College girls spend so much time focusing on finding the perfect pair of “classroom to club” jeans or comfy/cute campus shoes that they often forget about the clothing they’ll spend the most time in: loungewear.

Many people don’t realize that after walking around campus breaking in those new skinny jeans or working hard at that killer internship that the first thing you’ll want to do is throw on something comfortable upon dorm/apartment arrival. Here is a guide of what to look for while shopping for new loungewear.

PJ’s: Do not, I repeat DO NOT wear your pajamas to class! No matter how cute/expensive they are, nothing screams “I don’t give a sh*t about how I look” more than rocking a pair of ‘jammies to your Chem lecture. This may be acceptable for some of you who have super early (Read: 8 am) classes and labs, but try to wear them sparingly (and absolutely NO P.J.’s of any kind after noon); it’s kind of hard for your professor to take you seriously when your bottoms are covered in violet tiaras and have the word “Princess” inscribed on the butt in fuschia fabric glitter.

Wearing your pajamas are definitely okay in your dorm, since very few people will see you in them (and if they do, they will also be wearin’ em). Just remember to be smart about your pajama options, since you never know what you’ll have on when fire alarm inevitably goes off at 3 a.m. (Note: racy lingerie will not keep you warm as you sit outside for an hour). Victoria’s Secret’s PINK line is pretty much the official wardrobe of most college girls, but American Eagle’s Aerie collection also offers pajamas in simple plaid and polka dot patterns in soft, but not too girly, colors. Read More »

Jennifer Hudson’s life is a modern day Cinderella story. Born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, Hudson lived your typical life. That is, until she was cast in her first play in college. That small role got her uber successful career on track and took Jennifer from “girl with awesome voice” to Academy Award winning actress and recording artist. Jennifer Hudson is at the tippy top of her game, but no matter who she has worked with (Um…SJP? Ne-Yo? Beyonce?), she is still a hometown girl at heart.

CollegeCandy got to speak to Jennifer about her fame, her fashion and her future (her debut album drops on September 30th!). It is nothing short of inspiring.

CC: (Internal Dialogue: I can’t believe I am talking to Jennifer Hudson. Ohmygod. Ok, let me start this.)Everyone is always talking about your style; you always look flawless. What are your secrets?
JH: I refuse to leave the house unless I am comfortable in what I’m wearing. If I’m not comfortable, I’m not wearing it.

CC: Yeah. I agree, but my comfort clothes – sweats – won’t get me on any best dressed lists.
JH: I have to love what I’m in. To me, what I wear is an expression. I’m just expressing myself through my clothes. It’s how I feel that day.

CC: Being a movie and music star must keep you quite busy. How are you spending your summer?
JH: One day I’m doing music the next day I’m doing film. I’m preparing for my next film that is coming out, which is The Secret Life of Bees. I’m also starting to prepare for my album that is getting ready to drop, so I’m doing the promotions for that, as well. And when I can, I just hang out at home. Read More »

Okay so it’s finals week, and that = lots and lots of papers, lots of tests, and, of course, the perfect time for a major attack of Writer’s Block! (scary music) We’ve all been there– staring at a blank screen at 3:20am, wishing you were anywhere but here, surfing the web for flights to Romania and cool jobs that don’t require a college diploma. Here are a few more practical solutions:

1. Step Away from the Computer! Do something non-computer related (and non-TV related for best results) for 15-30 minutes– take a short walk, read a magazine, doodle a bit. Then go back to your paper.

2. Trying using paper and pen for awhile: I usually write my topic or thesis at the top of the page to get me started.

3. Switch up your playlist. My writing music ranges from Apocalyptica to Pink and MC Solaar to Röyksopp.

4. Change your font color and text style to something fun: it sounds crazy, I know, but just try it — it helps.

5. Call it a night. Seriously. Even if it means you have to get up at 5am the next morning to finish it, a few hours of sleep will drastically improve your writing ability.

[Got any other ways to battle writer’s block?? Let us know!]

My friends laughed when I told them I had to go to a conference regarding women taking action in the media. “Have fun with all the crazy feminist man-haters!” they joked. I didn’t want to attend the conference because I knew my friends were right; who wants to spend the entire day with a bunch of angry women? Halfway between my apartment and the conference center on Saturday morning, I realized I was wearing my pink fleece and carrying a Prada bag. “Shoot! Do feminists wear pink?”

Most people I know wouldn‘t classify me as a feminist. I wear pink. A lot of it. I like designer clothes and accessories. And at the time of the conference, I had the all-American boyfriend. What do you think of when you hear feminist? Many people think of angry women with short hair, hippie attire in earth tones, and unsmiling faces. Many people think of butch lesbians.

