Back when Matt and I were first dating, I had only known him for about three weeks when he got food poisoning. His roommate took him to the ER for treatment, but he had to go back the next day for dehydration. He asked me to see if his friend who lived across the hall from me would take him, but I told him to stop being so proud and that I would take him. He later told me that that was one of the nicest things I’d ever done, especially for not knowing him for very long.

Flash forward to now, and I still want to take care of him. Everything from helping him with his laundry to more serious stuff like going to therapy. Matt and I have been through a lot of tough times, and I’m glad to say that we’re still together and still going strong. We have our weak moments just like everyone else, but one of the true signs of a real relationship is staying with each other through the bad times, not just the good. Anybody can go with you to the party, but a man who really loves you will hold your hair while you’re puking.

Relationships have to be built on trust and love, and if that’s not there, then someone in the relationship is bound to be unhappy. You should want to be each other’s strengths when the other seems to be running out. You should want to lean on the other person when you can’t go it alone. And there’s nothing better than knowing you’ve got all of that if you ever need it. Read More »

While there very well might only be 4 more weeks of winter, being from Calgary makes me a little cynical about the weather. I’ve come to terms with the fact that it could snow any month of the year and I’ll probably be wearing boots much longer than Punxsutawney Phil predicts, but that doesn’t mean I’m not craving flats. As the shoe stores begin to stock shelf after shelf of their adorableness, I’m left cursing Mother Nature for the blustery snow I’m seeing out my window.

Until the sun is shining and the temperature rises enough to expose the tops of my feet, I’m left admiring the plethora of flats retailers have to offer this year.  With most shops carrying inexpensive options, it’s easy to stock up on styles that fit with (and add some style to) all your favorite outfits.  Flats are one of those items that can be worn to subtly incorporate a season’s hottest trends, and there’s so much goodness out there you don’t have to kill your feet in 5 inch heels to look good.

With flats in everyone’s price range, it’s hard to resist these adorable shoes, making it easy to buy one (or ten) pairs to add to your wardrobe.  And hey, if you’re from a colder region like myself, they may even be on sale by the time you can FINALLY wear them. Read More »

After my incredible experience at New York Fashion Week this fall (I have a full-year internship in New York City), I became hooked. Luckily, my job in the beauty industry supported my newfound love for this high-energy event and scheduled me to work backstage at some of the biggest shows of the season. I’d only experienced Fashion Week from the front row (yeah, I’m a baller), but never behind-the-scenes, wrangling models and stylists alike.

It was truly an incredible experience. I had the opportunity to both work backstage and watch the shows. I got a truly unique perspective and learned some very interesting things about the goings on of fashion shows. Here are the five biggest things you don’t know about your favorite designers’ biggest events.

1. The models are people too (kinda).
The models actually are, for the most part, friendly. I know, it’s shocking. Some are rude, but generally they’re nice. They also eat. A lot. Before one show, I watched a group of these pin-thin girls eat mountains of Double-Stuf Oreos, gummy worms and cheese. Gross, right? I can’t decide if that makes me hate them more or a little less. At one show I was told there wasn’t enough food backstage. The models threw such a fit about it that the designer ended up ordering boxes of pizza for them. So yes, they eat. And they can read. And yes, they are very, very scary skinny. And a lot of them are super young, even as young as 15 or 16. Read More »

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 how to deal with HPV – 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 just started having sex and all of my friends tell me I have to pee after. They say that if I don’t pee I can get a UTI. The problem is that I never have to go. I try every time – I run to the bathroom and sit there but nothing ever happens. Is that bad? Do you HAVE to go after? Is there something wrong with me that I can’t go?

A: Your friends are giving you good advice. In general, it’s a good idea to pee after sex. Sex can introduce bacteria where it shouldn’t be, up inside the normally sterile urethra (the tube from the bladder to the outside world). Urinating flushes out an bacteria that may be lurking near the opening to the urethra, just dying to crawl inside and wreak havoc with a urinary tract infection (UTI). Read More »

Got something awesome everyone needs to know about? A really great local band? An awesome website? A product that truly changed your life? A great deal on spa services? Email your “The Know” ideas to Jill@collegecandy.com and I’ll pass them along to everyone right here, every week. Make your kindergarten teacher proud and share!

With no new Glee episodes for quite a while, this girl right here needs her glee club fix. It’s true; I’m a Gleek. And much like a drug, the sweet, sweet harmonies of Glee make me – er – high?

