Healthy lifestyle
A healthy lifestyle is one which helps to keep and improve people's health and well-being.Many governments and non-governmental organizations have made big efforts in healthy lifestyle and health promotion.
Mental Health
Mental health can be considered a very important factor of physical health for the effects it produces on bodily functions. This type of health concerns emotional and cognitive well-being or an absence of mental disorder.
Public health
Public health can be defined in a variety of ways. It can be presented as "the study of the physical, psychosocial and socio-cultural determinants of population health and actions to improve the health of the population.
Reproductive Health
For the UN, reproductive health is a right, like other human rights. This recent concept evokes the good transmission of the genetic heritage from one generation to the next.
Health
Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
mardi 19 avril 2016
13 Money-Saving Amazon Tricks
Amazon is the ultimate online shopping destination that sells pretty much everything you can think of, ranging from books to furniture. The appeal of the digital superstore is simple: it's a one-stop shop with fast delivery options and many discounted items. To make the most of your Amazon shopping experience, follow these tips:
- Freebies: Take advantage of the free eBooks you can download from the Kindle store, and you don't even need a Kindle to read these books - you can read them off your desktop computer. If you're an Amazon Prime member, remember to borrow books from Amazon's lending library. The library has over 500,000 titles you can borrow.
- Used items: The online retailer has a good selection of used goods that you can buy from third-party sellers. Save on the item you want by checking out the used options. Be sure to pick the Amazon reseller carefully and factor in the shipping costs to the total.
- Consider Amazon Prime: If you buy a lot of items from Amazon, you should consider their $99 a year membership called Amazon Prime, which gives you free two-day shipping and access to freebies like the lending library and free streaming of movies, TV shows, and music. This would be worth your money if you find yourself often opting for the fastest delivery options or if it will cost more for you to go a brick-and-mortar store to buy the item.
- Share Amazon Prime: If the cost of Amazon Prime is too high, split the cost by sharing the service with others. You can add up to four "household" members by following these instructions. Amazon doesn't define what a "household" member means, so it's left up to your discretion.
- Free supersaver shipping: If you're not in a rush and don't have Amazon Prime, wait until your shopping cart has about $25 worth of goods so that you qualify for the free supersaver shipping. It will deliver your items in five to eight business days after the items are available for shipping.
- Subscription services: Constantly ordering the same items every month? To save money, you should consider ordering through the Subscribe & Save program, which will give you a discounted price and automatically ship the product to you on a regular schedule.
- Track the prices: If there's an item you want to purchase at a lower cost, use the site CamelCamelCamel to keep an eye on the price. You can set alerts that will notify you via email or Twitter when the price of the item drops.
- Shop the sales: There are many deals to be had in Amazon. Check out its Today's Deals page to see what items are currently on sale. The Goldbox Deal showcases one item that Amazon offers an extra discount on every day. There's also the Lightning Deal that offers coupon savings on an item for just four hours. Be sure to check out a section in the Today's Deal page that will take you to the best deals going on at Amazon. Also, when Friday comes around, there is the Friday Sale, which offers discounts on over a hundred items for just one day. Another place to find bargains on Amazon would be the outlet shopping page where you can score outlet deals.
- Take advantage of warehouse deals: Amazon has a section called Warehouse Deals where you'll see the open-box, like-new, and refurbished items at deep discounts. Amazon verifies that the items returned by other people are in working order before putting them up for sale as a warehouse deal.
- Mom and student accounts: Joining Amazon Mom will get you the same benefits as Prime, but it will cost you the same price. However, you get additional benefits such as 20 percent off diapers and wipes. If you join the Amazon Student program, you'll get Amazon Prime free for the first six months, then 50 percent off Prime membership after that.
- Price guarantee: If the price of the item drops after you purchase it, you can get refunded the difference as long as you report it within seven days of delivery. The price guarantee only works if Amazon sells and ships the item. To figure out if they are the seller of the item, you will have to look for this phrase "" on the listing.
- Trade-in program: If there's something you need to get rid of, consider Amazon's trade-in program. What's great about this is it's easy to look up the specific item you want to trade and you'll be able to see the price you'll get for it. It takes less effort to trade in the item and earn cash versus trying to list the item to resell it to others. Keep in mind that the items you trade in have to be in good condition, and if they don't meet Amazon's standards, they will be shipped back to you without charge.
- Coupons: Don't forget to check out Amazon's coupon page for even more discounts. RetailMeNot also has a nice list of codes you can enter when you're checking your items out.
Source: Flickr user schtumple
You'll Want to Move Into Chris Hemsworth and Elsa Pataky's Malibu Family Pad
Actor Chris Hemsworth and his wife, Elsa Pataky, have just listed their Malibu, CA, family home for $6.5 million. The nearly 3,500-square-foot, five-bedroom, six-bathroom space is the quintessential home for the luxe family of five. The spacious Victorian-style estate is enclosed with white pillar balconies and sits on an oceanside lot with plenty of outdoor space for their three adorable children to play.
Rich, green yard space, cozy interiors, and a chef-style kitchen are enough to steal the hearts of any couple hunting for a pad to start a new life in. While the family recently relocated to Chris's native Australia, it doesn't mean that they'll completely neglect their former Malibu neighborhood. Brother Liam Hemsworth and Miley Cyrus just snagged an estate in the region, too. Read on to see all the gorgeous photos of the property that you will want to move into . . . ASAP.
JetBlue's First Class Is Pretty Damn Cool -but Is It Worth the Cost?
I was invited to fly JetBlue's inaugural Mint class (aka first class) from San Francisco to Boston, and I'm officially converted - not just to Mint, but to the airline. Starting at $599 one-way (and possibly lower - I spotted a $493 seat flying Boston to San Francisco), it's pretty incredible that you can fly across the country and back in first class for $1,000. That said, as a first-time JetBlue flier, I was almost more impressed with the coach perks - especially in an Even More Space seat on my return flight. Read on for my experience on Mint to decide for yourself if it's worth it.
The Lookbook For Target's Marimekko Home Collection Is Lust-Inducing
Saying goodbye to Winter has never been so easy thanks to the eclectic styles of Target's newest collaboration with Marimekko. When we heard the Finnish design house known for its bold colors and prints was partnering with Target, we were excited - but now that we've seen the lookbook, we're clearing our schedule so we can be first in line when the collection is released on April 17. More than 200 Marimekko pieces will be available through Target, and most of them are priced under $50(!). Even those on the tamer side of the decor front will be able to find items to their liking, as the collection includes black-and-white alternatives to the more vibrant. From playful place mats to poufs and beanbags, the Marimekko line screams Summer entertaining. So scroll ahead to see some of the best products and prepare to want one of each.
Little Changes That Will Make You a Happier Person
You don't have to drop all of your cash or change up your entire life in order to make happiness happen. There are plenty of little things you can do that will keep you feeling blissful all year long, and here are 25 ways to help you get started!
- Go to sleep when you are tired. You aren't doing anybody any good by forcing yourself to stay awake when your mind and body need a break.
- Take your breaks and vacation days.
- Take the time to cook a good meal at least once a week.
- Take a second out of every day to think a positive thought about yourself . . . even if it's just the fact that you're having a good hair day.
- Make your bed and open the blinds.
- Write out a blurb of your thoughts as often as you can and save them in a box. Writing often puts things in perspective.
- Always listen to calming music - feel-good or sad - when you clean. You'd be surprised at how therapeutic dusting can become.
- Drink more water.
- Don't take your work home with you.
- Give yourself a small challenge to complete every week - as opposed to feeling defeated when Sunday rolls around, you'll feel accomplished! These challenges could be as simple as smiling at a stranger every morning or skipping sweets every other day.
- Hike more often.
- Eat breakfast every day.
- Take snapshots of your good days and happy moments.
- Try with all of your might to wake up when your first alarm goes off.
- Find a way to shake up your daily routine so as to avoid getting into a rut. Try a new coffee drink, eat your lunch outside - anything to break up the monotony.
- Give yourself something to look forward to on Friday evenings that isn't always necessarily a social event, like taking a bubble bath, starting a book you've been meaning to read, or making a dish you've been craving!
- Don't rely on social media as entertainment every time you're bored.
- Don't go to bed in a bad mood.
- Go on more coffee dates with friends.
- Don't work and eat at the same time.
- Cry when you feel like crying. Repressed negative emotions never lead to a happy disposition.
- Carve out time every morning to stretch and also to sit and drink your cup of joe without feeling rushed.
- Don't let emails be the first thing you see when you wake up.
- Always talk to somebody you trust when something is bothering you - don't keep it to yourself.
- Eat more ice cream.
Get Rid of Fruit Flies Fast
Summer equals fruit flies in my home. I love ripe fruits and veggies, which isn't a good combination with warm weather. And I refuse to put them in the fridge and lose out on all that delicious and healthy goodness. So how to deal with those itty-bitty pests? We found this smart solution on Pinterest and had to give it a try.
