A federal appeals court in Virginia ruled on Monday that elected officials can’t block their critics on social media, according to Reuters. 

In a 3-0 ruling, the judges of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals found that a Virginian official violated the Constitution by blocking a man from her Facebook page for 12 hours in 2016. The Hill reported that Phyllis Randall, who is the chair of the Loudon County Board of Supervisors, banned Brian Davison from her “Chair Phyllis J. Randall” page after he accused members on the Loudon County Board of Supervisors of corruption in a social media post. Davison reportedly commented on a post by Randall under the name of “Virginia SGP” after a town hall meeting. Ultimately, Randall removed her original post along with his comments and stripped him of access to her page. 

According to the report, Randall claimed that her Facebook page was meant for private audiences only. But judge James Wynn rejected her claim and said her profile’s “interactive component” made it a public page. He wrote in the opinion for the ruling that Randall had discriminated against Davison’s point of view by blocking him from her page, and that Davison’s speech “occupies the core of the protection afforded by the First Amendment.” 

Reuters also noted that the case’s subject was the first ever heard at the federal level. And even though the ruling specifically is for Virginia, it could affect other politicians across the country in the future. This includes President Trump. In May 2018, the U.S. District Court Judge Naomi Reice Buchwald ruled that Trump wasn’t allowed to block his critics on social media, NPR reports. 

Similar to the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, Buchwald decided that people were protected by the First Amendment. She ruled that anyone on social media could exercise their right to free speech as they would in public spaces, according to NPR. In her opinion, Buchwald wrote, “[N]o government official—including the President—is above the law and all government officials are presumed to follow the law as has been declared.” 

In response, Trump later appealed to the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan and requested to overturn Buchwald’s ruling. The Department of Justice, who represented Trump, called Buchwald’s ruling “fundamentally misconceived,” according to The Hill. 

Both cases, specifically Davison v Randall, have shown how social media has become a type of public place for its users. In 2017, the Supreme Court recognized that social media is “the most important” space right now “for the exchange of views.” Politicians heavily rely on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram to curate a brand, as noted by Joshua Geltzer, who is the director of Georgetown Law’s Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection, to the Washington Post. 

“A platform has been created,” Geltzer said to the publication, “in which the government can’t allow the voices it likes and silence the one it doesn’t like.” 

As of right now, the ruling is restricted to the Virginia-area. 

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.) 

President Donald Trump To Address The Nation On Tuesday About Immigration 

President Trump announced that he will address the nation in his first-ever speech from the Oval Office on Tuesday at 9 p.m. EST. The national address will cover the “border crisis.” 

The president tweeted on Monday evening: “I am pleased to inform you that I will Address the Nation on the Humanitarian and National Security crisis on our Southern Border. Tuesday night at 9:00 P.M. Eastern.” 

He not only will address the “national security crisis,” but he will most likely address the government shutdown over border wall funding, according to Fox News. The shutdown is entering the 18th day on Tuesday. For the last few days, the president has mentioned that he might use presidential “emergency powers” in order to build his wall without congressional approval, The New York Times reports. 

“We are now planning a Steel Barrier rather than concrete,” Trump tweeted on Monday about his latest border plan. “It is both stronger & less obtrusive. Good solution, and made in the U.S.A.”

All major networks have confirmed that it will air Trump’s address on Tuesday night, per The New York Times. It was previously reported that multiple networks were still debating whether or not to do so.

Since the announcement, a number of “Boycott Trump’s Address” tweets have flooded Twitter. Leaders, politicians, and influencers have voiced on the platform why they think people shouldn’t watch the address. 

Xorje Olivares, who is a Sirius XM host, tweeted the hashtag on Monday night.“Man, wouldn’t it be something if TV networks INSTEAD showed footage of my hometown/other border communities proving that NO CRISIS EXISTS!” he wrote. “This is among the most egregious offenses against an entire AMERICAN region that—wouldn’t you know—is heavily brown #BoycottTrumpsAddress.” 

Ruth Bader Ginsburg Missed Supreme Court Arguments For The First Time Ever

For the first time in 25 years as a Supreme Court justice, Ruth Bader Ginsburg missed Supreme Court arguments on Monday, the Associated Press reports. 

She will instead work from home “on the basis of briefs, filings, and transcripts,” according to a court spokeswoman to CNBC. Monday was the first day back in session for the Supreme Court. It also marks the first time that Ginsburg won’t be there to hear the arguments in person.

Despite several other health problems, Ginsburg has never missed arguments before. She has been on the Supreme Court since 1993, after she was nominated by President Bill Clinton. She has survived both colon and pancreatic cancer, and she had a stent placed in her heart in 2014, according to NBC News. In November, three fractured ribs caused her to miss the swearing-in of Brett Kavanaugh. But still, none of her health problems over the years have forced her to miss oral arguments. As ABC News reports, the death of her husband in 2010 didn’t even cause her miss it.

In December, Ginsburg underwent surgery for lung cancer. 

More Than One Million Floridians Who Have A Felony Conviction Can Vote Again

A new law in Florida starts on Tuesday and will restore voting rights to more than a million people with felony convictions, according to CNN. 

