Joining a student organization or some form of an extracurricular activity can be a fun way to stay active in campus life, but eventually there’s added pressure and expectations to move higher up in the hierarchy. When exec board elections come around, the decision to run for a position might reflect thoughts along the lines of “well I should probably do this to stand out on my resume and get that internship.”
However, being a student leader is worth so much more than a line of text on a page. While there’s no doubt having authority titles on your C/V is a positive thing to advance your career, it’s not all about how you look on paper. It doesn’t have to be tailored solely to student government positions or academic endeavors, either – unless that’s what you run into.
Whatever involvement piques your interest, here are seven reasons why exploring student leadership roles is one of the most rewarding opportunities you could have.
1. You get to network with incredible individuals. Whether collaborating with your fellow sorority sisters, teammates in an athletic club, or even new friends at a leadership conference, you’re bound to meet inspiring people. After all, great minds think alike.
2. You become more independent. Leadership puts your own strengths and weaknesses to the test, and when you have to rely on yourself to get a job done, you’ll be surprised to see how far you can go.
3. You understand the value of teamwork. At the same time, you’re just one person, and when you work together with other great leaders, everyone wins.
4. You learn you won’t always succeed… and that’s OK. Ask any leader about the obstacles he or she faced along the way, and they’ll more than likely tell you that some degree of failure was a stepping-stone to their success.
5. You become more responsible. It’s true that great power comes with great responsibility, and even if it’s scary or overwhelming now, trust it’ll be one of those life lessons you’re grateful for later.
6. You will leave a legacy. Got a problem? Do something about it. When you do, you’ll get that gratifying feeling of having your voice heard, making a difference and being able to say, “yeah, I did that.”
7. You’ll feel ready to take on anything. As a leader, you’re constantly working toward ambitious goals, so once you transition into a career and adulthood, you’ll be confident enough to perform well when push comes to shove.
These are some of the greatest lessons you can learn outside of the classroom. Want to continue building your leadership skills, or don’t know where to start? Read on for details about an amazing opportunity that is fast approaching.
One of the best ways to become a better leader is by attending a conference, and the Coalition for Collegiate Women’s Leadership has an upcoming event in Georgia that you don’t want to miss!
You can click here to learn more about this year’s CCWL Annual Conference, but we’ll give you a preview of all of the awesomeness you have the chance to be a part of. Taking place Thursday, March 30 through Saturday, April 1, , here’s what you can expect:
Helpful workshops and uplifting speakers, including Her Campus’ very own co-founder Windsor Hanger Western
Make lasting connections with professional leaders and peers
Enjoy fun activities like a T-shirt swap, silent auction, and guided workouts
Shop exclusive markets and enjoy on-site activations from cool conference sponsors, including the leading cosmetics retailer Ulta Beauty!
This is one of the premier college leadership events. Join us by registering here now – you’ll be glad you did!
Mae Whitman wore the BEST feminist tee this week and I absolutely need it in my wardrobe. The Perks of Being a Wallflower actress posted a photo of herself on Instagram, laughing and sporting a shirt emblazoned with the words "Hysterical Female."
The T-shirt is wonderful in that it reclaims a term that women often hear. Calling women hysterical is meant to discredit their thoughts or actions; women are often called too emotional and not irrational in order to delegitimize their argument and voice. Whitman's shirt takes back the phrase and proudly declares women as hysterical, outspoken and unafraid of coming across as crazy or PMSing.
You can get the same shirt from Rachel Antonoff for $45—it was just released this week so it's on a limited pre-order.
A post shared by mae margaret whitman (@mistergarf) on
As if I needed another reason to adore Mae Whitman. I watched her all throughout high school while she played the rebellious teenager Amber on the show Parenthood, and outcasted Bianca in The Duff. You might also know her as Lorelai Gilmore's other daughter (because Lauren Graham played Amber's mom on Parenthood)–Whitman even made a special appearance on Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life as Marcy in Spring. That's why another photo on Whitman's Insta shows her sporting some totally adorable Gilmore Girls apparel also from Rachel Antonoff.
For all my non-gym bunny ladies, the only thing harder than actually working out is finding cute clothing to well, work out in. Obviously, you have to have your leggings and your sports bras, but what about undies? We've got you covered with these totally cute brands that sell affordable workout underwear!
