Do you remember when your mom used to arrange playdates for you? As easy as those days were, the true sign of friendship was when you were old enough to hang out with someone without parents influencing you. Former President Barack Obama proved that his bond with Prince Harry is real even without the the pressure of foreign diplomacy when he took the time to visit the prince on a recent trip to Europe, Cosmopolitanreports.
According to Obama’s Twitter, he first “offer[ed] condolences to victims of the Manchester attack” during their meeting at Kensington Palace. Peoplereports that the duo also covered mutual interests like supporting veterans, mental health and the empowerment of youth. Wouldn’t you love to be a fly on the wall for that conversation?
Good to see my friend Prince Harry in London to discuss the work of our foundations & offer condolences to victims of the Manchester attack. https://t.co/7azv4BV2Nt
Obama and Prince Harry, along with the rest of the royal family, have a long history of hosting each other over the course of Obama's presidency. A recent BBC Radio interview with Prince William and Duchess Kate also proved that Obama probably doesn't have a favorite royal brother (can you blame him?), as William hinted it may be possible for him to arrange a radio interview with Obama.
Both men seem to have remained tight with the former commander-in-chief, and after this meeting with Harry, we have a serious case of FOMO. Can these bros hang out together in the States next time?
To side-hustle or not to side-hustle, that is the question. Whether you're someone who’s already started a side hustle, someone who's thinking about it, or someone who's just getting introduced to this concept, we can all agree that the decision to run a small business or side project of your own, whilst keeping your day job, needs a lot of thought, consideration and planning. In addition, the small business owner needs to have passion, a strong will and honestly, a dream.
We asked these side-hustlers a small set of questions, from what their income is annually to what their experience has been, and lastly, what advice they'd give other young adults who already run a business of their own or are thinking about doing so.
1. Karlota Rodríguez, 2011 Graduate – Photographer and Film Maker
Karlota Rodríguez works full time as a Benefits Specialist and runs a photography and film business on the side. She started out as a freelance photographer five years ago and has been filming for the last three years. Her income, she explains, varies from year to year, depending on how much time she has to dedicate to side projects. “In 2015 I made close to $10,000. Annual income varies from year to year depending on the amount of time you can dedicate to your side hustle," she says.
Karlota adds that running a small business “takes lots of time, networking and investment,” but that she’s had a great experience. Her first piece of advice is to set achievable goals because “sometimes we are overwhelmed by all the competition around us and that can lead to a frustrated state of mind. The important thing is to acknowledge your strengths and that special something which sets you apart from all the rest.”
She also emphasizes the importance of standing by your product and to “not bite [off] more than you can chew in order to please customers.”
Aura Torres’ daytime job is at Express Men, but she’s been taking on a side job as an Editorial Assistant for her family’s small editing company in Puerto Rico for around 7 to 8 years. “I make around $2,000 to $4,000, depending on the work load of the year,” she says of the extra income. She describes this experience as the most important one in her life because it shaped her into the person she is today.
The number one advice Aura would give other young adults thinking about taking on a side hustle of their own comes in the form of balance. “As someone that works a regular job, studies and has a side hustle, I’ve had times where I was against the clock and a day wouldn’t be enough to get everything done,” she explains.
She finishes by adding that, “If you're doing something to build for your future or just because you like it, you'll enjoy every second of it and you'll learn more things than you could ever imagine.”
Yarelis Maldonado is one of the wonderful cases where what started out as a side hustle has turned into a full-time job. She used to work as an Account Executive and Social Media Supervisor at a digital marketing agency, while also working as a wedding assistant for an event planning company. Her side hustle—yes, those were her two daytime jobs—was baking cupcakes, something she’s been doing for more than 4 years.
“When I first started my side hustle, I was studying and working part time jobs with almost no free time for me to enjoy college life, but when you have a dream so big that pretty much doesn't leave your head all day every day, you need to make those sacrifices to start making your dreams a reality,”she shares.
Before deciding to turn her side project into a full-time job—which she says involved a lot of consideration and strong support from her loved ones—Yarelis made between $3,000 to $5,000 annually.
As for advice, she tells young entrepreneurs to “Never let anyone decide what you can or cannot do, the only person you need to listen is yourself. Nothing worth having comes easily in life; there will be many, many obstacles to overcome but if you want it that badly, and feel strongly passionate about it, then get to work and make it happen!”
While working as an assistant preschool teacher, Angélica Jiménez makes and sells handmade soaps, candles, and creams—something she has enjoyed doing for nearly two years. She knows that annual income can vary, saying, “Every year is different and there are times when it goes pretty well on the job and others where it simply doesn’t go well at all.”
More than financial investment, however, Angélica focuses her advice on the importance of keeping your own desire alive. “We normally get tired as the time passes,” she says, “but if we like something and decide to take the risk of making it true, we have to be a hundred percent sure we will do our best and keep the light in our hearts on.”
Charmaris Darias is what we like to call a multi-side-hustler. Even though she says that selling baked goods—from brownies to all sorts of cupcakes—is her main project, she’s also a makeup artist and makes paper mâché masks; all while working in a retail store.
“Baking brownies, I can make up to $2,000 [annually],” she says, before adding that the reason she enjoys running her own business is because she likes “being able to generate my own money… Although I have a main job, I know I can always bake something if the paycheck ends up being too small.”
For Charmaris, it’s vital to have a good state of mind and to be fair with others while running your own business, something we wholeheartedly agree with. “There is always going to be competition but focusing on you doesn’t let it get to you,” she says. “Make sure your success is based on your greatness, not on diminishing others.”
6. Carlos Montañez, 2015 Graduate - Accounting Services
Carlos Montañez shows that you don’t have to sell sweet things or be involved with the arts in order to have a side-hustle—it’s only a matter of doing what you’re good at and doing something you genuinely enjoy. He works at a CPA firm and offers Accounting Services on the side, as well as tax services, for 3 or 4 different companies. What started as a way to gain experience in his field turned into a small business that earns him between $3,000 to $5,000 yearly.
The UPR-RP graduate, however, is no stranger to that wonderful feeling of being your own boss. He opened his own restaurant with his brother and father several years back, giving him a proper taste of what he calls “the best feeling in the world [being your own boss].”
When asked what advice he’d give other young entrepreneurs, he suggests they “Aspire to be more.”
Legal Assistant Andrés Torres, has a very delicious and creative small business that he runs with a couple of partners. They distribute a fusion of Puerto Rican and Asian cuisine that made them a net income of around $15,000 in 2015—and they’re looking to double that number.
“It has been challenging to grow in a collapsing economy, but it's up to us young entrepreneurs to push forward and bring new ideas and ways to make Puerto Rico a little more stable,” he says, referencing the financial crisis of the island. Despite this however, he adds, “We've had tons of gratifying experiences scouring the island for opportunities and ways to help people look to Puerto Rico's future with a bright mindset.”
When asked for advice, Andrés highlights the importance of pursuing your goals without leaving room for others’ negative opinions in your mind. “Some people will find excuses for you to quit, but pay no mind to them, if you put your mind to it and think strategically, you can find a way around anything,” he says.
The experiences and advice of these young side-hustlers prove that despite the sweat and difficult times that come with running your own business, it is ultimately and absolutely worth it. If it’s something you’re passionate about and brings you immense happiness and pride at the end of the day, you should go for it! Remember to set achievable goals but still reach for the sky, balance things out, keep your desire alive regardless of how tough things may get, build yourself up without tearing other people down, ignore anyone who tries to tell you it’s impossible, and most importantly, never stop dreaming.
