Rather than brave the Valentine’s Day rush at a fancy-schmancy (read: overpriced) restaurant out on the town, you and your sweetheart have decided to stay at home for a much more personal V-Day dining experience.

While he’s thrilled that you’ll be serving him a tasty home-cooked meal, you’re frantically scrolling through your boards on Pinterest trying to find a recipe quick and easy enough for you not to mess up, but delicious enough that he’ll believe that you’re a master in the kitchen.

Have no fear- here’s an incredibly simple recipe for a perfectly scrumptious Valentine’s Day dinner for two that will make him want to kiss the chef!

The Appetizer:Bruschetta

This appetizer is almost universally loved, incredibly easy to make, and you can eat it with your hands—how sensual!

Ingredients

1 French baguette cut into 3/4 inch slices
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, divided
1 can (14.5 oz each) petite diced tomatoes, drained
1/3 cup chopped fresh basil
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Place bread slices on a baking sheet. Brush the tops of the bread with 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Bake 12 to 15 minutes, or until lightly toasted.
2. Combine the drained tomatoes, the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil, basil, garlic, salt, and pepper into a small bowl.
3. Take the baguette slices out of the oven. Divide the tomato mixture evenly over the toasted bread. Serve immediately so your guy has something to munch on while you finish the rest of the meal!

The Main Course: Penne alla Vodka

There’s nearly no way to mess this up, and pasta is the perfect romantic dinner for two. It will look gourmet, but won’t take all day to make. Plus, the luscious pink hue of the sauce is so holiday-appropriate.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 teaspoon red chili flakes
1 quart marinara sauce (San Marzano or Rao’s are both great)
1/2 cup vodka (whatever you have lying around)
1/2 cup cream
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese (plus more for serving)
8 basil leaves, julienned
1 pound penne pasta

Directions

1. In a large saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chili flakes and cook until it starts to sizzle, about two minutes.
2. Carefully pour in the tomatoes and the vodka. Bring to a simmer, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Cook, stirring consistently, for 10-15 minutes, until reduced.
3. Stir in the cream, Parmesan, and half the basil. Cook until the cheese has melted and the whole sauce is a creamy rose color.  
4. In the meantime, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the directions until al dente. Drain the pasta in a colander.
5. Toss pasta with sauce until combined. Cook for another minute. Garnish with a few shreds of Parmesan and the remaining basil.

The Dessert: No-Bake Cherry Cheesecake

You don’t even have to pull open the oven door for this one! The tart flavor of the cherries along with the sweet, creamy taste of the cheesecake is the perfect (and ridiculously easy) end to your Valentine’s Day feast.

Ingredients

2 packages (8 oz each) softened cream cheese
1/3 cup sugar
1 tub of thawed Cool Whip topping
1 graham cracker crust (6 oz)
1 can (20 oz) cherry pie filling

Directions

1. Beat cream cheese and sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer until well blended. Gently stir in whipped topping.
2. Spoon mixture into crust. Refrigerate 3 hours.
3. Top with cherry pie filling just before serving.

The Grand Finale: Chocolate Kisses

Instead of the traditional heart-shaped box of chocolates, whip up a batch of these dangerously delicious drinks to enjoy after your meal.

Ingredients

2 shots chocolate liqueur (Godiva’s the best)
2 shots crème de cacao
1 shot vodka
3 ½ shots half & half

Directions

1. Mix all ingredients in a shaker with ice.
2. Serve and enjoy!

Shoshanna Shapiro is one of the most hilarious characters on television today, mostly because she's so relatable! Read on to find out if Shosh is actually your spirit animal. 

1. You're just a college girl trying to make her way in the world.

2. You say "like" a little too often, but that's like, totally fine. 

3. You're not afraid to take fashion risks.

4. You find happiness in the little things.

5. You love any song that you can dance to. 

6. You're quirky in the best way.

7. Sometimes you wish the world was as positive as you are.

8. You find yourself in a lot of awkward situations. 

9. You may be a tad inexperienced...

10. ...not that you'd let anyone know that. 

11. Sometimes you can get a little over-emotional.

12. You say what's on your mind...

13. ...and you always voice your opinion. 

14. You might not always make the best decisions,

15. But you're working on that. 

16. And even though you're not totally ready to venture into adulthood,

17. You're learning how to figure it out as you go.

In 2006, when I was in the sixth grade, I was sick for about five months with stomach pains and nausea. I constantly woke up throughout the night in pain, and consequently, I was tired all the time. I missed school, and when I went to a normal pediatrician, she sent me to a specialist. After blood tests and numerous doctor’s visits, I was told I had ulcerative colitis.

UC is an inflammatory bowel disease in which the colon’s lining becomes inflamed and develops tiny ulcers. It requires medication, and it can cause painful flare-ups that disrupt your everyday life. During flare-ups, my body has trouble absorbing nutrients, so I lose weight, always feel tired and have a constant pain in my lower abdominal region. This disease is manageable, but it’s incurable, and very little is known about it.

As a 12-year-old, I couldn’t spell the disease, much less understand what it was. It took a few months, a few different attempts at medication and plenty more blood tests to find what treatment worked for me. With no cure and no known cause to the disease, the only answer was daily medicine and a carefully watched diet.

Moving in to college my freshman year, I was absolutely terrified. What if my roommate thought I was weird because I took meds? What if I felt sick and couldn't find the bathroom? What if I couldn't control my symptoms? A year earlier, a family friend went to college and dropped out his first semester because his ulcerative colitis flared up and he ended up in the hospital. My biggest fear to this day is that my ulcerative colitis will prevent me from living a normal life.

