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DIY: Create Your Own Shoe Hangers


If you are sick and tired of having your shoes pile in the bottom of your closet, leaving you to dig through them all to find the right pair, we have the solution. Here is a simple project for you to do with all your girlfriends this weekend that will leave you never wanting to throw your shoes on the ground again.


What you will need:
  • Old hangers
  • Pliers
  • Spray paint (optional)
  • Scrapbook paper, wallpaper or wrapping paper

1. You will first need to cut off the bottom wire of the hangers. Then use the pliers to twist up the end of the hangers (where you just cut off the bottom) on each side so that you do not cut yourself.

2. After you twist the ends, take your pliers to the halfway point of the hanger on each side (between the actual hanger and the end). Warp and/or bend the end of the hanger up towards the top. This will create a hook for you to put your shoes on. Do this to each side.

3. If you choose to spray paint the hangers, do it now. Choose whichever color you want, but take into consideration the color or design of your paper. White goes with everything!

4. While the hangers are drying, start to cut the papers. Cut the paper into pieces about 1 inch by 12 inches. Depending on how much you bent the hangers you may be able to have shorter pieces.

5. Once the paint has dried and you have cut the paper, you can glue the papers to the hangers. Put the paper over the “front” of the hanger. Then wrap each end of the paper around the back and back to the front. At this point you can either glue and/or tape the ends underneath and leave it like that. Or add a button or other decoration to the front.

6. Now all you have to do is put your shoes on their new hangers. No more throwing your shoes on the ground. Just hang them!

Note: This project works best if you have a rod in your closet that hangs closer to the ground so that you can still hang clothes above the shoes on the top rod!

By: Julia Morgan | Images: 1, 2

"Fast and Furious 6" Stars Talk Girl Power


From extreme racing in souped up muscle cars to the powerful bond of family, the filmmaking team, director Justin Lin and producers Neal H. Moritz, Vin Diesel and Clayton Townsend, has built on the "Fast and Furious" series, especially "Fast Five," to create "Fast and Furious 6," which packs a big punch. 

College Gloss got an inside look at this global blockbuster in a Google Hangout session with Gina Carano, Gal Gadot and Elsa Pataky, moderated by Roth Cornet of IGN. And we found out why you shouldn’t expect the men in the movie to bring all the action. "Fast and Furious 6" will hit theaters on May 24 in the US.



Moviegoers will see Vin Diesel, Paul Walker and Dwayne Johnson lead the returning cast of all-stars as the global blockbuster franchise built on speed races to its next continent in "Fast & Furious 6," when Hobbs (Johnson) enlists Dom (Diesel) to assemble an elite team in London to take down an organization of lethally-skilled mercenary drivers.

But the men better watch out. 


As Gal Gadot (pictured above) said in the Hangout, the women of "Fast and Furious 6" aren’t just going to be saved by the heroes ... because they are heroes.

One of the biggest fight scenes takes place between two powerhouse women, Gina Carano (who plays the cop Riley) and Michelle Rodriguez (who plays Letty Ortiz). Diesel and other cast members had to start personal fitness programs months before filming, which also continued through production. However, Carano, who pioneered the way for women in MMA competitive fighting, just maintained her usual regimen and concentrated on the choreography for the girl power-packed fight. The scene has no visual effects; it’s 100 percent practical fighting. (See a sneak peak here.)



Lin recalls the day they shot the subway fight, “For Gina and Michelle to show up and tell their stunt doubles to take the day off because they’re going to try to do everything themselves is a testament to how hard they work. That makes all of this worth it.”

Johnson is also enthusiastic about his co-star, “Gina is everything that Riley is. Not only is she beautiful, but she can kick ass. She brings an authenticity to that role that is hard to find in Hollywood.”

Gal Gadot (who plays Gisele Harabo) was first introduced to audiences in "Fast & Furious" as a top lieutenant in Braga’s (played once again in this film by John Ortiz) organization who aligns with Dom when Braga forsakes her to save himself.

The Israeli actress amped up the action for this film, completing many of her own stunts in "Fast and Furious 6," including riding a Ducati Monster motorcycle like a pro.

“I’m so happy about all of the action in 'Fast & Furious 6' since in the previous two, I didn’t get to do as much,” Gadot said. “I’ve long told Justin, ‘I want Gisele to be more of a badass. Whatever you throw at me I will do. I want to do it all.’”