Experiences with airline security can be pretty hit or miss these days, and now there may be a possibility of security procedures becoming even more complex. Huffington Postreports that according to Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly, the United States may soon ban laptops from all flights flying into and out of the country.
While speaking with Fox News, Kelly explained that the country plans to increase airline security particularly through a focus on customers’ carry-on items. “That’s the thing they’re obsessed with, the terrorists, the idea of knocking down an airplane in flight, particularly if it’s a U.S. carrier, particularly if it’s full of U.S. people,” Kelly said. Well, that thought process is a little scary, right?
There has been no confirmation of the possible laptop ban’s timing, but Kelly promises that “we’re going to raise the bar generally speaking for aviation much higher than it is now.” The discussion circulating laptops parallels the government’s recent decision to place restrictions on large electronics present on flights from eight airports in countries including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
According to Kelly, airline security is becoming more threatened because people are overfilling carry-on bags to avoid paying for checked baggage. “The more stuff is in there, the less the TSA professionals that are looking at what’s in those bags through the monitor can tell what’s in them,” he explained.
Banning laptops from international flights could turn out to be problematic, but if the security threat is as high as Kelly claims it to be, maybe taking this step is worth it for flyers’ safety.
By now, we’re getting used to uncomfortable-looking photos and video of President Donald Trump meeting with foreign leaders (his picture with Pope Francis, anyone?). Although we can’t rely entirely on photos to determine the mood of such meetings, French President Emmanuel Macron revealed that his intense handshake with Trump upon their meeting in Brussels this past week was basically as severe as it seemed, BuzzFeed News reports.
"My handshake with him, it wasn't innocent," Macron admitted to a French publication, The Guardianreports. "It's not the be-all and the end-all of a policy, but it was a moment of truth."
With one Washington Post reporter saying that the handshake had "considerable intensity," footage of the moment shows both men's hands turning white from the pressure of the contact. Macron also looks a little displeased when the handshake ends, suggesting that he was definitely ready for it to be over.
"Je suis très heureux de pouvoir, ensemble, changer beaucoup de choses", dit Macron aux côtés de Trump pic.twitter.com/7rQzMjGxBa
"That's how you ensure you are respected," Macron said of his handshake. "You have to show you won't make small concessions—not even symbolic ones."
According to Sunday Express, Macron and Trump had another run-in with each other outside NATO headquarters, where Macron seemingly greeted German Chancellor Angela Merkel over acknowledging Trump first. When the two finally did greet each other with a handshake, Trump appeared to pull Macron closer while Macron attempted to keep his distance. Can you say "awkward?"
Although the two leaders definitely tried to keep their meetings as polite as possible, Macron's attempts at standing for what he believes in through such a simple gesture are certainly noteworthy.
Do you remember when your mom used to arrange playdates for you? As easy as those days were, the true sign of friendship was when you were old enough to hang out with someone without parents influencing you. Former President Barack Obama proved that his bond with Prince Harry is real even without the the pressure of foreign diplomacy when he took the time to visit the prince on a recent trip to Europe, Cosmopolitanreports.
According to Obama’s Twitter, he first “offer[ed] condolences to victims of the Manchester attack” during their meeting at Kensington Palace. Peoplereports that the duo also covered mutual interests like supporting veterans, mental health and the empowerment of youth. Wouldn’t you love to be a fly on the wall for that conversation?
Good to see my friend Prince Harry in London to discuss the work of our foundations & offer condolences to victims of the Manchester attack. https://t.co/7azv4BV2Nt
Obama and Prince Harry, along with the rest of the royal family, have a long history of hosting each other over the course of Obama's presidency. A recent BBC Radio interview with Prince William and Duchess Kate also proved that Obama probably doesn't have a favorite royal brother (can you blame him?), as William hinted it may be possible for him to arrange a radio interview with Obama.
Both men seem to have remained tight with the former commander-in-chief, and after this meeting with Harry, we have a serious case of FOMO. Can these bros hang out together in the States next time?
When you’re constantly being told what to wear, how much makeup to apply and what mold you should fit, the rules of beauty can be complicated. Even if the magazines aren’t telling you how good looking you are, there are so many women who embrace their stretch marks, stomach rolls, acne scars and birthmarks that let you know you can be your own kind of beauty. Simply put: ‘imperfections’ are a thing of the past.
Once teased by a classmate who called her “spotty dog,” Ciera used to be ashamed of the birthmarks that covered her body. But this 20-year-old has grown up to be proud of her birthmarks. You’re nothing without your support system and Ciera relies on her mother.
“I remember when I started school my mom told me that my birthmarks were angel kisses—and that really stuck with me,” Ciera told Mirror.
Ciera also turns to Instagram to motivate herself and others to love themselves!
2. Marissa Lace
She’s sassy, she’s confident and she’s one of YouTube’s favorite beauty gurus with more than 230,000 subscribers. Marissa Lace may enjoy putting on makeup in front of a camera (it’s her job, after all!), but that doesn’t mean she’s afraid to be seen without her favorite foundation. No, in fact, Marissa has been helping girls feel more comfortable with their acne and acne scars in her make-up free videos. Marissa’s channel has a whole playlist of videos that documents her acne and skincare adventures. Subscribe to her for inspiration or to laugh at her vlogs. Your choice!
3. Conner Rensch
Stretch marks can happen for a number of different reasons: losing and gaining weight, puberty, childbirth and muscle gain and loss.
In reality, no matter what size you are, you’re probably going to earn a stretch mark or two in your life. With every mark, incredibly, there is a story. This is true for Conner Rensch who graced People’s “Half Their Size” issue after she lost 150 pounds. Besides the tabloids, Conner has been posting inspiring pictures on her Instagram to document her weight loss and inspire others to do the same.
Ever since she was discovered by a Toronto journalist and asked by Tyra Banks personally to be on “America’s Next Top Model,” Chantelle Winnie has been taking the fashion world by storm. Not only does her bone structure and model bod make her look like she was born for the spotlight, Winnie’s ‘no fear’ confidence level when it comes to her vitiligo has broken many beauty barriers. It hasn’t stopped her from being in the front of the camera, appearing in Vogue Australia or slaying every photo shoot, showing that nothing should hold you back from posing for pics.
5. Shalom Blac
When Shalom Blac was a young girl in Nigeria, she was burned by frying oil in her family’s store, and was left with scars on her face and upper body. As she got older, she turned to makeup to cover up her scars. Rather than using the makeup to hide, she used it to feel more confident in herself.
Shalom told Glamour, “There are no rules to makeup. And as a burn survivor, it gives me a chance to share my passion with others that may be going through similar things—or better yet, inspire someone to love who they see in the mirror."
Take a note from Shalom’s book and use makeup to boost your self-esteem, highlight your natural beauty and express who you are!
If you want some Instagram, fashion and life inspiration, Andreja is your girl. Not only is this supermodel constantly decked out in the coolest clothes, she's pals with Caitlyn Jenner and uses her stardom to fight for the transgender community. Click the follow button for this chick—she's definitely someone to look up to.
Melanie is only 27 years old and she's already the talk of the fashion crowd because of her unique looks. She was born with a condition called ectodermal dsyplasia, which hinders the growth of pores, small bones, teeth and cartilage. Instead of adhereing to everyone else's beauty standards, Gaydos refuses to wear a fake set of teeth or a wig. She documents her killer photo sessions on Instagram, so take a look (oh, and swoon over her two cute kittens).
