Between keeping up with school work, maintaining a social life and compulsively signing up for extracurriculars to pad your resume, it’s no surprise that health often falls to the wayside for collegiettes. Sleep? Never heard of it. Daily servings of fruits and vegetables? Do french fries and popcorn count? And taking care of your skin? Well, it gets clean enough in the shower, right?

The high-stress, non-stop lifestyle of college students is a breeding ground for bad health habits that will not only damage your mind and body now, but can also set you up for more health problems down the line.

“It's a lot easier to add something good than it is to quit something bad,” explains author and personal trainer Sarah Hays Coomer. “But when good habits are strong they have a tendency to crowd out the bad ones without too much effort.”

Here are some of the worst health habits you may not even realize are bad. If you’re already guilty of some of these habits, no worries—we’ve got you covered with ways to combat them.

1. Poor nutrition

The problem

Nutrition is so important, and yet it’s so broad. Poor nutrition includes over-indulging in junk food, caffeine or alcohol. We all know to avoid sugars and simple carbs, but sometimes they’re the dominant ingredients in foods that are easy to eat on the go. However, these foods mess up our bodies’ standard functions, like insulin production and blood sugar regulation, along with a long list of other side effects.

“Crash diets, high junk food intake and sugar are all correlated with stress, anxiety and even depression,” explains Dr. Elesa Zehndorfer, an academic author on the physiology of emotional and irrational acts. “It even impacts on mental ability, again, meaning that study ability can be compromised.”

The fix

Eating more vegetables and less processed foods is much easier said than done. But being fully conscious of what you eat is the first step to making healthier choices. Focus on what your body needs rather than what your taste buds want.

“The best solution is a diet high in good fats, protein, good carbs, low in sugar and little alcohol,” advises Dr. Zehndorfer. “If this is a hard sell to students, a great multivitamin, omega 3, 6 & 9 blend, and a calcium, magnesium and D3 supplement can be a real lifesaver.”

Instead of stocking up on processed snacks, keep fruits and vegetables on hand in your dorm or apartment so when you're hungry, you have a healthy, satisfying snack on hand. You also won’t be tempted to mindlessly snack!

2. An “all or nothing” dieting mentality

The problem

We’ve all been there: we set out to eat healthy and do okay for a couple days, but then we slip up and indulge in one cookie or piece of pizza. Suddenly, we’re riddled with guilt and decide if we’ve already messed up, it doesn’t even matter anymore. Cue the junk food binge and the subsequent uphill battle to get back on track the following days.

“Thinking that they've 'blown' a 'diet' if they have one cookie or one drink is very common in young women, especially,” says certified personal trainer and author Helen Ryan. “They work hard all week exercising and making healthy food choices. Then they go out with their friends, indulge a little, and they’re eating poorly for days or weeks at a time afterward. Might as well, since they blew it.”

The fix

First of all, don’t get so caught up in “dieting” that you deprive yourself. One dessert won’t hurt you, but thinking that one dessert is the end all, be all will. It doesn’t make sense to beat yourself up over one splurge and then follow it up with a junk food binge.

“Just because you ate something that you didn't think you were supposed to, doesn't mean that you then have a license to keep eating whatever you want,” explains Ryan.

Think of your food intake as a budget. If you bought something above your price range, would you keep spending on other unnecessary expenses, or would you modify your intake elsewhere?

In the end, your nutrition is all about a balance of give and take. If you slip up at lunch, focus on eating a healthy dinner and do the best you can in the present. And if you have a bad binge day altogether, relax. Being healthy is a process, and you’re allowed to make mistakes and cheat occasionally. Start the next day fresh instead of worrying about something that happened in the past.

3. Mindless eating

The problem 

Stress-eating, late night snacking or munching on snacks while watching Netflix are all staples of a collegiette diet. However, snacking mindlessly means eating empty calories with little to no nutritional value, and warps the essential purpose of food. Food is meant to be used as fuel for our bodies so we can feel our best in the classroom, gym and out with friends. Not only can mindless eating lead to weight gain, but it can also establish a habit of making us think we’re hungry when we aren’t, creating an emotional connection to food that causes us to eat as a form of comfort.

The fix

Switch from eating mindlessly to mindfully—listen to your body and what it actually needs, and try to keep junk food out of the house. That way, when you’re tempted to snack, you only have healthy options. Opt for satisfying choices like nuts, fruits or vegetables. Also, avoid storing food near your workspace or carrying snacks to your laptop when you’re scrolling through Facebook. Another tip is to drink more water—sometimes it is easy to confuse hunger with thirst.

4. Not getting enough sleep

The problem 

We’ve all heard about the importance of a good night’s sleep at one point or another, but that’s because sleep is essential to all components of your health and well-being.

“When I get a good night of sleep, it carries over into other parts of my life, like I have more energy to work out and I don’t just snack unhealthily because I’m tired,” says Rylie O’Meara, a sophomore at the University of Notre Dame.

If you don’t get enough sleep, you’ll be too tired to mentally focus. Your ability to make decisions can become impaired, which results in indulging in poor quality foods. Lack of sleep can also leave you too fatigued to exercise and feeling low in energy altogether.

“Late-night parties and study sessions are a natural part of college life, but sleep truly does matter for health and happiness,” Coomer says. “When we’re tired, we all have a tendency to eat more sugar, salt and fat; we’re too tired to get out for a walk or a yoga class, and studying gets a lot harder too.”

Related: How Much Sleep Should You REALLY Be Getting In Your 20s?

Sleep deprivation can accumulate over time as well.

“If people aren't getting a good night's sleep on a regular basis, over time, it adds up to persistent fatigue which makes everything harder,” explains Coomer.  

Additionally, sleep deprivation can harm your emotional health. Lack of sleep can result in poor stress management, trouble focusing and sometimes even anxiety and depression. Not to mention, sometimes we’re downright grumpy when we’re tired.

“Lack of sleep does not allow the brain to repair and re-charge and lower stress levels. It increases daytime tiredness and reduces endurance and focus,” explains Dr. Carolyn Dean, MD, ND, and Medical Advisory Board Member of the Nutritional Magnesium Association. “If your life/job requires focus, clear thinking and energy, lack of sleep will affect your brain functionality, you will make mistakes, you will not catch opportunities and you may not get along with co-workers, siblings, family or your boss.”

The fix 

Make sleep a priority. If you’re staying up late because of schoolwork, try eliminating distractions so you can work more efficiently during the day. Decide a series of manageable tasks you need to accomplish, and when you finish them, call it a day. Additionally, put your phone away when you finally go to bed—the light from your screen can make it difficult to fall asleep, which means you’re losing some precious shut-eye.

5. Not taking off makeup before going to sleep

The problem

After a long day of school or a late night out, all you want to do is crawl into bed and go to sleep: even if that means waking up with day-old mascara smeared under your eyes and acne breakouts the following few days because your pores were too clogged with foundation.

“As a dermatologist now, I would tell my younger self to just take that extra minute to wash my face,” explains Dr. Asma Ahmed. “Removing your makeup before bed is important with prevention of acne breakouts and aging such as fine lines and wrinkles. Heavy eye makeup, concealer and foundation can congest your pores, and sleep is an important time for cells to regenerate.”

