The runways were gilded at this year's Spring/Summer 2014 shows, where metallics reigned supreme. The luxe trend was spotted on catwalks everywhere during Fashion Week, from Lanvin and Balmain to Dries Van Noten and Dolce & Gabbana. Iridescent fabrics also took center stage at the Tom Ford and Marc by Marc Jacobs shows, where the traditional golds and silvers were swapped out for more exotic metallic shades and shine.

While some of the designer runway looks were a little out there (well, what did you expect?), there are plenty of ways to incorporate this summer's metallic trend into a more wearable wardrobe. Metallics are fantastic because they add sparkle and bling to an outfit without you having to pile on the jewelry, and they can act as glammed-up neutrals when paired with brighter colors. Check out our favorite ways to rock this dazzling trend!

1. Oxfords

If you're as obsessed with oxfords as we are, then you'll love these Cole Haan Gramercy Oxford Caps in Rose Gold. The metallic finish dresses things up a bit, and the rose gold is so on-trend right now (we're imagining how adorable these would look with that rose gold Michael Kors watch we've been coveting!). We love oxfords because they're so versatile in terms of when and how you can wear them; perfect for a collegiette!

2. Skater Skirt

The skater skirt is a staple in every collegiette's summer wardrobe, but delicate floral prints and jersey fabrics are difficult to transition into nighttime wear (and, quite frankly, they're overplayed). The easiest way to jazz up the skater skirt is to try it in an eye-catching metallic. We're loving the way this Nasty Gal Electric Metal Skirt adds a pop of cool color and unexpected texture to this summer staple.

3. Headphones

We're so excited that wearing headphones as an accessory is one of the major fashion trends of this spring and summer, especially since headphones are an essential on our morning commute (well, headphones and Starbucks). This gorgeous pair of Frends Rose Gold Layla Headphones are chic and functional; perfect for keeping your hair out of your face and jamming to Iggy Azalea.

4. Crop Top

Ah, the crop top. We swear we've already come up with at least 15 different ways to incorporate this staple into any outfit, but we think we can make room for this Forever 21 Metallic Beaded Crop Top. The metallic beading in various shapes and sizes can jazz up a basic black bodycon skirt or add some edgy texture to a more feminine circle skirt.

5. Stacked Mixed Metal Accessories

When we think metallics, we immediately think jewelry! There is no fashion rule that says you have to match all of your jewelry, and we personally love stacking jewelry in all different metals and textures, like this Kendra Phillip The Heather Trio. The gold, silver and rose gold bangles in varying textures add interest and a touch of effortless glamour to any outfit.

6. Shimmery Grecian Dress

We noticed a lot of super shiny, almost wet-looking metallics on the runway this year, and this ultra-reflective River Island One Shoulder Metallic Dress nails the catwalk look. A gold lamé dress hugs and highlights curves beautifully and is sure to make you stand out in a sea of skin-tight black dresses (in the best way!). Plus, this richly colored fabric is a great transition piece for fall. Try it with opaque black tights and booties as the weather cools down come September!

7. Streamlined Clutch

A futuristic silver clutch in a streamlined silhouette, like this Mix No. 6 Metallic Envelope Clutch, is something every collegiette should have in her wardrobe to top off any outfit. As we mentioned before, metallics can act as grounding neutrals, so a pair of silver strappy sandals and a matching clutch can work beautifully with a brighter dress for a night out. For an unexpected twist, pair this bag with an ultra-casual jeans-and-tee outfit.

Summer is the perfect time to add a few metallic pieces to your wardrobe, especially consideing the shimmering fabrics look beautiful against a sunkissed summer glow. We'll definitely be trying out these gilded ideas this season. Shine on, collegiettes!

Trying to curtail your use of social media? We’ve found a solution  — a wearable one.

As part of their Interactive Telecommunications thesis, two NYU students have made a dress called “x.pose” that becomes transparent the more online data one produces. According to Jezebel, x.pose is made of 3D mesh and a layer of 20 hand-cut, reactive displays. 

As its wearer uses Twitter, Facebook and Google, the geometric shapes slowly turn opaque.

“x.pose is an exploration and commentary on the current Internet culture of our generation and the relationship we share with our data,” the designers Xuedi Chen and Pedro G.C. Oliveira, explain on their website. “Individuals carrying smartphones and connecting with services such as Google or Facebook have agreed, often without conscious consideration, to policies that grant these service providers explicit rights to harvest and utilize personal data on a massive scale.”

They point out that using this information, Google, for example, can figure out “where its users are, have been, and even where they’re going.”

At the end of a video about x.pose, the tagline, “In the digital realm, we are naked all the time” flashes onto the screen.

We’d love to nominate a couple of celebrities to rock this sartorial political statement, like Miley Cyrus or Lady Gaga. However, it’s definitely not for the faint-of-heart.

What do you think, collegiettes — do we cede too much personal information when we use modern technology? And would you ever wear x.pose?

One of the best ways to make new friends in college is by participating in extracurricular activities. Luckily, it’s easy to find many different clubs on campus to suit your interests. We spoke to collegiettes attending universities all over the country to find out more about a few popular (and some unusual)  extracurriculars  that you can look for when you start school in the fall!

1. If you’re interested in philanthropy or event planning, try Relay for Life.

Relay for Life is a volunteer-driven fundraising event for the American Cancer Society that is held annually around the world. The event raises money for cancer research and cancer patients while spreading awareness, celebrating the lives of survivors, and remembering those who have lost their lives to cancer.

All Relays are overnight events lasting 12 or 24 hours that usually take place on a school track. Since it is a “relay,” each fundraising team has to have at least one person walking the track at all times. The event consists of a variety of different ceremonies, including a special lap for cancer survivors, a survivor dinner, and a candlelit vigil.

In addition to attending the event or participating in a team, you can also meet new people by joining one of the committees that plan the event. “Many colleges host Relay for Life events, and I think it’s a great way to get involved because there are so many different committees to join, like marketing, corporate sponsorship, team recruitment, events, and many more,” says Meghan Gibbons, a recent grad of Boston College. “Overall, however, we work as a whole team and get to know each other while creating a hugely successful event for a great cause.”

Although Relay for Life only happens once a year, there are many teambuilding activities and fundraising events leading up to the event. “At the beginning of the year, there is a sign-up meeting to join a committee, but if you just want to attend Relay, you can register any time up to the day of the event,” says Meghan.

2. If you're interested in performance or dance, try a belly dance club.

If you want to perform with a dance group, then you’re in luck – most universities have troupes representing at least a few different styles of dance, including hip-hop, tap, and ballroom. And even if you don’t have an interest in one particular style at the moment, keep in mind that the clubs that take you furthest out of your comfort zone, like belly dancing, may be the most rewarding.

“I came across the belly dance club at the activities fair and immediately signed up. I was a little nervous at first because I hardly ever wore a bikini, much less danced around with my stomach exposed,” says Melissa Stoker from Towson University. “Still, I knew I loved more alternative styles of fitness, like yoga, tai chi, and Pilates, so I decided to try it out.”

While some dance clubs require an audition to join, others include dancers of all levels. These groups can be a fun way to dance, perform, and even choreograph dances. For Melissa, trying something out of the ordinary turned out to be the best thing she did that semester. “I met so many interesting and confident girls who loved shiny costumes and performing as much as me,” she says.  “Our performance at the end of my first year was so exhilarating, especially when the crowd started clapping and cheering in the middle of one of our dances. I felt so empowered.”

This year, Melissa decided to become co-president of the club. “Belly dancing means a lot to me,” says Melissa. “It sort of awakened a confidence in me that perhaps I always had, but had never truly embraced. It made me feel beautiful even though I'm not a stick-thin girl, and [it] allowed me to appreciate my curves and ability to dance.” You never know if you’ll enjoy something unless you try it!

3. If you're interested in sports (with some added quirkiness), try Quidditch.

Fans of Harry Potter should definitely “seek” out their school’s club Muggle Quidditch team, which you can find through the International Quidditch Association. Since the sport was created at Middlebury College in Vermont, it has grown into its own distinct sport, but with many similarities to the fictional game. While retaining the rule of seven players on each team (three chasers, two beaters, one keeper, and one seeker), Muggle Quidditch has been adapted for the ground by confining the game to a hockey rink-sized playing field. Three circular goals are placed on either side of the “pitch,” and all players must carry a broom between their legs. Players substitute a volleyball for the quaffle and dodgeballs for bludgers. Instead of a magical flying snitch, a “snitch runner” tucks a tennis ball inside a sock into his waistband and runs around the field. Once one team’s seeker gets the tennis ball, the game is over.

“Playing Quidditch was one of my best decisions in my college career,” says Lindsay Geller from Emerson College. “I've met at least half of my friends through it, and it's such a positive way to de-stress.”

