Seems like I'm not the only one who overanalyzes things I said years ago. Cole Sprouse, who played Cody on The Suite Life of Zack and Cody, recently revealed on Twitter some of his past regrets that came along with being interviewed by major magazines at age 13.
He posted a photo of a magazine where he is quoted as saying, "I like a girl who is down-to-earth and doesn't get worked up over anything—not the kind of girl who is so worried about how she looks that she has to put on pounds of makeup."
His caption reads, "Do you ever stay up tormented by something you said a long time ago? Lol yeah me neither I was just asking," which implies that Cole has thought about this interview in the years since.
Today he recognizes the problem with it; as a kid he was conditioned to want the "cool girl." His answer stereotypes women as emotional and crazy ("worried" and "worked up"). Plus there's the problem with his comments about makeup—apparently baby Cole thought that those who wear a lot of makeup may be insecure about their looks or have body image issues, which he didn't like.
Good thing Cole still thinks about interviews he gave as a kid, especially ones that perhaps fell into gender stereotypes that he no longer feels the same way about.
Cole seems to be growing up, not only in terms of his romantic interests, but also in his career. He currently plays Jughead on Riverdale, a television series that reimagines the Archie Comics. And Cole has been working hard to add diversity into the series by fighting to make his on-screen character asexual, seeing as the comics' version of Jughead was revealed as asexual in Jughead No. 4. "I come from an educational environment that really praises, as do I, the forms of representation that are otherwise lacking in our public media," he previously told Hollywood Life.
It seems like Cole's education at NYU (he graduated with honors and an archeology degree) may have opened up his eyes to the real world. Now the 24-year-old regrets strange statements he made about women in the past—and isn't afraid to admit it—and he's trying to make the TV landscape less heteronormative.
Everyone knows that celebrities' lives are much more glamorous than the average human's, especially when it comes to how they travel. While most of us are crammed in next to strangers for the duration of our flights, our favorite stars can usually be found traveling on a private jet or in first class.
Unlike the majority of people who wear sweats and a baggy top to the airport (myself included), celebs usually fly in style. In fact, some stars like Victoria Beckham or Kendall Jenner have made it very clear that aiports can be runways (the fashion kind) if you try hard enough. While I'm not gonna start wearing heels and leather pants on my future flights, looking at my favorite stars' travel styles will always be one of my favorite ways to procrastinate.
Check out some of the most iconic celebrity airport fashion throughout the years.
1. Khloé Kardashian
Khloé looks totally radiant in these different shades of brown and tan.
2. Chrissy Teigen
I love how Chrissy dresses up a normal tank top and pair of leggings with open-toed heels and a cool kimono.
3. Selena Gomez
Selena kills the airport style game with this chic black and white look.
4. Rihanna
Rihanna has the confidence to pull anything off—including this bomber-jacket-and-graphic-jeans combo.
5. Miranda Kerr
While this look is definitely simple, Miranda makes it look sleek and chic with her straight bob and beautiful coat draped over her shoulders.
6. Alessandra Ambrosio
An all-green outfit would usually be hard to pull off, but when you're a supermodel like Alessandra, it works without question.
7. Kristen Cavallari
Kristen just proves that simplicity can still make a statement.
8. Gabrielle Union
Only someone as gorgeous as Gabrielle could pull off a bold look like this.
9. Behati Prinsloo
Behati is clearly attached to her casual cool-girl rocker style, even at the airport.
10. Gigi Hadid
Gigi's unique printed pants were all anyone in the fashion industry could talk about when she first stepped out on the Paris streets wearing this beautiful outfit.
11. Rosie Huntington-Whiteley
I definitely identify with the guy in the back checking out Rosie's outrageously stunning look. I mean, does she ever look any less than perfect?
12. Kendall Jenner
I'm honestly just speechless.
13. Victoria Beckham
She looks more put together at the airport than I do when I go out.
14. Victoria Beckham... Again
I know, I know, but I couldn't resist. Victoria just has too many iconic airport moments. Just look at this chic pantsuit! You can check out more of her travel style here.
15. Priyanka Chopra
Priyanka makes a band tee and baggy jeans look just as great on her as a red carpet gown.
If you've been following beauty gurus and partners in crime Jeffree Star and Manny MUA on their social media channels, you already know they have been working on an incredibly exciting collab project! Well, they finally gave us a sneak peek of the products that will be launching on April 8 at 10 a.m. PST.
The two close friends previewed the products in a YouTube video posted on Manny's channel, which detailed all the info you'll need to know about this collab, including the product's names and swatches!
In the video, the two shared how they came up with every detail of the collab, including how they combined Manny's moon emblem with Jeffree's brand's logo, the star. The three products can either be purchased as a set for $50, or purchased individually from Jeffree's site.
"Eclipse" Skin Frost, $29
This new product will be your go-to highlighter, especially with its icy peach color and how intensely it swatched in the video!
"Daddy" Velour Liquid Lipstick, $18
Manny says this shade is perfect for a grunge glam look because of its cool brown tone! Need it.
"I'm Shook" Velour Liquid Lipstick, $18
This medium burnt coral lip shade will be perfect to step up any look. The two said they even named this back in August while vacationing together in Bora Bora!
If you've fallen in love with all of these products like I have, mark your calendars for their release and be ready to save 10 percent with the discount code "MANNYMUA."
If you’re a part of a student group at your school, you may have to fundraise for your organization. But how do you go about raising the money? Asking people for donations can be totally intimidating and awkward. Luckily, there are plenty of creative ways to raise the funds you need sans begging, and HC has listed seven of the best. Hello, major cash!
1. Organize a food sale
There are many things you can sell besides the standard cake and cookies! For instance, you may have seen student groups selling bubble tea, tacos or cupcakes around campus.
Cherisse Liptzin, a senior at UCLA, is a member of Gamma Rho Lambda. Every year on Valentine’s Day, her organization puts on an unusual fundraiser: a vagina-shaped chocolate lollipop sale. Cherisse explains that these lollipops make a statement against the taboo around sex. “The money that we raise in this fundraiser goes back to our sorority and will go toward putting on future events on campus,” she says. Like Cherisse, use your creativity to decide what to sell—the sky is the limit!
