Last June, collegiate students nationwide were silenced by shock and sadness after news of the murder of UVA lacrosse star Yeardley Love surfaced. Article after article proceeded to litter the Internet about Love and George Huguely’s relationship, many claiming there had been telltale signs that his violent temper would lead to serious danger. However, what Love should have specifically done about those telltale signs to avoid her tragic end remained unanswered.

Love’s heartbreaking death gained immense media attention. The fact that two collegiate athletes, enrolled at a prestigious university, were involved in such a catastrophic and horrific event blew the minds of the media. However, their tumultuous relationship, soaked with alcohol-fueled fights, is far from exceptional.

In college, at least 32% of females have been involved in an abusive relationship of some kind. Although the abuse can be categorized as physical or emotional, it is equally disturbing in either form. The stories of abuse will never don the cover of People magazine or be number one on Google trends. But, they deserve just as much attention and concern as Love and Huguely’s relationship.

Abusive relationships are tricky, especially at this age. There are copious resources at universities that protect victims from terrible outcomes. But, students are often too scared to tell on their partner or friend’s partner because the social repercussions would be terrible.

For instance, a friend of mine had been dating a boy for several months. After a debaucherous night, he “accidentally” struck her across the face. At the time of the event, I was livid. I talked with her and begged her to leave him, but I did nothing beyond that. He went to AA, claiming the alcohol had caused his problems, and vowed to never hurt my friend again.

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Whether you’re buying yourself a post-exam present or looking to put something on your list for Santa (with exact color, size and style….you don’t want him to get it wrong, do you?) boots should be high on your list. Temperatures are dropping, the snow is starting to fall and your toes are starting to get cold. Really, boots are a present for your feet, and after a semester of torturing them in communal showers and dancing the night away in high heels, it’s really the least you can do.

If you don’t already have a pair of boots – or yours are long overdue for a replacement – you should look at investing in a pair this season. And yes, I said investing. These babies aren’t always cheap, but can you really put a price on having 10 fully functional toes? Well, as functional as toes really are….

There are boots for all purposes and whether you’re trekking through snow to get to class, looking for something a little warmer than flats for a night out, or some combination of the two, there’s a pair out there for you. They’re great to slip on with a pair of jeans for class (duh), they’re great with a pair of leg warmers for a little extra toastiness on a busy day, and they look HOT with everything from the skinniest jeans to the miniest of skirts (yes, even rain boots!).

Here are 15 pairs I’m totally digging right now to get you started on your shopping. Read More »

It’s wonderful to learn from your mistakes of the past year, I really believe that. Not wearing white undies under black leggings, always putting those comfy inserts into your super-high heels, throwing an extra tampon in your handbag – they’re valuable lessons that should be embraced and carried into the New Year.

That being said, there are some horrible oversights, mistakes, and trends that should be shoved under the rug and never to be spoken of again. Put your head in the sand and make like these tragedies never happened.

Here’s what we’re leaving behind in 2010: Read More »

**Disclaimer: This post is meant to be stereotypical, potentially mildly offensive, and completely farcical. Any viewpoints endorsed by the author are her true beliefs, although if you asked her, she’d deny it.**

I woke up this morning in a mood. I had a fight with my Ish last night. (You know, the guy in your life who isn’t quite your boyfriend, but is more than the guy you’re dating; he’s boyfriend-ish). It wasn’t even really a fight. It was me being frustrated at him for various reasons, expressing that frustration, and him responding in an even more frustrating, nonchalant way. So I went to bed mad, and, not surprisingly, I woke up mad.

But I don’t blame my Ish. At least that small part of me that is actually rational doesn’t. I blame my anger on my girl brain, the (overwhelmingly large) part of my brain that I hate. I know that everybody knows what I’m talking about because, face it, you have a girl brain, too. And you probably hate it for the same reasons I do. Read More »

Most people spend the majority of the holiday season worrying. I worry about what to get my boyfriend, which of my friends I have to splurge on this season, and what to get my little sister who has everything.

However, there are many people every year who don’t have the luxury to worry about buying gifts for their own friends and family. These same people have trouble affording their homes, feeding their families, and providing necessities for their children. So instead of worrying about whether or not to get your boyfriend that ultra-expensive wallet, why not take some of that extra money you have lying around this season and donate to someone who really needs it? Or, if you don’t have your own money to spend, why not use some your Christmas Break to volunteer your time?

Here are five charities that are definitely worth your money and your hours.

