Women Campus | Hello beautiful!: 3/20/11

Under $50

Lace Up Sandals- If you're a city girl who has a unique and eclectic sense of fashion, these sandals are perfect for you! They're perfect with a cute floral dress and a spring jacket.

Deena & Ozzy, $39

Gladiator Neutral- Not all gladiator sandals have to be glitzy and sparkly. These simple nude gladiator sandals will go with any outfit. Plus, they're perfect for those outdoor day parties that will come later in the semester.

Coconut Zen, $49.50

Fancier Flip Flops- Havianas could be considered the designer of all flip-flops. If you want sturdy and reliable sandals then these are the ones to choose! Havianas come in fun colors and designs.

Havianas, $24

The Floral Touch- Every year we look forward to our spring formals (which are usually outside on a lawn). Unfortunately, we can't wear heels so we resort to wearing swanky sandals instead. These Pierre Dumas sandals are perfect for this occasion and also come in gold.

Pierre Dumas, $35

Pom Poms, Please- If you don't like the conventional flip-flop, than you'll definitely like these Gap sandals. The pom pom adds a little flare to what could have been a boring sandal.

Gap, $29.50

Under $75

Comfortable Cool- These strappy sandals are super cute and comfortable! The tassel zipper adds a nice little flair.

Free People, $67

Thong Song- This thong sandal is startlingly simple and comes in colors like black, rose, and bronze. Wear it with a floral frock or jean shorts.

Sam Edelman, $60

Bold and Beaded- These Egyptian-inspired beaded sandals make an audacious and cool statement. Go with a colorful beaded pattern or just solid black beads.

Dolce Vita, $59

Jelly Sandal- I remember my first pair of purple sparkly sandals that I loved as a kindergartner. Just because I grew out of them doesn't mean I have to stop wearing them! These Juicy Couture jellies are a more grown-up version of the shoes I wore out.

Juicy Couture, $69.95

Circular Sensation- These Calvin Klein metallic circular sandals are the right amount of flashy and perfect for a day of shopping and lunch with the girls!

Calvin Klein, $58

READ MORE...

Women Campus's 20 Favorite Sandals For Spring Part-1 - Women Campus

READ MORE...

An HC Intern's Attempt to Stay Fit While Lounging on the Beach Part-4 - Women Campus

Day 4: Using the Stairs

I was walking up to my grandparents' second-story condo and contemplating which fitness routine I was going to tackle next, when my mom said, "hey! Why don't you get some exercise by using the stairs?" I was about to smartly reply that while walking up two flights of stairs may be a legitimate form of fitness for many of the building's residents it certainly wasn't strenuous enough me, when I finally realized what she was getting at. By running up and down the stairs 10 times, I was able to burn calories, strengthen my legs and stabilize my core all at the same time. Then my mom showed me how to use the steps and railing to stretch out my calves and hamstrings, and bingo! A simple structure that I've passed every day instantly became my most effective fitness tool yet.

Good For: Cardio, Toning, Sculpting, Stretching
How it Felt: This activity was certainly effective and I appreciate how accessible it is. I also like that I couldn't just stop in the middle of the steps the way I would on an elliptical. I recommend trying this one on your way down to the pool or beach, so you get it over with! If you try it later in the day, you might not have the energy or willpower to push yourself (at least I wouldn't!)..

Snack Attack of Sesame Almonds: It turns out my grandma isn't just a fitness extraordinaire, she's also a healthy snack connoisseur! She turned me onto these very healthy (but scarily addictive) sesame almonds. I recommend taking out a handful and putting the rest away before you try them. Trust me, the line between engaging in a healthy snack and crazy binge is thin for these delicious nuts.

Overall Effects

I'm not going to lie. I didn't return to Boston 10 pounds (or even 1 pound) lighter. To be honest, I may have even gained weight this week. But the point of this experiment wasn't weight loss, or even weight maintenance, it was an act towards healthfulness. I wanted to prove to myself and everyone else who enjoys staying fit but wants to relax on vacation, that the two are not mutually exclusive. I didn't feel like any of my fitness activities detracted from my relaxation time, nor did I feel like any of my "healthy snacks" were less satisfying than chips and French fries. In fact, the exercise I did made me appreciate my moments of lounging even more, and I still allowed myself to indulge in French fries at dinner because I knew how healthy I had been during the day. Overall, I believe this experiment provided a great starting point and I am determined to make time for fitness on all of my future vacations.

