Ahhh the holidays! Time for cookies, ornaments, drinks, and songs!  And lots of love.  Tons of new couples are blossoming, but how many will really make it into the New Year?  Probably not many.  But that’s Hollywood!  There’s new couples, marriages, and a bunch of crazy as usual.

Big Plate of Assorted Holiday Cookies

1. Are Ryan Gosling and Blake Lively dating? It certainly looks like it! The two have been spotted several times over the past few months, but this week they were seen at an after-party for Ryan’s new movie Blue Valentine. Apparently they were quite snuggly.  Fun-fact: Blake was in Paris the day before! It must have been really important for her to be at the after-party.  This could be serious, or not since Blake recently split from ex Penn Badgley earlier this fall.  Watch out Blake, Ryan’s ours.

2. Nicole Richie and Joel Madden are finally getting hitched this weekend!  It’s about time.  These two have been dancing around the idea of marriage for years, but it’s finally happening.  It looks like the wedding will be at Lionel Richie’s house and tents have been put up throughout the week.  Congrats!

3. Leonardo Dicaprio goes gay! On screen that is.  Leo will be playing J. Edgar Hoover in Clint Eastwood’s upcoming biopic.  And guess what?  Hoover’s rumored lover, Clyde Tolson, will be played by The Social Network hottie Armie Hammer.  You know, the Winklevoss twins guy.  Unfortunately we can only expect some making out according to sources.

4. Hot mess Alexis Neiers is going to rehab. You might remember her from the Bling Ring and E!’s Pretty Wild.  Well, last week when she violated her probation, she was arrested for possession of black tar heroin and a fake ID.  She was facing two years in prison, but instead got the Lindsay Lohan route and was sentenced to a year in rehab.  The judge gave her a stern warning that if she comes back again, it’s jail. Hopefully she can turn it around.

5. French hottie Marion Cotillard might be engaged! Sources are speculating that the Inception actress may be engaged to boyfriend Guillaume Canet.  She was spotted wearing what looks like an engagement ring at the Marrakech Film Festival this week.  Some are also saying that she’s pregnant!  Congrats if it’s all true Miss Cotillard!

Coal In Your Stocking

1. Surprise! Kim Kardashian isn’t dating Gabriel Aubry. Anymore that is.  She moves fast doesn’t she?  Kim broke up with Halle’s ex and is now dating New Jersey Jets player, Kris Humphries. Wonder how long that will last.

2. Emma Stone trades her amber locks for blonde! While Emma is a natural blonde, it’s still shocking to see her as anything but a fiery redhead.  She did it for her role as Gwen Stacey in the Spiderman reboot with Andrew Garfield.

3. Blue Valentine gets a new rating! The MPAA rated Blue Valentine NC-17, which was overturned this week to R after Harvey Weinstein himself argued the rating during the appeal.  Now you can see all the sex you want, as long as you can get into R!

4. Willow Smith is touring with Justin Bieber! This is going to be amazing!! Biebs and Willow will be touring together next year in Europe.  Get ready to whip yo hair!

5. Hugh Jackman is still hot.

Wowza, we thought last week was bad! This week just womped it! There have been all kinds of crazy flying around this week, and it’s only getting worse. At the rate we’re going, nervous for what’s to come next week. Cheating, drugs, trashing hotel rooms, you know, just another typical week in Hollywood.

Super 2-Hour TV Special

1. Charlie Sheen has lost it. Earlier this week, Charlie was hospitalized after being found in a trashed hotel room at the Plaza Hotel in Manhattan. Reports suggest that it was a drug and alcohol related incident, but his reps maintain that he had an allergic reaction to a medication. And then there was the girl (prostitute? porn star?) hiding in the bathroom. She’s pressing charges against Charlie because he was acting like a looney-bird. Oh and did we mention that Denise and his kids were across the hall? Classy, Charlie.

2. Howard K. Stern, or Anna Nicole Smith’s boyfriend, was found guilty of conspiracy. Psychiatrist Khristine Eroshevich and Howard K. Stern were both found guilty of conspiring to provide drugs to the former star before her death in 2007. Although Stern made a statement saying he was acquitted on several counts relating “to the appropriateness of the medication,” he was still found guilty on account that he obtained drugs for her under false names. No one’s sure if either of them will end up in jail or not, but their sentencing hearing will be on January 6th.

3. Miley’s parents are getting divorced. And he wants joint custody. They are splitting because of “irreconcilable differences” which usually means we won’t find out anything. The couple has been married for seventeen years, or as long as Miley’s been alive. Sad news for Miley…but I bet there are some new angsty songs brewing in that head of hers.

4. Mariah Carey is preggers! Don’t act surprised, I know you already knew that. But still, we’ve been waiting for the official announcement for some time now. They confirmed on The Today Show and said they wanted to keep their privacy, but Thandie Newton accidentally blabbed it on The View earlier this week! Oopsies. Anyway, congrats to Nick and Mariah, we wish you the best of luck!

