Last weekend, a blizzard raging on the East coast overwhelmed Washington D.C., making the Senate meeting Tuesday morning difficult to attend—for the men, that is.

Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski noted that the only people in attendance of Tuesday morning’s Senate meeting were women.

“As we convene this morning, you look around the chamber, the presiding officer is female. All of our parliamentarians are female. Our floor managers are female. All of our pages are female,” Murkowski commented, in response to the complete male absence in the chamber. She made sure to mention that none of this was planned.

It's hilarious but unsurprising that in the face of an extreme blizzard, only women were strong enough to brace themselves and show up to work. 

“Perhaps it speaks to the hardiness of women that put on your boots and put your hat on and get out and slog through the mess that’s out there," Murkowski said, according to the Washington Post.

Whatever the reason this phenomenon happened, we love it! We can only hope all-female Senate meetings become a regular occurrence. 

In the words of Sen. Murkowski, "Something is genuinely different, and something is genuinely fabulous." 

It seems like celebrities are always being pressured to lose weight to fit in with the ridiculous standards of beauty that Hollywood sets. So, we love hearing the positive things Rebel Wilson has to say about her experiences with weight in the industry.

During an interview with E! Online, promoting her new comedy How to Be Single, the actress shared her thoughts about weight and the movie industry. “You know what? People say ‘Don’t lose weight.' You don’t want to be in that weird range of are you skinny or are you fat? Because how do you class yourself then? Weirdly, a lot of people say don’t. But then I guess when you’re doing movies with actresses who are super skinny and whatever and you got to do a photo shoot side by side… then you notice you’re twice the weight they are.”

She added, “But for me, it’s just about being comfortable in your own skin. You never want to be too unhealthy because that’s bad. But you just want to be comfortable with who you are, whatever your size.”

Being a certain weight doesn’t mean you are or are not healthy. Wilson also commented on the tough exercise routine she sticks to. “I exercise like a mofo. I do personal training like five times a week. I also love playing tennis. I’m a beast on the court.”

Rebel has regularly been a supporter of body positivity in Hollywood! Her first plus-size fashion collection for Torrid debuted in November and has been an absolute hit. On why she wanted to do a plus-size line, the comedian explained, “In the plus-size fashion market there wasn’t really stuff out there that I saw that was kind of youthful and on trend.”

We are so excited for Rebel's spring collection to launch on February 7! Her body positivity is something we should all aspire to maintain. After all, you should totally be comfortable in your skin regardless of what society may say otherwise.  

Earlier this week, you probably heard that anti-abortion activists who were fighting Planned Parenthood in court got indicted. But why was that, and what does it mean? Here's what you need to know.

In July of 2015, a video supposedly depicting sales of fetal tissue by Planned Parenthood went viral, angering pro-choice and pro-life supporters alike. The video, shot in an undercover ‘sting’ operation by anti-abortion activists from the Center for Medical Progress shows Planned Parenthood’s Dr. Deborah Nucatola, senior director of medical services, explaining the uses for tissue donated by patients who have undergone abortion procedures, according to NPR. In light of the scandal, the House and Senate Judiciary Committees began legal proceedings to investigate the claims by the Center for Medical Progress that Planned Parenthood was illegally practicing partial-birth abortions and selling the fetal tissue from the procedures for profit. A criminal investigation then was launched in Houston, Texas, the location of the Planned Parenthood clinic in the video.

On Tuesday a verdict was reached in the investigation and an indictment pursued, but not against Planned Parenthood. According to TIME, it's the anti-abortion activists from the Center for Medical Progress—David Daleiden and Sandra Merritt—who are facing criminal charges. The two procured fake IDs to use in their undercover sting against Planned Parenthood, which is illegal. In a failed attempt to entice Planned Parenthood officials to illegally sell fetal tissue, Daleiden sent correspondence to the organization, making his own illegal offer to pay up to $1,600 for tissue specimens. Basically, in trying to get Planned Parenthood in trouble, Daleiden committed crimes.

Planned Parenthood never responded to Daleiden’s correspondence, and maintained their initial assurances that fetal tissue donated for research purposes is done so with consent from the patient undergoing the procedure and never for profit. The organization acknowledges that legal reimbursements were accepted to help cover the costs associated with storing and delivering the tissue, but The Washington Post reports that the reimbursements will no longer be accepted.

TIME reports that Daleiden and Merritt have been indicted “on two counts: one second-degree felony charge of tampering with a governmental record, and a misdemeanor charge related to the prohibition of the purchase and sale of human organs”. The felony charge alone leaves them both facing up to 20 years in prison. 

CNNreports that the defendants have downplayed the seriousness of the indictments leveled against them, and that Republicans have been citing the claims perpetuated by the videos throughout the 2016 presidential race as cause to defund the organization that makes women’s healthcare so accessible. It’s reassuring to see justice administered for the slander leveled against Planned Parenthood, but at the same time it's jarring to think that healthcare policy reform is being shaped by political figures valuing fraudulent claims of indicted criminals over the needs of the men and women who rely on the organization’s healthcare services.

We have to wonder: When will the crusade against reproductive healthcare finally end?  

While Gina Rodriguez won't be rewearing her award show wardrobe any time soon, some lucky fans might get the chance to steal the actress's red carpet style.

It all started when fan Jessica Casanova tweeted Rodriguez, begging to wear the actress's Golden Globes dress to her prom. She never expected the Jane the Virgin star to reply, but to her surprise, Rodriguez tweeted back saying, "maybe we can make this happen."

