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.
lundi 1 mai 2017
6 Things Every Set of Twins Can Relate To
Being a twin is something I've always been proud of. For as long as I can remember, it's been the two of us against the world and I'm fortunate that as we've grown older, our unbelievably close relationship has turned into a friendship of epic proportions. I do wonder every now and then how different my life would be if I had a younger sibling to look out for or an older sibling to look up to, but I wouldn't change a thing because my sister, Nicole, is my person. No matter the combination (two girls, two boys, a boy and a girl), every set of twins can identify with these six things:
- Learning to share very early on. I'm not just talking about materialistic things like toys and clothes. As a twin, my life as a whole has been shared from day one. From birthday parties to my Bat Mitzvah to my bedroom (yes, we had a short stint with a bunk bed), being a twin has taught me the true meaning of "sharing is caring."
- Answering the same questions over and over. "Are you identical or fraternal?" That's generally the first of many questions you're asked after revealing you're a twin. Another common inquiry is if we share the same group of friends. I've always found this to be somewhat of a strange question, only because I can't imagine having two separate social lives. Many sets of twins do branch off into their own crews, we just weren't one of them. Don't get me wrong, we each have had friends over the years that never overlapped, but our closest friends are shared (see above).
- Icebreakers are a breeze. Having to announce a "fun fact" about yourself in a room full of people may be intimidating to the average person, but for twins it's quite the opposite. I shouldn't generalize, but I personally am always excited to share the news. I never have to think twice about what to say or worry that it isn't compelling enough. Overall, it's a pretty convenient anecdote to have in my back pocket.
- Keeping a picture of your twin on file. Once people find out you're a twin, they always want to see a photo for comparison. We were never one of those sets of twins who could switch places and fool everyone around us. People who know us can differentiate with ease, but we have gotten some perplexed faces from acquaintances and distant family members who only met us as babies.
- The conscious effort to set yourself apart. Although it's truly awesome to be a twin, I've also found it important to foster my own individuality. My sister and I have innately different personalities, so this was never a huge challenge. Whether it was participating in different Summer activities when growing up or deciding to attend different colleges, we've made many decisions as individuals instead of as a unit.
- Having a built-in best friend. Imagine growing up having your closest pal right down the hall every night. Imagine having one person who's going through exactly what you're going through at every stage of your life. That's what it's like to be a twin. Having a twin is like having a constant soundboard to bounce ideas and questions off of. My twin is my first and unwavering source of advice, because she understands me to an extent no one else does.
So if you've ever wondered what it's like to be a twin, yes - it's freaking awesome. Being a twin has taught me so much about life and it's become a part of my identity. So thanks, Mom and Dad, for giving me the best partner in crime a girl could ask for.
18 Selena Gomez Bikinigrams That Prove She's Definitely a 10
If there's one thing we love about Selena Gomez, it's that she's always game to show off her stylish swimsuits. After all, she's hot and she knows it. In fact, when the star called the TJ Show and was asked to rate her hotness on a scale from one to 10, she said, "On a good day, I would say - like a premiere day - I would be a good nine. And then, on my every day, I feel like a six. Gosh, that sounds so bad! I feel like a six or a seven."
But from the look of Selena's sun-kissed bikinigrams, for which she changes her style based on the prints, colors, and cuts of her suit, we'd say she's a definite 10 - even when she's on the beach with no makeup on. Scroll to find 18 times Selena proved she can work a swimsuit like it's nobody's business.
The 27 Most Precious Prince William and Prince George Moments
What better way to get your royals fix than by rounding up the sweetest moments between Prince William and his firstborn, Prince George? The royal daddy-son duo has shared plenty of adorable moments throughout the little prince's life and more recently showed off their sweet bond during the family's eight-day tour of Canada and on Christmas Day in 2016. Take a look at their cutest snaps here!
See All of the Best Nail Art and Chic Manicures From the Met Gala
There are many reasons the Met Gala is the most festive red carpet of the year. With dressing themes that run the gamut from punk to Prada, you can bet designers, celebrities, and models go all out. Every season, we look forward to seeing the hair, makeup, and gowns - but perhaps one of the most fun elements is the nails. A-listers deck out their digits in sparkly prints, romantic neutrals, and traffic-stopping neons. Keep reading to see some of our favorite manicures from Met Galas past.
The 27 Most Precious Prince William and Prince George Moments
What better way to get your royals fix than by rounding up the sweetest moments between Prince William and his firstborn, Prince George? The royal daddy-son duo has shared plenty of adorable moments throughout the little prince's life and more recently showed off their sweet bond during the family's eight-day tour of Canada and on Christmas Day in 2016. Take a look at their cutest snaps here!
6 Things Every Set of Twins Can Relate To
Being a twin is something I've always been proud of. For as long as I can remember, it's been the two of us against the world and I'm fortunate that as we've grown older, our unbelievably close relationship has turned into a friendship of epic proportions. I do wonder every now and then how different my life would be if I had a younger sibling to look out for or an older sibling to look up to, but I wouldn't change a thing because my sister, Nicole, is my person. No matter the combination (two girls, two boys, a boy and a girl), every set of twins can identify with these six things:
- Learning to share very early on. I'm not just talking about materialistic things like toys and clothes. As a twin, my life as a whole has been shared from day one. From birthday parties to my Bat Mitzvah to my bedroom (yes, we had a short stint with a bunk bed), being a twin has taught me the true meaning of "sharing is caring."
- Answering the same questions over and over. "Are you identical or fraternal?" That's generally the first of many questions you're asked after revealing you're a twin. Another common inquiry is if we share the same group of friends. I've always found this to be somewhat of a strange question, only because I can't imagine having two separate social lives. Many sets of twins do branch off into their own crews, we just weren't one of them. Don't get me wrong, we each have had friends over the years that never overlapped, but our closest friends are shared (see above).
- Icebreakers are a breeze. Having to announce a "fun fact" about yourself in a room full of people may be intimidating to the average person, but for twins it's quite the opposite. I shouldn't generalize, but I personally am always excited to share the news. I never have to think twice about what to say or worry that it isn't compelling enough. Overall, it's a pretty convenient anecdote to have in my back pocket.
- Keeping a picture of your twin on file. Once people find out you're a twin, they always want to see a photo for comparison. We were never one of those sets of twins who could switch places and fool everyone around us. People who know us can differentiate with ease, but we have gotten some perplexed faces from acquaintances and distant family members who only met us as babies.
- The conscious effort to set yourself apart. Although it's truly awesome to be a twin, I've also found it important to foster my own individuality. My sister and I have innately different personalities, so this was never a huge challenge. Whether it was participating in different Summer activities when growing up or deciding to attend different colleges, we've made many decisions as individuals instead of as a unit.
- Having a built-in best friend. Imagine growing up having your closest pal right down the hall every night. Imagine having one person who's going through exactly what you're going through at every stage of your life. That's what it's like to be a twin. Having a twin is like having a constant soundboard to bounce ideas and questions off of. My twin is my first and unwavering source of advice, because she understands me to an extent no one else does.
So if you've ever wondered what it's like to be a twin, yes - it's freaking awesome. Being a twin has taught me so much about life and it's become a part of my identity. So thanks, Mom and Dad, for giving me the best partner in crime a girl could ask for.
Changing the channel on 13 Reasons Why
@NightshiftMD has better things to discuss than a television series about a teen who commits suicide. He has the details about an ER suicide prevention program that works.
See 100+ Insanely Gorgeous Looks From Met Galas Past
There is quite possibly no bigger (or more extravagant) fashion event than the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Gala. Each year, the best and brightest of the industry come together to celebrate the museum's exhibit (it's even referred to as the Oscars of the East Coast) - and celebrities, models, and designers bring their sartorial A-game to the corresponding red carpet. This year's event is fast approaching, and we'll be covering all the glamour right here - but to get us in the mood, we're taking a look back at the most memorable Met Gala looks over the years. From Kate Moss's metallic Marc Jacobs frock to Sarah Jessica Parker's tartan Alexander McQueen getup and Beyoncé's feathered Givenchy gown, click through now to see 100+ gorgeous gowns from parties past.
