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 19 mars 2017
Giving Up Dairy Changed My Body in So Many Surprising Ways
In my 20s, I was a french-fry, soy-ice-cream, pasta-and-bread-loving vegan. I ended up gaining 40 pounds and - surprise, surprise - always felt tired, foggy-headed, and on the brink of another cold. After six years, I started eating eggs and dairy, and I felt a little better, but that's probably because I was finally eating healthier, in an attempt to lose all the weight I'd gained.
Fast-forward 12 years to the Summer of 2014. I was sitting on my couch, flipping through Netflix, and stumbled upon the documentary Vegucated. It takes the stance that being vegan is better for the planet and kinder to animals, and after seeing some heartbreaking video footage, I felt compelled to eat more compassionately and ditch dairy on the spot. I had no idea how dramatically my life was about to improve. Here's what I noticed within two months of going dairy-free.
Wait, Are These My Skinny Jeans?
Getting dressed one chilly September morning, I grabbed a pair of my favorite skinny jeans and they slipped right on! Since I tend to gain a little weight in the Summer, I was expecting to have to wrestle with them for a bit, but they didn't feel tight whatsoever. I even slipped them off to check the label to make sure they were the right pair. Yeah, you bet I was smiling and feeling pretty awesome. Since having two kids, I'd been carrying around a few extra pounds that were holding on for dear life (really, my youngest is now 2!), and ditching dairy made it happen in two months without any other change.
Bye-Bye Bloat
Know what the number one reason was for my Costco membership? Lactaid pills. Yep, I popped one every time I ate because even the tiniest drop of butter in a cracker could set me off. I wasn't always lactose intolerant, but it hit me hard when I went away to college, which was one of the reasons I went vegan back then. I couldn't leave my house without some trusty pills in my pocket, and I popped at least five a day. My body was telling me not to eat dairy and here I was devouring it every chance I got. And boy, did I pay the price. My belly was constantly bloated and I had more than my fair share of emergency bathroom runs. It seems obvious to anyone that you should stop eating the one thing that makes you feel horrible, but I guess I didn't realize just how bad I was feeling until I started feeling amazing.
What's That Amazing Smell?
Sinus surgery. That was the recommendation after years of chronic and painful sinus infections, extensive allergy testing, two CT scans, daily nasal sprays and antihistamines, twice-daily dates with my Neti Pot, months of heavy-duty antibiotics, and heartbreakingly having to find a new home for my two cats. The ear, nose, and throat specialist said it was one of the worst cases he'd seen, and said surgery to remove the congestion and widen my sinuses should be the next step. Talk about scared. There had to be another solution.
I'd heard that dairy can contribute to congestion but considered not being able to breathe or smell a fair trade for cheese. It's been two months of being dairy free, and now that Fall is in full swing, I should be miserable with allergy stuffiness and sinus pressure. But I'm not. My doctor can't believe I haven't needed to refill my meds. I even went apple picking and could actually smell the cider donuts cooking (not that I could eat one!). I teared up. I had a moment right there in the apple orchard. And to think, I almost went through with surgery, when all I needed to do was say no to cheese.
Did You Change Moisturizers?
Seriously, someone asked me this, and I was thrilled. My skin has never been clearer. I didn't have a bad acne problem, but a pimple always seemed to be cropping up, which was pretty embarrassing for someone in their late 30s. My skin is smoother, softer, and has more of a natural glow. It makes sense, since cow's milk contains growth hormone, fats, and sugars (yes, organic milk, too), which can aggravate the skin. There's definitely some strong data showing the correlation between dairy and acne, and although it can take up to six months for skin to heal, I noticed a difference within a month.
Smoothies, Salads, and Sweet Potatoes
Like most people, I tried to eat healthy, but when you're in a rush or tired from a long day, you grab the quickest thing. As a vegetarian, cheese was like its own food group to me, and admittedly, cheesy pesto paninis, creamy pasta, and pizza were always on the menu. I had to completely rethink my meals and found that with a little bit of prep, I was eating so much healthier. I made green smoothies for breakfast, salads for lunch, and got really creative with using tempeh, tofu, lentils, beans, whole grains, and all sorts of veggies. Ditching dairy meant that I made room for foods that were much more nutrient-packed, and I no longer felt heavy after meals.
Another Three Miles? Sure!
Eating healthier also meant I had more energy. Whether it was going for a run, bike ride, hike, or teaching a yoga class, I felt so peppy and fired up. I had more days in the past two months where I felt like I could keep going and going than I ever had when I was eating dairy. Maybe this is the reason so many athletes go vegan.
Final Thoughts
I know what you're thinking. "I could never live without __________." So don't. If you want to avoid dairy but you could never give up pizza, then give up dairy except for pizza. I will say that for most of your favorite foods there are some pretty outstanding alternatives. My kitchen is constantly stocked with soy milk, soy yogurt, Earth Balance buttery spread, and my fave - almond milk ice cream. Personally, I wasn't a fan of vegan cheeses so I just leave it off my pizza or sandwiches, or make my own using raw cashews. Please don't mourn for the cookies and pancakes you can't eat. There are so many dairy-free recipes that taste as awesome as ones containing milk and butter. Once you get used to cooking and eating in this new way, it'll feel just as easy as your diet feels now. If you can't go cold turkey, do what you can and gradually take milk out of your diet. If your experience is anything like mine, the benefits will speak for themselves, and you'll be inspired to eliminate dairy completely.
For more tips on going dairy-free, check out:
Tasty Breakfasts Minus the Dairy
24 Times Jason Momoa Made Other People Look Like Tiny Little Ants
We don't know about you, but we sometimes repeat the three things we always know to be true just to give our lives some consistency: Jason Momoa is sexy; Jason Momoa is adorable; Jason Momoa is f*cking huge. Not only is the actor, who has been married to wife Lisa Bonet since 2007, extremely tall (6'4"), but he also has huge muscles. Whether he's out on a red carpet or goofing around with his pals on Instagram, he's always at least a full head above everyone else. Don't believe us? Keep reading to see all the times he turned other people into pocket puppies.
Saying Your Dog Is Your "Baby" Is an Insult to Moms Everywhere
We're happy to present this article by Elizabeth Broadbent from one of our favorite sites, YourTango.
I have a dog. Two dogs, in fact. We got our puppies before we got our kids, and we loved them. We kissed them. We cuddled them. We bought them too many toys; we overindulged them with treats. We gave them silly pet names and let them sleep in our beds.
But never did we call those beloved canines "furkids" or "furbabies." Because the last I checked, dogs ain't people.
Your puppy is not your child, so stop saying that he is. I have three children now, and I know this for certain - kids and dogs are not same.
Think about when you got your puppy. You probably picked him out at the local ASPCA, or selected him from the local breeder. Basically, you pointed to a dog and said, "That one."
On the other hand, most mothers went through nine months of body invasion, followed by one of the most intense physical experiences of her life. Then they dropped a baby on her chest. It was all agony and joy and angels singing.
And even if you adopt, you go through paperwork and waiting hell before you find yourself weak in the knees, hands atremble, as you weep with joy when someone hands you your child for the first time.
Getting a dog just doesn't stack up.
Yes, both puppies and newborn babies wake up in the night. It sucks to wake up and let a dog out, but it sucks more to wake up and attempt to latch an unwilling, wailing infant to your breast.
Then once you've managed to feed your bundle of joy, you have to get him back to sleep. The puppy doesn't decide to party until 5 a.m., at which point, it's time for another feeding.
Then there's babyproofing. You puppy-proofed your house - you removed all things chewable, took up poisonous plants, and provided appropriate chew toys.
When I babyproofed my house, I had to make sure little hands couldn't gain access to caustic cleaning fluids. I had to look for strangulation hazards (goodbye, Roman blinds) and put safety locks on all the cabinets (which are a giant pain in the ass).
If I failed in my duties, I'm not facing a chewed-up family heirloom; I'm looking at a dead kid and a DSS inquiry.
