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11 Things That Are Better Than a Spring Break Bod

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We're all about being healthy here at Her Campus, but whoever said nothing tastes as good as skinny feels has never had Nutella. Or cookies. Or pizza. Or fun. Here are 11 things that are WAY better than scoring a spring break bod, if you ask us:

1. Not having to go through the torture of wearing a sports bra. 

Or any bra, for that matter. You don’t need one when you’re sitting in bed. 

2. Watching six consecutive hours of Netflix. 

With no one to judge you. 

3. Eating Nutella by the spoonful. 

It’s the only way to eat it, really. 

4. A wine night with all of your best girls.

Without having to worry about the hangover ruining your workout. 

5. Ordering a whole pizza and telling yourself that you only did it to have lunch for the week. 

But you’re going to eat that whole thing in one night, naturally.

6. Not having to put on pants for an entire day. 

It's a no-pants party and you're the only one invited. 

7. Coming home after a long day in class and enjoying a margarita... or five. 

Everyone has her guilty pleasure. Yours is named Jose Cuervo. 

8. Calling your long-distance BFF and talking to her for three hours.

It's your time to catch up, and you refuse to waste it at the gym. 

9.  Not running, that's for sure. 

Laying down is so much better than being out of breath. 

10. Staying up all night because you don't have to go to yoga at 5:30 the next morning. 

11. Not having piles of laundry to do because of sweaty gym clothes. 

Save your quarters for something else, amirite? 

 

If you're working on your spring break bod, remember it's all right to indulge in the little things once in a while — a spoonful of Nutella won't kill you! 


How 9 Luxe Lines Got Their Names

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Naming a fashion label is one of the most important things a designer will do for his or her brand; it's the first thing that consumers hear when it's being introduced to the world. Fashion designers put everything into creating brands that will command attention in the industry and live beyond designers themselves. Labels appear everywhere from handbags to storefronts, and the names stamped on them can communicate anything from a family legacy to a philosophy of life. Here are nine labels with interesting inspiration behind their names:

1. Marchesa

You may have seen Georgina Chapman, co-founder of this womenswear line, on Project Runway Allstars or you may know it by the many spectacularly glittery, feminine dresses that float across red carpets during awards season (like the amazingly dramatic one above on Eva Longoria). Chapman met Keren Craig at design school and together they founded Marchesa in 2004. The inspiration for the name came from Italian socialite Marches Luisa Casati, who was famous for her patronage of the arts and for transforming herself into living works of art with wild outfits. 

2. Elizabeth and James

Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen's brand Elizabeth and James has shown the world that they are more than the twins we remember from Full House and their many movies from the '90s and early 2000's. The Olsens are keeping it high fashion with their contemporary line (they also have a higher end line called The Row), named after siblings Elizabeth and James (pictured above with the twins and their mom).

3. 7 For All Mankind

This premium denim label was inspired by a study that shows the average American owns 7 pairs of jeans.

4. COMME des GARÇONS

When this Tokyo-based fashion label was founded in 1969, it focused on tomboy-esque clothing for women. In French, the brand name means "like boys."

5. Tibi

Tibi began as a small collection of dresses coming out of St. Simon's Island, Georgia. Co-founders Amy Smilovic and Octavia Hyland named the brand after Hyland's grandmother. Now, the label is a powerhouse in the fashion industry, known for its updated take on minimalism.

6. Band of Outsiders

Designer Scott Sterberg was inspired by Godard's 1964 film Bande à part, which translates to Band of Outsiders. Anna Kendrick (above) and many other celebs have rocked this line on the red carpet.

7. BCBG

This brand name is an acronym for "bon chic, bon genre," which translates to "good style, good attitude."

8. Alice + Olivia

This flirty, girly fashion line was inspired by moms! Stacey Bendet (above) and her former business partner named the line after their mothers, Alice and Olivia.

9. rag & bone

Designers Nathan Bone and Marcus Wainwright were inspired by the old English concept of a "rag and bone man," which is someone who refashioned trash and scraps to be resold. And this fits right in to the somewhat industrial, effortless-but-polished vibe of their line: a little edgy, a little grungy, a little downtown-cool.

The Ultimate Spring Break To-Do List

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Attention, collegiettes: Spring break is finally HERE! (Well, it’s right around the corner, at least.) Are you ready to have your best spring break yet? Allow us to make it easy for you - we’ve put together the ultimate spring break to-do list to help you have the most memorable break of all time - the kind you’ll tell your kids about (or vow to keep a secret…). How many to-dos will YOU check off the list?!

Plus, enter to win all these spring break essentials here! 

To-Do List Must-Haves Top Row (from L-R):The Intern’s Handbook by Shane Kuhn, LUNA BarHer Campus KoozieHer Campus SunglassesNot Your Mother’s Hair Care Clean Freak Purifying Shampoo and Conditioner 

To-Do List Must-Haves Bottom Row (from L-R):Completely Bare Beauty To-Go Sample Wax PackDirty Rush by Taylor Bell, Chipotle BOGO card, Her Campus pensSABRE Personal Alarm 

Not Pictured:The Her Campus Guide to College Life: How to Manage Relationships, Stay Safe and Healthy, Handle Stress, and Have the Best Years of Your Life

Don't forget to enter to win all these goodies NOW

Binge Eating: The Invisible Eating Disorder

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February 22 to 28 is National Eating Disorders Awareness Week. We'll be sharing information about this important issue throughout the week, from what to do if you or a friend is suffering from an eating disorder to how to love your body just the way it is! Be sure to check out all of our content here.

It was her junior year in high school, and Sunny Sea Gold was selling candy bars to raise money for prom. Only instead of selling, Sunny started eating. First just one, then another, then eventually six or seven—all within a couple of hours.

This wasn’t the first time Sunny binged—eating more than she should have, more than she even wanted. It began when she was about 14 or 15, after experiencing the trauma of her parents’ divorce. “I started relying on food to manage my feelings,” she says. “If I was scared or I was lonely or I was angry, I found that food would make me feel better. It would make me feel numb.”

But that comforting, numb feeling came with many others: feelings of shame, disgust, and regret. “I just thought I was crazy,” she says. “I thought I was a pig and freak because I couldn’t control what I was eating.” Only after that candy bar binge did Sunny finally decide to do something about her harmful eating habits. “I was feeling so out of control that I finally realized, okay. It’s not just that I have a willpower problem. This is something else. This is something beyond my control.”

That something is what we now call binge eating disorder—and many would be surprised to find out that it’s the most common eating disorder, affecting more than twice as many people as anorexia and bulimia combined. Yet despite its prevalence, bingeing doesn’t get nearly as much attention as other eating disorders.

But Gold is working to change that. Now a successful magazine editor, she has not only overcome her disorder, but she’s committed to raising awareness of binge eating disorder with her book, Food: The Good Girl’s Drug and her website, HealthyGirl.org.  

What is binge eating?

Unlike other eating disorders, it can be hard to draw the line between normal binge eating and binge eating disorder—everyone overeats sometimes, after all. Whether it’s a pint of your favorite Ben & Jerry’s after a rough breakup or a bag of Doritos during finals week, nearly everyone turns to food for comfort occasionally. “Sometimes it’s hard for people to know that they’re even binging,” says Gold.

Susan Holmberg, nutrition specialist and behavior therapist, says it’s impossible to quantify binge eating by the amount of food being consumed, because that can differ so much from person to person. “The thing that is the core of binge eating is the feeling of abandon,” she says. “There’s a bit of a frenzy about it.”

Holmberg knows because she struggled with various eating disorders, including binge eating, from high school into her thirties. She now helps others through the problems she once battled.

On a binge, Holmberg says you eat beyond the level of what’s enjoyable or reasonable, sometimes beyond the level of what you’re even paying attention to anymore. A binge is also accompanied by feelings of shame. “If you find yourself being defensive about it or hiding it,” says Holmberg, “that’s a big warning sign that something isn’t right.”

