Pi Day is finally here! If you're not sitting in math class working hard to memorize as many digits of Pi as you can cram into your brain, then you should get into the kitchen and whip up a few of these tasty pies to nom on. Meet 11 scrumptious pie recipes you won't be able to live without:

1. Lemon Chess Pie 

If you're looking for something tangy and creamy that will make your day instantly brighter, this lemon chess pie is just what the doctor ordered! 

• Step 1: Sorry, I'm not going to outline how to make your own crust - if you're looking for a good crust recipe, you can find a great one here. Otherwise, let's assume that you have a store-bought crust at the ready. 
• Step 2: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. 
• Step 3: Place six tablespoons of melted butter, 3/4 cups of fresh lemon juice, half a teaspoon of salt, one and two thirds cups of sugar, one tablespoon of cornmeal, one and a half tablespoons of cornstarch and five large eggs in a bowl. Whisk until all ingredients are well combined. 
• Step 4: Pour this mixture into the pie crust. 
• Step 5: Bake on the bottom rack of your oven at 375 degrees for 45 to 50 minutes. When done, the top of the pie will be golden brown. 
• Step 6: Allow to cool, then enjoy! 

2. Red Velvet Fudge Pie 

If your mouth isn't watering just looking at the photo of this rich, chocolatey pie, then you're the only one. Something this decadent deserves to be served on Pi Day!

• Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. 
• Step 2: Grab your pie crust (whether homemade or store-bought). 
• Step 3: Prepare one box of store-bought red velvet cake mix. A typical box of Duncan Hines Red Velvet Cake Mix calls for three eggs, one and one fourth cups of water and one third of a cup of oil. Mix it well and pour into the pie crust. 
• Step 4: Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until crusts are golden brown or until a toothpick pressed into the center of the pie comes out clean. 
• Step 5: In a midsized saucepan, combine one quarter of a cup of butter, five ounces of chocolate chips and seven ounces of sweetened condensed milk. Stir over medium heat until it's smooth, then pour the mixture over the pie. 
• Step 6: Garnish with extra chocolate chips. 
• Step 7: Allow it to cool, then enjoy! 

3. Blueberry Pie 

It's a classic for a reason! This tart yet sweet down-home favorite is perfect if you're looking for a not-too-flashy (but still so tasty) way to celebrate Pi Day. 

• Step 1: Prepare your crust (or simply get out your store-bought one). 
• Step 2: Mix six cups of fresh or frozen blueberries, half a cup of sugar, one fourth of a cup of flour, 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon, half a teaspoon of lemon zest and one tablespoon of lemon juice in a large bowl. 
• Step 3: Transfer the mixture to the pie crust. Dot the top of it with two tablespoons of butter, chopped into small pieces. 
• Step 4: Place top portion of pie crust on top of the blueberry mixture and butter. 
• Step 5: Put the pie in the refrigerator and chill for 30 minutes. 
• Step 6: Whisk one egg and one tablespoon of milk together, then brush the top of the pie with this mixture. 
• Step 7: Place the pie in the oven and bake for 20 minutes at 425 degrees. Then reduce the heat to 350 degrees and bake for 30 to 40 more minutes. 
• Step 8: Allow to cool, then enjoy! 

4. Chocolate Chip Pie 

Nothing smells as heavenly as a chocolate chip pie baking in the oven! Create your own delectable aroma by baking this pie on our favorite mathematical holiday.

• Step 1: Preheat your oven to 325 degrees. 
• Step 2: Beat two large eggs in a large bowl at high speed until they become foamy.
• Step 3: Beat in half a cup of flour, half a cup of sugar and half a cup of brown sugar. Then beat in 3/4 cup of softened butter. 
• Step 4: Slowly stir in one cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips and one cup of chopped walnuts. 
• Step 5: Spoon this mixture into your pie crust. 
• Step 6: Bake for 55 to 60 minutes. 
• Step 7: Allow to cool, then serve à la mode!

5. Peach Pie 

Peach pie isn't just a mushy nickname for your significant other - it's a mouthwateringly sweet, tangy, flaky dessert that you now have the power to make, thanks to this simple recipe. 

• Step 1: Preheat your oven to 450 degrees. 
• Step 2: Place five cups of peeled, sliced peaches into a large bowl. Sprinkle with two tablespoons of lemon juice. Mix gently.
• Step 3: In a separate bowl, add half a cup of flour, one cup of sugar, half a teaspoon of cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Mix together, then pour this mixture over peaches. Mix gently. 
• Step 4: Dot the peach mixture with two tablespoons of butter, chopped into smaller pieces. Then place the top portion of the pie crust on top of the peach mixture. 
• Step 5: Brush one beaten egg over the top pie crust. 
• Step 6: Bake for 10 minutes in the preheated oven. Then, reduce the heat to 350 degrees and bake for 30 to 35 minutes until the crust is golden brown. 
• Step 7: Allow to cool, then serve à la mode! 

6. Coconut Cream Pie 

Feeling something a little out of the ordinary for your Pi Day celebrations? This creamy coconut pie is just the ticket! 

• Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. 
• Step 2: Spread one cup of sweetened flaked coconut on a baking sheet and bake it. Stir occasionally. This should take about five minutes, until the coconut is golden brown. 
• Step 3: In a midsized saucepan, add three cups of half and half, two beaten eggs, 3/4 cup of white sugar, half a cup of all-purpose flour and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Bring the mixture to a boil over a low heat, stirring constantly. 
• Step 4: Remove the pan from the heat, then stir in 3/4 cup of the toasted coconut and one teaspoon of vanilla extract. (Save the rest of the toasted coconut for the top of the pie!)
• Step 5: Pour this filling into the pie crust. Chill until firm (about four hours). 
• Step 6: Top with one cup of frozen whipped topping, thawed. Garnish with the remainder of the toasted coconut. 
• Step 7: Enjoy! 

7. Grasshopper Pie

If none of the rest of the pies on this list looked appetizing to you, then this last one is bound to catch your attention. This grasshopper pie is minty, chocolatey and simply perfect for someone looking for an extraordinary dessert to celebrate Pi Day! 

• Step 1: In a midsized bowl, beat three extra large egg yolks. Set these aside.
• Step 2: In a medium sized saucepan, mix one envelope of unflavored gelatin, half a cup of sugar, half a cup of heavy cream and 1/8 teaspoon of kosher salt. Let sit until the gelatin softens (about five minutes). Place this pan over medium heat. Cook until the gelatin dissolves and the mixture is very hot, but not boiling. This should take around two minutes. 
• Step 3: Whisking vigorously, slowly add this gelatin mixture to the egg yolks. Then return this mixture back to the saucepan and stir frequently until slightly thickened. This should take two minutes. 
• Step 4: Remove this from heat and add 1/4 cup of crème de menthe and 1/4 cup of chocolate liqueur. Pour the mixture into a clean bowl, then refrigerate. Stir it occasionally until wobbly but not entirely set (around 20 minutes). 
• Step 5: In a large chilled bowl, using a whisk or a hand-held mixer, beat one and a half cups of heavy cream to stiff peaks. Whisk one cup of the whipped cream into the gelatin mixture until completely combined. Use a rubber spatula to fold the gelatin mixture into the remaining whipped cream. Do this until no streaks remain. Fold in green food coloring if desired. 
• Step 6: Scrape this mixture into a cooled pie crust. Smooth the top and refrigerate until firm, preferably overnight. 
• Step 7: Garnish with whipped cream and chocolate curls.

There you have it! Seven delicious pie recipes to help you celebrate Pi Day. Which will you try today?!

Whether you’ve just started dating a new guy or you’re attempting to snag a campus cutie, you’ve probably done a couple of crazy things to keep him interested. Texting him cute messages and offering him little compliments here and there are nice gestures, but how can you demonstrate to your guy just how head-over-heels, gaga in love you are?

Here are just a few ways to make sure your guy knows how crazy you are for him (and, consequently, just how crazy you are).

1. Favorite every tweet he's posted since 2011.

2. Talk about which features of his you’d like your future kids to inherit.

3. Send his parents friend requests on Facebook.

4. Use FACEinHOLE.com to put pictures of the two of you on the bodies of various celebrity couples.

5. Attend all his intramural basketball games as the unofficial team cheerleader.

6. Change your name in his phone to “My One and Only.”

7. Send him a Snapchat every morning when you wake up so it’s like he’s waking up next to you.

8. Get a T-shirt screen-printed with his face on it.

9. Memorize his schedule so you’ll always be waiting for him outside of his classes.

10. Accompany him to the gym so you can cheer him on as he lifts weights.

11. Bring him homemade soup in bed when you see him post on Facebook that he caught a cold.

12. Send him text messages with winking emojis throughout the day.

13. Give him a framed photo of yourself to put on his bedside table.

14. Spray your signature scent all over his sheets.

15. Memorize the lyrics to his favorite songs and serenade him whenever you get a chance.

16. Endorse every skill he has listed on LinkedIn.

17. Instagram a picture of every “first” the two of you have together (e.g. first movie together, first ski trip together, first Chipotle burrito together, etc.).

