Baby, let the games begin. Taylor Swift blessed fans with an epic gift on December 13th, (which also happened to be her birthday — happy birthday, Taylor!) announcing that she is bringing her Reputation Stadium Tour to Netflix. The 29-year-old pop star shared the trailer for her Netflix documentary Thursday, and it’ll be here so soon.

Swift much of the past year taking her Reputation Stadium Tour all across the globe, and even though her tour just recently wrapped up, she sure knows how to treat her Swifties to the best holiday present ever. She filmed an entire concert for a Netflix documentary, and gave us a minute-long preview of the upcoming special, which will be available on New Year’s Eve, according to Hello Giggles. I mean, could there really be a better way to close out 2018?

The preview begins with flashes of Swift performing, according to Cosmopolitan. “When she fell, she fell apart,” a voice over says. “When she rose, she rose slowly. She heard echoes of new words. Without your past, you could never have arrived.”

We already have goosebumps.

The pop star took to social media to announce the news, writing, “Thanks so much for all the birthday wishes! Today I finally get to show you something we’ve been working on for a while... the trailer for the Reputation Stadium Tour.”

The Netflix special will feature the Reputation Stadium tour in its entirety, and there’s sure to be some fun behind-the-scenes parts, too.

“You made this tour so insanely fun for all of us on stage, and I’m really excited that we will have this memento of the memories we all made together this year,” Swift told her Swifties. The pop star added that she loved sharing the stage with Camila Cabello, Charli XCX, her band and dancers, all of whom she says “shine so brightly in this film.”

“You’re the best. Thank you for everything,” Swift concluded.

Whether you couldn’t make it to the Reputation Stadium Tour or just want to relive it, this Netflix special is sure to be nothing less than magical. We only have one question: Are you ...Ready for It?

Maria Butina, a Russian gun rights activist who cultivated relationships with the National Rifle Association and conservative political officials, has signed a plea agreement for acting as an agent for the Russian government.

Butina, a former graduate student at American University, agreed to plead guilty and, as part of her plea deal, cooperate with investigators in ongoing probes. Her cooperation in these investigations could shed light on Russian efforts to infiltrate U.S. politics with not just cyber operations, but with the collecting of human intelligence.

According toPolitico, in a Washington D.C. federal courthouse Thursday, Butina admitted to participating in an information collection operation that put her in contact with prominent officials tied to the Republican Party and the Trump campaign.

ABC News reported that Butina admitted that she and an unnamed “U.S. Person 1,” which sources have identified as Republican operative Paul Erickson, “agreed and conspired, with a Russian government official (“Russian Official”) and at least one other person, for Butina to act in the United States under the direction of Russian Official without prior notification to the Attorney General.”

The “Russian Official” appears to be Alexander Torshin, deputy governor of the Russian Central Bank and a close ally to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

According to court documents, Butina told the Russian government that she had “laid the groundwork for an unofficial channel of communication” with the next U.S. administration.

Her efforts to gain close access to prominent Republican officials began in 2015, where she, later that year, helped to organize a trip to Moscow for NRA officials.

“We should let them express their gratitude now, we will put pressure on them quietly later,” Butina said of the planned trip, according to the court filing.

Butina had passed on information about the relationships she was developing to the Kremlin, including a relationship with Erickson, Politico reports.

When arrested in Washington, D.C. in July on charges of conspiracy and failure to register as a foreign agent, prosecutors said Butina has cultivated a romantic relationship with Erickson as a cover and had used sex as a tool to infiltrate powerful political groups, ABC News reports. But the government backed away from those claims in Thursday’s filing.

Butina, who has been in jail since her arrest and indictment, was confronted by the judge regarding the conditions of her confinement. The Russian government had criticized those conditions, and her attorney complained that she had been left in solitary confinement for too long.

When asked if her mind was “clear” and whether the conditions prompted her to plead guilty, Butina told the judge that her mind was “absolutely clear.”

Ahead of the Thursday hearing, a spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry told reporters in Moscow that the Russian government “will support any decision [Butina] might take aimed at her liberation” and called for her “soonest release from custody.”

Federal prosecutors are investigating President Donald Trump’s inaugural committee for possible misspending of the more than $100 million in donations raised for the inauguration, sources told The Wall Street Journal on Thursday.

The Journal reported that prosecutors in the investigation, which is being handled by by the Manhattan U.S. attorney’s office, are looking into whether the committee accepted donations from individuals hoping to gain influence and access into the Trump administration.

According to CNN, which also confirmed the report, giving money in hopes of political favors is illegal, just as misuse of money is.

Such misspending from the committee, which was registered as a nonprofit, could constitute a violation of federal corruption laws, according to The Huffington Post, and if it is true, would make it the latest probe into whether members of Trump’s inner circle inappropriately spent funds in association with his campaign.

In a statement, Trump’s inaugural committee said the ceremony was “in full compliance with all applicable laws.”

“The (committee) is not aware of any pending investigations and has not been contacted by any prosecutors. We simply have no evidence the investigation exists,” the statement said.

“The (committee’s) finances were fully audited internally and independently and are fully accounted,” the statement continued. “Moreover, the inauguration’s accounting was provided both to the Federal Election Commission and the IRS in compliance with all laws and regulations. These were funds raised from private individuals and were then spent in accordance with the law and the expectations of the donors. The names of donors were provided to the FEC and have been public for nearly two years and those donors were vetted in accordance with the law and no improprieties have been found regarding the vetting of those donors.”

According to The Journal, the investigation arose from materials that were seized by federal prosecutors in when former Trump personal attorney Michael Cohen’s home was raided in April. Michael Cohen was just sentenced to three years in prison for violating campaign finance laws with the hush payments to Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal, both of whom claimed to have had affairs with Trump, as well as for tax evasion and lying to Congress.