Although binge eating is classified as an eating disorder, it has also been viewed as a type of addiction. While some people turn to alcohol or drugs to relax or to find a numbing sensation, others turn to food. And because food is legal and readily available, it’s a very common choice. “It’s not like drinking, where you can drive your car into a tree and kill yourself,” says Holmberg. “They can eat that way and it doesn’t get labeled as anything.”

But Gold says binge eating is more closely related to eating disorders than addictions. In fact, many people who struggle with binge eating will also struggle with other eating disorders at some point. “Bulimia is mostly binge eating; it’s just followed by getting rid of what you’re doing,” says Holmberg. “Most of the bulimics I’ve worked with are over-eaters who don’t want to be fat.”

So why don’t we hear about binge eating as much as we do about anorexia or bulimia? It’s hard to say exactly, but there’s something about binge eating that hints at gluttony and sounds more like a self-control issue and less like a diagnosed illness such as anorexia. And that creates more shame around the idea of binge eating. “In our society, fat is seen as ugly and it is also seen as a lack of control—and so is eating too much,” says Sea Gold. “People don’t want to be associated with that kind of behavior, so they don’t talk about it.”  

Why binge eat?

girl squatting on a scale weighing herself weight watching weight diet

More and more, people like Gold and Catherine Garceau, a former Olympic athlete who battled eating disorders (including anorexia and binge eating) for years, are working to educate people about the reality of binge eating. Garceau calls being caught up in an eating disorder “a cycle of self-sabotage.”

While it’s typical to think of an eating disorder as a mostly mental or emotional illness, Garceau says eating is also physiologically relaxing when we’re stressed out. “Because you haven’t figured out other ways to relax yourself in the world, you’re going to use the food to sedate yourself,” she says. The real problems begin when your brain develops pathways and gets wired to turn to food as a response to stress or negative emotions. “What starts as one afternoon can end up being a mechanism that your body recognizes as being a relaxing state,” says Garceau.

Holmberg also says that a culture of dieting sets people up physically for bingeing—especially women, who face more societal pressure to look and eat a certain way. (While it’s the most common eating disorder for both men and women, there are more women than men who suffer from binge eating disorder.) “People constantly diet and starve all day long, and that will bio-chemically set you up to binge,” says Holmberg. In particular, eating a diet that is very low in fat will cause your body to crave the nutrients that it’s not receiving. “Not being nourished properly is a huge contribution to binge eating. Your body just won’t be satisfied.”

For Gold, overcoming the disorder included avoiding counting every calorie and ultimately relaxing about her eating habits. Now, she says she recognizes excessive dieting as a key contributor to binge eating. “I have never met someone with binge eating disorder who didn’t also diet,” she says.

But aside from the physical aspect, binge eating is often caused by emotional or mental stress. Gold says it’s common for an event or a difficult period, such as her parents’ divorce, to trigger binge eating. But binge eating can be caused by a myriad of factors. Like other eating disorders, societal pressure can cause harmful attitudes toward food that are likely to turn into disordered eating. “I came from a looks-focused family, and thinness was very important,” says Gold. “There was a lot of pressure to look a certain way and eat a certain way.”

For Emily, a senior at UNC-Chapel Hill who struggles with undiagnosed disordered eating, a binge can be triggered by a number of negative emotions. “[You eat] to feel something, even if it’s feeling extreme discomfort or pain, to fill loneliness, to stay unattractive because you feel undeserving of attention,” she says. But whatever the cause, she associates a binge with feeling unstable and manic, and then afterward—ashamed. “Of course you feel ashamed afterward,” she says. “You feel ashamed before you even begin, but you can push that thought away.” 

Binge eating in college

junk food french fries pizza fried chicken chicken nuggets late night eating

Unfortunately, a college environment is more likely to worsen binge eating than make it better. From late-night study food to drunk eating to pizza buffets at the cafeteria, college makes healthy eating more difficult in several ways. “College is pretty universally bad for eating habits because there are bad food choice options and cooking takes a lot of time that college students don't always have,” says Lisa, a sophomore at the University of Georgia.

And when you also consider the stress that accompanies college life, it’s not surprising that some statistics estimate that as many as 40% of female college students have eating disorders. “From my own experience, but also from what I hear from girls at healthygirl.org, for a lot of them their eating disorders either started when they got to college or got worse when they went to college,” says Gold.

The college environment, which comes with complete freedom over eating habits and more opportunity to be alone, seems to foster disordered eating. “College is very stressful, and before I came here, I never binged,” says Olivia, a junior at UNC-Chapel Hill who has struggled with multiple eating disorders. “After I moved out of the dorm, I started. The security blanket of people around to keep my unhealthy habits in check was gone. It was only me, and it was very easy to escape into a world where I only existed and I only cared.”

Olivia found that food helped her manage the stress and negative emotions of college. “Anxiety, sadness and loneliness are very difficult for me to handle,” she says. “I often turn to food to drown out any emotions and create a numbing effect. In the moment, I feel relieved and assuaged. However, afterward, I feel even more anxious because I now have to deal with and worry about what all that high-calorie food is going to do to my body and my figure on top of whatever I was anxious about to begin with.”  

What to do about it

blond girl in a robe stressed out depressed pensive

If you or someone you know is suffering from binge eating disorder, it’s important to realize that it is a real and serious illness that deserves proper treatment—for both mental and physical health. Aside from weight gain and all of the health problems that come with it, binge eating is also associated with acid reflux disease, insulin surges that lead to diabetes, and other long-term effects.

Every person is different, so “what can work for one person may be the complete opposite of what another needs,” says Garceau. But to start, here are a few ideas:

  • Read up on binge eating disorder. Gold advises self-help books as a good place to start recovering. While knowledge alone can’t cure you, the more you know about it, the better chance you’ll have at overcoming the disorder. Pick up a copy of Food: The Good Girl’s Drug, or find a list of recommended self-help books here.
  • In the beginning, if you can’t curb the actual binge eating, try to binge on lower calorie, healthy foods.
  • Stop dieting and focus on eating balanced and filling meals that include protein and healthy fat.
  • If you know you have foods that act as a trigger for your binge eating, don’t keep them in the house. “Everybody is triggered by the environment. It makes a lot of sense not to keep things around you that you’re likely to binge eat,” says Holmberg.
  • Seek out help from others. Both one-on-one therapy and support groups can be invaluable. Garceau advises working in groups and doing programs that are targeted to looking at the whole picture of your physical, mental and spiritual health. Campus mental health services are familiar with eating disorders, so they are a great place to start.

 

Think you might be suffering from an eating disorder? The National Eating Disorders Association has a free and confidential screening to help you determine next steps. If you're looking for more information, be sure to call the NEDA helpline. Looking for ways to help spread the word? Find out how you can get involved on your campus.

Who Really Should Have Won at The Oscars?

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For months, we've been waiting with bated breath to see who would be taking home the top awards at the Oscars, arguably the most important series of recognitions the industry offers. As President of the Academy Cheryl Boone Isaacs said, “We’re here to celebrate storytellers.” Every year, the competition is steep, and this year was no different. So who went home with the big wins? Perhaps more importantly, who should have been presented with an award?

1.YAY: J.K. Simmons for Best Supporting Actor

We'll admit it, we've had our fingers crossed for J.K. We started the night off right when J.K. won for his incredible performance as tyrannical music teacher. People had been predicting Simmons' win since the release of Whiplash and it's always nice to see a talented, hard-working actor get rewarded for his or her work. Not to mention, an Oscar win will mean great things for up-and-coming director Damien Chazelle. We hear that a musical might be brewing from the director and actor Miles Teller. 

