• Did you miss the SAG Awards? Check out these awesome candids, it’ll be like you were there!

• Solid, video evidence that George Clooney’s ex, Elisabetta Canalis, is dating Steve-O

• How to stay safe when you go out

• Sitting around all day could kill you

• Can someone Pinterest how to make this test tube chandelier?

• Yummy, James Franco is playing Hugh Hefner in Lovelace

It seems that whenever we girls decide to go out, we end up walking into the bar or club with a posse of, like, 15 females. Once we’re in our element, we “dance, dance, dance” and “text, text, text”. This hilarious music video does a wonderful job of explaining just what happens when a huge group of girls roll into a bar. There’s even a “Drunk Girl Roll Call” including Becky, who’s that one girl’s cousin. Not to mention, the song is sort of catchy! I think we can all relate to this in one way or another, and it gave me a good laugh! Enjoy! Read More »

So as you know (if you’ve read my past few columns) I broke up with my boyfriend about a month ago. And by breakup I don’t mean the whole, back-and-forth linger type-of-thing. I mean, cold turkey, cut him out! A friend recommended I take the “30-Day Challenge,” where you don’t see, speak or creep (shocking, I know) on the kid AT ALL for 30 days. I accepted the challenge and am pleased to say that after 30 days I feel like a new person. I feel more myself than ever in the past year, bettered by the failed relationship and am genuinely happy again. So please, I’ll be accepting virtual high-fives for completing that one!

The point is, a breakup is hard for both parties involved no matter the circumstances. And though I had my low moments, I still wanted to jump right back into the dating scene. Why? Because I’m young and there are hot guys everywhere at my university! Because I like to meet new people! Because not all guys are going to hurt me and I’m ready to meet someone worthwhile. And finally, because sometimes a drunken make-out is simply the best way to get over that douchebag! (Even if just for the three minutes while Weezy plays in the background).

So take it from a girl living through the dating scene after a breakup. It hasn’t been that long, but I’ve definitely learned some valid things. Even if you’re not fresh from a breakup, these tips can still help you out, too!

1. Shots and Ke$ha: Let’s be real here, after you have to tell someone you once loved goodbye, sometimes you just need a damn drink. Or two…or seven. No shame with this one! Alcohol sure does boost your self-esteem and when you throw in some crappy Ke$ha jams and a few friends on a dark dance floor, the night is all yours. So how will this help with your dating dilemma? Yeah, it’s probably not the best way to score a top-notch guy, but a good grind and sloppy make-out sesh never hurt anyone, right? Think of it this way; you’re just having some fun before the real guy comes along. And who wants to be at a coffee shop at 1 a.m. on a Saturday night waiting for that tall, handsome guy holding the latest Chuck Palahniuk novel to walk in, anyway? I know I’d rather be drunk and doing the stanky leg, that’s for sure!
2. Use your connections: Once you’ve gotten your “three-for-three” weekend out of the way (that means going out Thursday, Friday and Saturday night in the same weekend), it’s time to actually meet a decent guy. The easiest way is to ask the people around you! My friends and family know my character best and wouldn’t set me up with an asshole, so they’re the first people I turn to when wanting to get back into the dating scene. Two of the guys I’ve been seeing since the breakup were both introduced to me by friends and family, and both are pretty amazing so far!
3. Be bold: Ladies, it’s 2011, not the 1950s. It’s now socially acceptable to ask a guy to coffee or even a study sesh if you’re not ready to totally put yourself out there. If he says no or that he’s busy and doesn’t make further plans, let it go! In my past experiences, if you show you’re interested and he doesn’t respond immediately how you’d hoped, give him some time and he’ll come around. However, being bold doesn’t mean being a stage-17 clinger. Refrain from asking him out multiple times even if you really like the guy. If he wants to see you, he will.
4. Don’t settle: I know we’ve heard this our whole lives, but there’s something about when your mom sits you down and tells you, “Secret Girl, don’t settle, you’re better than that,” and suddenly it just clicks. I’ve already learned that if I start dating one guy and no other prospects are on the horizon, I’d rather not waste my time on an idiot just to say I’m dating someone.

Case in point: One of the guys I recently stopped seeing came over and watched a movie at my apartment. I have a charcoal sketch of a naked woman hanging on a wall in my room, and when the guy walked in he said, “BOOOOOOOOBS!” Um, yeah, get out. No seriously, get out right now. It’s called art, not giant tits plastered all over my wall.

