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You Can Now Get Chobani's First-Ever Non-Greek Yogurt

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Few breakfasts are easier and tastier than grabbing a cup of yogurt and topping it off with some crunchy granola or fresh fruit. If yogurt is your go-to breakfast, you'll be thrilled to hear that Chobani is releasing its first-ever traditional yogurts. They've decided to expand beyond the thick Greek yogurt that they're famous for and sell five flavors of smooth and delicious non-Greek yogurt. 

Chobani Smooth is a low-fat creamy yogurt that's sweeter and milder than its Greek counterpart, offered in vanilla, peach, blueberry, strawberry and black cherry. We got a first taste of the yogurt, and we think it's a happy medium between sometimes tart Greek yogurt and other brands that can be overly sweet with their non-natural dessert flavors. Chobani keeps it simple with small chunks of fruit occasionally sprinkled throughout, and the classic flavors will remind you of more natural versions of the creamy yogurts you know and love.

What's more important, though, is the nutrition factor. Chobani Smooth pleases us health-conscious collegiettes in 5 key ways:

1. Chobani Smooth has 25 percent less sugar (14g per cup) than traditional yogurt

2. It's just 120 calories

3. It has twice the protein (11g) of other regular yogurts

4. There are no artificial flavors, no artificial sweeteners and no artificial preservatives

5. It's 1 percent milkfat, low-fat yogurt

Y'all can try Chobani Smooth for about $1.79 for a two-pack. It's really perfect for an on-the-go breakfast before a long day at your summer internship or an early morning class. We can't wait to see if they release more flavors! 


My Study Abroad in Europe Was Just as Life-Changing As Everyone Said It Would Be

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I learned that I’m obsessed with sunsets. You might even be able to say they’re a passion of mine. I learned that no photo will ever do the real thing justice—but the third Snapchat filter comes pretty close. I learned that the view from my fourth-floor balcony was better than my friend’s view from the third floor, and I learned that, even though the sun sets every single night, I would still pause my movie to watch it.

I learned that “tack” means thank you and that saying “hej” once just isn’t enough. I learned that most people speak more than one language, and I learned that I suck at learning new languages. I learned how universal English really is and how my sarcasm can still be understood thousands of miles from home. I learned that being tall and blonde in Europe means being German or Dutch or Scandinavian, and I learned that it only takes the word “sorry” for people to realize you’re North American.

I learned that I love cobblestone streets until I have to walk on them. I learned that chai lattes taste a little better if you drink them on a patio instead of indoors—and I learned that you never need a good excuse to eat a cinnamon bun. I learned the value of coffee breaks—even if I would probably never like the taste of coffee.

I learned that eye contact on the Metro is basically harassment. I learned that you have to stand on the right side of the escalator and to never stand too close to someone you don’t know. I learned to say “crowns” instead of “kronor,” and I learned that the view from a rooftop bar isn't worth an $11 beer.

I learned that I’m really not a museum person, but I learned to walk through exhibits and stare at artwork as though I knew what I was looking at. I also learned that it's exhausting to pretend to care about a ship that sank 300 years ago. I learned that I really don’t understand modern art. I learned that I’d rather get lost in downtown cafés and vintage shops than take a tour through the Royal Palace—but I learned that the photography museum was worth the $20 entry.

I learned to never take sunlight for granted. I learned to fit a day’s worth of adventure into six hours of daylight, and I learned that it’s impossible to sleep when it’s dark all day. I learned to never take nighttime for granted. I learned that my fourth-floor view isn’t so great when the sun blinds you at 4 a.m. I learned to go to sleep and wake up and never see darkness, and I learned that watching horror movies when the sun is still out isn’t as fun.

I learned that I’m not as afraid of planes as I thought I was. I learned that navigating the subway system is actually pretty easy, and I also learned that the transit doesn’t run all night on weekdays. I learned that friendship has no borders and that there is no place like home. I learned that I love to travel, but I also learned that I love having a place to come back to. I learned that my family means everything, and I learned that no matter far I go, I really can go home again.

They say that studying abroad is a life-changing experience. I don’t know who “they” are, but they were right.

Why I'm Disappointed in the A.D. Reveal on 'Pretty Little Liars'

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The opinions expressed in this article are the author's own and do not reflect the views of Her Campus.

This article contains spoilers.

By Briana Luca

Pretty Little Liars premiered on June 8, 2010. I sat down in front of my TV and was so excited to watch this new show. I had seen weeks of commercials, advertisements and interviews everywhere about this new story that would be taking the world by storm.

After that original first hour finished, I don’t think I had any idea that seven years later I’d still be fascinated with a group of girls from Rosewood and still waiting to find out the identity of A. There had been so many theories about who A truly was, and sometimes I actually had it right.

The first reveal was Mona, which made complete sense. Spencer, Ezra and Toby were all on the A team at some point or another. I had speculations about Noel, Jenna, Paige, Lucas and even Ali herself throughout those first few seasons.

When it was finally revealed that Charlotte was A, I was forced to believe this theory. It was confusing for me. How had CeCe Drake escaped our notice? Why was this story so twisted, instead of having a normal explanation? It didn’t make a ton of sense but I accepted it.

I came into this season needing answers and hoping I was finally going to get them. Marlene King wouldn’t leave me hanging, right? Spoiler alert: she didn’t. She definitely delivered something when she revealed Spencer had a twin, that’s for sure. As soon as I saw a second Spencer on the screen, I knew that this is what was going to happen. If you read the Pretty Little Liars books, you know that Ali was the one with the twin. However, I thought we were done with the twin theory after Jessica DiLaurentis and Mary Drake, but twins run in the family.

I was not excited about this reveal. The whole resolution felt very last minute––how could I care about the reveal of A.D. when she was a character I was just now meeting? I felt robbed. I felt like nothing added up, and that nothing Alex Drake did was justified. But in retrospect, I realize I’ve actually felt that for the last few seasons. I think it would’ve made even more sense to have Mona be A.D., or just anyone else who has actually been in the show with the Liars for years. Spencer’s twin didn’t cut it.

Even though I was disappointed in A.D., I was not disappointed with the episode. I actually thought the last few minutes were genius. From the wedding, to the Liars goodbye, to Mona’s strange ending in France, I was pleased with it all.  After seven years, we deserved those resolution points.