With so many different definitions of beauty throughout the world, in the magazines and on social media, it can be easy to question your own beauty. But no matter what your skin looks like, how your body is shaped or what marks you may have, it all tells a story. Give yourself more credit when you look in the mirror and know that no one else looks exactly like you.
You were so ready to get out of college, but now real life has set in. And tbh, it's nothing like you thought it would be. If you're a recent grad, you'll totally be able to relate to these feels.
1. The mixed emotions between being happy and constantly sad that it’s all over
2. Those “I just graduated. Now what?” thoughts
3. Your parents becoming your BFF because you have no idea how to adult
4. Not allowing youself to be picky about your first job
5. Not knowing what you want out of life
6. Generally being in that twentysomething limbo
7. Realizing just how hard it is to survive your first job search
8. And realizing that having a job isn’t much different than school
9. That empty feeling you get when you remember you have to pay back those student loans
10. Thinking you’re a failure for having to move back home
11. Not feeling like a grown-up
12. College becoming a distant memory
13. And you thinking you'll never have fun again because of it
14. Refusing to accept the responsibility that comes with being an adult
15. Assuming that how things are now determines the rest of your life
16. Having to constantly come up with a decent answer to, “So what’s your plan now?”
17. Missing living off of meal plans, naps and free gym access
Do you ever feel super lazy but also in dire need of something to eat? Only every day, right? Same. Being both lazy and hungry is the worst; that's why we're going to help you out. Here are 12 super easy and delicious recipes you can tackle even on your laziest days.
Sometimes us lazy gals just need a snack to hold us over until someone else can cook for us. These cucumber bites are the perfect way to fill up in between meals.
Surprise, surprise ladies! Men aren’t the only ones who fear commitment. You, too, may harbor an intense fear of getting involved in a serious relationship and not even realize it. However, there are definitely signs that you’re someone who’s chronically afraid of commitment. Does the thought of marriage have you running for the hills, screaming? Or saying the word “love” make you want to throw up in your mouth? Exactly. You probably wouldn’t even be reading this article if you weren’t a little bit curious to find out that maybe you really are afraid of commitment. Check out our five tell-tale signs below for some good old self-diagnosis.
1. You have chronic issues committing yourself to just one person
Nowadays it’s not uncommon for millennials to think, “Pssssh, monogamy.” That doesn’t mean we aren’t open to it, but it’s more accepted to spend our 20s uncommitted with multiple partners before eventually settling down. However, there is a difference between being a free spirit and actually having trouble dedicating yourself to one person.
“Pretty often my relationships are really short,” says Arianna Delira, a junior at Georgia State University. “It can be for a variety of reasons, but I think I have a hard time wanting to be with one person forever—and sometimes even six months feels like forever. I’m not like cheating when I am in a relationship, but I don’t date someone for more than a few months. I do admit I have a fear of commitment, specifically because I’m scared being with someone for too long will make us both bored or cause the relationship to end badly instead of casually.”
Your commitment issues aren’t something you have to worry about now, because it’s fine to play the field while still taking the time to develop yourself. You don’t need to be getting married tomorrow. Still, your commitment should be self-monitored so that you’re able to anticipate your detest for long-term monogamous relationships in the future, and deal with them accordingly when you meet someone worthy of your commitment.
If it means missing the opportunity to hang out with friends or even sacrifice a career advancement, relationships may seem utterly oppressing to you because they’re restrictive. You’re the type of person who enjoys having their options open, and a relationship is much too limiting for you. It makes more sense to orient your future and schedule your time between work, friends and family. Love is a demanding priority, so you avoid it at all costs.
“The future is really daunting, and there’s a lot of other things that seem more important like graduation and figuring out what you want to do with your life,” explains Briana Ruba, a sophomore at Marquette University. “Even if someone is amazing and I’m madly in love with them, I’m worried that I’ll have to make life sacrifices for them and compromise my own goals for them.”
Consistently ending your relationships because you’re worried about missing out on something better is a sure sign that you really are afraid of commitment. Realize that it’s time to let go of this fear, and understand it’s possible to have the best of both worlds. Committing yourself to a partner is an opportunity in and of itself to take on the welcome twists and turns of life alongside someone who adores you. Spending time with couples who have complicated careers and social lives but are still able to maintain successful relationships might be of some encouragement to you.
3. You still feel emotionally scarred from previous relationships
Sometimes the past can inhibit you from moving forward with healthy relationships. It’s totally reasonable to still feel the emotional effects of someone who hurt you, but it becomes problematic when you prevent yourself from committing to another person who’s not the jerk who hurt you. Let’s be real, we’ve all got trust issues, but it’s time to pack those gremlins away and let love happen.
“I know it’s not fair to have trust issues with my boyfriend, because he’s not the one who cheated on me, my ex did,” says Katie McNierney, a junior at Barnard College. “Part of me thinks that maybe I won’t be able to let myself be happy or ever commit to someone again, because I’ve had someone hurtfully break their commitment to me. It’s a vicious cycle where my relationship escalates and I have a meltdown thinking I’m going to get hurt again so I run away.”
It sucks to have to be guarded with your partner and never fully give yourself over to them out of fear. Our encouragement is to just go for it! Don’t close yourself off from being with a potentially amazing person just because of your past! This is definitely a situation where you will need to take risks to get over your fear of commitment.
4. Even your best relationships end for the smallest reasons
It’s a sure sign that you have commitment issues if you can’t help but sabotage your own relationships—sometimes even on purpose. Think about the last time you broke up with someone. What caused you to leave them? Was it the annoying way they ate their food or that they only did laundry once a month? Whatever it was, it probably wasn’t a good enough reason to end your relationship.
It’s reasonable to break up with someone for unmatched ideologies, excessive fighting and differing life goals among other legitimate problems. However, ending a relationship over small annoyances that you tell yourself are “big things” prove that you don’t want to be committed to that person.
“I notoriously stop dating people for stupid reasons to the point that it’s a joke among my friends,” says Morgan Mozzacco, a junior at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. “I’ve ended relationships because of hygiene habits, movie preferences and even the way someone dresses. It’s awful and I know it. My friends have psychoanalyzed me to the point that we all collectively agree it’s because I have commitment issues and actually can’t handle being with someone.”
Our best advice is to just stick it out. You will learn to love your partner’s weird quirks over time, you just need to give them a chance first. If you actively stop sabotaging your relationships, it will definitely pay off.
5. You’re more interested in sex than an emotional connection
Sex is easy. A relationship oriented around sex means that your partner never has to meet your parents. There isn’t any ooey-gooey love talk or serious dates where you have to eloquently discuss your feelings. You’re relieved from thinking about the future or moving in together because sex is focused on the here and now. Basically, an emotionally connected relationship is much, much harder.
“I’m really good at sex, not so good at the whole love thing,” says Hunter Laningham, a senior at the University of Tennessee. “I know that if I took the time to stay with one person my relationship would be super cool, but I’m scared of getting hurt by someone I finally commit myself too. That’s why brief, physical relationships are working for me right now until I’m stronger.”
Years of casual dating may have taught you just how emotionally present you need to be for the relationship to survive, but overall, you don’t give much of yourself to it. It’s time to change this mindset girlfriend. Yes, sex is delightful—but it’s certainly not everything. Plus, having sex with a partner that you’re emotionally connected to might just feel 100,000 times better than some anonymous person from Tinder. Give it a try!
