Newsflash: it’s scorching hot outside.

Not that I needed to tell you that. I’m sure the sweat forming under your boobs as we speak sends that message loud and clear (and wet). I wouldn’t mind the heat so much outside (that’s what pools and beaches are for, right?) if my apartment weren’t also 10,000 degrees. It seems my air conditioning has taken a permanent vacay and the only way to stay cool is to watch TV in a bikini with a half-gallon of Edy’s between my legs.

I wonder what my neighbors think…

I feel like I’ve tried everything – including sitting in a cooler full of ice at my 4th of July BBQ – but nothing is working and I fear my organs are cooking inside of my body. That can’t be good for my liver, right? In order to find some relief, I turned to the CollegeCandy writers to find out what they do to keep cool on these sweltering days. Need some ideas to cool down? Read on:

Rachael – University of Miami: Air conditioning, smoothies, and (of course) any form of chocolate ice cream. Oh, and embracing the antics of my old floormates and ditching the shirt when I’m hanging out in my room; a bra and shorts are surprisingly comfortable, and a lot cooler than having a shirt sticking to your chest and back.

Kari – Florida State: I hit the gym! It’s freezing cold in there and when I leave, at least I can feel good about being sweaty…

Sarabeth – University of Texas: I have this reusable ice-stick thing that came with a water bottle I bought, but instead of using it as I should, I put it between my boobs. No one can tell and it feels amazing. Read More »

Why didn't I think of that?

Okay, so it’s hot.  Like really, really sweltering hot.  The temptation to stay inside and watch the first season of True Blood on DVD is certainly great, but you’ve got to escape the house at some point.  While there’s not much we can do to persuade mother nature to tone it down a few (hundred) degrees, there are a few tactics you can implement to keep cool on your outdoor adventures…and a few you’d do better to stay away from.

Grab a Cold One
The timeless, tried and true remedy for beating the heat.  Find a shady porch, call over a few friends, and ice down a six-pack.  Just make sure you don’t over-imbibe, as alcohol dehydrates you quicker than a walk through the Sahara.  Throwing a few bottles of water into your cooler can save you from hangover hell.

Kick Off the Heels
Nothing’s worse than dressing for work in the summer.  Fitted pencil skirts, blazers, business shirts…might as well add pit stains and forehead sweat to the company dress code.  Lighten up your wardrobe by mixing in airy (yet professional) sundresses and ditching the heels for a pair of cute flats or sandals.   Looking to make a bold statement at the beach?  A bikini and stilettos is not the message you need to be sending unless you just divorced someone named Spencer. Read More »

Seriously, can you believe it it’s July?! I know, I’m freaking out too. Before we know it, August will come and we’ll all be dragging our butts and our Yaffa Blocks back to school. But fear not, the holiday weekend is here! I don’t know about the rest of you women, but I know I’ll be spending the next 3 days lounging by the pool with a margarita (or two) and a big, juicy hot dog (or three).

But before I start slathering on the sunscreen and packing on the pounds, let’s review the week that was:

- Screw Hollywood and its ageism. These Hollywood Starlets get seriously better with age.

- Ugh all those high school seniors, time to grow up! What’s the deal with having multiple valedictorians?! So unfair.

- Had a bad roommate? Try living with your boyfriend’s MOM. Yeah to be honest, I would just GTFO.

- “Oh, I only eat a salad for dinner and I run everyday!” Seriously? You think your man friends really want to hear that? Get real!

- Some of us are literally melting under the hot sun and still want to look cute. What’s the best way to beat the summer heat?

- Ahhh, teenage celebs. So young and so full of life. And…really, really stupid. Sometimes they should just shut up.

- Eclipse is out and Kristen Stewart is still awkward. What is the obsession with this franchise?! Read More »

By now, everyone is looking forward to the summer. Thoughts of a pool, a raft and a cold beer are about the only things getting us through the hell that is finals week. But while I love me some summer sundresses and the prospect of a steamy summer fling, summer isn’t all rainbows and butterflies for me. Yes, this whiny girl with a Jew-fro has a bit of a bone to pick with summer.

Actually, I’ve got ten bones to pick. Not that I really understand what that little phrase means anyway. It’s sorta gross, right? Picking bones? All I can think about is that graveyard the hyenas hung out at in The Lion King.

Anyways, back to the list:

10. It’s really hot
Great for a day at the beach, not great for a day in New York City when you’re running late to your internship and have to stand in a 100 degree subway station (that always smells like pee) with zero breeze and you can feel the sweat start pooling on the back of your neck and between your boobs. By the time you get to work, your armpits are completely soaked through and you have to manually pull your thighs apart as they have molded into one thunder-thigh on the train. Read More »

If you’re anything like me (extremely poor and continuously sweaty from no AC), dinner has turned into a can of PBR, hummus and baby carrots.

The summer heat and lack of money melt my formerly creative inner cook, and even though I’m slightly decent at preparing a meal, all I can think to do is eat apples, fry eggs and drink beer.

Even worse than cooking in the summer heat is cooking for one. It’s depressing. There are always leftovers and really, who wants to make an elaborate meal if you’re the only one eating it?

Which is why I was so excited to see these 101 simple summer meals that can be prepared in 10 minutes or less.

I’m all for using fresh ingredients and keeping it healthy, but sometimes recipes that call for a dozen different fresh components just end up rotting in the fridge.

These meals, however, don’t require too much and really do spark a little creativity in the kitchen. I’m so pumped about having so many new ideas that I’m already planning how I can use my leftovers (see #89).

Here are some of my favorites: Read More »

If you’re anything like me, you own one air conditioner that’s only strong enough to cool a tiny pocket of air, and you’re afraid to turn it on anyway because of that pesky electricity bill.

So basically, you’re spending these summer days dripping in sweat. And not that pretty, girlish glisten. Sweat. Sticking to your clothes, running down your back, mattering your hair down until you feel as attractive and energetic as a cat that’s been hosed with dirty water.

What’s a girl stuck in the middle of summer without AC to do? She improvises.

#1 Make a Towel-sicle: If you’re certain it’s going to be 90 degrees with a 100% chance of stuffiness tonight, wet a small washcloth or towel and put it in freezer for up to an hour. When you’re ready to go to bed, take that baby out and use it to cool yourself for a few blissful minutes. The one downside to this endeavor is the obvious melting issue, but hey, a little wetness never hurt anyone.

#2 Freeze your Head: Much like the towel-sicle, all this improvisation needs is a cloth bandana and a freezer. Moisten the bandana and stick it in the freezer up to an hour before going outside. Sure, you can buy something made specifically for this purpose, but most of them make you look like a giant tool. Read More »