The Liars not only took over the world, but they were dubbed the first “social media” show. It was the first-time young women were taking over social media, discussing the show they were watching together. The shockwaves heard on Twitter whenever a new member of the A team was revealed were rocking. We all tweeted along with the show whenever a hashtag popped up in the right hand corner. Diverse groups of women from across America were brought together by PLL, and it connected so many people on a meaningful level.

All of this being said, while I was disappointed with the reveal of A.D., I am glad that we got some of the closure we needed. It was a wild ride, and I think I speak for all of us when I say we’ll miss Rosewood forever.

This Woman Was Raped Because She Works at an Abortion Clinic, & People Told Her She Deserved It

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A North Carolina woman was raped after her date found out she worked at an abortion clinic. In a truly heinous act, the man called her a murderer and raped her in his car after their second date in November 2015. Pro-life protesters then swarmed her abortion clinic and sent her messages saying that she deserves to be raped because of her pro-choice views, Cosmopolitan reports. 

Twenty-seven-year-old Calla Hales is the director of A Preferred Women’s Health Center (APWHC), which has four abortion clinics in the South. While going on her first date with this man, she told him she worked in women's health. Over text, he asked if it was an abortion clinic and she said yes—but he said that wasn't a problem. But throughout their second date, the man acted rude and weird. She asked for the check while he went to the restroom, then he asked her to come home with him. When she said no, they walked out to her car. That's when he grabbed her from behind and pulled her into the backseat of the car to rape her.

“He had me in between the seats, wrapped the seat belt around my neck, and at some point, bit me on my chest,” Hales told Cosmo. “He said things like I should have expected this and that I deserved it. He asked how I could live with myself and said I should repent. That I was a jezebel. That I was a murderer. That he was doing no worse to me than I had done to women. He said he would make me remember him.”

Hales has worked in the clinic since she was little; her mother and stepfather opened it when she was 8 years old. She never thought it was weird or frowned upon to help women seeking abortions. "But growing up, my parents were always telling us to be careful who we talked to and mindful of what we said," Hales told Cosmo. Working to support women's reproductive rights can lead to possible threats – so, to protect themselves, Hales' parents got bulletproof vest and gun licenses. Her mom was always worried about her daughter's physical safety, and for good reason. It's truly tragic that Hales' rapist was so against her beliefs that he would violate her, physically and mentally, because he disagreed with her work. There are no words.

Hales got a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) report and filed an anonymous report with the Raleigh Police Department, not wanting to press charges. But people protesting outside of her clinic started chanting things that her attacker said to her, like calling her a "jezebel." She got letters saying she deserved it. People kept saying creepy and inappropriate things to her, like asking about a hidden tattoo on her rib—something only her attacker or rape kit would have disclosed. She also was swamped with anonymous voicemails, calls and texts—sometimes just breathing into the phone or blank text messages to mess with her mind. 

Amid the protests, Hales moved from Raleigh to Charlotte, North Carolina to escape her fears. The Trump administration is not supportive of clinics like Hales'—women's rights activists are concerned the U.S. Department of Justice and Attorney General Jeff Sessions will not enforce laws that are meant to protect abortion clinics. But the positive side is that Trump's policies have emboldened more people to volunteer and support her abortion clinic, Hales said. 

You can read the full story on Cosmopolitan (I recommend doing so!) but the bottom line is shockingly how far these pro-life protesters went in trying to make their point. One man went so far as to rape Hales, while others defended his actions and aggravated her trauma by stalking her and telling her she deserved it. In attempting to protest what they see as violence against one group, they inflicted unimaginable pain on someone else. No one deserves to be raped. Everyone's voices deserve to be heard. We need to respect each other's bodies and respect each other's beliefs without resorting to horrific violence.

Trump Wants to Repeal Obamacare Even If the GOP Has No Replacement

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This presidential tweet might be the most troubling yet.

The Senate was preparing a bill to repeal the Affordable Care Act and fix its percieved problems—until the Congressional Budget Office said it would cause 22 million more people to lose their insurance by 2026, according to The New York Times. While a vote had originally been planned for this week, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell postponed voting as it seemed clear the bill wouldn't get the 50 votes it needs to pass.

Now it seems like President Trump is scrambling for a solution. What sparked this tweet? A letter from Senator Ben Sasse, urging Trump to do just that.

"You campaigned and won on the repeal of ObamaCare," Sasse wrote, "So did every Republican senator. We should keep our word." 

CNN reports that "Sasse's team and the White House had been privately discussing getting the President to publicly support a straight repeal bill." Then they drafted that letter. 

So, is there just going to be a period where no one has health care? Trump has already answered this question in a 60 Minutes interview just after the election. Lesley Stahl asked, "And there's going to be a period if you repeal it and before you replace it, when millions of people could lose—no?" 

"No, we're going to do it simultaneously," Trump replied, meaning the GOP would repeal and replace Obamacare at the same time. "It'll be just fine," he continued. "We're not going to have, like, a two-day period and we're not going to have a two-year period where there's nothing. It will be repealed and replaced."

How exactly is that going to work? Sasse wrote in his letter, "We should include a year-long implementation delay to give comfort to Americans currently on ObamaCare that a replacement plan will be enacted before expiration." Yeah... like that's going to happen. With the struggle the Senate went through trying to keep their bill a secret and then trying to get enough support, it seems unlikely that they'll agree on anything in a year.

A Student Was Killed in a Road Rage Incident 2 Weeks Before Her College Orientation

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A teenage honors student was tragically shot and killed in a road rage incident on Wednesday in Pennsylvania.

Bianca Nikol Roberson, 18, was shopping for college clothes with her mother and grandmother. On the way back from the mall in West Chester, she tried to merge into a lane, but so did a red pick-up truck. The man in truck pulled out a gun and shot her in the head, which killed her. Her car then veered off the road and crashed.

"They were jostling for a position or whatever. And unfortunately this gentleman took it to a degree that was just unconscionable," West Goshen Police Chief Joe Gleason told ABC 6. On the way home, Roberson's grandmother passed the crash and hoped it wasn't her granddaughter. It's a frightening thought. 

"She's so young. And to go through something like that by herself.... She had to have been pretty scared," Roberson's brother, Dontae Alburg, told ABC 6.

In two weeks, she would have been in orientation at Jacksonville University in Florida. Roberson was on the honor roll at Bayard Rustin High School and wanted to one day solve cases for the FBI. 