If Harry Potter isn’t your thing, see what other intramural sports teams your school offers, such as basketball, soccer, dodgeball, and tennis. Intramural sports are less competitive than club and varsity sports, so you don’t have to be a stellar athlete to join them! The intramural teams also require less of a time commitment than club or varsity sports and accept players of all skill levels.

Club sports are the competitive middle ground between intramural and varsity sports. But if you make it through tryouts onto a team, you’ll become a part of a talented group of individuals with the opportunity to travel to other schools for competitions and tournaments.

4. If you're interested in boosting your career, try an academic club, honor society, or pre-professional society.

Academic clubs, honors societies, and pre-professional societies bring like-minded students together and allow you to learn outside the classroom. They are a great way for students in the same major or on the same career path to support one another and learn about opportunities in their field. They’re also a great way to boost your résumé!

“My favorite part about the Marketing and Advertising Society was that the meetings offered a designated space and time where I could explore what's happening in the field and discuss it with other students,” says Simmone Seymour, a recent grad of Tufts University. “It gave me the chance to learn more about the professional path I'm interested in within a social setting.”

It also can be much more motivating to learn about a field you're passionate about when you’re surrounded by a dedicated group of other eager students, rather than limiting your learning to a solo activity, like reading a textbook.

5. If you're interested in politics, try student government.

Student government is a great way to lead your student body and make changes at your school. Your involvement can also vary depending on which aspects of campus life interest you the most. For example, many schools feature opportunities to run for dorm council, class council, or as a representative of student life.

Most schools have a large enough variety of clubs and extracurricular activities that you should have no problem finding one that interests you. Keep your head up, try new things, and, most of all, look forward to the many new experiences and friends that await you in college!

High school was the time of your life, and it can be intimidating to know that a whole new chapter is about to begin.  However, there’s no reason to stress: high school can’t last forever, and there are bigger and better things waiting just around the corner!  Coping with your post-graduation blues can be easy if you follow these four steps.

1. Spend time with high school friends

It may seem sad that high school has come to an end, but think about all the great times you’ve had in the past four years!  Create more memories throughout the summer by doing fun things with your high school friends, like beach trips, movies and campfires. You’ll feel much better heading off to college knowing that you spent an awesome summer with your besties.

“It’s so bittersweet leaving such good friends but knowing that you are about to go start a whole new, exciting chapter of life,” says Ashley Caporoso, a sophomore at Bentley University. Rather than be upset about leaving your friends behind, create memories with them while you can. Chances are you’ll reunite with your high school friends over fall break or Thanksgiving.

2. Get ideas for your dorm room

At this time of year, tons of places will be advertising dorm-room furniture and decorations.  Planning out your dorm room is an excellent way to de-stress and get ahead on shopping.  Choosing bedding and decor and printing out pictures will clear your mind from any worries you may be having.

“I hang pictures of my friends from home on my walls and keep up with them in a group text,” says Allison Zeppuhar, a sophomore at James Madison University.  Incorporating your friends from home into your college life is a great way to cure any homesickness or blues you may have.

3. Get psyched for what’s to come

With a tight high-school schedule, chances are you weren’t able to do as many things as you would have liked to.  After graduation, you have more opportunities to travel, explore and be who you truly are.  Going to college, taking a gap year or working will provide you with an opportunity to learn more about yourself that you may not have had before. 

To get even more excited, talk to current and prospective students on admitted-students Facebook groups; it’s a great way to learn about everything the school has to offer and to see what you have in common with other incoming freshman.

“College itself doesn't change a person—it’s what you do with the experience,” says Susan Fee, licensed professional counselor and author of My Roommate Is Driving Me Crazy!“Your life will not suddenly change unless you behave differently.” Get hyped up about this new chapter you’re beginning!

4. Take in the freedom

Early-morning alarms, dress codes and curfews all come to an end once you graduate (well, unless you have strict parents or a strict school administration).  The freedom after high school is something you may not have ever experienced before, which should be another way for you to cope with your post-graduation blues.  You can stay out late, sleep in and wear what you want.  Taking a step closer to the real world may seem frightening, but your college years will give you a fun bridge between high school and being an adult.

 “The most resilient students focus on the now, not the fairytale future,” Fee says. “Someone who feels overwhelmed is focusing on the future, but doing absolutely nothing in the present to address fears.”  Spend time thinking about the opportunities right in front of you rather than worrying about what’s ahead.

Graduating from high school is a huge accomplishment that deserves to be celebrated. It gives you the foundation you need to pursue your dreams and become who you truly want to be.

“Know you’re not completely leaving all high school experiences behind, but simply expanding on them,” says Emily Montgomery, a sophomore at James Madison University. “Times you’re feeling homesick, you can always call your best friend from home or family.”

Of course it’s intimidating to know that you’re beginning a new chapter of your life, but there’s no reason to be worried!  It’s important to focus on the present and deal with problems when they come.

Congrats to all of you high school graduates, and good luck transitioning to college!

Figuring out hair and makeup that’s suitable for your internship can be a daunting task. Some offices are super reserved and some are more easygoing, but no matter what kind of office environment you’ll be interning in, there’s a fine line between overdoing your beauty look and not doing enough. You want how you look to reflect how put-together, polished and reliable you are. With the help of two career experts and a beauty expert, HC pulled together a few dos and don’ts for making your beauty look appropriate for the office.

DO make sure you have groomed nails

Nails may seem like a minor thing, but they can have a big impact on your overall look. Meryl Weinsaft Cooper and Jessica Kleiman, co-authors of Be Your Own Best Publicist: How To Use PR Techniques To Get Noticed, Get Hired & Get Rewarded At Work, say in a joint statement, “at a minimum, be sure your nails are filed and cleaned. We’d typically recommend keeping your nails at a medium to short length for most positions; longer nails can be a hindrance when typing, texting or working with your hands.”

As for polish, regardless of where you work, chipped nail polish is a big no-no because it can really detract from an otherwise put-together look. When picking a polish color, you can play it safe by sticking to a neutral color. Bisi Essien, founder of Crystal-Eyez Makeup and Beauty Lounge, recommends “earth-tone colors or soft pinks.

“I will definitely advise against bedazzled nails or any designs that will cause distractions,” Essien adds. You want your nails to add to your overall look, not distract from it!

Another way to figure out what polish works for your office it to use the workplace itself as a guideline. “If you’re at a more conservative location – like finance, for example – it’s best to stick with a classic neutral one, like Essie’s Adore-a-Ball ($8.50) or Dune Road ($8.50),” Cooper and Kleiman say. “In creative industries, you may see an openness to fun color palettes or even nail art. In fact, if you are in a trend-focused company —like a fashion magazine or PR— do some research on what colors are current, and opt for those.”

DON’T douse yourself in perfume

It’s tough to find a happy medium with perfume, because while you want to smell good, you also don’t want to be the intern who leaves a trail of perfume wherever she goes. Cooper and Kleiman say to follow a simple rule of thumb: “You don’t want the scent to arrive before you or linger long after you’ve departed. A classic tip to avoid over-application is to spray the scent in front of you and to walk through it versus applying it directly to your skin.”

If you’re unsure if your favorite scent is too overpowering or if it will sit the wrong way with some people, ask your friends to weigh in! Try a couple different options and see which they prefer. “Of course, if you find the perfect scent, it can be one of your ‘signature’ elements,” Cooper and Kleiman say.

DO keep your hair neat and professional

Your hair should be washed, brushed and out of your face. “It’s okay to wear your hair down, as long as it’s not covering a significant portion of your face and especially not over your eyes,” Essien says. “You want to be able to maintain good eye contact.”

Many collegiettes have the nervous habit of playing with their hair, so Cooper and Kleiman suggest styling your hair “in a way that will prevent you from playing with or touching it – either consciously or unconsciously – as that can be distracting for coworkers and often read as insecurity.”

Again, wearing your hair down is totally fine, but “if you’re someone who doesn’t like to spend a lot of time blow-drying your hair, you may want to opt instead for a pulled-back style, like a sleek ponytail, bun or even a simple braid to ensure a polished look,” Cooper and Kleiman say. A little bit of hair spray here and there can help keep your flyaways at bay and further guarantee a sleek and professional look.

DON’T wear heavy makeup

At your internship, less makeup is more. Keep your look as natural and light as possible. Your supervisors want to get to know YOU, not an overly done-up, caked-on-makeup version of you! Heavy makeup can detract from your natural beauty, and it’s also a hassle on your part to apply every day. Less makeup also means more time to sleep in, which might even reduce the bags under your eyes you’ve been trying so hard to cover up!

“Definitely even out your skin tone with tinted moisturizer or some sort of foundation,” Essien says. A great product to try is Laura Mercier’s tinted moisturizer ($43) because it gives you the ultimate “no-makeup look” while evening out your skin tone.