The dress in discussion gives new meaning to little black dress. The beautiful Badgley Mischka gown Rodriguez wore when she won the 2015 Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Comedy Series—and gave that unforgettable acceptance speech—is probably the chicest prom dress any girl could imagine.

Rodriguez and Casanova ended the public Twitter thread with a promise from the actress to reach out personally. Other fans caught on and tweeted their desire to borrow the dress for their own upcoming events. That's when one fan suggested the best idea ever: “Sisterhood of the Traveling Gina Golden Globes Dress.” And Rodriguez was all for it!

It's incredible that these fans have a chance to borrow a designer dress from one of their favorite celebrities. Let's just say we wish we had that option when we were getting ready for prom. Regardless, we're excited for these girls, and we can't wait to see who ends up with the dress as this sisterhood unfolds.

When you're the homebody of your friend group, there are just certain things that your BFFs will never understand about you (or stop teasing you about). We love our extroverted besties more than life, but we also cherish our alone time––probably more than we could ever put into words. Read below for the 15 struggles that every homebody of the friend group can understand:

Explaining to your friends that you actually enjoy doing nothing

"What are you doing?""Nothing... but like the good kind of nothing––if that makes sense?"

Creating the perfect excuse to cancel your plans

Because your friends are on to all of your tricks at this point.

The irrational fear that you're going to end up alone because you never want to leave the house

How can we meet Mr. or Mrs. Right from our bedroom?

Being dragged out of the house by your roommates for a "great time"

Ha, sure. We bet this is going to be sooooo much fun... *sigh*

Counting down the seconds until you can go home

Oh, would you look at that! It's midnight, we have to get to bed.

Politely rejecting your BFFs when they invite you to sleep over

It's not that we don't love you, we just love our home a little bit more.

Realizing how lame you are

But you just wouldn't want it any other way. HOME is your ideal environment.

Balancing all of your at-home activities

Should you read? Watch a movie? Get lost in your thoughts?

Accepting that you're referred to as the "anti-social" friend

Hey, someone has to take on that role.

Recommending books to your BFFs that you know they'll never read

They'll honestly never understand what they're missing out on.

The oh-so-regular late-night wake ups from your drunk roommates

Can you at least try to be quiet when you come home at 2 a.m.?

Your snooze button is your ultimate bae

Do we really have to leave our bed this morning?

Putting on jeans is the ultimate struggle

When will it be acceptable to wear oversized sweats in public?

"Wow, I'm shocked to see you here!!!"

You hear from numerous people––every single time you go to a party or the bar.

Defending yourself when people give you shit for staying in all weekend

Leave me alone, okay!? ITS. MY. LIFE.

When filling out college applications, we tend to become crazed keeping track of how many clubs we were involved in, reporting our highest test scores and making our academic resume stand out from thousands of other applicants. It’s rarely a pleasant experience, and for those of us with less extracurricular involvement or lower test scores, the whole process can lead to a feeling of academic insecurity. However, that application process might be about to change.

A proposal developed by Harvard University titled “Turning the Tide: Inspiring Concern for Others and the Common Good through College Admissions” introduces recommendations to reform the college admissions process by altering applications to be based on community volunteer projects, and students’ passion for diversity and learning.  The proposal has now been endorsed by roughly 80 U.S educators from notable universities, with backing from public high schools as well as numerous education associations.   

Say goodbye to the exhausting hours of studying for the SAT or ACT, and hello to meaningful intellectual development!

“Too often, today’s culture sends young people messages that emphasize personal success rather than concern for others and the common good," Richard Weissbourd, co-director of the group that developed the proposal, said, according to the New York Times. Now, many schools that have endorsed the report, such as Yale and MIT, will alter their application to include more in-depth essay questions about personal community involvement and enrichment, instead of the usual list of never-ending extracurricular activities. The report also recommends that students be encouraged not to repeatedly take standardized tests, as they will have significantly less influence in admission decisions.

Community engagement and contribution should be used to capture students’ true intellectual potential, and reveal the strengths that colleges are actually looking for.

The ultimate goal is to relieve some of the stress students feel while pressuring themselves to produce an outstanding list of academic achievements. The changes in the proposal would also ease the admission process for low-income families, and level the playing field for students of all cultures and class backgrounds.

This report could have an amazing impact on college applications and the chaos that surrounds them.

If you’ve ever tried to Google “Valentine’s Day quotes” to find something heartfelt to write inside of a card, then you know that most of the cheesy lines a search engine spits at you about “true love” are gag-worthy. Here are a few sweet nothings you can scribble in a love letter to your valentine that won’t make him or her feel incredibly awkward.

If you're "just talking"

You’re not dating yet, so you don’t want to come on too strong—use one of these cheesy pick-up lines to make your valentine smile.

1. “If you were a Transformer, you’d be Optimus FINE.”

2. “On a scale of one to 10, I’d give you a nine—and I’m the one you need!”

3. “Are you a banana? Because I find you a-peel-ing.”

4. “If I could rearrange the alphabet, I’d put U and I together.”

5. “Are you a kleptomaniac? Because you just stole my heart.”

6. “Good thing I brought my library card, because I’m checkin’ you out.”

7. “If you were on paper, you’d be what they call ‘fine print!’”

8. “Do you have a Band-Aid? Because I skinned my knee when I fell for you.” 

If you’re dating

You're together, and you're not seeing other people. You’re having a great time together, and you care about each other a lot—but you haven’t said the “L” word yet. Stick to these lines to show him or her how you feel without saying more than you mean to.

9. “You should be kissed, and often, by someone who knows how.” –Gone with the Wind

10. “A kiss is a lovely trick designed by nature to stop speech when words become superfluous.” –Ingrid Bergman (Put this on the front of a card, then on the inside write, “Writing anything in here would be superfluous.”)

