Anyone can suffer from partner abuse, regardless of orientation. Add to that the stigma that comes with being queer, though, and things get even more difficult. If you are undergoing abuse, whether it’s physical, mental, verbal or any other kind of violence, there are ways you can take action against it. Here are a few tips for recovering from same-sex partner abuse.

1. Recognize the signs of abuse

It can be difficult for a person undergoing same-sex partner violence to recognize what’s happening right away. If you think that you might be involved in an abusive relationship, take the time to consider the situation and validate your own feelings. “Let that little voice telling you, ‘Something is wrong! I am unhappy!’ be heard,” says Lydia*, a survivor of partner abuse. “If you are feeling nasty, let your emotions tell you what is wrong. You feel this way for a reason. You are not crazy.”

Taking a step back and really thinking about your relationship and what’s going on is a good idea even if your relationship isn’t abusive. “If you are in a healthy relationship, you will come back to your partner stronger after questioning your relationship," Lydia says. "But if you are not, and you are suspecting that, then don’t be afraid to trust your own judgment."

Keep in mind that physical abuse isn’t the only type of abuse, and every form of it should be taken seriously. “Just because you're not being beaten doesn't mean you aren't being abused," says Socorro Kenoly, a survivor of emotional abuse. "Recognize disrespect, confront it and leave. This could mean with the way your partner talks to or addresses you, this could mean controlling behavior, and this could mean the way they deal with other people they're attracted to, like disrespectful means of flirting or sexual advances.”

There are a lot of different signs, and they can look different for everyone. Lydia put together a list of indicators that she was in an abusive relationship, including the fact that her partner was questioning her sanity, building up and then breaking down her confidence, and isolating her from friends and family. Evaluating your relationship like that is a helpful way to recognize whether you’re suffering from abuse.

2. Don’t be ashamed of your situation

Often, people suffering from same-sex partner abuse feel embarrassed or ashamed of what’s happening to them. They may also be struggling over their own sexual orientation, and if they’re still in the closet or uncomfortable with their identity, the two stigmas combined can lead to holding the problem in instead of outwardly seeking help. “Anyone that comes forward as a survivor of abuse is subjected to judgment about how they got into an abusive relationship, [or] why they stayed,” among other things, says Lindsey Mansfield, the Crisis Support Manager at the San Jose YWCA. “However, for folks from the LGBTQ community or really any marginalized community, there are additional stigmas and barriers. There may be the risk of being outed at work and losing a job, or being outed to your family and losing your home, or their support of any kind.” If you’re going through abuse, the stigma around what you’re dealing with and even who you are is definitely a lot to bear—but don’t let it take over. Accept that what’s happening to you is wrong, and don’t be afraid to seek help.

3. Know where to look for help

There are a lot of different places for you to find support in a scary situation. Friends and family members, for instance, will likely be there for you with open ears and open arms. However, if you can’t go to someone you know for assistance, because you’re not out yet, because you don’t trust them enough or for any other reason, there are also anonymous sources that you can turn to. “Sometimes online resources are very helpful for people that are afraid of looking for help, especially if someone can go to a library or get on a computer or someone’s phone that their partner doesn’t have access to,” Mansfield says.

For instance, you can call The National Domestic Violence Hotline (which offers further resources including an anonymous chat service) for LGBTQ+ people suffering from abuse) at 1-800-799-7233. Additionally, going to a police station, physician or hospital after being abused can be helpful. Each of these resources have trained professionals there to assist people suffering from partner abuse and ready to help. Abuse is a completely valid and important reason to leave a relationship. Don’t forget that help is always out there when you need it and that seeking it out is the best thing to do.

Related:  I Was a Victim of Domestic Abuse on Multiple Occasions

4. Remember that it’s not your fault

People in abusive relationships often start to blame themselves for what’s happening to them. But remember, abuse is never the fault of the victim. A huge step to understanding that there is a problem and seeking help is realizing that you are not at fault for what has happened to you. Lydia's partner tried to make her feel like she was responsible for her own abuse, which made her feel even worse. “I felt like I was going insane, questioning the validity of my relationship and not letting myself question it either, and my partner always telling me that everything was my fault," Lydia says. "It was a huge mess. Someone who truly loves you will not let you feel that way."

For Mansfield, it’s important to recognize what abuse is really about—power—and that neither the victim or other external factors are to blame. “Abuse is about a pattern of exerting power and control over another person. It’s not about someone losing control, mental health, stress, substance abuse, or a myriad of other sources people tend to attribute it to,” she says. “If that were the case it wouldn’t be happening behind closed doors and away from the public eye most of the time.” If you are undergoing partner abuse or violence, you did not cause it. Understanding that abuse is never the victim’s fault is a huge step in overcoming what you are going through.

5. Take legal action

If you’re suffering from partner abuse, you have legal options. There are a lot of advantages to pressing charges, says San Jose attorney Tom Flores. “Domestic violence victims are especially vulnerable to repeat attacks, and it is usually in the elected District Attorney's political best interest to severely punish those convicted of domestic violence,” he says. Partner abuse is against the law, and if you choose to take legal acction, Flores suggests doing it sooner rather than later. “It is important to act quickly in order to protect yourself from continuing abuse, and to prosecute the offending party,” he says. He notes that documenting evidence of physical injuries is the best way to show law enforcement the extent of the abuse.

If maintaining anonymity is a concern for you, keep in mind that criminal records will generally keep your identity a secret. A lot of people aren’t fully aware of what protections for victims of abuse and laws around abuse are, or how they work. Contact an attorney and ask about the rules regarding abuse—you don’t have to say anything about your own situation right away. Flores and Mansfield both suggest working with trained legal advocates who work specifically with victims of abuse to decide what is the best course of action to take.

