This may be the most ridiculous thing you’ve seen… this week. With the selfie stick craze sweeping the nation, artists Aric Snee and Justin Crowe decided the product needed an upgrade. So they introduced the Selfie Arm, a product that not only lets you capture your good side, but also makes it look like you’ve got a friend along for the ride.

We’ve all been there; alone in our room taking a selfie and wishing it looked like we weren’t alone. Well… maybe not, but the product isn’t a completely random thought. The product is inspired by photographer Murad Osmann’s Instagram posts of his girlfriend leading him around the world. Now those of us who are single can imitate those adorable photos with the Selfie Arm!

The product itself is literally a plastic hand and arm with a spot for your phone at the top. Other than the fact that the skin color of the hand is rather unhealthy looking, the Selfie Arm is a pretty ingenious way to tap the ever-growing selfie market.

What do you think, collegiettes? Would you invest is a Selfie Arm? Is this the most ridiculous selfie product out there or is it just the tip of the iceberg? 

Shark Tank and working with musical superstars? Talk about a dream job. [I Want Her Job]

Facebook is literally making you sick. [YourTango]

By now, you’ve probably heard of the new music streaming app, Tidal, Jay-Z's pet project. It apparently pays artists more royalties than many other music streaming apps. Artists including Beyoncé, Kanye West (although he later deleted his tweets of support) and Alicia Keys have gotten on board with this service, in hopes of influencing other artists to receive the profit they respectfully earned. Tidal has two subscription offers for its users: $9.99 a month for Tidal Premium and $19.99 a month for Tidal HIFI. However, earlier this week more controversy around a possible price increase surfaced, causing a collective audible sigh across the Internet. According to theverge.com, the iOS version of the Tidal app is charging $12.99 a month for Tidal Premium and $25.99 a month for Tidal HIFI. The extra cash is said to “make up for Apple’s subscription fees.” For those of us struggling collegiettes who can barely handle shoveling out $5 for Spotify premium every month (shoutout to Spotify for their student discount!), Tidal's prices just don't seem like an option. Yes—I do agree that artists should be paid for the music they produce and create. But at what point does wanting what you’ve earned turn into plain old greed?

One of Tidal’s slogans is “TIDAL for All,” but is it actually for all? It seems like another case of the rich getting richer to me. I believe the question Jay-Z should be asking himself is, “What are my customers really getting in return for $10 to $26 a month?” One of the advertised perks of Tidal’s HIFI subscription is its “lossless, high fidelity audio.” That sounds fine and dandy but one could simply buy headphones/earphones that do the same task and only pay once. If Tidal really is for its listeners, why is the cost of the service not catered to what its customers are actually willing to pay? Obviously, I’m not implying that these artists should be paid nothing for their work, but the tradeoffs involved could have been more beneficial on the customers’ part. Another question that should have been asked is, “Why would someone pay more for Tidal than Spotify?” Having access to exclusive songs that aren't available on any other platform is pretty cool, sure. But is that worth extra cash every month?

Offering a service that'll pay artists more is meaningful, but it doesn't get to the real problem; that people have been illegally downloading music for years. We're pretty sure having to pay extra for this app isn't going to make them change their ways—in fact, it actually feels like those willing to pay extra for Tidal are the ones making up for the costs lost to those downloading illegally.

To combat all of the skeptcisim towards his new company Jay-Z recently took to Twitter to host his rant. Here's an excerpt: 

Of course, this was a big event in the world of Twitter since Jay-Z never tweets! Many awaited follow-up tweets from the queen of the #BeyHive herself, but that probably would have been a little too much for Twitter to handle for one day. The fact that Jay-Z even had to explain the purpose of his company already speaks volumes. Maybe he is right. Tidal isn't a complete flop, but when compared to its competitors, the difference in sales is pretty significant. 

If the main issue is the lack of royalties paid to music artists for their songs, then maybe Jay-Z should have started with addressing sites such as YouTube and Soundcloud, both of which don’t require any money directly from their listeners. But even though Tidal has some flaws it definitely needs to work out, the overall concept has the potential to be favorable for not only the artists but for the customers too. 

There’s nothing like the feeling of discovering that college is an oasis of free t-shirts. Not much else is free, but clubs, sororities, and athletics are just dying to give away shirts from the day you step foot on campus. But what’s a girl to do with her collection after graduation? We’ve got 7 great ideas for all those extra tees you have lying around.

1. Apron

As a new college grad, you’ll be expected to ditch the microwavable mac and cheese for proper dinner parties with your coworkers and pals. This easy crafting project makes for a fun conversation starter and puts your old duds to good use.

2. Rug

If you’re really just over all those random tees you scored over the course of the last four years, make them into a braided rug for your brand new, grown-up apartment. Your friends will be dying to know where you snagged such a beauty.

3. Blanket

Not quite ready to let go of all your best college memories? This t-shirt blanket will swaddle you in nostalgia every night.

4. Pillows

Display your alma mater proudly in pillow form. Cute and comfy décor definitely remains a must after college!

5. Donate

You can always donate your old tees if you don’t see any other use for them. You never know; someone else might be inspired to follow in your footsteps one day.

6. Clothing swap

Host a clothing swap party with your sorority sisters and other college besties. We bet they’d love to steal that tee they’ve been lusting for but is no longer sold in the bookstore.

7. Wear

We see absolutely nothing wrong with wearing your old college tees. You can go casual with joggers and heels for a house party or dress them up with a skirt and jacket for a relaxed Friday at the office. Flaunt that hard-earned degree of yours wherever you go!

What do you plan to do with your old college tees after graduation, collegiettes?

Your mom, job recruiter, and spiritual Lululemon-employed BFF have all been telling you to create a five-year plan for years now, but somehow you just “haven’t quite gotten around to it.” With work, the ever-impending fear of student loan payments, tedious job applications, and whatever’s left of your social life, it can be hard to find time to actually sit down and think about what you want a few years from now. However, despite constant efforts to postpone the realities of post-college life, goal setting can be incredibly beneficial in making life after college a little less scary.

Why do you need a five-year plan?

