And the fact that I’m not going this year?  I’m not a very good actor, but I could almost pinch out a few legitimate tears.  You mean I have to continue to struggle up mini-snow mountain regions, and continue to suffocate under the restraints of my wool scarf?

Clearly, there are plenty of reasons for me to be bitter about my lack o’ travels this Spring Break but, I am deciding to look the bright side for a change. Sweating poolside under the shade of an US Weekly magazine or not, I’m going to make the best out of my Spring Break, and  – turns out – it is easier than I thought because you can:

1. Finally catch up on all of those books you’ve been reading (or not reading).

College is so stressful, sometimes I find myself being stressed out about the weekly T.V. shows I am trying to catch up on.  It is time to sit down and freakin’ relax. I know I have about five books I’m currently trying to read at the same time, and nothing strains my stress greater than a quality read. So kick those feet back, flip on the fireplace switch, and get reading.

2. Think of all the moo-lah you are saving!? You can spend a (small) portion on a facial. Why not?

Deciding (or being forced against your will) to not attend Spring Break just made you ten times richer.  Don’t get me wrong, in the midst of running to class and cursing the cold-I would give my left leg to catch a flight to Margaritaville.  But on the other hand, you have a lot more breathing room when it comes to the dough. Go spend a little bit of it on a facial, or for the construction of a new iTunes playlist (whatever it may be).

3. Use this extra time to get a step ahead of applying for jobs/internships.

With everything going on during class, your social life, and trying to maintain a close relationship with Mr. Treadmill, it is super difficult to navigate a time to apply for jobs and internships during the school year.  Spring Break is the perfect time to stick your nose in front of the pack and apply, apply, apply for jobs and internships.  Use this time to do some extra research on jobs, networking with experts in your field of study, and editing your LinkedIn profile. It may not be as fun as a keg stand via pool side, but the benefits are way up their on the ‘success scale.’

4. Get involved with some volunteer work during your free time.

This is a great and feel-good way to spend your Spring Break.  Not only are you keeping  yourself occupied, but you are giving back to your community. Try calling a local non-profit organization or even a museum, to see if they need volunteer help.

5. Re-acquaint yourself with your favorite letter of the alphabet: ZzzZZz.

I don’t know about you, but I love a good nights 13-hour siesta every once in a while.  Sleeping keeps you from getting raunchy colds, helps you lose weight, and most importantly, feels totally awesome!  So while everyone else is getting three-hour-drunk-sleep in Mexico and waking up with a monstrous hangover, you are nursing the bags under your eyes you’ve accumulated from midterms. Win.

6. You can explore what your home town has to offer. By yourself.

Even if none of your friends are around, don’t be afraid to go explore a new restaurant on your own, or a nearby museum. Really, when do you ever get the chance to do these things unless you are retired? And have you ever gone to a movie by yourself? Take it from me, it is amazing.  Nobody is awkwardly reaching into the popcorn bowl the same time as you are, you can keep your movie preview commentary all to yourself, and you can shamelessly go to the lame guilty pleasure movie you’ve been wanting to see forever (Dear John anyone)?

7. Call one of your old high school friends.

Now, even I haven’t done this in a while-which is mildly depressing.  But something deep down inside of me, really really wants to.  And there is never a better time than the present!  There are bound to be a few friends home for Spring Break, and I’m willing to bet it is refreshing to talk over coffee with the people who stood next to you when you hit your 5-year long awkward stage in middle school. Now that is something you guys can talk about.

8. Learn how to cook.

If you’ve gotten a chance to watch the movie ‘Julie & Julia’ this idea will really tickle your fancy. If you’re at home, Mom is sure to have some serious cookbooks sitting around, and if not, Google up a storm for some awesome recipes for whatever you are craving at the moment, and get cooking!  And they don’t have to be food recipes, either; learn how to make a few tasty cocktails for when everyone returns.  If anything, when your roommates return from vaca, they will probably adore you for your (feeble attempt) at out-cooking Rachel Ray.

