Trying to plan a spring break trip to Europe that won’t leave you broke? Good luck; those things are expensive! When you add up airfare, hotels, daily transportation, meals and alcohol, you could be spending close to $1500!

What’s a girl to do?

A few years ago, I backpacked through Greece with a close friend. We spent eight days traveling throughout the country, taking ferries, visiting the islands, lounging on the beach and shopping. It was a fabulous vacation and we both managed to spend under $1000! How did we save so much money? We didn’t eat huge meals, took transportation during off-peak hours and stayed in hostels.

Now, I know what you’re thinking: hostels are gross! And to tell you the truth, they are. But, if you’re traveling in Europe and want to save a few bucks, you’re going to have to stay in them. Keeping that in mind, here are a few tips for hostel survival and general vacation budgeting from someone who’s been there:

1) Never travel alone- It’s always best to have a buddy with you, especially if you’re staying in large communal rooms. Although I traveled with a girl friend, having a boy around definitely couldn’t hurt. Read More »

In today’s society, the most appealing man is one that is big and manly, one who is there to protect his “weak” woman. And the ideal woman? She looks like Barbie: petite, busty… petite. The ideal pair, then, is a big, strong man and his teeny, frail little lady. Because of this unrealistic ideal that we have all been socialized to expect and strive for, women want to feel small and cute in comparison to their men.

Yes, we want to weigh less than our men.

It makes sense, right?

I know it is stereotypical to say, but I like strong men who are bigger than I am. I think girls feel this way for many reasons, one being the constant feeling of insecurity and body image. I know I would feel insecure about myself and have the constant feeling that I needed to lose weight if I was dating a man who weighed less than me. I also think, politically correct or not, I’d like to be with someone who could protect me. I’m not saying that I can’t stand up for myself, but I like the feeling of security that a nice big pair of arms provides me.

And, let’s be honest here, it is hard to feel feminine and ladylike when you are bigger than your boyfriend.

So as much as I would like to say I would date a guy who weighs less than me, the reality is that I probably wouldn’t. But I’d like to know: am I alone?

Would you date someone smaller than you?

[Welcome to my Weekly Love List, a list on all things I love. Because if I love them, well, obviously you should love them too. As the Backstreet Boys song says (and yes, I am actually quoting them) “My Love is All I Have To Give.” So with that throwback, here are this week’s list-worthy things…]

Sure we all remember our jams from 8th grade. Baby One More Time made pigtails cool; we were singing about Mo’ Money Mo’ Problems, even though our $5/ hour babysitting fee was our only income source; and the Backstreet Boys got us doing the Everybody dance at bar mitzvahs around the nation.

We all reminisce about those regularly (…or is that just me?), but what I fail to remember on a more regular – wow I was soo awkward – basis are the earlier 90s jams, and the jams that were from the random bands/artists (Vitamin C, anyone?). But when you listen to them now, you are taken back to that time in 3rd grade when you stopped playing pogs to bust a move to one of these…

Surely these were on the very first editions of the Now That’s What I Call Music! CDs.

Ah, memories.

Love em.

So this is my Now That’s What I Call Music! Love List Throwback. Read More »

I love science. Figuring out how things work, studying anatomy, mixing chemicals; I love it all! So naturally, I dabble in the Science Non-Fiction section at my local bookstore. I know what you’re thinking: books about science are written by hundred- year- old men with big, scraggly beards who use big confusing words and even more confusing concepts. But that’s where you’re wrong!

Sure, you can find those kind of books if that’s your thing (for those who love science a little too much…), but there are also some really interesting ones written in totally understandable English. And guess what? They’re interesting and funny!

Mary Roach introduced me to the world of enjoyable science reading with her book about human cadavers, Stiff. I’m sure some of you shuddered at the word “cadaver,” but if you can handle it, this book is FANTASTIC! That lead me to Roach’s second book Spook, which is about the paranormal and a lot less gory. I loved both, so when I heard Mary Roach had a new book coming out this past summer, I was over the moon! And she didn’t let me down.

Written with her usual smart wit, Mary Roach creates a fun and interesting look at the scientific side of sex with her latest book, Bonk. Read More »

Lip Liner – most college age girls skip it all together and, quite frankly, probably associate it with crazy old ladies that draw on their faces with Crayola crayons. But don’t let those trend-ruiners ruin lip liner for you! There are some cases where you NEED to wear it.

Since most of us don’t usually (or ever) rock the lined lip I’ve compiled some basic do’s and don’ts so you know what to use and when to use it for the perfect pout.

When you DO need it:

Lip liner is a MUST if you are wearing dark lipstick colors or opaque glosses. If you want to try for some Hollywood red lips you NEED to match it with a good liner. It’s also a good idea for formal occasions or for professional photographs. Using lip liner will make you look polished and glamorous.