The fix

Like sleep, sometimes you just have to make things a priority to get things done. Make washing your face a habit like brushing your teeth. You can even keep a box of makeup removing wipes by your bed if it helps! Dr. Ahmed recommends Neutrogena or Simple wipes.

“An easy way to accomplish this even if you’re feeling tired is to keep makeup cleansing wipes in your bathroom cabinet or even at your bedside if you're a frequent offender,” says Dr. Ahmed. “Micellar water is also a great product that is easy to find these days in the drug store which you just dab onto a cotton swab and gently wipe your makeup away.”

Plus, micellar water doesn’t need to be rinsed off!

6. Foregoing sunscreen

The problem 

We’ve been convinced that tan is pretty, and sacrificing our skin to the sun is worth it for the short-term bronze glow (or red burn if we’re being realistic). However, it seems like every older person’s advice to children, teenagers, and young adults is to wear sunscreen.

“The most important advice I can give as a dermatologist is the age-old adage of wearing your sunscreen,” says Dr. Ahmed. “Most of a person’s sun damage is during their youth, before they turn 18 years of age. Unfortunately, there’s no delete button on sun damage. We know for a fact sun damage causes skin cancers, wrinkles, sun spots, and skin laxity.”

Catherine Markley, a sophomore at Notre Dame, agrees that protecting your skin is important.

“Since I have been a victim of bad sunburns in my life, I have recently made an effort to wear sunscreen daily,” says Catherine. “The results are better than I expected and I rarely sunburn now. My skin feels softer and actually tans better.”

The fix 

Nowadays, SPF can be found in daily moisturizers, makeup and even in a pill form. Scour the drugstore aisles for a daily product that includes SPF, preferably at least 30, and reapply every few hours. Remember, the sun is still at work on a cloudy day, or even when you’re indoors. If you feel like you need to be tan, try a bronzer or self-applying tanning lotion instead of a tanning bed or laying out. Better yet, embrace your natural skin instead of frying it now and regretting it later.

7. Damaging hair to the extreme

The problem 

In the era of ombré hair trends and blowout bars, opportunities to damage hair are everywhere.  

“It’s easy to go overboard on damaging hair procedures and styling,” says Dr. Ahmed. “Damaging procedures can actually injure the hair follicles and cause hair loss over time. It is important to keep these procedures spaced out in time, and at a minimum.”

The fix 

Give your hair some R&R with a hair mask every week or so, and lay off the straighteners, curling irons and bleaching hair dyes. Give your hair a break from the constant coloring, chemical straightening or perms by waiting longer periods of time between touch-ups. Dr. Ahmed advises a two to three month or longer time span between treatments. Embrace your natural hair and learn some simple styling techniques for air-dried hair.

“When dyeing your hair, choose a dye within three shades of your natural color,” advises Dr. Ahmed. “Dyeing hair darker is less damaging than lightening. Also, use a restorative, deep conditioner weekly, and oils such as argan oil, to keep scalp and hair protected.”

In the end, being mindful of the way we treat our bodies and the priorities we set can transform our bad habits into healthy habits. And we don’t have to change overnight—we can start out simply by deciding to be better.

“The smallest habits matter the most. It's difficult for people to believe that small, behavioral changes will make a difference in the long run, but, in fact, daily rituals and routines shape our lives,” explains Coomer. “They determine our quality of life and how much energy we have to put toward our goals.”

Taking small steps might be frustrating, but they will pay off in the long run. Coomer advises to shift our thinking from breaking bad habits to adopting good ones. Try to pick one positive habit that you can reinforce on a daily basis in categories like diet, exercise, sleep and relationships.

In my high school government class, I learned that it's my civic duty to participate in our country's political system, whether that's through voting, protesting, or contacting my representatives. It was a fairly simple concept and yet, when the survivors of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting spoke up at CNN's town hall and addressed people like Sen. Marco Rubio and NRA spokesperson Dana Loesch critically about the issue of gun control, it was somehow seen as disrespectful.

At least, Fox News Radio commentator Todd Starnes saw it as such — and he reached out to Twitter to see how his followers would feel if their "child lectured and ridiculed a U.S. Senator on national television." 

Of course, not all of the responses were meant to be clever and funny. Some of them were really insightful and spoke to the political freedoms that we're granted in this country.

Even if certain commentators think it's disrespectful to speak out against your senators or to challenge representatives with passion and knowledge, it's good to know that Twitter is full of people ready to raise a seriously bad-ass, politically engaged next generation.

After the horrific shooting on February 14 at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida that took 17 lives, a group of students have taken it upon themselves to advocate for change and to challenge lawmakers to reform the current gun laws in the United States.

At the CNN town hall meeting on February 21, the students confronted their politicians and the National Rifle Association (NRA) Spokesperson Dana Loesch. Emma Gonzalez, her fellow students and their parents challenged Florida Senator Marco Rubio for his response to the shooting and his stance on the current gun laws. Gonzalez also tried to get the NRA spokesperson to give an explicit response on the NRA’s stance on the banning of semiautomatic weapons and bump stocks, Hello Giggles reports.

And just like the rest of us, former First Lady Michelle Obama was in awe of how brave and determined these young adults are.

Michelle Obama, according to Hello Giggles, tweeted out her support to the Parkland students, writing, “I’m in total awe of the extraordinary students in Florida. Like every movement for progress in our history, gun reform will take unyielding courage and endurance. But @barackobama and I believe in you, we’re proud of you, and we’re behind you every step of the way.”

And Gonzalez responded in the most perfect way possible, according to InStyle Magazine: with a Leslie Knope GIF. The response features the beloved lead character, played by Amy Poehler, of the former hit NBC show Parks and Rec, saying, “I agree with you on all things. Throughout history until the end of time forever.”

Gonzalez’s response with a Leslie Knope GIF comes after the NRA tweeted a message on Wednesday night to thank Loesch for “being the voice of over 5 million NRA members” and also included a Leslie Knope GIF. Parks and Rec creator Michael Schur and actors from the show, asked the NRA to remove the tweet, since they did not want the show tied to the NRA’s agenda. Amy Poehler also told Schur to tweet the NRA to tell them to “f--- off.”

The women’s hockey team for Team USA played the game of the century and took home the gold, ending the official 20-year Olympic gold medal drought. The gold medal had eluded the team since the inaugural women’s hockey tournament at the 1998 Nagano Olympics, USA Today Sports reports.

The greatest game very fittingly took place on what was the 38th anniversary of the U.S. men’s hockey 1980 “Miracle on Ice” victory over the Soviet Union, CBS Sports reports.

Despite the constant success of the Canadian women’s team in the Olympic hockey tournament, the U.S. women’s hockey team ended up defeating the Canadian team 3-2. The U.S. women went ahead of the Canadians, 1-0, in the first period of the game, but Canada came back to take the lead, 2-1, in the second period, USA Today Sports reports. Team USA ultimately tied up the game with only about six minutes remaining in the game, and it ended up going into overtime and then a shootout.