The law states that voting rights will be restored to those with felony convictions and complete the terms of their sentence; this includes parole and probation. There has been some disagreement and confusion as to what’s considered “completion of a sentence,” CNN reports. There was also confusion as to whether or not the amendment would take effect. Republican lawmakers, including Governor Ron DeSantis, previously asked for it to be put on hold until legislators had time to review the language, The Huffington Post reports. Those who’ve been convicted of murder or felony sexual offense are excluded.

According to the Huffington Post, any eligible former offenders, also referred to as returning citizens, can register online or vote in person at their local elections office starting Tuesday. 

Florida is reportedly the largest state to not automatically give back voting rights to most felons who’ve finished their sentence, The New York Times reports. People in Florida overwhelmingly voted to change this in November with the passing of Amendment 4. About 64 percent of Floridians passed it, CNN reports. 

The new law would add more than 1.4 million voters.

What To Look Out For…

A new Captain Marvel trailer was released last night, and it gives viewers a little inside to the super heroes mysterious past.

Popular YouTubers, like Jake Paul and Bryan “Ricegum” Le, have come under fire for promoting gambling via the website Mystery Brand to their young audiences, The Daily Beast reported. The video sparking the controversy shows Paul and Le betting hundreds of dollars on Mystery Brand to win a variety of commonplace to luxury prizes. 

This mystery fad is not unique to Paul and Le. Mystery boxes from sites like Amazon and Ebay became a trend in 2018 as YouTubers of all sizes have spent upwards of thousands of dollars on the boxes to show their audiences. This quickly became a way for people to make a quick buck by selling creators mystery boxes filled with nearly worthless goods for hundreds of dollars.

Quickly looking through mystery box ‘unboxings’ on YouTube, it becomes clear that it’s incredibly rare for the boxes to meet their alleged value.

Mystery Brand is just the latest twist on the trend with digital version of boxes to open.

According to their website, consumers can buy a box for a flat rate for a chance at receiving “expensive and interesting products at very low prices.” It’s been called a gambling website because these virtual boxes are a game of chance that often promise riches but leave most consumers in the hole. 

An example used by The Daily Beast was a mystery box advertising the chance to win “Most Expensive Los Angeles Realty.” The website marked the value of the home at $250 million, when a real estate website actually listed it for $188 million and allegedly Mystery Brand had no proof of ownership of the home.

The Daily Beast noted also noted the shadiness of the website’s terms of service. Underage buyers on the site, including the large percentage of underage viewers on Paul and Le’s YouTube channels, cannot receive any prizes or refunds from Mystery Brand. The terms of service further stipulate that, even if the buyer is of age, “During using the services of the website You may encounter circumstances in which Your won items will not be received.”

Other YouTubers have chimed in with their own experiences with Mystery Brand. YouTuber Keemstar said that he was offered $100,000 to promote Mystery Brand on his channel, but he turned it down and is now worried that the website a scam, according to ET Canada.

A teenaged driver and their passengers were throwing eggs at passing cars as a seemingly harmless prank — until it turned deadly. According to CNN, the 14-year-old driver in Houston, Texas ran a red light and hit a pickup truck, resulting in the death of the truck’s driver, 45-year-old Silvia Zavala.

Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said that Zavala “was totally innocent; seems she had just gone shopping based on some debris strewn at scene.” WGN-TV reported that one of the cars hit by the eggs flashed a gun at the teens and started to pursue them, which caused the teens to run the red light.

“[Zavala] was a single mother, and she always taught me to stay strong and stay positive,” her daughter, Jessica Gaspar, told KPRC. Reflecting on the 14-year-old that caused the accident, Gaspar said "I feel bad. I really do, but he took my mother's life, and he has to pay for what he did.”

Police have identified the man who allegedly flashed the weapon and plan to interview him, ABC 13 reported. The 14-year-old driver of the car is currently being held in the county juvenile detention center with a broken ankle from the crash as police investigate the case and why the underage driver had access to the car. 

The Zavala’s family has a GoFundMe page to crowdfund funeral expenses.

This article has been syndicated from Kelsey Barnes, an InfluenceHer Collective Member. Read the full post here. 

One of the most important things I learned in college was what not to wear to a creative job interview. As someone pursuing a career in the creative advertising field, I was told not to show up in a suit, no matter what your parents say. Arriving for a creative interview in a suit would mean that you aren’t well versed in your industry, and could give off the impression that you are stuffy or unwilling to roll up your sleeves and get dirty.

So if that's the case, what should you wear to a job interview in the creative industry? When the everyday uniform in the office is jeans and a relaxed top (sometimes even leggings and sneakers), how dressed up are you supposed to be for your interview? And how do you show your creative side while still looking professional? Don't worry — I’ve perfected a formula to follow when assembling your job interview look. Here's how to build a go-to job interview outfit for the creative industry.

Start with a simple base layer 

It sounds obvious, but a basic shirt and pants are the perfect base to build on. I’m a big fan of cropped pants or skinny trouser because they look more professional than jeans but still hold a much more sophisticated look than something as casual as leggins (whatever you do, do not show up in your Lulus). I also like wearing a simple long-sleeve to layer, such as a black turtleneck or a soft, neutral sweater. 

Add a fun jacket or blazer 

To show off your creative side, wear a blazer or light jacket in an interesting pattern, fabric, or color. Keep in mind that you'll still want to keep the jacket professional looking in some sense. While you want to come across as a creative person, the interviewer should still be focused on you and not your clothing. 