The stakes are a wee bit higher.
Not that owning a dog isn't high stakes. You're responsible for the feeding and caring of your dog. Pet ownership is a serious commitment that should only be taken up by those who really mean to care for an animal for the rest of its natural life.
You're stuck with your dog . . . except you're not because you can leave. Before my husband and I had kids, we traveled all the time - dropped the pups by the doggie spa, payed extra for playground time, and hopped the plane guilt-free.
I can't just leave my toddlers. Sure, maybe one day I'll be able to leave them with relatives for some overnights. But it's not quite as simple as plunking my credit card down at the kennel.
You can mostly ignore your dog. Yes, your dog lives in your house, and yes, you love it. But your attention is not focused on the dog every moment it's awake.
Five minutes of inattention on my part, and my toddler's drinking bleach and bathing in the toilet.
If my kids are awake, I need to know what they're doing, where they're doing it, and what they're doing it with. I don't have to follow them from room to room, but it helps.
And at the risk of sounding like an annoying parent here: kids do some amazing things dogs just can't stack up to. Sure, you can teach Fido to fetch, but that pride is nothing compared to your kid learning to read.
Both give sloppy kisses, but only one lisps, "I wuv you, mommy."
Potty training's more of a milestone. And can your dog draw you pictures with hearts on them?
None of this covers the myriad of things I have to do for my kids every day. My dogs watch me prepare lunches, read The Cat in the Hat, and wipe snot off people's faces.
While my pups take their business outside, my kids require constant diaper changes.
The dogs don't melt down when their favorite Star Wars figure breaks, and they bite me a hell of a lot less. They don't call me a "poop-head." This is just one of the reasons I love them.
I know you'll say I sound like a self-righteous parent here.
Maybe you don't ever want kids, which you'll somehow make germane to the discussion, but which is neither here nor there.
Say you love your dogs. Say they make your life worth living. Say they're your one-and-only. Call yourself a dog person.
But don't call your dog a baby. Don't call him your "furkid" or "furbaby."
Because baby, it's not even close.
More juicy reads from YourTango:
11 Things I Really Envy About My Parents' Perfect Marriage
I Breastfeed My Baby - and His 3-Year-Old Brother at the Same Time
I Homeschool My Kids Because Public Education Breeds Passive Drones
6 Reasons I Believe Circumcising Your Son Is Genital Mutilation
The Harmful Effects of Instant Ramen Noodles
Yes, you know that instant ramen isn't good for you, but studies have confirmed just how harmful the prepackaged food can really be. A study in the Journal of Nutrition links instant noodle consumption with heart risk, particularly in women. The researchers conducted a study in South Korea, where consumption of instant noodles is the highest in the world, with more than 10,700 people ranging in age from 19 to 64. The results? "Women who consume instant noodles frequently were found to be more likely to have metabolic syndrome - the group of risk factors, including obesity and high blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar, that increase the risk of heart disease and diabetes."
The harmful effects were predominantly found in women and not men. Part of the study reads, "Women - though not men - who ate instant noodles at least twice a week showed a 68 percent higher risk of metabolic syndrome," which is a syndrome that can increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
The high sodium content in instant noodle products is obvious, but the main culprit is the noodles themselves. In another study by Dr. Braden Kuo, director of the gastrointestinal motility laboratory at Massachusetts General Hospital at Harvard University, the doctor found unsettling results after testing digestion of the noodles. He used a tiny camera to study the breakdown of instant ramen noodles in the stomach and found out just how difficult it is for your body to digest the preservative-filled noodles. Warning: the photos are graphic. A preservative called TBHQ, which is found in many processed foods including Reese's and Chicken McNuggets, extends shelf life of fatty foods and makes them harder to digest. It's one of the many ingredients in Maruchan Chicken Ramen.
If you're hopelessly devoted to instant ramen (and it's a budget-friendly staple in your life), all hope is not lost. Dr. Frank B. Hu, a professor of nutrition and epidemiology at Harvard, told The New York Times, "Once or twice a month is not a problem, but a few times a week really is."
Moral of the story: eating college-friendly instant ramen is OK, but moderation is key.
24 Times Jason Momoa Made Other People Look Like Tiny Little Ants
We don't know about you, but we sometimes repeat the three things we always know to be true just to give our lives some consistency: Jason Momoa is sexy; Jason Momoa is adorable; Jason Momoa is f*cking huge. Not only is the actor, who has been married to wife Lisa Bonet since 2007, extremely tall (6'4"), but he also has huge muscles. Whether he's out on a red carpet or goofing around with his pals on Instagram, he's always at least a full head above everyone else. Don't believe us? Keep reading to see all the times he turned other people into pocket puppies.
This Dancing Pregnant Couple Redefines Relationship Goals 1 Latin Song at a Time
Whoever said that pregnant women can't dance clearly has not met Gemma Marin. The mommy-to-be and her Panamanian partner Israel Duffus have stolen our hearts with their impressive dancing videos and we promise, they're going to get you on your feet.
Gemma is 35 weeks pregnant and it only makes sense that Shakira's hit "Rabiosa" has the soon-to-be parents showing off their best merengue moves, well, unless you want to call it "belly" dancing. With all that movement going on and a strong gene pool, we're guessing their child is going to be quite the dancer. Keep reading to see some of Gemma's most impressive pregnant dancing videos, and we dare you to try to resist getting up and moving to all the Latin songs!
This Move Tightens Your Abs and Booty While Burning Crazy Calories
Similar to the "knees and toes" exercise, this quick skip move will tone your lower abs, tighten your core, and work your legs (especially the calves!) and booty.
Here's a quick tutorial on this quick skip motion - it's so similar to high knees, but you're springing off your standing foot to add an extra challenge.
- Begin by standing with your feet hip-width apart.
- Make a fist with both hands and bend the elbows to where your hands are about level with your chin.
- Drive the right knee up, twist your torso to the right, and bring the knee to meet your left elbow.
- Immediately repeat with the left knee meeting your right elbow, and do this in a hopping motion while staying on the balls of your feet.
- Keep your abdominal muscles engaged as your knees come up, squeeze the side oblique muscles as you twist.
This Move Tightens Your Abs and Booty While Burning Crazy Calories
Similar to the "knees and toes" exercise, this quick skip move will tone your lower abs, tighten your core, and work your legs (especially the calves!) and booty.
Here's a quick tutorial on this quick skip motion - it's so similar to high knees, but you're springing off your standing foot to add an extra challenge.
- Begin by standing with your feet hip-width apart.
- Make a fist with both hands and bend the elbows to where your hands are about level with your chin.
- Drive the right knee up, twist your torso to the right, and bring the knee to meet your left elbow.
- Immediately repeat with the left knee meeting your right elbow, and do this in a hopping motion while staying on the balls of your feet.
- Keep your abdominal muscles engaged as your knees come up, squeeze the side oblique muscles as you twist.
All the New Faces You'll See in Fifty Shades Freed
There's one final movie left in E L James's sultry series: Fifty Shades Freed. We're a year out from the third film, but we're already very excited based on the cast. Lots of familiar faces are returning, but there are some new characters appearing for the first time. Take a look at the new actors!
A Little Boy Throws a Party to Say Goodbye to the Family Garbage Man
Everybody knows that Fridays are the best days, but for 2-year-old Deacon Ross, Friday is his favorite for a reason other than the weekend being kicked off - it's when he gets to hang out with his best friend for a few minutes. Every Friday morning, Deacon eagerly heads outside to see his best and only friend O'dee, the family's garbage collector.
Deacon's mom, Summer, is pregnant with another baby - whom Deacon would like to name O'dee - so the family is moving to a larger home, off of O'dee's garbage route. Though Summer is confident that her son is beginning to understand friendship and loving people outside your family, she's not sure that Deacon truly understands that he may never see O'dee again after they move.
