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5 Ways to Feel Like You're on Spring Break Post-College

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Spring break is coming up! Have you booked your trip to Cabo with your girlfriends yet?

Oh wait, you can’t. Because you’re no longer in college, you used up most of your vacation time during Christmas break, and you have bills to pay.

Welcome to the working world.

March can seem like any other month when you’re a working professional; however, it doesn’t have to be that way! Here are a few ideas to feel like you’re on spring break and bring some of the fun home to you.

1. Read a book

Spring break is a time to relax and catch up on the hobbies that you lose time for during the rest of the year, such as reading.

Put together a list of the top three books you’ve been dying to read and buy them: self-help books, celebrity memoirs, novels, you name it. Even if it’s just 20 minutes, carve out some time each night to curl up with your favorite book to ease your way into sleep.

Reading before bed can be a great stress-reliever and a positive habit to develop not just during spring break period but year round, so why not start now?

Related: These Are The 5 Books From 2016 You HAVE To Read

2. Make cocktails with your girlfriends

You might not be able to drink fruity cocktails in a tiki hut on the beach, but you can bring the party to your home!

Invite your girlfriends over and make a night of creating cocktails from unique recipes to recreate the spring break experience. You can find fun drink accessories like umbrellas and straws at a party store or the dollar store.

Here are a few recipes to get you started.

3. Do an at-home spa treatment

What better way to unwind after a long day at work than to come home to a soothing bubble bath?

At-home spa treatments are easy to prepare, don’t have to cost a ton of money, and will instantly take you back to your spring break days relaxing on the beach.

There are a number of things you can do at home to pamper yourself. Take a bubble bath with your favorite Lush bath bombs. Do a DIY facemask or a hair mask with products already in your kitchen. Give yourself a manicure and pedicure. Whatever you choose, it can be beneficial to give yourself an hour after work to tune out the world and relax.

4. Explore your own city

While you might not have time to truly get away, it is likely that you haven't explored all of the major tourist attractions available in your city. Whether you're currently employed in the city in which you grew up, or you're still navigating a new city, playing tourist can be a lot of fun, and oftentimes not cost a ton of money.

Colie Lumbreras, a Web Content Administrator at NorthShore University HealthSystem, describes her experience exploring more of her current home, Chicago, during spring break. "I like to do a staycation where I play tourist for a day and go downtown," she says. "I will eat somewhere delicious, visit a museum or take a tour that I normally wouldn't do. It's a nice break from the 'usual' weekends and it gives me a chance to explore my own backyard!"

Lauryn Higgins, a graduate student at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, was bummed when she couldn't join her friends who were still undergrads on their spring break plans, so she came up with a break of her own. "For the five week nights that would have been my spring break, I planned something small and fun to do. I rented a kayak with a few friends and after work, kayaked down the French Broad River, the next night I grabbed a slice of pizza and saw a three-dollar movie, the third night I went to a free concert in town, the fourth night I attended a trivia night with friends where the winners won free beer and gift cards, and the last night, my girlfriends and I had a sleepover and watched movies and drank wine."

She adds, "It was a fun and inexpensive way to treat myself for an entire week, and I've kept the tradition alive and well for two years now. You don't have to give up the fun and excitement of spring break even though you're not in college. You just have to be more creative."

Related: 8 Mini Getaways You Can Take in Your Own City

5. Start an art project

In keeping with the DIY theme, spring break can be a great time to utilize your creativity in a fun way with your friends.

Have a large container of wine corks that’s been collecting for years? Do something with it! There are a number of items you can create with wine corks, such as a bulletin board, cork coasters, and tabletop art. YouTube has easy-to-follow tutorials on these cork projects and more.

You can also invite your friends over for a night of painting! Draw a beach scene or any other spring-break themed image to transport back to that time.

It can feel depressing to imagine your college friends planning their spring breaks while you’re stuck in your cubicle. However, with these tips, you can get just a little bit closer to the real thing.


Chrissy Teigen's Essay About Her Struggle with Postpartum Depression Is Refreshingly Real

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Chrissy Teigen is known for her hilarious personality and quirky antics. From her on-point Twitter clapbacks to her all-too-relatable love of food, she is about as down-to-earth and relatable as a supermodel, Sports Illustrated cover girl, best-selling cookbook author, host of an Emmy-nominated TV show and soon-to-be fashion designer can be.

On top of her long list of professional accomplishments, she can add wife of musician John Legend and mother to their almost one-year-old daughter, Luna.

It’s easy to think that we know everything about Teigen and her apparently perfect life. But the “chronic oversharer” recently penned an essay for Glamour revealing her private struggle with postpartum depression after Luna’s birth.

 

Headed to Beauty and the Beast! @laurapolko @allanface @monicarosestyle ❤

A post shared by chrissy teigen (@chrissyteigen) on

“To a lot of you, I think, I seem like the happiest person on the planet,” she writes.

Chrissy makes clear that she loves her husband and “adores” her daughter, but when she felt so unhappy for much of the past year, it was difficult to come to terms with.

“How can I feel this way when everything is so great? I’ve had a hard time coming to terms with that, and I hesitated to even talk about this,” Teigen writes. “And I can already envision what will be said about me after this admission. But it’s such a major part of my life and so, so many other women’s lives. It would feel wrong to write anything else.”

In her essay, she candidly recounts the physical and emotional pain she endured in the months after her daughter’s birth, all while returning to her job on Lip Sync Battle, where her role is to be goofy, enthusiastic and entertaining, and working on her second cookbook. 

“Getting out of bed to get to set on time was painful,” she says. “My lower back throbbed; my ­shoulders—even my wrists—hurt. I didn’t have an appetite. I would go two days without a bite of food, and you know how big of a deal food is for me.”

