Mirrors seem to always remind you of what’s wrong with … your belly, your thighs, your arms, your nose, or your skin. You stare; you analyze; you pick yourself apart, driving any hope of a good mood away.

Feeling positive about your body image can seem like an impossible task, but being proud of your body, no matter how it looks, is central to maintaining overall peace with who you are. And reminding yourself of your value will help.

Try to remember that your outer appearance does not make or break you. Your self-esteem is based on tons of things. Think about all the positive parts of you – your parents love you to death; your smile can light up any room; your friends support you because you do the same; you’re creative and warm…. Darling, the list goes on.

With those fashion mags and US weekly’s constantly publicizing the skinny girls, it’s hard not to feel pressure to be thin, too. So put them away for a while. Remove yourself and focus on being you and accepting that. Don’t cover up your mirrors. Think of your body as a gift, one that helps you do all those things you&#8217re trying to accomplishment.

When making the decision to maintain a healthy lifestyle, surround yourself with those who are positive and encouraging. Yes, you love your friend who doesn’t make working out a priority, but spending time with the one that does will be a better influence on you. Also steer clear of the pessimists, the complainers and the downers; they’ll only bring you down, too.

Posting notes on your bathroom mirror and bulletin board that involve your success in life will help boost your self-confidence sub-consciously. And what better way to start your day with a little reminder of your fabulousness?

Thinking positively can really alter your outlook on life and the perception of yourself. So get those happy thoughts flowing and smile when you see that babe in the mirror.

There’s nothing like the holiday season to take your diet from unwavering success to ultimate disaster. Who can say no to Aunt Sally’s homemade cranberry sauce or that mouthwatering turkey Grandpa cuts every year with his fancy electric knife/chainsaw?

Problem is, a typical meal on Turkey Day holds about 3,000 calories – and that’s just dinner alone! Luckily, there are plenty of ways to stay on track and eat just 2,000 calories throughout the entire day. Wahoo!

Rest assured; you don’t have to give up meat on Thanksgiving. A hearty four ounces of skinless, white meat turkey contains a mere 150 calories. But if you’re craving dark meat and that crispy, salty skin, indulging will only rack up another 100 calories.

Homemade sweet potatoes smothered in butter, cream and sugar – that’s your idea of a side dish. Um, hello! That adds up to roughly 300 calories per serving! Have your taters plain, ensuring that you’ll enjoy a little sweetness while absorbing some wonderful nutrients: calcium, iron and Vitamins A and C.

If it’s those pesky carbs you’re avoiding, try mashed cauliflower in place of potatoes. Add soy milk and garlic to those very cooked little white trees and you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the exchange. Even with butter, the veggie has just six carbs!

Thanksgiving wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without some sweet, sweet pumkin. To avoid all that sugar, add some pumpkin spice into hot chocolate or apple cider. It’ll be just as tasty as the rest of the pie you’re eyeing but far better for your favorite pair of jeans.

And if Thanksgiving is your day to splurge, go ahead! You won’t be happy if you deprive yourself. But remembering a few tips will help you eat healthily, causing far less damage to your diet.

Your boyfriend loves you: the way you toss those luscious locks; the way you bite your lip when you’re nervous; even the way your mascara is a bit smudged in the morning. He knows you’re not perfect but he still thinks you’re as perfect as perfect can get.

Before you get too, too comfortable and thoughtlessly let it all hang out, be mindful that there are certain insane quirks a girl can possess that annoy guys more than anything:

Needy. This is the girl who has some serious insecurity issues. She likes to latch onto her guy and hold on for dear life. If her man doesn’t constantly shower her with attention, she gets upset. But, most of all, she depends on him for EVERYTHING. The truth is, guys like a girl who’s independent.

Jealous. She’s the one who second-guesses her man’s loyalty A LOT. Whenever another girl talks to, befriends or looks in the same direction as her boyfriend, she tenses up and acts as if she has good reason to suspect him of cheating. In most circumstances, she has no reason to doubt him.

Shopoholic. Like most of us, this one can spend hours upon hours in a shoe store without even the intention of buying anything. But she loves to take her man along for the ride, and, let’s be honest, guys don’t get our shoe obsession and they never will. So spare him the torture.

Invasive. Snoopy’s her name. It begins with her digging through his drawers to grab his comfy boxers. Then she peaks into his “no one can ever read this” poetry journal to review his private thoughts while also obtaining his email password only to peruse his sent messages. Bad, bad, bad!

