Every (dreadful) Monday, I write a list. Definitely not a to-do list (because it’s not satisfying checking “browse J.Crew’s website” and “Re-watch every episode of Rachel Zoe” off a list) and not “that list” (because I haven’t added to that list… in forever). No, my lists are more about whatever is relevant and weighing heavy on the CollegeCandy readers’ minds (or just mine) right now. Like scarves and jeans and jackets….

The first day of fall came only a week ago and I’ve already stuffed all my shorts into a duffel and shoved them under my bed. Nothing, I tell you, nothing (okay, other than Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Lattes), is more enticing about fall than the clothing choices. I mean, where to start? Sweater dresses, boots, comfy jeans? I couldn’t be storing my sundresses and gladiator sandals faster if I tried.

And try I did.

However, as I page through magazines and scroll through my Google reader, I can’t help but notice some of the heinous fall trends popping up that can’t end sooner. Here’s the rundown of what needs to go.

10. Open toed booties
Seriously, what is up with that? Isn’t the point of a boot to keep your foot warm? Why would you make a boot peeptoe? Unattractive and unnecessary.

9. Button Down Plaid Shirts
I thought these died with Kurt Cobain. Why are they still being worn? Enough. Read More »

“I have to find a dress.”

“For what?”

“My dad’s wedding.”

“Ohhh.”

I’ve had a variation on this conversation for the past year. Obviously, not always with the dress, but somehow, my dad’s impending wedding seems to come up in casual conversation once in awhile, leading things to be awkward. I get the occasional sympathy, the gloss over, the interrogation and even the shared personal stories of divorce and remarriage. Yes, my dad is getting remarried. To wife #3. I am a product of wife #2, aka my mother, the saint, and wife #1 was short-lived and a complete unknown to me.

I dealt with my parents’ divorce throughout senior year of high school and tried to handle it the best I could. Now I need to deal with my dad walking down the aisle. A woman who happens to be his former assistant, twenty years his junior and “close family friend” while my parents were married. Though both my parents claim she is not the cause of the divorce, and I of course believe them, some actions lead me to believe that it did not help. I don’t believe she is the cause of the divorce, and many issues can impede a successful marriage

But does that mean I’m not allowed to be pissed off, sad and anxious? Read More »

[Everyone’s got a morning after story (some of which are way more mortifying than others) and we wanna hear yours! Send it over to us and we’ll post it – anonymously, of course – right here!]

The last day of my freshman year of college was a blur. Went to class, took a final (passed?), signed up to donate money to the ASPCA, then went to work. But the last night of freshman year is crystal clear.

I arrived back to the dorms at about midnight, with one thing on my mind: sleep. I know, I know. I’m pretty wild. En route to my room, however, I was accosted by a drunken friend, inviting me in for a drink (or two, or three). There were about six of us in the tiny room, and before we knew it things got pretty out of hand. Attempting to avoid getting written up for noise violations, we left the dorms and went to a party at some campus apartments nearby.

And then things got even more out of hand. No one knew whose alcohol they were drinking, or whose lap they were sitting on. People were crawling back and forth through the windows to go out and smoke or yell at strangers. Before I knew it, I was down about three shots too many and fairly drunk (sh*tfaced, actually).

Read More »

Early fall yields the best crop of apples, so there is no better time than right now to go apple picking! If you’re planning an orchard getaway with friends, here’s your handy guide to some of the most popular types of apples (did you know some varieties make better pies than others?), and our foolproof recipe for sweet and crunchy apple crisp!

Macintosh- very sweet with a tart afterbite. Smaller apples, best used for apple sauce.

Gala- a supreme dessert apple that’s ideal for baking in pies.

Red Delicious- the best apple to bite right into! Their juicy texture does not bake as well as other varieties.

Granny Smith- crisp and tart, use the green queens for sprucing up dinner dishes.

Empire- Red Delicious too sweet? Macintosh too tart? You’ll get the perfect blend from their offspring, the Empire!

Jonagold- a larger apple that does well in sauces, pies, and yes–apple crisp!

The Recipe: Apple Crisp a la Mode!

Apple crisp  a la mode is truly a dessert for the senses: it combines sweet and savory, crunchy and chewy, fresh-oven warmth and refreshing ice cream. Plus, it’s easy to make and the perfect accompaniment to a Fall movie night with the girls. Wipe off the drool from your keyboard and get baking! Read More »

A few weeks ago I talked about Eye Candy Coolers, small cooling pads that help decrease puffiness under your eyes. Well, this week I wanted to keep with the theme (because if there’s one thing we college ladies have in common it’s a serious lack of rest) and talk about how to conceal dark circles! A lot of you have been asking me about this, and it’s finally here! I personally don’t deal with this on a regular basis (I know, I’m blessed), but when I’m out too late or I’m studying until all hours of the night, I do end up looking much worse for the wear.

Luckily, it’s an easy fix.

How, you ask? Just use concealer! But not just any concealer. Picking the right one is important, so I’m sharing what I use. I’ve also got a few tips on how to distract people from looking at your circles (even though they probably don’t notice ‘em anyway). So if you’re embarrassed by your raccoon eyes, this is the video is for you.