According to Teigen, she spent many days and nights on the couch, and unless she had a work function, there was almost no chance of her leaving the house. She had little energy, and “there was a lot of spontaneous crying.”

 

Grey day ballet

A post shared by chrissy teigen (@chrissyteigen) on

In December, she and Legend went to the doctor and she explained her situation.

“I looked at my doctor, and my eyes welled up because I was so tired of being in pain,” she writes. “Of sleeping on the couch. Of waking up throughout the night. Of throwing up. Of taking things out on the wrong people. Of not enjoying life. Of not seeing my friends. Of not having the energy to take my baby for a stroll.”

He diagnosed her with postpartum depression and anxiety, and though exhausted, Teigen felt excited to finally start getting better. However, she also felt guilty because in her eyes, she had let so many people down professionally and personally.

“The mental pain of knowing I let so many people down at once was worse than the physical pain,” she writes. “To have people that you respect, who are the best in the business, witness you at your worst is tough. Even though this was something I shouldn’t have to apologize for, I did want to apologize.”

According to Teigen, Legend has been extremely supportive, comforting her on her bad days and helping her feel “happy, silly, and energetic” again. And postpartum hasn’t changed their hopes of giving Luna siblings.

 

A post shared by chrissy teigen (@chrissyteigen) on

Teigen explains that while she has a great life and is incredibly grateful, postpartum doesn’t discriminate.

“I’m speaking up now because I want people to know it can happen to anybody and I don’t want people who have it to feel embarrassed or to feel alone.”

As if we could admire her any more, her honesty in this essay proves she is just the strong, down-to-earth woman we know and love.

Beyoncé Fans Are After Emma Watson for Something She Said Three Years Ago

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It’s a sad day for feminism when two of our favorite role models are caught in conflict. So what gives?

Emma Watson, who stars in the upcoming live-action remake of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, recently posed braless for Vanity Fair. She received criticism both for exposing underboob and from people who suggested she was undermining her feminist stance by being provocative.

“Feminism is about giving women choice. Feminism is not a stick with which to beat other women,” she told The Telegraph. “I really don’t know what my tits have to do with it. It’s very confusing.”

However, Beyoncé fans are bringing up a 2014 interview Watson did with Wonderland magazine, where she criticized Beyoncé’s portrayal of her sexuality in her 2013 visual album, Beyoncé.

“As I was watching [the videos] I felt very conflicted, I felt her message felt very conflicted in the sense that on the one hand she is putting herself in a category of a feminist, but then the camera, it felt very male, such a male voyeuristic experience of her,” she said.

Bee emojis are now all over the comments of Emma's Instagram, and one comment even reads, “Beyoncé's feminism isn't good enough and too sexual but yours is? White tears + white feminism.”

Naturally, fans (and Piers Morgan) also took to Twitter. 

Is Watson guilty of promoting “white feminism,” or has she simply shifted her views on the relationship between feminine sexuality and female empowerment? As of now, Watson has not responded to the Beyhive.

Beyoncé has yet to comment either, although she attended the Beauty and the Beast premiere last week.

6 Outfits That Transition Easily from Class to Your Internship

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You want to be classy and comfortable when running from class straight to your internship. This isn’t always easy to accomplish, especially on days when all you want is to wear sweatpants and a hoodie. But on days when your internship demands something a little nicer than your college sweatshirt, here are four outfits that are classy, comfy and fierce.

For the law intern

Law Intern

As much as we all aspire to be like Elle Woods, in the real world, her iconic pink courtroom ensemble just won’t cut it. But that doesn’t mean you can’t still look good wearing something a little more classic. For any sort of corporate internship, it’s a good idea to go a little dressier with a classic blazer and dress pants. Channel your inner Elle Woods with a pink statement necklace, and you’ll be ready to rule the courtroom. And if you can't afford these swoon-worthy flats, you can try making them yourself!

Related: 11 Female Movie Characters Who Have Our Dream Jobs

For the startup intern

Startup Intern

Topshop blue shirt
topshop.com

 

 

Black jeans
newlook.com

 

 

Billini short boots
theiconic.com.au

 

 

Sam Edelman cuff bracelet
lordandtaylor.com

 

 

Easy and comfortable is the name of the game here, so keep it simple. A denim shirt and black skinny jeans are a cool way to be stylish yet laid back. Pair that with a chunky scarf and some booties, and running from class to your internship will be a breeze.

For the media intern

Media Intern

Charlotte Russe crochet dress
charlotterusse.com

 

 

Pierre Hardy royal blue flat
vestiairecollective.com

 

 

In an industry like publishing, the dress code can be fairly casual, which gives you a lot of room to play with your style. Something like an effortless chiffon dress is comfortable, easy to put together in the morning, but doesn't feel overdressed for your 9 a.m. lecture.

For the tech intern

 
Tech Intern

 

Topshop long blazer
topshop.com

 

 

Mint Velvet pants
houseoffraser.co.uk

 

 

Tech giant Steve Jobs was known for two things: Apple and his signature black turtleneck. Although Jobs may not have been your go-to style guru, there was something to be said about his uniform. According to Brianne James, a junior at Ryerson University, “You can never go wrong with a turtleneck and high-waisted tapered trouser pants. Sometimes I even add a loose, soft-structured blazer. It sounds dressy, but it can easily be dressed down or dressed up! And it’s super breezy and comfortable.” Simple, chic, effective—Mr. Jobs would be proud.

