The GW Local

By Claire Leibowitz, EIC Comedians Will Roberts and Margaret Korinek captivated two 60-person audiences at their Farewell For Now Third Floor Variety Show at Tonic on Saturday, and Magician Max Davidson impressed attendees by remembering everyone’s name, solving a Rubik’s cube blindfolded, and guessing the distance and running routes of random Strava users in the…

By Alexandra Savage I don’t often realize how lucky we are to have the metro system until I visit my hometown in New Jersey, which requires me to drive everywhere. As someone who barely passed my driver’s test because I can’t parallel park, hearing the words “we’re meeting downtown” is enough to send chills down…

By Stuti Rao From Game Pigeon to Wordle to My Master List  January 2022 was quite an eventful month, at least for me. Lockdown and COVID-19 were gradually becoming a distant memory, I was done with my college applications and could finally breathe, my senior year of high school was picking up, and, most importantly…

By Nina Rodriguez Just like Mr. Groundhog said, spring is officially on its way! Cherry blossoms are blooming and pollen allergy medications are becoming seemingly difficult to acquire. The warm weather, increase of sunlight, and the budding of new flowers mean your closet needs to be prepared! Spring is typically a season of new beginnings…

By Kendal Furman, Assistant EIC As the Christmas tree comes down and the New Year’s enthusiasm begins to settle, the ceremonial arrangement of Valentine’s Day decorum makes its inevitable return. The shame of being single seems as inescapable as the plush teddy bears and crappy chocolates which take over convenience store shelves. You begin to…

Kendal Furman (Assistant EIC) All throughout the year, I’d be cleaning the house, doing homework, scrolling on social media, etc. and ideas would pop into my head of what I would like to gift and receive during the holiday season. I told myself I would remember the items, making a mental note of them before…

By Nina Rodriguez School is out and the holidays are in! Instead of catching the yearly winter flu, how about catching the travel bug? Here are some classic, trendy, and underrated travel destinations for this winter.  Let’s start with some classics.  1. New York City  There’s nothing like Christmas in the city! As a native…

By Grace Eberts, EIC If you are in the mood to refresh your Winter closet, eBay is the perfect place for you to go. People often invest in nicer boots, jackets, or sweaters this time of year, as they are searching for high-quality, long-lasting pieces. Fabrics like corduroy, denim, or leather are some of the…

By Alexandra Savage I’m not sure if it’s a personal issue or a universal phenomenon, but the idea of making that five-minute walk to Whole Foods without listening to music sounds unfathomable. In addition to the journey, choosing a song is not an easy task. You need to consider mood, tempo, and timing. Here are…

By Caroline Dehn, Assistant EIC We are officially counting down the days until exams are completed and holiday break begins. Though it’s hard to think about anything but finals at the moment, regardless of what holidays you celebrate it can be fun to get into the spirit of the season! If you are looking for…

By Grace Eberts, EIC This year when I found out that my good friend and roommate was going abroad, I was super bummed. This meant that we were subleasing her room in my house and I wasn’t going to have one of my closest friends around for the semester. However, I was also extremely excited…

By Tessa Barbeau Living in the middle of a city during autumn can lead to a craving for all things fall. Luckily, there are plenty of options across Washington D.C. for you to check out. Here are my top 5 picks for things to do (actually located in the city!!!) for this autumn. Common Good…

By Alexandra Savage On Sunday, September 25th, the GW Men’s Ice Hockey Team had their yearly exhibition game against Georgetown at Capital One Arena, located right by the Chinatown metro stop. Every year, students from both schools make the trip to see these rivals face off on the ice. Right before the GW vs. GT…

By Evelynn Schoenthal The beginning of the school year signals a revitalization of niche GW meme pages that went inactive over the summer. One account, @gwu.crushes, is especially excited to begin this new year, as their anonymous Google Form is quickly filling with submissions.  The Instagram account, inspired by one for Virginia Commonwealth University, collects…

