So normally, I try to keep the Weekly Ten a positive place. Best kisses. Best boys. Best ways to spend your winter break. But this week, well, that’s just not happening.

I’m not sure if it’s the bad weather or the senioritis or my inability to focus on any one task for more than five minutes at a time, but I’ve been in quite the mood these past few days. And I’m taking my anger out on February, this too short, unproductive, cold, depressing, and generally annoying month.

So here’s why I am officially hating on February.

10. Groundhog Day is a bogus holiday. Yes, okay. So it’s cute to watch a little groundhog crawl out of a whole and get scared by its own shadow. But is this holiday ever actually accurate? I mean, I’m crossing my frozen fingers that this year it will be; there’s nothing I’d love more this year than an early spring….especially after Snowmaggedon 2011.

9. One month closer to midterms. What comes after February? March.  The month of midterms. The month of study sessions and papers and cramming and procrastinating.  The two week long process of trying to relearn everything you’ve already forgotten. February is cruel even as it leaves us.

8. That whole leap year thing. 28 days? 29 days? Make up your mind already! I don’t have time to deal with your identity crisis, February!

7. At the end of this month, my thesis is due.  Like due, due. It has to be done. Finished. Never to be touched by my hands again. And I’m nowhere near ready for that to happen. So for me, February is going to be thesis month, which you know, just completely sucks.

6. Valentine’s Day is horrible. For single girls, married girls, engaged girls and girls in relationships. For the couples of the world Valentine’s Day is an enormous amount of pressure. Do you do the big dinner? The night in? Do you ignore the holiday all together and hope it passes without incident? That’s probably what most single girls are going to do, because for them Valentine’s Day is just the greeting card company’s way of  saying “Sorry you don’t have anyone to buy you chocolate….so spend the next 72 hours gorging on the stuff while watching Lifetime movies and wallowing in your misery.”

5. The Wardrobe sucks. All of the stores are releasing their new spring lines. Floral dresses. Jean skirts. Espadrilles. Wedges. So many cute outfit ideas. But can we wear those outfits? Nope. We’re stuck in baggy coats and layer upon layer of clothing, rain boots and snow boats and hats and scarves that are already standing on their last leg. It was cute once upon a time, way back in December when the winter weather was just beginning, but now I’m sick of it.

4. New Year’s resolutions start to fall apart. They were going strong in January. You were hitting the gym regularly, writing down all your assignments, and totally embracing that whole new year, new you thing. But then February comes along. It’s cold. It’s depressing and it’s overwhelming. Suddenly you have more important things to focus on than your plans to never eat fried food again….like your plans to drink beer and mozzarella sticks, wings and french fries at the Super Bowl party.

3. It’s depressing. You’re upset that you can’t keep your new year’s resolutions. There are no holidays to look forward to. It’s too cold to even consider going out. So all you do is sit home watching reality TV marathons and eating your weight in cookie dough. Which you know, could be fun every once in a while but not for an entire month. And not because you have nothing better to do. February cramps my style. And that’s depressing.

2. It’s winter break month for high schools. Remember in high school, when you used to have a whole week off for President’s Day instead of just the Monday? That was so much fun, wasn’t it? No holidays to take part in. No familial obligations. Just a week home to relax and catch up on some sleep. Yeah, well now we’re in college so we don’t get that anymore. At least, not until March.

1. It’s too cold. It’s icy. It’s raining. It’s freezing. It’s slushy. And I can’t take it anymore. Since January the  temperatures have already dipped below freezing more times than I care to recall. And February will not see the end of this. No, it will see the continuation of this. A very long, very unnecessary continuation that forces me to wear puffer coats and unattractive scarfs and lined rain boots in an attempt to stay warm and dry. And I hate it.

I hate it all.
Is February over yet?

[Check out Jenn's other musings-in-the-form-of-a-list here.]

It’s time to bare those forearms and ankles, show a little skin, and soak up the sun! And what goes best with that bright, glowing orb in the sky? Bright colors, of course. Lucky for all of us, stores are overflowing with the brightest of brights that will be perfect for that beachside cocktail in Mexico or that late-spring study sesh when you (unfortunately) have to return to campus. From dresses to shoes, solids to patterns, bags to bangles, the brights are here and it’s time we turn up the volume in our closets.

So run, don’t walk, to the nearest store and stock up some color to kick those winter blues (and greys).  Not only will you feel more energized, but a bright color might make it easier for your friends (or cute males!) to spot you on that crowded Spring Break beach.

And, yes, it still counts if the gift is for you.