2. NAY: Malificent snub

Yes, we all know Wes Anderson films are all about aesthetic. But TBH, we were sort of hoping that Malificent would win for Best Costume Design. Shameless, we know. 

3. YAY: Big Hero 6 for Best Animated Picture

 

Animation has never been one of the Academy's favorite genres. Acadamy voters have admitted that they are unfamiliar with the animated films that have been nominated, and we usually rely more on the Annie Awards to see what's shaking up the animation world. Audiences were initally surprised to see the runaway hit The Lego Movie go without a single nomination, but in all honesty, we shouldn’t be surprised that a Disney film took home the gold. We are happy, though, that it was one of Disney's more unique and diverse films that won. (Japanese-American Ryan Potter lead the film and it featured two awesome/smart/non-love interest female characters.) It's also a plus that a Marvel comic book movie adaptation got some love from the Academy. 

4. YAY: Patricia Arquette for Best Supporting Actress

The most powerful performance in Disney's adaptation of Into the Woods goes, hands down, to Hollywood's favorite actress, Meryl Streep. There's a reason that the seasoned actress shows up time and time again at pretty much every major awards ceremony. It seemed a given that Meryl had it in the bag, until... plot twist! Patricia Arquette was given the award for Best Supporting Actress and she totally deserved it. Boyhood is one of this year's nominated films that actually passes the Bechdel Test (which requires that two women in a work of fiction talk to each other about something other than a man) with flying colors, thanks in part to Patricia's performance. Not to mention, the actress used her acceptance speech as a powerful statement about women’s rights and wage equality.

5. YAY: John Legend and Common for Best Original Song

The theme song to the poignant and powerful Selma came from the musical prowess of John Legend and Common. The song speaks volumes about the United State's struggle with racism and how we have a lot of work still left to do to achieve racial equality. A beautiful performance of "Glory" on Oscars night brought the audience to tears. It would have been surprising to see such a compelling, honest song not go home without an award. 

5. YAY: Alejandro González Iñárritu for Best Director

Imaginative Mexican director Alejandro González Iñárritu won for both Best Picture and Best Director for his work on Birdman, a film that demonstrated his unique outlook on film and storytelling. A movie about movies was sure to win with Academy voters. We couldn't be happier that Latino representation is starting to gain traction in Hollywood. Hopefully Birdman's win will help propel that trend.

6. YAY: Julianne Moore for Best Actress

They said movies about women don't sell. A movie about a middle aged woman? Even slimmer chance. There simply aren’t a lot of roles for women in Hollywood. Sad, but true. So leave it to an incredible actress like Julianne to win for a movie about a woman dealing with a terrible disease. Her win not only brought Alzheimer's disease to the spotlight, but showed that a female can lead a drama just as well as her male counterparts do. 

8. NAY: Birdman for Best Picture

Wait! Before you go into a rage, we are not saying that Birdman didn't deserve to win. But, consider this: how amazing would it have been for Selma to win? In light of the political turmoil that had Ferguson, Ayotzinapa, Hong Kong and the world fighting for social justice, it would have been made sense for the Academy to honor a film covering one of the world’s peace leaders. It would have even sufficed to get an Oscar nod to black female director, Ava DuVernay. The National Action Network was planning to protest the lack of diversity at this year’s Oscars, but decided to cancel at the request of Selma's director. Best Picture is always a tough fight and we wish that Selma, a film that is painfully relevant in today's world, would have won. 

Do you agree with our conclusions? Who do you think should—or shouldn't—have won an Oscar this year?

5 Overdone Spring Break Trips (& Where to Go Instead)

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Spring break is right around the corner, and you’re determined to make this year one to remember. Instead of heading to the same overdone locations everyone has been to for years, hit the road and go on an adventure. Drop these boring spring break trips, and check out their fresh alternatives instead!

1. Over It: Miami, FL

There’s no reason to be anywhere that Girls Gone Wild frequents, and Miami is way beyond crowded with everyone else who picked this cliché for spring break.

Into It: Disney World

Other than the obvious attraction of being able to fulfill your lifelong dream of being a Disney Princess, Disney World offers several nighttime attractions for college students and adults. Downtown Disney, a boardwalk filled with shows, activities and dining and the Atlantic Dance Hall, a nightclub for people over 21, are both great nightlife options. For some at-night entertainment that gives you the opportunity to veg, watch the Main Street Electrical Parade to see intricate and exciting floats and performers put on a show.

During the day, you can explore all of the theme parks, rides, shows and other amusements that make Disney World so famous. Try the classic Big Thunder Mountain Railroad or see real live elephants!

If you are looking for an affordable place to stay, try the All-Star Music Resort, which can be as low as $30.00 per person per night for a group of four. Plus, it has a guitar shaped pool!

 2. Over It: South Padre Island, TX

Another typical spring break haunt, South Padre Island is crowded and there is a good chance that you’ll step in someone’s vomit. Why go to a manufactured party scene when you can explore a real city instead?

Into It: Dallas, TX

Seen as one of the most liberal cities in Texas, Dallas has a great nightlife with nightclubs such as Plush or Beamer’s Dallas which has 18+ nights. The University of Dallas is right near by, so there are plenty of opportunities to make friends with local collegiettes.

There’s also a ton of shopping at The Shops at Park Lane. This shopping district has classic department stores, small shops and the largest Whole Foods Market in North Texas.

If you are looking for something offbeat and full of women-power, go see a roller derby bout!

3. Over It: Cancun, Mexico

Spring break is a time to get away, but Cancun is such an over-popular trip that everyone you don’t like from your math class will be sharing the bar with you. Time for somewhere fresh!

Into It: Yellowstone National Park

For those collegiettes who love the outdoors, Yellowstone National Park is the place for you! Yellowstone, one of the nation’s most visited parks, is wonderful for camping, exploring and getting in touch with nature.

You can see wild bison, stay up late to see the beautiful star-filled sky or just enjoy camping.

Yellowstone has several different campsites with different levels of accommodations. Before you go, check to see when the opening date for the campsite is and what equipment you need to bring. One of the most important items to pack? A water bottle!

While it is always best to pack your own food when camping, there are several locations you can eat at, such as the Old Faithful Snow Lodge Geyser Grill.

Don’t forget Yellowstone’s must-see geysers!

4. Over It: Staycation

You don’t need a fancy, blowout vacation to take advantage of spring break! But staying home isn’t enough of an adventure. You can always watch Jimmy Fallon another time.

Into It: Volunteering Trip

Today there are many options to make spring break memorable. Instead of just going on a trip, try using your week to help others.

Some organizations that run spring break trips are Habitat For Humanity andUnited Planet. Ask your school’s community service department or any service clubs you belong to on campus to find more alternatives!

Lauren Velez, a junior at the University of Texas, spent her spring break helping orphans in Port-au-Prince, Haiti with Mission Youth Missions. “Since there are about 90 babies (ages 0 to 3) in the orphanage, the caretakers really need help with feeding, changing and getting the babies out of their cribs,” she says. “Many of them are very malnourished, and there are three-year-olds who still don't know how to walk because they have to sit in their crib for the majority of every day. Our goal is to change that for the time that we're there!”

Lauren says that she had such a great time making a difference that she is going back next spring break.

5. Over It: Myrtle Beach

Another beach town where it feels just like your childhood family vacations. Time for something different and unique!

Into It: Skiing in Vermont

If you aren’t interested in the typical idea of a sweaty spring break, try visiting Vermont to hit the slopes! Skiing can be a great way to enjoy some exercise, see the beauty of nature and rock some cute snow gear.

There are tons of ski resorts to choose from, and depending on what you are looking for, you can use Ski Vermont’s Resort Finder to pick your perfect spring break location. By answering a few questions such as what part of the state you want to visit, what type of skiing you are looking for and what amenities you want, the Resort Finder will pick the best place for you.

Depending on where you go, you can get discounts as a student or if you are going in a group. Check the deals page early and often, because they change and add new coupons all the time!

