On the same day that Trump’s birth control rule was supposed to take effect, a federal judge in Pennsylvania blocked it nationwide. According to Politico, the ruling extended a partial injunction from a California judge that began on Sunday night, and it stopped the rule from going into place in 13 states that are currently involved in a lawsuit against it.

The rule would basically allow employers to stop providing their employees insurance coverage for birth control on the basis of religious or moral reasons. On Monday afternoon, Judge Wendy Beetlestone sided with a group of Democratic attorney generals, who challenged the administrations violation against the Affordable Care Act. 

“Fundamentally, given the harm to the States should the Final Rules be enforced—numerous citizens losing contraceptive coverage, resulting in ‘significant, direct and proprietary harm’ to the States in the form of increased used of state-funded contraceptive services, as well as increased costs associated with unintended pregnancies—a nationwide injunction is required to ensure complete relief to the States,” Beetlestone’s ruling read per BuzzFeed News. 

The Trump administration tried to—again—roll back on an important requirement of the Affordable Care Act, which says health insurance plans must provide contraception coverage. As The Washington Post reports, this requirement has been in place since 2012, and it says all FDA-approved forms of birth control must be offered. In attempting to offer coverage exceptions and exemptions to employers, Trump’s policy most likely would have affected many women seeking free or low-cost birth control.

“Decisions about birth control are for women and their families to make—not their employers,” Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey tweeted on Monday. “That was our argument and the court agreed. We led a coalition to support @PAAttorneyGEn in this fight and now omen everywhere cna celebrate this victory.” 

“No American Should be forced to violate his or her own conscience in order to abide by the laws and regulations governing our healthcare system,” Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson Caitlin Oakley said to The Washington Post. “The final rules affirm the Trump Administration’s commitment to upholding the freedoms afforded all Americans under our Constitution.” 

This ruling comes one day after Judge Haywood S. Gilliam Jr. of the United States District Court in Oakland, California, issued a temporary block of the new rule in 13 states and the District of Columbia, according to Politico. Gilliam wrote on Sunday night that the new rule is “nearly identical to” the administrations earlier versions. He also wrote that he “fully recognizes that limiting the scope of this injunction to the plaintiff states means that women in other states are at risk of losing access to cost-free contraceptives when the final rules take effect.” 

Beetlestone argued, instead, on Monday that the only way to provide “complete relief” to the states suing was to block the rules across the United States, according to Politico. Both the partial and full injunctions stem from two different lawsuits that challenge the Trump administration’s attempt to provide birth control exemptions for employers. As NPR reports, Beetlestone found that states would have been harmed by the rule as women who lost birth control coverage would turn to state-funded programs. 

Unfortunately, the fight to protect Affordable Care Act’s requirement for birth control coverage isn’t over. But Sunday and Monday marked a huge win for contraception coverage advocates. 

After taking some time away from social media in September, Selena Gomez has finally returned to Instagram on Monday with some empowering and heartfelt words. 

“It’s been awhile since you have heard from me, but I wanted to wish everyone a happy new year and to thank you for the love and support,” the 26-year-old captioned the Instagram photo of herself. “Last year was definitely a year of self-reflection, challenges and growth. It’s always those challenges which show you who you are and what you are capable of overcoming. Trust me, it’s not easy, but I am proud of the person I am becoming and look forward to the year ahead. Love you all.” 

While the message doesn’t go into depth about everything Gomez has experienced in 2018, it’s obvious she’s ready for the new year. The singer started a social media hiatus in September of 2018. In an Instagram Story post, she explained that she would be stepping away from the platform after receiving some hate on social media.  

“Update: taking a social media break. Again. As much as I am grateful for the voice that social media gives each of us, I am equally grateful to be able to step back and live my life present to the moment I have been given,” she wrote. “Kindness and encouragement only for a bit! Just remember—negative comments can hurt anybody’s feelings. Obvi.” 

TMZ reported in October that Gomez had sought treatment for her mental health after reportedly suffering from a panic attack during a hospital visit for her low white blood cell count. This can be a common complication for kidney transplant patients. 

A source told People about the incident, stating that “the panic attack in the hospital was the tipping point” and she needed to enter treatment in order to fully recover. “She realized she needed to seek additional help for her ongoing emotional issues,” the source told People. “She’s surrounded by close family and has a lot of support. She’s doing better now and is seeking treatment on the east coast.”

In recent weeks, Gomez went on a snow-tubing trip with her girls, starred in a Pantene commercial, and snapped a pic with Taylor Swift and Cazzie David.

After what seemed like a difficult 2018 for Selena Gomez, we are so happy that she seems to be in a better place! 

Over the weekend the Internet became obsessed with UCLA gymnast Katelyn Ohashi—because she is honestly a living legend. For approximately one minute and 30 seconds, the 21-year-old gymnast performed a stunning and energetic floor routine, which earned a perfect 10-score. 

On Sunday, the UCLA team’s official Twitter account posted a video of Ohashi’s electrifying and fun floor routine. The video of the performance went viral and it currently has over 28 million views. 

“A 10 isn’t enough for this floor routine by @katelyn_ohashi,” the UCLA Gymnastics official Twitter accounted tweeted. The video has also received some high praise from senator Kamala Harris and Atlantic writer Jemele Hill. 

“Her whole floor routine is ridiculously hard,” said UCLA coach Valerie Kondos Field to UCLA’s student newspaper Daily Bruin. “Every single thing about it including the backward split that she does after her leap pass—it’s insane.” 

Ohashi took to the floor at Anaheim arena on Saturday night, where she flawlessly flipped, leapped, and twisted high in the air. Not only did she stick every single landing, but she included some difficult and incredible splits into the routine. Honestly, so impressed!

The gymnast’s energy and smile radiated throughout the performance. Ohashi’s dance moves were choreographed to a medley of songs that included “Proud Mary” by Tina Turner, “September” by Earth, Wind, & Fire, “I Want You Back” by the Jackson 5, “Rhythm Nation” by Janet Jackson, and Michael Jackson’s “The Way You Make Me Feel.” 

“I’ve never seen her perform like that,” Field’s told the Los Angeles Times. “Ever, in your entire life. I’ve never seen her facial, her performance quality, be that professional, as I saw tonight.” 

But seriously, you have to watch it for yourself: 

This isn’t the first time that Ohashi has gone viral for being a legend on the mat. According to the Washington Post, her floor routine at the Pac-12 gymnastics championships in 2018 earned her first place. The video of the routine received more than 4 million views on YouTube. Ohashi also was a part of the elite gymnastics world, but left five years ago after facing some intense criticism. At the time, she was considered a shoo-in for the Olympics. 

