In the last few years, collective buying sites like Groupon and Living Social have become increasingly popular. The concept is fairly simple: a daily deal is offered with a set minimum number that must be sold in order for the deal to become available. Examples of the types of deals offered through these sites include 50% (or more) off food at a restaurant, 2-For-1 tickets, and one-month unlimited gym passes. Read More »

[There are over 100 million sites on the Internet. 100 million! You might think you know about all the important ones (CollegeCandy, Gmail, Google, Facebook…), but there are thousands of other sweet sites out there (like FashionStake, GoFobo and Sparked) and more showing up every day! We get it – it’s not easy or fun sifting through the crap and porn to find those gems, so we’re gonna bring the gems to you. Just sit back, kick up those feet and allow us to introduce you to the diamonds in the internet rough.]

Is it just me, or does it seem like Christmas came out of nowhere this year? I know there have been Christmas decorations in every store and Christmas commercials on TV since before Halloween, but it just seemed so far away. I guess I’ve been too busy lately (read: indulging in too many Sixteen and Pregnant marathons), because it wasn’t until just a few days ago that I looked at my calendar and suddenly realized Christmas was right around the corner. I’m usually done with my shopping by early December, but this year, there I was with the rest of the last-minute shoppers, braving the crowded stores on the last Saturday before Christmas.

Hopefully none of you have been slacking this year like I have, but just in case, let me remind you: there are just two shopping days left until Christmas. Yikes! I can’t make those lines at the mall disappear, but I do know a way that all you procrastinators can still get great deals on your gifts: Spreezio.

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Because I’m usually a sane and rational human being, I never dared go out on Black Friday. Until last year, when I saw a killer sale on something I really wanted.  It was a scary, adrenaline-rushing, almost death-inducing experience that I survived with success. So I’m here this year to give you the ins and outs to getting what you want (without being trampled by a crowd of screaming soccer moms) on Black Friday.

Trust me, it isn’t an experience you want to go into blindly.

1. Have a Plan of Attack in Advance

Planning ahead for Black Friday is essential. Running into a field of mayhem with nowhere to go isn’t usually the best offensive plan.  (Have you ever tried walking into Ikea just to look around? Yeah, you know what I’m talking about.) Give yourself a head start by checking out some sales that you should definitely be checking out.  As always, Macys is offering insane deals, Urban Outfitters is offering 50% off on everything in the store, and those aren’t the only clothing racks offering great sales.

2. Pack Some Heat Energy Shots

Let me tell you right now, you’re going to need more than your natural energy to get through the craziness that is Black Friday.  Go to your local gas station and pick up a Five Hour Energy. It’s powerful as powerful as a Venti coffee, but it goes down quick so you aren’t stuck toting it around as you fill your arms with goodies.

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[It's pretty obvious that the average CollegeCandy reader has some very strong opinions. Opinions that she likes to share with everyone on the site. Sometimes with mean words. And threats. We love a strong woman (unless she happens to be charging at us with her fists raised), so we thought we'd give her a real forum to discuss her thoughts, feelings, and perspectives. Every Friday I'll be featuring a hot topic (like the NCAA's first transgender player!) and leaving it up to you, the readers, to duke it out. So, read it and get your debate on in the comments section below!]

Next Friday marks the start of the holiday shopping season with the single most anticipated shopping day of the year here in the good ol’ USA – Black Friday. A day when stores mark down items to ludicrous sale prices and people all over the nation line up in the early dawn hours to snag those bargains (and occasionally trample their fellow human beings). My guy refers to Black Friday as his favorite holiday – I don’t get it. So I think it’s time we talked this one out, ladies.

Is Black Friday a do or a don’t?

As I said, my man is an avid Black Friday-er, so just this once, I’m going to let him chime in. In his own words, “Black Friday is Christmas for every college student, unemployed citizen, and starving artist, If you’re living paycheck to paycheck or in debt, this is the day when you don’t have to feel like the child left behind. It’s a celebration of capitalistic consumerism, when everything is supposed to be affordable for everyone. You have the chance to redeem your self-enforced diet of Ramen noodles and buy an Xbox360. You have the opportunity to erase some of the classist line that has you treading in the waters of lower middle-class. If you’ve got the guts to go for the glory, you can achieve your heart’s desire (commercially speaking) on this day.” Yep, that’s what I live with. Love you, baby! Read More »

There’s nothing that puts a smile on my face like finding a fantastic bargain, and since we all wanna look good in a crappy economy, finding those deals is even more important these days.  Each week I’ll feature one store/website where you can find eight A-dorable items for under $20 (not too shabby, right?).

This week I’m featuring Mandee.  While some of their stuff admittedly looks like it costs under $20, it’s a great place to find cute basics, cheap denim, and certain trendy pieces that probably won’t last more than one season (so paying under $20 is perfect).  Another bonus: they often have good sales that make their stuff even more of a bargain.

Summer’s more than halfway over and school will be back in session before we know it, but there’s still plenty of warm weather to be had (and hey, you can usually utilize some of your cute summer clothes for those early days of fall semester) which means it’s not too late to buy halters, flip flops, shorts or skirts, especially when you can find ‘em this cheap. Read More »

I know you’re reading this on your computer right now.

I’m not trying to be a creepy stalker. But, I mean, really; I don’t know a single student – or person, really – on my campus or even enrolled in my school who doesn’t have their own computer. Whether it’s a chunky tank of a desktop or a sleek and sexy notebook, everyone at school has their own computer. It’s not even a luxury anymore; yes, libraries all have computers for your use, but who really solely depends on the library for computer use? No one I know.

Trouble is – and this is the trouble now-a-days with everything – computers are EXPENSIVE. Even the proverbial cost of an arm and a leg will probably only get you a second-hand Dell off of craigslist. Mind you, I’m not knocking the second-hand craigslist computer; I’m typing this up on one of them right now. But if you’re looking for a new compy that can keep up with you, you can expect to be in the hole about $700. Right?

Ladies (and that one gent), let me introduce you to a new friend of mine: computer shows. Read More »

I have been a devotee of The Sartorialist for some time now, but this NYC street style blog can be a little high-winded sometime. Not that I don’t appreciate the fit and look of a fine Italian suit on a distinguished European gentleman, but I’ve scoped out some more relevant style blogs for you to procrastinate with.

Here’s the lowdown:

Street Peeper– like The Satorialist, but more cutting-edge and catered to a younger, hipper crowd– check out street styles from fashionable young things in NYC, Chicago, Berlin, Paris, Seoul and more.

College Fashion– this site divulges some great deals on trendy items like ballerina flats and, um, North Face fleeces? Whatever, they’re warm.

Style Tribe– stay up-to-date with runway styles with this site. Then go to College Fashion and buy the knockoffs!

Hel Looks– I can’t help myself: Helsinki street fashion. Why didn’t I study abroad in Finland.

Fashion Inc– a style blog for the girlier girl. Read up if you like billowy sundresses, flowy tops and long, wavy hair.

Any good fashion blogs we’re missing? Tell us your favorites – Leave a comment.