If you have any workout tips for when you're on vacation, please share them below!

READ MORE...

An HC Intern's Attempt to Stay Fit While Lounging on the Beach Part-3 - Women Campus

READ MORE...

An HC Intern's Attempt to Stay Fit While Lounging on the Beach Part-2 - Women Campus

READ MORE...

An HC Intern's Attempt to Stay Fit While Lounging on the Beach Part-1 - Women Campus

Ahhh Spring Break! A time for tanning, relaxation, and…exercise? Okay, so Spring Break isn't exactly known for its fitness opportunities, but I have resolved to do things a little differently this year. This week, I am seeking to prove that in the midst of laying out, indulging in delicious fare, and sipping one too many cocktails, it is also possible to sculpt, tone, and burn some calories. And I'm not talking about hopping on the treadmill or lifting weights. Such practices may be feasible for an everyday routine, but I don't want to spend my precious hours of sunshine inside of a gym. Instead, I am going to create four days worth of fitness activities that require nothing more than a little willpower and a dash of motivation. And since the sun always makes me hungry, I will also share a few of my favorite bikini-friendly snacks.

More importantly, I want to redefine what it means to be a "beach bum" and prove that it is possible to stay fit and healthy on vacation. As someone who scarcely uses the gym at home, I can't say I'm confident about how this experiment will pan out. But I am looking forward to making myself get a little exercise on what is otherwise a delightfully lazy, even gluttonous week at my grandparents' house in Florida. Let the games begin!

Day 1: Water Aerobics

Okay, okay, so it might sound ridiculous but as the granddaughter of a water aerobics instructor, I knew this exercise would kick off my Spring Break fitness routine. Every morning my grandmother leads 35 women in an hour-long water aerobics class. And while I used to chuckle as the gaggle of ladies bobbed up and down as they sung along to show tunes, I've discovered that this workout really does have its merits.

Good For: Stretching, Abs
How it Felt: While I never envisioned waking up before 9 AM on vacation, I must admit water aerobics was a great way to start the day. The water provided the perfect medium to stretch my muscles, and my abs really did get a workout. Plus, while it might not be the most grueling workout, this fitness routine was certainly a fun and enjoyable way to burn a few calories. Not to mention, it scored me some major granddaughter points!
Try This: Tone your abs by doing what my grandma calls "the frog" position. While standing in shallow water, click your heels together once and progress the number of "clicks" until you get to 3. To make it even harder, practice the exercise without ever letting your feet touch the bottom of the pool.

Snack Attack of Gazpacho: Every year I look forward to my grandma's Gazpacho. This cold soup is super easy to make, very light in calories and packed with tons of veggies and antioxidants!

READ MORE...

8 Glasses a Day? The Real Deal on Water Part-2 - Women Campus

It helps you think

Just about 90 percent of the brain is made up of water, so you can see why staying hydrated is essential to making your brain function correctly. Even being slightly dehydrated means that your brain cells can't function well and their firing rate slows down. This means that you can't process information as quickly, and it becomes more difficult to dig things up from your memory. "Cognitive function has been shown to decrease by being under-hydrated by just one 8 oz cup of water," Bailey says.

"I don't know if I can say that drinking water makes me smarter, but I definitely feel like my head is more clear when I'm hydrated and nine times out of ten, when I have a headache, it's because I'm dehydrated," says Abbey, a senior at the University of Massachusetts.

Next time you have a big test to take, make sure to hydrate yourself enough to score an A.

It makes your skin glow

Have you ever looked in the mirror to see that your skin looked flakey and pale? When you don't sip on enough water, your skin actually can be affected, and no amount of moisturizer can fix it. Being dehydrated affects all your cells, including skin cells, so you can see the dryness on the surface of your skin. Water nourishes your skin and plumps it up, according to WebMD, and it leaves your face clear and smooth. And when it comes to acne and blemishes, drinking more water will detoxify your skin and thus get rid of most of the impurities.

"Anytime I start breaking out, I always wash my face twice a day and try to drink more water," says Jeanine, a senior at the University of Michigan. "It takes a little while, but I feel like it cleans out my skin."

While you won't see results over night, drinking enough water for even a week will make your skin look much healthier.

Is eight glasses a day accurate?

