When I first looked at the Fall 2011 runway collections, I was torn about the abundance of velvet. Growing up in the ’90s means I remember the last time velvet was really popular and I shudder at the thought. But thanks to the genius of our favorite designers this fabric has been given new life.

Velvet is luxurious. It’s rich. It’s generally heavier, making it the perfect winter fabric. It’s also extremely soft to the touch, meaning a velvet dress could be the perfect way to get your crush to come a little closer (though hopefully it doesn’t encourage him to rub you inappropriately).  If velvet dresses have you feeling like yourself as a five-year-old (when your mom made you pair it with crochet knee socks), there are a lot of tops or jackets (like the motorcycle one!) that are a fresh, updated take on the fabric. And if you’re not convinced a major velvet piece is for you, there are plenty of accessories to add some luxury to your outfits.

Below are 15 rich, velvety pieces I’m loving. Click on the image for all the shopping info! Read More »

[It's a new year meaning it's the perfect time to wipe that slate clean and start anew. And we made it our resolution to help you out. Every Thursday this month we've been bringing you advice from experts on ways to improve yourself and your life.  First we feng shui-ed your rooms to make them happier, more productive places and centered ourselves so we could handle whatever comes our way. Then we got our finances all in order. And now, at long last, it's time for organization expert (seriously, Oprah uses this guy!) Peter Walsh to help us get our desks and lives in order. P.S. He's giving away a MEGA prize, so check that out at the end.]

Does this sound familiar? You’re taking 18 credit hours, involved in extra curriculars, trying to study for exams, accepting social invitations left and right and trying to impress the cute guy in psychology class. You don’t exactly have free time, and well, your desk reflects it. These days, it’s starting to look more like last night’s party scene than an efficient, productive workspace that you started with in August. And I’m guessing the same holds true for your “mobile office,” i.e. your backpack!

You’re not alone! But it’s time to take back control and start the New Year off with less clutter and more organization. The following are a few of my favorite tips and advice for organizing your workspace and mind that will help you maintain your studies, social calendar and sanity throughout the rest of the semester and year.

Here’s what you need to know: Read More »

Here on CollegeCandy we spend a lot of time warning you ladies about keeping your Facebook private. Change your settings. Change them again. Now change them back.  We try to keep up with Zuckerberg and the boys, but even we didn’t think of this one, and trust me, you didn’t either.

Because apparently that creeper sitting next to you in Calc class might still be able to get all of your Facebook information if you’re using a wireless network to access the internet. Which, on a college campus, or in an internet cafe, or you know, anywhere, you probably are.

Websites like Gmail use “encrypted HTTPS protocol” to prevent this from happening. They secure all of your information by encrypting your login cookies and the rest of your data. But Facebook? Not so much. So even though that random older dude staring at you from behind his laptop in Starbucks can’t read that e-mail you’re sending your professor, he might still be able to see that Facebook message you’re  sending your boyfriend. According to Gawker.com, one blogger sat down at a local Starbucks and was able to steal 20-40 Facebook identities in 30 minutes with the help of a program called Firesheep. The inventor claims to have created the software to encourage companies like Facebook to lock down their systems, and apparently Facebook is finally listening.

[editors note: SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) allows all of the data that you send over the internet to be encrypted. If an unwanted guest (we'll use the word Hacker), decides that he/she wants to "sniff traffic," or collect all of the information that goes back and forth between peoples laptops at a Starbucks, means that every single laptop in that Starbucks that isn't over a secure connection, is vulnerable to having their data collected (user names, passwords, credit card information, cookies, etc). While this is a scary thought, keep in mind that you can protect yourself by logging into websites that utilize SSL (that extra 's' that you'll see after 'http' which online banks most always use by default).]

Their secure browsing program is launching today, and it will apparently take “a few weeks” to get to everyone. But you should check every day until you have this option and then enable it immediately.

Here’s what you need to do: Read More »

"Skinny arm!"

[Got something awesome everyone needs to know about? A really rad singer? A wicked new book? The best makeup of all time? 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!]

There isn’t much to say about Sushi With My Girls. To be In The Know about it, is to read it. You will either agree that it’s pretty amazing or you’ll know someone who would agree it’s pretty amazing.

I mean even Khloe Kardashian Tweeted about it. If my favorite still-not-sure-why-they’re-famous-but-I-love-them-anyway sister thinks this little site is worthy of a Tweet, obvi it’s worthy of our time.

I refuse to give anything away about this site (don’t want to ruin the moment for you), but I will venture to say that most girls, and not just the Jewish/East Coast girls this site tends to poke fun at – can relate to a few of these “Sushi Girl” qualifications. I related to about 90%. Read More »

Survivor has done it. Top Chef has done it. And now it’s time for us to do it. Well, sort of.

Actually it’s more a suggestion, one we’re offering up to the Bravo powers that be because frankly, we don’t think they have the creativity necessary to come up with such a brilliant idea. Enough with the Real Housewives of New York. The Real Housewives of Atlanta. The Real Housewives of Miami. (Making its way to a TV near you very soon.) Forget cities. Think personalities.

Imagine if the women were forced to interact with Real Housewives from another show? Teresa and Lisa cooking together?  Maybe Catherine helping Vicki check things off of her her bucket list? Think about these women. Think about the chaos they could cause together.

Think about all of that fake blonde hair and tan skin in one room.

