Like most of you, I am a (recently graduated but not willing to accept it) college student who would rather dish out money for fashion than food. But sometimes, like in a recession…or when I’m really hungry, that doesn’t work out so well. A girl’s gotta eat (and look fabulous), right?

Which is why I was having some serious issues lately. You see, I am in love with the whole high-waisted skirt look that I see on celebs like Lauren Conrad and Amanda Bynes. It’s slimming and hot and I loooove it. But I can’t justify spending a good chunk of change on a skirt that will be out of style in 6 months when I have 10 perfectly fine skirts lining my closet.

So I decided to figure out a way to turn what I got into what I want. Turns out, it’s not that hard to make your own high-waisted skirt. Even for crafty rejects like myself.

1. Grab an old, longer skirt that you don’t wear anymore because it makes you look like a mom. Put it on.

2.  Find a fun belt and cinch the skirt at your natural waistline.

3. Grab hold of the bottom of one side of the skirt and twist it up and under the belt on the same side.

4. Wrap the twisted end of the skirt around the belt so that it lies flat.

5. Use a safety pin and secure the bottom, to prevent any unsightly moments (think Paris or Britney..or Lindsay). Make sure to pin it underneath so the safety pin is hidden.

6. Repeat on the other side of the skirt and the back for a more bubble-shaped skirt. Otherwise, leave it as it is.

There you go: a trendy, leggy, high-waisted skirt. Recycling has never looked so hot.

- Reruns of Home Improvement took me back to the days when it was the only show my mom would let me stay up to watch because of my borderline unhealthy crush on JTT.
- My mom sent me some old family photos, including one of me donning a skort. When it was cool.
- And my roommate reminding me of the days when you had to hear that obnoxious dial-up tone just to get some awesome IM chat time on AOL.

Ahhh…the good ol’ days.

Now are the days of so-called “adulthood,” when mom no longer is in charge of selecting and purchasing your wardrobe (the purchasing part I didn’t mind so much…) and you are now responsible for updating your wardrobe with the latest trends every season by yourself.  The internet is now available everywhere (well, mostly) without that obnoxious dial-up tone, so that’s cool, but unless you are lucky enough win one, you have to actually purchase your own computer? What the eff?

And what’s this I hear about books being old news?

And don’t even get me started on the guy front. Who woulda thunk we’d actually be turning to guys for love advice? I mean, what happened to the days of sleepovers and gushing over some stupid note your crush passed you? Now, we are bombarded with where to meet guys, how to meet guys, wah wah wah. Between the dating scene and what alcoholic beverage I should down first, being grown up is exhausting!

Ugh. I never thought I’d say this, but I’m totes missing the days of math homework and skorts.

One of the best parts of going back to school is football season. It doesn’t matter if your school’s team completely rocks or totally sucks, the experience of a football Saturday is to college as a hungover Saturday is to…well, college.

Waking up at the buttcrack of dawn is well worth it when you know there will be tailgate kegstands followed by the best burnt cheeseburger you’ve ever tasted. Even if the bun fell on the ground. And that’s before the game even starts.

Once you grab your seat, the real fun begins. Nothing beats seeing your team rush the field to that song from “300″ and everything feels like it’s moving in slow motion. The cheers, the band, the stupid mascots you can’t help but love, the spandex, the running back punching someone in the face…

Well, if you go to Oregon, at least.

While most of us won’t get to experience Jerry-Springer-meets-college-football this season, I’m still super pumped for my football Saturdays. I’ve got the face paint ready.

Where’s my burger?

Yeah, 18. And if that’s not ridonk enough, she’s now expecting her 19th.

I’ve got one word for this madness: holyeffingsh*t.

Naturally, I also have a whole slew of questions.

I mean, I know the Duggars are extremely conservative and religious, but isn’t 19 children just a bit extreme? And haven’t they run out of names yet? What “J” name is left for #19? Jesus? And just how large is Mrs. Duggar’s pikachu these days? Is this new baby just going to fall out of there?

And why on earth does any family need 19 kids? Are you trying to start your own football team? State? Church? Traveling band?

Oh, and when exactly do these Duggars find the time for all this baby making? And what are they eating to be so damn horny? Does Daddy Duggar get turned on by pulling on Mama Duggar’s extremely long hair? (What? Inquiring minds want to know!) Speaking of which, what is with all that hair!?

I am just so enthralled by this family. I can’t figure them out. Maybe it’s the twenty-something-birth-control-fiend in me, but I just don’t understand.

As a wise woman once said: This sh*t is bananas. B-A-N-A-N-A-S.

In case you’ve been living under a rock for the past 8 months, Chris Brown was arrested and charged for assaulting his former girlfriend, Rihanna. Now, in an interview with old-man interviewer Larry King, Mr. Brown is saying that he can’t really believe it happened, as if he magically left his body and wasn’t there when the entire brawl went down.

Based on my experience watching Law and Order marathons, I am well aware that people sometimes have fits of rage where they do crazy ish and don’t remember. But seeing that Chris Brown has been on YouTube apologizing to Rihanna and fans (and never once mentioning this out of body experience), I’m pretty sure that night is etched into his brain foreverrrr (sorry, just had to do it).

