…or Hanukkah.
…or Kwanzaa.
…or Festivus.
…or just because.

Yes, it’s holiday season, which means it’s time to print out that list of wants you’ve been keeping all year and hand it over to mama so she can make all your dreams come true. We all know this time of year should be all about the giving, but we can admit that getting feels really freaking awesome, too. And with all the giving you’ll be doing, you deserve to get some great stuff in return!

Since I’ve been working my ass off and totally neglecting my every shopping desire to save some serious cash this year, there are about a billion things I want for the holidays. Like this dress from Alloy (wouldn’t it be adorbs for NYE??), or any of Ashley Watson’s brilliant recycled leather handbags, or even a lame gift card to iTunes! (I’m so cheap I’ve been listening to Miley on YouTube all year…) Yeah, I want it all. And I know I’m not the only one…

This week I asked the CollegeCandy writers to share their #1 wish this year. Perhaps this will inspire any friends/boyfriends out there still looking for gifts for the special people in your life. Or maybe the writers can just send this along to their parents as a little nudge in the right direction.

Now you tell us – what’s #1 on your list? Read More »

Thanks to one Mr. Al Gore, I have been somewhat of a greenie (a friend of the planet, not the dog treat) for awhile now.

I have been spreading the word for months (like here) in hopes that I can get other people on board with me. Not because it is trendy or “in” right now, but because we don’t want our children to have to deal with such a mess of a planet later….or burst into flames because the earth has gotten so hot.

And I have met a lot of apprehension along the way:

“But I really love my Hummer.”

“It’s so hard to be earth friendly!”

“GO HUG A TREE!”

“Ew. Reuse someone else’s PAPER?!”

Ah; ignorance. How I loathe thee.

If people just sat down and listened for a few minutes they would realize just how simple it is to be earth friendly. I am not asking people to reuse their Ziploc bags (which I get made fun of for all the time) or stop using toilet paper. I am asking people to make teensy tiny changes to their daily routines that make virtually no difference to the user and a huge difference to the planet.

Since I last wrote about green items such as compact fluorescent bulbs and reusable grocery bags, a whole slew of new earth friendly products have surfaced. These hot new items are innovative, made from recycled products (to cut down on excess waste!) and yet another few easy ways for you to get a bit more green-ified. The best part, obviously, is that they don’t look like crunchy “Save the Planet” items; these are things you actually need and want. Read More »

If I had to choose two things that I am totally obsessed with right now they would be handbags and recycling. The former is a given. And, lately, as our earth begins to head down an ugly and hot path, the latter has become a huge part of me. Come visit me at my house and you will find me either 1) shopping for bags online or 2) separating my paper and plastics.

When I was sitting home tonight doing some online bag shopping (after taking my empty Diet Coke bottles out to the recycling center, of course), I came across a designer who takes my two favorite things in life and blends them together beautifully. May I present to you my new fashion idol:

Ashley Watson

A Fine Arts student from Canada, Watson has added an element of conservation to her line of innovative and unique bags. Unlike her fellow designers, Ashley takes old leather jackets to craft her line of handbags, wallets and beautiful accessories. Each bag is designed by Ashley, handmade and completely unique; no two Ashley Watson bags look the same. Read More »