"Baby seals WANT to die to be a part of a Kanye West coat."

We all know who Kanye is. We also know what a douchelord Kanye is. And how rumors seem to cling to him like super glue. Well, the latest rumor buzzing about Kanye is that he is heading to Fashion School.

I know what you’re thinking: Who would want to wear anything made by Kanye Inc? Well have no fear, rumors are called rumors for a reason. And don’t worry, F.I.T. students, you will not – I repeat, WILL NOT – be seeing Kanye in your sewing 101 courses any time soon.

And thank god; the fashion industry isn’t ready for Kanye (even if the music industry could use a little break). After all, they’ve already got Karl Lagerfeld and John Galliano. I’m pretty sure they’ve reached their ego threshold for the century without adding Kanye’s antics into the mix:

“I’mma let you finish, Betsy Johnson, but we all know that my neon patterned pants are the best neon patterned pants EVER.” Fashion may be subjective to most, but not to Mr. West. His eye is the best and everyone else is just second string. And right place or wrong, Kanye can’t help but share his opinions with the world, so what will stop him from hopping on the runway to give his two cents?

Two Words: Shutter Shades. Do we really need more of that crap in stores?

Models…who needs models? Kanye would just have a one-man runway show starring…none other than himself. It wouldn’t matter if there were women’s clothes in his line, there is only one model suited to wear Kanye’s clothes, and that is Kanye.

Kanye’s got sick style, no doubt about that, but if he took up fashion design, he’d have no time to update his Twitter, talk about himself or toast to all the douche bags. And what would the world be without all that?

Do us all a favor, Kanye, and stick to what you do best…..being you.

Ladies and gents, it’s called VANITY SIZING.

In short, companies are starting to realize that when their consumers think they can fit into a smaller size, they feel better about their body image. Let’s face it: when we can fit into pants that would normally be difficult to zip, it’s super exciting. As a result, stores are thinking that we’ll keep coming back to purchase more stuff because, well, we are always guaranteed to feel good when we try on their clothes.

Personally, I think that vanity sizing is completely ridiculous, but I’m sure all you business majors know that it’s a great marketing tactic. Just as long as consumers are aware of the size differences, it’s not a big deal. But you see – that’s the thing. People are starting to believe their true size is not what it really is.

Girls are going around thinking that they are a size 6, when they really might be a size 8. For me, it sucks when I try on a different brand of jeans to learn that it is shockingly inaccurate. Plus, how annoying is it that you never really know what size to order online because every company follows a different sizing chart? Let’s face it – not every 34” waists fit the same.

In addition, a lot of girls are in the mindset that they only wear one size and refuse to buy anything bigger than that. As a result, when they do come across a cute pair of jeans, they are more likely to purchase their regular size – even if it fits more snuggly than if they had gone a few sizes up. Little do people know…not all sizes are the same.

How do we fix this? The only way to really tell what size you are is to take a measuring tape and measure yourself inch for inch. This way, you can refer to each brand’s sizing charts and purchase accurately.

As I’ve mentioned in my previous posts, size should not be the main determinant for someone’s healthiness. Yet, when it comes to vanity sizing, it concerns me to hear that stores are doing this. Is it because they are ashamed of their heavy set population or is it because they are promoting larger waist lines? Why is it so satisfying to think that we need to wear clothes that are smaller? Sure, it makes us feel better to hear we’ve gone down a size, but what does it mean if all of that is a lie?

According to Esquire, the biggest vanity sizing culprits include H&M, Calvin Klein, Alfani, Gap, Haggar, Dockers and Old Navy.  The shocker is that stores also do this for guys! And we thought girls only had body issues…

Unfortunately, there’s not much we can do about vanity sizing except for be aware of its existence. Don’t let a store reel you into their web of deceptions. Be informed and if you’re ever unsure, measure out their clothes yourself. You might find that their 27’s are really 29’s. At the end of the day, buy outfits because they make you look and feel awesome, not because of the size on the tag.

If you are the type to use clothes to monitor your weight loss, keep track by measuring yourself every so often and use clothes you already own to see how the fit changes overtime. Do not rely on the latest clothing – the newer the item, the more likely the sizing is off.