9. Watch an entire television series (just because you can).

Now, this is something I’ve been wanting to do for ages now, specifically with the three seasons of MadMen. So I am sure everyone has a television sitcom they want to get their hands on (and finished) in one week.  So why not take the time to tackle your utmost guilty pleasure via television and get watching!

10. Spend some quality time with family.

Nothing is better than sprawling out on your couch at home and having one of those totally crazy conversations with your family.  Did Dad really just say that out loud? Your family never gets to see you when you are away at college, and this is the perfect time to relax at home prove to them how much you’ve missed them (and the scene in their refrigerator).

What....a dreamboat

Every once in a while (okay, maybe a little more often than that) I find myself adopting a new guilty pleasure. For a while I watched Hannah Montana on a regular basis, then came my Espresso truffle phase where I down one at Starbucks almost everyday under the pretense that if I finished it in 2 minutes the calories didn’t count. And I never seemed to shake the Spice Girls; if “Wannabe” comes on, an air mic, head bangs and some karaoke rapping will follow.

But recently a new contender has quickly moved to the top of guilty pleasure list.

Move over Miley Cyrus – Justin Beiber is my new tweenstar obsession. And boy am I feelin’ guilty right about now.

The kid is 15, but he looks about 12 and half. He’s got no body hair, he will still be mistaken for a little girl over the phone, and I honestly doubt the boy has even had an erection. But that hasn’t stopped him from releasing a CD full of romantic love songs, as if he has had 15 agonizing years of offering girls rides on his tricycle only to have them run off and play with another kid in he sandbox.

As wrong as it is, I just can’t seem to resist his sweet raspy voice and catchy beats. When his songs come on the radio I have a moment of reason: “You will change the station now, there is no way that belting out ‘One Time’ is socially acceptable.” Then I tell reason to shut-it, turn the volume to max and belt that baby like there’s no tomorrow.

About a month ago I sat in shame as my middle school aged cousins gushed over Justin, giggling and singing his songs out loud, accompanied by a dance they had made up with their friends.

“You guys are crazy,” I said rolling my eyes.

Then I left the room, shoved ear buds into my ears and selected GUILTY on my iPod, bobbing my head and shaking my hips to all 5 of Justin’s songs.

So sad. So wrong (I mean, really – this has to be illegal). So embarrassing.
But I can’t help it. That boy just…gets it.

So as I spent another long summer day mourning the loss of LC from my biggest guilty pleasure (yeah, I’m still not over it), a promo for a new MTV show, House of Jazmin, caught my eye. I don’t really get the spelling of her name, but Jaz is young, cute, and bound to have messy, dramatic hookups every week…

It’s no LC, but can Jazmin be the new reality superstar sent to fill the void The Hills has left in my heart?

Maybe we should first establish the fact that no one will ever be able to fill the very chic shoes of Lauren Conrad. As a reality star, she was God. Not too much of a pushover, but not too catty. A serial dater, providing endless opportunities for me to indulge my monogamous self in first date after first date with sexy, California men. And she chose perfect friends, as they gave her loyal friendship for just long enough to have me invested in the relationship… before completely betraying her and shattering both of our hearts.

I think you get the picture; I was basically living an imaginary life as Lauren Conrad’s best friend. (Cry during the Audrina/ LC fight scene with mascara tears…me? Noooo…)

It’s with this LC obsession that I now come upon Jazmin. I’ll admit, there’s potential. She’s bound to run into her share of Kelly Cutrone’s, and watching her get eaten alive may generate sympathy with which I may become invested in her climb to success. But before Jazmin can move in as the LC of MTV’s fall lineup, there are a couple of things about this show that have got to be adjusted.

First of all, the family has got to go. I want to see drama, I want to see hookups; I don’t want to see Jazmin running home to mommy and discussing her problems over a home-cooked meal. And enough with the good girl gone business woman. Have that BFF of hers get a little promscuous,  sleep with Jazmin’s boyfriend backstage at a fashion show and then you’ll have me hooked.

