Texas recently passed the bathroom bill act which requires people to use the restroom which their birth certificate says rather than which gender they feel.

Since the passing of the bathroom bill people have already been responding and protesting this bill. More specifically a seven year old transgender, named Libby wrote a letter to her school explaining her fears with this new act. Libby feels her safety is being jeopardized and demands a change. This child is one of the many outraged about this act showing the bill will definitely continue to be a hot topic. While others have proven to be remaining adamant about birth certificate gender defining which restroom a person uses.

Libby’s parents feel very strongly about fighting this act and will continue to try and allow their child to use the bathroom she desires. Seven year old Libby is now acting as a strong activist against this bathroom issue.

Libby is a prime example how transgender, and their families are reacting across Texas. The bathroom bill will surely remain up for debate.

Source: http://www.cnn.com/2017/08/03/health/trans-youth-texas-bathroom-bill/index.html

With school coming around the corner, you want to make sure everything is perfect for the busy year to come. We all know the basics: notebooks, pens, pencils, etc, but some very important things are often overlooked while shopping for back to school. Whether you’re a parent, in college, or in high school. These are some essentials you want to get when you go back to school.

Electronic essentials

Although electronics aren’t typically the first thing you think of when you hear back to school, they are vital in today’s education. Buying electronics doesn’t have to be costly or stressful and here are some affordable back to school needs that you can find in the electronics aisle. First headphones, these are important for some alone study time, when you have some free time and want to wind down by listening to music, or passing time when walking from class to class. A good inexpensive pair of headphones aren't hard to come by and are available at Target for only $9.99. Another essential item for the school year is a portable charger. Let's face it, although we aren't supposed to use our phones during school we do. Don't let a dead phone put extra stress that you don’t need, or restrict internet access during school. Invest in a good portable charger, Walmart has a portable charger for only $8.55. Another electronic essential is a USB, although useful it's often overlooked. A USB is important to save those important essay, project, or documents. Even if you already have a USB it’s good to start the year with a fresh one that has plenty of storage and doesn’t contain unnecessary items that are no longer need from the previous school year. You can find a USB drive at any office supplies store, but Target has a few starting at a low price of $9.99.

Lunch Wear

Packing lunch and bringing something to drink during school is very important, it can save money from buying lunch, water, or coffee at school. A thermos is really useful to keep drinks cool/hot. Thermos are a good way to stay hydrated or caffeinated, whether you want to bring water, or coffee a thermal is definitely necessary. You can find thermos practically anywhere and Target has some really cute ones ranging from $3-15. Another thing to pack with you is a good food storage container. By buying a food storage container you can save the hassle with bad school lunch, and you can save some money. Make sure to get a food storage container that’s small and convenient, food storage containers are important for everyday use and shouldn’t be forgotten. Target has the perfect food storage container for the low price of  $13.49. Another important item for lunch is a lunch bag. Although this is obvious it’s critical to get a thermal lunch bag. A thermos lunch bag can help store your food and not mix it with your papers or get your backpack messy. If you have a thermos lunch bag it will really help maintain freshness of food. A good lunch bag should be easily accessed and be able to fit inside your backpack without taking up too much space but it should also have a lot of space for your you lunch. It doesn’t hurt if the thermos lunch bag has a nice pattern on it too! Walmart has some nice thermos lunch boxes that are very spacious for $8.99.

Snacks

Whether you forgot breakfast, or simply need something to hold you over til lunch, small snacks are something that should be kept in your backpack. Some good healthy snack to take on the go are:  gum, cliff bars, crackers, and sliced apples. A few snacks to keep in a backpack can be a lifesaver. Make sure to never let an empty stomach affect your school work and keep some snack with you this school year.

Calendar

A calendar is important to mark those important dates, it’s different from a planner because everything is laid out for the month instead of the week. This helps you maintain a good schedule and to not forget about any important dates. They are extremely helpful for the disorganized or the busy body by managing time or making time for football games, etc. This often isn’t thought of to buy, but can really help for a more organized school year and more effective planning.

