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.
dimanche 29 mai 2016
Game of Thrones Might Be Introducing This Important Book Character This Week
Anyone who was able to see through their tears at the end of Game of Thrones season six, episode five (RIP Hodor) was likely left wondering what fate awaits Bran and Meera alone in the wilderness, with the White Walkers and wights likely still in pursuit. It's pretty clear that they need someone or something to help keep them safe, especially since the promo for the next episode shows a hooded figure helping them. Fans who have read the A Song of Ice and Fire series, however, might already be suspecting that a certain character will soon come to their rescue - since in the books, Coldhands already has.
So Who Is Coldhands?
He's called Coldhands because, well, we don't know his real name and Coldhands fits him pretty well. He's cold as ice to the touch and seems pretty much like a wight in appearance - although he has black eyes instead of the characteristic ice blue of a wight. His behavior is also far more human. He speaks normally, seems fairly intelligent (although very serious), and acts on his own accord, rather than exhibiting the zombie-like behavior of a traditional wight. Who he might have been before becoming . . . whatever he is now is never made clear, though there's a theory about that too. He has a flock of ravens at his disposal and rides a huge elk, both of which are definite badassery points.
What Does He Do?
Coldhands first appears in A Storm of Swords to rescue Samwell Tarly and Gilly from wights after they escape Craster's Keep. He's dressed all in black and calls Sam "brother," both of which suggest that at some point Coldhands might have been a man of the Night's Watch. After rescuing Sam and Gilly (who give him his fitting nickname), Coldhands brings them to the Nightfort castle at the Wall and tells them that someone inside the castle must be brought back out to him. Coldhands is unable to pass the Wall to get into the castle himself - implying that there's enough wight in him to be stopped by the Wall's defensive magic.
Sam and Gilly find Bran Stark (along with Meera, Jojen Reed, and of course Hodor) inside Nightfort, and Jojen, being his know-it-all self, says that Bran is the one Coldhands wants. Coldhands makes Sam swear not to tell anyone that Bran is still alive. Bran and the rest of his companions then set out on their final leg of the journey beyond the Wall to the Three-Eyed Crow (called the Three-Eyed Raven in the TV show), guided by Coldhands.
On the way to the Three-Eyed Crow in A Dance With Dragons, Coldhands serves as a sort of protector to the travelers as they move through the Haunted Forest, although he's not exactly friendly. He leaves the group at one point to deal with "foes," who Bran later discovers by warging into Summer were actually men of the Night's Watch. Bran and his companions are never quite positive what exactly Coldhands is, although details about him make them very wary - they never see him eat or breathe, he doesn't like fire at all, and he smells like dead meat to Summer. But Jojen insists they trust him to lead them to the Three-Eyed Crow.
When the group nears the cave where the Three-Eyed Crow lives they're attacked by wights, which Coldhands helps fight off so the rest of them can get inside. Bran voices his concern about the wights killing Coldhands to Leaf, the first member of the Children of the Forest he encounters, to which she replies, "They killed him long ago." She also says that Coldhands cannot come into the cave, again implying that defensive magic designed to keep wights out would prevent Coldhands from entering as well. So however conscious and human-like Coldhands appears, there's still plenty of dead in him too.
What Role Does Coldhands Have in the Whole Story?
Coldhands clearly knows how important Bran is to whatever the future holds. When he leaves the group to kill their "foes" he tells Meera not to come with him, because Bran has to be protected. And his dedication to getting Bran to the Three-Eyed Crow also suggests he also knows the importance of Bran fulfilling whatever destiny awaits him there. Whether he'll make another appearance in the books (or in the TV show) to help Bran on his journey to come . . . who knows?
There Are More Horses in This Painting Than Your Eyes Can Register
Another day, another optical illusion to drive you mad. Today, we bring you the mystery of counting how many camouflaged horses you see in this painting. It might appear easy to spot at first glance, until you start confusing the snowy mountain with the horses' patched pinto coats with one another. Bev Doolittle, the artist who created this painting, is known for depicting disguised horses - but we have to admit, this might be her most puzzling. Think you know the answer? Look for yourself.
The number of horses in this painting was hotly debated at the POPSUGAR offices. Some saw three, others saw four. Guess what? There are actually five horses: one in the foreground to the left and four grouped together on the right side. Time to challenge your friends' eyes and find out what they see!
An Artist Re-Created Star Wars: A New Hope Into a Long and Beautiful Infographic
Some Star Wars fans use their tax returns to take epic photos with the cast. Others try on a Chewbacca mask and make the world laugh with them. And then there's Martin Panchaud, an illustrator who re-created the entirety of Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope into one very long, beautiful infographic.
The entire infographic is complete with the dialogue and characters from the film. As it stands, it's 123 meters or 403 feet in length. Panchaud took this creative approach because he was inspired and reminded of ancient Chinese scrolls. He further mentions that he did this because Star Wars is a "childhood memory" of his and he really loves it.
As you can see, characters are shown as circular dots.
Scrolling through the entire illustration is truly mesmerizing (and maybe a little tiresome for your finger), but Panchaud does not miss a single line or scene from the movie.
So do yourself a favor and check out the entire work on his website. You won't be disappointed.
McDonald's Is Opening a Fries-Only Location!
Do you make trips to McDonald's just for the fries? What if when you got there, they only had fries on the menu? That fantasy is officially becoming a reality because McDonald's is opening a fries-only location called Fries With That. Except it's only in Australia and only for the weekend of May 27 through May 29. I know, I know - consider your dreams crushed. But even if you won't be able to make it to Sydney to get the real experience, you can at least check out the creative menu (chipotle cheese sauce!), or make homemade McDonald's fries and add your own toppings.
You can see even more photos of the fries-focused McDonald's on POPSUGAR Australia. The good news is the US does have new McDonald's garlic fries in parts of California and will possibly expand to other locations across the country, so those will have to fill the void. How would you feel about a fries-only McDonald's?
This Blogger's Second Wedding Dress Is Even More Stunning Than the First
First, she walked down the aisle in the Valentino gown her mother wore as a bride, but for her second wedding reception in St. Barths, Helena Bordon looked stunning in something new, a custom Calvin Klein gown. The Brazilian fashion blogger and trendsetter lived out every fashion girl's dream, with two stunning gowns and two equally breathtaking weddings.
Following her church nuptials, she headed to the beach in St. Barths to celebrate again with friends and family. She kicked things off with breezy two-piece for a day in the sun, then slipped into her lace-adorned custom slip gown, made just for her by Francisco Costa. It's hard to pick favorites with wedding dresses like these, but Helena's second gown might just be giving her "something old" a run for its money. Read on to see the glamorous beach wedding and all the gorgeous details.
A Quick and Helpful Guide For What to Wear to Every Summer Concert
For most people, attending a concert isn't an everyday affair. You've likely saved up for this big event and are more than ready to have a good time. There's just one teeny problem: you have no clue what to wear.
But rather than stand in front of your closet panicked and stumped, we've simplified the dress code for you, breaking things down by genre and providing plenty of inspiration. Scroll through to solve your concert dilemma once and for all. Then, check out what the stars wore to this year's Coachella.
Sofia Vergara Is as Sexy Now as She Was in Her First TV Commercial at 17
Sofia Vergara has been a spokesperson for Diet Pepsi since she made it big with Modern Family, but this isn't the first run-in the star has had with the soda brand. Back in Colombia, where Sofia grew up and started her career as an actress and model, her first job ever was as the star of a sexy Pepsi commercial. In the ad, a blond Sofia (fun fact: that is her natural hair color) is trying to get to the soda stand, but the hot sand proves too much to handle. She has to improvise a path by stripping down to her bikini and laying down her clothes, stepping on them to get a refreshing soda. The commercial was widely played in Latin America, making Sofia a household name and marking her first acting role as an iconic '90s moment. Watch the hot video above, then check out Sofia's style evolution and her sweetest moments with Joe Manganiello.
Related:
Why the Internet Is Collectively Rallying Behind This Couple Trying to Get Pregnant
"Do you have a minute? I've got kind of a long story."
That's how Dan Majesky starts off a Facebook post that is 3,336 words long. A long story is an understatement, but once you get started, you won't be able to stop reading every last one of those words.
