I’ve heard of them all: Gilt Group, Hautelook, Rue La La, Ideeli… The exclusive, invite only “sample sale” sites that promise hot labels to a select group of shoppers at a reduced cost. Once you snag an invite, they seem like a win-win, right? Chi-chi clothes at recession prices! But like many things that seem too good to be true, the cons might outweigh the pros.

Love ‘em:
Obviously, there’s the appeal of getting cheap, cute, designer clothes without having to get out of your pajamas. Or bed. A few weeks ago, Hautelook had a Primp boutique and I flipped out. $88 thermal leggings for $20? Perfection. I figure I can wear them for future online shopping, um, trips. I also probably wouldn’t just waltz into Neiman Marcus or Bloomies sans makeup (and chic outfit) just to check out the Chloe dresses or Gucci purses without any intention of making a purchase…but doing so online is totally acceptable!

The sites also feature a large variety of designers. Sure, these sites feature well-known, crave-worthy brands like Marc by Marc, Seven For All Mankind and Oscar De La Renta, but they also have some surprising finds. Rue La La has offered Birkenstock and Lululemon boutiques, Gilt features Rachel Leigh jewelry, and Hautelook highlighted Ecoskin. It really can’t get better than old favorites and new finds. Read More »

I know you are probably eating lunch right about now, but I refuse to be the only girl who has to witness this frightening photo of Madonna. Seriously, what the eff is going on here?

1. Her arms, obvi. So. Gross. The combination of veiny muscles and saggy skin is enough to make me never want to do another push-up again. Perhaps Madge should join me in my boycot? Oh, and maybe consider long sleeves?

2. Her granny panties. Look closely enough and you’ll lose your lunch you can see Madonna’s skivvies poking up over the tops of her jeans. There are two things I don’t want to see on Madonna: her vajay and her undies. I guess I should be happy she’s wearing pants?

3. Her cleavage: Madonna is in good (or scary) shape for an old lady, but come on, woman! Put those things away. I know I can speak for all of us when I say “Put on a freaking turtleneck!”

I love spinning. It’s probably the most intense 30-45 minute sweat session I have, a) because the instructor pushes me super hard, b) because I like competing with the other people in the class (whoever goes the fastest wins, right?), and c) because I totally heart the rockin,’ music.

But when I’m on my own on the treadmill or elliptical, it seems I don’t achieve quite the same level of exercise. I know it’s because I don’t have someone yelling at me to go faster, but I think it also has something to do with the lame playlist on my iPod.

So in an effort to motivate us all, I’ve created the best tunage combo for your next cardio session. There are the slower songs to get you all warmed up, the hardcore tunes to get you through the tough parts of the workout, and some more chill songs to bring that heart rate back to normal.

You don’t need a teacher kicking your butt; your iPod can do it for you. Just set up this playlist and you’re on your way.

Read More »

Are Chris Brown and Rihanna meeting up?

Brushing your teeth is fun!

Lindsay Lohan gets a new job.

Twilight gets a clothing line.

Comic-con isn’t just for geeks anymore.

The top 10 aphrodisiacs.

In honor of CollegeCandy’s cocktail hour this week, the Weekly Ten will be on the 10 reasons we adore NYC! As a recent resident to NYC’s Upper West Side, here’s my take on my new favorite city…

10. Last Call- 3:30 AM.
This means you have plenty of time to dance on bars. If time is money, then take that money and spend it on shots of Patron.

9. The boys are BANGIN’
Is there anything hotter than an NYC boy? From the Columbia law students (hi, yum, slamshows) to the prepster Upper East Siders (hi, Chuck Bass), the city has a gaggle of gorgeous gentlemen. Beware of guidos.

8. SHOPPING.
Sample Sales, Saks and SHOES SHOES & MORE SHOES. Aughhhh! I want it all!

7. Celebs, celebs, celebs!
Okay, so every day after work I walk past Rockefeller Center, desperately looking for Alec Baldwin. Come out wherever you are, Jack Donaghy!