18. Sit with his friends whenever you see them in the dining hall and keep turning the conversation back to how great he is.

19. Put on a magic show where you handcuff the two of you together and “accidentally” misplace the key.

20. Change his computer background to a picture of the two of you.

21. Download a tracking device onto his cell phone so that you can always find out where he is.

22. Give him a sweater with a heart sewn inside one of the arms so he can always wear your heart on his sleeve.

23. Ask him what he wants for Christmas… next year.

24. Show him apartments that the two of you could move into together after graduation.

25. “Like” every photo he appears in on Facebook with another girl and ask him who they are later.

26. Leave an extra toothbrush in his dorm room.

27. Buy him season tickets for all of his favorite sports teams.

28. Put him down as your emergency contact on medical forms.

29. Steal one of his hoodies and wear it for weeks straight without washing it because “it smells like him.”

30. Get his initials tattooed on your wrist.

31. Make up a nickname for the two of you by combining your first names and insist that everyone refers to you by it.

32. Take random candid photos of him when he isn’t paying attention.

33. Hunt him down whenever you know he’s in the library so that you can bring him a coffee.

34. Tweet quotes of every funny thing he says.

35. Verbally assault any girl who looks at him for too long.

36. Volunteer to do his laundry for him.

37. Break into his dorm room and cook him smiley-face pancakes for breakfast.

38. Tell the waiter to bring you one drink with two straws when you go out to dinner.

39. Make a copy of the key to his dorm room while he’s in class.

40. Cut off a lock of his hair when he’s sleeping so you can keep it with you.

41. Call him daily and describe every dream you have about him.

42. Post every link that reminds you of him to his Facebook wall.

43. Change your schedule so you have all your classes together.

44. Buy him a one-way plane ticket so he can come visit you for an extended stay this summer.

45. Sign the two of you up for premarital counseling.  

46. Tag along on guys’ nights and refer to yourself as “The Honorary Bro.”

47. Leave him voicemails of the free-verse poetry you wrote for him in class on his phone.

48. Find a way to hold his hand whenever he’s close enough for you to reach it.

49. Make him a mannequin with your exact measurements so that you can always lie beside him in bed, even when you’re not there.

50. Hang a banner in the quad proclaiming your undying affection for him so everyone can know.

Sure, he may be a little overwhelmed by all this affection, but you wouldn’t want him to doubt your love, would you? (Just don’t be too surprised when he starts to doubt your sanity instead.)

Just in time to celebrate Women’s History Month, Paul Gale, a comedian on YouTube released a tongue-in-cheek parody video of Amazon Prime starring actress Lauren Ireland. The fake advertisement showcases “Amazon Prime for Women”, a service that would give women 78 percent of products for 78 percent of the full price since women make 78 percent of what men do in identical jobs. Going even further than addressing the wage disparity between men and women, the video has promos for other fake services, including “Amazon Prime for Black Women,” where the buyer would get 64 percent of the product, and “Amazon Prime for Hispanic Women,” where the buyer would get 54 percent of the product, paralleling the fact that Black women make 64 cents for every dollar that a man does and Hispanic women, 54.

Gale provides a link in the description for viewers to donate to the National Organization for Women, while making clear that the video isn’t sponsored by the National Organization for Women.

This video comes in the wake of Patricia Arquette’s speech at the Oscars about wage inequality, Emma Watson’s push to make feminism mainstream, and International Women’s Day on March 8th. Gale's video stands out from other representations of feminism in the media, though, because it makes references to the inequalities that women of color experience—which are often overlooked when we talk about gender inequality. 

"Regardless of the exact [wage gap] numbers, there's a systemic inequality embedded in our society, whether it's regarding gender, race, or sexual orientation,"Gale told The Huffington Post. "To have a platform to point at it in my own way and say 'Hey, this! We should talk about this!' is something I'm grateful to be able to do."

Today marks Girl Scout Day—it's the 103rd birthday of the organization, and we can't think of a better way to celebrate than to indulge in Girl Scout cookies. We won't judge if you polish off an entire box on your own. Your desire to eat ALL of the cookies in one sitting says a lot about the depth of your determination—but what do the cookies you were reaching for say about you?

1. Thin Mints

One of the best things about Thin Mints is the refreshing, cool taste that they leave in your mouth even after the very first bite. They are cool and they know they don’t have to try very hard to be America’s favorite. If you are a Thin Mints girl, you have a charismatic personality that people are naturally drawn to. Everyone around you marvels at your ability to stay calm, cool and collected even in the midst of the most hectic of exam weeks.

2. Samoas

Upon initial inspection, it might have seemed like Samoas had a little bit too much going on and you weren’t sure if you could handle that kind of crazy in your life. The fact that you were willing to give this cookie a shot (and that it’s now your favorite!) speaks volumes to your willingness to try new things, take risks and be adventurous. Your spontaneity is infectious and you are never afraid to speak your mind. 

3. Trefoils

Taylor Swift must have been eating this cookie when she wrote the line “we never go out of style,” because Trefoils are one classy cookie that will always be a Girl Scout classic. While some might opt for the flashier treats, your loyalty to this traditional cookie shows your taste for the simpler things in life. You don’t need chocolate or artificial flavoring to know a good cookie when you see one. Just like Trefoils, while you might not have the most outgoing exterior, you are loyal to those around you and provide a drama-free environment and your friends and family adore your level-headed, positive personality.

4. Tagalongs

Tagalongs are your spirit cookie because in both of you, there is way more than meets the eye. While you might be a tough cookie to crack, once people get to know you they are surprised to find a lovable interior. You are good at seeing past external appearances in both other people and in everyday life. You pride yourself on your creativity and being engaged in artistic endeavors, however, unlike peanut butter, you are careful not to overspread yourself in your activities.

5. Do-si- dos

These cookies are commonly seen as the less interesting version of Tagalongs. They have the yummy peanut butter center, but they are seriously lacking in the exciting and equally yummy chocolate department. If you like Do-si-dos you are not afraid to go against the crowd and proudly be your own person. If all your friends ordered a box of Tagalongs because they like chocolate would you order some too? Definitely not. You just like peanut butter and you don’t care who knows it. Your unwavering, unbiased personality makes you the best person to get advice from.

6. Savannah Smiles

The name of this cookie speaks for itself! If you are a Savannah Smiles fan you there is no doubt that you are the person who greets everyone with a smile just to brighten their day. Your optimistic personality rubs off on people just as much as the powdery exterior of the cookie rubs off on your hands.

7. Lemonades

Your favorite cookie has a tangy, zesty taste and you've got a personality to match. Friends find your fun-loving personality refreshing and you enjoy being the center of attention! The yellow box that your favorites are in are just an outward manifestation of your bright and sunny attitude.

8. Thanks-a-lot

As the name suggests, these cookies are the politest of the Girl Scout bunch. The word “thank you” appears in several different languages on the cookies to make sure that everyone is included. Like these cookies, you are well-mannered and inviting. You always strive to make everyone feel comfortable and when you are around, even the smallest good deed does not go unnoticed.

9. Cranberry Citrus Crisps

These cookies are a newcomer among the Girl Scout cookies and have not quite yet made a name for themselves, but that is okay because they are up to the challenge. If the Cranberry Citrus Crisps are your favorite cookie then you are a person who is not easily intimidated by change or new events in your life. You are always ready to meet challenges head on, you exceed all expectations, and you are not afraid to put yourself out there. Along with your trusty cookies, you are ready to show the world something it has never seen before.

No matter which cookie is your favorite, we can all agree upon the importance of earning a badge in cookie snacking!

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

I'm interested in a guy who's really shy. Last weekend, his friends set him up with me because he can have a hard time meeting girls and they thought we would get along… and we did! We had a great conversation, and by the end of the night (and, admittedly, a few drinks later), he was holding my hand, walking me back to my dorm. When we got there, he stayed for a good three hours just talking as we got to know each other (it didn't get physical). Since then, he's told me he wants to see me again, but I've been initiating all the contact. His friends tell me he likes me and keep encouraging us to hang out, but he hasn't made any bold moves. What can I do to pull him out of his shell? —Help Me at Hamilton

Hamilton,

He doesn’t need to make a bold move to show his interest in you.

In my opinion, we’ve been conditioned to think that we need to offer up some grand gesture to prove our interest in another person. Standing outside with a stereo, knocking on her door in the middle of a downpour or singing “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’” to her in a crowded bar… See what I mean? Pop culture has led us to believe that grand gestures are required.

Fun fact: They’re not.

The man has already shown his interest by holding your hand and walking you to your dorm. He’s also shown interest by talking to you for three hours to get to know you better. The dude is definitely into you. As for his not making any bold moves and getting him to come out of his shell, I maintain the theory that it shouldn’t always be the man’s job to make a bold move. Some people suffer from crippling anxiety (a few drinks may have quelled this anxiety) and can’t bring themselves to make a move. This guy in question could be one of them. He might even have a good reason to be afraid of taking that step that goes beyond everyday anxieties—he might have had his heart broken in the past.

