If you just started seeing someone new, chances are your relationship is going to go through some stages. These stages happen in almost every relationship (I don’t have a PhD in relationships or anything, I’m just going by my own experiences). So here are some stages that you and your new bf or gf will probably go through. And if you don’t, your relationship will probably end in a terrible break-up that has you eating a gallon of ice cream every day for a week (just kidding…you’ll only eat a gallon the first break-up night).

1. Butterflies and rainbows

So you two just started dating, and obviously everything is perfect. You want to spend every minute with each other and you can’t keep your hands off each other. You’ve forgotten who your friends are because you haven’t seen them in a week; you’re too busy being complimented on how perfect you are.

2. You meet the friends

If you already know each others friends, you’ll probably skip this. But if not, he gets to meet your friends and you get to meet his. He’ll definitely love drinking cocktails with you and your girls at your favorite Asian-fusion restaurant followed by a Grey’s Anatomy marathon. And I’m sure you’ll have a blast hanging with his bros playing XBox while drinking Red Bull and eating 4-day-old pizza. YUM!

3. Your first fight

Uh-oh. You guys went out last night and  another guy hit on you, and now your BF is upset. Or he forgot to mention that his “friend” who he went to lunch with was really his ex. It’s okay though, you won’t break up. Everybody has to fight eventually (just don’t fight like Sammi and Ronnie).

4. Sex

This stage doesn’t have to be number four. It can be number one or number five or anywhere in between, but having sex with someone new is a big thing. You’re letting them see all of you, and sex means this person most likely means something to you (unless you’re Paris Hilton or Kim Kardashian, then sex means you get a reality show).

5. I love you

This is the leap into the next stage, once you say “I love you,” your relationship is no longer new. As Carrie Bradshaw once said, “Everything before I love you just doesn’t count.”

If you planned on starting a diet today, don’t. Or at least don’t read any further. That salad with the “but it tastes just like the real thing” low-fat dressing and droopy lettuce is going to seem about ten times less appetizing than it did when you were looking at pictures of Kate Middleton, thinking to yourself I wish I was that skinny. Embrace a little sugar in your day. Load up on some visual carbs.

Feast your eyes, baby! Right now, we’re bringing you the anti-healthy lunch.

initiating the gallery...

Recently Ben & Jerry’s released an ice cream flavor called “Schweddy Balls”, based off a Saturday Night Live sketch. I thought it was hilarious. Parents thought it was awful. A parent group is protesting the flavor because they think it’s vulgar. Well guess what, parent group? If you are going to prevent your kid from eating ice cream because it has a vulgar name, then your kid is totally going to go wild when they go off to college.

So here are some ice cream flavors for wild college students.

1. Walk of Shame Surprise

This flavor would be packaged in a sparkly black carton, much like the dress you walked home in this morning. The ice cream would be made with stale beer and shame. Tons of shame.

2. Exam Cram

You spent this whole week partying when you should have been studying for your chem exam. Good thing Exam Cram is made with Red Bull, 5-Hour Energy and NoDoz pills.

3. Freshman 15

This is a mixture of Big Macs, leftover pizza, beer, Chinese takeout and Ramen noodles. Eat up, size up.

4. Plan-B Brittle

So you had a little too much fun last night and forgot to ask if he had a condom. So what? All you need is a spoonful of Plan-B Brittle in the morning. Each spoonful has one Plan-B pill, and it even tastes like peanut butter!

5. Procrastination Party

This flavor would be filled with reminders that you have a full DVR and a full newsfeed since you haven’t checked your Facebook since 10 minutes ago. Studying can wait.

6. Keg Stand

This flavor is a mixture of beer and water, and it’s only good if you eat it upside down.

College students are creatures of habit. We hang out with the same people. Got to the same bars. Buy the same types of clothes. Take the same classes. And you can’t blame us really. We know what we like. We know what works. So why change a good thing, right? Right. But not only does that apply to clothes and classes, it also applies to the kitchen. Because if there is one thing that has been made a college cliche, it’s college food. We’re known for our Red bull and Ramen noodles. But hey we’re creatures of habit, and we like what we like…

Although it may not feel like it (what up gloves in March), but summer is coming. And with summer comes tank tops, short shorts and bikinis. You know you want to start getting in shape for all those beach photos, but you also know you’re not ready to cut out all your favorite snacks. After all, what is life without ice cream or cheese? What is a night out without beer followed by the drunk munchies.

