Quantcast
Channel:
Viewing all 25628 articles
Browse latest View live

Gigi Hadid Is a Professional Photographer Now & Of Course Zayn Was Her First Model

0
0

Gigi Hadid has transitioned from being in front of the camera to behind it–and for the cutest reason! She photographed her boyfriend Zayn Malik for the spring 2017 Versus Versace campaign. I mean, it makes sense that the all-star model would have a great eye for photography since she's done so many shoots as a model herself. Gigi and Zayn are both friends of Donatella Versace's so the partnership was to be expected, especially since Gigi wears the brand on the runway frequently.

The supermodel's snapshots of the ex-One Directioner turned out super edgy, like Polaroids my friends and I would take at our college apartment. She totally killed it, too, because her flash makes the leather pieces of clothing really pop out.

The time stamps reveal that Gigi took the photos December 16 in an apartment decorated with a green couch, guitars and an elaborate rug. Where have these been in my life?!

"It was extra special that Gigi shot the campaign," Zayn told CosmopolitanThese two have been going strong since 2015 and keep redefining relationship goals, from Gigi wearing t-shirts with Zayn's name on them to the pair performing together in Zayn's "Pillowtalk" music video.

On top of this Versace gig, Gigi is also building her professional photography portfolio with a collection of actual Polaroids for V. Out of 1,000 pictures that she's taken so far, she's going to release up to 20 of them on May 1. Her subjects are also famous, including the likes of Karl Lagerfeld, and let me just say, I can't wait to see more from Gigi's hip photo album.


Net-A-Porter Accidentally Posted a Super Awk Photo With Retouching Notes

0
0

You know those viral images that point out what needs to be photoshopped on a woman's body? Or the video that morphs a Barbie doll into a real, proportional human body? The images are meant to crticize how role models get photoshopped or designed to portray unrealistic standards of beauty and body image.

That's not what happened this time. It wasn't a viral stint. Online retailer Net-A-Porter actually had a Photoshop flub by posting a photo of a model with retouching notes still on it. The image has blue arrows to mark what needs to be thinner, and even includes the message "please, slim."

It's digusting that Net-A-Porter writes such direct notes that criticize their model's body. This young girl must have seen this photo get posted for the world to see on Net-A-Porter's website. And it was up for a few hours before it got taken down–and replaced with the original image sans offensive notes.

Unfortunately I can't say I'm surprised that such notes actually happen in the fashion industry. Yet apparently they exist; companies constantly want to sexualize and profit off of thin women sporting their apparel. The least they can do is not post it online? Just a thought.

16 Reasons Why the Women of 'Gossip Girl' Are Badass AF

0
0

Hear me out. So Gossip Girl is known as a show about rich Upper East Side teenagers who skate through life attending preppy schools, engaging in underage drinking and hooking up with each others' exes. It may not seem that progressive, but in their classy society, the women stick up for themselves and their futures. The girls of GG are more than just gossipy fashionistas. They're actually badass and powerful AF, and here's why.

1. They have high expectations for their girlfriends

2. The women stick up for one another

3. At its core, the show is really all about female friendship

Serena and Blair forever.

4. The women command respect

5. While the men barely play the game

6. They celebrate "me time" all the time

Spontaneous trip to Paris, anyone?

7. These are the most independent 18-year-olds you'll ever meet

Even though they're still obsessed with finding a man.

8. The women can hold their own against everyone

9. Nobody can force Lily to do anything

10. They straight-up hold all the cards

Revenge and plots galore. 

11. Let's face it, we care more about Blair and Serena than any of the guys

Boi bye!

12. Blair holds Chuck together

Honestly, he'd be a mess without her.

13. They aspire to attend Ivy League schools

Oh, and they actually get in.

14. They are not passive

They make things happen for themselves.

15. The show depicts women in business

16. Dan had to pretend to be a woman to move up in society

*mic drop*

MAC Cosmetics is Coming to Ulta & We're Kind of Freaking Out

0
0

Beauty junkies, commence freak-out mode: MAC Cosmetics has officially announced that the cult-favorite beauty brand will soon be coming to an Ulta near you.

Refinery29 reports that starting in June, MAC will be heading into 100 Ulta stores nationwide, and will be available on the retailer's website in May. The beauty brand made the announcement on its Instagram, with the caption, "You’re not dreaming. M·A·C is coming to @ultabeauty this Spring!" (As it turns out, it also happens to be coming for our wallets.)

 

You’re not dreaming. M·A·C is coming to @ultabeauty this Spring! #UltaBeautyLovesMAC

A post shared by M·A·C Cosmetics (@maccosmetics) on

While the brand was famously only available online, in department stores and in MAC's own standalone boutiques, our favorite source for the perfect shade of lipstick and eyeshadows that stay all day will be available in a separate beauty retailer for the first time, and this is not a drill. 

Oh, and it gets even better: not only will Ulta stores be selling MAC's best-selling products, but they'll be staffed with MAC makeup artists in addition to Ulta's already-existing salon - meaning you won't have to hit up a MAC store to get personalized product tips and recommendations.

As if we didn't spend enough of our monthly budgets on MAC's icon-status products, the brand just made our addiction all the more accessible. Hey, at least we can now justify buying all of our MAC must-haves by racking up Ulta rewards points on our purchases.

This Guy Wore His Girlfriend's Shoes for the Cutest Reason Ever

0
0

If nothing else, always find yourself a guy who's willing to take a walk in your shoes - no but literally.

The Internet basically handed University of Hawaii, Maui student Mark Cadiz the boyfriend of the year award after he posted a photo to Twitter of himself wearing his girlfriend's sandals - and the reason sums up every relationship goal we've ever had. 