Wanting to help Deacon say goodbye to his friend, they had a little "party" on their last Friday in the old house. Deacon and his older sister took photos with O'dee, Summer made goodie bags, and the pair hugged and fist-bumped. O'dee hadn't realized what a special impression he had made on this little boy until that last Friday morning, but it's obvious that he got a little choked up at finding out that this little man was so taken with him.
Hopefully Deacon and O'dee will get to fist-bump again in the future, but for now, it's goodbye.
This post was originally published on May 29, 2015.
How a Stranger Kept 1 Mom Alone With Twin Babies From Being Kicked Off a Flight
What was supposed to be a simple flight for Mackenzie Murphy turned into an incredibly long day, and this woman wasn't even traveling with an infant. But the mom sitting a couple of aisles in front of Mackenzie wasn't as lucky, as she was hit with multiple problems while trying to fly alone with her twin babies, who Mackenzie estimates were likely under 6 months old.
Mackenzie described the scenario, explaining that because the flight was packed, airline staff began taking carry-on luggage to store under the plane. "A gate worker took this woman's car seat, meaning she would now have to hold both babies since they weren't old enough to sit up on their own in a seat," Mackenzie shared with the Love What Matters Facebook page. "When she sat down on the plane, a flight attendant immediately told her she couldn't hold both babies, and would have to leave the flight."
Before this mom could gather her babies and her things, a stranger sitting in front of Mackenzie volunteered to hold one of the babies during the entire flight. However, before they could even start their 45-minute flight, the plane ended up being stuck on the runway for two and half hours.
"Without a complaint this woman fed the other woman's baby and burped him," Mackenzie wrote. "Her own daughter started crying. This mom, so calmly, went on to explain to her young daughter that 'Our job is to help other people. This mom is all by herself with no help, and really needs another mom to help.'"
This kind woman continued to restore Mackenzie's faith in humanity as she went on to sing the baby songs and snuggle him as he slept. "My heart still feels fuzzy," she wrote. "Moral of the story is when you see people needing help, do the right thing and help them."
Urban Decay's Latest Collaboration is a Literal Work of Art
As cosmetics aficionados, many of us believe that makeup is an art form. We paint our faces with the same intention an artist paints their canvas. It's a form of self expression, a way to make a statement. Urban Decay isn't a stranger to making their own statements, and the brand has decided to take "makeup is art" to a literal level: introducing their new collaboration with celebrated late neo-expressionist Jean-Michel Basquiat, known for his iconic graffiti paintings in New York during the 1980s.
Basquiat had many layers, much like his work. He was one of the most influential artists during the punk era, and he was eccentric. When he was a teenager, he met Andy Warhol, and their relationship served them both: Warhol improved Basquiat's fame, while Basquiat made Warhol cool again. There is a story that, while joining Andy for a meeting with a potential collector, he left the meeting, unannounced, to draw a portrait of both himself and Andy. He returned later with his assistant and a dripping-wet canvas, freshly painted with the portrait.
Basquiat dated Madonna. He died at 27 from a drug overdose. He painted his work quickly, but not quickly enough to meet the demands he was being presented with when reaching that level of fame. His work was different; he was a pioneer with it - one reason why Urban Decay found the collaboration alluring.
"This collection is important because it's kind of a new way to look at makeup," Wende Zomnir, Founder of Urban Decay Cosmetics told POPSUGAR. "Nobody has done a collab - well, I guess other people have done artist collabs, but he's not as well known as a Warhol. It's this kind of indie vibe we've always stood for."
She went on: "I think what was really impressive was how he was able to take his graffiti and then translate it into a higher kind of art gallery kind of art. The message he was graffitiing about, which is like, these juxtapositions between all this wealth and then poverty in New York and seeing those two collide."
Ruby Rose, the face of the brand, is a fan of Basquiat herself. "I've been working with Urban for a couple of years now, and (Wende) knows how much I love Basquiat," she said. "(This is) a perfect marriage of his color selections, his art, and him as a person, being so outspoken."
The collaboration started after Basquiat's estate approached Urban Decay, and it took over a year to finalize. "It was one of those (collaborations) where, sometimes you're approached with different ideas, and you're like 'Eh, whatever,' but this one I was like, 'Yes!' I've been a fan of Basquiat's for a long time," said Wende.
If you're unfamiliar with Basquiat, his legacy includes the use of crowns throughout his work, which made it a necessary part of the collaboration. "We wanted to pull the crown into something to make it iconic for a lot of people," said Wende. "So we picked (the Gallery Blush Palette) because it's the most universal product we made. It's the cheek and face palette, which almost any skin tone can use," she said.
Each piece in the collection has a special artistic touch, including hangers on the back of the palettes, so you can display your work of (makeup) art on the wall. For the two shadow palettes, the team drew color inspiration from the paintings. "If you look through this painting, you will see that all of these shades are actually located in the painting," said Wende.
In the lineup, there are two eye shadow palettes ($39 each): the Tenant set features eight exclusive bright shades, and the Gold Griot houses eight new neutral hues. The Gallery Blush Palette ($34) offers two pink/purple-toned blushes, a bronzer, and a highlighter. There are three brand-new Vice Lipsticks ($17), wrapped in a canvas print with his art. They come in the necessities: pink, red, and nude. But perhaps the coolest offering are the three makeup bags($18-$35) which are covered in his art.
Keep reading to see photos of the products up close, and mark your calendars for April 20 when the collection will be available for purchase.
12 New Books You'll Definitely Want a Copy of in March
It's a new month, and that means a slew of new books to add to your reading list. If you've already exhausted our list from February, there are some exciting new titles in store. Can't get enough of Misty Copeland? She has another book coming out this month. Obsessed with mystery novels? There are a few stories for you as well. Check out everything that's set to hit shelves this month.
7 Things You Don't Know About Panera Bread, Straight From an Employee
If you've ever wondered what it's like behind the counter at Panera Bread, you'll enjoy the insider secrets from this employee's Reddit AMA. During the "Ask Me Anything" conversation online, a person who works at Panera Bread answered questions about the truth about the crazy-delicious mac and cheese, the one thing you should avoid ordering, and what the company does with all its unsold bread at the end of the day. Here are the answers to some of your burning Panera Bread questions, straight from someone who knows best.
The reason the mac and cheese is SO good is . . . calories.
When asked why the mac and cheese is "so f*cking good," the Panera employee said, "It's very good because it isn't that healthy for you. It has a lot of calories tbh."
Also, it arrives at the store frozen.
"They aren't lying when they say that all their food is 100 percent clean so nothing is bad for you. However, that doesn't mean that all the food is good for you. The mac and cheese, for example, comes into the store premade and frozen in a bag and it is heated either in boiling water or the microwave if need be."
There are two things customers do that drive employees CRAZY.
"Two things. The first is when we make a small mistake and they completely lose their minds. If we make a mistake of any kind, we'll do everything that we can to fix it and make it up to you, no need to cause a scene just because we forgot to give you a fork. The second is when customers come in 10 minutes before close and order a ton of food then eat in store."
The one thing you should never order past lunchtime? Avocado.
"Avacados usually sit out open for a number of hours. They are fine around lunchtime but as the day goes on, they get older."
The employee discount is really good.
"I honestly would never eat at Panera if I didn't have an employee discount (70 percent)."
Your soup could possibly get sneezed in if you annoy the employees . . .
When asked, "How many sneezes per soup?" the employee responded, "Depends on how annoying the customer is." Hopefully, that's a joke!
Panera donates all of its extra bread at the end of the day.
"Yes, at the end of the day we donate all our unused bread to a homeless shelter."
I Cleaned Out 100+ Items From My Closet by Asking This 1 Question
You would have never known that I organize and overhaul the wardrobes of clients for a living, let alone write books on the subject, if you had seen the state of my closet last week. Standing in my closet last Sunday while trying desperately to find something to wear to brunch led to the realization that my closet was leading a double life. It's not that it was a "hot mess," organizationally speaking. It was, however, glaringly obvious that everything in there represented my previous life, a very different life from the one I am currently living. A closet filled with four-inch heels and designer duds snagged at countless samples sales (read: I worked at Neiman Marcus corporate for almost a decade and everyone drives everywhere in Dallas) does not a smooth transition to the Bay Area make.
