Who is Your Best Friendship Match?

There's been a lot of buzz lately about the zodiac signs changing. Simply put (aside from the scientific jargon), Ophiuchus is supposedly the new, 13th zodiac sign, covering November 30-December 17. Whether you believe in this new group of 13 signs or the good ol' trusty 12, it's always fun to check out what your sign could mean for you! This article from Yahoo! Shine recaps who your most compatible zodiac friends are and the traits that stand out. Here are the highlights:


Aries
Symbol: Ram | Ruling Planet: Mars
Arians have a fiery temperament and are natural leaders, drawing solidarity and strength from its ruling planet, Mars. While they seek variety in friendship, they also can get offended easily. One has to remain interesting constantly, or risk getting dumped by an Arian for boring attitudes! Nevertheless, Aries friends are supportive and help their friend achieve their goals, especially in career matters. They make friends easily and are fiercely loyal.


They have good astrological compatibility with: Gemini, Aquarius, Leo, and Sagittarius


Taurus
Symbol: Bull | Ruling Planet: Venus
As one of the earth signs, Taureans are excellent advice-givers and are great at helping those in distress. Friendships are steady and can usually stand the test of time; when they call you their best friend, they generally mean it! However, one should be careful not to arouse jealousy in Taureans - they can be possessive when it comes to relationships.


They have good astrological compatibility with: Pisces, Cancer, Virgo, and Capricorn


Gemini
Symbol: Twins | Ruling Planet: Mercury
Known for their sociable nature, Geminis make lots of friends. They are sympathetic listeners and help defuse tensions with humor. Able to bond well with different kinds of people, Geminis value diversity in their friendships. To maintain a close relationship with a Gemini, get to know her on an intellectual level. Appeal to their love for new ideas and your friendship will grow.


They have good astrological compatibility with: Aries, Leo, Libra and Aquarius


Cancer
Symbol: Crab | Ruling Planet: Moon
Cancerians are supportive by nature, but do not make friends easily because they are very selective with their friendships. But if you make the cut, they make very loyal friends unless their trust is betrayed,that is. Cancerians are also shy, tending to wait for friendship to occur rather than take initiative.


They have good astrological compatibility with: Taurus, Virgo, Scorpio and Pisces


Leo
Symbol: Lion | Ruling Planet: Sun
Leos are known for their aggressive, dynamic, and idealist natures. Like Arians, they have a fiery temperament. While they love to be the center of attention, making friends with Leos is very difficult. They have a sensitive ego and try to have one-to-one close friendships over friendships with many. They do not like to see their friends outshine them.


They have good astrological compatibility with: Gemini, Libra, Aries, and Sagittarius


Virgo
Symbol: Virgin | Ruling Planet: Mercury
Virgos by nature are shy and lack self-confidence. Therefore, establishing friendship becomes difficult for them. They are not in the habit of frequently changing friends. Virgos are good, trustworthy friends, great at giving advice. They are there to help you out in crisis situations.


They have good astrological compatibility with: Cancer, Scorpio, Taurus, and Capricorn


Libra:
Symbol: Scales | Ruling Planet: Venus
Librans have an aggressive and dynamic personality. They have a flair for leadership and attract many friends due to their social nature. Reflective of their symbol, Librans make good counselors because they are able to weigh the pros and cons of things. They are also great debators and can be found at parties and other social gatherings. Finally, Librans are the most fashionable of the bunch.


They have good astrological compatibility with: Leo, Sagittarius, Gemini and Aquarius


Scorpio
Symbol: Scorpion | Ruling Planet: Mars
Secretive and reflective, Scorpios keep a few close friends. They are known for their wisdom and are in demand for their guidance. Like its symbol, the scorpion, Scorpios have a bitter sting and can be one's worst enemy if offended. Scorpios are not interested in keeping to many friends but they remain true and loyal to those who are able to establish a long-term friendship with them.


