You can’t get over his beautiful eyes, athletic build or gorgeous smile. All you want to do is talk to him all the time and make him realize that you’re perfect for each other. That’s right: you have a crush and you’re falling hard.

We’ve been reading about flirting tips since middle school, and while having the confidence to express interest in someone is admirable, sometimes we get carried away. By coming on too strongly, you risk hurting chances with our crush instead of helping them! Here are four ways that you scare off our potential love interests and how to come off a little more subtly.

1. You bombard him with texts, messages, emails, etc.

You know your crush has a test today, so you shoot him a text wishing him luck. But then you see something on campus that reminds you of him, so obviously you send him a funny Snapchat. And then, your professor says something ridiculous in class so you decide to chat him on Facebook, even though he’s sitting a few seats away from you. And then you text him again, so he knows to check his Facebook chat. By the middle of the day, he has about 12 notifications blowing up his phone… all from you.

With the dozens of ways to stay connected, it’s tempting to want to keep constant communication with your crush. But over-communication, even across different platforms, can come off as smothering.

“It’s really common for collegiettes to over-text,” says Laurie Davis, founder of eFlirt, an online dating service. “Staying in communication is great, but checking in too often can be a turnoff.”

While it’s great that you want to get to know your crush and talk throughout the day, over-communicating might overwhelm your love interest. So instead of sending a FB message followed by a quick phone call, choose one form of communication for the day. “Make sure you’re not always the first one to text,” Davis says. “And stick to one platform. For example, texting and Snapchatting can seem like overload for your crush.”

Reaching out a few times with subtle messages will convey that you have some interest, but it won’t make you seem clingy. “Flirting is all about nuance,” Davis explains. “Digitally, you can do this by using emoticons more often – like winky faces [are more subtle than] hearts!” And if you find yourself always texting first, give your crush a chance to initiate the conversation first next time. It’s a good way to find out if your feelings are mutual! It’s totally okay to text your crush first sometimes (taking some initiative is a good thing!), but just make sure you’re not always the first one to reach out.

2. You involve your friends

Your friend knows his friend, and when you’re all out at a party, your friend badgers him about your crush and his feelings – while you watch from across the room, of course. Then it becomes a game of “he said she said,” and before you know it, your entire friend group is involved playing matchmaker.

Of course, we’re going to talk to our besties about our crushes, but that doesn’t mean that they have to get involved. No matter if they know our crush or his friends, your crush will eventually figure out that you’re trying to find out more about him via your friends. Awkward!

“It’s natural to want to gush to your friends,” Davis says. “But try not to put them in the middle. This is college, not middle school. No passing notes necessary.”

Instead of having your bestie pass along a message to his friend that you hope will reach your crush, be direct yourself. If you wan to talk to your crush at a party, start a casual conversation. You’ll realize quickly if he’s into it or not.

“If you prod him a few times and he doesn’t [seem like he wants to hang] as much, he may not be as into you as you think,” Davis says.

So save the gossiping for roomie wine nights and skip the go-between, mixed messages between friends. You can show interest all by yourself! 

3. You’re constantly running into him or her “by accident”

You know that he gets out of class around 11:30, so you make sure you’re walking by as soon as he walks out the door. During your lunch break, you accidentally run into him in the dining hall and then again when he’s getting coffee. And, surprise! You see him at the gym later on and you can’t help but think, “What a coincidence!”

Let’s be real, we’ve all done it at least once: stalking our crushes in the most non-creepy way possible. While it’s nice to unintentionally run into your crush, once you start planning your day around where he or she will be, your crush will probably be a little freaked out that you keep finding each other. 

“Once you’ve creeped someone out, you’re out of the game!” says Adam LoDolce, a dating confidence expert. “[Avoid] following them on Facebook and then creepily showing up to the same party. The best thing to do is give some space.”

If you’re running into your crush multiple times a day or consistently seeking them out every single day for a week or two, considering backing off. Instead of planning feigned coincidental meetings, see if you actually run into them accidentally! Focus on seeing other friends, and once you’ve given your crush a little more space (about a week), contact them again. Your crush will probably feel less overwhelmed, giving you a fresh start to pursue him or her!

4. You’re overly flirty

When he sends a “What’s up?” text, you immediately respond with “Nothing much, sexy ;).” And when you see him at the bar later, you seductively drag him to the dance floor when all he wanted to do was say quickly say hello. We all love to flirt, but there’s a difference between flirty and aggressive.

“Be subtle,” LoDolce says. “It’s a powerful way to show interest.” Instead of immediately turning a casual texting conversation into something suggestive, actually talk to your crush and include a couple of smiley faces here and there. If you’re talking in person, smile a lot and maybe tease him a little to see if you get a response.

“In person, try touching his arm when he makes you laugh and see how he responds,” Davis suggests. “Angle your body towards him more and make eye contact.” 

When you’re subtle and not overbearing with your flirting, you can judge if your crush is into you or not. Keep him guessing instead of laying it all out there. Flirting doesn’t have to be over the top; sometimes the simplest gestures send the biggest messages.

Crushes are exciting, but sometimes we get a little too enthusiastic about them... Okay, try a lot enthusiastic. Instead of improving your chances with your love interest, you might be hurting them by coming off too strongly. Just keep these tips in mind and remember that a little subtlety can go a long way!

Sparkle, sheer and glamour were this year's Grammys words of choice. The usual suspects for daring-to-borderline-crazy fashions were surprisingly demure this year (Lady Gaga showed up looking... normal). Music's biggest night had a bit of a somber feel with Usher's tribute to Stevie Wonder and a shoutout to Ferguson from Beyoncé, John Legend and Common. In spite of the mature tone of this year's award show, there were still a few celebs who went all out and gave us something to talk about.

1. Katy Perry

It's not unusual to see Katy in a colorful 'do. But when you think about how merely a week ago the singer was sporting a long, sleek, jet-black ponytail at the Super Bowl, it seems worth mentioning. Talk about a beauty chamelon. 

2. Rita Ora

Rita Ora loves to switch her look up as well—and always turns up looking gorgeous. We can't believe how well she pulls off this platinum blonde pixie! She kept the rest of her face natural and let her dramatic smoky eye speak for itself. We especially love the silver accents in the inner corners of her eyes!

3. Madonna

Madonna showed up looking like, well, Madonna. The iconic songstress was full on matadora for her red carpet apperance—the fishnet veil only brings out those cat eyes. Nicki Minaj and Miley Cryus summed it up perfectly when they introduced the "Living for Love" singer: "She's a bada**, trouble-making international star."

4. Jennifer Hudson

Tousled pixie, sexy white dress, dewy complexion and colorful lip. Point us in the direction of Jennifer's beauty team please! The American Idol alumn looked gorgeous on the red carpet. She proves that taking a little beauty risk now and again—like she did here with that bright purple lip—can pay off. 

5. Charli XCX

Ah, to be a young pop star. The "Boom Clap" singer has said she hates "boring" fashion on the red carpet. So her fuzzy, three piece suit complimented those tousled, "I woke up like this" waves didn't disappoint. The songstress let her strong brow and smudgy liner shine with a dewy complextion. 

6. Sia

The Australian songwriter is notorious for shielding her face from pesky paparazzi. Not that we can blame her. The singer has been vocal about her struggles with alchoholism and social anxiety. In spite of that, her song "Chandelier" has taken the music charts by storm—she was nominated for four Grammys. So wearing an outrageous wig with her mini-me? We're not mad, especially since that bold red lip does all the talking.

7. Frankie Grande

Frankie, you never fail to impress.

Valentine's Day is all candy hearts, Cupid and PDA - at least, if you ask taken people (and really, aren't they the worst kind?). Let's get real: Valentine's Day is WAY more than nomming on chocolates and asking yourself how you got so lucky to be in love. Want the real story? Ask a single girl. These are the true stages of Valentine's Day, as told by single ladies (the ones who really get what's going on here).