So, I made another cup of coffee, turned on my "Closet Overhaul" Spotify playlist, and did to my own closet what I have done hundreds of times for clients in the past.
I picked up the first hanger and asked the million dollar closet question that works like a charm every time I need to make, or assist a client in making, a decision on what stays and what goes. Two hours and several hangers later, I had over 100 items crammed on a rolling rack ready to donate. Cue: mic drop - and it all started with this question . . .
You Haven't Truly Lived Until You've Bathed With This Rainbow Unicorn Soap
In case you've missed it (how?!), unicorns have utterly taken over the beauty world, and we're all about it. It started with unicorn-horn makeup brushes and iridescent lipstick, and now the mythical creature seems to be invading bath time, as there's a wealth of unicorn-themed bath bombs on the market. The latest addition to the plethora of mythical beauty goodies? Why, unicorn soap, of course.
EarthsRawBeauty, which specializes in all-natural homemade bath treats, quickly went viral for its recently launched colorful soaps. Crafted with skin-loving ingredients like goat milk, coconut oil, and shea butter, these unicorn soaps are scented with a tantalizing blend of berries, apples, peaches, and kumquat. Yum! If you needed any proof that unicorns are actually good for you and your skin, these soaps should do the trick.
The woman behind the company, Carmen Iclodean, first started making her Believe in Magic soaps in the shape of an actual unicorn, complete with a rainbow mane and all. Then she tried experimenting with an equally as colorful bar version that includes a cute golden horn. Both soaps are pretty darn adorable - so adorable, in fact, that they quickly went out of stock. Bummer!
As of March 16, EarthsRawBeauty isn't accepting preorders, but while you patiently await the next stock to be ready, read on to see what these gorgeous soaps look like IRL.
22 Stunning Nontraditional Celebrity Engagement Rings
Diamonds may be a girl's best friend, but for some celebrities a regular solitaire sparkler just doesn't cut it. Instead, stars like Elizabeth Hurley and Rebecca Romijn have opted for colorful stones in hues like canary yellow and sapphire blue. Even in the past, Princess Diana forwent a traditional diamond for an oval sapphire, which Kate Middleton now wears. And in recent years, a new trend has popped up - art-deco-style engagement rings - worn by actresses like Scarlett Johansson. Keep reading for some major ring envy, and if you can't get enough, see these very best celebrity engagement rings.
22 Stunning Nontraditional Celebrity Engagement Rings
Diamonds may be a girl's best friend, but for some celebrities a regular solitaire sparkler just doesn't cut it. Instead, stars like Elizabeth Hurley and Rebecca Romijn have opted for colorful stones in hues like canary yellow and sapphire blue. Even in the past, Princess Diana forwent a traditional diamond for an oval sapphire, which Kate Middleton now wears. And in recent years, a new trend has popped up - art-deco-style engagement rings - worn by actresses like Scarlett Johansson. Keep reading for some major ring envy, and if you can't get enough, see these very best celebrity engagement rings.
Your Sweet Tooth Will Say "Yes, Please" to These Brigadeiro Treats
We've all got our sweet vices or go-to desserts, whether it's alfajores, tres leches, or straight-up dulce de leche from a jar. But what if we introduced you to Brazilian brigadeiro truffles? Whether you eat them on their own or use them to liven up a whole different treat, we've got you covered with 13 delicious homemade recipes. We know you won't say no to these irresistible treats - it's not possible.
Kerry Washington Wants to Put This Ingredient in Every Beauty Product
It's a sunny Wednesday in Los Angeles. Editors and influencers are slowly trickling into the Penthouse Suite at The London Hotel to meet the woman who plays one of Shonda Rhimes's most powerful characters to date: Olivia Pope herself, Kerry Washington. The actress, producer, new mom, and relatively new wife - her words - has been working with Neutrogena as a creative consultant and brand ambassador for the past four years, and today she's introducing new additions to the hydrating skin care line Hydro Boost.
Sitting alongside her on the couch, Kerry appears friendly and unguarded. Nobody is looking over our shoulder - a rarity for celebrity interviews. We have the large room almost to ourselves, as the rest of her team is taking care of finishing touches for the event.
I compliment her, because how could you not? She's stunning, the perfect walking advertisement for gorgeous, glowing skin. She returns the compliment, a gesture that feels genuine enough to have come from one of my best girlfriends. She notices my gold-plated heart necklace, which I mention is inscription-free.
"You should get something that inspires you on it, like 'peace' or 'calm,'" Kerry says warmly. Fittingly, that's exactly how I feel during the interview. No rush, no tip-toeing around certain subjects. She's open, ready to chat, and in control, much like the character she plays on Thursday nights.
We start off with beauty tips, of course. What is the best skin care tip she's learned in the past year?
"Honestly, that you can put hyaluronic acid in anything!" she says, laughing. "Really, I've been so pleased." Kerry is referring to the Hydro Boost collection. She consulted on the products, which are infused with hyaluronic acid, and is a particularly big fan of the water gel.
"I've given it to all the girls on the show," she admits. "I'm obsessed with it. To be able to put [hyaluronic acid] in more products across the board, particularly the concealer, the hydrating tint, the lip products. Even products down the road." She stops. "Am I able to talk about future products?" (She looks to a publicist for approval, getting the OK.) "Like mascara, because hyaluronic acid plumps the lashes as well. I'm excited to be combining it into everything. I'm nursing right now - hydration is everything."
I ask if she's ever learned a skin care or beauty lesson the hard way, expecting for her to divulge a terrifying treatment or a crazy Hollywood facial that left her feeling like snake shedding its skin. She has a simpler option to share.
"I would just say, as you grow up, as you walk through life, you can't always control the changes," she says. "For me, I've had to really be in tune to not take my skin for granted. I feel like I can get into a plateau of doing the same thing, same products all the time. Then I shoot something in another city - like I shot Confirmation in Atlanta - and the weather there is totally different. So [my] skin there [was] totally different. Or, when I was pregnant, nursing, just getting older, or being somewhere where it's colder like New York. It's really important that I listen to my skin."
I know we are are a skin care event, but it would be remiss to not ask the woman who plays Olivia Pope more thoughtful questions. So, what makes Kerry feel strong? "What makes me feel strong is remembering who I am. That I don't have to be anybody other than who I am," she says with a dignity that feels very much like Olivia. "That I have everything I need to be who I'm supposed to be in life. It makes me feel strong to be accepting of myself."
Now onto politics. This could have gone poorly with other celebrities - I might have been removed from the interview in some instances, given politics can be a barred subject. But the subject isn't out of left field for Kerry, considering the show she's on. She's vocal on Twitter about a variety of causes and isn't afraid to speak out, even when she's heard plenty of times this year that celebrities should stick to "what they know." As a woman on a political drama, why is it important that her voice is heard?
"I wouldn't equate it with being on a political drama, cause I think our show - although our show used to seem a lot crazier, now that the political world is really giving us a run for our money," she says. "But the fact that we are lucky enough to live in a democracy, where our vote and our voice really matters, is why we have to participate."
She goes on. "Democracy doesn't work unless we participate. Participating means more than just voting. It's what we're seeing now: people going to town halls, and making phone calls, and sending post cards, and writing letters to your representatives to let them know - to remind them that they work for us. And the only way they can really work for us is if we remind them about the things we care about, and we show up, especially on voting days."
Kerry is focused on getting people to be an active part of democracy this year. Only about 55 percent of eligible voters participated in the 2016 election, the lowest showing since 1996. "I really think participation in the process is the cause that's really important to me now. I'm sad that over half of our country didn't vote in the last election," she says. "It only works as 'We the People' if 'We the People' all have a seat at the table. If some of us silence ourselves by not showing up, or some of us allow ourselves to be silenced by voting rights laws that limit participation, then we're not able to really have our government represent who we are as a country."