Spring break only comes once a year, so make the best of it! With one of these trips you can have a unique experience to tell everyone about when you get back to class. Good luck (and have fun) traveling! 

7 Crushes You’ve Totally Had (But Should Never Pursue)

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Crushes are supposed to be a fun way to explore who and what you’re attracted to – and are a great way to distract yourself in class, of course. Sometimes, though, our crushes are ultimate no-nos, and it’s important to just admire them from afar. Here are some people that are soooo attractive for all the right (and wrong) reasons, but that you maybe (definitely) don’t want to go after:

1. The Best Friend

Out of every person on this list, she is probably the easiest to fall for. Every queer girl has been through it at some point in her life, whether it was as long ago as in middle school or as recent as just yesterday during girls’ night in. We get it; you already love everything about her, and this seems like it could be so easy. But please, save yourself the struggle (because it will be a struggle). While there are plenty of fish in the sea, your best friend is one in a million. It’s better not to risk the friendship unless you’re 100 percent sure it’s going to work.

2. The Roommate

Not only is this the person you see every day, but chances are, you’ve probs already seen her naked. This Carmilla-like romance is super appealing because there’s no need to travel far for a sexy sleepover. This could work out if she’s already crushing on you right back. But #lesbehonest, do you really want to be sharing an apartment with your girlfriend basically instantaneously? We didn’t think so.

3. The Unattainable Straight Girl

This is the part where we save you from yourself. The unattainable straight girl is a beautiful, mystical breed that every queer girl desires to capture. Like a majestic unicorn, she floats through your life (and captures your heart) with her lighthearted jokes that you’re totally her type and her hugs that last a few seconds too long. This siren of the queer-girl-dating sea is nearly impossible to catch; the moment that you think you have her in your reach, she’s already running back to her boyfriend.

4. The Attractive TA

Let’s get this straight: This is not Pretty Little Liars, you are not Aria and she is not the female Ezra. While she’s extremely attractive and suuuper smart, it’s probably not in your best interest to date her right now. Not only is she in charge of your grade, but depending on what school you go to, she could possibly get fired if anyone found out you were dating. If you two do get together, it should be long after the semester is over; in that case, it could be a great experience for her to teach you a little bit more—and this is a lesson plan you definitely don’t want to miss out on.

5. Your Sorority Sister

You’ve had a slight lingering attraction to her since you first spoke to her at bid day, and now that you’ve gotten to know her better, you’re totally hooked. Being in a sorority together, you already know that you share similar values. While this can definitely work, keep in mind that if this does go wrong, it can produce some pretty awkward feelings when you have to get together for chapter events. Like, all the time…

6. Your Ex’s Ex

We know, the queer community on your campus is most likely tiny, so this might not be entirely out of the ordinary. Considering you both dated the same person, you probably even have tons in common! But then all of the annoying habits that she has reminds you of why your mutual ex told you she dumped her in the first place. Skip!

7. The Mentor

Ever since you met your mentor, you basically decided you want to be her when you grow up. She’s a grown woman who knows what she wants out of life, and the fiery passion she has for her career makes her undeniably sexy. While you can probably learn a thing or two from being in a relationship with a grown woman, you could also lose an important connection in your field if it ends badly, so it’s probably best to keep admiring her persistence from a strictly platonic standpoint and maintain a more professional relationship. Sad, we know.

There are plenty of girls that you’ll end up dating so make sure not to lose sight of other crush-worthy ladies around you!

 

 

This Season's 'Dancing With the Stars' Cast Features a Ton of Firsts

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Our dancing favorites are back—easy-on-the-eyes Val Chmerkovskiy, fun Peta Murgatroyd and basically the best dancer and choreographer we've ever seen on TV: Derek Hough! We knew he couldn't resist returning for the 20th season. While we still have another few weeks until the show premieres (March 16 at 8/7c on ABC!) we're already looking forward to watching the new cast.

We're especially excited for the diversity in this year's group—okay, yes, there's the rumor that our favorite Prince Farming will be taking the stage, and we certainly won't be saying no to a little more screentime for Chris Soules... we just hope his dancing skills are a little better than his singing ones. But we're really looking forward to seeing the likes of 14-year-old Willow Shields of Hunger Games fame (dancing with Mark Ballas), Michael Sams, the first openly gay NFL football player (dancing with Peta Murgatroyd), double amputee Noah Galloway, the soldier who lost part of his left arm and left leg (dancing with Shama Burgess) and Olympic gymnast Nastia Liukin (dancing with Derek Hough)—just imagine the moves she'll be able to pull off!

Here's what the rest of the cast will look like—and what we can't wait to see them bring to the show:

Rumer Willis and Val Chmerkovskiy: We think Rumer's personality will shine in a reality TV setting—oh and obviously, we're obsessed with her parents.

Suzanne Somers and Tony Dovolani: It's been too long since Suzanne has been on screen.

Robert Herjavec and Kym Johnson: We're glad to see more of Herjavec, the son of an immigrant factory worker—we just hope he goes farther in the competition than Shark Tank co-star Mark Cubin did!

Patti LaBelle and Artem Chigvintsev: That "Lady Marmalade" performance? Inevitable. We're waiting for it.

Redfoo and Emma Slater: We've seen this half of the LMFAO duo hit some...interesting moves—but can he pull off the foxtrot? What we do know is that his costumes are going to be nothing short of amazing.

Charlotte McKinney and Keo Motsepe: We wonder what Val's brother Maksim Chmerkovskiy has to say about Charlotte—who's been called the next Kate Upton—being on the show...

Riker Lynch and Allison Holker: Dancing with the Stars is about to become even more of a family affair—Riker is cousins with Julianne and Derek, so it'll be interesting to see how this plays out!

Who are you most excited to watch this season, collegiettes?


Meet the Woman Working to Stop Sex Trafficking One Runway at a Time

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Move over, designers, there’s a new fashion line in town, and the outfits on the runway are only part of the story. It isn’t the clothing itself that makes this collection special—it’s the people who make it. Anna Malika doesn’t have any fashion design training, but she does have a mission. After being a victim of sex trafficking as a high school student, Malika set out to help other women who have suffered at the hands of sex traffickers who target children. Today, she employs other survivors as seamstresses to work on her collection, and the waiting list to join the team goes a whopping 500 deep.


 

#nofilter #NYFW #endsextrafficking #AM4E

A photo posted by Anna Malika (@annamalika_design) on


Many of us assume that sex trafficking is a problem that is isolated to underdeveloped or foreign countries. It seems unbelievable to consider that sex trafficking could be happening in our own backyards. However, according to UNICEF, the U.S. is “considered one of the top destination points for victims of child trafficking and exploitation”—and it’s happening in every single state in the union. Those caught in the cycle face steep odds—only 1 to 2 percent escape their circumstances.

Malika herself was exploited as a teenager by a much older man, who sold thousands of pornographic pictures of her and other young girls. The injustice she faced sent her into a spiral of self-harm, but with the help of a program she entered, she regained her confidence and resolved to do something to fight back. To achieve her goal, Malika partnered with the designers behind Elegantees, (which already employs sex trafficking survivors in Nepal), to do something closer to home. Providing jobs to these women has a host of positive impacts. In addition to restoring confidence in victims, employment fights against the very thing that leads so many women and children to lives of exploitation and abuse in the first place: Poverty.

Two of Malika’s employees

The collection has an eveningwear aesthetic, and features lots of pearl detail—a meaningful choice. Anna says she sees pearls as “symbolic to my story and life,” pointing out that they “go through a process where they are ugly and dark...but with refining and restoration, they become what everyone knows them for and they shine.”