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.) 

Nothing Says Dinner Of Champions Like Fast Food — At Least According To Donald Trump

The president celebrated the Clemson Tiger’s national championship on Monday night with a curated meal....of fast food. 

“I think we’re going to serve McDonald’s, Wendy’s and Burger Kings with some pizza,” President Trump said to reporters on Monday, per Huffington Post. “I really mean it. It will be interesting. And I would think that’s their favorite food. So we’ll see what happens. But they’re coming tonight, the national champions, subject to the weather.” 

It’s tradition for collegiate national championship winners to visit the White House, but many were puzzled by POTUS’s fast-food choice. According to CNN, President Trump paid for the fast food out of pocket because most of the White House food staff have been furloughed. 

“The President wanted to host a fun event to celebrate the College Football National Champion Clemson Tigers,” said deputy press secretary Hogan Gidley in a statement to CNN. “Because the Democrats refuse to negotiate on border security, much of the residence staff at the White House is furloughed—so the President is personally paying for the event to be catered with some of everyone’s favorite fast foods,” he said. 

The menu had many people seriously confused on social media. 

Steve King’s House Committee Seats Taken Away Over His “White Supremacists” Remarks 

Republican leaders have taken away Rep. Steve King’s (R-Iowa) House Committee seats On Monday night after he spoke with The New York Times and questioned when phrases such as “white supremacist” became offensive. According to The New York Times, he will lose his seat on the Judiciary and Agriculture Committee. 

“We will not be seating Steve King on any committees in the 116th Congress,” said House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-California), per The Huffington Post, following the unanimous decision. 

King argued his comments were “mischaracterized” and responded to his removal, saying, “Leader McCarthy’s decision to remove me from committees is a political decision that ignores the truth.” 

“Ultimately, I told him ‘You have to do what you have to do and I will do what I have to do.’” King wrote, per Alex Moe from NBC News. “I will continue to point out the truth and work with all the vigor that I have to represent 4th District Iowans for at least the next two years.” 

This decision follows King’s comments on Thursday, in which he said, “White nationalist, white supremacist, Western civilization—how did that language become offensive? Why did I sit in classes teaching me about the merits of our history and our civilization?”

In an official statement on Monday, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said on the Senate floor through Fox News, “There is no place in the Republican Party, the Congress or the country for an ideology of racial supremacy of any kind.” 

He went on, “I have no tolerance for such positions and those who espouse these views are not supporters of American ideals and freedoms. Rep. King’s statements are unwelcome and unworthy of his elected position.” 

Bernie Sanders To Meet With Former Women Staffers About The Sexism & Harassment On The 2016 Campaign

Sen. Bernie Sanders will meet on Wednesday with former female staffers who have alleged they faced sexual harassment and sexism while working on his 2016 presidential campaign. 

BuzzFeed News first reported Sanders meeting, and a spokesperson for Sanders later confirmed it to CNN. Following reports by Politico and the New York Times, the Vermont senator and his current staff will meet with a number of the women in Washington, D.C. Sanders reportedly paid for their flights and hotel accommodations via his campaign account, BuzzFeed News reports. 

The meeting will be led by Jenny Yang and Pamela Coukos from Working IDEAL, which is a group that improves workplace inclusivity and diversity. 

Bernie Sanders apologized, again, last week to the women that have come forward with allegations of sexual harassment and sexism while working on his 2016 presidential campaign, according to CNN. 

“What they experienced was absolutely unacceptable, and certainly not what a progressive campaign or any campaign should be about,” Sanders said. “When we talk about—and I do all of the time—ending sexism, and ending all forms of discrimination, those beliefs cannot just be words...They must be based in day to day reality and in the work that we do. And that was not the case, clearly not the case, in the 2016 campaign.” 

This comes amid a potential 2020 presidential campaign bid. 

What To Look Out For….

Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story has finally found its Maria, according to Deadline. Seventeen-year-old New Jersey High School student Rachel Zegler will star alongside Ansel Elgort, who plays Tony, in the film.

Nothing says a fresh start like the new spring semester. From selecting an aesthetically pleasing planner for the year, to planning the ultimate tropical getaway for spring break, spring semester is arguably the very best semester of college.

But getting real for a minute — the extra expenses that come with a new semester can be super stressful. The most notoriously pricey items on the shopping list have got to be textbooks. Whether you have a light course load or happen to squeeze in six classes for a jam-packed semester, buying new textbooks every single semester can add up so fast on a college girl’s wallet.

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Kylie Jenner has long been recognized as the Queen of Instagram. However, there’s now an unlikely contender who is giving Jenner a run for her money: the account @world_record_egg, whose verified account boasts 3.9 million followers and features only one post—a stock photo of an egg. Simple as it may seem, that photo of an egg recently beat the record Jenner held for most liked Instagram photo of all time, earning over 32.5 million likes and counting.

For comparison, AJC reported that Jenner’s most liked photo, the announcement of her daughter Stormi’s birth, gained only 18 million likes.

The account had the goal of toppling Jenner from the get-go. According to Vogue, on January 4, the account posted the photo of the egg with the caption “Let’s set a world record together and get the most liked post on Instagram. Beating the current world record held by Kylie Jenner (18 million)! We got this.” Since then, news of the egg’s mission went viral, spawning an unavoidable campaign, not to mention some pretty hilarious memes.

One of the people who has been enjoying the egg memes is Kylie Jenner herself who responded by posting a video on her Instagram account that shows her cracking an egg on the ground under the heading “Kylie when she sees the world record egg account.”

Perhaps, at the end of the day, the Instagram egg is just that—an egg.

But maybe the story of the egg is actually much more profound, reflecting our values and the state of society as a whole. Popularity on Instagram can often feel like a reinforcement of the status quo. Having any combination conventional good looks, wealth, and a degree of fame attract likes by the boatload, and it’s no surprise that Kylie Jenner happens to have all three. What better thing to upend that hierarchy than something as pure and simple as an egg?

The egg is a reminder to chill out about our followers and likes. It makes Instagram just a little more meaningless, and, as a result, just a little more fun.

This article was written by Emily from Currently Emily, an InfluenceHer Collective Member. 

Like most of us, I love cookie dough. So when I found out about Cookie Dō, the edible cookie dough shop making waves in NYC, I had to check it out. I arrived at the shop around 3:30pm and there was a crowd inside. Everyone from locals to even a group from Michigan was there to test the dough. It was just THAT popular. 