A source who spoke with The Journal said FBI officials obtained a recorded conversation between Cohen and Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, a former adviser to Melania Trump, during the raid. Wolkoff had expressed concerns regarding the committee’s spending in the conversation.

CNN previously reported that the committee had received a record-setting $107 million in donations, primarily from donors who gave $1 million or more.

When asked about the report, White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders told reporters Thursday, “That doesn't have anything to do with the President or the first lady. The biggest thing the President did, his engagement in the inauguration, was to come here and raise his hand and take the oath of office. The President was focused on the transition at that time and not on any of the planning for the inauguration.”

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.)

Bomb Threats Reported Across the U.S.

Dozens of institutions and business across the United States received bomb threats Thursday afternoon, prompting evacuations.

It is unclear at this time if the threats, which were received in San Francisco, New York, Seattle, Miami, Washington D.C. and other locations across the country, are connected, CNN reports. The FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said they are aware of the threats and are working with law enforcement on the matter.

“As always, we encourage the public to remain vigilant and to promptly report suspicious activities which could represent a threat to public safety,” the FBI said.

According to ABC News, the New York Police Department said it was monitoring multiple bomb threats received throughout the city, but deemed the threats to be not credible.

Massachusetts State Police are also monitoring multiple bomb threats emailed to businesses throughout the state.

An Oklahoma business received an email demanding $20,000 via Bitcoin or an explosive device would detonate.

screenshot obtained by ABC News

The email was similar to an email warning shared on social media by the Cedar Rapids, Iowa Police Department. “The Police Department has found NO CREDIBLE EVIDENCE that these emails are authentic,” the Cedar Rapids Police Department said. “It appears to be a robo-email that has been sent throughout the area hoping to scam businesses out of money. We have also received information that businesses in surrounding counties may have also received this email.”

The email was similar to other threats, including a threat received by The Bronx High School of Science in New York City. A NYPD spokesperson told ABC News the school received a threat that a pipe bomb would explode in 20 minutes if $20,000 bitcoin payment did not occur.

Bombs threats were also received in the Chicago area, including Aurora City Hall, the Aurora Library and Rush Copley Medical Center in Aurora.

According to CNN, email threats were also made in Vancouver, Ottawa and Toronto, Canada.

Melania Trump Calls Journalists “Opportunists”

First Lady Melania Trump said the hardest thing about her time in the White House is seeing “opportunists” use her family name to advance their careers, all the while not accurately recording history, NBC News reports.

In an interview with Fox News’ Sean Hannity, the first lady rebuked journalists, saying, “I’d say the opportunists who are using my name or my family name to advance themselves, from comedians to journalists to performers, book writers.”

“It doesn’t hurt,” Mrs. Trump added. “The problem is they’re writing the history and it’s not correct.”

Mrs. Trump’s criticism came after Hannity prompted her to share the “hardest thing” she has experienced as first lady, The Huffington Post reports.

In regards to her husband, the first lady said she doesn’t always “agree with his tone and I tell him that.”

“So as I said before, sometimes he listens and sometimes he doesn’t,” Mrs. Trump said. “I said, ‘You know, I don't think you need to tweet that out.’ But in the end it’s his decision, he knows the consequences. He is an adult, but he is a fighter.”

In the interview, which was conducted on the U.S.S George H.W. Bush after she met with service members, the first lady said she does “what I think is right.”

“I want to stay true to myself and what to do is right and what is wrong and live meaningful life every day,” she said.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Trump’s husband, who has had quite a bitter relationships with journalists, reportedly cancelled this year’s White House holiday press party.

California Proposes Text Message Tax, But New FCC Ruling Could Block It

California regulators want to tax text messages to increase funds for programs that to help bring connectivity to underserved residents.

The California Public Utilities Commission’s (CPUC) new surcharge wouldn’t tax per text message, but rather implement a monthly fee on cellular phone bills that have fees for text messages.

The structure of the charge would vary from carrier to carrier.

The 52-page proposal by CPUC Commissioner Carla J. Peterman lays out the details of the measure, and notes that California’s Public Purpose Program budget is increasing while incoming monies are dwindling, CNN reports.

The commission, which is set to vote on the measure on January 10th, 2019, is facing opposition from groups like the CTIA, which represents AT&T Mobility, Sprint and T-Mobile.

However, a new Federal Communication Commission (FCC) ruling could complicate the proposal. According to ABC News, the FCC ruled that text messages are classified as “information services” and the government can only impose a tax on texts that are classified as “telecommunication services.”

In a legal filing submitted Wednesday, the CTIA argued that if text messages are considered “information services,” then the CPUC can’t implement a surcharge otherwise it would violate federal law.

The CTIA also argued that the measure would create inequity in the industry, with services like WhatsApp, Facebook’s Messenger and iMessage not falling under the proposed surcharge, CNN reports.

“Subjecting wireless carriers’ text messaging traffic to surcharges that cannot be applied to the lion's share of messaging traffic and messaging providers is illogical, anticompetitive, and harmful to consumers,” the CTIA said in the filing.

Following the FCC’s ruling, the CPUC could change its proposal before the vote next month.

What to look out for...

Ariana Grande dropped her new song Imagine!

Boston is a city that doesn’t get the credit it deserves for amazing brunch spots and Instagram-worthy desserts. Overshadowed by its glamorous East Coast neighbor New York City, Boston is known as the college town where you “pahk da cah in Hahvahd Yahd” and engage in some serious sports rivalries. However, Boston can definitely hold its own—especially when it comes to food.

Influenced by the younger crowd, Boston has some of the trendiest restaurants on the East Coast. Whether you’re searching for your new favorite eggs benedict or just trying to chow down on a burrito after a night out, Boston’s food spots are sure to satisfy any craving you may encounter.