"When bae has a chem lab and she forgot her shoes lol" Cadiz captioned the photo. According to BuzzFeed, Cadiz's girlfriend Vanessa was having a stressful week and forgot to wear closed-toed shoes to her chemistry lab. (#Relatable)

"When I realized that I wasn’t wearing the proper attire (my professor is really strict on dress code), instead of driving all the way back home to get shoes, Mark insisted that I take his," Vanessa told BuzzFeed.

Vanessa also added that this type of goofball antics are pretty typical for the couple, who have been best friends since middle school, and started dating only last year.

“Our relationship is all about being weird and goofy as opposed to being super romantic and lovey,” she says.

For the obvious reason that the move was completely adorable, Cadiz's tweet went viral, and the Internet has collectively become one giant heart-eyed emoji over the whole thing.

And of course, there were those that wondered how Cadiz possibly fit into Vanessa's shoes - but the couple set the record straight in the best way possible.

BRB, just going to add, "Is willing to switch shoes with me to save my midterm grades," to my list of relationship must-haves.

This GOP Congressman Thinks Men Shouldn't Have to Pay for Insurance That Covers Prenatal Care

0
0

Despite opposition from Democrats, Republicans and a lot of people in general, the GOP-proposed American Health Care Act is making its way through the House Committees. During a 27-hour hearing for the bill, Republican Rep. John Shimkus of Illinois made some, ahem, interesting comments about Obamacare's requirement that healthcare plans cover maternity services.

According to the Huffington Post, when Republican Rep. Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma claimed that premiums were "skyrocketing because of mandates from Obamacare," Democrat Rep. Michael Doyle responded by asking which mandates specifically he took issue with.

"What mandate in the Obamacare bill does he take issue with?” Doyle said. “Certainly not with pre-existing conditions, or caps on benefits or letting your child stay on the policy until 26, so I’m curious what is it we’re mandating?”

It was then that Shimkus decided to throw in his opinion, "What about men having to purchase prenatal care?” Shimkus said. “Is that not correct? And should they?”

In case you were wondering, yes he was completely serious. Doyle took the opportunity to remind Shimkus that, sorry, but that's basically not how insurance works.

"There’s no such thing as a la carte insurance, John,” he said, later adding, "There’s not a single insurance company in the world that does that. You’re talking about something that doesn’t exist.”

In addition to the fact that insurance requires people to pay for services they'll probably never use (yes, women purchase plans that cover prostate or testicular cancer), we'd also like to remind Shimkus that, in case he's forgotten, it takes sperm (you know, from a man) to make a baby - a woman's body doesn't just spontaneously impregnate itself. But it's not like that's *common knowledge* or anything.

6 Ways Proximity to Home Affects Your College Experience

0
0

There are many things you should take into consideration when you’re narrowing down your college list­––academics, housing, extracurricular activities and more! However, one of the most important factors to some collegiettes is your college’s proximity to home. While you may not think distance makes that much of a difference, it definitely affects your college experience! Read below to hear from some collegiettes as to why the distance between home and school is so important:

1. Storage and belongings

When choosing where to go to school, you’re probably thinking about your friends and family, the college’s academic programs and other big factors––and you’re probably not thinking about storage. But, the proximity between your hometown and your future college restricts how much you’ll be able to bring to school and what you’ll have to leave at home.

Cassidy Hopkins, a senior at Emerson College, says that storage and shipping have always been something that she has had to think about, since her hometown is on the other side of the country. “It was hard because I wasn’t able to bring a lot to school,” she says. “I only got to bring two checked bags of clothing and the rest I had to buy when I arrived at school.”

“While the rest of my friends were going shopping and preparing for college the summer after high school, I could only make lists,” she adds.

While storage is a small factor compared to other elements that go into your college decision, it is something to think about. Shipping costs are high––if you’re flying back and forth between school and home, you have to think about how many bags you might have. “I was lucky enough to make friends with generous students who lived close to my school,” says Cassidy. “My friends and their families have been so helpful in letting me store my belongings, which is normally a huge burden.” So while shipping and storage are certainly things to consider if you’re going far, they don’t have to be a deal breaker! Think about alternative options for storing and moving your belongings if you choose a school that’s far from home.

2. Saving money

While you might be itching to move thousands of miles away, consider how much money it costs to live across the country––and how much money you may be able to save by staying close to home. When you attend a school that is further than driving distance away, there are new factors to consider. You’ll have to pay for plane tickets home, shipping charges and other travel costs if friends or family want to visit. Make sure you’re thinking about budget when making your final decision.

On the other hand, staying close to home might save you a little money here and there. Even if you plan on living on campus (and not at home), there are small ways to save. Shelby Ostrom, a junior at the University of Kansas, lives about 30 minutes from her hometown. “I definitely think [going to school close to home] has affected my college experience in both good and bad ways,” she says. “[One of the good aspects is that] I can go home whenever I want to, have meals and do laundry.”

When thinking about proximity, budget definitely comes into play. Remember that distance between school and home isn’t just about missing family or seeing friends, but also raising or cutting costs! Think about whether your decision will have an effect on your financial situation as well.

3. Family time

Relationships are probably the number one factor keeping college freshmen close to home––and for good reason! It can be hard to tear yourself away from family and friends. Whether you are going close or far, family time is something to consider when you’re thinking about proximity from home to school.

Kelly Rourke, a junior at Clark University whose hometown is just 20 minutes away from her school, loves being close to her family. “Whether it's bringing some laundry home on a Sunday or having a weekend meal with my family, I have enjoyed being able to stay connected by being close by,” she says. “I also think that being close to home is totally what you make of it. You don't have to go home all the time or even see your family at all outside of school breaks, but having the option to do so is definitely nice.”

Quality family time is definitely something to consider when choosing a school, near or far. Just because you choose a school far from home doesn’t mean you don’t care about spending time with family––there are always other factors to weigh. However, if you find yourself struggling when you’re away from home for weeks at a time, you might want to thinking about staying close to your family.

4. Missing out on opportunities

There are certainly benefits to choosing a school close to home, but there are downfalls as well. If you’re constantly popping home for a visit every weekend, you might be missing out on opportunities and experiences at school.

