Giuliana Rancic is like the big sister we never had.

Growing up I was tormented by brothers who tore the heads off my Barbie Dolls and farted on my lap (note, my 30 year old brother still does this…yep.) I always wanted a sister to turn to for fashion, dating and fitness advice, and of course someone to gossip about celebs with. So even though I don’t know G, I like to think that if I had a sister, she would be a lot like her: fun, funny, someone who exudes confidence and cool while still maintaining a down to earth vibe (and a kick-ass fashion sense). Not to mention someone who helped influence my every-day vernacular to include sayings such as “could you die?!” Someone who would approve my outfits for homecoming and tell me when my hair looked more “you stuck your finger in a socket” and less like the “messy beach waves” look I was going for.

Giuliana is insightful but hysterical, smart but easy to talk to, not to mention famous (with over 2 million followers on Twitter), but still a very REAL chic (I’ve seen her out and about in Chicago and just like every 20/30 something chica, she’s a fan of the fro-yo, good Italian food and nights out with the girls). You’ve got to totes love the girl who is just as comfortable and engaging talking about her struggles getting pregnant as she is talking about the latest hair style the Biebs has been rocking.

And while from the comfort of our couches and computers, her life seems like that of a one-in-a-million fairytale, she didn’t get the job, man, life and body of her dreams by a fairy godmother saying “bippity-boppity-boop” (although wouldn’t that be nice). She is the proof-is-in-the-pudding success story that dreams paired alongside goals and hard work do in fact come true.

G is one hell of a go-getter, with a jam packed schedule and a cross country marriage, it’s amazing she has enough time to shower much less take some time to talk with us here at CollegeCandy, but alas, she did! (Talk to us, that is— as for the showering part… I’m not so sure. I mean REALLY how does she fit it all in?! My bet is on Dry Shampoo.)

CollegeCandy: We see you on TV every day so a lot of us feel like we know you, but what are five things people would be surprised to learn about you?
Giuliana Rancic:
-I was born in Naples, Italy and did not move to America until I was seven years old.

-I am the youngest of three. I have one older brother and one older sister.

-I was a contestant in the Miss Maryland pageant, but sadly didn’t win.

-When I first moved to LA, I worked as a hostess at a popular restaurant on Sunset Blvd. while working my way up the TV hosting ladder.

-I am terrified of flying, but I have to do it all the time for work and to see my husband.

CC: It seems as though your wildest dreams have come true: you have the job of your dreams, man of your dreams, life of your dreams… what advice do you have for us college girls just starting to figure out who we really are and trying to get the life of our dreams?
GR: I would say that the most important thing a college aged girl can do is get an internship in the field that you are interested in and see if it’s right for you. If not, keep searching! When you’re young and just starting out, it is so important to show dedication and hard work. When I was working as an assistant when I first moved to Los Angeles, I made it a point to be the first person to arrive at the office, and the last person to leave. So many young people forget about the value of hard work and, let’s face it, almost everybody in the world has to start at the bottom and work their way to the top. Always have a positive attitude and work hard! It will set you apart from others who don’t show the same drive.

CC: How do you dream bigger from here? What is your new/next big dream?
GR: Right now I am just enjoying every moment and every opportunity that is coming my way. One of my biggest dreams was to host the Miss USA pageant and that dream finally came to fruition this year! I believe in the power of hard work and I am just excited to see what the future holds for me.

CC: Looking back, what advice would you give to your college aged-self now if you could?
GR: I would tell my college-aged self to remember that everything happens for a reason. I remember being kind of scared and anxious about what I was going to do with my life, but once I set goals and started working towards them, things began falling into place. It’s hard being young and on the verge of entering the “real world” so it is very important to always remember that you are in control of your own destiny.

CC: What energizes/excites you? Do you still get excited going on a red carpet interview or has that become routine for you? Do you ever get butterflies/nervous still?
GR: I love doing E!’s Live From The Red Carpet shows. Doing live television is such a rush and it’s just as exciting now as it was when I started at E! nine years ago. Of course, it has gotten easier with time and practice, but I still get butterflies every time.

CC: You’ve interviewed practically everyone– who was your best or favorite interview of all time?

GR: Several years ago I was working an Oscar after party for E! and I was interviewing Tom Hanks live. We were having a great, fun conversation and then all of the sudden Halle Berry shows up on the red carpet out of nowhere holding her Oscar that she had just won. I knew I had to get an interview with her because she had just won the Oscar! I didn’t want to ditch Tom Hanks so I invited Halle over to join my interview with Tom Hanks. I actually introduced two of the biggest Hollywood stars to each other and viewers got to see a very intimate moment on live TV. In the end what started out as an uncomfortable moment became one of my best to-date.

