In a world where contouring and the brightest highlight possible dominate the makeup scene, some aspects of makeup get put on the back burner, like blush. However, blush shouldn’t be forgotten, because it has the ability to give our faces a beautiful glow and maybe a little confidence boost! We’ve curated the ultimate guide to picking out your perfect blush. Read on and go find your glow!

If your skin has cool undertones

The key to blush is knowing your undertones. Finding your undertone is super easy: just look at your wrist and look closely at your veins. If your veins appear blue, you’re a cool undertone. That means your skin tends to have more pink or blue tones. Briana, a makeup artist at Ulta, suggests a blush that is nude for your skin color. She says to stay away from most pink shades because they’ll make your skin look extra pink. Maci Garcia, a sophomore from Cal State Northridge, says “I use the blush from the ELF contouring blush and bronzing powder duo! I wear it because it’s affordable and a friend recommended it. I really like the way it looks on me.” This blush is great for cool undertones because it isn’t too pink and will wear very naturally.

One example of cool undertones is Amanda Seyfried. She rocks a natural-flush-looking blush.

If your skin has warm undertones

Check your veins––do they appear more green? You’re a warm undertone. Warm undertones have more yellow or red tints to them. If this is your undertone, Briana recommends berry and peach colors as your go-to. Stephanie Huynh, a sophomore at Lehigh University, says “MAC blush in Gingerly is a beautiful dark peach that looks natural with my skin!”

Beyoncé is the queen of rocking peach colored blush.

One beautiful berry color is NARS blush in Seduction. Briana recommends NARS because it has great pigment and a wide variety of shades.

If your skin has neutral undertones

If you’re not sure if your skin has warm or cool undertones you might be neutral! Being neutral is great because you have a lot of options. Briana says Orgasm from the NARS line is one of the most universal blushes out there. Amanda Goecke, a senior at Carthage College, says “I wear the shade Orgasm from NARS and it’s so glittery and shimmery, perfect for spring and summer.” Neutrals should try different shades to see what makes their faces pop the most.

Jennifer Aniston is a classic neutral undertone. She tends to keep her makeup pretty natural but she can really pull off a lot of different shades.

Should you use cream or powder blush?

Another aspect of blush to consider is cream vs. powder. Briana says it all depends on the finish you’re looking for. A cream blush will have a more natural looking, dewy finish on the skin. A powder blush is going to be more pigmented and matte. She mentioned that more dry skin tends to like a cream blush more than a powder blush.

Related: Get Ready to Fall in Love with This Music Inspired Jeremy Scott & MAC Collection

Blush shopping can seem confusing, but it doesn’t have to be! Briana advises that you start with a brand like NARS or Lancôme, because they have a wide range to select from. NYX, Maybelline, and L’Oréal also have a wide range of options at a lower price point. Then, she suggests picking a coral or peach shade because those are the most universal.

Once you find your perfect blush, it’s just as important to know how to apply it properly! Huda Beauty founder, Huda Kattan, put together a simple, short video and perfectly explained and demonstrated how to apply blush. She also throws in some of her own expert tips on color choices!

YouTuber Sam Battle has thought about making a Furby organ for seven years. And now, he’s done it (but at what cost?)

The tinkerer and musician who also goes by his YouTube channel name, Look Mum No Computer, describes his creation of a 44-Furby choir as a “formant Furby fusion synthesis brain modification surgery procedure,” one that comes complete with custom software and deft wiring and controls to make a sound that will haunt all '90s babies for the rest of their lives.

Each Furby, either rescued from charity shops or donated to his cause, is connected to two microcontrollers that enables them to respond to commands from the keys of a piano, producing vowels and musical notes specific to the individual Furby.

This isn’t the first machine Battle has designed. He’s also constructed a synth bike, a Gameboy oscillator and a flamethrower organ.

Furbies first hit the market 20 years ago, when Tiger Electronics first released the blinking, talking robotic creatures akin to 1984’s Gremlins. Worldwide, the company sold tens of millions of Furbies, their languages matching their country of origin.

“The only thing that comes to mind is, ‘Why not?’” Battle told Vice when asked what possessed him to create such an instrument. Explaining that he was never allowed the toy when he was young, he said, “So it may be a backlash on that!”

“I mean I think I'm doing the Furbies a favor,” he said.

A Republican Idaho senator who yelled “abortion is murder” at students who were advocating for birth control legislation at the Statehouse is now facing an ethics complaint following a tweet from an unverified Twitter account that told the students to discuss “killing babies” with a Democratic lawmaker, according to a report from The New York Post.

The dozen University of Idaho students who traveled almost 300 miles to meet with Sen. Dan Foreman weren’t even there to talk to him about abortion at all. Their scheduled meeting with him Monday was for lobbying for a Planned Parenthood-supported concept that would allow women to receive up to a 12-month supply of birth control and would advocate for better sex education on college campuses. Part way through, Foreman canceled the meeting abruptly and stormed out. The students left condoms and a note on his desk before moving on to speak with other lawmakers. When he passed them in the hallways again, a number of students got him on video yelling that “abortion is murder.”

They also recorded him saying, “I’m a Roman Catholic and a conservative republican. I think what you guys are doing stinks.”

Later on Monday, a tweet from an unverified Twitter account claimed someone in the group had a “wild outburst” and told them to “go talk about killing babies with Maryanne Jordan,” a Democratic senator.

Senate President Pro Tem Brent Hill, a Republican, apologized for the way the students were treated and said Foreman’s behavior reflects poorly on the Legislature. “I told him it wasn’t an appropriate response; we need to conduct ourselves with much more dignity, civility and respect,” said Hill. “I think he understands that I’m not very happy with how he conducted himself.”

Paul Dillon, public affairs director of Planned Parenthood of Greater Washington and North Idaho, called Foreman’s actions and behavior “completely unhinged” and said his words to the students made him “a bully.”