I mean, how will she ever finish her line when she is betrayed and heartbroken?

And I’m sure MTV will come through for me. They always do. So, I’m gonna give the show a chance. Jazmin will learn soon enough that to become a successful designer today you don’t have to be a fashion genius; you have to become a paparazzi-hunted socialite (with a sex tape!) whose daily adventures grace the covers of People. After that people will go out and buy a paper bag if it has your name sewn on the inside.

What do you think? Is Jazmin bound to be a hit or will she fail miserably as an LC wannabe? Come back tomorrow to hash it all out after episode numero uno.

This week might be the most random mix of reviews ever. Seriously, ever. I even surprised myself a bit.

I was ready to love who I already loved and hate who I wanted to hate, but that’s not at all what happened. The one album I was most excited for fell flat. And the one I barely even wanted to listen to (and would rather throw out my window) I kinda liked. A little too much. To the point where I had to force myself to turn it off.

I’m going to warn you right now: don’t listen to Ashley Tisdale if you aren’t into Disney pop music. Because you’ll probably end up enjoying it. And then feeling pretty embarrassed. Especially when you can’t get enough and want to blast it from your car and the people who pull up next to you can hear it…and judge you.

Modest Mouse- No One’s First and You’re Next

If there was an award for best album title’s ever (is there??), modest Mouse would win by a long-shot. With album names like Good News for People Who Love Bad News, This is a Long Drive for Someone With Nothing to Think About, and Building Something Out of Nothing, Modest Mouse’s new album certainly fits in with their trend of awesome names. It’s called No One’s First and You’re Next and I’ve already played it about 50 million times. I always refer to Modest Mouse as an acquired taste; a band you might hate the first time you hear them. I know I tried to like them at first, but just couldn’t. And then one day I heard “Float On” and I sort of fell in love. And now, the first time I heard this new album, I loved it, solidifying in my mind that I am now a true Modest Mouse fan.

The album is actually a collection of previously released B-side and A-side tracks, but since I’m not a crazy obsessed Modest Mouse fan (yet), I haven’t heard any of them. It’s kind of a big jumble of music and you can tell it’s an EP, rather than being a full album. But I kind of like that. I can’t even pick a favorite song, but I have to say I absolutely love the build up that “The Whale Song” brings and can’t help but wonder if the lyrics are referencing Modest Mouse’s launch into fame and desire to go back to the way it was. Other definite listen-tos? “Satellite Skin” and “Autumn Beds,” but I really do enjoy the whole album. And I sincerely wish it was much longer than 8 tracks.

Howling Bells- Radio Wars

Howling Bells was completely new to me this week. I thought I would like them more than I actually do, mostly because I heard they’ve played along with bands that I adore, like The Killers, Coldplay, and Snow Patrol. And I’m not saying I don’t like them, – I’m just saying  they were a little too “whiney girls singing” for my tastes.

I do kind of like “It Ain’t You” because it seemed to be pretty happy and upbeat. Maybe the only the only happy and upbeat sound on the whole album. I also enjoyed “Nightingale,” because I love the clapping in the background, making it probably the most interesting song of all. I found “Let’s Be Kids Again” to be a bit blah, but I did kinda, sorta love the lyrics: “Let’s be kids again/Life was so simple then/Let’s be kids again…We don’t wanna know about this currency/We don’t wanna know about this 9-5/Just a simple life/Can you picture this/We don’t wanna hear about your policies/We don’t wanna live up to these expectations/A childlike dreal/Yeah you know what I mean.” Ok, so they totally get what I’m feelin’ right now…but I’m just not sure I want them to sing to me about it.

Ashley Tisdale- Guilty Pleasure

Let me first be clear about one thing: I am not a fan of High School Musical. In fact, I haven’t seen a single one of the movies. I do think Zac Efron is kind of cute, but that’s beside the point. And he’s much too young for me, anyway.