I’ll tell you what would pull him out of his shell: Next time you hang out, kiss him. Sometimes, that’s all it takes—a little jumpstart. When he knows for sure that you’re interested, I think he’ll be a little more active. Like I said, some guys are just insanely nervous. I know I used to be. Hang out, set the atmosphere (nothing super romantic or anything, but a casual environment is nice), and go in for the kiss when you feel the moment is right.

On the off chance that he doesn’t reciprocate, play it cool. It might sting, but try to understand that maybe he wasn’t interested in the same thing. It happens to all of us—I can recall at least three times where a kiss or almost-kiss (from me or to me) went unreciprocated, and we were able to laugh it off and remain friends. Sometimes feelings get misunderstood and, because we’re adults, we should be able to understand that.

That being said, I don’t think you’ll find yourself in those shoes. Give the guy a break and try to see things from a different angle. I’m sure he’s interested, and I think you’re in a perfect position to bring him out of his shell with a little, er, “physical motivation.”

Spring break finally arrived, and not a minute too soon. You've been drowning in school work, roommate drama and internship searches, and nothing sounds more perfect than laying on a beach with a fruity cocktail in hand. All of that stuff you've been worrying about? It's time to shake it off. 

Your friends are SO jealous that you're going away for the break, but you're too excited to even care. 

You couldn't even think about your classes right now if you tried. Your mind is in total Spring Break Mode. 

The budget flight you bought is packed and uncomfortable, but you don't care because you'll get there so soon!

When you and your friends finally get to the hotel, you hastily throw your bags into your room and run to the beach. 

You take a deep breath and decide you're ready to forget about everything going on at home. Time to party!

One sip of that first daiquiri and everything but happiness just melts away.

You and your friends are ready to meet some guys -- maybe even have a fling. 

You all swear to each other that you'll be the best wingwomen ever. 

You give yourself a pep talk as you get ready for a night out at the clubs. It's all about confidence! Channel it! 

You put on your absolute hottest outfit, and girl, you look GOOD. 

All you want to do is dance your troubles away in celebration of this glorious spring break.

You might even start to show off your moves a little too much after a few drinks, but your friends tell you when to ease up. 

And you might take it down a notch, but you're definitely not going to stop dancing. 

When you spot a cute guy, you're ready with a flirty, fun line to get his attention.

You're in the middle of a dance floor make-out before you can even introduce yourself. 

It's spring break though, so you're just looking for a fling. You tell him that you're not looking for a relationship, obvi.

JK though, you totally can't help yourself.

When you wake up in the morning and remember how you acted last night, you're just like... 

Not to mention that intense hangover that greeted you like the insanely bright sunshine outside of your window as soon as you opened your eyes. You feel totally sick.

You friends sit around sharing stories from last night, half-laughing and half-freaking out.

You decide it's time to break up with alcohol. 

Your equally hungover friends agree -- none of you will never drink again. 

Well... At least, you don't drink until your hangover goes away late that afternoon. Then you're back on the Bahama Mama train. 

Last night is over. Forget about it! It's a new night! 

None of you have a worry in the world, and you're so ready to take on the rest of spring break without a hitch.

Hangovers can't keep you down! 

You're feeling like spring break will never end. 

You all put on cute outfits and are ready for another night out together (and you get the perfect Insta together before you leave, of course). 

Every night of the break feels worry-free, like nothing could go wrong. 

You're having too much fun to worry about sleeping, duh.

Then, suddenly, it's your last night, and you remember that you'll have to go home soon.

But you can't even be sad about it, because this spring break has been the absolute best. 

You tell all of your friends how much you loved it, and how perfect it was. Goodbye has never been so sweet. Breaks may end, but Facebook albums last forever.

#springbreakforever 

For most of us, summer means getting a killer tan. However, the first time laying out since last summer usually leads to a nasty sunburn. When you’ve sunbathed a little too much and your skin is feeling red and tender, try one of these six ways to get some relief in the comfort of your own home—with ingredients you probably already have in the house!

If your skin is blistering or if you have flu-like symptoms, call your doctor right away before trying any of these at-home treatments.

1. Take a vinegar bath

Draw yourself a lukewarm bath and add three cups of regular or apple cider vinegar to the water. You’ll need to sit in the bath for at least 15 minutes for the vinegar to balance out your skin’s pH back to a normal level. According to Bonnie K. McMillen, a college health nurse at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, the vinegar helps promote faster healing and can prevent your skin from forming blisters and peeling. Play some ocean sounds while you soak in the bath to remind yourself of the good ole days when you weren’t burnt.

2.Slather yourself in plain yogurt

Spread a generous amount of plain yogurt on your burn, put on your favorite Real Housewives spin-off and sit still for 15 to 20 minutes while you marinate. New York City dermatologist Francesca Fusco recommends using a thicker yogurt, like Greek yogurt. She recommends applying aloe to your skin after washing the yogurt off to further restore your skin. We recommend doing this when you’re not expecting company!

3.Make aloe vera ice cubes

Aloe vera is probably the most well-known remedy for sunburn. Rather than just spreading it on your skin and hoping for the best, try making these cool (no pun intended) aloe ice cubes!

Pick up a bottle of aloe vera from the grocery store or pharmacy (or, if you’re really fancy, cut open a leaf from an aloe plant) and freeze the gel in an ice cube tray. Once it freezes, wrap one of the cubes in a paper towel and rub it on your sunburn. You’ll feel relief like never before.

4.Make a cucumber paste

Slice up some cucumbers, freeze the slices and then pop them in the blender to make a cooling cucumber paste for your sunburn. Dermatologist Dr. Cynthia Bailey recommends this method because cucumbers have natural botanical properties that are ideal for relieving pain and providing antioxidants. The cooling from the cucumber paste will feel great on your burn, and it also smells really refreshing.

5.Try a milk-soaked compress

This is a great idea if your back is burned and you’re having a hard time contorting yourself to reach your sunburned skin. Soak a hand towel in cold milk (any variety will do!), pop it in the freezer for a few minutes to make it a little colder and then lay on your stomach with the milk-soaked towel on your back for 20 minutes. Fusco says that the milk’s protein, fat and pH have a calming, anti-inflammatory effect on the skin.

6.Make a tea-soaked compress

Steep about six or seven bags of any black tea in a pot. Just like the milk, grab a towel and let it soak in as much tea as the towel can hold, then stick it in the freezer to cool it down. Lay the towel over your back or wherever else is hurting and let the tea soothe your skin while you unwind for around 20 minutes. YouTube beauty guru Michelle Phan highly recommends this method because of the tea’s high antioxidant levels and its tannic acid, which is a key ingredient in fighting sunburn.

Don’t forget to drink a TON of water! When you’re recovering from sunburn, it’s so important to stay hydrated so your body can work on healing itself. Also, be sure to stay out of the sun if possible because you don’t want to make your burn any worse. The next time you lay out, use sunscreen (and don’t forget to reapply!) so you don’t permanently damage your skin!

Lily James is definitely princess material. The star of the upcoming Cinderella movie, which comes out today, possesses a certain royal grace. Also known for playing cousin Rose on the popular period television series Downton Abbey, James is no stranger to being outfitted in luxurious gowns for her roles. But this star has rocked plenty of regal looks off screen, too. Now if only we had our own fairy godmother to grant us dresses like these...

1. Laurence Olivier Awards - April 2013

This elegant corset style dress is sleek and chic.

2. Changing Faces Gala Dinner - March 2014

Intricate red lace pleats and long sleeves give this look a baroque feel.

3. Cinderella Mexico City Premiere - March 2015

This Prada gown is simple and sophisticated with a deep-V and wrap detail.

4. British Academy Film Awards - February 2013

James is the belle of the ball in sheer black lace with flutter sleeves.

5. Cinderella Berlin Premiere - February 2015

Looking pretty in petal pink, James stuns in this strapless ball gown.

6. Cinderella Moscow Premiere - February 2015

Glittering cage detailing and a slick updo are fit for a queen!

7. Royal Dinner at Windsor Castle - May 2014

James looks enchanting when stepping out for dinner with royalty (IRL!) in this feathered number

8. Cinderella LA Premiere - March 2015

James looks like a real life Cinderella in this sparkling powder blue Elie Saab.

Be sure to check out Cinderella, coming out today, March 13!

Whoever said senior year of college was laid-back must’ve been hitting the PSLs a little too hard, because your schedule is the opposite of laid-back. Between writing your senior thesis or completing your senior project, working at your part-time job, applying to grad school, studying for standardized tests, participating in extracurriculars and trying to spend quality time with your friends, family and SO before you enter the real world, you’re living the lives of two people, not one.

Basically, instead of senioritis, you’re infected with the equally potent do-it-all-itis. However, while you may think you can balance quantity and quality, pushing yourself too hard will eventually lead to burnout. Here’s how to reevaluate your priorities so that you can be focused on what’s really important—and, you know, stop every once in a while to breathe.

