Summers’ winding down and the back-to-school countdown has finally begun. This year, we want to prep you with some must-haves that’ll be sure to make the transition from summertime laziness to school year craziness a whole lot smoother. Check out the latest gear that’ll get rid of those restless nights, pesky extra wires and low quality tunes. We’re hooking you up with the latest gadgets, gear and devices to help with a successful (and less stressful) semester.

initiating the gallery...

None of these tricks I’m listing below are rocket science and some of you probably know how to do all of them, some of you none of them, and some of you have probably heard vague mention of them but have shown no interest in actually determining what they are. Which is totally fine. But have a look anyway because these tips and tricks may come in handy some day.

1. Create a compressed a zip folder. Zip folders reduce the size of your files and the space they take up on your computer. And they make it much easier to send files over e-mail because they upload in half the time. It’s especially useful for pictures. All you have to do is right click on the folder, select send to, and then select compressed zip folder. It’s the same for a Mac, you’re just selecting “compress” instead of send to after you’ve selected the folders. Easy and efficient.

2. Back up your files. Backing up your files is essential. Especially once you get to college and you’re working on projects over long periods of time. If you back up that semester long assignment and your computer breaks down two days before it’s due, then you won’t majorly freak out have lost everything. If you have the money I suggest backing your stuff up on a flash drive or an external hardrive.  If not you can back up for free online. 

3. Crop and/or edit your photos. Necessary for fixing red eye, adjusting size and embracing the black and white photo. People get really fancy with this when they use programs like Photoshop and whatnot. But for me it’s simpler and cheaper to just use a free, online resource. Like picnik. No instructions needed. I promise.

4. Attach a file to an e-mail. It seems simple but a lot of people still don’t know how to do this. All you have to do is open the e-mail, click the “attach a file” button, browse your files until you find the right one the same way you would browse them to open a document, select the file, and done. Or you could download Google Chrome and get a g-mail account. Because they now allow the dragging and dropping of files. It’s fabulous. 

5. Save a document as a pdf.  It makes your resumes and your cover letters printable and more professional and it’s nowhere near as complicated as it sounds. All you have to do is select file, then save as, then click the drop down by file format and select pdf. And you’re done.

"A razor? What are you trying to say, honey?

Christmas is fast approaching. (Five days, but hey, who’s counting?) While I’m sure you’ve already picked out the perfect gift for everyone on your list, I bet you haven’t given much thought to what you’re getting this holiday season.

Well…I have.

I’ve taken my favorite Gleek’s (Brittany S. Pierce!) advice and made my Christmas list early and sent it on its way to the North Pole. But I know that even someone as prepared and as considerate as me (making it easy for my parents by adding what I wanted for Christmas to their Amazon shopping carts) will more than likely get stuck with a few bad Christmas gifts. It’s okay though, it’s a burden we all have to bear, so I’ll brave the post holiday madness and head to the return lines.

I just hope I don’t get anything quite as bad as these gifts.

10. Scented Candles. Not only do they more often than not smell like nothing more than a cheap imitation of what they’re supposed to smell like (Birthday cake? Sand castles? Ginger tea and honey?), but they’re also a bit of a fire hazard.

9. Useless gadgets. I’m sorry but I never have and I never will have any use for your vibrating slippers, your Bumpits, your BeDazzler or anything else that has AS SEEN ON TV stamped across the front of the box.

8. Socks. I don’t care if they are Christmas themed, personalized, or striped. I don’t care if they are toe socks, or fuzzy socks, or just plain, regular, everyday socks. They are not appropriate Christmas gifts. And I’m sick of people passing them off as though they are. Just because they come in lots of funky patterns doesn’t mean they make a good gift. End of discussion.

7. Anything from Bath and Body Works. I’m not even going to touch on the whole scented thing because that was already covered. But really, let’s think about this, when was the last time you used cucumber melon body splash? When was the last time you wanted to? Scented soaps and creams and antibacterial soaps that smell like a garden? My allergies act up just thinking about them. No, I won’t use the bath salts or those cute little themed baskets that just seem so perfect either.

6. Picture frames with a photo of the gift giver in them. First of all, the picture frame is almost always something ridiculous that you would never use and doesn’t match anything in your dorm. Second of all, you are not going to place a picture of this person next to your nightstand like you two are finally going steady or something. Moving on.