The shop itself was in an adorable area, only a few blocks from Washington Square Park and NYU. The decor inside was very on trend, with pastel colors and chalk board styles signs. It felt like a trendy ice cream shop, which Kristen Tomlan, the founder of Cookie Dō, mentioned was her intention. Inside the shop was a large glass window where you could watch them making the cookie dough right in front of you and see exactly what goes into the process. 

Needless to say, it was very popular, and was very PACKED.

I tried two kinds of cookie dough. First, I tried Kristen’s personal favorite, Heavenly, a sugar cookie with Nutella, chocolate chips, caramel bits and sea salt. Then I tried scoop of their seasonal dough Coffee Toffee, which was a signature base with espresso and dark chocolate toffee pieces with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. So. Good. The seasonal Coffee Toffee flavor was my favorite! It was perfect for the fall turning into the winter months.

I caught up with Kristen to pick her brain about how to turn a passion into a business (and ate a bunch of cookie dough along the way). 

Emily: Who was your cooking inspo growing up?

Kristen: My mom definitely, I kind of grew up in the kitchen next to her. She taught me everything I needed to know about navigating the kitchen, especially the mixer. I really had a huge sweet tooth growing up so I was always one that was making cookies, and kind of became the baker of the family.

Emily: What was the hardest part of building your own business?

Kristen: Everything. I think just figuring it out, there’s not really a book that tells you what to do. Every business is different and you kind of just have to trust your gut and go with your intuition, and just figure it out along the way.

Emily: Personal favorite Dō flavor?

Kristen: Heavenly, which is a sugar cookie with Nutella, chocolate chips, caramel bits and sea salt. So it has a little bit of everything.

Emily: What inspired you to launch Cookie Dō?

Kristen: Honestly just my love for baking and eating cookie dough so I wanted to share that with as many people as possible. I think eating cookie dough always brings me back to a very happy place and so I was just inspired by sharing that with others. I wanted to see if there was a business around edible cookie dough, since there wasn’t anyone doing it.

Emily: What advice would you give young women who want to launch their own business?

Kristen: I would say to just do something, kind of jump in even if its little by little. I think a lot of people are paralyzed by the fear of the unknown. There’s so much to do when starting your own business, you kind of get bogged down with, “Omg where do you start?”

My advice is to always just start somewhere, even if it is a little bit at a time and baby steps. Eventually those baby steps add up and it’ll become what you want it to be. But you really have to dedicate time and start somewhere.

Emily: What would you tell your college self about starting a business?

Kristen: I would probably tell myself to just trust your gut, I feel like a lot of times you just second guess things or you are concerned about so many things you are trying to think about it all. The decisions I have made where I have trusted my gut and kind of gone with that instinct have been the ones that have been the right decisions.

Trust yourself, have confidence in yourself, I think confidence is huge because you just have to be confident in a decision and just go with it. I would encourage myself, you can do it, don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t. Just reminding myself to trust myself.

You can hang out with Emily on her Instagram. 

Moms are the best and it makes our hearts happy when we can spend quality time with them. But according to a study, as much as hanging out with our moms brings happiness to us, it’s actually quite beneficial to our mom’s health and may even extend her life.

Researchers at the University of California, San Francisco found that loneliness can be detrimental to those that are older and can contribute to a decline in health, according to Oprah Magazine. Of the 1,600 elderly individuals that researchers followed, 23 percent of those that reported they were lonely passed away within six years of the study, whereas only 14 percent of those that said they had adequate companionship passed away within that time frame.

Barbara Moscowitz, senior geriatric social worker at Massachusetts General Hospital, told The New York Times that “the need we've had our entire lives — people who know us, value us, who bring us joy — that never goes away.”

image via Pexels

According to the findings of the study, those that are older place greater value in companionship. Rosemary Blieszner, a professor of human development at Virginia Tech, told The New York Times that, due to their life experiences and wisdom, older individuals often overlook more in a relationship, and know what’s worth fighting about and what isn’t.

So invite over your older relatives, including your mom, because not only does it benefit us to be in our mother’s embrace, but it benefits her, too. Plus, maybe mom might cook us one of her famous home cooked meals.

As President Donald Trump’s attorney general nominee William Barr’s confirmation hearing got underway on Tuesday, Barr told members of the Senate Judiciary Committee that he didn’t believe special counsel Robert Mueller “would be involved in a witch hunt,” as the president has repeatedly called Mueller’s investigation into Russian interference, and said he would not fire Mueller without due cause.

Barr tried to assure Democrats, who have been trying to secure protections for Mueller and his investigation, that he would allow the special counsel to finish his report.

“I believe it is in the best interest of everyone — the President, Congress, and, most importantly, the American people — that this matter be resolved by allowing the Special Counsel to complete his work,” Barr told the committee. “The country needs a credible resolution of these issues. If confirmed, I will not permit partisan politics, personal interests, or any other improper consideration to interfere with this or any other investigation.”

Barr added that he believed it was important the Justice Department would be transparent under his leadership, saying, “Second, I also believe it is very important that the public and Congress be informed of the results of the Special Counsel's work. For that reason, my goal will be to provide as much transparency as I can consistent with the law. I can assure you that, where judgments are to be made by me, I will make those judgments based solely on the law and will let no personal, political, or other improper interests influence my decision.”

When asked under what circumstances Barr might fire Mueller, the attorney general nominee instead praised Mueller and said it would be difficult to image a situation arising in which he would have to relieve Mueller of his duties.

“Under the regulations, Bob Mueller could only be terminated for good cause. Frankly, it’s unimaginable to me that Bob would ever do anything that gave rise to good cause,” Barr commented. “I believe right now the overarching public interest would be for him to finish.”

Barr, who previously served as attorney general during President George H.W. Bush’s administration, faced tough questions about a 19-page memo he wrote in June 2018 opposing an obstruction of justice case against the president, The Huffington Post reports. In the memo to Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, Barr argued that any obstruction of justice inquiry into Trump’s firing of then-FBI Director James Comey in May 2017 would be “fatally misconceived.”

While some have been concerned about the memo, and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer had even called on Trump to rescind Barr’s nomination over it, Barr addressed the controversy over his memo, ABC News reports.

“I wrote the memo as a former Attorney General who has often weighed in on legal issues of public importance, and I distributed it broadly so that other lawyers would have the benefit of my views,” Barr said in his opening statement.