1. Project Night Night has a mission to make homeless children know that someone in the world cares about them. The charity donates bags containing blankets, books, and stuffed animals to children without a place to live. By giving children comfort items, Project Night Night hopes to lessen the trauma that is associated with not having stability in one’s life. If you would like to donate or get involved in the charity, visit www.projectnightnight.org

2. First Book is a charity that provides new books to low-income children to help them learn how to read. Its founder learned that almost 80% of preschool and after-school programs that are catered to low-income students do not have age appropriate books, and these children easily fall behind in school and never completely learn how to read or love literature. First Book has already sent over 70 million books to children in need, and you can donate to them on their website at www.firstbook.org. Read More »

She might be the most Googled woman on the web, but we think her look is getting pretty old and that’s why we’ve been over her WTF factor for years! However we can’t deny that she’s become a music legend in just a few short years and without her, we would never have this amazingness right here.

Get MORE Lady Gaga right here!

Note: As of Wednesday, December 8th, the MPAA overturned its decision, giving Blue Valentine an R rating. I think the subject is still an important one, because it originally DID give the film an NC-17 rating before realizing that it was wrong. Weinstein himself appeared at the hearing to state his beliefs.

Blue Valentine (in theaters December 31^st) stars Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams as a married couple with an imperfect relationship. You may not know that, but you probably know that the film has received an NC-17 rating from the Motion Picture Association of America (aka the MPAA) for a scene in which Gosling’s character performs oral sex on William’s character. If that is all you know about the film, I would highly recommend that you check out the trailer. This is a film that is getting a lot of Academy Award buzz, and yet this controversy may block it from reaching a large audience.

NC-17 is a bad rating for a film to have. Of course, at face value it means that only people seventeen and older can see the film in theaters. And yes, the rating itself may prevent a few wary people from seeing the film, but the problem goes beyond that. Many theaters have policies against showing NC-17 rated films, which makes it so much harder for these films to make money.

Harvey Weinstein, co-head of The Weinstein Company, which is the studio releasing Blue Valentine has been quoted saying that they will not be removing the scene from the film, but will be appealing the MPAA’s chosen rating. I loved his choice to compare the film to Piranha 3D, a much more over-the-top and raunchy film, which got an R rating without any problems.

The way that I see it, one force that may be at work here should really be looked into: sexism. Read More »

The holiday seasons are all about eating too many dips, spending way too much money on frenemy gifts, and watching Elf on repeat. This year we’re prepared to take the stress and the frustration out of holiday gift giving by giving you the ultimate gift guides to buying the perfect presents for your favorite people (and we’re splitting into 3 different price ranges so you can choose the gift based on how much you actually like the person!).

So set this series as your favorite because all week we’re bringing you the best.

Trying to figure out what to get the party girl in your life this Christmas?  Or maybe you’re the one known for throwing back shots like a champ and you need a few things to add to your own wish list?  Either way, we’re on this like we were on the bar doin’ our sexy dance last Thursday.  So whether you want to go big this holiday season or pick up just a little somethin’ to pump up your social life, you’re covered. Read More »

I’ll never forget the year that Uggs first became popular, also known as the year that everyone on campus started to look like the science school had cloned humans. Maybe you remember the trend from bottom to top: It started with the tan (salt-stained) Uggs, and the black leggings, and the oversized shirt-dress. Just thinking about it makes me shudder. After spending many winters with snow stuffed sneakers resisting the Ugg-ly movement, it’s time to praise a boot that dared to be different.

This must be the first winter boot I’ve seen that doesn’t look like the offspring of the Ugg, not even it’s second cousin twice removed. The Women’s Bayshore Tall Boot from Sperry Top-Sider is from another family entirely.  (Yup! Sperry’s aren’t just for East Coast LAX boys anymore!) If you don’t want to keep confusing your boots with your roommate’s on the way out the door, you definitely need these.

The genius behind these boots is that THEY LACE UP. Who would have thought that not every person’s calf is one-size fits all when it comes to boots? Well Sperry Top-Sider thought of it. Nothing is worse then buying a pair of boots just to realize you have to buy a bunch of new skinny-leg jeans just to fit them in your boots, and the only thing worse than that is soaking-wet jeans because your campus refuses to shovel properly. And when you see that set of stairs that’s still caked with snow 3 days after a snowstorm, you can skip down them confidently with the awesome tracking on these bad boys. These will save you a lot of butt-bruises, broken laptops and humiliation- trust me.

The black is definitely my favorite, and the trimming of fur on the top is a nice touch instead of knowing you have a bunch hidden inside your boot that no one can actually see. And no worries, animal lovers – the genuine shearling is made from pelt, which means the fur is simply shaved from the sheep. No harm done! Read More »

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