This Vintage Logo Has Been Seen on Every A-Lister Imaginable
If you asked us a month ago what the one piece of clothing we were seeing on every celebrity was, it would hands down be the Alberta Ferretti's Days of the Week sweater. If you ask us today, and we'd have to change our answer to anything that has a vintage Gucci logo on it.
Gucci is having more than a moment and we're not just talking about the time when Rihanna showed up to Coachella wearing a diamond-covered bodysuit. We're actually talking about the vintage Gucci logo that's seen on her tank top.
Designer Alessandro Michele revived the logo during Gucci's latest Cruise collection and now celebrities ranging from Kendall Jenner to Harry Styles have made this vintage print a wardrobe staple. From the famous Trophy t-shirt to oversize hoodies, scroll on to see what A-listers have been spotted wearing the print and shop the looks below.
19 Big Differences Between the Book and TV Show Versions of 13 Reasons Why
Note: MAJOR SPOILERS for 13 Reasons Why below!
Long before 13 Reasons Why was a hit Netflix show, the moving account of the life and death of Hannah Baker originated in Jay Asher's bestselling 2007 young adult novel of the same name. Both versions of the story are addicting, brutally honest depictions of teen suicide, depression, and grief, but showrunner Brian Yorkey decided to make a few huge changes when it came time to adapt it for TV. From simple things - like how long it takes Clay Jensen (Dylan Minnette) to get through the tapes - to major differences - like the way Hannah (Katherine Langford) chooses to end her life - read on to see how Asher's book differs from the adaptation.
- Clay listens to all of the tapes in one night. If you were at all frustrated by Clay's slow progression through Hannah's tapes in the TV show, you'll probably be a big fan of the way Asher originally chose to do it. After receiving the box of tapes on his doorstep in the book, Clay binges them in one sitting. In the show, Tony tells Clay that he's "the slowest yet" of all of the listeners.
- Clay doesn't figure out Tony is following him right away. Although Clay has a run-in with Tony in episode one that confirms he's the one Hannah made responsible for watching everyone on her list, book Clay doesn't realize that it's Tony until he listens to the fourth cassette tape (after stealing Tony's Walkman).
- Social media doesn't factor into Hannah's bullying. Sites like Facebook and Twitter certainly existed when Asher published the novel in 2007, but they had yet to become all-consuming forces in the lives of teenagers like they are now. There are references to Clay's cell phone, but the photos of Hannah that Justin and Tyler spread through the school via group text in the series are only word-of-mouth gossip in the book. Rumors by themselves are definitely damaging, but actually seeing the images of Hannah passed around so cruelly adds a new layer of pain to her bullying.
- Clay doesn't have hallucinations about Hannah. Some of the more shocking scenes in the show happen when Clay has visions of Hannah bleeding out in the middle of the gym and at the school dance, and it's mentioned in passing that he used to take duloxetine to treat an anxiety disorder (which is why he can only handle listening to one tape at a time). This never happens in the book.
- The high school students are tamer, so to speak. Parties full of underage drinkers happen in the book (as do the horrifying rape scenes), but the show doesn't hold back from showing other realities of being a teenager today: smoking pot, having sex, driving drunk, cursing, etc.
- Clay injures himself in another way. Distraught and distracted by the tapes, Clay slams his bike into a car in the first episode, cutting his head wide open. He's just as unlucky in Asher's novel, except he gets a nasty slice on his hand from a fence.
- Courtney Crimsen is still the worst, but in a different way. Book Courtney still has a reputation as the strait-laced nice girl at school, and she also sleeps over Hannah's house to help her set a risqué trap for the Peeping Tom who's been following her around. Instead of getting drunk and making out during a game of Truth or Dare, however, the two give each other a back massage in front of the guy watching them. Courtney, who isn't gay in the book, then spreads nasty rumors about Hannah being a slut in an attempt to raise her street cred at school.
- The order of the tapes is different. In the show, Clay is the 11th person to receive the tapes and chooses to skip number 12 (Bryce, a rapist who would probably destroy the tapes if he got them) and give them to the last person on the list instead, Mr. Porter. The resolution is less clear in the novel, since Clay is ninth on the list, and simply mails them off to number 10. There also aren't any scenes of his classmates conspiring to keep the tapes from being discovered.
- Clay never confronts Bryce or records his confession. Because the order of the tapes is different in the book and none of the kids are trying to stop Clay from listening to all of them, Clay doesn't try to bring Bryce to justice for his actions. He never records his confession of raping Hannah, or gives "side 14" to Mr. Porter.
- There isn't a lawsuit. The Bakers only appear in the book very briefly, and their lawsuit against the school doesn't exist. The only time they come up is when someone mentions that they've closed their shoe store (which is replaced by a pharmacy in the show) in the wake of their daughter's suicide.
- Clay's parents are barely in it. When Clay first starts listening to the tapes at the beginning of the book, his mom comes in to check on him and they have quick conversations throughout the night. In the show, his parents are in every episode (and what feels like every other scene), mostly because his mom is the lawyer tasked with defending the school district against the Bakers' lawsuit.
- Hannah's suicide is done differently. The scene of Hannah killing herself by slicing her wrists open with a razor blade is extremely graphic and difficult to watch. It's a huge departure from Asher's original portrayal of her death, which is referenced only when Clay says she "swallowed a handful of pills."
- Clay and Hannah aren't exactly friends. Some of the most touching, heartbreaking moments throughout the 13 Reasons Why show happen when Clay is mourning the future he and Hannah could have had or reliving memories from their close relationship. He pines after her for nearly the entire season, and is confused when she pushes him away after their heated makeout session at Jessica's party. The kiss still happens in the original story, but the lead up to it is different. They work at the movie theater together for one Summer, but Hannah says on the tapes that she wishes they could've been closer and gotten to know each other better. The two don't actually ever have a legitimate conversation until the night of the party when they hook up.
- The Monet's crew has a different motto. In an effort to update the book, Hannah, Alex, and Jessica's motto goes from "olly olly oxen free" to "FML."
- And Sheri has a different name. In the book, a nice cheerleader named Jenny Kurtz chats with Hannah during the Dollar Valentine fundraiser, and is later responsible for knocking over the stop sign that causes Jeff to die. Jenny is changed to Sheri on TV and pursues a relationship with Clay that she doesn't originally.
- Speaking of Jeff, he's a much more minor character in the book. It's hard not to crush on Jeff throughout the show. As a popular, well-meaning baseball player who takes pity on Clay's ineptitude with girls, he's instantly lovable, which makes his sudden death in a car crash because of Sheri knocking over the stop sign that much more painful. He still dies in the book, but since his character is a senior that none of the main characters are friends with, it doesn't have as big of an impact on Clay's life.
- Alex doesn't attempt suicide. Alex Standall openly struggles with fitting in at school and his remorse over what the group has done to Hannah in the show, and a scene of him dropping in Bryce's pool at one point suggests that he doesn't necessarily want to come up for air. It's revealed in the finale that he shoots himself in head, but not if he survives. None of this happens in the book.
- Tyler doesn't have a plan to shoot up the school. A disturbing scene in the show alludes to Tyler's plans for a school shooting (he opens a secret compartment in a trunk in his bedroom to reveal a stash of guns and explosives), but like Alex's fate, he doesn't do that in the novel.
- The book's ending is less complex. After listening to Hannah's tapes and wishing that he could've picked up on signs of what she was going to do earlier, book Clay reaches out to an old friend, Skye, who's been showing signs of depression. This also happens in the show, but since there's likely going to be a second season, more storylines are left open: Tyler's violent plans, Alex's attempted suicide, the Bakers' lawsuit, Sheri turning herself in, Bryce's rapes coming to light, and more.
Trump and Millennials Have a Lot in Common - Here's How That Could Be a Good Thing
Donald Trump is the most important president millennials will ever have. Before you crack your knuckles and jump into the comments section, let me clarify. We've just experienced eight years of social progress, healthcare reform, and compassionate, measured foreign policy under President Barack Obama, whose values reflect America's founding principles and essentially helped to define the millennial generation. Despite this influence, we millennials still have our flaws and, ironically, our current POTUS seems to have adopted our negative traits. Yes, Donald Trump as a millennial is a nightmare of a notion, but it also means that our generation is the best equipped to oppose this enfant terrible.