If you’re not feeling that adventurous, it’s okay to go traditional! Malavika Chugh, a sophomore at UCLA, has helped with multiple bake sales, and recently sold funfetti cupcakes, chocolate brownies, cinnamon rolls and pumpkin bread for FACE AIDS, an organization that fundraises for HIV services in Rwanda.
“The way we do this fundraiser is donation-based,” she says. “So people typically end up paying $1-$2 for each item, and some generous students even give around $5.” At their last bake sale, Face AIDS at UCLA made a profit of $150 in just four hours!
Not only are bake sales always popular, but they can be super fun, too. Browse Pinterestand Her Campus for amazing recipes and get cooking!
The members of your organization probably have plenty of clothes sitting untouched in the back of their closets. Thankfully, there are countless ways to sell your used clothing, and your fundraiser is the perfect occasion to do a little spring cleaning. Get everyone to gather their old clothes and choose the selling method that works best for you.
Many websites make it surprisingly easy to sell your clothes in bulk. thredUP and Twiceare great sites for selling your clothing. Send the clothes your club has gathered to the company of your choice and let them do the work for you! Unfortunately, these sites sometimes only accept high-end brands, but if you and your friends have some of these items to sell, then this is the method for you!
Once you’ve gathered a good amount of clothes, do a Google search for thrift shops that buy clothes in your area. For instance, Clothes Mentorhas stores in many states. These stores will most likely not accept everything you bring, but you could still make a decent amount of money. Branded items as well as seasonal, unique and trendy pieces are usually preferred.
Alternatively, you could make an event out of selling your old clothes. Pick a date and make sure to get the appropriate permission from campus officials. Then, set up shop on campus or at your sorority house. Display the clothes you’re selling on racks, put up signs reading “charity clothing sale” and practice your business skills with customers (FYI, this is perfect for you marketing majors)!
A fun and efficient way to raise funds is by “canning, or standing outside busy stores with cans for money,” says Connie Chan, a senior at Carnegie Mellon University. Connie has used this method when fundraising for breast cancer research with her sorority, alpha Kappa Delta Phi. Not only is canning super easy to set up, but you can “make hundreds in a matter of hours,” Connie says.
All you need are some group members, an empty can for each person and some colorful posters to describe your cause. Stand outside pharmacies and grocery stores, but be sure to get permission from the stores beforehand. “Yell out slogans to nobody in particular to make it less awkward,” Connie suggests. Otherwise, you can talk to people who walk by and ask them if they’d be interested in donating to your cause. Make sure to give them some background information so they know where their money is going. Then, “when people donate, we sometimes do a cute little chant, which usually makes them laugh,” Connie adds. If you feel up to it, think of some fun chants with the members of your organization, and have the most outgoing member sing them to generous donators! You’ll be rolling in dough by the end of the day.
4. Recycle
Are you an avid recycler? If so, this fundraising method is the one for you—otherwise, this could be your incentive to start saving the planet!
There is more to recycling than just separating your waste into different bins. In fact, you can actually make money from recycling! This can add up quickly if you get your friends and other members of your organization to help you collect the following recyclables:
Recycle Placecollects ink cartridges (both ink-jet and laser) and pays you up to $4.50 for each. Once you register your organization online, the company helps you with the collecting process by providing you with brochures and guidelines. Once you have collected at least eight to 10 laser or 30 inkjet cartridges, you send them to the company, which will later send money to your group or organization.
In some states, you can sell your empty aluminum cans and plastic bottles for five to 15 cents each. Search online for recycling centers near you, and make sure to check their individual websites for exact guidelines.
Cosmetics, snack bags, Scotch tape, Solo cups and more
Ashley Offenback, a senior and a member of an honors club at Penn State Berks, fundraises for her club through TerraCycle. This website lets you send your waste through different “brigades,” one for each type of recyclables. For instance, the Snack Bag Brigade, the Solo Cup Brigade and the Scotch Tape Brigade each accept the items they’re named after.
Once you’ve collected a certain amount of waste (there is a minimum weight requirement), you register for a free TerraCycle account and download a shipping label. Then, you place your waste in a box and send it to the company free of charge. When they receive your recyclables, you are awarded TerraCycle points, which can be redeemed for a donation to your organization. You will receive $0.02 for each piece of waste, which can really add up if you make a collective effort to assemble items to send the company.
You can also set up a Facebook event explaining why you’re collecting specific products and place collection bins for them in different areas around campus. Make sure to get permission from your school first, though!
5. Organize a restaurant fundraiser
Lucy Conroy, a junior at Loyola Marymount University and a sister of Delta Gamma, always seeks help from local eateries such as Pinkberry when fundraising for her sorority’s annual philanthropy, a synchronized swimming event. “Most places, if you ask them, are willing to… give some of the profits to your organization for people who come in and say a secret word or show a flyer saying they support your organization,” Lucy says. “It's great PR for the company because it attracts customers if they know that some of their money will be donated to an organization or if there is a small discount.”
Which restaurants should you reach out to? This depends on the management of restaurants in your area, which you should definitely look into! “We used Yogolicious, which is a chain, but I know other student organizations who have used local restaurants and had luck with them as well,” Lucy says.
Try multiple restaurants, especially ones you know have hosted fundraisers in the past, and one of them is bound to help you. Be sure to look professional and ask to speak to a manager. Explain your cause and watch the money roll in!
Crowdfunding websites are typically used to raise funds for business start-ups, however, some websites, such as GoFundMe, allow you to start fundraisers for all sorts of reasons, including weddings and travel! All you need to do is set up a personal donation account for your group and share the link with your friends and family. You can also create a Facebook event to solicit donations and explain your cause.
Offer to clean people's rooms, take out their trash or tutor them for a small fee. Use your imagination!
Devyani Rana, a sophomore at UCLA, is participating in her school’s annual Dance Marathon, which raises money to fight pediatric AIDS. In order to reach the minimum requirement of $250, Devyani decided to sell her photography, graphic design and web design skills.