The driver is said to be a blond man between the ages of 30 and 40. He fled the scene after Roberson's car crashed on the side of the road, and now police in three states are searching for him—and believe he is armed and dangerous. If you witnessed the incident, you can contact the West Goshen Police Department Traffic Safety Division at 610-696-7400 with information. We're hoping Bianca gets justice for this atrocious crime.

Please Don’t Make a ‘Pretty Little Liars’ Spinoff Happen

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The opinions expressed in this article are the author's own and do not reflect the views of Her Campus.

This article contains spoilers.

On June 8, 2010, something amazing happened. Five girls stepped into the lives of millions of people and changed television. On June 27, 2017, seven seasons of mysteries, romances and weird texts came to an end…but have they? It seems like another show could end up happening, this time with Addison going missing from the barn house instead of Alison. While it’s unclear whether a spinoff will actually be happening, here are some reasons I think we should just bury PLLin the ground and throw away the shovel.

We don’t need another A.

At some point during the past seven years, literally everyone has been suspected of being A or part of the A team. That’s why everyone was taken by surprise when CeCe Drake was revealed to be A, because we had suspected her but also discredited her multiple times. But at least Charles was character we actually knew, unlike the A.D. reveal that introduced an entirely new person into the mix (anyone else furious about this?).

The point is, there’s no one left in Rosewood to make a bad guy out of, and we certainly don’t need another A reveal that ends up being more frustrating than satisfying.  

The games have become tiring.

We’ve definitely seen enough of the Liars living with a psychopathic murderer on their tails. After so many repeated habits like Mona going evil, Jenna helping A and someone getting kidnapped, I think the writers have created every possible dramatic situation––twice. Plus now that we know basically everyone in Rosewood is either a twin or a child of Peter Hastings (lol), we doubt that Marlene King could bring a new mystery to the table and not have us solve it.  

Times have changed.

Seven years ago, cyberbullying was not something that people talked about. It was swept under the rug or not even seen as harassment. Now, with the help of the show, many people have grown uncomfortably aware of what cyberbullying is and what it can cause. Seven years ago as a teenager, I don’t think anyone would have ran to their parents or the police about creepy texts from an unknown number threatening to spill some secrets. Now, if I got a text from an unknown, strange person, I would immediately block the number and tell someone.

All good things come to an end.

It has been a long time of questions, mysteries and tears. As an audience, we grew up with the characters, and they helped shape so many lives without even realizing it. Pretty Little Liars made endings seem less horrible and new beginnings feel less scary. It has inspired many, and proved that through thick and thin, friendship can survive all odds. But good things must come to an end. The series has dragged out as far as it can go, and we should let the Liars be free. After seven years of A, they deserve to move on.

So, with that last episode, Pretty Little Liars is over. Cheers to final endings and new beginnings!

5 Ways That the International Baccalaureate Program Will Prepare You For College

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Any college student who went through the International Baccalaureate (IB) program in high school is probably cringing at the very mention of the program’s name. After four years of formulating your entire life around the demands of IB, you will develop a strong sense of loathing for the organization—it's inevitable. Not only does IB place incredible demands on your mental state (thanks to its immense workload), but once CAS (creativity, action and service) hours are thrown into the mix, IB is able to grab hold of your physical, creative and personal well-being as well. 

Throughout the four years that IB students endure the program, they are more than likely to question why they do this to themselves. When you are still in high school, it is impossible to know whether all of your hard work will even be worth it. Every Saturday morning spent at Panera for a study group and every wild party missed because you have a 2,000-word paper to write are seen as damage to your social life in exchange for getting into a good college. 

So, even after getting into your dream school, is it really worth it? Coming from an IB veteran, the four years of torture were definitely worth it once I got to my university. If you don’t believe me, here are five reasons why IB was totally worth it.

1. You learn time-management

It’s no secret that IB manages to take over your life and leaves you in a lurch when it comes to personal time. By your junior year of high school, everything becomes centered around IB. When you aren’t studying for mock exams or drafting copies of your extended essay, you are racking up CAS hours by volunteering at the nursing home, going to art club meetings - despite your utter lack of artistic ability - or scrambling to make it to soccer practice on time. 

For Ariel Perry-Mills, a sophomore at the University of Central Florida, IB pushed her to be more organized. “It forces you to learn how to plan out your time, particularly when you have a great deal of material to learn in a short period of time,” she says.

Most students who join IB do so because they are already high-achieving students who strive for perfection. That being said, there is no scenario where coming up short for anything is acceptable. At first, the full schedule was probably a lot to handle for a majority of newcomers, but by the time you leave the program, you will have learned how to balance all of your responsibilities and excel in every area, simply due to the fact that you had no other options.

Emily Hartranft, a sophomore at Florida State University, says that knowing how to manage her time was a big advantage when she came to college. “IB really taught me how to manage my time,” she says. “I wasn't scrambling between trying to do well in school and trying to have a social life. I knew how to keep myself balanced.” Being able to show up to college and not having to waste time figuring out how to balance your responsibilities will give you a huge advantage over other students.

Time management is important to master during all of the stages of your life, but is crucial when coming to college. Without proficiency in time management, many freshmen will crack when they are faced with the high demands that college requires.

Related: 15 Things We Would Tell Our Former High School Selves

2. You learn how to study

IB takes a unique approach to teaching and testing that fosters a critical way of thinking and in turn, leads students to study in more effective ways. Nothing in IB is based on memorization, it is all based on understanding.

Ariel says that being in the IB program really changed the way she studied in high school. “[IB] drove me to learn material in such a way that I could remember it for an extended period of time, as opposed to just learning information for a test and then, immediately afterward, deleting it from my brain,” she says. Since she had already learned long-term study methods, she was fully prepared to the massive exams that we all face in college.

IB ends with a month-long period of exams, where students are tested on two years worth of material for each subject. With the time period that we needed to understand the information we were learning, a simple cram session was not an option. We were not able to memorize material and regurgitate it in a two-day period, we were forced to truly understand what we are learning and never forget it. The exams required us to explain WHY photosynthesis happened, rather than how. They had us explain the reasoning and importance behind each event in a novel, not simply provide a summary. IB took learning much further than simple regurgitation. 