So, my lovely College Candies, let us reflect on the busy week that was:

As I found myself tearing up over the finale of Teen Mom, we closed the (drama-filled) season with one final question.

For some, something about blowing out candles post-graduation feels…a little disappointing.

Taylor Swift is getting really good at those acceptance speeches.  Don’t you think she could stop acting so surprised? It is getting a little old.

As Valentine’s Day gets closer and closer, we are left wondering why Average Joe didn’t let me breeze into the classroom first as he held the door open. Um, hello Romeo? Where art thou?

The Grammys did not seize to completely blow us away with some serious red carpet “uh whats?” and “oh wows.”

We learned the snow, cold temperatures, and dry skin may not be the only thing triggering those winter blues. Ok, so what gives?

Speaking of dry skin, my hair is starting to resemble a hay stack; these tips could help.

Superbowl Sunday is a hop, skip and gaining-ten-pounds-in-one-day away.  No thanks, nacho plate. But this? Yes, please.

Now that we are talking about football, food, and some quality new commercials, we have a little something else to keep things interesting during the big game.

Whew, that is a lot of good stuff. I believe a ‘Bachelor’ marathon is in the cards for my afternoon. Before the party anyway.

I'm on a bleepin' bleepin' boat

According to reliable sources – namely, Punxsatawney Phil – there are still six weeks left of winter. That’s six more weeks of singing the winter blues as we trek to class in our layers upon layers trying to avoid frostbite while still looking cute. Worst of all, that’s six weeks of craving cute spring clothes that retailers are dangling in front of us while we lug our winter coats around the mall.

The tail end of winter sure does suck.

But, it doesn’t have to! Looking to the Resort 2010 collections (also known as Pre-Spring), there are many trends that can be incorporated into our winter looks while still channeling the feeling of warm months to come. What better way to kick those winter blues (covered in icicles) than with nautical clothes? Who wouldn’t rather be on a boat (bustin’ 5 knots, wind whippin’ out my coat) than braving the winter weather?

OK, so putting on some madras and a pair of Rainbows isn’t exactly possible right now, but it’s really easy to incorporate some nautical looks into your winter wardrobe with a little creative layering. Tights, long sleeve shirts and cardigans makes it possible to enjoy nautical clothes now, and then you can strip that stuff off when the snow (finally) melts in the spring. Need a little fashion warm-up? Let’s hit the high seas!

“Winter Wonderland,” “White Christmas”…sugarcoat it all you want but winter sucks.  Unless you are a skiing or snowboarding fanatic, you feel my pain. I didn’t even like sledding as a child; you got to the bottom of the hill, OK, then what? You run back up to the top, your hands numb, then do it again? Awesome.

Seeing my own breath has never fascinated me and a constantly running nose has never been a favorite of mine. There’s just no happy medium with winter.  I hate it, I hate it, I hate it. And now I’m going to complain in a more organized manner:

1.  Layers (AKA pit stains). You get all bundled up to brave the cold yet, somehow, when you reach your destination your face is still frozen and you can’t feel your hands. And then you go inside where the heat is set to “desert.” You’re sweating before you sit down and spend the next 10 minutes stripping down as much as you can without being inappropriate. Which is difficult considering your white tank is now completely see-through.

2.  Hot drinks. Yes the idea is wonderful, until you burn your tongue.  Instead of your insides being warm, you can’t taste anything for a week. And you are still freezing.

3. Snow. It may look pretty from the warm comforts of you room, but once it’s inside of your shoes, not so much.  Your socks would agree. And your toes. Assuming you still have them.

4.  Bars without coat checks. Although I live in NYC, I don’t go “clubbing” or to any fancy spots that I could pay someone 5 bucks to hold my coat for the evening.  My friends and I go to “those” bars; you know, the ones with beer pong in the back and a greater amount of beer on the floor than on tap.  We bundle up, (as complained about in winter peeve number 1) and then have nowhere to put our coats!  If we leave them on a bar stool, they’re goners. If we leave them on, our arms are too constricted to throw a perfect arc in beer pong. And no one can see that new tank top we insisted on wearing even though it’s negative 12 degrees outside.

5. Hibernation. It’s hard to motivate people to leave the house when the thermometer is reading 0 and no one wants to risk breaking an ankle on the icy streets. But there is only so much Say Yes To The Dress I can watch before I get a little stir crazy. And how am I supposed to meet a man when he’s hiding out under his (probably very dirty) covers for 3 months?

And that something comes in the form of color. The color purple to be exact.

Every girl needs a little color in her wardrobe and what better way to liven things up than with something beautiful, luxurious and violet?  Historically, purple is associated with nobility, but we don’t need to be canoodling with Prince Harry to enjoy the benefits of this year’s hottest color. (Although, that would definitely help with the winter blues…) We can all look regal and faboosh, even on our student budgets.