“The idea came to me when a friend of mine jokingly said that my designs are good enough to get paid for,” Devyani says. “I do work with different organizations on campus, which requires me to design extensively, and having substantial experience with all three aspects just makes it easier.” She has “already designed a logo for a student organization on campus and helped design a term scheduling chart for another group.”
Is there something you and other members of your organization are particularly good at? There are probably many people out there willing to pay for your talents! Use your best judgment to fix a price, or ask your friends how much they would be willing to pay for what you are offering. Devyani is charging $20 per hour of photography, and $20 per graphic design. She left the fee for web design negotiable.
Like Devyani, you can set up a Facebook event to get the word out. Add a description of what exactly you can offer and your asking price, then let word of mouth do its magic. “Recently, I did headshots for somebody who heard about my fundraising efforts through a friend of mine,” Devyani says. “My friends did go out of their way to show support, so sometimes they would ask me to do a fun photo shoot just so they could donate to my fundraiser.”
If you use one or more of these methods, you’ll find that fundraising for your organization is not as scary as it seems. In fact, people are usually much more willing to help than you know, especially if their donations are going toward the support of a good cause. As long as all of the members of your club are committed, you’ll not only easily reach your fundraising goal, but you’ll also have fun doing it. Now get out there and make some money!
Too Faced's co-founder and chief creative officer, Jerrod Blandino, announced the glitter-filled launch on his Instagram Saturday, and I still can't believe the beauty of this thing! The new eyeshadow palette is called the Glitter Bomb, and it truly is just that.
A post shared by Jerrod Blandino (@jerrodblandino) on
The palette will include eight different glitter hues, ranging from a sparkling pink called Rose All Day to an aqua blue called Splash. The palette will also feature two primers, one meant to intensify and the other to brighten. Basically, it's everything you'll need to create the perfect glittery look!
Unfortunately, the palette won't be available until June, but at least we know we'll be able to get our hands on this Glitter Bomb soon!
I’ve always used the word “shy” to describe myself; it’s about as vital to my personality as anything else. I was that little girl hiding behind her dad’s leg when he ran into his coworkers at the supermarket. Direct eye contact makes me uncomfortable and I cringe at the thought of small talk. But as I’ve gotten older I’ve used this word less and less. Not because it’s no longer true, but because I’ve realized that I’m not just shy...
Yes, I prefer listening in the background to telling crazy stories, and I’d rather hang out with a small group of really good friends than with a huge crowd of acquaintances. I’ll always choose a night in bed over two nights in a row at the club. But I also love having a good conversation over a good beer, spending time with old friends and making new ones, and dancing with strangers at bars. I am shy, but I love being social too. I am a living contradiction…the outgoing shy girl.
This is the easiest way to sum up the Rubix Cube that is my brain: I’m not anti-social, I’m selectively social. It’s really hard to meet people that I actually like because I’m always stuck inside my own head, but once I do I can be charming as hell. With the right crowd, I can evolve into the next Amy Schumer. I love making people laugh (and I’m pretty good at it, if we’re being real).
I guess that’s another way you could define me. I’m super outgoing in the right lighting, with that perfect angle, and some light filtering and editing. Too much social interaction drains me, but not enough leaves me restless and antsy. It’s a tricky balance. I have to find the right crowd with the right vibes or I’ll end up drowning in anxiety. Interjecting in group conversations is terrifying enough, but trying to find something to say to a group of near-strangers I have nothing in common with? Life threatening.
So that’s just it. I’m not shy but I’m not not shy. This might make me seem standoffish. You might have even heard me say that I hate people. None of which is true, of course. I love people and I’m actually a pretty nice person, but sometimes it’s hard to find a balance. On one end I’ve been told I come across as bitchy, on the other I’m too much of a flirt. It all just...depends.
Life is hard as an outgoing shy girl. It’s like you’re constantly at war with your own brain. Just do me a favor and start all the conversations, and don't get annoyed when I run out of things to say. I promise I want to talk to you, but I’m awkward and bad at conversation.
Even the world’s biggest stars can have anxiety. Yes, even Adele. You heard me: Adele, a 15-time Grammy winner, doesn’t like performing.
After her touching and very real tribute to George Michael at the 2017 Grammys, you would think Adele could do anything. But her stage fright might be getting the best of her. The singer announced at her Auckland concert on Sunday that this tour could very well be her last.
"Touring isn't something I'm good at…applause makes me feel a bit vulnerable." She then got straight to the point, telling the audience, “I don’t know if I will ever tour again.”
Can you hear my heart breaking? How will we live without her?
We might just have to say goodbye. Adele has opened up about her anxiety in the past. "I have anxiety attacks, constant panicking on stage. My heart feels like it's going to explode because I never feel like I'm going to deliver, ever," she told Q Magazine.
Though Adele can sell out arenas with the snap of a finger, it’s not worth sacrificing her own mental health. Here's hoping she can overcome her stage fright and anxiety because a world without Adele concerts doesn't sound like a world I want to be a part of.
Seattle, we have a new Grey’s Anatomy character—and he might be Jo’s abusive husband. As if we weren't already scarred from every other episode, this news promises to make things even more emotional.
TVLine reports that Glee star Matthew Morrison has been cast in a mystery role, which they're pretty sure will end up being Jo's hubby. That bit is not confirmed yet, but Instagram photos show Morrison on set filming scenes for the drama with Justin Chambers, who plays Jo's sometimes love Alex.
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ABC is staying silent for now regarding the casting. Keep in mind, though, that TVLine previously reported that Shonda Rhimes was looking for a Caucasian actor in his 40s to play a Big Bad type. Sound familiar?
While Morrison is not confirming the part either, he did tease his character's name, Dr. Paul Stadler, on Instagram.
Matthew Morrison's IG story confirmed it's him in #GreysAnatomy episode 13.23!
— JustinChambersOnline (@JChambersOnline) March 25, 2017
The secrecy surrounding this situation is no surprise, given that Shonda is the queen of plot twists. If you’re anything like me, you’ll be waiting patiently to see if the talk is true, while also shoveling popcorn in your mouth because the anticipation is killer.