1. Spring semester starts off so well — you're finally back on campus with the girls, single and *~~loving it~~*

2. Seriously, there's never been a better time to be single in the history of ever.You don't even realize you're being lulled into a false sense of security.

3. And then suddenly you start seeing pink and red hearts in CVS, and the Internet is blowing up about #ValentinesDay.

Are we really going to do this now?

4. You're really good at hiding your thoughts on the matter.

JK, you couldn't keep quiet if your life depended on it.

5. At first your confidence pumps into overdrive. Who needs love anyway? You've got your friends, Nutella and, most importantly, Netflix.

6. ...But then you realize everyone is making plans for the big day. Best of all? They won't stop talking about it.

7. When they do finally take a breath, they ask you how you're feeling.

And you're like, I'm sorry, I didn't realize I was coming down with a serious case of Single-itis. Thanks for checking on me every five minutes, guys! Super helpful!

8. Even worse, your roommate's boyfriend is feeling all the feels.

No. No. PLEASE don't go on all night...

...He does, though. Obviously.

9. You start to question everything.Will you be single forever? Is it a bad sign that you love looking at cat pictures? WHAT DOES IT MEAN?!

10. Why does this holiday even exist?!

11. You decide it's time to take action. It's Friday night, and time is running out - the hunt for Mr. Valentine is on.

12. There are like 50 bajillion PDA couples in your way all night.

Don't they know this bar is for singles only?!

13. FINALLY, you spot some seriously gorgeous man candy across the room. Now that's the V-Day candy you were looking for!

14. ...But then he speaks.

Oh, right - that's why you wanted to be single in the first place, duh.

15. The big day arrives. Valentine's Day is here!

Singles Awareness Day has never been so real.

16. But wait — it's not too late to celebrate Galentine's Day! Okay so that was supposed to be yesterday, but you were busy hunting valentines, obviously.

17. What's so wrong with friends, Nutella and Netflix anyway? TBH that sounds WAY better than romance, candlelight and uncomfortably tight date dresses.

18. You and your fellow single besties proceed to watch chick flick after chick flick.

Why didn't you think of this before?!

19. You're also defying all stereotypes by not eating Ben & Jerry's, so you're definitely in the clear... LOL JK you've eaten a whole pint #sorrynotsorry.

20. You remember that tomorrow is just another day — a day when you can look at cat pictures again without feeling an impending sense of doom. And they're so freaking cute!

THEY'RE JUST SO FLUFFY WHY COULDN'T THEY BE YOUR VALENTINES?!

21. And then the realization hits: It'll be another year before happy couples can show off again. Tomorrow, your single lady reign begins again!

The BAFTAs—which took place on the same night as the Grammys this weekend—may not be as big of a to-do here in America, but that doesn't mean the stars don't bring any less of their fashion game! Here are some of the most glitzy looks from the night! 

1. Amy Adams in Stella McCartney

Those tassels are everything!

2. Reese Witherspoon in Stella McCartney

Reese Witherspoon never fails to stun. Together, the deep shade of purple and sleek shape of this gown equal perfection!

3. Laura Haddock in Ashi Studio

This English actress, who appeared in Guardians of the Galazy looks like a complete princess in this tulle gown!

4. Julianne Moore in Tom Ford

Who said red heads can't wear red? 

6. Léa Seydoux in Prada

This Grand Budapest Hotel actress simply amazes with this bold canary-colored gown. Her long bob is just to die for, too!

7. Keira Knightley in Giambattista Valli Couture

The floral theme of Keira Knightley's frock is making us so excited for spring!

These dresses are the stuff of fashion-lovers' dreams—which one is your favorite?

Looking for a decadent dessert for your Valentine? Check out these 10 delicious Valentine’s Day-themed cookie recipes that are sure to be sinful, rich and mouthwatering! Read on for our top V-Day cookie picks—from gluten-free and vegan options to adorable heart-shaped cookies and cookie dough truffles, even the pickiest eater is sure to find a delicious option.

Chocolate hazelnut smooches

What you need

• 1 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup chocolate hazelnut spread like Nutella
• 1/2 cup butter, softened (1 stick)
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup orange sprinkles, or orange sugar
• 1 (9-ounce) package of chocolate candy kisses, unwrapped
• Medium bowls
• Hand mixer
• Heavy cookie sheet

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking soda and salt and set aside. In another medium bowl, place the chocolate hazelnut spread, butter and both sugars. Using a hand mixer, cream the ingredients together for about three minutes. Add the egg and vanilla and blend together. Stir in the dry ingredients. Shape the cookie dough into walnut-sized balls. Roll the balls in the orange sprinkles or orange sugar, pressing so the sugar sticks. Place the cookies on a heavy cookie sheet about four inches apart. Bake for eight minutes, then take out of oven and put a chocolate kiss in the middle of each cookie. Then, put the cookies back in the over for another three minutes. Take them out, and let cool.

Shortbread hearts

What you need

• 3/4 pound unsalted butter at room temperature
• 1 cup sugar, plus extra for sprinkling
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 3 1/2 cups flour
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• Heart-shaped cookie cutter
• Electric mixer
• Medium bowl
• Plastic wrap
• Baking sheet

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. With an electric mixer, cream together the butter and one cup of sugar until they are just combined. Add the vanilla. In a medium bowl, sift together the flour and salt; then add them to the butter-and-sugar mixture. Mix on low speed until the dough starts to come together. Put the dough on surface with a little flour and roll the dough into a flat disk. Wrap in plastic and chill for 30 minutes. Roll the dough 1/2-inch thick and cut with heart-shaped cutter. Place the hearts on an ungreased sheet pan and sprinkle with sugar. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the edges begin to brown. Let them cool, then enjoy!

Red velvet whoopee pies

What you need

For the cookies:

• 1 ounce semisweet chocolate, chopped
• 1/2 ounce milk chocolate, chopped
• 12 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 2 large eggs
• 1 1/2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon red food coloring
• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Baking sheets
• Parchment paper
• Microwave-safe bowl
• Whisk

For the filling:

• 8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 2 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted
• 1 vanilla bean, halved lengthwise and seeds scraped
• Electric mixer

Try a fun V-Day twist on the classic whoopee pie! First, make the cookies: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. Combine the semisweet and milk chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave at 50 percent power until melted, about two minutes. Whisk to get rid of clumps.

Whisk the melted butter, sour cream, eggs, vinegar, vanilla and food coloring in a bowl until combined. In another bowl, whisk the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture in four equal batches, whisking each batch completely before adding the next. Stir in the melted chocolate.

Scoop heaping tablespoonfuls of batter onto the prepared baking sheets and smooth the tops with a damp finger. Bake until the cookies spring back when lightly pressed, about eight to 10 minutes. Let cool 10 minutes on the baking sheets, then transfer to racks to cool completely.

While you’re waiting, make the filling: Beat the cream cheese and butter with a mixer until smooth. Beat in the confectioners' sugar and vanilla seeds. Sandwich a heaping tablespoonful of filling between two cookies; repeat with the remaining cookies and filling. Refrigerate 30 minutes before serving.

Hidden kisses

What you need

• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, at room temperature
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon pure almond extract
• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup finely chopped pecans
• 1 (9-ounce) package chocolate candy kisses
• 1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
• Large bowl
• Cookie sheets

First, preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. In a large bowl, cream the butter, sugar, and vanilla and almond extracts. Stir in the flour and blend well. Add the pecans and blend well. Cover the bowl and refrigerate the dough for one hour. After an hour, put about a tablespoon’s worth of the chilled dough around each candy kiss, covering it completely. Shape the cookies into balls. Place the cookies on ungreased cookie sheets and bake for 10 minutes. Let cool. Roll the cookies in confectioners' sugar.