- To create the all-natural fruit-fly trap, add one-fourth cup apple cider vinegar to a small wide-mouth container. Add a few drops of your favorite dish soap, and top with water, creating a nice layer of bubbles.
- Place the fruit-fly trap next to the infestation, and watch as the little buggers get caught up in the layer of bubbles. The flies are attracted to the smell of the apple cider vinegar and then (kind of sadly, but not) meet their fate in the suds.
- Scoop the layer of fruit flies from the container with a spoon, and discard. Top with more water and soap to use as long as needed. Bye-bye, fruit flies!
This 1 App Relieves My Anxiety Like Nothing Else
I've been an anxious person since as far back as I can recall. Seriously - I remember, at 11 years old, losing sleep over conversations I had with friends, acquaintances, and strangers in my sixth grade class (was I nice enough? Was I funny enough? Did that one thing I said come off wrong? Was I being a bother? Did my peers think I'm strange? Why didn't my teacher like me?). Only years down the road did I learn that it's okay to mess up sometimes, that it's okay if someone's not your biggest fan. It's okay to be different, weird, or even annoying (to a point, of course) . . . and the only acceptance that truly matters comes from within.
However, that's not to say I'm no longer anxious. Like any emotion, it comes and it goes. And something as minor as having to inform the restaurant they messed up my order can trigger it. In fact, it was just after I sheepishly called a local cafe on Friday to tell the manager they forgot to deliver my $5 freshly squeezed orange juice, and could they please either refund me or circle back to my apartment (they did the latter, and my face burned in shame for "being a bother"), that I decided to see if the app store had something to offer for anxiety.
Turns out "relaxing games" is a total buzzphrase in Apple's market, and a ton of interesting activities popped up in the search results. One app, in particular, caught my eye: Let's Create! Pottery Lite (also available on Google Play).
Now, I'm no artist. I took a sculpting class in high school my senior year, and only received an A for my floundering efforts, sadly. As far as virtual pottery goes, on the other hand . . . well, I might just have a hidden talent up my smock sleeves. I'm pretty savvy with my phone, after all. Why not give online clay-molding a shot?
I think I spent upwards of two or three hours creating the vases of my dreams over the weekend. I'm no Michelangelo - even with the help of a computer - but at least I'm not getting graded, right?! Here's a breakdown of the game, and why it's so damn SOOTHING.
12 Excuses Only People Who Truly Hate House Cleaning Understand
When cleaning the house feels akin to going to the dentist or filing your taxes, you're bound to come up with every excuse in the book not to do it. Unfortunately, a messy house begets a messy house until the task at hand grows out of hand. To help tame your hatred of home cleaning, we've gathered up the best nonstarters and provided you with solutions to get past them. Keep reading to find out how even the biggest house-cleaning hater can come to have a spick-and-span home.
10 Ways Workaholics Can Chill Out and Work Less
Workaholics - either you know one, or you are one. If the latter's your case, take a few minutes to reconsider your priorities. True, your career is important, but so are your friends, family, and personal desires and goals. Think of it this way: you've only got one (very short) life and spending the bulk of your time at your job means missing out on some of the best memories. Below are 10 tips for the one who works too much (trust us - it can be remedied!).
1. Admit it.
It's easy to justify staying at work till 8 p.m. every day ("My boss asks me to - I don't have a choice!"), but get in the habit of recognizing when (or if) it's a problem.
"Most people deny the fact that they have an issue, so the first step is realizing you have been working too much and that you need to make a conscious effort to slow down," said millennial career expert Jill Jacinto.
2. Talk to a therapist.
Sorting out your frustrations, stress, thoughts, and feelings with a professional will bring you closer to work-life balance, little by little.
"I highly recommend doing some mindset work with a coach or therapist about what's driving you to work when you don't need to," said Ashley Stahl, a career and business coach for millennials. "Too many people subconsciously tie their self-worth to their work, and this sort of mindset work can be supportive in seeing their own worthiness beyond their professional output." If you've never seen a therapist, don't be afraid to start! Even the strongest of us could use extra help sometimes.
3. Restrict your working hours.
There's a load of reasons working 11 or 12-hour days is bad for you, but suffice it to say, cutting down your shifts to a normal or slightly above normal average is in your greatest interest.
"Stop being the first person to get to work and the last one to leave," said career coach and bestselling author Julie Jansen. "One of these is OK if it aligns with your natural body clock. Not both!"
4. Get a hobby.
Seriously - figure out something to do when you get home, so you're not just working, eating, and sleeping.
"Find an outside interest," Jansen said. "Cycling, art, gardening . . . whatever! Find other people who enjoy the same passion and hang out with them."
Jacinto echoes the significance of a home-life hobby - specifically, exercising.
"Get moving," Jacinto said. "Most workaholics don't make time for anything, and the first item that usually loses its place from the to-do list is exercising. Not many people look forward to lifting weights or using the elliptical, but getting your blood flowing is exactly what you need to do in order to live a healthy lifestyle. Instead of dinner with a client, why not invite them to a Spin class? Or wake up 20 minutes earlier to take a quick run around the park." It's true: 20 extra minutes is all it takes!
5. Turn it off.
Thinking about work during a weekend trip with your SO or family? One word: don't.
"If you are home with your family, on vacation, or at an event, be present," Jacinto said. "Don't let your mind or fingers wander back to the office or your phone. Make a point to let go and enjoy where you are, what you are doing, and who you are with."
6. Don't stretch yourself too thin while you're on the job.
Yes, it's entirely possible to overwork while you're at work.
"Stop overbooking meetings and conference calls," Jansen said. Simple enough.
7. Take your lunch break . . . every day.
You deserve breakfast, dinner, and lunch. Preserve a half hour for pasta salad from the deli next door - and stay away from email during that time slot.
"If you've ever uttered the phrase, 'I don't have time for lunch at the office,' you have a problem," Jacinto said. "Eating proper meals stimulates your mind and energizes you. Your work will start to slack if you don't sustain yourself. Realize grabbing a sandwich and leaving your desk for 15 minutes will not negatively affect your work performance - in fact, it will give you the energy to conquer your next project."
8. Limit your perfectionism.
Your output should be awesome - but flawless 24/7? Not feasible. You're human.
"Work on your perfectionistic tendencies," Jansen said. "It takes too long to be perfect, and no one cares."
9. Stick to your personal calendar.
You're set for a dinner date on Wednesday night with an old friend from college, but you're thinking of rescheduling because of your hectic week. Refrain! At the most, push it back a half hour.
"Avoid canceling social plans because of work," Jansen said. Nobody likes a flake.
10. Learn to say no.
It's tough to do, but figuring out how to say no is one of the most powerful skills you can master.
"Stop saying yes to your boss, your colleagues, and everyone else at work," Jansen said. "In other words, stop being the person who can do everything." Because, let's face it - you can't.
"Say no," Jacinto reiterated. "There are times in our careers where we want to say yes to everything, and there are times we feel the need to say yes to everything. Realize that saying no is an option and may sometimes be a better choice. Set boundaries for yourself." Understanding your work limitations is essential in discovering the changes needed to practice a balanced lifestyle.
Millennial Burnout Is a Real Thing - How to Prevent It
Not to brag, but I keep pretty impressive company. Some of my closest friends include a self-sufficient single woman on track to be chief learning officer at her company who ran 30 marathons and became a homeowner before turning 30; a self-motivated overachiever who is breaking barriers in the tech industry advocating for diversity and women's inclusion with some of the most powerful figures in Silicon Valley by her side; and a sustainability and social responsibility guru who, at 30, is already a step away from VP at her high-profile advertising agency.
These women are kicking butts and taking names, doing work they're passionate about, and, honestly, changing the world at the same time. So why did I get this early-morning text from one of my girlfriends this week:
"This podcast on burning out made me ugly cry on my way to work this morning - where I opened my bag to realize I left my computer at home after working late (again and again)."
The episode she sent, from Real Simple's Adulthood Made Easy podcast, is titled "Why Are We Getting Burnt Out at Work?," and it addresses this Fast Company article that has since spawned a number of stories on how millennial women are burning out at their jobs by their early 30s and even late 20s. As someone who can relate (sort of, I'll get to that in bit), here's what I think the 30-something burnout boils down to.
Why Is It Happening?
- Unrealistic expectations we put on ourselves. Adding fuel to the fire is the prevelance of social media and all the inevitable comparisons we can't help but make to other millennial women who seem to have their sh*t together (when the truth is, nothing's as perfect as it seems).
- Not having the ability to really disconnect from the job. With 24/7 access to work emails, it's extremely difficult to do that whole "work-life balance" thing.