The Cincinatti man shared a refreshingly honest account of what he and his wife, Leah, have endured on their journey to become parents. All told from his perspective, at times blissfully sarcastic and at others painfully tragic, it's one not often heard in the realm of personal infertility essays.
Dan chronicles from start to (spoiler alert) finish the lengths he and Leah reached to become pregnant.
We're in our 30s. Things are probably a little bit dusty, and a little bit rusty. So, three years ago, we started using apps and calendars to track this and that. Ovulation test sticks. Old wives' tales of positions and timing. We got some late periods. And some periods that never came! But we didn't get pregnant.
From there, he outlines the medical interventions and hormone therapies his wife began and what his main purpose was in all this.
My job was to try and not say anything dumb, because she also needed to be calm. I tried to avoid triggering phrases like "Hey," or "Good morning," or "I love you," but I kept fucking up, and opening my mouth, or allowing Leah to see TV programs, or commercials, to read books, and interact with the world in any way.
He even explains in vivid detail what it's like having to make sperm deposits in an office in which everyone is aware of what's really going on.
Everyone is a little bit tittery, a little bit anxious. We all know that this is all very silly, and that I just touched my penis, and you are someone's grandmother, and that even though you have a pin in the shape of a little sperm fella to help break the tension, we all – if we really had the choice – would probably prefer to burst into flames than discuss any part of this.
All the while, Dan acknowledges the pain in waiting, the defeat and sadness that comes when finding about that the "17-year-old across the street got pregnant," and the jealousy, envy, and resentment over a "child throwing a tantrum in the cereal aisle."
He opens up about their miscarriage.
When a family member dies, you can share your grief. With a miscarriage, you would have to tell people that someone who will never be born, who they had never heard of and will never meet, but who meant the world to you, is gone. And you don't have the strength to get into it. You tell your parents, maybe a close friend, maybe your boss.
As he writes on, he talks about how he cried alone every day about their unborn child and compared its now-lapsed due date to "a car accident on the road ahead that you're trying not to look at." It becomes sometimes painful - an infinitesimal fraction of the pain being described, of course - to simply keep reading. Thankfully, this story has a happy, if not cautiously optimistic, ending: after a break from treatments, the couple tried a few more times and got the "faintest f*cking line in the whole f*cking world" on a pregnancy test.
He adds that he's heard the heartbeat, arms and legs are moving, and they're expecting a baby girl in November. Then, in two words, Dan perfectly concludes what might be one of the most thorough men's accounts of what it's like struggling to conceive:
"We're pregnant."
Hayley Williams Wants You to Bleach Your Own Hair at Home
While rainbow hair has been the top beauty trend for the past few years, Hayley Williams was rocking colorful coifs well before it was cool. If you are a Paramore fan, then you've been familiar with her ever-changing mane since she and her bandmates got together in 2004.
"It's amazing what dyeing someone's hair will do for their day, let alone their identity, be it who they are or who they present to the world," Hayley gushed to POPSUGAR. "I became passionate about that side of it." The singer explained that she usually picks her hair hue based on her emotions, whether it's due to her mood or the music that she's working on. True fans have seen her sport every shade from red and blue to her favorite hue, orange (which she wore on her wedding day).
Because Hayley has been experimenting with hair color for so long, she knew exactly what she wanted from an at-home dye - and she couldn't find it. She and her colorist, Brian O'Connor, would often mix two to three different brands together to achieve their desired results. That's why they decided to collaborate on their own vegan, cruelty-free, eco-friendly color line, Good Dye Young, launching this June.
If you've never taken the plunge into rainbow hair, trust us when we say this brand will inspire you. Hayley and Brian worked hard to create a collection that is as fun and funky as it is good for your hair. The drip-free, creamy formula is packed with sunflower and bergamot oils to richly nourish every strand as it infuses it with semipermanent pigment. Good Dye Young is launching with five shades ($14 each), as well as the mixing potion "Fader" ($14) that allows you to customize your own pastel shade, a bleaching kit ($9), and a tool arsenal ($6).
And, yes, that means that Hayley and Brian want you to bleach your own hair at home - safely, that is. They're equally passionate about education as they are about bright colors and have provided extensive resources on the Good Dye Young site. "We want people to feel empowered by Good Dye Young," Hayley said. "The idea is to really create a world within hair, beauty, and fashion for people who are excited about expression."
The duo has plans to provide fans with color recipes so they can craft their own perfect shade and are starting to shoot and share DIYs. But they're already getting great feedback from Hayley's celebrity pals, who got early access to the products. "I got to send hair dye to Shirley [Manson] from Garbage," she said proudly. "And Josh [Dun] of Twenty One Pilots takes the pink on the road and touches up himself. He'll write me randomly like 'Man, it's so easy to use!'"
Still wary of dyeing your strands at home? Color virgins, you can still add some pizzazz to your style without taking it platinum first. Brian suggested trying Rock Lobster or Blue Ruin (or mixing the two!) for a subtle stain on your mane that's only visible in certain light. "I love that look," Hayley added. "It's really pretty but dark and mysterious, like [Fairuza Balk's hair in] The Craft."
Read on to see Good Dye Young's range of fun, foolproof color, then shop it when it launches this June.
21 Mascaras That Will Dramatically Improve Your Lashes (and Your Life!)
Even if you're not a major beauty junkie, you know that limiting yourself to just one mascara is virtually impossible . . . and almost masochistic. It doesn't matter how satisfied you are with your current formula. Chances are, you still have a deep, nagging feeling that pushes you to question what other lash-lengthening opportunities are out there.
I myself always have a minimum of three tubes on rotation in my makeup bag, and while I love them all, they each serve different purposes. Sometimes, I want a more doe-eyed look. There are other moments that I want to appear as if I'm wearing thousands of dollars' worth of eyelash extensions. But regardless of my love for the products I currently use, I'm always open to trying something new.
I know I'm not alone in my fringe fanaticism, so I reached out to my editor colleagues about their favorite mascaras. They run the gamut from drugstore classic to recently launched luxury formulas, but they're all incredible in their own right. Read on! You might just find your new lash love.
30 Times Emilia Clarke Was Not Only the Mother of Dragons, but the Queen of Instagram
In case you haven't been lucky enough to discover this fact on your own, let us be the first to enlighten you: Emilia Clarke's Instagram account is nothing short of delightful. In addition to posting amazing behind-the-scenes photos from her time on the sets of Me Before You and Game of Thrones, the actress is an absolute caption queen (read: she's hilarious). From selfies in her "Dany wig" to snaps with Kevin Hart and The Rock, Emilia's 'gram never fails to make us smile. Check out her cutest moments below, and then find out the amazing reason she refused to use a body double on Game of Thrones.
George Clooney Adorably Leads the Way For Amal During a Romantic Rendezvous in Rome
Amal Clooney held on tight to husband George's hand as they stepped out after dinner at Dal Bolognese in Rome on Saturday night. Amal - who was clad in a sexy black dress - flashed her pearly whites as she let George lead the way to their car. The pair's outing comes a little over two weeks after they turned heads with their glamorous appearance at the Cannes Film Festival, at which they linked up with George's longtime pal Julia Roberts and Money Monster director Jodie Foster. While there, Julia opened up about Amal in an interview with ET, saying that she's changed George "in a beautiful way that all wives kind of have a beautiful, loving influence over their husbands." Keep reading to see more of the duo, then relive 21 times George and Amal looked madly in love.
Why You Need to Know the Game of Thrones House Mottoes
The dialogue on Game of Thrones isn't always the easiest to follow if you haven't read the books, and one of the edges that those who read the novels may have is recognizing the House mottoes. See, in the Seven Kingdoms, each family (or House) has their own motto, a saying that represents them. While the show doesn't explicitly tell you which is which, the writers have used clever ways to have the characters say their own motto, and in some cases, the phrases have been used as episode titles. In case you don't know why the Starks say "Winter is coming" so much or why the Lannisters seem really into paying back their debts, this rundown of each House motto is for you.
Archie Comics' TV Adaptation Is About to Become Your New Favorite Teen Drama
There may be plenty of new shows on the horizon, but one of the most anticipated has to be The CW's Riverdale. Even though the network has kept pretty mum on the official details (it hasn't even released the trailer yet!), we do have a handful of things to be excited about, including Cole Sprouse's return to TV. If you've recently found yourself scratching your head, wondering what it's all about, we've got you covered. Here's the rundown on what you can expect from the upcoming show.