Today, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation announced that they have received 1,000 leads in the case of missing 15-year-old Elizabeth Thomas, according to CNN. But none of them have led police to Thomas or her alleged kidnapper, former high school teacher Tad Cummins.
TBI Spokesman Josh DeVine told CNN in an email that there have been “no confirmed sightings” of Thomas and her abductor, despite “904 closed leads and 154 open.” Thomas has been missing since March 13.
Her disappearance follows accusations of inappropriate contact with Cummins on school property. Another student at Culleoka Unit High School reported seeing Cummins and Thomas kiss in the classroom earlier this month. The allegation led to Cummins’s suspension from teaching; the school officially fired Cummins when an Amber Alert for Thomas was released.
While none of the leads given to investigators about Thomas’ location have been confirmed, more information about the nature of Cummins’ advances on the teen have been revealed. Beyond the alleged classroom incident, Cummins showed affection towards Thomas outside the boundaries of a normal student-teacher relationship. In an interview with PEOPLE, Brent Cooper, District Attorney for Maury County, Tenn., described “inappropriate” emails that Cummins and Thomas exchanged on a school email account by saving drafts addressed to each other. Based on the drafts, Cooper said that “they seemed to view [their relationship] as romantic.”
As police share further information on Cummins’ and Thomas’ inappropriate contact, the Thomas family wants the the investigation to remain focused on one thing: finding the missing teenager. This afternoon, they released a video of Elizabeth and her younger brother “in the hopes that someone recognizes her voice.” “Appearances can be altered,” a statement accompanying the video says, “but voices are indistinguishable.”
Investigators believe that Cummins and Thomas were last seen in Decatur, Ala. After that, the trail goes cold. We hope that further information can help investigators finally find Elizabeth—and bring her kidnapper to justice.
Lady Gaga has definitely made a few headlines for her fashion-forward and sometimes bizarre style choices (remember the meat dress??), but this talented popstar has also pulled off some looks that normal people like us could even wear! Here are six options to help you channel your inner Lady Gaga, especially on March 28, as she celebrates turning 31!
Flannel Dress & Boots
Pairing a plaid flannel dress, like this one from Gilt for $39.99, with edgy black boots is the perfect way to cool-ify a basic.
Basic in Black
Who doesn't love wearing a little black-on-black? Grab your dark skinnies and a basic black crew top, and pair it with Lady Gaga-worthy accessories, like this belt from Topshop ($45) and these sunnies from Charlotte Russe ($6).
Band Tee & Pop of Color Heels
What's better than a band tee and ripped jeans? Nothing... Except for Lady Gaga wearing them with bright blue heels! Recreate this look for the perfect relaxed yet chic look.
Leather Dress
It's not every day that we can wear a hot leather dress like Lady Gaga, but it can definitely be a fun piece to have in our closets. Try this one from Forever 21 ($23.99) for a night out!
Red Strappy Dress
Again, it's not every day we'll have the opportunity to wear a strappy, red dress like this one, but we can definitely keep it in mind for our next night out! PacSun has a great (and affordable!) option for only $27.99.
Classy Black Dress
A simple and classy black dress is always a great option, and no one does it as well as Lady Gaga! Snag this look-alike dress from ANGL for only $45.20.
Dressing like Lady Gaga (on a normal day) is totally easy and relatively affordable! However, replicating some of her red carpet looks might be a bit more difficult...
Every true Gossip Girl fan has wanted to raid the closets of the Upper East Side's elite at one point or another. From Serena's casual take on her private school uniform to Jenny's homemade designs, GG's style game is definitely up there with the likes of Sex & The City and The Nanny (Fran Fine always killed it, okay?).
Unfortunately, just like in real life, our characters would sometimes take a fashion risk so big that it just didn't pay off. And while we of course forgive them for their crimes against fashion, that doesn't mean we won't go back and relive all of those moments... sorry, B!
Take a look at some of Queen B's most disastrous looks from the show:
1. Teal Tragedy
The patterns... the colors... the hat... *clutches pearls*
2. Green & Yellow
Would it be too harsh to say that these colors look like different types of mold?
3. Tweed Shorts
The tights and pattern-mixing just make this ensemble look really sloppy.
4. Blair as a... Butler?
I don't really know what's going on with this vest (or the rest of this outfit) but B needs to change ASAP.
5. Polka Dot PJs
I know these are technically just Blair's sleeping attire, but I gotta say, I expected a lot more from the Gossip Girl stylists.
6. All-Beige Everything
Blair is not an 85-year-old, so why is she dressing like one?
7. This Blue & Yellow Blunder
Should I start with the yellow checkered coat or the pink feather on her hat?
8. Too Much Plaid
Not only is B wearing both a plaid coat and scarf, but her oversized green bag just looks clunky and out of place.
9. Pattern Clashing
How do I unsee this?
10. Lemons & Pearls
If Blair just swapped this skirt for something simpler and in the same color palette as the rest of her outfit, this look probably wouldn't have made our list.
11. Are Those... Orange Leggings???
The thick neon belt and leggings just look cheap—especially standing next to Chuck in his bright orange coat.
12. Green, Yellow & Polka Dots
Not only is that shade of yellow way too similar to phlegm, this oversized green coat just makes her look more boxy than chic.
13. Preppy in Red
Blair should've asked Dorota to burn this purse for her.
14. Put Down the Purse, B.
This outfit might have been tolerable if it wasn't for B's scene-stealing purse that clashes with just about everything she's wearing.
It later came to light that the girls were using tickets with special policies attached—a point that some are using to defend United Airlines. They were travelling with “buddy passes”—discounted tickets for family and friends of airline employees—which subjects users to a specific dress code that isn’t applicable to customers with normal tickets. In United’s case, the dress code for buddy passes includes leggings.
These tickets have special guidelines because their users are expected to represent the airline. And whether an employee or their family member uses a buddy pass, they’re also expected to follow the airline’s rules. Henry Harteveldt, a founder of travel-consultancy Atmosphere Research Group, explained to USA Today that “if somebody doesn’t know something—and it’s an innocent mistake--the person using the buddy pass could be denied boarding.”