The tweet didn’t go unnoticed by Sen. Maryanne Jordan, and it in fact prompted her to file an ethics complaint against Foreman. She called his behavior “beneath the Idaho Senate.” There are few details about the complaint, as they’re usually done anonymously.

Foreman shows no sign of regretting that encounter. He told the Associated Press on Tuesday that he has no plans to apologize. He also denied any connections to the now-deleted Twitter account that made the tweet. This isn’t the first time Foreman’s behavior has caused some kind of upset.

He stormed out of a meeting earlier this year when he wasn’t allowed to debate an item that was not on the agenda. He came straight out of the gate being controversial, in fact, as he proposed legislation during his first legislative session that would classify abortion as first-degree murder for both the woman and the doctor, shocking both Republicans and Democrats. That particular measure never got a hearing, but he’s trying to put stronger anti-abortion laws into place this year through a ballot initiative.

Someone also clearly forgot to tell this man that he does not have any kind of say in what women can and cannot do with their bodies.

Karla Souza, who currently plays Laurel on ABC's How to Get Away with Murder, is following in the footsteps of all of the strong women before her who have spoken out about being sexually assaulted. In an interview with CNN en Español, Souza said she was both assaulted and raped by a director, whom she didn't name.

The alleged incident happened in Mexico when Souza was shooting on location. 

"I had just started my career, and they introduced me to all of these producers, and that's where the manipulation began of 'You owe me one,'" Souza said. "So they start to put that in your head, they'll tell you things like, 'Oh, you know, I'm having to push for you. You haven't made a name for yourself, but I know that you're great. I know that you're going to show me that you're great.' I'm saying it like this but it's all said in a very relaxing setting, but they're little seeds that are red flags that back then I wasn't educated on this to know what this person was doing. This is a very charismatic person, who has a great career."

Souza said she felt uncomfortable in the early stages of production. Her and the director were even placed in a separate hotel from the rest of the cast, where Souza said he would knock on her door at all hours of the night. When she refused to let the director in, she said he would treat her poorly the next day. 

"He would insult me in front of the cast," Souza said. "This was his form of psychological control that he had with me. At the same time, he was charming and if I opened the door he was great with me."

She continued: "At the same time, he was charming and if I opened the door he was great with me. But he was very insistent and would even send me messages," Souza said. "After a month of his abuse and under his control, I sort of gave up and I let him kiss me and touch me in ways that I didn't want him to. In one of the instances, he violently attacked me, and yes, he raped me."

Souza's admission is extremely brave and I applaud her for coming forward, and hope this helps on her journey to recovery.

Following the Parkland shooting that killed 17 at a Florida high school, President Donald Trump has said that he asked his attorney general to propose changes that would ultimately ban bump stocks, according to CNN. Bump stock legislation has been in process ever since the massacre at a Las Vegas concert in October 2017. According to The New York Times, twelve of the rifles that the Las Vegas gunman had in his hotel room were modified with bump stocks, a detail which would make mass shootings much deadlier. 

The Washington Post detailed exactly what a bump stock is and why it’s so deadly. A bump stock is a piece of plastic or metal molded to fit the back end of a rifle. It is able to harness the rifle’s recoil to fire dozens of rounds in a short period of time. Essentially, when the gun's recoil ‘bumps’ into the user's body, the bump stock ‘bumps’ the rifle into the trigger finger. This allows shots to be fired in rapid succession. 

A bump stock is most deadly when combined with high-capacity magazines that can hold dozens of rounds of ammo at once, The Post continued. The bumping simulates an automatic weapon by rapidly firing off many bullets in a short time. This makes accuracy almost impossible, but if fired into a large crowd, it can hurt a massive amount of people

Why are bump stocks legal? Well, Fox News reported that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives “concluded bump stocks didn't convert a semi-automatic firearm into one that is fully automatic, meaning it was not equivalent to machine guns that are regulated under the National Firearms Act.” After Las Vegas, some states, like Massachusetts, New Jersey, South Carolina and California, made the sale and possession of bump stocks illegal.

Trump’s message to the Justice Department is to implement a federal law banning bump stocks. According to CNBC, Trump said, "We cannot merely take actions that make us feel like we are making a difference. We must actually make a difference.”

He continued, "After the deadly shooting in Las Vegas, I directed [Attorney General Jeff Sessions] to clarify whether certain bump stock devices like the one used in Las Vegas are illegal under current law. That process began in December, and just a few moments ago I signed a memorandum directing the attorney general to propose regulations to ban all devices that turn legal weapons into machine guns.”

In response to the president’s remarks, the NRA said that they “cannot comment until an actual rule is published with specifics that we can review. The NRA's stance on this issue has not changed. Fully-automatic weapons have been heavily regulated since the 1930s, but banning semi-automatic firearms and accessories has been shown time and again to not prevent criminal activity and simply punishes the law-abiding for the criminal acts of others,” according to CBS News. 

The Justice Department responded to Trump's comments in a statement as well. CBS News reported that the DOJ’s statement read, “The department understands this is a priority for the president and has acted quickly to move through the rulemaking process. We look forward to the results of that process as soon as it is duly completed.”

It’s important to clarify that while this comes right after the shooting at a Florida school, the suspect in that shooting did not use a bump stock to carry out the massacre. Regulation of bump stocks has been in the works ever since the Las Vegas shooting, but it was reignited along with a discussion of universal background checks after the Valentine's Day shooting in Parkland. 

I've been counting down the days until the Olympics are over and regularly scheduled TV comes back, and even though there are only a few episodes of This Is Us left this season, fans are already theorizing about what challenges the family could face next season. Since we finally learned about the details of Jack's death, viewers have a huge guess at which family member would meet their end next. 