Although there has been substantial improvement in the job market, opportunities are still hard to come by for college students. With the odds stacked against us, we must avoid as many mistakes as possible. So when you’re looking to prepare your application and resume for a job opportunity, you may want to stay away from outdated how-to articles and even your parents' advice. While they may mean well, what is expected from applicants has changed throughout the years. Below are six antiquated job search rules and tips for what to do instead.
For many of us, writing the objective is the easiest part of creating a resume. All we have to do is string some words together and boom—we have the vaguest statement known to mankind. While having an objective is something we still see on example resumes, interview coach Barry Drexler, says it’s pointless.
Basically, it takes up space that could otherwise be used for more relevant information about yourself. “Don’t put an objective on resumes. Instead, replace it with a summary of skills and abilities. For example, advanced Excel skills,” Drexler says.
To create a summary of skills, brainstorm all the skills and characteristics that you possess. Narrow those skills down to five to seven bullet points that are applicable to the job you're applying for. Any languages you are fluent in, technical skills, awards you have received and relevant job skills should definitely be included in your summary of skills.
2. Including your entire work history on your resume
You may have heard the advice to leave no gaps in your work history, even if it means having a resume that is several pages long. No matter how many achievements and experiences you have, it's actually better if your resume fits onto a single page as a college student and entry-level employee. As you gain further years of experience in the workforce, having a two-page resume becomes more acceptable.
Katherine Acuff, the assistant director of administration in the School of Accountancy at Kennesaw State University, reviews dozens of resumes a week. “I have seen resumes from people with limited experience, but it goes on for pages. If information needs to be removed, make sure to only keep experiences that directly relate to the position,” Acuff explains. She and the rest of her hiring team want to be able to scan the resume quickly for useful information about the candidate. Companies will not spend several minutes picking through information on your resume.
If your work history is lengthy, only include jobs you stayed at for a significant amount of time. These jobs will showcase your commitment to staying at a company. If doing so still doesn’t leave you much room, create a LinkedIn profile to store the entirety of your work history. You can even provide the LinkedIn URL on your resume.
3. Writing a generic cover letter
For starters, the purpose of the cover letter is to create a compelling case as to why you should get the job. It should be tailored to the job you are applying for, rather than overly generic. Although you may follow the same cover letter format every time you submit for a job, you should modify the contents for each individual company.
A cover letter does not summarize your resume. It answers important questions such as, “Why do you want this job in particular? What are some of the qualifications and skills you possess that could be applied to this job? What makes you stand out as a candidate?”
The biggest key is to eliminate all the fluff from your cover letter. “Keep it short and to the point about why you’re interested and how you can add value,” says Drexler. Avoid flowery language and complex sentence structure to lengthen a cover letter. Your cover letter should be about four paragraphs long and fit onto a single page. Take note of the job qualifications that a company is seeking and explain in the letter how you meet what they’re looking for.
Don’t list off general characteristics like “team player,” “punctual” or “organized.” Instead, provide specific points in your work history that provide evidence of these skills. For example, you can highlight your ability to work in teams by discussing, for example, the leadership position you held at your last job.
4. Only applying to job search ads online
This isn’t necessarily a rule that your parents followed, but it is a procedure that has become pretty popular with our generation. To this day, young adults think that all it takes is a submission online to secure a job. Although it would be ideal if we could sit at home, apply online and watch the jobs pour in, that would just be too easy. How can you make your application stick out among the hundreds of others? By not hiding behind a computer screen!
Taking every opportunity to network at seminars, career fairs and charity events can open a whole new window of job opportunities. Many college campuses host career fairs that allow students the chance to speak with industry professionals. You can take it one step further and leave your resume and contact information with the professionals you meet at these fairs and events. That way, they'll be likely to remember you if you apply for an open role.
“Before you go to a career fair, I would definitely research all the companies going there and not right off any companies just because they are smaller and not as well known," says University of Michigan graduate Sabrina Juarez. "I once got a paid marketing internship through my university’s career fair. I had to follow up with the company after the fair, but the internship helped me get my foot in the door."