Here are some suggestions on how to make your favorite and most unhealthy foods a little bit healthier. Although it’s not exactly the same, these options are still tasty AND they don’t include that guilty feeling in the pit of your stomach when you wake up the next morning spooning an empty pizza box. Trust me, you’ll thank yourself in June, when you’re feeling totally fabulous in that new string bikini.

You don’t need to give up your favorite junky foods while you’re trying to slim down — just keep these tweaks in mind and you’ll be cutting down on a lot of unwanted calories!

Did anyone else get a sunburn from the ridiculous weather this weekend? I’m pretty sure this was the first time I was excited to be rubbing aloe on my aching, burning skin after the treacherous winter that we’ve been put through this year. New York, I’m looking at you.

Yesterday was the official first day of spring, but other than the calendar telling us it was so, here are the top ten signs you know spring is here.

10. Booty shorts. Every. Where.
In the winter, all the tarty outfits go into hiding, but the second the weather gets above 60, you can bet your campus is littered with cut offs and short skirts.

9. Ice cream!
Finally slightly more acceptable to eat for breakfast. Kinda.

8. PDA galore
There’s something about the warm weather that makes couples just pop up everywhere, holding hands, sticking hands in one another’s pockets, making kissy faces, sitting on laps and being disgustingly mushy in public.

7. Sniffles and sneezing and coughing
Along with spring comes allergies galore. Bust out those inhalers and benadryl, hay season has officially begun!

6. Finally, iced coffee.
I’m not much for hot drinks, but it’s finally appropriate to order iced lattes or passion tea lemonade (sans melon, thanks a lot for discontinuing that one, Starbucks) without being judged by your local barista.

5. Babies galore.
Um, is it just me or do kids start appearing out of no where around this time? Running around, making that high pitched squeal and being general menaces to society. Not nearly as cute as all those spring newborns. Guess people really like gettin’ it on in July?

4. No more nasty nature
Hate all those shriveled up trees and brown grass? Finally, crocuses start popping up and the trees start getting green and pretty. The perfect setting for some afternoon reading or, if you’re into it, some #8.

3. Nurse Jackie and United States of Tara
Back on Showtime. So psyched.

2. Rooftop bars
Finally open up! So nice, so enjoyable. Had I not given booze up for Lent you can bet I’d be throwing back pom martinis with the best of them. Which brings me to…

1. Easter
A holiday that involves chocolate bunnies? I’ll take it.

He's not worth that smeared lipstick, girlfriend!

It all happens so quickly.

You are out a bar/party with your girls, looking amazing, because, honestly, what CollegeCandy girl doesn’t look amazing? You see him, he sees you and – boom – you start talking. Talking turns into flirting, flirting turns into so-bad-they’re-cute pick up lines and soon he’s buying you a drink. Maybe it’s the vodka, maybe it’s the way he keeps finding an excuse to touch you’re arm, but you’re smitten and your night just got a whole lot better. The number exchange comes next and the cute-textathon begins.

He’s sweet and witty and you look forward to the daily flirtation and then – out of nowhere -  it just stops. No more morning musings. No more responses to your adorable messages. Nada.

Turns out, homeboy just isn’t that into you.

After that lovely realization comes the packages of Oreo cookies, the Friends marathons, the comfy pajama pants, and the over- analyzing.  It doesn’t matter that nothing ever really came from this; getting rejected sucks and it hurts and you really thought this guy was gonna be the guy. But you were wrong. And now you’re 3lbs heavier, lonely and hating yourself.

While getting over a guy should be as easy as getting into him, it never is. But you deserve more than nights spent alone in front of the mirror wondering what’s wrong with you. Because there’s nothing wrong with you. Remind yourself of that and follow these 5 little steps and you’ll be over that turd in no time.

1. “Delete Him”-   This is challenging because in some instances, and almost all of mine, we all hold onto the hope that it might just work out. That he’s been super busy and just hasn’t had time to send a text or two. But let’s be real: it won’t, he’s not, and you must, as hard as it is, delete him from your life. That means cell phone, Facebook, gchat, etc. All of it. Get rid of him. Don’t leave yourself any opportunity for a drunk dial/text/very public Facebook wall post.