All in all, be proud of your body and know that how you feel is more important than what the label says. Wear clothes that accentuate your figure and watch those heads turn (towards your fab abs and lovable legs) as you walk down the street.

What do you think about Vanity Sizing? Twitteroo me @jackelynho.

If you are a student at The Fashion Institute of Technology, this sounds like a regular Monday to you. To anyone else, this sounds more like a scene from a movie. You probably don’t think that girls like this ACTUALLY exist. They do. Crazy right? For a 9:00 Monday class, you probably wake up at 8:30, grab a hoodie, some Uggs, your Northface, and are set.  The thought of wearing sweatpants to class is horrifying to the FIT student body.  It’s a completely different world, the fashion school world.

Contrary to popular belief, the life of a fashion school student is not one continuous episode of Project Runway.  However, a typical school day is nothing like a day at the average university.  Classrooms are not just for learning.  The competition students face everyday is cut throat.  FIT students are arguably some of the most driven in the nation when it comes to working towards career goals.  They are friendly with each other, of course, but at the end of the day, it’s dog eat dog, and each extremely well-dressed canine is left to fend for himself.  Professors at FIT do not qualify to teach unless they have been working in the industry for 20 years. Most are still active and successful in their fields and choose to teach as a side job.  Opportunity is lurking around every corner and students are ready to tackle it when it comes their way.  Duly noted, they wouldn’t dream to tackle it in sweatpants.

As many would assume, a large percentage of the population are female.  The small male population is made up of mostly homosexual men.  Often better dressed than the girls, these boys have their eyes on the prize as well and put up fierce competition in every outlet.  Girls do not come to FIT to meet boys, it is a fact, and it will never change.  However, if any straight male were to walk down the block at FIT, he would probably kick himself for not applying.  It may be because they are interested in fashion, or because many want to become models themselves, but FIT girls tend to be strikingly attractive.  It is unfortunate, but true, that in the fashion world, it is all about how you look.  Even behind the scenes, being overweight is considered unacceptable when applying for jobs (as we all found out in “The Devil Wears Prada” when Anne Hathaway’s character was reprimanded for being a size 6).  Consequently, most girls are in tip-top shape, and better yet, know how to dress accordingly.  Although it is not their goal to impress some guy in class, girls know that they are constantly being judged by each other, their teachers, and potential employers that show up to guest speak in class.  They treat every day like an interview and dressing to impress is top priority.

It does sound intense (the dressing up, the constant comparisons, the competition), because it is, but as an FIT student I can attest that it is completely worth it.  Even getting up early to do my hair. Every day is a new adventure and life at fashion school is never boring.  The lack of testosterone is disappointing, but it’s a compromise I am willing to make because I am certain that I am on the track I’m meant to be on. Plus, with all these fashionistas around, you wouldn’t believe the hand-me-downs I get. It’s that fact alone that makes my lack-of-a-dating life completely worth it.

As a mere 13-year-old with braces from ear to ear, I nervously paced down the hallways of my high school anxious for the next chapter of my life to begin.  Although the next four years would be filled with nonsensical drama and lame undercover house parties, thanks to constant reminder from my parents, I knew that virtually every decision I made would be on account of my future.

I enrolled in as many honors and AP classes as possible because “colleges love to see that.”  Between rounds of “binge” drinking (you know, two whole beers) on the weekends, I studied for hours to keep my grades up.  Even one unacceptable grade would lower my GPA and would affect what colleges I could apply to.  I made sure to partake in as many extracurricular activities as possible because as drilled into my brain, “colleges love to see that.”  And rest assured, when the time came, I had two SAT tutors every week to ensure my scores were up to par.  My essays were grilled to perfection and applications completed meticulously.  My heart skipped a beat every time the mail was delivered while awaiting acceptance letters. 

Being the accelerated genius that I am (please infer the implied sarcasm), I know that I am in college because I deserve to be.  So as I sit in class from time to time, and witness some questions asked that I could have answered in grade three, I am forced to wonder, “how the HELL did they get into college?”  I know I am not alone on the dark side of this unsolved mystery.  Ivy league friends of mine often share stories of some pretty dull crayons in their boxes as well.