Refinery29 reports that there could be genuine proof that, depending on how This Is Us explores its future timeline, Beth could follow in the path of Jack and die before she meets her grandchildren. The main point of reference for this is the fact that an aged Randall appeared at the end of "Super Bowl Sunday" meeting a grown Tess without Beth there. 

Now, I initially didn't really take Beth's absence as a major sign of anything. After all, the flash forward into the future was introduced by Randall telling Tess that he would meet her for lunch as an adult, suggesting that this was a special father-daughter tradition that Beth didn't need to intrude on. 

However, fans are insistent that Randall's hands weren't shown in the flash forward or the photos of his older self, hinting that he could have removed his wedding ring following Beth's death. While PopSugar suggests that the couple could have gotten divorced in between present-day and Tess's lunch with Randall, I think it's safe to say that Randall took a page out of his parents' book and found a partner who would stick it out through thick and thin with him. 

The Refiney29 piece even hunted up a hint that isn't even officially linked to This Is Us, but the scoop does sound valid. TVLine runs a column that allows reader to ask for details on upcoming plots of their favorite shows, and one of the latest editions of the column promised that "an extremely popular broadcast drama that's been on the air for less than three seasons" may use a storyline in which a "pivotal character" is diagnosed with terminal cancer. Fans in the comment have been connecting the unconfirmed gossip to This Is Us. 

While Rebecca's age and previous medical scare also makes her a likely candidate for this possibility, some devout viewers are suggesting that Beth is the one who receives the diagnosis. Perhaps she dies from cancer a few years down the line, making older Randall's lunches with Tess even more crucial and beloved for the two of them. If you wanted to stretch the possibility even more, folks are even trying to prove that Beth falsely experiencing signs of pregnancy in Season 1 has to do with an impending cancer diagnosis. 

Those committed to fan theories definitely have a knack for backing up their beliefs, but for now, I'm choosing to believe that Beth and Randall are safe in their own romantic bubble. We'll have to see if any of these rumors come true when the show finally returns on Tuesday, Feb. 27. 

Relationships are hard at any age, but for many young people, college is when you enter your first grown-up relationship. Say good-bye to the good ol’ days of group dates at high school football games, and hello to handling real-world issues. You might be having mature conversations about intimacy and the future of your relationship. And as your relationship moves forward, you are exposed to new aspects of your SO’s life, which likely means you will be interacting with your SO’s parents more and more frequently.

If you are lucky, while you may not be best friends, you will have a healthy and pleasant relationship with your SO’s parents. But, that’s not always the case. Even though you are amazing, it can be easy to get off on the wrong foot. Maybe you didn’t make the best first impression, or maybe you all just have very different views on major moral issues. Either way, disagreeing with your partner’s parents can add a new level of stress to a relationship.

And while it can seem like not getting along with your SO’s family could kill any future your relationship may have, relationship experts agree, that disagreements don’t have to be the end of the relationship. Your relationship can be salvaged, and become even stronger, if you and your SO work together to mediate the conflict.

1. Don’t tackle the problem alone

Experts across the board agree that if you are having a problem with your SO’s parents, you and your SO need to tackle the problem together. Jasbina Ahluwalia, a relationship expert and matchmaker, and the founder of Intersections Match by Jasbina, encourages couples to pursue open communication to best tackle any problem.

“Open communication is extremely important in a mutually fulfilling relationship. That said, ‘open’ is not a license for insensitive. Balance openly expressing yourself, while maintaining sensitivity for your SO’s bond with their parents,” Ahluwalia says.

It can be tricky to tell your SO, that you’re not really meshing with their parents. But when the time comes, take a deep breath and try to explain your feelings, avoiding emotionally charged language. If you know you want to work through this problem, make it clear to your SO that you are open to looking for a solution.

2. Identify the specific problem

It can be easy to make a sweeping statement that you ‘just can’t stand your SO’s parents.’ But if you are looking to make this relationship last, it is worthwhile to try to identify what is causing your negative feelings.

Ahluwalia suggests using a team-oriented approach to find the problem. “A good start is identifying the precise behavior which affects you instead of registering a dislike for [your SO’s] parents.”

It can be difficult to dig into your emotions and past actions to discover the root of the problem. But discovering the nature of your feelings can help you develop an action plan. If you realize the dislike stems from a bad first impression, you can remedy that through future interactions. If you know that these feelings originate from disagreements about social issues, you can simply avoid discussing them.

Related: How To Tell If It’s Just An Argument or the End Of Your Relationship

3. Decide if it’s worth broaching the subject with your SO’s parents

You may want to just pretend like everything is okay, but it can be tempting to address the issue with your SO’s parents. But, Dr. Jenn Mann, author of The Relationship Fix, cautions that it’s not always beneficial to bring up the problem.

“If morally and philosophically you don’t see eye to eye, it won’t benefit you to bring up the problem,” Dr. Mann says. “But, if it is communication style that is the problem, it could be productive to address it.”

If you can bring to the table, a specific problem, such as, “I don’t like it when you address me with that tone,” you can have a concrete issue to resolve. But if you can only speak in vague generalities like, “I just don’t like talking to you,” you can do your relationship more harm than good.

4. Know if the problem is a deal breaker

As much as you don’t want to think about it, there may come a time when you need to end your relationship. And while you may hope that the honeymoon phase will last forever, in the end, you have to be honest with yourself about what your deal breakers are.

“Most people have good instincts about what their deal breakers are,” Dr. Mann says. “You have to look at whether you are on the same page morally and philosophically. If the two of you are too far apart, it’s a deal breaker.”

Ahluwalia believes that it is essential to know that you have support from your partner in a difficult situation. And not having support can make a struggling relationship falter further.

“Resentment can kill relationships,” says Ahluwalia. “I think that any issue which is super important to one partner cannot be dismissed by the other partner without compromising the relationship.”

So, if your SO is unwilling to listen to your feelings, or if you know that you will never be able to have a polite conversation with their mother, it may be time to part ways.

