Thanksgiving break is kind of the best—you’re amply fed, you get to sleep in your own bed, and… yep, all your Black Friday shopping is on your parents. But it’s still weeks away from now, and you’re kind of desperate to give your wardrobe a mid-semester refresh.

Well, collegiettes—it’s on us! We’ve partnered up with ShopSosie.com, an online boutique for the girl who’s chic, modern and up to date on the latest trends to bring you two chances to win a $250 shopping spree to the site! New styles are added daily: This means you’ll have access to enough dresses to last you through the entire holiday season, of-the-moment jewelry, tons of fall booties, chunky knits perfect for the season and loads more. Plus, everything on the site is totally wallet-friendly, meaning that shopping spree is going to go a long, long way.

Ready to win best-dressed at your family reunion this Thanksgiving? Enter now to win one of 2 shopping sprees from ShopSosie.com—worth $250 each! 

As awesome it is to be a person of color, it shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone that you still face racism in the form of micro- and macroaggressions on a daily basis. Especially on a college campus, ignorance can run rampant as students of color try to deal with the prejudice in the best way they can.

However, what happens if you’re facing double the discrimination as a queer person of color (QPOC)? You’re most likely facing a lot of specific issues that are unique to this intersection of identities. Here are some problems that might come up if you are a queer person of color and how to solve them!

Issues that occur specifically in the QPOC community

You fit in neither the POC community nor the queer community

Fitting in on campus can be hard when you’re at an intersection of two identities that are so significant to who you are that they’re inseparable. Sheltreese McCoy, a social justice educator at both the LGBT Campus Center and the Multicultural Student Center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, says that a lot of issues for QPOC stem from not feeling like they have a place to belong, seeing the Multicultural Student Center as a primarily straight space and seeing the LGBT Campus Center as a primarily white space.

“In my experience, there can be a lot of homophobia in people of color communities,” says Jelani Rivera, a junior at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. “I’ve expressed viewpoints on what it is like to be gay or gay rights or what it’s like to come out, and I’ve often been shut down or told that racial equality is more important.”

On the other hand, for Renee’ Vallejo, a junior at Tufts University and a self-identified gender nonconforming gay Brown boi/womyn, there is a noticeable divide in the LGBTQ+ community on their campus.

“At Tufts there is the LGBTQ+ community (aka the white LGBTQ+ community) and the QTPOC community,” Renee’ says. “This racial dichotomy within the community is clear. My experience as a QPOC is invalidated and challenged by white LGBTQ+ folks every single day because my experience does not fit into their schema of what it means to be queer and navigate the world. They want further explanation, justification, which makes me feel like I am hard to respect because of my identities.”

People read your gender presentation in all the wrong ways

Not only do you feel like you don’t belong in either community, but it is also possible that neither of these communities has tried to accept you for who you truly are. McCoy agrees that there are micro- and macroaggressions that occur in this manner on both sides of the identity for collegiettes.

“If you happen to be a gender-nonconforming student and you were assigned female at birth but dress in a very masculine-presenting way, people [of color] can and often misgender you by calling you sir, brother or little brother,” McCoy says.

She also mentions that femmes face these types of issues as well, but in the queer community. A femme queer woman of color tends to have her queerness completely erased by people in the queer community who might just assume that she’s straight.

Your queerness is looked down upon in your culture

As far as specific communities of color, McCoy says queerness is often looked down upon in African-American, Latina-American and Asian-American communities, but still acknowledges that she could potentially be leaving other cultural communities out. She also points out that this is in United States cultural and social context.

McCoy says that for African-American culture, if you’re fighting for civil rights, you might be told by your family and peers directly that if you are queer then you don’t want to have children.

“So the equation becomes you’re not straight, you’re queer, and you’re not producing babies, which is a specific female-assigned-at-birth conversation,” she says. “And if you’re not producing black babies, then you’re anti- the race.”

She also mentions that Catholicism is embedded in the Latina community; whether the family is practicing or not, it is immersed in the culture and does not acknowledge LGBTQ+ identities. This is also layered with the idea of machismo and what it means to be a “real” man, as well as the oppression of anything feminine or going against that binary.

“Within some Asian cultures, while realizing Asian is a huge culture, ranging from the Filipino/Polynesian community to Chinese/Japanese/Taiwanese etc., some things I have seen include just an actual unwillingness to talk about sex and sexuality,” McCoy says. “Those things are considered taboo and private.”

Coming out as a QPOC is different from coming out as a white LGBTQ+ person

When you’re a QPOC, coming out might stray from the typical story that you hear from your white peers.

“For me, the big difference I’ve recognized is disclosure,” McCoy says. “Disclosure of one’s sexual identity can vary across space and time for queer students of color. So students who are here on campus and very active and almost ‘super queer students of color’ and highly engaged in the community will often go back home and not be disclosed to their family or will only be disclosed to a certain number of friends, and that’s how they navigate their lives.”

McCoy also notes that for queer people of color, coming out can trigger a different type of danger in comparison to white queer communities.

“When you look at the stats across the board, trans women of color, and specifically black trans women, are more likely to be murdered or killed in some sort of homicide,” she says.

Another issue is that some students of color might be first-generation, low-income students who are at the university on scholarship, and their family is very important to how they want to live their lives.

“The whole notion that you can just come out to everybody and if they don’t like it, you can just not communicate with them anymore or cut them off and move to a more affirming neighborhood is not an option for queer students of color,” McCoy says. “It’s not the standard that queer people of color come out and move into ‘gay-borhoods’; it’s just not. We typically stay in our own neighborhoods, so that means negotiating how we can be ourselves, even if that means we’re not out.”

Renee’ also points out that because they feel like they have been pushed to the sidelines of the LGBTQ+ community, the coming-out process never stops on their campus.

“Every day is a coming-out process for me to show that I am here—present in all areas of my existence,” they say. “Those who fit into the neat, white boundaries of queerness are validated, whereas the complexities of my identity and expression are questioned every day.”

How to Deal

There will be many times when you’ll have to deal with the issues that come with being a queer person of color. Here are some ways you can deal on your college campus!

Find a queer people of color community on your campus.

While your community might be small, if there are more queer people of color than you, that is a community! McCoy created an initiative at the University of Wisconsin-Madison called Crossroads in order to address this very specific need of bringing the community together.

“This is a place where queer students of color don’t have to mediate those spaces to feel authentic to who we are,” she says. “We are no longer asking students to bifurcate between their sexuality and race by having Crossroads.”

Try finding a space similar to this in order to come together with the QPOC community on your campus, whether it be through a student organization, a discussion group or even just a social group. This will not only help you begin to build community with other people who have had a similar experience to you, but also help you find your voice and be able to become more empowered.

If you don’t have a group on campus formed already, you might want to think of starting one yourself. You can get a group together by putting the word out through student email listservs and putting up flyers around campus about where people can reach you. Getting more people on board will help get the planning process started.

Renee’ not only cofounded but also co-facilitates Loving Ourselves as Queer Students of Color in Action, or LOQSOCA, a discussion group for QPOC at Tufts University.

“In this group we provide a space, both physical and communal, where the multifaceted identities of students who are queer and who express all gender identities of color can be validated and loved,” they say. “In this space, I am surrounded by other QTPOC who feel the weight of invalidation and marginalization on campus.”

Find nearby meet-ups and conferences for QPOC

It is always great to meet other people off campus, so make sure you take note of whenever there are conferences and meet-ups going on in your area. If you live near an LGBTQ+ friendly city, there’s bound to be events going on at various times of the year. Find times where queer people of color are getting together. Conferences, meet-ups and gatherings in nearby places could be a fantastic resource for meeting your fellow QPOC and finding that community that you so greatly strive for.

Read blogs and articles for queer people of color

If you go to a smaller school, there might not be as many queer people of color on campus to build a community with. However, McCoy says that there are plenty of folks that you canconnect with online.

“There are lots of beautiful Tumblrs and Facebook groups and all the other newfangled technologies that you all have to connect with youth of color, students of color, all around the world,” she says. “So that’s one way by finding blogs and articles that speak to you and your experience.”

Mia McKenzie’s Black Girl Dangerous is a very popular blog with queer female writers from a bunch of different racial backgrounds. If you’re feeling particularly motivated, McCoy also suggests that you create your own blog and write about your experiences.

“It would be great to see a blog of a queer person of color at an Ivy League or a queer person of color at a Big Ten [school] expressing what their lived experience is and sharing that with the community,” she says.

While being a queer person of color can be difficult to deal with at times, this should never stop you from living your life. You deserve to live exactly the way you want, no matter what the haters all around you might be saying.

Renee’ says they are proud to push the boundaries of gender, expression and sexuality every single day.

“Every day I acknowledge the experience of living a sexual and gender duality, but this active role that I have taken on in my life has encouraged me to think beyond the confines of what society and my own body have afforded me,” they say.

The cultures that you represent are unique and are totally special. Make sure you’re doing everything necessary to live the life you want to the fullest!

Though our four years in college are supposed to help us cultivate our time management skills, we somehow still manage to find ways to squander our time every day–only now, we’ve gotten more creative in how we do it. If you’re looking to put off that 10-page paper for a couple more hours (or a couple more days…), here are just a few of the best ways to temporarily avoid that tedious assignment.   

50. Practice your autograph for when you become famous.

49. Pretend the floor in your room is hot lava.

48. Teach yourself how to blow a bubble with bubble gum.

47. Go onto Google Earth and decide where you’re going to build your future home.

46. Write a haiku about something you’d like to further explore, such as the moment you lost your innocence or the mysterious smell lingering in the hallway outside your dorm room.

