I’ve loved Target and their super-cheap prices since… well, pretty much forever. I know I’m not the only one who goes in there to buy toilet paper only to come out with 4 bags of stuff. Or to make the excuse of buying toilet paper so I can shop the cute accessories in the front of the store…

It’s gotten even harder to resist that Target-urge since they launched their seasonal GO! International line. How can you not buy Proenza Schouler or Jovovich-Hawk at Target prices? You’d be a fool.

Anyways, GO! International has announced their next designer and it’s Tracy Feith! I have a feeling I won’t even be making the “I need toilet paper” excuse to run to my campus Target and clear off the racks. Simply putting the words “Tracy Feith” and “cheap” in the same sentence will be a good enough excuse.

Don’t know who Tracy is? Well, Michelle Obama does. She wore a Tracy Feith dress during the big Inauguration weekend. Feith is known for his interesting prints, his  laid-back, California style and, of course, his attention to detail.

His line doesn’t hit stores until May 17th, but CollegeCandy got a sneak peek and, being the cool girls that we are, we thought we’d give you a little taste!  The collection is full of retro, bohemian-inspired designs in bright colors and fun florals.  It is being touted as “Bohemian luxury” and includes fun dresses, skirts, jackets, and swimsuits, which means its all perfect for my much-needed Spring wardrobe makeover.

I normally use my Sundays for sleeping and America’s Next Top Model marathons, but I’ll be up bright and early on May 17th to get these looks before some other girl (like all of you!) gets her paws on ‘em. (Click on the image to see the full look!)

PS. Does that model look familiar to anyone?

I’ve had the pleasure to write a handful of College Candy’s Guys We Wanna Eff, and as a red-blooded twentysomething female it’s certainly not a difficult task to write about the hottest male stars. But I have to preface the ode to this week’s man of honor by saying I would trade in a year’s worth of paychecks and possibly Spring Break for one night with Rahm Emanuel. He takes the number-one spot on my Eff List. That’s right, I said it!

While Joe Biden (who, may I say, looks A-OK for a man of 66) is technically second-in-command behind President Obama, Rahm Emanuel occupies what many call “the second most powerful job in Washington” as the White House Chief of Staff. The position labels him as the highest-ranking officer of the Executive Branch (after the President), as well as Obama’s senior advisor. Before joining the new administration, Emanuel was a Congressman representing Chicago in the House of Representatives. Now, what woman doesn’t want to eff a man in power?

“Rahmbo” isn’t just a stiff politician, however. Did you know he studied ballet throughout childhood and college? Totally true; his mom still wishes he were a dancer! He followed his career in dance with a short stint as a civilian volunteer for the Israeli Defence Forces, and his brother Ari is the inspiration for Jeremy Piven’s character on Entourage. The man gets around–in a good way!

But it’s his feisty personality that really gets me going. He is known among politicos as “The Enforcer” for his ability to get things done. His way. Rahm once mailed a dead fish to a pollster he didn’t quite get along with back in the day–how’s that for teaching others not to eff with him? (Effing me, however, is a different story.)

To me, Rahm is one sharp-shooting silver fox who’s had me begging for a little effing action ever since I saw his dark bedroom eyes and wry, snarky grin. Oh, and I can’t help but love a man with a dirty mouth. He was once quoted as saying, “‘Rahm’ …roughly translated from Hebrew, means ‘go screw yourself.’” (Can I get your help with that?)

But to recap, the man’s a dancer (read: he’s flexible), he has megawatt connections to Hollywood (via his bro, Ari) as well as everyone in politics, he’s a smart-alec success who still can pull off frat-boy pranks (dead fish!) with pizzazz. In the words of Rahm, what more could you effing want?

George Anthony, grandfather to murdered Caylee Anthony, attemps suicide.

Kelly Osbourne heads back to rehab. In case you care about Kelly Osbourne…

We much prefer Shia LaBeouf this way.

Clinton’s senate seat is officially taken.

WTF is up with Joaquin Phoenix?

It’s all about the nude lip.

First Diane Sawyer, now Anderson Cooper? Those media peeps sure got down on Inauguration night.