Before I continue to knock my own school, I should explain.  I go to the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City.  The intensity of competitiveness is sharper than a steak knife.  In order to be successful and to make it in the industry, book smarts alone won’t cut it.  Some of the most creative minds are products of FIT.  That being said, with “fashion” in the name of the school, a fair share of bimbos is inevitable.  The typical ex-Super-Sweet-Sixteener who loves to shop and thinks that they “have what it takes” simply because “like oooomg I just like LOVE fashion!”

My first roommate and her newly found BFF were front-runners in this category.  Their friendship was destined, or so they believed, because of their common “OBSESSION” with shoes and handbags.  I never had the heart (or desire to speak to them) to tell them that at a fashion school, that interest was pretty much a given, and common throughout 99 percent of the student body.  Their daily conversations and decisions to accept rides home from clubs from “this really nice guy who drove a black Escalade!” triggered countless sleepless nights as I would toss and turn over the concept that tweedle-dumb and dumber actually got into college.

An anecdote that will be taken to the grave with me involves the age-old mystery of….making milk.  Dumber wanted mac and cheese, Dumb broke the news of a milk-less refrigerator.  Thinking positively, Dumber proposed “making milk.”  She wasn’t exactly sure how, but she knew it involved “whipped cream…or something.”  I felt the word vomit defy gravity through my digestive system.  Her question: “so, how do you make milk?” My answer: “do you see a f**king cow in the kitchen??”  A puzzled moment of silence, followed by a light bulb: “OH YEAH! Milk comes from cows!”

The stories are endless, but I am saving them for my novel, possibly encyclopedia, The Dumbest Sh*t You’ve Ever Heard: A Compilation of Roommate Quotes. I would love to think the brainless-ness ended there, but it was just the beginning.  Just last week in math class, a confused peer refused to understand the concept that -3/4 is the same as 3/-4 in a fraction.  Thankfully, a colleague to the right of her explained that it was because of absolute value.  Right…. In an algebraic equation involving way too many zeros, I divided by 10 to simplify.  Such strategy left two nearby classmates baffled as to how we concluded the same answer.  Shouldn’t my answer be ten less?  I had no words.  This time a reference to farm animals would not suffice.

When all said and done, beyond their scope of bewilderment, I was the one left most confused.  If these concepts were foreign, how did they complete grade seven? How did they graduate high school? And the question not even my SAT tutors could answer: how the HELL did they get into college?

Neutral blazer: worth the splurge

It’s really easy to get swept away by trends and brand names when you’re shopping. The stuff is just so pretty! Not pretty, though, is a closet full of overpriced clothes that are torn, tattered or out of style six months later. Before you hit the mall and load up on all that Spring cuteness, take a moment to assess the difference between an investment and an indulgence.

Which is which?

Let’s break it all down.

Worth it: Black pencil skirt
Not Worth it: Sequin mini-skirt
Why: While sequins are a hot trend this season, they are just that – a trend – and who knows if they will still be popular next season? On the other hand, a black pencil skirt is a classic; it works for multiple occasions, will last you for years, and will never go out of style.

Worth it: Good pair of comfortable pumps
Not Worth it: Flats
Why: No matter what flats cost, they are still very…flat. That means they wear out easily, so it doesn’t pay to fork over $100 for a pair; they’re still going to be beat up by the end of the year.

Worth it: A versatile purse
Not Worth it: A clutch that you take to the bar
Why: Fact – The more you drink, the higher your chances of losing things. If you splurge on a clutch and you lose it, it will be heartbreaking, not to mention a HUGE waste of money. On the other hand, a versatile purse that you can use as a school bag, for everyday use or for job interviews is well worth the investment.

Worth it: A bra in the right size
Not Worth it: Underwear
Why: Though not often considered, your bra is one of the most important things you put on everyday. A quality bra (that fits right!) not only keeps your girls in place, but it makes your clothing fit and look better. Underwear, on the other hand, is all the same. It doesn’t matter if you spend $10 for a thong at VS or $2 for a thong at Target, it all looks the same under those pants… and it’s all going to wear down quickly in those dorm dryers.