Elsa Pataky’s (pictured above) power came more from the emotional, rather than physical, challenges her character had to endure. Her character, Elena Neves, is in love with Dom Toretto (Diesel). With the reappearance of Letty (Rodriguez), who was Dom’s former love, she must determine what is the right thing to do -- fight for Dom, or let him go.

“Elena would rather Dom stay with her,” Pataky said. “But as long as there is any possibility Letty is alive, Elena knows that she has to be brave and let Dom figure it out.”

In addition to Rodriguez, Pataky, Gadot and newcomer Carano, moviegoers will see fan favorites Jordana Brewster, Tyrese Gibson, Sung Kang and Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, joined by another badass series newcomer, Luke Evans.

The whole Hangout provides a fun, insider look with the kick-but gals of "Fast and Furious 6." They’ll even reveal which of the tough-looking guys are actually “softies.” But if you don’t have time to watch the whole video, here is the excerpt where I spoke with Gina Carano (pictured below). (Follow the link to jump to this portion.)


I asked, “Gina, you touched on this a little bit, you were able to do your own stunts. I'm just curious, were the stunt coordinators ever intimidated by telling you what to do?”

Gina Carano took it a little more seriously, but gave great info: “Gina Carano: You know what, no. I think when they're a good stunt coordinator, they welcome me to be creative and put my input in there.”

Gal Gadot interjected: “And she's damn creative. Oh my God, don't mess with her.”

Gina concluded: “Thank you. No, but Olivier was amazing, and he not only invited me to be more creative, but he also taught me things and taught me things about my character who is a cop. And mixed martial arts is, you know, that’s a certain aspect of training, but there's a lot that you don't train for in a cage that you train for in being a cop.”

For more, visit all of the "Fast and Furious 6" sites: official websiteFacebookTwitter (#Fast6), Instagram, YouTube and Google+.

By: Lauren Sawyer | Images: Source, Universal Studios

The Dirty Truth: Fixes for Smelly Body Parts


OK, ladies, let’s get to it; we have never shyed away from talking about everything from makeup mistakes to waxing ALL our body parts. Yep, we are those girlfriends you need in your life, and this is exactly why we will tell you how to fix those smelly body parts.

Let’s begin by telling you that, yes, women do perspire and it is not a myth, but we also fart; never be ashamed of that. Men believe that being a girl is glamorous and we always smell “nice.” But the truth is, we are human and need advice on those extra hot days, when our pits get a little too friendly with our shirts and dresses.

What to do about smelly...

Arm Pits:
If you know you’re following an excellent hygiene routine, and your pits get smelly even though you use deodorant regularly, “you may be an excessive sweater and need a prescription antiperspirant from your doctor,” says Dana Simpler, MD, a physician at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore. In extreme-sweat situations, Botox treatments under the arms can help: “It puts a stop to excessive sweating and the resulting body odor,” says EverydayHealth.

Down There:
If you know your vagina’s bad odor is coming from extra perspiration, the best thing to do is to keep the area dry. Avoid wearing extremely tight clothing, and opt for a skirt or dress. Another factor which plays a key role is your shower routine. Make sure you are washing your nether regions daily with a mild non-drying soap, “(but skip the soap on the thin tissues of the inner vulva or vaginal opening),” says EverydayHealth. If you are sure that your stench has nothing to do with excessive sweat, a harmful bacteria may be present. Be aware of other symptoms, such as itchiness, discharge, pain or burning. P.S. The best undies to use are cotton fabrics!

Bad Breath:
We’ve all been there, hello, stinky breath in the morning! You may wonder why you woke up with stinky breath one morning and not the next -- this is attributed to your diet, simple as that. Daily flossing and brushing will fix this right away! If brushing and flossing your teeth isn’t doing the job, it’s time to visit your dentist, so they can properly clean your teeth and get rid of any bits of foods hiding in your precious pearly whites. Say goodbye to Mr. Halitosis!

Gassy Tummy: Ladies, ladies, ladies, we hope you’re paying attention to your bowel movements! Of course we are not asking that you record what time you went number two on a given day, but build-up can definitely lead to a gassy few days. We all have a trigger -- maybe its beans, dairy, or leafy greens -- but it’s best to take note of the foods we are sensitive to. Two words for this problem: Pepto Bismol! Aside from taking Pepto Bismol, pay attention to the foods you’re consuming. Fiber is the keyword here! Fiber-filled foods are lettuce, raspberries, strawberries, oatmeal, almonds, beans, and the list goes on! If you find that your gassiness is a constant problem, it’s time to make an appointment with your doctor ASAP! This is not a joke, your bowel movements play a key role in your health!