United’s policy for buddy passes allowed #LeggingsGate by their own rules. The airline, however, didn’t clarify this point before responding to Twitter users about the conflict.
Rule or no rule, the incident has reignited the debate over whether or not leggings are 'appropriate' for everyday wear—and if United Airlines’ buddy pass policy is sexist for banning them. After all, the policy seems to target women, who are more likely to wear form-fitting pants. It’s unclear how leggings are disruptive to a flight or so negatively representative of an entire airline that they need to be banned...we’ll wait for United to clarify.
For now, regular customers can continue wearing their leggings on United flights.
To our customers…your leggings are welcome! Learn more about our company’s pass travel privilege: https://t.co/5e3euG1H9G.
Writing a cover letter is one of the most time-consuming parts of applying for jobs and internships. It’s your chance to make a good first impression, and once you send it, you can’t take it back. That’s why making sure it’s perfect is worth it. Weighing in are Lauren Berger, author of "All Work No Pay: Finding An Internship, Building Your Resume, Making Connections, and Gaining Job Experience,"Katherine Hansen, Ph.D, author of "Dynamic Cover Letters" and social media strategy consultant Neal Schaffer. Keep these things in mind before clicking send.
1. Proofread
Little mistakes, including spelling, grammar, punctuation and other typos are big no-no’s, especially in cover letters. This should go without saying, but you need to triple check your writing. Mistakes like those can be easily avoided by having a friend read over your cover letter before sending it out or using an additional online spell checker. If you have made this type of mistake before, you're not the only one. Hansen, who now writes about cover letters and careers, says, “When I was moving to Tennessee [I] sent a mass mailing of cover letters to local employers – with Tennessee misspelled." Other mistakes like addressing the wrong company or writing a cover letter that is more than a page long can become easily fixed for applicants who take the time to read over their writing.
2. Never use a cookie cutter style
If there is one thing you take away from this article, it’s to not copy and paste the same cover letter for multiple jobs and internship applications. People who read your cover letters can tell when you copy, cut and paste. Hansen says one of the most common mistakes she sees from young people in their cover letters is a failure to tailor the letter to the job specifically. “Cover letters are not one-size- fits-all,” she says. “Job-seekers must use them to describe how they qualify for a specific job and what they will bring to the employer.” She will also toss any letter that begins with “To Whom It May Concern.” Instead search for who your imediate supervisor would be for the position and address your letter to him or her. Some position postings will even list their name for you!
3. It's not only about you
If a cover letter is you asking an employer out on a first date, you want to dazzle them, but you also don’t want to turn into Narcissus. Hansen says to make your letter about what you can do for the employer. She notes that not doing this is a red flag that the applicant is probably an inexperienced job-seeker. Just like asking someone out, you need to find common ground that’s relevant and speaks to what the company needs and what you can offer.
4. But you do have to sell yourself
Now that you deleted “To Whom It May Concern” and wrote about what you can offer the company, don’t forget to give a few details about yourself. Lauren Berger recently read a cover letter that was one of the worst she has read to date. “Just yesterday I read a letter that was three paragraphs, included bullet points (strange for a cover letter), and told me nothing about the candidate,” she says. “I read the cover letter and still had no idea where she went to school, why she wanted to work at the company, or where she was planning to be for the summer." Including details and specifics shows that you put time and effort into your letter.
When giving details about yourself in your cover letter make sure what you’re saying is consistent with your brand. Social media strategy consultant Neal Schaffer gave the example of comparing Tylenol to a generic store brand of aspirin. “Generic aspirin has similar ingredients to Tylenol but people go for the name brand,” he says. “That’s how you want to become and the more that you can brand yourself and differentiate yourself in your letter in one or two sentences is going work to your benefit.” An employer is choosing between you and another candidate. You want to be the Tylenol, not the aspirin. Personal branding consists of representing and persuing the same ideas, values and passions as seen on your social media and resume. Keep that in mind when typing up your letter.
Writing a cover letter takes time, thought, and patience. Don’t let mistakes like typos and poor grammar get in the way of you and your dream position. You have to believe you’re the right person for the job before trying to convince someone else through your letter. This means personalizing your letter, writing equally about yourself and the company while sticking to your personal brand. If you can balance these approaches, you’ll have the recipe for an excellent cover letter.
News broke last Sunday that United Airlines had refused to let two teen girls board. Their reason? The girls were wearing leggings. Here's what Twitter has been saying about it.
1. Seth Rogen
We here at @united are just trying to police the attire of the daughters of our employees! That's all! Cool, right? https://t.co/xGyL4IAslE
Fans around the world rejoiced last year when Rihanna dropped her highly anticipated Puma x Fenty collection, and the reaction this time around has been no different. The singer launched her new seasonal collection, which included these chic pink bow slide sandals on March 9 of this year.
Some very suspicious fans recently took to Twitter, saying that retail giant Forever 21 ripped off RiRi's design. The evidence? A pair of slides listed on their website that looks almost identical to the Puma design.
The shoes retail on the Forever 21 website for only $24.90, a stark contrast to the $90 you'd pay for the original. Aside from this particular incident, the chain has come under fire several times for alleged copying, like last August when they were accused of ripping off indie fashion designer Emily Oberg's Sporty & Rich sweatshirt.
What do you think, collegiettes? Should Forever 21 admit their mistake? Or is it just healthy competition?
It might not be Thursday, but we're throwing it back anyways because these nostalgic foods are too memorable to forget. Remember how excited you were as a kid for lunchtime and to discover what fun snack your parents packed for you that day? Take a walk down memory lane to the days of Fruit Roll-Ups and Dunkaroos.
It happens in pretty much every relationship — you’re on cloud nine and it feels like nothing could go wrong. Then out of nowhere, a disagreement arises. Soon it turns into your first full-blown fight and you guys have to pick up the pieces. You can’t even remember how it escalated, but it went from zero to 100 real quick. And the fights will probably keep coming back.
