Once upon a time, fashion mavens around the world could only ever dream of having as much style as our queen, Beyoncé. Luckily, that dream is no longer a fairytale thanks to the launch of an affordable fashion line at ASOS, designed by LaQuan Smith. InStyle reported that high profile stars such as Beyoncé, Rihanna and the Kardashians have all turned to Smith for paparazzi-ready looks in the past, but now the fashion god himself has smiled upon the masses and bestowed us a collection of his own.

The ASOS DESIGN x LaQuan Smith collection dropped today, and it is everything you would expect from someone who’s dressed the baddest bitches in the game. I’m talking latex, faux fur, velvet, mini dresses, and tiny sunglasses galore that are sure to help channel your inner Yoncé.

To make things even sweeter, the line is gender and size-inclusive with women’s sizes ranging from 0-28 and men’s from XS-6XL. Feeling like a king or queen doesn’t have a size limit, and Laquan Smith made sure of that.

The prices in the collection range anywhere from $35 to $316, but the majority the collection sits in the $50 and $60 range. While this isn’t exactly my idea of affordable, I shop almost exclusively at thrift stores and have a typical broke college student budget, so take that with a grain of salt. Even I know that spending $50 to dress like Our Lord and Savior Beyoncé, from someone who has styled her himself, is totally worth it.   

As the city that never sleeps, New York City also happens to be the city that never ceases to lead the fashion scene. TBH, the term “street style” was probably coined by the big apple itself for just how much it rules the style world. But who says you have to be a New York native to rock NYC street style in your own life? Lucky for you, we’ve got four easy tips inspired by College Fashion Week to help you channel some major street style vibes in whatever city you reside in.

Find a go-to coat that pulls the look together

We’re here to tell you that it’s SO easy to throw a coat over any outfit. From a casual, athleisure look, to a seriously chic aesthetic, there are so many styles of coats that can help bring your ‘fit to the next level. There are truly so many to choose from —long and classy pea coats, on-trend teddy coats, go-to retro jean jackets. You honestly can’t go wrong with whatever style coat you choose.

Like, what a perfect finishing touch to these Primark looks.

Okay, we are LOVING how this plush coat looks at the Almay Cosmic Café.

Pick out some leather accents

Get ready, because leather isn’t going anywhere any time soon. Leather really helps to turn up the volume on an outfit and give it an edgy, street style feel. Although the black leather look is an absolute must-have classic, don’t be afraid to experiment with some new bold colors.

This green leather jacket from Primark is EVERYTHING.

Bold red leather accents on a pair of pants are SO chic (especially when playing in an eos products pit).

Loving the cherry red patent leather in this SABRE photo opp.

Put on your most badass boots

Grab your fave boots that make you feel like a boss ass b*tch, because boots are THE accessory you’ll need to slay the street style game. There’s nothing quite like the sharp sound of your heels clicking across the pavement as you strut through the city streets.

Choose between knee-high boots, kitten heel ankle boots, or a classic ankle boot with a block heel for a street-ready look. Just slip them on with a complementing pair of socks and you’re good to go, girl.

With these all-essential fashion staples, you’ll be street style ready instantly. Whether you’re New York City-based or just visited NYC for Her Campus’s College Fashion Week, you can feel fierce AF knowing you can channel your best NY street style vibes, no matter your location.

Major shout out to our New York City #CollegeFashionWeek clients Almay, Primark, SABRE, VELCRO, eos and Ulta Beauty.

Hell-ish cramps, mood swings, bloating, breakouts, aches and pains — the list of period symptoms that we’re forced to deal with literally goes on. As if periods weren’t bad enough alone, buying period products is the icing on the cake. From choosing the right brand, absorbency and size, to dealing with the annoying pink tax that comes with them, buying tampons and pads isn’t necessarily something we look forward to doing.

But, LBR: are we giving enough thought to what’s really in our period products? These are things we usually don’t think about (and TBH, don’t like to think about), considering period products aren’t required to be regulated on their ingredients. Brands don’t even have to disclose what ingredients they’re using (yikes). We’ve teamed up with Seventh Generation, an innovator in the organic fem-care industry, to ask real college women if they’ve ever thought about what’s really in their periods and tampons. Here are what women really think about period products, because we deserve to be kinder to our bodies.

Do you know what’s in your period products?

“If you want me to be honest: I don’t know any of the ingredients in my tampons or pads.”

“I know I have a rough idea of the ingredients, being cotton and rayon. But I know there’s definitely chemicals used in the mix. I do try to avoid anything with noticeable fragrances or odor fighting tools because I’m generally against anything trying t make a vagina smell like anything other than a f*cking vagina.” 

“For the most part, I know what’s in my period products! It’s something I researched a couple of years ago because a certain tampon brand was causing irritation when I used it. So, I switched to using organic products mainly for my own comfort, not necessarily because I was smart enough at that point to be trying to avoid toxic chemicals.”

“I use tampons and know they’re unscented, but to be honest, that’s all I really know about them.”

Did you know that most mainstream/popular pads and tampons have chlorine and fragrances? How does that make you feel?

“I do know there were fragrances, and I feel like I’ve started paying more attention, but I just need to pull the trigger and make the switch to organic tampons.”

“I did know that, which is why I’ve ventured into other period product territory beyond old-school tampons. I feel really discouraged that period products feel so anti-period. I don’t want a product to pretend my period isn’t gross or complicated. I never want to feel like I’m messing with my body’s own system.”

