We have a lot of freedom here in the wonderful U.S.A. Freedom that people around the world would die for. Freedom that people around the world do die for. But do we appreciate that freedom? Not as much as we should. In fact, being that we’ve been raised to be independent and fearless females, there are a lot of freedoms we have that we don’t recognize often enough.

Tomorrow we celebrate Independence Day and in honor of that, I’m going to enjoy my freedom from my diet and eat 2 hot dogs I asked the ladies of CollegeCandy what freedom they appreciate most in their lives. Me? I love the chance to share my opinions with the world. And to eat ice cream for breakfast now that my parents aren’t watching me.

What about you? Read More »

I’ve mentioned this in recent posts, but I always use my summer vacation as a catalyst for next fall’s budget.  Many of you are saving money by living at home, or earning extra cash by taking on a summer job.  However, when the sun comes out, it’s a lot more tempting to go out and spend money.

You might have said “No” to 1/2 price happy hour during the winter, but now your friends can twist your arm to drink overpriced margaritas at a trendy beach bar.  Cutting costs doesn’t have to mean cutting down on fun, however, and if you play your cards right, you can have a kickass summer and barely spend a dime.

1.  Hang out at the lake.

Big beaches can actually cost a pretty penny, when you factor in overpriced parking costs, expensive surrounding restaurants, and the gas money if it’s a major tourist trap that seems worth a 2- to 3-hour drive.  You can still soak in the sun and go for a dip at your local lake.  If the lake is part of a community park, you might have to pay a couple dollars to park, but that money usually goes towards keeping the park clean.

2.  Go fruit picking.

Check out local farms and farmer’s markets and stock of on all the fresh produce that’s yours for the picking.  Whether you visit a strawberry patch, a blueberry field, or stock up on a harvest of tomatoes, you can spend a few therapeutic hours away from the commotion of our high-tech world, and maintain your bikini bod by eating healthy.  Then, go home and conjure up some gastronomic experiments, such as homemade caprese salad (tomatoes layered with fresh mozzarella and drizzled with balsamic vinegar) or a genuine strawberry daiquiri. Read More »

How’s that free ice cream treating you? What, you didn’t know it was Free Cone Day at Ben & Jerry’s? Oh, I’m sure you knew about Iced Coffee Day at Dunkin Donuts then? No? Well, you need to get on that because today just might be the best day ever!

The only thing that would make today any better would be if today was Friday, and the last day of classes, and maybe if I had a hot date tonight. Okay, so today could be better, but this ice cream and coffee certainly aren’t hurting my mood. Honestly, anytime someone wants to give me free or discounted stuff I’m going to be incredibly happy.

In fact, my perfect day would revolve around freebies.  My perfect day would start with my Dunkin Donuts coffee and a free makeover at Sephora, where  they would send me away with a bag of free makeup and spa goodies. Then I’d swing over to Ihop for some free pancakes, served to me by the hottest waiter Ihop has to offer. You know what? Let’s just say Zac Efron will serve me my short stack. And he will be shirtless. I know shirtless isn’t the most sanitary condition for the food industry, but he’s just so damn pretty, I don’t even care. Read More »

Gavin DeGraw. A man with a guitar. A hot man with a guitar. A hot man with a guitar and a whole lot of talent. A hot man with a guitar and a whole lot of talent that just released a new album (that we already love as much or more than his megahit, Chariot) that agreed to sit down and answer a few of our questions.

He also happens to be funny, charismatic and the kind of guy you’d totally want to hang out with in a room at a house party. Not like that, ladies. Ok, maybe like that, but also in the platonic “he’s a fun guy to drink beers with” sorta way.

See for yourself:

5 Questions we Ask Everyone:

1. What is the most trouble you’ve ever gotten into?
Getting probation for having a pocket knife [while] walking down the street in NYC.

2. What are the five things you can’t live without?
Pocketknife, cell phone, water, food and…pocketknife.

3. What’s your motto or the advice you live by?
Make it count.

4. What is you favorite song to belt out at the bar/in the car/for karaoke?
Anything Neil Diamond

5. Ten years from now you will be….
10 years older…and in school deciding on a new major…and lying about my age! Read More »

College offers so many opportunities and I regret not taking advantage of more of them. I’m not referring to visiting lectures from world renowned microbiologists or Teach For America open houses. I’m talking about opportunities to get things for free.

Club meetings that offer pizza just for coming, computer labs that leave out boxes of paper, and psych professors paying money for you to undergo semi-legal clinical trials. Even though I hate using the countdown, I have to admit that I only have a little over a month to accomplish as much as possible by spending as little as possible. I’ve included the following on my list. Read More »

Everywhere you look stores are having sales. And I for one am taking full advantage. Find me something (legal) that can make you feel better than getting a Calvin Klein dress for 75% off and I will eat my hat. Ok, maybe not my hat, but I will eat this Reeces Whip that is sitting next to me.