2. “Replace Him”- Get the speakers out and turn up Beyonce. Remember, “you can have another him in a minute.” He’s nothing special, and he is definitely replaceable. You’re in college, honey; there are plenty of really attractive and intelligent fish out there, so jump back into that pond.

3. “If he didn’t have time for you, don’t give him time.”- Stop sitting around and pondering the details. Gather up your friends, go out and have fun. Distraction is the best way to move on, and all the time you waste thinking about him is all potential time you could be using to find someone who will return your calls.

4. “Refocus on You.”- Throughout every boy chase, I feel like girls always lose focus of who they are.  Remember that you were awesome before him, and you will be after him. Stand in front of the mirror and remind yourself of all your good qualities, rediscover what makes you happy and do it.

5. “Make a hate list”- It’s okay to be bitter for a bit. In fact, hate is a very important part of getting over someone. Take out some paper and make a list of his less than finer qualities. Be brutal. It will not only make you feel really good, but you now have a working list of things to avoid in the future.

We only have 4 years in college (Editor’s Note: Trust me, it goes by way too fast!) and it is not OK to waste most of that pining away for a guy who’s not worth it. So get him out of your phone and out of your mind fast. It is possible.

And that was just for my outfit.

Then, just before he was set to arrive I started pulling together whatever I could find for dinner. I had quite the menu planned: turkey burgers, salad and corn on the cob made on the grill. Mmmm. I had seen my mom make the meal a thousand times before, so I really felt confident that I could pull it off.

Of course, I didn’t. While my outfit was sexy and super saucy, my meat was flavorless and sorta over-done. Who knew I had to season the meat before I threw it on the grill? Clearly, I missed that part of my mom’s meal prep. Thank God the boy was oh so cute and polite (not to mention sorta drunk, thank you, Sangria!); he ate every last bite and offered to take me out for ice cream. Then he let me invite him over for a re-do the following week.

This time I did my work and found the perfect recipe to woo him. The dinner was actually edible and turned out perfectly from our first glass of wine to our serious make out session on the couch. I could say it was the wine that did it again, but I have made these burgers many times since and they always produce the same tremendous results. Try ‘em out for yourself:

What You Need:

½ pound ground lean turkey meat
1 wedge Brie
1 Granny Smith Apple
½ Vidalia or Red Onion
2 Whole Wheat Buns
Worcestershire Sauce
Soy Sauce
Seasoning Salt
Olive oil/cooking spray

How You Do It:

Take your meat and throw in some Worcestershire sauce, Soy Sauce and seasoning salt. I like to put a lot in so the meat stays moist, but it is really up to you. Just trust your instincts. Mix it all together with your hands and form two patties. Then, cut a little cube of Brie and stick it into the middle of the patty. Put them to the side and wash your hands. Thoroughly

Slice up the apple and onion into thin slices. Throw them into a pan with some olive oil and saute them. Let the apple slices and onions brown; this will bring out extra sweet flavor, which is the perfect complement to your tasty Brie Burgers.

Put the burgers into large pan with a little olive oil or cooking spray. Cook them for about 8 minutes on each side (timing depends on the thickness of the burgers, obviously). Be careful, though, because the ooey, gooey Brie will start oozing out of the sides. Tasty? Yes. Liquid hot magma on your fingers? Ouch.

Meanwhile, toast those buns. When everything is done and cooked, place the burgers on the buns and cover with apple slices and onions. Serve it all up with a salad, or a baked potato and you have yourself the kind of dinner that leads to a man’s heart.

Or at the very least…totally impress your girlfriends.

But I scream the loudest.

And my abs scream quite differently. That’s why I totally flipped out (in glee!) last weekend at Target while shopping for a blender. I wanted to buy one to make fruit smoothies and iced coffees instead of spending $5 a pop at Jamba Juice. When I dragged my friend along with me on my quest for smoothie heaven, she informed me that she also uses her blender religiously….for bananas.

WTF? That sh*t is bananas. B-A-N-A-N-A-S. (Sorry, couldn’t resist.)

But then she told me that if you first freeze the banana, then blend it until it’s completely fluffy, it tastes just like soft serve ice cream! And guess what yummy flavor it comes in? Needless to say, I had to try it out, so my Target bag included not only a new 10-speed blender, but also a nice giant bunch of bananas. And now all I can say is… YUM.