So the million dollar question is this: how much water should we actually be drinking to ensure that we're hydrated enough to get all the benefits of water? While the eight glasses a day is accurate for some, it's not a blanket statement that applies to everyone. "Women should drink a minimum of one ounce of water per two pounds of body weight," Bailey says. "In other words, for each 50 pounds of body weight, you should drink three 8-oz. glasses of water." So if you only weigh around 100 lb., you only need six 8-oz. glasses of water each day. But if you're closer to 150 lb., you should shoot for nine.

When it comes to exercising, drinking alcohol, and drinking caffeine, it's important to up your water intake. Since all three dehydrate you, in order to keep your body healthy, Ely suggests drinking an extra glass of water for every caffeinated or alcoholic beverage you drink. For every 30 minutes of exercise, replenish your body with one extra glass of water.

What if I don't like water?

Many girls don't like the taste of water, and struggle to get it down because it's so plain. If that's the case, you can flavor your H2O with a squeeze of lemon or orange, or purchase some low-calorie Crystal Light packets to spice up your drink. Fruit juices, tea, coffee and other beverages still count toward your total water consumption, but remember, coffee makes you even more thirsty, so it probably is best to try the other options, instead.

You can get some of your water from foods, as well, and the average person consumes 20 percent of their daily-required water from food. Fruits and vegetables are great food sources of water, as are soups, yogurt, oatmeal, and milk. In fact, lettuce is 95 percent water, orange juice is 88 percent water, and yogurt is 85 percent water, so just by snacking on these foods, you're giving your body more water without even realizing it.

How can I drink more water?

So you want to get into a habit of drinking more water? Follow our tips for extra sips!

Purchase a large water bottle (preferably about how many ounces you are supposed to drink per day) and carry it with you to school, work, your internship, to the gym, and so on. Make sure you finish drinking the water by the time you go to sleep.
Drink from a straw – you tend to consume more water this way.
Drink a glass of water before every meal.
In between drinks at the bar, ask for a cup of ice water.
Make it a point to drink a glass of water first thing in the morning.
Keep a bottle or cup of water next to your bed, and drink it if you wake up in the middle of the night.
Order a glass of water along with your drink at a restaurant.
Incorporate a serving of fruits and vegetables into every meal to consume more water.
Drink a glass of water in between each class.
Write down how much water you drink each day so you can make a point to add more if you need to.

There you have it, collegiettesÔ! Now run to the nearest grocery store and stock up on the liquid goodness (or just head to the tap). You'll thank us when your skin is glowing, your weight is in check, you ace your test…and you have no hangover come morning.

Sources:

Wendy Bailey, digestive health expert at Probiotics.com

Leanne Ely, a nutritionist and author of Saving Dinner, a New York Times Best Selling Series.

http://www.webmd.com/diet/healthy-water-9/slideshow-water-health

http://www.webmd.com/diet/guide/wonders-of-water?page=3

College girls around the country

READ MORE...

8 Glasses a Day? The Real Deal on Water Part-1 - Women Campus

For as long as I can remember, I've always heard doctors, parents, teachers, and friends stress the importance of staying hydrated. My doctor would always say staying hydrated will keep my immune system up to par, and that drinking enough water is especially necessary when fighting off the flu or a cold. My mom always said that water gives you good skin and helps you keep extra weight off. My teachers constantly reminded me to drink enough water before a test because your brain can't function properly if it doesn't have enough water. And, as college students, the importance of drinking enough water before and after drinking is always encouraged. Anytime I've complained of a hangover headache, my friends constantly push Smart Water bottles toward me.

We all know that water is important—it's no secret that about 70 percent of our bodies are made up of H2O. But is eight glasses a day really the right amount? And can water seriously improve my skin, get me better when I'm sick, make me smart, and even prevent the dreaded morning-after headache? We investigated to give you the real deal on water.

So what does it actually do?

Since so much of the body is made up of water, the liquid is responsible for a lot in the body. Water brings nutrients and oxygen into the cells, plays a part in metabolism, regulates our temperature, protects and moisturizes our lungs and joints, and detoxifies our bodies. Getting enough water is vital for your body to function properly. "Water is a nutrient, actually, even though there is no 'nutrition' in a glass of water, per se," says Leanne Ely, a nutritionist and author of Saving Dinner, a New York Times Best Selling series. This nutrient has so many benefits, especially for the collegiette™.

