I don’t know about every other college out there, but here at UT it’s time for people to start planning their living arrangements for the fall. Some people greet this time with the panic of trying to find a decent place to live that isn’t a ga-billion dollars, while others are excited for their first apartment with their best friends (no matter how much it costs). However, for those who’ve been in a relationship for quite a while, this time might be a time to take a big step forward and ask “what if I just lived with my boyfriend?”

As most of you know, this is the route I took. I went from dorm rooms my freshman and sophomore years to living with Matt now in my junior year. It’s been quite a trip and I definitely have some things to share about living with your significant other. Before you take the plunge, it’s good to know what you’re getting yourself into. Allow me to help.

First of all, let me say that I absolutely love living with Matt. I love waking up next to him, even if he has stinky morning breath. (I’ll admit, my morning breath is actually in all likelihood worse than his). That being said, let’s walk through the ups and the downs of cohabitation: Read More »

There is no shortage of prints in the world of fashion this season and it’s easy to see why.

1. Bold graphic patterns instantly add visual interest to any outfit, even if you’re just wearing jeans and a tank top.
2. Patterns are also a cinch to wear; they can either be paired with neutral fabrics, or by drawing colors from the large assortment found in the print itself.
3. For the daring fashionistas out there, you can add even more fabulosity to an outfit by mixing patterns. Pair a large pattern with a small pattern or match up prints with similar colors. And for those of us not looking for make a big statement, there are also smaller, more delicate prints such as flirty floral fabrics available this season.

Yes, there really is a pattern and a print for everyone. The only problem is, with so many options this season, how do you choose?

Don’t! Stock up on a wide variety of patterns and prints for a bright and fun spring/summer wardrobe. Don’t worry – you can dress ‘em down and mute ‘em with a blazer or a sweater come fall. Read More »

WOO! I've got a test in the morning!!

We all are victims of the classic college dilemma: huge party at night, big test in the morning.  The modern day “to be or not to be.”   We don’t want to risk being hungover for our test, but missing our roommate’s cousin’s girlfriend’s younger brother’s birthday is totally not in the cards.  We go back and forth weighing the pros and cons, slowly being sucked in by peer pressure.  We start to justify our irresponsible actions, “I’ll just have two drinks,” or “I’ll wake up early to study.”  The decision making process is grueling.

But wait, a new study at Boston University shows that binge drinking the night before a test actually does not affect student’s performance on that test.

Best news ever? Perhaps. Read More »

It was a day like any other. I woke up, slothed around, and then decided to take advantage of a free morning and trek to a bookstore. I immediately found a book that appealed to my inner political science junkie, found a fairly secluded section of the store, and started devouring geopolitical predictions for the next 100 years.

Out of nowhere, a gentleman sat down next to me, and immediately started his lame flirting game. I tried to blow him off with talk of a boyfriend, but he persisted in trying to engage me in conversation. I buried my head in my book. Rather than walking away, I had made a conscious decision to assert my autonomy and stay where I was. After all, I was there first. I felt I had an inalienable right to read wherever I wanted to.

While talking to me, the man laid his hand on my knee and I flinched and glared at him. This didn’t deter him. He then asked me if I wear thongs (hello, flashback to AOL chatrooms in the ’90s), and proceeded to elaborate on his freaky sexual proclivities. During this, he slid his hand up and down my leg, and I completely froze. I was shellshocked. I knew that I was being violated, but I couldn’t move. I couldn’t speak. He then asked me for a handjob – “it would only be quick,” he sleazed. I died inside. He touched my thigh for what felt like an eternity, though it could have only been a few seconds, and then he left me.

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 beauty product?! Email your “The Know” ideas to Jill@collegecandy.com or tweet me and I’ll pass them along to everyone right here, every week. Make your kindergarten teacher proud and share!

You know that odd period of time Friday night when you’re done with class, too tired to workout but not quite ready to go out and nothing, I mean NOTHING is on TV? Unless you want to watch the same episode of Say Yes to the Dress for, like, the 12th time all the while thinking (just like you did the first time you saw this very episode), “Why am I watching this crap? There goes an hour and a little bit of dignity that I will never get back.”

Well, guess what? That’s all about to change. There’s a new reality show in town, peeps, and this time it’s actually good. I’m not talking so-bad-it’s-oh-so-good like Jersey Shore and all it’s fist pumping glory (as thankful as I am that I’ve learned how to beat the beat); I’m talking eye-opening, thought provoking, I-can’t-believe-this-is-the-country-we-live-in good, and it’s starting this Friday. Read More »

In the back news of the Jesse James/Sandra Bullock scandal, another couple has called it quits: Kim Kardashian and Reggie Bush. Ok, when you are finished drying your tears, please keep reading.

