I have three finals, two papers, and one draft of my senior thesis keeping me from my winter break. Not a walk in the park, but also not an all time high as far finals week frenzies go.  But yet, here I sit, far too enamored in this week’s episode of What Not to Wear to even think about getting any of this work done.

This is not stuff worth procrastinating. It requires no freak outs, no massive amounts of brain power. These papers are not worth the all-nighters they will result in if I leave the researching and the writing until the last minute. They are not worth the caffeine induced frenzy I will face the morning after just to get through classes. I should focus, and buckle down, and power through so that I can be done with it. But yet, here I sit, watching Stacy London argue for wedges over flip flops.

It’s time to face the facts: I have senioritis.

I remember the symptoms from the last trimester of senior year in high school. Lack of motivation. An unwillingness to go to class. The desire to sleep through every single one of my professor’s well intentioned lectures. Reading for classes is a nuisance. Getting up in time for class is a struggle. I have no desire to accomplish anything ever…

Okay, so maybe most of those symptoms aren’t exactly restricted to senioritis.  But right now, they’re amplified. Procrastination is a part of every student’s life, but lately I’ve made it into an art form. I know that I should do these papers, go to class, finish out the semester, graduate, but right now I’m just having trouble seeing the point of it all.  Because frankly, I really, really don’t want to. With graduation comes responsibility, real life, a weekend that doesn’t include Friday’s off, and days that don’t include time slots for naps and Facebook stalking. So I should embrace the chance to be irresponsible while I can, right?

Right.

I mean, I am a senior. Shouldn’t I be exempt from all of this? Shouldn’t I be guaranteed good grades and allowed to sleep in because I won’t be able to for much longer? Shouldn’t I be rewarded for making it through the past three years alive?

I wish.

But no. As nice as that would be (a girl can dream, can’t she?) that’s not exactly how it works. I still need to finish out the semester.  And even then I’m not exactly done. I still have to go back in January and take classes. Again. I still need to finish my thesis. And my major. And that means one more semester of papers and professors and procrastination.

So I need to figure out a way to focus. I need to not end up cleaning my keyboard or Windexing my computer screen every time I start to type. I need to figure out how I end up reading celebrity gossip every time I turn on my laptop. Yesterday, I sat down to type out an outline for my senior thesis and ended up on zappos.com looking at shoes I cannot afford. And that was after I spent an hour sifting through Facebook photos from years past. But not before complaining via text about the fact that I even had to write the paper at all.

I just need to focus. Sign out of Facebook. Shut the television. Put my phone on silent.  Concentrate. I can do this. Because I need to. I need to kick this habit. And I need to kick it now.

In fact I think I’ll go start researching for that paper.

Oh wait…is that a Gossip Girl rerun?

Confession time: I’m a shopaholic. Bags are my weakness. So are boots. I’m obsessed with dark washed jeans and oversize sunglasses and Rachel Bilson’s entire wardrobe.

Needless, to say I take the time to make outfits out of all of these clothes that I acquire. I read magazines and blogs and spend far too much time trying to find the perfect outfit for every occasion. So yes, I am a woman who often worries about her appearance, or at least the appearance of her clothes. And I’m not afraid to admit it, much to the disapproval of the likes of Sandra Bartky.

I first encountered this feminist writer in my Philosophy and Feminism class last semester, when reading her article, Foucault, Femininity, and the Modernization of Patriarchal Power. Bartky discusses the roles men and a male dominated society (i.e.: the patriarchal power), play in the way in which women portray themselves. Women, she claims, feel as though they are constantly being watched by a male power and as a result, we feel it necessary to take part in this “beautification process” society has thrust upon us.

The process of beautification, she claims, is insignificant. It is a practice women take part in only because they feel they have to. Women, Bartky claims, feel as though they must always look perfect, as though they must always strive for the ideal. They are never good enough, but always reaching, always working in an attempt to please that nonexistent gazer. From waxing our eyebrows to straightening our hair, its all for someone else. And by conceding, Bartky explains, the patriarchy remains in control. Men continue to have the power.

Bartky believes that by worrying about our appearance, we’re submitting to someone else’s idea of beauty. She thinks we’re molding ourselves into an ideal that someone else, specifically a man, has put forth as the standard of beauty. She believes that with every swipe of mascara, or splurge on this season’s boots, we are allowing ourselves to be made inferior. We are reinforcing everything feminists have fought against.