This win was the perfect way to wrap up an incredible year for the U.S. women, who have now won major victories on and off the ice.

According to CBS Sports, last March, just weeks before the 2017 Women’s World Championships were to take place in Michigan, members of the U.S. women’s hockey team announced that they would be boycotting the tournament to fight for fair wages and equitable support from USA Hockey.

The women’s hockey team and USA Hockey had been in negotiations for over a year, and had made little progress on reaching a deal. With the tournament around the corner, the women’s hockey team saw an opportunity to make a statement.

The U.S. women were only making approximately $6,000 every four years, and were not receiving nearly as many benefits or funding for developmental programs like the men’s hockey team, CBS Sports reports.

“It is a full-time job and to not get paid is a financial burden and stress on the players, obviously,” U.S. women’s hockey forward Jocelyne Lamoureux, who scored the winning shootout goal in hockey final, told ESPN back in March. “That is the conversation my husband and I are having right now. Is playing going to be more stress than we can handle? Sadly it becomes a decision between chasing your dream or giving in to the reality of the financial burden.”

USA Hockey released a statement after the announcement of the boycott, saying that they had always been fair to the women’s team and had provided them equitable support.

Just before the tournament, USA Hockey relented and agreed on annual salaries of $70,000, with a chance to earn almost $100,000 with added medal bonuses. USA Hockey also agreed to give the U.S. women insurance equal to what the men received, as well as more funding for developmental programs, CBS Sports reports.

I think it’s safe to say that the women’s hockey team deserved this medal.

“The greatest day of all of our lives,” U.S. captain Meghan Duggan said after their win, USA Today Sports reports.

“I’m so happy. Just take a picture of my face,” said 30-year-old veteran Gigi Marvin.

We could not be any more proud of what the women’s hockey team has been able to accomplish, and for being fearless on and off the ice.

Spring break is right around the corner and pre-collegiettes from all across the country are beginning to plan their long-awaited college visits. It is a prime time for visiting colleges and checking out which schools pique your interest. Between taking standardized tests and keeping up your grades, there are enough things to worry about junior year—so have no fear, because Her Campus is here to help.

Roxie Garber, a college counselor at Riverwood High School in Atlanta, Georgia highly advises that high school juniors visit colleges during their spring breaks. If you have a long list of schools you’re visiting over spring break, make note of things to help narrow them down!

Schedule your visit

When you’re scheduling your college visits, check out each school’s admissions page on their website. You can usually sign up for tours and info sessions online. Call the admissions office to ask for more information on fun things to do on the campus during your visit, such as local restaurants, attractions and more. If you're not able to sign up for tours online, call the admissions office to talk about scheduling options.

Decide when to visit

Most high schools have different spring breaks than colleges do, so high school spring break is a great opportunity to see what the school’s environment is like while the campuses are filled with students. In addition, make sure you don’t visit during the college’s finals or midterms week, because students will be stressed and that could easily skew your perspective. Don’t forget to check the spring break dates of the colleges you plan on visiting so you don’t accidentally schedule your tour for a day when no one is on campus. You can find college spring breaks through the school’s academic calendar on their website.

Stick to one region

It’s important to stick to schools in one region so you can use your time wisely. You don’t want to waste too much time traveling, so visit a cluster of schools that are near each other every time you take a college visit road trip. If there’s a school nearby that you aren’t in love with but you think you might be interested in, visit and have an open mind! You never know how you will feel about a school until you’ve visited and taken a tour. Take a long weekend or another school vacation to visit schools that are not in that region, but are still high on your list.

Plan out the length of the trip

When it comes to actually visiting the school, you should give yourself about a day and a half or two days per region. Doing so will give you the chance to not only visit the campus, but to check out the surrounding town as well. Definitely spend a decent amount of time in the city or town surrounding the campus because it could be the town you live in for the next four years! Check out the restaurant scene and shopping scene, and even pay attention to the locals. You want to be surrounded by people who are happy to be there, even if they aren’t college students.

What to do on your visit

There are so many things to do and so little time to do them when it comes to visiting colleges! Garber is a major proponent of sitting in on the initial info session, especially because it provides opportunities to hear questions from other parents and students. Taking the official tour and sitting in on a class if you can is also important because it lets you see the school from a wider perspective. It’s also a great idea to pick up the school newspaper so you get an idea of what’s going on around campus.

Who to visit with

Stephanie, a collegiette at Indiana University, recommends going with your parents to get a better feel for the school without being too distracted by having fun with your friends. Garber feels strongly about students making the initial college visit with just their parents, because in the long run, they are going to be paying for the education and looking out for your best interests. It’s important to realize that your parents are likely to be the ones who will ask your tour guide about safety, financial aid and other important things that you may be afraid to ask. It’s a great opportunity for parents and students to learn more about what the students like and don’t like in a college. You can always have the conversation when you get home but it's not the same as being there and experiencing it with your family.

Talk to students you know

Michaela from Framingham High School says, "If you know someone at the school, ask them to show you around because they can show you the school in a way that a tour guide couldn’t." You’ll get an entirely new perspective by speaking to someone who knows the ins and outs of the school. Not only will talking to a student and asking questions help you get a fresh perspective, but it will also make you feel more at home at an unfamiliar campus. 

Related: 5 Questions to Ask Current Student & Alums About Your Dream College

Connect with the students you know

If you know any students who attend the school you're visiting, kindly ask them if you can stay with them for a night while you are visiting the campus. Staying in a dorm or in an apartment or house near campus will give you a more hands-on experience of what it is like to be a student at that school. Also, it will give you a chance to meet other students and ask them any questions you may have. If you don’t know anyone on campus, stay in a hotel with your parents, but try to make a connection with someone on the tour. If you connect with another prospective student, you guys can bounce questions and answers off of each other and find out things you may not have otherwise.

What to do if you don’t know anyone

If you don’t know anyone on campus, approach a student who looks like they have a few minutes to spare and explain that you’re looking at the campus. Make sure to ask students on campus about what the typical social life and nightlife looks like at the school. By looking into what the typical social scene is on campus, Leila, a student from Atlanta International School, got a better feel for student life at each campus.

Get organized after the visit

When you are finished with your trip, get organized and categorize the schools in terms of how you feel about them. Leila is visiting schools in DC during her spring break. "I made a spreadsheet on Excel to fill out for each school so I could ask myself questions that I couldn’t find on the website," she says. For example, Leila looked into whether the classes were taught by TAs or professors, whether or not Greek life was big on campus and the competitiveness of academic life. She found this information by visiting the school and speaking with students on the campuses. To help keep track of everything, take notes during your info sessions and tours.

You got this!

After you get organized, take a deep breath and realize that this is a wonderful and exciting process. It can get complicated with all of the factors to consider, but visiting schools is a great process, and an awesome way to bond with your parents. What are you most excited about when it comes to visiting colleges? Comment below!

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.)

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Removes “A Nation of Immigrants” From Its Mission Statement

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) no longer uses the phrase “a nation of immigrants” in its mission statement, an agency official said Thursday, NBC News reports.

