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Win a Home Shopping Network Prize Pack from Joy Mangano!

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As much as you love your life at school, home is where the heart is. The dining hall on campus pales in comparison to your mom’s home-cooked meals, and your dorm room vibe isn’t quite up to par with your snug childhood bedroom.

 

If you’re craving the comforts of home, the Her Campus team has got you covered! We’ve partnered up with Joy Manganoinventor, entrepreneur and HSN queen—to bring five lucky collegiettes a bundle of products that will make life on-campus easier and cozier than ever.

 

This real life "bundle of Joy" will include Joy Mangano’s Huggable Hangers, Better Beauty Cases, MemoryCloud Pillows, and My Little Steamers. You'll have everything you need to feel right at home again—even in your dorm room!

 

As a bonus, we’re also giving away Mini Bluetooth Speakers from Randy Jackson Studio Series and Jumbo Colorful Electric Skillets from chef Lorena Garcia, two amazing products from popular celebrity brands that are also sold on HSN!

 

Joy Mangano is one of today’s most successful creators and innovators, so you can bet that her products are resourceful, stylish, and exactly what you need to stay on track this semester.

 

Enter now for a chance to win your bundle full of Joy, and make sure you stay up to date on all things Joy Mangano on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!

 

Joy Mangano Prize Pack


Win a Prize Pack to Spruce up Your Dorm from Joy Mangano!

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As much as you love your life at school, home is where the heart is. The dining hall on campus pales in comparison to your mom’s home-cooked meals, and your dorm room vibe isn’t quite up to par with your snug childhood bedroom.

 

If you’re craving the comforts of home, the Her Campus team has got you covered! We’ve partnered up with Joy Manganoinventor, entrepreneur and HSN queen—to bring five lucky collegiettes a bundle of products that will make life on-campus easier and cozier than ever.

 

This real life "bundle of Joy" will include Joy Mangano’s Huggable Hangers, Better Beauty Cases, MemoryCloud Pillows, and My Little Steamers. You'll have everything you need to feel right at home again—even in your dorm room!

 

As a bonus, we’re also giving away Mini Bluetooth Speakers from Randy Jackson Studio Series and Jumbo Colorful Electric Skillets from chef Lorena Garcia, two amazing products from popular celebrity brands that are also sold on HSN!

 

Joy Mangano is one of today’s most successful creators and innovators, so you can bet that her products are resourceful, stylish, and exactly what you need to stay on track this semester.

 

Enter now for a chance to win your bundle full of Joy, and make sure you stay up to date on all things Joy Mangano on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!

 

Joy Mangano Prize Pack

Moving For Your Job? 5 Ways to Ease the Transition

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You’ve always dreamed of moving across the country to pursue your career, but now that the time has come, you probably feel a little unprepared. You’re leaving the friends you made in your current city and you’re going to be in a completely new place with a new job—that’s not easy! Although it will take more than packing up your suitcases, it’ll all be worth it. Here are five ways to make your cross-country move a little bit easier:

1. Say your goodbyes

You’vequit your current job, and you’re ready to start new—but you still have to say goodbye to everyone you’re leaving behind. Although it’s difficult to leave all of your friends, at least you'll have people to see when you visit your old city! It can be hard to make sure you don’t forget to say goodbye to everyone, from co-workers to old classmates to friends, so take a few weeks to think about how you’d like to say goodbye. Rachel, a recent grad who moved from NYC to Chicago, says, "Don't forget to say goodbye to everyone you've been close with the last few months. I remember when I moved I forgot to say goodbye to an old co-worker and I got an email once I moved to Chicago asking if I wanted to get drinks. She didn't know I moved, and I felt really bad that I hadn't told her before I left."

Friends might throw you a going away party, but if not, you can plan your own. Whether that's a formal happy hour at your favorite bar, or a casual dinner with friends, just make sure you take the time to say your goodbyes the way you’d like to. You don’t want to be the one to receive a text from an old friend saying, “You left the city without telling me?”

2. Pack your bags

The least fun part of moving is, of course, packing. If your future employer is paying for your move, you probably don’t need to consider what to bring and what to ditch because you’ll be able to pack everything into the moving truck, and it will all be sent to you. In that case, you’ll need to consider what to pack in your luggage so you have it immediately in your new city, just in case the rest of your stuff doesn’t arrive before you do. If you don’t have a new job yet or your new employer isn’t paying for your move, you need to weigh the pros and cons of paying to move everything versus leaving certain things behind and re-buying them in your new city. For example, it doesn’t make sense to pack your bulky sweaters if you’re moving to California—they’ll just take up space and you probably won’t need them. The more stuff you bring, the more expensive the move will be! It also doesn’t make sense to ship your armoire or mattress across country—you can easily buy furniture in your new city for a fraction of what it would cost to ship them. Instead, use websites like Craigslist to sell the things you won’t be able to bring—tables, couches, rugs and the like. You can pack belongings like your picture frames, kitchen supplies and other decorative items that you can’t part with, as well as the clothes that won’t all fit in your suitcase. You may really want to keep that poster you have in your room, but don’t waste the space in your suitcase—you can buy new ones once you move and you’ll really thank yourself when you start to unpack.

Erin, a college grad who moved from Boston to Denver says, "I didn't have a new job before I moved to Denver, so I really had to be frugal about what I was going to bring across the country. Definitely don't bring furniture! There's probably an Ikea or Target close to where you are moving and it is way easier to just buy new things once you get to your new place. I made the mistake of bringing my mattress, and then when I got to my new apartment I realized my Queen bed was too big for my closet-sized room." 

3. Do some research

Before your move, spend some time researching your new city so you'll have a list of places you'd like to check out as soon as you get there (instead of spending hours trying to find the best coffee shop). First, figure out what you really want to know about the city. Do you care more about finding the best restaurants the area has to offer? Or would you rather find the nearest museum? Maybe finding the closest gym is important to you so you can workout once you're finished with the move. While it’s nice to just stumble upon gems around the city once you get there, you should also do your research by buying a book or looking online to get to know the area a little better. The more research you do prior to your move, the easier the transition of moving to your new city will be. 

