No one can stop debating about how Donald Trump won the presidential election. One theory is that his unconventional Twitter presence helped him snatch up the race, BuzzFeed News reports.
“He’s apparently a master at using it,” said Twitter board member Debra Lee at a Breakfast at BuzzFeed event. “He was able to use Twitter and to use social media to get around conventional media and not deal with having to buy time on media or deal with newspapers or whoever he didn’t like.”
A common issue with Trump’s tweets throughout campaign season was how carelessly he seemed to comment on things. Lee brought up the point that handlers will have to keep a close eye on him in January to prevent any greater misunderstandings through his tweets. Trump has already raised eyebrows since he won the election with his tweets—he angrily told the cast of the musical Hamilton to apologize for calling out his vice president Mike Pence at the show, for example.
The Theater must always be a safe and special place.The cast of Hamilton was very rude last night to a very good man, Mike Pence. Apologize!
He also tweeted Monday that those who burn flags should face the loss of their citizenship or a year in jail, despite two Supreme Court rulings making flag burning a protected form of speech.
Nobody should be allowed to burn the American flag - if they do, there must be consequences - perhaps loss of citizenship or year in jail!
Lee definitely has a point, though. As absurd and off-the-cuff as Trump's tweetstorms usually are, they allow him to convey his thoughts to an audience without any kind of filter or fact checking. He doesn't have to face annoying challenges from journalists at The New York Times or The Washington Post when he can tweet out an opinion to millions of followers in seconds and have them believe everything he says.
Earlier last month, even Trump thanked social media for his win, USA Today reports. “I think it helped me win all of these races where they’re spending much more money than I spent,” he said in a 60 Minutes interview. The President-Elect, who believes he has about 28 million followers on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, also promised in the interview that he would be “restrained” in using his Twitter once he has been inaugurated into office.
Bad grades, a lack of on-campus opportunities and trouble finding friends are just some of the reasons that one might choose to transfer schools. That said, there are also unexplainable feelings that many of us have experienced when we’re simply unsatisfied with the college we chose. Though you may feel obligated to stick it out, hoping that things will get better, sometimes it’s better to explore other options. Either way, feeling out of place at school can be extremely lonely—but don’t worry, we’re here to help.
Before you begin to make any big decisions, you should take a step back and examine your situation. It’s important that you figure out why you’re feeling out of place. Consider these questions before you make any major changes.
All throughout high school, you couldn’t wait to go off to college and finally be independent. Now that you’re actually doing so, maybe it’s not as great as you thought it would be. If you find yourself missing your family or hometown, Kelci Lynn Lucier, college expert and author of College Stress Solutions, says although it’s frustrating, one of the best things to do is to not call your loved ones every day or head home every weekend. “Instead, the cure comes by making college your home away from home,” Lucier says. “Reach out, connect with other people, and build your college life in small steps.”
However, that doesn’t always work. Hannah, a senior at the University of Maine, struggled with being too far from home. “I used to go to Seton Hall University, and I chose the school because I wanted to be close to New York City,” she says. “I had a few really close best friends, was actively involved on campus and would go out at every possible opportunity.” So when Hannah decided that she wanted to transfer, her parents, friends and advisor were shocked.
Hannah ended up attending the University of Maine, which cut her travel time to her hometown by 6 hours. “I wish that was a lesson I could have learned in high school—there’s so much pressure to pick the right school, so when you realize that the one you're at might not be the best fit, you really feel like you've failed or made a huge mistake,” she says. “Transferring can be a bit of a pain in the butt to go through, but in the grand scheme of things, it's an easy enough change to make. If you're unhappy, move!”
Making friends in college is hard, there’s no doubt about it. Even some of the most involved students find it difficult to connect with someone on a BFF level. However, if you’re looking to transfer based on this factor alone, you need to make sure you’ve put in your side of the friendship before giving up.
There are a variety of things you should make sure you've tried, like actually talking to your neighbors in class, or joining campus groups that share your interests, according to Julie Zeilinger, author ofCollege 101: A Girl’s Guide to Freshman Year. “Though it may feel counterintuitive and is certainly easier said than done, if one feels socially isolated the best thing they can do is try to force themselves to get involved with a variety of activities and groups on campus,” Zeilinger says. “Sampling many is the best way to find where and with whom one feels most at home on campus.”
If you put in the effort Zeilinger suggests, yet you still find yourself feeling completely alone, you might be better off looking at other options. Shelby, a junior at the University of Arkansas, did this and hasn’t looked back ever since. “I’m a journalism major, so I was involved with the student newspaper, an online magazine and a broadcast show on campus,” she says. Despite her constant interaction with people, Shelby was unable to establish any solid friendships.