11. “You have bewitched me, body and soul.” –Mr. Darcy, Pride & Prejudice

12. “Your lips are like wine, and I want to get drunk.”  –William Shakespeare

13. “i carry your heart with me (i carry it in my heart)”  –E.E. Cummings

14. “The best thing to hold onto in life is each other.”  –Audrey Hepburn

15. “Yours are the sweetest eyes I’ve ever seen.”  –Sir Elton John

16. “I belong with you and you belong with me—you’re my sweetheart.” –The Lumineers

17. “Maybe I think you’re cute and funny. Maybe I wanna do what bunnies do with you, if you know what I mean.”  –Ingrid Michaelson

18. “You are a work of art.” –Morrissey

19. “You, just like heaven.” –The Cure

If you're in love

Your relationship is solid, and you’ve exchanged "I love you's." Here’s how to tell your sweetie just how in love with him or her you are!

20. “Love me tender; love me sweet. Never let me go.”  –Elvis

21. “I love you more than I could ever promise because you take me the way I am.” –Ingrid Michaelson

22. “I never knew that I could love someone the way that I love you.” –Ben Rector

23. “Your love is better than chocolate. Better than anything else that I’ve tried.” –Sarah McLachlan

24. “You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.” –Pride and Prejudice

25. “Home is wherever I’m with you.” –Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros

26. “There are not enough days in forever to allow me to fully express the depth of my love for you.” –Steve Maraboli

27. “Love is a many splendored thing. Love lifts us up where we belong. All you need is love!” –Moulin Rouge

8 tips for living with student loan debt. [I Want Her Job]

Stay healthy in college with these tips. [Grown and Flown]

Writer's block? Try these tricks. [Ed2010]

Why rich kids like healthier foods. [The Atlantic]

Make sure they know that all you want to do is Netflix and chill. [BuzzFeed]

Michael Phelps stars in the 'Curtain of Distraction'at Arizona State. [The Huffington Post]

Get a job playing with legos all day. [USA Today]

Could you survive on two hours of sleep? [Newser]

Rock a sexy boho look all year long. [Cosmopolitan]

Men confess their thoughts on dating a 'less attractive'woman. [EliteDaily]

Barbie Ferreira is the newest face (and body) of the Aerie Real campaign and she is killing it. You've seen the pictures. The 19-year-old, non-size 2 model just doesn't give a crap what society thinks and is here to make all women feel good about themselves. In an interview with ELLE, Barbie shared her unfiltered thoughts on Aerie Real, retouching and social media, and we all have something to learn from her (how to slay, essentially).

Explaining why she's proud of this campaign, Barbie said, "I just want to make sure girls know they don't have to carry the weight of achieving nearly impossible standards on their shoulders every day."A to the men. And speaking of men, Barbie wants to remind all of us that "you were not put on this earth to do everything to be sexually appealing to people." This girl is on fire. As for the haters who slam her for being "overweight" or "obese," Barbie has just this to say: "You cannot look at someone and say they are unhealthy, you are not a doctor and if you were you'd realize why that's silly." Aaaand mic drop.

As long as women have hair, buns will remain a staple. They’re classic, they’re simple and they’re a great way to cover up the fact that you slept through your shower this morning. But even though a bun is our favorite timeless hairstyle, you’ll to want to step up the game every once in a while. One of the simplest ways? Add in a few braids! We’ve put together some of the easiest, most Pinteresting braided buns we could find. Consider this article the hair board of your dreams.

1. Messy Braided Low Bun

You don’t have to be a French-braiding perfectionist to pull this look off. If you have even a basic idea of how to do French-braid, you’re golden, as a bit of clumsiness makes the look. The messiness of the braid will balance how classy a standard bun is, making for a perfect casual look! Ready for a go? Follow these steps:

1. Part your hair on the side.
2. Start French braiding using large sections of hair and following the natural curve of your face until you reach your ear.
3. Finish the hair remaining in the French braid in a regular braid and secure.
4. Gather the rest of your hair into a ponytail and secure.
5. Wrap the ponytail around its base and secure with a hair tie.
6. Pin any extra-unruly pieces as you see fit.

2. Braided Top Knot

Everyone’s go-to undone hairstyle gets a cute upgrade without a ton of effort. Just add a braid and you’re good to go! This style can be casual but also works well for semi-formal occasions, including a day at work or a meeting with a professor. Directions are as follows:

1. Pull your hair into a ponytail (using your hands for an easy, tousled look or a brush for a more polished finish).
2. Swirl the ponytail around its base, leaving a 1- to 2-inch section out at the bottom for the braid. 
3. Pin the bun where necessary to keep in place. Braid the remaining hair and secure with a clear elastic. 
4. Wrap the braid around the bun and tuck the end underneath the bun. 
5. Pin to secure.

3. Loosely Braided High Bun

Running late to your morning lecture? No problem. All you need is two minutes and your hair will stay stylishly out of your face for the rest of the day. This easy-peasy look is ideal for anything from a full day of classes to a night in with friends. Just follow these steps and you'll be set!

1. Using large sections of hair, loosely braid your hair from the front of your head towards the crown. 
2. Pull the rest of your hair up in a ponytail to meet the end of the braid and secure with a hair tie. 
3. Wrap the ponytail around its base and secure with a hair tie or pins. 

4. Half Bun with a Twist

The half bun is currently taking the world by storm, but this upgraded style puts an even chicer spin on the trendiest hairstyle of 2015. A messy, beachy look is perfect for any lazy Sunday, while curling your ends can convey a more formal vibe. Either way, begin with these three steps:

1. Pull all of the hair above your ears to the back and secure in a half ponytail.
2. Split the ponytail into two sections and twist them around each other, securing with a clear elastic at the end.
3. Wrap the twisted ponytail around the base and secure with pins. 