So how did that trip of self-diagnosis go? In all honesty, it’s fine if you’re a person that’s deathly afraid of commitment. We only hope that one day you can let go of this fear and enjoy happy, healthy relationships that last. You’ll get there—we promise.
Name: Jessica De Block Age: 23 Job Title and Description: Founder & Designer at Antwerp Avenue College Name/Major: Master of Strategic Communications at the University of Antwerp, Belgium. Website:www.antwerpavenue.com Facebook: @antwerpavenue Instagram Handle:@jessicadeblock@antwerpavenue
What does your current job entail? Is there such a thing as a typical day?
Jessica De Block: Antwerp Avenue is a young business (only 1-year-old!) that I started when I was still studying. I was in my Master’s at the University of Antwerp when I started printing my oil paintings and digital designs onto phone cases and laptop sleeves and decided to make a business out of it. I went head first and gave it a full 200%. I worked so hard on collections, production, my website, and marketing. Within three months Antwerp Avenue was featured by Cosmopolitan USA, which lead to a series of features by a.o. Seventeen, Allure and HelloGiggles.
At Antwerp Avenue, a typical day doesn’t really exist. I do have some tasks that need to be done every day, like making packages before 4.30pm in order to get them shipped out on time. Apart from that, I let priorities make up my schedule. Since I am in charge of every single thing that happens with the brand, from design to production to retail, my tasks are wide-ranging. Some days, I’m up early to get in touch with the factory, in order to make sure everything goes according to plan. Other days, I’m up late at night drawing new collections and updating the website, making sure every page looks just the way it needs to look. And then some other days, I am out and about meeting with sales people, stores or even networking at events. Then apart from that, I travel quite a lot to get some international exposure. I can never make up my entire week schedule beforehand. Meetings are fixed, of course, but when I wake up, some things just demand my attention. Basically, that is what my life looks like at this moment.
For control enthusiasts (like myself J J ) it can sometimes be a little bit scary to have a very flexible, variable schedule, but along the way, I learned to let go. And it works just fine this way. By being very flexible, you’re allowing your business to grow fast, as you can take decisions swiftly and take action rapidly whenever any sudden changes need to be made. For example, I don’t work with seasonal collections. I make collections whenever I have time and headspace to paint/draw/design. Inspiration know no schedules, it comes when it wants to come, and that may be at your busiest time or in the middle of the night. If I had a tight schedule planned a few weeks in advance for every day of the week, my creativity would be dead. It does, however, take a great deal of discipline to work with a flexible schedule. But I manage! And most of all, I’m having tons of fun.
What is the best part of your job?
JDB: Designing is my number one favorite occupation in the whole world. I’ve been drawing ever since I was a kid, and I’m an autodidact. That means I never attended any drawing or painting classes and just taught myself whatever I know, including Photoshop, Illustrator and Adobe Sketch. The reason I’m so happy to do this as my job is that I had never imagined someone who has no art degree like me to sell art for a living. But in the meantime, the business side started growing on me. I thoroughly enjoy being able to make decisions that are commercially smart and lead to higher revenue. It takes some practice, but with the right mindset, you can become very good at it very quickly. I do have to admit I wish I knew a thing or two more about finance. Have to catch up on that by reading books and consulting some of my friends.
A post shared by Online Shop • Antwerp Avenue (@antwerpavenue) on
What was your first entry-level job in your field and how did you get it?
JDB: I was lucky enough to start my business while studying, so literally the first day after graduation, I started working for myself full time. However, I am a firm supporter of the ‘Skills Pay The Bills’-mindset and I did practice many skills while still studying. I was always working. Either for a cigar shop, writing formal newsletters that are suitable for their client type, or making animation videos for a business that does e-learning programs for people in certain safety-relevant jobs like train drivers or construction workers. I had no experience in either of these fields but I went ahead and applied for these jobs anyway. My thoughts were “I’ll just try my very best and wing it”. The worst thing that could happen was getting fired, and the best thing that could happen was acquiring new skills and getting some much needed extra money. So that choice was made very easily!
What words of wisdom (well-known quotes, an anecdote from your boss) do you find most valuable?
JDB: I have two favorite quotes.
1. “You can’t be that kid standing at the top of the waterslide, overthinking it. You have to go down the chute” – Tina Fey. This one is so important to me, as I kind of based my whole decision of going for my business on this quote (Major Tina Fey fangirl over here!). You have to take careful preparations, but in the end, it’s always a leap of faith. If YOU believe in it, by all means, go for it.
2. This one is more a principle that I follow than a quote. It’s the 80/20 principle invented by economist Vilfredo Pareto. This basically states that roughly 80% of the results comes from 20% of the causes or input. Which means you can reach an amazing level of efficiency if you just identify that 20% of input that will reward you with 80% of the outcome. That doesn’t invite you to be lazy of course, but it leaves you 80% more time/input to spend on other things. If you practice enough, you get really good at it, and your results will skyrocket.
What is one mistake you made along the way and what did you learn from it?
JDB: Without disrespect towards my former business partner, who has been great, I know now that personally, I am perfectly capable of running this business by myself. Many people thought I wouldn’t be able to do it, because I was inexperienced or I only have 1 set of skills, which obviously implies I lack other skills (ahem, finance, ahem). But being inexperienced and lacking some skills doesn’t mean you should get discouraged and not start anything on your own. It means you should just watch out for red flags and consult an expert at those times. Other things, you can just learn by doing. Trial and error. Just be prepared to ask for help whenever you need it.
What has been the most surreal moment of your career thus far?
JDB: So as you may or may not know, Belgium is a tiny country where nothing ever happens (not entirely true). People in Belgium – sorry not sorry, folks – tend to dream small. But I don’t. I dream of international distribution, and while I’m dreaming of it, I’m also working my butt off to make it happen. When Antwerp Avenue was featured by Cosmopolitan USA in February of last year, I decided to pay them a visit in their online headquarters in New York. Quite an investment of time and money, of course, and many people would think I’m totally crazy but they kindly invited me over and I met many of the wonderful girls at Cosmopolitan and Seventeen. That for me personally was a surreal moment.
Only 4 months after my launch, juggling my master’s thesis with my full-time business, visiting the Cosmopolitan USA HQ in New York was quite the summum for me. But without trying to sound cheesy, owning a business has so many beautiful moments. It’s like the most amazing yet bumpiest rollercoaster ride you can imagine. Your lows may be very low, but your peaks are skyhigh. And it all goes so fast! But I wouldn’t change it for the world.
What do you look for when considering hiring someone?
JDB: I don’t have any employees just yet, but I recently hired an intern. I try to be really modern in my approach. The most important characteristics I look for in an employee/intern is enthusiasm. That makes up about 50% of my decision. The other 50% should be someone who is very independent and has a vision for the brand that matches my own.
What advice would you give to a 20-something with similar aspirations?
JDB: Go for it. Do your research, make some preparations and by all means just go for it. I would recommend getting in touch with someone who is a startup as well, or who is (at least a little bit) experienced in building a business. Having a mentor can save you a lot of time and can help you avoid making mistakes. And as Woody Allen once said: “I have no idea what I am doing but incompetence has never prevented me from plunging in with enthusiasm.”
Byrdie has officially revealed the hairdo of the summer: space buns.
They looked at all the photos from Coachella weekend 1—aka the mother of all summer fashion events—and found them to be the top trending hair look by far.