Same-sex partner abuse or violence isn’t something that you have to deal with alone, or something that you should have to deal with at all. If you need help, don’t forget that it’s always out there. The National Domestic Violence Hotline can be reached at 1-800-799-7233, and if you’re in an emergency situation, call 911.

*Name has been changed. 

So you probably remember when Kim Kardashian broke the Internet (for the second time) a few weeks ago with a naked selfie containing the caption, "When you're like I have nothing to wear."

Well, she’s back at it again with another eye-catching selfie—this time with partner-in-crime, Emily Ratajkowski! The model/actress was one of the celebrities who came to Kim’s defense after her first nude photo on Instagram started causing quite a stir. Ratajkowski even posted her own photo, paying homage to Kim with a similar caption.

It was only a matter of time before the two teamed up to take what appears to be a completely unbothered double selfie. 

Take that, haters. 

Winter got you feeling flat and not sure what to do? Pump up the volume with a hair revival kit from Not Your Mother’s Hair Care! Not Your Mother’s products are packed with everything you need to fight the frizz and stabilize the static. All 100% cruelty free products free of sulfate, phthalate, synthetic color, and gluten – you could only go wrong by not entering this giveaway!

Not Your Mother’s high volume shampoos, conditioners, finishing sprays and blow drier accelerators will leave your hair looking and feeling clean and fresh– even in the cold winter months! 1 lucky winner will win this prize pack that values well over $100!

Put your best part forward and finish the semester off not a hair out of place – thanks to Not Your Mother’s!

Not Your Mother's

There's definitely trouble in paradise for Iggy Azalea and her fiancé, Nick Young. The couple has been engaged since June of last year, but a video taken by Young's teammate, D'Angelo Russell, has surfaced in which Young reveals that he hooked up with a 19-year-old "this summer" after going to a club. 

The dirt doesn't stop there, but we're more interested in Iggy's fierce response to the video.

Is that a hint of sarcasm in Iggy's tone or is she truly thankful to find out about her fiancé's dalliances? No matter, Iggy continues to slay even in the worst of situations. This may be the beginning of the end for the duo, but only time—or more confessions—will tell.

It’s that season when Mother Nature herself gets a bright makeover! From the green leaves to the budding flowers, spring is an undeniable time of change. Jazz up your look with a new ‘do that’s a bit fancier than a simple braid. We’ve rounded up some styles that put a spin on these classics and are easy to pull together for a collegiette on the go. No matter your hair length, your hair texture or even the occasion, we have a fresh spring look that’s right for you.

1. Floral Pony

Go a step beyond the average hair accessory with these scattered flower clips that add a little oomph to your ponytail. Channel your inner fairy with this magical spring look that’s perfect for any formal event!

What you’ll need

• Hair tie
• Brush
• Hair spray
• Flower clips

Directions

1. Starting at the ends and working your way up, brush your hair free of tangles.
2. Gather your hair into a low ponytail on your preferred side.
3. Lightly mist the clips with hair spray. This will prevent the clips from slipping, especially if you have fine hair. We recommend L’Oreal’s Elnett Satin Extra Strong Hold UV Hair Spray ($14.99).
4. Take six to eight clips and place them randomly on the side opposite the ponytail.

2. Chic Wraparound Braid

St. Paddy’s Day may be over, but this sweet, Irish-inspired look will still be sure to turn some heads. Pair it with a sundress for a picnic date.

What you’ll need

• Bobby pins
• Comb

Directions

1. Start this look with day-old or wavy hair; the braid will hold better when your hair is dirty.
2. Taking a comb, make a part on your preferred side.
3. On one side near your part, start an inverted French braid. To do this, take three pieces of hair and alternate the outside pieces going under the inside piece. Add new pieces to the outside piece as you go.
4. Continue the braid towards the back of your head, until you’re about three-quarters of the way around.
5. Use one hand to hold the loose end of the braid and the other hand to gently pull the braid apart. This creates more volume and adds to the easygoing look.
6. Secure the braid with bobby pins on the other side near your ear.
7. Repeat steps three through six with the hair on the other side of your part.
8. As you wrap the second braid around your head, carefully work your fingers up through the first braid, so you can grab the end of the second braid pulling it down through the hole.
9. Secure the braid with bobby pins.

3. Easy, Wrapped-up Waves

Bright wraps and wavy hair are the epitome of spring, and this bohemian look can be done the day before.  Not only does the accessory add interest to your outfit, it also helps keep your hair out of your face on windy days.

What you’ll need

• Hair ties
• Headwrap
• Bobby pins

Directions

1. Before bed, divide your damp hair into six sections and make six tight braids.
2. Secure the end of each braid with a hair tie.
3. In the morning, unravel the braids for soft waves and finger-comb them to your desire.
4. Take the headwrap and place it on your head, carefully pulling it past your hairline and onto your forehead.
5. If the headwrap feels loose, secure the back of it to your head with the bobby pins.

4. Braided Pompadour

This easy hairstyle is great when you don’t have time to wash your hair and you just want to keep it out of your face. You can also try it on days you don’t feel like heading to class looking like Plain Jane—we all have those days (ours are usually on Mondays!).

What you’ll need

• Hair spray
• Bobby pins
• Hair tie
• Comb

Directions

1. Use the comb to tease the crown of your head. This will add more volume to the braid.
2. Lightly mist the section with some hair spray to tame the frizz. We recommend Nexxus’s Frizz Defy Frizz Protection Hair Spray ($11.99).
3. Starting from your hairline, French braid the entire section straight back. This braid is simple to achieve: divide the hair into three sections and braid them with the outside pieces alternating over the inside piece. Add new hair to each outside piece as you go.
4. Keep the French braid loose for more volume.
5. End the braid at the center of your head and secure it with two criss-crossing bobby pins.
6. Pull the rest of your hair into a messy bun and secure it with a hair tie.