Chatty. Oh, does she like to talk. In fact, she never shuts up. A simple “How was your day?” can explode into an hour-long convo about every single little thing she did that week and how it made her feel. Again, at times, this is tortuous for the boyfriend.

So, there you have it, some slightly psychotic behavior. Try to keep it to a minimum.

A gal with pink hair has gotta have gusto. So when the fuchsia-coiffed Tarina Tarantino introduced her first jewelry collection in 1998, it was pretty clear that she’d soon become a smash hit.

Fast forward to 2006, and Tarantino does not disappoint with her unique line of glittery costume jewelry beloved by celebrities such as Cameron Dias and Paris Hilton. From her crystal embellished Hello Kitty necklaces, to her skull drop earrings to her new line of baubles worthy of Marie Antoinette, Tarantino proves to be a visionary who continues to bring jewelry to the fray that is unlike anything the world has ever seen.

New lines include the “Queen Alice” collection emblazoned with old drawings of Alice in Wonderland characters on antiqued necklaces, bracelets, rings and earrings – many done in old school cameo style. For some added frill to your repertoire, Tarantino has created a pretty and pink line of goodies inspired by the world’s most famed femme: Barbie. Vintage silhouettes and pink shimmers complete this black and pink collection of trinkets that are sure to sass up your Fall looks.

Tarantino’s prices range from $30 to $600 for sassier pieces, and each piece is sure to come with a side of compliments, oohs and aahs and whispers of “where did you get that?!”

Check her out at www.tarinotarantino.com.

Unless you are a one-eyed monster who lives in a cave, there is no way for a college girl to avoid going out to dinner. It’s a necessary social activity.

But with hidden fat and calories, hitting up restos on a regular basis can definitely derail any diet. Here are some important tips to make eating out a delight, not a disaster:

Skip the bread and butter. Both are loaded with fat and calories. Try fruit or veggies as an appetizer, if available.

Always ask for reduced fat-salad dressing and get it on the side to avoid caloric overkill.

Ask for lunch portions, separate your dinner into a doggie bag or share with a friend to avoid overeating.

Look for healthier cooking options such as steamed, grilled, roasted or stir-fried.

Make sure food is prepared without extra salt or oil. If food needs oil, request olive oil, which has heart-healthy fats.

Limit alcoholic beverages, which are loaded with unwanted calories. Drink one and stick to water or diet soda.

Wait to order dessert. It takes at least 20 minutes for the body to recognize it’s full, and by then you may not want that chocolate cake at all.

Don’t be afraid to demand that your food be cooked the way you want it. It’s your food and it’s your ass, not the server’s.

After last night’s killer study session (or bar crawl after the study session), the last thing you want to do is wake up early for breakfast before your 10 a.m.

Okay lazy hung-over girl, listen up! Everyone who’s ever told you that breakfast is the most important meal of the day wasn’t wasting their breath. A morning meal revs-up your metabolism and boosts your energy. But, most important, according to a study at Tufts University, morning meals also help you limit overeating during the entire day.

Give yourself 10 extra minutes each morning, and you’ll see the health benefits in no time. Whether you’re on a diet or just looking to eat better, try these quick options from eDiets chief nutritionist, Susan Burke:

Whole grain cereals (whole wheat or oat, or a whole grain blend) pack a mean punch of nutrition, especially ones that are high in fiber. Avoid sugary versions or ones with hydrogenated oil that won’t fill you up.

Smoothies are an awesome option. You can take them with you to class, and you don’t even need fresh fruit to make one! Throw one cup of the following in the blender: frozen fruit; nonfat milk, soy milk or nonfat flavored yogurt; and ice. In total, you’re only consuming 300 calories and a whopping 23 grams of protein, but no excess sugar to weigh you down.

Normally, a waffle might seem like a waste of calories. Some have trans fats and tons of sugar, while others are so tiny that 16 of them couldn’t fill you up! Kashi makes frozen waffles that are low in sodium and sugar and have no hydrogenated fat. Spike that waffle with a half of cup of fruit for a healthy kick.

There are plenty of quick fixes to try, like avoiding a calorie-packed muffin or excluding fatty cheese from your eggs. Even for the crunched college girl, making time for breakfast in the morning can be both a quick and healthy choice.

Fall means Halloween, midterms, endless football Saturdays and … Breast Cancer awareness month?

With Oktoberfest beers on tap and the first official grades coming in, it’s easy to forget about the bigger picture (i.e. doing good for others). But it is simple to get involved in fighting a disease that one in eight women will develop during her lifetime. So put down the cocktail and make a difference for women everywhere.