15 Unexpected and Original Names For Baby Boys
Searching for baby boy name inspiration? You've come to the right place! Coming up with a striking, solid name that you'll love for a newborn and that will suit him well into adulthood is no easy task. We've combed the web, our own mental rolodexes, and more to bring you 15 boys' names that are unexpected, unusual, or just something you may not have thought of before. Scroll down, and be inspired!
- Lincoln: History buffs will dig the presidential reference - the very trendy Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard liked it so much, they used it for their baby girl.
- Enzo: It translates to "rules an estate" in both Spanish and Italian. Expect big things from this manly man.
- Pierce: Meaning "rock," it doesn't get much more solid than a baby named Pierce.
- Chance: Its English origins translate to "good fortune."
- Sebastian: On the rise in terms of popularity, Sebastian has Greek origins and was the name of choice of celeb parents James Spader, Malin Akerman, and Tommy Hilfiger.
- Finn: With Irish origins, Finn is charming, fun, and spirited. Famous Finns include Christy Turlington and Ed Burns's son and Tori Spelling's youngest boy.
- Spencer: Meaning "house steward" or "dispenser of provisions," Spencer sounds posh yet approachable.
- Sawyer: Sawyer translates to "woodcutter" and has English origins.
- Rufus: Meaning "redhead," Rufus has become an increasingly popular and hip name in recent years.
- Jayce: There's no history behind it, but for the decidedly modern mom, Jayce may have just the amount of originality she's looking for.
- Trent: English in origin, Trent is a strong single-syllable name often associated with the British river of the same name.
- Zane: Zane is a Hebrew name meaning "God's gracious gift."
- Maddox: With Welsh origins, Maddox was the name of choice for Angelina Jolie's first child.
- Hudson: An increasingly popular name that would also work for a baby girl, Hudson evokes the river to the west of Manhattan.
- Miller: More common as a surname, Miller boasts English origins and translates to "grinder of grain."
How Your Favorite Chefs Make Hot Dogs
Hot dogs don't have to be the overlooked item on the grill. Sure, they may seem to be a no-brainer to grill, but these Food Network stars prove that you can really dress them to impress. From easy hacks to more elaborate preparations (homemade hot dog buns are worth it!), these nine tips are sure to inspire you on your next cookout.
Tyler Florence: Heat Them Up on the Stovetop, Not the Grill
Tyler's Ultimate Chili Dog contains so many tricks to make it the best, including a ketchup-based chili to top the hot dogs with as well as warming the hot dogs up in a saltwater bath before throwing them on the grill at the last minute to keep them as plump as possible.
Sunny Anderson: Combine Hot Dogs and Hamburgers
Can't decide between a hot dog and a hamburger? Sunny Anderson's Bacon Burger Dogs makes it so you don't have to!
Ree Drummond: Stuff With String Cheese
Fat is flavor, which is why The Pioneer Woman's Cheesy Bacon Hot Dogs call for stuffing hot dogs with string cheese then wrapping it all together in bacon.
Jeff Mauro: Protect the Dogs With Bacon
Jeff Mauro is the sandwich king, but he should be considered the hot dog king too for his Sonoran-Style Hot Dog, dressed with refried beans, avocados, tomatoes, and pickled jalapeños. The hot dogs are wrapped in a thin slice of bacon, which protects the dogs from drying out, plus it gives them even more flavor. If you are really wanting to outdo yourself this year, consider making his world-famous homemade pretzel hot dog buns too.
Aarti Sequeira: Slather With Indian Spices and Serve in a Pita
Yes, even hot dogs can be dressed with Indian flavors like ginger, turmeric, and garam masala, as demonstrated in Aarti's Hot Dogs a la Rose recipe.
Marcela Valladolid: Top With Tortilla Chips
Have you ever caramelized onion with bacon, soy sauce, and lime? That's Marcela's trick for her Fireside Hot Dogs, which are also topped with crumbled tortilla chips.
Bobby Flay: It's All in the Relish
A syrupy, vinegary homemade pickle relish, cooked on the grill, is the key to a really good hot dog, according to Bobby Flay.
Scott Conant: Serve Them With Blue Cheese
Go beyond Velveeta and cheddar and try serving blue cheese crumbles on top of an all-beef hot dog, as Scott Conant does for his hot dog recipe.
Rachael Ray: Fold Them Into Mac and Cheese
If you're looking for a great way to use up your leftover grilled hot dogs, turn to Rachael Ray's Mac and Cheese Dog Casserole.
Related:
This Body Positivity Activist Is Back With Another Refreshingly Real Post
Megan Jayne is a body positivity blogger and social media activist who frequently graces the internet with her refreshing perspective and candid reality checks. After overcoming an eating disorder at 14, she started a website, Body Posi Panda, that would serve as a space for her to work through her own recovery, as well as highlight other body diversity advocates.
Jayne is garnering attention yet again with a recent Facebook post that acknowledges social media's highly curated nature and criticizes its effect on the way we view bodies. She wrote, "We see so many painstakingly posed professional model bodies that we start to see our own as flawed. Abnormal. Ugly. But there really is no wrong way to have a body, despite what we've all been taught."
One of the reasons people flock to Jayne's Instagram is because of her natural poses - although she does have her fair share of naysayers. To this effect, Jayne added, "Whenever I post anything celebrating my belly rolls there's an army of body shamers ready to tell me that I'm hideous, unhealthy, unworthy. But guess what? MOST WOMEN HAVE BELLY ROLLS WHEN THEY SIT DOWN."
Though it's normal to want to preserve a certain veneer on Instagram, Jayne's post serves as a much-needed call to challenge that which is arbitrarily considered flattering.
This 11-Year-Old Sent the Sassiest Breakup Text EVER
Oh, sixth grade . . . a year so filled with drama and puppy love that it's a wonder anyone survives it at all. But most of us experienced it without cell phones and social networks, which is so not the case for kids today! Eleven-year-olds often carry smartphones, have Instagram accounts, and write blogs these days, which leads to plenty of full-blown teenage drama at an early age.
A perfect example of this is a set of texts that went viral, supposedly featuring a conversation between two sixth graders who were "dating." When 17-year-old Madi Nickens tweeted this "official breakup" conversation between her 11-year-old sister and a boy named Joey, the Internet went crazy over the little girl's supreme sass level. Here's how it all went down.
This Body Positivity Activist Is Back With Another Refreshingly Real Post
Megan Jayne is a body positivity blogger and social media activist who frequently graces the internet with her refreshing perspective and candid reality checks. After overcoming an eating disorder at 14, she started a website, Body Posi Panda, that would serve as a space for her to work through her own recovery, as well as highlight other body diversity advocates.
Jayne is garnering attention yet again with a recent Facebook post that acknowledges social media's highly curated nature and criticizes its effect on the way we view bodies. She wrote, "We see so many painstakingly posed professional model bodies that we start to see our own as flawed. Abnormal. Ugly. But there really is no wrong way to have a body, despite what we've all been taught."
One of the reasons people flock to Jayne's Instagram is because of her natural poses - although she does have her fair share of naysayers. To this effect, Jayne added, "Whenever I post anything celebrating my belly rolls there's an army of body shamers ready to tell me that I'm hideous, unhealthy, unworthy. But guess what? MOST WOMEN HAVE BELLY ROLLS WHEN THEY SIT DOWN."
Though it's normal to want to preserve a certain veneer on Instagram, Jayne's post serves as a much-needed call to challenge that which is arbitrarily considered flattering.
samedi 28 mai 2016
This Is How All Your Favorite Chefs Make Pasta
Pasta. It's (usually) what's for dinner. But if you're getting a little tired of your go-to basic pasta recipes, allow us to offer you some inspiration from some of our favorite Food Network personalities and celebrity chefs. We know these recipes won't lead you astray, because they're the top-rated pasta dishes from each professional, like Giada, Mario Batali, and more. Get ready to seriously up your pasta-cooking game with these fan-favorite recipes.
