Bernie Madoff is officially behind bars.

Debbie Rowe sells the kids for $4 million.

There’s a new housewife in the OC.

In case your boobs are tired…

Who will be hosting the VMAs this year?

What night to do/say during a one-nighter.

I like traveling.  It’s pretty sweet.  Not only do you get the experience of having been in another country and surrounded by customs and traditions completely different (sometimes) from your own, but you also get bragging rights (ex: Oh last summer? I was in Malaysia. No big deal.).  Traveling also means you get to “cut loose” as it were.

When else can you justify a massive shopping trip (I can’t find those clothes at home!) followed by a 14-hour bender at the local watering hole?  I mean, I’ve tried it at home before (”staycation” my foot), but my mom ends up getting pretty peeved.

Possibly the most exciting part of traveling is the foreign men…or, at least, men who aren’t from your home state and didn’t live across campus from you sophomore year.  Flirting, tippling some drinks, getting introduced to a new bar scene (oh, the wonders of a bar that I haven’t vommed in yet) are all reasons to gas up and head out.

But sex while traveling? Now that’s a whole other adventure.

The Trojan Condom’s Pleasure Survey (oh, you clever condom people) made a list of the most sexually active and most sexually satisfied cities in the US (among other sex-related things, of course).  Top of the list?  Houston and Atlanta for most sexually active.  I guess I can see that…when it gets super hot, I like to take my clothes off (especially ’cause I don’t have AC).  And all bets are off when the clothes come off.

However, I was slightly confused/disappointed by the numbers posted by Trojan.  The national average for the US is 79 times per year. Seventy nine! Uhh…is it me, or does that seem low? I mean, everyone has a dry spell now and then (Editor’s Note: Or always… I don’t wanna talk about it), but don’t we make up for it when we get a ready and willing partner? (Especially during the honeymoon stage when we’re bumpin’ uglies multiple times a day??)  I mean even #1 Houston is only rocking out at 101 times per year, which still seems a bit low.

But not low enough that I don’t plan on visiting…

So it seems a summer road trip (in a car with a big backseat) is in order.  I’ll be making stops at Houston, Atlanta, Washington D.C. (I KNEW politicians liked the sexy time!), and any other city that my car will make it to without imploding.  Who’s in?

One of the best things about summer is that the style is easy, breezy and casual. That makes dressing for day to night a cinch; it doesn’t take much to make a smooth transition. That applies most easily to summer florals; flowy and flirty by day can turn into edgy and sophisticated by night.

And all you need are a few simple swaps.

Florals are a perfect summer print and I love the contrast of sweet pastels on top of the black on this skirt.  Also, the elastic waistband will emphasize your waist and define those sexy curves, while the length lets you show off a little leg.

It’s mid-July so by now you’ve (hopefully) had some time to work on your tan (with the proper SPF, of course) and are looking sun-kissed and lovely.  Light colors look awesome on bronzed skin and this pink perfectly ties in with the skirt and allows it to keep that summery feel.

Braided sandals are a great way to go this season, and these ones from Target are not only cute, but comfy as well; perfect for walking around the fair, amusement park or mall (if it’s sweltering out and you need a serious dose of A/C).

Once the sun sets, feel free to punch the outfit up with an edgier look. Pull down the top a bit to show off that cleave, then throw on some gladiator heels and sexy jewelry and you’re ready to rock out with your…skirt out.

No one said breaking up was easy. And either way – whether you are the one dumping, or the dumpee – your position sucks. So you would think that the one who is calling it quits would at least be a little bit sympathetic, gentle with their words, something!

I’m not talking about a five-hour explanation, optional break-up sex and some goodbye gifts, either. I’m just saying, I don’t know, maybe waiting until after Jessica’s birthday, Tony Romo? Maybe not ruining the one day a year that belongs to her for life? Maybe letting her enjoy the giant birthday bash she planned before packing up her things and FedExing them to her house?

You do have a heart, right, Tony?! RIGHT?!