For the creative intern

Marketing Intern

Ella Moss drape top
shopbop.com

 

 

Flared skirt
amazon.com

 

 

You’re in an industry that is not super strict about dress code. In a business casual environment, you can put your own spin on classics. Iris Goldsztajn, a senior at UCLA, has two foolproof class-to-internship outfit combos. “I usually wear jeans with nice flats or sandals, and maybe a cute blazer," Iris says. "Otherwise, I’ll wear a skirt that’s both cute and long enough to be professional and a nice blouse. Obviously, this is a little more dressy than your typical campus yoga pants, but you can never be overdressed or overeducated, right?” We couldn't agree more.

For the PR intern

PR Intern

River Island sleeveless top
riverisland.com

 

 

 

 

Ankle strap sandals
gojane.com

 

Kelly Cutrone, legendary fashion PR maven, is known for her all-black uniform. If you're not ready to go full-out, follow her example but avoid the funeral look by wearing a bright blouse. There you go—you have a super chic, #girlboss look that transitions fiercely from class to your internship.

Whatever your style or internship may be, there are a ton of ways to dress professionally, comfortably and still show off who you are. Now get out there and work it, girl!

Should You Try Pure Barre? The Pros & Cons

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This article has been syndicated to Her Campus from Prep Essentials, an InfluenceHer Collective member. Read the full post here.

Towards the end of last summer, I was feeling really frustrated with exercising. No matter how often I went, or how long I stayed, I was simply seeing zero results. Having played team sports all of my life, after high school ended, I struggled to find a workout routine that genuinely worked for me and my lifestyle (rather than just going through the motions).

Group fitness classes never truly appealed to me—I always found them really intimidating, often insanely difficult to the point that one class was enough to scare me off, and nothing ever stuck. A lot of my friends in Louisville are HUGE fans of Pure Barre (a lot of them are actually instructors!) but those intimidated me as well.

Finally I decided it was time to suck it up and try again. I found a Gilt coupon for a month of unlimited classes at the Pure Barre Old Town location, and gave it a shot. The first day... I was sore the minute I walked out of class. In the best way. I felt like I had really accomplished something. Since then, I've purchased an annual membership, and it is the most consistently I've ever stuck with a workout since high school—and the best part is, I only dread it about 1 percent of the time!

I've had a lot of friends ask me whether or not Pure Barre is really worth it, and I always reply with a very strong, "Absolutely!" Given how many people seem to wonder about this though, I thought it might be helpful to do a quick pros and cons list for all of you now that I've been attending for about seven months!

Pros

1. You can see and feel the difference in your body very quickly

It wasn't anything to brag about, but I could definitely tell within about two weeks of consistently attending that there were subtle changes in the shape and tone of my body—and I could feel myself getting stronger too! The more I went, the stronger I got—and it was the biggest motivator I've had in years! Important note: It takes at least five classes to truly get the hang of it. You will feel confused, the pace is fast, and it won't be perfect. But you will get there, and it's such a satisfying feeling when you do!

2. The class length and convenience

Class only takes an hour, but you use that hour to the absolute fullest. I always walk out feeling accomplished (and already sore), but I never feel as if I didn't get a good enough workout in. Time well spent, without taking up your entire evening.

3. The instructors

Obviously, every location has different instructors, but from what I've gathered, they're all amazing. They do such a great job of motivating you, helping you adjust certain moves if you have an injury that needs accommodating, and they actually get to know you personally, which ends up being very motivating!

Read the full post here.

Emma Watson Oils Her Pubes, So There's That

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Emma Watson is known for being upfront and real about personal issues, and hygiene "down there" is no exception. 

In a recent interview with Into The Gloss, Watson spilled her entire beauty routine, from her makeup, to her nails, to her hair.... and yeah, that hair too. "...I use Fur Oil," Emma said. "I’ll use that anywhere from the ends of my hair to my eyebrows to my pubic hair. It’s an amazing all-purpose product."

I'm sorry, what? This is all news to me—first that they even create oil that says right on the box "FOR PUBIC HAIR" and second that she also uses it for her eyebrows??!!!? I don't think I would ever have the balls to stroll around wielding a box that says "for pubic hair" right there in your face, let alone use that oil anywhere else on my body. I guess technically it's all the same stuff, but no, just no. When I want a product for my hoohah, I like the packaging to be a little bit more discreet.

Body and face oils have been a big thing lately, so oiling your pubes is the next logical step in this process. And even though it threw me for a loop, this isn't a super new concept, based on this Buzzfeed article about women who tried this whole pube oil thing and lived to tell the story (also, I've never been more grossed out in my life than while typing the words "pube oil"... barf).

So even though I definitely will never look at Emma Watson the same (I appreciate the honesty, but it's a bit too much for me if we're being real), good for her for standing up for what she believes in. You do you, girl.

Here’s Everything You Need To Know About ‘A Day Without A Woman’

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Wednesday is International Women’s Day—and women are striking around the world.

Women everywhere plan to dress themselves in red, take the day off from the office or household chores, attend rallies and skip out on shopping for the whole day.

After the enormous success that was the Women’s March (nearly 500,000 people marched on Washington!!), co-chairs Tamika Mallory, Carmen Perez and Linda Sarsour helped organize “A Day Without a Woman.” The event will take place in solidarity with the International Women’s Strike, which is set to materialize in more than 30 countries Wednesday.

The concept is simple: Take the day off work if you can to fight for the women who can’t, along with other marginalized groups around the world. The ultimate goal is to show society what happens to businesses—and the global economy—when women decide to stand up and speak out against systemic inequities. These include susceptibility to discrimination and sexual harassment, job insecurity, unequal pay and a higher rate of minimum wage jobs among women.

“The goal is to highlight the economic power and significance that women have in the U.S. and global economies, while calling attention to the economic injustices women and gender nonconforming people continue to face,” said organizers in a statement. “We play an indispensable role in the daily functions of life in all of society, through paid and unpaid, seen and unseen labor.”