Smelly Hair Syndrome: Smelly hair syndrome? Huh? Is that even a real thing? Yes it is, “according to cosmetic chemist Perry Romanowski, ‘smelly hair syndrome’ is a condition that results in a pungent stench from the hair and scalp,” says EverydayHealth. “What does smelly hair smell like? Romanowski said people with the condition have ‘compared the smell to sour milk, wet dog, moldy hay, potatoes, an old shoe or dirty socks, a jacket that’s never been to the dry cleaner, and an oily smell mixed with vomit.’’ The cause of smelly hairy syndrome is still unknown, but, “Romanowski recommends treating it with Dial antibacterial liquid body wash and soaps that contain sulfur.”

Funky Feet: Funky feet is a result of bacteria buildup cause from extra perspiration, or simply not drying your feet well after your shower. The best advice we can give is to keep your feet moisture-free at all cost; avoid wearing any heavy shoes or socks during the summer months. Head to the drugstore and find an antiperspirant to combat any wetness. This is the perfect time to whip out your sandals, flip flops and favorite heels with our favorite summer sundresses.

Attitude: Don’t call us corny, because we are so not! But if you find that your friends are not responding to your text messages, snapshots, commenting on your instagram photos, or even giving you the cold shoulder on your way to class, it’s time to clean up your act. Be a lady, give them a call and apologize for your smelly attitude. We all get a little moody, but it’s no reason to be a grump!

The truth is we don’t want anybody, including ourselves, to get a whiff from our malodorous body parts, but it happens to the best of us! If your stench is a continuous problem, and not a one-time kind of thing, it is best you visit your doctor; this could be a signal for an underlying problem. Listen to your body; it will always tell you when it is time for a change.

By: Ivanna Coelloe | Image: Source

5 Reasons We Love Ashlan Gorse, America’s Favorite Entertainment Journalist


Vibrant, light-hearted and hard-working are a just a few characteristics that come to mind when thinking about Ashlan Gorse. Gorse is a vivacious entertainment journalist, and she works as a correspondent for the media and celebrity news outlet E! News. She has an amazing red carpet presence and has interviewed many famous actors, including Denzel Washington, Meryl Streep, Drew Barrymore and William Shatner, to name just a few.

After graduating from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a B.A. in Broadcasting and a Minor in Music, Gorse landed a gig with the prestigious NBC Page Program in New York, working behind the scenes at shows like “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” and “Saturday Night Live.” Soon after, she moved to Los Angeles to serve as editor-at-large for Life & Style Magazine. Her entertainment and celebrity insight was always on par, and this led Gorse to transition from her position at Life & Style to that of working as a broadcast correspondent for the extremely popular E! News Network.

Read on for five reasons College Gloss loves Ashlan Gorse.


1. Confidence is the key to her success
Gorse is a spirited, hard-working television personality in the media today, and she has landed so much success in the entertainment broadcast world because of her drive and passion for reporting. In an interview with glamouredition.com, Gorse commented, “It took me six years after I graduated of working my tail off to getting my job at E!. It’s a long and extremely bumpy road, but if you have your heart set on it, go after it.” Gorse is a major inspiration to college students looking to breaking out into the entertainment reporting scene because she understands the competition nowadays, but she is quick to remind students that if you persevere, more opportunities can be opened.

2. She’s “eco-chic”
Gorse understands that it’s always “in” to be eco-friendly. She contributes a blog to E! Online, “Eco Chic with Ashlan,” that highlights easy tips and tricks for everyone to try to reduce their carbon footprint and explains how to be more environmentally-friendly. All of her blog articles offer extremely helpful -- not to mention resourceful -- advice and ideas. Some of her advice includes buying makeup with less packaging (since it’s going to be thrown away anyway) and to try to walk to complete your errands, as opposed to driving. Gorse has said, “I have since set out on making myself, my car, my house, my dog and even my co-workers more eco-friendly without sacrificing style. I mean, we do work at E!”