5. Inverted Braided Topknot

This style might take a little more effort, but it’s totally worth it. It looks like a basic topknot from the front, but turn your head, and suddenly you're giving everybody a major does of hair envy. A messy version will lighten up any dreary library study sesh, while a more polished bun can stand out at a meeting or during date night! No matter what you choose, these instructions will lead you to success:

1. Flip your head upside down.
2. Start a French or Dutch braid from the bottom of your hairline all the way up to the crown.
3. When you reach the crown, pull all of your hair together and secure with a hair band.
4. Twist the ponytail around the base to create a bun and pin as desired. 

There you have it, collegiettes: extensive time and effort is totally unnecessary to step up your hair game! All you need is a braid and a couple of minutes to be the definition of #HairGoals.

Dear College Guys,

If your girlfriend has told you how lame and cheesy and commercialized Valentine’s Day is, we promise you she is doing exactly what she did that time you ran into each other in the dining hall after hooking up for the first time: playing it cool. This is the one time we will go on the record for saying this: do not listen to her. Because if you don’t do anything special for her on February 14th, she will take it as a measure of how much you care about the relationship and, by extension, her… (Read: You will be in Taylor Swift We-Are-Never-Ever-Getting-Back-Together kind of trouble.)

Maybe some of you are already cringing, since you equate Valentine’s Day with having someone read Twilight to you, cover to cover. I have three words for you: get over it. I mean, my gosh, we sat through three games of Black Ops with you screaming “Press A!” at us the whole time. Chill out: no one’s asking you to pull a Sweet Home Alabama and rent out Tiffany’s. And only 30 percent of us want you to belt Adele’s “I Won’t Go” in the middle of our dorm courtyard.

What do we want? We want John-Tucker-Must-Die players turned Romeos outside our balconies. We want Heath Ledger in 10 Things I Hate About You, serenading us in the stadium bleachers in front of our entire team. We want Ryan Gosling outside our door (shirtless) saying, “Hey girl, I’ve got a hot air balloon and a bottle of champagne waiting for us outside.” Take notes from Madonna, boys, and express yourselves. Write a letter, sing a song, send a blimp. You don’t have to be Prince Charming. You just have to be yourself… but more charming.

Those of you who are thinking about how there’s no balcony outside your girlfriend’s window, how Heath Ledger was way more bad*** as the Joker, or how you can’t afford a hot air balloon, you really needed to read this letter. Use your heads. What does your girlfriend like? What does she always talk about? How and where did you two meet? What kinds of things does she never, ever throw away? You want to know what all this brainstorming adds up to? Romance. Not mass-produced teddy bears with little white “I <3 you” t-shirts romance, but Beyoncé-Drunk-in-Love romance.

So, gentlemen, show up outside of her least favorite class with a bouquet of flowers, make her a soundtrack of all the songs you associate with her, tag her in your Facebook statuses. Suck it up for one day because you’re crazy about her. We promise you can go back to Black Ops tomorrow.

Love,
Her Campus

For most of us, that Hogwarts acceptance letter is long overdue. It turns out, though, that we might have been waiting for a letter from the wrong school. And no, we don't mean Durmstrang or Beauxbatons. J.K. Rowling, who's been helping us keep our love for Harry Potter alive, has just revealed the locations of four new schools in Brazil, Japan, Africa and yes, North America.

The Brazilian students at Castelobruxo are known to be skilled at Herbology and Magizoology, which is fitting given the school is hidden away in a rainforest. At Uagado, the school in Africa, students are able to practice magic with their hands. Japan's Mahoutokoro is the most exclusive school; the students there are also especially talented at Quidditch, as their practices are held over tumultuous waters.

As for Ilvermorny, details are still to come. A map seems to show the school is located on the East Coast, but what we really want to know is whether they take mid-year transfer students.

The first solo One Direction song is here and it's blowing your mind (ew, no pun intended), courtesy of Zayn Malik. If you haven't already, you need to watch the video straightaway because it is something else. The song is pretty catchy, sounds a little like the Weeknd, but the video just has us like ???

In this ~artsy~ clip, Zayn makes out with his rumored girlfriend Gigi Hadid for, well, just about the whole time. The face-sucking is interspersed with naked ladies boxing, a dude with spikes growing out of his face, tears of blood, in-your-face vagina metaphors (again, absolutely no pun intended), among other WTF moments. We tried to make sense of the whole thing.

1. It's a sneak peek into Zayn's brain on acid

Seriously too close for comfort.

2. This is what sex with Gigi ~really~ looks like

For all y'all crushing on the Angel.

3. It's Zayn's best effort to get you fired

So NSFW it hurts.

4. He's really just expressing his views on war politics

...and religion:

Deep.

5. It's everything that was too raunchy for 1D

Simon Cowell definitely vetoed whatever is happening HERE ^

6. It's a leaked audition tape to be the new face of Schwarzkopf hair products

Zayn does have great hair.

7. It was meant as a sex ed video for classroom use

"And here we have a va-gi-na."

8. Okay we don't have an explanation for this

Someone plz help.

9. Annabelle 2: the Sequel

Creepy af.

10. An anger management PSA

Don't try this at home.

11. A DIY tutorial

This kind of looks like melted crayon art, no? Just us?

12. Rocky VIII

Side note: is it just us, or does this look really dangerous?

13. 50 Shades of Zayn

We all have different turn-ons.