1. Recognize that you’re doing too much

First, it’s important to recognize that you are trying to do too much. Some common signs:

1. You’re always daydreaming about just one night of good night sleep (Eight hours? What’s that?).
2. Your resting heart rate is about as high as Mount Kilimanjaro.
3. You rely on an extremely complex system of planners, to-do lists, Post-it notes, apps and iPhone reminders to keep everything under control.
4. Thoughts of the weekend are the only things keeping you going.
5. You’re constantly anxious, and your friends know that if they want to hang out with you, they have to secure a time slot at least two weeks beforehand—and you reserve the right to cancel 24 hours in advance.

Do any of these sound familiar? A little bit of stress is normal, especially as you prepare to graduate. But if you’re spending the majority of your time feeling panicky or overwhelmed, that’s definitely not normal. While the local coffee shops may benefit from your hectic schedule, it’s important for your health and happiness that you cut down.

“We live in such a fast-paced culture with such high expectations that it’s no wonder so many people are struggling to find balance,” says Andrea Wachter, a psychotherapist with more than 20 years of experience.

Your sanity is more important than your resume or GPA—but while you may cringe at the idea of doing less, Wachter says it’s okay to start small.

“Finding balance is an art,” she says. “The good news is that we don’t have to do it perfectly, and a little change can make a big difference.”

2. Write everything down

With your jam-packed days, time is as precious as Louboutin stilettos, so we’re guessing you haven’t taken any time to sit down and lay out all of your obligations. Grab a piece of paper and a pen and list absolutely every recurring obligation or activity in your life.

If you try to see your SO at least four days a week, write that down. If you go on a 45-minute run every morning, write that down. And, of course, include the standard stuff like going to class, studying, working a part-time job or internship and so forth. You should also jot down how many hours or minutes each activity takes.

“I often ask my clients in my therapy practice to take a realistic look at their schedules and see what can be deleted, shortened or shifted,” Wachter says. “They laugh at the irony of them having to find the time to even look!”

Once you have a visual representation of all the things you’re currently juggling, it’ll be much easier to see what’s taking the biggest drain on your time and energy. Then you’ll be ready for step number three.

3. Prioritize

Now it’s time to figure out which items on your list are non-negotiables. In other words, it doesn’t matter whether you want to do them or not: They have to happen. If you’re applying to graduate school, you have to spend a certain number of hours per week working on your applications and studying for the entrance exams. If you’re writing a thesis, you have to set aside space for doing research and working on the draft. Organize your list of obligations in order of importance, with non-negotiables at the top, important-but-not-essential things next, “extra” activities after that and finally, all of the ways you spend your time that aren’t necessary but keep you sane.

For example, a sample list could look like:

• Going to class
• Studying
• Searching for a full-time job
• Participating in my honors fraternity
• Being an active member of French club
• Volunteering
• Taking spin class
• Hanging out with friends
• Going out on Fridays

You can also try making a list of your goals for the next month, semester and year. Maybe you want to graduate with a 3.5 GPA and then travel for a little bit before finding a job. Or maybe you want to secure a position before you graduate. Or maybe you want to network like crazy while you can still pull the “student card.” Whatever you’re hoping to accomplish, putting it into concrete terms will help you track of which of your current obligations are helping you toward those goals—and which are subsidiary.

4. Reduce

Now it’s time to take your list of obligations and see what you can drop. If even the idea of reducing your workload freaks you out, imagine you’re helping a friend figure out a saner schedule as opposed to yourself.

“So many people are really hard on themselves and so compassionate and kind to others. Learn to get off your back and get on your own side,” Wachter says. “You should be motivated by kindness and passion and health rather than an internal whip.”

Although it’s difficult to drop activities that you’ve already started, also keep in mind the choice between quantity and quality. You can either do a billion things somewhat decently or a couple of things really well. In other words, you’re not quitting—you’re choosing the best way to invest your energy and time. Your first priority should be your mental health and your happiness. If it’s impossible for you to stay healthy and happy with your current schedule, you don’t just want a change, you need one.

When trying to decide what to cut, Wachter recommends distinguishing what you feel like you should do versus what you want to do. For example, do you want to be secretary of the marketing club—or do you feel like you should be because no one else will give the role as much attention? Do you want to run a half marathon with your SO, or do you feel like you should because he’s always talking about how cool it would be? If your primary reason for doing something is because someone else wants you to, that’s not necessarily a valid reason to continue.

This is also a great time to go back and compare your priorities with your short-term and long-term goals. Make sure your obligations are helping you make progress towards those goals!

5. De-stress

Now that you’ve simplified your obligations down to the most important ones, it’s important that you treat yourself to a little R&R.

Working out, meditating or doing yoga can do wonders for your stress level. However, if you’re already super busy, they can start to feel like yet another drain on your time. Wachter offers a couple of ideas for how to be more Zen that aren’t time-consuming.

“Bring yourself back to reality. Practice feeling the surface underneath you, noticing your breath, noticing the sounds you hear and what you see,” she says. “There are [also] infinite YouTube podcasts people can download on mindfulness meditation. So if you find yourself struggling to quiet your mind, you might turn on one of those for a few minutes.”

If you have 15 minutes, you can try this stress-relieving guided mediation; if you only have five,check out this shorter video.

Other quick and dirty ways to relax? Try taking a short deep-breathing break, watching a stand-up comedy show on Netflix, making a cup of green tea or taking a whiff of lavender or tea tree oil.

After making your schedule more manageable and showing yourself some love, you should be in a pretty good place. But that doesn’t mean you’ll be immune to the stresses of the upcoming years, so make sure to periodically check in on yourself and make sure you’re not falling back into the overdoing-it trap. Graduating from college will bring some huge life changes and new experiences; make sure you’re not too busy to enjoy them!

Never underestimate the witty remarks of child, especially those of four-year-old Siahj "Cici" Chase, who told off a bully with a response that's taking the internet by storm! In a video uploaded to Facebook by her mother, Cici explains how the preschool scene went down. After being asked what happened at school that day, she tells her mom how a little boy in her class called her ugly. Her reply? That she didn't come to school to make a fashion statement or look pretty, but to learn! 

Clearly, this little boy wasn't backing down because he then added that she looked bad, to which Cici playfully quipped, "Did you look in the mirror lately?"Snap! 

It's safe to say that Cici is our new hero. Not only did she stand up to the person trying to bring her down, but she seemed to have done it without a flinch! She even told People magazine that she felt "good and happy," about what she said. All hail Cici, this girl is truly beautiful both inside and out!

Keeping Up With the Kardashians viewers will remember hearing a sneak peek of the song “Awesome” during the epic Kimye wedding episode. Kanye performed a full version of the same song at the 2013 Met Gala but has yet to release an official version—until now (kind of). Earlier this week, the studio version of the song, in all it's auto-tuned glory, leaked—so now we can all listen to Kanye tell us how he really feels about Kim.

Multiple websites reported that this song was leaked after Kanye’s laptop was stolen in Paris, but a Def Jam representative claimed the rumor is completely untrue.

Regardless of how the song entered our consciousness, it quickly broke the Internet. The song is apparently dedicated to wife Kim Kardashian, and includes lyrics like “Baby you’re awesome/ You don’t need to listen to your manager/ You’re way too hot for them to handle ya.” It remains to be seen how Kris Jenner felt about that line, but here’s hoping for a subplot in the upcoming tenth season of KUWTK.

Regardless, the majority of the lyrics are so cringeworthy ("Cause baby you're awesome/Also, I'm also awesome"), we couldn't help but feel like this song is the most awkward thing in celebrity history. To prove that, we've put together a list of all the celeb moments that "Awesome" is as bad as...or even more so.

1. When Robin Thicke didn't realize that EVERYBODY could see what was going on back there

2. Every time Kathy Griffin embarrassed Anderson Cooper on New Year's Eve

3. When John Travolta tried kiss Scarlett Johansson at the 2015 Oscars, and she just wasn't having it

4. And when John Travolta welcomed "Adele Dazeem" to the stage

5. That time Britney Spears really connected with her fans

6. Miley Cyrus's entire 2013 MTV VMAs performance

7. The Kimye motorcycle ride nobody needed to see

We don't know about you, but we're kind of hoping "Awesome" doesn't make it onto Kanye's highly anticipated new album, So Help Me God.

Playing the cat-and-mouse dating game can be exhausting. Whether you’ve just met a guy you like, you’ve been casually dating someone new or you can’t get over your ex, figuring out how to act is anything but easy. When you really like someone, you feel the constant urge to talk to him, text him and see him. Most of the time, you know to ask yourself and your girlfriends if you’re being too needy before hitting “send” on a text, but other times you just can’t resist—and your guy goes MIA. So how do you draw the line between acting flirty and outright desperate? We asked real college guys for the five-stage clinger behaviors that have them running for the hills as well as dating experts for how to resist those urges.

 1. You text him constantly

If you both have been texting each other, it’s okay to initiate a conversation. It’s probably even acceptable to double-text him—occasionally—because we all know how nerve-racking it is to wait for a guy’s response. But according to Jodi R. R. Smith, president and owner of Mannersmith Etiquette Consulting, if you’re texting him every 10 minutes or fewer and he isn’t responding, you’ve fallen deep into the clingy zone.