In a letter sent by the agency’s director, L. Francis Cissna, to employees, the director wrote that the USCIS, which grants visas and citizenship, had changed its mission statement so it “clearly defines the agency’s role in our country’s lawful immigration system and the commitment we have to the American people.”

The previous mission statement said that the agency “secures America’s promise as a nation of immigrants by providing accurate and useful information to our customers, granting immigration and citizenship benefits, promoting an awareness and understanding of citizenship, and ensuring the integrity of our immigration system.”

The new statement reads: "U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services administers the nation’s lawful immigration system, safeguarding its integrity and promise by efficiently and fairly adjudicating requests for immigration benefits while protecting Americans, securing the homeland, and honoring our values."

Cissna, who was sworn in as director in October, developed the mission statement, and a USCIS public affairs officer told NBC News that the statement “reflects the director’s guiding principles for the agency.”

“This includes a focus on fairness, lawfulness and efficiency, protecting American workers, and safeguarding the homeland.”

Cissna also said that the statement will no longer refer to visa applicants as “customers” because the term “promotes an institutional culture that emphasizes the ultimate satisfaction of applicants and petitioners, rather than the correct adjudication of such applications and petitions according to the law.” He added that the agency serves the American people.

Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens Has Been Indicted

Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens was indicted on Thursday amid allegations sexual misconduct and blackmail after he admitted to an affair last month, CNN reports.

According to CNN, Greitens was charged with first-degree felony invasion of privacy.

Last month, Missouri’s KMOV released a report where a man said that his ex-wife had had an affair with Greitens, along with a recording of a woman saying that Greitens had blackmailed her to stay quiet about the affair. Greitens admitted to the affair, but denied ever blackmailing the woman.

Greitens released a statement on Thursday, writing, “As I have said before, I made a personal mistake before I was Governor. I did not commit a crime.”

“With today's disappointing and misguided political decision, my confidence in our prosecutorial system is shaken, but not broken. I know this will be righted soon. The people of Missouri deserve better than a reckless liberal prosecutor who uses her office to score political points. I look forward to the legal remedies to reverse this action. This will not for a moment deter me from doing the important work of the great people of Missouri,” his statement read.

The indictment, according to CNN, alleges that Greitens took a picture of the woman in “full of partial nudity” without consent, and that picture was transmitted “in a manner that allowed access to that image via a computer.”

Missouri House Speaker Todd Richardson, Floor Leader Rob Vescovo and Speaker Pro Tem Elijah Haahr released a statement following the indictment, announcing they have begun an investigation.

“We will carefully examine the facts contained in the indictment, and answer the question as to whether or not the governor can lead our state while a felony case moves forward,” the statement read. “The people of Missouri deserve no less. We will begin the process of tasking a group of legislators to investigate these serious charges.”

Disney Announces the Gender and Name of Its New Baby Hippo

Disney revealed that its new baby hippo in the Animal Kingdom is a boy! And his name is Augustus.

According to ABC News, a dozen guests were first invited to learn the baby hippo’s gender and name on a special Kilimanjaro Safaris event.

Baby Augustus currently weighs 168 pounds, is very close to her mother, Tuma and “is already winning over guests on Kilimanjaro Safaris and during the Wild Africa Trek experience at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.”

Augustus is the first hippo born at the Disney park in 13 years.

“The Nile hippopotamus is a vulnerable species with a declining population. This birth is an important contribution to the worldwide conservation and understanding of these amazing creatures,” the Disney park said in a statement. “We hope guests will see this adorable hippo calf and be inspired to take action to protect them in the wild.”

What to look out for…

The Olympic Closing Ceremony is this Sunday. Make sure to check it out!

This article has been syndicated from Television of Nomads, on behalf of Fathom. Read the full post here.

Taking travelers into the heart of communities to connect with locals on a deeper level, Fathom Travel’s Cruise for the Caribbean trip blew us away with experiences enriching for the eyes, the mind, and most importantly, the heart.

Our week-long journey with Fathom Travel took us to Antigua, St. Maarten, St. Thomas, and the Dominican Republic, visiting and collaborating with communities devastated by hurricanes Irma and Maria. The Fathom travel experience brings together those seeking meaning in their journeys around the world and allows these travelers to find that meaning by putting them into close and intimate interactions with local communities in need. We’ve shared stories, embraces, and bellies full of laughter with some very special people from each of these islands, with Fathom organizing everything from beach cleanups and art therapy in St. Maarten, donation drives and community outreach in St. Thomas, and home re-construction in the Dominican Republic!

The Fathom Mission

The mission of Fathom cruises? Social impact travel. That is, to establish meaningful connections with locals and other travelers, coming together to make a positive impact in local communities.

Fathom cruises bring the world closer together by allowing travelers to participate alongside locals in a shared vision. While onboard with Fathom, travelers have the option to take part in special seminars to get the most out of the social impact cruise. In special Fathom Travel gatherings, travelers get the chance to meet like-minded fellow travelers who will come together in Fathom cruise shore excursions. On the ground with Fathom Travel, you’ll be able to enjoy opportunities to meet and interact with the local communities in ways that actually improve their lives: much more than a simple buy-and-sell transaction.

Social Impact Travel

The goal of Fathom cruises is to be much more than a typical cruise: it’s to inspire travelers to become a part of something bigger than themselves while also helping them explore in their own ways. By guiding people to have deep travel experiences, Fathom hopes to inspire cruisers to make meaningful connections with the world around them, and to carry this inspiration into all aspects of their lives, not just while on the Fathom cruise line.

The beauty of Fathom cruises is in capturing the hearts of those who would be going on a cruise anyway and choose to shift the focus of the cruise in promotion of social impact travel. And the results? We were blown away by what the Fathom team as a whole was able to accomplish together! 

Our very own Fathom social impact travel cruise raised over $15,000 for over 200 families in St. Thomas, built homes entirely from the ground up and repaired a school building in the Dominican Republic, collected 1.5 tons of garbage from nesting areas of sea turtles in St. Maarten, planted 400 mahogany seedlings, assembled several tables and painted rooms, and donated thousands more dollars to the various organizations we collaborated with throughout the Caribbean. Now that’s a way to enjoy your Cruise for the Caribbean!

Fathom Onshore Activities

From crystal clear waters to community engagement and rebuilding efforts across the Caribbean, the Fathom onshore activities provide meaningful interactions with local communities directly affected by hurricanes Irma and Maria. Our Fathom social impact travel experience has been an emotional ride bringing us to the heart of these beautiful communities throughout the Caribbean. 

Read the full post here.

If you were one of the many people who loved the 2015 docu-series Making a Murderer, here’s some good news: the show officially has a follow-up series, Convicting a Murderer, and it’s started production!

For a refresher, Making a Murderer follows Wisconsin man Steven Avery and his nephew Brendan Dassey, who were convicted of murdering a woman named Teresa Halbach in 2005. It gained both critical acclaim and general public popularity, and even some celebrities praised the series on Twitter. Others weren’t so happy with it, claiming that it presented a bias against law enforcement that skewed viewers’ perceptions of the case.