Like most people over the age of 9, I think it’s pretty ridiculous that so many of the High School Musical stars are coming out with their own albums. Really? Because I want to listen to Disney music, right? Then I saw a few interviews with Ashley Tisdale and I started to kind of like her. So, sue me. She’s a cute girl with a nice personality. And much more adult than I thought she was. Then I saw her perform “It’s Alright, It’s OK” and I really kind of enjoyed it. So I gave her a listen. And you know what? Her album is called Guilty Pleasure, and I can totally see why.

I think she’s kind of my new guilty pleasure. And I think the girl can totally move beyond the whole Disney stigma one day. I mean, her music is a bit racey. Maybe I’m totally out of line of here, but doesn’t “Masquerade” totally sound like it’s about role-playing? Yup. I’m in love with the song “Hot Mess,” and its totally PG-13 lyrics: “I’m such a hot mess/With you/I never knew/Never knew it could be so fun/It’s true/I was such a good girl before you came along/But you’re so racy/You’re my new favorite guy/So unruly/So uncivilized.” Doesn’t really sound like lyrics coming from a Disney star does it? And “Delete You” is the perfect song for 2009! We all have guys we need to delete. Not to mention there’s a song called “Hair.” That’s all about a guy running his fingers through her hair so she feels like “a sexy superstar.” It’s the most ridiculous song ever: “I like what you do to my hair. Who knew that looking a mess could feel so good?” OK, honestly, I’m stopping now. I have to stop. I am now Ashley Tisdale’s biggest fan. What happened to me?

Celebrities on “Who Wants to be a Millionaire?“

Lookin’ for love? This guy’s single.

What are women’s biggest guilty pleasures?

Lindsay and Sam are dunzo. For now.

Brad Pitt storms out on Angie…according to the Enquirer.

I am no devotee of SATC, but I thought that phrase was pretty genius, and started to think about the things I do when I’m totally, gloriously alone.

Now that we’re in the phase of life where living with roommates and/or significant others is par for the course, I find myself missing the weirdest things from time to time. Singing is a big one for me. Singing along to entire musical soundtracks or pop albums or whatever suits my fancy – and I mean headphones-in, top-of-my-lungs singing – while I re-organize my closet for the zillionth time and leave the rest of my room a mess.

Oooooh, or eating a plateful of random, unrelated finger/snack foods for dinner, like cheese with crackers and olives and slices of avocado and frozen spring rolls and Oreo cookies and probably an enormous bottle of coke zero (or wine, depending on the day). Eaten while sitting on the floor and watching Veronica Mars on DVD.  The list goes on.

None of these things sound super weird when I write them down, and really, they’re not. Secret single behaviors aren’t necessarily freakish – that’s not the reason they’re secret. Adding another person into the mix changes what it is you inherently love about these mini-fetishes, whatever they are. They’re not only things you do by yourself, you do them FOR yourself; comforting little rituals or indulgences, just idiosyncratic enough to raise an eyebrow, but innocuous enough that they can’t really be explained.

So come on, spill it! Ladies with lovers, anything you miss from your swinging single days? Swinging singles, anything you’re determined to never give up? What is your secret single behavior?

Last year in my Intro to Nutrition Class I learned a little secret: pizza doesn’t have to be a guilty pleasure. Now, I am not telling you to go on an all pizza diet. But, like most things, if you make good pizza choices, it is totally fine to enjoy in moderation. And letting yourself have it means you won’t feel deprived and go crazy (read: eat 12 pieces) when it’s put in front of you.

Here’s what you need to know:

1) Thin crust is best- Always go with thin crust over deep dish or pan. It has fewer calories, less fat and is deliciously crunchy!

2) If possible, go whole grain- My dining hall always offers a whole grain crust option. Although I was initially scared of the darker, healthier crust, I actually really like it. Don’t have whole grain pizza in your d-hall? Order in! Pizza chains like Domino’s and Papa John’s are now offering this healthier option.

3) Skip the meat- Piling on pepperoni = added fat and calories.