Fighting is a normal and inevitable part of every relationship, and it can even be beneficial. But it is hard to do it well. That’s why we’re bringing you the tools to help you improve your fights and your relationship. There’s method to this madness (literally) and we’re going to show you exactly what it is.
We’ve enlisted the expert help of Jay Hurt, relationship coach and author of The 9 Tenets of a Successful Relationship, as well as others who have their own words of wisdom from long-term relationships. And as someone who’s been in a relationship for three years, I feel I can share what I’ve learned with you as well.
Why do couples fight?
Fighting can seriously suck, but why does it continue to happen? “Generally [it’s] because of a lack of communication in one form or another,” Hurt says. “Most fights could be avoided if we as individuals made sure we were clear on our understanding of our partner and we took a moment to try to see things from their perspective.” You’ve probably heard it a million times, and we’ll say it again (sorry) but it really is true — communication is key.
Is it bad to fight in a relationship?
Does fighting frequently suggest incompatibility? Not necessarily. “Fighting frequently could be an example of two people who never learned how to communicate properly with each other,” Hurt says. “Fighting can also be an example of lashing out at your mate about something not related to your mate at all.” Sometimes maybe your SO has been bottling up their emotions, and you're the last straw on the camel's back. “It could be the only release they know,” he adds. “Fights/arguments are always symptoms, never the root cause of misbehavior problems in a relationship.” Fights can also help you grow and learn as a couple and be a form of expressing yourself. You might learn a lot about your partner through how they handle conflict and fights.
“Fighting isn’t bad because you’re just talking about your feelings cause you have to,” Dora, a recent graduate from The University of British Columbia, says. “It’s good but can do damage if you don’t know how to do it sensitively and sensibly.” How about from a guy’s perspective? Alan*, a college sophomore, weighs in. “I think it’s healthy and okay. If you don’t fight you might be neglecting your own feelings. But if you fight in the wrong way, then you might be belittling the feelings of another person. So it’s important to fight properly.”
A study found that fighting can be even good for your health; people who repressed their feelings of anger during fights had a shorter life span than those who allowed their emotions to manifest and discussed the issue.
Remember those cute emotion characters in Inside Out? You have to acknowledge and accept your emotions, because repressing them will negatively impact your emotional well-being and happiness. So while fights themselves aren’t necessarily bad for your relationship, how you fight is what really counts. Plus, improving how you fight may help it happen less in the future!
Ways to improve (and even prevent) fights with your SO
1. Try to communicate effectively
You’ve heard it time and time again, but it’s for good reason. Proper communication is truly one of the pillars of a healthy, lasting relationship — and it could be the key to fixing your fighting habits. “If we listen well, communicate effectively and make it a goal to be unselfish in relationships, we will minimize the fighting and make the fights we have minor in our relationships,” Hurt says. That sounds pretty good to us!
Ways to improve communication:
Instead of putting on your fight mode as soon as your SO says something critical, pause and listen closely to what they are saying first. You might feel attacked, but chances are (hopefully) that’s not their intention.
Try to acknowledge what the other person says: This will help both of you understand how you each feel. It helps to communicate that you’re actually considering what they’re saying and valuing their feelings. You might have been listening, but if you don’t give any verbal affirmation, your partner may think you weren’t.
Don’t give the silent treatment — it’s immature and rude and it won’t accomplish anything.
Check your body language. Try not to have a closed off stance, like folding your arms, and look at them when they’re talking to you.
This should be pretty obvious, but don’t go on your phone or laptop when your partner is talking to you — this is also disrespectful and can add fuel to the fire.
2. Listen carefully and try to understand their feelings
Listening is half the battle in communicating effectively. After all, communication is a two way street. There are always two sides to a story — so instead of trying to project or assume what they are feeling, take the time to actually listen and consider their perspective. “When you think of them first and consider their feelings first, you are less likely to have reason to become upset or frustrated,” Hurt says.
Here’s some more food for thought from a college guy’s perspective. “The difficult thing about fighting is putting yourself in the shoes of the other person,” Alan says. “And that is the key to peacefully resolving and understanding why they are feeling what they’re feeling.” Once you understand why they are feeling or acting a certain way, you might have a completely different view on the situation.
3. Don’t try to read their mind and make assumptions
As cool as it would be if we were all like Professor X, it’s not possible. So stop trying to be like an X-men and reading people’s minds. “Most fights could be avoided if we as individuals made sure we were clear on our understanding of our partner and we took a moment to try to see things from their perspective,” Hurt says.
Also, never assume anything. It’s obvious, but not something people always put into practice: The best way to know what someone is thinking or feeling is to ask! “People can be so quick to assume, especially when you’re close to them,” Dora says. “Ask enough questions so you actually understand why they’re feeling the way they’re feeling and it’s actually coming from their mind not yours.” This isn’t a mystery for you to solve Sherlock style — just ask until you understand.
4. Don’t name-call
If you love this person, why would you ever want to put them down? “Never make it personal,” Hurt says. “Try to remember, you are upset, but you love this person. You want them to hear you, not for you to hurt them.”
Plus, name-calling can build resentment and contempt — not feelings you want to foster in any relationship. This pretty much sums it up: When you’re fighting, don’t attack the person.
5. Take a breather
If you’re getting super fired up and it’s escalating from zero to 100 real quick, sometimes it’s best to take a step back and cool off — whatever that means for you, whether it’s breathing deeply for 20 seconds or returning to the issue a few hours later.
“If it's just too heated and no one can ‘hear’ anyone at some point — take some time to walk away and come back and address with cooler heads later,” Hurt says. Be aware of when it’s getting out of hand and recognize when it’s time to take a step back so that you can discuss the issue at the best time.
6. Discuss the mistakes in your past arguments
Learn from your mistakes — it’s a cliché, but for good reason. If you take time to discuss with your partner what went wrong in your last fight, it might be your saving grace the next time things get heated.