IB students are trained to fully explain every little detail of an answer. In my experience, multiple choice questions were non-existent when it came to official IB exams and it was the same way in class. Four-page essays detailing the origins of the Cold War and full-page diagrams stipulating the processes of human digestion, are the only type of tests that exist in the IB world.

The study skills needed to pass these tests are far different and far more demanding than that of the typically high school test. By the time you reach college, you will have had four years of constant studying under your belts. You were able to toy around with various study techniques so by this point, you probably know which ones you best respond to. 

Entering college already well-versed in the art of studying will help you immensely. What your counterparts may spend a week studying for will take you two days and you will have the IBO to thank.

3. You are prepared for the academic rigor of college

Not only are the teaching and testing styles of IB uniquely challenging, but the content is also incredibly tough, as well. When I was in high school, we would go into every minuscule detail of every function of the body in biology, we would not only read novels, but study the authors’ life and the history of the genre in English class and when we finally got through understanding calculus in math class, we had to write a 2,000 word paper, putting the lessons into action.

Often times, IB students who got mediocre grades in high school, find themselves to be straight-A students once they reach college. “I was barely making B’s in most of my classes in IB, but now I have nearly a 4.0.” says Paige Nightly, a sophomore at the University of Florida. Going through the IB program prepares you for the rigor of any college that you will attend.

4. It prepares you for collegiate teaching styles

Not a second of class time was ever wasted in IB. Endless hours of lectures and presentations were abundant and free periods were scarce ––and frankly mythical. In college, no teacher is going to waste your time. You are paying thousands of dollars to learn something and the professors at your college will be devoted to making sure that you do.

Even though sitting through hours of in-class lectures and review sessions seemed like torture when going through it in IB, you will definitely be thankful that you learned how to get the most out of them. “[IB] prepares you for the lecture environment,” says Haley Richard, junior at SUNY Geneseo. Going into college already knowing how take notes while filtering out non-essential details and already having yourself trained to focus for such long periods of time on possibly boring topics, is a needed skill once you reach college.

Many incoming freshmen are alarmed when a three-hour lecture block ends up on their class schedule. They find themselves unsure if they can handle that lengthy amount of time, listening to a professor drone on and on about balancing chemical equations or the history of North America. 

Already being accustomed to this teaching style, IB students forgo any type of pre-class anxiety and arrive ready to listen, absorb and interact in all of their classes ––especially those shudder-worthy triple-block lectures.

5. It makes you more independent

The second your parents finish moving you into your freshman dorm room and wave goodbye to you, you will be entirely on your own. For most people, this is the first time that they have this sense of independence and vulnerability. Your mom won’t cook spaghetti whenever you want and your dad won’t be around to kill every bug that dares to cross your path, you have to learn to do all of that yourself.

This is also the first time that most students are on their own in the educational platform as well. In college, professors take a much more hands-off approach to teaching (and this is even more true at large colleges where you are in classes with hundreds of other students). Sometimes, your professor will not even know your name outside of seeing it pop up on their attendance sheet. 

This type of classroom setting can come as a shock to many students. “You’re really on your own for college,” Haley says. “IB prepares you to not have a teacher constantly holding your hand doing little things and doing big papers that I do similarly in college.” Luckily, already being accustomed to this does make the transition very smooth.

An independent learning style is one that is encouraged and performed throughout the IB program. Entering college already educationally independent, you are already one step ahead of your peers and have by-passed another mental and emotional transition. Although there are plenty of professors out there who are extremely caring and invested in the success of their students, it is good to be prepared for the professors who are not this way.

Even though you probably questioned your decision to join the IB program numerous times throughout high school, once you make it to college, you will be thankful that you didn’t give up. IB truly does prepare you for the next four years of your life and instills many skills in you that will be valuable for the rest of your life, long after your academic career has ended.

*Names have been changed


This Is the Type Of Guy I'm Ready For

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I’ve gotten to a point where I’m just so sick and tired of the modern dating scene—of Tinder, unsolicited dick pics and phrases like “Call me daddy.” I'm tired of guys who string you along and then bail at the first sign of commitment. I'm sick of over-complicated, immature, short-term relationships that fizzle out as quickly as they began. I’ve gotten to a point where all I can think is, “Why even bother?”

So, to the next guy that walks up to me at the bar: Ask me my name before feebly attempting to grind your crotch against my ass (or at least look me in the eye first). To the next guy that matches me on Tinder: Understand that cheesy pickup lines only work on me when they’re dripping in sarcasm. (You can’t take yourself seriously and ask me if I’m from Tennessee at the same time.)

I’m ready for someone who knows there’s a time and place to kiss me but never forgets to reach for my hand. I'm ready for the one who can make me feel a million different things just from a single look and whose presence can instantly make me feel at ease and whose kiss makes me forget there’s anything wrong in the first place.

I’m ready for the guy who lets me be the little spoon when we’re watching movies together but knows I hate cuddling when it’s time to sleep, the one who doesn’t get mad when I take all the good pillows or steal all the blankets and the one who will wrap his arm around me when he is half-asleep (and carry on unphased when I shove them off again).

I’m ready for the guy who I can be proud of when I introduce him to my family. I'm ready for the guy who is always down for a game of cards—the one who isn’t afraid to tease my father back or go shot-for-shot with my step-mom. I’m ready for the guy who understands that family means everything to me and won’t be annoyed when I just want to sit on the couch and hang out with them instead of hiding away in my room.

I’m ready for the guy who can take care of me. I'm ready for the one who knows how stubbornly independent I am and who understands when I need help without making me ask for it. I don't want him to just fix things for me, but I want him to teach me how to fix them for myself. I'm ready for the one that I can rely on.

I’m ready for the type of guy that is always there—the type of guy that loves his family and has goals for his life and can hold a conversation with my sister even if I leave the room. I'm ready for the guy who will ask me about my day and actually care about the answer. I'm ready for the guy who will keep me grounded and who will put in effort to know everything about me. I'm ready for the guy who will never leave.

4 Ways You’re Secretly Sabotaging Yourself at Work

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Whether you’re starting a new job or have been at the same place for years, everyone develops a work routine. The way you interact with your coworkers, assess tasks, complete assignments and present yourself in the office showcases your technique, personality and effort. However, you may not realize that your seemingly innocent actions in the workplace will precede a negative performance review, removal from a big project or rejection from a promotion. Look out for these professional pitfalls that may have snuck into your office life.