They have good astrological compatibility with: Virgo, Capricorn, Cancer, and Pisces


Sagittarius
Symbol: Archer | Ruling Planet: Jupiter
Sagittarians are excellent communicators and have a dynamic and idealist nature. They are open-minded types who are perfect for travelling with and other adventurous activities. Sagittarians are also in the habit of making quick friendships and love to make friends from all over. They are highly considerate and charming in their mannerisms. To attract a Sagittarian, appeal to their adventurous side.


They have good astrological compatibility with: Libra, Aquarius, Aries, and Leo


Capricorn
Symbol: Goat | Ruling Planet: Saturn
Capricorns have profound leadership quality. They are loyal and caring friends, preferring stable and long-term friendships. At times, Capricorns can behave more like one's parent, rather than friend. Always devoted to friendship, they will be there to help a friend out. 


They have good astrological compatibility with: Scorpio, Pisces, Taurus, and Virgo


Aquarius
Symbol: Water Bearer | Ruling Planet: Saturn
Aggressive and skilled organizers, Aquarians believe in mass friendships. But this makes it very difficult for them to make close friendships with anyone. They love their freedom and often times believe that friendships will take away from their freedom. But if you appeal to their intellectual side, you will develop a good friendship with Aquarians. 


They have good astrological compatibility with: Sagittarius, Aries, Gemini, and Libra


Pisces
Symbol: Two Fishes | Ruling Planet: Jupiter
Pisces are secretive and strategic types. They are attracted to less fortunate people, not because of pity, but because of their sensitive and sympathetic nature. They make excellent listeners and careful analyzers. Pisceans make the most caring friends who can be trusted under any situation. 


They have good astrological compatibility with: Capricorn, Taurus, Cancer, and Scorpio


So what if you (or your friend) are the new sign, Ophiuchus? We'll just have to wait and see! What's your sign?
;)

Camilla Supports the Troops!

Joining fellow entertainers, America Ferrara and Jason Derulo, actress Camilla Belle is the latest famous fan of the “One 4 You, One 4 Me” bracelets, which give civilians a way to connect with U.S. troops. “I have pride for my country,” says the star in a PSA video in support of the BFF bracelets, a joint initiative by the American Freedom Foundation (AFF) and BFF Entertainment. Donning one of the minimalist leather bands, Belle explains, “It’s a symbol of my support for friends of the military serving our country.” Each of the bands comes engraved with a unique number, and when you register a specific bracelet, its matching pair is sent to an active military serviceman overseas, who you can connect with through the AFF’s online community. To read more of this article and to view Camilla's PSA, please visit: People.com

;)

December Series: Best Videos of 2010, Part IV

Hey Biffles, in our last segment of BFF's Best Videos of 2010, check out our final picks for this year's video chart-toppers...


Human Pac-Man
Wonder how long this took to film!

The Manslator

Finally... guys will get it!

Zeitgeist 2010: Year in Review

Google summarizes up the year using aggregate search data to illustrate the events, people, and stories that captured the world's attention. From the economic struggles that the world faced to the milestones surpassed, 2010 came and went. See what people searched for:

Who's excited for 2011! ;)

How to Help a Friend in An Abusive Relationship

According to College Candy, at least 32% of females have experienced an abusive relationship. Often times, people are scared to report their partner or tell their friends. Abusive relationships are difficult to deal with; you want to be there for your friend, but one tiny mistake could jeopardize your friendship and leave your friend in a dangerous situation that could potentially get worse. 

A great article by College Candy offers some helpful advice on how to go about this matter. These are some of the general tips:


Go directly to her first 
Intervene 
Take threats seriously
Stay away from drugs
Don’t be afraid to get professional help
Let her know she is not alone 
Be prepared to lose a friend


Check out the full article here. Remember that nobody don't has to go through this alone.

December Series: Best Videos of 2010

Hey Biffles! To countdown to the new year, BFF is recapping, each week, all of your favorite videos from this year! Remember the McDonald's chicken nugget rage video, or Liu Wei, the armless pianist who won China's Got Talent? Well, we do! Follow us as we take a look at some of this year's funniest, cutest, and most outrageous videos every Tuesday this December! Let's start the series off with...