 

My piece I am most proud of! My couture gown the "Karlan Dress" #AM4E

A photo posted by Anna Malika (@annamalika_design) on


In fighting a system that commodifies women’s bodies, Malika has put women back on display, but has done so in a very different way. Instead of being exploited for others’ gain, women now proudly walk down the runway, unashamed and in control, in clothing made by survivors. The pieces are beautiful, but they carry a strong message, allowing those who made them to tell the world they won’t be beaten.

Check out Malika’s site for more info on her project!

Her Story: I Recovered from Anorexia

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February 22 to 28 is National Eating Disorders Awareness Week. We'll be sharing information about this important issue throughout the week, from what to do if you or a friend is suffering from an eating disorder to how to love your body just the way it is! Be sure to check out all of our content here.

Although I was diagnosed with anorexia nervosa at the age of 16, I can’t remember ever being comfortable in my own skin. Take the second grade play, for instance. All I can remember is comparing my arms to those of the girls next to me and feeling like the largest one in the room. Someday, I thought. Someday I will be as small as they are. It was all I wanted.

That day came when I was a sophomore in high school. I was never overweight, but had enjoyed my fair share of Twix bars and vending machine delicacies upon entering high school, and I could feel it in my body. When I went to the doctor for a physical, I was told to get on the scale, and I refused. “If you don’t get on the scale,” he said, chuckling, “I’m going to write down that you weigh 140 on this chart!” Well, lo and behold, I stepped on the scale, and those digitized numbers staring back at me reflected his words. At 5’7”, I was far from being overweight. But as someone who had always been on the low end, this number terrified me.

I can’t describe it, but it was like a switch in my brain flipped. Diet and exercise became everything that I lived for; they were a part of me. It only took three months for me to lose a significant amount of weight; enough weight to completely lose my period, which I wouldn’t get back for four years, and enough weight for my family, friends, and teachers at school to become increasingly worried. While I strived for balance and health in the beginning, my food choices soon became even more limited. Granola became too fattening. Tuna became too protein-filled, and because protein is related to muscle enhancement, I became scared of that, too. Apples were good, but due to their high fiber content they left me bloated and feeling large, so they had to go. I stopped eating breakfast, my lunches involved iceberg lettuce (and pretzels, if it was a good day), and dinners consisted of pushing my mom’s cooked meals around my plate to make it look like I had eaten. With my purse sitting beside me at every meal, I would slip food into napkins and place it in my purse so I could throw it out later.

This life made me miserable, but I found a way to rationalize every hardship. Oh, you can’t fall asleep because your stomach is ravenous? That’s okay. Look at the self-control you have! Not everyone has the willpower to abstain like you do; you’re so strong. And look at this body you’re getting! Keep it up.

My parents sat me down one day and told me this couldn’t go on any longer. Despite my rationale for every disordered item they mentioned, they wouldn’t budge: I was going to the doctor. I knew I had a problem, but I wasn’t expecting to be diagnosed with anorexia. Maybe I was in denial, but when the doctor said that word, I nearly choked. Me? Don’t they see how big I am? I’m just trying to be healthy. No one understands—they just want me to be fat, I thought. Everyone is just jealous that they don’t have the self-control that I do. It’s ridiculous, really.

The doctor suggested weight gain and therapy, although therapy never happened. My parents pushed for it, but while clearly sick and struggling, I was the master manipulator, and I made sure to meet the minimum weight gain my doctor had set for me. Through this, I gained enough trust back from my family to avoid therapy and attend college that fall.

Everything started falling apart the second that my parents left me at school. The disorder wiped away any sort of healthy mind that I possessed and stripped me of all control. The perfectionist in me still managed to maintain a 4.0 GPA, but other than that, I can’t remember any joys of my freshman year. I picked up a job and worked late nights to busy myself so I wouldn’t want to eat. Eating in general became difficult, as I would not allow myself to eat anything that wasn’t prepackaged with the exact calorie label on it. I had joined a sorority and was talked about: Do you see how thin she is? Why doesn’t she ever want to come to the dining hall with us, or hang out at all? I had completely isolated myself, spending nights locked away in my dorm room, studying in hopes of lessening the demanding food-related thoughts that were so conflicting."Eat, you are so hungry," was combated with, "You don’t need to eat; you had a serving of carrots this morning and probably snuck in extra, so you actually should cut back. You don’t want to get fat." I knew I had lost more weight, but when I visited home and was forced to step on the scale, I discovered that I weighed barely 100 pounds. My concerned parents told me that I would not be able to return to school if I didn’t start putting my health on the right track.

Two months into my sophomore year, my older sister called me one night and told me she wanted to have a sisters’ weekend: a getaway for us to veg out and spend time together. She came down on a Friday, and we spent the weekend together. But when I went to say goodbye to her that following Sunday, my parents walked in the door. My concerned sorority house mom had contacted the school, and an administrator called my parents and told them I was not medically fit to be enrolled in classes. My parents packed up my things after staging an intervention and drove me six hours home, checking me straight into the hospital and eventually into an eating disorder treatment facility.

I can’t even put words to the overwhelming emotions that were running through me. I wanted to cry, yell, scream, fight, do anything I possibly could to avoid what was in my future. But at the same time, there was an underlying part of myself that felt this incredible weight being lifted off of my shoulders. I was living a sad and miserable life, but actively asking for help required fighting against the power of my eating disorder, which, at the time, I didn’t feel strong enough to do. Having my ability to choose completely taken away meant that I didn’t have to fight against the voice in my head telling me to stay sick; it made the initial process easier on myself, but harder on my family, as I turnedmy anger towards them.

The day I entered treatment, my life changed forever. I knew things had gotten bad, but seeing the number on the scale that day and realizing that my heart was beating 33 beats per minute sucked the air right out of my lungs. I was in shock. Yet, still, I fought. I exercised in my room, hid food at meal times, did everything I could possibly think of to fight the help people were trying to give me. With time, however, I realized that I wasn’t necessarily fighting treatment, but that the disorder was fighting with the healthy part of my brain that was trying to breathe life into me. Many months, buckets of tears, and 35 pounds later, I was discharged. I entered my life again: a life in which I promised myself to choose recovery every single day—a promise I am still keeping now, an entire year later.

Recovery is not easy. I wish I could sit here and say that I’m healed, fixed, cured. But it’s not that simple. The negative thoughts lessen with each passing day, but they still exist to some degree in the corners of my mind. Recovery isn’t something you cross off a pretty list before moving on to the next task; it’s the most time-intensive and hardest thing that you will ever have to choose, but you must choose it. It is something I have to actively pursue every second of every day. Recovery is the greatest gift I have ever given myself. I have gone back to college and, due to the intense course load I took on while ill, I will graduate in the standard four-year time period. I have been able to go on dinner dates and be engaged in conversation, to order midnight pizza with girlfriends, to drink a glass of wine—all things I never could have even imagined being part of my life before. I have finally remembered what it’s like to be me.

Treatment is scary, but do you want to know what’s even scarier? Asking for help. Reaching out goes against everything that the disorder stands for: that part of your brain that longs for you to call it your best friend, longs for you to stay sick. But people CAN recover, and can give themselves the life that they deserve. Whether it’s you, your sister, your friend, or your cousin, eating disorders affect us all. Strip away its power; strip away its control. Choose recovery; choose you.

 

Do you have a story to share? Submit your story to Her Story!

Think you might be suffering from an eating disorder? The National Eating Disorders Association has a free and confidential screening to help you determine next steps. If you're looking for more information, be sure to call the NEDA helpline. Looking for ways to help spread the word? Find out how you can get involved on your campus.

Dove Shows Us What Real Beauty Is

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On Hollywood's most star-studded night, Dove decided to let women everywhere know what true beauty was. The company aired a commercial on Oscars night highlighting the lack of self-esteem that women show on social media. Throwing out examples of tweets where women voiced dismay or even hatred at body image (most of the time directed at themselves, but often at others as well), the ad then announced their "Speak Beautiful" campaign. 