Already, entire school districts have declared "No School" for Wednesday after too many teachers asked for the day off. Many places simply cannot function without women. 

Sadly, we can’t all take the day off work. Some of us simply can’t afford a day off; others risk getting fired. Many women also can’t just leave their children or sick loved ones to fend for themselves while they take the day to fight inequality. It’s noble, but it’s not realistic.

But that highlights the best part of "A Day Without Women." There are numerous ways to show solidarity with the women who can’t say “screw it” to their work days.

Perhaps the easiest show of support for women everywhere is simply wearing red. Red is the color of “revolutionary love and sacrifice…of energy and action associated with our will to survive,” organizers said in a statement. The best form of revolutionary self-love is, after all, standing up for all women across the globe. Both fully red outfits or just a classic red ribbon pin serve to support females everywhere.

You can also #GrabYourWallet and refrain from shopping, both online and in stores. According to Forbes, women drive nearly 80 percent of all consumer purchasing. Putting a pause on picking up that new pair of shoes or the spring break shirt you absolutely NEED can be put off—at least until Thursday. If you seriously do need something, try to shop at local, small businesses (Bonus points if you choose one owned by women or people of color). Or just use your nagging need to spend for good by donating to organizations that support women's causes, such as Planned Parenthood and the ACLU.

After work is over, if taking the day off isn’t an option, women can head over to one of their local rallies. The International Women’s Strike website lists some. These shows of resistance will likely be smaller and more locally based than the Women’s March.

Asking men to “lean into” household chores and unpaid labor in your place is another great way to enlist women’s supporters of all genders and identifications. No longer will your SO wonder how to best support you and your feminist endeavors for equality. Cleaning the kitchen and being fully accepting of women’s refusals to engage in gender norms for the day (like shaving, makeup, cooking, etc.) is an excellent place to start.

There are countless ways to encourage females around the world and their endeavors for social and economic equality. “A Day Without Women” opens the door to women supporting other women on a global basis—and you won’t want to miss out!

Dove's New Real Beauty Campaign Is Real Awesome

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For years, companies have toyed with the idea of including "real women" (aka not one-size-fits-all models) in their advertising. Except they don't seem to really get it, like Victoria's Secret's "Perfect Body" campaign that was an attempt to celebrate all bodies, but still used their normal models (*face palm*).

Dove, however, seems to be the one company that is leading the industry with their #RealBeauty campaign, and pledges to celebrate real beauty in all its forms. For years now (since 2004 to be exact), the company has used women in its ads who actually look like their customers. Who knew such a simple thing would be so difficult to achieve?!

The latest addition to the campaign follows the stories of 32 women and how they have overcome insecurities in their life. Photographed by famous fashion photographer Mario Testino, this series will be extremely diverse in many aspects. It will feature women from over 15 countries, including Iran and Indonesia, and all from various age groups—the range is 11 to 71! Now that's what I call diverse. 

What Dove is doing with its #RealBeauty pledge is not only important for us consumers, but it's setting a great example for other companies as well. While campaigns in the past have attempted to be "diverse" (yet only include slim models in various shades of white and tan), Dove is setting the industry standard—and making sure that other companies follow suit. 

All I gotta say is: it's about damn time! Considering all of the inequality that still persists in today's society, somebody doing exactly what Dove is accomplishing with this campaign is exactly what we need. 


I'm Still Not Sure What Went Wrong with Rachel & Nick on 'The Bachelor'

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We’ve known for three weeks that Rachel Lindsay is going to be the next Bachelorette. Despite the fact that she was still competing on Nick’s season of The Bachelor, ABC announced her as the franchise’s next lead, spoiling their own show and confirming that she and Nick were headed for a breakup. (Still a little salty over this, tbh.)

Ever since the news broke, I’ve been wondering what went wrong in Rachel’s relationship with Nick. She got the first impression rose. Their New Orleans one-on-one was straight fire from the moment it began. And Nick and Rachel’s connection seemed to deepen with each passing episode—especially during this week’s fantasy suite date, when Rachel, who is admittedly guarded, told Nick that she was falling in love with him.

I figured when Nick sent Rachel home he would provide her, and us(!), with some kind of explanation. WHY, NICK? WHY DO YOU REFUSE TO FALL IN LOVE WITH THE PERFECT WOMAN??

Instead Nick was stone cold, providing no reasoning for dumping Rachel. From what he did say, it seemed like Nick friend-zoned Rachel, calling her “amazing” and saying that he hoped this wouldn’t be goodbye forever. Quite a surface-level adieu for someone he seemed to have such palpable chemistry and a deep connection with earlier in this very episode.

I don’t think we’ll ever really know what happened here. Nick probably had stronger feelings for one of the other women. Or if I’m buying into conspiracy theories, maybe the plan all along was to bring Rachel far enough to ensure she was eligible to become the Bachelorette.

Regardless I think we can all agree that Rachel is way too good for Nick and she more than deserves her turn handing out the roses.

Enter To Win a VIP Gift Box of HC Tour Goodies!

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Her Campus is about to embark on an epic tour across the country, beginning in California and ending in South Carolina. Our purple palm tree-clad bus will be bringing fun activities, giveaways and more! Special thanks to our hosting chapters and amazing sponsors. We wish we could stop at all universities, but we promise we haven’t forgotten about any of you collegiettes. There’s still a chance to win some fabulous HC Tour swag by entering our giveaway below.

The winner will receive an unbelievable gift box full of premium giveaway items to get you in the mood for spring, including a free trip! Read on to see what could be coming from the Tour to your door…

A Jetsetting Adventure

One of the best learning experiences you can have is outside of the classroom, and that’s where StudentCity comes in. This is a company passionate about youthful travel and is offering a free trip from its Bucket List series so you can explore a new culture in a different part of the world.