Vegan chocolate-dipped whole wheat sugar cookies

What you need

• 1/2 cup vegan margarine
• 3/4 heaping cup sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 3 tbsp water
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 3/4 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/4 cup chocolate chips
• 1 tsp vegan margarine for chocolate dip
• 1 tbsp soy milk
• Shredded unsweetened coconut to decorate
• Large bowl
• Small bowl
• Plastic wrap
• Sharp knife
• Cookie sheet
• Parchment paper

In the large bowl, cream together the margarine and sugar. Mix in the vanilla and cornstarch mixture and stir until smooth. Add the salt and flour and use your hands to combine. If the dough is too crumbly, add a tablespoon or two of water. Wrap the cookie dough in plastic wrap and place in the fridge to chill for at least 30 minutes. Preheat your oven to 350º and line the cookie sheet with parchment paper. Once your dough has chilled, take it out for a bit to soften slightly. Roll it out on a floured surface until it is about 1/4" thick. Using a sharp knife, cut out rectangles until all of the dough is used up. Place the cookies on your prepared sheet and bake for about 15-18 minutes or until the edges begin to brown.

While the cookies bake, combine the chocolate chips, margarine and soy milk in a small bowl and microwave for a minute, or until the chocolate melts. When the cookies are cooled, dip just the top half of each cookie into the chocolate. Sprinkle with coconut if desired, let the chocolate-dipped cookies harden a bit in the fridge and then enjoy!

Gluten-free flourless chocolate cookies

What you need

• 1 tbsp ground flax seeds
• 3 tbsp cold water
• 1/2 cup dried shredded coconut
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 1/4 tsp baking powder
• 1/8 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt
• 1/2 cup almond butter
• 1/4 cup almond milk or coconut milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
• Baking sheet
• Parchment paper
• Whisk
• Small bowl
• Large bowl
• Medium bowl

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a small bowl, mix together the ground flax and water and set aside—this becomes the “flax egg.” In a large bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients (coconut, brown sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, salt). In a medium sized bowl, mix together the wet ingredients (flax egg, almond butter, almond milk, vanilla). Add wet to dry and mix well until combined. Fold in the chocolate chips. Spoon the dough onto the baking sheet, leaving about two inches apart as they spread out a lot. Bake for 13-15 minutes. Cool on baking sheet for about 10 minutes.

Rosemary walnut shortbread cookies

What you need

• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup finely ground walnuts
• 1 1/2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh rosemary
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
• 1/4 cup packed dark-brown sugar
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• Raw sugar, for decorating
• Whisk
• Electric mixer
• Parchment paper
• Baking sheet
• Heart-shaped cookie cutter

Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. Whisk flour, nuts, rosemary and salt in a large bowl. Put butter and sugars into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix on medium speed until lightened, about three minutes. Mix in vanilla, and then reduce the speed to low. Add flour mixture; mix until dough comes together and is smooth. Turn out dough onto parchment paper, and pat into a round. Place parchment paper on top; roll into a 12-inch round, 1/4" thick. Transfer to a baking sheet; refrigerate until firm, about 30 minutes.

Cut out cookies using various sizes of heart-shape cutters (1/2 inch to three inches); transfer to parchment-lined baking sheets (Keep same-size cookies on same sheet). Roll scraps; cut out. Gently press raw sugar onto edges of cookies. Bake until just golden, 15 to 18 minutes. Let cool.

Chocolate-dipped espresso meringues

What you need

• 2 large egg whites, at room temperature
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon instant espresso powder
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 pinch cream of tartar
• 1/2  cup sugar
• 4 ounces bittersweet chocolate, melted and cooled to room temperature
• Electric mixer
• Parchment paper
• Baking sheets

Heat oven to 200 degrees F. Using the mixer, beat the egg whites with the vanilla, espresso powder, salt and cream of tartar on medium-high speed until peaks form. A little bit at a time, beat in the sugar; increase mixer speed to high and beat until the mixture holds glossy peaks. Drop heaping tablespoonfuls of the mixture onto parchment-lined baking sheets, spacing them one inch apart. Bake until dry, crisp and firm which will take about two hours. When the meringues come off the parchment paper easily, they’re done.

Turn off the oven, prop open the door about ½ inch (use the handle of a wooden spoon), and let the meringues sit inside for one hour. Slide the parchment (with the meringues on top) onto racks and let cool completely.

Peel the meringues off the parchment, and then dip the bottom of each into the chocolate. Place on baking sheets and refrigerate just until the chocolate is set, 25 to 30 minutes.

Cookie dough truffles

What you need

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
• 1/2 cup semisweet mini chocolate morsels
• 1 cup finely chopped pecans
• 1 1/2 pounds chocolate bark candy coating, melted
• Large bowl
• Electric mixer
• Waxed paper

In the large bowl, cream butter and brown sugar with an electric mixer at medium speed until creamy. Add vanilla. Gradually beat in flour and add milk. Add chocolate morsels and pecans, mixing well. Shape into one-inch balls. You can use a little flour to make the balls less sticky. Place on waxed paper and chill 2 hours. Melt chocolate bark candy coating in a microwave or stovetop. Using two forks, dip cookie balls into candy coating to cover. Place on waxed paper and chill to set. Store in the refrigerator for at least one hour.

Chocolate cookies

What you need

• 3 cups sifted all-purpose flour, plus more for surface
• 1 1/4 cups unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) unsalted butter
• 2 1/2 cups sifted confectioners' sugar
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• Large bowl
• Electric mixer
• Cookie cutters if desired
• Plastic wrap
• Baking sheets

In a large bowl, sift together flour, cocoa, salt and cinnamon and set aside. Next, use an electric mixer to cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Add flour mixture and mix on low speed until thoroughly combined. Divide dough in half; wrap both in plastic. Chill for at least one hour. Heat oven to 350 degrees F. On a floured surface, roll dough to 1/8" thick. Cut into desired shapes or use cookie cutters. Transfer to ungreased baking sheets; refrigerate until firm, about 15 minutes. Bake for eight to 10 minutes, until crisp but not darkened. Cool and then decorate as desired.

Enjoy the recipes, collegiettes! Whether you and a friend want to bake delicious cookies or you’re making some for a crush or boyfriend, these recipes are sure to please!

We love awards season for so many reasons—Taylor Swift's best dance moves, plenty of entertainment from our favorite performers and yes, stunning red carpet looks. The ladies really set the bar at the Grammys this year, but we think the men deserve a little bit of the spotlight, to—here are the guys who really stole the show at this year's Grammy Awards!

1. Nick Jonas

We love how this dreamy crooner mixed a formal (but eccentric!) suit with white sneaks. So on point!

2. Sam Smith

He's taken home many a coveted award, but we're pretty sure a spot on our best-dressed list is what he was really working for.

3. Big Sean

Monochrome is still in, and Big Sean is here to prove it.

4. Jesse McCartney

We love that Jesse didn't go with the traditional black suit, yet still managed to embody the classic look with a deep green velvet number. 

5. Kanye West

As it turns out, a deep-cut neckline isn't just for the ladies. And is that a peplum we see?!

6. Hunter Hayes

This may be your classic, basic look—but those shoes truly make the outfit.

7. Jay Z

The navy, the peek of the ankles, that chic watch... we'll just leave the list at that.

8. Pharrell

An all-white short suit? A million times yes. We won't lie though... we do miss the Pharrell hat.

Cheers to all the cuties in the suits! Which man do you think was the best-dressed?

Awards season is in full swing and while it's fun to see who wins each award, admiring the celebrities' flawless hair and makeup is just as enjoyable. At this weekend's Director's Guild Awards, stars arrived with bold lips, smoky eyes and chic hair styles. Keep reading for our list of the top beauty looks from the red carpet!