5. Anything that looks like you got it as a free sample. I’ve gotten these gifts before, and believe me I’ve been able to tell. Oddly enough, when you give someone who hardly ever wears makeup Clinique cover up it’s kind of a clue that you didn’t buy the gift for that person. Oh, hey, is that a complimentary tote you’ve got there on your arm?

4. Fruit cake. Yes, people still give these. And yes, the cliché is still very, very true. No one wants a fruit cake, even if it is homemade, because chances are, it’s not very good. As for a peanut butter cup cheesecake….that’s a dessert I can get behind.

3. Themed gifts. You know, it’s Christmas, so obviously any gift you give or get has to, in some way, be Christmas related.  Your Aunt Mary is going to get you a Santa sweater. And, oh wait, Aunt Sue got you candy cane socks to match. Now all you need is one of those headbands with the reindeer antlers and you’re all set. Thanks Dad!

2.  Homemade coupons. No, I don’t want your free hugs. Or your promise to do my homework. Because I don’t want to hug you and I wouldn’t trust you to do my homework for me. Ever. So if you’re going to get me a coupon, that coupon better be a gift card. And by gift card I mean one of those things that look like a credit card and works in a real establishment. (Like Starbucks.) That means you can’t use crayon to fill this one out either. Pity.

1. Self-help books. We have issues. We know. The holidays are not the time to remind us of them. So just buy us a drink and leave it at that, okay?

What are the worst gifts you’ve ever gotten?!

Can you fix my iPod?

But no matter if we are clueless (“which end of the charger goes into the wall?”) or tech savvy, we all have one thing in common: we’re girls. And with that comes the need to accessorize, decorate and carry around gadgets that match our outfits.

So instead of running around campus with boring gray accessories, why not add some excitement to the tech side of your life with cute, girly gadgets? Hey, it might even help you down the road. When your computer crashes, the fact that it’s pink may just stop you from throwing it out the window. And if it doesn’t, well at least you’ll have a cute padded case to cushion the fall.

Flash Drive:

I can barely remember a pen when I roll out of bed in the morning, let alone the flash drive that has my essay saved on it. Now there’s no need to place Post-its everywhere I may happen to look (my shower caddy, my makeup bag, you get the deal), because you can’t miss this sparkling bracelet hanging in your jewelry box. Add flair to an outfit and bring your documents with you wherever you may go? Done and done.

Keyboard:

Okay perhaps it’s a little gaudy, but in the privacy of your dorm room, why can’t you indulge your inner girly girl? Staring at a word document for 6 hours will have you passed out on top of your keyboard, squares imprinted on your cheek, drooling onto the space bar. It’s just messy. A flashy keyboard will put a little excitement back into your homework (Okay, excitement may be a bit much, but the light from your lamp bouncing off the rhinestones will at least keep your eyes open) so you can get ‘er done.

Mouse:

After awhile the touch-pad on my MacBook really starts to bother me. You bump it, it clicks off the page. You have to hold down control to right click. You have to use two hands to do anything because you’re too challenged to maneuver this thing with just one. It’s annoying. And don’t even get me started on the little ball. How does anyone ever use that!? I’ve had enough and I’m ready for a real mouse. But, I don’t want just any mouse to plug in, I want a cute one. That sparkles. Yeah, it’s pricey, but it’s also the coolest thing to happen to my computer since, well, I got my computer.

Laptop Sleeves:

Lugging your laptop around campus sucks, but it sucks less if you do it in style. These sleeves are super cute, come in a variety of colors and are padded to protect your laptop from damage. (“Dad, I don’t know why it won’t turn on! It’s not like I accidentally drop-kicked it down the stairs or anything…”)

iPhone and Blackberry cases:

Pretty much everyone has a Blackberry or iPhone these days, and I refuse to be one of the automatons with my handheld glued to my hip. But I’m also not willing to give up BBM, so I’m going to make mine prettier so it stands out from the rest. Good plan, right? These cases are so adorable your phone will be more like an accessory than the addiction it currently is.

Earphones:

How freakin’ cute are these? I’ll take any opportunity I can to spruce up an outfit, and these headphones are like adorable earring! Plus I’m hoping the opportunity to sport these on an elliptical will get my ass off the couch. (Especially when my mom starts sending her fall treats my way.)

This fall weather is quickly beginning to feel a lot like winter. Sweaters and tights are being traded in for winter fleeces and long-johns. You may think you’re good to go with your new crochet Uggs and long, puffy North Face jacket, but there’s a lot more out there this winter when it comes to accessories. Things that will not only make that walk to class a little more cozy and a little less frozen-snotsicles-dangling-over-your-upper-lip, but accessories that will make your life a whole lot easier.