While Shelby recognizes the benefits of attending college close to home, she also finds that there are negatives. “I went home almost every weekend my freshman year because I was so homesick,” Shelby says. “It gave me a disadvantage at making friends and having fun.”

It’s common for collegiettes who attend school close to their hometown to spend a lot of free time back at home, especially during freshman year. When you’re feeling homesick or desperate to keep in touch with friends, it can be tempting to pop back home. Just remember that if you choose a school close to home, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you should be spending all your time there (unless you truly want to)! Be sure you have your priorities straight and recognize that there will be opportunities and experiences on campus as well. Figure out what is most important to you so you can create a nice balance between home and school!

5. Experiencing different lifestyles

Lifestyles often change in correlation with geographical location, so consider how the culture will change wherever you decide to go to school.

“When I was looking at colleges I knew I wanted to travel out of state so I would be able to experience a different part of the country and open my mind to new outlooks and viewpoints on life by surrounding myself with people from diverse backgrounds, because I believe everyone has something to teach us,” says Helmi Henkin, a sophomore at the University of Alabama, originally from California. “Going to a large state school definitely helps me attain this goal, [and for future collegiettes,] it can be a great opportunity to enrich your life and step out of your comfort zone.”

Helmi recognizes that going to school out of state isn’t for everyone. “If you know yourself well enough to know whether you would be able to handle not being able to go home constantly and adapt some of your lifestyle changes depending on what's normal or available in the school's area (for example, weather, religious or political beliefs, environmental consciousness), then I would definitely take a chance and go out of state. It could be the best decision of your life,” she says.

6. Becoming independent

Your years at college will undoubtedly be a period of transitions and exploring, especially because it allows you to live independently for the first time. For many students, this is the first opportunity to live without the support of their families back home, which has its pros and cons. While college will probably force you to become independent no matter where you choose to attend, proximity does play an important role.

Cassidy says she enjoys the independent aspect of going to a college on the opposite coast. “I feel like I’m very prepared for life after graduation, because I’m doing things myself that I otherwise would have relied on family members for,” she says.

Micki Wagner, a sophomore at the University of Missouri whose hometown is two hours away, agrees that the idea of independence is key. “I think going away is important because it allows you to learn and grow as a person on your own for the very first time,” she says. “There will be times you stumble, undoubtedly. But you will always come away having learned something you might not have learned had you stayed home and your parents had taken care of the problem.”

College itself may help you to become more independent, but proximity definitely has an effect on it. If you’re really looking to force yourself to be more independent, consider choosing a college that’s farther from home.

No matter where you choose to go to school––whether near your hometown or far away––proximity will definitely have an influence on your college experience. Choosing a college isn’t just about academics, student life and other elements that normally come to mind first – location is critical too! In order to make the right decision, be sure to consider all the factors and prioritize them by importance.

5 Ways to Love You & Your Body, Right Now

0
0

In the wake of the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, New Year’s resolutions and the Kardashians' omnipresent domination of social media, it’s admittedly tough to feel body-positive all the time. This, of course, does not mean that loving (or learning to love) your body isn’t worth the effort!

Body positivity is a seemingly simple concept. “Love yourself!” “If you don’t love your body, who will?” “Size doesn’t matter!” All of these are valid notions, but they’re much easier said than done. Body positivity doesn’t happen overnight, and that’s perfectly okay; self-love is a journey that is constantly evolving. There are some ways to jump-start the process, though. Energize your efforts to love yourself and your body with these helpful tips.

We reached out to Emily Cook Harris for some professional input on ways young women can get going right now on their journey towards body positivity and self-love. Cook Harris is a personal trainer and the founder of EMpowered, a lifestyle coaching and fitness organization that seeks to promote health in ways beyond just working out. With these suggestions in your back pocket, body positivity is just a matter of you deciding whether you’re going to take action or not.

Related: What It Really Means to Love Yourself

1. Ditch the scale

Like your age and GPA, the number on the scale really is meaningless—or, alternatively, it’s only what you make of it! It certainly is not indicative of your health, and is not a productive way to form a beneficial relationship with your body. This idea is equally as important as the notion that you’re not your size. As anyone who has ever worn jeans is well aware, this number hugely fluctuates from brand to brand, anyway, further signifying its triviality!

On the ineffectiveness of the scale, Cook Harris says that “all the scale’s telling you is your body’s relationship to gravity.” She emphasizes that it’s important not to give the scale the power, and that the solution to that dilemma is often to throw the scale out altogether. According to Cook Harris, “a lot of people use the scale to ask ‘Am I going to have a good day today?’ Throw the scale out the window. You tell it!”

This is what’s important about your body positivity journey. It’s about, as Cook Harris says, “shifting the mindset.” Changing your attitude towards health and towards your body is just as important as actually improving your health.

2. Avoid “#fitspo”

Often, a quick venture onto Instagram’s search page displays the trending tags related to fitness, exercise and dieting. #Fitspo and #thinspo, short for “fitspiration” and “thinspiration,” respectively, are just a few of the terms that have made their way into fitness jargon. These realms of the Internet are flush with quotes and misleadingly colorful images promoting fitness and a “healthy” lifestyle.

While these terms were surely coined with good intention, they have come to be affiliated with body shaming, as they often promote “bikini bodies” and aren’t about personal, physical and mental health so much as image. The term “thinspiration” has actually been banned from Instagram for “[promoting or glorifying] self-harm.” If you do keep tabs on any of these pages, unfollow them and erase them from memory—they’re not good for you or your physical or mental health!

On the dangers of this kind of orientation towards body positivity, Cook Harris says that the inclination is often to “compare ourselves to other people. Comparison kills creativity, and your own motivation to do things for you...if you’re looking at thinspo and you’re sinking down and feeling bad, you’ll never feel any desire to take action.” Find positive role models who you can look up to “for their proactivity, their spread of positivity,” Cook Harris says. Knowing the difference between motivators that actually make you feel good and those that make you feel less-than is crucial.

