March 14 falls exactly one month after Valentine’s Day and is recognized as National Steak and a BJ day. Where as Velentine’s Day is more about the ladies, Steak and BJ Day is the time when a gal can show just how much she loves her man. I polled people out on the streets of Austin, Texas during SXSW to find out how they were celebrating!

As Spring and Summer approach, our anticipation for music festival season crescendos with a fury. Sunshine, music, beautiful people and booze? Give it here. CollegeCandy decided to kick off the music festival season with a good old fashioned bucket list. We have compiled a monster list of 50 things to complete before the season is over. Some items are more scandalous or embarrassing than others, but all are designed to make sure you have a hell of a time.

But not only are we offering you this list (because anyone can do that), we are taking things a step further and vowing to complete every item with you. That’s right, CollegeCandy editor, Jenny Baker, will take on the challenge as she travels to South by South West in Austin Texas this next week. If she can check off every item by the end of SXSW, there is no excuse for you to not finish the list before the end of the festival season. Every time Jenny completes a task, she will alert everyone via Twitter @NYC_CC, so you can follow her progress there. In order for CollegeCandy to officially check the item off, Jenny must provide either photo or video evidence of the deed. Sorry mom. Without further ado, we give you the 2012 Music Festival Bucket List:

1.    After party with a band
2.    Make out with a band member (Double points if you do it on stage)
3.    Lose one or more articles of clothing
4.    DONT lose your phone
5.    Sneak into a guest list party
6.    Wake up with pictures you don’t remember
7.    Crowd surf (double points if you jump off the stage)
8.    Collect phone numbers titled some variation of “cute blond boy stubbs stage 1″
9.    Take a tequila shot before 10am (don’t vomit)
10.    Drink a margarita the size of your face
11.    Try a different hangover cure every day
12.    Eat street food while drunk (don’t vomit)
13.    Walk up to random person, kiss them and walk away without saying a word
14.    Bong a beer
15.    Climb on strangers shoulders
16.    Get back stage
17.    Stay up for 24+ hours straight
18.    Wake up and not know where you are
19.    Get completely lost
20.    Make friends with 5 people from a different country or state
21.    Steal an article of clothing from a stranger
22.    Get a band member to give you a shout out on stage
23.    Hit on someone underage
24.    Get good or bad advice from a local [for SXSW, RIP Leslie Cochran]
25.    Sleep outside
26.    Get a sunburn
27.    Brush your teeth with booze [preferably a bottle of Jack]
28.    See a band you’ve never heard of or seen before
29.    Find another person with your same name
30.    Pee in public
31.    Run from security or someone in charge
32.    Have an artist autograph your skin
33.    Snap a photo with a celeb
34.    Throw your bra at the stage
35.    Do something inappropriate on stage
36.    Collect some free shwag
37.    Flash someone
38.    Corn roll or completely braid your hair (Ke$ha feather optional)
39.    Send a failed text message
40.    Hitch-hike
41.    Pick up a hitch-hiker
42.    Drunk tweet something you regret
43.    Hand roll your own cig
44.    Bum a cig from a celeb (or band member)
45.    Eat non finger foods with your hands
46.    Trade sunglasses with someone (Double points if they say Sorry For Partying)
47.    Triple points: trade outfits with someone of the opposite sex in public
48.    Moon someone (points if you have a tattoo on your ass)
49.    Interpretative dance…in the middle of a dance circle
50.    Collect a set of drum sticks or guitar pick

What do you think? Can Jenny complete this before her week at SXSW is over? What would you add to the list? Tweet suggestions to @NYC_CC!

Legendary Austinite, Leslie Cochran, is the only transvestite homeless person to ever become a living, breathing, city landmark. That is until recently. Austin just got a little less weird with the passing of the city’s beloved, homeless icon. Known for his stilettos and fondness of thongs, Leslie turned more heads than slutty, under-age college girls. You could always count on Leslie for interesting conversation, and he really found his way into the hearts of the people of Austin. When he suffered a brutal beating that left him unconscious in 2010, the city came together and raised enough money to cover the brain surgery that saved his life. I had the pleasure of interviewing him briefly at Marley Fest after he left the hospital, and I was happy to find him up to his usual antics. Unfortunately, Leslie couldn’t be revived this time around, and this year’s SXSW definitely won’t be the same without his strut on the streets. RIP Leslie, we really love you, (wo)man. In memory of, we’ve compiled some of his finest moments.