By Evelynn Schoenthal Two years ago, during my freshman year, older students told me that the best advice they could give me (once we returned to campus) was to escape what has been deemed as the “Foggy Bubble.” The “Foggy Bubble” refers to the area that surrounds campus where students’ explorations around the city often…

By Vivian Ealy Whether occupying a small cottage on a farm or an apartment in a bustling city, cowboy boots have made their appearance in mainstream fashion as they became a summer staple for many young people. Historically used as work shoes, these boots have followed in the path of Doc Martens – they’re now…

By Kaleigh Werner When I first came to George Washington University, my life looked so different. My priorities, dreams, and ideas were nowhere close to where they are now. Time feels different when you’re just about to embark on this journey; knowing that D.C. is going to be your home for the next four years…

By Lauren Ofman It’s the GW dream – meet your soulmate in Thurston, fall in love, find professional careers that align, get married, and live happily ever after. While this fantasy may seem unattainable, these alumni couples were able to make this dream a reality. Rachel and Lee Licata met their freshman year at GW…

By Alexandra Savage During summer of 2021, I noticed that a lot of my friends had gotten helix piercings over the past year. After this observation, I was prompted to do research. From it, I learned that a helix piercing is a piercing that goes through the upper cartilage of the ear, according to Glamour.…

By Maya Konings As a vegetarian who considers eating out to be one of my favorite activities, I always get excited to go to restaurants that prioritize a thoughtful plant-based dining experience. Enter PLANTA: an entirely vegan restaurant serving a menu of exciting gourmet fare, ranging from sushi rolls to pizzas and (spoiler alert) a…

By Claire Leibowitz With the semester coming to a close, now is the perfect time to wrap-up your spring bucket list by breaking out of traditional GW nightlife and taking your friend group somewhere new. One easy and fun way to start or end the evening is with a more intimate concert. The District is…

By Caroline Dehn, Assistant EIC Awards season is upon us and while some focus their energy on nominations and catching up on the latest films, others look forward to the fashion. The Oscars took place on March 27th, bringing together some of the world’s biggest names in the entertainment industry. The red carpet is the…

By Alexandra Savage When I was younger I used to spend a lot of time on Pinterest scrolling through nail art designs. I envied the ability to create intricate art with such a small space. Sometimes I would feel adventurous and attempt to recreate the looks that I found online, but my shaky hands and…

Photo courtesy of Capital FM By Christiana Corporon Grifter, con artist, wannabe socialite and fraudster are just a few of the words used to describe the subject of Netflix’s newest and controversial series, Inventing Anna. In case you missed it, Inventing Anna tells the (mostly true) tale of how fake German heiress Anna Delvey (Sorokin)…

Image by the Western Market DC Facebook Page By Claire Leibowitz, Media and Relations Manager The emergence of Western Market has added a plethora of new dining – and study spot – options for GWorld and Gelman-exhausted students.  Western Market, according to its website, offers “something for everybody.” The renovated space made its debut last…

By Alexandra Savage During quarantine, I rediscovered the joy of board games. After I ran out of shows to binge on Netflix, there wasn’t much to do besides dust off the boxes of old games in the closet. Admittedly, I have never been good at chess, a fact I realized when a 6-year-old I used…

Image from Netflix By Kendal Furman Netflix’s new release “Don’t Look Up” has been criticized as being too outlandish to be taken seriously. Even with hilarious moments, incredibly comical actors, and a far-out, almost unbelievable plot, to some, the movie still appears to be just another classic comedy. But don’t be fooled – the film’s…

By Caroline Dehn Spring break is just around the corner and we all need the week off to relax and set aside the fast-approaching stress of finals. Though many of us would love to leave D.C. to enjoy the vacation, we are not looking to spend extortionate amounts of money on travel while living with…

By Lauren Ofman, Editor-in-Chief After four years of surfing OpenTable, sifting through Yelp reviews and stalking D.C. food Instagram accounts, I have officially determined my top five restaurants in the District. From casual fast food spots to gourmet Italian, this list should provide you with go-to spots for any occasion. Here they are, in no…