Although some may see goal setting as monotonous, creating a five-year plan is actually a lot easier than you would think. A five-year plan can be described as a map, or timeline of your life from now to five years from now, including personal goals and dreams you wish to achieve. The best part is, it’s completely controlled and based off of what you want, and what you desire. The future is in your hands, and it’s up to you to design it.

The best place to start when creating a five-year-plan is to jot down a list of things that are important to you and that you wish to accomplish in your life. Next, create an end goal in each of these sections, and work backwards to figure out what steps you can take in the next five years in order to achieve these goals. It may be overwhelming at first, but the more you break things down, the easier it will be to see how achievable your goals actually are. If you’re still stuck, or don’t know where to be begin, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. To all our fellow graduates out there (and all of you ambitious seniors!), we present five critical components you may want to consider when creating your five-year plan.

1. Career

Though your career can definitely be the path that guides you towards the goals and dreams you wish to achieve, the process of finding that path can be a bit overwhelming. While we all hope to land our dream job straight out of college, realistically, that may not happen. Analisa Cortés, a 2014 graduate of Hawaii Pacific University, says, “to get to where I am now, I had to be okay with taking risks when accepting jobs. By giving myself the option to not like something, it took the pressure off of finding my ‘dream job’ straight out of college. Once I realized that it’s okay to take one job within my field in order to get to the next, I was able to leverage myself for new opportunities in my career.”

Like Cortés, be sure and remember that it’s okay to take small steps in order to achieve your top goals. Maybe you’d like improve your networking skills to find new opportunities. Start by making a list of people to get in contact with and the best way to reach out to them. Perhaps you want to work your way up in a corporation. Research the career path of people you work with, and find out what steps they took to get there. Whether you work in retail or have landed a corporate assistant position for your favorite company, mapping out your career path can help you get to where you need to be that much faster. A five-year plan is not only great for helping you stay on track, but will help you work your way towards achieving your what you really want.

2. Life

When we think about the future, we oftentimes paint a picture of the way things are “supposed” to be. Whether it’s what our parents had always wanted for us, or simply the way society influences us, our hopes and dreams tend to sway towards that picture-perfect lifestyle. When creating a five-year plan, however, it’s important to make the effort to try and think outside the box others have created. Write it all down, and take the time to truly reflect on what you want in life and what’s best for YOU. Dream coach expert, stylist, and entrepreneur Tiare Thomas of Aloha Dream Board says that doing something that you think is the “right” thing to do even if it doesn’t feel right can lead you to a dead end. “I meet many people who have entered college and signed up to study subjects driven by money or what others would like for them to pursue. Many of these people, after they graduate from college, may find themselves working in a career that is not in alignment with their core values and what may not bring them happiness, tend to feel unhappy and eventually ‘stuck,’” she says. “They end up creating a life they don’t want. If we identify our values and intentions, from the beginning, and align them with our passions and being of service to others, we are able to feel happier and more at peace with our lives.”

If you don’t know exactly what you may want for your future, creating a dream board can help you to organize your thoughts and feelings of what you wish to achieve, Thomas says, adding that doing so has helped many of her clients find clarity. Whether it’s five years down the road or not, Thomas suggests thinking about not only what you want in life at this moment, but how you want to feel in the future. If you’re unhappy in your relationship or career path, think about how you would like to feel instead. Want a job where you feel valued? Or a relationship that inspires you? Find pictures to represent these feelings, use them to create your dream board and put it up somewhere you can see it as a daily reminder of what you want for yourself. YOU have the power to create the future YOU want for yourself.

3. Love

When it comes to our future, love is probably one of the biggest aspects we take into consideration. Whether you’re in a long-term relationship, single, or somewhere in between, it’s hard not to look five years ahead and wonder where you’ll be and who you’ll be with. While we all hope our future doesn’t look like a page out of Bridget Jones’s Diary knowing where you want to be in five years with or without someone is important to ensure not only happiness for yourself, but for your partner as well. Maybe you look ahead and think you see a wedding, or maybe you don't, but the important part is to evaluate each part of your plan for yourself, and see what’s right for you.

If you are in a serious relationship, now may be a great time to sit down and work on your five-year plan together. Start by having you and your partner create a list of goals and dreams separately, and then take a look and see how they compare. Locate the similarities and differences and discuss how you can help one another achieve the goals you have for yourselves, and your relationship. If both you and your SO are on the same page, you will have a much greater chance of accomplishing your goals and having a happy, healthy future. 

4. Travel

Although traveling can be expensive, it is often overlooked as an essential component in shaping the person you are today, and who you want to be in the future. Sure, not everyone can backpack on a summer trip through Europe or sail the Caribbean, but whether you’re driving 50 miles or flying 5000 miles, traveling can help you experience and see life through a different perspective. Make a list of places you’ve always wanted to visit, or landmarks you are dying to see. Add them to your plan, figure out how you’re going to get there, and you’ll be jetsetting before you know it!

If there is an exciting trip you’ve always wanted to take, but never seemed to have the money to afford, try thinking of ways you can use other aspects of your life to help achieve that goal. Maybe work a part-time job on the side to help finance that vacation. Instead of spending the extra income frivolously, put the money into an account to save up for your plane ticket. If health and fitness are important to you, make an effort to stop eating out during the week. You can then use the money you saved on food to pay for your hotel.

5. Personal development

Above all else, it’s important that you include your own personal development in your five-year plan. What are your strengths? What are your weaknesses? What do you hope to improve about yourself? What skills do you hope to develop? When you take a moment to stop and write down your five-year plan, be sure that you truly reflect on yourself as a person. As much as we wish life after college reflected an episode straight out of Sex and the City, in reality it can be a bit of a rollercoaster at times. Although our hopes and dreams seem nice on paper, we can never achieve the goals we’re really striving for, unless our hearts are truly set in the right direction to chase them. “I’m constantly working towards my goals and keeping myself motivated to do more. Whether my goal is for my career, or to fuel my passion for traveling, overall I think the key to life is to reach for your dreams and always try to do more than you think you can,” says Jennifer Jacome, a 2012 graduate from Arizona State University.