1. Lea Michele

We love her sleek ponytail and bold, smoky eyes. Her subtle cheek and lip complete the sophisticated look. Oh, and those brows? Obsessed.

2. January Jones

Not to be outdone by her sexy suit, January Jones donned a bold coral lip, subtle eye makeup, and a gorgeous '40s-inspired hairdo.

3. Jill Soloway

The award-winning writer and director looked absolutely adorable with her wavy lob and peachy pink cheeks.

4. Taraji P. Henson

Her low pony, dark lip and glowing cheekbones give this actress and singer a glamorous edge.

What's your favorite look from the DGAs, collegiettes?

Colleges and universities have been debating how to approach the issue of gender identity, and while some have not made any major advances, it seems that one school in particular has: the University of Vermont. This past week, the New York Times highlighted the story of Rocko Gieselman, who was born a female, but doesn't identify as female or male. In light of this, the Burlington-based university now accomodates students who don't identify as either he or she.

At the University of Vermont,  students like Gieselman can now choose a new first name (whether it's been legally changed or not) and a pronoun they like to be referred to by, so that professors can use the correct terminology. By creating a third neutral gender, UVT is giving its students a freedom that has been long sought after, and that is still being fought for at other schools. And the recent changes didn't just come with the snap of a few fingers. The Times reports that the adjustments took over a decade of lobbying and the creation of student and faculty task forces—all totaling about $80,000. 

So while the UVT's move is a big one, college campuses across the country still have a long way to go when it comes to the grand scheme of accomodating gender neutral students. What do you think of UVT's recognition of "neutral" as a gender?

The snow shines white on the mountain tonight, but your face doesn’t have to! Even if there’s a storm raging on outside, you don’t have to settle for drab, dreary skin during the coldest months of the year. Instead, you can keep your skin looking like it’s lit from within even in the depths of winter. Don’t let your skin go this winter season—these five beauty products will give you a warm winter glow!

1. Korres Wild Rose Daily Brightening and Refining Buff Cleanser ($24 at Amazon)

Your skin has one heck of a job during the cold months keeping you in one piece, so send it some love by helping it clear dead skin cells away. After all, moisture can’t get in if there are too many dead cells on the surface. This gentle, skin-brightening cleanser naturally exfoliates your skin with ingredients like sugar-citrus extracts and wild rose oil so that your radiant, luminous complexion can make an appearance even on the dreariest of February days.

2. Indie Lee Lavender Chamomile Moisturizing Oil ($36 at Indie Lee)

Contrary everyone’s favorite Frozen lyrics, the cold probably does bother you, at least when it comes to your skin. There’s something about the freezing winds, full-blast heaters and winter weather that just sucks the life right out of your epidermis. No longer! Keep your skin moisturized with this 100 percent natural hydrating oil made with jojoba oil, lavender and chamomile. Apply some on before you go to sleep, and your dry, itchy skin will soon be last winter’s problem.

3. NARS Illuminator in Orgasm ($30 at NARS)

Looking for a bronzy glow that has a hint of tropical vacation but doesn’t look completely out of place in the winter? This illuminator is just the thing for the job. Glide it onto your face to refresh and enhance your complexion with just the right amount of shimmer. You can apply this illuminator mixed with foundation all over your face or use it as a highlighter for your brow bones, cheekbones and the inner corners of your eyes. You’ll be catching the light (and eyes!) all winter!

4. Josie Maran Argan Infinity Lip and Cheek Creamy Oil, $18 at Sephora)

Add a bit of rosy color to the whites and blues of winter with this tinted lip and cheek creamy oil! Not only does it brighten your face with a soft flush of natural-looking color, but it also hydrates and nourishes both your chapped lips and your dry skin. You won’t have to go pinching your cheeks anymore after you try this one out!

5. Make Up For Ever Star Powder ($20 at Make Up For Ever)

This is sunshine for your skin! Haven’t seen a glimpse of the actual sun in ages? No worries! This shimmery and light powder is just the thing to use on your eyelids or cheeks for some much-needed sparkle and shine. Who says you have to wait all the way until spring for the sun to come out again? See the light at the end of the tunnel with this silky powder; it will really brighten up your complexion.

No matter how much the wind blows this season, you’ll be looking as hot as ever with your fabulous glow. Thanks to these products, get ready to melt hearts—even in the dead of winter!
 

We've spent the past five years watching Shay Mitchell play Emily Fields on ABC Family's Pretty Little Liars, but on February 10th she's adding a new role: Matchmaker. 

Shay talked to HC about her favorite Valentine's Day tradition, how she meets new people and her exciting new role as the host of 'Get Roped In,' a live dating experience. 

HC: You’re hosting 'Get Roped In,' a live dating experience. Can you tell us a little bit more about what the show is and your role in it?

SM: Yes! Basically, right in time for Valentine's Day, I partnered with the new SweeTARTS Ropes to host a live dating show where YouTube fans can get roped in to having to the opportunity to going on a group date with their favorite YouTube stars. I’m excited! Using SweeTarts Ropes in different activities and events, they’re going to kind of pair up. We’ll just have to see if there are any sparks that fly.

HC: That’s so exciting and such a different experience than what we’re used to seeing with dating shows.

SM: It’s great, there will be that eye-to-eye contact, so it’ll really be two people standing in front of each other, which is great. Social media is wonderful but it’s also nice to have that personal contact as well.

HC: You’re big on social media. I follow you on Twitter and Instagram and I saw you just joined Snapchat! (Collegiettes: You can add Shay! Username: Officialshaym) 

SM: Yes! I did. I’m really excited about this. I kind of felt like when I was explaining how to use the Internet to my grandma with Snapchat. I had to get some friends to teach me how to use it because I’m like, “Wait a minute if I do this…” (laughs) so it’s a learning experience for me as well.

HC: I see on Instagram that you’re a big foodie but you’re into hiking and the outdoors. Do you have any tips for keeping fit in the winter, when it’s a little bit easier to slack off?

SM: You can stay home a lot of the time and do real workouts. When I travel a lot, I do workouts in my hotel room. Using the furniture around you or bringing a skipping rope with you or even just as simple as a walk. It’s never to cold to go for a little brisk walk after dinner, no matter where you live.

HC: Have you ever had a really memorable Valentines Day, either for good or bad reasons?

SM: I have a tradition where I get together with my girlfriends and we buy each other flowers and go out for a great dinner. That’s how I like to spend it. I think romantically that’s fun too and always great, but I’m the kind of girl who likes getting flowers on a random Monday.

HC: The show is about meeting people in a way that’s alternative to typical online dating, do you have any tips for meeting someone offline?

SM: It’s about your interests and joining different groups whether it be sports or just personal hobbies. I think if you join different groups and put yourself out there, you have that chance to maybe meet somebody who has the same interests. Living in LA, I’ll go through the LA Weekly and see what’s up and coming and what events are coming up and I’ll try to attend as many of those as possible. I’m not going to meet anyone in my living room! (laughs)

HC: We're huge Pretty Little Liars fans. Can you tell us anything about what’s coming up on the show or what’s going on with Emily?

SM: The season finale is probably my favorite episode of the season so far, which is really hard because there’s a lot of really great epsiodes, but basically we’ll be seeing what happens with all the blame on Alison, if she’s really the one to blame or not. It’s coming up to the season finale and is going to be really fun. We have a couple of episodes where Hanna and Emily are dancing, I don’t know if you’ve seen the pictures, but that’s going to be really fun as well.

HC: I know that you and Ashley [Benson] are really good friends. You were talking earlier about a girls’ Valentine's Day, have you two ever done that together?