Related: What To Do Once The Honeymoon Phase Is Over

5. Have a strategy to cope if you are going to stick it out

If you decide that a disagreement with your SO’s parents isn’t a deal breaker, it can be wise to have a plan on how to handle future interactions. Megan Mann, a graduate of Purdue University, hasn’t directly experienced this problem, but her boyfriend has.

“[My boyfriend]’s never really seen eye-to-eye with my mom or my sister and even after four years, he tends to keep his distance,” Megan says. “He deals with it by picking and choosing when to be around them. He limits what he’s willing to talk to them about, as he doesn’t agree with the way they treat me. It’s all about picking and choosing when to be around them.”

Going into family situations with a game plan can make life easier for everyone. So, if you know your dad and your SO don’t get along, consider having them socialize in different groups or sit in separate areas. If you know a certain topic sparks disagreement, steer conversation in a different direction. It can be challenging at first but will pay off when everyone’s happy.

While it can be immensely difficult to handle a problem with your SO’s parents, approaching the problem with your SO in a healthy and productive manner can only make your relationship stronger. In the end, remember that you all do have some common ground: both you and your SO’s parents love your SO. And that’s all that matters.

A NYU sophomore contacted university officials after a dining hall cook brushed off her complaints about the school's special Black History Month meal of barbecue ribs, corn bread, collard greens, and more. The New York Times reports that College of Arts & Science student Nia Harris questioned the head cook at Weinstein Passport Dining Hall after the meal, also consisting of Kool-Aid and watermelon-flavored water, was served earlier this week. 

Responding to Harris, the cook insisted that the Kool-Aid was actually fruit punch (Harris said it definitely wasn't) and that food services always served fruit-flavored water. Harris pointed out in her message to school officials that the options of fruit-flavored water never included watermelon on other days. The cook also told her that the members of the dining staff who planned the meal were black. 

In an email that she shared on Facebook, Harris wrote that the cook was "clearly diverting the blame from himself as to put it onto black people to assure me that it was not racially insensitive because black people thought of it." 

University president Andrew Hamilton addressed the complaint on Wednesday in an official statement, saying, "We were shocked to learn of the drink and food choices that our food service provider – Aramark – offered at the Weinstein dining hall as part of Black History Month. It was inexcusably insensitive. That error was compounded by the insensitivity of the replies made to a student who asked Aramark staff on site how the choices were made."

The school's food service provider suspended the director of the dining hall and revealed that the two workers who wrongly planned the menu independently were fired. The themed menu was comprised without consulting school officials' opinions, and Hamilton announced that Aramark will begin working with "the existing student advisory bod and campus cultural groups" to plan future special menus. 

Speaking to the Times, Harris said of the changes, "I would consider today a victory. But it's also very important that we had to publicize it in order to put the pressure on them to do the right thing, because I feel like had I not publicized it, this could have gone a little bit differently...The burden of teaching people how to be respectful to [black people] is falling on us." 

Remember those perfectly planned week-long breaks in paradise you got every March or April while you were in college? Unfortunately, after leaving college, a week’s worth of vacation days is harder to come by, but that doesn’t mean you’re not in dire need of a break—especially at the end of these long winter months! We all need a little escape, but when you can’t get away for longer than a weekend, it may be time for a “staycation” or a little getaway in your own city. Here are some ideas for getting away from the monotony of daily life for a day or two this spring!

1. Take a bike tour

Though the chilly winter weather makes this hard to believe, March and April will finally bring sunny weekends. Take advantage of these days and explore your town or city on a bike! If you’re looking for a whole weekend trip, BikeTours.com provides to tools for finding a local guided bike tour for two nights or longer. The guided tours take you from one location to another with accommodations and routes included.

If you’d rather stick closer to home and sleep in your own bed, see if your city has a bike sharing system. This is great if you don’t have your own bike because you can rent a bike from a station and return it to any other station in the city. Biking allows you to see your surroundings from a new perspective, one you might not necessarily see in a car or on the subway. Break out those cute tennis shoes, stop for a picnic in the park and make sure to wear a helmet!

2. Visit a local museum

Whether you live in the suburbs or in a big city, chances are you can find some type of museum within a day’s travel. Maybe it’s an art museum or maybe it explores local history, but a rainy Saturday spent at a museum can make you feel cultured, educated and like you’ve been transported to different time and place. Look for some of the smaller, lesser-known museums or historic site rather than a traditional museum for something a little different. Make a day of it by mulling over what you’ve seen over coffee at a café, or if it’s sunny, grab an ice cream afterwards. You’re bound to feel inspired by what you’ve seen!

3. Tour a winery or brewery

If you like to imbibe from time to time, try finding a local brewery or winery to visit.

Breweries often have a fun, laid back atmosphere that could be the perfect escape from day-to-day life. Craft brewing is booming and according to CraftBeer.com, the average American lives within 10 miles of a craft brewery. Many breweries offer free tours that include tastings and offer food on-site or from a food truck. Tour the brewery, stick around for a pint or two, and wow your friends with your new knowledge of beer!

If you’re looking for a more refined experience, see if there are any wineries in your area. Babak Motamedi, co-founder of online winery guide Kazzit, explains that each winery offers something different: tastings, tours, cave tours, and more, but Kazzit can help you find the right winery for you. Referencing California, which boasts more than 4,000 wineries, Motamedi asks of finding the right tour, “How do you even begin?” Kazzit is the guide to “where the wine grows” and provides you with wineries in your area and the tools to plan your tasting or tour! Find a tour that will fit in your timeline, your budget, and whatever you’re looking for from a day in the vineyards.