After taking the time to create a list of desires, a dream board, and mapping out a timeline for your five-year plan, take a step back and try to really evaluate if you’re ready as an individual to start conquering your goals. Highlight the holes, fill in the gaps, and remember to ask for help when you need it. Take your time, be honest with yourself, and trust that your careful planning and determination will pay off in just a matter of time.

At the end of the day, remember that no matter what path you take, everyone is different. Life changes and if you need to edit your plan as you go along, that’s okay. The important thing is that you continue working on creating a life that you love and makes you happy. No matter what, the future is in your hands and you have the power to do whatever you put your mind to. As the saying goes, “the world is your oyster,” so get out there and make it yours!

Studying abroad is the highlight of many collegiettes' college educations, and rightly so. Living in a foreign country for months and sampling the food, art and culture (and, yes, the hotties) is even better than you'd imagined, and you're having the time of your life! But sooner than you'd like, your time in paradise comes to an end and you must pack up your three suitcases (yes, you now have three because you bought so much stuff that you needed a third... good luck lugging those through the airport) and return home. 

As you might imagine, returning from study abroad is bittersweet. On one hand, you can't wait to get back to 'Murica and see your family and friends, enjoy your mom's home cooking and lie on the couch all day with your pets. On the other hand, you've become unexpectedly attached to this once unfamiliar city you now call a home away from home and the beautiful people (and accents) you encountered there. From reverse culture shock to the joys of rediscovering Netflix, we've been through it all, and we're pleased to present you with a compilation of exactly what it's like to return home after studying abroad. 

When you get off the plane and see your family for the first time in months: 

When you finally get home and are too tired and jet-lagged to do anything other than collapse on your bed, which is the single most glorious piece of furniture in existence:

When you eventually wake up the next day and get completely overwhelmed at the thought of having to unpack all of your suitcases:

When your family members start annoying you after only two days at home and you wonder why you ever missed them in the first place:

When you can only order water or soda at a restaurant even though you were legally allowed to drink while abroad:

How you respond when your friends ask if you hooked up with any hot foreign guys:

What actually happened when you met hot foreign guys: 

When you notice the glazed look in your friends' eyes and realize with horror that you're "that girl" who can't stop talking about all of the super cool things you did while abroad: 

When you tell someone you studied abroad in Spain and he or she immediately assumes you're fluent in the language:

When you try to pay for your coffee in euros instead of dollars:

When you finally get your hands on a good, old-fashioned American cheeseburger:

When people ask you about the politics of the country in which you studied abroad:

When you keep confusing your friends at home with your friends from abroad:

When you realize that your college's embarassing nightlife offerings just aren't going to cut it this year:

When you try to talk to your friends about your newly discovered appreciation for football soccer:

When you're shocked to discover that you're actually excited for cheap beer and dirty frat basements:

What you tell people when they ask what you did for fun while abroad:

What you actually did for fun while abroad:

When you Skype with your study abroad besties and confess that you haven't left your house since you got home:

When you catch yourself using foreign slang words in conversation with your American friends:

When your friends and family start talking about the season finales of all your favorite U.S. shows you haven't had a chance to catch up on yet:

When the initial flood of "likes" and comments on your study abroad albums on Facebook starts to dissipate:

When someone asks you how the food was in Italy:

And then when you look in the mirror and realize that months of carbo-loading and countless bar snacks have finally caught up with you:

When you're finally reunited with your one true love, Netflix:

When you've finally had your fill of American food, reality TV binges and reunions with your friends and family, and you catch yourself re-reading your study abroad blog and saying "cheers" when someone holds the door open, and you realize how much you miss your study abroad city: 

But then there's that moment when, somewhere down the line, you dust off your passport and board the plane that will take you back to the city in which you lived, laughed, learned, loved and made so many beautiful memories:

Sick of frying your hair with a blow dryer and straightener? Summer calls for carefree days of bouncy, beachy locks. Air-drying your hair is a perfect, natural way to achieve that covetable effortless look! Here are 5 products that can help:

1. Leave-in conditioner

Aussie Scrunch Hair Mousse + Leave in Conditioner ($3.43) is a leave-in/mousse hybrid. It's great for curly hair, giving you a sleek, volumized look.

2. Wet Brush

The Wet Brush ($8.99) is perfect for detangling your wet locks and letting them dry naturally. It won't cause breakage and it's great for every hair type!

3. Sea Salt Spray

Sea salt spray adds some beachy texture to your hair as it flows in the breeze. We like Not Your Mother's Beach Babe Texturizing Sea Salt Spray ($6.19).

3. Ultra Absorbant Towel

This towel from Aquis ($21.99) is specially designed to dry wet hair. It even comes in an extra long size for long hair!

5. Styling Serum

Finish off your hair by conditioning and nourishing with Kerastase Elixir Ultime ($28). This luxurious formula will lock shine in your hair while keeping it healthy.

How do you air dry your hair, collegiettes?

The statistics about unhealthy relationships aren't always given enough attention, and the nonprofit DoSomething is working to change that with their new 1 in 3 of Us campaign. Just by being a part of this campaign to raise awareness about what constitutes an unhealthy relationship, you could win a $5,000 scholarship. 

When you sign up for the campaign, DoSomething will send you facts about unhealthy and abusive relationships along with three "Spot the Signs" guides about how you can tell if your friends are in unsafe relationships. They'll also send you three flash tattoo bracelets like the ones above, and you're encouraged to Instagram a photo of yourself and two friends wearing the bracelets to bring light to the 1 in 3 statistic. 

"The line between an affectionate relationship and a controlling, dangerous one can be super blurry," DoSomething writes on its campaign page. "By spotting and acting on the signs of an abusive partners, you can promote healthy relationship behavior to keep you and your friends safe." 

In addition to learning about unhealthy relationships, just by signing up to be a part of this campaign, you could win a $5,000 scholarship. You can sign up to be a part of this campaign by visiting DoSomething's website or by texting RESPECT to 38383. 