5. Low Retro Chignon

This retro-inspired hairstyle is perfect for the work environment. It’s conservative yet more interesting than a boring bun. Rock this during your internship or to your next interview, and you’re sure to leave a lasting (and stylish!) impression.

What you’ll need

• Bobby pins
• Hair serum
• Brush

Directions

1. Divide your hair into two sections, parting your hair near the top of your ears.
2. Apply a hair serum to tame flyaways. We recommend ORGANIX’s Nourishing Coconut Milk Anti-Breakage Serum ($7.99).
3. Lightly brush the hair from the top section, sweeping it to the back.
4. Taking large sections near your ears, twist the sides and pin them to the center of your crown. This creates a decorative band above the chignon.
5. Gather the rest of your hair into a low ponytail and twist the length of your hair.
6. Take the twisted hair and wrap it around the base of the ponytail.
7. Secure the entire twist with bobby pins.

6. Rope Braid Updo

Try this glammed-up style on your next girls’ night out. It’s not as complicated as it looks!

What you’ll need

• Pomade
• Hair spray
• Bobby pins
• Curling iron
• Blow-dryer
• Heat protectant

Directions

1. Blow-dry your hair and pull it into a bun for five minutes. This allows the hair to cool without getting too flat.
2. Take some pomade and massage it into your roots for added texture.
3. Mist your hair with heat protectant and leave it for 10 minutes. This allows your hair to fully absorb the product for the best results. We recommend CHI’s 44 Iron Guard ($14.50).
4. Taking the curling iron, curl your hair to your preference.
5. Do a rope braid on each side of your head, pinning the ends at the base.
6. Pull your remaining hair to one side and twist it, pinning it in place as you go.
7. Tuck the ends under the twist and secure them with bobby pins.
8. Gently pull on the braids for more volume.
9. Finish with hair spray.

7. The Margaery Tyrell

Calling all Game of Thrones fanatics! Channel the ambitious queen-to-be with this simple, rustic ‘do. This look is perfect for date night.

What you’ll need

• Bobby pins
• Pomade
• Hair ties

Directions

1. Apply pomade to your damp hair and make a large braid. Do this at least two hours before you intend to wear this style. We recommend Got2b’s Playful Weightless Crème Pomade ($6.49).
2. When your hair is dry, unravel the braid for loose waves.
3. Take the top front section of your hair near your left ear and twist it away from your face to the back of your head.
4. Pin the twist in place with a bobby pin and repeat on the right side.
5. Take a larger section from the left side of your temple and twist it back.
6. Pin it below the first twist and repeat on the other side.
7. Take the two sections on the left side and make a ponytail with the ends using a hair tie.
8. Repeat on the other side.

Say bye-bye to boring ‘dos and hello to hair heaven with these chic spring looks! Complete your makeover with a fresh face and you’ll be totally spring-ready!   

We've all seen Kylie Jenner's envy-inducing nails, from her edgy talons to her intricate nail art. We also can't remember the last time we haven't seen them in perfect condition.

“I get my nails done every week,” Kylie told StyleWatch. That's not surprising. But we weren't expecting what came next: “I’ve sat literally for four to five hours doing them. I used to spend so much time doing the craziest artwork.”

Basically, the lesson learned here is that we will never achieve true Kylie Jenner nails because honestly, who has time for that? Time is money, you guys.

In the same interview, Kylie revealed that her mother, Kris Jenner, had major influence when it comes to her obsession with nails.  

“My mom always drilled it in my head to have nice, pretty nails, it's just really important to her,” she said. “So that’s where I got my nail obsession.”

Kylie’s second (matte!) nail polish collection with Sinful Colors, Trend Matters, is set to drop on April 1 at Target and Walgreens, and you can bet we'll be picking a few colors up.

Kim Kardashian's fame is in part due to her social media use. She loves to upload pictures to her Twitter account, and she's been tagging her photographer friend a lot recently…or so she thinks. In reality, Kardashian has accidentally been tagging a 17-year-old from Turkey with the same name as her pal. Both men are named Mert Alas, and they have very similar Twitter handles. Kardshian's friend's handle is @mertaIas with an uppercase "i," while the other Mert's handle is @mertalas with a lowercase "l." 

Kardashian hasn't even seemed to notice and continues to tag the wrong Mert. Miley Cyrus made the same mistake, when she uploaded a picture that photographer Mert Alas took of her.

The other, younger Mert doesn't mind all the attention, though. He was featured in a Turkish magazine, in which he said, “Before this I had 200 followers. Thanks to Miley Cyrus I got 600. And after Kim I got 65 more.” He has even replied to Kim's social mentions with quips like, “You’re going to get me in trouble with your husband.” 

It seems young Mert is making the best of a very funny situation.

If squads are the new cliques, Taylor Swift is definitely the queen bee. She's famous for her girl squad and (almost) everyone wants to be a member. With ladies like Selena Gomez, Gigi Hadid and Karlie Kloss as her pals, it's obvious that Taylor values friendship with other female celebs. 

Enter Ariana Grande, who seems to be dying to take her rightful place within the group. "All those girls are really nice," Grande said in a recent interview with English radio station Capital FM. Then, she pretty much expressed how we would all feel if we received an invite to join Taylor's squad: "Oh wow! That would be so crazy." She continued, "I would just be so down."

Grande and Swift performed at the 2014 Victoria's Secret Fahion Show together, so they certainly have the potential to be friends. After the event, Swift posted a picture of the two hugging on Instagram, with the caption, "Oh my God she couldn't be cuter."