]]> http://collegecandy.com/2012/03/08/austin-legend-leslie-cochran-dies/feed/ 3 jennycollegecandy leslie http://collegecandy.com/2012/03/05/2012-music-festival-must-haves/ http://collegecandy.com/2012/03/05/2012-music-festival-must-haves/#comments Mon, 05 Mar 2012 21:50:31 +0000 Garnet Henderson – Columbia U http://collegecandy.com/?p=152555 ]]>

Spring is almost here, which means that the season of music festivals is just around the corner. Warm weather, great music, nonstop parties… what could be better? It’s hard not to have a great time at an awesome music festival. But if you’ve been to one before, then you know that there are some supplies you definitely don’t want to forget. We’ve put together a list of music festival essentials to help you have an experience you’ll remember (or, ahem, not remember) for a long time to come.

initiating the gallery...

It seems ex-flames Ryan Gosling and Sandra Bullock are having some fun fun fun again in Austin this weekend.  The  couple was spotted making the rounds in Sandy’s home town at the annual Fun Fun Fun Fest on Auditorium Shores.  There’s no doubt the two make a cute couple, but we gotta say, seriously Ryan?!? You could do better. And by better I mean me. Yes, me. Choose me Ryan!

Update:  Turns out, the girl in the photo is not Sandra Bullock, but rather The Girl With The Dragon Tattoos’ Rooney Mara.  Ryan is in Austin filming with legendary director Terrence Malick.

]]> http://collegecandy.com/2011/11/05/ryan-gosling-sandra-bullock-fun-fun-fun-fest-austin/feed/ 7 ccandystaff Ryan Gossling Sandra Bullock http://collegecandy.com/2010/10/11/your-official-guide-to-weekend-getaways/ http://collegecandy.com/2010/10/11/your-official-guide-to-weekend-getaways/#comments Mon, 11 Oct 2010 19:30:14 +0000 Alex - University of South Carolina http://collegecandy.com/?p=74838 ]]>

If you’ve got today off from class, then good for you.  I’m glad you’re taking this opportunity to watch reality TV marathons and binge eat 100 Calorie Packs.  There’s no shame in that.  But next time you’ve got an extended weekend, perhaps you should round up your besties and hit the road.

Austin is oh-so trendy (in a good way) and boasts delicious culinary treats.  How can you say no to a making s’mores right in a restaurant?  Hit up Boston if you’re in the Northeast.  From potential celeb sightings to swank clubs, Beantown’s got it all.  If you’re feeling stuck in the Midwest, head to Minneapolis to take in some cosmopolitan activities.  And Savannah is great for all you Southern students.  Steeped in history and boasting the most attractive locals this side of the Mississippi, it is not to be missed.

Or maybe you want to take your long weekend in another country?  Toronto could be the city for you.  Oh, and the legal drinking age is 19…bonus!

Fall semester is in full swing and it’s starting to feel like you’re doing the same thing every week. Class. Study. Drink. Hangover. Poor Theme Party Costume Choice. Homework. Switch things up by taking advantage of a long weekend or your fall break (if you’re that lucky) by checking out our Weekend Getaway guides.   We’ve already covered Boston and Toronto. Today we’re celebrating Austin.

Austin is somewhere I’m glad to call my home. It’s a city that’s big enough to be exciting, but at the same time small enough to be super friendly. There is always something to do here, making it an optimal destination for Fall Break or a long weekend away from campus.

Why, you ask?

Well for starters, if music is your thing, Austin is definitely the place to be. We didn’t earn the name “Live Music Capital of the World” for nothing. Secondly, we’re far enough south that “Fall” to the rest of the country still feels like summer. Have a cute swimsuit you got at an end of season sale? Bust it out here! Thirdly, the University of Texas, Austin’s major university accounting for 50,000 students, doesn’t have a fall break, so that means NO CROWDS! And, really, Austin is just all around fun. I mean, the slogan for the plethora of funky locally owned business is “Keep Austin Weird!”

If that doesn’t entice you, perhaps this will:

Tourist Spots:

South Congress – More affectionately known as “SoCo,” this, to me, is the best place to shop, eat, and get a great feel of the Keep Austin Weird mentality. More specifically, you can check out Lucy in Disguise with Diamonds; this crazy costume shop that has just about everything imaginable (and we all know that every college student needs to keep a few costumes in her arsenal!). Have a sweet tooth? Check out Big Top Candy Shop, an old fashion candy store that even has a working vintage soda machine! My favorite part of SoCo is the view of the Capital building/downtown skyline. Seriously, bring your camera.