4. Don’t forget the small things!

To better prepare yourself for moving, make sure you tie up any loose ends before you leave your current city. Make a list of what you need to get done before moving day. Things such as having your mail forwarded to your new address, scheduling movers and transitioning services like cable and internet are small things that you may not think about until the last minute, but they are completely vital. Planning ahead will save you time and stress come moving day. 

5. Give it time 

During the first few weeks of living in your new city, you’ll be so busy with starting your new job and moving in that you won’t notice whether or not you miss your friends, old city, apartment or job. After a month or so, you’ll finally feel settled (or at least have just finished decorating your apartment, which is settled enough). This is a good thing, but it's also the time when you may start to feel the loneliness setting in—you no longer have the comfort and security you had from the experience of living in your old city. You may feel like you hate your new city, but you have to give it time. Living in a new place is often discomforting at first, but wait to judge your new situation until you give it at least three months—after that you should know whether or not it is a place where you could be happy to live long term.

Sarah, a recent graduate who moved from San Francisco to Boston, says, "It was tough to move to a city where I didn't have a single friend, and after a week I wasn't sure I really wanted to stay. It was tough not having a friend to talk to after a hard day at my new job. I'm glad, though, that I waited and gave it a few months before realizing that Boston is definitely the right city for me right now and I'm glad I made the move. Just give it some time!"

When the move is over and you’re settled in, make sure you say yes to new adventures. If someone you meet at work asks if you want to explore the local farmer’s market on Saturday, go. If someone asks you to a party, go. Take any chance you have to meet new people and go somewhere you haven’t been before. Moving across country is not easy! Fortunately, by following these tips you’ll be prepared for your new city and before you know it, you’ll feel like a true local. 

The 9 Best Mary-Kate & Ashley Movies

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Ever since their days as Michelle Tanner on Full House, we’ve been obsessed with the Olsen twins. Even though they stepped away from the camera a few years ago to work on their super-successful fashion lines, the glory days of Mary-Kate and Ashley movies are still in our highly nostalgic minds. They may never make another movie (tear), but there are plenty of Olsen-twin films in the archives for us to watch over and over again. Here are our favorites!

1. Winning London

Did anyone else immediately want to join Model UN after watching Chloe and Riley go to London to participate, learn about world politics and kiss really cute boys? Swoon. Side note: we also wanted to legally change our names to Chloe or Riley, which we thought were the coolest names ever.

2. Passport to Paris

Keeping with an international theme, this 1999 movie taught us all about Parisian glamour… and escargot. Though we were kind of grossed out to learn that people ate snails, the views of Paris and the adorable French boys made us want to fly over the Atlantic immediately.

3. Switching Goals

Ahh, yes. Tomboy Mary-Kate and Ashley really “scored” with this one (sorry). Thanks to this movie, we knew never to order pizza on a date for fear of cheese hanging from our chin, and we also looked everywhere for tinted sunglasses (we’re still in the market, if you have any). We're still rooting for the Buzzards.

4. Our Lips Are Sealed

In the Witness Protection Program for witnessing a crime (which would never have resulted in placement in the Witness Protection Program, but we digress), Maddie and Abby get to move to Australia, party on a boat in go-go boots, sport super-cool chunky highlights and (again!) kiss a few Aussies. Livin’ the dream, ladies.

5. New York Minute

This 2004 movie is the most recent in the Olsen franchise, and although the plot is slightly disappointing, the fashion is not. Bonus: a young Jared Padalecki stars as Trey, the movie’s token hottie. Bob Saget also makes a cameo appearance.

6. Billboard Dad

When Tess and Emily decide it’s time for their dad to start dating, they paste his picture up on a billboard. Though the twins have good intentions, things (of course) go awry. Important life lessons learned from this 1998 classic include what a whisk is and that some women really do prefer to go by “Ms.”

7. It Takes Two

Any real MK & A aficionado has seen this vintage (aka 1995) adaptation of The Prince and the Pauper. If you haven’t seen it, we highly recommend it to round out your Olsen film experience.

8. Holiday in the Sun

It’s super cheesy, but Holiday in the Sun is a must-see if you want to see all the Olsen twins’ films. Not to be confused with The Challenge, which also takes place in a tropical setting, Holiday in the Sun follows Madison and Alex as they solve crime and save the world from a man smuggling stolen goods.

9. When in Rome

So many international settings, so little time (which actually is the title of a TV show the Olsen twins did in 2001)! This adventure takes Leila and Charli to a disastrous internship in Rome that is saved by, you guessed it, cute boys! Though the plot isn’t that great, we still love you, Mary-Kate and Ashley.

Their movies are perfect for a girls’ night in or a 2000s throwback party. Let the world know that we love you, Olsen twins. Your movies are classics in our minds. 

Transform Your Dorm With This $500 DIY Makeover

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We know how dreary dorm rooms can be. The boring white walls, the cold tile floors and the scratched wooden furniture don’t exactly shout, “Welcome home!” That’s why we’ve teamed up with Martha Stewart Crafts to give one lucky winner the chance to completely reinvent her living space!

If you love all things DIY, you’ll be in craft heaven with this amazing kit including $150 worth of Martha Stewart paints, a $200 Whim Twin Bedding Set and more than $200 of other miscellaneous crafting supplies. Ready to make your dorm totally Pinterest-worthy? Enter to win now!

 

MSLO Giveaway

Blake Lively Has Proven She's the Ultimate Businesswoman

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Just last summer, Blake Lively added "entrepreneur" to her long list of achievements when she launched Preserve, her lifestyle site and e-boutique featuring artisan-crafted style, beauty, food and decor. In the past year, the actress's new venture has garnered plenty of criticism, from the undeserved (like the skepticism Lively faced based on the fact that she's a celeb) to the justified (like the backlash Preserve got after doing a photoshoot celebrating the old, pre-war South). 

Lively admitted to Vogue that she knows what's headed her way now that she's officially shutting the site down. “I know what it’ll look like, what I’m facing publicly, that people are just going to have a heyday with this,” she told the magazine. “But it’s so much worse to continue to put something out there—to ask my team to put something out there—that isn’t the best we can do. I’m going to take this hit, and the only way I can prove all the negative reactions wrong is to come back with a plan that will rock people. And I have that plan.”