Worth it: Pair of well-fitting jeans
Not Worth it: Leggings
Why: Why anyone would spend more than $20 on a pair of leggings I’ll never understand. Especially when there are so many cheap options out there! They are leggings! They will wear out quickly no matter where you buy them. If you want to make a sound investment, save up some cash and buy a quality pair of jeans. They will last you forever (even if you wear them every day!) and, unlike leggings, there is a distinct difference between the look, feel and fit, of premium denim and the cheap stuff.

Worth it: An LBD or LGD (little grey dress!)
Not Worth it: A trendy mini dress
Why: A classic LBD or LGD is versatile – its appearance can be changed with different shoes or accessories. It also happens to be completely timeless. A trendy mini, however, is likely a one-look outfit that you’ll wear once or twice before retiring to the back of your closet with those other overpriced trendy pieces you wasted money on.

Worth it: A classic, neutral blazer
Not Worth it: A sequined blazer
Why: Same as the pencil skirt/sequin mini, you don’t want to spend the big bucks on something that is clearly a trend. Put that money towards a neutral blazer that works for everything: over jeans for the day, over a mini for the bar, or over a pencil skirt for an interview.

Worth it: A black cardigan
Not Worth it: A C&C California cotton cardigan
Why: If there is one thing I can say it’s this: stop spending money on low quality products just because they have a fancy brand name. $80 for a cotton cardigan that will be torn up and pilling in three months is not worth it. Even if they sell it at Bloomingdales.

Worth it: A warm winter coat
Not Worth it: A cute raincoat
Why: Clearly you need to stay warm in the winter.  A versatile, neutral colored winter coat won’t go out of style, and if you buy a good quality one, it also will last you for years.  A cute raincoat is something you’re likely to get sick of after a season or two, so if you save your money on it you don’t have to love it forever.

Worth it: Dress pants for interviews
Not Worth it: Sweats for lounging around
Why: This one is pretty obvious. Dress pants for interviews should drape well, and be hemmed to wear with your nice, interview appropriate shoes.  If you’re just wearing your sweats around the house (and you should just wear them around the house) it doesn’t really matter what they look like or what brand name is plastered across the butt.

What brings Taylor and Kanye together?

Kristen Bell’s gettin’ hitched.

Looks like this girl will be seeing Spiderman.

So who is Padma’s baby daddy?

Wanna tone up? Try these new exercises.

I’m not even sure what to say about Noah Cyrus.

Having now survived a full week of fat camp, I think I can safely say that I probably have never worked as hard in my life as I have since I got here. I’m incredibly out of shape (which adds to the difficulty), and it’s been a big change for me. It’s been a good change, however; I needed to get out of my comfort zone.

Prior to this, my comfort zone entailed usually half-heartedly participating in team sports and eating bad food. Here I cannot and do not get to do either of these things. The biggest issue for me has probably been waking up early to do a three mile walk each morning. Considering that, if left alone, I can sleep until 8 PM, getting up to do such an activity is a big thing for me.

I’ve really learned how to let myself go a little however, which I definitely needed to do. All my life, I have had no athletic ability and try to hide it at any cost. But for the first time, I now play sports such as soccer and basketball with enthusiasm (meaning I actually run instead of walk), which makes me feel great. I’m forcing myself to take full advantage of this experience (except for when I did a boxing class, taught by a former bodybuilder, and broke down and cried in the middle) and my body is constantly reminding me of that by keeping me sore all the time .

But it’s good sore, right?

My daily cuisine has also changed quite a bit, and obviously so. The camp focuses on a special diet that emphasizes on low or no fat (12g max a day) and less than 1500 calories or so (preferably less than 1200).  For that reason they serve us extremely lean chicken and, instead of beef, bison, which has no fat and tastes exactly the same as beef. The food is not very good (and therefore I don’t eat much of it), but I guess it could be interpreted as a good thing.