For eye shadow, Essien recommends using natural and earth-tone colors, or “you can even pass up on eye shadow altogether.” Too Faced Natural Eye Shadow Collection ($36) has a variety of earthy and neutral colors that would work at your internship. Also, it’s a perfectly portable size, so it would easily fit in your purse to bring to work for touch-ups.

For the rest of your look, Essien says to “keep your eyeliner thin and as close to the lash line as possible. A little bit of mascara will go a long way.”

When it comes to your lips, “use a neutral-tone lipstick, or something with a bit of color,” Essien says. “It’s safer to stay away from bright or dramatic lip colors.” A good simple lip color to try is NARS Satin Lipstick in Honolulu Honey ($26).

The simpler your makeup, the more put-together you’ll look, and that’s what bosses like to see in their interns! As a final note, Cooper and Kleiman suggest checking “your makeup under the fluorescent lights when you are applying (or when you first arrive at the office), as that will help you gauge whether or not you need to tone it down.”

DO be prepared for anything

Make sure that whatever makeup you do choose to wear is waterproof. You might be sweat while sprinting to work in the summer heat, or you could be sent out on errands when it’s raining, and you don’t want to return to the office with streaks of mascara running down your face.  Switching to waterproof makeup on workdays will eliminate the stress of wondering if your makeup is smudged and ensure a more polished office look. Make Up For Ever’s Aqua Line has all sorts of waterproof products, such as mascara, eye shadow, eyeliner and more.

Also, Kleiman and Cooper say to “stash some beauty necessities in your desk or your bag – so you have them at the ready, if needed. Some of the key things to have on hand include a toothbrush and toothpaste, Band-Aids, a tinted lip gloss, a hair band and anti-frizz serum, nail polish remover pads and face powder.” With this bag on hand, you’re ready to face any beauty challenge that might come your way during the workday!

The final step to having a professional beauty look? Don’t forget to smile! A smile makes you seem warm, approachable and enthusiastic about what you’re doing. It also makes you look comfortable and confident, and that’s part of what makes a standout intern!

From headaches, nausea, fatigue and insomnia to the common cold and moodiness, all collegiettes deal with aliments from time to time. While your first instinct may be to pop a pill when you’re feeling off, there are much better, more natural options that will not only relieve you of your symptoms, but also make you healthier and happier in the long run.

So the next time you’re feeling less than stellar or you’re just looking for a boost, try a natural plant! All of these herbs can be found in a variety of forms, such as teas and capsules, and you can find them in most grocery stores and health food stores.

1. Rhodiola

Rhodiola, also known as “golden root” or “arctic root,” has a long list of health benefits. The herb reduces stress, aids in muscle recovery, strengthens the nervous system, fights depression, increases immunity, enhances memory and improves hearing, among other things. It is best taken if you want relief from stress or if you’re running low on energy and motivation (in other words, perfect during finals week!).

“Rhodiola has a regulating effect on cortisol,” says Mary Helen Lee, acupuncturist and co-manager of White Moon Healing Center in Chicago. “People get excess cortisol from stress. Rhodiola has a very calming and stabilizing effect on the nervous system because it's able to help balance adrenal chemistry. Because of this, it helps support the immune system as well.”

Rhodiola is best taken in capsule form, and it is important to make sure to get a supplement that is guaranteed Siberian-grown. Some good brands to try are New Chapter or Gaia Herbs.

2. Ginseng

Native to eastern North America, American ginseng is considered to be a stress reducer and energizer. American ginseng (one of many varieties of ginseng) has been proven to increase energy and endurance as well as physical and mental performance while nourishing your mind and body. “Ginseng will improve alertness and exercise performance,” says Virginia Hadley, registered nurse, nutritionist, counselor and herbalist at Bearfoot Herbals.

Amanda Ball, a freshman at Western Michigan University, had a good experience when she took ginseng. “Ginseng helped me become healthier; when I was taking it, my hair and nails grew significantly!” she says.

Ginseng can be taken in capsule form (NOW Foods is a good brand to try), or it can also be brewed as a tea (Triple Leaf Tea is a great choice).

3. Peppermint

It might be better known in candy form, but the peppermint plant has a wide range of medicinal uses. “Peppermint is perhaps best known for helping digestion,” Lee says. Peppermint can help with gas, nausea, indigestion and cramps. It also relieves cold symptoms, such as a sore throat.

“Whenever I drink peppermint tea, I feel like it opens my airways and it soothes me, calms me down and makes me feel refreshed,” says Hannah Schuring, a senior at Portage Central High School in Michigan. The peppermint plant is best enjoyed in tea form; if you want to try it, try Celestial Seasonings Peppermint Herbal Tea.

4. Lemon Balm

Lemon balm is used to treat a variety of aliments (and it really does smell and taste like fresh lemons!). “It aids digestion, decreases depression, decreases spasm (painful menstrual cramps, intestinal spasms of IBS/IBD) and, in higher doses, induces a state of relaxation,” says naturopathic physician Dr. Katie Stage, ND.

Lemon balm also has calming properties and can be used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Unlike Adderall, lemon balm does not have detrimental side effects – in fact, quite the opposite. “Lemon balm helps to quiet the mind and increase clarity and concentration,” Lee says. “It's a safe herb (a member of the mint family) that can be taken daily as needed.” Focusing during your next history lecture will seem like a breeze!

Lemon balm is available in many forms, but capsules and teas are the most common. A good brand to try is Solaray. If you want to try lemon balm in a tea, Traditional Medicinals Organic Lemon Balm herbal tea is a good option.

5. Valerian

Used as a treatment for insomnia, valerian root has a calming effect that enhances sleep, allowing for a restful night. “It improves sleep latency, meaning people who take it fall asleep faster,” Stage says. “They also report more restful sleep. [Valerian] does this by binding to GABA (a relaxing neurotransmitter in the brain) receptors, thus inducing a feeling of relaxation at lower doses and sleepiness at higher doses.”

As collegiettes, we often suffer from lack of sleep (loud neighbors, piles of homework, an eventful social life), and it can be difficult to wind down. With valerian, though, you’ll drift off comfortably and wake up rejuvenated! Valerian can be found in capsule form; a good choice is Nature’s Way Valerian Root.

6. Ashwagandha

Valued for centuries for its healing properties, ashwagandha, also known as “Indian winter cherry” or “Indian ginseng,” is useful in treating pain, fever and restlessness. This revitalizing herb has the ability to stabilize your mood, and it also boosts the immune system as well as brain function.

“It modulates the immune system, meaning it increases immune response when needed (such as when someone has a chronic infection like hepatitis C) and decreases immune response when needed (autoimmune diseases like lupus),” Stage says. “Ashwagandha also is great for energy, helping establish healthy sleep patterns and supporting people who are anemic or depleted after being sick (it increases red and white blood cells).”

If you’re feeling ill or like you’re fighting off a sickness, ashwagandha will help you return to full health. If you want to give ashwagandha a try, it is available in capsule form. Some reputable brands to try are Gaia Herbs or Nature’s Way.

It’s inevitable that we’ll experience health problems in life, but with some natural herbs to help alleviate your ailments, you’ll be free to spend more time being healthy and happy, and who wouldn’t want that?

College is all about discovering who you are—or, at least, discovering who you wish you were.  Whether you want your peers to think you’re enlightened, or alternative, or perhaps a burgeoning alcoholic, there is a clichéd college dorm room poster for you.

1. The Chat Noir Poster

So what if you don’t know a lick of French? That doesn’t mean you can’t appreciate a fine work of Art Nouveau!

2. The Abbey Road Poster

You may only be able to name half a dozen Beatles songs, but their music still really speaks to you.

3. The Kissing on VJ Day Poster

It’s so iconic! So romantic! Why should you be expected to understand the historical context behind Victory over Japan Day to display this poster? 

4. The Beers of the World Poster

This poster really demonstrates your affinity for worldliness and beer, even if you’ve never ingested anything more exotic than Heineken.

5. The Breakfast at Tiffany’s Poster
You may have never seen the 1961 film, but you think the number of little black dresses hanging in your closet gives you more than enough right to channel your inner Audrey.

6. The Keep Calm and Carry On Poster

Who knew a catchphrase from a World War II-era British safety poster would become your own personal mantra?

7. The Periodic Table of Mixology Reference Guide Poster

Chemistry? No thanks. Cocktails? Now there’s something that speaks to you!

8. The Rosie the Riveter Poster

Ever since you took that Women's Studies 101 class, you’ve felt it was your sacred duty to use feminist propaganda to routinely stick it to the patriarchy.

9. The "This Is Your Life" Motivational Poster

It may feel clichéd to display a collection of clichés, but they all just relate so perfectly to your life, you know? (#YOLO)

10. The Paris Window Poster

Admittedly, you’ve never been to Paris. But you’re totally planning on going there someday.