4. Explore a new neighborhood

Whether you’re living somewhere you’ve lived all your life or you’ve moved somewhere new, chances are you’re a stone’s throw from somewhere you haven’t explored yet. Look at a map, find a neighborhood or area you haven’t been to and make a day of exploring. Shop local boutiques, have lunch at café, wander through the local park, and enjoy experiencing some place new! Anna Kelsey, a 2014 graduate of Boston University, says, “I like to spend time exploring new neighborhoods now that I live in the city as a non student…I like getting a feel of the different neighborhoods and what their personalities are.” If you have the time and resources for a longer trip, explore a city in driving distance. From Boston, Anna says, “Downtown Burlington [Vermont] is super charming and fun weekend trip to take.”

Related: 5 Reasons Every Girl Should Travel Solo 

5. Get outside

As those sunny spring days start approaching, look for an outdoor activity in your area. Maybe you’re near the water and can go kayaking or sign up for a sailing class. Take advantage of the nicer (read: not snowy!) weather and get outside for a day. Go for a hike; go horseback riding; go fishing: just get outside!

Nikki Snyder, another 2014 graduate of Boston University, is currently living and working in Boston. She says she loves to escape the city every once in awhile. “Though I love living and working in a city, the endless concrete and brick can make me feel really claustrophobic.” A short ways away from Boston, Nikki likes to visit the White Mountains in New Hampshire where she hikes and fills her lungs with fresh air: “To forget all of the stresses of work, of city life, of rent and laundry and instead channel all of my energy into each inclined step is incredibly refreshing. For me, hiking is almost meditative.” Her weekend trips to the woods allow her to find herself and take on the next week. “Crisp air, awesome views, sweating and not caring about my appearance, the outdoors always re-center me so I can return to Boston, rested and ready to kick a** on Monday!” she says.

6. Celebrate spring at a festival

Fall has apple picking; spring has blooming flowers. There’s nothing quite like seeing the colors of freshly bloomed flowers after long gray winters. Look for a local flower show to brighten your weekend and get you looking forward to sunnier months. If you like history, try Virginia’s Historic Garden Week where you can see beautiful historic homes and their blooming gardens or mingle with Southern Belles at the North Carolina Azalea Festival. The tulip fields at the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival in Washington state rival those in the Netherlands or if purple’s your favorite color, hit the Rochester Lilac Festival, just to name a few. Of course, if you’re in DC, there’s always the National Cherry Blossom Festival.

7. Host a themed dinner

If all else fails, bring the world to you. Invite your friends over for a dinner or small party with an exotic theme. Turn your apartment into a tiki hut and host a Hawaiian luau; make tapas and sangria for a trip to Spain; “visit” an Italian village and serve pasta, prosciutto and prosecco; or answer London Calling with gin and tonics in wellies and a fascinator. Prepare authentic food, decorate your digs, and dress the part! Not only will the party allow you and your friends to escape without actually leaving, planning and preparing for the party will give you something to think about and anticipate.

8. Find a cheap hotel and get away for the weekend

Grab your bestie, your SO, or a sibling and split a hotel for the weekend. Many hotels offer last minute deals to fill their empty rooms. Kayak.com offers an easy way to finding those deals, well under $100 (or even $50!) a night in tons of popular locations across the country. Pick a location and find a good deal. Go out for a nice meal, get in a little shopping, and get a good night’s rest in a comfortable hotel bed, even if it’s in your very own city. You’re bound to feel refreshed for the coming week!

Whether you have a day or a whole weekend, doing something different is bound to make you feel rejuvenated after a long week in the office. These ideas get you outside and away from normal day-to-day activities to give you that extra boost after the past few months of endless snow. And what you’ll remember from those spring breaks in college is that post-SB, summer is just around the corner!

Good morning Her Campus! With a break-neck news cycle, there is no possible way for you to stay on top of every story that comes across your feeds—we’re all only human, after all.

But, life comes at you fast. So grab a cup of coffee and settle in for this quick and dirty guide to stories you might’ve been sleeping on (like, literally. It’s early.)

Trump Wrote a Reminder to Say 'I Hear You' to People at a Listening Session About School Gun Violence​

BuzzFeed News reports that President Donald Trump's notes at a White House listening session with those affected by school shootings included a message reminding him to say "I hear you" to speakers. While Trump claimed that his main purpose during the event was to listen, a photographer snapped a photo of the president's list of questions, which also included, "What can we do to make you feel safe?" and "What would you most want me to know about your experience?"

The last point visible to the camera was his reminder to tell people "I hear you." Speakers at the session included the father of one of the Parkland shooting victims, and if you caught that passionate speech, I think it's safe to say that "I hear you" wouldn't exactly be an appropriate response to such a heartfelt delivery. 

The White House has yet to officially comment on the list, but House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi addressed the picture on Twitter. 

Possible School Shooting Plot Is Thwarted in California

Two AR-15s and 90 high-capacity magazines were found at the home of a teen who was allegedly threatening to commit a school shooting in California, ABC News reports. A security guard at El Camino High School in Whittier reportedly overheard the 17-year-old say "he was going to shoot up the school some time in the next three weeks," a sheriff confirmed at a news conference. The student supposedly made the comment only two days after the shooting massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida. 

In addition to the aforementioned weapons, two handguns were also found at the boy's home, but his older brother, who is an Army veteran, told authorities that the guns were his own. Only one Ar-15 was registered to the brother, leading to his arrest on several charges, including "possession of an assault weapon and failure to register a handgun." The teen, who has a history of "disciplinary history" at his school, was arrested for making criminal threats.

The Shirtless Tonga Flagbearer Got Real About Dating

Pita Taufatofua, the Olympian who has now gone viral for his shirtless, oily abs twice over the course of his athletic career, may not have the greatest chance to medal in cross country skiing. However, the Tongan athlete spilled to Cosmopolitan about whether or not he's found room for romance amidst competing in PyeongChang. 