SM: We haven’t yet! We spent New Years together, but we haven’t done a Valentine's Day together. I actually think she’ll be out of town so we won’t get to do it this year. I think it’s really, whoever, any of your friends who are around, just making sure no one’s alone on that day and just have fun!

HC: Do you have any other projects coming up?

SM: Honestly it’s just about enjoying my hiatus and relaxing before we all go back to work. Now there’s this amazing opportunity where I get to match people together, which I never thought I’d be able to do, but I’m really excited about that so that’ll be great.

HC: Do you ever play match-maker for your friends?

SM: I have a couple of times. It might not have worked out so well (laughs) but I’ve tried my best in the past. I’ll have more luck with it this time around.

HC: People are putting a lot of trust in you here!

SM: Exactly! I’m feeling good about it.

HC: Where can our readers get more information about the show?

SM: Yes, the twitter handle is @SweeTARTSCandy. That’s where you can get all of the information. Be sure to check out 'Get Roped In,' our live dating show! 

We all know the number one queer-girl dating rule: Don’t fall for a straight girl. It’s a huge no-no. You can save yourself a lot of heartbreak if you just comply with this one simple rule. But… sometimes you can’t help yourself. Here are all of the things that might run through your head during this heart-wrenching mess.

When you kind of already know there’s a 75 percent chance you’re going to be heartbroken…

And you know your friends are going to get upset with you and try to talk you out of it…

But you can’t help but like her, because, well, she’s SUUUPER cute!

The way her baby-soft hair flows in the wind…

The way her nose crinkles when she laughs…

Is this knot in your stomach the result of butterflies, or impending doom?

Whatever. You decide you’re going for it. You’ll never know if she’s interested until you ask, right?

Maybe she’s just super femme…

So you try to sit next to her to start a conversation.

…Only to watch her have eye sex with the guy behind her.

But she does tell you that if she was gay, you would ~*totally be her type*~

So you go to a house party to make your moves on her…

And now, she’s FINALLY flirting back!

Or maybe it was the two cups of jungle juice she just chugged...

But who cares, you’re dancing! You’re having a great time and it’s going well!

But then she introduces the annoying quarterback as her new boyfriend…

And in that moment you swear you’re going to be single for the rest of your life…

But you know…maybe you’re better off.

After all, you might have just saved yourself a whole lot of heartbreak.

So it looks like Alex Vause was probably right in this situation.

As winter winds down, it’s just about time to store your favorite winter boots. From shearling to leather to faux fur, we’re breaking down how to clean your boots up before stuffing them back in your closet. After all, when you pull them out again next year you’ll want them to be spick and span and ready to wear!

1. Leather boots

Kiss those pesky salt stains goodbye! Just brush your leather boots with a shoe brush, put body soap and water on a towel and clean the leather gently. Then, create an equal parts mixture of vinegar and water to spray on the boots, wiping them down with a wet rag. To renew the moisture taken out of the leather by the vinegar, lightly spread your favorite hair conditioner over the leather. Lastly, make sure your boots are protected in the future by applying a waterproof spray.

2. Suede boots

If you own anything suede, you know what a sensitive material it is, so approach this project with caution. Begin by lightly brushing any dirt or dust off the surface with a suede brush. Then, swipe away any scuff marks by brushing vigorously. Fun trick: use an eraser or nail file for any marks that just don’t want to budge. Again, it is best to spray a layer of suede protector over them to prevent any more stains.

3. Shearling boots

For collegiettes, Uggs are a necessity! But they don’t exactly hold up that well in rough winter weather. To clean them, moisten the outside of the boots slightly with cold water. Dilute a leather cleaner to create a one part water, one part cleaner solution. Put the solution on a wet sponge and gently clean the outer surface of the boots. Gently rinse the area with a sponge dipped in cold water. To maintain the structure of your boots, fill them with paper towels and keep them out of the sunlight or heat. Use a suede brush to restore the texture once the shearling is dry. Finally, use a mixture of 2 tsp. baking soda and 2 tsp. corn flour to make the inside of your boots smell fresh and feel soft again. Let the mixture stand in the boots overnight and shake the rest out the next day.

4. Faux boots

Most faux boots can be cleaned in the same way as the materials they imitate, but what about faux fur? Surprisingly, you can use cornmeal to absorb the gunk that has collected in the fur. Fill a plastic bag with one to two cups of cornmeal, put your boots in fur-side down, and shake it all up. Let the boots sit for a few hours before wiping the excess cornmeal off with a dry cloth. If needed, brush through and fluff the fur after.

5. Fabric boots

Your canvas boots need the laces and inserts removed before you can clean them. Rinse them inside and out with warm water. Then, create a paste with warm water and baking soda. Put the paste on a toothbrush to tackle any problem areas. Afterwards, rinse them again with warm water and fill them with paper towels just as you did the shearling boots. Leave them to dry.

6. Rain boots

We know you won’t exactly be storing your year-round wellies, but it’s a good idea to wipe them clean of salt stains before April showers start popping up. First, clean with a damp, soapy rag. Pour a small amount of olive oil onto a dry rag and rub all over the surface of the boots until they shine again. Then, you can wipe off the additional oil and let them dry. Voilà!

Do you know any other tricks for cleaning your winter boots, collegiettes?

Remember the good old days when Valentine’s Day was all about bringing candy to your elementary school classroom and exchanging Disney Princess-themed cards? There was no pressure, no stress, and no expectations—just a sugar rush that rivaled the one you had on Halloween. But fast-forward ten years and (if you’re a single collegiette) the holiday becomes a dreaded day of self-pitying, eating chocolate that your imaginary boyfriend bought you, and glaring at that couple holding hands. Lucky for you, it doesn't have to be that way this year. If the only spooning you’ll be doing this Valentine’s Day is into a pint of Ben & Jerry’s, read on to find out how to spend the holiday of love solo—and enjoy it!

Pamper yourself

Who says you need a king to make you feel like a queen? Follow in the footsteps of Tom Haverford on Parks and Recreation and Treat Yo Self by primping and indulging in all your guilty pleasures. Get a manicure. Make a DIY facemask and listen to your favorite Pandora station while it sinks in. Moisturize away all the damage that winter has done to your skin. Deep condition your hair. Finally take the time to shave your legs—especially if you can’t even remember the last time you did (…uh, summer?). Get that Frappuccino at Starbucks that you usually pass on.  Do whatever you want to do because this Valentine’s Day you can have your cake and eat it too—and go back for another slice.

Have a movie marathon. . . 

...But ditch all the classic Rom-coms that will remind you that you’re Forever Alone. Instead, opt for comedies. Invite over your other single friends, make some popcorn, sit back and relax, and laugh until your stomach hurts (or maybe that’s from all the chocolate…whoops). There’s nothing wrong with re-watching a movie you’ve seen a hundred times, like Mean Girls, Superbad, Bridesmaids, or Wedding Crashers (or maybe re-watch The 40 Year Old Virgin to remind yourself that things could be worse). Looking for something more recent that you never got around to seeing in theatres? Try Boyhood or The Skeleton Twins. Don’t have enough time for a movie marathon, or even just one movie? Watch an episode of your favorite TV show!

Teach yourself the “Single Ladies” dance

Bonus points if you dance along to the video wearing a black leotard and heels. Even better if you dance alongside your other single ladies!

Host a potluck dinner

While your wifed-up friends are having candlelit dinners with their significant others, you can host a delicious potluck dinner. Whether you live in an apartment, house, or dorm room, invite friends over for a potluck dinner. Designate different people to bring an appetizer, main dish, dessert, or drinks. If your crew is lacking cooking skills or kitchen access, check out this list of meals you can make in the microwave for easy, convenient ideas. Or, snag food from the dining hall or different restaurants on campus and pretend you made it. Bon appétit!