If he doesn’t answer at all, needless to say it’s probably time for you to move on. Similarly, if his answers are typically one-worded, with little to no punctuation, chances are he is not playing mind games. He’s simply not interested, and he’s maintaining the minimum level of politeness.

Chris*, a freshman at the University of California, Los Angeles, once had what he thought was a casual hook-up with a girl, Anna*, who then got attached. She texts him “an unnecessarily large amount of times about pointless, mostly petty things,” such as mutual acquaintances or her homework. Chris usually answers along the lines of “yeah,” “cool” or “lol haha nice.” He says this is his way of telling her he isn’t interested without being blatantly rude. If you receive this kind of message, take the hint and put an end to the conversation (or lack thereof). You deserve better, anyway.

Try to space out your texts and make sure you have a valid excuse to message him, or he might get put off and stop answering. And on that note...

 2. You get nervous when he doesn’t respond

Worse, “if you get sweaty and nervous when [he doesn’t] answer,” you might want to revaluate how attached you are to this guy, Smith warns.

Christine Hart, a dating coach based in Toronto, explains that “generally, being clingy and being insecure go hand in hand.” Instead of focusing on this uncertain relationship, focus on yourself and your hobbies. Hart’s best advice is to “develop your own schedule and your own interests. Not in a way that excludes men in your life completely and makes them feel like an ‘add-on,’ but more in a way that you are committed to your own growth.”

Join clubs and organizations, develop your passions, work out, volunteer and just generally take advantage of all the opportunities a college campus has to offer. Find what you love, because if you’re happy with who you are, it will “bring more balance to your relationships,” Hart adds. So don’t fret if a guy isn’t answering, because either he’s busy, or he clearly doesn’t know what he’s missing.

 3. You follow him around

Following a guy around is pretty much the definition of clingy behavior. Ryan*, a sophomore at UCLA, once met a girl at a resort where it was always possible to find each other. This girl took advantage of the situation. “I would be hanging out with my friends and she would appear,” he says. “It got really annoying.”

In Ryan’s case, this girl’s behavior was harmless, but beware of crossing into stalker territory. Smith has seen many extreme examples in her years of consulting, such as girls waiting outside guys’ lectures, registering for classes based on the classes a guy was taking or simply finding every excuse to hug or touch him. “Don’t eliminate the thrill of the chase,” Smith advises.

There are plenty of ways to show a guy you’re interested without suffocating him in the process. In a party setting, for instance, you could look at him, make flirty eye contact and then look away. See if he’ll come towards you! “Move, but not necessarily towards them—perhaps towards your girlfriends,” Smith says.

You don’t have to use a pushy approach with a shy guy either. Bernardo Mendez, a relationship coach for women, explains that the girl usually makes the first move anyway, using subtle body language. If you look kind and open, interested but not desperate, even a shy guy will naturally feel drawn to you. Make sure he has space to approach you: for example, you could stand by your girlfriend’s side rather than be surrounded by half a dozen of your besties.

4. You overanalyze his social media activity

Facebook stalking someone you like is normal, unless you’re doing it far too often. “When I see that a guy has read a message I've sent and they don’t respond right away or I don’t see the ‘typing’ sign, I immediately analyze every detail of what I said,” says Charlotte*, a junior at UCLA.

Sound familiar? Let’s face it, we’ve all found ourselves over-analyzing a guy’s social media activity. But try to minimize how often you do it, because it could mean you’re too desperate.

“Sometimes I'll check their page to see if they’ve had any activity after they read my message and to see if they’re responding to other people,” Charlotte adds. This becomes a problem if you get so stuck worrying about their life that you can’t get on with your own.

Beware of excessive liking or commenting as well. Jenna*, a junior at UCLA, is well aware of this: “I tend to not like guys’ posts more than once because I’m scared it will come off as clingy and annoying, unless they like all of mine.”

If cyber-stalking its compromising your independence and making you anxious, you’ve gone too far.

5. You don’t trust him

If you need to know what your guy is doing every second or you insist that he joins you everywhere you go, these are red flags. Evan*, a freshman at UCLA, once went out with a girl who “would freak out if I was with friends and went five minutes without texting her with a reason as to why I didn't text her.”

Although this is an extreme example, her behavior was most likely due to a far more common insecurity. Mendez explains that “the basis around clinginess is the fear of not being loved and not being enough.” You might feel that being clingy will forge a stronger connection between you and your guy, but it could actually have the opposite effect. Mendez advises you “be patient and wait for him to meet you halfway.” Building attachment takes time—don’t try to force it!

Jealousy is another sign that you don’t trust your guy enough. It also puts you at risk of acting clingy, like Evan’s girlfriend, who “was convinced that all of her friends had crushes on me, so I wasn't allowed to talk to or hang out with them.” She was so insecure that she tried to control him, and this should never happen in a healthy relationship.

6. You’re too accommodating

For Smith, one of the most foolproof signs of neediness is being “constantly at their beck and call.” This is especially destructive because some guys might even use your insecurity to manipulate you. “Be a woman of mystery,” she advises. Don’t always feel like you have to call him back immediately. If he asks to hang out on a night when you have plans with your girlfriends, don’t ditch them for the guy!

Likewise, if you’re “always worried about making plans with friends and family because the guy in your life might ask you to hang out,” this is not only a telling sign that you’re too needy, but it’s “insulting to friends and family” as well, Hart says.

Agreeing with everything he says, giving him little gifts and cards for no reason or simply being too nice to him when he doesn’t treat you as nicely are just some of the signs that you’re trying too hard, according to our experts. “It makes a guy undervalue you, and it leads to a vicious cycle,” Mendez warns. “Clinginess is a question of value. If you value yourself, he will do whatever it takes to get you. If you’re initiating everything, he won’t want to.”

Always remember your worth, and don’t stay with a guy who doesn’t appreciate you for it.

 7. You’re moving too fast

If you’ve only just started seeing a guy, there are a few steps in your budding relationship that you absolutely should not skip. “Being clingy is about putting more pressure on the relationship than is appropriate,” says Mendez. If you’re referring to him as your boyfriend and introducing him to your family after a few weeks, or, worse yet, a few days of dating, you are moving too fast.

Talking about your future too early is equally as destructive. Even talking about the near future can be a no-no. Nick*, a sophomore at UCLA, asked a girl out a while back. During their first date, she started asking him where they would go on the next date. “She came on way too strong; it was really weird,” Nick says. “She texted me in the morning the next day and I was freaked out—stage-five clinger! It was a red flag, so I just ignored her text, which I kind of feel bad about, and we haven’t talked since.”

Although Nick’s attitude wasn’t exactly considerate, it’s actually pretty typical. Smith explains that a guy’s first reaction to clingy behavior is to disengage and avoid it. Only if you continue will a guy resort to being brutally honest. Pace yourself! Make sure you and your new guy are on the same page before trying to define the relationship as something it’s not.

If you’re guilty of any of these dating faux pas, “guys will just be so annoyed by it that you will end up being the clingy girl who gets clingier and clingier until you two break up (no fun and totally embarrassing),” Hart cautions. Clingy behavior is not exactly attractive, yet we all give into it from time to time. Hopefully these dating experts provided you with valuable insight and skills to avoid coming off as needy. Guys should be fighting to get you, not the other way round!

*Names have been changed.

Time to release your inner Disney princess. MAC Cosmetics just dropped their newest makeup collaboration in honor of the upcoming movie Cinderella, starring Lily James. The limited edition collection officially hit stores last week, just in time for movie's March 13th release.

Straight out of a fairytale, the 17-piece line is full of pretty pastel hues fit for a queen. It includes everything from eye glosses to loose pigments to pressed powder, all with names like "Glass Slipper" and "Evil Stepmother."

This isn't MAC's first rodeo when it comes to working with Disney, having created a collection for last year's Malificent starring Angelina Jolie.

In powder blue packaging with a pearly sheen reminiscent of Cinderella's famous ball gown, these new royally-inspired products are a dream come true. Consider them to be your own personal fairy godmother, here to make you the belle of the ball. The collection has been so popular it's already sold out—but once we can get our hands on these products again, we'll be coveting the ones below:

1. Cinderella Lipstick in Royal Ball, $17.50, MAC Cosmetics

2. Cinderella Tinted Lipglass in Happily Ever After, $16.50, MAC Cosmetics

3. Cinderella Eyeshadow x 6 palette in Stroke of Midnight, $44, MAC Cosmetics

4. Cinderella Studio Eye Gloss in Pearl Varnish, $23, MAC Cosmetics

5. Cinderella Pigment in Pretty It Up, $24, MAC Cosmetics

6. Cinderella Beauty Powder in Mystery Princess, $28, MAC Cosmetics

Which of these products will you snap up before the stroke of midnight?

When it comes to our love lives, our friends are our biggest supporters. They celebrate with us when we rock a first date, cry with us when a guy breaks our heart and take our side when the guy we like acts like a total jerk.

That’s why we don’t expect our friends––our biggest cheerleaders––to be the ones getting in the way of us finding that perfect guy. If your dating life is currently lackluster and loveless, your girlfriends just might be the culprits! Here are three ways that your friends may be ruining your chances at a relationship. 