Dove scoured the Twittersphere for negative tweets about appearance and responded to them with positive messages. They also urged women to tweet positive messages with the hashtag #speakbeautiful. The result was nothing short of amazing—within a few hours, hundreds of tweets flooded their account, and the most surprising part was that most of them were positive, with women choosing to highlight what they liked about themselves. 


Dove's initiative isn't anything new, but their efforts are commendable because to this day there is still a vast lack of pride in women when it comes to beauty. Held up to the unattainable, airbrushed standard of beauty, women of all shapes and sizes, ethnicities and backgrounds still have a very tough time accepting that they are pretty in their own respects. We all struggle with it—we feel we're too fat or too skinny, too short or too tall, too tan or too pale. Dove wants to change this by reminding women of something very vital that we tend to forget—that it's what's unique about us, what sets us apart from the standard, that truly makes us beautiful. Bravo Dove!

Win Your Own Spring Break Survival Kit (with free Chipotle, Luna, and more!)

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Nothing gets us more pumped for Spring Break than free goodies from our favorite brands, all in an adorable care-package! Whether you're hitting the slopes, sipping mocktails on the beach, or hanging out with Netflix on your couch, this Survival Kit is filled with all the spring-break must haves.

Including Chipotle BOGO cards, Not Your Mother's Hair Care shampoo and conditioner, mini Luna Bars, SABRE personal alarms, completely bare at home waxing kits, and the ultimate beach reads, this kit has everything you need and more! 

The best part? We're giving away 2 of these must-have survival kits for free! Enter below for a chance to win!

Fill out my online form.

Apple Introduces Racially Diverse Emojis

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Ever notice that emojis are... all one color? Sure, there are exceptions, like the Japanese Dolls and the Man with Turban but for the most part, if you want to send a high-five, a-ok or thumbs up, it’s going to be with a Caucasian hand.

That will all change with Apple’s next iOS and OS X update for which they’re rolling out a whole new group of emoji people. With the new emojis, users will be able to select their emoji and then will be prompted to choose the skin color they want for that emoji—because princesses, police officers and thumbs down all come in a wide variety of shades.

There will also be emojis added to be inclusive of all different types of families—families with two moms, two dads or a mom and a dad, as well as wider variety of international flags to use.

While not everyone is thrilled with the emoji choices—there have been complaints on Twitter for the yellow skinned emojis being too yellow and the lack of red-headed emojis—this is still progress, as now more people than ever can feel represented in emoji-only conversations.

And never fear, the dancing girls are still there. Phew.

Top Model Karlie Kloss is Headed to College

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Victoria’s Secret Angel? Check. World-renowned supermodel? Check. BFFs with Taylor Swift? Check. We don’t know about you, but we think that Karlie Kloss is doing a pretty great job at being 22. However, Ms. Kloss does not seem to be fully satisfied just yet.

Since sharing a Vogue cover with your BFF is totally a normal occurrence, it is no surprise that the duo are featured in the March issue of the glossy fashion publication. In the cover story, Karlie revealed that she's going to be enrolling at NYU's Gallatin School of Individualized Study this fall.

The 22-year-old has been showing scholarly inclinations for quite some time through her Instagram posts featuring everything from late night study sessions (which we can totally relate to) to striking a pose next to a statue of John Harvard while spending time at Harvard University.

While it might seem that Karlie has the best of both worlds, attending school still comes at a cost. Unfortunately, that cost is the loss of her angel wings. Kloss has been with the Victoria’s Secret brand for four years and spent two of those years in the coveted role of a Victoria’s Secret Angel. Being an Angel has its perks, but it is also a major time commitment that requires some level of exclusivity which is not always feasible for an Angel-turned-student.

According to an Instagram post from Ed Razek, executive producer of the brand's fashion show and chief marketing officer of Victoria’s Secret, "Karlie and I met several months ago to discuss the many things she hoped to do in her life and career. As we talked, it became clear she would not have the time to fulfill her myriad commitments."

Although Karlie will be missed on the Victoria’s Secret runway, she is not quite ready to take a complete hiatus from the fashion world. She has several fashion campaigns already lined up for this year, including spring campaigns with Joe Fresh and Kate Spade.

We know that Taylor Swift will definitely be saying “Welcome to New York” to her bestie and we cannot wait for the dynamic duo to continue strutting through the streets of the city this fall!

8 Things Strong Couples Say to Each Other

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We’ve all seen the crazy passionate declarations of love in movies à la When Harry Met Sally, but (luckily!) healthy relationships aren’t all about fiery monologues. So how do strong couples communicate IRL? Believe it or not, sometimes the simplest of words can go a much longer way than a bed of rose petals. Collegiettes shared the sweet little things they say to their SOs on the reg, and experts explained why you should totally add these to your #relationshipgoals.

1. “Thank you.”

So maybe you say “thank you” to the cashier who gives you your change or the stranger who holds the door for you. But these words can have so much more meaning when you say them (with real gratitude!) to your SO.

When you’ve been with someone for a while, it’s easy to forget to appreciate the little things you do for each other. “Gratitude and common courtesy often become victims of familiarity,” says Lesli Doares, a licensed marriage and family therapist. “Making the effort to be appreciative shows that you are not taking each other for granted and that you are noticing the positive things your partner does for you.”

Kasia Jaworski, a senior at Villanova University, and her ex-boyfriend were in a relationship for three years. “We would thank each other often,” Kasia says. “I think it's important to show appreciation in a strong relationship. I would always thank him if he took me out to dinner, or he would shoot me a sweet ‘thank you’ text if I called him when he was having a bad day.”

Being in a committed relationship takes a lot of work, compromise and selflessness, so it’s important that both of you remind yourselves and each other how grateful you are.

That said, it’s normal to get stuck in a rut sometimes and forget how happy you are with your SO, which is why “you have to keep the spark alive,” says Fran Greene, a relationship coach and author of The Flirting Bible. “Once you take each other for granted, it says ‘I don’t care about you,’” she explains. “I think the best relationships treat each other like they did in the early stages of dating.”

2. “I’m proud of you.”

Another perfect way to show your partner your appreciation is to recognize his or her accomplishments. You’re a couple, but above all, you’re two awesome individuals working towards your respective aspirations. Remembering that shows how much you respect each other in all your differences and is a crucial aspect of any relationship.

“Expressing pride in your partner means that you see them as a capable, independent person,” Doares says. “It lets them know that you support them in their goals and achievements and that you notice when they [achieve them].”

Caroline Pirozzolo, a freshman at Ithaca College, and her boyfriend, who are in a long-distance relationship, say “I’m proud of you” to each other all the time. “It's simple, but it can be nice to feel supported and loved, even when your SO is far away,” Caroline says. Add it to your relationship vocabulary, and you’ll feel much closer every time you say it.

3. “Good morning” and “good night.”

Although it can seem as commonplace as “thank you,” taking the time to let your SO know you’re thinking about him or her when you wake up and go to bed goes a long way. For Doares, it goes even further than that. “How you greet each other in the morning, how you leave each other, what you do when you come back together and how you say good night are four of the most important things you can do to keep your relationship strong,” she says. “Making time to do this is showing that your relationship and connection are a priority.” Yes, even if it’s just a text.

“My boyfriend and I always text each other good morning and good night along with an ‘I love you,’” says Alexandra Blessing, a junior at Millersville University. “It might seem insignificant, but it's our way of saying we care about one another.”

Just like with “I love you,” you can get super creative with your “good night” texts, using nicknames, emoji, and mentioning all the little things that make your relationship special. Trust us, it’s worth the extra minute out of your day!

4. “We’re a team.”