Grab a medium tote 

Take a sleek and chic bag to the interview that's big enough to bring along a few copies of your resume or your portfolio. This will help keep your materials intact on your drive or commute over.

This formula is honestly so foolproof for any interview in the industry. To keep it fresh, I like to switch out different blazers and boots every now and then. If you’re interviewing during the summer, you can switch the base layer out for a plain, professional dress. Now that you're dressed for total success, time to nail that next job interview!

Read the full post here. 

If we're all being honest, it's pretty likely that the majority of us had a crush on Chad Michael Murray at some point in our young adult lives. Whether you were drooling over Lucas Scott in One Tree Hill or Austin Ames in A Cinderella Story, there's bound to have been a time when you wished you had the chance to meet him.

For 18-year old Alex Wilson, that dream came true.

While enduring three battles with cancer (each of which she won), Wilson used One Tree Hill to get herself through the grueling rounds of chemotherapy.

While being interviewed on the podcast Just Between Us with Bailee Madison & Kaitlin Vilasuso, the hosts gifted Wilson with the surprise of a lifetime: a visit from Chad Michael Murray himself.

During the emotional meeting, there were tears, hugs, laughs and utter shock from Wilson. After the initial surprise wore off, the two discussed how television was able to help them both through their own experiences in hospitals.

Murray talked about one three month hospital stay as a child inspired him to become an actor. After using television to distract himself, Murray decided that he wanted to be able to create the same entertainment for others in his same situation. "That's what I want to do. I want to be an actor someday so that I can give that to somebody else as a gift," he said on Just Between Us.

After meeting her favorite actor, Wilson said, "It was crazy. I even cried a little bit when we walked in. When he shared his story of being hospitalized, it felt really good to make a connection with him. [It] made me feel like he was less of a celebrity, and more of a genuine person just like me."

What started as a simple surprise turned into an emotional connection for both of them. Of course Wilson was glad to meet him, but Murray was proud to see his work touch someone else in the exact way he hoped. "So, you just brought everything full-circle to know that you were sitting there, and watching something that we put our heart and soul into. Thank you so much. That, like, warms my heart, beyond–you have no idea," he said to Wilson.

In a post on her Instagram, Wilson wrote "I swear, I didn’t cry or lose my cool until Chad walked in." 

But we don't blame her at all. We would have completely lost it too.

You might not have thought that Sesame Street could ever speak to an adult on a deep, emotional, personal level. But in this case, the show goes beyond just learning the alphabet, and gets a bit too real for some journalists on Twitter.

In a clip that has since gone viral, Cookie Monster is negotiating his journalism contract with Big Bird and Abby Cadabby. Before he takes the job, Cookie Monster wants to discuss his salary, benefits, time off and his retirement package. But the negotiation quickly ends when Big Bird and Abby offer him a single cookie as payment, which he gladly takes.

Not too different from the meager payment that many media professionals are offered these days.

Writers and journalists everywhere are feeling like this Sesame Street segment represents their lives almost too accurately. The clip has over 1.5 million views, and continues to gain more and more as it circulates around Twitter.

You can read some of the best reactions from journalists (who are, of course, known for their way with words) below:

So we guess the moral of the story is: if you’re interested in a career in media, be prepared to get paid in cookies (or the monetary equivalent).

Using his first Oval Office address to the nation, President Donald Trump delivered a speech Tuesday night amid the ongoing government shutdown, calling the situation at the southern border a “growing humanitarian and security crisis” in the opening line of his address.

“This is a humanitarian crisis, a crisis of the heart, a crisis of the soul,” Trump said.

In Trump’s address, which was aimed to drum up public support for the border wall, the president implored Congress to agree to his administration’s request to $5.7 billion in border wall funding, and additionally, millions more for detention beds and new screening technology, ABC News reports.

“These are the resources they have requested to properly perform their mission and keep America safe. In fact, safer than ever before," the president said of border agents and law enforcement.

Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump claimed that the United States could not further accommodate immigrants who enter the country illegally, CNN reports.

“We are out of space to hold them and we have no way to promptly return them back home to their country,” Trump said during his address. “All Americans are hurt by uncontrolled illegal migration. It strains public resources and drives down jobs and wages.”

The president called on Congress to think of the families of Americans that had been killed by illegal immigrants, saying, “I have met with dozens of families whose loved ones were stolen by illegal immigrants. I have held the hands of the mothers and embraced the grief stricken fathers. I will never forget the pain in their eyes, the tremble in their voices, and the sadness gripping their souls. How much more American blood must we shed before congress does its job?”

Trump also highlighted the violence that migrants face when en route to the United States.

During his campaign for office, Trump promised that Mexico would pay for the border wall, but in his address Tuesday night, the president claimed that the wall would “quickly pay for itself” and that it would be indirectly paid for through the new trade agreement reached with Mexico and Canada, ABC News reports. Economists, however, have disputed this assertion.

Trump placed the burden of the shutdown on Democrats for refusing to cede to his demands on border security funding, saying the matter could easily “be resolved in a 45 minute meeting.”

“The government remains shut down for one reason and one reason only: the Democrats will not fund border security,” Trump said from behind the Resolute Desk, adding that he has “invited congressional leadership to the White House tomorrow to get this done.”