By Parisa Akbarpour If you’re in the final semester of your senior year at GW, you’re probably feeling the pressure to secure a job after graduation. According to GW Today, about 92% of the Class of 2019 got a job or went on to seek a higher degree within six months of graduation. As someone…

By Alexandra Savage Many former Girl Scouts can remember the excitement of going door-to-door selling cookies to their neighbors. Personally, every winter I looked forward to when I could trudge through the snow and pass out boxes of thin mints. Although my Girl Scout career was short-lived, I still look back on cookie season with…

Photo via Mitski on Twitter By Mallory McGovern Few artists seem to capture the woe and frequent banality of life quite like Mitski does. With her knack for musical experimentation, lyrical expression and tonal embodiments of sadness, it’s no surprise that Mitski has cultivated quite the audience of 20 to 30 somethings grappling with the…

Photo via Los Angeles Times By Allie Cohen Harry Styles has garnered much attention for making history as the first man to be on a solo cover of Vogue in their December 2020 issue, according to USA Today. Equally as notable, yet often overlooked, Styles also made history by sporting a dress as a man on a…

By Caroline Dehn February is Black History Month and with the joy of celebration comes the reckoning of America’s violent history and actively taking steps to help the Black community nationally, but also in D.C. One of the many ways you can help this month is by donating money to Black-owned and Black serving organizations.…

By Claire Leibowitz, Media and Relations Manager Valentine’s Day can feel like a holiday reserved for couples, which can even be stressful and isolating to be surrounded by pink and red hearts, teddy bears and chocolates without a significant other to share everything with. But, Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be centered around your sweetheart.…

By Sophia Sasson If you are looking for a trendy DIY Valentine’s meal, look no further. Here are some ideas for you to get creative by putting together any of these food boards.  Note with all boards, variety is key. Use plenty of colorful foods to brighten up your board and make sure everything is evenly…

By Maya Konings, EIC Lifestyle This is slightly embarrassing to admit, but one of the things that I’m looking forward to the most for Valentine’s Day this year is planning the perfect outfit. What better way to celebrate your love than by looking absolutely fantastic? (Kidding. Sort of.) Whether you’ll be spending the day with…

Source: Cosmopolitan By Grace Eberts, Academic EIC Looking for a gift for a loved one? Maybe a gift for yourself? We all deserve a treat and Valentine’s Day is the perfect opportunity to show your love with a little gift. Here is your 2022 Valentine’s Day gift guide for everyone in your life! Virtual cooking…

By Sophia Sasson As GW students, we are lucky enough to live in the heart of D.C., but sometimes Foggy Bottom can feel like a bubble that is hard to escape. As a senior graduating in May, I now realize that my time in D.C. is coming to an end. Here is a list of…

By Alexandra Savage When I was in elementary school, UGG boots were all the rage. I begged my parents for a pair and wore them until the fluffy lining was no longer soft. Despite their decrease in popularity, I still have a pair of the black knitted type hidden in the back of my closet.…

By Mallory McGovern No matter what side of the Internet you were on last week, it’s likely you came across the latest viral Tik Tok turned mainstream news: the saga of West Elm Caleb, a mustached serial Hinge dater working for West Elm in New York City. What began as girls in the city exchanging…

By Maya Konings, EIC Lifestyle  From fresh and new ingredients to exciting, trendy recipes, there is quite literally a new food-related trend that emerges every day on TikTok. Often, these trends gain a ton of traction for a few weeks and then fade away (who else made baked tomato feta pasta literally once last year…

By Noor Jehan Ansari 2021 saw the summer of the “TikTok Olympian.” In a year where the Tokyo Summer Olympic Games were closed to the public due to the pandemic, TikTok users got behind-the-scenes footage from athletes themselves through short, vlog-style videos. USA women’s rugby player, Ilona Maher, quickly gained social media attention with her…