Giada De Laurentiis
I know, I know - how can you possibly crown just one of Giada's recipes the best? While the Italian queen of Food Network has countless killer pasta recipes, her top-rated one is penne with corn and spicy sausage. It sounds simple, but the list of ingredients results in an enticing variety of flavors: the dish stars spicy Italian sausage paired with sweet corn and a creamy mascarpone cheese sauce that's taken up a notch with a secret ingredient (Calabrian chili paste). Reviewers rave about this five-star pasta with comments like, "You have to make this dish . . . it's delicious!"
Ree Drummond
You're pretty much guaranteed to find two things in the Pioneer Woman's recipes: simplicity and comfort. It's not surprising that her most popular pasta recipe is bow-tie skillet alfredo, because it's a one-pan meal that's easy to make, crowd pleasing, and ultra comforting.
Paula Deen
One stick. That's how much butter is in Paula Deen's shrimp scampi with artichokes and basil, since you're probably wondering. But that's one of the reasons it's so popular - the garlicky white wine butter sauce is hard to beat. "My new stand-by! I love this, such a great change from a traditional scampi," one reviewer wrote.
Rachael Ray
Rachael Ray's peasant pasta proves you don't need a bunch of fancy ingredients to make a spectacular dish. This dish is a hearty dinner with Italian sausage, tomatoes, garlic, peas, and a few other ingredients that come together for a 20-minute meal you're sure to love.
Mario Batali
You know Mario Batali is not messing around when it comes to pasta (I mean, the man puts shaved truffle on his scrambled eggs). He's not boiling some pasta and adding some veggies to it. No, he's making uova da raviolo, aka ravioli with a runny egg inside. Yes, it's entirely scratch made, and yes, it's worth it. Oh, and yes you better believe there's truffle in it. One fan's review reads, "So amazing. I didn't have any truffles, as I'm sure most people don't, so I drizzled with white truffle oil at the end of the butter saute."
Chrissy Teigen
Chrissy Teigen's cookbook, Cravings, is full of recipes you'll, well, crave. The star of the Noodles and Carbs section is, hands down, her lemony arugula spaghetti cacio e pepe. It's like cacio e pepe on crack: spicy, cheesy, lemony, and pancetta-y.
Bobby Flay
Say hello to your new favorite Summer pasta dish: Bobby Flay's penne with Summer tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, and basil. It's like an upgrade on a fresh caprese salad, with plenty of garlic, balsamic, red pepper flakes, basil, and fresh mozzarella, and it's a great option feeding a crowd during Summer.
Related:
Coffee in a Waffle Cone? Why Yes, It's a Thing
Have you always wanted to drink coffee out of a waffle cone? Your answer is probaby "yes," because why wouldn't you want to combine three of the best things in life (coffee, ice cream cones, and chocolate)? Hailing from The Grind Coffee Company in Johannesburg, South Africa, coffee in a cone is the latest food trend that has people traveling from all over the place, and for good reason. "We used the cone as a way to become an Instagrammable product. When people come in they take a selfie and tag #coffeeinacone," the man behind the concept, Dayne Levinrad, told CNN. It's true: everyone who orders the coffee in a cone from The Grind seems to adapt the "pics or it didn't happen" mantra because the Instagram opportunity is way too good to pass up. Keep reading to see how truly trend-worthy the coffee is, and get a closer look at the ingenious hybrid.
Fans Are Severely Unhappy With Marvel's Change to Captain America
Image Source: Marvel
For 75 years, the Marvel comic universe has held up Steve Rogers, aka the first Captain America, as a paragon of American values and virtues. Through all of the character's many iterations and comic book runs, that has always held true: Steve Rogers is a good person who stands up for what is right and sacrifices where he needs to. He is, simply put, a hero - perhaps the image of a hero everyone recognizes.
That all changed with the new Captain America: Steve Rogers #1 was released Wednesday. Warning: spoilers ahead for the comic.
In it, Marvel writers reveal that Steve Rogers has actually been an undercover sleeper agent for Hydra, the Nazi-adjacent terrorist organization that has been trying to destroy the world since Captain America was a boy. The comic shows how Rogers and his mother got involved with the organization when he was a child, a story startlingly similar to the origin story of the Red Skull (Captain America's first enemy). A look at the big reveal in the comic is below.
Image Source: Marvel
This could be a hint that this comic book run, which would undo 75 years of selfless actions and difficult choices made for the greater good, is playing with us. Many reactions to the news of an American hero stepping up to reveal himself as a secret Nazi were extremely unfavorable - #SayNoToHYDRACap was even trending on Twitter (tweets from fans below). This is especially timely as the rhetoric used by the Red Skull in the comic is very similar to the divisive statements made by a certain presidential candidate (Donald Trump, I'm looking at you).
#SayNoToHYDRACap
(gif from tumblr: seraharcana) http://pic.twitter.com/UmGAoDRfmO- Heidi (@HBB_xx) May 25, 2016
#SayNOtoHYDRACap @Marvel I understand you've made a decision... http://pic.twitter.com/ISwyzupWYx
- Camryn Meece (@MeeceCamryn) May 25, 2016
if the only new thing you can think of is to erase everything steve stands for, you shouldn't be writing cap comics. #SayNoToHydraCap
- butt crack barnes (@whatishands23) May 25, 2016
Basically everyone right now #SayNoToHYDRACap http://pic.twitter.com/zMjtA59UUn
- Tati (@DylansOLawrence) May 25, 2016
Nick Spencer, the author of the comic, sat down with EW and had this to say in the face of the public's disbelief: "This is not a clone, not an imposter, not mind control, not someone else acting through Steve. This really is Steve Rogers, Captain America himself."
Despite these words, many are still speculating that this is a trick (or a gimmick, as EW says) to draw readers into picking up the new comics for the character's anniversary run. It's hard to overwrite 75 years of characterization, and Marvel is finding out just how difficult that's going to be. If they intend to take it back and dramatically "reveal" that Steve Rogers was good all along (maybe a S.H.I.E.L.D. mole placed in Hydra, placed back in S.H.I.E.L.D., as many hope is the case with Grant Ward from Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.), they have a lot going against them - mainly that I, along with a good majority of comic book fans, don't buy for one second that Steve Rogers could be a Hydra agent, even in spite of the murder of a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent and ally.
This sudden change of heart for dear old Captain America comes at the worst possible time. Considering the state of the US right now, when it's ripe with tension and discord, taking an American idol and reducing him to a Nazi with ideals that are discriminatory and downright evil seems rather, well, stupid. Given the strides toward diversity and acceptance Marvel has made with stories like the rise of politically involved Sam Wilson from Falcon to the other Captain America, this comic feels like it's taking us backward in our ideals. Steve Rogers is necessary to Marvel canon and many readers as a pillar of acceptance and fighting for what is right, which is why we refuse to believe this storyline could possibly be true.
Sorry, Marvel; next time, instead of retconning one of the most staunchly heroic characters in your universe, maybe try something a little more progressive (like giving Captain America a boyfriend, or writing more female-led comics).
Whoa: This Harry Potter Theory Could've Changed the Series Completely
Get ready to breathe in and breathe out, Harry Potter fans - a recent theory is sparking up a conversation on the Internet on how the entire series could've changed. The single theory is based on one passage in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, involving the most underrated Hogwarts house - Slytherin.
The speculation, outlined by Tumblr user crazybutperfectlysane, discusses the idea of Cassius Warrington of Slytherin being chosen to compete in the Triwizard Tournament instead of Cedric Diggory. Both characters would still continue to help each other throughout the book up until the very end, when Voldermort still decides to kill Warrington. The user discusses the possibility that this might've united the Slytherins against Voldemort so they could have fought against him in the Battle of Hogwarts. Pretty crazy right? The entire post is below.
However, the theory train didn't stop here. Another user, aplatonicjacuzzi, took it upon themselves to delve deeper into what Warrington's death would mean to Slytherin, Hogwarts, and Harry. This would include Slytherins realizing that pure bloods aren't safe from Voldemort, joining Dumbledore's Army, and eventually facing off against He Who Must Not Be Named at last. The rest of the imagined storyline is below.
These two posts are currently circling the Internet, even though both are two months old. It makes sense - it's serving up the right amount of fresh "what if?" options we always need every few months. We can't imagine how different the stories of all our favorite characters would be like or how Harry Potter could have had different kinds of support at Hogwarts. Guess that's all we can do now: wonder how and what could change the story we love and treasure so much.
