Welcome back to The Rival Rundown! If you’ve always wanted to give props to your school on CC, now’s your chance! Shoot us an email explaining what’s awesome and unique about your school (or what stinks about Rival U) at rivalrundown@collegecandy.com!

Ask any college student about the rivalry between their school and its arch nemesis, and they’ll tell you it’s gone on for-ev-errrr. While it may seem that way to most, to students at Lafayette College and Lehigh University, the seeming eternity of their rivalry is the closest approximation to truth in American college sports. Having met one another for 144 times in football since 1884 (only one year after standardized rules for the game were established), their rivalry is the most played in college football history. Still going at it after all these years, the annual game is often sold out months in advance. But you don’t have to travel to eastern Pennsylvania, where these schools are located, to learn more about “The Rivalry”– we’ve got the scoop!

1. Mascot Match-up

Lafayette: If you find yourself in Easton, PA, you’ll be quickly accustomed to all of the Lafayette Leopard pride. Go Leopards!
Lehigh: Lehigh athletics were known as the Engineers up until 1995, when the decision to assign a mascot, the Mountain Hawks, was made. Only last year, in 2008, was the Mountain Hawk given a name: Clutch!

Three credits to: Gotta go with Lafayette. How can you cheer for a team for hundreds of years without a mascot? Read More »

It doesn't matter what you wear. This bag will make the outfit.

Going out 3-5 nights a week is a lot of pressure. You have to learn to pace yourself so that you can go out again the following night, you’ve got to learn your limit so you aren’t throwing up in class the next day, and you’ve got to look cute.

The “going out top” has become an often-used phrase in the shopping vocabulary of college girls nationwide, but oftentimes we forget about the rest of the outfit. Like the bag. Stacy London will tell you that a bag is just important to a complete look as your top. It makes a statement and not just “I’m hiding this girl’s tampons.”

That being said, using the same clutch 5 nights in a row is not only a big fashion mistake, but it leaves your trusty black “going out bag” covered in beer stains, marks from the dirty bathroom floor and some sticky crap that landed on the side after you dropped it on you walk of shame home. That’s a good look on no one.

But how does anyone justify buying a new clutch when they’re so damn expensive? Seriously? $200 for something that barely fits my cell phone?

Well, not anymore!

Now you can complete your “going out” look – bag and all – without breaking the bank! I found some of the cutest clutches around (big, small, ruffled, leather…)and all of them are – wait for it – under $30! At that price you can snatch them all up, or at least grab two that make a bold statement and rotate. You’ll look good and still have a little money leftover to store in one of these clutch clutches. Read More »

If Carrie Bradshaw was literally going to be the lady who lived in her shoes, then I will be the lady who lived in her handbags. I guess the upside is that handbags are a lot roomier and more cushion-y than those 12 million pairs of Manolos Carrie rocked on a season to season basis.

Fact is, I love handbags. And I don’t discriminate against clutches or cross body bags or cute totes, either.

Anything that holds all of my crap also holds the key to my heart. And what’s more, this season there are so many options! Fringed brown shoulder bags, adorable chain strap clutches… I mean, for seriousness, how does one decide without Suze Orman knocking on her door saying, “hellooo, you’ve got a problem, girlfriend.”

Well, thankfully, you don’t have to worry about breaking the bank for that banging new bag (now there’s a tongue twister – take that, Sally and your sea-shells at the shore). Here are a few of my budget bags that are must-snags. Target and Lulus are not messing around this season, that’s for sure. And while blacks, browns and beautiful cognacs are still wardrobe staples, colors are becoming the new neutral. From jewel tones to gray to a soft red, don’t be afraid to add a splash of color to your normally uniform black ensemble.

And, best part, you can rock that bag knowing you’ve done both me and Suze Orman proud. Sure, Carrie has her Manolos but you have your Tarjay, and that extra money in your wallet is much more fab.