OK Go - "Last Leaf"
Who DOESN'T love OK Go's awesomely intricate videos. See what some wackiness on a few treadmills leads to! (Apparently for OK Go, it's Rube Goldberg machines, show dogs, and toast!)

Double Rainbow

Whoever Hungrybear 9562 is, he must be the one guy who is THIS enamored by the magic of THE DOUBLE RAINBOW!!!!

Australia's Next Top Model Host Announces the Wrong Winner!

Enough said.

Tell us what your favorite videos of the year were, and YOU could be featured in BFF's Best Videos of 2010 series!! Stay tuned next Tuesday for another round of crazy videos!

;)

Budget-Friendly Holiday Fashion Trends

Hi BFF'ers!
With the holiday shopping season in full gear, splurging on cute, new outfits may take a backseat to all the gifts we are getting. But never fear, BFF has some fun and affordable trends for your next holiday party!

Cocktail rings: Make a statement, for under $10, by adding funky rings like this one from Forever 21

Sequins: Try small sparkly accessories for a varied look, or a bold sequined top to stand out from the crowd. Find under $40 deals, like this gold sequined tank, at Express!

Cashmere: This adds a touch of luxury to any holiday outfit. Yahoo! Shine has a great article on cashmere accessories for under $100!

The LBD: The little black dress is always a great classic. Check out Kourtney Kardashian's H&M find for only $40!

Sparkly or Jewel-Toned Nails: Try gold and silver for a POP effect, or a warm jewel tone, like teal (a hot winter trend!), to complement a party dress for under $10.

Greco-Roman Inspirations: According to WWD, this season is big on the Roman Holiday trend, so go for dresses with gorgeous draping detail or a one-shouldered look, like this gold cocktail dress by bebe

Bold Eyes: For this holiday season, try strong bright colors with your eye make-up for a glam statement, like limited-edition Silent Night by Nars, a vivid gold. For a cost-effective alternative, go for L'Oreal's H.I.P. collection - under $10!

So who ever said that you have to forgo cute holiday looks for the gift-giving spirit! Test out some of these top trends, and let us know which ones you like best!
Stay fab, Biffles ;)

BFF's Favorite 'Divas'

VH1's Salute the Troops will be featuring blowout performances by some of the top divas of the music industry. Let's take a look at some of our favorites...

Nicki Minaj
Originally from Trinidad and Tobago, this spunky 25-year-old rap diva burst onto the hip-hop scene with "Massive Attack" and "Your Love" earlier this year. Often see with brightly-colored tresses, this is one star that does not want to be defined:  "The point is, everyone is not black and white. There are so many shades in the middle, and you’ve got to let people feel comfortable with saying what they want to say when they want to say it," Minaj tells OUT Magazine in a recent interview. With feminist pride, and alter-egos (like Roman Zolanski), Nicki Minaj is will definitely be making huge waves in the music and pop culture. Check out her new album, Pink Friday, which debuted at #2 this past November!

Katy Perry
Califorinia Gurl Katy Perry has dominated the music scene with hits, like "Teenage Dream" and "Fireworks." But she's probably best known for consistently making headlines, with back-to-back performances at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show and the Grammy Nominations Concert Live and her recent controversial wedding to Russell Brand in India. But we all love Perry because this is one diva that knows how to have fun! (Did you catch her short-lived guest star on Sesame Street that was deemed too racy for the children's classic?) Her suggestive lyrics, provocative outfits, and down-to-earth, Christian background make Perry a fascinating femme fatale. As Perry tells Harper's Baazar, "I'm kind of a good girl—and I'm not."

Hayley Williams
Paramore frontwoman, Hayley Williams, rounds out the band's pop punk sounds. Collaborating with B.o.B on the hit single, "Airplanes," earlier this year (though the pair did not even meet until recently!), Williams demonstrates her strong vocals and musical range. As singer, songwriter, and keyboardist for Paramore, she garnered a lot of devout fans with "Decode," which became the official song of Twilight. With all of these projects, it is clear that Williams and Paramore are not going anywhere (like rumors of their break up in 2008).