Downplaying the significance of the memo, Barr said he, as well as other commentators, were basing their analysis on the limited information publicly available at the time.

“As I explained in a recent letter to Ranking Member Feinstein, my memo was narrow in scope, explaining my thinking on a specific obstruction-of-justice theory under a single statute that I thought, based on media reports, the Special Counsel might be considering. The memo did not address — or in any way question — the Special Counsel's core investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election,” Barr added. “Nor did it address other potential obstruction-of-justice theories or argue, as some have erroneously suggested, that a President can never obstruct justice. I wrote it myself, on my own initiative, without assistance, and based solely on public information.”

Barr, who has “known Bob Mueller personally and professionally for 30 years” and is close friends with him, discussed a private conversation he had with Trump in June 2017, as Trump was looking to expand his legal team. Despite not wanting to take up the position, Barr still met with Trump, according to HuffPost. The meeting, which took place at the White House, was brief, and Barr shared with the committee that he told Trump that “Bob is a straight shooter and should be dealt with as such.”

According to Barr, he gave his phone number to Trump but never heard from him.

As attorney general, Barr said his priorities would be to fight violent crime, prosecute hate crimes, enforce and improve immigration laws and protect the right to vote.

Noting that he took the position out of love for the Department of Justice and the law, Barr added that he “want[ed] to help in this circumstance and I am not going to do anything I think is wrong, and I will not be bullied into doing something that I think is wrong, by anybody" including the president or Congress, ABC News 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.)

Judge Blocks Trump Administration From Adding Citizenship Question to the Census

A federal judge blocked the Trump administration from adding a citizenship question to the 2020 census, a ruling in a series of lawsuits that claim that the citizenship question would harm immigrants and cause fewer immigrants to answer the decennial survey.

The plaintiffs in the case ― 18 states, the District of Columbia, 15 cities and a a few activist groups ― have claimed that the citizenship question argued that the Trump administration intended to decrease response rates among immigrants and minorities, Reutersreports.

And those fewer responses could potentially have a lasting impact. The census is used to determine the allocation of congressional seats and how federal funds are disbursed, and could cost these Democratic-leaning communities representation in the House of Representatives and cut their federal funding, The Huffington Post reports.

The Trump administration said that it was within its power to add the citizenship question, and did not think the question would decrease responses, and even if it did, the Census Bureau planned to follow up with individuals, officials said.

But U.S. District Judge Jesse Furman of the Southern District of New York did not agree, saying it would mean that “hundreds of thousands — if not millions — of people will go uncounted in the census.”

While Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross claimed that citizenship data ed from the citizenship question — which hasn’t been on the decennial census since 1950 — was needed to better enforce the Voting Rights Act, which protects voters from discrimination, but plaintiffs claimed that Ross’ plan was to decrease responses all along, Reuters reports.

In a 277-page opinion, Furman called Ross’ Voting Rights Act “pretextual.”

“He announced his decision in a manner that concealed its true basis rather than explaining it,” Furman said.

Ross has said he added the question upon the request of the Justice Department, but evidence at the trial showed that Ross has intended to include the question prior to the department’s request. In addition, Ross did not heed the advice of experts, including from individuals within the Census Bureau itself, about how including the question could potentially hurt data, HuffPost reports.

Furman said Ross and his aides behaved “like people with something to hide,” ultimately leading to “inescapable” conclusion that they had “something to hide.”

Kelly Laco, a Justice Department spokeswoman, said the Trump administration was “disappointed” by the ruling, adding that the “government is legally entitled to include a citizenship question on the census, and people in the United States have a legal obligation to answer.”

Dale Ho, an attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union, called the ruling “a forceful rebuke of the Trump administration’s attempt to weaponize the census.”

The Trump administration is expected to repeal the ruling.

Brexit Deal is Voted Down by Parliament

The political future of the United Kingdom (UK) is once again up in the air as Prime Minister Theresa May’s Brexit deal was voted down in Parliament on Tuesday.

According to ABC News, the lead up to the vote on the Brexit deal saw May criticized on both sides of the political spectrum, with some arguing that the deal would leave the UK too closely tied to the European Union (EU) and other argued that the deal would hurt the economy.

Following eight days of debate, the House of Commons voted down the deal 432 votes to 202, CNN reports.

With the Brexit deal voted down, the future relationship between the UK ad the EU remains uncertain. On Sunday, May posted in a Facebook statement that if the deal did not pass, the UK could end up remaining in the EU or leaving it without a deal.

“If Parliament does not come together and back this deal in our national interest, we risk leaving with no deal, with all the uncertainty for jobs and security that will bring,” May wrote. “Or, with MPs unwilling to face the uncertainty of no deal and with no other offer on the table, we will risk not leaving the European Union at all.”

The opposition Labour Party immediately triggered a vote of no-confidence. If May’s government loses that vote, it means that the prime minister would have to resign, triggering a general election.

But May urged all the members of Parliament (MPs) to listen to the British citizens that voted to leave the EU.

“I ask members on all sides of the house to listen to the British people, who want this issue settled, and to work with the government to do just that,” May said.

According to ABC News, other MPs called for a second referendum to end the political gridlock, which could result in the UK remaining in the EU.

From this point, the UK could try to renegotiate another deal with the EU, or leave the EU on the March 29th deadline without a deal.  

Netflix Just Raised Its Prices Again

Binge-watching our favorite shows just got a bit more expensive on Netflix. The streaming giant just raised prices on its streaming plans again for both new and existing customers.

According to Hello Giggles, Netflix’s basic plan, which allows you to watch your favorite shows on one device, will increase from $7.99 to $8.99 per month. The company’s most popular plan, which offers high-definition streaming on two devices simultaneously, will increase to $12.99 from from $10.99. Netflix’s Premium subscription, which allows users to stream on four screens in Ultra HD 4K format, will also raise by $2 — from $13.99 to $15.99 per month.

The price increase will immediately go into effect for new customers, and will be implemented in the next few months for existing customers, according to ABC News.

This is the fourth time that the streaming giant has increased its price — the last increase was in 2017.

In a statement during the last price increase, Netflix said, “From time to time, Netflix plans and pricing are adjusted as we add more exclusive TV shows and movies, introduce new product features, and improve the overall Netflix experience to help members find something great to watch even faster.”

But the extra money from the new price increase will help pay for Netflix’s huge investment in its original shows and films, as it tries to rivals such as Disney and Amazon.

