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.

That being said, I have a few favorite drinks that do really well in cold weather.

Peppermint Hot Chocolate:

This ain’t your grandma’s hot cocoa. (Or maybe it is…) I like to add a few drops (or shots) of Peppermint Schnapps to hot chocolate for an immediate warm-up. Make the cocoa with milk if you like it creamier.

Cinnamon Vanilla Cream:

One day my love of Starbucks and alcohol collided, and this drink was born. I just poured some Cinnamon Schnapps into my Vanilla Crème, and – voilà – an innocuous looking brew. Yes, I did keep it all in the Starbucks container. You can make your own Vanilla crème by warming up milk, adding a drop or two of vanilla extract, sugar to taste, and topping it off with whipped cream.

Hot (Spiked) Apple Cider:

First, you need to find some alcoholic apple cider. It’s probably somewhere between the beer and wine sections. Two bottles is a good amount to start with. On the stove, get it simmering with two cinnamon sticks, a tablespoon of cloves, a little bit of sugar and some nutmeg. What really makes it piping hot though, is the addition of either rum or apple brandy. Be generous, ladies – the apple cider has lost most of its alcoholic content in the heating process.

Hot Spiced Wine:

Hot spiced wine is like Sangria, only warm. With cinnamon and cloves. You start by boiling about a ½ cup of sugar in a ½ cup of water (for a 2 bottle recipe). Once the sugar is dissolved into the water, add the wine and spices. When you feel that the mixture has sufficiently blended, turn off the heat and add orange and lemon slices and either rum or brandy to taste. Vodka works too, and you can get creative with the fruit you choose to put in. It is best if you make it an hour or so before you serve it.

For a more sophisticated cocktail try the Blushing Reindeer, or any one of these being made at the hippest New York bars. Personally, if I’m the one making the drinks, I shouldn’t have to work to get drunk. I leave the creative mixology to the bartenders.

Any of your own favorite recipes that you want to share?

[Always drink responsibly. Photo courtesy of countryliving.com]

There ARE ways to partake in all the festivities while being health conscious, and it only takes a little thought.

High Calorie Drinks vs. Low Calorie Drinks
There are some cocktails that you just have to stay away from if you’re dieting or trying to maintain your weight. Anything with the word “daiquiri” in it is guaranteed to be packed with calories, and this goes for pina coladas (387 calories for just 6 ounces) and thick fruity margaritas (almost 400 calories for 8 ounces), as well. Those slushy coffee-liquor drinks that resemble Starbucks frappucinos (hello, Britney Spears’s fat phase) should be totally off limits, as only 3 ounces of coffee liquor clocks in at 348 calories.

Instead, stick to champagne (the lowest calorie choice, and even more fun when you add some OJ for a morning mimosa), low-calorie beer (I’m loving the 98-calorie Michelob Ultra right now), or a small glass of sparkling wine. Bloody Mary’s are fun too, if you’re starting the beach drinking early (or taking an airplane to your fabulous vacation destination). And remember: the higher the alcohol content, the higher the calorie-count.

The Sugar Problem
Substituting artificial sweeteners, lemon juice, or diet soda for regular sugar can cut your cocktail calories in half. Heat up your barbecues with mojitos made with diet fresca (a grapefruit flavored soda with zero calories) instead of club soda, and substitute Splenda for white sugar. If you refuse to give up on your frozen margaritas, try mixing tequila with low-calorie crystal light lemonade (it comes in flavors like peach, lemon and raspberry) and then adding Sprite zero so you don’t miss out on the bubbly. With this pared-down margarita, you can feel better about enjoying those nachos. Maybe.

Water is Your Friend
We can all agree that it’s almost impossible to attend a cocktail party and pass on the wine. Luckily, wine spritzers have become really popular and couldn’t be easier to make. Mix four ounces of a white wine (dry wines usually have lower calorie counts) with four ounces of a sparkling water (or club soda if Pellegrino’s not your thing). The benefit off adding a little H20 to your drink is twofold — in addition to helping you stay slim, it will keep you hydrated so that your beach day isn’t ruined by a whopping hangover.

I often turn to Fitness Magazine for great recipes, and this month they have a great Sangria Suggestion:

1 bottle dry red wine
1 cup light orange juice
¼ cup brandy or cognac
¼ cup orange liqueur
2 tablespoons sugar
2 medium oranges, sliced
2 cups club soda, chilled
Crushed ice and/or orange peel curls (optional)

Mix wine, OJ, brandy, orange liqueur, sugar, and orange slices in a large pitcher. Chill for at least two hours, and add club soda before serving. Serve over crushed ice and a few orange peel curls. Only 100 calories per serving, makes 12 servings in all.