3. Gorse embraces her shape
In an age where everyone is obsessing over keeping up with style debutantes and following the hottest designers like Isaac Mizrahi and Michael Kors, it may seem impossible to feel at ease with our body shapes at all times. Ashlan Gorse, however, is a phenomenal example of someone who has come to not only embrace her body shape but also to be proud of who she is. In response to the pressure to look a certain way physically on television, Gorse commented, “I always try to look the best I can... My parents always told me to be proud of my height and I always try to remember that.” In an interview with fitnessmagazine.com, Gorse said that she hates when the entertainment industry places such important emphasis on how “great” it is to be super skinny. She continued, “Luckily, I think ‘skinny’ is celebrated less than ‘healthy’ now that women like Sofia Vergara and Christina Hendricks are on the scene.” To Gorse, it’s most important to “rock what you got.”

4. She rocks both the red carpet and E!
Ashlan Gorse is equal parts witty, outgoing and kind, which is probably the best mix to be a red carpet reporter for the E! Network. She has flawlessly reported for many award shows, including the Oscars, the Grammys and the Golden Globes, and her red carpet presence is both bold and fresh. Also, Gorse is extremely multi-dimensional in terms of her work for E!. In an interview with celebritycafe.com, Gorse explained, “I kind of cover everything, from breaking news to pop culture to music to television and movies, so on any given day I could be anchoring for the evening news, anchoring for the internet, breaking news, or off on a red carpet.” Gorse always tries to step out of the box and try something new -- there is no “glass ceiling” for this impressive woman.

5. Her passion is undeniable
Gorse’s role on E! serves as an earnest reminder to college women alike that your dreams and ambitions can be achieved if you set your mind to it, but to also be prepared for failures along with successes, and that sometimes a dream job isn’t handed to you on a silver platter following graduation. Before E!, Gorse said, “I wanted to be on camera and didn’t know how to make it happen. So I worked my way up from being a production assistant to field producer to segment producer.” Gorse has also made it clear that you need to find a way to do what you love and to take the good with the bad: “Make sure you really, really want to do this. The job is crazy hours and full of stress... Do everything you can to get yourself out there.”

Ashlan Gorse is one of the most intelligent and extroverted women in broadcast entertainment, and she is a personal favorite to CG. Besides E! News, she has also appeared on shows like “The Insider,” “The Early Show” and “The Today Show.” At 33, Gorse always strives to achieve more each day, and her ultimate goals are “to bring more socially conscious stories to the entertainment realm” and to “highlight people making a difference in the world and hopefully inspire others to do the same.” Gorse has definitely inspired CG women to dream big with the right attitude and work ethic!

By: Mallory Feeney | Images: 1, 2

Steal Elodie Yung's Movie Premiere Look

Another day, another Hollywood premiere, this time for “G.I. Joe: Retaliation.” Not just for the heavy hitters, film premieres are a great opportunity for new faces to make a splash on the fashion scene and get noticed. Elodie Yung, French actress and star of the film, took this opportunity in stride, arriving on the carpet in a mint green Chanel frock that was sure to help her stand out amid all the guys in dark suits.

Elodie’s Resort 2013 Chanel dress looked light and sweet, like wearable cotton candy courtesy of Karl Lagerfeld. This dress had a super feminine silhouette, accented by the detailed ruffling that gave the skirt its volume. The sheer paneling at the top is right on trend and breaks up the texture of the dress in a nice way. Elodie’s dress was a super statement on its own, so she kept the accessories to a minimum, adding only a simple bracelet for some sparkle and a classic pair of nude pumps that are just right for this dress.


1. Jacket from Pink Mascara, $38
2. Top from Love Culture, $15.90
3. Skirt from Nasty Gal, $38
4. Sandals from Forever 21, $8.80
5. Bracelet from Bauble Bar, $32
6. Bag from Charlotte Russe, $18.99

This frothy dress has a few too many ruffles for everyday wear, but a sleek skater skirt in a matching shade of mint is the perfect counterpart to Elodie’s couture creation. The skirt stays with the silhouette of the dress, but its clean lines make it much more wearable. A polka dotted tank top with a hint of ruffle tops this skirt off perfectly, and the simple pattern adds a little something extra. In keeping with Elodie’s color scheme, a nude leather jacket is a great finishing touch to this look and adds a little bit of depth, and a little bit of coverage for those breezy days.

The mint and nude color combination of this outfit is really fresh, and it continues with a pair of nude flats that are simple, chic and easy to walk in. A simple nude bag tops off the look and gives you a place to store everything you need. Because this look is less of a statement than Elodie’s, you can feel free to add more accessories, but a single bracelet like Elodie chose will work just as well. Almost any hairstyle will work with this look; and as for beauty, it’s best to keep your makeup as sweet as your outfit on this one. A simple face with a glossy pink lip would be a great option.