5. Wearing a business suit and heels to every interview
Not every job interview calls for the same dress code. Interviews at a boutique will have a different standard of dress than at a corporate office. If possible, take note of what the employees wear and dress a notch above their usual attire. In any case, it is unacceptable to wear jeans or sandals to any interview.
As far as shoes go, heels aren’t the only option. There are a variety of professional looking flats out there. Cat Greval, a graduate from Louisiana State University, recommends a couple of locations to buy a pair. “I would look in Nordstrom for a pair of business flats," she says. "Although they can be a little pricey, it is a worthwhile investment to make. Depending on your budget, I would also look in H&M. I’ve seen a variety of business-like flats in there for $12.99.” You can also browse the selection at Macy’s, DSW and Kohl’s.
If you want to wear high heels, you should aim for a three-inch heel. Test your level of comfort walking in the heels before the initial interview or the job may literally slip out from under you.
6. Calling to check on the status of your application
Your parents and older relatives may have told you to call the company to check back on the status of your application. They may have also encouraged you to try to schedule an interview. This method may have scored our parents a few jobs, but in this day and age, it could hurt your chances of landing a job.
If a company has a vacancy that they need filled, they will look through all the applications for the position. It is up to a company to call you to schedule an interview if they are interested. There is a certain hiring process that companies follow, and calling them in the midst of that process could indicate to them that you aren’t considerate of their time.
The truth is many times when applicants call to check on their application, their call never reaches the hiring manager. “When I worked in retail, I was a shift manager," says Jenna Fosher, a senior at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. "I monitored the store by myself on days the general managers were off. Several people would call to speak to the manager about the status of their application when I was the only manager on duty. The only thing I could do was leave a note for the hiring manager, knowing that the chances of them calling the applicant back were slim to none."
So before you submit that resume and cover letter, pause and re-read it again. Have you shown potential employers that you’re a force to be reckoned with? Don’t let small errors or being generic prevent you from attaining a job that could be a perfect fit for you.
Remember prior to your interview that the hiring manager is on your side—they want to give you the job. So make sure you feel confident, poised and ready to conquer the world. Be prepared and have confidence in all that you say. No one will ever be you, so your resume, cover letter and interview should reflect that.
Every girl knows that a good accessory—whether it's a cute bag, a statement necklace, or a pair of awesome shades—can take any outfit from drab to fab. If you're anything like me, however, regular old accessories just don't cut it sometimes.
Being plus-sized, finding on-trend clothing is definitely a challenge, so I often rely on my accessories to do the talking for me. I love adding a cool belt or choker necklace to any of my looks and I find that even the addition of a few key pieces does the trick every time.
I've rounded up some of the best online accessories on the market now. Check out my faves below:
This choker is both delicate and badass—aka the perfect combo to liven up any outfit.
5. ASOS Retro Luxe London Ring Pull and Chain Leather Belt, $61
This awesome chained belt goes with everything from leather to lace, or even a simple dress that just needs a touch of rocker-chic to make it stand out.
These earrings may cost you, but if you're looking for something totally unique and one-of-a-kind then this is the piece for you. It probably also helps to know that both Kendall Jenner and Rihanna have been seen sporting this exact pair.
The premiere of the new season of Dancing With the Stars was just last night, but there's already a controversy brewing. Contestant and professional bull rider Bonner Bolton was caught on live television placing his hand on partner Sharna Burgess’s crotch, and Twitter understandably lost it.
Many Twitter users captured and discussed the moment on social media.
During an interview with Entertainment Tonight, Bolton explained the context of the awkward moment. “I was just stargazed by Nick and Peta's performance and I was looking at the TV screen," he said. "I felt her bump into me yet I wasn't really looking at what was bumping into me. There was some hand placement that went south, so to speak.”
Sharna took to Twitter to quickly and sassily shut down the debate.
Whatever your thoughts on the Jenner sisters, you have to admit that they're amazing entrepreneurs. Kylie has her own cosmetic business, and Kendall has her modeling career, among many other side hustles.
And let me tell you, Kendall's modeling career sure has taken off. She has worn Givenchy at Paris Fashion Week and even sported a futuristic look for Chanel. However, it's her most recent shoot with Steven Klein that's really steamy—it's an ad for La Perla's lingerie and lifestyle attire.