You can work purple into your look in a big way – like a silky sheath dress – or just add little splashes here and there. Either way, you won’t have to look far to find the perfect purple pieces to lift your winter spirits. In fact, I found 16 hot ones right here.

No matter how crazy you think your personal situation is, it is not just you. So, let’s bring it all out in the open. Right here. Because you are not alone - we’ve all been there before.]

You spent all day curled up in bed with a hot beverage in your hand and thick socks on your feet. You debated even getting up to pee. Your bed is so warm and the world is just so cold. Your roommates join you in the middle of the day to watch old episodes of Sex and the City. Normally you’d be at the gym, or the library, or walking around campus, but not today – not in the dead of winter.

There is no way in hell you are getting out of bed.

When your phone rings at 9 you assume it’s the pizza guy delivering the large white pie you ordered with the roomies. You purposely left the front door unlocked last time you ran to the bathroom (with the blanket over your shoulders) so he could let himself in and bring the pizza to your bedside.

Only it’s not the pizza guy; it’s your guy friend. You pick up and it takes two words (beach party) for you to kick off those wool socks and get you out of your warm and toasty bed.

“The boys are having a beach party tonight. We have to go! We can pretend it’s warm out! We can’t lock ourselves in side all winter, girls!”

The roommates are in, obvi. It’s a party. It’s gonna be fun. You will be inside most of the time, and you will be too drunk to realize how cold you are when you’re not. And it’s a party!

You quickly trade in your feather duvet and hot cocoa for a skimpy bikini and tequila shots. The next thing you know, you are standing in line outside of a house (with a living room filled with sand) wearing nothing more than a bikini and a pair of shorts, waiting to fill your empty Solo cup with extra cold beer. Your Uggs are keeping your toes warm, but that doesn’t mean much when the snow is coming in over the top of the boots.

You can’t feel your hands. You can’t control the dripping from your nose. Your ears are bright red. You have a hard time singing along to Beyonce with the incessant chattering of your teeth.

But you don’t care about any of that. You are having an awesome time. Who cares about the cold?

Yeah, we’ve all been there too. There are just some things (read: parties) totally worth venturing out for.

Each week I’ll be putting together a cute and affordable “going out” ensemble guide (that you can tweak to your own personal style and body type, of course) so that maybe that age-old question can be answered a little quicker than usual. And your friends aren’t waiting - for hours - for you to emerge from your room. Just consider me your own (free) personal Rachel Zoe.]

So the holiday buzz has warn off, it’s time to get back to the real world, and on top of all that, it’s frickin’ freezin’ out there! Things may seem bleak right now (the economy sucks, the weather sucks, school sucks; I know how it goes) and there may be nothing you want to do more than climb into bed, pull the covers over your head and attempt to fight off those winter blues by daydreaming of sun-drenched days on the beach, but your chin up, girlfriend!

Get out of bed, pull on a cute outfit and get out there. Just because we’re officially in the dead of winter doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty of fun to be had…

This top/cardigan is super sexy (helloooo, cleavage), but the belt will give great definition to your waist and the flowing bottom will cover up any of those unwanted holiday pounds. It’s top perfection.

If you’re not brave enough to wear it solo, you can always put a basic black cami or long sleeved top underneath.

Because the top is more flowy, you are going to want to pair it with a more streamlined and fitted bottom, like a pair of super dark wash skinny jeans.

Since the outfit is pretty simple, add some color with the footwear. Purple is still a popular hue and it goes great with gray. Bonus on these boots: the low heel is much easier to navigate snowy/icy walkways than sky-high stilettos, and they’ll keep your tootsies warm!

You can go a bit bigger with the accessories, so throw on a big bangle and some statement earrings. These hoops are great because they’re fun and big, but the thin wiring makes sure they’re not overbearing. And the bangle? Well, it’s just really cute.

Just don’t forget the essentials to keep you warm when you’re not inside shakin’ your booty on the dance floor: scarf, gloves and a coat are essentials and you can make them fun and stylish as well.

I don’t know about you, but I’ve got the winter blues. Between my frozen fingers, my wet toes and the gray skies, I am not sure how much longer I am going to last. I want some sun, dammit! Not that it is coming any time soon; winter has only just begun. We have at least 3 more months of Uggs, gloves and snotcicles dripping down our faces.

How are we supposed to make it through? The CollegeCandy writers give us their best beat-the-winter-blues advice:

Sarah – East Carolina University: I bake cookies. And everything else that is loaded with sugar, or chocolate, or other deliciousness.