“All the research that’s newly out about what’s really in pads + tampons is terrifying AF. I feel like women probably buy into “fresh scent” idea or just go with what’s cheapest without ever stopping to think that what they’re using on their period pose actual risks.”

“I’m pissed about the use of unnecessary chemicals like that in any product, let alone one that is going into my vagina.”

“I feel like it’s becoming a much larger conversation than ever before. It’s concerning because, while I know I’m pulling toxins into my body through my tampons, I still don’t know much. What are the long-term effects? What kind of toxins exist?”

Should period product brands be obligated to do better and use safer, natural ingredients?

“I would love if all products made for women's health were actually healthy. Why can’t it just be regulated?”

“Those ingredients can seriously irritate your body —not being transparent about the materials is honestly unethical”

“If I’m putting that thing in my body, abso-fucking-lutely I should know the ingredients and know they’re safe.”

“They should be as transparent as the average food label — I mean, it’s going on or in your body, so it should be held to the same level of safety standard.”

Periods can be a lot less awful when you know you're using products that are good for you and the Earth. Our friends at Seventh Generation make environmentally-friendly, organic period products that are free of chlorine, added fragrances and deodorants, and other unnecessary chemicals that are found in some of the most popular period product brands. So even though periods can be a huge pain, at least you have the option to choose products that you can feel good about.

Ilana Glazer, co-creator and star of Comedy Central’s hit show Broad City, was forced to cancel an event at a Brooklyn synagogue last night due to antisemitic graffiti that was found shortly before her scheduled appearance.

The upsetting graffiti—some of which said “Kill All Jews” and “Hitler”—was discovered before the event on Thursday night. The New York Police Department are investigating the vandalism, another in a string of anti-Semitic occurrences in Brooklyn and New York following the devastating Pittsburgh attack.

According to The New York Times, Glazer was scheduled to host a Q&A session at the Union Temple in Prospect Heights with political hopefuls Jim Gaughran and Andrew Gounardes, alongside journalist Amy Goodman. However, at 8 pm she had announced the event was canceled.

In an interview with Democracy Now this morning, Glazer explained her reasoning behind the cancellation.

“I [couldn’t] put those 200 people who came to listen in a safe space in that danger,” Glazer told Democracy Now. She also went on to condemn white supremacy and the politicians who excuse it.

“Our politicians’ words, who stand for white supremacy, turn to action so quickly,” Glazer sad. She then commented on the anti-Semitic act at Union Temple, saying “We lived through a safe, physically benign version of a white supremacist act.”

Glazer will continue to advocate for political action preceding next week’s midterms. As for Union Temple, they are speaking out against anti-Semitism by starting a movement to #ShowUpForShabbat in spite of the hate crime. The suspect behind the vandalism is still at-large.

I consider myself a skincare-obsessive, so I was shocked to realize I'd missed out on a major skincare trend: oxygen skincare. While I've lived my best life by using a ton of face masks, trying out magnets for my face, and falling madly in love with rose water for clearer skin, I'd actually never tried out oxygen-based products for my skin. So when I learned about LUMIONskin, I had about a million questions.

First, my skin type: my skin is very, very acne prone, though less so than it was when I was younger due to my finally finding a routine that works. For a long time, I thought I had oily skin, but I came to realize I actually have kind of dry skin that just overproduces oil when it's thirsty (yum, right?). My main skincare issue these days is that my skin can look kind of dull sometimes, and I have deep, dark acne scars. Seriously, guys, every zit I ever get scars. It sucks.

Why did I decide to try out LUMION?

TBH, I'm a sucker for good packaging. I just genuinely like how it looks. Second, though, I like to try out new products, and this seemed like a re-vamp of 2015's popular oxygen skincare products with a more 2018 focus. Their claim: A lightweight oxygen-rich serum with HOCL smoothes fine lines, clarifies, purifies and illuminates your skin. Sounds damn good to me.

Plus, they donate 1% of your purchase to Reef Check, an international non-governmental organization dedicated to the conservation of two reef ecosystems: tropical coral reefs and Californian rocky reefs. Hell yes.

I tried the LUMION bundle, which is comprised of the LUMIONskin serum and its corresponding mist.

I love, love, love a good serum. To integrate this into my existing routine, I washed my face (I double cleanse with an oil cleanser, and then a foam cleanser), and then used this serum. I used 2 pumps to cover my entire face, and I made sure to tap a bit into the skin under my eyes since it said it's good for reducing under eye lines.

And you guys, my skin felt sooo smooth.

What exactly does oxygen do?

According to LUMION, Oxygen helps to promote skin cell metabolism, smooth fine lines and increase hydration. Oxygen stimulates the body’s natural healing function, is an anti-inflammatory, and stimulates collagen production. I'm no scientist (like, obviously), but I'm definitely down to experiment and try out the supposed ~magic~ of oxygen. 

There's something about a good serum that really serves as the reset so many of us need (and crave when it comes to skincare), and this one didn't disappoint me at all. It was also not too sticky, and it paired well with my go-to moisturizer with SPF for day, and my thicker face cream for night. 

I was definitely impressed with the anti-inflammatory aspect of this serum. One of the worst parts of breaking out is how red and rough your skin gets, and this def seemed to decrease redness and make me less embarrassed of new breakouts, especially hormonal ones. 

