Memorial day marks the first real tease of the summer season. Cut-off shorts, sun glasses and cold beer become acceptable attire for just about any occasion, making this my absolute favorite time of year. Day parties turn into night parties that turn into dawn parties, and this beautiful cycle repeats every single weekend. It’s heavenly. A crucial part to any summer shindig is having the right ingredients. Sure, you can get away with an ice chest full of cold beer and a tub of mystery punch, but why not take it up a notch? CollegeCandy sat down with Frito-Lay Executive Chef Steven Kalil and Tara Anderson to get the low down on how to prepare the ultimate summer celebration on a college budget! Whether you’re hosting a few friends or gathering a larger group, they have tips and tricks for making your party one to remember. I mean, can you think of a time when chips and dip didn’t make something ten times better? Frito-Lay has an entire assortment of easy summer recipes!

Frito-Lay was also awesome enough to send us a prize pack for one of our lucky readers with all the essentials necessary to jump-start your party. Watch the video and let us know which dish is your favorite and why in order to win the prize!

Pack includes:

• 8 bags of chips (two of each brand)
• 6 coupons for free Frito-Lay product (can include dips)
• Cuisinart Grill Set
• Taylor Meat Thermometer
• Anchor Chip and Dip Set
• Red Frito-Lay tote bag

What was your favorite recipe from the video? Start commenting below for your chance to win the Frito-Lay prize pack!

When we think of our favorite celebrities, gigantic mansions, amazing closets and fantastic vacations come to mind. Sometimes it feels like they’ve been churning out hit movies and chart-topping singles since they were born. We usually forget that they were once regular people, too. They had to pay the rent on time and probably asked Mom and Dad for some cash once in a while.

Until fame and fortune came knocking at their door, celebrities had to pick up odd jobs too, just like everyone else. Last week we shared with you our dream summer jobs, now take a look at these…well…less enticing positions once held by our fave celebs.

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Since you were probably inspired by these celebrities’ old jobs (who doesn’t grow up dreaming of being a banana?), check out our awesome giveaway  and let us know your perfect summer job!

Ariana Romero is a student at Syracuse University. That would probably explain why she once had a load of laundry filled solely  with orange tee shirts. She watches too much television and reads too much entertainment news than is probably healthy. Follow her on Twitter @ArianaRomero17.

We know that college students are always looking for ways to save money. Especially at this time of year, when the semester is coming to a close and your bank account is sinking closer and closer to $0! Keep reading to find out how YOU can win a $200 PRIZE PACK with everything you need to get through spring in style from our friends at ReadyU. ReadyU is a great resource for college students. Looking for advice on college life outside the classroom, like how to deal with a bad roommate, or how to clean your room for your parents’ surprise visit? ReadyU has got you covered! And now you have the chance to have your favorite “How Not-To” moment immortalized in film.

Visit the ReadyU Facebook page now to enter your most memorable “funny fail” – like the time you tripped on the way to class and landed smack on you face in front of your crush, or the time you fell asleep in class, only to wake up and realize class let our 15 minutes ago.
Summer is so close that we can almost taste it, which means a much-needed break from school, and most likely, a summer job or internship. Check out ReadyU’s awesome tips for landing that coveted internship now before springtime is over.

All college students know that summer jobs can be awesome, but they can also be less than glamorous. While we’re looking forward to making a little extra money during the break, we can’t help but dream about the amazing summer jobs we wish we had. Here are our top 10 dream summer jobs.

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Now that you know all about our dream summer jobs, we want to hear yours! Our friends at ReadyU are giving away an awesome prize pack of spring essentials worth $200. So what do you have to do to get all the spring season products you could possibly ever need? Just leave a comment telling us what YOUR dream summer job would be. Don’t be afraid to get creative!

Don’t we all wish we had just one device to control all the technological devices we have? We carry around our phones and MP3 players in our huge purses that contain our whole lives. This doesn’t even include all the stuff we have at home like TV’s, DVD players, laptops, Blue-ray disc players etc. It would be a miracle if we could just have one remote that controlled all these things! Well VooMote takes care of that. And CollegeCandy is giving one away! It comes in a bunch of different colors and you can customize the layout! This device is ridiculously cool, and you could be the proud owner of one!

