I mean, what is not to love about Halloween? It is a night of pure debauchery devoted to stuffing your face with Twix’s and candy corn without guilt, wearing the sluttiest of slutty costumes without shame, and inevitably hooking up (a man in a mask? yum.) without judgment due to all the socially acceptable scantily clad outfits.

Halloween is basically one long session of foreplay. Only bummer about the best day of October is the walk of the shame the next morning. Maybe you thought the Lady Gaga costume was a good idea for the 31st, but you may not think so while you’re walking home the next morning in a bright blue pantless body suit with smeared eyeliner and glitter all over your face.

So to avoid being the solo slut this Hallow’s Eve, dress up in a group costume with your friends so you can walk home together.

Group costumes are interactive, more creative than the insert Sexy in front of anything costume, (ex: sexy nurse, sexy teacher, sexy plumber, sexy firefighter, sexy scuba diver, sexy nun?), and ideal for a quality Facebook profile pic.

So here are our top ideas for this year:

The Cast of the Jersey Shore
This one is just obvious. Someone could dress up solely as Snooki’s guidette puff or Situation’s abs, but all you really need for this epic coed group costume is some self tanner, douchetastic tshirts (for tshirt timeeee) or a boobtastic dress and some high quality hair gel or a bump-it. Put it all together and you’re officially descendants of everyone’s favorite shore. If you really want to go the extra mile, you can actually buy Snooki, Pauly D, and The Situation costumes from Ricky’s or Spirit Halloween. And if you’re already a self-proclaimed guido or guidette, just go as you are and fist pump the night away. (Just make sure to GTL before you go, of course.) And lastly, if you’re Pauly D… then well all know you’ll be dressed up as yourself dressed up.

Beer Pong Game/Team
Interactive, relateable, and full of balls. Sounds perfect, right? Buy the costume or make your own, but a beer pong team is the perfect drinking focused group costume. You need many people to make this costume a reality: refs, red cups, ping pong balls, drunk frat guys and sorority girls, and obviously… beer.

Katy Perry and her California Gurls
This song and music video made every guy’s fantasy come true as soon as whipped cream flew out of Katy Perry’s boobs. You don’t even have to be from California to pull off this Candyland-inspired costume. All you and your group of gals need are sparkly daisy dukes, cupcake bras, and bright wigs. Extra points if you find a guy man enough to wear a suit of candy and carry a pimp cane like Snoop.

Alcoholic Beverages
The possibilities are endless. This may just be the best DIY group costume out there.
Margarita/Corona= A feisty Spanish costume! Grab a sombrero and you’re good to go. Stay focused and only drink tequila all night.
Bloody Mary = Traditional catholic school girl outfit meets serial killer. Dress up in the cliché costume but add fake blood and wounds all over.
Red Headed Slut = Find your closest ginger friend, cause this one is all hers.
White Russian = White dress, snow boots, and a Russian white toggle hat. Anything Soviet related works.
Lemon Drop = Easy. Yellow dress. Maybe carry a lemon or two.
Manhattan = I <3 NY shirt. Done. Or dress up as one of the Sex & The City girls.
Kamikaze = Wear a pilot costume or air force costume and just run into people all night long.
Skinny Bitch = If you’re skinny and a bitch, then you pretty much have this one wrapped up. You know who you are.
Pink Panty Dropper = Wear leggings and a bright pink thong over them around your knees all night. Be careful though, this costume tends to stop being a costume after a while… and just starts being real life.
Champagne = Wear the flashiest dress you can find and put on a New Year’s hat. Toast all night long. Pop them bottles with pride.
Captain Morgan = Pirate costume and the pose. Plus, you get to carry a sword.
Shirley Temple = make the biggest alcoholic in the group dress up like the 4-year-old actress

Disney Princesses
I don’t know how such sweet fairy tales got turned into every guy’s fantasy, but I like it. There is a Disney princess for basically every type of girl. Who knew Walt was so dirty?

Holidays
Celebrate the best holiday by dressing up as all the other holidays!
Christmas = Mrs. Clause, an elf, or wrap a box in wrapping paper, cut out arm holes, and be a present!
Fourth of July = For the true American girl. Wear an American flag bandana, daisy dukes, and cowboy boots….or just go as Sarah Palin. Cause what is more American than her?
St. Patrick’s Day = Dress up as a leprechaun or just drink more aggressively than every other person all night. Irish car bombs should be your drink of choice.
New Years: Put on your best party dress and a New Years hat!
Valentine’s day = Cupid costume. A bow and arrow is clearly necessary.
Easter = For the girl who secretly really wants to wear that sexy playboy bunny costume.
Mardi Gras = Put on a masquerade mask, wear feathers, a purple or green boa and you’re set.
Earth Day = For the hippie/bohemian of the group. Dress like you’re at Woodstock. Wear tie-dye, a headband, and hold up the peace sign all night.
Cinco de Mayo = same as the Margarita costume from above!