Face mists have totally become my favorite trend this year, so I was really, really excited to try out this one. The first thing I noticed was that the spritz itself is really, really pleasant. Some face mists I've used have had an aggressive ass spray, and it actually kind of hurts. Plus, it's a waste of product when it's super direct and only reaches part of your face.

This one really nicely covered my entire face, and was a per way to refresh throughout the day. While I didn't notice any major benefits from this over the few weeks I did use it, my skin did look really happy when I used it, and it never broke me out, which is my main issue with most face mists. 

One thing to note here is that this feels more like a summer product to me than a winter one. I'll probably transition it out for winter, as I need a more intensive serum for dry, winter weather, or reduce use to once or twice a day, with something more powerful for the other days of the week. But the mist is PERFECT for post-workouts, especially if you keep it in the fridge, and the serum is going to be especially helpful if you live somewhere like NYC or LA with shitty air quality.

The price def might be a barrier for most of us, but if you can swing it, it's going to last you AGES. You don't need much at all - just 1-2 spritzes a day or as necessary, and 1-2 pumps of the serum a day. The packaging itself lends itself to keeping the product alive for as long as possible, so you're going to get your money's worth.

Want more skincare wisdom? Follow @HerCampusBeauty on Facebook, and tune into @HerCampus on Instagram every week for Face Mask & Chill! 

Everyone grab your tissues, the cutest proposal of 2018 just happened. Don’t believe us? Well, maybe you’ll believe J.K. Rowling, who personally congratulated the happy couple.

This viral proposal video features Heather Pearson and Kelsey Stacy, two girlfriends (now fiancés) from Portland, Oregon who are massive Harry Potter fans. The video follows Pearson’s journey in proposing to Stacy at a blowout Halloween party—a party that was over a year in the making (swoon!). Pearson planned a whole scavenger hunt for Stacy, leading up to the final proposal.

Of course, the proposal wasn’t complete without incorporating the couple’s favorite series: Harry Potter. Having been entrenched in the series since the beginning of their relationship (they celebrated their first anniversary at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter), Pearson thought it would be fitting to bring their love of the series into their engagement day.

Pearson even used Stacy’s favorite Harry Potter book—The Goblet of Fire—to create cut-up pages that said, “Marry me?” I’m not crying, you’re crying.

The viral proposal was not complete without a personal shoutout from the queen herself, J.K. Rowling. After tweeting Pearson her congrats, Pearson and Stacy promptly and excitedly “lost it.”

Wishing the happy couple all the magic in the world…and hoping we can find some of our own!

Early Thursday morning, 19-year-old University of St. Thomas freshman fell to her death from the 10th floor of a Minnesota apartment complex where she was a guest at a Halloween party.

Though the circumstances of her death are still under investigation, The New York Postreports that Joia Simpson fell over two side-by-side railings. When the Minnesota Fire Department arrived at the complex at around 1 a.m., they found Simpson lying outside the apartment building and pronounced her dead at the scene.

As part of the ongoing investigation, detectives have already interviewed seven people who attended the Halloween party where the incident took place. According to KCR News, it has not been confirmed if drugs or alcohol contributed to Simpson’s death.

A Bayside, California native, Simpson recently moved to Minnesota to attend the University of St. Thomas, where she was interested in studying business. She was a graduate of Arcata High School.

A statement released by Simpson’s university said that her family “wants people to remember her beautiful smile.”

News of Simpson’s death comes at an already tragic time for the students and faculty at the University of St. Thomas. Less than two weeks ago, sophomore Katherine Mullen was found dead in her room.

While police don’t suspect foul play, these multiple fatalities have nonetheless rocked the mid-sized Roman Catholic college. University Chaplain Larry Blake revealed that the University was providing students with means of emotional support, such as grief counseling.

Blake told The Star Tribune that Joia Simpson’s family and friends “are devastated,” but suggested that the members of the St. Thomas community were helping each other through this difficult time.

“I am grateful we have such a supportive community here,” He said. “Students caring about one another, faculty and staff who care for the students, but also one another as colleagues.”

The Game of Thrones cast never fail to clap back at the president, whether it be in interviews or on social media. And they had the best response to a meme Trump tweeted on Friday. 

Trump’s meme said “Sanctions Are Coming,” which is inspired by the show’s iconic “Winter Is Coming” tagline. It’s also written in the same legendary font Game of Thrones uses. According to Huffington Post, the tweet was supposed to announce that on Monday the U.S. will re-impose sanctions on Iran. Trump previously decided to withdraw from the Obama-Era nuclear deal, which lifted sanctions in 2015 as an attempt to avert Iran from developing nuclear weapons. The White House Twitter account later confirmed the president’s tweet. 

In perfect style, two Game of Thrones stars quickly criticized the president for using the show for his political agenda. Maisie Williams, who plays Arya Stark, captioned her clap back with the phrase “Not Today.” For all my fellow GOT-lovers, this is a reference to the show as well. In Season 1, Arya’s sword-fighting teacher tells her that “there’s one thing we say to death,” which she responds, “Not today.” 

Sophie Turner, who plays her older sister, Sansa Stark, took a rather different approach simply writing “Ew.” 

The two stars weren’t the only ones to respond. “We were not aware of this messaging and would prefer our trademark not be misappropriated for political purposes,” HBO said in a statement to CNBC. The network also took to twitter to express their disapproval. 