But the internet just took the whole “getting a deal” high and went one step further. Yup, now you can go shopping for free! Hello, FreeNapkin.com! Don’t let the name mislead you – they’re giving away more than just free napkins! This site is filled with stuff that people want to get rid of. For free.

Need a boat? What about a shelving unit for your new summer sublet? Why deal with actually paying for something when you can just hop on over to someone’s house and get it for free? Save your money for more important things in life like cable TV, shoes (because you never want to get those used), or a nice cushion in your bank account for when you can’t get a job after college.

Why would someone ever just want to give something away? Who cares?! They do, so stop asking questions and take advantage before someone else nabs that sweet free couch you’ve been eyeing!

I adore vintage stuff. Nothing makes me squeal quite like walking into a vintage boutique and running my hands along the delicate lace dresses and feather trimmed hats. The fact that all vintage shops have such adorably cleaver names just endear them to me more (Hello, Again Boutique? Another Man’s Treasure? *squeal!).

Sigh. Too bad they’re all too damn expensive to shop from. Ever since vintage became fashionable, the prices have skyrocketed. Eighty bucks for a blouse? That’s like, eighty times what it sold for in the seventies! When it comes down to it, I’m not willing to pay that much for a brand new shirt, let alone an old, used one. And don’t get me started on Goodwill – trust me, you don’t want to set foot into the one by me. Not only do they lack anything remotely cute, but the place is pretty gross, smells funny and houses some sketchy people. Ever get hit on by creepy homeless men while digging through a barrel of old nighties? No? Well you can take my word for it – it’s not fun.

Anyway, back to my point. In an act of sheer desperation born from an utter lack of cash, I went rifling through the only other place I knew that could possibly cater to my vintage needs: my 78 year old grandmother’s closet. Oh yeah, I went there… and to my surprise, I actually snagged some great finds! Read More »

Check out Obama’s new ride!

Jenna and Barbara Bush write an open letter to Sasha and Malia.

How does Obama keep so lean and fit? The Barack Obama Diet of course.

Size really does matter in the bedroom.

Aretha Franklin shows us hats are back.

Get free make up!

The Asahi Beerbot makes drinking beer even more fun.

Ed Westwick and Chace Crawford love to keep us guessing.

Senator Kennedy rushed to hospital during Inauguration luncheon.

NBA stars pay tribute to Obama.

Nicole Bridger’s eco-friendly designs aren’t just for hippies.

Kate Winslet confuses her husbands.

Let’s face it, the economy sucks right now. Not all of us can afford the things we want, and many of us are scraping by to make ends meet with the looming doom of student loans on our backs. It seems like the recession isn’t just some news-media craze, it is prodding its way into everything these days – even relationships!

Although talk of the economy seems to be everywhere, not everyone realizes the impact that it can have on relationships. Imagine your significant other having no worries because his parents dish out money at the drop of a hat (and then some), while you are fretting about next semester’s tuition. He may not understand the stress or the frustration because his financial situation (thanks to Mom & Dad) hasn’t changed like yours, and that in itself can complicate things.

Here’s some ways to keep money out of the picture in this economy:

1) Don’t make money an issue (or at least a big one) – This is very important! You are dating him because you like him, and whether or not you have money or you are having a hard time financially, it should not be a main staple in your relationship.

2) Communication – Be honest with him. If you think he bragging about his more fortunate life, tell him how it makes you feel. If you don’t feel right about going out to a fancy dinner that you can’t afford, tell him that. Although it’s important to not make money an issue (especially an underlying one in your relationship), it is important to talk about your worries.

3) Do not play the victim card – Even if you are having a hard time, it’s not right to throw your financial problems on someone else and expect him to pay for everything.

4) Gifts are nice – Presents and gifts are nice, but they aren’t required in a relationship. If your man tries to buy you nice things constantly, tell him that money can’t buy your love and let him know that you appreciate it, but you don’t expect it. And most of all, don’t forget to say thank you. Read More »

The holidays are here and chances are, you’re either done with your shopping and psyched about your fabulous gifts, or you haven’t even started and are dismayed by the prospects of yet another year of gift-card-swapping. On the other hand, free sh*t is just around the corner! Yay! Obviously, the holidays are all about passing gifts around. But which end is more fun to be on? Is it truly better to give than to receive?

Giving: Lets you show someone how much you care. When you find that one “perfect” gift for someone, you are ecstatic to see their reaction.

On the other hand, you then have to find the same perfect novelty for everyone else in your family or circle of friends, or else it might seem like you were playing favorites.

Receiving: Umm, hello? Free sh*t. Perfect opportunity to ask your parents for stuff you want but can’t afford on your own.

However, if you get a hand-knitted sweater from Nona with giant snowmen on the front, it’s not like you can return it, exactly. So you better perfect your gritted-teeth-smile and thank you. Read More »