A millennial is defined as a person born in the 1980s or 1990s, according to Merriam-Webster. Although "millennial" is technically used to set generational parameters, age is hardly the only defining characteristic. Like previous generations, millennials have been shaped by issues such as economic turmoil, been inspired by social upheaval, and been emboldened by unprecedented technological advances. These experiences have given form to a set of traits commonly associated with the millennial generation.
It makes you wonder if he's actually a 25-year-old trust fund baby wearing a man suit.
Donald Trump was born in June 1946, which makes him 70 years old. He's a good three to five decades older than us millennials and the same age as our parents or grandparents, a generation that should have guided and shaped us. Yet Trump's behavior exhibits traits that are so distinctly millennial, it makes you wonder if he's actually a 25-year-old trust fund baby wearing a man suit. What's more, he's only lifted the less flattering traits, leaving the positive, altruistic ones untouched.
Labeled by many as the "Me, Me, Me Generation," millennials are widely known to be entitled, narcissistic, distrustful, and tech obsessed. So is our POTUS. Here are some of the similarities between Trump and millennials and what we can do to redefine our generation.
Entitlement
A recent study by POPSUGAR Insights found that one of the most widely used millennial descriptors, entitled, is such a popular perception that even millennials use it to describe themselves. One of the most noteworthy observations the study made was that, to millennials, "entitled" wasn't necessarily a pejorative; to them, it simply means going after what you want without asking for permission. In other words, millennials feel no obligation to go through authority figures or superiors to attain even the loftiest of goals.
On Jan. 27, Trump signed an executive order banning refugees from entering the US for 120 days and banning citizens from the predominantly Muslim nations of Syria, Iraq, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Yemen, and Somalia for three months. This is one of the most extreme plans for preventing foreigners from coming into the US that this country has ever seen, and Trump felt entitled to "go after" it, reportedly without running the order by the Justice Department.
Xenophobic travel ban aside, feeling entitled is hardly a new sensation for Trump, although being elected to the highest office in the nation will undoubtedly inflate his sense of entitlement to an unthinkable degree. Trump has suffered entitlement nearly his entire life, ever since his father sent him off into the real world with "a small loan of a million dollars," which Trump tone-deafly spoke about at a town hall gathering in 2015.
Of course, being wealthy does not always equate being entitled, but Trump has proved this stereotype time and again throughout his life, even letting it warp into something more dangerous. In October, The Washington Post unearthed a recording from 2005 in which the then-reality TV host said being a celebrity has granted him permission to kiss any woman he wants and "grab them by the p*ssy." That's not just entitlement he's displaying, but a troubling lack of respect for women that promotes sexual assault.
Narcissism
Another label millennials have been charged with is narcissism. Time magazine cited data from the National Institutes of Health, which found that 58 percent more college students scored higher on a narcissism scale in 2009 than their predecessors in 1982.
In an interview with the American Psychological Association, Dr. Jean Twenge, author of Generation Me and The Narcissism Epidemic, stated her findings: "[Millennials are] more likely to say that they're above average compared to their peers and they tend to score higher on other measures of positive self-views, like self-esteem and even narcissism."
Similarly, many psychologists have publicly diagnosed Trump with narcissism, which they say is a mental illness. One in particular, John D. Gartner, told USA Today he thinks Trump has malignant narcissism, which Campbell's Psychiatric Dictionary defines as "a mix of narcissism, antisocial personality disorder, aggression and sadism."
In December, a group of professors from Harvard Medical School and the University of California wrote a letter to President Obama, urging him to order a full neuropsychiatric evaluation of Trump because of the alarming behavior he regularly exhibits. They wrote: "His widely reported symptoms of mental instability - including grandiosity, impulsivity, hypersensitivity to slights or criticism, and an apparent inability to distinguish between fantasy and reality - lead us to question his fitness for the immense responsibilities of the office."
We've seen this grandiosity in his overuse of the words "great," "best," and "tremendous" when describing everything from his forthcoming healthcare plan to his brain. His hypersensitivity to criticism oozes from his immediate and unfailing use of Twitter to respond to his latest critics. And we got a bitter taste of his inability to distinguish between fantasy and reality - and impulsivity - when he sent Press Secretary Sean Spicer, in his first briefing ever, to refute reports of the crowd size at his inauguration. Despite photographic evidence and Nielsen ratings, Spicer asserted that Trump garnered "the largest audience to ever witness an inauguration - period." If that's not the definition of "delusions of grandeur," then I don't know what is.
Tech Obsession
The upswing in narcissism associated with millennials can be explained in part by the trophy-style parenting that many millennials were raised with that led many of us to believe we're beautiful, unique "snowflakes," as well as the advent of social media and other technologies that have made mass communication and self-broadcasting as simple as pressing a button. It's hardly taboo to accuse millennials of being tech addicts; it's simply a fact.
A whopping 85 percent of millennials use smartphones, according to a 2016 study by research firm Forrester. Another study, by McCann Worldgroup, reported even more astounding findings: 53 percent of millennials would rather give up their sense of smell than be without their tech. Laura Simpson, McCann's global IQ director, explained: "It is the glue that binds this generation together and fuels the motivations that define them."
In fact, the only person who may be more attached to his gadgets and social networks is the Donald, who regularly uses Twitter as his primary means of communication. To date, Trump has tweeted more than 34,000 times. He also has suggested the reason he continues to tweet from his personal twitter account vs. the POTUS handle is because the latter has fewer followers.
Distrust
As social as millennials are across multiple platforms, however, we are not exactly trusting of other people. According to Paul Taylor, vice president of the Pew Research Center and author of The Next America, only about 19 percent of millennials think most people can be trusted.
Why is that? He goes on to explain: "Millennials came of age in the '90s and aughts, an era of global terrorism, of domestic school shootings, Columbine, 9/11, a lot of pretty horrible things that are particularly disturbing to parents. The worry about strangers online, online predators, and all the rest."
Pair that with the increasing ability to live your entire life online, and our generation is practically doomed to be isolationist. This is perhaps the most dangerous trait that Trump shares with millennials. The same global dangers that have instilled wariness in millennials have formed the basis for Trump's fearmongering rhetoric and exclusionary policy, which treats immigrants, refugees, and other minority groups with loathsome distrust. With his "America first" policies, Trump is effectively distancing America as an isolationist country, which could prove detrimental to us both politically and economically.
Millennials Have the Power to Fight Back
Fortunately, all these negative traits only paint a partial picture of millennials. On the other end of the character spectrum, we are known to be environmentally conscious, socially progressive, and welcoming of diversity. In an op-ed for the Las Vegas Sun, Taylor, the vice president of the Pew Research Center, wrote: "To [millennials], pluralism isn't a challenge to be managed; it's an ideal to be celebrated, and the wind at America's back."
Propelled by this "wind" and by the fact that a large percentage are themselves ethnically, sexually, and religiously diverse, Taylor calls millennials the "transitional generation to America's majority non-white future." What's more, millennials are fiercely civic-minded. A USA Today report states that "people born between 1982 and 2000 are the most civic-minded since the generation of the 1930s and 1940s."
Not coincidentally, these are all qualities that President Obama encouraged in young Americans. We watched Obama lead by example of what an environmentally, socially, and civically conscious citizen looks like, many of us during our most formative years, and we are better people for it. But now, we have a septuagenarian behaving like the very worst version of our generation, and he's swiftly dismantling our nation as we know it.
What Exactly Can We Do?
Trump's presidency is historically significant, but what we choose to do in response will be far more important.
So where does that leave us? Let me return to my opening statement: Donald Trump is the most important president we millennials will ever have. We have never, in our lifetimes, seen a leader so blatantly attempt to become an autocrat and who is so categorically antithetical to America's core values. The situation itself is historically significant, but what we choose to do in response will be far more important. This is where we must rely on our millennial strengths; we must use our desire for progress to galvanize and prove that we are in fact the civic-minded citizens that we are known to be.
We should use peaceful protest like that of the historic Women's March and it should never cease and never wane so long as Trump is in office. We can also channel our passions and energy through organizations like the ACLU, Planned Parenthood, The Trevor Project, the Anti-Defamation League, environmental groups, and other social progress groups by volunteering or donating.