I beg to differ.

Now let’s put aside the fact that men feel just as much pressure as women to look a certain way. Let’s put aside the media’s role in all of this. And let’s overlook the fact that there is no one true idea of beauty because all over the world, different cultures and countries have different beauty ideals. Just ask Jessica Simpson.

But like I said, let’s put all that aside. Let’s instead focus on what looking your best can do for you. You’ve seen how much a makeover can change a person. From Clueless to What Not to Wear, it’s a proven fact.  To some, beautification is a means of oppression. But for those who enjoy it, for those who do not feel oppressed by it, who do not claim to be behaving a certain way for anyone other than themselves, is it right to tell them that they are being oppressed? Can women as a group make that decision for women as individuals? And what about personal style? We don’t all walk around in matching outfits. Women make choices about their clothes. They are a means of expression, a way of telling the world who we are. The “beautification process,” as Bartky calls it, does not have to be a means of giving men control, but it can be a way of taking control back.

Statements like “What’s on the outside really does matter” and “You’re judged on your appearance” are generally not met with much support. Because what’s inside does count. If you can’t hold a decent conversation, if you don’t stand out as an individual, if you aren’t a genuine person, what you wear will no longer matter. So those people, who believe that outward appearance is all that matters, are wrong. But I’m not talking about weight or beauty or expensive clothes, or the picture perfect, but entirely unrealistic, image the media plasters all over magazines and billboards. I’m simply talking about dressing to be the best version of yourself that you can possibly be.

First impressions are more often than not determined by looks, especially in the post college world. Dressing appropriately for a job interview? That’s important. Not just for women, but for men too. If you’re at a networking event, is your possible employer more likely to chat with the girl in the pinstripe pants or the girl in the sweatpants with their college logo down their right leg? Similarly, the man in a suit is more likely to get the job than the man who shows up to the interview in a t-shirt and jeans.

To an extent, society does dictate the way we dress. Appearances do matter sometimes. But this is not a struggle between male and female power. In fact, it does not have to be a power struggle at all. You should never dress for someone else, or wear something you are not comfortable with. But you should explore the world of fashion and the world of beauty. Find a style that makes you feel comfortable and helps you to stand out in a good way. If it’s all about the power then take that power back and use it to your advantage.

"Is your picker off?"

The time has come, ladies!

The holidays are over, winter break is in full swing (or completely over, for some of us) and we no longer have to rely on “MADE” re-runs to satiate our hunger for reality TV. Lots of our favorite (read: guiltiest pleasure) shows are coming back this month. So whether you’re still chillaxin on mama’s couch nomming on those delish little leftover Ferrero Rocher chocolates (just me?) or back on campus and in dire need of an escape from “Human Communication 101,” here’s CC’s guide to winter 2010 TV premieres:

The Millionaire Matchmaker: Tues, Jan. 19 @ 10pm EST on Bravo.
Patti’s heart-shaped engagement ring is pretty fug, but the hot-mess-millionaires are totes worth watching.

Project Runway: Thursday, Jan. 14 @ 10 EST on Lifetime. Followed by The Models of the Runway.
It will never be as good as its Bravo days, but it still has Tim and Heidi. And the token hilarious gay guy.

Celebrity Rehab w/ Dr. Drew: Thurs., Jan. 7 on VH1.
OH.EM.GEE!

Nip/Tuck: Weds., Jan. 6 @ 10 on FX.
The.Final.Season. About time, right?

Iron Chef America: Sunday, Jan. 10 on Food Network.
Nom nom nom.

What Not to Wear: Friday, Jan. 8 @ 9 EST on TLC.
Clinton Kelly is straight, right? I mean, I have a chance with him?

The Buried Life: Monday, Jan. 18 @ 10 EST on MTV.
MTV moves away from the trashy and attempts to inspire us all to do good. Plus the four main guys are totally cute. I know I’ll be watching.

The Vampire Diaries: Thurs., Jan. 21 @ 8 EST on CW.
Because vampires are hot.

American Idol: Tues., Jan. 11 @ 8 EST on Fox.
Goodbye Paula (and incoherent ramblings). Hellooooooo, Ellen!

Parks and Recreation: Thurs., Jan. 14 @ 8:30 EST on NBC.
Nestled nicely between Community and The Office, this show is hard to miss. So don’t miss it.