“I never stopped trying, though,” she says. “I would always ask people to hang out, but I felt I was just annoying them. Nobody seemed to have the same interests as me.” As a result, Shelby transferred—and she had no problem making friends at her new school. “I don’t really know how to explain it. Sometimes, it’s just hard to connect with people, but I haven’t had that problem here and I’m so grateful.”
The number of students on campus is one of the biggest reasons that collegiettes transfer. Whether you’re looking for smaller classes and a tighter-knit community, or for a more diverse student body and larger lecture halls, one of the best things to do is talk to a counselor specific to your major. You can inquire about classes that are either smaller or bigger and find ways to customize your educational experience.
Julia, a junior at New York University, was looking for a larger and more diverse school. “I started my freshman year at a school that had about 8,000 students and was only 30 minutes away from my hometown,” she says. “I was constantly seeing people from my high school around campus, and even people I knew from surrounding towns. I thought I would be okay with that, but it ended up annoying me.”
Julia finished her freshman year at the small school, but ended up transferring to the extremely large NYU. “Although I miss my family, I absolutely love going to school in the city. I’d definitely recommend anyone looking for a bigger school to find one that’s in or near a large city.”
Oftentimes, students go into college not knowing what they want to major in, let alone what type of career they want to pursue. Once collegiettes do find out, they might realize the school they’re attending is not particularly beneficial for their future. If that’s the case, you need to make sure that you’ve taken advantage of every resource possible before transferring, Zeilinger says. “Taking the time to form a relationship with your professor or even TA can go a long way towards understanding course material,” she says. “Many campuses also have tutoring services or other accommodations and are similarly underutilized.”
Emily, a junior at Vassar College, had to make a decision between academics and a better social life. “By the middle of my freshman year, I was very seriously considering transferring, but I was torn,” she says. “On the social end, I had formed a great relationship with my now-boyfriend, but hadn’t made true friends otherwise, and I was worried I was wasting my chance at experiencing all that college had to offer socially.”
On the other hand, Emily loved the progressive and thought-provoking education she was receiving. “I wasn’t sure that any other school could offer [that],” she says. “In the end, I chose academics over [my] social life and wound up staying.” While you don’t necessarily have to choose between the two, it’s important to remember the reason you’re in college in the first place.
If you’ve pondered these questions and still feel uneasy, it might be time to look into other schools. Instead of just doing Internet searches by yourself, try out these steps.
Your parents probably played a big role in your initial college hunt. They helped you prepare to enroll, move, and more—so having an in-depth conversation with them about wanting to transfer is important. Carve out a specific time to talk with them, whether it be in-person, over the phone or on Skype.
During your discussion, you should be prepared to explain why you’re feeling out of place. Talk about the specifics of your school, like academics, your social life, etc. You should also talk about what you do like, and how and what you want to carry over to a new school if you do choose to transfer. Once you’ve explained how you’re feeling, give them time to process everything. Once you’re on the same page, then you can start making plans.
It sucks feeling out of place at your own school while watching your friends enjoy their own college experiences. Rather than be jealous, reach out to them and ask what it is about their own schools that they like.
Are they involved in Greek life? Have they already decided their major? Did they find it easy to make friends? Expand on the questions that you had to ask yourself earlier, and just turn them around on your friends. This will give you a better perspective of others’ college experiences.
Gracie, a sophomore at San Diego State University, used to find herself feeling jealous of her friends’ experiences at their own schools—so she simply reached out to them and asked what it is they loved so much. “There wasn’t anything in particular about each school,” she says. “They just loved the town, and said they felt at home.” Gracie decided to stay for the duration of the school year but ended up transferring for her sophomore year. “I knew I would never feel at home where I was.” She hasn’t regretted her decision ever since!
Though you might feel awkward discussing why you’re unsatisfied with the college that they work for, the counselors are there specifically to help you. Nearly one third of students choose to transfer before they graduate, so these people are undoubtedly equipped to assist you with the process.
Again, be specific about why you’re feeling out of place. This will help them to help you determine where to go next. From there, they will be able to help you go through the process of applying, transferring credits and more.
Keep in mind, though, that the process won’t be easy. “In terms of transferring, it’s certainly different for all students, but generally it’s crucial to give your current college experience a fair chance,” Zeilinger says. “There are also plenty of other concerns that should factor into one’s decision to transfer beyond comfort level. For example, credits might not transfer or there may be financial complications that may render transferring illogical or even detrimental.” Basically, make sure you’re 100 percent sure you’re ready to make the change!
