Guys, Lindsay Lohan is about to have a real comeback. Not just semi-decent SNL hosting, but a full-on comeback. How do I know? She finally dyed her hair red again! I’ve been saying forever now that LiLo needs to bring back her ginger locks. She looks so much better with red hair, and when she has her natural hair color it’s easier to remember her in the good old days of The Parent Trap and Mean Girls. Blonde was not a good look for her – it made her look pale and strung out. I’m so glad to see her returning to her roots (punny!). To celebrate LiLo’s new/old look, we’ve put together a gallery of her with fabulous red hair. Check it out.

Garnet is a student at Columbia University in New York City. She is “that person” who starts dancing at a party when everyone else is standing around, and if there were a Facebook stalking Olympics, she would be a gold medalist. She also loves cheesy 90s music, and almost died of happiness when Vanilla Ice retweeted her. Once. Follow her on Twitter.

If you’re a recent post-grad, chances are you don’t have anything figured out. Or maybe you have some of it figured out, but when you close your eyes and picture yourself five years down the line, things are somewhat blurry.

This probably gives you heart palpitations. I get it. The future can be scary, especially when you have no idea what it will hold.

But really, so what?

If you’re a recent post-grad, you truly are at an advantage. While it sucks to be so discombobulated during this time, it’s kind of a blessing in disguise. Think about it … you can still attribute your mistakes and mistrials under the files appropriately titled: “Lack of experience” or “Youthful Ignorance.”

OK, so you may feel old (I know I do sometimes, especially when I try to party like my freshman self), but the truth is, you’re not. In today’s society, we constantly hear “30 is the 20!” and that means that 22 is the new 18. And that means you’ve got a little more time to figure things out than you probably think you do. It’s easy to rush into the future trying to plan as much as you can, but really, wouldn’t you rather take a few risks and screw up now before you are in your mid-30s with a mortgage and a couple kids?

Take a moment to forget about the fact that, for the first time in your life, you don’t have everything figured out. Breathe. Now realize that the lack of a plan is actually a beautiful thing. While I’m not saying that post-grads should go around excusing their confusion because of youth (“I don’t need to look for a job, mom. I’m young and confused!”), I am saying that being in our 20s gives us leeway to steer ourselves into wrong directions before figuring out our smooth path to the future.

Do you want to be the 40-year-old that hates her job and always has? Hell no! If there is another path you want to take, don’t just leave it for rainy day daydreams. Go for it. Follow your yellow brick road. There is no reason not to – you’re still young and, in the grand scheme of things, you’ve got nothing to lose!

An editor that I have been working with just turned 30 (Editor’s Note: NOT ME!) and she celebrated by quitting her job – something she has been so amazingly great at, something she has dedicated her post-grad life to. She told me that she realized it wasn’t for her anymore, and she decided to change up the pace. Of course, turning 30 had something to do with this change of scenery, but by recognizing that she still had time to change her mind… it was empowering! Being 30 isn’t going to stop her from doing what she wants so why, as a brand spanking’ new post-grad, do so many people seem so scared to do what they really want to do (as opposed to what they should do)?

We post-grads need to stop freaking out and start relishing in our freedom. Yes, freedom. It may not seem so free when you’re applying to 10 jobs a day from the comfort of your parents’ basement with less than $100 to your name, but this is our time to experiment and mess up and start over without any major repercussions. And that, my fellow post-grads, is incredibly freeing.

I frequently get messages from the class of 2011 future post-grads asking me for advice on how to get through their senior year and transition into their post-grad life. I’m not post-grad expert. This part of my life didn’t come with some sort of manual. But there’s a reason for that. While it’s stressful at times, part of being a post-grad (and finally growing up) is figuring all this stuff out for yourself. Everyone has to do it and once you get passed the whole “wait, what sort of health insurance do I need” thing, it’s actually sorta exciting.

At the end of the day, recent college grads have time. Loads of time. So figure things out, even if it means screwing things up. Save yourself the hassle of looking back with regret 20 years from now, because when you really are old (instead of this pseudo elderly disposition that we play into), it really won’t be as easy to go back and start over.

So, here’s to being young and mistake prone.
And here’s to looking to the future, as always.

So far we’ve spent 2 birthdays each with one another, and with every year our relationship seems to get much more permanent. I know this shouldn’t just be dawning on me now, but if all goes to plan I’m going to be spending all of my birthdays with Matt. It’s a really comforting thought, but it’s also a bit scary.

On the one side, it’s really comforting because, well, let’s face it, nobody wants to die alone. I sleep better at night knowing that there’s somebody who’s going to love me when I’m old and wrinkly. On the other side, it’s kinda scary because, while I’m getting older, I still feel really young. Trust me when I say there are a lot of people who think I’m crazy for being committed to someone in my very early twenties. What if they’re right?

Well guess what, peoples of the internet: I don’t care what you think. I’m going to enjoy every single birthday I can with my boyfriend whom I love very much. From where I’m standing, there’s nothing wrong with two consenting adults falling in love. I don’t understand why people treat me like a doe-eyed 16-year-old girl when in fact, I’m a woman. I’ve had failed relationships, and I’ve learned from them. I know deep down that Matt’s the only person I want to spend the rest of my birthdays with. (And who I want holding my hair back on this particularly monumental one…)

If not this birthday, then which birthday will it be that people decide that it’s finally a-ok for me to be in a serious relationship? I get the feeling that the jury is out on that decision, so I’m going to go on with my life without caring what all the negative people think. or all those others who read this weekly dose of cuteness, thanks for being supportive; it’s really appreciated. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go get a drink that I’ve waited 21 years to buy.

(OK, I’m gonna order the drink I’ve been waiting 21 years to buy and have my loving BF pick up the tab…. it is my birthday, after all.)