45. Try to see how long you can hold your breath.

44. Look at old pictures from when you studied abroad last semester and cry.

43. Order 40 Hawaiian pizzas from the pizza shop down the street and have them delivered to your cheater ex or that philosophy professor who didn’t appreciate your paper on “Why Plato is Pointless.”

42. Watch a YouTube beauty tutorial on how to create perfect barrel curls (and accidently burn off a small section of your hair in the process).

41. Facebook stalk people you haven’t spoken to since high school to find out who gained weight.

40. Attempt to figure out how many licks it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop.

39. Paint all your fingernails a different color and then remove all the polish after deciding it looks stupid.

38. Make a list of all the books you’ve always wanted to read (then decide you don’t have time to actually read any of them).

37. Open up the Wikipedia site and search the most random thing you can think of, such as toast, glue or King Louis XIV. Keep clicking on different links within each article until you can’t remember what you began your search with in the first place.

36. Try to initiate a texting conversation with someone solely through emojis. 

35. Master the art of folding an origami swan.

34. Stare out your window and wait until you see something interesting happen, like a secret romantic tryst or someone tripping over his or her shoelace.

33. Search real estate websites for apartments you will more than likely never be able to afford on the Upper East Side in New York City.

32. Put something random of yours for sale on eBay, such as the single red pump that you can’t find the match to or your Hello Kitty pencil sharpener. 

31. Sort all the clothes hanging in your closet by color.

30. Draw an elaborate tattoo on your arm.

29. Try to master a yoga tripod headstand.

28. Learn the lyrics to a complicated rap song and perform it for your roommates.

27. Look up all the froyo stores in your local area to see which ones have the best flavors.

26. Finally get around to cleaning your dorm room (which will consequently only get you more distracted).

25. Use eyeliner to draw a mustache onto your face and then take selfies on Photo Booth.

24. Practice writing your name with your non-dominant hand (because who knows when being ambidextrous might come in handy!).

23. Tie-dye all of your white socks.

22. Make a list of all the names you might consider naming your future children one day.

21. Bake a couple dozen cookies and go around offering some to every dorm room in your building.

20. Learn the choreography from the “Thriller” music video.

19. Attempt to develop six-pack abs by doing a series of sit-ups, press-ups and leg raises before deciding that getting a six pack is too much work.

18. Memorize the names of all the contestants that have ever appeared on America’s Next Top Model and what cycle they competed in.

17. Stalk the Instagram account of the most obscure celebrities you can think of, such as former contestants on the Real World/Road Rules Challenge or anyone who has ever starred on a short-lived Bravo television show.

16. Photoshop the faces of you and your friends onto various people’s bodies, such as the Spice Girls or the members of One Direction.

15. Teach yourself how to do the Cup Song.

14. Take on the challenge of an impossible Pinterest recipe.

13. Build a fort blanket.

12. Braid your hair into cornrows.

11. Send an inbox message on Facebook to your best friend from the first grade, updating her on what you’ve been up to for the past 12 or so years.

10. Watch a YouTube video tutorial on how to twerk.

9. Try applying your makeup with your eyes closed.

8. Write a letter to your future self asking important questions, such as if you’ll end up with a fulfilled life and if the spring concert will be any good this year.

7. Binge watch several episodes of your favorite childhood cartoon show. 

6. Take several unflattering Snapchats of yourself bleaching your upper lip or appearing to have seven chins and send them to all of your friends (and then freak out when you accidently send one to your crush).

5. Design yourself a pair of extravagant, custom-made sneakers online that you don’t ever plan on actually buying.

4. Inspect your pores in a magnified mirror, and after deciding they look huge, make yourself a homemade cleansing face mask. 

3. Create a profile on a dating site that doesn’t appeal to your typical demographic, such as Sea Captain Date or FarmersOnly.com.

2. Write a one-act play in which you and Ryan Gosling happen to meet in a local park and inevitably fall into a passionate, whirlwind romance.

1. Make a list of all the things you need to get done this week (and then decide you’ll do them all later).

Good luck avoiding that assignment, collegiettes!

Despite how hard you may be holding on to any remnants of summer, it's really time you to put your sandals, bathing suits, airy blouses and other warm weather wear away for the winter. You've probably already heard tons of tips for how to store winter sweaters or coats properly, but your summer items need just as much care when they're being put away for the season. We've put together the top ways to store all your seasonal clothing so it'll come back out in perfect condition when the sun is back!

1. Seal your bathing suits in a moisture-proof bag

Spacemaker Storage Vacuum Cubes - Walmart ($11.96 for set of 3)

Bathing suits are expensive because they have to be made well in order to weather elements like sand, chlorine and salt water. Since you spent good money on them, you want to take good care of them in the off-season. First and foremost, make sure all of your suits are washed, so you clean away any chemicals that could do damage to the fabric. Once your suits are completely dry, place them in a vacuum seal bag to ensure no moisture gets in, and store them away somewhere where it's dry and at room temperature.

2. Insert shoe trees into your sandals

Shoe Tree (1 pair) - Ikea ($0.99)

You already know to keep inserts in your fall boots throughout the summer to help keep their shape. Your summer sandals deserve the same treatment! Use shoe inserts, like these from Ikea, or even crumpled pieces of newspaper or tissue paper to stuff and shape your sandals. This way, when summer olls around, your favorite strappy pairs won't look mangled and flattened, the way they would if you'd just thrown them in the bottom of a bin for the winter!

3. Hang your delicate blouses in garment bags

Closetware Clear Dress Bag - Bed, Bath and Beyond ($12.99)

Loose, lightweight tops and dresses made of silky materials are prone to wrinkles when put in drawers, so they're much better off hanging in your closet—plus, doing so will save you a trip to the dry cleaners once the warm weather comes around. For maximum protection, store them in a closed hanging bag so they don't get caught on embellishments and zippers from other items in your closet. This bag from Bed Bath and Beyond is particularly good because it can hold a number of garments at once.

4. Fold your shorts in half widthwise

Whether you're putting your shorts collection in a bin under your bed, in drawers or on a closet shelf, just be sure to only fold them once horizontally where the button or zipper opening is. Otherwise, you'll run the risk of having to deal with a pesky crease line when you pull them out next year.

5. Hang your flip flop collection 

Perfect Curve Flip-Flop Rack - The Container Store $9.99

If you're the type who hordes flip-flops and owns the same pair in every color,  consider organizing them using a door rack. If you suddenly want to wear a pair around your dorm room or to the communal showers, you won't have to waste anytime searching for its match. This version, from the Container Store doesn't take up a lot of door space and holds up to nine pairs. If your door already has some sort of organization system attached to it, use the inside of the door. 

What are your tips for storing summer clothing, collegiettes?

We all need a little guidance now and then, so whether you’re stressed about a fling gone wrong, a recently wrecked relationship or how to handle a stage-five clinger, Real Live College Guy Dale is here to help you navigate the college dating scene.

I went out on a couple of dates with this guy in August and we really hit it off, but I always felt I was the one taking the initiative to see him. He would still text me all of the time and say he wanted to see me again. When I went back to school at the end of August, he said he would come visit me but never really followed through. He came up this past weekend and never asked to see me, even though he claimed he wanted to "really bad." He then texted me Sunday morning explaining himself. He's a really shy guy, but what does this mean? – Not Sure at UNH

Not Sure,

There’s a difference between being “shy”and being “a jerk.”

There’s also no easy way to say this: I don’t think he’s as interested in you as you are in him. I say this because I’ve seen this kind of situation go down before: A girl (“Girl”) and a guy (“Guy”) go out on a date. Girl thinks she and Guy are hitting it off, and they end the night with promises to see each other again. However, Guy didn’t get the same vibe from the date as Girl did, but Guy doesn’t want to be the mean person and let Girl down. Guy stalls, week after week, telling Girl that he’d love to see her again when he actually has no intention of seeing her again. Ever.

In order to save face and not hurt anyone’s feelings, Guy lies to Girl. In this way, Guy has become the very thing he hoped to avoid: the bad guy. He had good(ish) intentions, but they were clouded by misjudgment.

The best policy, however much it may hurt at first, is honesty.

I’ve lied before. I’ve told people that I’d love to go out again when in fact I had no interest in seeing them ever again. We guys do it to save face because we don’t want to be the bad guy. Obviously you’re feeling something, but whatever it is, it just isn’t reciprocal. We’re not trying to hurt your feelings, but inevitably, that’s exactly what all of our excuses do.

He’s just not that into you, and he doesn’t know how to let you down. It’s an elementary thought process, but I believe that he thinks the longer he puts off seeing you, the less interested you’ll be and less you’ll care (at least that was my thought process with these events). He’s hoping you’ll take on the “bad guy” role by dumping him, moving on before there’s any real confrontation.

He’s a jerk nonetheless, but that’s what seems to be happening. Your best bet now is to say, “Hey, I think we hit it off, but I’d rather go out with someone who’s going to make an effort to see me.” You should be with someone who wants to see you and will take that initiative, not someone who continues to hand out excuse after excuse.

Pinterest is the perfect combination of procrastination and girly inspiration. Whether you’re looking for a new recipe, you need a quick pick-me-up in the form of an inspirational quote or you just want to avoid your homework for long periods of time, Pinterest is the perfect solution. And since we’re on it multiple times a day (don’t lie, you know you are), we’re quite familiar with the thoughts that go through every girl’s mind while Pinteresting.

   1. "I’m just going to spend 10 minutes on Pinterest. Just 10."