In response to Trump’s address, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) began the Democrat’s rebuttal, saying, “The president has chosen fear. We want to start with the facts,” noting that House Democrats passed legislation to reopen the government on the first day of the new Congress, The Huffington Post reports.

“The president is rejecting these bipartisan bills which would reopen government — over his obsession with forcing American taxpayers to waste billions of dollars on an expensive and ineffective wall,” Pelosi added.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), who joined Pelosi in the rebuttal, asserted that the president used “the backdrop of the Oval Office to manufacture a crisis, stoke fear, and divert attention from the turmoil in his administration.”

Schumer said the solution to the shutdown was clear — that Trump needed to “separate the shutdown from the arguments over border security.”

“There is bipartisan legislation — supported by Democrats and Republicans — to reopen government while allowing debate over border security to continue. There is no excuse for hurting millions of Americans over a policy difference,” he said.

Schumer went on to say that no president should demand that “he gets his way or else the government shuts down.”

“We don't govern by temper tantrum,” Schumer added.

“President Trump must stop holding the American people hostage, must stop manufacturing a crisis, and must reopen the government,” Pelosi said.

Previously, the president has said that he believes he has the power to declare a national emergency at the southern border, but that his decision would be determined by the ongoing political battle between him and Democrats over border security funding as part of an agreement to reopen the government. Democratic leaders have vowed to to challenge the Trump administration if the president did declare a national emergency, and the issue would most likely go to the federal court. However, during his address Tuesday night, Trump did not declare a national emergency, CNN reports.

According to ABC News, Trump is set to head to Capitol Hill on Wednesday to meet with Senate Republicans and will meet with key Congressional leaders later that day at the White House for the third time during the shutdown.

The White House has said the president plans to travel to the southern border on Thursday to visit with those on the “frontlines” as he continues to argue that the need for a border wall is essential to national security, HuffPost reports.

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.)

House Democrats Unveil Universal Background Check Bill

House Democrats have unveiled a universal background check bill that they hope to pass in the first 100 days of the new Congress.

On Tuesday, the eighth anniversary of the 2011 shooting in Tucson, Arizona, where former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ) was injured and six people were killed, Democrats introduced gun legislation to expand background checks to include individuals attempting to purchase guns online, at gun shows and commercially, as well as person-to-person transactions, with certain exemptions family members transferring guns and for law enforcement, NPR reports.

“Stopping gun violence takes courage, the courage to do what’s right, the courage for new ideas,” Giffords said at a news conference Tuesday.

The bill, according to NPR, is co-sponsored by Reps. Mike Thompson, (D-CA), and Peter King, (R-NY), and has four additional original GOP co-sponsors: Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, Fred Upton of Michigan, Chris Smith of New Jersey and Brian Mast of Florida.

“From the public polling to the ballot box, the American people have spoken up and demanded action to help end the tragedy of gun violence that far too many in our country face every day. We will continue our fight and we will deliver,” Thompson, chair of the Democrats’ Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, who wrote the legislation, said.

“When background checks are used, they keep guns out of the hands of people we all agree shouldn’t have guns,” King commented.

According to ABC News, at the press conference, Giffords accompanied Thompson to the House floor to introduce the bill, which Democratic aides say leaders intend to move to the floor quickly.

The National Rifle Association (NRA) countered the Thompson-King bill, saying the legislation would not have prevented any of the recent shootings in which the gun were obtained legally or where the background check system failed.

“So-called universal background checks will never be universal because criminals do not comply with the law,” NRA spokeswoman Jennifer Baker said. “Instead of looking for effective solutions that will deal with root cause of violent crime and save lives, anti-gun politicians would rather score political points and push ineffective legislation that doesn't stop criminals from committing crimes.”

Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC), who authored the concealed-carry legislation which passed in the House last year, criticized this new gun legislation proposal since it “threatens the constitutional rights of law-abiding citizens,” ABC News reports.

But Thompson still considered it an “important step” in creating better gun legislation.

“This is a very important step forward to make sure our communities are a bit safer,” Thompson told ABC News.

“Surviving R. Kelly” Spurs Follow-Up From District Attorney

After Surviving R. Kelly aired on January 3rd, viewers were shocked by the horrific details regarding Kelly’s alleged sexual abuse, and calls to the National Sexual Assault Hotline even increased by 27 percent from the previous week. But now, the docuseries is leading to even more positive action after a criminal investigation was reportedly launched against the R&B singer.

TMZ reported that the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office in Georgia has opened a criminal investigation into Kelly’s alleged sexual abuse, and that the investigation was opened as a “direct result” of the information revealed in the docuseries. According to sources, investigators have reached out to several of the victims, including Asante McGee, who claims that Kelly kept her in his house against her will, TMZ reports.

According to CNN, Gerald Griggs, an attorney for the family of Joycelyn Savage, one of the women featured in the docuseries, said the Fulton County District Attorney reached out to him after the show aired. Griggs said he was asked to provide a list of witnesses to the events that took place at Kelly’s house in Johns Creek, a northern Atlanta suburb, in 2017.

The six-part docuseries about Kelly featured interviews and accounts from accusers, as well as friends of Kelly regarding his personal life and the allegations against him.

A Chicago prosecutor, where Kelly is originally from, said Tuesday that her office has been in contact with two families in regards to the allegations against Kelly since the airing of the docuseries.

