Laura Sullivan
More by Laura Sullivan
 Top Scents of the Season1/11/2012 |
The holidays have come and gone, and with money from various relatives burning in my wallet, I’ve decided to splurge on a new scent and give our readers a review of the best on the shelves that’ll have you shopping for yourself in no time. First on my list is a new so called ‘gourmand’ (because it smells like a food?) perfume: Candy, by Prada. Ads for the 2011 debut are all over the telly, and sample inserts come in Elle, Flare and LouLou magazines. I’m curious about the brand’s pursuit of a younger customer base than its scents are usually marketed to; it’s clear from the choice placement of ads in young women’s magazines and on cable TV that Candy is for the Miss, rather than the Mrs. Among professional critics, reviews have been mixed, some finding it sickeningly sweet and others utterly alluring. I fell for it after a few trial visits to The Bay; there’s just something about the caramel and vanilla combination I can’t get enough of. If your nose has a sweet tooth, Candy is for you. On the floral side of the spectrum, D&G’s The One has been around for a few years, but like Prada the brand has taken its advertisements up a notch this year with widely placed television and magazine spots featuring Scarlett Johansson. I have more than one friend who swears by it, and it is lovely, with notes of peach, lychee, plum and mandarin over that traditional floral base of jasmine and musk. For me the musk feels a little too mature, and this probably isn’t a daywear choice, but if you’re looking for a sophisticated, seductive scent and live free from my paranoid fear of looking older than my age, The One is a great place to start your search. |
 Shahbaaz Kara12/17/2011 |
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 Kris Humphries, Britney Spears, Kobe Bryant and Amber Portwood12/17/2011 |
Things just keep getting worse for ex-Kardashian Kris Humphries: this week, he appeared with his mom on GMA and deflected question after question about the divorce, clearly uncomfortable and vainly trying to bring the conversation back to the upcoming basketball season. Asked if he still loved Kim, Kris replied ambiguously “I’m trying to focus on things I can control”. In between questions, the gangly forward sat with his mouth hanging open, staring into space and looking like some weird basketball Frankenstein. His rep later told reporters that Kris had been under the impression that the questions would be directed only partially at his failed marriage and Kim, and that they would be general in nature, but really, why would GMA (or anyone who watches,) want to hear about Kris’ free agency or his mom’s Minnesota recipe for sugar cookies?? Yawn. Check out the video for the most awkward three minutes in talk show history. There should really be a lead in for this, but BRITNEY'S GETTING MARRIED!!.. again. Two weeks after her thirtieth birthday, Britney Spears has accepted a GIGANTIC, three carat diamond ring from her manager-beau Jason Trawick. The two lovebirds had an elaborate Vegas engagement party last night that travelled from the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino to the Chocolate lounge at the ultra swanky Paris Hotel and, later, to Chateau nightclub. Let’s hope its happily ever after for Brit this time; but in case it isn’t, there’s a pre-nup. Hollywood is so romantic. |
 Celebrity Gossip12/4/2011 |
Her Campus Celebrity NewsFlash In celebrity news this week we have multiple major updates in the Kardashian divorce: Kris Humphries continues to publicly state his love for Kim and his desire to work on their marriage, while Kim is on the fence, denying accusations that she married the NBA player in an elaborate publicity stunt devised to profit off of the wedding. Kris has filed for an annulment, alleging Kim defrauded him and requesting that she be forced to pay his lawyer’s fees in the upcoming divorce proceedings. He signed a prenup, but it appears as though he is preparing to claim that Kim’s earnings during their 72 day marriage are subject to California community property laws and are thus 50% his. Stay tuned, this celebrity split is getting nasty. The Dr. Conrad Murray manslaughter trial is finally over. This week, Murray was sentenced to four years in prison for his culpability in the death of Michael Jackson. However due to a new California state law designed to mitigate the critical overcrowding in state prisons, Dr. Murray will likely serve only one fifth of that time at the most, and in county jail rather than prison. His lawyers are asking for probation, and if not house arrest. Check out TMZ for a video of the trial judge going ballistic during sentencing over the ‘documentary’ recently aired about the case, in which Murray repeatedly denies any and all responsibility for Michael’s death. |
 Weekly Celebrity Update11/19/2011 |
This month has been huge for celebrity news, and we decided here at her campus that there could be no better time to launch our weekly celebrity gossip column! We’ll give you the recap on all the major breaks (with all the juicy details,) and point you to the best sites for following up on your favorites. |
 A Very London Halloween10/20/2011 |
Everyone’s favorite holiday is just around the corner: that glorious day when, according to LiLo’s Mean Girls character Cady Heron “a girl can dress as slutty as she wants, and no other girls can say anything about it”. Whether you’re looking to push the envelope and be just as risqué as indecent exposure laws will allow or err on the side of caution, at Her Campus we have a great selection of costumes and the best places to find them on short notice or a short budget. These days you can get almost anything you want online, and Halloween costumes are no exception. This is your place for unique costumes you definitely won’t see on anyone else in town: my fave five were Marie Antoinette, Helen of Troy, Judge Judy, Marie Curie and Diana Ross. Lots of sites retail through Ebay and sell costumes direct from abroad so you can take advantage of lower costs (albeit often marginally offset by higher shipping rates) and many of the better ones will actually make or tailor costumes to your specific measurements at no extra charge. This can be crucial for especially thin, tall or busty girls often frustrated by the one size (doesn’t!) fit all costumes sold locally at costume outlets. Just make sure you order in time! Nothing is worse than ordering a costume and having it arrive November first. Though it is almost double the cost, priority shipping is a must this late in the month if your retailer is outside of North America. |
 Alex Cunliff10/11/2011 |
Name: Alex Cunliff
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 Fall Fashion Trends10/11/2011 |
Fall is here, and with it come blazers and boots, jeans and knits, sleeves and scarves. But don’t pack up your hot weather wardrobe just yet: here at Her Campus we’ll show you how to mix the coolest campus trends for fall with some summer staples that are far from ready for hibernation. Let’s start with the new stuff; last fall’s flannel plaids are losing ground to sheer blouses in pastel hues. American Apparel (on Richmond between Prince Al’s and Taphouse) has some beautiful choices, but if you’re on a budget Value Village is a good place to start turning someone else’s trash into your treasure. Pair your pastel blouse with tights or skinny jeans for a dressed down look, or tuck it into a pair of high wasted shorts layered over nylons for a flattering, waist cinching silhouette. If you’re looking to add some curve to your bottom half, choose a pair of shorts with pleats in the back and on the sides. Braided belts aren’t a new trend, so chances are you’ve got one kicking around your closet. Use it to create a waist when wearing your blouse untucked over jeans or tights. Add a fitted blazer and you’re office chic. |