For a quick cup of coffee:

1. Pavement Coffeehouse

A perennial college favorite, Pavement Coffeehouse not only makes for a great vanilla latte, but their bagel sandwiches are essential for a breakfast on the go. Try their Tequila Sunrise bagel for a twist on the typical bagel sandwich.  

2. Thinking Cup

Thinking Cup is another cute coffee shop, with two downtown locations and another location in Back Bay. It’s known for some killer coffee that’ll make you feel a bit more hipster as you exit. Their coffee is not their only strength though—try their season specialty of hot, spiced apple cider.

3. Tatte Bakery & Café,

Tatte is featured all over the Instagram feeds of every young Boston college woman, and rightly so. Mainly known as a quick eatery that’ll provide you a warm cup of coffee on the cold winter days, Tatte is also known for its photogenic avocado toast—however, the Traditional Shakshuka is a hidden gem.

For brunch dates with your girls:

1. Trident Booksellers & Café

Trident is the cutest brunch spot that serves two functions—both an excellent place to eat and browse books! Usually, the line at Trident is insanely long, and you can’t make a reservation on the weekends, so it’s beyond awesome to have something to do while you’re waiting for your table. Don’t fret the long wait—the Choose Your Own Eggventure! dish is more than worth it.

2. The Friendly Toast

This hippy-dippy New England haunt is both aesthetically pleasing (There are Beatles references galore) and has some good eats. The Friendly Toast excels at both sweet and savory. Some favorite dishes? The French toast and the breakfast burrito. 

3. Cafeteria

This American-style restaurant is not only open for brunch—in fact, they are fantastic for dinner too—but they really shine during the morning hours. Again, the wait is long, but you can make a reservation so you’re not starving by the time you get a table! Try the life-changing Truffle Scrambled Eggs and treat yourself to the Cafeteria Cooler mocktail.

For your mid-day cravings:

1. Dig Inn

Dig Inn is the healthy eating spot of your dreams. Though it’s not only in Boston, Dig Inn’s warm and filling marketbowls are perfect for the eternal Boston winter. Though they have specific bowls made-to-order, try customizing your dish—it’s like a healthier Chipotle!

2. Life Alive

Another well-known healthy eatery, Life Alive focuses on providing organic and vegan cuisine. Though this doesn’t necessarily sound appealing to everyone, Life Alive has something for everyone. Some menu standouts include the Blonde Miso Ramen and the Ginger Crush juice.

Hear from Life Alive fan and college women Jen, Class of 2020, who says, "I love Life Alive because there are so many unique plant-based options. My favorite is the Rainbow Harvest Bowl!" 

3. Yamato II

Yamato II is one of the secret best sushi places in town. Located in Copley, this restaurant offers an unbeatable weekday lunch deal: all-you-can-eat sushi for less than $20. The only caveat is you have to eat everything put in front of you—which is the opposite of a punishment. The specialty rolls (especially the Snow Mountain Maki) also only add a $1 to your overall bill, so get ready to chow down.

For a night out on the town:

1. Boston Burger Company

Known for their #FreakFrappes and their gourmet burgers (reviewed by none other than Guy Fieri himself!), this is definitely the place for when you’re feeling a bit extra. You might not be able to finish everything by yourself, so bring a big group of people or your SO to split a milkshake with!

2. Lolita Cocina & Tequila Bar

A trendy AF Mexican restaurant, Lolita Cocina & Tequila Bar has two options—tapas or ordering your own meal. You won’t be disappointed with the copious amounts of chips and guac and the Crispy Zucchini Fritter Tacos. Also, they give you a free cotton candy tower at the end! Hit up Lolita for a night of luxury.

3. Antico Forno

Perfect for a date night or for when friends come to visit, Antico Forno is one of the reasons why Boston’s North End is known for its incredible Italian food. Make sure you’re hungry when you go—their mouth-watering pasta bowls, such as the Rigatoni Salsiccia, are never-ending.

For your sweet tooth:

1. Blackbird Doughnuts

Blackbird is often regarded as having some of the best doughnuts in the Boston area—and honestly, it’s true. Not only are their doughnuts great (ahem, the triple chocolate is to die for), but their iced coffee is refreshing as well. Their secret weapon? Their doughnut cakes. Your birthday will never be the same. 

2. Modern Pastry

Let’s put the historical rivalry between Mike’s Pastry and Modern Pastry to rest—Modern reigns supreme, but only by a little. Though you should try both, Mike’s Pastry is a tourist trap—Modern is a bit more authentic, and their cannolis are just a little creamier and crispier. Customize your cannoli with different fillings for an extra special dessert.

3. Amorino Gelato

Though it has solid gelato, Amorino is mostly known for providing the most Instagrammable ice cream you will ever eat. Get a Cono filled with a few different gelato combos (don’t limit yourself to one flavor!) and Amorino will make the prettiest gelato flower for you. Your feed just got a little trendier.

For your late-night haunts:

1. Amelia’ Taqueria

Some of the best memories of any Boston college student are silently eating Amelia’s Taqueria burritos with their best friends after an eventful night out. Bostonians are loyal to Amelia’s Taqueria—and it’s open until 2 am, one of the latest establishments open in town. You have to get a burrito when you visit, and don’t cheap out on the chips and guac.

2. Gourmet Dumpling House

Gourmet Dumpling House hits the exact spot when you’re exhausted after a day in downtown—their pork dumplings are the comfort food you’ve been waiting for. However, Boston is the city that sleeps, so Gourmet Dumpling House closes at 11:30. Plan your visit wisely.

3. India Quality

Though India Quality has a location near Newbury Street, their food is best eaten take-out style with your best friends. You will definitely be feeling satisfied after a meal from here—try the Saag Tikki, Garlic Naan, Chicken Mughlai, and of course, the classic Chicken Tikka Masala.