I went to college and had a flare-up the first week. For two weeks, all I ate was salad and fruit, plain with no dressing. I slowly got used to college life—taking the bus to class, finding the right building, convincing myself to study and not watch Netflix. To everyone else, I was a normal, healthy college student. Few people could tell that sometimes I couldn’t sleep because I was in pain. Some people noticed I tended to stay away from any “complicated” cafeteria food, but few thought of it as anything more than me being a picky eater, which I actually am.

Due to a weakened immune system and constant contact with hundreds of other people, I was sick for most of the year. I had bronchitis leading up to freshman year and a constant cold from November to April. Some days I felt fine, and other days I felt like I would pass out while walking up a flight of stairs. It's difficult to explain to friends that when my stomach hurts, it’s not the same as their experience of a stomachache. When my stomach hurts, I can barely move. It wasn’t easy, but towards the end of the year, I found a rhythm.

I've never been one to complain about this condition because, honestly, it wouldn't help. My close friends know I have it, and at a February retreat, I broke down in front of a room full of 100 people and explained how alone I felt. Later, I would cry again in front of the 100 people I had just met because a girl came up to me afterwards and said, “I think we have the same thing.” This fall, I met yet another girl with ulcerative colitis. It’s not something people talk about, and you really can’t tell just by looking at someone. But now that I know there are others going through the same thing I am, I don’t feel so alone anymore.

Yes, the pain is still felt just by me, and it’s impossible to understand unless you have the disease yourself, but even by telling people about it I felt less alone. No one judged me for being sick, and no one thought twice about asking me to hang out. They still thought I was normal, and they just didn’t ask questions if I said I felt sick. They understood I had to deal with it and they didn’t take it as me avoiding them or being weird.

Now, midway through my sophomore year, I’m planning my semester (or maybe even year!) abroad. Studying abroad has always been a dream of mine. I want to live in Europe for at least a semester. I want to explore all the cities that are older than the United States. I want to send postcards, each with a stamp from a different European city. However, ulcerative colitis makes it hard to travel. For no reason, I might start to feel sick, and there's nothing I can do but curl up in bed with a heating pad. I can eat well and exercise, but it's still a random occurrence.

A recent vacation abroad showed me how sick I can get while traveling, but I’m really trying to not let that stop me. I honestly don’t know if I’ll make it abroad. When you say you have a chronic illness, people tend think you’re limited in what you can do. I don’t take it personally, but after meeting with an adviser about a semester overseas, I knew she had her doubts the second I mentioned my condition.

It scares me that I don’t know if I’ll be fine tomorrow. It scares me thinking about how I’ll be able to manage a job if I can barely manage long car rides. I dream of new places and adventures, but in the back of my mind, there’s always the possibility of getting sick. This disease doesn’t define me, but it has had a huge impact on who I am.

I take advantage of the days I’m feeling good because I know that tomorrow I could be sick. I don’t take life too seriously because petty fights don’t seem as serious compared to this disease. I like to smile and laugh because being sad about future possibilities is pointless. I don’t stress over exams because I’m healthy now and I think my health is more important than my grades.

I have a whole other aspect of life to worry about that other people don’t have to worry about. If that’s under control, I rarely try to find fault with the rest of life. Am I scared for the future? Yes, I am terrified that this will affect my entire life, but I realize I will cross those bridges when I get there.

For now, I’m planning on accomplishing my dreams. Going to Boston College was one of them. I made it here—through hell and high water, I made it to my dream out-of-state school. Ulcerative colitis will always be a part of me, but I am trying so hard for it not to be the reason I don’t do something. So yes, it’s difficult; yes, it’s painful; yes, it’s scary. But I’ve learned to live with UC, and now I’m learning to thrive with it.

Do you have a story to share? Submit your story to Her Story!

“It’s almost Valentine’s Day!” Just hearing the phrase is enough to make most collegiettes anxious. We generally fall into one of two categories in our feelings about this holiday: Valentine’s Day lovers and Valentine’s Day haters. But even if you are among the few in the “lovers” group, there are enough horror stories about the day to make even the most “hopeless romantic” shudder.

So whether you’re single and feeling a little bitter this Valentine’s Day or happily celebrating with your BF, Her Campus has gathered anecdotes about how the day took a horrific turn for some collegiettes.

“My freshman year of college, I was dating this boy I totally didn’t like (I was too nice to break his heart, that’s why I kept up this dog-and-pony show/nightmare). We had been together for two months on Valentine’s Day, where he planned some overly elaborate gig. He made my roommate/best friend leave the room and he rearranged things so there was a TV propped on a shelf. He put a letter in my mailbox, which was the beginning of a treasure hunt, which led me back to my room. When I walked in, the room was pitch black and he was dressed up and wearing too much cologne. He presented me with a rose in a homemade vase. He rented “Say Anything” and some other cheesy movie, which we watched on the TV. This sounds super romantic and it probably would have been if I had liked him. It was so sweet that he put so much effort into it, but it was so awful.”
- Mary Beth, Aquinas College

