We’ve all been there: the noisy hallmate, the rude hallmate, the one that leaves the bathroom messy or is playing loud music during exam week. But this past year all the forces of evil converged on one hall and ended up giving me the truly infernal hallmate experience. Read on, and pray you never have as bad luck as I did!

Things didn’t seem to be getting off on a good foot when I discovered myself and my boyfriend, also on the same hall, were completely surrounded by freshmen. We were juniors, with a buttload of junior independent work to get done in the course of the year, and we didn’t have as much patience for freshmen shenanigans as in the past. But still, we vowed to be good sports. The freshmen started things off with a bang by constantly converging in the hall right in front of my door to chatter loudly about inane subjects. On weekend nights, the music coming out of their rooms shook the floors, no matter how many times we asked them to turn it down.

The girls decided to label me as a spoil-sport because of this polite request, and insisted on giving me dirty looks in the bathroom. They continually stole the chalk from my chalkboard, left dirty dishes in the sink of the kitchen, and had atrocious hygiene when it came to disposing of sanitary items. That, however, was only the beginning. Read More »

I have a hard time finding good clothes.

Mostly because I’m short—5’2”—but also because my style tends to fluctuate. I enjoy stylish, easygoing, “hippie” clothes, but looking like a bag lady or pregnant isn’t on my agenda. I also want to seem my age, but office attire isn’t something I can bare.

What’s a finicky, normal-sized girl to do? Become Free People’s biggest fan.

I discovered this line a few years ago, and although I wouldn’t call myself a fashion maven, each season I await their newest catalogue with the sort of anticipation Michael Lohan reserves for trashy talk shows.

If you enjoy comfortable, super-stylish clothes that won’t completely ruin your budget, look no further than this catalogue of cute, layerable tops and long, lean pants.

Everything they sell is deliciously feminine; flattering for different body types, and steers clear of cheap, hoochie cuts and fits.

I would literally wear everything from this brand if my wallet was thick enough, and own tons of pieces I put on year after year. My only gripe with FP? Sometimes the pants they carry have no love for short girls, and I have to get them heavily tailored. Read More »