There’s a great many things to do and places to see in this world of ours.  As humans, our lives are pretty short (and if you party like I do, it’s probably going to be even shorter).  So we have to prioritize!  We have brains for a reason and that reason is…reasoning (well, at least some of us use them for that purpose: see comment about partying above).  Let me be your voice of reason as I show you all the things you should be doing right here, right now.

It’s hard to be sure of what to eat these days.  Health reports come out with a study against a certain food one day and for it the next.  Do I eat the egg yolk or do I stick with the whites?  Are pomegranates that good for me?  How many more vitamins do I really need to take?  It’s confusing.  And I don’t like being confused about food.  I just like eating it.

Everyone’s heard the old adage, “Everything in moderation.”  Sounds pretty obvious, right?  You can eat your egg yolk (as long as you don’t eat five eggs a day) and not feel guilty.  Even dessert isn’t off limits if you don’t gorge yourself.  So this is why I’m going to give a shout out to something that has gotten a lot of bad press lately: meat.  It seem everyone is jumping on the vegetarian wagon, what with all the new vegetarian options out there.  Hey, I don’t have anything against tofu (I actually love tofu, but that’s a different story), but I have to defend my meat.  It’s delicious, packed with nutrition, and can be used in a million different ways.  Here’s why you should eat more meat: Read More »

July is pretty much here (I know – where the eff did June go??), and I can’t help but notice more American-themed fashion/toys/food crowding the retail shelves just about everywhere.  At first I was confused (I mean, that red, white, and blue dress is cute, but wasn’t Fleet Week a while ago?), then it dawned on me…Independence Day.

After about a minute of feeling guilty about almost forgetting our Nation’s birthday, I started to remember why I adore the 4th of July so much.  I get to spend time with my family, spend all weekend drunk and in the sun, and eat massive amounts of food.

This year, however, I decided I wasn’t going to puss out after just three servings of barbecue.  So, I did a little research and gathered some tips from the masters (read: the competitors in the yearly Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating contest!).  Now you guys can join me in celebrating the founding of America the only way that is appropriate – by eating more than anyone else on the planet.

Don’t Starve Yourself Beforehand – When you starve yourself, you’re actually making your stomach shrink (in addition to being a pretty bad move in general).  Keep eating before the big day and you’ll  keep your appetite up.  Besides, who wants to rock that crazed, hungry person look during the family picnic?

Prepare Your Stomach - Assuming that you aren’t Takeru Kobayashi, you probably don’t eat like a maniac on a normal basis.  Therefore, you might have to stretch your stomach out to make room for all those amazing Independence Day meals (ribs? burgers? corn on the cob? Droooool).  Use this week to chug water and chomp on mad lettuce – you’ll expand your stomach in no time (thirds, much?). Read More »

Chipotle has become one of those super hip ingredients you find in everything it seems, right up there with pomegranate, and for very good reason: it’s frickin delicious. Smoky and hot, it adds a killer flavor to anything it touches, and this spread is no exception. It’s magical.

I’ve made it for many a backyard/patio/rooftop bbq, and it is always a huuuuge hit. Throw it on a burger, use it as a French fry dippin’ sauce, anywhere you want a really excellent dollop of flavor. It’s so easy you can whip it up in no time, and keep a jar on hand in your fridge for that impromptu summertime grill-fest (like the 4th of July??)

Chipotle Mayonnise

1 16 oz. jar Mayonnaise (makes a lot, but I like to use the whole thing so I can just pour the whole recipe back into the jar for storage, and have it on hand at all times.)
2 chipotles in adobo sauce, plus 2 tsp adobo sauce
1 large clove garlic
Juice of half a lime
Salt to taste (start with about ½ tsp) Read More »

The 4th of July.  An excuse to drink beer, dress up in festive clothes and eat late-night salty munchies… all day. Sounds like a typical college weekend and it is oh-so-welcomed after 2 months of spending our weekend nights at home with our parents playing Scrabble.