“In high school, I was really sad one Valentine’s Day because I had just broken up with my boyfriend, but there was this cute guy in some of my classes that I liked. I decided I wanted to make him my Valentine, so I wrote him a poem that combined soccer—his favorite sport—with Valentine’s Day, and I bought him a chocolate rose. I found out what his first class was and left the poem and the chocolate rose on his desk. When class was over, I went to his classroom and he saw me and he gave me a hug and said that it was very nice… but he wanted to be just friends. Awkward. I’ve been traumatized ever since.”
- Sarah, University of San Diego

“On one Valentine’s Day, I was leaving on a mission trip to go to Jamaica. But, since it was a school day, I went to school for half the day. When I went to my locker to put my books away right before leaving for the airport, I saw that somebody had taped a rose and a Jamaican flag to my locker with the note: “Will you go out with me?” It was signed by one of my guy friends. The problem? I hadn’t told him that I had started going out with a different guy the week before. Oops? It was so awkward!”
- Jacqueline, University of Southern California

“In high school, I told my boyfriend that I didn’t like Valentine’s Day and didn’t want to celebrate, which he had a problem with because he likes to consider himself a romantic and good at these things. But I got a text from my best friend asking me what my underwear size was and that he was buying me some! I kept thinking 1) my boyfriend is currently shopping in Victoria’s Secret with my best friend, and 2) he thinks buying me ‘sexy’ underwear is romantic and a good response to my desire to not do anything for Valentine’s Day?! When the day came, he picked me up from school in his friend’s Infiniti (because it was fancier than his car) and ‘surprised me’ with all this ‘sexy’ underwear. It was awful and so not my personality!”
- Becky, University of Southern California

“One Valentine’s Day I was supposed to go out with a group of my friends—guys included—to dinner and a movie. It was going to be casual because we were all single and definitely not into each other—or so I thought.  When I got to dinner though, it turns out the whole group (about 10 people) were in on this elaborate plan that one of our guy friends was going to ask me out. We were close friends but I definitely didn’t think of him as more and I had no idea that he liked me. At dinner he had roses, balloons and other presents for me and I was quickly whisked away to have a private one-on-one dinner with him. The entire night was awful because all I could think about was how I definitely needed to tell him that this wasn’t going anywhere. I finally did at the end of the night and he was pretty upset about it. We haven’t really talked since.”
- Chelsea, San Diego State University

“When I was in high school, my boyfriend took me to his locker on Valentine’s Day and took out a wooden box which he handed to me. It weighed at least 15 pounds. The box had a lock but he said in order to get the key I had to carry the box around all day. So the whole day I lugged this box around and everybody—including my teachers—were asking about it. At the end of the day, I couldn’t find my boyfriend to open the box. Turns out, he ‘forgot’ to give me the key and said he would bring it to school the next day. So I had to bring the stupid box back to school and carry it again. When he finally gave me the key, inside the box was heart confetti (that he had sprayed with his cologne), a ton of fake coins (which made the box heavy) and magnetic words like the ones you put on your fridge. He explained that those were words that ‘described me.’ In the end, there was nothing substantial in the box and who knows why he thought the fake coins were a good idea. Literally, it was the worst Valentine’s Day ever.”
- Crystal, University of Southern California

“My freshman year of college, I went home to spend Valentine’s Day weekend with my boyfriend. We had been dating for 3 years and were typical ‘high school sweethearts.’ When I got there, things were a little different between us. It’s hard to describe, but basically he was sending me a vibe that there was something wrong. On Valentine’s Day morning, I couldn’t get in touch with him. When he eventually called me back, he asked if we could get together ‘to talk.’ We met for coffee and he essentially told me that he had met another girl and he didn’t think we should be together any more. I didn’t believe he was doing that to me ON VALENTINE’S DAY. I was a wreck the rest of the day. I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to celebrate Valentine’s Day after that.”
- Raquel, University of California, Los Angeles

So collegiettes, if you think you’ve had a bad Valentine’s Day, it could be worse. You might be best this year just staying in and inviting the girls over for a Ryan Gosling marathon (he’d be the best Valentine a girl could have anyway). Good luck!

We all know Valentine’s Day can be a confusing time for collegiettes: taken collegiettes may be torn between gift ideas for a SO, while singletons struggle in the search for either romance or an indulgent distraction from it. Regardless of which category you fall under, the question remains: what should you wear?

While your first instinct may be to gravitate towards anything pink and red, fashion and wardrobe stylist Sara Cooper says this isn’t necessarily the most ideal way to look festive for Valentine’s Day. “I love the idea of dressing on theme for an occasion,” Cooper says. “Keep it more modern by keeping your look sexy, flirty and cute by including feminine details like ruffles.”

For Valentine’s Day activities ranging from a hot date to a night in with the girls, here is your wardrobe guide to get you looking fabulous on the most romantic day of the year!

Date Night Out

When going out with a guy for Valentine’s Day, feminine shapes and flirty details are especially appropriate. Curve-accentuating styles with cinched waists, such as a peplum, are perfect for the occasion! “When you’re spending a night out with your man, give your LBD a little rest and dig up a special dress you don't get to wear very often– V-Day is the perfect occasion,” Cooper says.

Deep V Lace Back Dress, Tobi, $50

New Look Sleeveless Peplum Dress, ASOS, $24.06

Crepe Top, H&M, $34.95

Snow Days Sequin Skirt, Nasty Gal, $54.60

A Night Out With the Girls

A Valentine’s girls’ night leaves more room for experimentation with trends you might not feel quite as comfortable trying on a traditional date. While you may debate if a loud print, crop top or cutouts work for a date night, ladies’ night is the time to wear whatever your heart desires!