- Having a job you don't really love. This could be because you chose your career path based on what you thought you're "supposed" to do from a practical standpoint, or it could be because you just didn't know what you really wanted to do at 18 when you were expected to choose a college major. (And who does, really?)
So how can you keep this from happening to you? Both the podcast and the Fast Company article come to a similar conclusion that if you find your dream job, you won't get burned out because you'll love what you do. I don't necessarily think it's as simple as that, but I agree on some level - I LOVE my job so much that I've been with POPSUGAR for six years, which in millennial years is practically a lifetime. That said, do I get stressed out and, at times, have I felt close to burning out over the years? Yes, absolutely.
I'm a firm believer that you make your own destiny, and the grass might just continue to be greener at another job unless you do something about it. So before you up and change careers - which you might need to do, and that's OK! - I suggest trying these tips first.
How Can You Prevent It?
- Find a professional mentor, either your boss or someone else you can talk to honestly about feeling close to the burnout breaking point. Have an open conversation about what you're struggling with and work together to figure out what needs to change. Is it your position? Is it something you're doing that you'd rather not be doing? Could you do something that would make your job more fulfilling?
- If there's something you have to do - like travel, for instance - that's particularily draining, find a way to make it more enjoyable. Be honest with your manager that you need more realistic flight times or buffer days to recoup after a long trip.
- If you're feeling burnt out, focus on the one thing you really love about your job and do that for a day or a week to recharge.
- Make a growth plan. Do some soul searching and come up with one or two stretch goals. Then work with your manager to get there. You might feel better about all the hard work if you know you're moving forward. This could be giving a presentation to the department or taking ownership of a big project.
- Use your vacation days. Burnout usually goes hand-in-hand with exceptionally busy times, so taking time off when things get crazy can seem counterintuitive. But giving 150 percent for long stretches of time can zap your energy, wear down your patience, and kill your creativity. Find a day, a long weekend, or a whole week - whatever's doable for you - to get away and refill your reserves, and you'll be a happier, more productive person when you get back at it. Even if you have 2,000 unreads in your inbox.
- Split up meetings. Have a peer go to one and you to the other and then exchange notes so you have some uninterrupted time.
- Make some time to work with interns or get coffee with someone trying to break into your field. You'll get a boost from sharing your wisdom and also realize how much you've learned (and appreciate how far you've come).
- Find ways to create autonomy at work. Maybe it's pitching a project you really have ownership of or having a frank conversation with your boss about micromanaging and creative freedom. If you know you have control over all the hard work you put in, you'll feel better about it.
- Be realistic. As I mentioned, unrealistic expectations are at least partly to blame for the burnout many millennial women experience, so take a step back and look at the expectations you place on yourself at work. Are you building a daily to-do list that's a mile long and filled with things no human can accomplish in a day? Do you say yes to every project that comes up because you don't want to let your manager down? Identify the things that are pushing you to the edge, and work with your manager to scale them back or get them off your plate.
- Find daily time to recharge, too. If you read up on the daily routines of the happiest, most successful people, you'll find they all have this habit in common. Even if your line of work doesn't really leave room for you to completely check out after 5 p.m., you can still set aside time every day to do whatever it is that clears your head. Get in a workout, have a glass of wine with a friend, read a book, or even meditate for just 5-10 minutes.
- Have a creative outlet outside of your job. This can help keep you sane, and if you do decide to leave your job, it could even become your new career.
- Additional reporting by Mandy Harris and Annie Gabillet
Banish Ugly Coffee Table Clutter With One Easy Trick
Let me share two magic words for clutter-free living: clear surfaces. But while a pared-down coffee table sounds great in theory, how do you keep it from looking like a recycling pile as your favorite fashion books and old copies of Architectural Digests stack up? Simple! Give that stuff a proper place. Step one: grab a rattan basket for your reading material. Step two: put it next to your favorite chair. Step three: snuggle on up. To get you started, here are a few options that will do the trick. And while you're at it, go ahead and throw out that issue you've been saving since January 2015.
6 Brilliant Closet Organization Hacks Straight From Ikea
If organizing your closet isn't one of your New Year's resolutions, you'll definitely be inspired to give it a major refresh after watching Ikea's Home Tour Squad do the job. In just four hours, the team turns a cluttered wardrobe space into a showroom-worthy walk-in closet using Ikea's Algot open storage system that adjusts with your wardrobe. The brilliant makeover and the hacks that made it happen are revealed in the video above. Read ahead to see exactly how you too can tackle the project and truly optimize your closet space.
1. Get rid of any pieces you haven't used in over a year.
When clearing out your closet, ask yourself whether the item is really worth holding onto.
2. Keep photos and measurements of your closet on your phone.
Having these on hand will make for easy references while shopping.
3. Look to adjustable shelving.
This will help maximize storage space and allow for flexibility as your wardrobe expands and changes.
4. Use multiple depths of shelves.
Deep shelves are great for storing clothes, while shorter shelves can hold your accessories. The team even repurposed Ikea picture ledges as a beautiful tie display.
5. Use rails for hanging clothes and hooks for jackets.
This way, your coats and thicker pieces don't take up too much valuable space.
6. Take advantage of your closet's ceiling height.
Stacking up instead of completly utilizing available floor space will make your closet appear less cluttered. Tuck a stool in that open area that you can bring out when necessary.
Give Your Outdoor Space an '80s Vibe With This Fun and Easy Project
The '80s represented an era of design that was fun, loud, and colorful. We're bringing back the decade in this episode of Eye on Design with modernized geometric planters made from cinder blocks, which act as a blank canvas that can be made into anything your heart desires. The open space inside the colorful blocks can even be used to plant flowers or a vegetable garden! Watch the clip above and give your outdoor space the Spring refresh it's begging for.
Here's what you'll need:
- Concrete blocks
- Concrete caps
- Multi-Surface Painter's Tape
- Paintbrush
- Latex paint (Griffin Gold and Tropical Cay)
- Wire hardware cloth (1/4" mesh opening)
- Wire cutters
- Pea pebbles
- Potting soil
- Succulents
This Is What the Perfect House Looks Like According to Pinterest
If you're an active Pinterest user, chances are you probably have a board dedicated to your dream house. Whether or not you'll actually live in a Parisian flat with vaulted ceilings featuring crown molding or a sprawling country home on acres of pristine forest doesn't actually matter. It's all about indulging in the fantasy of crafting your ideal home life, and that home life might be more common than you thought.
Pinterest recently shared its most popular home pins with Tech Insider, and the results are fascinating. Classic interiors that blend clean color palettes with cozy accents prove to be the winning formula. Read on to see what the ultimate dream home really looks like, according to Pinterest.
13 Places to See the Most Gorgeous Flowers in the World
The world is such a show-off when Spring comes around. There are plenty of beautiful places to see flowers in America, but the true stunners include spots around the entire globe. We've rounded up the most stunning locations to see the world in bloom - check these places out for yourself and put them on your bucket list!
40 Conversation Starters That Make Mingling Fun
It's sometimes hard to break the ice with people you've never met before. Whether at a corporate event or big party, there's no reason to hide in a corner. Instigating conversation can lead to amazing connections that help you obtain your dream job or lead you to a new best friend - or great date! Not sure where to start? We have 40 conversation starters to make mingling fun.
- Where did you grow up? This is a great icebreaker that gets someone talking about the past, which often puts others at ease.
- Do you have any pets? People love their pets, and inquiring about them encourages further conversation. And, even if the person you're chatting with doesn't have any, it's still a good start.
- What's your favorite book? Instead of asking what people are reading right now, which can be a bit too intimate, asking about a book they love can create a mutual connection.
- What's the first thing you do after work? Do you kick off your shoes? Hit the gym? Asking how people relax makes them feel relaxed.
- What's your dream job? Even at a corporate gathering, inquiring about someone's dream job is a fun way to get a conversation started.
- If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be? Not everyone gets to travel tons, making this a fun question for anyone.
- What countries have you traveled to? Even if you haven't traveled the world, asking if others have encourages someone to share memories.
- Do you like to cook? Asking about favorite dishes and culinary adventures sparks delicious dishing.
- What's your favorite food? Everyone eats, making this an icebreaker that works anywhere, anytime.
- What's your favorite drink? A wonderfully basic question, asking about best-loved beverages works at any gathering.
- Do you have a favorite local restaurant? This is a great conversation to get people talking about their favorite local hangouts, which puts everyone at ease.
- What's your favorite movie? You can find out a lot about a person when you chat about a favorite movie. Follow it up with specific questions, such as scene stealers and actors in the flick.
- What movie are you dying to see? Jump in with a question that involves everyone and will get a group chatting over new releases.
- What are you watching on TV? This is another question that won't offend and is open-ended, encouraging even the supershy to start chatting.
- What's the last concert you went to? Another easygoing question for one-on-one conversation or for jumping into a group conversation. And it's a fun way to find out what kinds of music your new friends listen to.