   2. "Let’s see what we have here… Looks like inspirational quotes seem to be the most popular on my feed. I can dig it."  "

   3. "That quote is me. That is my life. You get me, Pinterest."    

   4. "Pin. Pin. Oh, and this one, too. Can’t there just be a 'Pin All' button?   "

   5. "Scrolling, scrolling… oh, food! What should I make for dinner?"

   6. "How long would that ACTUALLY take to cook? Is it more involved than making ramen?

   7. "It has spinach in it, so it must be healthy. I really gotta start eating better."

   8. "Ooooohhhh, pretty ring. M        y fiancé better get me one just like it. Because I deserve it."

9. "Puppypuppypuppy. LOOOK AT THE PUUUUPPYYYY!!"

10. "I wish I had enough effort to make frozen mixed drinks when I pregame. They look way better than vodka shots."

11. "I should really use those secret boards so it doesn’t look like I’m addicted to Pinterest…"

12. "I can stop whenever I want!"

13. "But first… wedding dresses."

14. "My 'Tying the Knot' board is sorta out of control, but might as well be prepared for the best day of my life, right?"

15. "My wedding dress WILL have a sweetheart neckline. No exceptions."

16. "And it will be lacy. And I'll pair it with pretty, sparkly shoes."

17. "They say I can make that artsy antique dresser myself, but I’m not great with paint."

18. "Pinterest is made for crafty people. It’s like every DIYer's dream."

19. "Ugh, those mini red velvet cheesecakes look so good."

20. "And that chocolate cake with Nutella frosting."

21. "Maybe I should spend more time looking at fitness pins instead of food…"

22. "Nah."

23. "TIME TO LOOK AT CLOTHES!"

24. "Okay, those DIY bedazzled leggings are a tad much."

25. "Am I edgy enough to pull off 'boho chic'?"

26. "Where can I find a tulle skirt? Please, someone tell me."

27. "Love when a Ryan Gosling meme shows up." *Sigh*

28. "See, that haircut is cute. I could definitely pull that off."

29. "And those nails can’t be that hard to do!"

30. "How long have I been on this, anyway?"

31. *Realizes it’s been an hour and a half* "Ehhhh… five more minutes won’t hurt."

Ask a Collegiette, college search, looking at college Are you a smart and savvy pre-collegiette looking for answers to some of your most personal questions about college? You know, the ones about boys, classes, roommates and parties that your school’s guidance office can’t help you with? Jen is here to answer those questions! Whatever your concern, she’ll do her best to help you so you can make sure you don’t just survive college, but rock it!

When should I start thinking about what colleges I want to apply to? I’ve been worrying about it since I was in the sixth grade! (To be fair, my brother was a junior at that point.) I'm a sophomore, and I've just started thinking that I'm worrying too much now. – Lila

Lila,

Wow, you were definitely on your A game thinking about college at such a young age! I have an older sister who is five years older than me as well, so I understand how having someone in the house going through the college process can make you start thinking about it more.

As a sophomore, I think you’re at the perfect age to begin considering and researching your options. However, even though this is true, you’re not at a point in your high school career where you need to be worried about choosing a college just yet. This should just be a time when you explore your options and take a tour of schools you might be considering.

If you haven’t gotten to a point where you’ve already considered specific schools yet, you can always check out one near your home just to get a feel for what college is like. You can also think about a few basic college-related questions, such as whether or not you’re comfortable going to college out of state if necessary, and what type of qualities you’d like your future school to have. Another idea would be to talk with your parents to get a sense of your financial situation, since it’s a necessary conversation to have when planning for college and it’s better to start it now rather than later.

When you were a freshman, all that mattered was adjusting to high school and maybe finding a few clubs to join to boost your experiences and your resume. Now that you’re a sophomore, I’d suggest building onto the extracurricular activities you may have found. This means you should make sure you’re at all the meetings, and you could also consider running for a leadership position in whatever club or activity you are part of. You can consider taking the PSAT, which will help you to understand what the SAT will be like when you take it your junior year.

Plan a meeting with your guidance counselor as well, since he or she will be able to answer all of your college questions and can help relieve any anxiety you might be facing related to the college application process. A great small step to take would be to make a free account on the College Board website, where you’ll be able to research different schools and have access to various college prep materials.

Above all, just continue enjoying your time in high school while you have it, since it goes by so quickly! Make sure you watch all of your favorite shows on Netflix while you still have extra free time, and go on lots of little adventures with your friends whenever you can – try and make every little moment Instagram-worthy!

It seems like you’re a planner, so if you want to learn more about what your next two years in high school might be like in terms of college prep, here’s a little bit of insight to calm your nerves: As a junior, you’ll need to make sure your grades are good, you’ll take your SATs and you’ll really begin to buckle down in your college search, taking tours often and finding out what sets a good applicant apart from the crowd.

When you’re a senior, you can begin your actual college applications in the fall, and once you receive acceptances, you’ll make a decision of where to go to school. If you apply early action or early decision, you should know of your acceptance before winter break, but if you’re applying during the normal application period, you should know in the early spring. An early-action application means you can apply to school(s) and know of your acceptance early on without being tied down to the school(s) if you do get accepted. Meanwhile, when you fill out an early-decision application, you’re obligated to go to the school you’re accepted by, so only do this if you’re 100 percent sure you want to go to a particular school. During the latter half of your senior year, you’ll work on your pre-college life skills and master them before you arrive on campus.

My biggest advice for you is to take a deep breath and relax, since even asking this question shows that you’re responsible and proactive, which is awesome! Enjoy the rest of your sophomore year, and remember to have fun!

When jealousy rears its head, it’s never pretty. When we start comparing ourselves to others, we can feel inadequate and insecure, and worse, it can put strain on our relationships because there often isn’t an easy way to talk about it. We’ve all been jealous and we know it’s not easy to deal with, but what happens when things flip and you’re on the receiving end of jealousy from someone who has started tearing you down instead of building you up? HC talked to Irene S. Levine, Ph.D., a psychologist and creator of the popular advice blog The Friendship Blog, for some tips to navigate this common but difficult friendship road bump.

Proceed with caution

Jealousy is tricky terrain. Because jealousy usually isn’t confronted head-on, it can be hard to be 100 percent sure that it’s the cause of tension in friendships. We’re often hesitant to assume people are jealous of us, and for good reason. After all, something could be going on that has nothing to do with you at all. You can have your suspicions, of course, but how do you broach the topic with your friend without seeming self-centered or accusing her of something completely off the mark?

To start, there are signs of jealousy you can look out for. Your friend might be clingy, competitive, passive aggressive or unsupportive of things that make you happy. But even if the signs are there, according to Levine, you shouldn’t bring up the J word until absolutely necessary.

“Before you confront a friend, you need to carefully think through your goals [in confronting her],” she says. “Accusing someone of being jealous may not be a good approach because it’s only likely to put her on the defensive. If you are upset by something your friend does or says that makes you think she may be jealous of you, point out the specific behavior that’s objectionable and talk about that.”

To keep this conversation as smooth as possible, utilize “I” statements and assume that her intentions were not to hurt you. If you’re lucky, this conversation will open lines of communication between you and your friend and the two of you can talk things out. If not, it might be time for some troubleshooting.

If your friend is jealous of your relationship

It’s not hard to understand why this happens. There’s nothing wrong with being single, but when your friends start dating, it can be difficult to be the single woman out. When you’re the one in a relationship and your friend starts exhibiting signs of jealousy—whether she’s subtly complaining about your boyfriend, being a bit too encouraging about breaking things off when you’re having relationship problems or being unwilling to hear stories about your relationship—what do you do?

First things first, consider that she might have reason to be jealous.

“[Jealousy] may suggest that your friend needs some reassurance that you still value her friendship and want to spend ‘girl time’ with her although you don’t have as much time as you once had,” Levine says.

Have your girls’ nights out been replaced exclusively by date nights, or have you found yourself talking excessively about your boyfriend? It’s understandable if you’re excited, but take measures to tone it down if you know you’d be annoyed if you were in her shoes.

“My friend made me realize that I was totally being ‘that girl' with my boyfriend,” says Brianna*, a recent graduate of the University of Oregon. “At first, I thought she was just nagging, but we talked about it and it turned out it wasn’t just petty jealousy.”

If you’ve been the single friend before, Levine recommends reminding your friend that you understand where she’s coming from. She also suggests you make efforts to not only have alone time with her, but to also consider including her in some of the things you do with your boyfriend. Don’t force her into being a third wheel, but if you make it seem as though your relationship isn’t some sacred, separate part of your life that she’s not allowed into, things will return to normal in no time!

If your friend is jealous of your other friends

Whether your friend expresses her jealousy of your other friends by trying to tag along on all your plans or by talking bad about your friends, it can put a serious strain on your friendship. Not to mention, it can be awkward… or seriously aggravating.

“My last year's roommate would do nothing but complain that I was never home,” says Rachel Cisto a collegiette at the University of Hartford. “[If] I went to a friend's apartment, she'd demand to know what friend, what complex [and] when would I come back, and when I didn't tell her, she would whine and complain that I didn't want to be her friend and clearly I hated her and [ask] why wasn't she invited to spend time with my other friends.”

Rachel eventually got a new roommate, but for less extreme cases of jealousy, there are definitely ways to deal.

“If your friend is jealous about your other friends, it may suggest that she feels insecure either about herself, the friendship or both,” says Levine. “If she is so jealous that she makes you feel uncomfortable socializing with other friends, you have to let her know that you enjoy her friendship but also have other friends who are important to you.”