Although a great dress for the evening probably won’t work for the day, you can always rework a skirt you’re planning to wear at night by pairing it with a sweater to dress down the look for the daytime.  Since mid-February tends to be too chilly to comfortably sport skirts and dresses, depending on your location, Cooper suggests you “layer with some opaque tights” to keep your look weather-appropriate.

Bold Bodycon Dress, Forever 21, $27.80

Lynna Crop Top, Tobi, $50

Peplum Bodycon Skirt, Forever 21, $13.99

A Night in With the Girls

If you choose to stay in on Valentine’s Day, you get to be a lot more casual with your wardrobe choices while still getting as into the theme as much as you want to.  For a cute and cozy look that easily goes from day to night, you can go with a themed graphic sweater and leggings. 

Crewneck Love Sweater, Couture Candy, $88

Slash Out Leggings, Tobi, $32

Heart on My Sleeves Sweater, Tobi, $58

Lace Panel Leggings, Forever 21, $17.80

French Sweet Sleep Shirt, Forever 21, $14.80

A Night in, Flying Solo

Even if you’re planning to spend a little time to yourself this Valentine’s Day, you can still make festive fashion choices for a cozy night in! A great way to stay cozy, comfortable and cute is to go for Valentine’s-day-themed nightwear.

I Love You PJ Set, Forever 21, $12.80

Live, Laugh, Love Sleep Tank, Forever 21, $10.80

Lightweight Heart Print Onesie, UsTrendy, $40

As much as you want to dress to impress for Valentine’s Day, the most important thing is to wear what makes you feel your best. Happy Valentine’s Day!

Name: Brittany Hennessy
Age: 28
Job Title and Description: Director of Digital Marketing and Strategic Partnerships at Lucille Roberts. I manage the social media manager, editor, videographer and graphic designer. I also look for new ways to build our digital footprint, manage our image and partner with other brands.
College/Major: Rutgers University-New Brunswick/Journalism and Mass Media Studies and Philosophy
Website: SocialMediaThoughts.com
Twitter Handle: @2legit2britt

What does your current job entail? Is there such a thing as a typical day?

Brittany Hennessy: The projects I am working on at any given time may change, but I have a routine. When I come in, I check all of the tech news sites like Mashable, TechCrunch and Valleywag to see if there is anything I need to know in the world of digital/social media. I also see what is trending on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Buzzfeed and determine if there is a way to tie in our brand. After that I meet with my social media manager and editor to discuss what we're trying to accomplish for the day and see if they'll need any assistance with anything.

Once the team meeting is done you'll find me doing any combination of the following: updating our radio station curated by celebrity DJ Lindsay Luv, adding items to our apparel store and processing transactions, scheduling workout videos for our YouTube channel, approving posters, flyers and other assets from our graphic designer, coordinating with the monthly newsletter designer to make sure we are on schedule and designing contests and other Facebook tabs to increase engagement. When those things are taken care of I spend the rest of my day looking for brands to partner with for blog posts, social media contests and in-club activations.

What is the best part of your job?

BH: There are three great things about my job. The first is my staff. I hand picked all four of them and I love them to death. I would not make it 24 hours without them. The second is the ability to create things (the radio station and apparel store are my babies) and manage a brand image. The third is the work-life balance I have with my job. I don't work early mornings, late nights or weekends, and I don't even have my work email on my phone. Social media is its own beast however. It never stops and I do have the Facebook and Twitter notifications sent to me 24/7. I have a wonderful boss and she is very supportive and understanding of the goals I am trying to accomplish in and out of the office. That is priceless.

What was your first entry-level job in your field and how did you get it?

BH: My first entry-level job was at Abrams Artist Agency, and I worked in the On-Camera Department (commercials) as an assistant/agent-in-training. Think of Lloyd from Entourage except without the insane boss. My boss was the head of the department and a V.P. and she was absolutely lovely. The hardest thing about leaving that job was leaving her. I found the job on EntertainmentCareers.net and was hired after 2 interviews. The first was with another agent, the second was with my former boss.

What is one thing you wish you knew about your industry when you first started out that you know now?

BH: I don't really have an answer to that question. I had worked in entertainment and hospitality for a long time before I started this job so at some point I found answers to pretty much every question I had. I will say one of the more interesting things is working in-house versus for an agency and working for a regional company versus an international organization. There is much more freedom and room to make a difference on this side.

Who is one person who changed your professional life for the better?

BH: I would have to say my husband. Having someone who constantly listens to all of my ideas, work issues and professional development concerns is key. He also keeps me grounded when I'm thinking a little too highly of myself and boosts my self-esteem when I put myself down.

What words of wisdom do you find most valuable?

BH: My mom has pretty much taught me everything I know and she has always taught me to know my worth. It makes work, and life in general, so much easier when you know what you will and will not stand for. My favorite quote is, "don't ask for permission, ask for forgiveness." I wouldn't be as far along in my career as I am if I didn't live by these words.

What is one mistake you made along the way and what did you learn from it?

BH: I don't really see bad decisions as "mistakes," but if I had to pick one it was going to law school. I made it two-thirds of the way through my 1L year before I dropped out. It cost me $20,000 but I met my husband there, so I just consider it a matchmaking fee. I went to law school because everyone around me at the time was either in law school or a lawyer. I learned that you should not invest time, energy or money into something you're not passionate about. People who have passion about something can accomplish more than those without it. When you're running on fumes, which is more often than not, something has to keep you going. Passion is that thing.