11. The Marilyn Monroe Poster

Here’s hoping some of Marilyn's glamour (and perhaps a little bit of her sex appeal) rubs off on you.

12. The Beer Pong Poster

How else would you be able to express your penchant for drinking and drinking games to your peers?

13. The Animal House Poster

Two words: So. College. 

We're girls - loving to shop is part of the job description. Unfortunately, even in a world that contains adorable skirts and gotta-have-em shoes, that slightly annoying "everything in moderation" rule still applies. Here's how to tell when your passion for shopping has become an addiction. 

1. You have four different email accounts just so you can reap all the benefits of fake birthdays and “new member” discounts.

2. You don’t eat your feelings; you shop them.

3. You consider clothes “old” after you’ve worn them more than four times.

4. Your favorite movie is Pretty Woman just because of that amazing shopping montage.

5. You know approximately how long it takes for each of your favorite brands to put their items on sale. 

6. You obsessively track packages being shipped to you, as if knowing your J.Crew order was in Georgia at noon would make it arrive faster.

7. All the apps on your phone have to do with shopping, like Wanelo, RetailMeNot and Rue La La.

8. You’re always looking ahead to the next season, so in winter you’re shopping for spring and in spring you’re shopping for summer.

9. If your friends want to go to the mall, they automatically assume you’re coming.

10. You don’t understand the meaning of “window-shop.”

11. Your browser home page is your favorite clothing site.

12. You consider it a victory when you go more than a week without buying something.

13. You consider what you do a valuable contribution to the economy.  

What’s in my makeup bag? I think you mean makeup bags. Honestly, I could probably put them all in a carry-on suitcase and still have a small bag leftover to keep in my purse.

Since I am miles and miles away from home, I had to fit the makeup I absolutely need into three bags—yes, I know, tragic. I have sprawled out all of the make-up that I managed to take with me on my desk for you:

Yes... I am aware there are scissors in my makeup bag. I use them to touch up my bangs from time to time! Definitely part of my beauty regimen!

I could go on and on and talk in detail about every single item, but I’ll save you the boredom and countless hours of talking—or rather, writing and reading—and go through my normal makeup routine, highlighting all of my favorite products.

Must-Have Moisturizer:

I love a moist face. It prevents me from breaking out! I use Neutrogena’s Oil-Free Moisture with Sunscreen SPF 15. It is very cost-efficient, non-sticky, and lasts forever. Seriously, I’ve had this for almost six months and I use it EVERY day.

Tip: Let your moisturizer dry before you apply anything on top of it! Your makeup can become streaky and uneven if you apply primer or foundation to a wet face. No fun!

Perfect Primer:

Usually I only buy things in a Sephora store (because I've got to keep that VIB status!), but when I tried this MAC primer, I fell in love. I went into a MAC store looking for BB (blemish balm) cream and they gave me this instead: MAC Prep + Prime Natural Radiance. It definitely doesn't do the same thing as a BB cream, but I am lucky enough to have clear skin, so the primer blurred my face and gives me a natural matte finish. Love it. Worth every penny. I bought this last summer and I use it at least four times a week. It's perfect for the days when I don’t have time to do make-up: I just pump it out, put it on, throw on a little blush, and I look great!

Tip: Let your primer dry before you put your foundation on top of it. Sometimes to get a "tinted" moisturizer look, I will mix a pump of moisturizer, a pump of primer, and a smidge of foundation to get a light and natural coverage!

Flawless Foundation:

For foundation, I alternate between Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup and Make Up Forever HD Invisible Cover Foundation. The Estée Lauder gives a more matte and velvet look, whereas the Make Up Forever gives a more natural and satin look. I love them both equally; they both get plenty of use! To cover my under eye bags and the occasional blemish, I use Make Up Forever HD Invisible Cover Concealer: lightweight, blendable, and perfect coverage. The powder foundation (Make Up Forever Pro Finish Multi-Use Powder Foundation) is what I use to hyper-matte my face. I usually use it above my foundation to eradicate any and all traces of oil. Usually I'm then oil-free for a good couple of hours before I have to blot!

Also included above are my brushes. Honestly, I couldn't tell you where I got them. They were both probably a dollar, but they work great! I use a thick, angled blush brush for my foundation to give it a full and airbrushed look. I also use a concealer brush for, well, my concealer. No surprise there.

Tip: When using foundation, fingers give a sheer look, a beauty blender sponge gives a medium coverage, and a brush gives you a full and airbrushed coverage.

Contour, contour, contour:

Yes, contour x 3. Highlight, blush, bronzer! I use e.l.f. Studio Contouring Blush & Bronzing Powder duo, except I use their “blush” as highlighter.  It's a sheer, rose-peach, shimmery color, so why not? For highlighting, I use NARS Illuminator in Orgasm above my cheekbones, on my nose bone, and under my brow bone before I put on my foundation! Then I use the “blush” above my foundation. I do have real highlighter, but it's too shimmery and light; I love the sheer peach colors on my skin tone so much more. For real blush, I use Buxom True Hue Blush in Shangri-la-la with my BareMinerals blush brush. I have at least 10 different colors of blush, but the berry hue of Shangri-la-la keeps me coming back for more! And then actual contouring… I use Sephora Colorful Eyeshadow --Matte in Coffee Break with my DIY contouring brush (which is the face powder brush with the tape all over… no shame whatsoever) and it works wonderfully!

Tip: If liquid/cream contouring is not your thing, powder works wonderfully because it is 100x more forgiving and more blendable. It gives a subtle and soft contour which is great for throw and go!

Enviable Eyes:

Yes. Eyes. Eyes, oh my. Where to begin? Primer? I swear by Urban Decay’s Greed Eyeshadow Primer Potion. I use Greed because it is a nice gold color, perfect for the days when I don’t want to put on real eyeshadow. Then I use colors from my nifty Smashbox The Master Class Palette II. I used to use Naked all the time, but this palette has so many more colors, plus it comes with blushes, highlighters, and eyeliners. I don’t use that side much. I'm just in love with the eye shadow shades. If you use them correctly, they're all fun daytime colors!

I like to line my eyes with Kat Von D’s Tattoo Liner in Trooper and I use Stila’s Smudge Stick Waterproof Eye Liner for my water line! I finish off with Benefit’s They’re Real! Mascara, which seems to be a crowd-pleaser over at the Beauty School Blog. I have myriad eye shadow brushes (seriously, I have at least 20 and I don’t even know why), but the one I use all the time is e.l.f. Studio's Eyeshadow “C” Brush. It collects the pigment and transfers the color to your eyes perfectly (plus it was like $3, so no complaints there!). In a rush, I use it to highlight and contour my eyes because it truly does it all (in a time crunch, of course).

Tip: Not a big fan of dark eyeliner, or eyeliner at all? Tightline your eyes to make your mascara look fuller and your eyes look bigger. Also, use a champagne pencil eyeliner to rim the inner eyes and water line to make your eyes look bigger and more awake.

Luscious Lips:

Mwah! I own just as many lipsticks as I do eye shadow brushes. It is wonderful. So let me give you my three favorite colors for summer!

• Funky:Sephora Rouge Cream Lipstick in It Girl
• Fun and Flirty:Sephora Rouge Cream Lipstick in Love Test
• Everyday Cutie: Lancôme’s Color Design Cream Lipstick in Love It

I lost my favorite go-to, Sephora Rouge in Crush, which deeply saddens me, but it has made me expand my horizons to funky colors. Orange (It Girl) and fuchsia pink (Love Test) are just… WOW. Like, WOW. Pair them with a matching muted blush (I use coral blush when I'm using orange lipstick) and an intense cat eye with neutral eye shadow colors, and all eyes will be on you. I get so many compliments. The colors look good on everybody; you just need to try them. Get out of your comfort zone! I use a small concealer brush to apply my lipstick because I find that it grabs the color and applies it better. Plus, my lips are a bit bigger than average, so a slightly bigger brush helps me save a minute or two.

Tip: If you’re too afraid to try a really bold color, buy a darker lip liner in the same color family (like orange and red, pink and purple) to line and shade in the corner V’s of your lips before putting on the color. You’ll get a nice ombré lip color.

I hope you enjoyed my favorites in my makeup bag! What's in your makeup bag? Tell us in the comments!

What’s in my makeup bag? I think you mean makeup bags. Honestly, I could probably put them all in a carry-on suitcase and still have a small bag leftover to keep in my purse.

Since I am miles and miles away from home, I had to fit the makeup I absolutely need into three bags—yes, I know, tragic. I have sprawled out all of the make-up that I managed to take with me on my desk for you:

Yes... I am aware there are scissors in my makeup bag. I use them to touch up my bangs from time to time! Definitely part of my beauty regimen!

I could go on and on and talk in detail about every single item, but I’ll save you the boredom and countless hours of talking—or rather, writing and reading—and go through my normal makeup routine, highlighting all of my favorite products.