While it’s never easy to the prices to our favorite services go up, having access to all of the new, incredible content coming, such as the upcoming third season of Stranger Things which will hit Netflix this summer, is definitely worth it.

What to look out for…

Airbnb will pay for you to spend the summer in the Italian countryside, and sign me up.

You’re probably familiar with her voice, but have yet to meet the woman who brought some of the most iconic animated characters to life, like Tommy Pickles (Rugrats) and Buttercup (The Powerpuff Girls). E.G. Daily is truly a triple threat—she's appeared in films, such as Valley Girls,Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure and 31, provided the voices for some of our favorite animated TV characters, competed on The Voice, and even has her own YouTube channel.

Her Campus chatted with E.G. all about how much she impacted our childhoods, how Hollywood’s emphasis on appearances inspired her song “So Pretty" and how she lives her truth, and the unforgettable advice that Blake Shelton gave her during her time on The Voice.

Her Campus: You've had an incredible Hollywood career, what has been your favorite part of it all throughout the years?

E.G. Daily: My favorite part is the variety that I’ve gotten to experience. I’ve gotten to do so many different kinds of things, all in the realm of creativity and mostly with my voice.

HC: Our generation remembers you as the voice of Tommy Pickles and Powerpuff Girl Buttercup—what is it like to know that you've had such an impact on people's childhoods?

ED: It’s so awesome—I really enjoy it now more than ever. I feel like I have more gratitude and am more humbled than ever about it because back when I used to be doing all the episodes—many, many years ago—it was awesome and we were happy to do it and it was fun, but I didn’t realize that decades later, it would’ve made such an impact on so many people’s lives. Today I can actually really absorb how much of an impact it made because of the time that’s passed, and the impact it's still making.

HC: What is it like to step into the shoes of an animated character and bring them to life?

ED: It’s kind of like a dream come true because you get to transform into anything. You can be an inanimate object, you can be a boy, you can be a girl, you can be an old lady, you could be a balloon or a talking toy. With animation, you can be anything, there’s no limit—it’s pretty incredible. You get to go into the fantasy of things but even bigger than, let’s say, a Sci-Fi picture. It can go anywhere.

HC: Cartoon Network created an #EMPOWERPUFF internship program which allows talented writers, illustrators, video editors and graphic designers to have a chance to create content for The Powerpuff Girls—what are your thoughts on it?

ED: I think this is awesome and it’s what we’re supposed to be doing. I think with everything artistic, we’re supposed to use it as a messenger piece to help empower and teach people. It's so important that we seize opportunities to use popular characters and popular TV shows to influence people, because that’s what we’re supposed to be doing. It is just beautiful and makes me proud to be part of The Powerpuff Girls project.

HC: In a time of female empowerment, do you feel it's important to have shows like The Powerpuff Girls to inspire young girls and help them believe that they are strong and capable of doing anything they want?

ED: Yeah, absolutely! I mean, we’ve come a long way—women have come a long way.. girl power! How perfect is it to have these tiny little things become these role models and superheroes? It just goes to show you that it is possible for anyone of any size, of any demographic, boy or girl, any race, any religion, for anyone to make a powerful impact. We all have our own Powerpuff superpowers and who knows what each of ours is, but everybody’s got a superpower, I believe. I think that what’s happening, with the climate of today, is that we’re creating a place for us to really have a voice and make sure that it is mattering. It’s no longer like in the old days where people were just shy and let other people run the show or make the decisions. It just feels so valuable that today, especially with the #MeToo movement, that everyone’s voice matters. We have to use our superpowers and be fearless and fierce so that you can make a difference on the planet.

HC: You have two daughters, what is one piece of advice you’ve passed down to them?

ED: To listen to their inner voice and make sure they’re paying attention to what it's telling them. The more you listen to your inner voice, the louder it gets. So, if your inner voice is telling you, “I don’t like that person, that person doesn’t feel good, that person feels dangerous…”, pay attention. I really taught my girls to pay attention to their inner voice, even if it’s a random little thing that they might hear. I really encourage them to listen and act on that on it because that voice is so powerful. It’s a subconscious and the more you use it, the more you listen to it, the louder it gets and then your life becomes easier because you don’t waste a lot of time on things that are harmful or weird or strange, or that make you feel uneasy. The more you listen to your inner voice, the bigger it gets.

HC: You recently released a song titled "So Pretty," what was the inspiration behind it?

ED: I was actually writing songs for some film and TV projects with my two writers, and we just came together and we wrote. That was the first song I had written with this team of writers and once we got done writing it—it was really quick, it probably had been written in an hour—I just felt so strongly about that message, like, “Oh, God, this message feels really important to me,” and they [the writers] kind of let me run with it. They were really great for listening to me. I said, “There’s a lot of objectifying. A lot of girls nowadays are trying to make their booties bigger and their boobs bigger and their lips bigger and their face bigger, and there’s just so much self-objectifying.” And I’m guilty too, like I’ve done some fillers and I’m all about wanting to look good, just like the rest of us. My daughters are really into the beauty world and fashion. 

But sadly, on the other side of that, there’s so much pressure to look perfect. Like, with selfies and the selfie filters, that we can’t possibly be an unfiltered person. And, there needs to be some embracing of imperfection and embracing of your genuine beauty, which is more beautiful than anything. Being a kind person is beautiful, being gentle is beautiful, being thoughtful is beautiful, being healthy is beautiful, taking care of your insides is beautiful, self-care, self-love, that’s all beautiful, and the word ‘beautiful’ is not just for the outside. It’s a bottomless pit if you try to look good on the outside because we’re all gonna get older. I know for myself, I’ve had top makeup artists and hair people and wardrobe people all working on me at one time for a project and I was feeling sad in that moment, let’s say, and I couldn’t even feel how beautiful they were making me look on the outside at that moment. And so, writing that song just reminds me of those times when I realized like, you have to fill yourself up from the inside to feel your beauty. And then, you’ll feel how beautiful you are on the outside. But, it doesn’t start on the outside necessarily.

HC: You were on The Voice a while back and got to work with Blake Shelton. What was it like being on Team Blake? Did he give you any memorable advice?