Dang girl! She looks amazing with the black pumps, black lace bra and knee-high sheer stockings. This gig is only the latest of Kenny's lingerie shoots—on March 12, she also posed in a more colorful red lace bra and panty set. If this is the direction Kendall's modeling career is headed, I can't wait to see what she wears next, because she makes everything look sleek and elegant. Just look at this white corset-like piece from La Perla—gorg!
I admire the Jenner sisters for experimenting with their own brands. Kendall has received a lot of hate for her modeling, but she really defended her choice. “If you choose to be a cyberbully, I’m going to stick up for myself,"she said. “We’re the models of this time. Significant? Maybe. Hardworking? For sure.”
Basically, Kendall is just as classy as the lingerie she models.
Raise your hand if you LOVE Lilly Pulitzer, but don't love Lilly Pulitzer prices? *insert 50 raising hand emojis*
Lilly Pulitzer has to be one of my favorite brands. I love how bright and colorful all their pieces are, and how they just scream "summer." Unfortunately, being in college and not having a large steady income, purchasing Lilly Pulitzer at full-price whenever I please just isn't realistic for me. Today I'm sharing my top tips on how you can purchase Lilly pieces without having to break the bank!
Lilly Pulitzer After Party Sale
In case you didn't know, Lilly Pulitzer holds two sales every year where they offer some of their pieces at major discounts. This is actually how I've purchased a majority of my Lilly pieces.These sales typically last two days and occur around January and August. Be sure to follow Lilly on social so you can find out when they have their After Party Sale!
Shop the Lilly Pulitzer Sale Rack in Store
Okay, this may be a no-brainer, but go shop the sale rack in store!! I honestly didn't know Lilly stores had a sale rack. I always had the impression that Lilly never goes on sale (other than the After Party Sale) because there's not a sale section on their website. Next time you visit your local Lilly store, be sure to check out the sale section!
Shop Second-Hand
*cue Macklemore's "Thrift Shop"* But really, you can honestly find some great hidden gems at thrift stores and second-hand shops. If you're not a fan of going into an actual thrift store, there are plenty of online options such as ThreadUp and Poshmark!
While people have been raving about the new Beauty and the Beast movie and its record-breaking debut, one thing audience members can’t stop talking about is Emma Watson’s stunning yellow ball gown. On the British daytime television show This Morning, Dan Stevens, who plays the Beast, revealed that his daughter should actually receive some credit for the dress.
Stevens, who is married with three children, says his daughter Willow showed Watson her design ideas when the movie began filming. Watson went to Stevens’ house for dinner and Willow, just 5 years old at the time, decided to sketch five dress options after hearing her dad and Emma talking about the gown.
Watson looked at the sketches with Willow and chose the one she liked most. Stevens says when he took his daughter to set a few weeks later she took one look at the finished dress and realized it was her design. How cute!
We totally expect to see Willow on the next season of Project Runway Junior.
I know it's hard to say goodbye to winter's moody, monochromatic palettes, but spring is almost upon us, which means brighter and sunnier options! Check out this curated list of some of spring 2017's trendiest bags, which you can take anywhere from your fro-yo date to Coachella.
Ever wonder why companies make the best candies, foods, and drinks "limited time only?" SO annoying when you're totally ready to spend your money on them any time of year! Well, we have good news for you—one of your seasonal favorites, White Chocolate M&Ms, might be available year round from now on.
Cosmopolitan reports that while no official details of this have been released, Candy Hunting has posted will no longer only be a springtime or Easter favorite. Although the news hasn't been confirmed anywhere yet, we obviously want to believe this is true. Cross your fingers!
The Trump Administration has enacted a new flight restriction that will ban passengers from carrying electronic devices larger than a cell phone on some foreign flights to the U.S., The New York Times reports. The restriction will affect passengers traveling from ten airports in eight majority-Muslim countries that officials feel may not have the best airport security.
Apparently, the ban is not in place because of any specific threat of attack from any of the countries. It is only in place to cover gaps in the security at the affected airports. It is currently unclear how long the ban will be in place and if any other airports will be added to the current list.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, the list of restricted items will include laptops, printers, tablets, cameras and games. Officials told reporters that aircraft crews will not have to follow these restrictions. It will also apply only to foreign airlines, not American-operated flights coming from the affected locations. Basically, only cellphones and smartphones will be allowed in passenger's carry-ons, according to The Boston Globe, and larger devices will need to go in checked baggage.