"What I’ve heard is there a strong number of people on dating apps here," Taufatofua said of the dating culture in Olympic Village. "Not me, of course! But apparently my photo is on all of them — people are saying 'Your image is on this app!' but it’s not actually me, it's a [fake profile]. So I guess if you see me, swipe right! I’m sure that would be funny."

The flagbearer has said that he is currently single, but that may not be for long. "When I get home I will date more," he said.  "I’m a human being, and one of the key things about being human is you have to have a connection with people. I’m an athlete, but I’m also a loving person. That’s one of the big disconnects with high-level athletes, [we're] not good at exposing that part of [our]selves, that vulnerable side that says we are human. That we have hopes, dreams, fears. That we love."

Well, then. Talk romance to me.

What to look out for...

Tonight, the 2018 Winter Olympics complete the last of the ice skating events with the women's ice skating free program. Team USA skaters Mirai Nagasu, Karen Chen and Bradie Tennell currently sit in ninth, 10th and 11th place after the short program, but after seeing fellow American Nathan Chen's redemptive free skate, anything could happen! 

We at HC know a little something about spring break… and we’re counting down the days until we can ditch the stress of school, rock beachy waves and sip on strawberry daiquiris with our bums in the sand with our best friends.

But first, packing. This can be a daunting task, especially when our even our favorite professors are cramming every last test, quiz and essay into the days right before break. Thankfully, we’ve mastered the mission of packing for the ultimate spring break trip and we’re here to help!

Beach Bag

Tip: Use an oversized shopper beach bag as your handbag/carry-on for traveling to your spring break destination. Whether you’re going by car, bus or plane, you’ll want to keep these items easily accessible.

• Ticket(s) (for traveling and any events you’re attending)
• Cell phone
• ID (if you’re staying within the U.S., use your driver’s license, or if you’re traveling abroad, bring your passport!)
• Sunglasses
• Medications
• Gum
• Wallet (keep some cash on you in case you run into any issues with your cards)
• Snacks
• Reusable water bottle (make sure it’s empty if you’re going through airport security!)
• Antibacterial gel
• Portable self-tanner (Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Towelettes are perf for a girl on the go) 
• Headphones
• A bikini and cover-up (in case your luggage gets delayed!)

Toiletries

Tip: Don’t bring your whole medicine cabinet with you! Stick to the necessities to save space and go for that effortless, surfer-chick lifestyle this week! If you’re traveling by plane, remember TSA’s 3-1-1 rule: any liquids, gels, creams, pastes, and aerosols must be in 3.4 ounce bottles or tubes in 1 quart-sized, clear plastic zip-top bag, and you’re only allowed one bag per person.

• Face wash
• Deodorant
• Floss
• Toothpaste
• Toothbrush
• Sunscreen (even if you’re not in the direct sunlight, sunscreen is absolutely necessary to protect your skin)
• Moisturizer (try Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Milk for the ultimate spring glow!)
• Exfoliant (keep skin spring break-ready with a L'Oréal Paris Pure Sugar Scrub)
• Travel-sized shampoo, conditioner and soap
• Dry shampoo
• Makeup (go for waterproof eye makeup like the L'Oréal Paris Lash Paradise Mascara and Infallible Pro-Last Eyeliner)
• Lipstick (we love Colour Riche Shine Lipstick by L'Oréal Paris!)
• Razor
• Advil (never underestimate the power of a hangover…)
• Brush
• Hair dryer/straightener/curling iron (coordinate with your friends to have each of you bring one of these tools so you can pack as lightly as possible!)
• Hair ties
• Hair serum (we're using L'Oréal Paris Elvive Extraordinary Oil Serum to keep our locks beachy and nourished)
• Bobby Pins
• First Aid Kit (better safe than sorry!)
• Feminine hygiene products
• Tweezers
• Self-tanner (use Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Lotion with the Self-Tanning Mist for complete coverage, even in hard to reach places)

Clothes

Tip: Bring separates that you can mix and match, and keep it casual! Stick to a basic color scheme with only one or two statement pieces.

• 3 to 5 swimsuits 
• 3 tank tops and/or tees 
• 3 going-out tops 
• Sweatshirt or sweater 
• 2 going-out bottoms 
• 2 pairs of shorts 
• Your favorite pair of jeans
• 2 to 3 cover-ups or casual dresses to throw on over your swimsuit 
• 1 nicer dress for going out 
• Sandals 
• Flip-flops
• Wedges
• Sneakers and socks 
• PJs 
• Sweats 
• Leggings 
• Underwear and bras (at least one set for every day you’re there, plus 1 to 2 extra)
• Basic, cheap jewelry you can wear with multiple outfits
• 1 cross-body bag for going out 

Miscellaneous

• Beach towel
• Disposable camera (so you don’t have to worry about your phone or nice camera getting sandy or wet!)
• Chargers (get a cheap portable phone charger for long days at the beach or while you’re en route)
• A good beach read
• Beach hat large enough to shield your from the sun
• Koozies (May you always have a cool—and cute!—drink in your hand)
• Mini emergency/first aid kit
• Zip-lock bag or waterproof pouch for your wet swimsuit
• Corkscrew

There’s nothing worse than getting to your destination, unpacking your bag… and then realizing you’ve forgotten to bring your toothbrush, favorite bikini or (everybody’s biggest nightmare), your phone charger. Check off every item on this list—and you’ll be set to have the greatest spring break ever! 

On Wednesday night, the National Rifle Association (NRA) used a GIF from former NBC sitcom Parks and Rec to thank spokesperson Dana Loesch, who represented the gun-lobbying organization at theCNN town hall about the Florida school shooting. The tweet featured a GIF of Amy Poehler's character Leslie Knope saying "thank you." 

But it seems that the NRA should have chosen a different GIF. Parks and Rec creator Michael Schur quickly took to Twitter to respond. "Hi, please take this down," he tweeted Wednesday. "I would prefer you not use a GIF from a show I worked on to promote your pro-slaughter agenda."