Cook County State's Attorney Kimberly Foxx also urged victims and witnesses to come forward.

“Please come forward. There is nothing that can be done to investigate these allegations without the cooperation of victims and witnesses. We cannot seek justice without you,” Foxx said at a news conference.

Kelly has been facing abuse and pedophilia accusations for decades, including claims of statutory rape and child pornography charges, CNN reports.

Hopefully this new investigation will help his accusers to finally be heard.

Bumble Allows Users to Filter Dates By Zodiac Sign

If you want to make sure your next love interest is written in the stars, Bumble can make that happen. Bumble now allows users to filter their potential dates by zodiac sign.

According to Hello Giggles, the new feature was quietly rolled out last month, following an earlier update that allowed users to disclose their astrological sign.

But now you can list which zodiac signs you wish to exclude in the advanced filters section on the app.

Here’s a peek at the new update.

via Bumble

It only makes sense to include this new feature. After all, the filters allow users to fill out icons based on their lifestyle preferences, political leanings, etc. so it’s equally important to include zodiac signs.

However, it should be noted that the feature only works when users have disclosed their zodiac sign. So, you could potentially still swipe for a Scorpio.

But all in all, users are pretty stoked about this new feature.

What to look out for…

If you’re a Harry Potter fan, this little doggo will warm your heart. This long-haired mini dachshund, which is appropriately named Remus, responds to Harry Potter spells, and well, it’s just downright magical.

This article has been syndicated from Eclectic Chic, an InfluenceHer Collective Member. Read the full post here. 

As you all know, the holidays can be one of the most wonderful times of the year. Time off from work or school, indulging in your favorite foods and treats, spending time with your friends and family, and maybe even sneaking a kiss under the mistletoe with your significant other. What more could you ask for? All of that being said, there can also be a lot of stress that comes with the whirlwind of events surrounding the holiday season. From gift shopping to hectic holiday travel, it can all feel a little overwhelming, especially when you're ready to unwind and relax all December long.

With the new year upon us, think about taking the time to practice some serious #selfcare to prevent burnout during the new year. Don't be afraid to try something new to shake off the stress of the holiday season — here are some things that you can do to relax post-holiday season.

Set good boundaries

In order to set good boundaries, you need to first do a check-in with how you are feeling. Understand your needs and prepare accordingly. For many, the holidays mean more time spent with family members and friends. Depending on your social needs and personality type, you may or may not feel depleted after more time spent with your loved ones. Be aware if and when you need a break. Feel free to take some quiet time to replenish mentally, emotionally and physically. That might look like turning the ringer off of your phone for 30 minutes while you meditate, or unapologetically taking a brief moment to yourself to self-reflect and set positive intentions for the new year.

Give your body and mind a break

You’ve successfully set good boundaries, and you are basking in this extra time just for you. Now what? Enjoy the small things! Indulge in quiet time just for yourself. Go to the library and pick up a good book or two to snuggle up with. Take a nice bubble bath (with a bath bomb and essential oils if you’re feeling jazzy). Set aside guilt-free time to watch some of your favorite television shows. Engage in a good arts and crafts activity, such as painting or sewing, to get yourself feeling super relaxed. Whatever your favorite self-care activity may be, give yourself the patience to rest and rejuvenate from all of the extra demands on your body and mind that come with the holiday season.

Don't put unrealistic expectations or pressure on yourself or others 

New Year’s Resolutions are a common tradition around this time of year. Lose weight. Quit smoking. Eat healthier foods. Cut back on alcohol. Spend less and save more money. Don’t get me wrong — it is absolutely wonderful to go into the new year setting precedence on your goals. However, try to be realistic with setting goals that can be healthily achieved within a practical time frame that works within your schedule. Instead of saying that you are going to cut donuts out of your life entirely (which would be cruel not only to yourself but also to the donuts), perhaps set a goal that incorporates maintaining a healthy diet and good nutrition while also enjoying the sheer joy that comes from a hot glazed donut!

Incorporate mindfulness techniques into your daily routine.

Mindfulness is a term that you’ve probably heard used many times in discussions about mental health, psychology and therapy. It’s a process that allows and encourages individuals to take time to focus more on the present moment. Different types of mindfulness activities that you can do include meditation, Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR), deep breathing, and mindful walking. Yoga and positive affirmations are also good practices that may increase one’s positive outlook on life and reduce worry and tension.

These self-care tips for the new year should help to relieve some of the pressure or stress you may be experiencing. Wishing you all a year filled with good health and happiness!

Read the full post here.

Makeup icon Bobbi Brown has announced that she's selling her entire designer shoe collection in partnership with GREATS and is donating 100% of the proceeds to charity. After finding out that their classic sneaker 'The Alta' was one of Brown's favorites, the sneaker brand challenged her to ditch her unused heels in favor of their sneakers for the good cause.

The Brooklyn-based sneaker brand focuses on creating affordable luxury sneakers without compromising on comfort or style. Their sneakers can be worn anywhere from "brunch to the boardroom," making them practical for a girlboss like Brown. The beauty mogul stated, "I am proud to be named ‘One of the Greats’ by partnering with this amazing brand, and donating my collection of high heeled shoes that have lived in my closet, but received very little wear."