Dear Sonic Burger, Please stop advertising in cities where you don’t exist!

Tips for getting your first vibrator.

Shortly after taking the oath of office at his inauguration today, Barack Obama delivered his highly anticipated inauguration address. In the speech, Obama pointed out the problems with our country that he now must face as President, focusing mostly on the “badly weakened” economy. President Obama told the people of America:

“Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America – they will be met.”

As usual, Obama was inspiring and eloquent. I thought the speech really set the mood for the next 4 years to come, and the mood of “change” was definitely in the air. I’m excited to watch Obama fulfill his goals and bring about the change everyone is hoping for.

What about you? What did you think of Obama’s speech?

(And if you missed the speech, you can read the transcript here.)

While most people are hoping to hear how he will fix our economy, healthcare system, or education, I’m hoping that he’ll address some other issues that haven’t been covered by the media.

1. Making early Monday morning classes and Friday afternoon classes optional - Because the last thing anyone wants to do after a long and exciting (yet exhausting) weekend is drag themselves out of bed and into class, only to fall asleep again. And not having to go to those late afternoon classes on Friday would allow us to get the weekend started a few hours earlier. ThanksSoMuch!

2. Banning women over the age of 50 from wearing velour sweatsuits- Seriously, though. Wrinkles and hot-pink Juicy Couture just don’t mix. Especially when paired with Ugg boots or Crocs.

3. Vowing to do all press conferences and State of the Union addresses shirtless – That’d definitely help keep our attention during the boring bits.

4. Making it illegal for guys to sing Beyonce or Pussycat Dolls in bars - Because that overly enthusiastic, drunken rendition of “Single Ladies” is wrong and should be punishable by steep fines and extended stays in the clink.

5. Re-allocating funds in the budget to address the real issues in this country: the lack of low fat fried snacks – A fat free fried Oreo? A fat free waffle fry? That would get us back on top of the world.

I know you’re just moments away from being inaugurated, but in my opinion, the Bush era has been dead for awhile now, and you have been the prez since the results were announced. I figured out how to fill out an absentee ballot for you, Mr. Obama, and I can’t even handle bills that come in paper statements, so that’s saying something. The day you were elected, Mr. Obama, my roommate and I screamed and jumped up and down on our futon like we’d just watched a really hot episode of Gossip Girl. One of my friends from the bloody United Kingdom texted me to congratulate me on our country’s finally making a good decision, even though it was about 4 a.m. in his time zone.

There’s a lot riding on your presidency, Mr. Obama, and while I have enough faith in you to fill out that freaking absentee ballot, I would also like to give you some tips, so you take the same downtrodden path that so many of our past leaders have taken.

Please do not raise federal liquor taxes in an attempt to cover the costs of war, a la Ulysses S. Grant. We poor college students cannot afford to pay more than state sales tax and the $.05 deposit per can on our Natty Lights. If you do feel a need to hike up the taxes, please don’t make it worse by accepting bribes from distillers to receive tax stamps at a fraction of the cost, because that’s just plain mean. Do feel free to sponsor a National Holiday where school and work is cancelled so we may get over our hangovers, however.

Gas prices have finally dropped after an excruciating few months of paying over $3 or $4 per gallon to fill our tanks.  Please do not transfer oil responsibilities to corrupt secretaries, who will exploit this power for their own gain.  Ask ex-prez Warren Harding how Teapot Dome turned out. Oh, wait; he died before he could be convicted.  Mr. Obama, you’re in your prime, so chances are, you’re going to have to sit through any investigations that might come your way.

If all goes well during your stint in the White House, Mr. Obama, please don’t resort to wiretapping, burglary, and trespassing in an effort to be re-elected when 2012 rolls around.  We really don’t need Kirsten Dunst to make another film routed in political satire.

While you are working in the Oval Office, Mr. Obama, please keep your relationships with your coworkers, and especially interns, strictly professional.  And don’t mingle with the ho’s, either.  Hell, your wife Michelle is beautiful, and your girls are totally adorable.  So there’s no reason to be shacking up with Obama Girl. These days, the media is always looking to exploit an irrational decision – always remember that.