By: Hannah Barnes | Image: Source, listed retail stores

4 Tips for Creating the Perfect Fall Class Schedule


Summer is here, and you need to create the ever-so-daunting college task -- designing the perfect fall class schedule. The key to a successful semester lies in your schedule, as it dictates your university lifestyle and can either benefit or destroy your time management skills. College registrar systems frequently crash from student overload during class scheduling and counselors refuse to accept appointments, so start early to ensure you create the schedule of your dreams.

Below are four tips guaranteed to help you wisely craft your schedule.

1. Ask Around: Your advisor and classmates are two vital groups when creating a class schedule because it provides a better academic and peer perspective. You should always talk to your advisor to confirm your required core classes, milestones and academic plan. Schedule an appointment with your counselor at least two weeks in advance to ensure he or she will give you the appropriate time allotment for the guidance you deserve. On the other side, speak with your colleagues and inquire everywhere to learn what works, what does not and how to survive challenging courses.

2. Do Research: When selecting your class plan for the next few months, it is essential to conduct research on the professors and classes. Your friends can help steer you in the right direction, but completely anonymous stranger reviews and ratings can ultimately seal the deal. This website allows you to browse universities by state and easily search for instructors and their invaluable teaching assistants.

3. Extra, Extra: Before you decide to register in any “extra” or supplementary courses not required for your major, confirm you have both the available time in your scholastic scheme and financial resources to do so with your advisor and parents. Taking a variety of classes helps create a better-rounded woman prepped for nearly any situation with knowledge from different fields and eras. Exploring unfamiliar departments allows you to develop as an individual, foster personal areas of interest and become confident in your major and specific college selection.

3. Be Realistic: All of the aforementioned advice has no real substance unless you are realistic with your class scheduling. Take a moment and think about your learning patterns. If you are not a morning person, chances are you will not easily become one overnight and excel in 8 a.m. classes. Also consider your entire lifestyle including work, internships, extracurricular activities and social commitments.

We suggest you follow these savvy recommendations to succeed in the challenging balancing act of classes and social life -- good luck, gals!

By: Claire Walton | Image: Source

3 Summer Recipes with Strawberries


There is no better way to start summer than with fruit. College Gloss has three great recipes that are made all around strawberries. You are sure to try these unique recipes and love them!

Strawberry and Cream Quinoa Porridge


What you will need:
  • 1 cup dry quinoa (rinse and cook according to package directions)
  • 8 ounces (2 cups) of strawberries – cleaned and sliced into small pieces
  • ½ cup whipped cream
  • ¼ tablespoon fine sea salt
  • Vanilla Stevia drops to taste, or your favorite natural sweetener

To make this delicious morning (or whenever) treat, simply cook the quinoa. Let it sit for a bit after it is finished. Then fluff it up before adding in the rest of the ingredients. Leave some strawberries and whipped cream for decorations on the top of the dish.

Berry Bliss Rocket Pops



What you will need:
  • 2 cups (10 ounces) fresh or frozen blueberries
  • 2 cups (10 ounces) fresh or frozen strawberries
  • 6 ounces fat free greek yogurt or canned unsweetened light coconut milk
  • Ice pop molds (whichever you like, but for the Rocket look use a mold similar to that shape!)
  • Popsicle sticks

The popsicles of your youth are back -- only healthier now. Gone away is the corn syrup. Start by boiling the berries, separated in two different saucepans, with one tablespoon of water each. Then reduce to a simmer, with pans partially covered, for five minutes until the berries are saucy.

Remove from the heat and puree the sauces separately. Put the blueberry sauce in an airtight container. Set it in the refrigerator while you make the bottom portion of the popsicle.

Grab the ice pop molds and fill them one-third of the way with the strawberry sauce. Then freeze those for three hours or until frozen. Take this time to sweeten the Greek yogurt if need be. Once the strawberry sections are frozen, fill the molds with the yogurt another third of the way. Return to freezer until frozen (about three hours).

Fill the rest of the mold, about one-fourth- inch with the blueberry sauce. Then insert the sticks until they reach the yogurt layer. Cover the molds with tin foil. Freeze for another three hours or until completely solid.

Warning: be careful when removing the molds once frozen!