The Benefits of Drinking Enough Water…

It reduces a hangover

Think back to the last time you had a serious hangover. Chances are you woke up that morning incredibly parched and ended up chugging glass after glass of water. Since alcohol dehydrates your body, the best cure for it is replenishing that water you lost. "People are dehydrated post-hangover because the body uses so much water in an attempt to process the alcohol, sugar, and toxins," says Wendy Bailey, a digestive health expert at Probiotics.org. The water you drink the morning after also helps your body get rid of the alcohol toxins in your body. "Hangovers are mostly an overload of toxins in the body," she adds. Drinking enough water clears out your system and replenishes what you lost during the night out.

"After drinking all night, I try to drink at least a bottle of water before bed, and even then, I still typically wake up a few times during the night to chug some more," says Amy, a senior at the University of Maryland. "In the morning, I usually drink a lot of water too, and I know that once my pee looks clear, I've probably drank enough water to compensate for the alcohol I drank the night before."

It helps you lose weight

While water molecules aren't exactly an army that defeats and carries fat out of your body, drinking water can definitely help keep your weight in check. According to a study by Dr. Brenda Davy, associate professor of human nutrition, foods and exercise at Virginia Tech, people who drank water before their meals consumed an average of 75 calories fewer during that meal. By consistently drinking water before a meal and eating fewer calories, you could lose up to 14.5 pounds in a year!

Sometimes, your body confuses thirst for hunger, so you'll eat when you're actually thirsty. When you drink water before a meal, you let your body get hydrated, and could potentially realize that you're not as hungry as you originally thought. Staying hydrated also ups your metabolism, especially if you're drinking water cold, according to WebMD, because your body burns extra calories trying to warm up the water.

"I never used to drink enough water – usually only three glasses a day – but as part of my spring break diet, I'm trying to drink more water because I heard that it makes you not as hungry," says Jennifer, a sophomore at Syracuse University. "I've only been doing it for like three weeks, but I've already noticed that I feel fuller after I drink water, so I normally don't eat as much as I normally would. And I feel like my body is much more regulated than it used to be."

So if you're on a mission to drop some pounds or even maintain your weight, make sure you're getting enough of that H20!

READ MORE...

The Marijuana Debate: Let's Check In & Other Fun Facts Part-3 - Women Campus

Why should we care about the legalization debate?

As taxpayers, the War on Drugs directly affects us. One point to consider when discussing the legalization of marijuana is the amount of money we as taxpayers lose to keep these marijuana "criminals" in jail.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics, taxpayers pay an estimated $1 billion annually to house the estimated 50,000 state and federal inmates serving time for marijuana and related offenses. That's straight out of our pockets!

On top of that, the U.S. federal government spent over $15 billion in 2010 on the War on Drugs, at a rate of about $500 per second, reported the Office of National Drug Control Policy.

Political author Jim Hightower of "The Hightower Lowdown" argues, "By even the most conservative estimate, the outlay from us taxpayers now tops $10 billion a year in direct spending just to catch, prosecute, and incarcerate marijuana users and sellers, not counting such indirect costs as militarizing our border with Mexico in a hopeless effort to stop marijuana imports."

Bottom line: a lot of our money is going towards the War on Drugs and we should always remain informed and aware.

What's really important for college students, however, is to understand that if you're caught using or possessing marijuana you could lose your federal financial aid eligibility (due to the Higher Education Act Aid Elimination Penalty). And, of course, your future could be on the line due to a drug charge related to marijuana.

Where is the debate right now?

Marijuana has been successfully legalized for medicinal purposes in the following fifteen states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, DC, Hawaii, Maine, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington.

Campaigns supporting the legalization of marijuana have been put on hold, it seems, although there is always more talk. The next time the nation will be seriously considering legalization will be when they vote in the 2012 Presidential Election.

We've seen the arguments for legalizing marijuana, but what are some negatives?

As for cons, there hasn't been much research proving marijuana to be a deadly drug. In fact, The National Commission on Marijuana and Drug Abuse concluded, "A careful search of the literature and testimony of the nation's health officials has not revealed a single human fatality in the United States proven to have resulted solely from ingestion of marijuana."

