If you are lucky and have a long weekend for Easter, I am jealous. My friends and I were reminiscing the other night about the epic Easter egg hunts we used to go on as kids, and it really made me miss those days. Remember when you were a little kid and holidays were so exciting? And getting lots of candy was the greatest thing ever?

Well, now you can recapture those days! Check out these awesome Easter crafts and celebrate like a little kid again. See the photos here, then head over to our Pinterest board for the directions.

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In so many ways, we really had it good as kids. We had awesome cartoons, excellent (read: awful) fashion, and most of all, really great candy. Am I right? There are so many candies that used to be all over the place that I never see anymore. Of course, there are always the classic candy bars that stick around forever. The weirder stuff might not last as long, but it sure does bring back memories. Here are a few candies (including some disgusting ones) that remind us of being kids. Read More »

Dear friends who thought I would stop ranting about Valentine’s Day once I was in a relationship, I’m sorry; you were mistaken.

I know I’m not the only person that rants about V-Day (coupled or otherwise). My new favourite Tumblr account, Occupy Valentine’s Day, proves it. Created by Outdated: Why Dating is Ruining Your Life author (and Executive Editor of Feministing), Samhita Mukhopadhyay, the site is collecting stories of love that are not limited to the commercial definition. The site wants to change the culture of romance. For my contribution I’m going to share some facts you might not have known about V-Day.

• In the United States the cost of the 189 million red roses sold around February 14 adds up to a whopping $1.6 billion.
• California produces more roses than any other state, but Columbia and Ecuador produce 90% of roses sold in the US.
• 1 billion Valentine’s Day cards are sent in the US, which if attached could make a chain wrapping around the world five times over.
• According to National Geographic the holiday originates from a “raucous annual Roman festivals where men stripped naked, grabbed goat- or dog-skin whips, and spanked young maidens in hopes of increasing their fertility.”
• National Geographic also reports this year V Day will generate $17.6 billion in sales. Up from last year, this shows the economy is getting better.
• 8 billion chalky conversation hearts will be produced this year.
• 11% of Americans get engaged on Valentine’s Day.
• Condom sales will increase by 20-30%.

There are too many reasons to love Halloween. For one, you get to dress up like an absolute idiot — or a slut, whichever you choose — and no one judges you. Although, if you’re dressing like a slut, you might be fair game for some judgment but that’s a totally different issue. Not into dressing up? Wear all black and you’re still a goblin in disguise! You really can’t go wrong on Halloween. But, what I really love about this awesome holiday is ALL THE FREE CANDY YOU CAN GET YOUR HANDS ON. (I mean, it was totally way more acceptable to go door-to-door begging for candy when I was five but…whatever.)

Woo hoo!

Have a favorite candy you only feast on once a year? Break the chains of your super strict diet on the night of the living dead?

Well, well, well, do I have some torture for you! Feast your eyes (since you can’t feed your stomachs) on the best of the best from the trick-or-treat bowls. Read More »

There are a lot of perks to experiencing Halloween as a college student, that’s a given. But remember Halloween as a little kid? When you looked forward to more than the drinking games and the slutty sexy costumes?

Sure, I loved the costumes, and the candy, and the pumpkin carvings, but for me it was really all about the movies. And not those crazy, creepy, scary ones either, but the fun ones. You know, the ones about friendly ghosts and clumsy witches and great pumpkins…
Allow me to refresh your memory…

10. Beetlejuice. Originally this one was going to be higher up on the list. But as I rediscovered the plot of this Halloween time horror, I realized it was actually kind of creepy. Way to get your big break though, Winona Ryder.

9. The Little Vampire. Think back, way back. Before Twilight. Before Edward Cullen. Before vampires were ever associated with glitter. Remember when you actually thought vampires were kind of scary? It made the idea of a little boy being BFFs with a vampire so much cooler. Read More »

Like Reese’s? Yeah, me too. Honestly, I’m not sure I can ever trust someone who doesn’t. The problem is that a girl can’t subsist on peanut butter cups alone . . . but it’s fun to try.