Please, Mr. Obama, hire an educated speech reader, and then practice your speeches.  I want books to be written about how great you are, rather than seeing compilations of the stupid sh*t you’ve said on sale at Amazon. If you meet a single mother of three, please don’t tell her, “You work three jobs? … Uniquely American, isn’t it? I mean, that is fantastic that you’re doing that.“  And please don’t address our current economic crisis as thus: “So I analyzed that and decided I didn’t want to be the president during a depression greater than the Great Depression, or the beginning of a depression greater than the Great Depression.“  

Mr. Obama, to be frank, I wouldn’t have the balls to step in right now and try to fix our country.  But we’re counting on you.  So, if you could refrain from making some of the errors of our forefathers, that would be great.  And if you have some spare time, if you could fix the economy, pull our troops out of Iraq, legalize same sex marriage, and be such a good president that you are remembered as a great president, rather than simply the first black president (because really, I would vote for a Fuchsia leader he or she would turn the USA back around), I would be most grateful, and would probably take the time to fill out yet another absentee ballot in four years.

Thank you for your time, and welcome to the friggin’ White House!

It marks the end of an era when American politics were plagued with apathetic citizens, who found nothing in the candidates inspiring enough to take a passionate interest in.

It marks the end of an era when race was an invisible barrier over politics, the end of affirmative action being a weapon against the status quo, and the end of divisions in America over race. Barack Obama has attained the highest office of the American political system, and to some people, the free world. There is no reason anymore why any good citizen of America should not be able to succeed in their goals and dreams through diligence and perseverance, because it has been proven that the highest goal can be accomplished by normal people.

Finally, it marks the end of an era when the media was an impartial observer in the American Political system, and when committed voters were educated properly about their candidates. During the 2008 election, there was an enthusiasm towards our democracy that has not been seen in years. There was also, however, a vast prevalence of ignorance on both sides, and it was spurred by a media that displayed ruthless bias not seen in years. Mainstream news magazine Newsweek published six issues with covers devoted exclusively to Barack Obama, five of them issues in this year alone. 2008 was a year in which public opinion was ruled by media portrayal of political affairs.

The wedding is overshadowing the marriage. The Inauguration has magnified into something bordering on a spectacle, with commemorative trinkets being hawked in every possible commercial medium, and huge celebrations being planned across the country. Happiness and joy at an inauguration are not bad things. Blind euphoria and an unwillingness to accept shortcomings in the president-elect are.

As a conservative and a Republican, I don’t have high expectations for the next four, and possibly the next eight, years. Seeing Obama’s face doesn’t fill me with pride and hope, but a nervous concern for our country’s well-being with an untested president. I could be wrong. With Hillary Clinton as his very intelligent, very acquainted with international diplomacy Secretary of State, we could finally help the world see us as more than a distant and isolated giant. Hillary’s participation in his cabinet gives me hope that America will at least remain stable in international affairs, if not find diplomatic success.

I don’t believe Obama is a terrorist foreigner, but I don’t have much faith in the presiding ability of a man whose career rises from the infamous political machines of Chicago, Illinois. He remains untested, having been nearly completely cushioned from criticism by a media that remains vastly doting upon him. Without having faced adversity against his policies from a large portion of America, I believe he lacks the realistic gravity taken on by politicians who must fiercely defend their policies from a critical media.

I’m happy that a majority of American citizens are bonding together in what must be a very happy time. I’m glad that patriotism is at a recent-years high, as well as pride in our country. But at the same time, I wonder in the back of my mind if such limitless support will blind Americans to the shortcomings of their chosen leader, and draw them heedlessly into the cult of personality maintained by the media and faithful supporters. I take the optimism and euphoria of the inauguration with a grain of salt, because such unified support and utter faith in national leaders has taken a very grim turn in several times in history. If we are going to serve a president with whom we are not well acquainted, we must be willing to call him on the mistakes he makes, and not cushion his errors to maintain high approval.

I applaud America for a historic decision in the elections, but I caution America against turning a blind eye towards the new President’s novice mistakes.

