Dig your crop tops out of your closet, iron some patches on to your jean jacket, and sprinkle on some body glitter because we’re planning the ultimate ’90s Throwback Summer Festival.

It’s going to be hotter than Kate Winslet’s hand on a steamy car window and we’re here to give you an all-access pass to the excitement. We got stand-up comedian Joey Gladstone hosting the event, Alex Mac reciting the 10 things she hates about cliché ’90s movies, and Carl Winslow running the security team. And in between all that jam-packed action, we’re re-introducing your absolute favorite performers from the ’90s.

Contact us today (IluvZachMorris@AOL.com) to get details on how to win a cassette recording of the entire event.

Over on the Hip-Hop/Rock Stage we’ve got the creatively-named Coolio (Awesomeio!), the parent-approved-is-this-even-rap? Will Smith, and one-hit British wonder Chumbawhumba performing their greatest hits.

Take a left at the set of Never Been Kissed and you’ll run into our Tiger Beat section, otherwise known as our Boy Band Stage. Look for the long-haired-yet-somehow-sexually-appealing boys of Hanson; the A&F marketing team LFO; the wannabe Backstreet Boys, 98 Degrees; and fan favorites Jesse and the Rippers.

Head straight on until you pass the clearance sale on Jellies and you’ll see our ultimate Girl Power Stage. And no, Spice Girls won’t be performing. They said no more tours once Baby hit 40. Instead we have an all-star line-up that kicks off with a heartfelt and realistic duet between Brandy and Monica followed by a tribute to TLC. Last but not least, the least sexually provocative of the ’90s girls, Mandy Moore, will take the stage.

Of course this is just a dream (hey it could happen!) and is totes not happening this summer. But I think we all would gladly take this kind of summer festival over the wannabe-hippie drugfest that is Bonnaroo and the somehow-still-selling-out Dave Matthews concerts. So here’s to hoping we can pull it together for 2011. If so, you’ll definitely spot me in the back with my devil sticks, wearing my signature blue dress with the stain that just won’t come out!

[This story was originally posted by Jenni - Syracuse]

And of course, there are plenty more old faves where this came from.

Dig your crop tops out of your closet, iron some patches on to your jean jacket, and sprinkle on some body glitter because we’re planning the ultimate ’90s Throwback Summer Festival.

It’s going to be hotter than Kate Winslet’s hand on a steamy car window and we’re here to give you an all-access pass to the excitement. We got stand-up comedian Joey Gladstone hosting the event, Alex Mac reciting the 10 things she hates about cliché ’90s movies, and Carl Winslow running the security team. And in between all that jam-packed action, we’re re-introducing your absolute favorite performers from the ’90s.

Contact us today (IluvZachMorris@AOL.com) to get details on how to win a cassette recording of the entire event.

Over on the Hip-Hop/Rock Stage we’ve got the creatively-named Coolio (Awesomeio!), the parent-approved-is-this-even-rap? Will Smith, and one-hit British wonder Chumbawhumba performing their greatest hits.

Take a left at the set of Never Been Kissed and you’ll run into our Tiger Beat section, otherwise known as our Boy Band Stage. Look for the long-haired-yet-somehow-sexually-appealing boys of Hanson; the A&F marketing team LFO; the wannabe Backstreet Boys, 98 Degrees; and fan favorites Jesse and the Rippers.

Head straight on until you pass the clearance sale on Jellies and you’ll see our ultimate Girl Power Stage. And no, Spice Girls won’t be performing. They said no more tours once Baby hit 40. Instead we have an all-star line-up that kicks off with a heartfelt and realistic duet between Brandy and Monica followed by a tribute to TLC. Last but not least, the least sexually provocative of the ’90s girls, Mandy Moore, will take the stage.

Of course this is just a dream (hey it could happen!) and is totes not happening this summer. But I think we all would gladly take this kind of summer festival over the wannabe-hippie drugfest that is Bonnaroo and the somehow-still-selling-out Dave Matthews concerts. So here’s to hoping we can pull it together for 2011. If so, you’ll definitely spot me in the back with my devil sticks, wearing my signature blue dress with the stain that just won’t come out!

That being said, I have a few favorite drinks that do really well in cold weather.

Peppermint Hot Chocolate:

This ain’t your grandma’s hot cocoa. (Or maybe it is…) I like to add a few drops (or shots) of Peppermint Schnapps to hot chocolate for an immediate warm-up. Make the cocoa with milk if you like it creamier.

Cinnamon Vanilla Cream:

One day my love of Starbucks and alcohol collided, and this drink was born. I just poured some Cinnamon Schnapps into my Vanilla Crème, and – voilà – an innocuous looking brew. Yes, I did keep it all in the Starbucks container. You can make your own Vanilla crème by warming up milk, adding a drop or two of vanilla extract, sugar to taste, and topping it off with whipped cream.

Hot (Spiked) Apple Cider:

First, you need to find some alcoholic apple cider. It’s probably somewhere between the beer and wine sections. Two bottles is a good amount to start with. On the stove, get it simmering with two cinnamon sticks, a tablespoon of cloves, a little bit of sugar and some nutmeg. What really makes it piping hot though, is the addition of either rum or apple brandy. Be generous, ladies – the apple cider has lost most of its alcoholic content in the heating process.

Hot Spiced Wine:

Hot spiced wine is like Sangria, only warm. With cinnamon and cloves. You start by boiling about a ½ cup of sugar in a ½ cup of water (for a 2 bottle recipe). Once the sugar is dissolved into the water, add the wine and spices. When you feel that the mixture has sufficiently blended, turn off the heat and add orange and lemon slices and either rum or brandy to taste. Vodka works too, and you can get creative with the fruit you choose to put in. It is best if you make it an hour or so before you serve it.