If having that conversation sounds daunting, you may want to take steps to include your jealous friend into activities with your other friends, but only if you feel comfortable doing so. You should never feel as though it is your job to include her, but if you haven’t considered the option of combining friend groups, it might be the quick fix you need.

If your friend is jealous of you

It can be hard to pinpoint why your friend is potentially jealous of you, whether it’s your talents, your personality traits, your looks or some other facet of yourself. However, jealousy might manifest in the form of her tearing you down so she can feel better about the traits that she thinks she lacks. She might do this through insults, passive-aggressive remarks or constantly comparing the two of you.

No matter how she does it, confront her about this behavior without being accusatory and make it clear how her behavior is making you feel. You can say something as simple as, “Recently, I feel like you’ve been making a lot of comments about my body, and while I’m sure you don’t mean it to be hurtful, I wanted to let you know that it’s coming across that way.”

Levine also suggests thinking about why your friend might express herself this way.

“While your friend may be jealous of your looks or intellect, for example, she may not realize that you admire some of her strengths, too,” she says. “Take the time to point that out to her.

When to cut things off

Sometimes jealousy is a sign of a bigger problem. If your successes, good qualities and happiness make your friend unhappy instead of proud and glad for you, that might be a sign that your friendship isn’t as strong as you thought it was in the first place.

“Friendships are voluntary relationships that are supposed to be mutually satisfying,” says Levine. “If you find that a friend is consistently demanding and draining and [you] have frequent misunderstandings with each other that can’t be resolved, you may need to create some distance between you and your friend.”

Nervous to have that conversation? Levine has the following tips:

• Write a script for yourself before you talk to her. Your breakup words won't be easily forgotten by your friend.
• Take responsibility for your decision rather than blaming her.
• Try to be honest without being hurtful. For example, you could say, "I've realized this friendship is too draining for me," or, "I need some time and distance from our friendship."
• Remember that this person once was your friend; you don't want to hurt her even if you feel hurt.

Don’t feel bad for having to sever ties. With all of the stresses that collegiettes have to deal with on a daily bases, toxic friendships should not be one of them. If communicating and attempting to change the situation leads nowhere, it’s time to cut your losses and move on. After all, you deserve so much better!

*Name has been changed.

We all need a little boost from time to time to get us through our busy college days. For some, a sweet treat or a yoga class does the trick, but many of us collegiettes turn to caffeine for a daily pick-me-up. You’ve probably heard a lot of contradicting rumors about your go-to beverage, but how bad is your caffeine habit actually? We got the lowdown on caffeinated drinks and how to ditch them.

Here’s the thing: Caffeine is not always that bad. According to online nutritionist Mary Hartley, RD, only high doses of caffeine will have a negative impact on your health, and black coffee itself actually contains beneficial antioxidants. The main problem with other caffeinated beverages like mixed coffee drinks is their high sugar and/or fat content.

On the other hand, excessive caffeine intake is very harmful, and we’re not always aware of how much of it we’re actually consuming.

The problem with caffeine

1. Caffeine causes dependence

Many of us are dependent on coffee. “Being a full-time student, life would be impossible without caffeine,” says Hana Ah You, a senior at the University of Hawaii. “I am not a morning person, but once I have a coffee in hand, I genuinely enjoy waking up.”

If this sounds familiar, you don’t need to worry too much. “Caffeine can cause a dependence, but it is not chemically addictive per se,” Hartley explains. “It doesn’t meet the criteria [for addiction](as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)).”

Addictive behavior is maladaptive – meaning it hurts your everyday life – whereas your caffeine habit tends to help you get through your day. So yes, you can miss your morning coffee or your lunchtime Coke if you don’t have it, but this does not constitute an addiction in and of itself. “You don’t get a high from coffee and soda, just pleasure,” Hartley says.

With that in mind, being dependent on anything is never a good idea, and excessive caffeine consumption can be extremely harmful.

2. Excessive caffeine intake can cause intoxication

Caffeine intoxication is a serious consequence of consuming more caffeine than your body can tolerate. According to Hartley, the human tolerance to caffeine is between 400 and 1,200 milligrams per day and varies from person to person. “For example, a 5-hour ENERGY shot contains 100 mg of caffeine per fluid ounce. At Starbucks, the caffeine content of a brewed coffee is 180 mg in a Short (8 ounces), 260 mg in a Tall (12 ounces), 330 mg in a Grande (16 ounces) and 415 mg in a Venti (20 ounces),” Hartley says.

There are many symptoms of caffeine intoxication, including restlessness, insomnia, excitement, urinating more than usual, digestion problems, muscle twitching, sweating, diarrhea and increased heart rate. These symptoms are unpleasant, potentially dangerous and a sure sign that you need to reduce your caffeine intake.

3. Excessive caffeine intake can cause anxiety and sleep disorders

You might know from experience that caffeine affects your sleep and gives you the jitters. “Anxiety and insomnia are the most common short-term side effects of excessive caffeine consumption,” Hartley says.

In medical terms, “caffeine blocks the brain chemical adenosine, which plays an important role in the body's sleep system,” says Michael A. Grandner, an instructor of psychiatry and member of the Center for Sleep and Circadian Neurobiology at the University of Pennsylvania. “By blocking adenosine, it makes it more difficult for the body to feel sleepy.”

It’s hard enough as it is to get the rest you need in college, but caffeine disrupts your sleep schedule even more. “Caffeine can stay in your system for several hours,” Dr. Grandner says. “You definitely want to avoid caffeine within four to six hours of when you intend to sleep. And for some people who are sensitive, this can be more like 10-12 hours.”

Don’t let your favorite caffeinated beverage keep you from falling asleep; listen to your body and don’t exceed your limit.

4. Excessive caffeine intake could play a role in miscarriages

Excessive caffeine consumption is likely to hurt you a lot more in the long run. According to Hartley, “the long-term side effects of caffeine have not been confirmed, but excessive caffeine intake might play a role in miscarriages.” The threat of losing a baby alone might incite you to reconsider that third cup of coffee.

5. Caffeine and alcohol are a dangerous mix

We all know that too much alcohol is a bad idea, but what about mixing caffeine with alcohol? When we go out after a long school day, we’re often tempted to down a latte or an energy drink to get us pumped up without considering the consequences.

“This combination can lead to more risky and dangerous behavior,” Dr. Grandner says. “The alcohol leads to a lack of inhibitions and poor judgment, and the caffeine gives you more energy to actually do those things.”

6. There are withdrawal symptoms associated with quitting caffeine

Because caffeine causes dependence, there are consequences for quitting. “The withdrawal syndrome is comprised of headache, fatigue, dysphoric mood, difficulty concentrating and flu-like somatic symptoms,” Hartley says.

Rachel Petty, a sophomore at James Madison University, regularly experiences caffeine withdrawals. “If I don’t have coffee in the morning or soda throughout the day, I get headaches,” Rachel says. “I’ve stopped drinking coffee for a little while but I always go back to it, and I don’t think I’d ever be able to give up diet soda!”

How to kick your caffeine habit

1. Cut down gradually

If you try to quit caffeine all at once, you’ll likely experience withdrawals and soon pick up the habit again. This happened to Sarah Khalid, a sophomore at the University of Ottawa.

“I tried to cut iced coffee and soda cold turkey and got the worst withdrawal headaches,” Sarah says. “I ended up just going back to it. Caffeine makes me feel alert and makes me more productive. However, I should probably slowly cut down instead of going cold turkey, because cutting caffeine is painful!”

Sarah has the right idea. “If you’re getting too jumpy, just drink fewer cups or stop at noon,” Hartley advises. “To lessen symptom severity, cut down on caffeine gradually over several weeks. Watch out for hidden sources of caffeine in soda, tea and medicines, because they prolong the withdrawal process.”

Another way to cut down your caffeine intake if you’re a coffee drinker is to switch to a weaker brew or make your favorite beverage decaf instead.

2. Don’t drink caffeinated drinks when you have a quiet day

Since a lot of us use caffeine to get through busy days, it makes sense to avoid it when you’re just staying home or kicking back. “Drop your intake to zero at a time when you don’t have to be especially alert,” Hartley says.

Allison Chen, a sophomore at the University of California, Santa Barbara, only drinks iced coffee when she really feels the need to. “The other day, I drank an iced coffee that got me through my morning classes, my usual food coma during my post-lunch afternoon classes, biking around campus twice to get from place to place and run errands, go to the gym AND visit a friend on the other side of town,” Allison says.

On that day, Allison most probably needed extra energy, so she turned to her favorite caffeinated drink. On days when she doesn’t have such a busy schedule, Allison stays away from caffeine.

3. Know how much is too much

As long as you stick to recommended doses of caffeine – roughly two to three 10-ounce cups of coffee per day—you shouldn’t experience any significant problems. “The issue with caffeine is the dose,” Dr. Grandner says. “Everybody is different. Regarding dose, about 1 mg per pound of body weight should be enough to get most or all of the benefit you are likely to see, though you may require much less to get a noticeable effect.”

Be aware of how much caffeine you are actually taking in, including from soda, chocolate and medication. Always stop if you start to experience any of the symptoms of caffeine intoxication.

4. Replace caffeine with other healthier habits

Although Hartley does not discourage moderate caffeine consumption, she sees caffeinated beverages as “a missed opportunity, nutrition-wise.” The way she sees it, “Whenever caffeinated soda or a cup of coffee displaces a glass of milk, the body is deprived of calcium, vitamin D, phosphorus, potassium, B-vitamins and other nutrients.” So whenever possible, turn to a glass of milk or a pressed juice. This will give your body proper nutrition besides the antioxidants found in coffee and will reduce your chances of caffeine intoxication.