“Know your defense mechanisms and know how to navigate around them so that you don’t continue making the same mistakes,” recommends Amanda*, a senior at The University of British Columbia. If you’ve been fighting about the same thing over and over again with no progress being made, try to rethink how you are going about it. Talking after a fight and trying to understand what went wrong can help you improve your understanding of each other and your compassion.
7. Have a game plan for fighting
There are different fighting styles, so understand that your partner may not fight the same way as you do. And once you’re aware of their tendencies, you can be better prepared to handle a disagreement.
After your fights, taking time to reflect isn’t enough — you need to apply what you learned to your future disagreements. Discussing when to compromise is also helpful.
8. Don’t use absolutes
Avoid saying “always” and “never.” “Never use absolutes because when you’re saying ‘you never listen to me’ or ‘you always mess up,’ it’s ignoring all the positive aspects and habits of the other person,” Alan says.
When you tell your partner that they never listen to you, you might be undermining all the times they did listen to you. Unless it really is an issue where they “always” or “never” say or do something, take a cue from Justin Bieber and “never say never.”
9. Try to show love and selflessness during fights
When you’re in the middle of an argument, the last thing you probably want to do is be loving to your partner. But it could make all the difference.
It also might help calm all the emotions you’re feeling. “Fights come from lack of the following — listening, understanding, caring, patience, compassion, empathy ... the list goes on and on,” Hurt says. “The best way to prevent fights is to try to put your partner first in all things — true unselfishness.” Sometimes just reaching out and letting them know you still love them can help bring your problems into perspective and help you see the bigger picture.
10. Don’t try to win a fight
Your relationship isn’t a game — there aren’t any winners in a fight. Trust me, coming from someone who’s super competitive, this isn’t the time to bring it. “It’s important not to a win a fight. What matters isn’t whether you win but how you fight,” Alan says. “So to understand someone else is to love them, not just try to force you upon them.”
Dora agrees. “Arguing is not like a debate,” she says. “The only way to win in a relationship is if you’re both happy. If the other person isn’t happy, you’re not winning either.” Let’s channel that competitive energy into something else, shall we?
Fights can be inevitable, but what you can control is how you fight. Everyone has different ways of dealing with fighting and remember what works for someone else might not necessarily work for you. So try these different ways of coping and stick with the ones that work best for you and your SO!
Not as involved on campus as you would like to be? Got a spare night for another club meeting, but you can’t seem to find an organization or club that interests you? No matter how many clubs your school has, each one of them had to start from scratch. Although it may sound intimidating at first, you can easily start your own club if nothing captures your interest just yet. Here are 5 different ideas for you to take charge of.
She’s the First
As a nonprofit, She’s the First sponsors and supports the education of girls in developing countries. The goal is to help these girls be the first in their families to graduate, says She’s the First’s mission statement. If you want to get involved, you can start your own campus chapter by recruiting a Dream Team to play an integral role in planning a fundraiser per semester and spreading the word about She’s the First on campus.
Colleges Against Cancer is the collegiate branch of the American Cancer Society, known for bringing Relay for Life to college campuses. The overnight event includes a survivors’ lap, luminaria ceremony and a Fight Back ceremony. To join the fight against cancer, bring Relay for Life to your campus and host fundraisers for cancer research and awareness by starting your own chapter of Colleges Against Cancer.
Join Strong Women, Strong Girls to make an impact on young girls’ lives to help them become strong women. This organization is all about positive, social change. SWSG looks to college women to step in as mentors with elementary school girls in the area. SWSG has started expanding their list of partnerships with institutions of higher learning, but if you don’t see your school listed, check out their website to learn how to start your own.
Circle K International
Circle K is an organization dedicated to all types of community service. Its motto is “Live to Serve, Love to Serve.” Circle K is all about giving back to the community, in whichever way you choose, but the official service partners are Better World Books, March of Dimes, Students Team Up to Fight Hunger and UNICEF. Members can also serve at local food pantries and shelters. If you need more reasons to start Circle K on your campus, visit their website to be convinced in no time.
TOMS
You already wear TOMS all the time, but if you support what TOMS stands for, take it a step further and start a TOMS Campus Club. Those involved are students “who are working together to raise awareness and share the TOMS story at their school by hosting events and activities,” according to its website. An active member receives experience in a variety of fields, including marketing and event planning. If you love what TOMS stands for in helping put shoes on less fortunate kids, start your own campus club.
Her Campus
If you love journalism, media, marketing, or communications, starting your school’s own “My Campus” chapter of Her Campus may be what’s right for you. You would become part of the Her Campus network as you run your own online magazine. With a team of strong girls who love to write and publicize on campus, you can keep your site updated on a weekly basis and watch as your hard work flourishes and grows. If that interests you, check out how to start your own “My Campus” chapter!
How to Start a Club on Campus
1. Know what already exists.
When student organizations are not formally recognized, a common reason is because a similar group already exists. Being aware of what already exists on campus can prevent your hard work from going to waste. Check your school’s website for the full list of student organizations at your school to see if it’s there. If it says it’s there but you know it isn't active on campus, contact whoever is listed about getting involved and rejuvenating the club.
2. Know about your school’s process.
This is where every school varies. Typically, your student government is the body that chooses to recognize a student organization or club. Sydney, a collegiette, is involved with her school’s student government and said it is important to know as much as possible about the process.
“Know who’s responsible for chartering new clubs or organizations (like student government), what they want to see from new clubs or organizations, and if there are any existing clubs that are fairly similar to the ones you’re starting,” says Sydney.
By being aware of your school’s process, you can get a sense for how much work is ahead of you. Alexa J., campus correspondent of Her Campus James Madison, had to submit an application for a new club to her school three times before being picked because of its lottery system.
3. Know what is expected of you as a recognized student organization.
Becoming an actual student club is one thing, but once you get past those steps, what else do you need to do?
“We had to go to these special leadership workshops where we learned things like event planning on campus, how to get money, and writing our constitution and other important documents,” said Alexa.
4. Be persistent.
Starting a club and becoming recognized on campus by your school can be a tedious process. Making sure all of your new team members have the same goals in mind can be tiresome. It’s important to remember you can’t just give up.