And more fun.
And festive.
Basically, winter might be somewhat bearable this time around.

iPod-Capable Earmuffs:

If you need a little Miley Cyrus “Party in the USA” to amp yourself up before class, this one’s for you. With these iPod earmuffs, you don’t have to sacrifice your sphere of musical privacy on your morning trek in order to keep your ears from freezing and falling off. And you won’t get the hat hair/annoying fly-aways that come with winter hats when you eventually make it to lecture. Score!

Mittenberry Mittens: Anyone with an iPhone or any touchscreen phone knows the hell that is using it during the winter. It doesn’t work with gloves on so you are forced to risk losing your fingers to frostbite just to text the girls to tell them how effing cold it is outside. Not anymore! Vivien and Edward Weng have come together and created adorable, warm (100% wool so they’re not bulky) mittens with removable thumbs (they can be buttoned back for ease) so you can keep your hands warm and still answer the phone when your mom calls for the 4th time on your walk to the library. Genius, I tell you. Absolutely genius.

Fur-lined flats: For those of us who don’t like Uggs (slash would rather die than spend $160 on a truly atrocious pair of cankle-causing boots), there are limited options in the winter months to look cute and keep our tootsies toasty. Yeah, we could invest in a pair of fleece-lined Crocs, but, wait a minute, those aren’t cute. At all. Not even on a 3-year-old. Well, Target to the rescue, because they now offer up a basic pair of flats….lined with warm and cozy faux fur. Now you don’t have to choose cute skinny jeans or warmth this winter; you can have it all.

Heated Scarves and Vests: These are perfect for athletic events. Now there’s no excuse to stay in on a cold day instead of cheering on your school’s team. Battery-powered electric heated vests and air-activated heated scarves are perfect for any outdoor activities you may want to take on. Or perhaps just a romp in the snow with a loved one.

Collegiate Snuggie: The ever-popular Snuggie has now become a little more school spirited, making them more acceptable to be worn around the dorm. Who can deny a college-themed blanket with arm mobility?

And let us tell ya; with CC on your side, geek has never looked so chic.]

So your current computer/MP3 player/TV/thing that runs on electricity isn’t treating you right anymore. Or perhaps your friends are laughing at you for being trapped in the 90’s (“You still use film for your camera? That is so cute!”). For whatever reason it’s time for you to upgrade. Chances are you know what you’re doing, but just in case you don’t, here are some pointers:

DO: Know what you’re going in there to get. Srsly, don’t go in the store and say,“I’m looking for something to play my music on.” Ok, that’s great, would that be for your home, travel, or other? You can save time (and $$$) by being specific. “I need an mp3 player that’s sturdy with long battery life,” is more appropriate. This allows you take control of your shopping experience rather than be controlled by the sales associate.

DON’T: Go in there thinking that buying gadgets is just like buying a shirt. People make this mistake all the time. If you go into Macy’s and say that you want a red shirt they can show you what they have in stock and you can pretty much make a decision based on your personal knowledge of what does and doesn’t look good on your fabulous self. The same does not hold true for shiny tech stuff because everything looks good, but that doesn’t mean it all works well, epecially if you don’t know what you’re looking at to begin with. Which brings me to my next point.

DO: Your research. There are a thousand products out there that all do pretty much the same thing. There are slight (and not so slight) variations between products, but the important thing is not what the machine can do, but what are you going to use it for? Sure the LG Shine is a totally sw33t phone (mirror finish? Hello! Matches everything!) but are you going to use all of it’s features? Or do you use your cell mostly to make calls, drunk text people, and take photos of your friend’s ex with his new girl (who is such a skank!). If that’s all you use it for then you can go for a more cost efficient phone.

DON’T: Be talked into things that you don’t need. The sales associates are there to help you but they’re there to sell you things too. They’ll dazzle you with all the cool things that your potential new toy can do and then a month later you realize you don’t use it for half that stuff and you’re mourning the three hundred bucks you dropped on it.

DO: Stick to your price range. If you only want to spend $500 on a new HDTV and you’ve done your research, you know you can get what you need for that price so don’t spend over that. There’s always going to be something that’s a little bit better for a little bit more money, but if you don’t need it then why buy it? It’s ok to say no. But be reasonable and don’t have unrealistic expectations on spending. Remember you generally spend more for quality and/or name. Figure out which one you’re buying with your money before you get there.