You never know who Tay will buddy up with next. Perhaps, it will be Ariana. Fingers crossed—right, girl?

Already dying for another vacation? Same. While we can’t rid you of exams and textbook-induced backaches, we know just the thing to ease a bit of the post-spring break pain: the Her Campus Tour!

The Her Campus Tour 2016 will be making six stops over the next month, so check below to see if we’ll be visiting your campus! Not only will there be fun games and exciting giveaways, but you can expect to take home some killer swag thanks to sponsors ASOS, Micro Kickboard, Monthly Gift, Tinder and CamelBak. From lawn games to photo booths to giveaways, we can’t think of a better way to procrastinate—ahem, spend an afternoon! Grab your BFFs and come join the party.

April 7, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Texas A&M University – Rudder Plaza

April 8, 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.

University of Houston – Butler Plaza

April 11, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Auburn University – The Green Space

April 12, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Georgia State University – Unity Plaza

April 18, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Florida State University - Union Green

April 19, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

University of Florida – Plaza of the Americas

We can’t wait to see you there! 

We haven't even all had the opportunity to try Kylie Jenner's super-exclusive, hard-to-buy Lip Kits and already, she's given us something else to lose our minds over. Today, the youngest Kardashian-Jenner announced the release of her brand new Glosses, by way of a... music video?

Momager Kris Jenner held a private launch event as her home, as momagers do, where Kylie unveiled the new product and debuted her music video. The plot plays on the popularity of her Lip Kits—in the video, Kylie drives up to a motel in the middle of nowhere, where her girl gang is working out a ~deal~ that involves major wads of cash and the new glosses. Chaos ensues when Kylie texts "Gametime," and the fierce crew fights their way out of the motel, cash in hand.

As of right now, there's still a bit of mystery surrounding the new gloss—we have yet to get a really close-up look at the product (Where are the swatches? What are the colors named?), but from what we can see, she's releasing a series of shades that'll be compatible with multiple skin tones. 

Well, we won't have to wait long to find out more—Kylie's releasing her Glosses tomorrow, so have kyliecosmetics.com at the ready, because if these are anything like her Lip Kits, you won't want to miss out.

Social media blew up this morning when four members of the U.S. Women's National Soccer Team went on the Today Show to announce they would be filing a wage discrimination complaint with Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, or EEOC.

The question on everyone's minds, of course, was not why they were filing the complaint—It's long been known that the men's team makes somewhere between two and four times as much as the women's team per match, despite the fact that the women have drawn an enormous fan base in recent years, especially with their first place wins in the World Cup in 2015 and the Olympics in 2012. Instead, as Matt Lauer asked team captain Carli Lloyd, people wanted to know why now.

"I think the timing is right," Lloyd explained in the interview. "I think we've proven our worth over the years, just coming off of a World Cup win, and the pay disparity between the men and women is just too large, and we want to continue to fight. The generation of players before us fought, and now it's our job to keep on fighting."

Players Carli Lloyd, Hope Solo, Alex Morgan, Becky Sauerbrunn and Megan Rapinoe (who did not appear on the Today Show) are all part of the formal complaint, with which the players seeking equal pay with their male counterparts. And it's certainly not much to ask, considering the men's soccer team has never brought home a FIFA World Cup or Olympic championship title. According to NBC Sports, "U.S. women are paid between $3,600 and $4,950 per game, while men receive $6,250 to $17,625."

The players' attorney, Jeffrey Kessler, claimed that in 2015 the women's team made $16 million for U.S. Soccer, while the men’s team caused a $2 million loss. 

U.S. Soccer expressed disappointment in the EEOC complaint on Twitter. 

Despite this, the women say they are not going to back down from their battle, because as Hope Solo pointed out, it's not just about their own struggle.

"We continue to be told we should be grateful just to have the opportunity to pay professional soccer and to get paid for doing it, and in this day and age it's about equality, it's about equal rights, it's about equal pay and we're pushing for that," said Hope Solo later in the interview. "We believe it's our responsibility for women's sports, and specifically for women's soccer, to really do whatever it takes to push for equal pay and equal rights."

An essay by Williams College official Ferentz Lafargue entitled, "Welcome to the 'Real World'" was recently published on The Washington Post, making the argument that college students aren't the "coddled" monsters that many people like to make them out to be.

Most students are aware of the initiatives to create "safe spaces" and pay attention to their pronouns, in the hopes of trying to make people feel comfortable and included. These issues are at the crux of Lafargue's essay. He begins by offering a rebuttle to arguments that universities do not prepare students for the "real world," which is laden with homophobia, anti-Semitism, sexism and racism.

"Telling students either explicitly or implicitly that they should grin and bear it is the last thing one should do as an educator. Yet that is essentially the gospel that the 'wait until the real world' parishioners would have many of us adopt." he writes at the Post. Colleges should be teaching students to make their voices heard first at school, so they can continue advocating for change after college. He doesn't want students to just live with the status quo.

He goes on to explain that students' lives are not entirely shaped by their college environment, but by family, friends, neighborhoods, former schools and romantic relationships as well. He discusses the workshops and seminars that are held at Williams for incoming students annually to help inform students about race, gender and sexuality issues.

Lafargue then switches gears, posing the question, "There are broader questions as well, such as: Is college a place for intellectual exploration? Or is it a glorified worker-training program?"

He mentions that for many students, especially those that come from low-income families, the debates about the above questions represent a wider scope than just college: how they can fit into society as a functioning adult.

Lafargue concludes his essay with a poignant quote: "The truth of the matter is, "coddled" students are not the problem. The real culprits — on campuses and in the real world — are the persistent effects of homophobia, income inequality, misogyny, poverty, racism, sexism, white supremacy and xenophobia. When students refuse to accept discrimination on college campuses, they’re learning important lessons about how to fight it everywhere."