Call your local legislators, representatives, senator, governor, and mayor to urge them to help protect the issues you care about. Here's how you can locate their digits. Filmmaker Michael Moore even goes so far as to recommend showing up at their office and asking for a few minutes of their time. Last but certainly not least, you can run for office yourself.
Years from now, as the next generation starts making a difference in society, let's make sure we've set the right example for compassion, resistance, and tireless devotion to progress. Let's make sure that to them, characteristics like entitlement, narcissism, and distrust will be associated with just one person: Donald Trump. Let's shatter any and all similarities our generation might share with this man. Let's show him what it means to be a millennial in the best sense of the word.
Princess Charlotte Gives a Sly Smirk in Precious New Birthday Photo
Princess Charlotte is growing up fast! In honor of her second birthday on May 2, a precious new photo of Charlotte was released by the Duchess of Cambridge on Monday. In the snap, the little one gives a sly smirk while wearing a yellow sweater and holding on to what appears to be a book. The last official photo of Charlotte we were treated to was on her first birthday in 2016, though we did get to see her attending church with her parents on Christmas and living it up on a royal tour of Canada with her brother, George, back in September.
It's already shaping up to be a big week for the family; Will and Kate celebrated their sixth wedding anniversary on Saturday, and the duchess is scheduled to visit Farms For City Children in the UK on Wednesday. Later this month, Charlotte and her older brother will have big parts in their aunt Pippa Middleton's wedding to James Matthews.
Trump and Millennials Have a Lot in Common - Here's How That Could Be a Good Thing
Donald Trump is the most important president millennials will ever have. Before you crack your knuckles and jump into the comments section, let me clarify. We've just experienced eight years of social progress, healthcare reform, and compassionate, measured foreign policy under President Barack Obama, whose values reflect America's founding principles and essentially helped to define the millennial generation. Despite this influence, we millennials still have our flaws and, ironically, our current POTUS seems to have adopted our negative traits. Yes, Donald Trump as a millennial is a nightmare of a notion, but it also means that our generation is the best equipped to oppose this enfant terrible.
A millennial is defined as a person born in the 1980s or 1990s, according to Merriam-Webster. Although "millennial" is technically used to set generational parameters, age is hardly the only defining characteristic. Like previous generations, millennials have been shaped by issues such as economic turmoil, been inspired by social upheaval, and been emboldened by unprecedented technological advances. These experiences have given form to a set of traits commonly associated with the millennial generation.
It makes you wonder if he's actually a 25-year-old trust fund baby wearing a man suit.
Donald Trump was born in June 1946, which makes him 70 years old. He's a good three to five decades older than us millennials and the same age as our parents or grandparents, a generation that should have guided and shaped us. Yet Trump's behavior exhibits traits that are so distinctly millennial, it makes you wonder if he's actually a 25-year-old trust fund baby wearing a man suit. What's more, he's only lifted the less flattering traits, leaving the positive, altruistic ones untouched.
Labeled by many as the "Me, Me, Me Generation," millennials are widely known to be entitled, narcissistic, distrustful, and tech obsessed. So is our POTUS. Here are some of the similarities between Trump and millennials and what we can do to redefine our generation.
Entitlement
A recent study by POPSUGAR Insights found that one of the most widely used millennial descriptors, entitled, is such a popular perception that even millennials use it to describe themselves. One of the most noteworthy observations the study made was that, to millennials, "entitled" wasn't necessarily a pejorative; to them, it simply means going after what you want without asking for permission. In other words, millennials feel no obligation to go through authority figures or superiors to attain even the loftiest of goals.
On Jan. 27, Trump signed an executive order banning refugees from entering the US for 120 days and banning citizens from the predominantly Muslim nations of Syria, Iraq, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Yemen, and Somalia for three months. This is one of the most extreme plans for preventing foreigners from coming into the US that this country has ever seen, and Trump felt entitled to "go after" it, reportedly without running the order by the Justice Department.
Xenophobic travel ban aside, feeling entitled is hardly a new sensation for Trump, although being elected to the highest office in the nation will undoubtedly inflate his sense of entitlement to an unthinkable degree. Trump has suffered entitlement nearly his entire life, ever since his father sent him off into the real world with "a small loan of a million dollars," which Trump tone-deafly spoke about at a town hall gathering in 2015.
Of course, being wealthy does not always equate being entitled, but Trump has proved this stereotype time and again throughout his life, even letting it warp into something more dangerous. In October, The Washington Post unearthed a recording from 2005 in which the then-reality TV host said being a celebrity has granted him permission to kiss any woman he wants and "grab them by the p*ssy." That's not just entitlement he's displaying, but a troubling lack of respect for women that promotes sexual assault.
Narcissism
Another label millennials have been charged with is narcissism. Time magazine cited data from the National Institutes of Health, which found that 58 percent more college students scored higher on a narcissism scale in 2009 than their predecessors in 1982.
In an interview with the American Psychological Association, Dr. Jean Twenge, author of Generation Me and The Narcissism Epidemic, stated her findings: "[Millennials are] more likely to say that they're above average compared to their peers and they tend to score higher on other measures of positive self-views, like self-esteem and even narcissism."
Similarly, many psychologists have publicly diagnosed Trump with narcissism, which they say is a mental illness. One in particular, John D. Gartner, told USA Today he thinks Trump has malignant narcissism, which Campbell's Psychiatric Dictionary defines as "a mix of narcissism, antisocial personality disorder, aggression and sadism."
In December, a group of professors from Harvard Medical School and the University of California wrote a letter to President Obama, urging him to order a full neuropsychiatric evaluation of Trump because of the alarming behavior he regularly exhibits. They wrote: "His widely reported symptoms of mental instability - including grandiosity, impulsivity, hypersensitivity to slights or criticism, and an apparent inability to distinguish between fantasy and reality - lead us to question his fitness for the immense responsibilities of the office."
We've seen this grandiosity in his overuse of the words "great," "best," and "tremendous" when describing everything from his forthcoming healthcare plan to his brain. His hypersensitivity to criticism oozes from his immediate and unfailing use of Twitter to respond to his latest critics. And we got a bitter taste of his inability to distinguish between fantasy and reality - and impulsivity - when he sent Press Secretary Sean Spicer, in his first briefing ever, to refute reports of the crowd size at his inauguration. Despite photographic evidence and Nielsen ratings, Spicer asserted that Trump garnered "the largest audience to ever witness an inauguration - period." If that's not the definition of "delusions of grandeur," then I don't know what is.
Tech Obsession
The upswing in narcissism associated with millennials can be explained in part by the trophy-style parenting that many millennials were raised with that led many of us to believe we're beautiful, unique "snowflakes," as well as the advent of social media and other technologies that have made mass communication and self-broadcasting as simple as pressing a button. It's hardly taboo to accuse millennials of being tech addicts; it's simply a fact.
A whopping 85 percent of millennials use smartphones, according to a 2016 study by research firm Forrester. Another study, by McCann Worldgroup, reported even more astounding findings: 53 percent of millennials would rather give up their sense of smell than be without their tech. Laura Simpson, McCann's global IQ director, explained: "It is the glue that binds this generation together and fuels the motivations that define them."
In fact, the only person who may be more attached to his gadgets and social networks is the Donald, who regularly uses Twitter as his primary means of communication. To date, Trump has tweeted more than 34,000 times. He also has suggested the reason he continues to tweet from his personal twitter account vs. the POTUS handle is because the latter has fewer followers.
Distrust
As social as millennials are across multiple platforms, however, we are not exactly trusting of other people. According to Paul Taylor, vice president of the Pew Research Center and author of The Next America, only about 19 percent of millennials think most people can be trusted.
Why is that? He goes on to explain: "Millennials came of age in the '90s and aughts, an era of global terrorism, of domestic school shootings, Columbine, 9/11, a lot of pretty horrible things that are particularly disturbing to parents. The worry about strangers online, online predators, and all the rest."