CC: If you could interview anyone (that you haven’t yet interviewed) who would it be? What would you ask?
GR: I would absolutely love to interview Celine Dion and ask her about her struggle to have children. She has had a long, tedious journey, but had great success in the end.

CC: Fill in the blank…what’s your favorite:
Snack? Kashi bars

Book? “I Do, Now What?” by Giuliana and Bill Rancic

TV show? – pretty much all reality TV

Jersey Shore cast member?- Tough decision, but I’d have to say JWOWW

Indulgence?- Dessert! I have a huge sweet tooth!

Sunday morning activity? Hanging out with my hubby

CC: You seem to have an incredibly successful relationship with Bill- what is the single best piece of advice you wish you would have known when you were in college when it comes to guys and dating?
GR: Don’t settle! There is always time to find Mr. Right. Bill and I didn’t get married until we were in our 30’s. It’s ok to wait to settle down and get married. I made it a point to focus on my career in my twenties and early thirties and I still ended up with the man of my dreams.

CC: Health and fitness are a huge passion of yours… What health or fitness change has made the biggest impact in your life?
GR: I really try to avoid processed foods and I have noticed that that has definitely made an impact on the way I feel on a daily basis. I try to eat foods with very few, simple ingredients. The less ingredients on the back label, the better! Ever since I started eating more naturally, I have found that I have way more energy and my workouts are a lot easier.

CC: So what is on your workout playlist these days?
GR: I have a variety of artists and songs that I love to work out to. Lady Gaga is always a good choice!

CC: Okay and last but certainly not least (and in my opinion, most important!) honestly, how many pairs of shoes do you own? AND- How do walk around in those ridiculously high (albeit amazingly gorge) heels all the time?(I always try, but I end up limping a quarter of the way through my day)

GR: I have no idea how many pairs of shoes I own – HUNDREDS! Heels are definitely my weakness! I have to say, walking in heels takes many years to master. Just like anything else, it gets easier with practice. Also, try to buy shoes that are comfortable when you try them on in the store! If they hurt when you first put them on at the department store, chances are you aren’t going to wear them at home.

Thanks G!
For all things Giuliana Rancic, check her out daily on E! News live at 7/6 central, or E’s Fashion Police Fridays at 10:30/9:30 Central. For even more G in your life, the 4th season of Giluana & Bill debuts TONIGHT (July 18th) on Style- not be missed so set your DVRs! And of course, for a daily dose of the G-ster, subscribe to her fabulous daily newsletter, FabFitFun at www.fabfitfun.com.

Sometimes I think Lifehouse writes songs with me in mind. It’s like every album they’ve ever put out was talking to me and guiding me through whatever ish was happening in my life at the moment. I can’t tell you how many times I played songs like “Hanging By A Moment” and “You And Me” on repeat over the past ten years. They just pull at my heartstrings empower me to stop moping and start singing to myself in front of my mirror in my undies. And somehow, that makes everything better.

And now, after ten years and 5 million albums sold, Lifehouse is back on the road with Chris Daughtry and their newest album, Smoke and Mirrors to talk to me once again. Literally.

Recently, I was given the opportunity to interview one of the men behind the Lifehouse success: lead singer and songwriter, Jason Wade. I was so excited to have the opportunity to interview him I had a perma-grin spread across my face for an entire week. Lifehouse’s music is some of the most-played on my iPod and, duh, he’s the one writing those most-played songs! How could I not be excited to speak with him!?

And so I did. And I’ll just go ahead and say it: he is a hot commodity. Can I also go out on a limb here and say he has a zexy phone voice? But I guess that just comes with the “lead singer” territory. Read More »

I first learned of Aaron Karo when I was a junior in college. My friend bought me Karo’s first book, “Ruminations on College Life” for my birthday. I read it in one day. And laughed so hard I cried.

Then I went on Facebook and stalked Karo in hopes that 1) I could meet him and 2) I could date him. (Funny, cute and Jewish? He was like my knight in shining college apparel.) That was back in the days when you had to have a .edu address to be on Facebook (I’m old), so I couldn’t find him. But I did see his stand-up show, where I laughed so hard I peed a little. And that is a true story.

Not familiar with Aaron Karo? Well, you should be. He’s totes gourmet. While at Wharton, Karo would send emails to his friends “ruminating” on college life. Those friends forwarded the email to their friends. Then those people sent it on to their friends. Soon, Karo had a million subscribers and a brand new career path as a stand-up comedian/author.