The '90s throwback features double, tight baby buns on top of your head. You've seen this before on Miley Cyrus and Gwen Stefani, but this year Pinterest searches were up 162 percent. There's tons of styles and scenarios for space buns—you can wear them at the beach, for a photo shoot or at the gym. You can add French braids leading up to the buns or sprinkle on some glitter for that festival vibe. They're just so versatile! Here are eight ways to rock space buns this summer:
Most of us watch it, but few of us talk about it. That’s right, Her Campus is getting down and dirty to discuss (what can be) a very taboo subject: porn. While viewing porn is totally normal—more on that later!—it can be confusing. In order to feel good about, well, feeling good, the type of porn you are consuming matters. We talked to two different experts who helped us create this “Smart Girl’s Guide” to porn. Here’s what you need to know.
According to Erika Lust, award-winning erotic film director, author and sex-positive feminist, it's perfectly natural to be curious about sex. “But it's also natural to not want to do it,” she says. “Do what feels natural for you. No one should feel like they have to watch something if they don't want to.”
Rachel Born, PhDc of Human Sexuality Education, agrees. “Porn can be a great and safe way for college girls to explore different kinks, sexual orientations and/or sex positions,” she says. “Plus, porn can be a way that you turn yourself on before masturbation, which is A-okay, too!” There’s no need to be embarrassed about your interest in sex. It’s just part of being human!
Not everyone likes the same things
There are so many different kinds of pornography out there, and you don’t have be turned on by all of it! “If you see something you don't like or that makes you feel bad, switch it off,” says Lust. “It’s okay to not like everything you see. A lot of things in porn are just being presented as ‘normal’ when they are in fact very advanced and even extreme sex acts…often they are presented in a way without any communication, obvious consent or buildup.” Just like with any aspect of your sexuality, it’s important to learn what you do and don’t like.
There are benefits and risks
In Lust’s opinion, a lot of mainstream porn teaches the wrong lessons about consent. “Young men might learn to just view women as objects, and young women might learn to just subject to that objectification and never express any needs of their own. I think that's a potential risk,” she says. It’s important to be aware about what you’re watching, but don’t be too hard on yourself. It’s a learning experience, after all.
“I definitely think porn can work as an educator about sex,” says Lust, “And if people don't watch it critically and just consume it and get inspired, they might try to act out all these things from porn that in reality, don't feel really good for anyone involved.” She stresses the importance of showing real pleasure in her films. “I hope they will inspire people to have great sex together, as sexual collaborators, not just as something you do to someone.” If you watch something that makes you feel good, Lust explains, it can help you connect with your sexuality, inspire you and make you feel like a happier person.
You can be an ethical consumer of porn
The fact is, some porn is not ethical. Performers are often underage, poorly paid, placed in unsafe working conditions and treated with little to no respect. You want to be sure that the performers in the porn you are watching are consenting adults who were treated well and were paid fairly for their work.
In 2013, Jon Millwardconducted the largest personal research study on the Porn Industry in the U.S. He interviewed 10,000 porn stars about the business. One statistic that stands out is that the most common female role in porn is women in their 20s portraying teenagers.
In his study, Millward quotes Luke Ford (a former pornography gossip columnist), who said on CBS News: “Most girls who enter the porn industry do one video and quit. The experience is so painful, horrifying, embarrassing, humiliating for them that they never do it again.” Luckily, people like Lust are working to change this.
The Ethical Porn Partnership (EPP)states on its website that pornographers affiliated with the EPP agree to “optimal sexual health screening, transparency around pay rates, age verification of performers, healthy on-set conditions,” and more. Basically, ethical porn means porn that was produced according to regulations, with the consent of everyone involved.
“Porn, if produced ethically, is not dirty. It can be beautiful, liberating and educational,” says Born. How the film is produced makes all the difference!
“A very common feminist criticism of porn is that it objectifies women,” says Lust. “And that's correct because very often it does. But that doesn't mean that all explicit films have to objectify women.” Lust suggests trying to be a critical viewer and finding out where the porn you watch comes from. “Look at who’s made the films you want to watch. If it's not easy to find the producers behind it, chances are they are not proud of the kind of films they make,” she says.
Doing research on directors and producers may not feel very sexy, but knowing that the filmmakers have good values will most likely enhance your experience. “Female directors are in general better at remembering that women have sexual desires, ideas and like orgasms, too,” says Lust. These shouldn’t be things people forget!
What is feminist porn?
If you’re a feminist, you can still watch porn. You just have to be choosy about what you are consuming. “It's simple,” says Lust. “Feminist porn is explicit film made by people who have a problem with the power imbalance of the mainstream industry. It has nothing to do with what acts are shown; it's how you film it and present it.”
As a director, Lust is an expert in this area. “The political idea has always been there for me, to create an alternative to an industry that is very one-sided and often very sexist,” she says. “It's just about having feminist values during producing and shooting, treating everyone with respect.” Again, while this should always be the case, the reality is not so simple.
If you have the means to pay for sites like Lust’s, it’s a great idea. As for specific feminist porn sites, Lust has a few recommendations. Check out Vex Ashley's project A Four Chambered Heart for “a very modern take on explicit films,” and the Swedish project A New Level of Pornography, which is made by two young women. Lust’s own project XConfessions has plenty of different videos, as well as fun stories to read. The EPP also has a list of ethical pornographers.
With a multitude of options available when it comes to pornography, it can be difficult to know where to begin. It becomes even more of a struggle when you want to know that the porn was produced ethically. “The majority of porn can in many ways be dangerous – the kind that shows sex as something that men do to women and that women do for men,” says Lust. “I think that reflects and thereby reinforces a warped view of sex that contributes to rape culture. But that's why I think there has to be more voices in porn, and more people who show that sex can be a healthy, positive thing.”
The bottom line is this: “The best thing you can do for yourself is to let yourself feel your sexuality, enjoy it, and let it be a healthy part of your life, free of shame. You have the right to be sexual, to feel desire and to feel pleasure,” says Lust. So be curious, do your research and be aware of the risks. But above all, don’t forget to enjoy yourself!
Maybe you just began a summer internship or finished the first week at your new job—wherever you may be, we can all agree that a bad first impression is cringe-worthy. When it happens, you know it. The awkwardness is literally palpable. But don’t let an off-color joke, an uncomfortable interaction or botched assignment mess up a career opportunity for you.
You’ve already got the job, which means your boss or hiring manager initially liked something about you. But the very important impressions you’ll make during your first few days of work can set the tone for all of your work relationships. You don’t want to be held back from work advancement because of one small mistake, so do what you can now to correct that awkward interaction.
What counts as a bad first impression?
The first thing you should do is determine if your impression needs to be fixed. There’s a huge difference between apologizing because you lost your temper and apologizing for being a little too awkward in conversation.
Here are some valid things you should try to recover from:
Making a hurtful or ignorant comment (even if it was unintentionally)
Messing up on a task you were given
Missing a deadline or appointment
Making a mistake that affects others (boss, co-worker, client)
Being late during your first few weeks
Stepping on someone else’s job
Losing your temper
But don’t be too worried about:
Being too formal
Acting nervous
Awkward conversation
Lightly debating or disagreeing on a work decision
Asking for help
A personal emergency coming up
Being a human (getting sick, needing to take a reasonable break)
If you have made a mistake that needs fixing, the following three steps will help you tackle the problem.
1. Apologize immediately, but don’t over-apologize
When you first meet someone, you form an opinion in a matter of seconds. Impressions stick with a person fast, so the sooner you act the better.
Don’t be afraid to initiate some real talk, and fess up that you know how weird you came off and want to re-establish yourself. Your boss or co-worker will appreciate your transparency. Apologizing doesn’t have to be embarrassing. Recognizing a problem openly shows that you value the preservation of your relationship.