We finish up our chat with a few questions about fashion. "I remember the very first designer to ever lend to me was Giorgio Armani," she says. "But I have no idea what it was for. So clearly you know where my priorities are: all fashion, all the time."
And then it's on to Deadpool 2 speculation. "I was like 'Whaaat?'" she says. "I have no comment on that. You can't believe everything you read. No news there."
As I get up to leave, I thank her for her time and the comfort level she offered.
"I can't wait to see what you put on your heart next time I see you!" she says.
You Have to See How Birth Control Made This Woman's Acne Disappear
When we hear about a "magical cure" to any beauty ailment, be it wrinkles, enlarged pores, or breakouts, we only have one question: where are the before-and-after photos? Imgur user seventytimes generously shared selfies of her journey through acne treatment with the internet, and the simple treatment she used shocked us: it was your run-of-the-mill birth control pill.
Seventytimes bravely revealed many photos of herself bare-faced, showing off her cystic acne. She explained that much of it was caused by ceasing her use of Prednisone, a powerful corticosteroid that treats everything from lupus and asthma to Crohn's disease. One of the unfortunate side effects of withdrawal is blemishes. "My dermatologist was convinced I'd have to go on Accutane," she said.
For those of you unfamiliar with Accutane, it is the strongest acne medication on the market. Many have seen incredible results from taking this treatment, but it is not without risks. Not only is it severely drying to the skin, but Accutane can cause terrible birth defects, and you must commit to using two forms of contraceptives while taking it. Many women elect to use birth control pills during this time, including Imgur user seventytimes.
"I started the pill a month in advance," she remarked. "Five months later, my skin has never looked better. No Accutane necessary."
According to NYC dermatologist Dr. Neal Schultz, host of DermTV.com and creator of BeautyRx by Dr. Schultz, oral contraceptives decrease your skin's oil production. This is one of the primary causes of acne. While this treatment isn't for everyone, it could certainly be a good option to try before Accutane, which is seen as a "last resort" by many dermatologists due to the severity of its side effects.
Just like Accutane, birth control pills can also have disadvantages, including weight gain, migraines, mood changes, and melasma. No acne treatment is one size fits all, so be sure to ask your doctor what's right for you before starting any new medications.
In addition to taking birth control pills, seventytimes also swore by a few changes to her beauty regimen. She now always washes her face before bed, preferring to cleanse in the shower (she declares her face, neck, and chest get cleaner this way). Once weekly, she uses face masks and switches her pillowcase to a clean, fresh one. She also got all new makeup brushes and cosmetics and uses a special towel exclusively on her face.
These are all excellent variations to her routine. Many people fail to realize how dirty their pillowcase can get - it's not just old makeup remnants and face grease that are soaking into the fabric, but oil from your scalp, hair products, and other blemish-causing bacteria. By purging her beauty stash and starting fresh, she can ensure that all her products are hygienic, too. See more of seventytimes's amazing pictures when you read on.
This post was originally published on May 23, 2016.
How Adding Flaxmeal to My Smoothies Helped Me Lose Weight
When I started making smoothies instead of eating an enormous bowl of cereal for breakfast, it was the change I needed to start losing weight. But one ingredient in particular was the real game changer.
Liquid meals can feel less filling than you need them to be. In order to make a liquid meal that keeps hunger at bay for hours, you need to add fiber. I started adding one tablespoon of flaxmeal to my blender. With just 37 calories, it adds two grams of fiber and three grams of filling fat. What is so great about flaxmeal is that when it gets wet, it expands, which makes your belly feel more full and makes it take longer to digest.
Once I started adding this one simple ingredient, I didn't feel hungry until lunchtime, when normally I'd need to reach for a mid-morning snack. Skipping those 150 calories every day started to add up, and suddenly the scale started to budge. This would probably work with chia seeds, too. Try it tomorrow when you make your morning smoothie and see what a difference it makes.
How Adding Flaxmeal to My Smoothies Helped Me Lose Weight
When I started making smoothies instead of eating an enormous bowl of cereal for breakfast, it was the change I needed to start losing weight. But one ingredient in particular was the real game changer.
Liquid meals can feel less filling than you need them to be. In order to make a liquid meal that keeps hunger at bay for hours, you need to add fiber. I started adding one tablespoon of flaxmeal to my blender. With just 37 calories, it adds two grams of fiber and three grams of filling fat. What is so great about flaxmeal is that when it gets wet, it expands, which makes your belly feel more full and makes it take longer to digest.
Once I started adding this one simple ingredient, I didn't feel hungry until lunchtime, when normally I'd need to reach for a mid-morning snack. Skipping those 150 calories every day started to add up, and suddenly the scale started to budge. This would probably work with chia seeds, too. Try it tomorrow when you make your morning smoothie and see what a difference it makes.
Angelina Jolie Just Wore the Boots You Completely Forgot About
Angelina Jolie has a history of wearing monochromatic looks, so when we saw her all-black outfit, we needed to zoom in - specifically on her boots. The star wore a pair of leather knee-highs, and it was the kind of boot that goes with everything in your closet. Though Angie styled the shoes with a dress and coat, you could just as easily wear them with a pair of black jeans. Her versatile choice came with a little heel, and the snug fit hugged Angelina's legs.
Angelina is known for sticking to the classics, so we weren't too surprised by her boot choice, though it did remind us that we should probably dig ours out from the closet. If you don't already have a pair, shop similar versions ahead.
21 Things Free-Range Parents Wouldn't Understand
Image Source: YouTube user The Holderness Family
If you're a helicopter parent, the idea of a totally laissez-faire parenting style boggles your mind, as this is the type of thing you would say to a free-range parent:
What do you mean you let your child walk three blocks to school by himself? He's only 14!
OK, so that's a bit extreme, but there is definitely a divide between parents who consider themselves more free-range, and those who hover that extra little bit to constantly be there for their child, whether they're needed or not. Neither parenting method is right or wrong, as it's all about what works best for your family, but this definitely means that there are things that parents in both camps just can't understand about the other.
Read through for 21 things that free-range parents totally wouldn't understand.
- Sitting on the playground all day to watch your 10-year-old son play with his friends. Even though he's totally of an age to go by himself for a bit.
- That pain you get in your back after spotting your child on the jungle gym for hours. The jungle gym that is three feet from the ground. The squishy, foamy ground.
- The pang in your heart that follows after an "I can do it!" But - don't you need me?!
- The consistent clamminess of your hands. Little kid hands - and big kid hands - sure do sweat a lot when they hold yours (all day).
- The twitch in your eye that develops when you allow your kids to freely craft or cook something. You want to see your children have fun, but all you can focus on is the potential mess.
- Fighting every single morning with your child about what they're going to wear to school. The kids can dress themselves when they're in college.
- The anxiety, even when your child is a newborn, of thinking about them going off to college. What the hell are they going to do without you there?
- The sheer panic that occurs when you turn away from your child for a second and look back to find them gone. They're likely still right in front of you, just not exactly where you left them
- The voice in the back of your head that constantly tells you to reel it in and let everybody live a little. Who does that voice belong to, and why won't they shut up?
- What it's like to search for "human-size" bubble wrap on Amazon. Because you've done it. More than once.
- The dropping feeling that happens in your stomach when you get a phone call from your child's school. You can't help immediately thinking the worst - is someone hurt?
- How it feels to get in the middle of a toddler argument over a single Lego brick. You know your kid needs to work on their communication skills, but hey, he'll learn by listening to you, right?
- Googling a solution to getting that speck of permanent marker off the bottom of a chair from a rogue craft session. You know that no one will see the speck, but you know it's there.
- The sound your voice makes when you parrot the same command over and over. "Please put your shoes on." "Please put your shoes on." "Shoes. Please. On." "SHOES."
- The gravitational pull you feel to your child as you maneuver them from the car to the ground in a parking lot. Must. Not. Lose. Physical. Contact. With. Child.
