Got something awesome everyone needs to know about? Email your “The Know” ideas to Jill@collegecandy.com and I’ll pass them along to everyone right here, every week. Sure it may not be a resume builder, but it’s a whole lot more fun than updating that sucker. And it will earn bragging rights that lil ‘ol you turned thousands of readers on to your latest obsession. Really, who doesn’t want that?

My Starbucks Rewards

For someone who knows a lot about Starbucks, I didn’t know (or was too lazy to read about) their new “My Starbucks Rewards” programg, but then I heard some girls chatting about their free mochas and nothing gets me going like news of free mochas so I did a little research.

And this is something everyone needs to know about.

We all know Starbucks is like crack. It’s addicting and expensive, especially around finals. But now, Starbucks wants to reward you for your loyal dependence on their soy Americanos. All you have to do is register your Starbucks card (like that one stocked in your stuffing on Christmas morning) and depending on how often you go, you will earn different rewards. Every time you swipe that sucker you will earn a “star” (feels so third grade, only there is no Lisa Frank folder to put it on!). Earn 5 stars and you will get benefits like free syrups, a free extra shot, free soy milk, free calories – all those things that make your drink muy expensivo. Read More »

[I like to think of myself as a pretty easy going gal, and try not to sweat the small stuff. But sometimes (ok, maybe slightly more often) the general cluelessness, carelessness and overall stupididty of some things and or/people really gets to me. I find that venting is the most efficient way to rid myself of the stress that idiots, wrong meal orders, lack of cell phone ettiquette and cheese flavored products (that don’t even contain any freaking cheese!) induce.

So, in an attempt to avoid an ulcer or an unfortuante road rage incident, I vent to you, dear reader. Please feel free to join in and comment about anything–really, anything–that pissed. you. off. this week. Let it all hang out. I feel you.]

Unenthusiastic recipients: We’ve all been there: you spend hours– quite possibly even days–searching for the perfect gift for a special someone. You lovingly wrap it in unique and pretty paper before signing your name on the gift tag, anticipating that perfect moment when their face lights up with joy and gratitude, as they are thoroughly impressed by your gift buying skills. So imagine my frustration after saving my hard earned (and hard-not-to-spend-at-happy-hour) wages to buy my baby bro an iPod, only to watch him open it Christmas morning and proclaim “Cool. Thanks.” Ok now, I understand the whole males not expressing as much emotion concept; I understand that he’s a 16-year-old and slightly pissed off is his default setting, but come on, man! I think I deserved at least a Thank You hug. 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 »

It may only be early November, but the holidays are approaching fast.  Just like your major term paper due this semester, holiday shopping is something best approached far in advance. And though I can’t help you research West African history, I can give you a few suggestions on what to get your loved ones this December.

Read More »

So you graduated. Whoop-de-do. Sure it’s amazing to be done with final exams/papers/all nighters and the like but who are you kidding? Is there anything to look forward to in the real world?

If you are like me, you are totally hesitant about becoming a Real Person with a real schedule and real responsibilities. And if you aren’t dreading the hard, fast and very rude awakening you are about to undergo, I’m here to tell you to jump on this train because it is going to suck.

But there is one thing to look forward to while you are home unpacking all your memories, sifting through pictures of your senior bar crawl and thinking about how it’s only downhill from here on out… graduation gifts! Now that deserves a whoop-de-do (with an exclamation point) !

Only problem is whenever I am put on the spot with a “What do you want for graduation?” it seems as though I can never think of anything and end up getting gifts I don’t really have any use for. Read More »