These divas are great examples of women leading the charge! We here at BFF especially love that they are taking the time to "Salute the Troops." Like our BFF bracelet, which connects you with someone in the armed forces, support for our men and women overseas and back home is amazing!


Catch these lovely ladies perform on VH1's Salute the Troops this Sunday, December 5th.
;)

Holiday Gift Giving Guide!!

We've just passed the biggest shopping day of the year (anybody go Black Friday shopping?), but most people don't do their holiday shopping until December. If you are stuck on what to get, BFF has got your gift giving guide for this holiday season!

Foodies

Bakers will love baking tools that will help set their yummy creations apart. Try specialty cookie cutters or a frosting set from the Sur La Table gift guide!

Surprise your favorite food enthusiast with quirky kitchen gadgets, like this Raman combo fork-spoon

Tech Nerds

For people who LOVE their phones, I Make My Case provides custom-designed cases for iPhones and Blackberries; a great way to personalize a gift! 

Amp up an average photo frame by going digital! Best Buy carries a great range of digital photo frames that will bring life to your favorite memories.

Just For You

The man in your life will LOVE this personalized Man Cave sign! 

This adorable photo collage journal set is perfect for keeping your thoughts and memories!

The Outdoorsman (or Woman)

This solar-powered charger by LL Bean is great for the wired adventurer!

Capture the best scenic landscapes with a camcorder made for the great outdoors. It's waterproof! 

Home Designers

Random decorative objects made cute gifts, especially if you fill it with stocking-stuffer goodies, like candy! Check out Mikasa's huge selection of bowls, vases, and more!

Scented candles are always a great touch to any home decor. These gorgeous wood-blown glass candle set is sure to add to the holiday charm.

I hope BFF's 2010 gift guide has sparked some fun ideas for presents. No matter how cheesy, "it's the thought that counts" never goes out of style! Good luck gifting, BFF'ers ;)

VH1's 'Divas' Salute the Troops

Hi Biffles!
VH1, in partnership with USO, is hosting a concert in support of our troops overseas. Performers include R&B songstress, Keri Hilson and "California Gurl," Katy Perry! Viewers can show their support now by adding their Facebook profile picture to the Salute the Troops Mosaic or donating $1 to USO's Operation Enduring Care.


And as always, you can purchase a BFF bracelet and get to know someone serving in the armed forces. It's an awesome token of support that will remind us of the hard work and sacrifice these men and women out there undergo. Find your BAFF (Best Armed Forces Friend)!


**A special shoutout goes to Keri Hilson and the other VH1 "Divas", Big Time Rush for showing their patriotism this holiday season, and all of the wonderful supporting celebrities, including Perez Hilton, who featured our BFF bracelets on his fashion-inspired blog, Coco Perez!!


Catch VH1 Divas Salute the Troops this Sunday, December 5.
;)

Book Review: The Tipping Point

Hey BFF'ers! For those of you who have opted out of the Black Friday extravaganza, here is an awesome book to check out. Malcolm Gladwell, researcher and a staff writer for The New Yorker, explores the power behind word-of-mouth phenomenon in his bestseller, The Tipping Point: How Little Things Make a Big Difference. Ever wonder why certain things catch on (such as Silly Bandz) and how they spread? Amazon says, "The best way to understand the dramatic transformation of unknown books into bestsellers, or the rise of teenage smoking, or the phenomena of word of mouth or any number of the other mysterious changes that mark everyday life," writes Malcolm Gladwell, "is to think of them as epidemics. Ideas and products and messages and behaviors spread just like viruses do." Although anyone familiar with the theory of memetics will recognize this concept, Gladwell's The Tipping Point has quite a few interesting twists on the subject."