Feeling out of place at a school that you thought was going to surpass all of your expectations is without a doubt disappointing. However, you owe it to yourself to give it a chance and make an effort, rather than switching schools the first chance you get. Lucier says it best: “One key thing when preparing to transfer or thinking about transferring is to really be honest with yourself and ask whether or not you are going to duplicate your problem(s) somewhere else,” she says. If you're not reaching out, being proactive, stepping outside of your comfort zone, or overall making an effort to connect with your campus, what is going to change if you go somewhere else?" At the end of the day, it’s your decision where you want to go to school!
The Victoria's Secret Angels took the Paris runway by storm on Wednesday, and HC has your recap of the best looks from the event. Serenaded by The Weeknd, Lady Gaga, and Bruno Mars, the Angels rocked the legendary fashion event. We cannot wait to see the whole thing when it airs Monday night on CBS!
Emily Ratajkowski is featured in a new book of nude photos by photographer Jonathan Leder, and she is none too pleased about it. The book, titled Leder/Ratajkowski, showcases 71 nude pictures of the actress, which are being published without her permission. The photos will also be displayed at Chelsea’s Castor Gallery in February.
The photos were taken in 2012, before Ratajkowski starred in Gone Girl, and were originally for an "artful magazine shoot," according to Cosmopolitan. While Ratajkowski didn’t claim she would pursue any legal action, she did tweet out her thoughts on the new publication.
This book and the images within them are a violation.
This isn't the first time Ratajkowski has spoken out about women's sexuality and rights over their own bodies. She posed nude with Kim Kardashian West after critics chastised West's infamous nude selfie. Ratajkowski also wrote an essay on what sexy means to her for Lena Dunham's Lenny Letter.
"Art" should never used as an excuse to monetize women's sexuality, especially when this is very type of injustice Ratajkowski has committed her voice to ending.
Remember how people compared this whole presidential election we just had to the Twilight Zone? Uncomfortable and just overall strange? I think this latest news has bumped things from the Twilight Zone to straight up George Orwell 1984.
While many college students don't agree with some of their professors' politics, I think many would stop short of putting them up on a list (minus that of RateMyProfessor) for their political stance. But a new website, called “Professor Watchlist”, (yeah, because this couldn’t get creepier), publicly names and displays professors with leftist leanings. Yes, that’s right, a website that tracks political affiliations for professors. Many believe this is a deliberate attempt at intimidation and silencing free speech. The website was created by Turning Points USA, a Republican organization, and is meant to “expose and document college professors who discriminate against conservative students, promote anti-American ideals and advance leftist propaganda in the classroom.” (I don't know about you, but I'm side eyeing this statement.) Professor Watchlist launched on Nov. 21, and has nearly 200 professors listed so far. The professors seem to have been chosen by tweets, public statements and internet statuses. However, the site is clearly looking to expand through a form where you can report a professor yourself!
While some professors on the list think it's funny that they're included, others believe they could become targets on their own campuses. Several believe the list could eventually be used against them, eventually taking away positions and possibly safety. Some professors listed on the site were prominently open about their politics, such as those who opposed the the Texas Campus Carry Law. They believe the information on the website is partial and inaccurate—not info that people should be using for form an opinion. As there is no fact checking of this list, just submissions, several think it could lead to professors getting in trouble for something that never happened. But while the list itself is scary, some decided to make a joke of the website, submitting Dumbledore and other fictional characters to the list, according to The New York Times.
Charlie Kirk, the founder of the organization, told Slate that his group consists of ordinary conservatives who believe some professors openly discriminate against Republicans. He doesn't consider the group to be part of the so-called "alt-right," a white supremacist movement. Kirk also said that “It’s no secret some college professors are out of control," in terms of expressing leftist politics in the classroom. Matt Lamb, another organizer of the site, dismissed claims that the site is based on intimidation, telling the New York Times that what they're doing is protected free speech. According to Lamb, while professors have to right to say what they want, others have the right to “report” the behavior.
However, while the organizers may not believe this is intimidation, professors on the list are still left open to harassment or violence. While the group doesn’t identify as alt-right, this list aligns with many ideas of the alt-right, including having a list of people who differ from the ideals of the party and labeling them publicly. It also calls into the classic question of the slippery slope. Will it end at professors? Or can ordinary citizens expect to end up on a "watchlist" eventually as well?