If you drink coffee or soda because you find water boring, try chamomile tea or fruit-infused water instead.

If you find yourself needing the boost you get from coffee, there are plenty of things you can do to feel more energized. Try going for a run, for instance, like Gülnaz Kiper, a junior at the University of California, Los Angeles. “It wakes me up and it makes me feel ready to go,” Gülnaz says. This is a great alternative to caffeine, but there are many more, such as taking a power nap.

5. Replace caffeine with sleep

Another common use for caffeine in college is to carry us through long nights of studying. “Sometimes, pulling an all-nighter is unavoidable and caffeine helps me through the night and makes the next day bearable,” Hana says.

Try to avoid all-nighters at all cost because they are really harmful to your body. One of the best ways to do this is to organize your schedule so that you have time to get everything done and get the rest your body needs.

“You're better off getting a little extra sleep,” Dr. Grandner says. “There are many studies that show that not only is sleep a critical component in learning and memory, but also that students who trade a little time for a little more sleep get better grades, feel better and do better overall.”

You may think that drinking coffee or soda is worth it if gets you to write that final paper, but it may well not be. “The problem with using caffeine at night to study is that once you are done studying, you still have that caffeine in your system,” Dr. Grandner says. “You may be so exhausted that you fall asleep, but that sleep will be less restful and less effective.” So whenever possible, trade in that cup of joe for a good night’s sleep. You’ll feel better, we promise.

Granted, your morning coffee is not the worst thing you could do to your body. Caffeine only becomes a problem if you consume it excessively and develop a dependence to it. Luckily, there are many ways to cut back on coffee drinks or soda. Consuming caffeine in moderation will improve your long- and short-term health, as well as your performance in school and extracurriculars. And let’s be honest – the jitters we get after inhaling four shots of espresso are never worth it.

So you’ve landed a real job in that shiny office building. Your first day in your very own office (okay… cubicle) is something you’ve been working for the past four years, and it’s finally here. However, working your first real-world job is about more than just showing up and getting your job done each day; you also need to know how to navigate this new world with its own set of rules and proper etiquette. That’s right: We’re talking office politics.

So what’s appropriate and what’s not? What do you do if you find yourself caught up in drama or gossip? We’ve put together a guide for everything you need to know about office culture and how you should deal with it.

1. Respect is key

Showing respect earns respect. The Golden Rule has never been more applicable! Whether you’re dealing with your superior or an intern you’re overseeing, treat the other person the way you’d like to be treated in the workplace. Showing respect to your coworkers, regardless of whether they rank higher or lower than you, means your entire team will work more effectively together: Morale will be higher and communication will flow more freely.

For Kelly Reese, a sales assistant in New York, a lack of respect for her ideas is the biggest pet peeve she faces at work. “It just drives me insane when my project manager ‘no’s’ my ideas before I even finish them!” she says. “It’s like she automatically assumes what I have to say is worthless, and that obviously doesn’t feel good.” Your opinions are worth voicing—but not when it’s done in a way that puts others down.

Respect isn’t just about being nice to your coworkers or recognizing their hard work—it’s also about respecting their time. John Perri, the CEO of a New-York-based technology company, says he hates when people interrupt him while he’s working. “There’s one employee who comes into my office just to talk,” he says. “I’m the boss; I’m always in the middle of something. I don’t have that time!”

It’s one thing if you have a question for your boss about the work you’re doing—it’s another to treat work hours like social hour. Depending on your office environment, you may want to shoot your boss or coworker an email or calendar invite before popping into his or her office; you don’t want to interrupt during an important call or force her to lose track of what she’s working on when you walk up to her desk without warning.

2. Get personal (just not too personal)

The truth is, you’ll spend the majority of your life at work—which means most of your days will be spent with the people you work with. While it’s true that your personal life doesn’t belong in the office, it doesn’t mean your coworkers need to be strangers, either. Take the time to get to know them. Remember the names of their family members and ask about them from time to time.

Danielle Ward, a consultant at a top London recruiting agency, makes a point to ask about her colleagues’ children and partners. “It’s not only considerate, but it builds a rapport beyond being transactional colleagues,” she says.

If your coworkers aren’t interested in revealing too much about their families or personal lives, find other ways to connect. Ask how their weekends were and learn what their hobbies outside of work are. You just might bond over a favorite sport or TV show!

Most importantly, don’t skip out on office activities! If your department is planning a happy hour or your office has scheduled a team bonding experience, make sure you pencil these events into your schedule. Getting along with the people you work with goes a long way in creating a positive work environment for everybody, and the best way to do that is to get to know them and to have shared experiences.

3. Stay professional at office events

On that note, be sure your behavior is appropriate in any environment that involves coworkers, no matter how social the setting. Even if you’re out for drinks at a bar with your team, don’t say or do anything you wouldn’t do during the workday in the office.

Andrew Disbury, a member of the European Association for International Education Marketing and Recruitment Board at Leeds Beckett University, warns, “In work situations you are always ‘on view’ even when you are not ‘on duty,’ so be careful of the impression you make.”

If you’re at a professional lunch where your boss or a colleague is treating you, don’t go overboard. Just because you’re not paying doesn’t mean you can treat it like a buffet or as if your parents are visiting you. Abbi Gabasa, managing editor at Ms. Career Girl, suggests treating it like a “professional date.” Her top tips for handling the situation with grace: Follow the boss’s lead when ordering (“if they get a drink, feel free to get one, too”), always offer to help pay and thank him or her before getting back to the office. Afterwards, you can send him or her a written thank-you note as well. 

4. Keep your social media out of the workplace

For all the good things the Internet has given us, it has certainly complicated the area between our work lives and our social lives. Who can really see this post? Will this status update come back to haunt me five years from now?

While we can’t solve all of your social-media problems, Gabasa has some tips to help pave the rocky path. “Your private Facebook is just that—it’s private!” she says. “Keep friend requests from colleagues waiting while you get to know them.”

If the Facebook freeze is ever brought up, you can always explain that you use your Facebook only with family and close personal friends.

When you’re at work, you’re there to do a job, not send out updates to your social media accounts. Too much time online could get back to your boss, and she’ll probably be less impressed by the hilarious GIF you shared during work hours than the six people who retweeted it were.

Ultimately, when it comes to the relationship between social media and your work life, the best rule is to shut up and shut off. Never, ever mention your company or any colleagues in any of your posts, directly or indirectly (unless it’s appropriate and work-related, such as sharing press on an award your company recently received or posting articles from the company’s blog), and unless it’s directly related to your job, don’t spend time browsing your accounts while you’re in the office.

5. Avoid the office romance (if possible)

What was beautiful for Jim and Pam might actually be a nightmare in real life! While romantic relationships in the office should be avoided as much as possible, Gabasa says you don’t necessarily have to rule them out entirely.

“Relationships just happen; they are never something you can definitely say no to,” she says. “You don’t need to hide it from everybody in the office; just take it one step at a time, and respect yourself and the relationship.”

Each company will have its own policy regarding office relationships, so make sure you know what that is before you get involved—especially if it’s a no-tolerance policy. But regardless of what that policy is, a relationship with your boss is never appropriate.

6. Stay out of office gossip

Nothing is certain in life except death and taxes… and office gossip. When you’re spending all your time surrounded by the same people in a single space, you’re bound to experience office gossip at one point or another.

The best way to deal with gossip? Stay out of it. If someone brings up rumors about someone you work with, change the subject subtly, or, if you feel comfortable doing so, ask directly to be kept out of the loop.

If you overhear someone spreading rumors about you, don’t be afraid to confront him or her. That doesn’t mean making a huge announcement or sending out a company-wide email, of course.

Jackie McDonald, an accountant in Texas, remembers overhearing an embarrassing rumor about herself once. “I was sitting in a bathroom stall, listening to these two women saying the most ridiculous things about me that weren’t even close to true!” she says. “The next day at lunch we were all sitting together, and I said something like, ‘You’ll never believe what I overhead the other day!’ That shut the rumors down pretty fast!”

If the gossip is damaging, hurtful or incessant, especially to the point where it turns into bullying or harassment, reach out to HR rather than deal with it on your own. Your company should have a system in place to handle such a situation. You should never feel uncomfortable in your workplace!

7. Accept and learn from negative feedback

It’s inevitable: At some point you’re going to make a mistake, and a supervisor will approach you to discuss it. When receiving criticism from your boss, Gabasa says one of the worst things you can do is shut down and become quiet. Answer your boss’s questions honestly and directly, and admit to your mistakes. If you can, offer a solution to the issue. Ultimately, it’s important to show your boss that you can not only take responsibility for your mistakes, but you can learn from them as well. 

If the criticism isn’t based on a mistake you’ve made but rather that the work you’ve presented isn’t of the quality your boss was looking for, don’t take it personally or get upset, and definitely don’t complain about it to coworkers after your meeting with the boss. If you disagree with your boss, give clear reasons why based on fact and the research you’ve done, not based on your personal opinion. If you’re not sure what your boss is looking for, ask specific questions and even check in with him or her as you’re revising to make sure you’re on the right track. Show that you are able to accept constrictive criticism and apply it to your future projects.

And if the criticism is personal or isn’t constructive? Take it to HR—they’ll be able to offer advice on how to deal, or they may be able to mediate a conversation between you and your boss (or a coworker) if the situation calls for it.