14. An honest attempt at iMovie effects

He used EVERY. SINGLE. special effect in existence. Sort of like, the first time you were on Instagram.

15. An official relationship announcement

Nobody makes out with their "good friend" for 3.26 minutes in one of the most anticipated music videos of the year, Zayn. Zaygi is real.

What's your theory, collegiettes? Check out the full video here:

With her nose in books and a library card in her purse, the girl who loves to read is in a league of her own. While it may seem like the girl with a book clutched in her hand and a pencil behind her ear is unapproachable, mysterious or maybe even aloof, she secretly just may be a hopeless romantic with a lust for turning her life into something out of a storybook.

When you date the girl who reads, you date the girl who’s learned about different cultures, traveled through time, solved murder mysteries and so much more -- when you find this girl, she will prove to you time and time again the many reasons why you should always date the girl who reads.

1. She craves adventure

A girl who reads is constantly on a quest for adventures -- both in her books and in her life. She loves hearing about all the places she could go, things she could see, and she’ll stop at nothing to ensure she’ll make it there.

2. She’ll want to have conversation, not small talk

In the depths of her mind are stories of love, life, fantasy, adventure, and she’ll be much eager to talk about that than the weather or “what’s up.” Witty banter and deep conversations are imperative to the girl who reads, creating better and more interesting conversation for the person dating her.

3. She never wants to stop learning

Avid readers are also avid learners. They seek to broaden their horizons and never stop gaining knowledge and wisdom through their reading. She’ll never stop seeking wisdom, and whether you realize it or not, she’ll teach you more than you ever thought you’d learn.

4. She’s patient

Readers are not quitters. If she can read a novel cover-to-cover, despite how many times she’s wanted to put it down, she has the capacity to deal with your shortcomings.

5. She’s articulate

Reading undoubtedly expands your vocabulary and diction. A girl who reads is not only expressive, but eloquent in the manner she speaks, good for you when you want to bring her home to mom -- but bad when you try to argue with her, because the graceful way words slip off of her tongue will always triumph.

6. She leaves her heart in her books

A girl who reads falls more in love with stories than with people. Books will fill her with joy, break her heart, and doubtlessly make her fall in love before you ever will -- which may seem daunting to the one trying to win her affection, but you’ll grow to admire the way she quotes her favorite authors and finds so much beauty in how words are turned into sentences, sentences are turned into ideas, and ideas to stories.

7. She appreciates symbolic romantic gestures

While chocolate and flowers are admirable to many, the girl who reads is more easily impressed by symbolic gestures of affection and the meaning and thought behind tokens and affection. While big teddy bears and fancy gifts are pleasing to the eyes, women who read seek romance that is pleasing to the mind.

8. She’ll be comfortable with spending the night in

She’ll go out with you, but a girl who reads will also see the value of staying in, getting cozy and having deep, meaningful conversations.

9. She may not agree with you, but she’ll hear you out

Those who read are masters at listening to the opinions and statements of others while still retaining their own viewpoints. Women who read are above fighting -- they would rather have logical discussion that leads to respectful discourse. She won’t dismiss your ideas completely, instead she’ll compile a well-thought out list of reasons why you’re wrong.

10. She has a greater appreciation for the world

Books have the ability to take you places without ever leaving home. Those who read learn about history, culture, different lifestyles, various ways of thinking and more -- giving them a broader understanding of life, and a heightened appreciation for the little things this world has to offer.

11. She’ll be ecstatic about dates at the bookstore

A perfect date for the lady bookworm involves roaming around the noisy city while seeking solace inside a quaint little bookstore, full of new books she’s never encountered.

12. She’s effortless to shop for

Anything literary themed is a winner in her book.

13. She’ll make you into a reader too

Whether it’s her adamancy that you read the latest book with her, or your own curiosity for what book she’s got her nose in now, slowly but surely, you’ll learn to fall just as in love with reading as you do with her.

14. She’ll never get bored

A good story is all a reader needs to be entertained. She doesn’t care about the superficialities of gossip, or parties. Instead she relishes relationships and memories, and spends too much time in her own thoughts to ever get "bored."

15. She’s constantly inspired to do something and be something

What else would you expect from someone who spends their free time reading about heroes and heroines? The girl who reads aspires to do something big, and become someone greater than who she is today. The girl who reads has big dreams, and while others may tell her they are unrealistic, she knows that real life is far more unpredictable than fiction.

16. She’ll turn her life into a story, with you as the main character

The girl who reads is also the girl who seeks to make her life mimic the glamorized ones in the tales that she reads. She seeks adventure, romance and comedy -- and what story is complete without an unexpected love interest?

Is there anything more frustrating than knowing who you’d like your Valentine to be but not knowing how to snag the date? No matter how many hints you drop, some guys can remain totally clueless. This year, instead of imagining what it would be like if you were out celebrating with your crush, take matters into your hands. Here are six ways to do it.

Get a Group Together

Let’s face it — unless you’re in a relationship, Valentine’s Day probably isn’t your favorite holiday. Organize a casual party the weekend before the big day (the holiday falls on a Sunday this year). Invite some of your single friends over for chocolate, champagne and pink drinks and candy hearts — you know, the things about Valentine’s Day that everyone enjoys. This is a great option if you don’t know your crush that well since it feels so casual.

Once you’re at the party, use Lauren from University of Florida’s tip and see what his plans are for the big day. “I always find it easier to talk in a party environment,” says Lauren, who met her current boyfriend after chatting him up at a V-Day party three years ago. “You’re more comfortable around your friends. Ask him what his plans are and if he’d like to hang out on Valentine’s Day. If he says he can’t, you’re around enough people that it’s not awkward.” And around enough chocolate that you won’t even be a bit bummed.