Though we, too, are expecting to see plenty of those “we told you so” reactions, we actually think it's commendable for Lively herself to come out and speak openly about her company and why she's decided to take this step. Reaching our fullest potential involves taking big risks, and so many of us shy away from doing so because we fear failure. For Lively to admit failure—to be able to say to Vogue, “You know what? I haven’t created something that is as true and impactful as I know it can and will be. And I’m not going to continue to chase my tail and continue to put a product out there that we, as a team, are not proud of”—shows us all that it's okay when the risks we take don't turn out the results we hope for. What's important is how we deal with the challenge; and for Lively, that means starting over (she's certainly not giving up). 

“...I’m so excited about it,” she said of her new plan, adding, “and that’s what gave me the courage to do this, to say, ‘You know what, I’m going to give myself one more shot at this, and I really have to do it as well as I can do it this time.’ And that is the only thing that will impact people. And that’s what I’m doing. And I’m totally terrified out of my mind!”

As for how she's dealing with this temporary hurdle? “I’ve asked my husband to just play ‘Shake It Off’ on a loop—it feels really good to listen to it on a loop!”

A New Study Says Drugged Driving is as Dangerous as Drunk Driving

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A new study by the Governors Highway Safety Association has found that driving under the influence of drugs is about as dangerous as drunk driving. According to the new report, about 39.9 percent of drivers killed in accidents in 2013 were impaired by drug use—that’s an increase from 29.9 percent of drivers in 2005. GHSA believes this is likely due to a rapid increase in prescription drug use over the last several years, as well as the legalization of marijuana in many states.

In the report, GHSA describes the currently-existing laws against driving under the influence of drugs as “nuanced [and] difficult to enforce and prosecute.” While every state has laws against drug or alcohol-impaired driving, they “vary substantially state by state.” Fifteen states have a zero-tolerance policy for one or more drugs, while six have per se laws, which make it unlawful to drive a vehicle when drugs in a person’s system exceed a certain limit. Some states only have laws against the use of certain drugs while driving. GHSA is urging states to implement more clear and concise laws to deal with the problem.

Believe it or not, this study is one of the first of its kind on the subject. “While this report summarizes the research and data available, it also highlights how much remains unknown,” wrote Jim Hedlund, a former senior official with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and primary author of the report. “For example, we still don’t know with certainty how much of a specific drug will cause impairment or if such a relationship can even be defined.”

Unlike with alcohol, the specifics of the effects of drug use on driving have not really been studied. For that reason, it is unsurprising (but still alarming) is that many users of marijuana and other drugs are unaware of the effects they’ll have on their ability to operate a vehicle. “They believed that they can compensate for any effects of marijuana, for instance by driving more slowly or by allowing greater headways,” the report says. “They believed it is safer to drive after using marijuana than after drinking alcohol.”

In order to combat the problem, GHSA is urging police to use saliva devices, which are inexpensive and provide very fast results, to identify drivers under the influence of drugs. Even though we we’re constantly reminded not to drink and drive, it’s important that we realize it isn’t the only substance—whether our use of it is legal or not—that impairs us or people we know behind the wheel. Stay safe, collegiettes!

20 Things You Need to Stop Worrying About After College

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In college you worried that your GPA wasn’t high enough, wondered why you were still single and dissected every text message sent or received. Worrying is the worst. Now you’re in the real world learning how to juggle a fulltime job, budget your money and transition into adulthood. Although it’s true that there are more responsibilities (and anxiety-provoking situations) in the real world, it’s time to put your worries aside and start enjoying life.  Read on to learn 20 things you need to stop worrying about after college.

1. Being judged for living at home with your parents. 

Think of all the money you’re saving by not paying rent. And if you’re lucky, your mom will still do your laundry and make you dinner.

2. The small stuff.  

Forget to write on your friend’s wall for her birthday? Show up five minutes late to a party? Spill a little coffee on your shirt? There’s no point in worrying about these little things. It’s all going to be okay.

3. Keeping up with the Kardashians.

It can be difficult to focus on your own life when everyone around you is constantly bragging about how awesome their lives are. But remember that your life is awesome too. Stop comparing yourself to others or turning life into a never-ending competition.

4. How many likes or retweets you get.

Remember that life exists outside of social media and just because you only got seven likes on your Instagram post doesn’t mean your life sucks and you have no friends.

5.  What that text message really meant. 

Skip the all-day text deliberation and ignore any underlining meanings. Yes, it is possible that he already has plans for Saturday night. This doesn’t mean he never wants to see you again.

6. Staying in on a Saturday night.

Going out is fun, but so is watching Netflix and eating ice cream out of the container.

7. Skipping the gym to meet a friend for happy hour.

Eliminate the guilt of missing a day at the gym and enjoy a few laughs with a good friend. A yummy cocktail with your bff might be all you need to feel energized and relaxed.

8. Still needing a calculator to figure out tips. 

Mental math is difficult. Use your phone calculator. No one’s judging you.

9. Sleeping through your yoga class. 

Sometimes we need a little extra sleep so don’t feel guilty for hitting snooze. Yoga can wait. #namastayinbed

10. How many friends you have.

It’s suddenly harder to keep in touch with old friends or make new ones after college. It seems like everyone around you has found their lifelong cliques and you are in it all alone, but this is definitely not true. Would you rather have 20 fake friends or two true friends who are there for you no matter what?

11. Your relationship status. 

Single? Dating? Engaged? Married? Remember that your relationship status doesn’t define you. Who cares if you’re in your mid-twenties and still single? Own it!

12. Being married by 26. 

Or whatever age you put on your life timeline when you were younger. Let it happen when it’s supposed to happen.

13. How much you spent on dinner. 

That steak dinner, fruity cocktail and crème brûlée were so worth it.

14. The past. 

Still can’t let go of something silly that happened freshman year of college? Nothing positive will come from stressing about something you can’t change. It’s time to move on and start enjoying the present.

15. Where you will be in five years. 

You could be a CEO, married with two kids, living in a different country or exactly where you are today. You’ll never know, and that’s the beauty of it.

16. Whether or not your current career is your dream career.

The important part is that you have a job –it’s okay if you’re still figuring out exactly what you want to do for a living. Consider each job a learning experience and know that you do not need to be settled in your forever career right after graduation.

17. Having seven pairs of jeans but wearing the same pair all the time.

It’s okay, we all do it. You never know when you’ll want to wear that old pair of faded ripped jeans that still fit you from junior high, but for now you’ll stick to your go-to pair.