4) Go for veggies- Do you love green peppers? Maybe you’re a tomato type of girl. Perfect! Adding vegetables is a great way to add flavor without tons of calories. Plus, you can enjoy the benefits of added fiber (fills you longer) and vitamins (obviously good for you).

5) Lighten up on the cheese- Cheese is great, but asking for light cheese will cut the calories considerably…and still taste great.

Want to see how many calories your slice of pizza contains? Check out this awesome Website where you can build your own pizza from crust to toppings! It’ll help you think twice before ordering that deep dish, sausage pizza!

And then we found this. A silver lining. A glimmer of hope. A Kooba bag in the sale bin.

It is The Hills, only funnier (or funny at all). The script is the same, the scenes are the same, but the character is…well, see for yourself. This video gave us a little chuckle, so we hope you enjoy it too. And who knows? Maybe MTV could swap this guy in if LC does indeed decide to walk.

5. When Harry Met Sally.

Seriously, who doesn’t love this movie? I bet it was a super-smash hit when it first came out, but it’s now a super-smash source of entertainment that’s run on cable all the time. As we all know, free movies are better than costly movies, so record this one and pop it in anytime you feel kinda sorta like NOT doing that physics assignment.

4. 10 Things I Hate About You.

A Heath Ledger tribute is always justified, and this movie is a great excuse to do one right. It’s also a good party movie because almost everyone likes it, and even some guys can be coerced into watching it.

3. Anything Alfred Hitchcock.

I know what you’re thinking — “Alfred Hitchcock? WTF?!” — but bear with me here. Watching Alfred Hitchcock movies is almost like studying because you can’t help but notice the creative camera angles, classy cinematography, and complex storylines. If you feel guilty about not doing your work, Alfie’s your guy.

2. The Godfather.

Talk about a classic. It’s not the kind of movie you want to watch over and over again, but you can definitely round up a few people, have some great pizza, and avoid writing papers by watching this instead.

1. Bridget Jones’s Diary.

Back when I was single, I used to watch this movie literally every week. I wish I was kidding, but I am just that pathetic. The compulsion to watch it fades if you’re in a relationship, but I still pull the thing out for old times’ sake every once in a while. This is the classic, gold standard of movie-watching, and I think I can safely say that watching Bridget Jones’s Diary is always a better use of your time than studying.

Any others?

[Photo courtesy of timeinc.net]

This weekend is the only thing that stands between me and Chace Crawford.

Of course, I’m talking about the season premiere of Gossip Girl, which airs Monday, September 1 at 8:00 on the CW Network.

Since my life pretty much sucks– I’m not currently sleeping with anyone, I’m spending my “new clothes” money on speeding tickets, and I can barely afford my daily latte, let alone an extra-dry martini or a burlesque business venture–I’m looking forward on living vicariously through Dan, Jenny, Serena, Blair, Chuck, and, oh yes- Nate.

When GG left us at the beginning of the summer (which feels like eons ago), Serena’s brother, Eric, had just come out of the closet; Georgina had stopped into town just long enough to break up Serena and Dan; Chuck briefly scraped together an ounce of morale, only to eye-f*ck Amelia, Lily’s new interior designer; Blair hopped a plane with some random dude; and it seems that Serena and Nate and Dan and Vanessa were left to hang out for the summer.

Oh, there’s also the middle-aged love triangle between Chuck’s dad, Serena’s mom, and Dan’s dad, and Lily married Bart right after confessing her love to Rufus. Seriously, forty, and you’re still playing love games? Whatever. I’m sure this plot line will bring barrels of drama to the small screen this season.

Wow. Sometimes its hard to believe that GG has only been on for one season! We’ve already seen sex, lies, betrayal, bulimia, kids on suicide watch, theft, more sex, underage girls getting wasted and performing a strip tease in a night club, sex in a limo, cocaine, and Jenny’s perpetually uphill struggle to fit in.

What’s Season 2 going to throw at us? We’ll find out beginning on Monday. For now, here’s a sneak peek of our favorite guilty pleasure, with episode recaps coming at you every week!

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