Star of the show Amy Poehler does not have a twitter, but that hasn't stopped her from sharing her opinion via Schur. "Also, Amy isn't on twitter, but she texted me a message: 'Can you tweet the NRA for me and tell them I said f*ck off?'" 

Actor Nick Offerman, who appeared on Parks and Rec for all seven season as Ron Swanson, also ripped into the NRA and Loesch, tweeting that Leslie Knope would not be supportive of the NRA. 

Adam Scott was another actor on the show, and he didn't hold back.

As of Thursday afternoon, the NRA's tweet remains up.

The quest to find prince charming on a dating app, namely Tinder, has proven to be a daunting task. College-aged guys on Tinder range from the serial right-swipers to the guys so analytical about the types of pictures and bio you post. If you haven’t given up hope on finding a connection on Tinder, we asked seven college guys what makes them automatically swipe right on a girl. Their answers may (or may not) surprise you.

1. A clever bio

It’s hard to determine how much or how little information we want to reveal about ourselves on Tinder. However, for guys who claim that they are looking for more than just a hookup, they like to know who you are beyond a face.

Michael Grayhand, a junior at Georgia Southern University, wants to know the basics about the girls he swipes right for—age and/or school, favorite quote or witty statement and their passions. 

“While I don’t expect a girl to lay out her whole life story, I want to know something about her to see if there is something we connect over right off the bat,” he says. “So please don’t leave it blank! Or be basic and say ‘I love kittens.’ And? So does everyone else.”

So if you’re comfortable, let the dating pool know what makes you unique.

Oprah Winfrey, queen of everything, doesn't have time for President Donald Trump's negativity, and she isn't afraid to talk about it. 

On Sunday night, President Trump tweeted his opinion of Oprah's panel on 60 Minutes, criticizing her interviewing abilities as well as the rumors that she will run for office in 2020. He alleged that the questions she asked a group of diverse voters were "biased and slanted," and that she appeared "very insensure." 

Oprah did not respond to Trump's tweet via Twitter, but she did when asked about it on The Ellen Degeneres Show on Thursday. "I woke up and I just thought..." Oprah said, shrugging. "And I don't like giving negativity power, so I just thought, 'What?' What I actually really did was I went back and looked at the tape to see if there was any place that that could be true. Did I feel like it was slanted or biased? I went back and looked at every tape; I called the producers." 

She then went on to explain the process and planning behind the 60 Minutes segment. "You sit in a room with at least seven other people who critique the piece before you air it—before you do the introduction to it—and then they give you the critique. They critique every word. 'Is this fair?' You have this whole panel of people looking at whether it was fair. And actually, the first time I saw it, I said, 'There's something missing here from the conversation.'"

Oprah took the time to make sure that both sides of the discussion were being represented. At one point, she even urged producers to include answers from both a Republican and Democrat to one question where they had previously only included the answers of a Democrat. 

"So, I was working very hard to do the opposite of what I was hate-tweeted about, it's OK," Oprah said.

Ellen DeGeneres made sure to defend Oprah against Trump's tweet. "Oprah is my friend, and when you mess with Oprah, you mess with me," she said. "President Trump, it's time for an 'aha moment.' You're not just some guy on Twitter anymore. You're the President for all of us. It is your job to unite people, and you don't do it by attacking people, especially Oprah."Preach.

And although President Winfrey has a nice ring to it, Oprah isn't interesting in going for the job that Trump challenged her to. "I've always felt secure and confident with myself in knowing what I could do and what I could not," she previously told InStyle."And it's not something that interests me." 

This article has been syndicated from Coming in Clutch, an InfluenceHer Collective Member. Read the full post here.

It’s that point of the year where the weather can’t make up its mind. Dressing for the weather can be a little bit tricky, because it’s so unpredictable. That’s why layering has become such an essential tactic to winter styling. I really wanted to chat about how to layer for these unpredictable weather conditions, but with fast results. Nobody’s got time to change outfits 20 times (even though we already do that). Today, I want to share my secret tips for creating interesting layers on the fly!

1. Go for a monochromatic palette 

By keeping your color palette to one range of a color, this narrows down your closet search. I always come up with the most unique outfits (I guess I’m a bit biased) when I stick to one color. For some reason, pairing different shades and tints of a color really blends nicely together. For example, I went for the brown color family with this outfit. White and creams are the tints of brown, and black is the ultimate shade of it. It really adds more definition and depth to the layering game, because a monochromatic look is an act of layering. Adding black and white to a base is the layering for colors. I find this is the quickest way to get a cool look together. 

2. Layer your coats and jackets

This tip needs a little bit of effort, because you have to look out for adding too much bulk and fabric. Although, coats and jackets tend to be a bit bulkier. Its purpose is to layer over top of the rest of your clothes and serve as a shield against the weather. Really use this to your advantage, and have fun pairing your jackets together. I layered a black denim jacket underneath this Free People bomber jacket.

First of all, denim goes with everything and is the perfect fabric for layering. Plus, a bomber jacket is meant to be a little bit more on the oversized spectrum. The arms especially are meant to provide a little bit more fabric, which makes it perfect for layering coats under. Use this as an experiment to see which of your coats would look cool paired together! This is why I have such a difficult time saying no to buying jackets…

3. Overalls are the new jeans

Because the retro trends are so popular right now, overalls are taking the fashion scene by storm. I've been using them as my go-to piece to adding a unique vibe to my basic look. A sweater and a pair of jeans look nice and super casual. By incorporating overalls into the look instead, you instantly have elevated your outfit to a whole new level of style. To me, overalls are so much more interesting and eye-catching than jeans. Don’t get me wrong, I have a committed relationship with jeans. As of lately though, they’ve just been the quickest way to style a really cool look.