100% of net proceeds will go directly to Girls Inc. to support the growth and success of young women. The charity aims to create a pro-girl environment by educating on healthy living, academic enrichment and support, and mentoring to build life skills. 

Brown's entrepreneurial spirit extends far beyond founding Bobbi Brown Cosmetics — since leaving the cosmetics company in 2016, Brown has turned her focus to wellness. Making a name for herself in the wellness sector, Brown started her own wellness company Evolution 18, launched her own website Just Bobbi, and authored nine beauty and wellness books. 

Happen to be a size 7 like Bobbi? You can shop Brown's shoe collection via thredUP's Shop Her Closet Initiative! Each pair comes directly from Brown's personal wardrobe and includes designers like Prada and Christian Louboutin. Brown hopes the movement inspires women everywhere to "cut the shoe clutter" by ditching their unused heels. 

#TheLiesWeAllTellOurselves is trending on Twitter because, of course, Twitter loves all things relatable. But it's also a nice reminder that we're not alone in those moments of not being able to stop binge-watching Netflix, for example, and we're all pretty similar on a certain level (wow that got deep).

Check out some of the most relatable #TheLiesWeAllTellOurselves tweets, because let's be real—we need to just stop lying to ourselves.

1. That moment when you're reading a really good book... Then realize it kept you up 'til 2 am.

2. When the desire to press the snooze button is stronger than your own willpower.

3. *Me during my Queer Eye binge*.

4. Let's be real, you'll trade waking up early and starting the day with an extra hour of sleep.

5. The only way I'll stop myself from eating another cookie is if I were to not buy any in the first place.

6. "But what if I need more sweaters in case it gets cold?"

7. Even if it's your first breakup or your 9236374th, getting your heart broken hurts like hell.

8. Maybe if I have numerous small bowls of ice cream, it won't be as much as one large bowl of ice cream? #logic

9. If this is the case, then the past twenty years have been my year.

10. And finally, a deep one because we need to remember live without any regrets.

There are not many things that I can enthusiastically say that I like about You–it’s creepy and unsettling—but the one thing that I enjoy each and every episode is the music selections. The music in You is a special kind of genre that can best be described as what would play in a Starbucks located inside a Forever21. It’s an eclectic mix of acoustic indie techno that is simply delightful. 

Whether you need music for studying, date night or a day out with the girls, You has you covered. Here are 12 of the best songs featured on the show. 

“Break Down Your Walls” by Nelson Can 

“He’s The Great Imposter” by Lightspeed Champion

“Game” by Mating Ritual 

“Give Me A Reason” by The Rosebuds 

“Got It Bad” by Leisure 

“Mortel” by Fishbach 

“Heaven” by Savoir Adore 

“Clap Your Hands” by Le Youth (feat. Ava Max)

“Remains” by Zola Jesus 

“Don’t Look Back” by Ben Phipps (feat. Ashe)

“Make It Up” by Shura 

“Heavy” by Powers 

Colton Underwood's search for love on The Bachelorbegan this week, but it appears that Bachelor nation alum Kaitlyn Bristowe is also getting back in the dating game after breaking up with Shawn Booth in November.

On the latest episode of Off the Vine with Kaitlyn Bristowe, she and Jason Tartick from Becca Kufrin's season of The Bachelorette seemingly hit it off. 

It started when Kaitlyn asked Jason why they hadn't gone out yet. "Jason, are you finally going to ask me on a date?" she said. 

"You're making me blush over here Kaitlyn," he replied. "I mean if we're both going to be in the same city at the same time I see no reason why we shouldn't go to dinner or grab drinks."

Kaitlyn accepted, and Jason seemed over the moon. "My heart is racing over here, my beats per minute are off the chain," he said. 

But she gave him a warning, too: "Don't f—k it up."

The date appears to be legitimate. A source told PEOPLE, "Kaitlyn is excited to go out with Jason. She likes him so far, and he seems like a good guy for her, that he would treat her really well! Her relationship with Shawn has been over for a long time, longer than people know, and she’s ready to date again."

If you're anxiously awaiting the third season of 13 Reasons Why, rest assured that it'll be worth the wait. 

According to Dylan Minnette, who plays the show's lead character Clay, a few of the season's scripts "are the show's best."

Minette will return on the new season, along with Ross Butler, Devin Druid, Justin Prentice, Alisha Boe, Brandon Flynn, Miles Heizer, and more. Katherine Langford, however, won't be reprising her role of Hannah Baker. In May, Langford took to Instagram to announce that her time on 13 Reasons Why had come to an end. 

But showrunner Brian Yorker reassured fans last June that "what happened to Hannah will always be the first clause of the story."

"The rest of the story is about young people, as so many young people, maybe all young people today (learn) how to heal from the things that have hurt them…to make the world that they want it to be … and above all, how to take care of each other," Yorker said.

Filming for season 3 began last August, though production was halted by the November wildfires in California. There's currently no release date set for the show; however, 13 Reasons Why is expected to hit Netflix before 2019 ends.

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.)

Trump Reportedly Stormed Out of a Meeting with Democrats Over the Shutdown

According to The New York Times, a frustrated President Trump stormed out of a White House meeting after Nancy Pelosi said she wouldn't fund a border wall even if he reopened the government. It's been 19 days and counting since the partial shutdown commenced, and a compromise between Democrats and Republicans doesn't seem to be in sight. Trump has even floated the idea of declaring a national emergency to get the funding needed for his proposed wall.