Some refer to marijuana as a "gateway drug." This means that should someone become comfortable with smoking pot, what will keep them from turning to harder, more life-threatening substances? An anonymous surveyor commented, "I definitely disagree, but I'm sure you're more likely to try harder drugs if you smoke pot and enjoy it…But I think it has a lot more to do with the individual person and not the drug itself."

Taken from the Prop 19 website, Joseph McNamara, former San Jose Police Chief, advocates the legalization by stating, "Like an increasing number of law enforcers, I have learned that most bad things about marijuana—especially the violence made inevitable by an obscenely profitable black market—are caused by the prohibition, not by the plant."

When Cosner was asked to explain the negative affects she said, "It would be naïve to think that marijuana use would not increase a bit as soon as the change were made so that it would be legally available to adults over the age of 18. However, I believe that the relative harms of an increase in responsible use are worth the risk in order to eliminate the negative consequences of marijuana prohibition as they currently stand."

Did you know?

In 2009, approximately 17 million people or 7% of the U.S. population were considered current users by consuming marijuana at least once per month.
Former President Bill Clinton and Vice President Al Gore, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, among others, admit they have smoked marijuana.
Approximately 100 million Americans have tried marijuana at least once, and more than 25 million have smoked it in the last year.
Globally, the number of people who had used cannabis at least once in 2008 is estimated between 129 and 191 million, or 2.9% to 4.3% of the world population aged 15 to 64.
In 2003, Canada became the first country in the world to offer medical marijuana to pain-suffering patients.
In 1996, California became the first U.S. state to legally allow medical marijuana for patients with a valid doctor's recommendation.
In 1619, the first law in the American colonies regarding marijuana actually required farmers to grow the hemp plant. Once harvested, hemp was useful for clothing, sails, and rope.
Cannabis seeds were used as a food source in China as early as 6000 B.C.
About 40% of high school students in the U.S. report using marijuana at least once in their life, and 20% report using it regularly.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration reported that from 2002 to 2009, the number of "current" (monthly) marijuana increased and grew by +11.7%.
With all these stats, which ones do you think are the most shocking? Do you think marijuana should be legal? Leave a comment!

Sources

Stacia Cosner, Associate Director for Students for Sensible Drug Policy & Member of the NORML Women's Alliance Steering Committee

Janet Brooks – student at University of Oregon

Lauren Briggs – student at University of Oregon

Anonymous college students across the country

Peter Fried, Barbara Watkinson, Deborah James, and Robert Gray: Canadian Medical Association Journal, April 2, 2002

http://monitoringthefuture.org/pubs/monographs/vol2_2009.pdf

http://www.nida.nih.gov/MarijBroch/Marijteens.html

http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/drugfact/marijuana/marijuana_ff.html

http://www.suite101.com/content/teen-girls-and-drug-abuse-a12479#ixzz1FsFHOdcx

http://oas.samhsa.gov/NSDUH/2k9NSDUH/2k9ResultsP.pdf

http://facts.randomhistory.com/2009/02/27_marijuana.html

http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/publications/policy/10budget/index.html

http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/ucr/ucr

http://www.youngmoney.com/credit_debt/the-economics-of-marijuana-reform/

http://yeson19.com/

Photo Sources

http://www.justice.gov/dea/photos/marijuana/mar_loose.jpg

www.smokinggivingup.wordpress.com

www.themavenreport.com

READ MORE...

The Marijuana Debate: Let's Check In & Other Fun Facts Part-2 - Women Campus

Do more men or women smoke weed in college?

It's pretty common to think of the typical stoner as a grungy male college student, eating potato chips and playing video games in a hazy apartment. And those suspicions prove correct. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) found in a 2010 study that, "In sum, male college students tend to use most substances, licit and illicit, more than their female counterparts…males are also more frequent users of alcohol and marijuana." It was also reported that daily marijuana use is much higher among male college students compared to female college students.

However, a recent HC article "The Weed Files: College Girls and Marijuana" examined a study that proved girls now begin smoking marijuana earlier than boys, and sometimes abuse it at a higher level.

At what age are people starting to use marijuana?

So when exactly do people start smoking weed nowadays? Do they start at their best friend's bar mitzvah in middle school, or at their first fraternity party in college?

In an HC survey, we found out that 69% of respondents used marijuana for the first time in high school. The NIDA also reported in a 2010 press release, "Marijuana use is rising; ecstasy use is beginning to rise; and alcohol use is declining among U.S. teens."