By Alexandra Savage When the temperature drops, a mug of hot chocolate can be the perfect way to warm up on a snowy day. According to the Institute of Culinary Education, hot chocolate originated in Mexico and Central America thousands of years ago, specifically among the Aztecs, Mayans, and Olmecs. Instead of the milk and…

Photos from @moth.princesss on Instagram By Allie Cohen Although Halloween only comes once a year, dressing up as beloved characters in pop culture is a year-round activity. Cosplay, or Kosupure in Japanese, is a performance art where people dress up and act out characters from various forms of media including video games, television, and comic…

By Parisa Akbarpour, Web Officer According to the Motion Picture Association, in 2020, streaming services saw a growth of over 26%, reaching over one billion subscriptions. It’s no surprise that while the country was cooped up in quarantine, services like Netflix, Hulu and HBO Max were leaned on heavily for entertainment. New releases have even…

By Claire Leibowitz, Media Relations Manager Regret nothing – Ephemeral Tattoo promotes limitless self-expression in the form of temporary, but real tattoos. The unconventional shop offers their clientele body ink that lasts for 9 to15 months. The it-factor that sets Ephemeral apart from other parlors is the ink, which is biodegradable and able to break…

By Grace Eberts, Academic EIC For years I’ve been told that I need to wear sunscreen every day no matter the weather or the amount of time I spend in the sun. Since the “work from home” revolution began, I have pretty much ignored this advice, only applying sunscreen when I’m planning to soak up…

By Lauren Ofman, Editor in Chief The holiday season is a celebration of many cultures. However, decorating for the holidays can be difficult if you don’t celebrate Christmas. Growing up celebrating Hanukkah, my family refrained from putting up decorations and lights. Ever since I moved to D.C., I’ve been finding ways to decorate my dorms…

By Zazni Vlijter In the age of digital media, TikTok has taken over subjects of academics, comedy, and even acting. Reaching a billion users every month, TikTok has reached a new audience of young readers and has taken on their own hashtag “#BookTok.” Users all over the world are adding their favorite books covering a…

By Evelynn Schoenthal December has begun and ‘tis the season of festive lights and “Deck the Halls” playing repeatedly inside every store. Each of our favorite popular Christmas songs that we hear on repeat during the holidays has its own unique history to it. For instance, did you know that “Jingle Bells” wasn’t originally a…

By Caroline Dehn The holiday season is always a time for celebration, happiness, and connecting with family and friends. Though this time of year is filled with joy in so many ways, it also can be emotionally triggering to those with eating disorders or those who struggle with their body image. Every day can feel…

By Kaleigh Werner, Assistant Editor in Chief Whether you find yourself in a budding romance or head over heels in love with your long-term partner, the pressure to find the perfect holiday present is on! Let’s be honest, you don’t want to be the one sitting across the table watching the other person pull back…

By Alexandra Savage Are you trying to come up with a holiday gift for your friends? Need to put together a present for a relative over Thanksgiving? Well, you should consider creating a flower bouquet! Not only do flowers look pretty, but they have a hidden purpose that many are not aware of. Back in…

Photo via @gdubmarriagepact on Instagram By Caroline Dehn Single GW students, worry no longer. GDub Marriage Pact has returned. For those of you struggling to navigate the complexities of the GW dating scene, a solution may be right at your fingertips.  GDub Marriage Pact made its debut in April 2021 with a splash, reaching hundreds…

By Kaleigh Werner, Assistant Editor in Chief  You’ve finished the last assignment for the week, lugged yourself and your suitcase back home and the first thing your mom asks before you even get through the door is, “Can you vacuum the living room?” Quite the Thanksgiving break, I know. I don’t know about you, but…

By Kaleigh Werner, Assistant Editor in Chief As we saw from this year’s Met Gala, “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion,” celebrities such as Ella Emhoff, Justin Bieber, Rihanna, etc. paid homage to streetwear style and its culture. For years we have witnessed the anticipation of Off-White’s new drop or Nike’s new Air Max, watching…