- What's the craziest thing you've ever done? For those who are ready to make a bold first impression, this is a question that gets attention and can lead to fun conversation.
- If you were stranded on a deserted island and you could have only one item, what would it be? Yes, a classic one-liner, but this convo starter always gets a good answer.
- What's your favorite season? Here's a question that works well with the "it's always easy to talk about the weather" concept. Follow up by asking about the current weather conditions, and you have a conversation.
- Do you speak any other languages? Asking a semipersonal question encourages others to share information about themselves without feeling guarded.
- Do you have anything fun planned for the weekend? Make chatting easy by asking about future plans - without setting off a stalker vibe. Keep it light and share your plans too.
- Where's your favorite place to hang out in town? Here is another fun way to start a conversation about your community without being threatening. And it opens discussion to favorite restaurants, bars, and shops.
- I like your shirt! Where did you get it? A genuine compliment makes anyone smile.
- I can't place this song - do you know it? Hey, even if you know the tune, asking someone else about the music playing is a simple start.
- How long have you been at your job? Even at a corporate event, asking others about their job titles, roles, and how long they have been at the company breaks the ice.
- Tell me about something that made you laugh this week. Everyone loves a good laugh! Asking about something that brought on a chuckle makes anyone smile.
- If you had a million dollars, what would you do with it? A bit more direct, but asking a specific question that requires thought can really make an impression.
- How are you today? Sure, this is a no-brainer question, but it gets people talking.
- Where is the best place you have ever visited? Taking a vacation is always wonderful. Asking someone new about a favorite destination is always an easy way to start talking.
- Did you hear about (something trending in the news)? Pick something pretty generic, remembering to stay away from politics and religion, and the conversation will get rolling.
- So, what's your story? OK, this one is borderline pick-up line, but it's also a direct approach for chatting.
- This place is awesome! Have you been here before? Complimenting the venue is a positive way to chat with others.
- If you could be an animal, what would you be and why? Just don't roar after asking! This question is also a fun and light way to break the ice.
- If you could invite a famous person over for dinner, who would it be? Also an often-used convo starter, this question has lasted the test of time, which makes it a winner anywhere, anytime.
- What's your favorite holiday? Open and generic, a basic question is an easy way to start mingling.
- What's the craziest thing you've ever eaten? Here's another fun question that gets people talking! And it's a great question to use when you feel awkward joining a group that's already chatting.
- What is one thing you couldn't live without? Wine? Chocolate? Bread? There's no wrong answer to this question, which makes it another winner.
- Have you ever won anything? It feels good when you win something, so asking someone about this special moment encourages sharing.
- Do you have any brothers or sisters? Slightly personal without requiring too much info, asking others about their family is a smart way to make connections.
- Have you ever met anyone famous? A brush with a famous person is always a thrill, making talking about it with a stranger a fun icebreaker.
- Do you prefer texting, calling, or emailing? Emailing! This is actually a great question to ask someone after you have made a connection. Follow up by asking for your new friend's phone number or email address.
100 Cheap or Free Things to Do This Summer
When we think of childhood Summers, we think of balmy nights chasing fireflies, walking barefoot on hot sand, and hours of fun that didn't cost a thing. Just because we're adults doesn't mean we have to drop a ton of money to celebrate our favorite season! There are endless activities you can do this Summer, and we've rounded up ones that you'll love when you're feeling lazy, when you're ready to get a workout, or when you're in search of an adventure. The best part is they will barely cost you a thing!
- Go to a free music festival.
- Make potpourri from seasonal flowers.
- Catch fireflies.
- Do a walking tour of your city.
- Pick strawberries.
- Go stargazing on a warm Summer night.
- Set up a lemonade stand in your neighborhood.
- Blow bubbles.
- Make guilt-free popsicles.
- Wash your car.
- Pick wildflowers.
- Take a road trip to the nearest beach or lake.
- Ride a bike.
- Go canoeing.
- Practice yoga in a park.
- Visit relatives.
- Create cool things with flower DIYs.
- Throw a BBQ for friends and family.
- Take a day hiking trip.
- Attend a parade.
- Play minigolf.
- Make fun things with old pool noodles.
- Lie out at a community pool.
- Go camping.
- Fly a kite.
- Visit the library.
- Take a walk and listen to a podcast.
- Learn how to juggle.
- Upcycle your leftover fruits and vegetables.
- Pack a picnic.
- Join a recreational sports team.
- Go fishing.
- Visit a free museum.
- Jump rope.
- Take photographs in nature.
- Go to the zoo.
- Read a book that will change your life on a porch swing.
- Go to the drive-in movies.
- Play soccer.
- Skip rocks at a pond.
- Go grape stomping at a vineyard.
- Have a yard sale.
- Walk barefoot.
- Go swimming.
- Go to a baseball game.
- Take a nap in a hammock.
- Plan your next vacation.
- Clean up trash in your community.
- Try your hand at sculpting or pottery.
- Do some gardening.
- Upcycle your paint chips.
- Go to a petting zoo.
- Have a water balloon fight.
- Take your dog for a walk.
- Mow the lawn.
- Plant a tree in your community.
- Volunteer on a farm.
- Start a collection of things from nature.
- Play in the sprinkler.
- Sleep with your windows open.
- Feed the ducks.
- Make tie-dyed t-shirts.
- Help an elderly neighbor clean up their yard.
- Eat a slice of watermelon.
- Babysit a child and take them to a playground.
- Play disc golf with friends.
- Make DIY gifts for friends and family.
- Be a camp counselor.
- Go water skiing or jet skiing.
- Tour a brewery.
- Go see a Summer movie.
- Paint outdoor landscapes.
- Make a slip and slide in your yard.
- Find fun shapes in the clouds.
- Make gardener's hand scrub.
- Play a game of capture the flag.
- Catch butterflies.
- Try some Summer DIYs.
- Window shop.
- Camp in your backyard.
- Build a sandcastle.
- Make a Summer love playlist.
- Participate in a scavenger hunt.
- Watch fireworks.
- People watch.
- Play flashlight tag.
- Give yourself a day to do fun activities alone.
- Ride a roller coaster.
- Collect seashells.
- Press flowers to make bookmarks.
- Make your own insect repellant jars.
- Buy ice cream from a truck.
- Paint your toenails with bright Summer colors.
- Watch the sunset over water.
- Dance in the rain.
- Paint your furniture.
- Try out some amazing car hacks.
- Go to the farmers market.
- Have an outdoor tea party.
- Clean out your garage.
- Make wishes in a fountain.
Amour Vert dress, Vanessa Mooney necklace, Vita Fede (gold double band ring with diamond and spikes) ring, ADORNIA (gunmetal double band ring with blue silver diamonds) ring
lundi 18 avril 2016
If You've Ever Tried the KonMari Method, You'll Crack Up at This Video
There are two types of people in this world: those who KonMari and those who don't KonMari. If you have yet to hear about Marie Kondo's KonMari method, it's an organization tactic that only allows you to keep items that "spark joy." YouTube channel Just Between Us created a hilarious sketch video called "Decluttering" that shows the simple process and the totally relatable differences between these two types of people. One roommate, who's pretty much a hoarder, is able to find joy in most of her belongings except for some hygiene products. While she clutches items to her chest to determine if they're worth keeping, her skeptical roommate walks in and questions the whole thing. After being convinced to try it out for herself, she realizes she's unable to find joy in anything and frantically starts picking up things around the room.
Watch the video above, and let us know which type of person you are.
This Tiger Being Woken From a Nap Is All of Us on Monday Mornings
Though this video from the Dublin Zoo looks like it could be a fight between two tigers, we see it a bit differently. Clearly the tiger being woken from his nap is just not having it and lashes out at the guy that woke him up . . . who then walks off with a sorry-not-sorry attitude about him. I mean, who likes being woken from naps? We know we certainly don't, so we can't say we blame him.
20 Free Coloring Book Printables
We've already touched on the benefits of adult coloring books (they reduce stress, promote a sense of well-being, and help you focus on one specific task) . . . now we're bringing you the magic for free. The 20 coloring book printables below are for amateur and expert artists alike. Go color crazy!
We Can't Believe HGTV's Drew Scott Just Admitted This
He may be an HGTV star, real estate mastermind, and occasional recording artist, but Drew Scott still has a very boyish love: swords. The 37-year-old recently admitted to us in a phone interview that he's been obsessed with swords since he was 5 years old and has accumulated an impressive - and pricey - collection over the years. He made his first big splurge on the legendary sword from the classic tale of Braveheart. "I'm Scottish and we knew all the stories of our history, so I wanted to have the Claymore that Wallace has." A then-10-year-old Drew spent a thousand pounds on the purchase and has continued to splurge more from there. He dropped almost $8,000 on suit of armor custom made for his 6'4" frame. "It fits me like a glove!" he exclaims. When we asked what he does when he's wearing it, he replied, "Be awesome." We can only imagine what that means!
