It’s always interesting to look back on the year we’re about to leave behind and remind ourselves of the ups and downs we faced not only individually but also globally. This year (like many years before it), so much of the breaking news we’re now looking back on was found using Google.

What better way to look back and say ‘see ya lata’ to 2011 than through our millions of Google searches? The mega-site has compiled a Google review of the past year through the many, many millions of searches we used to follow the news.

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Holidays, finals, cold weather… hello, stress eating and couch potato days. Right now, we could all probably use a kick in the butt when it comes to fitness. I got mine last week with NYC-based trainer Melissa Paris. The class was a free in-store event at one of the Lululemon stores in NYC, and it was amazing! This week’s workout is inspired by some of Melissa’s moves. And this is just the tip of the iceberg – I highly suggest checking out her website for more great workout ideas.

1. High Knees into Bicycle

Begin with high knees – running in place while lifting your knees as high in the air as you can. Do this for one minute.

Next, drop to the floor for some bicycles. While lying on your back, lift your shoulders off the ground (like in a crunch) and twist your elbow to your opposite knee, switching from side to side. Do this for 30 seconds.

Repeat this full sequence three times.

2. Mountain Climbers into Side Plank

This sequence begins with mountain climbers – starting from a plank position, jump one foot forward toward your hands, and then switch and bring the other foot forward. Try to stay low to the ground and use your legs without jumping too high. Keep going for one minute.

Next, hold in a side plank position on your forearm, trying to keep your body in one straight line. Hold here for 30 seconds, then switch to the other side and hold for 30 seconds.

Repeat this entire sequence three times. It gets tough, but don’t give up!

Garnet is a student at Columbia University in New York City. When she’s not dancing or writing, she can be found exploring the city, and, let’s be honest, spending way too much time on the internet. Follow her @garnethenderson.

YSL once said that fashions fade, but style is eternal. He really hit the nail on the head with that one. Just because a print, cut, or pattern is trendy does not, I repeat does not, make it stylish. Or for that matter flattering.

Below are 10 trends we’ve seen this year that need to go back to whatever closet they came from.

initiating the gallery...

This week, I’ve been scouting purses for a gift to myself. I’ve worked hard this semester and want a retail treat! Dorothy Perkins is a hip “high street” shop from the UK that always has eye-catching pieces. This color block purse reminds me of the Coach Kristen line, but at a fraction of the price!

This purse is made from faux leather in contrasting shades of cream, black and grey. The color blocking using neutral shades is subtle, but still fashionable. It’s a great way for girls who are hesitant about color blocking to test out the trend and not worry about going overboard. Read More »

“Let’s go have sex” sounds so technical and boring when we have so many different ways to refer to having sex these days. Some ways that people talk about having sex blow my mind because they don’t even sound like real terms.

Next time you want to ask someone to have sex or the next time you want to talk about having sex, use one of these terms (well, maybe don’t use intercourse…shudder*) instead. Read More »

There’s an Irish version of ‘Jersey Shore’

Guess who’s joining the cast of ‘True Blood’!

Strangest celebrity phobias

Is this video by Jessica Biel’s bro real?

Idiot-proof guide to glittery nails

Holiday party dos and don’ts!

Our favorite Frenchie makes fun of Hollywood

The best on-screen couples of 2011

3 festive looks for your holiday party season

The Golden Globe nominees were announced today, and it’s all pretty much as expected. Total fugly faces Ryan Gosling and George Clooney received the most nominations, while Girl With The Dragon Tattoo finally got a little respect after being snubbed at the Screen Actor’s Guild Awards. Be sure to check out the full list of nominees before you settle in and watch the Globes on January 11th, as there are a few surprises.

We were thrilled to see Bridesmaids up for Best Motion Picture Comedy-Musical…fingers crossed our gal Kristen Wiig walks away with the win, beating out the not-so-comedy-or-musical My Week With Marilyn. Seriously, though, wasn’t that definitely a drama film? Anyway!

Let us know below what you hope to see win and who you feel got totally overlooked…

‘Tis the season to be jolly, to count thy blessings, and to make itemized lists of all the things you want. I used to wish for an easy bake oven, then Justin Timberlake’s hand in marriage, then an unlimited supply of Louboutins…oh, wait, I could still definitely go for that. In addition to a shoe closet to rival Mariah Carey’s (and world peace), I also wish for a shift in our collective sexual culture. We have all the potential to be sexually liberated, but we just won’t let ourselves — as a society — be that great. My ultimate five wishes are:

1. There would be free forms of birth control.

Unplanned pregnancy is awful. Abortion is not ideal. Luckily, there is this wonderful invention called contraception that would greatly decrease the occurrence of both. The reality of the situation is that people are going to have sex because it feels amazing, not always because they want to pop out babies, and our society needs to adjust to this and make contraception as accessible as possible. The risks of unprotected sex are far too great.

2.  Rape would never happen.

Without a doubt, rape and sexual assault are some of the most traumatizing experiences a person could ever endure, and it breaks my heart that 1 in 4 women will experience one or the other during her time in college. We live in a rape culture, where women are expected to always be available for sexual consumption and our language has stripped “rape” of its meaning (you did not rape your psychology final, okay?). In lieu of rape never happening, I would be over the moon if we could stop automatically jumping to the conclusion that all women who report rape are lying, conniving bitches who were totally asking for it because our skirts were short.

3. We could all be sluts, or prudes, and it wouldn’t be up for judgment. 

I don’t care if you’re saving yourself for marriage or for the next guy who buys you a shot, and no one else should either. As long as you’re being responsible, it’s all fair game.

4. Everyone who is sexually active would get tested regularly. 

Most STDs are not a big deal. They can be cleared up with antibiotics and are not any more disgusting than a cold or flu. If we could treat our sexual health like our dental or overall physical health, there would probably a lot less disease transmission, since people would be open about their status. Gonorrhea would be the new strep throat.

5. Everyone would have sex because they want to. 

There would be no having of sex because you feel peer pressure, or you desperately need validation, or because you were really, really, really wasted and you didn’t even know what you were doing for real. Sex should be fun. If it’s not, take a step back and re-evaluate. There’s nothing wrong with abstinence or celibacy.

Basically, I just want everyone to be sex-positive. What’s on your personal sexy wishlish? More orgasms? More kink? Less bad cunnilingus? I want to know!

Christmas in college is usually one of the best things of the year. The fact that you get to celebrate Christmas twice — with your family at home and with your little family of campus friends — is the icing on top of your perfect red and green, snowflake speckled cupcake! But what happens when you decide to swap presents with your roommates and you love all of them…except one. Is it rude to not get her a present?

Before you make the wrong decision, listen to what Marysa has to say on the matter. Girl’s bringing the wisdom especially hard this week. Read More »

How many times in high school while some boring teacher rambled on and on about something pointless did you stop and think to yourself, “I AM NEVER GOING TO USE THIS IN REAL LIFE!”? Because I know I did.

Things we learned in high school that we never use (unless you’re a mathematician or history museum tour guide):

1. What numbers are prime and what numbers are not prime

2. The many uses of symbolism are found in The Great Gatsby

3. What year Lewis and Clark started their expedition in America

4. The atomic symbol for potassium

5. How to solve a quadratic equation Read More »