Must-Have Moisturizer:

I love a moist face. It prevents me from breaking out! I use Neutrogena’s Oil-Free Moisture with Sunscreen SPF 15. It is very cost-efficient, non-sticky, and lasts forever. Seriously, I’ve had this for almost six months and I use it EVERY day.

Tip: Let your moisturizer dry before you apply anything on top of it! Your makeup can become streaky and uneven if you apply primer or foundation to a wet face. No fun!

Perfect Primer:

Usually I only buy things in a Sephora store (because I've got to keep that VIB status!), but when I tried this MAC primer, I fell in love. I went into a MAC store looking for BB (blemish balm) cream and they gave me this instead: MAC Prep + Prime Natural Radiance. It definitely doesn't do the same thing as a BB cream, but I am lucky enough to have clear skin, so the primer blurred my face and gives me a natural matte finish. Love it. Worth every penny. I bought this last summer and I use it at least four times a week. It's perfect for the days when I don’t have time to do make-up: I just pump it out, put it on, throw on a little blush, and I look great!

Tip: Let your primer dry before you put your foundation on top of it. Sometimes to get a "tinted" moisturizer look, I will mix a pump of moisturizer, a pump of primer, and a smidge of foundation to get a light and natural coverage!

Flawless Foundation:

For foundation, I alternate between Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup and Make Up Forever HD Invisible Cover Foundation. The Estée Lauder gives a more matte and velvet look, whereas the Make Up Forever gives a more natural and satin look. I love them both equally; they both get plenty of use! To cover my under eye bags and the occasional blemish, I use Make Up Forever HD Invisible Cover Concealer: lightweight, blendable, and perfect coverage. The powder foundation (Make Up Forever Pro Finish Multi-Use Powder Foundation) is what I use to hyper-matte my face. I usually use it above my foundation to eradicate any and all traces of oil. Usually I'm then oil-free for a good couple of hours before I have to blot!

Also included above are my brushes. Honestly, I couldn't tell you where I got them. They were both probably a dollar, but they work great! I use a thick, angled blush brush for my foundation to give it a full and airbrushed look. I also use a concealer brush for, well, my concealer. No surprise there.

Tip: When using foundation, fingers give a sheer look, a beauty blender sponge gives a medium coverage, and a brush gives you a full and airbrushed coverage.

Contour, contour, contour:

Yes, contour x 3. Highlight, blush, bronzer! I use e.l.f. Studio Contouring Blush & Bronzing Powder duo, except I use their “blush” as highlighter.  It's a sheer, rose-peach, shimmery color, so why not? For highlighting, I use NARS Illuminator in Orgasm above my cheekbones, on my nose bone, and under my brow bone before I put on my foundation! Then I use the “blush” above my foundation. I do have real highlighter, but it's too shimmery and light; I love the sheer peach colors on my skin tone so much more. For real blush, I use Buxom True Hue Blush in Shangri-la-la with my BareMinerals blush brush. I have at least 10 different colors of blush, but the berry hue of Shangri-la-la keeps me coming back for more! And then actual contouring… I use Sephora Colorful Eyeshadow --Matte in Coffee Break with my DIY contouring brush (which is the face powder brush with the tape all over… no shame whatsoever) and it works wonderfully!

Tip: If liquid/cream contouring is not your thing, powder works wonderfully because it is 100x more forgiving and more blendable. It gives a subtle and soft contour which is great for throw and go!

Enviable Eyes:

Yes. Eyes. Eyes, oh my. Where to begin? Primer? I swear by Urban Decay’s Greed Eyeshadow Primer Potion. I use Greed because it is a nice gold color, perfect for the days when I don’t want to put on real eyeshadow. Then I use colors from my nifty Smashbox The Master Class Palette II. I used to use Naked all the time, but this palette has so many more colors, plus it comes with blushes, highlighters, and eyeliners. I don’t use that side much. I'm just in love with the eye shadow shades. If you use them correctly, they're all fun daytime colors!

I like to line my eyes with Kat Von D’s Tattoo Liner in Trooper and I use Stila’s Smudge Stick Waterproof Eye Liner for my water line! I finish off with Benefit’s They’re Real! Mascara, which seems to be a crowd-pleaser over at the Beauty School Blog. I have myriad eye shadow brushes (seriously, I have at least 20 and I don’t even know why), but the one I use all the time is e.l.f. Studio's Eyeshadow “C” Brush. It collects the pigment and transfers the color to your eyes perfectly (plus it was like $3, so no complaints there!). In a rush, I use it to highlight and contour my eyes because it truly does it all (in a time crunch, of course).

Tip: Not a big fan of dark eyeliner, or eyeliner at all? Tightline your eyes to make your mascara look fuller and your eyes look bigger. Also, use a champagne pencil eyeliner to rim the inner eyes and water line to make your eyes look bigger and more awake.

Luscious Lips:

Mwah! I own just as many lipsticks as I do eye shadow brushes. It is wonderful. So let me give you my three favorite colors for summer!

• Funky:Sephora Rouge Cream Lipstick in It Girl
• Fun and Flirty:Sephora Rouge Cream Lipstick in Love Test
• Everyday Cutie: Lancôme’s Color Design Cream Lipstick in Love It

I lost my favorite go-to, Sephora Rouge in Crush, which deeply saddens me, but it has made me expand my horizons to funky colors. Orange (It Girl) and fuchsia pink (Love Test) are just… WOW. Like, WOW. Pair them with a matching muted blush (I use coral blush when I'm using orange lipstick) and an intense cat eye with neutral eye shadow colors, and all eyes will be on you. I get so many compliments. The colors look good on everybody; you just need to try them. Get out of your comfort zone! I use a small concealer brush to apply my lipstick because I find that it grabs the color and applies it better. Plus, my lips are a bit bigger than average, so a slightly bigger brush helps me save a minute or two.

Tip: If you’re too afraid to try a really bold color, buy a darker lip liner in the same color family (like orange and red, pink and purple) to line and shade in the corner V’s of your lips before putting on the color. You’ll get a nice ombré lip color.

I hope you enjoyed my favorites in my makeup bag! What's in your makeup bag? Tell us in the comments!

Whoever said, “Love is a many splendored thing” must have known something we didn’t. As collegiettes, we spend a lot of our time looking for a Mr. Right without realizing that maybe Mr. Right doesn’t exist right now. Sure, we’d all like to find the Cory to our Topanga and the Chuck to our Blair, but college is a place for learning and making mistakes. Over the course of our college careers, we learn a few dating lessons that can actually take us a long way.  

Lesson #1: You don't have to find “The One” in college.

You’ve probably heard about girls who go to college to pursue the infamous "MRS Degree", that is, girls who go to college specifically to find a husband. But, as much as some of us don't want to believe it, college isn't the only dating ground we have left.

Jasbina Ahluwalia, founder and president of dating site Intersections Match, says she believes college is more about self-discovery than finding Mr. Right. “If a girl feels like all of her friends are coupling and she feels left out, she should know that there’s time,” Ahluwalia says. “She’s young; she’s best served by seeing her college years as self-discovery, which will put her in the best position to partner up with the right guy later.”

Sure, you may meet your future husband in your chem lab, but the world isn't going to end if you don't end up finding a soul mate in college.

Lesson #2: That random guy you hooked up with at a party will probably not be your next boyfriend.

Wouldn’t life be great if all of our relationships worked out the exact same way that they do in those college party movies? Parties and get-togethers are great for those of us who want to make friends and meet people, but let’s be honest with ourselves and come to terms with the fact that the chances of meeting someone who is boyfriend material at a party are slim to none. “Most serious college relationships start with you two being friends, [like] meeting through mutual friends, a class or a club,” says Iris, a junior at the University of California at Los Angeles.

Lesson #3: Trust your instincts.

Don’t be the girl who finds everything wrong with a guy but still decides to take her chances with him just because he’s cute. If your gut is telling you that he’s not right for you, then he might not be right for you. An important aspect of dating is learning how to trust your instincts and not looking past the red flags.

Lesson #4: Playing hard to get will get you nowhere.

It's happened to the best of us – a guy sends us the text we've been waiting for all week, but we wait a while to respond so we don't look too eager. Although appearing too desperate may seem like one of our worst nightmares, playing hard to get hurts us more than it helps us.

“I’ve played hard to get with guys before, and in a few cases, it definitely didn’t work out as planned,” says Amber, a junior at Columbia University. “I think I scared a few off, and others just stopped talking to me completely.”  After all, how is a guy supposed to know you’re interested in him if you keep ignoring him?

Playing games can turn guys off, but, according to Ahluwalia, it can also attract them—the wrong ones, anyway. “Playing games can be transparent. It might only attract guys who are interested in the chase,” she says. “But chances are they’ll drop you once they get the ‘prize’ and pursue another chase.”