Pair that with the increasing ability to live your entire life online, and our generation is practically doomed to be isolationist. This is perhaps the most dangerous trait that Trump shares with millennials. The same global dangers that have instilled wariness in millennials have formed the basis for Trump's fearmongering rhetoric and exclusionary policy, which treats immigrants, refugees, and other minority groups with loathsome distrust. With his "America first" policies, Trump is effectively distancing America as an isolationist country, which could prove detrimental to us both politically and economically.
Millennials Have the Power to Fight Back
Fortunately, all these negative traits only paint a partial picture of millennials. On the other end of the character spectrum, we are known to be environmentally conscious, socially progressive, and welcoming of diversity. In an op-ed for the Las Vegas Sun, Taylor, the vice president of the Pew Research Center, wrote: "To [millennials], pluralism isn't a challenge to be managed; it's an ideal to be celebrated, and the wind at America's back."
Propelled by this "wind" and by the fact that a large percentage are themselves ethnically, sexually, and religiously diverse, Taylor calls millennials the "transitional generation to America's majority non-white future." What's more, millennials are fiercely civic-minded. A USA Today report states that "people born between 1982 and 2000 are the most civic-minded since the generation of the 1930s and 1940s."
Not coincidentally, these are all qualities that President Obama encouraged in young Americans. We watched Obama lead by example of what an environmentally, socially, and civically conscious citizen looks like, many of us during our most formative years, and we are better people for it. But now, we have a septuagenarian behaving like the very worst version of our generation, and he's swiftly dismantling our nation as we know it.
What Exactly Can We Do?
Trump's presidency is historically significant, but what we choose to do in response will be far more important.
So where does that leave us? Let me return to my opening statement: Donald Trump is the most important president we millennials will ever have. We have never, in our lifetimes, seen a leader so blatantly attempt to become an autocrat and who is so categorically antithetical to America's core values. The situation itself is historically significant, but what we choose to do in response will be far more important. This is where we must rely on our millennial strengths; we must use our desire for progress to galvanize and prove that we are in fact the civic-minded citizens that we are known to be.
We should use peaceful protest like that of the historic Women's March and it should never cease and never wane so long as Trump is in office. We can also channel our passions and energy through organizations like the ACLU, Planned Parenthood, The Trevor Project, the Anti-Defamation League, environmental groups, and other social progress groups by volunteering or donating.
Call your local legislators, representatives, senator, governor, and mayor to urge them to help protect the issues you care about. Here's how you can locate their digits. Filmmaker Michael Moore even goes so far as to recommend showing up at their office and asking for a few minutes of their time. Last but certainly not least, you can run for office yourself.
Years from now, as the next generation starts making a difference in society, let's make sure we've set the right example for compassion, resistance, and tireless devotion to progress. Let's make sure that to them, characteristics like entitlement, narcissism, and distrust will be associated with just one person: Donald Trump. Let's shatter any and all similarities our generation might share with this man. Let's show him what it means to be a millennial in the best sense of the word.
19 Big Differences Between the Book and TV Show Versions of 13 Reasons Why
Note: MAJOR SPOILERS for 13 Reasons Why below!
Long before 13 Reasons Why was a hit Netflix show, the moving account of the life and death of Hannah Baker originated in Jay Asher's bestselling 2007 young adult novel of the same name. Both versions of the story are addicting, brutally honest depictions of teen suicide, depression, and grief, but showrunner Brian Yorkey decided to make a few huge changes when it came time to adapt it for TV. From simple things - like how long it takes Clay Jensen (Dylan Minnette) to get through the tapes - to major differences - like the way Hannah (Katherine Langford) chooses to end her life - read on to see how Asher's book differs from the adaptation.
- Clay listens to all of the tapes in one night. If you were at all frustrated by Clay's slow progression through Hannah's tapes in the TV show, you'll probably be a big fan of the way Asher originally chose to do it. After receiving the box of tapes on his doorstep in the book, Clay binges them in one sitting. In the show, Tony tells Clay that he's "the slowest yet" of all of the listeners.
- Clay doesn't figure out Tony is following him right away. Although Clay has a run-in with Tony in episode one that confirms he's the one Hannah made responsible for watching everyone on her list, book Clay doesn't realize that it's Tony until he listens to the fourth cassette tape (after stealing Tony's Walkman).
- Social media doesn't factor into Hannah's bullying. Sites like Facebook and Twitter certainly existed when Asher published the novel in 2007, but they had yet to become all-consuming forces in the lives of teenagers like they are now. There are references to Clay's cell phone, but the photos of Hannah that Justin and Tyler spread through the school via group text in the series are only word-of-mouth gossip in the book. Rumors by themselves are definitely damaging, but actually seeing the images of Hannah passed around so cruelly adds a new layer of pain to her bullying.
- Clay doesn't have hallucinations about Hannah. Some of the more shocking scenes in the show happen when Clay has visions of Hannah bleeding out in the middle of the gym and at the school dance, and it's mentioned in passing that he used to take duloxetine to treat an anxiety disorder (which is why he can only handle listening to one tape at a time). This never happens in the book.
- The high school students are tamer, so to speak. Parties full of underage drinkers happen in the book (as do the horrifying rape scenes), but the show doesn't hold back from showing other realities of being a teenager today: smoking pot, having sex, driving drunk, cursing, etc.
- Clay injures himself in another way. Distraught and distracted by the tapes, Clay slams his bike into a car in the first episode, cutting his head wide open. He's just as unlucky in Asher's novel, except he gets a nasty slice on his hand from a fence.
- Courtney Crimsen is still the worst, but in a different way. Book Courtney still has a reputation as the strait-laced nice girl at school, and she also sleeps over Hannah's house to help her set a risqué trap for the Peeping Tom who's been following her around. Instead of getting drunk and making out during a game of Truth or Dare, however, the two give each other a back massage in front of the guy watching them. Courtney, who isn't gay in the book, then spreads nasty rumors about Hannah being a slut in an attempt to raise her street cred at school.
- The order of the tapes is different. In the show, Clay is the 11th person to receive the tapes and chooses to skip number 12 (Bryce, a rapist who would probably destroy the tapes if he got them) and give them to the last person on the list instead, Mr. Porter. The resolution is less clear in the novel, since Clay is ninth on the list, and simply mails them off to number 10. There also aren't any scenes of his classmates conspiring to keep the tapes from being discovered.
- Clay never confronts Bryce or records his confession. Because the order of the tapes is different in the book and none of the kids are trying to stop Clay from listening to all of them, Clay doesn't try to bring Bryce to justice for his actions. He never records his confession of raping Hannah, or gives "side 14" to Mr. Porter.
- There isn't a lawsuit. The Bakers only appear in the book very briefly, and their lawsuit against the school doesn't exist. The only time they come up is when someone mentions that they've closed their shoe store (which is replaced by a pharmacy in the show) in the wake of their daughter's suicide.
- Clay's parents are barely in it. When Clay first starts listening to the tapes at the beginning of the book, his mom comes in to check on him and they have quick conversations throughout the night. In the show, his parents are in every episode (and what feels like every other scene), mostly because his mom is the lawyer tasked with defending the school district against the Bakers' lawsuit.
- Hannah's suicide is done differently. The scene of Hannah killing herself by slicing her wrists open with a razor blade is extremely graphic and difficult to watch. It's a huge departure from Asher's original portrayal of her death, which is referenced only when Clay says she "swallowed a handful of pills."
- Clay and Hannah aren't exactly friends. Some of the most touching, heartbreaking moments throughout the 13 Reasons Why show happen when Clay is mourning the future he and Hannah could have had or reliving memories from their close relationship. He pines after her for nearly the entire season, and is confused when she pushes him away after their heated makeout session at Jessica's party. The kiss still happens in the original story, but the lead up to it is different. They work at the movie theater together for one Summer, but Hannah says on the tapes that she wishes they could've been closer and gotten to know each other better. The two don't actually ever have a legitimate conversation until the night of the party when they hook up.
- The Monet's crew has a different motto. In an effort to update the book, Hannah, Alex, and Jessica's motto goes from "olly olly oxen free" to "FML."
- And Sheri has a different name. In the book, a nice cheerleader named Jenny Kurtz chats with Hannah during the Dollar Valentine fundraiser, and is later responsible for knocking over the stop sign that causes Jeff to die. Jenny is changed to Sheri on TV and pursues a relationship with Clay that she doesn't originally.