For a relationship to work, it is so, so crucial for both partners to be equal and respectful of each other. But can you be an item and still pursue your personal goals? Of course! “’Being a team’ doesn’t mean ‘inseparable’ or ‘dependent,’” Doares says. “It means two people working together for common goals. Strong couples make use of each other’s strengths to make their relationship better. They don’t compete with each other as much as they compete for each other.”

Kasia says this mentality played a big role in her relationship. “[My boyfriend and I] would also refer to each other as a ‘team’ or ‘partners,’” she explains. “It implies equality and very high mutual respect.”

Being “in it together” means that you want the same things out of your relationship and are both working towards these goals, but it also means that you support each other’s personal development. It’s all about finding the perfect balance.

5. “You’re amazing.”

Everyone loves compliments, but receiving them from your SO can mean that much more. In Kasia and her ex’s “good night” texts, “[they] made it a point to say what [they] loved about each other specifically - things about [their] personalities, strengths, things like that,” she says.

Although compliments are always appreciated, try to make them about every aspect of your partner. This shows him or her how well-rounded you know he or she is, and how amazing he or she is on so many levels. “Strong couples compliment each other often,” Greene says. “They compliment different dimensions of each other - attractiveness, personality and intelligence. There is no formula for it, but it has to be all of them. A good relationship means that your partner loves you physically, emotionally and mentally.”

In college, we all get a little insecure at times, so “you have to be your partner’s biggest cheerleader, especially in public,” Greene says. “Just be singing their praise.” Show your SO how proud you are of your partner – and mean it!

6. “I feel hurt when…”

Couples fight; this is hardly breaking news. When you’re angry, it can be really difficult to contain your emotions, but yelling is always counterproductive. “When [my boyfriend and I] argue, which is rare, we never yell, because it makes the other person uncomfortable,” says Sarah Beth Kaye, a senior at Rutgers University. “Instead, we say phrases like, ‘I am upset because you are doing XYZ,’ or, ‘I wish you wouldn't do XYZ because it makes me mad. Here's why...’ By rationally talking about what makes us annoyed or upset, we have been able to work through any issues we have and find a good compromise.”

Greene thinks that Sarah Beth and her boyfriend’s strategy is ideal, and her advice is to focus on the one thing that’s upsetting you right now (without blaming your SO or putting him or her down) and to offer a specific solution to the problem.

In short, strong couples call each other out when one of them has crossed a line, but each partner tries to pinpoint what it is exactly that’s upsetting them and works towards a solution. This is why starting with “I feel hurt” is a good way to bring up an issue; it takes the blame out of the discussion, instead focusing on how you feel in response to a specific behavior.

7. “I’m here for you.”

Sometimes, things go wrong. It’s in those difficult times that your relationship really gets put to the test. Your partner needs to be your rock, your shoulder to cry on, while also understanding that he or she can’t be your priority right now. It’s easy to be there for someone on happy days, but it’s a different story when things fall apart.

Your partner needs to know that you are there for him or her. “It’s saying that I’m going to stand by you, stick with you even though this is a horrible time for you,” Greene says. “I know that our relationship can’t be the number one priority during this time and I’m going to do the best that I can because I’m invested enough.”

Although we hope nothing bad happens to you or your partner, “sometimes crises make a couple so much stronger,” Greene says. “It’s also a wonderful way for them to see how they deal with adversity. It’s easy to have a relationship when it’s all fun and games.” Having a caring and understanding partner can be the silver lining to an otherwise painful situation.

8. “Have fun!”

You should definitely cherish the time you spend with your SO, but all “strong couples respect each other’s independence,” Greene says. You should take me-time and time with your friends and encourage your partner to do the same. Spend time with each other’s friends as well - be sure to mix it up!

“There’s no formula, but it’s about trusting and respecting that somebody can have a full life,” Greene says. Say things like, “Have a really good time,” “Have fun with your friends!” or, “Hope your night is awesome; I can’t wait to hear about it!”

Let each other have lives outside of your relationship; this will only make you closer!

It can be difficult to express how you’re feeling, especially when you’re sad or angry. Hopefully the things strong couples say to each other will give you an idea of how to build a lasting relationship, whether it’s right now or in the future - #relationshipgoals!


Sesame Street is Excited for the Return of 'House of Cards,' Too

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Frank Underwood is one scary character. Turns out, so is Frank Underwolf.

Sesame Street is just as excited as we are for the release of season 3 of House of Cards on Netflix this weekend, as evidenced by their parody of the show—even though the little kids watching it won’t pick up on just how evil this wolf is, their parents (and us!) are definitely getting a kick out of it.

The children’s show did a “Three Little Pigs” version of the Netflix thriller where the big bad Frank Underwolf huffs and puffs to blow down two houses, leaving him with the white brick house that he’s always wanted. Sound familiar?

Check out the video and below and see just what happens when Mr. Underwolf gets what he's after.


The 17 Hottest Awards Show Couples

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Though the Oscars have come and gone, we're still drooling over the too-cute-for-words celebrity couples that graced the red carpet. With their perfect cheekbones and A-List status, celebrity couples are made up of just more than tabloid names and rumors. Most are loving and committed to their partners, and when the paps snap their pictures at awards shows, it truly shows. Prepare to swoon over the fabulous and adorable celebrity couples we always look forward to ogling every awards season - you know you love them!

1. Brad Pitt & Angelina Jolie

Anyone who’s anyone knows who Brangelina is. Whether they have their six beautiful children in tow at the supermarket or they’re jetsetting to another country, this A-List couple knows how to arrive in style. With Angelina’s angelic facial features and Brad’s chiseled jawline (you can spot both from miles away), these two striking stars deliver a tour de force on every red carpet.

2. Ben Affleck & Jennifer Garner

Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck are not only two of the most talented people in Hollywood, but two of the most beautiful as well. Our hearts skip a beat every time they give each other googly eyes at awards shows!

3. Ellen DeGeneres & Portia de Rossi

Ellen DeGeneres practically broke Twitter during the 2014 Oscars because of her star-studded selfie (you know the one). Ellen is the only person to get Meryl Streep, Channing Tatum and Brad Pitt in one picture and because of that, she is one of the greatest people to walk the Earth. But the love and devotion she has for her gorgeous wife is yet another reason to adore her. Even before their glamorous wedding in 2008, this couple always hit the red carpet in style, and they both know how to look good.

4.  Emma Stone & Andrew Garfield

Life imitates art with this out-of-this-world cute couple, who met as love interests in The Amazing Spider-Man. Whether walking the streets of New York City, casually standing in an airport or gracing the red carpet with their glowing presence, Emma and Andrew never hide their love for one another (and good thing, too, because we're living vicariously through their romance).

5. Adam Levine & Behati Prinsloo

Adam Levine may be the lead singer of one of the most popular bands of the last twenty years, but he's also the second half to one of the hottest marriages in Hollywood. Behati Prinsloo, a Namibian model and Victoria’s Secret Angel, broke the hearts of many women (us included) when she tied the knot to the tattooed singer in 2014. When the pair steps onto the red carpet, all eyes are always on them. Can you blame us?!

6. Jennifer Aniston & Justin Theroux  

When Jen starred in Wanderlust with Justin Theroux in 2012, sparks flew about a budding romance. In the three years since, the happy couple has appeared at many a red carpet event, and they never disappoint - we honestly can't even tell which one is hotter. Can we call it a tie?

7. Jamie Dornan & Amelia Warner

Jamie Dornan is without a doubt one of the hottest men in the world. The Fifty Shades of Grey star has undeniable on-screen chemistry with co-star Dakota Johnson, but, as it turns out, the real-life Christian Grey has his own Anastasia already. Amelia Warner, Dornan’s wife of two years, is a stunning match to her husband. Consider us jealous!

8. Channing Tatum & Jenna Dewan Tatum

If there's one couple that truly never disappoints come award season, it's definitely the Tatums. People magazine's Sexiest Man Alive of 2012 meets his sultry, smart Step Up co-star, and sparks fly all over the place.

