It’s the moooost wonderful tiiiime of the yeeeear. Halfway to it, anyway. In a ‘Christmas in June’ inspired feeling, we can all celebrate because today is exactly six months away from Christmas. And, that being my all-time favorite gift-giving holiday, I rounded up a few presents I want now.

Got something awesome everyone needs to know about? A really great local band? An awesome website? A product that truly changed your life? CHOCOLATE? Email your “The Know” ideas to Jill@collegecandy.com and I’ll pass them along to everyone right here, every week. Make your kindergarten teacher proud and share!

Spring. It’s so close I can taste it.
Flower printed mini dresses in store windows
Iced coffee’s out and about even though it’s still a little bit too cold.
Girls running to the bars in short dresses and no jacket.

Oh wait – those idiots do that all year long.

Another favorite of mine for Spring? Ditching my dark nail polish for fun springy colors. Usually by mid Feb I’m so sick of wearing Wicked or Lincoln Park After Dark, but with 6 feet of snow on the ground and frost bite on my toes I can’t justify wearing those pastels. But now (well on Saturday) it’s officially spring and even if there is a snowstorm next week (I wouldn’t put it past you, Midwest) I don’t care because these spring colors are so – well – SPRINGY!

Essie has an AMAZING Lilac color (that is currently being worn by yours truly) called Lilacisim. I love it so much I would buy 1,000 bottles of this stuff and risk my security deposit to paint my walls with those teeny, tiny brushes. I would put streaks of it in my hair. And if it was a cupcake I would eat it (although I’m not so discriminatory when it comes to cupcakes…).

And OPI’s new Hong Kong Collection has a few winners as well. My personal faves are their pinky/lilac colors: “Lucky Luck Lavender” and “Dim Sum Plum.” Also, for those who like to go bold with their nail colors, “Jade is the new black” is pretty kick-ass too.

Either way, the time has come! Throw those puffy coats and dark nail polish into storage and start painting those tootsies and fingers for Spring!

That means it’s time to make your toes look pretty, because, let’s face it, they probably look pretty gross after being stuffed in a pair of boots all winter.  Grimy toenails are the perfect way to ruin a hot new pair of sandals (not to mention creep out everyone around you), so it’s time to give them a little TLC. And while you’re at it, let’s give those fingernails some attention; a little pretty polish goes along great with that perfect summer sundress.

Bold, neon colors are the trend of the summer and below are some bright polishes that will catch the attention of everyone, maybe even a summer fling. I know my summer goal is to score a hottie with a yacht, and while neon toes won’t get me that, I’ll try anything.

And I’ll look cute either way.

To Start:

Sally Hansen Maximum Growth Daily Nail Program: If you’re looking to grow your nails out this product really works.  It also strengthens nails and keeps them from being cracked or brittle.  Sweep this on as a base coat before painting your nails (then reapply daily) and you’ll see results in just a few days.

To Color:

Maybe I’m a nail polish snob, but I truly believe when it comes to polish you get what you pay for.  More expensive polishes don’t crack or bubble as easily, stay chip-free for longer, and go on smoother.  That’s why I tend to shell out the extra few dollars for a more quality polish. And it’s still way cheaper than bi-monthly mani/pedi appointments, so it’s worth the investment.

OPI: If you go to OPI’s site you can test out colors against different skin tones and on different nail lengths.  Of course, it’s not the same as trying it out yourself, but it might help you make a decision about what color is right for you.

Try Out: Shorts Story, A Grape Fit, In My Back Pocket, or Need Sunglasses? Some of these bright hues may be too much for your fingers (they are mighty brighty), but may be just right for your toes.

Essie: Essie has a mini line of neon colors for this upcoming summer, making it pretty easy for you to transition into brights.

Try Out: Flirty Fuscia, Funky Limelight, Perky Purple, or Punchy Pink. You can even try all four with the Essie mini set for only $18.

Sephora Brand Polish: If you can’t afford to spring for a pricier polish above, try Sephora Brand’s polish in: Chupa, Mangue, or Curacoa.  (P.S. Can someone tell me what those words mean??)

Top it Off:

To seal your color in and add a new level of shine try Revlon’s Quick Dry Top Coat.  It dries super fast, prevents chip, and has a UV shield to keep color locked in.

There is nothing more beautiful than a freshly manicured hand wrapped tightly around a glass of sangria. Welcome home, summer!

A few months ago, we shared our picks for adding more color to your beauty bags. Now the season is in full swing, and we can’t help but feel inspired by all of the colors blooming outdoors, being displayed in store windows and taking center stage at our local beauty counters. This is the perfect time of year to add more punches of color to your beauty routine, no matter how subtle. Find these colorful picks in stores right now.