1. Refusing to delegate

Type A collegiettes often believe that the best way to ensure high quality work is to do it all yourself. However, you may not realize that you’re putting way too much pressure on yourself, as well as closing yourself off from the valuable inputs of your coworkers.

Rachna Shah, a freshman at Dartmouth College, knows what its like to want to take up all the responsibility.  “Sometimes, I'll try to lead an entire project by myself,” she says. “I'll be impatient, caught up in the excitement of an idea. This quickly leads to fatigue, confusion, and disillusionment, and would have been easily avoidable if I had sought help out earlier.”

Even if you’re supposed to go solo on a project, ask a few people you trust around the office to weigh in. “Confidence is good, don’t get me wrong, but realize that you don’t know everything, no one does,” says Tamara Peters, Associate Director of Career Development at Rutgers University. “Always try your best to listen, and be open to others’ ideas and feedback.” Don’t be afraid to reach out to someone for some help—collaboration usually makes your workload easier and your final product better!

Related: 8 Tips for Calming Your Nerves at a New Job

2. Maxing out on overtime

In theory, overtime can seem great—you get bonus pay and bonus experience. However, you need to remember that there is a legal limit on hours per week for a reason. Even as a young, hardworking girl-boss, you need to give your mental and physical health some good TLC.

Emily Schmidt, a freshman at Stanford University and fast-food employee, says that pushing the limit on her hours has pushed the limit on her performance. “Because I'm exhausted every day, I'm not giving my full attention to customers and end up being grouchy most of my shift,” she says. “Sometimes I think the extra money just isn't worth the mental strain.”

Shut off your computer and clock-out when your workday is done. With a better attitude and a higher quality of work, you (and your boss!) will thank yourself later.

3. Behaving unprofessionally

Having work friends makes your nine-to-five a lot more entertaining, but the term NSFW still applies to anything you say or do with them. Crying about your breakup to your coworker in the office or getting too sloppy at happy hour with your project team may seem like opportunities for bonding, but they really just make you look like your life is not together.

Peters believes that if you’ve known your coworkers for less than six months, you should definitely steer clear of intimate topics. “As a rule of thumb keep it primarily positive and work related, no gossip,” she says. “A few personal comments about what you did over the weekend, or the latest episode of Netflix series are fine, to show you’re human, but elaborating too much on a topic at this point is dangerous territory.”

While you do always want to bring your unique skill set to the job, work events with alcohol are not the time to show off your flawless four-second shotgun. Tom Dezell, Career Advisor and Author of Networking for the Novice, Nervous or Naïve Job Seeker, believes that you should limit or avoid drinking in these situations. “I remember the story of a colleague years ago who would always order a drink he couldn’t stand at such events so that he’d always have one in hand, but never drink it,” he says. 

Connect with your office-BFF over whatever you’d like, but just remember, this is a person that you want to always impress. He or she could end up being your boss one day, and you’ll want him or her to hold you to a high standard—not hold your hair back.

Related: How To Make Up For A Bad First Impression At Work

4. Thinking deadlines don't really matter

Just because you aren’t receiving grades—and you may not get a tangible repercussion—doesn’t mean assignments shouldn’t be completed on time. Every task you complete, regardless of your seniority within the company, is intrinsic to the structure of some larger task. Turning your work in late, even if its just a few hours, could mean that a higher-level executive has to pull an all-nighter to finish preparing a presentation for an important client meeting.

Your boss may be your best friend or the most laid-back person you know, but at the end of the day, if a deadline was set, it was set for a reason. As long as you’re on time, you won’t be the reason something goes wrong.

Don’t sweat the small stuff—but make sure the small stuff doesn’t escalate into bigger issues! Fix these sneaky bad work habits and you should be smooth sailing in the office in no time.

7 Beauty Essentials to Shop This Fourth of July

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We love celebrating Independence Day, but being out by the pool or in the backyard barbequing can take quite the toll on a girl's beauty routine. These products will be sure to keep your fresh, bright and protected for whatever the Fourth may throw your way. 

1. Come to Bed Red Nail Polish ($15.00 at butter LONDON

A bright red nail is so necessary for completing your patriotic look. 

2. Shore to Please Beach Girl Hair Refresher ($22 at Kerabotanica)

This refresher keeps your hair safe from UV rays and also smelling amazing AF. 

3. Facial SPF ($24.99 at Mad Hippie)

If you want to go all natural, this SPF is the only choice for you.

4. True Match Lumi Liquid Glow Illuminator ($12.99 at L'Oréal)

Fireworks aren't the only things supposed to shine on the Fourth. Your skin should too!

5. ReFINISH Dry Shampoo ($17 at ARROJO)

Having dry shampoo handy is crucial if you're going to be spending any time at the pool or beach. 

6. Sugar Sport Treatment Sunscreen SPF ($25 at Fresh)

We usually think of skin protection, but always forget lip protection! Use Fresh because sunburnt lips are the worst. 

7. Float On Giant Innertube ($24 at ban.do)

A stylish innertube is a must for anyone looking to compliment their Fourth of July beauty look, tbh. 

19 Words of Wisdom All Single Girls Have for Their Friends in Relationships

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Any reputable online love advice column will tell you to never take advice from your single friends. But why not? Your single BFF may have more relationship experience than you’d imagine—or at least have some good tips on how to have fun and stay young. Here are 19 words of wisdom all single girls have for their #taken friends.

1. Love yourself first and foremost

Gif Courtesy of Giphy

How can you expect to fully love someone if you don’t learn to love yourself first? Never underestimate me time.

2. Slow down, girl

What's the rush?! Love isn’t a race, so think things over before you start dress shopping and cake tasting.

3. Learn everything about each other

If you can live with his insane snoring at night, then he can live with your ever-growing collection of lipsticks that are slowly taking over the apartment.

4. Let him breathe!

We know you love spending time with him, but trust me, he'll still be there if you come shopping with me instead.

5. Food cures all

Boyfriend is mad at you? Feed him. He's sad because he failed an exam? Feed him. His mom doesn't like you? Feed her, too.

6. And wine, lots of wine

Don't forget to pour yourself ~one~ glass and unwind after a long night. You're never too old for fun.

7. Communicate with him like you would with me

Say what you mean and mean what you say. That means no passive-aggressive shade throwing. Sorry.