- Speaking of Jeff, he's a much more minor character in the book. It's hard not to crush on Jeff throughout the show. As a popular, well-meaning baseball player who takes pity on Clay's ineptitude with girls, he's instantly lovable, which makes his sudden death in a car crash because of Sheri knocking over the stop sign that much more painful. He still dies in the book, but since his character is a senior that none of the main characters are friends with, it doesn't have as big of an impact on Clay's life.
- Alex doesn't attempt suicide. Alex Standall openly struggles with fitting in at school and his remorse over what the group has done to Hannah in the show, and a scene of him dropping in Bryce's pool at one point suggests that he doesn't necessarily want to come up for air. It's revealed in the finale that he shoots himself in head, but not if he survives. None of this happens in the book.
- Tyler doesn't have a plan to shoot up the school. A disturbing scene in the show alludes to Tyler's plans for a school shooting (he opens a secret compartment in a trunk in his bedroom to reveal a stash of guns and explosives), but like Alex's fate, he doesn't do that in the novel.
- The book's ending is less complex. After listening to Hannah's tapes and wishing that he could've picked up on signs of what she was going to do earlier, book Clay reaches out to an old friend, Skye, who's been showing signs of depression. This also happens in the show, but since there's likely going to be a second season, more storylines are left open: Tyler's violent plans, Alex's attempted suicide, the Bakers' lawsuit, Sheri turning herself in, Bryce's rapes coming to light, and more.
This Vintage Logo Has Been Seen on Every A-Lister Imaginable
If you asked us a month ago what the one piece of clothing we were seeing on every celebrity was, it would hands down be the Alberta Ferretti's Days of the Week sweater. If you ask us today, and we'd have to change our answer to anything that has a vintage Gucci logo on it.
Gucci is having more than a moment and we're not just talking about the time when Rihanna showed up to Coachella wearing a diamond-covered bodysuit. We're actually talking about the vintage Gucci logo that's seen on her tank top.
Designer Alessandro Michele revived the logo during Gucci's latest Cruise collection and now celebrities ranging from Kendall Jenner to Harry Styles have made this vintage print a wardrobe staple. From the famous Trophy t-shirt to oversize hoodies, scroll on to see what A-listers have been spotted wearing the print and shop the looks below.
Princess Charlotte Gives a Sly Smirk in Precious New Birthday Photo
Princess Charlotte is growing up fast! In honor of her second birthday on May 2, a precious new photo of Charlotte was released by the Duchess of Cambridge on Monday. In the snap, the little one gives a sly smirk while wearing a yellow sweater and holding on to what appears to be a book. The last official photo of Charlotte we were treated to was on her first birthday in 2016, though we did get to see her attending church with her parents on Christmas and living it up on a royal tour of Canada with her brother, George, back in September.
It's already shaping up to be a big week for the family; Will and Kate celebrated their sixth wedding anniversary on Saturday, and the duchess is scheduled to visit Farms For City Children in the UK on Wednesday. Later this month, Charlotte and her older brother will have big parts in their aunt Pippa Middleton's wedding to James Matthews.
Everything to Know About This Year's Upcoming Met Gala
The focus of the 2017 Met Gala will be on Comme des Garçons's designer Rei Kawakubo, which is pretty crazy in and of itself. This makes Kawakubo only the second living designer to be honored at the annual exhibit, following Yves Saint Laurent in 1983. Since Comme des Garçons is known not only for avant-garde looks that shape the figure in dramatic ways, but also for iconic street style items, the event calls for some experimental co-chairs.
Tom Brady and Gisele Bündchen are confirmed to co-chair the event, which they've been attending since 2008. Anna Wintour will be hosting alongside Katy Perry and Pharrell, who worked on a perfume with Comme des Garçons for his Girl album in 2014. Read on for a quick preview of what we expect to see on May 1 when the gallery doors are finally opened and the red carpet rolls out.
The 1 Thing You Never Knew About Jackie Kennedy's Shoes, Until Now
All a new memoir, her former assistant, Kathy McKeon, revealed Jackie customized all her shoes down to the very inch: a quarter inch to be exact.
"The bedroom walk-in closet was jam-packed with Madam's everyday clothing, all arranged according to color . . . more intriguing to me was the quarter-inch lift affixed to one heel on each pair of shoes, apparently meant to compensate for one leg being slightly shorter than the other," Katy said. "No one would have ever guessed."
That's true because a quarter inch is basically invisible to the naked eye. This surprising tidbit about the former first lady's footwear peaked our curiosity, so we uncovered past photos of her shoes. We needed a closer look! Scroll on to see the archived snaps.
5 Real-Life Tips For Being a Great Boss
Any quick online search about bosses will return abundant advice on how to impress your boss, how not to annoy your boss, showing gratitude for your boss, how to figure out what your boss is thinking, and on and on. But what if you are the boss? Once you reach a management role, you might find that it's tougher than you thought to be fair and authoritative in an elevated role.
So we polled two of POPSUGAR's top bosses, with nearly 20 years of combined experience at the company and asked them to share their most valuable tips for being a great boss.
1. Hire great people, and then trust them to do their jobs.
"Employees do their best work when they feel trusted and empowered, so create a work environment where your team feels valued, but not micromanaged. Be available, provide support, and give feedback, but at the end of the day, trust that your capable, bright employees will do the job you hired them to do." - Mandy Harris, managing editor
"I want to hire people who I trust to execute our vision and make decisions without me weighing in." - Nancy Einhart, executive editor
2. Don't be afraid to admit when you've made a mistake or don't know the answer.
"Great bosses are respected (sometimes even revered) by their teams, but they're not infallible. To build trust among your team members, don't hesitate to admit when you were wrong or need a second opinion. Your team will respect you even more for being honest, and it'll teach them to speak up when they screw up, too." - Mandy
"You also have to accept that, as with any job, you will make mistakes as a manager. I've made plenty of them. I think people would rather you make a wrong decision and fix it than make no decision at all. When mentoring new managers, I find that it helps to be honest with them about the mistakes you've made or the challenges you've faced. Let them know that what they're experiencing is common and, in fact, you've dealt with the same thing." - Nancy
3. Learn how to do the job you're asking others to do.
"You'll earn your team's respect and loyalty by showing them that you're willing to get in the trenches with them. That doesn't mean you have to be 'in the weeds' every day instead of doing your own job, but working alongside your team will give you better insight into their daily tasks and prove to them that you're not afraid to get your hands dirty." - Mandy
4. Honest feedback is key - even (or especially) when it's difficult to give.
"Often, we shy away from delivering difficult feedback, because it's scary and not fun. But I've learned that it's far more deleterious not to be honest. It's much fairer to be candid with people about what they're doing wrong and what's holding them back. Otherwise, you're not setting them up for success, and you're setting yourself up to be frustrated. I find that as long as I deliver critical feedback in a constructive, thoughtful, and kind way, people are grateful to hear it. As a manager, you simply cannot avoid difficult conversations. You just have to accept going in that it's going to be a difficult conversation but that it has to be done." - Nancy
5. Listening well and finding solutions breeds trust.
"You have to be a good listener, which means taking it all in but also being focused on solutions. I listen until I understand the problems at hand, then I pause the conversation before it spirals out of control. I'll say, 'OK, let me stop you for a sec, because I think I understand the issue,' then I repeat back the issue. That lets people know they are being heard and keeps them from just complaining for an hour. As long as you keep following up, even if you still don't have an answer, people feel reassured that you're trying to figure out a solution. Of course, you eventually do have to figure out a solution, or you lose their trust." - Nancy
The 1 Thing You Never Knew About Jackie Kennedy's Shoes, Until Now
All a new memoir, her former assistant, Kathy McKeon, revealed Jackie customized all her shoes down to the very inch: a quarter inch to be exact.
"The bedroom walk-in closet was jam-packed with Madam's everyday clothing, all arranged according to color . . . more intriguing to me was the quarter-inch lift affixed to one heel on each pair of shoes, apparently meant to compensate for one leg being slightly shorter than the other," Katy said. "No one would have ever guessed."