Ok, so I realize I’m taking a lot of anger out on Mr. Romo, but hearing how he broke poor Jessica’s heart on the eve of her birthday got me mad. What is up with that? You couldn’t hold out for a little longer?

Why do some people, not just Tony, think they can just break the bad news any time/place/way they please? Sure, you want to get ‘er done as quickly as possible, but where is your compassion?

The Simpson/Romo break up got me thinking about some of the other horrible, and I mean horrible, no-good, very-bad ways people choose to do the deed. I know that break ups suck, but there’s got to be a better way to handle them than this:

The “It’s not you..it’s me” Speech.
Ugh. This is so cliché that it hurts. Just spare this traditional break up line because it’s so pathetic…and probably untrue anyways. If it is true, at least phrase it differently so the person feels like you actually tried to come up with something.

Via Text Message
Although its practically acceptable to exchange anything through texts these days (like nipple pics), breaking up is not one of them! Man up and make a phone call, you pussy.

In Writing
Yes, this actually does happen, and not necessarily in the “we need to do this for us” love letter type way. Just ask Carrie Bradshaw who got dumped via a Post-it-Note. Ouch. Imagine: waking up one morning, checking your email to see your daily love note from the boy only to find a not-so-love note. Awesome.

The Passive Aggressive Approach
No need to tell your partner directly you broke things off – simply change that Facebook relationship status and she/he’ll get the message. Along with everyone else.

Unfortunately, there are so many insensitive ways to call it quits and with the amount of online social networking these days, people (if they haven’t already) will be tweeting “Sorry, but its over” before we know it.

Makes the single life look pretty good, eh?

What’s the worst way you, or someone you know, has been dumped? Or have you ever broke it off in a not-so-nice manner?

[Ever see something you want but don’t have the money to buy? Ever get sick of studying/watching TV and have the urge to get crafty and make things on your own? We know! Us too! We just don’t know where to start, which is why we got some of CollegeCandy’s craftiest writers to share their favorite DIY projects with everyone. These things are easy, fun and a great way to save some serious cashola.]

So, based on my DIY crafting history, it is obvious that I have a lot of t-shirts lying around. A lot. I just can’t part with stuff that has so much history. And these t-shirts are all souvenirs from really big moments in my life (except the free credit card tees I get on the way to class – I’m not sure why I haven’t gotten rid of those ones yet…)

I’ve been lugging some of these shirts (like the one from my high school senior-all-night-party) around for 3+ years and I recently realized it was time to put them on display like they deserve. Which is why I’ve started turning them into things I actually use. Like an awesome shop-till-you-drop tote bag. Or an adorable throw pillow for your bed or couch.

This little project frees up space in your closet, adds some cute comfort to your bedroom/living room, and allows you to display those important memories (without risk of getting really crusty/yellow armpits). Yes, the DIY T-Shirt Pillow is a total win/win.

Materials:
1 Old t-shirt
Throw pillow sans cover, or pillow stuffing (found at craft stores)
Needle and thread or sewing machine

Steps:
1)    Mark cutting lines on the shirt with chalk or washable fabric pen. To decide the size you need, take the dimensions of the pillow and about 1/2″ on each side for seam allowance, plus about 1/2″ ease. So, add 1.5″ to each dimension side so the material is big enough to fit around the pillow.

2)    Cut along the lines you drew (through both the front of the t-shirt and the back!).

3)    Separate the two layers of fabric and flip both sides upside down (so the designs on the front and back face each other) and stitch along the edge of three sides (usually left, top, and right).

4)    Flip it back out so you can see the design and stuff the inside, either with the throw pillow sans cover or with stuffing.

5)    Sew along the bottom of the square-shaped pillow to enclose the stuffing.

6)    Put in a movie, pop some popcorn, and relax on the couch with your favorite t-shirt throw pillow!

I had gone for almost a solid month without having any massive breakdowns about my future so it was only natural that I spent last Thursday sitting over my computer hysterically (and unattractively) crying about the fact that I had no idea what I was going to do with my life.