The ultimate deal breaker for the relationship? Kim’s extremely busy schedule. Apparently Ms. KK didn’t have enough time for some post-Super Bowl nookie.

Wait a second, Kim is getting the boot because she is trying to be independently successful?  What happened to all the men out there like Ne-Yo, (‘Miss Independent’ anyone) who supported a woman who supported herself? WTF, Reggie? I totally understand wanting someone that has time to cuddle with you, root for you at all your games and give you lap dances in the basement of her parents’ house. Those are all the perks of being in a relationship after all. But at the same time, it’s 2010, baby! How does any women deserve the break-up card for trying to be successful? Your man is supposed to be with you every step of the way, supporting your rise to the top, not dumping you for it. Read More »

Mike and Pauly: Bankrolling the health care bill?

The health care bill passed this week (Liberals: Yay! Conservatives: Booooooo!), and after all the proverbial dust had settled (and all that really mature name-calling came to a screeching halt) we were left wondering:

How are we going to pay for this?
It’s gonna cost some serious money to provide insurance for all those uninsured people in this country, so where is it all going to come from?

Apparently, the Jersey Shore.

Yeah, most people don’t realize this, but to cover the cost of the new health care plan the government will now be charging is a 10% tax on indoor tanning. Read More »

They can write?!

The first ‘Jersey Shore’ book has been announced, and we’re sad to say it won’t be Snooki’s tell-all.

‘Never Fall in Love at the Jersey Shore’ will come courtesy of cast members Jenni ‘J-WOWW’ Farley and Ronnie ‘No Fancy Nickname for Me’ Ortiz-Magrow. Entertainment Weekly describes the book-to-be as “a Guido guide on how to maintain that distinctive Jersey Shore look and attitude.”

Who’s backing this thing? And who else is writing over there in Seaside Heights? Read the rest here.

Before I graduated high school, my friends and I had an ongoing joke about the college life. More specifically, we would semi-kid about the drunken “lesbian experience” that the crazy nights of college parties would inevitably bring. As it turns out, many of my ideas about college life that I learned from Van Wilder and American Pie movies aren’t quite accurate. I don’t wake up in the morning and have a beer for breakfast, I’ve never woken up naked next to someone I don’t know (yet…  only kidding!), and I don’t live solely off of KD and hot dogs (although I would like to).  But I did prove the one stereotype correct – I did have that drunken “lesbian experience”, and to my surprise, I really liked it.

Sorry CollegeCandy readers, but I’m not sharing details. All I can say is it was a fun night that involved a lot of alcohol and a we-really-hope-she’s-sleeping roommate situation. Good times. Anyways, while this was something I was hoping to cross off of my bucket list, I never really realized that I was actually interested in women. Did this make me a lesbian? Was I bisexual? Pansexual? Bi-curious? The labels didn’t really matter to me. I just accepted that I like what I like, and that’s okay.

If you allow me to make some broad generalizations, here are my favorite and least favorite things about being with both guys and girls: Read More »

[Besides being the month of St. Patrick's Day and CollegeCandy's editor's birthday, March is Women's History Month. Instead of honoring the great women of our past, however, we at CC want to honor the women they inspired and who now inspire us. Every Wednesday this month we are going to highlight a woman who is currently dominating her field and showing us that we can really do anything. Like Chelsea Handler, the woman of late night comedy; Kathryn Bigelow, this year's best director; and Gwen Stefani, rockstar mommy. These women are strong, powerful, famous, and doing their thing even better than their male counterparts, so let's give them the attention they deserve!]

Ellen Degeneres is a household name nowadays, and rightfully so. From her hilarious antics, sweet dance moves, and generous heart, Ellen does it all, and that’s why she’s our fourth inspiring woman to be featured this month! Ellen has come so far in both her personal and professional life and it’s all because she works hard and is not afraid to be herself. Here are 5 reasons we salute you, Ellen Degeneres!

1. She’s done wonders for the gay community
Ellen came out publicly in 1997, both on the Oprah Winfrey Show and on her sitcom Ellen. This was groundbreaking, because it not only marked the first time a primetime TV character was gay, but also the first time one was played by an openly gay actor. The series then touched on various LGBT issues usually not covered in popular television shows. Now, 13 years later, Ellen’s not afraid to step out in public with wife Portia de Rossi and openly discuss their relationship, and her incredible success has made it clear that sexual orientation is not an obstacle to achieving your goals. Read More »