Double Up

Is your crush’s fraternity brother one of your good friends? Or maybe his best bro is dating your roommate? A double date is always fun, especially if you’re looking for a Valentine’s Day option that doesn’t feel super serious. Ask your friend if she can suggest a double date to her boyfriend.

Give Him an Offer He Can’t Refuse

This option is perfect if the object of your affection is someone you know really well, like a guy you’ve been seeing casually or your best guy friend who you’ve been crushing on. Purchase tickets to see a band he likes or get a Groupon for a restaurant you know he’s been dying to try (make sure it’s valid on V-Day, though, as some Groupons exclude this day!). It’s a thoughtful approach, but still way more casual than suggesting a candlelit dinner at a five-star restaurant. Kelsey, a senior at Skidmore, purchased two tickets to see Regina Spektor and invited her then-crush to go with her. “Honestly, he was probably more excited for the concert than hanging out with me when I first asked,” Kelsey says. “But we had such an amazing time together and a concert is a pretty romantic environment. It’s a fun first date.”

Currently Seeking: One Cute Crush

Okay, so you know that you want a date on Valentine’s Day, but you don’t know exactly who. How do you go about meeting a cute guy before February 14? A lot of date parties or couples-only parties take place the weekend of Valentine’s Day, so ask your guy friends if they know someone in need of a date. Sure, it’s a risk to go on a blind date, but even if you don’t hit it off romantically with the guy, you can have fun getting dressed up and celebrating the holiday. Diane, a sophomore at University of San Diego, met her current boyfriend when, at the last minute, her friend’s frat brother was out of a date. “I thought it would just be a fun group thing, but we wound up hitting it off,” says Diane. “If I hadn’t offered to be his date, he wouldn’t have been able to go to the party and we never would have met. Guys are looking for dates too!”

Um, JUST ASK

Former Her Campus Real Live College Guy Ryan admitted that there’s no super secret trick to snagging a date by Valentine’s Day. “To be honest, if a girl asks me out in any way, shape or form for V-day, I'll be inclined to say ‘no doubt’ and accept,” said Ryan. However, this doesn’t mean you can go up to that hot guy who you have literally never spoken to before and ask him out on a date. Ryan clarified by saying, “This is also assuming that a) we've been flirting and b) we're attracted to each other. With that perfect scenario in mind, I'd really just say that we don't need to be asked out creatively. Last time I checked it's not senior prom.” If you’ve been talking to a guy, don’t be afraid to say, ‘Would you want to get dinner on Tuesday?’

Ask The Girl Who Knows You Best

When it comes to playing matchmaker, there’s no one who can do it better than your BFF. If both you and your best friend are single this year, make a pact to set each other up. Try to go into the situation with an open mind. You might not see yourself hitting it off the guy who lived down the hall from your BFF freshman year, but she knows that you two share the same goofy sense of humor. Trust that your friend knows you best and will set you up with a guy who you are truly compatible with (or can at least have a fun night with).

Maybe in a perfect world, the guy you’ve been eyeing would send two white doves to your dorm room with a letter inviting you to a homemade dinner, but that’s not very likely (or convenient — can you imagine trying to get those doves out of your room? Total disaster.). Instead of waiting for Cupid, grab those arrows yourself and use these tried and true tips to fill up February 14 in your planner!

Name: Kasie Hunt
Job Title and Description: Political correspondent for MSNBC
Website:kasiehunt.com
Twitter Handle:@kasie

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

Kasie Hunt: I’m the political correspondent for MSNBC, so I’m charged with covering the 2016 presidential campaign across all of our platforms. I file reports for NBC Nightly News and all of the other shows across the cable network.

I also write for the web sometimes, but I’m [on] the road probably 90 percent of the time. I travel with the candidates; right now I’m spending a lot of time in Iowa and New Hampshire. I cover a lot of our big debates, like the [upcoming] debate in Las Vegas.

In terms of a typical day, yesterday is a good example: Yesterday we got into Vegas and we did Morning Joe. In the meantime, we’re working on a script and a package we’d shot in Iowa. We spent some time at Camp Cruz with the Cruz campaign. I spent a lot of time on the phone with the producers and senior producers in Washington and New York to shepherd that through the process. We did a couple live shots outside the Venetian talking about looking ahead to the [debate] the next day. Our producers [in Washington] worked to cut that piece while I appeared that night on Nightly News, and then we worked to cut that same piece with producers from Morning Joe to include more politics for the audience that watches [that program]. I then woke up this morning and was on the air at 8:30am. We’re also cutting a third package on Donald Trump, so that one needs to be worked on, too.

My day is a mix of live [reporting], interviewing, gathering clips for pieces, writing scripts and getting from point A to point B, so a lot of traveling around.

What is the best part of your job?

KH: Storytelling. That’s, to me, the heart of this job and everything that we do across all the platforms we work on. That combined with breaking news—those two things together ideally are, if we’re doing our jobs, the best. We’re both telling Americans what’s going on and what they should focus on today to help them figure out who they should vote for, but explaining it in a way that people can wrap their heads around and that they can enjoy watching. I like gathering together all of the elements.

TV is really fun because there are so many different things you can play with; you can tell a story in a really, really rich way. I like spending the time putting those things together, writing the script to all of those different kinds of elements and then getting it out there. That’s my favorite part of the process.

I also like traveling—it’s one of my favorite parts of the job. One of the unique things about covering politics in America is that I’ve gotten to see a lot of corners of this country that I never would’ve gotten to see. It turns out that there are a lot of really beautiful places in corners of America you wouldn’t necessarily expect.