The ban went into effect at 3 a.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday. Affected airports and airlines must enact the ban within four days. These airports include Amman, Jordan; Cairo; Istanbul; Jeddah and Riyadh in Saudi Arabia; Kuwait City; Casablanca, Morocco; Doha, Qatar; and Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, the Times says. About 50 flights a day will be affected.
Passengers have been quick to protest this new ban on devices. Many are not happy about going on hours-long flights without laptops or tablets. Not only does this limit entertainment options for passengers, but many take these flights for business-related events, like conferences.
It is also possible that the ban will harm the airline industry, a logical concern. If people cannot use devices on certain flights, they will likely try to find other flights to get to the U.S. or choose not to travel to the U.S. at all.
Former Homeland Security secretary Michael Chertoff told the Times he thinks the ban will protect the safety of passengers flying from airports with limited security screening, especially given the threats aircrafts get about explosives. However, the ban does not affect checked baggage, so some think explosive devices will still cause a problem despite the ban.
Thinx, the company that makes period-safe underwear, found itself in the spotlight in 2015 as a dispute raged over whether or not the company’s New York City subway ads were “inappropriate.” Now Thinx is back in the news as a former employee has accused co-founder and former CEO, Miki Agrawal, of sexual harassment and of perpetuating a toxic workplace culture.
Chelsea Leibow, the former head of public relations for Thinx, filed a complaint last week with the City of New York Commission on Human Rights which detailed the numerous ways that Agrawal had acted inappropriately during Leibow’s time with the company, New York Magazine reported. According to Leibow, Agrawal routinely commented on employees’ breasts, even going so far as to ask to see them. “I felt that Miki objectified my body when she declared that she was ‘obsessed’ with it and made very detailed comments about my breasts, and it also seemed like a way for Miki to assert her dominance over female employees by simply doing whatever she wanted to do without asking, and showing she could get away with it,” Leibow told New York.
Agrawal also frequently detailed her own sexual exploits, changed in front of employees and held video conferences from her bedroom or bathroom in various states of undress. The complaint also describes a workplace atmosphere in which Agrawal had no problem making ageist or fat-shaming comments and where employees were afraid to speak up for fear of retaliation from the CEO. With no human resources manager on staff (a relatively common practice for start-ups, to keep costs down), Leibow felt that there wasn’t anyone to turn to. And when she finally did voice her complaints last December, she was fired from the company.
But Leibow was not alone in feeling uncomfortable, as it turns out. “It honestly felt like a middle school environment: pitting people against each other, calling us petty children and [saying that we were] immature and that we're all these millennials that don't know anything — meanwhile we're being paid easily $30,000 under industry standard salaries,” one former employee told Racked. According to Jezebel, 10 people out of the approximately 35 employees at Thinx have quit. And when the board held interviews with employees to hear opinions and complaints about Agrawal in February, there were so many questions and comments that not everyone was able to speak.
Not long before Leibow filed her complaint, Agrawal stepped down as CEO and was given the new title of “Chief Vision Officer.” But, according to Agrawal herself, “There’s nothing dramatic going on, I’m still the SHE-EO & Co-Founder of THINX. Like every other startup, there’s turnover in the first few years. THINX is no different, we have growing pains too, but now we are on the right track.” The company is now looking for a more experienced CEO to oversee their growth.
The apparently toxic atmosphere of Thinx seems to directly undercut the company’s commitment to supporting women across the world. In January, Agrawal helped launch the Thinx Foundation, a nonprofit which aims to provide education and menstrual products to girls in India and Sri Lanka. Agrawal has also been vocal about destigmatizing periods, saying “My favorite thing to talk about are the things you’re not supposed to talk about.” The trouble, of course, is when those things happen to be your employee’s nipple piercings. “You'll meet people who just idolize her,” says a former employee. “And it's really hard because you don't want to ruin their perception of her. They like her! And I want Thinx to succeed even though I'm not there anymore. But it is kind of hard to hear people be like, 'She's my feminist hero!' when I've seen her call a former employee a ‘bitch’ before in a meeting.”