The Problem: You Always Go Out as a Big Group

After a long week of tests and homework, letting off some steam at a bar or a party with all your girlfriends is exactly what you need. The problem is that when you hit up the local bar with all 12 of your best female friends, you may be sending off a signal to suitable suitors that you’re not really interested in fraternizing with any member of the opposite sex.

When you’re clumped together in a giant group of girls, not only will it be harder for you to stand out, but guys may be super intimidated to come up and talk to you!

“If I see a cute girl at a bar or a party that I want to talk to but she’s in a big group of her friends, I’m always more hesitant to approach her,” says Brian, a junior at the University of Washington. “Getting up the nerve to go up and talk to a girl in general is hard enough, but when she’s surrounded by all her friends, it’s so much more intimidating. I don’t want her friends to make fun of me or possibly watch me get rejected.”

Your friends can often create an impenetrable force field around you that wards off any potential hottie who might be interested in talking to you. While it’s always fun to go out with all your girlfriends, it might deter those less-outgoing guys from approaching you.

How to Fix It

Whether you and your friends are grouped together on the dance floor or gossiping at a table on the side, you should definitely make an effort to break away from your friends for a little bit and do your own thing if you want to meet someone. When you separate yourself from your giant group of girlfriends, guys will be much less intimidated by the prospect of talking to you.

Try taking a solo trip to the dance floor instead of having five friends tag along with you, or sneak away to the bar to order yourself a drink. When you separate yourself from the group, you’ll give guys the go-ahead to come up and talk to you without all those intimidating girlfriends to hold him back.

“I’d definitely say I’m more likely to go up and talk to a girl if she’s by herself or with just one or two friends,” Brian says. “When she’s not in a huge group, there’s less at stake and it’s not as nerve-wracking.”

The Problem: All Your Friends Are Single

Sometimes when you find yourself in a group of solely single friends, you all adopt this “we’re all in this together” kind of mentality. If one of you is single, you’re all single, and you’re sticking together through this serious dating dry spell!

“My group of friends and I are all single right now, and we’re definitely wallowing in our own self-pity,” says Natalie, a sophomore at Seattle University. “We go to parties and bars, but we always end up just coming back to our dorms and putting in a movie or making cookies. We’re kind of stuck in a rut! None of us are making much of an effort to meet guys.”

Being in a group of single friends can lead to countless “girls’ night in” Fridays where you order (and eat) unimaginable amounts of pizza, watch endless rom-coms and complain about how much boys totally suck. It’s easy to channel your inner feminist and join in on the boy bashing whenever you’re surrounded by a bunch of like-minded females, but in the long run, it’s doing nothing for your love life.

Even if you and your friends aren’t stuck in a boy-hating rut, being surrounded by all your single girl friends at a party can bring a little bit of competition into the mix. When you and your friend are both single and on the hunt for a cute dude, you might find yourselves locked in a heated battle for the attention of the same guy.

“There’s been a few times where I’ll go to a party with one of my single friends and we’ll both end up talking to the same guy,” Natalie says. “It’s always awkward because I don’t want to hurt our friendship over some random guy we met at a party, so I usually just let her talk to him and move on.”

How to Fix It

You don’t always need to turn to your single friends whenever you want to go out and scope out a few parties or bars. Your friends with boyfriends can be just as fun to hit the town with, and they can even help you snag a hottie wherever you are! Friends with boyfriends are the perfect people to go to when you’re in serious need of a wingwoman because they definitely won’t be competing for his attention and they won’t feel any pressure to impress any guys wherever you two venture off to.

Of course, you never want to be that girl who ditches all her single friends, so it’s important to incorporate them, too. Having a good mixture of single friends and taken friends when you go out could be the key to fixing this friend-related love problem!

And if all else fails, have your taken friend set you up with the hot guy who lives in her boyfriend’s dorm or a total cutie on his soccer team. Friends’ boyfriends are the ultimate resource when it comes to finding yourself a guy.

The Problem: You Let Your Friends’ Opinions Get to You

Our friends are our friends for a reason: we trust them to always tell us the truth and value their opinions on everything from our outfits to our taste in music. That’s why whenever we start talking to a new guy we always go to our girls for their sage wisdom and overall opinions of him.

“I always keep my friends updated on what guy I’m into at the moment,” says Bailey, a sophomore at Gonzaga University. “If I’ve been texting with a guy or hanging out with him, I definitely ask my friends for their opinion. Sometimes I think I trust them to make decisions for me more than I trust myself!”

All too often we’re swayed by the opinions of our friends. You’ll be totally into a guy until your friend points out one fatal flaw that you were paying no attention to. If you didn’t notice that he posts way too many emotional subtweets before, your best friend will definitely point it out for you!

“I’ve definitely changed by opinion of a guy based on something one of my friends has said,” Bailey says. “When your friends don’t approve of a guy you like, sometimes that makes you rethink everything.”

After consulting with a friend over a guy you’re super into, you may question everything and take a second look at the guy you’ve been flirt-texting with for the past week. While sometimes your friend’s advice if totally valid, that doesn’t mean that they’re always pointing you in the right direction.

How to Fix It

Our friends will always give us their two cents in these kinds of situations. After all, they do have our best interests at heart and are just trying to look out for us. However, you may want to take their opinions and advice with a grain of salt. It’s important to follow your heart, and you shouldn’t let a small negative that your friend brought up out weigh out a whole lot of positives.

If he really isn’t worth your time, then you’ll figure it out. It’s important to take your friends’ opinions into consideration, but when it comes to the cute guy you’ve been hanging out with, only you know how well you guys mesh together.

If your friend makes a comment about his messy hair or his obsession with his Xbox, you might not want to take her criticisms too seriously. If she mentions that he’s treating you badly or he’s just not a nice guy in general, that’s when you should really take a moment to listen!

We love our friends to death and would be lost without them, but sometimes they can put a serious strain on our love lives. While we can lean on our friends for most of our troubles, make sure they’re not causing you any when it comes to your love life!

ICYMI, Rihanna showed boyfriend jeans some major love at Paris Fashion Week, managing to rock them not once, not twice, but three times – and we’re thinking she’s definitely on to something. After all, what's not to love about a comfy statement that's also effortlessly chic? Below, we show you how to make like Rihanna and re-wear your favorite pair of boyfriend jeans so you can stay both comfy without sacrificing style all exam week!

1. Denim on denim

 

J Crew pocket shirt
jcrew.com
 

 

Nasty Gal vintage jacket
$88 - nastygal.com
 

 

Zara destroyed jeans
zara.com
 

 

American Eagle Outfitters leopard slip on sneaker
ae.com
 

 

Boohoo ribbon necklace
boohoo.com
 

 

Get a jump on one of spring’s biggest trends by getting your Canadian tux on! To make it work, top off your favorite chambray shirt with a faux leather moto jacket to toughen it up. Add a pop of leopard print to the neutral look with super comfy slip-ons!

2. Add an oversize cardigan

 

Topshop cardigan
topshop.com
 

 

Topshop crop top
$15 - topshop.com
 

 

Zara boyfriend jeans
zara.com
 

 

Forever 21 military boots
forever21.com
 

 

With Love From CA chain necklace
pacsun.com
 

 

The best way to up the comfort factor of boyfriend jeans on a long exam day? Try an oversize boyfriend cardigan! To balance out the slouch, a fitted high neck top looks super chic underneath!

3. Polish your look on top

 

Chicnova Fashion black and white stripe shirt
chicnova.com
 

 

Boohoo duster coat
boohoo.com
 

 

Zara destructed jeans
zara.com
 

 

H&M STUDIO S/S 2015 | H&M US
hm.com
 

 

ASOS black leather booties
asos.com
 

 

Yes, you can make your boyfriend jeans look super polished! For a quick way to dress them up, add a duster jacket and striped tee on top. For a fun pop of color, throw on spring’s most on trend accessory—a square silk scarf. Black chelsea boots à la Alexa Chung look dressed up while still being super comfy for exam days.

4. Keep it simple

 

Knit sweater
walktrendy.com
 

 

Zara distressed jeans
zara.com
 

 

Forever 21 platform pumps
forever21.com
 

 

Forever 21 hat
forever21.com
 

 

ASOS round glasses
$18 - asos.com
 

 

Sometimes, the easiest thing to do during a busy exam week is to keep your look super minimal. We love how comfy this slouchy V-neck sweater looks! Add interest to your tried-and-true look with a grey beanie and simple black and white platform loafers. Top off the outfit with mirrored sunnies—perfect for hiding any evidence of an all-nighter.

What are your favorite comfy-chic exam week style tips, collegiettes?

Now that we're at the end of fashion month, now is the time to look back on all the new trends designers have put down the runways. Paris Fashion Week is arguably the most elite of the month's events, so we're taking a closer look at the new beauty trends from this year's shows:

1. Céline

This season, Céline had some proper fun with color on the eyes and lips. Take a play from their book and feel free to bust out the bright colors—precision application not required. 

2. Valentino

Valentino has never had trouble creating romantic hair, and their delicate take on petite braids and loose wisps that frame the face makes for a beautiful date night look.