As any recent high school grad can attest, the first question everyone asks when you graduate from high school is, “Where are you going to college?” They ask you knowing that this decision is the first step of the rest of your life. But when I graduated from high school in 2009, I started to dread this question. “I’m going to Burlington County College” (my local community college) seemed to be the magic phrase that would wipe the smile right off their faces. Judging by these reactions, it’s clear that people have a lot of misconceptions about community college. I could practically see the questions forming on their lips.

Aren’t community colleges only for people who couldn’t get into a four-year school?
Not necessarily. Although it is true that community colleges don’t require a minimum GPA or SAT score to attend, community college is a cost-effective and convenient way to earn a degree. In high school, I always got A’s and B’s, took honors and AP courses, and scored well on the SATs. Had I wanted to attend a four-year college right out of high school, my application probably would have been competitive. But when it came time to apply to colleges my junior year of high school, I became overwhelmed with all the options and had a bit of a quarter-life crisis. Even after taking the SATs, researching schools, and visiting countless colleges, I just couldn’t bring myself to apply to anywhere. I had absolutely no idea what I wanted to major in and couldn’t justify spending thousands of dollars at a 4-year school until I had a plan and knew what I wanted to do. My parents were very supportive of my decision to attend BCC, and I often say it was the best decision I’ve ever made.

Since community college is cheaper, won’t you get a subpar education?
As with anything else, a high price tag doesn’t necessarily mean high quality. I found that nearly all of my professors held day jobs in their area of expertise and many taught the same courses at 4-year colleges. My professors were knowledgeable and experienced, and I found many of the courses challenging.

Won’t you miss out on the “college experience”?
I must admit that this is something I worried about a great deal the summer before college. When I was in high school, I was living in the moment and enjoying milestones like prom, my senior class trip, and graduation, but once all my friends and my boyfriend started shopping for their dorm rooms and finding out about their roommate assignments, I began to think I had made a terrible mistake. I felt like I was being deserted. All my friends were looking forward to their exciting lives at 4-year schools while I was dreading the start of community college. All summer, I worried that I wouldn’t make friends at BCC and that my high school friends would forget about me. When I helped my boyfriend move into his freshman dorm at the end of the summer, I thought his school looked like Hogwarts and was jealous that he’d be having the time of his life while I was stuck at home living in the room I grew up in. In that moment, I wished I had a time-turner so I could go back in time and apply to a 4-year college. But I’d made my decision, and now I had to live with it.

I soon learned that community college, just like any other college, is what you make of it. It would have been easy to drive to my classes, sit there miserable, and then drive right back home without talking to anyone, but I wanted the “college experience.” I strived to make the most of my time at BCC by talking to the other students in my classes, getting to know my professors, and getting involved on campus. I made tons of friends by joining clubs like the Creative Writing Guild and Lamplight Players (theatre club), attending student government meetings, and enjoying free campus events and concerts. When things between my high school boyfriend and me fizzled out, I started dating a guy I met in one of my classes. By my second year at community college I was secretary of the Creative Writing Guild, had been inducted into Phi Theta Kappa (the honor society for community colleges), had a new college boyfriend, and starred in BCC’s fall play. I felt like I made a home for myself at BCC.

At BCC I took a sampling of different courses, everything from fashion design to psychology, theatre to women’s studies. I had an amazing professor my first semester for English 101 who suggested I take her journalism class. Never having written for my high school newspaper, I was skeptical, but since she was so enthusiastic, I eventually obliged. That one course was all it took for me to realize that I wanted to become a journalist. I couldn’t wait to do my homework for that class each night, and when she brought guest speakers into our class to speak about their jobs in journalism, I hung onto their every word. I had always loved to write, but found that interviewing people and sharing their stories with others was even more rewarding than telling my own story. I was hooked; finally I knew what I wanted to major in.

Before my 2 years at BCC were complete, I still had one more requirement to fulfill, one that became a source of dread: Public Speaking 101. The homework on the first day of class was to prepare a 1-minute speech about our name to deliver in front of the class of 25 people the following week. I was terrified. For an entire week I stressed about it: in fact, the night before the speech, I was so nervous that I had a panic attack and almost dropped the course.

The day of the speech, I couldn’t eat anything and was shaking from head to toe as I entered the classroom. When the professor called my name, I made my way to the podium, notecards clutched in my sweaty hands, and began the longest minute of my life with the Romeo and Juliet quote: “What’s in a name?” When my speech was over, the professor shocked me by saying how she had never heard anyone quote Shakespeare in a name speech. I ended up getting an ‘A’ on that speech and every speech after it. I soon learned that not only was I good at public speaking, but I actually began to enjoy it! This one course made me realize that I wanted to become a broadcast journalist and report the news to millions of people on TV every night. Everything was finally fitting into place.

Public Speaking 101 helped me face one more unexpected challenge: when I graduated from BCC in May 2011, I became co-Valedictorian and delivered a commencement address to my graduating class. Standing up at the podium giving my speech to thousands of people, I couldn’t help but think how far I’d come in just two years.

By the time I graduated from BCC, I knew I was finally ready to move away from home and attend a 4-year college. At last, I knew what I wanted to major in and had the confidence I needed to succeed. After applying to every type of school (from safety to reach) and getting accepted to every school I applied to, I decided to accept a generous scholarship and transfer to The College of New Jersey, a 4-year college about two hours from home.

Even though I was a junior, in many ways transferring to a new college felt like being a freshman all over again. I had to navigate my way around a new school, make new friends, live away from home for the first time, and live with a roommate. But after making a home for myself at BCC, I knew I could do the same at TCNJ. Right off the bat, I joined journalism and theatre clubs like Her Campus TCNJ, Ed@TCNJ, Lions TV, and All College Theatre and made friends who had similar interests. Since I got all my liberal learning requirements out of the way at BCC, I was able to focus on classes and internships for my journalism major. I became News Editor of Her Campus TCNJ, Webmaster of Ed@TCNJ, a reporter for Lions TV, an actress/director/costume designer for numerous All College Theatre plays, and I look forward to founding a chapter of She’s the First at TCNJ this semester.

I look forward to graduating this May to pursue a career in broadcast journalism and eventually go on to grad school. Community college may not be for everyone, but for me it was a life-changing experience that has helped me discover who I am and the person I hope to become.