8. NEVER skip our girls' night out

You better always make time for drinks with the girls!

9. The grass isn’t always greener on the other side

So what if Ashley's boyfriend is taking her to get seven for $27 panties from Victoria's Secret? It doesn't mean your relationship is any less fun or spontaneous.

10. Stop trying to be #RelationshipGoals

Let’s be honest—that couple that you’re envying on Instagram is nowhere near as perfect as they seem. Learn to enjoy each other’s company without inviting all 1,643 of your Instagram followers to join the relationship.

11. "Date" his friends

No, not literally. Take time and get to know his friends (and help a sister out with those matchmaking skills of yours). Who knows, you might actually enjoy going out to frat parties and playing beer pong every once in a while.

12. Save your sass for me

Pick your battles wisely. Just because he believes Empire is a better show than Power doesn't mean it's time to start World War III. 

13. Appreciate the little things

Because being single means I don't always have someone to bring me my favorite ice cream when I'm cramming for finals in the library.

14. Never replace me with him

Don't you DARE do this to me.

15. Get used to the occasional boring night

Yeah, dinner and a movie is nice, but get used to a lot of nights of him trash talking on the PS4 while you’re in bed watching makeup tutorials. Just sayin'. 

16. But remember how to party like us single ladies

Let loose once in a while!

17. Sometimes you might want to experiment and have fun...

Being single has its perks.

18. ...but it's not all that it's cracked up to be

^ no longer you

19. Expose your true self to him

Let him see the you that I know and love. I'm talking full-on sweatpants, hair tied, chillin' with no makeup on. 

14 Things Only Klutzy Girls Will Understand

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Clumsy girls are everywhere. Chances are, you either know one or you are one. We can't all be as graceful as swans or as poised as ballerinas; however, if you're frequently described as awkward, foolish or just plain clumsy, it's likely you're a total klutz. You can't help it, you just seem to have this tendency to drop things on yourself, run into stationary objects and trip over your own two feet. You're not exactly proud of this, but it's not your fault. After all, you didn't choose the klutzy life--the klutzy life chose you

1. You're fairly certain you were actually born with two left feet

It's an absolute curse.

2. You trip over everything

It's a gift, really. 

3. You can just as easily trip over absolutely nothing

This takes a surprising amount of skill. 

4. You're convinced all household furniture is out to get you

Raise your hand if you've ever felt personally victimized by that couch in the corner. 

5. Wearing high-heeled shoes is a disaster waiting to happen 

You expect me to walk in five-inch stilettos and not fall flat on my face when I can't even master the kitten heel? Cute. 

6. You're constantly waking up with strange, new bruises

Maybe you're fighting crime while you're asleep? The world may never know.

7. People always ask where you're getting your bruises from

And you never know how to answer them because you really don't have a clue. Please, someone enlighten me.

8. Wearing white is pretty much impossible for you 

Stains, stains, and more stains. 

9. Any sport is going to require a significant amount of time to learn

The process will be filled with plenty of embarassing fails, no doubt.

10. You experience the feeling of true terror when someone in your direction yells "catch!" 

The lack of coordination is very real. 

11. The dark is a scary place for you due to all the potential objects you can and will trip over

The daylight doesn't help much, so it's no surprise the night will inevitably be ten times worse. 

12. Glass plates, dishes and cups are the enemy 

Too many potentially dangerous objects waiting to be dropped. 

13. Lighting birthday candles is obviously out of the question 

A fire on your birthday? Not-so-happy birthday to you. 

14. You are the queen of covering up your almost fall with a funny dance move and a good laugh

You obviously meant to do that. Duh

It's hard being a girl as it is. Being a total klutz definitely makes your daily life that much more difficult. Whether it's avoiding cutlery, certain colors, or pieces of furniture, every perpetually clumsy girl knows that her nature can and will get her into awkward, embarassing, and potentially painful situations. But, at the end of the day, there's nothing else to do but embrace your klutzy girl status in all it's foolish glory.   

This Woman Covered in Moles Is Running for Miss Universe & Her Story Is an Inspiration

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A 20-year-old from Malaysia is shaking up traditional beauty norms in the best way possible. Evita Delmundo, a young woman who was born with moles covering nearly every inch of her skin, just auditioned for Miss Universe 2018—and we can't get enough of her inspiring story.

Delmundo told ELLE that years of being bullied took a toll on her and made her consider having her birth marks removed. She said that doctors later advised her not to remove her moles because it would be a health risk.

Haters no longer stop Delmundo from pursuing her dreams and supporting others. She has blossomed into an incredible young woman who is now a role model for some 43,000 (and counting) Instagram followers, posting stunning selfies and fashion and beauty snaps that reflect her contagious positivity, happiness and confidence.

 

Go fight for it no one will stop you

A post shared by Ave Evita Patcey Delmundo (@evita_delmundo) on

Delmundo recently auditioned for Miss Universe Malaysia—a longtime dream of hers. “I feel like it’s a good way for me to showcase my uniqueness and newfound confidence, and hopefully I can also inspire others,” she told ELLE.

 

It's my dream Thank God

A post shared by Ave Evita Patcey Delmundo (@evita_delmundo) on

"Beauty is not just what's on the outside; it's not someone with the perfect face or the perfect body," she reminds us. "Beauty is who you are as a person and how you love yourself. It's never about perfection."

Miss Universe Malaysia callbacks are set to happen at the end of July. We'll be rooting for this beauty queen no matter what!

20 of The Cutest Things You Could Possibly Wear This Fourth of July

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Red, white and blue is the perfect color combo, and it's so rare that we truly get to rock it. This Fourth of July, embrace all the color you can with these amazing styles from our favorite brands. Whether you're hanging by the beach or spending the day with family, these fashionable must-haves will leave you the best dressed (and most patriotic!) in the room. 