What do you look for when considering hiring someone?

BH: We work in close quarters at Lucille Roberts so the most important thing is that we can be in a room with a person for eight hours every day. They also have to speak our language. I can teach someone best practices, but I can't teach them how to speak in the voice of our customer. And you have to be a self-starter. I don't believe in micromanaging my staff. I train them well and then I let them go. I'll offer assistance, but I'm not going to tell you every step of every project your should be doing each day.

What advice would you give to a 20-something with similar aspirations?

BH: Join organizations. The best thing I have done for myself professionally was join New York Women In Communications, Inc. (NYWICI for short.) Through them I have attended workshops with amazing women in communications, met wonderful people in my field, taught three digital salons and spoken at a student communications career conference. I would also tell a 20-something to have an industry-related blog and spend a lot of time managing their social media profiles. How well you manage your personal brand tells me a lot about how well you'll manage Lucille Roberts'. Above all don't stop. This is a marathon, not a sprint. You can do it.

There are just a few days to go until the 2014 Winter Olympics, an epic sporting event that will bring countries from around the world together for two weeks! This year, the Olympics will take place in Sochi, Russia, from February 7-27. While not all of us can travel to Russia for this years’ 22nd annual Winter Olympics, you can count on Her Campus to keep you up to date on all things Olympic-related with the Her Campus Olympic Blog, Sochi Scoop. Consider it your all-access pass to the Games!

Throughout the duration of the Olympics, we'll keep you updated with daily posts that include recaps of events, slideshows of athletes, event previews and other Olympic-related coverage!

Before you tune into the Games next week, read on to learn some need-to-know Sochi and Winter Olympics facts. You’ll become an Olympic pro in no time!

The Location

In 2007, the International Olympic Committee voted Sochi to host the 2014 Winter Olympics. Sochi beat out both Pyeongchang, South Korea; and Salzburg, Austria, for the bid. After securing the honor of host city, Russia celebrated due to the fact that this is the first time that the country has ever hosted the Winter Olympics. Sochi 2014 also marks the 22nd anniversary of the winter Games!

Surprisingly, Sochi isn’t the frozen Russian tundra you might expect it to be. In fact, Sochi is considered subtropical— not exactly the kind of environment you imagine ski jumpers in, is it? Typically thought of as a beach getaway, Sochi is located on the Black Sea coast and has an average February climate in the mid-40s.

Eleven venues were built for Sochi 2014, including the dome-shaped Fisht Olympic Stadium. Other notable venues are the Iceberg Skating Palace, the Bolshoy Ice Dome and the Sanki Sliding Center. Indoor events such as the opening and closing ceremonies, ice skating, curling and ice hockey, will all take place in the Coastal Cluster in the city of Sochi. However, due to the city’s lack of snow, outdoor events will be headed just north of Sochi in the Krasnaya Polyana mountain region; this area is known as the Mountain Cluster. Skiing, snowboarding and luge events will be held in the Mountain Cluster. Pre-stored and artificial snow will be brought in to make sure the slopes stay fresh and ample!

The Slogan

Sochi’s slogan is “Hot. Cool. Yours.” According to the official Sochi 2014 website, “Hot” is a way to describe the intensity of the Games and the passion that the spectators and athletes share. It's also meant to represent Sochi's tendancy to have a warmer climate. “Cool,” on the other hand, was chosen because of what season the Games are taking place in. Plus, Russia is known to be a cold region. The final word, “Yours,” is meant to symbolize the Games as an event that anyone and everyone can enjoy.

The Events

Twelve new events have been added to the official Winter Olympic lineup for Sochi 2014. The events include the biathlon mixed relay, team figure skating, luge team relay, ski halfpipe (men's and women's), ski slopestyle (men's and women's), snowboard slopestyle (men's and women's), snowboard parallel slalom (men's and women's) and women's ski jumping. For more information on the new events and to see each event's debut video, visit Olympic.org.

The Mascots

The mascots for the 2014 Winter Olympics were voted on by the Russian public during a live television broadcast in February 2011. The ultimate winners? Three cute, furry animals: the Polar Bear, the Hare and the Leopard. According to their official website, the mascots represent the three levels of the Olympic podium. Each of the mascots has a unique story and personality. The Hare is always busy and loves sports, singing and dancing. The Leopard is a cheerful mountain-climber and rescuer and the Polar Bear, who has a passion for bobsledding, was raised by Arctic explorers. To learn more, you can even connect with the mascots on social media! Their Facebook page reveals each of their detailed backstories while their official website offers an interactive experience.

As for the Paralympic Winter Games, the mascots are a snowflake and ray of light. Paralympic champions chose the mascots for the Paralympic Games. Together the Snowflake and the Ray of Light represent limitless potential and the power of unity. The Paralympic Winter Games will be held in Sochi from March 7 -16.

It has been a long road to the Sochi Olympics, but we’re almost there. What are you most excited to see at the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics? Let us know in the comments below, and be sure to follow Sochi Scoop for all Olympic-related content!

Ah, Valentine’s Day. A day where millions of bros waste endless amounts of money on roses that would normally cost half as much, even the worst restaurants have ridiculously long lines to get into, and if we’re single, we happily crack a cold one and watch the game alone before going to bed satisfied with our lives.