Great read. Spread the word ;)

Surviving Black Friday

Thanksgiving is only a day away, but we all know that it's not just your aunt's awesome stuffing that you're looking forward to. Black Friday, the Friday after Thanksgiving, is the BIGGEST shopping day of the year. Deals, doorbusters, and slashed prices draw crowds in the thousands during early morning hours. But how can we score those top deals without getting mobbed by the crowd or fighting over the last $3 toaster (à la Rebecca Bloomwood of Confessions of a Shopaholic)? BFF has your Black Friday guide to surviving on top!

1. Do your research beforehand

Sift through ads and visit deal-oriented websites, like GottaDeal. Know what the deals are and which retailers carry the ones you want to score. Picking out which deals you want ahead of time keeps you from making a bad split-second impulse buy.

2. Be a savvy shopper

Check Consumer Reports and reviews online before you commit to buying anything. No matter how discounted it is, a bad product is still a bad product.

3. Pick a good shopping buddy

Waiting in long lines and running into angry bargain-hunters can be a pain. But if you have a good teammate who can get in the spirit of Black Friday, shopping on such a stressful day will be less frustrating.

4. Bring props

Make a list of all your deals and stores to hit so that you don't get confused in all the commotion. Bring the ads you found so that if there is any dispute, you have your source with you! Finally, pack portable snacks and drinks so that you're not feeling faint during the shopping extravaganza!

4. Logistics, logistics, logistics

Now that you have your deals, stores, and Black Friday partner(s)-in-crime ready, it's all about execution. Overboard? I think not. Deciding on a time will help keep you moving. Planning out your route helps you navigate efficiently and saves time so that you can get in and out without pushing through crowds for too long.

5. Dress comfortably

I cannot stress this one enough. Make sure you bring a warm jacket - waiting outside in long seemingly never-ending lines can be harsh so be sure to stay warm. Keep in mind that shopping on Black Friday is a physical effort. That means no heels! Wear comfortable clothes that you can move around in.

6. Make friends with the people in line

This could prove handy if you have to run bathroom, and there are new friends who can save your spot in line.

7. Keep in mind that you can also shop online

Many retailers are having the same, if not better, deals online so don't feel like you have to brave the early morning crowds.

Happy shopping Biffles! ;)

Friends You Should AVOID

A friend can be one of the most important people in your life. But there are some friends who are more like enemies. These "toxic" friends are unreliable, overly-demanding, and don't give back. Could you be stuck in a toxic friendship? StyleCaster shares 5 frenemies that you should lose:


The Competitive Friend
This type of friend is always finding ways to compete, whether it’s for the attention of a guy, the approval of other friends, or for job-related praise.


The Debbie Downer
This frenemy turns your friendship "into a never-ending therapy session".


The Promise Breaker 
Constantly breaking promises, this type of friend still expects everything from you in return.


The Criticizer
While these criticisms may come in the form of jokes at first, this type of friendship will eventually become draining, as you’ll always be on the defense against her attacks


The Gossip 
This type of friend is constantly breaking your confidentiality.


While it is normal for friendships to change, some don't change for the better. To read the full article and find out how to deal with a toxic friend, go to Yahoo! Shine. Don't let frenemy distract you from awesome friends.

;)

Blogger Highlight: Lovely Undergrad

Biffles, as you all know, I love frugal finds and DIY crafts! If you don't want to drop tons of cash (like me!) to decorate your room, invest in high-end beauty products, or find fun things to do, Lovely Undergrad is an awesome resource for ideas and inspiration! A college student herself, Jessica shares her tips on everything from spicing up a plain room to great books to read and cute wardrobe ideas... all on a small budget! Here are a few of my favorite inspirations:

Try scouring a flea market for this birdcage photo display. Just use clothespins to attach photos!

Edamame: a healthy and cheap snack!

An AWESOME alternative to a traditional nightstand

This bulletin board was made from a door! Insane.

Great theme!

Get your make-up organized!

From salvaged chain gate to adorable headboard with just a blanket or quilt!