A Wardrobe Refresh

Cute athleisure ensembles are all the rage right now, and the reigning OG athleisure queen is none other than Juicy Couture. You probably grew up wishing you could have one of those chic velour track suits or bedazzled charms on a gold-chained bracelet. Now you’ll have a regal gift of your own to viva la Juicy!

In addition to your athleisure wardrobe, we are excited to share with you a new Aéropostale look that allows you to feel #FreeToBe. Perfect for the curious and free spirited, Aéropostale has you covered for everything from an adventure with your bestie to a night out on the town.

Bold Brows, Beautiful Skin, and Unapologetic Confidence

Reveal and maintain your beautiful skin every day with a $90 gift card and some of the latest products from European Wax Center’s Strut 365 collection. Keep your brows on their best behavior with the Ready. Set. Brow! Perfect Brow Groomer and cleanse, restore and paper your skin between waxes with their Strut Lavishly body wash, body lotion and body polish that also helps to visibly slow the regrowth of hair as an added benefit. Go ahead. Be your unapologetically confident self.

Get Your Bronze On

Give yourself that Spring Break glow without the rays! Customize your routine for a beautiful, natural-looking tan with the complete L’Oréal Paris Sublime Bronze line. Don’t forget, the perfect tan starts with the perfect base, so exfoliate skin first with new L’Oréal Paris Pure Clay Masks and moisturize with new L’Oréal Paris Hydra Genius Daily Liquid Care Moisturizer to complete your tanning regimen.

That #WatchMeSparkle Attitude

Confidence is always the best accessory, and when you wear essence cosmetics, you’ll be shining from the inside and out. Have fun with makeup that gives you bold eyes, bright lips, cool nails and a flawless complexion!

Your Best Workout Yet

School can be stressful and things like working out can easily fall to the wayside in the midst of exams and presentations. That’s where MoveWith comes in – get active anywhere, any time with Instant access to inspiring teachers in your ear. Just put on your headphones, pick a class (anything from yoga to high intensity interval training) and start moving in style with an exclusive  MoveWith-branded yoga mat.

Enter NOW to win this amazing package delivered straight to your dorm!

Her Campus Tour 2017: Tour to Your Door Giveaway

The HC Tour Is Back And Better Than Ever!

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Her Campus Tour is coming to your campus! That's right – we’re traveling on a purple palm tree-clad bus across the country on our HC Tour. Thanks to our amazing Her Campus Chapter hosts, we’re bringing you fun activities, giveaways, and more! We know you deserve a breather from those textbooks and homework assignments, so why not take a study break with us to experience the fantastic sponsors coming your way?! We guarantee that you won’t want to miss out on all the fun!


In case you missed it last year, the Her Campus Tour was a big hit, generating crowds that filled the plazas and student unions of six lucky schools. This year, the HC Tour is making even more stops across the country, bringing new sponsors with us too! A special thanks to essence cosmetics, L’Oréal Paris Sublime Bronze, European Wax Center, Juicy Couture, Aéropostale, The Bucket List by StudentCity, and MTVU!

The events will take place between 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at each school. But make sure to get there early, because the first 500 students in line at each school will receive a special goody bag packed with beauty products, travel accessories, study snacks, fitness opportunities, and so much more! Below is the schedule of stops on the Her Campus Tour:

See your school on the list? Make sure to spread the excitement by sharing this event with #HCTour and let us know what you’re most looking forward to! We’ll see you soon, collegiettes!

Trump Told Planned Parenthood They Could Keep Their Funding—If They Stop Providing Abortions

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President Donald Trump told the heads of Planned Parenthood that the organization could keep its federal funding if it agrees to stop offering abortions, The New York Times reported on Monday. The offer came during an informal conversation, seen by many as more of a nod to propriety than anything else. Still, the proposal was soundly rejected. Dawn Laguens, the executive vice president of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, said, “Offering money to Planned Parenthood to abandon our patients and our values is not a deal that we will ever accept. Providing critical health care services for millions of American women is nonnegotiable.”

Planned Parenthood receives $500 million in federal funding each year, though none of that money goes towards paying for abortions. Instead, it helps low-income women access testing and treatments for everything from cancer to STIs, as well as family planning advice and healthcare information. Even Trump himself recognizes the importance of the organization. During his campaign, he said, “Millions and millions of women—cervical cancer, breast cancer—are helped by Planned Parenthood.” Of course, he couldn’t just leave it there and went on to clarify that, “I would defund it because I’m pro-life, but millions of women are helped by Planned Parenthood.”

Republicans are constantly considering or working to defund the organization. The latest step towards this goal is the recently introduced legislation meant to replace the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare, which includes a provision about revoking Planned Parenthood’s federal funding. Still, it’s a thorny issue for the GOP, as 62 percent of voters say that they oppose seeing Planned Parenthood’s funding cut. According to insiders, there’s also a certain amount of tension within the White House as Trump seeks to placate conservative voters and politicians while still listening to the advice of his daughter, Ivanka, who serves as a sort of informal advisor and has made women’s health a priority.

If Planned Parenthood were to see its federal funding diminished or cut off completely, many of the women it serves would likely see their access to affordable healthcare cut off as well. Republicans often point to community health centers as a viable alternative—one that doesn’t offer abortions—but as The Huffington Post noted, these health centers frequently offer less than a third of the services of Planned Parenthood, particularly where women’s health and family planning services are concerned. These centers also usually have much longer wait times for appointments, which can be the difference between life and death for some patients.