Additionally, don’t feel inclined to start a drastic fad diet; while they often seem miraculous and to have instantaneous effects, they often do your health more harm than good. You have to “focus on actions, not outcomes,” says Harris. Building actions into your routine is much more sustainable than trying “quick and dirty binging and crazy dieting,” because these are just temporary fixes.

“Look at [your health] as more of an add-on than a take-away. Add in the positive, healthy behaviors, something you can practice that’s an action as opposed to ‘this week, I’m not having bread,’” Cook Harris says. As soon as you start looking at health and your body as subtractive concept and only think about changing it, it becomes impossible to carry on any long-term practices. “Make it about the enjoyment. You’ll feel truly better when you do it this way,” says Cook Harris.

3. Follow body positivity Instagrams and blogs

Rather than pay attention to fitspo and thinspo, why not subscribe to some accounts that are all about loving the body you have and helping yourself get healthier, mentally and physically?

Honorcurves

Honor Curves is a Canadian self-love and body positivity advocate who says that “with the right combination of love and kindness, each person can shed themselves of their darkest lows and body woes, and enjoy who they are RIGHT NOW.” Curves documents not only her awesome style trials and errors, but also her reflections on defying societal notions of beauty. Her Instagram is full of funny and touching quotes, news and photos surrounding body positivity and self-love.

Positive Body Image

This Instagram is overflowing with adorable body positivity mottos and quotes, often set to soothing backgrounds and with aesthetically pleasing fonts. Perfect for your daily dose of self-love!

Fuck Yeah Body Positivity

For those days when you’re feeling especially down, sometimes it takes more than flowery quotes and seemingly unrealistic optimism to bring yourself out of a dark place. Fuck Yeah Body Positivity is a Tumblr dedicated to just that: a firm push in the direction of self-love. This blog has various different self-love related components: gifs, text posts, articles and statistics—anything you could possibly want to make yourself better about you in just a few clicks. As stated by the blog’s founder, “you are beautiful and this is a blog for you.”

The Love Yourself Challenge

This is another Tumblr that offers images, writing pieces, songs, and other resources all surrounding body positivity. In an effort to “embrace and celebrate young people for who they are,” the brother-sister duo that runs this blog puts up various posts emphasizing the voyage that self-love is and how important having a good relationship with yourself is.

Related: The 13 Most Body Positive Celebrity Moments in 2015

4. Encourage your friends to be body positive, too

This one is easy! Complimenting your friends for the features (body-image related or otherwise) they might be insecure about creates an atmosphere of self-love that can only help improve the relationship you have with your body. If you’re surrounded by body positivity, it’s hard to deny that you’re beautiful. Why not send a text or comment on a profile picture right now? Everyone loves a little day-brightening compliment, and hopefully the favor will get returned!

5. Start every day by telling yourself what you do love

This might be the most important and effective way of coming to love your body. While you’re getting ready in the morning, it’s easy to drift to thoughts of self-criticism while putting on outfits or looking in the mirror. Try forcing yourself to be positive and do something good for you and your body! Fake it ‘til you make it! Body image is all about how you define beauty and how you conceptualize your own self-love. Before you get your day started, tell yourself five (or more!) things you do love and cherish about yourself and your body. This is an effective way to start your day off right and subconsciously be positive in all that the day brings.

It’s vital to remember that body positivity is a process. There are no easy ways out, no shortcuts, and no quick fixes. Self-love isn’t easy, but it’s incredibly rewarding. “Focus on the actions and you’ll get there,” Cook Harris says. “Stop worrying about when you’ll get there. You may start the journey and it may feel like something small at the beginning, but you can build up,” and when you look back on your progress, you’ll be that much happier with the work you’ve done and the place you end up in.  

Body positivity is closely tied to other issues of insecurity and self-love. This means these things are impossible to get over or improve unless you realize that your body is very much lovable. Remember that so-called body standards are completely made up, and you have the power to change them. It’s only a matter of taking the first step. As Cook Harris says, “pride comes from hard work and knowing you did your best. Pride is putting in the work and feeling good about it. Focus on the damn thing, and you’ll get it done and you’ll be proud.”

As Cook Harris says, body positivity and health in general have to come with an attitude of “‘it’s for me, not for anybody else, and I’m going to do it because it’s good for me and I want to embrace being healthy.’” You come first, and if you are able to love your body, complete self-love is one step closer.


Kylie Jenner is Launching Velvet Lip Kits

0
0

It is public knowledge that Kylie Jenner loves to surprise her fans. Whether it is by creating a brand new product like her eye pallet or launching a pop-up store, she is truly unpredictable. But one thing fans never saw coming was her ditching the famous matte lip kit for something, well, velvet. 

On Friday night Jenner announced via Snapchat, of course, a velvet line of Lip Kits. Yup, velvet. According to Teen Vogue, Jenner said "I did these for my girls who don't really love a matte lip." 

She will be launching four shades to start but it can probably be assumed that there will be more later on. The colors are all neutral shades and they have super cute names: Rosie, Harmony, Charm, and Dazzle. 

In case you are wondering what velvet actually means, it is basically a smoother version of a matte and a bit softer. Here they are swatched. 

 

Left To Right: Charm, Harmony, Dazzle, Rosie  new #VELVET lip kits launch March 16th 

A post shared by Kylie Cosmetics (@kyliecosmetics) on

The colors are dropping on March 16 at 3 p.m. PST so you might want to get your credit card out now. 

Selena Gomez is Back in the Studio Recording New Music

0
0

Guys, this is not a drill... Selena Gomez is back in the recording studio.

In a series of Instagram posts late Friday night, the "Can't Keep My Hands to Myself" singer showed the world that she is back in the studio and hopefully, making new music.