Alright, listen up everyone. Us proud women of 5'3" and under would like you to know a few things. We love that you are just ~fascinated~ by our general smallness and think that we are the cutest things on the face of this great earth, but there are a few things we are sick and tired of hearing. Let it be known that you should NEVER say one of the following things in our presence ever again!  

1. “I bet you could fit perfectly into the Mickey Mouse costume at Disneyland!”

We could also play Minnie, Wendy and Alice for your information. 

2. “You would have done sooo well on that season of America’s Next Top Model for short people.”

*Gags*

3. “Do you know the height to be considered a legal midget?”

It's under 4'11", but thank you for implying that you're curious about whether or not I qualify. 

4. “You’re not short, you’re fun size!”

You just stole that phrase from a t-shirt that existed back in 2006. We've all seen it. Let it go. 

5. “Your head, is like, the perfect height to be an armrest.”

DON'T YOU DARE REST YOUR ARM ON MY HEAD!

6. “Can you grab me that–uh, nevermind.”

Puh-lease, we can reach anything by climbing. 

7. “Is it hard for you to date tall guys?”

No. 

8. “I almost didn’t see you there!”

Yes you did, stop pretending. 

9. “Your poor children are going to be so short.”

Well, guess I better just not have any kids then, right?! I don't want to ruin their poor little lives by birthing them out to be SHORT!

10. “Wow, can you fit into children’s sizes?”

Just because we are short doesn't mean that we are the size of stick figures. 

11. “You’re so lucky. You can wear heels and you’ll never be taller than your date.”

But who wants to wear heels anyway? 

12. “Here, you stand in front for the picture because you’re shorter.”

Oh, should I even bother trying to sorority squat too? No? Okay. 

13. “Can you leave the tall guys for the tall girls please?”

No. 

14. “Can I pick you up?!”

No. 

15. “The only reason your weight gain is noticeable is because you’re so short.”

Thank you for thinking that in depth about my body. 

16. “Do you ever wish you were taller?”

Do you ever wish that you were smart enough to come up with better conversational questions? 

17. “It must be a bummer to always have to get your pants shortened!”

Yeah, you definitely have us on this one. It is a bummer! 

When I started this piece and made the decision to wear a piece of clothing from my boyfriend’s closet every day, I thought it was going to be a piece of cake. Ushaia, my handsome and loving boyfriend (ily bb) was a bit resistant because of his love for fine suits and keeping his clothes unwrinkled. Unlike him, I typically can be seen wearing the same outfit three times a week and there’s also a high chance that by Friday my shirt will have some sort of stain on it. All that being said, he was hesitant to let me rummage through his closet until I found the outfit pieces of my dreams. 

I started on a Monday—a day that also happened to be the coldest day of the week—with a simple pullover sweatshirt from his closet. I should also probably mention that I bought this sweater for him for our anniversary. Needless to say, I was a fan already. 

I got dressed at 6 a.m. in all black, as one does, and went to my 8 a.m. class. Because most people were probably asleep and it was environmental science (sorry Prof) no one commented on the sweater that may or may not have been mine. After class ended I took the subway to my internship at Cosmopolitan.com and right away I got a few comments. My boss told me she loved my sweater and when I told her it wasn’t mine, she was surprised. Because it’s Cosmopolitan.com there was a photo shoot already set up so I asked the fantastic photographer, Reuben, to take my #ootd pic and he did not disappoint. 

I paired my sweater with some basic American Eagle jeans and some booties and a bright lip to complete the look. It was casual and comfortable but still appropriate for the office. Day 1 was a success. 

Day 2 was a bit trickier. So tricky, in fact, that I only ended up wearing some of his cologne and didn’t even get photo evidence! I had my three other classes and two job interviews so I was trying to look as normal as possible. I didn’t want to show my ‘try it all’ attitude quite yet, might scare them away. 

Related: I Let My Brother Dress Me For a Week & Here's What Happened

On day 3 it was 75 degrees and sunny in Manhattan yet I had to go to Cosmo again and that meant I would be sitting in a heavily air-conditioned office. I paired one of my boyfriend’s work shirts with some classic American Eagle boyfriend jeans and my new Steve Madden heels. This look was a bit trickier because although my boyfriend is taller than me, (I’m 4’11 so everyone is taller than me but that’s a different story), the shirt was in between being long enough to be a shirt-dress and normal shirt. So I wore it normally but it kept untucking throughout the day... and I also kept sweating. I have no idea how men wear this kind of stuff all day every day. Once again I paired it with a bright lip because that’s my go-to outfit addition. I am a huge fan of Mac Matte lipsticks, I have like 15 different shades because I wear it everyday. 

The next day it was even hotter than before and I had a few breaks in between classes so I knew I was going to be outside for some of the day. But because of my logical fear of being cold, (I know I live in NYC, I am crazy) I wanted to layer up. I took one of my boyfriend’s hoodies that he wears to the beach (he's from Miami) and paired it with a classic Brandi Melville button up skirt with some simple white Adidas. This was my favorite look by far because I looked cute (at least I think so!) and I was comfortable both inside and outside. I got a few glances because the shirt was a little baggy on me and smelled like a boy, but still no one said anything. I am really starting to think that my boyfriend and I have similar tastes in fashion. 

Related: I Let My Boyfriend Style Me All Week & Here's How It Turned Out

On day 5, the last outfit for my week, I knew I needed to keep it simple. I had lots of homework to do so I would be inside and sitting. I took one of his t-shirts; I also think I bought this one for him. I paired it with some Urban Outfitters skinny jeans and booties. I added on a vest that I got from Marshall’s on top and that was that. The shirt was very baggy and the sleeves were too long but by Friday, I was so over it that it didn’t matter. Also, my boyfriend left that morning for Florida so I was kinda out of luck. 