FBI Director James Comey announced on Monday during a hearing in front of the House Intelligence Committee that the FBI is currently investigating ties between Donald Trump’s presidential campaign and the Russian government. They are also looking into whether there was any collusion between the two parties that dramatically affected the 2016 election. "That includes investigating the nature of any links between individuals associated with the Trump campaign and the Russian government and whether there was any coordination between the campaign and Russia's efforts," Comey said in his opening statements.
The formal announcement came as a shock to many, considering that the FBI does not usually confirm the existence of open investigations, according to BuzzFeed News. However, Comey said that “in unusual circumstances, where it is in the public interest, it may be appropriate to do so.” Also surprising was the fact that the investigation has been ongoing since July of 2016, months before the election actually took place. According to Comey, the FBI has had strong suspicions about Russia’s involvement for quite some time. "They wanted to hurt our democracy, hurt [Hillary Clinton], help him. I think all three we were confident in at least as early as December," Comey said.
According to The New York Times, an investigation of this sort is not necessarily focused on finding someone to prosecute, although there might ultimately be charges filed if the FBI thinks it’s appropriate. The investigation also isn’t hard proof of wrongdoing. However, there is evidence of repeated contact between members of Trump’s campaign and Russian officials. Ultimately, the goal of the investigation will be to prevent similar situations in the future, particularly since, as Comey suggested, this will not be the last time Russia tries to intervene in U.S. elections.
Representative Adam Schiff, the top Democrat on the committee also highlighted why he believes such an investigation to be necessary, saying,"Many of Trump's campaign personnel, including the President himself, have ties to Russia and Russian interests. This is, of course, no crime. On the other hand, if the Trump campaign, or anybody associated with it, aided or abetted the Russians, it would not only be a serious crime, it would also represent one of the most shocking betrayals of our democracy in history." Trump’s first national security advisor, Michael Flynn, was forced to resign when information about his meetings with Russian officials came to light and Jeff Sessions, the attorney general, has been criticized for not disclosing his own similar conversations.
Comey says the FBI has no information that supports Trump's wiretapping claims. pic.twitter.com/9OTTZqSOXa
During the hearing, Comey also responded to President Trump’s now infamous claims on Twitter that President Obama had him wiretapped during the campaign. He was very firm that such a thing would be not only highly unlikely, but legally impossible. "I have no information that supports those tweets," he said, before clarifying that no president could order the wiretapping of a single American citizen.
Lush Cosmetics has always spoiled us with its natural goodies, from cute AF limited editions to hilariously sassy products. Lush employees love the brand so much that they even got bath bomb tattoos to prove it. Well, the obsession is far from over, because the brand's Easter 2017 collection is what dreams are made of, and it's available in stores right now!!
A post shared by Lush Cosmetics North America (@lushcosmetics) on
The UK brand has blessed up with the cutest beauty products, inspired by all things Easter—eggs, chicks, bunnies and of course chocolate. There's a chocolate lip scrub ($9.95) which you can actually lick off your lips (I can attest—it tastes yummy), a "Flopsy" face wash shaped like a rabbit ($9.95), and of course plenty of themed bath bombs, including the golden egg ($8.95), which is a glittery piece of egg-shaped magic. And if you just HAVE to have it all, this carrot ($39.95) is chock-a-block full of the collection's best products, so you don't have to make a heart-wrenching choice between one bath bomb and another. Plus it's so cute I could cry, so there's that.
Intrigued by this collection? HC night and weekends editor Isabel tested all the products for you! Hear her thoughts in this Facebook Live segment.
Starbucks is really gunning for the title of Most Basic Chain Ever—the coffee giant just released an organic avocado spread to stores nationwide today, so you no longer have to choose between Instagramming your avocado toast (or bagel, as Starbucks doesn't have toast) or your Frappuccino. Talk about one stop shopping!
The spread contains organic Hass avocados, sea salt, onion, garlic, jalapeño pepper and lime juice. Basically it’s pre-packaged guacamole. But unlike other avocado options, the spread is only $0.95, which beats the $10+ charge for avocado toast at any hipster brunch spot. It’s 90 calories, contains 1 gram of protein and no sugar. While it's been available in select stores since last Fall, it is now available nationwide.
Its bright green color has received mixed reviews.
