I’m not very productive when I try to get work done in my room. But there are so many times when, even though I know I should go out to the library, all I want to do is stay in. And curl up on my bed to read, which is never a good idea. I think it might help a bit if I had a more organized, functional workspace in my room. Since I live in a dorm, I’m a bit limited, but that doesn’t mean I can’t dream.

Turns out there’s no shortage of workspace inspiration on the internet. Click through the gallery to see what I found!

[lead image via paperblog.com]

There’s no better excuse for a party than warm weather. And if you’re going to have a party in the sun, you’re going to need some delicious cool beverages. Once again, we got sucked into the addictive world of Pinterest, finding recipe after recipe for amazing drinks.

Check out the gallery below for some drinks to take your spring bash to the next level.

initiating the gallery...

Garnet is a student at Columbia University in New York City. She is “that person” who starts dancing at a party when everyone else is standing around, and if there were a Facebook stalking Olympics, she would be a gold medalist. She also loves cheesy 90s music, and almost died of happiness when Vanilla Ice retweeted her. Once. Follow her on Twitter @garnethenderson.

[Lead image via Vasaleks/Shutterstock]

By now, January 1^st, 2011 seems like a century ago. I mean, just think about how much has happened – good and bad – in the last five months.  Do you remember those little resolutions you made way back when? You know, when you were feeling optimistic and empowered and you were ready to change your life in 2011? Yeah, you probably gave up on them a long time ago.

And I’m here to get you back on track.

Now, I’m not talking about the resolutions like, “I promise to never drunk text my ex ever again.” Ladies, I’m not some magician here! (And really, who thought that was going to happen? Come on – get realistic!) I’m talking about the first month when you were able to get yourself out of bed at 7 AM, head to spin class and arrive in your Political Science class feeling like a super star. Remember all of that excitement and motivation you had? Where did that go?

If you stopped working out or leading a healthier lifestyle, ask yourself why. Did you get too busy? Did the routine bore you? Pinpoint the exact moment when you stopped sticking to your resolutions and then make a change for the better.

When it comes to fitness resolutions, it’s hard to stick to every little detail. There are days when you may feel tired, a date comes up, or you find any excuse (“Judge Judy is on!”) to justify yourself. But that’s only hindering you, and while it may seem easier to just give up sometimes, sticking to a plan to reach your goal isn’t as hard as you think.

To get the results you want, stop thinking about the “why nots” and start thinking about the “whys.” For example, tell me why you would want to push yourself to do an extra set of planks. It’s just an extra 30 seconds and comes with some amazing long-term benefits: you’re building stamina, discipline and, most obviously, a sexy six pack! Does it hurt when you’re doing it? Sure. Would you rather be lying on the floor polishing off a row of Oreo’s? Probably, but focus on the positive and you’ll remember why you set this goal in the first place.

One other easy thing to do is change your mindset. Look, you don’t have to hit the gym for 2 hours at a time or run a 10k every time you lace up your sneakers. All you have to do is start somewhere, give it 100% and finish strong. Even if you’re working out for a mere 20 minutes, make it the best 20 minutes ever. At the end of the day, 20 minutes is way less daunting and way more beneficial than doing nothing at all.

Stuck in a rut? Check out my workouts here!

If you want to get back on track, just start with a game plan and a strong mind and you’ll be on your way. We’ve got another 7 months of 2011; that’s plenty of time to res-set and reach our goals.

OK, time to sound off! What fitness resolutions did you set? Have you stuck with them? Most importantly, give me your whys! What is it that motivates you to stay fit and maintain a healthy lifestyle? I want to know (and we all need a little reminder)!

Want to be a classy woman?  Zenyatta could teach you something.  And I’m not talking about the Zenyatta Mondatta 1980 Police album, either. I’m talking about a living, breathing, Guinness drinking lady. Who also happens to be a horse. That’s right, a horse.

Which is more surprising?  The fact I just called a horse classy or the fact I said she drinks one Guinness a day?