5. Celine Dion had her twins! Yay! They were born on Saturday October 23, 2010 but they’ve gone all week without names. They finally named the boys Nelson and Eddy after Nelson Mandela and Eddy Marnay. Can’t wait to watch these little guys grow up!

Mini-Series Webisode

1. Scarlett Johansson and Anne Hathaway will be hosting SNL episodes next month! Both have hosted before, but this season of SNL has been pretty funny so the expectations are high. Exciting!

2. In case you didn’t get enough of Avatar in the first movie, don’t worry! James Cameron has confirmed he’s making Avatar 2 and Avatar 3! So that blue catsuit you bought for Halloween will be good for the next few years.

3. I know you were really concerned, but for the record: Kat Von D and Jesse James never broke up and they’re still together. Awesome.

4. Step Up 4 is coming! Well actually, Step Up 4ever. Eek! Maybe by 2012 they’ll have something cooler than 3D to release it in! Like, “reach out and touch his abs” vision.

5. Captain America, you can save me any day. Cue damsel in distress mode.

Leave it to our favorite celebrities to keep giving us more. It seems everything happens at the same time after a dull week and frankly we were overwhelmed just going through it all. This week we’ve had some break ups, an engagement, and a possible escape. We can always rely on Hollywood to give us something to talk about. But what else is new?

Industrial Sized Shampoo & Conditioner

1. Is Perez Hilton changing his ways? It certainly looks like it! After all of the suicide incidents we’ve been reading about due to bullying, Perez has decided to make some changes to the way he blogs. Perez posted a video this week explaining that he has been a bully to people like Jennifer Aniston, and he feels it’s time for him to be a more positive blogger. This doesn’t mean he won’t say some snarky things every now and then, but he’s going to clean it up a bit.

2. Courtney Cox and David Arquette are separated, and David talked too much about it on Howard Stern’s radio show. He explained that he and Courtney weren’t having sex and she wanted him to “do whatever [he] had to do,” which is why he slept with a waitress named Jasmine Waltz. The couple isn’t getting divorced yet and are trying to work on things through separation for the sake of their six-year-old daughter Coco. Hopefully Courtney missed his radio interview.

3. Christina Aguilera and Jordan Bratman were separated, now she has filed for divorce. The couple separated in September and are citing irreconcilible differences. They will share custody of their son Max, and Christina requested that both her and Jordan pay their own legal fees and that she pay no spousal support. They did sign a pre-nup, which means Jordan won’t be getting any moolah. Rumors are flying around that Christina may have cheated on the music exec, but nothing has been confirmed.

4. True Blood’s Joe Manganiello is engaged to actress Audra Marie! Sorry ladies, Alcide is unavailable! The two took a trip to Italy where he proposed! They’ve only been dating for a short while since they met in early 2009, but they are super cute together. Congrats!

5. Did Lindsay Lohan try to escape from rehab? No, but that would’ve been a great story! Reports are saying that LiLo tried to escape from the Betty Ford Center to get a soda. Ha! Shawshank Coke Redemption? It could be her comeback! Don’t worry though, her lawyer says this isn’t true, and Lindsay is making great progress. Keep it up lady!

Travel Size Hotel All-In-One Shampoo

1. T.I. talked down a suicidal man! The rapper was in Atlanta and heard about a man trying to jump on the radio, so he went over there to help. T.I. said if the guy came down, he’d talk to him in person and it worked!

2. Don’t worry Gleeks, Mark Salling is coming back! Reports were saying that Mark was getting the boot. False! That hottie isn’t going anywhere and he’ll be back after the Rocky Horror episode.

3. Johnny Depp visited an elementary school in England as Captain Jack Sparrow to help some kids with a mutiny! A nine-year-old girl wrote Captain Sparrow a letter asking for his help, and he showed up! Cool!

4. Robert Redford got knighted into France’s Legion of Honor. So now that’s Sir Robert Redford to you!

5. Check out Zach Galifinakis in Vanity Fair! Seriously. Best thing you’ll see all week.

[I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not the epitome of prim and proper- heck, who really is nowadays? But looking around at the misguided youths of today *ahem drinking buddies*, I’m starting to think that Miss Manners might have been onto something.

While you may never need to know how to greet a duke or how to tell which fork is REALLY the oyster fork, knowing how to deal with people whom owe you money, how much to tip, and how to address the ever annoying licorice-in-teeth conundrum without being rude might actually come in handy in the real world. I'm not trying to be your mother - oh goodness, no - I'm just here to help you out of those little etiquette dilemmas. So here goes: a quick lesson in etiquette. The sh*t you might actually need to know.]