18. How much money you have. 

Unless you’re the founder of a crazy successful startup or you just won the lottery, you probably don’t have as much money as you’d like right out of college. 

19. Dishing out $5 for Starbucks twice a week. 

You know you should save your money and cut down on caffeine, but those PSLs are just so good. If Starbucks makes you happy then we say go for it. There are worse things than being addicted to Starbucks.

20. What people think about you. 

As hard as it seems, not everyone you meet is going to like you. But don’t worry about the haters. Focus on yourself instead of worrying what everything around you thinks.

Stop worrying and start living your life!


The 7 Best Disney Halloween Movies

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Whether it was the channel or the studio, Disney never failed to create brilliant Halloween movies that managed to both scare and entertain children around the nation. Every year, kids were treated to a new round of laughably scary movies to watch, which only contributed to Disney's status as a master of the '90s. Let's take a trip back through time to remember some of the most popular Halloween-related Disney movies. 

1. Hocus Pocus (1993)

Perhaps one of the most loved Halloween movies of all time, Hocus Pocus is watched almost religiously during the season of spook. 2013 marked 20 years since its release, and the film still frequently ranks highly on lists of popular Halloween movies. Hocus Pocus follows the revival of three witches who were hanged in the 1600s and their quest to gain not only revenge, but everlasting youth. Of course, their plot is foiled by a group of teenagers (as always, right?). There were rumors of a potential sequel to the cult classic, but Disney has since laid those rumors to rest by telling The Huffington Post very clearly, "The studio is not developing a sequel to Hocus Pocus." That's a shame, but at least the original is still vastly popular. 

2. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

Debates spring up between those who think this movie is a Christmas movie and those who think it’s a Halloween movie, but regardless of when you decide to watch it, Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas is undoubtedly fit for both holidays. Featuring ghouls and ghosts of all kinds, this movie is another popular choice for Halloween lovers everywhere. It follows Jack Skellington on his mission to take over Christmas and essentially turn it into a second Halloween. Many people argue that The Nightmare Before Christmas wasn’t a Disney movie, but it was released through Touchstone Pictures, which is a division of The Walt Disney Company.

3. Halloweentown (1998)

Disney does it best. Not only did they bring Hocus Pocus to the people, but they brought us Halloweentown as well, which follows three (apparently magical) siblings as they discover a mystical town that – as the name implies – is decked out in an entire Halloween theme. The film went on to gain three sequels, though the original one is still arguably the best. The effects are cheesy and the entire film throws viewers into a fit of late-'90s nostalgia, which is why Halloweentown is awesome.

4. Under Wraps (1997)

Under Wraps was another Disney Channel Original Movie created just in time for Halloween, and it's still one of their best classics. The film follows three friends who discover a mummy named Harold and their quest to return him to his sarcophagus before midnight on Halloween. Some people may have trouble remembering this movie, which is understandable as it hasn't been shown on television for some time - or, at least, it hadn't until a couple years ago, when it was shown as part of Disney's "Throwback Thursday." So why is a movie that's rarely shown on our list of top Halloween films? It takes the classic mummy, a generally scary thing, and turns him into a bumbling, bashful idiot who requires the help of three kids. What about that isn't perfect?

5. Don't Look Under the Bed (1999)

Disney’s final attempt at a “true” horror film, Don't Look Under the Bed, was about a teenage girl whose imaginary friend turned out to be a boogeyman. Surprisingly enough, there were actually a few moments of sheer terror in this movie. Author's note: This movie actually made me afraid to look under my bed for years, so I totally understand why this may have been their last shot at making a real horror film... because it worked.

6. Mom's Got a Date with a Vampire (2000)

Mom's Got a Date with a Vampire starred The Nanny cast member Charles Shaughnessy as Dimitri Denatos, a man who may or may not be a blood-sucking vampire. This 2000 Disney Channel Original found three siblings trying to prove that the man their mom was going out with was actually a vampire. Spoiler alert: He totally is. 

7. Phantom of the Megaplex (2000)

This one came out just after Halloween, but has still been shown on Disney from time to time around the October holiday. A modern take on Phantom of the Opera, Phantom of the Megaplex took a group of siblings on a humorous adventure through a movie theater to find out who – or what – was haunting the megaplex.

So now that it's October, the season of scare is officially in motion. Disney will no doubt be showing some of their classics, but we're sure they're ready to introduce a few new movies for today's generation of youngsters. Let's just hope they don't forget their laughably terrifying roots, though!

Demi Lovato Reveals Why She Isn't Friends With Celebs

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While celebrities like Taylor Swift proudly proclaim their love for their well-known squads, there are others who simply aren’t about that squad life. On the contrary, people like Demi Lovato prefer to limit the number of close celebrity pals, instead maintaining an inner circle of non-famous friends (with a few exceptions, of course). In the October/November issue of Complexmagazine, Demi opened up about these select few people who she considers to be “real” in her whirlwind life. 

Before you point out that Demi is besties with Nick and Joe Jonas (aka two of the most popular former boy band members), keep in mind that to her, they’re simply two good friends whom she grew up with on Disney Channel. “I don’t really hang out with celebrities. I guess I do sometimes. I like Hailee Steinfeld. And Nick [Jonas]. But I don’t count Nick and Joe [Jonas] as celebrities. I’ve grown up with them. I’m not the type of person that’s on Instagram posting pictures of me and tons of my best friends. I have my core group, and they’re the type of people that will be there for me in the middle of the night,” Demi shared.  

Fans of Demi also know that she happens to be good friends with Australian rapper Iggy Azalea. In fact, the two are such good friends that Demi is going to be a bridesmaid at Iggy's wedding! The singers met at Jennifer Lopez's Halloween party, and the rest is history. Like Demi, Iggy can completely relate to all the struggles that come with being in the spotlight. "She’s so awesome. She’s very, very, very real. What you see is what you get. I think sometimes that pushes people away, but that’s what I admire about her. She’s the furthest thing from fake. In this entertainment business, that’s so hard to find with anybody. That’s why I don’t have any very famous friends. The very few that I do have are real," Demi said of the friendship.  Rather than surround herself with party-goers in the entertainment industry, Demi associates with people like Iggy, who prefer making gingerbread houses or eating pizza while dressed in comfy pjs. #FriendshipGoals

Friends are the family we choose for ourselves, and Demi certainly lives by this motto. As a young singer in the entertainment business, she is fully aware of the possibility of fake friends. For that reason, only a few trustworthy and loyal individuals get to call themselves friends of the 23-year-old. "I’m very, very, very blessed and very lucky to have the friends that I do," she said. "I believe that friends are chosen family. They’re not friends to me, they’re family."