In place of Making a Murderer’s writers and directors Laura Ricciardi and Moira Demos, documentary filmmaker Shawn Rech and attorney Andrew Hale will take the helm for Convicting a Murderer, which is being differentiated from a sequel as a "follow-up series."

Convicting a Murderer is going to have eight episodes (compared to Making a Murderer’s 10), and will center on the same people, with a slightly different focus on law enforcement’s case against Avery and Dassey. Rech has noted that they plan to address the claims of bias, with more appearances from people like Tom Fassbender, the lead investigator on the case, who wasn’t a part of the first series.

Rech said of the first series that “many on the law enforcement side of the story could not, or would not, participate in the series, which resulted in a one-sided analysis of the case," which is a fair argument for why it may have come across as biased. But looking to the future, Rech mentioned the use of a “broader perspective” that might make the series a bit less controversial.

So if you need me in the meantime, I’ll be re-watching Making a Murderer in preparation!

Are we really still surprised at how much power the Kardashians and Jenners have anymore?

Just like all of us, Kylie Jenner isn’t a big fan of the new Snapchat update, which has garnered less-than-favorable reactions in the form of everything from angry Tweets to literal petitions to revert to the old format. Snapchat so far hasn’t budged on their stance about the redesign, but maybe they’ll reconsider now that Kylie’s had her say.

The makeup mogul and new mother tweeted on Wednesday that she doesn’t even open the app anymore — which, for her role in a family that uses social media for a living, is a pretty damning statement. And the impact of that simple Tweet was huge: Snapchat’s stock went down by six percent, losing about $1.3 billion. I'll repeat that again: $1.3 billion!

Like I said, we should no longer be surprised by Kylie’s impact (she does have 24.5 million followers), but this is still pretty impressive. It’s unclear so far whether this will have any effect on Snapchat’s response to angry users, but the general reaction toward the redesign has already been hurting them — negative app reviews mean negative financial results. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.

Kylie doesn’t seem to be as mad as everyone originally thought, though: she sent out a second Tweet just over 10 minutes later that referred to the app as her “first love.”

I, for one, think Kylie could use this super-power for social media good: maybe next she can take on Instagram and make them bring back chronological timelines.

By college, most of us have developed some kind of skincare routine that we stick to (even if that’s just forgetting to take off our makeup...every night). We have our tried-and-true cleansers, moisturizers, serums, masks and scrubs that have been staples in our medicine cabinets for years. However, skin actually needs a variety of products, changed through seasonally to keep it looking fresh, because using the same drugstore cleanser for five years is less effective than gobbing on the latest derm-recommended product. And since it’s 2018 and we’re also steering clear of the notion that everything––including skincare––needs to be gendered. We rounded up some of the buzziest skincare goodies specified as gender-neutral that you need to add to your arsenal.

Serum

The Everything-Serum ($65 at Non Gender Specific)

Founded by the former leader of EvolutionMan, Andrew Glass, Non Gender Specific is a new brand that’s changing the way we see beauty. Their first and only product is The Everything Serum, and it challenges the notion that you need an arms load of products to get glowing skin. This serum is packed with powerful ingredients like grapeseed oil, Vitamin E, Antarctic Seaweed Extract, Mushroom extract, and plenty more. Plus, it’s made without parabens, phthalates, and artificial dyes and fragrances. All of that comes with a cost––$65 for a 1.7oz bottle, to be exact. But, imagine if buying this one product meant ditching the the other creams and serums in your medicine cabinet? It might actually save you money.

Cleanser

Come Clean Cleanser ($29.95 at ASARAI)

ASARAI is new skincare brand based out of Australia with six gender neutral products. The Come Clean Cleanser touts major purification and makeup-removing powers in a bright yellow package. This “gel-to-milk” cleanser has three key ingredients: sunflower oil, Kakadu plum (which is at the helm of all of their products) and Linden flower. It’s gentle enough for everyday use and it’s packed with Vitamin C to rejuvenate your super dry winter skin. Plus, at only $29.95, your wallet will be rejuvenated too.

Moisturizer

Daily Facial Moisturizer ($46 at Panacea Skincare)

Dealing with combination skin? Look no further. Panacea is a gender-neutral brand that focuses specifically on sorta oily, sorta dry, definitely annoying skin. Their Daily Facial Moisturizer is packed with hyaluronic acid, the holy grail of ingredients, but feels lightweight and non-greasy on the skin. Panacea makes all of their products without sulfates, but with natural ingredients like algae and green tea. This TSA-friendly bottle will cost you $46, but it’s so concentrated with powerful ingredients that you’ll only need one pump to cover your entire face.

Exfoliator

Micro-Derm Regenerator ($35 at Context)

Infused with crystals used in professional microdermabrasion treatments and active ingredients like macadamia oil, sunflower oil, and jojoba oil, the Micro-Derm Regenerator from Context is exactly the once-per-week exfoliating treatment we need. Plus, it’s free of parabens, phthalates, and fragrances, for all of you sensitive-skinned beauties. The crystals gently sluff off your dead skin cells, but the slew of healthy oils keep your skin moisturized and protected. Since we don’t usually exfoliate more than 1-2 times per week, $35 is an easy price to pay.

Mask

Earth Tones Mask ($28.95 at ASARAI)

Our skincare routine wouldn’t be complete without a mask! Doing face masks every week rejuvenates your skin and relaxes your senses, and no, it’s not just a girl thing. ASARAI’s Earth Tones Mask uses Australian red clay, Australian white clay, aloe vera juice, and, of course, their staple: Kakadu plum. It promises to brighten and restore your skin and “revive your natural glow.” Sign us up!

So, who said skincare had to follow the binary to be effective? Beautiful, glowing skin is for everyone.

Famed accessories designer Tod's is raising eyebrows this year at Milan Fashion Week. In the spirit of mixing up the status quo, this season the high-end brand equipped several of its models with actual puppies to strut down the runway with. The fur babies were smol and cute af, but also we're concerned? 

Gigi Hadid modeled a warm autumnal look comprised of two oversized shearling coats paired with black leather pants, accessorizing with a roomy leather tote in one hand, and an adorable bulldog in the other.

While not every model walked out with a furry friend, there were plenty of opportunities for attendees to melt over pint-sized chihuahuas, shiba inus and spaniels. But all warm cuddles and fuzziness aside, some are wondering if Tod's choice was appropriate, given their status as a well-known leather house, according to Teen Vogue. 

It's definitely understandable if the label wanted to create a more relatable image, but I think it's safe to say they fell flat with the execution. Regardless of whether you believe it's appropriate to use live animals as accessories, Tod's choice has raised some important questions about fashion and ethical treatment of animals. 

SaveSave

SaveSave

While we might think our beauty blender is the most multi-faceted thing in our bathroom, we probably overlook the most flexible product that’s actually tucked away in our kitchen drawer: coconut oil.

Beyond adding coconut in your morning (and mid-afternoon) coffee, coconut oil has a plethora of benefits beyond being an immune system amplifying superfood. Apart from literally bathing in coconut oil, there are several easy beauty hacks you can do with coconut oil that will completely transform your beauty routine.