A Star Wars Fan Re-Created Iconic Scenes From the Films With the Original Cast
Every few months, an image or story surfaces of a truly incredible Star Wars fan who will do anything to showcase their love of the franchise. Sometimes, it means dressing up as a stormtrooper and dancing to Beyoncé's "Single Ladies." Other times, it means using your tax return to re-create scenes from Star Wars with the cast.
The Star Wars fan is Imgur user JBreezyBaby, who spent his tax return to attend the 2015 Star Wars Celebration in Anaheim and take different photos with Mark Hamill, Anthony Daniels, Carrie Fisher, and others. Some of the cast played their part - whether it was Daniels letting JBreezyBaby be the R2-D2 to his C-3PO or Fisher making him be Jabba the Hutt. Even the other actors who didn't re-create the scenes still smiled and gave JBreezyBaby photos he could never forget - literally, because he then hung them up along his staircase.
Check out the full album below, and don't forget that there are no limits when it comes to being a Star Wars fan.
Apple's Next Big Announcements Are Starting to Leak
With Apple's annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) coming up in a few weeks, leaks about what to expect are flooding the internet. Reports from sources like MacRumors or 9to5Mac, which are normally accurate, are starting to surface and say we can expect these key announcements.
- Touch ID: MacRumors reports that the new OS X 10.12 system will let you unlock your Mac with your iPhone, as long as it's nearby.
- Siri: Another feature coming to OS X 10.12 will include Siri support, says MacRumors.
- iOS 10: The new iOS 10 system is set to include a new update to the App Store, like paid search results, reports MacRumors. It will also have new 3D Touch abilities on Apple Music and Apple Pay will come to web browsers.
- MacBooks: According to 9to5Mac, a new MacBook design and refresh is coming to the 13-inch and 15-inch models.
For now, we'll have to wait and see what ends up being true when WWDC occurs June 13 to 17.
This Woman's Middle-School Makeup Collection Is Pure Nostalgia
I did some more digging and found my product stash from middle- high school WARNING: Cringe inside
Everyone has a makeup or body product that they fondly remember from back in the day (old-school Urban Decay, anyone?). One Reddit user was lucky enough to rediscover her old, stashed goodies years later. In a series of photos, fun_expert revealed a pink trunk full of items from the 2000s, including shimmery eye shadow from L.A. Colors (still a drugstore staple!) and Christina Aguilera's line of perfumes and lotion.
"It physically pains me how long I left these under the bathroom sink. Some of them are easily 10 years old. Ouch," she wrote about her old nail polish collection.
The user even shared a snap of Aquolina Pink Sugar Perfume ($30). Just a mere whiff of the cotton-candy-like scent takes us back! Fun_expert's middle- and high-school era stash reminded us of our own beloved, discontinued favorites. Remember Jessica Simpson's line of flavored beauty products? My particular obsession was the banana-split-flavored lotion.
Though we've left some of these items in the past, sometimes it's nice to be able to revisit those beautifully awkward middle-school moments - especially via makeup! Click through the gallery to see these throwback products!
White Nail Art Ideas You Should Wear Well Before Memorial Day
When it comes to rules about wearing white, I am totally irreverent. You'll definitely find me wearing summery white dresses and cream-colored jeans with boots in January. So you can bet I have no qualms wearing ivory white nails any month of the year. That said, Memorial Day is approaching, offering a solid opportunity to take on a chic, white manicure.
To help get you started, I combed through Instagram to dig up snowy inspiration. DIY it, and then pose your nail art with your morning coffee or smoothie for that perfect, minimalist nailfie.
According to Beauty Insiders, These Are the Top Beauty Products For 2016
Every year, beauty pros (including artists, marketers, editors, and chemists) gather for the most exciting night in the industry: the Cosmetic Executive Women Beauty Insider Product Demonstration. This invite-only event showcases all the hottest launches from the previous year, allowing experts to test the formulas, admire the packaging, and ask any questions they have about the item. Then, after lugging home (and playing with!) a huge bag of the products seen that night, everyone casts their votes on which items are worthy of being declared "best" in their category.
This is a highly prestigious award for a key reason - the people selecting the winners know beauty inside and out. Scientists take a break from their labs to examine other brands' potions; CEOs compare and contrast their companies' products with others. As a result, the champions are truly spectacular.
WWD announced the 2016 CEW Insider Award winners, and there was a refreshing amount of surprising victories. Who would have expected that the two award-winning antiaging products would be masks? We're particularly impressed that a dry shampoo beat out traditional formulas in its category! Read on and shop the very best beauty swag from 2016.
6 Outdated, Unflattering Haircuts to Avoid at All Costs
Image Source: Everett Collection
In 2009 something very unfortunate happened to my hair: I sort of had a mullet. I wanted to keep my hair long, so my stylist took that into account, angling the front around my chin while leaving me a nice tail in the back. It looked ridiculous and wildly unflattering. But this happens often, and you need to be prepared before your next chop to know what to ask for and how to better communicate with your hairstylist.
Jon Reyman has built a business around fixing people's bad haircuts. At his salon, Spoke & Weal, which has locations in NYC, LA, and SF, he and his team execute the dry haircutting technique. This involves flatironing strands and chopping them dry, so the stylist (and client) can see every detail of the look.
So Jon seemed to be the right expert to break down the anatomy of a bad haircut. He's certainly seen many come through his salon. Keep reading to learn six looks (including my unfortunate situation from 2009) to avoid and what to ask for instead.
The Cut: The V
What it looks like: From the front you may look fabulous, but when you turn around, the ends of your hair take on a deep V shape going down your back.
Why it doesn't work: "This feels like an attempt to hang onto as much length as possible, where other places in the hair may be shorter due to breakage or layers," said Reyman. "It speaks to a time when everyone was trying to preserve their long hair at any cost." According to the hair pro, this is passé. "It looks dated because it's an old mentality," he added. "[The idea that] 'the longer your hair, the more sexy you are' is not relevant today - and thank God!"
What to get instead: Reyman suggests to opt for either slightly rounded or level and squared off when it comes to the back of your haircut.
The Cut: Trilayer
What it looks like: This looks like three ledges or "three layers of cake!" said Reyman.
Why it doesn't work: "Please don't ask for three layers," Reyman pleads. "The idea of visible layers that you can count is dated and boxy. The ledges look older. The silhouette is less flattering on most people."
What to get instead: "You want soft layers; you want hair that has movement; you want your hair that's blended," he advised. "Softly layered hair is always natural and pretty."
The Cut: The Carol Brady
What it looks like: This is basically a bob with a mullet tail.
Why it doesn't work: "One of the coolest things about short hair is revealing the neck - which is a gorgeous part of the human body," explained Reyman. "Covering it with a tail is unnecessary!"
What to get instead: "If you are going short, go all the way," he suggested. "Make sure the back perimeter is cleaned up. Show off your neck and avoid tail." So if you're going for the bob, go for the bob!
Image Source: ABC
The Cut: Heavy Hair (at Any Length)
What it looks like: Reyman describes this as the Cousin Itt cut. "Your hair is wearing you; you are not wearing your hair," he noted.
Why it doesn't work: "Avoid heaviness, ledges, bulbous ends," he warned. "You can have light and blunt or light or layered hair, but let hair move! Some people think texturizing or removing weight means layers, others say it will make your hair look thin. Neither are true if texturizing is done internally and strategically. He points out that these heavy haircuts are difficult to style and blow-dry, as well.
What to get instead: "Find an excellent hairdresser and have him or her take out the right amount of weight in the right places," Reyman offered. "The right place is defined as where your hair feels heavy, doesn't move, is difficult to style, or too thick. Lots of times this can make hair look more voluminous, and it certainly adds softness and movement." One tip is to run your fingers through your hair before, during, and after the cut to make sure it feels good. You'll know if there is too much (or too little hair there). Clearly communicate with your stylist to end up with a volume and length you love.
The Cut: Mushroom or Mom Bob
What it looks like: Reyman describe this as a mushroom, a Lego hat, or box atop your head.