The numbers are in, and they show that most of us collegiettes are so over this semester. If you need someone to sympathize with your pain, check out these adorable animals who, like us at the end of the year, just can't even anymore. 

1.  This sums up how we feel every morning before our 8 a.m. classes. 

2.  Us when our roommates ask if we're going to get up anytime soon. 

3.  Maximum food consumption with minimum effort. 

4.  Just leave me alone to die. Or bring me food; that works, too. 

5.  This mother panda is the definition of, "I'm literally so done right now." 

6.  Pretty much how we'd look all day if we didn't have our morning Starbucks. 

7.  During finals week, naptime is whenever you want it to be.

8.  This cat just does not care about anything anymore.

9.  How we feel about doing anything productive at this point in the semester.

Babysitting during the summer can be an awesome gig - you get to channel your inner third-grader, go to the pool and eat macaroni and cheese guilt-free. But sometimes the kids you babysit aren't everything you hoped they would be. Here are a few types of kids who may be a little, um, challenging to babysit.

1. The Driving Student

Her mom hired you so that she could practice her driving with you when you go to the pool or the supermarket. In other words, you're the one who has to tell her that yes, dear God, that's a one-way street.

2. The Fibber

Did his mom really say that he could watch four movies today? You just can't get the truth out of this little, um, bundle of surprises.

3. The Messy One

This is the kid you'll follow around all day with hand sanitizer, Febreze and a mop. Well, on the bright side, she doesn't get embarrassed easily. 

4. The One With the Friends Who Are "Bad Influences"

When these friends are over for a playdate, you know they'll get in some kind of trouble. Hide the matches - now.

5. The One You Have to Bribe

You can't even get her out of bed without offering to make her chocolate-chip pancakes. The problem is that you're running out of things with which to bribe her. There go your earrings.

6. The Accident-Prone One

You can't let him near a playground, animal or kitchen without fearing for his life. If you have to tell him to get his fingers away from the electrical socket one more time, you might just lose it.

7. The Attention-Seeker

No matter how many times you tell him that his younger sister has to eat, he won't stop doing whatever he can to get your attention, no matter how much it upsets her.

8. The Nay-Sayer

She just can't do anything you ask her to, from eating the lunch you diligently prepared to getting in the car to go to her friend's house. "Don't make me call your mom!" is losing its power. Fast.

9. The One Who Needs a Translator

What is she saying? What does she even mean? Sometimes you just have to smile, nod along and put those chicken nuggets in the microwave.

Babysitting can be the perfect summer job for people who love kids, but sometimes we're all thankful that these aren't the kids with whom we have to spend every day. Maybe we'll grow to love them... in a few years.

Summer is quickly approaching and we couldn’t be more excited about it. We’re more than ready for mango body butters and coconut-scented body spray. Summer also inspires tons of great beauty DIYs that are guaranteed to make your bathroom feel like a beach party all season long. So even if you can’t hit the pool with a snow cone in hand, at least your body scrub will smell like one. Here are five DIY projects that you must try now:

1. Mango Pina Colada Lip Balm

Even if your summer plans don’t involve sipping pina coladas in Mexico, this homemade lip balm is the next best thing. Don’t let the idea of making your own lip balm intimidate you. This recipe is super easy to follow, and all of the ingredients can be found at a local health foods store. All you have to do is combine the ingredients, melt them over the stove and pour into lip balm containers (any craft or beauty supply store should have these!) and you’re good to go.

2. Coconut Milk Facial

Most of us want a healthy complexion all year round, but gorgeous and glowing skin is especially great in the summer. Coconut milk is moisturizing and loaded with vitamins essential for healthy skin. This recipe for a coconut milk facial gives you a two-step facial for healthy, glowing skin. First comes a coconut milk face scrub, made with coconut milk and a little bit of baking soda. This is a great way to get rid of any dead skin cells and blackheads. The next step is a coconut milk mask, made with (you guessed it) coconut milk and honey. The honey is antibacterial, so it’s a little added boost for those of us fighting breakouts.

3. Citrus Body Butter

A citrus-scented body butter is great for summer, because it’s light and refreshing—like a cold glass of lemonade. This recipe uses only three ingredients: honey, coconut oil and the peel of whatever citrus fruit you like. Simply combine the ingredients in a mixer and whip until the coconut oil reaches a light and whipped texture.

4. Snow Cone Sugar Scrub

Nothing says summer like snow cones, and now you can have the classic summer treat in your shower. This scrub smells delicious, gives you super soft skin and is probably one of the prettiest DIY beauty products we’ve ever seen. First, create a mixture of coconut oil, almond oil and granulated sugar, then divide the mixture into three separate bowls. Next, add in your food coloring and your cherry, lime and watermelon essential oils. With that, you’ve got a scrub that will make every shower feel like a summer BBQ.

5. Homemade Sunscreen

A good, all-natural sunscreen can be hard to find, so why not make your own? DIY-ing sunscreen sounds really intimidating, but this how-to breaks it down nicely. You’ll have to hunt down carrot oil and zinc oxide powder, but the end result is totally worth it. All you do is combine your ingredients and you’ll be protected from the sun, without any harsh chemicals!

At this point you applied for your dream internship, you totally killed the interview and you even asked a connection to put in a good word. So what reason could there possibly be that you haven’t you heard back yet?! You’ve done everything right, but waiting to hear back about your dream internship is even worse than waiting for your crush to text you back after you use an embarrassing emoji mid-conversation.

“Just relax,” you tell yourself.

You remind yourself what an incredible candidate you are for the position.

Asking your friends how long it took to hear back from their internship seems like a good idea…

…but then you immediately regret asking anyone, because of course they heard back right away.

You check your email obsessively.

Your phone is mocking you. You can’t stop staring at it, waiting for the call.

You just keep waiting.

And waiting.

Annnnnnnnd waiting.

When your phone rings, you excitedly jump to answer it—but it’s just your mom asking if you heard back yet. Nope.

Distraction is key. You try everything. You clean your whole apartment.

You even go to the gym, for crying out loud.

You take drastic measures to get through this.

Then finally—miraculously—you get that magical phone call.