Barton Springs Pool - This natural spring stays at 75 degrees year round. Mmmmmm. One of my favorite parts of Austin is how green and beautiful our parks are, and this is to me the best place to enjoy that. Like I said, it’s still in the 80′s during October, so enjoy the heat before you have to go home to the harsh reality that winter is fast approaching!

Food:

Kerbey Lane Cafe – This 24 hour place is great because it pretty much has everything, and is also vegetarian, vegan, gluten free and friendly to just about any dietary need. What makes is amazing, however, is the pancakes. You have never tasted anything like them. So fluffy, so flavorful, and sooooooo good. And you’re in luck because during the fall they have pumpkin pancakes, AKA the best thing that’ll ever happen to you.

Guero’s Taco Bar – You can’t go to Austin and not get Tex-Mex; it’s just not right. Guero’s has some of the best in town, and also has some divine margaritas. If it sounds familiar, that’s because it’s a favorite of Quentin Tarantino and was even in the movie Deathproof.

The Salt Lick – This is isn’t technically in Austin, but totally worth the 25 minute drive out of town. Located in Driftwood, The Salt Lick is most likely the best barbecue you will ever have the pleasure of eating. The meat is fall-apart-in-your-mouth tender and delicious. But be warned: on a typical Friday night it’s at least an hour wait. Totes worth it, though.

Nightlife:

6th Street – This is where Austin gets interesting. There are more bars on about 5 blocks of 6th Street, aka “dirty 6th,” than is probably in your entire hometown. They shut the street down to traffic just about every night. With all of these bars in close proximity, there is always a good band playing and cheap drinks to enjoy. No wonder Dirty 6th is a haven for the drunken crazy college kids.

Warehouse district – If you prefer a classier bar experience, go two blocks over to 4th street for the warehouse district. Just as many bars but with fewer people puking in the streets. My favorite place to go after a long night of drinking is Halcyon. It’s small, cozy, has interesting local art on the walls, and, get this, you can make s’mores. They bring out a plate of marshmallows, Hershey bars, and graham crackers with a little mini campfire and skewers. You can order a small order for 2 or a larger order for 4, and it’s so much fun!

So there you have it: a long weekend in Austin. If that doesn’t sound like a great trip, I don’t know what does. Hope to see you soon!

I came into college with a well thought-out plan of what I wanted to do with my life. I wanted to go to film school, live in Los Angeles, be a writer for television and maybe one day direct movies.

I never figured a boyfriend into my whole equation.

So now that I have one it feels like I have to somehow stick to my plan and ambitions while figuring in someone else’s. It’s MUCH harder than it sounds.

I’m from a medium sized city that was boring as hell growing up. I couldn’t wait to go to a big college in a big city to get away. I like being busy, I like having a lot of people to befriend, and I love being so close to Austin’s famous sixth street and live bands. I’ve always been a city girl and I want to stay a city girl. Matt, on the other hand, is a homebody. He’s from a small city and would much rather go back to live there (or somewhere like it) after college. He hates big cities because the driving is too dangerous, crime is high, and he is very content staying at home every night. Even though we’re in the same major, he wants to work at small town TV stations while I want to work in Hollywood.

Big difference in opinions…so what do we do about it?

I bet you’re thinking that this is supposed to be the part where I shed my somewhat wise opinion on the matter, but honestly, I don’t know what to do either. I want to be my own woman but if I’m going to stay with Matt the rest of my life (and that’s my plan) there’s going to have to be some sacrifices. It comes with the territory. And these sacrifices aren’t even something I mind. Yeah, when I started out on this journey I had big, lofty goals of Hollywood, but things have changed and now I’ve got something else (something wonderful) to consider in my planning.

I’ve laid the ground rules out and Matt and I have come to a few conclusions. He’s agreed to put my career first because he can pretty much work anywhere with what he wants to do. That means that it’s up to me to choose which city works best for me and he’ll make it work. That being said, I’m not going to force LA down Matt’s throat knowing how he feels about it, so I’m going to look everywhere but LA first.

And that’s where we’re at. He’s making concessions for me and I’m making concessions for him. We’re both holding onto our futures and our plans, they’re both just a little different than how we first imagined them. And I don’t know how this is all going to work, but it’s working for now and that’s all that really matters.

Anyone out there got some advice for people in this sort of situation? Have you given up your future to follow someone else? Has someone done that for you? Share!

The plane has crashed into the Hudson River. OMFG.

Lindsay Lohan a (super skinny) lesbian again.

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Fold-up sunglasses? Awesome.