Lost : Tues., Feb. 2 @ 9 EST on ABC.
Finally, I can find out what the eff is happening.

The Office: Thurs., Feb. 4 @ 9 EST on NBC.
Jim and Pam baby. Jim and Pam baby. Jim and Pam BABY!!

And just in case you were too busy catching up on world news or, more realistically, watching reruns of Jersey Shore for the 6th time, here are a few shows that kicked it off this week. Don’t worry – you can catch the reruns online.

The Biggest Loser: Tuesdays @ 8 EST on NBC.
The first episode is always pretty boring anyway…

The Bachelor: Mondays @ 8 EST on ABC.
Do you really need to see the first episode to get dragged in to the dramz? Hell no.

The Secret Life of the American Teenager: Mondays @ 8 EST on ABC Family.
This show is good. Really good. Start watching!

Giuliana & Bill: Sundays @ 9 EST on Style
Yeah, we don’t want to care about these two either, but they’re so damn cute we just can’t stop.

I know more about these women than I do about our forefathers.

Every Friday I head home from work, tear off my bra, put on my biggest pair of sweatpants, order in Pad Se Ew and settle in for a night of TV. Lame? Maybe. But get back to me after you’re working 60-hour weeks in the real world. Friday nights on the couch are sacred.

Last week, as I fired up the DVR to catch up on all the shows I’d missed from the week, I had a rather enlightening moment. Sorta like an Oprah “aha!” moment, only way more embarrassing. My entire DVR was taken up by reality shows. Top Chef, Project Runway, The Real Housewives, Ace of Cakes… Hell, I even had a little Real World/Road Rules Duel on there.

I looked around to make sure none of my neighbors could see my TV through the windows. I mean, I know I like me some crappy TV, but this was just mortifying. My entire life revolves around watching train wrecks on camera! But maybe it’s not that sad? I mean, everyone loves themselves a little trash now and then, right? Those shows are on for a reason. And some of them are actually really good! Maybe not anything on E!, but we can all learn a thing or two from The Biggest Loser, right?

Right?!?

To make myself feel better about my addiction (and my sad, lame life) I asked the CollegeCandy writers to share their reality TV faves this week. You know you got one, too. Share it in the comments!

Norah – Drake University: I’m obsessed with cake shows. I can’t deal with the drama of other reality shows, but I like to watch people make pretty cakes that look impossible to eat.

Brithny – Duke: So You Think You Can Dance, because of the amazing… dancing. Obvi.

Kim – Stanford: Life would be a little less complete without SAY YES TO THE DRESS on TLC. Who doesn’t love weddddings?!

Lauren H – The New School: Top Chef! I’m a big food nerd, so I watch a lot of the food-based contest shows, but Top Chef is by far the best. The only downside is I’m always hungry after!

Caitlin – University of Alabama: I love E!’s reality shows like Girls Next Door, Keeping Up With The Kardashians, and Kourtney and Khloe Take Miami.  UGH but those Lamas…that’s 30 minutes of my life I’ll never get back!

Charlsie – Hollins University: Keeping Up With The Kardashians is my favorite reality show because when Kim, Khloe, and Kourtney get into fights they refer to each other as “stupid bitch ass whores.” If it wasn’t for this show, my sister and I would have boring arguments. The Kardashians keep us fresh with insults and put-downs!

Laura – St. John’s: Rock of Love.  I never tire of the varying extremes of trampy-ness these girls will go through to prove their love to Bret Michaels. (Really? Bret Michaels is the best you can do?)

Ricki – University of Michigan: The Bachelor/Bachelorette – It’s impossible to not believe in true love when every date they have is jet skiing in Hawaii or being alone on a deserted island.

Thu – USC: The City, if it is even considered “reality.” You kind of live a fabulous life vicariously through the people.

Leah – Ryerson University: What Not to Wear and Tim Gunn’s Guide to Style because everyone should feel fabulous about the way they look.

Anna R. – Northeastern University: My favorite reality show is The City. I didn’t watch the first season, but now I’m obsessed with it. It’s SO much better than The Hills (which is really lame and pointless now), and the girls’ jobs are actually interesting to watch. Plus, I love seeing what they are all wearing!

Kiki – University of Missouri: I spent at least nine hours of my life this summer watching 16 and Pregnant marathons on MTV. It’s like True Life mixed with Maury mixed with the best damn abstinence education ever.