What we don't have to imagine, however, is how quickly these big purchases add up. That's because Drew just partnered with Ally Financial on its new Splurge Alert campaign and app so he can now track exactly how much money he's spending on his collection and be warned away from stores that might tempt him to spend more. Drew enters into the app (still in beta) the types of retailers that are dangerous to his wallet, and then whenever he's in an area with those types of retailers, he gets a warning. When he gets very close to them, an alert pops up and his designated buddies - Drew's are his mom and girlfriend - also get an alert and can contact him to back away from the retail temptations. It's a brilliant way to avoid thoughtless splurges and become smarter about spending. Drew says that the buddy system makes you accountable while keeping it fun, well, most of the time. "My mom texted me 'sword freak' when I got close to a collector's shop," he admitted with a laugh.
If only there were an app to warn when siblings are getting too close to your stuff; Drew and his twin brother, Jonathan, the other half of the Property Brothers, would've loved that when they were kids. "When we were in high school, our annoying older brother, JD, would have house parties when we were away. Him and all his friends would have sword fights with our swords . . . and when we would come back, they would be all dinged up!" Drew said.
Learn about even more of Drew's splurges in the hilarious video above, and then check out even more quirky facts about Drew and get to know his older brother, JD.
17 Things All Messy Girls Understand
Being a messy girl is a full-time job, and most of us don't do it by choice. It's just the way we are, OK? If you live a less-than-tidy lifestyle, you'll totally understand these truths.
- You have to carry a Tide To Go pen literally everywhere you go.
- You carry napkins in your desk, purse, glove compartment, and anywhere else you can think of.
- You don't buy white clothes; it's just not an option.
- When you order food, you think about the probability of you spilling before you choose what to eat.
- It sometimes takes you hours to look for your keys.
- Your closet is basically a pile of clothes.
- Your desk is like your closet - stuff is everywhere.
- You always leave crumbs behind after you eat, no matter how hard you try.
- You use the excuse that you're a "creative type" for your messiness.
- You hate ironing and avoid buying clothes that will wrinkle.
- You would much prefer to hire a cleaning service than clean your house yourself.
- You go through phases where you're going to be a "neat person." They usually last a day.
- Nobody can find anything in your piles of stuff, but you know exactly where everything is.
- You avoid making your bed like the plague.
- Finding the remote is an impossible task.
- You try to stay away from food-related first dates.
- Your friends know you're the messy one and they accept you for your ways, but they definitely tease you a little.
10 Things You Should Know Before Traveling to Cuba
Image Source: Flickr user Bryan Ledgard
Since the United States began allowing more access to the somewhat surreptitious island nation so close to our borders, a growing fascination has surrounded the possibility of Cuban getaways for the average traveler. Bear in mind there are many factors to ponder before heading to the beautiful country. If you're contemplating a trip in the future (near or otherwise), here are 10 things to remember, as advised by Joe Diaz, cofounder of AFAR Media.
1. The people are mostly in favor of the lift.
"Generally, the Cuban people are excited about the lift on restrictions. Tourists have been visiting the country for years, but now there will be more of an influx for American travelers. This marks a great opportunity for locals and tourists alike to learn about new cultures and understand the world from another's perspective. It also has the opportunity of providing tremendous economic benefit to the people of Cuba."
2. There are still some restrictions in place.
"Although recent rule changes have made it much easier for Americans to legally visit Cuba, especially with the president's most recent trip to Havana, travel is still only permitted as long as it fits within 12 fairly broad, legally permissible purposes. However, a key update to the rule now permits individuals to embark upon personal trips self-determined to meet the criteria."
3. You should sharpen your Spanish-speaking skills.
"Cuba knows that tourism brings much-needed dollars to their country so tourists are a valuable 'commodity.' As with any place, familiarize yourself with the customs and traditions. Speaking Spanish goes a long way, so download Duolingo and brush up on your skills."
4. Bring lots of cash.
"The things that you're used to in other tourist destinations won't be there - WiFi, credit cards - so you have to bring a decent amount of cash with you."
5. Cuba is unlike any other place in the Caribbean.
"You're going to get a unique slice of the Caribbean you just won't get in any other place - the diversity, energy, innovation, warmth, music, the culture, the art - all of those things are extremely powerful, and you feel that right away when you get there."
6. There are a few things you should always carry on your person.
"Make sure to have plenty of cash and your ID at all times. As a visitor, you are required to show your passport to authorities if requested; however, it is unlikely. I never carry my passport with me but do have a photo of it on my phone. A camera is key, as the architecture and colors make for a photographer's paradise. Other than that, Cuba is a pretty warm climate, so make sure to dress accordingly."
7. Consider flying there from another country.
"All of the major domestic carriers have applied for licenses to fly to Cuba. I know a team from United has already been working with airport officials in Havana to prepare. So while the travel embargo is still technically in place, the real obstacle is the high airfares, which currently average around $700. The cheapest way to visit Cuba as a tourist is via a flight through a third country, i.e. Canada, Mexico, and Panama. Once the domestic carriers begin flying there, prices should drop with increased supply."
8. Be sure to visit Havana.
"Spend enough time in Havana. It's a city rich in history and culture. Other must-see spots are Pinar del Rio, the cigar-making region of Cuba, Cienfuegos, and Trinidad, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1988."
9. Stay smart.
"Cuba is incredibly safe, so I wouldn't say there are specific places to avoid. I think as long as you're smart and play by the rules and use your head, you're going to be in good shape, wherever you go. There are virtually no guns in Cuba - even the police officers have to check their weapons at the door when they leave to go home every night. Like any other highly trafficked area, you're going to get petty theft."
10. There's no shortage of things to do.
"There is so much to do and see in Cuba, which is why we've put together some of our top suggestions of what to see, eat, and do on AFAR.com. Check it out!"
Follow Joe's trip to Cuba and around the world on Instagram @joediazAFAR, as well as @AFARMedia for your daily travel inspiration.
What Better Way to Enjoy Your Afternoon Tea Than With an Adorable DIY Harry Potter Mug?
Now you can have a drink with Harry. This simple DIY mug will only take a few minutes to make, but for all of you Harry Potter fans, it will make you smile each time you take a sip of your morning coffee, tea, or - what the heck - some frothy butterbeer. Honestly, anyone can draw this simple design (even muggles). Just follow the steps ahead.
Small-Space Living Tricks That Make a Big Difference
The smaller your apartment, the more daunting the decorating process. Sure, people with large homes may have difficulty filling every room, but they'll never understand small-space struggles like determining the necessity of a kitchen table. However, styling a tight dwelling becomes much less intimidating when you're armed with an arsenal of good ideas, like the nine below, that will help you perfectly plan your place.
Photos by Lisette Mejia and Sarah Sherman Samuels via Smitten Studio
Liam Payne Tries to Teach His Dog Tricks . . . Has Minor Success
We're suckers for hot guys with dogs, so naturally we're eating up every single picture One Direction's Liam Payne posts of his massive Great Dane pup, Watson. Liam and his "little monster," as he affectionately calls Watson, are practically inseparable now that One Direction is on break. Most recently, Liam and current girlfriend, Cheryl Fernandez-Versini, have set out to teach Watson some new tricks. We're hoping the Instagram pictures and videos of Watson will continue, because who doesn't love giant pups that play soccer, give sloppy kisses, and listen to commands less than half the time?
The Best Places to Order Gorgeous Wedding Invitations Online
After picking a spouse, choosing a date, and settling on a venue, there's one very important wedding planning step left: inviting guests! Whereas wedding invitation options used to be limited to what the stationer down the street was peddling, you can now shop from hundreds of customizable styles conveniently sold online. With so many reputable retailers selling beautiful, high-quality invitations, your only problem will be picking just one! Keep reading to check out our favorite online wedding invitation stores.
The 1 Thing That Gets Me Out of Bed Every Day
I'm a morning person. No, seriously. But, in addition to being a morning person, I'm also an anxious person. This basically means that before my feet even hit the floor every day, my mind is running rampant with an onslaught of thoughts; I think about possible scenarios I may encounter that day and every possible outcome, and I conjure up to-do lists in my head with an ambitious number of boxes that I then immediately worry won't get checked off. It's exhausting . . . enough to make me want to curl up and stay in bed forever, because I know the minute my feet do touch the floor, I'll have to put all those frantic thoughts into action.
Other people hate mornings with a fiery passion for different yet equally legitimate reasons; some need way more sleep than other people, some are night owls, some just genuinely do not function before 10 a.m. So basically, no matter what type of person you are, getting out of bed in the morning can actually be the worst.