When I meet a really classy woman, I can just smell it wafting from her like a spritz of Chanel No. 9.  She presents herself with ease and balance. She lifts her head high but does not turn her nose up at you. She exemplifies sophistication and showcases a confident attitude.

Have you met a classy woman? I’ve met quite a few in my time but none quite like the horsey woman inside the equine goddess, Zenyatta.

Before you go say I’m a crazy person for forcing you to look up to a horse, hear me out.  And follow her amazing story.

If you’re not a horse racing fan like me, you probably have no idea who Zenyatta is, much less what she does.  Let’s start with the basics. She’s a racehorse. But not just any racehorse. In a normal human lifetime, many will not ever see such an extravagant animal like her. She’s absolutely stunning – a deep jet bay with a glorious white stripe down her face.  Her eyes are brown marble – elegant and sharp.  Her hometown is Hollywood and she’s more fabulous than any of those chirpy housewives.

Zenyatta also happens to be one of the few undefeated horses in history, with a flawless career at 19 of 19 wins. Being a lady in a field of men, she’s has proven her strength on the track with stallions and mares. To see a girl racehorse beat out the powerful drive of a stallion – it is beyond impressive. Fillies are not physically built like a stallion. Zenyatta’s victories against the big boys is like watching a woman do a hat-trick in the Stanley Cup Finals or dunking on Michael Jordan in a basketball game.

Besides her powerhouse physique, she has a sassy and confident attitude. Before a race, she dances. That’s right, she actually dances. Like Beyonce, minus the leotard. Watch this video of the pre-race at The Breeders’ Cup (one of the most important races in the world). She arches her neck, rounds her back, puffs out her chest, swishes her tail softly and lifts her front legs high, all the while snorting and twisting her head in the air. Like any strong and independent woman, she has attitude and a little sauce.

The style in which Zenyatta races is classy as well. She sits in the back of the pack (as if not to bother anybody) and explodes come the stretch. She passes horses like they are having lunch and drinking San Pellegrino. Her stride is the size of three massive victory-hungry thoroughbreds, and yet she doesn’t make it look difficult. After she wins, she walks off the track with more energy then she had before. She is absolutely fascinating, stunning, and, despite having four legs, a lady it’s easy to look up to.

And tomorrow, November 6th, Zenyatta is competing in her final race at the 2010 Breeders’ Cup. She’s the undefeated girl, racing against all of the boys and it simply can’t be missed. Whatever you’re doing, I highly suggest you tune in to watch her dance for the crowd before she eats up the track and leaves all those boys in her dust.

Why? Because watching Zenyatta race is more than just a sporting event; she sweats class and lays it all over the racetrack. I think we should all learn a little something from her: to hold our heads up high; to be confident with ourselves; to go for what we want, no matter what obstacles stand in our way; to dance when and where we want.

Sure, Zenyatta may be a horse, but she’s got more class in her little hoof than most of today’s celebs/”role models” put together. She’s a classy broad and an inspiration that we can all learn from…who just happens to have four legs and a tail.

Who or what inspires your style? Many of us use musicians (like Debbie Harry) or

Diablo Cody is one cool lady.  Not just because she has a wicked awesome tattoo on her arm of a pinup girl, the fact that she won an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for Juno, her previous profession of being a talented “clothing-remover,” or the fact that her name means “devil” in Spanish.  All of those help make her pretty neat, but there’s just something about her, something I can’t quite put my finger on, that oozes awesome.

And she wraps it all up perfectly in her uniquely fabulous look.

Diablo is pretty under the radar when it comes to her style, but I fell in love with it the first time I saw her being interviewed for Juno.  It’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen before; the innocent ’50s housewife meets the rock-and-roll dominatrix. She’s got the whole pin-up vibe going on, but still manages to look totally modern. It’s romantic yet somehow dark and edgy. Think animal prints and spikes meet polka dots and ruffles, then get married and live happily ever after.

It shouldn’t work, but it does.

I love Diablo’s mixing and matching and she’s inspired me to add a little of that to my own wardrobe. I may not have her tat or her Oscar, but with this outfit, at least I can have a bit of her style.