"You are using people as leverage; why won’t you open the government and stop hurting people?" Senator Chuck Schumer, Democratic leader reportedly asked Trump at during the meeting. Trump apparently replied, "Then you won't give me what I want. I am trying to do the right thing for the country. This isn't about politics."

After the meeting, Democrats told reporters that Trump had a "temper tantrum," and at one point, he "slammed his hands on the table before leaving with an abrupt 'bye-bye.'" Trump called it "a total waste of time." Democrats aren't the only ones clashing with Trump, though. The Times reported that Republican senators like Lisa Murkowski and Pat Roberts are also unhappy with the ongoing shutdown. 

FDA Says the Shutdown is Affecting Food Inspections

About 41 percent of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration isn't currently operating because of the partial government shutdown, per CNN. As a result, all routine domestic food facility inspections have been suspended. Until the shutdown ends, FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb told The Washington Post he's attempting to bring back enough workers to resume inspections of "high-risk" facilities. 

"We are doing what we can to mitigate any risk to consumers through the shutdown," Gottlieb said. According to Geneve Parks, a chemist who works at an FDA lab in Detroit, Americans may be at risk. "It's terrifying. What if there's an outbreak?" Parks told CNN. "What would the agency do if something happened and they don't have the staff to handle it?"

If an emergency were to occur, staffers can apparently be called back from furlough — but only for the time it would take to address the emergency. 

Trump Wants FEMA to Cut Off Aid for California Wildfire Recovery

On Wednesday, Trump said he ordered the Federal Emergency Management Agency to cut off the federal funds being used for wildfire relief in California. He said state officials need to "get their act together." 

"Billions of dollars are sent to the State of California for Forest fires that, with proper Forest Management, would never happen," Trump tweeted. "Unless they get their act together, which is unlikely, I have ordered FEMA to send no more money. It is a disgraceful situation in lives & money!"

Trump has made the same threat before, and has remained critical of FEMA ever since November's Camp fire, the deadliest and most destructive wildfire in California's history. 

What to look for...

Flats. Bobbi Brown is ditching heels this year — read why.

Although the holiday season is officially over, there are still quite a few more months of winter that we have left to endure. Honestly, we're just wondering if it can just be spring already because we're cold AF. However, despite the chilly temps, the easiest way to add some color into the otherwise dreary rest of the season is to add some on-trend pattern to your wardrobe. Lucky for you, members of the Her Campus InfluenceHer Collective are here to help.

ICYMI, plaid and check patterns are making a major comeback (thanks, Cher Horowitz). Whether it's a sophisticated blazer or an accent mini skirt, there are so many ways to rock this trend during the winter months. Here are some of our fave looks, all from our InfluenceHer Collective members:

1. Pulling off the paper bag

These paper bag pants are honestly so essential, from a casual moment to an interview ready look. Make a splash with a bright colored top to transform a fall-centric plaid into a new spring outfit.

2. Go classic with a western twist

Neutral color palettes are great for showing off your accessories. Paired with a staple belt, this look makes simplicity look chic.

3. Much love to the layers

Throwing on a patterned cardigan or blazer is a total power move this season. Just adding it on top of any basic turtleneck is the easiest way to rock this trend.

4. Make it bolder with a beret

The Parisian girl trend is still on top in 2019. A plaid skirt paired with a bright beret is an unbeatable combo for a flirty feel.

5.  A classic coat will keep you warm and toasty

Adding a plaid coat or oversized blazer is the perfect way to elevate any young professionals wardrobe. Better yet, it will keep you super warm and looking sophisticated AF.

6. Play around with some patterned pants

We hope you're not afraid of the spotlight because these plaid pants are sure to make you the start of the show. Play it down with a neutral top or spice it up with a bold bag like this one.

7. Mix it up with another bold print

If there's anything we learned in 2018 style, it's that clashing is actually a good look. Mixing and matching your plaid with a bold pattern, like a cheetah print, is high key an iconic look.

8. Head to toe plaid realness

Jump headfirst into this trend by adopting a jumpsuit to pair with your favorite turtleneck. Pair it with some soft heels for a romantic feel.

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!

You’ve seen wine from a bottle and wine from a box. But thanks to the Tap Trailer Co. you can now experience wine from a trailer as well. The Bubble Tap Trailer is described on its website as a “fully renovated vintage canned ham camper trailer that has been converted into a mobile bar serving Prosecco and other bubbly offerings on tap.”

The only thing better than what’s inside the trailer is its outside, which has an adorable white and wood-accented aesthetic that was p much made for Instagram.

In case you weren’t already sold by the idea of an adorably designed and eco-friendly trailer, Tap Trailer Co. is also women-run, as Bustle reports. The company was founded by sisters Jennifer and Nicolle Disotell, who according to Town and Country, previously held down jobs as a fashion editor and social media expert respectively. They’re also partnering with a member of everyone’s favorite 90’s boyband: NSYNC’s Lance Bass.

The trailer can be booked for events including weddings, bachelorette parties, baby showers, or if you’re just in the mood for a MAJOR treat yourself moment. For events, you have the option of choosing from different sparkling wines a Proseccos. There are also packages that include mimosa bars and having an onsite mixologist in case you really wanted to dial your party up to 11.