By Mallory McGovern Parents in town this weekend? Here’s a list of all things touristy, within a short walking  or public transport distance from Foggy Bottom! Friday Night It’s Friday, you’re exhausted and your parents who have been traveling to see you probably are too. Coziness, comfort and a delicious meal are key, all of…

By Grace Eberts, Academics EIC A few weeks ago, I took my very first boxing class at Rumble in West End. I had no clue what to expect and absolutely no clue how to punch something. However, after the 45-minute class, I left feeling confident, strong and eager to return.  Boxing is a sport that’s…

By Claire Leibowitz, Marketing and Outreach With a global warming alarm at risk of going off as early as 2027, it is important to remember that every small change matters. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, most emissions are caused by electricity and heat production and other large industries which means that individuals…

By Kendal Furman I’m sure we’ve all overheard the catchy lyrics “I am healthy, I am wealthy, I am rich, I am that b***h” circulating around popular social media apps like TikTok and Instagram the past few months. This notorious song—“I am” by Yung Baby Tate, featuring Flo Milli—utilizes something called affirmations, to leave both…

By Kaleigh Werner, Assistant Editor in Chief No longer are the days of going to the eleven-floor Macy’s in Herald Square or the Century 21 on Broadway for the shopping to be done in New York City. Department stores have fallen victim to the monster trend of thrifting in Manhattan. If you haven’t heard, consignment…

By Alexandra Savage November’s finally here, which means fluffy sweaters, pumpkin-scented everything, and mugs of tea on a chilly morning. While tea may appear an uncomplicated drink on the surface, the cluster of leaves represents something much greater. Before you start to boil water for your next adventure into the world of tea, consider reading…

By Marisol Cabrera As the temperature cools and the leaves turn brown, I know my favorite season is just around the corner. No, not Fall. I’m talking about Oscar season, a period in the Fall and Winter where movie studios release films they hope to push for the Academy Awards in March.  Due to the…

By Claire Leibowitz, Marketing and Outreach Sometimes, it’s hard to know what’s best for your body when you’re being constantly overworked. It’s easy to romanticize not sleeping, not eating enough and agreeing to too many commitments at once, as long as things look successful. From an outside perspective, yes, this seems productive. But in order…

By Lauren Ofman, EIC Over the past two years or so, my TikTok “For You” Page has seen its fair share of content – dancing videos, fashion videos, animal videos – but I can confidently say that Food TikTok has changed my life for the better.  Two recipes specifically have become staples in my diet:…

Photo created by Grace Eberts By Grace Eberts, Academics EIC We have been begging and begging for LGBTQ+ representation on TV for many years now. Many have tried and missed the mark with token gay characters, trans characters played by cis actors, and even creating a mockery of bisexual women. However, I think we finally…

By Alexandra Savage  With Halloween right around the corner, it’s time to explore the sites of some of Washington, D.C.’s most famous ghost stories. While the following stories are only anecdotal (sorry, no proof of ghosts just yet!), these tales are guaranteed to send shivers up your spine. Credit: National Park Service https://www.nps.gov/rocr/learn/historyculture/old-stone-house-history.htm  1. The…

Photo taken by Maya Konings By (roommates) Maya Konings, EIC Lifestyle and Caroline Dehn Cooking for yourself in college can feel like a chore. Combining forces with your roommates to cook a nice meal can relieve some of that stress while giving you an activity to bond over that breaks up your everyday living routine.…

By Kendal Furman Everyone’s favorite season has officially arrived! With increased stress, sleepless nights, and genuine fear, students appear busier—and more frightened—than ever. No, unfortunately I’m not talking about Halloween; I’m talking about something even more gruesome: midterm season. As everyone scrambles to claim the last study room in Gelman or tempt fate by turning…