- The way your child's gorgeous name slowly turns into a bark with every inch away from you they move. They've barely moved, but their name is threatening to be yelled if they take one more step.
- The rage you feel for your child's teacher when they get sent back with a piece of their sandwich still uneaten. What do you mean your teacher said you could be done?
- The slow, building ache in your hand from labeling each of your child's belongings. If you so much as lose one dirty sock, it can be returned to us.
- The sticky feeling that's left on your hands for hours after every 90-minute reapplication of sunscreen. OK, so it's raining today, but hey, the sun might peek out later!
- The brief moment of vertigo that comes from trying to squint hard enough to read every word on the back of medication. Yes, your pediatrician said it's safe for your child, but Dr. Mom needs to triple-check.
- That feeling when your child asks you to help them with something. Because no matter how old they are, feeling needed and justified in your hovering is the best gift they can give you.
Image Source: ABC
Related: 11 Things All Helicopter Parents Do
1 Mom Is Sharing Her Twins' Cribs to Prevent Other Moms From Making the Same Mistake She Did
I have a lot of friends that have twins or kids close in age that may have a similar set up, so I wanted to share...
Posted by Alison Johnson on Monday, April 4, 2016
For Alison Johnson, mom to 18-month-old twins Caleb and Libby, placing her children's cribs side by side along the same wall was a no-brainer, as many moms of multiples want their babies to sleep close at night - but what almost happened to her son has made her rethink her nursery setup.
Shortly after putting Caleb down for a nap one afternoon, Johnson heard him crying. She waited a few minutes, and when she went in to check on him, she found a horrifying situation - Caleb had climbed out of his crib, his body had slid into the space between his and Libby's crib, and he was struggling to hold himself up by his arms. Had his little arms slipped through the crack as well, he would have been hanging by his head.
Johnson is sharing a photo of the cribs with her story to warn other moms who may have similar nursery setups. "What's even more scary is that like many moms, I generally use nap time as an opportunity to shower. Had I done that today and checked on him after five minutes, he would have literally hung himself. When baby proofing, I never in a million years would have seen this as a potential danger," she wrote.
Read her post above in full.
This post was originally published on April 6, 2016.
10 Kitchen Organization Tips to Steal From Chip and Joanna Gaines
Not everyone is lucky enough to get a Fixer Upper home makeover from Chip and Joanna Gaines, but what everyone can do is steal a few tips from the experts themselves. If anyone knows how to create an organized kitchen, it's Joanna Gaines, and she often shares behind-the-scenes snaps of her home life and HGTV projects with her millions of fans on Instagram. With the following ideas in mind, you can create a clean and inspiring kitchen space that's both Gaines family- and Marie Kondo-approved.
Smart Coffee Drinkers Take Advantage of This Starbucks Hack
Ice and foam: two potential ways you can feel ripped off by Starbucks if your cup is filled to the brim with either. Though a Starbucks employee claims it's not a company-endorsed policy, I'm all about wising up to avoid the dreaded $5 cup of ice (or foam). And you can, too, if you order the right way. Ask for "light ice" or "light foam" or even "no ice" or "no foam." You can also ask for your preferred drink size but in a bigger cup. I've done this with coffee, and it means you have tons of room for milk while still getting the most coffee possible. It also works in your favor for barista-made drinks. "I'll take a grande latte in a venti cup." Baristas will usually pour the entire amount of steamed milk in the cup, giving you a larger drink. The same goes for matcha lattes and Frappuccinos. Isn't it wonderful to know you're getting the most bang for your buck?
Mary-Kate Was "Head Over Heels" For Olivier Sarkozy After 1 Month of Dating
Mary-Kate Olsen and Olivier Sarkozy tied the knot in November 2015, but it is only recently that the fashion designer has opened up about her relationship. During an interview with The Edit, Mary-Kate spoke about married life with the 47-year-old half-brother of former French President Nicolas Sarkozy, saying, "We don't need so much time to sit and think and ponder. But then I have a husband, two stepkids and a life; I have to go home and cook dinner. I run on the weekend." So how did they first cross paths? Well, it's quite simple, actually - they met at party in April 2012. Mary-Kate - who was 25 at the time - had reportedly been complaining "about boys not being mature enough for her," and after just one month of dating, the two were "head over heels" for each other.
Mary-Kate and Olivier got engaged in February 2014, and over a year later, the couple tied the knot in a small ceremony in Manhattan.
10 Latin-Inspired Dishes That Will Make You Even More Excited For Brunch
If you're part of the less than one percent of people in the world who don't enjoy brunch - OK, that might not be a real number, but you're definitely the minority! - we're about to convert you. And if you're like most people who just can't wait to enjoy a late and relaxing breakfast on the weekend, then we're about to blow your mind. These Latin-inspired recipes are worth every second spent in the kitchen - trust us!
Mary-Kate Was "Head Over Heels" For Olivier Sarkozy After 1 Month of Dating
Mary-Kate Olsen and Olivier Sarkozy tied the knot in November 2015, but it is only recently that the fashion designer has opened up about her relationship. During an interview with The Edit, Mary-Kate spoke about married life with the 47-year-old half-brother of former French President Nicolas Sarkozy, saying, "We don't need so much time to sit and think and ponder. But then I have a husband, two stepkids and a life; I have to go home and cook dinner. I run on the weekend." So how did they first cross paths? Well, it's quite simple, actually - they met at party in April 2012. Mary-Kate - who was 25 at the time - had reportedly been complaining "about boys not being mature enough for her," and after just one month of dating, the two were "head over heels" for each other.
Mary-Kate and Olivier got engaged in February 2014, and over a year later, the couple tied the knot in a small ceremony in Manhattan.
10-Minute Calorie-Burning Cardio and Core Circuit
Life is busy. We get it, but we also know how good it feels to fit a workout in on a hectic day. So we came up with a quick full-body sweat sesh that will get your heart rate up to burn some calories while strengthening your core. A strong core makes everything better, from walking to lifting, from running to dancing. We offer modifications for all of the moves so that no matter your fitness level you can follow along. Best of all, you don't need any equipment for this workout, so press play and get ready feel accomplished.
On Anna: Kohls x Under Armour sports bra, tights, and shoes.
On Kaycee: Kohls x Under Armour sports bra, top, tights, and shoes.
On Brittany: Kohls x Under Armour sports bra, top, tights, and shoes.
10-Minute Calorie-Burning Cardio and Core Circuit
Life is busy. We get it, but we also know how good it feels to fit a workout in on a hectic day. So we came up with a quick full-body sweat sesh that will get your heart rate up to burn some calories while strengthening your core. A strong core makes everything better, from walking to lifting, from running to dancing. We offer modifications for all of the moves so that no matter your fitness level you can follow along. Best of all, you don't need any equipment for this workout, so press play and get ready feel accomplished.
On Anna: Kohls x Under Armour sports bra, tights, and shoes.
On Kaycee: Kohls x Under Armour sports bra, top, tights, and shoes.
On Brittany: Kohls x Under Armour sports bra, top, tights, and shoes.
Dermatologist Warns: Do Not Use Bath Bombs as Highlighter
When we heard people were using shimmery bath bombs as highlighter, we were skeptical. Listen, we're all about multiuse products and hacks. Rub your blush on your lip, use eye shadow to strobe, gloss eyelashes with clear brow gel - go wild. But when it comes to mixing skin and body care, you may want to be extracautious - especially if you have sensitive skin.
The backstory is that Twitter users have been sharing their stories of dabbing Lush Golden Egg Bath Bomb Melt (which is absolutely gorgeous!) on their cheeks as highlighter. Cute - but is it safe?
*goes to lush to rub our fingers on a bath bomb to use as highlighter* @omgemiIy http://pic.twitter.com/NBLC2nyAGd
- jayk (@jayktwinters) October 17, 2016
Yo I can use this new bath bomb as a highlighter😍
- aquamarine (@TRUEs_life) January 10, 2017
We interviewed Dr. Michele Farber of Schweiger Dermatology Group in NYC to get an expert option.