Your stomach is probably growling after reading this list. Here’s to hoping this list gives you some ideas for your next Sunday brunch or your next visit to Beantown!

I Did A Thing is our weekly advice column where the Her Campus editorial team helps you out when you ruin your own life (hey, we've been there). Email advice@hercampus.com for any and everything you need help with. We’ll answer you (anonymously!) on hercampus.com so we can all learn, together. We’ve got your back.

@weirdshame: I know I shouldn't, but I still just feel so awkward and ashamed about my period. It makes me feel gross. I'm supposed to be #empowered but like, I'm just not. Help?

@Blume: Firstly, you should never feel bad about the way you feel about your body. It's so easy to see posts on social media about being #empowered, and loving our bodies and our periods, but in reality, social media is a highlight real and many pages and posts don't show the work that went into getting to a place where you feel proud of things like your period. We all have different relationships with our bodies and our periods, and getting to a point of feeling proud doesn't always happen overnight. 

I have PCOS (cysts in my ovaries) and believe it or not, 1 in 5 women do too. Yet, when I first got diagnosed, I barely even talked about it with my mom, let alone my friends. It took me almost 2 years before I really started opening up and talking about my experience with my period and in doing that I felt more #empowered. 

If you are feeling awkward or ashamed about your period, try to ask yourself why? Is it because of the way other people perceive periods? Or maybe there's some reading you can do to help better understand your period? I was always told to not talk about my period growing up, and it was something I handled in silence. But, as I grew older, and saw so many incredible womxn talk about their periods and why it makes them feel empowered, I started learning more about the magic that is our bodies and the beauty in periods. Try opening up the conversation of periods with people you're comfortable with to see how they feel. Alternatively, there's some great pieces online about periods, like Rupi Kaur's poetry. 

The road to accepting and loving all aspects of ourselves is long and confusing and can be difficult, but it's important to remember that you shouldn't feel bad about not feeling a certain way because society says you should.  

Check out more advice from @helpmehc. We've got your back. Plus, get more from today's guest columnist, Blume, a company that provides safe, sustainable period products for women and girls who believe in the power of their choices.

A seven-year-old girl from Guatemala has died of dehydration and shock after being taken into Border Patrol custody last week, The Washington Postreports.

According to The Post, U.S. Customs and Border Protection records show the girl, identified as Jackeline Caal, and her father were taken into custody around 10 p.m. on Dec. 6, just south of Lordsburg, New Mexico. Around 6:25 a.m., Caal reportedly began having seizures. Emergency responders registered her body temperature at over 105 degrees, and a CBP statement said she “reportedly had not eaten or consumed water for several days.”

Caal went into cardiac arrest during a helicopter flight to an El Paso hospital. She was revived, but did not fully recover, and died at the hospital less than a day later.

In a statement released on Friday, Cynthia Pompa, advocacy manager for the ACLU Border Rights Center, slammed CBP for being “inhumane,” and called for a “rigorous investigation” into Caal’s death.

“This tragedy represents the worst possible outcome when people, including children, are held in inhumane conditions,” she said. “Lack of accountability, and a culture of cruelty within CBP have exacerbated policies that lead to migrant deaths.”

This past February, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security released a statement decrying the fact that “Unaccompanied alien children and family units are flooding the border because of catch and release loopholes.”

There are a couple things about this headline that don’t sit quite right.

First, there’s the continued use of the term “alien” to describe people who enter the U.S. illegally. While not in this case, the term is often preceded by the word “illegal.”

The Border Crossing Law Firm’s website sums up the issue with this phrase quite nicely, saying it “implies that a person’s existence is criminal.” Contrast this with the typical criminality of acts that people commit. Only the first implies inherent illegality, just by way of being alive.

Another thing about the DHS statement that struck me as odd is the use of the phrase “catch and release,” usually heard in the context of fishing. This, along with the use of the intense verb “flooding,” is intended to dehumanize and criminalize these immigrants.

Caal’s death comes a few months after 18-month-old Mariee Juárez contracted an illness while in Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody, before dying a few weeks after being released. Less than a month ago, Border Patrol agents fired tear gas at immigrants attempting to cross the border.

If something doesn’t change soon, more people will die for trying to have a better life for themselves and their families. If a child dying in CBP custody isn’t enough to convince people that something is wrong, then I’m at a loss.

Like a HuffPost News article from last June said, “I don’t know how to explain to you that you should care about other people.”

2018 was one rollercoaster ride when it came navigating our fashion trends. We tried it all — we cropped our tops, we swapped out jeans for sweatpants, we basically agreed that the 90s' were back and wore the era like no tomorrow. But with 2018 coming to a close comes a new year full of style possibilities. So what does 2019 have in store for our closets? With a little help from Pinterest's trend predictions, we're looking into our style crystal ball to see what's hot for 2019.

Here's what we predict to be the 5 trends to try this upcoming year, along with some inspiration for how to style them from members of Her Campus's InfluenceHer Collective.

1. Snake prints

Yup, snake prints are sure to slither into your style without you realizing. Snake prints may seem a bit out there right now, but Pinterest says that hits for "snake prints" are up by a whopping 642 percent. There's clearly a lot of interest in this scaly animal skin motif, but it's more muted appearance compared to other animal prints make it an easy design to sport in everyday fashion. Expect snake print pants, shirts and of course purses this 2019. 

2. Wraps and robes 

2018 was all about comfy athleisure, but comfortable fashion is going to look more refined with wrap dresses and robes. Robe-like silhouettes look chic and elegant, wrapping around your frame loosely but still outlining your curves beautifully. Wrap dresses, robe-like cardigans and velvety looks are sure to please this 2019. 