Samantha – UC Santa Barbara: VH1’s Tough Love! The women are such train wrecks that it’s hard not to watch! Best of all, no one gets kicked off, so your favorite tranny look-alike is there every week for your viewing pleasure. Watch as these women work through their “daddy issues” and try to find love. Priceless quotes to throw around with the roomies guaranteed.

Sarabeth – University of Texas: I may or may not have seen every episode of Say Yes to the Dress. I mean, come on, really expensive and really pretty dresses mixed with a few horrible women with bad taste? It’s Amazing!

Hillary – Columbia: I watch a ton of awful television, but my favorite reality show will always be Man Vs. Beast, a two-hour special aired by Fox in 2003. In it, people competed against animals in a variety of competitions—a sprinter raced a giraffe, a Sumo wrestler had a tug-of-war with an orangutan, and, maybe best of all, competitive eater Takeru Kobayashi had a hot dog eating contest with a bear. Seriously. Just watch a few clips. They’re amazing.

Erica – Kent State University: The Rachel Zoe Project.  LIT-ERALLY, I love watching Rachel (aka The-Walking-Panic-Attack) & Taylor (aka The-Five-Year-Old-Who-Somehow-Made-It-Into-The-Fashion-Biz) go BANANAS.  Seriously, Rachel has influenced my closet and my vocab.  LOVE her.

Kelly- Simmons College: I love the Real Housewives. My roommate and I watch the end-of-season marathons and get completely hooked for 12 hours about people we don’t like and don’t actually care about. What other show can do that?

Zahra- Northwestern University: Lately I’ve been obsessed with Tool Academy. It’s hilarious when the guys break things or get into fights to show off their manliness, but also brings me to tears when I see girls finding out about their guys’ infidelities.

Alex – Lakehead University: My favourite (yes, Canadian spelling!) reality show is Paranormal State on A&E. College students who moonlight as ghost hunters?! I’m in! Plus this show features some very unique stories, like the demon that follows them through several episodes. I’m hooked!

Jasmin – University of Missouri: HGTV’s House Hunters. Strange, I know, but it’s addictive. When I leave Mizzou for the real world, I’ll be ready to remodel my dream home.

Bad Surprise Number 1: Cleavage Overkill

In my opinion, overly exposed cleavage is never cute – even if you have a rack that rivals Scarlett Johansson’s in perkiness and perfect round shape. In the office, however, I think that this is particularly inappropriate. Last week I attended an intern meeting and could barely focus on the speaker because the girl sitting across from me was practically spilling out of her V-neck tee. Put ‘em away, ladies! It’s not professional, and more likely than not you’ll be confronted by one of your coworkers for violating the office dress code (which always exist, even if you haven’t been handed something in writing).

Bad Surprise Number 2: Rainboots
It’s basically been raining for the past 10 days and I no one dreads soggy toes quite like I do. Rainboots are a practical (and cute – I’m loving my green Hunter Wellington’s) way to stay dry as you race to make your 9:30 meeting, but they are only meant for the outdoors! When you get to your desk, swap your booties for a comfortable pair of heels, flats, or boots. Rainwear worn inside ends up looking sloppy and strange, and they make those weird squeaky sounds when you walk down the hall that are just downright annoying.

Bad Surprise Number 3: Scrunchies
They still make these?

Bad Surprise Number 4: All black
Isn’t summer  the time for bright colors and fun prints? Apparently not. You wouldn’t believe how many people I pass in the office wearing all-black ensembles a la Morticia Adams in the middle of winter. Lighten up, everyone! I’ll speak for myself when I say that I’ve fully embraced the white pant (which I admit that I wear all year round… forget those Memorial Day/Labor Day rules) and the floral dress and plan to wear them all summer long.

And one good surprise…

Good Surprise Number 1: Spandex worn right
I’ve always maintained that if you wear spandex, you must wear a shirt/dress/tunic that covers your butt (and ideally makes its way to mid thigh) unless you want some serious camel-toe or dimple-butt. Leggings aren’t substitutes for pants, and they shouldn’t be treated as such. But I’m ready to make an exception for those trendy stretchies that look like denim even though they’re regular old spandex (some styles even have zippers, pockets, or buttons) and pair perfectly with blouses and blazers. Member’s Only makes a really cute pair that are as dark (and concealing) as regular jeans so that you’re not walking around overexposed.