That's true because a quarter inch is basically invisible to the naked eye. This surprising tidbit about the former first lady's footwear peaked our curiosity, so we uncovered past photos of her shoes. We needed a closer look! Scroll on to see the archived snaps.
Kim Kardashian Says Her Paris Robbery Was Meant to Happen to Her
It's been seven months since Kim Kardashian was robbed at gunpoint in Paris, and the reality star is slowly starting to open up about the horrific ordeal for the first time. After detailing her experience on her family's show, Keeping Up With the Kardashians, Kim, who recently returned from a tropical girls' trip to Mexico, spoke to Ellen DeGeneres on Thursday about how she's doing now. "I know this sounds crazy, but I know that was meant to happen to me," she said while tearing up. "It was probably no secret, you see us on the show being flashy and I was definitely materialistic before. Not that there's anything bad with having things and working hard to get those things, but I just don't care about that stuff anymore." Watch her emotional interview above.
Stop and Admire These Charming Succulent Birdcages - Then DIY Them!
If you've scrolled through Instagram any time over the past few years, chances are you've stumbled upon a photo of succulents (or probably like, 27 photos, to be more accurate). Since the picture-worthy plants arrived on the decor scene, they've shown no signs of slowing down their worldwide dominance, and we fully support the unceasing trend. There are plenty of cute ways to decorate your home or garden with these low-maintenance plants, but by far the most charming option of them all has to be succulent birdcages. Practically bursting (or should we say blooming) at the seams with color, they have a quaint vibe that we're so into.
Making these cute garden accessories on your own is supereasy. Craftberry Bush blogger Lucy suggests lining the bottom of your cage with paper or cardboard before adding a layer of sand and sheet moss on top. Then remove each of your succulents from their respective pots and place their roots in the moss, gently squeezing some pieces through the cage's wire slots. After that, add some potting soil to cover the roots, throw in a bit more moss to the empty slots to prevent soil spillage, and voila! You've just DIY-ed the succulent birdcage of your dreams.
We've noticed these delightful arrangements popping up all over Pinterest and Instagram and for good reason - they're so darn adorable! If you're looking for a new way to fuel your undying succulent obsession, these babies are definitely the answer. Ahead, get some inspiration from the best ones we've seen so far before you make your own at home.
5 Things You Never Knew About Wendy's, Straight From an Employee
If you've ever wondered what it's like behind the scenes of Wendy's as you pick up your chicken nuggets and Frosty from the drive-thru, you'll appreciate this employee's Reddit AMA ("Ask Me Anything"). An employee named Nick who has worked at the fast-food chain for two years answered anonymous questions online about where Wendy's food comes from, how clean the place is, and which menu items he does not recommend. Get the inside scoop on one of your favorite fast-food spots by discovering all of the employee's insider knowledge ahead.
The employee doesn't recommend the chili because of what it's made from.
When someone asked the employee which Wendy's item he does not recommend getting, Nick said he doesn't like the chili. "Personally, I do not prefer the chili because we make it with the leftover burgers that the cook burnt," he said. The commenter wondered if this is public knowledge (who knew?!), and the employee admitted, "I'm not quite sure."
There's a generous employee discount.
If your love of Wendy's cheeseburgers and spicy chicken sandwich knows no bounds, this might be your ideal job. Nick disclosed the Wendy's employee discount, saying, "We get 50 percent off one meal while we are working, whether that be on our break, or if you want to work and eat it. (Meals are per shift, so if you are working a double you can eat two discounted). This includes ANYTHING off the menu, but the maximum you can get discounted is $6. Outside of work we have a thing called a 'VIP Card,' which are only given to crew with certain requirements (I believe if they have children or something, no idea), which can be used for 25 percent off your whole meal. We get any sized drink and can refill it at any time for free."
Wendy's donates food to local communities.
The employee was excited to reveal that Wendy's does in fact donate and give back to local communities. He said, "We benefit local communities! Our store is a franchise so we are a little looser. Every morning we grab food from the cooler to last the whole day. Any extra meat, fries, or chicken nuggets we have (that are still frozen and not open due to FDA regulations) we donate to our local soup kitchens!"
Wendy's employees take cleaning very seriously.
If you've ever wondered whether or not the cooking equipment is thoroughly cleaned every night, rest assured, it's a process that's taken seriously. The employee described the process at his location, saying, "We clean the fry and grill parts every night during closing, and to ensure they are extra clean they are washed by the opening shift also. We clean our floors with the same stuff, but we just mop instead of vacuuming it up, and then we clean the water."
Wendy's food is delivered from a distributor called Sysco.
A commenter wanted to know, "Is the food all supplied from Wendy's corporate? Can ingredients be sourced elsewhere?" And the Wendy's employee responded, "Actually, all food comes from a company called Sysco. They have Wendy's corporate deliver to Sysco. Then as you may tell, Sysco to us. If we run out of something, it gets delivered the next day when ordered. So, unfortunately, if we run out of hamburger (for example) we are out for the day!"
Kim Kardashian Says Her Paris Robbery Was Meant to Happen to Her
It's been seven months since Kim Kardashian was robbed at gunpoint in Paris, and the reality star is slowly starting to open up about the horrific ordeal for the first time. After detailing her experience on her family's show, Keeping Up With the Kardashians, Kim, who recently returned from a tropical girls' trip to Mexico, spoke to Ellen DeGeneres on Thursday about how she's doing now. "I know this sounds crazy, but I know that was meant to happen to me," she said while tearing up. "It was probably no secret, you see us on the show being flashy and I was definitely materialistic before. Not that there's anything bad with having things and working hard to get those things, but I just don't care about that stuff anymore." Watch her emotional interview above.
Treat Yourself and Your Babes With These Must-Have Gifts This May
Just because others are meant to buy you gifts on Mother's Day doesn't mean you can't treat yourself and your babes this May. From newborn products and toddler play items to shirts for mama and a soon-to-be-family-favorite storybook (about, spoiler alert: dragons and tacos), this list is sure to have something you can grab for yourself or your little ones.
You deserve presents to you, from you, and you can also benefit from giving a gift to your kids that might keep them busy, giving you anywhere from 30 seconds to five minutes (if you're lucky) to breathe.
Everyone's Going Crazy For These Trendy Pink Sneakers
Fashion's infatuation with pink seems to be long lasting, at least for 2017. The color trend coupled with the industry's undying love for sneakers means a roundup of sugary-sweet kicks that have all the fixings. From the pearl-embellished uppers on Stuart Weitzman's Décor slip-ons to the Seussical stripes on Fendi's sock boot, it's safe to say these pink sneakers aren't really girlie; they're avant-garde.
In fact, just scrolling through the mixed-media styles below is like a trip back to art class. It's also a nice reminder that you don't always need to create an intricate outfit to stand out on the street. Just pull on your jeans and a pair of these playful shoes, and you're good to go.
Treat Yourself and Your Babes With These Must-Have Gifts This May
Just because others are meant to buy you gifts on Mother's Day doesn't mean you can't treat yourself and your babes this May. From newborn products and toddler play items to shirts for mama and a soon-to-be-family-favorite storybook (about, spoiler alert: dragons and tacos), this list is sure to have something you can grab for yourself or your little ones.
You deserve presents to you, from you, and you can also benefit from giving a gift to your kids that might keep them busy, giving you anywhere from 30 seconds to five minutes (if you're lucky) to breathe.
Everyone's Going Crazy For These Trendy Pink Sneakers
Fashion's infatuation with pink seems to be long lasting, at least for 2017. The color trend coupled with the industry's undying love for sneakers means a roundup of sugary-sweet kicks that have all the fixings. From the pearl-embellished uppers on Stuart Weitzman's Décor slip-ons to the Seussical stripes on Fendi's sock boot, it's safe to say these pink sneakers aren't really girlie; they're avant-garde.
In fact, just scrolling through the mixed-media styles below is like a trip back to art class. It's also a nice reminder that you don't always need to create an intricate outfit to stand out on the street. Just pull on your jeans and a pair of these playful shoes, and you're good to go.