Kathryn S.: Booze, booze, booze, and watching holiday movies. While drunk.

Sara C – Fordham: Nothing beats a Seinfeld DVD marathon and a cup of hot chocolate with friends. Oh, and a good book! Any suggestions?

Megan – Brown University: I put on my fluffy robe and slippers and snuggle in bed to watch Full House reruns. Add a plate of cookies and it’s the perfect hibernation.

Lauren – University of Michigan: Alcohol. Lots and lots of alcohol.

Kari – FSU: I am immune to winter blues! Cheesy music, superfluous food and cookies, soft sweaters, awesome hair days and just enough time at home for me to reap the benefits of free laundry and free food without getting sick of parental supervision. No way Jose – sign me up for December year round!

Erica – Kent State: I like to crank up the heat in my house (not for too long, but long enough to where it’s a little toasty) and wear shorts/summer attire and drink margaritas. I also LOVE to listen to some of my favorite summer jams – think Grateful Dead, Jimmy Buffett, anything you would normally hear at summer music festivals.

Carly – Grinnell: Hot chocolate, reading books while wrapped in a blanket, and warming my hands above the toaster.

Noa – CU Boulder: I go tanning. I know it’s bad for me, but that 10 minutes of (artificial) sun make me feel so much better.

Sam – Johnson and Wales: Watching bad TV. And sex cures everything, too.

Sarabeth – University of Texas: For me it’s just Starbucks Caramel Apple Spice. For me and the bf however, it’s spending LOTS of time in bed.

Liza – Grove City College: Holiday Cheer! I get into all the decorations and music – so uplifting. It doesn’t work after the holidays, though, so January and February can be rather bitter.

Lyndsey – University of Michigan: One word: saunas. Let me tell you, the Finns know what’s up.

Suzanne – Tulane: How can you be down this time of year? It’s HOLIDAY SEASON! (I really love it. I’m pathetic.)

Leah – Ryerson University: Watching movies with my roommate while drinking cappuccinos and eating Timbits (Doughnut holes for the American folk.)

Diana – NYU: I don’t fight it–I give in to my winter blues and embrace them in all their sweatpants-wearing, lazy glory.

Alex – Lakehead University: I don’t get the winter blues! I’m from Canada – I love my 10 months of winter!

I love the way the leaves go from boring green to bright and beautiful reds, oranges and yellows. I love it when I can start to see my breath outside and I have to wrap one of my grandma’s homemade scarves around my neck. And I am absolutely obsessed with apple cider and donuts at the Cider Mill.

But as I sit here at 5:00 PM on a Monday and look out on a street that is pitch black, cold and dreary, I can’t help but feel the pangs of seasonal depression start to sink in. I don’t want to leave my house. I don’t want to leave my bed. I just want to sit, eat and watch TV.

It’s awful. And it explains why I always gain five pounds every winter. It also explains why there is a large and permanent butt print in my couch cushion. And why the guys at the Thai delivery place up the street know my name already.

So, this year I am trying everything I can to avoid my winter blues. In my quest not to retire to the couch (with a giant bag of Dark M&Ms) this winter I have been doing some research and have found some surefire ways to stay happy this winter:

Bring on the Light: One reason people get a little down in the dumps in the winter is because there is less sunlight during the day. Doctors agree that the best way to lift your sagging spirits is to simply get some more light: open the curtains as soon as you wake up, go for a walk, etc. Even a short amount of natural light (even on a cloudy day!) will put some pep in your step naturally.

Hit the Gym: One of the hardest things for me to do in the winter is get to the gym. Why go out in the cold to work out when I can cover my fat with oversized sweaters and sweatpants? Well, it turns out that getting exercise is one of the best ways to feel better on a dreary winter day. Those endorphins will get your body pumping and feeling great for hours to come. Bonus: a good workout will also warm you up!

Eat Well: We all know what sugar can do to your skin, but it can also wreak havoc on your spirit. It is natural to gravitate towards sweet foods and comfort foods when you are feeling like crap, but those foods are only gonna make you feel worse. Instead, try incorporating more whole grains, fruits and water into your diet; this will keep your energy up and your blood sugar stable.

Go Out!: Ugh. Going out on a cold winter night; I don’t think there is anything less appealing. That being said, sitting at home alone watching re-runs of America’s Next Top Model isn’t too glamorous, either. Getting out on the town with your girls is necessary to keep you out of that winter rut. So, no matter how painful, drag your ass off that couch and interact with the world.

Hopefully this winter will be a little happier than year’s past. And a little less fattening as well.