1. Unisex Bamboo Sunglasses – Del Mar ($50 at Amevie)

2. Bamboo Women Sunglasses – Vegas ($70 at Amevie)

3. ALENA Sunglass for Women ($32 at EyeBuyDirect)

4. Weekend Vibes Baseball Cap ($16.90 at Torrid)

5. So Hot Bag ($160 at Chila Bags)

6. FAIR PLAY Ruffle Flat Sandals ($23 at ASOS)

7. Smile One-Piece in Ojos Blanco ($45 at lolli)

8. Voop One-Piece Swimsuit ($25 at Aerie)

9. Indigo Dip Dye Skirt ($68 at Juicy Couture)

10. Devon Drop-Waist Dress ($128 at Anthropologie)

11. Beach Dreamin Tunic ($69.95 at Free People)

12. Destroyed Ankle Skinny ($78 at Free People)

13. One Shoulder Romper in Bold Stripe ($35 at ASOS)

14. Monki Stripe Tank Top ($32 at ASOS)

15. Gypset Embroidery Jersey Plays ($55 at Topshop)

16. MOTO Boyfriend Short Dungarees ($75 at Topshop)

17. Short T-shirt with Motif ($12.99 at H&M)

18. Short Off-the-shoulder Top ($12.99 at H&M)

19. Open-Shoulder Pinstripe Top ($28 at Forever 21)

20. Contemporary Chambray Dress ($24.90 at Forever 21)


Jay-Z's New Album Is Full of Confessions About Cheating on Beyoncé

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Social media has been shook by the release of Jay-Z's 13th album, 4:44, with some claiming it's his best and most revealing album to date. While he doesn't hold back on controversial subjects like racism, what's got everyone talking is his confession about cheating on Beyoncé

In an era when basically every rapper is encouraging cheating and having side pieces, it's a pleasant surprise to listen to an album that is genuinely apologetic and full of remorse. 4:44 gets off to a running start with the track "Kill Jay Z." Lyrics include, "You almost went Eric Benét / Let the baddest girl in the world get away / I don't even know what else to say / N****, never go Eric Benét!"

Here, Jay-Z references Eric Benet's marriage to Halle Berry, which ended in infidelity. This track serves as self-reflection on his actions, with Jay-Z acknowledging that he almost lost his everything over a stupid mistake. 

The title track, "4:44," lays out the most sincere part of Jay-Z's confession and apology. The entire song gives details about his past mistakes and how it took the birth of his children for him to realize how to be both a good husband and father. The rapper told iHeart Radio, "[It's] one of the best songs I've ever written." 

In "4:44" he admits, "Look, I apologize, often womanize / Took for my child to be born / See through a woman's eyes / Took for these natural twins to believe in miracles / Took me too long for this song / I don't deserve you."

Finally, in the track "Family Feud," Jay-Z references Beyoncé's song, "Sorry," which made "Becky with the good hair" famous. According to Bey's hubby, he'd like to get rid of Becky once and for all. He reasons, "Yeah, I'll fuck up a good thing if you let me / Let me alone, Becky / A man that don't take care his family can't be rich."

Me still trying to figure out who Becky is

I've had this album playing for the past six hours on repeat with no chances of turning it off anytime soon. It's amazing to see a rapper who isn't afraid of being vulnerable and admitting when he's wrong. 4:44 serves as a beautiful declaration of love and further proves why Beyoncé and Jay-Z are such a powerhouse couple.

An Open Letter to the Girl Who Doesn't Love Her Body

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Summer is officially here, so, naturally, I’m stressing about my complete and utter lack of a bikini body. Instead of looking forward to my weekend at the lake, I’m rummaging through my clothes trying to find the shorts that are just high-waisted enough to cover my muffin top and for the dress that’s so loose you can’t even tell I have boobs—never mind any stomach rolls.

I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t self-conscious about the way I looked; everything was always a little too long, a little too big, a little too soft. I refused to wear clothes any smaller than size large for fear of being hugged in all the wrong places, and I couldn't sit down without awkwardly wrapping my arms around my non-existent six-pack. I didn’t hate my body, but I didn’t smile when I looked at myself in the mirror, either.

I always kind of assumed that was something I’d grow out of—as if I’d reach some magical age where all insecurities would just fall away and I’d stop worrying about the way my thighs looked when I sat down. Or maybe I just figured that once I grew up, I’d be married to someone who'd have to love me whether I had big boobs or not.

Being a twenty-something is hard—but being a twenty-something with body image issues sometimes feels impossible. We are constantly berated with Instagram “models” lying topless on beaches and Victoria Secret models walking around New York City in nothing but a bra and a pair of jeans. In the age of Tinder and first impressions, anything less than DD’s and long blonde hair means swiping right on people you never thought you would just to get a match and an ego boost.

The worst part of it all isn’t even that we’re unhappy—it’s that the reason behind it all is desirability. Why are smart, beautiful, independent women suddenly convinced that they’re fat and ugly just because some frat boy at the bar didn’t check them out as they shimmied past them? Why am I counting down the days to my next serious relationship so that I can stop worrying about what the next boy I bring home is thinking when I take my shirt off? At the end of the day, a naked woman is a naked woman, and that frat boy would be damn lucky to be looking at her topless. 

7 Inexpensive Ways to Continue Learning After Graduating From College

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There's a lot to miss about college: classes that don't start until noon, living with all your best friends, not having to worry about adult responsibilities—but do you ever just miss being a student? And no, we don't mean finals week and those insane all-nighters.

Fortunately, one perk of post-college life is that you can continue learning—on your own terms—and without sinking further into debt (we’re looking at you, student loans). You may not technically be a student anymore but don’t hold your inner nerd back from learning, whether it’s for your field or just for fun. Here's how:

1. Join a mentorship program

Talking to people who have been where you are currently will give you a behind-the-scenes look at your industry and give you more confidence in yourself.

“It’s always free to get advice,” says Brittany Galla, the Director of 30-Minute Mentors at Ed2010, a program that matches recent college grads who want to work in the magazine media industry with junior editors who are already working.

Think of mentor programs like dating websites: you are matched up with someone in your field whom you admire or who has your dream job in the hopes that you two will hit it off. “There are always new people coming into the industry and people moving around in companies,” says Galla. “There’s always someone new to learn from.”

Being a part of a mentorship program early in your career will not only provide you with great connections (yes, it really is all about who you know), but it'll also give you the chance to openly ask questions and learn from someone else’s experiences.

2. Attend networking events

Going to a networking event such as an industry happy hour can certainly be intimidating. The key to having confidence when you walk into an event is knowing how to talk about yourself and being genuinely interested in hearing about other people.