Why it doesn't work: "It doesn't take advantage of modern techniques in order to customize hair to your best features," he explained. "If you are going to get a bob, avoid looking like a mushroom or a soccer mom - even if your kids slay the field!"
What to get instead: "It's all about removing weight and softening the hair up so it does not look like a helmut, box, or Darth Vader," Reyman mused. "Texturizing from the inside is important if you wish to keep a very strong permitter and clean exterior." He said if you want a texture bob to ask your stylist to remove weight and texturize throughout your strands. "Your bob should look youthful and soft - a moving extension of your beautiful head - kids or no kids," he added. "Love Dorothy Hamill, but this cut is very hard to make work for most of us."
The Cut: Accentuated A-Line
What it looks like: "Picture a 45-degree angle perimeter sloped from the back of your head forward," Reyman explains. "Long in the front, short in the back." It's sort of like the reverse mullet.
Why it doesn't work: "This cut doesn't move much in the back," he notes. "It looks heavy in the back, and the shape is dated."
What to get instead: "While a very subtle back-to-front angle is cool right now, don't accentuate an A-line in a bob or longer look," Reyman said. "The strong A-line was hot for a moment many years ago, but more subtle angles are more flattering and more versatile. If you are looking for a statement haircut, keep a really sporty, chin-length textured bob with no bangs."
See the Bohemian-Chic Sephora x Mara Hoffman Collab Before It Hits Stores
If you've ever been to Coachella, you've probably worn one of Mara Hoffman's abstract-printed dresses or bathing suits, and this Summer, you can bring that same free-spirited vibe to your beauty routine. The designer has teamed up with Sephora on her first-ever, limited-edition makeup collaboration dubbed Kaleidescape. The news was announced in February during New York Fashion Week, as Sephora provides the makeup for Mara's runway shows. And now, we finally have a first look at the makeup, brushes, and cosmetics cases, which launch in July.
"I don't want you to look like you're wearing makeup," Mara told us of her influence. "I've never really related to that. I think now as I get older, too, I love seeing a woman who is even more pared down."
The minimalist products she choose were also inspired by her own hippie-chic beauty routine. "I feel like I'm my natural most comfortable state of being when I look - it's not disheveled - but like I've been in nature on some level," she explained. "That beach look is a really comfy space for me. A bit of salty, crusty hair. And sort of sun-kissed skin - but not really, because nobody needs a tan anymore."
The offering reflects this with three do-it-all cheek trios in bronze, blush, and highlighter shades ($28); five slightly pigmented lip glosses that range from beige to coral ($28); and a tinted lip balm in a sheer rose hue ($18). A stand-out is a multitaking balm for face, body, and hair ($30) with the loveliest lavender scent. There are also Mara Hoffman–printed makeup brushes ($24-$64) and cosmemetics cases ($20-$110) that double as clutches.
What makes these items so exceptional is that they contain mostly natural and organic ingredients, such as sunflower seed oil, cocoa seed butter, lavender and rosemary leaf extract, and coconut oil. "When we sat down to talk about it, I said I wanted to be able to use my fingers," Mara noted. "And whatever we made, I wanted it to be safe enough to use on my kid. Anywhere we could, we used organic or natural ingredients instead of synthetics."
The packaging is Earth friendly, as well. Not only does it showcase her Spring 2016 prints, but it is also mostly made from sustainable materials. The brushes, cases, and makeup contain feature-coated organic cotton canvases and FSC–certified sustainable wood, and utilize low-impact printing.
Keep reading to see close-ups of the buzzy Summer launch!
Forget Accessorizing - Choose Bracelet Nails Instead
Just when we think the world has thought of every nail art trend possible, we're surprised by something fabulous and new. Our friends at Byrdie have identified the latest great nail art trend - and it's called bracelet nails, an idea that started with the South Korean artists at Unistella.
The general idea is that bracelet nails are decorated in a minimalist, only slightly embellished style. They're all unified by having a line - like that of a bracelet - that runs along the width of each fingernail. One woman, Rani Sheen, who got a bracelet nail manicure at Unistella, wrote on Instagram about how the nail artists used thread and real metal to create the look.
Read on to see a handful of examples of "bracelet nails," check out even more at Byrdie, and get inspired to try the trend at home.
11 Photos That Prove JoJo Fletcher Might Just Be the Hottest Bachelorette Yet
Ever since it was announced that JoJo Fletcher would be the next star of The Bachelorette, we've been anxiously waiting for the season to start. Fortunately, the show premiered on Monday, and one thing is for sure: JoJo is back and as hot as ever. In honor of her quest to find love, it's time to feast your eyes on some of her sexiest moments, then see why she was the perfect pick for the show.
37 Times Justin Bieber Gave You Those Puppy Dog Eyes
Justin Bieber has had a tumultuous couple of years, but after taking time off, the 22-year-old Canadian singer is working hard to improve his image. Justin made his return to the stage at the MTV Video Music Awards with a highly anticipated performance of his single "What Do You Mean?" - and simply wowed the crowd! We've rounded up Justin's sexiest Instagram selfies, because let's face it: all of his countless shirtless pictures just weren't enough. Keep reading to see Justin's best selfies, and relive all the times he proved he has a heart of gold.
The Lavish Gifts Kate Middleton Has Received From Prince William
Diamonds are a girl's best friend. And sapphires, garnets, pearls, and green amethysts . . . Being in a relationship with a prince, the bar is set sky high when it comes to gift giving on special occasions, but luckily for Kate Middleton, Prince William has more than stepped up to the mark. Take a look at some of the jewelry the prince has given his lady love over the years.
Lady Gaga, Urban Cowgirl, Rides Her Horse to Grab a Green Juice
Who needs a car? Certainly not Lady Gaga, who was spotted riding her horse to grab a green juice in Malibu on Monday. The superstar was joined by a male companion, who sported a cowboy hat while riding alongside her. Gaga's gorgeous four-legged friend was a Christmas gift from her record label, Interscope, in 2015. She shared an Instagram photo of the horse that day, writing, "Today on my doorstep was delivered a White Angel from heaven," adding, "I will ride, and care for, and love her forever." Last time we saw Gaga, she was hitting the red carpet at the Met Gala earlier this month, and hitching a ride on the back of Bradley Cooper's motorcycle in LA; clearly, the girl has a knack for choosing the best transportation.
The Cutest Pictures of Jennifer Lopez and Her Adorable Kids
Over the past couple years, Jennifer Lopez has offered fans a glimpse into her life as a mom with supercute snaps of her twins, Max and Emme. She and her ex-husband, Marc Anthony, welcomed the kids in February 2008, and since then, she's shared more than a few adorable pictures of the pair on Instagram, including a couple from her exciting weekend at the Kardashian-Jenner family's annual Christmas Eve bash. In May 2015, Jennifer opened up about motherhood when she sat down with Ellen DeGeneres. "I love my kids," she said. "I wish I would have four or five more." She added, "The fact that you get to love somebody unconditionally in that way and not even care if they love you back - you just love them so much. Like that relationship, that's the biggest blessing in the world." So sweet! Keep reading for some of Jennifer Lopez's best family snaps on Instagram, then check out her sexiest snaps since the '90s.
28 Times Kanye West Only Had Eyes For Kim Kardashian
There has been no shortage of cute red carpet moments and PDA-filled appearances throughout Kim Kardashian and Kanye West's relationship, but one thing that has stuck out about Kanye's love of (and fascination with) Kim is how he always seems to be checking her out. Whether he's making sure her dress is hugging all the right places, like at the Met Gala, or just admiring the beauty that is her booty, Kanye has no qualms about ogling Kim when they're out and about together. Scroll through for 28 times Kanye couldn't keep his eyes off his wife.
Tim Riggins and Regina George Are Still Dating, and We'll Never Stop Loving It
When news of Rachel McAdams and Taylor Kitsch's budding romance hit the Internet last Summer, fans (including us) got really, really excited about the lovable stars' new relationship. Now, almost one year later, the pair appear to still be going strong, and we're just as excited now as we were then. Why all the buzz? Well, for one thing, the pair killed it when they starred together in season two of True Detective, and for another: it's Tim Riggins and Regina George! Although Taylor and Rachel aren't actually their characters from Friday Night Lights and Mean Girls, just for fun, we're looking at why Riggins and Regina might actually get along. Keep reading to see all the GIF-worthy reasons, then check out Taylor's hottest moments and all the times you've felt really, really jealous of Rachel.