ED: Yeah, he did actually! It was kind of like a dream because I remember watching The Voice and I remember my sister used to watch it religiously and she was like, “Oh, I’m watching my show, The Voice!” and I go, “What is that?” and she goes, “It’s a cool show about singers.” And I watched it and I loved how it had nothing to do with about how anybody looked. It has nothing to do with it, so it kind of ties into a lot of what I talk about, like going for the talent, the beauty, the good health. Then, when I was actually watching that show, I remember watching it, thinking, “Huh, if I was ever on that show, I would want to be on Team Blake because he’s so funny and a goofball!” And then, cut to the end of getting on that show, which is pretty remarkable. They say be careful what you wish for, but it happened. I learned so much on that show, it was a great experience. What I learned from him [Blake] was he said, “I never know what you’re gonna do, you do things different all the time," which is kind of how I am. I sort of go with the flow a lot, and I’m pretty spontaneous and I never know what is gonna come out of my mouth sometimes, which is scary, in a good way. But I remember him saying that and, “I also want you to practice being consistent. If you’re gonna do it that way, do it that way again the second time too, so you have a way to get back to that place," and that was a really good message.

Moms are the best and it makes our hearts happy when we can spend quality time with them. But according to a study, as much as hanging out with our moms brings happiness to us, it’s actually quite beneficial to our mom’s health and may even extend her life.

Researchers at the University of California, San Francisco found that loneliness can be detrimental to those that are older and can contribute to a decline in health, according to Oprah Magazine. Of the 1,600 elderly individuals that researchers followed, 23 percent of those that reported they were lonely passed away within six years of the study, whereas only 14 percent of those that said they had adequate companionship passed away within that time frame.

Barbara Moscowitz, senior geriatric social worker at Massachusetts General Hospital, told The New York Times that “the need we've had our entire lives — people who know us, value us, who bring us joy — that never goes away.”

image via Pexels

According to the findings of the study, those that are older place greater value in companionship. Rosemary Blieszner, a professor of human development at Virginia Tech, told The New York Times that, due to their life experiences and wisdom, older individuals often overlook more in a relationship, and know what’s worth fighting about and what isn’t.

So invite over your older relatives, including your mom, because not only does it benefit us to be in our mother’s embrace, but it benefits her, too. Plus, maybe mom might cook us one of her famous home cooked meals.

On Instagram Influencer Caroline Calloway's profile, she refers to her account as a “first-of-its-kind” platform — citing herself as the first to use lengthy "story" captions as she chronicled her time at University of Cambridge and her budding relationship with a fellow student there. Now other parts of her brand are being scrutinized after her U.S. tour —which cost $165 to attend and featured workshops on "creativity" that were criticized heavily online as a "scam" — was cancelled and un-cancelled again within a three day window, as Insider reports.

"I canceled my tour because I was frightened and feeling worthless because if you read enough bad things about yourself on the internet you will start to believe they're true," Calloway wrote on Instagram announcing plans to bring back the tour. "You can't let the people who despise you run your f---ing life."

Though Calloway held two tour events — one in D.C. and another in Brooklyn — the reported problems with the tour were seemingly endless. Calloway reportedly failed to book venues for her seminars, came under fire for initially deciding not to pay photographers and had trouble financing her ambitious plans. As buzz around the tour began to grow online, it garnered comparisons to other viral failed events like "fyre festival."

After acknowledging that her attempted tour had failed, Calloway announced earlier this week that everyone who bought tickets would be refunded. The refunds were confirmed by Eventbrite, according to Insider.

This isn’t the first time Calloway’s business endeavors have gone south. Business Insider reports that she was under contract with Flatiron Books to publish a memoir about falling in love abroad, but that fell through after Calloway decided she wasn’t interested in writing the book, despite already spending $165,000 of her $500,000 advance. Even fellow students at Cambridge questioned the authenticity of the experience she wrote about on Instagram.

An article on Pajiba, journalist Kayleigh Donaldson cited the Tumblr page Ask A Cambridge Student, where one person wrote that Calloway ‘perpetuates the myth that Oxbridge is like this fantasyland, whereas in reality, it’s quirky, but is much more normal than people think.’ Donaldson also had some harsh words for Calloway, writing “Caroline Calloway’s scam may not be the biggest on the Internet or the most upsetting but it certainly best represents the truth that lies beneath the well-filtered veil.”

Donaldson isn’t alone in seeing the connection between Calloway’s seminar and other high-profile scams. A New York Magazine article about Calloway ended with the lines “And just like that, the Creativity Workshop by Caroline Calloway ascended into failed influencer-event heaven. I imagine the ghost of Fyre Festival met it at the gates.”

These words ought to remind us that Calloway’s grift is not all that unique. As Donaldson writes, it is connected to a much larger problem that comes with the lucrativeness of running a successful Instagram and the idealized portrayal of life that is often required to achieve that success. While some Influencers certainly may have more to offer than Calloway (and there's no harm in investing in your personal development), it’s always healthy to maintain a degree of skepticism.

As Calloway plans to revive her tour, she has taken to Instagram to assert that she doesn't plan to take online criticism to heart: "I am not going to quit a project that I love with my whole heart and brings me — and others — purpose and joy because of the opinions of other people who, quite frankly, didn't attend the workshop and were never going to buy a ticket in the first place," she wrote. "I'm not doing this to make myself rich. It's standard for creators to have ticketed meet and greets. And this is much more than that."

When I think about facials, the words "needle" and "expensive" come to mind. But being a broke college student with a low pain tolerance means that going out and spending money on a facial just isn't all that realistic. The good news? There are SO many amazing, wonderful-smelling, just-tingly-enough skin products out there that can get the job done in a flash and sometimes yield even better results than that $80 spa extraction and sculpting-massage you're debating on getting. I'll hold for your applause.

1. Lush Cosmetics Don't Look At Me Fresh Face Mask ($13.95)

This gorgeous aqua face mask by Lush is seriously refreshing. Made with fresh, organic lemon juice, the Don't Look At Me mask is a natural way to exfoliate your skin and brighten up your complexion with ingredients like ground rice and murumuru butter. You won't be saying "don't look at me" once this mask is rinsed away.

2. Farmhouse Fresh Mighty Tighty Banana & Turmeric Mask ($30)

In need of some tightening and radiance-boosting? Farmhouse Fresh has got you covered with their Mighty Tighty Banana & Turmeric Tightening Mask! This product is absolute magic in a pot with a blend of fresh banana and antioxidant-rich turmeric (plus it does wonders for diminishing lines). If you like feeling a tingle with your face masks and the heavenly smell of freshly baked banana muffins, you'll be swooning for the Mighty Tighty.