Newsflash: poor economy frightens graduating seniors. 

20 ways to guarantee an audition in front of the American Idol judges.

Do CoverGirl Outlast Lipstains really work?

Don’t let college stress bring you down.

A graph of Obama expectations.

More and more people are looking for love online these days and I’ll admit, I’m one of them. I honestly don’t know where else to find a date besides the typical bar/club scene, which seems much more conducive to finding a one night stand than finding love. I don’t work in an environment where I meet eligible bachelors, I pretty much know my friends’ friends so getting set up isn’t really an option. So where else do you look? People tell me I should do something I enjoy; a cooking class, hanging out in Barnes & Noble, join some sort of sports league and I’ll meet a guy who shares similar interests with me, but as social as I am, I’m not one to go to a cooking class alone, and I have yet to meet a guy in B&N. So that leaves me with the internet.

Sure, it’s scary and I’ve had my fair share of weirdos or guys who were several inches shorter than what they claimed, or sent pictures from when they were 10 years and 50 pounds lighter, but I’ve also been taken on some pretty amazing dates and met some really cool guys, some of whom I’ve remained friends with. Obviously, my prince hasn’t come along, but maybe the timing just hasn’t been right. I’ve tried a lot of the sites out there; match.com, Plenty of Fish, okcupid, Craig’s List, eHarmony and even Jdate (yes, I’m a shiksa who likes Jewish boys). Thus far, I’ve had the best luck on Craig’s List and the worst luck with match and eHarmony (the one that claims it’ll help you find your soulmate), but as I’m still single, I haven’t had the luck I’m really looking for, so I decided to try out a new site, it’s called crazyblinddate.com, and yes, it’s crazy.

Crazyblinddate.com is run by the same people who run okcupid and it works like this: You go onto their site and click which city you live in (so far they only cover Austin, Boston, Chicago, LA, NYC, and San Francisco), then you choose if you’d rather go on a single or a double date. They inform you that you will be set up on a date at either a bar or a coffee shop (your choice), but you won’t see a picture of them or have any communication with them before your date…can you say, yikes?!?

At this point, you create a profile. Your profile consists of the basics; first name, date of birth, gender, sexual orientation, height, body type, ethnicity, religion, and education level. After that they go into more in-depth questions; “You’ll know because I look like…”, “Things I’m good at talking about…”, “What I expect of a date…” and “Before we go on a date you should know…”. After you answer these, they ask you another series of questions, which they inform you your date will never see (why ask then?). Basically they’re questions about how picky you are when it comes to intelligence, attractiveness and how far you’re willing to go if a date goes well. After that, it’s time to upload your picture. Once you’ve got your profile done and have confirmed your e-mail address, you’re set.

You tell them when you’re available for a date (they’re usually pretty last minute, like that day or the next, though you can go for something further in advance) and you answer some questions about what your preferences are for location/area of the city and your date (ethnicity, height, education level, etc.). This is where I start noticing glitches.

They tell you that your date should not be too far away, but when I click in neighborhoods reasonably close to me, I am told that I need to broaden my horizons for a better chance at getting a date, didn’t they just tell me to keep the date in my ‘hood? Once I add a few more neighborhoods, they tell me I’m being too picky in my preferences and that I’m more likely to get a date if I’m more open-minded. Okay, seriously, I have height and educational preferences, I can’t help it. I’m sorry that I don’t wanna get set up on a date with a 5’6” high school drop out, but I know right off the bat it’s not gonna go well. So I keep my preferences the way they are and hope that they can scrounge up someone for me.

So far, I’ve been offered three dates; they both e-mail and text you when they have a potential date and you have to check them out and see if you want to accept. What you get to check out is a blurred picture of the person, and all the info from their profile. I must admit, reading these guys’ descriptions, I wonder how in God’s name I’ll recognize them in a bar (unless they’re the only brown haired, brown eyed, athletic guy at the bar). I haven’t accepted any of the dates, two of them didn’t work for my schedule and one of them I just got a sense wasn’t going to be a good match for me. So today I log on to see what they have brewing and I’m told that they “almost have a date” for me and there are 29 people they can match me with if I’m a little less picky. They suggest changing my required maximum age and minimum education level. Again, I don’t want a 42 year old who flunked out of college, sorry.

So now I continue to play the waiting game to see if they find a date I feel is worthy of my time and energy to see if it’s possible to find someone you click with if you’ve never had any contact with them or even know what they look like. The saga will continue once I find a date, so stayed tuned kids, things could get interesting…