Need some more inspiration? We got you covered.

What are your awesome group costume ideas? From sexy to slutty to funny, we want to hear them!

Does music ever just make you so inexplicably happy? Maybe you can’t even describe why you’re feeling so cheery when you hear a certain band or song, but you just feel like you’re floating on air. Only you didn’t have to inhale/snort anything to get there.

All the artists this week make me happy. Even when the songs are sad, I’m happy. And I think that’s a sign of a truly great artist; they can sing about the saddest things in love and still put a smile on my face. And sometimes you just need music to comfort you and make you feel good. Like during midterms after spending 6 straight hours at the library and you’re only a third of the way through your reading.

Yeah, that’s what this week is all about.

Five for Fighting- Slice

I used to think I was the coolest person in the world because I was the only one who knew about Five for Fighting. Seriously, the only one. I was obsessed with “Easy Tonight” to the point where I included them in my senior bio. What? The line “I don’t know where I’m going yet, but I sure am getting there” was the most perfect line ever. Then the song “Superman (It’s Not Easy)” came out and more people discovered Five for Fighting. And now, I’m finally discovering that Five for Fighting is actually just a one person band made up of John Ondrasik. He (not them, he) just came out with a new album, Slice, and I’m totally enjoying it.

Five for Fighting just comforts me in this “sing to me and everything will be better” kind of way. Sure, some of the lyrics are super cheesy, like in “Note to the Unknown Soldier” (it’s a really sweet, meaningful song but “Well, you’re so tall/Did you play basketball?” are just kind of odd lyrics). And, OK, in some ways, Five for Fighting’s lyrics are just so predictable on this album. But predictable in a good way. Like in “Augie Nieto” when John Ondrasik sings “It’s not the breaths you take/It’s how you breathe,” I found myself singing along the very first time I listened to the song. It was just so logical; predictable but in a kind of unique way. And speaking of sweet, I’m in love with “Love Can’t Change the Weather” because how true is that? It’s just a lovely song that is hard not to like. I’m also a big fan of “Tuesday” because I feel like it’s a bit more creative than the rest. And it sounds like Five for Fighting, but a little bit more mature. Overall, I’m totally into Five for Fighting’s Slice. It’s not going to change your life, but it’s going to comfort you. And sometimes that all that matters. I’m so happy he’s back in my life.

Michael Buble- Crazy Love

I am crazy excited that Michael Buble has a new album out called Crazy Love. It’s about time the boy came out with some new stuff. Don’t get me wrong, I love everything he does including his live albums (and just standing there, smiling), but I’ve been craving new Michael Buble for a while now. When I first heard the first single, “Haven’t Met You Yet,” I was instantly in love. Not my favorite Michael Buble song of all time, but a happy, up-beat one that’s perfect for anyone looking for the one they’ll fall in love with. The lyrics are simple but super sweet: “And I know someday that it’ll all turn out/You’ll make me work so we can work to work it out/And I promise you kid that I’ll give so much more than I get/I just haven’t met you yet.”

I have to admit I wasn’t absolutely crazy about the album the first time I listened to it; not like I was about his others. But the more I listened, the more I liked. You know what I really love about Crazy Love? It totally showcases Michael’s voice in the best way possible. His talent comes through loud and clear and I remember why I love him so much. Well, besides those brooding, sexy eyes. I especially like “Cry Me a River,” which sadly is not like Justin Timberlake’s “Cry Me a River,” but makes me absolutely swoon for Michael Buble. My most avorite song on the album is definitely “Heartache Tonight” because it’s crazy big-band happy and I can’t help dancing around my room pretending Michael Buble is here with me. Then again, “At This Moment,” originally song by Billy Vera and the Beaters, has long been one of my most loved songs and hearing Michael Buble sing it is basically heaven. And wait. One more. His other original song, “Hold On,” made me cry a little. Because I think I want it to be my wedding song. If that song is ever needed. Bottom line: I swoon for Michael Buble non-stop and am seriously in love. I’ll stop embarrassing myself now. But clearly he makes me happy.

Built to Spill- There is No Enemy

Built to Spill is one of those bands I had on my iPod for a long time before I actually started listening to them. But then a song popped up on shuffle and haven’t stopped playing them since. I seriously could not stop listening to “I Would Hurt a Fly,” “Cortez the Killer,” “Car,” and “Singing Sores Make Perfect Swords.” So, I’ve been waiting in extreme anticipation for There is No Enemy, their newest album. More music to feel totally cool with while walking down the street (that’s what I do with it)! And do I love it? Yes. Built to Spill is just an awesome band and in my mind they can do no wrong.