When you answer, you’re somewhere between excited and nauseous.

They’re taking too long to tell you whether you got it or not, and you’re freaking out. Enough with the small talk!

Finally, they tell you that you got the job and you do a silent mini-celebration while pretending to listen to their instructions for next steps.

Congratulations, intern, you did it!

Name: Samantha Cooper
Job Title and Description: Founder and CEO of Trend Tribe
College Name: Babson College
Website: www.trend-tribe.com 
Twitter Handle: @trend_tribe

 
What does your current job entail? Is there such a thing as a typical day?

Samantha Cooper: I am currently the CEO and founder of Trend Tribe. There is no such thing as a typical day. Every day is different whether it be looking at new pieces for upcoming collections, photo shoots and trunk shows [or] working with the Trendsetters. Every day holds something new, and that is one of the most exciting things about being the CEO of Trend Tribe.

What is the best part of your job?

SC: The best part of my job is definitely being able to give young college girls the experience that I so desperately craved when I was in college. I want to make sure that they are able to get this experience so that when they go to find jobs in the future, and they have skills that they can speak to. Being able to provide women with that is so rewarding! 

What was your first entry-level job in your field and how did you get it?

SC: As a college freshman, I had so much trouble obtaining an internship. I did not have any experience that I could speak to in interviews, but I couldn’t get that experience without a job.  That is how Trend Tribe began. I began to make and sell my own jewelry and launched my own company and brand. That way, the following summer I had unbelievable experience to talk about and landed my dream internship at Barney’s!

What is one thing you wish you knew about your industry when you first started out that you know now?

SC: The fashion industry can be competitive and catty at times. I wish I knew that it's more important to love who you work with than the brand name of the company. Especially in fashion, people can get hung up on working for the well-known brands, but what really matters is whom you're working with. A glamorous job or title is worth nothing if you hate the people you're spending the majority of your day with. 

Who is one person who changed your professional life for the better?

SC: My mom! She had her own business, and seeing her be an entrepreneur changed my perspective on what it meant to be a professional. She taught me that it was 100 percent possible to make your own money doing something you love. As a little girl, I played "store" instead of "house." I was an entrepreneur from day one. Without my mom's inspiration and support, I wouldn't be where I am today. 

What words of wisdom do you find most valuable?

SC: My best advice is that it may not all happen today, but it’s all going to happen. That has certainly been the case for Trend Tribe as we have continued to grow, and I know that for any other woman who sets her mind to something fearless, it will happen for her too.

What is one mistake you made along the way and what did you learn from it?

SC: The biggest mistake I've made, and sometimes still make, is being way too hard on myself. I'm a perfectionist and want everything to perfect all of the time. With a startup, perfection is an unrealistic expectation. Every day I need to remind myself to let go of the need to be perfect. If perfection is the expectation, you will always disappoint yourself. I didn't start a business to disappoint myself; I started it to empower others! So I certainly can't beat myself up along the way. It's about enjoying the journey and continuously improving one step at a time. 

What has been the most surreal moment of your career thus far?

SC: One of the best moments of my career thus far was being honored with a Millennial Leader Award. To be recognized for my work empowering millennials is hugely rewarding. It was amazing to have my friends and mentors supporting me at the ceremony. I couldn't believe that I was the one receiving the reward! It was a night I'll never forget. 

What do you look for when considering hiring someone?

SC: The number one quality I look for when hiring people is their ability to take initiative. As a startup, it's important that everyone on the team can identify opportunities for improvement and can take the initiative to conquer the project.

For example, I received an email saying, "I see you’re currently listed as number eight on Google, but I can help you get to number one. Can I intern for you?" Of course, she got the internship even though we weren't actively looking for someone to take on the role. She showed that she can take initiative and has the skill set to solve problems and make improvements. That's huge.

What advice would you give to a 20-something with similar aspirations?

SC: To any 20-something who is interested in being an entrepreneur, my best advice would be to keep going! Entrepreneurship can be a blurry, windy road at times, but as long as you're persistent and never give up, you will see success. There are high highs and low lows, and learning to stay levelheaded through the ups and downs is crucial for being successful as an entrepreneur. Don't let the downs get to you too much. They'll pass. I love the quote, "Both success and failure are never final." So just keep trekking! You've got this.

We've heard about every couple from Beyoncé and Jay-Z to Victoria and David Beckham, but what about the more private famous couples who are just as fabulous? Check out these seven adorable duos below—some of whom we had no idea were dating!

1. FKA Twigs and Robert Pattinson

Every girl’s celebrity crush is engaged! Twilight’s Robert Pattinson recently proposed to the beautiful singer/dancer, FKA Twigs after dating for nine months. We guess it’s time to get rid of our fantasies of ever being his #WCW. Boo.

2. Kerry Washington and Nnamdi Asomugha

It looks as if Olivia Pope has finally found her mate and it’s not Jake or Fitz! Kerry and retired NFL player, Nnamdi Asomugha, tied the knot in 2013 and had their first child in April 2014. The Scandal star is known for keeping her personal life extremely personal!

3. Lana Del Rey and Francesco Carrozzini

No summertime sadness for Lana Del Rey! We are totally jealous of her and her beau, who happens to be a photographer and Emmy-nominated director.

4. Kendrick Lamar and Whitney Alford

With the recent success of Kendrick’s new album, To Pimp a Butterfly, the one thing a lot of people have been wondering is whether or not he is involved with anyone. We’re here to tell you that he is... and she’s gorgeous! Whitney Alford and Kendrick have been together since high school! *cue the collective awwws*

5. Lisa Bonet and Jason Momoa

Lisa Bonet has definitely grown up since her days of playing Denise on The Cosby Show. Along with her beautiful transformation came her husband, Jason Momoa, who plays Khal Drogo in Game of Thrones!

6. Tyra Banks and Erik Asla

Can you say America’s Next Top Cutest Couple?! Tyra and her fashion photographer boyfriend, Erik Asla, have been dating since 2013, but they’ve been doing a good job of keeping their relationship a secret!