I will give this camp one thing – they definitely keep you busy. Between five different activities each day and extra fitness classes (and gym time), I’ve had quite a bit to do. As a result I really don’t have time to write a long post about all of this, because my schedule is just so tight. And I’m just in so much effing pain from all of the mandatory exercise and the extra working out I’ve been putting in that I don’t know if I have the energy to describe everything I feel right now. I’m definitely feeling active!

By the time you guys will have read this I will have had my first weigh in – wish  me luck!

They gym is probably overflowing with New Years resolution fanatics and Spring Break obsessed tanorexics.  This is a guide for those who want to lose weight in a healthy yet effective and quick way.

First, I have good news for those short on time.  You can actually burn just as many calories – if not more – in a shorter amount of time on any piece of cardio machine.  Fitness professionals have known this for a long time, but still I see many people jogging at the same pace for 40 minutes.  If you work out using intervals, you’ll burn more calories.  Intervals require you to workout at a hard intensity for short bursts of time followed by a lower intensity rest period.  For example, run at a 7.5 mph for a minute, followed by 5.5 mph for 2 minutes, repeat with a 7.5 mph minute burst.

Depending on how in shape you are, either lower or raise the intensity.  A favorite workout of mine is switching intensity every song.  I make a play list that is around 25 minutes.  The first song is a warm up, the second a little faster, the third slower, fourth faster and so on.  Use creativity and make sure the bursts of high intensity get your body going.   This will burn roughly 300 calories!

If your gym is short of machines, or you simply don’t have time to make it there, check out the 4 minute workout known as the world’s fastest workout.  It’s a tabeta interval and is a hidden secret among fitness experts.

The cardio aspect of a workout will burn calories, but it’s the strength training that raises your metabolism, allowing you to burn fat while sitting in class!  Ladies, this will not cause you to get bulky muscles.  We simply do not have enough testosterone to build manly muscles.  Since the gym can be intimidating and very crowded this time of year, here is an easy workout routine specifically designed for spring break that you can do in your dorm room.  All you need is a 5-10 lb dumbbell or, if done at home, you can use a large text book!  Use a chair instead of the step shown in the video, too.

Side Lunge w/ Arm Raise: Do 24 reps, rest and repeat.

Single Leg Deadlift: Do 12 reps on one left leg, switch and repeat on right. Repeat 2x.

Tricep Push-ups w/ Walkout: Do 10 push-ups, rest, repeat 2x.

Bridge w/ Leg Abduction: Complete 12 reps, rest and repeat.

Chair Ab Crunch: Complete 12 reps, rest and repeat.

TV Leg Raises: Complete 12 reps, switch sides and repeat.

Watch the demo videos here and here.

For those who have been athletic your whole lives and may feel a bit bulky, I recommend taking a couple Pilates or Yoga classes each week to achieve a sleek and sexy body.  Trust me on this one!  If you wanna feel your heart racing to know your body is burning fat, Pilates and Yoga works like magic. If your school doesn’t offer Pilates or Yoga classes, you can find ones online for free, just search YouTube or click here for my favorite Pilates routines.

[Sarah is a professional health blogger with all the latest information on body and health. Get more exercise ideas by checking out her videos on You Tube, and reading her blogs on Diet.com and The Examiner.]

What’s more, the show has proven that working out can be fun, and that dancing is an excellent way to shed some unwanted pounds, build muscle, and start living an overall healthier lifestyle. I know I signed up for Zumba and impulsively bought the DWTS Cardio Dance workout DVD without batting an eye.

As DWTS has increased our awareness of fun ways to stay fit, it’s also a great vehicle to demonstrate that fitness comes in all shapes and sizes. In the past, we’ve seen DWTS combat some of the Hollywood stereotypes that distort women’s body images across the country. Remember when all 167 pounds of Laila Ali made it to the top three? How about when Sabrina Bryan, who is “chunky” by Hollywood standards, was sent home simply because everyone thought she was too talented to need their votes?

Most importantly, consider the fact that normally the beauty queens and supermodels are the first to get the boot: Paulina Porizkova, Shandi Finnessey, and Shoana Moakler are among the competitors who never saw round three, and thus, they all blend together into one generic DWTS loser, while fan favorites like Marisa Jaret Winokur show you that being skinny doesn’t mean you can move.