If you hadn’t gotten the vibe, Valentine’s Day really wouldn’t mean much to us if we didn’t have to make such a fuss over you. Not that we mind because without all of you beautiful women, we’d be lost. Or happily watching sports with our bros. It’s a toss up.

But seriously, for all of you lovely ladies out there with boyfriends who have decided you want to do something nice for him as well – I salute you. That said, make sure you DON’T do any of the following, and you’ll be much less likely to mess up.

Compare us to anyone else.

Oh, your ex-boyfriend bought you diamonds after two months of dating last Valentine’s Day? I’m sorry, I actually have to pay for college! Seriously, if my homemade, folded-into-fours card is worth less to you than the one your ex got you from Walmart’s 99 cent aisle last year, stay home. Alone. And if me making dinner for you isn’t as nice as the really expensive restaurant your ex took you to last year, call him up and see what his plans are. Seriously. There is absolutely nothing worse than being compared to other guys, especially all your crappy exes!

Do you understand the pressure of Valentine’s Day? Honestly girls, you’ve taken this to obscene levels. This is the one day you undoubtedly get to be pampered and loved (according to TV commercials and CVS) and you’ve ruined it. You’re not Cinderella and I’m not Prince Charming. However, we want you to be our princess and will happily be your prince if you’d stop telling us about how great your ex was.

Take us lingerie shopping.  

We do not want to go into Victoria’s Secret, Frederick’s of Hollywood, or even the bra and panty section of Kohl’s. We don’t need to bump into half-naked mannequins and it’s uncomfortable seeing 13-year-old girls and 65-year-old women shopping there, all of whom are either leering at us like we’re creeps or giggling at us under their breath. Then, we’ll probably pick something up saying “I like this,” not even looking at how big it is, and it’ll be entirely the wrong size and get us in trouble. It’ll kill the mood for both of us.  Besides, wouldn’t you love having a super sexy secret surprise for us?

Give us a card.  

Most guys don’t have a sentimental girlfriend box with each and every one of your names on it, meaning we’re not going to keep every single thing you give to us or every little memory of the things we do together, Valentine’s Day or not. So, here’s the thing with getting us a card: it’s nice of you for thinking of us, but frankly it’s bad news all around. For starters, we’re not going to keep it forever, so how long is long enough? Do you want it on display on our kitchen table or dorm room desk so you see it and know how much we care about you every time you come over? Side note: if you need to see the card you gave me to know how much I care, our relationship has some problems. Next is the issue of the sentiment behind the card. If it’s well thought out, funny, and/or relates to something about our relationship, then the card is acceptable, but if it’s just some sappy Hallmark crap with someone else’s words and fancy cursive with glitter, we don’t care. We don’t want it.

Buy us flowers.

Not that I think this is realistic, but in case you were thinking about it: what the heck do we want with them? We’re going to forget to put them in water and sunlight and we’ll kill them and get in trouble. See “no cards” for further explanation.

NO CHANNING TATUM, TAYLOR LAUTNER OR RYAN GOSLING ALLOWED. THIS IS NOT A DRILL.  

Seriously, we get that they’re way hotter than we will ever be. No, seriously, we literally get told that 365 days a year. Take a day off, and tell us we’re attractive. Not to get all girly here, but when you tell your man he’s everything you want, and hot and sexy, it goes right to our head. Not in a bad way, either. It’s reassuring to know how you feel about us, even if you think we already know. Knowing how attracted you are to us and how much we mean to you will lead us to respond and react to you in ways you’ll love – deeper attraction, deeper feelings, a stronger desire to protect you and call you ours, etc.! Plus, a little confidence boost heading into the bedroom never hurt anyone’s performance.

Look, we know that scene in New Moon where Taylor Lautner is shirtless in the rain, or in The Notebook when Ryan Gosling is in the rain and then shirtless and then gets it on with Rachel McAdams, or that entire movie where Channing Tatum and his empty brain and stupefied expression are running around naked the whole time drive you wild, mainly because you tell us. You bite your lips and crinkle your nose, toes and everything else Colbie Caillat describes in that "Bubbly" song while you’re sitting next to us on the couch watching HIM. The point is, you’re free to pick the movie, but don’t hurt our ego and make us watch one of those dudes get you off, especially right before using that super sexy secret surprise you hopefully didn’t bring us to VS to pick out.

Leave us without plans.  

Look, there’s something we need to get straight: ‘Chicks Before Dicks’ is not a thing. Here’s why: 1) you stole it from us. Bros Before Hoes came first, and frankly, you owe us money every time you run away and use your girlfriends as an excuse because it’s blatant copyright infringement. 2) Every bro knows that this rule doesn’t actually apply when the aforementioned “hoe” is actually someone important. Every guy hates it when his bro gets a girlfriend because things change and he isn’t required to come watch SportsCenter with you on repeat for hours when his girlfriend wants to hang out. We know that Valentine’s Day means WAAAAAY too much to every single one of you, and for those of you who are single, it’s an incredibly depressing and/or cynical day. It’s natural as a good friend to want to be there to support your sad and single girlfriends on Valentine’s Day. But, well, there’s a reason we still love our bro when he doesn’t watch SportsCenter all day with us: he’s happy. And somewhere, extremely well hidden very deep inside all of us, we want that too, so we let him go. If your girlfriends are really going to be mad at you for going out with your sweetie on Valentine’s Day, they aren’t very good friends to begin with and your life would be so much less dramatic without them. So don’t leave us hanging last minute because Laura needs a new gallon of Cherry Garcia Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream and someone to eat it with. There’s always tomorrow. As Real Live College Guy Andy puts it, “this is not a day to feel sorry for single people. If you have a significant other, celebrate it!”