Democrats are pledging to fight back against any provisions that would revoke Planned Parenthood’s funding. New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand warned, “The Trump administration needs to stop playing political games that would put access to the full range of safe reproductive care at risk, or they will get the fight of their lives.”

How to Fall Back in Love with Your Major

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You entered college bright-eyed and ready to take on the world. You declared your major and then found yourself second guessing it all. The classwork began to pile up, the exams got harder and you suddenly began questioning if this is even the field you want to be in.

You feel burned out, but it happens to a lot of us. The key, however, is knowing when to take a step back and reevaluate the situation to determine if you’re just stressed out or truly uninterested. Before you lose all hope, try these five ways to fall back in love with your major.

1. Remind yourself why you chose your major in the first place

Before you make any hasty decisions, it’s always best to reflect upon why you started something in the first place. “Make a list of reasons why you choose [your major] in the first place and where you saw yourself going with it at that time,” says Kaitlin Manion, a graduate student at Temple University. “Then make a list of frustrations about why you're ‘falling out of love’ with it and see if there's a solution.” When you are able to see all the reasons you selected your major in the first place, it might help reignite the spark you once had.

2. Understand that every major has its problems

It can be easy to see your friends who chose different majors enjoying their college experience more, whether that be with less schoolwork or more engaging classes. However, everyone’s college journey is unique and is designed to prepare you for your own future. Don’t get caught up in comparing yourself to others. Understand that every major has its setbacks, and that you may just be experiencing one of those.

3. Seek advice

Sometimes all we need is a pep talk to get us out of our funk. Seeking advice from a professor, counselor, friend or even someone in your desired career field can shed light on your current situation. They might have even experienced the same lull and can give you first-hand knowledge of how to overcome it. Molly Crum, a senior at James Madison University, says, “I always think talking to professionals who had the same major as you when they were in college is helpful when you're feeling uninspired. It's a reminder how what you're learning in your major classes can be applied to the real world and lead you to have a job you love someday.”

4. Focus on the end goal

Oftentimes we find ourselves caught up in the stress of situations and we forget to remind ourselves what we’re working towards. Creating a mini mood board for your dorm room that is covered in inspiring pictures and positive words of affirmation can be a daily motivator to keep going. Or, simply sitting down and writing out all the positive outcomes that come from completing your major can spark new interest. Gillian Bosonetto, Director of Career Development at Mars Hill University says, “It can be helpful to volunteer or even shadow someone in the field that you're thinking of going into, as it connects to your major, to see where the true value of your courses may lie. Summer breaks or internships can be a good opportunity to do get into the field, hands-on. Sometimes just seeing what work is like without the subject knowledge and/or credentials is enough to motivate you again into mastering the subject, or sometimes the light bulb goes on, and you can see why the course that is challenging you is so important."

She also recommends taking a break or trying some alternative courses, if you have the time, as another way to refresh your energy around your original goal. "And if perhaps that original goal was not the right one, you may find another path that attracts and inspires you even more," she says. "There are many paths to fulfilment, and often we come full circle back to our initial choices and preferences, but discover other rewards along the way. No one specific major is the magic silver bullet to career or life success, but not completing any major is likely to be much more frustrating and discouraging in the long run. Be gentle with yourself and seek help as often as needed, but also be honest about how much work and commitment is required. If it was easy, everyone could do it and it wouldn't have as much value. Stay the course, unless you truly have found a better option. Everyone regrets completing a degree—said no one ever!"

5. Branch out

One of the greatest things about college is how many options you have. If you’re uninterested in one of your classes, try taking an elective completely different from your major, in order to balance things out. Abby Piper, a junior at Notre Dame, says, “If you can fit it in your schedule, take some other kinds of classes, whether they be gen-eds or another minor or major. I think anyone would get a little bored of only taking one subject.” Most universities offer a wide-range of minors to add to your major, so seek out new courses and don’t be afraid to ask what your options are.

Remember life greets you with challenges daily, so take this bump in the road like you would any other, and work through it. Good luck, collegiettes!

Juicy Couture Released a Painfully Expensive 'Beauty & the Beast' Tracksuit Collection

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Two things that define my middle school experience: my love for pink velour Juicy Couture tracksuits, and Disney movies. Needless to say, I wasn’t one of the popular kids. However, just like all trends, everything that was once perceived as stylish eventually comes back into fashion; and the beloved eighth grade tracksuit that you swore would never see the light of day again has become one of the must-have items of 2017.

On Monday, the tracksuit giant Juicy Couture announced that it would release a limited edition 'Beauty & the Beast'-inspired collection—and its everything you could have ever dreamed it to be. The comfortable-looking loungewear collection is comprised of two jackets  that sparkle with thousands of Swarovski crystals.

The first jacket is the “Stained Glass Rose” Robertson Jacket ($698 at Juicy Couture), that is a midnight navy color, and features a Swarovski crystal stained glass rose decal on the back. If you want to spend a couple months' rent on a tracksuit jacket, some of the pain will be eased by the knowledge that it incorporates 5,300 crystals.

 

 The second is a Belle-yellow “Beauty Within” Westwood Jacket ($598 at Juicy Couture), that has a gorgeous decal made with 3,300 Swarovski crystals, which reads the inspirational quote, “Beauty Found Within.” 

 

While these pricetags aren't meant for anyone short of a princess, you can’t help but swoon over these luxury loungewear pieces. The crystals might be extravagant for the movie theatre, but for the diehard fans of either the tracksuit brand, the live-action movie, or both, this could be the collection of your dreams.

