In my mind, fall seems like it is the perfect season. The weather is that cool, not too hot, not too cold temperature. It’s crisp enough to wear a sweatshirt, but not cold enough to wear a bulky coat. You can still go for your usual walk, without sweating profusely..it’s pretty great. Blame it on the adorable trench coats, early arrival of in season drinks..whatever it is, I’m so ready to start rolling around in piles of leaves:

1. Leaves: Fall is one of the seasons that makes me so glad to live in New England, they make my three hour drives to Maine a little bit better.

2. Not shaving: I’m Italian, so I was not graced with the ability to shave every other week, let alone every other day. So I am pumped to not have to be in shorts every day.

3. Fall Festivals: I love summer carnivals, but nothing beats walking around in the crisp air, eating your carmel apple, while walking to the ferris wheel with your friends.

4. Apple picking: Strawberry picking is annoying, it’s too hot, the vines are so small and the kids are too whiny. But apple picking is the opposite..it’s the perfect temperature, you can actually see what you’re picking and apples make a good weapon.

5. Corn Mazes: Granted I’ve never been in one before, but I’ve heard they are fun. Well when you don’t get completely lost, and you’re with friends who have nowhere to be. But in theory, it seems like a great way to spend an October day.

6. Cold nights: I’m poor and don’t have AC..so having a boy over in the summer sucks. I usually make it more than obvious that he is not allowed to touch any part of my disgustingly sweaty body while sleeping, but in the fall..snuggle time is on, Stamos’ style.

7. Frizz friendly hair: Anyone lucky enough to have curly hair knows that humid weather is not a great ingredient for a good hair day. Which is why the fall is a welcome back to me actually attempting to do my hair.

8. Haunted things: Okay, so maybe the last time I was on a haunted hay ride I ran off before we got to the actual scary part..but still. I do love me some ABC family 13 nights of Halloween, and a good ol’ haunted house never hurt anyone, I don’t think.

9. All things Pumpkins: things that are flavored pumpkin, carving pumpkins, watching movies about a giant pumpkin (*cough* Halloween Town *cough*)…everything.

10. Thanksgiving: Or as I like to call it..an excuse to eat as many pies as possible in as little time as possible.

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!

Finally — summer’s over! It’s time for sweaters, boots, Starbucks’ signature fall drinks, and for those leaves to start falling. You could spend all fall hunched over your computer worrying about mid-terms, or you can get in touch with your seven-year-old self that took time to relish the changing leaf colors, the local pumpkin patches, and of course, the cooler weather.

Here are five things that you probably enjoyed during your childhood that you can still enjoy this fall. (Editor’s Note: especially if you add a little spiked apple cider.):

1. Go Apple Picking: Throw on some jeans, find a cardigan, and head to the nearest apple orchard. Now that fall is here, apple orchards should be open to the public. Not sure where the closest apple orchard is? Check out Pick Your Own for all the details of the farms and orchards near you. Not only will this get you outside to enjoy the nice fall weather, it will give you a reason to bake. Once you pick out those perfect apples, call your mom and ask for her apple pie recipe, make some caramel apples, or brew cider (feel free to add alcohol, of course). Baking isn’t your thing? Well, you know what they say: “An apple a day keeps the doctor away,” and that can’t hurt either.

2. Jump in the Leaves: Once the leaves start falling, don’t let them go to waste. Get your friends together, rake as many as them up as you possibly can, and get to jumping! You loved this a kid, and if you get past it being a kids’ pastime, you will still love it. So many schools have an abundance of quads filled trees and leaves all around them. The crunch of the leaves will be worth it, especially since this amusing activity won’t crunch any money out of your wallet.  Oh, and it turns out jumping in leaf piles is actually good for you:  According to the Children and Nature Network, “Children are smarter, cooperative, happier, and healthier when they have frequent and varied opportunities for free and unstructured play outdoors.” So, since it won’t cost you anything and will make you a happier, healthier, and smarter you — why not?

3. Get Lost in a Corn Maze: Nothing is better than getting together with your friends and heading off campus on a Saturday. And now that fall is here, it’s the season to seek out the closest corn maze near you. Not sure where to look? Check out this list of corn mazes across the nation. Corn mazes these days aren’t just for kids;  many farms get super fancy with their designs turning their cornfields into aerial pictures of Abraham Lincoln on a penny and the elaborate design of a baseball. Since corn mazes usually are on larger local farms, expect a whole day of fun that will bring you back to your childhood — many have petting zoos, pumpkin patches, corn canons (yes — you can shoot corn out of a canon!), and loads of tasty treats.