Related: I Tried Living Like a Kardashian For a Week & Here's What Happened

Overall, the only thing that really stood out to me about this week is that none of his clothes actually fit me. I cannot stress enough the importance of getting clothes that fit well, whether it’s a shirt, jacket, anything. Dressing in all oversized stuff for a week was comfortable somewhat, but it made me sweaty and by the end of the week I was seriously missing my own t-shirts. And my boyfriend didn’t like sharing too much. Sorry, not sorry. So am I going to wear his clothes again some other time besides to bed? Sure, why not. Will I consciously do it? Probably not. But at least now I know it’s an option! 

As collegiettes, it can be a struggle to build up a big budget for your apartment. Cheap furniture is often the best way to go, but it’s not always the best-looking stuff! Lucky for you, we gathered advice from some crafty collegiettes for how to upgrade your furniture. Here are some neat DIY tricks to make your furniture look like it’s in tip-top shape.

1. Add brass corners

Sometimes the smallest changes can make the biggest differences! That’s the case with brass corners, an easy DIY project for almost any piece of furniture. You can jazz up dressers, desk corners or photo frames with some simple brass corners.

"A trick I've tried once before that worked out nicely is adding brass corners to a... piece of IKEA furniture that probably a million people have," says Maya, a senior at Boston University. "You can add this embellishment to many types of furniture (a desk, tray, chest of drawers, etc.), and there are a bunch of hardware types out there that you can choose from!"

2. Stain it

You might not see yourself as the type to get down and dirty when it comes to upgrading furniture, but trust us, staining is easier than it looks—and it can make a piece of furniture look a hundred times better! Head to the store, pick your shade of choice, lug your piece outside and get to work.

A lot of IKEA furniture comes as naked wood, so staining it the color of your choice will give it a richer, more expensive feel. Miranda, a senior at Winona State University, recommends “using a nice dark wood stain, [which is] very inexpensive, then going back in and making some sanding marks and then finishing it up with a nice clear coat finish!”

You can also stain multiple pieces of furniture similar shades to create consistency and make your place feel a little more put together.

Staining is a simple process. Prepare the wood with a quick sand-down, choose your color and then brush on the stain. You can use a rag, sponge or brush to apply the stain. The longer you have the stain on, the darker the finish will be. Then, wrap it up by applying a coat of finish to protect the wood. All it takes is a trip to Lowe’s and a couple of hours!

3. Repurpose old pieces

Ever think of using an old suitcase as a bedside table? If you’re low on furniture funds, use your attic as a shopping mall. There are tons of old pieces that can be repurposed and used for something else—and look totally cute!

Repurposed furniture can look chic and antique, so think twice about your old, dusty pieces. With a nice shade of paint, a ladder can be used as a shelf. Not to mention most items with flat surfaces (suitcases, salvaged doors, etc.) can be remade into shabby-chic coffee tables.

4. Decoupage

So your dresser or desk is looking a little beyond repair, and the possibilities of upgrading are looking dim. However, even if a piece of furniture is starting to look like it belongs at the dump, there are still ways to recover it and make it look nice again—namely, decoupage!

Decoupage refers to pasting paper cutouts to an object and covering them with several coats of varnish or lacquer. It serves as an excellent way to hide imperfections on surfaces of dressers and desks that can’t be fixed with a simple coat of paint.

“I'm taking an old vanity I found a little banged up but in amazing shape,” says Hannah Davis, a junior at the Massachusetts College of Art and Design. “I'm removing all the hardware (handles, hinges, etc.), sanding it down, staining the wood a dark rich mahogany and then letting it sit for a few days to cure properly. Then I’ll place antique stamps onto the top of the vanity and brush heavy duty Mod Podge over the stamps to make sure all the edges are fully glued down.”

Some work and some old papers or stamps can completely transform an old piece of furniture. Take old letters, sheet music or fabric to cover your furniture, making it look chic!

5. Sand the piece down

Sanding is a great trick for transforming a wooden piece of furniture, whether it needs complete reshaping or it just has a few kinks and scratches. Miranda says that her house is filled with furniture that she revamped. “Once you sand it down and repaint [a piece], you won’t even recognize it anymore!” she says.

Sanding down a piece can completely change it. It gives you the opportunity to soften and re-shape furniture to your liking.

“Using a paint that has a non-glossy finish, and then, once the paint has cured, using sandpaper to rough up the edges totally makes for a shabby-chic look!” Miranda says.

Sanding isn’t just for shaping corners and preventing splinters – it can give a piece some personality!

6. Repaint it

Painting allows you to personalize and refresh your furniture; you can choose a bright color to make the place pop or just go over an old piece with a fresh coat of dark paint. Even just a simple retouching can do wonders.

Haleigh, a senior at Point Park University who does a lot of DIY work on old furniture, says, “Repainting is a huge way to make [furniture] look better. Fake wood-paneled furniture looks tacky and often has chips or scratches on it. Giving it a simple paint job makes it look a lot nicer and more chic!”

Cheap and outdated furniture probably won’t have the best paint job, so you might have to take it into your own hands. “Try painting the whole thing one solid color, then adding little pops of color on the edges of the drawers or on the legs to give it a fun pop of color,” Haleigh suggests.

7. Add new handles

Sometimes it’s all in the details. Run-down doorknobs and handles may not seem like big problems, but they definitely contribute to the shabbiness of your place. Upgrading small details, like handles and knobs, can instantly make a piece look nicer.

“To top off dressers or vanities, buying some new handles will totally change the look of the furniture, which is super inexpensive as well,” Miranda says. Replacing grungy old knobs can beautify your furniture, so keep a look out for opportunities to upgrade!