Dating and handling relationships in college can be fun, but also a bit confusing at times. The important thing to remember, however, is that the ups and downs we deal with are a part of the college experience. We can’t all find our future husbands, but at least we can have a little fun while trying!

Something happens to girls in between 4^th and 12^th grade — 66 percent of fourth-graders say they like science and math, but only 18 percent of college engineering majors are women.

Obviously, there’s more than one reason for this discrepancy in interest and career choice, but a new Verizon ad is tackling one of the biggest: society’s influence on young girls. Specifically, the “social cues that push girls away from math and science in their earliest childhood years.”

The minute-long commercial shows a girl, Samantha, as she grows up. It opens with a shot of her as a toddler, reaching for a flower.

“Who’s my pretty girl?” her mom asks playfully.

Sam is curious, intelligent and creative, but her inquisitiveness faces constant, subtle opposition from the adults around her.

“Don’t get your dress dirty!” her mom calls as out as she traverses a stream.

“Woah, hey, careful with that! Let your brother do it,” her dad admonishes as she handles a power drill.

Over time, the influences build up. The final scene is of Sam walking down the halls of her middle school. She stops in front of a poster advertising the upcoming science fair, looks at it — and then applies some lip gloss and walks away.

“Our words can have a huge impact,” the narrator says. “Isn’t it time we told her she’s pretty brilliant, too?”

The ad is part of Verizon’s Inspire Her Mind campaign, which purpose is inspiring girls to get involved with STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). Verizon is also part of the Girls Who Code program, which aims to get women coding from an early age. 

We think what they’re doing is pretty brilliant. 

Mellie Grant may be the First Lady, but Oliva Pope is the Queen — of classy attire, that is. Even when she’s hunting down key witnesses, outmaneuvering government officials or having an emotional breakdown, she looks amazing. But although we lust over her sartorial choices, most of us can’t afford Armani or Burberry. (And if you can, please let us know when you clean out your wardrobe.)

To the rescue: the Limited!

Elliot Staples, the Limited’s head of design, has teamed up with Kerry Washington and Lyn Paolo, Scandal’s costume designer, to create a collection of 42 tops, pants, jackets and outerwear. These will be so similar to Pope’s “Gladiator in a Suit” style that she’ll actually wear them on the show. However, they’ll be sans the insane, I-charge-thousands-per-hour-so-I-can-afford-this prices; according to Jezebel, the pieces range in cost from $49 to $249. 

“By creating a line inspired by the show, we are introducing a collection that embodies the elegance and power of the Scandal aesthetic for real-life gladiators and everyday fashionistas,” Washington told Variety. “The collection is a nod to our devoted fans, to fans of fashion and to women everywhere who are inspired to boldly pursue their passions and look good while doing it.”

You’ll be able to Pope-ify yourself starting on September 22, when the Scandal collection is unveiled at 250 malls nation-wide and on The Limited’s website. 

Honestly, this made our hearts beat faster than even the Season 3 finale.

Remember the cool kids that you went to middle school with? You know, the 12-year old girls who plastered their faces with makeup and the boys who thought they were too cool to give you the time of day? Well, a study recently published in a Child Development journal proved to us that a lot of those kids aren't doing too well today.

Dr. Joseph P. Allen, a professor of psychology at the University Of Virginia, is the lead author of the study that followed the risk-taking "cool kids" for 10 years beginning in middle school. He found that, by the time these kids got to high school, their social status declined and they began to struggle in certain areas of their lives.

The researchers participating in the study spent an entire decade monitoring 84 kids and found that these kids were more likely to grow up committing crimes and even battling drug problems. Dr. Allen's theory is that the cooler kids in middle school feel the need to engage in risky behaviors like smoking, drinking and having sex in order to impress their peers. This type of "pseudomature" behavior is what sets them up for trouble in the future. The idea is that they constantly feel the need to outdo themselves, ultimately resulting in the majority of these kids going down the wrong path. According to an article written in the New York Times, the kids' worrisome behavior and desperation to hold on to the things that made them so popular as middle schoolers just didn't translate well as they grew into young adulthood as there were other priorities at stake.

So, for the late-bloomers out there, there is now definitive proof that it does get better after high school. What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comment section below!

President Obama stated Monday that the United States should pass legislation to offer paid maternity leave for women in the workplace.

The President is concerned that the U.S. is one of only three countries in the world to not have mandated paid maternity leave, and as soon-to-be graduates entering the working world, we should be too.

"Many women can't even get a paid day off to give birth — now that's a pretty low bar," said Obama. "That, we should be able to take care of."

To promote his plan, the President has instituted six weeks of paid leave for White House employees on maternity leave and has asked government agencies to expand flexible work arrangements where possible. Unfortunately, he does not have the power to give paid leave to other federal workers.

Conservatives in the House have stated their concern about where the money will come from to fund this bill (which would need to be passed by Congress, not Obama alone). Connecticut Representative Rosa DeLauro (D) proposed legislation to provide up to 12 weeks of paid maternity leave, which would be funded by a 0.2 percent tax on employee wages.

"There is only one developed country in the world that does not offer paid maternity leave, and that is us," said Obama. "And that is not the list you want to be on — on your lonesome. It's time to change that."

Between long days at the office, summer classes that seem to drag on for hours and busy summer schedules, collegiettes are forced to master the art of saving time. During the busy week, 6 p.m. hits and the thought of making a healthy, home-cooked dinner seems absolutely ridiculous. The task is even more daunting when the only kitchen appliance in your apartment is a microwave. While delivery and takeout offer ease and convenience, there are ways to avoid this temptation, saving both your diet and your wallet.

We’ve scoured popular food blogs and cooking channels for DIY microwave meal inspiration and we have come up with easy, affordable, delicious, and most importantly, healthy meal options. Whether you need a quick breakfast, lunch, dinner, side, or dessert, HC has got you covered!

Pumpkin Oatmeal

Making stovetop oatmeal can be a hassle. If you’re pressed for time, but are craving a hot breakfast, this microwavable version is for you. The oats are a healthy dose of protein, which will satisfy your hunger for longer, and the pumpkin is rich in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. What better way to start your day than with a homemade and delicious bowl of oatmeal?

Ingredients

• ½ cup quick cooking rolled oats
• ¼ cup and 2 Tbsp. skim milk, or as needed
• ¼ cup canned pumpkin puree
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon sugar
• * ¼ teaspoon nutmeg and/or ginger if you have it on hand

Directions

1. Mix together oats and milk in a microwave-safe bowl.
2. Cook on high for one to two minutes, stirring once.
3. Add more milk or oats to achieve the desired consistency and then cook for an additional 30 seconds.
4. Stir in pumpkin puree and cinnamon, sugar and any other additional spices.
5. Microwave for another 15 seconds and enjoy!

Microwave Frittata

Frittatas are typically thought of as a breakfast food, but they are actually a fantastic lunch option as well. The eggs provide protein and depending on what veggies you have on hand it can be an excellent way to get your daily dose of vitamins and minerals. The following recipe is just one suggestion, but feel free to play around with the ingredients and find what flavor combinations satisfy your taste buds.

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• ¼ cup chopped onion
• ¼ cup chopped red pepper
• ¼ cup broccoli
• 2 eggs
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1. Place the butter in a microwave-safe bowl.
2. Cover and microwave on high for 20-30 seconds or until melted.
3. Add onion, red pepper and broccoli.
4. Cover and microwave on high for one minute.
5. Stir in eggs, salt and pepper.
6. Cover and cook on high for one to two minutes or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean.
7. Let stand for about three minutes, so the frittata can set.

Sweet Potato (or regular baked potato) with Warm Black Bean Salsa

If you are craving a warm dinner, but only have a few minutes to spare, then this entrée is for you. Sweet potatoes are not only affordable and delicious, but they are also high in vitamin B6, vitamin C, vitamin D and iron. When combined with a high-protein black bean salsa, a filling and nutritious meal is created.

Ingredients

• 1 medium sweet potato
• 1 can black beans, rinsed
• 1 can corn, rinsed
• 1 Tomato, diced
• 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Dollop of sour cream (or Greek Yogurt for the uber-health conscious)

Directions

1. Prick the sweet potato with a fork in several places.
2. Microwave on high until tender all the way, about five to six minutes.
3. In a microwave-safe bowl, combine beans, corn, tomato, oil, salt and pepper.
4. Microwave this mixture on high until just heated, about one to two minutes.
5. Once the sweet potato is just cool enough to handle, cut it in half lengthwise and spoon the bean mixture onto the potato.
6. Top each half with a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt, whatever you prefer!

Lemon and Garlic Broccoli

Sometimes a girl just needs a big old helping of vegetables for an extra health boost. Broccoli is surprisingly easy to make in the microwave and is an excellent source of vitamins, calcium and fiber. This recipe spices things up a bit with the addition of some tangy lemon juice and tasty garlic.