6. Slamming Nightlife
The hot, trendy bars (like the one we’ll be partying at); more clubs than you can think of; bars with crazy themes… there’s something for everyone in this here city.

5. Yummy foods
Magnolia, Serendipity, Dylan’s Candy Bar, Crumbs… and that’s just dessert! 24/7 diners for all your drunk munchie needs and New York pizza? Need I say more? Read More »

Every week, CC and John bring you some of the weirdest, funniest, saddest things he hears on his college campus. Join the Overheard revolution!Leave your own overheard convos in the comments or send ‘em over!

(Two guys, talking next to a weight bench.)

Guy 1: We skied a whole bunch last winter. Do you partake?
Guy 2: Yeah, sometimes. You’re talking about cocaine, right?

(Guy, on the phone. Sounds like he’s getting through a breakup.)

Guy: Thanks for talking about this with me. It’s really hard to talk about sometimes.

(beat)

Hey, well, we’re both single now, right?

(beat)

Well, that was kinda rude. Read More »

It was one of the many nights when I should have stayed in and done homework, but decided/was forced to go out with my roommates for a night of belligerence. Standard.

I’d been seeing this guy and I was starting to get over it, but I still wanted him to go out with us anyway. I mean, I needed someone to flirt with/take home at the of the night and he was an easy kill. The night progressed as our nights out tended to: shots, pitchers, mixed drinks, and dancing…lots and lots of dancing. The kind of dancing that you’d rather do naked. And the kind of dancing that inevitably ends to doin’ it naked.

We stumbled our way home and after some drunken snacking on chips, cheddar goldfish crackers, and some random mac and cheese, lovaboy decided to start hinting that he was ready for “bed.”  Since my roommate was fast asleep (Read: completely passed out in a drunken stupor), we decided to do it in the bathroom. Yes, we were a considerate pair; we wouldn’t want her waking up and seeing some naked booty 6 feet away. Read More »

[College prepares you for a lot of things - like binge drinking competitions - but one thing it does not teach you is how to cook. At least how to cook things that require more than 30 seconds in the microwave.

But cooking your own meals means healthier eating, more money in your bank account, and the gratification that comes from making something with your hands. Everyone here at CollegeCandy loves to cook, so we're going to bring you our favorite (and easy) recipes every Sunday. Because it's a lazy day and you've got nothing better to than cook, right? Right.]

I like my chicken like I like my men: plucked super hot and very sweet. That’s why I love this recipe from biscuits and such. It’s the perfect combination of spicy and sweet. Plus, it’s boyfriend approved (and I’m sure anyone else will love it too), pretty simple to prepare, and the name makes me giggle.

Ingredients:

1 chicken breast
2 tbsp chipotle chili powder
1 tsp garlic powder
4 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp hot sauce
1/2 french bread loaf, cut in half both ways
1 tsp cinnamon
6 tbsp honey
6 tbsp fresh cilantro
4 slices havarti cheese
Salt & pepper Read More »

Post courtesy of out friends at StyleBakery.com. For more awesome fashion, style and beauty news, check them out!

We know you’re busy, so we’re making shopping simple this summer by scouting out the most flattering, wearable, must-buy pieces to round out your wardrobe this season. After all, isn’t “easy” what summer’s all about?

Today we offer our short list of favorite heels:

"I love you. Even if you have a mullet."

Love has a plethora of definitions. For most of us though, it’s like the world’s biggest scavenger hunt or game of “Where’s Waldo?” It’s almost impossible to find when you’re looking for it. So my advice, ladies, is to STOP LOOKING.

The last time I wrote about a relationship, I wrote about my horrific breakup. That happened in August last year. In my devastation, my fabulous roommates encouraged me to step away from the frozen novelties (Choco Tacos cure all pain), get out and not think about the breakup. Needless to say, this did wonders! I drank, I danced, I hooked up – everything felt normal. I was just having fun – not looking for anything to fill my heart’s void – and it was awesome. The partying along with weekly therapy sessions greatly helped my emotional state and I soon snapped out of my funk and realized that I wasted so much time on a complete idiot. Read More »