And if you are a chronic sufferer of dark circles, please leave your own tips below! Read More »

[Everyone’s got a vice, a bad habit, something they know they need to change. Unfortunately, everyone also has a million excuses why they just can’t do it. Not anymore. Every month we will be following a different CollegeCandy writer as she takes on a personal challenge. And this month Meredith is giving up junk food. Yes, really. Her first week was good. Great, even. Then life got in the way. She began turning things around last week, and now it's time to see what this month taught her.]

It goes without saying that this month didn’t go according to plan for me, but interestingly, I think I learned a lot more than I had originally expected.

I created this challenge for myself, as I stated in week one, to figure out a way to cope with my problems that didn’t involve eating junk food. Going in, I was struggling with boyfriend and family problems that had been causing me to eat random sweets that I’m not sure I was even enjoying. I wrongly assumed that this pattern would continue. Instead, I lost my interest in food completely when my boyfriend and I broke up.

This has been such an interesting journey for me in so many ways, especially because I went through different phases throughout the month. I started with a sweet tooth, then I transitioned into a complete distaste for any food, but now I am accepting the fact that I have to work food into my daily routine. This is why I will not be giving up junk food again. I have a very different perspective on it now, mostly because now I’m not dreading my cravings. They are what they are, and if I make the right choices most of the time, those (wonderful) moments with mozzarella sticks won’t be such a big deal. Read More »

The perfect haircut for your face shape

10 Celebs who rock their glasses

Are you brave enough to go make-up free?

Comfy clothes that are actually cute

Must buy makeup: Sugarpill

Haute fall outfit!

Move over, Bratz! Mattel’s still got a little something up it’s sleeves for the Barbie franchise.

Trying to keep things modern, Mattel’s new News Anchor Barbie embodies the smart, sexy, powerful woman that is so prominent today (because we all know that a pink power suit say “I am woman hear me roar.”). We get what they’re trying to do over there (Veterinarian Barbie is soooo 1999), but Mattel has totally missed the mark. If they really wanna modernize the Barbie brand and have everyone’s favorite big-boobed bombshell represent the real women of today, maybe Mattel should consider a few of these:

1. 90210 Barbie: Comes with many interchangeable body parts perfectly suited to reflect the times. Change out lips, nose, and breasts. Not only can you give her implants and Botox at will, you’ll also be able to shape her thighs, stomach and underarms to your liking.
*Not to be confused with Heidi Montag Barbie.

2. Cougar Barbie: Comes with rock-hard implants, a recent divorce settlement, and a calculator to help her determine if the age gap between her and her crush is big enough.
Please note: I’m-Not-Old-Enough-To Shave Myself Ken is sold separately.

3. I Prefer “Exotic Dancer” Barbie: Comes with a mysterious background fit for a Lifetime movie. Is she a struggling single mom trying to pay for her son’s speech therapy or an independent college girl working to pay off her debt? The decision is yours!
*Optional accessories include self-esteem and clear heels. Read More »

[Ladies, meet Meredith, the newest addition to the CollegeCandy team. She's a BU student, a movie buff, and an all around fantastic chicadee. She'll be our resident movie gal, giving us the ins and outs of the new releases and telling us whether or not its worth it to fork over $12 for the latest flicks.]

Easy A is the story of “anonymous” high school student, Olive (Emma Stone). Olive tells her story to her webcam in a monologue-esque tone. Although it is clear that she is addressing an audience, this is very clearly HER story. She explains how her friend Brandon asks her to tell everyone that they had sex so that people would think he was straight. In an effort to move the plot along (and because Olive is a great friend), two minutes later, Olive and Brandon are banging on the walls of a party for their faux-sex sesh.

Soon, every nerdy guy is asking Olive to do the same for them. And before long (and after many fake sex sessions) she ticks off the group of Christians at her school, led by Marianne (the retired Amanda Bynes). After a scuffle in an English class that is reading The Scarlet Letter, Olive decides to go all out and put a red A on all of her clothes. For those who have forgotten the plot from the Sparknotes version that they read in high school, The Scarlet Letter is about the Puritan protagonist, Hester Prynne, being forced to wear a red “A” (for “Adulterer”) after getting pregnant out of wedlock.

Read More »

This post is courtesy of our fashionable friends at CollegeFashion.net. Have you checked them out yet?

Hot last year and coming back for round two, over-the-knee boots are both hot for fall and tricky to wear. But if you know what you’re doing (and you will after you read this), they could be the best fall accessory you’ll ever own.

If you weren’t sure about these boots last year, now is the perfect time to try them out!

Tips and Tricks for Rocking Over-The-Knee Boots

Much like any other trend, consider proportions for the most flattering look. The perfect pair of boots should hit about an inch above your knees. For hip coverage, consider pairing them with a longer top or tunic.

Squeamish about showing too much thigh? This trend looks just as chic with jeans, jeggings, or leggings.

Want to rock this trend, but low on cash? Try wearing a pair of mid-calf or knee-high boots with a tall pair of socks underneath for a very “model off duty” look! Read More »