Dress, Shoes, Lipstick, Sunglasses, Earrings

The red-patterned dress is perfect for incorporating Diablo’s style. Not only is the pattern so her, but the design is a tangible representation of who she is as a fashionista. From the front it’s a classy sheath dress, but when you turn around – BAM! – not what you expected, eh?

Now, any normal girl would pair this dress with a basic pair of black pumps and call it a day, but it’s all about the edgy accessories in Diablo’s world. I love the studs and buckles on this shoe and I love even more that you can wear it with so many different options, from this dress to a simple pair of jeans and a leather jacket. Throw on some animal print sunglasses for a little unexpected pop of fun, the badass-yet-still-totally-girly earrings for some extra grunge and, of course, Diablo’s signature red lipstick for the sex appeal.

In the end you’ve got the perfect blend of girly and hardcore, innocence and sex. A look that, like Diablo Cody, just embodies cool.

You stylish little devil, you!

]]> http://collegecandy.com/2010/06/02/i-love-your-style-diablo-cody/feed/ 2 Cristina-Michigan State University Picture 2 Picture 1 http://collegecandy.com/2010/02/03/i-love-your-style-edie-sedgwick/ http://collegecandy.com/2010/02/03/i-love-your-style-edie-sedgwick/#comments Wed, 03 Feb 2010 16:00:27 +0000 Cristina-Michigan State University http://collegecandy.com/?p=52931 ]]> Who inspires your style? Or better question, WHAT inspires your style? Many of us use movie characters (like Penny Lane) or celebrities (like Leigh Lezark) as style inspiration, even though, most of the time, they are being dressed from head to toe by the best stylists. Which we don’t have. And sometimes it’s damn near impossible to work their Hollywood looks into our not-so-Hollywood lives. I’ve made it my mission to tap into the mind of a fashion stylist and show you how to take your style inspiration – whatever it may be – and make it more you!

Edie Sedgwick, best known for being one of Andy Warhol’s muses, is my muse for this week. In addition to being a quadruple threat (actress, model, heiress and socialite), she was also known to be a major style icon.  Although she is no longer with us today, her style still continues to appear as fashion inspiration from runways to sidewalks.

We are all shaped and fashioned by what we love to do and Edie exhibited that in her style.  Many hours of her day would be spent practicing ballet and other types of dance, which would require tights and a leotard.  Instead of changing after dance into a more typical outfit her time, Edie was known (and infamous) for throwing on a large (most likely fur) coat and going about her business. And thus it became her signature style.

Besides her very mod-styled outfits, she was also one of the first to spark the pixie hairstyle trend and was a pro at “cutting the crease” with her eye-makeup and seriously intense eyebrows. Now, it would be pretty difficult in today’s day-and-age to walk out of your dorm/apartment with black lines across your eyelids, over-drawn eyebrows and a leotard without getting some gnarly looks, but if you go for a more subtle version of Edie’s signature look, it can be achieved. And tres cute.

I like this outfit because it’s a very modern and inexpensive version of Edie’s legendary style.  The fitted striped dress with the tights and the “shoulder-dusters” (or dangly earrings) are so typically Edie, yet can totally work on you. The Andy Warhol bag is thrown in for some novelty, and if you’re bold enough to fill in your eyebrows like Edie, then Amen sister.

Earrings – Forever 21, $5.80; Black tights – American Apparel, $15.00; Striped dress -Forever 21, $12.80; Mary-Jane pumps -Wet Seal, $15.00;  Milani eyebrow kit-Walgreens, $5.99; Andy Warhol bag- Beograund, $27.99

I’m just going to start this off by saying I would have absolutely no qualms switching lives with Leigh Lezark for a day, or a month, or longer.

I don’t remember how or when I first heard her name, but I immediately wished my name was an alliteration that easily rolled off the tongue like hers. Too bad we can’t always get what we want (thanks, parents!). On the bright side, something we can achieve is her effortlessly bad-ass sense of style.

For those of you still wondering, Leigh Lezark is a DJ in the trio Misshapes in New York City.  Oh yeah, and she’s a model.  Yes, a DJ and a model.  Très, très jaloux (which is French for, I’m mad envious).