Like I said, Toto, we may not be in the Twilight Zone anymore.
Russian model Irina Shayk made her Victoria's Secret Fashion Show debut on Wednesday. Shayk walked in two different looks, both of which covered more of her body than typical Victoria's Secret runway ensembles.
That's probably because E! News reports Shayk is pregnant with her first child—and, hold the phone, she is already in her second trimester.
Shayk isn't the first angel to ever walk the runway with a baby in tow. Alessandra Ambrosio strutted her stuff on the catwalk in 2011 when she was two months pregnant.
Shayk and her partner Bradley Cooper have yet to comment on the pregnancy reports. However, Shayk's rep gave the typical "no comment," leaving us to fawn over pics of the model and hope this bundle of joy will be as successful—and gorgeous—as his/her parents.
You can now use a Google Chrome extension called Trumpbuster to block all images of the president-elect from your online world. While this may sound silly, getting the extension should make you feel pretty good—all proceeds go directly to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN).
The extension was created to give people the opportunity to remove Trump’s image from their searches. “Whenever I saw his image, I had a reaction I couldn’t control,” the creator of the extension said in an anonymous interview with Refinery29.“It was triggering.”
While other web browser extensions have been created that humor the president-elect (including this cheeseburger swapping one), Trumpbuster is different in that it's not just a joke. It has a cause, and it could really help people who are having a tough time in the aftermath of this election.
Are you willing to donate 99 cents in order to get Trump's face out of your life? If yes, this Chrome extension is definitely for you.
Planned Parenthood and its pro-choice allies filed lawsuits challenging potentially unconstitutional abortion restrictions in Alaska, Missouri and North Carolina. The Associated Press reports that this is likely part of an offensive to protect women’s right to safe and legal abortions, before a pro-life Donald Trump takes over the presidency alongside a GOP-controlled Congress.
“A woman must be able to make health decisions at different points in her pregnancy that are best for her circumstances, including whether to end a pregnancy, without interference from politicians,” Irena Como, staff attorney for the ACLU of North Carolina, told the AP.
In Missouri, abortion clinics must conform to standards set for surgical centers. Doctors performing abortions must also have admitting privileges in nearby hospitals. These restrictions, which many pro-choice experts see as medically unnecessary, have effectively closed all but one licensed abortion clinic in the state. According to the AP, some women must drive more than 300 miles to the singular St. Louis clinic for each abortion appointment.
Legislators in Alaska have kept in-place an outdated law, passed more than 40 years ago, that bans abortion in outpatient health centers after the first trimester of pregnancy. While second trimester abortions are technically still legal, the vast majority of abortion clinics in the state are outpatient centers. According to Alaska Dispatch News, this means that women must make costly and time-consuming trips to other states (usually Washington) for a legal abortion.
“People are forced to travel hundreds of miles, cross state lines, miss work, lose wages and jeopardize their health and safety to obtain an abortion,” said Carrie Flaxman, an attorney with Planned Parenthood, to NPR.
Similarly, North Carolina banned all abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy, outside of immediate medical emergencies. Therefore, women with risky pregnancies may be forced to carry a fetus and delay proper care unless they are immediately going to die or have major medical issues as a result of giving birth.
The challenge to these regulations, filed by Planned Parenthood, the American Civil Liberties Union and the Center for Reproductive Rights, follow a major U.S. Supreme Court decision earlier this year. SCOTUS ruled that strict abortion laws in Texas, similar to those in Missouri, were unconstitutional and medically unnecessary. In particular, the Missouri lawsuit asks for an immediate ban on the restrictive laws until the lawsuit is settled.
Now may be the only time to file these lawsuits before the new Congress and president-elect take their seats in 2017. President-Elect Donald Trump says he favors both the defunding of Planned Parenthood and a ban on abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy. He's even hinted at appointing a justice to the Supreme Court who would be open to overturning Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 SCOTUS decision that established a nationwide right to abortion.
“They lost big at the ballot box, so now they’re looking to the courts to undo the will of state legislatures,” anti-abortion leader Marjorie Dannenfelser of the Susan B. Anthony List told the AP. “They realize the sense of urgency to head to the courts now knowing that the judicial landscape will change under a pro-life President Trump.”
A photo posted by Planned Parenthood (@plannedparenthood) on
Despite a loss for many pro-choice advocates on election day due to the GOP-sweep of the Congress and POTUS seat, Planned Parenthood plans to continue fighting for a women’s right to choose how, when and under what circumstances to have a family.