This means that a majority of students are entering college already having tried marijuana at least once, if not using it regularly. Over 75% of the respondents admitted to ever having used marijuana and almost half of the respondents told us they smoke weed at least once a month. It's safe to say that weed is not a secret, but in fact a social norm.

Since Obama took office, the idea to legalize marijuana has been at the forefront of drug policy reforms. Where do students stand?

With more generations filtering into the higher education system with experience and knowledge of this drug, and with political activism at high levels across campuses nationwide, most college students have adopted a reformist attitude that goes right in hand with the drug policy debate.

Janet Brooks, a senior at the University of Oregon and an active member of the student government, supports the legalization. "Marijuana is so prevalent in our society, especially among college students, and it always has been. The major benefit to marijuana becoming legal is the potential revenue gain for the United States. Legalizing it could boost our economy out of this recession. It would also allow the government to control the distribution and regulation," she says.

We interviewed Stacia Cosner who is the Associate Director for Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP), an international grassroots network of students whose aim is to make sense of the War on Drugs and political policies.

The SSDP group "neither encourages nor condemns drug use. Rather, we seek to reduce the harms caused by drug abuse and drug policies. As young people, we strive toward a just and compassionate society where drug abuse is treated as a health issue instead of a criminal justice issue."

It's no question that violence is connected with drugs and particularly drug trafficking. Cosner touched on the subject of regulation, "Black market violence would be dramatically reduced; money from marijuana sales would no longer go into the hands of criminals. Young people & minorities would no longer be unfairly targeted by aggressive law enforcement."

Contrastingly, Lauren Briggs, a junior at the University of Oregon, thinks that legalization laws should not be at the forefront of political debate. "I think there are much greater issues to consider that trump the marijuana debate. It's not that I 'hate' weed, but I think that this issue is distracting from greater ones like the War on Terror and illegal immigration."

READ MORE...

The Marijuana Debate: Let's Check In & Other Fun Facts Part-1 - Women Campus

It's no question that marijuana is quite the popular drug among college students. Hell, it's pretty popular among people of all ages nowadays (see stats below). From Snoop Dogg music videos to Blockbuster hits like Pineapple Express, marijuana and its "stoner" culture has become a popular topic among our generation. It's not unusual to hear weed casually referenced in a sit-com or even to smell it on the person next to you in class who decided to "wake and bake." You can even find magazines and trade papers dedicated strictly to the topic of pot.

The other day I caught myself in the middle of a conversation when someone used the term "doja." To avoid awkwardness, I did the usual smile and nod, acting like I knew what he was talking about. Naturally, I Googled the term when I got home, and immediately I felt naïve that I wasn't up-to-snuff on marijuana street names. Then I came to find out I wasn't up-to-snuff on a lot about the drug itself. And I probably should be a little more informed considering the vast media coverage of the drug policy reforms going on.

In a recent HC survey of college women, we found that 68% of the respondents are pro-legalization of marijuana. But of the people who said they were pro-legalization, only 10% said they were "very informed" on the subject. Glad to know I'm not alone!

Here is a general overview – a little study guide if you will – on some of the history, health effects, as well as some interesting statistics on doja, herb, and weed – or whatever you want to call it, as well as where things stand politically with the drug at this point.

What exactly is marijuana?

Marijuana is the mind-altering substance produced from a plant with the scientific name Cannabis sativa. The United Nations World Drug Report 2010 reported cannabis to be the most widely used illicit substance in the world. Marijuana is a green, brown, or gray mixture of dried, shredded leaves, stems, seeds, and flowers of the hemp plant. Weed is used because its primary active chemical, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), may induce relaxation and heighten the senses. Sinsemilla (a Spanish word), hashish ("hash" for short), and hash oil are stronger forms of marijuana, containing five to ten times as much THC.

Where did the name "marijuana" come from?

The word marijuana is said to have derived from the Mexican Spanish term marihuana according to the Oxford English Dictionary.It has also been cited as a Mexican slang term for Cannabis that was derived from the Spanish pronunciation of the names "Mary" and "Jane" – which were used by Mexican military as slang for prostitutes or brothels.

What are some other not-so-commonly-used names for the drug?

We rarely see this drug referred to as "cannabis" in modern pop-culture. People have thought of much more clever terms. You may hear marijuana called by street names such as pot, herb, weed, grass, Mary Jane, or chronic. The National Drug Intelligence Center came up with this quick chart of terms:

We also asked college women which slang names they most often use and here's what they said:

READ MORE...