DJ Leigh and her Misshapes posse like to bump electronica and indie rock.  They are also known to attract the Hispter crowd, but I try to stay open-minded to the boundary-pushing that she, and her party-mates, tend to inspire people with. I just love their sound. I also find Leigh Lezark incredibly chic, cool and mysterious with her all-black ensembles, signature jet-black bob and aversion to ever smiling in a photograph. And while The Misshapes tend to dress in some brands that are a bit out of my league (Alexandre Herchcovitch, House of Holland, Imitation of Christ, Jeremy Scott, Obesity and Speed, Pleasure Principle, to name a few), I’m going to toss some more affordable options in your general direction.

Because you don’t have to spend like a DJ/model to dress like one.

Product Info: Shiny tank body-suit -American Apparel, $34.00; High-waist jeans -Urban Outfitters, $64.00; Draped cardigan -Wet Seal, $14.99; Studded booties -Forever 21, $36.40; Sunglasses -Bleudame.com, $5.00; Studded handbag – Aldo $24.49

I like this outfit because while it still exemplifies Leigh’s personal style, anyone can make it their own for class, a party, or even a not-so-strict-uniformed job. You can really turn the rocker edginess up or down depending on what you’re going for. Plus, most of us already own all the separate components that make up the basic structure of this look; just grab shoes, a bag, or even a stack of bangles with some studs and you’ve got the Leigh Lezark edge. Now work on that pose and pout and you’re good to go.

[Do you ever feel like you can’t pull something off? Have trendy pieces in your closet that you would never have the courage to actually wear out? Well take those pieces out, shake off the dust, and continue reading!

In this series, I will choose a different piece that can be difficult to incorporate into an outfit and give you ideas on how to wear it. If there’s anything you would like to read about in the future, please leave a comment!]

It’s really starting to get cold out there now, but you can stay warm by adding a few furry touches to your wardrobe. Models on the fall runways sported real fur, but faux fur is a more wallet- and animal – friendly option. While it may be a little unrealistic and over the top for a college girl to sport a big fur coat, here are some ways you can subtly slip this trend into your wardrobe:

1) On the hood of your coat/sweatshirt (bonus warmth if it lines the coat too!). This is a really simple way to add some faux fur to your look. Wear it with jeans and your warmest boots.

Coat, Abercrombie & Fitch $200. Jeans, Seven For All Mankind $165. Boots, EMU Australia $90. Bag, Forever 21 $26.80.

Here are some more furry hood options. Click to learn more:

2) On your collar. This look was huge this fall and looks very chic and sophisticated.

Coat, Juicy Couture $385. Jeans, Charlotte Russe $30. Bag, Old Navy $16.50. Boots, Steve Madden $100.

Some more faux fur collared coats:

3) On your legs. Boots with the fur are always cute and stylish for winter. Tuck your jeans in, or wear them with leggings to keep your feet cozy.

All I can ask is that, no matter how cold it is at your school, PLEASE don’t succumb to this trend and wear these ugly things (I’m not even telling you where they’re from!):

4. On your head. Winter accessories are another great way to add some fur without looking crazy. Here are a few great faux-fur options.

After spending a night chillaxin’ in Sherwood Forrest, letting my fatigued body sink into a colorful hammock for two and talk for hours with one of my new best friends over cocktails in combustible corn cups, I knew it was time for a change. A huge, life-changing, effortful change. Something about spending the weekend surrounded by happy, empowering, inspirational people (albeit a little dirty & drugged-up) was a huge, magical, sparkly slap in the face that it’s time for me to conquer, one-by-one, all the things I want to in life.

So, without further adieu, here is my list of sweet stuff I wanna learn.

1. How to give a kick-a** massage. I am OBSESSED with massages. I try to con all my boyfriends, friends, (even boy friends!) to give me little shoulder, back or foot massages (perfect after a long day at work…or shopping). However, I am just as inclined to return the favor because I know how ridiculously nice (and/or orgasm-inducing) a massage can be.