“Life’s a Dream” is basically a lullaby that comforts and calms with its incredible guitar riffs. Seriously though, the song is kind of a take on “Row, Row, Row Your Boat.” And the lyrics are beautiful: “So I/Row on/Life aint nothing/But a dream/Realistic/As it seems.” I’ve also been obsessed with “Things Fall Apart.” It’s kind of an angry song, but an angry song that inspires: “Stay out of my nightmares/Stay out of my dreams/You’re not even welcome in my memories/Things are alright and I want what I’ve got/(It’s only momentarily thought)…Let’s go for a walk. Yeah, let’s go for a drive/Don’t know how to say, thanks for being alive/Let’s go for a lifetime. let’s go for a fling /Don’t know how to say anything.” The whole album follows in similar suit, which makes me a very happy girl. If you haven’t yet listened to Built to Spill, do it. They’re the perfect chill, downtime band. Or for feeling cool walking down the street. Whatever.

Sometimes I love a band so much, I just sit and wait for them to come out with something new. Well, I don’t literally sit and wait, but I do get really excited when I know a release date is near. And this week, my long and painful wait was over.

Well, for two of the three bands, at least.

Had I actually sat around and waited for Third Eye Blind to release a new album – yes, it took them six years – I would probably be dead by now. And even though it wasn’t an eternity, waiting for Mute Math felt like forever. I was thisclose to completely wearing out their original album. Now, I wasn’t exactly falling off my seat waiting for Cascada to release something new, but they did I listened and enjoyed it nonetheless.

They say distance makes the heart grow fonder and I’m pretty sure that can be said for this week’s new releases:

Third Eye Blind- Ursa Major

Oh, hey Third Eye Blind, you’re back! Yes, you are! How excited is everyone about this? I heard the news about 6 months ago and have been waiting on the edge of my seat since. And I have to say my butt really hurts I’m not disappointed by Third Eye Blind’s new album, Ursa Major. Honestly, from the start of the album, it’s clear that 3eb hasn’t gone anywhere; for a few minutes, I even totally forgot it had been years since they came out with anything new.

So, yes, the first song on the album “Can You Take Me” is the perfect song to start Ursa Major and makes it clear the boys are back. It also really made me want to start shouting back, “Yes! I can take you!” but as I was sitting in a bagel shop the first time I heard it, I had to refrain so I didn’t become the weirdest person in the room of weirdos. “Summer Town” is awesome and should become everyone’s (end of) summer anthem. And winter anthem too. The lyrics are perfect as Third Eye Blind lyrics often are: “All we are are friends who keep on losing time and/Fade away the precious ones we keep in mind and/Realize that I’m the one that you left behind.” “One in Ten” is one of Third Eye Blind’s slower songs and I’m pretty much in love with it. I don’t think it will reach the kind of fame “Deep Inside of You” had, but it’s still pretty fabulous. I’m kind of sad that this album hasn’t been publicized more. Every time I mentioned Third Eye Blind’s new album, people would say in disbelief, “What? They have a new album??”

Everyone should know about this; not just those who follow the music scene closely. So, tell your friends, Third Eye Blind is back!

Mute Math- Armistice

I’ve been waiting a long time for Mute Math’s new album. Like a super long time. And my wait is finally over. I can stop listening to their self-titled debut album for a bit (as much as I do love it) and listen to something new. And Mute Math’s new album? You might not believe me, but it’s even better than the first! Armistice really shows how the band has grown and I’m more than impressed by it. I love Paul Meany’s recent quote that, “Our goal is to embarrass the first record, that’s what we’re trying to do here, and I think we’re on point to pull it off.” Awesome goals.

I definitely don’t think they embarrassed the first album (at all), but that doesn’t mean I’m not in love with the new one. Like I said, I listened to their first album like crazy to obsessive levels. It would be nearly impossible to embarrass it. “Plan B” is, and probably always will be, on my top 10 list of best songs ever. And one that I’ll never get sick of. But I think Armistice might have a few songs that are almost just as good! I’m mostly in love with the title track “Armistice” right now. I love how it sounds like typical Mute Math, with a big band sound thrown in for fun. It makes me want to dance, it makes me want to chill out, and it makes me just plain love life. I’m also really loving “Lost Year” because it’s so different than the typical Mute Math you’re used to. When it first started playing, I was convinced it was actually The Fray. I love Mute Math’s versatility; there’s something for everyone, so you should definitely check ‘em out.