The VooMote Zapper is a light-weight dongle that effortlessly converts your iOS device into an impressively smart universal remote that controls virtually all of your A/V gear with ease and convenience. For more info, visit www.zero1.tv.

Three lucky readers will have the chance to win this awesome all in one gadget! Want to win? Here’s how:

1. If you could have a remote for anything, what would it be for and why? Tell us in the comments below for your chance to win.  That’s it.  Oh, and make sure to use your real e-mail address so we can contact you if you win.

2. Contest closes on May 10th at 11:59 pm

3. Please note this giveaway is only open to US and Canadian residents. For official rules and more legal mumbo-jumbo, click here.

I finally made the smartphone transition this year when I got my iPhone. I had been stubborn, because the idea of carrying around such an expensive, fragile thing really freaked me out. But, like everybody else who has one, now I love my smartphone. And I’m practically glued to the screen at all times. My fear hasn’t disappeared though. I’m still terrified of breaking the thing, and I’m sure I would have at this point if it weren’t for my case.

I know I can’t be the only one with this problem. And because we love our CC readers, we’re going to help you out. We’re giving away an awesome, indestructible phone case from Ballistic. Check out the details below.

You can now stay protected and maintain your trendy appearance with a case you can fit in your pocket, the Ballistic Lifestyle! This case offers the best of both worlds — its ultra-sleek profile creates minimal bulk, but still provides maximum protection. It’s also equipped with interchangeable Ballistic Corners in various thickness options – so choose your style: curved or rounded – either way you’ll be protected when life strikes.

Sounds pretty neat, right? Well, the good news is we’re giving away five!

1. To enter, leave a comment telling us the worst thing you’ve ever done to a phone. Make sure to use your real email address so we can contact you if you win.

2. Contest ends May 3rd at 11:59 PM.

3. Please note this giveaway is only open to US residents. For official rules and more legal mumbo-jumbo, click here.

We know college students are always looking for ways to save money. Read below to learn how YOU can win a $200 PRIZE PACK filled with all the essential items you need to make it through the spring season in style thanks to our friends at ReadyU.

When you’re in high school, everybody asks you where you’re going to college, and as soon as you make it there, people start asking you what you’re doing after college. For a lot of recent grads, the answer to that question is that they’re heading home to live with mom and dad… again.

There’s no shame in that. Just a couple of years ago, 20-somethings avoided moving back in with their parents at all costs, but thanks to the tough job market and bad economy, college grads are seeking out more creative ways to save money – and moving back home happens to be one of the easiest ways to cut down on costs!

But it must suck to move back in with your parents after graduation, right? Wrong. A new study by the Pew Research Center has found that the vast majority of recent grads who are living with their parents enjoy it. They’re spending more time with family, and slicing a significant chunk off their monthly budgets. We learned about this study from our friends over at Ready U, which is an awesome resource for the things you need to know about college but that isn’t taught in the classroom.. You know, like how to throw the perfect party, or, how to ask out that cute girl from class, while simultaneously learning how to balance your checkbook and mastering the monster that is the laundry room. This study, thanks to our friends at ReadyU got us thinking about some of the great advantages that come along with living at home. The money saved is a given, but there are a lot more great things about living with your parents. Check out our list of the best things about moving back in with the ‘rents.

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Now that we’ve told you what our favorite things about living at home are, we want to hear yours! ReadyU is giving away an amazing prize pack of spring essentials valued at $200. It’s got all the hottest products for the season. To enter to win, just head to the comments and tell us your favorite thing about living at home!

Technology makes just about anything possible these days. Even a live chat with a sexy celebrity like Jason Derulo! Let’s just take a moment and acknowledge how good looking he is. Coke and American Idol have teamed up again to launch Perfect Harmony, and this year they are partnering with the studly and ever-so-talented Jason Derulo. Right now, fans can go to http://www.americanidol.com/perfect_harmony/ and listen to the beginning of Jason’s new track. There are 4 lines of lyrics missing, and fans can actually send in their own lyrics! After four rounds of voting, the lyrics with the most votes will be incorporated into the final track that Jason will perform on the season finale of American Idol on FOX on May 22!