8. Dress appropriately

We’ve all heard the expression “Dress for the job you want, not the job you have.” However, if you’re working at a startup where everyone dresses casually, you probably shouldn’t show up to work in formal businesswear even if you want to be the CEO of a company one day.

According to Gabasa, you have to find that sweet spot between your aspirations, your personal style and your office culture. “Dressing for the job you want doesn’t always mean a power blazer or a two-piece suit,” she says. “It means carrying yourself well, being polished and letting your personality shine through.”

When you go in for a job interview, take a look around and see what everybody else in the office is wearing to give you an idea of what the office environment is like. If you didn’t get a chance to walk through the office you’ll be working in (for example, if you met with HR in a different office or with your potential boss off-site), you can always reach out to your interviewer to ask what the appropriate dress code is before you start a new position. It’s better to lean towards something more formal on your first day if the company doesn’t have a strict or specific dress code in place, and then you can cater your office wear to what the rest of your coworkers dress like. If there’s anything you’re on the fence about (for example, if you’re trying to decide whether that shirt is too low cut or that dress is too short), leave it at home.

Navigating the scene at your first job isn’t always easy, and your experience is going to differ from office to office—how you deal with an incident at one job may be different from how you’d deal with it at another. However, if you keep these eight tips in mind, you’ll be able to navigate any workplace with confidence and professionalism, no matter how tricky the situation.  

Every collegiette remembers her first ABC (anything but clothes) party, and you probably ended up using a trash bag or caution tape as a last-minute outfit. For your next ABC party, why not make a splash and put in a little extra effort to create an amazing DIY outfit that will blow everyone away? Try one of these three easy DIY outfits for your next ABC party!

Tinsel Time

(via Sydne Style)

Shimmy all night long in this festive tinsel outfit, and don't forget to throw on some boy shorts underneath to avoid a wardrobe malfunction!

Materials:

• Tinsel garland ($3.50 at Target)
• Hot glue gun
• Old tablecloth
• Beaded garland ($10 at Target)
• String
• Hole punch

Directions:

1. To create the corset top, cut an old tablecloth into the shape you want and hot glue tinsel all over the corset.
2. Punch holes in the tablecloth along the back of the corset and have a friend lace it up using string.
3. For the skirt, hot glue alternating strips of gold and silver tinsel together until you have the desired length.
4. Using more tinsel or beaded garland, make a belt to accentuate your waist.

Duct Tape Drinks

(similar via Coolest Homemade Costumes)

Enlist five other friends you can go as a six-pack of your favorite beer or beverage!

Materials:

• Trash bag ($13.76 at Walmart)
• Duct tape ($7.49 at CVS)
• Beverage boxes
• Can tabs
• Wire
• Velcro ($11.99 at Michael's)
• Hot glue gun

Directions:

1. Position a large trash bag around your body until it fits the way you want it to and have a friend tape it in place.
2. Cover the trash bag in a layer of duct tape to establish the shape of the dress, then use a second layer to make it smoother.
3. Using duct tape in an accent color, add a strip to the top and bottom of your dress.
4. Using scissors, cut down the side of your dress completely, from top to bottom.
5. Hot glue the velcro to the sides of the dress so that you can re-use the dress (and also so you can go to the bathroom!).
6. Attach the logo from your favorite canned beer or soda to the front of your dress.
7. Accessorize your outfit with jewelry made out of can tabs strung together with wire.

Night Out in Newspaper

(via Lauren Fernandez-Morrell)

Cross your fingers that it doesn't rain and get ready for tons of compliments when you rock this frock!

Materials:

• Newspaper
• Duct tape
• Sewing kit
• Ribbon ($3.99 at Michael's)
• Hot glue gun
• Strapless bra you don't mind ruining ($6.48 at Target)

Directions:

1. Position the newspaper over your bra and cover the edges with a layer of tape to keep the paper from ripping.
2. Sewing only where the tape is positioned, sew the newspaper onto the bra. 
3. Using the excess newspaper, have a friend tape the newspaper around your waist, creating a corset-type effect.
4. You can either tape the newspaper to a skirt you already own for more volume or you can fold and layer newspapers together to create your own skirt, taping the layers together as you go.
5. When you are happy with the skirt, attach it to the taped waistband with another piece of tape to secure it.
6. If you want to cover the tape waistband, use a glue gun to cover it with a ribbon.

Amazing. Budget-friendly. Creative. What more could you want? Get DIY-ing, collegiettes!

The '90s were a very interesting decade that churned out some popular products, shows and icons (think All That, Judy Blume, Friends and scrunchies)! Along with those infamous MP3 players and Kid Pix, here are nine things from the '90s that you might have forgotten about:

1. Slap Bracelets

These were the big thing in grade school, though we now realize they were pretty much just pieces of metal covered in fuzzy fabric.

2.Skip-Its

Was this a toy or an exercise tool? Either way, Skip-Its were super popular in the early '90s!

3. Paper Fortune Tellers

How else would you know what your future holds?

4. Milky Pens

If you had a piece of black paper and one of these pens, you knew what you were going to be doing all class...

5. Mary-Kate and Ashley Movies

Passport to Paris, It Takes Two, Switching Goals... the list goes on and on! Also, can we just acknowledge the fact that it says “videocassette” in this movie poster?

6. “Summer Girls” by LFO

"New Kids on the Block had a bunch of hits, Chinese food makes me sick, and I think it's fly when girls stop by for the summer, for the summer..."

7. Aaron Carter

Does "I Want Candy" ring a bell?

8. The Baby-sitters Club

Did anyone else want to be a member of this Stoneybrook-based club?

9. Dunkaroos

Graham crackers and pure sugar? Yum! These were in pretty much every student's lunchbox.

Can you think of any other movies, shows, products or icons from the '90s? Let us know in the comments below!

The world of fashion blogging is glitzy, glamorous and exclusive; we usually see the finished product in a polished blog post or Instagram photo and don’t get to see what went into it, but we imagine it’s not a far cry from a Devil Wears Prada scenario (emphasis on the Prada). So, want to know what’s really going on behind the scenes? Get a sneak peek into the fabulous lives of four fashion bloggers as they covered College Fashion Week 2014on behalf of TRESemmé, Teen Vogue and Her Campus!

These four ladies are seasoned, style-savvy bloggers, so we sent one to each of the stops on the College Fashion Week 2014 tour knowing she’d make the show even more fabulous. Here’s a taste of what life was like behind the scenes – and find out if you have what it takes to be a top fashion blogger.

Jessye - City Tonic

As a graduate of the University of Virginia, Boston-based fashionista Jessye is definitely no stranger to the collegiette life and style! Despite Boston’s unpleasant weather on the night of the first show of College Fashion Week 2014, Jessye and everyone else who attended still had an amazing time, because fashion waits for no one (not even the weather). She showed up in a knockout, boohoo.com deep-V jumpsuit and paired it with a pair of jaw-dropping Valentino studded heels (not to mention an ah-maze Theory blazer and boohoo.com clutch).

Aside from meeting new people and socializing with fellow blogger buddies, Jessye got the chance to experience a whole lot of pampering! The TRESemmé stylists gave her gorgeous side-swept curls, which seriously complemented her already perfectly ombréd tresses. Then, bareMinerals finished off what was turning out to be an old Hollywood glamour-esque look with dramatic eye makeup and a bright red lip color. Instant chic.

Jinna - Grease and Glamour

Since Jinna’s latest passion has been traveling the world, we’re so glad she was around New York City to take part in all of the action at the second show of College Fashion Week. Like the other bloggers who attended the shows, Jinna got to enjoy the fashion and indulge in some (read: a lot) of primping!

But the greatest thing she said she took away from the show was a reflection on her college years and on the experience as a whole, which she concluded was one of the most crucial times to discover yourself, creatively and otherwise. Jinna remarked on the great chat she had with TRESemmé stylist Tyler Laswell on his journey that began at The School of Hair Design by L’Oréal and led him to the dream job he has today. Since then, he has skyrocketed to success, even styling Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. Where will you find your inspiration, collegiettes? For a fashion blogger, even a behind-the-scenes chat can turn into something inspirational!

Brittany - The CHICago Life Blog

The CHICago Life Blog, which is unique because it tracks the passions and lives of multiple contributors, sent its intern Brittany to the third stop of College Week 2014 in Chicago for a night out on the town. Brittany, who updates her own style blog when she’s not helping out with TCLB, also got the star treatment and even got to get her hair done by the one and only Tyler Laswell. After learning that Laswell is a hairstyling regular at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week, she knew she (or her hair) was in the best hands! He created for her a sleek, elegant side knot that conveniently went so well with her classic outfit of pearls, a lace top and a pleated midi skirt.

Krystal - This Time Tomorrow 

As a member of the shopping and commerce team at Google, Krystal has fashion in her blood. In fact, it’s been that way since she was in college, where she says she experimented with a lot of different styles (here’s hoping we all do, too!). So naturally, College Fashion Week San Francisco was almost like a walk down memory lane for her. Krystal said she only wished a collegiette-geared fashion show like CFW could’ve been available to her when she was in school.

Perhaps to embrace the experimental attitude she had in college, she picked what she called an intriguing, black and white frock that “lacked in hanger appeal,” but ended up being super cute in person. As a fashion blogger of her personal blog, This Time Tomorrow, Krystal is able to show off her signature style and score invites to fab fashion events (plus all the pampering that comes with them, including some from industry heavyweights TRESemmé).

