On March 7 the Style Network will kick off the second season of “Too Fat for 15: Fighting Back,” a show  that features a group of overweight teens and pre-teens as they struggle not only to lose weight, but to battle their inner demons, and change their lifestyles for the better. The show follows the students during their time at Wellspring Academy, a weight loss boarding school, that provides them with an “intense mind/body curriculum.” The students struggle with their new lifestyle, with being away from their family and friends, and with the real reasons behind their obesity. It’s described as an “inspirational docu-series.”  But these days it’s one among many.

The Biggest Loser. I Used to Be Fat. Heavy. Dance Your Ass Off.

The list of shows surrounding “fat” people and their inspiring lifestyle changes are endless these days. And I don’t mean to disvalue what these people are doing, but I do want to take a minute to question why they are able to. Why are the networks creating these shows? Because they are inspiring? Or is it just good business? The Biggest Loser is a success and suddenly every network has a “fat show.” Suddenly it’s a trend. It’s a way to make a lot of cash with little cost. Read More »

Nolcha Fashion Week is probably something you’ve never heard of.  However, it is something you should have heard of. Nolcha Fashion Week is all about showcasing the brilliance of globally-minded and eco-friendly designers from all across the world. Their goal is to introduce the world to a new type of fashion that is friendly to both the earth and to our closets. It’s a new age of ethical fashion that means sustainability without sacrifice and style that is sexy.

Six designers that are simply outstanding are Ailin, Alberto Parada, House of Tammam, room to roam, REY, and Helicopter. Each of these designers, though fabulously varied and differentiated, shares the same goal: to promote the rise of ethical fashion in an eco-friendly, sustainable, and organic way without losing any of the greatness that is fashion.

And they do it well. Take a peek at their gorgeous work that reminds us all that sustainable is sexy, eco-friendly is exciting, and organic is orgasmic. Read More »

As my eyes scanned over the cover of the March issue of Cosmo, my mind was flooded with images of Glee porn. And nobody, I mean nobody, should ever have to experience mental images of Coach Beaste singing ‘Firework’ on a cafeteria table naked.

Between Lea Michele’s airbrushed cascading titty cleav, the Sex Quiz, demands to ‘Get Naked!’ and articles dedicated to ‘His Thighs Only,’ I had to check and make sure I didn’t accidentally grab a Playboy.  Um, ‘scuse me Cosmo, but do you need to start packaging condoms with your magazine from now on?  I’m feeling a little sexually violated.

Brace yourselves, College Candies, Cosmo has been hiding some dirty articles up their sleeves…and they are shaking ‘em all out out in this issue.  So, let’s get naked sit back and enjoy.

Let’s start with Lea Michele and her article ‘Lea’s Got a Naughty Side.‘  For reasons I can’t quite explain, she annoys me to the bitter core.  Seriously, my upper lip curls whenever I see her smug grin.  Maybe it’s because I feel like she knows something I don’t about being seductive and she’s never going to tell me. Or maybe I’m just associating her too much with Rachel Berry? I don’t know, but her quote about her favorite body part (butt) totally topped the hate-cake: “My mom say’s I have a good future behind me!” Oh honey, no. Read More »

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It was a Valentine’s Miracle!  Those of you who watched The Bachelor last night know what I’m talking about: Crazy Eyes (or shall we call her Veiny Boobs) Michelle is G-O-N-E!  And as if that wasn’t enough, I’ve gotta say, these remaining girls are pretty freakin’ awesome.  Maybe it was the episode’s lack of X-Treme dates, the swell in my heart when Brad “broke the rules” for Emily, the way Shawntel conversed with those natives, or maybe it was just the (empty) bottle of champagne and (almost empty) giant bag of pink M&Ms sitting in my lap, but guys- I’m seriously excited to see what happens from here on out!

