[It's pretty obvious that the average CollegeCandy reader has some very strong opinions. Opinions that she likes to share with everyone on the site. We love a strong woman (unless she happens to be charging at us with her fists raised), so we thought we'd give her a real forum to discuss her thoughts, feelings, and perspectives. Every Friday I'll be featuring a hot topic (like plastic surgery!) and leaving it up to you, the readers, to duke it out. So, read it and get your debate on in the comments section below!]

OK, I can already feel this one’s gonna get messy, so hold on tight folks.

I admit, I’ve put off talking about gay marriage here for a while, in part because, well, I went to a liberal arts school in NYC – I have way too many gay friends to really be impartial here. Then last week, the assistant managing editor of the Notre Dame student newspaper resigned during the controversy over an anti-gay joke that appeared in the paper’s comic strip and I realized that this is an issue that still affects us all, and we need to talk about it.

Now I’m not going to get into a moral argument here – I doubt that I could change anyone’s opinions one way or another about that particular issue; my questions instead are logistical – is gay marriage inevitably going to become legal and if so, what’s the point of fighting it?

Right now, five states allow gay marriage and several other have passed bills allowing it only to have them repealed. Regardless of your moral standpoint, the legal (and yes, marriage is considered a legal institution, not a religious one in the US) arguments for gay marriage are persuasive. Now, admittedly, there’s a lot of strange and old-fashioned laws still on the books that just hang around (did you know that it’s illegal to let a donkey sleep in a bathtub in Arizona?), but that’s mostly because people forget about them. Same-sex marriage is one issue that people are fighting for and are probably going to continue to fight for, so why not just let it go? Read More »

I barely have time to breathe, let alone spend QT with the BF.

I’m currently only on my second week back in school. However, in those few days, I’ve managed to become a producer at our student TV station, write a paper on The Godfather script, drop a class because it had too much homework, and signed up to become a licensed real estate agent. I’ve canceled or just flat out forgotten about my friends, and worst of all, I’ve barely seen my boyfriend… even though I live with him.

There are a few basic items that every girl should have in her closet. A pair of Alexander McQueen alien shoes is not one of them, but the blazer most definitely is. Being a super versatile item, the blazer can transition for almost every facet of your life. If you’re applying for a job or internship, the blazer instantly adds a professional flair to an outfit. On the other hand, if you wear a blazer over a t-shirt or with jeans, it dresses up (and cool-ifies) an otherwise casual outfit.

Maybe that explains why blazers are so very popular right now, especially the boyfriend variety. It’s like the jacket your boyfriend (or another male in your life) might hang over your shoulders if you get cold, only much more feminine and much more chic.  The popularity of this style proves while we can’t count on boys to be chivalrous, we can count on their styles to make us look hot.

While most people tend to gravitate towards the basic black blazer, there really is a huge variety out there. From cuts to colors to patterns, everyone can (and should!) find the perfect blazer to add to their clothing collection: Read More »

J.D. Salinger, the beloved author of “The Catcher in the Rye,” died today at the age of 91. According to his son, his death was of natural causes at his home in New Hampshire.

“The Catcher in the Rye” was written in 1951, and has remained a memorable part of every teenager’s education since.  Written during the Cold War era, Salinger intended for his audience to consist of adults who were living through this time of anxiety and hardship.  However, even to this date, teens have been able to relate to “The Catcher in the Rye” and have pegged the novel’s protagonist, Holden Caulfield, as the face of teenage rebellion.

Throughout the plot, Caulfield struggles with his identity, loneliness, and, infamously, the “phoniness” of the adult world.  To adolescent readers, the novel has represented all of the issues they face but are never able to put into words.  Consequently, reading “The Catcher in the Rye” has shaped so many of our teenage lives and has affected the way we have dealt with teenage angst and adversity. The novel reminds us all that we are not alone in conquering the pain that comes with growing up and that it is OK to let our inner Holden Caulfield’s to shine through.

Although Salinger never wanted to be famous or known to the public, often refusing interviews and remaining a recluse, we will never forget his contribution to literature and American culture. He will forever be regarded as one of the greatest authors of all time.

Got a health question? Don’t trust those “Doctors” at the University Health Center? Are you scared of Web M.D. because it always tells you you’re gonna die? Ask a real doctor, like our friend Dr. Lissa Rankin. She’s here every Thursday to answer whatever you throw at her – like post-sex soreness – so ask away. Leave your question in the comments or send it over to us. Don’t be shy; she’s waiting for ya!

Q: I found out that I have HPV. So, having sex with my boyfriend, does that mean he has HPV too? And if either of us perform oral sex – can the warts then be transferred to our mouths? Will this lead to cancer? On the paper I got back from the doctor it said to come back in 12 months for another pap smear; will it get worse by then? I’m nervous.