“These handles and pulls can be pretty inexpensive at Lowe's or Home Depot,” Haleigh says. “Both of these places also have a very wide variety of styles to make it look more modern, vintage, or classic - whatever look you're going for. For literally just dollars, it makes the world of difference!”

You can also check out Anthropologie’s selection of hardware with a little more pizzazz.

Your apartment doesn’t have to suffer under your budget! It’s easier to make fancy furniture out of your slim wallet than you might think. Make a few simple adjustments, and your place will go from drab to fabulous!

We’re not even four months in to 2016 yet, but we’re already pumped for 2017, if only because Cara Delevingne and Rihanna are going to star in next year’s new sci-fi thriller, Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets. It’s okay; we’re hyperventilating, too.

Cara just gave us a peek into her character, Laureline, on Instagram… and she looks seriously badass. Starring alongside Dane Dehaan (TheAmazing Spider-Man 2; Kill Your Darlings), the two are special agents on a mission to the city Alpha.

As for Rihanna, not much is known about her character yet, but there are rumors that BadGal RiRi is going to live up to her name by playing the villain. 

The film, which is based on the French comic Valerian and Laureline, is slated to be released July 21, 2017. We already can't wait.

If you can't imagine yourself sending a text without including an emoji, these fun DIY projects are for you! From snacks to accessories to clothing, bring your favorite emoji with you wherever you go.

1. Emoji Macarons 

Who doesn’t love macarons? These macarons are sure to make you smile, not only because they taste amazing but also because they're super cute!

2. Emoji Throw Pillows

These pillows would make a great addition to any bed or futon. You could go buy these from a store, but wouldn't you rather make your own for half the cost? We thought so.

3. Emoji Coasters

Coasters always come in handy, especially when you're having company over. Your guests are going to love these so much that they'll want to steal a few of their own.

4. Emoji Easter Eggs

Easter may have already come and gone, but there's always next year to decorate your dinner table or stage an egg hunt with these cuties.

5. Emoji Flower Pots

This flower pot would look awesome on your windowsill. Add some flowers or create your very own Chia Pet planter.

6. Emoji Nail Decals

Every girl needs the perfect mani! These nails are so fun; they're guaranteed to make you happy.

7. Emoji Ring Dish

This DIY is so easy yet so adorable. Girls' night in project, anyone?

8. Emoji T-Shirt

We're completely guilty of overusing this emoji, so it's only right that we have a shirt like this! With some simple iron-ons and a little creativity, you can create this trendy emoji tee in a snap.

Three first-graders at a school in Alaska have been suspended after they were caught plotting to kill a fellow student by poisoning their lunch, Cosmopolitan reports.

The three students at Winterberry Charter School in Anchorage were caught after a fellow student overheard the plan and notified a member of the school staff, according to Cosmopolitan. The students had gotten ahold of some silica gel packets—you know, those little white packets you find in everything from handbags to beef jerky—from part of their lunch, and believing they were toxic, planned to put them in another student’s food, Winterberry’s school principal explained in a letter parents. The students never carried out the plan, as school officials intervened before anything could happen.

“The age is one of things that is most surprising to people who were hearing about this. The kids are at such a young age,” an Anchorage School District spokeswoman, Heidi Embley, told the Alaska Dispatch News. “Without revealing any information as to what occurred during the investigation, there are a lot of conversations to get an understanding of what actually happened, how the students were feeling.”

No criminal charges were filed, according to the Alaska Dispatch News, and the students are expected to return to school after their suspension, KTUU reports.

A new study claims that there are now more obese adults (more than 640 million, according to Yahoo! News) than underweight adults in the world, BuzzFeed News reports.

The study published in The Lancet, looked at BMI trends in 200 countries from 1975 to 2014. A healthy body weight is between a BMI of 18.5 and 24.9, according to the CDC. A BMI between 25 and 29.9 is considered overweight, and anything above 30 is considered obese. The study’s findings show that between the dates given, the total number of people with a BMI of 30 or more has jumped 510.5 percent, Yahoo! News reports.

A BMI below 18.5 is considered underweight, according to the CDC, and it is an issue largely associated with malnutrition, a problem that is prevalent in regions like South Asia and Central and East Africa, Yahoo! News reports.

Researchers interpret the data to mean that if current trends continue, the prevalence of obesity in men around the world will grow to 18 percent and 21 percent in women, in just nine years, according to the study.

Rejection is never fun—particularly when the college you’ve been rejected by has been your dream school for years. But as tired as you probably are of hearing it—and really, who can blame you?—the truth is, everything does happen for a reason. So, to help you jumpstart your Plan B, we’ve come up with a list of next steps to follow if you’ve been rejected from your top-choice school. Don’t waste another minute to start crafting your new and improved college plan!

1. Breathe

Don’t skip this first step! As heart-wrenching as the process might feel in the moment, now is the time move forward. Why should not getting into one school stop you from having an amazing college experience? Here’s a secret: it can’t. “When considering the criteria that most students have for their dream college, many colleges fit into that ideal category,” says Katherine Clowes, an independent education consultant and founder of March Consulting. So close your eyes and breathe deeply.

“We’ve been taught that there is only one college out there that fits you, and anything else is an ill-fitting glass slipper,” Clowes says. “The truth is there are dozens, if not hundreds, of glass slippers that will provide the perfect fit for that all-important ball. It’s the happily ever after that counts, not the brand of glass slipper you’re wearing.”

But seeing the bright side is much easier said than done.Meditation, which can noticeably reduce feelings of anxiety in as few as 10 minutes, is one trick to try. A simple five-to-10-minute exercise has the potential to leave you feeling noticeably calmer. You can even download an app like Headspace for a guided meditation to help you get your “ohm” on.