4. Pick a Pumpkin and Carve It: Now that fall is here, Halloween isn’t far off (!!). While you’re at the local corn maze, you and your friends can probably pick up some pumpkins. If not, don’t worry — pumpkin patches will be in abundance as soon as October rolls around. Remember the first time you helped carve a pumpkin and your parents let you pull out all the seeds? Find a pumpkin that suits you, get a carving kit (they usually cost between $3 to $10) from your local grocery store or Wal-Mart/Target, and get creative. You can do something simple or opt for a more elaborate design. If you really want to get back to your childhood, put the movie Hocus Pocus on while you carve away. Who says you can’t enjoy seasonal activities while in college?

5. Anticipate Halloween: Remember when you were seven and all you could think about was your Halloween costume for that year? Well — get excited and start planning. Although Halloween costumes were a lot less slutty and a lot more cutesy than what you’re probably thinking about now, you should still be excited about finding the perfect costume. Get your friends together and hit up the local costume stores that are probably already popping up. Figure out what costume will best fit you this year. Will it stand alone or work in as a group? Are you buying or making? And, most importantly, what sort of fun-size candies will you be eating when you finally get to wear it?

[We're following one post-grad as she grabs that diploma, packs up her college life and heads on out to the big, bad world. There's a lot of change comin' her way and one big challenge: The LSAT.]

So, it’s crunch time. From this point on until October 9^th, my life is really about one thing and one thing only – the LSAT. Of course, I will still have everyday life to live, but from this point on my post-grad life really is going to be dictated by what I am convinced to be as one of the most evil tests in all of existence.

And I’ll be the first to admit – I am terrified. I’m absolutely shaking in my Rainbow flip flops at the thought of one test having so much power over my life.

You gotta do what you gotta do though, right? And what I have to do is do well enough on the test in October, so I don’t have to take it again in December, and come out with a score that satisfies me enough to get into a good law school for Fall 2011 admissions.

A lot is riding upon this exam. If you aren’t familiar with the whole “getting into law school business of admissions,” the LSAT is the end-all-be-all factor in admissions. According to Top Law Schools.com, “Your undergraduate GPA and LSAT score are the two most significant factors that admissions committees look at. The fact that a four hour standardized test carries as much, if not more, weight than four years of classes should tell you how important the LSAT is.” Yikes!

I realize the importance though, so as my dad likes to say during business calls when he’s serious about taking something to the next level: “It’s time to bring out the big guns.” First things first, I have enrolled in a Kaplan LSAT Prep class that meets one to two times a week for three and a half hour sessions – taking me through every single question that I could face on the wicked test. It is going to be intense, with hours of homework and test prep, but Kaplan promises that with their help and a lot of hard work, students will be successful with their program (in fact, they guarantee it or you can get your money back or take the class again for free).

With my faith in Kaplan, I have come to realize that I need a lot of faith in myself too. Since a lot of my practice and studying will be outside of class, I need to rely on myself a lot. Taking the LSAT and going to law school was my decision, and I want to be successful in it, but I can’t help but be a little intimidated. That’s normal, right?

Although I may be a little scared (OK – a lot, but it’s kind of like first-day-of-school jitters … I’m sure it will cool off after I attend my first class tonight and actually take a full exam), I am very happy that I decided to commit myself to this. A lot of post-grads are so unsure of what they want to do, so knowing what I want to do and knowing how hard I have to work makes me feel grounded in a situation that has had me feeling like I’ve been dangling six feet off the ground. But even though I feel like this experience will keep me focused and grounded, it doesn’t mean it won’t be hard. In fact, I think this is going to be one of the hardest and trying things of my life.

With that said, it’s time for me to face my biggest fears on the post-grad journey: Ready or not, here I come!

October is the best month of the whole year: apple cider, long weekends (Columbus day), and Halloween parties galore. Of course, the world is a cruel place, so amidst all the fun fall festivities, we also get crushed with the madness of midterms.

I think it’s about time we stop letting a few little exams ruin the best party month of the year, so I’ve put together a guide with everything you need to enjoy your midterms.

Study-Group Sloshfest

A lot of people find it more tolerable to study in a group, and a lot of people find it more tolerable to be in a group when they’re wasted. Why not combine the two? Set up a study group, ask each other questions, and anyone who gets one wrong takes a shot. When someone passes out, use their skin as notepaper to write out difficult facts or formulas. They won’t forget the answers next time!