Fixer Upper's Joanna Gaines Shares 4 Brilliant Ways to Renovate Your Kitchen Affordably
If you've ever seen an episode of Fixer Upper - and who hasn't? - then you know that Chip and Joanna Gaines specialize in creating dream homes for people on a tight budget. We recently had a chance to talk to the couple on their home turf of Waco, TX, where they were promoting their Magnolia Homes by Joanna Gaines paint line, and we couldn't let the opportunity pass without asking them their tips for how to renovate a kitchen affordably. They enthusiastically filled us in on what their years of updating kitchens in other people's homes as well as their own have taught them on the topic. Keep reading to check out these HGTV superstars' step-by-step guide to creating your dream kitchen when you're low on cash.
Sculpt Muscles Faster With These Essential Strength-Training Tips
Your busy schedule hardly allows for time to exercise, so when you steal away for an hour, you want to make that workout count. If a toned physique is your goal, here are essential strength-training tips for quickly achieving the sculpted muscles you desire.
Sculpt Muscles Faster With These Essential Strength-Training Tips
Your busy schedule hardly allows for time to exercise, so when you steal away for an hour, you want to make that workout count. If a toned physique is your goal, here are essential strength-training tips for quickly achieving the sculpted muscles you desire.
Burn Fat and Build Muscle With This Full-Body Cardio Workout
This 30-minute workout offers the best of both worlds, mixing fat-burning cardio with muscle-building strength training. And isn't that really what we want out of a sweat sesh to get leaner and stronger? Best of all, you don't need any equipment for the workout. So what are you waiting for? Press play and get down to business.
Eric Dane's TV Show Temporarily Shuts Down Due to His Battle With Depression
Eric Dane is taking some much-needed time off. The actor's rep revealed in a statement to Us Weekly on Sunday that production on Eric's hit TNT show, The Last Ship, has been temporarily shut down so that he can deal with depression. "Eric asked for a break to deal with personal issues," his rep said. "He suffers from depression and has asked for a few weeks of downtime and the producers kindly granted that request. He looks forward to returning." According to Variety, the hiatus will last through Memorial Day weekend.
Eric, who is also known for his role as Dr. McSteamy on Grey's Anatomy, has been open about his struggles in the past. The actor, who is dad to daughters Billie and Georgia with wife Rebecca Gayheart, entered rehab in 2011 to battle an addiction to painkillers that he developed following a sports injury.
14 Romantic Dresses to Wear to a Destination Beach Wedding
When you're headed to a destination wedding at the beach, a good amount of thought and planning must be put into your look. You'll need to travel with your jumpsuit or dress after all, and you'll want to keep it in tip top shape throughout your journey. Then there's the romance of sitting oceanside at sunset - don't you want a lovely outfit that fits the bill? We've taken all these things into account and shopped for an assortment of maxis, jumpers, and coordinate sets you're bound to want to try. They come in lightweight fabrics, splashy prints, and breezy silhouettes that speak to the season.
14 Romantic Dresses to Wear to a Destination Beach Wedding
When you're headed to a destination wedding at the beach, a good amount of thought and planning must be put into your look. You'll need to travel with your jumpsuit or dress after all, and you'll want to keep it in tip top shape throughout your journey. Then there's the romance of sitting oceanside at sunset - don't you want a lovely outfit that fits the bill? We've taken all these things into account and shopped for an assortment of maxis, jumpers, and coordinate sets you're bound to want to try. They come in lightweight fabrics, splashy prints, and breezy silhouettes that speak to the season.
Every Question You've Ever Had About the Met Gala, Answered in an Instant
We don't expect you to know that Vogue editor Anna Wintour has been cochairing the Met Gala since 1999, but you should absolutely know she's the woman behind the annual event, which always falls on the first Monday in May. And you don't need to know exactly how much money the ball raises for the Met's Costume Institute, but you should be aware that - behind all the glitz and glamour on the red carpet - there's a curated exhibit for attendees (and eventually you) to enjoy.
Just days after Hollywood's elite swarm the museum in New York, the doors are open to the public. This year, everyone will enjoy a tribute to Comme des Garcons womenswear designer Rei Kawakubo, who is "one of the most important and influential designers of the past forty years," according to chief curator Andrew Bolton. What goes into planning not only the display but also the most anticipated, exclusive night in fashion? Anna Wintour handles the seating charts and taps a couple of celebrity performers to entertain, but we're sure you have more questions than that, now don't you?
The FCC's Attack on Net Neutrality Should Scare Anyone Who Uses the Internet
Imagine turning on Netflix . . . but having to pay extra to watch it fast and at a normal speed. That doesn't happen now, thanks to net neutrality rules, but thanks to the head of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), that could change.
What is net neutrality?
Net neutrality, known more commonly as the Open Internet Order of 2015, established rules on how internet service providers (ISPs) can operate. It requires ISPs to treat any content on the internet the same - meaning no throttling or favoring of certain types of content. Net neutrality helps consumers and keeps the internet fair and open. Opponents of net neutrality, like FCC chair Ajit Pai, believe it causes companies to become less innovative and is another example of government overregulation.
What is the FCC chair doing to net neutrality?
On April 26, Pai announced that the FCC wants to get rid of all Obama-era regulations on the internet and transfer the regulatory role to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). These proposals will come to a vote on May 18. If they pass the commission, the public can file comments, but Pai seems certain that these rules will go through no matter what.
"Make no mistake about it: this is a fight that we intend to wage and it is a fight that we are going to win," said Pai in a speech at the Newseum.
How do ISPs, Republicans, and Democrats feel about the change?
Plenty of companies applauded the move. "We applaud FCC Chairman Pai's initiative to remove this stifling regulatory cloud over the internet," wrote Randall Stephenson, AT&T chairman and CEO, in a blog post. "Businesses large and small will have a clearer path to invest more in our nation's broadband infrastructure under Chairman Pai's leadership."
In a joint statement, Senators John Thune and Roger Wicker, as well as Representatives Greg Walden and Marsha Blackburn, are also happy about the move, reports The Hill. "We have long said that imposing a Depression-era, utility-style regulatory structure onto the internet was the wrong approach, and we applaud Chairman Pai's efforts to roll back these misguided regulations," they wrote.
Democrats felt differently. "Gutting these rules robs Americans of protections that preserve their access to the open and free internet," said Senator Bill Nelson in a statement. Senators Tammy Duckworth and Chuck Schumer also disavowed the proposal.
#NetNeutrality is the basic principle that all internet users deserve a level playing field & no content can be favored, slowed or blocked
- Tammy Duckworth (@SenDuckworth) April 26, 2017
Today, FCC chairman announced a dramatic step in the wrong direction for the future of the internet w/ his plans to unravel net neutrality.
- Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) April 26, 2017
The fight to keep the internet free and open is just beginning, so prepare yourself and keep a close eye on what Donald Trump's administration continues to do.
Johnny Depp Gives Pirates of the Caribbean Riders a Magical Surprise
Johnny Depp Is filming on the pirates ride in Disney land!!!! Crazy!!!!!! http://pic.twitter.com/Klc1QyEKzR
- Tommy Williams (@Twiller0) April 27, 2017
Johnny Depp has a ton of iconic characters under his belt, but few are as beloved as Captain Jack Sparrow. Likely because the 53-year-old actor is gearing up to promote Pirates of the Caribbean's latest chapter, Dead Men Tell No Tales, he decided to pop by the real-life Disneyland ride that inspired the adventure franchise. Dressed head to toe in Jack's costume, Johnny interacted with a few lucky people going through the ride (who later shared videos of his appearance on Twitter) and repeated some of his character's most well-known lines.
"Everyone was surprised, shocked, and excited to see him," one of the park-goers told E! News. "He acted exactly like his character in the movies." Another person who saw Johnny described it as "a surreal moment" for everyone on the boat. "Crazy experience. Best Disneyland experience our family has ever been a part of," they added. Between Johnny's epic surprise and The Rock's recent day out on Disney's Jungle Cruise ride, it looks like the amusement park is the place to be for A-listers.
Life is complete! Just saw Johnny Depp on Pirates of the Caribbean @Disneyland !! #PiratesoftheCaribbean http://pic.twitter.com/33lLTGmHng
- Patricia (@MissLovelyCuppy) April 27, 2017
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