Read up

When was the last time you’ve read? Not a textbook, or an article for class, or your Facebook newsfeed, but a book you actually want to read. Reading for pleasure is hard to fit into a busy schedule, but it can be so relaxing—and it can take your mind off of the roses and teddy bears and candy hearts invading your day. Deena*, a sophomore at the University of Michigan, renewed her love of reading over winter break with Gone Girl, a recently published novel by Gillian Flynn. “I could not put it down. I highly recommend it,” she says. Whether it’s a new bestseller, a Chelsea Handler book, a raunchy Fifty Shades Of Grey-esque story, or even a magazine, pick up something to read. Even if it’s just for the 20 minutes you would be spending scrolling through Instagram, it’ll make you feel better. 

Indulge in some retail therapy

You don't even have to buy anything; window-shopping or online browsing is therapy too. Spring is right around the corner, so get a head start on planning how you want to update your wardrobe. Check out this article on the timeless rules of style for ideas! 

Work it out

Just because you’re single doesn't mean you shouldn't get any action on Valentine’s Day… in the gym, that is. “Exercising is a great way to blow off steam, clear your mind, and feel good about yourself,” says Cate*, a sophomore at the University of Michigan. “If I’m ever in a bad mood or stressed, I go on a run and always feel better after.” Try something fun you’ve never done before, like Zumba. Don’t feel like trekking to the gym? You can work out in your room. And if you equate exercise with torture or are just feeling super sluggish, something low-impact and relaxing like yoga can do the trick.

 Do something nice for someone 

The holiday is all about celebrating love, so you might as well use it as an opportunity to show the people in your life that you care about them. Even if it’s something small, like calling your Grandma who you haven’t talked to in weeks, or treating your friend to fro-yo, you’ll feel good about it and so will they—it’s a win-win! You could even find a volunteering or community service event on campus that day and get a group of friends together to go help out. 

Have a girls’ night out

Nice restaurant, frat party, your favorite bar, concert, dance club, student-produced play—your options are endless. However you and your friends like to have fun, make the most of Valentine’s Night by dressing up and going out. Try a new place you’ve been meaning to go to, or look online to find out if anything exciting is going on around campus or in the area. You may even get some free drinks out of it; single guys get lonely on this holiday too! Wherever you go, make sure to make a reservation in advance if possible!

In the words of Sam Adams (the rapper, not the beer), “Single doesn't mean I’m looking for somebody.” College isn’t about getting an MRS. degree. You have your whole life to find love—take the time you have now to discover yourself, have new experiences, grow and be independent, and make amazing friends. Recognizing all the reasons you love flying solo will remind you that it’s nothing to mope about.

However you choose to celebrate, make this Valentine’s Day a good one.  When you think about how great being single in college really is, you’ll be digging into that Ben & Jerry’s in celebration, not self-pity.

How will you be spending your single Valentine’s Day?

If you've been following the news, you've probably heard about the recent scandal involving one of broadcast television's most popular and experienced news anchors, Brian Williams. Williams has been lead anchor of NBC Nightly News since 2004—I personally can't remember an anchor on NBC before him, and I'm sure many of you like me spent many a night listening to Williams narrate the day's major events in that no-nonsense but calm rhythm of his. Williams is currently on a temporary leave, however, after it recently came to light that he was not telling the truth when he claimed that his helicopter had been shot down by an enemy grenade while he was reporting in Iraq in 2003. The subsequent media storm has forced Williams off the show for an unknown period of time, during which Williams will be thoroughly checked and investigated to ensure he hasn't falsified any other anecdotes. Already, a story he told about a 2006 trip to Israel—during which he allegedly rode with Israeli military officials in a Black Hawk helicopter—is coming under scrutiny. Williams left the show last Friday, explaining that he had simply become too much a part of the news himself, to the point where it was no longer possible to remain in the neutral and distanced role of a news anchor. Williams is right—indeed he has gone from reporting the news to headlining it, and in his profession that is simply unacceptable. Until this blows over, Williams will not be able to resume his position. 

As a journalist, I understand more than most the value of what Stephen Colbert calls "truthiness."

There are many rules in journalism, but by far the most important, the "golden rule" for all who report the news (whether print, broadcast, or online) is to tell the truth. Stick to the facts and only the facts. Don't elaborate, embellish, or fabricate. The story should speak for itself if it's been unearthed by good, solid reporting. Most of the time (barring biases and ideologies which cloud certain news outlets) reporters abide by this rule, mostly because it makes them more reliable and accredited. In other words, it gives them street cred. Journalism is a tough business—very few make it to the top, and many of those who do may still have little sense of job security. Williams appeared to have achieved that comfortable level of both security and status until this recent revelation. 

I'm sure there are some of you who are asking—what's the big deal anyways? So, Williams may have fudged the details on an old battle tale to make it sound more interesting—who hasn't done that? For the record, you'd be correct: at some point, we have all told white lies to make us look better (and who's going to find out the truth?). Politico's Roger Simon puts the issue in a comedic light in this article. If everybody does it, why is Brian Williams being held in such contempt? It has to do with his specific position. When we turn on the TV or open a newspaper or check a news site, we're putting our trust in whatever outlet or anchor we choose. It is the expectation that they in return must report in an accurate and swift manner. 

The whole reason Williams came under fire in the first place stems from an even greater issue—the idea of news personalities. The fact that Williams felt it necessary to fictionalize this story in order to seem a more worthy news anchor highlights how news organizations bank more on who's reporting rather than what's being reported, in order to secure the best ratings. Why do major news outlets need to "brand" their anchors and reporters? Why can't good reporting, accurate facts, and the best scoops speak for themselves? In my opinion, this should be the issue up for debate, rather than the focus on tearing down Williams' character. And if Williams is going to receive a background check for validity, shouldn't all major evening news anchors get the same treatment? 

Now all this being said, Brian Williams still reported a false story on national television. I do not pardon him for this, nor do I think he should be let off the hook. If the chief purpose of an anchor is to report truthfully, then when the anchor fails to do this, he or she should be held fully accountable. I simply wish to point out that there is a bigger picture here that people should be seeing. And I have no doubt we will all be watching intently to see just how this saga unfolds. 

Dianna Agron looked absolutely flawless at this year's British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) awards. Her voluminous updo, glowing skin, and glamorous smoky eye create a gorgeous look. Read the steps below to find out how to get her look!

HAIR

1. It's easiest to achieve this look when you have day-old, slightly dirty hair. However, if you’re the type that has to shampoo every day, then just use Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray ($15) to add volume and texture to dry, clean hair.

2. Using a teasing brush ($16), hold pieces of hair straight up from your head and brush the under part of the chunk of hair towards to root. Do this from your crown all the way to your hairline—this creates volume and adds lift to your hair.

3. If you have short hair like Dianna you can just pin it back behind your head. But if your hair is longer, pull it back into a low ponytail or bun. Carefully, with the teasing brush, comb the very top of your hair to smooth out the crazy stray hairs that are a result of the teasing.

FACE

4. Dianna’s skin looks absolutely fantastic so if you have blemish-free skin just use a tinted moisturizer like this one from Laura Mercier ($21) to even out your skin tone. If you need more coverage, try Benefit Cosmetics Liquid to Powder Foundation ($38). It has great coverage, and controls oil so that your makeup stays on all day.

5. To get a natural looking blush, apply Nars Orgasm ($30) from the apples of your cheeks up to your temples. This peachy pink shade with shimmer will give you Dianna’s glowing color.

EYES

6. Next we will use Urban Decay’s Naked 2 Palette ($54) to get the sultry, smoky shadow. Use Snakebite and apply it to the lid, followed by Chopper to the crease, and Bootycall the brow bone and inner corners.

7. Use Urban Decay’s 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil ($20) in Zero to line the lower rim and upper lash line.