7 Floral Pieces You Can Still Rock After Summer

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Who says you can only wear florals in spring and summer? Definitely not us. Bring floral prints to the next level by rocking them this fall. Choose prints with dark backgrounds and high contrast between colors to avoid giving off summer vibes. Check out some of our favorite pieces for fall below!

1. Bold all over

ASOS Jumpsuit With Scallop Neck In Floral Print ($90)

This jumpsuit is the perect fall piece, so we encourage you to splurge! The dark color makes the white flowers pop, and the wide leg gives it a '70s feel. The front tie and low back give it a sexy touch.

2. Girly & flirty

Forever 21 Floral Print Babydoll Dress ($12.90)

You can't go wrong with this simple dress—and you can't beat the price, either! Pair it with a military jacket or sweater and booties, and you’re set.

3. Sweet layers

Gap Mini Floral Watercolor Scarf ($29.95)

Scarves are an absolute must-have in every collegiette's fall wardrobe, and the colors of this one will look great with jeans! 

4. Beautifully boho

American Eagle Patterned Cami $39.95

Although the style and rope straps might make this top seem like a summer piece, the colors of the flowers make this perfect for fall. Dress it up with jeans and a cardigan.

5. Jewel-toned layers

DKNYC Print Front Pullover ($47.70)

We love the contrast between the two colors on this sweater. Go bold and match it with a pair of red pants for an adorable fall look.

6. Sophisticated watercolors

J. Crew Boy Shirt in Watercolor Floral ($88)

Give your wardrobe a sophisticated touch with this watercolor button down. The pattern gives it a soft, girly touch. How cute would it look paired with a skater skirt?

7. Fabulously comfortable

Forever 21 Floral Scuba Knit Leggings ($17.90)

Ditch your boring, black leggings for these patterned ones. You can make a statement while staying totally comfortable at the same time!

How to Stock a Mini Fridge the Healthy Way

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College: the land of late night pizza and unlimited meal plans. While you’re super stoked to have an all-you-can-eat buffet every meal, chances are, you’ll get sick of the same foods after a while. Having a mini fridge could be your saving grace. However, just because you have three shelves worth of personal food storage, doesn’t mean you should stock it with Lunchables and Hot Pockets. Here are our how-tos for stocking a mini fridge—the healthy way.

What to put in your mini fridge:

Produce:

Fruits and vegetables are one of the best things to keep in your mini fridge! Fruit makes a fantastic on-the-go breakfast, a great afternoon snack or a nutritious late night bite when you are staying up to study!

“Cherry tomatoes are always my go-to snack if I need something quick, because they keep long in the fridge, and they’re a bit sweet and crunchy!” says Mollie McKinley, a junior at High Point University. Cherry tomatoes, grapes and sliced fruits are space efficient and easily stacked in containers. Apples and oranges have long shelf lives and can be stored for weeks before they expire.

Veggies are also great study snacks, providing you with the energy you need to keep working throughout those late nights in your floor lounge! Collegiettes Iris Goldsztajn, a senior at the University of California, Los Angeles, and Reagan Neviska, a junior at Kenyon College, recommend baby carrots and hummus as a cost effective study snack. “Dips make vegetables a little more ‘fun’ to eat,” says Reagan. Like apples and oranges, carrots and celery also have long shelf lives and can be stored for numerous weeks in your fridge.

If your fridge comes with a freezer, then frozen fruit is also a wonderful option! Frozen fruit does not expire quickly and is a healthy alternative to popsicles. Reagan suggests making ice cream out of bananas in order to enjoy a frozen treat without the calories. If you have access to a blender, blend—or alternatively, mash—bananas and pour them into a bowl or mug. You can enjoy it on its own, or add nuts, granola, fruit or other healthy toppings before freezing. Reagan also recommends adding a bit of milk before freezing to get the consistency you desire.  

Our top picks for produce:

  • Bell peppers 
  • Cherry tomatoes
  • Grapes
  • Apples
  • Oranges
  • Carrots
  • Celery
  • Bananas
  • Edamame

 

Protein:

String cheese is a quick and easy way to get protein! Slice it up and eat it with crackers for a delicious snack, or eat it on its own while you’re walking to class. String cheese is also very easy to store in your fridge because of its compact size and individually wrapped packaging.

Many collegiettes, including Mollie and Iris, keep their fridges stocked with Greek yogurt, which is an easy way to add healthy protein into your diet. Greek yogurt with granola is a healthy, protein-rich breakfast option that will keep you fuller longer. Additionally, individual packaged yogurt is stackable and does not take up much space in your fridge.

Lunch meat is a great addition to any mini fridge due to its versatility. Roll it up with cheese or keep some bread in your room to make easy sandwiches.  Other options for protein pick-me-ups include peanut or almond butter and edamame. Make a peanut or almond butter sandwich or eat it with apples, and try adding edamame to your lunch meat roll-ups for easy, protein-filled meals. These can be eaten on the go or while studying in your dorm!

Our top picks for protein:

  • String cheese
  • Greek yogurt
  • Lunch meat
  • Peanut or almond butter
  • Hummus

 

Drinks:

While it is important to stay hydrated, you shouldn’t bother buying bottled water to keep in your fridge. Most dorms and sorority houses will have a hydration station available to you where you can fill up a reusable water bottle whenever you need to. However, that doesn’t mean that you can’t use your fridge to store other drinks!

Fruit and vegetable juices are great pick-me-ups and can satisfy a late night craving for a sweet drink. While coffee is delicious, you’ll regret drinking it at midnight when you have an 8:00 am class the next day. Natural juice, such as Santa Cruz Organic, Simply Orange or Whole Foods 365 brand juices, can be a late night treat or an early morning drink, without caffeine or added sugars contained in coffee and soda.

Whether it is dairy, soy, almond or coconut, milk is an awesome and healthy addition to any mini fridge. You can drink it on its own, have it with cereal for breakfast, or even use it in your coffee whenever you need a caffeinated pick-me-up!