When you DON’T need it:

You shouldn’t use lip liners for every day makeup. You might be mistaken for a theater major. Never use liner with sheer glosses or lipsticks. The liner stays longer than the lip color so you can end up looking a little Bozo the Clown. Read More »

Our Star Search hero has been hospitalized for Pneumonia.

Is your beau more obsessed with fashion than you?

Remind me not to borrow anyone’s iPhone.

Yikes! What’s going on with Annalynne McCord’s makeup?

Check out First Lady Michelle Obama’s White House portrait.

Is Megan Fox a transformed woman?

Will Drew Barrymore produce the next Twilight movie?

I wonder why Kellen Winslow got traded.

Are you addicted to porn? If so, MTV wants your number.

I think I’d be a little nervous to try a wasabi mask.

Ever since I started college, I have found it super inconvenient that Spring Break usually happens during Lent. I am torn between being a good Christian and, well, enjoying myself! Spring Break is not like it was in junior high, where you listened to music and hung out with your friends. Instead of really thinking about what I should give up, or add, for Lent to make myself a better person, I’m thinking about what bathing suits I should pack! After all, it is my senior year, I gotta enjoy it! This is the one week during my last semester where I don’t have to worry about getting a job after graduation

So my Lenten promise is to have myself a great Spring Break, without going too over the top. I’m going to look back at my past spring breaks and try not to repeat the same mistakes. I’m going to take care of myself so that I look good in my bikini by working out and eating right, instead of crash dieting. I’m going have a bronze goddess glow and make sure my ex (who I’ve stalked and know for a fact will be spring breaking at the same place…with his new girl) wishes he never let me go. And just to make sure I give back during Lent too, I’ll bring back some amazing souvenirs! Woo hoo Spring Break 09!

So, Diddy Twitters. Which comes as no surprise, since he is the most narcissistic man around. He also likes Tantric Sex, which I learned after reading his latest Twitter: Diddy is “Having tantric sex!!! I feel so much better!!! Thank you”

Diddy tends to overshare (we already know the guy likes Brazilian waxes…on himself); that I know. What I didn’t know was why his new choice of sex made him feel good enough to use exclamation points. He just doesn’t seem like an exclamation point kinda guy. I mean, the man doesn’t smile!

So, what’s the deal with Tantric sex?

According to this article, Tantric sex seeks out to “reclaim the sexual intimacy that is our birthright.” It’s all about connecting mind, body, soul, emotion, and sexuality. Tantric teachers show students how to extend their sexual peak so that partners can experience several orgasms in one session.

What. The. Eff? No wonder Diddy’s feeling great; the man is having more orgasms than I’m having Cakesters. Right now. And that’s a lot.

I can’t even experience a single orgasm in one session, and Diddy’s gettin’ multiple? And having time to Twitter?! Where do I sign up?

I’ve already started researching the ways of Tantric sex and plan on studying that stuff like I’m studying for finals. Er, um, well,  better than I would study for finals! And probably instead of studying for finals.

Thanks for oversharing, Diddy. Now I love you for more than just Danity Kane.

[We're back with another edition of G.W.W.E. (Guys We Wanna Eff)! This week, join me in drooling over one sexy seasoned sweetie, Harrison Ford.]

As far as men go, few come as manly as Harrison Ford. The legendary actor has starred in two epic sagas (as Hans Solo in Star Wars and as the title character in the Indiana Jones series), playing some of cinema’s favorite alpha-male roles with grit and wry humor. I’ve seen him stare death in the face more times than I can count, and his iron resolve is just about the sexiest effing thing in the galaxy.

But while Harrison has been a bona-fide movie star for over 30 years, no film of his could ever compare to his gold-standard portrayal of the Commander in Chief in Air Force One. If I had to estimate, I would say I’ve seen AFO over 20 times. The film has it all: cheesy dialogue, crazed Russian political zealots, fighter jets, and my boy Harrison grunting, “Get off my plane!” while choking a villain to death (auto-erotic asphyxiation, anyone?).  I honestly began dating someone in high school because we both loved Air Force One. Seriously. (The boyfriend and I parted ways, but I still love ol’ Harry.) Read More »

You’ve been killing yourself all semester to tackle mountains of coursework while finding time to hit the gym and develop the perfect bikini bod to show off in Cancun, the Dominican Republic, Miami Beach…or wherever Spring Break 2009 finds you. When the day finally arrives, you’re ready to leave all of your woes behind. In a tropical hotspot hundreds of miles away from your RA, your professors, and your “Good Girl” reputation, you’re ready to let loose.

But be careful, ladies, because there’s still plenty of ways that your spring break behavior can come back to haunt you. Read More »