Next week brings Brad home to meet each of the remaining girls’ families.  It’s always an intense episode, and of the four finalists there’s always one absolute train wreck of a hometown visit.  Whether it’s an unconventional family situation, over-sharing parents, awkward siblings, or odd interior décor, something’s bound to set Brad in a tailspin.  (Could this mean an emergency fly-in session from our favorite therapist, Jamie!?)  Before we count anyone out, let’s look at who we’ve got left to be the next Mrs. Brad Womack:

Shawntel
Hands down, she’s the most genuine, unencumbered, emotionally secure girl this season.  Plus, she’s just so nice.  I almost think she’s too good for Brad.  Is that wrong to say?  Really, I hope she gets denied a rose and is forced back into normal society where she can meet a guy on the level as she.

That being said, from what we can tell, her hometown visit might be a little dicey.  It’s understandable that she’d take Brad to her family’s funeral parlor; it is part of her life, after all.  But it looks like they hang out there for a while and she actually questions him on his burial preferences.  Hmmm… Maybe not the best move there, babe.  We can only hope her parents break the funeral director stereotype and are just as warm and friendly as their daughter.

After all is said and done, do I think she’ll get a rose?  I’m at a 70% yes.

Chantal
Last night’s mini-breakdown was a little more emotionally revealing than we’re used to when it comes to Chantal.  Typically the one to play it cool, girlfriend crumbled under the pressure of seeing Ashley H. receive the group date rose.  Could a trip home provide a 911 confidence boost, or will it only cause her to become that much more invested in her uncertain relationship with Brad?

Word on the street is that Chantal’s dad is an ex-Seattle Seahawk, so if Brad knows his football trivia, he might be impressed.  If nothing else, it’s a conversation point.  While I’d bet serious money Chantal will be receiving a rose, I’d still be interested to see how Brad responds to her (inevitable and repeated) love confessions.  This week he was a little cold, dontcha think?

Emily
Oh dear, sweet Emily.  Is it even possible to say an ugly word about her?  Nope, and I don’t wanna.  Between the big, blonde hair; her twangy drawl; and her petite, Southern Barbie appearance, can you blame Brad for breaking sacred Bachelor rules and pre-promising her a rose?  Bless his heart!

Next week’s edits are making it look as though little Ricki, Emily’s darling daughter, is going to shun Brad like the rest of America.  (Could it be that she’s been hiding copies of Us Weekly under her pillow?)  However, we all know the tricks Chris Harrison likes to play with our hearts, so the chance that theirs will be the date-from-Hell is low.

Will Miss Em get a rose?  You betcha.

Ashley H.
Girlfriend, why are you even still here?  More importantly, can you freakin’ lay off those eyebrows a bit?  They’re almost gone; soon you’ll have nothing left to pluck!  You’re not a horrible person, not in the slightest.  But there is something off about you.  Sure, you’re cute and tiny and bubbly…and I know Brad enjoyed watching you make a nautical bra out of those Conch shells last night…by the way, high five for taking your top off.  Being one of the only girls on the show without insane implants can’t be easy.

I would totally be BFFs with you in real life.  You look like a ton of fun when you’re drunk.  Earplugs would completely take care of that annoying whiney voice you make from time to time.  No doubt, we’d be fast friends.  But you and Brad?  More importantly, you getting a rose from Brad?  Not in this lifetime. And I think you know it too, since the only conversation you’ve had with Brad in 6 weeks has been of the “OMG, please don’t send me home, baby!” variety.

Way to play it cool, Bubbles.

What were your thoughts on last night? Who felt bad when nerdy Britt got the premature boot off the yacht? I know my heart crumbled for her rejected, ill-coifed head.  (Seriously, did Brad call ahead during the first course for that dingy to pull up behind the boat?)  And how about the inevitable demise of Michelle, resident madwoman?

Let’s all just let out a sigh of relief and write nasty comments.

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I’m going to start this post off by saying that I’m lame. And I didn’t need my friend to tell me that, “Lauren your middle name should be lame-ass-punk,” to realize that. On Saturday night, while my friends went out and got their drink on until 4am, I sat at home with a bag of Smart Pop and SNL. I can’t tell you the last time I was actually home on a Saturday night to catch an episode of SNL, but knowing that Chris Brown was going to be on, I just had to see it.