I know exactly what I want to do with my life, but after a few months in the real world I’m starting to realize all these “bad economy” rumors are not just urban legend. No one is hiring. I keep expanding my job horizons further and further out to the point where I’m filling out Starbucks applications and assuring myself that writing down orders is the same thing as writing a script.

My summer plan of living with my grandparents and moving out in the fall has turned into my life plan of living with my grandparents and learning how to play bridge with them. All I kept saying as I cried to my mom on the phone was that no one told me it was going to be this hard. I knew it wasn’t going to be college, I knew finding a job would take a while, and I even knew living with my grandparents would give me a natural mothball scent that didn’t come off in the shower.

But I didn’t know that not having college to look forward to in the fall and not having a job and not having alternatives to prune juice in the fridge was going to be so depressing. I met a college sophomore this weekend and before I could stop myself I yelled out, “don’t graduate!” I used to hate when people said that to me – as if you had the option to just not graduate (with the exemption of being a 5th year senior).

I think I’m steps away from telling incoming freshman to cherish their four years because life is all downhill after there. And then I’ll know that I’ve truly entered old age.

Want your question answered by la Tuffita?! Email her your question at TuffyLuv@collegecandy.com to be featured in her weekly thang!

Dear Tuffy Tuv,

So there’s this guyyyyy (isn’t that how all of these emails start out?).  I reconnected with someone from high school in the beginning of the summer.  We hung out (and hooked up) a few times before he had to go back to school for the summer.  At first my mindset was, “Ok, we had a fun summer fling, maybe I’ll see him when he gets back.”   And at the time, I was totally OK with the idea.

About a week after he left, he started texting me every once in a while.  Then all of a sudden, there was a flurry of communication between us where he said he’d try to sneak out of school one day to see me, and visit again on the 4th.  Since these encounters he’s sent me some pretty cute texts about how he can’t wait to see me, hoping I’m free on such and such day so he can visit, etc.  This seems like a lot of effort just for some booty. I’m just not sure how to classify this relationship, and whether getting emotionally attached would end up hurting me at the end of the summer. And I HATE HATE HATE having “the talk”; is there any way to get some answers without it?

Thanks,
Anonymous

Dear Anonymous,

No.

Well, okay, yes, kind of. You could ask to visit him at school for a weekend. If he’s up for it, go up there and feel it out. If he introduces you to all his little college buddies and takes you to see the campus sights, he’s probably interested. If he just wants to hook up (or if he totally balks at the idea of you visiting in the first place), he’s probably not.

The thing is, Anonymous, guys are actually very easy to understand. The problem is that women (like you, like me) are harda*ses about asking them.

Men are not like women. Women, you know, we want the guy (or the other girl) to guess. We want our partners to understand us without telling them. (You like my little stand-up routine? This is starting to feel like some stand-up comic from the immediately-post-Jerry Seinfeld days. Bear with me, I gots a point.) If you ask a guy a question point-blank, howevs, they will usually tell you the answer. Guys aren’t usually interested in shrouding themselves in mystery. They may do some dumb things, but you gotta hand it to them for their general straightforwardness.

This, of course, does not include dudes that are super shady, in which case some part of you probably knows it and, let me tell you girl, you should stay away stay away stay AWAY!!! (How you like me now, crazy exboyfriend?!)

Anywho, the best way to find out is just to ask. I know you don’t like the talk, but it doesn’t have to be awkward! Just do it in person, over either drinks or ice cream or hamburgers, whatever he likes best. Keep it light and friendly, and be okay with either answer, and it should be totally fine.

You gotta be smoov, girl. That’s right. I said smoov.

Hearts & Skulls,

Tuffy Luv

Womenomics.

The word just rolls of your tongue ever so smoothly. What does the combination of the two words, women and economics, get you? Well, a working economy for one.

According to at least half a dozen studies, including those from Columbia University, Goldman Sachs, and Ernst & Young, “women can make the difference between economic success and failure in the developing world, between good and bad decision-making in the industrialized world, and between profit and loss in the corporate world.”

WHAT NOW, boys of AskMen.com? You want to go up against some of the biggest firms in the world on this one? Want to argue with the handy charts and graphs Ernst & Young whipped up proving that “companies with more women in senior management roles make more money”?