Alexa from JMU finally received the recognition she wanted for her club after the third time. “It was easy for us since we already had a club with people in it and it was functioning – we just needed the recognition so we could get access to advertising on campus!” shared Alexa.
5. Be patient.
Hillary C., campus correspondent of Her Campus Bryant, started a club on campus in spring 2012. One of the biggest lessons she has learned has been about patience.
“The biggest thing to remember is to be patient,” said Hillary. “It takes a while to get people on the same page as you.”
Starting a club takes a lot of work, but take it from Hillary’s own experiences that it’s worth it.
“Things are going to get tough and you may have to nag people to get what you want done,” said Campus Correspondent Hillary, “but the end result is incredibly rewarding.”
Moving to a new city is a difficult prospect, but one of the most difficult by far is rebuilding your entire professional network, particularly if you’re moving to a city where you don’t know anyone. The chances that starting your network over can give you are great, but it won’t happen naturally without putting in some legwork. Making connections and meeting people requires work and strategic thinking.
1. Look for local alumni groups
One of the most robust tools you may have at your disposal, particularly if you’ve moved to a bigger city or an urban area, is a local alumni network. These organizations exist to help you build those professional networking fields with your fellow alumni. Groups like these frequently host social events for alumni to get together, put together workshops on developments in the world of business, host clubs or simply offer a built-in social network you can tap into.
Alumni, particularly older alumni, are often invested in helping fellow alumni from the same school succeed, as your success post-grad can improve your school’s reputation. You already have something in common with other alumni, which makes reaching out and breaking the ice easy. Don’t be afraid to ask about identifying people in your industry, getting connections to non-alumni local professionals and advice on how to succeed in a new city.
2. Expand your social life
You can’t meet people if you don’t put yourself out there, and professional networking doesn’t only have to happen in a professional setting. If you’re bent on building a new network from scratch, you should also be working on building a personal network. Both of these goals will be furthered by taking advantage of social groups in your area as much as possible. Look for local fairs, clubs or events that might appeal to people in your interested demographic or profession. A local sports team or book club can help introduce you to people, both professionally and socially. Your professional and social networks don’t have to be separate, either—even if they’re not in your industry, anyone you meet in a new city can potentially be a professional connection at one point or another.
Emily Bennington, who helps college graduates transition into careers through her company, Professional Studio 365, believes you should go to the right places to meet the right people. "Rather than using your savings for a spring break in Daytona, go to a conference that's within your industry,"Bennington says. "Use social media strategically about six to eight weeks in advance of your landing at that conference to reach out to people who are going to be at that event."
3. Tap into your workplace’s connections
Don’t be afraid to ask your help from people at work. Talk to your manager, your executive and your co-workers about good people to know. Ask them to introduce you to people when possible, even if it’s just an email introduction. Your fellow workers will know the people in the area, and will be able to connect you quickly to the people most relevant to you. Don’t be afraid of burdening them with requests, particularly for something as small as an introduction. Everyone has to build a professional network at some point.
More than that, your new workplace itself may have social activities, clubs or events for you to join and enhance your network even further. For instance, if you have an interest in sport, find out if your company has any teams you can join. Or maybe you enjoy volunteering—many companies take part in charitable events and activities and would welcome you to join. Activities such as these give you an opportunity to get to know your co-workers outside work hours and meet other people from different departments. This can transform your professional network.
4. Join professional associations
One immensely helpful way to network is through a professional association relevant to you, whether that’s for non-profit employees or people in a specific industry or young professionals. These organizations host conferences and workshops, and put you in touch with a network of people who are all searching for professional connections and help.
Spend some time every day checking out what’s going on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook in your industry. Follow major or local professionals in your field, see what they’re doing and be willing to engage with people about the content.
5.Trawl your social media
Spend some time keeping up with developments in your industry, read newsletters from your association, follow competitors in your area. This will give you a list of potential people to reach out to and add to your network. Don’t be afraid to reach out these people to meet in person. An offer of a cup of coffee at your favorite coffee shop will be hard for anyone to say no to; especially if you’ve spent time getting to know them over social media.
Rebuilding an entire network from scratch in a new city is certainly a challenge, and for shy people or those who’ve relied on already-made connections in the past, the prospect can seem overwhelming and impossible. But putting yourself out there can only grow your network, so don’t be afraid and don’t let shyness hold you back.
I love a good music festival, and I love me some good ole' glitter & boho vibes. However, people have officially taken festival style too far- by putting glitter on their butts. And no, I don't mean that in some weird figurative way. I mean people are literally decorating their derrières with gemstones and butt-tons (pun intended) of glitter.
I totally get the whole glitter on your hair and face look, because well, it looks dope AF:
A post shared by Mia Kennington (@thrillsoftomorrow) on
I'm sorry, nothing about this look makes me want to put glitter ON MY ASS. My ass is for sitting, and it looks pretty darn good without any gemstones and glitter, thank you very much. I guess maybe I'm missing the point, but how is this at all comfortable? I can't even imagine the amount of glue or hairspray it would take to get this glitter to stay on my ass cheeks, and that does NOT sound like fun to wash off at the end of the day.
Mia Kennington, self-proclaimed "glitter creature" (tf?), is really the one who started this whole trend. According to Teen Vogue, she came up with the idea at a music festival. “We were in bikinis and were getting sand all over our butts anyway, so we were like, 'Well, what if we enhance this?'” she recounts. “So we just did loads and loads of glitter.”
Sand is one thing- and it's hard enough to get it out of all your nooks and crannies at the end of the day. But purposely slathering yourself in glitter back there? IT'S TOO MUCH.
A post shared by Mia Kennington (@thrillsoftomorrow) on
I mean, seriously? I'm all for flaunting what you got, but this is so beyond extra, I can't even comprehend it (and I'm pretty extra, so that's saying something).
Maybe this isn't as crazy as I think it is (but... it's pretty damn crazy), and maybe by some miracle it's not as uncomfortable as I'm imagining it being. But I'm certainly not going to volunteer to try this out, so someone else will have to do it and tell me how it is.