DON’T: Go alone. If you really don’t know how to navigate the aisles of Geek World then take a friend who does. Just like when you brought your first car and your dad came with you to make sure you weren’t getting ripped off, this friend will do the same. Strength in numbers. And strength in someone telling you when you’re about to buy something really, really stupid.

These simple do’s and don’ts should keep you out of trouble and help you find the some techie awesomeness to fill your world (without completely emptying out your bank/loading up on crap)

Happy shopping!

[Image courtesy of cnet.com]

But Georgie isn’t the only brilliant inventor out there; there are tons of kitchen thingies that will change your life.

I’ve compiled a list of cooking gadgets you don’t realize you need, but that is only because you haven’t used them yet. Forget DVR; these things are the best inventions since sliced bread.

1) I love corn on the cob, but I absolutely refuse to eat it unless someone cuts it off the cob for me. And since the only person who loves me enough to cut the corn off the cob for me is my dad, I don’t often get to enjoy it. But now that this gadget has been introduced into my life, I’m going to start eating it at every single chance I get! The corn on the cob stripper is the perfect dad replacement. If only it also gave me money…

2) I was never really very good at math (“What do I need to know that for?!”), which sometimes makes it pretty difficult to cook. But with these towels, my lack of knowledge doesn’t matter at all; they tell me how many tablespoons are in a cup, how many cups are in a pint, and even precisely how much a pinch is (1/16 teaspoon). The towels also happen to dry my hands and dishes – how convenient!

3) I’m still a bit confused as to how this gadget works, but I do know I enjoy eating crunchy cereal, and with this cereal bowl it is now possible. The Eat Me Crunchy cereal bowl has a shelf, which works to hold the cereal above the milk. Then there’s a section of the bowl where you can mix the cereal with the milk right before you’re ready to take a nice crunchy bite. You’ve complained about eating soggy cereal for years, ut you never bothered to take the time to think of a solution. Luckily, somebody else did it for you.

4) There’s nothing in the world I love more than peanut butter. And there’s nothing I hate more than when all the oil floats up to the top of the container (blech). With “Grandpa Witmer’s Old Fashioned Peanut Butter Mixer,” I don’t have to worry about this anymore! Just screw it onto the top of your peanut butter jar, turn the crank, and your peanut butter will mix right up. Really, though, if it’s so “old fashioned,” where has it been all my life?? Oh well, I’m just happy it’s here now.

5) Wait, I lied. There is one thing I love more than peanut butter: ice cream! And if you no longer have a college meal plan, you are going to die over this kitchen essential. Ask anyone the best part of eating in the dining hall and they’ll tell you, without a doubt, the soft serve machine. I used to end every meal with a large dish of soft serve (with all the appropriate toppings), but now that I actually have to walk down the street to the ice cream shop and use my own money to pay for it, I just don’t get it as much as I want to. If only I could make it in my house… Now I can with the Cuisinart soft serve machine! There is even a little area for toppings! Be still my heart. Cuisinart, you complete me.

Which is why, for my own benefit (and my loved ones), I need to get my holiday shopping done now before I spend all my money on dresses I don’t need and beers I shouldn’t drink.

Thank God today is Cyber Monday! This silly little day is the day for online sales…like Black Friday, only for us lazy online shoppers.

So, pull out your credit cards, take a deep breath, and check out these sites for some debt-causing holiday goodness!

Get your gadgets on the cheap at bestbuy.com!

Impress those people in your life who value things like iPods and GPS devices the same way we value a hot pair of boots. When you can get your favorite techie what they really want it’s always sure to please.

And just because the prices are good, don’t be tempted to pick up something for yourself! Let someone else treat you to a new iPhone.

40% off at Barnes and Noble!

Books are always a fantastic present. I don’t care if you’re a lit major or one of those people who “don’t read”, B&N always has something for everyone.

If you’re not into buying reading material for someone special, check out their journals, calendars, DVD’s, and games!

Homemade goods at etsy.com!

Spend your hard-earned cash with a clear conscience knowing that your money is going to a crafty person who spent their time making quality, unique, homemade goods! Plus, you can get some great deals. Bonus: if you live in NYC, check out the BUST Magazine/Etsy Craftacular where you can get the goods directly from the vendor…and have fun doing it!