 

A post shared by Selena Gomez (@selenagomez) on

In the photos, she is with songwriters Julia Michaels and Justin Trante and according to Teen Vogue, the trio has created music together before so really, what else could it be? There wasn't actually any proof that she was the one recording but hey, a girl can dream. 

 

A post shared by Selena Gomez (@selenagomez) on

The posts come a few weeks after she dropped her sick song, "It Ain't Me" in collaboration with Kygo so it does make sense that more of her own stuff is on the way. 

 

A post shared by Selena Gomez (@selenagomez) on

Fingers crossed? 

Barack and Michelle Obama Had Lunch With Bono & The Internet Freaked

0
0

Since Barack Obama left the White House in November, he has shown a totally different side of himself. Starting with waterskiing in Hawaii to wearing backward baseball caps, he is a totally different person. And you know what? I am all for it. 

According to Mashable, Obama kept up with his new persona when he and Michelle went out to lunch in New York City on Friday afternoon with U2's Bono. Not really a lunch I ever imagined but hey, I can dig it.

When the lovely couple stepped out after lunch, the internet freaked because of how stylish they looked. 

 

 

Is it just me or do they look happier and better than ever? 

You Have to Hear Lorde's New Song 'Liability'

0
0

I am just going to come out and say it: Lorde is fantastic and she is what the world needs right now. 

Only days after she dropped the first song from her new album, "Green Light," she has finally blessed the world with another perfect tune, "Liability." And yes, it is going to make you cry like a baby. 

The song is the second song debuted from her album that is coming out on June 16th titled Melodrama, according to Cosmopolitan, and it is just as amazing as she is. Take a listen below. 

How to Deal With Criticism at Work

0
0

Every collegiette who’s ever had a job or internship knows the feeling—you make it through the first few weeks and you’re absolutely killing it. Your boss comments on what a great job you’re doing, you love your coworkers and your first job or internship is everything you thought it would be—so the first time you’re criticized on the job can totally feel like it’s coming out of left field.

Criticism, especially when it’s coming from your boss or a coworker you respect, can feel, in the words of Cher Horowitz, “Way harsh, Tai!” and it’s not uncommon to have some hurt feelings. So how should you deal with this situation? Read on.

Don’t take it personally

The first step in dealing with professional criticism is taking a step back and separating the professional from the personal. Cheryl Rogers, founder of the Mentor Me Career Network, says that especially if you’re new to the workplace, it’s important to remember that professional criticism isn’t necessarily personal criticism.

“The truth is, not every supervisor or colleague will always act with tact,” Rogers says. “There may be times when they think they're helping you and you feel wounded. Try not to take things personally! Be humble. You're new to the field and you probably will make mistakes.”

It can be easy to view your boss’s criticism as a personal attack, instead of feedback meant to help you improve professionally. Heading into the workplace with the mindset that feedback is about your work, and not you as a person, will help keep bad feelings at bay. 

Related: 5 Small Acts That Make a Big Impact on the Job

View it as an opportunity to grow

What may feel like criticism at first could actually be your boss trying to give you feedback on how to improve. Rania Anderson, founder of The Way Women Work, says that using criticism to understand how you can improve is the best way to turn any hurt feelings into something constructive.

“Consider the source,” Anderson says. “If you respect the person giving [the advice], reflect carefully on what they've said. Don't ever discount criticism off hand. Instead, consider if there is any part of the feedback that is valid. Figure out how you can improve in the future.”

While you may not exactly feel like reliving the embarrassment that this criticism made you feel, it’s a great idea to take note of any feedback or criticism your boss offers you. You can view it as a learning experience to improve in the future—and reduce the amount of criticism you’ll have to hear later!

Ask for details

It can be tough to find value in criticism that is vague and unspecific. If you’re unsure exactly what you should do better next time, don’t be afraid to ask! Anderson says that asking for specifics is the best way to ensure you use criticism as a way to grow professionally.

“If they have not provided specifics, ask the criticizer to be detailed and what they recommend you do next time,” Anderson says.

It doesn’t hurt to ask your boss for further details about what went wrong, or what you could do to improve next time. Questions like, “What would you suggest I do differently in the future?” will not only help you to clarify her criticism, but it shows you respect her opinion and are willing to grow and improve.

Don’t dwell on it

That feeling where you play an embarrassing moment over and over again in your head days and weeks after it happened? We hate to break it to you, but it’s easy to fall into the same trap when it comes to being criticized in the workplace. Rita Kreig, the SAT/ACT marketing manager at Magoosh, says it’s important to learn from criticism and then move on.

“As a woman (and a human), you are raised to avoid making mistakes at all costs and are often your own worst critic,” Kreig says. “When you're already tough on yourself, it's easy to take all criticism personally. I've laid awake many a night thinking about the one negative thing someone said to me five days ago, and that's not productive.”

In other words, don’t dwell on it. After you’ve used the criticism to improve, don’t let it become something you constantly play over and over again in your head—it’s not helping you. If you need to, keep a notebook where you write critiques offered by your boss. That way, you have a way to remember important critiques, without being forced to constantly think about them outside of work.

While criticism is a way to understand how you can get even better at your job or internship in the future, there’s a fine line between being mindful and focusing too much on the opinions of others.

Know when it’s time to move on

There are some cases where criticism simply isn’t constructive, and it’s important to be able to recognize them. Rogers says that when criticism becomes a personal insult or attack, it’s time to think about moving on.

“There are times when you may have to deal with a difficult, or even abusive, supervisor,” Rogers says. “If you find his or her efforts to ‘help’ you leave you feeling insulted and abused on a regular basis, despite your best efforts to improve and not take everything personally, it may be time to move on. Don't allow yourself to be scarred because someone else has issues.”

If you think this might be your situation, it’s important to ask yourself if you’re actually getting anything out of frequent or harsh criticism. If the answer is no, it might be a good idea to start thinking about heading elsewhere. A respectful boss will offer constructive, useful criticism, without turning it into an insult.