I don't always/ever do all the amazing things you're supposed to do to get your life together in the morning, because I either don't have time or because I forget about how important good morning habits are since my head is too full of other stuff at the time. But I still manage to get up and get out of bed every day with a remarkable amount of enthusiasm, if I may say so myself. I do something very simple - and this thing pushes everything else out of my head so that I can focus on getting up and going forward.
I find one thing in the upcoming day to be really, truly excited about.
And then I hold on to it, tightly. Here's how to do it and why you should.
1. Make it something attainable.
This thing I think of isn't some ridiculous feat or a crazy goal I may not even be able to achieve. It's an easy thing, it's a comforting thing, and it's a sure thing. Some mornings I lay in bed thinking of the 20 minutes on the train to and from work that I'll have to finally, finally open my book and read. I think of sushi. I think of my ballet class. I think of squishing my cat with a hug she'll act like she doesn't want, but she does (she does!). I think of getting to work so that I can IM my co-worker about Harry Potter. Or, I think about watching Harry Potter after work that day. Seriously, anything Harry Potter-related will work for me.
2. Let it be your anchor.
The main point is, find that one thing to look forward to because it's like finding a light at the end of the tunnel during a bad day, or it's an extra bonus in a day that's already good. Let it be your anchor if and when you feel like everything else in that day is out of your control or not going the way you'd hoped.
3. Don't allow yourself to skip it.
If it's what got you out of bed, then it means it's important enough that you shouldn't let it fall through the cracks. Don't reschedule your happy moment for another day. It's something worth smiling about and cherishing, because no matter how small, it's something totally worth waking up for.
19 Wedding Gifts For the Couple Who Has Everything
It's a familiar dilemma: your friends, who have lived together for ages, are getting married but already have practically every essential found on wedding registry checklists. You might even be that friend!
Well, what to do? Enter Kaufmann Mercantile, the carefully edited eshop specializing in high design and responsibly sourced products. CEO Sebastian Kaufmann and his team have just launched a wedding registry service. A look through the offerings in Kaufmann Mercantile's eshop shows a cornucopia of gift options any hard-to-shop-for friend or family member would love to receive in honor of their special day.
This Is Your Chance to Shop Emily Henderson's Private Vintage Decor Collection
Designer, HGTV star, and blogger Emily Henderson never fails to inspire us with her fantastic style, so we were thrilled to hear that we could get a piece of her personal vintage decor collection. Emily is teaming up with Chairish, the online marketplace for chic vintage decor and furniture, to auction off some of her sure-to-be-coveted vintage design treasures (think navy velvet headboards, kitschy framed paintings, and hand-woven baskets). "With my growing business and family, it was time that my children's space took priority over my ever-growing collection of furniture and decor," Emily joked in a press release. The best part? All items are priced with a starting bid of just $1! This is the first time Chairish has hosted an auction, but it will not be the last. The site is adding the auction format as a complement to its existing marketplace. It's great for sellers because they can offload goods quickly, while sellers can get grab goods at gotta-go prices. Peek at some of the auction items in the picture below and then check out all the items on Chairish where the auction is open Tuesday, April 19, at 8 a.m. EDT through Thursday, April 21, at 4 p.m. EDT.
The Top-10 Wedding Registry Items Might Surprise You
Registering for your wedding is an exciting rite of passage - but it's also seriously overwhelming. There are so many categories and products to navigate, not to mention personalities to manage - your mom says no registry is complete without formal china, while your future spouse thinks registering for anything beyond the basics is extravagant. Yikes!
To figure out where to begin, we spoke to Pottery Barn's head tabletop designer Tony Leo. His first piece of advice was to register early. "Right after you're engaged is a great time to register. Some people may just want to get you gifts immediately and potentially double gift. Who doesn't love that?" On the same note, he advises registering for more than you need to give guests options and including items in a range of prices. "This will make your gift givers comfortable and not feel daunted by your big-ticket items."
As for his winning registering strategy, he advises, "Speak with one of the in-store associates and take your time and make the decision together. You want to make the right decisions." Don't worry if you have to come back to the store or tweak the registry online a few times. It's better to wait and determine what you're going to want in the long-term than to rush or pressure each other into selecting the wrong items.
One area he suggests registering for more items in is food prep and serving ware. "More people are entertaining at home, and a lot more people are cooking and taking cooking classes, so food-prep items like KitchenAid mixers, slow cookers, blenders, etc. are going to be increasingly hot." When it comes to basics, he loves Pottery Barn's designs because they "last a lifetime and are classic, livable, transitional to any occasion, and, of course, [they're] beautiful."
Check out Pottery Barn's top 10 most-registered-for items ahead, along with Tony's feedback on why they're favorites.
These 37 Small Quote Tattoos Will Help You Follow BIG Dreams
Sometimes all it takes is just a little inspiration to help you make big moves. Inspiring words can motivate you - and there's no better way to remind yourself daily than with tattoos that will stand the test of time. We rounded up small and subtle quote tattoos that will change your life for the better.
dimanche 17 avril 2016
Here Are the New 2017 Disney Cruise Itineraries!
We've already shown you just how amazing Disney cruises are - if you're crossing your fingers for an amazing 2017 itinerary, you're definitely in luck. The entertainment behemoth just announced where it's set to sail, and needless to say . . . the stops are pretty fantastic. See where Disney cruises are headed in the coming year (hint: their private island Castaway Cay will make a number of appearances), and book your ticket ASAP!
12 Things You Should Know Before Traveling Across the Country on Amtrak
I have always fantasized about traveling across the country by train, so when my boyfriend, Johnny, suggested that we take Amtrak from San Francisco to New York City, I was all in. There have been many conversations around the web about what it's really like to take Amtrak for long trips, so I want to give you the most accurate and true depiction.
Johnny and I decided to get a roomette for the first and longest leg of our travel on the California Zephyr. We had the small room from Emeryville (the Amtrak station right outside of San Francisco) to Chicago for two days and two nights. After a seven-hour stop in Chicago, we rode the remaining 17 hours of our journey to NYC in coach seats. In total, our tickets for two people came out to $772. Not bad considering we were traveling for three and a half days and our meals were included with the roomette.
To get all the details on what it's like to sleep, eat, and basically live in an Amtrak train while chugging across America, keep reading. There are lots of interesting details that will take you by surprise.
Related links:
221 Upcycling Ideas That Will Blow Your Mind
If you're the type of person who hates to throw anything away, then turn your unwanted items into gorgeous DIY projects. After all, one person's trash is another's treasure, right? Get inspired by these DIY ideas for ordinary household objects.
Photos: Sarah Lipoff
You'll LOL When You Hear What the Property Brothers Found Inside the Walls of a Reno
If you've ever been frustrated by the part in the beginning of every episode of HGTV's Property Brothers where Drew shows the family their dream home only to dash their dreams by telling them that the house they've just fallen in love with is comically out of their budget, then you're not alone. Jonathan hates that part, too! "He calls it the Drew jerk part," Drew admitted during the Scott brothers' recent appearance on NPR's beloved quiz show, Wait Wait . . . Don't Tell Me!. "I'm just trying to bring people out of the clouds and show them that they've got to be realistic," Drew justified. Jonathan wasn't buying this explanation, claiming, "If Drew had a hairless cat that he could pet while doing that . . . he would!" We can't stop laughing at the image of Drew showing houses as Dr. Evil!
During the radio appearance, Jonathan and Drew also went on to reveal some of the bizarre things they've come across during home renos. "We've opened walls up to find the craziest, most disgusting things you can possibly imagine," shared Jonathan. "On the more pleasant side, I found an entire hidden antique Playboy collection. On the less attractive side, I've found petrified rats who had chewed through electrical and met their demise."
Drew seconds Jonathan's story, adding the unforgettable tale of a Texas home owner who got rid of a raccoon living inside his walls by ripping back a panel and firing off several rounds of his gun. He succeeded in killing the pest, but "after a couple days, the smell [of the dead animal] started to get to him, plus his electrical and plumbing stopped working because he had shot through it." Yikes! Even though the Property Brothers only answered one of the three quiz questions they were asked correctly, we think these hilarious show insights make their appearance a huge success.
samedi 16 avril 2016
10 Celebrity Couples Who Tied the Knot in France
Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie got married in France in August 2014, but while their ceremony may be the most memorable (remember her adorable dress?!), they certainly aren't the only famous couple to make things official there. From Paris to Provence, the charming country brims with natural beauty, forward fashion, and stunning architecture, and its romance is popular with lovers, famous or not. Keep reading to see all the Hollywood couples who have said "I do" in France, then check out these themed celebrity weddings!
This Is How All Your Favorite Chefs Cook Steak
Steak is one of those things that intimidates a lot of people but really shouldn't. If you've ever struggled with cooking the perfect steak, this list of tips should help. We've turned to some of our favorite Food Network personalities and more celebrity chefs for their steakhouse-worthy cooking methods.