According to Dr. Raegan McDonald-Mosley, Planned Parenthood’s chief medical officer, this is the “biggest threat” the organization has seen in its century-long history. “We are going to fight back state by state and law by law until every person has the right to pursue the life they want, including the right to decide to end a pregnancy,” McDonald-Mosley told the AP.
I am so excited to bring you today's post. As a fashion blog focusing on professional style, the one question I get asked more than anything else is what heels are comfortable enough to wear to work. Today I am bringing you a guide to the BEST heels—sorted into price points, and with my opinions on each. I hope you find this guide helpful! Please note: I saved the absolute best heel for last. Trust me, you need to check out this shoe!!!
Also—please note I will try my best to update this guide every few months so that you should always be able to find the shoes profiled available for purchase.
These pumps are simply beautiful. Such a gorgeous, classic shape. I love that they come in so many colors as well. These have comfort padding in them and so, especially for the price, are a truly great heel!
These are the best cheap pumps you can buy. At a payless price tag, but with workmanship to create a comfortable insole and shape. Every woman should have a couple pairs of these lying around your closet (or under your desk, as I like to do) for when your feet just need a break.
This pump features your most classic heel - a classic color, a pointed toe, and a moderate heel. The leather can be stiff on these shoes, and as such they are ones that become more comfortable with added wear.
Netflix has finally done it: the company now allows you to download your favorite movies and TV shows to watch offline. Anytime, anywhere. Everyone's favorite addiction-enabler made the annoucement via Twitter Wednesday morning.
Airplane mode. Road trip mode. Stuck-in-the-subway-for-20-minutes mode. Your favorite stories are now available for download any time. pic.twitter.com/g7QZA3TyE8
To download something to watch (for no extra cost!) on your Android and iOS phones and tablets, simply go to the details page on a movie or show and click the download button. It's that simple. Downloads are available for all plans, as long as you have the most recent Netflix app update.
To easily find content that is downloadable, Netflix has added an "Available for Download" section. Highlights include One Tree Hill, Parks and Recreation and Orange Is The New Black. Sadly, it does not yet include Gilmore Girls or its revival.
Our only question is: Why didn't Netflix do this in time for us to download Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life??
As soon as the weather changes I usually get a sore throat along with a side of chapped lips. There is nothing I hate more than dry and chapped lips! If you have dry lips your lipstick doesn’t look good, without lipstick, your makeup won’t look complete, and your day is ruined. Okay, that’s a little dramatic but no one likes chapped lips, so today I’m sharing some tips on how to prevent dry lips.
Hydrate
Staying hydrated plays a large part in keeping your lips moisturized. I have no clue where I got this but I have been drinking the same amount of ounces as my body weight divided by 2. So for example, if you weight 100 pounds, you should drink 50oz of water per day. I can definitely tell if I haven’t had enough water, I feel sluggish and get a headache & dry lips!
Scrub
Use a simple sugar scrub every day or every other day. This will help remove the dead skin from your lips and the oil the in the scrub will help moisturize. I use coconut oil mixed with sugar, you can add some essential oils too (I like peppermint in the winter). Sugar and honey also make a great scrub. You can also buy a lip scrub like this Bubble Gum Lip Scrub by LUSH.
Moisturize
This one I cannot stress enough. Literally, before and after everything you do, apply some a lip moisturizer! Before going to bed at night, when you wake up, before you go outside, when you come inside, etc. Keep a chapstick or lip balm in every coat pocket, every bag, and in every car. I also keep lip balm at my desk, in the kitchen, all the bathrooms, and on my nightstand. My favorite one to put on before bed is the Malin + Goetz mojito lippie, I can literally still feel it on after I wake up, it’s so long lasting.
Though Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth have been engaged (on and off) for years, they don't have any wedding plans yet and haven't really started the planning process at all.
Noah, Miley's younger sister, told Life & Style, “There’s not any planning right now.” Of course, Miley's probably super busy being a judge on The Voice and celebrating her recent birthday.
But Noah does love Liam and says everyone's happy he is a part of the family. “I love Liam,” she said. “He’s been in the family for a really long time, so he’s like a big brother to me.”
Noah also does seem to have a good idea of what the wedding will be like. "Pretty chill, I'm sure," she told the magazine. "Miley's a pretty chill person."
Miley and Liam are both in their 20s and met on the set of The Last Song, soon after which they became engaged. Though they were broken up for a while, the two recently reconciled. Miley has been seen wearing her engagement ring on multiple occasions.