When you learn how to handle it the right way, it’s much easier to turn criticism into a way to keep improving and growing—so don’t let it get you down!

15 Things You Should Know About Dating a Girl with a Double Major

0
0

She may spend more time in her advisor's office than at your place, but that doesn't mean she loves her advisor more. If you're dating a girl with a double major, there are probably a few things you've already figured out about how to make it work. Trust us when we say there's a lot more to know about her. Here are 15 things you should be ready for if your girl has taken this on!

1. Her schedule is literally insane

College is busy enough with one major, but a second major completely changes the game. Some days, she will literally plan out every second of her day because that’s the only way to get everything done.

2. She won’t always have time for you

That busy schedule means making time for you and her friends is a challenge. She’s juggling a double course load, student organizations, sleep, family, friends and you. She won’t be able to spend as much time with you as she would like, but that doesn’t mean she cares for you any less.

3. You won’t see her out at the bars every night

You probably won’t see her out at the bars every weekend either. Juggling two majors means having to choose between getting her work done and going out with her friends—and if she’s ambitious enough to choose a second major, you know which option she’ll choose nine times out of 10.

4. She’ll be stressed out a lot

Chances are her course load is about as stressful as it gets. She won’t always be in the best mood, and the stress will get to her sometimes.

5. She needs you to be her support system

There’s nothing wrong with being your girlfriend’s biggest cheerleader. After a long day of classes and homework, all she wants is a shoulder to lean on or a pep talk to keep her going.

6. She hates when people ask why she’s doing this to herself

Honestly, she probably doesn’t have a good answer most days when she’s struggling to make it through the week. Another question she’d rather not answer is what she plans to do with her majors, especially if they don’t appear to coincide.

7. Her bank account will take a hit

A double major means a whole new set of classes to fit into four years, which means a higher tuition rate and more books and supplies to buy. She might have to work extra hours to make ends meet, or she may be extra frugal with her money and ask to stay in more.

8. Her planner is literally her best friend

With a schedule like hers, if there’s one thing she can’t live without, it’s her planner. Without it, she would forget half of her responsibilities. Don’t make fun if she literally takes it everywhere.

9. She’s passionate about her majors

Chances are she’s not double-majoring because she feels obligated to. She’s double-majoring because she’s super passionate about at least one of her majors. One may be a “safe” major but the other is likely what she loves most, or they both are.

10. She may choose Netflix over you

Or your date night will turn into a Netflix and pizza night. Some nights she might just be too tired to do anything but snuggle up in bed and watch Gossip Girl. But hey, you’ll definitely earn brownie points if you go see her anyway and keep her company.

11. She’s lucky if she gets six hours of sleep a night

Gone are the days of a cozy eight hours or more of sleep every night. Most nights, she gets around five hours of sleep. Beware—sleep deprivation may bring out the worst in her.

12. She lives off of coffee

She’s pretty much addicted to the stuff by this point. She’s used to staying up late to study or finish up homework and turns to coffee to keep her awake in her morning lectures. You’ll for sure bring a smile to her face if you surprise her with coffee just the way she likes it.

13. She may not be able to graduate on time

Some majors share requirements, but some are too different to rely on dual-credit to graduate on time. She may be on a five-year plan, which could affect both of your futures.

14. Don’t ask her to pick a favorite major

That’s basically like asking a mom to pick a favorite child.

15. She’s a badass

Anyone who decides to take on a second major and still manages to make time for everything else in her life is pretty badass. So give yourself a pat on the back—you’re dating a rock star.

9 Cute Ways to Wear Leggings on a Date

0
0

So you landed a date with the cutie you’ve been eyeing for weeks, and there’s only one thing left to do: find the perfect outfit. Like many collegiettes, you may have a hate-hate relationship with, well, any pants besides leggings. Have no fear—we've come up with five perfect ways to wear leggings on a date. Read on for a cute and comfy outfit.

1. Dinner & Movie

Dinner & a movie

Red top
genuine-people.com

 

 

Maidenform legging
zalando.co.uk

 

 

Heel boots
riverisland.com

 

 

Pairing leggings with a tunic is a great way to make them a little more formal. Add a cross-body purse and your favorite pair of booties for a bohemian look! This outfit is perfect for the classic dinner and movie date.

2. Shopping

Leggings on a date

 

 

Splendid stretchy pants
boutique1.com

 

 

Pointy toe flat
modcloth.com

 

 

If you’re looking for something a bit edgier, a leather jacket can do the trick. A red purse makes this look stand out even more! This outfit is perfect for a shopping date—you’ll look super stylish while staying super comfortable.

Related: 19 Reasons You Should Never Stop Wearing Leggings

3. Dressy dinner

Leggings on a date

Oversized jacket
newlook.com

 

 

ASOS clothing
asos.com

 

 

 

Ripped leggings give this outfit some spice. Pair them with a light wash jean jacket and some killer heels, and your date won’t be able to stop staring! This outfit is perfect for a fancier dinner, when things may be getting more serious.

4. Meeting the parents

Leggings on a date

Topshop sweater
nordstrom.com

 

 

Faux leather legging
riverisland.com

 

 

Forever Link black flat
shoecenter.com

 

 

Topshop hand bag
topshop.com

 

Leather leggings make this outfit a bit dressier. With sky-high booties and a cross-body bag, you’ll look totally put-together! Your SO's parents are going to love you.

5. Concert

Leggings on a date

The zippers and leather panels on these leggings make them perfect for that concert you’ve been waiting for. A red top and sparkly booties perfect the look!

6. Picnic in the park

leggings on a date

Long sleeve top
houseoffraser.co.uk

 

 

Purple legging
amazon.com

 

 

Converse high top
shopakira.com

 

 

This casual outfit is perfect for a more laidback date. The patterned leggings spice it up while the white shirt and Converse tone it down!