"While the Lush products contain many ingredients that are good for your skin, the bath bomb contains ingredients that are meant to be washed off rather than used as a leave-on product," Dr. Farber told us via email. "It is best to stick to using the Lush Gold Egg Bath Bomb as it was originally intended - as a bubble bath soak. The thicker oils in the product may leave your body feeling great, but may cause irritation when left on the face, particularly for those with sensitive skin."
Here's the thing: Lush is known for having all-natural, vegan products. So we needed to really understand why putting it on our cheeks could be problematic. "While it has ingredients like cocoa butter and olive oil that will moisturize your skin, it does contain fragrances that are found generally in cosmetic products," she explained. "Anyone prone to eczema or with more sensitive skin may react to fragrances in care products."
Now that you may be a bit scared, this is what you need to know when shopping for bath bombs. "In general, thick oils, fragrances, and parabens, which are used as preservatives, can cause breakouts and irritate sensitive skin," Dr. Farber explained. "It is important to treat your face gently and avoid these ingredients if you are prone to acne or eczema."
OK, but what if you really want to try the bath bomb highlighter hack - even if only for Instagram? "It is important to realize that people may react differently to new products," the doctor noted. "If trying a new product or beauty trend, it is always a good idea to try a test spot first if your skin is sensitive."
The bottom line, kids, is don't try this one at home. Instead, shop our favorite highlighters here.
22 Cozy Slow-Cooker Casseroles That Make Life Easy
Slow-cooker season is in full swing, and these cozy casserole recipes are here to warm your soul. You'll be glad you won't have to bother with the oven when you've got lasagna, enchiladas, and more casseroles cooking low and slow on your countertop. Let these 22 slow-cooker casserole recipes inspire your home-cooking plans while the weather is chilly and you don't feel like making too much of an effort.
15 Simple Things Stylish Women Do Every Day
Contrary to popular belief, really chic women aren't superhuman - they're just well-prepared. If you don't see them running around with week-old coffee stains on their blouses or hobbling in painful heels, it's not because those things just don't happen to them. It's because they know how to deal.
In fact, they're dealing on a daily basis. Truth is, the fashionable friends you envy have some very helpful habits that make looking polished, confident, and cool a daily reality. It's not about a total wardrobe overhaul or dropping tons of cash on the season's biggest trends. Real style starts at home the moment you wake up. We've done the research - all you have to do is read on for the takeaways you can start practicing right now.
The Ultimate Celebrity Wedding Gallery
Wedding season is upon us, and we've rounded up images from over 100 of the most stunning celebrity weddings of all time. There are country bashes, city blowouts, and many more ceremonies to check out. Keep scrolling to see the famous brides and grooms on their big days!
Stop Everything! Kat Von D Is Launching 30 Everlasting Lip Liners
In the age where all beauty news seems to drop on Instagram first (excuse us, boss, while we check our phones and feeds), Kat von D likely just made your lunch break. The brand owner shared that her popular Everlasting Lipstick line will expand to include lip liners.
This is everything we know so far: the new Everlasting Lip Liners include 30 shades that launch on April 11. According to Kat's captions the "formula is gonna change the lip liner world!" She reveals it will be a retractable pen for easy sharpening, highly pigmented ("like, FOR REALS"), offer 24-hour wear, and stick to her usual ethical standards (vegan, cruelty-free).
"Here's the deal," she wrote. "This unique, creamy formula glides on super easy. You let it dry for a few seconds and it's bulletproof! Never seen anything like it before and it truly is the most comfortable longwear lip liner I've ever used. No waxy-feeling, drying, or cracking! So exciting!"
Your Kids' Personalities Have Nothing to Do With Your Parenting Style
I barely remember it. The moment shimmers on the fringe of my memory like a mirage on the horizon. My infant son - my first baby - crying for hours on end, fighting sleep until his tiny body was too exhausted to struggle, until he threw up and passed out on my shoulder. I remember the sick feeling of helplessness and desperation and exhaustion threatening my sanity and the absolute certainty that somehow this was all my fault.
After all, babies are born as pure, innocent blank slates that we shape into the people they will eventually become. Right? This was what I always thought it meant to be a parent, and yet, somehow, without meaning to or even understanding what I had done, I'd made my 2-month-old baby so miserable that he hated the world, hated me, and hated his life.
I'd barely healed from his birth and already I'd broken him.
Fast forward to five years later and I have two other children: a toddler boy and a new baby girl. Life is pure, unadulterated chaos. I read stories to the toddler while nursing the baby and the 5-year-old yells from the toilet because he needs his butt wiped. Someone is nearly always crying, and far too frequently that someone is me. Life is hard, but even through the haze of sleep deprivation and the reality of three children under 6, I know that something is different.
My two younger children are different.
From the days they were born, life was just easier for them than it was for their older brother. They smiled freely and openly, greeted others with warmth and curiosity instead of fear or ambivalence, and they laughed with the type of childish abandon that I'd expected when I became a mom all those years ago. The first time my middle son reached for me to pick him up, wrapped himself around me just to be close to me and woke up in the morning with a smile on his face, I was certain he'd been possessed by some kind of pod person. Why wasn't he crying? Why wasn't he miserable?
Over the next couple years of our lives I started to realize that though my three children looked alike, inside they were very different people. I suppose that's something that everyone knows on a clichéd level, but it took me six years to truly understand the fact that they were always going to be different no matter what I did. It's my job to parent them, to guide them, to try and teach them control and respect and values, but I am not building them from scratch.
I didn't give my oldest child colic, anxiety, or his short fuse any more than I gave him his instinct for mathematics, his exceptional memory, or his desire for order and structure. That was always who he was from the day he was born. Red-faced and squalling, my son came into the world with certain gifts and certain disadvantages and it was never my role to change them. Only to love him.
I didn't break him back then, but worrying that I had almost broke me.
I'm still amazed from time to time when it continues to be my oldest child who throws the loudest temper tantrums, struggles to hold still in the car, and battles every day with his tendency to get overwhelmed by the world. The younger two seem to coast through life by comparison, like the sun shines only for them while my oldest son sits under a constant cloud of doubt and needs me to shine a light for him to see his way. But I've finally accepted that this is beyond my control.
I've raised three beautiful children, loved them all with the same devotion and ferocity, given them all the same opportunities, and dreamed with the same optimism about what their lives will eventually look like. But they are not the same people and they never will be, so I cannot always be the same parent for each of them. There's no magic parenting philosophy that is going to appeal to each of my children's unique personalities.
My oldest son has always needed firm boundaries but a gentle hand, while my middle son approaches life with jokes and laughter but sometimes needs time to come around to new ideas; and my daughter is the social butterfly - the life of the party - but she will probably always need to be reminded that other people need their personal space and a little bit of quiet time.
I am the constant force in their lives, but they will continue to change and grow and adapt to the world in their own unique ways. I do not have control over their personalities, but I am lucky enough to get to help them find ways to flourish in the world because of them. There are hours of sleep and years of worry from when my oldest son was young that I will never get back, but if I hadn't had him - hadn't loved him so intensely even when I kind of hated him - it might have taken me longer to realize just how lucky I am to get to know three such different people.
Without him, I might have spent too long focusing on how to shape my children and less on how to just enjoy them, and that would have been worse than all the hours I spent dancing my son to sleep in the middle of the night, begging him to nurse when he refused, or enforcing endless time-outs when he raged. I didn't break him, and I like to think he helped keep me together.
Don't Praise Me For Being A Dad Who Gets Up At Night For My Baby
This dad learned the importance of parenting equally and not expecting congratulations when doing so. Our friends at YourTango have shared his story.
I'd placed myself on a pedestal for doing something as simple as helping my wife with our baby.
I was chatting with my wife about the long night we'd had getting up with the baby, when I said, "At least I get up with her. A lot of men don't. You should be grateful." I was tired. And I said it like she was really lucky to have me. Like I was going above and beyond as a father.