Before the lyrical winner is selected, Derulo will be hosting a live chat with select fans to hang out and discuss the contest! Have something you’re dying to ask Jason? Here’s your chance! The hang out will be hosted on May 15th, and CollegeCandy secured a spot for one of our readers! That’s right, one of you will have the opportunity to participate in the live hang broadcasted to all of Coca-Cola’s g+ fanbase.

To enter, leave a comment telling us the number one question you are dying to ask Jason! The best question wins!

[General disclosure: The Coca-Cola Company arranged for the Google+ Hangout opportunity.  The Coca-Cola Company is not an administrator or connected in any other way with this contest. All opinions expressed in the post are CollegeCandy's and not those of The Coca-Cola Company. Winner to be chosen by CollegeCandy.]

There’s nothing we love for summer more than our favorite pair of sunglasses. This year, it looks like we’ll be retiring our trusty old drugstore shades in favor of a new brand we’re obsessed with. STUN makes super hot eyewear that’s — get this — totally affordable for college students or anyone living on a tighter budget. If you’re like me and can’t just own one pair of sunnies, better check out the selection these guys offer up. We’re loving the seemingly endless color options their wayfarers are offered in, as well as their chic, updated Penny wayfarer and Director’s Cut aviator — both a great reinterpretation of our go-to faves.

STUN was founded to provide high-quality durables with classic style at a price that won’t break the bank.

 At STUN, we pride ourselves on the details found in our product such as stainless steel hinges, polarized/mirrored lens options, plentiful color combinations, and high-quality molded finishes. Sure, many companies have these same attributes in their sunglasses, however we are offering ours starting at $18; a price that most budgets can justify.

Quality personal accessories don’t have to be pricey to show people who you really are. Instead of a pair of designer glasses, pick up a set of STUNs and change it up on the daily. You’ll be glad you did!

We’re giving away 3 different prize packs including 3 pairs of sunglasses (choices include penny, prime wayfarer, and directors cut) and a hat! Here’s how you can win:

1. Tell us where you plan on wearing your new shades for  in the comments below for your chance to win.  That’s it.  Oh, and make sure to use your real e-mail address so we can contact you if you win.

2. Contest closes on April 26th at 11:59 pm

3. Please note this giveaway is only open to US and Canadian residents. For official rules and more legal mumbo-jumbo, click here.

So, I’ve got some good news and some bad news for you: there’s really only about a month left before summer vacation. Whether you’re super excited because you’ve got an exciting break ahead of you, or totally bummed because you’re going to miss your BFFs, one thing is certain — you need to ring out the semester properly with all your favorite friends! Lucky for you, the ladies of CollegeCandy have quite a bit of experience throwing bashes to remember (or forget, depending on how you look at it).

ReadyU, an awesome resource to help you conquer all those moments the classroom doesn’t quite prepare you for, offers some great tips for guys and gals on everything from preparing your feet for the summer season ahead to the art of male yoga. Think of ReadyU as an important tool to prepare for all those daily life conundrums a cap and gown can’t – things like asking out that cute guy who lives across the hall, or making sure your pad is spic and span when hosting that girl in your history class at a party. You know, the things you really care about, but that school administrators might find less educational.

As you gear up for the end of the semester, we wanted to offer you some exclusive advice on how to be the “hostess with the mostess” for your next get together. Check out our DIY party tips below that are sure to dazzle all your guests!

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Now that we’ve shown you some amazing and unique ways to close off another fabulous year, we want to make sure you have all the springtime essentials to complete the semester, so we are giving away prize packs (valued at $200 – that’s like gold to us college kids) with all the products you need to make it through the season. One lucky reader will win by entering in the comments below. Tell us what you think makes a party great for a chance to win!

The rumors are true! Gary Ross officially confirms that he will not direct ‘The Hunger Games’ sequel, ‘Catching Fire.’ What will this mean for the movies to come? We can’t be sure, but based on the success of ‘The Hunger Games,’ the next director has some serious shoes to fill. Fortunately for you, CollegeCandy has a Hunger Games poster signed by Ross himself for your collection! He won’t be around for the next ones, so this may be your last chance!

For your chance to win an autographed Hunger Games poster from Gary Ross, tweet: “I want @CollegeCandy to pick me to #win a signed Hunger Games poster! http://bit.ly/HLeo6z #giveaway #RT2Win #HungerGames”