Cascada-Evacuate the Dancefloor

Someone else is back. And that someone is Cascada. I can’t say I’ve been the biggest Cascada fan ever, but their “Every Time We Touch” song is always fun for dancing around to and having a good time. Plus, I’ve listened to their Rascal Flatts cover of “What Hurts the Most” only about a million times, so I figured I’d have to check out her new album, Evacuate the Dancefloor.

The album was really a mish-mash of music. Since I’ve never listened to a Cascada album all the way through, this could very well be exactly what they’re always like; who knows? I didn’t mind it, but I wonder if they’re trying to be too many things to too many people? The title track “Evacauate the Dancefloor” reminded me a lot of Lady Gaga; kind of techno-y and obviously about dancing. However, I’m not the biggest Eminem fan and I’m fairly certain I heard him in there, though I think it may have been an imitator. Eek. Surprisingly, I liked the slower Cascada songs the best. I really like “Hold Your Hands Up,” which was more of a sweet ballad. And I’ve been listening to “Draw the Line” a lot, as well. Even the slower songs aren’t going to have lyrics that will blow you away (“tick tock says the clock on the wall,” for instance), but the tunes are nice and they’re perfect for easy listening. As far as the more dance-y songs go, “Ready or Not” definitely got me moving. Overall, I think Cascada is a nice addition to the music library, though I probably won’t be a non-stop listener.

I’ve started preparing for my post graduation depression/emo stage. I’ve bought the tissue boxes and I’ve prepared the soundtrack (Seasons of Love on repeat). But I also made a proactive step of creating a list of things that I know I absolutely won’t miss- that way when I’m putting on my fifth layer of black eyeliner and tattooing tears on my face I’ll remember that there were some bad things about college.

STUDYING

I always start my studying with a lot of energy and excitement. I have blank flashcards stacked next to fresh pens and my unwrapped books. I put on my fake glasses and start poring over the material faster than I can highlight. Three minutes into this invigorating “studying” process I’m bored. I only have two more tests left and then I will never ever have to study ever again. Never again will I have to eat breakfast, check my e-mail, and simultaneously flip flashcards and mumble answers to myself.

GROUP PROJECTS

I’m currently in the process of making a student film with three of my (soon to be former) friends. It’s a disaster. Nothing is worse than four creative unorganized people who always think they’re right. I’m a control freak so I like to do things my own way and get things done on my own schedule. Whenever I complain to people about how much I hate group projects they always bring up that I will have to work “well” with people for the rest of my life. I disagree. Hermits never do group projects. And hermit is a new profession that I’m currently researching.

MY FURNITURE FROM THE PAST FOUR YEARS

When I did my Bed, Bath, and Beyond shopping spree four years ago my Mom kept saying, “I hope you love this stuff because you’re going to have it for the next four years.” I rolled my eyes at her and was like duh I’ll always want a neon pink trash can and a Hawaiian print bed spread. And now four years later I still do have all the same things that I came to college with so long ago (except for the whiteboard that someone drew a permanent marker penis on the 2nd night of college). I’m so sick of staring at my lime green shoe organizer and high school pictures (don’t even recognize those people anymore) and I’m insanely excited to start throwing all that stuff away.

MY LONG COAT

Syracuse is downright freezing and I’ve never regretted buying my floor-length coat that’s big enough to not only serve as my winter jacket but also as a well-insulated hour for four. However I now can’t stand the sight of it. I’m not sure what exactly I’m going to with it yet. I’m debating between turning it into a comforter for a king-sized bed or ripping it open and taking out all the down-feathers to make myself real wings. Either way I never want to see it ever again.

So while my list isn’t exactly complete yet (I still have to add a few people’s names) it’s definitely a start for my post-graduation-recovery.

Officially started by two women, “30 Reasons” is all about showcasing (mostly) girls in all shades of wasted-ness. Half-naked, droopy-eyed, and generally looking ridiculous, most of the pictures of these crunked-out chicks are posted by the girls themselves.

Everyone from CNN to The Today Show has weighed in on this stupid group, and while I could care less about drunk people showing the world (and possible employers) how wasted they can get, I’ve always wondered where all the drunk guys are at.

When guys get blasted, they act just as stupid, get just as naked, and most certainly document their exploits just as well as the ladies.

Jezebel must have had the same thoughts, because they’re recently posted Drunkdudes07; a pictorial dedicated solely to drunk guys and the wacky shenanigans they get into.

Do I agree with posting someone’s picture online—especially if they’re in a compromising position—without their knowledge? Absolutely not. But as a woman who’s had enough of her female counterparts exposing themselves to the world, do I feel a little jab of joy clicking through pictures of drunk dudes?

Yup.

Sorry, PC defenders, but I think it’s about time for a little equal opportunity ogling!

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