Archive for June, 2011

Cool Inventions I Didn’t Even Know I Needed

Today’s world is filled with challenging, mundane tasks that are nearly impossible to do. Eating with chopsticks, making toast, holding your laptop, keeping books open… the list goes on and on. Up until today, I had no idea that innovative tools were available to help with these ridiculously hard and boring tasks, but after checking out what the desperate inventors of the world have to offer, I’ve now added at least 20 of these things to my birthday wishlist.

…Except not really. Sure, I could probably use pizza scissors or an umbrella that folds into a purse (because we all know how awkward it is to be the person with the big wet umbrella), and don’t even get me started on how awesome it would be to fall asleep in the mouth of a T-Rex every night, but come on. Flower-shaped egg molds? A plastic handle that hooks onto a soda can? Oh, and my personal favorite, the shark tea infuser, makes it look like a dead fish is floating on top of your drink.

Yes, they’re creative and some of them are pretty useful, but really? REALLY? We’ve gotten to the point where we need easy-to-use chopsticks and slings to hold our heavy (except really not that heavy) laptops? Wow.


Hot or Hot Mess: Nicole Scherzinger Does Thigh-High Boots at the Capital FM Summer Ball

[Like it or not, we all judge people every day. Especially when it comes to their fashion choices. From the girl with the too-short skirt for class to the old guy who insists on wearing short shorts and doing butterfly stretches at the gym (yeah, try to get that visual out of your head), it's impossible not to form an opinion. And now we're gonna share those opinions with the world. Every week, I'll be highlighting a celebrity look that I may love/hate/not understand and see what you, my college fashionistas, think about it. So put on your Joan Rivers fashion cap (which is undoubtedly made out of all the skin she's had nipped and tucked over the years) and let it all out.]

Thigh high boots can be tricky. Let’s face it, as much as we all love Pretty Woman, we don’t watch it for Vivienne’s sartorial choices (or at least I don’t). However, it seems that she was Nicole Scherzinger style inspiration for her outfit at the Capital FM Summer Ball. The strange thing with this outfit, whether it’s the black, the leather or the kinky-theme throughout, is that it weirdly…works. She isn’t trying to make the boots look non-trashy by pairing it with something demure or girly, she has kept the outfit consistent from head to toe. And let’s be honest, if anyone can pull this off, it’s Nicole. She’s been the figure-head of trashy-chic (yes, I just made that up) for years now and she does it well.

So, what do you make of her ensemble? Would you let her shop in your Rodeo Drive boutique, or would you hand her back to Richard Gere?


Steamy Spots to Hook Up This Summer

So you’re moving back home for the summer. There are upsides to this, sure. Free meals, the occasional shopping trip when Mom is in a good mood, HBO. But there are also a lot of things that come with living under mom and dad’s roof that we aren’t so happy about.

Mainly, where the eff are we supposed to hook up? Bringing boys back to sleep between our stuffed bears and bright pink pillows is a big no no, plus mom and pops would not be too happy about seeing a shacker sneak out the door as they sip their coffee and read the paper.

But never fear, dear readers. We have compiled a list of places out of the house where you and your boy of the moment can get a little frisky without mom and dad as witnesses. Some of them may not be so comfy, but hey, you’ll never know until you try it. I’m getting creative here people, so stick with me.

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Some of these may be a little risky, but we’re still young, right? Yeah, that’s my excuse.


CollegeCandy Wants to Make YOU Famous [Contest]

Attention: fame-whores, fashionistas, brainiacs, news buffs, class clowns, know-it-alls, mind readers, man readers, good girls, bad girls and everyone in between.

Here at College Candy, we’re looking for a few good men women. See, we had this idea. We’ve cooked up six new video segments we’ll be debuting over the coming months. They’re going to be brilliant and amazing and funny and you should be really, really excited, but we have one small problem. Actually, it’s a kinda huge problem. We need some equally brilliant and amazing and funny readers to jump in front of the camera and play host.

That’s right- we’re giving you the wheel on these projects. It’s going to be your opinions, your personality, your campus, your friends (if you want). So you understand why we can’t just hand this off to anyone, right? Ah yes, of course there was going to be a catch! Keep reading to find out which new video series need a voice and how you can apply to become the newest member of the (oh-so-fab) CollegeCandy fam.