3. Saint Laurent

The rocker chic trend is coming on stronger than ever. Who says you can't rock a bold lip and eye at the same time? It's the ultimate "cool girl/don't care" statement. Perhaps the heavy liner here is a bit much for campus, but the takeaways here are a pale complexion, a standout lip color and super dark eyeliner.

4. Dior

Say goodbye to short lobs! Long, glossy hair is back at Dior, and again, we have bold eye makeup popping up on the runways. The models wore rich jewel-tone colors like sapphire, ruby and dark amethyst all over the lids and into the crease for a look that is beyond luxurious. 

5. Sonia Rykiel

The Sonia Rykiel lady is completely polished. From perfectly blown out hair to blushing lips and full brows, these models were every bit the "uptown girl." Try this look for a job interview or meeting the parents!

6. Chanel

This sophisticated vibe is a nod to the iconic Brigitte Bardot. An undone french twist is made even more chic by the thick grosgrain ribbon, which holds the hair back so we can see the exaggerated cat eye. We imagine these girls just as Karl Lagerfeld does: sipping café au lait at a brasserie in Paris.

7. Mugler

Lining the eyes at three points creates a modern take on the classic feline flick. A regular thick line on the top the lashes is complemented by a short line above the crease. Finish by rimming the bottom lashes, too. Clean and luminous skin keeps this look pulled together.

8. Isabel Marant

Um, hello? Check out that contouring! Use a tawny colored bronzer/blush to emphasize the cheekbones, and of course, you have to show it off by pinning your ponytail into a messy bun. Use a lip tint with a brown-ish tint to match your contouring!

9. Giambattista Valli

Go out and buy a new tube of mascara or two. This fresh, wide-eyed look is achieved by topping your lashes with layer after layer. The trick to preventing unsightly clumps is to make sure the mascara wand isn't overloaded with product. Use a clean spooly brush in between applications to seperate lashes and comb out any clumps.

10. Lanvin

After we saw boho braid after boho braid, Lanvin took a step back and relied on the tried and true classic braid with a center part. Tuck loose pieces behind your ears and tie off the braid with a thin ribbon for that touch of Parisian flair. 

11. Elie Saab

Elie Saab just created our next going out look. A smoky eye is upgraded with parallel winged liner. Pink cheeks and glossy lips tops off this sexy look, but it's really the eyeliner that will play up your peepers.

What look from Paris will you be trying?

After painstakingly crafting your cover letter and tweaking your resume, you’ve finally applied to a position at your dream company. You know it’s important to make sure your application doesn’t get sucked into the black hole of resumes, so you start thinking of ways to stand out.

Hopefully, you’ve also taken the time to connect with people through college and on into your job search. Now, it’s time to utilize those connections. Your resume is more likely to be picked up if you have someone at your target company who can vouch for you. Here’s how to leverage your network to help increase your chances of getting your dream job:

1. Choose someone who can make an introduction

When asking someone to put in a good word for you, you want to make sure that the person you choose is directly connected to whoever is going to make the final decision: the hiring manager.

“I recommend first reaching out to the connection you have the strongest relationship with at a company,” says Tom Dezell, author of Networking for the Novice, Nervous or Naïve Job Seeker.

People who know you well will be more able and likely to recommend you, because he or she has firsthand knowledge of your skills and abilities. However, you want to be sure this person is able to get that knowledge where it really counts. Your best friend may work at your dream company, but if she doesn’t know the hiring manager, she may not be the best person to be bringing you up.

“You need to get to someone that has influence that can help you find the hiring manager or contact someone in HR,” says Neal Schaffer, global social media speaker and author of Windmill Networking: Understanding, Leveraging and Maximizing LinkedIn.

If you have a pretty good friend or even an acquaintance whom you talk to only every now and then, but he or she knows the hiring manager personally or can put you in touch with someone who does, then this is the connection you want to go with.

What if you don’t contact this person often? Schaffer says not to let this deter you. “Even if it’s a weak relationship, that should be no excuse not to contact them,” he explains. Schaffer says that it’s perfectly okay to ask for help from someone who doesn’t really know you at all.

This is especially true for collegiettes who are using LinkedIn to its full advantage. In some cases, you might not know anyone at your target company, but Schaffer says this shouldn’t stop you from trying for an “in.” The important thing is not necessarily the strength of your connection to them, but how strong his or her connection is to the hiring manager and HR. Even if you don’t know the person, it’s important to reach out.

But how are you going to get a complete stranger to vouch for you? To do that, you’ll need to become less of a stranger by establishing a common ground.

2. Highlight your connection

Whether it’s a friend or an acquaintance—or someone you don’t really know at all—you don’t want anyone to feel overwhelmed or burdened with your request. You want to make it easy for him or her to help you. This is especially true for acquaintances, who may not know you that well, and those who don’t know you at all: These connections may need a bit more from you before they have the ability—or reason—to put in a good word. One way to achieve this is to find a common ground between the two of you.

“Try to make a connection with this person, through whatever filter you have, when you reach out to them, so that they’ll want to help you,” Schaffer says. That “filter” can be that you went to the same school, were in the same sorority or even are from the same state.

If you don’t have something obvious in common, use your research skills to dig deeper. Google your connection or scour their LinkedIn profile to see if he or she has an interest in sports and follows a team you love. Or perhaps he or she mentions in one of his or her online profiles a professor with whom you’ve taken a class. Once you’ve figured out something the two of you share, mention this when reaching out to your connection. Try something like, “I know we went to the same school, and I saw on your profile that you worked closely with Professor So-and-so. I’ve just taken a class of hers, and it was really eye-opening!”

It may feel awkward at first, but the important thing is to remember that you’re trying to establish common ground between you and your connection. Doing so will make your connection feel more comfortable about helping you, as you’re no longer a complete stranger. “Once you create that affinity, it becomes much easier to ask for something,” Schaffer explains. Find something that the two of you share, and be sure to point this out when making your request.

3. Find the best method for getting an “in”

All companies have different processes for hiring, and if you are going to ask a connection for a good word, then you want to be sure he or she is following standard procedure in doing so.

“A good opening question is to ask about how the company hiring process works, since based on that you may learn what would be the best service your connection can do for you,” says Dezell. “At some places the personal introduction may be best, at others the referral.”

A referral is when your connection gives you the name and contact information of the hiring manager; you contact the hiring manager directly, mentioning that your connection referred you to him or her. With a personal introduction, your connection will actually reach out on your behalf to introduce you to the hiring manager, whether that’s through an email, a phone call, or an in-person meeting with all three of you present.

Schaffer argues that in most cases the personal introduction is the way to go, but Dezell says it’s important to ask before you make your request, because different places may have different methods for handling them. For example, if you’re looking to go into government work, Dezell points out that the hiring process is closely monitored to provide equal opportunity for all candidates. “There are no referral incentives, so email correspondence can create a record of favoritism toward a particular candidate,” he says. In such cases, a referral or personal introduction over the phone might be best.

A connection will be more likely to handle your request if he or she can avoid trouble in doing so by making sure to follow procedure. What’s more, Dezell points out that some companies offer bonuses for referring candidates who go on to be hired. If your connection also gains something from helping you, they may be more willing to do so. To find out what the company recruitment process is like, ask the following: “Does your company have any special requirements for referrals or introductions?”

4. Be specific with your request

You’ve found the right connection, established a common ground and decided what type of request would be most appropriate for this company. Now it’s time to get specific about what it is that you need.

“The contact you want a referral or introduction to is the hiring manager in the department you hope to work at the company,” says Dezell. “Always ask the connection, no matter how strong, who that individual is.”

Once you know who the hiring manager is, be very specific in your request to get a good word in. For acquaintances, start your request with something like, “I’d really appreciate it if you could introduce me to the hiring manager, and if you need to know more about me before you do that, please let me know.” Offer to send your resume and a short bio so your acquaintance can have a better idea of who you are and what you’re looking for.

If you know your connection well—maybe she’s a close friend from school—your request can be a bit more relaxed: “I know you’re good friends with the boss at HR. Do you think you could pass my name along to them, and put in a good word?”

5. Give them an “out”

The last thing you want to do is pressure your connection, or make him or her feel as if he or she has no choice but to help you. Your connection may have just started working at the company and doesn’t have very much influence, or perhaps he or she doesn’t know the hiring manager so well and would like to avoid coming across as pushy.

“Put yourself in their shoes,” Schaffer says. “They’re going to go out of their way to help you. Sometimes they’re putting their own professional reputation on the line by asking for an introduction for you.”

Asking someone to put in a good word can be a risky favor, and you want your connection to be able to respectfully decline your request if he or she doesn’t feel comfortable. Schaffer says that one quick sentence near the end of your request is a polite way to let your connection bow out.

Try something like, “Hey, I understand if this is too much, but I’d really appreciate a minute of your time to do this.” Dezell also suggests the following: “Any assistance or helpful information you can provide will be greatly appreciated.”

You want to make sure your connection is comfortable with helping you. Having an “out” lets him or her know that you know his or her time is valuable, or that you understand he or she might not know the hiring manager too well. Schaffer says that this one technique will make your requests a lot more successful.