What’s something you’ve learned about the journalism industry that you wish you knew when you were just starting out?

KH: The industry is small, so everyone that you meet and work with, starting from when you’re in college or when you’re first entering into professional situations, is important. I don’t think I made any major mistakes in college when I was just starting out, but I didn’t realize at the time what an impact this would have. Many of the people that I’m working with today are actually people who helped me very early on in my career.

For example, I interned for the current deputy political director at NBC News back in college. Luckily, I seemed to do a good job for him because now we work together every day. It’s definitely something for [young people] to keep in mind.

Also, don’t lose touch with people who help you out early on. You never know when a connection like that is going to come back and really make a difference.

Do you have any advice for young women looking to get into media or journalism who are just starting out?

KH: First of all, I would say don’t forget to reach out [to] anyone and everyone that you know, whether it’s a family member or a friend. Don’t hesitate to reach out and say, “Hey, is there anything that I can do, or is there a connection you can help me make?” It really is an industry made on human connections more than anything else. Obviously your work has to speak for itself, but it really helps to build that network from the outset.

The second thing I would say is [to have] persistence. Don’t ever underestimate the value of persistence and letting people know that [a job or opportunity] is something you really want to do.

I started out as a writer before I went into broadcast journalism, and I applied for an internship at a magazine, even though I didn’t necessarily have traditional writing clips. I went in and did the interview, and they said, “We really like you, but there’s this guy who went to Harvard and who has all of these clips from the Harvard Crimson. We really think that’s who we want to go with, but we’ll let you know for sure once we talk to him.”

[Despite this,] I called back every Friday to the editor-in-chief for close to a month saying, “Hey, just want to check in. I know you’re looking at this other person, but I just want you to know that I really want this job. I promise that if I’m hired, I’ll be working really hard for you.”

Finally, on the fourth or fifth Friday, I called and I got the same answer from him saying he hadn’t heard from [the other applicant], and I said I’d call back next Friday and hung up. I got a call from him a couple minutes later and he said, “Look, you can have the job. We wanted this other person, but it’s pretty clear to us that this is something you really care about, and I think that’s what we want more than anything in this internship.” So that was my first full-time writing job. It was supposed to go to someone else, but my nagging and persistence got me the internship!

There are a lot of opportunities in journalism that are like that, where if you have good ideas and really care about something and you persist, you can get them. Show up in person. Write that extra email. It goes much farther than people realize.

What do you look for when considering hiring someone or working with someone?

KH: I’m not typically that involved in hiring people, but I’ve certainly been involved in recommending people for various jobs. I would say [I’m looking for] people who are engaged, flexible and who are willing to work to make things happen for themselves.

The one thing you can control [in this industry] is how hard you work. You may not be the best person in the room or the smartest or most experienced, but you can still control how hard you work on a project, and that’s a quality that can really come through.

Flexibility also means taking on something you’re unfamiliar with and being open to trying something new. For example, if you’re in an internship and you’re assigned a mundane task, try doing it a different way.

When you’re young and just starting out and you don’t have the experience yet, those are very basic, straightforward things that can carry you a long way no matter what the situation.

Valentine's Day is coming up, and that means candy and adorable things are everywhere. Obviously, the cutest way to say that you heart someone is with those little candy conversation hearts. Why not step up your game by making any of these adorable conversation heart DIYs? 

1. Conversation Heart Scrub

Make this sweet scrub for you or your love. 

2. Conversation Heart Macarons

Macarons are our favorite sweet treat, and these conversation hearts could not be more adorable. 

3. Leggings

Nothing says "I heart you" the way these leggings do! Bonus, who knew you could make leggings this cute? 

4. Salt Dough Conversation Hearts

Hang up these happy ornaments in your front yard or around your house! It'll be true love. 

5. Dog Treats

Don't forget the canine love of your life this Valentine's Day! Every dog loves a good snack, so we know they will definitely kiss you in exchange for these treats. 

6. Brownies

Make a sweet, chocolatey treat for your sweetheart. These brownies are perfect for all of your babes!

7. S'mores Pops

Everybody loves s'mores, and these chocolate-covered ones don't even require a campfire! 

8. Magnets

Fill the front of your fridge with notes for the one you love with these heart magnets! 

9. Banner

Show your love with this banner. Hang it up and surprise your roomie or your bae. 

10. Popcorn

Give your popcorn some color with conversation hearts and sprinkles…and some white chocolate, too.  

11. Pillows

Pillows are super easy to make, and these pillows are a great way to decorate and show your love! 

12. Cookies

How adorable are these cookies? Wrap them up in cellophane and give them to anyone that you heart. 

13. Balloons

Balloons are the best way to decorate any room because they bring fun. These DIY conversation heart balloons won't pop your bubble! 

14. Treat Boxes

Fill these boxes with a sweet treat or fun valentines! 

15. Donuts

Nothing says fun like brightly colored, rainbow donuts; we totally love these! 

16. Piñata

This heart-shaped piñata will definitely add some pizzazz to your V-day shindig!

17. Ice Cream

You can never go wrong with ice cream. Spend your Valentine's Day with a bucket of this homemade concoction!

18. Resin Paperweights

How cute are these resin paperweights? Add whatever message you choose, and give them out to your favorite people! 

19. Marshmallows

These marshmallows should convey how much you love your people! 

What's your favorite conversation heart DIY? 