So, you want to be a fashion blogger now? Yeah, we do too! These four inspiring ladies make life behind the scenes – and right by the runway – look pretty darn amazing, and we’d be lying if we said we couldn’t all use a little of that glam in our lives. Get writing, collegiettes, and you could be the next big blogger to score the VIP treatment!

Can’t wait to get the fashion blogger treatment until your blog’s up and running? We’ve got you covered. Rock the same on-trend styles as these blogging stars with Tyler Laswell’s tips to recreate iconic TRESemmé looks on campus! TRESemmé shows collegiettes how to achieve runway-ready looks at home – for more inspiration and hair how-to’s visit TRESemmé's YouTube Channel! 

Infuriated by being catcalled repeatedly, Kati Heng launched the Tumblr page "But What Was She Wearing? Stop the Cat Call" as "a project documenting what street harassment really looks like." Her blog encourages women to submit their own photos of what they were wearing when they were catcalled to show that a woman's outfit has no impact on whether or not she is verbally harassed. 

“A couple days before I launched, I got catcalled twice in one weekend – the first time, wearing a shorts and a baggy flannel, walking with my boyfriend, some dude yelled out his car to my boyfriend, ‘Hey, I want to fu*k your girlfriend!’" Heng told BuzzFeed News. "That one was really upsetting because I wasn’t even the object of harassment any more; I was just an object for men to compete over.” She said that she wanted to create a platform for women to share their stories without feeling blamed. 

The picture above was posted by 14-year old Jada, who said she was walking home and decided to take the side streets for a change of scenery. A mile and a half away from her home, a man in his mid-twenties slowed down by her and said, “D*mn girl, you’re fiiine.”

"Girls my age often love feeling pretty and being complimented, but I knew this grown-man [sic] yelling to me from his car window wasn’t something that I wanted or deserved,” she wrote. “I ignored him and kept walking as I had been taught to do, and he drove off after he realized I wasn’t going to pay him any attention.” She wondered why he couldn’t tell she was only 14. 

As Kati explained, "So often, when women try to talk about the harassment we face, we’re met with that stupid question, ‘What were you wearing?’ as if WE are the ones responsible for what happened to us. By having the selfies of what we were wearing upfront, it takes the question away, forcing people to get past it and just read the stories.”

One such story, as told by Lauren Alexander (pictured above): "I was walking to work at 8 a.m. dressed like an avocado last Halloween and was catcalled. Dressed like this."

While the blog has been met with approval by many, BuzzFeed News notes that the "reaction from many men has been one of disbelief." Kati explains: “'Sometimes guys will call out outfits and tell me that I made it up, I didn’t really get harassed in that outfit.'" She says there's a "'general disbelief'" from men that she has something new to submit every two days. This skepticism proves Heng's point: sexual harassment can happen to anyone, regardless of what she's wearing, where she's walking or why she was out, and the most shocking part is that we don't often realize this truth until we see it for ourselves. 

Have a story of your own to tell? You can send your photo to stopthecatcall@gmail.com to participate.

You’re dying to say “hi” to that cutie in your calculus class, but it just feels weird going up to someone you don’t know well. It seems like you’re never going to get a conversation beyond integrals and derivatives.

If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone! When trying to make the first move, collegiettes who are a little on the shy side may find themselves at a loss.

Rachel DeAlto, relationship expert and author of Flirt Fearlessly: The A to Z Guide to Getting Your Flirt On, says shyness might come from a number of factors, whether it’s a fear of rejection or a bad past relationship experience. DeAlto says it’s important to face the fact that everyone faces rejection, and it’s simply a part of life if you want to take the good with the bad. Luckily, we’ve come up with five ways to practice putting yourself out there and giving your crush the signal that you’re interested!

1. Be confident

The first step is to being more confident is to realize that flirting is not about getting someone to like you – it’s about making a genuine connection.

“Part of it is starting to recognize that you’re not hitting on a person or chasing them,” DeAlto says.

If you don’t get the response you’re hoping for, keep in mind that if you don’t connect with someone, it’s not the end of the world. If that cute guy or girl is responsive, then it opens up the possibility of getting to know someone better.

Having confidence is also vital, since other people won’t know the best sides of you unless you show them.  

“Remember a time you felt good about yourself,” says Dr. Diana Kirschner, love expert and CEO of Love in 90 Days. Remind yourself of all the positive friendships you’ve had and ask your friends to tell you what they think are your best qualities. Getting honest and positive feedback from others will help you be true to yourself and stick to your genuine qualities.  

2. Practice saying hi

If you’re a bit shy, you’ll probably want to be as casual and subtle as possible, and the best way to practice is by having ordinary conversations with people every day. It’ll make you a more outgoing person overall and also help you react to different situations so you’re not caught off-guard with someone you’re really looking to connect with!

DeAlto suggests setting a goal for the number of people you say hello to each day, starting with two. Whether you’re passing by a classmate in the dining hall or a professor walking on campus, smile, make eye contact and give a quick, “Hi, how are you?”

“Eye contact should be done all the time,” DeAlto says. Instead of cutting off a conversation by responding with “good” every time someone asks how you are, try adding an interesting detail such a great movie you just watched or plans you have for the weekend to spur a continuing conversation. It doesn’t have to be a long talk, but it’ll help to practice making those connections with people as you try to put yourself out there more!

3. Make small talk

Most of us can’t just make up clever pick-up lines on the spot, but you don’t necessarily need a super interesting topic to start a dialogue. “Say something, anything,” Kirschner says.  “Even if you come across dorky, that can be endearing.”

Kirshner recommends giving a sincere compliment, such as, “Hey, I like your shirt; that’s my favorite band!”

However, while it’s good to share mutual interests with someone, it won’t help if you pretend to be like activities just to keep the conversation going or seem impressive. “Have an authentic interest in whatever you’re asking,” DeAlto says.

If you’re nervous or feel like you don’t have anything to say about a topic, ask more questions! After all, people love sharing and talking about themselves, and it’ll give you time to compose yourself if you’re not comfortable talking to new people.

4. Ask for help

It’s not always easy to get a guy’s attention, but everyone enjoys being asked for help and getting complimented on their abilities. Maybe you missed a lecture and need to borrow some notes, or maybe you forgot to bring a pencil to class. It’s a great way to introduce yourself and at least get someone’s name and have him or her learn yours.

“Asking for help is a great way to start a conversation,” DeAlto says. It’s also a great way to start an ongoing relationship, since you have an excuse to help someone back as a thank-you. Offer your lecture notes for the next class and suggest studying together, and voila, you could have a great way of keeping in touch! While you shouldn’t be dumbing yourself down for any guy, doing work together can be a great way to flirt with a classmate. If you’re not used to reaching out to people, here are a few things you could say to set up a study date:   

• Hi! I’m having trouble with this problem. Could you explain it to me?
• I didn’t catch the last part of what the professor said – would you mind filling me in?
• Can I get your number in case I have any more questions?
• Do you want to get together before the exam to go over the problems?

When you’ve gotten to a study date, DeAlto recommends gradually directing the conversation towards more social topics, like talking about where you both grew up or movies you’ve both watched. If he or she starts engaging in the conversation, you’ll know it’s a good sign. If the other person starts redirecting the conversation back to studying, you might get the sense that he or she isn’t interested, but you won’t have to deal with outright rejection.  

5. Show flirty body language   

Body language plays an important role in what other people think of us, especially when you’re trying to send a positive message. DeAlto’s point about making good eye contact is important here, because if you’re nervous about saying the right words, you can make your body language do more of the work.

Smiling, looking directly at your crush when speaking and not being distracted by other things in room will show him that you’re interested in what he’s saying even if you don’t tell him directly. Even if you’re self-conscious, no one else will notice as long as you don’t bring attention to it.

Kirschner also says it’s usually good to make physical contact. “Touch the guy’s arm,” she suggests. While this might be scarier for someone who’s on the shy side, sitting closer to someone or leaning towards the person you’re talking to are definitely good ways to show that you’re interested. On the flip side, if someone’s returning those signals, you’ll get a sense of whether or not your feelings are reciprocated.

Making the first move can be tough, but it’s just as disappointing to miss a chance with someone special. Whether you ask someone to study or start with flirty body language, the important part is being confident in yourself and taking things into your own hands! In fact, since flirting is pretty scary regardless of whether someone’s shy or outgoing, a lot of people will probably appreciate that you’re willing to take a risk and put yourself out there. After all, as the intelligent, stylish collegiette you are, there’s no reason why you should be afraid of taking the initiative and showing the best sides of yourself!  

The third wheel: Everyone's been there. Whether your friend double-booked or simply invited her SO to your plans without asking, being a third wheel is beyond annoying and one of the most uncomfortable social situations to be in. We've complied a list of the 11 struggles we all unfortunately face while third-wheeling - we're sure you can relate.

1. Your friend has her SO's arm around her shoulder, but your shoulder remains cold and untouched.

2. Looking up during the middle of a story you’re telling to see them completely tuning you out and staring lovingly into each other's eyes.

3. Pitying glances from people around you.

4. Pitying glances from the couple you’re third-wheeling.

5. Pitying glances to yourself in your Snapchat camera.

6. Pretending that you’re too into your text convo to realize that they’re making out.

7. Trying to figure out how to split the bill for dinner - two ways or three ways?

8. Being the only person who gets called by her actual name.

9. Sitting in the backseat and the only view you have is of their interlaced hands on top of the arm rest.

10. Whether you're at the complete opposite end of the sofa or forced to sit alone on the ground, you're always seated a good, awkward few yards away from the happy couple.

11. The only Instagram that will surface that night is a filtered picture of the two of them kissing, which you will be taking (several of).