6. Be sure to say thank you

If your connection agrees to help you out, always remember to say thank you! No matter what happens, make sure to thank your connection for his or her support.

“Very few people actually send a thank you email after they get a connection, or after they get introduced,” says Schaffer. “You want to use this to strengthen your relationship with this person.”

You can send a quick email or a thank you note that says something along the lines of the following: “Thank you so much for referring/introducing me to [hiring manager’s name]! I really appreciate your assistance, as well as your confidence in me. I’ll be sure to keep you posted on my progress!” If your connection is a good friend, call him or her up, or invite him or her out to coffee or lunch as a face-to-face sign of your appreciation.

If you do end up getting the job, Schaffer and Dezell both say that a small monetary gift—like a Starbucks gift card—is a good way to thank your connection. And don’t worry too much about whether to snail mail or email your token of thanks. “The method of delivery is not as important as actually doing it, and doing it in a timely fashion,” Schaffer says. Pick one that works for you and make sure to get it done!

Again, you want to take this time to not only say thank you, but to strengthen this connection for the future. “If they introduce you once to someone of influence, who knows when they’ll make another introduction for you?” says Schaffer.

Your network is a vital aspect of the job hunt. Even if your first connection says no, don’t stop the search. Keep your chin up and keep looking until you find someone who is willing to help. And if he or she asks you to put in a good word in the future, be sure to return the favor!

Nothing makes us happier than seeing women supporting and inspiring other women. And nothing quite says “girl power” like Erin Condren’s new collaboration with I AM THAT GIRL—so we’re proud to partner up with Erin Condren to give away the entire Erin Condren x I AM THAT GIRL collection!

LA-based organization I AM THAT GIRL is building a global community that inspires girls to be exactly who they are. They also create safe spaces to have honest conversations about things that matter—both online and through local chapters.

Thanks to Erin Condren, now you can show your support for I AM THAT GIRL. Condren has created a limited edition line filled with the kinds of everyday products you actually need—and 25 percent of all proceeds go to I AM THAT GIRL!

Here’s what you’ll win:

• An I AM THAT GIRL interchangeable cover for any of Erin Condren’s Life Planners
• An Erin Condren Planner to organize your schedule in a stylish way
• A notebook so you can write down your world-changing ideas on-the-go
• The I AM THAT GIRL bundle including compliment cards, markers, a pen holder and a super cute tote bag

Are you that girl? Of course you are! Enter now below for your chance to win Erin Condren’s entire I AM THAT GIRL collection, worth over $100. And to show your support, be sure to sign the I AM THAT GIRL (or That Guy) pledge at www.iamthatgirl.com!

There has been a lot of discussion surrounding the issue of “plus size” in recent years. There's been outrage over the labeling of Calvin Klein and Sports Illustrated models as plus size, and talk of the generally unenthusiastic attitude retailers often have when approaching their plus size offerings.

The issue has been brought to light again with Target’s announcement that it is releasing Ava & Viv, a line developed specifically for plus size consumers. This line is new in a couple of ways. First, this is the first time Target has put out an exclusively plus size line, which means that instead of making plus size versions of straight size clothing, these pieces are designed specifically to come in larger sizes. Second, this collection is available in stores, rather than exclusively online. Other plus size options that have been web-only (like the Target-Lilly Pulitzer collab) have drawn criticism for being unavailable on the store floor.

Many retailers, big and small, are exploring the plus size market, and there’s a lot to be said for doing so. From May 2013 to April 2014, women’s plus size clothing brought in $17.5 billion (compared with $116 billion for straight sizes). It’s important to note that these numbers exist in a market where 88 percent of women (in a survey conducted by ModCloth) reported that they “would buy more clothing if more trendy options were available in their size.” ModCloth, which recently expanded its plus size collection to include 160 vendors, has found that it is the fastest growing area of sales for the company, according to Business Insider. However, of the brands that have explored the plus size market, the majority are “fast fashion,” like H&M and Charlotte Russe. Luxury brands, for the most part, do not work with plus sizes, and those that do don't consider them a vital part of their collections. Michael Kors’s plus size clothing, for example, has had minimal publicity and only a few sizes are available online (and they're not modeled on plus size women).

With more size 16 women in America than size 0s and 2s combined, it’s surprising that more retailers aren’t capitalizing on a group that is underserved and are more or less looking for a place to spend their money. Many brands are reluctant to move into plus sizes because they require different manufacturing, fitting, and design techniques than those already in place for straight sizes, but there may be other issues at play. Though there has been a lot of progress and positive discussion about the need for a more comprehensive representation of body types in the fashion industry, we still have a long way to go. A hesitancy to align themselves with plus sizes raises troubling questions about the extent to which brands wish to be associated with a larger look. Hopefully, brands across the board will realize that expanding their sizing options will benefit everyone. More sales and more women who feel confident in what they wear? That’s a win-win.

When you put pictures on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, you want to make sure you showcase your best self. HC is here to give you tips for looking your best in pictures and taking your most like-worthy photos ever!

1. Get a Good Angle

Selfies

The best way to make yourself look good in a photo is to find the angle that works for you. Marcy Holquist, a professional photographer, says that “selfies are always more attractive if they’re taken straight on rather than up at yourself.” So if you plan on going the selfie route, try to take them with your phone angled down and you looking up, or do a straight-on headshot.

Group Shots

If you’re in a group shot or any other non-selfie photo, having a straight-on shot might not be the best idea. “Definitely more people have a certain way that they like, like a side of their face or hair in front of their shoulders,” Holquist says. “I like one shoulder leading and a tilt of the head rather than a mug shot.” Try practicing in the mirror to figure out how to best flatter yourself!

2. Pay Attention to Your Hands

When preparing to pose for pictures, you might mostly worry about making sure your hair looks good and posing at a flattering angle, but an important, often overlooked feature is your hands.

“Hands close to your face are really nice as long as you don’t have a fist,” Holquist says. “Fingers should be ballerina hands, equal distance apart.”

Remember that your hands are a part of your body you have to pose, too; no one likes an awkward hand in photos! So if you’re putting your arm around your friend or trying to rock the skinny arm, make sure your hands are delicate and graceful so they don’t detract from the picture. Try bending your fingers at a slight angle to give the impression of elongation.

3. Show Off a Genuine Smile

We’ve all taken a faux-candid picture—don’t try to deny it. Faux candids are an easy way to show someone how much fun you’re having, but why fake a smile when you can capture a real one? Pose with a friend, talk about some funny inside joke, or just be your naturally goofy selves with each other—do whatever will make you genuinely laugh and smile! A great smile is all about having confidence. The better and more confident you feel about yourself, the more radiant your smile will be.

4. Use the Scenery

Working with a great background won’t necessarily improve how you look, but your friends will be drawn to the scenery and be more likely to “like” your pic.

Holquist suggests you choose a background “more specific to the person [and] that represents their interests.” For instance, if you’re an avid horseback rider, try taking some photos at a barn or in a field or with your horse. Showcasing your interests this way makes the photo more personal and likeable.

The beach is a great place to take photos if you’re on vacation or if you live near the ocean. For inspiration on how to use the scenery there, Holquist suggests you check out past Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Editions. “It has some of the most beautiful shots I’ve ever seen,” she says. “The girls are a little overexposed, but the scenery and the photography is beautiful.”

A beautiful background is always a great way to compliment you in a photo. Just make sure that there’s enough of you in the frame so the background doesn’t detract from your beauty.

5. Find Good Lighting

Lighting is a key factor for taking good photos. If you choose to use natural light, Holquist says “it is sometimes better to have a cloud overhead than stark, bright sunlight. You want to avoid looking towards the sun to avoid squinting and shadows on the face, particularly below the eyes.” She also suggests avoiding dappled light, which is light that is splotchy and inconsistent, such as the light that comes through a leafy tree.

“The best light is Rembrandt lighting, which means light on one side of the face that just kisses the cheekbone of the other side of the face, like a triangle,” Holquist says. This lighting is the most flattering and alluring and will make you look ever better in photos.

6. What to Wear

Deciding what you want to wear depends on what you want the focus of the picture to be.

“Clothes should be subtle if you want to focus on a portrait of the face. I always like white shirts and jeans,” Holquist says. The simplicity of this outfit puts the focus on your face.

However, Holquist says that “if the point is fashion, go for it. Colors that bring out the eyes are also a nice tool.” For example, bright blue shirts do a great job of making blue eyes pop. For brown eyes, try olive green, navy or brown clothing. And if you have green eyes, wear purple or green.

As for makeup, less is more. “Makeup should be natural and not overdone,” Holquist says. Too much makeup will take away from your natural beauty and could end up creating a false representation of you. This is the reason you shouldn’t over-edit your photos—a true representation of your natural beauty is more powerful and like-worthy than an over-edited depiction of yourself!

Being knowledgeable about your body and what makes a good picture is key to a gorgeous photo. Most importantly, be comfortable and confident in your own skin. Confidence radiates through the camera lens, so feeling good about yourself will only make the picture more beautiful!