Stuff you need:

2-3 frozen bananas
A powerful blender
Your favorite toppings (May include: berries, dried fruit, hot fudge, syrup, chocolate sauce, cinnamon, sprinkles, granola, even more cut-up bananas.)

Mix and serve:
1)    Put the frozen nanners into the blender.
2)    Blend on high for a few minutes, until the nanners get all light and fluffy and delicious-looking.

3)    Pour into a bowl and add desired toppings on top, as much as you can handle.

4)   Eat. it. up. And lots of it – this stuff is healthy, so who cares if you go back for seconds?

I need more tissue.

Newsflash: No one likes to be dumped. It’s the ultimate feeling of being unwanted, unloved, and just not good enough.

Welcome to the last month of my life. After spending the last year hoping to do so, I finally reconnected with my high school sweetheart — someone I had tons of history with and who knows me better than anyone. After many, many ups and downs, it turns out that college life (even when it was the summer) was just not conducive to our relationship. I could sugar coat it saying that “we broke up,” but the truth is that I was dumped. Ouch.

At this point I should probably clarify that I’m not hating on this guy (or even angry), especially since his reasons for ending it were completely justified. That being said, losing the person you’re closest to is just not an easy thing to do. Not only are you losing what you had in the relationship, but oftentimes you could be losing a best friend as well.

So what do you do? As much as it might feel like your world is ending, spending more that 3 days in your pajamas on the couch watching P.S. I Love You calls for a heartbreak intervention. While the sting of being relationship sh*t-canned will stick around for a little while, it’s important to get back on your feet. I hope these tips will help.

Don’t play the blame game. While it’s really easy to start hating on the SOB who broke your heart, it’s important to remember that relationships often end. Unless your man cheated on you (in which case, I hope you dumped his ass), the breakup is quite possibly nobody’s “fault.” Chances are that you’ve both made some mistakes. Nobody is perfect, and for sure nobody is perfect in a relationship. As much as it sucks, sometimes things just don’t work out.

Reach out. You don’t have to do this by yourself. Your friends and family members have most likely experienced a break up or two, and they might have a few words of wisdom. (Or at least a bottle of Jack.) Sometimes, even having someone to sit and watch TV with you will help you feel less lonely and allow you to get all those feelings off your chest.

Remember that it’s okay to be sad. I know, it’s tempting to pull out the sour grapes and act like you don’t care – but it’s okay to be upset. In a way, it’s like grieving, and you just need to let the emotions run their course. Cry if you have to cry, scream if you have to scream, eat three Costco cakes if you have to eat three Costco cakes… Having your heart broken is a lot like riding a roller coaster, but it’ll be over eventually.

Cut off contact. I really hate this one, but it’s a necessary evil. Texting him “I’m so sorry” a million times isn’t going to make him want you back. Even if your guy pulled the “we can still be friends” card, being friends for the first little while could be a little too painful for you. What if he starts dating someone else? Give each other a little space for a couple weeks and if you both agree, slowly start making contact again. Just remember: being friends doesn’t mean you’re going to start dating again, so if those are your intentions don’t do it. But if you value this person enough to just be friends, give it a shot.

Don’t Bad Mouth. Sure, the douche-bag forgot your birthday (twice) and you’re glad to have him out of your life, but try to be mature. This is especially important if you have mutual friends. Once you start bad mouthing each other, they will feel like they’ve been put in the middle, and nobody wants that. Even though you’re resentful, there was a point in time that you loved this guy. You wouldn’t want him telling his friends all the embarrassing things that are wrong with you – do him the same courtesy.

No Regrets. Sometimes after a relationship ends, it’s easy to look at the time spent together as a waste. Try to remember all the positive things you will take with you long after this guy is out of your life. Memories are good things to hold on to, so try not to regret them. If nothing else, hopefully this experience has taught you what you really want out of a relationship.

Remember it will be okay. I’m not gonna lie, the first few days suck. A lot. It feels like your life is over, and you just don’t know what to do with yourself. They call it being heartbroken for a reason. It’s not a fun thing to experience, but have a shower, get out of your PJs, and eventually things will get better. You may feel like your ex was perfect for you, but just remember that the real perfect guy would want to be with you too.

How do you get over a breakup?