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As millions flock to Washington for the inauguration, many of us prefer (or were forced) to stay at home and not be part of the mad rush of people that will surely cause all of the highways around D.C. and the surrounding states to be jam-packed with people and cars (I’ve had enough with the crowding during the Olympics to last a lifetime). But just because you’re not on the scene doesn’t mean you can’t be with the scene!

There are plenty of other people around who didn’t make the trek to D.C., so have a party! It may be last minute, but there is still plenty of time to gather your friends and a little patriotism together for a killer Proud to be An American bash.

Here are some fun ways for you to celebrate being in American – red, white, and blue style.

Decorate: Now is the perfect time to whip out your old Fourth of July gear and host the best inauguration-watching party ever! Turn your living room into an American flag: blow up balloons, hang  flags on the wall, spread a red tablecloth and set out little blue napkins.

Costumes: Aren’t costume parties the best? Encourage your guests to dress up as their favorite political figure and award to the best-dressed and best-impersonation (cigar, anyone?) with an American favorite: a 30 pack of cheap beer.

FOOD! You can take the easy route with some red, white and blue foods, like watermelon, blueberries and cottage cheese, or you can whip up something patriotic:

• Name foods after fun themes such as “Campaign Trail Mix,” “Sloppy Joe Bidens,” “Barack of Ribs,” “Chicken Right Wings,” or, my personal favorite, “Lipstick Pigs In A Blanket.”
• Make some RW&B Popsicles. Just get any type of juice in all three colors (I like using kool-aid) and some dixie cups and popsicle sticks. Pour the red juice into each cup to about 1/3 full, then freeze until it’s almost frozen but still a little slushy. Insert a popsicle stick into the middle, then pour the white juice in until it’s 2/3 full. Freeze it again, then add the blue juice. Freeze one more time, peel the cups off, and – voila! – patriotism on a stick.
• Want to be more like Obama? Make chili, one of his favorite foods!

Play Some Games: Baseball isn’t called America’s pastime for nothing. Go outside (bundled in scarves and thick jackets, I hope) and toss a few around. I’m sure you could figure out a way to turn that into a drinking game. If baseball isn’t your thing, go shoot some hoops. Instead of playing Horse, though, make it a game of Donkey. Or Obama. Or See Ya Later, Bush! Or, if it’s too cold out, just play a game of  Obama Speech Bingo. Our bet’s on the word “change” getting the most chips.

American Karaoke: Sure, karaoke is usually reserved for Meatloaf and The Outfield, but this is a God Bless America party! Break out the old American faves like Yankee Doodle and God Bless America. Beyonce may have had to perform in front of billions of people, including the president, but you just have to sing in front of your friends, so belt it out shamelessly.

Watch a Movie: Throw in an old American action flick, like The Patriot, Saving Private Ryan, or Black Hawk Down. (Because nothing says I Love America quite like Josh Hartnett. Mmmm.) Or, if you want laughter instead of tears, watch some hilarious youtube videos of past presidents. Shoes not included.

Be proud and celebrate being an American on this great day in U.S. history. You betcha I sure am.

Tomorrow is the big day for President-elect Obama and you would think that today he’d be resting up or putting the final touches on his speech.Not our President-Elect.

Today the soon-to-be Pres is going to be participating in the National Day of Service and urges all of us to do the same. Obama is asking everyone to get up and get out to participate and volunteer in their communities.

The initiative is being launched in collaboration with USAservice.org, a website that has listed every event you can get involved in. Based on where you are living, you can find events to help out in your community. The site has opportunities from your local YMCA to Habitat for Humanity.

Even if you won’t be able to participate in today’s Day of Service, this is a great site to look at if you are interested in helping out a little more in your community.

But, let’s be real; if Barack Obama has time to help out today, so do you.

Obama honors MLK with a national day of service.

Inaugural concert rocks D.C.

The 20 cutest celebrity kids.

Oh, that’s really embarassing, Katy Perry.

Take a little fashion dare.

No need to work out; fidgeting burns calories!

He may be talented, but Mickey Rourke is….weird.

We wish people broke out into spontaneous dance around us more often.

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