Be apathetic.

 If we ask you where you want to go to dinner, it’s because we want you to enjoy our date. If we ask you what type of flowers you want, it’s because we’re thinking of you and like to make you happy. And no, that’s not a stupid question because yes, I have had girls get mad at me for getting them roses – once because she thought roses were too clichéd so I clearly wasn’t putting any thought into what I got her, the other because she shockingly hated roses. If we ask you what movie you want to watch while we cuddle on the couch, don’t say you don’t care because you’ll end up watching Star Wars, Miracle, Hoosiers, or Field of Dreams. If you’re okay with that, well then you’re awesome and shouldn’t be worried about reading this article anyway. But seriously, if we’re asking you to choose, it’s not because we’re slacking, it’s because we know how much Valentine’s Day means to you and we want it to be as good as it can possibly be, so your insight is important. I asked one of my best lady friends, a 20-year-old junior at Merrimack College, for her take on the subject. Here’s what she had to say:

“Girls say ‘I don’t care’ because they don’t want to choose. Don’t ever make a girl choose. You should have spent time getting to know her so then she wants to see how well you do. She’s leaving it kind of as a test up to you if you can take her somewhere she will enjoy! Dates are on you. When you’ve been together long enough, then she’ll start taking control.”

Here’s my takeaway from all that:

1. RE: taking control – I’m scared.
2. What if it’s one of those ‘we’re not really dating but you’re my date for Valentine’s Day’ type things, or Valentine’s Day is your actual first date? We don’t know anything about you yet! That’s way too much pressure on us considering…
3. YOU MADE THIS A TEST?! You’ve completely ruined this day for yourselves. I’m disgusted.
4. Bottom line: throw us a bone. We’re doing this for you, so humor us. You don’t have to say exactly where you want to go or what flowers you want, just give us a ballpark idea like Italian food or the red flowers that come in 12 packs with thorns.

Love it or hate it, Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and the clock is ticking. The good news for the ladies reading this is that my last sentence should really only make the guys start to panic. Any pressure has now been lifted from your shoulders because, lucky for you, you have me (and my list of things I’d actually want my girlfriend to do for me on Valentine’s day). And, really, what more could any gal need?

We've all had those days (or weeks) when the idea of going out seems like the worst possible way to spend your evening. Every girl has a few nights here and there when she just wants to curl up with Netflix, but sometimes it's hard to keep your "alone time" from getting out of hand. Here are 23 signs that you probably (definitely) need to get out more. 

1. The restaurant you order sushi delivery from knows who's calling before you even say your name.

2. People have started to send you frantic text messages, asking if you transferred schools without telling anyone.

3. Your nails have been painted seven colors in just as many days.

4. You’ve been wearing the same sweatpants for more than 48 hours.

5. You haven’t put on a bra since you put on the sweatpants.

6. You get really confused when people start talking about Ariana Grande because you have no idea who she is.

7. You’ve started to get really into Step by Step reruns.

8. You have Googled “how to play Cards Against Humanity with one player.”

9. Yesterday, you stalked every single tagged picture of yourself on Facebook…

10. …and the most recent tagged picture of you on Facebook is from last October.

11. You prefer to talk to yourself than to other people. 

12. You've woken up to food wrappers in your bed more than twice. 

13. You've seen every. Single. Episode. Of Law & Order: SVU.

14. Your cat won’t even hang out with you anymore because she’s sick of you.

15. You eat whatever random food you have left in your pantry or fridge so you don't have to go grocery shopping. 

16. There is a legitimate and permanent butt indent on your couch, and you won’t sit anywhere else because said indent fits your butt so perfectly.

17. On official forms, you list “Olivia Pope” as your emergency contact.

18. Even Hulu is starting to worry about you.

19. You still say “LOL” unironically.

20. You didn’t know Beyoncé put out a new album until you saw the YouTube video of her opening the Grammys.

21. You still wear a Juicy Couture tracksuit.

22. Your biggest accomplishment of the past month was to follow a complete Michelle Phan makeup tutorial.

23. When you call to make a hair appointment, the receptionist says she took your name out of the client directory because she assumed you died.

It's time to get out there, girls! We believe in you. 

Oscar-winning actor Philip Seymour Hoffman was found dead in his New York apartment on Sunday, as a result of an apparent heroin overdose. He was 46 years old.

The actor, lauded for his ability to portray complex, troubled characters was discovered by playwright David Katz, who went to the apartment after Hoffman missed an appointment to pick up his three children on Sunday morning. He was found with a needle in his arm and an envelope of what appeared to be heroin nearby. Police say that he was pronounced dead at the scene. According to the New York Post, Hoffman checked into a rehabilitation program last year for abusing prescription pills and heroin after being sober for 23 years. 

Hoffman had an extremely prolific and successful career, having appeared in over 50 films in less than 25 years. His most notable performance in "Capote" won him an Oscar for Best Actor in 2005. He was also nominated for a Tony Award in 2012 for his Broadway role as Willy Loman in "Death of a Salesman." 

Hoffman's death sparked responses of shock and sorrow from fellow actors, directors, critics and fans alike. Mike Nichols, who directed Hoffman in "Charlie Wilson's War," said in a statement "No words for this. He was too great and we're too shattered." 