3. Freeman Anti-Stress Dead Sea Minerals Face Mask ($4.29)

Freeman Beauty had me at "anti-stress." For a pore-clearing, skin-purifying, moisturizing facial experience, adding this Dead Sea Minerals mask into your routine is the way to go. Sea salts replenish your skin while lavender helps to soothe your beautiful, busy mind. This product lasts forever, which I know you'll love since college stress is pretty much inevitable at this point. Head to your local Ulta Beauty, WalMart or Target to pick up a bottle of bliss.

4. Formula 10.0.6 Total Take Away Bubble Mask ($8.99)

My inner five-year-old is ecstatic right now just reading the word "bubble." Formula 10.0.6 already wows with quality face masks full of unique ingredients, but their Total Take Away Skin-Purifying Bubble Mask tops the charts. Revive dull, tired skin with this sudsy mask of clay bubble wonder. After a long day of school or work, let the bubbles take away any and all impurities for clean, refreshed skin! Not to mention, this packaging is super cute and we live for creative marketing.

5. Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel ($19.99)

Just being candid here: I cannot rave enough about this product! Neutrogena, you made my oily skin nightmares a dim memory. Although this isn't a face mask, it might as well be. Neutrogena's Hydro Boost Water Gel is light, bouncy and instantly quenches skin without an oily after-shine. It also smells uh-mazing. To make this moisturizer feel more like a relaxing treat, I gently massage into my neck and face after cleansing and my mood is instantly boosted. This supple and smooth miracle gel is also non-comedogenic, which means it won't clog your pores. Say hello to gorgeous skin in no time!

With all of these suggestions, you no longer have to worry about going broke in order to keep your skin healthy and clear. Forget dropping $100 for a spa treatment that will only last three days – and instead invest in one of these skincare products. Your face (and your wallet) will thank you for it.

Colton Underwood didn't fall in love for the first time while on The Bachelor— it actually happened with Olympic gymnast Aly Raisman when the two dated from 2016-2017.

He opened up about the relationship on the LadyGang podcast with Keltie Knight, Jac Vanek, and Becca Tobin when Knight asked about his "worst heartbreak."

"I wouldn’t say it was on the show. I would say it was my first love," Underwood said of Raisman. "While it was confusing and hard in the beginning, it also taught me a lot about myself, what I need, what I want, what I can do better in a relationship. It was, like, a big growing, a big step for me. It was really tough."

The two got together after Underwood made a congratulatory video for Raisman during the 2016 Rio Olympics. He was playing for the Oakland Raiders alongside former gymnast Shawn Johnson's husband, Andrew East. "My roommate, my teammates, everybody over here is super proud of you," he said in the video, adding, "If you're ever in San Jose and want to go on a double date."

She thanked him for the video on Twitter, also writing that she was "looking forward" to meeting him. Everything must've worked out, because the two made their red carpet debut later that year, in December.

Underwood and Raisman stayed together until around June 2017, though she said at the time that they were "still friends." 

According to Us Weekly, Underwood has hesitated to speak publicly about his relationship with Raisman out of respect for what she went through with Larry Nassar, the former Team USA doctor who was accused of sexual misconduct by more than 141 women and later sentenced to life in prison. 

"To be very candid about it, she’s going through enough right now. She doesn’t deserve to be in this at all," Underwood say in July 2018. "I have so much love and respect for Aly and the voice that she is and the role model that she is for every young woman out there."

As the partial government shutdown — the longest in U.S. history — enters its fourth week, Cardi B is speaking out and encouraging people to take action. 

"Hey y’all, I just wanted to remind you because it’s been a little over three weeks,” Cardi said in an Instagram video. "Trump is now ordering — as in summoning — federal workers to go back to work without getting paid."

Before anyone could undermine her point by saying that the government also shut down during the Obama administration, Cardi explained the difference between what happened in 2013 and what's happening now. "Now, I don’t wanna hear y’all motherf—kers talking about, ‘Oh, but Obama shutdown the government for 17 days. Yeah, bi—h! For healthcare," she said. "So your grandma could check her blood pressure!"

She continued, "I know a lot of you don’t care because you don’t work for the government or you probably don’t even have job, but this sh—t is really f—king serious… Our country is in a hellhole right now, all for a f—king wall. And we really need to take this serious. I feel like we really need to take some action; I don’t know what type of action because this is not what I do, but bi—h, I’m scared."

Cardi was referencing President Trump's proposed border wall, which he and Democrats continue to clash over. The government shut down as a result of their inability to compromise, and now, 800,000 federal workers are without pay. Then, on Tuesday, the Trump administration asked some 50,000 employees to return to work — without pay. 

Cardi has been critical of Trump in the past. In another recent video she said, "You promised these f—king racist rednecks that you was gonna build the wall, but you know that was impossible. But they voted for you and you promised them this s—t so now you have to do it."

Oh, and she also called him a 'clout chaser.'"

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.)

Nancy Pelosi Pushes for Trump's SOTU to be Delayed

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi delivered a letter to President Trump on Wednesday that suggested his annual speech before Congress be postponed — or even canceled entirely — due to the ongoing government shutdown. "Sadly, given the security concerns and unless government re-opens this week," she wrote, "I suggest that we work together to determine another suitable date after government has re-opened for this address or for you to consider delivering your State of the Union address in writing to the Congress on January 29th."

Though Pelosi controls the lower chamber, she didn't rescind Trump's invitation. However, unless he meets the timeline she established for him to end the shutdown, she still might do so. The Hill reported that White House communications chief Bill Shine said Trump officials feel "no rush" to respond to the letter, but will do so at the appropriate time.

Plus, the Department of Homeland Security said that Pelosi's security concerns were unfounded, and that the shutdown wouldn't affect the safety of the State of the Union address. FWIW, Secret Service agents and Homeland Security personnel are currently working without pay.

Four Americans Killed in Syria

Two U.S. service members, a defense contractor, and a Department of Defense civilian were killed in an explosion in the Syrian city of Manbij on Wednesday. The Americans were among the 19 total people killed, and ISIS has already claimed responsibility. According to The New York Times, the attack targeted an American military convoy while troops were inside a nearby restarant they're known to frequent. The bombing was at least the sixth major attack by the Islamic State in less than a month, one U.S. official said. 

Just a few weeks ago, Trump declared that the U.S. had defeated ISIS and ordered that the 2,000 American troops in Syria be withdrawn. South Carolina Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said on Wednesday that Trump's withdrawal "set in motion enthusiasm by the enemy we're fighting." He also compared Syria's current state to Iraq's former. 