I love sleepovers. They are always so reminiscent of fifth grade slumber parties when, for one whole night, you and your BFF would stay up eating sundaes and talking about your favorite N*Sync member (<3 Lance).

Anyway, I still love sleepovers. Only now there are no sundaes (because we all know what happens when we scarf down a pound of ice cream at midnight), my beloved Lance is gay (in hindsight, I probably should have seen that coming), and the friend sleeping over part usually lasts waayyyy longer than just one night. Sometimes, the friend stays for weeks and instead of it being the super fun party you remembered, it kind of… sucks. I can’t complain though, I’ve done it myself – once I spent the entire summer at a friend’s while my house was being remodeled. So given the response to my last cheat sheet, I’ve decided to make another one: Miss Manner’s guide to being a good house guest…

Always clean up after yourself: If you even have to be asked to clean up after yourself, you probably aren’t being the best house guest. This is very simple rule: if you make a mess, clean it.

Offer to do chores: Yes, you may be the guest, but if the hosts are kind enough to let you stay rent-free, try to show your gratitude by offering to buy groceries or do the dishes. Even if they decline, at least they’ll know that you’re not just a lazy freeloader. It’s the thought that counts.

Don’t have visitors over without asking: While some hosts are generally okay with you having a friend over, it is always wise to clear it with them first. This is especially true if you are planning on having someone over at a weird hour (booty call) or if you wanted to invite someone to dinner (prep-time needed).

Always leave a note if you plan on staying out/not coming home: It might suck always having to answer to someone during your stay, but if you plan on sleeping at your bf’s for the night, remember to tell your hosts so that they don’t worry.

Don’t talk excessively on the land line: You have to be very careful about this one. I know it’s hard to believe but not everyone has unlimited calling and the host might not be so happy with her $500 phone bill. Watch out for long distance calling too. I once vacationed at a friend’s house in Texas and a bout of homesickness caused me to constantly call my parents- in NY! Boy, did I learn my lesson when her father came home steaming mad with the phone bill.

Replace anything you finish: If you use up the host’s [juice/lotion/conditioner/paper/ink/etc.], it is common house guest courtesy to replace it immediately, even if you bought it to begin with.

Don’t go too heavy on the water/electricity: Some people are generally more careful with how they use their electricity and water. Try not to run up their utility bills by taking hour-long showers or leaving a multitude of unnecessary lights on, especially if you know that your hosts have gone green. Actually, even if they aren’t into the whole conservation thing, you should still keep in mind that after you leave they’ll be the ones paying the bill.

Integrate yourself into the host’s schedule: If you know that the host has a strict rule about 11 pm bedtimes, then don’t fight it. Do not listen to music on full blast while they are trying to sleep. Do not talk on the phone until four in the morning. If you truly cannot stand their erratic schedule, try to work out a compromise. But under no circumstances should you b*tch and complain that they are being unreasonable. I hate to break it to ya, but as long as you are under their roof, you abide by their rules.

Last, always remember that you are a guest: Remember to be gracious – they are, after all, letting you stay in their home. I’m not saying you have to pay them (though I often feel obliged to leave something equal in value to a stay at a hotel if I stay especially long), but always let them know that you appreciate their kindness. If anything, offer to reciprocate the favor by opening up your home to them in the future.

Is there anything I forgot to add? Remind me in the comments section!

[I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not the epitome of prim and proper- heck, who really is nowadays? But looking around at the misguided youths of today *ahem drinking buddies*, I’m starting to think that Miss Manners might have been onto something.

While you may never need to know how to greet a duke or how to tell which fork is REALLY the oyster fork, knowing how to deal with people whom owe you money, how much to tip, and how to address the ever annoying licorice-in-teeth conundrum without being rude might actually come in handy in the real world. I'm not trying to be your mother - oh goodness, no - I'm just here to help you out of those little etiquette dilemmas. So here goes: a quick lesson in etiquette. The sh*t you might actually need to know.]

I know that times are tough. The economy is in the dumper and our wallets are just getting emptier and emptier. These days it seems like I can’t turn a corner or walk into a bar without having to pay somebody something. Though I know it’s hard to choose between blowing your last dollars on another pitcher of beer or tipping the bartender, as a one-time waitress, I would never ever suggest skimping on tips. These service providers work hard (usually on a tiny salaries) and their paychecks rely heavily on your tips.

The other day, I was appalled when after ordering a heap-load of Chinese food, a “friend” of mine flicked the delivery guy a quarter and closed the door. A quarter. As in twenty-five cents. I literally had to chase down the guy and shove a few dollars at him. When I confronted her, she said she wasn’t sure how much to tip. I called bullsh*t, but it got me wondering if this is a real problem for a lot of people. So in case you were wondering, here is a tipping cheat sheet on who to tip and how much to tip them.