3. Sustainable style 

After Meghan Markle made a point to wear sustainable and eco-friendly designers, there was no excuse for us not to get inspired by her thoughtful outfits. "Sustainable fashion" is up 34 percent on Pinterest, while #sustainablefashion comes out with nearly 3 million hits on Instagram. The rapid popularity of sustainable fashion signals a growing support for green designers, which we could all use more of. We hope 2019 focuses on making clothes more sustainable and we can finally phase out of toxic fast fashion as a result. 

4. Statement sneakers 

Starting in 2019, we may not be able to get away with calling humongous Balenciaga sneaks'"ugly" anymore. But don't worry — this doesn't mean you have to splurge on some Balenciaga sneaks. Be prepared to break out your favorite pair of sneakers with a fun color scheme to tie your 2019 outfits together.

5. Unexpected bags 

Long gone are the days of sporting a simple crossbody purse. From fur to fishnet, there are no textures or fabrics off limits for your bags in 2019. Making your purse your statement piece will be the look of 2019, mark our words.

So that's the forecast on what 2019 style has in store. Let's see just how 2019 fashion unfolds and whether or not we will adopt these trends, just see them on the street, or be determined to make them a thing of the past. 

All looks brought to you by members from Her Campus's InfluenceHer Collective. Are you an aspiring fashion influencer or blogger? Apply to join Her Campus's community of millennial and Gen Z influencers today!

This article contains syndicated content from My Curly Adventure, Our Wandering Mind, and Hey Ciara, all members of Her Campus’s InfluenceHer Collective.

Let’s be real: there’s nothing quite as enriching and inspiring as adventuring out of your comfort zone every now and then. Whether it’s traveling out of the country for the first time, starting your first day of college, or even beginning your first day at your dream job, pushing yourself to embark on any new journey is a must in your early 20s. If you’re as wanderlust as we are, then you probably can’t wait for your next opportunity to explore the world around you. So, book that flight, apply to that job, or pack your things and just go, because you’ve got a whole wide world waiting for you.

But hold on before you begin packing up for that next adventure — we totally believe in the power of being prepped with the must-have travel essentials and think you should too. That’s why we are obsessed with High Sierra’s line of go-packs, complete with every backpack and luggage piece you’ll need for any excursion.

Want to see how influencers rock their High Sierra go-packs? Here’s how they take on the world with their favorite bags:

Ciara’s trip to Costa Rica

“I’ve just arrived in Costa Rica and it feels surreal. Suddenly, I’m back to where it all began. This is where I started my solo adventure around the world. I hadn’t quit my job and I had no idea that it was possible to live the life that I do now. This time around, I’ve been invited to Costa Rica for a wellness treat. After passing the exact same hostel I stayed in just two years ago, I suddenly got emotional. That decision to travel out of the country led me here now. I feel a bit of nostalgia and a TON of gratitude for how much has changed since then.

I’m exploring Costa Rica with my High Sierra Packed Cargo Duffel! Being soil & waterproof, it’s been perfect for my return trip to a country that has a special place in my heart. Additional features include:

• Main compartment with easy-access zipper opening
• Front panel zippered accessory pocket
• Duffel packs into the side zippered storage pocket
• Adjustable and removable shoulder strap with pad
• Comfortable padded handle wrap

Cannot wait to share more from this trip! #AdventureThisWay”

Olivia’s move to Australia

“A little over a year, I officially moved from the U.S. to Australia after going back and forth the past couple of years. One of the main reasons I wanted to move to Australia is to travel. Whether it’s day trips to the mountains or weekend getaways to Uluru, traveling is definitely something I love doing and hope to continue doing while I’m here living in Australia.

When it comes to traveling, I’ve always been a backpack type of person. They’re just so practical for holding your items, but also extremely versatile — from being a carry-on bag, to essential when it comes to hiking and carrying your gear.

I got to test out the Pathway 40L Pack with a hike through the Royal National Park in Bundeena, NSW. With the 40L that this bag offers and all the storage and compartments, I could easily store and organize everything for my hiking trip away. I was able to pack our lunches, 4 water bottles, utilizing the two water bottle holders on the side of the bag and two in the main compartment, a picnic blanket, my huge camera case, and still have plenty of room to spare. With all the items that I was able to keep in my bag, I definitely know that it’ll be my go-to backpack when it comes to weekend getaways or even week-long getaways with the amount of room that’s in this bag.”

Jessica’s hike in Texas

“One of my favorite things to do in the Hill Country is hiking Enchanted Rock in Fredericksburg Texas. It’s a simple hike, but when you make it to the top you are rewarded with stunning views of the Hill Country. About 15 minutes outside of Fredericksburg is Enchanted Rock State Park. There are several different trails including Little Rock, Interpretive Loop, Turkey Peak, and many other trails. However, the most intense and popular trail is the Summit Trail, AKA hiking up the giant rock.

I took my High Sierra Loop Backpack on my trip to be able to carry water, additional layers for when the sun started to set, and other items that we would need for the hike. The Loop Backpack was perfect with the padded shoulder and back plus the suspension to make the hike easier. I was able to fit everything inside of my bag with plenty of space to spare and still had the bottom compression straps in case I needed to carry anything else.”

Trust us when we say you’ll be ready to take on your next adventure knowing you’re prepared with these influencer-adored travel packs from High Sierra. So, go ahead — get out there and explore!

Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn. was evacuated Friday after receiving a bomb threat exactly six years after it was the target of one of the most horrific mass shootings in American history, leaving 20 young kids and 6 educators dead.

NBC News reports that authorities were made aware of the bomb threat at 9 A.M after the Newtown Police Department received a phone call saying that there was a bomb at the school.