Whether you’re working it at a beach barbecue or a hot club, a cool drink in your hand is a necessity.  There are the old standby’s like Jack & Coke, cranberry & vodka, and Corona with lime (oh, so many memories…er…lack of memories) that are guaranteed to get you through the evening.  But why just “get through the evening” when you can sail through on the wings of something delicious and interesting?

Say you’re at a hip lounge in some downtown area.  A cute guy catches your eye and walks up to join you at the bar.  He asks you what you’re drinking.  Do you want to reply with something he’s heard a hundred times before (“Uh, Miller Lite?”) or something that will get the conversation (and maybe something else) started with a bang?

After much deliberation and research (and some taste-testing), we have come up with a list of the most fun cocktails for the long, hot summer ahead.  Go ahead, have one of these and let your glass sweat it out along with the poor guy you’re about to attack on the dance floor. Just click on the image to get the delicious deets.

Today is the first official day of Spring, ladies! Sure, you might not feel it yet (I know I wore a winter coat to the bar last night), but that is what the calendar says, so bust out the Havianas and madras and embrace the new season!

It’s amazing what the weather can do for your mood. Just the thought of rocking my new Ray Ban’s with a pair of flip flops has me jumping for joy. Seriously, the guy who lives below me just jabbed his broom at the ceiling. Maybe once he sees the sun shining he’ll stop being so grumpy.

Anyways, I. LOVE. Spring. It’s my favorite season of the year by far. Jean jackets, spring dresses, sangria on the porch – there is nothing better. And the rest of the CollegeCandy writers agree. See what they love most about spring.

Coco: I love seeing the flowers bloom, minus allergic reactions of course.  And good fruit! Mmm.

Alex – Lakehead: The warm weather! After months of snow, I’ll take any rise in temperature!

Mazuba – Westchester Community College: Going back to drinking iced coffees and bikini shopping. It’s never to early to find the perfect bikini!

Lauren – University of Michigan: Two words – outdoor drinking.

Brithny – Duke: Being tan again! Asians just should not be white… winter was not a  good look for me.

Charlsie – Hollins: Getting ice-cream, wearing sundresses, and feeling refreshed for the first time in months.

Sara C- Fordham: The weather is more comfortable for walking! No more shivering at the bus stop, no more frigid dashes to class, and I can get some exercise!

Elizabeth – Berkeley: An opportunity to wear all my cute summer clothes that have been in hiding for the past year.

Sarabeth – University of Texas: Wearing shorts.

Johnie – PSU: Tanning on my balcony….finally!

Carrie- Duke: My favorite thing about Spring is that Winter is officially over.

Carly – Grinnell: I love to see people out and walking around in the springtime. I suddenly realize how many people actually live in my town.

Kelly – UMass: Flip Flops

Gemma – NYU: OH MY GOD I am SO excited to be able to leave the house in a t-shirt or sweater, without having to spend 10 minutes figuring out just how cold it is and then bundling up accordingly with a coat, hat, gloves, boots, scarf, etc!!

Liza M – Minnesota: It’s almost summer! Minnesota spring can be unpredictable (case in point: it snowed on the day of my senior prom…April 26th!) but summer is always amazing!

Jill – University of Wisconsin: People aren’t walking as if they are trying to make it to the nearest bathroom to drop a load. I can see people’s faces! And by ‘people’ I mean cute men in cute spring clothes.

Donnette – Manhattaville College: OMG!! Everything! I get to create my Spring Lookbook and ditch my chocolate Uggs and Etienne Aigner boots for cute strappy sandals.

Kari – FSU: Being able to wear floral sundresses everywhere and anywhere.

Leah – Ryerson University: Wearing sandals and sitting on patios.  Often done at the same time.

What are you looking forward to?

[Photo courtesy of Guardian.co.uk]

At my school, Americans who were enrolled in degree programs were labelled “Degree Students,” while Americans who were specifically there for a semester or two were labelled “Study Abroads.”  So, while I was an American sewing my wild oats just like you might be, there were some major differences.  I moved to the UK when I was 18, fresh out of high school.  I’d never had a keg party experience, I’d never lived in a dry dorm, and I’d never been to a major college sporting event.  Though I wasn’t always on my best behavior, my best friends were from all over the world, and I could see through their eyes how Americans earned bad raps as being obnoxious, immature, and annoying.  Make the most of your experience. Don’t make these mistakes.