1. Use it to remove your makeup

If you’ve run out of makeup-removing wipes or Micellar water, coconut oil works as an exceptional alternative to store-bought makeup remover. Even if you used setting spray to make sure your makeup didn’t budge during your study/sob sesh earlier, coconut oil is able to clean off all your makeup no prob. 

Just heat-up your coconut oil in the microwave for about 15 seconds to make sure it transforms into an oily state, then grab a gob and strip your face clean of that beautifully crafted cut crease. As a bonus, the coconut oil will leave a slippery oil residue on your face to coerce you into taking a shower—because sometimes we just need extra encouragement.

2. Concoct your perfect sugar scrub

Sugar scrubs are the best exfoliator. Not only are they simple to make yourself, but they’re also an affordable way to make your skin sweeter than it already is. While you could add honey to your sugar scrub, replacing honey with coconut oil in your ideal sugar scrub recipe will make your exfoliator an affordable and vegan-friendly formula. Because all the ingredients are edible, your sugar scrub can also double as a lip scrub!

3. Cover your hair with it

Aside from using coconut oil to create a customizable face mask for your perfectly-imperfect skin, you can also make a hair mask with your coconut oil.

Because washing your hair too often can cause dry and damaged hair (along with a dry scalp), coating your hair with a layer of coconut oil before you shower can help protect your hair when you lather it in shampoo and conditioner. While this acts as a pre-shower hair mask, you can use coconut oil after your shower too.

If your hair needs some extra nourishment this winter, you can also finish your hair care routine with a moisturizing coconut oil enriched hair mask. These masks typically work best on freshly cleaned hair, because your hair and scalp can absorb the nutrients and vitamins more easily.

4. Use it as an anti-inflammatory

Coconut oil is a natural anti-inflammatory, proving that coconut oil is basically magic. A study published in the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) tested the impact coconut oil has on atopic dermatitis, which is a dry and irritating skin condition. The study found that 95 percent of the subjects who used coconut oil had symptomatically improved their inflammation. A different study regarding eczema, also published in the NCBI, found that 47 percent of subjects recorded less inflammation after using coconut oil in the double-blind study.

Although you might not have atopic dermatitis or eczema, coconut oil can help a variety of skin lesions and irritations. Whether you have a breakout, hives, or an eczema flare-up, just dab a healthy amount of coconut oil on any bumps or lumps.

While you don’t want to leave the oil on your skin for too long, because coconut oil is a highly comedogenic oil and can clog your pores if you have acne-prone skin, you can typically use coconut oil to spot treat any swelling on your skin. If you are prone to breakouts, you can rinse or wash off the oil after about 30 minutes.

5. Protect against the sun

According to Healthline, coconut oil actually acts as a very minimal sun protection factor (SPF). Granted, it only gives you the same level of protection against the sun’s UV rays as an SPF 7 sunblock, but you can use some coconut oil in conjunction with a more protective sunscreen. Although it’s still winter, the obvious coconut scent of coconut oil—mixed with an extra layer of UV protection—is giving us major spring break vibes.

So next time you drunk panic-order beauty products on Amazon, you might want to consider adding a gallon of coconut oil to your cart (not that I’ve ever done that). And honestly, if you need more proof that coconut oil can basically fix anything, even Chrissy Teigen uses this edible beauty product for pretty much everything.

College is a wonderful place where students go to figure out who they are (and make a questionable decision every now and then). Although you might not know what you want to major in by the time college rolls around (does anyone, really?), it’s important to realize that this is the time to discover your passions and realize what you truly want to do!

There is a stereotype that a predetermined path to success exists (studying to be a doctor, lawyer, nurse… you catch my drift), and it may dictate what a student studies in school because these careers are viewed as a guarantee of success—but what about the majors and degrees that aren’t considered practical or successful? We spoke with a few collegiettes who have some choice words for those who view their majors as impractical. Find out what exactly you can achieve with your degree and let everyone know that they can finally get off your back about your major.

The Art Major

An art major can be considered useless because it can be perceived as a dead-end road. And if you’re an art history major? Forget it. People love to toss around the phrase “starving artist.” Lexie Mallary, a sophomore at Carthage College and a double major in graphic design and accounting, believes there’s a beauty to art majors that not everyone can see.

“I hope one day to own my own graphic design business, and my accounting major will definitely help me on the business side of things,” she says. “A lot of times when people hear my majors, they struggle to understand why I am studying things on two completely different ends of the spectrum.” Although there are majors out there that are considered impractical, it’s okay to pair them with other fields that don’t necessarily go hand-in-hand. “People might not truly understand what I’m doing, but as long as I stay focused on my goals and get to where I want to be, eventually they might get the sense of why,” says Lexie.

Art encompasses plenty of fields of study, including graphic design, performance arts and music. You can make a career out of being an illustrator, photographer, theater performer, animator, printmaker or even a professor if you so please. “I think people might view any type of art major as impractical because they don’t often notice how prevalent art is in our everyday lives. That’s the beauty of art; it’s in everything—whether it be in a simple advertisement or the family photographs hanging on our walls,” Lexie explains. Art may seem like more of a hobby than a career to some, but expressing your talents while studying something you’re passionate about is key. Career options for an art major won’t leave you absolutely starving, we promise.

The Communications Major

The communications major is perceived as an easy way to graduate and the perfect major for someone who just wants to party on the weekends. Although communications doesn't have the rigorous reputation engineering has, that’s not to say that the major doesn’t hold any value. Since when did the course load of a major determine its worth?

With a communications degree, you are able to explore many different fields. You can consider going into journalism, sports media, public relations—the career possibilities are almost endless (especially if you’re double majoring or pursuing a minor).

As a communications and public relations major myself, I have been told several different times that my field of study is really easy and considered a joke. What people don’t realize is that the ability to write and communicate effectively is absolutely essential in everything you do. Plus, with a background in PR, I have the ability to market myself as well. You could be the most brilliant doctor the world has ever seen, but if you lack the skills to be a people person and effectively communicate with your patients, then what’s the point?

The History Major

A common misconception about history majors is that their only realistic career option is becoming a teacher. With options so limited, why would history even be a practical major? The truth is that there are way more options out there. Careers in politics, media and archiving are just a few. History also teaches valuable lessons in critical thinking, which is useful for tons of different professions, like law.

If you’re passionate about subjects such as history, don’t let the fear of not being able to easily find a career derail your dreams. Obtaining something worth having is rarely easy, so if you really believe in yourself and what you study, then you are definitely up for the challenge.

Related: What To Do When You’re Having Doubts About Your Major

The Psychology Major

Psychology majors get a bad rap for studying a field that’s too broad and doesn’t offer any technical experience. Tessa McKenna, a junior at Carthage College and a psychology major, says otherwise. “Psychology is actually way more beneficial than people think," she says. "Just because it isn’t extremely specific doesn’t mean there aren’t benefits from it.”

Broad majors allow you to have more wiggle room once you move on to finding a job, and adding on a minor or two or taking a specific class can help narrow down which career path you’re leaning towards. Genetics counseling, human resources and social services management are just a few of the many jobs that someone with a psychology degree can obtain. “There are many routes one can take with a background in psychology to set them up and prepare them. The routes I am leaning toward are physical therapy or counseling,” Tessa explains.