After hitting the runway in Paris for the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, Kendall Jenner and Gigi and Bella Hadid ate their hearts out, and we realized that they really are our spirit animals.
The three ordered burgers and pasta at restaurant Ferdi Paris, and Bella documented it all on Snapchat for our viewing and jealousy-inducing pleasure. But we think we can all agree that they definitely deserve a cheat night (or two!).
So this means that our VSFS viewing parties should include burgers and pasta, right??
We '90s kids grew up learning about love from couples like Zack Morris and Kelly Kapowski. But Saved by the Bell executive producer Peter Engel recently revealed to TVLine that Zack and Kelly probably didn't last.
Bayside’s cutest couple eloped in Las Vegas one year after their high school graduation, and their marriage apparently didn't last long after that.
When asked if Zack and Kelly would still be married today, Engel said, “Probably not. Well, they’d be married—but not to each other.”
We don't think we can get on board with Engel's predictions for the gang, especially if it means kissing a Zack-and-Kelly coupledom goodbye. In our minds, they'll always be high school sweethearts who made it work.
If 2016 has taught us anything, it’s that we probably need to drink more. If you’re not 21, sorry – you’ll have to suffer a little bit longer. For those of us who are legal and looking to get turnt this weekend, come sit with us. We’re saving you the trouble of Googling all this and the frustration of mediocre drinking. Take these alcohol hacks to heart––they’re your new college party code.
1. Take your beer to go
If you’re drinking outdoors or need your beer to go mobile with you to a party down the street, a fast food cup will save your life. Lauren Henderson, a senior at Aberdeen University, thinks this hack is the best. “My favorite alcohol hack is to stick a can of beer in a to-go cup,” she says. “I’ve used this at tailgates so many times, and it’s really useful if you want to drink places in public where you’re probably not supposed to.” There you have it folks. Collegiette approved.
Simply put your beer can in the cup (make sure it’s not see through), fill the rest of the cup with ice, add a straw and your beer could go anywhere with you. Bless.
2. Get rid of beer foam by adding olive oil
Can we all just agree that beer foam tastes nasty, and waiting it for it to just go away––who has time for that?! Grab that olive oil taking up room in the back of your cabinet and add a teaspoon to the top of your beer. It doesn’t change the taste, and you’ll be so happy to have the foam out of the way so you can get to the good part faster. Foam, bye!
College is pretty much all about choking down cheap vodka that tastes like nail polish remover, but it doesn’t have to be that way! If you want to get fancy AF, pour your vodka one to three times through a water filter, and it will honestly taste so much better.
This is by far Sarah Pau’s, a junior at Johns Hopkins University, favorite hack. “Nobody at university has time to buy hard alcohol that goes down like butter,” she says. “I live and die by keeping my vodka in a Brita filter. It takes away all the nasty.”
4. Freeze your leftover wine
This one is for our wino ladies out there. You know that leftover wine is usually better poured down the sink, no matter how much it hurts your heart to waste that sweet nectar. If you know you’re going to let the wine go bad sitting on your counter, pour it in an ice cube tray first and save it for later.
In a few days, you can add them to sangria, punch or even just have some boozy ice cubes around to suck on. We recommend using them within two weeks, because then you’ll have wine that tastes good as new! You’re welcome.
5. Put your wine in a blender
If you want to take your ladies night of wine and Netflix to the next level, then it’s time to aerate your wine. A wine aerator helps air filter into the wine so that the best tastes and smells are kept while letting the gross aromas go away. While most fancy aerators are expensive (wait and buy one when you’re ready to adult) all you need is your blender. Pour a bottle of wine in a blender, blend it for 30 seconds, and you’ll find your wine tasting much better afterwards.
Isabel Hughes, a sophomore at Cal Poly, does this regularly. “Your friends will be gasping in shock wondering if you spent more than 50 dollars on nice wine instead of running to the gas station around the corner,” she says. “They won’t know what’s coming when you give credit to your blender.”
6. Keep your champagne fizzy with a raisin
TBH, we’re not sure why this works. It’s very scientific, but thank you raisins and serious wine makers. If your champagne is losing its bubbly edge, simply putting a raisin in your glass and waiting a few minutes will save it from going flat. That means at your next big celebration, don’t forget to pick up a pack of raisins at the grocery store too!
White wine can be boring, and it’s basically impossible to drink leftover without throwing up in your mouth. The classiest thing to do is turn your white wine into a spritzer! Pour in some gingerale or fizzy soda, a splash of juice or fruit, and your white wine will be giving you summertime feels.