Ingredients

• ½ head fresh broccoli, cleaned and cut into florets
• 1 Tablespoon water
• 1 ½ teaspoon olive oil
• ¾ teaspoon lemon juice
• ½ garlic clove, minced
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• Salt to taste

Directions

1. Microwave broccoli and water in a covered, microwave-safe bowl on high for five minutes or until crisply tender.
2. While the broccoli is microwaving, mix the rest of the ingredients together.
3. Drain the cooked broccoli and then pour the lemon/garlic mixture over the broccoli and stir to coat.
4. Cover the dish and let it sit for about two minutes to allow the heat from the broccoli to “cook” the raw garlic.

Easy Baked Apple

After a long day, it can be difficult to ignore your sweet tooth. The ice cream in the fridge might be calling your name and your will power quickly weakens. In order to satisfy that sweet tooth without denting your diet too much, consider making this microwaveable baked apple. With only five minutes of prep required and a measly two minutes of cook time, you can whip up this delectable sweet treat during that Pretty Little Liars commercial break!

Ingredients

• 1 granny smith apple
• 1 ½ Tablespoon brown sugar
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 Tablespoon butter
• 1 Tablespoon raisins (optional)

Directions

1. Core the apple and peel if you desire. Make sure that you get all of the core and all of the seeds out.
2. Combine the rest of the ingredients, except the pecans, and place in the cored out section of the apple.
3. Heat in a microwave-safe bowl for one to two minutes in the microwave.
4. Sprinkle the pecans on top for some crunch and a little extra protein!

It's no secret that the relationship between Robin Thicke and his now estranged wife, Paula Patton, has been rocky for several months now. Between Thicke's "Blurred Lines" music video which was a whole lot of naked women and essentially nothing else, as well as his role in Miley Cyrus' unforgettable VMA performance (we'll still never understand what was up with that Beetlejuice-esque suit), any woman would probably voice her concerns.

Most likely due to private issues and alleged infidelity, Thicke's longtime sweetheart finally said she'd had enough. But with the release of Thicke's newest album titled "Paula," it looks like he won't be giving up anytime soon. Sounds romantic, right? Maybe... but that's certainly not the vibe we got from his newest music video for "Get Her Back" which is downright creepy. See for yourselves!

We're not totally sure why he has a bloody nose or what made him think featuring another woman in his video would be the best idea to get his wife back, but this video is extremely desperate and makes us a little uncomfortable.

With lines like, "I'll wait for forever for you to love me again," alongside an all too believable texting conversation between an estranged couple, Thicke comes off less like the regretful husband and more like the psycho ex. Maybe the most romantic gesture isn't to put your desperation and regret out there for the whole world to see (and in doing so most likely embarrass your wife even further).

And to add to the creepiness the woman featured in the video might as well be Patton's twin, which is not exactly the most reassuring move to win back your wife. The cherry on top is the final text which says, "This is only the beginning," leaving us thoroughly creeped out and wishing it had never started in the first place.

For a suave and sensual man, Thicke really failed to persuade at least his audience in believing this self-made player deserves a second chance. Who knows what Patton thinks of this gesture to win her back, but all we know is that we'd probably block his number ASAP. We've had enough of this creepy and desperate Robin Thicke for a lifetime. However, there's sure to be more to come with the rest of the album's release. For as much talk as there was over his controversial "Blurred Lines" music video, we can definitely expect "Get Her Back" to start a controversy of its own and no doubt if the rest of "Paula" reflects this song and music video, it's just going to get worse.

Do less, Robin Thicke. Do much less. 

Did you start a new internship or job this summer? Congrats! You’re probably killing it, being the hardworking collegiette you are. Unfortunately, not every employer is able to see that. Maybe you come into work every day, eager to do your best, and your boss doesn’t even acknowledge your presence! Or maybe you thought you would blow her away with a stellar report, and instead she told you to do the whole thing over.

Whether your boss is ignoring you or just being plain mean, we came up with some tips for how to handle even the toughest of bosses.

1. Be the first one in the office

You may think that your boss is just crazy, but plenty of collegiettes have bad work habits that they aren’t even aware of. Make sure you’re totally blameless here before you start worrying about your boss’s behavior. Vicki Salemi, career coach and author of Big Career in the Big City, says arriving early is one of the easiest ways to get on your boss’s good side.

Showing up early and leaving late will show that you “don’t focus on the clock in terms of a start or end time, but instead, that you mean business,” Salemi says. When you set an alarm to wake you up, set another one for a few minutes before you need to leave for work. That way, you’ll know when you need to wrap up your morning routine and get out the door.

When your smiling face is the first thing your boss sees when walking through the office door, he or she will know that your work is your top priority. Don’t be the girl who walks in 10 minutes late because she stopped for coffee. Plan your mornings out and always leave extra time for public transportation issues and other unexpected delays.

2. Dress the part

Dressing appropriately for your office is an absolute must. If you’re unsure what the culture is like at your job, always err on the side of overdressing. As they say, you should dress for the job you want, not the job you have!

Even if your office is super casual, there are definitely certain style choices you need to avoid. You don’t want your boss to make snap judgments based on your appearance, so it’s best to play it safe.

Stay away from ripped jeans, save your crop tops for the weekend and don’t go overboard with your makeup. If you’re ever in doubt about an outfit, then you probably shouldn’t wear it. It might fly with the office culture, but it may prevent your manager from taking you seriously.

3. Focus on the job

When you’re at work, your phone can be your worst enemy. There are few things worse than having your boss walk in on you taking a Snapchat. Even if you pick up your phone to check your email, you’ll somehow end up scrolling through your Instagram feed for 20 minutes.

Nixing bad office behaviors like checking your phone will help your boss take you seriously. “Show that you’re committed to the job by eliminating distractions,” Salemi says. “Delete distracting apps like Twitter and Facebook from your phone, or, better yet, don’t even take your phone out of your bag while you’re in the office.”

It only takes one time being caught on Facebook to ruin your boss’s impression of you. Getting rid of the temptation to check your phone will help you to stand out as a dedicated employee.

4. Go all out

We’re sure you’re doing a great job at work, but if your boss is having trouble seeing it, it might be time to kick it into overdrive. Show your boss that you’re the most valuable member of the team. “What boss, no matter how easy to please, wouldn’t want an excellent team player reporting to them?” Salemi says. If you knock every project out of the park, “you’ll make him or her look good,” she says.

“As a manager, I’ve always been impressed when my employees … worked beyond responsibilities on their job description and took initiative,” Salemi says. So don’t just do what you’re told; do as much as you possibly can.

However, be careful not to burn yourself out. You don’t need to voluntarily be in the office for 12 hours a day – especially if you’re unpaid. You just need to show that you really care. Take a few extra minutes to turn a report into an organized, easy-to-follow presentation. Volunteer to run errands or work on projects that aren’t necessarily within your job description. Find little things here and there that you can pick up in addition to your standard workload.

A big part of giving it your all is not waiting to be assigned a task; offer to help other team members with their assignments when you have downtime. Look for things to do and get them done before your boss can even ask you about them. The best way to satisfy your boss is to meet his or her needs before he or she is even aware of them!

5. Schedule a one-on-one meeting

If your boss never gives you any feedback, you might be feeling pretty frustrated. How are you supposed to know if you’re on the right track when you’re getting nothing but radio silence?

According to Tom Dezell, author of Networking for the Novice, Nervous, or Naïve Job Seeker, a lot of employers struggle when it comes to providing feedback for their employees. “It’s perfectly acceptable during your ‘learning curve’ to ask others what the boss’s style of providing feedback is,” he says.

If you’ve asked around and it seems like your boss doesn’t give feedback to anyone, then it’s up to you to get some yourself. “If you learn that the lack of feedback is simply the boss’s MO, request a meeting to clarify ways you can find out how well you’re doing,” Dezell says.

This is just how some managers work; everyone has a different style. “Don't take it personally, and don't let them get you down,” says Nicole Samartino, programming & community manager at FindSpark, a community for young creatives. “Actively set up a meeting to get feedback. Sometimes you need to sit the person down and demand their attention.”

Approach your boss when he or she doesn’t seem too busy. Or, if it’s easier for you, send him or her an email; sometimes it’s easier to ask for something when you can have time to compose your words. Explain that you’re enjoying working with him or her and you feel that you could work even better with some input on how you’re doing. Approach it as a way to improve your work, not a need to boost your ego or have your hand held. That way, your boss can see that your end goal is doing your best for the company.

Your boss may not even realize that he or she isn’t giving you any input, and the only way to get any is to ask for it!

6. Stay positive

If your boss seems to hate everything you do, try not to let it discourage you. “Dealing with a constantly negative boss can wear on you,” Salemi says. If you get overwhelmed by the constant negativity, Salemi says it “can leak into your outlook and work itself.”