8. Lastly apply mascara to your lashes to make them pop. L’Oreal Paris Voluminous Mascara ($8.49) creates thick, long lashes that don’t clump or flake—perfect for a long dinner or event!

LIPS

9. To create the subtle lip, apply Revlon Super Lustrous Shine Lipstick in Lovers Coral ($6.39).

There you have it—Dianna Agron’s gorgeous BAFTA’s look is so simple and perfect for dinners, formals or any other fancy event!

Figuring out how to tell a good friend who’s interested in you that you’re, well, not interested is notoriously tricky. It’s like trying to straighten the hair on the back of your head — time-consuming, awkward and impossible without the right tools (in this case, tact and patience rather than a flat iron and a mirror).

The good news is that it can be done. To learn how exactly to nicely reject your friend without losing the friendship, we talked to Dr. Michelle Golland, a clinical psychologist who specializes in relationships, and Beatty Cohan, a psychotherapist.

1.  Don’t give your friend hope

You don’t want to make your friend feel bad (duh), so you may be tempted to fudge the truth justttt a tad. It’s easier to say, “I like someone else,” or, “I’m not ready to date right now,” or, “Let me think about it” than something along the lines of, “It’s not going to happen.”

Those first three responses are cop-outs and, worse, they put a little spark of optimism in your poor friend’s little heart that will flicker there until finally you extinguish it with the truth that  “it’s not going to happen.”

Dr. Golland recommends saving yourself the trouble of re-rejecting your friend and saving him or her the pain of false hope. “Trouble, anger, unhappiness and frustration all come from not being clear,” she says. “If you think keeping someone in perpetual hope when you know the [real] answer is kind, you’re so wrong.”

Her go-to response would be: “I appreciate that and I’m glad you told me, but I’m not interested in that kind of relationship with you. I love being your friend.”

Don’t be mean — just honest and straightforward.

“You shouldn’t make him or her feel stupid or even crazy for considering there could be something between you two or for putting his or her heart out on the line,” says Malone Ryan, a sophomore at John Carroll University. “I would act flattered and really appreciative of the interest but make it clear that you don't feel the same way.”

2. Ask your friend how he or she is feeling

After you gently break it to your friend that a 13 Going on 30 friends-falling-in-love scenario isn’t going to happen, you’ll obviously be wondering what he or she is thinking. Figuring it out is simple: Dr. Golland advises just asking, “‘How do you feel?’ or, ‘What are you thinking?’”

According to her, there are three categories of responses.

“One, he’s totally fine with it, and he says that: ‘Oh, that’s what I thought, I just wanted to let you know.’ He’s resilient,” she explains. “That’s the best scenario.”

She says the opposite extreme is that he’s not okay — he’s upset and sad. “That’s the worst-case scenario,” she says. “He might say he doesn’t want to be friends.” This reaction is understandable. After all, you just rejected him, and even if you did it nicely, it will still sting. Nonetheless, Dr. Golland says you shouldn’t feel guilty. “When you’re truthful, you’re not responsible for the reaction,” she says.

The middle of the spectrum is someone who pretends to accept your decision but stills tries to pursue you. “He’ll say, ‘I’m totally cool with being friends with you, thank you for being direct,’ and then you’re all out at a party, and he’ll get angry when you’re talking to someone else,” Dr. Golland says.

You’ll need to reiterate that you don’t want a romantic relationship. It may even be necessary to set more boundaries, she says, such as explaining you can’t go to parties with him unless he treats you as a friend. Hopefully, he’ll come around.

3. Give your friend some space

No matter how your friend reacts, you need to give him or her space. We know that it sucks you can’t pick it up right where you left off, but ultimately, hanging out will only make it harder for him or her to process your rejection and move on.

Dr. Golland says figuring out the appropriate time for which you should give your friend space depends on how often you usually spend time together.

“If you see each other every day, I’d give it a week,” she says. “If you saw her once a week, twice a week, you’d want to extend that.”

Be careful not to stay away from your friend so long that he or she assumes you’re trying to end the friendship. A good rule of thumb is to think about the longest period of time you’ve ever not seen each other — say, 14 days — and make sure your “space” period doesn’t extend past that.

During this mini-break, don’t ask your friend to hang out. While you don’t want to cut off all communication, you shouldn’t text him or her too much either. If he or she asks you to get together, you can say yes, but be honest and straightforward: Ask, “Are you sure you’re ready to hang out again?”

4. Set some clear boundaries for yourself

Admit it: Knowing someone is into you is pretty ego-boosting. It makes you feel more powerful and confident.

Your friend flirts, you flirt back; next thing you know, you’re unnecessarily touching her, sending her winky faces in your texts or even kissing her. If you’re interested, this is fine, but if you’re still not — if you’re just playing with her feelings because you can — this behavior is emotionally manipulative and completely unfair to your friend.

“We all flirt and it can be fun, but you need to think about what those double messages can be doing to the other person,” Cohan says. “Especially if you consider this other person to be your friend. Friends don’t hurt friends.”

She says you should be mindful of your behavior and give yourself strict boundaries.

Besides just being the right thing to do, not leading your friend on also protects you. Dr. Golland explains that even if you think you’re “in control,” over time the situation will run away from you.

“It’ll come back and bite you in the a**,” she says. “Your friend will eventually get angry and might try to hurt you. You’ll also develop a bad reputation!”

5. Try to reestablish your old routine

After you’ve been clear and direct with your friend, given him some time to recover and set behavioral guidelines for yourself, it’s time to “restart” the relationship.

You have to decide whether or not you’ll feel comfortable hanging out alone with your friend. If pre-confession, you guys were together so often you finished each other’s sentences, only hanging out with him in groups would suck. So if he says he’s comfortable with your decision and won’t keep pursuing a relationship, doing stuff one-on-one should be fine.

“Take your cues from the other person,” Cohan says. “The relationship has now changed, so one or more of you may not be okay with returning to how the friendship was before.”

If you used to see this friend solely at group events, hanging out with him alone implies you’re interested and might lead him to think your “I’m just into you as a friend” response wasn’t genuine. In this case, the only “solo” involved with your interactions should be the guitar solo in the Two Door Cinema Club song you guys are listening to with your friends.

6. Don’t discuss the situation with mutual friends

In a perfect world, you wouldn’t gossip at all about what happened. But in a perfect world, a friend you’re not interested in wouldn’t fall for you, and the celebrity of your dreams would be waiting in your bedroom with a pint of Ben & Jerry’s and a smile. We don’t live in that world — so because you’ll probably want to analyze the situation with your friends, at least choose those friends wisely.

Dr. Golland says you “absolutely shouldn’t” debrief with mutual friends.

“It’s embarrassing for your friend, because you rejected him or her,” she says.

Instead, pick someone who’s not in your friend group — or better yet, your state! Call your friends from high school and tell them the deal. Give your mom all the juicy details you’re dying to reveal.

Your best friend may count as a mutual friend, in which scenario, all bets are off. Dr. Golland advises to make sure he or she is really trustworthy, however, since it’s potentially hurtful info if it gets around.

7. Don’t hide your interest in someone else (but don’t rub it in, either)

Both experts adamantly agree that if you develop feelings for another person, you don’t have to hide those feelings from the friend that confessed to you.

“You’re not going to be able to protect the other person, and it isn’t your job to protect the other person,” Cohan says. “You’ve been clear; you’ve been honest.”

She continues, “Hopefully, you are going to eventually choose somebody and it will be the other person’s responsibility to deal with his or her feelings about seeing you with a new partner.”

That doesn’t mean, however, that you need to be obnoxious about your new guy or girl.

Kasia Jaworski, a senior at Villanova University, who’s dealt with this before, says she is open but tries not to go overboard with how much she shares.