What is this oddly-colored alien slime they're trying to pass off as avocado tho https://t.co/S86pTvXi6H
The spread accompanies other new menu items, like vegan bagels and gluten-free breakfast sandwiches, to celebrate “the arrival of spring” with “new food items to fuel the warmer days ahead." It also joins the seasonal Spring-inspired cup designs in honor of the season.
Yes, you read that correctly. There could be not one but two A.D.s on Pretty Little Liars! Every PLL fan has been waiting for the big A reveal since the show started in 2010, but now there are some intense fan-based conspiracy theories that suggest there could be two A.D.s (or Uber As, if you prefer that moniker). And it makes perfect sense. After all, trouble does come in pairs.
There’s less than a month left until the final 10 episodes of PLL begin airing (even though I choose not to acknowledge that yet), but that won’t stop diehard fans from channeling their inner Sherlock Holmes to scour the series for clues. Let’s face it, detective work is a tiring endeavor best left to the experts. Nobody has time for that. Unless of course, you’re a Redditor. Refinery29 explains that Redditor theCeCeDrake is a professional PLL detective.
This PLL sleuth has unveiled a hidden Easter egg in a recent promo. In the below screenshot, there are TWO pairs of gloved hands. Why would A.D. have two pairs of gloved hands? They’re clearly either a four-armed super human or A.D. is actually two different people. Even if there aren’t any hands inside the gloves, why would A.D. have two pairs of gloves?
Other Redditors have supported theCeCeDrake’s theory. Redditor futuresobright_ suggests that “A.D. isn’t a set of initials but two names…one starting with A, the other with D.” Uh, Aria and Darren, which woo-em already pointed out as a possiblity. Regardless, my speculations just went out the window.
Regardless of what PLL theory you support, it’s time that we all unite and do some digging into the remaining episodes. After all, who can wait another second to find out who A.D. is?
Whether you can't wait to get inked, or you're simply enthralled by the meanings and stories behind people's tattoos, check out some of the cutest famous tats we could find!
1. Simone Biles
Simone's homage to her incredible performance at the 2016 Olympics is so fitting, and so cute.
2. Lea Michele
Michele inked this small finger design in memory of her late grandmother, who gave her her first cup of coffee at eight years old.
3. Adele
Behind the ear tattoos are perfect—they’re easy to hide when your hair is down, and a show-stopping piece when your mane is pulled back.
4. Rihanna
RiRi's giant constellation has me all starry-eyed.
5. Scarlett Johansson
ScarJo’s cheeky tattoo reminds the rest of the world (and maybe some of the men in her life) how lucky they are to have her.
6. Emma Stone
Stone’s tiny tat was designed by Sir Paul McCartney to celebrate her mother beating cancer!
7. Kelly Osbourne
Osbourne got this tattoo after the Orlando shootings, and the ink comes with a powerful message: “The tragedy in Orlando devastated me and reminded me that every moment of our lives is precious," she said. "Every human is precious. Love hard. Live gracefully, authentically and with conviction, respect, purpose and compassion. Together we achieve what is impossible to those who stand alone.”
8. Ariel Winter
Winter shows us that family always comes first with this design that features the initials of her nieces and nephews.
9. Bella Hadid
Hadid got these super-small wings to commemorate her first Victoria's Secret fashion show. We love tattoos that celebrate important life accomplishments that youare proud of!
10. Abigail Breslin
Breslin got these dreamy designs on her 19th birthday, as an out-of-this-world present from her older brother.
11. Miley Cyrus
Okay… so Cyrus’ love for guac might trump ours. It is extra, after all.
12. Hilary Duff
These punny ghosts are a perfect twist on traditional BFF matching tattoos.
13. Maisie Williams
This date signifies the day that Williams received news that she was cast on Game of Thrones, which was definitely a life-changing moment for the young actress.
14. Jourdan Dunn
Dunn displays this detailed Hamsa Hand tattoo on her forearm.
15. Lady Gaga
Gaga’s tattoo celebrates her album “Born This Way.” I wonder if she knew how trendy unicorns would be now when she got it done.