Last night’s Super Bowl may have been a little bit of a snooze fest (we were yawning our way through it by the second quarter), but everyone knows that the real competition on Super Bowl Sunday has nothing to do with the teams playing one another and everything to do with the dozens of commercials that are interspersed in between plays.  Every year it’s the commercials that are remembered more than the actual game…and we have the feeling that this year that will be especially true.  In case you didn’t watch (or actually fell asleep before Bruno Mars even came out), here are some of the best commercials from this year’s Super Bowl.

Best Night Ever

This unsuspecting, average dude gets to have the best night ever, complete with Minka Kelly, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and One Republic. Of course he was always surrounded by Bud Light.

Puppies and Ponies

This Budweiser commercial is adorable and heartwarming (and maybe our favorite of the whole game).  Two unlikely friends find their way back to each other even when things start to look grim.

It’s a Full House…literally

We are dying over all of the Full House reunions lately.  This commercial for Greek yogurt brings the gang back together…with Danny and Joey, naturally, ruining Uncle Jesse's game.

Doritos Time Machine

This little kid dupes a chip-chomping adult, sending him to the future and stealing his Doritos.  Gotta love a kid who can outsmart someone five times his age.

David Beckham in his skivvies

Oh em gee can you blame us for drooling over this H&M ad with a nearly-nude David Beckham??  The guy gets hotter and hotter as he gets older.  

Did we get all the good ones or did we miss your favorite? Be sure to let us know!

Great hair, some sass or simply a gorgeous body — what do you think is the most attractive thing to a guy? The thing that makes him want to attach himself to you and never let go?

What if we told you it’s none of these? Sure, those qualities might initially draw a guy in, but enough to keep him long-term? To make him change his Facebook status and bring you home to Mom?

No.

Surprisingly, some guys look for even quirkier traits that we ladies are sometimes afraid to display. We talked to a few campus cuties and found the six most surprising things that really turn a guy on.

1. Your Teeth

As happy collegiettes, naturally we already knew that guys love to see our smiles! It’s the best accessory a woman owns, and it looks great with everything. Guys just love how your smile exudes confidence.

“The one thing I find most attractive about a woman is her teeth,” says Josh Mitchell, a senior at Northwestern State University. “I love a woman with white and straight teeth.”

According to Josh, guys like him can tell right away if they’re interested in pursuing a relationship with you just by looking at your teeth during the conversation. So take care of those pearly whites, collegiettes!

2. Your Snorting Laugh

You’re finally talking to your crush, saying all the right things, flipping your hair and flashing your bright smile. He tells the best joke you’ve ever heard (or maybe it really isn’t that funny), and you start laughing. You’re laughing so hard that before you know it, you’ve just snorted. Your initial reaction is to clam up and slowly die on the inside from embarrassment, but you should do just the opposite.

“When females snort when they laugh, it is soooo sexy!” says Brian Cook, a sophomore at Northwestern State University. “Not being embarrassed makes them seem more cool and down to earth. Definitely a turn-on.”

Good news, collegiettes! According to Brian, the same thing applies for burping mid-date.

3. Your Competitive Side

No damsels in distress over here! So many collegiettes embrace their fierce sides and are determined to reach the top, whether it’s by landing a dream internship, finishing their first half marathon or even just winning a game of beer pong. But who knew being the alpha female actually attracted guys instead scaring them off?

Ray Cook, a senior at Southeastern University, agrees that girls who have a drive for winning is a huge turn-on. “I like when women don’t like to lose; like they don’t like just being number two, they’re a competitor,” he says.

But don’t take it too far, collegiettes! According to Ray, a competitive side that turns into b*tchy side is definitely not attractive.

4. Your Secret, Even “Weird” Hobbies

Whether you’re writing, dancing or practicing to become the world’s fastest Rubik’s cube solver, guys love to see a woman in her natural element. “I find it attractive to see girls pursuing something they love,” says Julian Jackson, a junior at Virginia Military Institute.

Sometimes, collegiettes find themselves hiding what they really enjoy doing, fearing their offbeat interests will make them look weird. Fortunately, just the opposite happens. “It’s nice to see them passionate about something and excelling at their craft,” Julian says.

According to Julian, doing what you love and showing it makes you look sure of yourself and proud of who you are, and it allows guys to get to know you better. And who doesn’t want to show everybody the real them?

5. Your Ears

Here’s a good excuse to shop for some eye-catching earrings: According to James*, a junior at Stephen F. Austin State University, ears make him swoon.

“I love girls with beautiful, big ears,” he says. “They just look very delicate and soft.”

James also says guys lose it when a girl tucks her hair behind her ear. Slip that move in your box of flirtatious tricks and learn more tips here!

6. Your Taste in Music

Next time you’re chatting up a cutie, talk to him about your favorite bands! Some guys base their attraction off what kinds of music collegiettes like. 

“I've noticed that I tend to be attracted to girls who share my taste in music,” says Patrick Reliford, a senior at Northwestern State University. “The type of music a person listens to says a lot about them.”

According to Patrick, music is almost always one of the first things he talks about when meeting a girl. And here we all thought that question was a random one just to make small talk and break the ice! He also says that even if you have a different taste in music, being open to listening to new artists is always a plus. 

­It's comforting to see that guys notice more than how gorgeous you are! Sure, looks are important, but these guys prove that it takes more than that to catch their eye. Most importantly, it’s best just to be yourself! Nothing is more attractive than that.

*Names have been changed.