However, before you rush to rent one of these bad boys for yourself there are a few requirements you should be aware of: First, you need to live in Southern California and be prepared to pay a $2 per-mile charge if you live farther than 10 miles from Santa Monica. Second, you need to give the folks at Tap Trailer Co. enough time to get the appropriate alcohol permits required by California law (approx. 3-4 weeks).

LMK when these things go national. 

The Internet had a (very) up close and personal encounter with Democratic darling Beto O'Rourke on Thursday, when he took his Instagram followers along to the dentist. 

Yeah, really. 

It wasn't just about showing off his almost offensively charming hot-dad smile, though. Instead, O'Rourke (who you may know as the guy who ran against Ted Cruz in the midterms and ~might~ be vying for the 2020 Democratic nomination) was continuing a larger conversation about immigration and living on the U.S./Mexico border. Part of a series where he uses his personal social platform to talk to real life Americans — which he calls "people of the border"— O'Rourke's been having tons conversations with neighbors and community members that work to dispel some of the more pervasive myths about border life floated by the Trump administration. 

From the dental chair, O'Rourke introduced Diana, a border resident (who just so happened to be wrist-deep in his mouth as his dental hygienist) to tell viewers "a little bit about growing up in El Paso."

Diana talked about her background and how her mother, who was from Mexico originally, had studied to become a U.S. citizen with the help of her neighbors and the support of her community. 

"It's a beautiful community. We all support each other. We love each other," she said, when O'Rourke asked her about growing up in El Paso, Texas. "And it's not what everybody else thinks, sadly, about us. It's actually a wonderful place to live and grow up."

In a time where politicians are becoming more and more accessible — like Rep. Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez's super charming and educational Instagram cooking/policy show — it's not a surprise that O'Rourke worked to leverage that online intimacy with his followers to try and deliver a salient political message. As CNN notes, O'Rourke spent a lot of his Senate bid talking policy during livestreams just like this one (usually while attending campaign events or otherwise uneventful dinners) and gaining a good deal of traction with his base.  

After all, the mix of relatable, accessible and knowledgeable is something young people really do connect with when it's done right.

Still, some folks on the Internet found it to be A Bit Much, in this case. Many Twitter users were wondering if the attempt to appear so available and open to viewers (and potential voters) might come off a little bit thirsty. It was also possibly made just a bit more uncomfy when the Internet started RT-ing open mouthed Dentist shots of O'Rourke everywhere with no real context about the conversations he was trying to have.  

While the Internet (especially Twitter) can obviously be a pretty fickle place, especially when it comes to what meme moments come across as charming and what come across as thirsty, Beto's penchant for candid, #real livestreams could still be a way in to a really thoughtful conversation about border life — as long as people can make it past the initial TMI factor. 

Following the immense success of Sweetner, “Thank U, Next,” and “Imagine,” Ariana Grande is ready to drop her next single! Grande announced via social media that her new song “7 Rings” will be released next Friday, January 18. 

As for the actual song, we already know the inspiration behind the next track—a girls trip and a shopping spree. Grande explained on Twitter in December that her and some of her best friends were having a “rough day” in New York City when they decided to go to Tiffany & Co for some therapeutic bling. “We had too much champagne. I bought us all rings,” Grande wrote. “It was very insane and funny. And on the way back to the [studio] Njomza was like, ‘Bitch, this gotta be a song.’ So we wrote it that afternoon.”

But we still don’t know too much about single. Grande has already shared on Thursday the single’s cover art, which features a pink door with the single title spray-painted across in black. 

You’ve also have already heard some of the new track. The music at the beginning of the “Thank U, Next” video features a snippet of  “7 Rings” instrumental, according to Grande.

On Wednesday, the singer reportedly shared on Instagram Stories what may be the lyrics to the upcoming single. But the post was deleted shortly afterwards. These were the lyrics she shared, according to Refinery29. 

“Buy myself all of me/he he he, tea/ they say ‘which one?’/ i say ‘I want all of ‘em’/ I see it I like it I want it i got it by now/ let me give you some tea/ 7 rings/ 7 rings/ i pop it/ i pierce it/ 7 rings 7 rings/ I call her, I say ‘Hello!’/ one: not right/ two: not quite/three: you’re on track/ four: do not go back!/ five: you’re almost there!/ six: it’s over there!/ seven: that’s right!/ 7 rings, 7 rings.” 

The lyrics tagged her former Victorious co-star Matt Bennett, who also starred in the Bring It On part of the “thank u, next” video, with the words “what have u done.” This led many fans to believe that the lyrics were fake, and that this was actually an inside joke between Bennett and Grande. However, Grande did share some of these alleged lyrics on Twitter back in December, “I see it, I like it, I want it, I got it.”

Victoria Monet, who is one of the pop star’s BFFs, shared a screenshot of Biggie’s “Gimme the Loot” on Instagram. Grande also reposted the Monet’s post a few times. Fans on Twitter later began to speculate that this might hint at a Biggie sample in the upcoming song. 

Ariana Grande is currently preparing for her fifth studio album, and she is set to headline Coachella this year. Grande will be the fourth women ever in the history of the festival to headline the popular music festival.