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Welcome to the Real World: Navigating the Awkward Moments

[Life after college is hard. Like really hard. But it's not so hard that you should curl up in a ball and watch E! marathons all day long. Not only are we covering the experience from a first-hand perspective, but we're now covering it from a how-to-survive-it perspective. Every week, we're going to bringing the best advice to getting through your first post-grad year. Because sometimes, your grandmother's "just go to law school" advice just doesn't cut it.]

So we’ve covered a lot of Real World bases in this column. From what to wear on an interview, to how to search for a job…even what to expect socially in the workplace. But one thing I’ve noticed in reading through all of your comments is that you guys want a little help navigating the really tough scenarios. A rude interviewer, the “no wrong answer” questions (hint: there is a wrong answer), proper etiquette for group interviews…your basic iffy and unexpected situations.

How Rude!
So you walk into an interview all smiles and positive thoughts, when suddenly you’re confronted with the coldest, most non-feeling person in the world. And they’re the one who’s going to be asking the questions. Lucky you.

You try to act breezy and light, they stare you down and create awkward silences. You straight-talk your accomplishments and strengths, they’re unimpressed. You ask intelligent questions about the company and the position, they cut you off before you can finish.

What’s the smartest approach when confronted with a major grump? Realize it’s most likely their problem, not a personal grudge against you. I would bet money that either a) they have their eye on another candidate and are frustrated that a higher-up is still insisting on continuing the search; b) it wasn’t their job to interview you, but they were forced into the situation; or c) simply put- they’re having a bad day.

Now, none of those reasons justify someone being rude to you, but it does help you handle the situation. Continue answering questions and talking about your accomplishments respectfully and confidently…and don’t forget to send a thank you note!

This…is…not…what I…expected.
I once went on an interview to write at a reputable entertainment website and found myself at a sketchy apartment in the middle of Brooklyn. The “editor” of the site was not quite the guy he painted himself to be- it wasn’t even his apartment, he was…uh…temporarily homeless. After two rigorous and bizarre hours of talking (anyone got tips on how to politely tell your interviewer to shut up!?), he offered me the position to come join his “team”. Uhhh…

When something doesn’t turn out exactly as you envisioned it, take a moment to weigh the pros and cons. It’s easy to get guilted into accepting a position you don’t want, or to say no too quickly to one you might unexpectedly enjoy.

In my case, I decided to politely decline the offer. But trust it wasn’t without some serious consideration. (Okay, fine. So “consideration” translates to making fun of the weirdness with my friends over a venti Starbucks and still thinking WTF days after. Don’t be like me!!)

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
The ultimate open-ended question, you will be heavily judged on your answer. Potential employers don’t want to hear about your dream of owning a house in the ‘burbs, bowing out of your career by age 30 to play housewife and popping out cute kids.

Here’s the almost foolproof phrase I’ve memorized: At this point in my life, I’d love to join a company that offers opportunity for career growth. Hopefully in 10 years I can be part of a team that has watched me develop professionally, one that understands my strengths and can help me position myself and my coworkers for success.

The concepts of “career growth” and “career paths” within the same company are way popular. It’s less work for employers if they think you’re going to be sticking with them for the long haul. Think of yourself as a long-term investment.

Over-qualification, my ass.
Chances are most of you have been there, even as brand spankin’ new grads applying for entry-level positions. Somehow you’re overqualified. Yeah, between working part-time at Ann Taylor and interning for your town paper you’ve acquired too many skills to perform 80% of the jobs you apply for.

When you find yourself trying to convince someone you’re not as qualified as they think (trust me, it’ll happen)- stop. Take a different approach. Talk about how you’re confident the position will provide fresh challenges. Mention how you’ve worked in similar positions before and proven yourself an asset to different companies. Give examples.

Bitch, they didn’t ask you!
Oh, the group interview. How I hate thee. Is there a more awkward situation anywhere in life? Actually, don’t answer that. But the group interview still ranks pretty high up there!

Often times you’re asked a question and someone else’s cutting you off to give their unsolicited answer. Puh-lease! While it’s easy to curse under your breath at the absolute lack of manners in the room, remember it’s an interview and therefore it’s every man for him/herself.

Be patient and you’ll get your chance for classy payback. If you see an opportunity to add on to another candidate’s answer, wait for them to finish, then politely ask if you may speak about one of your own related experiences. Speak clearly and keep your comment concise. You’ll be heard and won’t have people annoyed at your for hijacking the spotlight with longwinded stories.