Hope you guys found some inspiration here. It's true that with a little flair, you don't need a big budget to get organized and add some style. Check out Lovely Undergrad for more tricks and ideas. DIY away, BFF'ers

;)

Music Monday! : Neon Trees

Neon Trees is a rock band from Provo, Utah whose first single, "Animal", has climbed to #15 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #1 on the Alternative Rock Chart. The band's name originates from the lighted trees outside of a restaurant, seen in California. Although they had several prior independent releases, the band released its debut album at Mercury/Def Jam, Habits, on March 16, 2010. "Animal" was chosen as the lead single and was shortly thereafter featured as the Free Single of the Week on iTunes in March 2010. They performed the song on Jimmy Kimmel Live on March 23, 2010 and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on May 14, 2010 and Lopez Tonight on October 18, 2010. Mark Hoppus of Blink-182 selected Animal as his Spin Magazine Pick of the Week. If you aren't familiar with these guys then now's the time!

For more information, head over to their website.

What's playing on your iPod right now? Let us know by dropping a comment below!

;)

Groupon Friday!

Hey Biffles,
Just wanted to share one of our favorite places for deals: Groupon! The great thing about it is that it's so easy to share! Many of their local finds come in pairs, and they have a "Buy It For a Friend" option, something to keep in mind if your BFF's birthday is coming up! Plus, it's way more fun to hit the gym on a discount membership or get a free manicure when you go with your best friends!

So grab your closest friends, and start saving!
;)

Disaster Relief in Indonesia!

Earlier this week, the Mentawai islands of Indonesia were hit with a tsunami followed by an 7.5 magnitude earthquake. In these remote regions, the death tolled has surpassed 300. Warning systems set up 2008 had fallen into disrepair and had stopped working a month before. Homes, possessions, and entire villages were destroyed. 

Even though we are across the globe, we can still help. Non-profit organizations, like SurfAid International, are working to provide disaster relief in Indonesia. Spread the news to your local communities. To donate, visit http://www.surfaidinternational.org/

Top 10 Scariest Movies for You and Your BFF!

Watching scary movies has always been one of my favorite things to do. It's one of those strange paradoxes where you're definitely creeped out during the movie, but you can't stop watching! After several encounters with Michael Myers and some not-so-friendly ghosts, à la The Sixth Sense, my solution was to only watch scary movies with my best friends. Somehow fighting over popcorn and making them watch the scary scenes while I hid behind a pillow made scary movies all the more fun and less like something was going to jump out at me! With Halloween right around the corner, this is one tradition that never gets old! Here are ten of my favorite horror movies, from classic thrillers to box office slasher hits. Biffles, be sure to have lots of popcorn - and of course, your best friends - on hand for this marathon! ;)


Carrie
You don't want to mess with this girl. Here's a classic tale about the opposite of friendship by horror master, Stephen King


The Shining
This is no family picnic! Another one of King's horror classics, The Shining starts off a little slow, but gets you when you least expect it!


The Silence of the Lambs
Hannibal Lecter gives the ultimate creeps in this 2001 film. He also ruined fava beans for half the people who saw this movie!


Scream (1, 2, AND 3)
Before Jigsaw, the rules of the game were defined by the teen protagonists of Scream: "Never, ever, ever, under any circumstances, say 'I'll be right back', 'cause you won't be back." Igniting a trend of teen slasher flicks, get ready for Scream 4 (currently in production) by re-watching its predecessors. 


What Lies Beneath
Ultimate creep-fest, and it incorporates the use of a Oujia board!


The Sixth Sense
Smart and freaky, this is THE quintessential ghost haunting movie, which led to a whole slew of the creepy-kids-in-horror-movies trend.


Ju-on
If you thought The Grudge was scary, the original Japanese version takes it to another level. You won't want to leave your room afterwards!


The Exorcism of Emily Rose
Anything that claims to be based on a true story always makes it that much scarier!

28 Weeks Later
That's the thing with zombies: it's never over! Check out this sequel to 28 Days Later.


Paranormal Activity
A must-see if you haven't already seen it. The amateur home video method (much like The Blair Witch Project) adds that creepy real-life element! (Tip: Stream it instantly on Netflix!).