Thankfully, after evacuating and searching the school, authorities found no bomb. However, students and staff were sent home for the day.

According to The Cut, since the shooting, it’s been an excruciating six years for the Newtown community — and the victim’s families in particular. In addition to dealing with trauma and, for some, grieving the loss of their child, families have dealt with accusations from conspiracy theorists who promote the ridiculous belief that the shooting was a hoax.

To make matters even scarier, the bomb threat at Sandy Hook was just one of many throughout the country this week.

In an article on these multiple bomb threat, Dave Altimari of The Hartford Courant writes that at least 10 communities in Connecticut also faced threats. Other institutions facing threats include Columbine High School, which, like Sandy Hook, was the site of a tragic mass shooting in 1999. The school and several others in the area were placed on lockdown.

The statement from the FBI on the recent threats reads “we aware of the recent bomb threats made in cities around the country, and we remain in touch with our law enforcement partners to provide assistance. As always, we encourage the public to remain vigilant and to promptly report suspicious activities which could represent a threat to public safety.”

It’s no secret that the road to college can be complicated and overwhelming for any high school student. From saving up to understanding the application process, there’s definitely a lot to take in. Thankfully, College Board has your back when it comes to getting to college.

Starting this December for the class of 2020, College Board is here to help you through it all with their College Board Opportunity Scholarships. This new scholarship program has no minimum GPA, no essay, and no family income requirement— scholarships are rewarded based off all of your hard work and effort towards getting into college!

So, how does this scholarship program actually work? Well, the more effort you put in, the more chances you get to earn money for college. The program outlines six key steps that students should take on their journey to college. Some steps are as simple as practicing for the SAT or completing the FAFSA for financial aid. The College Board wants to reward high school students who are really putting the work in towards getting to that college goal. Starting with the class of 2020, 4,000 scholarships will be awarded every year, ranging from $500 to $40,000.

Sign up to start earning scholarship opportunities at cb.org/opportunity. Plus, you’ll be in the know about all the other awesome opportunities College Board has to offer for all high school students!

As the popularity of dating apps has risen, more dating platforms dedicated to niche groups have appeared. While these options can be nice for people who know what they want, at a certain point being too “niche” can start to feel like a cover for exclusivity and, in some cases, body shaming. This is the problem many are pointing out with the app Slindir, which launched in 2016.

Slindir markets itself as a dating app focused on "health." An introductory blog post in its website stated that its intended purpose was to “bring together those who can say ‘Active is my DNA, feeling good is my purpose’, because we understand why it’s such a pivotal part of our everyday lives.”

However, in an essay for Allure, Wellness Editor Rosemary Donahue contends that the version of “health” that Slindir promotes is exclusionary. As Donahue points out, with a name so dangerously close to the word "slender," it’s no surprise that the app has a limited view of health — seemingly focusing only on those who are white, able-bodied, and thin.

For Donahue the app’s lack of self-awareness hit close to home. After receiving a pitch from the app, asking her to consider featuring it in a magazine, Donahue writes that “If the person sending the email had done even a small amount of research on the recipient of the pitch, they'd have known that I, in fact, have an eating disorder, along with 30 million others, just in the U.S.. To create an app that is potentially triggering to so many folks is exclusionary and dangerous.

As a company, Slindir does acknowledge its own exclusivity. In the same blog posts where the company outlines its mission also states “So no, Slindir is not for everyone, and that’s ok.”

For folks who are about bodies of all shapes, sizes and disabilities finding love and connecting (and never being shamed or made to feel less than), maybe it isn't. 

A viral photo from the Instagram account @lulurecruitment, promising free clothing to selected “ambassadors” who repost the photo on their own accounts, has been proven fake, BuzzFeed News reports.

On Thursday, a company spokesperson told the outlet that “Lululemon is not associated with this account and we are working with Instagram to have it removed.”

In addition to reposting the photo and following the recruitment account, the requirements specified that ambassadors had to have at least 150 followers to be considered. This figure definitely seems a bit low for a brand that already has 2.7 million followers.

As of Friday morning, the @lulurecruitment account appears to have been removed from Instagram. Before this, however, BuzzFeed News reports that it amassed a whopping 211,000 followers.

The scam is similar to one run this past summer by @nike.recruitss, a fake Instagram account that claimed to be associated with Nike. Just like the Lululemon scam, the Nike one asked participants to follow the recruitment account and repost the photo. The latter also had an oddly low follower requirement—250 was the minimum, to represent a brand with 83 million followers of its own.

Like with the Nike scam, many people who participated in the Lululemon “promotion” were excited about the possibility of becoming an ambassador.

“I would absolutely love to be an ambassador! Pick me!!” one woman said, according to BuzzFeed News. Another woman asked “How amazing would this opportunity be?!?!”

Other people low-key wondered how anyone could fall for it:

While the source of the viral photo is gone, a quick Instagram search for “lulurecruitment” brings up at least 20 other variants. Many of these have several thousand followers, and have posted the same recruitment photo on their accounts.

While I certainly don’t think it’s necessary to bash people who participate in things like this, I do hope people will do their research in the future. Some smaller brands do use Instagram to recruit ambassadors, but I’d say your guard should probably be up whenever a big name appears on your feed, promising free clothing just for reposting a photo. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Content warning: This article discusses suicidal thoughts.

Pete Davidson deleted his Instagram Saturday afternoon after posting two notes— one of which stated he doesn't "want to be on this earth anymore."

"im doing my best to stay here for you but i actually don’t know how much longer i can last. all i’ve ever tried to do was help people. just remember i told you so," Pete wrote. 

According to Jon Cryer, who was trying to get in touch with Pete to check on him, he "is at SNL and accounted for."

Machine Gun Kelly also tweeted that he's on his way to see Pete.