Alton Brown: Pan-Seared and Oven-Baked
For pan-seared rib eyes, Alton Brown recommends two key things: bring the steak to room temperature (it cooks quicker this way), and heat a cast-iron skillet in the oven while the oven heats to 500 degrees. He doesn't use the oven until the steaks have been seared first, but heating up the skillet before putting it on the stove helps get the process started and ensure a completely heated-through pan.
Giada De Laurentiis: Add Italian Flavors
Giada's Tuscan rib-eye steak recipe proves everything is better with Italian flair. If you're into rosemary, thyme, garlic, and lemon (who isn't?), this is the best way to cook your steak.
Ree Drummond: Butter-Rubbed Grill Pan
The Pioneer Woman's first blog post to go viral was titled "How to Cook a Steak," and it's easy to see why. Her "never-fail arsenal" is just three ingredients: "Lawry's Seasoned Salt, McCormick Lemon Pepper, and a nice stick of regular (salted) butter." Ree advises coating a hot grill pan in butter before searing the steaks. In the post, she promises, "If you cook it for your friends, they'll never invite you over to their house for dinner again. You will have permanently raised the bar."
Gordon Ramsay: Baste With Butter
It's no surprise that Gordon Ramsay's tip for steak is the same as his tip for burgers: baste with butter. Besides the fact that fat makes everything taste better, Gordon explains that coating steak with melted butter "gives it a nice nutty brown finish."
Ina Garten: Steakhouse-Style Filet Mignon
Leave it to The Barefoot Contessa to school us in making a restaurant-worthy dish at home. If you're feeling fancy and opt for filet mignon, you'll want to use a generous coating of fleur de sel and coarsely cracked black peppercorns to achieve a perfect crust. If you follow her recipe to a T, you'll be the one saying, "How easy is that?"
Chrissy Teigen: Soak in a Garlicky Marinade
Chrissy Teigen admits in her cookbook, Cravings, that she's normally a traditionalist when it comes to steak (page 206), but her husband John Legend's "best marinade in existence" changed her mind. A lot goes into it - soy sauce and garlic, for starters - and after marinating for eight hours, you're on your way to juicy, flavor-packed steak. "I would probably still go simple if I was staring at the most beautiful piece of beef I've ever seen, but use this tangy marinade on a nice, solid rib eye, and I promise you, it will be hard for you to have it any other way," she wrote.
Tom Colicchio: Grill on Each Side
Top Chef's Tom Colicchio recommends turning the steak a total of six times while it's on the grill (grill it for three to four minutes on each side, including the edges). He also recognizes that quality is more important than quantity when it comes to steak. In an interview with POPSUGAR, he said, "start with buying the perfect steak - you can't buy a lousy piece of meat and make it great."
Bobby Flay: Perfectly Grilled
Bobby Flay, master of the grill, doesn't bother with anything complicated for his perfectly grilled steak recipe. All you need is steak, oil, and salt and pepper - and Bobby always recommends oiling the meat itself, not the grill or pan.
Related:
These Father-Daughter Illustrations Are Sweet Enough to Make a Grown Man Cry
It's hard to put into words why the relationship between a father and a daughter is so special. Perhaps that's why Ukrainian artist Snezhana Soosh decided to use watercolor paints.
In her recent series of Instagram illustrations, Soosh depicts the sweet-yet-silly bond between a dad and his little girl, whether it's braiding her hair or giving up a sizable portion of a king-size bed to make sure she sleeps soundly. Although the magic captured in the drawings focuses on one very loving dad (and his adorable daddy's girl), there are some any parent can relate to, like the need to look away from that massive pile of work to enjoy imaginary tea time . . . or play a rousing game of hide-and-seek.
We hope Soosh continues to paint these beautiful depictions of fatherly love - they serve as wonderful reminders that there are no limits to the ways a daddy can love his daughter.
Don't Make Me Feel Bad For Having an Only Child
I have an only child, and apparently, some people think this is awful. I get comments and questions from strangers on my only-child status - "Oh, she has to have a little sister or brother one day. She must!" (She, meaning my daughter.) Or, "Are you only going to have just one?"
Only one.
As if one child isn't a blessing or gift in itself. As if just "one" child is an abomination.
Then, of course, there's the onslaught of comments on how "Only children are so selfish and spoiled," or "Only kids get so lonely. They resent their parents later on." Apparently, being an only child is akin to being a leper: a life full of negatives.
To be honest, all of this stuff used to make my blood boil. For the longest time, I felt terrible knowing that my girl would most likely be an only child. After having hyperemesis gravidarum during pregnancy two times and losing pregnancies, I started to consider that maybe it was best if this baby thing was a one-shot deal for me.
And then when my ex-husband and I separated, I figured that sealed the coffin on my baby-making days. I'm in my late thirties, so I would have to meet someone utterly amazing who would take care of me if I had hyperemesis again, convince myself to risk going through that again, and get married all relatively quickly. Since statistically the chances of that happening are pretty small even though the "shop" is still open, I finally came to terms with the fact that it's probably going to be a two-girl show for the rest of my life - me and my kid.
This wasn't something I instantly accepted with the inner peace of Mother Teresa. I grew up in a family of four girls - I'm the youngest - and find long periods of total silence to be insanity-producing. I'm also constantly socializing. When people find others to be loud, I find it comforting. Loud, chaotic, and warm are just a few of the words I would use to describe my childhood. So at first the thought of raising just one child seemed, well, bizarre. The childhood I knew was full of frenzy and women. What would it be like to grow up without someone to tease? Would her life be complete without a sister and her boyfriend to humiliate? But then after grieving this reality - that my daughter (unless she earns a stepsibling) will be the number one star on our planet - I not only accepted it, but I also started to love having an only child. Instead of feeling bad, I love my only-child relationship. Here are six reasons I don't feel bad for having an only child.
Money, Money, Money. Moooney
Before my ex-husband and I split up, money was tight. Now that I'm a single mom, it's tighter. As a child, my family briefly went through money trouble when I was younger, and I remember the stress of that very well. It soothes me to know that with only one child, I only have one extra mouth to worry about, instead of many. That if my daughter wants to do an activity or go somewhere cool like a play museum or a show, I can take her - or manage with her dad to make it happen. If I had another child, I would have to shut down these opportunities for my first kid. We may never see Disney World, but with one kid, I can give her my absolute best on my minimum means.
This doesn't mean that people should "wait" to have enough money to have another kid. If you keep waiting, you'll never have enough. But like the late Michael Jackson said, "If you can't feed your baby - yeah, yeah - then don't have a baby."
Yeah, yeah.
Time
I work now. I used to be a mom who stayed at home (most of the time), but now I'm on the clock 40 hours or more a week. Time is limited. I feel guilty as it is when I don't see my daughter either because she is with her father on his days or because I am working. Another kid would simply take away from the limited time I have to offer her, and I'm not OK with that right now. If I have just a few hours to spare, it's all hers to take.
Closeness
As a kid, I always chased after my older sisters who are nine, seven, and almost six years older than I am. I hated the feeling of being "left out," and of course due to the age difference, I was. Plus with so many siblings, there were bound to be personality or life clashes. It just happens. With my daughter, it's just the two of us. I'm not busy helping another kid do X, Y, or Z. She has all of my attention, and while I'm sure there might be downfalls to that, I think it's great. Getting quality time in a house of three other kids was difficult in my family until my sisters left and went to college. I like that I have the time to learn about who she is as a person and her interests. I can devote time to a fascination of hers - something I couldn't do to the same extent with more kids. I know right now I am my daughter's parent, and I don't believe in "parenting" as a best friend, but one day when she's older, I like the idea of us as best friends forever.
Siblings = Not Always Close
Everyone touts siblings as the BE-ALL AND END-ALL! They're forgetting, however, that not all siblings get along. Granted, siblings do bring so much to a child's life, but a sibling does not mean instant love. Two siblings can clash or be totally disconnected. I haven't heard from one of my sisters since August, despite the fact that I reach out. The other I hear from via text or social media, which is nice. The third I talk to pretty frequently, but we fight sometimes, and then we don't talk for a while. This is how it has been our whole lives. We can't help it. We love each other a ton, but we clash.
You can't make another kid and guarantee your child will have a best friend for life. Of course we all hope it will be that way, but the reality is, it's not always. And while my daughter misses out on all the fun of sibling life, she also misses out on sibling drama. And in place of siblings, she has become very independent and mature.
My Career
Yeah, I said it. I am passionate about my career as a writer and performer. I love my day job, too. With one kid, I can devote more time to my pursuits and not feel bad about it - or shortchange my child. I enjoy being a mother, but I also love being Laura, and there's no shame in that. What I do brings me great joy. In turn, my child sees a strong, happy, and motivated woman who believes in herself and goes after what she wants and succeeds. Not a shabby example for her to follow as a wee girl.
