And although I love a bold hair flair statement, I also like elegant and simple hair accessories, too, like sequined and rhinestone bobby pins.

Because hair accessories are all the rage right now, they can also be really expensive! And we all know that us college kids don’t have the moolah to spend $10 on a bobby pin. So here is a money savvy way to add that extra elegant glam to a normal hair day without adding the extra cash.

What You’ll Need:
Large or Extra Large Bobby Pins: Get bobby pins in your hair color to keep it simple, or use brighter color bobby pins for a bolder statement! Find these at any local drug store, Target, or grocery store!
Small Rhinestones (or sequins): These will be later glued onto your bobby pins, so make sure they are small enough to fit nicely onto the pin! Use multiple colors for some fun, or keep it classy with black and silver rhinestones that will create a more sophisticated look. Find these at your local craft store: Joann Fabrics and Michael’s  have a huge variety.
Superglue: You can pick this up at any drug store, hardware store, or Target. Don’t use the brush-on-superglue – instead use the normal super glue with the small tip (which will make for easy application!).
Tweezers: This is optional but they’ll make the process a lot easier…and prevent you from getting your fingers stuck together.

What You’ll Do:

1. Apply a small dot of super glue to the bottom of your rhinestone. Using your tweezers, or a steady hand, apply your rhinestone to the top of the flat edge of the bobby pin (the non-edgy side). Let dry.

2. Repeat step 1 until you have rhinestones covering your bobby pin. Alternate rhinestone colors or use the same color rhinestone throughout. Let dry!

3. Work it, girl! These aren’t your normal bobby pins anymore and aren’t just for keeping those tricky hairs in place. These bobby pins are fashion and function! Pull your hair back into a messy bun and add the bobby pins for extra glam…or you could always use them to create that perfect jersey shore bump!

Yeah, I know this is blurry. It's hard to capture such fabulosity.

While everyone is fabulous in their own right, we thought we should celebrate the campus fashionistas of the world for their continued excellence in not looking like a hot mess for class. So, we started stalking those girls on campus to get a few pics and get some tips on their personal style.

And maybe a restraining order or two.

But it’s worth it to highlight fresh, unique wardrobe choices that show personality and the courage to wear what you believe in.

And if there’s one girl who’s got some fashion courage it’s Lauren. I spotted her on campus because, well, it’s impossible not to spot her. She’s always decked out in bright colors, bold accessories and some serious confidence. Oh, and her perfect hair helps, too.

We started talking fashion and before I knew it, we were back at her dorm. Where she showed me her closet. Sigh. It was a wonderful place.

Name: Lauren
Year: 2012
Major: Spanish and Religion
Lauren in 3 words: Chill, fly, gansta

1) Describe your personal style.

I have a very eclectic style; I definitely go for bright colors and fun animal prints, something really crazy. You can tell by my hair. Fierce.

2) You can’t leave your house without your ________.

Ipod. For sure.

3) What is your favorite store to shop at?

I’d have to say Hot Topic because they have so much great stuff that you wouldn’t expect to find there and lots of unique styles that other stores don’t have.

4) What/who is the biggest influence on your style?

I don’t really have one single influence for fashion. I’m like a mixtape, baby. A party playlist.

5) What’s your favorite trend, past or present?

I know it’s not a legit trend, but my favorite fashion accessories are definitely earrings, especially hoop earrings. Every color and every style. Bling is fabulous.

Ryan Reynolds getting his own X-Men movie!

Would you wear eyebrow bling?

Will heat ruin your hair products?

Victoria Beckham looks really good in undies.

Gay marriage is legalized in Maine!

[I want it, I need it, I can’t live without it. There are so many things on store shelves and racks right now that we want to take home and hang in our closets. Things that are so cute, everyone should know about them. We’ll share ‘em with you here (because we’re that nice), but as far as actually getting them goes….well, you’re on your own with that one.]

I love things that sparkle, so it’s obvious that I am head over heels in love with these rings from Myra Elizabeth. Made-to-order with bands of sterling silver and authentic Swarovski crystals and pearls, these beauties will surely outshine anything within a mile radius. They instantly add glamour to any outfit and, with so many clusters of different colors and combinations, there’s at least 3 that make me weak in the knees.

I would seriously rock one on every finger!

Each ring comes with a friendship poem and is already gift-wrapped, making them really cute presents for birthdays, Christmas, or, you know, me.

Myra Elizabeth also makes necklaces, earrings, and bracelets. All are made of high quality materials and are crafted into gorgeous pieces. Just like the rings, there is a great variety to choose from. I always knew I needed a little more bling in my life, and Myra delivers.

Come to mama, Ms. Myra.

Cocktail rings add elegance and glamour to any ensemble. Celebs like Catherine Heigl and Jamie Lynn Sigler rock them on the red carpet (above), but you don’t need a formal event to show off your bling. Cocktail rings can make a simple outfit, like a sweater with jeans and heels, pop as well.

According to WiseGeek.com, cocktail rings became popular during US prohibition. At cocktail parties, they flaunted the fact that women were drinking illegally (but fashionably). Prohibition is no longer in effect (thank GOD), but big, bold cocktail rings are still in style. And we are grateful.

For most rings, the bigger the stone the better. You want to draw attention to it! However, to keep it from looking ridiculous if you have small hands, search for rings that don’t extend any farther than the bottom of your knuckle. And while most people wear cocktail rings on their right ring finger, they look chic when worn on your index finger, too.

Don’t blow all your cash on a cocktail ring, though! You can find fake stones for almost nothing, and many real stones for under $200, if you feel like a splurge. Here are some rings that fit every budget:

So who’s a fan of Adult Swim? I know I am.