The alarming note came after Pete weighed in on Kanye West's and Ariana Grande's recent back-and-forth on Twitter. Their interaction began on Thursday night, when Ariana jokingly tweeted that people should ignore the "grown men arguing" online — referring to Kanye's tweetstorm about his feud with Drake — while her and Miley Cyrus had new music about to drop. 

Kanye tweeted a response on Saturday morning: "I know Ariana said this to be cool and didn’t mean no harm but I don’t like even slightest level of slight commentary from someone I know loves and respects me."

He added, "All of this foolishness weighed on my mental health so @ArianaGrande you know I got love for you but until you’re ready to really make sure everyone’s ok don’t use me or this moment to promote a song."

Ariana, in a now-deleted tweet, apologized and clarified her initial tweet. "With all due respect, I don’t need to use anyone to promote anything. Period. I was making a comment [about] what men were doing at the time vs. women," she wrote. "It was a joke which I understand now was probably insensitive. I apologize if I was in any way triggering and hope you feel well today."

Afterwards, Pete jumped in with a note on Instagram. "Bravo Kanye West for standing up for yourself and speaking out against mental health. I can’t explain to you enough how difficult and scary it is to be honest about stuff like this," he wrote. "We need people like Kanye. No one should ever point fingers at you for your bravery in speaking about mental health. I’m seriously disgusted."

Pete's been open about his own struggles with his mental health — specifically borderline personality disorder and depression. 

Many took to Twitter after Pete's mention of suicide to send him support, including Nicki Minaj and Kid Cudi. 

Offset spent part of his birthday on Friday recording an emotional video pleading that Cardi B take him back.

The rapper shared the lengthy video to Instagram. "We’re going through a lot of things right now, a lot of things in the media. I want to apologize to you, Cardi. I embarrassed you. I made you go crazy," Offset said. "I was partaking in activity that I shouldn’t have been partaking in, and I apologize. You know what I’m saying? For breaking your heart, for breaking our promise, for breaking God’s promise and being a selfish, messed up husband."

Cardi announced the two were splitting up earlier this month after Offset allegedly cheated on her with Summer Bunni.

Offset added that he's "trying to be a better person," and references his and Cardi's 5-month-old baby: "I want to get this off my shoulders. I want to get this off my back. I apologize to you, Cardi. I love you. Kulture, I want to spend Christmas with you."

He continued, saying he wants to be able to spend the rest of his life with Cardi. Offset continued to deny cheating, though. "I apologize. I am sorry for what I have done to you. I didn’t f—k that girl, but I was entertaining it, you know what I’m saying?" he said. "I apologize, and I love you, and I hope you forgive me. My birthday wish is just to have you back."

Summer has also denied the cheating allegations — or the recent ones, at least. She told TMZ that she hasn't "messed with Offset since he's had a baby. "I didn’t know how serious this marriage was. A lot of girls would just deal with this situation and just be like, ‘Yo, I’m the reason they’re getting a divorce.'"

Cardi and Offset got married in September 2017, and Kulture was born in July of this year.

Summer added that she "never wanted to break up a happy home." 

Cardi has yet to respond to Offset's video. 

The 2000s are officially in comeback mode- Lace up jeans, chokers, bottoms that bear a striking resemblance to gaucho pants. All of our middle school and early high school faves are so totally the bomb dot com once again. The 2000s have so many wicked classics, but there is one company who truly embodies the idea of a tween girl in 2008: Juicy Couture. Juicy was the statement piece for your wardrobe. You could show off your butt by placing a sparkling gold “JUICY” over it while still technically wearing sweats. You could throw on a track jacket and basically be school ready, home ready and weekend fun ready.

When it comes to the 2000s comeback, Juicy Couture is doing it in the absolute best way. They’re giving their classics a modern twist. They’re claiming #TrackIsBack and bringing street style to your fave velour pants. They’ve got a brand new makeup line featuring the classic Juicy colors. They’ve thought of everything and we’re so totally on board with this upgrade- it’s the bomb dot com. Here are a few of the products we think are must-haves for the upcoming quarter!

Oversized Sunglasses

Sunglasses are a must at Cal Poly. It’s sunny pretty much ALL year so you need to have a solid pair that will last you until the end of time. Oversized sunglasses used to be a symbol for the 2000s because they represented the start of the celebrity-obsession. Stars started wearing huge glasses to cover their face and carry around a tiny dog to keep them company. We can’t promise you a dog, but with Juicy’s updated horn-rimmed glasses, you’ll feel like the 2006 Paris Hilton you truly are.

A Sparkly Water Bottle

So maybe it wasn't the water bottle that was the actual trend, but the Juicy label on everything you own and the glitter that went along with it was. With these new water bottles and fruit infusers, you can carry the cuteness that went along with Juicy products with you in an environmentally friendly and easy-to-carry way. We all know a reusable water bottle is the top of the back to school shopping list for students at CP, so why not make it Juicy?

Interested in winning a pair of these amazing sunnies? Follow us on Instagram @HerCampusCalPoly, twitter @HcCalPoly and like us on FB to find out when we will be giving a pair of these babies away!

It seems like Offset is willing to do whatever it takes to get Cardi B back—even if it means intense backlash. At Los Angeles’ Rollling Loud Festival at the Banc of California Stadium, which Cardi headlined on Saturday night, her ex, Offset, tried to win her back with a grand gesture in the middle of her set. 

According to People, Offset came out on stage with a bouquet of white roses and three boxes decorated with a lavish floral arrangement that spelled out “Take Me Back Cardi.” The Migos rapper spoke into a microphone, proclaiming that “in front of the world, I love you.” In a video taken by a fan, Cardi looks surprised and uncomfortable by the gesture. She exchanges a few brief words with him in private, once his mic was cut. At one point during the intense exchange, the lights began to dim onstage. After it was clear that Offset wasn't going to get the happy reconciliation he had hoped for, the crew wheeled off his tribute to her. 