Yeah, SNL was very strategic in booking Mr. Controversy, hoping people would tune in to see how it would all go down, and they succeeded. I mean, they at least got one new viewer this week.

And at first it was good. I can’t deny that Yeah x3 is a catchy song and that Chris Brown is a talented performer. I pushed my guilty feelings aside as I danced to the kitchen to refill my glass of Diet Coke. I let myself forget about his scandal and just enjoy him for the pop star that he is.

And then I saw his second performance of the evening. Brown chose to sing his latest song, No BS, and to say it made me uncomfortable is like saying walking in on my parents having sex makes me uncomfortable. [Shudder.]

Watch for yourself: Read More »

So let’s be real, we all cried a little bit when we found out Brad and Jen were splitting, and some of us are still sticking pins in our Angelina Jolie voodoo dolls not over it. In fact, thanks to our obsession with celebrities, faux-lebrities and TV/movies, we often find ourselves more invested in Hollywood/fictional couples than we do in our own relationships.

But who can blame us? It doesn’t take a Patti Stanger to know that our hot-wings-eating, HALO-playing, Edward-40-hands-lovin’ boy toys pale in comparison to the romantic, doting, sexy Prince Charmings we see in our weekly tabloids and primetime TV shows.

What girl wouldn’t yearn for her very own vampire (think True Blood, not Twilight)? Or an Upper East Side romance? The picture perfect couples are everywhere we look, and even if we aren’t half of one, it’s the holiday of looooove (duh, Valentine’s Day, people) so let’s melt, ooze and swoon over some of our favorite duos. Read More »

It’s already February and my life is in a routine. I should mention I hate routines. In fact, it’s okay to say I absolutely detest them. And the one that makes my skin crawl the most?

My gym routine.

The treadmill and bike just aren’t doing it for me anymore. Not even when I’m lucky enough to score one with a TV on it. It’s not like there’s anything good to watch at 3 p.m. on a Tuesday, anyway. The truth is, spending an hour pedaling in place irritates me to no end, especially when I know there are many other things I could and should be doing (cleaning my room is on the top of the list – who knows where all my bras went?). And if you are anything like me, meaning you have about a second to sit down and breathe before something else happens, then you feel my pain.

So what’s a girl to do? Create a new playlist, join a hot yoga class, try new weight machines? It all just ends up the same: played out and boring.

What I need is a more efficient workout. Something that can whip my booty into shape without taking up my precious time. And if it didn’t require me to have to layer up to haul ass to the gym, well, even better.

And guess what? IT EXISTS. The fitness experts at AOL Health have a 15-minute full-body workout that is quick, challenging and can be done in the comforts of my dorm room (once I actually clean it, that is).

And here it is, in all its short, powerful glory.

Goodbye ‘Reba’ reruns (for real, how did that show ever exist!?), hello Gisele body with some extra free time on the side!

We all have our go-to stores that we, uh, go to when we need to stock up on some new wardrobe essentials (or when we just have an hour to kill and the mall reaches out and wraps us in its warm embrace). But what about all those other stores? The ones that you walk past on your way to Auntie Anne’s without a second glance? The “mom” stores, the old lady  department stores, the stores that don’t start with “Forever” and end with “21″? Surprise! Many of those stores are filled with major cuteness that you’re missing out on! (Except Chico’s – keep walking, little lady.) We know you’re not one to pass up a cute cami, so we scoured these under-the-radar shops and pulled out all the goodness you never realized existed.

When you hear the words “cute clothing” I’m pretty sure visions of your local Kmart don’t come flooding into your mind. And why would they when there’s Forever 21 or H&M or Urban Outfitters? Surprisingly enough, however, Kmart has some really cute choices. And not just in the Martha Stewart Home Collection. (Wait, does it make me weird that I even know that?)

Seeing major competition from the likes of Target and Walmart, Kmart has really stepped up their game. They have collaborations with French Connection and Selena Gomez, and offer pieces that are chic, affordable, and totally under the radar, which means the pickings are ripe for your enjoyment! Read More »