If meditation isn’t for you, light some candles or make a cup of tea. Whatever you do, the important thing is to take a few moments to settle your thoughts and breathe before jumping into Plan B.

2. Be honest with your parents and your high school counselor

Tell your parents and your high school counselor as soon as you get your rejection letter. As hard as it may be to talk about it in that moment, your parents are there to help you get through it, and your counselor is there to help you continue your college search. Besides, contrary to what you may be feeling, no university’s rejection is going to change the way your family or your advisers view you and your achievements.  

Jolyn Brand, founder of Brand College Consulting, says that a rejection doesn’t necessarily mean you’re not qualified. “An important thing to remember is that students are applying for a limited number of spots in a freshmen class, and that the colleges are trying to fill those spots with students that are of diverse backgrounds with different interests and majors, and sometimes even diverse geographically,” she says.

When considering the most highly selective schools, most applicants are not offered admission. “Every year, Harvard rejects students with perfect SAT scores and perfect GPAs,” Brand says. It is not personal, and it doesn’t mean that you have any reason to feel ashamed.

3. Visit the other schools you were accepted to—and their websites

The next step is remodeling your college list. This is a good opportunity to reevaluate your priorities and take a more thorough look into some of the schools that you may have glossed over the first time around.

 “Consider your list of colleges not by rank, but instead by opportunity,” Clowes says. “Each offers something unique, which is why you applied. You’re not going to your second choice—rather, you’re choosing another option in which you can be yourself.”

Start by visiting the schools’ websites. There is a wealth of information available online, so take the time to browse your options, taking note of what each offers not only in terms of academics, but also location, extracurricular activities and social atmosphere.

As you do your research, keep a running list of things you like and don’t like about each school. “What are the pros and cons of each?” Clowes says. “You’ll probably find that the colleges you applied to were the ones you were interested in for some reason in the first place (otherwise, you wouldn’t have taken the time to apply). Do a little research and look at the opportunities for your future growth and career each college offers.”

If time and money allow, revisiting the campuses is the best way to get a sense of a school’s vibe and to decide if you can really see yourself going there. Most schools allow you to pre-register for campus tours and info sessions online, so be sure to check your school’s website for information about visiting.

If you can’t make a college visit happen, video tours are a pretty decent second option and can offer copious information about the school.

“Research and explore what makes that school amazing and compare it to what you’re looking for in your future,” Clowes says. “How does that school serve as a platform for where you want to be in your twenties? Open your mind up here and don’t let it get clouded by that rejection letter.”

4. Follow up with schools you haven’t heard from or have been wait-listed for

If you find yourself on a wait list or you still haven’t heard back from a school, Clowes suggests taking initiative. “Write a letter, make a phone call or draft an email to remind them why you’re interested in their college,” she says. “If you’ve accomplished anything (rewards, major milestones) or if you have anything additional that wasn’t included in your admissions packet that might help your case for admissions, mention it.” You can send these materials to a school’s admissions office by mail, or in many cases, to an email address for the admissions department.

Brand also suggests sending a thank-you note to a faculty member who answered your questions or an admissions officer who took you on a college tour recently. Expressing your gratitude is a courteous way of reminding an admissions officer of who you are without pestering.  

Essentially, however, you want to make sure that any supplemental materials you send truly add something to your application that isn’t already there. Sending letters for the sake of sending something can often come off as irritating or pushy. Remember to be honest about your accomplishments and courteous with admissions counselors. You want to present yourself in a favorable light, so keep it truthful and professional.

5. Look into these less conventional options

What if after carefully and thoroughly considering each of the schools you were accepted to, you still don’t think you’d be happy at any of them?

Usually around late April or early May, the National Association for College Admission Counseling puts out the Space Availability Survey, which provides a list of colleges across the nation who have available space for additional students. Be sure to check this out to see which schools are still possibilities!

Other options to consider are schools with rolling admissions. These schools accept applications on an ongoing or “rolling” basis over a large window of time, which gives you more time to apply. Another perk is that you’ll generally hear a response within six to 10 weeks—much faster than set-deadline schools that generally leave you waiting for months to hear a decision.

In either case, if you decide you’d like to apply to one of these colleges, Clowes suggests that you contact the admissions office and ask about the school’s admissions process, stating that you are interested in applying for admission in the fall. Many schools have a general number that you can call, as well as email addresses or phone numbers corresponding to the staff members assigned to each region, all of which you can find online.

Another route is to take a gap semester or year. “Gap time” refers to any time that students choose to take off from school before enrolling in college, which is typically a year or a semester. Many students use this time to gain work experience, volunteer at a nonprofit, conduct research, learn a new language or travel.

Gap years can be incredibly enriching experiences, but if you do choose to take time off, make sure that you are doing something meaningful with your time. Ultimately, you want to be able to demonstrate to colleges how your gap time enriched you as a future student and as a person.

6. Acknowledge that everything will work out eventually

Everything will turn out how it should—we promise! Take it from Sam Hamerman, a freshman at Northeastern University, who was rejected from the school she’d been dreaming of attending for years. “Northeastern was a school that I basically found out about in September,” she says. “I don't even think I knew it existed before then. When I realized that it was in my range and that there was no supplemental essay, I decided to throw in an application.”

After Sam was rejected from Tufts University, her top choice, she took a more serious look at Northeastern. “I started getting more interested and doing more research,” she says. “I visited on admitted students day. I was stuck between Northeastern and BU, but what ultimately made the decision for me was Northeastern's co-op program and job placement statistics.”

Sam is one of many students who found a silver lining in her rejection. “Ultimately, when it comes down the college process, as with everything in life, I think that it all works out as it is supposed to,” she says. “I am definitely a walking example of that.”