The Best Friend/ Boyfriend / Boy-Down-The-Hall with Adderall

I can guarantee that someone you know has an Adderall prescription. Find them and get to know them; they are your new best friend. If you’re able to obtain a few (or fifty) Adderall, you’ll be able to put off all your studying until a night or two before your exams, leaving your weekends completely free for apple-picking and Halloween parties!

Catch Swine Flu

At my school, the administration is so paranoid about an outbreak that they don’t even want students with flu symptoms to go to the health center. If you have flu symptoms, you’re just supposed to call and report your symptoms, then stay quarantined in your room for days. Since you don’t need to show any proof, it’d be easy to catch the flu the day before, say, midterm week begins. I’d check to see if your own school has similar policies.

Exam Comedy Special

So you got too drunk to learn anything during study group, couldn’t find any Adderall, and your school requires you to actually see a doctor before they diagnose you with the flu. Don’t fret just yet; all hope is not lost. Make your professor laugh with clever answers and they’ll forget all about the fact that you have no idea what you’re talking about. If you aren’t clever enough on your own, there’s always the classic find x ditty to fall back on.

These tips may not help your GPA this semester, but they will protect your sanity. Do you have any more suggestions for making midterm season a little more bearable?

While breast cancer is uncommon in women under the age of 35, the risk of it increases as a woman grows older. There is also some evidence to suggest that young African American women are at greater risk for breast cancer than young Caucasian women. No matter who you are, you will be affected by breast cancer during the course of your life in one way or another.

Here’s what you need to know to protect yourself now.

Get In Touch Regularly

Mammography screening is the best available method to detect breast cancer, but due to the high levels of radiation, doctors don’t recommend them to people under the age of 40. Your next best bet? Clinical and self examination.

The American Cancer Society urges women in their 20s and 30s to have a clinical breast exam (CBE) as a part of their regular professional health exam. The most common signs of breast cancer are a lump in the breast, abnormal thickening of the breast, or a change in the shape or color of the breast. Keep in mind that finding a lump does not necessarily mean you have breast cancer. If you notice something abnormal, talk to your doctor ASAP.

Other possible signs of breast cancer include:

• Any new, hard lump or thickening in any part of the breast

• Change in breast size or shape

• Dimpling or puckering of the skin

• Swelling, redness or warmth that does not go away

• Pain in one spot that does not vary with your monthly cycle

• Pulling in of the nipple

• Nipple discharge that starts suddenly and appears only in one breast

• An itchy, sore or scaling area on one nipple

Info via NBCAM.com

Know Your Family History

Women with multiple family members with breast cancer may have an increased risk of carrying a breast cancer susceptibility gene. If your mom or sister has suffered from the disease, stay calm and get the facts. It is important to know how old they were at the time they were diagnosed. Depending the situation, you may want to undergo genetic counseling and genetic testing. But, of course, talk to your doctor before making any decisions.

Know Your Body

While research has shown that self breast exams play a small role in finding breast cancer, the real goal is for women to know their bodies. If you take time to know how your breasts look and feel normally, you’ll be quicker noticing any changes.

Young women should also track their menstrual cycles and physical development. Women who begin menstruating before age 12 are at increased risk of developing breast cancer. The more menstrual cycles a woman has over her lifetime, the more likely she is to get the disease. Find out when you had your first period and keep a record of your medical history. Knowledge of small details could be important if a problem develops later in life.

Eat Right

You’ve heard “eat your veggies” a million times, but when it comes to cancer diet really matters. In addition to their fiber content (which is beneficial for your heart and can help prevent other cancers, such as colon cancer), fruits and vegetables have antioxidant properties and micronutrients that may help prevent some cancers. Eat leaner meats and limit red meat. Reducing your fat intake helps prevent other health problems, such as heart disease and stroke, and may reduce your chance of developing breast and colon cancers.

Exercise

The U.S. Surgeon General recently reported many health problems can be prevented by engaging in a moderate amount of physical activity on most days of the week. Strive to maintain the body weight recommended by a health professional, since excess fat may stimulate estrogen production.

For more information on risk factors, visit the American Cancer Society Website, www.cancer.org, Breast Cancer Facts and Figures, 2006.

1) Halloween is coming– which means candy and lots of girls prancing around in costumes that always start with the world “slutty”.

