[There are over 100 million sites on the Internet. 100 million! You might think you know about all the important ones (CollegeCandy, Gmail, Google, Facebook…), but there are thousands of other sweet sites out there (like Philo, Evernote, and Grooveshark) and more showing up every day! We get it – it’s not easy or fun sifting through the crap and porn to find those gems, so we’re gonna bring the gems to you. Just sit back, kick up those feet and allow us to introduce you to the diamonds in the internet rough.]

I’m a sucker for a great deal. Put me in any store, and I’ll usually head straight for the clearance section first to see what kinds of awesome deals I can score and brag about later to anyone who will listen (“Oh, you like my boots? Thanks! They were on sale for only $25, the last pair, in my size! Isn’t that amazing?” Yes, I’m sort of obnoxious).  The internet has made it even easier to find great deals through designer discount sites—but there’s a new one out there now that might have all the others beat!

Part sample sale site (Rue La La, Gilt Group), part deals site (like Groupon), FashionStake provides its users with deep discounts (usually 40-60% off) on designer clothing and accessories.  However, unlike other sample sale sites, which offer price reductions on last season’s fashion, FashionStake features serious markdowns on next season’s styles. We’re talking stuff that hasn’t even hit stores yet! Read More »

How to pick the perfect study abroad companion

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Get Rachel Bilson’s look — on a budget!

Brad and Angie are on set

[We scoured the country to find the ultimate sorority girl to share her sisterly expertise with you. After reading through tons of applications followed by hours Facebook-stalking all the candidates (which proved difficult thanks to FB's privacy settings....), we found her. She gave you the lowdown on what happens if you get cut from a house and the rules of the sorority date party. And now it's time to talk about sorority house politics.]

To run, or not to run – that is the question. Sorority exec elections are right around the corner for most chapters, putting a lot of girls on the fence about whether or not to run for a position.  Going for any title – from new member educator to secretary to president – can cause drama and tension between sisters and put friendships on the rocks in the house.

So, to run or not to run?
Answer: debatable.

Let’s take a closer look at what chapter elections involve to see if an exec position is right for you:

It Gets Personal:
You and a close friend are running for the same position. Obvi an issue. What happens if you win? What happens if she does? What happens if neither of you do? I don’t have an answer for the first two questions, but clearly for the last, you’d curl up together with a pint of Ben & Jerry’s and admit to each other how much the other one would have been better at the position anyway. Ahh, sisterly love.

My best advice: keep your chapter’s best interest at heart. Win or lose, feelings are going to be hurt. One of you is going to feel disappointed and embarrassed or happy and a little guilty for winning. Don’t let a title come between a friendship. That chapter voted for who they thought would best serve them, so while it seems personal, it’s all business.

Read More »

Cocktail rings are one of my favorite accessories.  They’re an easy, effortless way to make any outfit more dressed-up.

When it comes to cocktail rings, there are a few rules to remember.  One, the bigger the better!  Cocktail rings make a statement, so the bigger or more flashy the ring, the bigger the statement.  And two, since they do make such a loud statement, keep the rest of your accessories to a minimum.

Cocktail rings can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars for real gemstones, but you can find gorgeous ones for much, much less.  Each one of these rings definitely makes a statement, but costs less than $20!  At those prices, you can afford to buy one for every occasion!

Click on any photo to open the gallery! Read More »

If research can be trusted, texting is officially the scariest epidemic plaguing society since H1N1. Or the bed bug outbreak. Or Speidi. And I’m not just talking about texting while driving, because we all know that’s just stupid. According to a recent study, people who text a lot (I’ve got one thumb pointed at myself….and the other texting my BFF) are more likely to start fights and binge drink. Yeah, I don’t really see the connection either (how can I double fist when I’ve got both thumbs on my iPhone?), but who am I to argue with science?

That’s right – nobody.

But drunken bar brawls aren’t the only dangers associated with hyper-texting. Just look at what else a few “what r u up to”s every hour can cause:

People who text sleep less: Cell phones are seductive things, and apparently the siren-like quality of a text message alert can drag innocent teenagers away from even the deepest slumber, that is if they can tear themselves away from their phones long enough to actually get in bed. Researchers believe that people stay up late at night texting and wake up periodically throughout the night to check (probably drunk) messages as they come in. Less sleep = slower reaction time, foggy brain and a whole other slew of side effects that can be dangerous.

People who text are moody: Another study shows that people who text late at night are more likely to be moody, sullen, or angry all day. Methinks this has more to do with the content of the texts (especially if they’re coming from some bully hyper-texter), but researchers argue that texting in general is the cause. Read More »

When it comes to interior decorating, I am all about making the living space feel as comfortable and homey as possible. Despite my love for modern furniture and glam decorating, I still want warm colors, photos of family and friends, and seasonal smelly candles (pumpkin spice…mmmmm) around to remind me of home.

After all, moving to the big city (NYC!!) from Georgia was definitely a change. I went from sweet southern porches to a 5th floor walk up above a dingy pizza shop…and I absolutely love it.