Ever wonder who the rapper with the high pitched voice is on ATHF? You know MC Peepants/MC Vald. That would be real Nerdcore rapper, MC Chris.

I know what you’re thinking right now: what the hell is “Nerdcore”? Well think Weird Al Yankovic’s “White and Nerdy,” but, you know, BETTER.

Nerdcore is a genre of hip hop, but instead of rapping about ho’s, bling, and money, they rap about games, computers, and other fun geek stuff. I mean they talk about boobies too, but it’s just different.

Don’t let the content of the songs throw you off, though; the beats are just as good as the more mainstream stuff on the radio, which means you will find yourself jamming/dancing to songs about compuers in no time. Want a little help? Check out these performers and their more popular jams (well, popular amongst geeks like me).

MC Chris

He’s perhaps the most well known of all Nerdcore rappers due to his work with voice acting, which, you know, makes his voice quite distinctive. He’s easy to listen to and, believe it or not, fun. Very catchy and poppy. For something new to play on that long road-trip home, check out “Fett’s Vette.”

MC Frontalot

He has a slightly different sound to him with a bit mor ]e rhythm based and very smart lyrics. His music is actually something you could listen to all the time. My favorite pick? Check out “Secrets from the Future.”

MC Router

My friend is totally geeked because he got to talk to her online. (It’s the little things.) In any case she’s a hardcore geek girl with techy beats that are fun to dance to. If you are in the mood for some chick music besides Britney and Rhianna, check out “Emmulation Station.”

Image courtesy of boingboing.net

1. Superhero

Take an old t-shirt or sweatshirt (preferrably solid-colored) and draw the logo of your favorite superhero on the chest with Sharpie. If you want to go the extra mile and you have a little time, pick up some felt and thread from a nearby craft store or Target to sew the logo on. I actually did this myself one year and it took about 30 minutes. Throw a belt around your hips and pull on some leggings to complete the look.

2. Gangsta

This may take some rummaging through a guy’s closet, but it should be easy to pull off. Just find an oversize white shirt, baggy jeans, some boxers, and a pair of sneakers. Put in one diamond (or cubic zirconia) stud earring. For neck bling, if you don’t have any oversize necklaces yourself, grab some tin foil and roll it into a loop big enough to fit over your head (you can also use tin foil to make some makeshift grills- just fold it over your teeth). Use some black eyeliner to draw a sun reflecting patch under just one eye (like football players wear). If you wanna take it a step further and be a “wanksta,” use some eyeshadow to make it look like you’ve got a black eye.

3. God’s Gift to Men

This one is really simple. Dress yourself however you like, but make sure you look fine. Then just take some ribbon and tie a bow around yourself (around your hips, over the shoulder, etc.) and affix a large tag using construction paper that says: “To: Men, From: God.” Simple, sexy, and clever as hell.

4. Your Roommate

Are you going to a campus party tonight? Hanging out with a group of friends? Swap clothes with your roommate and go as each other! Try to really capture her style. Does she always wear her hair in a ponytail? How does she do her makeup? See if she has any old sweatshirts or t-shirts from her hometown that you can wear to really show you’re the girl who lives across the room.

5. (Desperate) Housewife

This costume idea comes with an optional “sexy” component. Grab a bathrobe and some slippers, throw your hair in a ponytail, and maybe grab an oven mitt as an accessory. Underneath the bathrobe, you can go into total-housewife mode with unflattering jeans, sweatpants, and a thermal shirt. Or you can ho it up a bit with a short skirt, low cut shirt, or whatever other “desperate” accessories you have.

6. Greek Goddess

Take a bedsheet and wrap it around you so it’s snug and then drape it over your shoulder. Tie it all together with a belt or rope (if you have some), and wear shimmery makeup. If there’s any leaves still in season around you, make a head wreath by tucking some small branches into your hair (braids will hold this style best).

7. Sexy Librarian

A classic. Find a plaid or pencil skirt, if you can, a button-down cardigan, a blouse, and some heels. If you or a friend has an old pair of eyeglasses, punch out the lenses and wear them (if not, you can probably pick up a cheap pair at a drugstore). Carry a pencil and some books. And remember, cleavage is your friend.

8. Ghost

There are a few ways of going about this one. The key is to dress in all white. If you have an old bedsheet, cut eyeholes out. Or just rub some baby powder on your face, and use dark eyeshadow around your eyes to look haunted.

9. Bum

Much like the gangsta, just find any old, baggy, or ratty clothes you have. Wrinkle them if you can by throwing them in the wash and dryer and let them sit. Mess up your hair, carry a garbage bag over your shoulder, and maybe toss a fake cigarette between your teeth.

10. Mummy

A Halloween favorite. Throw on whatever tight-fitting clothes you have (UnderArmor shirts and leggings, if you have them). Then have a friend wrap you from head to toe in toilet paper. Excellent idea if you have allergies and are always looking for a tissue.

It makes perfect sense.  To MTV, Spears is like Candy Mountain – except instead of candy the mountain is full of cold, hard cash.  If she were to have a fabulous comeback, the boring and bling-obsessed music video channel would no doubt feel the full effect of her resurgence.

For your consideration, here is a “leaked” video of Spears practicing some kind of performance.  She admittedly looks fantastic, even if her dancing is slightly lacking the pop! of her 20-year-old self.  I guess we should let her off the hook, though.  She did have two kids and go crazy.  That combo must take a lot outta a person.


Britney's Back!


What do you think? Is Spears back with a vengeance? Or is MTV just kicking a very tired horse?

]]>