Glasses as Fashion: 7 Ways to Flaunt Your Frames Part-2 - women campus

The Smarty-Pants

Is the girl wearing the rimless-bottom glasses your graduate student TA? A sexy librarian? An up-and-coming political superstar? Whoever she is, she's smart and she means business. The glasses version of the mullet (they're "party on the top, business on the bottom"), the half-rimmed glasses are perfect for the young professional who wants to look serious without looking 45. POINT OF CLARIFICATION: Do not get this style in a "fun" color…if you do you will end up looking like you sell tapestries at art festivals.

The Artist

If the only problem with borrowing your grandpa's frames is the difference in prescription, check out 'The Artist.' The style is characterized by big, thick, rounded frames that are almost entirely (or at least partially) made of light-colored, translucent plastic. Warning: this look is almost exclusively pulled off by people who are cool. Like, really cool. Wearers oftentimes have—but are not limited to—amazing vintage closets, lots of bright lipstick, an art portfolio, bicycles, and guitars. Bonus: wearing this style may get you automatic invitations to rooftop parties and gallery openings. At the very least you'll fit in at museums and independent, fair-trade coffee shops.

The Athlete

Sporty girls are generally thought of as die-hard fans of the contact lens (probably because the sport goggles they had to wear to 6^th grade soccer camp scarred them irreversibly), but even Olympians have to rest their retinas and slip on a pair of glasses every once in awhile. Luckily rectangular, wire frames go perfectly with a jersey, tracksuit, or team hoodie. Watch your game footage (or enjoy your off-the-field life) in style, and find solace in the fact that—unlike most of the rest of us four-eyes—you probably weren't a frequent last-pick in gym class.

Nerdy Chic

We get it. You have over a 3.9, you quote Foucault in casual conversation, you know the difference between mitosis and meiosis, and you can build a computer from the ground up. How do we know? Because of your circular, tortoise-shell "I'm kind of nerdy but still cute" glasses. (And the fact that you're actually taking notes in your 9am lecture.) Not only will you feel smarter just slipping on a pair of geek-chic frames, your chances of getting a Fulbright increase by at least 25%.

READ MORE...

Glasses as Fashion: 7 Ways to Flaunt Your Frames Part-1 - women campus

I've always believed in Karma, but the fact that glasses are now cool is almost too good to be true for the recovering awkward, I-broke-my-glasses-at-recess, last-picked-in-dodge ball, frizzy-haired, uncoordinated "funny friends" (you know, the girls who hung out in the popular crowd because they served as hilarious foils to the Elle Woods-esque queen bee) among us. Finally, a chance for our optic mediocrity to translate into trendy fashion statements, with our "four-eyes" turned into a stylish edge. Glasses wearers everywhere, carpe diem: may our near-sightedness translate into far-reaching fashion victories.

The Hipster

Wish you were a starving artist, minus the starving? Interested in moving to Brooklyn, but not ready to give up your Upper East Side digs? Want everyone to think you're a vegetarian? Just slip on some thick-rimmed, black plastic hipster glasses (yes, the kind your dad wore in 1990) and voila! Instant downtown cool. The only accessory ever to make Scarlett Johansen look even remotely androgynous, the "hipster" lenses are recommended to those with a larger face, a drastic haircut (think bleached blonde, pixie, or stark bangs) and a propensity toward thrift stores and indie films.

The Supermodel On Her Day Off

Yes, anything Megan Fox wears will look stunningly sexy. But there's something to be said for her "you can tell I don't usually wear glasses, but these glasses make me look approachable and adorable" look. Perfect for that Monday morning class, exam week slump, or especially painful morning-after—medium-rimmed black plastic rectangular frames scream "I'm cute in glasses, but you should have seen what I looked like last night."

The Everyday

Some of us have dry eyes. A fear of contact lenses. A nostalgic relationship with a favorite pair of childhood frames. Whatever the reason may be, classic, thin-rimmed plastics are the perfect look for an everyday wearer. Not too flashy, but still trendy (find an ovular lens that sits between the bottom of your eyebrows and the tops of your cheekbones)…the everyday glasses have never looked better. They're the go-to for Tina Fey when she's not mocking Sarah Palin.

READ MORE...