Every collegiette has concerns about her future. “What do I really want to do?” “How do I take the first step in my career?” “Is my resume completely horrendous?” If you’re asking yourself these questions, don’t wallow in self-pity—go to your college’s career center! The career center is one of the most informative and helpful places on campus. Here are five things every collegiette should ask at her university’s career center.

1. What job opportunities are there for people with my major?

With constant technological advancements, the job market and the relevance of your major can change in an instant. Knowing what options are open to you when you graduate is key. When choosing a major, you’ll need to keep in mind the types of skills you’ll be learning.

“Many employers are looking for well-rounded students who possess transferable skills, such as verbal and written communication skills, analytical skills, research skills and technology skills,” says Suzanne Dagger, the Director of Career Development and Assessment at Hofstra University. “Your major does not determine the rest of your life!”

Although you should always follow your passion, you should also keep in the back of your mind what your major qualifies you for and how many opportunities there are in your field. A career counselor can help you with this!

“I was really iffy about my education major,” says Natalie, a recent gradute of Adelphi University. “After talking to someone in my career center, I realized that jobs for new teachers are few and far between, and I would probably really struggle to start my career. It made the decision to pursue something else so much easier.” Now, Natalie is pursuing a career in the communications field.

2. How do I network with people in my future career field?

Networking is key for any collegiette looking for her job after graduation. But it’s hard to take the first step and reach out to someone you don’t know! Luckily, school spirit doesn’t disappear after graduation; your career center can likely put you in touch with alumni who are more than willing to help you out.

“My school has a site where you can put in your major and hometown and a bunch of alumni who do what you want to do pop up,” says Nicole, a senior majoring in English at Marist College. “It even tells you if the alumni are willing to have you shadow them for the day to see if it’s the right career choice for you.”

3. How does my resume look?

Making your first resume can be extremely stressful and confusing. What skills are employers looking for? Do you need to list your GPA? Do you put down that high school job at McDonald’s? Luckily, your career counselor will be more than happy to look over your resume for you and answer those questions.

“Students can get resume critiques during counseling appointments,” Dagger says. “Additionally, students can take advantage of alumni events that we offer where alumni who are professionals will offer advice.”

You should definitely see if your college hosts resume workshops. At resume workshops, professionals or career counselors will critique and alter your resume for free.

“My resume was checked by a superintendent once, and then [someone from] Pearson Education the most recent time. They are the ones in charge of the NY teaching certifications,” says Nicole, a senior majoring in psychology and special education at Marist College. Who better to read over a future teacher’s resume than people who certify teachers?

Influential professionals in your future career field can help you tailor your resume to fit what employers are looking for. And it’s another awesome opportunity to network!

4. What do I say on an internship or job interview?

“Um, well, you know, uh,” is not exactly the best response to a question during an interview. Unfortunately, our nerves often get the best of us, and that’s the kind of sputtering that can come out. By being proactive and heading to your career center, you and a career counselor can have a mock interview and practice before you head into the interview for real.

“It’s an opportunity to practice interview questions, get helpful feedback and see yourself on video—all prior to the real thing, so you can make the necessary changes to be successful,” Dagger says.

The best thing about a mock interview is you can eliminate all your nervous quirks before you ever sit down with a potential boss. Knowing in advance that you have a tendency to say “um” or twirl your hair too much when you’re nervous can make the difference between a “no” and a “yes” after an interview!

“As a chronic nervous hair twirler, seeing all my flaws on video really helped me to try to look more composed and professional during my actual interviews,” Natalie says.

5. I have a few post-grad job offers. How do I know which is the right one for me?

So you’re a senior with multiple jobs to choose from after graduation? You go, girl! Many graduating collegiettes would kill to be in your shoes. But it can be hard to choose which path to take when it’s your first foray into the real world. A career counselor can go over your options with you and help you decide which opportunity best fits your goals.

“Students should consider which opportunity will allow them to grow professionally and where they will be the happiest and most successful,” says Dagger. “Many times taking a job just for the reason that they are offering a little more money is not worth it in the end. Consider the job tasks and all the other benefits the job brings, not just the salary.”

You can also talk to your career counselor about your grad school options and if it is beneficial for you to attend grad school.

It’s clear that a visit to the career center is a must for all collegiettes. Don’t waste time fretting about the future; head to your career center and set yourself on the right path to an incredible future!

Jennifer Lawrence was truly “the girl on fire” at the Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 London premiere on Monday night where she stepped out on the red carpet looking flawless (as usual!). The Hunger Games star wore a white quilted Dior gown with subtle floral embroidery and a dramatic high-low hem. Lawrence has graced the red carpet in some to-die-for Dior gowns in the past, but we’re fangirling in particular over this latest understated-yet-elegant look. Quilted details can be hard to pull off for night, but they add an unexpected touch to a silhouette that is both ladylike and dramatic. Can’t afford Dior couture? Keep scrolling to see how you can get her lovely look for less (day or night)!

1. Katie Chiffon EmbroideredShift Dress ($62.68 at Missguided)

Headed to a formal or a night out with the girls? Get the shorter version of J-Law’s look with this fun, embroidered frock. Wear it as-is with your go-to heels for a formal, or edge it up for a night out by topping it with a leather jacket or oversized blazer.

2. Quilted Knit Sweater ($19.80 at Forever 21)

A quilted sweatshirt is a great (and super comfy!) way to get Jen’s look for day. Dress it up with a leather circle skirt and tights, or dress it down with a pair of black skinny jeans for your new go-to casual look.

3. Quilted High Waisted Skater Skirt ($19.99 at Charlotte Russe)

A skater skirt is a great way to add an unexpected touch of Jen’s classic quilted texture to your look. Pair it with a sweater and tights, or a quilted sweatshirt like the one above for that of-the-moment matching separates look.

4. Embroidered Mini Skirt ($29.80 at Forever 21)

Play up Jen’s embroidered accents with this statement-making embroidered skirt in a pretty winter-white color. We love this piece for a holiday party, paired with sheer tights and a snuggly sweater to make it work for chilly winter weather.

5. ASOS HIGHBURY Heeled Sandals ($79.59 at ASOS)

J-Law’s look wouldn’t be complete without her dainty black strappy heels. Wear them now for your formal and holiday parties, and when spring rolls around, with boyfriend jeans and dresses.

We love the way Jennifer Lawrence makes classic details like embroidery and quilting look fresh. Will you try this look, collegiettes? Tell us in the comments!

As the cooler months set in, temperatures plummet and walks to class are paved with snowy slush, even the most fashion-forward collegiettes are faced with a dilemma when getting dressed in the morning: how to look chic and on trend without sacrificing warmth in frigid weather. Collegiettes, you’re in luck, because we have the answer: leather!

Leather has been a major trend for some time, but winter is a great time to add some to your wardrobe since it’s both chic and warm. Not a fan of wearing the real thing, or don’t want to shell out the big bucks? There are plenty of great faux-leather options, too. So what are you waiting for? Read on to see how to update the leather trend for winter – all while staying warm in the frosty air.

1. Instead of skinny pants, try leather joggers
 

Skinny leather pants have been a trend for a while now, but why not try a twist on this chic closet staple and slip on a pair of leather joggers? Not only is this shape a major trend right now, but they’re the perfect, comfy, effortless-without-effort pant choice for those cold winter days when getting dressed seems almost impossible. These pants can be styled with almost anything, but we love them with layers. Try a favorite graphic tee with a gray cardigan and top it off with a military-style anorak jacket. Keep it comfy-chic with black pointy-toed flats!
 

2. Instead of all leather, try leather accents
 

Wearing leather doesn’t always have to be obvious. For the leather-wary, there are plenty of pieces this season that offer leather accents. Our favorite? Winter’s warmest knits with a hint of leather. Sweaters with leather accents are a great way to ease into the leather trend and stay warm in a winter staple. Try it with a basic pair of black, distressed skinny jeans (another piece we love for winter!) and chic ankle boots for that perfect tough-yet-understated look.
 

3. Instead of a coat, try a leather shearling jacket
 

These jackets can be just as snuggly as your favorite coat if you wear it correctly! We like winter’s version of the classic leather jacket – a leather jacket with shearling accents – to replace a winter coat. The trick is to bundle up and add layers to your look. Start with a sweater and distressed boyfriend jeans, and pile on layers as needed. Try a huge scarf in a cozy fabric, like wool. We like plaid for winter, which adds some flair to this classic look.
 

4. Instead of a leather skirt, try a leather dress
 

Ready to take the leather trend to the next level? Give your favorite leather skirt you’ve been wearing a rest and give the all-leather look a try with a dress. Dresses can be difficult to wear for winter, so bundle up! Add thick, patterned tights and a gray wool coat for extra warmth. Beat the winter slush with a classic pair of short, basic, black rain boots that combine fashion and function.
 

5. Instead of basic black, try an eye-catching color
 

Who said leather has to be black? If you want to stand out, shake things up and try an eye-catching color! Oxblood is chic and festive for winter, and it looks amazing in leather. Feeling something more neutral? Leather in a buttery tan color or wintry white adds a chic touch to your look. Colored leather makes a statement, so wear it with neutrals to balance it out. Top an oxblood leather skater skirt with a snuggly gray turtleneck sweater. Add tights and black ankle boots, and you have the perfect go-to look for holiday parties.
 

With leather pieces popping up everywhere in stores this winter, it’s easy to wear the leather trend and stay warm in the winter weather at the same time. Which leather pieces are you most excited to try out for winter, collegiettes? Tell us in the comments!