But despite my utter obsession with this city, my new mostly black wardrobe, and my sudden fondness for cosmopolitans and the closest Duane Reade, I can’t forget my Georgia roots. Home is where the heart is after all. So in an ode to my hometown (and my thinning wallet), I crafted an easy and inexpensive art piece to spruce up my current home and remind me of my former home.

It’s fun, it’s personal and it’s cute. And if you don’t need wall art of your own, this makes the perfect gift for homecomings, housewarmings, and holidays (it is almost Christmas… YIPPEEE!). Read More »

If you Google “Post-Grad,” a lot of articles come up about suffering from depression once you graduate college. And yes, I will say that it can be depressing at times, but really — it’s not so bad. Although the last six months have gone by incredibly fast, I have learned a lot when it comes to adjusting to life outside of college.

So, here’s the ultimate post-grad survival kit (or at least what I’ve figured out over the last six months):

1. Stay Busy – Keep your ass moving at all times. Don’t hang out on the couch day after day, keep busy – whether it’s working a job, interning, or taking pottery classes.  Do anything that will keep you busy. I’ve thrown myself into the LSAT, and trust me, it’s kept me occupied. Who knows how I’ll feel once my LSAT journey is over, but for now … it’s what I do to keep busy. Busy leaves little room to do #2.

2. Don’t reminisce too much – If you do nothing but think about college, you’re going to do nothing but miss college. Avoid this as much as you can. If something comes up in conversation, talk about it, but don’t sit in your room and look at pictures from your sophomore year every night. It’s okay to admit that college was one of the best times of your life, but it’s not okay to let that ‘best time of your life’ define the rest of your life. You should have the attitude that the best is yet to come and college was just a stepping stone. Or yeah, you’ll be depressed like all those articles say. Read More »

Got a question? Ask Tuffy Luv. TuffyLuv@collegecandy.com

Dear Tuffy Luv,

A few weekends ago while my roommate/best friend was passed out in her bedroom, her boyfriend and I hooked up. The boy and I had been friends freshman year, and I had feelings for him before he started dating my best friend. He and I agreed that it was never going to happen again and to not tell anyone. Two days later, when we were both drunk, it happened again. I believe he is a good person, and loves his girlfriend so I told him I wasn’t going to say anything.

2 weeks later he tried to hook up with my best friend and my other roommate. She rejected him, but told me the story. Selfishly, I don’t want to tell my best friend, but at the same time I wonder if I was wrong about him, and he is hooking up with other girls. What do I do?

– Sex With Best Friend’s Boyfriend Read More »

After last Tuesday’s midterm election votes were tallied, Republicans gained control of the House. Dems still control the Senate, but the right has certainly swept in and gained an enormous (and not unexpected) amount of clout on Capitol Hill.

What does this mean for the next two years? Will there be massive changes in America or will the country suffer an endless and aggravating partisan tug-o-war over legislation?

Several weeks ago, the top issues going into the election were the economy, the deficit, and health care. Now that the election is over, it’s interesting to revisit these issues and figure out what the atmospheric shift means.

The Economy
On December 31, the tax cuts that were created during the Bush presidency will be reassessed. Obama claims he will be open to conversation with Republicans concerning an extension, but has given no word on a compromise. Considering it would be difficult for many of the current legislators to create a comprehensive bill during the lame duck period, the most plausible solution would be a one-year extension of the Bush-era cuts. This will not really help or hurt the economy, but will lead to further conversation concerning the economic future of America. Read More »

Seventeen magazine is supposed to inspire and mold the teens of this fine country into virtuous women, yes? So is anyone else incredibly worried that the November cover girl is none other than, Ke$ha, the hot mess who doesn’t value oral hygeine? Or that the words “AMAZING HAIR” are plastered over her straggly locks? Or that, in an interview with the infamous party girl, she expressed her dream of “starting a youth movement” with her latest album?

I mean, should we really be promoting Jack Daniels-fueled riots to 14-year-old girls?!

But that wasn’t even the most WTF part of this month’s issue. That title might go to the editors’ sage advice to send a “flirty” text message to the 8th grade boy you like by saying, “what would we be doing if I was with u right now?”  So flirty texting is the new euphemism for middle school sexting?  Cool.

But wait! There’s more. And it makes sexting advice look like a Disney movie.

Welcome to Seventeen’s guide to decoding the etiquette and mystique that surrounds America’s favorite pastime: porn. [Flips back to the cover to verify that she did not accidentally pick up an issue of Maxim.]

“The Real Deal About Dirty Movies”

Seventeen Says: “The bottom line is: as long as it’s not keeping you from doing things you enjoy or need to do, like going out with your friends on Friday night or finishing homework, you’re probably not addicted.”
Zara says: Maybe it’s just me, but I find something horribly wrong when possible porn addiction is addressed to people who have to “finish up homework.” Is this really a problem for pre-pubescent girls!? Read More »