Are you feeling next level yet? We hope our collegiette approved alcohol hacks totally improve your experience the next time you can’t face suffering through the cheap stuff. Go forth ladies, and get lit.
He's Chuck Bass. We love him. We hate him. We love him again. Chuck Bass has played the strings of our hearts like a master musician, but nothing brings us to our knees like the perfect shot of his immaculate profile. Here are just a few moments of beauty involving that Basshat's oh-so-perfect jawline.
1. When it was accompanied by a smile of pure joy
2. When he knew he was right
3. When paired with those perfect eyebrows for an expression of complete confusion
Usually at something Dan did.
4. When he turned on the sexy charm and made us thirsty AF
5. When he ugly-cried and we still wanted to caress his perfect face
6. When we got a perfect side view and even Blair could be caught staring
7. When his hair was pristine and accentuated that flawless jaw
8. When one of his schemes fell into place and we just wanted to attack his face with kisses
9. When a look of pure disgust took over his features but it only made him that much sexier
10. When he had that ~hot~ rendezvous with Blair during their friends-with-benefits phase
11. When we pondered the possibility that his jawline accompanied by a wink could impregnate us through our TV screens
12. When he looked like a perfect oldies gentleman in Blair's dreams
13. Any time he poured his feelings out for Blair
14. Any time he was brooding with a glass of Scotch in his hand
15. The first time he told Blair he loved her and we sobbed tears of joy for the jaw that could never be ours
16. Any time he made self-deprecating jokes
17. Any time he pursed his lips and we got a good side view of his jawline
18. When he was in deep thought
19. When he was conceited in a totally sexy way
20. Any time he was on the phone and we contemplated what we would give to be that phone pressed up against that jaw
21. When a dog entered the mix and made him even more irresistible
22. And finally, every time that made us all fall to our knees
Everyone's got a sense of hometown pride, but the love people have for the Midwest takes it to a whole different level. Check out these signs that you are a born and bred Midwestern girl:
1. You know state fairs are a big deal
You know, that thing where everyone gets all dolled up to go to a place with pig races.
2. Like, you’ve probably seen way too many sculptures made of butter in your lifetime
And you always had so many questions. Like who. And why. And how…
3. And you definitely know someone* who always used to compete in the annual state fair pageant
*It was you, don't lie.
4. But most importantly, you know fair food is a totally acceptable food category in the Midwest
If it's deep fried, on a stick or covered in powdered sugar, send it our way.
5. Speaking of the Midwest, you're not exactly sure which states it's comprised of…
It's Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin, in case you were wondering.
6. But you do know that we take our football very, very seriously
Whether that's at the high school level or college (especially if you go to a state school).
7. And that nowhere in the world could be so beautiful in the fall
Can anywhere else really compete?
8. Your only view on your drive to and from college is cornfield after cornfield
Britney fans have supported the denim duo with Justin Timberlake and the VMA Britney-Madonna Kiss, but there are tons of other Britney moments that are certainly underrated. In honor of the pop queen's 35th birthday, we simply have to pay tribute to our favorite, underrated Britney moments.
1. When we learned how to avoid creepy kids and oral exams (1989)
Christina and Britney are SO smart, what would we do without their Mickey Mouse Club life lessons? Below, you'll find the best uses for bad breath spray. Though, we personally would NOT use it to avoid going to the movies with Justin Timberlake. And avoiding a conversation with Ryan Gosling? Yeah, not that either.
2. STAR. SEARCH. (1992)
Just another reason why the show Star Search should make a serious comeback. Star Search also brought Justin Timberlake, Alanis Morissette, Christina Aguilera and QUEEN BEY to the stage.
3. When she introduced us to some friends of hers... (1999)
Oh, Britney! Of course we know your friends Justin, JC, Joey and Lance. Seriously, if you have yet to see this epic remix + VMA performance, do so immediately. "Britney? Britney . . . Spears?"
4. When we met her first true love, Woodrow the Homeless Man (2000)
JT had tough competition back in the 00s—Woodrow the Homeless Man. Among the amazing moments of Britney hosting SNL, was when she fell in love with Woodrow (or you may know him as Tracy Morgan). PLEASE, NBC, give us another Britney SNL. Also, it's really hard to find—but we found a version HERE.
5. When she surprised her #1 fan (2001)
We can all only dream of that moment we call our friends and say "Britney Spears is at my house." Also, in this instance, we can ALL get ready for a party in less than 30 minutes. You can re-live this moment + her performance at Hawaii's Waikiki Beach with the Britney Spears - Live and More! DVD.