It was just after 7 AM. Mel paused for a moment, leaned back in the chair, Aspen sleeping in her lap. Her eyes were a little red and her brown hair was in a loose ponytail. She held the baby a little closer, and took in what I had said. I expected her to agree with me.
We sometimes talked about the fathers we knew who didn't get up with their babies. They viewed it as the mother's job. But she didn't. Instead, Mel crossed her legs, looked me in the eyes, and said, "I wish you would stop saying that."
At the time, Mel was a nearly full-time college student, a mother of three, and a school volunteer (a requirement of our children's charter school). She spent hours sitting at our kitchen table, hunched over a keyboard, a textbook to her right, and at least one child tugging at her pant leg.
And despite her commitment to education, and how much I pitched in, she often commented on the pressure she felt to keep a clean house - not to mention take the children to the doctor, cook meals, shuttle the kids to sports and other extracurricular activities, keep them looking clean and healthy, and monitor their behavior in public.
She was a student and a mother, and yet she felt an enormous pressure to be the sole caregiver of our children. And there I was, feeding into those expectations by mentioning my help in the night as if it were some generous extension of my role as a father.
Naturally, I didn't think about any of this at the time. What I said was my way of trying to get her to notice my contribution to our marriage. As a father, I often feel like I'm really breaking the mold because I do pitch in around the house. If I'm home from work, I'm cleaning; I get up in the night and do numerous other things to help make our marriage a partnership. But for some reason I felt like I should receive special attention for doing things that have been, for so many years, seen as the mother's job.
I was dressed in slacks and a collared shirt. In my right hand was a purple bag with my lunch. I paused for a moment, took a step back, and said, "Why? I mean, it's true. I do a lot of stuff that other fathers don't. I'm a good guy."
Mel was standing now, the baby in her arms. Our older two children were still sleeping, so we were speaking in whispers.
"Because it doesn't make me feel like we're in a partnership. It makes me feel like you want me to kiss your butt every time you get up in the night. This is your baby, too."
We went back and forth for a while. She told me how she appreciated all that I do to help around the house but she hated the way I acted like I was doing something really great, when in fact I was just doing what a father should.
My knee-jerk reaction was to get pissed off. I wanted to give her a list of other fathers we knew, family and friends, who still subscribed to antiquated notions of gender roles. I went to open my mouth, but stopped for just a moment, thought about my feelings, and realized it was best to leave before I said something I shouldn't.
So I left for work without saying a word. I drove to work angry.
I was 20 minutes into my 30-minute commute when I thought about the last time I had washed dishes. I'd assumed that I should be getting praise or a reward, and for the first time I asked myself, Why? I ate there, too. Then I thought about vacuuming the carpet, or doing the laundry, realized I had the same expectations about those chores, and suddenly I felt like a jerk.
The understanding that Mel was responsible for home and child care was so deeply ingrained in my understanding of family and contribution that I'd placed myself on a pedestal for doing something as simple as helping my wife with our baby in the night.
By the time I parked and walked to my office, I felt really low. I called Mel from work, and told her I was sorry.
"You're right," I said. "This is a partnership, and I shouldn't act like I'm doing some amazing thing because I get up in the night. I'm going to stop."
Mel was quiet for a moment. Then she said, "Thank you."
Taking the money out of marijuana, and how to feel like you've won the lottery
Second Opinion is a vital dose of the week's news in health and medicine from reporter Kelly Crowe and CBC Health.
Taking the money out of marijuana, and how to feel like you've won the lottery
Second Opinion is a vital dose of the week's news in health and medicine from reporter Kelly Crowe and CBC Health.
The Ultimate Celebrity Wedding Gallery
Wedding season is upon us, and we've rounded up images from over 100 of the most stunning celebrity weddings of all time. There are country bashes, city blowouts, and many more ceremonies to check out. Keep scrolling to see the famous brides and grooms on their big days!
This 1 Natural Cosmetic Treatment Might Eventually Replace Botox
Sometimes a skin care treatment seems like a scam. It's too good to be true, right? I promise that is not the case when it comes to microcurrent facials. This is actually an old-school holistic technique that's been taking off with influencers and celebrities thanks to its antiaging properties. Just search #microcurrentfacial on Instagram, and you'll see what I mean!
The service - which I'll get into more depth later - involves sending microcurrent energy into your skin via a machine to stimulate cell repair. It's gentle and relaxing, it has zero downtime, and there are no chemicals involved. So for someone who is saying no-tox to Botox (like me!) and wants to get their skin in top shape, it's a fantastic alternative to what the derms do with needles in their office.
To get the scoop on this hot service, I visited esthetician Shamara Bondaroff, founder of SB Skin (where the only facial on the menu is a microcurrent one). She tested the service on my skin - and I loved the glowing results. Keep reading to learn more about what it is, why it works, and how it can wean you off of fillers. You may even spy some familiar faces ahead (like Hannah Bronfman, who tested the service here).
What President Trump Eats Every Day - and Why This Nutritionist Has Her Concerns
Image Source: Getty / Stephen Lovekin
During a prepresidency interview with CNN, Donald Trump opened up about his predilection for fast food. He said, "I'm a very clean person. I like cleanliness, and I think you're better off going there than maybe someplace that you have no idea where the food's coming from. It's a certain standard." One nutritionist, however, recently shared her concerns about the president's poorly balanced diet.
Jo Travers is an esteemed nutritionist and the author of The Low Fad Diet. She recently assessed Trump's everyday diet in an interview with The Guardian, and it was pretty eye-opening.
For starters, Trump isn't a big breakfast fan and he's reportedly said, "My big thing is dinner." If he absolutely must have breakfast, he opts for bacon, eggs, or cornflakes. Travers strongly advised against the consumption of bacon. She said, "It's a processed pork product, which has been linked with cancer, so his risk of developing the disease will go up." Given that his usual breakfast is so protein-heavy, Travers recommended a better balance of protein and carbs.
The president has also spoken about his love of meatloaf. He once prepared meatloaf with Martha Stewart and said he often likes to eat meatloaf sandwiches. Travers said meatloaf sandwiches are just fine if prepared with whole-wheat bread. She did, however, bemoan the lack of vegetables or fruit: "Meatloaf is essentially just meat. There's no roughage. And no fibre impacts on gut health. If you don't feed your gut bacteria with fruit and vegetables, that can impact the immune system and lead to infections."
Then there's Trump's commitment to fast-food purveyors like McDonald's and KFC. Following his win during the primary election, Trump celebrated with McDonald's signature Big Mac and fries. Later that Summer, he shared a picture of himself eating fried chicken on his private plane. Albeit delicious, these aren't the healthiest choices. Travers noted these meals are packed with trans fats and linked to heart disease.
Image Sources: POPSUGAR Photography / Anna Monette Roberts, Flickr user su-lin, Flickr user zigazou76, and Flickr user powerplantop
In addition to its physical effects, Trump's heavy diet may have mental and emotional implications, as well, specifically due to the lack of healthy fats and omega-3s. "His body will substitute with other types of fats, which are less fluid, making it harder for neuro transmitters to get through," Travers said, adding, "This is linked to mood disorders."
Much like his policies, the president's diet is vastly different than that of Barack Obama, whose main late-night snack was once described as being "seven lightly salted almonds."
The Real History Behind Kate Middleton's Royal Jewelry
The Duchess of Cambridge is known for her perfectly crafted sense of style, and that extends to her glittering accessories. A decade ago, Kate Middleton wasn't really one for major sparkle. But access to Queen Elizabeth II's jewelry vault could turn any woman into a bling-lover. Kate has been lucky to wear heritage pieces either as loans or as gifts, including her diamond-encrusted Royal Family Order of Queen Elizabeth II badge.
We've tracked down the history of all the special pieces that Kate has added to her wardrobe. From diamond-encrusted brooches with deep meanings to tricky tiaras, here's a look at the many diamonds the birthday girl has worn - so far.
Articles