Some Extra

There are a few things forgotten that can really make our year a lot easier than you can find in the toiletry aisle. Germ ex, chapstick, and baby wipes are essentials. Germ ex and baby wipes can help when you have to eat quickly and don’t have time to go wash your hands. Baby Wipes can also help with any spills you have or any emergency where you might need them. It’s very important to keep your hands clean especially during flu season. Chapstick is also a must during fall and winter because of the dry cold weather. These few things are easy to store in a backpack and come in a handy way  more than you would think.

Don’t forget about his school necessities when you go back to school shopping this year. These few items can help improve this school year for you, or your child and aren’t hard to get!

Items mentioned listed:

Portable charger: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Tzumi-Pocket-Juice-4-000mAh-Solo-Portable-Charger-Black/47194699

Food stoarge conatiner: https://www.target.com/p/bentology-food-storage-container-set-clear/-/A-50635115#lnk=sametab

USB: https://www.target.com/p/sandisk-cruzer-glide-flash-drive-32gb-usb-2-0-black/-/A-14226972#lnk=sametab

Thermals: https://www.target.com/s?searchTerm=water+bottle#sortBy=relevance&Nao=96&og=waterbottle

Lunch boxes: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Portable-Thermal-Insulated-Lunch-Container-Box-Storage-Bag-Picnic-Totes-Pouch/332412703

Headphones: https://www.target.com/p/skullcandy-ink-d-2-0-mic-d-headphones-with-mic-black/-/A-14152967#lnk=sametab

Decorating a dorm can be stressful, expensive, and difficult. But no fear these DIYs are here to save the day with cute homemade projects that can bring any dorm to life and won’t break the bank. Here are seven dorm decor DIYs to help decorate this school year.

1.Want to hang pictures up but don't want to go through the hassle of getting frames? Try this clothespin clip DIY. This DIY allows you to display your fondest memories in a unique imaginative way. It’s easy, fast, and cheap. This will surely add a personal feel to your dorm and helps display those picture perfect moments.

Clothespin DIY

2. This space efficient DIY helps your bathroom stay organized more than ever. It can turn any boring bathroom, or room to stylish and chic. It doesn’t require much and only takes around 30 minutes. This mason jar DIY will save space and make sure everything you need is in one place.

Mason Jar DIY

3.This DIY  Hanging pin board allows you to display anything you want with a few simple materials: fabric, cardboard, a piece of string, and few staples. This board is perfect to hang up pictures, or reminders while being extremely convenient and cute. Turn any boring wall or extra space to an organizer board. This self-made board will sure help you remember all your daily task or some memories you don’t want to forget.

Hanging Pin Board DIY

4.Want to keep your floor tidy? With the help of this DIY shrug rug you can, it’s an alternative for a costly rug that helps your creativity shine. This shrug rug allows you to match your carpet with any color you want and offers a unique look to your dorm that you can’t buy in stores.  

Shrug Rug DIY

5.Sharing bathrooms can be difficult, but this original DIY allows you to keep your shower essentials together, so you won’t mix it with your roommates. This will certainly make your shower organized and tidy and won't take up too much space, or look bulky.

Hanging Bathroom Buckets DI

6. Put your extra tissues paper to good use with these pom poms DIY. Save some money for your tuition with this decor. Add some color to your dorm with these fun pom poms. This DIY  is sure to tie any dorm together. It only requires a few supplies and will surely have the extra ceiling space put to good use and make any dorm pop.

Pom Poms DIY

7. Don’t let boring furniture bring your dorm down. Try this bar stool DIY it allows any bar stool to become re-imagined. This project helps make any bar stool more comfortable, and fit your dorm style better. Try this innovative DIY and make that boring bar stool fun.

Bar Stool DIY

Don’t let decorating your dorm stress you out try one of these fun DIY today.