9. George Clooney & Amal Alamuddin

While Mr. Clooney was a renowned ladies' man for a long time, he finally settled down with the talented, intelligent, impressive Amal Alamuddin, an accomplished international law and human rights lawyer. Do we have a girl crush? Yes. Yes we do.

10. Bradley Cooper & Suki Waterhouse

After starring in possibly one of the best war films of our generation, Bradley Cooper is having a great year, and this awards season should not ruin his lucky streak. Just when you thought things couldn't get better, Cooper has a beautiful British girlfriend to accompany him to every event - the endearingly beautiful and talented Suki Waterhouse (who's close to our age!), and we know the cameras can’t get enough of the dazzling pair.

11. Chris Pratt & Anna Faris

The stars truly aligned when Chris Pratt married Anna Faris in 2009. These two alone could not be funnier, so together their relationship is probably more fun than any comedy set. We keep hoping they'll break into an impromput comedy sketch on the red carpet, because dare to dream.

12. Amy Adams & Darren Le Gallo

Big Eyes star Amy Adams has been with her fiancé, Darren Le Gallo, for 14 years, and the pair is always glamorous when they step out together. Amy Adams always looks gorgeous in whatever she chooses to wear, but when she brings her date with her, they never fail to make us swoon.

13. Jay-Z & Beyoncé

No matter the award show, when Queen B and Jay-Z walk onto the carpet, you know they have arrived. Honestly, this seems to happen everywhere they go - basketball games, street corners in New York, islands in the Caribbean. Their glamour is something that cannot be ignored, so this awards season, we're craving our usual Bey and Jay fix on the red carpet.

14. Chris Hemsworth & Elsa Pataky

Have there ever been two more attractive parents in the history of ever? The answer is no, no there have not. Every time we see them together on the red carpet, we're practically squee-ing with glee.

15. Ryan Reynolds & Blake Lively

Possibly the two most beautiful people on the planet have reproduced (tough competition for Hemsworthy and Pataky), Lively and Reynolds might not be as present on the red carpet this season given their newborn baby, James. That said, we'll be missing them dearly whenever they're gone!

16. Matthew McConaughey and Camila Alves

Camila Alves is truly stunning, so it’s only fitting that her husband is one of the sexiest men in the acting world right now. Practically ageless, McConaughey has the face of an angel and can make girls faint from miles away when he shows up all suited up on the red carpet. But make no mistakes; his wife doesn’t let him outshine her.

17. Joe Manganiello & Sofia Vergara

A newer couple than the rest, Joe Manganiello and Sofia Vergara showed up at the SAG Awards this year looking extraordinary. Two true beauties, their chemistry on the red carpet is something every photographer loves to capture - have you ever seen a couple look happier?! But what really makes us smile is imagining the kids these two could have... Could we even handle their perfection?

Whether it be the Oscars, Golden Globes or SAG Awards, these couples sure know how to shine every time they step out together. Which other couples deserve a spot on the list? Tell us in the comments!

11 Other Guys We'd Like to See Strip in 'Magic Mike XXL'

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While Channing Tatum, Matt Bomer and Joe Manganiello certainly fit the bill of the steamy male stripper character, we couldn't help but wish a few other male celebs would join them on stage. Let's let the abs speak for themselves, shall we?

1. Zac Efron

Once a Wildcat, always a Wildcat? Umm, how about you reevaluate there, Troy. Because we have a much steamier future in mind for you, and it involves becoming a stripper with a heart of gold (at least, on screen). Just gonna leave that gif here.

2. Ryan Gosling

No, no, Ryan. It's not. It's not at all

3. Liam Hemsworth

There has got to be another side to Liam that we never get to see in Gale's Hunger Games character... A side we could get definitely used to. And by "side," we mean "set of six-pack abs."

4. Chris Hemsworth

Who doesn't love a little family competition? When it comes to Hemsworths, the more, the merrier.

5. Usher

We have three words: Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

6. Adam Levine

Forget the voice! Give us theabs. And those tats.

7. Michael B. Jordan

He can charm the pants off of anyone. Now it's time for the tables to turn.

8. Dave Franco

In case that adorable smile wasn't enough.

9. Ryan Reynolds

Blake Lively, you are one lucky woman.

10. Jamie Dornan

#sorrynotsorry, we didn't get enough of you in Fifty Shades of Grey (which is definitely saying something).

11. Joseph Gordon-Levitt

We see you, JGL. It hasn't gone unnoticed that you've practically already auditioned. Let's keep the vest off for now, 'kay?

We suppose we can keep holding out hope for Magic Mike #4. But until then, at least we have these gifs.

Christina Aguilera Impersonates Britney Spears—& it's Amazing!

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We knew Christina Aguilera could sing anything—but we weren't aware, until now, of just what anything really meant.

The Voice judge visited Jimmy Fallon on his talk show last night where she played “Wheel of Musical Impressions” and imitated Cher, Shakira and of course, Britney Spears. While we would died to hear Christina belt out a little “Like a Slave 4 U,” her assignment was to sing “This Little Piggy” as her former Mickey Mouse Club rival.

Naturally, she slayed—not to mention, she also did some pretty impressive impersonations of Cher (doing the Folgers coffee jingle) and Shakira (singing the Golden Girls theme song). Check out her skills below!


What artists (and which songs!) would you have Christina take on next? We've love to see her getting her Yoncé on... just saying.

Take Your Safety Into Your Own Hands With This Empowering App

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College: It’s the land of ultimate freedom, independence and fun (with plenty of academics to balance things out, of course!). When your years on campus are over, you want to look back and know you made the most of every opportunity—that you didn’t miss a thing, and didn’t waste time worrying about the little things in life. That’s why it’s time to get empowered—about your life, about your future and about your safety. Take complete charge of your personal safety and live life on your own terms with BlueLight, a safety app that gives you that extra boost of confidence you need to make the most of every moment of college.

The ingenious app, compatible with iPhone and Android devices, gives you the thing you need most in an emergency situation: more time. More time for help to find you, more time for emergency response and more time to stay safe! Most importantly, you can walk tall and leave your worries behind knowing that the app is just there as backup every day—if you ever decide to use its emergency response feature, it’ll contact the nearest response team, be it campus safety or 911 services, so you won’t be alone any longer than you have to be. Check out this infographic explaining why it’s the best tool to have in your app arsenal:

While waiting a couple of minutes for help to pinpoint our location doesn’t sound bad, we ask: Why wait at all? That’s why BlueLight’s faster, more accurate response makes it such a must-have app. If you find you need to use its emergency services, all you have to do is open the app and tap the “Request Help” button. BlueLight will then connect you to the closest emergency service, regardless of whether you’re on campus (campus security officers), off campus (911 services) or even hitting the slopes at the ski resort (Ski Patrol). If you're connected to campus security, BlueLight can tell them your location even if you can't speak. If you call 911, while BlueLight can't tell the dispatcher automatically where you are, it will show your address on the screen so you can read it off to emergency services. It’s an everyday personal safety app that has major benefits in the confidence department!

Here’s our favorite part, though: Obviously, you’re rarely (hopefully never) going to run into an emergency situation. But why not have friends and family stay in the loop about what you’re up to, just so everyone’s on the same page? Using the app’s “On My Way” function, you can choose anyone in your address book—your bestie, your roommate, your mom and more—and send out notifications that you’re headed home or that you’ve arrived A-OK. They don’t even have to have the app to receive the messages! That way you don’t have to feel alone when you’re walking back from the library or heading home from a night out; instead, you’ll just get to focus on how you’re about to kick that midterm’s butt or how amazingly hilarious your night was (and what the pictures on Facebook tomorrow will look like...).

Why worry about the little things when you have so many bigger, better things going on every day at college? Get empowered and score that extra boost of confidence with BlueLight

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