And if that wasn’t satisfying enough for you, even George R.R. Martin, who authored the book series on which the show is based on, responded to the meme. He urged voters to go to the polls for next Tuesday’s midterms because “fear cuts deeper than swords.” 

Excuse me while I give these two incredibly strong and outspoken women a round of applause. 

Twitter deleted more than 10,000 automated accounts that were discouraging people from voting in the upcoming midterm elections on Friday. 

Reuters reported that each of the accounts posed as if it belonged to Democrats. Several of the tweets said that male Democrats should not vote to avoid drowning out the voices of women, according to Reuters. This led the party to flag the tweets to the social media platform. The removal of the accounts happened between September and October.

“We stopped this quickly and at its source,” a Twitter spokesperson told Buzzfeed News. Twitter also said to the publication that it’s working with both political parties and the Department of Homeland Security to monitor any interference in Tuesday’s midterm elections. 

“Our singular goal is to enforce our policies vigorously and protect conversational health on our service,” the company said. “We removed a series of accounts for engaging in attempts to share disinformation in an automated fashion—a violation of our policies.” 

The number is small compared to the millions Twitter has deleted for spreading misinformation in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. A large number of social media accounts moved to suppress votes by spreading false information about issues and numbers that people could use to text in their votes, during the 2016 presidential election, The Hill reports. Either way, it still shows that there is a number of accounts still engaged in voter suppression on Twitter’s platform.  

Twitter has since taken steps to stop the release of political misinformation on their platform before the 2018 midterm elections.

In a powerful protest against gun violence, the “Fearless Girl” statue became “Fearful Girl” on Friday morning. 

Manuel and Patricia Oliver, whose son, Joaquin “Guac” Oliver, was killed in the February school shooting in Parkland, Florida, put a bulletproof vest on the bronze statue that read “#FEARFULGIRL.” The parents made the demonstration with their gun control advocacy group Change the Ref, Huffington Post reports. CTR uses urban art to confront and expose the effects of mass shooting in the U.S., according to the organizations Twitter page. The advocacy group also partnered with Fight Gunfire With Fire, who encourages students to use creativity to stop gun violence, according to the statement. Three students from University of Alabama, MK Holladay, Emeline Earman and Mingyu Jo created the idea of #FearfulGirl, Newsweek reported.

“The Fearless Girl is undeniably brave, but bravery isn’t bulletproof,” Change the Ref said in a statement to The Hill. 

The goal was to promote gun control laws before Tuesday’s midterm elections. Manuel Oliver has made multiple art installations to protest gun violence. Oliver and the advocacy group revealed a 3D printed sculpture of his son Time Square last week to protest the threat of 3D printed guns, according to The Hill. 

CTR also tweeted on Friday with a photo of the statue wearing the bulletproof vest: “She can’t be fearless if she’s afraid to go to school.”

The vest remained on the statue for about one hour before it was removed—peacefully.  

Kristen Visbal created the sculpture, and before International Women’s Day in 2017, it was placed in front of a “Charging Bull” last year. She has since become a major tourist attraction. 

It hasn’t been that long since Ariana Grande released her album Sweetener, featuring my go-to anthem “God is a woman.” But on Saturday morning, Grande confirmed that the title of her fifth studio album will be called thank u, next. That’s not all, Grande’s tweet also said there will be a song on the album called, “thank u, next.” 

A fan tweeted at Grande, asking “song or album?” She then quoted and responded to the tweet with, “issa song and an album….you’ll get the song first.” 

A lot of arianators theorized that Grande may have shown some of the lyrics for the song in tweets, earlier this week. The phrase first popped up on Ariana’s Twitter on Friday, where she might have been subtweeting her ex-fiance, Pete Davidson. Those tweets have since been deleted, according to Teen Vogue. But she has written the phrase so many times eventually fans caught on. 

She continued on Twitter to reveal more about the next single, the next album, and potential collabs. Grand indicated in tweet that “thank u, next” would be the exact opposite of her song “Knew Better.” A fan asked if it would be a “track about empowerment,” and Grande wrote “Exactly… a new chapter gratitude, growth, embracing our path bumps n all…. thank u, next.”

In another tweet, Grande tagged fellow singers Victoria Monet, Njomza, and Tayla Park, writing “this what happens when u write an album w your best friends. Dig up all you old sayings and it ends up becoming the album title lmao.” The three girls also tweeted Saturday morning about Grande’s single and album. But alas, Grande says she plans to produce entirely solo work.

To add even more fuel to the already blazing fire, Grande shared a screenshot of her listening to what seems to be “thank u, next” from an album called “ag5 lmao.” That's just cruel. 

All I know now is that this single and album seems like it’ll be a BIG mood, and I’m here for it. 

The sex-ed crisis. [Cosmopolitan]

White House prepares to spin defeat as victory. [Politico]

Uh oh...robots are replacing humans at this company. [Quartz]

The psychology of anti-Semitism. [The New York Times]

World's first underground hotel. [USA Today]

Two women in their 20s could be elected to Congress on Tuesday. [BuzzFeed]

The army of women who took down Larry Nassar. [Glamour]

Meghan Markle's favorite coats. [PEOPLE]

Why this election matters so much. [The Washington Post]

Amandla Stenberg talks about "The Hate U Give." [Entertainment Weekly]

Ariana Grande dropped a surprise new song, "thank u, next"— which is an anthem of appreciation for all of her ex-boyfriends and an acknowledgement that she's fully moved on — just 30 minutes before her most recent ex, Pete Davidson, was set to appear on Saturday Night Live. 