The possibilities are endless here, and that’s why we’re proposing The Ultimate Real Housewives House. Only for the biggest and the best of the Real Housewives franchise. For the ones you love, the ones you hate and the ones you love to hate. Only one per city, so…who makes the cut? Read More »

I have a firm belief that it’s impossible to look polished without nail polish. It’s the final accessory to an outfit that not only completes a look, but makes you look utterly put together. It’s so important that it of course slips my mind until the last minute all the time.

Nail polish and I have never been friends. I’m the girl who doesn’t realize she’s wearing dark blue nails until five minutes before she has to leave for an interview. I didn’t paint my nails for years because I knew, despite strict instructions on how to do a perfect at-home mani, that I did not have the patience to wait for them to dry, or the ability to stop checking if they are dry every five seconds only to smudge them with my grubby paws. I’ve left streaks of polish all over my apartment and have only had a wonderful set of nails when I’ve shelled out the cash at a salon because I’m inept at painting my own. And there is nothing less satisfying than paying for a great look, only to find it chipped the next morning.

Sally Hansen heard my plight, and finally came out with a product I’ve been holding my breath over for years (which was dangerous, to say the least). They’re called Salon Effects Polish Strips, which are so much better than the nail stickers I had prayed (with my chipping nails pointing towards the heavens) for all these years.

Simply put, they’re amazing. For less than 10 dollars, you can pick up this nail kit with a variety of shapes to fit your nails that last up to 10 days. They come in 24 different shades and they. are. awesome. There are muted, plain shades if you need professional digits, plus glitters, animal prints, and some fantastic fashion prints like my favorite, lace. Read More »

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For all of you MTV junkies out there, I’m sure you’re more than aware of the Skins US premiere. The show surprised viewers not only because it was actually decent, but because it apparently caused quite an uproar — turns out teenagers having sex, drinking, and doing drugs doesn’t sit too well with some adult viewers.

There’s been multiple stories about advertisers who have pulled out of the show, aghast at the topics that were tackled in the pilot. Some people are even expressing concern over the show violating child pornography laws. In all fairness, I haven’t seen the show (US or UK), but I’m aware of the subject matter. While these things might be a bit of a taboo, I think the uproar is going a little bit too far. Mostly, I have a question for the execs and reporters who are making comments on the show – do you have any idea what high schoolers are actually like these days?

Of course, not every teenager can be lumped into the “drinking, smoking, and having sex” group, but I can guarantee that those who don’t participate are, at the very least, aware that these things are going on; which explains why it’s the adults that are concerned, not the target audience.

I’m not going to comment on whether these sexual activities are “right” or “wrong” – that’s a whole other story – but what I’m saying is that teenagers are not as innocent as the 40-and-older group likes to think. No one likes to think about it, but teenagers are sexual beings. This is made pretty evident by the fact that the average age of “first contact” (read: when people use their virginity) is around 17-years old globally — which is just about the same age as the show’s target audience. That’s not to say they should be going out and having unprotected sex with everything that moves, but teenagers aren’t stupid, they know what sex is, and someday – probably sooner than later – they will be doing it.

Not having seen the show, I honestly don’t know if they took it too far, but I can’t help but wonder if this is just a symptom of a larger problem — why are so many adults so afraid of teenage sexuality? Read More »

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You know how you get that blue feeling when all the leaves have fallen off the trees and the sun starts ducking behind the clouds more and more? Good news, that’s completely normal! But if it’s severe, and I’m talking a deep dark depression, you might want to talk to your doctor and find out if you have Seasonal Affective Disorder. I know what some of you may be thinking… the whole “this is a joke thing” crossed my mind too.

Then I actually saw what my dad was like during the winter months: grumpy, sad, loss of interest (aka he just sat in front of the T.V. and did nothing), he ate everything he could see, and slept more than needed. So after convincing my mom to talk to him, she confronted him about going to the doctor.

We found out he suffers from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), which is a type of depression that affects a person during the same season each year. (Although more popular during the winter months, people do suffer during the summer seasons as well.) Anyone can get SAD, but here are a few facts about those most at risk:

- People who live in areas where winter days are short.
- People between the ages of 15 and 55.
- People who have a family member suffering form SAD already.
- Women are more likely to get it over men.

Here are some things you should keep an eye out for in your friends, family,  and yes, even yourself!

Feeling sad, grumpy, moody, or anxious,  loss of interest in usual activities,  eating more and craving carbohydrates (well, more so than usual),  weight gain, and sleeping more but still feeling drowsy during the daytime.

Whether or not you’re suffering from SAD, there are a few things we all can do to feel better in the winter months. Some doctors prescribe a bright light therapy treatment, which involves sitting in front of a “light box” for half an hour or longer during the day. The light, which is lacking naturally in these months, is said to “trick” your body into thinking it’s bright, happy sunlight, thus enhancing your mood.

Another light therapy treatment is called dawn simulation; a dim light goes on in the morning while you sleep and slowly brightens up your room, like a sunrise. Other treatments include: just getting outside and embracing the natural sunlight that exists, antidepressants (these work to balance the brain chemicals that affect mood) and counseling to learn about SAD and ways to manage your symptoms.

Let’s all try to ward away the winter blues this year by imagining a nice warm happy place! I know that every time old Jack Frost starts nipping at my poor little nose, I’m going to imagine a nice warm beach and a tangerine-grapefruit margarita in my hand.