Age: 19
Major: Journalism

Being a small-town girl was never easier when I moved to the big city. I dressed how I wanted and with all the new stores and boutiques, formed a shopping addiction. In my photo I’m wearing a simple silver and grey colour block bubble-dress from Forever 21, a long, black cardigan (perfect with any outfit, dressed up or down) from Value Village (I like to shop second-hand), and a pair of solid black, scrunch booties from Urban Outfitters. This outfit is perfect for a night of dancing (maybe sans the cardigan), or even a day of class in the air-conditioned Journalism school. 

What is your favourite outfit for a night on the town: I like anything simple. I’m a fan of base colours, with accessories that talk. A night on the town usually requires a loose, flowing shirt, accented with a cute waist-belt, paired with leggings or shorts. Usually long necklaces or an abundance of necklaces clicks perfectly with an outfit.  

What is your must have fall fashion item: PLAID, PLAID, PLAID (see D&G Fall 2008, but maybe a little more subtle). I love that it’s coming back, reminds me of garden work with my grandfather, or camping with my best guy friends. 

Tell us what fashion item you can’t stand: Drop crotch. Enough said. 

  Favourite place to dance: Circa has the most interesting set up, with a dance floor that can release any inhibitions.   

 Where to go for best live music: El Mocambo. 

 You are going on a first date, what’s the plan stan? I like to take advantage of cheap events, and in Toronto, there’s always something going on. An ideal first date would be a picnic in the park or a night of drinks at a cozy bar.

Best hangover cure: All day breakfast at Frans Restaurant, perfect for when you wake up at three in the afternoon and stumble to your fridge, to realize it’s empty.

Where do most of your friends hang out (bar wise)? Before we’d hit Fynns on Thursday nights, you could usually find us at the Laugh Resort, there’s great local talent. We were regulars. 

What is your most typical at home meal?: While I’m completely Nova Scotian, with a hint of Scottish heritage, my most favourite meal is simply white rice, and on a good day it is accompanied by rosemary chicken.

What are you listening to on your iPod right now?: My newly discovered love-interest (musically speaking, of course) is Chester French, two boys from Harvard with a sound that resembles the Shins remixed with John Lennon and Paul McCartney. 

 Best food to sneak into the library/lecture hall: My staple for lecture hall food was always Vegetable Thins and an Earl Grey tea, an odd combination, but rather satisfying for two hours of English lecture.

 One thing you can’t stand in a roommate: Someone who eats their breakfast in the bathroom. This is an experience with my younger sister, and none of my current roommates, haha. 

 Favourite thing you’re decorating your new place with? Picture frames and light fixtures. I’m also very keen on vintage prints used as curtains and accents throughout the room. My theme? 1940s romance.

 Best cheap way to spruce up a space? Shop used! Kensington Market has some steals for cheap fabric.

 Favourite sober daytime activity (art gallery, reading in the park, etc.): Exploring the city, or catching up with the girls on the previous night’s events, preferably in our pyjamas. 

 Favourite place to study: In first semester, I really enjoyed studying in the Ryerson quad before mid-terms. My most efficient place to study is in my bedroom, music blaring and the door locked. 

 Best free activity/cheap activity: I’m a very social person so I enjoy anything that has me involved in the busy city with friends; I like window shopping in Queen West. 

 Favourite work-avoiding tv addiction: Sex and the City (my roommate bought the box set!!!). Or the news. 

 What are you reading right now? I’m currently reading Wuthering Heights for the millionth time, I’m also reading “the New York Times best seller,” Twilight.

 Favourite newly discovered neighbourhood: I absolutely adore King West, it goes from big-city glamour to an uncanny resemblance of Halifax’s Granville Street, a heart-warming experience for those days plagued with homesickness.   

Course you would recommend to peers: Sociology.

Course you are most looking forward to this year: My music courses, Introduction to Early World and European music. Second semester offers Introduction to Classical. These will be the classes that get me through the year. 

One thing you wish you knew before starting university? That Frosh Week really is how it’s portrayed in the movies. And no matter which courses you take in high school, nothing can prepare you for the adventure and friendships ahead of you in University. I’m a bit of a cheese. 

 What’s the best thing about your particular university? There are endless opportunities and activities for students involved in their campus, there is also the opportunity to befriend a Fashion Student and receive full benefits of confidential information regarding colouring for the Spring and patterns for the Fall. Also, regardless of the day of the week, or the hour of which your first class begins, there is always a party with welcoming hosts.

What’s the most annoying thing about your particular university? Ryerson lacks the skill of organization, and causes frustration come course selection. The best mindset to keep while struggling with Ryerson’s ridiculous (and, more often than not, crashed) RAMSS system, is that in the end, everything works out… and if it doesn’t, you can always rely on that one, trusty classmate.  

Any warnings? There are lots of egos involved in the infrastructure of university, but if you’re wearing a cute outfit and emanate a confidence that matches, you’ll attract all the right people.