By Mallory McGovern If you’re anything like me, you spend way too much time on TikTok. But in between watching people turn the saddest Mitski song you’ve ever heard into the latest dance trend, TikTok is a great source for sourcing your next DIY project. Inspired by this tutorial, I made my own squiggle mirror,…

By Kendal Furman If you’re anything like me, then you’ve been anticipating the start of this Fall season since, well, the end of last Fall season. There’s something undeniably magical about the crisp Autumn air, the changing of the leaves, and the heavenly smell of pumpkin spice wafting out of every Starbucks I pass. And…

Photo by Gitika Maheshwari By Beatrice Phillips Last Friday, Square 80, nestled between Guthridge and South residence halls, became an outdoor concert venue as GW students gathered for the first in-person installment of “Tiny Dorm Concerts GW” since the pandemic began last March.  Tiny Dorms GW founder, Gitika Maheshwari, welcomed students and avid Tiny Dorms fans…

By Caroline Dehn The energy was infectious at the Capitol One Arena on Saturday as thousands of DMV natives and visitors flooded towards their seats. Harry Styles was set to take the stage along with his perfectly coordinated band and the opening performer, Jenny Lewis. For many, like myself, this was the first concert we…

Source: Newsweek By Kaleigh Werner, Assistant Editor-in-Chief For those of you who aren’t aware of the purpose of such a beautiful celebration, the Met Gala serves as not only an ode to classic and extravagant fashion, but also to its designers. The Met Gala is a fundraiser for the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New…

By Alexandra Savage One unexpected downside of living in the city is the constant noise. For many students who are used to living in the suburbs, this is their first time sleeping in a noisy environment. Perhaps you’ve been woken up by a police siren or a rowdy pregame somewhere in your building. Either way,…

Source: PaySpace Magazine By Allie Cohen Many could say that climate change is an existential crisis happening up close and in real-time. This is prompting individuals to expand the conversation of climate change to more unconventional sectors and industries; say, fashion. Many know that the most polluting industry is the oil industry, but what follows…

Source: Kimberly Holland By Maya Konings, EIC Lifestyle Friends, the best time of the year is officially here: when Trader Joe’s transforms from an ordinary grocery store into an autumnal paradise. Yes, it is 90 degrees every day this week and there isn’t a colorful leaf in sight. But, it is after Labor Day and…

By Caroline Dehn Summer may be coming to a close, but Bachelor in Paradise continues to bring the heat each week. Though there’s still more to come, I can say this may actually be the most dramatic season of the show yet. As the time spent in paradise progresses, the drama has taken off. The…

By Lauren Ofman, EIC Real talk — it isn’t fall until Starbucks tells us it is (even if it’s August). The Pumpkin Spice Latte, best referred to as the PSL, is a fall staple, a vision in orange and an iconic symbol of changing seasons.  According to CNBC, Starbucks sold 424 million PSL’s in 2019,…

By Evelynn Schoenthal As a freshman, upperclassmen always advised me to escape the “Foggy Bubble”. And while I could take an educated guess on what they meant by that, it wasn’t until I arrived in D.C. last year that I discovered just how easy it was to get stuck in it.  For those who don’t…

By Maya Konings, EIC Lifestyle GWU friends: We are officially back and better than ever. For the past 1.5 years, all I’ve wanted is to return to in-person classes, and we are finally back in the classroom just in time for my senior year (not emo about it at all). In case you hadn’t heard:…

By Maya Konings, AEIC I was thinking long and hard about what I wanted my last article of the semester to be, and I came to the conclusion that it was only fitting that I close this year out with a style guide for spring and summer. It honestly feels like just yesterday that I…

By Kaleigh Werner, EIC Lifestyle By now I would hope the fashion educated in Gen X would know the iconic look of low rise jeans, lace-lined camisoles, butterfly clips and a nice pair of Steve Madden’s “Slinky30 Black” platform sandals. If you don’t, I can guarantee you will be seeing this outfit this spring and…