The song's title is a reference to Ariana's Twitter response to a joke Pete made in this week's SNL promo. In a clip, Pete made light of his quick engagement to Ariana by asking musical guest Maggie Rogers if she wants to get married. 

The joke didn't seem to sit well with Ariana, as she quickly began tweeting things like "hell nah tho, "for someone who claims to hate relevancy u sure long clinging to it huh," and of course, "thank you, next." 

On SNL, Pete actually ended up addressing his split from Ariana during a Weekend Update segment. "The truth is, it’s nobody’s business, and sometimes things just don’t work out and that’s okay," he said. "She’s a wonderful, strong person and I genuinely wish her all the happiness in the world."

But Pete isn't the only ex Ariana addresses in the song. The track opens with: "Thought I’d end up with Sean / But he wasn’t a match / Wrote some songs about Ricky / Now I listen and laugh / Even almost got married / And for Pete, I’m so thankful / Wish I could say ‘thank you’ to Malcolm / ‘Cause he was an angel"— referencing Big Sean, Ricky Alvarez, Pete, and Mac Miller, respectively. 

"One taught me love / One taught me patience / And one taught me pain / Now I’m so amazing / I’ve loved and I’ve lost / But that’s not what I see / So look what I got / Look what you taught me," Ariana sings. "Thank you, next / Thank you, next / Thank you, next / I’m so f—kin’ grateful for my ex."

Ariana said on Saturday that "thank u, next" will also be the name of her next album. 

The man who police say shot two women to death and wounded five other people at a yoga studio before killing himself was reportedly a self-described misogynist who had a record of harassing women in the area.  

Scott Paul Beierle, 40, had videos online in which he "spewed misogynistic and racist vitriol — and railed against all the women who had turned him down," according to The New York Times.

"Made one date, didn't show up," he said in one video "Made another date, didn't show up. Kept making excuses. Ah, I could've ripped her head off."

In another video, Beierle discusses how to "punish" promiscuous women. "I would vote for crucifixion myself," he said. "The most heinous crime warrants the most heinous punishment." 

The Times also reported that Beierle was sympathetic toward Elliot Rodger, who killed six people and injured 14 others in 2014 after expressing his disgust at women online and urging incels — AKA involuntary celibates — to "fight back." 

Throughout his life, Bierle had been arrested at least twice; once for battery against women. While a student at Florida State University, Beierle was even banned from campus after he followed a volleyball coach into a gym. 

On Friday, Beierle first entered the yoga studio by posing as a costumer. He began firing a handgun, and despite the yoga students fighting back, Maura Binkley and Nancy Van Vessem were killed. 

FSU President John Trasher responded to the incident on Twitter. 

Police are still investigating the incident. 

Have you ever shopped in the men’s section? It might sound strange, but tons of women do it! Once you start looking in the men’s sections of stores for t-shirts, hats, watches and more, your life will be ~changed~. We’re not saying you should switch over to shopping in the men’s section full-time (unless you want to, in which case, you definitely should), but we do have a few reasons why you should venture over there, if you haven’t already.

Comfy tees

We all love a comfy T-shirt, and honestly no T-shirts are more comfortable than the ones in the men’s section.

“Ever notice how women’s T-shirts are always tight, V-necked or low-quality? If I’m going to wear a T-shirt, I’m going to be comfy, so men’s graphic tees are a must,” Annie Kate Raglow, a sophomore at Loyola University of Chicago, says. And if the fact that men’s shirts are more comfortable doesn’t sway you, maybe consider the price tag.

“In the women’s section I find that the oversize trend comes with a higher price tag, but in the men’s it’s just normal sizes,” Abby Piper, a senior at Notre Dame, says. Plus, there are a ton of flannels and sweatshirts in the men’s section that are cozy AF. Annie says her go-to stores for men’s tees and flannels are H&M, Uniqlo and thrift stores, and Abby says Target is her go-to for men’s tees.

Basically, men’s tops are a must for the girl who loves to be comfortable, and let’s be real, we’re all that girl.

Cheaper finds

Aside from comfy shirts, the men’s section is also a great place to find some deals. Stephanie Murray, a junior at Savannah College of Art and Design, has searching men’s sales down to a science, especially in the shoe department.

“I wear a women’s 10 and a men’s 7.5 or 8 depending on the fit of the shoe,” she says. “This works to my advantage because most men wear a larger size, leaving all the shoes to me. I’ve also noticed that in Goodwill and at the Nike Outlet, most ‘feminine’ shoes in the men’s department are left and usually end up being 50-75 percent off.” Genius, right? So next time you go shoe shopping, don’t overlook men's shoes, particularly at thrift stores.

Related: 5 Ways to Incorporate Men's Clothing into Your Wardrobe 

Fun accessories

If you’re not convinced about shopping in the men’s department yet, then let’s talk accessories. There are some underrated accessories there, like socks. LuAnna Gerdemann, a senior at Augustana College, says that some men’s socks are not only cool, but are nice and thick to keep your toes warm. She also mentions that men’s hats and beanies are good accessories to look into while you’re there, which Brea Cubit, a senior at the University of Missouri-Columbia agrees with.

“They have the best hats,” Brea says. “Guys hats have really cool graphics; they’re really simple and edgy in a way.” She notes that they come in camo prints and color-blocked designs that aren’t as prominent in the women’s section of stores like Forever 21 and Target. 