Well, single ladies. You’ve survived the holidays and thought you were free and clear of any questions about your terminal relationship status. Think again because if you haven’t seen the array of cutesy cards and adorable teddy bears dominating the shelves of Target, you might have forgotten Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. Instead of moping around about your lack of Prince Charming, why not let the Invisible Boyfriend app help you out? For just $24.99, this unbelievably thorough service lets you create your own man who will send you loads of relationship proof in the form of texts, voicemails, and even handwritten notes. Below, we’ve thought of 7 scenarios where Invisible Boyfriend will come quite in handy.

1. Your friends keep trying to set you up

You’re perpetually single and all your committed friends are starting to feel sorry for you. And while you’re okay with your relationship status they insist on setting you up with their less-than-attractive cousin from two towns over. No thanks.

2. Your parents want to know why you’re not giving the old college try at meeting the “one”

Oh, parents. It’s hard to believe they were once our age when they imply things like, “If you graduate without meeting your soulmate, it’s just never going to happen for you.” You’ve tried to tell them time and time again that you don’t have to be married by 22, but they won’t give it up. Won’t they be happy to know their wish upon a star has come true?

3. #MCM exhausts you to your very core

The joys of Instagram! To those of you who post pics of your boyfriend every week to commemorate this special day most of us call Monday, we get it! You think he’s hot and should be recognized on a weekly basis for having the beauty of a Greek god. For some odd reason, we don’t agree.

4. You watched The Notebook and now you’re spiraling

Romantic movies are like Kryptonite. One minute you’re basking in the glow of a beautiful couple, and the next you’re wondering if you’re going to die alone. Even if he doesn’t exist, Invisible Boyfriend can be a nice placeholder until you snap out of it.

5. A perfect Valentine’s Day would mean secretly staying in and watching an endless amount of Veronica Mars

All your friends are going out to dinner with bae, but you’d much rather stay in and study Veronica’s savvy sass. Plus, the proper dose of LoVe (Logan + Veronica, that is) can cure any ailment—even an empty heart!

6. That girl from high school you never spoke to but are somehow Facebook friends with just got engaged

If you’re in your twenties, you might as well get used to seeing #isaidyes on your feed. ALL. THE. TIME. “Prove” to the deliriously blushing bride that you’ll have a date and maybe a ring of your own come time for her big day.

7. Based on your dating track record, you think creating your model guy would turn out much better than forcing yourself to like another shmuck

Building your own boyfriend is the dream of any control freak gal who’s had her heart broken by a string of guys who were oh-so-wrong for her. Let’s just hope he doesn’t end up looking like Frankenstein.

If anybody asks when they can meet this dreamboat in person, just tell them he’s studying abroad in some far, far away and very expensive-to-fly-to country. And no, Skype doesn’t work there. Would you ever use the Invisible Boyfriend app, collegiettes?

It may just be time for us to start thinking of a cute nickname for Taylor Swift and Selena Gomez because it looks like there's a musical collaboration in the works between the two of them.

One of the only things that comes to mind when thinking of a Taylor Swift and Selena Gomez collaboration is "How has this not already happened?!" Luckily, E! News ran into Gomez while she was supporting her upcoming film, The Revised Fundamentals of Caregiving, at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival and casually asked if she and Swift would ever make a song together.

"Oh, I don't know. I mean, eventually, right?" she responded. "She's my best friend. We'll see."

Okay, so she didn't exactly say yes. But she didn't say no either. We've already seen Selena make an appearance as partner-in-crime-turned-enemy, Arsyn, in Swift's star-studded "Bad Blood" music video and, if that 30-second teaser was any indication of what's to come between the two of them, then we have a lot to be excited about. 

While the Oscars are currently at the center of controversy following the lack of diversity found in this year's list of nominees, the Screen Actors Guild Awards offered us a bit of relief on Saturday night as multiple black actors were awarded and celebrated for their powerful performances in film and television. 

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to diverse TV," Idris Elba said after being awarded twice.

Elba went home with two wins for two separate roles: Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role for Beasts of No Nation, and Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries for the British crime drama, Luther. 

Along with Elba's wins came those of Viola Davis, Queen Latifah and Uzo Aduba, who took home the trophy for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series for her role as Crazy Eyes in the Netflix series, Orange is the New Black. Viola Davis was awarded Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series for How to Get Away With Murder, while Queen Latifah received the award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries for her phenomenal role as blues singer Bessie Smith in the HBO TV film, Bessie.

"This is what happens when you have the SAG group — a group of very diverse people who understand the work that we all put in and that we all deserve the same opportunities," Queen Latifah told the L.A. Times. "That's about it. I feel very positive about this day."

The night prompted a new hashtag to trend on Twitter, #SAGSoBlack, which allowed everyone to celebrate the achievements of the actors awarded. 

Following the announcement of the Academy Award nominations on January 14, the painful lack of diversity prompted celebrities and Twitter users alike to use the #OscarsSoWhite hashtag. And, as if there was anyone who thought that the black actors awarded at the SAG Awards were recognized solely because of their non-recognition at the Academy Awards, April Reign, creator of #OscarsSoWhite, took to her Twitter page to clarify that the voting for the SAG Awards nominations took place six weeks ahead of the announcement of the Oscar nominees.

During her speech backstage following her win, Viola Davis made it clear that the lack of diversity in Hollywood and award shows is not just a Twitter issue. 

"Diversity is not a trending topic," she said. "I will find a way to practice my art, and all of the actors of color who I know don't place any limitations on themselves either. So, regardless, of what is going on with the Academy, regardless of what is going on in Hollywood, they will find a way to be excellent. We always have and we always will."

Idris Elba celebrated his wins on Twitter later that night, tweeting "You wait for one bus and TWO come along at the same time. Life innit. @SAGawards Thank you. Saaaaaaaagyyyyyy!!"