Wow, does that sound L-A-M-E.

Anyway, after stumbling upon my new BFF (who doesn’t even know I exist) Sam Tsui, I am more than content until Glee starts up again. This kid is amazing. At first watch (which was followed by about 100 more viewings), I thought this video was 6 boys who looked tremendously alike singing only the most awesome of songs (MJ Mashup is my personal fave).

And then I was all, “Wait a minute – hold the phone – they don’t just look like the same person, they are, like, TOTES the SAME person! Over and over and over again!” (Yes, I actually speak like that when talking to myself…) Read More »

Best friends. Waiting home for you with open arms when you take that first walk-of-shame (or hip to hip, if you’re in the good fight together). Your shoulder to cry on, owner of every secret known to your embarrassing character.  A best friend is there for you when you need to decode that late night text from your crush.  A best friend is there for you when all you want to do on a Friday night is veg out and discuss the important things… like Octo-mom. A best friend will accompany you on the dance floor and be honest if you’re ‘shopping cart’ move is outdated.

And a BFF is there for you to tell you you’re fat?

OK, let me put down my Caramello Bar, and let’s figure this out. A recent survey of 3,000 women revealed that one in five women secretly think her best friend is fat but won’t dare share this information with her.  The study also suggested that the truth was a big “no no” because 1 in 5 women ended the relationship post dishing the info. Now, this seems a little extreme. You mean to tell me relationships end because your BFF tells you to put down the bread stick? 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 (like Kayla at Lakehead!) 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. You know someone who's got great style? Think the world needs to see what she can do?  Send us an email with some photos and she could be the next fashionista celebrated right here.]

The best part about having Meredith as my roommate for the past two years has to be my unlimited access to her wardrobe. I can’t even complain about her taking up the entire closet because it’s always the first place I look when I need something cute to wear out.

Meredith can put together the perfect outfit for any occasion. She works at Ann Taylor, so she’s expert at putting together a professional-but-not-boring outfit for class or a job interview. Despite her college student budget, she can always throw together an elegant ensemble for a swanky dinner party. And when it’s time to have fun, she’s never without a cute/crazy/sexy outfit to party in. Read More »

American snowboarded Shaun White had already won gold before his final run on the half-pipe.

His first attempt earned him the highest score of the competition, so White had nothing to lose. But the red-headed sensation gave it his all and performed his Double McTwist 1260, a move he perfected in secret on his own private half-pipe.

“This was unlike any season I’ve had,” White said after repeating as the Olympic champ. (He won gold in the 2006 Torino games as well.)

Didn’t see it? Watch the video (and insane flip) right here!

As our parents told us in a desperate attempt to keep us away from promiscuity – sex with someone you care about is the best kind of sex you can have. Turns out they were right… well, basically.

Gettin’ it on with someone you care about has all the ingredients that make for great sex – it means more than just getting off, you trust each other, you know what your partner likes and, most importantly, you can have fun without being self-conscious. But all this great sex sometimes comes with a downside: no one wants to admit it, but over time we get a little bored doin’ it with the same person over and over. That being said, even when you’re perfectly happy with what you’ve got goin’ on, sometimes it’s just fun to try new things! Spaghetti may be your favorite food, but after eating it every night, you might want to see what it’s like with meatballs.

Bad analogy? I tried.

In my experience, the key to a great sex life is some good old-fashioned adventure. The make-out, go down, have sex routine is nice occasionally, but the truth is that it does get old eventually. Adding a little spice to your bedroom routine is the key to a long and happy sexual relationship — whether it be going at it in risqué places (I’ll save that for another post) or trying out some fun toys.

The first thing you’ll need if you’re looking for some adventure is an open mind (and hopefully your partner has one too). A sex swing or some kinky bondage might not be for you, but how will you know until you try? If your sex life is reaching a lull, try out one (or all) of these toys and enjoy your new, passionate, anything-but-boring sex life. Read More »

If there’s one thing that’s certain about each Olympics, it’s that the Games are sure to launch some mega-watt stars. Some athletes go from zeros-to-heroes in a matter of seconds (think Hannah Kearney and Alexandre Bilodeau), and even a lucky few have more lasting careers in the limelight (Apolo Ohno). But as we revel in the glory of today’s Olympians, why not find out what some of our past champions are up to these days? Read More »