So how do you avoid becoming miserable at work? Fill the rest of your world with positivity. Look for little ways to brighten up your office; Salemi suggests posting inspirational quotes by your computer and getting lunch with your more positive coworkers. If your boss is still getting you down, don’t forget that this situation isn’t permanent. “Your current boss won’t be your boss forever, and eventually you’ll hopefully have a more positive one,” Salemi says.

Dezell suggests trying to see if everyone is getting the same treatment. If it seems like your boss doesn’t like anyone, “you can at least comfort yourself to not take this personally,” he says. However, Dezell adds, “Keep an eye on how this may be impacting your work. It’s awfully hard for individuals or groups to consistently perform at top levels in negative environments.”

If you’re unlucky enough to be the one person your boss doesn’t like, work is going to be rough (we can’t lie), but we’re confident you can make it through. Samartino says, “If your personality doesn't mesh well with your boss, you're going to have a hard time. You may never ‘win’ your boss over, but it's smart to understand what makes him or her tick.” Above all, Samartino says, “make sure you don't do the things that make them mad.”

Just knowing that your boss doesn’t like you is the first step to repairing that relationship. Tread carefully in every interaction you have; you don’t want to give him or her another reason to dislike you. If your boss hates being asked questions, Google everything you’re unsure about. If Google can’t help you, ask all your other colleagues and managers before taking to your boss.

Learn what kinds of things your boss reacts well to, and play those up. Is she usually too swamped to get herself a cup of coffee in the afternoon? Pick up an extra on your Starbucks run. Figure out what makes your manager happy, and make sure you’re the one doing those things for her.

7. Show your interest

When doing your best at work just isn’t enough, sometimes you need to take a softer approach to warm up to your boss. A simple way to get on anyone’s good side is to show that you care.

“Take an interest in their world,” Salemi says. Find out what he or she is interested in and incorporate it into your interactions. “If your boss loves a particular sports team, start following that team,” she adds. Keeping up with the things your boss loves will give you a chance to make small talk. Ask about your boss’s children, weekend plans or college. It will show him or her that you care and help you to find shared interests to build a better relationship.

One thing to be careful with here is crossing the line from professional to personal. Just make simple, casual small talk and let your boss take the lead. If your boss doesn’t seem eager to talk about a topic, avoid it. You don’t need to know every detail of the party he or she is going to this weekend, or what year he or she graduated college. Keep your questions light and slightly vague to get the conversation started as well as to also avoid crossing the line.

If you’re having trouble at your new job or internship, don’t stress. Take it from our experts – there’s always a way to get through it. Even if you can’t get on your boss’s good side, no job lasts forever. But we’re confident that you’ll find a way to prove yourself and win over that tricky boss!

What if there were a place where you could find both online history classes and in-person management classes? A place where collegiettes could supplement college learning or find new fields to explore for free? Would you learn to make your own jewelry, develop a website, speak Japanese, plan for a non-profit? Now's the time to make the most of those extra minutes outside of the classroom!

Introducing Chad Lovell, co-founder and COO of allclasses.com (currently in beta form) which allows people to search and compare different types of classes, both online and in-person. The website provides an easy way for anyone to find classes on anything that interests them. Type “fiction writing,” “product design,” or “Spanish” into the search bar, and the site will find online and in-person classes of varying prices, times, and media for you to choose from.

A website like allclasses.com can be especially useful to collegiettes looking to get ahead over the summer or to add a free class to their courseload in the fall. This website makes it easy to compare classes you might be interested in taking. For example, a collegiette you may be a graphic design major who wants to take an economics course but don't have the time with your busy courseload. On allclasses.com, you can find free economics classes online--this website serves as a tool not only to help collegiettes get ahead with academics but also to enforce, a lifelong desire to learn and better yourself.

Every day in June, Lovell has taken a class in the company’s quest to make June “Life-Long Learner’s Month.” Lovell writes on his blog, “If May is the Month when education is celebrated, June could appropriately be titled ‘the month when learning dies.’” Lovell writes that almost half of college graduates will never read a book again after they graduate. These trends spurred the founders, Lovell and Stephen Marcus, who is also the CEO, to make an easy way for people to keep on learning, no matter their age or level of education.

“Everyone has a story of why they’re there,” Lovell said of the people with whom he has taken classes so far. Lovell says he has “picked up something” in every class he’s taken, from espresso-making to Instagram marketing to the trapeze. Marcus talked about how not all classes are equal--they are all different, each with its own unique “buying experience.” Lovell stressed that engaging teachers make for phenomenal classes.

This particular Monday finds Alessandro "San" Bellino of the Coffee Trike passionately explaining the milk steaming process to Lovell. “It’s too thin!” he exclaims as Lovell spills milk while trying to create some cappuccino art at the top of the cup. Bellino’s passion for his craft shows through in his lesson--he apologizes for the “espresso nerd jargon” in his detailed descriptions of espresso and cappuccino.

So, collegiettes: would you spend some of your free time this summer learning to make espresso, navigating Instagram like a marketing pro, or more? In his quest to take 30 classes in 30 days and #Learn4Life, Lovell has given himself the opportunity to explore everything from hip hop to management to espresso. Which class would you choose?

Meeting girls IRL can be difficult to do for a few reasons. First of all, who has the time? With your busy schedule, it can be hard to make dating a priority. With work, spending time with family, vacationing and hanging out with friends this summer, dating can seem like another time commitment that’s not exactly worth the investment. Besides, where are you supposed to meet girls to date, anyway?

Connecting with other women via dating apps might just be your ticket to that summer romance you were hoping for. By using dating apps, you might be able to spare yourself some time and anxiety and meet girls you wouldn’t normally otherwise.

Luckily for you, there are several queer-girl dating apps out there that you can get your hands on. Check them out and see which is best for you!

1. Brenda

How to get it: Free on Google Play and the App Store

How it works: Brenda is for all girls over the age of 18 who like girls. The app is dedicated to creating a safe space for those looking to meet women. This app allows you to see ladies nearby you and is loaded with fun features. You can upload up to 10 photos, but Brenda also lets you send private photos to users you’re interested in. Not to mention the app tracks which girls have viewed your profile to see who’s checking you out, too.

2. OkCupid Dating

How to get it: Free on Google Play and the App Store

How it works: OkCupid Dating might not be exclusively for queer girls, but no worries – you can choose not to appear to straight people. Not only will you save yourself from those too-common straight-girl crushes you get IRL, but you also won’t have to worry about straight guys bothering you either. To get started, all you have to do is submit your email and create a username, then you’re on your way!

Unlike photo-based dating apps, OkCupid lets you get pretty specific about what kind of partner you’re looking for. You can take a number of quizzes to help determine your compatibility with other users and browse users by their location, age, religion, smoking, drinking, drug use, height, etc. There’s also a tool that allows you to broadcast your profile to women in your area so they can tell where you are and if you’re interested even more easily.

Savannah*, a student from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, says that OkCupid was a success for her and her girlfriend, whom she has been dating for five months.  

Savannah says she and her girlfriend would have never met if it weren’t for OkCupid. Both she and her girlfriend were relatively shy about dating apps before trying OkCupid, but taking the plunge worked for them.

“I am so glad that I met Brianna and tried OkCupid,” Savannah says. “Sometimes it just takes a little self-nudging to be out there and get close to someone. Sometimes dating apps really do work!”

3. Pink Lesbian Dating & Chat

How to get it: Free on Google Play

How it works: Pink Lesbian Dating & Chat is a new app on Google Play. This app is targeted at lesbian, bisexual and bi-curious women from around the world, though you can search for users according to location if you’re looking for a non-long-distance relationship.

You can also search for users on Pink Lesbian Dating & Chat by age and interests. This app allows you to send a limited number of emails to fellow users and send and receive “winks” – similar to “poking” on Facebook. You can also communicate privately with members who are matches, according to the information you put on your profile.

4. Plenty Of Fish

How to get it: Free on Google Play and the App Store

How it works: Plenty Of Fish is also open to all sexual orientations, but you can make it clear as to what you’re looking for. With Plenty Of Fish, you can give yourself a headline that describes you, upload pictures of yourself and send and receive messages on the go.

Plenty of Fish also has a Meet Me feature that allows you to flirt with local users, giving you the kick in the pants you need to meet IRL. Other key features include viewing profile matches and a discovery feature that allows you to see who has viewed your profile.

Ysamar, a student at Fox Valley Technical College in Appleton, Wisconsin, says her friends have used Plenty Of Fish and have gotten results.

“As for my best friend and her girlfriend, they met on Plenty Of Fish and have been together for two years,” Ysamar says.

It might take some adventuring to discover what dating app is right for you. There are different strokes for different folks, or, in this case, different apps for different ladies.

Whatever app you decide to try, we hope that it makes it easier to find your summer fling or a new relationship. Date app-happily, collegiettes!

*Names have been changed.