Free Shipping!

Shipping costs will totally kill your online shopping buzz if you don’t watch out. Is that $15 shirt worth it if you have to spend another $4 to get it to your house? I didn’t think so! That’s why you must take advantaage of the fact that so many stores are offering free shipping…if you shop today! Do it! Check out the free shipping deals here, here, here, and here.

Today’s the day to get on the ball and get that shopping done! Besides, how great will it feel to have it all squared away before the start of December?

Your mother will be so proud!

It’s Thursday again and that means it’s time for another round of Weekly Obsessions!

This week has been a mix of the last days of warm weather and the gray dreary days of Fall, so I’ve been trying my best to counteract any kind of gloominess with tons of color and fun!

First things first:

Fashion Obsession: Colorful Hair!

On Monday, I woke up feeling like I needed a change–any change. Simply, I was bored. And what do I do when I’m bored? I change my hair color! I’ve had all sorts of wacky colors and cuts through the years but I wanted something drastic.

I made my way down to SoHo to the Arrojo Studios where I asked my awesome colorist to make me as blonde as possible. She took one look at my dark brown hair and I could already tell it would be impossible. Going from dark brown to platinum would be a painful, all-day process.

Such a bummer. (Sidenote: If Japanese girls can go blonde, why can’t I?)

She salvaged the situation by putting some (subtle) blue and pink bits all throughout the front of my hair which I completely love. Maybe after a little more planning I’ll be able to go lighter, but for now, I’m loving the new streaks.

For those of you not quite ready to take the plunge? Get a wig! Halloween is coming up so there’s no better excuse to try out something completely ridiculous (and hilarious!).

Leisure Obsession: Zines!

To me, Zines scream “1999!”, but for some reason, this week I’ve been totally infatuated.

For those of you who are in the dark right now, according to Wikipedia, Zines are a small circulation, non-commercial publication of original or appropriated texts and images. More broadly, the term encompasses any self-published work of minority interest.

You can usually find zines within any kind of underground movement, or in a lot of our cases, on college campuses. They cover all kinds of topics. I’ve seen some fantastically creative ones that cover anything from vegetarianism to punk rock.

Lucky for us, there are lots of places to find interesting zines online. And for you ambitious folks out there, you can read up on how to self-publish here.

Tech Obsession: Completely Useless (But Fun!) Gadgets We May Use…But Probably Won’t!

Maybe I’m nuts, but when I read about new inventions or concepts that are pretty much useless it doesn’t matter–as long as they look cool, I’m so down.

So, it makes sens that I freaked out when I saw this. Amazing!! It looks like Lite-Brite which, anyone who knows me personally can tell you, I adore.

Apparently, they do this kind of stuff in Vegas but I’ve never been there so I’m going to just have to swoon over these pictures until I can get my butt out to Nevada to gamble my savings away.

And check this out! I know people, I know. We can all just wipe our mirrors off with a towel or something, but this is just hilarious. They should sell these babies with a guarantee that you’ll have a good giggle every morning after your shower…that should move a few off the shelves, right?

Food Obsession: Shabu-Shabu Restaurants!

Have you guys seen these? If we’re talking fun this week, these Japanese restaurants are it. It’s basically like beef fondue, if you want to put it simply.

What happens is, when you sit down you get raw beef (or pork, lobster, crab, chicken, or duck) which you submerge in a pot of boiling water to cook. Then you get an array of dipping sauces to spice up your poached meat.

To me, it’s like a welcome variation to sushi (thank God) that everyone can enjoy together…and that’s the most fun!

You know we’ve entered a whole new kind of generation when there’s an emerging medical problem resulting in the advancement of our gizmos and gadgets.

ivillage.com reports the case of “Blackberry Thumb” – a condition in which the tendons in our thumbs are strained by the overuse of PDA’s. While some doctors say they’ve treated Blackberry Thumb, others say it’s bogus. The APTA, or the American Physical Therapy Association, even offers tips on how to “properly” use a PDA. Whether the B Thumb exists or not, overusing a Blackberry is just like overusing a video game controller or any other hand held device that could obviously lead to some type of arthritis down the road.

But the threat of Blackberry Thumb or any other kind of Technology-Induced Thumb obviously won’t keep our generation from using any of them. We laugh in the face of Blackberry Thumb. Our digits will remain strong and defiant. It obviously isn’t affecting the one maniac who keeps voting for Sanjaya.