6. One word: Documentaries.
Personal favorites include Diary of Britney Spears (2001) and Britney: For the Record (2008). We really get a glimpse into Britney's life with these two, and just want to give her a hug, hang out with her, etc.
7. The Original Live from Las Vegas (2001)
Britney's Dream Within a Dream Tour was just that — a ~dream come true~. I must confess, I still believe... that jeweled bras and and see-through cowboy hats can serve as appropriate rain attire.
There are obviously tons of underrated moments — these are just our favorites! Have any favorites that didn't make this list? Tell us below!
A breach opening over the Danvers family's Thanksgiving table wasn't the most exciting thing to happen on Supergirl this week. While this episode wasn't very crossover-y, it did not skimp on the action. Cadmus unleashed Medusa (an alien-killing virus created by Kara's father) on the underground alien bar, infecting our beloved Mon-El. In order to distribute the virus, Mama Luther turned to Lena. And J'onn went full-on White Martian to fight the real Hank Henshaw.
Best quote of the episode:
"You asked for stuffing so I ripped my mattress open and brought some."— Mon-El
What had us shouting at the TV:
Kara and Mon-El kissed! Then Kara's mom saved his life, and they just decided to pretend the kiss didn't happen? You're aliens; you're not supposed to take part in senseless human drama.
Our favorite crossover moment:
Other than Kara and Mon-El playing Monopoly during their quarantine? Cyborg Superman had his hands around Kara's throat, and he was taunting her about who was going to rescue her. Then the breach distracted him. Barry is going to rescue her! That's who!
The Flash
What you need to know about this episode:
An alien invasion prompted Barry to bring in the big guns, so our favorite heroes from Supergirl, The Flash, Arrow and Legends met up to defeat the Dominators, who have been abducting humans in an attempt to "understand" their race since the 1950s. Perhaps more importantly, everyone learned about Flashpoint. A superhero version of Mean Girls broke out when the team discovered the implications of Barry's mistake. Oliver and Barry stayed behind while the rest of the team, led by Supergirl, raced to save the president, who was captured by the Dominators. But later Barry and Oliver found themselves facing a new enemy in the form of their brainwashed friends.
Best quote of the episode:
"That's true, he did shoot me."— Barry to Supergirl, explaining Oliver's training methods
Our favorite crossover moment:
Anytime grumpy Oliver and hopeful Barry are in the same room, humor is bound to touch our hearts. Seeing the two original superheroes together again made us nostalgic for a simpler time—but not one without an airplane hanger filled with all our favorite superheroes.
There was also Dig throwing up after Barry whisked him and Oliver away from Vigilante, Diggle's reactions to the timeship and Supergirl's ~superness~, Heat Wave's innuendos toward Supergirl and Sara crushing on Kara. Basically every moment of this episode made us wish that every week could be crossover week.
Arrow
What you need to know about this episode:
In the 100th episode of Arrow, Oliver woke up in a world that he did not recognize. After some of our faves were beamed up in a cliché alien abduction, the Dominators played mind games with Ollie, Thea, Sara, Dig and Ray. In a world where Oliver never got on the Queen's Gambit, he was set to marry Laurel while he faced pressure from his soon-to-be-mayor father to take over Queen Consolidated. While they were trapped, the heroes realized something was off as Cisco, Barry and Team Arrow worked to save their friends from the alternate reality.
Best quote of the episode:
"We need to find Oliver and Company!"— Cisco
Our favorite Arrow 100 moment:
How can we choose from so many standout moments? Thea giving Oliver the "rock" he gave her in the pilot, seeing Moira again, Diggle in the Arrow suit. Although we did love the déjà vu flashbacks too.
Our favorite crossover moment:
Curtis and Rory meeting Supergirl and The Flash was a fangirling moment we could totally relate to.
Legends of Tomorrow
What you need to know about this episode:
In the conclusion of the "Invasion!" crossover event, Nate, Mick, Amaya, Felicity and Cisco traveled back in time to the Dominators' first attack on Earth. When Nate, Mick and Amaya were captured by shady government agents, Felicity and Cisco jumped at the chance to rescue their friends and cure their FOMO. Meanwhile, Professor Stein was confronted with his new daughter, and he revealed to Caitlin that he believes he created his own aberration. The Dominators' mission was finally revealed: they wanted to learn about metahumans and promised to leave peacefully if The Flash gave himself over.
"You get out what you put in." -Hilary Rhoda