Not that anyone (well, anyone who really knows women) was surprised by these results. Diversity of any kind strengthens society and business. Obviously men and women think differently, so it’s important that there are always a variety of viewpoints to achieve a successful outcome. A business meeting with 100 % testosterone isn’t going to achieve the same effect as one with the voice of females present. (And will also probably involve some sort of push up contest…)  We’re not saying a whole table of women is the greatest idea either, but the female presence clearly does make a difference. In fact, McKinsey & Co’s study produced results that found that “great diversity in management led to higher-than-average stock performance.”

So to all those people who think women can’t be leaders, take THAT. It looks like it’s the boys who got us into the giant pickle we’re in now. A pickle that we’d never be chewing if, according to economists, women had a bit more control of the financial world: “The presence of more women on Wall Street might have averted the downturn.”

Looks like the boys need us a bit more than they’d like to admit.

Maybe it’s time we got some more estrogen in the office; it may be our only chance at economic recovery.  We’re here to clean up this mess – and, no, we’re not referring to the dirty sloppy mess you left in the sink over the weekend -  we’re talkin’ business now.

Ladies, let’s get to work.

So you met a boy. A perfect boy. A boy who loves True Life marathons and Frosted Mini Wheats as much as you do. A boy who kissed you on the cheek after walking you home and took your number (instead of drunk-friending you on Facebook). You totally heart him.

After coming in the house and telling your roommates all about how sweet and funny and “OMG he was wearing the hottest jeans,” you lay in bed thinking about him. And make a mental note to get a bikini wax ASAP, because you will most definitely be seeing him (in the buff) sometime soon.

You spend the next day clutching your phone, willing it to ring. You take it to the library, the gym and even into the bathroom. You jump every time the phone rings and mentally prepare yourself to turn on the charm, only to realize it’s a friend or, of course, your mom. Finally, you receive a text message:

Hungover in the library. Not fun

OMG OMG OMG. You run – no, skip – to your friend and show her the text.

“Aw, he totally hearts you!” She says. You blush, excited that someone else thinks this is a good thing, too.

“What should I say back?!” You spend the next 10 minutes crafting the perfect response: witty and cute without looking like you spent 10 minutes coming up with it.

You should try hungover on a treadmill.

You hit send then sit with your friend as you wait for a response. A few minutes go by. Then another few minutes. You start getting impatient, worried.

“What if he meant to send that to someone else? I know he’s got his phone with him – why isn’t he responding? Do you think he thinks I’m an alcoholic? I shouldn’t have responded so quickly. Oh god, he hates me.”

Your friend reassures you that you are being crazy, that he wouldn’t have texted you if he hated you and that he’s probably just doing something else. But you don’t believe her; she has to say those things. You want chocolate.

Finally, the familiar text alert rings from your phone. You flip it open quickly and there’s a message from the boy.

This is bad enough. I wish someone would bring me a Gatorade.

“What do you think that means?!” You ask your friend. “Does he want me to bring him a Gatorade? Should I be cute and bring him a Gatorade? What flavor do you think he likes? If there was a winky or smiley face I’d know he was asking me to bring him one…”

“Yeah, if there was a wink I’d think that would mean he’s asking you. Maybe he’s just making small talk.”  Your friend reasons. You IM another friend, give her a brief summary of what’s going on (including what the texts said word for word) and ask her opinion. She agrees that it’s small talk, that you should not go visit him with a variety of Gatorade flavors and that he’s just being cute and chatty with you.

“Yeah. Ok, what should I say back?” You spend another few minutes (longer than you usually spend answering a Blue Book question) working on a response. It is the perfect blend of flirty and cute, topped off with a smiley (obvs).

And then you wait for his response once again.
This goes on all day: read, evaluate (”do you think he really LOLed?”), contemplate, respond.

Yeah, we’ve all been there. You’re not the only one trying to decode the boys.

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Jon Gosselin’s girlfriend is really classy.

15 ways to Go Green on campus.