Coconut water is also a great addition to any mini fridge due to its electrolytes and refreshing taste. Although some people do not like the flavor, it can also come infused with fruit juices, such as peach and pineapple, to make for a very tropical tasting drink.

Many of these drinks are also available in small, portable bottles that are ideal for storing in your mini fridge.

Our top picks for drinks:

  • Natural fruit and vegetable juice: Santa Cruz Organic, Simply Orange, Whole Foods 365
  • Milk: dairy, almond, soy or coconut
  • Coconut water

How to budget your grocery shopping:

So you’re on your way home from class and you want to buy a yogurt parfait from the campus market…resist! Unless you’re trying to spend all of your dining dollars as fast as you can, you should probably steer clear of doing your grocery shopping at on-campus markets and convenience stores. Instead, check out grocery stores and local farmer’s markets! Grocery stores usually have sales each week, and there are coupons for certain products available online.

One way to keep track of what food you have to buy and eat is to create a shopping list and then hang it on your fridge after you get back from the grocery store. This way, you know what snacks you have before you even open your fridge, and it serves as a constant visible reminder to eat your food before it expires! Various apps, such as Wunderlist and Grocery IQ, which are available for iPhone and Android, allow you to keep a digital grocery list that is always at your fingertips.

Costco and Sam’s Club are great places to purchase food in bulk. If you or your friends have memberships to either of these stores, you can split the cost (and the groceries) among each of you and store it in each of your fridges to be space and cost efficient.  Trader Joe’s has healthy snack options and great prices on produce for collegiettes on a budget and local farmer’s markets often offer produce at a lower price than grocery stores.

Additionally, your dining hall is filled with fruit, and most dining halls allow students to take at least one piece of fruit home with them after each meal. Samantha Burke, a senior at Siena College, says, “I take as many ingredients for this stuff from the dining hall as I can!”

Whether you are a freshman or a student living in dorms or a sorority house, use these tips and tricks to your advantage when purchasing products for your mini fridge. At the end of the day, you’ll be craving healthy snacks—and you won’t have any regrets when eating these late night bites!

Win a Year’s Worth of Free Designer Perfume Courtesy of Scentbird

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Have you ever spent $100 or more on a fragrance you just had to have in store, only to get home and realize that it wasn’t quite for you?  If you’re like us, you probably have what looks like a “perfume graveyard” on your dresser or shelf just gathering dust.

 

That’s why when we discovered Scentbird, we were ecstatic! Now you can pick from the hottest designer perfumes and get a spritzer delivered right to your door each month. Each spritzer lasts 30 days, so you’re set until your next delivery! No more wasting money and space with fragrances you’ll never use – and let’s face it, as collegiettes, we don’t have much money or space to spare!

 

We are giving one lucky winner the chance to win a year subscription to Scentbird’s amazing perfume service. Enter to win a subscription now!

 

Scentbird

Try These Runway-Approved Beauty Looks for Halloween

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Fall has officially arrived, so it’s time for us collegiettes to start brainstorming Halloween costume ideas that are fun and cute. You don’t want to be caught without a costume last minute when the rest of your squad is already dolled up!

In addition to showcasing amazing fashion, the runway shows throughout fashion month have been full of potential costume ideas, with fabulous hair and makeup to match. Here are a few of our favorites!

'60s Barbie 

Inspired by Jeremy Scott

Try: Not Your Mother’s Girl Powder Volumizing Hair Powder ($5.99), MAC Superslick Liquid Eyeliner ($21) and MAC Lipmix Lip Cream ($15)

The makeup artist for Jeremy Scott’s spring 2016 show, Kabuki, decided to go for a '60s retro vibe for the show. We’re talking voluminous hair, statement eyeliner, bright lipstick and a whole lot of attitude and spunk. This look is so easy to recreate, with or without a Ken by your side, with the right products and a vintage outfit to match.

Rainbow Flower Queen 

Inspired by Betsey Johnson

Try: Carnival Colors Accessory Makeup Kit ($4.99)

Since Betsey’s runway show celebrated her 50 years in the fashion industry, we knew the show would be filled with color and surprises, and she definitely did not disappoint. The runway saw plenty of bright colors, eccentric patterns and so many floral prints. To incorporate Betsey’s vision into your Halloween costume, pair a few bold prints with fun, colorful makeup.

Tripped Out Marcia Brady

Inspired by Ammerman Schlösberg

Try: ColourPop Eye Shadown in “Sour” ($5) and Stila Smudge Stick Waterproof Eyeliner in Violet ($22)

The designers behind Ammerman Schlösberg described their spring 2016 collection as “Marcia Brady taking a lot of acid on Halloween” (her words, not ours!) to prove that anything goes when it comes to creative expression on Halloween. There isn’t a whole lot of direction you need to take when it comes to this look, so feel free to be as artsy as you’d like. Experiment by applying a bright neon color to your lids and finishing with statement eyeliner in an opposing color.

Eclectic Egyptian Goddess 

Inspired by The Blonds

Try: Make Up For Ever Aqua Liner in "Diamond Gold" ($23) and NYX Wicked Lippies in "Metallic Gold" ($6)

We can always count on The Blonds to bring the heat when it comes to fashion week, and this year they channeled their energy into creating looks inspired by ancient Egypt—with a twist. The color palette included sparkling gold and silver, black and even an iridescent aquamarine shade. For your own take on the look, straighten your hair and apply a fun gold eyeliner and a flashy gold lipstick to match.

The Anti-Contouring Diva 

Inspired by Hood By Air

Try: Anastasia Contour Cream Kit ($40)

For the makeup junkie who loves a good pop culture reference, take your inspiration from the Hood By Air runway show, which featured crazy contouring as a satire on our surgery and cosmetic loving era. Since terms such as highlighting and contouring, strobing and even baking have been all over when it comes to describing how to accentuate your best features, everyone will get a laugh from this costume idea. Plus, you’ll save time by skipping the blending process, and you can apply the products a messier fashion and still get away with leaving the house.

If you’re looking to rock a unique costume this year that can’t be bought off of a store shelf, try one of these exciting and edgy runway looks!