No, seriously, the problem is more that those things are crazy unhealthy. Not only will they set you back more than 200 calories and 13 grams of fat for a pair, but they’re full of artificial flavors and preservatives. And that, my lady friends, is why I make my own. (Well, that and the fact that the CVS lady looks at me funny when I come in and buy, like, 12 Reese’s packs before 10am.)

Now, I need to be clear here—these homemade treats aren’t really much healthier, but they do taste better, they don’t contain any weird artificial stuff, and they are far more effective at impressing your friends. Plus, it’s a heck of a lot cheaper to make a dozen of these than it is to buy six packs of Reese’s. So what are you waiting for?

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Chocolate. That is one word and gift from heaven I will never get sick of. It tastes good with – um – everything. I never don’t want it. And even when I try to cut it out (like today) I find myself crawling back to it (as in eating it as I write this).

Another thing I never get sick of?

Creating my own things. Whether it’s a photo book, a necklace, a personalized hoodie or my own snack bar, building something from scratch that I know I will love always makes the final product that much more fun and enjoyable.

So when I heard about Createmychocolate.com I needed no convincing. It’s just like the URL says: you can create your very own chocolate bars. Can I get a HELL YES!? I spent hours trying to craft 3 perfect bars and, let me tell you, with so many options it was HARD. From pretzels, to cereal, nuts, fruits, sugary bits of heaven and various spices, you can craft the most amazing, delectable chocolate bar of your very own. Read More »

So, Valentine’s Day is 2 days away. Those who are part of a steady relationship have at least been dwelling on what to do for the holiday for a little while now, but what if you’re one of the people who thought you’d be spending the holiday alone and then, miraculously, you met someone, hit it off, and now you suddenly have a last-minute Valentine?

Shopping for V-day gifts can always be hard, but when it’s a brand new situation, it’s even harder. You need something fun, simple, and cute, but nothing too much – or too little. You need to show you care and are thinking of that special someone, but don’t want to make them think things are moving too fast.

To help you out, here are some suggestions of gifts to give, and – as a bonus – gifts to avoid. Read More »

(Editor’s Note: We realize we’ve featured these before, but they are so freaking good and perfect for V-day that we just had to bring them back.)

OK, so we’ve only got 5 days until Valentine’s Day. And that means 5 days until you are inundated with cards, candies and treats…. and you still have nothing to give anyone else.

Have no fear! I’ve got the perfect little treat that is cheap, super easy to make, and is so totally delicious you will make hearts melt across campus.

Behold: the Oreo Truffle.

You don’t even need a real kitchen to whip up these little nuggets of goodness, making them the perfect Valentine’s Day gift (for your lover/friend/self) for the college girl. And you can customize them any way you’d like: add chopped nuts, colored sprinkles, graham cracker crumbles…. the options are endless. Read More »

Whether you leave cookies out for Santa or just like the excuse to indulge in the sweets this time of year, it’s time to stop making the slice-and-bake BS and get a little fancy.

Stained Glass cookies are super adorable and totally versatile: you can hang these on a wreath, on your tree, by the window…or just eat them. That last option is definitely #1 for me. I’m not wasting perfectly good baked goods on a tree or, worse, a fat man with a beard.

They may seem difficult to make, but they’re super easy. And a fun activity on a cold Saturday with the roomies. Oh, and did I mention they’re only 90 calories each? YES. Because there should never be a positive correlation between holiday season and your waistline.

Materials:
* 3 cups all-purpose flour
* 1 teaspoon baking powder
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* 1 cup sugar
* 1/2 cup margarine, or 1 stick of butter, softened
* 1/2 cup shortening
* 2 large eggs
* 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
* 1 package (10 to 12 ounces) of hard candy, such as jolly ranchers
* Festive-colored ribbon
* Plastic wrap
* Hand mixer
* Ziploc bags
* Cookie cutters, regular and mini-sized
* Nonstick baking pan
* Drinking straw
* Rolling pin

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