“I’ve also been careful not to go into too much of my love life (unless he specifically asks and even then, I spare the details) and again, I don’t bring up the topic of us not working out unless he wants to talk about it or ask questions,” she says.

When your friend says he or she likes you, your first response (after some mental cursing) is probably, “Ugh, things will never be the same again.” But you can go back to your awesome, purely platonic friendship. We promise. It won’t be easy, but hey, neither was your Calc. midterm, and you rocked that, right? Good luck, collegiettes!

A lot of you are thinking...

1. Galentine’s Day is the one day of the year that your friends can celebrate each other and shower each other in ~*love*~. 

Well, a little more than you do every other day. 

2. On February 13th, all of your friends, single and taken, can get together for a magical evening of fun! 

And celebrate with waffles, ideally.

3. Why? First, because your friends have been there for you through the Valentine’s Days that you spent crying into a box of chocolate you bought for yourself. 

It was for your own good. 

4. And second, because your friend's always give the best advice. About crushes, about wardrobe, and about attitude in general.

5. You’ll all sit around and talk about all of the fun times you've all had. 

And you will love every second. 

6. You'll also chat about your ex who tried to hit you up last night. 

But you might have answered because you were feeling lonely...

7. Which will make more than a few of your friends look like this:

They really didn’t like him. 

8. In that moment, it is oddly comforting to know that any one of them could throw a punch for you.

...And you would help them get away with it. 

9. Because you know they’ve got your back. 

Even when they’re not exactly sure what the situation is. 

10. You’ll also start telling your most horrendous hook-up stories. Duh.

And spend a good amount of time laughing. 

11. At least one of your friends will say something like this, 

And you all secretly admire her. 

12. Let’s face it, you’re so close with your best friend and Galentine's Day partner in crime that people have asked if you were a couple.

And you’ll always model your friendship after Ann and Amy’s. 

13. She and your other besties will try to pull you out of your Valentine’s sugar coma (which, of course, started well before the holiday)...

Key word here is try. 

14. ...And shower you in compliments...

No matter how oddly specific. 

15. There will be a lot of compliments. 

You’ll bask in the compliments. 

16. Because you all know...

Always. 

17. And that’s what Galentine’s Day is all about.  

Hint: You are. 

Ah, the age-old question: Which chick flick should you watch? It's a big decision to make on any night, but on Valentine's Day of all days, the stakes are that much higher. Do you opt for fun and flirty, full of laughs? Or do you go for quirky and complicated, like so many relationships are? Allow us to take the pressure off - find out which chick flick YOU should watch on Valentine's Day!

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!

How do I tell my parents I want to rush a sorority? They think Greek life is all about partying. – Rita

Rita,

Greek life can definitely be an exciting part of the college experience. I know many girls who are in sororities, and many who are not, and there are definitely a lot of pros and cons to both decisions.

Regardless, I understand the desire to want to be in a sorority. Heck, I had wanted to join a sorority ever since I watched Legally Blonde back in 2001, even though I was super young at the time. The sorority house just looked so adorable and fun to be part of – hello to girls’ nights all the time! Ironically, I ended up attending a college where Greek life doesn’t exist. Even though sometimes I wish I could sport the letters I see other girls rocking on monogrammed mugs and spirit jerseys, I’m fine knowing that I’ve still met lots of awesome girlfriends in college that I get to chill with.

Since your parents don’t seem too keen about your idea to rush a sorority, I’d make it a point to have a civil and mature conversation with them. Listen to what they have to say and hear out their concerns, and then tell them exactly why you’d like to join a sorority and give your reasons. You should cater the information that you give them to their specific concerns. So if they think Greek life is all about partying, you can counteract that by showing them how much a sorority at a certain school raised funds for charity last year.

Before you talk with your parents, I’d suggest researching information about different sororities at your campus. Each one has its own rules, traditions and events, so this can help you decide which one you’d like to join when the time comes. If you have a particular sorority in mind, rather than just the idea that you want to join any sorority, it will show them that you did your research, and it gives them the chance to look up the specific sorority on their own if they have more questions. Try your best to get in touch with current or former sisters of the sorority you’re considering and see what they say about their experience.

If you can, try to research two or three sororities rather than just one. Since getting into a sorority isn’t a total guarantee, it’s good to have a few backup options. On the other hand, if you really are only into one sorority, let your parents know that you only plan on pledging if the sorority you think is a perfect fit for you accepts you.

After you’ve chosen a sorority you think you’d like to rush, you should look into what volunteer activities or philanthropy the sisters participate in. This is a great point to make to your parents when you discuss your decision with them. This will remind them that you’ll be able to help out in the community with your sisters, not just party all day and night. There are even sororities such as Kappa Alpha Theta that are primarily community-service based, so they do a lot more volunteering and serving than other sororities. Definitely look into these!

The next step would be to remind yourself that there might be a few things you might not know about a specific sorority until you join. Try and do your best to research and figure out exactly what you’ll be getting yourself into, if possible. It’s better to be aware of everything that comes with joining a sorority – such as the time commitment and fees – before you sign up to prevent wasting your time and money on something that’s not right for you.

Good luck with your decision, and know that whatever happens, you will still meet so many great people in college with or without joining a sorority!

Ahh, Valentine’s Day, every hopeless romantic's favorite holiday. Well, err, then again, maybe not if you are single like yours truly.

In fact, and perhaps to some readers’ disbelief, I have never gone on a Valentine’s Day date. Of the few girlfriends/flings in my dating career none of them were in action on February 14.

But please don't feel sorry for me, think of the money I've saved on chocolate and flowers!

And speaking of those cliched Valentine’s items, I would suggest staying away from the old boring date ideas. Save dinner and a drive-in movie for another night. If it's Valentine’s Day, do something that you rarely or never get to do together. Without further ado, here are five creative dates that would surely win over any guy.

1. A ride in a horse-drawn carriage

Yeah I know it isn't super creative in the sense we've seen it in tons of romantic films, but how many people have actually gotten to do it? How many boyfriends out there have actually set it up for their girlfriend?

A horse-drawn carriage is only one of the most romantic outings ever. Cuddling up together in the warm seat while looking up at the stars and taking a ride around the park? Storybook!

2. Go out on the lake in a paddle boat

Again, it's been seen in the movies but how many of us have gotten a chance to go out on one of those pedal boats? It's a fun activity to share with your significant other and relax on a beautiful portion of open water. Heck, you can even make it a picnic out on the lake and bring some sandwiches. Depending on where you call home, you may want to make this a lunch date so you aren't too cold!

3. Outdoor skating

Okay, I may be biased on this one being a hockey player and all, but skating is awesome fun and incredibly romantic. That said, anyone can go to the local rink and skate, but to change things up, hopefully there is an outdoor rink from the holiday season still up and running. And for those in the far north, you can go out on a natural frozen pond! I would be so jealous because I have never gotten to skate on a real frozen body of water!

4. Hockey Game

Speaking of the fastest game in the world, it would only be the most awesome thing ever if I had a girlfriend take me to see my favorite hockey team! While it is a date that may not be overly creative (who hasn't thought about a sports venue date), having the girl treat the guy is a nice Sadie-Hawkins-esque change of pace!

You know your man will appreciate being taken to one of his favorite places on the planet! And it's V-Day! Maybe just maybe you will get on the "Kiss-cam"! How romantic!

5. Skiing/Log Cabin snuggle fest

For us college students, a day on the slopes may not be the easiest on our wallets but there is just something about the snow and romance. Take a day off of school and head up to the mountains for a nice day of exercise with your special someone. And when it's late afternoon and the skiing is winding down, nothing is better than returning to a good old-fashioned mountain cabin. Take off that ski, girl, get a nice (two person perhaps) shower in and then snuggle up by the fire and put on a movie? Priceless.