]]> http://collegecandy.com/2009/06/24/intern-diaries-what-not-to-wear/feed/ 9 Maddie - Tufts University cleavage http://collegecandy.com/2009/04/19/6-tips-for-picking-up-dudes/ http://collegecandy.com/2009/04/19/6-tips-for-picking-up-dudes/#comments Sun, 19 Apr 2009 15:30:12 +0000 Carly - Grinnell http://collegecandy.com/?p=26897 ]]> I picked my last boyfriend up at the grocery store. Bing, bang, boom—some eggs, some bread, and a new dude. Sure, there was some out-of-store courting involved, but who would have thought you could actually meet nice guys at the grocery store? Or that guys even went to the grocery store?

Not me. But it turns out that great dudes are all over the place—you just have to know where to look and how to strike. Read on.

1. Smile.
This might sound dumb, but everybody’s attracted to a good smile. You can’t pick up a guy if you look sour, so flash those pearly whites. You never know when somebody cute is going to look your way.

2. Be who you wish you were.
If you’re shy but you really want to be outgoing and flirty, what’s stopping you? It’s hard to overcome labels you’ve placed on yourself, but you’re the only person who has the power to change things. So rather than slinking back into a corner, cross the room and talk to that hot dude. And hold your head up like you mean it.

3. Be open.
This does not translate to “Be desperate.” Instead, what I mean is that you should believe that you can meet guys anywhere—including at the grocery store. You don’t have to actively look, but you do have to acknowledge that the possibility is always there.

4. Be charming, but stay yourself.
Sometimes, I put out my best traits right away when I meet a guy in hopes that I’ll be able to nab him. It usually works, but the relationship doesn’t have much staying power when he realizes I have other personality traits that aren’t compatible with his. You can be charming and be 100% yourself at the same time, and that’s something I fully recommend. If you turn out to really like a guy, the relationship is much more likely to last a while if you show him who you are right away.

5. Look hot.
To everyone who says looks don’t matter, I say, “Are you kidding me?” Of course they matter, and that’s why you should heed the advice of the “What Not to Wear” crew when they say that you should always look great. Plus, caring about your appearance and putting together a look shows that you care about yourself, and that’s hot, too.

6. Don’t discriminate.
If the emo guy who keeps smiling at you in class isn’t exactly your type, don’t discount him just because you spend your nights dreaming about jocks. Emo Dude could have a few surprises in store and a killer sense of humor, and you’d never know unless you took a chance on him. So go for some variety!

Now don’t get me wrong, there are still some shows I’ll watch.  After all, I am a self-diagnosed What Not to Wear addict, and, like many other College Candy writers, I adore Jon & Kate Plus 8.  Not to mention I now dress up while grocery shopping, all because of Take Home Chef, Curtis Stone.  This sexy Aussie can ambush me and make me dinner anytime.

But, it ends there.  Lately, I can’t even watch show previews on TLC, because even they freak me out.  The Learning Channel either needs an overhaul (starting with this guy), or a new name.  Our suggestion: The Scary Channel (dun dun dun).

Now TLC, I do have to thank you for one thing.  Some of your shows are cheap birth control.  I mean, 18 Kids and Counting makes me want to join a convent and never have sex again!  While I adore Jon & Kate Plus 8, you should have stopped there, because the multiple birth/Brangelina’s competition shows now take up the majority of your scheduling time.

But then we have the pedophile’s wet dream, Toddlers & Tiaras. There is nothing scarier than a mom reliving her youth by putting lipstick on a 2-year-old. Yes I know these pageant moms exist, but I don’t want to see their doll-like children paraded around on screen. Doing sexy poses. In bikinis. (I feel icky.)

Then we have the medical mystery shows which really freak me out.  First, there’s the My Shocking Story series, featuring the half-man, half-tree; then there’s the multitude of Half-ton (insert descriptor) shows.  And let us not forget the show, “Woman With Half a Body.” Interesting? Yes. While I ate dinner? No thanks.

The scariest of all – and the one making me reconsider my cable package – is April’s all new, “I Didn’t Know I was Pregnant” series. Seriously? WTF, TLC? Why?

I’m just not sure about the “throw all my clothes away” thing. But that’s neither here nor there.

Now, there are many WNTW rules that I don’t need to worry about (I’ve got years before being tempted by the “mom jeans”), and I doubt I’ll be getting on the show anytime soon, but those fashion experts provide tons of guidelines that everyone can benefit from.