1.  Do Know That Your Accent Says It All.

Have you ever heard an English person swear? I don’t care how “sodding” pissed off they are, it sounds so much nicer than an American politely asking, “Whaat tye-am is etttt?”  Most natives of whatever country you’re in won’t be instantly appalled by your accent, but they will know approximately where you hail from.

2. Don’t Get Wasted and Yell Things That Would Be Funny at Home.

As I just stated, your accent gives you away.  Which can work to your advantage… or not.  Screaming your school’s sports chant– P-I-T-T Let’s Go Pitt!– is not only loud and obnoxious, but do you really think the residents of Queensland, Australia give a f*** about the University of Pittsburgh?  Singing bar songs (American or otherwise) will also make everyone, including fellow Americans, want to punch you in the face.

3.  Do Be Polite.

You’re bound to get lost.  Or at least need to ask directions.  Be nice about it.  If you don’t understand the public transportation system, ask a station attendant, but be nice.  When I was in London, I would ask politely, “Do you know when the next train to [random borough] is coming?” And if I was cordial, they might ask where my final destination was, and then give me a better route that no guidebook could ever highlight.

4.  Don’t Get Angry Because Their Systems Are Different.

Screaming, “God, the T is so much more efficient” on a train or bus isn’t going to welcome any assistance.  Getting angry because the subway (or whatever they happen to call it over there) doesn’t run 24 hours a day isn’t going to get you home.  And if you ask a stranger for help, and they don’t know how to point you in the right direction, blatant rudeness is just uncalled for.  Getting frustrated because you can’t understand their language/accent also isn’t going to encourage them to be patient with you.

5.  Do Learn the Customs.

Immerse yourself in the culture any way you can.  If you have a work Visa, get a part time job.  You’ll meet the locals, or other study abroads from other countries.  I worked at a freaking Starbucks, and helped a Chinese coworker with his verb agreements.  He gave me a paper art Tiger.  I also befriended several English students, who explained the concepts of A-Levels, and years later, we are still close.  They also brought me to the bars and clubs that no other “Study Abroads” had stumbled upon.

If you can’t work or if you don’t waste your time behind a cash register in a foreign land, try to befriend the waitress at the cafe you go to every weekend, or attend as many community events as you can, just to take it all in.

6.  Don’t Insist on Sticking to Your American Ways.

How do you know that German delicacy won’t whet your palate? Just give it a try.  Don’t insist on shaking hands when the customs of your new country are to bow.  Sure, things may seem awkward at first, but eventually, they’ll grow on you.  Why not stay in the states if you’re going to cry over the difference in plumbing systems?   Being narrow-minded will only mean you’re missing out on a culture that could change your life.  Oh, and though it might be okay to shack up at a frat party, keep in mind that in some parts of the world, our American ways can be shocking.  You don’t have to censor yourself necessarily, but just be smart.

7.   Do Travel.

If you’re studying in a European country, you can get a cheap flight to so many other parts of the continent, on the cheap.  Check out Ireland, Italy, Spain, or France.  Check out a place you’ve never heard of (the Canary Islands are to Britain what Cancun is to the U.S.)  If you’re in a big country, like Australia, China, or Africa, check out another province.  Even if it’s just for the weekend.  Once you’re back in the states, these place won’t be so accessible.

8.  Don’t  Be Too Impulsive.

If you buy the first token souvenir you see, you may regret it later.  You might find find a better deal five minutes later (or you might get screwed over the first time around).  Take your time to learn about the trends of the country, and buy something more sentimental than a “J’Adore Paris” t-shirt.  You don’t have to do it all in one day– you’ve got a few months to learn the ropes.

9.  Do Enjoy Yourself.

Don’t cry every night because you miss your family.  Don’t rack up a phone bill calling your boyfriend in the States.  Take in all of the little things, whether it’s a tiny coffee shop or a local park.  The days of your study-abroad will fly by.  Make it count.

10.  Don’t Feel the Need to Take Unnecessary Pictures.

Imagine you’re in Times Square in New York.  You know that gaggle of people taking pictures of Planet Hollywood, who take up the whole sidewalk and won’t let any pedestrians pass until they’ve gotten their group shot? Ugh.  Asking the coffee shop attendant in Amsterdam to pose for a pic of you and your first space cake is cliche and annoying.  It’s okay to document all of the new sights you encounter, but there’s no need to objectify the locals for your own personal scrap-booking needs.