• Look for douchelord tendencies: If I were to meet the “me” from a year ago, I’d shake her and say, “Run the other direction!” But had I not dated the kid, I wouldn’t be able to spot asshole tendencies from a mile away, as I can today. No really, it’s a talent. Here are some d-bag-isms learned from past relationships, club-hopping and other’s experiences.

• His friends are assholes (it’s a dead giveaway, friends say a lot about a person).
• He lives off of his parents and flaunts their money as if it’s his own hard earned cash.
• He cusses too much and wants to talk about vaginas at dinner. (Over a mediocre dinner– Me: “So how was your day, babe?” Dumbass: “What do you think lesbians do to each other during sex?”) WTF.
• He’s wearing a pastel polo…collar popped.
• He knows every word to that Apple Bottom Jeans song.
• He’s wearing thick-stitched True Religion denim.
• He wants to buy you a drink but won’t let you come to the bar with him (*cough* Rufilin *cough*).
• He makes you feel bad about yourself. (Get out quick!)

The bottom line? Be confident in who you are, know what you want and go for something if it comes your way! What do you have to lose? Your dignity, pride? Eh, maybe. But hey, there’s plenty more guys out there! And who knows, true love might be just around the corner if you’re open to it.

Curious to see how our resident He Said gets over a break up? Wait, do I even want to know?? Brace yourself and click through to COEDMagazine to…uh…enlighten yourself.

Seasonal depression is very, very real. For once I am not joking.

The cold creeps in and consumes us all with ABC Family 25 days of Christmas marathons and home delivery. Social lives are forgone at the risk of wearing open-toed heels in thirty-degree weather.

Although watching The Grinch fifteen times in one week does sound fun, I’m here to remind you that while you’re in college you’re obliged to solider through the blizzards and natural disasters and drink.

Here are eight good reasons why you shouldn’t stay in this winter… Read More »

There is a first time for everything. And since I’ve graduated, I’ve been waiting for the first time my college ID would no longer work for a discount at the bar. My mixed feelings of excitement and reduced pride lingered, but I was confident most of the students wouldn’t even know who I was. That means, for one Thursday night, I could play pretend and listen to the slutty little angel sitting on my shoulder.

Me and a few girlfriends put on our highest heels and tightest jeans, teased out our hair, chugged a glass of wine and strut our stuff downtown. For the first time, I felt a hint of cougar status brew in my insides. I was only a year older than most of the people in the bar…aside from the 18-year-old freshman busting in with fake IDs. But we all promised ourselves that this was only an experiment — to hands-on discover how much we’d grown up in the past year. Right? Read More »

[This summer a dream internship with Lucky magazine moved me from Austin, Texas, where I’ve spent all 21 years of my life, to New York City for the summer. Come along for the ride and follow me through this column as I take on all that the city has in store for me. I’ll share tips I’ve picked up along the way about everything from how to pack (stop, drop and roll people!) to dating to fitting in (or standing out) and so much more.]

It’s safe to say that coming from the land of Thirsty Thursday nights, where $5 liquor pitchers and $1 beers reign, to the land of $12 mixed well drinks has been an adjustment. It’s enough to wonder whether the experience from my unpaid internship is worth as I dish out more cash in one night than I do in a month at the bars from my university town. Of course I love my internship, but my drinking habit is hard to maintain in the city.

Tip #22 – Scope out bars by the universities around town.

Lately my friends and I have been spending our weekends (and some of our weeknights) at the bars around St. Marks Place because, whether the atmosphere is pleasant or not, the drinks are cheap. At The Continental $10 buys you five shots of anything and when you’re living on next to nothing, you cant be picky about minor details like the douchebag drenched in Cool Water pressed up against your back. We passed the NYU flags draped on buildings as we made our way to the street of bars. Though the ambiance doesn’t fit the hipster NYU stereotype- opting for more of a frat-tastic vibe instead- we were perfectly happy doing the stanky leg with our $4 drinks in hand…regardless of the fact that every guy was wearing the same Polo, just in different colors. Overall, you get what you pay for and most of the time, the value (judging by our BAC levels by the end of the night) is worth it. Read More »

Everyone remembers their first time at a bar. Whether they were 17 with a fake ID, or they actually waited until they turned 21, it’s a relatively exciting experience. It’s like when you don’t have to sit at the children’s table for holiday dinners anymore — you finally get to play with the big kids.