Watches are also a point of interest in the men’s section, as they tend to be bigger when they’re made for men.

“I find all of my watches and gadgets in the men's department,” Stephanie says. “Male watches have larger faces and are easier to read. Their watches usually have a minimal design and casing without decorative details.” For accessories with a simpler design, the men’s section is the place to shop.

The men’s section is a little treasure trove of great finds, and while you might not strike gold every time, you might get some cozy shirts, great deals and minimal accessories. Honestly, that’s really all we need.

Good morning Her Campus! With a break-neck news cycle, there is no possible way for you to stay on top of every story that comes across your feeds—we’re all only human, after all.

But, life comes at you fast. So grab a cup of coffee and settle in for this quick and dirty guide to stories you might’ve been sleeping on (like, literally. It’s early.)

Georgia Secretary of State Investigating Georgia Democrats Without Citing Evidence

The office of Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp, who's also the GOP nominee for governor, has launched an investigation into the state's Democratic party for what it described as a "failed attempt to hack the state's voter registration system." Kemp's office did not provide any evidence or explain why it is investigating Georgia's Dem party when the announcement was made on Sunday. 

"While we cannot comment on the specifics of an ongoing investigation, I can confirm that the Democratic Party of Georgia is under investigation for possible cyber crimes,"said press secretary Candice Broce in a press release. "We can also confirm that no personal data was breached and our system remains secure."

According to The New York Times, Democrats have called the investigation an abuse of power and a political stunt. Kemp is just two days away from Election Day, marking the conclusion of a closely contested race against Democrat Stacey Abrams. He's previously been criticized for not resigning from overseeing the election since he's involved and could have a conflict of interest. 

As for the investigation, Kemp's office said that federal partners, such as the Department of Homeland Security and Federal Bureau of Investigation, have been alerted. 

Midterm Election Predictions

This Tuesday, voters will elect a new House of Representatives and one-third of the Senate. A poll released on Sunday from ABC News and The Washington Postfound that 52 percent would prefer a generic Democrat over a generic Republican for Congress, and 44 percent would choose the Republican. In a poll from NBC News and The Wall Street Journal, 50 percent of likely voters favored a Democratically controlled Congress while only 43 percent favored a Republican one. 

Regarding specific elections, The New York Times reported that top officials on both sides are predicting North Dakota Democratic Senator Heidi Heitkamp's defeat. "But every other Senate Democrat is still seen as viable,"The Times said. "That itself is rather extraordinary given that Democrats are defending 10 seats in states that President Trump carried."

Missouri's Senator Claire McCaskill and her Republican opponent Josh Hawley are nearly tied; as are Tennessee's Democratic Phil Bredesen and Republican Representative Marsha Blackburn; and Texas's Republican Senator Ted Cruz and Representative Beto O'Rourke. 

Results could start rolling in as early as 8 pm ET on Tuesday, but close races could require recounts and take days to tally. 

Obama Drops In To Miami Taco Shop, Drawing a Big Crowd

People dining at Coyo Taco in Miami were certainly surprised when Former President Barack Obama showed up after campaigning for Florida candidates on Friday. "I want everybody to vote!" he shouted as more and more people began to gather. He was also surrounded by Secret Service agents, reporters and camera crews. 

Obama arrived with Andrew Gillum and Bill Nelson, the candidates he was advocating for at a get-out-the-vote rally at the Ice Palace. He took photos with the restaurant's staff, congratulated a woman about to get married, and even sampled someone's guac. 

What to look for...

Your plan to vote on Tuesday. 

It's officially fall, which means it's time to start wearing some cute fall boots. There are always so many different styles to choose from, so to help you out, here are seven trends you can be sure will be in style this fall: 

1. Two-toned

There are many different ways to have two-toned boots, allowing you a lot of creative freedom in the style you choose. You can have anything from black riding boots with a strip of brown leather at the top to short booties split in half color wise to Chelsea style boots with a different colored heel. The most important thing is that the difference in colors adds a little pop to brighten up your fall style. Here are a few different choices we found the best-looking for this fall:

Ralph Lauren Merrie Riding Boot ($129.99)

This knee-high boot is perfect for rainy fall weather and its two-toned style means it will go with any outfit. The silver logo also adds bit of class to the look. 

Nisolo Chelsea Boot ($228)

A good Chelsea Boot is a fall staple. Nisolo's version will help you stand out in the crowd, however, with its differently colored sole. 

2. Western

Cowboy boots and other Western-inspired looks have come back to the runway this season. No matter where you may be located, Western boots will always be a fantastic choice due to their versatility. Here are a few of our favorite stand-out looks this fall:

Free People Vegan Deliliah Western ($98)

This sparkly, red version from Free People is Western-influenced, but will stand out from the more traditional Cowboy boot, making it the perfect choice for those bold fashionistas. 

Aldo Veradia ($120)

This boho-chic boot perfectly blends the Western look with autumnal hues, making it the perfect choice for walking around in the fall while the leaves are changing. 

3. Plaid

Plaid is something that never seems to go out of style and plaid boots are no exception. Embrace the past with the many varieties of plaid – or veen tartan – you can wear. These options are also great if you need some boots that you can wear to work. Here are two versions, one casual and one fancier, that are perfect for fall weather. 

Aldo Seiria ($130)

This silver-toed option is elegant and entirely work appropriate, yet it can also easily transition to being something great for a night out. 