2) The return of my coziest sweaters and Pumpkin Spice Lattes which is really one of the happiest moments of fall.

3) Midterms- which usually results in a whole lot of numbers one and two (minus the slutty costumes of course).

But more important than all those things?

October is also Breast Cancer Awareness month.

The American Cancer Society estimates the chances of a woman developing breast cancer in her lifetime is one in eight.

What’s even scarier is that breast cancer is being found in women younger and younger (such as singers Kylie Minogue and Anastasia).

A key factor in breast cancer survival is early detection. So, listen up!

Right now, in front of your computer (I won’t judge) I want you to feel yourself up. Go for it. Let those girls of yours know its play time. But before you boogie on down: click here for a video on how to give yourself an accurate breast exam. Then, I give you monthly permission to have a play-date with your lil (or big) ladies.

Even more fun than monthly breast exams? During the month of October you can spend, spend, spend for a good cause (not that we really need an excuse to shop) but when all our favorite stores are pitching in to help the fight against breast cancer? Well, that would just be rude of us not to whip out our plastic card.

Here are a few of my favorite Breast Cancer items:

• Bloomingdales has an entire “Pink Boutique” chock full of cute clothes that go towards the cancer cause. AND they even are selling gift cards where 10% of what you spend will go towards Breast Cancer Research.

• Now while I am far (like 3 light-years away far) from being the next Top Chef, the pink products from Kitchen Aid are so adorable that they almost (keyword being almost) make me want to step into the kitchen.

Kitchen Aid’s also started a “cook for the cure” party idea. Go to kitchenaid.com and get started with the “party kit” which is chock full of brunch and dinner recipes. Then invite your faves over for a study-break and ask each one to bring a donation for Breast Cancer…(and don’t forget to don you new pink apparel!). Click here for more info!

• Bobbi Brown released a lip combo of their best selling Sandwash Pink Lipstick and exclusive Pink Flower Shimmer Lip Gloss. A perfect combo of colors (I tried them last time I was at the store) for day or night.

Although no one knows 100% what causes breast cancer (hence all the shopping for Breast Cancer Research!) There are things you can do besides monthly breast exams to help lower your risk:

Eat a healthy diet (and no 100 calorie packs don’t count)

Maintainin a healthy weight (click here to see if you’re currently in a healthy weight range)

Limit the amount of alcohol you drink.

Exercise regularly (try Xflowsion if you’re bored with your workout!)

Researchers do know that a woman’s age, gender and lifetime exposure to estrogen as well as your age at the time of your first childbirth play an important role. So, consider switching to a lower dose of estrogen birth control as well.

Go to komen.org for more pink products and breast cancer information.

Those long summer nights and romantic strolls on the beach are pretty much finished (unless you like freezing water stinging your face), but just because the leaves are dying, doesn’t mean the romance has to.

Here are a few dating ideas that can only happen in the Fall.

• Apple picking: Even if you live in the city, there’s got to be an apple orchard somewhere close to you, and talking a beautiful walk through rows and rows of apple trees is simply amazing. You can soak up the Fall air, get a few apple-tinged goodies (apple cider donuts = heaven), and do something active with the one you love (or are beginning to love).

• Do the Fairs: Street fairs, country fairs, fall is the perfect time to grab your sweetie’s hand and pull them towards farm stands or a rickety Ferris wheel that looks like it might kill you both. There are plenty of fairs happening in September and October, all you gotta do is Google them.

• Carve a Pumpkin: I don’t know when you get too old to have fun scooping out pumpkin guts, but if that age ever comes, I hope I’m dead before it happens. Working together to make the sweetest pumpkin your neighborhood or dorm room has even seen is not only a bonding experience, but a chance for you to show that special someone your fantastic knife skills.

• Go For a Hike: Fall is the perfect time for energetic dates, since it’s cooler and sweat is less likely to invade every article of clothing and stream down your face. Grab your sweetheart, strap on some good shoes, and show them how in shape you are with a long walk or hike. Just make sure to watch out for bears—nothing ruins a date faster than getting mauled.

• Make an Apple Pie: Buy in the ingredients, find a real home-cooked recipe, and cover everyone with flour. Cooking together is a surefire way to build intimacy, and will give both of you something sweet to taste before heading to the bedroom for something sweeter.

Summer will always be awesome, but nothing says “come a little closer, baby” than a cool breeze and a cup of hot chocolate.