A: HPV can be a sneaky bastard. Unlike sexually transmitted infections like gonorrhea and chlamydia, HPV can hang around, unexpressed and asymptomatic, then suddenly rear its ugly head with little warning. Chances are that your partner also has HPV. In fact, chances are good that your boyfriend gave it to you. But it’s possible you could have contracted it from a prior partner and that he doesn’t have it. No way to know for certain, so the best strategy is to behave as if he doesn’t have it, just to protect him.

It’s unclear to me whether you have warts already or whether your HPV just came up on a pap smear. If it’s just a pap smear, chances are good that you carry the type of HPV that causes abnormal paps and cervical cancer, but not genital warts. The good news about this for your partner is that these strains of HPV tend to cause nothing in guys (which is why guys are passing it around like candy. They don’t even know they have it). Read More »

I love. LOVE spa treatments. I may even love the spa more than I love chocolate. And boys. And the backstreet boys. And that, my friends, says a lot. The ONLY thing I don’t Ashlee-Simpon-style “Lo-lo-lo-love” about spas is the hefty price tag that tends to come with them. It’s a bit hard to relax with cute masseuse man getting out my stress knots when I keep stressing about I’m going to afford to eat following my de-stressing sesh.

But fret no more, my friends. If there is one thing to be in The Know about this month, it’s Prettycity’s discounted $59 spa treatments. Prettycity teams up with The Heart Truth organization every February to bring us our favorite deals and remind us the importance of taking care of our own heart health. Simply go to their website to sign up (it’s free!), type in your zip and – BOOM – discounted spa treatments by your favorite (and soon to be favorite) spas in your area of this fine nation.  Read More »

Wednesday, January 27, 2010: a big day for America.

That’s right, yesterday we witnessed the unveiling of Apple’s latest and greatest: the iPad.

For those of you who have been in a bubble since yesterday (doing homework perhaps?) we’ll put it this way: Kindle+ gameboy +portable DVD player+ internet+ bigger and better APPS = the iPad.  (I figured the math equation would make you feel like you’re doing homework, even though you’re totally procrastinating).  Since yesterday, the iPad has gotten more press than Paris Hilton’s sex tape.  EVERYONE is talking about it.

Oh, what’s that? Something else happened yesterday?
Huh?
What? Read More »

[While everyone is fabulous in their own right, we thought we should celebrate the campus fashionistas of the world for their continued excellence in not looking like a hot mess for class. So, we started stalking those girls on campus to get a few pics and get some tips on their personal style.

And maybe a restraining order or two.

But it’s worth it to highlight fresh, unique wardrobe choices that show personality and the courage to wear what you believe in.]

I met Taylor a year ago and after attending a university where everyone showed up to class in their sweats or PJ pants, her look was a breath of fresh air. Her style is a unique blend of thrifted and vintage with new basic pieces, and a collection of accessories that add perfectly to every outfit.

Like many fashionistas, when I met Taylor she had a signature accessory, the headband.  Though she has since abandoned the now mainstream hair accessory, she is constantly incorporating new accessories into her looks.  On this particular day, her black fedora perfectly topped off her outfit, making this look truly Taylor. As well, Taylor is one of the few people that pulls off denim on denim. And she looks damn good doing it. Her faded jean jacket with dark skinny jeans are the perfect combination. In our often unpredictable Canadian climate, Taylor always layers. Her tip: “longer loose layers juxtaposed with more tailored pieces.” Read More »

With word that the fun-loving, tan-tastic kids of MTV’s ‘Jersey Shore’ are renegotiating their contracts so that they earn $10,000 per episode in a new season, a few thoughts went through our mind. Firstly: Damn, that’s a lot of money (though with their ratings, we say they deserve it whether they’re buffoons or not). And secondly … what could/should they buy with their newfound wealth?

So, we broke down what could be purchased with one episode’s paycheck ($10k), including some recommendations we think would benefit their next summer in Seaside Heights. Read More »

As we all know, sex doesn’t always happen like it does in the movies (especially of the porn variety). Here are some tips to help deal when things get a little less magical and a lot more awkward.

Mr. Mute
He hasn’t made a single sound since we started – what do I do?

1. Check to see if he’s still awake. If he’s sleeping (or passed out) roll over and pretend you passed out too. This will make things way less awkward in the morning. And don’t worry – it happens to the best of us. It’s not that your signature move was so boring it put him to sleep; it’s probably due to a little too much Natty Light. If he’s awake, proceed to step two.
2. Say his name and make some noises yourself. Hopefully he’ll feel more comfortable and speak up. Still not working?
3. Bite him really hard so that he yelps in pain. If he still doesn’t make a sound, he’s probably in some sort of hypnotic trance. Pride yourself on being so amazing in bed you stunned him, then get the hell out of there lest you be blamed when he ends up in a coma. Read More »