15 Feminist Halloween Costumes for 2015

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Dressing up as a superhero is a tried-and-true Halloween classic. What does it mean to be a female superhero for Halloween? To some people, it literally means wearing a cape, fighting villains and having supernatural powers. But there's so much more to being a female power icon, and there are so many women who are superheroes just for fighting for equality every day. Here are 15 of our favorite feminists that you can dress up as this Halloween.

1. Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games series

You can go so many ways with this one, everything from simple to very flashy (like her flaming dress.)  Regardless which Katniss look you choose, it would be fun to carry a bow and arrow. 

2. Wonder Woman

Wonder Woman is so class. She's like Superman, except better, because she does it all in those boots. 

3. Beyoncé

Beyoncé is everyone's favorite hero when she performs on stage. If you want to make this duo costume, grab a guy who's willing to go as Jay-Z. 

4. Olivia Pope from Scandal

This is an easy costume to represent one bad-ass female who can manage any crisis. 

5. Frida Kahlo 

Kahlo is a feminist icon, and you can incorporate her art into your costume if you want to get extra-creative. 

6. Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Another fairly easy costume - one of the most well-known kick-ass vampire slayers known to fiction. 

7. The Black Widow

The Black Widow really deserves her own movie series, but at least for now, you can act it out by playing her for Halloween. 

8. Laverne Cox and/or Sophia Burset from Orange is the New Black

A lot of the great Orange is the New Black costumes we've seen so far haven't included Sophia, but we think Laverne is absolutely fierce. Go as Laverne herself, or portray her take-charge, outspoken character in a simple prison jumpsuit. Plus ombre is so in. 

9. Lorelai Gilmore from Gilmore Girls 

We strongly recommend adding a cup of coffee as your main accessory. 

10. Hermione Granger from the Harry Potter series

Because we all know Harry and Ron would've been nowhere without Hermione constantly saving the day.

11. Ellen Degeneres 

Pair this costume with a sassy joke or a viral Internet icon who has appeared on her show and you're golden. 

12. Korra from Avatar: Legend of Korra

Korra showed Avatar: The Last Airbender fans that a woman can rock the whole 'saving the world' thing. 

13. Leslie Knope from Parks and Recreation and/or Liz Lemon from 30 Rock

Choose one of these hilarious ladies, or go with your best friend in this perfect companion costume.

14. Amelia Earhart 

Pay homage to a woman who made history, and as a bonus those are some killer boots. 

15. Princess Diana

Princess Diana was possibly one of the most fashionable female icons, making this a 100% classy costume for any black-tie Halloween affair you're invited to.


Love Social Media & Beauty? You NEED to Check Out This Opportunity

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Are you obsessed with Instagram and beauty products? Do your friends go to you for hair advice? Do you want to one day work in social media or the beauty industry? Let us introduce you to your dream gig: L’Oréal Paris is searching for their first guest editor for their social and digital platforms, presented by Advanced Haircare Nutri-Gloss, the shampoo system that acts like a glossing treatment.

That means that YOU could work with L’Oréal Paris and their digital agencies to curate and create content for Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Instagram, Pinterest, Snapchat (@lorealparisusa) and lorealparisusa.com! How cool is that? This is basically the most legit internship we’ve ever heard of. Not only will your work get a TON of exposure, but you’ll be mentored by the brightest people in the beauty industry. Oh, yeah, and a $2,500 prize and a possible visit to New York City as if the opportunity itself wasn’t enough!

Want to SERIOUSLY boost your resume? Here’s what L’Oréal Paris is looking for:

  • You’re a social media maven
  • Excellent writing and speaking ability; you know how to captivate an audience
  • A totally gorgeous, inspired visual aesthetic on your social media accounts
  • An obsession with haircare and beauty
  • You must be a U.S. resident and 18 years or older

And don’t worry if you don’t have a million followers on Instagram—the size of your social following is not part of the criteria for this gig.

Want the job? Yeah, us too. Apply at www.EditorInGloss.com with the entry form by including the links to your social handles, plus or vlog or blog entry about why you’re the best fit for the internship position! The contest will run from October 1 through October 30, and the winner will be announced in December. Good luck, collegiettes! 

Twitter Might Get Rid of Its 140-Character Limit

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Twitter may finally be answering all of your prayers by planning to say goodbye to its 140-character limit and allowing you to get even more complex and poetic during your tweeting process. We've seen your Facebook rants, so we're not sure if we should be excited about this or terrified.

According to Re/Code, Twitter plans on building a product (similar to OneShot and Twitlonger) that may make it easier for users to share longer tweets. The company has recently suffered a decline in growth, so the changes are being made in order to increase usage and engagement. Just last month, the site lifted the character count on private messaging. The 140-character limit has always been a staple of Twitter, but has always been criticized by users arguing for expansion and has even been an internal topic of discussion by Twitter execs for years, Re/Code reports.

In the age of the smart phone, we clearly are capable of moving beyond 140-character snapshots. That being said, if there’s anything Twitter is widely known for, it’s the character limit, which is why the way the company goes about implementing this change is pretty important. It takes a bit of talent to spend almost ten years mastering the art of saying a whole lot without saying much at all. Though there are lots of talks about this change taking place, Twitter may also be changing the way the site counts the characters in a given tweet. This means that handles, links, and even pictures may no longer be included in the count. 

“Twitter moving beyond 140 characters in the very limited way that's being described makes perfect sense," Jan Dawson, chief analyst at Jackdaw Research, told USA Today. "Essentially, Twitter would take some of the clutter —usernames, links, and images—that currently takes up some of those precious characters and move it outside the scope of the 140 characters."

Of course, the plan may never actually get put into action but, if Twitter plans on expanding its audience, tweaking the process a little wouldn't hurt. 

Caffeinated Peanut Butter Is Now a Thing You Can Buy

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Picture this: you’re studying, getting tired and could really use a spoonful of peanut butter. Ever thought you’d be able to satisfy your caffeine fix with that gob of gooey goodness? Massachusetts-based company Steem is making that possible.

The peanut butter is all-natural and includes green-coffee extract, which gives just two tablespoons of peanut butter the same amount of caffeine as two cups of coffee. The three co-founders thought of the idea while trying to come up with hangover cures—Pretty brilliant, right?