Kate Middleton and Prince William Stop and Smell the Roses at the Chelsea Flower Show
Kate Middleton is on a roll! Just days after her sailing lesson in London, the Duchess attended the Chelsea Flower Show in England with Prince William, brother-in-law Prince Harry, and Queen Elizabeth II on Monday. It was the first time that William and Kate - who was clad in a bright kelly-green coat dress from Catherine Walker - had visited the event, which has been running since 1913. However, Harry has been involved in previous years, as his Sentebale charity often designs a garden. Next month, the family is scheduled to attend the Trooping the Colour parade, where Prince George made his debut last year.
You Won't Believe the Sexist Prizes Girl Scouts Get to "Win"
It's the Girl Scout mission to build courage, confidence, and character, so when it comes time to reward these young girls for their service, what better way than with "nail wraps," a jewelry box, or a spatula?
Those are just a selection of the sexist prizes Girl Scout troops in Colorado were able to choose from in a survey of 2017 cookie reward options. Of the 20 products listed, the only ones related in any way to physical activity were a kickball and a water bottle.
"We are Scouts - why can't the incentives for participation have at least a balance of camping, outdoors or activity-themed prizes," Jennifer Rotar asked in a petition on Change.org. "Why must girls be offered a majority of items that emphasize traditional feminine appearance, fashion, cooking . . .? Please stop pigeonholing girls into traditional roles and give them choices that reflect their wide range of interests that have nothing to do with gender."
Instead of stuffed animals and bracelets, Rotar suggests binoculars, pocket knives, star charts, Legos, compasses, or card games.
The petition - which will be delivered to the CEO of the Girl Scouts organization, Anna Maria Chavez - has already received more than 2,500 signatures toward its goal of 5,000 since it was posted last week.
The comments from supporters, ranging from Girl Scout juniors and cadettes to organization volunteers and concerned parents, proved that the prize structure has been a longtime issue and that a need for more scout-oriented incentives was overdue:
Tired of "made in China" landfill-destined prizes. Let's practice what we preach here and make the prizes more experience based . . . admissions to local museums and such.
How about First Aid kits, travel kits, sewing kits, STEM kits, chemistry sets, a nice flashlight, a mess kit and I go on and on. My daughter sells a ton of cookies and this year one of her incentives was a FitBit. Please explain to me why a 9 year old needs a Fitbit? Are we creating body issues?
I don't want to have to choose between earrings or a coffee mug for a 5-year-old who loves science, art, and the outdoors. We need more and better options. Yes, they love stuffed animals and girly stuff, but those shouldn't be the ONLY choices.
Girl Scouts need their own brand of affordable camping essentials, and offering it would be awesome! Even bug jars or ant farms or worm boxes. The opportunities are endless for fun – educational, scientific, physical, Girl Scout fun!
What do you think of the prizes currently being offered to girls?
Genius Life Hacks Any Parent Could Ever Need
All of us moms need to stick together - that means sharing your secrets to success with everyone else so we can all feel like superstars. To do our part, we've rounded up all of the genius life hacks that make every aspect of a mama's life a bit more manageable, and even broke them down into categories so you can hack the parts of your life that needs the most help.
- For help in the kitchen, check out our food hacks.
- To make your messy house
spotlessa little less messy, check out our organizational hacks. - If you just brought your little one home, read through some of our best baby hacks.
- Whatever the weather, we have seasonal hacks to save time so you can be in the moment.
- And for every other trick under the sun, check out some mixed general hacks.
Happy hacking!
The Prettiest Names For Girls
Looking for a pretty girl name? We asked moms on our Facebook page to share the prettiest girls' names they've ever heard, and their ideas absolutely poured in. Here we've rounded up some favorites, from pretty middle names for girls to names that start or end with particular letters. Read through for a ton of baby-naming inspiration.
Pretty Girl Names Inspired by Nature
Encompassing from everything from flowers and herbs to gemstones and seasons, the natural world is a huge source of inspiration for pretty girl names. Beautiful plant-inspired names include Violet, Lily, Willow, Jasmine, Flora, Olivia, Ivy, Holly, Hyacinth, Daisy, Saffron, and Rosemary. Stones and gems have also lent their names to monikers including Amber, Ruby, Pearl, Ivory, and Jade. Other pretty nature-based girls names to consider are Brooke, Rayne, Aurora, Dawn, Savannah, and Luna or seasonal names like Summer, Autumn, Winter, January, April, Mae, and June.
Pretty Middle Names For Girls
Have your daughter's first name picked out but can't decide on a middle name? Rose, Grace, and Marie are all popular pretty middles names. If those don't strike a chord, other middle names moms recommend include Paige, Elizabeth, Emma, Lynn, and Rae.
Pretty Girl Names Starting With "A"
Sometimes parents are drawn to a specific letter. If you're hunting for the perfect "A" name for your daughter, here are some pretty picks other moms love: Arianna, Abigail, Angelina, Amelia, Avery, Ava, Aubrey, Aria, Ashlynn, and Athena.
Pretty French Girl Names
Francophiles, rejoice! We're rounded up the following 10 recommendations for pretty girl names that are French in origin: Genevieve, Amélie, Mathilde, Aurelie, Giselle, Sophie, Josephine, Juliette, Odette, and Colette.
Pretty Irish Girl Names
If you're drawn more toward names of Irish origin, Quinn, Fiona, Teagan, and Kiera are all popular recommendations for pretty girl names.
Glamorous Pretty Girl Names
Trying to find a name that's a little glamorous? Names like Scarlett, Audrey, Bridgette, Penelope, Ava, and Marilyn have all belonged to Hollywood screen sirens. "V" names just have a glamorous ring to them - think Victoria, Vivian, or Valentina.
Ending With "La"
There's something so soft and pretty about girls names that end in a "la" sound. Isabella is particularly popular right now, but we also love Layla, Willa, Isla, Lila, Arabella, Jayla, and Delilah.
Pretty Girl Names Ending with "Ee" Sounds
Everyone's ears are different, however - if you're not partial to names with the -la ending, a bright "ee" sound is another pretty way to go. Some of the "ee"-ending names moms recommended are Hailey, MacKenzie, Leilani, Bree, and Zoe.
Pretty Place Names For Girls
Want to name your daughter after a special place? We've seen all these pretty place names used for girls: Dakota, Brooklynn, Sydney, Ireland, Paris, London, Charlotte, Florence, Alexandria, Aspen, Eden, Carmel, Sicily, Vienna, Sahara.
More Beautiful Baby Names:
H&M's Next Collaboration Is Here - and It's Going to Be Wild
H&M and Kenzo announced it this morning: their new collaboration is something to be excited about. Arriving in 250 stores worldwide and online on Nov. 3, 2016, the full collection will debut on the catwalk. While the runway show won't take place until October, we can already feel the hype.
Kenzo designers Carol Lim and Humberto Leon (who are also the duo behind Opening Ceremony) spoke to Vogue.com about the marriage of the two brands and what we can expect: "There's a femininity, there's fun. There's a tactile approach to techniques and embroideries, embellishments," Leon said.
H&M's head of design Ann-Sofie Johansson promises pieces that are playful: "Balmain was glamorous and sexy, and this is vibrant, young, and fun." While only one video has been released so far, our imaginations are already running wild. Read on to get stoked.
18 Trusty Travel Tips to Steal From Your Favorite Style Bloggers
Sure, you've been planning this trip for a while, but mere days - OK, a day - before you head out, you find yourself scrambling to get ready. What should you pack? Bring on the flight? Actually, what would your favorite fashion bloggers do, since they seem to travel so much? Well, now's your chance to find out, as we've rounded up some helpful tips we've found on their feeds.
From customizing your luggage to getting super organized, see what you can learn from these jet-setting fashion ladies. Then, check out some cozy-cute travel outfits to wear on a long flight.
Adele's New Video Is Great, But Let's Talk About That Dress
Yes, Adele's new video for "Send My Love (to Your New Lover)" is amazing. The song is great, and Adele is striking - and then, of course, there's that dress.