That being said, it can sometimes be pretty obvious when someone is at a bar for the first time. No matter how hard you might be trying to fit in, that’s probably exactly what’s making you stand out. And trust me, you don’t want to be that girl. Sometimes, no matter how much everyone drinks, there are some things people just don’t forget.

Here are a few handy little tips on how to handle yourself the first time you make an appearance at a bar — from one bar veteran to a bar virgin, trust me on these.

Dress appropriately. I can’t stress this enough. You might think you’ve finally found a place to wear that skin-tight, super-short, leopard print dress you got at Too Cute, but consider your surroundings first. Most bars are relatively casual, especially local ones. I can’t tell you how many bars I’ve been to where everyone is in jeans and a cute top, and in walks an 18-year-old girl in a tiny dress and sky-high heels looking completely out of place and completely 18. Those outfits are usually better suited for a club. Not that you can’t look cute at a bar — you should. But I would say it’s definitely more of a casual environment.

Read More »

It’s cold outside. Like, chill-you-to-the-bones cold. So cold, not even your North Face jacket and Uggs can save you. The moment you step outside to go that class-you-really-wish-you-could-skip-but-the-TA-is-a-jerk-who-will-dock-your-grade-if-you-miss-even-one, the air stings your face and makes your eyes water. And as you walk/run to what is obviously the furthest building on campus, looking at the ground to avoid snowflakes flying in your eyes, you curse yourself for not opting for a school in a warmer climate. Like on the sun.

And it’s not much better when you get back home. Thanks to your 100-year-old college house with walls so thin you wonder if they’re made out of paper, it’s cold inside, too. No matter what you do – drink hot cocoa, take a hot shower, have some steamy sexy time – you can’t shake the chill. So you layer on the warmest sweatshirt you’ve got, double up on the socks, put on your Snuggie and climb under your down comforter.

You’ve got things to do to, but your hands are too cold to grip a highlighter. And your bed is too cozy to get out of it to do the laundry. And no matter how hot that hot yoga class is, there’s no way in hell you’re going back into the frozen tundra to get to there.

So you stay in bed, blaming your lack of activity on the weather. Read More »

Last week, the girls at CollegeFashion.net covered the top 5 handbag essentials for all of your daytime needs! Now it’s time to talk about things they keep in our bags for nights out.

Whether you’re going to a party on campus, a Greek function, or just hanging out with the girls for the evening, you’ll probably have  a bag of some sort nearby! Though there can definitely be overlap amongst the items we carry for day and night, nighttime bags are usually smaller than daytime ones, and therefore, fewer items can fit into them. That’s why it’s so important to pack wisely!

Again, not including the absolute essentials (cell phone, ID, cash/credit card, and keys) they’ve compiled their picks for the five things every college girl needs in her bag… for night!

So what should you be squeezing into that wristlet? Find out here.

You had good intentions. Sitting in your childhood bedroom for the 19th consecutive day, eating homemade cookies courtesy of your mom, with nothing stressing you out or occupying your time, you started thinking ahead to 2011. It’s a new year, you tell yourself, a new decade. There’s no better time to make some changes and improve upon yourself.

So you lick the gooey chocolate off of your forearm (how did that even get there?), open up a Word document and start your list of resolutions.

I will complete all of my reading assignments.
…and I will not wait until the last minute to do my reading assignments.
I will not party on weeknights (when I have a class the next day).
I will not eat after 10 pm.
I will make healthier snack choices.
I will workout 6 5 days a week.
I will not hook up with randos…or anyone that I’m not in a relationship with.
I will not wear sweats out of the house anymore.
I will experience the culture of my college town on the weekends instead of watching TV marathons all day long.

Satisfied with the realistically attainable yet positive goals, you save the document, down a few more cookies and go about your day.

NYE comes and goes in a blurry, late-night-pizza filled haze (“THIS IS MY LAST LATE NIGHT PIZZA EVERRRR”) and when you finally wake up sometime near dusk on January 1st, you set your plan in motion. First you hit the gym, then you put on jeans and a sweater to run errands with your mom, including a Staples run to stock up on all the supplies you’ll need for a successful semester. “This isn’t so hard,” you think as you give yourself a mental high five. Read More »