Read More »

Now that I’m halfway done with my college career (a pretty cushy place to be, considering I have two more years before the real world), I anticipate all the bright eyed and bushy tailed freshmen about to invade the dorms and use fake-id’s at all my favorite bars. Putting myself in their shoes, I wish that someone had been there to give me advice for my college career (all I got was my Mom telling me not to hook up with any fraternity boys until Spring semester). So I dove in head first and learned a few lessons of my own.

I learned the value of my dry erase board to my social life, I learned that “attendance optional” classes are not always a good thing. I learned that I should always have an assortment of costumes readily available, and that sharing drinks with my friends meant sharing drinks with whoever they made out with (and whoever they made out with…) All of these were very important lessons, and I’d like to share some of the pearls of wisdom I gained my freshman year. Read More »

[I used to show you how to pull off runway trends in the series "Rock the Look." In this new series, I'll be taking a different item you probably already have in your closet each week and showing you three new ways to wear it. After all, the best shopping tip anyone will give you is to only buy pieces that work with something you already own. Last week we built looks around the classic white shirt and this week we're going glam with the mini dress.]

A mini dress is one of the most versatile pieces in your closet since it can be worn as a dress or a top. Therefore buying one is like a double investment, right? (Right?? because I just bought six.)

The mini dress can be worn dressed up or casual, and can easily go from day to night. And if you never made it home last night? Well, go you! And lucky for you, it’s pretty simple to transition back to day as well, so no one has to know about your late night tryst.

This Sky mini dress is available at Fashion Chateau for $123, but you can get one of these puppies in any style, color or budget.  Here are three ways to wear this one (or yours!). Read More »

So it’s a new season and that means new trends on all fronts, including one of my personal faves: handbags!

This season keep your eyes open for some of the usual suspects (oversized bags, clutches and pops of color), some rollover from the fall (fringe) and some new looks (well, not necessarily new, but trends we haven’t seen in a while).

Here are some of the biggest bag trends of spring/summer 2009… Read More »

Have you met our new BFFs over at What’s Haute? We love popping over there to do some “window shopping” of all the designer bags and accessories that we would have to work for life and beyond to afford. Still, we can’t stop. Well, our friends know how we feel and now they are bringing us some cheaper (yet still beautiful) alternatives, right here on CollegeCandy. To see more couture goodness, visit What’s Haute.

With the economy flip-flopping more than John Kerry, it’s difficult to justify spending lots of cash on a bag. So the $95 Glam Noir Leather Zip Clutch in Black is priced just right for a recessionista’s budget!

And you don’t have to skimp on style. This little black clutch incorporates one of this season’s hottest trends – exposed zipper detail – with asymmetric lines. The glossy black leather exterior paired with the bright, violet bengaline lining makes it look a lot ‘richer’ than $95 bucks! It has a snap flap closure and measures at 11″w x 6″h x 1″d, so it can easily fit your wallet, keys, cell phone, lipgloss and more. It’s the perfect date clutch! And you’re left with money to spare.

Get it at Luna Boston.

Awards season is in full swing, which has got me drooling over all those leading ladies’ gorgeous gowns and dresses. Of course, I don’t have a few thousand spare bucks lying around to buy their specific pieces, but for a mere fraction of the price I, too, can look stunning and glamorous for that upcoming Oscar party, hot Valentine’s date, or ladies’ night out. I found this entire ensemble at Forever 21 for under $75. Read More »

[In early adulthood there is an activity that plays a large role in most of our lives; nights out on the town. And with those nights out always comes the question: “What am I gonna wear?!?”

Each week I’ll be putting together a cute and affordable “going out” ensemble guide (that you can tweak to your own personal style and body type, of course) so that maybe that age-old question can be answered a little quicker than usual. And your friends aren’t waiting - for hours - for you to emerge from your room. Just consider me your own (free) personal Rachel Zoe.]

We’re just one week away from one of the most historical inaugurations in American history. So, in honor of that, I thought why not go a little patriotic when I’m out and about this weekend… Read More »