That being said, the enormously talented professionals with DWTS also have very different looks, which is great, because it shows that they are all very individual, not just some manufactured dancing Barbie doll. However, this season I’ve been disappointed to see the media scrutiny that Cheryl Burke has had to deal with. Just because Cheryl doesn’t have the rail-thin body of Edyta, it doesn’t mean she’s gotten “fat,” and either way, DWTS shouldn’t be the show to decide who’s fat or thin, because for several years, it’s been more about techniques and talents than the number of ribs that protrude when someone arabesques.

If I had Cheryl Burke’s body, I’d be thrilled. Not only would I look amazing, but I’d know I was in great physical condition. So why is it that two-time champ Cheryl is suddenly under scrutiny? Girlfriend can move– and isn’t this a dance competition? Karina Smirnoff and Edyta Sliwinska’s outfits are getting smaller and smaller, and our former champ, Cheryl, is being put under a microscope.

I’m not saying Edyta is at fault for being so skinny with such a huge rack, or that Karina’s to blame for making me second-guess the cheeseburger I had at lunch. I just thought that the lesson we learned from the first six seasons of DWTS was that “fit” comes in all shapes and sizes. Edyta, Karina, Cheryl, Julianne, Kym, and, this season, Lacey all put in grueling hours as they patiently teach their partners to dance like pros. Just because they have different body types doesn’t mean that one is “fat” or another is “better.”

So please, DWTS fans, media, paparazzi, and whomever else is trying to turn my favorite dance competition into an anorexia playground, just back off. I would love to have one of those girls’ bodies… but I would much rather have their talent.

Here at CollegeCandy, we like ourselves a good man. Someone hot, smart, funny…fat?That last word is probably not on many of our “Things I Want in a Guy” lists, but at least one woman is speaking out about her love of the Corpulent Man.

European author Tobsha Learner is in love with a “voluptuous” man.

Describing him as “Paddington Bear with dangly bits”, Learner explains that her man’s weight—and his apparent acceptance of it—makes him much more alluring than the “fatless, hairless, allure-free atheistic” many male models and celebrities carry around these days.

“My eye has changed when I now contemplate the current ideal of male beauty that is thrown at us innocent, but equally voyeuristic, women from the billboards” Learner writes. “The hollowed cheeks, thin flanks, bony hands and knees that once said edgy, dangerous, a challenge to seduce and illicit in bed, now says undernourished, undersexed, uncomfortable, narcissistic (narcissists are lousy lovers) and probably a closet smoker.”

Learner isn’t into being with a man who spends more on beautification than she does, and also admits that her mate’s weight allows her to feel better about her own body.

She goes on to say that sex with a guy much heavier than her has it’s own anthropologic (think caveman alpha male) magnetism, and “the cuddle factor is huge”.

Personally, I agree with part of what this FFA (that’s Female Fat Admirer if you didn’t already know) is saying. I enjoy a man who’s still got some “rugged” in him, whether it means an unshaven chest, a complete lack of knowledge of anything manicure or pedicure related, or just a simple love of the outdoors and grass stains. I was horrified to learn a boy I recently dated shaved his chest because he thought it’s what all girls wanted, and cringe every time a straight man walks near a bottle of hair gel.

And yes, Tobsha, being with a guy who isn’t so wrapped up in his appearance probably means he’s not going to hound you to wear high-heels to bed or click his tongue disapprovingly when you reach for that second Oreo. There is something comforting in that fact, I’ll agree with you there.

But even though I’ll travel halfway down your road, I can’t go all the way, because I do feel that if I’m in the gym every other day, my man should be conscious of his health as well. I’m trying to be healthy and fit. I want someone who thinks the same way. He doesn’t have to be a bodybuilder or a triathlete (God knows I’m not), but being active and in-shape is a must.

What do you think, lovelies? Do you, like Learner, think chubby guys are the way to go? Do you even care? Or must you always have beefcake with a side of shaven armpits?