2. How to make sweet jewelry. I used to be the baddest b*tch on the block because I could make friendship bracelets with any color of the rainbow out of any type of string. Unfortunately, I haven’t practiced my art for about, oh, 10 years & I think it’s time for me to get back in the game. But, I sure will have a lot of catching up to do.

3. How to use my super-expensive, practically untouched MAC eyeshadow. I got it off eBay months ago, but have yet to figure out how to actually make it look good. I never really understood why people were called ‘makeup ARTISTS’ until I attempted to blend two colors & ended up looking like a hybrid between this & this.

4. How to bar tend. I thought that the world would magically open up to me and all knowledge surrounding alcohol and how to create, mix and shake up all my favorite shots and drinks would somehow zap into my brain as soon as the clock struck 12 on the eve of my 21st birthday. I was wrong. There is a certain sense of pride I think I’ll feel once I know how to concoct every colorful, delicious (or vomit-inducing) drink ever. Then I’ll finally be the most popular girl at house parties.

5. How to surf. I am in love with the ocean. The only problem is that northeast Ohio is a complete barren wasteland full of far many more cow pastures than salt water & more corn stalks than surfboards. Mark my words, though, I will find a way.

6. How to use Dreamweaver & Photoshop. I don’t even think this is nerdy anymore. It’s more like, essential.

7. How to play Poker. Yes, I’m 21 & have played poker ONCE (and I’m not counting strip poker which involved far more stripping than poker). But, I had to ask for help every hand & eventually got fed up with people getting fed up with me, slammed my cards down on the table and declared that I’d stick to more fun games like A**hole & beer pong…jerks.

8. How to do a few “manly” things. Like how to properly string my own line (er, spool my own reel?) and bait my own hook. And change a tire (yeah, I’m one of those girls). Throw a mean punch. And, um, distinguish between someone who is just being friendly and someone who is actually interested in me (Oh, wait…).

9. How to drive a stick-shift. I am jealous of anybody that can handle 3 pedals when I can barely handle alternating between the brakes & gas without causing collisions.

10. How to be 100% comfortable with myself. I had to get a little sappy here, didn’t I? But, come on, it’s a list of things I want to learn & I think that self confidence is at the top of almost every young gals “To-Do” list.

Honorable Mentions: Complete a whole beer bong. Take a gig as an exotic dancer (& learn how to properly work that pole). Learn how to speak French. Know everything there is to know about wine. Shuffle cards (what? My hands are small!)… and learn the names and histories of as many world leaders (and obviously, the countries they govern) as possible.

[Now lovely CC ladies, it’s your turn to spill. What do you want to learn?]

I’m failing miserably and I haven’t done anything yet.

The walking surprisingly has given me more energy, but I’ve realized that it’s not quite the same as a nice jog or run. Feeling a bit pathetic, I decided I needed to change my diet again and pretend I actually cared about eating healthy food. I traded actually running for giving up chocolate and other sweet snacky foods. I subside largely on vegetables, natural peanut butter, and whole grains. I’m not exactly a vegetarian, but for the most part I don’t really eat meat or seafood more than once or twice a month, so I’ve been trying to find healthy, creative ways to get my protein.

Natural peanut butter is my addiction, with avocados at a close second. They’re not at all the same but they’ve been a good way to get healthy fat. Also have been working on getting protein from beans, lentils, chickpeas, and the like, so I don’t make myself anemic.

I appear to rebel against organized exercise without even realizing it, and it hasn’t helped that I’ve been busier than ever at work and with homework, plus the joys of apartment shopping in Manhattan. When your day consists of running back and forth between work, school, and brokers (for whom I am convinced there is a special circle in hell, but that’s another article), I just have no desire to actually run. Now that I’ve signed my lease, I’m hoping by starting with even ten or fifteen minutes outside I’ll get inspired to keep it up.

So what now? Do I convince myself that I need this hobby more than ever because of all the extra stress? Ten-fifteen minutes at a shot a good enough start? Should I implement a personal rewards system? Any ideas are welcome.