But what to wear?

Not only is it day-to-night activities, but you don’t want to pull a George Banks and be a total party pooper (that’s why we invited you!) avoiding the red, white and blue all together, but, then again, you don’t want to be so obviously festive that you look like a walking Old Navy ad (or a pro wrestler). Thank God I’m here!

I can dress you from the beach to the fireworks so all you have to do is show up, grab that Corona and hot dog and enjoy. Read More »

[The following post was written by the smart, savvy and totally rad ladies over at SomeoneSpoilMe.com]

As we all know, buying a gift for Dad is nearly impossible as he either seems to have everything or you just have no idea what he would want.  This causes most of us to procrastinate on buying him a gift, and then having to scramble at the 11th hour and settle for a gift that is less then mediocre. (Read: a tie.)

So if you that fit the description above, don’t worry; you still have some time this year (not much, but at least a day or two).  I have compiled my list of amazing gifts to give Dad that can all be shipped this week and make it just in time for the special day.

I got your back, ladies.

The Top 6 Last Minute Father’s Day Gifts:

Eleni’s I LOVE DAD Cookies: Eleni’s makes the cutest and most delicious sugar cookies.  They come wrapped in an elegant gift box and can be preserved for up to 1 week if the box is opened.  The box contains 18 cookies spelling out “I LOVE DAD” surrounded by cookie hearts.  The cookies cost $37 and must be ordered by 12pm PST on Thursday, 6/18.

BBQ Apron & Tool Set: If your dad loves to “man the grill” (or “dad the grill”…wait, that doesn’t make sense) then this is a perfect gift to give him. This durable apron serves as both an apron and carrying case that holds all the tools that Dad will need to grill.  Plus the apron has compartments that Dad can place the tools in while grilling.  This set costs $45 and must be ordered by 12pm PST on Thursday, 6/18. Read More »

I had a really happy moment recently: I tried on my bikini and it not only FIT, but I felt really PROUD of my body. The nagging critic in my head was speechless and all I could hear was internal praise. I mean, I better get some kudos after working my ass off, literally, for the past 2 months!

But somehow I feel like I’ve only won the battle, not the war, aka, Summer BBQs. Beer, hot dogs, potato salad… it’s all going to tempt me beyond belief, especially once I have a few cocktails. So in an effort to maintain what I’ve worked so hard for, I’ve come up with a BBQ Game Plan.

This may sound deep, but setting an intention before I begin my day has really helped me stay on track. So why not set one before I head to any summer gathering where not-so-healthy food is involved?

Promise yourself to be kind to your body. Treat it like a temple; after all, it is what allows you to function normally everyday. Doing this will keep you conscious of your noshing choices.

Be sure healthy options are available. Find out if your friends, especially guy friends, are serving anything other than artery clogging fare. If they’re not, bring a veggie platter, and maybe some chicken or shrimp. That way you won’t be forced to eat a greasy cheeseburger.

Load up on veggies. So you’re there, you’re hungry, you see all the deliciousness being grilled and passed around. Refocus on your intention and GO FOR THE VEGETABLES. Load up on these bad boys and, of course, have the healthiest protein possible. You will fill up quickly (helloooo, fiber!) and ease the temptation for the fattier options. Read More »

You are only a few hours away from a three day holiday weekend, ladies! Can I get a “what what”?! Memorial Day Weekend is the official kick-off to summer, which means only one thing: it’s time to get a bikini wax the inevitable family BBQ.

Truth: You love hot dogs off the grill
Truth: Your family is ridiculous and you’d much rather spend the time with people who don’t make inappropriate jokes about hot dogs. Or at least people who make funny inappropriate jokes about hot dogs. And are under the age of 65.
Solution: CollegeCandy’s Memorial Day Family BBQ Drinking Game

Because Great Uncle Bert’s war stories (a war which he was not in) are easier to listen to when you’ve got Bud Light coursing through your veins. The best part? You can play alone and, being that you leave the BBQ with a killer buzz, you always end up the winner.