You can buy a jar online for $4.99 plus shipping, and if you’re in the Boston area you can check out their next tasting. Next time you’re in a hurry or aren’t in the mood for coffee (if that is ever the case), eat a glob of this peanut butter or spread some on a piece of toast—You may be pleasantly surprised by the buzz!

Would you try this peanut butter, collegiettes?

How a Cupcake Can Change the World

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Who knew that one simple bake sale could change the world for the better? Sign up now to #BakeAChange with the Tie-Dye Cupcake Bake-Off, an amazing grassroots campaign run by She’s the First to raise awareness of their mission to educate girls.

She’s the First provides scholarships to girls in low-income countries, making it possible for them to become the first in their families to graduate. This organization is creating a new group of global leaders—and you can be part of that just by baking a few cupcakes!

We’re not kidding. Of the 529 girls that She’s the First sponsors, 165 of them have been sponsored by a cupcake bake sale. That means these cupcakes really are going to make a difference—by providing girls with the education they need to create better lives for themselves and others. Want definitive proof that you should pull out your cupcake tins? Just look at all the amazing things She’s the First scholars are doing all over the world.

You can host a bake sale anytime between October 11 and November 1, and use the hashtag #BakeAChange to spread the word on social media. And when you send your proceeds in, know that 100 percent of it goes directly to scholarships for girls!

Many of our chapters have participated in the Tie-Dye Cupcake Bake-off over the years, and have had a blast giving back! Don’t miss this chance to have a great time baking cupcakes while also raising money for one of the best causes out there.

Sign up here for your bake sale date! You'll show up on She's the First's map of bake sales around the world!

26 Halloween Costumes for Every Sorority

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Every sorority girl would agree –– Halloween is one of the most enjoyable nights of the year! Not much is better than dressing up and having some fun with your BFFs. Looking for that amazing costume for you and your sorority sisters to rock this year? Look no further, collegiettes, we've got you covered. Read below and check out the 26 costume themes we've created for every Panhellenic sorority that will help your Greek org steal the show this Halloween!

1. Alpha Chi Omega - Pretty Little Lyres

Play on your symbol, the lyre, for a fun and fitting theme that will definitely make some heads turn!

2. Alpha Delta Pi - Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend

Channel your inner Audrey Hepburn and doll up with diamonds, the gem of Alpha Delta Pi.

3. Alpha Epsilon Phi - Welcome to the Jungle

Rock a killer jungle outfit in honor of your symbol, the giraffe, and celebrate Halloween in a wild way!

4. Alpha Gamma Delta - Christmas in October

Red and green, the colors of Alpha Gamma Delta, can mean only one thing –– Christmas in October, anyone?

5. Alpha Omicron Pi - AOPirates

Create a play-on-words with your Greek letters, and channel your inner Jack Sparrow this Halloween! 

6. Alpha Phi - The Ivy League

 Transform your symbol of the ivy leaf into the theme of the Ivy League. Have each sister represent a different school and see who can get the most creative! Add a deadly touch for even more fun.

7. Alpha Sigma Alpha - Princesses in Paradise

Bring two symbols of Alpha Sigma Alpha, the crown and the palm tree, together for a festive, luau-themed Halloween.

8. Alpha Sigma Tau - Nautical but Nice

What's a better theme for a sorority whose symbol is the anchor? Sailors, of course!

9. Alpha Xi Delta - Feathered and Fabulous

The quill is the symbol of Alpha Xi Delta, so turn this into a feather-themed extravaganza and see what your sisters can come up with!

10. Chi Omega - Kiss Me Cupid

The Greek letters of Chi Omega look very similar to 'XO,' so have a cupid-filled Halloween!

11. Delta Delta Delta - Under the Sea

Both Poseidon and the dolphin are important symbols to Tri Delta, so an Under the Sea theme is only necessary.

12. Delta Gamma - Pirates and Sailors

Utilize your symbol of the anchor, and divide this theme in half. Half of your sisters can dress as sailors and the other half as pirates!

13. Delta Phi Epsilon - Unicorn Universe

Because when your sorority's symbol is as unique as the unicorn, it must be incorporated into a Halloween theme.

14. Delta Zeta - NinjΔ TurtleZ

This theme, inspired by the symbol of the turtle, is super fun for everyone. See who can create the best turtle costume!

15. Gamma Phi Beta - One Moon, Many Stars

When your symbol is the crescent moon, you have to have a party that is out of this world! Use outer space as the inspiration for your Halloween costumes.

16. Kappa Alpha Theta - KATs

We know this is a classic but... how could you resist? 

17. Kappa Delta - Luck of the Irish

 

With the Kappa Delta colors being emerald green and pearl white, an Irish theme seems only appropriate. 

18. Kappa Kappa Gamma - Red, White and Blue Times Two

This year, hold a patriotic-themed bash, where your sisters wear America's best! After all, both of your colors are dark and light blue.

19. Phi Mu - Coming Up Roses

Since carnations are the official flower of Phi Mu, let your creative side fly and make your own floral-inspired costume!

20. Phi Sigma Sigma - Egyptian Escape

Show the sphinx, the symbol of Phi Sigma Sigma, some appreciation and rock your best Ancient Egyptian attire this year. You can opt to dress up as Cleopatra and your BFF can be a sphinx!

21. Pi Beta Phi - Calling All Angels

Angels are very important to your sorority, so why not be one this Halloween? 

22. Sigma Delta Tau - StΔtues of LiberTy

Light things up this Halloween, just like your symbol of the torch, and let your inner liberty shine through!

23. Sigma Kappa - Dove at First Sight

Get inspired by elegance and romance this Halloween, and seek inspiration from your symbols of the dove and hearts.

24. Sigma Sigma Sigma - Tri Til We Die

Definitely the most relevant to Halloween, your symbols are the skull and crossbones, so there is no reason not to incorporate them this year! 

25. Theta Phi Alpha - All Around the World

The compass is the symbol of Theta Phi Alpha, and is a creative theme for this Halloween. See which sister can come up with the most creative costume from somewhere around the world!

26. Zeta Tau Alpha - The Best Crowns in Town

What's Halloween without princesses? Nonexistent, probably. Zeta Tau Alpha's symbol is the crown, so deck out your most royal apparel this year. 

No matter which sorority you are in, there are many creative ways to use yours to transform this Halloween into one that you will never forget –– Get creative, collegiettes!

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