Waiters: Depending on the service, you may feel obliged to leave anywhere from 10% of the pretax bill to well over 20% (if you’re feeling especially generous). Here is the breakdown:

Good service: Did the server refill your drinks without being asked? Did he bring out the food on time? For adequate to good service, a tip of about 15% is expected.
Great service: Did the server remember your 12-party order perfectly… without writing it down? Did she ask the kitchen to burn the top of your macaroni just the way you asked? Was she quick to notice and replaced the dropped fork? If so, maybe you should reconsider the 15% tip and opt for something a little more. She deserved it.
Bad service: Even if the service is terrible, it is customary to leave at least a 10% tip. Maybe the waiter had an off day, but keep in mind that while you are out wining and dining, he is relying on your tips to pay the bills.

Bartenders: At the bar, leave at least a dollar a drink. If you’re out to make a good impression (which totally helps on Thirsty Thursdays when everyone is lining up for drinks) tip $2 for the first drink of the night. While you aren’t required to tip at a private party, remember that this is not the case for open bars. The drinks may be free but the bartender is still working for tips.

Valets: $2 for parking/retrieving your car. This seems a little silly to me. If you’re low on money, why bother with valet? Park your own car and walk a little further- it’s better for your wallet AND your health.

Taxi drivers: NYC taxi drivers are notorious for being terrible, but keep in mind that they make their living doing this. 15% of the total fare should work, granted you make it out of there alive.

Delivery guys: This goes for all deliveries- from pizza to dry cleaning to liquor. Tip them anywhere from $2-$4 depending on timeliness, more if the weather is terrible.

Hairstylist: 20% of the total is usually the standard gratuity, and don’t forget to tip the shampoo girl $2. If more than one person works on your hair (i.e. one person shampoos, another cuts, another colors, etc), leave the tip with the cashier and ask her to split it.

Professionals: Doctors, lawyers, accountants, etc. Really, for what they’re charging, it’d be a crime to ask for a tip as well

The mailman: Can you imagine tipping the mailman every time he hands you a letter? You really only have to open your wallet around the holidays, when a “gift” of a couple dollars (around $20) would be customary.

Flight attendants: No, you do not need to tip them every time they pour you a cup of diet Pepsi. Smile and say thank you.

Waiters and/or bartenders at a private party: You do not need to tip the caterers at a wedding; their gratuity is included in the Host’s package price.

Butlers or maids… in somebody else’s house: Honestly, I don’t know if this advice will ever come in handy. The only personal maid I’ve ever seen (on TV, nonetheless) is Gossip Girl’s Dorothea and she doesn’t accept tips *coughbribes* from anybody, not even Chuck Bass.

Your professors: No. Just no

Lastly, if you really can’t afford to tip, then maybe you should hold off on certain services until you’re willing to pony up the cash. It isn’t fair to anyone and if you keep up the little cheapskate act, you’re going to find one day that the whipped cream on your hot chocolate isn’t really whipped cream.. courtesy of your friend the waiter.

Adderall is many things. A relief for people with ADD and ADHD. A gift from Heaven (or that sketchy guy in your Bio Lab) for people with impending exams. An extremely effective (if not the healthiest) way to drop 5 pounds. An aid for those wishing to rage all night without the use of illegal narcotics. An incredibly un-ethical method of cheating.

Wait, what?

Yes. Adderall is our generation’s answer to the cheat sheet. It’s powerful, stealthy and available to only a select few. The exclusivity of this drug lends an unfair advantage to those who take it without being prescribed it. As a drug that was created to level the playing field for people who had trouble concentrating due to a DISORDER, it is now used to gain an edge in academia by people seeking to boost their learning capacity.

People like me.

As a frequent user of Adderall as a study aid (I do not have a prescription), I constantly enjoy the benefits of this unfair little pill. Do I need it to concentrate? No. But it sure helps me re-read entire textbooks and write 10 page papers in one night and feel great the next morning. And judging by the pill’s popularity among my classmates (and among my friends who have nabbed prescriptions and sell their extra pills for spare cash), Adderall is pretty much as commonplace as Starbucks at my campus library.

But how does this affect the structure of a competitive university setting? If the people who actually need Adderall to concentrate have no answer to my magic pill, aren’t they just back where they started–scholastically disadvantaged to those without ADD or ADHD? And what about those who can’t find or afford Adderall (the going rate on my campus is $3-5 a pill for 30 mg time release capsules. That adds up when you need 4 in one week)? They’re screwed over by those of us who have access to the drug; and while their academic performance wouldn’t suffer because of mine, if my grades were superior to theirs simply because I used Adderall to boost my ability, it’s cheating.

Why then, do I continue to use something that– in addition to being illegal and unhealthy– I consider to be thoroughly unethical? Because I know my classmates sure as hell aren’t going to stop using Adderall, and I don’t want my GPA to pale in comparison to theirs. I don’t want to place lower on a skewed curve. I don’t want to lose this unfair advantage.

What would you do?