Another important thing to remember is that majors that aren’t considered too practical offer valuable life skills at the same time. “Almost any job that someone can get is going to involve people. With psychology, you gain experience in learning how people behave and interact with others. This knowledge is considered and appreciated by companies wanting to hire,” says Tessa. “In any job one might face, they will be able to communicate more effectively as psychology provides useful people skills that are truly needed for everyday life.”

Understanding how other people and even you yourself behave is essential when it comes to your career. With a degree in psychology, you can take on more than people may think.

The English Major

Many people write off English majors in favor of more career-geared majors such as journalism or reporting. What kind of career are you going to get if you just read books all day? However, the ability to read and write well will carry any student far in a world where the proper skills are becoming obsolete. With an English degree, you won’t be stuck with the only option of becoming an English professor—you can jumpstart careers in creative writing, publishing, law and political science.

“When I hear how people think my majors are impractical, I usually don’t let it bother me too much because I guess all that really matters is that I know what my goals are and that I try my best to focus on getting there,” Lexie says.

The Humanities Major

Some people may not see the value in a humanities major, but there are many skills that a student can pick up from studying humanities. Sophia Walker, a senior at Bowdoin College, goes into detail on what majoring in humanities entails. "I'm an Asian Studies major and a Cinema Studies minor and I dread the, 'So what are you going to do with that?' question," she says. "However, in my experience, if your major is in the humanities (which mine are), then are you are doing a lot of reading and a lot of writing. You are learning how to problem solve, write, make an argument and, especially in my case, see issues from new perspectives. These are all things employers like to see."

Humanities majors learn how to think critically and communicate effectively. Career options include an attorney or lawyer, corporate communications director and executive editor, just to name a few (career options that are also common among history and English majors, wink wink). 

"Many more avenues are open to you, because these are skills you can apply to whatever you're passionate about. Your coursework will demonstrate what you're interested in, and since you've had practice writing and connecting ideas, you can fulfill any number of roles in any number of industries," Sophia says. It's so important to major in something that you're interested in, not something that you feel will make you the most money or guarantee you a job right out of college. Learning skills in a field you're passionate about will set you above all the rest. 

"From what I've experienced, it's not as much about what the title of your major is, but what you actually did. In my case, I'm hoping to go into publishing or foreign rights, and my experience thinking critically about non-American literatures and cultures has come in very handy," Sophia explains. Own your major, and be confident in what you do! 

For some bizarre reason, there are majors out there that are given a bad rap and aren’t considered equal to other majors. If you find yourself being told that your area of study won’t help you get a good job, remember that nothing is set in stone and your major is what you make of it.

On Wednesday, as President Trump spoke with the families and survivors of the Parkland shooting, he held a notecard with a numbered list of talking points. One read, “What would you most want me to know about your experience?” Another read, “I hear you.”

Samantha Fuentes, however, who was shot in both legs in Parkland, didn’t think that his reminders to be empathetic were all that effective.

“Talking to the president, I’ve never been so unimpressed by a person in my life,” she said to the the New York Times of her phone call with him from the hospital room. “He didn’t make me feel better in the slightest.”

“He said he heard that I was a big fan of his, and then he said, ‘I’m a big fan of yours too,’” Fuentes said. “I’m pretty sure he made that up.”

Samuel Zeif, another survivor of the Parkland shooting, had a similar reaction to Trump. “He may have heard us, but he’s never going to feel what we feel, because his kids are protected by the people that came to save me and my classmates that day,” he said.

Zeif was bothered by the talking points listed on Trump’s notecard: “Everything I said was directly from the heart, and he had to write down ‘I hear you.’”

Jen Psaki, who was communications director for Barack Obama, explained that while it is typical for a communications team to provide the president with a notecard of names, biographical issues, facts, and figures, it is highly unusual to have to write out reminders to be empathetic.

“There was no scenario where we were suggesting to [Obama], or needing to remind him, how to react to something emotionally, and if we had, he would have looked at us like we were crazy people,” Psaki told the New York Times.

Andrew Pollack, however, whose 18-year-old daughter, Meadow, was murdered in the Parkland shooting, said of Trump, “He showed us nothing but love. The guy really cared, you know? He flew us in, he had a bus waiting for us, he made time for us.”

“He took pictures of my daughter that we brought, and he said he was going to look at it every day,” Pollack said.

Honestly, after the premiere of Marvel’s Black Panther last Friday, we just keep losing count of all the elements we love about this film. However, the fashion of Black Panther is a perfect place to start! Thanks to the film, African style is blazing across Fashion Week runways and the film’s cast has become the world’s newest style icons. We’re dealing with a totally different fashion beast here, and everyone’s clawing to join the frenzy (no pun intended). But if you’re still puzzled by the praise for this film’s fashion sense and costuming, we’ve got the complete guide for why you need to get in on the Black Panther fashion phenomenon.

The outfits are vibrant and dynamic.

Designed by Oscar-nominated African American designer Ruth E. Carter, Black Panther’s ensembles have snatched our attention, and for good reason. Nakia (played by Lupita Nyong’o) sports form-fitting tops and dresses which are in deep forest greens, vermilion reds and striking yellows. When Nakia isn’t channeling Wakandan elegance, she wears earthy tones accented in gold and silver. The women’s outfits were never Plain Jane; they always featured colorful prints, threads and beaded designs that represent African cultural wear, and audiences can’t get enough of them.

Even our very own Black Panther (played by Chadwick Boseman) made our hearts swoon with his regal African garb, featuring intricately threaded and printed details across his fitted shoulders and chest. The film’s outfits truly enraptured audiences for their unique color palette, meticulous African-inspired designs and stunning construction. Basically, it takes all your willpower to tear your eyes away from their beauty.

Fans are loving the African wear more than the cosplay.

Now, we really haven’t seen movie fashion popularity quite like this before. Droves of Marvel fans and Black Priders alike filled theaters to the brim on Black Panther’sopening weekend. We didn’t just see a theater filled with Black Panther cosplayers, but African-American women and men dressed in gorgeous African mixed-prints and black pride embossed T-shirts. African-Americans especially revel in the excitement of seeing a movie that highlights the beauty of their very own cultural origins. The movie’s African-styled outfits are not just wonders to behold on the big screen, but they mean so much to the fans who see themselves in these characters. Through its fashion, Black Panther shows black folks as strong and beautiful and ready to command the nation's attention.

These costumes are socially powerful.

Beyond the fictitious plot of Black Panther (which is awesome, but we won’t spoil it for you) are the real stories of the black experience, and the film’s style tells all those stories perfectly. There’s real power emanating from each character’s battle armor. Whether it’s the Black Panther himself or the Wakandan Royal Guard, the Dora Milaje, their armor is extravagant and grabs your attention to let you know these characters mean business. Black Panther’s super suit is high-caliber and all black with sharp edges and sleek finishing, making it the most desired cosplay costume among Marvel fans at the moment.

