Tag Archives: Melinda

Holiday Displays

VPED students Yoo Jung Lee, Joseph Klaus, and Alexandra D’Alleva designed this display for the iconic Flatiron Building.

As we begin to celebrate the holiday season, It’s also time to visit the wonderfully decorated windows of NYC! FIT students and faculty are displaying their talent and goodwill throughout the city this season with a variety of window installations.

In the iconic Flatiron Building’s “triangle point” window is the scene of a dining-themed display with a mannequin wrapped in a skirt made of white dinner plates and a bodice of white napkins. Perched on a table, she is surrounded by delicacies. This window is the work and inspiration of FIT VPED students Yoo Jung Lee, Joseph Klaus, and Alexandra D’Alleva. This inaugural display will become a new tradition.

To keep updated with other FIT-involved holiday window displays, like NY1’s segment ‘Harlem Businesses Get Into Holiday Spirit With Window Displays, click here.

Gift Ideas Under $15

Image result for gift giving

Hi all!

With the holidays around the corner, it’s a good idea to start planning out gifts while you juggle the end of semester group projects and finals. As I assume most of us are ballin’ on a budget (like me), I have curated a list of 5 gifts ideas under $15 dollars that won’t break the bank.

Fuzzy EVERYTHING: Whether a beanie, socks or a throw blanket, fuzzy gifts will keep your loved ones nice and cozy! I suggest looking in retailers such as Target or Macys if you want to be bougie.
Sheet Masks: I want nothing more than the people I love having glowy, hydrated skin this winter. I suggest checking out Bes Fren Beauty (32nd and 5th) for quirky K-beauty face masks as low as $1.00!
Amazon Goodies: I think practical gifts are valued heavily — whether a laptop bench, portable charger, essential oil diffuser, etc. Amazon is a great resource for finding items you thought you never needed at an affordable price.
Gift Cards: The universal gift as I like to call it. Everyone needs money! Focus on the needs or wants of the person you are gifting to. Starbucks, Whole Foods or a Visa gift cards never fail.
Homemade Gifts: At the end of the day, nothing is more meaningful than something you made with your own two hands. It’s the thought that counts! Looking into small projects like DIY body scrub or a mason jar with “100 Things I Like About You” on Pinterest. These gifts are sure to make the season bright.

FIT Ranks 2017

What made you guys choose FIT? For me, it was my dream program: Cosmetics and Fragrance Marketing. What also sold me was the location in the heart of Chelsea for jobs/internships and the fact FIT was ranks so highly as one of the safest colleges in the world. WELL, the ranks are in for 2017 and FIT continues to be recognized in outstanding categories!

The Business of Fashion placed FIT second in the United States and seventh in the world for undergraduate fashion programs. The college’s graduate programs were also celebrated — as FIT’s new MFA in Fashion Design earned fifth place in the international rankings of graduate fashion programs. These rankings also named FIT as the fourth best graduate business program worldwide (shown above.)

On another note, ranks are showing that a FIT education *literally* pays off. According to Payscale.com, FIT ranks first in the nation among public community colleges for alumni median mid-career salaries and seventh in the nation for all community colleges. WOO!

I’ve never doubted my decision to study at FIT and these ranks definitely reinforce my reasoning. I love to see my school thrive — looking forward to what 2018 has for FIT.

Interview Tips

Related image As I shuffle through my business cards, stalk potential employers on LinkedIn, and sit in front of the computer all day sending emails for internships, I can’t help but share my two-sense on interviews. I am a firm believer in branding yourself (even if you’re still just a “college student”) and selling yourself to the fullest. If you’re qualified and have a lot to offer, there’s no reason why you’re not fit for the job! Here are my top 3 interview tips:

1. Research, Research, Research: Search the company you are interviewing with online and gather as much information as possible. Whether it’s the founder’s story, company culture, products, mission or unique selling propositions, showing your interviewer you are educated and prepared will always leave a lasting impression. Also, using the company knowledge to relate to your own work experience will demonstrate you are the right candidate for the job!

2. Be Conversational: It is so easy to put important people within companies on a pedestal, but it is important to remember they are just people like us! Being transparent and “real” without the cookie-cutter one-liners appears more honest and authentic. Be yourself, because that’s good enough. Don’t be afraid to showcase a little bit of personality too.

3. Ask Questions: Show you are detail-oriented and care about what is being discussed. Asking specific questions about your expected role, tasks, responsibilities etc. will show you are engaged and serious about the position. Another rule of thumb: people LOVE to talk about themselves. As much as you talk about yourself, ask the interviewer personal questions to create a good connection.

Good luck with your job/internship search!

Ways to Change Your Life in 10 Minutes

I’ve recently been going through a series of changes in my life and came across some recent articles that have inspired me to make small strides in my daily routine. The most effective way to meet any goal, experts say, is through a series of tiny changes. Here are some that I’ve been making:

Wipe Down Your Smartphone: Using disinfectant wipes on commonly touched objects like your own smartphone can reduce the spread of cold- and flu-causing viruses by up to 90%, according to researchers from the University of Arizona.
Have Eggs for Dinner.
Eggs turn into dinner faster than any other protein in the fridge (think beef, chicken, or tofu), saving you about 20 minutes. This superfood has endless uses, including omelets, sandwiches, and soups. A fried egg on top of avocado toast and hot sauce is my go-to!
Layer Skin Products for Radiant Skin.
Never struggle to choose between two creams again: Apply lighter products like water-based serums first, followed by any oils or lotions, and finish with sunscreen, waiting a couple of minutes between each step.
Sip Green Tea Often
The caffeine that doesn’t give you jitters! Green tea is also a good calorie burner; it frees fatty acids so that you burn fat more easily, while the antioxidants appear to work with caffeine to increase calorie burn.
Drink Water with Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice
It hydrates, gives a dose of vitamin C, boosts the immune system, and has fat-burning benefits. When skin is hydrated, fine lines and wrinkles are less obvious too! Plus, it’s a lot yummier compared to regular water.

Enjoy!