Banana Split Peanut Butter Sandwich (Toasted or not)



What you will need:
  • Bread
  • Peanut Butter
  • 1 Banana
  • Strawberries
  • Honey

This sandwich can be toasted or left regular -- whichever you prefer. First cut up the banana and strawberries so they are in small slices. Cut as many as you want to be on your sandwich. Then get your bread. Put peanut butter on the slices. Add a little bit of honey and spread it on top of the peanut butter.

Lay the slices of banana and strawberries on top of the honey/peanut butter mixture. Ta-da ... you have a great new sandwich. At this point, add butter on the outside of the sandwich if you are going to fry the sandwich to make it grilled!

These three recipes are sure to make any person enjoy strawberries -- nonbelievers and all!

By: Julia Morgan | Images: 1, 2, 3, 4

7 Essentials for Rocking a Maxi Dress


It’s time to gear up for the warmer weather with a maxi dress! Take a good look in your closet -- do you have a maxi dress? Why not?! Like the LBD, a plain white tee and your everyday denim, a maxi dress is necessary. Whether you are short or tall, curvy or slender, this is a must-have closet essential.

The first glance of the maxi dress was in 1968 when the man himself, Oscar de La Renta, created a cotton lace piece for Elizabeth Arden. By the 1970s every top designer had their own version of the maxi, but as all fads fade, the maxi dress was no longer considered fashionable. No fear, the maxi dress has made its comeback and is more charming than ever!

1) Length
Maxi dresses are essentially sundresses, just longer. There is no right or wrong length to consider when purchasing one! Some may think that the best length for a maxi dress is when it sweeps the floor, however, that might be a fashion safety hazard. A floor length dress looks heavy and drags, while an ankle length is more breezy and easier to move around in.

2) Style
Strapless or halter, find something that is comfortable to walk around in! In the 1970s maxi dresses were meant to be bold prints and something that makes a statement when worn. But today, lightweight fabrics are the best way to go!

3) Shoes
As a maxi dress is best worn ankle length, you want to show off your shoes! It’s best to stay casual when choosing the right footwear; after all, a maxi dress is just a longer sundress! A pair of wedges, flats or even a strappy sandal is the best look.

4) Layers
Adding on to any outfit is always a good idea. With a maxi dress try adding denim, which is very fashion forward this season. Jean vests and jackets are lightweight and chic.

5) Accessorize
Keep the accessories simple and try not to overpower the dress. A long necklace, cocktail ring, layered bangles and a thin belt are the way to go.

6) Headgear
Maxi dresses are all about simplicity, but that is no reason to not add a cute fedora for those hot spring and summer days! Sunglasses, headbands and a scarf to wrap your hair up with is a great way to complete the look.

7) Outfit Repeater
Many maxi dresses can be worn all year round, look out for ones that are versatile! Still too cold for a dress? Try a pair of tights under the maxi to keep that breeze from running up your legs, and add a pair of boots to keep your toes warm!

Maxi dresses are not only stylish but also comfortable! Just because it is not quite yet beach weather, pull out that maxi dress and start rocking it now!

By: Sarah Mattoon | Image: Source

Career Secret: Thank You Notes


There is no debate that true success comes from hard work, perseverance and skill. Success comes to those who rise early every morning, dedicated and committed towards working on their envisioned goals. However, a key secret in success is the importance of thank you notes. People are accustomed to solely working electronically and quickly shooting out an email after meeting someone or being interviewed. Some individuals do not even send thank you notes at all, so distinguish yourself from other experienced candidates with a handwritten personal thank you note.

Follow these three easy steps to blow away your competition and present yourself as the remarkable and qualified young woman you are.

1. Act Quickly: College women should always have a fresh box of thank you cards, envelopes, stamps and a high quality black ink pen. Custom cards with either your monogram or even photograph are effective in reminding the interviewer of just how great and personable you are. Keeping these materials on hand prepares you to write a note as soon as possible, preferably within 24 hours of the interview.

2. Write Short & Simple: Thank you notes are meant to convey a sense of genuine gratitude in just a few short sentences. Be sure to repeat why you are the ideal candidate, what specific contributions you would bring to the company and how enthusiastic you are about the interview opportunity. You can also use this chance to include anything else you believe is relevant and important for the interviewer to remember and grant you a second round of interviews.