Vice President Mike Pence, however, insisted that ISIS has still been defeated. "Thanks to the courage of our armed forces, we have crushed the ISIS caliphate and devastated its capabilities," he said in a statement. "As we begin to bring our troops home, the American people can be assured, for the sake of our soldiers, their families and our nation, we will never allow the remnants of ISIS to re-establish their evil and murderous caliphate — not now, not ever."

Georgia Man Arrested for Allegedly Plotting to Attack White House

A 21-year-old Atlanta man was arrested by federal authorities on Wednesday after allegedly plotting to attack numerous prominent locations throughout Washington, D.C. — the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument, and a synagogue — including the White House. Hasher Jallal Taheb reportedly obtained explosives, rifles, and rockets.

According to a criminal complaint, Taheb's plan was to "blow a hole" in the White House before entering the building with semi-automatic rifles. He apparently saw the plot as a "martyrdom operation." CNN reported that he expected two other people, who turned out to be an FBI undercover agent an an FBI confidential source, would help him with the attack.

His next appearance in court is scheduled for January 24.

What to look for...

A cheat day, perhaps? Today is January 17 — otherwise known as Ditch New Year's Resolution Day.

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

I’ve always loved the way lipstick looks, but if we're being real, I’ve also been the kind of girl who just straight up forgets to wear it. My usual beauty routine isn’t complete without filled brows and lots of mascara, but my lips are bare more often than not.

So when one of my friends suggested I try 30 days of lipstick challenge, I said, “why not?” The challenge is to wear a different shade of lipstick every day for 30 days. I figured that this would not only help me declutter, but also remind me to wear lipstick more often.

I’m sharing what I learned from 30 days of lipstick, from my personal habits to my favorite shades and everything in between.

The rules

1. Wear a different shade of lipstick every day without repeating. *Disclaimer: I did repeat one color, but that’s only because there were 31 days in December.
2. Wear the lipstick for as much of the day as possible.
3. Document.

What I learned

Moisturizing is key – I tend to stick to lipsticks that are more moisturizing. After wearing lipstick every day for 30 days, I really learned the importance of finding shades that aren’t drying. Also, Aquaphor every night is essential.

Lipstick can change your entire look – Wearing lipstick every day for a month really changed how I approached my outfits, especially at the end of the challenge. My last weekend, I was down to one red shade and one dark purple. I just couldn’t bring myself to put in the effort that the dark lip required on a lazy Saturday, so I ended up going with the red.

Planning makes a huge difference – In the beginning, I just wore whatever shade I fancied on that day. But about halfway through I realized I needed to be more strategic. I started thinking ahead and saving certain colors. For example, I had a really rich, dark red that I set aside for Christmas Eve.

And the lipsticks?

Best overall – Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick – The colors are super vibrant and stay all day without drying your lips out. I’m so excited to wear these again.

Runner up – Victoria’s Secret Velvet Matte – These didn’t have the staying power that Stila did, but I really like the colors. Especially, Love. I’ll be wearing these again this month.

Most drying – Kylie Matte Lip Kit – I used this one in Posie K. While I loved the color, and there’s no doubt this color does NOT budge, I ended up with such dry lips.

I will definitely be wearing more lipstick in the future. In fact, the other day was my first day without lipstick since the challenge, and I felt like something was missing. I’m really excited to revisit some of my favorite shades now that the 30 days of lipstick is complete!

Read the full post here. 

In a world where job and internship hunting can, at times, can feel grim, Airbnb is here to give you hope. The hospitality service company is looking to send four very lucky people to Italy this summer, where you'll essential live your best life by cooking pasta while learning how to speak Italian. It's a part of their Italian sabbatical program, where they put you up—yes, all expenses paid—in a home in Grottole, a quaint town in soutthern Italy. If you listen quietly, you can hear the sound of every person in the United States canceling their current summer plans. 

The program runs from June to August, and in addition to immersing yourself in the local culture, you'll volunteer for a local non-profit, Wonder Grottole, whose mission is to revitalize the town's historical center. After a month of living in Grottole, you'll become a co-host on Airbnb, where you'll show guests around town. It's a lot like studying abroad, minus the homework and paying to be there. So, how do you apply? Submit an application here before February 17, and count your lucky stars. 

Oh, and, to anyone who has ever said the perfect job doesn't exist? Go ahead and send them this article. 

I personally would eat cheese for every single meal if I could. And like, sometimes, I do. I want cheese for breakfast, cheese for lunch, cheese for dinner, and a cute little Instagrammable charcuterie for a chic snack. I'm also very, very cheap. As such, Taco Bell's Nacho Fries hit a sweet spot for me because they are hugely affordable and literally dripping in cheese.

If you needed proof that 2019 is going to be a good year, you just got it, because Taco Bell's life-changing Nacho Fries just came back to us. We fell in love with the cheesy magic of their Nacho Fries last year. The new addition made us want more Taco Bell than ever (and, trust us, we're already obsessed). But, just as soon as we could find love, they disappeared, never to be seen again... until now.

Officially, they will be available at all Taco Bells on January 24th. 

Buuuuuut... between you and me (and, well, a Taco Bell representative), starting on January 18 from 10am to 2pm, you'll have the chance to score these literally by pure luck if you just so happen to live near any of the below locations. Yes, we're talking for free. Random, free Nacho Fries in your bag? Hell yes. 

• 2222 Barranca Pkwy, Irvine, CA

• 2404 North Washington Avenue, Dallas, TX

• 4248 Dale Blvd, Dale City, VA

• 303 West Imperial Highway, Brea, CA

• 1100 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD

• 4300 Highway 360, Fort Worth, TX

• 4101 Campus Drive, Irvine, CA

• 500 8th Ave, New York, NY

• 840 8th Ave, New York, NY

• 224 7th Ave, New York, NY

• 4030 Belden Village St, NW, Canton OH

• 5772 Hollister St., Houston, TX

• 3350 W. Roosevelt Rd, Chicago, IL

• 1037 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA

If you live in any of those places, trust me, I kind of hate you. Please bless us with a zillion selfies with your blessed fries so I can watch you living your best life. Even if you, like me, live too far from any of these places to get your hands on nacho fries, we'll have them soon enough. TG. We'll just have to keep staring at these beautiful babies until we can finally get our hands on them. 

So enjoy your seasoning, and your cozily warm cup of nacho cheese. And if you're feeling nice, these are perf for sharing with friends — even the ones who don't like cheese, since the cheese comes on the side. Not that I'd share, but you do you. 

For more truly Instagrammable food news, follow @HerCampusFoodie. 

Follow Rachel on Instagram.