11. Don’t View a Lower Drinking Age as an All-Access Party Pass.

In countries with more leniant drinking laws, students your age have been raised to drink in moderation.  It’s not such a big deal to get into a bar without being carded.  So, if you’re studying abroad and you’re not 21, take your newfound legality as an opportunity to learn about how certain wines are made, or how hoppy you like your beer.  Try all of the “real” Sangria, Sake, Mojitos, Caipirhinas, and Ales that you can, but learn to appreciate a nice drink, rather than play the “how many beers can I pound in an hour” game.

At some point during my college career, I discovered that wine is stronger than beer and more consistent than mixed drinks, which are super weak at many stingy bars.

Wine became my go-to drink.

When I moved into an apartment with a fellow wino, we quickly realized that even 1.5 liter bottles of wine went too quickly, so to save gas on packy runs, we became avid boxers.

Boxed wine is completely underrated by many collegiates across the country. In the wine world, Franzia may have a bad rap, but come on; we’re college students. We have no money. We drink a lot. And we aren’t opposed to drinking Dubra when times are tight, so why exclude boxed wine from our list of libations?

In many states, wine comes in 5-liter boxes. That’s FIVE LITERS of booze for about $15. Depending on how much (or how little) you drink, that can easily be split throughout the night between you and your five closest friends, or you can suck it down yourself and not worry about another liquor run for a week or two. If you can’t find a 5-liter box, you’ll still be set with the “smaller” size box, which contains three liters of fermented grapes.

Heaven.

Instead of filling a water bottle with Captain and Coke and hoping the rum-soda ratio is strong enough to give you a buzz, but not so hard you black out after three sips, fill a bottle or two with boxed wine! It’s easy to transport, and you won’t have to shell out extra money for mixers. (On a side note, Chardonnay is the strongest white wine, so if you are looking for a party, skip the Sunset Blush.)

Even if you forego the ghetto water bottles and just lug the box around all night, it’s got a handle, and the box will get significantly lighter as the evening progresses. Just ask my roommate, who took a full 5-liter box of Sangria to a party and proceeded to drink it dry in one night (and lived to tell the tale).

The best part about boxed wine is that, like beer, it has inspired a plethora of party games. You can take the plastic bag of vino out of the box and have someone hold it for you and twist the spout for an insta-wine funnel. A variation of this sport is “Slapping the Bag,” in which you (or your friend) repeatedly – you guessed it – slaps the bag while you chug. This sounds odd, to say the least, but it’s so popular that the term “slap the bag” has become synonymous with the action of drinking wine in a box.

Cheap, portable and tasty? Maybe you should give boxed wine a try.

Q: What’s more summery than sangria?

A: Absofrickinlutely nothing!

Sangria is the perfect summer drink: Cold, fruity, and ideal for sharing. (Actually, that sounds like an exboyfriend of mine. But, I digress.)

Anyway, cold, fruity, share-able boys aside, here is an awesome sangria recipe that is a mid-August must. Enjoy, and share only with people you adore.

The stuff that goes in it:

1 bottle of red wine (preferably dry)

1/2 cup of brandy

1/2 cup of triple sec

1/3 cup of frozen lemonade concentrate

1/3 cup of orange juice

1/4 cup of lemon juice

1/4 cup of sugar

1 lemon

1 lime

1 orange

Here’s how we do:

(1) Cut all the fruit (lemon, lime, orange) into rounds.

(2) Mix all the non-fruit items together in your serving pitcher.

(3) Put the fruit in on top.

(4) Leave it in the refrigerator overnight.

(5) Drink, me hearties!!

[Image courtesy of community.adn.com]

Get ready because next Monday, August 11th, MTV will be premeiring their latest hit, The American Mall.

I just watched the trailer and I. Can’t. Wait. Yes, I said it. And once you watch this badboy (below), you will agree.

I mean, honestly, how can anyone NOT be excited for this:

Singing

Dancing

Drama set to singing and dancing

Crazy Taylor from The O.C.

The fact that it is on MTV and, therefore, not nearly as embarassing as watching HSM (6 times….)

A free movie!

Seriously, invite the girls (and me!) over, make some popcorn (and Sangria) and turn this on.

Watch the trailer after the jump!

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