Author: Olivia Martin

The beauty of thrifting is that you never know what you might find, and it forces you to be open-minded and encourages creative self-expression when shopping.

In the blink of an eye, it seemed as though I became a senior in college after navigating a global pandemic, dissecting a presidential election and acing classes that were taught in hybrid situations.

Baylor has so much potential to have a booming graphic design program, and it makes me sad to think of all the people I know who are dying to take more graphic design classes but simply won’t ever have the chance to do so.

By Olivia Martin | Social Media EditorAs the end of the semester wraps up and students are in full-panic mode with finals just a few days away, let’s speed ahead to the summer and take a quick peek at what is to come. Although the majority of students will head home or out of Waco for the summer, many will find themselves staying in Waco for jobs, internships or summer school.If this is you, don’t fear! This guide will help give ideas to those staying in Waco to live their best Waco summer life and make the most of their…

I think we can all agree that 2020 was one of the most, if not THE most exhausting year my generation has ever experienced. If you are looking for a sign to rest this summer, this is it.

It’s Dr Pepper Hour, but with more of what you love.

Olivia Martin | Social Media EditorThe strand of an old, recurring virus commonly known as the “Bieber Fever” spread throughout the world on March 19, when Justin Bieber released his newest album “Justice.”Within two weeks of the release, Bieber’s album found itself No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart with a total of 154,000 equivalent album units. The new album features a variety of celebrities, including Chance the Rapper, Benny Blanco, Khalid, Domonic Fike, Giveon, Daniel Caesar and more. Bieber blessed his fans by releasing the singles “Holy,” “Lonely,” “Anyone” and “Hold On” prior to putting out the full album.…

By Olivia Martin | Social Media Editor Every Saturday morning, students and the local community have the opportunity to head to the Waco Downtown Farmers Market where they can find agricultural and artisan goods from local Waco vendors.The market, located downtown on Washington Avenue, started in 2011 after many months of planning and preparing. The original idea for the market was formed when various local vendors and businesses came together to talk about the possibility of starting the market in the downtown area.As a result of that discussion, The Waco Farmers Market Permit Ordinance was put into place by the…

By Olivia Martin | Social Media EditorSince quarantine began, the era of online shopping has in part increased due to influencers posting on TikTok and other social media platforms.TikTok accounts like @laauren1 and @brooke_lynn7 began posting Amazon haul videos for their followers and linking items to their personalized Amazon storefronts.Other social media fashion gurus, such as @hayleyelysefit and @teresalaucar, have been sharing their Amazon finds through Instagram stories and highlights.Austin junior Hannah Davis said she has always had a passion for expressing herself through clothing and accessories. Last year, when COVID-19 hit, shopping mostly moved online, Davis started noticing a…

By Olivia Martin | Social Media EditorSpring is in the air and so is graduation. A real-life job and the realization for many that leaving the Baylor community is just a few short weeks away. Seniors are preparing for graduation and navigating the mixed emotions of getting ready to move into the “real world.”One of the questions many college seniors face is whether they go for the dream job or work in their dream location.Shelby Cefaratti, marketing communications coordinator of the Baylor Career Center, emphasized the importance of students knowing their long-term goals when considering a future career and location.“If…

By Olivia Martin | Social Media EditorBeing a Waco photographer is not easy according to many who have taken on the challenge. There are no rolling hills, scenic mountains or huge skyscrapers to use as backgrounds or subjects. However, Waco offers photographers something that most locations do not: it’s home to one of the biggest tourist attractions in the United States.Magnolia provides photographers with the opportunity to experience meeting people from all over the world and capturing their experiences in Waco. Since Waco is a destination spot, it serves as a major perk for photographers.Mckenzie Noriega, also known by her…

Every woman has a story. It doesn’t matter how extreme, every woman has felt unsafe at one point in their life because of a man.

By Olivia Martin | Social Media EditorChicago native and Baylor alumna Heidi Rojas always knew she wanted to follow her family’s musical background. However, she had no idea that Baylor University would be the beginning of her career as a #1 hit songwriter, artist developer and songwriting, performance and vocal coach.Rojas said she gives credit to her musically-gifted family for inspiring her own love for music and the arts. She loves her family’s Guatemalan roots, and is proud of her heritage as a Latina. With her mother being from Guatemala and her father being from Cuba, Roja said the culture…

Every time I go to a coffee shop, I am faced with the option to either pay extra for non-dairy milk such as almond milk or oat milk, or say a prayer for myself and hope my body doesn’t hate me when I order a latte with regular milk.

Whatever it is, most of us make New Year’s resolutions that usually we forget about by the time Feb. 1 rolls around.

By Olivia Martin | Social Media EditorOne of the most popular diets of 2020 was the Keto diet. This high fat, low carb diet essentially alters the way food is metabolized and puts the body into a state of Ketosis where fat is being burned into energy. What most people do not know is that the Keto diet is a medical dietary intervention for a very specific population, that is, people (mostly children) with epilepsy. Fad diets want people to believe that they are useful and practical for everyone when, in fact, only very small populations are in need of…

Netflix’s take on aristocratic British life results in a show that stands out with cinematic brilliance and racy scenes later in the season.

By Olivia Martin | Social Media EditorThe spread of COVID-19 has been unstoppable since early last year, and even with new hopes in the vaccine, the virtual era does not seem to have an end in sight. However, in response to the spread of the virus, something else is spreading too — comfy clothes.Loungewear. Pajamas. Sweats. Whatever you want to call them, you know what I’m talking about. In a survey from Mattress Firm, 4 out of 5 people admitted to wearing comfy clothes during working hours when working online. In this new online era, our world has gone almost…

The Lariat’s social media editor Olivia Martin gives some tips on what you can do to push away election anxiety.

Not everyone is ready for college right out of high school.

By Olivia Martin | Social Media EditorOne thing that I am not is a homebody. Don’t take that the wrong way — I love my home, both here in Waco and in California, but the amount of time that I typically spend at home on a normal basis is very small. Maybe it’s my people-loving personality or my inability to sit still, but I can’t be the only one who has found themselves going a little stir crazy from the amount of time I spend sitting at home each day (I’m looking at you COVID-19).Because my class schedule consists of…

By Olivia Martin | Social Media EditorWhether you are moving into your first dorm room or an off-campus house or apartment, the struggle of staying organized is real — especially in a small space, good luck, freshmen!Luckily, this simple organization and decorating guide will provide you with the tips and tricks necessary to stay organized and create a space that feels like home.Before you can begin to think about decorating, you should start with going through all the items you are bringing to your new space and getting rid of anything you won’t need. Remembering that less is more is…

By Olivia Martin | Social Media Editor“What made you come to Texas?”This is a question that I am asked quite frequently, and sometimes I’m even the one asking myself this. I have lived in the same house my whole life in Northern California and I can’t say enough good things about my home state. I love the people, the beautiful scenery, the beach, the mountains, the weather… the list goes on. However, I wasn’t always this “obsessed” with my state, and I have Texas to thank for my newfound hometown appreciation. Deciding to go to Baylor was a huge decision…

By Olivia Martin | Social Media EditorFor many, quarantine was a time of endless lounging and screens, filled with Netflix, TikTok and Zoom. For others, it was a time of productivity filled with new skills, hobbies and interests.For Basalt, Colo. junior Morgan Ash, it was a time of creating and building. Her proudest creation was an outdoor handmade pallet swing she made with the help of her father’s instruction.Ash began doing homemade projects during the earlier parts of quarantine at her home in Colorado. She started with various such as building a chicken coop, hand-sewing a dress, and installing new…