What’s most interesting, though, is the racially-charged history behind the Black Panther’s suit. Back in the '60s, when Marvel’s Black Panther comics were published, the Black Panther’s mask was first designed to show the bottom half of his face. It concealed his identity while letting people know he was a black superhero. Unfortunately, a black superhero was too controversial at the time, and they decided to redesign the suit to cover his whole face.

On the bright side, however, the Dora Milaje costumes in the movie were actually inspired by real armor from an African women's army! Known as the "most feared women in history," the N’Nonmiton women were fierce protectors of the Kingdom of Dahomey, now known as the Republic of Benin. The N’Nonmiton women inspired the Dora Milaje in the film, who sported similar combat armor. Beautifully crafted and detailed but still perfect for kicking butt, the Dora Milaje’s costumes pay tribute to real African women who kicked butt in awesome African style. 

Need we say more? Ruth E. Carter fantastically brought the Wakanda style to life and audiences only want more of it. The film really focused its attention on aesthetics and social consciousness through its extraordinary fashion sense. These garments tell the story of black beauty, strength and potential, and we don't expect these rich style trends to fade away anytime soon. They will truly scream "Wakanda Forever," forever. 

Header Image: Lupita Nyong'o / Instagram

Former Trump campaign advisor Rick Gates has agreed to plead guilty and strike a deal with special counsel Robert Mueller’s team in exchange for cooperation with Mueller’s investigation into any interference by the Russian government in the 2016 presidential election, the New York Times reported on Friday.

Reports of a plea have been circulating for about a month, especially since Gates’s defense lawyers backed out of representing him, according to Business Insider. Last October, Gates was indicted with 12 counts of various fraud charges, including money laundering and tax fraud, as well as conspiring against the U.S.

Gates has already taken part in a "Queen for a Day" interview, according to CNN, where a defendant answers any questions by the prosecution about their current case in addition to any other crimes that may have have observed.

Meanwhile, Paul Manafort, Trump’s former campaign chairman, was also indicted on the same charges, but pleaded not guilty. Gates’s compliance could shake up Manafort’s testimony, which Mueller has been particularly interested in given Manafort’s many uncertain business ties to Russia. Gates worked under Manafort as deputy campaign chairman in 2016.

Gates’s impending plea comes as a sign of apparent cooperation with Mueller’s team for the ongoing investigation. CNN reported that the counsel is even looking into new charges to bring against Gates, which could add to the pressure for the plea. Gates is currently facing up at least 10 years in prison if found guilty.

Should the plea deal transpire, Gates would become the third former White House employee known to be working with Mueller. Former national security adviser Michael Flynn and former campaign foreign-policy adviser George Papadopoulos, who both pleaded guilty last year to making false statements to federal investigators, are both reported to be contributing to the investigation.

Related: President Trump's Campaign Manager Charged in Mueller Investigation

A White House official told CNN, "There'd be no anxiety here" should Gates follow through with a plea deal and act as a witness in Mueller’s probe.

Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner attempted to show appreciation for his diverse state by taking a sip of chocolate milk on Wednesday — to mixed results.

The now infamous sip heard round the world, per the Washington Post, was taken at Rauner’s appearance at a Black History Month event.

Image source: Chicago Tribune

The Chicago Thompson Center event focused on workplace diversity, with the chocolate milk serving as a metaphor frequently used by the diversity and inclusion executive at Hyatt Hotels, Tyronne Stoudemire.

On stage, Stoudemire started the poorly framed metaphor by squirting chocolate syrup into a glass. According to Stoudemire, the brown chocolate syrup is the diversity among the white milk. As Rauner stirred the milk, Stoudemire continued to explain.

“When you look at most organizations, diversity sits at the bottom of the organization,” Stoudemire said. “You don’t get inclusion until you actually stir it up.”

After taking a sip of the freshly stirred drink, Rauner said that the ingredients tasted good together. And despite backlash from the internet, Rauner’s team stands by the metaphor. Spokeswoman Rachel Bold released a statement to the Chicago Tribune defending the chocolate milk example.

”This was the event moderator’s example of diversity that an audience of all ages could see and understand,” said Bold. “It was one of two demonstrations at the event, both of which received ovations from the crowd.”

With Rauner facing reelection in the next few weeks, the stunt does not come at a good time. But Rauner’s opponent in the Republican primary, Representative Jeanne Ives, has also faced her own share of backlash after supporting an insensitive ad.  Here’s to hoping both candidates can get a grip on how to actually describe and appreciate diversity.

In yet another instance of the fashion world crossing over into the political, audiences at London Fashion Week were treated to an incredible runway full of all-out #looks, including these creative-yet-terrifying rubber Donald Trump stilettos. 

Serving these politically savvy styles was Edwin Mohney, who according to Sleek Magazine is graduate student of Central Saint Martins art and design academy in London. 

In an interview with Sleek, Mohney talked through the inspiration behind his designs, explaining, “This high low clash was about developing a new idea of what couture means to millennials using contemporary culture."

I just can't wait to see if we get a Trump tweet out of this. 

Has it really been almost ten years since Jersey Shore mania began sweeping the nation in 2009? Has it really been that long since we bore witness to a sea of fake tans, hair poofs, and Ed Hardy patterns? Do we even understand the sanctity of Gym, Tan, and Laundry anymore?!

Luckily, MTV’s biggest reality show is returning with a new special, Jersey Shore Family Vacation, on April 5, 2018.

Many things have changed in all of our lives, but the one thing that hasn’t is the duck phone. MTV has confirmed that the infamous mallard of communication will be a part of the new special, as well.

Returning cast members include Paul “Pauly D” Delvecchio, Jenni “JWOWW” Farley, Vinny Guadagino, Ronnie Ortiz-Magro, Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino, and Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi.

A lot has changed since the heyday of those jabronis’ adventures. Fans who were in middle and high school at the time of air are now adults with actual jobs. Many of the cast members have started families and brought some baby guidos and guidettes into the world.

Though over the years cast members and fans alike have gone through a lot of lifestyle changes, it’s comforting to see that some things can survive the test of time. Even though many members of the Jersey Shore gang spend their days taking care of the kids instead of going out to the club, the duck phone represents the universal bond of friendship that they all share after coming together as a community during the crucial years of their young adult life…

Yeah, it’s just a duck phone. A phone that looks and sounds like a duck.

Regardless, we can’t wait to hear who or what is gonna be on the other end!

Michael B. Jordan may have dealt with failing to pursue world domination as Erik Killmonger in Black Panther and losing the fight as Adonis Creed in Creed, but he will not tolerate hate — which is what happened when he said that he lives with his parents and is a huge fan of anime in an interview with First We Feast.

One hater tweeted, "Michael B Jordan Is A 5’9” Adult Man That Loves Anime & Lives With His Parents....Y’all Told Me All Of Those Things Were Unacceptable Though." Jordan clapped back in the perfect way.

Others were dubious over Jordan's choices in anime being too "mainstream" in which he replied, "Nah that was a softball for the anime uneducated."

Fans of Jordan, on the other hand, flocked to Twitter to express their praise over his Twitter savagery with carefully selected GIFs and anime edits.

Moral of the story: don't mess with Michael B. Jordan or expect to receive a savage tweet in return.