For a more sophisticated cocktail try the Blushing Reindeer, or any one of these being made at the hippest New York bars. Personally, if I’m the one making the drinks, I shouldn’t have to work to get drunk. I leave the creative mixology to the bartenders.

Any of your own favorite recipes that you want to share?

[Always drink responsibly. Photo courtesy of countryliving.com]

Maroon 5- Call and Response (The Remix Album)

While we anxiously await the release of some new music from Maroon 5 (why on Earth does it take them so long?), we can temporarily get our Adam Levine fix from Call and Response, an album of Maroon 5 remixes. The album makes me happy because it remixes the songs enough that some of them actually sound like new tracks. But it also makes me wonder if Maroon 5 desperately wants to get some play time in the clubs. Whatever the case, this whole album may be worth it just to hear the Mark Ronson “Wake Up Call” mix featuring Mary J. Blige. Not to mention, the album includes remixes with Of Montreal, Cut Copy, and Deerhoof.

If you tell me the hotness that is Adam Levine is involved, I’ll buy it, but I’m eager for something new from the boys of Maroon 5.

Brandy- Human

Wait, Brandy still exists? Didn’t she kill someone in a car accident a while back? Well, yes. But now she’s ready for her comeback and you can almost feel the pain of her past through the music in her new album, Human. The title track relays to the public how sorry she is for what we’re to assume is the accident: “I make mistakes but I can’t turn back time…I’m only human.” But despite all this pain, Brandy somehow manages to make most of the songs on the album positive and cheerful. I have to admit, I’ve been a fan of the upbeat track “Right Here (Departed)” from the first time I heard it on the radio.

Brandy may never reach her “That Boy is Mine” fame again, but she’ll definitely get some serious radio play-time.

Cat Power- Dark End of the Street EP

This EP full of more Cat Power cover songs is perfect for listening to on a cold, lonely night. Her beautiful version of Otis Redding’s “I’ve Been Loving You Too Long (To Stop Now)” caused me to hit replay over and over. Dark End of the Street is certainly not an upbeat album, but each song completely wraps you up in the beautiful crooning of her voice. Cat also covers songs by James Carr, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Sandy Denny, Aretha Franklin, and the Pogues. Some tracks don’t quite match up to the originals, but that’s OK because you may never have heard the original anyway. And what you don’t know won’t hurt you.

Cat’s back covering the classics and helping you feel a little bit more depressed…in a good way.

[All images courtesy of Amazon.com]

Wow. What a crappy episode of The Hills. Did anything really happen? Did that episode really last 30 minutes, because it felt like 10. Most of the show was pretty bo-ring, so instead of recapping a bunch of crap, I will just focus on the main event:

Justin Bobby and Audrina kinda sorta break up and makeup, take 246:

Audrina goes to work in the recording studio with Brandy (?!), but leaves the studio because Justin Bobby wants to see her. Because everyone A) has the opportunity to go into a recording studio with Brandy (?!), and B) everyone in the real world can just leave work when their dirty and weird kinda-sorta boyfriend stops by (or, you know, their flesh-colored-bearded BF stops by to talk about people messing with the DVR).

So, apparently Audrina goes out there to tell JB that she’s totally dunzo. But then Justin Bobby is sitting on his Chopper and wearing a hat and says all these things to sweep her off her feet. You know, sweet nothings like:

“To be in a relationship we’ve kinda gotta be, like, together.”

And:

“We’re a big catch 22. 90% of my time with you is pretty right on. When I think about you I don’t think of anything negative whatsoever.”

Awwwwww. He’s so sweet! He likes her, like, almost all the time! And he knows he treats her like crap, but he still really, really likes her! And this time he means it, which is why Audrina is passing on the Aussie and sticking with good ol’ JB.

I can’t imagine why her work friend doesn’t think it’s a good idea. Besides the fact that she has to do odd jobs with Audrina (really? it takes 2 people to stuff envelopes!?) and feign interest in the JB drama every. freaking. day. for the sake of the show. Why wouldn’t she want Audrina to be happy with her Knight in Knitted Caps?

And that, my friends, was the bulk of tonight’s episode. There was also some Pratt/Brody drama, but the most exciting thing to come from that was Brody’s Justin-Bobby-inspired headwear at the bar. Enough with the hats, people. ENOUGH.

[For more fun in reality TV/Spencer Pratt bashing, joing CollegeCandy's Facebook group!] 

Q: What’s more summery than sangria?

A: Absofrickinlutely nothing!

Sangria is the perfect summer drink: Cold, fruity, and ideal for sharing. (Actually, that sounds like an exboyfriend of mine. But, I digress.)

Anyway, cold, fruity, share-able boys aside, here is an awesome sangria recipe that is a mid-August must. Enjoy, and share only with people you adore.

The stuff that goes in it:

1 bottle of red wine (preferably dry)

1/2 cup of brandy

1/2 cup of triple sec

1/3 cup of frozen lemonade concentrate

1/3 cup of orange juice

1/4 cup of lemon juice

1/4 cup of sugar

1 lemon

1 lime

1 orange

Here’s how we do:

(1) Cut all the fruit (lemon, lime, orange) into rounds.

(2) Mix all the non-fruit items together in your serving pitcher.

(3) Put the fruit in on top.

(4) Leave it in the refrigerator overnight.

(5) Drink, me hearties!!

[Image courtesy of community.adn.com]