I know there are a million other tactics for layering for the winter months, but these are my not-so-secret-anymore tips to mastering the innovative layering game. Not only are they easy to implement, but they're foolproof for anyone to use. Plus, it allows you to really utilize what you already have in your closet. Let’s be real, we gotta save our money for all those spring and summer trends! Regardless, I hope these tips are of use to you in some way this season.

Read the full post here.

This article has been syndicated from Nourish Your Glow, an InfluenceHer Collective Member. Read the full post here.

French toast is a delicious meal that many people think they will have to give up when they begin eating nourishing, healthy foods. Whilst traditional french toast can be full of refined sugars and fats, this french toast recipe is made only with natural wholesome ingredients. This vegan cinnamon french toast is my new favourite brunch meal, mainly because it's so easy to make and everyone loves it!

 Ingredients

• 4 slices thickly sliced sourdough bread (must use a thick sturdy bread or your french toast will be soggy)
• 1 cup almond milk
• 2 tablespoons spelt flour
• 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• Coconut oil, for the pan

Suggested Toppings

• Nuts
• Seeds
• Coconut flakes
• Nut butter
• Maple syrup
• Fresh fruit

Method

1. In a small bowl, whisk together the almond milk, flour, nutritional yeast, and cinnamon.
2. Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat and drizzle small amount of coconut oil.
3. Dip the bread in the mixture, turning to coat both sides evenly.
4. When the pan has heated up, add the bread slices cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until lightly browned.
5. Serve with your favorite toppings and enjoy.

I hope you enjoy this vegan cinnamon french toast recipe!

Read the full post here.

Millie Bobby Brown has quickly become America’s (British) sweetheart. We have watched her grow in front of our eyes and have eagerly seen her acting career skyrocket. Through her growth and transformation in Hollywood, she has also become a major style icon. Brown has proven that fashion is definitely not defined by age (she's only 13, btw), and could probably teach some celebrities older than her a few things about fashion. Check out her latest look, which she wore during Milan Fashion Week on Tuesday.

The iconic puffer dress proves that style and comfort can be combined, because let’s be real––this dress looks cozy af. The ankle-length gown comes from the collection named the “Moncler Genius Project” and is specifically designed by Valentino. 

Brown paired the sleeveless dress with Repossi jewelry, delicate enough to compliment the full black skirt of the dress. The rest of the Moncler collection featured equally bold items, such as floor-length takes of Brown’s dress and other colored puffy capes. We can't help but admire Brown for her elegant and mature style, and can only hope to develop ~lewk~ expertise as good as hers.

It’s 2018, so can we all agree that it's time to stop promoting the idea that models are the ideal standard for beauty AND that models themselves are flawless? Everyone has imperfections, because, hey, we’re all human! And finally a brand recognized that. Missguided broke stores in the UK when they first released an unretouched campaign, which featured real models with real stretch marks (because...wouldn't you know it, models are real people). They have now taken a bold move to create mannequins that also feature stretch marks, vitiligo, and a diversity of ethnic backgrounds to be displayed in their UK stores.

After the immensely positive response to Missguided's unretouched campaign, we're suspecting that the mannequins will generate even more support for the company's decision to embrace real beauty. The mannequins are in addition to Missguided’s #MakeYourMark campaign that launched in December 2017, and the main goals of this are to encourage people to see beauty in their flaws and accept "unconventional” traits as something to be celebrated. This is a huge step forward for the fashion world, and we can only hope positive response to this new in-store presence will encourage other retailers to follow in their steps. Personally, we are hoping to see changes like these in US stores too!

Living in a society with airbrushing over photos and advertisements, as well as the constant barrage of Instagram falseness, it's all too easy to form a toxic and negative self-image. But Missguided’s acceptance of “flaws” is a leap towards acceptance of who we really are, stretch marks and all.

The Olympics have been on everyone’s minds these past few weeks. For young athletes who have been training their entire lives for this moment, the experience must be absolutely surreal.

17-year-old Team USA snowboarder Chloe Kim got to pay this feeling forward when Jimmy Fallon invited her to photobomb fans in front of an NBC Olympics display at 30 Rockefeller Center in New York City. Hilarity ensued. 

Of course, Fallon decided to twin with the gold medalist by putting on a long blond wig and stocking cap to match her signature look. I also loved the “double hoagie” maneuver.

It was a perfect opportunity for Kim. Olympic athletes are thrust into the spotlight, often at young ages, and suddenly expected to be America’s heroes, and it can be hard to figure out the right ways to interact with fans all of a sudden.

Chloe Kim is ADORABLE and is doing an amazing job. Her performance on the slopes was excellent, and she deserves all the recognition she’s getting. Teenage girls can do some pretty badass stuff, and we need to be seeing that right now. You rock, Chloe!

Tiffany Haddish, hilarious comedy queen and breakout star of the summer 2017 movie Girls Trip, is hosting this year's MTV Movie and TV Awards. She is the first black woman to host the awards show ever.

MTV announced the news on Thursday, and Haddish announced it herself on Instagram with a video message.

It’s so fun and rewarding to watch people who have worked hard get the success they deserve. Specifically, it’s fun to watch Haddish succeed. I've personally been following her since she appeared on VH1 countdown specials like 100 Greatest Artists of All Time and Undateable at the beginning of the decade.

She had an amazing 2017 and her 2018 is already looking even better. Right now she's promoting her book, The Last Black Unicorn. Her press junkets over the summer for Girls Trip were hilarious and adorable, and the episode she hosted of Saturday Night Live was iconic. She joked in her monologue about wearing a white Alexander McQueen dress that "cost more than (her) mortgage" more than once. Maybe she'll wear it again to host the show?

Regardless, I know she'll do an amazing job and will help get audiences accustomed to the new changes MTV is trying to make — this is the second year that the awards have included television categories. The show has also made its award categories gender-neutral. 

You go, Tiffany!

The awards will air June 18.