Everything I’ve learned about flattering fashion I learned from What Not To Wear. The following rules, courtesy of Stacey and Clinton, can guide all of us into more flattering options when shopping, or when trying to clean the skeletons from our closets.

1. It’s more important to have clothes that fit properly then to follow trends.

2. Highlight the smallest part of you (on some girls this is above their natural waist) to achieve an hour glass shape.

3. Carmindy’s 5 Minute Face is great for mornings when you woke up late but still want to make a good impression.

4. Wearing overly baggy clothes will make it look like you have something to hide, not make you look smaller.

5. You never know who you’ll run into when you’re simply running errands, so don’t wear pjs or sweats in public! (And, yes, class is a public place!)

6. You can mix patterns, just pick patterns in the same color family.

7. Wear light colors on the bottom to balance out a bigger chest.

8. A good fitting bra is the start to any good outfit. (The girls have to be happy!)

9. Things don’t have to match, they have to go.

10. Dress for the weight you are at the moment, not the weight you want to be. You’ll never feel good about yourself if you’re constantly thinking I need to lose 5 pounds/your pants are digging into your waist and leaving a deep red line, so embrace the frosh 15 and lose it when you lose it.

11. A pointy-toe shoe elongates your legs.

12. You can mix brown and black! They are both neutrals and neutrals go with anything. Other neutrals include grey, denim, navy and beige.

13. You have to try things on in order to tell if they will fit! If it’s too busy for you to be bothered (because who wants to stand in line for the changing room AND when you are paying) make sure you can return the item. Leave the tags on and BRING IT BACK if it doesn’t fit.

Stacey and Clinton have changed my wardrobe and, in some senses, my life. I love them. A lot. Probably more than anyone should. And, because of them, I love myself too!

What have you learned from the fashion duo?

Fact is we connect to others by learning about them. And everyone has something to share (even if it a story about a particularly embarassing fall…in a dress). So to give you yet another reason to procrastinate, we started ‘The Five Questions We Ask Everyone’ (and five just for that one person) because we know whether we’re schmoozing with an A- list celeb or your local bartender, you’ll be equally entertained.

Style expert and entrepreneur Ashley Thompson, 29, enjoys a life immersed in the international fashion scene as both a forecasting fashionista as well as the owner of New York City’s well-known shopping hotspot, Owl’s Lab.  Some of those sporting her goods include industry icons such as Mary-Kate Olsen, Jessica Alba, Paris Hilton, Mariah Carey, Maggie Gyllenhaal and more.

Owl’s Lab has been featured on TLC’s “What Not To Wear” and in publications such as Vogue, Teen Vogue, Women’s Wear Daily, Lucky, US Weekly, In Touch Weekly, New York Post, New York Daily News, E! Online and Daily Candy.  It also holds the title of one of the Top 100 Boutiques in New York City (Lucky Magazine, August 2007) and is listed as one of NYC’s five “Best Bets” boutiques alongside Phillip Lim and other notable women’s fashion destinations.

Ashley knows fashion, so we wanted to get to know Ashley.

5 Questions We Ask Everyone:

1.    Most hysterical/ridiculous college memory/most trouble you’ve ever gotten into?

I went to UCLA and was in a sorority, so there were plenty of funny memories! I was always harnessing my obsession with fashion by dressing up in ridiculous costumes for all our theme parties. We’d go out to restaurants for dinner before the events dressed like the most outrageous things: football players, Disney characters, animals, you name it.

2.    Five things you can’t live without

La Mer cream

My Blackberry!

My Mac laptop

A bag of jewelry with me at all times

A big handbag with plenty of room

3.    What’s your motto/advice you live by?

Plan your work and work your plan. That’s my motto! You can’t go wrong if you have a solid plan. Also, I always tell people to stay positive and know they are in charge.  Don’t let anyone get into your head and tell you that you can’t do something.

4.    Your favorite song to belt out at the bar/in the car/for karaoke?

I just went to Bette Midler show in Vegas and she sang “When a Man Loves a Woman.” It’s such a classic, I could sing it over and over again in the car! “Sweet Home Alabama” is my pick for best karaoke song.

5.    Ten years from now you will be….

I will have more clothing stores, a clothing line and kids!