7. Emily Osment and Jimmy Tatro

Of course, we all remember the Hannah Montana star Emily Osment and her role as Lilly, Hannah Montana’s best friend. What we don’t remember is the hot boyfriend she has! You’ve probably seen him on his YouTube channel, “LifeAccordingToJimmy,” which has 2.31 million subscribers and counting. 

Which of these couples is the most surprising to you?

You finally did it! You graduated college and the world is your oyster. But, um… Now what? You’ve got to find a job, search for (and eventually furnish and decorate) an apartment, figure out how you’ll pay off your student loans and try to fit an exercise regimen in there somewhere, too. How will you ever organize your life enough to stay on top of all of those tasks? Don’t worry; these life hacks have got you covered.

1. Create a master plan for your job hunt

Though it’s tempting to start randomly applying to every job in your field that you can find on websites like Monster and Indeed, it’s important to keep track of the jobs that you’re applying for. The best way to keep track of all of the aspects of each job you’re interested in (including salary, location, benefits and beyond) is by using Office Online for free to create an Excel document that you can access from any computer, smartphone or tablet anywhere that you go. That way you can compare pros and cons between each job to figure out which would be your best option, and you can prioritize applications.

If you apply for multiple jobs, you can use Excel Online to keep track of the status of each application you’ve submitted – whether you’ve heard back, have scheduled an interview or have simply submitted an application and are waiting for the next steps. This way, when people ask you how the job search is going, you’ll know exactly how to answer for each position that you’ve applied for!

2. Keep track of your student loans

If you had to borrow money through federal or private student loans to pay for your college education, chances are you’re starting to freak out about the debt that you’ve accumulated and wondering how you’re ever going to pay it all back. Using one of Office Online’s pre-made templates, you can keep track of the amount you owe for each loan, the amount you’ve accrued in interest and the amount that you’ll need to pay each month to pay it off in your desired period of time. This way, you’ll never lose track of whether you’ve completed your payment each month, and you’ll know exactly what percentage you’ve paid off at any given moment (and how much remains). Now all that’s left is actually making the payments! Which brings us to...

3. ...Budget, budget budget!

The best thing that you can do to maintain your sanity after graduation? Make a budget and stick to it! Worrying about money can completely drain you and take up so much of your time. Instead of getting anxious, get organized! Use one of Office Online’s budget templates soyou can figure out exactly how much of your precious monthly paycheck to use for every part of your life, whether for rent, car payments or brunch with friends. Creating a personal budget will give you a sense of calm and control, so long as you stay within the spending limits that you set for yourself. You won’t feel guilty for splurging on that Frappuccino if you budgeted for it at the beginning of the month, and let’s face it: frozen coffee tastes way better without the guilt!

4. Stay on top of your tasks at work

Chances are that you’re being bombarded with tasks and responsibilities at your new real-world job (yay you!). It can be hard to stay on top of so many tasks at once if you don’t keep a list of due dates in one place, though. Keep track of your work responsibilities using a weekly assignment sheet,a project task list and a time sheet to be the most efficient and organized employee ever. Besides, it’s such a relief when you get to check something off of your to-do list!  

5. Don’t forget to stay healthy

With so many new transitions and responsibilities, it’s easy to forget to stay healthy. Though your new job and your finances are definitely important, so is maintaining your health and happiness! It probably seems impossible to figure out a way to balance all of your responsibilities with staying active, but making a personal fitness plan specifically tailored to your schedule and needs can make all the difference. Pair that with a customized meal plan complete with recipes and grocery lists, and staying active and healthy will be a piece of cake!

There you have it! Five easy ways that you can use Office Online to stay organized (and sane) after graduation. And it doesn’t cost you a penny! Now all you need is a template to help you meet the perfect significant other and find a new group of friends (ones that are as amazing as the ones you had in college), and you’ll be all set! 

Everything about the latest royal baby’s arrival was quick. From Kate’s length of labor to the short time it took for the baby girl to be introduced on the steps of the hospital on Saturday, the details poured in quite rapidly. One exception? Kate and Wills left us waiting two excruciatingly long days to discover their newest addition’s name. At long last, the wait is over with Kensington Palace announcing that the little princess’s name is…

Charlotte Elizabeth Diana!

And with every royal birth comes the bestowment of an official title. She will formally be known as Her Royal Highness Princess Charlotte of Cambridge. So regal!

While many believed that the Duke and Duchess would name their little girl after William’s mother, Diana, they were only partially right. Charlotte is a historically rich name, though, that has been passed down through years of English royal history. Elizabeth, of course, is a salute to William’s grandmother, Queen Elizabeth. It also happens to be the middle name shared by both Kate and her mother Carole Middleton.

Are you surprised that the royal pair didn’t choose Diana as the princess’s first name or are you too obsessed with the name Charlotte to care? 

From trivial matters like leaving the toilet seat up at your apartment to bigger issues like flirting with other people at parties, quarreling with your other half is inevitable. When emotions run high, things can take a turn for the worse and build up to the question of if you should just let go of the relationship. But not all conflict has to be destructive –there’s actually a productive way work to through it! We spoke with Heidi Nguyen, a marriage and family therapist, to understand the steps you need to follow to resolve a conflict with your SO — without having to shout or have your mascara run down your face.

Step 1: Consider the timing

First, you have to decide if the issue is worth confronting at all. In relationships, you often have to pick your battles.

Nguyen says to ask yourself, “Is it more important to have [this] relationship, or is it more important to be right?” If you think there’s a possibility of a loving, fulfilling relationship, and you want that, then make the choice to resolve the conflict.

Before you communicate your concerns to your SO, consider your mood and the atmosphere you and your SO are in. “Don’t wait until you are really fed up with the situation and about to explode,” Nguyen says. Bring it up in a calm, private conversation. If you’re at a party with a bunch of your friends and your SO, that’s not the best time to bring it up. Instead, try broaching the subject during a one-on-one dinner or on a walk.

Step 2: Keep your emotions in check

Nguyen says the first thing to do at the sign of a fight is calm down. “Take a time-out, take a deep breath – something to keep your emotions in check,” she says. Our natural tendency is to scream, attack and defend our own position, but if you want to productively resolve a conflict, you must take a step back and refrain from letting your emotions cloud your perception of the situation.