Lindsey Allen, a senior at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, shares the time she got real with her supervisor about her bad first impression. “I messed up an assignment I got literally on the first day of my internship, and I could tell that she was disappointed in me,” she says. “I didn’t want her to always think of me of the girl who failed on the first day, so I scheduled a meeting with her to talk about it. Basically I admitted that I was so excited to work there that on my first day I was nervous, freaking out and just emotionally not prepared for the assignment. She was really understanding about it and I think it helped our relationship that I was apologetic.”
While admitting your mistake or word-fumble is a smart idea, apologizing too much is uncomfortable and can even be more awkward than your initial first bad impression. Your boss or co-worker shouldn’t have to feel like they need to constantly reassure you that everything is okay, so own up to the situation without overdoing it.
Kat Boogaard,a work relationships and career writer, has a starting tip for how to re-establish yourself with someone at work. “Try saying, ‘I think we got off on the wrong foot,’ or ‘I think I gave you the wrong impression of myself, can I take you to coffee and we can talk more?’” she says.
Some days your vibe with people is just going to be off, and bad first impressions can happen. However, a key strategy in your recovery is to move on. Don’t dwell on what happened longer than you have to, and start the next work day fresh as your wonderful self again. A strong work ethic and consistent personality will replace the bad first impression you made over time.
“Be persistent and consistent,” Boogaard emphasizes. “It can be a lengthy process to change the way people perceive you, but when it comes to your career progression it’s a must. Reinventing yourself to your co-workers and striving everyday to show your best self can only help you. There’s no room for slacking, even in college, when you’re trying to reach your job goals.”
Make sure your boss or co-worker knows he or she got the wrong idea about you, and that contrary to what he or she may think, you’re the Beyonce of the office. Be the first person to speak in a meeting, jump on assignments, ask questions and work as hard as you can.
A surefire way to erase the negative impression of yourself in someone’s mind is to make them get to know you. Fight your instinct to shy away from someone after a bad interaction, and try getting closer to them instead.
“A smart tactic is to ask that person advice,” Boogaard recommends. “Asking for advice is flattering, and also sets up a relationship between you where you can come back to that topic and continue your conversation. For example something I’ve tried with one of my previous employers is asking them for freelancing advice. Then that employer associated me as an engaging person who could talk about freelancing with them and seemed eager to learn, instead of that overly-shy girl on the first day of work.”
Go on a lunch date with your co-worker, make an effort to get to know him or her on breaks and don’t be shy about your wonderful personality. If they like you as a person and friend, it will be hard for them to have a bad impression of you as a co-worker. There’s nothing a good conversation over coffee can’t fix!
Collegiette, a bad interaction is not the end of the world, and it happens to all of us. By making these three moves you’ll recover in no time. Don’t sweat the small stuff.
Seriously, stop scrolling aimlessly through the New Releases and Trending sections on Netflix. They haven’t changed in the last 15 minutes, and they aren’t going to change in the next 15 minutes. The real reason your recent Netflix binges have been so unfruitful is because you haven’t been paying attention to your zodiac sign! After all, we rely on our zodiac signs to guide us through an average day, a relationship and even our hairstyles, so why shouldn't we let our signs help us pick the perfect Netflix series to binge-watch next?
Capricorn
Capricorns are very patient people, which is why you waited so calmly for Netflix to release Season 3 of Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. However, you've already watched every episode. While it's difficult to find a television series similar to Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, there is one that has the same innocent humor. What’s better than watching Drew Barrymore turn into a zombie in Santa Clarita Diet? Don’t worry—it's not scary.
Aquarius
You have a naturally inquisitive spirit. You want to know everything about pretty much everything. Along with being extremely curious, you’re also a romantic. Aquariuses are faithful lovers who thrive on everything about a relationship, which is why Love is a great series for you to binge-watch. While Love might seem like a typical TV show about the ups and downs of a modern relationship, it actually examines men and women’s perspectives on dating. The show’s investigative nature is sure to satisfy your analytical tooth.
Pisces
You’re known for your imagination and resourcefulness. After all, that's the whole reason you’ve already filled up five dream boards with your 20-year plan. While Pisces are unlikely to actually go on a Netflix bender, Chelsea Does is an outstanding series for you to watch during your study breaks. Because the series follows Chelsea Handler as she investigates different topics and issues, from marriage to racism, you can get a few laughs in as you learn about various problems that affect America. Finally, your Netflix study break doesn’t have to consist of another mindless episode of Archer.
Aries
You’re outgoing, clever and the epitome of confidence, but beneath your hard-wired career-driven exterior, you’re also spontaneous and optimistic. Although Grace and Frankie might not seem like the logical Netflix choice for you, the impulsive nature of the show’s storyline will get you hooked. Grace and Frankie follows two women with opposite personalities who are brought into each other’s lives following their respective divorces. While Aries are usually impatient and restless, Grace and Frankie won’t send you fumbling for the remote anytime soon.
Taurus
Although there’s some strange stigma that Tauruses are stubborn and bullish individuals, you’re really a patient and lovable person. Though it’s probably best that none of your friends get on your bad side. You enjoy warm-hearted sitcoms and series about families, which is why Raising Hope is the ideal show for your next Netflix bout. Obviously the TV family can’t be too wholesome, though, because every family—real and fictitious—has a healthy dose of flaws. Don’t worry—the TV family in Raising Hope is plenty eccentric enough to fulfill your craving while you’re waiting for Netflix to add Season 3 of Jane the Virgin.
Gemini
You’re innately adventurous. Geminis are constantly searching for their next excursion so why would your next Netflix series be any different? While you’re incredibly intuitive, you also love drama. Okay, you don’t love it if it pertains to you, but you love watching drama—especially dramatic films and TV shows. However, you don’t want to watch some petty drama like Keeping Up With the Kardashians. You want a more sophisticated drama, something that combines a thrilling storyline and dry humor—like Nurse Jackie. What’s better than a nurse who doesn’t follow all the rules?
Cancer
Cancers are also very imaginative, which is why you love fiction so much. Why would the shows you watch be any different? You aren’t afraid to show your emotions to the world so your hyperactive emotions make suspenseful TV shows even more exciting for you. I’m sure you’ve already seen every horror and suspense movie on Netflix, but a movie doesn't compare to a lengthy series about murder. How to Get Away with Murder is a series about, well…how to get away with murder. The series follows a team of law students who are determined to cover up a murder, which will certainly captivate you.
Leo
Ideally, Leos love attention; however, they also love to devote their concentration to certain activities, like an intriguing Netflix series that allows them to learn. While Leos are known for their creativity, they’re also known for being confident, badass chicks who love to watch shows about other confident, badass chicks. Thankfully, Jessica Jones is the ideal show for you because it follows a strong female lead. Did I mention Jessica Jones is a Marvel hero?
Virgo
Although you may seem shy and quiet, you still love a great comedy. I mean, who doesn’t? Instead of a comedy that jokes about work (ahem, The Office), which is a very real reality for a college student, you’d rather scour Netflix for a humorous series about life in general. You know, nothing that hits too close to home. Let’s face it, nearly every comedy aficionado’s weakness is British humor. Chewing Gum is an excellent and underappreciated British sitcom about a religious woman’s path to explore the world around her and lose her virginity. The opportunities for comical genius are practically endless.