Here's What You Need to Know About Trump's New Travel Ban

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Undeterred by legal challenges and public criticism, President Donald Trump signed a second travel ban into law on Monday. The new executive order seeks to avoid a debacle similar to the one caused by the first ban and features minor adjustments and tweaks to hopefully make it more difficult to challenge in court. Here’s what you need to know about the new ban, which goes into effect on March 16th:

While the original ban sought to keep travelers and immigrants from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen from entering the country, the new ban removes Iraq from the list in order to keep tensions from rising between the U.S. and its main ally in fighting the Islamic State. In addition, the new order clarifies who will be affected by the ban. As The New York Times reports, “The new ban only applies to people from the six countries without current visas, like temporary, non-immigrant visas for students and workers. Students with valid F, M or J visas will be allowed.” Current visa holders, green card holders, and dual citizens are also exempt.

The new ban also made some changes in regards to the refugee provisions. The United States refugee program is still suspended for 120 days after implementation of the ban, but the new language now clarifies that refugees whose asylum requests have already been approved will still be allowed into the country. After the 120 days is up, the ban will be reconsidered and Syrian refugees - the group around whom most public panic seems to swirl - will not necessarily be banned indefinitely. The new executive order also removed language about giving preference to refugees of minority religions, likely because that provision could be challenged on the grounds of religious persecution. However, the Trump administration remained firm on capping the U.S.’s refugee intake for the 2017 fiscal year at 50,000, less than half of the cap under the Obama administration.

The language of the new travel ban aims to cut down on criticism. It includes examples and statistics meant to justify the ban. For instance, it states that “Since 2001, hundreds of persons born abroad have been convicted of terrorism-related crimes in the United States. They have included not just persons who came here legally on visas but also individuals who first entered the country as refugees.” It further goes on to reference multiple open investigations into terror-inclined refugees and immigrants. In a press conference to introduce the ban, John F. Kelly, the Secretary of Homeland Security, stated, “Unregulated, unvetted travel is not a universal privilege, especially when national security is at stake.” According to The Associated Press, however, “Department of Homeland Security intelligence analysts have questioned the rationale behind it, concluding that citizenship is an ‘unlikely indicator’ of terrorism threats to the United States.”

Opponents have pledged to fight this ban as fiercely as the first. New York Senator Chuck Schumer called the ban “meanspirited and un-American,” while Margaret Huang, the executive director of Amnesty International USA, said in a statement that the new order would “cause extreme fear and uncertainty for thousands of families by, once again, putting anti-Muslim hatred into policy.” The ACLU has already promised "to move very quickly" to block the ban, though New York immigration attorney Ted Ruthizer told the AP that the changes could make this ban “much, much tougher" to block.

You can read the full text of Trump’s executive order here.


Vans & Opening Ceremony Have Created The Glittery Sneakers Of Your Dreams

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I used to be absolutely, unapologetically in love with Dorothy’s red, sparkly heels from the Wizard of Oz. It took a great deal of convincing from my mother for me not to wander the halls of my elementary school in a pair of similar shoes that I had picked up from a costume store. Looking back on it now, I wish I had been able to rock these obscenely glittery, girly shoes, as they would have made quite the statement in my third grade class.

Vans recently teamed up with the brand Opening Ceremony to create a line of shoes that are über-sparkly ($110 at Vans). While they might not transport you back to Kansas, they’re certainly a major upgrade from the ones I got my hands on all those years ago. These shoes are a surefire way to make even the simplistic of outfits look cool, and are sure to attract the attention of that cutie you’ve had your eye, as well as blind the rest of your 9 a.m. lecture.

In an era when every girl wants to look like a unicorn, Lisa Frank is back in style and every single item you wished you could wear as a 10-year-old has become stylish for you to wear as a 20-something, these kicks fit the bill. They come in royal blue, classic grey and baby pink, so you have a variety of colors to dazzle the world in.

9 Ways Reading Erotica Improves Your Life

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With the recent debut of the 50 Shades Darker movie, everyone’s talking about BDSM, kinky sex and erotica. Once secretly kept in bedside drawers, erotic stories are now mainstream and no one thinks twice when they hear that you’re reading about the sex they wish they were having.

But what is it about erotica that’s so appealing? Is it the sexy stories? Is it about getting your mind deep in the gutter? Is it about getting off?

Well, the erotica boom is a combination of these three things and more. Here are nine reasons you should pick up an erotic story or two and spend time with some leisurely reading.

It’s Like a Brain Vacation

When you sit down with a good erotica story, it’s easy to get swept away in the details. They’re often filled with vivid descriptions, steamy dialogue and raunchy sex scenes. That makes it easy to become absorbed in the story and stop worrying about the dishes in the sink or what you need to put on the grocery list. Instead, you can let your mind wander away with the muscular cowboy who never seems to wear a shirt.

It Turns You On

Let’s face it, erotica is hot. It gets you thinking about sex. About passion. About wanting someone so bad you just want to tear into them. And that turns you on. And when you’re aroused, you get not only a quick boost to your libido, but a long term one as well. After all, it’s arousal that increases your sex drive and keeps you coming back for more.

Most Likely Leads to Orgasms

And if erotica is turning you on, chances are, one way or another, you’ll probably end up having a few orgasms. And one of the great things about orgasms is they bring you benefits whether you enjoy them alone or with a partner. Orgasms feel fantastic. They lower your blood pressure and they increase the love hormone oxytocin, increasing your bonding and giving you that “in love” feeling.

Relieves Stress

But oxytocin does more than create butterflies in your stomach and enhance bonding, it also helps you relax. That’s because when oxytocin is released in the hypothalamus, it stimulates feelings of warmth and relaxation. It also leads to a decrease in activity in the amygdala, the part of the brain where fear and anxiety spawn.