What you will need:
A case of domestic beer (we’re celebrating America, aren’t we?)
Various other alcoholic beverages
Your drinking hat Read More »

Last night I did something that every college senior dreads: I said goodbye to my first friend to graduate. Although I was never super close friends with her, we lived in the dorm together freshman and sophomore years and kept in touch ever since. I don’t know what it is, but there really is something about seeing someone every morning in the bathroom at 8 a.m. with severe bedhead that bonds you.

So while we all tried to make it through the night without going hysterical, I started to think about how absolutely crazy it is that in just a year, ALL my friends and I will be splitting up. Last night was just the first of many goodbyes…and that is terrifying.

But, then, the rational side of me kicked in and I remembered that I have a whole year left before I have to actually deal with that prospect, so I should actually relish in the fact that this time, I’m only saying goodbye for the summer. I will survive in my five bedroom house alone for four months. I think.

So I made a playlist that is perfect for listening to while you and your girls spend one last Saturday afternoon getting sh*tfaced before saying goodbye (and good riddance!) to the last school year (and hopefully not each other). Oh, and since this weekend is a holiday, I thought I’d be nice and include some extra songs so that the mix can double nicely as a Memorial Day BBQ playlist, too.

And if you really are graduating and saying goodbye for real, I just feel bad for you. Good luck, may the force be with you, yada, yada, yada.

Celebrate the wonderful fact that you’re still in college here!

[We all live busy lives: we go to school or work (or sometimes both), we try to keep our lives in order and, on top of everything else, we try to maintain a social life.

It can all be a bit overwhelming at times, especially when you’re running here, there and everywhere, and in the process of it all, still trying to look cute.  On a weekly basis, I will be posting a guide for an outfit that looks super cute and casual during the day, but you can easily rock out at night with a few accessory additions and/or a change of shoes.  And maybe, just maybe, it’ll help ease the stress of life a little bit because, hey, when we look good, we feel good, right?]

This weekend marks the unofficial start of the summer season and that means cool ice cream treats, hot days, hotter boys and less clothing.  I figured that in honor of Memorial Day, I’d do a Day-to-Night Style that can easily be worn from a picnic in the park to a night bar-hopping with your buds, all with a few key extras you can store in your beach tote.

Because why should you sacrifice quality daylight hours to go home and do a complete wardrobe change? The summer only lasts so long and we gotta make sure we get the most out of it. Read More »

Yay for May!

The April showers are (or should be) over, and it’s time for summer kick in. I can’t WAIT to be done with my exams (only one more… and 10 Red Bulls to go) and on the plane ride home.

The month of May is chock full of great things, and I am more than excited to get this party going. While we’re all winding down and getting ready to finish up the school year, don’t forget to enjoy all the fun things to do and celebrate this month:

1) It’s Asian Pacific American Heritage Month! (Yeah, I know, try saying that 10 times fast.) As an ABC (American-Born-Chinese), this celebration is near and dear to my heart. Even if you’re not Asian, you can still join us in celebrating this awesome holiday by making some scrumptious Chinese food, and I don’t mean the kind by General Tso. Laugh it up with my fellow Asian Russell Peters, probably the funniest guy alive, and watch this PSA too, brought to you by Dat Phan, another hilarious Asian comedian and stereotypical crazy cab driver.

2) At only 50 calories a cup, who doesn’t love those lovely red heart-shaped fruits we call strawberries? It’s National Strawberry Month, believe it or not (yes, even fruits get to have parties in their honor). It’s also National Salad Month! Throw a garden party and combine the two to make this Chinois Strawberry and Goat Cheese Salad, or this Arugula and Strawberry Salad. Speaking of strawberries, has anyone ever heard of strawberry meth? Sounds….tasty?
Read More »