Summertime is the prime season for music festivals — it’s hot, people don’t have to work and they make for great vacations. But for those of you who are music festival virgins, it can be hard to determine which festival is your scene. Well now you can breathe easy because this article will break it down for you.

Since I began my “no-soda” journey these past few months, I’ve been reminiscing my memories with my favorite soda, Diet Coke or, as the cool kids call it, “DC.” Those who are in the DC family understand what I’m talking about: Diet Coke is not merely a “drink,” it’s, as TheFrisky.com points out, a lifestyle. By drinking this soda, you are opening yourself to another portal of life, another form of heaven.

Yes, I am an addict. That’s the first thing DC lovers must admit. We are stubborn and angsty without our Diet Cokes and nothing, I mean nothing, will kill our craving unless it’s one of those pretty silver cans sweating in front of us. Or, even better, a giant cardboard cup filled with the heaven that is a Fountain Diet Coke. Is there anything better? I think not, and anyone who tells you otherwise is either a  A) Coke head (Note: not the same thing as a Lindsay Lohan coke head) B) a Pepsi Whore (EW) or C) stupid.

I’ll be honest and confess that I hated Diet Coke in the beginning. I thought it was “fake” and “disgusting.” My friend loved to order it with every meal and I just scowled at her with disgust. “Why do you even drink that,” I would say over my giant glass of water. “You know, it might kill you.” Her answer was always the same: “Honestly, I just can’t stop. And you won’t know until you try.”

So I did. The first sip, I spat out the coke and said it tasted like cough syrup. And then another sip and another. Then I started ordering DC when I had a salad, or just when I was out with friends. Then I was buying it on the way to class. And soon after, the cravings began. I started to suffer from light headaches, my fingers started shaking. My fridge was filled with nothing but cans of DC and a jar of pickles. I was hooked.

Diet Coke is one of those things, like Taylor Swift or rompers, that either people love or hate. There is no middle ground. There is no “It’s OK.” It’s either “OMG DIET COKE” or “Ew, Diet Coke?!” And I’m always trying to lure in the non-believers. “It tastes so crisp! How can you not like it?” And they just stare at me in horror as I chug another one and crush the silver can against my forehead. But it is. Nothing quenches my thirst (be it at breakfast, dinner, on the beach or after the bar) like a giant Diet Coke. It’s like an icy, comforting hug from a friend soul mate.

And I know for a fact I’m not the only one who thinks so. The Diet Coke Obsession is a cult movement, sorta like Scientology… but a lot less weird. And a lot more delicious. Hell, DC even fueled President Barack Obama’s presidential campaign! Yes, Diet Coke put Obama in the White House.

That’s one powerful beverage.

God, Diet Coke, I f**king love you.

[This story was originally posted by Angela- Syracuse.]

Likey? Don’t worry, there are plenty more faves where this came from.

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[This summer a dream internship with Lucky magazine moved me from Austin, Texas, where I’ve spent all 21 years of my life, to New York City for the summer. Come along for the ride and follow me through this column as I take on all that the city has in store for me. I’ll share tips I’ve picked up along the way about everything from how to pack (stop, drop and roll people!) to dating to fitting in (or standing out) and so much more.]

Tip #6 – Starbucks runs a great refill program so save your cup!

If you’re anything like me, your coffee addiction can be especially financially crippling as you dish out $4 after $4. So it came to my surprise when someone in the city told me how he was scoring his coffee without dishing any green. After moving to one of the most expensive cities in the world, I’m always on the look out for deals and steals and I’m willing to bet my mother couldn’t be prouder of me right now.

Order a regular coffee or iced coffee and bring back your cup that same day for a 54 cent refill regardless of the size. And if you’re feeling particularly shameless, save your cup and rinse it out at home and bring it back the next day for even more 54 cent fun. You call it cheap but I call it clever and not to mention a great technique when it comes to saving up for that new Marc Jacobs bag.

Read More »

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[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.]

I don’t know what it is. Maybe it’s the fact she’s dating Justin Bieber, maybe it’s because at 21, I consider everyone younger than me to be children, maybe it’s just the fact that her face is not one of an eighteen year old, but Selena Gomez doing sexy kinda weirds me out. I know I wore much sluttier stuff when I was 18, and we’ve all seen the kind of stuff Miley Cyrus busted out the minute she turned legal, but Selena Gomez is just too cute.

Selena wore this striking D&G gown to the Billboard Music Awards, paired with red Giuseppe Zanotti strappy shoes. I absolutely adore this dress, but I can’t help thinking it’s a little too cut out, a little too sophisticated and grown up for Miss Gomez. I would have liked to have seen her in something a little more bright and fun, maybe a little more age-appropriate.

So, should Selena save the black until she gets a little older? Is this outfit hot or a hot mess? Let us know what you think!!

Bonnaroo kicks off today and music lovers everywhere have collectively peed their pants in anticipation for its 10th anniversary. If you’re one of the thousands heading south, grab your tent, your dry shampoo and loads of extra deodorant because this Tennessee music festival is not for the faint of heart.

If you think sleeping on the ground and getting your groove on in record heat is going to be a challenge, wait ’til we introduce you to the seven folks you’re just bound to meet at the festival. Embrace it, ladies, the (ah-may-zing!) people watching comes with the price of admission. For those College Candy readers lucky enough to be going, take note.

Here at CollegeCandy we’re all about embracing summer through great accessories, including some of our all-time fave flip flips, Havaianas. And while we love throwing a pair on to hop from a day at the beach to happy hour, have you ever stopped to think about where these brightly colored, super-fun miracle sandals come from? Well, a brightly colored, super-fun city, naturally!

Get your culture on with a glimpse of Sao Paulo, birthplace of Havaianas, courtesy of design guru Jeff Staple. He explores this amazing Brazilian city and talks with other designers to gain insight on Havaianas’ new Soul Collection.

Yet another item to add to your summer wardrobe wish-list? I think so.

[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.]

I know how the scenario goes. They put that college diploma in your hand on graduation day, you walk across the stage with your head held high and you think, “This is it. I made it.” Fast-forward to two months later, you’re sweating bullets selling ice cream cones at the town pool’s snack bar. And they said you needed a degree for this? Read More »

In this part of the country (Chicago) It’s been hot in herre. Cue Nelly.

And the last thing I have the energy to do when it’s this hot is think about an outfit that makes me look hot, but feel cool. The Maxi Dress is always the best option for a summer wardrobe — it has versatility, style, and a breeze drifting up the skirt! Bonus Points! This season, there are countless styles of the maxi — from one shouldered to strapless, florals to bold prints, light weight materials (think gauze) to dressier materials you could rock at a family wedding…there is a maxi for every occasion!

So your trusty Budget Stylista- (cough cough, moi) rounded up 10 of the best, most affordable maxi dresses out there. So no matter what your occasion, I’ve taken the thinking out of it. Wake up, throw on, add an accessory and off you go.

I’m like your maxi dress fairy godmother.

Bibbity. Bobbity. Boop!