Boys over flowers

This Korean drama is based off a young girl's struggle to fit into her new wealthy school. While it features forbidden love, and a quirky message. It filled with romance and drama that is unlike anything offered in other Netflix shows. Watching the bonds and relationships build in this show is incredible, and engaging . The emotion and pain in the show will surely have you reaching for tissues and leave you on the edge of your seat each episode.

Riverdale

Based off the Archie comics, Riverdale is a group of high school student trying to figure out who murdered one of their classmates. This isn’t your average murder mystery, it’s so much more. It contains such diverse and well developed characters that anyone will definitely love. Riverdale’s humor and suspense will keep you wanting more. Not only is it filled with drama, but it will leave you guessing who did it. It features amazing music that adds additional depth to to the show. Riverdale is a show you can watch all day, and still want to click on the next episode.

Shameless

This show focuses on a young adult trying to raise her 5 siblings, as her struggles are revealed Shameless has a humorous yet emphatic tone. The show features very genuine storyline that is easy to grow attracted to. Shameless will have your emotions for a ride as it features fun moments, as well as extremely dark ones. It’s filled with family, romance, and obscenity. As the show progresses it continues to get crazier.

 The Carrie Diaries

This show is  a prequel to the beloved Sex and the City. If you love Sex and the city you’ll love The Carrie Diaries. It focuses on a young Carrie Bradshaw and Carrie’s friends going through the struggles of teenage life. Carrie is a very relatable and admirable character that anyone will love. This show has a strong New York emphasis and allows you to partake in Carrie’s journey. It's entertaining to see her and her peers evolve. It’s interesting to see how Carrie came to be and how she changes as a writer over time. Although the show only has two seasons, they are greatly amusing and definitely will make you want more of The Carrie Diaries.

Jane The Virgin

This show is one of the craziest ones on this list. As you see Jane endure the struggles of dealing with being a mother. You get to see a crazy love triangle unfold before your eyes. This telenovela will have you reaching for the popcorn. It has constant plot twist and never features a dull moments. Jane The Virgin has hilarious narrations and funny gags that will keep you glued to your screen.

Girl Boss

 This show is the epitome of good comedy. Loosely based on the true story of Sophia Amoruso’s journey to her successful  business Nasty Gal. Girl Boss really gives a look into the struggles faced in order to make it big in today's business world. It has a unique sense of humor that allows for some interesting characters and fun storylines. It’s unique dialogue and plot will have you laughing non stop. As the show progress through  Sophia’s friendships, business struggles, fears, and heartbreaks, you’ll want to see more of this Netflix Original.

Local Carrollton Italian restaurant changes how we view your typical local business. Joe’s pizza opened 28 years ago as a pizzeria. Carolyn, the current owner, was once an enthusiastic customer, who visited the restaurant everyday after school. Little did she know that she would become the future owner of Joe’s. Originally, Carolyn bought Joe’s 16 years ago for her son, but has continued to run it to this day. Saying Joe's Pizza is involved in the community is an understatement. The local eatery donates baby supplies to teen mothers, provides coupons to underprivileged families for Joe’s, and helps veterans. They were the first in Carrollton to open a kitchen for those in need. Joe’s holds an annual thanksgiving kitchen for the homeless giving them a hot meal in their time of need. Inspired by the restaurant's ability to provide aid to the community, Carolyn is determined to open a proper soup kitchen in the future. Joe’s pizza not only helps the community, but also has delicious food. Their New-York style pizza is marvelous and very fresh. Joe’s pizza has good food, and their staff is amazing. The owner knows all her customers very well and makes sure they have a pleasant experience at Joe’s, exemplifying Carolyn’s caring attitude about her restaurant. Joe’s not only provides good food, but helps Carrollton tremulously, go check out Joe’s for yourself today.

Located on: 1855 Frankford Rd E #100, Carrollton, TX 75007