Water – Water is probably the most important thing you ever put in your body throughout a given day.  Having enough water in your system helps everything run smoothly, including your digestion, thought processes, and alertness.  Plus, it helps flush (read: pee pee) out all of the toxic byproducts of your normal body processes.  This is the part that makes your skin glow, look fresh, and appear more rested.  While how much water you drink is constantly in dispute, my general rule of thumb is to drink enough water to keep your pee light yellow.

Omega-3 Rich Foods – This includes foods like salmon, flax seeds, walnuts, and certain types of beans.  Eating these foods on a normal basis increases your intake of essential fatty acids, which help your skin remain plump and fresh by holding water into your skin cells.  Omega-3s also act was an anti-inflammatory agent, which can improve the blood flow to your face, making you glow.

Selenium-Rich Foods – Studies have shown the power of this mineral in preventing damage to the skin cells.  Foods high in selenium include whole grains, turkey, and tuna.  Selenium can help prevent oxidative damage, which can age and roughen skin cells.  Pour yourself a bowl of whole wheat cereal in the morning to get closer to your daily selenium needs.

Green Tea – Green tea has been tied to a number of health benefits such as decreased appetite, increased calorie burn, and antioxidant properties.  For the skin, what makes this drink important is its anti-inflammatory properties.  Just like omega-3s, green tea may help protect skin cell membranes, making the skin look fresher, plumper, and well rested.

Vitamin A Rich Foods – Vitamin A is crucial to repairing skin cells.  When levels are low, the skin responds by becoming dry and flaky – something I know none of us want.  Many people apply Vitamin A creams topically as a treatment for wrinkles, acne, and psoriasis, but you can still obtain some effects by eating foods rich in Vitamin A.  Some of the best sources of this vitamin include carrots, broccoli, sweet potatoes, and butter.  On second thought, maybe you should refrain from snacking on sticks of the last one, just for your waistline’s sake.

The “problem” with Dakota Fanning, in my opinion, is that she’s a REAL actress who happens to still be very young. This, of course, shouldn’t be a problem, but because Dakota’s abilities often overpower her actual age, people have a hard time figuring out what to do with her.

Dakota has always been able to bring to life realities in characters that I sincerely doubt most other actresses her age–or even older–could do. However, her desire to do more than simple ‘sweet and innocent’ roles have caused some people to cringe.

Her much talked about film that will be released this summer, “Hounddog“, has had most of the acting community biting their lips since it first showed up at Sundance last year. The controversy surrounding this film has been building, and in case you haven’t already heard, here’s why:

Twelve year old Dakota Fanning has taken on a role in this film that is not at all unreal, despite how disturbing it may or may not be to posh families across the country. The story is about a girl who has survived abuse on many levels. She, like so many other young girls and boys, turns to music.

Dakota’s role is a difficult one. It calls for her to adopt the nerve shaking characteristics of a girl who has been raped. And this is where the trouble with the film really begins. Many people don’t like the idea of a girl so young playing a role like this.

But to condemn this film because of this is downright outlandish to me. To dismiss support for this project because of this particular content is not only to simultaneously limit the artistic freedoms that filmmakers are entitled to have, but it’s also to turn a blind eye to a reality. Young girls in this country are sexually abused regardless of how well Americans are able to sweep the fact under the rug. If any young actress out there can take on this role maturely; it is Dakota.

I DO understand why the entire atmosphere of this film makes so many people so uncomfortable. However, I don’t feel as though it is fair for us to punish a young actress for aspiring to do more with her talent than a Disney production.

What’s your view?

Awesome! I can advertise the truth at last!

There’s no shame in being le broke, whether you’re in college or just out of it. The trick is to live it up without blowing through your checking account. Truthfully, the percentage of recent college grads making bank isn’t that high, we just have a lovely little tendency to live beyond our means and lack patience.

Label whores, I address you first. I’m one of you. The trick here is to get the look without going broke. Sales are where it’s at.

Instead of shopping consistently, go less often and go for classic pieces. Hit up outlet malls (there are some fantastic ones out there. In the tri-state area, I fully endorse Woodbury Commons, where I snagged a pair of Dior shades for $60 this summer and have seen BCBG at 75% off), wait until end-of-season, whatever. If it must be designer, you can tough it out until you can afford it. Trendpieces are best left to Forever21 and H&M.

Foodies. After moving to New York I can only aspire to join your ranks. If wining and dining is what you love, you don’t have to give it up entirely; just do it in moderation. Maybe instead of trying all the fancy new restaurants, limit to one a month. Go places where you can share plates with friends or try everyone else’s (tapas is huge right now).

Seriously, you learn to appreciate food if you’ve got to prepare it, and cooking can actually be pretty fun. Plus it ups your value as a roommate. Just try it. You may surprise yourself!

Social butterflies? Leave the top shelf alone. You do not make the kind of money that pays for Grey Goose. Unless it’s a gift, stick to mid-range or even well drinks. Also, I fully endorse pregaming. You can make your drinks as stiff as you like at home and then minimize how many you buy, and how much you tip, at the bar.

Split a cab with friends or make sure there is a sober driver. And by sober I mean SOBER, not “okay after 3 or 4-ish”. If it’s a true college-town, walk it out.

Movie whores? Wait til it comes out on DVD and rent. Actually, only in NY is this truly expensive, so I suggest a movie night out in lieu of a bar night if you want to save cash and relax. Also, make like a little kid and sneak in your own gummy bears to avoid any astronomical concession costs (I must say, though, movie theater popcorn is my personal weakness and worth every penny in my opinion).

Other ideas for saving those dollas and having fun? Tell us what you got!