I’ve been getting book recommendations from you guys since the dawn of the Saturday Read and I’m finally going to do something about it, by starting the CollegeCandy Book Club. What does that mean? For the next 12 months I’m inviting you, the readers, to join in and read the chosen book for each month.

2011 was truly a great year for In Our Makeup Bag. We experimented with everything from face cream to lipsticks, eye shadows to blush and managed to find a few new products that reached “holy grail” status! If you’re looking to streamline the contents of your makeup bag and need some suggestions — or if you’re just on the hunt for a few new trusty BFFs — we’ve got all your bases (and blemishes) covered.

The holidays always make me think of a few things: seeing friends, eating sweets and PARTIES. There is no other time that you can dress up and go out almost every night of the week without seeming like a total boozehound. This obscene amount of going out requires new outfits and new clutches! I’ve been browsing the interweb for that very purpose and came upon this beauty recently: the ASOS Half Moon Clutch.

SUPER by Perricone is a brand of skincare that incorporates different “super foods” into their products. The Hyper Hydrator “leaves skin soft to the touch and smelling sweet. As light and refreshing as water from a freshly tapped coconut, this tropical topical treat contains MCT, natural esters found in coconuts that are easily absorbed to quench skin’s thirst.”

I have a sizable collection of costume jewelery earrings, made of cheap brass and nickel, but I also have a few precious gems hiding amongst the cheapies. I always like to treat myself to a new pair for a special occasion and I think I may have found that pair in the Kenneth Jay Lane Artemis earrings.

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!

Clarins is a fave brand of mine that happens to put out rather modest collections. Their latest holiday fare boasts only three items: a face powder, eye quad and a lipstick. I have both the quad and lipstick to test out, so let’s see how it goes.

Right now, I’m full-swing in exam mode and dreaming of the moment I can let loose and have a night out. It doesn’t need to be wild, just something fun with people I care about. I’ve been keeping my eye out for a cute outfit I can wear out with friends, while grabbing coffee or catching a movie. I’ve also realized that I’m missing shoes in the mid-casual category; shoes that are casual, but not as casual as my Chuck Taylors. Enter the Coconuts Clooney Boot!

How would you like to kick off the holiday season with a copy of the Scorpio Races, a $50 visa gift card AND a pair of cowboy boots? You would like that, right? Well check out the review and then read the entry rules below to see how you can enter this awesome giveaway!

This week has been a blustery one in my town and I’ve sadly had to set aside my leather purses. I’m anal and won’t bring them out in any sort of bad weather: snow, rain, sleet, etc. I’ve been looking for fabric purses that can stand up to the northern winter and think I’ve found one that was just made for Thunder Bay. The Madewell Blanket-Stripe Tote!