MAC “Just A Pinch” Gel Blush is a seriously bold red color in its pot, but goes on smooth and sheer when applied to our cheeks and lips. This color looks great on all skintones and can be worn as light or amped up as you like. $18.50, nordstrom.com

Essie Neon Collection

What better way to add color to your look than to add it to your tips and toes? We know that neon can be a bit scary for some, but when worn on the hands and feet, it’s a lot less “in your face”. Get this mini set, and don’t be afraid to try them all. $18, essieshop.com

L’Oreal H.I.P Bright Duos Eyeshadows pack gorgeous, even more rich pigment than the original, into two colors that can be worn together or separately. Highly blendable, these colors go on sheer when applied with a shadow brush. Add more layers to turn up the volume on your desired look. $7, drugstore.com

Bare Escentuals Free To Be Naturally Adventurous Set

With gorgeous, vibrant colors, this 100% pure, preservative-free set allows the user to play up her bohemian style; give yourself exotic eyes, sparkling cheeks, and inspiring lips with all of the lively colors. Includes a blush, two eyecolors, one liner shadow and a gloss housed in a teal clutch. $39.50, sephora.com

Sephora Brand Moroccan Sunrise Bag Collection

We believe beauty junkies can never have too many cosmetic bags. We know these will never be worn with our favorite ensembles, but these tangerine colored bags look so good in our bathrooms, and really make keeping our ever-growing beauty arsenal well-organized. Available in four sizes. From $9, sephora.com

This is the perfect time of year to add more punches of color to your beauty routine, no matter how subtle. Find these colorful picks in stores right now.

1) Trader Joes Chicken Lime Burgers. These bad boys are my new obsession. 150 calories, 19 g of protein, all natural, and SO quick to cook. A great way to change up your veggie burger routine, or a great snack in between classes that will keep you full (unlike that 100 Cal Pack obsession of yours which leaves you hungry .4 seconds after you finish it).

2) I live in Chicago. Where it is always cold. And snowy. And my eyes water and then freeze leaving icicles on my eyelashes. True story. But yesterday it was 65 degrees! I couldn’t help but think: Spring! Summer! Bathing Suits! So while I am not going on Spring Break, I did find an adorable bathing suit from Gap (yes, Gap!) that I can’t wait to wear…when the snow melts and I don’t have to wear ear muffs everywhere. Bonus: it comes in a two-piece AND one piece option (for those of us who don’t feel comfortable letting those pizza-and-beer-nights show…).

3) Essie’s new “One of a Kind” Spring 2009 Nail color. It’s a reddish orange that screams trendy, but not over the top. Funky and, you know, cooool. Oh and bright (and by bright I mean that perfect balance of bright enough for spring, but not too bright for March).

4) American Apparel Deep V neck shirt. You may already know about this gift from AA heaven. It’s the perfect balance of casual t-shirt and sexy top with the cleavage-y deep V. And it’s comfy enough that it feels like sweats. And when cute, affordable, and sexy-ish clothes are also COMFY? That is worth a whole lot of love.

5) Jason Segel. Seriously. Love him. As in, he is my ideal man. As in, even though I don’t think I want children, I would have his because I would be guaranteed that my offspring would make me laugh. So I am pumped for I Love You, Man to hit theaters next weekend. Because if Forgetting Sarah Marshall tells us anything it’s that I’m guaranteed to laugh until I pee, which is always Love-List worthy. Oh and there is full frontal nudity. Enough said.

I may be living on a McDonalds budget these days, but growing up with some of the finer things in life have left me with some Caviar taste.

I am not talking about yachts or private jets; more like pretty handbags and a little bit of pampering. And while I can’t always afford the things I adore, I have become quite deft at finding deals on some of life’s little luxuries. Like the manicure. Nothing makes me feel good at the end of a rough week like a good finger soak and coat of Wicked.

But, even with the low prices at many nail shops these days, throwing away $12 on something that is going to chip, crack and have to be re-done in a week is hard for a lady on a budget.

Doing it yourself, though, is easier than you think and will save you tons of money without having to sacrifice a sexy set of hands.

In order to do your nails like a pro, you need to get the right tools: nail polish remover (duh), cotton pads, emery board, Vitamin E oil, orangewood stick, buffer, base coat polish, color polish, top coat. This may seem like a big investment now, but it will save you big time down the road.

Now for the steps:

1. Whether you think you have polish on your nails or not, take a cotton ball dipped in remover and run it over your nails. Once the polish is gone, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water to get rid of excess remover from your hands and nails. The cleaner your nails the better the manicure. Tip: If your nails are yellowed from the polish, soak your hands in lemon juice for 10 minutes. Voila! Clear nails again!

2. Shaping your nails comes next. When filing your nails make sure to file in only one direction; the back and forth motion will ruin them. You can make them any shape that suits you (oval, square, round), but keep in mind that the longer they are, the weaker they are. Once you finish filing, soak your nails in warm water to rinse off the nail-dust and soften those cuticles.

3. After soaking, rub Vitamin E oil (or Olive Oil!) into your cuticles and use the Orangewood stick to gently push the cuticles back. Your cuticles keep bacteria from entering your body so be nice to them and never cut them. Tip: If you keep them moisturized between mani’s there will not be a need for much cuticle maintenance, anyway.

4. Wash your hands thoroughly again. Left-over oil will keep your polish from adhering to your nails.

5. Buffing the nails separates the crappy mani from the professional. Run the buffer back and forth over your nails to smooth out any ridges and provide a better surface for the polish to stick to.

6. Now that your nails are finally prepped, it is time to add some color to those digits. Start with a clear base to protect your nails from staining and provide a foundation for your color. Let the basecoat dry completely before moving onto your color. Brush two (dark colors) to three (light colors) coats onto your nails letting each coat dry in full before adding the next. Finally, brush on a light coat of top coat. And let it all dry.

The hardest part of the at-home manicure for me is the waiting, but moving on too soon and smudging those nails is a waste of all that time and hard work. Just sit still, let it all dry, and enjoy your beautiful (and budget) manicure.