Jane and the Shoe Jakob Combat Boot ($108.99)

Who knew plaid could look so casual? These boots are perfect for crunching fall leaves as you make your way around town. 

4. Metallic

Harking back to the '80s, metallic boots are must-haves this fall season. No matter what color or level of shine you choose, they will always make a statement. In addition, because they are usually focused on more neutral colors (silver and gold), they are surprisingly versatile and are sure to go with basically any outfit. These are some of our top picks of the season: 

Aldo Mendani ($130)

This sleek look is perfect for those chill nights out when you want to look stylish, but don't want to put too much effort into your look. 

Forever 21 Metallic Over-the-Knee Boots ($49.90)

Unlike the previous option, these boots really shine and are definitely statement pieces. You definitely don't have to be worried about getting lost in the crowd with these on. 

5. Kitten Heels

One of the most versatile trends on this list, this low-to-the-ground heel style is perfect for anyone who puts comfort over style. Modest in silhouette, it can still pack a major punch depending on the style you choose. Here are two options we found appealing: 

Aldo Jerirewia ($130)

An update on the classic Chelsea look, this boot from Aldo would be the perfect addition to your wardrobe. It's sleek, black look will make you fashionable no matter what you're doing. 

Forever 21 Faux Suede Over-the-Knee Boots ($44.90)

For an over-the-knee look that's still based around comfortable kitten heels, try this option from Forever 21. It'll be easy to walk in while still perfect for a night out. 

6. Animal Print

Who can say no to animal print? There are so many fun things you can wear with various animal print boots, and they are perfect for adding some spice to an otherwise plain outfit. Here are some of our top options for this look:

Forever 21 Faux Suede Cheetah Print Booties ($28)

Combining two of this season's trends into one boot, this option from Forever 21 is both comfortable, yet stylish. 

Diba Zora Bootie ($79.99)

Animal print is not just limited to cheetah or leopard print. Try something different, like this suede snake-skin look from DSW. 

7. Vintage Lace-up

There are plenty of different lace-up boots to choose from, but this fall be sure to focus on those reminiscent of Victorian-style heeled boots with laces. Whether a low or high heel, the important thing is that they come up a few inches past your ankle and feature laces as the main look. We loved these options from Free People and Aldo. 

Free People Joyce Lace Up Boot ($175)

Black and with a low heel, these boots are perfect for walking to class or around the city. They will also go with basically any outfit, making them a hit with us. 

Aldo Miassa ($120)

If you want a pair of boots with some flair, these are a great option. Red is a great fall color and will make any outfit pop. 

Any one of these seven trends will set you on the path to winning the fashion game this fall. Be creative and have fun mixing and matching different styles – who knows, maybe you'll create your own trend!

SPOILERS FOR LAST NIGHT'S EPISODE OF YOU AHEAD. 

Well, we have one episode to go and things just got real. Over the course of You’s first season, we mostly just saw a lot of Joe kidnapping and killing people, while Beck obliviously fell for his charm. Last night, the veil was lifted, and Beck finally saw the real Joe. And if the reveals in last night’s episode were that juicy, I can’t wait to see what happens in the season finale. Here are seven of the biggest questions that need to be answered in the season finale of You.

1.What happened to Candace? 

As little screen time as she received this season, Candace was a very important recurring character. She was the reason Peach (and that girl at the party, and Beck…) were suspicious of Joe. How is it that his ex-girlfriend just disappeared? While we mostly just saw flashes of Candace in Joe’s hallucinations last night, we were treated to multiple flashbacks and given the chance to see Joe and Candace in their prime. We saw their meet-cute, them exchanging holiday gifts and, of course, Joe’s jealousy over Candace’s relationship with her record exec. We know that Joe killed the record exec, and that Joe and Candace had a huge fight and…things end there. I think it is quite obvious that things did not end well for Candace (unless she actually is in Europe). The season finale could (read: should) finally give us answers as to what actually happened to Candace.

2.Will we learn more about how Joe became Joe? 

We have seen little snippets of Joe’s past, learning that his relationship with his boss/mentor, Mr. Mooney, was volatile to say the least. Last night (and throughout the season), we saw that Joe has a jealous and possessive streak, but where did this come from? Did he sustain some sort of childhood trauma? Or was it the relationship with Candace that set Joe down this path? While there are no excuses for the fact that he has committed multiple murders, learning about his history could shed light on the reason why Joe can show compassion for Paco in one breath, and kill Benji in the next. 

3. Is Joe going to be punished for his crimes?

We know that Joe killed the record exec, Benji, Peach, maybe Candace and goodness knows who else. So, when will he face the consequences of his actions? Peach’s family has hired a private investigator to look into her death, and Beck is investigating what happened to Candace. In a perfect world, the combination of these two investigations would result in Joe going away for life. But, this is You, so I have a hunch that Joe is going to (quite literally) get away with murder. 

4. Is Dr. Nicky still a practicing therapist? 

Since his introduction, Dr. Nicky has been an interesting character to say the least. He lights up during sessions with patients. He has an incredible response time (like, he immediately texts Joe back). Oh, and he was also having an affair with Beck, who, just as a reminder, is one of his patients. This crosses so many lines and it's not cool. At all. Joe, in a jealous rage, irrationally decides that mugging Dr. Nicky to get proof of Beck’s infidelity is the best way to solve the problem. So, is Joe going to return to Dr. Nicky’s office next week for another therapy session? Or has Dr. Nicky (rightfully) lost his license? 