CollegeCandy Summer Party in NYC

What’s up fabulous College Candy readers!? Summer is finally here and we couldn’t be happier! (Welllll if Bradley Cooper was also here, we would be a little bit happier). We’re celebrating the warm weather the only way we know how…with a PARTY. That’s right, CollegeCandy is throwing our first ever party in NYC and we want YOU to come.

Why should you come?

Do $3 drink specials get you excited? How about fabulous goody bags for the first 30 guests? Perhaps insane raffle prizes get you giddy? Or maybe you just want to meet all your favorite writers in person?

Whatever the reason…we don’t care. We’re just excited to have you! So leave your internship worries at home, grab your roommate/friend/boyfriend (basically anyone besides your mom) and join us for happy hour!

Check out our Facebook page for all the details and be sure to Like us!!

MORE PRIZE DETAILS COMING SOON! But in the meantime, check out a sneak peak of what’s going in the goody bags and what we’re giving away in the raffle.


14 Dream Celeb RAs We Want In Our Dorm

How great would it be to knock on Selena Gomez’s door for dating tips? Or have Charlie Sheen always #winning just a few doors down? There are some celebs who seem like excellent RA material, either because they know how to party or just because we’d like to have them around to stare at every once in a while.

Here’s just a few of Hollywood’s greatest that we would like to see walking down our hallway.

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Would you feel safe with Jack Black running the building, or would you rather have someone sweet like Hilary to take care of all your resident needs? What other stars would make cool and trustworthy RAs?


Baggin’ Out: Marc by Marc Jacobs Little Ukita

Every girl needs a good purse (or 12). Whether you’re going for groceries or running from class to class, they are simply essential for holding all your, uh, essentials. Each week, I’m going to show you a fashionable, yet functional purse for the college crowd and let you know why you absolutely need it! I apologize ahead of time to your bank account.

Last time I did a purse inventory (it has to be done when you’ve got a collection like mine), I realized something: all of my purses are super-sized. You won’t find any mini’s hanging around in my closet! I’m 5’8, so I can rock larger purses and since I’m a student, I’m always looking for purses that fit at least a textbook and a notebook. However, this can be a problem when I’m looking for a lighter purse for a day of shopping or a night of margaritas at the local club. Can you imagine lugging a giant leather hobo to the bar? Don’t try it – speaking from experience here. So, when I saw Marc Jacobs Little Ukita, I knew it had to be mine.

The Little Ukita is a perfectly-sized purse. It measures 13 L x 10 H x 3.5 D and has both a short and long strap, making it super functional. You can even wear it cross-body! The leather is super buttery and the chic, graphic lining makes for a nice contrast. Every season, MBMJ keeps this classic shape in their rotation, but spices it up by releasing it in a whole new range of shades.

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Candy Dish: It’s All Right Cuz I’m Saved By The Bell

What does your favorite 1980′s sitcom say about you?

Meet the newest Candie’s girl

How the royal couple will spend their time in the states

Why Emma Roberts is the Emma you should pay attention to

How to pull off chevron stripes

Female celebs rocking the au natural look

Is J. Lo thinking about leaving ‘American Idol’?

Sesame Street characters as Zombies!

Best TV Dads through the decades

Uh oh: Crystal Harris is in the wedding issue of Playboy


Sexy Time: Pregnancy Scare

A condom can break, you can slip up and miss a pill, you can leave your NuvaRing out a few days longer than necessary.

All of those small failures can lead to one of the most stressful times in a woman’s life — the unplanned pregnancy scare. That sinking, gnawing feeling that your uterus may not be uninhabited. You start freaking out at every little symptom. Nauseated in the morning…Am I hungry or is this morning sickness? A weird twinge in your stomach…PMS cramps or pregnancy cramps? Fatigue hits early every day…is it sleep deprivation or  is your body exhausted from preparing a womb? It is an extremely stressful situation that generally leads to fear, panic, or complete and utter denial.

All of those emotions are valid and justifiable. I mean, pregnancy is for adults, settled, ready-to-bear-children women and clueless teenagers on MTV. It’s not for college-aged women whose biggest concerns should be getting to know and love herself, having fun with friends, succeeding in school, and successfully avoiding hangovers every weekend. Unfortunately, sex is one of the riskiest activities we engage in, and even if we do our best to be cautions, failures happen.

If you find yourself seriously worried that you are pregnant, do the following (and do not, I repeat DO NOT Google symptoms online, you’ll only panic more):

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