7. Lunch date

Leggings on a date

WithChic ombre top
withchic.com

 

 

Legging pants
romwe.com

 

 

 

Rebecca minkoff handbag
neimanmarcus.com

 

For a more laidback look, pair colored leggings (like these wine-colored ones) with an oversized sweater and tall boots. So easy, so trendy! This look is casual enough for a lunch date, but still super cute!

8. Coffee date

Leggings on a date

 

Zizzi straight jacket
navabi.co.uk

 

 

River Island white pants
riverisland.com

 

 

Charlotte Russe wedges shoes
charlotterusse.com

 

 

Topshop man bag
topshop.com

 

This sleek outfit is perfect for a date at your local coffee shop. The white leggings and wedges make this look perfect for warmer weather. Ice cream, anyone?

9. Flea market

Leggings on a date

 

 

 

 

Jack rogers flat
neimanmarcus.com

 

 

 

Steve madden jewelry
lordandtaylor.com

 

 

We love these military leggings! With a cute crop top and sandals, you'll be sure to come across some awesome finds. If you want to make it dressier, add a necklace, too!

Whoever told you not to wear leggings on a date clearly didn’t know what they were talking about. With one of these fashionable outfits, you’ll definitely score a second date. Have fun, collegiettes!


7 Ways Being a Homebody Could Ruin Your College Experience

0
0

Are you the one that always says no to your friends when they ask you to go out? Are all of your weekends spent watching Netflix with a bowl of popcorn as your companion? While there are positive and negative aspects to going out and staying in, here are seven reasons why sometimes it’s necessary to get out.

1. You could be missing out on opportunities to meet potential BFFs and SOs.

We’ve all heard stories about people meeting their best friend after going out. They might be the one that saves you from the creep eyeing you up at the frat party or the one from history class that asks to grab late-night junk food at the closest greasy spoon. Either way, you could be missing out on a potential BFF.

And while not every girl is looking for a relationship, you could still be missing out on meeting that certain someone that gives you butterflies. If you don’t leave your room, you may never cross paths with the cutie that’s always exploring the campus and beyond.

2. You’ll have time to think about all of your upcoming assignments (and you’ll have no excuse not to do them!).

Who thinks about their impending chemistry lab or English paper when they’re out for a night on the town or partying with friends? Exactly. When you stay in, a relaxing night of watching Gossip Girl turns into a stressful night of watching Gossip Girl quicker than you can say “Van der Woodsen.” The little voice inside your head tells you that since you’re staying in, you might as well be productive. While getting ahead on schoolwork is not a bad thing, it’s the weekend; you deserve a break, girl!

Related: 15 Signs You’re a Next-Level Procrastinator

3. You’re missing out on exploring the area surrounding your school.

Whether your school is in a college town or a big city, the area is begging to be explored. Most college towns have cute bookstores, thrift shops, parks, cheap restaurants and adorable cafes. Cities are full of endless activities. Most city websites have upcoming events that don’t cost too much, like art exhibits, pop-up farmers markets, seasonal activities and more. If you’re staying in every weekend, you won’t have the experience of adventuring outside the confines of your campus.

4. You won’t have the “I can’t believe I did that” memories.

Most of us have heard crazy stories from our siblings or parents from when they were in college. We have waited for the day when we could make our own crazy memories. If you’re a constant homebody, you’ll never have memories of the nights you spent dancing on tables, cheering on your college team, having hilarious conversations with your Uber driver or eating fried everything at 2 a.m. At least you’ll be caught up on sleep…right?

5. Your cute clothes will only be seen by you and your closet.

If you’re a fashionista, this one hits home. You bought so many cute crop tops, pencil skirts, cutout dresses and platforms over winter break; you need somewhere to wear them, and class probably isn’t the right place. Hanging out in sweatpants and a hoodie is nice, but think about all of the gorgeous pieces and swoon-worthy heels you have in your closet just begging to be shown off.

6. Going out burns more calories than laying in bed.

Most of us don’t do CrossFit workouts if we stay in on the weekends. Likely, the only exercise you’ll be doing is one crunch to sit up in bed and a few steps…to the kitchen and back. Sometimes you have solo Beyoncé dance parties, but once in a while, it’s good to dance somewhere other than your dorm room. Going out with friends usually involves walking, dancing, cheering, lifting (shopping bags, of course) or any combination of the four. Bonus: If you steer clear of too much alcohol, you might not have the urge to nosh on that greasy slice of pizza at the end of the night.

7. You learn how to adapt to new situations and help others.

Whether you choose to go to a club, house party or frat party, you’re bound to face new situations. You’ll learn crazy dance moves, how to handle your liquor and maybe how to win at flip cup. You may also learn to help fellow collegiettes avoid potentially dangerous party situations or just stupid decisions. These learning experiences are inevitable in college, whether you go to a party or just hang out with friends.

We are fed the notion that college isn’t truly college unless every weekend is spent doing exciting things around campus, drinking, partying and having casual hookups. These are certainly common themes across most college campuses, but sometimes it’s nice—and maybe even imperative—to stay in your room and relax. But as we’ve seen, it’s not always a bad thing to go out and let loose for a weekend. The ultimate college experience can be summed up in one sentence: Do what makes you the happiest and best version of yourself. Whether you’re a homebody or a party girl, cheers to you and whatever makes you happy. 

Colton Haynes from 'Arrow'&'Teen Wolf' is Officially Engaged!

0
0

Sorry to break this to you world, but Colton Haynes from Arrow and Teen Wolf is officially off the market. 

Haynes posted on his Instagram to confirm the news that his long-time boyfriend and flower king, Jeff Leatham, asked him to marry him last night and he said yes! I mean, there were legit fireworks so obviously it was a yes.