But is that really what a feminist is, or does the whole movement simply have a bad name? Read More »

Another day, another celebrity marriage bites the dust. This time it’s angsty pop star Pink and her motocross-racing man (and former Surreal Life castmate–classy!) Carey Hart. Her rep released this painfully boring statement to People Magazine:

“P!nk and Carey Hart have separated. This decision was made by best friends with a huge amount of love and respect for one another. While the marriage is over, their friendship has never been stronger.”

Mmmm-hmmmm…I’m sure that the divorce of a Surreal Life alum and a singer with such hits as “You Make Me Sick” and “Stupid Girls” will be totally amicable and drama free.

I give it about 2 days before they go all Travis Barker and Shanna Moakler.

Days as a Freshman: 122
Mood: Dissapointed in myself!

“What’s up? Heading home for winter break?”

Stacey leaned against the bureau, twisting her hair in front of her face and plastering on a giant smile, as though the guy on the phone could actually see her. Rebecca and I leaned forward, total disbelief keeping us attached to every word Stacey uttered. Could she really be talking to Justin? The same Justin? How did they know each other? …and how could he stand to be on the phone with her?

“Yeah, I’m taking off tomorrow. My parents actually called a limo to take me to the airport. Can you imagine? I know. I’m so embarrassed!”

As Stacey laughed, Rebecca jabbed me in the back with her finger, hard. Staying in the same breathing space was probably killing Rebecca, who usually got up and went somewhere else, anywhere else, whenever Stacey was around.

“So…what else is…?” As she listened, Stacey’s hand lowered from her hair and her smile faded a little. “Oh, really?” Her eyes slid over to me and she squinted, like she wasn’t able to quite keep me in focus. “Yeah…sure. She’s…she’s right here.” Read More »

Days as a Freshman: 118
Mood: Freaked out

“Got everything?”

Rebecca turned away from the movie she was watching on her computer and looked at me, a fuzzy hat pulled down over her eyes. The heat in our dorm was doing something strange—something strange and cold.

“I think so…” I ruffled through the pile of clothes in my suitcase. “I just don’t want to forget anything…”

“Homework? Books? Extra warm socks? Sexy underwear?”

“Why would I need that fourth thing?” Pulling my suitcase cover down, I attempted to close the overstuffed bag.

Rebecca watched me wrestle the zipper around the bulging suitcase with a slight smile, sitting up on her bed to get a better look. “Why would you need sexy underwear? I don’t know…just in case something happens!”

I stopped fighting the zipper and glared up at her. “I don’t know where he lives and I haven’t talked to him since that night. Nothing is going to happen.”

Rebecca’s smile faded a little. “I didn’t mean to—”

“Me either.” I pushed my suitcase over and flopped down onto my bed, holding my head. “I just hate being reminded about how much of a loser I am.” Read More »

Days as a Freshman: 71
Mood: Wanting to be blank

“Grace? Are you listening? I’ve been screaming your name for like 5 minutes.”

Stacey’s reflection stared at me from the mirror, her eyes heavy with pink glitter. Her whole body was heavy with pink glitter, actually. If I didn’t know any better, I would think my roommate was dressing up as one of those marshmallow birds that take over drugstores in the Spring. Peeps. That’s what they were called, and that’s exactly what Stacey looked like.

“Sorry, I was reading.” Pulling my scarf tighter around my neck, I leaned back in my chair and gave Stacey my full attention. She’d never shut up if I didn’t. “What are you supposed to be again?”

“I’m Jem. Isn’t it obvious? This hair is great, huh?” Straightening a short fuchsia wig on her head, Stacey looked back into her own eyes.

“Oh. Jem. 80’s cartoon. I get it.” I closed my history book and rubbed my face. The words had been jumbling together for the last 30 minutes. I couldn’t concentrate.

“Aren’t you coming out tonight?” Stacey popped her pink gum and applied more pink blush. “You can’t spend Halloween inside, Grace.”

“Rebecca and I might walk around for a little while later.”

“Rebecca?” Stacey’s expression went sour. “How can you stand to hang out with that girl? She’s so weird.”

“I don’t think she’s weird.” Read More »

Days as a Freshman: 69
Mood: nervous

“We’ve got a few minutes before class is over, if anyone has any questions about anything…” Professor Mullen looked around the room, taking her glasses off her face and leaning against the board.

English 205 was one of the harder Freshman English classes, but word of mouth had made it one of the most popular, especially with guys. Professor Mullen was around 35, tall, blond, and aggressively smart. She had a good sense of humor but wasn’t afraid to put people in her place, and most guys had a thing for being “reprimanded by Ms. Mullen”.

“What about the soccer scandal?” A girl in the front of the class raised her hand, a bunch of pink bracelets clanking together on her arm. “Don’t you think the school should be doing more to find out what really happened?”

People who had been dozing during the lecture suddenly perked up, and my notebook doodling grinded to a halt. Next to me, Rebecca stiffened, and I could feel her eyes slide over to my face. Read More »

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