Libra
You’re super easygoing, but sometimes it makes you a bit indecisive. Often your mood changes with your hesitations, which is why finding a show to binge-watch past the first season can seem nearly impossible. After all, how can you devote your attention to an entire series when you couldn’t even decide between eating a burger or pizza for lunch? Instead of filling your Recently Watched section with a dozen shows that you paused during the first episode of the season, you should check out American Horror Story. After all, AHS changes its storyline every season.
Scorpio
You have strong opinions about essentially everything, including other people's opinions, which is why you need to indulge in a show with a sense of humor as brash as your attitude. However, you get disinterested in series that rely on their blunt humor alone. Instead, you need something with developed characters and an intense storyline. You need to get emotionally invested in a show, but you can’t stand to watch something that just brazenly kills off its beloved characters. *cough* Games of Thrones *cough* Luckily, Shameless is a show with crude but amusing humor and compelling character development. Just be prepared to develop the strangest crush on Lip. Don't say I didn't warn you.
Sagittarius
While you would love to watch season after season of a lengthy show on Netflix, you get a bit restless if you commit to one series for more than a season at a time, which explains why you’re still on Season 3 of The Walking Dead. Granted, Sagittariuses tend to be optimists so you’re a sucker for a TV series with an overall positive storyline or happy ending. New Girl is the perf show for you to binge-watch this summer, even if it'll take you longer than the summer to get through the five seasons that are on Netflix. It doesn’t get much better than watching a show about a peppy, young teacher living with three male roomies.
One of the teenagers targeted by hate speech on a train in Portland, Oregon on Friday publicly thanked the two men who died after they came to her defense.
On Saturday, 16-year-old Destinee Mangum spoke to Fox 12 Oregon about the incident with tears in her eyes.
Destinee Mangum, one of the targets of hate speech on a MAX train, thanks strangers for saving her life. pic.twitter.com/sefmOAyIVt
"I just want to say thank you to the people who put their life on the line for me, because they didn't even know me," Mangum said in the video. "They lost their lives because of me and my friend, and the way we looked. I just want to say thank you to them and their family, and that I appreciate them. Without them, we probably would be dead right now."
BuzzFeed reports that Mangum was riding the MAX train with her 17-year-old friend when a man, now identified as 35-year-old Jeremy Joseph Christian, approached the girls and told them that Muslims should die. Mangum's mother told The Oregonian that the girls tried to escape Christian's advances, but he persisted.
Three men stepped up to help the girls, which prompted the stabbing that left two of the men dead. According to BuzzFeed, 53-year-old Ricky Best and 23-year-old Taliesin Namkai-Meche were killed, and 21-year-old Micah David-Cole Fletcher was injured.
Christian fled the scene on Friday and was arrested early Saturday morning. He has been charged with aggravated murder.
Summer vacation is something that we can all look forward to. When we think of summer, we think of beaches, ice cream, road trips, tan lines and everything else we hope the summer will be filled with. Most of all, we hope that the summer will be filled with happiness. If you’re anything like us, you seem to have this unrealistic expectation that summer is going to be picture perfect — especially when it comes to spending time with your significant other.
What’s cuter than walking down the beach hand in hand while Taylor Swift’s “Sparks Fly” plays casually in your head? Absolutely nothing, that’s what. Even though summer could quite possibly do great wonders for your relationship, it could also be the reason that it may not do so well. Even though we’d love to day-dream about the endless possibilities that summer may hold, we often tend to forget the other things that summer comes with. Friends, jobs, internships, summer school or even distance also come with the start of the long awaited break. Here are some different reasons and scenarios where college relationships might not make it through the summer.
1. Distance
If you met your significant other in college, there’s a huge possibility that they don’t come from the same hometown as you. In this case, it’s most likely just a matter of distance. No matter how much time we spend on our phones, going from walking each other to class every day or simply just grabbing a meal together to relying on text messages and phone calls could still be pretty hard. Even though emojis are getting (kind of frighteningly) accurate at representing our emotions, there’s simply none that show our 2 am derp faces that make us who we are. Nothing can really replace cuddling up and watching a movie… no, not even your super soft body pillow.
Although it seems like your love is strong enough to withstand something so seemingly trivial as distance, it’s important not to underestimate the power distance can have. Trust us, we believe in the power of love as much as you (maybe even more), but distance does bring up some challenges. If you are from different towns, whether it’s an hour drive or a 15-hour drive, it’s important to plan for long distance, even if it’s just for the summer.
Simple things like these can give your relationship the spice it needs to keep the love *blossoming*:
Setting a day of the week to FaceTime
Watching a movie at the same time over the phone
Sending pictures of things you did that day
Writing letters
Sending a simple text saying that you are thinking of them
Even the little things make a world of a difference. The important thing is to put in the extra effort each day to show your SO that no matter how busy you are, they are still on your mind. We know, it’s so cliche, but that’s what gets the butterflies in your stomach!!
2. Spending too much time together
If you are lucky enough to live in the same hometown as your significant other, you have your own set of challenges to face. No matter how much you love spending time with someone, there’s always such thing as spending TOO much time together. With the stress of homework constantly keeping us busy gone, it leaves more room for lounging around at home. Although this is usually good, anything in excess could cause some problems.
With this, there is a risk of getting too comfortable with each other to the point where it seems like the relationship has gotten boring or even lost its *spark*. “Oftentimes, I’ve noticed that couples that seem to spend too much time together seem to get more frustrated with each other,” says Sabrina Lau, a sophomore at the University of Texas at Austin. “I think it’s important to remember that a relationship should be two independent people that are together instead of two people depending on each other.”
It’s important to remember that summer is not just all about the things you and your significant other can do together, but it should also be about what YOU can do. Whether it’s joining a weekly yoga class, taking art lessons or simply just going for a run by yourself, making sure to do your own thing once in a while is always a good idea. Hey, we never said you couldn't send Snaps documenting your new experiences to your SO.
3. Simply being too busy
Especially in college, summertime is not always going to be all fun and games. A lot of college students use summer as a time to be productive. We know… shocking, right? But hey, give us some credit — even though we are college students, we can be responsible every once in a while! Many people have internships, part-time jobs or even study abroad. The point is, that’s less time you have to spend with your boo thang.
“I think that face-to-face time or even just proximity that you get with your SO just by nature of going to the same school or attending the same classes probably has a lot to do with how your relationship developed in the first place,” says Margeaux Biché, a junior at Barnard College. “If you're not on the same campus, hearing about the same events, frequenting the same places and on the same schedule, it can get tough to maintain that connection.”
As much as we may hate to admit it, we all get consumed by something or another that could potentially distract us from our SO. This could take a huge toll on relationships, especially if only one of you is busy throughout the summer. In this case, it is important to make sure your SO is supportive of these new endeavors you’re taking on. There’s no doubt that in the future, you and your SO will be stressed with work life or school life. In this time, make sure that you’re their number one cheerleader. As long as they continue to prioritize you as well as show you the affection you deserve, it’s okay if they're busy. Most of the time, a SO is supposed to be someone who makes a person feel like they can breath even throughout the chaos of life.
4. The need for “adventure” during the summer
Finally, this is something that many people may not take into consideration. A lot of times when people think of summer, they think of it as a time to catch up with friends and family that they haven't seen in a long time — a time when they need to experience new things… or even new people. Even though it’s totally okay to experience new things, more often than not we hear the phrase “we have all summer to hang out” or “I see you all the time.” We often begin to prioritize other things under the pretense that we can always see our SO later. Especially in the summer, there’s more room for feelings to start to get a little confusing.