“You have nothing to lose but everything to gain,” reminds Galla. Your nerves will clear once you are at the event and even if you mainly listen to people share their stories rather than focusing on selling yourself, you are still learning valuable information. “You just never know who you are going to meet,” adds Galla. “You could meet someone who is in the same boat as you. It’s exciting to see where people are going.”

Whether you’re in it to talk to a more senior person in your field or just want to meet a new friend in the same industry, networking events can teach you something you can’t learn in the office—or in school, for that matter.

Related: What Career You Should Really Pursue Based on Your Zodiac Sign

3. Take online classes

Signing up for Lynda.com or Coursera.com could help you hone the skills you learned in college or even venture into something new.

“[Lynda.com] has a lot of videos about different programs and systems that I didn't learn in school, but it may be useful in your adult job,” says Alyssa Cooney, a recent graduate of Rowan University with a job in event planning.“It's a good resource because it's accessible, has a variety of topics you may want to learn about, and it keeps you learning even when you're out of school.”

The best part? You can take these classes on your own time and learn from home. Being fairly new to the work world can be a difficult adjustment in itself, so this could be a good fit for people with a tight schedule. Plus, taking these online classes could be your ticket to another job that requires a different set of skills or a position that wants someone more advanced.

4. Follow company leaders you admire on social media

For some of us, the first thing we do in the morning is go on Facebook or Twitter. While you’re scrolling past the unavoidable Bachelorette memes and watching the latest Trump drama unfold, tailor your newsfeed according to your interests. Following executives in your field will allow you access to their personal lives.

Based on what people share, you may learn more about a company or pick up an insider tip that could help you. There’s no excuse for not making the most of this close-up access we have to industry leaders... and let's be real, your social media stalking skills are A+. Want to even go a step further? Join a professional association dedicated to your career. You’ll stay abreast with the latest in your field, have the opportunity to network with some of the most experienced people, and attend exclusive events and workshops.

Related: How to Keep Moving Forward Your Second Year Out of College

5. Sign up for workshops

Whether your company requires you to attend or you find one that peaks your interest, workshops run through a local college or even your own company will feel similar to the college classroom setting. Some may cost a fee, which your company might be willing to pay for (doesn’t hurt to ask!), but keeping up with the latest information in your field is vital.

“Continuing to learn after college is so important because things around you are always changing,” says Lianne Rossi, a recent graduate from Felician University with a nursing job. “Also, it helps to re-learn things that I learned in school because it's impossible to remember everything.” She attended two 8-hour classes, which taught her important tips but also gave her the opportunity to meet nurses at different stages in their careers. Sneaky networking!

“I met other new nurses at the class and had the chance to find out about the floor they work on and how their experience has been so far,” she says. Going to these events can be both enlightening and reassuring. You’re meeting people in your field and learning valuable techniques to keep you moving forward.

And what if you actually want to go back to school? Seek jobs, or inquire/negotiate at your current job, about a tuition assistance plan. Some companies will pay a portion or all of the tuition to get their employees a masters degree. Think about it; higher education will help you advance your knowledge (and most likely your position on the pay scale) while also helping your company stay ahead of the competition with the most in-the-know employees.

6. Listen to podcasts

If you’re looking for a way to make good use of all that time you spend commuting, consider swapping out your latest playlist or the radio for a podcast. There are segments covering everything from life and relationships to sports and politics, so choose something that interests you.

“Individuals of all ages need to be aware of how important lifelong learning has become,” says Karen McKenna, founder of career planning company, CareerVisionary. “[I] encourage [people] to spend time learning as much as possible to remain current in their respective fields, (or broaden their knowledge to other fields), which will allow them to compete for jobs more effectively.”

And podcasts are also a great and easy way to learn about what’s going on in your industry, sometimes straight from big players themselves. No matter the topic, you’ll be keeping up with the latest news and opinions.

Related: An Introvert's Guide to Standing Out in The Office

7. Take freelance work and side hustles

“It’s harder than ever to find a job. You’ll only get it doing the groundwork, making connections and getting experience on your own,” says Galla. “Immerse yourself in any way you can, for free.”

It’s hard to juggle your work life and personal life as it is, but taking on a small side project or fostering a skill that isn’t related to your field helps keep as many opportunities open for you as possible. We are all more than just the career we chose, so let’s use all of our skills to their greatest potential.

In college, getting an education or focusing on a certain career path was the main concern. Suddenly, after graduation, when you are no longer required to go to a class or hand in assignments, it’s easy to focus solely on your career without advancing your knowledge in general. Whether you consider yourself a philomath or just want to do something more productive with your spare time than watch Netflix, keeping yourself up-to-date on your field and pursuing personal interests will leave you feeling knowledgeable and well-rounded. 

At Least 28 People Have Been Injured in a Shooting at an Arkansas Nightclub

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At least 28 people were injured early Saturday morning at a nightclub in Little Rock, Arkansas when multiple people opened gunfire during a rap concert.

NBC News reports that 25 people were shot and three were injured when they were trampled as concert-goers tried to exit the Power Lounge nightclub following the gunshots. Police are reportedly not treating the incident as terror-related, and believe the shooting was the result of a dispute during the event. 

According to the Little Rock Police, all victims are luckily expected to survive their injuries, and no one was killed. The one patient who was in critical condition has now been declared stable.

Police have also said that no suspects have been arrested yet, adding that there were likely multiple shooters involved. As of now, there is no motive for the shooting. 

The club's Facebook page promoted the show using a poster of rapper Finse 2Tymes pointing a gun at the camera, and the shooting follows multiple drive-by shootings in the same city earlier this week, although authorities do not believe the incidents to be connected.

The shooting in Arkansas marks the 173rd mass shooting (which the Gun Violence Archive defines as a gun violence incident involving more than four victims), in the United States this year alone.

ASOS Is Finally Showing Models with Unretouched Stretch Marks

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For once the female body is being portrayed as it actually is. ASOS recently posted unedited pictures of their models in swimsuits to their site. There was no announcement that ASOS had commited to posting real pictures of the women, and instead all of it was done quietly, like no big thing. Twitter users of couse caught on immediately and freaked, offering huge amounts of praise for the brand. Personally, this makes me so happy that a huge brand can realize photo editing is damaging to women, and make a positive change within their policies.

The body positivity movement is growing strong! Take a look at these beauties.

They look amazing!

Honestly, I'm not really even paying attention to the swimsuits.

Totally agree, so impressed. 

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