The centerpiece of the stripped-down video is Adele's stunning long-sleeved maxi, which was designed by Dolce & Gabbana. The Dolce & Gabbana Evening Pussy-Bow Sequined Printed Silk-Chiffon Gown ($7,995), from the designers' Spring 2016 collection, is a true centerpiece of the video. Throughout the stark piece, the colors of the floral print stand out, as do the embroidered embellishments along the bodice. Toward the end of the video, Adele dances and sways with the dress's voluminous, gorgeous skirt.
Adele worked with the stylist Gaelle Paul, who told Billboard this is actually the first time the singer has worn the label. Gaelle spoke about how she, Adele, and the video's director, Patrick Daughters, decided on the D&G look. "It was really about what [Patrick] needed from the dress," Gaelle said. "It was quite dark, the background, and we needed something that would show up against that."
37 Ways to Wear Boyfriend Jeans That You Haven't Thought of Yet
Boyfriend jeans - everybody's got 'em. Whether they're actually straight from your SO's closet or you bought them at the store is no matter. You'd be surprised to learn all the different ways you can style the lived-in silhouette. While their signature slouch automatically graces your outfit with a casual touch, finish your denim with a flouncy blouse or dainty silk tank and you're ready for a night on the town.
Seriously, your boyfriend jeans look just as good with those weekend slip-ons as they do with strappy heels, so read on to learn all the ways you can take them from a.m. to p.m. Finally, once you're feeling inspired, shop a few of our favorite designs available now.
Miranda Kerr Just Pulled a Very Kate Middleton Style Move
Kate Middleton's done it, Michelle Obama's done it, and now Miranda Kerr's on board with repeating a full, superchic ensemble - and boy, did she choose a good one to rewear. On Tuesday, the model stepped out in a denim-on-denim outfit, which included a 7 For All Mankind top, that was pretty similar to one she wore back in 2014. And just like the first time we saw it, we swooned, taking note of how well she pulled off this tricky-to-style look.
While Miranda added a duster coat this time around, giving her outfit a 2016 twist, she still rocked simple heeled sandals and carried a black bag, proving that if something ain't broke, definitely don't fix it. See her looks back-to-back ahead, then discover more ways to pull off denim on denim.
This Teen Silenced Her Teacher by Wearing a Stunning African Print Dress to Prom
When Makalaya Zanders wanted to wear an African printed dress to her high school prom, a teacher made the hurtful comment that it "wasn't really something you wear to prom."
Instead of listening to the negative remark, the 18-year-old showed up to Garfield Heights High School's prom in a gorgeous royal-blue Ankara print strapless gown. The mermaid style, created by designer DeAndre Crenshaw, hugged Makalaya in all the right places, and she accessorized the look with a dramatic gold belt and choker.
"My dress was to make a point. That African style is beautiful. That I am comfortable with my Melanin and roots," she wrote on Instagram, though her account as since been made private. "There's nothing like Black girl Magic."
Makalaya added that her inspiration for the dress came from an Ankara gown Nigerian model Jessica Chibueze had worn to a gala. Upon hearing her story, Jessica even gave a shout-out to the high school senior on social media for embracing the African style.
"I was told when I was younger that I was too dark, too this, too that," Makalaya said to ABC News. "I didn't grow up with black Barbies besides Brandy. As a young girl, I thought I didn't fit that standard, traditional definition of beautiful."
After the dress went viral, the teacher has since apologized to Makalaya. Her beautiful gown proved that everyone has the right to embrace their own cultural style. Keep reading to see the stunning Ankara print silhouette from all angles.
The Easy 2-in-1 Piece You'll Wear All Summer Long
A flattering one-piece that puts your best assets on display is great. But imagine a suit so functional, you can wear it all day long - and in multiple ways. Consider the handful of designs here. While they're all bathing suits in their own right, and definitely appropriate for a swim, you can also work them with a pair of cutoffs or a pleated midi skirt.
These 23 versatile pieces feature unique details - a laced-up neckline, bow at the shoulder, or structured bustier, for example - that earn them street style status. Rock them at the beach during the day, then strap on your heels and a matching bottom for your night out. Scroll to find your new favorite two-in-one bodysuit.
I Got a Sexy Designer Dress Tailored and Delivered For My Birthday - For Just $300
I was in the mood to do something crazy for my 24th birthday. It's not a particularly special age; I just wanted to throw myself a party - and I wanted a special dress to go with it. Being from New Jersey, I hilariously ended up in Atlantic City with all of my friends. (I like a good round of blackjack. Sue me.)
While I could have easily taken a quick shopping trip to the mall, I had recently stumbled upon a new app called Armarium. It's a quick and easy runway rental service and I had to try it. Based in New York, Armarium invites its clients to a showroom filled with a very select handful of dresses.
While you might be picturing flouncy pastel maxis fit for a wedding, the Armarium customer is more of a risk-taker. Unlike Rent the Runway - a site that offers similar services but more modest, playful brands like Monique Lhuillier and Kate Spade - Armarium's labels are cutting-edge. They're a bit more high-end and ultimately veer on the sexy side. The Armarium girl is going for a daring designer look. She might even want to flash some skin. She's going out, or in my case, straight to the casino after a fancy dinner.
I immediately booked an appointment with the team after scrolling through Armarium's available products. I had already eyed so many options for the upcoming weekend, and I wanted to try them on. Luckily, I got to preselect styles that were hanging in a dressing room for me upon arrival. But first, I talked fashion with the company leaders.
Armarium is brand new (its official launch date was in April 2016). Right now, the small team of stylists, called the Style Brigade, helps women walk through some of the most coveted and well-known designer pieces, most of which debuted on the runway just a couple of seasons ago.
These women, all well-versed in fashion, cater to the event you plan to attend, helping to accessorize your outfit with a clutch or jewels. And, if the dress you love needs to be tailored, your measurements are recorded in the showroom and your design is temporarily tweaked by the seamstress, free of charge, before being sent to you for wear. (I took advantage of this service, which we'll get to later.)
You hang onto your standout look for four nights before it's due back via messenger service. But remember: you're getting to wear a truly unique ensemble for a fraction of the retail price. I'll spoil the end of the story right now and let you know that it's worth it.
Read on for a full look at my Armarium experience - it's filled with high-slit, cutout dresses so sexy, I was afraid to walk when I tried them on. And of course, the romantic tale about how I arrived at my perfect match: a Fall 2015 Anthony Vaccarello number that made me feel like I'd just won a million bucks on my fabulous birthday at the Jersey shore.
The 1 Outfit You'll Want to Steal From Queen Letizia the Next Time You're Running Late
You had every intention of getting up and getting out on time, but the clock seems to be ticking kinda quickly and - gah! - you're still not dressed. Not to fret. There's a lesson to be learned from Queen Letizia of Spain, who stepped out at a journalism seminar in La Rioja wearing an easy, breezy outfit that'll take mere seconds to style yourself. Pairing loose cropped leather pants, a black top, a statement jacket, and lace-up heels, the royal appeared polished and pulled together and well-dressed for a chilly Spring or Summer day.
As long as you have these items in your own wardrobe, you, too, can get ready in a flash, look chic, and kiss those late days goodbye. Scroll through to see Letizia's ensemble in full, then shop the pieces you need to nail it.
25 Pairs of Stylish Summer Shorts - That Aren't Denim Cutoffs
Maybe you just aren't into the whole booty-baring look. Or maybe you are, but not as an everyday thing. Whatever the reason, you need another pair of shorts in your Summer wardrobe that aren't itty-bitty cutoffs. But hold up - do those even exist anymore? And if they do, where do you find them?
The answer is ahead, where we've rounded up 25 alternative options, from bermudas to non-cutoff denim shorts (yep, those exist too). Shop what you love ahead, then find out what to wear to work if shorts and other revealing seasonal staples aren't an option.
Ciara and Russell Wilson Have Too Many Cute Moments to Count
Ciara and Russell Wilson may have only gotten engaged in March, but these two already have a slew of adorable moments under their belts. Ever since the couple went public with their romance at the White House's Japanese state dinner last year, the pair has taken relationship goals to a whole new level. Most recently, Russell was on hand to support Ciara at her Billboard Music Awards hosting gig in Las Vegas. In honor of their recent engagement, flip through their cutest moments together, and then get a peek at Ciara's sweet family life.
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