3. Edit and Proof: Read your letter out loud a few times scrutinizing it for spelling mistakes, grammatical errors and general flow. You do not want to ruin a beautiful, handwritten gesture with proofreading mistakes that could cost you the job. If it helps and you have the time, show it to a trusted friend or family member to proof it for you.

Send an edited, short thank you card within 24 hours and (hopefully) reap the rewards. Individuals, especially interviewers, rarely receive these anymore, and it is certain to make a lasting impression when comparing you to other knowledgeable contenders. And most importantly, you present yourself as the polished and refined young woman you are.

By: Claire Walton | Image: Source

5 Reasons We Love Aidy Bryant, America’s Favorite Improv Newcomer


When it comes to comedy, Aidy Bryant makes improv acting look like a breeze. Aidy Bryant, one of the funniest newcomers to hit the popular NBC show, "Saturday Night Live," is amusing, entertaining and she isn’t afraid to be goofy and go all-out on the show. She’s not only a great role model for those who are interested in acting and improv, but she is also a role model for all young women because she proves that you can be the best you that you want to be, no matter what anyone else thinks.

The soon-to-be 26-year-old is an Arizona native, and she also is a graduate of Columbia College. While studying in Chicago at Columbia College, she also was a student at the iO Chicago Improv Theater, where she was perfecting her improvisation and performance skills. Following graduation, she was a part of the Second City E.T.C. Stage as an ensemble member. After continuously working on her material and improv sketch techniques, it all paid off: she was hired as a part of SNL’s 38th season cast.

Read on for five reasons why College Gloss loves Aidy Bryant.

1. “Comedienne” doesn’t do her justice
Aidy Bryant is more than just a comedienne; she is a brilliant performer. Along with her theatre degree from Columbia College and her training at the iO Chicago Theater, she also learned much of her expertise at the Annoyance Theater. Bryant has charmed many audiences in Chicago and television viewers of SNL alike, with her improv finesse and knack for knocking one’s socks off in her skits. Some of her most memorable skits to date include co-host of the SNL skit, “Girlfriends: Talk Show” (as Morgan) along with her improv skit “Short Squeeze,” a mock infomercial about a massaging business.

2. She gets by with a little help from her friends
Bryant is both humble and imaginative when it comes to her acting and improv work, and she is a first-class performer in terms of making an audience laugh as a solo artist, and as a group talent. Bryant has a vibrant energy that she uses to feed off her fellow improv ensemble actors, making any skit that she is a part of, whether it is a smaller role or a bigger role, help her shine throughout the act. Also, she has worked with several of her current SNL cast members before making it big in New York, including Vanessa Bayer in the skit “Swear Jar” at the Annoyance Theater.

3. Bryant kicks her critics to the curb
Though some have cited that Bryant is “too big” or just not the “type” of actor that should be featured as a part of the SNL crew, it is clear to many audiences that Bryant’s ability to crack a joke and make others smile and laugh has nothing to do with her being plus size -- if anything, her personality helps her internal beauty shine through to her external self. As featured on thedemotv.com, Cassie Belek said, “Bryant’s casting is a significant win for plus-size women in entertainment because even though Adele is winning Grammys and McCarthy is winning EMS, it’s still Hollywood, and there’s still a bias against larger women. Hollywood’s weight problem is far from solved, but thanks to Bryant and [Lorne] Michaels, it’s getting a little better.”

4. She’s bringing ‘grounded’ back
Aidy Bryant, as talented as she is, has stayed extremely modest and humble about her new fame as a featured player on SNL. Though many would have inflated egos about receiving praise for their improv, Bryant has remained completely grounded about the success of all of her hard work.

5. She’s here to stay
Most likely to follow in the footsteps of SNL female powerhouse predecessors Kristen Wiig, Tina Fey, Molly Shannon and Amy Poehler, Bryant is here to stay. In the comic world, Bryant is fresh, bold and her talents surpass her improv skills. Like compatriot Tina Fey (who wrote the teen cult classic, “Mean Girls”), Bryant has also written many comic skits, especially while she was working in Chicago at the Annoyance Theater. Bryant’s resume also includes performing musical improvisation comedy, to boot.

Aidy Bryant is sure to be a future comedy legend, making her initial mark on both "Saturday Night Live" and her past Chicago improv experiences. Her career has endless possibilities, and College Gloss is anxious for her next big role (or even her big cinematic break!) ... but until then, CG will be looking forward to “...live from New York, it’s Saturday night!”

By: Mallory Feeney | Images: 1, 2A

 
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