When you feel anxiety, anger or frustration taking over, Nguyen does not suggest walking away. “Walking away and not saying anything will lead the other person feeling rejected,” she says. “[Tell your SO] you just need time to calm down.” If tensions are too high and you walk away, give your SO the heads up and tell them you need to clear your head before you continue the conversation – be specific about how much time you’ll need.

Step 3: Emphasize your needs and view the conflict objectively

Once you’ve calmed down, Nguyen says to consider your SO’s point of view while also owning your needs. “Rationally think about the goal, then approach communication in a way that’s consistent with that goal,” she says.

Let’s say your goal is to have a more romantic relationship. It’s your birthday, and you’re waiting for your other half to arrive at the restaurant where you two will have a celebratory dinner. He shows up empty-handed, and you’re extremely hurt that he didn’t bring a birthday gift for you.

Though you’re internally upset, Nguyen says the best thing to do is take a deep breath and greet him how you normally would. Don’t let your anger influence you to cancel the date and storm off – that would mean you’re acting solely on emotions, which will hinder productive resolution.

After you’ve calmed down, casually bring up the fact that he didn’t meet your romantic needs. From there, Nguyen stresses that “your goal is to inquire – not tear him down, attack him or belittle him – whether he wants to work on being more romantic so that you can have a fulfilling relationship.”

It could be that you were raised to believe that sentimental gifts display love, or that in all your past relationships, that was your way of feeling loved. Whatever the reasoning behind your need is, express it to your SO. You could say, “I would’ve felt so loved and cared for if I got flowers from you on my birthday.” Use statements that begin with “I” such as, “I feel like...” or, “I think that...” That way, your SO will have an opportunity to respond or agree with your feelings. Chances are, Nguyen says, he will respond positively to your honesty.

Step 4: Find common ground

“With communication, the goal is to either accommodate him or for him to accommodate your needs. If that isn’t working out and [you] both get emotionally charged up again, then the goal is to agree to disagree,” Nguyen says.

Nguyen says that being able to agree to disagree depends on the situation. “If it’s a belief, like religion—he’s Catholic and you’re Buddhist—you can agree to disagree,” she says. “But if the situation is personally affecting the relationship, like there’s another girl involved, then [agreeing to disagree] is unrealistic. It would be like living with an elephant in the room.”

Nguyen urges to take into consideration your SO’s concerns, needs and perspectives within the context of the conflict. Find common ground, and then, if possible, compromise.

To sort the compromise, you have to be open and honest, but most importantly, you have to communicate. “Don’t interrupt; let each other talk, listen for the other’s perspective,” Nguyen says. “Then, wait until the person finishes to respond. Even go as far as to reflect back [what they said].” By repeating your SO’s words to him or her, you’re sending a signal that he or she is being heard, and it gives your partner a chance to repeat him or herself in case your interpretation of what he or she said isn’t accurate.

“If we put thought into what the goal is, there’s a way we can get it,” Nguyen says. “But if your emotions get in the way and you’re not mindful of the goal, [the result] usually comes out destructively.”

Nguyen believes that it’s not a confrontation so much as it is a discussion or a communication: bringing a conflict to attention so that it can be resolved.

Knowing how to handle a conflict with your SO can tremendously benefit your relationship. Don’t forget, collegiettes: Conflict doesn’t have to be confrontational! And, most importantly, don’t let your emotions take control of the situation. Breathe in, breathe out and work it out!

Former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina officially said she’s running for president in 2016.

Fiorina announced her bid for the Republican nomination Monday morning. She is the second woman to announce a run for president so far, following Democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton. As of now, Fiorina is expected to be the only major female candidate on the Republican side.

In a video announcing her campaign, Fiorina also took some time to take a shot at Hillary. The beginning of her video shows a clip of Hillary Clinton’s announcement video. After the clip, Fiorina says, “Our founders never intended us to have a professional political class.”

In a news conference following the announcement, Fiorina said Clinton “is the personification of the professional political class,” according NBC News.

Many people have suggested that Ms. Fiorina is Hillary’s political antidote. Analyst Nia-Malika Henderson of CNN said, “She has really framed herself as being the anti-Hillary Clinton.”

Although Fiorina has never held elected office, she served as the CEO of HP from 1999 to 2005. According to ABC News, Fiorina was also an economic advisor to Senator John McCain’s presidential campaign in 2008. On Good Morning America, Fiorina defended her lack of political experience, saying that many Americans “believe that we need to return to a citizen government.”

Ms. Fiorina will join Ben Carson (who also announced his campaign today) and Senators Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio, and Rand Paul on the GOP side of the presidential race. Former Governor Mike Huckabee is set to announce his own campaign for president on Tuesday.

Fiorina plans on traveling to Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina later this week, and will also be promoting her new book, Rising to the Challenge: My Leadership Journey.

Serena van der Woodsen was never really a career role model. She jumped from doing PR for Tyra Banks to working on a movie set to tackling the role of Gossip Girl all while forgetting to mention she dropped out of college somewhere along the way. So pardon us if we don’t quite take her seriously. The same cannot be said for portrayer Blake Lively, however. Though Blake just wowed us with her style expertise and top-notch acting skills yet again, she has another dream on her radar.

In a recent interview with U.K.’s Stylist, Blake revealed her plans to attend Harvard: “I have a dream to go to Harvard Business School and one of these days I will do that…in my spare time!” But with a swoon-worthy husband and adorable little girl, it seems like this goal will have to wait a while.

That didn’t keep Blake—who launched lifestyle site and online store hybrid Preserve last summer—from expressing her opinions on the changing roles of women: “Look at what is happening with Hillary Clinton, it’s something to be very proud of. It’s so uplifting. But the fact that we have to be proud of this advancement is a bit upsetting. I think whatever side you stand on, the fact that there’s never been a woman leading this country where there are women leading households and leading companies, is a bit upsetting. What makes people think a man is more equipped to do that than a woman? Nothing.”

We definitely think Blake is off to a good start in her plan to take over the world. #BlakeLivelyforPresident2016, anybody?