And he’s still going. Karo’s newest book, “I’m Having More Fun Than You” just hit the stores yesterday. In it Karo discusses the perks of being single when everyone else you know is getting hitched. Whether your friends are getting married or just act like it with their LDBF of 4 years, you will relate, laugh and maybe even pee a little. Or a lot-tle

Anyways, I finally tracked Karo down. The good news is he agreed to let me interview him. The bad news is he lives in L.A., which is way too far for a booty call. Read More »

When I think back to my high school days, two things come to mind: the prison that was life before getting my license, and the freedom that came with driving out of my garage by myself that very first time.

Listening to Sugar Ray.
With the windows down.
And flipping my parents the bird.

It’s been quite awhile since the boys of Sugar Ray have been on my radar, but much like the Backstreet Boys, that doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate some of their tune-age now and then (read: always). And now I don’t have to play “Fly” over and over again to get my fix. The guys have reconnected and returned to the studio for their new album, “Music for Cougars.“

I’m no cougar (yet), but I love us some Sugar Ray in the summertime and I’m super pumped to hear what they’ve been working on. I had the chance to chat (and LOL) with some of the boys of the band, so check out what they’ve been up to since the days of “When It’s Over,” because, clearly, it’s not over yet. Read More »

After stumbling across Caitlin Crosby’s music online, I have to give a big shout out to the boys over at Google. Had it not been for their little idea in a garage so long ago, I may never have been introduced to this talented girl and her unique sound. A sound that I seriously can’t get enough of.

Caitlin isn’t like most artists out there right now. First of all, she writes her own music. And she’s really good at it. Her songs are full of thought and ideas that you don’t normally find in an MP3. They make you happy, they make you sing, and they make you think. She also happens to be an incredible role model for all women, making it her goal to get all of us to love ourselves as we are.

I’ve pretty much fallen head over heels for this girl, so I was jumping for joy when she agreed to sit down and share her story with CollegeCandy. Get to know her a little bit, listen to her music and you’ll be playing her songs on repeat, too. Read More »

Gavin DeGraw. A man with a guitar. A hot man with a guitar. A hot man with a guitar and a whole lot of talent. A hot man with a guitar and a whole lot of talent that just released a new album (that we already love as much or more than his megahit, Chariot) that agreed to sit down and answer a few of our questions.

He also happens to be funny, charismatic and the kind of guy you’d totally want to hang out with in a room at a house party. Not like that, ladies. Ok, maybe like that, but also in the platonic “he’s a fun guy to drink beers with” sorta way.

See for yourself:

5 Questions we Ask Everyone:

1. What is the most trouble you’ve ever gotten into?
Getting probation for having a pocket knife [while] walking down the street in NYC.

2. What are the five things you can’t live without?
Pocketknife, cell phone, water, food and…pocketknife.

3. What’s your motto or the advice you live by?
Make it count.

4. What is you favorite song to belt out at the bar/in the car/for karaoke?
Anything Neil Diamond

5. Ten years from now you will be….
10 years older…and in school deciding on a new major…and lying about my age! Read More »

If it’s one thing we’ve learned here at CC, it’s that all people are fascinating (Yes, even your econ professor). Let’s face it – people love to glimpse into the lives of other people. Disagree? Then please explain why you’re currently looking at your friend’s brother’s girlfriend’s cousin’s photos on Facebook. Or reading about the latest John Mayer Twitter dramz in this week’s tabloids. Yeah we thought so.

Fact is we connect to others by learning about them. And everyone has something to share (even if it’s a secret love for The Food Network). So to give you yet another reason to procrastinate, we started ‘The Five Questions We Ask Everyone’ (and five just for that one person) because we know whether we’re schmoozing with an A- list celeb or your local bartender, you’ll be equally entertained.

We watch America’s Next Top Model (and all subsequent marathons) for 3 reasons:
1. The crazy chicks.
2. The crazy judges.
3. Nigel Barker.

He’s hot, talented and has the sexiest accent on earth. And he agreed to talk to us! We tried to sit down with Nigel in person (sans shirt), but the guy is just too busy taking pictures of models in exotic locations (we spoke to him from Canada) and doing good deeds around the world (he works for tons of awesome organizations). So we just imagined him sans shirt while we picked his brain on the phone. Nigel told us a bit about himself, gave us some much needed photo advice and lured us in to ANTM’s 13th season, which is airing now. We didn’t think it was possible, but after getting to know the guy we love him even more.

Swoon. Read More »