5. Do any characters on this show have any common sense? 

I understand this is a TV show, but I’m a little worried that none of the characters on this show have any sense. When Beck is going all True Detective and trying to find out what happened to Candace, she meets up with one of Candace’s former friends, who’s just kind of confused about where Candace is and why she stopped talking to her. Ok, I think I speak for most people when I say that if anyone I know just dropped off the face of the Earth, I would be a little concerned and reach out sooner, rather than later. Also, everyone is like “Candace went to Europe and we just, like, couldn’t contact her.” Ok, it’s 2018—talking to someone in Europe isn’t that hard. We have email, iMessage, WhatsApp, Snapchat, DMs on Insta and Twitter…the list goes on. It wouldn’t have taken a lot of effort to get in touch. Basically, what I’m saying is that Beck better hope that Blythe, Anneka and the rest of the crew have more sense than Candace’s friends, because Beck is going to need someone to free her from the book cage. Which brings us to our next question…

6. Is Beck going to survive the season? 

In the final moments of last night’s episode, Beck found Joe’s box of souvenirs and finally realized that sweet little Joe isn’t as sweet as he seems. But now Joe knows that Beck knows, and Beck has been locked in the book cage. Based on the history of what has happened to those that inhabit the book cage, it doesn’t look promising for Beck (even though she is quite present in the promos for next week’s episode). If you’ve read the Caroline Kepnes novel You is based on, you know what happens to Beck, but my lips are sealed until next week’s finale.

7. Is Joe going to survive the season? 

Beck may be in the book cage, but don’t think Joe is safe just yet. The teaser for next week shows Beck lunging at Joe with the ever-present wooden mallet, and we could only be so lucky if she were able to break free from this monster. Again, if you’ve read the Caroline Kepnes novel You is based on, you know what happens, but if you haven’t, you’ll just have to wait until next week.

The season finale of You airs next Sunday at 10 p.m. on Lifetime.

The Hate U Give, a film adapted by a novel of the same name, follows Starr Carter (Amandla Stenberg), a black girl living in two different worlds—the poor mostly black neighborhood of Garden Heights and Williamson Prep, the rich, predominantly white high school she attends. After witnessing the unjust death of her childhood best friend at the hands of a police officer, Starr must decide if she wants to risk having her two separate worlds collide and fight for justice. While The Hate U Give is not the first film to touch on the very real issues of modern black America, but it was the first film in a very long time that made me sob in the theater. Here are four reasons why I cried (though there were definitely more).

Warning: Spoilers ahead

1. When Starr’s father gives her “The Talk” for the first time.

The quietness at the table was deafening as Starr’s dad, Maverick, showed Starr and her brother what to do with their hands, what to say and how to stay alive in this situation. It really drove it home that Starr never let that information go. Even when she was in the passenger seat, the rules were scared into her. I couldn’t help but shed a few tears while remembering my own “talk” with my parents about what to do if a police officer pulled me over. This kind of fear never leaves you.

2. Khalil Telling Starr That They Had Time… 5 Minutes Before He Dies.

While Khalil (Algee Smith) was driving Starr home from the party, he kissed her—even though she had a boyfriend. When Starr explained that to him, he told her that they have a whole lifetime to be together. And if you've seen the trailer, you know that he's the one that gets shot by the police officer, cutting his life short. This not only made my eyes sweat profusely, but also made me realize that life is not promised to anyone. It could be taken so quickly and without warning.

3. Uncle Carlos Basically Admitting That He Too Was Apart of The Problem

Although the topic of black people dying at the hands of white police officers was a common theme throughout the film, Uncle Carlos (Common) was a very needed exception. Carlos is Starr’s uncle, who happens to be a cop. While sitting in the kitchen, Starr asks him if he would shoot a “white man in a suit with a Mercedes” if he reached back into his car after being asked to stand still. Carlos admitted that he would tell a white man to put his hands up again instead of shooting him, further proving that because Khalil was black, police are more inclined to shoot, even if the police officer is also black. The scene begged the question—is this issue not only about race but power as well?

4. When Starr Shined Her Light

During the movie, Starr went through something most young black people go through: choosing between sticking up for what you believe in or staying safe. A common concern throughout the movie (mainly from her mother) was Starr’s safety after being the sole witness of Khalil’s death. But she realized that in order to be true to herself and her people, she needed to speak her truth. Her self-doubt resonated with me and I couldn’t help but sob (VERY loudly, I should add).

A tactic taught to us by romantic comedies and relationship-savvy women is to feign disinterest in a ~special someone~ so that crush becomes even suddenly interested, falling madly in love with detached-you ASAP. Taking forever to text back, leaving them on read and pretending not to see them might work in a movie... but when the tables are turned and a guy does it IRL, it’s absolutely infuriating and (let’s be honest) just plain unfair.

Being on the opposite end of the fake disinterest is one thing, but being on the opposite end of real disinterest in an entirely different beast. It’s much, much worse. But often it’s hard to distinguish between the playing-hard-to-get-leaving-you-on-read and the seriously-stop-talking-to-me-leaving-you-on-read, or the playful act of pretending they’re too busy to hang out and the “I’m busy every day for the next month and a half” unavailability.

If you’re basically inept when it comes to differentiating between the two, especially over text, don’t worry. We’ve got you covered. We talked to some real-life college women and got their advice on how to decipher when guys really aren’t that into you.