Helps You Sleep Better

Orgasms have been shown to be as effective as prescription sleeping medication in helping people fall asleep at night. That’s because the feel good chemicals that get released when your orgasm create a sedative effect, getting you prepped for a long night’s rest.

Reduces Pain Levels

One of the great benefits of orgasms is they help reduce pain levels, especially pain associated with arthritis and migraines. Research states this is from the blend of oxytocin and endorphins that are released during orgasm. One study found that women’s pain tolerance increased by 74.6 percent after they masturbation to orgasm. And unlike pain relievers you get from the pharmacy, these natural pain killers don’t reduce sensitivity or feeling, ensuring you get the most pleasure possible from stimulation.

Teaches You to Be Creative

While most women understand that erotic stories are just fiction, erotica can help you add some creativity in the bedroom. Maybe you’ve never thought about being spanked, but after reading a spanking story, you’re intrigued about the idea. By reading different types of erotica, you open up both your mind and your bedroom to new, previously-untried sexual adventures.

Helps You Get Vocal

Maybe you’ve always been a quiet one between the sheets. Reading erotica can help you overcome your shyness and learn what words to put together to help you find your voice in bed. Now you can whisper your own sweet nothings in your lover’s ear without fearing that you sound like a fool. If the idea of ad-libbing makes your clam up, try reading some sexy stories together. Who knows, it may become your favorite type of foreplay.

Be a Secret Freak

We all have those secret sex fantasies and erotica gives you a way to safely explore them. Because sure a gang-bang sounds nice, but in reality that’s a whole lot of man sweat and spunk. Eventually you’re going to get sore and you’ll want someone to go down on you but no one is going near the vagina that just hosted 25 different penises with their mouth. But when you read it in a story, you get to experience all the fun without the hassle and it becomes a win-win situation.

What it comes down to is reading erotica is fun, entertaining, and good for your sex life. It gives your mind a break and can lead to more orgasms and better sex. What’s not to love about that?

15 Things Everyone Has Said After Sex

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Sex. Most of us are having it, and if we're not having it, we're either thinking about it or talking about it. It's human nature. Whether you're having sex with your significant other or hooking up with someone random (or you fall somewhere in between), after the sexperience, there are certain things you've definitely said or heard before before—for better or for worse. What are they? Read below for 15 things everyone has said after shacking up and getting sexy. 

1. "Wow, we should definitely do that again sometime."

*Drake's "Best I Ever Had" plays in the background*

2. "Wow, we are never doing that again."

We've all experienced bad sex or sex with an ex.

3. "Oh my god, what did we just do?"

This one's usually associated with a cringe-worthy regret.

4. "Where's my bra?"

It was lost in the heat of the moment.

5. "You used protection, right?"

Sigh.

6. "Can you leave?"

Kind of heartless. Sometimes necessary.

7. "I need to use the bathroom."

Amen! You should always pee after sexy time. Ain't nobody got time for a UTI.

8. "Did we have sex last night?"

Ahhhhh, the sting of one too many cranberry vodkas. 

9. "Why the hell did I do that?"

Although, this is usually an internal monologue.

10. "What are we?"

Consecutive hookup sessions with the same partner that are "no strings attached" are not a thing. There, we said it.  

11. "Let's go get something to eat."

C'mon, who hasn't been fucking starving after sex before? This is modern day romance, people.

12. "We're just friends."

While you've probably been the one who's felt this burn before, you've also probably been the one to do the burning, too.

13. "That was nice."

Translation = that was mediocre, but I don't want to hurt your feelings. 

14. "I love you."

Cause sexy time with your bae comes with all the feels.

15. "Thanks for that. Have a good day!"

So long and farewell. 

The Internet Has Already Turned the GOP's Obamacare Replacement into a Meme

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If there's any good to be had out the current political situation (which basically has us wanting to rip our hair out every day), we can at least take comfort in the seemingly endless amount of hilarious memes it has to offer. Case in point: it's barely been 24 hours since Republicans released their proposal for heathcare legislation that would replace the Affordable Care Act - and the Internet is already not having it.

In short, as Refinery29 reports, "The American Health Care Act," would scrap many parts of Obamacare, including the requirement that insurers cover preventative care - but it would keep provisions such as not allowing insurers to discriminate against those with pre-existing conditions and would allow young people to stay on their parents' plans until the age of 26. However, the plan cuts nearly all federal funding to Planned Parenthood for a year, with no plan to reinstate it, and would likely leave far more people without coverage than there were under the Affordable Care Act.

People are pretty upset - so naturally, the Internet dealt with its outrage in the best way it knows how: via some ~fire~ memes that offer a comparison between Obamacare and the GOP's version.

Things started just with a quick comparison of the former POTUS and his successor, but people quickly got creative:

Please never change, Twitter.

Apparently the 'This Is Us' Finale is Going to Be Brutal & We're Not Emotionally Prepared

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Brace yourself: the This Is Us finale is officially airing in exactly a week - which is a good thing, because from the looks of it, we'll be needing a full week to emotionally prepare ourselves.

In an interview with Variety the show's creator Dan Fogelman dropped some hints about what we can expect from the end of the season next week, and spoiler: it's not going to be easy. While on set of the season's final episode, Fogelman described it as, "definitely the darkest place we’ve been," and Mandy Moore, who plays Rebecca on the show, elaborated.

“We’re going to destroy America by the end of the season. As if they don’t have enough to be upset about at this point in time anyway,” Moore told Variety. “But they’re going to be upset for a completely different set of reasons.”

Excuse me what? Not only is the show going to keep us in the dark about Jack's death (which they've confirmed we won't see in the first season), but they're going to hand us even more to ugly sob over in front of our TVs? We're not sure we're ready to deal with all the feels.

 

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