You don’t fool me for one second, Chris Brown. You’re talking to the queen of  “That happened? I did that? Wow, I don’t remember!” I know it’s hard to admit to your wrongdoings sometimes and it’s so. much. easier to pretend you blacked it all out (“I did what with the bouncer?!”), but man up! While it’s an effective tactic, Chistopher, it only works for little things. You know, the ones that don’t involve plea bargains and jail times.

Allow me to demonstrate.

Acceptable use of “I forgot!”:
“Oh my gosh, Lindsey! I totally don’t remember throwing up on your new shoes last night! I must have been really drunk.”  Everyone points, laughs and forgets about it.

Unacceptable use of “I forgot!”:
“No sh*t, man! I gave my girlfriend a black eye and totally don’t remember! HAHA!”

Um…no. I doubt anyone will point, laugh or forget about that night.

Good try, Chris Brown. I’ll give you some props for your attempt at trying to pull a fast one on me, but I’m not buying it for one second. Be a man and accept responsibility for your actions. Not that it matters – I’m pretty sure it won’t be long before everyone forgets about you.

“I’ve been dating since I was 15! I’m exhausted! Where is he?”

Yeah. That’s pretty much where I’m at right now. I mean, really, between meeting guys who beer bong in the wrong places and giving my number to rather questionable dudes…seriously! WHERE IS HE?!

I’ve got the “learn to be by yourself and love yourself” BS down pat… I’m ready for my prince charming g-dammit!

Then I had a revelation mid-fatburn program on the elliptical: Women have a come a long way and nowadays, we’re practically equal to men. So why should I just sit back and wait for prince charming to come up in his white horse…or BMW? I should get out there, strut my stuff, and find Prince-Effing-Charming myself!

Can I get an ‘Amen’?!

It’s time to get tough with men; no more games, fellas. I’m here for the real deal. I’ve got to be aggressive…be be aggressive!

Then I came back down to earth, and off the endorphins, and  I realized that might not be the best approach for me. I don’t do aggression to well. I need to have a serious sit-down with this guy – he seems to know more things about dating than I do.

I mean, if Heidi Montag can get hitched…then there has to be hope for the rest of us!

There’s certain things in life that you really don’t wanna know, but you kinda, sorta do wanna know. You know what I’m talking about.

Take the calories in a delicious slice of Adam’s Peanut Butter Cup Fudge Ripple Cheesecake (talk about a mouthful) from The Cheesecake Factory. You know the second the cute waiter tells you that you have just consumed 930 calories of cheesecakey goodness, you are gonna wanna stab your hand with a butter knife. But you know you have to know, so you can calculate how long you’re gonna in the gym tomorrow.

Or what that guy you’re dating is telling his friends about you…and your abilities…when you’re not around. You wanna know, but you really don’t wanna know…but you really want to know.

Well here’s something I still haven’t decided if I want to know: when and how I’m going to die.

Students and researchers at Carnegie Mellon University recently launched a site that is supposed to give you some insight not only on when you will die, but what the possible C.O.D (that’s ’cause of death’ for you non-Law and Order fans) would be.

Kinda morbid, right?

But isn’t there something inside you that kinda sorta really wants to know?

Sure, knowing you’re going to die in a car crash (most likely whilst texting) will leave you a little paranoid/locked in your bedroom for eternity, but perhaps there’s something sort of freeing about it. You can finally splurge on and enjoy that pair of Jimmy Choos you’ve been eyeing, or express your love for that guy you’ve been crushing on forever. I know I’d hop on a plane to Italy and indulge in lots and lots of pizza if I knew it wouldn’t matter if I could fit into my jeans when I got home…

This website is probably as accurate as the weather guys in my town (read: I wore white pants yesterday and got caught in a monsoon) but the idea behind it is definitely something to think about.

Would you want to know?

On this day in 1920 the 19th Ammendment was added to the Constitution, giving women the right to vote. And in honor of that momentous occasion, today has been named Women’s Equality Day. We have come a mighty long way since the days before women’s suffrage. We have women dominating in arenas that formerly were dude-only territory: sports, politics, and even entertainment (remember learning about the times when men played women in Shakespearean plays?).

Despite our amazing advances, there are still those few women who just don’t really seem to be helping the cause. In fact, they might just be ruining it for the rest of us. Let’s face it, society today has become media obsessed and some (not all) of the women dominating the spotlight nowadays may be taking us a few steps back. What happened to the positive female role models of the past?

Here’s what I mean:

Grace Kelly vs. Heidi Montag

Grace Kelly was an American actress turned Princess of Monaco. She was the embodiment of class and style. Today we have Heidi Montag. Not to say there aren’t other celebs who may come close to Grace Kelly’s overall awesomeness, but Mrs. Pratt puts a damper on women today. Aside from Heidi’s lack of talent, I doubt you’d ever see Princess Grace rolling on the beach in a bikini lip syncing to her latest (notsomuch) hit and being filmed by Prince Rainier.