When you wash and blow dry your hair at home, it’s usually nothing like the sorcery that goes down in the salon chair. Going to the salon is certainly a magical experience—all the wonderful smelling shampoos, oils and conditioners the stylist uses seem to transform your hair into a glossy and shiny masterpiece, rather than a dry, frizzy mess. However, if you think that the perfect blowout is something you can only achieve in the salon, then we have some good news for you! We spoke to Diana Giacalone, a stylist at Jack Alexander Salon and Spa, as well as a few collegiettes about how to fake a salon blowout at home, because you deserve a good hair day everyday!
1. Begin by washing your hair
Although a salon blowout seems like witchcraft, faking one on your own is a lot less complicated than you may think. “If you want to fake a blowout and do it yourself at home, then begin with shampooing your hair. Use a good conditioner from middle to end and rinse with cold water—it seals the cuticles and makes your hair shiny,” Giacalone explains. Showering in hot water the whole way through is oh-so-tempting, but you don’t want to skip this step!
2. Grab your towels, ladies. And don’t forget the product!
“Towel dry your hair and get out as much of the moisture as you can,” Giacalone continues. Be sure to go easy and gentle on your hair so you don’t cause any damage. “Spray a primer and heat protectant spray into your hair, and add drops of Moroccan oil for long hair. Comb through to distribute the product.” Make sure you’re focusing on applying the product midway down to the bottom of your hair shaft so you don’t weigh down your roots.
“Blow dry your hair in sections until your hair is about 90 percent dry. Try to wrap your hair twice around a round brush, going section by section with the blow dryer,” says Giacalone. “Blast it with cool air to set it, and to add some volume, wrap the top section of your hair around a round brush and spray it with hairspray!” Recreating a salon blowout will save you time and money, and you’ll look so good that no one will guess that you did it in your teeny dorm room!
Victoria Corrado, a sophomore at Carthage College, sees the value in faking it until you make it. “Being a college student, it’s hard to find the time or money to get your hair done. Doing a fake blowout at home is perfect because it makes your hair look professionally done but it saves you time and money!” Yas, girl. Going to the salon is great, but saving money is even better!
In a hurry? We got you, girl.
We know that you’re a busy collegiette, so in the mornings when you’re rushing to get out the door, there are still ways to fake a rockin’ blowout and make it to class on time!
“The way I fake a blowout is by washing and conditioning my hair, separating it into sections with clips, and blow drying a portion at a time,” says Erika Gordon, a junior at Carthage College. “I also make sure to flip my hair upside down and blow dry it to get the volume where I want it. Depending on how frizzy my hair is after, I will either just apply product or straighten it as well,” Erika says. Utilizing heat tools or even going old school and using non-heat curlers at night can help you achieve the blowout you need in half the time.
Who says that a perfect blowout can only be achieved in a salon? With the right tools and steps, you can fool ‘em all with a DIY blowout that looks like you just hopped out of the chair.
While Disney is known for its Easter eggs, they clearly missed out on a prime opportunity to give Olaf the meta cameo he deserved in Beauty and the Beast. After all, the actor who plays LeFou, Josh Gad, also voiced Olaf in Frozen. I mean the cameo would have been obvious, but Beauty and the Beast director Bill Condon deprived us of serious Olaf screen time.
Gad tells People that he tried to convince Condon to include a cameo of everyone’s favorite talking snowman. In the interview, Gad explains the cameo he envisioned for Olaf. “There’s a moment in the original where a bunch of snow falls on LeFou and he becomes a snowman and I thought, this could kill.”
This would have been Disney gold. But unfortunately this was cut from the actual film. Thanks a lot, Condon. But I guess you did recreate the tale as old as time into a live-action masterpiece. So yeah, thanks a lot, Condon.
Fortunately though, Condon did include several covert references to other beloved Disney movies. After all, Teen Vogue reports that Beauty and the Beast included a call out to The Hunchback of Notre Dame. To refrain from giving away too many spoilers, let's just say the Notre Dame cathedral can be spotted during the live-action Disney film. While the scene itself is only briefly visible, the imagery in the distance is clear. If you’re a Disney fanatic, you’ll be able to spot this reference easily. If not, it will just give you an excuse to rewatch Beauty and the Beast in theaters another dozen times.
Though Beauty and the Beauty is decorated with nearly a dozen Easter eggs, I still wish Olaf's cameo made the cut. I don't care how it happens; it just needs to happen.
Motivation. On your butt. How cute!
