful park, full of lush foliage and breathe-taking views of the city’s west side.

It goes without saying, that Central Park is a must-see when exploring Manhattan. It’s beautiful anytime of the year, but best during spring and fall, when you can take advantage of great whether and visit the gorgeous (free) attractions through out the 800-something acres of man-made park. Some of the visitor favorites are Belvedere Castle, Bethesda Terrace, Bow Bridge, Central Park Gazebo, and Strawberry Fields.

Another iconic, free must-see is the Brooklyn Bridge. The walk up, down, and back again is exciting and the view from the top is astounding.

The list of free, cheap, and easy activities can go on and on. Don’t forget to Window shop along Bleecker Street, Broadway in SoHo, and 5^th Ave (especially Bergdorf’s during the holidays). From free plays in the park to free admission nights at the museum, experiencing New York doesn’t have to be about tossing money. Neither does eating in New York.

It’s mid-day in Manhattan, you need to refuel, but with your budget you aren’t able to eat $20 – $30 dollar meals three times a day. Luckily, there’s no need to. Almost around every corner you can find a dollar pizza or hot dog shop, like 2 Bros. or Papaya Dog. Not only are these fast food joints extremely affordable, they’re tasty too. It’s the perfect New York lunch.

Another way to save a lot of money is choosing where to spend it wisely and not throwing it away on some overly hyped tourist attraction. Residents and visitors alike agree that Escape the Room, Sleep No More and Queen of the Night are amazing attractions worth the money; As well as, The Top of the Rock and the bike tour of Central Park. Don’t miss your chance to see at least one Broadway show and one off-Broadway show, and taking advantage of the lottery will save you tons of money. Grabbing a Frrrozen Hot Chocolate at Serendipity 3 on the upper east side is a must for any visitor or new New Yorker.

New York City is an excursion that is worth experiencing, and it doesn’t have to be an option for only the wealthy. Even if you are a broke college kid or a recent graduate with a light-wallet, the city is your playground. You can make the most of it without spending every cent you wish you had.