Get involved in the “think pink campaign” and wear pink ribbons to show support for survivors and research.

Look for “Race for the Cure” walks and runs — a great way to improve your health, lower your risk and burn off some of that Halloween candy.

Find out where you can get self-breast exam information and paste it in dorm bathrooms and showers.

Organize screenings of Sex and the City — have a few laughs while encouraging dialogue about cancer.

Purchase products that donate a percentage of their proceeds to breast cancer research.

So do a little good and live it up — after fighting for the cause you deserve it.

Your alter ego, “Sexy Dorothy,” took over this weekend. She showed her sexy legs as she strutted around at multiple parties; had a few dance floor make-outs; and left one of her ruby slippers behind … somewhere.

Today the “real you” is feeling regretful and hung-over, and all you want to do is devour your roommates bag of Halloween mini candies. If you’re going to give in, do your best to make a smart choice about which treats you put in your body.

Hello, candy corn. Based on calories and fat content, candy corn has less than chocolate. And they’re so sweet that it’ll be hard to eat more than two packages (which equals 220 calories). Unlike those mini chocolate bars which often disappear in mere seconds. With 45 to 80 calories a pop, those suckers smack you with A LOT of cals!

Can’t live without chocolate? Stick to chocolate pieces like chocolate-covered raisins (a one-ounce bag equals 120 calories), Hershey’s kisses (25 calories each) and mini peppermint patties (10 calories each!). You’ll feel like you’re eating more, which will make you less likely to attack the entire candy bowl. But, remember: Fewer calories per serving doesn’t mean “eat more”!

A Fruity Fix. Stay away from skittles and pick up the smarties. A roll of these little guys only has about 25 calories while one small bag of skittles can pack 150 calories and loads of sugar. You’ll still get your sweet fruity fix without adding any pudge.

Sweet lollies. Who doesn’t love a lollipop, especially Tootsie Pops? Sucking on one will allow you to not only calm your craving but also gather your thoughts and realize you really don’t want to demolish the entire pack of bite-sized Tootsie Rolls. That’s 60 calories instead of 150!

You may have put “Sexy Dorothy” to rest, but that shouldn’t mean the same for your diet.

For a girl, going Greek can be a pivotal moment in her young adult life. Unfortunately, becoming a sorority member also includes being associated with negative connotations that come from episodes of MTV’s Sorority Life – promiscuity, drama and cattiness.

However, there is a theme in sorority membership that is often overlooked by the popular media: philanthropy.

A wonderful example of this is the sorority Zeta Tau Alpha, which has been working for a decade to educate college women about breast cancer. And what better way to honor Breast Cancer Awareness month than with the mention of a sorority dedicated to spreading awareness year-round?

To focus on prevention, ZTA has distributed 9.75 million shower cards in collaboration with the “Think Pink” campaign, of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, detailing self-breast exam instructions. In 2000, the girls gave out more than 3.5 million pink ribbons with information cards detailing statistics, health tips and self-breast exam tips. In addition, they’ve worked with Yoplait yogurt to raise even more money for each lid collected.

Not only has ZTA been involved in awareness; they have also been highly supportive of breast cancer survivors: In 1992, they became official sponsors of the Survivor Recognition Program.

These sorority members are obviously not just looking for an excuse to party; they are looking out for the well-being of all women.

For a girl, going Greek can be a pivotal moment in her young adult life. Unfortunately, becoming a sorority member also includes being associated with negative connotations that come from episodes of MTV’s Sorority Life – promiscuity, drama and cattiness.

However, there is a theme in sorority membership that is often overlooked by the popular media: philanthropy.

A wonderful example of this is the sorority Zeta Tau Alpha, which has been working for a decade to educate college women about breast cancer. And what better way to honor Breast Cancer Awareness month than with the mention of a sorority dedicated to spreading awareness year-round?

To focus on prevention, ZTA has distributed 9.75 million shower cards in collaboration with the “Think Pink” campaign, of the Susan G. Komen Foundation, detailing self-breast exam instructions. In 2000, the girls gave out more than 3.5 million pink ribbons with information cards detailing statistics, health tips and self-breast exam tips. In addition, they’ve worked with Yoplait yogurt to raise even more money for each lid collected.

Not only has ZTA been involved in awareness; they have also been highly supportive of breast cancer survivors: In1992, they became Official sponsors of the Survivor Recognition Program.

These sorority members are obviously not just looking for an excuse to party; they are looking out for the well-being of all women.