My Health
I had three pregnancies, and two of those pregnancies I had severe hyperemesis gravidarum, yet I only have one child. As you can tell from the math, I was not a healthy pregnant woman, although getting pregnant was easy for me. Now, I'm healthy and fit and feel great. I'm not sure if I can go through being sick again or go through more heartache and loss. Who can blame me?
One Isn't the Loneliest Number
I fully support anyone who wants many kids, no kids, or just one. I see the joys in all of those scenarios and believe it's not my job to comment. I only wish strangers would stop showing pity for my daughter's "only status." She has the love and rapture of two parents. Not exactly a sob story.
And after such difficult pregnancies, I am so thankful for my healthy just one child and love the bond I have with her. It is a blessing to be her mother, and while it's the hardest job I've ever had, it has brought me more joy than I could have ever imagined.
13 Celebrity-Inspired Spring Makeup Looks You Need to Try Now
We're not ones to follow rules too closely, but when we can't deny that we put away our bright makeup shades when the weather turns chilly, impatiently awaiting the arrival of the sun to bring them back out. Well, we're ready! And if you are, too, why not turn to your favorite Latin celebrities for inspiration? From J Lo's perfect glossy pink pout to Lupita's adventurous and colorful cat eye, allow us to introduce you to some of our favorite beauty looks for Spring.
Could This Heartbreaking Harry Potter Theory Explain Hogwarts Class Sizes?
A question that comes up often in Harry Potter fan circles is about the size of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. JK Rowling describes the magical institution as one of Europe's largest, with hundreds of students attending every school year. But, as book readers are well aware, the series's namesake character seems to have very few classmates, a mere handful of boys and girls in Gryffindor, with similarly scant enrollment of Harry's grade level in Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin.
Well, one Tumblr user has come up with a theory for why Harry Potter's grade level is so small.
This theory, though heartbreaking considering its implications, has been parroted across Reddit and other fan blogs. It makes sense, right? Given that Harry's parents were killed when he was only 15 months old, it would explain tiny class sizes immediately surrounding Harry's year - Voldemort was at his peak leading up to and immediately following Harry's birth. Understandably, couples likely avoided conceiving during such terrifying times, with only a few brave wizards in Britain deciding to procreate despite the horrors of Voldemort's reign.
This sort of wartime fear surrounding major life events is a common theme in the Harry Potter series. In Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Molly Weasley explains that she and Arthur married young because everybody did during Voldemort's rise to power - they didn't know how much time they had left. And her son Ron justifies kissing Hermione during the Battle of Hogwarts for a similar reason.
"Is this the moment?" Harry asked weakly, and when nothing happened except that Ron and Hermione gripped each other still more firmly and swayed on the spot, he raised his voice. "Oi! There's a war going on here!"
Ron and Hermione broke apart, their arms still around each other.
"I know, mate," said Ron, who looked as though he had recently been hit on the back of the head with a Bludger, "So it's now or never, isn't it?"
So next time you're wondering why you only ever hear about a handful of Hogwarts students in Harry's grade level, understand that they're the few whose parents were brave (or foolish) enough to bring babies into the world during the reign of a complete monster.
Dating Site Apologizes For Calling Freckles "Imperfections"
Many redheads with freckles grew up being teased for their unique looks. Now, Match.com is adding insult to injury with a new advertisement.
As part of the company's #LoveYourImperfections series, the above shot of a stunning flame-haired, spotted woman has been plastered throughout the London Underground. "If you don't like your imperfections, someone else will," declared the sign, referring to the model's beauty marks.
Many were outraged and took to Twitter to express their dissatisfaction, with some calling the series "profit by bullying." Twitter user HeatherDeLand added her own sticky notes to the surface of the advertisement. "Sorry, but isn't judging people on skin pigmentation universally regarded as a dickish move?" read the notes. "Advert fixed now," declared Heather.
According to The Guardian, the #LoveYourImperfections series has been running since 2014, but prior billboards were regarded as humorous, calling out such "imperfections" as an inability to pronounce a subway stop or failing to get their train pass out on time. None had gone so far as to critique looks until this controversial ad.
Commenters on a blog post discussing the topic on the Ginger Parrot, a website celebrating redheads, were appropriately incensed. "Shame on you Match! You wouldn't think of posting someone of color and calling their skin color an imperfection," said one Facebook user. "My 7 year old daughter has red hair, brown eyes and freckles. I tell her how special her features are. I'm glad I didn't see this poster when out and about with her (and her younger red-haired sister)," remarked another.
Match.com has since apologized. "Our adverts reveal common perceived imperfections and quirks of Brits - these include freckles which some people who have them may see as an imperfection. We think freckles are beautiful and our posters are designed to encourage everyone who has them to be proud," the company said in a statement. "We're sorry if anyone has been offended by our latest ad - that was not our intention - but we're really encouraged to see so many people standing up for what makes them unique."
According to ITV, Match.com will be removing the billboards as soon as possible. Read on to see some of the tweets that the advertisements inspired.
Find Out Why This Egg Replacer Is Healthier Than Eggs
Whether you ran out of eggs or are trying to avoid them for dietary or ethical reasons, flax eggs are a great option. But if you want even more fiber, protein, calcium, and almost twice the amount of omega-3s, you'll want to make chia eggs.
It's really simple. All you need is a coffee or spice grinder or a small food processor. Measure out one tablespoon of chia seeds. Grind them up and place them in a small bowl. Mix in three tablespoons of water and allow to sit for five to 10 minutes until the mixture becomes gelatinous, like egg whites. This makes one chia egg. Use as an egg replacement in any muffin, quick bread, or cookie recipe.
Here's how to make chia eggs even easier to use: grind up half a cup of chia seeds at once. That way you can use your regular blender (perfect if you don't own a spice grinder), and you're able to store the ground chia seeds in a small mason jar in the freezer to use whenever you need. Just measure out one tablespoon of ground chia, mix with three tablespoons of water, and you're ready to bake.
Proof McDonald's Plans to Become a Fast Coffee Chain
@BrandEating seen at @McDonalds downtown #Chicago http://pic.twitter.com/H9i1LUqmKw
- bScott! (@bizzle_scott) April 2, 2016
McDonald's is reinventing the term fast food - or at least fast coffee. The chain is testing coffee kiosks at two locations in Chicago and it's exactly what it sounds like. For $3, you can customize your McDonald's coffee using this touchscreen machine. There are no surprises in your drink flavor options; the machine dispenses varying types of lattes, mochas, and cappuccinos as well as different milk options.
As Brand Eating points out, this isn't exactly a novel concept for McDonald's. The McCafe's espresso and steamed milk is already brewed by a similar machine. It's essentially an automated machine to allow customers to make their own drinks instead of employees. McDonald's has also experimented with self-serve customizable burger machines recently as a response to minimum wage hikes.
41 Glorious Photos of Fries That Will Show You the Meaning of Life
I consider myself to be quite the french fry connoisseur, and I certainly do not discriminate. Steak fries? Yes, please! Crinkle cut? Wonderful! Waffle fries? Heck yes. Don't even get me started on shoestring fries - I'll honestly get emotional.
In honor of my undying love for the crispy culinary miracle, I've scoured Instagram for its finest french fry shots. I dare you not to drool - and I certainly won't be judging in the event that you do.
A Comprehensive Timeline of Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth's Relationship
It's been more than five years since Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemworth first met on the set of The Last Song. The epic romance that ensued was filled with quite a few breakups, many glimmers of hope, and scores of cute moments in between. In 2016, though, everything's different. After officially resuming their engagement in January, the couple has made their first public outing together: a sweet weekend lunch date in LA. To get you all caught up on what led us to this point, look back on all the ups and downs of Miley and Liam's epic saga.
22 Heartwarming and Hilarious Snaps of Chris Pratt and Anna Faris's Little Boy
If Chris Pratt and Anna Faris's social media photos are any indication, their son looks to be just as cool as his famous parents. The stars have shared some crazy-cute pictures over the past couple years, offering a fun glimpse into their family life. Most recently, Chris shared an adorable video of his fishing adventure with Jack. Keep reading for a look at all the best pictures Chris and Anna have shared of their little one, then check out the couple's best red carpet moments ever.
39 Disney World Facts That Even Die-Hard Fans Don't Know
The happiest place on Earth also happens to be one of the most interesting. Disney World has been around for nearly half a century, and with age comes good stories - and lots of them. We've rounded up 39 Disney World secrets even die-hard fans will be shocked to discover.
If you can't get enough Disney, check out our posts full of cool tips and facts:
41 Insane Facts You Definitely Don't Know About Disneyland
See All the Stars at Disneyland!
49 International Disney Park Differences Only Hardcore Fans Will Notice
15 Disney World Tips You Need to Know Before Your Next Vacation
Every Disney Fan Should Complete This Incredible Bucket List
Articles