 

I SAID YES!!! @jeffleatham

A post shared by Colton Haynes (@coltonlhaynes) on

 

 

So happy you're finally home my love  Why you so beautiful @jeffleatham ? Floatin in the clouds :)

A post shared by Colton Haynes (@coltonlhaynes) on

Mazol tov to the beautiful couple! (Seriously, look at them. How is this even fair?) 

The New 'Wonder Woman' Trailer is Incredible

0
0

If you are looking for some ass-kicking female power then look no further. Warner Bro's has just released the newest trailer for Wonder Woman and tbh, it is the best thing I have ever seen. Between the superhero thing and the Amazon princess thing, I think Gal Gadot is going to save the world IRL. Check out the trailer below and see the magic for yourself.

 

Links We Love 3.12.17

5 Signs A Company is Supportive of Women

0
0

No one claims that finding a job is easy. What’s even more difficult? Finding a job that kick-starts your career with people you like and benefits that set you up for financial, physical and emotional well-being.

When you’re job searching, it’s critical to do your research ahead of time and decide what’s right for you. One way to know that you’ve found a potentially great place to work is by looking at how supportive that company is of women. Here’s our list of 5 key indicators (and a few red flags) that can hint at a positive and female-friendly environment.

1. Female role models

The first thing that can show whether or not a company is supportive of women is the presence of other, successful women. Are there women on the board, or in the C-suite? Do they exist beyond traditional “female” leadership roles like HR or Marketing?

Having women at the top matters because it shows they belong in leadership roles and positions of power. If your industry is one traditionally dominated by men, such as tech or finance, it makes even more of a difference. According to Harvard Business School, finding allies in your identity group allows you to explore and change current practices—giving you the confidence to make an impact.

If you’re trying to assess how women are treated at an organization, and there aren’t any women to ask, there might be a problem. “Generally, I ask pro-women questions during an interview, preferably to another woman,” says Charis Loveland, Sr. Program Manager at Microsoft Cortana Analytics Suite. If you don’t ask, you won’t know.

Related: What To Do If You Find Yourself Unemployed In Your '20s 

2. Support of women’s empowerment events and groups

Knowing your senior leadership has ties to important women’s associations can indicate whether or not they’ll be more supportive of your personal development. Alaina Leary, a graduate student at Emerson College, says, “I found out my boss and the owner had ties to the Women Business Owners Association in the area, so I knew she was supportive. Looking for that kind of thing, on a prospective employer’s website or on LinkedIn, can give you a sense.”

Does your company sponsor women-powered events or promote women’s leadership in groups or forums? Says Charis, who’s Massachusetts-based, “An awesome way to assess a company’s reputation with women is at women’s conferences. I generally attend The Massachusetts Conference for Women, the Simmons Leadership Conference, and the Grace Hopper Conference. All of these are excellent venues to discuss work experiences with other women.”

Does your company of interest have smaller, female-centric groups within the company, like support groups, women's forums, or informal women's groups? Being able to speak up about what’s bothering you to a group of people going through the same things can help change an existing culture or set the right tone in any office. 

Great events happen everywhere. Is it acceptable and encouraged by your company of interest to find such events? Even better, do the men of that company attend such events or conferences? Money shows what companies value, and if they’re willing to put up the dough to send a significant amount of women to a conference devoted to working and talking through women’s issues, it’s a sign they care about that population of the workforce. 

3. Women’s health benefits

Though you may balk at the idea of having a baby this early in your career, the presence of significant maternity (and paternity) leave lets you know whether or not it’s possible in the future, and can be a good litmus test of other women-friendly health policies.

The news can be a good place to start. The New York Times’ expose on Amazon’s culture—particularly related to how they treat women coming back from maternity leave—made headlines. Amazon has since revamped its policies, but it’s more important than ever to do some research and a quick Google search on your prospective employer, or reach out to your current HR representative. Other roundup lists, such as this one from Money Magazine, can give a great snapshot of the best policies in your industry.

If women repeatedly feel pressured or punished by taking time off from work to start a family, it may not be a good environment—whether or not you’re planning to do the same.

4. Equal pay for equal work

How women get penalized for equal work is a hot topic these days, and for good reason. Since it's common policy not to talk about salaries, you likely won't be able to figure out what your peers (both male and female) are making at a specific company; but it's a good idea to do your research on the industry and get an idea of how much you should expect to make in the position you're interested in, based on your past experience and the title you're aiming for.

There are a few hints you can look for; particularly how executives and leadership talk about gender parity (if they talk about it at all). Some companies, like Salesforce, have taken a public stance on the issue, paying nearly $3 billion to close their pay gap. While this may start a trend of disclosing gender gap as part of earnings, it’s fairly hush-hush for the most part.

You can also look for gender parity on rating sites like Glassdoor, which can give you a bit of insight not only into the company culture via reviews but also potential salaries, interview questions, and more—incredibly useful for someone on the job hunt!

Related: The Global Gender Pay Gap Won't Close For 118 Years

5. Do they value you?

Being valued as an employee matters, whether you’re a woman or not. When you’re interviewing, are they listening to what you have to say? If a prospective employer doesn’t take you seriously in an interview, there’s no way they’ll listen to what you have to say in the day-to-day environment. Says Alaina, “I turned down a job offer in 2015 because I could tell the company wasn’t supportive of women—the interviewers literally laughed at one of my suggestions and put me down with a snide comment. I was shocked when they even sent me an offer.” 

This type of behavior is unacceptable no matter your gender.

“In general, being taken seriously, being valued, and not being asked sexist questions or treated in a sexist way [during the interview] are all good signs,” Alaina said. “Every interviewer [at my current company] valued my skill set, ideas, and opinions—they took me and what I had to say seriously.”

If a company isn’t supportive of its employees in general, chances are they aren’t supportive of women either. Making sure that a potential company (or your current one) values your contributions will make a difference not just for your career, but for your happiness, too.

Viewing all 25628 articles
Browse latest View live




Latest Images