“I would say relationships usually don't last over the summer because most people use this time to be free,” says Ashley Drayton, a Georgia State University graduate. “Everyone is happier, excited for new adventures so people tend to lean towards being single and not having to worry about a significant other.”
It’s definitely true that sometimes we get so lost in the idea of having an “adventurous” summer that we often feel as though we may not need somebody else. We may even think that these new experiences are better than our old ones. Although it’s great to be an independent person, it’s important to think about what you really want. People tend to get so wrapped up in the idea that summer is for flings, hookups and fun that they have this desire to try new things. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the best for someone in a committed relationship.
In the midst of summer being a time for adventure, we sometimes have the urge to look for something fresh and new. This is mostly the case for relationships that seem to be reaching the end of the “honeymoon phase.” Those couples that seem to start to become too comfortable with each other may have a desire to reach that new and exciting time period once again. Just remember girls, if this is the case, maybe he just isn’t as into you as he should be.
Summer is a great time to test the strength of your relationship. Not only does it allow you to work through different obstacles, it gives you time to grow as a person. It’s a time that allows reflection not only on the relationship, but on yourself individually.
Summer could show you what you really like to do or it could show you that your relationship isn’t meant to be. Maybe you’ll realize that you are too dependent on each other… or maybe you'll realize that you’re perfectly independent. Whether it ends up ending a relationship or strengthening a relationship, just remember: You’ll learn from it.
In the wake of the horrific terrorist attack in Manchester on May 22, John Legend has paid tribute to one of the victims. Fifteen-year-old Olivia Campbell was one of the 22 people who died as a result of the explosion.
Olivia was a huge fan of Legend, and sang his hit "All of Me" at a talent show in the past. Legend, who saw the performance, sent his condolences to Olivia's parents and told them he was moved by her performance.
"I can't imagine the pain you are going through," Legend said in the video. "I have a young daughter and I can imagine the feeling you must have to go through right now to have to bury your own daughter. I understand she was a fan of my music and she sang my song "All Of Me" for a talent show, and that it was played at her memorial service, and I want to thank you for playing the song and let you know that I was so moved by your daughter's performance of the song."
He continued, "I want to send you as much love from far away, and as much sympathy and condolences I can send you. I know it won't make up for the loss you're feeling right now, but any love we can send, I want to send you right now. Wish you the best. Take care."
Paul Hodgson described the video as "amazing" on Good Morning Britain. "Our little girl is looking down saying: I've done it, I've done it," he said.
Hodgson and Olivia's mother, Charlotte Campbell, plan to get married in Olivia's memory.
Clueless when it comes to what you should be doing with your hair? Why not consult the stars? From fiery Aries to sassy Leos, we've got your back covered when it comes to your next hair appointment.
A short, no-fuss haircut is perfect for people who are born as fiery Aries. While it can be low-maintenance, the pixie cut can be spiked or slicked back, just versatile and exciting enough for this eternal go-getter.
Taurus gals are known for being down to earth and easy to get along with, so what better way than to channel that into some tousled curls and Bardot-inspired bangs? Ask for a longer fringe at the stylist's to get a more sensual look—Taurus is a romantic after all!
Geminis are social butterflies and well known for being the daring trendsetter among their friends. With that said, Geminis are also highly famous for being capable of feeling ALL the feels, making the sideswept pixie perfect as the cut creates an energetic silhouette offset by a romantic fringe. Getting a pixie will lend extra drama to every Gemini's closet, which is exactly what they like.
Cancers are artistic, sensitive souls with an eye for beauty. The shaggy bob has remained a staple haircut for years, and for good reason. It's a gorgeous look that can be styled into a crazy bed of waves or just brushed to frame your face. For the shy Cancer, this is also a great way to create a small but effective separation between you and the world when it all gets to be too much to handle.
Leos are natural born leaders, confident and ambitious. Because of these traits, a sleek and polished look suits their go-getter lifestyle and frames their faces in just the right way to show that Leos mean business. Ask for almost no layers to keep the hair sleek as can be. As for styling, comb through damp hair and use a smoothing cream after blow drying.
Virgos are the ultimate perfectionists, perhaps best known for pulling off immaculate style every day. When it comes to hair, Virgos are more than capable of picking up the challenge of maintaining long waves, which will bring a relaxed vibe into their look. Ask for layers around the face starting from your cheekbone area, and less layers at the back of your head.
Libras, like their scale symbol, are all about balance and tranquility. Long waves coupled with some light fringe keep Libras looking relaxed and refined, but don't compromise their charming persuasiveness. Make sure to keep your bangs minimal; a wisp is enough to complete the look without covering up your forehead
The long pixie cut creates a bunch of layers that both frame and hide the face, which should satisfy Scorpios who tend to be mysterious and naturally wary. But don't worry; on days you're feeling particularly bold you can style the hair with a headband or maybe a braid.
A Sagittarius is always on the go, whether it's by car, train, or plane. She will need something that is easy to maintain, but that still matches her outfits when she's out having a good time (which, for Sagittarius, is always.)
Capricorns always manage to look dignified and strictly professional, so we'd like to see them mixing it up a little with this slicked back bob. While still beyond appropriate, this hairdo makes it easier for Capricorns to get crazy when going out.
For Aquarius, independence is key. They are definitely not afraid to make a statement and stand out from the crowd when it comes to their personal style, so we propose that the Aquarius lady make a major change by getting short, short bangs. It makes the face look more youthful and brings out that Aquarius playfulness.
A Pisces woman is typically quite feminine in both style and demeanor, so she will pull off a retro look like no other. Pisces are also described as otherworldly, so how appropriate is it for them to revive a '40s-era hair trend?
There we have it ladies; hair ideas for all personality types and star signs. Just remember that no matter your star sign, neither your zodiac nor your haircut can truly define you—but they just might make you feel more like yourself.
All faith in Rachel Lindsay as this year’s Bachelorette was restored when she shut down DeMario Jackson after he tried dancing around the fact that he had a girlfriend immediately leading up to his appearance on Nick’s “After the Final Rose” special. It turns out that denying you have a girlfriend is a little difficult when said girlfriend is right there telling your new love interest the truth. Rightfully so, Rachel sent DeMario packing, proving that she is not going to take any guy's BS lightly this season.
There’s nothing better than when the Bachelorette makes us so proud that we nearly spill our wine cheering her on, so what better way to support Rachel than by sharing all of the reactions we had to her shining moment?
1. Does he realize what he’s dealing with?
When your boy doesn’t get that your job is literally to question people until they admit their faults, he needs to go.
2. Can I be Rachel when I grow up?
The way she handled that tension between DeMario and his alleged girlfriend was smoother than Chris Harrison sliding in with those first impression roses.
3. She’s taking no prisoners.
Sometimes Bachelorettes fall flat when confronting suspicious contestants about their current love lives. Rachel was not one of these women.
4. She went there!
You know it’s gotten real when someone tells a guy to “get the f*ck out.”
5. Put that law degree to use, girl.
After seeing that confrontation, I definitely wouldn’t want to face Rachel in court.
6. That’s what he gets for tossing around “wife” so much.
DeMario boasted about Rachel being his future wife on night one, proving that such cockiness comes back to bite you in the butt.
7. Can Chris Harrison also go away?
Props to our girl for heading into the ladies’ room so she didn’t have to talk to Chris after sending DeMario away.
8. That was a job well done.
We thought DeMario was gone for good once Rachel sent him away, but it looks like she’ll put him through the wringer again next week. After this showdown, we honestly can’t complain!