The night before the incident 21 Savage reportedly told his fans “On the Count of Three, we’re gonna scream, ‘Cardi take Offset back.’ The crowd chanted the phrase three times.

Cardi B later addressed the stint on Instagram, saying how she wasn't going to stand for the hate. 

“Guys, I just want to say thank you so much for everybody that’s been supporting me, that been loving me,” Cardi said in an Instagram video. “And that feel like they need to defend me...I don’t want people to, like, doing fuck shit, saying fuck shit. Violating my baby father isn’t going to make me feel any better, because at the end of the day that’s still family.” 

She continued: “Unfortunately, we going through things and, um, it’s not private, it became public...and I just want things to die down, I just need time so we can see eye-to-eye. I can’t predict the future, I don’t know. I don’t need people coming at my baby father and shit that doesn't’t make me feel any better. And I just want to say thank you, everybody. Respect my wishes.”

Fans then bombarded the comment section of the rappers post, asking if she would be taking back Offset.

“I’m not saying that I’m going to get back together with him,” Cardi said in a second video. “I just don’t like that bashing online thing.” 

Cardi B announced her split from her estranged husband in early December, following cheating allegations. Offset has since expressed his dismay over the situation on Instagram and Twitter. 

Good news, my fellow non-morning people! Your daily morning cup of Pumpkin Spice Latte’s can now come right to you. 

Starting next year, Starbucks is bring its door-to-door delivery service to 2,000 U.S. locations as part of its partnership with Uber Eats. In a press release, the coffee giant announced on December 13 that Starbucks Delivers will launch at nearly a quarter of U.S. company-owned locations in 2019. According to the Wall Street Journal, there are almost 14,300 Starbucks locations, so we can certainly expect the service in a ton of places.

You’ll be able to start ordering your Starbucks go-to’s in late March or early April, the press release reports. Mobile ordering and pick-up will still be available at Starbucks, but the new program will allow bev and food orders to come straight to your house or workplace. 

This isn’t the first time that the brand has experimented with delivery. It worked with Uber Eats back in September to test Starbucks Delivers in over 100 Florida locations, People reports. Customers have been able to get coffee brought to their homes or workplaces with Postmates since 2015. The difference with Starbucks Delivers is that it’s specifically made to bring customers their coffee. According to The Verge, the delivery service in China has features like spill-proof lids, containers to keep your drinks warm, and its own delivery team. Since September, 2,000 Starbucks locations in China have had access to the service. Hopefully, the U.S. version of the delivery service employs the same accommodations. 

I don’t know about you, but I am already dreaming about ordering a tall Caramel Macchiato and Matcha Green Tea Frappuccino from my couch. 

The relatives of 7-year-old Jakelin Caal Maquin, who died from dehydration and exhaustion in the custody of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, released a public statement disputing parts of the media reports that she had gone days without food or water while traveling from Guatemala to the U.S. border, according to Reuters. 

Ruben Garcia of the Annunciation House read the family’s statement to the press on Saturday. The Annunciate House is where the young girl’s father is currently staying at. “There is much that is being reported that we have problems with,” Garcia said in the press conference. “This statement is a first step in trying to respond to some of the concerns that we have.” 

The family first clarified that her official cause of death has not been announced, according to Reuters. The CBP told The Washington Post on Friday that she had died of “dehydration and shock.” Garcia said that an autopsy is currently being conducted. The result reportedly won’t be released for a couple of weeks. 

The CBP originally told The Washington Post that she had “reportedly had not eaten or consumed water for several days. According to her father, these assertions aren’t true. “Jakelin’s father took care of Jakelin, made sure she was fed and had sufficient water,” Garcia said in the family’s statement. “She and her father sought asylum from Border Patrol as soon as they crossed the border. She had not suffered from a lack of water or food prior to approaching the border.” 

As of right now, Maquin’s family doesn’t blame the CBP for her death. But they are asking for  “an objective and thorough investigation” into the incident by utilizing “nationally-recognized standards for the arrest and custody of children.” Her family does fault the CBP for “relying on forms” that are in English, when Maquin’s father speaks primarily Q’eqchi’, according to Reuters.  

“The family of Jakelin Caal Maquin is still coping with their profound loss,” Garcia said in the family’s statement. “Jakeline, just five days past her seventh birthday, was a beautiful and loving child.”

Maquin and her father crossed the border for asylum on December 6, and she didn’t look ill at the time, according to CBP and the family per Reuters. CNN reports that the two waited in the detention for seven hours before a bus took them to a different custody station. The young girl reportedly was throwing up just before the bus left. When the vehicle arrived at the next station, Maquin was no longer breathing. Reuters reports that emergency responders helped her on scene and brought her to a hospital in El Paso. She died on December 8 from cardiac arrest, liver failure, and brain damage, according to CNN.

“Jakelin and her father came to the United States seeking something that thousands have been seeking for years: an escape from the dangerous situation in their home country,” Garcia said on behalf of the family. “This was their right under U.S. and international law.” 

Does alcohol affect your skin? [Cosmopolitan]

Ariana Grande's new song is probably about Mac Miller. [Glamour]

When her boyfriend didn't text back this girl did something epic. [BuzzFeed]

How lies on college applications can slip through the net. [The New York Times]

Why does Kim Kardashian sleep in her makeup? [Women's Health]

Clever captions for your NYE Instagram post. [Elite Daily]

Universities selling Plan B in vending machines. [The Daily Mail]

Life without President Trump. [The Hollywood Reporter]

Trucker saves a pair of dogs. [Time]

Women surfers fight for equal pay. [USA Today]