5 Questions just for Ashley:

1.    What are some tips you have for girls who want to update their wardrobes without buying all new clothes?

The best way to update your wardrobe without going overboard with your budget is to buy cute and in-trend accessories.  You can always take a really cool new belt and a couple simple pieces and create a whole new look. Long necklaces and scarves are great for creating a fresh look.  When I want to get stylish without working too hard at it, I usually pair a tunic with leggings and combine some fantastic accessories to get my outfit just right.

2.    How did you get into the fashion business?

According to my mother (and what I can remember from my childhood), I’ve been dressing up since I could walk. I used to have a “costume closet” near our stairs where I’d store things I’d find at vintage boutiques and from my Mom’s closet. My mom bought me a sewing machine at one point because I was so into fashion. I think it has always been who I am, and I am extremely thankful that I have always had a passion that I have been able to chase.

3.    What is your go-to outfit?

In the Fall/Winter, Skinnies, a tunic, a layered knit and jacket with lots of accessories. In the summer I prefer, a long skirt with a boho style tank or a maxi dress with gladiator scandals. I have always been a bit of a hippie at heart. I like my outfits to be easy, so I usually add layers.

4.    What advice do you have for girls who want to get into the fashion business?

Follow your heart and your dreams. Get an internship and go to a school where you can learn your trade. Also, just never stop talking, writing and thinking about what you want. It’s ok to be really passionate about something to where you sometimes drive your family and friends crazy; later they will realize that it was that drive that made you successful. Don’t let anything get in your way!

5.    Which celebrity style do you covet most?

When I’m having one of those days where I can’t get dressed and I’m throwing clothing around my room, I think about what Rachel Zoe or Jennifer Aniston would wear. Rachel Zoe is uber trendy and Jennifer Aniston is overly classic, so if I harness a mix of both fashionistas, I can get a good mix.

[I like to think of myself as a pretty easy going gal, and try not to sweat the small stuff. But sometimes (ok, maybe slightly more often) the general cluelessness, carelessness and overall stupididty of some things and or/people really gets to me. I find that venting is the most efficient way to rid myself of the stress that idiots, wrong meal orders, lack of cell phone ettiquette and cheese flavored products (that don’t even contain any freaking cheese!) induce.

So, in an attempt to avoid an ulcer or an unfortuante road rage incident, I vent to you, dear reader. Please feel free to join in and comment about anything–really, anything–that pissed. you. off. this week. Let it all hang out. I feel you.]

1. Health and Fitness Contradictions: Some say to eat more fiber. Others tell me to focus more on protein, and still others say to get rid of everything and stick to a diet of grapefruit and tabasco sauce. Which is it, people? Stop with the contradictory research and just tell me what is going to get me back the body I had before I discovered my obsession with bacon on my pizza. Because right now, I’m eating a lot of fiber, protein and grapefruit and it doesn’t seem to be helping.

2. A Lack of Positive Reinforcement: I don’t need people to sing to me every time I make a pee pee on the potty, but a little reinforcement for a job well done would be nice once in awhile. “You got an A on your exam? Great work!” Or, “Wow, you really know your way around a beer bong!” But no. I get nothing. Except, of course, if something goes wrong; then I don’t hear enough about it. “Jesus Christ! Who puked on the bathroom wall again!?”

3. My DVR: I know, I know. No one should ever have something bad to say about DVR. But I do, because even though I set it to only record new episodes, that thing records every single freaking episode (and rerun) of my shows. 3 episodes of Oprah a day, 10 episodes of Bromance (yes, I DVR Bromance), and like 1,257 episdoes of What Not to Wear a Week. What are the settings for, Mr. DVR? If I wanted 423 episodes of The City I would have said something!

4. Waiting for Obama to fail: Where is all the excitement around our new president? It seems that the moment he hung up his Inaugural tux, everyone turned on him. No one is waiting to see what great things he can do; they are all just counting down the days until he disappoints us. Which he will, if we have no faith.

5. Comcast Cable: (Yes, I realize that TV has made its way into this post twice, but I kinda have no life.) My cable AND internet went out 4 minutes before Obama was Inaugurated. Then they went out again before The Office came on Thursday night. And what does Comcast do? Refund me the $9 for the lack of service. $9 for the biggest political event in history? $9 for a missed moment that I have been waiting 8 freaking years for?! $9 to miss Michael Scott and Dwight Shrute lick their lips at eachother in the car (I caught it on Hulu, thank god)?! I hate you, Comcast. HATE YOU.