Jackie O vs. Megan Fox

The Kennedy’s were a form of American royalty back in the day. Jacqueline Kennedy was the “it” girl during, and even after, her husband’s time in office. She had timeless style and always handled things with poise and class, be it her husband’s alleged affair or his untimely death. Jackie was an educated woman who was well-spoken and intellectual, not to mention beautiful. She proved once and for all that it was possible to have beauty and brains, but that theory is being challenged by the one and only, Megan Fox.

Jackie O was once quoted saying, ”What is sad for women of my generation is that they weren’t supposed to work if they had families. What were they going to do when the children are grown – watch the raindrops coming down the window pane?”
Megan, however, has said this about women: “I come across as confident and [women] assume that means that I think I’m hot sh*t. And that makes them feel bad about themselves and so they hate me.” Right.

Audrey Hepburn Vs. Miley Cyrus

Audrey Hepburn. Just another style icon in American history whose movies have become classics. The woman is beautiful, well-spoken, and forward thinking. Now there is a true role model. Miley, however, is just annoying. She’s got hits with Hannah Montana and some pretty decent songs. I love “The Climb,” and I sing it out loud in my car, but what does a 16-year-old girl know about moving mountains? And, when your demographic is 9-year-old girls, what kind of message are you sending when you grind up next to a stripper pole?

Princess Diana vs. Paris Hilton

Princess Di is timeless. The poor woman went through hell with the royal family, but held herself together in a sophisticated manner. And if we even try to go into her list of humanitarian work, we’d be here forever. While Paris Hilton has been referred to as “American royalty,” um, she’s not. I know she said she wants to be like Princess Di in that lovely documentary she did for more publicity to get people to know the real her, but, seriously Paris, you don’t even come close.

"I don't know her. Seriously, I don't know this woman."

While waiting at JFK for my ride not too long ago, I was passing the time by sipping on some much needed coffee and people watching. Airports, with their mix of cultures and characters, are the best places to people watch.

All was going well until…out of nowhere…I saw it: a fanny pack.

I fought hard to keep that mini bag of in-flight pretzels down as I watched the dreadful fanny pack pass by. I just couldn’t understand it; fanny packs have been publicly bashed since the early ’90s, why do people insist on wearing them?

But fanny packs aren’t alone. There are so many fashion choices that people make that leave me wondering, WTF?! Sure, these things were cool 6 seasons ago, but time is a-passing, honey. Come join me in 2009.

Fanny Packs

I get that they’re useful, but a purse is just as effective. Fanny packs have been ripped on since as long as I can remember, so why are they still being produced? Those people should be fined for distributing such fashion atrocities.

Reverse-fit Mom Jeans

What’s worse than a fanny pack? A fanny pack over reverse -fit Mom jeans. I know you know exactly what I’m talking about: wide on the top, tapered on the bottom, reminiscent of Hammer Pants. They were a mom’s answer to jeans back in the early 90s, but fashion has evolved since then. There are no excuses. None.

Scrunchies

Scrunchies are OK for one thing and one thing only: washing your face. Yet even after Carrie Bradshaw announced the nation’s disdain for scrunchies to anyone with HBO, people are still wearing these things out of the house. Are you people gluttons for punishment!?

Popped Collars

Popped collars were all the rage in 2005, meant to signify some sort of “I’m the sh*t” attitude. But it’s 2009 now, people, and everyone knows the only thing a popped collar signifies is a major douche bag. Yet the douche bags of the world are still starching and layering those things. When will they learn?

The Rocket Dog Wedge Flip Flop

The women still rocking these beasts 1) are fashion morons or, 2) love when their legs look totally stumpy. Either way, these things should be burned.

The Mullet

Business in the front, party in the back. Great concept, horrible style. Much like the fanny pack, the mullet has undergone much controversy and bashing, yet there are those who still insist on rocking this party-gone-awry. If you want to look like a carnie, fine. There is clearly nothing we can do as a people to eradicate the mullet from our lives.

Can you think of any others?

It started with not being able to talk on the phone while driving. I was peeved, mostly because I was quite good at shooting the sh*t with my friends whilst parallel parking, but then I watched my mom back into my car while holding that Blackberry to her ear and I realized that law was a good thing.

Now, lawmakers are taking things to another level, with many states implementing laws to ban texting while driving.

For us avid texters, this may seem like a conspiracy against us, but when you see the possible consequences of making plans for the night while doing 65 down the highway, it might make you think twice.

Britain recently released a public service announcement showing the dangers of texting while driving. Disturbing is a major understatement; this video is extremely graphic and, well, really freaking disturbing. If you are squeamish, we wouldn’t recommend watching it, unless you want to throw up on your laptop. The PSA is chock full of blood, broken bones and, inevitably, death.

Does it scare the bejeezus out of me? Um, YES.
Does it make me want to stop texting while driving? Well, I don’t know.

While it definitely opened my eyes (and brought my bagel and cream cheese back up), I couldn’t help but wonder if this kind of ‘realistic’ graphic nature is really necessary to get the point across. I mean, it’s really over-the-top to the point that it’s almost unbelievable.

It is certainly effective and leaves an impression, but is scaring the sh*t out of people really the only way to get the point across?

What do you think? Is there a better way?